Moments before the flames condensed into a single point and the air crackled with the energy overload.

"It's useless! The barrier won't hold!"

"What do we do?!"

"Hold on...!"

The desperate cry of the mages could be heard, their faces sweating from the effort of channeling their Mana into the force field surrounding the arena while the ghostly wails emanating from the spectral fire became deafening.

"Keep calm!!"

"?!"

"?!"

"?!"

But at that moment, in the middle of the chaos, a thundering voice resonated, charged with authority, stopping the mages dead in their tracks.

"Listen! The attack is already too concentrated to nullify it! Redirect the barrier's power!"

That voice came from a stout man who rushed toward the edge of the arena with a build worthy of an assault tank, with thick arms and scars that told stories of battles. He wore light hardened leather armor, and his sun-tanned face was marked by three days' worth of beard. His eyes, despite the fury boiling within them, were sharp and experienced.

"Guild Master!"

Recognizing the man's appearance, the receptionist gasped in relief upon seeing the figure of authority.

"Now! We're going to redirect the force of that explosion toward the sky! Have everyone channel the excess Mana from the barrier upwards to change the trajectory of the explosion!"

The Guild Master gave orders at full speed, channeling his Mana into the barrier in an attempt to mitigate the damage of the attack inside.

(I don't even need to see it to know that thing is deadly)

However, at that precise instant, cutting short his thoughts....

"Bewitched Hearth Flame: Ignis!"

.... Mireya finished his preparation, raising his arm, secured by the other for better stabilization, with a smile on his face, his eyes glowing like a fluctuating kaleidoscope of colors, fixed on his target.

"DO IT NOW!!"

Thus, with no time to lose, in response to the Guild Master's shout, the mages present concentrated their will on the shield.

(PACT BRUOOM!!!)

And at the same time, Mireya launched the rotating fireball with his palm extended forward, releasing the attack.

(KABOOOOOOOOM!! RUUUUMBLE!!)

Thus, the magical barrier, which was on the verge of collapsing, warped and the force field opened up directly above the Golem, creating a kind of "chimney."

(FWOOOOOOOOOSSSSSSHHH!!!)

The sonic and visual explosion shook the foundations of the Guild, but instead of sweeping across the arena, the pillar of purple fire was masterfully redirected by the magical "chimney," roaring toward the open sky.

"RESIST!!"

Instead of sweeping across the arena, the pillar of purple fire roared toward the open sky.

(BASH! SHIIIING!)

The magical barrier groaned on the brink of collapse, resonating with a sharp, lamentable sound.

(So much power!!)

The Guild Master, with the veins in his neck bulging, kept the barrier's "ceiling" open by sheer willpower.

(VWHOOOSH! WSSHHH!)

The flame rose to the sky in a whirlwind of purple fire, spinning like an ascending vortex, briefly illuminating the entire outer square with an unnatural glow.

(ZZZCRACKLE!)

The air crackled around him, briefly illuminating the entire outer square with an unnatural glow, leaving a trail of ionized air and a profound silence.

"....."

Shija, who had covered his head, slowly opened his eyes, observing the charred arena.

"Darkness...?"

At that moment, looking around, he was confused to notice how, despite it being broad daylight, the light had suddenly seemed to vanish, as if it were night.

"What does it mean...?!"

Alarmed, Shija raised his head and looked up, through the scorched hole in the Guild's ceiling.

"!!"

And he was in shock at what he saw.

"Impossible...!!"

Above them, the blue sky was gone. In its place, there was a gigantic and perfect circular hole that extended all the way to the stratosphere, revealing the black void of space and distant stars.

(The column of fire hadn't dissipated; it had pierced the sky!)

Shija was stunned and in shock, yet he was not the only one.

"......."

"......."

"....."

"......"

"..."

For an astonished silence took hold of the entire Guild. Mages, warriors, the receptionist, and the Guild Master himself observed the vision that defied reality.

(Thump!)

But that sepulchral silence was broken by a sound that made all present react.

"Haaaa... Haaa... Still... Not... Perfect..."

Faced with the faint, exhausted murmur of a thin voice, all those present turned their heads to see Mireya, who seconds earlier had been standing, immersed in his concentration, now slumped on the ground, losing consciousness.

(Those are...!)

Then Shija realized, after the smoke cleared, that Mireya's unconscious body had been caught by the small silver armor and the golden straw doll, who reacted with lightning speed and in an instant slid to his side without anyone noticing.

"... Silver... Goldie... Sorry... for the inconvenience..."

In that way, after saying those words, Mireya completely fainted, at which Silver slid under his body, gently lifting him, while Goldie used his blanket-cape to cushion the fall, delicately placing the unconscious "mother" on the burnt ground.

"......"

Seeing the scene, the Guild Master, who had been about to roar due to the destruction, gaped, his fury replaced by total confusion.

"Hey! Are you alright?!"

But Shija, for his part, seeing Mireya fall, immediately ran toward the unconscious figure.

However...

("BACK!!")

("GET OUT...!!")

"!!"

.... Before he could get within a meter, the small silver armor and the golden straw doll interposed themselves in his way, taking a guard stance with terrifying synchronicity.

("STAY AWAY!!")

Silver stood in front of Mireya's body, unleashing a bloodlust at such an alarming level that it made everyone present step back.

"!!"

"What?!"

"!!"

"AGH!!"

And immediately afterward, an overwhelming presence overwhelmed everyone in the venue while the sensation of being observed by a snake spread uncontrollably, propagating through the arena, paralyzing Shija, who stopped dead in his tracks, with cold sweat running down his back.

"This overwhelming presence?!"

And even the Guild Master, an experienced one, also felt that pressure.

(This is a warning!!)

He clenched his fist, mentally understanding that it was a lethal warning.

(... No one is in a condition to fight... Damn!... I lack information)

Understanding that seeking trouble with those "things" was unwise, and seeing how they acted in a purely defensive manner, he came to the conclusion that they were simply protecting the "child" on the ground.

"Haaa... I understand"

Thus, the Master let out a heavy sigh of resignation, taking a step back.

"Ugh, so much pressure!!"

Shija, for his part, was on his knees at that moment, struggling to breathe, but still refusing to back down.

"Impressive"

"!!"

But at that moment, Shija heard a soft and ancient voice, resonating directly in his mind, without external sound.

"Human, I can understand your concern, and in acknowledgment, I speak to you."

The telepathic voice sounded feminine and calm, yet undeniably dominant.

"Listen well, my companion simply exhausted his energy all at once, so he will wake up in a while. However, these little ones are overprotective, so I advise you to take your distance right now."

"......"

Shija blinked, the cold sweat still running down his face.

(Telepathy? But from whom?!)

With no option but to nod affirmatively, feeling that the voice would not accept rejection, Shija slowly backed away until the pressure that enveloped his body vanished.

"Haaaa... Haaa... Haa... Phew..."

Thus, regaining his breath, Shija lay back on the floor, exhausted.

"You... You are Shija Retsu, right?"

But at that moment, the Guild Master focused his gaze on Shija, heading toward him despite his exhaustion.

"You and I are going to have a very, very long conversation in my office! Now!"

The mention of the Guild Master's office brought Shija back to reality, who, remembering all the collateral damage caused by a "member" of his group, then understood.

"Understood, sir"

That he would have to deal with the problems left behind.