The air on the plateau grew dense with power, an almost suffocating weight pressing down on everything around. Y/n stood amidst the settling dust, his fists clenched at his sides, his chest rising and falling with steady breaths. His eyes burned with resolve, flickering like molten fire.

"I guess it's time I stop holding back," Y/n muttered, his voice low but steady.

With a guttural roar, his body erupted in flames, the inferno swirling around him like a living entity. His form began to change—his muscles tensed and expanded, his skin taking on a faint shimmer as dragon scales began to creep along his arms and neck. His fingers lengthened, ending in sharp claws, and his teeth sharpened into predatory fangs. When he opened his eyes, they glowed with a reptilian intensity, pupils narrowing into slits.

Y/n flexed his claws, his aura crackling with a fiery brilliance that made the very air shimmer. The ground beneath him cracked and splintered from the sheer force of his transformation. A deep growl rumbled in his throat, the sound resonating like the roar of a true dragon.

Across from him, August observed with calm precision, but there was no mistaking the shift in his demeanor. The Wizard King's expression hardened, and his staff hovered slightly off the ground as if it, too, was imbued with a will of its own.

"So, you've decided to show me your true strength," August said, his voice even but carrying a note of approval. "Then I shall do the same."

August raised both arms, his staff spinning in midair. The energy flowed into him, his entire body beginning to glow with a radiant intensity. His skin turned a deep crimson, veins of gold pulsing beneath the surface. A brilliant sigil appeared on his forehead, its intricate patterns glowing like a sun. His hair flared upward as if caught in an invisible blaze, shimmering gold streaks weaving through his silver locks. His body swelled with power, his frame becoming more muscular, and the very ground seemed to tremble under his presence.

A shockwave burst from August, blowing loose rocks and debris outward in all directions. The sky above began to ripple, the air distorting with the sheer magnitude of his magic. His eyes, now glowing like molten lava, locked onto Y/n with an intensity that felt otherworldly.

The two stood opposite each other, their auras colliding and sparking in the air between them. Flames and golden light swirled together, neither giving an inch. The ground beneath their feet cracked and splintered, unable to withstand the combined weight of their immense power.

On the ridge, Irene stood with Rose, Heine, and Juliet. Her arms were folded across her chest, and her face remained calm and composed, but her heart raced like a drum. Inside, she was trembling. She had seen Y/n's raw strength before, but never unleashed to this extent. And August—his transformation was something entirely different, something terrifyingly ancient and powerful. What was happening here reminded her of the time she faced August herself. The outcome of which she does not want to speak.

Her fingers tightened on her arm, her nails digging into her skin. In reality, she was terrified, though she would never admit it aloud. If either of them went too far...if Y/n lost control of his dragon form again...her mind churned with possibilities, each one more dire than the last. He could no doupt take on the entire Spriggan twelve, only Zeref could then defeat him, or the monster he was made to destroy would have to come here.

Rose let out a soft whine, sensing Irene's unease, and pressed her head against her leg. Irene bent down picking her up and stroked the Exceed absentmindedly, her gaze never leaving the battlefield.

"They're going to destroy everything around here," Heine murmured, her voice tinged with both awe and fear.

Juliet nodded silently, gripping the hilt of her dagger as though that would somehow anchor her to reality. "No kidding, Y/n is a lose cannon if we ever want to win we just have to let him go and everything goes boom."

Irene turned to the two of them, her expression quite annoyed. "If you two don't shut it you will be down there with them!"

On the plateau, Y/n and August stood motionless for a brief moment, the silence heavy with anticipation. Then, as if a silent signal had passed between them, they lunged at each other, the clash of their powers sending out a shockwave that shook the very mountains.

The battle erupted in a maelstrom of unrelenting chaos. Y/n shot forward, his claws wreathed in blazing energy, the dragon scales along his arms shimmering with an otherworldly brilliance.

"Dragon God's Destruction Fist!" he roared, his voice carrying the weight of a true dragon. His fist ignited with a white-black flame, its power radiating outward like a tidal wave. The air around it shimmered and distorted, and when he thrust it forward, the very fabric of reality seemed to scream as the force of the attack raced toward August.

