Chapter 15: Mana Extractors

  Dr. Kintovar listened attentively to Risebelle.

  "It was... the Magic Academy's elite squad," Risebelle admitted. "I couldn't get close to the mana extractors without risking my life, but to be fair, I fought all 4 of their elite mages at once. Funny that they needed all four of them to nearly take me down."

  As Dr. Kintovar listened to Risebelle's account of the encounter with the Magic Academy's elite squad, her face grew increasingly concerned.

  After Risebelle had finished speaking, Dr. Kintovar stepped forward, embracing Risebelle tightly.

  “Kintovar, please, there's no need for this," Risebelle protested with her cheeks slightly flushed. She tried to pull away."I'm perfectly fine! I don't need to be treated like a child! I-I'm your creation, not your daughter. Now release me, woman!"

  Dr. Kintovar gave a hearty “Ho ho ho!” at Risebelle’s protest. “Not my daughter, eh? Getting out of a situation like that must have taken a ton of effort. I’m…sorry I wasn’t able to provide more assistance with your mission.”

  Risebelle’s face softened just slightly. “I didn’t call for you to do anything, so don’t apologize.”

  Kintovar sighed and released Risebelle from the embrace. “You’ve always been the serious one, Risebelle. Stubborn to a fault. But that’s also what makes you reliable.” She offered a small smile before stepping back. “Regardless, you’ve earned a rest. Go up to the tanks and recover properly.”

  Risebelle huffed but nodded. Kintovar chuckled while motioning for everyone to follow her. They ascended to the second floor, where the restorative tanks awaited. As Risebelle approached one, Kintovar said, “Rest well, Risebelle. You’ve more than earned it.”

  Risebelle glanced back. Roselle gave her a wave, accompanied by a toothy smile. “Good night, Risebelle!” Roselle called.

  Risebelle sighed and took a deep breath. She squinted at them all before closing her eyes and stepping into the tank. The glass sealed around her as the glowing fluid began its work.

  Dr. Kintovar adjusted her sunglasses and stretched her arms with a yawn. “Alright, I’ve got to get back to work. There’s no time to rest if we’re going to handle this Academy nonsense properly. Roselle, Runebelle—feel free to do as you like until Risebelle wakes up, but don’t even think about leaving the lab right now. Is that clear?”

  Roselle gave a small salute. “Got it! No sneaking off.”

  Runebelle nodded her head sadly.

  Kintovar checked her watch. “9 PM already... The Academy won’t keep their extractors out overnight, but just in case, I’ll send a few scout bots to keep an eye on things.”

  She motioned toward a nearby workbench where several small, spider-like machines were perched.

  “They’re nothing fancy,” Kintovar said with a shrug. “Basic reconnaissance bots. Lightweight, fast, and programmed to transmit visuals back here in real-time. Don’t expect them to fight. They’re purely for intel.”

  Roselle knelt down to get a closer look, tilting her head. “Huh… They’re kinda cute. Like tiny robo-spiders.”

  With a simple tap on Kintovar’s wrist device, the scout bots activated and scurried toward a hidden chute in the wall. One by one, they disappeared into the night.

  “Alright, kiddos. Behave yourselves. And try not to break anything,” Kintovar said while making her way downstairs.

  Roselle turned to Runebelle with curiosity. “So… what do you wanna do?”

  Runebelle glanced down at the floor. “I… I don’t know….”

  Roselle hummed, tapping her chin in thought. “Hmm… then let me think of something! It’s been a crazy day, and you look like you could use some fun. How about—” She clapped her hands together suddenly, startling Runebelle. “Oh, I’ve got it! We could explore the storage rooms! Bet there’s all kinds of cool stuff we haven’t seen yet.”

  Runebelle tilted her head. “Is that… allowed?”

  Roselle grinned mischievously. “Dr.Kintovar said not to leave the lab, but technically the storage rooms are inside the lab, sooo…” She threw her hands up. “Loophole! As long as we don’t break anything!”

  A faint smile tugged at the corner of Runebelle’s lips. “I guess…”

  The Next Day:

  A new day spawned on the laboratory. Risebelle, Roselle, and Runebelle stood in formation. Dr. Kintovar, perched atop a special platform prepared to address her creations.

  "Attention, everyone," Dr. Kintovar began. "I have two significant announcements to make today. First, I'm pleased to inform Roselle and Runebelle that their new outfits are ready. They have been meticulously designed to enhance your abilities and provide the necessary protection during missions."

