"If you dare."

Xueluo stated flatly, staring at the hissing Soulblade before her.

"You’ll regret that decision."

"Don’t worry—it’s just a saying. We call ourselves Mages, but we’ve absorbed a bit of that utterly pointless knightly code."

Sisilio murmured the words, then placed both hands on his sword hilt.

"I’ll take full responsibility for fighting you. But as for your corpse afterward…"

He leveled the blade at Xueluo’s throat.

"I can’t guarantee its condition. From a… dissection perspective, of course."

The next second, Sisilio swung the Soulblade hard toward Xueluo’s throat.

But at that very moment—

**BOOM!**

A massive shockwave slammed into Sisilio. His footing faltered, forcing him to stagger backward.

Seizing the opening, Xueluo sprang up and drew the pistol at her waist.

**BANG!**

The bullet fired—but Sisilio slashed his Soulblade, vaporizing it midair. As the blade’s glow faded, he thrust out a hand. An invisible force seized Xueluo’s neck.

Just as Sisilio tightened his grip—

"Xueluo!"

A flash of light split the space between them. Forced back, Sisilio watched as Irina suddenly appeared, hauling Xueluo upright.

"Are you alright?"

"Eh… more or less."

Xueluo glanced past Irina. Dozens of enemies were closing in. *So Irina was driven here too.*

**[Contractor!]**

Guya’s voice roared in Xueluo’s mind as Sisilio lunged forward, sword raised for a downward strike.

**CRACK!**

This time, Xueluo yanked her fallen Soulblade up with magic, blocking the blow. But her right shoulder—pierced by a gaping wound—throbbed uselessly.

*Blood Kin strength…*

Xueluo raised her left hand, gathering blood.

A searing cramp shot through her arm. She gasped, dropping her hand.

**[I told you—human blood fuels Blood Magic!]** Guya bellowed. **[Retreat! Head for Zerich’s house!]**

"Irina…" Xueluo gripped Irina’s back, voice tight with frustration. Irina gave a slight nod.

"Understood. I’m retreating toward Master’s house."

Supporting Xueluo, Irina sprinted forward. As they fled, Xueluo slashed her sword, felling trees to block the path.

"Tch."

Sisilio sheathed his Soulblade slowly, watching their figures vanish into the night.

"Sir—pursue them?" The apprentices who’d chased Irina approached.

"No rush," Sisilio said calmly, lifting his foot. "Odelang knows his role. We’ll stroll over."

———

"Still with us, Xueluo?" Irina asked after they’d put some distance between them. "I’ll patch you up at Master’s."

"You stopped calling me ‘little sister’…" Xueluo managed a weak grin. "But I still get to call you *big bro*."

**[Stop being cheeky!]**

"Stop being cheeky!"

Hearing the words echo in unison, Xueluo let out a pained chuckle.

Then—

**RAT-TAT-TAT-TAT!**

Gunfire erupted ahead. Irina skidded to a halt.

"What the hell?! I said *don’t kill* these two bitches!"

From the shadows, mercenaries in tactical gear emerged, assault rifles glinting under the moonlight. Behind them, flanked by Mage apprentices, Odelang swaggered forward—leaning on a cane due to his pulled muscles, but voice dripping with arrogance.

"Lower your weapons! I knew these little wenches would run to the academy!" He slammed his cane down. "I’ve got plans for these sisters."