CHAPTER 119: TWO OF YOU?

The battlefield was eerily still. Smoke drifted in ragged curls, rising from the blackened earth where flames had scorched the ground and spells had collided with shadows. The stench of ash and burnt mana lingered thick in the air, clinging to the ruined courtyard of the academy.

What minutes ago had been a cacophony of roars, screams, and the crash of magic had now quieted into an unsettling silence. Only the faint crackle of dying embers remained, carried by the wind that tugged at the shredded banners above the courtyard gates.

Jae stood at a side, his chest heaving, the adrenaline of combat still buzzing through his veins.

The faint glow of his dragonfire blade flickered once more before extinguishing entirely, collapsing into nothingness in his hand. He exhaled, rolling his shoulders as though shaking off the weight of the battle.

His skin still prickled faintly from the molten energy that had coursed through him minutes ago, his body humming with residual mana. For a long moment, he simply stood still, eyes scanning the devastation around him.

Footsteps approached softly. He turned, and Mrs. Lira came into view, her elegant figure framed against the smoke. The ice mage moved with practiced composure, but her eyes revealed a flicker of surprise as they lingered on Jae.

Her arms were crossed, though her mana still glimmered faintly around her fingertips, icy light reflecting against the charred stone.

"Impressive," she said, her voice calm, but her words heavy with meaning. "The way you fought... it’s far beyond the level of a student. You’ve grown, alarmingly fast."

Jae gave a half-smirk, rubbing the back of his neck in a rare flicker of embarrassment. "Guess I’ve had no choice but to keep up," he muttered, though pride edged his tone.

Her gaze sharpened. "Do you realize what this attack means? These monsters weren’t ordinary creatures. They were summoned, or worse, created, by magic few people could wield.

This wasn’t some random horde stumbling onto academy grounds. No. Someone powerful, someone influential, was behind this. Magic of that caliber is not accessible to common hands."

The weight of her words sank into Jae. He tilted his head slightly, crimson eyes narrowing as his mind turned. "So whoever pulled this off wasn’t just testing us. They were sending a message.

Mrs. Lira inclined her head. "Exactly. And it means we’re all targets now." She paused, her sharp eyes softening as they lingered on him. "But... you handled yourself better than even I expected. Your power, it’s accelerating faster than anything I’ve seen before. You need to be careful, Jae. Growth that rapid attracts attention."

He gave her a lopsided grin, though his eyes gleamed with determination. "Attention’s fine, as long as I keep getting stronger. That’s the only way I’ll protect what’s mine."

Before she could answer, hurried footsteps cut through the smoky quiet. Two familiar figures rushed into view from the courtyard gates. Elise and Yuna, both breathing heavily, strands of hair clinging to their flushed faces.

Elise’s robes were dusted with soot, her dark hair disheveled but her hands glowing faintly with residual mana. Yuna’s golden hair bounced as she sprinted forward, her expression tight with worry that eased the moment her eyes landed on Jae.

"Jae!" Elise called first, her voice trembling in both relief and exhaustion. She nearly stumbled in her haste to reach him, stopping only once she was close enough to see he was unhurt. Her chest rose and fell quickly, her dark eyes glistening.

Yuna was right behind her, barely sparing a glance for anything else before she skidded to Jae’s side as well. "You’re okay," she said quickly, almost to herself, her hands brushing over his arm as though confirming his safety. "I thought..." She cut herself off, biting her lip before her relief slipped into a bright, almost giddy smile.

From across the field, Sun groaned loudly. The crown prince stood among the surviving upper mages, his twin swords resting casually at his sides. "Yuna, your brother nearly got his head ripped off, but sure, keep fawning over him instead of me."

Byun chuckled, lounging against a broken stone column with his arms crossed. "Don’t sound so bitter, Sun. Can’t you see? Your sister’s priorities are in order. Maybe she’s just realized Jae makes a better shield than you."

Sun’s scowl deepened instantly. "Shut up, Byun."

The exchange was enough to ease some of the heavy tension that had been weighing on the courtyard. Even Yuna, who had returned her focus to Jae, laughed lightly, covering her mouth with her hand. Elise glanced between them all, her usual timidity winning out as she offered Jae a small, almost embarrassed smile.

Yuna, however, remained at Jae’s side, tugging his sleeve insistently. "We fought too, you know," she said, puffing her cheeks slightly when he raised a brow. "Elise and I. We held our own."

Elise cleared her throat softly, nodding in agreement. "It wasn’t easy. They were faster and stronger than the others, but Yuna and I... we managed to sync.

She scattered them with her wind, and I boosted her mana. We... took them down together." Her voice wavered, but her pride shone through her words.

Jae tilted his head, genuine surprise flashing across his features. He glanced between the two of them, crimson eyes thoughtful. "The two of you, fighting in tandem?" He let out a low whistle, smirking faintly. "That’s unexpected. I wouldn’t have guessed you’d find a rhythm like that, but... impressive."

Elise flushed slightly at the praise, ducking her head, while Yuna smirked proudly. "Told you I could fight," she said, planting her hands on her hips. "I’m not as useless as everyone thinks."

Jae chuckled, ruffling her golden hair until she swatted his hand away with a pout. "Guess not. But don’t get cocky either. Those things were dangerous."

Around them, the remnants of the academy slowly stirred. Younger students crept out from classrooms and hallways, peeking nervously at the wreckage of the courtyard.

Their eyes were wide, filled with awe as they spotted Jae and the others standing tall in the aftermath of the battle. Whispers passed between them. Jae’s name carried on hushed voices, mingled with disbelief at the speed and ferocity of his combat. To them, he looked less like a classmate and more like a legend being born.

The older mages regrouped, gathering the trembling students, guiding them to safety while keeping wary eyes on the shadows beyond the academy gates. Smoke curled upward into the night sky, the acrid air heavy with loss and exhaustion.

But within the group at the center, there was a strange, unspoken warmth. Their clothes were torn, their bodies bruised, their mana drained nearly dry, but they were alive.

They had fought together, endured together, and now, standing amid the wreckage, they shared something that words couldn’t quite capture. A bond forged in fire and shadow, tempered by survival.

Mrs. Lira lingered near the edge of the group, her gaze sweeping over the students. Her eyes rested on Jae once more, softer this time, though conflicted. She didn’t speak, but the look said enough, admiration, worry, and something more complicated she wrestled with.