"The one working with the Azure Shadows. The one who helped steal the Rare Flame Gem from our academy."Hakuwa's smile finally cracked.Just slightly.His expression became more serious, though he was still trying to maintain that friendly demeanor."I don't know what you're…""Don't."Jabber's voice cut through, sharp and firm."Don't insult our intelligence by pretending. We can sense you. We can feel your dragon's aura. We KNOW what you are."He took a step forward, his hands coming out of his pockets."So let's skip the pleasantries and get to the actual conversation. Why are you here? What do you want?"Hakuwa's smile disappeared completely now.His expression went neutral,carefully, deliberately blank."You're very direct. I appreciate that."His voice had changed too. No more false friendliness. Just cold professionalism."Fine. You want honesty? Here's honesty."He gestured at his two companions, who stepped forward to flank him."We're here for the girl. Elara. The one with t

Asta wiped his eyes, trying to catch his breath, his laughter finally subsiding."Oh, that."His voice was light, almost casual."Our friends are completely fine. Very much alive. Just not actually here."Hakuwa stared at him."’’What.’’"It wasn't a question. It was pure disbelief delivered as a flat statement.Jabber grinned, his earlier fear completely gone now."Look closer at those 'bodies' you just stabbed."He made air quotes around the word bodies."Go on. Take a good look."Hakuwa's eyes narrowed.He turned to look at the four fallen figures.They were still lying there, motionless, the spikes still protruding…Then one of them flickered.Just for a moment. Like a candle flame in the wind.And suddenly it wasn't a body anymore.It was a flame.Orange flame shaped like a person, maintaining human form through technique alone.Then the second one flickered and transformed.Then the third.Then the fourth.All four "bodies" were now clearly visible as flame constructs,perfect re

The female assassin stood at the center of the dirt path, her posture relaxed but ready.The male assassin positioned himself beside her,slightly behind and to her right, his body angled to cover her blind spot.They blocked the path completely, a wall of black cloaks and white masks between the girls and safety.The female assassin's voice came again, calm and professional."I'll say it one more time, just so we're clear."She raised one hand, gesturing at Elara."Hand over the girl. Hand over the blue gem. Do those two things, and no one gets hurt. You can all walk away from this. Go back to your academy. Pretend this never happened."Mira's voice cut through, sharp and defiant."And what if we don't?"The challenge in her tone was unmistakable.The female assassin's head tilted slightly, her mask catching the moonlight filtering through the trees."You probably already know the answer to that."Her voice carried a faint hint of amusement.Flora stepped forward, her hands clenched i

The female assassin's hands held the compressed blue flame sphere directly over Yuki's head.The light from it cast harsh shadows across her face, making her smile look almost demonic."Any last words?"Her voice was casual, almost conversational.Like she was asking about the weather instead of about to commit murder.Yuki tried to move,tried to lift her arms, to roll away, to do anything…But her body wouldn't respond.The paralysis had spread completely now.Her muscles were locked. Frozen.She could only watch as the flame sphere grew brighter, hotter, preparing to…A voice cut through the forest, an angry Male tone that was also thick with command."Flame Technique—Blade Storm Descent!"The air above the assassins suddenly filled with swords.Dozens of them.Maybe fifty. Maybe more.All made of orange flame, all pointed downward, all beginning to fall.The female assassin's eyes went wide."MOVE!"She dove left, her partner diving right.The swords came down like rain.THUNK. THUN

Meanwhile, back at the festival arena...Asta and Jabber stood frozen in their combat stances.Eyes locked on Hakuwa and the clone standing beside him.Both versions of Hakuwa stared back with identical devilish smiles.Their expressions were perfectly synchronized,like looking at a reflection that moved exactly the same way at exactly the same time.The real Hakuwa tilted his head slightly, his smile widening."So."His voice came out casual, conversational."Which one do you want?"He wasn't talking to Asta or Jabber, he was talking to his clone.The clone's smile matched his perfectly as he responded."I want the Emperor Dragon vessel."His eyes fixed on Asta."The boy with the sword. He looks... interesting. Skilled. I want to see how long he lasts."The real Hakuwa's expression shifted into something like disappointment."Damn. I really wanted to take on the Emperor vessel."His tone was genuinely upset, like a child who'd just been told they couldn't have their favorite toy."He'