Chapter 368: Breaking through mid-fight
The next wave began with a low, resonating growl that seemed to vibrate through the air. The sea churned violently, its surface breaking apart as more monstrous shapes emerged. This wave was larger, more ferocious, their guttural snarls and eerie cries echoing across the battlefield.
Aeliana's breath hitched slightly as she gripped the railing tighter. The adventurers and mercenaries responded instantly, their formations shifting with practiced precision as they prepared to meet the oncoming horde.
She forced herself to tear her gaze away from the young man she had been watching. Her curiosity burned brighter now—if someone like him existed in this chaotic theater, surely there were others. She didn't want to miss them, not when the battlefield was teeming with potential.
Her eyes scanned the scene, drawn to a pair of figures at the forefront of the Fourth Station. They stood out starkly among the others, their presence commanding attention even from her distant vantage point.
The first was a massive, black-armored man wielding an enormous axe. His weapon seemed almost too large to be practical, but he handled it with surprising agility. Each swing sent monsters sprawling, their bodies crumpling under the sheer force of his strikes. His armor gleamed faintly, dark and imposing, and the mana radiating from him was palpable even at this distance. He moved like a juggernaut, relentless and unstoppable, carving through the horde with brute strength.
Beside him was a woman with twin blades, her movements a stark contrast to the man's. She was quick, almost too fast to track, her dual swords flashing in the light as she darted between monsters. Her strikes were precise, each one aimed at vital points that dropped her foes in an instant. Her mana swirled around her like a storm, crackling with energy that seemed to fuel her speed and lethality.
Aeliana watched them intently, her analytical mind assessing their performance. They were undoubtedly skilled, their coordination with the rest of the team seamless. The black-armored man's strength kept the monsters at bay, while the dual swordswoman's agility exploited openings with deadly efficiency. Together, they were a formidable duo, their presence commanding the battlefield.
But even as she observed their prowess, a faint sense of dissatisfaction crept into her thoughts.
'They're strong,' she acknowledged, her fingers drumming lightly against the railing. 'The man's strength is overwhelming, and the woman's speed is remarkable. They're clearly experienced.'
Her gaze flicked briefly back to the young man she had watched earlier. He was still fighting, his blade flashing with that strange, otherworldly light as he cut through the monsters with an elegance that seemed almost effortless. There was something about him—something that set him apart from the others.
'But they're just strong,' she thought, her lips pressing into a thin line beneath her veil. 'Their movements are efficient, their power impressive. But that young man… he felt more than that. He felt deliberate. Calculated. Like every step, every strike, was part of a greater design.'
Aeliana's father had drilled into her the importance of precision, of understanding the flow of battle. She had spent years watching his knights train, their movements honed to perfection. The brute force of the black-armored man and the agility of the swordswoman were commendable, but they lacked the finesse, the sheer presence, that the young man exuded.
The next wave of monsters surged forward, and the battlefield erupted into chaos once more. Aeliana leaned slightly forward, her eyes scanning the scene with renewed focus. She would continue watching, continue searching.
But no matter how many skilled adventurers she found, her thoughts kept returning to that lone figure—an anomaly in the sea of strength and fury.
As Aeliana's gaze swept across the battlefield, it was drawn to a sudden, brilliant burst of frost. The air shimmered as an icy spear materialized mid-flight, piercing through a hulking monster and leaving a trail of crystalline shards in its wake. Another spell followed—a sweeping arc of frost that froze an entire group of creatures in their tracks. The young mage responsible stood at the edge of the platforms, her blonde hair catching the light as she unleashed her magic with practiced ease.
"Hm?" Aeliana's eyes narrowed behind her veil. Her focus sharpened on the mage, her movements precise and her spells devastatingly effective. Ice continued to cascade down from the sky in controlled, destructive waves, the temperature in her vicinity visibly dropping. The mage's presence was commanding, her control over frost elemental mana remarkable.
"Madeleina," Aeliana called, her voice calm but carrying a note of curiosity. "Do you recognize her? Is she contracted to our territory?"
Madeleina stepped closer, her gaze following Aeliana's line of sight. She studied the blonde mage for a moment before shaking her head. "No, my lady. I don't believe she's contracted to any noble house in our lands."
"Then is she from the Mage Tower?" Aeliana pressed, her tone slightly sharper. "Surely someone with such skill would be registered there."
Madeleina hesitated, her expression thoughtful. "I've not seen her name in the Mage Tower's registries, nor have I heard mention of a rogue mage with such abilities. If she's not registered with the tower or contracted within Stormhaven, her presence here is... unusual."
Aeliana's brow furrowed beneath her veil, her fingers lightly drumming against the railing. The more she thought about it, the stranger it seemed. A mage of this caliber, unaligned with any organization or territory, was an anomaly. Mages were often highly sought after, their skills a valuable asset to noble houses, guilds, and even merchant associations.
"She's not a rogue," Aeliana murmured, almost to herself. "Her discipline is too refined. Her control is extraordinary—she's no self-taught caster."
Madeleina tilted her head slightly. "It's possible she belongs to a less publicized sect or group. Or perhaps she's a freelancer hired specifically for this expedition."
Aeliana's gaze lingered on the blonde mage, her veil fluttering gently in the breeze as she scrutinized every movement, every spell. The frost that cascaded from the mage's hands wasn't just powerful—it carried a certain finesse, a precision that felt oddly familiar. The way the ice formed, sharp and angular, reminded her of something buried deep in her memory.
