Skiing demanded a remarkable amount of stamina.
Aspiring magic warriors were naturally accustod to consistent physical training, so they generally had excellent endurance.
Spending the entire afternoon skiing from lunchti until dusk wasn't out of the ordinary for them.
Swoosh!
Fla slid smoothly down the slope on her snowboard, leaping off a hill.
Her short black hair fluttered, and snowflakes scattered in every direction.
Whooosh...!!!
The rush of cold wind whistled past her.
For a mont, she felt as if she were weightless and a tingling sensation ran down her spine.
It was the kind of heart-pounding thrill only experienced by advanced skiers.
Nicknad the 'Dragon Course,' this elite track was designed for experts, complete with ski and snowboard jumps. Its exhilarating challenges were the envy of many.
While her friends stuck to beginner and interdiate courses, Fla had ventured alone to the advanced track.
She felt a slight pang of guilt about leaving them behind, but considering she had spent the entire afternoon helping them on beginner courses, she figured it was finally ti to have so fun herself.
"Hooh, I'm exhausted. I wonder how the others are doing..."
The last she saw of them was about forty minutes ago when they confidently declared they were ready for the advanced course.
Since then, there hasn't been a word.
She sotis wished for a smartphone at monts like this, but there was no real need for concern. They had already arranged to et at the lodge by 7 PM.
They weren't children, and worrying about Stella Academy students at a ski resort was ridiculous.
Although she still felt physically fine, fatigue was starting to creep in.
Fla decided to head to the lodge located at the top of the advanced course.
The interior was surprisingly spacious and styled like a café. The warm fireplace made it the perfect resting spot for those worn out from skiing.
After ordering a hot coffee, she quietly settled into a corner to rest.
That's when she felt soone's gaze.
'Is it her?'
'Yeah, I saw her earlier. She's pretty.'
'Isn't she a high schooler?'
'Who cares?'
By focusing her mana on her hearing, Fla managed to pick up bits of their conversation.
Although she wasn't a Knight Mage—specialized in enhanced senses—just hearing those few lines made their intentions painfully obvious.
Deciding it wasn't worth the trouble, she chose to ignore them.
As expected, one of them, likely in his early twenties, strolled over with a self-assured air.
"Hey, I couldn't help but notice you earlier. Looks like fate brought us together again."
Fla quickly scanned him from head to toe.
Faded blond hair, slightly tanned skin, rainbow-colored goggles that seed impossible to see through, and a mismatched ski outfit with red and blue colors clashing terribly.
'Bleached blond, tanned, and a punk?'
She never expected to encounter soone like that here.
Whether in her past life or present, Fla had never been fond of being hit on.
Her expression soured.
"Yes? What do you want?"
"Were you surprised because I suddenly talked to you? No need to be nervous. Soone like you must get hit on a lot, right?"
"Yeah. About seven tis before you showed up. All of them were taller and better-looking than you."
"Haha... Is that so?"
The punk's smile faltered, twisting ever so slightly.
Fla wasn't exaggerating. While skiing earlier, several n had approached her. She turned them all down, saying she wanted to ski in peace. However, since she was now resting in the lodge, she couldn't use that excuse anymore.
"If you get it now, why don't you just leave? I'm exhausted."
"Ah... But that's not what I ant. I'm different from those other guys. Can't you tell? I may not have the best looks, but I know how to have fun."
"Oh, really? How old are you?"
"Huh? I'm twenty."
"I'm still in high school. Maybe you should think about that."
"Co on, it's just a year or two. Besides, I'm sure I'm better than your school friends."
"Better in what way?"
"I'm an adult."
"An adult, huh... So what exactly makes you different from students like us?"
Hearing that, the punk's face lit up, as though he had finally found an opening.
"I graduated as an apprentice from the Gordon Magic Tower. I'm even about to get my Class 2 Mage Certification soon! Isn't that much better than hanging out with high school students?"
Despite his bragging, Fla's expression remained unchanged, making him scramble to add more.
"You know the Gordon Magic Tower, right? The one led by Mage Gordon? It's super famous."
"Never heard of it."
"Wait, seriously? You probably don't know because you're not a mage, but it's where one of the seven researchers who formulated the Gordon Stream Equation—"
"Good for you."
He was so pleased with himself that Fla almost admired his confidence. But the more he rambled, the more she felt her patience wearing thin. Deciding it was ti to shut him down, she leaned in slightly.
"You know?"
"What?"
"I have a boyfriend."
"Haha! I bet I'm more fun than—"
"I'm from Stella Academy."
