Mina rests her hand on her cheek as she slouches over the table in the center of the camp. She watches a single ant skitter around on the table as it scavenges for food. Mina stares at the helpless ant and grabs a tiny crumb from the edge of the table and places it in front of the ant. The ant senses the large object and goes back and forth inspecting it until it takes a huge chunk off of it and skitters away. She slowly smiles feeling good.

"You look bothered. Is something wrong, little one?"

She turned to see who was speaking to her to see Zacharey. "Oh, it's nothing. I was just thinking about how I can be better to my big brother." She rests her head on the table defeated and pouting.

Zacharey sees her distraught face and sits beside her on the table. "What do you mean? From what Aufnier told me, it sounded like you helped him in a tremendous way."

"You really think so? I feel like I have done nothing but cause him trouble. Getting him nearly killed... because of me."

"Well... have you told him how you feel and what he thinks of you?"

"No I haven't but..."

"Then you shouldn't doubt yourself or make claims to something you haven't even asked of him on how he feels. Take heart to the words of this old geezer." He playfully rustles her hair consoling her. She smiles softly and agrees with Zacharey but still feels the sting in her heart. Aufnier comes in and puts her at ease as well.

"Don't worry Mina, your brother doesn't think of you as a problem in the slightest. In fact, he was tremendously grateful you saved him and is extremely proud of you." His bright warm smile soothes Mina's worrying heart knowing he actually feels that way.

"Thank you both, that really means a lot. I just have some doubts sometimes but... you're right." She smiles and looks off to the side and see's the other group of adventures on guard and some relaxing. They were all from Yoseph's and Sillo's party. She wonders if Roth put her here for her safety or if he actually trusts her. Suddenly a faint whistle can be heard as it's playing a melancholic melody. The others one by one began to notice and turn towards the sound.

"Who's out there?! Show yourself!" Said one of the party members. Afunier quickly stood up in a defensive position as well as Zacharey. Mina quickly gets to her feet and pulls out her dagger from her side. The whistle begins to come closer until a woman with green hair and short twin tails emerges from the dirt path they came through. She had a small visible scar going down her right eye. Her hands were behind her back as if she was taking a leisurely stroll through a park. She wore a silver red metal armor that resembles a corset. A white and gold silk fabric was attached to her waist that only covered her backside as if it were part of a gown. Her arms had armor that reached nearly to her shoulder that looked to be in high craftsmanship, as if it were royal armor. She had red black thigh high sequin boots that were turned into armor pieces. She casually walks towards the group.

"Oh my, is this the little camp that was looking into the estate that's just a few moments away?"

Something is off as Mina clutches her dagger tightly. One of the party members from Yoseph's party speaks, " That's none of your business lady. Leave, you're interfering with a mission."

"Mmmm, no. I don't think I will. What kind of sister would I be if I flaked out."

"Huh? The hell you talking about...wait...no it can't be..."

Mina sees the realization on the member's face as it's filled with dread. Zacharey and Aufnier stand in front of Mina to protect her.

"Bingo! Wow, such a smart boy you are, I should clap for you… hahaha ooooh that joke never gets old hahaha!"

Mina's face turned to shock as when the mysterious lady went to clap her hands her right arm was missing just slightly below the elbow. Only the same design covered her arm and had an unusual pattern than the other arm. The end of the stump looks to be a connector for something, as an attachment. " Oh boy, at least one person is smart enough to recognize me. Are you all as bright as him or do I have to spell it out for you?"

"You're Ophelia, the flame witch for the sleeping tyrant." Zacharey said in a most cautious tone.

"Hey good job old man, you know your stuff too. As much as I want to stay and play, I need to take you guys out, sorry not sorry. You know how it goes."

"Like hell you will!"

"We're not scared of you!"

"We are part of the great elite! You will fall, you cursed wench!"

The various members of the party prepared themselves for battle, not letting Ophelia get inside their heads. On the other hand, Aufnier and Zacharey remained silent watching every movement she made.

"Oh how wonderful! I do love a fighting spirit. Tell me, all of you, can your words match your skill?" She grins sinisterly and reaches from behind with her intact arm and slowly pulls out a type of metallic belt that had a rod at the end she was holding. Its movements were as if she was holding a whip.

