Chapter 21: Look What You Have Protected

In the alley, the battle was about to erupt at any moment.

Surrounded by seven opponents, Eidin looked extremely strained.

They were no longer in the Academy Teaching Building where magic was prohibited; these originally weaklings had become significantly threatening after casting their spells.

Not to mention the three Social Youth outside the academy, whose magic was even more practical and ruthless than the students’.

Eidin had misjudged his own strength.

Faced with a barrage of Magic Bullets, he could only keep dodging, unable to find an opening to counterattack.

And this was while using the Swordman’s Reserve displacement skill, which had a four-second cooldown.

During the skill’s downtime, Eidin had to rely on basic footwork to barely evade.

If not for Ruby’s constant reminders, he would have been hit by Magic Bullets several times.

Just as his displacement skill entered cooldown, another Magic Bullet came whistling toward him.

With nowhere to dodge, Eidin gripped his sword with both hands and blocked the strike head-on.

Although uninjured, the tremendous impact forced him to stagger back two steps, his back slamming heavily against the wall, sending sharp pain through his body.

“A transfer student is only this capable?”

“Weren’t you so impressive in the bathroom this morning?”

The students didn’t seem in a hurry; like hunters toying with prey, they continued firing Magic Bullets while taunting Eidin.

“Tch…”

Eidin wiped the sweat off his forehead.

His body was covered with scratches from the Magic Bullets, the burning pain slowing his movements further.

At this rate, he was bound to be worn down to death by these guys.

His only magic to rely on now was Adrenaline, but its effect lasted only one minute.

One minute—was that really enough to defeat so many magic users?

Reality didn’t give Eidin the luxury of overthinking.

The lead student sneered, raising his hand to shoot a crackling Lightning Chain.

Using his displacement skill, he nimbly dodged sideways.

The Lightning Chain struck the ground, scorching a black mark.

Eidin’s heart sank.

There was no barrier here like the training grounds that softened magical damage.

Taking a direct hit would have disastrous consequences.

He couldn’t keep going like this.

With that thought, Eidin decisively pulled out a vial of essence and gulped it down.

His stamina instantly replenished, and the wounds on his body visibly started healing.

He then raised his left hand, making a shooting gesture toward his temple.

“Watch out!”

The lead student immediately recognized the signature move and shouted a warning.

But it was too late—Eidin had already vanished like a ghost right in front of him.

So fast!

The lead student instinctively tried to cast a defensive spell but was clearly a beat too slow.

Eidin delivered a fierce upward slash, the blade carving a bloody gash across his chest, then followed up with a heavy kick that sent him flying into the corner.

The Social Youth’s faces changed drastically upon seeing Eidin’s sudden burst of ferocity.

They exchanged wary glances, quickly snapping out of their previous casual attitude.

With serious expressions, they began chanting in unison.

Magical light gathered in their hands, mercilessly launched toward Eidin.

Adrenaline activated, Eidin moved like lightning through the dense Magic Bullet barrage.

Enhanced speed and strength at their peak, he charged first at the students, his long sword flashing as he precisely disrupted their spells, smashing their joints with the hilt.

Within a few breaths, those already wounded students crumpled to the ground in pain, wailing helplessly, completely losing their combat capability.

Time ticked by.

Eidin’s peripheral vision flicked to the System Interface: Adrenaline remaining time less than twenty seconds.

He knew he had to finish quickly; if the magic wore off and he weakened, he would be nothing more than prey.

Without hesitation, he tilted his head back and downed another vial of essence.

Braving a fierce magical assault from three Social Youth, he charged forward and swung his sword in a powerful chop at one.

But these Social Youth were no fools; each possessed solid combat experience and coordination.

Eidin’s strike was deftly dodged with a backward step.

The three then combined their efforts, unleashing a mixed magical blast that slammed hard into Eidin’s chest, sending him flying and crashing heavily to the ground.

“Cough…”

Eidin coughed up blood, painfully taking the last sip from his essence vial.

The refreshing liquid restored some stamina and healed wounds as he struggled to get to his feet.

With Adrenaline about to expire, his last hope was the magic Mirror Reflection.

But he wasn’t sure if the enemy’s magic was strong enough to be turned back against them.

Still, he had no choice but to risk it all.

Finally, Adrenaline’s effect vanished completely, and a wave of intense weakness washed over him.

His legs buckled, barely able to stand, supporting himself on the wall with one hand.

