Just as Aloe had surmised, they were fifty-five Shadows stretched around them to form a circle.
Usually, the Automatons would be the scouts, but since they had arrived at their destination, the drones switched gears to backup/sacrificial pawns.
"Looks like this is it!" Aloe Vida spoke, using the corner of her eyes to carefully observe the kids.
They didn't seem to be frightful—good!
"We're ready!"
"Yeah!"
Once they replied to her, Aloe knew she had to prepare herself too. Once the enemies launched their first attack, that would be their window.
Just like clockwork, the Shadow Demons responded by sending their sharpened limbs at Aloe's barrier.
>FWOOOSSHHH<
Their black flesh connected with the dome of light, sending sparks flying.
It was a close call, but her protection was enough to shield everyone from the multiple blows from the Shadows.
The moment this happened, Edward and Ana got their signal and went on the move.
Aloe partially released her dome, allowing the students free access to the area beyond their initial location.
>WHOOOSSHH!!!<
The two picked up their pace and moved at phenomenal speeds. It was not the kind you would expect from students their age!
Edward brandished the blade Jared entrusted to him, coursing his Mana through it like it was the natural thing to do.
>VWUUUMMM!!!<
The blade hummed whitish-blue and gave off a burst of power.
With such a sword equipped as well as the Martial Blade God technique's 9 Fundamental Precepts at his disposal, Edward gained a great deal of confidence and headed for the first Shadow Demon he could find.
"REND!"
>SWIIISH!!!<
Like hot knife through butter, his blade met no resistance!
The young Martial Artist cut through the enemy as though he was slicing the air—no, even the air had a certain level of tension. His flow was too natural, too fluid!
It was all thanks to this blade. Edward felt a wave of achievement course through him as he slew the Shadow Demon.
Still, many more opponents surrounded them. He had only beaten one, so the boy made sure not to get a big head.
With his enhanced eyes sharply glancing around, he made way for his next target.
>FWOOOOSHHH!!!<
************
While Edward was hacking down enemies, Ana was killing them off with her Spells.
She had received two Magic Items from Jared—one was a necklace that greatly boosted her Magic abilities and the other was two bracelets that increased the conductivity of her Mana.
Her Spells were faster and her movements were more efficient, allowing her to be in sync with every single move she made.
Ana was currently at the blue Mana Core Grade, but it felt she had already broken through to the Green Core. That was how helpful the items had been.
Her attacks were concentrated mainly on Lightning Magic since she was more adept at it compared to regular Light.
She dealt less damage than she would have if she had used pure Light, however, thanks to her Mana Output, the Demons were destroyed either way.
As a result, she too was able to keep up with Edward's devastating speed wrought by his Martial Arts and incredible blade.
**********
As Aloe watched the two students fight in earnest, her heart nearly melted.
They were so beautiful and precise in their movements and execution that she felt inspired. Aloe had also attended Ainzlark in her student years, and she was familiar with their curriculum. She knew for a fact that these moves were not something they learned in the classroom.
Someone must have taught them!
However, they were both from the Lower Class, and to the best of her knowledge, no Lecturer had taken any student as an apprentice from that place.
With the option of Lecturers eliminated from the equation, Aloe could only think of one other person who could groom them to this extent.
'That man... Jared Leonard...'
That's right!
She had no right to see him as a child, especially after all he had shown her. No matter what anyone said, she felt he was qualified enough to even be a Lecturer.
Feelings of gratitude and awe mixed within her as she faced her opponents with the newfound power her savior bestowed upon her.
"[Shine]" She chanted.
It was a Spell that didn't belong to any Tier category, but given that Aloe had an excessive amount of Mana to spare... the bright orb that formed above her increased in both heat and intensity.
All the Shadow Demons around her began crumbling, causing them to shy away from the brightness.
As a result, none could draw near to her.
Even if they attempted to spear her down with their limbs, it would get afflicted by the shining orb above her and completely disintegrate before teaching her body.
Since the Shadows could not reach her, Aloe had enough time to use her Advanced Spell—the only one she knew—to finish off the ones that encircled her.
"[Light Javelins: Advanced]"
Instantly, several spears appeared all around her.
Their numbers were way more than the usual amount of Javelins used at the Intermediate Level, and they were far stronger than Light Arrows.
This was Aloe's Trump Card!
>WHOOOOSHHH!!!<
With it, the Shadows around her received the spears of blinding light and vanished.
Unlike Edward and Ana who took care of their opponents one at a time—at most, perhaps a few at once—Aloe's single spell wiped the enemies out.
This had been the plan all along. Ana and Edward were simply meant to buy enough time for their leader to finish preparations for her Spell.
Once that was settled, taking care of the thirty or so Demons left was no problem.
****************
"Huu... good job, everyone." The team converged and Aloe Vida commended their efforts.
She saw they were slightly exhausted, but it wasn't serious.
They had recovery potions, but they weren't infinite.
Unless the situation called for it, their team could go on. Besides, she knew the two students were still holding back.
They had their Familiars, and according to them, they had obtained some level of mastery over them.
However, they were saving their abilities as Trump Cards.
They had done a good job, regardless. And, Aloe Vida surmised that at the rate they were going, they would have no issues facing off the monsters hidden within the Museum.
The creatures were bound to be more than those situated outside, but... her hopes in Jared Leonard's plan caused her not to have even a sliver of doubt.
Aloe knew in her heart that things would be alright.
Unknown to her—to them—there was a darkness lurking in the shadows... about to manifest.
Once it did, the tides of battle would soon flip... and the hopeful denizens of Ainzlark Academy would know the true meaning of despair.
