"Well then, my dear warlords. We can no longer dilly dally here. Or the time will consume us."
Anna step forward and bow to her. "My lord, please excuse my ignorance. But can you explain us where are and what's the situation we are facing?"
"Ah! You got the point. I haven't told you anything and immediately take the action." Deviola step back to her throne and sit, "Since we're actually in a tight schedule, I'll keep it simple."
"Please excuse my rudeness, my lord. Then if we're on-"
"No, I'll explain it first as our condition today need your understanding. But, I'll keep it simple and you must quickly understand them."
"Yes, my lord."
"Currently, we're standing inside a fabricated world created using space magic. The world resembles the user's mana flow characteristics, such as the mana type, intensity, and colors. That being said, the world mirrors the user's heart, feelings, and personality. So it's no wonder that the world you are all witnessing is dark and eerie.
This world is isolated from the outside, as if we're standing in another world, but the truth is we're still in the same world, just in another dimension where no one is allowed unless the user gives their permission.
Unfortunately, just as I was about to reach you, an unknown being collided with the gate and died instantly. It was filled with mana concentration, just like a remote puppet, and if my guess is right, we're already surrounded by enemies when we exit.
Time runs differently in this space, but it depends on the user's choice whether to make the time in this world faster or even slower than in the actual world. However, increasing or decreasing its speed requires a high concentration of mana, which is almost impossible for most people. That being said, creating this space is also nearly impossible for most, let alone adjusting the time.
I, on the other hand, can only make this world accelerate by about twenty-four times, so when we stay an hour in this world, a day has passed in the real world.
"Thus that's why we're on a tight schedule. I just don't want them to wait any longer and miss the grand welcoming party for my rebirth." Deviola smiled ominously.
"Grand welcoming? So that's what you mean."
"Let's just see, what kind of performance she'll present to me."
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The sun stands high above. A hundred human soldiers have surrounded the black sphere on The Great Flower Plain.
The captain of the human army, the one who spoke with Veronica earlier, is leading the siege to capture an unknown being reported by secret intel. The report details the location and the mana flow of the surrounding area, and it suggests a high possibility that one of the warlords resides there.
However, the information broker they are cooperating with is viewed as suspicious. The captain of the army, Ken Hijikata, decided to bring just a hundred of his chosen men to minimize losses if the information proves flawed. If it turns out to be one of The Evil King's Warlords, then this force is more than enough, as there are aces of the army assisting in the battle. Additionally, long-ranged troops are ready in their positions.
"Hey boss, are there no other way to break the sphere and force them out?" the captain of the aces ask impatiently.
"Negative. The sphere is an ancient magic we cannot easily decipher." answer the captain.
"You know boss, the info broker is shady as goblins! Do you really think they'll easily gave such information for free? What if it's all just a trap?"
The captain the turn his back and stare at his eyes, "Can you stop telling me that every five second?! I know what we're doing, and that's why I brought all five of you here. Don't tell me you're scared!"
The captain of the ace then avert his eyes, "Boss, it's not like that but..."
Losing faith in the aces, the captain exhaled, not believing what he was seeing.
Five Aces of the human military are a group of humans who possess incredible strength and magic equal to that of The Evil King's Warlords from the past. However, not all five are purely from the human race recruit. For example, the one who spoke with the captain is Gon Sparta, a hybrid between the tiger beastman tribe and human. He is the master of the great crescent spear and a descendant of one of The Five Heroes.
The other four Aces include Jane Queen, a hybrid of human and witch, and a master of paralyzing magic. She hails from a noble witch family renowned across the globe. Serving the kingdom and demonstrating her strength is a point of family pride, as her lineage traces back to an infamous legendary witch from the past.
Koan Fifth, from magician races, master of the old scrolls, is an alumnus of the best magic academy in Arcaeloria. He is renowned for his groundbreaking research paper on ancient world magic, which has changed the perspective on human's magic technology development.
Yumi Astravenographi, a pure human with exceptional vision and a grandmaster sniper, is a shy girl who can conceal herself and become invisible when taking a shooting stance. She has also won the gold medal in the Inter-Kingdom Shooting Championship for ten consecutive years, starting from the age of ten.
Denny Samudra, a pure human with great strength and a master of tonfa and water magic, is an Ace in the military primarily due to his physical prowess; other than that, he's nothing.
