Hannah, still standing in the same spot, thought, *He's fast. How can someone who can't use mana be this fast?*
Draven's fist approached her face at incredible speed. However, just before it could connect, Hannah moved her head slightly to the side.
His punch missed.
Even so, the force behind it was enough to graze her face, leaving a small scratch. A thin line of blood trickled down her skin.
Hannah's eyes widened slightly. She immediately jumped backward, putting some distance between herself and Draven.
Draven remained where he was, still holding his bow in his right hand. He slowly raised his left hand and stared at it, his expression turning puzzled.
*What the hell just happened? I missed?*
He flexed his fingers, then looked at Hannah.
*That's not even possible. I was right in front of her.*
He had moved fast enough to catch her off guard, yet she had managed to avoid his punch at the last moment. Draven couldn't help feeling a little surprised. He'd thought he's faster than most people will expected, but missing a punch at such close range wasn't something he expected.
He raised his head and looked at Hannah again.
"Hey, kid, you managed to dodge. Good for you," he said with a grin.
Hannah didn't respond. Instead, she raised her bow and pulled back the string.
This time, three mana arrows materialized beside it, their sharp tips pointing directly at Draven.
His eyes shifted toward the arrows.
*Wow, so you can shoot more than one arrow at a time.*
He glanced down at his own bow, curiosity getting the better of him. If Hannah could produce three arrows at once, surely he could do the same.
He raised his bow, gripped the string, and pulled it back.
A single mana arrow appeared.
Draven stared at it.
*One? Seriously?*
He loosened the string and tried again, hoping that perhaps he had done something wrong. But no matter how he adjusted his grip or concentrated on the bow, he could only produce one arrow.
*What the hell? Why can she make three while I can only make one?*
His attention remained fixed on his weapon as he tried to figure out the problem.
Hannah noticed his distraction.
Without hesitation, she released all three arrows.
They shot toward Draven, cutting through the air with frightening speed.
He was still pondering why he could only create one arrow when he finally sensed the incoming danger.
*Shit!*
Draven immediately moved, leaping to the side as the three arrows rushed past the spot where he had been standing. At the same time, he released his own mana arrow, sending it straight toward Hannah.
For a moment, he thought he had managed to turn the situation around.
Then the three arrows he had dodged suddenly changed direction.
They curved through the air, turning back toward him.
*Damn, I forgot she could control their direction!*
Draven's eyes widened as he watched the arrows pursue him. Meanwhile, his own arrow continued toward Hannah.
But just before it could reach her, it suddenly veered off course, passing harmlessly to the side.
Draven noticed the movement.
*What? Why did mine miss?*
He didn't have time to think about it. The three arrows were already closing in on him.
He quickly thrust both hands forward, using them to shield himself.
The mana arrows pierced through his hands.
A sharp impact traveled through his arms, but Draven barely had time to react before the arrows began to fade. Their glowing forms gradually dissolved into particles of mana, disappearing from his hands.
The injuries didn't last long either.
Within a second, the wounds closed, his flesh regenerating until his hands were completely unharmed.
Draven lowered his arms and examined them briefly.
Not a single injury remained.
Still holding his bow, he turned toward Hannah. His crimson eyes glowed as a smile slowly spread across his face.
*All right. Let's see what you've got.*
Hannah watched him without saying a word. She raised her bow again and pulled back the string.
This time, four mana arrows materialized.
Draven looked at them, then at Hannah.
He didn't bother saying anything.
Instead, he suddenly charged toward her.
Hannah immediately released the four arrows.
They tore through the air toward Draven, their tips aimed at different parts of his body. He moved even faster, his crimson eyes glowing as he rushed forward.
As the arrows approached, Draven suddenly jumped to the side.
The arrows followed his movement, turning in midair to pursue him.
Watching them change direction, Draven's smile widened.
*So that's it.*
He had finally noticed something important. The arrows weren't simply changing direction on their own. Their movements were being influenced by something, and now he had a pretty good idea what it was.
Before the arrows could strike him, Draven sprang upward and performed a backflip.
The four arrows continued toward the space where he had been, but this time, they didn't follow him into the air.
Draven landed lightly on his feet.
Behind him, the arrows continued flying forward, piercing through several trees before disappearing.
He turned toward Hannah with a satisfied smile.
"Using wind magic to change the flight direction of the arrows. That's why my bow missed," he said.
Hannah's eyes widened.
*I thought he was unable to use mana. How did he figure it out?*
She had been careful with her attacks, using wind magic to redirect the arrows after they had been fired. That way, even if Draven managed to dodge their initial trajectory, she could make them turn around and attack him from another angle.
It was a simple but effective technique.
Yet Draven had figured it out after only a few exchanges.
"Hey, kid, why do you look so surprised?" Draven asked, still smiling.
He began stretching his arms and shoulders, loosening his muscles as though he were preparing for another round.
"Now I know how it works."
His smile widened.
"I'm gonna make it quick."