The evening that should have been enjoyed by many has now turned into a chilling horror; the power of paralysis paradox—a form of dark magic that wreaks havoc with far-reaching effects—spreads rapidly and is felt up to tens of kilometers away, causing fear to creep over nearly half the island. This magic is among the ten most potent ancient spells, categorized as dark magic, often carrying an aura of misfortune, emptiness, and profound helplessness, threatening the safety of anyone ensnared within its grasp. It is not just a local threat; there are examples from other regions where its influence has proven fatal to communities, creating widespread panic and shaking the stability of a territory.

  “A good girl shouldn’t be out at night,” he said in a firm tone, as if reminding a child lost in the deep darkness. His voice resonated, carrying a weight of concerning warning. “Because of you, I’m forced to act like this,” he continued, his eyes shimmering with anger, as if the fire within reflected both sadness and disappointment. His expression indicated that this decision was not made lightly but rather through an inner battle that raged within him.

  “FOOL!” Rinoa shouted, her voice echoing, each word bursting from her lips as if carrying thunder that shook the air. “You could kill everyone!” she continued, her face flushed with rage, revealing the depth of her seething anger.

  “Hmm, that’s not my concern,” he retorted dismissively, his piercing gaze locking onto Rinoa’s, as if attempting to penetrate her very soul. “Whether they want to live or die is not my responsibility. My task here is to punish the naughty girl,” he added, his steps slowly closing the distance, each footfall increasing the oppressive tension, his presence an ominous shadow looming over Rinoa.

  “Who exactly are you?” Hernandez questioned with a tone full of intrigue, his eyes blazing with fury. “Shouldn’t you respect other people’s privacy and not rudely interrupt us while we’re on a date?” He rose, his posture reflecting heightened tension, ready to confront the dark shadow approaching them.

  The cloaked figure, with his face concealed in the deep shadows of his dark robe, felt a boiling anger within him ignited by Hernandez’s recent outburst. The frustration enveloping him seemed to shake the surrounding aura, as if the darkness around him intensified, signaling an unspoken tension.

  “Rinoa, this is black magic,” whispered Hernandez in a hoarse voice, his eyes scanning the darkness around them as if trying to catch glimpses of hidden shadows.

  “Yes,” Rinoa replied hesitantly, her words seemingly caught in the tension enveloping the night.

  “Can you explain to me what kind of magic this is that can disrupt our date? I'm very upset; the turmoil in my chest has reached a level of 'midnight hunger'! This is not the time for a botched magic experiment!” Hernandez exclaimed.

  “Yeah, yeah, yeah. You should just get some sleep,” Rinoa chimed in, turning her gaze far into the extraordinary and mysterious darkness of the night.

  “Why?” Hernandez shouted, his face flushed with frustration.

  “You don’t understand how dangerous this magic is. The Paralysis Paradox is a terrifying dimensional-type magic that allows the caster to trap the target within a certain radius, creating a bubble of helplessness that is menacing. There are three categories of areas that can be created by the caster; according to my observations, they possess category A, equivalent to a queen iris, which is the most potent and dangerous category. The danger of this magic is very real, comparable to the trauma from the past that continues to haunt us, casting shadows of fear and unexpected weakness, as if we are trapped in an endless darkness. A tangible example of its effects can be seen in those diagnosed with PTSD, who experience a sense of paralysis due to the haunting memories that continually taunt their minds. "I can feel your magic," Rinoa whispered, staring intently at the cloaked figure that evoked deeply unsettling memories.

  “A dark and painful past,” Rinoa continued, her voice trembling as if each word she spoke was conjuring up the painful memories that scarred her soul.

  “For someone like you, perhaps the past leaves no trace; however, for those haunted by the shadows of memories, it can lead to the abyss of death,” Rinoa explained, highlighting that for some, the past can become an indescribable shackles. Numerous studies have shown that the psychological effects of trauma can drastically alter a person's behavior.

  “Mental magic,” Hernandez said, glancing around with anxiety as he observed the hysterical individuals, their faces pale and lips frothing, as if trapped in an unspeakable horror.

  “Yes,” Rinoa replied curtly, her voice firm though her large eyes betrayed the anxiety that gripped her heart.

