With Aran's noble from recreating the accumulation of mana throughout the field, everyone's attention diverted from the zombies to the source of Aran's power.
The horde is drawing nearer and nearer to their final places, however, despite the numerous killings of each group, they were still unbound to get the permanent retribution. Things are still making their way onto the dark scene without any action being taken.
"That loud noise... Where is that coming from?" David asked as he veered himself around the area. Wency tried to get hold of the situation by going upwards instead of scouting on the ground.
Bloods and other flesh coming from the undead were scattered and dispersed. The venue that was supposed to be held on with many foster obstacles is now painted in a deep red of the colored rose.
"There! Someone is there!" Wency managed to find Aran and Thalia.
"Heh... So you're actually hiding your true power up until now. Wonderful, just wonderful... I wonder how long are you able to keep that up?" Thalia is without a doubt, confident that Aran wouldn't get to strike since he is already on the downside of depleted mana. Forcing his way to call Apollyon and his Spiritual form would decrease his chances of moving. The power-up was for a finishing blow.
"I didn't risk my energy to keep you stalling, I intended to kill you!" The spiral aura that was emitting from him started dissipating, leeching out every light energy particle. As soon as it veered out, Aran's stiffened body began to reiterate a certain function for the calmness that he feels. The lightness of his weight has managed to counteract the pressured pain deep inside his scar. He closed his eyes and the outline of his figure started glowing in a light blue streak.
"Huh?" Thalia made a quizzical look as she hung her head on the side, figuring out what is happening. With her dumbfounded expression, he managed to find an opening spot to see if the Spiritual form would actually work.
By the time she started walking towards him, Aran suddenly dashed with all of his full strength, ready to unleash in one strike and swing of the knife.
"AAAAAAAAAAA!"
"What?!" Thalia, astonished by the sudden change in his actions, tried jumping from the ground to get out of the tense situation. However, Aran took the air advantage to get closer with her.
"You've got to be kidding me!" Thalia grabbed her red blade and flailed it around her. Aran's swinging attack was countered. Numerous follow-ups including a diagonal blow to the right were also avoided as if Thalia was waiting for it. Aran's speed didn't reduce, but rather, Thalia's perceptiveness has begun to analyze Aran's movement.
With a deep swing on the left, plus a circular thrust, even without hitting any spots, he was persistent in his attack. As they stepped back on the land, they also bounced on the left and started the barrage of swinging their blades. Yellowish particles coming from the blade and the slides of the clanging sound echoed on their process.
Thalia moved quickly to avoid the falling thrust from Aran's blade, and when it was time for a counterattack, using his level two perceptiveness, Aran managed to counter Thalia's stabbing form. They were both accustomed to each other's level.
Soon enough, the slashing of each other's throats came to a halt when Thalia departed her arms in their fixed position to cast a wind spell. Magic particles on her hand have formed into a cumulus nature. With the fixed target on the front, a circular streak of winds and some impact collected in front of her palm started combining themselves. Aran took the advantage to go over to the right side of her body, however, Thalia blew the entire distance between them when the wind magic was released.
A crater was formed when she blasted the air. Despite this powerful attempt, Aran suddenly teleported himself in front of her.
"What?!" Startled by this, he landed a clean hit on her belly. Using his legs, he double kicked her on the side, particularly aiming for the ribs. After the intertwining combo, Thalia flew over to the ground, and bags of dust suddenly emerged. She took a massive amount of damage.
It is a good thing that this knife is recollecting all magic that is being fired at me... Aran didn't waste any time, as soon as he landed on the ground, he quickly dashed across the crater with enough speed to capture Thalia. But without knowing about countermagic, he suddenly stepped on a trap created by Thalia. A small magic circle bonded his position, with the trap being held in the sight, he gave time for Thalia to recover.
"Damn it–" A punch landed on his face. Aran's body flew straight into the rugged crater.
With his good balance, he was able to fully reconnect his movements. Thalia moved to the left side in order to produce a feint attack, however, Aran quickly saw through her trick and started stabbing on the left as well. With the continued clash of their blades, groundbreaking effects destroyed the field. The instant flow of the impact crushed the debris on hand.
