Darian slowly drew his longsword, the blade catching the light as it slid free.
Norio hovered a few meters above the ground, arms relaxed, eyes sharp beneath the bandages.
He smiled faintly.
"Names," Norio said calmly. "I asked twice already."
Vargan remained silent.
Darian tightened his grip.
"My name is Darian."
Before Norio could reply, Ace saw an opening.
He launched himself forward, pushing off the ground with everything he had, his fist aimed straight at Norio's face.
—but Norio twisted midair effortlessly.
Ace's strike missed by inches.
"Easy," Norio said, drifting higher. "You'll waste your strength like that."
Darian slashed his sword through the air.
"Air Slash!"
The blade released a sharp wave of pressure—but Norio leaned aside, letting it pass harmlessly beneath him.
Behind them, Vargan opened an old spellbook and sat down calmly.
"Stop him," Vargan said. "Don't let him reach me."
Norio glanced at the book and laughed softly.
"So you're really going to use a maximum spell on me?"
He shook his head. "Pathetic. Still relying on books."
Ace and Darian exchanged a single look.
They nodded.
Darian raised his hand.
"Fixed Spell—Clone."
Five identical copies of Darian burst into existence, surrounding Norio from all sides. They rushed him at once, blades raised, movements perfectly synchronized.
At the same time, Ace inhaled sharply.
"Flame Ball—ten percent."
The small sphere of fire condensed tightly, faster and denser than before. Ace hurled it forward, timing it perfectly with the clones' attack.
For the first time, Norio was forced to react seriously.
He dodged the clones—but the flame ball grazed his leg.
The fire exploded lightly on impact.
Norio hissed as he spun away, landing higher in the air. The damage was minor—but real.
"…Nice teamwork," he admitted, smiling.
Ace and Darian didn't wait.
They turned and ran.
Norio frowned.
"What—?"
He turned—
—and found Vargan standing directly behind him.
Vargan's cursed eye glowed.
"Electric—Maximum."
A massive shockwave erupted outward.
The air screamed.
Lightning flooded the battlefield in a blinding flash, throwing Norio violently across the sky. He spun uncontrollably before stabilizing himself midair, breathing heavily.
For a moment, he hovered in silence.
Then he laughed.
"…Not bad, Cursed Knight."
Norio straightened himself, glanced once more at the forest—and flew away into the distance.
The air slowly settled.
Ace exhaled, his legs trembling.
"He's gone," Vargan said quietly. "For now."
Ace looked up at him.
"The prince sent him," Ace said. "He wanted me dead."
Vargan closed his book.
"So," he said coldly, "the king's son has chosen his side."
Darian sheathed his sword.
Vargan turned toward the distant kingdom.
"Then we hunt the prince."