"8th-circle barrier mage!? The bodyguard of Count Vermont...?"
"How did such a talent end up in a security company...?"
"Instructor, really...?"

The surroundings erupted into a commotion, and all eyes turned toward Sylvia.
She felt a tightness in her chest as she struggled to breathe, feeling overwhelmed by the sudden attention.

Why is everyone so surprised?
I never hid the fact that I was an 8th-circle mage, did I?
Before she could fully process it, Sylvia realized that she had become a hidden monster, an 8th-circle barrier mage, without anyone noticing.

"Instructor! 8th-circle is completely different from an 8th-grade swordsman!"
"I know!!!"
"But how is it that the instructor is an 8th-circle barrier mage? You can barely cast spells like ‘whoosh’ or ‘zap’..."
"First of all, I don’t even know where those ‘whoosh’ or ‘zap’ spells came from. The reason I don’t usually use barrier magic is because it’s not useful for close combat. That doesn’t mean I’ve never used it; I’ve cast it a few times recently..."
"Anyway, that's amazing, Instructor!"
"..."

At first, there was doubt, but soon the staff became excited and began praising Sylvia.
This left Sylvia feeling uneasy, speechless.

Why does everyone forget that I was a talented mage?
Why do they only see me as some dumb brute with strength?

Sylvia felt a deep sense of injustice.

Back then, I was a promising barrier mage and was even chosen as a candidate for the hero’s party.
Swordsmanship was just a hobby I picked up, and though my swordsmanship skills grew rapidly, reaching a level beyond ordinary knights at a young age, it was just that.
In comparison, my barrier magic, which had unofficially reached the 8th-circle, was still far superior.

Why unofficial, you ask?
It’s simple. I spent so much time on the battlefield that I never had the chance to officially register as a mage.
I just assumed that what other mages called 8th-circle level was correct.

However, in the fast-moving battlefield, there were more things to destroy than protect, and Sylvia naturally began to rely on the awkward attack magic and swordsmanship she had, especially since those were more effective in combat.
Then, after getting a heart wound from ‘that person,’ and losing the ability to use mana, barrier magic was sealed away for a long time.

'The more I think about it, the angrier I get...'

Suddenly, Sylvia recalled that day, and her irritation surged again.
If the opponent hadn’t been a Swordmaster, I wouldn’t have lost.
Of all people, why did Vermont have to hire a Swordmaster...

On the other hand, though, she also felt slightly relieved.
That day, after that humiliating defeat and the mark engraved on her neck, she had met Aslan.

"This will be a big help! Do you mind if I ask you a favor?"
"Yes. I’d be happy to."

The Duke of the North wiped away tears of emotion and extended his hand.
Sylvia grasped it firmly in a handshake.

'Looks like the lives of the trapped soldiers are on my shoulders now...'

But there was one problem.
Although I had claimed to be an 8th-circle barrier mage, it was uncertain whether I could use barrier magic at this moment.

After all, without the head of the household, I couldn’t draw my sword, and would have to rely on my hands and spells to create the barrier.
The problem was that recently, without my sword, I couldn’t concentrate on magic at all.

What if I fail to create the barrier now?
But it’s not like I lied, right?
I set the groundwork with ‘used to be,’ so...?

"Haa..."

Sylvia took a deep breath, focusing all her attention on the sensation in her fingertips.

'This is a matter of life and death. I can’t treat it lightly...'

I can do this.
No, I must do this.
Sylvia repeated these words in her mind, desperately trying to revive the old sensation of creating a barrier with her bare hands.

Back then, I could do it even without a sword.
So I can do it now, too.
My skills have only improved, there’s no reason they would have diminished.
With this self-assurance, she murmured softly to herself, reassuring her own mind.

"T-the barrier...!"
"Incredible output, Your Grace!"
"Instructor? You were able to use magic without casting those energy-draining spells...?"
"...Silence."

A barrier began to extend from Sylvia’s fingertips.
It was done. Though it seemed slightly lacking compared to her peak,
it was still more than enough to block the mana storm.
The thick barrier, unlike anything the mages of Ester had ever seen, left them all in awe.

"Let’s move out."
"Understood."

The barrier mages of Ester quickly got into formation, and Sylvia, now wearing protective gear, stood among them.

The plan was simple.
The barrier mages would gather and extend barriers one by one to protect everyone as they approached the cave.
When the durability of one barrier was exhausted, the next mage would take over, and they would repeat this process while moving in and out of the cave.

Additionally, strong men, including the Duke of the North, would accompany them to help carry the injured.
Too many assistants would mean too large an area for the barrier, reducing its effectiveness, so three people was the limit.
Of course, someone like Sylvia could handle both roles, providing barrier protection and assisting with the injured.

"We begin now! Number one, deploy the barrier!"
"Yes!"

Under the Duke of the North’s command, the barrier enveloped the formation, and the rescue team, composed of about ten members, quickly advanced.

