Chapter 12: The Aftermath of the Collision
The sound of thunderous impacts shook the air as two more mana leopards, their bodies a blur of dark blue mana patterns, charged into the scene. They collided with Lady Emma's barrier, unable to halt their incredible speed. The impact was deafening. Raven could barely react in time, his instincts screaming at him to protect Elara.
Without thinking, he cast a small wind dome around the two of them, just as Lady Emma's barrier exploded into fragments, disintegrating in a flash of bright light. The shattering of the shield sent a shockwave through the area, and Lady Emma was thrown backward, her arms twisting unnaturally as she was hurled away from the force. The collision of the leopards had caused a powerful ripple, and while the trajectory of the beasts had been altered just enough to avoid the children, the wind pressure alone was enough to toss them like rag dolls across the clearing.
Raven held onto Elara as tightly as he could, feeling the wind dome crack and falter under the strain of the forces unleashed. The two of them were flung into the air, their bodies spiraling toward the ground. Time seemed to slow for Raven as he glanced ahead—his eyes widening in horror.
A sharp, jagged rock jutted out from the earth, broken off from a larger boulder during the earlier beast tide. Lady Emma, unconscious and still flying from the impact, was hurtling straight toward it. If she collided with it at this speed, her skull would be split open instantly.
I have to do something!
With only a split second to act, Raven made a choice. His mana reserves were nearly empty, the wind manipulation spell he'd cast moments ago already draining him. But he had no time to think about that. He shifted his position mid-air, using the last remnants of his wind power to alter both his and Emma's trajectory.
It wasn't much—just a slight adjustment. But it was enough.
Lady Emma's body veered slightly off course, just enough for her head to miss the jagged rock by inches. But the movement left Raven vulnerable. His own arm was impaled by the sharp edge as he took the brunt of the impact. The pain was immediate, sharp, and excruciating as the rock punctured his skin and muscle, pinning him to the ground.
Despite the agony, Raven's lips curled into a bitter smile. He glanced at Emma, lying a few feet away, breathing but unconscious.
"An arm for a life... Not a bad deal," he muttered through gritted teeth. His mind was already racing, the intense pain clouding his vision, but he held onto consciousness. Blood was pouring from his wound, but at least Elara and Emma were safe for now.
The mana leopards, after crashing into the shattered remains of the barrier, had stumbled and slowed, their once ferocious charge interrupted by the unexpected obstacles. Raven could only hope they wouldn't regroup for another attack while he was still in this weakened state. He needed to think fast.
But as his thoughts spun, one thing was clear: survival was the only option now, no matter the cost.
The leoprd didn't try to attack them they got up and kept running away seemingly scared out of their witts.
Lady emma unconcious gets a flashback in which a man asking her " Emma you were the most talented and kind among us all why it had to happen to you". There were a few people in the room the environment felt gloomy and sad.
All the faces were sorrowful and sad.
A young lady in her mid twenties.
"It's not like I am dying its just mana poisoning Its just a regret that i won't be able to go on adventures with you guys anymore. "
A red haired girl said " Emma you..her eyes became wet as she clenched her hands " She cried .
"Don't be sad guys atleast i will be able to fullfill my dream of running an orphanage now , so cheer up".
The bulky guy said " Still a genius mage like you who reached s rank at just 24 years when the record age for s rank on the continent is 22. It's not just your loss it's humanity's loss. "
'Mi*s em.. '
'Miss emma'
"Miss emma " "Miss emma"
She wakes up to see children surrounding her while she can no longer feel her left arm, she can feel their love ,worry and care for her.
She gives the children a smile and the lightly injured caretakers help emma move and they do no waste any further time ,They all go directly to the carriage and leave the vicinity.