Meanwhile, at the Grand Mage Tower, the six Grand Mages gathered for a meeting to discuss the state of the barrier and what actions should be taken.
The barrier is what the previous Grand Mages casted to protect the entire world from evil, it's a veil that cannot be broken but Grand Mages have to keep it in check, they called it the Barrier of Light, it's to prevent any of the God of Calamity's demons from entering inside the atmosphere and the God of Calamity himself out of the world of Eldoria.
The Fire Grand Mage is named Ignis, one of the most powerful fire mages. He has red hair, keeps his eyes closed, and wears a peculiar smile. Though he seems carefree, he takes his duties seriously and once created a giant meteorite with his magic.
The Water Grand Mage, Aqua, is calm and composed, with blue hair and a relaxed demeanor. It was said he was able to create a tsunami, a giant wave of water that will take anything down.
The Wind Grand Mage, Rena, is an elf and the first wind mage to create a healing spell that closes wounds in seconds. With light green hair and a sharp personality, It was said that Rena was able to take on a hundred armed men without breaking a sweat, thanks to her automatic healing magic.
The Thunder Grand Mage is Leon, a hot-headed, muscular man known for his incredible speed and powerful, electrified punches. He is known as the Lord of Thunder, he has spiky brown hair and only wears a vest to show off his physique
The Earth Grand Mage, Luna, is gentle and kind, but her power is formidable. She can create massive earthquakes and she is able to create strong shields that are always activated around her and they are invisible to a human, Luna prefers to stay hidden, shrouded in a cloak, avoiding the other Grand Mages except for the ice Grand Mage, Lyria.
Finally, the Ice Grand Mage is Lyria, one of the newest members to hold the title. With long light blue hair and striking blue eyes, Lyria possesses an elegant demeanor. She was able to create a ice sword that could freeze an entire entity with just a single cut, making her a very strong mage. Despite her strength, her focus lies in waiting for Aether to join her, longing for him to become her sword.
All six Grand Mages gathered around a large table to discuss how to rebuild the barrier while ensuring the safety of the people. Lyria sat back in her chair, taking a nap as the others argued.
Leon slammed his fist on the table nearly cracking the end of his table "This should be easy! We repair the barrier, and the people are safe, right? I don't see the problem," he growled, standing up angrily.
Aqua sighed. "That's not the issue, Leon. The barrier takes at least an hour to repair. In that time, demons could easily slip through. And since it drains a massive amount of mana, we'll be too exhausted to help the civilians fend them off."
Rena jumped in the conversation "I agree, sometimes I wonder if you ever use that head of yours, Leon". Leon's face twisted in rage, and electric sparks crackled around his body. "You wanna go, elf?" he snarled, challenging her. Ignoring the tension, Aqua suddenly changed the subject. "I'm more interested in knowing if there are any new candidates to replace us as Grand Mages," he said with a sly grin.
Lyria woke up from her nap and yawned, "What did I miss?" Lyria asked one of her male assistants, "They're trying to discuss how to protect the people while rebuilding the barrier lady Lyria." he explained.
Lyria sighed in boredom "This is boring...I wonder what Aether is doing." Lyria whined, "Kaze, I want to see Aether. Please?" Lyria whined.
Kaze denied her "You can't leave the tower, and you're in a middle of the meeting" Kaze explained, Lyria pouted at Kaze "You're no fun! You're suppose to be my loyal and personal assassin!" she grumbled, lightly hitting Kaze's chest with her fists in playful frustration.
"I said you can send me down to watch over him, but you are not allowed to leave the tower. You'll just have to wait for him to graduate that's about all I can do to help." Kaze explained.
Lyria let out a sigh and crossed her arms "Fine! Kaze you are to go down and watch over Aether! I bet he's dungeon hunting alone again, and only take action if his life is in danger!" Lyria demanded Kaze, Kaze nodded and he looked at Rachel, she nodded knowing it's her job to protect Lyria now and Kaze disappeared into the shadows heading towards where Aether is.
Luna leaned over towards Lyria as she was sitting right next to her "still watching over that boy? How adorable" Luna whispered and Lyria's face turned red and she was blushing "I-It's not like that Luna!" Lyria said a bit embarrassed and shy.
Luna laughed "It's alright, I'm afraid it'll be hard for that boy to even get to you though, not with these idiots in charge." Luna explained to Lyria.
Lyria thought for a moment she had Aether in her mind, "I know, but if he does graduate he'll be able to join my ice clan, all I have to do it just pick him and he'll be able to come into my arms" Lyria dreamed.
Luna had a awkward look on her face and questioned why Lyria was so attached to a boy who couldn't really use magic, but she focused her attention back at the meeting while Lyria was having her day dreaming moments, "I do hope Aether is doing okay..." Lyria said as she stared up at the ceiling of building thinking about what Aether is up to without her.
