"Finger of the Demon."

A towering pillar of black surged, engulfing Harpel and Eric.

Astina was taken aback.

She had intended to talk to her brother, but Rudy was wasting no time at all.

Astina wasn't the only one caught off guard by this.

"Argh!"

"Huff!"

Thanks to their combat experience, Eric and Harpel flung themselves aside, evading the unexpected magical assault.

Harpel exclaimed in shock,

"What...what is this! Eric, didn't you use a scroll to weaken magic?"

"A single scroll can't block all magic. It only weakened Astina's telekinetic magic."

Seizing the opportunity, Rudy continued casting magic.

"Abyssal Flame."

"Harpel! It's dark magic! Don't attempt to block it, dodge it!"

"Argh!"

In their frantic state, they struggled to evade.

"Wind Blaster."

Harpel failed to fully evade Rudy's magic and was sent flying sideways, struck by the spell.

"Harpel!"

Eric cried out, his voice filled with concern.

However, he couldn't rush to his aid.

He knew that if he hurried over, he would become the next target.

"Ugh...!"

Harpel groaned, struggling to rise from the ground.

But he had to keep rolling to avoid Rudy's continuous barrage of magic, unable to regain a stable footing.

Astina stared in disbelief, her eyes wide.

Harpel and Eric were no pushovers.

Both were skilled knights capable of wielding sword aura.

Widely recognized as exceptional knights.

Yet, they were being overwhelmed.

While Rudy's surprise attack played a part, the main reason was dark magic.

Astina hadn't seen much dark magic until now.

Users of such magic were scarce, and she held no interest in magic that carried risks.

But observing the current situation, she realized her prejudice against dark magic might need to be reconsidered.

"Ugh...!"

Eric swiftly charged toward Rudy.

In response, Rudy took a step back, swiftly casting another spell.

"Spikes of Hell."

Small, sharp spikes emerged from the ground, causing Eric to hesitate and ultimately step back.

Seizing the opportunity, Rudy unleashed another spell.

"Fire Wall."

A towering wall of fire erupted in Eric's direction.

Astina watched the battle with pure admiration.

She had heard of the versatility and power of dark magic.

However, what impressed her now was its unpredictability.

When Eric approached, if Rudy was using conventional magic instead, Eric might have been able to break through.

Swordsmen often enhanced their bodies with mana, giving them the ability to withstand most magical attacks and press forward, ignoring the weaker spells.

Hence, in small-scale battles, swordsmen held a significant advantage over wizards.

Yet, Rudy's dark magic nullified that advantage.

Both Eric and Harpel were well-acquainted with dark magic.

To swordsmen, dark magic was an absolute threat that they couldn't afford to underestimate.

To the untrained eye, it didn't appear different from other forms of magic, except for its darker hues.

This very aspect made it difficult to read.

If it contained an effect that restricted movement, they would lose the battle.

They couldn't risk taking a hit from dark magic.

"Luna."

Rudy called out Luna's name, his focus still fixed ahead.

"Huh, yes?"

Like Astina, Luna was also blankly watching Rudy's fight, so she responded in a fluster.

"Astina senior said those guys put a restriction on her, can you help me instead?"

"Yes! I understand!"

Rudy didn't let the opportunity slip away while he maintained the upper hand.

"Wind Ball!"

Luna joined the fight when Rudy was already holding his own.

"Haha... truly impressive," Astina chuckled dryly at the scene.

The ease with which Rudy wielded dark magic and his astounding rate of growth took her by surprise.

Astina possessed exceptional talent herself, but she had only reached the level of intermediate magic towards the end of her first semester in the first year.

Meanwhile, Rudy was already capable of using intermediate magic effectively in actual combat.

"This is the Astria family..."

Astina expressed her genuine admiration.

"Phew..."

I released a breath I had been holding.

I was completely zoned in.

Using dark magic like this was dangerous.

Especially for someone like me who was not yet used to it.

However, I couldn't afford to hold back right now.

I needed to locate Serina as quickly as possible.

The elemental, Priscilla.

It was an immense threat.

Particularly to Serina.

Elementals can be classified into two types.

Regular Elementals and special elementals.

