The outskirts of Valra Forest.
A merchant road, worn down by countless caravans, wound its way through the woods.
A caravan of five carriages was moving slowly. The wagons were loaded with common goods, and over a dozen guards were scattered around the front and rear, their expressions wary.
Inside the middle carriage, which was covered by a canopy, Colin Finch watched the silhouettes of trees passing by the window.
The traveling merchant smoothed his neat brown hair and lifted his arm, his dark brown traveling robe brushing against the edge of the carriage.
He had been traveling with this caravan for several days now.
“Once we pass the next fork in the road, it’s only another day’s journey to Calais Town.”
Colin turned to the girl with the brown ponytail beside him and said in a gentle tone, “Nora, once we reach Calais Town, you won’t have to follow me around anymore.”
Nora lowered her hand from the hilt of her sword and looked at her father, her delicate face filled with questions.
“I’ve already made the arrangements.”
Colin smiled, though his expression held a complex emotion that Nora couldn't quite decipher. “The Icarus Magic Academy—one of the three best academies in the kingdom—is located in Myriad City.”
“I have some connections there... A noble friend in the city is willing to help get you enrolled.”
Nora frowned. “Father, I told you I don’t want to—”
“Let me finish.” Colin interrupted her, his voice soft but brook no argument. “That noble has a son about your age. You’ll meet him at the academy.”
“If... if you two get along, you’ll have someone to rely on in the future, and I can rest easy.”
“I don’t want to get married!” Nora’s voice rose slightly. “And I certainly don’t want to meet someone through this kind of arrangement. I want to stay with you.”
Colin burst into laughter and reached out to ruffle his daughter’s hair, but deep in his eyes was something Nora couldn't read.
“Silly girl, you can’t spend your whole life as a merchant following an old man like me. You’re sixteen now; it’s time for you to see the wider world.”
“The academy can teach you real skills and make you strong. As for marriage...” He paused. “It’s just one more option. How you choose in the end is, of course, up to you.”
Nora pursed her lips and didn't argue further, but her fingers gripped the cord wrapped around her sword hilt tightly.
She hated this feeling of being managed, especially the cautious tone her father used when mentioning the “noble.”
It didn't sound like he was proud of her; it felt more like a transaction that had to be made.
From outside the carriage came the rough chatter of the guards, the rhythmic clip-clop of hooves, and the creaking of wheels. Everything was so ordinary it was almost sleep-inducing.
Right then—
“Whiz! Whiz! Whiz!”
The sound of projectiles tearing through the air shattered the afternoon silence.
“Enemy attack!”
The guard captain’s roar erupted almost simultaneously with the dull thud of arrows slamming into the wooden carriage panels.
A feathered arrow pierced the canvas window, grazing Nora’s cheek before thudding into the opposite wall, its fletching still quivering.
“Clang!”
Nora instinctively drew her sword. With a flash of steel, she deflected a second incoming arrow.
Colin’s face darkened instantly as he lifted a corner of the window curtain.
In the woods on both sides of the road, over a dozen masked figures were rushing out. They moved with discipline and coordination, immediately engaging the guards in a fierce melee.
Even more surprising were the two figures standing behind the attackers, clad in grey robes and clutching staves.
“Two casters...” A cold light flickered in Colin’s eyes. “These aren't ordinary bandits. Nora, prepare for battle. Let’s see how this plays out first.”
Chaos had already erupted outside.
The guards were brave, but the attackers had the advantage in numbers and were well-trained.
Even more lethal were the two grey-robed mages. One waved his staff, sending a barrage of ice spikes raining down on the front of the caravan, while the other tapped the ground, causing sharp stone pillars to erupt beneath the guards' feet.
Screams echoed one after another as blood splattered onto the dry dirt road.
“The attack is very targeted,” Colin whispered.
“They know the caravan’s guard layout. We’re just hitching a ride, so our priority is self-preservation. But if things keep getting worse...”
Before he could finish, one of the grey-robed mages pointed his staff directly at their carriage!
“Get down!” Colin shoved Nora aside.
“Crash!” Ice spikes smashed through one side of the carriage.
Colin’s gaze turned sharp. “It seems we can’t stay out of this. Nora, protect the flank, but don’t get too far from me. Leave the mages to me!”
“Understood!” Nora leapt from the carriage, her longsword drawing a cold arc in the sunlight.
【Flame Shield】! With a wave of Colin’s staff, a translucent shield of orange-red fire expanded around them, blocking a second volley of ice spikes.
Ice met fire, sending up a massive cloud of white steam.
Immediately after, he locked his staff onto the ice mage on the left, the gem at the tip glowing with a blinding red light.
【Scorching Ray】! A beam of white-hot light tore through the air, shooting forward with incredible speed.
The ice mage hurriedly condensed an ice wall in front of him, but the Scorching Ray punched right through it. The remaining power left a charred wound on his shoulder, making him groan and stagger back.
“Careful! It’s an experienced fire mage!” the other grey-robed mage shouted. He waved his staff, and several thick stone spikes rose from the ground, lunging at Colin from different angles.
Colin moved with agile steps, his robe fluttering as he narrowly avoided all the stone spikes.
At the same time, his left hand formed a complex sign in front of his chest while his mouth rapidly chanted an incantation.
【Phantom Light Flame】! Three volleyball-sized, shimmering spheres of light materialized out of thin air. Their trajectories were erratic, sometimes accelerating and sometimes making sharp turns as they flew toward the two mages from tricky angles.
The spheres didn't just radiate heat; they emitted a blinding light that disrupted vision, forcing the two mages to focus entirely on defense and preventing them from supporting the other attackers.
Taking advantage of this, Nora had already charged into the fray on the flank.
A masked attacker swung a blade at her. Nora didn't dodge; instead, she stepped forward and thrust her sword with precision.
【Scorching Piercing】! The tip of her sword suddenly glowed with a dark red light as the temperature spiked. It let out a sharp hiss as it pierced through the attacker’s leather armor and straight into his chest.
The attacker collapsed with a scream, the smell of charred flesh wafting from the wound.
Another man tried to ambush her from behind. Nora spun around and raised her sword.
【Parry and Counter】! “Clang!” Blade met blade, sending sparks flying.
Nora redirected the force of the blow, her body spinning like a top as her sword swept upward, carving a bloody gash across the man’s ribs.
Just then, a third attacker lunged from the side. Catching Nora just as her previous move finished, he thrust a dagger toward her left side in a cunning arc.
Nora barely managed to twist her body. The tip of the blade missed her leather armor and tore a deep, bloody gash into her side.
“Ugh!” Nora grunted, her movements suddenly faltering.
“Nora!” Colin caught a glimpse of this and his heart tightened.
“I’m fine!” Nora grit her teeth. Without slowing her momentum, she swung her sword back and sliced through the ambusher’s wrist.
Blood seeped from the wound in her side, soaking her clothes.
The tide of battle continued to worsen. Guards were falling one by one, and carriages had been set ablaze, sending up plumes of thick smoke.
The panicked cries of the driver and civilians mingled with the clashing of steel and the screams of the dying.
“Mr. Colin! Help us!” the caravan leader, covered in blood, screamed desperately.
Colin surveyed the battlefield, his heart sinking.
The two enemy mages were skilled and coordinated. Though he could suppress them, he couldn't secure a quick victory.
Most of the guards were dead or wounded, and Nora was starting to be surrounded by multiple foes, her situation becoming increasingly perilous.
“Nora!” Colin shouted sternly. “Break through towards the forest! Now!”
Rate on N.U.
