Using the mirror dimension, she proposed a plan of going into the academy without having to sneak in on the facilities. Her solid foundation of being the 'The Witch of the Mirror Realm' is not just for display, but rather, it was supposed to be exposed in an excruciating manner.
By raising her arms, all of the magic molecules were accumulated in the center of the land. She intended to create another realm that connects to the object that she delivered inside the academy. The molecules are inhibiting a compound of the element plus another mix of a weird power that came from a curse. Thalia giggled in a scorned way, confident that she might be able to change the flow of life, she pursued the idea of reviving the dark lord.
After inducing a lot of mana for the incomplete realm, she started knelt on the ground and placed her hands together in a vertical position as if she was about to pray. Her willingness to open the ventured dimension reached in further on the latter. The cursed book that was placed onto the academy's secret room began to alleviate some strange smoke, the skull that was chained on its latch near the book cover started brimming with red light, meaning that all of the preparation is now complete.
Red eyes were gleaming from the creepy skull. While it is still unknown what happened to the user who put it in, the mirror dimension granted the prayer of the witch. By accepting what needs to be a requirement such as mana, soul, and a cursed spell, the mirror dimension inside the academy opened, and the portal that was building on the side of the forest immediately lit up from the ground. The fallen gates of hell have been reconstructed using the power of the witch.
Thalia slowly stood up from her knees with a silent smile on her face. She was relieved that it worked and it is finally time to go inside the academy. She contemplated for a while but considering that she pressed herself forward on reviving her long-term goal, there was no other way other than to slaughter a lot of young people who possess large quantities of mana in order to become the slave in soul for the demon.
She walked toward the spiral portal that she made. Its appearance is assertive and horrid in a form of a horror shape. On both sides of the portal was an abstract design of stones and weird jewels that emphasizes the pathway to the dimension. And on the center were the oddly looking gateway that emits a lot of compact souls.
"Seems like we're going to have more fun out there... Don't you think?" Thalia talked to herself in a pleasured manner as if she was tasting her victory that is ought to come.
As soon as the portal activated, she walked closer towards it. She raised her left arm to see if the portal would work. A concatenation of magic allowed her arm to push through and soon enough, she entered it without any problem.
Inside the portal was a vast land of a void world. It is full of abstract streaks in a monochrome color of red and dark black. It looks like some kind of a way through hell, a route that is connected to the underworld. There was no valid pathway on where to go and there are no directions and perceptions as well. However, since Thalia is a master of realms she knew to herself that she would be able to traverse the strange continuum without any problem.
Her walking state is slower than the usual pace. The feeling inside is just like a void but without any silence. Voices can be heard through the dimension, on her eyes, several routes have glowed.
"Found you..."
On the front of her location, a resembling mirror that is coming from one place appeared. The reflection was giving the view of the room coming from the academy.
Thalia reached the mirror portal and started walking towards it. It didn't have any effect on her, She found herself standing in the mysterious room that seems to look like abandoned storage throughout the years inside the academy.
Boxes were scattered everywhere, numerous vases as well as some old furniture that is dusty on the side, some ornaments and books were also on the floor. After analyzing the place, she found the cursed book that she asked someone to deliver. By grabbing it, the book suppressed its power and the portal magically disappeared. Thalia stepped her foot into the ground of the academy.
Thalia laughed hysterically with her head and face held high into the ceiling, she was on the verge of provoking the demons. Her face was not yet to be seen under her catastrophic beauty. While she is being pleasured by her success in entering, she suddenly gasps and stepped back, shocked by what she had felt.
A trembling power ranging over to the highest degree of magical power shook the whole venue.
"What is that?" She asked.
The power continued to exaggerate mana all over the place and started to circulate, it was eventually sucked in onto the venue. Thalia looked over the window and saw a flash of electric lightning towards the center of the field wherein there were a lot of people watching.
"An elemental magic gathering over there?" She placed down her staff on the ground and began to chant some magic. The red gem on top of it appeared to be glowing once again and after a short while, the door that was locked from the outside suddenly exploded, giving her some space.
Alarmed by the sound of it, numerous guards that were stationed inside the academy started shouting in a panic manner.
"What is that sound?"
"There! An explosion!"
"Hurry!"
"An intruder?"
