"Lu!"

I instantly shouted Lu’s name. At the same time, I channeled all my magic power to resist the spatial transfer spell the attackers were about to cast.

The next moment, a blinding white light erupted violently from their bodies. The entire room was swallowed by their radiance.

"...Tch."

When I opened my eyes again, I found myself transported from home to a desolate wilderness. Two attackers stood frozen mid-lunge through a shattered window. Then, their frail bodies instantly crumbled into arcane ashes.

Both were Epic Level. I’d poured every ounce of magic into resisting their spell—though I failed to stop the teleportation, they paid the price. Forcing a Divine General beyond their limits cost them their lives.

"...Teleported to the suburbs? Damn it."

I scanned the area, recognizing this rarely-trodden outskirts. Slightly closing my eyes, I sensed Lu’s location.

"Hold on, Lu. I’m coming," I muttered to myself.

"T-That… Amelia, what… what’s going on?"

Chixun’s voice suddenly came from behind me. I froze for a moment.

"...It’s complicated to explain," I said, turning to see Chixun’s panicked face. I sighed.

Purple flames ignited on my right hand. A massive broadsword materialized.

This broadsword was longer and wider than a standard blade. Its dark surface bore faint purple-gray patterns, no flashy decorations. Gripping it, I felt a steady calm.

"Hmph. Show yourselves."

I snorted coldly. Swinging the broadsword overhead, I unleashed whooshing arcs of faint purple, flame-tinged energy.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

The energy slashes shredded everything they touched—trees and lampposts crumpled like paper. Most slammed into invisible barriers, exploding violently. Figures flickered into view around me.

"Kill her!"

Two armored warriors charged, Battle Halos blazing around them. Their halos glowed fiercely in the night, dozens dazzling enough to blind ordinary eyes. The surging Primordial Force confirmed they were genuine.

"Epic Level?"

A glance at their halos revealed their strength: twenty halos for one, twenty-two for the other. Twenty and twenty-two Epic Levels.

"But still too weak for me."

I smiled faintly. Stepping forward, I swung the broadsword one-handed. It blurred into a phantom streak.

Thud!

The charging warriors crashed backward mid-charge. Their weapons and armor shattered. Most of their dazzling Battle Halos burst apart.

These halos were Battle Halos. Their power was Primordial Force—a physical energy within all living beings, the only force humans could cultivate to strengthen their bodies. Each halo marked a Primordial Force level. Twenty halos meant an Epic Level warrior. Only Platinum-tier fighters could externalize halos like those two, but details could wait.

"Divine General! She’s a Divine General!!!"

A desperate scream rose as the attackers saw their comrades repelled. I recognized them all as humans.

"Run! She’s a Divine General!"

"Damn Phoenix! Her main soul died! How can a fragment still be Divine General strength?!"

They abandoned attacking, fleeing in all directions.

"Tch. Giving up already?"

I clicked my tongue, Battle Halos flaring around me.

As a Phoenix, I wielded both magic and Primordial Force. Magic fueled my flames and spells; Primordial Force strengthened my body. My Phoenix nature let both grow effortlessly with my physique. Amelia lacked strong magic talent, so she focused on warrior skills—but warriors could still buff themselves like mages.

"Swift."

I whispered the word. My Battle Halos flared brightly, then dimmed slightly. A surge of power wrapped around me, making my body light and agile. I tapped my toe on the asphalt. It cracked violently. The next instant, I shot forward like a cannonball toward the fleeing attackers.