**Scene: Central Path – Near Medicine Hall Academy**
The path between districts was usually safe. But today—something was wrong.
Rudra and Naran stopped in their tracks.
Before them stood **three monsters**, blocking the central road.
**Rudra (narrowing his eyes):**
"This is strange… monsters never appear this close to the academy. They usually stay deep in forests or mountain ranges."
Each beast radiated dark energy. One stood tall with **twisted purple horns**, while the other two—shorter and leaner—had **glowing green horns in their heads**, pulsing with dark light. Their long claws gleamed, coated in murky black aura.
Rudra (serious):
"Naran. Take one of the green-horned ones—I'll handle the other."
**Naran:**
"Got it."
With a blink, Naran vanished into shadows.
**THUD!**
He reappeared behind one of the monsters and delivered a brutal 'chop'to its neck. The beast snarled and fell forward, stunned.
But the second green-horned creature reacted fast. It lunged at Naran, both clawed hands glowing with dark spiritual power.
**Rudra:**
"Not so fast!"
He activated **Lightning Steps**, flashing in front of Naran and crossing both arms.
**⚡ CLANG!**
The dark claws collided with Rudra's **dual Lightning Blades**, pushing him backward with brute force.
**Rudra (gritting his teeth):**
"This is the first time… I've used both blades in defense."
He pushed off the ground, spun around, and **slashed downward**—cleaving the monster's head in one powerful strike.
**Rudra (breathing heavily):**
"Naran! Finish that one off!"
Naran didn't wait. With swift, clean **chop attacks**, he executed the stunned monster.
But the real threat now stepped forward.
The **purple-horned beast**, towering over the others, moved with eerie calm.
Then—**BOOM!**
Its punch crashed into Rudra's gut, sending him flying.
**THWACK!**
A spinning kick slammed into Naran, launching him through the air. He landed hard beside Rudra.
They stood up together, bruised—but grinning.
**Naran:**
"That one's strong."
**Rudra (activating elemental armor):**
"Let's see who's stronger."
Their auras exploded.
* ⚡ **Lightning surged** around Rudra's body.
* 🌑 **Shadow danced** around Naran like smoke.
The battle began.
* Rudra charged with **Lightning Blades and Lightning Steps**.
* Naran flickered in and out with **Shadow Sneak**, landing swift strikes.
* The purple-horned monster retaliated with devastating **dark claw swipes**, cracking the ground with each blow.
**After several exchanges...**
**Rudra:**
"Time to end this! FIRE FIST!"
His right arm blazed, and he unleashed a full-powered punch. The beast staggered backward.
**Naran:**
"My turn."
He formed a **Dark Sphere**—a concentrated orb of shadow and dark energy—and hurled it.
**BOOOOM!**
The explosion shook the road. Smoke filled the air.
But as it cleared… the beast was still standing.
Burned. Slashed. But alive—with only mild injuries.
**Rudra (shocked):**
"A Rank-2 monster tanked all that…"
**Naran (panting):**
"That's no normal Rank-2. We're too drained—we need to retreat."
Suddenly, the beast's **horns glowed**, and it unleashed a monstrous **roar**.
**A pulse exploded—spiritual and mental pressure slamming into both boys.**
They fell to their knees, clutching their heads.
Just when it seemed they were finished—
A **blizzard wind** swept the battlefield.
**SLASH! SLASH! SLASH!**
A rainbow-colored flash tore through the beast from all angles.
A **girl** landed between Rudra and Naran, her two **ice swords** gleaming.
**Arie (calmly):**
"Step back."
She vanished again.
Only a streak of **prismatic light** could be seen, dancing from one side to another.
She **dazzled** around the monster, cutting with **blinding speed**.
With a final strike—she appeared behind the beast.
The monster's body trembled—then **collapsed**, shredded beyond recovery.
A glowing **monster core** rolled out from the remains.
**Arie (quietly):**
"I'm Arie. I came to join Medicine Hall Academy… where is it?"
**Rudra and Naran introduced themselves.**
Rudra, still catching his breath, noticed something strange:
* A **butterfly-shaped formation mark** on Arie's wrist.
* And just above her back—he glimpsed the edge of a **dark tattoo**, quickly hidden again.
**Rudra (thinking):**
"Who... is she really?"
**Arie (smiling faintly):**
"Thanks. I'll find my way now. Hopefully, we'll meet again."
She vanished—like mist.
**To be continued...**
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