“Crush him, boss!”

“Show that poor kid from Blackwater Zone what real strength is!”

Retreating to the top of the junk mountain, the two lackeys cheered as spectators.

On the basketball court-sized open space, as flashes of green light danced around them, both boys—already entry-level mages—immediately engaged in a tussle. They kicked at each other’s stomachs and struck at each other’s heads, looking completely devoid of any magical prowess.

Rosalyn was flabbergasted. This was nothing like the epic mage battle she had anticipated; it resembled a typical childish brawl instead!

The only possible exception was that during the struggle, runic rings occasionally manifested on their skin, indicating that both had likely used some type of physical enhancement magic to boost their physical abilities, endurance, or recovery.

How does this help my learning reference…? However, they were elite students from Blacktower Middle School. Is this really the actual level of my peers? Given that I was taught by a master who is a recluse, it’s natural that I would be stronger than them…

Thinking this, Rosalyn suddenly recognized an important point she had previously overlooked: in this world, the concept of paid knowledge was extremely thorough. Any magical spells had to be purchased through legitimate channels; otherwise, one risked imprisonment if discovered.

As a result, their options as entry-level mages—both Hans and Briel—would be limited to what was available through legal means.

She, on the other hand, was different. Her teacher was incredibly profound, even in dreams, remaining a top-tier expert who generously provided her with many S-class spells. Given that, wouldn’t her power naturally be formidable?

It wasn’t that she was exceptionally gifted; it was that the spells given to her by her teacher were too powerful! Even if it were someone else who received these spells, they’d surely become formidable!

Contemplating this, Rosalyn momentarily tempered her pride and continued to observe the fight, which appeared to be nearing a conclusion—Hans had somehow learned some grappling techniques and had Briel in a lock around his neck, his veins bulging as he seemed to exert all his strength.

“Well done, brother!” Mary enthusiastically pumped her fist.

But just then, the entire junk mountain shook violently. A pillar of fire rose two hundred meters away, dyeing half the sky orange, while the shockwave sent metallic debris flying down like rain around them.

“What’s going on?” Hans asked, not loosening his grip.

Briel also became alert and instructed his lackeys, “Go check what’s happening!”

A minute later, the two skateboard-wielding lackeys returned with terrified expressions, saying, “Boss, it’s a gang! There’s a gang in a shootout here! We need to get out of here!”

“A gang?!” Upon hearing the term, Hans immediately released his hold, allowing Briel to escape his grip. As Briel stood there panting, he declared, “This doesn’t count… Let’s get out of here!”

“Doesn’t count? You’re the one who’s about to lose!” Mary remained fixated on the duel, feeling Briel was merely using this as an excuse to back out of the humiliation of using a dog crawl and bark as punishment. The most update n0vels are published on novel✶fire.net

Ignoring Mary’s scorn, Briel hopped onto his floating skateboard, preparing to leave with his lackeys and the bodyguard automaton.

However, the next moment, a loud explosion rang out as a scorching fire bullet landed directly in front of Briel and his followers, causing them to crash into one another in a frantic stop.

Rosalyn and the others looked up to see a gang member with a bare torso laughing as he looked down at the young boys and girls. He held a rune firearm, and while they weren’t sure of its class, no one doubted that he could end the lives of the children present in an instant.

“We were just planning an ambush on the Gutter Gang, didn’t expect to snag some unexpected prize, hahahaha!” the gang member laughed. His appearance was unremarkable, but he wore a peculiar outfit, covered with a layer of dark bone-like material, akin to demonic armor.

Rosalyn examined his battle armor and discerned from her recent learnings that this was likely a type of colonization body armor from Rin Duro Bio or Lingman Corporation. These armors were essentially magical creatures that could symbiotically exist with their hosts, relying on them for nutrients and magical energy, while also providing forms of protection like external armor or enhanced strength.

“I… we’re just passing through! You guys keep to yourselves, don’t involve us!”

Being locals, Hans appeared much calmer. “My father is Dr. Hoffman from Acid Street! He’s treated you before!”

“Acid Street? That’s the territory of the Skull Brotherhood! What does that have to do with our Dog Gang?” The gang member spat disdainfully.

“…Turns out it’s not you guys,” Hans said, feeling embarrassed.

“Iron Skin, what the hell are you doing? The Gutter Gang has already run off! Get over here and help!” Another gang member appeared.

This member, unlike the one called “Iron Skin,” had a right hand covered in a layer of green, plant-like skin similar to a network of veins. Among the emerald were glowing white lights tracing fine runic circles, flickering like breathing lights, resembling some form of plant-based colonization body armor.

“What’s the Gutter Gang to us? Look at these kids; they have flying boards and bodyguard automatons. They must come from wealthy families! They’re worth more than the Gutter Gang!” Iron Skin grinned widely. “Let their parents deliver money, and we could make at least 1,000,000! Let’s hit the jackpot!”

“Wow, so true!” With that, Iron Skin and Ruvel began calling their contacts through their channels, preparing for a kidnapping.

The expressions of Hans, Mary, Briel, and the others turned frantic; being caught up in a gang fight was beyond their expectations, and any attempts at resistance would be utterly futile.

“My dad is the operations director at Blacktower Pharmaceuticals! You can’t treat me like this…” Seeing more and more gang members approaching, Briel screamed, his face paling.

But…

“Damn it, Blacktower Pharmaceuticals? I’ve always hated corporate dogs, especially those from pharmaceutical companies!”

Upon hearing Briel’s words, Iron Skin’s smile grew increasingly sinister as he snarled, “Do you know how much I paid when I called up Blacktower’s medical service? I simply inquired about a stomachache online, and they charged me 8,000 for a three-minute consultation!”

Then he raised his weapon, aiming the rune firearm directly at Briel, who was already nearly fainting from fear. “You dare use Blacktower to intimidate me? I’ll kill you right now!”

“Ah—” Briel screamed instinctively, as if he had already envisioned himself being pierced by a fire bullet.

But at that moment, a gust of wind whipped through the junkyard! The wind came without warning, swirling metallic fragments and forming a barrier that obstructed their view, sending many of the ordinary gang members toppling over.

Seizing this opportunity, Rosalyn quickly grabbed Hans and Mary, telling the dazed Briel, “Let’s go!” She then picked up Briel’s floating skateboard and prepared to make their escape.

The recovering gang members naturally did not wish to let them go, but just as the wind settled, they were intercepted by the bodyguard automaton, accompanied by two red glowing runic circles manifesting in midair, shooting flames toward the gang members.

—As a youthful version of Dance of Flames, its power paled in comparison to the S-class spells Yvette had cast, but for Rosalyn, the primary goal was to provide cover for their retreat. Even if it was just for obstruction, that was enough.

At the same time, Rosalyn did not abandon her spell of Wind Control; she redirected the strong wind onto the floating skateboard, forcibly accelerating. In an instant, she propelled forward faster than the bullets fired from the rune firearms, zipping away along with Briel and the bewildered but desperately fleeing Hans and Mary, transforming into a streak of green light and vanishing behind another pile of junk.