The Wizard King stood his ground, his crimson skin and glowing sigil emanating power. He raised a hand, his expression calm but focused. The attack all of a sudden dematerialized in front of him.

The world around Y/n's attack seemed to collapse inward, the blazing energy of the Dragon God's Destruction Fist disintegrating into nothingness as August's magic erased it from existence. The collision sent a shockwave rippling outward, carving massive craters into the earth and uprooting ancient trees.

Y/n gritted his teeth, his dragon eyes narrowing. He leaped back, landing with enough force to crack the ground beneath him. "Fine," he growled, raising both arms. His aura exploded outward like a wildfire, and the sky darkened, filled with countless glowing orbs of golden-red magic. Each orb crackled with energy, radiating destructive potential.

"Lets see if you can handle this! Dragon God's Infernal Destruction!" Y/n bellowed, and the sky became an arsenal lighting up like stars. Hundreds of magic orbs hurtled toward August, their combined energy lighting up the battlefield like a second sun.

August raised an eyebrow, impressed but unmoved. His sigil glowed brighter as he stretched out both hands. "Slow Magic." Time itself seemed to grind to a halt. The orbs froze in midair, their trajectories paused as if held by invisible strings. August smirked, lowering his hands as though to dismantle the spell entirely.

But then, the orbs trembled, refusing to submit. A deep growl resonated through the battlefield, the magic crackling defiantly against August's control. Y/n's voice rang out, furious and unyielding.

"Time won't stop me!"

The orbs surged forward once more, breaking through August's Slow Magic with raw force. The Wizard King's expression shifted to one of intrigue as he raised his arms again. "So be it. Crush Magic!"

A golden shockwave erupted from his body, obliterating the incoming orbs in an instant. The battlefield was left scorched and cratered, the ground torn apart as though by the claws of a great beast.

Y/n didn't hesitate. He shot forward, flames trailing behind him, his fist aimed straight for August's chest. But as his punch landed, August's body shimmered and dematerialized like mist. Y/n's eyes widened in surprise, only for August to reappear behind him, his own fist glowing with fiery energy.

"Dragon God's Destruction Fist!" August declared, mimicking Y/n's technique. The punch connected with Y/n's side, sending him hurtling across the battlefield. The ground trembled under the force, forming a massive crater where Y/n crashed.

Y/n coughed, steam rising from his body as he pushed himself up. The air around them grew heavy with heat and pressure, the wind howling through the ruins of the plateau.

Above, Irene stood on the ridge, her calm façade cracking as her heart raced. The intensity of the battle below sent shockwaves through her very being. Rose whimpered at her side, and Heine and Juliet clutched their weapons tightly, bracing themselves against the gusts of wind created by the clashing titans.

Suddenly, Irene froze as a voice echoed in her mind, smooth and chilling. It was unmistakable.

"Irene, what is going on?" Zeref's voice came through telepathically, calm but with an undertone of curiosity. "I sense immense energy...something is very wrong."

Irene clenched her fists, her mind racing. She glanced at Y/n, who was squaring off against August once more, his dragon aura blazing like a sun. With a deep breath, she focused her thoughts and replied silently.

"Zeref, it's Y/n and August. Their training is...escalating. I didn't expect it to go this far."

Zeref's voice returned, sharp and calculating. "You should have known better, Irene. Those two wield power that can reshape the world. Ensure this does not spiral beyond control."

Her heart pounded in her chest, and for the first time in years, Irene felt a pang of uncertainty. Below, Y/n and August charged at each other once more, the battlefield quaking under the weight of their clash. Last time she could barely survive against Y/n and just won with pure luck but this time, there was nothing she could do and only August could stop this on his own will.

The battle had reached a fever pitch, the air dense with magic so potent it distorted reality. Y/n was relentless, his fists blazing as he closed the gap between himself and August time after time, each strike carving craters into the ground. Yet, for all his ferocity, Y/n's attacks never once veered in Irene's direction. August, standing amidst the chaos, observed this pattern with a calculating eye.

"Hmm," the Wizard King murmured to himself, his expression unreadable. "So, even in the heat of battle, his heart holds sway. If I truly wish to see his potential...I must do what he fears most."

With a sudden burst of magic, August raised his staff and struck Y/n hard in the chest with a concentrated blast, sending him hurtling backward. Y/n skidded across the ground, gasping for air as he tried to recover.

