The sky tore open.

  The sound of battle. And veterans shouting:

  — Don’t waste the chance Xadrez gave us!

  — Advance, don’t let any monster, barbarian, or invader escape!

  It was a rain of magic over the remaining hordes, and in little time, the northern wing was dominated.

  Monsters, barbarians, annihilated by the forces of the Capital.

  The tide had turned.

  The eastern portals had been closed by Aurelius Rowan, patriarch of the Autumn elves.

  And, in the north, Elisandra Xadrez was the decisive key to victory, closing the portals and revitalizing the troops…

  All civilians were evacuated with no civilian casualties.

  The Alcairum portals were closed for the civilians’ safety.

  Ravia left Elisandra at one of the Gath points spread across the Capital and returned to the battlefield.

  The northern wing was already under control.

  The Gath were already evacuating the wounded and killing any enemy along the way that might still be alive.

  It was insane coordination.

  It was like a sieve and a roller: the forces of the South sifted the hordes, and whatever passed through them was crushed by the Gath.

  A support not only of rescue but also of brutal compression.

  The same mana that saved… killed, if necessary.

  That was being a Gath.

  — Lukas: Sarya, I’ll go to the center, then I’ll head to the west wing, there are some things I have to do.

  — Sarya: I’m going to help Leli finish pulling back the center. I’ll keep an eye on her.

  — Lukas: Thank you, Sarya.

  She looked over her right shoulder.

  Lukas saw a slight smile — he didn’t know if it was or wasn’t.

  She simply vanished between wind and dry leaves, worthy of a huntress.

  Morgana: Wow, chocolatinho, she’s so into you… If I were you, I wouldn’t let that slip, you know.

  César: You only know how to talk about flirtation, you fox. That was honor, respect, you wouldn’t understand those things. My legionary is not the kind of person who takes advantage of the situation.

  Morgana: The one who doesn’t understand is you, little soldier of purity, you don’t understand women. If chocolatinho wants to, after this war the purity that followed him from the past life will be gone in this one, and in the blink of an eye. He’ll lose a few liters of water and blood.

  César: Shameless fox! What are you insinuating…? My legionary is not that kind of person!

  Lukas, rubbing his temple:

  — Guys… can we focus more on our current objective, please?

  But the argument had already started.

  Lukas: I deserve this…

  In the center, Ravia Dreadwell ran pulling injured people from under rubble, using mana bending to create fissures without hitting the wounded, only removing debris from the path.

  It was pure precision from a Gath.

  But she still wasn’t at the level of a squad officer.

  Officers were insane, taking down ogres, Laikans, with a single swing of the hand. Their hands were like blades.

  The characteristic of a Gath officer was their unique gloves.

  When mana reaches a certain level of control, Gath who can cut rock and monsters with resistance — upon reaching that level — are already considered officers. They can manifest the legendary mana glove of the Gath.

  It wasn’t an ordinary glove; it was the essence of mana and the user’s desire. Each Gath who reaches this stage has their unique glove.

  But this is rare, even among them. In the whole squad, there are only 5 officers, aside from the squad’s creator, Silvio.

  They don’t chant spells, but they are brutal even without formal conjuration training, after all, they weren’t common…

  They compensated for the lack of conjuration with brute strength — the trademark of the Gath.

  After all, a good Gath must have an excellent athletic physique to be the ideal support for those they deem worthy and those they respect.

  The Gath don’t follow just anyone.

  And Ravia was seeing this with her own eyes:

  Officers removing civilians, wounded, and even bodies of fallen allies, one after another, eliminating monsters many soldiers would struggle to face.

  — Lukas: Hey, girl, are you going to stand there? What are you admiring?

  — Ravia: I was just watching the agility of the officers in my squad, what’s the problem, huh?

  Morgana: Hmm, sharp tongue on that one, I like her, chocolatinho. And what’s with that neat uniform, huh? Strange clothes! I think a bikini would suit her more…

  César: Stop that, witch! You always try to ruin everything. I guarantee this reflects honor, discipline, and above all, character. Something you don’t seem to have, fox.

  Morgana: Ah, little soldier, it’s so hard for me… What’s the point of all these tight, elegant clothes? THIS FORM-FITTING BLACK LONG-SLEEVE SHIRT, BLACK PANTS, VEST, AND EARTH-BROWN CAP, huh?