"Contact the other reinforcement, it seems like something appeared!"
"Yes, Sir!"
They are beginning to investigate the said explosion. Thalia walked downstairs and eventually met them. Her aura was so intimidating that it put them off the place.
I have seen my target on that side... I must kill her and take her body and soul to my lord. That person will be a feast. And while I am doing that... I will have to summon all of my babies in here... kekeke! Her scary giggle snapped the guards back to reality. They are tense and pressurized by her sole presence.
"Who are you?"
"You know what? That particular question has been asked to me a couple of times now... But no... You guys seemed to be more normal than that guy... Hmm... So that means you are not a value of my time.." Her tone shifted from a lovely motherly-like figure into someone who wants to kill.
"Don't move! Or we will be forced to engage!" Another knight appeared in sight. The rest of them were waiting on the other side of the building.
"Hmmm?" She stared on the ground while looking at them. After a brief moment, she dropped a heavy sigh and placed her staff onto the floor.
"Conjuriseo..." With the slight movement of her mouth, all of the knights fell silent and they immediately light themselves up on fire.
"AAAAAA!"
Screams started to linger as soon as they witnessed the horrible fate of the first knight to encounter her. They turned into dust in an instance. A flaming ball of fire that is bound to explode on their body was cast around them. About half of the knights immediately felt short upon the attack and they all started to bound her by thrusting their spears. However, Thalia waved her hands and powerful wind attacks slowly devoured their position and sunk onto the walls.
"Transundis!" Thalia cast a spell that binds them all together. It was a horrible defeat for the knights at this point.
"Now then... I hope you guys learned your lesson..." She glared upon them with her red eyes.
The predicament that was given to the guards was far more than the trouble that they have dug. Dealing with the witch is not an easy task, yet they have managed to survive her attack. It looks like Thalia's goal was not fixated on killing everyone but rather, she intended to capture someone that might serve as the key for the revival of the dark lord that she was taking in.
She headed towards the hallway. All of the rooms were empty and only the knights that were killed is seen on the field.
"Wait for me... I'm coming for you..." She giggled.
***
"And now here go! From Section C's ultimate power! She was an incredible source! How will Section B and Section A handle this one! Her speed is insanely tremendous!"
"Are you freaking kidding me? She was in Section C but her power level surpasses Section A and B! How is that even possible?!"
"There is no way that has been analyzed like that, has she been hiding her powers for a very long time?"
"Do you know this, Julia? You are their homeroom instructor, right?" Jones asked with a serious expression on his face.
"I have no idea at all, she didn't put off any extraordinary talents when we first met, and even on the entrance examination, she was pretty average. It is... Unbelievable..." Even Julia couldn't find the words that she needs to say after witnessing Nikki's tremendous magic power.
"Could it be that she didn't just realize it yet?" Jones asked.
"What do you mean?"
"Like, if she knew that she had elemental powers, it would have been obvious from the start and she might have started her way on Section A during the examination. However, in this case, it was the first time that she had to use this kind of power in front of everyone. I have a feeling that she didn't hide it but rather, she had unlocked it in an instance. She's a scary woman..."
"I see... if that's what you want to believe then I will trust you. This would entirely change her profile in some other ways."
"There is no doubt about that, I think you should change her way up to Section A. That would improve her fundamentals rather than staying in Section C."
"You're not the student here, Jones. If I did that, it will be hard to deal with her tantrum."
"So you are saying that it is fine with her to stay in Section C? She would lose a lot of progress, you know?"
"That is up to her, it is not my point to force her or to convince her. If she wants to stay in section C then I will have to do what she wishes. But then again, it all comes down within her decision."
They both exchanged glances, Julia is having a sharp smile on her face as she watched the whole game.
On the run, Nikki was in the first place and she has been moving her bicycle nonstop. It was an incredible score for the whole Section C.
It might sound surprising, but I have known for a while that I possess a great magical aptitude not just for modern magic but for elemental magic as well. For some reason, it had to come down from my father... He was a lightning elemental user. It wasn't until this day that I had activated this power, when Aran embraced me last night, I felt overflowing mana deep inside my body. It almost feels like he was giving me some energy... Some power... He is giving me the strength to fight. And now I have to use it! For the sake of winning this game!