'Where have I seen this before?' she thought, her fingers tightening around the railing.
The clarity of the frost, the elegance in its formation, wasn't something one encountered often. It wasn't just about raw power; it was the way the magic danced, like a symphony conducted by a master.
And then it clicked—or almost did. Aeliana stiffened, her breath catching as a memory surfaced.
It was faint, hazy around the edges, but unmistakable. Years ago, before her illness had confined her to her chambers, she had attended a grand exhibition in the capital.
Among them was one who had stolen the show-their frost magic had been unforgettable: graceful, commanding, and utterly captivating.
'It can't be, right?' Aeliana's mind raced as she pieced together fragments of the memory.
'No, I'm imagining things,' she decided, shaking her head. 'That was a long time ago, and the world is full of skilled mages. It's just a coincidence.'
Even as she dismissed the thought, her curiosity gnawed at her. The mage's movements, the artistry of her spells—it was too similar. But Aeliana wasn't one to chase shadows, not when there were more pressing things to focus on.
She turned her attention back to the battlefield, her gaze zeroing in on the young man she had watched earlier. The flickering black light on his blade caught her eye once more, its strange, starlit quality captivating her in a way no other fighter had.
'He's different,' she thought, her lips curling faintly beneath her veil. The others, for all their strength and coordination, felt predictable—ordinary, even. But this young man was something else entirely. His movements weren't just efficient; they were deliberate.'
The blonde mage, the armored man, the dual swordswoman—they were impressive, no doubt. But none of them held her attention the way he did.
'Come on….Entertain me more….'
Aeliana's veiled gaze remained fixed on the battlefield, her thoughts a mixture of intrigue and detached amusement. She watched the young man carve through the chaos, his blade a mesmerizing streak of black light. But then, something shifted.
'What is that?'
Her fingers tightened on the railing as she noticed a faint, almost imperceptible aura beginning to coil around him. Black and ethereal, it shimmered like smoke laced with stars, wrapping around his figure as though the battlefield itself acknowledged him. The air surrounding him seemed heavier, charged with an unnatural energy that made the hairs on her arms rise even from this distance.
And then the sky rumbled.
Aeliana's eyes widened beneath her veil as the clouds above twisted unnaturally, swirling into a vortex that mirrored the chaos below. The mana in the air—the very essence of the battlefield—was converging, drawn irresistibly toward the young man at the epicenter.
'What's happening?'
The realization struck her like a bolt of lightning. She had seen something similar before, long ago, when she was still allowed to observe her father's knights train. It was rare—so rare that it was spoken of in hushed tones among even the most seasoned of Awakened. But she recognized it nonetheless.
'He's breaking through,' she thought, her breath catching. 'In the middle of battle.'
The phenomenon was unheard of for most. To break through one's limits in the midst of life-or-death combat was something that happened perhaps once in ten thousand Awakened. The sheer concentration, the perfect alignment of danger, skill, and willpower—it was almost mythical. Yet here it was, unfolding before her eyes.
The young man's aura darkened further, the starlit black shimmering brighter with each passing second. Or that was what her brain seemed to register, as her eyes didn't realize what she was seeing.
The monsters around him seemed to hesitate, their primal instincts screaming of danger as the mana storm around him intensified. Even his allies had begun to notice, their movements faltering as they turned to witness the spectacle.
'This… This isn't normal,' Aeliana thought, her heartbeat quickening. For someone confined to a room for years, she had seen more than her fair share of battles—observed them, studied them, dissected them through countless reports and retellings. But this? This was different. This was something extraordinary.
And as the first crackle of his breakthrough echoed across the battlefield, she couldn't look away, her thoughts no longer dismissive or idle.
'Who are you?'
Chapter 369: Breaking through mid-fight (2)
The battlefield trembled under the weight of the storm gathering around Lucavion. Captain Eryndor, perched atop a raised platform overseeing the chaos, squinted into the distance, his sharp eyes narrowing as he took in the swirling vortex of mana. The air crackled with energy, carrying with it a sense of inevitability, of something monumental unfolding before them.
His grip tightened on the hilt of his sword, though he remained calm. "He's breaking through," Eryndor muttered, his voice barely above a whisper but laden with awe.
Beside him, a younger knight, clad in polished armor, looked on with equal parts curiosity and unease. "Captain… What's happening to that man?" he asked, his voice tinged with disbelief. "Who is he? Where did he come from?"
Eryndor's gaze didn't waver from Lucavion, even as the young knight's question lingered in the air. "Oddballs," he said simply, his tone carrying a strange mix of respect and resignation. "There are always oddballs in this world. We just happen to be witnessing one right now."
The knight's brow furrowed, confusion flickering across his face. "Oddballs…?"
Eryndor glanced briefly at the younger man, the faintest trace of a smile playing on his lips. "Men and women who defy expectations, who rise above even the loftiest of norms. People like him—Luca, was it?—they're rare. The kind who don't just survive the battlefield. They shape it."
The knight nodded slowly, though his expression betrayed more than mere curiosity. His jaw tightened, and his hand clenched around the pommel of his blade. In his eyes, faint but unmistakable, was a flicker of envy and greed.
Eryndor noticed. Of course, he did. He had seen that same look countless times before, in the eyes of men who aspired to greatness but lacked the patience, the will, or the fortune to achieve it. 'Right?' he thought, his expression neutral as he turned back to the scene below. 'How can one not feel envy at such a sight?'
