Glitched Goddess: My Skills are maxed out

The dragon goddess's calm voice carried authority that silenced even the restless priests around them.

"Kana, Lysera, Irielle. You three must return to the temple. Deliver my words. Tell them the dragons will march with them in this war."

Kana exchanged a look with Lysera and Irielle. The weight of the message pressed down on them—finally, they had the support of one of the strongest races.

They bowed, ready to leave.

But just as they reached the edge of the village, a shrill voice cut through the air.

"Stop right there!"

Lysera froze. Her half-sister, Serin, stood in their path, her expression twisted with barely contained fury.

"Older sister, you can't leave. You belong here—with us."

Lysera's brows knitted.

"I told you before, Serin. My place is with them. I won't stay locked away here just because you want it."

Serin's face flushed red.

"You always choose others over me!"

Her tantrum burst outward, waves of uncontrolled mana lashing at the nearby villagers. People stumbled, frightened cries rising as the air shimmered dangerously.

Kana felt something snap inside her. A surge of power roared through her veins, instinct pulling it to the surface.

Before she could think, her body moved. The mana wrapped around her, forming a shimmering shield that pressed Serin's power back and stabilized the air around them.

The ground went still. The panicked villagers gasped as Kana's aura burned bright, steady, and terrifying in its intensity.

Lysera and Irielle could only stare—this wasn't the same Kana they knew before.

Kana's voice came out sharp, steady, and commanding.

"Serin. You're short-tempered and reckless. If I ever see you endanger people like this again…"

Her glowing eyes narrowed.

"…I won't forgive you."

Serin's lips trembled. Rage and humiliation flickered across her face, but before she could speak, the dragon goddess appeared between them.

A radiant barrier shielded Serin, her divine presence pressing back even Kana's power.

"That's enough."

The goddess said firmly. She turned to Kana, her tone gentler.

"She is young and foolish, but she is still of my people. I will ensure her behavior does not endanger others again. You need not worry."

Kana's jaw clenched, but she pulled back her power. Serin scowled from behind the goddess, but she didn't dare act out again.

With no more obstacles in their way, Kana, Lysera, and Irielle left the dragon kingdom and began their journey back.

–––

The temple welcomed their return with mixed expressions—relief at their safety, but wariness at the tension radiating from Kana.

When they delivered the dragon goddess's message, news spread like wildfire. Within a day, a grand assembly was called.

The great hall filled with leaders, elders, priests, and envoys of different races.

At the center, High Priestess Jenna presided over the meeting. Her calm expression masked the storm beneath as arguments erupted around her.

"The dragons are unreliable! They might abandon us the moment it turns against their interest."

One elder snapped.

"The elves will not tolerate this alliance! If we provoke them further, the war will worsen."

Another barked.

"They're already marching against us! Do you suggest we sit idle while villages burn?"

A younger priestess countered, slamming her hand on the table.

Voices overlapped, rising higher and higher until the chamber shook with discord.

Even Jenna's attempts to mediate fell flat against the tide of suspicion and stubborn pride.

Kana sat with Lysera and Irielle, her hands clenched tight in her lap. She tried to stay calm, but each word of doubt scraped at her nerves.

They were wasting time—time they didn't have.

Then a messenger burst into the hall, face pale, voice trembling.

"The elves… they've already destroyed three border villages. They march toward us at full speed!"

The room went silent for a heartbeat before exploding into chaos.

"What did I tell you!"

"They've gone too far!"

"We must retaliate immediately!"

"No—we can't unite with the dragons, it will worsen the conflict!"

Jenna's voice rose above the chaos.

"Everyone, calm yourselves—"

But no one listened. The leaders shouted over one another, tearing apart any hope of consensus.

Kana's patience snapped. She slammed her palm against the table. The sound cracked like thunder, and the entire hall stilled.

Her eyes glowed, faint but undeniable, as the power within her surged outward.

"Enough!"

Every head turned toward her.

Even Jenna's breath caught as she stared at Kana, the young girl who had once seemed out of place among them now radiating the presence of something far greater.

Kana's voice rang with authority, sharp as steel.

"While you bicker like children, people are dying. Villages are burning. Families are being torn apart. And you sit here arguing about pride and politics?"

Silence pressed heavy in the chamber. No one dared to speak.

Kana's gaze swept across them, her eyes gleaming.

"I don't care if you've hated each other for centuries. I don't care what grudges you carry. If you want to survive, you will cooperate. Or else…"

The glow in her eyes flared brighter, and several elders visibly flinched.

"You'll answer to me."

The oppressive silence held, broken only by the faint trembling of those who could feel the weight of her presence. For once, not a single protest rose.

Jenna studied Kana quietly, her lips curving into the faintest of smiles. Perhaps, she thought, this girl was exactly what they needed.

The silence dragged on until one of the younger priestesses finally lowered her head.

"She's right… we can't afford to waste any more time."

Her words broke the tension, and slowly, others followed. Murmurs of agreement replaced the earlier shouts.

Reluctantly, the elders began to nod, though bitterness lingered in their eyes. No one wanted to admit defeat, but Kana's presence left little room for excuses.

High Priestess Jenna took the moment and rose from her seat.

"Then it's decided. We will form a temporary alliance. Messengers will be dispatched at once to rally support. We'll prepare the defenses before the elves arrive."

Her voice steadied the room, giving the leaders a direction they couldn't deny. Kana exhaled slowly, her power dimming.

But inside, her heart still pounded—this was only the first step. The real war was just beginning, and she knew it would test all of them.