How is this possible?!

Across the empire, sixth-tier professionals are extremely rare. Those above them are even rarer treasures, lavished with top resources by the imperial treasury.

Lenna, a super-genius who leaped a tier overnight to become a sixth-tier mage at sixteen, outshines even all the empire’s elite students combined.

The elite class is nothing special.

After witnessing Lenna’s true power, Angela could only think this…

A dazzling blur.

Lenna’s spells came one after another, each chasing the tail of the next. True to her word, a spectacular ‘magic show’ began, as thrilling as a deadly battle.

Aided by Spectral Power, Lenna’s mana didn’t deplete quickly. Halfway through, her mana generation accelerated at a terrifying pace.

Instantly, mana flooded her right arm.

Black mist enveloped the human-shaped bundle, corroding its outer leather layer to reveal a charred yet still-warm corpse.

Nature magic and necromancy don’t conflict.

The former freezes the corpse at death’s instant. The latter performs resurrection, granting the dead power to return and defy life-death laws.

Huff—

After the ritual, Lenna didn’t drop her half-human, half-demon form. She leaned silently against the wall, watching the boy—who should have died—rise dazedly from the ground.

“You’re awake.”

Angela approached, speaking kindly.

Though the cost was immense, saving a life is the greatest virtue. She’d never refuse a deed she could accomplish.

The boy froze for a moment, then snapped back. Realizing something, he shouted, “Devil! Devil’s plaything! Aaaah, stay away from me!!”

He screamed, shoved Angela to the ground, and bolted for the exit.

Survival instinct overpowered death’s fear. He never wanted to feel burning flames again…

Angela stared blankly at his retreating back.

Lenna remained unmoved, even smirking. With a grin like a half-worn human mask, she asked, “Not chasing him?”

Angela pouted. “I don’t expect his thanks. Just don’t let him remember me…”

The loudmouth got his due. Lenna smoothly advanced to sixth tier. Only Angela paid with dignity and chastity.

“You seem to have no desires left.”

“Because I’m no different from someone who’s died once,” Angela stared straight at Lenna, forcing down her spine-chilling fear. “Devil, I should never have come to you. That was my biggest mistake!”

Let bygones be bygones.

Lenna moved gracefully, her jade-like left hand lifting Angela’s radiant face close.

“At least he won’t dare offend you again, right?”

A chill instantly seeped into Angela’s skin. She shuddered, her blood freezing like frost.

Lenna sneered again. “I know you want to kill me. I’ll give you a chance. I offer all who wish me dead a shot. But first, live well. Your strength can’t match mine yet. Despair more. I love seeing you strive. I crave that look of utter defeat after your hardest efforts…”

“Pervert!!” Angela cried in shame. “Haven’t you had enough fun yet?!”

Hmm~

Lenna stepped out of the storage room, breathing in the lush green scenery, exhaling stale air.

It’s good to be alive.

The feeling of revenge… has never been so sweet.

But…

She saw Angela following Lingling out, the two chatting happily, arms linked. Unconsciously, Lenna knitted her delicate brows.

But why this strange premonition?

Avenging her grudge should bring joy, releasing lifetimes of resentment. Yet bullying the future Holy Maiden gave no satisfaction. It was baffling.

Even last night, during the ring repair, the girl’s pitiful pleas brought no thrill. It felt like a dull farce. Lenna, the protagonist, only humiliated her, but her body felt nothing.

“Rebirth side effects…?”

Lenna chuckled wryly, dispelling the ‘Magic Surge’ state. Her right hand and eye quickly returned to human form as black mist faded.

‘Magic Surge’ was Lenna’s new name for that spellcasting state.

In this life, Spectral Power fused perfectly with her. From this, many strange new skills emerged, Magic Surge being one.

Using Magic Surge required no conditions. Just a thought, if you willed it.

It granted surging mana, a built-in blue buff, and magic with no cooldown…

Though chanting was still needed, compared to traditional mages’ once-a-day or once-a-month cooldowns, Lenna’s edge was immense.

Moreover, many untested skills awaited discovery. To unlock them, she needed to climb higher…

“Young mistress, so mighty.”

The Fox Maiden hopped after Lenna.

The figure before her seemed even taller and more majestic.

Beastkin have always revered strength. Lenna embodied both power and beauty. With such a master, why fear insecurity?

The stronger Lenna grew, the happier Lingling was for her.

The urge to bear a litter of fox kits grew stronger.

“Young mistress… huff…~”

Lingling suddenly wanted to flop down and stretch.

Her tail curved down, fox ears drooping softly.

She was about to arch her back, front paws stretching forward, when the strange urge vanished.

Young mistress… why are you a girl…

Duh, if she weren’t a girl, she wouldn’t be ‘young mistress’. She’d be called ‘Master’…

Lingling muttered quietly, leaving the grassy lawn filled with fresh scent.

“Lingling, what are you doing?”

Lenna turned to see the Fox Maiden with muddy, dirty paws. Angela stood nearby, casting a water purification spell to wash them.

“Lingling has a request. A small one…”

After washing her hands, Lingling looked up at Lenna.

In those golden slit-pupiled fox eyes, Lenna saw a trace of hope and earnestness.

“Speak.”

“Can Lingling call young mistress ‘Master’?” She blinked her big eyes.

Lenna sighed. “I want to know why.”

“Why… um… why…” Lingling’s mind raced. Even her usually active tail stilled, as if all blood rushed to her brain to craft the perfect excuse.

If the young mistress saw through her thoughts, her little schemes would be ruined!

“Ah! Got it!”

Lingling clapped her tiny fists together, feigning an epiphany.

“The clan head said young mistress will be the true leader of the Falmore Family. So Lingling is adapting early, to switch smoothly when you officially take over. Yep.”