Truth be told, they wanted to assist Brandon.
They were just raring to go, trying to find an opportunity to join the battle without holding Brandon back.
However, their legs were frozen in place.
Truth be told, this is Amelia's first time seeing Brandon fight like this, and she found herself baffled. Wasn't he a mage?
Where is all the raw power coming from?
"What the hell....."
"What am I seeing!?"
Comments poured out from the cadets one after another. None could comprehend the spectacle before them.
No one even tried to help. They all stood and watched the two siblings, completely suppressing the wyvern. Something that took a collective effort for them to even achieve.
Brandon was there, and in the next instant, he was somewhere else. Chains wrapped on the wyvern. Chains that were supposed to shatter earlier, given by its poor state.
However, the older sister's efforts delayed the binding chains' collapse.
They could feel the intense amount of mana pouring out of Belle. Much to the point where her body was shaking slightly.
Her control over wind magic truly was top–class, even amongst wind mages themselves.
In the next instant, Belle's mana slowly died down and her figure started descending.
Audible gasps echoed amongst the cadets.
Amelia steadied herself. Just as she was about to burst and save Belle, Raven held his hand to the side.
"Let me, General."
"...?"
All of a sudden, Raven's figure blurred like a shadow. Amelia's gaze flicked up, only to find Raven had caught the falling Belle.
Once again, like a shadow, Raven appeared before them and gently laid Belle down.
"Thank you...."
With pale complexions, Belle spoke with a hoarse voice.
Raven nodded his head thereafter and lingered his gaze back to the scene.
Belle's eyes looked heavy, and Amelia's brows furrowed out of concern.
However, Amelia dismissed her thoughts and nodded.
"Good job, Belle. You can rest now."
Then, Amelia instructed the other five.
"Can anyone bring Belle to the healers—"
Amelia's words halted as Belle grabbed her arm, holding onto it tightly.
"No."
Belle shook her head.
"I want to see it through."
"...."
No words needed to be exchanged. Amelia respected her best–friend's wishes and settled, turning her head back towards Brandon.
The chains had completely shattered, and most probably, Brandon would have to conjure them again. Yet for some reason, he hadn't done it.
This was the perfect opportunity to help him, and it seemed like the others had the same thoughts as her.
Claire's sword brandished out, and magic power began to gather around everyone.
Seeing the wyvern's vulnerability exposed, it was now or never.
But just as they were about to join the frenzy, and just as Amelia was about to instruct the other cadets to help out....
The cold snow bit into her skin, but she barely noticed it. All she could feel was the rise and fall of Brandon's chest against hers.
"Brandon....."
She whispered, her voice cracking.
His face was pale, his breathing ragged, but he was alive.
That was all that mattered.
She wasn't exactly sure why she was feeling emotional.
But the sight of him injured tugged painfully at her heart. Blood trickled down his arm, his knuckles swollen and bruised, a deep purple hue settling in.
"You're safe...."
She murmured, her voice thick with emotion as she cradled him in her arms.
***
"Evelyn."
Evelyn was just about to leave, until Vanessa called out to her.
"Hm?"
Evelyn halted in her steps and turned around, meeting Vanessa's gaze.
"Did you know this would happen?"
"Yeah."
"I figured."
Vanessa sighed, shaking her head slightly.
"I was about to lose it when you told us to stop trying to save Raven."
"Why would I allow him to die?"
"I know. That's why I was shocked. It was so unlike you."
Then, Vanessa approached her, changing the topic.
"That kid. Brandon, can you believe it?"
"Even I can't comprehend what just happened."
Evelyn sighed and massaged her temple. Vanessa mulled it over, pinching her chin.
"An S–ranker at seventeen years old.... It's almost unheard of.... Kind of like...."
"Lucian Frost."
Evelyn finished Vanessa's sentence for her.
Vanessa continued, seemingly finding the entire ordeal unbelievable.
"Still, at this stage, he's still an S–rank. He shouldn't have been capable of subduing the wyvern with his sister, who's still at the A+. Much less, killing it all on his own."
Then, Vanessa raised her head. Her eyes widened as if the realization had dawned upon her.
"Unless.... he has the experience to bridge that gap."
"That should be the case. If I were to evaluate things to a miniscule level, he fought tactically at first, restraining the wyvern before he started his assault. Though I'd have to take a few points off for his recklessness afterwards."
"I agree. I couldn't bear to watch him abusing himself like that. You should educate him properly, Evelyn."
Evelyn sighed and shook her head after listening to Vanessa's words.
"Yeah. In any case, there's two days left for this camp. It was unexpected that the wyvern would be taken down in just a day."
For that reason, there was no need to delay it further.
The training camp would come to an end.