Training Field – Afternoon
After hours of sparring, Selena and Zara finally sat down beneath a tree, their breathing still heavy from the intensity. The scent of sweat and earth lingered in the air.
Selena wiped her sword with a cloth, her gaze drifting to Zara.
"Why did you want to learn the sword?" she asked, her tone curious but calm.
Zara looked down at her wooden practice blade, fingers tightening around the grip. "Because... during the duel, I realized sothing," she murmured. "Magic alone won’t win every fight. Not when the enemy is up close. I need sothing more."
Selena gave a faint nod, her expression thoughtful as she continued cleaning her blade. "Yeah. A magician without a knight’s protection is always vulnerable in close combat. I learned that early when training with my mother, Ishara." Her eyes softened for a mont. "She told , ’If you don’t love the sword, the sword will never love you.’ That’s why I train every day. Not just for power—but for connection."
Zara looked at her own sword again.Love the sword... huh?
Before she could dwell further, a cold wind swept the field. A wave of oppressive darkness crept up behind them like a phantom.
Selena’s instincts flared. She stood, eyes narrowing. "Soone’s behind us."
Zara turned sharply—and froze.
A figure cloaked in shadow stood at the edge of the field, face obscured beneath a dark hood. His voice was deep and cold, like the echo of a crypt.
"Saint candidate... your end is here."
Selena didn’t understand the words, but her sword was already flashing through the air.
In a blink, the figure caught her blade between two fingers—effortlessly.
His fist shot forward and smashed into Selena’s face, sending her flying backward.
"Selena!" Zara shouted, heart racing.
Without thinking, she raised her hand and unleashed all her mana in a surge of fire.
A roaring flathrower burst from her palm, lighting up the field. The attack was fast and powerful, pushing her mana reserves to the limit.
The cloaked figure—Zakar—ducked just in ti. He rolled to the side, barely dodging the blaze. Then, like a shadow, he appeared behind the unconscious Selena and struck the back of her neck again for good asure.
"No!" Zara gasped, stunned.
Before she could act, Zakar grabbed Selena’s limp form and began casting a teleportation spell.
"Stop! Where are you taking her!?" Zara cried, rushing forward.
But she was too late.
In a shimr of dark light, Zakar vanished—Selena gone with him.
Zara fell to her knees, her breath coming in ragged gasps. "Fluff! Co out, now!"
A tiny puff of light appeared before her. The small, white creature materialized with wide eyes.
[Host?]
"This... this wasn’t in Lira’s mories! What’s happening?!"
Fluff waved his paw, trying to calm her down.
[Host, I don’t know this wasn’t supposed to happen. I’ll go investigate right now. Please, try to stay calm.]
And with that, Fluff vanished again, leaving Zara alone with her pounding heart.
She clenched her fists and stood up, eyes fierce with resolve.
"I have to report this. The instructors—soone has to know."
Without wasting another second, she sprinted toward the instructor departnt,
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Deep Within the Mountains – Unknown Realm
The sky overhead was a swirling canvas of darkness, yet everything remained strangely visible—as if the shadows themselves carried light.
"Ughhh..."
Carl groaned as he sat up, his back aching from the fall. He blinked, trying to adjust his eyes to the eerie twilight. Around him were jagged rocks, twisted trees, and an unnatural silence that made his skin crawl.
With effort, he stood, wobbling slightly.
"Where... am I?" he muttered. "Oh, right... that vortex. Great."
He took a few cautious steps forward, brushing dust from his shirt. His body still ached, but it wasn’t anything he couldn’t handle—at least, not compared to being nearly roasted alive by a magic vortex.
That’s when he heard it.
Rustling.
Low and deliberate—coming from the trees.
Carl froze, his senses flaring. Slowly, he turned his gaze toward the treetops.
There, half-shrouded in shadows, stood figures. Dozens of them. Perched on the branches like crows. Watching. Silent.
A wave of relief washed over him. "Oh thank the gods—you guys ca to save !"
He waved cheerfully, trying to ignore the unease prickling at the back of his neck.
"...Ehhhhhh?"
Sothing whistled through the air.
A massive bone—slick with blood—planted itself in the ground just inches from his foot.
Carl stared at it. Then slowly looked back up.
"...Not here to save , huh?"
He sighed, rubbing his temples with a tired expression. "Of course. Why would they be?"
He glanced around, muttering to himself. "I was hoping reincarnation ant better luck. Guess I was wrong. Again."
The figures in the trees didn’t move, but Carl could feel their eyes boring into him.
With a forced grin, he backed away a step. "Right. No sudden moves. Definitely not friendly locals. Ti to run? Yeah... maybe ti to run."
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