My Family in the Novel?

Chapter 169: First Act 38: Hero's Arrival

"Woah~ calm down, lady, you're going to kill this kid at this rate, fufu~"

"Please—help me...!"

Elaniel snickered, her amusement evident as she observed the agitated Siena. As the only grandmaster of this world, Siena's released aura reached an unprecedented level, engulfing most of the entire academy in its oppressive grasp.

Having felt Siena's power before, Elaniel couldn't help but notice the stark difference this time. Animosity emanated from Siena's eyes, adding a lethal edge to her already formidable aura.

The intensity of her gaze made the air feel charged, as if a wrong move could cut through it like a blade. Elaniel, although accustomed to the grandmaster's power, couldn't shake the feeling that the situation had escalated to an entirely different level.

Yet, even amid the tension, Elaniel found herself hoping to incite an attack. She sensed that Siena, despite the fury in her eyes, might restrain herself enough to avoid harming the young girl still ensnared in Elaniel's tentacles.

Meeting Siena's gaze directly, Elaniel continued to smile, her demeanor seemingly unaffected by the escalating confrontation.

With a deliberate motion, Elaniel removed the white mask covering her face, revealing features that were as enigmatic as they were alluring. The smirk on her lips persisted, undeterred by the escalating tension.

Her thought wondered how much she would adapt if she ever survives an attack from grandmaster like her.

"Much better~" Elaniel remarked, her fingers gently touching her face as she assessed her condition, feeling a slight stiffness.

She then gracefully seated herself in the chair, her demeanor composed and seemingly unfazed by the escalating tension in the room.

Siena, her hands still firmly gripping the handles of her sword.

"You—what exactly do you want?" Her hands trembled slightly as she sought any potential openings that Elaniel might inadvertently reveal.

Siena had carefully calculated the power of her attack to ensure it would only blast Elaniel away without causing any harm to the young girl still ensnared in the tentacles.

Now, her focus shifted to identifying a gap in Elaniel's defenses to press forward with her strategy.

Despite the brewing conflict, Siena refused to let go or lighten the aura she released.

Elaniel had warned her about the potential danger to the kid due to the immense pressure, but Siena's precise control over her aura demonstrated her mastery.

She ensured that the child would only experience a minimal fraction of the overwhelming force she exuded.

This level of control showcased Siena's unparalleled skill, proving her dominance over the manipulation of aura.

"Again, with that useless question... I told you already I'm here to cause chaos~! What about you, what are you doing here? I never thought a master such as you would have any reasons to visit this academy. Are you planning to become a professor?"

Elaniel replied, a hint of annoyance in her tone. She then casually reached out with one of her tentacles, effortlessly grabbing a teapot and two tea cups.

As the two women locked eyes, a silent battle of wits and strength unfolded. The tension between them remained palpable, never dissipating, even though Elaniel adopted a nonchalant demeanor.

Her gaze held a certain amusement, and she made slight, calculated stares at Siena's face, her impeccable smile never wavering. It was a game, a waiting game for Siena to make a move.

'If she makes even one mistake, just one opening.... She's dead!'

Siena, however, was equally composed. Her eyes were sharp, actively seeking opportunities to gain an advantage over her enigmatic adversary.

.....

Emerging from the dungeon, I couldn't help but whistle at the horrifying scene unfolding before me.

Houses and buildings were engulfed in flames, blood rained from the sky like a macabre shower, and the desperate cries of people filled the air.

Monsters attacked relentlessly, and battles erupted in every conceivable corner. Inside and outside buildings, clashes were born from the chaos that gripped the entire area.

Gazing upward at the bloody sky, I noticed high-ranking magic and combat professors engaging in fierce battles against Elaniel's demons.

Despite being outnumbered, the professors seemed to be holding their ground.

As I observed more closely, I sensed a subtle yet dense divine energy emanating from them. Following its source, my eyes caught a group of priests and paladins in the distance.

"It would be quite painful for me though..."

.....

"What should we do?"

"Shouldn't we also help out?"

"Ahh, I want to go home!"

"Why aren't the professors back yet?"

As the students voiced their concerns and frustration, Euphemia could only sigh in response.

She looked at the group with a mixture of annoyance and understanding as she continued to work on brewing a series of potions.

The scarred faces of the students grated on her nerves, and she couldn't help but feel irritated by their constant complaints.

Initially engrossed in her usual experiments in her personal lab, Euphemia's peaceful day had taken an unexpected turn.

A slew of events unfolded, thrusting the academy into a state of emergency.

Estelle Hall, being the most magically defended structure, had become a temporary shelter for random individuals from the commercial district and students alike.

The academy's training facilities now served as temporary bunkers, with every available room occupied, including Euphemia's private lab.

Despite the inconvenience, she had no room to complain. Even with her average magical skills, she sensed the unfolding events outside, detecting a demonic presence just beyond the doors.

As the students grumbled and yearned for normalcy, Euphemia worked diligently on her potions.

The urgency of the situation required her to set aside personal grievances and focus on aiding those around her.

The distant sounds of chaos reached her ears, a constant reminder of the perilous circumstances surrounding Estelle Hall.

Euphemia's irritation with the students was overshadowed by a sense of responsibility.

While the desire to return to her usual experiments tugged at her, she knew that she needed to contribute to the collective effort to weather the storm.

Although she didn't want to believe it, the reality was undeniable—demons had invaded the academy, the very heart of the continent.

Suppressing her fear, Euphemia tried to calm herself, desperately hoping for the return of the professors. However, her brief respite was shattered by a sudden, blood-curdling scream that echoed through the halls, sending shivers down her spine.

"Graaagh...!!!" The dying scream just outside the door intensified the panic among the students inside. Some cast reinforcement magic on the already strengthened door in a desperate attempt to fortify their sanctuary.

Amidst the chaos, loud steps approached, growing louder until they were just outside the door.

A collective shiver ran down the spines of everyone as they waited in fearful anticipation. The steps came to a halt, and a tense silence enveloped the room.

"...."

Then, a sudden knock shattered the silence.

"Knock...! Knock...!"

The sound interrupted their confused thoughts, freezing them in place. An uneasy hush filled the room before a familiar voice called out, breaking the tension.

"Euphemia, are you here?"

All eyes turned to Euphemia as the voice outside identified her. Despite the fear that had gripped her moments ago, a smile formed on her lips.

"Adrian...?" she whispered, disbelief mingling with relief.

"Yes, can you let me in? We need to get out of here"