"Fuck!! The target's not us from the beginning!"
The words tore through the battlefield... Too late.
"ERICK!! MUKHLIS!! AYANA!!!" Askara's voice cut through the blizzard like a thunderclap. Every fighter on the field froze for a heartbeat as his tone shifted from fury to raw panic. The students sheltered within Kiara's barrier turned toward him, eyes wide with terror. "THEY'RE TARGETING THE STUDENTS!! PROTECT YOURSELF!!!"
Inside the translucent dome of ice and mana, Mukhlis flinched at the sound of his name.
"W-What should we do?!" He spun around, his mind blank, panic rising like fire in his throat.
Without a word, Erick raised his blade, eyes darting through the distorted haze beyond the barrier. Ayana stood close behind, trembling.
Mukhlis didn't hesitate any longer, he moved in front of her, spreading his arms protectively. "Stay close! Don't move unless I say so!"
