Chapter 1601 Chapter 1423: Jealousy
Chapter 1601 Chapter 1423: Jealousy
Chapter 1601 Chapter 1423: Jealousy
With a final, unwavering gaze, Maria unleashed the full fury of her magic.
Boom!
A blinding flash of cerulean light erupted, illuminating the battlefield and marking the culmination of her will. Where the black flames once danced, now lay a glistening expanse of frost and ice, a chilling testament to Maria's indomitable spirit and the power she wielded.
The battlefield fell silent, the oppressive darkness and searing heat replaced by a serene calmness. Maria stood amidst the remnants of the vanquished demon, her chest heaving with exertion but her spirit unbroken.
As she caught her breath, Maria felt a sense of pride and accomplishment wash over her. She had faced the demon's fiery wrath and emerged victorious, her magic proving stronger than the forces of darkness that sought to consume her.
Maria found a secluded spot in the clearing, away from the remnants of the battle, and settled down on a patch of soft grass. She closed her eyes and focused on calming her mind and body, allowing the tension of the recent conflict to melt away.
As she breathed deeply, the fresh scent of the forest filled her lungs, grounding her in the present moment. The gentle rustling of leaves and the distant calls of birds provided a soothing backdrop to her thoughts.
With each breath, Maria felt her muscles relax and her mind clear. She let go of the adrenaline-fueled rush of battle and embraced the peaceful stillness of the natural world around her.
In this moment of rest and rejuvenation, Maria allowed herself to recharge her some of energy spent and gather her strength for the challenges that lay ahead. She knew that the journey ahead would be long and perilous, but she also knew that she was capable of facing whatever came her way.
After a few moments of quiet reflection, Maria opened her eyes, feeling refreshed and ready to continue forward.
[Level up!]
As if rewarding her effort, the system's notification rang out announcing her level up.
Immediately followed this, Maria's fatigue was washed away and her strength increased. Instead of feeling exhausted after a long battle, thanks to the level increases she was now feeling refreshed. She could now move forward and join the other.
''Level 202, not bad!"
She mumbled with an enchanting smile, she was proud of her achievement, still she had to work harder than ever and kept pushing forward to be able to protect her peace and what she held dear, above everything else she had to be stronger to watch that person back.
Thinking of him, a ripple of warmth, sweet as honey, spread through Maria's chest like sunshine blossoming beneath her ribs. It was how much that boy had come to mean to her. He became her everything, never she had once thought she could love someone like this and willingly share him with others.
Even if she sometime wished to slap her past self that suggested the harem route to Alex she didn't regret it. It hurts, it is unpleasant the feeling of sharing her man but it was a sacrifice necessary to attain happiness and her goal, if weren't for that maybe she wouldn't love him as she do now, now she could have achieved what she currently achieved with her friends. So, she was grateful, there are some unpleasant bitches sticking to her man but she just had to endure it and continue leaving happily, well, she had to limit, no stop unworthy bitches from joining their rank.
Maria was well aware that her current emotion steamed from jealousy but she didn't care, not being jealous would have been weird. She's someone rational most of the time but this doesn't mean she felt no emotions, naturally as she could get angry, she could get jealous as well just she often held in, hiding her jealousy to the best she could.
There are many ways to describe jealousy but the one Maria like the most and used it as a reminder was the following:
Jealousy is often an expression of insecurity and thus its fixing requires internal reflection and addressing matters of self esteem.
So in order to never appears insecure, Maria never openly showcase her jealousy, not that she never displayed it but only subtly, never excessively, heck among Alex's women she is the one who display less jealousy. Because of this Alex loved her deeply and with open mind she could subtly lead the harem, making it harmonious.
Maria who was going towards the others stopped abruptly as she recalled a lake not too far from her current location. She would go take a quick bath before joining them.
As Maria's mind wandered to the nearby lake, a sense of tranquility washed over her. The idea of taking a refreshing bath in the cool waters seemed like the perfect way to clear her mind and rejuvenate her spirit before rejoining the others.
With a renewed sense of purpose, Maria changed her course and made her way towards the serene lake. The gentle rustle of the leaves and the distant chirping of birds accompanied her as she walked, the anticipation of the upcoming dip adding a spring to her step.
Upon reaching the lake, Maria found a secluded spot where the sunlight filtered through the canopy of trees, casting dappled patterns on the water's surface. She quickly undressed and waded into the clear waters, feeling the cool embrace of the lake enveloping her body.
As she swam and floated in the tranquil expanse of the lake, Maria felt all traces of jealousy and inner turmoil melting away. The soothing waters seemed to wash away her worries and doubts, leaving her feeling refreshed and revitalized.
After her peaceful bath, Maria emerged from the lake, her skin tingling with the sensation of renewal. Drying herself off with a towel instead of using magic, she dressed and made her way back to where the others were, a sense of calm and clarity settling within her.
With a lightness in her heart and a renewed sense of purpose, Maria walked towards the group, her brief moment of solitude by the lake serving as a reminder of the importance of self-care and reflection in navigating the complexities of emotions and relationships.