Aside from Yumi, the other three Aces remain on the ground with the cavalry and infantry. However, instead of staying in their positions, they run around the army and playfully pass the time while waiting for someone to emerge from the sphere..
"I got you!" shout Denny touching Jane.
"No, I got you!" shout Jane touching back Denny.
"Can't touch me, bleeeh!" mock Koan while dodging Denny's finger.
"AHAHAHAHAHAHAHA....!!!" three of them laughing together.
Unable to believe what he was seeing, the captain covered his face. His anger was so intense that veins were showing on his hands and face. Gon then placed a calming hand on his shoulder and silently comforted him.
"There, there, just relax and let me handle them."
"Just tell them quit screwing around cause I have a job to maintain." ask the captain calmly.
Gon tap his shoulder then proceed to confront the aces. "Oiiii everyone..."
The captain then regained his composure after the three Aces behaved and waited for orders.
Right after the captain regained his composure, the sphere began to enlarge, and someone emerged from it. He walked out of the dark sphere, revealing himself to the hundreds of soldiers ready to eliminate him at any moment. Calm and sharp, the young man observed his surroundings, aware that he was already surrounded.
Schrodinger reveals himself with a new appearance in front of the hundreds of humans who seek his head. He no longer has scales adhered to his body; instead, he wears a white winter jacket adorned with a black and white serpent scale pattern. With the jacket's buttons undone, he also reveals that he no longer has the red orb in his chest.
After Schrödinger set foot on the ground, Anna Marigold followed, stepping out of the sphere and smiling at the people waiting for her appearance. Nothing has changed significantly for Anna, except that her previously refined white one-piece dress has now transformed into an elegant white gown.
"Whoaaa, my lord, you're right. There's so much people here." Anna enthusiast.
The captain remembers their faces; he met them on the road to the remote city in the human kingdom.
It appears Anna and Schrodinger are still using their mana concealer rings, which make them look like normal people. However, a terrifying aura emanates from behind Anna and Schrodinger. Step by step, her aura becomes more apparent, striking fear into anyone who witnesses her arrival.
The captain of the army extended his arm to command his troops to prepare for battle. He had a bad feeling about the person who emerged from the dark sphere. An ominous aura, unlike anything he had felt before, made his spine shiver.
Gon, the leader of the Five Aces, sharpened his focus on the man wearing the serpent scale-patterned jacket, as if he had recognized him from the beginning.
"Malakar..."
The person who emanates a terrifying aura from the dark sphere then revealed herself to the crowd. With an ominous wide smile and sharp, red eyes, her gaze unsettles those who meet her eyes, as if she were peering into their souls.
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--Yesterday--
"What is this?" ask Ken after receiving a suspicious report from his king.
"This letter suddenly appeared in the throne I refuse to sit. The location of the man we're looking for."
Ken then accepted the suspicious report from his king and read the sender's address. As he had expected, the sender did not include their address or company identity. It was just a plain black envelope with some kind of report inside.
The black envelope contained mana flux statistics, geographical data, and photos of the storm. Ken read through the report's contents and deciphered what the report was revealing.
"Malakar inside the eyes of the storm."
Shocked, the King of Arcaeloria could not believe that Malakar had arrived so quickly. He averted his eyes to the raging storm, where lightning struck every rod designed to capture the thunder's power on top of each building. He was confused and unprepared to confront Malakar and end his life once and for all
But then Aldric remembered that there was missing data needed to complete his project to end Malakar's life.
"Send the troops, bring the snapper with you, but we can't risk the resources we have left. Tonight, you're leaving."
The captain understood his king's wishes and trusted him completely. Moreover, they were working on the same project and shared the same goals. Even though it might sound crazy, a captain like him had to fulfill his duty to the king.
--Present--
The captain remembered his orders from the king, which were crucial for his kingdom and the future of humanity. Therefore, he could not tremble before his enemy and gripped his rapier tightly, preparing for the inevitable battle.
Ken Hijikata stared into the eyes of the young lady who emanated the terrifying aura and managed to endure its horror. Gon Sparta exchanged glances with Schrödinger, feeling a deep hatred towards him. Meanwhile, Anna gazed at the sky, hoping that the show would soon begin.
note #snapper : device to record movement.