<b>? Subjugation of the Floating Ind (3) ?</b>
M?rchen Academy Administrative Center, Bartos Hall.
In the central conference room, all key academy staff, with the exception of Headmistress Elena Woodline, and the Hegel Magic Tower Master were seated around arge round table.
In the very center of the table, a levitating ind-shaped structure emitted a mysterious light, rotating slowly in ce.
This structure was intricatelyposed of mana grains tightly clustered together…
And it was ultimately a creation of the Hegel Magic Tower Master; Aria Lilias, the master of Elemental Magic.
Aria had received real-time information on the Floating Ind from the wizards of the Hegel Magic Tower; with this, she replicated its form and constructed it in empty space.
For a brief moment, a pale blue sh urred at a certain point on the Floating Ind. It was a tremendous amount of mana,parable to that of the Floating Ind itself.
All key personnel who had gathered in this room were well aware of this mana’s origin.
“Hegel Magic Tower Master, was that…?”
The Vice Headmaster noticed the identity of the vanished pale blue light in an instant and widened his eyes.
“ck Monster. Appearance.”
Aria Lilias, a petite woman with reddish-brown hair spread to one side, responded in an emotionless voice.
The ck Monster. An unidentified menace that suddenly appeared one day, annihted demons, and disappearing just as abruptly.
With the news of its appearance, all the key academy staff present in the room were taken aback
“As expected, it appeared…”
“Whenever demons appear, it always shows up.”
“Damn it, are we supposed to trust it…?”
In M?rchen Academy, their views on the ck Monster were tinged with ‘fear’.
It was undoubtedly a figure who had reached the level of an Archwizard.
ording to Professor Fernando’s testimony, during the first semester, it effortlessly used apocalyptic levels of magic and defeated the moon demon that ruled over an entire world like a god.
In other words, the ck Monster was not something the academy could handle; it had already surpassed the capabilities of the entire Empire.
Of course, the fact that the ck Monster continued to protect the academy was well acknowledged by the academy staff as well.
However, without knowing its true identity or intentions, they weren’t prudent enough to hastily extend favor to it.
“ck Monster. Our. Side.”
At that moment, Aria’s one statement descended upon the conference room.
“If too difficult to trust in the ck Monster, trust me instead.”
The pir who supported Hegel Magic Tower, Tower Master Ariaa Lilias.
The woman whose insight remained unparalleled despite appearing clumsy and confused, M?rchen Academy Headmistress Elena Woodline.
Both of these women somehow held a remarkably favorable attitude toward the ck Monster.
The reason that M?rchen Academy had not been able to investigate the identity of the ck Monster was alsorgely due to the influence of these two women.
“…!”
Suddenly, a sinister mana swept in like the wind and brushed against their skin, raising chilling goosebumps throughout everyone’s bodies.
A heavy silence filled the central conference room. Everyone present felt the eerie mana that had flowed through the air just a minute ago.
Aria furrowed her brows and turned her head towards the window.
<b><i> Something wasing.</i></b>
“Enemies, from the ground…!”
On the grounds of M?rchen Academy, white demons began to sporadically emerge from the dirt.
From animalistic forms to forms of dwarves and witches; they were all minionis created by the Floating Ind.
While limping with creaking joints, they gleefullyughed ‘Nihihi’. The demon collectively began to target M?rchen Academy.
To them, human bodies were nothing more than beautiful ingredients that could be used to cook up something for the Floating Ind.
[Nihihi!]
Fuoooooo────!
[Nyahaha!]
<i> Kwakakang───!!</i>
[Nehehe!]
<i> Sseuk───!</i>
However, this was the greatest academy on the continent. Not only the academy staff but also the students were overflowing with exceptional abilities.
Both the staff and the students joined forces to resist the demons. Magic shed with magic and sword des sparked as it cut down the demons.
Thus, the academy waged a siege battle.
The academy allocated manpower to defend the institution and assembled an elite force to subjugate the Floating Ind,
The subjugation force rode on familiars capable of flight and charged towards the Floating Ind.
This expedition totaled a hundred members, consisting ofbat-specialized professors, Imperial Knights, security forces, and some extremely powerful students.
However, in front of the Floating Ind, which wasparable in size to a small country, the scale of the subjugation force seemed infinitely small, akin to dust in a room.
The goal of the subjugation force was to safely secure Ian Fairytale and Mateo Jordana, who had left on their own to the Floating Ind. They also aimed to eliminate the demons controlling the Floating Ind and survive.
This was before it was revealed that the Floating Ind itself was a demon.
If the n failed and the dark brown magic circle unfolding beneath the Floating Ind took itsplete form, everyone would lose their lives.
As such, the pressure on the subjugation force to perform was immense as they reached the Floating Ind.
And as time passed–.
[────────.]
The sound of woodwind instruments shook the air. The wailing of the Floating Ind echoed through the sky and the sea.
Towards M?rchen Academy, a threat iparable to the summoned army of minions over the Arkins Sea loomed.
