Project Mage

The explosion of the mana extractor had sent shockwaves through the ranks of the Magic Academy's mages, catching them off guard and throwing them into a state of disarray. The forest, once calm and serene, was now filled with chaos and confusion.

Mages stumbled over their robes, their wands and staffs raised in a hasty defensive posture. Some shouted orders to regroup, while others desperately tried to identify the source of the explosion.

"By the goddess, what was that?!" one mage exclaimed with fear.

Another mage, her eyes wide with panic, yelled, "One of the mana extractors! It's been destroyed! But by who?"

Risebelle, hidden in the shadows, took advantage of the chaos. Risebelle moved swiftly and silently through the chaotic scene, her steps deft and her senses sharp. She quickly located the next mana extractor, concealed within a dense cluster of mages who were frantically searching for the source of the explosion.

Without hesitation, Risebelle descended upon them, her presence hidden until the very last moment. Her weapon unleashed a flurry of silent shots, each one finding its mark with deadly accuracy. The mages fell one by one, their wands and staffs dropping to the ground, their faces frozen in shock and terror.

Meanwhile, Roselle positioned herself near the next mana extractor, her massive cannon-like weapon aimed and ready. She had watched Risebelle's precise takedown of the mages and understood the urgency of their mission.

With a deep breath and unwavering focus, Roselle fired her cannon. The shot was powerful and accurate, striking the mana extractor with pinpoint precision. The extractor erupted in a violent explosion, sending magical energy and debris flying in all directions.

After the explosion, a group of academy mages who had approached from behind spotted Risebelle and Roselle.

"Over here! We've found them!"

Risebelle and Roselle turned toward the shouts, and a barrage of magic attacks were sent towards them of various elements, but before they could react, Runebelle took swift action. Despite her ever-present sadness, she summoned three towering pillars of magic infused with green energy. The pillars rose like protective guardians, forming a barrier between the mages' attacks and her older sisters.

The mages' spells collided with the magical barrier, creating a spectacular display of elemental clashes. The fire, ice, and earth pillars absorbed the magical assaults, leaving Risebelle and Roselle unharmed behind the protective shield.

Risebelle nodded in approval to Runebelle.

The academy mages were confused by the sudden appearance of Runebelle's magical pillars, they exchanged glances. Their disbelief was at a high as they muttered among themselves.

"Magic like that... it's impossible," one mage whispered

Another mage shook his head in disbelief. "Kintovar couldn't have figured this out. Magic is a force of nature, not something a scientist can create!"

Risebelle replied with a steely resolve, "they've witnessed something extraordinary, and that will be their last memory."

Risebelle's declaration set the tone for what would come next. Roselle raised her hand and called upon her unique ability.

"Thunderclap Surge!" Roselle exclaimed.

The air crackled with electricity as a rapidly spinning fan of crackling lightning energy formed above her hand. The fan homed in on its target, the academy mages who had surrounded them.

With a surge of power, Roselle unleashed the Thunderclap Surge, sending tendrils of lightning arcing through the air. The fan of electricity struck the elemental pillars created by Runebelle, and the combined power created a devastating force that surged toward the academy mages.

The mages had no time to react as the electrifying onslaught engulfed them, delivering jolts of electricity upon impact. The once-confident mages were now overwhelmed, their screams echoing through the mystical forest as they were consumed by the raw power of Thunderclap Surge.

Roselle looked at the lifeless bodies of the academy mages on the forest floor. Roselle heard something talk in her mind.

“The humans would have done the same to you." It sounded like Risebelle was talking to her in her head.

Risebelle observed Roselle's inner turmoil and was prepared to confront her. However, before she could speak, Roselle's shifted from sadness to a serious face.

"Time to move?" Roselle asked.

With a nod from Risebelle, the three sisters moved swiftly through the mystical forest.

The sisters, concealed by the shadows of the mystical forest, cautiously approached the next mana extractor. However, as they drew closer, their hearts sank at the sight that greeted them.

The extractor was heavily guarded by a formidable force of over a hundred mages, and a powerful magical barrier surrounded it, making access nearly impossible.

Risebelle surveyed the scene with a furrowed brow, her mind racing to come up with a plan. She knew that a direct assault on such a fortified position would be reckless and likely result in their failure.

"We need a way to disable that magical barrier," Risebelle whispered to her sisters. "Without getting past that, we won't even get close to the mana extractor."

"Do you think the others are like this?" Roselle asked, as she looked in surprise at the sheer numbers and the magic barrier

Risebelle sets her eyes to the ground and folded her arms as she contemplated Roselle's question. The thought of facing similar heavily guarded mana extractors and elite mages weighed heavily on her mind.

After a moment of deep thought, Risebelle finally spoke, “Yes, Roselle, I believe the other five mana extractors are likely heavily guarded as well. Our actions here have undoubtedly put the Academy on high alert."

Risebelle's scanning device provided valuable information about the composition of the mage forces guarding the mana extractor. It showed that there were roughly 50 weaker mages and 50 mages with an average level of magic.

Risebelle's eyes flickered in thought. She then made her decision and turned to her sisters. "We'll have to take out the mages first. It may seem impossible, but the element of surprise can be a powerful ally."

Risebelle turned to her sisters,"Listen carefully, both of you. I'm going to use my acid rain to create chaos among the mages. It will weaken their defenses and disrupt their formation. While they're disoriented, we'll strike swiftly and eliminate as many as we can."

