That same night, across distant cities, people gazed up in awe and fear as a streak of fire tore through the sky. The burning light wasn't a falling star—it was Slade, soaring in his fire form, blazing a trail toward the Alborea Province.
"Tsk. The king really just sends me off in the middle of negotiations," Slade muttered as the wind whipped around him. "No matter. It's another chance to get on the king's good side. Especially since Father still can't get over the fact that Jasper isn't ranked number one."
He shook his head, flames flickering along his arms.
'Honestly, I thought Jasper would take the top spot—he's got light magic, after all. Never expected a non-magic user to beat him. Over time, sure, Jasper could make it to the top three. But Aethra? That kid is this era's prodigy. I can't see Jasper winning against him in a real fight.'
Slade's thoughts drifted to Rethrus.
'And then there's that other kid… How does a five-year-old kill an ember fox using just mana? I didn't even have a handle on magic until I was thirteen. Tsk. For the sake of my family's rise, we might need to get rid of him. Especially with Chan harboring his own motives about Rethrus.'
'What is that kid up to anyway? And why hasn't he come back to the main city?' Slade's mind churned with questions as he rocketed through the night sky, a comet of fire with secrets trailing in his wake.
With a final burst of speed, he vanished into the darkness, leaving only whispers and wonder behind.
Back in Aurelia, chaos reigned. The city was alive with panic as tremors shook the ground, sending waves of fear through every street and alley. The city watch fanned out in all directions, doing their best to restore order as aftershocks rattled windows and toppled carts.
Children screamed, clutching at their parents. People stumbled through the dust and debris, some wounded, others simply lost in the confusion. The city watch moved quickly, pulling people from rubble, guiding crowds to safety, and shouting orders above the din.
Lysara knelt beside a frightened child, gently brushing dust from her face. She glanced up as another tremor sent a shudder through the cobblestones.
Captain Heda of the city watch personally led the charge through the chaotic streets of Aurelia. Though still shocked and furious over the devastation unfolding around her, her focus remained unwavering—helping civilians came first.
Her sharp commands cut through the panic as she directed her officers to clear debris, tend to the injured, and escort frightened families to safety. Despite the tremors and destruction, Heda's presence was a steadying force amid the chaos.
Meanwhile, in the city's grand halls, some nobles watched the unfolding conflict with a disturbing mix of surprise and excitement. For them, the battle was a spectacle—entertainment to be observed from a safe distance. They dispatched their mages to strategic points: some to Riverdale, others to the estate, all eager to witness the clash of power firsthand.
None of these nobles lifted a finger to aid the suffering civilians. Their eyes were fixed on the flames and magic, not on the cries for help echoing through the streets.
Except for one family.
The Holsts.
Led by Gunter Holst, they moved swiftly among the injured and displaced, offering aid where others only gawked.
"Tsk. What is happening to this city?" Gunter muttered under his breath as he helped a woman clutching her wounded child. His gaze drifted upward to the fiery glow illuminating the battlefield beyond.
'Do they intend to end it now?' he wondered, unease settling deep in his chest.
Despite the chaos and cruelty, Gunter's resolve only hardened. If no one else would help, then he and his family would stand as the city's shield.
Riverdale burned beneath a moonless sky. Explosions of magic lit the darkness—fiery blasts tore through the air, colliding with shimmering shields that flickered like dying stars. The ground trembled as earth-shattering spells cracked the soil, sending jagged fissures racing through the battlefield.
Cassius unleashed the full force of his water magic, waves swirling around him like a tempest. With a confident smile, he commanded torrents of water that crashed into the enemy ranks, proving why he was the master of the Black Dragon Guild. His laughter echoed over the battlefield, calm and assured amidst the chaos.
Not far away, Garrick and Thane, both captains and masters of fire, clashed fiercely. Their swords met in a shower of sparks and explosions, each strike sending ripples of heat through the night air. Garrick giggled, eyes gleaming with excitement, while Thane gritted his teeth, his fury barely contained.
"Fun, isn't it?" Garrick taunted, spinning his blade with deadly grace.
"Tsk. Let's just end this," Thane growled, pressing the attack.
Meanwhile, Dante fought alone, surrounded by enemies. His swords swung in wide arcs, sending shockwaves that knocked foes off their feet. The battlefield was a blur of motion and magic.