I am running out of energy! I need to finish her quickly! Aran stopped on his track by stepping into the corner of Thalia's parameter. He quickly navigated his view to the side to see if there is anyone on sight. Narrowing down the path, he concentrated all of his energy on his knife. It is followed by a simple stance of offense, he glared at her while infusing all of his natural mana into Carnwennan.
"It's now or never!" With Thalia's recovered figure, she intended to understand what Aran is trying to replicate. Realizing the trick on his sleeves, she quickly switched from her red blade to her staff and started casting a spell.
Aran withdrew from his blank focal point and distributed his knife to the ground. However, he was bound again by another trapping magic.
"Argh!" This time with an infliction of poison that corrupts his skin if it is exposed for a longer time. Thalia quickly stood up and walked slowly towards him. She has a bewitching smile on her face, expressing hatred and love towards Aran like a maniac.
"AAAAA!!" Aran's arms were entangled by magic chains. His muscles' color began to deteriorate, the larger blood vessel that was accumulating towards the binding spell quickly dissipated. Soon enough, his skin turned into a rusty form of flesh. If he doesn't get out of the chain, his arms might get cut off in an instance.
"AAAAGGH!!! LET ME GO!!" he screamed in pain and agony. He opened his eyes and glared at her with a snake pupil. Thalia didn't show any mercy for him anymore, being treated as an equal enemy. She decided that it was best to get Aran into a torture state.
While preparing his mind for the worse, Thalia shoved her face into Aran. Their forehead touched each other. She forced him to look at her face, full of horrid expressions.
"You've been an exceptional warrior for the time..." She whispered. Despite the pain that he was enduring, he still managed to collect himself in a composed manner.
"N-Nothing's going to change! If you keep doing this, you'll just... AAAAAA!" The compensation for talking back to her was far more than what you could imagine. The pain grew steadily and heavily as if he was on the verge of a mental breakdown.
"I've had enough of your spatting mouth. That's why I am going to kill you right here... You've proved to me that you are a capable fighter. Aaa~ if only that you were born with me on my side, I would've spared your life and married you but... Too bad~ you've found yourself dancing in my tunes. And I will gladly take your blood and soul right now to revive the demon lord I worship!" She smiled hysterically without any modicum of decency left. Aran was left in the shadow. He didn't pay heed to what she was saying.
He started shaking his body, whimpering on each side of the chain, but it doesn't break. There was no other way. Soon enough, he found himself getting dizzy, his eyesight getting blurry as seconds passed. The pain was no longer on the steam, but rather, he was on the verge of losing consciousness.
Crap... I am starting to feel heavy. I can't feel my legs anymore... The pain is gone but... my life is still on the line. Damn it, is this really the end for me? I lived a very short life now that I have realized it... how lame.
Just as when he was about to close his eyes...
"Liberus!" A second-degree magic spell incinerated the whole area. Thalia shifted her instincts on dodging the powerful attack by entering the dimension realm and exiting a portal next to the land on the left. She finally showed her true colors.
"Huh?! What's that?!" Aran's consciousness revisited his own self. The chains that were sticking with him were canceled and he finally deserted his body on the ground, laying low with a lot of injuries. He tried to look up to see who attacked the witch.
"You've done well enough, Aran!" William quickly landed on the ground in front of him.
"Nice work, Nash's boy..." Commander Henry alongside the other knights formed in a circle.
"William... Commander Henry!?– Ah!" He shouted in response but the pain was overcoming his ability to interact.
"Don't move, you are badly injured. Leave this to us..." William said with a serious expression. Aran tried to slowly drag his body upward without moving too much to leave the crater. As soon as he left the parameter, his legs started to cramp, and his arms slumped.
Footsteps were approaching his direction. Since he was exhausted, he can't turn around to see who it is. He lost his bearings.
"Aran!" The voice got through him. He tried to slowly peek around. However, he was embraced lightly on his back. With her arms connected to his chest, she pressed her head towards his shoulder.
"Huh... N-Nikki...?" His voice drew more hoarse and smaller. He wasn't able to have a communication that is clear for her.
"Thank you... You worked hard enough for my sake..." Nikki's tone sounded more appealing and dramatic. She was on the verge of tearing up and crying. Her words carried stronger vibes. Aran felt her emotions welling up and smiled.
