Project Mage

Elena had been delivering the report about the losses suffered by the Magical Academy's Elite Mages when all of a sudden the Headmaster's anger had ignited like a raging fire. The room trembled with the intensity of her fury, and Elena could feel the oppressive pressure of her presence.

At the same time that Headmaster was about to get up and unleash her wrath upon the world, Elena stepped forward while trembling but gathered her strength to speak.

"Headmaster, there's something else you need to know..”

The Headmaster's eyes bore into Elena. "What is it, Elena? Speak quickly!"

Elena took a deep breath, summoning all her courage. "Solene, the Teacher who could use cosmic energy, was killed by Dr. Kintovar herself."

Elena's sudden information hit the Headmaster like a truck. Her eyes went from wide shock to heavy sadness. Solene, the Teacher who could wield cosmic energy had been more than just an asset to the Academy..

The Headmaster slowly sank back into her chair after the news. The room seemed to grow darker as a sense of loss and grief enveloped her.

"Elena, Solene... she was a dear friend, a loyal ally. Now she's gone..."

Elena with her own eyes moist with sympathy approached the Headmaster cautiously. "I'm sorry, Headmaster. This loss is a heavy burden to bear."

The Headmaster wiped a tear from her eye,"Solene was one of the few who understood my vision, who believed in the supremacy of magic. Her death is not just a loss to me personally, but a blow to our cause."

Elena nodded solemnly, her empathy for the Headmaster mingling with a sense of duty. "What do you plan to do, Headmaster?"

The Headmaster's gaze hardened and her sadness transformed into a glare. “I hate Kintovar so much that now she’s has left me no choice. We must harness the energy from the Mana Extractors, but not for flight… no, screw that plan for now. I have to focus all my efforts into killing this bitch. Follow me, Elena”

With those words, the Headmaster rose from her chair, her grief replaced by a steely resolve. They left the office and headed for a hidden part of the Academy that few knew existed.

In the chamber beneath the Academy was a man who was chained and wearing nothing but pants. His was in a state of deep unconsciousness.

The Headmaster stepped forward with her eyes fixed on the man. Elena followed closely behind, her curiosity piqued by the mysterious figure.

The Headmaster spoke with a whisper. "This man, Elena, is a traitor to the Academy. He attempted to betray our cause, but his magic is... extraordinary."

Elena's brow furrowed in confusion as she examined the man. "Extraordinary? What do you mean, Headmaster?"

The Headmaster explained, her gaze unwavering. "You see, Elena, when a mage's mana level reaches a certain point, their body undergoes a transformation. In this case, it's a transformation that is... rather unique."

Elena's curiosity deepened as she tried to make sense of the Headmaster's words. "A transformation? What kind of transformation?"

The Headmaster's eyes bore into the man's unconscious form. "This man possesses a magic that is extremely rare, even among mages. When his magic level reached its peak, his body adjusted to it in a way that is... ‘Fascinating’. But make no mistake, Elena, he is still a traitor that had to be restrained."

Elena nodded in understanding, her gaze fixed on the man. "What do you plan to do with him, Headmaster?"

A wicked smile curled on the Headmaster's lips as she approached the restrained man. "I have enough magical power now to bend his will to my own. With his unique magic, he will become a valuable asset to our cause, whether he likes it or not."

As the Headmaster prepared to awaken the unconscious traitor, Elena felt a disturbance in the force.

The Headmaster grinned with a sinister gleam in her eye which made Elena’s face become fearful as she came to realize the headmaster was brewing up some seriously devious schemes.

"I can use the energy we gain from the remaining Mana Extractor to amplify my control magic. With it, I can bend his will to my own. He will become a loyal servant, a pawn in our grand design."

Elena's eyes widened in realization as the true intention behind the Headmaster's plan became clear. "You intend to brainwash him, to make him a weapon for the Academy."

The Headmaster nodded, her gaze unwavering. "Precisely. He will be our slave whether he likes it or not."

The Headmaster summoned a magical circle by waving her hand causing a surge of energy to emanate from the restrained man. This enveloped him in a shimmering light. His body twitched and his eyes began opening.

As the Headmaster's control magic surged into the restrained man, an unexpected and powerful reaction occurred. The energy within him flared to life with an intensity that shook the very foundations of the Magical Academy.

On the upper floors of the Academy, students and faculty alike stumbled and fell from the building quaking from the unleashed power.

“Wut was that?!”One student shouted.

“I dunno! T-This magical energy is so intense! It could threaten the entire Academy!”

“Calm down. It’s probably just the headmaster….right?”

Within the concealed chamber, the restrained man awakened. His long purple hair flowed downwards and his eyes which was also a vibrant shade of purple. A similar colored magical aura enveloped him which casted a bright glow that filled the chamber.

As he woke up the man brought his hand up to his face and stared at it. "I... I'm still alive,” he said to himself with his voice taking on a slight feminine quality.

With the man's incredible awakening complete, the Headmaster addressed him with authority "Mystimonia," she called his name with a hint of uncertainty, "I command you to submit to my control!"

Mystimonia, his purple eyes gazing at the Headmaster with an unsettling nonchalance, simply shrugged in response. It was as if her attempts at control were inconsequential to him, a mere nuisance.

