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Chapter 59
~Valerie’s POV~
No, it wasn’t.
I got to my feet, panting. My instincts were screaming, and Astra still hadn’t said a word.
That was the scariest part.
Suddenly, I heard a rustle, then light footsteps. They were too calculated and silent.
I turned my head just slightly, my eyes narrowing as I caught the subtle shimr of movent just beyond the misty tree line. And then they stepped into view—three figures, erging from the fog like predators.
One look at them and I knew they weren’t cadets, even though they tried to dress up like one. They were no one I recognised.
They wore dark combat gear that resembled PSA training uniforms, but not quite.
These were sleeker, heavier and more custom-made to suit so of their weapons. Their faces were partially hidden behind black masks that covered their mouths and noses, leaving only their cold eyes exposed.
Each of them held a weapon, but they weren’t school-issued.
These were definitely not students.
The smallest detail gave them away. No guild emblems in their gloves either.
My fingers curled tighter around the hilt of my blade as I shifted into a defensive stance.
"Who are you?" I asked firmly.
I got no answer.
Erik, behind , tensed. "Sothing’s wrong. These guys aren’t from here."
No shit.
Then one of them raised his hand and gave a quick, sharp gesture—like a signal.
At once, they moved swiftly, faster than they had any right to.
The first one lunged toward with a blade in each hand, slashing horizontally at chest height. I bent low, the tips of his blades barely grazing the top of my shoulder.
I twisted and retaliated with a backwards strike to his side, but he spun away with inhuman speed and caught my leg.
Just as he tried driving the dagger into my skin, I lifted myself and threw the other leg at his face. Quickly, he let go, dodging my attack.
The second attacker ca from the left, launching a projectile—so kind of dart or needle. I pivoted hard, the dart slicing through the strands of my hair as I ducked and rolled, landing on one knee.
The third stepped forward calmly, hand glowing with a faint red energy. Magic. Fae or witch. I wasn’t sure which angle he ca from.
But that was the least of my problems, seeing how strong his magic was.
He raised his arm and fired a blast directly toward , but I threw myself to the side behind a tree trunk. Thankfully, Erik hid himself quickly, giving a better chance to fight without him in the way.
The blast hit the bark, splitting it in half with a sharp crack. Wood and splinters exploded around .
Erik cried out and scrambled backwards, away from the wreckage.
"Get out of here!" I shouted, not taking my eyes off the masked intruders. "Find an instructor—anyone!"
"I—I can’t just leave you!"
And here I thought he was reasonable. Urgh. I glanced in his direction briefly, letting him see the seriousness in my eyes. "You’ll just slow down!"
His footsteps hesitated, then I heard them retreat.
One down. Good.
I sprang forward, blade swinging in a wide arc toward the nearest masked figure. He blocked with his forearm guard as sparks flew and shoved backwards with brute force.
My back hit the forest floor hard, knocking the air out of .
The other two closed in quickly.
I scrambled to my feet just as one of them swept low for a leg strike. I jumped, flipped over him, and landed behind them. I aid a solid kick to the ribs of the one closest to . The blow connected, and he stumbled sideways with a grunt.
Good.
But the mont I thought I’d gained the upper hand, the masked magic-user lifted both palms. Two burning sigils pulsed beneath his gloves, and then he slamd them into the ground.
A wave of energy shot out from the impact point like ripples in a pond—except this pond wanted to swallow whole.
I tried to leap away, but the energy caught my foot midair and twisted it sideways.
"Urrgh!" I tried to swallow the pain as I crashed to the ground again, hard, and rolled just in ti to avoid a dagger being driven into the spot where my throat had just been.
"Damn it," I hissed under my breath, pushing myself up again, blood dripping from a scrape on my arm.
I gritted my teeth and went low, sweeping a leg toward my attacker. He jumped over it easily, but I twisted mid-motion, swinging my elbow into his stomach. He staggered. Not enough. I slashed upward with my blade, catching the edge of his gear.
His armour smoked where the blade touched. Definitely not school gear, as if I needed another reminder.
But it was quite clear what their mission was at this point. They weren’t just here to test . They were here to take out.
And I was losing. Not because I was weak. But because this wasn’t a test.
It was a hit in a test—a goddamn setup.
The red-magic guy fired again—faster this ti. I barely dodged to the side in ti before the blast ricocheted with a scream of energy.
Still, it sent skidding back, boots tearing the forest floor, breath ragged in my throat.
I bent low again, ready for a counter—when suddenly the air behind shifted. A pressure drop.
Magic again.
Stronger.
A spell charged in the wind, humming with heat. My wolf stirred finally. "Behind you!" Astra scread in my mind.
I spun, but it was too late.
The blast ca fast, a glowing arrow of compressed magical force aid for my spine.
And then—a glint of silver flashed between and the attack. A blur of motion cut through the smoke. Steel t magic mid-air.
And the blast exploded in a shower of sparks.
By the ti my vision cleared, I saw him. Silver hair with purple streaks at the base. Xander.
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