Project Mage

As we return to Roselle, Runebelle, and Risebelle, we find them in the Mystical forest where Risebelle and Runebelle were resting in Kintovar's tanks, left behind by their creator.

Risebelle emerged from the tank. She stretched her limbs and replied to Roselle, "I'm glad to be okay too, Roselle. Kintovar's technology is something else. She managed to cut down the time we needed to rest in these tanks by a huge amount."

Roselle nodded in agreement, her innocent blue eyes wide with wonder. "Yes, it's incredible. She always thinks of everything, doesn't she?"

Together, they watched over Runebelle.

As they watched over Runebelle's recovery, Roselle couldn't help but feel a sense of hope and concern all at once. She opened her eyes wide and placed her hands gently on the tank, "I hope Runebelle recovers soon. It's hard to see her like this."

Risebelle spoke with a touch of annoyance.

"Careful, Roselle. You're going to get the tank dirty like that."

Roselle quickly withdrew her hands and nodded, “Sorry, Risebelle. I just want her to be okay..."

Runebelle's eyes slowly opened, she found herself surrounded by the familiar surroundings of Kintovar's tank. The green substance that had enveloped her moments ago had vanished, leaving her feeling refreshed and renewed. Her gaze landed on the figure standing in front of her, and it was Roselle, her innocent blue eyes filled with warmth and concern.

Runebelle's memories flashed back to her first awakening, the moment when she had come into existence. It was Roselle who had been the first person she saw back then, even before her eyes met Dr. Kintovar. A sense of connection and familiarity washed over her as she looked into Roselle's eyes once more.

A small smile graced Runebelle's lips, and she softly whispered, "Roselle..."

As the tank opened, Roselle couldn't contain her excitement and relief. She immediately jumped onto Runebelle with a tight hold on her. . She spoke fast, her words tumbling out in a rapid torrent of emotions.

"Runebelle! Thank god you’re okay! I was so scared when you went down to 0%, and I didn't know what to do, but I promised myself that if you woke up, I'd make you smile more, and I wanted to show you how I practiced magic, and maybe we can play together when this is over, and,and—"

Risebelle interrupted “Hold on, Roselle, slow down! You're talking way too fast for Runebelle to catch up. Let her have a moment."

Roselle paused at Risebelle's urging. Runebelle took a deep breath, feeling the weight of the moment. She turned her eyes downward, gathering her thoughts and emotions. With a gentle and heartfelt tone, she spoke, "Thank you, Roselle. I... I…really appreciate your concern and all that you've done… you too Risebelle…It's….good to see you both again."

Risebelle couldn't help but feel a warmth in her heart as she observed Roselle and Runebelle's touching reunion. She watched them for a while, a blush gradually forming on her face. Her serious demeanor struggled to contain the emotions bubbling within her. Finally, she cleared her throat and folded her arms, trying to maintain her composed front.

"Alright, you two. That's enough sentimental moments for now. Come here."

Runebelle and Roselle exchanged a glance, their smiles evident. They moved toward Risebelle.

Roselle nodded with focus in her innocent blue eyes. She knew they were on the brink of success, and she was ready to give it her all.

Runebelle, although she remained sad, also readied herself for the upcoming battle.

Risebelle began to talk to them, but her tone was commanding," Before we head to the final battle, and by that I mean the last mana extractor, we have an issue to deal with. "

Roselle and Runebelle, alerted by Risebelle's words, turned their attention to her.

"What's wrong, Risebelle?" Roselle asked, concern in her innocent blue eyes.

Risebelle glared over to the bushes and then while turning her eyes, she shouted into the forest.

"Show yourselves, mages! We know you're there!"

The forest remained still for a moment, and then, one by one, mages began to emerge from their hiding spots, their faces filled with surprise. They had hoped to catch the sisters off guard, but Risebelle's sharp senses had foiled their plans.

As the mages emerged from the shadows, their surprise evident, the sisters kept their guard up, ready for any confrontation. Risebelle's commanding tone had forced their hidden adversaries into the open.

Alan, with his fiery-red hair and striking appearance, stepped forward. He maintained a calm appearance.

"Impressive work taking down those Mana Extractors," Alan began. "But you can't leave this place alive. The Magical Academy can't afford to let you roam freely, you know…"

Risebelle's gaze remained fixed on Alan as she spoke. "We know you led this group here, and if you managed to sneak up on us like this, it means you've known about this place for a while. I would have sensed your presence earlier. So, why didn't you destroy Kintovar's technology when you had the chance? You could have avoided fighting us and wipe us out while we were in recovery."

"You're right," Alan admitted, "we've known about this area for some time. But our primary concern was capturing you and preventing you from further disrupting our operations. Destroying Kintovar's technology wasn't our priority. We're here to eliminate a threat, and that threat is you."

Risebelle's suspicion deepened as she listened to Alan's explanation. Something didn't add up. With a raised eyebrow, she replied, "Are you an idiot? If your primary goal was to capture or eliminate us, you had the perfect opportunity when I arrived carrying my unconscious sister Runebelle. You knew we were vulnerable at that moment, and yet you didn't strike. What's the real reason you've been following us and waiting for this moment?"

Alan's calm demeanor remained intact as he responded to Risebelle's question.

