The Author's POV

Late at night.

The sun had already begun to set, and slowly darkness enveloped the city of Issanor.

Following Ren's match, Jin and Amanda also went next. After a long and arduous fight, the both of them were able to come out on top and thus make it to the rounds of eight. This may have been something noteworthy in the past, but Ren's actions had completely overshadowed their achievements. The same could be said for the other contestants as well.

Not that Amanda cared as after winning her round, the first thing she did was change her clothes into more comfortable ones. Following this, she was led by an elf toward a restricted area in Issanor.

As she had already been to the place before, Amanda was already quite familiar with where she needed to go, and before long, stopping in front of a familiar tree, the elven guard she came with placed their hand on the tree causing it to move upwards and revealing a familiar entrance.

Rumble—!

Giving a polite nod to the guard, Amanda entered the place. Through her memories, she navigated the place and paused before a certain room.

Raising her hand, she knocked on the door.

To Tok—

"Come in."

A smooth and pleasant voice spoke up as soon as Amanda knocked on the door.

Getting confirmation from the queen, Amanda entered the room where the first thing she saw was the elven queen standing beside the capsule her mother was resting in.

With her hand over the capsule, the queen stared at Amanda's mother with sadness in her eyes.

Then, turning her head to look at Amanda, she smiled.

"You're finally here."

"Mhm."

Amanda nodded; she was still a little bit reserved with the queen as she had not known her for long, however, from the way she was treating her mother, Amanda knew that she truly cared for her.

Unaware of what Amanda was thinking, the smile on the queen's face deepened as she raised her hand and revealed a familiar-looking fruit. With doubt on her face, she looked at Amanda.

"I've checked out the fruit that you've given me. I can't really tell if it will work or not, but are you sure that the individual that has given you this is trustworthy?"

"He is."

Amanda firmly nodded her head. Not for one second did she believe that Ren would try to lie to her about the fruit.

Seeing the resolute look on Amanda's face, the queen sighed before softly mumbling.

"I see."

Honestly, despite Amanda's confirmation, she was still on the fence about the fruit.

The moment Amanda explained to her how she got the fruit, and who gave it to her, the queen quickly had her servants do a background check on Ren.

matter was far too important for her to take

servants were fast and efficient. By the time they came back, they had already compiled all possible data about him, from what he had achieved back on earth to even his exploit in Henlour. They had left

was truly surprised when she saw his exploits, however,

hands on a fruit that in no way shape or form the dwarves could've ever had nor could be found

of luck?' The elven queen wondered, but she quickly shook her head. It didn't really matter if it

since Natasha had been in this state for over fifteen years. She truly hoped that

needed for the fruit?" The queen asked

said that squeezing the fruit and extracting

"Okay."

glow slowly enveloped the queen's hand as she twisted her

immediately dropped down from the fruit as elven queen

the liquid dropped toward the ground, right when it was about to touch the ground, twisting her fingers in a circular motion the juices came to a stop. Then, bending her fingers in her direction, the liquid moved in her direction, slowly accumulating together and forming a small golden

elven queen motioned with her fingers

controlled the juices with her extreme control over psyons. Pointing towards Natasha who was laying down on the capsule, the

liquid stopped before her, the queen turned to look at Amanda

"Open her mouth please."

"Okay."

her thumb underneath her chin. Applying a little

and once it did, Amanda finally let go of her mother's chin and looked at her

were also filled with hope. She wanted nothing

One second.

Two seconds.

Three seconds.

and it wasn't before long

"Did it not work?"

flashed across the faces of both Amanda and the queen as the two of

Ren had previously mentioned that the curse would break as soon as the liquid was ingested, and ever since giving her mother the fruit, she had not once shown signs

Twitch.

they thought that all hope was lost, Natasha's eyes

"!"

to pick up the twitch, and when

Twitch. Twitch.

twitched and her pale complexion slowly turned rosier. It wasn't before long that Natasha's complexion returned to a healthy young

Twitch. Twitch.

obsidian black eyes that seemed to suck the soul away of anyone that was looking at

eyes, she had to squeeze her eyes multiple times to get adjusted to the bright lights coming from above. Then looking around the room, she opened her mouth and asked in a croaky, borderline

"...Where am I?"

***

really didn't think this through

of me, my face twisted slightly. To be honest, despite having made so many

a couple of advanced potions I had prepared in advance, there were also a few powerful pain killers. The hope was so that they

would directly eat at my soul, and so this was not something any potion or pain killer

Perhaps I would be

Angelica who was standing in the corner of

"Are you ready?"

only one that needed to make