Fantasy Libary 53

Title: An Attack Without Warning

Ahead, in the secluded hallway, two girls who appeared to be the same age and strikingly similar in appearance approached Ark and Kirin.

Though they looked alike, the two radiated very different auras.

The girl on the left wore a neat Rewolf Black Academy uniform, her long hair tied into two braids. Her gentle face and friendly demeanor made her seem entirely out of place at an academy like Rewolf.

The girl on the right, however, was the opposite. Her uniform was disheveled, her shirt boldly unbuttoned. Despite the scorching heat, she wore a scarf around her neck, exuding a threatening and wild aura.

“Irene Urzaiz…” Kirin whispered the name softly, still leaning on Ark’s back.

She was their target, standing right in front of them.

Neither Irene nor the other girl seemed to have noticed Ark and Kirin yet. Irene was holding her head as the softer-looking girl scolded her.

“Honestly, Onee-chan, didn’t I tell you not to sneak off after the match?”

The gentle girl—Priscilla Urzaiz, Irene’s younger sister and her teammate in the Phoenix Festa—glared at Irene, her cheeks puffed up in anger.

“…I didn’t sneak off.” Irene replied awkwardly, her tone defensive as if she were afraid of her sister. “I just went for a walk, that’s all. A walk!”

“Liar!” Priscilla snapped, mercilessly exposing Irene’s excuse. “You were trying to sneak into the Pleasure District to gamble again!”

The Pleasure District, part of the redevelopment zone, was infamous for its illegal underground businesses and criminal activities. From alcohol and gambling to more illicit activities, the district offered every kind of vice imaginable. Controlled by gangs, it was a haven for those who operated outside the law—a place avoided by respectable citizens like the plague.

Yet, for Rewolf students, visiting such a place wasn’t unusual. Many of them were involved in these forbidden activities.

Clearly a regular visitor to the Pleasure District, Irene scratched her head awkwardly and grinned sheepishly.

“I really just wanted to look around. I didn’t mean to cause any trouble!”

However, Priscilla wasn’t buying it.

“You said that last time, and what happened? You destroyed someone’s casino!”

“Well… That was an accident…”

“I don’t believe you! You’re always lying, Onee-chan!”

“I swear, this time I’ll behave!”

Their argument continued as they drew closer.

Finally, Irene noticed Ark and Kirin. She stopped mid-step and turned her sharp gaze toward them.

“Hm?”

Her eyes locked onto Ark, and her expression shifted from surprise to one of sharp intent.

“It’s you?”

Priscilla also noticed them and recognized who they were. Her expression turned to one of surprise.

“Who are you two?” Priscilla asked warily.

“Hello.”

Ark finally spoke, glancing at Priscilla briefly before turning to Irene with a faint smile.

“Nice to meet you here, Blood Princess.”

It was, without a doubt, an unexpected but pleasant surprise.

“…I didn’t expect to run into you here either, Wandering Star Swordsman.”

Irene stepped forward, quietly positioning herself in front of Priscilla. Her sharp gaze remained fixed on Ark, a cold smile playing on her lips.

Her gaze wasn’t overtly hostile, but it carried a sharp edge, as if she were considering attacking him.

“Your match ended yesterday, didn’t it? What brings you here today?” Irene grinned like a wolf, baring her metaphorical fangs. “Don’t tell me you came here because of us?”

Her words carried a hint of hostility, but Ark remained calm.

“Do we look like we came for you?” he asked, shifting Kirin’s weight slightly. The movement made Kirin’s face flush.

Though suspicious, Irene glanced at the embarrassed Kirin on Ark’s back and quickly dismissed the idea that they had come specifically for her.

“Then what are you doing here?” she pressed. “Don’t tell me you two came here to flirt.”

The comment made Kirin’s face turn even redder.

“What else would we be doing? We came to watch the matches, of course.” Ark replied casually. “Unfortunately, we arrived here after your match ended. Otherwise, I would’ve liked to see just how strong Gravisheath really is.”

Irene chuckled—a low, dangerous sound.

“You want to see Gravisheath, huh?”

Her eyes glowed a fiery red, and a dangerous aura radiated from her. She reached into her coat and pulled out a device.

It was an Activation Device, embedded with an Urm Manadyte and shaped like a handle.

“If you’re so eager to see it, I’ll show it to you right now!”

With those words, the Urm Manadyte shone brightly. Mana surged and condensed into a tangible form, creating a long scythe handle and a deep crimson energy blade that hummed with a low vibration.

“...!”

Both Ark and Kirin immediately sensed the danger emanating from Irene.

“Senpai!”

“Onee-chan!”

Kirin and Priscilla shouted simultaneously.

However, before either could react further, Ark and Irene were already moving.

Irene’s eyes glowed red, and sharp fangs peeked from her lips as she grinned like a vampire. Without hesitation, she swung her scythe viciously, the blood-red blade slicing through the air in a deadly arc aimed at Ark’s head.

The attack was sudden and lethal. The deep crimson arc seemed to tear through space itself, hurtling toward its target.

Yet, Ark was unfazed. With a swift motion, he released Kirin from his back, drew the black Activation Device from his waist, and activated it.

*CLANG!*

A high-temperature white energy sword appeared instantly and intercepted the scythe mid-swing. The collision produced a metallic screech, sending sparks flying.

Ark stood firm, his expression cold and calm as he blocked Irene’s attack.

“Senpai!”

Kirin now standing, immediately crouched into a ready stance, gripping Senbazuru and preparing to draw her sword.

“Onee-chan…!”

Priscilla, on the other hand, seemed frozen in shock, unable to process the sudden outburst of violence from her sister.

“Oh?” Irene raised an eyebrow and grinned as she looked at Ark, who had effortlessly stopped her attack. “Blocking that so easily… Not bad. You really are Seidoukan’s number one.”

“And you live up to your name.” Ark replied, his tone calm as he pressed against her scythe. “The infamous Blood Princess attacks first and asks questions later. And goes straight for the kill, no less. Aren’t you worried about being blocked by the Operational Committee?”

Fighting outside of official matches was strictly prohibited during the Festa unless done in designated arenas with defensive barriers. Duels or private brawls could result in severe penalties, including disqualification.

Irene seemed aware of this but didn’t care.

“Once I deal with you here, my job is done. It doesn’t matter if I get blocked or not.”

Her words made Ark narrow his eyes.