Within the simulation interface, the flickering shadow of an hourglass seemed to speed up, time slipping away faster than Eirik could comprehend.

"It looks like this time, if nothing goes wrong, Elvynna will finally reach the Archmage realm..."

In the grand temple of Elaresar City, a heavy sense of unease clouding Violanda's mind.

The Archmage realm had always been her dream. Her greatest ambition!

But, as the High Priestess of the Holy Light Church, she was burdened by far too many chains and obstacles.

If she wanted to break through to Archmage under these constraints, it seemed there was only one way forward: seize Eirik, the key to unlocking that realm.

Yet, despite using every tool available within the simulation, she had failed.

It seemed her only remaining option was to take more... forceful measures.

Next time, she wouldn’t hesitate—she had to capture him first.

As for how to cultivate a proper relationship with Eirik? That could wait.

She refused to believe that, with her talents as a Master Alchemist, anyone in this simulation could outshine her!

And as for Elvynna? There was no way she could let her be with Eirik.

If Elvynna was about to become an Archmage in this cycle, wasn’t that enough of a head start for her? Surely, there should be some room left for others!

In reality, she had already sent a messenger to the Dawnstar Dynasty to investigate whether Eirik truly existed in this world. Then...

"Hurry up and end this round! It’s dragged on long enough. In the next one, I must—"

Other players were equally eager for the simulation to restart, ready to reflect on their past mistakes and chart a better course for the future...

【After eons of solitude, Elvynna stands at the precipice of a breakthrough!】

The notification rang out to both Eirik and Elvynna.

Excitement surged through them, their faces flush with anticipation—was this it?

【Thanks to your active support, Elvynna’s magical energy has reached unprecedented levels, and her understanding of magical laws has surpassed that of many ancient Archmages. However, ascension to the Archmage realm remains a formidable challenge!】

【It is rumored that the rules guiding ascension to the Archmage realm were shattered by an unknown Archmage, leaving this continent devoid of certain essential laws; as such, the path to Archmage has been altered, preventing the emergence of new Archmages. The few Archmages still present in the Central Land broke through long ago, before the reign of that nameless Archmage.】

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【For thousands of years, countless geniuses who sought to reach the Archmage realm have failed, some even vanishing without a trace.】

Eirik was stunned. "Eldritch secrets like this...?" he thought, struggling to understand such a revelation.

【As Elvynna attempts her breakthrough, ancient demons have begun to take notice; shadowy figures move across the cosmos, their numbers terrifying, vast as the ocean—mysterious and dreadful.】

【Elvynna, her skin glowing and hair wild, wields her wand with fierce determination as she battles the demonic horde!】

【Ultimately, those demonic apparitions were shattered, and the world grew clear for a moment; Elvynna radiated a dazzling magical aura, even stronger than before. But the chaos was far from over—an indistinct figure materialized from the void, reaching out to her.】

【It was a demon, its features obscured, flickering like a nightmare of blood and cruelty, embodying the very essence of hell.】

【This demon possessed the power of an Archmage!】

This was no mere ancient demon—it was a projection conjured by the world’s very rules!

Its sole purpose was to block Elvynna’s ascension to Archmage!

Along with this revelation, an image appeared before Eirik and Elvynna—though just a vision, a single glance filled them both with a sense of dread.

The figure exuded a pressure so immense it was palpable.

The mightiest demon king in the universe. This was not an opponent to be taken lightly.

At that moment, Elvynna had yet to break through, still a Mythic Being, facing down a demon king at the Archmage level—a nearly insurmountable challenge!

【A storm of elemental power surged through the galaxy, magical energies thickening the skies, sharp enough to tear through time and space, a suffocating aura nearly engulfing the Central Land. Even the forbidden Reincarnation Sea trembled as if some unseen force had opened its eyes, watching this monumental battle.】

【Elvynna bled across the heavens, her body battered but ever regenerating; her blood shimmered as though on the verge of vaporization. The demon’s shadow, drenched in bloodlight, remained unwavering.】

【Elvynna fought on, but the threat of death loomed ever closer!】

"Who is this? Why are they trying to stop those who seek the Archmage realm? How utterly unreasonable!"

"The true nature of demons is despicable!"

The players grumbled in unison.

While they saw Elvynna as their greatest rival, as fellow scholars of magic, this injustice stirred their anger and empathy.

"Damn, Elvynna’s on the verge of collapsing! Is there anything I can do to help her at this critical moment?"

Eirik’s heart raced with anxiety.

Was this the moment he’d been waiting for, only to fail at the final hurdle?

That would be unbearable!

【Currently, you are only a Lv5 Mythic Being, far from capable of participating in this battle. However, you possess a unique talent. If you insist on joining, it's not impossible, though the cost will be extraordinarily steep. There is a high chance you will lose your life.】

A system prompt appeared before him.

"Oh, a cost? Now, of all times, you’re talking about cost? What could possibly matter more than this?!"

Eirik laughed bitterly.

Victory was within reach—what did the cost matter now?

Dying was trivial as long as Elvynna ascended to Archmage. Then the simulation would end, and he would bask in the rewards!

Life in the simulation was just a game—what did it matter?

"No matter the cost, I’ll do it!"

【Unable to bear watching your wife face death at the hands of the demonic Archmage, you, as a Mythic Being, step forward. You pour every ounce of strength into a single, thunderous punch, shattering the demon’s spell and shaking the very continent. Yet your body fractures like glass, a torrent of magical energy exploding from within.】

【In that instant, you are torn asunder!】

【But this was your intention; amidst the agony, your form transforms into vibrant threads of light, rushing into Elvynna’s being.】

【In that moment, you and she are one.】

"Husband... you..."

In reality, Elvynna stood momentarily stunned, her eyes wide with shock and regret.

Had she known it would come to this, why had she ever felt the need to ascend to the Archmage realm?

Wasn’t it enough for them to simply be together?

Even without ascending to Archmage, their lives as Mythic Beings would be long and fulfilling. Together, they could grow old, hand in hand until the end. This was the perfect life she had envisioned!

To lose him in pursuit of the Archmage realm, to walk that lonely path alone—this was a fate she could never accept!