Rayven's eyes stayed shut until he felt the movements of the enemies getting closer.
He also heard the faint scrape of metal against a scabbard, and it was enough of a signal to start the fight…
Thyruz's eyes opened as he could finally stop acting. "You're late."
That was all he said before the night exploded into chaos.
"Y-you..." The hostile group was surprised...
Seeing how calm the old man was, it seemed that they were truly on guard against them.
Still, they were already close to their target. They couldn't back down now.
Two of the warriors immediately targeted Miki and Nara, as they were the main target!
The leader, one of the mages, swiftly gave his command...
"Just take the girls! The little one's worth double—noble buyers are paying a premium this month!"
Rayven's jaw tightened as he heard this. 'So they were Slave-traders...'
Of course. That explained their persistence.
One of the mages stepped forward, raised his staff, and cast his spell…
"Oh forces that pierce the earth and sky-
Twin Fang Javelin!"
Two bolts of condensed mana tore through the air toward Thyruz.
However, this was nothing in Thyruz's eyes.
He just tilted his head slightly, letting one pass close enough to ruffle his hair while the other streaked past his shoulder harmlessly.
'You can't even aim properly…' He thought…
Without a pause, Thyruz's voice cut through the chaos.
"Oh shade-born paths, guide my steps beyond mortal sight-
Phantom Stride."
At this time, Rayven watched as Thyruz's body blurred, then vanished.
To be honest, Rayven wanted to be the ones to strike the enemy first…
However, Thyruz and the two others suggested waiting for the enemies to attack instead. It seemed that they had other plans in mind.
Because of that, Rayven could only assist his team from behind.
As expected, the mage's eyes widened as they realized how their targets quickly moved as soon as they got closer.
Suddenly, Thyruz reappeared behind him, with his wooden staff slamming at the back of his head!
Thud!
The second mage yelped in alarm, beginning a spell of his own, but Thyruz's first strike forced him backward, killing the chant.
"Hooo~ I'm still good at this…" Thyruz muttered as he had already rarely fought at his age.
In the meantime, Nara, who was so sleepy a few moments ago, was already filled with strength.
Clang! Clang! Clang!
"Haha! I knew it! You're all practicing Larkinson's Sword Style!" Nara laughed as she confirmed her hunch…
Then, the opposite side also realized what they were dealing with!
"You! Laneson Sword Hall?!" The mercenary grimaced.
Their Larkinson Sword Hall was at odds with the Laneson Sword Hall in Veidra City!
None of them expected to see this happen!
Clang! Clang!
Steel rang against steel as Nara intercepted the first warrior rushing at her.
The man pressed hard, testing her guard, but Nara had a superior sword style!
The second mercenary tried to slip around her toward Miki.
But it was a bad decision.
With a sharp flick of her wrist, her sword moved like a snake and targeted their hands instead!
"You won't be touching anyone tonight," Miki said coldly, as he pushed the man off balance.
"Surround them!" The mercenary announced that they knew they had already messed up when they tried to capture someone from the Laneson Sword Hall.
Soon, Rayven caught movement at the edge of his vision... There were two warriors circling wide, one of them was even slipping toward Nara's exposed flank.
Rayven exhaled slowly as he raised his right hand.
"Mana Flick!"
Unlike the long incantation of others, Rayven only had to recite its name!
Soon, a sharp burst of raw mana shot from his fingertips, slamming into the man's shoulder.
Thud!
The impact spun him halfway around, leaving his guard wide open for Nara's follow-up slash.
"Haa!"
Soon, her blade cut clean.
Rayven had done it again… His gold coin reserves were deducted again.
[ 1 Gold Coin deducted. Current Balance: 141 ]
"Fine! Let's end this once and for all!"
***
However, at taller mage had recovered his composure and lifted his staff high.
"Oh walls unseen, stand firm against the iron storm—
Protection Veil!"
A translucent barrier glowed into existence, catching Thyruz's next slash with a shower of sparks.
But the second mage was already chanting again.
"Oh forces that pierce the earth and sky—
Twin Fang Javelin!"
The paired projectiles moved toward Thyruz.
This time, he stepped into the first, his blade slicing it apart, before letting the second pass harmlessly into the night.
"You'll have to do better than that," he said, almost bored.
On the other hand, Miki's sword had already lashed across another warrior's face, sending him stumbling back.
The last one pressing her tried to force her into the firelight, only to be met by Rayven's outstretched hand.
"Mana Flick!"
[ 1 Gold Coin deducted. Current Balance: 140 ]
Seeing fast and accurate Mana Flick no longer surprised her. It had surely come from Rayven. There was simply no doubt about it...
Miki didn't hesitate and ended the battle with her sword thanks to the opportunity given to her..
Thud!
***
Soon, the enemies were either captured or killed during the battle…
At this time, the still-conscious mage had his gaze locked on Rayven.
"You've just made more enemies!" he shouted
"The Guild doesn't forgive. The Guild doesn't forget!"