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Chapter 4 - Chapter 4 Meeting Two Elites

William stood in the center of the church hall, shattered by the brief battle. Although his breathing was steady and his face was as calm as a tombstone, his thoughts were far from calm.

"That Fierce Level Demon was just bait."

His lips moved soundlessly as if he were speaking to his reflection.

He briefly chased the cursed gargoyle that had fled, but as soon as he stepped onto the cobblestone street outside the church, everything seemed strange. It was too quiet.

Then, the explosion came.

Without warning, the building on the left side of the street exploded. The sound of the collapse mingled with the roar of flames shooting skyward. Embers caught on stone and metal, igniting orange flames in the darkness. William took only a half step back. His black ponytail was lifted by the heat, but his face remained unchanged.

From the vortex of fire, a woman emerged.

Her wavy blonde hair fell over her shoulders, reflecting light like melted honey. A long, sky-blue cloak draped over her long dress, contrasting with the flames behind her. The aura that enveloped her was neither dark nor evil. This made William even more wary.

"Strike first, speak later. What a noble custom," he murmured coldly.

The woman moved before the words had died in the air. She reached out her hand, and a giant fireball shot out from her tiny palm, shooting intense heat.

William slowly raised his hand. Silver butterflies emerged from between his fingers—fragile yet countless—and gathered into a clear shield. The flames slammed into the thin wall and broke into light before vanishing.

The woman's eyes widened in shock. But she didn't stop.

The second attack came even faster. Flames bloomed in the air and spun in a deadly dance before plunging straight toward William. This time, he had no intention of defending himself. He raised his hand, and one fireball stopped as if trapped in a vacuum—caught just like that, docile as a toy.

William spun the fireball in his palm, a faint smile on his lips. Then, with a simple movement, he threw it back.

The explosion hit the pavement behind her, sending a shower of rocks and flames skyward. She leaped lightly, her dress fluttering like wings, and survived the blast.

William remained motionless. He hadn't unleashed his killing intent yet; he was just waiting. He knew the third strike would never come.

"Elizabeth, stop!"

A man's voice echoed from behind the flames. Elegant, heavy yet graceful steps approached, like those of a noble accustomed to attention. A dark-haired figure emerged from the darkness, wearing a gleaming white coat draped over broad shoulders, neat gloves, and a sword emblazoned with the family crest at his waist. His cold, steel-blue eyes stared straight at William, weighing him.

William didn't move. He was beginning to understand.

The woman could use magic. Not just a flash of fire, but pure magic that only those trained from childhood could possess. No ordinary person could do that. Only one class could summon fire magic:

Sentinels.

He stared deeper. Suddenly, a long-forgotten memory began to stir.

Fifteen years.

Fifteen years had passed since he last saw her—long enough to bury the past beneath the surface. She had once been a noblewoman running through the flower gardens, her white lace dress smeared with dew and her sweet laughter echoing through the afternoon. She had dared to hold his hand in the rain once, forging a friendship so close and inseparable.

Now, she stood before him.

Lady Elizabeth Aldwych:

[Name: Elizabeth Aldwych]

[Status: Sentinel]

[Tier: Middle]

[Order Number: 5]

[Type: Mage]

She is the daughter of the ancient Aldwych family, whose names were carved into stone. Her childhood friend. The one who had once called his name.

William showed no surprise. His face remained cold, but a faint rumbling in his chest could not be completely suppressed.

Elizabeth stared at him for a long moment before her soft voice finally broke through.

"I'm sorry for attacking you so suddenly. I didn't know who was standing there."

She slowly bowed her head, a gesture of regret that was both elegant and sincere.

Elizabeth stared at him for a long moment. Her eyes were calm but still held a hint of wariness. When she finally spoke, her voice was clear but measured.

"I'm sorry for attacking you so suddenly. I didn't know who was standing there."

She bowed slightly. It wasn't humility; it was the elegant gesture of a noble who knows how to maintain dignity, even when she's made a mistake.

William remained silent. His gaze traced the face he had known long ago. Elizabeth Aldwych stood before him now, but she didn't know William Langley. All she knew was Morgan Welshman, who was dead.

Now, all that remained was William: an eighteen-year-old with a human body and a soul that was no longer fully human.

Elizabeth looked more mature than she had imagined. If her calculations were accurate, she was now about twenty-eight. She was five years older than him, at least in terms of physical age. Time had eroded the gentleness of the noblewoman she once was, replacing it with the firmness of a Sentinel who had descended headlong into a field of fire. His face remained the same, but his eyes held a different depth now.

"You...sentinel?" The man beside him spoke in a polite voice. His shiny black hair, tied in a casual ponytail, exuded an air of aristocratic composure. "We just arrived. There's been a report of a bride and groom being murdered, most likely due to demonic activity."

William raised an eyebrow, a small movement laced with impatience. His voice was cold and flat yet sharp as a dagger.

"Are you just now taking this seriously? This case has been going on for years. Fifty couples have fallen victim. And you still haven't caught or killed the Demon?"

His words weren't an attack, but they weren't pleasant either. They were just the truth, spoken without mercy.

They both fell silent. Even Elizabeth showed a moment of hesitation, something she rarely did. But there was no anger or denial. Only acceptance.

"That matter was our negligence," Elizabeth finally answered. Her voice was honest. "We didn't investigate thoroughly enough."

William simply shrugged. He didn't care about the reason; he only cared about the result. The tension between them eased slightly, though it remained like a knife above their heads.

Elizabeth spoke again, this time more softly.

"Before that, I'm curious. Why are you here? Are you a Sentinel, too? From which Ordo?"

A faint smile appeared on William's lips. It wasn't a warm smile, but rather a faint sneer.

"I'm not a Sentinel. Just an orphan. I'm accompanying my younger siblings in their search for our sister, William Langley."

The name slipped out lightly, as if it were meaningless.

The church door creaked open, and two small figures emerged hesitantly. Melissa and Arthur. They had hidden in the confessional during the chaos. Now, they jogged over and stopped right behind William. Their gazes fixed on the two unfamiliar Sentinels in their distinctive uniforms.

William turned slightly and pointed at the Sentinels with his thumb.

"They're orphans: Melissa and Arthur." His tone was casual and lazy with a hint of mockery.

"Hey! Who are you calling a kid?!" Arthur exclaimed, his face flushing with protest.

William ignored them. Arguing with Arthur was just a small habit of his that didn't even disturb his breathing.

The two Sentinels introduced themselves. Elizabeth spoke in a calm, dignified voice.

"I am Elizabeth Aldwych. This is my partner, Louis Percival."

Louis slowly bowed his head in respect. His movements were refined, almost too perfect.

[Name: Louis Percival]

[Status: Sentinel]

[Tier: Middle]

[Order Number: 6]

[Type: Fighter (Weapon)]

[Specification: Weapon Mastery]

William glanced at him. The name Percival sounded familiar. They were a noble family who had always been considered different; they refused to look down on commoners and were often selfless in their help. In the past, the Percivals had had close ties with Morgan Welshman. His former self.

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