The nine Instructors moved toward the ship's edge, their fists opening as sparks danced around their hands. The sparks twisted into weapons—some familiar, others strange. One instructor summoned what looked like a stone book, its pages glowing with ancient power.
The students stepped forward, hands opening in response.
The scar-faced instructor glanced back at them, his voice cutting through the tension.
"You kids stay back. Let the adults handle this."
Shae hesitated, then stepped back. The others followed his lead.
But Nyssira was already caught in the chaos. Shae's frown deepened as he stepped forward.
"I'm sorry, I can't—"
Something slammed into his skull. His vision spun as his head cracked against the concrete deck.
"Erwin!"
The pink-haired girl's scream tore through the air. She lunged forward, fury blazing in her eyes.
The scar-faced instructor stood unmoved, as if his hand hadn't just crushed the Vice President of the Student Council.
His same hand whipped out and seized her throat. He stepped forward and slammed her to the ground.
"I said... let the adults... take... care... of... it."
He raised his head to the other students, his eyes gleaming with cold malice.
Meanwhile, at the ship's bow, hijackers from the enemy vessel soared through the air and landed on Northern's deck. The Citadel representatives—Helena, Selis, and Vector—waited for them.
As the invaders touched down, the three shot forward. The instructors moved too, clashing with enemies climbing up from below.
Another ship lurked beneath them. Anchors tore through the clouds, hooking the airship like claws.
Nyssira stood without her hammer, but a massive greatsword materialized in her grip. She swayed slightly, finding her balance, then swung the blade over her back before slashing at the first attacker who lunged at her.
Northern was already airborne.
He landed hard on his invaders' metal fortress, studying the lead figure with sharp eyes.
A smile crept across his lips.
"I had my doubts. Even though I didn't get a clear look at your face last time, your build, your stance, your presence—it's all the same."
The smile widened into a dangerous grin.
"The last encounter wasn't enough for you, was it? You want more. This time, I hope you brought more than one clone."
The man stayed silent, his expression dark and twisted with disgust.
Northern raised his brows, alert to the shift.
"What's that look? Are you angry?"
The man's brows creased.
Then he raised his hand slowly. Darkness swirled in his palm.
"I learned much from you... last time. And I prepared thoroughly to meet... you again."
Northern's smile widened.
"Oh? Show me what you've got."
The two moved. Northern streaked forward like sharp azure light. The man moved differently—seemingly slow but untouchable, even by the wind itself. He vanished in a swirl of black mist.
Both warriors clashed, metal screaming against metal in a deafening roar.
The air itself trembled, the wind cowering before the pressure they unleashed.
The man's face remained cold and disgusted as he pulled his sword back and struck again with brutal speed.
Northern blocked easily, his grin widening.
The man's second hand moved. Darkness swirled into his palm, and a curved black stiletto dropped toward Northern as he spoke in measured tones.
"I have studied you..."
The dagger stopped mid-air before Northern. He shoved the other sword aside and grinned.
"Oh?"
The invader's dark frown deepened.
"You can read combat styles, can't you? Plus you have that impenetrable defense."
He twirled his sword.
"But here's the thing about talents, boy. Nothing is truly impenetrable. Every talent has its weakness. You just have to look hard enough to find it."
Northern's smile sharpened.
"I guess you'll be looking a whole lot today."
He shot forward and met the man again. The air shuddered under the weight of their blades kissing harshly.
Illusion Hefter sang its cold, silent song of death. The man's sword was formidable—either Legendary or Ancient grade. Something crafted from Leviathan skin or Belial bone.
Northern's silver blade struggled and vibrated with each clash. The black sword was much thicker than Illusion Hefter, ominous in both look and feel. It carried a subtle mist of darkness that stained the air around it.
The dagger was equally sinister, but Northern used his Void Force as a shield to handle that threat.
He blocked another strike and staggered back, his hand ringing from the impact.
The sinister man gritted his teeth and glared.
"Are you not taking this seriously?"
Northern smiled as he examined his sword for a moment.
*Never did I think a weapon would be my problem...*
Then he looked at the man.
"Let's just say I'm gauging you."
He paused, catching his breath.
"I think I don't really need a sword to defeat you."
Northern released his grip, letting his sword dissolve into sparks.
The man stared at him, face twisting in disgust.
"How dare you?"
Northern shrugged.
"You studied me, didn't you? Figured out my weaknesses and all that."
Northern scoffed.
"I didn't even use a single talent when I was fighting you."
The man's expression darkened further.
"Bluffs."
"Oh? Call this bluff then."
Northern swung one hand casually.
The man's eyes widened. A terrible gust of wind passed through him, though he couldn't tell what it was. An ominous feeling filled the air, as if the space around him had sharpened into invisible blades.
A moment later, a white line appeared across the pagoda perched atop his metal vessel's deck.
His eyes went wide as he whipped his head back. The clean slice had cut the building in half, and the upper section was sliding downward.
It crashed onto the rear deck with a thunderous groan that shook the entire ship. The severed building tumbled over the rim and rolled off the vessel, vanishing slowly into the clouds below.
The man stared with wide eyes. His calmness and disgust vanished, replaced by shock and mounting fear.
"How...?"
Northern watched him with a crooked grin.
"Don't judge me with yesterday's eyes. You're going to regret it."