"Boom!"
In that instant, tremendous magical power surged violently from Astrid.
It was magic power powerful enough to surpass even the Academy Director's, with a scale that hardly seemed humanly possible.
Although it could never compare to Luo Zhen, if the comparison was anyone else, the scale of this magic power was enough to terrify everyone.
Astrid injected her magic power into the lion-shaped Automaton Doll behind her, causing the lion to raise its head as light shone from its eyes.
"----"
At that very moment, the world itself seemed to skip.
It felt as though something had been forcibly severed, then forcefully connected back together.
"Hmm?"
Luo Zhen, who had been watching Astrid with an ambiguous smile, suddenly narrowed his eyes. For an instant, genuine surprise flashed through them.
"This is..."
As if he had sensed something, Luo Zhen abruptly turned around.
And then, Luo Zhen saw it.
Right in front of him—in other words, where his back had originally been—the Witch had appeared.
"Smack!"
Amid the crisp sound, a hand with exceptionally sharp nails was suddenly seized tightly by Luo Zhen's outstretched hand, leaving it unable to move.
The owner of that hand was Astrid.
"You actually noticed my move and even managed to react?"
Astrid had appeared in front of Luo Zhen without anyone knowing when—in the space behind him before he turned around—and remained in the posture of thrusting out a piercing hand. An astonished expression appeared on her face.
If Astrid was astonished, then the three Snow Moon Flower sisters, who had been on guard around Luo Zhen all this time, were utterly shocked.
"You...!?"
"When did you...!"
"So fast!"
Irori, Yaya, and Koko almost subconsciously leaped away, putting distance between themselves and Astrid.
The three girls had been completely unaware of Astrid's approach. Even