The broom beneath Dila suddenly jolted... a sharp, violent shudder that ran up her legs to her chest. Her eyes widened in confusion as the handle began to vibrate uncontrollably, humming with an unstable pitch that pierced through the howling wind.

Then...

BOOM!

A blinding flash burst behind her, the sound splitting the sky. The explosion swallowed the air, a wave of scorching heat slamming against her body. Dila screamed as the broom erupted into fragments, flames scattering in all directions like sparks from a dying star. The blast threw her violently forward, her body flung high into the open air.

The world turned upside down.

For a second, everything slowed—the sky above shimmered white, clouds spinning like whirlpools around her. Her vision flickered... and then, as instinct or fate willed it, a soft light enveloped her body.

A translucent shell of blue energy shimmered across her skin, wrapping around her like glass water. Cascade Barrier... activated in time. The protective layer formed just as her body spun in midair, saving her from the worst of the explosion's flames.

But even then, the shock rattled her mind. The force had knocked the breath out of her lungs. Dila's head spun, her eyelids fluttered weakly... and then everything began to fade.

She drifted downward, limp and weightless, like a broken doll falling through the sky. Her silver-white hair scattered above her, glimmering faintly in the light as she descended. Her broken broom, still aflame, spiraled separately beside her, its burning wood trailing smoke as it plummeted toward the forest below.

Far beneath, Professor Galahad's eyes widened in horror. His breath caught, heart pounding as he caught sight of her falling from the heavens.

"Princess Dila!" he shouted, his voice breaking through the storm.

He immediately leaned forward on his broom, channeling all his mana into it. The air split behind him, his cape whipping violently as he surged upward through the clouds. The cold air bit into his face, but he didn't care.

☆ Master... master, please respond... ☆

Nari's voice echoed weakly inside Dila's mind. But there was no answer.

Her head tilted slightly, eyes half-lidded, face pale and still.

☆ This is bad... this is bad...! ☆ Nari's tone trembled, the glowing display in Dila's sight flickering with red system lines. ☆ The Cascade Shield can't handle this long fall... the impact... the shockwave will shattered her bones ☆

Static filled her voice.

Dila continued falling, spinning slowly through the air, her faintly glowing barrier flickering as cracks began to form along its surface like fragile ice like under strain because she was unconscious, to maintain the passive barrier.

The professor's eyes narrowed in desperation as he rose toward her—her small figure dropping fast against the roaring winds. He gritted his teeth, pushing his broom to its limit.

"Hold on, Princess..." he muttered, voice low and fierce. "Please... hold on."

Professor Galahad's broom cut through the wind like a streak of lightning, tearing downward toward the sea of green below. His eyes locked on Dila's falling figure.... spinning helplessly, her hair fluttering in silver arcs against the fading light barrier.

His heart pounded like thunder. Sweat trailed down his forehead despite the freezing air biting into his skin. Every second felt heavier.... every meter closer a race against death.

"Come on.... come on...." he muttered through gritted teeth, leaning forward hard on the broom's handle. His cape flapped violently, the air screaming past his ears as he forced every drop of mana into acceleration.

And then—he reached her.

He extended his arm, stretching with everything he had.... and his fingers finally brushed against her waist. With one sharp motion, he pulled her into his embrace, his arm curling around her fragile body as he caught her mid-descent.

For a moment, relief flickered through him—then the forest canopy rushed up to meet them.

"Hold on!" he shouted, though she couldn't hear him.

Branches snapped and whipped against them as they crashed through the treetops. The air filled with cracking wood and flying leaves.

Thick branches struck his shoulders, his face, his sides pain shot through him with each blow. "Argh! ahhh!" He grunted, shielding Dila's unconscious body against his chest as tightly as he could. Each impact cut against his uniform, leaving shallow scrapes that burned with the sting of wind and bark.

Dila's Cascade Barrier flickered faintly, soft blue light shimmering with every branch that hit, cushioning her from harm. She didn't even stir.... her expression peaceful, eyes closed, her body completely limp in his arms.

They finally broke through the last layer of branches.

Both of them slammed into the dirt below, rolling several meters through the forest floor. The impact kicked up a spray of leaves, dust, and twigs, their momentum carving a long, shallow trail through the soil.

Professor Galahad grunted as his body hit the ground first, twisting to shield Dila with his arms as they rolled. His back took the brunt of the impact.... and when they finally stopped, his back struck a tree with a dull thud.

"—Hhh!" he gasped, the air knocked from his lungs.

Silence followed, broken only by the faint rustle of falling leaves.

For a long moment, neither of them moved. Then, slowly, the professor exhaled.... his breath trembling. His body ached all over, pain radiating through his shoulders and chest, but his arms still held her tight.

He looked down.

Dila lay in his embrace, her silver hair spread across his arm, face soft and calm like she was only sleeping. Her Cascade Barrier flickered one last time before fading completely, its last shimmer dissolving into the air.

Galahad managed a weak smile, his voice hoarse. "You're... safe now... High Princess..."

