Davis stood there, injured and exhausted. Below, up to his knees, was a black fog. The fog blocked all vision of the ground, making the surroundings overly ominous, while also bringing with itself an uncomfortable chill that almost made his legs numb. This feeling of cold and numbness was overly familiar, it was the same as when Veles used his perception-distorting ability on him. Yet despite discomfort, it greatly helped him when facing their current enemies, because the fog clearly had a different effect on them.

His last opponent was two steps in front, dead with a whole right arm missing. The fog provided help in taking the guy down, it apparently could recognize allies while hitting enemies with what Davis discerned as mana and stamina exhaustion which was a turning point of the battle, considering that otherwise, Davis would’ve had a very hard time dealing with the guy, and others on his side appeared to share his sentiment.

They might have turned the tables once Vera activated this contraption—yes, the owl was clearly responsible for it, considering Veles was nowhere to be seen. Yet, the ongoing battle that was proceeding in their favor came to a sudden halt…

And it had everything to do with the newcomer that appeared out of nowhere.

In the middle of their clash, a blue portal manifested, and from with it walked a woman that released such strong mana pressure that Davis had almost lost consciousness. Her presence made his instincts scream danger, while his body refused to listen and just froze, which appeared to be the same suffering everyone in his surroundings faced.

She just stood there, a large golden book in her hand mystifying her existence as it released a blue mist intermixed with flickering runes. Her hazel eyes lazily scanned her surroundings through her round golden trimmed glasses, while her knee-long braided blonde hair swayed gently. Her demeanor was akin to an overly serious adult who spotted a bunch of random kids fooling around, uninterested and unconcerned about their insignificant antics.

The next moment, she closed the book in her hand, and with a loud click its covers were tightly sealed by the lock that appeared out of thin air, with it, all the pressure she released and the portal behind her, vanished.

“Hmm, I expected more,” She quietly said. Still, nobody dared to move despite the pressure vanishing.

“Am I in the wrong place?” She asked herself, as her eyes kept wandering around, seemingly searching for something.

“No, I don’t think I am” After she answered her own question, her eyes landed below her feet, at the black fog that tried to affect her but couldn’t.

After the atmosphere somehow calmed down, Davis saw one person from the attacker's side step forward, his head slightly bowed as he asked, “Excuse me, but may I ask why an expert of your caliber is here?”

Davis was glad she wasn’t on the attacker’s side, and as he stole a quick glance at Dalia, he noticed that this matter was more serious than he previously thought, considering she looked like she was at her wit's end—basically shaking in panic.

However, as the woman heard the question, she looked at the warrior who asked it.

“You dare talk to me while possessing that disgusting mana?” Just as she said that. She flung the book she held into the air—this was also the first time Davis had noticed the chain that went from the edge of the book to her sleeve. When the book started falling, her hand jerked, somehow perfectly changing its trajectory and flying directly toward the guy who asked the question.

Then came the most sickening crack that Davis had ever heard, the book crushed the guy’s skull along with his helmet in such a matter that sent the chills down his spine. However, what made it even worse was the sheer speed, the whole act lasted barely a blink of an eye, yet at the same time Davis saw it perfectly well while knowing that if he were the target, he wouldn’t be able to do anything.

While everyone was recovering from the shock, the book was already back in the woman’s hand. However, this time her expression was different, her eyebrows were slightly raised.

“Interesting”

She intently observed the dead body of the warrior she’d just killed, then with the same curious gaze, her eyes slowly moved like she was following a specific line until they landed directly at the mansion, which was standing right behind Davis, making him gulp because her line of sight caught him.

“Hmm,” She hummed in interest, then the golden book opened itself with a clang. Without even paying any attention to it, her hand swiped thrice on the page, bringing with itself runes shining blue as they formed complex and mystical combinations.

She continued her spellcasting with the burst of tyrannical mana, the rune combination came to life, twisting and turning until it formed five palm-sized balls. Then, a white horizontal line of text appeared in the middle of these balls, which suddenly twisted.

To Davis’s shock, he immediately understood what effect they had.

