Chapter 9

Today is a 12-hour silent shift, I just entered and turned on the computer... From now on, my updates will be every two days in the morning and one day in the evening.

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After the routine investigation, a few teachers warned Elisia and her companion to avoid these deserted paths in the future and then left with the injured students who were sure to be expelled.

"Elisia, why didn't you reveal the main culprit, Donaldson, just now?" Michelle asked in confusion after the teachers had walked far enough away.

"It's useless. Didn't you see those lackeys all vying to take the blame? They are all followers arranged by Donaldson's family." Elisia analyzed, "They won't betray Donaldson, and our word alone isn't enough to accuse him, especially since he left no evidence. He might even turn it around and say something like, 'They are trying to make themselves famous by framing me,' which would not only fail to get us justice but also ruin our reputations."

"Is that so? It's so complicated..."

"Not complicated, it's just the nature of the corrupt nobility." Elisia sighed, "Let's go eat!"

"Okay!"

Elisia glanced at the small forest where Donaldson had left, feeling a bit worried.

[Forget it, I just need to improve my own strength. I'll take care of anyone, no matter who they are!]

Because they were delayed by Donaldson, Elisia and her companion didn't run into Li Huayin and the others in the cafeteria. After a quick, somewhat lackluster meal, Michelle decided to return to the dorm to rest. Elisia didn't plan to drag her to the library again, so she nodded in agreement.

After sending Michelle back to the dorm, Elisia returned to the library.

She needed to strengthen her own abilities as much as possible before Donaldson came up with any new tricks. Clearly, her vast amount of mana was his primary target for sealing. Therefore, enhancing her magical abilities became the only way to become stronger.

It was the same book from the morning, and this time Elisia began to study it seriously. (So you were just browsing in the morning)

To prevent Donaldson from escaping like he did at noon, Elisia first learned the "Wind Bind" spell. This is a very common utility spell, often used by mages without spatial items to tie luggage on carriages—just as long as they don't forget to replenish the spell's mana on the road. Otherwise, it would be tragic...

However, this spell has another use: binding people. Of course, this use is quite weak, as the target can easily break free with minimal effort, completely disproportionate to the amount of mana input. So Elisia's goal wasn't to bind Donaldson—though it would be best if he couldn't break free—but to hinder his movements and slow him down. Elisia planned to use her natural affinity and control over wind elements to apply resistance only when the target moved, thus slowing them down without breaking the spell. This is typically a specialty of earth spells, but Elisia didn't know them and didn't have time to learn another element.

Later, the Wind Bind spell became one of Elisia's signature skills, causing her future enemies a great deal of trouble.

Next was the "Whirlwind" spell, which traps a single enemy in a small whirlwind, immobilizing them and dealing continuous damage. It's a relatively powerful single-target spell.

Then came the group spell "Chain Wind Blades." This is a group version of the Wind Blade spell, with significantly more power but also higher mana consumption.

Finally, the wind enhancement spell "Speed." The best target for this spell is an agility-type warrior—this was for Li Huayin and Iliya, though it wasn't clear if they were agility-type.

Just as Elisia decided to try a level two wind spell, Larven flew over with a book and asked, "Are you Elisia?"

"Uh, yes, it's me." Elisia was puzzled as to why the librarian would seek her out, "Is there something wrong?"

"Um, someone asked me to give you this letter." Larven handed her a letter.

Elisia took it, "Thank you."

After Larven flew away, Elisia examined the letter. The envelope was rough and sealed carelessly, indicating that the sender didn't put much effort into it.

[A love letter? It doesn't look like one...]

Elisia opened the letter, which contained a piece of paper and a ribbon.

Elisia's face immediately changed—this was the ribbon Michelle used to tie her hair.

[How is this possible!? Michelle is in the girls' dorm!]

"By now, you must understand what's happening. I know you're in the library, don't try any tricks, come out to the forest behind the mountain now. Come alone, or this girl's embarrassing pictures will appear on the front page of tomorrow's 'Secret Garden.'" Elisia read the letter silently, her mind in turmoil.

