Arlysa’s smile twisted. “I’m helping the Headmaster, Aliana,” she said as sweet as honey. “Doing exactly what’s needed. Nothing more, nothing less. I’m ensuring her victory. And as for you…” She paused for a second before speaking. “Well, you’re just a stepping stone. But don’t worry. This will all make sense soon enough.”

  Aliana’s muscles tensed. Her ribs ached from the previous battle, yet she tried to ignore them all and with the blade in her hands, she charged forward.

  “Tengoku!”

  Before her blade could reach Arlysa, a thin energy sphere of psychic energy shot from Elena’s hand aimed directly at Aliana. Aliana was caught off-guard due to Arlysa’s words. She could see it coming; however, a pain came across her body which halted her from evading it in time.

  She collapsed to one knee from Elena’s blast that hit her square in the chest.

  “You… you bitch…!” Aliana spat.

  ‘I am still stronger than both of them,’ Aliana thought to herself. The blast had thrown her off balance, but it hadn’t taken her strength. ‘No. I’ll overpower them.’

  With a snarl, she pushed off the ground and formed the shape of an icy spike in midair with her sword’s magic.

  But before she could make her move, an invisible pressure slammed into her mind. The familiar sting of Elena’s psychic force latched onto her thoughts.

  ‘Don’t move.’

  Her body froze.

  The blade in her hand felt heavier. Her legs buckled beneath her. Every muscle in her body screamed in protest, but her limbs refused to respond. The ice magic she had been gathering dissipated into nothingness.

  ‘No… ‘Aliana tried to push back, but her body disobeyed. Her sword slipped from her grasp and clattering to the ground. Her eyes widened ‘What is this? My body isn’t resisting her magic…’

  The sudden shift made Elena shudder. She took a half-step back, staring at Aliana with uncertain eyes.

  "Things went exactly as Arlysa said," Elena muttered.

  Arlysa’s spoke so sweet that you could swear honey was dripping from her lips. “You’re seeing their defeat, exactly as I promised you.” She smiled, a little too wide.

  Aliana glared at her and tried to fight back against the telepathic grip. Her mind screamed, but her body remained still.

  Arlysa’s eyes softened. “I’m helping the Headmaster, you see? This was all part of the plan.” She met Elena’s eyes again. “You should feel proud, Elena. You’re doing something big in order to help the headmaster in ensuring her victory, and as for Aliana…” Her smile twisted once more. “Well, she was always just a stepping stone.”

  Aliana’s teeth ground together. “A stepping stone?”

  Arlysa’s gaze flicked to the other side of the battlefield where Mystimona’s overwhelming presence loomed. His power was too immense, leaving the battlefield divided.

  Arlysa’s smile deepened. “While they’re busy dealing with that oaf, I’ll be using this little moment to restore my strength. You see, Elena has a gift that’s quite rare. She’s a psychic who can link magic together. Our magic together.”

  Elena, standing just a few steps away tensed at Arlysa’s words. Her eyes flickered with unease.

  Arlysa’s face softened, but the sinister undertone in her speech remained. “You see, Elena’s ability allows us to connect our powers, sharing our strengths, our reserves. This ability can allow me to regain what I’ve lost. But she can only link two people at a time…” Arlysa let the silence hang between them like a threat. “Which, as I’m sure you’re aware, means the Headmaster’s link to the Mana Extractor will be severed.”

  Aliana’s eyes widened. ‘Wait…so that’s how the headmaster casted a spell with so much power earlier…’

  A brief silence stretched between the three of them. Elena’s eyes flickered toward the chaotic battlefield.

  “You’re making a risky play, Arlysa,” Elena said steady. “If the Headmaster finds out—”

  “She won’t,” Arlysa cut in confidently. “If anything, I’m doing her a favor. So, while they’re busy with Mystimona and the others, we’ll make sure the Headmaster’s link is severed, and I’ll have my strength restored.” Her eyes narrowed, calculating. “By the time the Headmaster even realizes what’s happened, We’ll have already won this war.”

  Elena’s eyes widened. “Wait,” she whispered as pieces started to click into place. She looked between Arlysa and Aliana. Her gaze shifted downward for a moment. Then, a smile began to creep across her face—slowly. It wasn’t a smile of relief or joy, but one that was cold, unsettling and empty. “The Headmaster will thank me,” Elena muttered softly while raising her head “I’ll show her my loyalty is to her above all else… and she’ll be pleased. I’ll be rewarded…”

  As Elena spoke, her mind seemed to glaze over. From where Gaiza stood, the sight was sickening. The hollow look in Elena’s eyes replaced the trust and care she had once held for her.

