"How far can they really go…?"
Standing on the deck, Ethan Hayes gazed into the distance, watching Noelle and Mimosa chase after Asta high in the air.
As members of the Magic Knights, the two girls were already strong for their age.
Noelle was at Fourth Stage, Mimosa at Fifth Stage.
But… still far from enough.
If Ethan remembered correctly, in the original storyline, Noelle at this point could already unleash her Sea God Valkyrie Armor, a power close to First Stage.
Yet despite having gone through the war against the Diamond Kingdom, the Elf Reincarnation arc, and even the Devil's descent… Noelle's strength had barely advanced.
Perhaps it was because Ethan himself had been at the forefront every time, cleaning up threats before she could face them head-on.
The only real improvement was that she now had full control over her immense magic power.
But that wasn't enough—not even close.
The enemies to come wouldn't be weaklings in Fifth or Sixth Stage.
At the very least, they'd be Third Stage and above.
And then there were those devils from other worlds…
He could protect them, yes. But no one is infallible.
If they ever encountered an opponent even he found difficult to handle… with their current strength, they'd be nothing but dead weight.
"I'm not asking you to be able to help me in the future," Ethan murmured, "but at the very least, you must have the strength to protect yourselves…"
[Water Creation Magic — Roar of the Sea Dragon!]
Noelle leveled her wand forward, summoning a massive dragon of churning water.
In the Heart Kingdom, surrounded by nature's water and greenery, the spell's power was naturally amplified.
"Not bad magic power… but still lacking."
From above, Gaja, who had been pursuing them, both praised and criticized in the same breath.
Under normal circumstances, Noelle would have snapped back at him without hesitation.
But now, the priority was saving their comrade.
Bang!
The water dragon slammed into the orb of water imprisoning Asta.
But to Noelle's shock, her signature move failed to even crack it.
"If that's the extent of your strength, then…"
Zzzzz!
Gaja's grimoire opened, lightning serpents crackling around him.
Strange runic symbols swirled in spirals, channeling power into the spell.
"Noelle, be careful! That's the Heart Kingdom's unique magic formula!" Mimosa warned.
Not that she needed to—Noelle could feel the overwhelming magic in it herself.
This was power far beyond their current tier.
"Oh? Stage Zero, is it?"
From the deck, Ethan watched with interest.
Honestly, he'd always doubted the original story's claim that Gaja was Stage Zero.
In the Clover Kingdom, only Julius, the Wizard King, had reached such a level.
The Diamond Kingdom had only one man—Saint Mage Corin.
Yet the power radiating from Gaja now… was undeniably Stage Zero.
"…But it's a shortcut."
An expert could see the truth.
As someone who had already stepped into Stage Zero, Ethan could tell—the strength came not from Gaja himself, but from those mysterious runes.
They connected him to the surrounding natural mana.
Still, borrowed or not, strength is strength.
But since it lacked the true momentum of heaven and earth, this was merely a 'false' Stage Zero.
Boom!
Seven or eight lightning bolts surged forward at once.
Noelle raised her wand.
[Water Creation Magic — Sea Dragon's Nest!]
Water gathered, forming a massive dome to shield them.
Here in the Heart Kingdom, her water magic was stronger than anywhere else.
"Did your physics teacher happen to be the PE coach?" Ethan muttered under his breath.
Sure, this was a world of magic where anything was possible—
But natural laws still applied.
Water beats fire, fire boils water.
And lightning versus water?
Even a child knew the answer—conduction.
Zzzt… zzzt…
The moment the lightning struck the watery dome, it spread like ink in clear water.
Inside, Noelle and Mimosa's bodies jolted violently.
Fortunately, this was magic—not pure physics—so the dome absorbed some of the damage.
Still, the numbing sensation was unavoidable.
"Damn it… my magic's being countered." Noelle gritted her teeth. She understood conduction perfectly well. But knowing it didn't change her attribute—she only had water magic.
That meant either defend… or take the hit head-on.
[Plant Recovery Magic — Princess Healing Flower Robe!]
Mimosa's spell washed over them, easing the numbness.
But the real problem wasn't solved.
Even if they could keep resisting, Asta was still missing.
"Where's Ethan?"
"Not sure… I think he's still on the boat?"
Both girls suddenly found it strange.
His strength far exceeded theirs—so why hadn't he acted?
Noelle's mind churned. She'd fought alongside Ethan before—faced death together.
He was someone who valued his comrades deeply.
So why stand by while Asta was taken, and while they were being pushed to their limits?
Why am I always expecting him to help me…?
Habits are dangerous things.
Get used to kindness, and you take it for granted.
Get used to being given to, and you become greedy.
Get used to others' protection, and you forget how to stand on your own.
In that moment, she even felt a flicker of resentment toward him.
He's so strong… this would be over in seconds if he stepped in…
But no one is obligated to save you.
Boom!
Her thoughts shattered as Gaja's lightning tore apart the Sea Dragon's Nest.
Even as a "false" Stage Zero, his power was far beyond what Fourth and Fifth Stage mages could withstand.
Mist scattered in the air as the two girls, stunned by the shock, plummeted toward the water.
"What's his game…?"
Gaja didn't follow up. Instead, he turned his head toward the deck.
Ethan still hadn't moved—watching it all like a spectator at a play.
Was I too hasty? Gaja thought. Well, we'll be in the Heart Kingdom for a while. I'll have time to… train them properly.
Ethan sighed. It seemed that not everyone could break through in the heat of battle.
But just as he prepared to intervene—
Boom!
The water below erupted, a towering column shooting into the sky.
Inside it, two figures rose.
Noelle was clad in azure armor, a sharp spiral lance in her hands.
Her eyes burned with resolve, her posture unyielding—
Like a Valkyrie charging across the battlefield.
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