//8// Witches

Erin looked back, and her eyes widened in horror. Behind her stood a monstrous creature with sharp fangs and claws, its eyes glowing red. It was drooling, and its gaze was fixed on Erin.

"It feels like something is holding onto me," Erin whispered, frozen in fear. The creature swiped its claw across her stomach, leaving her seriously injured. She collapsed to the ground.

Prince Cian observed the scene, his expression calm. "You shouldn't have harmed that tree, Miss. It's your fault."

Erin realized that her reckless behavior had summoned the monster. The creature approached her, ready to strike. With a surge of adrenaline, Erin surrounded herself with flames, despite the pain it caused her.

"She's Alfredo?" Prince Cian thought, recognizing the power of Raisis. His own eyes glowed with a golden light. His injuries had almost healed, leaving only faint marks.

Erin struggled to maintain the flames, her hands pressed against her wound. Her pain was unbearable, and she knew she couldn't defeat the monster in her current state.

"For some reason, it's not attacking me," Prince Cian thought, noticing that the creature seemed to be targeting Erin exclusively.

At this rate, Erin would die of exhaustion. The creature circled her, waiting for the flames to fade. Prince Cian knew he had to act.

Erin's eyes met Prince Cian's, and she whispered, "Help." It was her only choice. Prince Cian was taken aback; he hadn't expected her to ask for help.

"What?" Prince Cian thought, considering her request. "But you'll owe me for this," he said, smiling. Erin nodded, desperate.

Prince Cian stood up, his injuries fully healed. His golden eyes glowed, and his aura changed. "My lady, please close your eyes," he said, his voice commanding.

Erin raised an eyebrow but closed her eyes as instructed. "Time for action," Prince Cian said, his aura and eye color shifting to blue.

---

Meanwhile, a group of students, including a brunette boy and a girl, observed a participant from a distance. The boy held a pendant that resembled a mobile device.

"Shall we attack?" the boy asked, hiding in the bushes.

"No," a voice replied. The boy nodded and composed himself.

"Step... Step... Step... NOW!" The boy jumped out and attacked the participant with a bat. The participant regained his footing, but the girl, Tiera, stabbed him, slicing his arms.

The participant disappeared, killed instantly. The blond boy, his dagger covered in blood, jumped down beside them.

"That was close," he said, cleaning his dagger. "Alright, guys, that's it for today."

The group of three followed the blond boy. Tiera sniffled, sensing something.

"Master, I smell skin burning," she said.

The blond boy raised an eyebrow. "It's almost noon; no one will come out at this time. Let's follow the scent."

After a minute of walking, they arrived at a gruesome scene. A half-dead body lay on the ground, burned and withered.

"Woah!" the blond boy exclaimed. His group members covered their noses and mouths, overwhelmed by the nauseating smell.

It's skin was burned with lot of pus. It was impossible to recognise who it was. It was a surprise that he was still alive even after this much torture.

Tiera quickly killed the suffering person, ending their agony. The blond boy looked down, contemplating the scene.

"Just who did this?" Tiera asked.

That blondie circled the scene. Within just a minute something got under his feet he felt a strong burning sensation down there.

He raised his feet and called for others.

Pointing to the glass shards on the ground with some green liquid in it.

"I guess there are some witches here."

The group gasped in shock. "But isn't it dangerous to let witches enter the academy?" one of them asked.

The blond boy explained, "There are no rules against it, but the real question is, why are they entering? Witchcraft, or what they call 'Science,' is restricted. You need an official license to practice it."

The group exchanged worried glances, sensing that something sinister was brewing within the academy.

Tiera asked,"But master, why witches are doesn't normally join?"

Blonde boy replied," you don't know? Well our world is currently having two sources of power. One is Divine magic which is given only to royal bloodline and dukedom. Whereas other source is practical and recent more like it just appeared out of nowhere, that's what we call 'Witchcraft'."

"Witchcraft involves serious experiments. That's why Previous Emperor restricted it. Still there are lots of tools we are using which are invented from witchcraft."

"Then what's the issue?"

Blonde boy smiled and shook his head.

"Even I don't know why it is hates by all 4 Duke."

"Current Witches will never join ROYAL ACADEMY which is directly under the control of Emperor who banished them. If they are here, that means something big is going on."

That blonde boy looked up in sky closing his eyes, when he opened them it's colour changed to Tint like jewel and a strong wind blew in.

"This thing can be dangerous for me too. IT will be better if I hunt them down myself before they do something gruesome."