After delivering a devasting blast to the giant Sea Serpent it was thought that Jonathan had slain the beast. But the Sea Serpent lives as it begins its final attack.
Everyone stares up into the sky waiting for the attack to commence.
"Jonathan!" Jericho yells marching towards him as he looks up at the sky. Jericho grabs him by the collar of his uniform "What the hell was that I thought you said you could kill it". "I did I was not expecting this," he says calming as Jericho was moments away from knocking it out.
Walking away from Jonathan. Jericho paces back and forth thinking of a plan until he finally speaks to everyone "All right we just gotta give it one last final attack and-" As he turns he's met with mana-exhausted mages who almost spent the whole day exerting mana. With a frustrated look, Jericho's face turned into disappointment.
SLAM
"Shit. Does that mean we're all going to be sent back? No one passes?" Ezekiel says lying on the floor.
"No, that can't be the case someone has to pass right?" Bianca says.
"She's right plus there's gotta be a way" Eriko follows up helping Bianca to her feet.
"Um, I can try something" Azalea speaks up.
"Azalea are you sure you want to do that" Bella asks. "You'll be out for a while" Lily warns her.
"I-I can see if it can work I mean who else has anything there exhausted" Azalea stands as she steps up to the front line.
"I'll go," Suneeta says. "What I didn't get to fight anyone 'cause we were too busy being "passive" in this tournament" as she mocks the way Jonathan was acting in the tournament.
Jonathan shrugs "It was working wasn't it?"
"It was pretty boring but yeah thanks for allowing us to be in this top spot"
"I'll go as well" Rose steps up. "I wanna see how well you have gotten with YOUR weapons Sunneta"
"I think I gotten a hang of them since we were younger"
"Her weapon. Thats right I saw it in her memories she often trained with Rose what was it again?" Eriko thinks back to "The Fog of Eternal Memories".
Sunneta extends both her arms out as a set of Wind and Fire wheels appear in her hands they are red, yellow, and orange in color, with both being shaped like the sun. It looked like she was holding a disc with spikes on it but upon closer examination, its round shape with the sunlight being the razor-sharp points sticking out of it was an interesting weapon to look at.
"You were hiding that the whole time you were worth me?" Jonathan with an upbeat tone.
SHEATH
Jericho puts his sword to his neck.
"That's enough of you now you just watch from down here as we take down this guy once and for all. After we're done beating him then we'll duel"
"Ok when you slay the beasts we'll duel"
"I'll bring you girls close to the beast hop on the fists"
"OK" "Right"
Rose, Suneeta, and Azalea hop on the fists as they fly up close to the Sea Serpent. Jericho leads the way as he eagerly wants to take down the beast.
[6 duos 4 minutes]
"Hmm" Jonathan looks at the clock "So only we remain" he then sets his sights on Valerus.
"What are you thinking" Eriko asks Jonathan.
"Oh nothing," he remarks with a smile on his face.
STEP STEP
Lily and Bella stand next to Jonathan.
Vines begin to grow from the earth.
He turns his neck to look behind him. "Even with the small amount of mana you have left"
"Yeah, we dont want you to try anything funny before Jericho gets back." Bianca remarks.
"In respect to him and the others fighting we won't take advantage of it," Bella says.
Jonathan threw his hands up "I Am just saying this whole exam could end if we just eliminate ea-"
"Shut up," the four girls said in unison.
Eriko looks at Valerus again.
"Wake up Val"
-----------------------------------
"Make it in time?" I shook my head in confusion.
"What do you mean to make it in time?" I ask Marko.
"Right now they are facing a giant sea serpent. Everyone is going to be wiped out"
"What"
I look around frantically trying to find an exit to escape this dream state.
"Hold on hold on I told you son you'll make it in time" Marko grabs my shoulder.
I calmed down a bit. "How do you know that"
"Do you remember what I told you?"
"Don't let anyone bring me down, stay strong, and always believe in yourself"
"Yes, I saw your son work and train every single day to become the best with the scythe and the sword. Even though you weren't blessed with magic you did everything in your power to meet that standard. I continued to watch your development to go toe to toe with a twelve-star mage you've grown. That being said.
Marko stands up and a weapon begins to appear. Shinning from a deep blue hue appearing out of thin air, A long, curved blade with a piercing point on the inside edge or concave cutting edge, joined to a shorter steel handle than the blade itself. decorated with an engraved pattern of water, featuring a short chain at the tip of the blade that has two fish symbols hanging from it.
"This is yours, son. Take it"
"It looks like a scythe and a sword combined"
"Yes it is a very unique weapon that I know you'll be able to wield"
"But why"
"A twelve-star mage can be chosen at any point of their life"
"Huh"
"Be strong my son. They will have more of a reason to come after you if they didn't already. This is just my part the other part needs to be talked about with HIM"
"The Phantom Order? What do they want? Why are they targeting the Twelve Stars?"
