Mui swung her blade with a force that left no room for doubt. Runebelle's desperate attempt to strike her opponent was in vain, and the powerful blow sent her crashing to the ground. Her body battered and bloodied. She struggled to rise to her feet. “I ...can still…win this…."

  Runebelle began building up an intense greenish energy around herself. The buildup of power was immense. Mui looked over towards her with curiosity. "Oh?"

  However, just as Runebelle was about to unleash her her move, she took a deep breath and paused. She spoke softly to herself,

  ‘If her Kyosa is that powerful, that attack won't reach Mui. Not like that.’

  Runebelle’s magical energy that was gathering around her vanished.

  Mui thought to herself, ‘She unleashed some type of power around herself, but then it disappeared…What you are up to, Runebelle?’

  Runebelle whispered to herself, "I need to find a way to outsmart Kyosa and Mui."

  With a plan forming in her mind, Runebelle charged at Mui once again, but she was caught off guard by Mui’s astounding speed. Runebelle appeared behind her in an instant.

  "I can't believe I have to use Kyosa at full force for the third time," Mui said with Amazement. "It just goes to show how beautiful your power is Runebelle. You gave me a run for my money by disabling my Sword god form."

  Runebelle found herself slashed by the powerful blow of Kyosa. The effects of the combined properties took hold quickly. She slowly dropped to the ground, reverting to her regular form.

  The Grand Arena fell silent, and the audience watched in awe as the battle came to an end.

  After a tense 60 seconds had passed, the arena's announcer broke the silence. "Ladies and gentlemen, the winner of this intense battle is Muiler G!"

  The crowd erupted into cheers, acknowledging Mui's formidable victory.

  As the announcement, the camera panned to the stands where Roselle and Risebelle were watching. Roselle's eyes were filled with disappointment. Risebelle, on the other hand, wore a serious yet sad look.

  Kintovar, who had been watching the battle closely, spoke up to offer her insight. "Runebelle did her best with the cards she held," she said with a sense of understanding. "The power gap was wide, and it's what allowed Mui to regain control of Kyosa. But in the face of such a powerful opponent, she gave it her all.”

  Juliana nodded her head and said, “When someone with incredibly intense magic confronts you, it can tip the scales heavily in their favor. Even if you possess potent abilities like Runebelle's Needle of Empathy, the sheer power difference can enable them to overcome your techniques with their own abilities. In battles, it's not just about the uniqueness of your abilities, but also the amount of that power that you can wield. Runebelle's power is remarkable, but Mui's might was overwhelming. It's a lesson in the importance of growth and mastering one's abilities. That being said…"

  Kintovar held one hand under her chin and thought about the day before the tournament, she flashed back to her stay Henry’s house.

  In a makeshift lab, the hum of technology filled the air as Kintovar, Juliana, and the Brain awaited Roselle. She had been called to the front for a conversation that held significant weight. After a thorough check-up, Kintovar couldn't hide her amazement.

  "Seventy-five percent, Roselle! You've progressed at an astonishing rate. You're even ready to use the Project Mage Transformation. But with this level of access, you also know the truth, don't you?"

  Kintovar's face darkened. "With this knowledge, Roselle, do you plan to... to come after me? To try and destroy me because of what I've kept hidden from you?

  Roselle hesitated. She shifted from Kintovar to the Brain, and then to Juliana who were all in the room. With a soft, heartfelt tone, Roselle replied, "Dr.Kintovar, I've come to understand that the problem isn't with you. You created this system. Despite everything you've kept hidden, you've treated us like your own children. You've guided us, protected us, and given us a chance to be more than what we were. That's what counts. I know you did what you had to do. Dealing with my system is now my problem."

  Kintovar struggled to hold back tears. She stammered, "I... I'm glad you feel that way, Roselle. It means a lot to me." The weight of her secrets and the burden she had carried for so long began to feel a bit lighter, thanks to Roselle's forgiveness and understanding.

  The Brain chimed in, "Dr. Kintovar's emotional state has elevated significantly."

  Juliana nodded. "Of course, what my Granddaughter did in the start was treat the Projects as mere tools. But over time, she came to realize that Project Mage, Zab and Rune could be turned into something greater than that. Having a soul and the emotions that come with being somewhat human can be a weakness, but with the right knowledge, one can transform that into a strength."

  This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.

  Later on, Kintovar, Juliana, and the Brain focused their attention on Roselle. Kintovar started to explain the details of the Project Mage Transformation. "Roselle, you already know that there's a 24-hour cooldown for the Project Mage Transformation," Kintovar said with frustration. “But it's not something I designed. It's a limitation imposed by the System itself. It's one of the reasons technology lags behind magic – the presence of limitations."

  Juliana chimed in. "Indeed, baby bird. Limitations are what separate us from our true potential. In the world of magic, they've learned to push beyond the boundaries, to exceed the limits that others thought were unbreakable. You will have to think outside the box on this one."

  Kintovar's eyes sparkled. She raised one hand to her chin with a grin beginning to form. "Thinking outside the box, eh? Yes, it's time to break free from these imposed limitations. I have an idea – a limiter removal."

  The Brain spoke up. "I can help with that, my daughter. Together, we can develop a way to remove this cooldown and unlock Roselle's full potential."