For all his years as a knight—years spent honing his craft, rising through the ranks, and witnessing talent after talent—Eryndor couldn't deny the sting of envy even in his own chest. This wasn't just skill or power. This was something extraordinary. A man breaking through his limits, ascending to a higher realm of strength, right there on the battlefield.
"Sir," the knight ventured, his voice quieter now. "Should we—?"
Eryndor raised a hand, silencing him. "When the time comes, and he needs to fall back, ensure no one interferes. Let him have his time."
"But—"
"That's an order," Eryndor said firmly, his tone brooking no argument. His eyes remained on Lucavion, watching as the swirling black aura grew denser, the stars within it blazing brighter. "We're witnessing something that goes beyond the ordinary. Beyond even the exceptional. And if we interrupt, we risk ruining it. Understand?"
The knight swallowed hard and nodded, though the envy in his eyes lingered, unspoken but palpable. He couldn't look away from the figure at the center of the storm, the young man whose very presence seemed to warp the battlefield around him.
Eryndor's thoughts turned inward as he watched the phenomenon unfold. 'I've seen prodigies, veterans, masters of their craft. But this… this is something else entirely. Even after all these years, it's hard not to feel a pang of jealousy.' His hand relaxed slightly on his sword. 'But envy or not, I know when I'm standing in the presence of something remarkable.'
The storm around Lucavion reached a crescendo, the vortex of mana roaring as if the heavens themselves acknowledged the young man's breakthrough. Monsters shrank back, their primal instincts screaming of the danger emanating from him. And yet, even in the chaos, Lucavion's movements remained deliberate, his strikes calculated, as if he were the calm eye at the center of the storm.
"Let him finish," Eryndor said quietly, almost to himself, as the battlefield seemed to hold its collective breath. "Let him show us what he's capable of."
The battlefield roared as waves of monsters surged forward, their guttural cries blending with the clash of steel and the hum of magic. Yet, amidst the chaos, Lucavion remained steadfast, his blade carving through the onslaught with unerring precision. His movements were fluid, each step and strike imbued with a confidence that seemed almost otherworldly.
Captain Eryndor watched intently from his vantage point, his gaze locked onto Lucavion. The swirling vortex of mana that had surrounded the young man moments ago had begun to dissipate, leaving behind a faint, almost imperceptible shimmer around him. Yet, what was more striking was how Lucavion hadn't faltered—not once.
He hadn't taken a single step back to focus on his breakthrough. His blade continued to weave through the chaos, cutting down monsters with a rhythm that was as methodical as it was lethal.
Eryndor's lips pressed into a thin line as he nodded to himself. "He's finished breaking through," he murmured, a note of awe creeping into his otherwise calm tone.
The younger knight beside him shot him a puzzled glance. "But… he didn't retreat. How could he have—?"
"Exactly," Eryndor interrupted, his sharp eyes never leaving Lucavion. "He broke through without pausing, without stepping back. Either he had the incredible fortune to experience an epiphany at the exact moment he needed it…"
The knight's confusion deepened. "Or?"
Eryndor's expression darkened, his voice lowering. "Or it's his talent—an innate ability so profound that even while breaking through, his body continued to move as though it was second nature."
The knight's eyes widened as he turned back to Lucavion, now carving through another wave of monsters with unyielding precision. The weight of Eryndor's words hung heavily in the air.
"If it's the former," Eryndor continued, his voice steady but laden with meaning, "then he possesses a luck so rare it's almost mythical. To break through mid-battle, at the perfect moment, without hesitation—that kind of fortune can shape legends."
"And if it's the latter?" the knight ventured hesitantly.
Eryndor's gaze hardened, his jaw tightening as he delivered his assessment. "If it's the latter, then we're looking at a killing machine of a talent. Someone who can adapt and ascend under the most extreme pressure, all while maintaining perfect control. Such a person doesn't just survive battle. They dominate it."
The knight swallowed hard, his gaze returning to Lucavion. The young man's blade flashed again, its strange, starlit aura leaving a faint trail of black light as it tore through a monstrous creature twice his size. There was no hesitation in his movements, no wasted energy. Every step, every strike was deliberate, efficient, and devastatingly effective.
The battlefield crackled with tension, the energy in the air thick and charged. Captain Eryndor's gaze remained fixed on Lucavion, his thoughts turning darker as the implications of the breakthrough settled in. This wasn't just an awe-inspiring display of talent or fortune; it was a dangerous phenomenon, one that could tip the balance of the battle.
"Sir," the knight beside him ventured hesitantly, his voice barely above the din of combat. "The sky… it's still rumbling. The monsters…"
Eryndor's expression remained impassive, though his eyes sharpened. "I know."
The breakthrough—an Awakened's moment of ascension—was a rare and powerful event. It wasn't just a personal milestone; it was a beacon. The convergence of mana, the swirling energy, the trembling sky—it all served as a siren call to the other 'beings' in the vicinity, monsters included. And here, in the heart of a monster wave, the consequences were clear.
Already, the creatures seemed to react. The weaker ones hesitated, their primal instincts warning them of the danger radiating from Lucavion. But the stronger ones, those more attuned to mana and power, grew frenzied. Their guttural cries turned into roars, their movements more aggressive as they surged toward the epicenter of the disturbance.
