"Ahhhh~!"
A rush of smoke tore through the forest, screaming past the trees, while the shouts of male and female students echoed across the wilderness.
"As a man, how can you be so panicked, running from the enemy!"
"Shut up! Can't you be quiet for even a moment?!"
Kael and Arakane, following the requirements of the second trial, were tasked with finding the grave of the First Guildmaster first. Yet, they hadn't anticipated encountering such a massive magical beast along the way.
Before they could recover from the initial shock, yet another monster appeared, leaving them no choice but to flee.
A powerful gust of wind hit them from behind.
"Danger—!"
"Ahhh~!"
Arakane turned her head just in time to see the beast's hooves crashing down toward them. Instinctively, Kael lunged forward, grabbing her and shielding her under his own body, rolling together through a gap in the rocks to land safely on the other side of a cliff wall.
"What… what are you doing?!" Arakane's face burned as she felt Kael's warmth beneath her. She shoved him away sharply, trying to emphasize that she had no such intentions. Clenching her fists in anger, she continued, "That strategy just now was to scare Mira into making a mistake! It was all an act! Don't tell me you actually think I'm… interested in you!"
"I-I wasn't thinking that way… but still, thank you. It was clever of you to come up with that strategy…" Kael's innocent expression, paired with a tone of genuine sincerity, immediately left Arakane speechless, her irritation fading.
"You… you idiot."
"Crackle, crackle." Leaves rustled as the nearby trees whispered in the wind.
"Someone?"
"There's actually someone on this island? Are they even human?"
"I… I didn't think anyone was here…"
A man with black hair and a white robe stumbled forward, his expression lonely, muttering to himself in disbelief. Suddenly, he paused, as if recalling something.
"Who are you!"
"This island—only guild members have the right to enter!"
Kael and Arakane glared at him, then immediately drew on the small reserves of magic they had left, taking defensive stances.
Though their magical power was slowly regenerating due to the effects of Sirius Isle, the man in front of them inexplicably instilled a sense of fear they couldn't fully explain. They had no choice but to rely on magic for defense.
"Guild… so that's it… managed by the guild…" The black-haired man muttered, lost in thought, his gaze distant.
"You…" Kael took a step forward, his eyes narrowed in anger, ready to chastise him—but before he could finish—
"No!!!"
"You two absolutely cannot come near me!"
The black-haired man shouted suddenly, terrified, clutching his head as if something horrific were about to happen.
Kael and Arakane exchanged a glance, unsure of how to act. Yet they also knew they couldn't allow a stranger to wander freely across the island—it was far too dangerous. Both confirmed this silent agreement in each other's eyes.
Nodding resolutely, they decided to drive him off the island. Just as they were about to move—
"Hey~ Kael, Arakane! What are you two standing around for?"
"If we don't hurry, Habi and I are going to become S-rank mages first, hahahaha!"
A cheerful voice broke the tense silence. Nazu and Habi waved from behind, oblivious to the black-haired man hidden from view.
"Nazu?" Kael and Arakane turned in unison, astonished.
At the sound of the name, the black-haired man froze. The black magic he had been struggling to suppress suddenly surged violently within him.
He gritted his teeth in agony, tears streaming down as he stared blankly at the one person he had longed for in his heart—Nazu.
"You've grown… I… I've been searching for you…" The man's voice trembled, tears spilling freely, joy evident despite his fear.
Nazu paused, a frown of confusion crossing his face. "Who… who exactly are you?"
His fists clenched as small sparks of fiery magic danced across his skin. He was ready to strike if the man gave the wrong answer. The previous trial had taught him one lesson: never act recklessly against an unknown opponent.
"I see… Nazu still doesn't have the strength to destroy me…"
The black-haired man realized after sensing Nazu's magic that he was still too weak. Saddened, he shed more tears. He had no desire to harm anyone—not yet, anyway.
Gently, almost imperceptibly, he brushed the air.
"Bang~"
The man froze, his eyes snapping open. The black magic he had been restraining exploded outward, swirling violently around him. He clutched his head, powerless, screaming in agony: "Run… run!"
Meanwhile, above in the treetops, Kael paused, his expression instantly grave.
"Found it…" he murmured, then vanished into thin air.
The black magic, now uncontrollable, formed a dark shroud around the black-haired man, deathly energy pressing down on the three below.
Falling leaves, just inches away, disintegrated into ash before touching the ground. The three onlookers and a cat instinctively narrowed their eyes.
This aura… this magic… it was the scent of death.
"Everyone, get out of here!" Nazu shouted. Kael quickly grabbed Arakane, ready to flee.
But it was too late. The black magic, swelling like a balloon about to burst, expanded rapidly.
The three and the cat watched in panic as the darkness drew closer. Nazu immediately hardened his aura, pushing the others away with force, leaving himself exposed to the oncoming wave of black magic.
In that instant, a blinding golden light filled their vision. The two opposing forces—black and gold—formed overlapping fields, clashing and restraining each other.
Kael whispered into Nazu's ear: "Don't worry, Nazu. You're safe. Your power is vital!"
"N… Kael, what…?" Nazu blinked, his eyes slowly opening. He didn't notice the red light from his scarf flowing back into his body.
"Humph~" A dragon's roar echoed in Kael's mind.
Kael muttered, "Nothing," then turned to the two forces of magic, noticing that while his Sacred Light magic could repel the black magic, it was consuming itself rapidly in the process.
Elsewhere, Jelf stood frozen, watching the scene. For the first time, he realized that someone could resist the touch of death itself with sheer magic.
"This… feels familiar… another… goddess…" Jelf murmured, staring at Kael.
Two pairs of eyes met—one tense, one quietly hopeful.