[Arcane Artifact: Wind Stone]
Not particularly rare, and simple enough to craft. When infused with mana, it could release [Wind Blades]. However, due to Elena's limited strength as the creator, this particular stone could only release two blades.
Hysteria's second-tier fire spell had merely been a feint. After all, she'd used a similar spell in front of Ken before; it was certain he'd be wary this time.
The inconspicuous [Wind Blade] had been the real killing blow.
Coupled with Hysteria's distraction and Elena's illusions, even a simple [Wind Blade] became lethal and pressured their opponent into misjudging their numbers.
This was the perfect assassination strategy when facing a stronger opponent. Elena had spared no effort, playing every card she had.
But she still underestimated her enemy's power.
Or rather, she overestimated Ken's character.
Despite falling into every trap they'd laid, Ken, in his fury, abandoned all the dignity expected of a high-ranking Arcane Mage and fled without counterattacking.
Suddenly, pressure mounted on Elena and Hysteria instead.
Although they both immediately pursued him, unlike Hysteria's confidence, Elena's eyes filled with deep worry.
Their trick about the number of attackers wouldn't fool him for long. Ken would soon realize there were still only two of them.
More importantly, her illusion Arcane had nearly zero offensive capability. Now, their only remaining means of attack were Hysteria's fire spells and the [Wind Stone], which had just one use left.
"What's to be afraid of? He lost so much blood that even if that bastard isn't dead, he's severely weakened. We can't let that annoying jerk look down on us!"
As they ran, Hysteria encouraged Elena, sensing her friend's anxiety.
Hearing that name, Elena's eyes suddenly lit up.
That's right. It wasn't just the two of them—there was Linen.
Every time, Linen had come just in time to save her from danger.
How could she call herself his friend if she always relied on him?
They could win. Ken was injured; she and Hysteria could still win!
The trail of blood was thinning, clearly due to Ken's attempts to stem the bleeding. Yet, it was still enough to track his direction.
They chased him from the first-floor classroom all the way to the third floor. Finally, the blood led into a teacher's office behind a closed door.
"He has nowhere left to run!"
Hysteria reached out to open the door.
"Wait, Hysteria!"
Elena stopped her friend, decisively launching their last [Wind Blade] through the door.
The blade pierced through effortlessly, followed immediately by a burst of vile green poison gas and a scream from within.
Clearly, even cornered, Ken had prepared an ambush. If they had recklessly opened the door, they'd have been caught by poison, not to mention his counterattack.
"Sneaky bastard," Hysteria muttered uneasily, kicking open the door only after the poison dissipated. A spark ignited in her palm.
"You bastard, ready to die?"
Inside, Ken leaned miserably against the desk, covered in blood, barely able to stand.
Besides the wound on his abdomen, his shoulder had a new cut—the second [Wind Blade] had found its mark. But seeing only the two girls enter, Ken relaxed.
Hmph. I thought Prince Linen had betrayed me, but I was just paranoid.
Those [Wind Blades] must have come from some artifact.
"Wait, students, I don't even understand why we're fighting! Calm yourselves! Do you realize the consequences of attacking or even killing a teacher of the Academy?"
Ken's voice quivered with fear.
"Hmph, you worthless fish. Still spouting nonsense at death's door?"
"You were clearly trying to kill us first, yet now you act innocent?"
Hysteria sneered disdainfully and hurled a [Fireball]. Ken barely countered it with a desperate spray of poison.
Elena frowned deeply.
Because of the difference in Ring-levels, even a severely weakened Ken was challenging to defeat head-on.
Their eyes met. Hysteria stood still, silently accumulating mana, while Elena stepped forward, shielding her friend slightly.
"Teacher Ken, stop pretending. We should be the ones asking that question. We never even met before, so why are you targeting us—why even try to kill us?"
"You already know?"
Ken's bitter smile held shock.
Elena calmly nodded.
"We've seen the letter you sent to Linen. Once you lose the ability to resist, we'll hand both you and the letter over to the Academy to judge right from wrong."
"So that's how it is."
Surprisingly, after hearing Elena's explanation, Ken chuckled softly.
"No wonder Prince Linen never replied. You intercepted the letter."
Why is he still laughing in this situation?
Elena's instincts screamed in warning.
"Hysteria, hurry!"
"I can't. My second-tier spell still needs more time."
Hysteria understood Elena's urgency, but casting two second-tier spells consecutively was difficult even for her.
Suddenly, an odd chime echoed throughout the room.
Shockingly, Ken's wounds rapidly closed up at the sound.
"Time—no, healing magic!"
Elena's eyes widened, staring at the ordinary-looking clock on Ken's desk. It was an Arcane artifact—an extremely rare healing type?!
But it wasn't the artifact itself that terrified her. Ken, previously on the brink of collapse, now stood perfectly straight, fully healed by the chime!
"You girls have no idea who you're dealing with. Two foolish little girls, remember clearly the name of the Tower of Chronomancy! Did you really think you could kill me?!"
This was Ken's true trump card: a rare healing artifact gifted by the Tower of Chronomancy.
He had intended it for the Empire's pursuers, not two girls. To reveal it here was humiliating!
"Move!"
Hysteria shoved Elena aside, hurling a massive, blazing fireball—the same explosive spell she'd used against Linen before: [Combustion]
A huge blast sent sparks flying everywhere. Unfortunately, she was no longer facing a restrained teacher or an unprepared villain, but a fully enraged Three-Ring Arcane Mage.
The poison appeared in midair, neutralizing the fireball instantly, and the resulting toxic mist rushed at them.
"Hysteria!"
At the last moment, Hysteria shoved Elena away, taking the poison directly and collapsing unconscious.
"The Tower of Chronomancy, right? I'll remember your name!"
Elena hugged her friend tightly, biting her lip until blood trickled down.
"That's good. After all, it's the last name you'll ever know."
Laughing, Ken unleashed another poison spell directly at Elena.
She closed her eyes in despair.
She held no grudge over this defeat. She only blamed herself.
She couldn't protect Hysteria, and even with Linen's support, she'd still failed.
If only Linen were here…
Poof!
Both girls vanished. Ken's face twisted in fury.
"Another damned illusion! How could I fall for the same trick twice?"
Quickly, though, a cruel smile spread across his face.
"No matter. Let's see who'll save you this time."
...
Meanwhile, Linen had just entered the teaching building, immediately spotting the bloodstains.
"Oh, seems I've arrived just in time."
With a fight this fierce, his entry as the ultimate villain would surely max out the hate meter.
Perfect!
Smirking gleefully, Linen hurried up the stairs.