An enormous shimmering portal appeared at the base of the hill, its light casting a surreal glow over the gathered sorcerers in the painting world. They all quickly formed five lines, each brimming with resolute faces ready to confront the demon threat.
Andrew was in the middle of one of the lines, surrounded by Princess Isabella's entourage. He could vividly feel the tension rising as they approached the portal.
Layton Thorn, Gregory Thorn, Helen Galahad, Thomas Drake, Eleanor Ravenswood, and the twins, Clara and Lauren Blackwood, were all beside him. Their collective presence radiated formidable mana fluctuations, showcasing their powerful lineage, training, and sorcery.
Meanwhile, the sorcerers continued stepping through the portal five at a time, their forms vanishing into the shimmering light. When it was Andrew's turn, he felt a brief disorientation, like being momentarily untethered from reality.