The knight's hand gripped his sword tightly. "Should we pull back? If this continues—"
"No," Eryndor said firmly, cutting him off. "This operation isn't designed for retreat. We're here to clear the waves, not run from them."
"But with his breakthrough acting as a beacon—"
"—It's a strain we'll manage," Eryndor finished, his tone brooking no argument. His gaze flicked back to Lucavion, who continued to fight with unyielding precision. The young man hadn't faltered, his movements as calculated and deliberate as they had been before the breakthrough began. "Besides," Eryndor added, almost to himself, "I want to see what he can do."
The knight hesitated but eventually nodded, though his unease was evident. The monsters' roars grew louder, their numbers swelling as if summoned by the mana storm that had centered around Lucavion. What had been an already challenging battle was now veering dangerously close to a full-blown onslaught.
Eryndor's thoughts turned inward as he assessed the situation. The mana storm would eventually subside, but until then, the adventurers and mercenaries would face the brunt of its consequences. Normally, in such cases, retreating and regrouping would be the best course of action. But this wasn't a normal mission. This was an extermination effort—a deliberate, focused strike to clear the sea routes of these beasts.
'And you,' Eryndor thought, his gaze narrowing on Lucavion, 'you've just made this more complicated. But also… far more interesting.'
'Adventurer Luca.'
Chapter 370: Evolved monster
Lucavion's strikes grew sharper, his movements fluid as if the chaos of the battlefield was merely a well-rehearsed dance. The breakthrough coursed through him, a surge of energy unlike anything he had felt before. His [Flame of Equinox] burned brighter, steadier, the duality of life and death perfectly balanced in each flicker. It wasn't just power; it was mastery, the culmination of his struggles manifesting in every calculated step, every precise swing.
'I can feel it,' Lucavion thought, his blade cutting through the air with a hum that resonated with his newfound strength. 'The pieces I've been missing… they've finally fallen into place.'
The battlefield trembled as monsters, sensing the shift in his aura, hesitated before charging again. This time, their roars carried a desperate edge. Lucavion's presence was no longer just a threat; it was a declaration. He wasn't here to survive—he was here to dominate.
[You're glowing,] Vitaliara murmured, her voice tinged with wonder. [Not literally, but… there's a presence about you now. It's unsettling.]
Lucavion smirked, sidestepping a lunging beast and dispatching it with a single upward slash. 'Unsettling? That's quite the compliment coming from you.'
[Don't let it go to your head,] she retorted, though her tone held a note of pride. [You've achieved something remarkable, yes. But the storm you've stirred will only draw stronger foes.]
'Good,' he thought, his smirk sharpening as his gaze swept the battlefield.
[What do you mean good?]
'The adventurers here can still go for a long while. The fact that I attracted the monsters should mean that this will end faster.'
[Really? Can everyone here withstand that?]
'If they can't, then we can just retreat back. Can't we?'
[Well, if it comes to that, those mages sure can retreat. And if something dangerous happens, I will cover for you.]
'Let's hope it doesn't come to that.'
Lucavion took a deep breath, the battlefield's roars and cries dimming in his mind as he steadied himself. His blade shimmered faintly, the glow of the [Flame of Equinox] pulsing in rhythm with his heartbeat. Normally, he would have relished the chance to test the full extent of his newfound 4-star strength, experimenting with the heightened balance of life and death that now burned within him. But this wasn't the time for indulgence. Stability was key.
'This battlefield isn't a testing ground,' he thought, his smirk fading into a sharp, focused expression. 'It's a stage. And right now, the audience demands efficiency.'
He took another breath and activated his first core, [Devourer of Stars]. The air around him shifted as starlight mana coiled around his form, faint streaks of silver and black intertwining like threads of the cosmos. The energy settled over him, not heavy but invigorating, like the whisper of a distant nebula.
And then he moved.
In an instant, Lucavion dove into the wave of oncoming monsters, his blade a blur of starlit arcs. The first creature, a hulking beast with jagged tusks and molten eyes, barely had time to react before his strike cleaved through it, leaving a trail of shimmering light. The starlight mana surged, amplifying his strength, and he felt an almost intoxicating lightness in his movements.
'This breakthrough wasn't just about mana control,' he realized as his next strike felled another monster with ease. 'My body—my very foundation—has been strengthened. Makes sense. Breaking through to 4-star wasn't just a mental feat; it was physical. That energy barrier was stronger than anything I've faced, and for good reason.'
He twirled his blade, starlight radiating outward in a controlled burst that pushed back the smaller creatures surrounding him.
SWOOSH!
A serpent-like creature lunged at him, its fangs dripping with venom that hissed as it hit the ground. Lucavion shifted, his blade slicing cleanly through its neck.
STAB!
The venom evaporated in the heat of the [Flame of Equinox], leaving only a faint, acrid scent.
[You're moving differently.]
'What do you mean?'
[Let's say, your fire is different now.]
'Well, that is the point of breakthrough.'
[Indeed….But it is still much more than I thought.]
'I feel the same. It is a bit hard to control, right now.'
[Hmm….Careful. On the right.]
SWOOSH!
Lucavion's wrist turned with precision, his blade angling upward as the leaping sea monster descended upon him.
STAB!
The long estoc glimmered for a split second, catching the faint glow of starlight mana. In one smooth motion, the blade pierced through the creature's open maw, sliding effortlessly upward until it reached the brain.
