In an instant, all the Wizards scattered, some vanishing without a sound, others streaking away in multicolored flashes. Even the composed Wizards who, like Ruger, had barely acted throughout the encounter no longer hesitated. The resolve their actions displayed seemed as inevitable as a natural phenomenon. They were far more decisive now than when they had faced the high-ranking Invader.
Black Wizards.
A special kind of Wizard everyone knew about, but few had ever seen with their own eyes.
Ruger parted his lips.
He had realized the problem much sooner than the Wizards beside him, and his churning heart held far more surprise than theirs. Once, he had discussed the traits of Black Wizards with Layden and the others around a bonfire. Identifying a Black Wizard was supposedly extremely simple. The world's revulsion gathered around them, meaning that any living being native to this world would know one on sight.
Ruger had keenly sensed it immediately, and these two Black Wizards made no attempt to conceal it. Apparently, certain methods of disguising it circulated among Black Wizards.
That casual conversation had ended with one more piece of advice: do not puzzle over it, and do not force yourself to identify them. If you encountered someone who made you deeply uncomfortable in a way you could not describe, get away as quickly as possible.
Ruger had done exactly that. This was his first time seeing Black Wizards in person, and he had encountered two at once. In fact, he had sensed them before either entered his field of vision. He had suppressed the impulse to look up, and his body had already moved instinctively-not to watch, but to retreat.
Thanks to that high-ranking Otherworld Invader, the Nightmare Wings had long since been attached to the Scorching Wings, putting them in their