"That girl is formidable," he murmured, his voice tinged with both amusement and admiration.

Even with my 30% magical power bolstering that infected orc, she managed to emerge victorious. Impressive, indeed."

The Demon Lord's laughter grew heavier, his amusement bordering on obsession as he continued to watch Hina's every move. There was something about her—a strength of spirit, a determination—that drew him in like a moth to a flame.

"I like her," the Demon Lord declared, his voice low and sinister. "Yes, I will make her mine. Her face, her body—all of her will belong to me."

His laughter echoed through the chamber, a chilling sound that sent shivers down the spines of all who heard it. For in that moment, the Demon Lord's obsession with Hina had become something far more sinister—an insatiable desire to possess her, body and soul.

And as he gazed upon her image in the miasma mirror, the Demon Lord plotted his next move, determined to make Hina his own, no matter the cost.

The Demon Lord's laughter subsided momentarily as his gaze fixated on the sword Hina wielded in the miasma mirror.

His eyes narrowed with a newfound respect, recognizing the formidable power that emanated from the weapon.

"That sword she wields is not something to be laughed at," he remarked, his voice tinged with a hint of awe. "It is truly formidable."

Despite his acknowledgment of the sword's power, the Demon Lord's laughter soon resumed, a chilling echo that reverberated through the chamber.

"Hahahaha," he laughed, the sound filled with equal parts amusement and menace. For even in the face of such power, the Demon Lord remained undaunted, his desire to possess Hina burning brighter than ever.

With a final, sinister chuckle, the Demon Lord turned away from the miasma mirror, his mind already swirling with plans to ensnare the young girl who had captured his attention. For he knew that with her by his side, there would be no limit to the darkness he could unleash upon the world.

After the great battles had ended, Hina approached Miya, concern etched into her features as she surveyed her injured friend. "Are you alright?" she inquired softly, her voice laced with worry.

Miya, still in shock from the intensity of the battle and nursing her injured left arm, looked up at Hina with wide eyes. "What have you become, Hina?" she whispered, awe and disbelief mingling in her voice. "Are you truly this powerful?"

Hina met Miya's gaze steadily, her expression calm yet resolute. "There's no use hiding it anymore," she replied quietly. "Yes, I am strong."

Despite her admission, Hina chose not to reveal the full extent of her power or her true identity. She understood the importance of secrecy, especially in a world fraught with danger and uncertainty.

Meanwhile, Balf, who had regained consciousness but bore the signs of battle with a bit of concussion and damage to his armor, struggled to piece together what had transpired. "What happened?" he muttered, his voice groggy with disorientation. "It's like a warzone in here... everything's unrecognizable."

As he took in the scene around him, Balf couldn't help but marvel at Hina's prowess in battle. "You truly are formidable," he remarked, admiration evident in his tone. "If the king of Asmobio knew of your strength, he'd surely offer you noble status and riches to keep you by his side."

But Hina shook her head, her resolve unwavering. "No, thank you," she replied firmly. "I'd rather remain free from political affairs and binding controls."

Balf nodded understandingly, acknowledging Hina's desire for independence. With that, the trio made their way back to the city of Asmobio, their bond strengthened by the trials they had faced together and the secrets they shared.

As they made their way back to Asmobio, Balf couldn't help but inquire about Hina's sword, noting its absence despite her seemingly untouched state after the battle.

"I saw you battle the enemy without a scratch, but where is your sword?" he questioned, his expression a mix of curiosity and confusion.

Hina chuckled lightly, her eyes sparkling with amusement. "I threw it away," she replied casually.

Balf's eyes widened in disbelief, his expression bordering on comical. "What do you mean you threw it away?" he exclaimed incredulously, prompting laughter from Miya, who was thoroughly amused by Balf's reaction.

"No, it's not what you think," Hina clarified, a smile tugging at the corners of her lips. "It's a magical sword, and it holds great power."

