Battle Begins?

The two of them glanced at each other, a look of surprise on their face. Was this girl in front of them really intending to fight? She couldn't possibly be in her condition, especially not against two people.

Although a Beach Stone Crab, one of this size, is a formidable foe for a common mage, fighting against a human isn't the same as fighting a creature that couldn't go beyond its base instincts.

And yet... this ragged girl, breathing heavily, believes they can face two? Testrie wasn't familiar with the name Lillian, so she doubted it was someone powerful.

She could also be wrong. She needed to take into account that some noble families would keep some of their members out of the media, essentially limiting what the public knows about that certain person.

"... Do you really think you can win against two people in your condition—"

Before Testrie could even finish her sentence, she was suddenly met with Xander's large back blocking her line of sight.

"I would've preferred if you let my friend here finish her sentence, Miss Lillian..." Xander's hair fell over his eyes, but that didn't hide away the glow inside his eyes as his hand clutched the sharp blade.

He smiled at the white-haired girl before him, who did the same.

"Quite risky of you to catch it with your bare hands, Mr Reyla~."

"Oh~? You know of my family name?"

Lillian stayed quiet. Her eyes stared at the curious adolescent, more specifically at his hand clutching her blade. A red line crawled down her blade's edge before dripping and painting the side below.

Quickly separating her left hand from her hilt, she manifested a small ball of water and launched it towards the Fiery Adolescenet, who backed away with a smile - overjoyed he returned to battle once more.

He looked toward Testrie, who had moved herself to a considerable distance away.

"So..."

Understanding what he wanted, Testrie nodded only after rolling her eyes. Pushing out her hands towards Xander, she manifested two small portals that pushed out a pair of thick, metal gauntlets.

With a grin, he shoved his arms into them, ripping them out of the portal and freeing them with the prison within.

Lillian watched them, her eyes flaring with excitement. She glanced at her blade and smiled wryly at its state. Not only was it dyed with Xander's blood, but it was also chipped and scratched - a far cry from its pristine appearance before. (2)

"You asked whether or not I could win, yes?" She raised her head towards Testrie, who scrutinised her with utmost caution. She had been lucky that Xander's speed and reaction were fast enough to react to Lillian's sneak attack.

Testrie gave a small nod.

Lillian rested the flat side of her blade on her shoulder and held out her injured hand towards them. The sight of her missing fingers was still very odd to her.

With her palm turned upwards, a bottle suddenly manifested and plopped into her hand - a blue liquid slushing around inside it. Holding it by the neck with her index and thumb, she swirled it around.

It was about halfway empty. She held the mouth of the bottle to her lips and thirstily gulped down the liquid. After it had been emptied, it soon digitalised and disappeared straight out of her hand.

What she had drank just now was a Mana Potion she had procured herself. She had been lucky enough to have one appear near her earlier, just when she had nearly run out of mana.

Although it was more like she was lucky enough to trip and catch sight of it wedged between two large boulders.

"Well... it's not like I have a choice. All I do know is that at least one of us will be eliminated from this exam." And with saying that, she raised her palm and began her plan of attack, starting with another water projectile.