[Stay calm. Regardless of how they got Michelle out of the girls' dorm, the most pressing issue is how to handle this situation. This library is likely full of that scoundrel's spies, and I can't even inform the teachers. If I go alone, even though I've become stronger recently, the other side has certainly set up a trap, and with a hostage, the situation is overwhelmingly unfavorable. What should I do?]

I must inform someone! Elisia could only come to this conclusion.

Time was running out. Elisia took out paper and pen from her spatial bracelet, pretending to take notes, and secretly slipped a note and the letter into a book. She then tidied up and closed the book, walking over to Larven, who was floating nearby, "Excuse me, senior. I can't remember where I got this book from. Could you help me put it back?"

"Sure, leave it to me." Larven took it and smiled.

"Thank you. I'll take my leave." Elisia subtly gave Larven a meaningful look as she bowed and then turned to leave.

Why did she choose Larven? Because Donaldson was a new student, his family couldn't have arranged for a companion to be in Hope Garden years in advance. So Larven, a third-year student, should have no connection to Donaldson. Unless Donaldson wasn't the eldest, and he had an older brother or sister also studying at Hope Garden. In that case, he might have used a senior arranged by his family. However, that possibility was generally low, and even if Donaldson wasn't the eldest, his older brother or sister might not lend him their subordinates—this was also the nature of the nobility.

[Now, it's up to Larven to understand my message and check the book. Please, find it! Otherwise, it's all over!]

Elisia clearly noticed a few people tailing her as she left the library. She gripped her staff and walked towards the back mountain without looking back.

"Ding! Ding!" The clock tower chimed 5 PM, signaling that the cafeteria was open and that the back mountain, at the end of the magic zone, would be deserted—except for Elisia and Donaldson.

Elisia circled around a small grove and saw an open grassy area. Donaldson, with over a dozen first-year followers, was either sitting or standing, waiting for her. When they saw her, they spread out in a semi-circle.

[It seems this guy is the eldest in his family, and all his followers are here, showing a lot of respect. I wonder how he got Michelle out of the girls' dorm?]

"Elisia... you shouldn't have come." Michelle was tied with a thin rope and sitting on the grass, her clothes neat and tidy, which relieved Elisia, "Even if you came, they won't let me go."

"Then what do you want me to do? Sneak back to the dorm or report to the teachers and have your image appear in tomorrow's magazine?" Elisia said loudly.

"But I don't want to involve you! It's too dangerous for you to come alone, just go!" Michelle pleaded.

"What do you mean you don't want to involve me? That's too formal, isn't it?" Elisia noticed a few people tailing her appear behind her, meaning she couldn't even turn to run, "We're already friends, right? I can't just stand by when a friend is in trouble!"

[There, I said it! This cliché line from a shonen manga actually came out of my mouth! And I even used the tone Aria used when reading the first article of the Plunderer's Charter! I really want to bang my head against the wall!]

"Ah, what a touching friendship." Donaldson walked over to Michelle, pinched her cheek with two fingers, and licked it, "Isn't it great, Senior Angel?"

At this moment, Elisia noticed a girl's figure in the forest behind Donaldson. She stepped out of the shadows but didn't respond.

This was a third-year student in a purple warrior uniform, with short, water-blue hair. Her figure was relatively slender, indicating she was an agility-type warrior. She had a beautiful and delicate face, but her eyes were filled with deep regret, helplessness, and self-blame.

[Oh, another one who was forced?]

"Triggered mission 'Rescue Michelle.' Defeat Donaldson's forces without using your internal mana, and rescue Michelle. Complete the mission to receive the sword technique 'Double Dragon Flash' and the ability to use level two mana. Using mana will result in mission failure, and the penalty is three hours of mana restriction."

[Great, I have to learn a technique from Himura Kenshin...]

"I'm surprised you could find a girl to help you." Elisia sneered, "It seems Michelle was lured out of the dorm by this senior and then captured, right?"

