As magic continued to converge, the fissures on the seed intensified, threatening to rupture its delicate membrane and surge skyward at any moment.
Now!
With a sharp cry, Fire Finch channeled the magic within her, delivering a decisive whip-crack toward the Demonic Vine seed.
The whip sliced through the air, striking the seed’s surface and helping it shatter its final obstruction.
The Demonic Vine burst forth from its shell, its emergence heralded by a dazzling burst of light that instantly illuminated the entire training ground.
Having received ample nourishment, the Demonic Vine, like a verdant dragon, began to grow with unbridled fury, its tendrils rapidly spreading and consuming the surrounding space in the blink of an eye.
The sudden spectacle left everyone stunned and motionless.
A surge of delight filled Fire Finch’s heart; it seemed their plan had succeeded.
However, in the very next moment!
The Demonic Vine appeared to spiral out of control, its tendrils sweeping menacingly towards the group.
“Watch out!” someone cried out.
Other students hastily cast their spells, and for a moment, the vibrant glow of magic intertwined with the sinister green of the Demonic Vine.
Yet, their internal magic had been entirely poured into the seed moments ago, leaving them with little more than a flicker of strength.
Just as they struggled to hold on, convinced Fire Finch had led them to their doom, the Demonic Vine abruptly stilled, its apex slowly unfurling a colossal demonic flower that pulsed with an arcane energy.
This power swiftly enveloped them, and each person felt their depleted magical energy rapidly replenishing.
Moreover, it seemed they had received some form of enhancement.
It dawned on them that the Demonic Vine, after breaking its shell, was returning the magical energy they had poured into it.
Everyone was overcome with joyous surprise, never imagining this Demonic Vine possessed such incredible abilities!
Even Fire Finch’s eyes widened with astonishment.
‘It can work!’
Feeling the resurgence of immense magical power within them, coupled with the formidable Demonic Vine before their eyes, everyone seemed to find renewed hope in their struggle against Aya Tone.
“Ye Liu, Liu Fei, can you both feel it?”
“Yes, my magic has grown stronger. It’s the power of that Demonic Vine!” Ye Liu murmured, closing her eyes to meticulously sense the transformation within her magical reserves.
This sudden surge of magic was indistinguishable from their own, perhaps even purer.
It was as if the Demonic Vine had refined the magic they’d infused into the seed, then ‘returned’ it to them.
Truly wondrous…
Fitting for a product of an S-rank dungeon.
Click!
Precisely at 2:10 PM.
Suppressing their excitement, everyone collectively concealed themselves behind the Demonic Vine, their gazes fixed with nervous anticipation on the training ground’s entrance.
The moment Teacher Aya appeared, that would be their signal to sound the charge!
Click, click, click!
****
2:20 PM.
“Teacher hasn’t forgotten about us, has he?”
“No! Teacher must have sensed our ambush behind the door, which is why he’s delayed entering. Hmph! Is this the vigilance of an S-rank powerhouse? Fascinating!”
“Do you think, just perhaps, Teacher is still sleeping in?”
Someone inadvertently revealed the truth, earning them nothing but glares from everyone else.
…
As time ticked by, the Demonic Vine shielding them began to wither, as if its life force was slowly draining away.
First, the flower that had returned all their magic slowly shriveled, its petals drifting down one by one.
Next, the leaves on the tendrils began to yellow and curl, detaching weakly from the vine.
The Demonic Vine’s branches, once robust and strong, grew shriveled and brittle, threatening to snap at the slightest touch.
Their expressions grew increasingly grim; they understood that once the Demonic Vine fell, their only means of restraining their teacher would vanish.
“Fire Finch! Think of something quickly!”
“Don’t panic!”
Fire Finch’s own face was a mask of concern; as the Demonic Vine’s master, she was acutely aware of its deteriorating condition.
At this rate, it would completely wither within a minute.
With this thought in mind…
“Continue pouring all your internal magic into the Demonic Vine!”
As for her…
She slowly approached the main trunk of the Demonic Vine, opening her arms wide to embrace it, her body merging with its core.
As Fire Finch merged with the Demonic Vine, a faint halo of light washed over its dying branches and leaves.
Miraculously, the withered foliage sprang back to life.
The once yellowed, curled leaves regained their vibrant green and plumpness, while the shriveled, brittle branches once more grew thick and resilient.
Witnessing this, everyone was both astonished and overjoyed, hastily following Fire Finch’s earlier instructions to continuously channel their magical energy into the Demonic Vine.
Having absorbed their magic, the Demonic Vine revitalized, growing even more potent as its tendrils wildly extended.
Once again, it filled the entire room, forming a series of formidable defensive barriers.
However, the flower bud this time did not bloom.
The magic each person released was no longer replenished; once their reserves were depleted, the outcome would be the same as before.
…
In that moment, everyone gazed hopefully at the training ground’s entrance, each silently wishing for the Witch to appear sooner.
This was the masterpiece they had created, pouring in the combined might of their entire class!
It simply couldn’t!
Perish in silence!!
****
“You dare lay a hand on my students!?”
No one knew how much time had passed, but a furious roar jolted everyone awake.
Yet, their magic reserves were once again depleted, and with their vision obscured by the Demonic Vine’s colossal form, they remained unaware of the events unfolding outside.
Immediately afterward, they felt something tighten around their bodies.
Before they could even react, they were all whisked away from their vantage point, finding themselves suspended in unison behind Aya Tone.
“Teacher!!!”
The moment they saw Aya Tone, tears streamed uncontrollably down their faces.
Finally!
They had finally waited for their teacher to arrive!
Did he even know how long they had endured, just to sustain the Demonic Vine’s life?
Every last drop of their internal magic had been poured into the Demonic Vine; they had absolutely nothing left!!
A mix of grievance and pride.
In that moment, it all transformed into tears.
They had suffered so much!
Seeing his students’ tear-streaked faces, Aya Tone mistakenly assumed they had suffered some immense injustice, and a surge of righteous fury once again flared within him.
“Rest assured, your teacher will avenge you!”
Aya Tone stepped into the void, his small hand clinging to his staff tightly, and uttered coldly, “Starlight Breaker!”
Unlike the instantaneous star-bursts of before, a colossal amount of starlight, guided by the rhomboid crystal on his staff, surged wildly from all directions.
“Concentrate Energy!!”
Terrifying killing intent erupted from Aya Tone’s small frame, and the converging starlight seemed to become infected, its brilliant surface slowly donning a crimson hue.
A pair of massive blood-red wings suddenly unfurled from the void.
“Teacher! No!”
A sudden shriek pierced the air, and Aya Tone silently turned, only to see Ye Liu frantically calling out to him.
“Teacher! That’s Fire Finch! Don’t attack!”
Fire Finch!?
Aya Tone snapped back to reality, the crimson in his eyes receding like a tide.
He just wondered why he hadn’t seen Fire Finch among his students.
But the magic in his hand was already an arrow nocked, poised to fly!
It had to be unleashed!
If this spell struck, Fire Finch would undoubtedly perish!
“Damn it!!!” Aya Tone cursed loudly.
His small hand clung to the staff with an iron grip, veins bulging on his neck, and beads of sweat continuously rolled down his cheeks from his forehead.
Muscles tensed along his slender arms, and veins swelled prominently, seemingly on the verge of bursting through his skin.
“Argh!!!”
A gigantic crimson pillar of light shot skyward, tearing through the training ground’s roof, piercing the heavens with undiminished force, and hurtling directly into the unknown cosmos.
…