With her life force rapidly dwindling, the headmaster's speech came out strained and weak, her words filled with a defiant spirit that seemed unbreakable even in the face of her impending demise.
"Do you think... you've won?" she rasped, her laughter gone,"You may have defeated me, but you can never... change the world's natural order. Magic... will always rule. No matter what... you and your technology do."
She coughed weakly, struggling to maintain her composure as her life slipped away. "Out there, in the city, magic reigns... technology may advance, but it will... never surpass magic's might. I may die today, but remember... magic will endure... and one day, I…will rise again."
And with those final, haunting words, the headmaster's eyes grew vacant, and her body slumped, lifeless.
Kintovar stood tall while listening to the headmaster's fading words.
"I beg to differ," Kintovar declared firmly. "Technology has the potential to surpass magic, and my creations are living proof of that. We may be a new generation, but we carry the torch of progress and innovation. The world is ever-changing, and we will play a vital role in shaping its future."
She glanced at her companions. "Magic has its place in this world, but so does technology," Kintovar continued.
"Technology will surpass magic," Kintovar declared with confidence. "The day of that transformation is not a distant dream, but a rapidly approaching reality. I will be at the forefront of this change, and I will shape the world with innovation and progress. Even from the depths of whatever lies beyond, you shall bear witness to the ascent of technology."
Her companions stood beside her, a united front in their belief in the power of science and invention.
Haras's jubilant celebration filled the air, her excitement on display as she hugged onto Kintovar. However, Kintovar's demeanor remained serious.
"It's finally over, Kintovar!" Haras exclaimed.
But Kintovar's focus remained unwavering as she responded to Haras.
"Yes, but we can't celebrate just yet," she said firmly. "Our priority is to get Roselle, Risebelle, and Runebelle back to the lab safely."
Risebelle chimed in,"I still have 2 minutes before I'm shut down like my sisters for 48 hours," she reported.
Kintovar nodded, her mind already planning their next move. "Risebelle, in these 2 minutes, I need you to do one more thing," she said, her tone filled with purpose.
As Kintovar was about to give Risebelle her next command, a surprising turn of events unfolded. The Sword God Aliana, accompanied by her messenger Gaiza, emerged from the darkness of the Magical Academy building. They were joined by Elena, whose defeated look spoke volumes about the recent developments.
Kintovar and Aliana locked eyes, a tense atmosphere hanging between them as if they were about to engage in a confrontation. However, Aliana's unexpected words shifted the dynamics of the situation.
"Aliana," Kintovar said her name with a hint of surprise.
Aliana seemed to reflect on her past actions. She admitted, "I must look pretty stupid now for following the headmaster's orders for so long."
Kintovar shifted from surprise to a faint smirk at Aliana's words. With a sarcastic edge and a hint of amusement, she responded, "You don't say."
Aliana continued, "I'm at your mercy, Kintovar. If you choose, you can vaporize me right here, and I won't even flinch. I'll be frozen like an ice sculpture."
Gaiza, deeply concerned for her princess, couldn't bear to see Aliana speak like this. She stepped forward and implored, "Princess Aliana, please! Don't give up your life like this. There must be another way!"
Aliana's confession hung heavy in the air, her words carrying the weight of her past actions. She looked at Kintovar with regret.
"I've done horrible things, things I can't take back," she began, her eyes reflecting the weight of her choices. "I almost killed your creations, Kintovar. To me, they were enemies. I upheld the Magical Academy as one of the Four Elite Mages to repay a debt to the academy, which saved my life. Gaiza brought me in, and I don't regret that. But it's time for us all to realize our mistakes."
Tears welled up in Aliana's eyes, but she smiled through her inner turmoil. "The headmaster was plotting to betray us, and we were all too blind to see the truth. That's why I'm asking you, Kintovar, to end it. To kill me."
Aliana's gaze held an unusual Sorrow as she continued, "I know you want revenge for all the scientists that I, myself, was forced to kill at the orders of the headmaster. But my actions aren't ones that the Sword Gods back in my home would be proud of. Standing up for such things, it's... crazy, isn’t it..."
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Kintovar's actions were swift and decisive. She puts up her Bg-356 and pointed a small gun directly at Aliana's head.
“N-No…Don’t do it.. DON’T DO IIIIIT!!!!!!”
Gaiza's scream of protest echoed through the tense moment, but Kintovar remained resolute.
With a pull of the trigger, a click resonated in the air, but there was no deadly projectile, only confetti which suprised everyone.
"Aliana," she spoke coldly, "as of this day, you are dead, at least to me. I wanted to do it, but I realized that you were not the true enemy here, Aliana. The headmaster's brainwashing over most of the students was her greatest strength, and breaking free from that is your victory."
Her gaze shifted towards the Magical Academy, a symbol of their past and the headmaster's rule. Her tone grew firm as she proposed a course of action.
"We will leave this behind us," Kintovar declared. "The Magical Academy will be destroyed, as long as there are no objections."
Elena shouted suddenly with anger and despair while just gaining the strength to speak.
"You…you ruined everything, Kintovar!" Elena's words burst forth, her tone laced with bitterness. "The headmaster... she was everything to me! She gave me purpose, she gave me my orders, and now you... you've taken that away!"