"N-Nikki... I..." Aran attempted to talk but he suddenly coughed. The figure that he was in is badly dangerous if he keeps on pushing himself.
"Shhh..." In order to stop his actions, Nikki placed her index finger to Aran's lips. She shut him down with a smile. Her face was blushing, and her heart was beating more than the usual rhythm.
"Rest now... I'll see you later..." after that parting words, Aran finally lost his consciousness. Nikki placed his head to her thighs and let him rest sleep for a while. She gently caressed his red hair while casting recovery magic on him. A green magic circle appeared, revitalizing Aran's body.
"You saved me. I can't thank you enough..." Nikki's tone became more close on the emotional side of herself. This was the first time in her life that she managed to show her true side to the one she trusts.
Nikki cannot protect her own self from any adversities around. She closed her heart to those who cares for her despite not having any ulterior motive. She didn't trust anyone, she didn't tell anyone about her condition mainly because she cares about their well-being as well. And that is what lead to this point.
She bears an unimaginable strength but she cannot use it to protect herself or the others. She lacked the determination and will to become stronger. Her ideal self is far from what she had become. The influence of her father's bearing made her invulnerable to associate. That's why she's keeping herself away from the others.
However, she now realized what it is like to have a companion who would risk their lives to save you. She thought that avoiding reality and not getting caught in trouble is good enough to protect her and the others. But that didn't work. Her talent placed everyone in danger, and she couldn't use that talent to protect. She is guilty of not understanding the situation, disregarding the danger, and being ignorant of the problem.
Despite this, Aran didn't question her. He risked his life, embraced her vulnerability and flaws, and saved her. Nikki earned support from her companions and she is grateful for them.
***
Meanwhile, among the group of the army, Commander Henry and William positioned themselves near the portal that Thalia has created.
Commander Henry started distributing the evidence that he had gathered right from the start. He extends a sole of confidence.
"The rumor last time... The cavalry group that was killed. That was your doing, correct?" He began to interrogate her.
"Hmm? What's this...? So there is going to be more nuisance huh..." She didn't answer the question.
"Answer my question..." However, Commander Henry insisted.
"You're right, I was the one who killed those bastards. They were a good meal for my zombies. And don't worry about their lives, I have offered them to the all mighty demon lord." She giggled but her tone was dark and monotonous.
"I see... So, the summoning of the undead, the reckless invasion, the cursed book that was placed on the secret mirror room, the leeching of mana from a candidate, the ability that you used to avoid my attack, and your clothing... You finally showed yourself, Witch of Mirror Realm, Thalia Bloodworth." By connecting all of the evidence and events together, William deduced the secrets of the weird attacks.
"Huh... Do you know me? William?" She returned the introduction to him with confidence. Her smile was still intact on her expression.
"Of course I do, I take it that you know me as well?" He returned the question.
"You're easy to determine, Magician of the Silver Sky. You've gained more ranks for the past few years and come up with a lot of establishments in order to protect this kingdom. Everyone knows your name and you cannot hide from trouble anymore..." She explained.
"I see, good job for being updated on the right subject. However, I am not here to influence you or buy you. I am here to stop you. You've been playing a lot of stress on my students lately... And for that, I think I won't be able to hold back." William said. Despite his unrelated funny nature, when it comes to the battlefield and protecting his students, he is somewhat more different. His eyes were full of determination.
"Tough words, coming from someone who disappeared for a long time..." Thalia retaliated.
"I see that you are not just a normal enemy, William, can we take her?" Commander Henry asked for permission.
"No, I will handle this, she is a sage from the other side of this world. She is far more superior than the rest of the magicians here." He answered as he removed his black coat.
"Well then, I will join you for that..." Commander Henry unsheathed his sword. He swayed his hands, dictating the other knights should disperse themselves to help the injured people.
"Two on one, huh? That seems easy enough!" Thalia started breezing out a dark aura that was inactive earlier.
"Don't underestimate me!" William started the fight, with his fast speed and quick martial arts attack, he slowly disintegrated any sort of obstacles that was veering out from Thalia's position.
"What?!" She was startled by his fast movements.
