Delythena's POV
"Why did you do that? Why do you keep showing up out of nowhere?" I asked him, really confused by what he was doing.
"I told you, I want to save my fiancée," he replied, and it only frustrated me more because of the whole fiancée thing.
"Can you stop calling me that? Also, do you know that because of what you did, everyone now thinks I have fire powers? " I said, annoyed.
"Why don't you just marry me, then all your problems will go away, and they'll have a reason for why you have that power" he said with a grin, which made me even more irritated.
I took a deep breath, trying to keep my calm, though the frustration was rising inside me like a storm. "You don't get it, do you?" I shot back, glaring at him. "This isn't a game! You can't just throw me into this mess, especially with that ridiculous idea of marrying you! I'm not some pawn to use however you like."
Zadkiel raised an eyebrow, unfazed by my outburst. "It's not about using you, my lady. It's about making things easier. You already have a reputation now, whether you like it or not. Why not use it to your advantage?"
I shook my head. "I never asked for this. I never wanted this life. And I certainly don't want to be involved with you in any way, especially not like that."
"No matter what you do, you're stuck with me, and I'm stuck with you" he said as he slowly stepped closer to me.
"Just remember this I'm always here for you" he added before kissing my hand, which took me by surprise. Then, just like that, he disappeared.
I don't know why, but every time he does things like that, my heart starts beating faster, and my cheeks heat up.
"That guy is so annoying!" I huffed.
The next day, the battle among the enchanters continued for the remaining sections. Once all the sections had fought, the top-ranking teams would face off again to determine the strongest section.
We had already won one match yesterday against Hollow Veil.
Right now, we were in the arena, watching the final section battle take place, and both teams looked incredibly strong.
Ember Veil and Runebound were facing off, their fight surrounded by all sorts of intense magical energies. The atmosphere crackled with power, making it clear that this was going to be an intense match.
As the battle between Ember Veil and Runebound raged on, the entire arena vibrated with raw power. Explosions of lands and shards of glowing energy clashed in midair, shaking the ground beneath us. The air was thick with tension, and the cheers of the spectators mixed with the sounds of battle, creating a chaotic symphony.
One of the Ember Veil students summoned a massive serpent made of molten lava, its fiery body twisting through the air as it lunged toward their opponents. In response, a Runebound enchanter slammed their hands together, and a wall of enchanted ice erupted from the ground, hissing as it collided with the lava beast.
My hands clenched into fists as I watched. This wasn't just a simple competition it was a full-blown war. The magic they wielded was unlike anything I had ever seen before in my previous world.
Suddenly, the arena shook violently as two powerful spells collided at the center, sending a shockwave through the entire field. Dust and energy swirled in a blinding storm, making it impossible to see what happened next.
When the dust settled, one figure stood alone in the middle of the battlefield battered, bruised, but victorious. The crowd held its breath, waiting for the official announcement.
Runebound emerged victorious, and now the final match was about to be announced.
"The two sections with the highest rankings will face each other in the final Battle of the Enchanters, which will take place at Celestara Spire" the host announced, shocking me.
Celestara Spire a floating battleground where the stars themselves illuminate the duels. It hovers above boiling lava, and if you fall... you'll be cooked alive.
"The final battle will be between Aetherial Crest and Runebound!" the host declared, and my heart dropped.
I heard my classmates gasp in shock, while others groaned in frustration. Runebound was no joke they had just crushed Ember Veil with overwhelming power. If we struggled against Hollow Veil, how in the world were we supposed to win against them?
I swallowed hard. The Celestara Spire was already terrifying, but now we had to fight the strongest section in the academy?
I want to go home.
I glanced at Savena, who was already looking at me with concern. "Delythena... are you okay?" she whispered.
I forced a smile. "Of course! Why wouldn't I be?"
I was definitely not okay.
The host continued, "The Final Battle of the Enchanters will take place three days from now at Celestara Spire!"
A wave of murmurs spread across the crowd. Some students were thrilled, while others looked terrified.
"Three days?" I whispered, my voice shaking. "That's too soon..."
"Don't worry, we'll train," one of my classmates said, placing a reassuring hand on my shoulder. "We've come this far. We can't back down now."
Easy for you to say! You actually know how to fight!
I forced a nod, but inside, I was panicking. How was I supposed to survive this?
"Another announcement," the host continued. "Before the Final Battle of the Enchanters takes place, there will first be a Haunting Challenge."
"Haunting?" I asked in confusion.
"This challenge will not be by sections but individual, and the goal is to hunt and defeat as many magical beasts as possible. However, just like before, the student who takes down the largest beast will be declared the winner, regardless of how many others they've defeated" the host explained.
"So, students, you know what to do. There are marks on the trees indicating the designated hunting areas" they added.