Tears welled up in Elena's eyes, "I don't know what to do without her! She was... everything, and now she's gone! You... you destroyed my life!"
Kintovar remained stoic as she listened to Elena's impassioned outburst. Deep down, she felt a sense of pity for Elena and the others who had been under the headmaster's control.
However, Kintovar knew that showing pity in this moment wouldn't help anyone. With a composed demeanor, she addressed Elena.
"I understand that this is a difficult transition, Elena," Kintovar replied calmly. "But the headmaster's control was not a healthy way to live. During these next few days, you had better think long and hard about what you are going to do, because we will be leaving this island."
Elena's anger and grief seemed to ebb slightly as she listened to Kintovar's measured response. Her shoulders slumped, and she wiped away tears with the back of her hand.
"I... I don't know what to do," Elena admitted. "But I guess... I guess I have to figure it out, don't I?"
Kintovar nodded. "Yes, Elena. You have the chance to make choices for yourself now, and that can be a powerful thing."
With those words, Kintovar turned her attention back to the task at hand.
Aliana looked at Kintovar with curiosity and concern. "You're planning to leave the island, too?" she asked. "But how? The magical power from the forest is the only way, and the headmaster had some dark ritual involving sacrifices. Are you going to do the same?"
Kintovar placed one hand on her hip and stared at Aliana. "The headmaster had been using the magical power from the forest to try to leave this island, but yes, her methods were cruel and required sacrifices. Fortunately, her efforts have revealed a way for us to escape without such dark practices."
She continued. "With the knowledge we've gained from her experiments and the information we've gathered, we can harness the magical energy in a more ethical way. We'll use the power of science and technology to create a path out of here, one that doesn't harm anyone or anything in the process."
Kintovar turned to Risebelle. "Risebelle, it's time," she said firmly.
Risebelle nodded. She retrieved her cannon and aimed it at the magical academy building. With a powerful blast, the structure crumbled, and its pieces tumbled into the ocean, disappearing beneath the waves.
Kintovar watched the destruction of the academy with a sense of closure. "It had to be done," she murmured.
Kintovar sighed, a weight lifting off her shoulders as the magical academy was reduced to rubble. She took a moment to collect herself, then turned to her companions.
"I think it's time for a fresh start," she declared. "I'll need a new uniform, a new lab coat, and I need to make a new pair of headphones. Let's get to work immediately. There's a lot to do!"
Mystimona, who had been quietly observing the scene, finally spoke up. "May I come along?”he asked.
Kintovar turned to him, her gaze thoughtful. After a moment of consideration, she nodded. "Yes, Mystimona, you can come along with us if you wish," she replied.
Aliana, standing with Gaiza, stepped forward as well. "Since the magical academy is no more, we no longer have a place to stay," she explained. "Would you be willing to accept us into your group?"
Kintovar regarded them both with a welcoming smile. "Of course.”
"You can all stay at my lab," she said, "but I must warn you, if you break anything, you're all out in the woods."
With the matter settled, they prepared to leave the remnants of the magical academy behind and embark on a new chapter together.
Haras gently hoisted Roselle and Risebelle over her shoulders.
"The creations have indeed worked tirelessly today," Haras remarked. "They all deserve a well-earned and peaceful rest."
Kintovar followed Haras' lead, gently placing Runebelle over her shoulder, ensuring that her creations were safe and secure. She nodded in agreement with Haras' sentiment.
"Yes, they've earned their rest," Kintovar said with pride and affection for her creations.
"Well, I hope they don't even dream of more battles tonight. We could all use a break."
As they walked, Haras couldn't help but say something after thinking about it,
"Imagine the headmaster actually coming back to life one day, what if she casted auto-revive on herself,” Haras said with a playful shiver, “She did seem quite convinced of it. Maybe we should keep an eye out for any 'resurrections' in the future."
Kintovar chuckled at the remark.
“Well if she does indeed return, we will have all the tools we need to defeat her once again. Her Magic will not best our creations.”
After they arrived back at Kintovar's lab, Kintovar carefully placed Runebelle in her tank on the second floor, ensuring she was in a peaceful and stable condition. Meanwhile, Haras began the process of settling Roselle and Risebelle into their respective tanks.
Kintovar glanced around the lab, a feeling of nostalgia washing over her.
"It has been a while, hasn't it, Haras?" Kintovar remarked. "But now, it's time to get everything back in order."
Haras took a moment to reflect as she placed Roselle and Risebelle in their respective tanks. Her hand lingered on Risebelle's cheek, a gesture of both affection and reassurance.
“It sure has,. Oh, how I've missed this place!”
Kintovar nodded in agreement as she started the tanks, allowing the liquid to envelop her creations once more. The lab was once again filled with the soft hum of machinery and the gentle presence of her creations, and it felt like a homecoming.
Kintovar smiled at Haras, a sense of optimism in her eyes. Kintovar's words she twirled around, and laughed like mad.
“Haras. This is the start of a new chapter, and we're going to make the most of it. We'll escape to the city and embrace the future, leaving the past behind us!”
Haras embraced Kintovar, a smile lighting up her face. "To the City," she repeated, their journey ahead filled with possibilities and a bright future.