"You're right. A little money, and people will do what you want, especially when they're commoners." Donaldson smirked, "Just surrender, the senior is in urgent need of money."

"Sorry..." Angel sighed and drew her sword, "I have no choice."

"Attack! This time, we'll capture her and properly 'train' her!" Donaldson waved his right hand.

The lackeys immediately howled and charged over, like flies swarming a cake.

"I already said," Elisia slammed her staff into the ground, "I hate the word 'train'~~!!"

Numerous green whirlwinds radiated out from Elisia, scattering grass and dirt, obstructing the lackeys' vision. By the time they saw the wind blades coming, it was too late to dodge.

In a moment, only Donaldson, who hadn't moved, and Angel, who was within the range of the Chain Wind Blades but unscathed, remained.

"Damn, you were hiding your strength at noon. Luckily, I brought Senior Angel, a third-year student. What will you do now?" Donaldson clenched his teeth and stepped back.

Angel was fast, her level three mana glowing blue as she flashed to Elisia's side and slashed at the wind shield before the little girl could react. The wind shield flickered like a candle in a strong wind, about to shatter.

"Didn't break the shield!" Angel was surprised.

Elisia, equally surprised, quickly fired a wind blade, which Angel easily dodged.

[This won't work. That attack almost shattered my deliberately reinforced wind shield, and I don't have enough mana to waste on magic shields. If I only defend, I won't last long!]

"Wind Bind! Speed!" Elisia cast two spells affecting speed. Although she still couldn't match Angel's super-fast speed enhanced by mana, at least she wasn't standing still to be hit.

Angel was shocked. She couldn't believe a girl who hadn't even started school could hold out against her fierce attacks for so long. Although Elisia's dodges were clumsy and her wind shield was as fragile as an eggshell, and her wind blade counterattacks were inaccurate, this didn't change Angel's high evaluation of the adorable little girl.

"But, it's all useless." Angel sighed, "You're not my match now."

"Vulnerability!" Seizing the moment when Angel was distracted, Elisia used her remaining mana for a final attack: "Whirlwind!!"

A small whirlwind tightly wrapped around Angel, countless tiny wind blades trying to tear her apart, but her protective mana armor shielded her. Angel desperately tried to break free, but before she could, Elisia made another move. The little girl held her staff, gathering mana, and a blue current appeared at the tip.

Angel's face showed disbelief. That was clearly the casting sign of a level two wind spell, Lightning Arrow, which only second-year magic students could perform.

"Lightning Arrow!!"

A brilliant blue light flashed, and Elisia's strongest single-target spell hit the immobilized Angel in the whirlwind. The intense light made Donaldson fall to the ground.

The scene fell into a strange silence, with only the sound of the whirlwind.

"Is it over!?" Elisia was nervous; she only had enough mana left for one wind blade. (To use against Donaldson)

"Cross Slash!" Suddenly, the whirlwind was broken, and a purple figure, like a graceful swallow, flashed past Elisia, stopping behind her and silently sheathing her sword. It was Angel. "Too bad, you were so close to creating a miracle."

The wind shield shattered, and Elisia fell to the ground, unconscious.

The cold wind of late January blew, and there was no movement for a while.

"Elisia!" Michelle, with a sob, tried to approach but was kicked to the ground by the now alert Donaldson.

"Hehe, hahaha! Hahahaha!" Donaldson laughed manically, "In the end, I won, didn't I!? I'll make you and this girl regret ever crossing me!"

"Ah~~" Angel, who had already used a lot of mana, sighed quietly and turned away.

She didn't want to see anymore.

"Others just slighted your pride, and you react like this. To me, you're just a coward who relies on your noble status to bully others, and you're good for nothing else." A sudden voice came from the direction Elisia had come from.

Angel turned to see a first-year martial arts student in a red ponytail, standing tall and proud. She placed her left hand on her hip, drew her sword, and swung it gracefully, "Stay away from my friends, scum!"

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