"O scorching spirit of fire, grant me the power of flames to incinerate the enemy before me! — Flame Spell!"

Ailin Camila Lumier raised her flame staff, murmuring the incantation for the first-tier Flame Spell. A fireball the size of an adult’s fist swiftly formed before her and shot violently toward one fluffy fluffball monster—without the slightest mercy, hey!

How could a girl strike down such a cute creature without hesitation? This was definitely not the kind of “girl” he knew!

"Squeak! Squeak! Squeak!"

Sensing danger, the fluffball’s fur stood on end. It instinctively darted sideways—the fireball missed.

"Argh! Damn monster, it actually dodged! How infuriating!"

Lumiere stomped her foot in frustration, her face etched with clear disappointment.

Meanwhile, the fluffballs panicked. Some scattered wildly; others bristled their sharp quills at Phoenix and hissed threateningly, trying to scare them off.

"Take this!"

Phoenix charged forward, shield raised. Instead of fleeing, the fluffball lunged at her, quills flared, aiming to teach her a lesson.

"Phoenix, watch out!"

Phoenix blocked the strike with her wooden shield, expression resolute. In one fluid motion, she thrust her sword. Crimson blood seeped out—the fluffball’s quills instantly went limp.

"Ehehe, I did it! Lord Leyang, did you see that?"

"Idiot, look behind you!"

Two hostile fluffballs leaped at Phoenix from the shadows.

"O great spirit of wind, grant us the power of wind to protect us! — Wind Shield!"

A first-tier Wind Shield erupted behind Phoenix, repelling the attackers. Seeing their ambush fail, they turned to flee.

"This time, I won’t miss! O scorching spirit of fire, grant me the power of flames to incinerate the enemy before me!"

"Flame Spell!"

The fireball struck true. The fluffball’s fur—highly flammable and vulnerable to fire—burst into violent flames. The acrid stench of burnt fur filled the air instantly.

"O guardian spirit of the forest, bind my enemies! — Entangling Spell."

"SQUEAK! SQUEAK! SQUEAK!!!"

"Hah!"

With a jumping slash, Phoenix finished off the last fluffball.

"Hey, Leyang! What are you staring at? Aren’t you going to help Phoenix?"

Lumiere frowned slightly, her voice crisp with disapproval.

"I’ll pass. You two are syncing well. I’ll keep watch," Leyang said with a faint smile, twirling the Silver Blade Dagger in his hand.

"Just what *are* you here for?"

Lumiere let out a soft, exasperated sigh.

"It’s alright, Princess Lumei. Lord Leyang is very capable. Let’s focus on training—we’ll aim for a great result in three days," Phoenix interjected gently, sheathing her tiny knight sword.

"Hmph. I won’t count on him!"

Leyang ignored Lumiere’s pouting tone. His gaze swept discreetly over the bushes and shadowed corners. *Quite a few lurking… friends or foes?* He might even need to use Woe’s curse ability. Were the targets Ailin Camila Lumier? Glantham Phoenix? Or both?

"Scents… danger… everywhere."

Louise gently tugged Leyang’s sleeve and whispered.

"You noticed too?"

Leyang glanced at her, mildly surprised. *Right. Years in the Monster Woods would sharpen anyone’s instincts—or she wouldn’t have survived.*

After a brief pause, he approached Yvette with Louise. Noticing a trace of hesitation beneath her calm facade, he murmured, "Yvette, you’ve sensed them too. For your princess’s safety, we should return to the city now."

Yvette’s eyes widened with disbelief. *He noticed? Impossible—he’s just eight! Those assassins aren’t amateurs… how could a child spot them?*

"Don’t stare like that. If you’re confident your strength and hidden allies can handle every assassin and protect your princess, then ignore me," Leyang shrugged, utterly indifferent.

*At most, I can safely escort one person. Send Louise ahead to the gate. Or call reinforcements. The East Gate isn’t far—escape is feasible.*

"Princess Lumei, Phoenix—I just remembered. I left something heavy at the academy. Would you accompany me back?"

"Hah? Didn’t we pack everything? Go alone. *This* princess just got into the groove!"

"Ah, c’mon. It won’t take long. Too heavy for one person," Leyang scratched his head awkwardly.

"Louise, wait for us at the city gate."

"Mm."

Louise glanced at him once, then vanished swiftly into the distance.

*No need to worry about her. The assassins’ targets aren’t us.*

"Since Lord Leyang insists, let’s wrap up for today," Phoenix said with a gentle smile. "I’ll gather the intact fluffballs—we can sell them at the market."

"You’re even more money-grubbing than I am. Let me help you."