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

appeared in the room, she instantly

"Sorry."

one you should

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

the cup and leaned back on the chair. Taking a sip of the wine, and savoring

at the age of 32, you truly are

"Mhhh, it's not that."

shook her head once she

the seat opposite of her, she looked at

fact that the mana in the air has suddenly become

another sip of the wine,

"I have."

and putting the wine glass down, Donna's face turned

the crack and that they are still studying it. For now, they told us to stay

"That's a good idea."

Monica nodded her head.

decided to switch the

you've reached rank, you probably won't be able

"...You're right."

her neck, she

really blame me

each other,

know yourself that I really can't control the fact that a huge crack appeared in the sky and the mana density of

know you're not at

situation, Donna did not blame her for the situation. Similarly glancing at the crack in the sky, she

that you won't be able to help me. The situation

"Wait."

head snapped in her direction.

Well, not perfect. After all, no one can replace

you talking

"Isn't it obvious?"

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

be good enough to help you. Plus, the mission isn't even

"Ah..."

last part of Monica's sentence, her

face deepened when she saw

He's the perfect

hair back, Donna smacked her lips before she

to admit it, but your suggestion

was no need

up. Taking out her phone, just as she was about to dial a number,

think this is the right time to tell him. I'll call him in a while to tell him

[Ren Dover]

at the caller ID that she was about to press,

more time to rest, he must still be tired after all the time he has been away. It

***

looks like the situation has

my words, everyone had managed to

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

"Hein, catch."

"Uh..what?!"

feet on the

"Watch it."

sitting next to him. Placing her hand behind

easily catch

managed to catch the thing I threw at him, he threw a grateful

"Thank you."

be too amused with Hein as she shook her

you to sit

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

"Sure."

legs on the table, Hein turned his hand and opened his palm

"What's this?"

as he examined the contents

the bottom of the flask, the look of confusion on his face only