His eyes fixed on the three opponents as magical energy once again gathered in their hands.

Simultaneously, they unleashed a Fireball, a Lightning Chain, and a Wind Blade—each crackling with power, tearing through the air toward Eidin from three directions.

Eidin took a deep breath.

If his timing was even slightly off, taking these three spells head-on would mean death or crippling injury.

Victory or defeat hung in this very moment.

But just as Eidin prepared to activate Mirror Reflection, a thick Frost Barrier suddenly materialized before him, blocking all three incoming spells solidly.

Ice shards scattered everywhere, and his pupils dilated in surprise.

“Eidin, are you okay?”

Seres hurried from the alley entrance, steadying Eidin’s staggering form.

Her ice-blue eyes were filled with concern.

“Seres?”

Eidin was momentarily stunned, confused why she had suddenly appeared here.

He steadied himself and answered quietly.

“I’m fine, thank you for saving me.”

“Sorry I’m late. You’re injured; let me handle these guys first, then I’ll treat you.”

Seres’s expression was complex.

She pressed her lips together, her tone apologetic.

Eidin had helped her many times before; now it was her turn to repay the favor.

“Phew…”

With Seres’s aid, Eidin exhaled in relief.

Though usually unassuming, Eidin knew her magical talent was top-tier.

He obediently stepped back two paces, giving her space to act.

“I won’t let you get away.”

Seres glanced over Eidin’s wounds before turning toward the Social Youth.

Though there was no wind, her ice-blue hair floated upward, frost forming over her face.

Her hands clenched into fists as she spoke coldly.

The Social Youth were startled by Seres’s sudden appearance.

Recognizing her as the woman Rufus favored, they hesitated, unsure how to proceed.

They all glanced toward Rufus on the second-floor balcony.

Rufus, seeing Seres’s intimate gesture of supporting Eidin, was burning with rage.

Despite her previous resistance, he decided it was time to teach this insolent woman a lesson.

“Seres, after today, you’ll understand who the real strong one is. Who you should rely on.”

The Social Youth exchanged knowing smirks.

Yet both Rufus and the youths underestimated Seres’s power.

Her ice magic shimmered continuously, seeming alive and ruthless.

Within breaths, she dispatched the thugs one after another, her movements fluid and precise.

From afar, Rufus’s expression shifted to disbelief—this woman was so powerful?

Eidin had anticipated this, but even he couldn’t help but admire Seres’s combat style.

She truly resembled the Queen of Ice and Snow.

With the fight over, Seres immediately turned to check Eidin’s injuries.

But she didn’t notice a Social Youth lying on the ground, face twisted in resentment.

Suddenly, a fierce look flashed in his eyes.

Gathering all his magic in secret, electric sparks burst from his fingertips.

A blazing Lightning Chain shot straight toward Seres, who had her back turned, unaware.

The Lightning Chain contained all his remaining power, its destructive force deadly.

Rufus, seeing this from above, tried to stop it but was too late.

He never expected this thug to make such a desperate move.

“Damn it! If you kill her, what am I supposed to do?!”

“Watch out!”

Eidin shouted, shoving Seres aside.

The Lightning Chain tore through his shoulder, erupting a burst of scorching blood mist.

The next second, searing pain radiated from Eidin’s shoulder.

Though the wound was small, it was a complete puncture combined with electrical magic that charred the surrounding flesh.

“Eidin…?”

Seres staggered back, turning to see him kneeling in pain, clutching his shoulder.

Her pupils dilated.

She had come to protect him… yet again, he had saved her.

Seres, what exactly have you been protecting?!

In an instant, Seres was overtaken by an intense, unnatural state.

Her clear eyes lost focus, pupils dilated and vacant.

Her magic surged uncontrollably, violently shaking the air as if ready to tear it apart.

The ambushing youth panicked and tried to crawl away.

But before he could take a step, a sharp pillar of ice suddenly erupted from beneath him, instantly freezing him into a rigid ice sculpture.

“Why… aaaahhhhhh—!”

Seres threw back her head, releasing a soul-wrenching howl.

Rufus had never seen anything like this.

As the situation spiraled out of control, his face turned pale.

He quietly took a few steps back and quickly retreated.

“Seres?”

Eidin was also stunned, unsure of what was happening.

Ruby circled anxiously above his head, urgently warning:

[Master, Seres’s Instability Value is skyrocketing! She’s about to Darken!]