"They need your power to open up the demon realm especially the power bestowed on you"
I feel myself slowly fading from this dream room "Wait who is the HE you talking about?"
The memory begins to crumble apart.
"Running out of time. He'll probraolly want to talk to you again. He seemed upset that you didn't know who he was. Even I didn't know till he had to explain it to me. Well see you later Valerus. Tell your mother I miss her. Tell Vincent and his family the best of wishes. We'll talk soon"
-----------------------------------------------
Jericho, Rose, Azalea, and Sunneta begin their mount on the beast.
Jericho stays with Azalea on one hand flying close to it while the other hand drops Sunneta and Rose in the middle back of the serpent.
"Woah a little wobbly," Sunneta says. The two trying to maintain their footing. The wind is strong blowing their hair around. Then tie their hair into buns. "We go for the head?!" she asks Rose standing next to her. "Uhh Yes" as the two struggle trying to hear one another as the winds within the air begin to get stronger as if a storm were forming.
The duo begins to run across the beast Sunneta throws his circular discs across the beast's back making a trail of blood seep from the beast.
ROAR
"Good your discs were really good for this"
"Yeah this is just a simple attack"
Rose with her Rosebud Chained Whip already with the second blood activated hits the same spots twice making that part of the Serpent not able to move.
"I wonder why Eriko didn't wanna join?" Sunneta asks.
Rose thinks back to their duel at the academy "It was most likely due to the time at the duel and she lost control a little"
"You're right. Hmm"
SHINE
A Fuschia pink light begins to light up the sky.
"Oh looks like Azalea is almost set," Sunneta says as they continue to run up the beast's head.
SHINE
"This light," Bianca says. "What's that" Eriko asks. Both covered their eyes.
"Azaleas one and done attack," Bella says. "Once she uses this she'll be out for a day," Lily says.
Jonathan puts his head down away from the light and closes his eyes.
"Ok, we're coming to the head". Rose stops her "Let the beam go first then we'll cut it clean off.
[FLOWER CREATION MAGIC: FUSCHIA BEAM]
An Azalea flower is formed as a powerful blast comes from the middle of it shooting it at the Sea Serpent.
Suddenly the Giant Creature moves forward just a little.
"Oh no"
The pink blast
BOOM
ROAR
The beast got it.
Rose and Sunneta get caught up close to the blast .
"They got it!" Eriko says excitedly.
"No," Bianca says. Eriko turns to face the other girls with a wry look on her face.
"They got caught in the blast didn't they?" Jonathan says nonchalantly.
"Not on my watch" Albeck reveals that he saved the two but barely as Sunneta gets knocked unconscious and Rose is barely conscious as blood begins to trickle from both their heads.
[6 duos 2 minutes]
Jericho comes down with Azalea in his arms.
"Guys" Bella and Lily tend to their fallen sisters.
Eriko rushes by as she applies simple healing magic. "Wait I'll try, "Bianca says. "I appreciate the help but you're out of mana you use anymore you;ll be in the state you were in. A healer who tended you is out"
"Tch dammit" Jericho
"You guys did do some damage but I guess it wasn't enough," Jonathan remarks.
Albeck tries to get everyone on his two fists.
"Too late"
In that instance, the ground rumbles as the Magic circles scattered across the sky begin to reign down multiple blasts. Covering a lot of area. At the same time a larger tidal wave forms as it encompasses the entire forest not just one.
The wave comes before them right before they're going to be washed away.
"Shit"
"My mana"
"Dammit"
"Girls get up"
"We'll get you to safety"
"Oh man were so done I got a lot of rings too"
"Ha I guess I'll-"
"Val!"
SHINE
A magic circle appears around Valerus's body.
"Huh" were okay.
"What"
"Val?"
The group was protected by a barrier that encapsulated all of them.
A sigil with two fishes appears above Valerus's head.
"No kidding" Jonathan
"No way," Rose says.
"He the one huh"
"Valerus" Bianca says.
"Let's go" Ezekiel says.
-------------------------------------
In the headmaster's room at Aurora Saint Academy
Everyone stands in shock.
"What no way," Faith says aloud.
"Pisces huh" Axel says.
"His family does have a water element name. Does this mean he now has mana?' Luna says.
"Good Job Valerus," Ceaser says.
"Your son truly is Remarkable," Captain Caldwell says.
"A birth of twelve stars now?
"Wow Celeste you must be happy," Ariana says as she claps her hands in excitement.
"You have the twelve stars now," Taz comments in an Egotistical tone crossing his hands.
"Celeste?" Ariana calls out.
Celeste smiles as if she is entranced by it "Oh yes am proud of him"
"That boy," Professor Lop says.
"Ugh, Pisces now?" Colt says in surprise "Nearly all my animals were knocked out. There goes another"
"He's the last one," Professor Kayneth says. "Oh my, he's one of them," Professor Deximer says.
"Magnificent Mr.Marina" Alfred claps in excitement "Now let's see how this plays out now.
"I can't believe he's one," Faith says still in shock.