"Ugh! We won’t last long with this mana storm...!"
"Number two, stand by!"

As soon as they stepped outside the castle walls and entered the Mana Field, the mana storm raged fiercely.
The once-strong barrier quickly cracked and began to corrode, looking as though it would shatter at any moment.

At this rate, the first mage’s mana would be exhausted before they even reached the cave.
The second, third, and subsequent mages wouldn’t last much longer either.
In that moment, Sylvia realized she was the key to the success of this operation.

"We’ve arrived!"
"The rescue team...?"

Finally, they reached the cave, and as Sylvia stepped inside, she immediately caught the strong scent of blood.
It was clear that a fierce battle had taken place, whether from monsters or humans.

"L-lord!"
"Captain! Report on the personnel!"
"All thirty have been injured in continuous battles with monsters. There have been no deaths yet, but many are in critical condition."

As torches were lit, bloodstains surrounded them.
Though everyone had varying degrees of injury, some were in such critical condition that they could not stop the bleeding and were on the brink of death.
They needed immediate intensive care to survive.

"We’ll transport the most critical first. Wait just a moment! We’ll be back soon to rescue everyone!"

The rescue operation resumed, with the team alternating barriers as they moved forward.
But there was a problem.

"This is the limit...!"
"Hold on just a little longer! We’re almost there!"

The mana consumption of the barrier mages was much faster than expected.
The strength of the mana storm tore through the barriers in an instant.
By the time the team arrived at Ester, the barrier mages were on the brink of mana exhaustion.

"Hah... Hah..."
"Hoo. We’ll rest until the mana is recovered. How long until we’re ready?"
"About half a day..."
"...?"

As the Duke of the North slumped, placing the wounded down with a desperate expression, Sylvia could feel the urgency.
Half a day...
The remaining men in the cave would be fighting monsters and enduring injuries.
Even a mere hour of delay would result in casualties.
As all the barrier mages collapsed, their legs shaking with exhaustion, only Sylvia stood firm.

She looked around, her eyes narrowing in anticipation, as though sensing fate.

"I’ll go."
"What? No! You can’t go alone!"
"I’ve calculated it. If I use a small barrier to cover only myself, it will be enough."
"...!?"

Alone?
The Duke of the North was taken aback by the unexpected proposal.
To think she could endure the ferocious mana storm and carry the injured all by herself...

It seemed impossible, yet the calm and confident tone in Sylvia’s voice left him speechless.

"Are you out of your mind!? Why would you do this?"
"It’s simple. If it were the head of the household, he would have done the same. I can’t disrespect the head of the household, who represents Vermont."
"..."

It was truly just that simple.
If it were Aslan, he would have rushed in without hesitation.
Though he often seemed selfish and pragmatic, when it came to life and death, he always threw himself in to help.
And while Sylvia couldn’t emulate his later excuses for self-interest, she could follow his impulsiveness in this case.
Since the head of the household wasn’t here, it was her duty to take his place.
With that determination, Sylvia moved forward without hesitation.

"Good luck, warrior of Vermont."
"..."

Receiving the Duke of the North’s solemn blessing,
Sylvia immediately deployed the barrier and plunged into the storm.
Unlike before, when they had to move slowly as a group, her speed increased as she moved alone.

"I can carry two! Two at a time! Starting with the most critical!"

Having arrived at the cave, Sylvia carried two injured soldiers on her shoulders and began her return.
She repeated this process, going back and forth, carrying two each time.

As she began to feel the last of her mana slipping away, Sylvia carried the last two injured soldiers and emerged from the cave.

'Please...!
This is the last one.
Just a few more steps.

Her legs began to slow, and her vision blurred.
The barrier crackled as it neared depletion.

"Ah...!"

Just as she neared the castle gates, Sylvia’s legs gave way.
At that moment, she realized the mana exhaustion had taken over.

"Kaaaaaaah!!!"

As the barrier began to break apart, Sylvia quickly turned to shield the injured from the storm’s impact.
The mana storm struck her, the pain almost unbearable.

Ah. I’m really going to die now.
Failing to adjust the barrier’s output...

As she resigned herself to her fate, accepting death...

"Again. Again, you’re recklessly throwing yourself into danger. You’re such a foolish bear."
"Ah...?"

The excruciating pain that had once torn her body apart disappeared.
The sound of the storm faded into an eerie silence.
Slowly, Sylvia lifted her head.

To her surprise, Aslan appeared, looking irritated.

Sylvia stared in disbelief, wondering how the head of the household had appeared in the middle of the mana storm...

"...!"

It was as though the storm could not even touch Aslan, his space protected by an invisible barrier.
Ah! With dark magic, even a mana storm can be repelled!
It all clicked in Sylvia’s mind, and she was about to rush toward Aslan when she suddenly froze.

"You came, head of the household...?"
"Hah."

Sylvia was shocked to find herself looking up at Aslan, now much shorter, her voice high-pitched.
What was going on? Why had her height diminished and her voice changed...?