As Sylvie snapped out of her shock, the Pond Dwellers' claws were dangerously close to her face. She braced for the impact, believing it to be her end. Out of nowhere, a bolt of lightning ripped through the head of the nearest creature, chaining to two others close by. The electricity, enhanced by the Pond Dwellers' water affinity, sliced through them effortlessly. From the sidelines, Danity exhaled in relief, recognizing Haruto's timely intervention.
Breathing heavily, Haruto managed a grin, "I made it." Bane reached them just in time, his concern evident. "Are you both alright? It would be quite inconvenient to find a new team amidst this madness," he half-joked, bringing a momentary lightness to the tense atmosphere.
Haruto nodded at Sylvie and Bane, "Let's wrap this up. I can feel my magic depleting, and I doubt we're the only ones running low. Sylvie, can you set up that Enigma spell just for channeling this time?" Sylvie nodded, understanding the plan. "Bane, can your blades steer magical energy?" Haruto asked, already anticipating the answer.
"Of course," Bane replied proudly, "These blades were forged from the body of a mythical creature and are treasured by my kingdom."
With a plan in motion, Haruto raced across the battlefield, weaving through combat and chaos, as Sylvie began her incantations. Above them, a vibrant purple circle formed in the sky, drawing curious and concerned looks from the Vanguard members. Motar, recognizing the setup, chuckled, "Those kids are up to something clever. Let's see what they've got."
Haruto, using his mastery over wind, sprinted around the perimeter, building up speed and energy. At the right moment, he released a burst of fire backward to halt his momentum and propelled a mixture of wind, fire, and lightning upwards towards Sylvie's magical circle.
"Now!!!" Haruto's shout echoed as Sylvie completed her spell. "Hex Magic: Enigma Creation!" The circle absorbed Haruto's energy and redirected it downwards, focusing all the power towards Bane's waiting blades.
The crowd watched in awe as Bane channeled the incoming magical torrent. His blades glowed crimson, absorbing the energy with a roar that reverberated through the plaza, stirring the King's own dragon magic in response. 'Hmm the Hydra..a minor rival to you huh Dogma'
Like a master conductor, Bane directed the combined magics into devastating attacks that leapt from beast to beast across the battlefield, decimating them with both lethal efficiency and stunning spectacle. Their coordinated strike eliminated 17 beasts, including the remaining Ifrits, significantly reducing the threat level.
Not to be outdone, a nearby group rallied. Their leader, a seasoned mage, invoked "Archaic Magic: Infinite Darkness." A tower sprang from the ground, opening to reveal a void that drew in the creatures. His teammates supported with a barrage of magically infused arrows and energy blasts, corralling any stragglers into the abyss.
As the last of the beasts fell, the group sealed their dark tower with a spell, "Archaic Magic: Slumber Coffin". Multiple swords stabbed into the coffin as the structure sank back into the earth, leaving no trace but the fallen.
Nearby, Gram callously finished off a wounded beast, exemplifying the brutal necessity of survival in the initiation. As he stood, the magical barrier began to dissipate around them—the signal that they had survived the initiation. Through teamwork, strategic thinking, and sheer will, they had endured one of the most challenging initiations in the history of the kingdom.