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Chapter 57: One Minute, Seven Seconds

Author: Queen Jenna
last update Last Updated: 2025-04-16 06:20:09

I didn’t make it past sixty-eight seconds.

One minute and seven seconds, to be exact.

That was my best attempt so far against the reflection of Petrusia—the artificial construct conjured by the system that fought with all of Petrusia’s best traits but none of her weaknesses.

I’d lasted nine seconds during our first match.

This was supposed to be an improvement.

It didn’t feel like one.

I lay flat on my back, breathing hard, staring at the high ceiling of the reflection chamber while the fluorescent runes on the platform dimmed down around me.

“One minute and seven seconds,” the system confirmed. “Cadet Jade Ishola: Defeated.”

The words echoed like a taunt.

I sat up slowly, brushing sweat from my brow and fighting the sting of frustration rising in my throat.

Why was I still this weak?

I’d trained. Fought. Thought. Bled.

And still, I couldn’t lay a finger on her. Not one.

“The reflection was modeled on Princess Petrusia of Króna,” the system said, as if offering comfort. “Royal werewol
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