In the dry open air, deep within a dense forest, a group of ten traveled swiftly from branch to branch with minimal breaks. They had been moving for nearly two days straight.
Leading the group was a medium-height, square-chinned man with curly hair, hazel eyes, and a stocky build. Dressed in a plain turquoise gi, the Hidden Cave scout known as Bookie posed as the group's traveling sensei.
Zeke and the other eight followed close behind, all wearing matching attire.
After receiving their final mission briefing, along with new clothing and supplies, they had descended from the mountain and begun their journey toward the Martial Alliance.
Suddenly, Bookie halted atop a massive tree branch.
Raising a hand, he silently signaled everyone to stop.
The group gathered around him without question.
Looking into the distance, Zeke instantly understood the reason for his caution.
Far below, a confrontation was unfolding.
"Protect Lady Amber with your lives!"
A crimson-cloaked mage shouted while standing before an elegant carriage.
Five mages armed with personalized wands formed a defensive perimeter around it.
Across the open field stood dozens of armored men carrying swords and axes.
They looked eager for blood.
Standing at their center was a bald elderly mage wearing black robes.
His pale face carried a smug expression.
"As a fellow mage, I would prefer this matter remain peaceful," he called out. "Step away from the carriage and surrender, and I promise to spare your lives."
Despite being vastly outnumbered, Amber's guards showed no signs of hesitation.
Their leader stepped forward.
"We would sooner die than abandon our duty as proud servants of the Zeal Family!"
His men roared in agreement.
The bald mage chuckled.
His yellowed teeth gleamed beneath the sunlight.
"Interesting."
His eyes drifted toward the carriage.
"Does that same loyalty extend to the Zeal Family's greatest disappointment?"
The atmosphere instantly darkened.
Several guards clenched their jaws.
Before anyone could respond—
BANG!
The carriage door burst open.
A young woman leapt onto the roof.
Scarlet-peach hair danced in the wind.
Steel-red eyes burned with irritation.
She raised a wand engraved with golden moths and pointed it directly at the enemy.
"I've heard enough."
Her voice carried surprising authority.
"Tell me, old man. Where does a third-rate mage and his collection of lapdogs find the courage to bark in my presence?"
Several guards immediately panicked.
"My Lady!"
"Please return to the carriage!"
Amber ignored them completely.
The bald mage merely smiled wider.
"Excellent. If it isn't the failed bastard daughter of—"
"Ignite!"
Amber interrupted him.
A torrent of flames erupted from her wand.
The inferno surged across the battlefield like a tidal wave.
"I told you."
Amber narrowed her eyes.
"I was done listening."
The flames continued to rage.
Trees blackened.
Grass turned to ash.
Heat distorted the air itself.
Then—
A voice emerged from within the fire.
"I'm afraid you'll have to endure my company a little longer."
The flames parted.
The bald mage remained completely unharmed.
So did every man standing behind him.
Around his neck hung a glowing violet gem.
Dark light spread outward in a diamond-shaped barrier.
Amber's confidence immediately faltered.
"How...?"
The attack of a Fourth Circle Mage had accomplished nothing.
For the first time since leaving home, doubt crept into her heart.
The old man laughed.
"Allow me to introduce myself."
He gave a shallow bow.
"Purple Tear. Ranking member of the Dark Arts Coalition."
Amber's expression changed instantly.
The Dark Arts Coalition.
One of the Five Powers ruling the Eastern Continent.
Alongside the Martial Alliance, Divine Empire, Red Tower, and Blue Tower.
Unlike the others, the Coalition welcomed mages and cultivators whose methods had been condemned by the rest of society.
Renold tightened his grip on his wand.
"If you know who Lady Amber is, then you should also understand the consequences of touching her."
Purple Tear shrugged.
"Normally, yes."
His smile widened.
"However, we received permission."
"Impossible!"
Renold shouted.
Purple Tear's eyes hardened.
"Believe whatever comforts you."
He raised a hand.
"Kill the guards. Capture Lady Amber alive."
