Aconitum carmichaelii-Danger and Malevolence
Hey, you're all here?"
A warm breeze blew as the girl walked towards them from the spring sunlight. She wore a pink and red magic robe, with a cream-colored bow belt around her waist fluttering gracefully with her light steps. Her dazzling golden hair fell casually down her back, and she wore a column earring in her left ear, matching Noth's. She had a red beret with a white bead on the right side. The moment she saw Noth, her blue eyes sparkled, and a charming dimple appeared on her bright and lovely face.
Contrasting this appearance, a small adorable creature, Tuan Yuan the panda, lay on her hat.
Seeing his sister, Norsimmediately broke into a cheerful smile and rushed towards her. "Good morning, my sweet Celia! My dear sister, where have you been all morning? I was so worried about you!"
He hugged his sister Celia tightly, stroking her soft hair. The heaviness he felt in the morning finally dissipated with a sigh of relief.
Ultimate siscon!
He's beyond saving! This is everyone's shared thought.
Celia Peter Panderle, the academy's darling. Almost every boy wanted to date her, but Noth, the overprotective brother, thought no one was good enough for his sister. Their closeness made everyone think they might end up together, especially since they were only adopted siblings with no blood relation. Yet, after all these years, they still called each other brother and sister.
"Dad, Tuan Yuan can't breathe!" The little panda managed to escape from Noth's hug. It patted its small backpack and slowly climbed onto Celia's shoulder.
"Tuan Yuan, you're so cute!" Norsshamelessly ruffled the panda's fur, enjoying the soft texture.
"Tuan Yuan and Celia woke up early. Dad is the lazy one!" The little panda shook its head, sighing.
It was Noth's companion spirit, having been with him since birth. But, more than Noth, it was closer to Celia.
"Good morning, Celia," Scarlett said, dragging Alex by the ear as she approached.
"Let go! My ear! It's going to come off!" Alex desperately tried to free himself from Scarlett's grasp.
Finally escaping her clutches, he jumped behind Ethan, seeking refuge and muttering, "If only you were as gentle and cute as Celia."
Seeing his defiant attitude, Ethan kindly reminded him, "If Scarlett hears that, you're dead."
"I'm not scared!" Though he said that, his actions showed otherwise.
Scarlett's temper was terrifying! Not that he was scared of her!
Watching this, Celia smiled, her dimples showing.
"The promotion ceremony is about to start. I was helping in the hall. Elder Yu asked me to call you over."
"It's almost time. Let's go. Today we officially become Star Rank," Norssaid, leading the group towards the central hall.
Magicians are divided into seven levels:
Apprentice >Null >Scholar >Insight >Star >Spirit >Tao
Each promotion requires a ceremony, with the highest elder granting the rank badge. Each level marks a significant milestone. Norsand his friends, in their twenties, being promoted to Star Rank, showed their exceptional talent.
The central hall was brightly lit, with a sacred atmosphere. Light streamed through the central glass windows, casting colorful halos on the floor. People lined up patiently, their faces filled with devotion and anticipation.
At the front, Elder Yu stood up from his chair, walked forward with an ancient magic staff carved from deadwood, and embedded with a blue magic gemstone.
The young magicians to be promoted, including Noth, Celia, Alex, Scarlett, and Ethan, wore star-shaped metal badges and walked to the elder from both sides of the crowd.
Elder Yu looked at their young faces with affection. He waved his magic staff solemnly, and starlight bathed them. A power awakened within them, marking them as Star Rank magicians from this day forward.
"May you be as free as the wind spirits, as passionate as the fire spirits, as clear as the water spirits, as steadfast as the earth spirits, and as wise as the air spirits. May the sacred power of the spirits bless you, bringing endless blessings and happiness. May your lives be filled with magic and wonder. Today, you are officially Star Rank magicians of Noying Academy! Congratulations."
As his words ended, a loud noise broke the quiet hall.
With a splatter, blood gushed from Elder Yu's mouth, staining his white robe.
Time froze, and the air filled with a metallic scent.
"Elder Yu?" A trembling student supported the falling elder, his voice filled with fear and confusion.
"What's happening?!"
Chaos erupted in the hall as people looked around in panic, trying to find the source of the noise. Elder Yu, their leader and pillar, lay on the ground, his fate uncertain. In this sudden horrific scene, their hearts were shrouded in a heavy gloom, not knowing who was behind it all.
Suddenly, several unknown individuals barged in, wielding metallic weapons, their eyes cold and devoid of kindness. The leader brandished a dazzling weapon, showing their brutality without restraint.
The second person scanned the surroundings coldly, mocking, "Wow, quite a crowd. Should we kill them all?" His tone was filled with contempt and ruthlessness, as if life meant nothing to him.
The third person impatiently said, "Enough talk! The mission is urgent! Slaughter the academy, don't you get it?"
"Who are you? How did you get in here?" Someone in the crowd tried to question, but before he could finish, he was struck by a beam of light. Blood splattered, and his screams echoed through the hall.
The intruders started attacking without hesitation, plunging the hall into chaos. Norsstepped forward, instantly creating a large protective shield to defend those around him.
"Everyone, stay calm and activate your defensive magic!"
Soon, one by one, circular protective shields appeared, temporarily blocking the attacks.
"Wow, they can block my quantum gun," the second person said, seemingly intrigued but not worried.
Norswas drenched in sweat, his eyes filled with fury, "Who are you? Why are you killing us?!"
The first person sneered, "NPC, you still have lines to say at death's door?"
NPC?
Who's an NPC??
And they have quantum guns!
This world shouldn't have such things! Why do they have them?
Their outfits are too similar to that world.
Noth's heart pounded, and his hands trembled as he cast his defensive magic.
Celia, hiding in a blind spot, extended her palm, gathering three bright beams of light into three dazzling arrows. She focused on the three assailants, waiting for the perfect moment to strike.
She drew her right hand back as if pulling an arrow.
Aim.
Fire!
The light arrows shot through the air, across the hall, towards the killers.
With a thud, the arrows struck their hearts. But instead of falling, they transformed into balls of light and quickly vanished from the hall.
The air still smelled of blood, the sight of red spreading across the central hall's floor. The fallen figures and the pervasive scent of blood reminded everyone of the massacre that had just occurred.
Terrifying!
Unbelievable events played out like illusions before their eyes, leaving an unspeakable fear.
Nors closed his eyes tightly, sensing an ominous feeling.
From today, their peaceful lives seemed to be over.