"It seems our opponent this time is quite a formidable swordsman," Arthur said seriously.
Two figures appeared before the six of them, their entire bodies covered in black cloaks, leaving only their eyes visible.
The first figure was a man in a black cloak, and beneath it were massive muscles. He stood around 2.4 to 2.5 meters tall, and his black eyes looked deep, sharp, and filled with murderous intent. He was a big muscular figure.
The second figure was a swordsman in a black cloak, about 1.8 meters tall, with sharp black eyes that seemed capable of slicing through anything.
"This opponent won't be easy," Van said, though his eyes trembled slightly, revealing his surprise.
'Strange. Something's not right,' Van thought as he scanned the surroundings.
"Khukhukhu, I didn't expect to run into such important children here. A child from the Black Family, the White Family, and some members of the [Academy Committee]. If I kill you all, wouldn't that deal a serious blow to the Avalon Kingdom?" the swordsman figure said with a cruel laugh.
"Who are you?! Why are you attacking the Academy?!" Lucas asked, his eyes cold and filled with killing intent.
"Us? You don't need to know that. All you need to know is that we intend to destroy the future of the Avalon Kingdom," the big muscular figure replied with a mocking tone.
The big muscular figure then moved at an astonishing speed, so fast that the ground where he had stood shattered into pieces.
In the blink of an eye, the big muscular figure appeared before the six of them, and his fist nearly struck Nana.
'So fast!' the six of them thought.
"[Earth Magic: Earth Hand]!"
"]Gravity Magic: Heaven Loss]!"
The ground beneath Silvie surged upward, forming a giant hand that pulled her back to safety.
The big muscular figure also slowed for a fraction of a second as Victor used gravity magic, giving Silvie a chance to escape the attack.
However, his fist still struck the ground nearby. Cracks spread outward, and the ground beneath them shattered, accompanied by a light quake.
"[Roc Bird]!"
Van channeled more [Mana], and from his shadow emerged a much larger [Roc Bird] than usual. The six of them landed on its back.
They looked down at the ground where they had just stood, now reduced to rubble, unrecognizable, as if struck by a natural disaster. Instinctively, they swallowed hard in shock and fear.
Before they could collect themselves, they saw the swordsman figure swinging his sword, and a wave of blue sword energy flew toward them.
Van jumped, under the shocked gazes of the others, and swung his sword. His dark purplish-black sword energy collided with the blue sword energy, both exploding into fragments.
"Arthur!" Van shouted.
"I got it!" Arthur replied.
Arthur also leaped from the [Roc Bird]'s back and swung his sword mid-air.
A pale white sword energy flew toward the two cloaked figures.
However, the swordsman easily shattered Arthur's attack.
Arthur showed no disappointment or fear upon seeing his attack fail. Instead, he charged directly at the two figures.
The [Roc Bird] landed, and the other four dismounted with serious expressions, ready to fight the two figures to the death.
"You all should go protect the students in the underground chamber. The two of us will handle them," Van said calmly.
"Are you insane?! Didn't you see their strength?! You'll die fighting them!" Lucas said.
"If all six of us remain here, who will protect the students if something happens to them?" Van replied without hesitation.
"B–"
"Just go. You've seen what they can do. If their allies get into the underground and attack the students, the consequences will be devastating. Those useless guards can't match these bast*rds' strength," Van explained coldly.
Lucas paused, stunned. His mind raced. After a moment, he sighed heavily and nodded.
"Alright. Stay safe," Lucas said.
"Hey, are you all done?! If so, help me already!"
Arthur's shout snapped everyone's attention. They turned to see him struggling to fend off the two figures alone.
As Arthur let his guard down, the big muscular figure kicked him, sending him flying overhead.
Seeing that Arthur was about to crash far away, Nana created several clones that managed to catch him mid-air.
"Lucas, I'll help them. You go accompany the students. Victor needs to be escorted to the underground chamber; he's exhausted from using up his [Mana]," Nana said.
"Me too," Silvie said.
Lucas's expression tensed slightly upon hearing Nana and Silvie. He looked at them and said, "You two… stay safe."
He then turned to Van and said, "Take care of yourself—and protect them too."
Van nodded in response. Lucas and Victor boarded the [Roc Bird], then flew off into the distance.
Watching the [Roc Bird] depart, the two cloaked figures, who had remained silent until now, finally spoke.
"Are you done with your discussion? If so, shall we continue?" the swordsman figure said.
"Arthur, Silvie, you two will handle the swordsman. Nana and I will take on the big muscular," Van said.
"Got it!" Arthur, Silvie, and Nana replied.
"Hey, weak girl, you should've just left. If I can't save you, you'll die," Arthur said seriously.
"I don't need help from someone like you. The moment I chose to stay, I was prepared to die," Silvie replied firmly.
"Alright then. Don't be a burden," Arthur said, then ran toward the swordsman, with Silvie following closely behind.
Arthur reached the swordsman and swung his sword. The swordsman also swung his sword, his eyes showing a mocking expression toward Arthur.
Their swords clashed, sparks flying.
"Two against one? That's hardly fair," the swordsman figure said.
"Fair? Justice is relative. In the end, it all comes down to the result," Arthur replied with a wide grin.
Silvie appeared behind the swordsman and swung her sword at his back.
But the swordsman seemed to anticipate her move. He jumped away, then swung his sword.
A massive, more powerful wave of blue sword energy flew toward them.
Arthur and Silvie, seeing it coming, immediately swung their swords without hesitation.
The blue sword energy clashed with white and golden sword energies. The three energies stagnated in the air momentarily.
*CRACK
After a moment, Arthur and Silvie's energies shattered, while the blue energy continued flying toward them.
Seeing their energy dissipate, they both frowned and quickly dodged the oncoming attack.
*SLASH
The blue sword energy struck the ground and continued forward, leaving behind a deep chasm that stretched for thousands of meters.
"What the hell?!" Silvie muttered, eyes wide, mouth agape in disbelief.
In contrast, Arthur grinned widely and laughed as he saw the bottomless chasm.
'This is it! A truly powerful swordsman!'