Karnella stood above a branch as she observed the surroundings with quick glances. Not finding a single trace of the group, her fury grew even stronger.

Dariu sprinted at full speed through bushes and trees until an unusual sound caught his attention, causing him to halt and look back. The sound steadily approached, becoming more distinct with each passing moment.

After a while, he glimpsed Yadaishi projectiles hurtling in random directions, wreaking havoc and causing massive destruction in the surroundings.

Karnella, unable to locate the group, abandoned the search and unleashed widespread destruction in the entire forest using Yadaishi, hopefully killing the three of them in the process.

That old hag has lost her mind! Commented Silas, skillfully evading the projectiles.

From the forest entrance emerged Naylu. Breathless and injured on his left leg, he collapsed on his knees.

"Dariu, silas!" He yelled with a concerned voice as he looked around for them.

Standing up with great difficulty, he took a few steps back and gazed into the forest, eagerly awaiting the appearance of the others. Echoes of explosions, collapsing trees, and complete destruction emanated from within the forest.

"Come on... Show up."

"Naylu, run!" Silas' voice echoed as he ran in the forest, sprinting towards Naylu. Behind him, a colossal Lojia-materialized arm extended from a distance, chasing him with an open palm.

Terrified by the sight, Naylu also fled in the opposite direction. However, his injury prevented him from running at full speed.

Silas reached Naylu and quickly surpassed him. The arm swiftly changed target and went after the injured Naylu and grabbed him then hastily retreated into the woods.

"Naylu!" Screamed Silas.

Within the forest, the hand retracted, gripping Naylu. Coincidentally, he caught sight of Dariu in the distance. He was still far back and the hand had not surpassed him yet.

"Dariu!!" He yelled as loud as he could.

Mid-sprint, Dariu heard the scream, glancing at the captured Naylu before swiftly altering his course in the direction of the arm. Removing the large Nymph stone from his neck, he skillfully navigated through the collapsed trees and fallen branches with parkour-like moves. Sliding under the arm, he held the stone in his left hand and uttered, "Dhormu!" Striking the trunk of a large tree with all his might, he added power to his spell, causing the trunk to break but injuring his wrist in the process.

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It was all the energy he had left on him after almost draining his reservoir on his previous gamble. It was a miracle that he was able to perform one last Dhormu.

The tree crashed onto the arm, breaking it in the process and causing it to vanish into thin air, launching Naylu into the air.

Dariu leaped, catching Naylu mid-air by the waist with his head on the backside, then swiftly resumed sprinting after clearing the fallen tree. He felt striking pain in his wrist, but ignored it and kept holding Naylu.

Naylu could see Karnella from the back as she skilfully leaped from tree to another, quickly closing in the distance between them.

"Quick! She's coming after us!" He informed Dariu.

"You don't say!" He answered.

Reaching the forest's border, the duo joined Silas, and together they continued running in the direction of the castle.

As the spell's effect on her feet waned, Karnella descended to the ground and began walking near the forest's exit.

"Tura Vin Natum Larus Haifen," she incantatied, then pressed her palms against the ground, "Terrashum."

A wave of cyan aura swiftly manifested on the ground, extending over a considerable distance, including beneath the group, before rapidly disappearing.

"What was that?" Questioned Naylu.

"I'm not sure, but it ought to be bad."

The ground beneath them suddenly trembled intensely, and massive cracks originated from Karnella's hands. Giant plates elevated from the ground, causing the entire area to gradually start floating.

In their desperate sprint, the group was almost lifted by the floating plate beneath their feet, only managing to jump at the last second.

"So this is the power of an Arcadian Lojius," commented Silas as he stood in awe, his tone a mixture of amazement and fear.

From a distance, students near the castle gazed at the incredible scene: a remarkably large number of giant plates and rocks soaring in the sky, visible from the farthest reaches of the academy.

Such a feat could never be achieved by a mere human being, a monumental testament to the power of Arcadian Lojius.

With an arm raised into the air, Karnella gazed with eyes of fury and annoyance, "Filthy vermin," she said before lowering her arm, sending countless gigantic rocks onto the group.

Thousands of massive plates crashed onto the ground simultaneously, creating a colossal cloud of dust and a relentless cacophony of destruction.

Having completed her job, Karnella walked through the dust in the direction of the castle. Mere students could never have survived such an advanced spell, and knowing so, she had appeased her anger.

Karnella paused, her gaze lifting to the sky, and with fury in her voice, she uttered, "Kornos."

High in the sky, through the thick cloud of dust, emerged a large winged beast. The creature was covered in blue feathers and had an almost bird-like shape, featuring two long, extended talons. At the end of its talons, it held Dariu, Naylu, and Silas.

Above the beast stood Kornos, his hands behind his back.

The winged beast flew close to the ground, tossing the group before approaching Karnella and finally landing in front of her.

"Madam Reisus, you cast an unreasonably powerful spell on students and attempted their expulsion without evident cause. could you kindly share the reasoning behind your actions?"

"I have no need for a justification, this was merely disciplinary."

"You could've chosen a better approach for that."

"I think my approach was quite on point."

"I'm afraid you might have overdone it."

"And I'm afraid you've become lenient, Kornos," she said before she walked away.

"Are you alright?" Dariu asked Naylu.

"I'm fine, just a bruise," he answered, refering to his injured leg.

In an instant, Silas grabbed Dariu from his shirt, "your crazy plan almost got us killed!"

"But it didn't. That's all what matters."

Silas looked long into Dariu's eyes, his gaze one of anger and frustration.

"You goddamn maniac," he said before letting go of his grip.

"I must say I'm impressed, Dariu Magnus," said Kornos, now close to them, "Quite the daring plan you put together."

"You've been watching us from the start, haven't you?"

"Indeed I have. I am the academy's vigilant eye; nothing escapes my sight."

"Not all the time."

Kornos began laughing, "perhaps, but you still do not know when do my eyes go blind."

"I don't. But I will."

"I know you will, that is why I will save you the trouble; the night every six days beginning tomorrow."

Amazed, Dariu stood with widened eyes, "why?"

"Consider it a reward for your efforts," he said then mounted the winged beast.

"But you do know that I will have you expelled if I ever catch you lurking outside at night."

"That's if you catch me."

Kornos burst into laughter once more, "you are a very interesting young man, Dariu Magnus."

The beast spread its wings, preparing to take off.

"One final matter, were you aware that I would intervene to rescue you?"

"I had a hunch," he answered with a smug expression.

Kornos smiled and then took flight.