White mana surged around her arms, transforming into a swirling vortex of frost. Her voice echoed like a winter storm:
"Frost Arts — Glacial Lance Ray!!!"
A beam of blinding cold burst forth — a jagged spear of ice and light racing toward Shaun with killing intent. Shaun froze — too slow to dodge. But Nina was already moving.
"Shaun—!!"
She slid in behind him, hands extended, magic flaring—
"Divine Magic — Aegis Divine Barrier!"
A radiant pink shield erupted around them—
KRAAANG—!!!
The frost beam struck and splintered across the barrier like shattering stars, snowflakes scattering through the air. The assassin clicked her tongue, anger boiling hotter than her ice.
"Tch! Again…!"
Shaun exhaled the breath he didn't realize he'd been holding, still staring at the sigil he had glimpsed.
Who is she really? And why target Princess Nina…?
The clearing trembled with clashing forces. Volt Serpent Strikes crackled through the air. Aegis Divine Barrier shimmered with radiant light. Glacial Lance Rays blasted again and again.
Shaun dodged and countered, trusting Nina's shield at his back. Nina stood firm, hands glowing, her magic flowing like a lifeline between them. The masked assassin growled, breath sharp with frustration.
"Tsk… My attacks are useless like this."
Her eyes narrowed with icy malice.
"Fine… You want to play defence? Let's see how long that lasts."
She slammed her palms together —A surge of white mana spiralled outward like a winter storm taking shape.
"You two may be clever…" Her voice echoed with chilling calm, "…but can you survive THIS?"
Arms crossed before her chest, she chanted: "Frost Art — Veil of Silent Snow!"
A wave of frost exploded outward—WHOOM—!!
The world around them disappeared into a suffocating blanket of white. Mist so thick it swallowed sight within seconds. Trees, ground, sky — all hidden. Even the sound of wind vanished. Cold crept like claws against their skin. Shaun's heart hammered.
"N-Nina! Stay close! Don't move!"
But Nina's trembling hand only found empty air. Shaun turned —She was gone. The assassin's voice drifted through the mist, warped and disembodied:
"Welcome… to my hunting ground." A chilling whisper brushed past Shaun's ear— "Let's play hide and freeze…"
**********
The fog thickened—an endless, suffocating white. Each drifting particle swallowed sound and sight alike. Within seconds… Shaun and Nina were trapped in a world where even breathing felt dangerous. Shaun's grip tightened around Nina's hand.
"Princess Nina," he warned, voice low and tense, "It's a trap. Don't get separated—no matter what."
Nina gasped softly at the sudden touch, her cheeks warming despite the creeping cold.
"O-Of course… I'll stay close. Whatever you say," she replied, trying to sound calm—but her voice trembled like a frightened bird's.
Shaun kept scanning the fog. I just need one opening… one glimpse. When she appears—lightning will strike first. But he was wrong. This fog wasn't a distraction. It was a battlefield made for the assassin.
High above them… The masked female assassin stood poised upon a branch—silent as a shadow. Her crimson eyes glowed like embers in the white mist. She sneered down at the silhouettes below.
"So predictable…"
Frost gathered around her palms. She formed another crystal spear, shimmering with lethal cold.
"One clean kill is enough." She raised the spear. Her aim was merciless.
"Die, brat."
With a flick—FWOOOOSH—! The Frostweaver spear sliced through the fog like death given form, zeroing straight toward Shaun's heart.
**********
Shaun never even sensed it coming. Through the crushing fog, a spear howled toward him like death itself—cold, fast, inevitable. Too fast—!! There was no time to dodge. But then—FWOOOOOSH!!!
A violent gust of wind tore through the fog, slamming into the spear mid-flight. The weapon veered off course and embedded into a distant tree—KRASHHH!!
The tree froze instantly, transformed from bark and life into a towering sculpture of crystal ice. Shaun and Nina stared in shock, hearts pounding. That spear would have killed me…
High above, the masked assassin clicked her tongue.
"Tch… her? Why is she here?"
Shaun looked toward the source of the wind. Perched upon a high branch—balanced with the grace of a hawk—was a girl wrapped in a black Disciplinary Knight cloak. Shaun's eyes widened.
"N-Noa…?"
Noa Kazami. A silent, sharp-eyed classmate. A prodigy with wind magic and a member of the Disciplinary Knights. Her bob-cut black hair swayed in the cold air, long bangs veiling one eye like a shadow. Expression stone-cold, voice emotionless:
"I sensed irregular magic from this forest. Now I see the cause why it suddenly became so lively."
