Elena raised her hand, signaling for them to stop in their tracks."Hold it right there."

Aliana and Gaiza came to a halt, their guard raised. They exchanged a quick glance, wary of Elena's presence. It was clear that she was a formidable opponent and likely held valuable information about the headmaster's plans.

Elena studied them both with a critical gaze. "You've made quite a mess getting this far," she remarked, her tone cold and calculated. "But you won't go any further. The headmaster has important matters to attend to, and she won't be disturbed."

Aliana's grip on her icy sword tightened. She knew they couldn't afford to back down now, not when they were so close to uncovering the truth.

"What does the headmaster intend to do, and why are you so loyal to her, Elena?"

Elena's lips curved into a sly smile which revealed nothing. "You ask too many questions, Princess Aliana. Some things are better left unanswered."

Gaiza, standing beside Aliana, couldn't help but feel a sense of unease. She knew that Elena's loyalty to the headmaster was one that was absolute. it was clear that she would do whatever it took to protect her.

Aliana, however, wasn't one to back down easily. She took a step forward, her icy sword at the ready. "We won't be stopped, Elena," she declared. "Not when we've come this far."

Elena's red eyes bore into Aliana's, and for a moment. It seemed as though she might relent, but then she spoke in a low, ominous tone, "You underestimate the headmaster's power, don’t you Princess? You may have broken free from her control, but that doesn't mean you can defeat her. I may not stop you but I can at least prevent you from interfering with her plans!"

Before Aliana could respond, a sudden commotion echoed through the corridor. The sound was followed by a telepathic message from a familiar voice.

"Sword god Aliana?! Headmaster, Aliana's broken free of your aura pressure and found out what we've been up to!"

While Aliana and Gaiza stood their ground and faced off against Elena and the impending threat of the headmaster's power, a sudden presence made itself known. From the shadows behind them, a figure emerged, casting an eerie and ominous aura over the corridor.

It was Arlysa, the formidable elite of the Magic Academy.

Arlysa's eyes, dark and piercing, assessed the situation before her. "Well…. well… Princess Aliana, it seems you've been quite busy. Turning traitor, breaking free, and now causing trouble for the headmaster."

Aliana charged her sword with her icy energy giving it an aura around it. She was ready for combat and met Arlysa's gaze without fear. "I won't let the headmaster's plans continue to be unchecked."

Arlysa, however, had more to reveal. She continued, her tone dripping with a hint of bitterness, "Your betrayal has left the Magic Academy in disarray, Princess. Two turncoats, one death, and now the headmaster's precious plans are in jeopardy."

Gaiza couldn't help but feel a pang of guilt. She knew that Aliana's actions had set off a chain of events that were changing the fate of the Magic Academy, and it was a heavy burden to bear.

"The headmaster's plans were never right to begin with," she retorted. "I once believed in that woman, but then I found out the truth. I won't stand by while she continues to harm innocent mages."

After a brief pause, Arlysa began speaking

"Before this chaos unfolded, the headmaster had plans to add a fifth member to the Elite Mages. This individual possesses magical capabilities so immense that they rival her own. The reason for this power lies in their ability to control not one, not two, but four elemental affinities."

Aliana's eyes widened in astonishment, and Gaiza's gaze mirrored her disbelief. The thought of someone with such incredible power was staggering. The Magic Academy had always been at the forefront of magic research, but this revelation was beyond anything they had expected.

"The headmaster... she was planning to add a fifth member to the Elite Mages?" Gaiza said while raising one hand up to her mouth"Someone with control over four elemental affinities? That's... that's unheard of."

Aliana’s eyes narrowed in thought."This fifth person, who could rival the headmaster's power... who is it?"

Arlysa, her dark voice carrying an unsettling edge, revealed the name that made their faces drop in doom. "Mystimona."

Aliana's brows furrowed in confusion. The name was unfamiliar to her, but Gaiza's eyes widened with recognition. "Mystimona... I've heard rumors about him, but I never thought they were true!"

Arlysa nodded slowly, confirming Gaiza's suspicions. "Oh, it's no rumor. Mystimona possesses unparalleled magical capabilities, and the headmaster had intended to harness that power. But he sought to escape the Magic Academy, and for that, she locked him away."

Aliana and Gaiza finally began to understand what was going on here. The headmaster's ambitions, Mystimona's incredible abilities, and the chaos that had been unleashed were all intertwined. They couldn't help but wonder why Arlysa was sharing this information.

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"Why are you telling us all of this?" Aliana questioned, "What is your intention?"

Arlysa's dark smile sent a shiver down their spines as she revealed her true motives. "Because, Alian, you see, not only is Mystimona under the headmaster's control, but he's under my control as well. He'll do whatever I command, and soon, we'll ensure that the Magic Academy bows to our will."

Aliana's features contorted into a cold, icy smile that sent a shiver down Gaiza's spine. It was a smile devoid of warmth.

Elena, who had been silently observing the tense exchange, spoke up hesitantly. "I... I should inform the headmaster about this. She needs to know what's happening here."

Arlysa's eyes flashed with a dangerous glint as she fixed her gaze on Elena."Elena, if you value your life, you will do no such thing."

The room grew colder as Arlysa's magic seemed to seep into the very air they breathed. Aliana and Gaiza exchanged uneasy glances. Arlysa had them cornered, and there seemed to be no way out.

