They slowly backed off and the bug receded into the darkness again. Their retreat seemed successful until… Tolin dropped to the ground and yelled while clutching his leg. Since he was supporting Evylin, she fell as well. Everything happened in an instant. Nassandra was stunned. Under the pale light, a dark red liquid seeped from Tolin's leg. It was blood! He was attacked! Nassandra reacted quickly, snapped back with her wand, and casted a spell. A thick wall of ice soon formed between them and the insect. Although she did not see how it happened, she knew the insect must have attacked Tolin. Admittedly, there was the possibility there were other monsters around them that she could not see. She chose to ignore that idea. Not because she wanted to be negligent in her defense. Rather… her condition did not permit it. This was the best she could currently do.
Tolin rolled around, as Evylin tried to stop his bleeding, except it was too dark. Nobody could see very well. Trying to treat an injury like this was a futile endeavour. Nassandra erased his cries from her mind and focused on the threat in front of her. There was no sign of the insect, yet she had a bad feeling. Pew! What was that? She blinked. Her cheek felt hot. Wiping it with her hand revealed blood. The girl stepped back out of fear. Her ice was intact, so how did she get attacked? Was there really something else out there? This caused her spell to tremble, due to her unstable mind. She forced herself to calm down. For an Arcanist, panicking was the worst thing they could do. Her earlier backlash was a harsh reminder. After regaining her calm, she found a small hole in the ice near her face. This was not there before. The wheels in Nassandra's head turned. It was some kind of invisible attack! And it was sharp enough to puncture her ice wall!
In that case, defending was pointless. Her decision was swift. The ice wall slid forward. Transforming defense into offense, she aimed to flatten the bug! Bang! It collided with something beyond her vision. She could not tell if her plan worked or not. To be honest, her combat system was severely lacking. Her 'ice wall' spell was actually an advanced form of ice manipulation. It was the same spell that she used to create a dome of ice and transport everyone. It was her only defensive method. If she had an attack method, she could have killed the insect. If she had a sensory method, she could have checked if it was dead. Even a recovery or movement spell would have been useful… She pulled her thoughts back to reality when some movement was heard. It was not going to be as easy as she thought.
She cursed and improvised on the spot. Using ice manipulation again, she created a thin ice blade. It whistled through the wind with extreme sharpness. Since blunt damage did not work, then what about cutting? It was a smart idea, except her ice blade exploded into a million snowy crystals. The 'turtle shell' protecting the insect could resist most weapons. It required Benedict and Shirley's martial techniques to break through. It was not something that Nassandra's fragile ice blade could pierce. She stared at the impossible sight, disbelief filling her eyes. This… was not a battle she could win! The instant that thought crossed her mind, she turned around and casted another spell. A path of ice condensed. She grabbed the dazed Tolin and Evylin and ran away. The result of her first real battle… Ten Dawn Nassandra had lost!
Far away, Protector Avin lowered his brush and looked out the window. It was nighttime. Snowflakes danced from the sky as heavy clouds drifted in from the north. It was bound to be a big storm. He watched from a mansion, somewhere in the upper district. This was his temporary residence after the alliance with the seventeen Hochlaegen and nine Kreftig Families. The revival of the Arcellius Family was making good progress. Despite that, there was a prickling sensation on the back of his hand. His brows furrowed. When he concentrated, he could sense invisible connections between him, Freon, and Nassandra. He called it 'karma'. This karma stretched into the distance where Freon and Nassandra were. With it, he could find them anywhere in the world. This ability appeared to be an extension of his Blue Depth Core, but he was hesitant to say. The Sword King seemed to have something similar from their conversation together. The power of a Rank 3 King was still very mysterious.
His karma with Freon and Nassandra was currently 'trembling', almost like it was crying out in pain. He knew this meant they were involved in a dangerous situation where their lives were put on the line. This was why Protector Avin frowned. He felt the same sensation before the meeting with the Hochlaegen and Kreftig Families. Now, the sensation intensified. This signalled that the danger facing Freon and Nassandra multiplied! It had reached a point where their lives were at serious risk! Just what was going on?
The man was confused. They were supposed to be training with Princess Elizabeth, Sir Benedict, Lady Shirley, and many other Grand Knights and Arcane Knights. It was hard to imagine anything could threaten this party. Off the top of his head, he listed what could. There were the Sword King and his two senior disciples, but they were related to Benedict. The Featherwind Sect made a formal alliance with Elizabeth and the Alzar Kingdom, so it should not be them. If so, then what was threatening them? Although it was hard to judge distance with karma, they should be in the Zino Kingdom still. He ruminated for a while and decided. He would check it out himself. After changing clothes, the man said a few words to the servant and departed.
Whoosh! Protector Avin darted across the city at high speed. Every time he stepped, he reappeared far away. A powerful vortex of wind trailed behind him, blasting away the snow and forming a tunnel of air. This was the wind-type spell he created, Bridging Horizon! It was a genuine Blue Depth Core Level movement spell! The night lights turned into a blur, as the city walls rapidly approached. The guards atop the walls were yawning or chatting. Since the gates were closed at night, there was little need to patrol, especially in the heavy storm. A figure flickered on the ramparts for an instant and vanished. A nearby guard rubbed their eyes then scratched their head. Protector Avin landed on the main road, rushed up the valley, and appeared at the top where he had a wide view of the capital. It was incredible. He travelled here in less than three minutes!
When he was about to continue, his eyebrow raised. He saw something interesting in the sky. To be specific, it was four giant birds… Who else could it be, besides from the Featherwind Sect? Strangely, they seemed to be flying in the same direction as Freon and Nassandra. This made Protector Avin wonder. They did not have a Rank 3 King, so they could not sense karma. Did they know something? Although it was a bit tiring, he leapt into the sky and chased after them. Because he did not hide his aura, the four birds quickly sensed his presence and reacted. The two sides met in the air.
"Protector Avin," Elder Argo spoke. "Do you need anything?"
"I wanted to ask where you were going."
The birds exchanged glances. Some nervousness was seen on their faces. Only Elder Argo remained calm as he replied, "The Mordrigan Peaks."
"Is that where Her Highness is?"
"You are well-informed."
"And why are you going there?" Protector Avin pressed with narrowed eyes. The weight of his aura increased, crashing down on the four birds. The power of a Rank 3 King was gradually being released. This was his warning.
It would have worked on anyone else, except these were the Featherwind Sect's elder birds. All of them were once Half-Rank 3 Kings, or Grand Rank 2 Lords. Their sect master was also a Rank 3 King. Therefore, the pressure that would have daunted any other human was only slightly uncomfortable to the birds. Elder Argo answered, "Our companion told us that Her Highness's party is in danger. We were on the way to help them. Did you sense the same thing?"
Protector Avin scrutinized the bird's face. Despite his formidable senses, he was stumped by one thing. What did a lying bird look like? He lifted his aura and said, "Yes, that's right."
The bird seemed to smile. "Since we're going the same way, why don't we travel together?"
"Fine. Lead the way."