"Fire!"

The shout echoed through the dormitory.

Evan stepped outside his room, his thoughts racing.

'A sudden fire?'

Something wasn't right.

The chance of a fire in the dormitory was very low.

Students from the Magic department were always prepared to put out fires, and alchemy students always kept fire-extinguishing magic scrolls nearby when concocting their volatile potions.

So, an actual fire was unlikely.

Moreover, the quick reaction of students to the shout of 'fire!' raised more doubts.

'What's happening?'

In the absence of a professor, students would normally try to put out the fire themselves.

But now, everyone was heading outside without hesitation.

As though under a spell.

Evan wasnt the only one sensing this.

Others felt the strangeness too.

But seeing everyone else hurry out, they chose to follow.

Evan hesitated briefly, looking towards where the supposed fire was.

'Should I check it out?'

He thought for a bit and then decided against it.

He didn't need to get involved.

If he went to the reported fire's location, he might face a situation he wasnt ready for.

In doing so, he might get hurt, which could impact the rest of his semester.

With that thought, Evan began to head for the exit again.

As he was about to leave, a familiar face appeared, moving against the flow of students.

"Yeniel?"

"Oh, Evan."

Hearing Evan's voice, Yeniel stopped and rushed to him.

Seeing her, concern appeared on Evans face.

"Yeniel, where are you headed? Theres word of a fire, you should be evacuating."

Yeniel shook her head.

"Its strange. All this chaos over just a fire?"

"Ah, there was a big fire before you arrived here. Maybe it's the same now, which is why everyone's leaving."

Evan said lightly, thinking it wasnt a big deal.

But Yeniel didn't like his casual attitude.

Her face showed her disagreement.

"Everyones leaving over a mere fire? The students of Liberion Academy?"

Yeniels strong words and look caught Evan off guard.

He was used to seeing Yeniel happy or neutral around him.

Her sudden anger was surprising.

Looking annoyed, Yeniel spoke.

"I want to see for myself. What will you do?"

Despite her words, Evan was firm.

"I don't need to go... I can't help with the fire... Lets leave, Yeniel."

"Really, Evan..."

Yeniel seemed ready to express her anger.

But suddenly...

"What?"

Confusion appeared on her face.

And then...

"Oh... No!!"

With wide eyes, Yeniel raced out of the dormitory.

Evan watched Yeniel with confusion.

"Did she change her mind?"

He followed after her.

"Phew..."

Carol wiped his brow with his sleeve.

Luna was motionless at his feet.

Next to Carol, Anton stood, with a satisfied smirk.

Anton, arms crossed, said,

"That took more time than I thought."

"I'm sorry. I misjudged her because she mainly uses magic circles."

Luna was a wizard known for her use of magic circles.

Without a pre-prepared magic circle, she was as vulnerable as anyone else.

Yet, Luna was one of the best at using circle magic and was skilled even in basic spells.

But she was no match for both Carol and Anton.

"We should get the spellbook now."

Following Anton's words, Carol moved to Luna and grabbed her bag.

He began searching for Luna's room key.

"What's this...?"

Carol stumbled upon something unexpected.

"Anton, is this...?"

It was Levian's spellbook.

Luna always had Levian's spellbook on her.

Not as a weapon for emergencies, but because she feared someone might steal it from her room.

Thus, she never thought to use it when they ambushed her.

Anton smirked.

"This is quite the lucky find."

Carol glanced at Anton and grinned back.

"I'm taking Luna Railer with me."

"You've told the mercenaries to move as soon as possible, right?"

Carol glanced at a pocket watch.

"Yes, they're on it."

Anton nodded in response.

"Good, let's get her on the carriage."

With that, Carol lifted Luna and walked to the carriage with Anton by his side.

After putting Luna inside, Carol said his farewells to Anton.

"I'm off."

"Alright, say hi to your dad for me."

With a quick nod, Carol started the carriage.

As he watched, Anton turned to go to the flaming dorm.

"What?"

Suddenly, he saw someone sprinting towards him from the distance.

The person was closing in fast.

"Who... who's that?"

The night's darkness only revealed the individual's shadow, making it hard to tell who it was.

