Three-Way Battle

"Star Magic... President Tilis? Why are you asking about this?"

"Oh, I see..." After understanding the situation, Elder Roens quickly said, "Then don’t worry for now. I’ll consult the other elders and get back to you shortly."

After ending the communication, Tilis glanced around and noticed the meteors were still relentlessly chasing her. No matter how she adjusted her course, she couldn’t shake them off. Frustrated, she came to a stop.

Just as all the magical attacks were about to strike—

With a brief incantation from Tilis, all the beams of light slowed down eerily. Gradually, the meteors froze mid-air, as if suddenly snuffed out.

"This is..."

"Countered?"

Hawkins stared in shock at what happened next. All the Star Magic spells behaved like obedient little pets, turning back toward him with astonishing speed before crashing down upon him.

"Let’s see how your own magic tastes," Tilis said with a mischievous smirk.

Hawkins' heart skipped a beat. He immediately distanced himself, hastily raising the strongest magical shield he could muster.

Listening to the furious roar behind her, Tilis smiled and left the scene, flying straight toward St. Carol Cathedral to regroup with Luo Wei.

Just as she was about to arrive, Elder Roens responded.

"President Tilis, the Hawkins you mentioned earlier must have altered his appearance. However, his magic is so rare that it wasn’t hard to uncover his background."

"This Hawkins is likely the son of Elder Gory from two councils ago. Elder Gory’s school was the Star School. Though the school has a long history, only he and his son remained in the end. After Elder Gory’s death, his son disappeared. Who would’ve thought he’d betray the Magical Hermitage and pledge loyalty to the Wignar Empire?"

"President, you’d best be cautious around him. The Star School has always been marginalized, so he might harbor deep resentment toward the Magical Hermitage."

"So that’s how it is." Tilis had never been particularly interested in the infighting between the Hermitage’s schools, but if his origins were truly like this...

After landing on the street, Tilis glanced back at Hawkins in the sky. After being bombarded by his own magic, he looked disheveled, his expression seething with rage.

"Guess we’re settling old and new grudges at once..." Tilis muttered under her breath.

She surveyed the surroundings. Everyone’s grudges, everyone’s conflicts were erupting here—and ending here. At this moment, St. Carol truly felt like the embodiment of the Star School’s fatalistic philosophy.

...

"Tilis?" Eleya watched warily as Tilis descended slowly.

"Haha, did I play my part well?" The wings behind Tilis gradually faded, and her face returned to its original appearance.

"I’d never shout ‘Holy Light’ like that—it’s too dramatic..." Eleya shot a glance at Luo Wei, finally understanding what he was up to.

"Fine! All you rebels, gathered in one place!" Hawkins glared coldly at the crowd on the street. "The Magical Hermitage... Tilis, the Church’s Saintess, Eleya..."

"Since you’re all here..." His eyes lit up as he realized a golden opportunity had fallen into his lap.

If His Majesty activated the 'Anti-Magic Field,' all these troublesome enemy leaders—the very thorns in the Empire’s side—would be wiped out in one fell swoop!

"You’re all dead!" Hawkins burst into maniacal laughter, immediately ordering the Royal Mage Corps to inform the Emperor.

"Something’s wrong..." Eleya didn’t know the source of Hawkins’ arrogance, but she knew the original plan was no longer viable. She had to activate her contingency and strike at the local church.

She immediately prepared to cast a divine spell to escape the chaotic scene.

But the next moment, under Luo Wei’s direction, Tilis disrupted her magic.

"Don’t even think about running. If we die, we die together," Tilis teased with a wicked grin. Seeing Eleya repeatedly thwarted today filled her with satisfaction.

"You—!" Eleya dodged Tilis’ sneak attack, glaring at the two of them in irritation.

Without hesitation, she spread her wings, intending to fly out of St. Carol’s borders by force.

But as she ascended, the Royal Mage Corps surrounded her. No matter where she flew, they pursued relentlessly.

"Buy some time for His Majesty!" Hawkins sneered, summoning another wave of Star Magic.

At the same time, the Royal Mage Corps began a collective spellcasting. For a moment, dazzling magical lights illuminated the sky, creating a breathtaking spectacle.

Luo Wei looked up, thoroughly enjoying the sight. He loved watching mages brawl—regardless of skill, the visual effects were always top-tier.

Amid the chaos, Eleya noticed Luo Wei spectating below. With a surge of fury, she flashed in front of him, startling him.

"Luo Wei, is this your idea of cooperation? You’re clearly stalling!"

Luo Wei blinked. "Cooperation is real. But stalling is also real."

"Stay away from him!" Tilis charged back, erecting a magical wall that sent Eleya stumbling backward before shielding Luo Wei.

"Now we have a common enemy—one who wants both of us dead," Luo Wei said, looking at Eleya. "So? Want to team up? Pull off something big?"

"Liar!" Eleya’s gaze turned icy. "You’re always deceiving people. Not a single word from your mouth is true!"

"This time, it is!" Luo Wei protested. "Carlton is a real problem. Only by working together can we resolve this crisis. Believe it or not, you’ll see soon enough..."

"What’s the point of arguing when you’re all about to die? Perish together!!" Hawkins grinned viciously at them. This time, his incantation was unusually long. As surging magical energy gathered, the spell circle expanded until a massive meteor was summoned from within.

A single meteor large enough to engulf the entire street loomed overhead, poised to strike.

"Meddler!" Tilis and Eleya snapped in unison.

One casually unleashed a [Soul Torrent], while the other cast [Judgment’s Descent]. The colossal meteor was violently shattered mid-air, breaking into countless harmless fragments.

Hawkins nearly got torn apart by the two overwhelming forces. With a pained groan, he plummeted from the sky and crashed onto the ground.

"Kill him!" Luo Wei ordered immediately.

Tilis and Eleya exchanged a glance—then, in the next instant, both lunged toward Hawkins.

"Quick! Protect Master Hawkins!" The royal mages cried out in panic.

Tilis unleashed a devastating surge of magic, sending all the mages flying. Eleya followed up seamlessly with a divine spell—a radiant spear of light hovering ominously above Hawkins’ head.

With just one move, Hawkins would be pierced through the head by the spear of light. Even the Chief Mage, accustomed to storms and tempests, couldn't help but show a look of nervous fear.

This terrifying strike couldn’t be blocked even if he raised his magical shield. Hawkins realized he had severely underestimated the strength of the two before him—but what shocked him even more was...

How could these two, who had been fighting so fiercely, suddenly work together? And with such an indescribable... chemistry?

Luo Wei watched as Hawkins stood on the brink of death. The moment Eleya struck—

Her spear of light dimmed rapidly, then landed lightly against Hawkins' magical shield.

"Did you skip breakfast, Eleya?" Tilis sneered at her.

"No... this isn’t right!" Eleya glared at Hawkins. "At full power, my strike should have shattered his shield..."

Hawkins, realizing he was still alive, froze in disbelief before snapping back to his senses. His face lit up with excitement as he turned toward a certain direction.

It was the direction of Heglitz Palace—the Emperor had finally made his decision!

Through his magical senses, Hawkins also detected the approaching city defense forces. Relief washed over him like a pardon, and he burst into maniacal laughter as he looked at Eleya and Tilis.

"His Majesty has acted! You’re finished! Finished! Hahahaha!"