Meanwhile, Aether is in the eight floor battling a hoard of monsters to earn points so he could reach the tower, Without rest or pause, he carved through the creatures with ease. His speed was like lightning, and his muscular arms moved with lethal precision. After ten minutes later, Aether had finished the slaughter and started to pick up some valuable monster parts and put it in his bag.
"I've gotten used to fighting without my Focus, but these monsters only give me one credit each. I'll need to head deeper, at least to the twelfth floor," Aether mused, finishing up the loot collection before moving deeper into the dungeon.
As he descended to the tenth floor, the air grew darker and heavier. So he took out a torch and lit it up with a match the cave was silent until, the eerie silence was broken only by the sound of his footsteps and the occasional drip of water echoing through the tunnels.
Aether kept walking down the deep dark hallway of the cave and all of a Suddenly, he heard a soft thud—a wooden object falling onto the floor. Aether stayed calm and tried to sense his surroundings, he stopped walking for a moment to see if anything would come out of the dark halls.
Without warning, a horde of goblins charged from the shadows. Aether swiftly assumed his battle stance, rapier poised. In a flash, he dashed through the oncoming wave, dispatching many with a single strike. but the ones he couldn't wipe out with one sweep started to retaliated and threw spears and arrows at Aether, but Aether was too fast and dodged all of the projectiles easily.
"There are so many of them," he thought, quickly assessing the situation. "The cave is spacious enough... I could use one of the bombs Alice gave me. I've still got three left."
In an instant, Aether vaulted onto the cave ceiling, swiftly reaching into his bag and pulling out a fire bomb. He threw it toward the advancing goblins before dashing far away, positioning himself behind cover just as the bomb hit its mark. The explosion that followed was massive, incinerating the entire horde in an instant, reducing them to nothing but ash.
Aether sighed in relief, dusting himself off as he approached the remnants of the battle. He began collecting the valuables left behind, his mind already focused on the floors ahead. "Alright I think that's enough for today, time to head back to Alice and give these in for my points." Aether said as he started to travel back.
From a high view Kaze spectated Aether, amazed by what the boy could do without magic Kaze smirked and vanished into the shadows and headed back to the Grand Mage Tower.
Within hours, Aether returned and Alice faced towards Aether happy that he made it back, "Wow, you made it back in one piece it looks like, did you use all the bombs?" Alice asked and Aether responded saying he didn't and he gave the rest back to Alice.
Lithia jumped on Aether's shoulders happy her master came back home alive, Aether patted her head and Lithia leaned into his touch, Aether set down his bag and flopped onto bed "I should have at least a total of fifty points obtained now, I just need to give it to Professor Lysander next time" Aether said to Alice.
Alice smiled cheerfully "You're working so hard just to get to Lyria huh, I never knew you two were so close to each other that you'd work your butt off just to get to her" Alice said.
Aether sighed and extended his arm out to the ceiling "She's waiting for me, and I made a promise to her that I will always be by her side, all I want is to be her sword that's all. I don't care about being a Grand Mage really, as long as I get to be by her side that's all that will make me happy" Aether said with a big smile.
Lithia jumped on Aether's chest and curled herself into a ball and rested on him, "Plus Lithia misses her too, I want us to be back together just like back then." Aether said petting Lithia softly.
Alice got into her own bed and turned her head towards Aether "You'll get there, I know you will." Alice said as she closed her eyes.
Aether smiled at her "Thanks Alice, I won't disappoint you too, just you watch." Aether said as he let out a sigh and fell asleep.
Kaze returned to the Grand Mages throne room, all of them were present and Lyria was basically napping again.
"I've returned lady Lyria" Kaze said as she slightly nodded her head to let Kaze know he was heard.
"So find anyone interesting Kaze?" Leon said with a demanding tone, "Yes, but I know the moment I say who he is, you'll all reject him." Kaze explained knowing that if he mentioned Aether's name he would be flat out uninterested by the Grand Mages.
"So it's that boy huh, a boy who can't even use strong levels of magic, no one can be a Grand Mage just by simply using a weapon, I'm leaving" Aqua said as he vanished into thin air, the others did the same except for Lyria.
"Seems like Aether will have to do more to impress the Grand Mages, they won't even want to hear his name unless he makes himself known" Kaze explained to Lyria as he walked by her side.
"But you're right Lyria, that boy is exceptional, I didn't know there was someone like me who only uses a weapon, except I'm different since I use Shadow magic." Kaze explained flipping his dagger in the air and catching it by the tip of the blade.
Lyria smiled while she was still trying to nap and spoke a couple of words "Don't worry, as long as I recognize him I'll be sure to take what's mine." Lyria giggled.
Lyria slowly opened her eyes and stood back up "After all, I'm protecting him even from afar." she said as she walked off towards her own room, Kaze was confused what she meant by that and followed behind her.