  César sweating, giving an honor speech to dodge the question he himself didn’t know how to answer.

  Morgana, mocking: Don’t stall, little soldier, just say it.

  Outside the mind, Lukas followed Ravia: fast, keen, agile.

  Sharp gaze, heightened senses for a mere cadet.

  Two Laikans attacked from the left.

  Ravia raised a piece of wood like a spear.

  Mana reinforcement — it wasn’t aura, it was condensed mana.

  A precision rifle.

  One Laikan was hit in the heart and collapsed dead.

  The one that came from above her, stretching its claws to cut her —

  Ravia simply extended her hand, bending the Laikan’s mana.

  Muscle spasm.

  THUD.

  The Laikan simply exploded, as if an air bomb had inflated it to the limit.

  But in reality, that was the concept: it wasn’t air, it was mana forced into the body of that frenzied Laikan.

  Lukas saw the scene:

  — Whoa… what technique was that? Who are these people? This didn’t even exist in the past life… What’s going on? What else might have changed?

  Morgana: Everything, sweetheart, everything.

  If you find this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the infringement.

  César, tied upside down in the mental space:

  (Mmm mmm mmm…)

  Translation:

  Shameless witch, don’t forget your hand is in this. If you had stopped crying and cast that spell correctly, maybe we wouldn’t have this weird timeline now. Hooooo, my Empire, what could have changed, since we have no idea what could have changed? This is temporal instability, witch; how did a variable like this happen? And I’m screwed because my power was used too. And now here we are, not knowing what’s going on with all this.

  BUT THAT UNIFORM IS COOL.

  That’s when Lukas asked:

  — Girl, what technique was that, and what uniform is this?

  — Ravia: What? Call me by my name, to begin with, I have a name, you know?

  — Lukas, annoyed: You didn’t say your name. What’s your name, girl, how am I supposed to call you by your name?

  — Ravia, vein popping: You didn’t ask, idiot! Do you go around asking a bunch of questions to every girl you meet, huh? You should at least have the decency to ask their name!

  Morgana: Oh, I loved this fiery personality.

  — Lukas: Why are you yelling? I just said the truth… Haaa, fine, we started off wrong. I just thought those techniques were cool, how you guys are everywhere with these uniforms. Anyway, what’s your name?

  — IT’S RAVIA, MY NAME IS RAVIA DREADWELL FROM THE GATH SQUAD!

  — Gath Squad?

  — Ravia: Did you hit your head, chocolatinho?

  — What chocolatinho?

  Morgana: Haaa, I knew it, another fan of the chocolatinho. I approve, look at this, so much thirst, unbelievable…

  CéSAR’S CENSORSHIP SEAL 5.0

  César: My seals are running out, legionary! That woman is dangerous, she’ll be your downfall one day, heed my words!

  — Ravia, blushing: That’s what they’re calling you around here, it was just reflex… And that doesn’t matter, did you hit your head?

  — The Gath squad is the biggest support squad in the South…

  Silvio is the Gath, your father’s right-hand man. He helped Kyros make the South what it is today.

  These clothes aren’t just a simple uniform, they represent everything we are.

  It’s the greatest pride to wear it, and many want to join the squad.

  Many simply don’t accept that they can’t mold mana and insist anyway, and end up dying, totally ignoring the warnings, all just to wear this uniform.

  Even if it costs our lives, we refuse to be mere disposable trash.

  We aren’t special like mages or sword warriors, but we don’t fall behind.

  We are not trash.

  Trash also has value, and it can compete even with the so-called blessed geniuses.

  Lukas silent.

  César: Wow, that was quite a speech. She truly speaks with the fire and soul of her squad, that is worthy, that is honor, that is discipline. I like her.

  Morgana: I still think that uniform is way too covered.

  César, shouting: Don’t ruin the moment, witch!

  — Lukas: I’m not looking down on you, I wouldn’t have that right. Who is a failure to look down on anyone, right? Haha. I thought it was simply incredible. I saw you kind of molding your own mana, that’s what it looked like.

  Can you refine mana too, giving buffs to someone?

  — Ravia: I’ve never tried. Giving a direct buff is one thing and lasts at most 2 minutes, 5 to 10 depending on the Gath. But refining mana… I don’t know if it’s possible.

  What exactly is your idea?