With a cruel smile, Arlysa continued, "I have an offer for the three of you. Join me now, and you will be allowed to escape this island when I destroy it and the headmaster. The city awaits, and I could use your talents to ensure a smooth transition. This is the only way your lives will be spared"

Aliana with her icy smile, spoke with a hint of sarcasm, "Well, Elena, it seems our options are clear. Stay and face inevitable doom, or embrace a chance at a new life in the city. The choice is yours."

Elena, torn between loyalty to the headmaster and the fear of Arlysa's chilling threat, began to panic. Her breathing quickened, and beads of sweat formed on her forehead.

Aliana, noticing the panic in her eyes turned back towards Arlysa.

"Arlysa," Aliana began speaking low"you must have been planning this treachery for a very long time. To manipulate Mystimona and control him, to deceive even the headmaster... It's clear that the darkness within this school runs deeper than any of us could have imagined."

Gaiza, still frightened by the turn of events, nodded in agreement.

Elena, torn and trembling said,"But what do I do now? If I go along with this I’ll be betraying the headmaster, but...--"

Aliana, her fake smile faded. She approached Elena with a sense of empathy. She spoke in a hushed, reassuring tone, "Elena, I understand the turmoil you're feeling right now. But you must know that the headmaster's plans were doomed from the start. I've turned a blind eye to every atrocity she's committed, every evil act she's made me a part of."

Elena's eyes widened in shock. The realization that she had been unwittingly complicit in such dark deeds washed over her, leaving her feeling betrayed and conflicted.

"Moreover," Aliana continued, "the headmaster intended to abandon many students when she gathered enough energy to reach the city. That includes you, Elena."

Elena's initial shock gave way to anger, and she couldn't contain her outburst any longer. "That's a lie! The headmaster would never—"

But before she could finish her protest, Aliana held up a hand to silence her. "Do I have any reason to lie in this situation? The headmaster's ruthless pursuit of power knows no bounds. She would have sacrificed us all in her quest for control."

Aliana's words struck a chord with Elena, and the truth began to settle in.

Gaiza spoke up next."Princess Aliana is right, Elena. We were deceived, and it's time to make a choice—one that might save our lives and help put an end to this darkness."

Elena's face contorted with a whirlwind of conflicting emotions. Memories flooded her mind, of days bathed in the headmaster's praise, of wearing the special approval seal with pride. The headmaster's words had been like a symphony to her ears, each note a validation of her worth. She had basked in the glory of being chosen by such a powerful figure, reveling in the sense of purpose it bestowed upon her.

But now, those memories clashed with the unsettling truth she had just learned. Elena's loyalty wavered as she grappled with this harsh reality.

Elena's gaze remained fixed on the ground, defeated and torn by the choices before her.

“This….”

Aliana, her icy facade unwavering, finally spoke up. "Elena, it's clear you're struggling with this decision. But I can't afford to wait any longer. I've made the choice for you, and we won't be joining Arlysa in her treacherous plans."

As Aliana's words hung in the air, Arlysa's eyes gleamed with a malevolent glint. She had anticipated this outcome and had been prepared for a confrontation from the beginning.

With a sinister smile, Arlysa readied herself for battle. Dark magic surged around her, and the room grew colder as she prepared to face Aliana, Gaiza, and Elena.

Arlysa's dark blasts of magic surged forth from her staff towards Aliana, Gaiza, and Elena. With grace and precision, Aliana and Gaiza managed to avoid the deadly projectiles, dodging to the side and evading the impending threat.

They prepared to counterattack. Gaiza summoned her water blade, replicating the form of Aliana's icy sword. The two blades clashed with Arlysa's dark staff, and a tense struggle ensued.

Arlysa, wearing a sinister smile, seemed to take pleasure in their struggle. Despite the determination of Aliana and Gaiza, her dark magic was an overwhelming force of its own, and she held the upper hand.

With a surge of dark energy, Arlysa sent Aliana and Gaiza staggering backward. Aliana's complaint echoed through the chamber, frustration evident in her icy tone.

"I'm not at full strength, and if I were, I would be overpowering you right now."

Gaiza extended a hand to help Aliana up.

Arlysa, still holding her dark staff, acknowledged her own limitations with a hint of irritation. "You're not the only one who's faced those troublesome children. They proved to be more resilient than I expected, although... I possess more power than you do. I always have, haven't I?"

Aliana rose to her feet, her icy smile returning as she responded to Arlysa.

"Yes, you do have more power than me, but it takes more than power to defeat the likes of me. You underestimate the 'Sword God Aliana,' and that's a mistake you'll soon regret."

Arlysa's face twisted with frustration and anger at Aliana's taunts. "We'll see about that," she hissed, tightening her grip on her dark staff.

With a burst of dark energy, Arlysa launched another wave of attacks, this time more focused and relentless.

With a swift and practiced motion, Aliana swung her sword. The blade sliced through the atmosphere unleashing a chilling resonance through the chamber.

"Tengoku!"

Upon Aliana stating the sword's name, the blade gleamed with an otherworldly frost, and from it, a flurry of razor-sharp ice shards materialized. The shards, glittering with an eerie blue light, shot forth toward Arlysa. The sheer force of the attack, combined with her current weakened state, caused her face to contort with pain.

Arlysa summoned a dark barrier to shield herself from the onslaught of ice shards. However, even as the barrier protected her, a flicker of pain crossed her face, indicating the strain of maintaining her defenses against Aliana's assault.

The battle between the two Elite mages has just begun.