The scene rewinds to two days prior.
The two of them soared through the sky, returning toward the academy. Ellie darted and twisted through the air, her glider wings moving as if they were extensions of her own body. To Jody, she appeared like a delicate, fluttering butterfly, effortlessly light and graceful.
He assumed she was merely practicing aerial maneuvers, unaware that her exuberant mood now overtook her usual composure.
Suddenly, Ellie flipped backward, lying supine in midair as she continued to glide. The one who had been leading slowed gradually until they flew level—well, vertically level—with Jody.
Ellie inched closer from above, her pace deliberate. Her hair was pinned back, save for a streak of cobalt that danced wildly in the rushing wind. Her lively eyes, now half-squinting against the breeze, seemed to breathe warmth across Jody's cheeks with each exhalation. Witnessing her perfect visage, Jody felt an unfamiliar stir of emotion ripple through him.
Looking up from below, Ellie saw Jody momentarily blot out the sky. Memories of their previous battle with the octopus beast and the flawless magical crystal he had gifted her filled her with a curious sense of security.
For several suspended moments, their gazes met. It was Ellie who broke the silence first:
"Since the assessment is still two days away, why don't I take you somewhere fun? I'll even give you a little gift—how does that sound?"
Since enrolling, Jody's life had oscillated between the classroom and the dormitory; he had yet to explore the royal city properly. Moreover, there was no reason to refuse this rare chance to spend time alone with his senior. He readily agreed.
They landed in a secluded area, changed into casual attire, and Ellie led Jody through the bustling streets of the royal city.
As he had imagined, the streets were paved with stone, flanked by a myriad of shops: taverns, inns, apothecaries, and medical halls—every necessity accounted for.
"Junior, aren't you curious where we're headed?" Ellie's impatience surfaced first, cutting through the quiet.
Jody reined in his wandering gaze and replied with a smile: "You've tasted my cooking; ordinary taverns can hardly impress you. We're lively, so it's unlikely you're taking me for a doctor's visit. Magical matters are restricted to the academy. The only place left… is a martial arts hall, isn't it?"
Ellie chuckled softly. "Not exactly, but you're close."
Before Jody could respond, she bounded ahead, hands clasped behind her back, skipping nimbly through the streets.
Their laughter and chatter abruptly faded as the bustling thoroughfare fell silent. Then came the measured cadence of hooves, the clink of armor, the disciplined rhythm of a marching force. Residents hastily cleared the way, bowing their heads in deference.
"Ah, the Church," Ellie murmured, guiding Jody aside without a trace of fear in her tone.
Jody had read extensively about the Merritin Church in his books. Recognized officially by the royal court as the kingdom's sole sanctioned faith, the Church's influence was astonishing. They commanded their own military, collected taxes in certain towns, and even claimed churches within the royal city as semi-autonomous territories.
Yet, the Pope publicly professed a commitment only to the propagation of the Way and the salvation of believers, refusing to interfere in state affairs. Officially, government administrators were assigned by the crown, and the Church merely assisted.
Astute observers knew the truth: the Church, while outwardly cooperative, held power rivaling the monarchy, particularly because of a secretive discipline known as Sacred Martial Qi. Unlike ordinary warriors, Church adepts could wield this technique with extraordinary efficacy, and those blessed with magical talent were raised as holy scions, their magical affinity singularly "Sacred."
The Pope himself, a figure of supreme mastery, was rumored to have surpassed Level Nine, though whether as a mage, a warrior, or both remained unknown. Even the century-old Sovereign of the Holy Realm could only maintain a delicate balance of power, demonstrating the Pope's formidable might.
Jody once asked Ellie, "Since you perceive all elements, can you use Sacred Magic?"
She merely shook her head. "Sacred Magic belongs to no element."
Before Jody could ponder further, the Church's procession arrived. At its forefront were four soldiers in gleaming silver armor, marching two by two, each adorned with broad cross-hilts at their waists. Their steps were precise, eyes fixed forward—a vanguard of undeniable authority.
Behind them came two heavily armored knights atop crimson steeds clad in silver-scaled barding. Two towering warriors rode each horse, swords crossed at their sides, accompanied by silver lances and half-height shields.
Trailing the formation was a stately carriage, its frame of dark red huanghuali wood radiating both strength and elegance. Silver curtains concealed the interior entirely, while four more armored soldiers closed the rear guard. Jody silently marveled—such protection suggested a figure of immense importance within the carriage, whether for caution or display.
Though the pair stepped aside, their composure marked them as conspicuous against the bowed, silent townsfolk. One mounted guard fixed a piercing gaze on them, hand brushing the hilt of his sword as the procession passed. Neither Jody nor Ellie faltered, yet neither initiated conflict. Their silent exchange ended as the Church continued forward.
Suddenly, chaos erupted. From a nearby alley, eight masked warriors appeared, silver qi surging from their bodies—skilled mid-level combatants. They moved with precision: three targeting the front four guards, three engaging the rear, and two charging directly at the carriage. In a single bound, they lunged toward its center.