The monster convulsed, its death throes shaking the ground beneath them. Lucavion raised a mana barrier around himself in an instant, shielding his body from the spray of thick, dark blood.
The fluid splattered against the barrier and hissed as it evaporated, leaving only a faint tang of salt and decay in the air.
Before he could exhale, another beast surged toward him—a massive, crab-like creature with jagged claws that gleamed with a metallic sheen. Its movements were swift and aggressive, each strike meant to crush or skewer.
Lucavion sidestepped the first swipe, his blade carving into the creature's side with a flicker of starlight.
The shell cracked under the force, but the monster pressed forward, undeterred. He pivoted smoothly, his footwork light as he deflected the next attack with the flat of his blade, angling it to redirect the force away from his core.
'This is endless,' he thought, his breath steady even as the exertion began to mount. Around him, the battlefield was a swirling maelstrom of chaos—monsters roaring, claws clashing against steel, and spells exploding in bursts of light and sound.
[They're pressing harder now,] Vitaliara warned, her tone sharper than before. [Focus.]
'I'm already focused,' Lucavion thought, his smirk faint as his blade found its mark again, severing the crab-like creature's vulnerable joint and leaving it to collapse with a guttural shriek.
But she wasn't wrong. The tide of monsters was unrelenting, and even as he fought with precision and control, the sheer volume of enemies forced him to adapt constantly. The other adventurers and soldiers nearby were not faring much better. While they fought valiantly, their movements had begun to slow, their strikes losing some of their earlier sharpness.
Lucavion's eyes flicked across the battlefield, noting the positions of key fighters and the thinning lines of defense. 'They're holding, but only barely,' he thought, adjusting his stance as another creature—a slithering mass of tentacles and fangs—rushed him.
His blade met the creature with a fluid, upward arc, the [Flame of Equinox] igniting along its edge as it tore through the beast. The duality of life and death surged, consuming the monster's essence and leaving behind a faint shimmer in the air.
And, Lucavion didn't let the energy dissipate.
He once again began to pull the death energy toward himself, drawing it into the [Flame of Equinox] like a silent predator feeding on the battlefield's chaos. The flame within him grew brighter, steadier, as it absorbed the remnants of mana and life force left in the wake of his strikes.
'Not bad,' he mused, feeling the subtle increase in strength ripple through his core. 'The battlefield itself is an endless resource. If I use it right…'
Well…there was a change of
'Reaching at least the mid-4 star by the end of the expedition.'
And it was a remarkable idea.
"KIEEEEK!"
Lucavion's blade danced through another foe, its shimmering edge humming with the residual power of the [Flame of Equinox], when an ear-splitting screech ripped through the battlefield. The sound was unlike anything he'd heard before—a sharp, guttural cry that carried an undeniable weight of menace.
His instincts flared, a chill running down his spine as he turned toward the source. From his right, an enormous, evolved Sea Serpent lunged, its scales glinting like liquid metal under the dim light. Its fangs, each as long as his arm, gleamed with venom, and its coiled body surged forward with a force that made the very air ripple.
'Fast!' Lucavion thought, his senses kicking into overdrive as he realized he wouldn't be able to evade the attack in time.
Channeling mana around his body, he braced himself, his stance lowering. The serpent's massive form bore down on him, its jaws opening wide enough to swallow him whole. With no other option, he raised his blade, the starlight mana flaring around it in a brilliant surge.
[Void Starfall Blade. Converge.]
The starlight mana condensed, spiraling into a concentrated point at the edge of his blade. As the serpent's strike collided with his weapon, Lucavion angled the blade just enough to deflect a fraction of the attack downward.
The ground beneath him exploded, a deafening crack echoing as the serpent's force met earth instead of flesh. Dust and debris shot into the air, and the shockwave blasted Lucavion backward. He skidded across the battlefield, his feet digging into the ground to steady himself, but the sheer power of the attack left him breathless.
When he finally came to a halt, he found himself in the middle of a raised platform, surrounded by adventurers and knights scrambling to react to the serpent's arrival.
"An evolved Sea Serpent!" a commanding voice shouted. Lucavion's gaze snapped upward to see Captain Eryndor, his figure framed against the chaos, his expression sharp with urgency. "Caedrel!"
The knight beside Eryndor, a stocky man with a stern demeanor, nodded and leaped down alongside his captain. Both moved with practiced precision, their weapons gleaming as they took the position where Lucavion had just emptied.
"KIEEEK!"
Yet at the same time, another similar voice echoed from the side.
'Hmm?'
And it came from Elara's side.
Chapter 371: Looks like you need a hand
The second wave hit harder and faster, the monsters surging forward with renewed ferocity. Elara stood her ground on the icy platform, her staff glowing as she unleashed a series of frost spells. Cedric and the other adventurers formed a protective line around her, their blades and shields flashing in the dim light. Their coordination allowed Elara to focus on dealing damage, her spells striking with precision and efficiency.
Her confidence grew with every cast. She could feel herself adapting to the chaotic rhythm of the battlefield, where her attention had to shift constantly between the monsters, her allies, and the icy terrain beneath them. Each movement felt more deliberate, her instincts sharpening with every encounter.
"Keep it up, Lady Elara!" Cedric shouted as he cut down a snarling beast that had broken through the line. His voice was steady, filled with an unshakable belief in her. She nodded, channeling her focus into another spell.