I let out a deep sigh, my shoulders slumping.
When will I ever have a peaceful life?
The moment the announcement ended, everyone started preparing their weapons and spells. Some were already strategizing with their peers, discussing the best locations to find powerful beasts. Meanwhile, I just stood there, feeling completely out of place.
"Haunting? Seriously? Do I even have a chance at this?" I thought to myself.
I barely survived the Battle of the Enchanters, and now they expected me to go on a dangerous hunting mission? My hands clenched into fists as I exhaled. I had no choice.
"The hunting challenge begins... now!" the host declared, and in an instant, students disappeared into the marked forest areas, their movements swift and precise.
I hesitated before finally stepping forward into the forest, standing there in the middle, unsure of what to do. I don't even have any powers or weapons!
"What am I supposed to do?!" I asked in frustration. "And what exactly am I supposed to use?" I added.
Just then, my phoenix bracelet began to glow, and a purple bow, along with a set of arrows, materialized before me.
I grabbed them, letting out a small sigh of relief at least I had something to use.
But then another problem hit me.
"The issue is... I don't even know how to use this!" I groaned.
Just my luck!
I froze when a wild boar suddenly charged toward me.
For some unknown reason, my body moved on its own I raised the glowing bow and released an arrow.
Woah!
I couldn't help but be amazed as the arrow struck the boar right in the head.
"This bow is incredible it moves on its own!" I murmured, staring at it in awe.
I felt a surge of excitement, so I started walking, searching for the marked trees.
Not long after, I spotted an unusual-looking rabbit.
Just like before, my body moved on its own I raised my bow and released an arrow.
Bullseye! Right in the head with just a single shot.
"I love this bow" I murmured in awe.
I continued moving forward, growing more confident with every step. My bow seemed to respond to my instincts, adjusting my aim as if it had a mind of its own.
One by one, I took down more creatures a swift fox with shimmering fur, a bird with glowing wings, and even a serpent coiled around a tree. Each time, my body acted before I could even think, and every shot landed perfectly.
"This is too easy" I muttered, starting to enjoy myself.
But just as I was about to take another step, the ground beneath me trembled. The air grew thick, and a low, guttural growl echoed through the forest.
I turned my head slowly and froze.
A massive beast with glowing red eyes and razor-sharp fangs emerged from the shadows, its breath heavy with heat and power.
"Oh no..." I whispered, gripping my bow tightly.
I kept firing arrows, but they barely even scratched the beast. My hands trembled as I pulled back the bowstring again, but deep inside, I knew it was useless.
"Why isn't this working?!" I muttered in frustration.
The beast let out a deafening roar, its red eyes locked onto me as it took another step forward. I could feel the ground shake beneath its weight. My heart pounded wildly in my chest this wasn't just an ordinary creature.
I took a step back, but my foot caught on a root, and I stumbled. Panic surged through me as the beast lunged.
"Move!" I screamed at myself, but my body wouldn't listen.
Just as its massive claws were about to strike me
A flash of silver light shot past me, hitting the beast square in the chest. It let out an agonized snarl, stumbling back.
I whipped my head around.
And there he was.
Zadkiel, standing a few feet away, his silver sword gleaming under the eerie forest light. His golden eyes flickered with something unreadable as he lowered his weapon slightly.
"Tsk. You really can't survive without me, huh?" he muttered, smirking.
"You again?!" I asked by surprised.
Zadkiel let out a soft chuckle, twirling his sword with ease.
"You sound surprised, my lady" he teased, stepping closer.
I narrowed my eyes at him. "Of course, I am! You always appear out of nowhere!"
He smirked, completely unfazed by my irritation. "And yet, you always seem to need me when I do."
I was about to snap back at him when the beast let out another roar, shaking the ground beneath us. My grip on my bow tightened.
"This thing is different" I muttered, glancing at Zadkiel. "My arrows aren't working."
His gaze darkened as he focused on the creature. "That's because it's no ordinary beast it's an ancient guardian. Normal attacks won't affect it. You need to strike its core."
"Core?" I echoed, confused.
He nodded, pointing at the creature's chest. "Look closely."
I squinted and there! Beneath its thick fur and armor-like hide, a faint blue glow pulsed in its chest.
"Hit that, and it's done for" Zadkiel instructed. "But you have to be fast, or it'll tear you apart before you even get the chance."
I swallowed hard. Great. No pressure.
I took a deep breath, steadying my grip on the bow. The creature's glowing core pulsed like a heartbeat, mocking me with every second that passed. My arrows hadn't worked before what made me think I could hit something so precise now?
"You can do this" Zadkiel murmured from beside me. His voice was steady, unwavering. "Trust the weapon. Trust yourself."
I hesitated, but then the beast let out another deafening roar, its massive form charging toward me. Panic surged through my veins, but before I could think twice, my body moved on its own.