"Wait... What? Stella?!"
Fla casually pulled out a pocket watch from her coat, the symbol of a Stella Academy cadet.
Any mage who had learned to use mana would imdiately recognize its authenticity.
"Uh... Uh..."
Completely flustered by the unexpected revelation, the punk was at a loss for words.
"Oh, and my boyfriend is from Stella Academy too."
Fla tucked the pocket watch back into her coat and casually reached for her coffee. Monts later, the punk's face flushed bright red, and he turned around and fled.
Standing before a cadet of Stella Academy - hailed as the most gifted of geniuses - his earlier boasts about a re Class 2 Mage Certification now felt humiliating.
'Sigh... How annoying.'
Getting hit on repeatedly might have been proof of her charm as a woman, but when she was out to relax, it felt more like a hassle than a complint.
'Why'd you co back? What happened?'
'I don't know. Apparently, she's from Stella.'
'Wait, what? Are you serious?'
'Oh... Now that I think about it, isn't she Fla?'
'Fla? Now that you ntion it...!'
'Ugh, how embarrassing. Did I just hit on soone famous?'
'Let's get out of here, fast.'
Fla's na and face had appeared in newspapers enough tis that people often recognized her, even if she wasn't as famous as Baek Yu-Seol.
In monts like this, it could actually be an advantage.
"Sigh."
As the group of n retreated, Fla let out another sigh.
Using her status as a Stella Academy cadet to chase people away didn't sit well with her.
"How is this any different from nobles flaunting their rank to look down on others?"
"Excuse , miss?"
Flinch.
A man's voice suddenly called out from behind her, making Fla's shoulders flinch.
'I didn't sense him coming...?'
Fla was always on alert, her senses sharp and active at all tis. Any ordinary mage should have entered her sensory range, yet this man had approached completely unnoticed.
That could only an one thing. He was a mage who outclassed her.
"... What now?"
She turned her head cautiously, only to be t by a man with a warm, disarming face and a slightly awkward smile.
Unlike the punk from earlier, this man gave off a more approachable vibe.
Adjusting his glasses with a finger, he squinted slightly and spoke.
"Haha... I know it's rude, but I happened to overhear your conversation earlier. You're a mage from Stella Academy, right?"
"And?"
Fla's eyes narrowed as she gave him a quick once-over.
His ski suit looked just a bit too loose, and he wore an odd headband that clashed horribly with the rest of his outfit.
To top it off, he had his ski goggles hung upside down around his neck, as if he didn't even know how to wear them properly.
"So... Do you happen to know a student nad Fla? I'm a big fan of hers."
Fla's lips tightened as she stared at him.
"A fan?"
Sure, it was possible.
Fla knew it herself.
Using angel magic was incredibly rare in human magical society, making her highly unique. She was also well aware that her striking beauty tended to draw attention wherever she went.
But still...
Didn't that make it even stranger?
'If he's a fan... Shouldn't he recognize my face?'
Sothing felt off.
With a cautious and slightly wary expression, Fla spoke carefully.
"That girl... I think she was skiing earlier with the beginner group. Didn't you see her?"
"Oh, really?"
"Yes. She stands out quite a bit."
"Aha, so she's your friend? Could you show where she is?"
"I... can't do that."
The mont she refused, the man's expression shifted. His smile faded, and his eyes widened, sharp and unrelenting.
"Why not?"
The sudden pressure in his voice made Fla flinch. She nearly stepped back but forced herself to hold her ground.
"It's just... She's already popular enough. I doubt she'd want even more attention here."
"Hmm, I see..."
The man stroked his chin, seemingly lost in thought, before his expression softened again. With his eyes half-closed, he flashed a faint smile.
"I understand. You Stella students really do look out for each other."
"... What do you an by that?"
"Nothing in particular. I'll just go find her myself."
With that, the man turned around and disappeared into the crowd.
"What the...?"
Even after he disappeared, an icy sensation lingered at the back of Fla's neck.
'Sothing's not right.'
The man gave off an unsettling vibe.
'I need to warn the others...'
Just then, a low rumble echoed in the distance.
... Boom!
"Kyaaah!"
"What was that? An earthquake?"
"A landslide?!"
The ground trembled beneath their feet, sending people stumbling as panic rippled through the lodge.
Though brief, the tremor felt disturbingly close.
"No way...!"
Fla's face went pale. Without hesitation, she bolted for the exit.
Her heavy snowboarding boots dragged against the ground, slowing her down and adding to her sense of urgency.
