Rin stirred woke, her bloodshot pink eyes snapping open to a bone-rattling roar. An orc crashed to the ground, its chest cleaved by a silver sword that burned with radiant mana, blood pooling beneath it.
She's still laying on the ground, her bruised, blood-streaked body shivering under a warm blanket.
Pain seared her every breath, but her gaze locked on the figure above the orc—Volkhardt, the council president.
His sword dripped red, and his eyes met hers. "Stay put, Miss," he said, voice steady as steel. "Advance team's moved already. Won't be long to break this dome."
Volkhardt's voice softened, a rare warmth breaking his stoic mask. "You got the students to the dome's edge, kid. You're a damn hero." Her lips twitched into a weak, triumphant smile, relief flooding her battered frame.
At the Forest's center.
