The transportation array to the Hunter Academy was located in the Kingdom of Finley, a realm that bordered both the Northern Empire and the Arcane Empire. To pass through the gates of the Elven realm, one needed to traverse the Finley Kingdom and reach its center.

Finley was renowned for the massive root at its heart—just one among millions scattered across various worlds. These roots were said to belong to the legendary World Tree, which interconnected realms. The exact location of the tree remained a mystery, though many believed it resided in the long-lost Heavenly Palace. When the palace vanished, many feared the roots would disappear as well, but they endured, continuing to link the realms. Briefly, when the Heavenly Palace reappeared years ago, the roots across the worlds glowed with a golden light before fading again with the palace's disappearance.

Now, the children journeyed toward Finley, where the root bridging the Elf and human realms was located. The road to Finley was smooth up to the Empire’s barrier, but beyond it, the surroundings grew eerily quiet. Beneath them stretched a vast forest, shrouded in an unsettling stillness.

The knight captain, concerned the children might be frightened by the ominous landscape, glanced into the spacious cabin of the hover car. To his surprise, two of them were sound asleep, seemingly unbothered, while the third gazed out the window with calm indifference.

The captain’s gaze lingered on the princess, unable to suppress his admiration. As expected of the princess. She’s completely unfazed.

Charged with their safe transport to the portal, he had arranged six additional hover cars to escort their larger vehicle, ensuring their journey was as secure as possible.

As the distance from the barrier increased, the atmosphere grew noticeably darker. Captain Batair felt an inexplicable unease settling in his chest. He knew that life near the border was far from the tranquility of the Empire, thanks to the protective barrier. Every day, hordes of demons tried to breach it, only to be annihilated by the first prince.

Although Batair had never fought at the border—his sole duty being the protection of the royal family—he had unwavering trust in the prince's abilities. That man had never known defeat. Yet, now, for the first time, he could witness the border’s true state, and it unnerved him. Low-level demons lurked below their hover car, none powerful enough to pose a serious threat. But the sense of foreboding in his heart grew heavier with each passing second, as though something ominous was about to unfold.

It didn’t take long for the unease to manifest. The number of demons began to increase alarmingly. Captain Batair wasn’t the only one to notice; the knights in the car exchanged puzzled glances.

“How is this possible?” one murmured.

“Weren’t there only a few before?”

“If they attack us in such numbers, we may not hold out for long—even with the border knights’ support,” another added nervously.

Seeing his knights begin to panic, Captain Batair stepped to the front of the cabin. Through the glass, he gazed at the dark, foreboding forest below with steadfast determination. His red cape fluttered behind him in the wind as he raised the communication stone in his hand. In a calm, commanding tone, he addressed his comrades.

“Knights of Arcane, do not fear these lowly vermin. Together, we can overcome anything.”

Turning to his vice-captain, he issued his next order. “Contact the border knights and request backup immediately. If the demons attack, we’ll hold them off for as long as it takes.”

As Captain Batair finished his command, a massive lava rock hurtled through the air and struck the escort car ahead of them. He could only watch as the vehicle exploded into a fiery burst, its shattered remains plummeting into the dark forest below. The voice of a knight crackled urgently through the communication stone: “Captain, it’s an ambush!”

Chaos erupted in an instant. The two children in the cabin were jolted awake by the explosion. Disoriented, they looked around in confusion before panic set in. Lava rocks were raining down, their fiery glow illuminating the forest below. Ayden’s voice, trembling with fear, broke the tension in the cabin. “Sister, sister, what should we do?” His wide, panic-stricken eyes turned to Athena. Julian, though silent, looked at her too, his expression a mix of worry and expectation, as though hoping she might offer a solution—or at least some comfort.

Athena, however, remained composed. Her gaze was fixed on the molten rocks flying toward them. Her lips curled ever so slightly into a fleeting, enigmatic smile. Rising gracefully from her seat, she strode toward the captain with an air of calm authority.

“Captain Batair,” she said, her voice steady and measured, “do you remember what I taught you?”

It took the captain a moment to grasp her meaning, but then realization dawned. Straightening, he offered a respectful bow and replied with unwavering confidence, “Yes, Your Highness.”

Turning swiftly to his communication stone, he issued his next command. “Knights, activate the barrier array!”

This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.

Though it wouldn’t be as powerful as the one the princess had crafted in the past, Captain Batair knew the array would buy them precious time.

When Belial first heard rumors of a child who had caught his master's attention, he was intrigued. Who could this child be? He waited patiently, gathering whispers and fragments of information. Then, one day, the same child was said to have created a barrier that spanned an entire Empire. His curiosity deepened.

When his master revealed plans to make this child his disciple, Belial felt a pang of disagreement. Yet, voicing his dissent was out of the question. Instead, he resolved to bide his time, to see this child for himself and understand what set her apart from him and the other eleven demon gods, all handpicked by their master.

When Belial learned the child would be traveling to Finley, he seized the opportunity. This was his chance to test her mettle.