I pulled the string back, and the bow glowed brighter than before. A surge of warmth coursed through my fingers, and an arrow of pure energy formed. Unlike the others, this one hummed with power, its tip shining like a burning star.
The beast lunged.
I released.
Time slowed.
The arrow shot through the air like a comet, slicing cleanly toward its target. A split second later, it struck the core dead center. The moment it did, the creature froze, its roar cut short as cracks of light spread across its body like shattered glass.
Then—BOOM.
The beast exploded into fragments of glowing embers, dissolving into nothingness. Silence followed.
I stood there, bow still raised, my breath heavy. Did I... did I just do that?
"Impressive" Zadkiel's voice broke through my daze, and I turned to him, still in shock.
"That was—"
Before I could finish, he suddenly reached out, brushing his fingers against my cheek.
"You're bleeding" he murmured.
I blinked. I hadn't even noticed the small cut on my face. But before I could say anything, Zadkiel leaned in and
Pressed a soft kiss just beside it.
My heart stopped. My brain short-circuited.
He pulled back slightly, a smirk playing on his lips. "A reward for my fiancée's bravery."
I shoved him. "You! Stop calling me that!"
He laughed, stepping back just as I tried to swat at him again. "You're cute when you're flustered, my lady."
I groaned in frustration, turning away before he could see how red my face had gotten.
This guy was going to be the death of me.
"You really have the nerve, as always!" I said irritably.
He just smirked at me, clearly amused by my reaction.
"You should be thanking me instead of getting mad, my lady" he said, crossing his arms.
I rolled my eyes. "Thank you? For what? For always showing up out of nowhere and making my life more complicated?"
"For saving your life again," he said smugly. "Or did you forget that a giant beast was about to turn you into its dinner?"
I clenched my fists, frustrated but unable to argue. He had a point.
I let out an annoyed sigh and crossed my arms. "Fine. Thank you. Happy now?"
Zadkiel chuckled, stepping closer. "Not quite. I was expecting a bit more sincerity, my lady."
I glared at him. "Don't push your luck."
He just smirked, clearly enjoying my frustration. "You're getting better at handling yourself, though. That bow suits you."
I looked down at the glowing weapon in my hands. "Yeah, well, it moves on its own. I don't even know how I'm doing this."
Zadkiel tilted his head, observing me. "Perhaps it's not just the bow moving on its own. Maybe it's responding to you."
I blinked, caught off guard by his words. "What do you mean?"
"You'll figure it out" he said cryptically, then suddenly leaned in closer. "But for now, stay alert. The real hunt is just beginning."
Before I could ask what he meant, he vanished into the shadows, leaving me standing there confused, frustrated, and with my heart racing for reasons I refused to acknowledge.
I shook my head, trying to push away the lingering effect of Zadkiel's words.
"Stay alert" I muttered, gripping my bow tighter. "As if I needed a reminder."
Taking a deep breath, I focused on my surroundings. The forest was eerily quiet now, the air thick with an unsettling energy. Something was out there I could feel it.
Then, a rustling sound came from the trees ahead. My body tensed as I raised my bow, an arrow forming on its own. Whatever it was, it was big.
A pair of glowing red eyes emerged from the darkness, followed by a massive, wolf-like creature with dark matted fur and razor-sharp fangs. It let out a low growl, sending a chill down my spine.
I swallowed hard. "You've got to be kidding me."
The beast lunged. I barely had time to react, rolling to the side as it crashed into the spot where I had just been standing. I aimed and released an arrow, but just like with the previous monster, it bounced off harmlessly.
Panic crept in. "Why isn't this working?!"
The creature snarled and charged again, faster this time. I stumbled back, my mind racing. If my arrows weren't effective, then how was I supposed to defeat this thing?
Just then, a familiar voice echoed in my mind.
"Think, my lady. You already have the answer."
Zadkiel's words from earlier.
I gritted my teeth. "Responding to me, huh?"
Taking a deep breath, I closed my eyes for a brief second and focused not on the bow, but on myself. On the energy flowing through me.
The moment I opened my eyes, a rush of power surged through my veins. The bow pulsed with light, and as I pulled back the arrow, flames erupted along its shaft.
The wolf snarled, sensing the shift. But it was too late.
I released the arrow.
A streak of fire shot through the air, piercing straight through the beast's chest. It let out a deafening roar before collapsing into a heap of burning embers.
I stood there, breathing heavily, staring at the spot where the creature had fallen.
Did... did I just do that?
A slow, amused clap echoed through the trees.
"Now that" Zadkiel's voice drawled, "was impressive."
I turned to glare at him, but he was already gone. Only the faint sound of his laughter lingered in the air.
I groaned. "I really, really hate that guy."