  An assistant robot handed each creation their respective attire:

  Roselle now had on an orange mage-type outfit with a matching hat adorned with yellow gems felt like a perfect fit. She marveled at the craftsmanship and the way it seamlessly incorporated her lightning affinity, which was represented by the yellow gem on her hat and skirt.

  Runebelle had a green and pink nurse-inspired outfit with its pink gems. It was as if the outfit had been designed while taking into consideration her unique green energy affinity.

  Roselle turned to Runebelle with an expectant smile. "What do you think, Runebelle? Do you like your new outfit?"

  Runebelle’s face remained sad, but she managed a small smile. "I do like it, Roselle," Runebelle replied softly. "It's... its very pretty, and it feels ‘right’, somehow…"

  Dr. Kintovar’s face grew somber. "Now, for the second matter. The Mystical forest's mana is being rapidly drained. My estimations suggest that the Academy of Magic has drained approximately 45% of the forest's mana by now."

  Roselle raised up a hand with her brows in confusion. “Wait a minute, Dr.Kintovar, didn’t you say yesterday that the Academy wouldn’t keep their extractors running overnight? What gives?”

  This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.

  Dr. Kintovar adjusted her sunglasses. Her face darkened with displeasure. “Indeed, I did. Unfortunately...” She sighed and paced the platform like a restless storm cloud. “The mages worked through the night. It seems they’re very desperate.”

  Roselle’s jaw dropped slightly. “What? But they—”

  “Ah, ah, ah” Dr. Kintovar interrupted, raising a finger. “Before you panic, let me give you one crucial fact.” Her lips curled into a sly smile. “While they pushed themselves overnight, you three are well-rested, recovered and better equipped for the war. The Academy’s mages will undoubtedly be fatigued and far more prone to mistakes.”

  Risebelle smirked slightly and crossed her arms. “Hah. So they’ve overplayed their hand… those dumb humans…”

  “Precisely.” Dr. Kintovar nodded. “Their haste may have bought them some time, but it’s also their weakness. And we’re going to exploit it. I’ve modified the plan accordingly. Your objectives are simple but critical: eliminate the humans interfering with the forest and deactivate their mana extractors.”

  She pressed a button on her wrist device, and a hologram of a metallic machine projected above the platform. The device gleamed with pulsing blue energy.

  “This,” Dr. Kintovar announced with pride, “is our secret weapon. My Mana Extractor—a masterpiece of engineering and magic. Unlike the Academy’s crude and destructive designs, mine extracts mana in controlled bursts. This extractor will be the key to building a colossal structure spanning over a thousand miles, stretching across the ocean that imprisons us on this wretched island. With it, we’ll gain access to the city on the mainland, where untold resources and opportunities await.”

  Dr. Kintovar descended from the platform, walking up to the trio with her hands now behind her back. “As the eldest, Risebelle, you will lead this mission. Your strategic, resourceful and most importantly, reliable. Your sisters will look to you for guidance.”

  Risebelle maintained a serious look. “Understood, Kintovar.”

  Dr. Kintovar turned to Roselle and Runebelle. “Roselle, your lightning affinity will be crucial in disabling the Academy’s machinery. You’ll need to move quickly and strike with precision.”

  Roselle gave a salute with a grin. “Got it! Zap the bad guys and their toys!”

  “And Runebelle,” Dr. Kintovar continued with her tone softening slightly. “Your abilities will be essential for support. Your green energy affinity has been shown to have incredible use for healing and reinforcement. Keep your sisters safe and focused.”

  Runebelle hesitated but nodded slowly. “I’ll… I’ll do my best.”

  Dr. Kintovar’s face darkened once more. “There is still one more matter I must address.”

  Roselle straightened at Dr. Kintovar's tone. “What’s that?”

  “The Headmaster.”

  “Headmaster?” Runebelle echoed softly with confusion. “Of the Academy?”

  Dr. Kintovar nodded slowly. “Yes. She’s the one pulling the strings. I suspect she won’t remain passive for much longer. The mages under her command will do what they can to hold the line, but when things begin to turn against them, the Headmaster will likely appear to intervene directly.”

  “The Headmaster is no ordinary mage. She’s a psychic, with the ability to control and manipulate others with her aura. When she releases her aura, she can freeze the will of others—control their actions, their thoughts. If you aren’t prepared, you’ll be paralyzed by it, unable to move, to think.”

  Roselle’s eyes widened. “That...That’s what she was using against us the first time we saw her...”

  Dr. Kintovar’s eyes gleamed with cold calculation. “There’s only one way to protect yourselves. If the Headmaster appears, you must shout the word ‘Lip Glaze.’”

  Roselle blinked. “Wait—what? Lip Glaze?”