After that slight and subtle dash, William started firing multiple fireballs at her area. Thalia had a slightly delayed reaction as she couldn't keep up with William's fast surge.
"Burn to hell, you ugly woman!" He shouted as he blasted the whole area with a powerful wave of flame.
"YOU ARE THE FIRST ONE TO EVER CALL ME UGLY!! YOU WILL PAY FOR THAT!" Thalia increased her magic capacity and unleashed powerful barrier protection that destroys everything in the place. However, before she can even control it, Commander Henry started slashing all of the energy essences inside the shield. She failed to control the magic.
"What?!" Thalia stepped back after realizing the destroyed barrier.
"William!" Commander Henry called out to him in the distance. William started to produce more spells as he gradually trapped her.
"You're an annoying opponent!" Thalia screamed in irritation. She avoided almost all of the powerful spells that were fired into her but she can't counterattack because of the presence of the commander's sword on sight.
"No, we're just a good teammate!" William unleashed retribution magic by striking Thalia with a red lightning spell. It was followed by a broad tornado earth spell. After that, he blasted the area with his ring of flare by firing multiple stances of glows into the ground.
The explosion occurred in a specific area. Thalia was grazed by this but she managed to survive the barrage of spells. However, she let her guard down and Commander Henry kicked her.
"AGHHH!" she screamed in pain as she flew backward. Noticing the decent move that Commander Henry unfolded, William quickly followed her in her tracks and started drilling her with multiple wind magic spells. Specifically grazing her with a compound of slashing techniques as well as wind magic blast. It is the combination that is supposed to be deadly for anyone who takes it.
Thick clouds of smoke erupted from the ground, an earthquake of a kind shook the entire venue.
"Henry!"
"What?!"
"If you see her staff, destroy it quickly! The zombies are not going to stop if the source is not destroyed! You need to destroy the red gem on top of it!" Intrscuted by William who is busy dealing with her. Commander Henry started looking out of the staff that Thalia has forgotten.
"Let's see here... Ah! There you go!" While analyzing the whole place, he finally found the staff that was lying around the crater.
Henry stated slashing all of the zombies that were erupting on the place and slid down through the rugged land. He noticed that the red gem was glowing, indicating that a spell is actually running the horde right now. Using his sword, with all of his strength, he shattered the whole red gem into pieces by performing a quick hammering down of the blade. A red incursion of mana inverted the whole venue.
The summoning was canceled and all of the zombies that was still standing up on the ground turned into a dust.
"Done!" He shouted.
"Good job!" William responded.
"What happened?" The others are now dumbstruck.
"They suddenly vanished!" Huck screamed.
"Is it over?!" Eunice asked.
"No, I still feel the dark presence on that side. Aran and William must be taking care of her right now!" Mahrisse quickly diverted their attention from the zombies and focused their sight on William's side. They were right on the spot and the zombies are executed.
"That was tiring..." Huck joined up with Eunice and Mahrisse's group.
"What just happened, do you guys know who the hell interfered with our competition?" Riggord asked alongside him where Huck's group was.
"We don't know for sure, but whoever it is, he or she has a great obsession with Mana. Considering that she is trying to destroy this place by starting a summoning. It is entirely speculation but I think that someone is reviving another being." Eunice's words are entirely correct even when the others are still confused about what she said.
Eventually, the thick smokes faded in the air. The wind started blowing downwards. William goes through the rubble from where Thalia landed her figure. She was already injured and dripping with blood.
"Thalia, you should give up..." William was angry, no, he was clearly understanding the situation. Being on his side, everyone started looking at her.
"Don't give me that crap..." Her voice was trembling.
"What?" William tried to walk towards her to disclose the hearings, however...
"I AM GONNA KILL ALL OF YOU!!"
With her powerful words, she unleashed a dark power that is equal to a devil's foot. Thalia's skin began to turn black and wings started appearing on her back. Her eyes were glowing in purple. She flew mid-air in front of everyone.
The aura that she is exuding was far more impactful than the spells she fired earlier. Being wary of it, everyone crossed their arms while the army raised their shield. She completely lost herself at this point and was not able to control her powers.
"I WILL KILL YOU!" A demonic presence possessed her. Her voice changed into a cryptid state. William and the others were watching her unfold her true powers.
