Extra's Descent

"Just a bit more…."

Amelia bit her lip. Her hands shot towards the sky, then dragged downward.

In response, a myriad of magic swords materialized in the air above her, glimmering like an ethereal glow.

Each blade, sharp and radiant, hovered for a brief moment before descending in a coordinated barrage.

Boom! Boom—!

The swords rained down upon the wyvern, piercing the tough scales.

—Hwooooooar!

The beast roared, its massive form trembling under the relentless assault. The magic swords struck with incredible power.

Amelia's heart raced as she watched the barrage take effect. The sheer force of her attack, coupled with the cadets' continued efforts, seemed to push the wyvern back.

Just a bit more.

Just a bit more…..

Even if over a day passed, Amelia had no thoughts of ever faltering.

She hoped the cadets shared the same sentiments as her.

"...."

The snow obscuring the vision faded, revealing the towering wyvern on its two feet, as if it was unfazed by the en masse of attacks.

—Hwoooooar!

The wyvern roared and its wings flapped, sending a whirlwind that blew the weakened cadets away. Then, its massive claw struck the ground.

Boom—!

The already cracking ground widened even more as the ground shook with intensity, akin to an 5.8 magnitude earthquake.

Duelists who hacked away were swatted down like flies, tumbling on the ground with injuries.

"No…."

Amelia froze at that moment.

Her previous thoughts, her determination, her strength, shattering as she watched in horror.

"No…."

Amelia's hand reached out, a magic sword shot out in response, piercing the wyvern's claw and saving a cadet.

However, as her gaze switched to another claw, there, she could see a cadet limply lying on the ground. The wyvern's talons hovered above him, descending down, aiming to crush the cadet in the process.

"No!"

Amelia's legs moved reflexively, rushing towards the cadet with her hands extending forward. Magic swords surged forward, colliding with the wyvern's massive talons.

However, all it did was slow down its descent.

"Keep running."

A desperate voice whispered, streaking past Amelia like a shadow.

It was Raven, who traversed the battlefield, appearing right before the cadet and tried dragging him out.

"Raven!"

However, the wyvern's talons loomed close barely an inch and Raven had no time. In a second or two, Raven and the cadet would be crushed instantly.

"Haa…. H-haaa…."

But Amelia frantically ran with bated breaths. Magic swords shooting out, hoping for the wyvern's talon to burst.

Hoping to save Raven and the cadet.

She couldn't allow a single cadet to die.

Why is the academy even doing this?

Why are they sending these…. children to their deaths?

A flaming arrow ignited past Amelia like an inferno. Followed by an icicle arrow that gleamed amidst the snow.

Tzz—!

Streaks of purple lightning rippled out, and a water barrier started to form around Raven.

Right, Amelia was never alone.

She wasn't the only one who refused to let anyone die.

And she wasn't the only one trying to save Raven and the cadet.

But she knew.

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Those attacks wouldn't suffice.

It took a collective effort just to damage the wyvern to this degree. How could she expect these attacks to even work?

When her own singular attacks could barely scratch the wyvern's surface?

It was then.

Just when all hope was lost.

Just when she thought it was too late for Raven and the cadet he so desperately was trying to save…..

—Hwooooooar!

The wyvern roared and its talons froze, barely an inch above Raven's head.

"....?"

Amelia stared wide eyed at the scene. Followed by audible gasps resounding throughout the entire forest.

The obscuring snow dust faded, revealing a man in the center, standing an inch close in front of the wyvern.

Pale white hair fluttered like a gentle breeze. Despite the harsh cold climate that contributed to the cadets' exhaustion, the man wore a white collared long–sleeve. However, the sleeves were rolled up, revealing his well defined forearm.

Thump!

Amelia's legs gave out from the exhaustion as she watched the entire ordeal with her mouth slacked open.

Thin fine threads wrapped around the wyvern tightly, halting it from making any small movements. Due to that, Raven immediately rushed out, carrying the cadet with him.

"Haaa… Haaa…."

And before Amelia knew it, Raven was right beside her, breathing frantically as he gently laid the cadet down.

Realizing that their attacks could interfere with whatever the newcomer was doing, the air grew silent.

Tension sinked in as everyone stared at the man with pale–white hair, standing tall in front of the towering wyvern.

"Took him long enough."

Claire, who had just joined Amelia and Raven, spoke.

"Seriously, where was he all this time?"

Amy too had joined them.

"I knew he would come."

Reinhard, who rushed towards them and immediately fell on his butt, confidently said.

"...."

And Rachel, who joined them silently, stared at the scene with widened eyes.

"Showoff."

Raven shook his head and scoffed to the side.

Brandon's hand extended forward. His fists clenched and the threads seemed to tighten around the wyvern further.

Brandon's expression remained calm, almost unnervingly so. His lips moved, mouthing words no one could hear

Then, his lips pulled up into a smile.

Ba… Thump! Ba… Thump!

Feeling a sudden rush of heat on her face, Amelia's heartbeat quickened.

Seeing that smile gave her assurance as a sense of relief washed over her.

It was then.

Vooosh—!

Suddenly, flames—brilliant amethyst flames—ignited along the threads, swirling magically, taking everyone's breaths away.

The flames danced across the thin lines, consuming the wyvern's form inch by inch, casting a purple ethereal glow.

—Hwooooooar!

For the first time, the creature let out a guttural scream in agony.

The scene crackled with tension, the amethyst flames around the wyvern growing more intense as Brandon's threads pulsed.

The cadets watched in awe and disbelief. The flames surged, wrapping tighter around the wyvern's limbs, inch by inch consuming the mighty beast.

Amelia could barely keep her eyes off Brandon. Her heart raced not just from the battle, but from the sight of his power.

She had seen him fight before, but never like this. Never with this kind of raw, unrestrained control.

She recalled the conversation she had with Brandon two months ago, right before they separated.

—And that sword won't miss the next time we meet.

She could almost laugh at herself from uttering those words.

Seeing Brandon now, her swords wouldn't even touch him.

Much less, faze him.

Clearly, he was on a whole other level now.

And clearly, he had surpassed her.

"In just two months…."

What was he even doing?

Then, as if Brandon's sudden appearance wasn't surprising enough….

Boom—!

A streak of golden light tore through the air, cutting across the battlefield and slamming into the wyvern's exposed side.

The beast staggered, its balance thrown off by the sudden blow.

Amelia turned, her eyes widening in shock.

"Belle."

She whispered.

There she stood, Belle, her sword glowing with a radiant, golden aura.

She had arrived at just the right moment. Her stance was calm, confident, as if she had been waiting for the exact moment to strike.

As of this moment, the Locke siblings had joined the battlefield.