24. Confrontation
One evening, after finishing her studies at the Arcana Academy of Magic library, Emma was walking back towards Luminous College.
As she walked along the dimly lit path, a lone shadow emerged under the moonlight. A student wearing a deep hood blocked her path.
He or she wore a robe bearing the crest of Regalia College.
"...Who are you?"
When Emma questioned him or her, the mysterious student silently pointed the wand at her. "Ignite!"
A red flash erupted from the wand's tip, flying towards Emma as blazing fire.
"...!"
Emma instinctively twisted away and took cover behind a nearby tree. The heat searing her skin spoke of the dangerous situation.
"What are you doing...!"
However, there was no reply, and the mysterious student raised the wand again. Relentless attacks continued, forcing Emma to desperately duck for cover.
(Why...? Someone... Louis, help me...!)
The moment she cried out in her heart, the hair ornament clipped in her hair began to emit a faint golden light. The light gradually intensified, spreading around Emma.
"...What?"
The light shone, enveloping Emma, and in the next instant, formed an invisible shield protecting her. The flames launched by the mysterious student collided with the unseen barrier and burst apart.
Just then, a voice shattered the silence.
"Emma! Are you alright!?"
Kai rushed over, raising his wand. A powerful gust of wind swirled up, blowing the mysterious student backwards. The hood fell off, revealing the face.
"Ah... That student..." Emma let out a gasp of surprise.
"From the entrance ceremony... the one bad-mouthing humans..."
Emma felt her legs almost give way. But the next moment, Kai rushed to her side and gently put his arm around her shoulder.
