The peace of the valley was shattered one evening when a group of armed men approached the sect. They were mercenaries hired by a nearby martial sect to investigate the rumors of magic.
Their leader, a burly man with a scarred face, sneered as he looked at Jihoon and his disciples. "So, you're the one playing at being a sect leader. Teaching parlor tricks, are we?"
Jihoon stepped forward, his expression calm but firm. "Magic is no trick. Leave now, and you won't regret it."
The mercenaries laughed, drawing their weapons. "You've got guts, I'll give you that. But let's see how your magic holds up against steel."
Arin and Daehyun tensed, ready to fight, but Jihoon raised a hand to stop them. "Let me handle this."
He raised his other hand, and the air around him crackled with energy. With a single gesture, he summoned a wall of fire that separated them from the mercenaries. The flames roared, their heat forcing the attackers to retreat.
"Leave," Jihoon commanded, his voice echoing with authority. "And tell your masters that magic is here to stay."
The mercenaries fled, their arrogance replaced by fear. Jihoon turned to his disciples, his expression serious. "This is just the beginning. The martial sects won't tolerate us, and they'll send stronger forces next time. We need to be ready."