Ulrich looked at the sisters.
Then he turned back toward the eight Valmorian knights.
His sword rose.
Crimson mana gathered over the blade once more.
He rushed forward.
The eight Valmorian knights had barely recovered from Airam's witchcraft when he reached them. Crimson mana clung to his sword in tightly bound layers, the reinforcement spell rebuilt once more despite the strain in his hand.
The nearest knight raised his anti-magic blade.
Ulrich did not meet it directly.
He stepped to the side, caught the attack near the lower edge of his sword, and guided it past his body. The black blade tore through the crimson reinforcement, scattering red sparks across the grass. Ulrich had already moved beyond the strike.
His sword came toward the knight's neck.
The helmet turned in time.
Ulrich's blade scraped along the black metal and cut across the gap beneath the ear guard. Blood appeared, though the wound was not deep enough.
A second knight attacked from behind.
