The Author's POV

Thud—!

Softly landing on the ground, Monica's hair gently fell over her shoulders. Opening her eyes, she lowered her head and glanced at her hand.

"So this is how it feels to break through to rank."

She quietly mumbled.

The sensation was completely different from when she was rank. She couldn't quite explain it, however, if she had to put it into words, it felt as though her connection with the mana in the air had significantly improved.

With just a simple thought, she could will the mana in the air as she wanted.

Raising her hand, she waved it in the air. What followed after the simple gesture was an incredible scene.

The moment Monica's hand swiped right, the red particles that were floating in front of Monica all froze in the air. Following this, as though Monica's hand was a magnet, they all rushed toward her hand.

A thin bright red coating soon formed on Monica's hand, creating some sort of gauntlet.

Gazing at her newly formed gauntlet, a look of amazement appeared on Monica's face.

"....So this is how it feels to truly agglomerate mana."

Mana agglomeration.

A technique that she was able to replicate when she was rank and was supposed to be something that only rankers could use.

If before her technique was unrefined and still weak, it was now no longer that as the mana expenditure had decreased drastically, and so did the power that was held within it.

Clenching and unclenching her hands repeatedly, Monica looked towards the sky as her pupils started to shine with an orange glow.

Arching her back, Monica clenched her fists as tightly as possible and punched towards the sky.

At the exact moment she punched out, the space around her distorted and a massive orange beam shot towards the sky with unprecedented speed and power.

BOOOOOM—!

A defeating explosion akin to that of the sound barrier breaking apart rang through the sky as circular pressurized wind gales began to expand out from the area Monica punched out, spreading throughout the sky like forever expanding rings.

"...Not bad."

Gazing at the sky, Monica muttered in a satisfied tone.

"Let's try adding a little bit more power."

Still excited by her newfound power, Monica decided to test out her powers once again.

Arching her body backward once again, the red particles floating in the air gathered around her at an even faster rate as the glow around her arm intensified considerably. As a result of this, the gauntlet in her arm thickened up.

It didn't take long for Monica to gather enough mana to once again release another attack, however, just as she was once again about to punch out in the air, a voice rang from the distance.

"Monica stop!"

Frowning, Monica looked toward where the voice came from, and there she saw Donna looking at her from the glass window of the building she was previously in.

"Donna?"

The moment she recognized Donna, her eyes returned to their normal color and the glow in her hand disappeared.

"What's wrong?"

Monica curiously asked as she looked at Donna. In response to her question, Donna looked toward the ground.

"Have a look for yourself."

Following her line of sight, Monica's face froze.

"Wha...err."

Gazing at the sea of people that were staring at her from below, Monica finally realized just how much of a scene she had caused.

'I messed up...'

nose in embarrassment, Monica took a step in the sky

she appeared in the room, she

"Sorry."

the one you should

down on a sofa. Once she sat down, her line of sight paused on an unfinished cup of wine that was resting on the

chair.

age of

"Mhhh, it's not that."

head once she

seat opposite of her,

you?... The fact that the mana in the air

another sip of the wine, Donna

"I have."

lips together and putting the wine glass

and Douglas about the situation, they've told me that they currently don't know anything about the crack and that they are still

"That's a good idea."

Monica nodded her head.

Donna decided to switch

you've reached rank, you probably won't

"...You're right."

awkward look on her face when she replied. Scratching her neck, she looked at the crack in the sky and

can't really blame me

fingers touching each other, Monica pursed

really can't control the fact that a huge crack appeared in

I know you're not

did not blame her for the situation. Similarly glancing at

of us could've ever predicted, it's just a pity that you won't be able to help me. The situation would've been a

"Wait."

in her direction. Snapping her fingers, she

a perfect replacement for me. Well, not perfect.

you talking

"Isn't it obvious?"

a mysterious smile, Monica leaned back on her chair and crossed

he won't be as good as me, he should be good enough to help you. Plus, the mission

"Ah..."

heard the last part of Monica's sentence, her eyes opened

smile on Monica's face

do you say? He's the perfect replacement isn't

her hair back, Donna smacked her lips before she closed her eyes and

admit it, but your suggestion is quite

there was no need

up. Taking out her phone, just as she

what, I don't think this is the right time to tell him. I'll call him in a while to tell

[Ren Dover]

the caller ID that she

must still be tired after all the time he has been

***

the

that there was no more shaking, I finally relaxed and looked toward the others. After my words, everyone had managed to calm down, and everyone was no longer as tense as when the

in Hein's direction, I tapped on my bracelet and threw something

"Hein, catch."

"Uh..what?!"

his feet on the table

"Watch it."

was sitting next to him. Placing her hand behind his chair, she managed to stabilize

easily catch the thing I threw at

threw at him, he threw a grateful

"Thank you."

to be too amused with Hein as she shook

tell you

does that have to do with anything? I didn't expect him to throw something at me. I

"Sure."

table, Hein turned his hand

"What's this?"

he examined

head to look at the bottom of the flask, the look