But the Mud King wasn’t dead. The combined strike of the four failed to slay the mud-formed avatar. Crimson and her team retreated—pulling out of the First District.

Four Cantata Threes hovered midair. One, arms wrapped in iron chains, stepped forward. Under their unified power, the chains sealed the entire First District.

After the battle, Crimson Squad returned to the training camp. Though their performance stood out among Cantata Two teams, their shortcomings were glaringly clear.

Azure bit her nails, sensing the mana within. Just like before—no change at all. Her mana capacity had maxed out. There was no further path.

She knew: without her, or with a stronger Magic Maiden in her place, the squad’s evaluation would’ve been far better. At the very least, they wouldn’t be wasting time here.

One day, a girl approached her—jet-black hair, striking crimson eyes. She told Azure:

"I can make you stronger. Help you catch up to your teammates. I’ll take you to the pure white maiden. She will grant you a miracle."

Azure didn’t recognize her. A trace of doubt made her hesitate.

"What are you hesitating for… Fine. What a pity."

As the girl turned to leave, Azure called out. Suspicion lingered, but she couldn’t miss this chance. She wanted strength. She wanted to catch up.

Azure followed the girl into the Order Keepers’ newly built tower. In the grand hall’s center stood the pure white maiden.

"Her name is Order. Undoubtedly the strongest Magic Maiden alive—she can fulfill your wish. Oh, call me Blood. Let’s just say… I’m her companion."

At Blood’s words, Order slowly opened her eyes. The overwhelming mana swirling around her surged like a tidal wave, crashing into Azure. The "ocean" slammed down.

Azure gasped for air, feeling utterly insignificant beneath that crushing pressure. Yet her eyes held firm. She straightened her spine.

Order glanced at her twice, then closed her eyes.

"Your knowledge can change this. Visit the newly formed Seeker group."

Order recommended the Seekers—a fresh organization, yet filled with brilliant minds specializing in Magic Maiden research.

Azure received no power, only advice. Distant. Frustrating. Impatience burned within her.

Blood whispered teasingly beside her ear: "I thought Order would help you. Seems she won’t lift a finger. What a pity."

Azure bit her lip, silent. Order hadn’t helped—but she’d offered guidance. Criticism felt wrong. Gratitude, necessary.

Months passed. Between camp drills, Azure visited the Seekers to upgrade the devices on her shoulders and thighs.

First-gen gear. Functional, but lagging behind her combat needs. Updates were essential.

Finally, Crimson broke into Cantata Three. Their long camp tenure ended. Crimson Squad was officially promoted. Missions followed. Under Crimson’s lead, every member—including Azure—reached Cantata Three.

Yet even at Cantata Three, Azure felt the internal limit. Every spell revealed her ceiling. Forbidden magic remained out of reach.

"You know," Blood murmured, "a formation prodigy recently emerged. Restored old arrays, invented new ones. He could refine your gear…"

Hope flickered in Azure’s eyes. For a year, "grow stronger" had become an obsession. No matter how she refined, she stalled.

"Where is he? I need to see him!"

She scrambled from a mountain of books, kicking a stack. Volumes toppled, pages fluttering—she didn’t care.

"He betrayed us," Blood replied. "Fled with a Magic Maiden, stole classified documents. But I know where he is. Conveniently… a surveillance mission awaits there."

Over time, Azure pieced together Blood’s identity: guardian of the Sixth District. Formidable.

Azure understood. Get Crimson Squad the mission. She’d slip away, bring back the traitor’s head—and claim his knowledge.

"I’ll try."

Persuaded, Crimson accepted. The reward was decent; the mission seemed light. When asked how she found it, Azure answered:

"Classified."

Crimson Squad headed for the Twelfth District. Just at the border—a colossal Abyssal Rift tore open from sky to earth, splitting the district in two.

Beyond the rift, a massive Black Dragon emerged. Ominous aura radiated from its frame. Dark gold eyes glinted with cunning and cruelty, seeming to devour all light.

Scales shimmered under sun, each etched with ancient runes. Heart-chilling energy pulsed.

Coiled at the rift’s edge like a moving mountain, its breath thickened the Abyssal Aura—threatening to stain the sky black.

Crimson Squad’s faces tightened. The dragon’s pressure was immense.

But they couldn’t stand by.

"What rotten luck!" Yellow muttered.

Crimson said nothing. Nodded. Slid into her Magic Armor.

Azure followed, drawing her Wand—a new Magic Tool. Minimal mana cost. Potent Magic Cannon output.

Sensing their mana, the dragon roared. Its bulk advanced. Abyssal Aura swelled, swallowing the battlefield.

No fear. Crimson closed in, crimson-wrapped fists slamming the dragon’s scales. Yellow raised a light-yellow crystalline shield around them. Azure’s Magic Cannons blazed brilliant arcs toward vital points. Green healed wounds with steady hands.

"Impossible!" Azure gasped.

Smoke cleared. Not a scratch. Scales deflected every blast. Not even a mark.

Then—a thread of steady mana flared near the dragon. Azure focused. A Cantata Two Magic Maiden stood there, a four- or five-year-old child at her feet.

*How enviable… If she survives, she could become a brilliant Cantata Three.*

Wait—familiar?

Blood’s photo flashed in her mind: the traitor beside this very maiden.

The dragon’s appearance flushed her out. Saved Azure effort. Harm the maiden… the traitor would panic.

Azure pulled a Magic Stone from her Spatial Box, slotted it into her Wand. A conical mechanism crushed it. Mana coalesced.

"Split Shot."

The projectile fired, icy blue halo trailing. Mid-flight—split. One shard struck the dragon. The other curved sharply toward the maiden battling Black Flames below.

A Formation flared open, deflecting the shot. Azure’s eyes flickered. She drew more Magic Stones.

*Break it. Focus all mana on one point. Pierce through.*

She loaded until the Wand strained. The blast shot straight for the maiden’s face. The fragile Array Pattern shattered. Explosion swallowed her figure.

"She’s not dead."

Azure saw a man scoop up the child and the wounded maiden, vanishing into an alley. She didn’t chase. Turned back to the dragon.

*She took the hit for the child. She won’t survive.*

What followed: the squad overwhelmed. Then—Order and Blood arrived.

Blood narrowed her eyes. "Can’t even finish it?"

"I am a Magic Maiden…" Azure retorted.

"And that was your chance!" Blood pressed. "Strength was right there. You struck first—why hold back? Leave her alive to hunt you later?"

Blood had a point. No turning back now.

"Order went to the traitor," Blood murmured. "She’ll grant *him* a 'miracle.' But if she’d empowered *you* back then… would you be here today? She doesn’t like you. She’s just like the rest who look down on you."

"You could be stronger. Strong enough to surpass even that… dragon."

"I have a plan. To seize Order’s power."

Blood extended her hand. Azure grasped it without hesitation.

"Pleasure doing business with you."