  “I've never heard of mental magic being able to kill someone,” Hernandez remarked, his eyes gleaming with astonishment and confusion. His voice broke through the silence, awakening his buried curiosity, as if he were trying to digest the horror he had just witnessed. His failure to comprehend this demonstrated how rare it was for him to deal with magic capable of manipulating the mind in such a way.

  “Who said that?” Rinoa asked sharply, tilting her head slightly as if evaluating. “Do you really think that killing can only be executed by stabbing a sword into the heart, smashing a head, cutting a throat, or being struck by destructive magic? Have you ever considered that vulnerability could become your greatest enemy? From that point of weakness, fragility can arise to empty the soul, to the extent that you may end up killing yourself.” She explained while remaining vigilant, her eyes never leaving the figure in the black cloak that stood still in the corner of the room. “Imagine if you carried a horrific trauma that paralyzed your entire body, freezing it like flesh bitten by a venomous snake, where your muscles offer no response, and your lungs cease to function. You would die in just seconds,” she continued, her tone seeping into the darkness around them.

  Hernandez was left speechless as Rinoa explained the situation, the silence enveloping the area pressing down on him even more. His lack of understanding trapped him in emptiness, making it difficult to respond thoughtfully to Rinoa's stirring words. However, his primary focus was now on facing the menacing figure clad in black standing before him, its shadow seemingly absorbing the surrounding light. He was certain Rinoa sensed the impact of the creature's presence, especially after noticing the strange changes that had occurred when they were together earlier, which clearly indicated traces of dark and mysterious magic.

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  “You already know about the war that took place ten years ago. Do you intend to kill them by revealing the mistakes they made?” Rinoa asked, her gaze sharp as it fixed on the black-cloaked figure before her.

  “Ah, finally you’ve turned your attention to me, my dear,” the cloaked figure responded in a teasing tone, his voice raspy yet charming. The cloak sparkled in the dim light, as if concealing deep secrets.

  “For you,” he revealed, his voice trembling with meaning as he directed it towards Rinoa.

  “I don't know you,” Rinoa replied firmly, although a slight tremor of uncertainty tinged the end of her words.

  "You haven't answered me," Rinoa said, her voice firm yet laced with tension, as if waiting for a response that could alter the course of the night.

  "You are indeed stubborn," the cloaked man replied, his tone hoarse yet assertive, creating palpable tension between them.

  "Do you wish to start a war again?" Rinoa asked, her voice filled with curiosity that teetered on the edge of impatience, trying to grasp the intent behind the cloaked figure. Her sharp eyes scrutinized the man's face, hoping to uncover the answers behind the flickering doubts within her, hinting at the potential for greater conflict in the future.

  Somber and upright, the figure appeared as if bound tightly by the night's tension, unyielding to the questions hanging in the air. He raised his hand with a graceful motion, as if attempting to grasp the low-hanging moon in the night sky, its cold light reflecting both hope and despair.

  After a moment, the figure turned, gazing at Rinoa with eyes ablaze with anger, as if holding all the injustices he had ever faced. With steady and confident steps, he turned his back to them, seemingly granting them a moment to absorb the tense situation before finally facing them again. In a firm and assured tone, he pointed towards the group of people lying unconscious on the ground, appearing fragile under the moonlight. “They are selfish. They are so happy—how could this magic possibly affect them?” the dark figure said, his voice resonating with a bitter note that conveyed deep disappointment.

  “I do not like the happiness of the world,” the cloaked man remarked, his tone filled with regret, his gaze piercing the extraordinary darkness. “If it requires sacrificing someone so precious to me, then that happiness is merely an illusion that imprisons the soul.”

  Rinoa fell silent for a moment, as if time had stopped while she contemplated this. Memories of someone very dear to her flashed through her mind. She hoped, with all her heart, that that person could understand her feelings filled with yearning and sadness.

  “I want to tell you something that might be important,” Rinoa said, her voice trembling softly yet profoundly, as if carrying a heavy burden she wished to express to Hernandez.

  “I want to listen,” he said, his voice trembling like leaves blown by the wind, filled with deep hope and longing. “I love someone. That person is incredibly precious to me, but....”