  The pit in Gaiza’s stomach deepened.

  “You’ll do this for the Headmaster, won’t you?” Arlysa said with anticipation.

  Elena, in her dazed trance nodded slowly. “I’ll do it. Anything… for the Headmaster’s praise.”

  Gaiza’s watched the last vestiges of the girl she had once known slip away.

  Mystimona’s violet eyes flicked briefly toward the unfolding scene between Gaiza, Aliana, Arlysa and Elena. He felt their battle starting; however, it wasn’t enough to divert his attention for long. His gaze locked back onto Kintovar, Haras, and the creations—Roselle and Risebelle—standing before him.

  He smirked with his arms folded. “You all have your reasons to fight, and I can respect them. Survival, revenge, family… all valid motivations. I’ve heard enough to understand why you’ve made it this far."

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  He stepped back slightly. His eyes lingered on Kintovar and Haras and spoke with a darkening tone. “Let me say this now, I don’t fight for this Academy. Not for the Headmaster’s vision. I can hardly stand the thought of her and everything she represents." His eyes burned with distaste while shooting a glance toward the Headmaster who was still writhing on the ground. "She’s a disease that feeds off the weakness of others, twisting everything to her liking."

  Mystimona continued with his speeh growing cold. "But you’re the ones who defeated her. Not me nor anyone else. You, the ones who stand here, beaten and bruised yet... somehow pushing forward." His smirk widened into a grin. "Now that... is something I can't resist."

  He stepped back with his eyes locking onto Roselle, then Risebelle and finally Kintovar and Haras. "I have fought countless battles on this island and not once have I met defeat." Mystimona grinned. " I want to see if you can truly be worthy of everything you fight for. If you have what it takes to stand against someone like me."

  The air around him pulsed with magic swirling in his every movement. His gaze was challenging, "I’ve never been truly tested before. This… this will be interesting.”

  He took a long step toward them. "I’m the force you need to overcome if you truly want to make things right."

  A heavy silence fell over them, broken only by the crackle of magic in the air as Mystimona prepared himself.

  “So,” Mystimona said with a grin, "are you ready to prove yourselves?"

  Kintovar raised a finger with a smile. “Give us a moment.”

  Kintovar, Haras, Sybil, Roselle, and Risebelle huddled together.

  The huddle was... chaotic, to say the least. Roselle tried to maintain composure, but she had on a face that screamed ‘gonna die’. Risebelle crossed her arms, but there was a flicker of amusement in her eyes. Kintovar, on the other hand, looked as if they were just deciding on what to have for dinner.

  Kintovar glanced around the circle and said,"Alright, here's the plan, people: We need an hour.”

  Sybil blinked. "An hour? Do you seriously think he’ll just... let us... do that?"

  Kintovar grinned and looked almost manic. “Oh, absolutely.” She glanced over her shoulder at Mystimona who was still standing there with his arms folded. "Right, Mystimona?"

  Mystimona's eyes narrowed. “What?”

  Kintovar merely tilted her head. "Wait one hour. You know, sixty minutes? A reasonable amount of time to prepare for what is most certainly going to be a life-or-death battle." She held up a single finger. "Just a short, totally fair, completely necessary intermission."

  Mystimona blinked. His face twisted into one of sheer, baffled incredulity. "Are you—" He exhaled sharply. "What am I supposed to do for a whole damn hour?!"

  Roselle awkwardly raised a hand. "Uh... stretch?"

  Risebelle actually smirked. "Maybe meditate?"

  Sybil fidgeted slightly and whispered, "We could... maybe make him a chair?"

  Mystimona closed his eyes, inhaled deeply and then exhaled through his nose. His fingers twitched. He opened his eyes again and stared directly at Kintovar. "You’re serious."

  Kintovar nodded. "Completely."

  Mystimona let out a long sigh and ran a hand down his face. He was, by all accounts, one of the most powerful beings on this island and yet, here he was, being asked to wait.

  His eye twitched.

  “Five minutes,” he said flatly. “That’s all you get. Not. A second. More.” His speech dropped to a darker tone. “Because if you do, I’ll start leveling this entire beach.”

  The Headmaster, who had been silent up until now tried to straighten. “You can’t—”

  Mystimona’s head turned, just slightly. His violet gaze locked onto her.

  The Headmaster’s words died in her throat.

  Kintovar tapped the screen of her wrist device and set a five-minute countdown. The soft beep marked the start of their rushed war council.

  The group sat cross-legged on the sand, with the mini-tank of Runebelle whirring beside them. The beach was eerily stilly.