When Y/n looked up, his blood ran cold.

Irene stood before August, seemingly unaware of the danger. Her radiant beauty was out of order against the chaos of the battlefield. August raised his hand, magic surging at his fingertips, and fired a thin, precise beam of magic energy. It sliced through the air and pierced Irene's torso with surgical precision. She gasped, her eyes wide in shock as she staggered and fell towards ground. Crimson spread across her dress like a blooming rose.

Her knees hit the ground, her eyes looking right at Y/n. "IRENE!" Y/n's roar shook the heavens. His heart stopped as he bolted toward her, his mind a whirlwind of panic and fury.

August turned to face him, his voice calm but cutting. "If you were stronger, you could have saved her. Is this all the strength you possess, boy?" Adding to this August made Irene's body disapear right in front of the dragon slayer.

Those words were a dagger to Y/n's soul. His fists clenched, his body trembling as an unrelenting storm brewed within him. His vision blurred with rage, tears welling in his eyes.

"No..." His voice was low at first, but it grew with the intensity of his power. "No...NO What did you do to my. . . IRENE!"

He cluthed his head in pain. The air around him shifted, dark and light miasma spiraling outward from his body like a living storm. It writhed and twisted, the black and white energy creating a stark contrast against the ruined battlefield. He let out a desperate roar, with such an intensity that a shockwave errupted around him. Y/n's scales glowed, his dragon features more prominent than ever, and his aura flared with such ferocity that even August took a step back, his eyes narrowing in intrigue.

August, who had been standing confidently moments before, took an instinctive step back again. His eyes widened, the first flickers of genuine fear creeping into his expression. "This... this power..." he murmured, his voice uncharacteristically uncertain. "This is what Zeref searched for so long." A sphere formed around Y/n's body destroying everything it touched while he fell down the deepening hole created from his power. Then as if something changed, his magic aura reversed and pulled itself back into him. August noticed that Y/n magic aura seemed to shrink as more of his miasma was absorbed by his own body but at the same time the ground around cracked more and more until he was left suspendet in the air, no trace of his magic aura, he floated upwards, his palms spread and arms extended down to the side.

With a speed that defied comprehension, Y/n darted toward August, the ground shattering beneath him. His fists collided with August's defenses, and for the first time, the Wizard King stumbled, forced back by the sheer force of Y/n's power. The strikes were relentless, each one imbued with the raw emotion of his pain and fury.

"You will pay for what you've done!" Y/n bellowed, his voice carrying the weight of his anguish.

August's lips curled into a proud smile, even as he parried blow after blow. "Good. Now you understand. This is the strength born of true resolve."

But Y/n wasn't done. He unleashed a torrent of energy from his palms, a swirling vortex of black and white that consumed the space between them. The ground beneath August crumbled, his footing faltering as he braced himself against the onslaught.

From the sidelines, Irene watched through labored breaths, her hand pressed against the imaginary wound on her torso. She figured that August would try something as cheap like this, ilusion magic. Her eyes widened as she saw the transformation in Y/n. The miasma surrounding him, once chaotic and uncontrollable, now moved with purpose and precision. It didn't just flow out uncontrolably, He had mastered it, bending it to his will, his every motion imbued with its devastating power. But she could no longer sense his magic, sensing magic was key to master the arts of magic. Something was off in her eyes in Y/n.

"What did you do to my Irene?!" Y/n had roared just moments before his power surged to its peak.

Irene, standing at the edge of the battlefield, had felt a strange warmth in her chest when she heard those words. Despite the devastation around her, she couldn't suppress the small, grateful smile that spread across her face. It was a rare moment of softness in the midst of the chaos and it was  no doubt a confession of who made him achive this power, it was her.

But that moment was fleeting as her attention snapped back to the fight. What she saw left her stunned.

Y/n had grabbed August by the arm and hurled him through the air like a ragdoll. The Wizard King, one of the most feared and powerful mages in existence, was being tossed around as if he weighed nothing. August slammed into the ground with a thunderous crash, but before he could recover, Y/n was upon him again.