「Icy Surge」 (2-star spell)
A wave of jagged ice erupted from her staff, spreading across the platform and freezing several smaller creatures in their tracks. The mercenaries nearby took advantage of the opening, cutting down the immobilized monsters with ruthless efficiency.
Elara's breaths came fast, her chest rising and falling as she took a moment to survey the battlefield. She was managing to hold her own, and the synergy with her allies gave her a sense of accomplishment she hadn't expected.
But then, the air shifted.
It was subtle at first—a faint hum at the edge of her awareness. The sky above them darkened as ominous clouds began to gather, and a low rumble of thunder rolled across the sea. Elara's grip tightened on her staff as she felt it: a strange pull in the mana around her.
Her gaze snapped toward the center of the platform, where the faint shimmer of converging mana caught her attention. The energy was unusual, twisting and coalescing in a way she couldn't quite explain. It wasn't natural, and it sent a shiver down her spine.
'What is that?' she thought, her mind racing. The convergence was growing stronger, the mana swirling as though drawn to a single point. It was chaotic, unbalanced, and utterly foreign.
"Elara!" Cedric's voice jolted her back to the present. She barely had time to react as a monstrous creature lunged at her, its claws glinting in the faint light. Cedric's blade intercepted it, the clash reverberating through the platform. "Stay focused!"
"Right!" she replied, shaking off her unease. Whatever was happening with the mana, she couldn't afford to be distracted now. Not with the monsters pressing harder than ever.
The density and strength of the creatures had increased dramatically. Larger beasts with hardened scales and glowing eyes pushed through the ranks, their sheer power threatening to overwhelm the defenders. Elara gritted her teeth, channeling mana for another spell even as her arms burned from the strain.
「Frost Nova」 (3-star spell)
She slammed her staff into the ground, sending a pulse of freezing energy outward. The blast created a ring of jagged ice, slowing the advancing creatures and giving the defenders a moment to regroup. But the reprieve was brief.
More monsters surged forward, their snarls and roars deafening. Elara could feel the tension in the air, the oppressive weight of the converging mana intensifying with every passing second. Whatever was happening at the center of the platform was making things really hard for their side right now.
Elara braced herself as the second wave of creatures bore down on the platform. Her staff pulsed with energy, its frosty glow illuminating the chaotic battlefield. Every spell she cast felt like a small victory, but the unrelenting ferocity of the monsters began to weigh on her.
"Hold the line!" Captain Eryndor's voice thundered across the platform, but even his commanding tone couldn't mask the tension in the air.
Elara tightened her grip on her staff. Sweat mixed with frost on her palms as she prepared another spell.
「Glacial Bind」 (2-star spell)
She thrust her staff forward, and icy chains shot out, ensnaring the legs of a beast that had broken through the line. CRACK! The frost froze its joints, halting its advance long enough for a nearby adventurer to plunge a sword into its throat.
"Good work, Lady Elara!" Cedric called, his blade slashing through another creature that lunged toward her. "Stay sharp!"
She nodded, her heart pounding as she turned her attention to a cluster of monsters trying to break through the left flank. Channeling mana into her staff, she cast another spell.
「Frozen Lance Barrage」 (2-star spell)
A volley of icy lances erupted from her staff, hurtling toward the creatures with a resounding WHOOOSH-THUNK! Each lance struck with precision, freezing limbs and sending shards of ice scattering across the platform.
But as the last lance found its mark, a sound cut through the battlefield—a piercing, guttural screech from the center of the formation.
SCREEEEEECH!
Elara's breath hitched, and an involuntary shiver ran down her spine. The sound wasn't directed at her, but it carried a weight that froze her in place for a heartbeat too long.
'What was that?' she thought, her pulse racing. The air grew heavier, and the mana swirling in the center of the platform intensified.
"Elara!" Cedric shouted, jolting her back to focus. "They're breaking through!"
She forced herself to move, channeling mana into her staff once again. The creatures were closing in, their glowing eyes locked on her as though sensing the importance of her role.
「Frost Nova」 (3-star spell)
Slamming her staff into the platform, she unleashed a wave of freezing energy. WHUMPH! A jagged ring of ice erupted around her, slowing the creatures' advance and buying her allies a moment to breathe.
But before the defenders could regroup, the air was shattered by another screech—louder, more piercing than before.
SCREEEEEEEEECH!
"Arghk—!" Elara's hands flew to her ears, but it was too late. The sound hit her like a physical blow, her head ringing as pain lanced through her skull. She staggered, her vision swimming as she fought to maintain her balance.
Her staff slipped from her grasp for a split second, but she caught it before it could fall. The ground beneath her feet felt unstable, as though the platform itself were trembling.
And then she saw it.
Bursting from the center of the formation, an enormous, serpentlike creature reared into the air. Its dark, scaled body gleamed with unnatural energy, and its eyes burned with an eerie green light. The beast's roar shook the platform, its presence overwhelming.
"Watch out!" someone screamed, but it was too late.
With a powerful swipe of its tail, the serpent sent several defenders flying. Among them was Cedric. Elara's heart clenched as she saw him crash into the icy platform with a sickening THUD! His sword skittered across the ground, and he didn't rise.
"Cedric!" Elara cried, but her voice was drowned out by the chaos.
The serpent turned, its glowing eyes locking onto her. Time seemed to slow as it lunged, its massive jaws opening to reveal rows of jagged teeth. Elara's breath caught, her body frozen as the creature surged toward her.
'Move,' her mind screamed, but her limbs felt like they were encased in ice.
