All the students gathered in a specific place where fifth-circle guards were stationed in different areas, while sixth-circle guards stayed near the civilians, watching over them since they had no way to defend themselves.
"Why did that portal have to appear today?"
"Calm down, Kai. We'll have our rematch later."
He seemed quite frustrated at first, but it was easy to see him calm down and grow serious about the situation, staring at the portal. He thought that if civilians were in danger, he had to protect them, just like his father did when he was a hero.
"Do you think we'll be called?"
"If they need us, they'll call us."
That portal didn't seem to be from the true dungeon, since there was still time before it appeared, which led him to think that maybe Jago was already messing with those things, judging by what he had seen in the Knights' dungeon.
"By the way, where's that Jester's team? I don't think they've been defeated."
Hearing Caelan's words, Enrico became alert, realizing that indeed that team wasn't present. Noticing what seemed like a small interrogation between Valtara's guards and his team, he summoned Lunaris, who turned invisible by covering himself in blood, allowing Enrico to approach and listen through the connection between their hearing.
"Necromancy? Isn't that something only Nartheis or demons use?"
"Yes, sir. It seems he isn't human, and not only that—he can fight well without using Necromancy, and he's extremely intelligent."
That description was exactly how Jago acted every time Enrico forced him to go all out in the fake zombie dungeon, so he couldn't hide the flash of anger in his eyes.
'Now I understand this feeling I had about him… that damn unique ability of his is irritating.'
[Enrico, calm down. You shouldn't lose control.]
'You act as if I were going to do something. System, you know me.'
Enrico's expression remained calm as he looked back at the portal, waiting for something. If he had the chance, he'd definitely kill Jago, but to his annoyance, that bastard seemed to have reached a new level, even managing to alter his stats as if he were someone else in that cursed disguise.
'My evolution seems too slow to keep up with him… what should I do?'
[Just don't overdo it if you come up with a crazy idea, please.]
"Ethan, the Kings have ordered that you and your team be sent back to the ship for safety in case something happens, so follow us."
"Wait, we're just going to sit and do nothing? What about our alliance?"
"Don't worry. The only ones staying will be you and me. Besides, we already talked with the Kings about this before the competition ended. Rest assured."
Erika nodded and started walking away with the other members in front of Ethan, who hesitated for a second before leaving. It seemed that the continent of Valtara didn't want to risk losing its rough diamonds.
'Makes sense, since they're the best so far.'
But they might end up needing help from at least one team—the only problem was that all students from other continents were being escorted away from the area.
'The worst part is, I can't do anything since I only know one team, and one of them probably holds a grudge against mine.'
[It seems the only team that can help you is that girl's team.]
Turning around, he saw Lamia and her team leaving with the guards, so he moved toward them quickly, not wanting to waste time.
"Lamia, can I talk to you?"
"Sorry, but I—"
"It's about what you want."
"Miss Guard, could you wait a moment while I say goodbye to a friend?"
Getting permission to go, the two walked to a place where no one else was around, near the banquet hall on the first floor of that large house.
"What do you want to talk about? Don't tell me you want me to take you with us? Just so you know, we're going to test several spells to try and bring your female appearance back—"
Sighing, Enrico calmly placed his hand on the wall behind Lamia as he approached. At first, Lamia took a step back, irritated by his closeness—at least until Enrico began transforming into his female form, making her eyes shine with admiration.
"I-Is that…?"
"Yes, I can transform into this form whenever I want."
"Why didn't you tell me before, Lianda? Come to my homeland—there you'll be treated like the goddess you are."
Enrico's face drew only a few centimeters closer to hers, causing her breathing to become irregular and trembling, as if each inhale were a mix of desire and enchantment.
"Sorry, but my place is in this continent. However, I can use this form with you in the future."
Lamia felt his hand touch her cheek, a warm shock spreading through her skin as she closed her eyes, expecting something.
"Of course, if you help me today to protect this city."
She felt that touch leave her cheek and opened her eyes, surprised, as Enrico was already walking away from the room.
"Help you? Is that all I need to do?"
"Yes. Still, remember one thing… if you want me, you'll have to talk to my future wives, as I already told you."
Before leaving, he gave a confident smile in that female form that completely charmed Lamia.
"I really need her… I have to talk to my girls about this—they'll love it."
Leaving that place, Enrico turned back to normal, running a hand through his hair. He found it a bit annoying to switch forms from time to time with Lamia, but it would be useful to have her by his side for the future.
[You're evil. How dare you use a girl's feelings like that?]
'As if that's such a big deal—she'll get what she wants anyway.'
Looking up, Enrico was surprised, since it seemed the battle had already begun from the number of explosions happening in the sky.
"Are those Ranvil ranks? There must be at least a hundred up there."
Not only that—most of those Ranvil-rank Nartheis seemed to be at level three. Seconds later, several Nartheis began invading Vesparello, having been thrown through the portal, crashing down and destroying houses.
"I'd better hurry back."