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Amberine rolled her eyes. "Thanks for stating the obvious, Ignis. You\'re not exactly helping."

"I\'m just saying, it\'s not the kind of outfit that screams \'powerful magician,\' more like \'slave of money,\'" Ignis teased, his tone light but pointed.

"Shut up, Ignis," Amberine snapped, her cheeks flushing with a mix of embarrassment and irritation. "I\'m doing this for the money. It\'s not like I have a choice."

"Sure, sure," Ignis replied, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "Just keep telling yourself that."

Amberine huffed, turning her back on the outfit and pacing the room. "Why do you always have to comment on everything I do?"

"Because you need someone to keep you grounded," Ignis said simply. "And let\'s face it, you have a tendency to get carried away."

"Carried away?" Amberine echoed incredulously. "I\'m just trying to survive in this world. Do you have any idea how expensive it is to live here? The tuition at Magic Tower University alone is enough to bankrupt anyone."

"True, but there are other ways to make money," Ignis pointed out. "Less... demeaning ways."

Amberine stopped pacing and glared at him. "Like what? Tell me, Ignis, what other ways are there for someone like me to make enough money to live and study here?"

Ignis was silent for a moment, his fiery form flickering thoughtfully. "You could use your talents more strategically," he suggested. "Instead of performing for money, why not find a patron? Someone who recognizes your potential and is willing to invest in you?"

Amberine shook her head. "I don\'t have time for that. I need money now, not in some distant future when I might find a patron."

Ignis sighed. "You\'re selling yourself short, Amberine. You\'re better than this."

Amberine\'s shoulders slumped, and she turned back to the outfit. "Maybe, but right now, this is all I have."

She reluctantly began to change into the outfit, feeling more exposed with each piece she put on. Ignis continued to hover nearby, his presence a constant reminder of her internal conflict.

"I just wish you\'d stop judging me," Amberine said quietly as she adjusted the final piece of the outfit.

"I\'m not judging you," Ignis replied, his tone softer. "I\'m just trying to remind you that you\'re worth more than this. You have real talent, Amberine. Don\'t let anyone make you feel otherwise."

Amberine looked at herself in the mirror, taking in the sight of her transformed reflection. She barely recognized the person staring back at her. "Thanks, Ignis," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "I needed to hear that."

Ignis\'s flames flickered gently. "Anytime, Amberine."

With a deep breath, she turned away from the mirror and made her way to the stage entrance, where the rest of the performers were already gathering. The air was thick with a mix of excitement and nervous energy. Amberine could feel her heart pounding in her chest as she joined them, the revealing outfit making her feel more vulnerable than ever.

As the signal was given to begin, Amberine took her place among the dancers, her movements fluid and precise. The music started, and she found herself caught up in the rhythm, the performance demanding her full attention.

Despite her initial reservations, she couldn\'t deny the exhilaration of the performance. The movements, the lights, the music—it all came together in a mesmerizing display. Yet, as she danced, a nagging thought lingered in the back of her mind: Was this really worth it?

The applause of the audience was a distant sound, her focus entirely on her performance. But then, her eyes locked with a familiar, cold gaze. Draven. He was seated among the dignitaries, his expression as indifferent and unreadable as ever. His presence sent a shiver down her spine, a mix of fear and shame washing over her.

She quickly averted her gaze, her heart racing. Why did he have to be here? Why now, when she was dressed like this, performing like a puppet for money? The thought of him seeing her like this, of judging her, was almost too much to bear.

The performance continued, but Amberine\'s mind was elsewhere. She felt exposed, not just physically but emotionally. Draven\'s cold, assessing gaze seemed to strip away all her defenses, leaving her feeling raw and vulnerable. She pushed through the routine, trying to ignore the burning sensation of humiliation that threatened to overwhelm her.

As the performance neared its end, a sudden, dark surge of mana filled the room. Amberine\'s movements faltered, her senses on high alert. The air grew thick with tension, and she could see the alarm in the faces of the other performers and the audience.

A collective gasp echoed through the hall as a rift appeared in the center of the stage, pulsating with dark energy. The royal knights and guards immediately sprang into action, forming a protective barrier around the queen and Prince Caelum. The guards of the great families moved swiftly to shield their respective heads, while Duke Icevern and Draven rushed to the front, joining the queen\'s guards.

"What\'s happening?" Amberine heard someone shout, panic evident in their voice.

"It\'s a mana surge!" another voice responded. "Stay back!"

Draven\'s voice cut through the chaos, cold and commanding. "Everyone, remain calm. Protect the queen and the prince."

Amberine\'s heart raced as she watched the scene unfold. The rift continued to pulsate, growing larger and more menacing with each passing second. The air was thick with dark energy, making it difficult to breathe.

"Amberine, get back!" Ignis\'s voice urged, his tone uncharacteristically serious. "This is dangerous!"

But before she could react, the rift let out a blinding flash of light, and eight demons emerged, their forms twisted and grotesque. The creatures spread out, their malevolent eyes scanning the room for targets.

Screams filled the air as the demons advanced, their dark mana radiating an aura of fear and despair. The royal knights and guards moved to engage them, but the creatures were powerful, their movements swift and deadly.

Amidst the chaos, Amberine saw Duke Icevern step forward, his icy mana swirling around him, forming sharp spikes that he launched at the demons. His sister, Sophie, joined him, her own ice magic blending seamlessly with his. They fought with precision, their movements synchronized and deadly efficient.

"Draven!" Duke Icevern called out, his voice cutting through the chaos. "We need to contain these demons!"

Draven nodded, his expression as cold as ever. He raised his hand, and a powerful surge of mana erupted from him, forming a barrier around the demons. "Keep them within this barrier," he ordered. "We cannot let them escape."

Sophie, her breath visible in the cold air, added her mana to the barrier, strengthening it. "We\'ll hold them here," she said, her voice steady. "Just make sure they don\'t get out."

Amberine found herself face-to-face with one of the demons, its eyes burning with malice. She could feel the weight of its dark mana pressing down on her, suffocating her with its intensity.

"Ignis, what do I do?" she whispered, her voice trembling with fear.

"Stay calm, Amberine," Ignis replied, his voice steady despite the situation. "Use your magic. Remember your training."

Amberine\'s hands shook as she summoned her fire magic, the familiar warmth of Ignis\'s power flowing through her. But the demon was fast, too fast. It lunged at her, claws extended, and she barely managed to dodge its attack.

Panic surged through her, and she stumbled back, her mind racing. She had faced opponents before, but nothing like this. The demon\'s power was overwhelming, and she could feel her confidence slipping away.

"Focus, Amberine!" Ignis\'s voice cut through her fear. "You can do this!"

She took a deep breath, forcing herself to concentrate. The demon lunged again, and this time, she met its attack head-on, unleashing a torrent of fire. The flames engulfed the creature, but it pushed through, its dark mana protecting it from the worst of the heat.

Amberine\'s eyes widened in terror as the demon advanced, its claws slashing through the air. She barely had time to react, her movements frantic and uncoordinated. The creature was relentless, and she could feel her strength waning.

"Amberine, you have to stay focused!" Ignis urged. "Don\'t let it overwhelm you!"

But the demon was too strong, its attacks too swift. Amberine could feel herself being pushed back, her defenses crumbling. She stumbled, her back hitting the wall, and the demon loomed over her, its eyes filled with a cruel, mocking light.

This is it, she thought, her heart pounding in her chest. This is how it ends.

"What a shitty life it was,"