First A-Ranked Mission: PT. 2

The trio stood outside the cave, the torrential downpour making it difficult to see more than a few feet ahead. The sound of Slordes encircling them was a constant, ominous background noise, growing louder with each passing moment. Sylvie couldn't help but wish Kage was with them; his fire magic would have been invaluable in illuminating the area and keeping the beasts at bay. Her mind briefly wandered to his abilities—how he could wield multiple elements with such precision. She wondered if that was common for someone his age, or if there was something unique about him. Just as her thoughts drifted further, Bane's stern voice brought her back to reality. 

 "This is no time to let your mind wander. Until we get out of this mess, this is an active battlefield." 

 Sylvie nodded, pushing her thoughts aside and focusing on the task at hand. She couldn't help but wonder why the Slordes hadn't attacked yet. They were close—too close. 'What are they waiting for?' she thought. 

 As she pondered, Bane overheard the guards talking nearby. Their conversation was filled with tension. 

"Man, can you believe our luck? First, that brat brings the horde here, and now this out-of-season storm. Can our luck get any worse?" 

"Yeah, I know. If this weather stays like this, we might have to abandon the caves. The water from the rain weakens the soil. This whole thing could flood if it gets too bad." 

Bane's eyes widened as a thought struck him like lightning. "THAT'S IT!" he exclaimed. 

Mia and Sylvie turned to him, curiosity and a hint of hope in their eyes. "Any suggestions?" Mia asked, eager for a plan. 

Bane nodded, a rare smile spreading across his face. "We've been going about this all wrong. I have a plan, but listen closely." 

The trio moved along the outskirts of the village, using the naturally formed rock walls as protection for their backs. In front of them, three Slordes stood still, clicking their tongues as if they were uncertain about their next move. 

"Ready when you are," Bane stated, his focus razor-sharp. 

Mia withdrew her bow, planting her feet firmly into the ground. This was her moment to prove her worth. She loaded three arrows, steadying her hand and calming her breathing. 

"Glacial Magic: Star Fire!" 

The arrows froze over instantly, subzero temperatures surrounding them as they shot forward at terrifying speed. The move was so fast, it seemed as if it had cut through the rain itself. The Slordes, sensing the chill of magic, tried to escape, but it was too late. The arrows impaled them, freezing their bodies solid. Sylvie and Bane dashed forward, making quick work of the immobilized creatures, dispatching them with swift, precise strikes. 

"That's eight down. How many more are left?" Mia asked, her breath coming in short gasps. She was starting to feel the strain, her mana reserves dangerously low from the repeated use of high-level magic. 

Sylvie and Bane scanned the area and immediately spotted the rest of the Slordes. The remaining beasts had grouped together, realizing that their individual tactics were failing. But in doing so, they had inadvertently set themselves up for disaster. 

The three were drenched, rainwater mixing with the sweat of battle as they stared down the huddled Slordes. Sylvie noticed a determined look on Mia's face, a look she hadn't seen before. 

"I can handle this," Mia declared, her voice steady despite the exhaustion creeping into it. 

Before Sylvie and Bane could question her, Mia stepped forward, her eyes glowing a brilliant blue as a huge burst of mana erupted from her body, sending shockwaves through the air. 

"Glacial Magic: Dance of the Blossoms!" 

The rain within a five-meter radius around Mia began to slow down, each droplet freezing in mid-air. She raised her hands, and the frozen shards of ice began to swirl around her like a deadly cyclone. The ice gathered speed, becoming sharper, more dangerous, until it reached a critical point. 

Then, with a flick of her wrist, the frozen shards shot out toward the Slordes, slicing through the air with lethal precision. The razor-sharp ice cut through the entire horde, freezing those that tried to escape. The attack was relentless, chaining from one Slorde to the next, leaving no room for escape. 

Bane and Sylvie watched in stunned amazement. They had never seen anything like it. The sheer power and precision of Mia's attack were beyond anything they had expected. 

 "Sylvie, I think Mia just underwent a grade increase," Bane said, his voice filled with awe. He had never heard of someone suddenly jumping their grade in the heat of battle, but Mia's display was undeniable proof. 

 Mia's arms slowly lowered as the glow faded from her eyes. She turned to face Bane and Sylvie, a faint smile on her lips before she collapsed to the ground. The exhaustion from expending all her mana had finally caught up to her. 

 Bane and Sylvie rushed to her side, checking to make sure she was still breathing. She was, though she was completely drained. 

As they looked around, they couldn't help but feel a sense of awe at the devastation Mia had wrought. Slorde bodies were scattered across the landscape, frozen in place, while shards of ice glinted in the moonlight. It was a scene of utter destruction, but it was also a testament to Mia's newfound power. 

The rain began to slow, the storm clouds starting to break apart. The danger had passed, at least for now. 

Bane and Sylvie exchanged a glance, then looked down at Mia, who was now sleeping peacefully. She had saved them, and the village, from certain doom. And in doing so, she had proven herself as a true Warlord. 

The battle was over, but the journey was far from finished. They still had to return to Mordell and deliver the mysterious box, but they would do so with a newfound respect for each other.