<h4>Chapter 59: Simp Training Gone Wrong</h4>


    <strong>****************</strong>


    <strong>Chapter 59</strong>


    <strong>~Valerie’s POV~</strong>


    No, it wasn’t.


    I got to my feet, panting. My instincts were screaming, and Astra still hadn’t said a word.


    That was the scariest part.


    Suddenly, I heard a rustle, then light footsteps. They were too calcted and silent.


    I turned my head just slightly, my eyes narrowing as I caught the subtle shimmer of movement just beyond the misty tree line. And then they stepped into view—three figures, emerging from the fog like predators.


    One look at them and I knew they weren’t cadets, even though they tried to dress up like one. They were no one I recognised.


    They wore darkbat gear that resembled PSA training uniforms, but not quite.


    These were sleeker, heavier and more custom-made to suit some of their weapons. Their faces were partially hidden behind ck masks that covered their mouths and noses, leaving only their cold eyes exposed.


    Each of them held a weapon, but they weren’t school-issued.


    These were definitely not students.


    The smallest detail gave them away. No guild emblems in their gloves either.


    My fingers curled tighter around the hilt of my de as I shifted into a defensive stance.


    "Who are you?" I asked firmly.


    I got no answer.


    Erik, behind me, tensed. "Something’s wrong. These guys aren’t from here."


    No shit.


    Then one of them raised his hand and gave a quick, sharp gesture—like a signal.


    At once, they moved swiftly, faster than they had any right to.


    The first one lunged toward me with a de in each hand, shing horizontally at chest height. I bent low, the tips of his des barely grazing the top of my shoulder.


    I twisted and retaliated with a backwards strike to his side, but he spun away with inhuman speed and caught my leg.


    Just as he tried driving the dagger into my skin, I lifted myself and threw the other leg at his face. Quickly, he let go, dodging my attack.


    The second attacker came from the left,unching a projectile—some kind of dart or needle. I pivoted hard, the dart slicing through the strands of my hair as I ducked and rolled,nding on one knee.


    The third stepped forward calmly, hand glowing with a faint red energy. Magic. Fae or witch. I wasn’t sure which angle he came from.


    But that was the least of my problems, seeing how strong his magic was.


    He raised his arm and fired a st directly toward me, but I threw myself to the side behind a tree trunk. Thankfully, Erik hid himself quickly, giving me a better chance to fight without him in the way.


    The st hit the bark, splitting it in half with a sharp crack. Wood and splinters exploded around me.


    Erik cried out and scrambled backwards, away from the wreckage.


    "Get out of here!" I shouted, not taking my eyes off the masked intruders. "Find an instructor—anyone!"


    "I—I can’t just leave you!"


    And here I thought he was reasonable. Urgh. I nced in his direction briefly, letting him see the seriousness in my eyes. "You’ll just slow me down!"


    His footsteps hesitated, then I heard them retreat.


    One down. Good.


    I sprang forward, de swinging in a wide arc toward the nearest masked figure. He blocked with his forearm guard as sparks flew and shoved me backwards with brute force.


    My back hit the forest floor hard, knocking the air out of me.


    The other two closed in quickly.


    I scrambled to my feet just as one of them swept low for a leg strike. I jumped, flipped over him, andnded behind them. I aimed a solid kick to the ribs of the one closest to me. The blow connected, and he stumbled sideways with a grunt.


    Good.


    But the moment I thought I’d gained the upper hand, the masked magic-user lifted both palms. Two burning sigils pulsed beneath his gloves, and then he mmed them into the ground.


    A wave of energy shot out from the impact point like ripples in a pond—except this pond wanted to swallow me whole.


    I tried to leap away, but the energy caught my foot midair and twisted it sideways.


    "Urrgh!" I tried to swallow the pain as I crashed to the ground again, hard, and rolled just in time to avoid a dagger being driven into the spot where my throat had just been.


    "Damn it," I hissed under my breath, pushing myself up again, blood dripping from a scrape on my arm.


    I gritted my teeth and went low, sweeping a leg toward my attacker. He jumped over it easily, but I twisted mid-motion, swinging my elbow into his stomach. He staggered. Not enough. I shed upward with my de, catching the edge of his gear.


    His armour smoked where the de touched. Definitely not school gear, as if I needed another reminder.


    But it was quite clear what their mission was at this point. They weren’t just here to test me. They were here to take me out.


    And I was losing. Not because I was weak. But because this wasn’t a test.


    It was a hit in a test—a goddamn setup.


    The red-magic guy fired again—faster this time. I barely dodged to the side in time before the st ricocheted with a scream of energy.


    Still, it sent me skidding back, boots tearing the forest floor, breath ragged in my throat.


    I bent low again, ready for a counter—when suddenly the air behind me shifted. A pressure drop.


    Magic again.


    Stronger.


    A spell charged in the wind, humming with heat. My wolf stirred finally. <i>"Behind you!"</i> Astra screamed in my mind.


    I spun, but it was toote.


    The st came fast, a glowing arrow ofpressed magical force aimed for my spine.


    And then—a glint of silver shed between me and the attack. A blur of motion cut through the smoke. Steel met magic mid-air.


    And the st exploded in a shower of sparks.


    By the time my vision cleared, I saw him. Silver hair with purple streaks at the base. Xander.