After that little transformation, Thalia put her arms together and started charging a star-like power that is pretty much bigger than William's spell.
"William! This is bad! We should do something!" Commander Henry called out.
"What the hell is that thing?" Huck was unable to see the full form because of the blinding charge of the spell.
It almost looks like she was trying to destroy the whole place with a meteor spell. A demonic spell that can rival the gods themselves. She is beyond on the other level of this world. A self-destructing witch that will be the cause for another extinction if it was left all along.
"I WILL KILL YOU!" The package of a ball-like flare full of orange flame, red spots, and demonic grumble of aura continued to grow. Everything went by in a flash, the blinding essence of the flare is trying to get inside everyone's nerves.
"William!" Commander Henry tried calling him once again but he just stood there with a blank stare towards the growing ball of demonic flare.
The atmosphere tenses and everyone was panicking. Mana accumulation was veering towards Thalia's position. Her wings are flapping while enjoying the scenery of the last moments.
"Everyone! Get out of here!" Soon enough, without taking any more hesitation, Commander Henry instructed everyone to get out of sight. It was too late and the meteor that is calling upon them is already big. A few seconds will be enough for it to blow up.
William was still standing, and then eventually, he closed his eyes and the world tuned itself slowly.
"Good job making this far, I will reward you..." He mumbled as he opened his eyes.
"Aran!" Eunice and the others are looking for him.
The earth was shaking and the sky turned red. Is it really the end of the world for them? Scheming up with something is entirely impossible.
As they started running towards the end of the venue, several red lightning were statically scattering around the circular motion. Soon enough, the charging was put to a halt.
"William!" Another call.
He opened his eyes in a deep essence of thinking. As soon as he did that, Thalia unleashed the powerful meteor in front of William.
The strike will devastate almost everything on the site. The demonic presence was entirely present in the moment.
William slowly raised his hand, he pointed his index finger in front of him. And after a little bit of waiting, black electricity occurred on his palms and he suddenly cast a spell that is entirely different from the rest of the spell he used.
A spell that can obliterate everything.
"Mirasd!" After presuming the accurate position of the meteor, a bolt of arrow-shaped black lightning shattered the whole magic wave in front of Thalia.
The explosion didn't happen and everyone was saved. Thalia was cut in half with William's weird spell.
The strike was so severe that it hit Thalia's core as well. There is a magnificent amount of power in that one spell. The black lightning scattered around the area and generated an explosion followed by the thick debris that erupted from the ground.
The venue shook for a little time, but it gradually stopped.
"What?!" Commander Henry and the other stopped raising their shield. The blinding lights that were resonating around the area also vanished in the thin air.
William did a smug on his face while the black electricity is still whirring around his body and finger. He blew the lightning using his mouth.
"William! What happened?! I thought there was going to be a big explosion?" He called on to him.
"Ah, that? Well, I took care of it..." He answered in a nerdy tone.
"Don't tell me... Did you stop it?"
"I don't know..."
"Huh?"
"Everyone! Are you okay?!"
Soon after that, everyone gathered around in one place. Thalia's body immediately dispersed into dust and the zombies disappeared.
The spell that she inscribed throughout the venue has been removed. And the cursed book inside the mirror dimension was shattered to pieces.
The death of the witch will be forever stuck in their heart.
"We're good!" Huck and his team managed to get through the destroyed part of the ground.
Eunice, including Mahrisse and the other Section A candidates, also happened to be okay. No one is hurt.
David and Wency flew through their location. Lisa and the other Section B candidates also joined their party afterward.
The destruction of the whole venue is more devastating than the previous incident. There are other people who were injured as well.
After stalling for a little bit, they found Aran and Nikki lying in the center of the field.
"They are here!" The guards have instructed them to help the two.
"Aran!" Shouted Lisa.
"Oh my god!" Huck was surprised and Eunice was staring silently at him.
"Is he dead?"
Nikki raised her head while caressing his head... She smiled...
"He's not..." She answered.
Realizing the answer, Aran breathed in and out. Indicating that he was recovering from a tremendous experience.
Feeling relieved, they shrugged the problem off. Lisa started helping the others to bring Aran to a safe place.