The chill of death washed over her as the monster loomed closer, the air vibrating with its roar. Her ears were still ringing, and she could feel the warmth of blood trickling down her neck. But amidst the chaos, something stirred within her—a surge of mana, raw and untamed.
Her staff glowed brighter than ever, the frost swirling around her in a frenzy. Her instincts took over, and she raised her staff with trembling hands.
「Arctic Fang Barrage」 (3-star spell)
Spears of ice erupted from her staff, hurtling toward the serpent with a piercing WHIRR-CRACK! The frost struck its scales, shattering on impact but slowing its momentum just enough to keep it from devouring her in a single strike.
But it wasn't enough.
The serpent roared, its massive body surging forward through the barrage. Elara's eyes widened as its gaping maw closed in on her. Time seemed to freeze again as she stared into the abyss, the chill of death more real than it had ever been.
'I'm not fast enough,' she thought, a sense of helplessness gripping her.
Her mana surged one last time, but she knew it wouldn't be enough to stop what was coming. As the monster's jaws descended, she braced herself for the impact, her mind racing with fragments of thoughts and regrets.
And then—
—a blinding flash of light erupted from her left. BOOM! The serpent recoiled with a deafening roar, its head snapping back as a searing, a black beam tore through the air, striking the beast with incredible force.
SWOOSH!
Following that, someone had appeared right before the monster, with a long blade.
STAB!
His blade channeled with black starlight, gushed forward, and it stabbed right through the monster's enormous head.
「Void Starfall Blade: Starlight Needle」
SWOOSH!
But the monster was quick, and it swiftly moved its body, only getting the strike on its barebody underneath.
BOOM!
But even then, the pierced body suddenly blasted inside.
"SCREECH!"
And the monster retreated in a split second.
THUD!
Just then, Elara finally fell to the ground.
Elara staggered, her heart pounding in her chest as she tried to register what had just happened. The serpent thrashed violently, its scales smoking where the mysterious attack had landed. A figure leaped onto the platform, the sound of boots hitting the icy surface sharp and deliberate.
"Looks like you needed a hand."
Chapter 372: Looks like you need a hand (2)
Elara gasped for air, her vision blurry as the chaos of the battlefield began to settle around her. Her staff clattered to the icy platform as she slumped forward, her trembling hands catching her just before she collapsed entirely.
The serpent's retreating roar echoed in her ears, though faintly as if muffled by a heavy veil. Then, she heard it—a voice, clear and steady, cutting through the haze.
"Looks like you needed a hand."
Elara's eyes flicked upward, and she saw him standing there—the figure who had leaped in to save her. His coat billowed slightly in the breeze, his dark blade humming faintly with residual energy. For a moment, she didn't comprehend the face, but then the familiarity hit her.
"Luca?" she murmured, her voice hoarse. Her hearing was beginning to recover, the muffled roar of the battlefield fading into sharper clarity. She winced as the pounding in her head persisted, a reminder of the serpent's devastating screech.
"You know my name?"
"...Ah….Well….I heard it when we getting briefed."
"I see…."
Luca glanced at her briefly, his sharp eyes assessing her condition before turning his attention back to the retreating serpent. "In any case, it appears that, you're awake. Good," he said, his tone casual yet somehow grounding. "Get yourself together. It's not done yet."
His words stirred something in her—a reminder of her training, of the resilience she was supposed to embody as an Awakened. Elara took a shaky breath, forcing herself to sit upright. Her hands found her staff, the cool wood anchoring her amidst the lingering dizziness.
'I'm still alive,' she thought, her pulse steadying as she gripped the staff tighter. Her body ached, her ears still ringing faintly, but she could feel her strength returning. It was slow, but it was there. Even as a mage, her body had the natural resilience of the Awakened—a gift that kept her from succumbing to the damage she had endured.
"You're still shaking," Luca said, his gaze flicking toward her again. His tone was matter-of-fact, but not unkind. "Stay low for a minute. Let your head clear."
Elara frowned, frustration bubbling up despite her gratitude. "I'm fine," she said, though the slight wobble in her voice betrayed her.
Luca smirked, tilting his head as he regarded her. "Fine, huh?" he said, his tone laced with playful skepticism. "Sure doesn't look like it. Unless wobbling like a newborn deer is part of your usual fighting stance?"
Elara's cheeks flushed as she tightened her grip on her staff, using it to steady herself. She shot him a glare, though the effect was undermined by the lingering dizziness that forced her to blink and refocus. "I said I'm fine," she retorted, her tone sharper than she intended. "And I don't wobble."
"Right," Luca replied, his smirk widening. "And I'm the king of Andelheim."
Elara huffed, the frustration bubbling just beneath her exhaustion. "Shouldn't you be focusing on the monster instead of making jokes? Or do you just like hearing yourself talk?"
Luca chuckled, a low, easy sound that grated against her nerves. "Oh, I've got my eye on it," he said, jerking his chin toward the serpent, which was still circling warily in the distance. "But you looked like you needed a little… encouragement. You know, to get back in the game."
She narrowed her eyes, unwilling to admit that his presence—and his confidence—was, in a way, grounding. Instead, she straightened her back, ignoring the dull ache that radiated through her body. "I don't need your encouragement, thank you very much. I'm perfectly capable of handling myself."
Luca raised an eyebrow, clearly unconvinced. "Of course you are," he said, his voice dripping with mock seriousness. "That's why I had to step in before you became serpent food."