  Roselle nodded. "I'm ready for whatever it takes, Dr. Kintovar. Let's make this happen!"

  After several intense hours of work, Kintovar, Juliana, and the Brain had successfully developed a Limiter Removal System. Roselle stood at the center of the makeshift lab, ready to test the newfound freedom of her Project Mage Transformation.

  Kintovar explained, "Roselle, this Limiter Removal System should allow you to use your transformation at will. No more 24-hour cooldown. However, there's one minor drawback we couldn't completely eliminate. You'll have a time limit during your transformation. It's the best compromise we could achieve."

  Roselle looked up with a small smile. "I understand, Dr. Kintovar. Let's do it."

  Juliana commented, "You're about to make history as a creation of the Kintovars! Embrace this power, and remember that the limitations are there to be pushed beyond."

  The Brain added, "The Limiter Removal System is now in place and ready for activation. When you transform, the system will engage automatically, granting you full access to your abilities."

  Roselle took a deep breath and then began to undergo the Project Mage Transformation. As the energy surged around her, she felt the freedom of control that was previously denied to her. She was able to transform and also de-transform without warnings of a cooldown period.

  Kintovar observed with satisfaction, "It's working perfectly. You can transform at will, Roselle. Just remember, you have a time limit."

  Roselle gave everyone in the room a smile one by one."Thank you, Dr. Kintovar, Juliana, um…Brain. I won't let you down."

  Juliana patted her on the back. “You’re going to do great for technology. And we'll replicate this system for Risebelle and Runebelle soon enough."

  The brain chimed in with a tone of mockery. “Juliana, I see you’ve reverted to your old ways. Waiting for the future while neglecting the present. Shouldn't you be focusing and doing this now rather than later?”

  Juliana looked up from her thoughts. “Nonsense! ‘Soon’ and ‘now’ are very similar concepts. The important thing is the progress we’re making.”

  The Brain responded. “Ah, yes, the eternal excuse. ‘Soon’ is just a way to defer action.” The brain took on a mimicry of Juliana’s speech pattern and said, ‘It’s not that I’m being lazy—it’s that I’m waiting for the perfect moment’.

  Kintovar chuckled. “Well, as long as Juliana’s ‘soon’ doesn’t become an endless cycle of waiting, we should be fine.”

  Juliana managed a wry smile. “Alright, alright. I’ll work on balancing the ‘now’ with the two of you, but let’s not forget we have other pressing matters to attend to.”

  Later in the lab, Risebelle stood with a sense of anticipation as Kintovar and the Brain prepared to upgrade her with the Limiter Removal System.

  Kintovar spoke, "Risebelle, you were created before Roselle and should have collected more data, but she's surpassed you in that regard."

  Risebelle's curiosity got the better of her. “How in the hell did Roselle collect more data than me already?"

  Kintovar hesitated for a moment, then responded, "It's a combination of factors, Risebelle. Roselle’s unique experiences have propelled her forward, but we'll discuss this further once you reach 75% data collection."

  The Brain chimed in. "The Limiter Removal System is ready for installation. When activated, it will grant you control over your transformation, although a time limit will still be in effect."

  Risebelle took a deep breath and decided to address a question that had been on her mind for a while. "Dr. Kintovar, do you hate the world, the mages, for everything they've done to us? Do you plan to take over the world someday?"

  Kintovar paused her actions momentarily. She then responded, "I can't deny that I once felt anger and resentment towards the world, Risebelle. But my perspective has evolved. I've seen both the good and the innocence in people, and I no longer harbor hatred for humanity. As for taking over the world, my goals have shifted to showcasing the power of technology and creating a better world."

  Risebelle absorbed Kintovar's response and faced the ground with her eyes. "I see. It's just... I've had my own share of anger and resentment, but lately, I've started to feel differently too. Maybe there is hope for a better future…"

  Lastly, Runebelle stood ready for her upgrade. Kintovar addressed her with a gentle tone. "Runebelle, you were the last to be created. I remember a moment in the North when you discovered a painful truth and pointed your cannon at me. It was a side of you I'd never seen before."

  Runebelle responded with a gloomy look."I almost lost control, Dr. Kintovar. I thought that eliminating you would solve everything, but then I realized that if you were gone, the sadness Roselle and Risebelle would feel would be unbearable. You've been like a mother to us, even though you kept so much hidden."

  Kintovar nodded. "I'm glad you understand, Runebelle. The truth can be hard to bear, but it's something you needed to know. I hope you'll find it in you to forgive me for what I've kept hidden."

  With the past addressed, the Brain spoke. "The Limiter Removal System is prepared for installation. Once activated, it will allow you to control your transformation, with a time limit still in place."

  Runebelle approached Juliana with a hint of confidence on her sad face. She said, "Juliana, I know you have the answers. You may choose to hide it now, but when all of this is over and Dr. Kintovar accomplishes her goals, I want to know the truth about how I died in the past."

  Juliana met Runebelle's gaze with surprise and contemplation. After thinking it over, Juliana replied, “Runebelle, your desire for the truth is understandable. When the time is right, I will tell you everything you need to know. Until then, you must promise Kintovar here to do your best."