Unleashing a vast horde of demons, he launched his ambush with devastating precision, hurling a barrage of molten lava rocks at the convoy. The first escort car was obliterated in moments, its wreckage spiraling into the forest below. Watching the destruction, Belial mused aloud, “Perhaps this child isn’t so extraordinary after all. Just another inflated rumor.”

But when his second wave of molten projectiles failed to breach the fleet’s defenses, he froze in surprise. His lips curled into an eerie chuckle. “Interesting. So, you can hold back my lava rain. Let’s see how long you can maintain that barrier.”

As the intensity and frequency of the attacks increased, Captain Batair's worry grew. He watched the barrier tremble under the relentless assault and felt the weight of responsibility pressing down on him. What should we do? he thought, his mind racing. If this goes on, the barrier won’t hold.

Even as he strategized, he knew their only hope lay in the arrival of reinforcements. “Vice-Captain Bernard,” he said, his voice heavy with determination, “look after the children. I’ll go down and stall him for as long as I can.”

Bernard’s eyes widened in alarm. “No, Captain! I’ll go instead—”

Batair cut him off, his tone brooking no argument. “That demon is no ordinary foe. He’s a high-ranking demon. You wouldn’t last against him.”

Bernard clenched his fists, reluctant but unable to refute his captain’s words. The atmosphere in the cabin was tense, but Batair’s resolve was unwavering. He knew the risk he was taking, but it was a risk he had to bear—for the children and the mission.

As Batair prepared to leave the car, a fresh wave of lava rocks descended, fiercer and more destructive than before. One struck the side of the vehicle, its weakened barrier unable to fully deflect the impact. The car spun violently in the air, teetering on the edge of disaster, but miraculously, it remained aloft.

Batair’s gaze flickered to the three children. Their young faces, though calm on the surface, betrayed the shock of an experience far beyond anything they had ever faced. What are their chances if we fall? he thought grimly, his resolve hardening despite the bleak odds.

Then, as if answering his unspoken prayers, a massive fleet emerged on the horizon, bearing the flag of the Arcane Empire. Relief washed over him as he recognized the figure riding at its forefront: First Prince Alexander, astride his majestic black pegasus. His cape billowed in the wind, and his mere presence radiated authority and power.

Alexander’s voice rang out, sharp and mocking, as he addressed the demon god responsible for the chaos. “Belial, since when did demon gods take up the role of terrorizing children? I heard you lost to your brother Balam. Now it makes sense—your brother holds the eleventh position, while you languish in twelfth. A coward like you doesn’t even know how to pick a proper fight.”

The insults came rapid and cutting, each one chipping away at Belial’s composure. At first, Belial seemed amused, his eerie chuckle echoing through the dark forest. But as Alexander’s taunts continued, his amusement gave way to boiling rage.

“How dare you, you pathetic little mortal!” Belial snarled, his voice trembling with fury. “You dare to insult me like this? Watch as I tear your precious daughter apart!”

Amid the rising tension, Julian couldn’t help but glance at Athena. A smirk played on her lips, mirroring her father’s sharp tongue and unyielding defiance. So that’s where she gets it, Julian thought wryly. Like father, like daughter.

In the next moment, a massive black figure formed in the sky, its body composed of jagged lava rocks glowing like embers in a dying fire. Sinister red eyes gleamed from its molten face, and its leathery wings spread wide, casting a menacing shadow over the landscape. Twisted horns jutted from its head, framing a mouth filled with sharp, jagged teeth that exuded malice. On its back, two crescent-shaped volcanic blades glowed ominously, pulsing with fiery energy.

The creature scanned its surroundings and zeroed in on the car where the children were. Its deep, gravelly voice reverberated through the air. “I wonder how much longer that barrier can hold.”

Understanding the implied threat, Alexander’s rage ignited like a wildfire. With a fierce roar, he charged, his sword drawn and ready. In an instant, the two figures clashed midair, steel meeting volcanic fury in a dazzling, heated battle. Sparks flew as their blades collided, the sound echoing like thunder.

For Athena, this was her first time witnessing her father in combat. His movements were fluid yet forceful, each strike brimming with power and precision. She couldn’t help but feel a mix of awe and fear as the duel unfolded before her eyes.

But the fight distracted more than just Alexander. Everyone’s attention was riveted to the fierce battle—until a sudden, jarring impact shook the car. A loud crash sent it spinning wildly, its stability shattered. Alarmed, Athena instinctively grabbed hold of Julian and Ayden, her arms locking around them like iron.

The car began to topple, hurtling toward the ground. In the chaos, Athena’s head struck something hard, sending a sharp pain radiating through her skull. She clung tightly to the two boys, bracing herself for the inevitable impact.

Just as the ground seemed ready to swallow them whole, a strong, unfamiliar grip enveloped the three children. They were lifted from the wreckage, but before Athena could see who had saved them, darkness enveloped her, and everything went silent.