The first one came from my left.
I caught the blade on Frostfang's edge and redirected it past my shoulder, stepping into the gap and driving my elbow into the man's throat. He staggered and I followed with a short slash across his chest, frost crackling along the wound as he dropped.
"Milo, stay behind me!"
He didn't listen. I heard the click of his catalyst activating behind me, felt the pulse of spirit essence as his book summon materialized, and then I didn't have time to worry about him because three more were already closing in.
They moved well, quite coordinated. The one on the right feinted high while the one on the left committed to a low thrust aimed at my knee. I read it through Strategic Apex before the thrust even started, sidestepped the low blade and caught the feinting attacker with a kick to the ribs that folded him sideways.
The third came straight down the middle with a short sword. Not hesitating or wasting any motion.
I lit Sanctified Immolation.
