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In the empty forest, within a vast clearing, withered yellow leaves carpeted the ground in a thick layer, like a yellow rug.
Five Elf Users wearing Areishia Spirit Academy uniforms stood back-to-back in a small circle in the clearing. They tightly gripped the armaments manifested by their spirits, their faces filled with tension.
"Come out!"
One of them, clearly the captain, an Elf User with waist-length hair, swept her sharp gaze across the surrounding woods and shouted sternly.
"I know you're here! Come out now!"
The moment the long-haired Elf User's voice fell, a figure slowly emerged from the bushes ahead.
A silver holy sword was gripped tightly in his hand.
He wore a male Areishia Spirit Academy uniform.
Noah strode brazenly out of the woods. Looking at the five Elf Users gathered in a small circle ahead, he smiled faintly.
"As expected of a team made up of upperclassmen. Not only can all of you manifest Spirit Armaments, but you noticed me lurking nearby so quickly. Though I suppose that was also because I didn't make any special effort to hide."
"So you've finally appeared, male Elf User!" The long-haired Elf User slowly stepped forward as phosphorescent divine power surged from her body.
At the same time, the long-haired Elf User waved her hand. Her four teammates immediately formed up around their captain in positions that seemed casual but were actually quite ingenious, ready to deal with attacks from any direction. Their Spirit Armaments pointed at Noah, their eyes full of hostility.
Once the formation was complete, the long-haired Elf User's