The battle with the demon had ended, but a lingering tension remained in the air, as if something else was about to happen. The demon leader had fallen, but his minions were still present, and the fading darkness on the battlefield wasn't enough to erase the threat completely.
Emi, still filled with Alex's power coursing through her, stood up swiftly. Her aura had changed—it was stronger, more resolute. The light of her magic intensified, and her stance was that of a born warrior. Aria watched Emi in silence, noticing an immense difference between the Emi from moments ago and the one now standing tall before them.
—"Is this… the power of the protagonist?" —Aria whispered, astonished by Emi's transformation.
Alex, though exhausted, looked at Emi and nodded with a smile.
—"Yes… this is what it means to be the protagonist," —said Alex, watching Emi stride confidently toward the next demon.
Emi unleashed a powerful beam of light that sliced through the air, illuminating the darkness with her pure energy. Aria couldn't help but gape at how quickly Emi was dispatching their enemies. Emi's magic seemed to transcend all boundaries, as if there were no limits.
—"She's incredible!" —Aria exclaimed.
Alex couldn't help but smile as he watched Emi fight. There was something fascinating about how she dominated the battlefield with such skill and confidence, as though the protagonist's power manifested in every one of her movements. Yet, as he watched, a thought began to creep into his mind.
What did this mean for him?
Emi's influence as the protagonist wasn't limited to combat. It was beginning to affect him as well, in ways he hadn't anticipated. Her presence, her power, the way she looked at him… everything seemed to align with a destiny that, though not chosen by him, was increasingly drawing him in.
—"I didn't expect to be part of her life like this…" —Alex muttered to himself, thinking about what was happening between him and Emi. Though he quickly shook the thought from his head—"No, no, no. That would be way too problematic for my peaceful life."
Aria, noticing the thoughtful look on Alex's face, approached with a playful smile.
—"Something bothering you, Alex?" —she asked in a teasing tone.
Alex glanced at her, slightly thrown off, but seeing the expression on her face, he simply looked down, thoughtful.
—"It's just… I didn't expect things to turn out this way. I never imagined I'd end up being part of her life in such a… close way," —he said, looking at Emi as she charged ahead, effortlessly defeating demons.
Aria frowned, though her expression still carried a hint of mischief.
—"Don't worry, Alex. I'm not giving up that easily," —she said, crossing her arms as she glanced at Emi with a mixture of admiration and rivalry.
—"Oh really?" —Alex replied, raising an eyebrow with a teasing grin.
Aria returned the look with a defiant smile.
—"That's right. I want to be your protagonist too," —she said, her gaze both determined and playful.
Alex looked at her, shaking his head seriously—but a faint blush appeared on his face that he couldn't hide.
—"Well… you'll have to work hard for that," —he replied, with a soft but amused smile.
Aria crossed her arms, glancing at Emi and then back at Alex.
—"It won't be easy, but I'll do it. If Emi can, then so can I," —she said, her voice filled with determination.
Meanwhile, Emi continued pushing forward with her radiant energy, knocking down demons in her path. Her magic expanded more and more, as if the light of the protagonist were spreading across the entire battlefield. Alex's power continued to flow within her, helping to increase her strength, and even the atmosphere itself responded to her presence.
Watching her, Alex couldn't help but feel a mix of worry and awe. Emi seemed untouchable, as though she had the power to dominate any situation. But at the same time, he sensed that all this power could also bring complications.
And what about him?
What role did he play in all of this?
The battlefield was quickly being cleared...