"I don't think so skank!" One member ran towards her, sword drawn, to stop her from finishing what she was doing. Aufnier yelled at the man to stop but it was too late. Her slight chuckle was haunting as she inhaled deeply and let out a gust of air. As soon as the air expelled out of her lungs, an intense barrage of heat blasted from her lips as if she were a dragon. The man drops the sword and immediately turns away flailing his arms around as his shriek rips the air. The flames didn't seem to disperse, rather, seemed to grow in intensity on the poor soul. She lets out a maniacal laugh as the man squirms on the ground as his flesh melted and withered away.

She then proceeds to jam the rod into the stump of her missing limb and proceeds to twist the ring around her arm. The loose free hanging sheet of metal instantaneously turned into a straight locked in placed sword as she did a slice motion in the air. The edges were razored and can see all the ridges of the blade that was keeping it all together. The confidence in all the men were rattled but were now cautious. Ophelia's insane dead eyes looked at the members as if they were food. She rushes towards the nearest party member and delivers a powerful thrust into his belly. She laughs and licks her lips as if she wasn't satisfied enough. She yanks out the blade from his gut and pointed at the group. The blood stained steel dripped slowly.

"Come now. This isn't fun if I'm the only one doing everything."

This book's true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience.

The group was enraged, and all charged towards the psychotic woman. Aufnier and Zacharey stayed back to protect Mina. Mina watched the men as they swung their blades at her, but she manages to dodge and parry them back. She wanted to help but didn't want to get in their way, so she tugged on Aufniers' robes. "Sir please let me help, from here at least."

"Are- are you sure Mina? This is dangerous for you, you need to-"

"PLEASE, I beg of you, let me help." Aufnier looked towards Zacharey as he nodded to let her help.

"Alright then, please be careful."

She nods with determination and takes a few steps forward. Mina holds her hands together in a praying form and reaches out with both her hands out towards the fighting. Two magic circles emerge from her palms and spin in a slow circular motion. It glowed brightly with a greenish white aura. Soon the group of adventurers began to glow and felt even more riled up, even casting onto the ones that were severely wounded from her bloodlust. Ophelia notices this and sees Mina casting her spell. Ophelia crouches into a fetal position and lets all the members get closer. As soon as they surround her, she jumps high into the air and blasts everyone around her. They were sent flying with burns across their armor and faces.

She quickly lands in front of Mina and points her bladed arm towards her. She gives an evil grin to her, "You're the one making all those people glow."

Aufnier charges to protect Mina and raises a wall of earth between the two girls. Mina was startled, she didn't know Aufnier was a magic user for earth element. A whistle can be heard above, and both look towards the sky. Ophelia managed to jump high over the wall as both her feet were in flames. She used her fire element to propel herself into the air at tremendous speed. Aufnier's face was in disbelief as he had no time to block from him still casting his magic. Ophelia swung her blade as she made her landing and sliced down Aufniers chest.

Mina screamed and kneeled beside him lifting his head up. He was still alive but greatly wounded clenching his teeth from the pain. She quickly cast her healing spell on him trying to close the wound quickly. Mina looked back and saw Zacharey fighting off against Ophelia. Their swords clashed making sparks fly with such vigor. Ophelia makes one powerful swing against Zacharey and his blade gets stuck between the teeth of the blade. Ophelia then proceeds to roundhouse kick him on his throat, sending him back choking.

She slowly walks towards Mina and kicks her away from Aufnier. Mina quickly got back up and pulled out her dagger that Roth had given her.

"Wait a second... I know you, you're Touma's special little pet aren't you?"

"I'm not his pet! I'm not anyone's pet!"

"Oh I see, it makes no difference to me. Getting you back on top of this will surely get me some praise from my brother." She strafes slowly around Mina as she has her dagger up defensively. The other members slowly began to awake from Ophelia's blast.

"Ugh, such a nuisance, like gnats on rotten food." she flicks wrist and a giant wall of red flames encircles the two cutting off entry from the others. The blaze was so intense that Mina was already profusely sweating. The others saw the blaze and tried to enter but it was impossible. One tried to stick his hand but was nearly incinerated making his glove that he wore fuse directly into his skin. Mina can hear the screams on the other side of the hell wall. Ophelia was reckless in her way of attacking. The flame wall was so powerful the embers that it gave off was slowly starting to set the surrounding area of the forest ablaze as well.

"I've heard stories that the man that saved you has interesting qualities. He was even teaching you to be better apparently. I want to see it for myself. Are you ready to die squirt?"