With a speed that defied nature, Y/n closed the distance and delivered a brutal kick to August's side, sending him skidding across the battlefield and crash into the wall. Dust and shattered rock flew in all directions as August struggled to regain his footing, but Y/n gave him no time to recover.

"Get up!" Y/n snarled, his voice a mix of fury and command. "You think you can hurt her and get away with it?!"

He reached down, grabbing August by the neck and lifting him effortlessly into the air. August's once-imposing figure now seemed frail in comparison to the overwhelming force of Y/n's power.

Y/n slammed his fist into August's stomach, the impact sending a shockwave through the ground and then proceeded to ram him into the nearby rock and drag him along its side while pushing him in. He didn't stop there—he hurled August into the air and leaped after him, delivering a series of rapid punches that left the Wizard King reeling. With a final blow, Y/n sent August crashing back down, the ground cracking beneath him from the force.

Irene watched in shock, her crimson eyes wide as she struggled to comprehend what she was seeing. She had always known Y/n was strong, but this... this was beyond anything she had imagined.

August, the man known as the Wizard King, was being utterly dominated.

Her mind raced back to her memories of August, the power he wielded, and the reputation that had made him untouchable. She had never thought it possible for someone to defeat him, let alone make it look so effortless.

But Y/n...

Irene's breath caught as she saw Y/n stomp down on August's chest repeatedly, the ground beneath them splintering from the force. The repeated strikes were relentless, brutal, and utterly overwhelming. She could feel the weight of his anger, his protective fury driving every strike.

"Y/n, stop!" Irene called out, her voice trembling as she reached for the communication lacrima at her side. She activated it with a shaking hand, her fingers fumbling slightly as she spoke into it. "Zeref! Zeref, come quickly! It's August—Y/n is going to kill him!"

Zeref's voice crackled through the lacrima, calm yet tinged with urgency. "Irene, I'm on my way, but it will take time. Do what you can to stop this until I arrive."

Irene clenched her jaw, frustration and helplessness warring within her as she watched Y/n continue his assault.

Nearby, Heine and Juliet stood together, their expressions a mix of concern and desperation.

"We have to do something," Heine said, her voice low but firm. "If this keeps going, Y/n might lose himself—or worse, August could..." She didn't finish the sentence, her dark-blue hair shifting as she turned to Juliet.

Juliet, her brown eyes flickering with uncertainty, nodded. "But what can we do? Look at him, Heine. Y/n's completely lost in his anger."

Heine's gaze lingered on Y/n, watching as his every strike sent shockwaves rippling through the battlefield. The sheer force of his power was undeniable, and it made approaching him seem like an impossible task.

"Maybe if we—" Heine started, but she was cut off as another explosion of power erupted from Y/n, sending waves of energy rippling outward.

Juliet winced, shielding her face from the debris. "We can't get close like this. He's completely out of control."

The two exchanged a glance, both of them wracking their minds for a solution. Irene, meanwhile, kept her gaze locked on Y/n, her heart heavy with conflicting emotions.

"Y/n!" she called out again, her voice firm this time. "You have to stop! This isn't like you!"

But Y/n didn't respond. His focus was entirely on August, his fury fueling every movement.

Irene clutched the lacrima tightly, her mind racing as she waited for Zeref's arrival. Deep down, she knew that the only one who could reach Y/n now... was herself. She had to get closer, way closer, perhaps even right in front of him.

Irene's worst nightmare was about to come true once more, like back then, Acnologia who killed Belserion right in front of her, it was now Y/n going to kill August. She was too weak back then and too much of a coward, but this time. This time she wouldn't allow it, she will not allow Y/n to become a monster like Acnologia and she swore her life on it.

She glanced down at Rose, who was clutching tightly to her, her little pink-furred body trembling with fear. Irene's chocolate eyes softened momentarily before she made her decision. Gently, she lifted Rose from her arms and handed her to Heine.

"Heine," Irene said softly, her voice steady but carrying an unshakable resolve. "Take Rose and stay here. All of you."

Heine's dark-blue eyes widened in alarm as she took Rose into her arms. "What are you planning to do, Irene?" she asked, her tone edged with fear.

Juliet, her brown eyes flickering with panic, stepped forward. "You're not seriously thinking of going down there, are you?" she asked. "That's insane! The closer you get to him, the more dangerous it'll be. You'll be torn apart before you can even get through to him!"

