Godslayer's Legacy: THE PATH TO SUPREMACY

Rui's footsteps echoed as he and Arlan made their way back to the witch's shop. The city had grown quieter since their previous visit, and the weight of what had transpired seemed to hang heavy in the air. Rui could feel the growing pressure inside him—his mana and aura fused together, creating a force more powerful than he had ever felt. But it was also unstable, chaotic, threatening to overwhelm him at any moment. If something didn't change, if he couldn't stabilize it, there was no telling what might happen.

They reached the shop, the door creaking open to reveal the familiar dim interior. The witch was standing behind the counter, her piercing green eyes watching them closely. She didn't greet them with her usual flippant attitude, but instead simply regarded them with a knowing look, as though she had expected their return.

"You've come back sooner than I thought," she said, her voice quiet but laced with an undertone of anticipation.

Rui stepped forward, his eyes flashing with determination. "I need your help. My power—my mana and aura—they've merged. It has become something I can't control."

The witch studied him silently, her expression unreadable. Arlan crossed his arms, his gaze dark as he observed the exchange.

"I told you before," the witch said, her voice thoughtful. "That elixir wasn't a cure-all. It was a catalyst. And now you're feeling the consequences of what you've unleashed. But you're not the first to come to me with something like this." She paused, her sharp gaze never leaving Rui's. "The question is, do you want to keep your power, or will you let it consume you?"

Rui's jaw tightened. "I'm not going to let it consume me. But I need a solution. I need control."

The witch raised an eyebrow, clearly impressed with his resolve. "Control. That's the key, isn't it? The real question, however, is whether or not you can truly handle what you've awakened. You've forced your aura and mana to merge—two forces that were never meant to coexist in such harmony. That's why you feel the instability. The two energies are fighting for dominance, and your body is struggling to keep up."

Rui didn't flinch. "So what do I need to do?"

The witch leaned forward, her fingers drumming on the counter as she considered him carefully. "First, you need to stabilize your mana flow. You can't keep forcing it. If you continue down this path, it will shatter your body—and your soul. The best way to deal with it is to reinforce your internal structure. You need to fortify your bones and physique, create a foundation that can withstand the pressure."

Rui nodded slowly. He could feel the strain on his bones, especially as his power surged. It made sense that his physical form was struggling to keep up with the energy now coursing through him.

"I've already been training, but it's not enough," Rui said, his voice edged with frustration.

The witch's smile was faint but understanding. "Training alone won't solve this. You need more than just physical conditioning. You need physical remedies that will change the very structure of your bones, fortify your foundation. Without that, you'll never be able to contain the power inside you."

Rui's mind raced as he processed her words. "You're saying I need to physically reinforce my bones and body, just like I did with my aura?"

"Exactly," she replied. "Your body is your vessel. If it's not strong enough to contain the power, the power will break it. That's why your training has been incomplete. You need more than just strength. You need to do bone hardening, a method that will make your skeleton capable of bearing the immense weight of your own mana. The elixir may have enhanced your abilities, even your physique, but your body still needs to catch up."

Arlan nodded in agreement. "This is the first time I've heard of such a technique being used on someone like you. But it makes sense. If your bones are weak, the pressure of your mana will crush you."

Rui frowned, still processing the gravity of what he was hearing. "And how do I harden my bones?"

The witch stood up and walked over to a nearby shelf, retrieving several vials filled with glowing liquids and powders. "These," she said, placing them on the counter, "are bone fortifiers. Special elixirs I personally made designed to strengthen your bones and make them denser, more resilient. You'll need to take them over time, in conjunction with a rigorous physical regimen. But that alone won't be enough."

She reached for another vial, a deep crimson liquid that shimmered with an unsettling light. "This," she continued, "is a concentrated essence. It will help you to not only harden your bones but enhance the overall density of your physical structure. It will act as a catalyst, allowing your bones to become resistant to the pressure you're now facing from your mana."

Rui took the vials from the witch, feeling the cold glass against his palm as the weight of their purpose sank in. His gaze flickered to the glowing liquids and the deep crimson essence. The witch had been clear—his physical body wasn't strong enough to contain the immense power of his aura and mana. But with these remedies, he could change that. The question was, how much could he endure in the process?

The witch turned to face him, her piercing green eyes unwavering. "You're going to need to take these remedies daily," she said, her voice soft but carrying a weight of finality. "But don't think they'll be an easy fix. These elixirs will fortify you, yes, but they'll also push your body to its limit. You'll feel pain like you've never known. Your bones will ache, your muscles will burn, and your body will fight back against the changes. Only the strongest can survive this process."

Arlan, standing beside Rui, crossed his arms, his face a mask of concern. "If we push him too hard, it might break him. You know that."

The witch tilted her head slightly, a faint smile playing on her lips. "I've seen many come to me, desperate for power. Most of them never come back, consumed by their own greed. But this one..." Her voice trailed off as she looked Rui up and down. "This one has the will to survive. But even he needs to be careful. Too much too quickly will break him, and it won't be just his bones that fracture."

Rui's expression hardened. "I'm not afraid of a little pain. I can handle it."

The witch nodded, acknowledging his determination. "I like your spirit. But remember, the cost is high. Power this great comes with a price, and it's not just measured in how much you can withstand physically. The true test is in your mind. Will you break mentally, or will you rise above it?"

Rui met her gaze, unwavering. "I'll rise."

She gestured toward the counter where the elixirs lay. "Take them. But know that you will need to train your body and mind just as much as you train your power. The strengthening process is grueling. Every part of you will be tested. It's not just about growing stronger. It's about surviving the process."

Rui nodded, carefully placing the vials in his pack. He felt the weight of them, heavier than the glass and liquid they contained. It was the weight of the challenge that lay ahead. His path was about to become even more difficult.