The attackers immediately charged.
Renold reacted without hesitation.
"Fire!"
Several Fourth Circle mages unleashed Flaming Volley simultaneously.
Dozens of blazing fireballs crashed toward the advancing enemy.
The attackers flinched.
Then relaxed.
Dark barriers formed around each of them.
The magical rings on their fingers resonated with Purple Tear's necklace.
Every spell was blocked.
"Advance!" Purple Tear ordered.
The attackers surged forward.
Renold gritted his teeth.
"Flaming Curtain!"
Four mages combined their mana.
A towering wall of fire erupted between both forces.
For a moment, it worked.
Then figures slowly began emerging from the inferno.
Protected by Purple Tear's artifact.
"Shit..."
Renold immediately ordered one guard to escort Amber away.
Unfortunately—
"I refuse!"
Amber raised her wand.
"Fire Arrow!"
A massive spear of flame erupted forward.
The attack tore through the Flaming Curtain and shot directly toward Purple Tear.
The old mage didn't move.
The dark barrier met the spell head-on.
The collision shook the battlefield.
Still—
The barrier held.
Amber's heart sank.
Then something unexpected happened.
A blurred figure suddenly appeared beside Purple Tear.
A flash.
A slash.
The necklace vanished.
At the same moment—
Amber's Fire Arrow finally shattered the weakened barrier.
BOOM!
Purple Tear was launched backward.
Half his men were instantly engulfed by flames.
Screams echoed throughout the field.
Without the necklace's protection, they burned alive.
The remaining attackers froze.
Nobody understood what had happened.
Purple Tear staggered to his feet.
His robe was scorched.
Ash covered half his face.
Frantically, he searched his chest.
"No..."
His eyes widened.
"No, where is it?"
A calm voice answered him.
"Looking for this?"
Everyone turned.
Standing where Purple Tear had been moments ago was a bronze-skinned boy wearing a turquoise gi.
A torn black cloth covered his eyes.
Dangling from his hand was the stolen necklace.
A grin spread across his face.
Purple Tear nearly exploded.
"You little bastard!"
His composure finally shattered.
"Do you have any idea who you're interfering with?!"
"Not really."
The masked boy shrugged.
"From where I'm standing, you just look like a bunch of thugs bothering a lovely young lady."
Amber blinked.
Then immediately looked away.
A faint blush touched her cheeks.
Meanwhile, Purple Tear nearly suffered an aneurysm.
The surviving attackers charged toward the boy.
"Out of our way!"
"By all means."
The masked boy smiled.
Lightning erupted around him.
CRACK!
He vanished.
One heartbeat later—
He appeared behind them.
The attackers stopped running.
Confused expressions spread across their faces.
Then every single one collapsed.
Their hearts had been destroyed instantly.
Silence overtook the battlefield.
Even Purple Tear looked horrified.
'Damn it.'
His instincts screamed.
'This kid is dangerous.'
Without hesitation, he turned to flee.
"You little monster!"
Purple Tear shouted while retreating.
"You'll regret this! Amber Zeal belongs to us!"
A cloud of dark smoke exploded around him.
When it cleared, he was gone.
Zeke clicked his tongue.
"Hey! Get back here!"
He took several steps before hearing a voice behind him.
"Wait!"
Amber.
He stopped.
Turning around, he found her staring at him.
For once, she seemed unsure of what to say.
Seeing her struggle, Zeke took the initiative.
Reaching into his pouch, he tossed something toward her.
Amber caught it.
A golden bracelet.
"If you ever find yourself in trouble again, use that."
He smiled.
"I'll come running."
Amber stared at the bracelet.
Then back at him.
"What should I call you?"
Zeke paused dramatically.
Then grinned.
"The Masked Panther."
Amber's heart skipped a beat.
Without another word, he turned and sprinted toward the horizon.
Disappearing into the forest moments later.
"The Masked Panther..."
Amber whispered softly.
Her fingers tightened around the bracelet.
For reasons she couldn't quite explain, she found herself smiling.