He let his head rest against the rough bark behind him, closing his eyes for a moment as the sound of the wind filled the quiet forest. His body was bruised and bleeding—but she was safe. That was all that mattered.

Warm light spilled gently through the canopy, scattering soft golden rays across the forest floor. The air was quiet except for the distant murmur of leaves rustling in the midday breeze. A faint trail of broken branches and disturbed soil marked the chaos of what had just happened.

Dila stirred slowly among the fallen leaves. Her lashes fluttered open, her vision hazy. "Where... am I..." she murmured weakly. Her body ached, every breath coming shallow and slow. She raised a trembling hand and brushed her forehead, wincing softly.

When her eyes adjusted, she turned her head slightly to the right... and froze.

The warmth that surrounded her wasn't the earth's. It was someone's arm—Professor Galahad's arm.

Her heart stopped for a second. The professor was lying beside her, his back resting against a tree trunk, his chest rising and falling unevenly. His breathing was heavy, strained. The lenses of his glasses were cracked in every direction, distorting the reflection of sunlight. Through the shattered glass, his eyes were hidden completely.

"...P-Professor?" Dila's voice broke as she reached toward him. No response.

Her pulse quickened. "Professor!" she shouted, louder this time.

Still nothing. The sound echoed through the quiet forest.

Panic gripped her chest. She quickly sat up, her silver hair falling messily around her face. Her hands trembled as she touched his sleeve—it was smeared with dirt and streaks of blood. His robe was torn and scraped, and faint red lines traced across his arm and neck.

Her breath caught.

"No... no, no..." she whispered, her voice shaking. Her hands rose to her mouth, covering her trembling lips. "It's my fault... it's my fault..."

Tears began to form, blurring her sight. The warmth of the sun above only made the moment feel heavier, crueler.

Inside her mind, Nari's frail voice spoke softly. ☆ Master, please calm down... it's not your fault... there is no one to blame... ☆

But Dila didn't answer. She shook her head hard, her tears dripping down her hands as she covered her eyes. "If only I... if only I had focused properly..." she whispered hoarsely. "If only I didn't pour so much mana... this wouldn't have happened... he wouldn't..." Her voice broke again.

The forest seemed to listen in silence.

Leaves fluttered above, carrying the soft hum of wind. A beam of sunlight fell across the professor's cracked glasses, glinting faintly. Dila's reflection shimmered in them—her eyes red, wide, and full of guilt.

Nari's voice came again, more tender, worried. ☆ Master... are you okay...? Please... don't beat yourself about it Master... ☆

But Dila didn't respond. She could only stare at the still figure before her, whispering over and over, her words trembling in the quiet air.

She then ducked her head saying.

"It's my fault... it's my fault..."

Suddenly...

A faint cough broke the heavy silence.

Dila's heart jumped. She quickly turned her head—Professor Galahad's fingers twitched slightly against the dirt. Then, another cough came, harsher this time. He raised his right fist weakly to his mouth, his body trembling with each breath.

"...Are you... okay... High Princess..." His voice was rough, hoarse, like dry wind scraping against stone.

Dila gasped. "Professor!" she cried, leaning close, her hands hovering just above him, afraid to touch in case she made it worse.

He opened his eyes halfway. Though the cracks in his glasses blurred his face, she could still see a faint, reassuring smile forming on his lips. "Good... you're awake..."

His chest rose and fell with effort. Then, with a strained chuckle, he added quietly, "It looks like... I can't feel my legs... hah..." He tried to laugh, but it came out broken—half a grunt, half a cough. "Something... something's broken..."

"Don't say it casually as if nothing happened Professor!" Dila's voice shook. She bit her nails nervously, her eyes wide and glassy. "Please don't..."

The air grew heavy again, the forest too quiet except for her trembling voice. A shaft of sunlight filtered through the trees, landing across his cracked glasses, casting a fragile glow over his worn expression.

With slow effort, Professor Galahad lifted his hand slightly, trying to snap his fingers. A faint shimmer of mana flickered between them—then vanished instantly.

"Ah..." he muttered, almost amused by his own weakness. "It seems... my magical power is... exhausted, unfortunately we can't teleport." His voice was faint but calm, almost peaceful despite his injuries.

He rested his hand back on his chest, breathing shallowly. "Don't worry... the other professors at the academy will notice the mana surge... they'll find us soon." His words were slow, each syllable measured. "Might take a day... maybe less..."

Dila's eyes stayed fixed on him. She didn't move, didn't even blink for a few moments. The guilt that weighed in her chest felt unbearable—like a cold stone pressing against her heart.

The professor's calm expression only made it worse. He was hurt because of her. Because of her recklessness.

Her throat tightened as tears welled again. She wanted to say something—an apology, anything—but the words refused to come out.

The forest whispered softly around them. The breeze brushed through her silver hair, carrying faint traces of leaves and dust.

And Dila just sat there... staring at the man who still managed to smile despite his pain, her heart twisting painfully with guilt she couldn't erase.

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