Numerous magic circles already deployed on the body of the Floating Ind strongly emitted a reddish-brown light.
It was an indicator that it was about to unleash its magic.
The target was the ind where the most prestigious institution on the continent was located – M?rchen Academy. It was right to say that it was a ce where high-level mana was densely concentrated.
In other words, the academy itself was already a formidable adversary for the Floating IInd.
And soon thereafter, the Floating Ind vomited out its magic towards M?rchen Academy.
「Seismic Wave (Earth Element, ★8)」
<i> Kwaaaaang───────────!!!!!!</i>
Reddish-brown magic circles simultaneously unleashed a massive beam toward the sea and the ind where M?rchen Academy was located.
In its wake, the waves roared mercilessly, violently shaking the ind and the sea.
“Kyaaak!”
“Everyone, take cover!!”
In an instant, as if breaking a cracker, diagonal lines were carved into a part of the ind, gradually forming tall cliffs.
The wizards among the staffbined their strength to cast powerful protection magic in order to prevent the copse of buildings while repelling the beam attacks.
However, the Floating Inds [Seismic Wave] had only just begun.
<i> Kuuuuuuuuuu─────────!!!!</i>
A fierce wave, imbued with reddish-brown mana, surged onward.
It seemed as if a single wall that was traversing the entire world had appeared. The height of the wave was immense, as if it was trying to reach space itself.
The pressure of the giant wave, filled with high-density earth mana, went beyond merely mming against massive rocks orndmasses.
It effortlessly destroyed anything in its path as it broke solid chunks of earth as if they were fragile clumps of soil and caused seismic shafts.
The mere protection magic casted by the academy’s wizards could never withstand it.
This was the level of the country-destroying magic, [Seismic Wave].
“What is this madness…”
At the top of Bartos Hall.
A woman in a white robe was watching the colossal wave approaching the academy with an expression of despair.
Neatly tied back hair. An appearance maintained in her twenties thanks to the Blessing of Eternal Youth. It was the rosy-haired beauty, Headmistress Elena Woodline.
Why was she facing such crises one after another once she took office as the Headmistress of M?rchen Academy?
Suddenly feeling a deep self-doubt settled, Elena was on the verge of tears while letting out a choked sound.
“I should’ve retired just a year earlier…”
She was already more than old enough for retirement.
If not for the Blessing of Eternal Youth, she would have been a wrinkled andpletely gray-haired elderly woman in her seventies.
However, her regret was only momentary.
Soon, she looked at the Floating Ind with teary eyes.
Gripping her wand, she poured the entirety of her mana flowing in her body.
“Fine. Come at me, asshole.”
As Headmistress Elenaa brandished her wand and poured out her mana, a subtle petal-shaped mana began to float and a sturdy barrier spread across the entire instituion.
<i> Koooooong────!!!!!</i>
[Seismic Wave] and Elena’s barrier shed. A pink me had burst out with a deafening roar, as it rapidly covered the waves filled with earth mana.
Soon after, a dull thud, akin to giant steel colliding with rocks, echoed. It wasn’t a sound that one would expect from waves.
<i> Jjejejeok──.</i>
[Seismic Wave] exerted all its force to shatter the barrier, then sank into the sea.
In its aftermath, another strong current emerged and fierce seawater attempted to engulf M?rchen Academy from all directions.
Elena poured out her remaining mana to restore the barrier.
No matter how powerful the waves were, ordinary seawater could never break Elena’s barrier.
“Ugh…”
Elena’s mana was almost depleted because of the recent defense.
She leaned against a pir, feeling a strong sense of dizziness when…
<i> Kwaaaaaaang─────!!!</i>
“…!”
Once again, beams filled with earth mana traversed the sea and a reddish-brown wave began to approach.
Her mana had beenpletely depleted after blocking just one such attack.
As such, facing a second country-destroying magic was excessive even for someone like her.
Nevertheless, she could not retreat. She had to protect the students no matter what.
Elena squeezed out thest iota of her mana. Although weaker than before, she had to pour out all of it in order to somehow maintain the barrier.
<b><i> Can she resist with just this?</i></b>
Elena furrowed her brow and bit her lips. It was probably… difficult, but…
“I have to do it.”
With the determination to squeeze out every drop og mana she had, Elena shut her eyes and focused her mind.
That was when it happened.
[Kyaaaaaaaa─────!!!]
At the thunderous roar of the approaching deadly torrent, Headmistress Elena abruptly opened her eyes.
<i> Kreunggg────!!</i>
<i> Kwakang────!!</i>
Thunderclouds glowed purple and lightning fiercely cut through the air, apanied by thunderous sounds reminiscent of the wrath of gods.
A giant ck grouse soared, spreading its wings wide, and scattered a tremendous surge of lightning magic.
Headmistress Elena gazed at Thunderbird Galia in astonishment.
Underneath the Thunderbird, a female student stood on a cliff, exceeding her right arm forward as she let out a massive amount of lightning mana.
Purple shes of lightning only added to her elegant beauty.