'What's happening?' Dante thought, parrying a vicious blow. 'Where is Kesca? Is she behind this attack on the estate? If so, who's leading this army?'
Suddenly, a surge of mana slammed into him from a distance. He turned toward the source, eyes narrowing through the smoke.
A massive figure emerged—a bald man with a cold smile. Before Dante could react, the man lunged, grabbing him by the mouth with crushing strength.
"Nice to meet you, Knight Commander," the man said smoothly. "I'm Berren. And I'm the one who's going to beat you."
Dante struggled, but Berren's grip was unbreakable.
"Let's get out of here, shall we?" Berren grinned, igniting flames beneath him. With a powerful burst, he soared into the sky, carrying Dante northward in his grasp.
They reached a northern plain far from the battlefield and landed with a heavy thud. From Dante's hand, a water wolf materialized, snapping fiercely at Berren. The wolf's jaws clamped down, knocking Berren backward. Blood dripped from his mouth as he licked the wound, flashing a cold smile.
Rising unsteadily, Berren fixed his gaze on Dante. "As expected, the strongest of Aurelia."
Dante stretched his neck, steadying himself. "So this is your plan—to separate me from the battlefield."
Berren dusted himself off, eyes gleaming with malice. "Lady Kesca knew we couldn't defeat your army, especially with how stacked you are. But if we kill your master, it's a win-win for us. Besides, I was made to beat you."
He conjured a massive claymore wreathed in pale orange flames that flickered ominously. "The Merlion family has its own labyrinth conquerors, huh? I conquered a Labyrinth myself. I'll beat him soon enough."
Dante tightened his grip on his sword, water swirling rapidly around its blade, sharpening it into a deadly edge. The two warriors fell into a tense silence, circling each other warily.
Suddenly, with a thunderous boom, they clashed. Sparks flew as fire and water collided, steam hissing and swirling around them. Shock waves rippled through the air, shaking the ground beneath their feet.
"Tsk. I hope Lord Frings is safe right now," Dante muttered, eyes locked on Berren as their battle raged on.
Back in the Frings estate, Lord Frings cowered in his secret chambers, surrounded by his wives and concubines. Clutching the dress of one of his wives, he hissed, "What is happening? Damn you, Merlion rascals!"
Above, the war raged fiercely. Mergoth led the charge for the Frings army, outnumbering Kesca's forces by a narrow margin. Hidden and cloaked by invisibility, Rethrus stayed alert, thoughts racing: 'What are they planning? Why are they doing this? Where are Kaeli and Eri? When will my invisibility wear off?'
The battle intensified. Mergoth used his cursed bind technique to paralyze several enemies. Diablo wielded his wind magic like razor-sharp blades slicing through foes, while Captain Brienne fought skillfully with only her sword, proving deadly despite lacking elemental magic. Their coordinated assault made them realize something was amiss.
Suddenly, it became clear most of them had been lured into a trap. Lucian, who had survived, leapt into the air with a triumphant laugh, his wind magic swirling fiercely. Wounded Merlion soldiers were healed instantly and retreated, leaving the Frings army isolated.
"What are they doing?" murmured the trapped soldiers.
Then a brilliant blue light pierced the night—it was Kesca. She raised her sword high, summoning a massive surge of water rushing toward the Frings forces. Soldiers scrambled to form barriers and shields, but it was too late—they were caught.
"You're already in our trap," Kesca thought, a smirk curling her lips as the last drop of water dripped from her blade.
She chanted arcane words, then pointed her sword forward and commanded, "Virelia, Obliterate."
A colossal sphere of compressed water barreled toward the Frings army at terrifying speed, its surface shimmering with raw, unstoppable power. This was no ordinary flood—the current inside the sphere roared like a razor-sharp blade, moving so fast it could slice through even the toughest metals.
The moment it struck the ground, the sphere would explode outward in a devastating splash, obliterating everything in its path—friend and foe alike—leaving nothing but ruin in the area.
Kesca smiled, confident. "I won."
Inside the chaos, Eri and Kaeli held each other tightly, eyes closed, bracing for the devastating blow.
But then—the attack vanished.
The powerful sphere of water was gone.