Miya nodded in agreement, adding her own insight. "That sword you hold could even destroy an entire country single-handedly," she remarked, her tone tinged with awe.

Hina shook her head, her expression turning serious. "Even with such power, I have my limits," she admitted solemnly. "I could still be defeated if I'm weak enough."

As they approached Asmobio, they were met with a scene of chaos and panic. The guards and citizens were in a state of frenzy, recounting sightings of immense energy bursts and explosions near the wyverns' area. The ground had trembled violently, as if a great dragon were emerging from the earth itself.

Balf, Hina, and Miya exchanged concerned glances, realizing the gravity of the situation. Balf's voice broke the tense silence as he spoke, his tone grave. "We saw a dragon in the wyverns' area," he revealed, his words weighed down by the severity of the situation. "It's causing chaos and destruction."

The guard, visibly shaken by their account, struggled to comprehend the magnitude of the threat. "Even so, a dragon couldn't produce that kind of power," he muttered, his voice tinged with disbelief. After a moment's hesitation, he reluctantly allowed them entry into the city, knowing that they would need to assess the situation and prepare for whatever lay ahead.

As Hina, Balf, and Miya navigated the chaotic streets of Asmobio, Hina couldn't shake the feeling of unease that settled over her like a heavy cloak. It was as if unseen eyes were watching their every move, and whispers lingered just beyond the edge of her perception.

A chill ran down her spine, causing her to instinctively glance over her shoulder. But there was nothing there—only the bustling crowds and the looming buildings of the city.

"What's wrong, Hina?" Miya asked, noticing the troubled expression on her friend's face.

Hina shook her head, attempting to brush off the feeling of foreboding that clung to her like a shadow. "It's nothing," she murmured, though her voice held a hint of uncertainty.

But even as she tried to convince herself that it was just her imagination, the sensation persisted, growing stronger with each passing moment. It was as if someone—or something—was whispering secrets just beyond her reach.

Unbeknownst to Hina, lurking in the shadows of the city, the Demon Lord watched with twisted amusement. His dark laughter echoed through the streets, a sinister melody that sent shivers down the spines of those who heard it.

"Mwahahaha," he chuckled darkly, relishing in the chaos and confusion that enveloped the city. "Little does she know, it is I who whispers in the shadows."

With a malevolent grin, the Demon Lord continued to scheme, his eyes fixed on Hina and her companions. For he knew that she possessed a power unlike any other—a power that could tip the scales in his favor and bring about untold destruction. And he would stop at nothing to make her his own.

After three days had passed and the chaos in Asmobio had finally calmed down, Hina made a decision. She resolved to seek out knowledge and training, determined to learn more about the world she now inhabited. With a determined gleam in her eyes, she announced her intention to attend an academy.

"I want to learn more about this world," she declared to Miya and Balf, her companions who had stood by her side through thick and thin.

Miya nodded in agreement, her expression thoughtful. "There's an academy that might be perfect for you," she suggested. "It's called Tryni Elite Academy."

Balf chimed in, adding his own insights. "They say it's the best academy for the most talented warriors and great magicians," he explained. "You can learn everything you need to know about this world by attending that academy."

Miya nodded in agreement, elaborating further. "And the best part is, they offer scholarships for talented individuals like yourself," she added. "If you pass their tests and prove your skills, you could attend the academy tuition-free."

Hina's heart swelled with gratitude at their generosity, but she couldn't help but voice her concern. "But I don't have enough money," she admitted, her voice tinged with uncertainty.

In a show of gratitude for her bravery and kindness, Balf and Miya pooled their resources together. They presented her with five gold coins and five silver coins, a token of their appreciation for her heroism and a gesture of goodwill for her future endeavors.

With a grateful smile, Hina accepted their gift, feeling a renewed sense of determination burning within her. Armed with the support of her friends and the promise of a brighter future, she set her sights on Tryni Elite Academy, ready to embark on a new chapter in her journey.

*To be continue *