Regular elementals encompass the typical four elements: fire, water, wind, and earth.

These elementals are further categorized as beginner, intermediate, advanced, and supreme.

Individuals with a strong affinity for nature can form contracts with these elementals.

However, special elementals are different.

While some can be contracted and summoned through affinity and mana, others operate under completely distinct principles.

In the case of Priscilla, it doesn't require any affinity.

Instead, this elemental feeds on a person's mental and life energy.

If someone with weak mental fortitude were to form a contract with Priscilla, they would lose control as their mind crumbles.

Even after establishing a contract, there are other complications.

Using Priscilla after forming the contract continuously depletes one's mental strength.

The individual's mind will eventually collapse.

This is what led to the demise of Serina's mother.

While her mother had no issues with the contract initially, her mental deteriorated over time and her mind eventually collapsed.

No longer able to control Priscilla, the elemental went on a rampage.

Serina wouldn't be able to withstand her either.

Her mental strength is still weak.

Even later when she befriends Evan and becomes stronger mentally, she couldn't control Priscilla, let alone now.

The prophecy was a foretelling of the destruction that soon follows if we allow her to contract Priscilla.

This damn kid......

The two in front of me were slowing starting to counter my attacks.

I had taken them by surprise using the advantages of dark magic.

But, there was something I lacked.

A decisive blow.

I didn't have magic that could finish them off.

They would soon take control of the situation.

Although I currently have the upper hand, those guys are knights who have real experience.

What should I do now?

Both of them have already adjusted their positions, ready to counter my attacks.

In such a situation, the only thing I could do was keep firing magic.

And when my mana hits rock bottom, I'll be attacked in turn.

It's the worst situation.

I don't have the time, nor do I have the power to crush them.

Then.......

"Rudy."

"What...?"

Astina stepped forward, pointing at the man who was constantly blabbering.

"Let me take over now. You just focus on that guy."

"Huh?"

I'm sure they blocked telekinetic magic with a scroll...

Then she smiled as if she knew what I was about to say.

"Just don't use telekinetic magic, right?"

Mana gathered in Astina's hand.

"Earthwave."

The ground split and stones soared up.

"What......?"

Harpel looked at the scene in surprise.

Eric quickly pushed Harpel aside and deflected the incoming rocks with his sword.

Harpel stumbled and fell to the ground.

"Ugh!"

"Kuh!"

A regular sword wouldn't have been able to withstand the impact, but his sword, infused with aura, managed to slice through the rock.

After parrying the attack, Eric turned to Harpel, who was still on the ground.

"Harpel! The scroll only blocks telekinetic magic! She can use other magic!"

"Abyssal Flame."

While Harpel was still on the ground, I took advantage and directed my spell toward Eric.

"Fireball!"

Luna also sent her magic toward him.

However, Eric swiftly maneuvered his body and swung his sword, slicing through the incoming magic with a powerful arc of aura.

"Ugh...!"

Nevertheless, he couldn't completely neutralize it.

Fragments of magic scattered and landed on his body.

The Abyssal Flame caused him pain, but he still stood strong.

Astina gazed at Eric with a mix of pity and determination.

"Eric, I apologize for having a weak brother."

Her next words carried a sharp edge.

"But I can't let this go."

Eric looked back at Astina, a smile on his face.

"I would have been disappointed if you had done otherwise."

He tightened the grip on his sword and amplified the aura pulsing through it.

Astina glanced at me, standing beside her, and spoke.

"Rudy, watch closely."

The mana in Astina's hand continued to gather, growing in intensity.

"This is how you use magic."

The spell that escaped Astina's lips was a simple one.

"Ignite."

It was the most fundamental magic of the fire attribute.

However, this was no ordinary flame.

Kwaaang!!

The circular flame unleashed by Ignite exploded magnificently.

Though it didn't possess the same force as Astina's signature telekinetic magic, it held overwhelming power.

Astina observed the explosion, a smile forming on her lips.

"If you wanted to defeat me, you should have brought the entire knight order."

***

Supposed to have posted this on Sunday, but I decided to do it after the site update today instead.

4/4 Enjoy the chappy!

Coming soon!