The Infinite Journey of a Certain Flame

Rather, it's the lack of these epic, momentous missions that prevented this highly skilled fighting machine from fulfilling its full potential.

She herself, lacking opportunities, merely acted as an actor.

If we were still living in ancient times, a warrior as formidable as her would surely have achieved great feats, written her own epic tale, and ascended to the Throne of Heroes, becoming one of the world's most celebrated heroes.

However, things didn't go as planned. In this peaceful era, Bazett has very little freedom except for working for his superiors.

However, someone like her, who could be described as a warrior from birth, didn't think too much about these things.

That's precisely why Kiana finds it particularly troublesome.

"Her mindset is so rigid, you could say she's so unwavering, that trying to reason with or appeal to her emotions is probably futile..."

Because people like Bazett have formed their own beliefs, even physical torture cannot wear down the warrior's spirit.

On the contrary, it might even ignite her boundless fighting spirit...

And now, this unwavering female warrior seems to have set her sights on herself.

"Is something wrong? Why... does it seem like she's coming for me?"

Kiana was very confused by Bazett's words, but she didn't want to ask him directly, so she suddenly exerted force.

He barely managed to force the strong woman back, then raised his fists and calmly questioned her:

"Why did you attack directly? Bazett, what grudge do you have against me?"

Don't misunderstand.

Bazett shook his slightly numb hands, then tugged at his short black leather gloves, giving Kiana a sharp, sidelong glance.

"I was just following orders."

"Sounds just like something you would say. Whose orders are you on?"

"I have no reason to tell you this if you really want to know."

Bazett slowly raised his hand, making an inviting gesture, the meaning of which was quite obvious.

"You can choose to come with me obediently; it's better for both of us."

Will I obediently follow you?

Kiana was speechless upon hearing this.

What... what is this?

Is it a form of deception that involves both coercion and coaxing?

I can't believe Sapphire actually guessed right...

Is this suspicious person really going to take me away?

"Hehehe, maybe you shouldn't make such lame jokes. It's really not like you."

Kiana knew Bazett somewhat and was aware that she wasn't the type to make lame jokes.

However, now that this woman has said these words, it is as if her suspicions have been confirmed.

She...really came to capture me?

"Did I...do I do something earth-shattering?"

Kiana stared intently at Bazett, but a sense of unease crept into her heart.

Thinking about it carefully, it's really strange that she would come to arrest me.

Although I've caused a ruckus in the mirror world twice, those were both within the mirror world...

Besides Rin, Luvia, Miyu, and Illya, the only other people present were Ruby and Sapphire.

They would never leak information to others about their existence or any unusual behavior.

Kiana believed that her companions would not betray her, and she also believed that even if Ruby and Sapphire wanted to inform on her, they would seek Illya and Miyu's consent.

But here's the problem: if none of these things were said by them, why...?

Would I attract the attention of someone like Bazett to arrest me?

"Miss Bazett, cough cough! I think you might have arrested the wrong person. I'm just a primary school student passing by, hehe~ I hope you find your target soon, so..."

Kiana, clinging to a sliver of hope, turned her head to test Bazett's attitude, but things didn't go as planned.

As soon as she turned around, her opponent launched a lightning-fast whip kick, aiming straight for her lower abdomen.

Seeing that things were going badly, Kiana quickly stepped in to block Bazett's attack.

'bump! '

The crisp, resounding impact of each punch echoed through the narrow alley, lingering for a long time.

"Not bad skills."

Bazett made another attempt but failed again, and he had gained a preliminary understanding of Kiana's strength.

"It's hard to imagine that a child could have such strength."

"hehe..."

Kiana wore a cold smile, but inside she was screaming in pain.

This super-strong woman is really something else. A simple whip kick made it feel like you'd been hit by a truck.

"Did the Magicians' Association send you to arrest me? How did they know I was here?"

"Who knows? I was just following orders."

After retracting his leg, Bazett immediately assumed a fighting stance.

As a descendant of an ancient magical family, she is proficient in all kinds of combat techniques and understands the dangers of any moment of distraction in battle.

They are all creating opportunities for the enemy to counterattack.

"It's coming!"

Without saying a word, Bazett began to unleash a barrage of punches and kicks on Kiana.

However, as the battle intensified, she was surprised to discover that this little girl...

It seems to be a particularly strange martial art?

"Inch Force, Heaven-Splitting!"

"A single-inch strike, and the mountain collapses!"

"Inch-force..."

Kiana recalled the familiar moves and tried her best to recreate the style of the founder of this martial art.

However, because of her small size, she couldn't punch and kick the city walls.

Even so, with her restored skills, she should have no problem exchanging a few blows with the Mage's Association's designated seal enforcer.

"Uh!"

Bazett crossed his arms in front of him, barely managing to block Kiana's counterattack.

She never expected that this little girl, who was not nearly as tall or strong as her, would possess such incredible strength.

No wonder the Magic Association members were so panicked; they were simply relying on brute force.

If she commits numerous evil deeds, the consequences will be unimaginable...

However, judging solely from her words, this little girl doesn't seem like a malicious person, does she?

"I'm surprised you know this special technique. What was the purpose of the person who taught you this skill?"

"What is her purpose...? I don't know either. But I will never let this skill go to waste."

Bazett did not respond to Kiana's words, which seemed to be both an answer and a recollection, but instead quickly jumped back to create distance.

"call..."

She let out a long sigh, and when she looked up, her gaze towards Kiana sharpened once more.

Sentimental Magical Girls (Magic 1): Chapter 49: When in danger, shouting for help is incredibly effective.

“I don’t understand what you’re trying to say, but my job is to bring you back. However, the person in charge told me to try not to hurt you.”

Bazett stretched his limbs, seemingly ready to charge forward at any moment and engage in a fierce battle.

Seeing that she didn't seem to want to go all out, Kiana guessed that she hadn't been given a death order, meaning it was an extra task besides collecting cards.

She probably wouldn't be very enthusiastic about this kind of task.

That's why they're acting this way; it seems they'd rather avoid trouble and just let themselves comply...

"Should I thank you?"

However, Kiana had no intention of submitting to anyone.

Moreover, she didn't think she had done anything wrong; on the contrary, it was the Magic Association.

They sent people to arrest me without even negotiating?

Isn't that a bit too sensitive?

"Could it be that the system intervened because it anticipated that it would be exposed sooner or later?"

If that's really the case, then its unusual behavior certainly has a good explanation.

Perhaps in this world, there is a will like the Honkai God, or a group of people who maintain world order, as long as there are things that excessively defy common sense.

That would then lead to corresponding unforeseen events...

So, after arriving in this world, the system chose to seal its power, in order to integrate into this world as a friendly entity...?

"System, is that so?"

The response remained silent, as if the entity that occasionally offered a word or two of advice, or issued the corresponding tasks, had no self-awareness whatsoever.

There's just...no way to deal with it.

Faced with the system's silence, Kiana was helpless.

Ultimately, she wasn't even sure if this being, who could occasionally be of great help to her, had any self-awareness.