"It's looking at me," he whispered. "Why is it looking at me?"
The creature abandoned its assault on the wall and charged directly toward them, moving with impossible speed.
"RETREAT!" the captain bellowed, shoving Noah and Elara behind him.
The guards formed a wall of steel, but Noah was afraid that it wouldn't be enough.
What if that thing tears through them like tissue paper? What do I do? Just accept death and the three hundred percent pain tolerance?
He looked at the princess next to him, who didn't seem bothered.
This girl…it's her fault, now I'm going to die in a medieval fantasy world because a princess wanted to give me a magical career pep talk. Damn it, i should have stayed in my shop.
Then Elara stepped forward, pushing past her protesting guards.
She raised one delicate hand, her expression changing from curious to deadly serious. The invisible particles around her fingers seemed to react to her touch.
The princess spoke a single word in a language that Noah's ears had never heard before.
Power surged around her.
The charging demon hit an invisible barrier ten feet from their position.
It shrieked, a sound that made Noah's teeth vibrate.
Elara made a twisting gesture with her hand. The barrier engulfed the demon and contracted, squeezing the creature until it burst.
Silence fell over their little group. The princess lowered her hand, turned to Noah, and smiled sweetly.
"And that was just a basic containment spell. First-year material. It depends on your affinity. One of my affinities is wind, and this was a basic wind spell."
Noah stared at her, then at the remains of the demon, then back at her.
"First year," he repeated weakly.
"Mmhmm." She brushed an imaginary speck of dust from her royal robes. "Though my execution was rather elegant, if I do say so myself."
The captain looked like he might cry, laugh, or possibly just resign on the spot.
"Now," Elara continued brightly, as if they weren't still in mortal danger, "about the Academy—"
A second demon, larger than the first, crashed through the defensive line at the wall. Then a third. And a fourth.
"Your Highness," the captain said, his voice pleading, "we need to leave."
This time, Elara didn't argue. She allowed herself to be moved away from the battle, dragging Noah along.
"So, what do you think? Ready to enrol?"
A smirk was on her face as she expected Noah to nod his head.
Noah, who was trying very hard not to throw up from pure adrenaline, managed to gasp. "Do you always recruit students by nearly getting them killed?"
"Only the special ones." She winked.
I sell bread. Yes, it's magical. But it's still BREAD. This princess really thinks I'm a mysterious heir of some powerful entity or something.
As they rushed through the streets back toward the castle, Noah found himself thinking of his quiet shop, his immortality protection within those walls, and the simple goal of selling enough bread to unlock upgrades.
Life had been so much simpler twenty minutes ago.
"Fine," he heard himself say. "I'll consider the Academy."
A triumphant smile emerged on Elara's face, and it was somehow more terrifying than the demons.
Although he had said that, Noah still didn't see himself enrolling in the academy within the near future. The prospect of battling demonic spiders with magic wasn't exactly on his five-year plan.
I'm fine with being a shop owner for now...
As they approached the plaza, Noah's money-grubbing instinct kicked in once again. A captive audience of royalty and guards?
When would this opportunity come again?
"Before you go, Your Highness," he called, causing Elara to pause mid-stride. "I actually have more bread back at my shop. Given the attack, your soldiers might need it."
The princess raised an eyebrow. "Are you trying to sell to me after witnessing a demon invasion?"
Noah straightened his shoulders. "I prefer to call it 'providing essential services during a crisis.' "
If they each buy one, my stock will be finished and I can earn enough to unlock my Shop Upgrade. New daily income stream!
"As you know, my bread accelerates healing by 30%," Noah pressed on. "Imagine your wounded soldiers recovering in days instead of weeks."
'She will have to buy some now…'
Elara's eyes narrowed. She glanced toward the eastern wall, where smoke still rose. "How many loaves do you have available?"
"Six, Your Highness. The usual price, three gold coins each."
A beat of silence passed....Then Elara burst out laughing.
"You really are interesting," She shook her head in amusement.
Noah's smile didn't waver. "You flatter me, your highness."
"Alright, that's twenty-one golden coins. Correct?"
Noah nodded like a pecking chicken, his spine tingling with anticipation. Six sales at once! The princess's generosity would unlock his future.
It landed in his palms with a satisfying drop. Gold clinked against gold
"James, ensure our baker returns safely to his shop," Elara commanded.
The mountain of a man bowed. "As you command, your highness."
Elara gave Noah one final, penetrating stare. "See you soon. Also, if you have something other than bread. Don't hesitate to let James know."
"Of course, of course." He nodded.
She left, heading towards the castle, leaving Noah with her intimidating guard and twenty-one gold coins.