Frostfire Legacy

Aster's voice was soft but wasn't quiet enough to not be heard by those present. Two pairs of eyes turned toward him at the same time, a mix of surprise and wonder visible in their expressions.

"...!"

But more than that, the person whom he just called, Cassandra, had her ears twitch greatly from hearing Aster's familiar voice. She moved, standing up and turning around. Despite her eyes being covered by an ugly scabbed wound, her "gaze" went straight to where Aster was standing, as her lips trembled lightly.

"... Star...?"

Her voice was a mix of wish and surprise. After all, she wasn't expecting Aster to arrive right where she was so fast. Just a few moments ago, Lorelai and the masked man were chatting about Vanessa and Faeloria's situation, after all.

From the way they spoke, the two girls were fighting at a disadvantage, so that made Cassy think that her rescue wouldn't arrive so soon—and worried for their safety at the same time.

Aster, upon hearing Cassy calling his name, smiled. "Cassy!" He exclaimed. "I'm here to save you!"

But just as he was about to run forward, something flew across the air and embedded itself onto the floor. Looking closer, it was a dagger with beautiful relief designs—definitely not a cheap one.

"Woah, woah!" The owner of the dagger stood up, walking forward. "You must be Mr. Aster Mistral, right? The 100% human kid that Magnus was hiding?"

He had a slightly old, baritone voice, making Aster guess that his age was somewhere between 35 and 40. However, his well-toned body could be seen even over his layered clothes.

[Master... be careful. He's strong!🔥]

[I don't think I can block his attacks either. Please don't think of receiving his attacks, Master.❄]

Just from the man's presence, both Pyra and Crysta were already giving up the fight. The mana leaking out of him, although he was trying to hide it, was something that gave out his level. From the twin's guess, he was roughly the same level as Faeloria in terms of mana alone!

Aster frowned at the two's input.

The knife that the man threw was enough of a threat to him. After all, he couldn't even catch his movements. If that wasn't a warning and instead aimed right at the center of his head, then he would've died then and there helplessly!

"... What if I am?" he answered after a long pause, gauging the man's reaction.

"Hmm?" He hummed while tilting his head, his mask making it impossible to see his eyes. "Well, I was planning to kill you, but..."

"...!"

His words sent a chill down Aster's spine. The bloodlust that he exuded at the mention of the word "kill" was enough to freeze Aster on the spot!

After a short silence, the masked man shrugged with a creepy smile. "... Well, I decided to watch and see for now. I can complete my objective anytime I want to, after all."

Aster could feel the threat the masked man posed. He furrowed his brows, narrowing his eyes, as he asked him. "You... Who are you?"

"Oh! Pardon me."

The man shuffled as he giggled before performing a perfect performer's bow toward Aster, smiling the entire time.

"You can call me Arima. And although it's not much, I'm working as the President of the Anti-Human Movement." He fluidly explained, as if he was used to doing his introduction already. "We've been in your care for a few times. Please allow me to thank you for that."

*WHOOSH!* *STAB!*

"... Ack!"

Another knife flew at speeds that couldn't be tracked by Aster's eyes. Before he realized it, the blade had already embedded itself against his left arm, the impact sending his entire body rolling along the ground.

Rather than receiving a knife, he felt as if he had just been smacked by a speeding truck!

"Haha, let's call it even with this."

The man laughed as he returned to his seat. As he sat down, he picked up his teacup once more—although already cold—and finished the remaining in one go.

"Star!" Cassy, smelling the blood that was drawn, raised her voice in worry.

"Secundi—!"Nôv(el)B\\jnn

*Snap!*

And just as she was about to send a heal his way, the masked man snapped his fingers, interrupting her casting process. "Ah, please behave, little lady. I might be forgiving, but I'm no saint."

Aster bit his lips as he grabbed the knife—embedded through his left hand's biceps until the hilt—and pulled it out. A mute scream of pain escaped his lips as he did, but he didn't let the pain get the best of him.

Without delay, he grabbed a potion from his Fanny Pack and downed the content in one go. Although it wasn't as fast as Cassy's healing spells, his wound still started to close up. The pain remained in his mind, but it wasn't enough to stop him from moving now, at least.

Aster crawled back to his feet, standing wobbly. "Lorelai..." He called, facing the only other person apart from the masked man, Arima, and Cassy. "I'm taking Cassy back," he announced, his voice sounding as if he was not taking a no for an answer.

Lorelai glanced at Aster, her eyes already showing the multi-pointed star-shaped pupils. She stared at him intently but quickly sighed.

"My eyes aren't working on you, as expected." She murmured as if grumbling. "But that isn't a reason for me to return Cassandra to you."

*THUNK!*

Without warning, Lorelai waved the long staff in her hands and tapped its butt against the floor. The sound echoed widely, reaching Aster soon after.

"I still need her for my plans, so just piss off."

Aster closed his eyes, calming his mind. The pain from his earlier wound had already faded—to add, the masked man didn't seem to plan to interrupt the two's fight.

"Alright." Aster nodded. "Then, I'll take her back by force!"

He drew his sword before covering it with electrifying arcs of lightning. Aster was planning to go all out right from the start!

Lorelai's expression remained cold and flat, not even batting an eye at Aster's declaration. She simply stared at him and called.

"Aster, if you show me that you are strong enough, I might reconsider."