Judging from her form, she has great control of her speed, acceleration, and deceleration as well. It looks like she already mastered her art of lightning in the first place. Her lightning wheels that were glowing eventually reached the line with fast speed, obtaining the fastest record in history.
"Tsk! How are we going to reach her?!" Cried the participant of Section A.
"Do you know about this, Aran?" Eutara asked a question in the middle of the game.
"No... I had no idea... I always thought that she has been smart of things including magic but I didn't realize that she has more power..." He shook his head as he watches her performance.
"I see..."
The soaring loud voices echoed in a large parameter. Nikki was about halfway done.
However, the grudge was about the unfold.
Her presence is brimming in a perilous path.
The sky turned dark in an instant.
"Huh?"
William, Jones, David, Wency, and Julia all had shocked expressions on their faces.
Thalia moved closely outside the field and saw her target on the covering distance. She smiled as she licked her lips.
The clouds went dark and the sky blue cover that was inhabiting the whole sky gradually altered its formation.
"Hmm?" Aran noticed it as well and the others reluctantly looked directly above the sky.
"What's happening? Is it going to rain?" Someone asked.
Aran stood up from his seat while focusing his gaze on Nikki.
"This presence... Don't tell me..." Commander Henry that was sitting on top of the VIP area started heading downstairs.
"Julia..."
"Yeah, I have a bad feeling about this."
Numerous audiences failed to cheer as they noticed the deafening end of the sky turning black in an instant. The sun that was glaring down at the ground has been covered up deep in the clouds. There was a strange atmosphere that inhibited the whole venue. Some of the crowds have taken the opportunity to get away from the open field to have some shade in case the rain starts.
"This mana... Is that girl doing it?" David asked.
"No... It is different..." Wency answered.
"Tsk!" Realizing what is happening, William burst through the door and headed inside the building. He clenched his fist while having an anxious face.
He slid down through the hall and started to take the shortcut. As soon as he reached the main hall, he found the slain knights as well as those who were bound and chained by the Witch.
"What happened?!" He asked as he moved forward.
None of the guards were able to speak, but someone on the right side raised their hand and pointed towards the second building. William nodded in response and flew through the direction that he was given.
"What's happening?" Huck asked.
"I don't know, it suddenly became gloomy..." Riggord answered.
"Is it going to rain?" Eita asked.
"Probably, but isn't it weird that it suddenly became dark in an instant?" Aldi noticed the change in the weather.
"I have a hunch that this is going to be bad, let's move on!" Huck lead the group through the nearest evacuation point of the whole field.
"Something's wrong..." Eutara's keen sense of observation flared up.
"It must be someone's spell but I can't figure where it is coming from..."
Aran was dead silent as he was watching Nikki. She was also having trouble with what happened. The race was halted in a condition.
The board members and the other masters have remained silent but the panic expression was vividly visible from their faces.
"Report! Sector A! group-1B!" Commander Henry instructed the knights as he headed towards the hall in the same direction where William goes through.
"Sector A, the leader here! We have confirmed the deaths of more than thirty of our men. Only five survived and they are currently locked up by some spell that we can't determine!" Someone answered the call.
"I see, bring in the other members and instruct them to scout the whole area!"
"Yes, Sir!" The magical transmitter ended and Henry took the shortest route at the end of the main hall through the second building.
"Umm... It looks like we are having quite a little trouble. Sorry for the inconvenience my dear folks, but we will have to shortly halt the race for the time being until we confirm the weather update for this day." The announcer finally spoke up. The rest showed an immense amount of dissatisfaction.
"Do you know what is happening?"
"No..."
The atmosphere has turned dark. Nikki stopped in her place and saw the dark clouds on top. She was panting consecutively. There were a few people leaving the venue to take some shade onto the other location.
"This seems bad..." Eunice has taken out her composure and started gathering her members in one place.
"What do you think, Eunice?"
"I'd say that this place is going to be dangerous from now on. A catastrophe might unfold. All of you, stay in your position and report any unusual spot!" She instructed them like a captain.
"Yes, Ma'am!" They all sued their observant skill in order to scout the field for any necessary information.
There is a lot of mana gathering near Nikki's position! Eunice noticed.
"Everyone! Let's go to the middle!"
