The dusk soaked in rust-colored metallic reflections as the sun melted into a golden hue on the distant horizon. As Rosalyn stepped onto the cracked pavement, the taxi lifted off behind her, startling a few seagulls scavenging through the trash.

Her gaze quickly fell upon the nearby junkyard beside the town, where abandoned magitek devices piled up like a vast mountain, resembling a colossal mechanical graveyard.

According to the townsfolk, many years ago, this area was one of Ish Island’s most prosperous regions and the island’s only port.

However, with the construction of the new port in the Tower District and the adjacent Gray Port City, Blackwater Zone’s port gradually fell into decline, ultimately becoming completely abandoned during the Silent War two decades ago.

Having been here before, Rosalyn lifted her skirt and deftly weaved through the towering piles of metallic refuse, swiftly locating a clearing hidden amidst the “mountains.”

As expected, Hans and Mary were waiting there, sitting on a metal sheet nearby, seemingly anticipating something.

“Hi~ you two, good afternoon~”

“Eh, Rosalyn, what are you doing here?” Hans looked surprised.

“Probably because you just hung up on Mom. She tracked your location,” Mary chimed in.

Like Rosalyn, Hans and Mary were in middle school—12 and 11 years old, respectively. Hans had medium-length brown hair and appeared somewhat studious, while Mary was a girl with red curls and round glasses. Though not as striking as Rosalyn, she possessed her charm.

“Aunt Susan is really worried about you two… But why did you suddenly come here without saying anything? I had no idea…” Rosalyn queried, sounding calm, though the underlying message was clear—why not invite me along for the fun?

“Today… there’s a special situation. I have a duel scheduled, and I didn’t want it to involve you…” Hans said in a hushed tone.

“A duel?”

“Here’s the thing.” Mary began explaining, “My brother and I have a few good friends at school, most of whom are from the Blackwater Zone studying at Blacktower Middle School, and we often help each other out. One of them, named Tangji, is always bullied by a guy named Briel in his class. Recently, my brother happened to witness it and intervened, but the teacher arrived too quickly, and nothing happened…”

“Originally, this issue should be Briel’s fault. He always discriminates against students from the Blackwater Zone, but since Briel’s father is an executive at Blacktower Pharmaceuticals, the teacher refused to take action, and then he challenged my brother to a fight this weekend…”

“I see.” Rosalyn nodded, realizing the situation was simple, even being just middle school feuds.

But on a larger scale, it was significant; Blacktower Middle School was located in the Tower District—a zone primarily serving employees of Blacktower Pharmaceuticals—and it was an elite school. On one side were children from slums, while on the other were children of executives. Even if the executive’s child was clearly in the wrong, teachers often mediated, which ultimately led to conflicts being settled outside of school.

In the teachers’ eyes, it was class conflict… Rosalyn quietly contemplated this new understanding.

“What about Tangji?” Rosalyn suddenly thought of someone who had not yet appeared in this situation.

“He’s just a coward; my brother helped him, but he didn’t dare to come,” Mary pouted.

“No, Tangji said his family wouldn’t allow him to come.” Hans shook his head, determination evident on his otherwise polite face, “I believe he didn’t lie to me.”

Mary opened her mouth but didn’t say anything further. She could understand Tangji’s situation. After all, her parents worked hard to ensure she and Hans could attend Blacktower Middle School, hoping they would one day work at Blacktower Pharmaceuticals and rise to the top, standing atop the Blacktower building and looking down at Ish City. Tangji’s parents undoubtedly thought the same.

For children at their age, such immense expectations could also translate into psychological pressure, causing them to become increasingly timid, always fearing they might bring trouble to their parents.

The three waited there for a while, and about ten minutes later, a somewhat disdainful voice echoed from above: “Ha! You really dared to show up, you poor brat.”

Rosalyn looked up to see a boy of similar age standing on a floating skateboard, overlooking them with a contemptuous expression.

Behind him were two scrawny lackeys and a floating mechanical construct, which only seemed to have an upper body. The glowing rune rings on its cross-section suggested it was some kind of intelligent bodyguard.

“Who’s afraid of whom? Don’t forget, my ‘Runic Studies’ grade is still higher than yours.” Hans retorted coldly.

Runic Studies was a subject that common civilians only had the chance to explore after entering the mythical university stage, making it the entry point for mages.

However, for Blacktower Middle School students, it was different. Starting from grade two, most of these middle schoolers, who were primarily children of company employees, had the opportunity to study it simply by purchasing a discounted version of the “Active Rune Group.”

Thus, Hans was in this situation, and when Mary reached the second grade, she too would face this prospect. The price of the Active Rune Group was incredibly steep, the cheapest variety costing at least 50,000 for a single dose that could improve magic power by 10 points, with diminishing returns.

“Runic Studies is one thing, but actual combat is another… poor boy, you have no idea what my punches can do.” As he slid down the slope of the junk mountain on his skateboard, Briel landed lightly.

His gaze swept past Hans and Mary, finally landing on the unfamiliar blonde girl, and he coldly asked, “Who are you? Which school do you attend? Did this poor kid bring you along for support?”

Rosalyn’s demeanor was something he had never seen in the Blackwater Zone; every move, every posture exuded a natural elegance, causing him to second-guess himself.

“I’m Rosalyn, a friend of Hans.” Rosalyn nodded slightly, “I won’t interfere in this matter, but as a condition, your conflict should not go too far.”

“Smelly woman, what an audacious tone! Who do you think you are, thinking you have the right to get involved in the boss’s affairs?”

“Just wait, and let the boss show this kid what’s what; let her see if she can handle it!”

Briel’s two small lackeys immediately shouted in support.

Briel smiled at their raucousness, seemingly enjoying this kind of vocal support.

After a pause, he turned back to Hans: “What are the rules for a one-on-one fight here?”

“Just a brawl—what rules are there?” Hans scoffed. “Just don’t use tools other than magic terminals, plain and simple.”

“Let’s add a wager: the loser will have to crawl and bark like a dog in front of everyone in the school courtyard; otherwise, it’s not interesting. You won’t be afraid, will you?”

“You think I would be scared?”

Thus, after setting the wager, they cleared an area among the mountains of junk, and Hans and Briel were about to engage in a tense duel.

Rosalyn felt nervous but, aside from worrying for Hans, she was also excited because this would be her first time witnessing a mage in action outside of her teacher. It would provide her, as a new mage with two years of training, a valuable reference for gauging her level relative to her peers. Thᴇ link to the origɪn of this information rᴇsts ɪn Nove1Fire.net