In the background, only an idiot wouldn’t notice, as the five people had their heads snapped in an unnatural way while the same white lines appeared around their necks. The one responsible for that yet again closed her book, and like she’d done a simple chore, she slowly started walking toward the mansion.

Since she was practically coming his way, Davis respectfully made a way. A cold sweat washed over him and like the enemies they’d just faced, he wanted nothing more but to run away from this place.

Unfortunately for him, she didn’t pass him, instead she paused a couple of steps away and said the words he truly didn’t want to hear.

“You match the description. Is your name Davis?”

Oh, it was about Veles… Of course, it made sense that this woman was here because of him. What else could it be? That guy was still causing trouble even without being present.

“Yes, that is my name.”

“Hmm, you are an anomaly too,” She placidly said, then scanned him up and down. “But you are not a threat. I’m looking for a man named Veles. Do you know where he is?”

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He was not a threat? For some reason, he felt like he’d escaped a bleak future knowing that. Nonetheless, her question, he decided to reply honestly, “He disappeared moments after the battle started. I don’t know where he is.”

“Doesn’t matter,” Her words matched her unbothered expression. “Show me where the core of this ward is.”

Davis could only nod and obey. His steps turned toward the mansion while she matched his and followed along. He, on the way, scanned the rest of the people both allies and enemies and saw them quietly backing out. Well, everyone did except Dalia, because she frantically searched around, and it didn’t take Davis long to understand why…

Tora was nowhere to be seen…

He felt a pang of worry wash over him, the crazy girl might have sneaked out of the fight long ago, but something was bugging him that it wasn’t the case…

Unfortunately, his current situation wouldn’t allow him to do anything. And, somehow he blindly believed Veles would fix everything… as long as he kept this woman here occupied.

Now that he looked at her up close. She appeared even more terrifying. She was easily a head taller than him, with her posture screaming sternness and discipline, and her oversized dark blue overcoat added to the feeling of extremely serious person. What intrigued him more was the weird metal armor she wore under the coat, which gave her a somewhat masculine build.

Strangely enough, what caught his notice was that she appeared to be one hundred percent ready to fight for her life. She just gave that impression…

“We are here,” Davis informed as they reached the basement. He pointed at the glowing magical circle at one of the corners and added, “I believe that’s what you are looking for, Lady…”

“Frea.” She said, her attention already focused on the circle that Veles had drawn, “You may call me by my name. After all, you helped my student when she was in trouble.”

“Student?” Davis asked. Both confused and relieved.

“Zunna, she talked favorably about you,” Just as she said that her eyes met his, “But, your intentions have yet to be proven.”

Without prior warning, her book flipped open yet again. Before he could even register what was going on, a neat runic row flew next to his head, until it released a metallic sound followed by the loud hoot of an owl…

Once he turned around and looked, he saw Vera, that ever-arrogant bird was surrounded by the sturdy metallic cage.

“A creature that almost escaped my senses,” Frea said, her gaze back to the magic circle, “A masterfully created formation circle that uses a simple formula of cellar cooling mechanisms as its base. Ingenious creation that no normal person can create.”

She again looked at Davis in the eyes, “And materials of a Tenth Stage beast that was never recorded in history were given to my disciple like they were a common commodity.”

“So, Davis.” She added. “I might have to break the promise I made to my student if you don’t start talking about where you come from. And don’t even think about lying, I have my speculations, and you better confirm them.”

Davis gulped, the way she looked at him creeped him out. She still held that stoic expression, but her eyes promised the world of pain, and the only thing holding her back was whatever promise she made with that nerdy catkin Zunna they’d met back when exiting the forest.

Without any chance to escape, Davis began making up a story mixed with truths and lies. Hopefully, he would wiggle his way out before Veles came back.

***

Tora was truly in a pinch. She would’ve never expected they would assign a whole team to capture her moments after the mansion wards were down. Especially not to bring her in front of this idiot…

“You are finally here.”

Basar’s voice reached her, and it couldn’t be any creepier. The way he sat there behind his desk and leered at her brought the urge to squash him like one would a disgusting bug. Yet, unfortunately, all the potions she had with herself were confiscated, without them, she was powerless. After all, she was an Alchemist. The only thing she could possibly do was cast a minor fireball, which even a child could dodge.

