An enemy stood at the other end of the corridor!
The moment the magic professor Miriam raised her magical greatbow and aimed at the adventurers, everyone reacted instantly.
Bang!
A magnificent, massive magic arrow shot toward them in the blink of an eye. Although most of its power was blocked by Wienma, the residual shockwave still randomly took away one unfortunate bystander.
"Marco!"
The fallen man's companion let out a grief-stricken cry.
They glared at the enemy with hatred—only to realize she was clutching her shoulder. Blood poured from the wound, and an arrow was embedded there.
Stella had made her move.
At almost the exact same moment Miriam attacked, Stella fired an arrow imbued with wind magic. The smaller arrow was partially blocked by the massive magic arrow—but that very obstruction allowed it to slip through and strike Miriam before she could react.
Though luck played a role, that reaction speed was unmatched by anyone except Wienma. After all, Wienma had already instant-cast a defensive spell before the magic arrow even arrived.
From that perspective, Stella's growth had been remarkable.
But now her arm was numb. Focusing on her shot had made her neglect her defense, and she was caught in the explosion of the magic arrow. The arm holding her bow was bloodied and temporarily unusable.
Fortunately, everyone else reacted quickly.
Those who could use magic began chanting. Those who couldn't drew their weapons and charged forward, determined to mince this ambushing professor into pieces!
At that moment, Miriam suddenly raised her staff and gave it a light shake.
Wienma sensed danger by instinct and immediately launched several wind blades to interrupt the casting—but she was a step too late.
A crystalline glintstone mist spread from the staff, and Miriam's figure vanished instantly. The wind blades struck nothing, smashing into a nearby pillar instead.
Gone? Teleportation?
As everyone looked around in alarm, they suddenly felt another surge of danger.
Turning their heads, they saw Miriam standing atop a hanging chandelier, raising her greatbow at them.
[Magic: Loretta's Greatbow!]
A spell once used by Royal Knight Loretta. It forms a magical greatbow and fires a massive arrow. Charging it increases its power.
It is said that the bow was her signature weapon.
Another arrow shot out. This time, the angle was poor—the railing absorbed much of its power, and the remainder was perfectly blocked by Wienma.
Seeing the situation turn unfavorable, Miriam waved her staff again and vanished.
When she reappeared, she was behind them.
Once again, everyone scrambled—either casting defensive magic or diving away at high speed.
"Does this ever end!?" someone shouted in frustration.
They felt like they were being toyed with—no one would even treat a dog like this.
With just three attacks, Miriam had drawn everyone's aggro.
She vanished again.
Everyone stood tense, fully focused. The mages reinforced their shields, preparing for the next strike—
But nothing came.
Miriam was gone. Completely. No trace of her presence remained.
"She ran!?" Melga snarled. "Are you kidding me, you bastard!"
Wienma's expression didn't change, but the way her long fingers twisted her hair betrayed her irritation.
No one liked being toyed with. No one.
Some adventurers had planned to leave—but after this stunt, they all made up their minds:
They would drag that bastard out and beat her senseless—so badly even her parents wouldn't recognize her.
Elves, dwarves, humans, beastmen—all exchanged glances. The same determination burned in every pair of eyes.
Compared to the first floor, the second floor's layout hadn't changed much overall—aside from the central hall now being filled with interwoven beams and chandeliers that looked like they might host painting spirits.
But the finer details were very different.
"Defense Against the Dark Arts classroom?"
Stella read the sign outside a room.
"Defense Against the Dark Arts is one of the core courses at Raya Lucaria–Hogwarts, designed to teach students how to protect themselves from evil magic."
Hogwarts?
Since it was listed alongside Raya Lucaria, perhaps it was some kind of affiliated academy—like a branch campus?
Stella didn't dwell on it. Instead, she wondered:
If this is a classroom, could there be magic to learn inside?
She reached for the door handle—
At the same time, others discovered different rooms.
"Transmutation Classroom, established by Raya Lucaria–Winterhold…"
Wienma's eyes lit up as she grabbed a handle.
"Life Classroom, founded by druids of Azeroth…"
Melga hesitated, then read the note below:
Note: This classroom is established by traditional druids and only accepts male casters. Females should seek the Sisterhood of Elune.
"What the hell? Discrimination?"
She scoffed and grabbed the handle anyway.
Creak—
Doors opened simultaneously.
And behind every single one—
A glowing blue magic arrow.
"Damn it, it's Miriam!"
BOOM!
All the classrooms fired magic arrows at once. Caught completely off guard, adventurers were wiped out in droves!
Explosions shook the entire second floor. Smoke filled the air. Screams echoed everywhere.
Those who died couldn't scream—only the wounded cried out, while others shrieked in panic.
Melga didn't even get the chance to scream.
The moment she opened the door, not only did Miriam ambush her, but a druidic force also rejected her entry. The combined explosion at point-blank range knocked her out instantly—no pain, just darkness.
"Cough—cough—"
Stella lay on the ground, half her body soaked in blood. She reached for a potion—
Her left arm was gone.
Blown off.
…This is bad. I'll have to spend extra coins to get a priest to regenerate it.
Thankfully, that kind of magic was common. Just the cost of a day's meals.
Wait—what about the others?!
She crushed a healing potion, letting the liquid and glass shards spill over her body. Regaining a bit of strength, she looked around—
It was a disaster.
Damn it… how did Miriam hide here—and she can use clones too?!
She was about to curse when—
Warm light descended like starlight.
Pain eased. Bodies felt lighter.
"Heard the explosion—figured something was wrong."
The fog cleared as Tursey spread her uniquely powerful healing magic. Set and Hades helped, and Roger—long since respawned—had returned.
When Tursey reached the elves, she locked eyes with Stella.
Stella hesitated. Weren't they supposed to be rivals?
Should she act tsundere and refuse help?
"Hehe~"
Tursey covered her mouth, flashing a teasing grin—just like Melga would—then healed her and walked away.
"…Thanks," Stella muttered awkwardly.
When the smoke cleared, Wienma stood unharmed.
…No, not quite.
She had changed clothes.
Her expression was cold, killing intent surging—like the time she got splashed with mud by a monster.
Then she spotted Miriam in the distance.
Without hesitation, she tossed a bag to Tursey and dashed forward—so fast her afterimage blurred.
Her physical strength is insane!
"What, like I need your potions," Tursey scoffed, tossing the bag to Roger and continuing her healing work.
When healing adventurers, she was expressionless.
When healing elves, she always smirked.
Definitely mocking them.
But her healing remained flawless.
She held grudges—but she was still professional.
Leaning against the wall, Stella watched Tursey enjoying her revenge… then watched Wienma chase Miriam across the battlefield.
A deep exhaustion washed over her.
Mental exhaustion.
First, they got kited by the Crystalian Elder.
Now they're getting kited by Miriam.
Are all mages professional runners or what?
She let out a long sigh.
"…I want to go home."