Chapter 73: Hate, and Then Grow Stronger!

Boom!!!

A terrifying surge of magical energy erupted suddenly, centered on Astreia!

The ground beneath her feet cracked inch by inch, while violent gusts whipped up dust and stones, forming a visible swirling black storm!

“Astreia?”

The explosive scene made Laxana’s originally fierce heart skip a beat. The oppressive aura radiating from her opponent was even more terrifying than when her mother, Layana, unleashed her full power.

This was definitely not some “controlled” state!

“Are you… alright?”

At the eye of the storm, the princess slowly lifted her head.

Her once healthy, radiant skin was now tinged with a strange dark purple hue, and those emerald eyes that should have been clear were now swallowed whole by a chilling blackness.

“Good! Very good!”

A wild, unfamiliar madness spread across her spirited, handsome face.

“Thanks to you, I couldn’t be better!”

Before she finished speaking, the gauntleted right hand clenched suddenly!

Buzz!

The empty palm that was supposed to be “friendly sparring” instantly condensed a black magic energy from thin air.

The viscous, inky power twisted, compressed, and stretched until it solidified into a menacing war spear even longer than her own body!

Laxana’s pupils constricted sharply!

As a genius mage, she could clearly feel that the concentration of magical energy within the spear had already surpassed her understanding!

This was no ordinary power—it was twisted law itself!

“Come then, my dear… childhood friend.”

The witch extended her tongue, lightly licking her lips with an evil smile.

“Now, I’ll show you everything!”

Boom!

The ground beneath her exploded, and her entire body became a shadow tearing through the air with a sonic boom, instantly surging before Laxana!

The war spear spared no mercy as it aimed straight for Laxana’s heart!

So fast!

Alarm bells rang in Laxana’s mind.

She dared not underestimate even for a moment and moved the instant her opponent charged.

Her staff swung fiercely as she chanted rapidly!

“Chains of Light!”

Dozens of chains composed of pure light elements shot out from the Magic Array on the ground, precisely wrapping around Astreia’s limbs and body at sharp angles.

At the same time, a flash of light glimmered beneath Laxana’s feet as she soared lightly into the air, trying to quickly create distance.

Yet, against this high-level binding spell that could restrain even a young Dragon, the witch stopped her advance willingly, allowing the light chains to coil tightly around her.

“Is that all?”

Sizzle!

The moment the chains touched the witch’s magic-imbued skin, they hissed like hot oil on snow, dissolving into nothingness in the blink of an eye!

Laxana’s expression turned completely pale.

Ineffective?!

The Light Magic she had always prided herself on—the perfect counter to all Dark Attribute—was utterly useless!

How was this possible?

The witch raised her head and cast a cruel smile at Laxana hovering in midair.

Then she raised her right hand, clutching the air!

“Ugh!”

Laxana instantly felt an invisible force clutching her throat!

Her lungs were emptied of air in a flash, suffocation and the terror of death flooding her like a tidal wave.

The Flight Spell was abruptly broken, and she helplessly fell.

Just as she was about to crash to the ground, the terrifying restraint suddenly vanished.

“Cough… cough cough…”

Using the last of her consciousness, Laxana cast a spell to soften the fall but still landed awkwardly, gasping for air, her fair face flushed bright red.

She had truly thought she was going to die just now!

“So, this is all you’ve got?”

The witch advanced step by step, her tall shadow completely engulfing the fallen Laxana.

“Weak, little Laxana.”

She looked down at her old friend with disdain, black eyes filled with disappointment.

“This is the strength of a Chief Court Mage? Not even worthy of warming me up.”

“You…”

Laxana struggled to stand, gripping her staff tightly, gritting her teeth in defiance.

“You’re not Astreia at all!”

Astreia would never treat her like this!

Never look at her like she was trash!

“Heh heh heh, not Astreia?”

The witch laughed scornfully, as if she’d just heard the world’s biggest joke.

“If I weren’t Astreia, you’d already be dead!”

Her laughter abruptly cut off.

She extended the war spear, the cold tip lightly prodding Laxana’s dusty cheek.

“Show me everything you’ve got, and let me see if you truly deserve to stand by my side.”

“You… despicable!”

Laxana was utterly infuriated by those words and the condescending stance.

She slapped the spear tip away and stepped back several paces, regaining a safe distance.

“This is your own doing!”

Raising her staff high, she unleashed every ounce of her magic without holding back.

A blinding light gathered at the tip of her staff, forming a dazzling orb filled with terrifying energy that distorted the surrounding air, emitting an unbearable hum.

“Super-tier Magic—Ultimate Flash!”

“Astreia! Dodge!”

Even in her rage, even at the moment she decided to use this move, Laxana instinctively shouted a warning.

Immediately, a giant column of light, thick enough for ten people to hug, blasted out from her staff with overwhelming destructive power, barreling toward the witch!

Where the beam passed, the earth was gouged into a deep trench!

Yet, faced with an attack capable of leveling a small mountain, the witch did not dodge.

Instead… she smiled.

That smile was wild and disdainful.

She walked forward straight into the destructive beam without flinching or evading!

Boom—!!!

The deafening explosion echoed throughout the valley!

The blinding white light swallowed everything as the violent energy shockwave sent surrounding rocks flying!

Laxana was pushed back repeatedly by the impact, barely able to stand.

Having unleashed this strike, her magical reserves were nearly depleted, yet she kept her violet eyes fixed anxiously on the center of the explosion.

Astreia wouldn’t… really…

As the smoke gradually cleared, a figure slowly emerged from the scorched earth.

Her once sturdy, shining silver armor was now shattered piece by piece, clinking to the ground, revealing vast patches of dark purple skin tainted by magic, and crimson magical patterns that seemed alive upon her flesh.

But Astreia herself was completely unharmed!

Not even a single step backward!

“This can’t be…”

Laxana was utterly stunned, nearly dropping her staff, lips trembling in shock.

Taking the brunt of that flash forward head-on? Is that even possible for a human?!

Even a Dragon would be instantly mortally wounded!

The next second, the dark shadow vanished on the spot.

Laxana felt an overwhelming force slam into her abdomen.

Pfft!

She spat out stomach acid and flew backward like a broken kite, crashing heavily into a distant mountain wall, losing consciousness.

The witch slowly withdrew her fist and walked over to the unconscious Laxana, bending down.

“Heh heh heh…”

Her gauntleted finger lightly traced over Laxana’s pretty face, twisted in pain, a playful smirk curling her lips.

“My foolish friend, hate me.”

“Then grow stronger… and stay by my side forever~”