Askan’s forehead was furrowed and he was taking ragged breaths.

I could feel the life fading from his golden eyes.

“What the hell is this!”

Someone screamed at the sight of the fire that had suddenly been created in the air.

Even in pain, I managed to stay focused.

I wasn’t sure about the others, but the fire that Askan had created was not extinguishing. If it continued this way, the academic festival could be ruined.

Moreover, there would need to be an explanation and accountability for Askan, who had caused this, and how he obtained such power.

“I’ll…kill them…”

When Askan moved his lips, a white breath rose, even though it was not cold weather.

I knew instinctively without anyone telling me.

If I don’t stop Askan now, it will be too late.

I quickly wrapped both hands around Askan’s cheek and turned his head to make eye contact with me.

“Askan, Askan!”

His deep golden pupils had darkened. I could only desperately shout before he attacked someone.

“Snap out of it! You can’t go berserk like this!”

If Askan lost his sanity, it wouldn’t just be Reyana, Shasha, Ryuren, and Kayuna who would get hurt. The people who participated in the academic festival and I were also in danger.

Moreover, if it reached the ears of the Calua Empire, I didn’t know if I would be caught by the pursuers.

But it seemed my voice did not reach Askan.

I couldn’t just sit back and do nothing. My body was in pain as if it had been beaten, and I felt like I was about to collapse any moment, but I quickly racked my brain.

‘How can I! How can I divert Askan’s gaze?’

The situation was urgent.

If Askan lost his reason and attacked Reyana and the others, or moved the flames and burned the surroundings, it would be irreversible.

Desperate, I clenched my eyes shut.

Then something came to mind.

‘My magic stone bracelet…’

I remembered the bracelet that had light magic, which I had used once before.

Because it was on my wrist right now, I could use it if I wanted to.

Without further hesitation, I lifted my bracelet and shouted.

“Start!”

Paaahhh—!

In an instant, the surroundings were filled with blinding light. It created a moment when nothing could be seen, albeit short.

Usually, light magic was used to escape, but this time it was to erase Reyana, Shasha, Ryuren, and Kayuna from Askan’s eyes.

With a desperate heart, I hugged Askan’s head in front of me.

“Askan, please, snap out of it.”

Upon my action, Askan, who had seemed about to kill everything in sight in rage, went silent without any reaction.

After a while, his hand wrapped around my waist. And he asked, as if confirming,

“……Miss?”

“Yes, it’s me.”

Askan lifted his head from my arms and looked at me. In his burning eyes, there were rage, sadness, and various emotions.

“They dare to… the lady….”

“Shh, I’m okay. As long as you’re safe. Let’s go home for now.”

From the bulging vein on Askan’s neck, I could feel that his anger had not subsided, but fortunately, he seemed to have regained his senses.

At least, I felt relieved thinking that I had stopped his rampage.

As I relaxed, the pain that I had been holding back engulfed my body.

“……Ugh!”

At my pained groan, Askan’s eyebrows furrowed without mercy.

Askan, who looked heavily injured at first glance, briskly picked me up and stood up. And he said as he quickly walked away.

“We need to see a doctor right away.”

“Wait, just a moment!”

I stopped Askan. And I looked at Reyana, Shasha, Ryuren, and Kayuna, who had gone pale at the unexpected situation, and said one by one.

“If you leak today’s incident, all of you will be charged with attacking me with psychic powers.”

At my words, Reyana, who had just come to her senses, retorted.

“When did I……!”

“Deny it. Let’s see who believes you?”

The truth was not important.

What mattered was the fact that I had been injured by Reyana’s psychic powers. The process would be made as I testified.

“Krut!”

Reyana bit her lip as if she was frustrated.

I didn’t want to leave Reyana alone as I had warned before, but I had to keep her mouth shut after witnessing Askan’s power.

The most effective way was to hold Reyana’s weakness and negotiate.

Securing safety by maintaining confidentiality was more important than blaming Reyana and her group for assaulting Askan.

Askan, who had been silently listening, stared at Leyana with a cold gaze and said.

“There’s no need.”

“What…?”

“If something like this happens again, I’ll kill them all.”

“…!”

I had no choice but to stare at Askan with startled eyes.

I knew that Askan was hiding his power to avoid the pursuit of the Kalua Empire. I didn’t expect him to openly threaten someone like this.

Startled, I opened my mouth as Askan turned his body, holding me in his arms. Leyana was no longer in my sight.

He stared at me with eyes full of warmth and spoke in a lower voice than usual.

“I won’t let you get hurt again.”

“Askan…”

“I won’t forgive anyone, no matter who they are.”