Elara's grip on her staff tightened, her annoyance overriding her lingering unease. "I was just caught off guard. That's all," she snapped. "And I didn't ask for your help."
"Didn't need to," Luca replied smoothly, his smirk still firmly in place. "I'm just that considerate."
Elara's lips pressed into a thin line as she exhaled sharply through her nose. "Well, thank you, your majesty," she said, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "I'll be sure to remember your heroic efforts the next time I'm writing a ballad."
Luca grinned, clearly enjoying her irritation. "See? Now you're getting into the spirit of things. I knew you had it in you."
Before Elara could deliver another sharp retort, the serpent let out a guttural roar, drawing their attention back to the battlefield. Its glowing eyes burned with renewed intensity, and it began surging toward them once more, its massive form cutting through the icy terrain like a storm.
Luca's expression sobered, though the hint of amusement never entirely left his eyes. "Guess it's back to work," he said, his blade humming with black starlight as he prepared to meet the serpent's charge. "Try not to wobble too much, mage."
Elara gritted her teeth, channeling mana into her staff as she squared her shoulders. "Just watch me," she muttered under her breath, her frost magic flaring to life.
Luca surged forward, his blade humming with black starlight as he intercepted the charging serpent. The ground beneath him seemed to shudder with the sheer force of his movements, and when his blade struck the monster's scales with a resounding CLANG!, the impact sent a shockwave rippling through the icy platform.
Elara's breath caught in her throat. She'd seen strong warriors before—mercenaries, adventurers, even Cedric—but the raw power Luca displayed was different. Each swing of his blade clashed against the serpent's strength, the monster retaliating with its massive tail and snapping jaws, the air vibrating with the force of their exchange.
The serpent roared, its tail whipping toward Luca with blinding speed. He dodged, his movements precise and efficient, the black energy surrounding his blade flaring as he parried the attack with a sharp THUD-CRACK!.
'He's holding his own against that?' Elara thought, her eyes wide as she watched the clash. The serpent's immense size and ferocity should have overwhelmed him, yet he met each strike head-on, countering with an unyielding intensity that seemed almost effortless.
But awe wasn't why she was here.
Elara shook her head, gripping her staff tighter as she turned her attention to the approaching monsters on the flanks. Smaller, faster creatures with glowing eyes and jagged claws were darting toward them, their movements precise and deadly.
'You're not here to admire someone else's strength,' she reminded herself, her master's voice echoing in her mind. Prove your worth, Elara. You're more than just potential.
She straightened her back, the ache in her limbs pushed aside by the determination rising within her. Frost began to swirl around her staff, the air cooling rapidly as she prepared to cast.
'If he's going to keep that serpent at bay, then I'll make sure nothing else gets in his way,' she thought, planting her feet firmly on the icy platform.
「Frostveil Barrage」 (2-star spell)
Elara thrust her staff forward, and a volley of crystalline ice shards erupted from its tip, arcing through the air with a sharp WHOOSH! The shards struck the first wave of monsters with precision, freezing one in mid-leap and impaling another that was darting toward Luca's flank.
She pivoted, already channeling another spell as more creatures rushed in from the sides. Their glowing eyes locked on her, sensing her as the next threat.
'Good,' she thought, her grip tightening on her staff. 'Then come.'
「Glacial Barrier」 (3-star spell)
She raised her staff high, tracing a complex sigil in the air. Frost surged outward, forming a jagged wall of ice along the edge of the platform. CRACK-SNAP! The barrier erupted, halting the advancing creatures and funneling them toward the center where she could pick them off more easily.
The monsters snarled, their claws raking against the icy surface as they tried to break through. Elara didn't wait. She focused on the weak points in their formation, her frost magic flaring with purpose.
「Frostbite Lances」 (2-star spell)
A trio of icy spears materialized in the air around her, each glowing faintly with blue mana. With a flick of her wrist, she sent them hurtling toward the monsters. WHIRR-THUNK! The lances struck with deadly accuracy, pinning two creatures to the ground and forcing the others to hesitate.
She exhaled sharply, sweat beading on her brow as her mana reserves dipped lower. The creatures were relentless, but so was she.
'No distractions,' she told herself. 'He is holding the serpent. I'll make sure the rest don't get close.'
Her determination only deepened as she glanced toward him. Luca was locked in combat with the massive serpent, his blade striking with precision as he dodged and countered its ferocious attacks. Every movement was calculated, his strength and speed weaving together seamlessly. It was awe-inspiring, but it also pushed her to prove herself.
Elara turned her attention back to the monsters, her frost magic flaring to life once more.
"Let's see you try this," she muttered, her voice steady despite the adrenaline coursing through her.
「Frozen Tempest」 (3-star spell)
She spun her staff in a wide arc, unleashing a spiraling storm of frost and wind. WHOOOOOSH! The icy tempest engulfed the monsters, freezing their limbs and slowing their movements as shards of ice battered them mercilessly.
The battlefield began to shift. The smaller monsters faltered under her relentless assault, their numbers thinning as her frost magic carved through them. The platform was hers to control, and she wielded that control with everything she had.
'This is my fight too,' she thought, her confidence growing as she saw the creatures fall. 'And I won't be outdone.'
Behind her, Luca's voice cut through the chaos, sharp and confident. "Nice work, mage! Keep it up!"
Elara smirked faintly at that.
"Heh…."