Chapter 145: Invitation to the Sea

My [Barrier Magic] shattered.

It was supposed to be a top-tier spell, but her manifestation had utterly obliterated it. Because it had been forcibly torn apart, the magical backlash hit me like a physical blow, racking my body with pain.

"Dia... what about Dia!?"

Staying conscious was a desperate struggle, but I couldn't afford to black out yet. I had to hold on. Within the haze of my fading mind, I tried to confirm the status of the Satan I’d summoned.

I found him—barely. He was on the verge of death, his majestic bat wings reduced to scorched tatters.

Return, I commanded.

I felt a surge of relief as I realized I could still reach him, but I knew I couldn't keep him manifested a second longer. I dismissed his unconscious form back to the Soul World. My mana was bone-dry; honestly, it was a mystery how I was even staying upright. But falling wasn't an option.

"My, my, Satan-kun... you actually parried that?"

The scorched world of Muspelheim dissolved, and I collapsed onto the sands of the Enoshima shore. Looking down at me was Levi, wearing the same white dress from our first encounter.

"And you... you really are impressive. Restraining that form with a barrier? To be honest, I expected all of Enoshima to be blown away. Yes, quite remarkable. So, are you still with us, Reima?"

"Do I... look all right to you?"

"Well, staying conscious at all is a feat in itself."

I couldn't let her go any further. If I didn't defeat her here and now...

"Please, don't glare at me like that. I told you, today was just a test. Though, I suppose I should apologize for exposing that form to you..."

She spoke with an infuriating lack of urgency. She was just as detached and casual as she had been during our first meeting, treating me with a normalcy that felt entirely out of place given the carnage.

"But look on the bright side—you passed! Forcing me to get even a little bit serious is a legendary achievement!"

For the first time, I saw a flash of genuine emotion from her: pure, unadulterated joy. She seemed genuinely ecstatic that I had been able to fight her. She beamed a radiant smile at me, then reached into the air and pulled something out.

"And so, a reward is in order."

It was a [Golden Apple].

Even a passing glance revealed its overwhelming presence. It radiated a divine authority so intense it clearly didn't belong in the human world. On that dark beach, the fruit glowed with a brilliant, golden light. She sliced it in an instant, cupped my face with her hand, and forced a piece into my mouth.

"If I recall, this is a [Golden Apple] from the region of Greece—well, a replica, at least. The original grants immortality, but this one's effect should be just enough to mend your wounds and restore your mana."

I gasped, accidentally swallowing the divine offering as I breathed.

The moment it hit my stomach, a golden power rampaged through my veins. It didn't just mend my broken body; it flooded my system with mana. No—it went further, forcibly expanding the very limits of my mana capacity that had been suppressed until now.

I tried to move, but I had to focus every ounce of my will just to keep the apple's power from tearing me apart from the inside.

"Now then, it would be troublesome if you tried to counterattack... so let's add this to the mix."

She held a black conch shell to my ear.

The moment the melody reached me, my world spun. I recognized that voice; it was a sound I knew well. The name left my lips before I could think to stop it.

"[Lorelei's Song]..."

"Fufu. You're quite the scholar. Or perhaps... is she inside you?"

That was the last thing I heard.

Listening to that song without any resistance had an inevitable conclusion. My consciousness, already frayed to its limit, finally snapped.

"Until we meet again, Reima... I'll be waiting for you in Oceanus."

"Wait... stop..."

"Fufu. I'll be looking forward to it. So, please... save me."

I didn't hear the rest. In the next heartbeat, I fell into a deep, forced sleep.

I smiled as I watched him sleep.

He truly was a Hero who exceeded all my expectations. I had never met anyone who could please me this much. Even after witnessing my true power, he never gave up, clinging to his hostility until the very end.

Ah, what a lovely brand of heroism.

"Fufufu... Ahaha... Truly, if it's you..."

"What are you doing to him?"

A new presence stepped onto the beach.

I had cast a barrier to keep people away from this area, yet she had walked right through it.

"Oh, Ayane... Good evening. It's a lovely night, isn't it?"

"I asked you what you're doing."

"Oh, nothing much. Reima and I were just having a little spar."

I hid my agitation, maintaining my usual mask.

She radiated hostility—no, that was too mild a word. It was pure, unadulterated murderous intent. She began weaving a spell, her mana a murky, abyssal black. I felt a pang of déjà vu as she manifested ice swords that bled shadows, but I kept my voice steady.

"Since Reima has drifted off to sleep, I'll leave you with a message, Ayane. Tell him I'm waiting in Oceanus. And please, do feel free to bring everyone along for a visit."

And with that, I vanished.

I left her there, seething with a killing intent that only intensified as she rushed to his side. As I departed, I felt a familiar, violent jealousy clawing at my heart.