“When you launched that sneak attack earlier, did you ever expect things to end up like this?”
The Water Demon looked at Ian, whom it had sent flying, its heart overflowing with smugness.
It had not forgotten the grudge from being ambushed just moments ago.
“Weren’t you dead? How did you come back to life?”
Aetherinra’s questioning tone was filled with confusion.
“Why should I tell you?”
The Water Demon’s voice was mocking, as if it already had Aetherinra and Elise exactly where it wanted them.
Then, its tone shifted, and it let out a few laughs.
“However, I suppose there’s no harm in telling you.”
“A few days ago, a Mysterious Person in Black came here before you did.”
‘The Mysterious Person in Black?’
Aetherinra’s heart jolted at those words.
‘Could it be the same Mysterious Person in Black who knocked out Veronica?’
Ignoring the shift in Aetherinra’s expression, the Water Demon continued.
“That person in black granted me the ability to resurrect once.”
“I was told that a few uninvited guests would sneak into the Labyrinth a few days later.”
“I was ordered to kill those uninvited guests.”
The Water Demon paused for a moment before continuing.
“Looking at it now, those uninvited guests the person in black spoke of must be you.”
“If you have any last words, say them now. After all, you won’t be able to speak in a moment.”
The Water Demon gave a wicked smile, quietly watching Aetherinra and Elise as if they were lambs waiting to be slaughtered.
“Elise, run! This is my responsibility; I can’t let you get dragged down with me.”
“Young Lady, what are you saying? How could I leave you and run?”
“Once we defeat the Water Demon, we still have to find the Young Master.”
Elise comforted Aetherinra, her eyes brimming with tears.
Although she was also filled with deep sorrow, she couldn’t give up yet.
Elise blamed herself intensely.
She blamed herself for failing to sense the Water Demon’s sneak attack in advance and for failing to protect Ian.
However, she believed that Ian would absolutely not die like this.
He had to be waiting for her somewhere.
‘After all, he promised me that he would never leave me alone again.’
Therefore, she had to pick up her sword, defeat the Water Demon before her, and then reunite with her Young Master!
“What a touching scene of sisterly bond!”
“I’m so moved I could almost cry.”
The Water Demon mocked them as it watched Aetherinra and Elise.
“But do you really think you can escape?”
“You should really thank me. To ensure neither of you tries to decline the honor, I’ll just have to kill you both.”
With that, water began to swirl at the Water Demon’s forehead, and it shot a pillar of water toward Aetherinra and Elise.
“WATER MAGIC — WATER COLUMN!”
“SUPPORT MAGIC — DEFENSE BOOST!”
Aetherinra reacted instantly to the sight, casting a Defense Boost buff on herself.
Immediately after, her White Armor emitted a protective barrier, surrounding both Elise and herself.
The water column unleashed by the Water Demon was blocked by the shield.
The Water Demon was somewhat surprised by this, wondering how its attack had been blocked by these two ants.
Then, it noticed something was off.
“That armor is a defensive Magic Tool, isn’t it?”
“I wonder, though… how many more of my attacks can that Magic Tool block?”
The Water Demon raised its hand and struck again.
Although the barrier held, its color visibly dimmed.
Watching the Water Demon’s relentless assault, Aetherinra knew her Magic Tool wouldn’t last much longer.
She shouted to Elise behind her.
“Run, Elise! I’ll hold it back and buy you some time!”
“No, I won’t run!”
“Elise, why are you being so foolish?”
“You can say whatever you want about me, Young Lady, but if someone is going to hold it back, it should be me.”
Upon hearing Elise’s words, Aetherinra replied.
“How could I let you stay behind?”
“You are a genius Mage. You reached the rank of Second Tier Mage in just ten or so days, and you’ve even mastered Light Attribute Attack Magic.”
“What about me? I’m just a Support-type Mage. What use is that?”
“So, do you understand? The one who should stay behind is me, not you.”
Aetherinra tried her best to persuade Elise, hoping she would listen.
However, Elise shook her head stubbornly.
“Young Lady, I don’t understand. I don’t understand any of what you’re saying.”
“Elise?”
Aetherinra didn’t know what to say as she watched the usually obedient Elise defy her.
“I don’t understand why you always belittle yourself or want to sacrifice yourself.
I don’t understand why you always try to carry the responsibility alone.”
“You are also very important! You have us to rely on!”
Aetherinra fell silent, unable to find the words to respond.
This was the first time she had ever heard someone say the words, “You are also very important.”
In the past, she had only ever been looked down upon.
The title of Support-type Mage sounded like it existed only to serve as a foil for combat mages.
A support could never influence the course of a battle; only combat mages were the deciding factor.
At least, that was what Aetherinra believed.
But now, Elise was telling her she was important, and she couldn’t understand why.
“No, I’m not important at all. Only you are.”
Aetherinra refused to be moved by Elise’s words, clinging to her own beliefs.
“No, we are equally important on the battlefield!”
“On the battlefield, only when the Support Mage and the combat mage work together can the weak defeat the strong.”
“Right now, only by cooperating can we defeat the Water Demon and reunite with the Young Master!”
“Cooperate… defeat the Water Demon… and then reunite with Ian?”
Hearing Elise’s words, Aetherinra recalled the figure who had blocked the Water Demon’s attack for her.
She was right; she couldn’t give up yet.
Ian’s life was currently uncertain because he had saved her.
If she continued to wallow in self-deprecation here, he would surely look down on her.
She couldn’t let Ian think less of her.
“Elise, you said we’ll go save Ian after we defeat the Water Demon, right?”
“Yes, Young Lady.”
If they didn’t defeat the Water Demon, they couldn’t even leave the Boss Room.
To save Ian, they had to defeat the Water Demon first.
“Then let’s go!”
Aetherinra regained her spirit and spoke to Elise.
“Yes!”
Seeing Aetherinra fired up, Elise also gripped her sword, ready for a fight to the death against the Water Demon.
The Water Demon looked at the stance Aetherinra and Elise had taken with complete disdain.
“You two think you can defeat me? You’re dreaming.”
“Whether we can defeat you or not—why don’t you come and find out!”
Aetherinra shouted back, refusing to show any weakness.
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