The moment Lia crossed the barrier, the world outside felt strangely quiet.
The chaos of Astralis Arcanum—the explosions, the clashes of mana, the screams—was suddenly muted behind her like a storm sealed inside a glass sphere.
But she didn't stop.
The corrupted slash on her leg burned sharply, yet she forced her body forward.
Run.
That was the only thought in her mind.
Behind her—
Three hooded Vassel soldiers burst through the opening just before the barrier sealed shut again.
"After her!" one of them shouted.
They immediately sprinted after Lia.
Inside the academy grounds, Ron saw them disappear beyond the barrier.
"Damn it…"
---
Lia ran.
The academy walls quickly fell behind her as she reached the streets of the academy city outside.
But what she saw made her heart sink.
The city was burning.