"But you do know what that means they're going to be wanting him as well," Axel says.
"Phantom Order," Ceaser says quietly to the other student council members.
"I wonder how Issac is doing," Luna asks.
-------------------------------------
Outside the barrier within his box, Issac sits.
"At least I got a front-row seat. Hmm"
"A white hawk I didn't know they come around this time. Seen it flying around this entire time"
----------------------------------
Valerus is now engulfed with this dark blue mana and aura his eyes glow blue as he carries the sword that was in his dream.
Doing a downward he splits the water in half.
The barrier goes down as the entire area they were surrounded by is fully endorsed with water.
"That's Valerus?"
"Val" Eriko reaches out.
He jumps off heading straight for the beast. He motions his blade with a quick motion An attack so fast that no one could see it. In the blink of an eye, it was over.
He comes back with a smile on his face.
Collapsing to the ground. Now with this Pisces sigil on his right hand.
"Woah" everyone was in shock.
Ezekiel hurries over to Valerus and Bianca. "Man, you were crazy" Valerus chuckles at Ezekiel "Let me rest first man" as he passes out. "Glad you alright" The three friends shared a moment.
Jericho and Bianca watch along as they tend to the fallen Sisters with Bella and Lily on the side.
"The ring is now closing," Jericho says.
"We won't be needing that ring. Now that the beast is taken out" Jonathan from behind.
SMACK SMACK
[5 duos 30 minutes]
"Huh," Jericho and Bianca look beside them.
Bella and Lily are laid out on the floor. "Well that's mine now" Jonathan takes the rings from them. "What. You said once we take out the beast we can duel"
"A duel between me and you. Bastard!" Jericho closes in as he draws his sword.
With a calm demeanor, Jonathan opens his mouth. "Do you want to be my partner?"
"Why the hell would I-"
{YES} Jericho's voice gets heard.
"Partner Switch"
TIME CONGRATULATIONS TO THE TOP 4 FINISHING TEAMS.
WINNERS OF THE SECOND STAGE
1ST Team: [Jericho & Jonathan] {16 RINGS} PARTNER SWITCH
2ND Team: [Ezekiel & Albeck ] {8 RINGS}
3RD Team: [Valerus & Bianca] {4 RINGS}
4TH Team: [Eriko & Rose ] {2 RINGS}
Congratulations on the top 4 teams you four will be advancing to the third stage where the 8 mages will battle to determine who lead and be a substitute in the Aiz Grand Magic Games.
"Jonathan you"
ILLUSION MAGIC: BOX
Issac intervenes and separates Jonathan from the rest of the group.
"Issac you're going to let him do this"
"Yes am afraid anything he did wasn't against the rules"
"What."
"He was allowed to do this because once it was free for all of you the only person you could trust was your partner. Speaking of partners I'll answer your next question. Yes, he could change partners because both Azalea and Sunneta were knocked course during the closing minutes and it was inflicted by someone other than their teammate. So the switching of teams could occur. Other than that congratulations to the rest of you. Rest up these next few days and prepare for the third stage of the tournament.
Everyone was stunned by what just transpired in the last couple of minutes.
Teleportation Circles appear on the ground in front of them.
"Dont worry we'll have time to face each other Jericho and to the rest of you I wish you luck as well"
"That damn. I'll get him"
"Oh no you won't get him I WILL" Rose barely able to stand enraged by Jonathan's action
-------------------------------------------------
FLAP FLAP FLAP FLAP FLAP
The white hawk descends into Farz in the Eastern part of Aiz.
In a tavern.
CLAP CLAP CLAP
"Very exciting," Tay says happily.
"That indeed was a good showing for Mr.Marina" Deadman remarks. "I can't wait to see you soon"
"Awe my little cub has grown so well," Bloddy Queen says excitedly.
"Valerus Marina The 12th Star Mage The Remarkable," Silient says.
FLAP FLAP
The white hawk flies into the room.
"Oh" "You're back Owen," Tay says in a calm voice.
The white hawk transforms into a young male with silver hair.
"Come come have some water I brought you food as well. Great scouting out there we could see everything you saw."
"Good job in taking out that Mages animals as well, "Silent says.
"It's all thanks to you Master Silent"
"Yes without you Silent we wouldn't know they were there," Deadman says.
Bloody Queen nods.
KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK
"Ms.Le Flore"
"Yes come in"
CREEK
The door opens the man sending the message is met with himself and Tay.
"I have the approval for your next performance in a couple of days"
SQUEAK SQUEAK
A white mouse dashes across the room.
"Miss Le Flore, do you want me to get rid of that?
"Oh no I'll get rid of it"
"Ok, and I also sent out messages throughout the town."
"Oh excellent thank you so much for doing this"
"You're welcome it's your first time at this event aren't you excited?"
"Oh most certainly am"
-------------------------------------------------
Bella Providence ELIMINATED
Lily Providence ELIMINATED
Suneeta Providence ELIMINATED
Azalea Providence ELIMINATED