Irene remained silent for a long moment, her gaze locked on Y/n's figure in the distance. Finally, she turned to Juliet and pulled her into a sudden embrace.

"If it's the only way to save him," Irene said quietly, her voice trembling with emotion, "then so be it. I've made up my mind."

Juliet froze, stunned by the hug, before pulling back slightly to look at Irene. "Irene," she whispered, her voice breaking. "You'll die if you go down there. You know that, right?"

Irene smiled faintly, though it didn't reach her eyes. "August is durable," she said softly, her gaze shifting back to the battlefield. "But he isn't immortal. And Y/n isn't unstoppable. If I don't stop this now, we'll all lose him. And that's something I can't allow."

Heine and Juliet could do nothing but watch in silence as Irene turned away from them. She stepped forward, her crimson hair billowing in the wind as she leaped down into the chaos below.

The moment her feet hit the ground, the sheer intensity of Y/n's energy hit her like a tidal wave. The air was suffocating, crackling with raw magic that tore at her clothing. Each step forward felt like pushing against an invisible wall, but Irene pressed on, her resolve unwavering. If it wasn't for her durable skin as a Dragon slayer she probably would be injured too, just by the energy being emitted by Y/n.

She approached Y/n from behind, her voice trembling but firm as she called out to him. "Y/n!" she shouted, her tears threatening to spill as she moved closer. "Stop! I'm here! It's okay—I'm okay!"

But he didn't hear her. His focus was locked on August, his every movement driven by a fury that consumed him completely. His stomps echoed through the battlefield, each one sending shockwaves that cracked the earth further.

"I'm here!" Irene cried, her voice cracking with desperation. "Y/n, please, listen to me!"

Her clothes began to tear and fray as she moved closer, the violent energy ripping fabric away like paper. Her skin now stung as the raw magic lashed at her, but she ignored the pain, her eyes fixed on Y/n's towering figure.

Finally, she reached him. Her arms wrapped around his neck from behind, and she clung to him with everything she had, her tears soaking into his back. Her top was completely torn exposing her chest. "Please stop!" she sobbed, her voice breaking completely. "Y/n, it's me! It's Irene! I'm okay! Please stop before you destroy yourself!"

Y/n froze.

The sound of her voice, so full of pain and love, cut through the raging storm of his emotions like a blade. His entire body trembled, his glowing aura flickering like a dying flame. Slowly, his raised foot lowered, and he stood still, his breath heaving as if he'd been struck by a physical blow.

"Irene..." he murmured, his voice barely audible over the crackling energy around them.

His power vanished in an instant, dissipating into the air like smoke. His body sagged, the adrenaline and magic leaving him drained. He dropped to his knees, and Irene fell with him, her arms still wrapped tightly around him.

She buried her face against his shoulder, her tears flowing freely as she clung to him. "You're okay now," she whispered, her voice trembling. "You're okay... I'm here."

Y/n's hands trembled as they slowly moved to cover hers, his breathing ragged. "I... I almost..." he whispered, his voice choked with guilt.

Y/n turned around. "You didn't," Irene said firmly, pulling back just enough to look into his eyes. Her chocolate eyes were red from crying, but they shone with determination. "You're here with me now. That's all that matters."

The battlefield was eerily quiet now, the absence of Y/n's power leaving an almost unnatural stillness in its wake. Irene continued to hold him, her embrace steady and unyielding, as if she were anchoring him to the world.

Above, Heine and Juliet watched from the ridge, their hands clutched tightly together as relief washed over them.

"She did it," Juliet whispered, her voice filled with awe.

Heine nodded, her dark-blue eyes fixed on the two figures below. "Yeah," she said softly. "She really did."

Y/n turned to Irene, his heart aching at the sight of her injury. "Irene, I—"

She silenced him with a small smile, stepping closer despite the pain. "You've grown, Y/n," she said softly, her voice filled with warmth. "But strength isn't just about power. It's about control...and compassion."

As the tension eased, Y/n reached out, placing a gentle hand on Irene's shoulder. She leaned into his touch, and for a moment, the chaos of the battlefield faded away. "I'm certain you can now control your magic properly, but just to be sure, August and I should run some tests to be certain."

