Chosen By The Lover's Constellation-Chapter 184: Star Players, Part Thirteen

{Lianna}

Lianna’s gaze narrowed as she peered out from behind the safety of the building’s front door, her eyes scanning the figures gathered outside.

Among them, she spotted a couple of Children of Mana, their presence unmistakable even from afar.

Despite her careful observation, neither of them had any ability-stealing spells or Instincts.

[Neither of them are the girl we’re looking for, but...]

A sense of unease settled over Lianna as she realized that their elusive target must be lurking nearby, concealed within the shadows.

With a furrowed brow, she turned to Enverna, her voice low but determined.

"Enverna, I think it’s probably a good idea if you go out and fight them alone," Lianna said quietly, her tone tinged with urgency. "I don’t want to risk giving my traits and Instincts to the girl. They’re all pretty weak. You can handle them."

Enverna met Lianna’s gaze with a steady nod, her expression mirroring the resolve in her companion’s eyes.

"I understand," she replied, her voice steady despite the gravity of the situation. "I’ll draw them away from here. You stay safe, Lianna."

"Thank you," Lianna replied with sincerity.

---

{Enverna}

With a silent agreement between them, Enverna stepped out from their shelter, her spear gripped firmly in her hand as she prepared to confront the assailants outside.

Lianna watched her go. Even though Enverna knew Lianna trusted her, it still looked like she was nervous.

And, well, with good reason.

[If that girl is here, we might end up giving her the weapon she needs to take us down.]

The very thought sent chills down Enverna’s spine.

[I can’t let that happen.]

As she stepped out into the open, she wasted no time in launching her assault, catching the attackers off guard with her sudden appearance.

Before they could even register the fact that Enverna had walked out of her own volition, she was upon them, her movements fluid and precise as she moved to eliminate the threat swiftly and decisively.

With a fierce determination burning in her eyes, she engaged her adversaries with a relentless onslaught, knowing that time was of the essence.

Enverna’s spear struck out with deadly accuracy, finding its mark as she dispatched one foe after another with ruthless efficiency. She started with a mage, driving the sharp point of her weapon into his chest with a swift and decisive thrust.

Next, she turned her attention to an archer, swiftly disarming her with a well-placed strike before delivering a fatal blow to her abdomen, the force of her attack driving the air from the woman’s lungs in a sharp gasp of pain before she fell back and hit the floor.

As a swordsman lunged at her with a blade raised high, Enverna met his attack head-on, her spear deflecting the blow with practiced skill before she retaliated with a swift and lethal strike of her own.

The blade sliced through the air with deadly grace, leaving a crimson line across the man’s torso as he crumpled to the ground, his blood staining the road beneath him.

One by one, Enverna’s adversaries fell before her onslaught, their bodies littering the ground as she stood amidst the aftermath of her battle.

Despite her victory, she remained vigilant, her eyes scanning the area for any sign of the elusive girl they had been hunting.

But as she searched the shadows for any hint of movement, she found nothing but silence.

[Did she truly not come here?]

Enverna doubted that.

But, the only sound that remained was the steady rhythm of her own breathing, and the only body still standing was her own.

[Hmph. Oh well. Maybe I killed her and I didn’t even realize. If I truly am that lucky, good riddance.]

---

{Miss Taylor}

Miss Taylor sat at her desk, her brow furrowed in concern as she processed the news of the attack on Lianna and Enverna.

As she pondered her next course of action, the soft chime of her personal AI, G.E.M., alerted her to an incoming call.

With a quick gesture, she accepted the call, the holographic projection of G.E.M. materializing before her.

"Miss Taylor? I have urgent information regarding the recent attack," G.E.M. spoke, her voice calm and composed.

"What is it?"

G.E.M. proceeded to relay the details of the attack.

Its sudden nature, the variety of weapons used, and some of the reported identities of those who fell. Because the fight was captured on camera, the police didn’t take Lianna or Enverna in, knowing they acted in self-defense.

G.E.M. also informed Miss Taylor that all but one of the assailants had been eliminated.

Miss Taylor listened intently, her mind racing as she processed the information.

"Can you show me the one who escaped?" Miss Taylor inquired, her tone firm.

"Of course," G.E.M. replied, and within moments, a message containing a picture of the escaped assailant appeared on Miss Taylor’s screen.

Miss Taylor’s gaze narrowed as she studied the image before her.

The figure depicted was that of a Child of Mana, standing atop the roof of a nearby building.

"The battle began and ended quite quickly," G.E.M. explained. "Though the assailants managed to surprise Lianna and Enverna early on, Enverna in particular was quick to regain focus and counterattack. I have developed a moderately detailed analysis of her fight. Would you like to see it?"

"In a moment."

Right now, all Cynthia cared about was the figure on that rooftop.

It didn’t look like Enverna had noticed her, as the attackers had taken all of her focus.

"This must be the one who killed Xi," Miss Taylor muttered.

With a sense of grim resolve, Miss Taylor vowed to put an end to the threat posed by this elusive adversary.

She knew that the safety of not just Lianna, but her students as a whole depended on it, and she was prepared to do whatever it took to ensure their protection.

[Alright... I’ll send this image to the girls. Then... It’s time for another hunt. You’re getting far too brazen.]