"What if I told you what I was impressed by your coordination? You managed to take down the Mana Extractor and make your escape before we could apprehend you. But I wanted to ensure my enemies were at full strength before I incinerated them. Now that you're here, there's no escape."

The mages behind him nodded in agreement.

Risebelle couldn't help but chuckle at Alan's response. "Well, I have to say, Alan, you're different from anyone we've encountered from the Magical Academy. Most would have taken the opportunity to eliminate us when they had the chance. Hell, if I was in your shoes, I would have chosen to eliminate the enemies at any opportunity. It just goes to show idiots think."

Alan's remained cool going as far as to brush one hand along his red hair as he replied, "What can I say? I'm a nice guy."

Risebelle couldn't help but chuckle at Alan's response. "A nice guy in the magical academy? Now that's something you don't hear every day."

Alan merely shrugged.

“I like to give people a chance. Is that so wrong?"

Risebelle giggled at Alan's response. "Well, you certainly are an anomaly among mages from the Magical Academy, Mr. ‘Nice Guy’. Such a nice idiot."

Alan remained stoic as he continued.

"I know you and your sisters don't show mercy, but I'm not you. I have my own way of dealing with things, you catch my drift? Now enough chit-chat."

Risebelle's chuckles had subsided, and her face turned serious once more as she listened to Alan's words. Roselle and Runebelle exchanged glances, both equally surprised by Risebelle's uncharacteristic reaction to the situation.

Alan raised a single finger, pointing it at the three sisters.

"My name is Alan. Remember this name, for it will be the last you hear before you're incinerated by my flames."

With a swift, decisive motion he unleashed his magical power and flames erupted around him forming a blazing inferno that enveloped the area. The intensity of the flames sent waves of scorching heat throughout the Mystical forest and the mages prepared for what they believed would be the final confrontation with Risebelle, Roselle, and Runebelle.

Roselle, Risebelle, and Runebelle evaded the charging mages and fired their shots with precision. They were baffled by the fact that none of their attacks seemed to connect. It was as though the mages possessed an uncanny ability to dodge their every move.

The mages with Alan charged forward, flames erupting from their hands, the forest seemed to ignite around them. Fire roared, and the temperature skyrocketed as they unleashed their fiery onslaught.

Roselle, Risebelle, and Runebelle quickly moved to evade the incoming flames, their agility and coordination allowing them to weave through the fiery barrage. They raised their cannons, aiming to counterattack, but something strange happened. Despite their precise aim and well-aimed shots, their attacks seemed to pass through the mages without making contact.

Confusion and frustration washed over the sisters as their shots missed their targets. The mages continued their relentless advance, their flames growing ever closer.

Risebelle moved swiftly through the dense forest barely making a sound as she weaved between the trees. Five mages pursued her, but she had a plan to lose them. She ducked behind a thick trunk, her breath held as the mages approached. They looked around, confused by her sudden disappearance.

Taking the opportunity, Risebelle attempted to switch her cannon to silencer mode, hoping to catch them off guard. With a deep breath, she fired a shot in their direction. However, to her shock, all five mages reacted with incredible agility, dodging the attack effortlessly. Risebelle couldn't believe her eyes and shouted in frustration.

"Impossible!"

How did they do that? Her outburst alerted other nearby mages, and now she had even more enemies to contend with. Risebelle knew she had to change her position quickly to avoid being overwhelmed.

Roselle found herself under a relentless assault from a group of mages. She fired shots from her massive cannon, but to her dismay, she couldn't land a hit on any of them. Fire bullets rained down on her, and she needed a way to protect herself.

Thinking fast, Roselle channeled her yellow lightning magic, forming a protective barrier of crackling energy around her body. It helped to reduce the damage from the incoming fire attacks. With a fierce look her eyes, she fired off lightning shots at the mages, but they managed to evade every single one.

Frustration welled up within Roselle as she struggled to make her attacks connect.

Runebelle was pursued by a horde of mages. She grew even sadder when she saw their numbers. They launched blasts of fire at her, but she was prepared. She summoned her three pillars, focusing on the fire element to absorb the incoming damage.

Feeling the heat, Runebelle retaliated with a barrage of magic shots from her weapon. They shot out with incredible speed, but despie this, the mages displayed astonishing agility, evading every shot. Runebelle couldn't hide her surprise and disappointment at the fact that her attacks missed their marks.

As the three sisters found themselves surrounded and under attack, they ended up standing back to back, their looks reflecting frustration and sadness.

"Something is clearly wrong here," Risebelle began. "Can either of you tell what's happening? How are these mages dodging our attacks so effortlessly?"

Roselle and Runebelle exchanged puzzled glances. Each sister mirrored Risebelle's confusion. This situation was unlike any they had encountered before and it left them all feeling uneasy. It should have been simple to just shoot and eliminate a mage who was not on their level. If that’s true, then how were they managing to dodge them? What strategy did they use? Why can’t they land their shots when they aim so precisely? It seemed like a gigantic enigma.

Alan's chuckle echoed through the forest, and his imposing presence loomed over the three sisters. While he didn't say a word, his demeanor exuded an intimidating aura.

Risebelle turned to her sisters.

“Stay sharp, both of you. This fight is far from over. We need to figure out what the hell is going on with these mages and find a way to kill them. Let's stay focused and watch each other's backs."

Roselle and Runebelle nodded in agreement. They stood back to back. Would they be able to overcome this battle?