  — Lukas: (explaining his idea)

  César, emotional:

  LEGIONARY, this is incredible, how did you think of this by watching her use those techniques? You had never seen this and still thought so quickly. This is worthy of a centurion of the Equestres!

  Morgana: I admit the idea is good, chocolatinho. But again with this Equestres story, little soldier…

  César: Silence, witch, don’t say the name of the Equestres with that profane mouth!

  Ravia, observing Lukas from behind, running with shield and gladius in hand:

  — You’ve changed, Lukas Fernandes… truly changed…

  Tailer moved forward with twin daggers in hand, following Valquíria’s movements.

  Anatoly laughed:

  — Yes! Try harder, little rats! I will strip you of your hope! Do you think you can stop me, an Original Disaster?!

  Tailer advanced:

  — Gravitational vector, multiply!

  The pressure over Anatoly increased 200 times.

  — You think this is enough, little rat?

  — Tailer: Of course not.

  — Impact vector!

  Touching Valquíria’s Regina Caeli, who was right behind.

  Freya Lumpa: emerald aura reinforcement for her.

  — Anatoly: It won’t work, little rats! Hahaha, she won’t get close to me!

  — Tailer: That’s what you think.

  With a convincing smile, deep ocean-blue eyes shining intensely, long silver braid swaying —

  Anatoly’s eyes widened:

  — What is this white rat… do you still have a card up your sleeve?!

  — Vector of displacement…

  ASTROPHYSICAL LEAP!

  In the blink of an eye: Anatoly was in front of Valquíria.

  They had switched places with Tailer — and not even he understood how.

  But the impact of Regina Caeli came heavy, brutal.

  — Vector: Strength of the Queen of the Valkyries!

  — Vector of Emerald Impact!

  BOOOOM!

  Tailer smiled: CHECKMATE!

  The impact was brutal. Regina Caeli crushed Anatoly’s mask upon making contact with the Disaster.

  Just as Lukas had requested of Magnum: light in handling, but heavy, cruel, and brutal on impact.

  And so it was.

  Anatoly’s head and torso disintegrated with the brutal strike.

  The emerald aura left a streak on the ground where it passed, shaking the earth.

  An attack worthy of a Queen.

  — Tailer, panting:

  “Good. Now yes… that abomination died. Heart and brain were destroyed together.”

  — Valquíria, arms trembling, panting, on her knees, supporting Regina Caeli on the ground with both hands so she wouldn’t collapse entirely:

  “Yes, professor… we did it… that was incredible…”

  — Freya Lumpa: Incredible, my Queen, that was incredible. I expected no less from you. The White Wolf there is smart, observant, and thinks through each step, plans every movement well. He’s like a hunter in the midst of combat, he doesn’t waste moves.

  — Valquíria: Yes, Freya… it’s thanks to him we won. He’s not a Delos professor for nothing, huh?

  — Freya: Truly… had to be up to Delos’s standard.

  “In the north, the portals closed, the situation is practically under control, my Queen.

  We won.”

  — Tailer: Good, Xadrez, never doubted it.

  For a moment, silence reigned…

  The battle seemed won.

  And that they had succeeded.

  Then Tailer’s eyes widened:

  — Impossible…

  Why?

  What remained of Anatoly’s body had not vanished like the others with marks in their eyes, like some monsters that had attacked.

  Why that strange exception?

  Then the White Wolf heard a dry crack.

  Anatoly’s legs stood up.

  The crimson blood of the fallen regenerated his body again: torso, arms, and finally, the head.

  — Anatoly, furious:

  “DAMN RATS! HOW DARE YOU STAND IN MY WAY?!

  MISERABLE LITTLE RAT, WHERE ARE YOU?!

  HOW CAN YOU BE MAKING THESE PLAYS?!

  WHY DO MY PAWNS KEEP DYING?!

  AND, LITTLE WHITE RAT… LOOK WHAT YOU DID… YOU RUINED MY BEAUTIFUL SUIT TWICE.

  SO YOU HAD ANOTHER CARD UP YOUR SLEEVE, HUH?

  BUT WHAT NOW? YOU RAN OUT OF ACES…

  OR DO YOU STILL HAVE THE JOKER?”

  — Tailer, forcing himself up:

  “Shit!!! This guy doesn’t die…”

  ?? End of Chapter 6.