  Dr. Kintovar’s lips curled into a slight smile. “Yes. Trust me. The word will disrupt her focus—disrupt her control over you. You need to yell it as soon as you sense her presence.”

  Roselle’s eyes widened as understanding slowly dawned on her. “Ohhh, I get it now!”She looked up, grinning widely. “It’s like when someone’s super serious, and then they realize their lips aren’t actually glazed! Like, ‘Whoa, I thought I was gonna get eaten by something, but nope, my lips are just... normal!’”

  Risebelle’s face went deadpan as Roselle rambled on, but before she could even register her words fully, she swiftly grabbed Roselle’s face with both hands. She began pinching Roselle’s cheeks with a tight grip. “There’s no way it’s as stupid as that!”

  Roselle squirmed, trying to wriggle free of Risebelle’s grasp, but the older girl’s hands kept a firm hold on her. “Ow, ow, ow! Come on, Risebelle! ‘Lip Glaze’ makes total sense in my world, okay?!”

  “You’re not going to yell some nonsense in the middle of a battle because your lips are suddenly ‘glazed.’”

  Roselle winced and finally managed to pull away. She rubbed her sore cheeks. “Okay, okay! I get it! Serious time. Got it. Geez, no need to get so worked up…”

  Dr. Kintovar watched the exchange between the two creations with an amused smirk playing at the corners of her lips. She shook her head slowly. "You two are quite a spectacle," she said with a dry chuckle. "Well, I’ll leave everything in your capable hands, Risebelle."

  She adjusted her lab coat with a sense of finality. "I’m joining you for this mission, but I still need to prepare a few things before I leave the lab.”

  Risebelle nodded curtly. Dr. Kintovar gave them a nod and turned, heading towards a secluded part of the lab to finish her preparations.

  With the dismissal clear, the trio walked out of the giant door on the first floor of the lab and into the Mystical forest.

  The moment their feet touched the forest floor, they noticed a change in their surroundings. The once vibrant forest had taken on a darker and more ominous hue than before.

  “Roselle," Risebelle began with concern, "this is not how the mystical forest normally should look or feel…Something is very wrong here."

  Runebelle, who was experiencing the mystical forest for the first time shuddered at the unsettling atmosphere. "Is this what the mana extractors have done to the forest?"

  Risebelle nodded. "The forest's mana is truly being drained at an alarming rate. We must hurry and find those mana extractors before it's too late."

  The three sisters, hidden in the dense foliage of the mystical forest moved through the forest and stopped upon encountering regular mages of the Academy of Magic surrounding a single mana extractor. Risebelle's eyes narrowed.

  "Maintain cover," Risebelle whispered. "When I give the signal, Roselle, take the mana extractor. It should create chaos and distract them long enough for us to engage." Roselle summoned her massive cannon-like weapon with her lightning energy crackling with anticipation around her body.

  Risebelle carefully gauged the situation, waiting for the right moment. When the opportunity presented itself, she raised her hand with fingers forming a signal.

  Roselle's lightning shot pierced the air with a thunderous crack, striking the mana extractor with pinpoint accuracy. The extractor exploded in a burst of magical energy, sending shockwaves through the ranks of the academy's mages.

  The Mages scrambled to respond to the unexpected attack but found themselves picked off by Risebelle’s medium sized Cannon with a silencer.

  Risebelle’s eyes scanned the area, locking onto the final mage—a lone figure crouched behind a broken tree trunk who tried to cast a retaliatory spell.

  Risebelle aimed at the mage's exposed side before he could get the chance. The mage crumpled to the ground with a dull thud.

  "That’s the last of them," Risebelle said curtly,. "We need to keep going."

  Roselle stood motionless for a moment.

  “Roselle!” Risebelle snapped. “Keep moving, you idiot!”

  Roselle blinked, slowly turning her head to look at Risebelle.

  “Come on! Stop standing around like a damn fool!” Risebelle hissed while dashing forward.

  Roselle shook her head. "Yeah, yeah. I’m coming, I’m coming."

  Meanwhile, a report of the situation was delivered to someone from the Magic Academy who sat gracefully upon a crafted ice chair within the heart of the mystical forest. Her pale blue hair cascaded around her shoulders, and her frosty blue and silver robes billowed gently in the breeze.

  A female messenger approached the woman.

  "Princess Aliana," the messenger began with a polite bow, "I bring you important news. One of the Seven Mana Extractors was just destroyed."

  Aliana's lips curled into a deceptive smile. "Ahhhh? Intriguing." Aliana replied with a serene tone. "Do go on, my dear. Tell me ‘everything’ about it."