  Haras glanced down at herself“Huh.” She patted her now Quantum Mindsuit-less body. “Oh! The suit’s back in the suitcase. Good, good.”

  Kintovar didn’t react.

  Haras narrowed her eyes. “...Kintovar?”

  Kintovar let out a sigh and rubbed her temple. Then, with an entirely straight face, she said:

  “I never actually thought that would work.”

  Silence.

  Haras’ brain took a full two seconds to process that.

  Then she gasped with one hand raising up to her mouth. “WHAT? That’s awesome! You really are our hero!”

  Before Kintovar could react, Haras lunged forward with her arms wide for a hug.

  Kintovar immediately put a hand on Haras’ forehead to keep her at arm’s length. “Haras. Focus.”

  “But—!”

  “No.”

  Haras wiggled her fingers and tried to reach her. “Come on, just one—”

  “No.”

  Roselle, watching the scene unfold turned to Risebelle and whispered, “Are we sure these are the people responsible for our existence?”

  Risebelle sighed. “I ask myself that very question daily.”

  Kintovar finally pushed Haras back and cleared her throat. “Listen up. The Quantum Mindsuit needs a cooldown period—one hour before it can be used again.”

  Haras blinked. “Oh.” Then, after a beat: “Oh. Ohhhhhh.”

  Kintovar nodded grimly. “That leaves us with very few options to deal with that.” She didn’t even need to motion toward Mystimona. “Mystimona’s not a trump card. He’s a wild card.”

  Risebelle crossed her arms. “The Headmaster had him all this time and never used him until now?”

  Kintovar exhaled through her nose. “That’s because she never could. Not fully.” Her eyes narrowed. “She might’ve unleashed him thinking she had control, but let’s be real—nobody can control Mystimona.”

  A tense silence settled between them.

  Haras finally stopped trying to hug Kintovar. “Sooo…” She scratched her cheek. “Basically, we have no good plans, no working supersuits, and a battle maniac watching us like we’re his next entertainment special?”

  Kintovar nodded. “That about sums it up.”

  Roselle tilted her head. “We could just, uh… run back to Dr.Kintovar’s lab?”

  Risebelle snorted. “Roselle. Do you think he’d let us?”

  Roselle thought for a second. Then, with a small smile, she said, “...I dunno. Maybe if we ask really nicely for a head start?”

  Kintovar rolled her eyes and pointed at the timer. “Three minutes left, people. Less joking, more planning.”

  Haras immediately raised a finger. “Okay, okay! Plan suggestion: We annoy him into leaving.”

  Kintovar stared. “Haras. No.”

  Haras huffed. “Fine. Then what’s your idea?”

  Kintovar reached into her pocket and pulled out a small, bunny-shaped pin. It’s tiny ears perked up like it was listening in on their conversation.

  Roselle’s eyes widened immediately and she gasped. “So. Cute.” Her face went from battle-ready to full-on starry-eyed in less than a second.

  Kintovar smirked. “Glad you like it, because it’s for you.”

  Roselle’s entire body jolted. “FOR ME?!” She bounced slightly. “Oh! Oh! Oh! What does it do?! Does it make me faster? Stronger? Oh! Does it let me talk to bunnies?!”

  Risebelle sighed and lowered her eyes. “Kintovar. What. Does. It. Do?”

  Kintovar tossed the pin to Roselle who caught it with both hands.She then leaned forward with a grin creeping onto her face. “This, is my second trump card.”

  Roselle held the pin reverently. “Does it explode?”

  Haras looked genuinely excited. “Ooooh, does it summon a giant bunny?!”

  Kintovar exhaled sharply. “No. It’s—”

  “Does it give me super jump?!” Roselle was practically sparkling at this point.

  Kintovar narrowed her eyes. “Roselle. Focus.”

  Roselle immediately frowned and straightened up. “Sorry.”

  Sybil, who had been quiet finally spoke. “So you had this planned all along?”

  Kintovar chuckled. “Oh, absolutely not. But I always keep a backup.” She turned to Roselle. “Pin it on. We’re running out of time.”

  Roselle wasted no time clipping the bunny pin onto her chest.

  And the moment it latched on— a surge of purple energy surrounded Roselle.

  Kintovar began to speak on a serious note. "Roselle, you have been observing, learning and growing ever since your activation. Your systems have been collecting data about magical abilities, techniques and strategies. This device will allow you to activate the 'Project Mage' transformation."

  Roselle's eyes widened. She repeated the words,

  "Project Mage Transformation?"