陶醉的妻子

Steve really thought that Annie's Magic energy had run out.

Because of that, he went easy on her. Steve even let Annie land a punch on him earlier.

But it turned out that that had been Annie's goal since earlier.

She showed signs that she was no longer able to use Magic properly after all of her Magic energy was used up.

Just to catch Steve off guard. Annie knew that Steve would let his guard down when he thought he had won the battle.

Because Steve enjoyed toying with his weak opponents.

And let his opponent suffer a slow and painful defeat.

Annie has experienced this kind of treatment from Steve several times.

Even though Steve tries to be friendly in his everyday life, once they fight Steve shows his true side.

'Shit!'

Steve knew that he was in a cornered situation right now.

Annie managed to get close to him until he was right in front of his eyes like this.

However, Steve is not easily panicked.

He knew that he hadn't lost just because Annie had been close to him.

Annie sent a large amount of her Magic toward her hand Steve was holding.

In an instant, Steve's hands were filled with ice.

The ice didn't just stay there. But it also spread to Steve's arms and body.

Steve's eyes widened. Seeing the ice starting to spread, he couldn't allow it.

So Steve also cast his fire Magic to stop the ice.

Flames came out of Steve's whole body. He suddenly looked like a human who had been doused in gasoline and then ignited.

The flames enveloped Annie as well. But she who knew that that was going to happen had already covered her body with ice armor.

White steam was created and filled the room as Steve's fire burned Annie.

The ice armor protecting Annie's body melted rapidly.

However, she continued to channel her Magic energy to create another layer of ice.

So no matter how big Steve's fire is, Annie's ice armor won't break easily.

They stay in that lockdown moment for a few seconds. But for both of them, this all seemed so long ago.

Their ability to use their Magic has indeed grown stronger.

But that doesn't mean they have unlimited Magic energy.

In the end, they both realized that their Magic energy was running out.

All of that was clearly displayed on their faces that grimaced in difficulty.

Annie made the first move. She knew that if she continued to be in this position she would not have a better situation for herself.

But if she moved and released her concentration from her ice armor, the armor wouldn't be able to withstand Steve's fire.

Even if she knew that, Annie had no other choice.

She focused her Magic on her left hand and strengthened the ice that was on it.

At that moment her ice armor melted extremely quickly.

Annie then used that hand to punch Steve in the chest.

*DOUGHH!*

Steve was thrown backwards and hit the wall. He didn't think that Annie would do that.

'I caught off guard.'

For a moment, Steve's concentration weakened so that the fire that covered his body also weakened.

Annie suddenly shoots at him with unbelievable speed. Then she continued to hit him.

*DOUGHH!*

Annie's fist hit Steve in the face and sent him crashing to the floor.

Annie didn't stop and gave Steve a chance to retaliate.

She threw punches and kicks repeatedly at Steve with all her remaining strength.

"Arghh!"

Unable to endure the continuous pain, Steve screamed.

The fire also started to go out because he couldn't maintain his concentration due to the pain all over his body.

"Okay okay! I lost!" Steve said.

Hearing that, Annie stopped her attack. She smiled in relief as she looked up at Steve from above.

"This time, you lose," Annie said. "What's our score?"

Annie seemed to remembering.

Steve took a deep breath and made his body a lying position on his back.

"It's five to three. I'm still two times ahead of you," Steve replied.

"Oh right." Annie nodded. "You okay?"

"Just a little bruise," Steve replied.

Annie nodded. Annie didn't win easily either.

She also has to make sacrifices to be able to land an attack on Steve.

She had to let her body get burned by Steve's fire for letting her ice armor melt.

Because she shifted her Magic focus to the left fist just now.

Now there are burns on Annie's arms, stomach, and even her face.

But she didn't complain of feeling pain like before.

Steve was also aware of the injuries.

"Nice trick. Let me think you've run out of Magic. And sacrifice your beautiful body," Steve said. Still lying down.

"To beat you, this kind of sacrifice had to be made," Annie countered. "I have to go to the infirmary first. See you tomorrow."

After that, Annie walked away leaving Steve.

When he was alone, Steve chuckled.

"That bitch. She's progressing faster than I thought," Steve said to himself.

"This could be dire. Apart from Conrad, there are other people who can stand up to me. I have more problems to deal with."

Steve sat up.

"I have to get stronger. Yeah, I do. There's no other choice."

Steve's eyes radiated determination.

Now it was as if the fire that was inside of him moved to his eyes.

Steve also came out of the room. He went to his room feeling a little annoyed because he just lost to Annie.

But Steve could calm down a bit as he could already imagine how he would get revenge on Annie.

'Don't be happy about tonight's win, Annie.'

Steve grinned down the corridor leading to his room.

Unbeknownst to him that there was some sort of invisible red mist that had followed Steve ever since he came out of the practice room.

The red mist followed Steve into his room.

Steve didn't go straight to the shower.

Instead, he sat cross-legged and began to meditate.

It was then that the red mist entered Steve's body without him knowing.

~~~