Chapter 29
Encounter with the Mask
Days filled with unease. Strange incidents happening everywhere.
That day, a magical device malfunctioned in the academy courtyard.
Suddenly, an out-of-control defensive barrier exploded, shattering the stone pavement.
As students screamed and fled in panic, I instinctively unleashed my magic.
“Wind Barrier!”
A wall of gusting wind blasted away the oncoming debris.
Even I was startled by the burning, pulsing power of my bloodline raging in my chest.
— “Lydia!”
Leon ran toward me, sword drawn.
Beside him, at some point, our teacher had appeared as well.
“…Just as I thought. This was staged.”
Hiding her mouth behind her fan, she sharply scanned the surroundings.
The next moment, a voice sliced through the air.
“Impressive… As expected of the royal bloodline. Your power is awakening quite nicely.”
—
Standing atop the rubble in the courtyard was a masked figure.
A silver mask, a crimson cloak.
Behind him stood… an upper-class student wearing the academy uniform.
“Traitor…!”
The word escaped me before I realized it.
One of the students stared down with a pale face.
From his trembling lips came—
“Th-They took my family hostage…!”
—
In that instant, the masked man raised a merciless hand.
“You’re no longer useful.”
Black, chain-like magic coiled around the betraying student.
“Stop!!”
Acting on pure instinct, I slammed my magic forward.
A brilliant flash shattered the chains, protecting him.
The masked man narrowed his eyes.
“…Indeed. Forcing someone into a corner truly is the best way to awaken their power.”
—
The next moment, our spells collided with a tremendous roar.
My wind magic against his dark magic.
The shockwave split the stone pavement and made the air tremble.
“Lydia!”
Leon stepped in front of me to shield me.
But the teacher didn’t retreat even a single step—she snapped her fan shut and murmured low:
“From here on… this is my job.”
—
The masked figure flickering in the shadows, and the two standing to protect me.
In my chest, heat and fear tangled together.
(So this is… the enemy destined for me…!)