The battlefield was a scene of utter devastation: craters stretched across the landscape, the air was thick with the residue of potent magic, and shattered rocks were scattered like confetti. Heine looked around in disbelief, her hands on her hips as she surveyed the destruction.

"This... this could take years to fix!" she exclaimed, her voice tinged with exasperation. Juliet nodded in agreement, crossing her arms with a sigh.

"Not to mention," Juliet added, "we've probably just thrown the entire ecosystem into chaos. Nice work, guys."

But instead of looking concerned, August and Irene burst into hearty laughter. Irene leaned slightly on Y/n, still recovering from the earlier injury, but her chuckles were genuine and lighthearted.

"What's so funny?" Y/n asked, blinking in confusion as he shifted his gaze between Irene and the Wizard King.

August smirked, stroking his beard as he turned to Irene. "Do you remember, Irene? Back when you and I trained together? The destruction we left in our wake?"

Irene let out a small, nostalgic sigh, her smile softening. "Oh, how could I forget? We'd shatter entire landscapes with our sparring sessions. I think we destroyed half of that valley near the Alvarez border."

"Half?" August corrected with a raised brow. "You destroyed the entire thing when you overcharged your Disapear spell and we fixed it with Universe One."

At this, Heine, Juliet, Rose, and Y/n froze. Their mouths opened slightly, their gazes locked on Irene and August in disbelief.

"Wait... what?" Heine asked, her tone incredulous. "You're telling me that this"—she gestured wildly to the destruction around them—"can be fixed... with a spell? A single spell?!"

"Not just any spell," Irene replied, her tone teasing as she leaned against the now-calm Y/n. "Universe One. It's a spatial-rewriting magic capable of restructuring vast areas of land. I used it during the last great Alvarez war. It's how I managed to alter the entire landscape of the western mountains.

Juliet nearly dropped her weapon. "You're kidding."

Y/n's jaw tightened as he processed this. "You're saying you could fix all of this with one spell? Why didn't you mention this sooner?"

"Because," August interjected, his stern yet amused tone drawing everyone's attention, "it's not a spell to be used lightly. It requires immense magic reserves, and the strain could kill an average mage. Irene, however..."

"...isn't average," Irene finished with a sly grin. "But that's beside the point. This isn't the kind of mess we clean up unless absolutely necessary."

Rose, curled up nearby, let out a soft yawn, as if unimpressed with the entire exchange.

"Still," Y/n said, shaking his head. "You're telling me you could rewrite this entire battlefield like it never happened?"

"Precisely," August confirmed, his tone carrying a hint of pride. "But the question is... should we?"

Irene tilted her head thoughtfully. "Oh, I think we should. I wouldn't want to give Juliet and Heine more work than necessary, especialy not paperwork." The seasoned mage shuddered and August rolled his eyes.

Heine and Juliet exchanged a glance, their stunned expressions slowly morphing into excitement.

"Do it," Juliet said quickly, her hands clasped together.

"Please do it, Irene-sama" Heine added, her voice practically begging.

Irene smirked. "Alright, alright. Just this once."

Y/n stepped back, crossing his arms. "I've got to see this to believe it."

Irene raised her arms, her fingertips glowing as she began to chant in an ancient, melodic tone. The air around them hummed with raw power, the ground trembling beneath their feet. 

"Universe One!"

A radiant scarlet light engulfed the battlefield, blinding everyone for a moment. When the light faded, the destruction was gone. The land was pristine, as if the battle had never occurred. The ground was smooth, the craters filled, and even the scattered debris had vanished.

Heine and Juliet stared, slack-jawed.

"Okay," Heine said finally, "I take it back. You are that powerful."

Juliet nodded slowly. "Yeah... I'm not even mad anymore."

Irene turned to them with a triumphant grin, brushing her hands together. "There. Problem solved."

Y/n, still processing the sight, let out a low whistle. "Remind me never to doubt you again."

August chuckled, clapping a hand on Y/n's shoulder. "And now you see why Irene was my finest pupil. This is the power of true mastery, boy."

Y/n nodded, his gaze shifting to Irene, who was beaming with pride. For a moment, he couldn't help but smile back.

