A cloud of dust had just obstructed vision. The train's system would not allow the dust to seep in, but the passengers could no longer see through the window.
A series of explosions had certainly taken place when the train was shaken, and now the clouds were beginning to dissipate.
The corridors and walls, which had been intact until then, had just been damaged following the passage of the red lightning.
Small cracks could be seen here and there, testifying to the power of this spell. The cool wind blew through the fissures and spread through the corridor.
Three people stood there, visibly unharmed.
"I suspected you weren't ordinary people, but this exceeds my expectations."
Although she had protected Dieh from the attack, casting a spell capable of damaging the train was by no means the action of well-intentioned individuals. Even this attack, with its flashy crimson lightning spell, was proof that this person was ready to die here.
"Oh, what was that?" Dieh was surprised. He hadn't been able to react in time and expected to be hit head-on, but evidently, he and Lys were unharmed.
It was only afterward that he realized. He had certainly been protected by Lys, but it had been so seamless that he hadn't noticed.
He tilted his head, looked around, then focused again on the person who had just attacked them.
He understood immediately. Because of the aura surrounding this person, words were unnecessary. Their goal, their motivations, their affiliations... they would know soon enough after capturing them.
I'm pathetic, he thought. Am I going to die just after joining Xerx Academy?
He wasn't foolish; he knew this man hadn't come alone. And if this one already made him uncomfortable, what about the others?!
"Now is not the time to despair! See this as your first test for Xerx Academy."
Dieh was slightly perplexed. He looked at Lys, impeccable, her posture unchanged until now, then at the menacing-looking man who had just finished his preparations.
Lys was thinking about how to handle this situation. She knew this man didn't have the potential to launch such an attack repeatedly.
He's trying to buy time... So...
As Lys's suspicions were confirmed, the man pulled out a dagger and rushed at them.
My prediction was correct, then...
The man quickly approached Lys, intending to eliminate her, seeing her as the most dangerous. Lys smiled. She had been right once again.
As the dagger neared her face, before it could reach her, the hand holding the knife was lifted far higher than her head. It happened because Dieh had kicked the man's hand.
Dieh spun on himself and performed a sweeping kick, sending the man several steps backward.
"..."
"..."
"..."
Despite this, the man firmly gripped the dagger; it hadn't fallen. His gaze hardened. He hadn't expected Dieh to react so quickly.
His left arm was slightly numb. He switched the knife to his right hand.
After blocking this attack, Dieh resumed a normal stance and stood in front of Lys.
"Who are you?" Dieh asked.
The man before him remained silent.
"What do you want? How many of you are there?"
───!
"I'm not exactly a combat specialist, and I need to conduct investigations, but don't worry—I can ensure your protection so that nothing happens to you. So focus on him and try to neutralize him."
As she finished speaking, Lys was already using her ability to scan the entire train. Due to the nature of this place, it was difficult, but for someone like her, it was just a matter of effort and willpower.
As she concentrated, leaving the outcome of the fight to Dieh, a mental map slowly formed in her mind, showing the position of everyone on the train and their level of magic.
Of course, this had no impact on the support she provided to Dieh.
Lys was that kind of person—she excelled at bringing out the best in others, in addition to possessing remarkable abilities. From her point of view, this matter could have been settled if she hadn't been interested in what Dieh was capable of. In a way, it was an anticipated extra lesson for her.
If that's the case, then I have to deal with this one while Miss Lys protects me.
The man attempted another charge, pointing the dagger at Dieh, but Dieh effortlessly deflected his arm.
Even Dieh himself was surprised.
My body... It feels lighter. So this is Miss Lys's blessing?
The assailant gritted his teeth. He couldn't afford to waste time here. He had used a lot of energy before coming and even more with the first attack. He was waiting for part of it to recover, but he hadn't expected to run into such troublesome people.
Only a few seconds remained before a good portion of his magic returned, but he made Dieh and Lys believe that this was his last resort.
Wanting to end it quickly, Dieh rushed at him, but the man reacted instantly, gripping his knife in a reverse hold.
Dieh tried to grab him to disarm him, but the man dodged and stabbed forward. They quickly circled each other. The corridor was wide enough to allow large movements.
One strike after another, the difference in size also made it difficult for the man to perfectly aim at Dieh.
But this time, after a last-second dodge, pivoting on himself and sweeping the air with the blade, a cut should have appeared on Dieh's cheek.
But instead, the man's dagger shattered. He realized that fighting Dieh was pointless as long as Lys was there. But it no longer mattered—he had achieved his goal.
Dieh didn't understand what had happened, but he smiled. His enemy's dagger had just broken—he was now in a position of power.
Silence reigned. The man watched him with a fierce gaze.
Lys, who had just finished her task, furrowed her brows.
"On the train!" she murmured, looking up at the roof as if something was coming from there.
And another shock struck the train.
Taking advantage of this, Dieh charged at the man, whose eyes darkened. But just as he got close enough, the man smiled and pulled a gun from his clothes.
The movement was swift and skillful, aiming the weapon at Dieh, who hadn't even noticed it.
─── Bang!