"Okay!" They all marched their way to Nikki's location.
***
"Now then... I have approved of this place to start my revolution... That girl over there, you're mine..." Thalia licked her lips again as she held a stance with her staff. The red gem glowed and she suddenly swung it.
The moment she stepped on the ground, an explosion occurred in the middle place and everyone was shocked by this.
"AAAA!"
Nikki flew over by the impact. A spiral streak of flame immediately dispersed around the area, destroying almost everything on the obstacle course. A tornado of rubble and debris made its way to another side.
"Nikki!" Aran shouted.
Nikki was laying on the ground, she tried to stand up. However, while gazing through the glowing light of the flame, Thalia appeared in her sight.
The audiences panicked and the emergency state began to unfold. Screams procured throughout the venue and the people have started running away. The guards set up their evacuation point and the other candidates, as well as the contestants, have tried to breach the way.
While gobbling up with the debris, Thalia quickly grabbed Nikki's collar and brought her to her face.
A Witch! No way! Aaaa! She tried to wiggle her way out but Thalia's gripping strength was far more superior.
"Aran! What are you doing?!" Eutara tried to stop him but he didn't hear her.
With an intense amount of anger on his nature, he ran over to the barricade and started a sprint towards the nearest area. Eutara followed him.
"Heh... I finally met you, my dear love... your blood... ahh.. your power and mana... You are the most perfect candidate for the revival of my lord...." She sniffed her like an animal.
"Let me go!" She wiggled out, whimpering her position while kicking and shaking.
"Oh no no... you're not going anywhere... You are going to be my subject..." She licked her lower lips. "And this whole place will be my starting place for the revolution!"
With her staff, she raised her arms to the sky. A red lightning strike blew the whole place away, adding up another break of debris as well as digging up more craters. The storming disaster started.
A large red magic circle erupted from the ground, lightning up the previous crater on each corner. The magic circle imbues a demonic summoning type of magic and there were a lot of presentations to be executed in the distance.
Eunice and her group fell short after they have witnessed the blinding light of the magic circle.
"Hold on!" She stopped.
The preparation was completed. The red magic circle that was blinding them appeared to have dissipated. However, after shrinking the spell, numerous spots on the ground crumbled in shape. An arm was raised in front of the ground, erecting from it, was a series of zombies growling on top of each other.
The summoning has begun. Almost everyone from the venue got out of the place, leaving it entirely on Eunice's group, Aran, Eutara, Nikki, and Thalia.
"Jones! We should help them!" Julia shouted.
"I am on it! Let's meet up at the deck! Find William and regroup! This is going to be problematic!" He replied as he ran away.
Master Himawari and the others have started going on their own way as well and left the venue. There were a lot of knights stalling on the area with Commander Henry's support.
"The zombies are acting up!"
"Damn it! We were too late! Adjust the formation of the others! tell them to engage and save the other candidates on the line!"
"Yes, Sir!"
Marching forward through the vanguard side of the whole battalion, they have started preparing their way to save the other people.
"LET ME GO!" Her eyes gleamed with a glare of lightning. However, even with her mana being profusely executed, Thalia didn't show any kind of wavering on her part. It was a bad attempt. Seeing that her power was unleashed, she struck Nikki by punching her stomach.
"Agh!"
"I told you... that you will be a perfect subject... Do not let me down... For I will destroy everything on your way..." She glared upon her while striking every little crater.
"Eunice... We should move!"
"No can do!" Eunice started acting on her own by slaying some of the zombies on front.
"Follow her!"
The others did the same. Using a small amount of magic, they defeated the zombies that were hoarding in front of the obstacles.
"Hmm?" Thalia noticed them... "Getting in my way of revolution, huh?" She responded with a monotone voice.
By the time she tried to leave, a loud voice coming directly on her side echoed. Thalia was distracted.
"Let her go!"
Aran flamingly sliced through her cheek, only for a small amount. He managed to destroy Thalia's shield of protection. As soon as he inflicted the damage, he grabbed Nikki by lifting her up, and through the mid-air, he shouted a spell.
"Increnerous!" A fireball magic spell destroyed the distance between them and a large explosion occurred.
Aran and Nikki fell onto the ground with their bodies sliding on the grassy field.