The group soared through the skies, the crisp wind brushing against their faces as the sun dipped below the horizon, casting an amber glow across the world. Irene flew gracefully, her scarlet locks streaming behind her, while Y/n flew beside her, his expression a mix of exhaustion and curiosity. Behind them, Heine and Juliet followed on their respective mounts, two enchanted staves, with Rose curled up comfortably in Heine's arms.

As they neared August's home, Irene glanced at the Wizard King with an arched brow. "You've been unusually quiet," she remarked, her tone light but probing. "What are you planning?"

August turned his head slightly, a faint smirk gracing his face. "Patience, Irene," he said, his voice laced with amusement. "All will be revealed soon enough. Let's just say I have a surprise for you and Y/n—something that even you never experienced during your time as my student."

That piqued Irene's interest, her curiosity shimmering in her crimson eyes. Not to mention she was also slightly upset. "Now I'm intrigued."

Y/n glanced at Irene, then at August. "Is this going to involve more fighting?" he asked, half-joking.

August chuckled. "No, boy. This is far more... enlightening."

When they landed at August's home, a modest yet cozy structure surrounded by dense forest, the group stepped inside. The living room exuded warmth with its crackling fireplace and shelves lined with books. Irene crossed her arms, watching as August disappeared into his laboratory without another word.

"What do you think he's up to?" Y/n asked, glancing at Irene.

"If I had to guess," Irene said, settling onto the couch, "it's something to do with magic. And if it's something he's kept from even me, it's bound to be significant." Y/n noted that Irene semed to be upset about it.

Minutes later, August returned, holding a glowing blue sphere about the size of a head. The orb pulsed faintly with a strange, ethereal light.

Irene leaned forward, her curiosity evident. "What is that?"

August placed the orb on the table, motioning for them to sit. "It's a conduit," he explained, his tone serious. "A relic of my own creation. It's designed to unlock latent potential and attune a mage to the flow of magic in ways they never thought possible. But be warned..." He paused, his gaze sharpening. "The process is excruciating."

Irene frowned slightly but didn't back down. "And what exactly do you want us to do with it?"

"Place your hands on it," August instructed, his voice calm but commanding.

Y/n and Irene exchanged a glance, a silent agreement passing between them, before they both reached out and rested their hands on the cool, glass-like surface of the sphere.

August began to chant in a deep, resonant voice, ancient words flowing effortlessly from his lips. The room seemed to darken, the light from the sphere intensifying until it bathed the room in a brilliant blue glow.

Suddenly, red markings began to crawl across Y/n and Irene's skin, intricate patterns that shimmered with raw magic.

"What... is this?" Y/n managed to ask before a lightning bolt of pain shot through his body. He collapsed to the ground, his screams echoing through the room.

Irene wasn't far behind, her body writhing as the same unbearable agony coursed through her veins. She gritted her teeth, trying to stifle her screams, but the pain was too much to bear. She fell to her knees, clutching her sides as tears streamed down her face.

Heine, Juliet, and Rose watched in stunned silence, their eyes wide with horror. Rose let out a low, distressed growl, while Heine gripped the edge of the couch as if she wanted to intervene but was too scared to move.

"W-what is happening to them?" Juliet demanded, her voice shaking.

August didn't answer immediately. He merely continued his spell, his expression neutral. After a moment, he glanced at the trio. "Would you like to try it as well?" he asked nonchalantly.

All three shook their heads vehemently, Heine speaking for all of them. "Not a chance. We're not insane."

August let out a faint chuckle but didn't press the matter.

The agony continued for what felt like an eternity before, finally, the light dimmed, and the red markings began to fade. Irene and Y/n lay on the floor, gasping for breath, their bodies trembling.

August looked down at them with an air of satisfaction. "Congratulations," he said simply. "You've taken your first step toward true mastery."

Irene slowly pushed herself up on her elbows, her face pale but her eyes filled with determination. "What... the hell... was that?"

"A necessary pain," August replied. "You'll thank me later."

Y/n groaned, turning his head toward Irene. "If we survive," he muttered weakly, earning a faint, breathless laugh from her.

Rose hopped down and nuzzled Y/n's side, her warm presence offering a small comfort amid the aftermath of their ordeal.