-1497- Strongest in the truest scene

Squad Building, S128 Special Forces Squad, Squad Room.

Today, for the first time since its establishment, all five members of the S128 Special Forces Squad, the only S-rank squad in all of Mistgun, were gathered in the squad room.

"I am Mena Purpleton, second-year Sky Wizard Division student, former leader of Squad A177. My magic alchemy weapon is a battle axe, and I specialize in close combat. It's an honor to be here, and I look forward to working with all of you."

Mena, still wearing her armor-type protective suit, respectfully bowed to everyone present.

The room erupted in applause.

"I never thought I'd see the day when we'd be on the same team," Kanata grinned.

"Welcome aboard, Mena," Chloe Sevegny said warmly.

"Please guide me well, Mena Senpai," Yuri Flostre politely addressed her.

Mena, accepting Rozen's invitation, officially joined the S128 Special Forces Squad, becoming its final member.

Although Mena had stated earlier that she would submit a transfer application to return to Squad A177 after this mission, everyone was still excited about her arrival.

Indeed, they were thrilled.

The reason was simple.

"Our S128 Special Forces Squad is now truly extraordinary," Rozen chuckled.

With Mena joining, the S128 Special Forces Squad was on the verge of becoming the strongest squad in the truest sense.

The term "strongest squad" refers to having every member at the top of their game.

Since Sky Wizards operate in teams, teamwork, strategy, and coordination play a critical role. Even if a squad's individual members are weaker than their opponents, they can still win through superior collaboration.

Take Squad A177, for example. Aside from Mena, the personal abilities of the other four members weren't particularly strong—some were even weaker than Lecty Eisenach and Rico Flamel. Yet, they knew how to work together, covering each other's weaknesses and achieving results greater than the sum of their parts. That's how they managed to compete with S128.

Of course, that was the S128 Special Forces Squad without Rozen. Even with just Kanata, Chloe, and Yuri, facing Squad A177's full five members, they were able to hold their own, which spoke volumes about the strength of Kanata, Chloe, and Yuri.

Kanata was the ace of Mistgun, Chloe was the strongest artillery, and even Yuri was Mistgun's rising star. These three could charge through a horde of Armored Beetles, let alone a mere five-member team. That Squad A177 could stand against S128 despite the disparity in personal strength only highlights the importance of teamwork.

But in terms of individual strength, Squad A177 undoubtedly fell short.

There was a time when all the Sky Wizards in Mistgun were ranked, and the top five were identified.

Rorelai Arneet

Chloe Sevegny

Kanata Age

Mena Purpleton

Yuri Flostre

These five were the strongest in all of Mistgun.

The sixth was Freon Flamel, the current head of the Sky Wizard Division.

And now, all of Mistgun's top five Sky Wizards were gathered in the S128 Special Forces Squad.

So, now the S128 Special Forces Squad was undeniably the strongest squad, made up of the five most powerful individuals in Mistgun.

Who wouldn't be excited about that?

Even Mena, looking at her former rivals standing before her, found herself squinting at the dazzling sight.

"As opponents, you're unquestionably the strongest. As teammates, I believe you're also the most reliable," Mena said, turning to Rozen.

"As long as I'm in the S128 Special Forces Squad, I entrust my life to you. Please use my power without hesitation, to open a path for us and for humanity's future."

Mena spoke with knightly conviction, her words shining as brightly as her spirit.

Rozen, of course, wasn't one to be overly humble.

"Alright, I'll use your power to the fullest," Rozen responded straightforwardly.

"Thank you," Mena smiled.

But after a moment, she grew serious again.

"I've already submitted my application to join the squad, and the Sky Wizard Division head approved it in record time. I'm now officially a member of the S128 Special Forces Squad," Mena said, looking directly at Rozen. "Now, can you tell me about our mission to Vebel for the Sky Wizards Martial Arts Festival?"

Hearing this, the others also turned serious.

"Of course, I'll explain everything now," Rozen said, maintaining his calm demeanor as he began to share the details with Mena.

The existence of humanoid Armored Beetles.

The true identities of Elis Wiegert and Cris.

The ambitions and true nature of the council president.

And the unknown events occurring in Vebel.

Rozen told Mena everything.

Despite being mentally prepared, Mena was still shocked.

"The council chairman... is a humanoid Armored Beetle...!?"

Mena's pupils contracted to the extreme.

This was explosive news.

As a figure second only to the Pope in power and authority among humans, the revelation that such a person wasn't human but rather a sworn enemy of humanity, leading a force of humanoid Armored Beetles, was utterly shocking.

Couple this with the sudden promise of rewards at the Sky Wizards Martial Arts Festival and the unprecedented honor of an audience with the Pope, and it was clear that behind the scenes, a dangerous current was building.

This could very well be a situation that threatened the very survival of humanity.

"No wonder... no wonder the head of the Sky Wizard Division recommended I join the S128 Special Forces Squad..." Mena's expression grew solemn.

"This time, as we head to Vebel, we must be prepared to fight the humanoid Armored Beetles from Zeth's faction, possibly even face the hidden hands of the council."

Kanata reminded her.

"At the same time, we need to uncover the truth behind the Sky Wizards Martial Arts Festival and present our findings directly to the Pope, revealing the truth about the humanoid Armored Beetles," Chloe added, her expression serious.

"We don't know what will happen yet, but this mission will undoubtedly be dangerous," Yuri took a deep breath.

"Exactly," Rozen summarized. "Before others become aware of the truth, we must act and expose the humanoid Armored Beetles, leaving them nowhere to hide."

This was a mission essential for humanity's future.

Mena fully understood and steeled her resolve.

"Understood. Even at the cost of my life, I, Mena Purpleton, will see this mission through."

Mena was ready to give it her all.

Naturally, everyone else was too.

"Well then, before the Sky Wizards Martial Arts Festival begins, we'll have a training session. The goal is to integrate Mena into our squad. We may not achieve perfect coordination, but we should aim for seamless teamwork."

Rozen looked around at his squad.

"This will be an unprecedented challenge. Give it everything you've got."

As soon as he finished speaking...

"Yes, Captain!" Chloe, Kanata, Mena, and Yuri responded in unison, their voices full of determination.