NB: The technique demonstrated in the third stage can only be used because the specialists are at the 3rd stage of Crimson Rot (Rotwalker). Further explanation will be provided upon the MC's admission to the academy.
*****
Current Crimson Rot stages.
First stage: The Infested
Second stage: The Blight
Third stage: The Rotwalker
*****
Rafe tightened his grip on the daggers, his water aura unraveling like a relentless wave. "Water aura: Aqua surge, Riptide Velocity." A midsized mana circle bloomed beneath him, inhaling the water aura until it wrapped around him in a swirling embrace.
The aura danced over his form like a rushing tide, slashing through air resistance as if slicing through silk. He surged toward Larry, a riptide on the move.
Larry hefted his shield, the air thickening as he invoked his rot-infused powers. "Crimson Rot: Heavily shield (3rd stage)." Dark fluid seeped from his sleeve like venom, enwrapping the shield, doubling its weight.
He swung it, a juggernaut of contaminated force, but struck only Rafe's fleeting shadow, an afterimage blurred by speed. Rafe reappeared overhead, his dagger poised for Larry's neck. Before he could strike, an arrow drenched in dark fluid sliced through the air, forcing Rafe to abort his attack.
Ben, a Rotwalker, readied another arrow with a cold, predatory precision. The contaminated fluid swirled around its shaft like a lethal fog, primed for Rafe's vulnerable stance. Just before it hit, Gumi, an archer from Maximus's ranks, intercepted it with a quicksilver release of his own arrow, deflecting the corrupted attack.
Rafe aimed to neutralize the opposing marksman, but Larry was already arching his shield, infused with that sinister fluid, toward Rafe like a cursed hammer.
Unable to muster his velocity spell, Rafe braced his dagger to intercept, the collision thundering through him, tossing him like driftwood. Ben drew his bow again, setting his sights on Drake and the crew. "Crimson Rot: Multiple Quiver."
Dark fluid pulsed around the arrow, dripping with menacing energy. He loosed it skyward, where the fluid fractured mid-flight, birthing countless arrows that rained down like venomous shards.
They were all caught unprepared. Even Maximus, locked in combat with Sam, faltered. As the lethal shower approached, Drake invoked his powers.
"Water aura: Aqua shield (1 circle)." A shimmering barrier surged around them, swallowing the arrows before they could strike. Holding his shield firm, Drake's voice rang steady. "Stay focused, Maximus! I've got this."
Rafe staggered to his feet, renewing his clash with Larry, while Binter, another Rotwalker once gifted as an Arcane Amplifier, struck his staff to the ground.
Dark fluid streamed from it, slithering toward the underlings in the Infested stage, flooding their decayed forms with a temporary surge to the Blight level. Empowered, they swarmed toward Drake and the others within the sanctuary of the water barrier.
On the battlefield's other side, Maximus gripped his spear, his expression iron. "Ice Aura: Ice Spear Barrage." A mana circle blossomed, birthing icy spears that glinted with deadly intent as they surged forth.
Sam raised his massive blade, calling upon his rot. "Crimson Rot: Blade Fluid (3rd stage)." Sinister liquid swords materialized around the main sword, echoing its every move with a ghostly delay.
Sam deflected each icy spear with practiced lethality. "How?" Maximus muttered, stunned. "He's deflecting all fifteen spears with a single hand!"
With a mighty leap, Sam ascended, almost vanishing from sight before reappearing, his blade empowered.
"Crimson Rot: Amplified Sword." The dark fluid pooled at the blade's tip, exuding a vile aura. He swung, the air parting before him, carving a void in its wake as he bore down on Maximus.
Maximus barely sidestepped, his position obliterated in an instant, dust and debris scattering around the scar he'd narrowly escaped.
Sam charged, his gaze set, unyielding, giving Maximus no chance to recast his aura. Swinging his sword, he aimed for Maximus's heart. In desperation, Maximus vaulted onto the branch of a nearby tree.
Maximus angled himself toward Sam. "Ice aura: Frosted Spear (2 circles)." A mana circle flared at the spear's butt, frost curling around it as if drawn from the void.
Mist surrounded its tip, freezing the air with every thrust. Sam met each blow with his rot, freezing upon contact, only to summon more.
Within the water barrier, Drake swayed, his vision hazy, skin cold as ice. "What… what's happening…" His words faded as he slumped, his barrier collapsing like mist.
---
There's an old saying humans hold dear when faced with death's door: Had I known…
A Crimson Rot creature edged toward the unconscious Drake, its tendrils unfurling to claim him. Just as it neared, an inferno erupted, consuming the Rot in a blaze that burned the ground black. The battlefield froze, every warrior stunned as they turned toward the source of the flames.
Their gaze drifted to the towering tree where Maximus perched. Their hands trembled, breath quickening as they saw her: a woman like fire incarnate, balanced on a branch.
Standing at 4.7 feet, she exuded an aura of crimson power, her long scarlet hair cascading like a river of blood down her back, matching the spark of fury in her eyes.
Her gown, a deep crimson hue, highlighted her 42DD form. With hands on her hips and a glare that could shatter glass, she scoffed. "Ahyoooo, humans… Always needing us to clean up their mess. Weaklings. Weak, as always."