Ascension Of The Failed Mage

Chapter 36 Marionette [Pt 3]

?"[Iron Fist]" Serah inhaled as she chanted.

Suddenly all the white glow on her body was concentrated on her fist for this final attack. Mia's eyes widened as she saw the move.

"Interesting! How amusing!!!" Was all she could let out as she gazed expectantly at the attack.

"Die, bitch!!!" Serah yelled angrily as she launched the fist toward Mia's face.

>BOOOOMMMM<

There was a huge noise, caused by the impact between Serah's fist and Mia's barrier.

Unfortunately, the barrier won.

"Gah!" Serah felt pain.

She raised her fist and saw it all battered and broken.

The pressure from the attack must have been repelled and sent through her own hand. If not for [Iron Fist] her entire hand might have been blown away.

However, thanks to her sacrifice, enough time had been bought. It was time for the true attack.

Mia's eyes widened in surprise as she looked behind her. She saw a white glow, even brighter than Serah's [Iron Fist]. Samuel had been preparing this spell for some time now.

"I see. Serah used her flashy moves and desperate attacks to distract me, while you snuck behind me and prepared the spell." Mia's thoughts processed.

She knew her body could not react to the attack on time.

Their teamwork was impressive. Separately, they were a weak bunch, but they capitalized on her weakness and developed a plan without even communicating verbally.

"[Aqua Shot!]" Samuel yelled

The completed magic circle glowed, and a large ball of water formed. It was multiple times larger than before, and the density was also way higher.

The water shot launched toward Mia, who had a surprised look.

>BOOOOMMMM<

The attack connected, causing a large burst of water. This would be enough to make any person unconscious and even send shockwaves and jitters throughout the body.

"We... we won! Serah, we won." Samuel said, wheezing and trying to catch his breath. That took a lot out of him.

Serah smiled. They managed to do the impossible. She then looked toward the clearing mist, hoping to see Mia's fallen body.

She didn't!

The mist grew thinner, and they saw a standing figure. Mia wasn't down yet.

"Hahahahahaha" Mia laughed.

The mist cleared, showing Mia to be unscathed. Then on the ground, they saw it.

"What's that?" Samuel asked in shock.

The 'thing' on the floor wasn't human. It had been battered and damaged thanks to receiving Samuel's [Aqua Shot]. Mia was undamaged, meaning she was the one responsible for it.

"Meet one of my dolls. Such a waste that I had to use one against people like you. I admit, you caught me off guard. For that... I can say you were a bit entertaining." Mia smiled.

"She's... She's not down." Samuel said in despair, falling back on his knees.

Serah's body was aching as well. She was already feeling the recoil of using three enhancements at once, and then immediately using a fourth.

"But now, I'm bored. So you guys might as well just DIE!" Mia smiled crazily, raising her hand and attempting to continue from where she left off.

Serah and Samuel closed their eyes, expecting their unavoidable fate. They had struggled until the end, but they lost. It was all over.

As Mia was almost done closing her fist...

"Enough!" Ciara yelled out, attracting the attention of everyone.

Surprised gazes converged in her location as both the victor and victims were equally surprised.

Mia's eyes widened in shock. She didn't expect Ciara to be around.

Ciara's eyes were tearful. Her eyes were streaming endless tears. Her body was shaking.

She had witnessed all that had happened. She wanted to yell out and put an end to it, but her body didn't listen to her.

She still didn't want to believe it was Mia, but...

... She couldn't take it anymore!

Not after she witnessed the struggle of those two in front of her.

"Mia... that's enough!" Ciara repeated, looking sad and angry at the same time.

"Ciara... oh my, what a surprise seeing you here." Mia smiled, immediately switching to her casual and friendly tone.

"Drop it, Mia. I saw everything. You won't fool me." Ciara's response was stern, though her voice trembled.

Her tears slowly dried up, and Ciara's pitiful face transformed into a scowl. She didn't know why or how, but she was now certain...

... The malefactor really was Mia.

"Oh...?" Mia's gentle and casual smile suddenly transformed into a malevolent grin.

"What a shame. I really wanted to play with you more. But now the game is ruined... all thanks to these fools."

Mia kicked Serah, who was on the ground close to her. The helpless girl let out a powerless groan as her body jerked in response to the pain.

"STOP IT!" Ciara yelled.

"Oh? Or what?" The clearly unreasonable girl sneered.

"I will bring you down!"

Mia's expression changed to imitate surprise, but reverted soon after.

"A pet should remain a pet, and a doll should remember its place. It seems you need to be taught your place, Ciara! You're my Toy! Mine!" Mia shouted crazily.

"You're sick!" Ciara said in disgust.

"Oh? It's not like you're the first to tell me that. But to me, you see... it's you all that do not see things clearly.

Everyone in this class, everyone in this school, everyone in this world... They all exist to serve as my dolls. To be added to my collection in my playhouse. You're no exception, Ciara." Mia's glassy eyes and completely arrogant tone depicted that she meant every single word she said..

"But we can't have a toy rebelling can we? No, we cannot! Looks like I'll have to BREAK you myself, Ciara... Just like the others. That way, you won't misbehave anymore."

Ciara wiped away her remnant tears and inhaled deeply. As she looked in front of her, where Mia stood, the young girl realized the truth.

'I have to bring her down!'

"Bring it on!" She said.

Mia simply smiled.

There was something most people didn't know about her.

She had a Rare Bloodline. She was the Chosen One.

The world existed for her sake. The world was just one big playhouse for her.

Why?

Because that was the nature of her Bloodline Magic.

"[Marionette]"