Roselle and Runebelle nodded in understanding, ready to execute their part of the plan. Risebelle continued, "Roselle, you focus on taking out the mages with the most potent magical abilities. They'll be the most challenging opponents. Runebelle, protect Roselle and me with your pillars and be prepared to counter any magical attacks they throw our way."

Risebelle raised one arm, and dark clouds began to gather above them, casting an ominous shadow over the battlefield. The mages guarding the extractor noticed the sudden change in the weather and exchanged worried glances.

"Acid Rain!" Risebelle shouted with Authority

With those words, the dark clouds released a torrential downpour of corrosive rain, which hissed and sizzled as it touched the ground. The mages, caught off guard, scrambled to shield themselves from the acidic deluge.

The weaker mages, caught in the midst of the corrosive rain, were the first to suffer its effects. Their robes dissolved as the acidic drops ate through the fabric, exposing their vulnerable flesh to the burning liquid. Panic and agony filled them and they screamed loudly in pain.

One mage shouted, "What the hell?! It's eating through my robe! W-What is this?!"

Another cried out, "I can't see! The rain is blinding me!"

The Mages struggled to find cover from the acidic downpour. Some desperately attempted to cast protective spells, but the corrosive nature of the rain made their efforts futile.

As the weaker mages suffered the effects of the acid rain, Risebelle, Roselle, and Runebelle seized the opportunity to advance.

Seizing the opportunity created by the acid rain, Risebelle unleashed her next attack:

“ Aqua Whirlwind!”

Water and magic swirled around her, forming a powerful whirlwind that engulfed the mages. The razor-sharp water blades within the whirlwind inflicted moderate damage and hindered the mages' movements, leaving them vulnerable. Risebelle's Aqua Whirlwind tore through the weaker mages with ruthless efficiency. Their screams of agony mingled with the chaotic sounds of the storm as they were shredded by the magical water blades. Risebelle showed no mercy, eliminating them swiftly.

Meanwhile, Roselle channeled her lightning energy, surrounding her body with crackling electricity as she fired her cannon-like weapon. The lightning bullets sped toward the stronger mages, striking with precision and inflicting damage. It took more than one bullet to defeat a single mage, but Roselle's relentless assault began to wear down their defenses.

The mages attempted to counterattack. One of them summoned a powerful thunder spell in the shape of a thunder dragon. The thunderous energy dragon soared through the air, crashing down toward Risebelle, Roselle, and Runebelle.

Runebelle reacted swiftly, summoning her pillars of magic to block the incoming attack. However, the sheer force of the thunder dragon proved overwhelming, shattering her pillars in an explosive burst of magic.

The sisters were momentarily pushed back by the impact, but it didn't take them long to recover from it.

Amidst the battlefield, with only a handful of academy mages left standing, the sisters stood looking like armed killers with their faces.

With a sense of admiration, Risebelle turned to Roselle and said, "Roselle, I must admit, your lightning abilities have improved significantly. You handled those mages with a combination of precision and power. It's impressive."

Roselle, caught off guard by the unexpected praise from her elder sister, felt a warm blush creep onto her cheeks. She attempted to maintain her current serious demeanor, but a small, grateful smile tugged at the corners of her lips.

"Thank you, Risebelle," Roselle replied, challenged to remain serious by the warmth of the compliment. "I... I've been working hard to become stronger. I've learned a lot from you, no, the both of you. I want continue improving!”

Amidst the dwindling numbers of academy mages, one of the remaining twenty stepped forward. He raised his staff high, chanting incantations that were foreign to the sisters. Symbols and runes glowed brightly in the air as he continued his summoning ritual.

Risebelle, Roselle, and Runebelle exchanged curious and slightly surprised glances as they watched the mage's actions.

Amidst the dwindling ranks of the academy mages, someone stepped forward. The mage who had had a striking appearance that immediately drew the sisters' attention. He was a tall, imposing figure with a slender yet muscular build. His jet-black hair flowed down to his shoulders. His piercing crimson eyes held an otherworldly intensity, and they seemed to radiate with a darkened aura.He was dressed in dark, flowing robes.

"Prepare the summoning ritual!" he commanded . "It's time to bring forth one of the elites. In the meantime, I will keep them busy."

The other mages hurriedly gathered in a circle, their wands and staffs at the ready, as they began to chant in unison. They got harmonized with ancient chants. They began to produce a dark magic around their area.

Risebelle, Roselle, and Runebelle observed this with looks of curiosity and surprise.

Risebelle glares across at the mage “He’s up to something...”

The mage at the center of the circle raised his staff even higher, and a surge of magical energy surged forth. The air itself seemed to tremble as a portal of shimmering light materialized before them, its edges flickering with otherworldly energy.

As the portal to the underworld stabilized, a massive, awe-inspiring creature emerged. Its colossal form resembled that of a legendary dragon.

The creature's body was covered in dark, ebony scales, as if forged from the very shadows themselves. Its wings stretched wide, each black as the night, with jagged edges that seemed to ripple with dark power .It’s eyes blazed with a crimson glow, their gaze piercing through the forest's darkness. Jagged horns adorned its head, curling menacingly, and a crown of spiky crests adorned its neck, shoulders, and tail.

The creature's presence alone sent shivers down the spines of Risebelle, Roselle, and Runebelle. It was a terrifying sight, unlike anything they had encountered before, and it bore an aura of ancient power.