The Headmaster's control magic, potent as it was, seemed to have little effect on Mystimonia. He remained calm and composed, his newfound power radiating from him in waves.

Elena, standing by the Headmaster's side, couldn't help but feel a sense of unease. Mystimonia's enigmatic demeanor and resistance to control were unlike anything they had encountered before.

The Headmaster intensified her control magic while narrowing her eyes. She refused to be bested. "Mystimonia," she repeated with an evil grin. "I will have you under my command, no matter the cost."

The Headmaster, her eyes fixed on Mystimonia, issued a commanding order to Elena. "Elena, link the energy from the Mana Extractor to my body with your magic. We cannot afford to waste any more time."

Elena hesitated for a moment, her concern evident in her eyes. "Headmaster, this is dangerous," she cautioned. "The energy from the Mana Extractor is incredibly volatile. If anything goes wrong..."

The Headmaster's patience wore thin and she glared with stern authority.

"Elena, I will not tolerate any form of insubordination. Do as I command, or you will face the consequences!"

Elena swallowed her reservations and nodded, her compliance compelled by the Headmaster’s demeanor. She extended her hands and with a deep breath, began the complex magical ritual to channel the volatile energy from the Mana Extractor into the Headmaster's body.

As the energy began to flow, the room crackled with magical power. The Headmaster’s body seemed to absorb the very essence of the forest itself.

Mystimonia, still bewildered by the situation, struggled to comprehend the events unfolding before him. He recognized the Headmaster and Elena.

"I was supposed to escape the Magical Academy," he muttered to himself, "How did I end up falling asleep here of all places?"

He attempted to move his hands and free himself from the magical bindings but his reaction took an unexpectedly turn. With a sudden realization that he couldn't break free, he made a fake smile and said,

"Ahhhh crap."

The Headmaster had her eyes narrowed as she addressed Mystimonia. "Don't bother struggling," she said coldly. "These restraints were designed to hold even someone of your magical prowess. It may take time, but we will bring you under control."

Elena chimed in with a cautious observation. "His magic is exceptionally high. We can’t underestimate him. If he were to break free now..."

But before Elena could finish her sentence, the Headmaster interrupted her, a hint of apprehension in her eyes. "We won't allow that to happen. Our control over the energy from the Mana Extractors will ensure his compliance, now continue."

Risebelle, Runebelle, and Roselle made their way to the location of the final Mana Extractor. he last Extractor was situated on the beach, right near the Magical Academy.

Risebelle looked out at the vast expanse of the beach, the waves crashing against the shore, and the imposing structure of the Academy in the distance. "It's almost poetic," she remarked, "The final battle taking place right at the Academy's doorstep. This is where this whole shit began."

Roselle nodded in agreement, her innocent blue eyes scanning the area. "It's where everything began, and it's where it will end."

Risebelle surveyed the heavily guarded Mana Extractor on the beach, her mind working quickly to formulate a plan. The fact that the Extractor was out in the open and surrounded by vigilant mages made sneaking around impossible. They needed a strategy that would allow them to overcome the odds.

After a moment of contemplation, Risebelle turned to her sisters. "We can't sneak past them, but we can use our combined strength to create a diversion and break through their defenses.”

Roselle nodded, a spark of excitement in her eyes. "I'm ready, Risebelle. Just give the word!"

Runebelle although remaining somber, nodded in agreement.

Roselle and her sisters prepared to execute their plan but this was when she suddenly heard a familiar voice within her mind. It was one she hadn't heard in a long time, her inner self. They spoke filled with concern and questioning.

‘Roselle, do you even realize what you've been doing? You've been eliminating humans without a second thought, ever since you met Risebelle. Have you ever stopped to consider why?’

Roselle paused for a moment, her inner turmoil evident. She had always believed in her mission to eliminate humans, to protect herself and her sisters. But now, facing the final battle, she was met with question for her actions.

‘Survival. It's all about survival. We can't allow them to eliminate us.’

‘Survival at any cost, Roselle? Have you truly become so detached from your own humanity? Remember, we shouldn’t be fighting against the humans. We need to understand humans and learn from them, not to simply eliminate them.’

‘But they're a threat. They want to destroy us. I have to protect us.’

‘Protecting yourself is one thing, but have you ever tried to see if there was another way, a path to coexistence? No you didn’t. You've been following orders without question. You are a savage killer now Roselle. You continue down this path and you will just keep killing and killing and you will never stop. Is that truly who you want to be? The Human Executioner?’

She paused, her blue eyes filled with sorrow "I once believed in the possibility of coexistence, but that hope was shattered when I saw the destruction they brought. They've shown us no mercy, with only one exception… and we let that guy go. I don’t want to kill… but I won’t just sit there and let them kill me or my sisters."

Roselle’s voice grew stronger as she continued, "I'm not doing this because I like to kill humans or because I hate them either. I'm doing it to protect us and to ensure our survival. We have to fight. We have to win. Our sisters and Dr. Kintovar are counting on us. I am not evil… I am not…"

Risebelle's snapping fingers snapped Roselle back to the present moment. She blinked and turned her attention to her older sister, Risebelle,

“Hey, resident idiot, are you listening?”

"Sorry, Risebelle," Roselle said, shaking off her inner thoughts. "I got lost in my own head for a moment there. I'm ready now. What's the plan?”