Her gaze locked onto the assassin—calm, merciless, judging.
"You are not a disciple of this academy. Which means you are an intruder."
She stood, wind circling her like invisible blades.
"In the name of the Disciplinary Knights—Surrender. Now."
The masked assassin scoffed. "As if."
Noa didn't argue. She simply raised her hand— "Wind Art: Tempest Cutter."
FWOOOOM! A razor-sharp whirlwind roared down from above. The masked assassin swung her Frostweaver spear—CRASH!! Wind and ice collided, shaking the forest. Noa's eyes narrowed, cold as the winter sky.
"I wasn't asking."
**********
Wind and ice clashed violently in the mist. Noa lunged forward, cloak whipping like a raven's wings—The masked assassin countered with chilling precision, their spears of wind and frost shattering against each other with each strike.
CRASH!!! Another shockwave rippled through the trees. Shaun stood ready, lightning flickering around his fists… yet unable to take his eyes off the battle unfolding before him. That's when Nina hesitantly stepped closer—her voice trembling.
"Shaun… are you alright?"
He turned—surprised by how close she was.
"I'm… I'm sorry," she continued, voice cracking. "This is all my fault. You're hurt… and in danger… because of me. If I hadn't chased that deer—"
Shaun immediately shook his head. "No. None of this is your fault." He stepped forward—firm, resolute.
"You didn't know that thing was a trap. Anyone would've been curious. So stop blaming yourself."
A soft breeze lifted the fog behind them—revealing Noa's wind aura surging. Shaun clenched his hand near his chest.
"As long as I'm here… I swear no danger will ever reach you."
Nina's eyes widened—her breath caught. But Shaun wasn't finished.
"What worries me is something else… How did an intruder bypass Silver Heaven's security? And why is she targeting you specifically?"
Nina's hands clutched her robe, fear and confusion mixing on her face.
"I don't know… I truly don't." Her voice wavered.
"I've never harmed anyone… never even offended someone badly. So why… why would she want me dead?"
Shaun looked her in the eyes, steady and determined.
"These answers… we'll force out of her once Noa finishes this fight."
A thunderous gust exploded nearby—Shaun instinctively moved to shield Nina with his body. Smoke and frost sprayed into the air. Both combatants leapt back—neither gaining the upper hand. Shaun exhaled sharply.
"Come on, Noa… Don't lose."
He wasn't just watching anymore—He was praying for victory. And preparing for the moment he might have to jump back into the fight.
**********
Wind howled. Ice clashed. Noa's eyes never once wavered. The masked assassin slashed her spear in wide arcs, releasing sprays of frost—but Noa danced through them, her movements sharp and calculated.
Their spells collided—WHAM! A shockwave of wind and ice split the fog. Little by little… Noa began pushing the assassin back.
"Tsk…" The masked girl clicked her tongue, irritation flashing behind her mask.
Then—Something changed. Her head snapped toward the deeper forest—as if she sensed presence beyond sight. More footsteps. More mana signatures heading their way. She gritted her teeth.
"Tch! Reinforcements, huh?" Her voice dripped with venom.
"I suppose you've already summoned backup… Fine. This fight ends here." But her gaze sharpened into a lethal promise.
"Don't get comfortable. I'm not done with the princess yet."
She slammed her palms together, frost swirling violently around her. "Frost Art — Veil of Silent Snow!!"
A tidal wave of white mist erupted—so thick the forest vanished from view entirely.
"No you don't!" Noa shouted, kicking off the tree and slicing wind forward.
"Wind Art — Tempest Cleaver!!"
The gust tore the fog apart—but the assassin had already vanished. Gone like a ghost.
"Damn it—!"
Noa punched the ground, sending a quake of air rattling the frozen bark around her. Shaun and Nina rushed to her side. Before anyone could speak—a harsh voice called from behind:
"Hey! What on earth is going on here!?"
The three stiffened and turned. Their hearts sank. Instructor Edward stood there—two armed academy guards behind him. Eyes wide. Face burning with fury.
"What are you three doing in the Mist Forest!?" His voice thundered through the trees.
"This area is strictly forbidden! Explain yourselves—NOW!!"
Cold sweat rolled down Shaun's back. Nina's hands tightened on her robe. Noa looked away, jaw clenched.
From fighting a deadly assassin… straight into disciplinary hell. Sometimes fate has a twisted sense of humour. So now the real question becomes: What punishment awaits them… and what secrets will be revealed?
**********