Echoes of the Lost Elf-Chapter 31 - 30 : Under Attack (5)

The flickering embers of their small fire barely provided warmth. A heavy silence settled over the group, the kind that felt unnatural. Most of them were resting—or at least pretending to—but Historias suddenly opened his eyes.

Something was wrong.

His golden gaze swept over the surroundings. The air felt... off. It wasn't a sound or a movement, but a presence. A watching, waiting feeling creeping along his spine.

Leon, sitting nearby, suddenly tensed."That's not paranoia," he muttered. "Someone's watching us."

Kael, half-asleep, groaned. "Come on, Leon. You're jumpy enough already—"

Leon glared at him. "That's how I survived."

Kael shut up.

Historias quietly strengthened his illusion magic around them. It should be enough to cloak their presence, but... something felt wrong.

Whoever was out there wasn't just searching for them. They already knew.

His hand brushed against the earring Aldren had given him—the one suppressing his true magic presence. If he took it off, he could fortify their cover... but the moment he did, anyone with high-tier sensing magic would detect him instantly.

"We need to move," he finally said.

Leon, still pale from earlier, nodded. "Yes. Now. Before she—"

A branch snapped in the distance.

Everyone froze.

Then—a low chuckle echoed through the trees.

Magic Blockade – No Way Out

They moved fast. Too fast. But no matter where they turned, the feeling of being hunted only grew stronger.

Finally, they reached a small clearing—one that should have been an ideal location to attempt an emergency escape.

Adriana held up her bracelet."We should try teleporting. Before whatever's stalking us catches up."

Leon, still tense, nodded quickly."Yes. Good. Let's do that."

Historias was already scanning the surroundings. He reached out with his magic—

His expression darkened.

"This isn't a simple restriction spell," he murmured. "It's layered. And high-tier."

Kael frowned. "Meaning?"

Historias let out a quiet breath."Meaning someone very skilled doesn't just want to keep people out. They want to keep us trapped."

A sinking silence followed.

Leon swore under his breath. "Then what do we do?"

Historias turned north."There's a weak point in the blockade ahead. If we can get there, I might be able to break through."

They barely made it twenty steps forward before a figure stepped into their path.

The Enemy Revealed – Professor Berne Caelum

Tall. Composed. Cloaked in the robes of a Castellas Academy professor.

The moment Historias saw him, he already knew.

Berne Caelum.

Combat instructor. Renowned strategist.

And—the man blocking their only escape.

For a moment, the group hesitated.

Then, Berne sighed, his sharp gaze sweeping over them."You all look like hell."

Zephyr exhaled, still holding his sword. "Yeah, well. You should see the other guys."

Berne's brow arched slightly. "I was about to ask if you were enemies, but that answer convinced me otherwise."

Adriana stepped forward cautiously."Professor, you're here to—"

"Extract you?" Berne interrupted.

Then, he smiled.

It wasn't a warm smile. It wasn't the expression of a teacher rescuing his students.

It was mocking.

Cold. Calculated.

Historias's fingers twitched. He recognized that look.

"Unfortunately," Berne continued, "I have other orders."

Silence.

Then, Kael moved.

An arrow was already notched, his hands steady as he aimed for the professor's chest.

"You bastard," he whispered.

Leon tensed. "He's the one helping them, isn't he?"

Historias didn't answer. He didn't need to.

Berne sighed, as if disappointed.

"Oh, come now. Did you really think I'd waste my time training weaklings?" He tilted his head slightly. "The academy has its purpose, but some of you... well. Let's just say I had my eye on a few."

His gaze flicked—briefly—toward Historias and Adriana.

Adriana clenched her fists. "So that's why—"

Berne chuckled."It's nothing personal, Princess. Just business."

Leon, despite his fear, growled. "You killed my team."

For the first time, Berne looked amused."Oh. That was you? I thought I recognized the scent of fear." He smiled. "Don't take it too hard, boy. You just weren't worth saving."

Leon lunged.

It was reckless—driven by grief and rage—but before he could even reach him,

Berne vanished.

No—

Historias's eyes narrowed.

He didn't vanish. He was too fast.

Before anyone could react—Leon was slammed into the ground.

A blade pressed against his throat.

Berne's expression was calm. Unbothered.

"You should learn to control your emotions," he said simply.

A pause.

Then, without warning—

Leon screamed.

His entire body convulsed as **lightning crackled through him—**Berne's blade acting as a conduit.

The scent of burnt fabric and skin filled the air.

Adriana moved instantly.Her sword clashed against Berne's, the impact sending a shockwave through the clearing.

Kael fired an arrow—it shattered mid-air.

Zephyr charged from the side, but a single movement from Berne sent him flying into a tree.

And Historias—

Historias didn't move.

Because he was already casting.

Berne barely had time to react. Illusion magic flooded the area.

For one split second—

The professor's eyes flickered.

And in that moment—Historias struck.

A whisper of wind—a blade forming at his fingertips—

He didn't hesitate.

No one saw it.

One moment, Berne was standing. The next—

A thin line of red appeared across his throat.

He faltered.

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Slowly, his knees buckled.

His mouth opened—as if to say something.

But nothing came out.

He collapsed.

Dead.

Silence.

Only Leon, gasping for breath, broke it.

Zephyr coughed weakly from where he'd crashed."What... just happened?"

Kael stared, wide-eyed.

Adriana turned to Historias.

He simply brushed the dust off his sleeve.

"We should keep moving," he said calmly.

Zephyr blinked. "You—you just—"

Leon, still dazed, looked up at Historias.

Then, weakly, he managed—

"Can you get me his autograph?"

Historias laughed, "You idiot"

..........

POWER STONES please!!!!