“…”
At M?rchen Academy, students with heaven-blessed talent were admitted every year.
For example,pared to geniuses like Dorothy Heartnova or Alice Caroll, even the prowess of the academy staff seemed trivial.
Among these geniuses, there was Luce Eltania, the top seat of the Magic Department freshmen.
Violet thunderbolts extended around her as if forming chains in every direction. Her rose-gold hair, cape shawl, and school uniform fluttered wildly in the aftermath.
Her ocean-blue eyes reminiscent of the deep sea were directed towards the Floating Ind.
Empowered by the Thunderbird’s might, Luce’s mana merged with the magic circle cast by Elena, as it spread across the entire ind.
<i> Crackle──────!!!!!</i>
「Thunder God’s Barrier」
The powerful lightning barrier of the Thunderbird, which had shown itself on the grounds of M?rchen Academy during the first semester’s end-of-semester evaluation,bined with the barrier cast by Headmistress Elena Woodline.
This perfect fusion of magic was possible due to Luce’s overwhelming level of [Elemental Efficiency].
<i> Crackle────!!!</i>
<i> Kooongggg────!!!!!</i>
Countless lightning bolts scattered, dispersing the mana imprinted on the towering waves.
The Thunderbird was a legendary magical beast that had thrived for centuries in the Thundercloud located southwest of Zelver. It now boasted immensely high defensive capability as it generated the lightning barrier.
Although the waves infused with earth element mana engulfed the barrier…
The [Thunder God’s Barrer] remained intact, only echoing with the sound of discharges and the dull thud of collisions.
Even the subsequent aggressive waves were rendered useless, as the [Thunder God’s Barrier] held firm, protecting M?rchen Academy.
<i> Wooooong–.</i>
The aura of the ominous reddish-brown magic circle engraved on the Floating Ind’s body had now diminished.
It seemed like it was taking its time to regather itself before unleashing the next attack.
At the top of Bartos Hall, Headmistress Elenna sighed deeply with relief as she sat down.
[Luce.]
The calm voice of the Thunderbird echoed in Luce’s mind.
She raised her head abruptly and gazed at the colossal Thunderbird soaring in the air.
Every time the magic beast pped its wings, aggressive wind and violet thunderstorms erupted.
[What are you going to do now?]
“I’m going to that ind.”
While the violent current crackled and echoed in the air…
Luce fiercely looked at the Floating Ind and responded with a cold tone.
“After all, Greung must be there.”
The ck Monster, Greung, was always present whenever demons appeared. As such, he would have definitely appeared on that massive ind.
Luce was already nearly convinced that Isaac was the ck Monster.
Until now, she wasted a considerable amount of time searching for Isaac when the Floating Ind emerged.
If Isaac had reached the giant ind as the ck Monster, it would sufficiently exin why he couldn’t be found by Luce.
She wished to kick away all the lingering doubts she had by confirming it with her own two eyes.
The confirmation that Isaac was Greung.
“Take me there.”
Luce gave a chillymand to the Thunderbird.
However, the Thunderbird simply tilted its head.
[…It might be wise to reconsider.]
“…?”
The Thunderbird was a legendary magical beast that was much stronger than Luce.
With its tremendous mana perception, it had already sensed the enormous mana emanating from someone on the Floating Ind.
<i> Whooooosh─────!!</i>
In the distance, a silver wind tinged with frost began to swirl.
The wind swept widely, converting more than half of the Floating Ind. It was such a fierce storm that the sound even reached this distant ce.
And someone was controlling the existence beyond the wind, as if handling a familiar.
The person’s formidable ice mana then exploded above the Floating Ind.
“…?”
At that moment, there was a group evacuating from the Floating Ind. Using her excellent vision, Luce identified them as the subjugation team that had set out towards the Floating Ind earlier.
Among them, Mateo Jordana could be seen carrying an unconscious Ian Fairytale on his familiar.
Second seat Kaya Astrea was also there. Even as she left the Floating Ind, Kaya looked back with a worried expression.
“…!”
And in the sky, hundreds of massive magic circles filled the heavens.
Due to the vast silver wind from an unknown source, the colors of the magic circles were indistinguishable. However, it was easy to surmise that they wereposed of at least 7-star magic.
[Even if we go up to that ind, we can’t do anything except die.]
In the purple currents, Luce and the Thunderbird held their breath and silently watched above the Floating Ind.
Now, the sky had be a battlefield of monsters that even the Thunderbird couldn’t approach.
* * *
One hour ago.
“You guys are…?”
On top of the Floating Ind.
Kaya and I stood still while looking down at an unconscious ck-haired young man.
Kaya was restless with bewildered and anxious eyes. Meanwhile, I just stared at him nkly.
Right at that moment, Mateo Jordana, a brown-haired male student with his bangs swept up, arrived and spoke to us.
But I just couldn’t find it in me to respond…
‘You were doing fine just a moment ago…’
The male student peacefully unconscious on top of the Floating Ind was, as always, Ian Fairytale.