As Seraphina's gaze remained fixed on the ever-shrinking cube of spatial energy enclosing her, her mind raced to find a way out. Each potential solution she considered was swiftly dismissed, as the very nature of the spatial mana neutralized most forms of intervention. Any attack powerful enough to breach the shield would inevitably trigger a reaction within the enclosed space, one that she could not escape in time.Her immunity to attacks powered by her own energy was an advantage, but it had its limits. The consequences of her own strikes—shockwaves, residual energy, and other aftereffects—were not covered by that immunity. If she unleashed an attack strong enough to escape, the ensuing chaos within the confined space could inflict devastating harm upon her. The risk was unacceptable, as the damage would leave her vulnerable to Aron, who was unlikely to miss the opportunity to exploit her weakened state.For the first time in her life, Seraphina found herself cornered—not by raw str

Seraphina's lips curved into a wide, triumphant smile, one she made no effort to conceal. She had finally gotten what she wanted—a chance at regaining her freedom.“You’re finally speaking my language,” she said, her voice carrying a note of satisfaction as she accepted his challenge without hesitation, not even pausing to consider the implications.However, Aron quickly tempered her enthusiasm. “But not now. There are preparations to be made—measures that will allow both of us to fight at full strength without worrying about outsiders seeing or hearing the aftermath,” he explained.Her smile vanished instantly, replaced by a scowl of irritation. The delay was an unwelcome turn of events, as it meant her opportunity to secure freedom would be postponed.“Are you stalling for time? Do you take me for a fool?” she snapped, her voice sharp with suspicion. “You realize a fight between us will unleash massive amounts of energy, visible from vast distances. How exactly do you intend to keep

Aron, now aboard his mothership stationed at the third layer of defense, resumed his work after using the brief journey from the Colosseum to his current location to rest. Though the battle was over, his vigilance remained unwavering, mirroring the military's continued state of heightened readiness. However, this was only part of his reasoning. The primary factor keeping him from returning to Earth was the crucial obligations awaiting him next week.He would soon oversee the receipt of the promised rewards and engage in vital discussions with representatives from the visiting civilizations. Returning to Earth, even momentarily, would only disrupt his tightly packed schedule. Given that all his tasks could be executed efficiently from his current position, Aron saw no practical advantage in leaving. With his characteristic pragmatism, he directed his focus back to the array of responsibilities demanding his attention, ensuring every detail was handled meticulously in preparation for th

"The next topic for discussion," the AI referee announced, her voice calm and deliberate, "is the establishment of a communication framework to seamlessly connect both sides. This will ensure the smooth execution of official duties, facilitate business transactions, and promote the exchange and integration of cultures."Her holographic form rotated slightly as if surveying both sides of the room, pausing momentarily to invite engagement. Then, she fell silent, allowing the attendees to take the lead in the discussion.Although she was formally guiding the meeting, her role resembled that of a highly advanced assistant. Her primary responsibility was to ensure that all key agenda points were addressed thoroughly and accurately recorded in the meeting minutes.“Can your side explain how you maintain communication between different civilizations and keep it active?” Aron asked, his tone steady but curious. He saw this as a valuable chance to clarify what he already knew—most of which cam

“They really are cunning individuals,” Aron said, a laugh escaping him as he observed the data in front of him. Amusement danced in his eyes, though it was tinged with a hint of disbelief. “I wouldn’t have thought to take it this far, but they’re really pushing the boundaries of what they can get away with under the mana oaths.”{I would’ve done something similar too,} Nova standing beside Aron as always remarked, her usual calm tone laced with dry humor. {But I wouldn’t have been so blatant about it.}Aron, who had just returned from a highly productive meeting with the Conclave representatives, had wasted no time. Instead of resting, he’d immediately logged into VR, eager to sift through the trove of knowledge he’d secured—a prize that had come at the cost of risking his own life.But what greeted him was not the seamless integration of knowledge he’d hoped for. Instead, he was faced with a chaotic mess: a collection of data encoded in wildly different methods, each unique to the ci