Return of the Legendary Runesmith

"Stay calm and stay back!" Rylie barked, stepping in front of the students as he advanced toward the gym entrance.

He had been giving extra lessons, and a few others were still sparring. It was nothing out of the ordinary. After classes, various students prefer to have a light training and the exchange students were just here to get a feel of the place.

But then, suddenly the ground trembled and distant explosions echoed through the walls.

He quickly calmed the students, preparing to step outside when—

"Ah!"

A sudden gust of wind blew in, and with it, a familiar figure burst through the door.

"H-Headmistress?" Blake gasped, his voice shaky. "What happened to you... And them?"

Ariana didn’t answer right away. She gently laid Elizabeth and Rose on the ground, both of them scorched and unconscious.

"The little firecracker you all heard?" she muttered, dusting off her singed coat. "We were right in the middle of it."

Her voice rose into a sharp command, "We’re under attack! Blake—secure the other entrance, now!"

Blake snapped into action and dashed toward the far end of the gym.