Frustrated Among Thorns

Helise collapsed beside a tree, watching the pursuers – those black cloaks were exceptionally skilled warriors, their abilities combining the use of both magic and martial prowess.

Fatenai continued to run forward, then suddenly dodged sharply to the side. A blade grazed her ear, and she heard the whistling sound. As she evaded, she tilted her head back, accurately avoiding a kick from the same black cloak who had turned to deliver it; it had also missed her by a hair's breadth.

This was unexpectedly fortunate.

The black cloak showed a hint of surprise, then, out of combat instinct, drew another dagger, planning to surround Fatenai with his companions. These two fastest black cloaks accurately pinpointed Fatenai's location in the darkness, one approaching from the front and the other from the rear, encircling her.

The black cloaks swiftly thrust their daggers. Fatenai seemed to have nowhere to escape – but she only paused for a moment before, like a fish weaving through the crevices of stones in a stream, she nimbly found the openings in their attacks.

It was incredible.

In reality, Fatenai's heart was pounding.

Moving by sight in the forest at night was difficult. It would disturb the grass, creating rustling sounds that could easily confuse one's hearing. With these sounds hindering them, the black cloaks' perception would be somewhat dulled.

This gave Fatenai an advantage – she wasn't relying on hearing to escape; she was using her "eyes," the Eye of Connection.

This was Fatenai's first time using the Eye of Connection in actual combat. The flow of magic was incredibly clear to her eyes, even in the darkness.

These black cloaks possessed excellent equipment. Their daggers seemed to be some kind of alchemical tool specifically made for mages, causing magic to converge within them and enhance their power. If not for the limited amount of magic these daggers could channel, Fatenai might have even mistaken them for so-called magic swordsmen.

The weapons they used allowed them to possess both magical and swordsmanship abilities, making them incredibly powerful against others. However, for Fatenai, it meant she could predict their every move, allowing her to evade their attacks.

Unfortunately, her speed was still not fast enough. Even though she could clearly see the flow of magic, when the black cloaks' speed surpassed her reaction speed, she couldn't react in time, even though she was concentrating intensely and her dodges were almost becoming reflexive.

The black cloaks' attacks grew faster and faster, and Fatenai's evasions became more strenuous. Finally, she stumbled back against a tree, narrowly avoiding a hit. Seeing more of their companions approaching, Fatenai gritted her teeth, pulled something from her cloak, and threw it at them.

A quick-handed black cloak struck it in mid-air, splitting it in two. While Fatenai marveled at this, she sped up again, quickly slipping away from behind the tree. The Eye of Connection also helped her sense the terrain of the forest; areas without magic marked the forest's boundaries.

The black cloaks were the opposite – most adventurers relied on their hearing at night. Losing their hearing would cause them to lose their target.

So, when the black cloaks split the item Fatenai threw, her little trick succeeded.

It was something that looked like a stone. When split in half, its contents were released, expanding. The black cloaks quickly retreated. The expanding stone fell to the ground, and the expanding substance gradually formed a strange, large flower.

The large flower was black, with its petals unfurling outwards. The center of the flower was a vibrant red. This peculiar color combination made it seem incredibly eerie.

"Not good, a Carter Demon Flower!" one of the black cloaks recognized it, but it was already too late.

The next second, a horrifying scream echoed through this part of the forest!

The scream carried far, waking the entire forest. Birds took flight, and beasts fled outwards.

The Carter Demon Flower was also known as the Screamer Flower. As its name suggested, once injured, it would emit a terrifying scream. Those closest could even be paralyzed by it. Two of the black cloaks were affected, while Fatenai, having already stuffed her ears with prepared material, took the opportunity to run further ahead.

"Truly useless." The voice of the person from the Ansendil Family was heard as an arrow, shot by him, pierced the Carter Demon Flower with fierce momentum.

This arrow struck the demon flower's vital spot, and its scream abruptly ceased.

"Master, should we still pursue? She's just a little girl..." one of the black cloaks couldn't help but ask, seemingly finding the master's efforts excessive.

"Do you think she was telling the truth in the tavern? The Eye of Simorely can only be with her!" The voice was cold and ruthless – it sounded similar to Ed's, but more sinister and dark than Ed's.

===========================

Fatenai ran relentlessly. She seemed to have lost the black cloaks, and the surroundings had become quiet.

"Hoo... hoo..." Fatenai panted, her stamina failing. A single month of training was not enough.

