My Muscle System in the Mage World

Nina walked step by step without pause, her footsteps firm, and her eyes filled with determination and a fierce gaze.

"I must reach the top," she swore in her heart, even when she saw Aur disappear into the darkness, completely vanishing from this place, likely dead.

Strangely, Nina didn't feel much emotion in her heart; her calm and cold mind seemed to be calculating instead.

"If Aur hasn't died, then I might have to share the benefits with him."

Nina didn't see anything wrong with thinking this way. After all, she wasn't a naive kid anymore, and her focus was on the real rewards. She also didn't harbour much hatred for Aur—instead, she felt slightly grateful.

Aur had shown her the way!

With this thought, she effortlessly took another step.

"This will be my last step," Nina muttered, looking down. Her master and any other figures were completely invisible to her now—all she could see was the endless darkness that surrounded her and the final step of this seemingly infinite staircase, which she had finally reached the end of.

"Ho."

She took a deep breath, calming her thoughts, a smile gracing the corner of her lips as she took the last step, reaching the very top.

In front of her, the world seemed to shatter, and a bright light hit her eyes, causing Nina to close them tightly. Read exclusive content at empire

When she looked around again, she was surrounded by greenery, stretching as far as she could see.

"Eh?"

Nina squinted as she looked at her arms. "This doesn't seem like a mere illusion. Everything here is real," she muttered, scanning her surroundings for anything unusual.

Her eyes caught a glimpse of a peculiar fire symbol beneath her feet.

Instantly, flames appeared on her feet, but they didn't harm her. Instead, they helped her push off the ground and into the air, lifting her skyward.

"There's a mountain... and a volcano... and then…" Nina's expression turned strange. "This feels man-made."

Before she could think further, a gentle voice suddenly spoke.

"Nina, have you come?"

Nina froze, her pupils vigilant as she looked around but found nothing.

"Come here. I've been waiting for you."

The very void in front of Nina seemed to tremble as reality appeared to separate, revealing an ancient temple.

"What is this place?"

Nina became increasingly vigilant in her heart; however, when she looked around at the greenery, she could only helplessly enter this portal.

Besides, this gentle voice gave her a favourable impression, as if her mother were speaking, which made Nina feel that the voice was trustworthy.

As she stepped into the reality that lay before her, she was not disappointed; she saw a serene environment.

The pavilion stood tall in its ancient pagoda style, surrounded by a lake. However, right at the entrance of the bridge, the scene in front of her made her involuntarily freeze.

"Aur… Aur…"

She spoke with a shocked expression, her eyes widening to their limits from sheer astonishment.

"Wait, up. Girl," a voice echoed in her head.

"Calm yourself, girl," the voice continued.

Nina recovered from her shock and stood up straight with her back tall.

"Who are you?" she squinted her eyes while keenly observing Aur who was punching at the thin prison with his every move causing even the voice to tremble.

She could feel the aftermath from even here, with the ground slightly trembling.

However, despite that, this seemingly thin prison seemed to be completely fine with next to no damage done to it. Naturally, she had many doubts in her mind.

"Girl, I am the regulator and the guardian spirit of this trial. I have been selflessly guarding here for eras," the voice replied in a gentle tone.

"What do you want from me?" Nina asked, going straight to the point.

"Well, you have already passed the trial that makes you a worthy creature," the gentle voice paused. "However, there is still a trial for you to overcome if you truly want to be worthy."

"And what is that?"

Nina said thoughtfully, an idea already forming in her head.

"To reach the peak, one must become increasingly heartless, discarding the useless emotion of love. You love the boy, right?"

The gentle voice sounded again.

"No, I don't love him at all."

Nina firmly refused from the start, her tone resolute.

"It doesn't matter if you refuse; in your heart, you still love him. For you to be worthy…" The gentle voice seemed to pause again for a long time.

"What should I do?"

Nina spoke with a slightly irritated expression.

"Your frail heart might not be able to handle it."

"Tell me."

A flash of determination appeared in her eyes as she tightened her fist.

"Kill Aur. I chose Aur because I knew you were the chosen one; however, this small obstacle has made you pause in your goal to truly become worthy."

"Kill Aur, huh…"

Nina looked at Aur with a complex gaze and shut her eyes. "Alright."

"Haha, you agree so easily, but when you enter that cage, it might be a different story."

"I don't care; I will… no, I will take care of him."Nôv(el)B\\jnn

"Fool, don't be heartbroken and come crying after killing him."

With a hint of disdain in the gentle voice, a green light appeared in front of Nina.

"Follow the green light."

Nina obeyed and followed the green light. In the next moment, she found herself inside the cage with Aur, who was punching like a mad beast.

"Aur, how are you doing?" Nina immediately smiled as Aur paused for a moment before resuming his efforts to destroy the prison.

"Destroying the prison with your punches is meaningless, and you know that."

Aur still seemed to have turned a deaf ear as he continued relentlessly.

"You have no choice." She bit her lip, ready to attack Aur.

"Hahaha, brat, even if I can't deal with you, she can."

The bald woman chuckled from inside the ancient pavilion, looking at her mirror with amusement.