But one thing was clear.

A strong desire to kill.

This person was overflowing with it and was heading straight for Anton.

Anton braced himself.

He had to face this unknown person.

Even if he didn't know their motive, but anyone releasing such a strong wave of killing intent undoubtedly had a reason for it.

Anton pointed the ring on his finger at the charging figure.

"Activate!"

Right away, several ice spears appeared around him.

It was a magical tool.

"Fire!"

The ice spears shot towards the figure quickly.

But, it was useless.

Crack.

The figure slowed down for a moment and broke the incoming ice spears with his hands.

The ice spears broke apart, and the figure started running towards Anton again.

"What...what the hell is going on?!"

Fear rose in Anton, pushing him to back away.

Who was this man coming at him?

He was frightened, but now wasn't the time for fear.

Anton clenched his teeth and held his necklace tight.

"Activate!"

Now, three fire sparks flew out.

It was magic like the explosion magic Rie used.

"I didn't want to use this!"

Anton threw the magic at the speeding figure.

"Die!"

Without thinking about what would happen next, Anton released his explosion magic.

Then, a voice echoed from the figure's direction.

"Priscilla. Guardian Spirit."

-KWAAAAAAAAA!!!!

The explosion magic blew up on touch.

A huge flame burst out, sending a wave of force all around.

Black smoke poured out from the blast.

Holding back his breath, Anton focused on the rising smoke.

He couldn't see through the dark smoke, but he felt a bit relieved.

With such a big explosion, not many could have lived through it.

"Ha... haha... who could've made it through that?"

Anton whispered to himself, looking around cautiously.

"I should get out fast..."

An explosion like that would surely draw eyes.

He had to leave, and fast.

Thinking that, Anton began to move.

-Thunk!

Suddenly, a noise rang out behind him, like someone had stomped the ground.

"Huh?"

Anton slightly turned his head to find where the sound came from.

What he saw was a hand.

-Crunch!!!!

"Arghhhhhh!!!!"

After spotting the hand, Anton's face was forced right into the ground.

The hand he saw had grabbed his face and slammed him to the ground.

Blood started pooling from behind Anton's head.

Then, a terrifying voice sounded.

A voice full of anger and the desire to kill.

"Hey, quiet down."

Hearing that voice, Anton shuddered, and reality hit him.

And the hand gripping his face.

Through the gaps between the fingers, he saw a face.

It was... Rudy Astria.

There was no emotion on Rudy Astria's face, but deep down, he was boiling with rage.

"Uh... Ru... Rudy Ast-."

Trying to say his name, Rudy lifted Anton's face with one hand and crashed it back to the ground.

-Thud!!!!!

"Aaaarrrrgggghhhhh!!!!"

Sharp pain surged through the back of Anton's head.

Rudy put his hand over Anton's mouth.

"Hey, you're too loud."

Rudy looked at him sharply.

"It's night. What if you wake people up?"

Rudy Astria's stern face sent chills down Anton's spine.

His face turned pale, and his knees felt weak.

Shaking with fear, Anton tried to speak.

Mm hmm mmm

But with Rudy's hand over his mouth, his cries were barely heard.

Seeing this, Rudy quickly asked,

Luna Railer.

Mmm?

Where's Luna?

Anton quickly pointed to the academy's main gate.

Rudy then let go of Anton's mouth.

How long ago?

S-sniff... just a little while ago.

Anton remained on the ground, crying.

Rudy Astria rushed towards the academy's main gate.

A pain pulsed in the back of Anton's head, but the terror he felt overshadowed it.

He wanted to flee, but his legs were too shaky.

Hmm hmm

He then heard someone approaching.

The sound of fast breathing and running steps.

To Anton, these seemed like the steps of a rescuer.

Through his tears, Anton begged.

P-please help me hmm

Hearing his plea, the steps grew louder.

Soon, a figure stood over him.

Please help

The person looked at him, pausing.

Looking up, teary-eyed, Anton recognized the face.

Ah?

Hey, did Rudy Astria pass by here? Which way did he go?

It was Rie looking down at him.

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Another one later (`)o