  “In truth, the thing I most want to forget is my past. However, it is impossible to completely let go of it. The past is part of who I am, encompassing every step I take, both before today and for the future to come. I just want the past to remain a chapter that never repeats,” Rinoa said, her voice quivering with emotion as she clenched her fists tightly. Her head lowered, her hair fell to cover part of her face, struggling to hide the expression of pain gnawing at her soul. Seeing Rinoa in such a state, a wave of anger ignited in Hernandez's heart, causing his blood to pulse beneath the surface of his skin. Without a moment's thought, he launched an attack on the calm figure in the black cloak standing before him, seemingly unaffected by the chaos around them.

  Bam!!!

  With an emotional charge, Hernandez lunged forward to strike the figure in the black cloak. However, his passionate blow seemingly missed its target. It felt as though an invisible barrier was shielding the mysterious figure, rendering every effort Hernandez made to penetrate this defense futile. Despite pouring all his strength into the attack, he found himself unable to break through that obstacle.

  “What?!” Hernandez exclaimed, astonished and bewildered, his eyes widening as he stared at the enigmatic figure before him, trying to comprehend how this phenomenon could occur right in front of him.

  “Could you not disturb me?” the cloaked man said in a flat tone, his eyes concealed beneath the hood glinting with intensity. Without awaiting a response, he uttered a shimmering spell, “Thunder Shoot,” which collided with the air, reverberating like the roar of the heavens.

  Hernandez, displaying exceptional agility, deflected the attack with his hand, causing the flash of lightning to explode with a thunderous crash to his right, creating a dazzling burst of light accompanied by thick smoke from the explosion. All of this occurred in an instant, escalating the tension of the increasingly heated battle.

  "I will get my revenge," Hernandez said, his voice filled with anger as he channeled enhancing magic into his hands, creating a hard layer known as "Rock Stone" that shimmered with energy. With burning determination, he launched a surprising punch towards the cloaked man, trying to break through his opponent's seemingly tough defenses.

  “Hehehehe... your attack won't hit me,” he mocked confidently. In an instant, he seized Hernandez's hand and spun his body with astonishing strength. Hernandez couldn't withstand it, and in a swift motion, he was thrown to the ground, crashing against the hard surface. Before he could get back up, a powerful kick sent him sprawling, shattering the nearby garden bench.

  With a resounding bang, as if the sky itself had split, a hard kick unleashed a terrifying explosion of energy. Bruak!!!!!!!

  “Falcon shoot,” the man said firmly, channeling enhancing magic through his right leg. As he recited the incantation, a glowing tattoo began to appear on his leg.

  “Hernandez,” Rinoa said anxiously, her body trembling as she prepared to launch a determined counterattack.

  “Blade of Wind,” Rinoa intoned, her voice resonating, and in an instant, a shimmering green sword materialized in her hand. With conviction, she hurled the sword towards the man in the cloak.

  However, the cloaked man was also ready, his face displaying resilience and determination, as if prepared to confront a challenge of equal magnitude.

  “Fire Bolt!” the cloaked man exclaimed, his voice ringing with enthusiasm, and at once, a flickering fireball ignited at the tip of his outstretched finger. In the blink of an eye, the fire surged forward, slicing through the air towards its target with astonishing speed.

  The collision between the Blade of Wind and Fire Bolt produced a magnificent explosion that reverberated through the atmosphere around them. Colorful sparks erupted like fireworks in the night sky, creating a scene that was both beautiful and terrifying as their magical powers clashed.

  “Are you okay?” Rinoa asked, looking at Hernandez with a worried expression on her face.

  Crack!!!!! Crack..!! The loud cracking sound echoed in the air, reflecting the tension that surrounded them. “I’m fine, just leave it to me,” Hernandez declared firmly, rising from the debris of scattered chairs around him, fine dust swirling in the air like shards of light flying in all directions.

  “You need to set up a magic shield immediately,” Rinoa urged, her voice filled with urgency. “We’re still affected by the magic, and the mana output is disturbed.” She scanned the surroundings warily, sensing the magical vibrations that still enveloped them like a thick fog pressing on their minds.

  “Let me face it alone,” Hernandez insisted, his firm voice resonating among the thick, mystical fog of magical vibrations. His eyes sparkled with courage, reflecting a deep determination, as if he was ready to challenge the storm without hesitation. Rinoa could feel the intensity of his words, as if he were channeling all his strength to confront the impending threat.