"Your Highness!"
"Aether? It's you?!"
Two startled cries rang out at once.
Knocked back, Ellin stared in surprise at the person who had blocked her strike.
The boy before her wore a midriff-baring outfit in an otherworldly style. His hair was blond, with a long braid trailing down his back.
Who else could he be but Aether?
Aether stood with a golden sword in hand, shielding the Abyss Lector behind him.
A flicker of surprise crossed Aether's eyes when the girl before him called his name.
"You know me?"
Aether looked at Ellin, seemingly searching his memories for any trace of her.
But Ellin had no interest in answering his question. With a flick of her hand, she returned the Black Sword to her backpack, holding the Skyward Blade in one hand.
Her gaze remained fixed on the Abyss Lector. The undisguised killing intent in her eyes left him trembling with fear, even with Aether shielding him!
This girl's strength and ruthlessness had branded an indelible terror into him.
"Move!"
Ellin spoke coldly, sword in hand.
"Impossible. He's my subordinate. Now that I'm here, I won't let you kill him. You won't even have the chance!"
Aether looked at Ellin, his expression utterly unruffled.
"I'll say it again. Get out of my way!"
Ellin tightened her grip on her sword, her eyes brimming with killing intent.
But Aether stayed where he was, paying her no heed whatsoever.
"You're strong, to have defeated him!"
Aether sized up the girl before him and continued.
"But even at your best, you're no match for me. What chance do you have in your current state?"
Ellin fell silent...
Aether was right. She really had reached her limit.
Earlier, the Abyss Lector's attack had flooded her entire body with lightning, damaging her meridians, muscles, and