The secret system of the Gallant Heir

I had no idea how I was going to handle this, but one thing was certain—I had to survive. No matter what. My heart pounded in my chest, my muscles screamed from exhaustion, but I couldn't afford to rest. The moment Ignis engaged the mage, I forced my mind to focus. I needed a plan. Fast.

Without hesitation, I summoned a spear of pure light into existence, its golden glow cutting through the eerie darkness. The energy pulsed in my hand, humming with power. Channelling wind magic beneath my feet, I propelled myself forward, closing the distance between me and the Grim Reaper. If I could strike first, I might stand a chance.

Or so I thought.

The moment I got close, the Reaper moved. No—he vanished. A chilling whisper of wind was all the warning I had before his blade came for me, slashing with terrifying speed. I twisted my body at the last second, feeling the cold edge graze past my ribs. The sheer force of his attack sent shockwaves through my body. But I had no time to falter. With sheer instinct, I hurled my spear as I dodged, watching it pierce straight through his torso.

The Grim Reaper disappeared.

I landed on my feet, breathing heavily, scanning the battlefield. I didn't trust it, but my body acted before my mind could catch up. "That... that was easy?" My voice was filled with disbelief. "I thought he—"

"Rave!" Ignis's voice cut through my thoughts. She stood a few feet away, staring at me, her expression filled with confusion and panic. "Where is he? Did he escape?"

I smirked, crossing my arms. "No, no, I took care of it. He wasn't as strong as we thought."

Ignis's eyes widened in horror. "What are you talking about? You haven't moved this entire time! The Reaper vanished, but he's still here somewhere!"

My breath caught in my throat. What?

Before I could react, agony erupted through my stomach. I gasped, looking down.

The spear I had thrown was now buried in my own body.

I stumbled backward, pain consuming me as I tried to make sense of what had just happened. How?! My knees buckled, and I barely managed to remain standing. My vision blurred, and cold sweat dripped down my face.

Then, I heard a voice.

"You dare mess with me? If my father finds out, you'll be dead!"

I knew that voice.

Even through my blurred vision and pounding head, I recognized it immediately. Lucia.

My mind reeled. Lucia?! What the hell was she doing here?! The realization hit me like a punch to the gut. She had been following us. The mages had mentioned three people. The third was Lucia!

I forced myself to stay upright. "Ignis! Lucia is here! We have to protect her!"

"I know! Wait, Rave, stay back! Let me try to help her!"

"No," I growled, fighting through the pain. "We do this together. We have to."

Ignis hesitated but then nodded, determination flaring in her eyes.

The Grim Reaper reappeared, floating effortlessly in the air, his hollow eyes filled with amusement. Mocking me.

"Ignis, stall him!" I ordered. "I need time to cast my spell!"

Ignis let out a deep breath and launched forward, her massive fireball roaring through the air. The Reaper sidestepped with ease, like he was toying with us. His hollow eyes locked onto Lucia, his skeletal hand reaching out toward her.

Lucia was on the ground, shaking, tears streaking her face. "D-don't let him take me!"

I clenched my fists. No. Not again. I won't let anyone else suffer!

I had no choice. I had to use light magic. Even though I had barely any training in it, I had to try. Ignis couldn't keep dodging forever.

I raised my hand, feeling a strange warmth build inside me. "Radiant Judgment!"

A blinding pillar of light erupted from my palm, streaking toward the Reaper. For the first time, a flicker of fear crossed his face.

But then—he vanished into the shadows.

And when he reappeared, he launched a massive sphere of darkness straight at me.

The sheer weight of its presence made it hard to breathe. The air felt thick, crushing me. I couldn't dodge. I couldn't move. The dark magic was closing in, ready to swallow me whole.

Then—Ignis jumped in front of me.

A massive explosion erupted as her fire collided with the dark sphere.

The force of it sent me flying back. I hit the ground hard, coughing, my vision swimming. When I looked up, Ignis was on the ground, motionless.

"Ignis!" I screamed, crawling toward her. My hands trembled as I grabbed her shoulders. She was still breathing.

Relief flooded me. But it was short-lived.

A slow, eerie laugh echoed through the battlefield. I looked up, my body frozen in place.

The Reaper stood there, his blade dripping with black mist. "How pathetic. A dragon reduced to this?" His empty eyes locked onto me. "Let me put an end to this."

He moved forward, slow and deliberate, savoring my helplessness. I was on my knees, exhausted, useless. My body screamed for me to move, but I couldn't. I had nothing left. No magic, no strength. This was it.

The Reaper raised his weapon, ready to end me.

Then—

A brilliant light shot through the battlefield.

The Grim Reaper let out a blood-curdling scream as he was instantly obliterated. The light seared through his form, burning away the darkness, leaving nothing behind.

The darkness lifted, and for a moment, everything was silent.

I could barely comprehend what had happened. My head swayed, my vision darkening. Before I lost consciousness, the last thing I saw was the face of an old man.

Someone I had seen before.

Then everything faded to black.