Melissa's breathing grew ragged as she tugged against the chains once more, wrists burning from the cold bite of metal.
Her determination refused to waver, but no matter how much mana she poured into her body, no matter how much strength she summoned, the shackles remained firm.
They weren't ordinary restraints—no, they were forged from something deeper. Her will faltered as she realized these chains weren't meant to test her strength.
They were meant to test her soul.
Her heart pounded.
'I'll break free. I will.'
She told herself over and over, forcing resolve into every thought. For her young master, she would tear apart anything in her way.
For him, she would push forward, no matter how impossible it seemed.
Yet the more she struggled, the tighter the restraints seemed to pull, as if mocking her. Each effort dragged her deeper, not forward.
Then the world began to twist. The torchlight flickered and dissolved into darkness.