Looks like... I've shaken them off? Fatenai felt surrounded by darkness and silence, and her exhaustion caused her to stop.

"Little girl, you can't escape." Just as Fatenai was about to relax, a black cloak suddenly leaped down in front of her. Startled, she immediately turned. After taking just two steps, another black cloak emerged from behind a tree. When she tried to turn in another direction, she found black cloaks all around her.

When did they...? Fatenai was somewhat surprised.

"Hand over the Eye of Simorely." As she was surrounded by the black cloaks, the mastermind appeared before her.

"Who exactly are you?" Fatenai asked, not answering his question.

"Morton Ansendil. You seem to have already made contact with my weakling brother." Morton slowly lowered his hood. His appearance was similar to Ed's, but he lacked the overwhelming presence Ed possessed, perhaps due to the unreserved pressure of a superior emanating from his eyes. "I admit you have some cleverness, but deceiving him is nothing to be proud of."

Fatenai was silent for a moment. "Do you often travel in the forest, Mr. Morton?"

"No, this place is disgusting," Morton said, casually dusting off his cloak, which was adorned with golden patterns.

"Then it seems no one has taught you to be cautious when acting at night," Fatenai said softly.

Bang—!

Four vines suddenly dropped down. As the vines fell, they seemed to come alive, rapidly coiling around the black cloaks. The sharp-eyed black cloaks drew their daggers and cut the encroaching vines, but the next moment, other vines appeared, continuously binding them without giving them a moment to breathe.

The Black Demon Vine is a plant that only appears between the Month of Trekking and the Month of the World. Its resilience is very strong, and it is a rare aggressive plant.

This included Morton.

Morton frowned. As the vines completely ensnared him, a hint of surprise flashed in his beautiful blue eyes – more than that, it was anger.

"Are all people from your family this arrogant?" Fatenai stared at Morton, calmly stating a fact.

"Do you think this can truly trap us?" Morton paused and said, "How interesting. Truly, no one has dared to truly oppose the Ansendil Family."

Fatenai froze. Her doubts had not yet disappeared when the black cloaks' bodies suddenly "swelled." Immediately after, black flames erupted from the Black Demon Vines, destroying them. Yet, they were left without any injuries – Fatenai hadn't even sensed any change in magic.

The black cloaks untied their cloaks, revealing the attire beneath, embroidered with black patterns. It was evident that their clothes were also some kind of special alchemical tool.

"What other tricks do you have?" The black cloaks helped Morton free himself from the Black Demon Vines. Morton flicked his wrist, looking at Fatenai. His patience at this moment seemed unusually good.

What other tricks could Fatenai have up her sleeve? She hadn't brought much with her tonight, only the results of her research during this month of trekking. However, none of it seemed useful now.

Without magic, there's no chance of winning? Fatenai felt a bit lost.

"Of course not," Fatenai said with some disappointment.

"Then..." Morton's eyes flashed with contempt. The black-cloaked figures continued to approach Fatenai, treating her like a bird in a cage. But suddenly, two searing lights blazed from the forest, flying out from Fatenai's sides. One of the black-cloaked figures, unable to dodge in time, was struck by a flame and instantly turned into a fireball!

"A mage?" Morton's eyes flickered.

Helise and Hubert appeared in the forest. Helise looked up at Morton. "How did the Eye of Simorely fall into your hands?"

"It seems you're from Starlight University..." Morton stared at them for a moment before speaking, completely ignoring his companion who was currently engulfed in flames. "Is that old geezer Forresten still meddling so much?"

"You'd better not call the Headmaster that!" Helise blurted out. It was too late for Hubert to stop her.

Fatenai suddenly felt fortunate that Helise came from a commoner family. Otherwise, with a personality like that, she probably wouldn't have lasted long in noble circles. Helise had revealed her affiliation so easily.

"Heh, a university of heretics will eventually perish in holy flames. What good is possessing the Eye of Simorely?" Morton said. Even though they were from different countries, the nobles across the entire continent believed in Allentia.

Fatenai couldn't help but think of her aunt Lelia, mentally categorizing this Starlight University as perhaps a school for commoner mages.

"It's the nobles who use the Eye of Simorely to harm people for their own gain that are truly disgusting," Hubert said slowly. He had been silent until now, and his words carried an unusual impact. "Magic belongs to everyone. The Ansendil Family will eventually face retribution."