The forest exploded into movement.
The assassins attacked first.
Like shadows breaking from the trees, dozens of them rushed toward June Astral, their blades flashing in the dim forest light.
June didn't move at first.
She simply stood there calmly.
Then—
CLANG.
Her sword left its sheath in a single smooth motion.
The first assassin's blade struck hers, but June twisted her wrist and redirected the attack effortlessly.
Another assassin jumped from behind.
June stepped sideways and struck with the back of her sword.
THUD.
The man crashed into the ground.
Her brown eyes were no longer playful.
They were sharp and focused.
More assassins rushed her at once.
June spun gracefully, her long ponytail whipping through the air as her sword cut through the attackers with precise movements.
She moved quickly—almost like she was dancing.
Across the clearing—
Lucas de Hein stepped forward slowly.
The black mages raised their hands, chanting dark spells.
Black flames began forming in the air.
Lucas watched them calmly.
"…Pathetic."
He lifted his hand slightly.
Instantly, six glowing magic circles appeared around him, spinning slowly in the air.
The black mages released their spells.
Dark fire rushed toward him.
But Lucas flicked his fingers once.
BOOM.
A barrier of light shattered the dark flames instantly.
The shockwave pushed several mages backward.
Lucas's silver eyes glowed faintly.
"You use forbidden magic…"
Another magic circle formed above his hand.
"…yet your control is terrible."
He lowered his hand.
The circle fired a beam of pure magic.
CRASH.
Two black mages were thrown across the clearing.
Back near the trees—
June kicked another assassin away and flipped her sword smoothly.
She glanced toward Lucas.
"Having fun?"
Lucas didn't even look at her.
"Focus on your enemies."
June grinned.
"Bossy."
But her sword moved faster now, cutting through the surrounding assassins.
The forest echoed with the sounds of steel, magic, and battle.
Yet despite the enemy's numbers…
It was becoming clear.
The assassins and dark mages had made a terrible mistake.