SSS Class Mythic Beast Master

Amiya's eyes widened.

She glanced at the map, then at their surroundings, then back to the map. Her hands trembled slightly as she traced routes with her finger.

This section should be straightforward according to Saint Lucian's vision-created map. But the reality before them bore no resemblance to the parchment's markings.

She tried overlaying what she'd memorized with what she saw. Attempted to calculate the shifts' patterns to predict where paths would open. Her mind raced through possibilities, running through navigational techniques Vlad had taught her.

Nothing worked.

The roots moved without pattern, or if a pattern existed, it operated on logic beyond her ability to decipher. Each time she thought she'd identified a route, it sealed before they could reach it. New pathways opened that shouldn't exist according to the map's layout.

Her breathing quickened while anxiety built in her chest, pressure mounting with each failed calculation. Around her, the sounds of battle continued weapons striking wood, warriors shouting, enemies shrieking. The noise pressed against her concentration, making thought difficult.

Amiya gritted her teeth as she tried again. Comparing the map to their surroundings, searching for any recognizable landmark, but she found nothing. The shifting roots had transformed everything into an unrecognizable maze that defied mapping.

"I..." Her voice emerged small, almost lost beneath combat sounds, and then she cleared her throat. "Everyone, I need time!"

The response came immediately, unified. "Okay!"

All of them shouted without hesitation or frustration, and just immediately accepted her words. The formation tightened, the Inquisitors moving to form a protective perimeter.

Reinhard positioned himself at the front while the golden Melo warriors spread out, creating overlapping fields of defense.

Marie stood nearby, Longinus glowing as she prepared to intercept any threats that broke through the initial line.

Amiya sat down directly on the forest floor, crossing her legs and spreading the map across her lap. Her fingers traced routes methodically, eyes darting between parchment and the environment surrounding them.

She tried identifying reference points such as distinctive trees, unusual root formations, and anything that might appear on both the map and reality.

But the calculations kept hitting walls while this pathway should connect to that one, but the angles were wrong.

This landmark should be visible from here, but only roots existed in that direction. The map showed a relatively straight route, but they'd been turning constantly.

If I try to choose a path randomly, we might get lost or worse, move away from the center, and realize too late. We can't let that happen. The Golden Melo Warriors can't keep this up forever, and our magic reserves are already close to half.

Amiya's confidence eroded with each failed attempt. She kept on glancing up, but to her disbelief, she was seeing some areas that looked like they should be in the northern area.

Nothing made sense.

Around Amiya, the battle intensified as the root-construct broke through, charging directly at her position. Casseo intercepted, his black-scaled form moving with explosive speed. His sword severed the construct's legs, dropping it before Honor's banner finished it with a black deteriorating aura.

More enemies pressed forward. Crimson Night Terrors is attempting to overwhelm through its terrifying might. Towering variants with shadow-forged weapons striking from multiple angles.

The defenders held, but the strain showed. Golden Melo Warriors moved with increasing fatigue, magical reserves depleting, injuries accumulating despite spiritual armor.

Amiya heard every impact, every grunt of pain, and every weapon strike that came seconds too close to being lethal. The sounds display how much the others were struggling and suffering, because she couldn't figure out the maze.

All because her incompetence was trapping them here while enemies swarmed.

Amiya's hands trembled, the map crinkling beneath shaking fingers as she felt guilty and ashamed. They were suffering, getting hurt, and exhausting themselves. All to protect her while she sat uselessly staring at a parchment that provided no answers.

But it's then, a hand settled on her shoulder and pulled her from spiraling thoughts.

Joseph knelt beside her, Arondight planted in the ground for support. His green eyes met hers, and despite the exhaustion evident in his posture, he smiled. "What's wrong?"

Amiya trembled before speaking softly while looking down. "I'm failing everyone."

Joseph blinked in surprise, and then he shook his head firmly. "You're doing your role and duty. Take the time you need to figure out the correct path, and we'll continue defending you."

"But you're all suffering exhaustion and injuries!" Amiya bit her lips as she clenched her fist. "All because of my incompetence-"

"So what?" Joseph interrupted with a faint smile. "Do you see any of them complaining?"

Amiya's eyes widened before her gaze jerked away from Joseph, sweeping across the battlefield.

Reinhard fought at the front, Zenuken carving through enemies. He hacked out with his sword and unleashed Ragnarock, which instantly tore through sixteen enemies. His movements showed fatigue, with his strikes coming slightly slower, and he was reacting a bit slower. But he didn't stop, nor did his expression display any frustration, only calmness.

Marie stood nearby as she constantly stabbed out with Longnius, puncturing holes into the Night Terrors. Sweat beaded on her forehead with bits of her hair plastered on her face. When a root-construct tried breaking toward Amiya's position, Marie intercepted without hesitation. There was no anger on her face, only a faint smile as she gave Amiya a quick thumbs up.

Janus fought with his crimson claws extended, the replicated weapons skewering multiple enemies. His breathing came heavy, shoulders rising and falling with exertion. But his gaze remained sharp, scanning for threats with no resentment showing.

The Golden Melo Warriors continued rushing around, their spectral forms reforming after being destroyed. They laughed while fighting, voices carrying joy despite the violence, while their gazes constantly flickered toward Reinhard's golden cape and Amiya, making sure she was safe.

Casseo's black scales deflected attacks, his sword never stopping. Veryn's barriers materialized repeatedly, purple walls blocking strikes aimed at the formation's weak points. Honor's banner swept constantly, black aura creating zones of deterioration that enemies had to navigate around.

Not one person looked at her with frustration.

Not one expression showed anger at the delay.

They simply fought, protected, held the line, trusting her to find the answer while they bought time with their bodies and magic.

Amiya shook her head slowly before muttering. "They're..."

"Relying and trusting you." Joseph finished, his smile widening. "Which is why we're all doing our best and putting ourselves on the line to buy you time and protect you."

Silence stretched between them despite the surrounding chaos. Amiya's trembling stopped, replaced by a pause that suggested internal transformation rather than paralysis.

Joseph was right.

Not one person had complained about the time she needed. They'd simply accepted her request and adjusted immediately, without question, without resentment.

What did that show?

Their trust in her.

A faint smile appeared on Amiya's face. "Then I need to show my trust in all of you and in myself."