The forest was now filled with the sounds of battle.
Broken branches, fallen assassins, and fading black magic scattered across the clearing.
June Astral moved like lightning.
Her sword flashed once—
CLANG.
Another assassin's blade shattered before he was kicked backward into the dirt.
June spun her sword once and rested it on her shoulder.
Around her, several assassins were already on the ground.
She sighed slightly.
"…Too weak."
Across the clearing, Lucas de Hein raised his hand again.
A massive magic circle appeared in the air above the remaining black mages.
The dark mages tried to cast another spell.
But they were too slow.
Lucas lowered his hand.
BOOM.
A wave of magical force slammed into them, throwing several of them to the ground.
The forest finally became quiet.
Only a few enemies remained.
And standing among them…
The leader.
The black mage stepped forward slowly.
Dark smoke surrounded his body.
His eyes were glowing faintly with corrupted magic.
Beside him stood the tall warrior, gripping his massive blade tightly.
June looked at them calmly.
"Looks like the real enemies finally decided to move."
The warrior stepped forward.
The ground trembled slightly with each step.
He pointed his sword directly at June.
"You're the princess of the south."
June smiled innocently.
"That's right."
Then she rested her sword against her shoulder again.
"So… are you the one protecting the creepy mage?"
The warrior didn't answer.
He simply rushed forward.
BOOM.
His massive blade slammed toward June.
She jumped back lightly, avoiding the strike.
The ground cracked where the sword landed.
June whistled softly.
"Oh."
Her brown eyes sharpened.
"You're actually strong."
Behind her—
The black mage raised both hands as dark magic gathered around him.
Lucas stepped forward calmly.
"…You're mine."
The black mage smiled coldly.
"Master of the Magical Tower…"
Dark energy swirled violently in the air.
"I've been waiting for you."
Two final battles were now about to begin in the forest.