Mina stood quiet waiting for her to strike. Ophelia giggles and charges straight at her to pierce her chest. But her charge was immediately blocked by some invisible barrier. With her light magic, Mina quickly set a barrier up without Ophelia noticing. As Ophelia staggered for a moment, Mina quickly slashed her dagger through the barrier just slightly nicking her cheek. Ophelia stepped back feeling her cheek and the blood that was oozing out. Her stunned expression soon turns into a sinister smile. "Oh you're just full of surprises aren't you squirt! Let's have even more fun then, shall we?!"

She grabs onto the ring that was connected to her missing limb and turns it until it clicks once. The blade on her arm extended itself and was flow freeing, turning it into a whip like weapon. A flame soon began to spiral around the blade until it became engulfed in the flames. She ran towards Mina and whipped across the barrier slowly pushing her back. Her maniacal laughter gets louder as she continues to whip the barrier with her flamed blade whip. "Oh c'mon are you just gonna stand there! Do something! Show me some resolve!" Ophelia was relentless and wasn't giving Mina any chance to make a move. Mina's back was getting hotter and soon realized she was being pushed back into the flames. She quickly set another barrier to hold her in place but now she is stuck between a hellish woman and hell fire.

"I expect more from you little girl. But I guess you're just a push over like any other small girl!" Ophelia's taunting is getting on Mina's last nerve. With no choice she quickly tries to think what she can do in a situation like this from one of Roth's lessons. She quickly removed the barrier from her back and used a light spell and blinded Ophelia. She stepped back feeling her eyes burn from the intensity of light. She quickly rubbed her eye but was instantly slammed by Mina's barrier. She was sent flying but quickly landed on her feet. Ophelia was enraged and quickly tried to slash her but was quickly smashed by the barrier again. Mina was making slapping movements at Ophelia and was using a small barrier the size of a shield to punch her at a distance. Roth's technique that she remembered was to think outside the box and use her ability for a greater advantage.

Ophelia snapped as she screamed into the air. She sucked in a large amount of air and proceeded to blast her at full force. Mina quickly shielded her blast but can feel the intense heat pushing her back. As soon as the flames stopped Ophelia was already in midair and landed on top of Mina and struck her down with her blade in its original straight form. The shield blocked the flaming blade but Ophelia refused to budge and continued to drive the sword deep into the barrier right into Mina's body. She added more flames to her blade to make it even hotter. Slowly the barrier was beginning to crack and Mina was getting desperate. Mina was grossed about the idea but had no choice. She snorted to get enough mucus in her mouth and proceeded to spit at Ophelias eyes to blind her. To her surprise it actually worked. Ophelia was in disgust and lifted her blade slightly up.

Mina grabbed a handful of dirt and tossed it directly into Ophelia's face which made her cough. Mina quickly ran from her and used the barriers as steps into the air as she tried to get a higher advantage point. As she was high enough, she laid a barrier flat so she could stand in the air. Mina's face was horrified as she had a clear view over the fire wall. A large chunk of forest was engulfed in flames. Plumes of black smoke filled the air. Her train of thought was interrupted as a fireball swooshed past her head. Ophelia was on the ground spitting fireballs from her mouth at a rapid pace. Mina wanted to end this game of hers and decided to make a risky move. She places another shining bright ball of light in between the two of them. Ophelia is unable to look up and can no longer see Mina in the air. She can hear Mina screaming slowly coming closer and closer. The light was slowly dimming down and when Ophelia was able to look up again a speeding Mina can be seen hurling towards her at an incredible speed. Both her hands were up as she had a barrier in front of her and another on her feet propelling Mina towards Ophelia. Ophelia's face turned to a realization as she tried to block but was too slow.

Mina struck Ophelia directly in the head with her barrier which made her stun locked. Mina propped herself upright and roundhouse kicked Ophelia midair on the side of her head making her fall to the ground. The flame on her blade was quickly extinguished which the flaming wall soon followed. Ophelia laid unconscious from the amount of trauma that was blown to her head. The members soon rushed and was shocked to see Mina still standing as the flame witch laid in the dirt humiliated. Mina dropped to the floor on her rear as she was exhausted from the fight. She healed herself and quickly used her barrier spell to box Ophelia just in case.

"I- I can't believe you-you won."

Mina sees Aufiner leaning on Zacharey still with the cut inflicted by Ophelia.

"Sit down sir! You shouldn't be moving!"

"Oh I'll be fine, don't worry. I'm tougher...than I really look." as he says with a strained breath.

Mina lays on the floor exhausted but proud that she was able to stop that wretched woman. She feels terrible she wasn't able to save a few of the men but was glad she was able to stop her, nonetheless. She worries about the others on how tough they might be, how tough it may be on Roth.