A Stand Against the Beast

Sylphia's voice carried a tone of calm insight amid the chaos, her ethereal form shimmering in the dim light of the lab. "The sword didn't unseal. It might be because it has reached its 5th grade, acknowledging Aqua's mana, which is somewhat equal to that of a 5th-circle user," she explained, her emerald eyes briefly meeting Aqua's.

Aqua's mind raced as Sylphia's words took root. He recalled something Ray had told him long ago, a moment now tinged with bittersweet memories. "Don't be too fixated on magic circles; think beyond them," Ray had said as he worked on creating a new mana reserve on Aqua's neck. But before he could teach Aqua how to harness the reserve, he disappeared. Aqua shook off the longing and focused, knowing he had no time for reflection. Even if Kian had a similar reserve on his neck, his approach to utilizing it as both a mage and swordsman differed entirely.

The group exchanged glances, their expressions etched with desperation as the realization set in—Darkness remained sealed, and their last hope seemed out of reach. With a solemn expression, Ron handed the contract back to Aqua, his grip tight with frustration.

Across the room, the monster appeared to grow more agitated. Their persistent dodges and minor strikes irritated it as if it were swatting at buzzing flies. Its claws dug deep into the stone floor, breaking chunks apart as it released a wave of immense mana pressure. The group staggered under the force, their movements frozen as the monster charged forward, each heavy step shaking the lab.

Sylphia, determined to shield the group, summoned wind barriers that swirled around them like protective whirlwinds. However, when the monster struck, the barriers shattered like glass against the overwhelming force. Sylphia grimaced, her expression clouded with frustration. If she were at full strength, this beast would be nothing more than a minor nuisance. But with Emilia unable to harness her full power, the limits of her summoned state became glaringly evident.

Aqua gritted his teeth and reached into his subspace. With swift precision, he retrieved a box Kian had given him—a mysterious artifact imbued with potential. Using mana stones stored within his subspace, he activated the box, transforming it into a radiant shield that enveloped the entire group. The shield shimmered with vibrant energy, standing firm against the monster's next blow, absorbing the mana pressure as sparks of light danced in the air. But moments later, cracks began to form, spreading across its surface before it shattered entirely.

The group's realization hit hard—the shield, designed to protect against anything below 8th-circle level, had failed. The monster's power surpassed even their worst estimations; it was undoubtedly at the level of an 8th-circle being.

Aqua's resolve hardened despite the crushing odds. With barely a second's pause, he teleported everyone but himself toward the door where Morbid had emerged, shouting with unwavering determination, "Run!"

Claire's voice broke through the haze of fear. "Come with us!" she pleaded, echoed by similar cries from the others.

But Aqua shook his head, his expression calm despite the chaos surrounding him. He knew the truth—the monster would follow them if he left, suppressing them once again under its mana pressure and ensuring their demise. They had to escape without him.

"Run," Aqua repeated firmly. "I can unseal Darkness—I have my own ways." Before any objections could arise, he teleported them once more, placing them inside the alley beyond the other door. The fading light of his Blink magic left him alone in the room, facing the monstrous creature head-on.

The lab seemed to grow darker, its shattered remnants bathed in eerie shadows cast by the dim lantern light. Broken glass glinted faintly amidst pools of spilled chemicals, while the creature's growls reverberated ominously through the walls. Aqua tightened his grip on Darkness, his gaze unwavering as the towering beast prepared to strike again.