"Oh my god, what's happening over there?"
"I don't know... But isn't that the advanced course?"
Outside, a restless crowd had gathered, murmuring anxiously. All eyes were fixed on the advanced course.
'Advanced course? My friends shouldn't be there...'
For a mont, Fla almost let out a sigh of relief. Until she suddenly rembered what they had said earlier.
"... Didn't they say they were heading to the advanced course?"
There was no mistaking it.
Her friends were naturally athletic and had picked up skiing with surprising ease. Fueled by excitent, they had been eager to test themselves on the advanced course.
Boom...!!!
Before she could fully process the thought, another tremor rumbled from the direction of the course.
A massive blade of ice erupted into the sky, solidifying her growing sense of dread.
'Eisel's magic...!'
Magic of that scale was strictly prohibited in areas where civilians were present. It could only an sothing had gone wrong, forcing Eisel to use it.
Fla had to get to the advanced course—and fast.
But there was a problem. She was currently at the expert course, which was located on a completely separate peak from the advanced course.
To reach it, she would need to snowboard all the way down, then wait in line for the lift, and ride back up.
Given the chaos caused by the tremors, the lift lines were bound to be long, and any delays could cost precious ti.
"... Hey, Chicken. Are you listening?"
— Yes, Fla. We can always hear you when you call.
"I need to borrow your wings for a bit."
— As much as you need.
Flap...!
A pair of brilliant golden wings unfolded from Fla's back, shimring with radiant light.
As she shot into the sky, shimring feathers of light trailed in her wake, leaving the crowd below frozen in awe.
"Wait. Isn't that the girl from the newspapers...?"
"Yeah! Doesn't her face look familiar?"
"Isn't she that mage—Fla?"
The whispers grew louder, but Fla wasn't paying attention.
'Damn it! Why is this happening?!'
She had just wanted to enjoy a relaxing day of leisure sports with her friends and maybe surprise Eisel with a small gift.
And yet, even such simple, peaceful monts seed impossible for her.
Her golden wings cut through the icy air as she soared straight toward the advanced course.
When she arrived, she found Eisel standing amid a chaotic battlefield, just finishing off two dium-size monsters with massive spears of ice.
"Eisel! Are you okay?!"
"Huh? Fla! I'm fine!"
Eisel greeted her with a cheerful smile, casually waving her staff.
'Thank goodness...'
Fla exhaled, her shoulders loosening ever so slightly.
Nearby, a group of civilians huddled together, their faces pale and drawn with fear. But in front of them, her friends stood firm, gripping their staffs tightly as they maintained control over the situation.
"Was it a monster attack?"
"Yes. But it's no big deal. We just happened to be here, though it's pretty unlucky for the monsters."
"... Lucky for the people, at least."
What were the chances of monsters attacking a ski resort?
Fortunately, with Stella Academy cadets present, the situation was resolved without casualties.
The civilians, though still shaken, visibly relaxed after witnessing the monsters being taken down. So even let out quiet cheers.
'Yeah, it's nothing serious. Sothing like this could happen anywhere...'
"... So it was you after all."
***
A voice echoed from behind, sharp enough to send a jolt through her body. Fla spun around, her staff already raised and pointed.
"You...!"
It was that man.
His casual, almost clumsy deanor was gone. Now, he stood stiff, his narrowed eyes radiating a cold fury.
"Why did you lie? Because of you, I almost hurt innocent people."
"What...? What are you—"
"It doesn't matter anymore."
He flipped through the pages of a book he held in one hand. After seemingly confirming sothing, he snapped it shut with a loud thud and made it disappear into thin air.
'Spatial storage...?'
Fla's heart sank.
Only rare individuals like Baek Yu-Seol could use spatial magic... it wasn't sothing just anyone could do.
"Who... are you?"
"Who am I...? We live in tis where that question has beco aningless."
The man tossed aside his glasses and opened his eyes wide.
And then—
Fla froze.
The mont their eyes t, her breath stopped.
His pupils were slit vertically, sharp and narrow—like a cat's.
An uncontrollable chill shot down her spine.
"I am Alpha of Angelus. The last descendant... of the Angel Hunters."
With those words, he raised his hand and pointed a finger directly at Fla's heart.
'Danger—!'
Her instincts scread at her. She twisted her body even before she could activate a shield—
Slash—!!!
Her left wing was ripped apart.
Shredded feathers scattered through the air as pain seared through her back.
'What...?'
It had happened too fast.
Even as her body plumted toward the ground, Fla couldn't comprehend what had just hit her—or how.
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