“You are stupid, aren’t you?” Tora unbotheredly asked, she honestly had nothing better to say. If he thought her family would take this lying down, he was very wrong. Her father and mothers might have supported their old tradition of enforcing challenges to their children, but there was never an example when someone had kidnapped one of their family members and lived to tell a tale.

However, Basar just chuckled at her words. “You think I don’t know what I’m doing, huh? Let me tell you, you were meant to be mine years ago. Your father should’ve considered wisely the offers he’d received instead of being head-stuck on some ancient tradition. It’s such a shame that because of one stubborn man, a gifted magical bloodline is slowly perishing.”

“Perishing? How delusional,” Tora rebuked. And just as she was to add more, the words were caught in her throat. Behind Basar, appeared a figure completely covered in black fog, which Tora immediately recognized as Veles. However, his presence was so thin that if she didn’t focus directly on him, he would’ve disappeared from her vision.

He then made a strange gesture, the one she could only interpret as ‘continue’.

Basar took her silence like she’d finished what she wanted to say, totally oblivious that Veles was right behind him. “Delusional? How many of your siblings are Summoners? Four or Five out of Seventeen? What happened to the old Argusa family with hundreds of Summoners capable of controlling whole armies?” He then leaned slightly forward with his elbows on his table, “I will tell you what happened. You started mixing your magical bloodline with filthy peasants!”

Tora couldn’t help but crack a smile as she heard that. He truly was delusional, he might have a good information about the members of her family, but he knew nothing about the true strength of Argusa, which even she had little knowledge about.

But, as his words completely dawned on her, she understood why he was so fixated on her, and it made her expression turn furious.

“You… You…” She pointed her finger at him, “You want to use me as a damn baby factory?! You disgusting freak!”

“Hey, hey. Don’t make accusations like that,” Basar calmly replied as he stood up from his chair, “What I always wanted was to take you as my wife. After all, you are the rare one of your siblings that is still purely human.”

He circled the table and slowly started walking towards her. Still oblivious that Veles followed him a step behind.

“You can call me whatever you want, insult me, curse me,” Basar then grinned, “But after Artificers get rid of the artifacts protecting you, Mystics would have a very easy time convincing you that I’m the best thing that had happened in your life.”

Mystics… A very rare class that Tora never wanted to encounter. They were charlatans capable of twisting minds and emotions in many disgusting ways. Just thinking what Basar had in mind, made her shudder…

“Yeah, I had enough…” Veles said. He’d finally decided to take action.

The fog around Veles’s body dissipated, revealing him sending a direct punch at Basar’s head, which connected in an instant, sending the idiot flying to the side. However, what Tora also saw, or rather heard, was a loud cracking of bones… coming directly from Veles’s hand.

“Fuck.” Veles quietly cursed. Then with the other hand, he pointed to the balcony “Stop looking and run.”

There was no need to tell her twice, she dashed, in a few steps, her legs were already in the air, prepared to land from the balcony to the garden.

Not long after landing, she noticed Veles right next to her.

“Keep going. That freak is extremely paranoid, we will be swarmed in seconds if we hesitate,” Veles said while both of their legs went full throttle as they aimed for the tall wall surrounding this estate.

Tora, having a perfect solution to cross the wall, performed a spell she usually used for propelling her potions, this time, she placed it right under her feet. It sent her flying, and luckily, she landed skillfully with the roll on the other side.

Her head immediately went backward. She watched as Veles somehow jumped over the wall while supporting himself with one hand, and immediately after he landed, he rushed to her side.

“I think we are outside the ward range, should be able to teleport us now,” he said.

But suddenly, he stopped. A blue portal appeared just between Tora and him, but before it could fully manifest. Tora heard “Nope” coming from Veles. Then a silver dot blinked in the middle of the portal, entirely collapsing it…

“What the hell was that?” She exclaimed, her feet ready to run.

“I have no id-” Before Veles could finish. Tora watched as a giant golden book collided with his face, instantly knocking him out cold…