While the spectators’ thoughts swirled in myriad directions, the battle within the training ground showed no sign of slowing.
After putting some distance between itself and Celia, the dragonkin seemed to realize this squad wasn’t easy prey. It plunged its claws into the earth and unleashed draconic magic.
Draconic magic—a power unique to true dragons, far mightier than ordinary spells. Though this dragonkin wielded it too, its diluted bloodline weakened the effect.
Still, it was more than enough for third-rank Heroes.
The ground trembled. Emerald vines erupted from the soil, snaking toward Celia at terrifying speed.
Celia ignited her longsword with golden flames, aiming to incinerate the encroaching vines. But to her shock, the magic’s sheer grade overpowered her flames—they couldn’t scorch a single tendril.
That single misstep sealed her fate. Vines coiled around her body in an instant, pinning her limbs. They tightened relentlessly until her sword clattered to the ground.
The dragonkin stayed cautious at first, refusing to approach Celia immediately. But seeing her slowly break free with Aurora’s magical aid from the rear, it abandoned caution. Wings spread wide, it lunged straight for her.
Throughout its charge, Isa’s Ring Blades harried it from all sides, hindering its advance. Though its obsidian scales deflected every strike, the nuisance stung like insect bites, igniting its fury.
Yet it reached Celia just before she fully escaped the vines.
Celia’s adorable face twisted in utter terror, as if foreseeing her grim fate—a sight that filled the dragonkin with cruel delight.
Its blood-red slit pupils locked onto the vine-bound girl. Jaws gaping wide, it aimed to snap off her head in one bite.
Then—unexpectedly—the helpless girl smiled.
*Crack!*
Her body shattered like glass. The vines clutched only empty air.
Through the gaps in the foliage, a golden arrow streaked toward it.
*A trap!*
Instinct screamed to dodge—but it was too late.
*Hiss—!*
The arrow pierced its left eye. Blood sprayed as it crashed down with a pained roar. Humiliated by insects, rage drowned its reason.
With its remaining eye, it spotted the blue-haired archer who’d fired from behind the vines. Without hesitation, it took flight and unleashed a torrent of emerald dragon’s breath straight at her.
“Look out!”
The girls’ panicked cries rose from below. Watching the toxic breath engulf the archer, the dragonkin savored sweet vengeance.
But—
*Whoosh!*
Another golden arrow tore through the air, piercing its right eye.
Blind and shrieking, the dragonkin plummeted. Dust billowed as it slammed into the earth. Inky black blood oozed from its empty sockets, staining the soil beneath its scales.
It twitched weakly, wings fluttering twice—then stilled.
“Why fall for the same trap twice, Mr. Dragonkin?”
Aurora stepped gracefully out of the Magic Array, tucking a stray strand of hair behind her ear. The figure consumed by dragonfire had merely been a mirror illusion.
Dragons and dragonkin alike were fiercely proud. Once provoked by insignificant pests, fury would shatter their judgment.
From the battle’s first breath, they’d held the dragonkin’s emotions in their palms.
Though it couldn’t grasp her words, the dragonkin felt the mockery in Aurora’s tone. It growled weakly in rage—but no one feared it now.
A blind dragonkin was just fish on the chopping block.
From here, victory required only steady hands.
The watching Heroes fell into stunned silence as they witnessed the dragonkin’s eyes being so easily gouged out.
*Could they truly be the strongest squad in the Heroes Guild? Even Roland’s team pales beside them.*
*Is this… the result of just half a year’s training?*
Their gazes flickered between Celia’s trio and their mysterious instructor, then dropped with resigned sighs.
The gap was too vast. Even envy felt pointless.
Had they faced that dragonkin? They’d be nothing but its next meal.
“Master Aul…”
Even the steward’s unwavering faith wavered. To him, the dragonkin’s defeat seemed inevitable.
Aul’s expression hardened visibly. Celia’s squad knew the dragonkin far better than he’d anticipated—rendering his preparations laughable.
He stole a glance at the Silver Blossom Sword Maiden. *So their knowledge came from the former strongest Hero.*
*Underestimating her familiarity with dragonkin was my mistake.*
*Good thing I have a backup.*
A faint smirk played on his lips. Unseen by all, he subtly crooked a finger. Sinister magical energy seeped from his fingertip into the dragonkin’s nostrils.
The near-lifeless beast suddenly lashed its tail, sending Celia flying. It hunched on the spot, letting out pained growls as its body contorted unnaturally.
Dragon scales strained against bulging muscles. The creature swelled grotesquely, inky black blood oozing from its empty eye sockets.
Its aura surged—climbing rapidly beyond its former power!
“What’s happening? Why is it stronger now?”
“Is this a dragonkin’s hidden ability?”
“Can Celia’s squad still handle it?”
The Heroes’ hearts sank again. This dragonkin now radiated power bordering on fifth-rank. Could teamwork still save them?
Sharin glanced at Dorothy. Seeing her hand tighten slightly on her thigh, Sharin’s heart ached with pity.
Even the Silver Blossom Sword Maiden looked worried—this clearly exceeded the girls’ limits.
*Such brilliant Heroic talent… wasted.*
Sharin didn’t realize she’d misread Dorothy’s tension.
Dorothy’s worry for the girls wasn’t why her fist clenched.
It was the sinister magical energy Aul had just released.
*He’s of the Demon Race.*
Aul’s move was subtle. Only the power of Demon Queen Sophia within her let Dorothy sense it.
That energy had corrupted the dragonkin’s bloodline.
*If Aul is Demonkin… it explains why Princess Celia of the Demon Race grew up in the Fiona Clan.*
*This family must be a sleeper cell planted by Demon Queen Sophia within humanity.*
