Although she had been nervous at first, under the patient yet rigorous guidance of Kaguya and Lyra, Alise had transformed. Now, she stood like a warrior wielding a blade, confident, unstoppable.
"Eh? Are you really going to do this?" Akira blinked in surprise, as if he couldn't quite believe what he was seeing.
"Of course."
Alise declared without hesitation, planting her fists on her hips before striding toward Akira with unshakable confidence. Her every step was brimming with fighting spirit.
After all, everyone else had already crossed the finish line. And she was not about to be left behind.
Moments later—
With a flick of her wrist, Alise's wand carved through the air, and a stream of shimmering energy burst forth.
She laughed joyfully. "Hahaha! This is amazing."
A faint magical glow wrapped around her figure, the air trembling faintly with the mana she released. The clumsy, hesitant Alise from earlier was gone. In its place was newfound stability, the product of Kaguya's meticulous teaching.
Kaguya, standing a short distance away, gave an approving nod. "Your progress is remarkable, Alise. Magic isn't just about having a deep reservoir of mana, it demands precision, and above all, unwavering will."
She stepped forward, gently adjusting Alise's grip on the wand. "Here. Feel it, the wand should be an extension of your body, your mind, your intent. Let it breathe with you."
Lyra watched from the side, arms folded, eyes gleaming with amusement. "Kaguya, I didn't think you'd be so good at this whole mentor thing."
She tilted her head with a smirk, adding teasingly, "If Ryuu saw you like this, she might just start looking at you differently."
Inside the cramped darkness of the closet, Ryuu's heart gave a violent thump. Her ears burned, her face flushed so hot it felt like steam might rise off her skin.
"Heh, that useless elf?" Kaguya's lips curved into a faint, mocking smile, her gaze flicking toward the wardrobe with deliberate slowness. "She's at least ten years away from mastering this."
"Aha…ha…" Lyra's smile twitched. "Well, that's harsh. But knowing Ryuu, you might not be wrong."
Kaguya's tone abruptly shifted, crisp and direct. "Alise. Combat is never just about swinging your weapon or in this case, casting a spell. Adaptability is just as crucial. Know your opponent, your environment, your own limits."
"Mm." Alise's eyes lit up.
She focused, once more channeling her mana. This time, the wand bloomed with light.
"I… I did it." Alise's face shone with triumph as she swiped the sweat from her brow.
Akira's expression softened, though his words remained level. "Well done, Alise. But don't get complacent, training will only get tougher from here."
And then—
Clatter!
The unmistakable noise came from the closet. This time, no one could pretend they hadn't heard it.
"You guys… AAAAAH!!!"
The door burst open with a bang and Ryuu stormed out, cheeks crimson, eyes blazing with fury. Her breath came quick and sharp, chest heaving.
"Ryuu?!" Alise and Lyra both froze mid-step, eyes wide.
Kaguya's smirk deepened, a glint of playful malice in her gaze. "I was starting to wonder if you planned to rot in there forever."
"I... I don't care about the elegance of elves right now." Ryuu's voice wavered between outrage and desperation. "I'm joining this training. That's final."
For a moment, there was silence.
Then—
Alise's eyes sparkled. She clapped her hands, practically bouncing. "Yes! Finally! Ryuu, we should've been training together ages ago. With you here, our team will be even more unstoppable... and maybe a bit more chaotic."
Before Ryuu could protest, Alise had already hooked an arm around her shoulder.
Akira, caught between exasperation and amusement, let out a quiet sigh. Yet there was warmth in his gaze as he said, "Well, since you're here, let's get to it."
So much for expecting Kaguya to push Ryuu to her breaking point, Ryuu had gone and detonated herself instead.
Kaguya chuckled low, her eyes still gleaming with mischief. "Finally ready to show us what you can do? Don't disappoint me."
And just like that, under Akira's coordination, the room burst into a lively storm of activity once more.
Alise experimented with the wand, testing different spell combinations. Ryuu provided steady support, listening carefully to advice on fine-tuning her power and aim. Kaguya and Lyra took turns demonstrating techniques, their movements sharp and precise. Somewhere between laughter and mana flares, Ryuu became part of the training circle as if she'd been there all along.
It was a good day and it ended all too quickly. By the time the last burst of magic faded, the sun had long begun its descent. The oppressive clouds had drifted away, revealing a sky painted with the fiery hues of dusk.
The city was awash in red, the buildings, the roads, the faces of its people all touched by the glow.
"Sis, these are all from the Dian Cecht familia." Adi called out, rushing toward Shakti with a large box filled with gleaming vials of panacea.
Shakti didn't even flinch at the informal address. Her voice was calm but firm, laced with steel. "Good. Get it distributed to the entire team, now. How long will it take?"
"Ten minutes." Adi replied after a quick calculation.
"Five." Shakti ordered without hesitation, her sharp gaze brooking no argument. "Move."
"Understood." Adi spun on her heel, immediately directing the distribution effort.
The air was thick with urgency. Adventurers moved briskly through the area, their arms laden with supplies. Yet despite the flurry of motion, there was an unnatural quiet. Only clipped commands and the muted thud of crates punctuated the silence. Every movement was deliberate, every exchange efficient. No wasted time. No wasted words.
Southwest Orario—Sixth District.
In the shadow of a narrow alley, hidden from the main street, lay one of evilus' three major strongholds. It was a blind spot in the city's layout and the perfect place for a trap.
Tonight, the Astraea and Ganesha familia had woven their net tight. The hunt was about to begin.
Kaguya stepped forward, and spoke in a voice low enough for only Alise to hear, "Captain, all units are in position."
"I see." Alise's crimson eyes narrowed slightly. "You weren't detected by the enemy?"
Kaguya, clad in her familiar combat kimono and with her hand resting lightly on her sword hilt, replied with the kind of cold precision that allowed no room for negligence, "I can't feel any hostile aura for the moment. Akira also confirmed that there are only people inside the warehouse. But it's too quiet."
Her tone sharpened. "Almost unnaturally so. It makes me wonder if they are setting a trap."
Alise's jaw tightened. "…I understand. But we have no choice. Trap or not, we must take this stronghold today. Evilus falls here."
Before them loomed a building, a vast, shadowed structure that still carried the signs of a once-thriving merchant's warehouse. Abandoned now, its empty walls concealed something far darker.
As Alise surveyed it, Ryuu, quiet at her side, suddenly glanced toward Adi, who was absorbed in her own preparations.
"Adi."
"Hm? What is it, Ryuu?" Adi tilted her head, puzzled.
"It's nothing. Just..." Ryuu hesitated, words catching in her throat before she forced them out with a small smile. "We're going to win—"
Whack.
Akira's hand came down sharply on her head, making Ryuu flinch and turn with a startled glare.
"Don't go raising flags at a time like this." Akira scolded, his tone half-annoyed, half-serious.
"Why'd you hit me?" Ryuu asked, her voice taking on a subtle, involuntary softness that had started slipping out ever since that night.
"And what's a 'flag' anyway?"
"No reason." Akira replied bluntly, pulling at her cheek.
"Hehe."
Watching them, Adi couldn't help but smile faintly. The flicker of unease that had been gnawing at her chest a moment ago seemed to vanish.