AVELINE "WHY IS THERE A MONSTER HERE?!" I shouted in disbelief, my heart pounding in my chest. The familiar yet horrifying sight of the creature before me sent a wave of anxiety surging through me.

"IN POSITION, EVERYONE!" Sir Derrick's voice rang out, sharp and commanding, as he quickly instructed the knights to form a defensive line.

I could hardly focus on the knights; my mind was racing, trying to piece together what was happening. This monster was unlike the ones I had fought in the North—there was something off about it. It looked similar, but the energy radiating from it felt... wrong. Why is it only coming for me?

"This monster looks like the ones from the North, but the aura they emit is different. It's definitely hostile towards you, my lady," Sir Edward shouted from behind me, his sword drawn, ready for battle.

I nodded in acknowledgment, trying to control my breathing. I had fought creatures like this before, but the sense of malice in the air now was palpable. Something wasn't right about this situation. And it wasn't just the creature—it was everything. It was as though it was being drawn to me.

"There's more coming. A bigger one!" I shouted, my instincts kicking in as I spotted the next wave of monstrous forms beginning to materialize. They were larger, more menacing, and their eyes glowed with an unnatural intensity.

The air seemed to ripple with their presence, their forms warping the very space around them. My body tensed, ready for action.

"My lady, are you ready?" Sir Derrick's voice cut through the tension, steady and composed.

I glanced back at him, then at Sir Edward and the rest of the knights. They were all poised for battle, ready to protect me. I took a deep breath, steadying myself. I couldn't let my fear control me—not when I had so many depending on me.

"I'm ready," I said, my voice firm.

I raised my hand, focusing my energy into the magic that surged within me. My fingers twitched, the heat of fire beginning to crackle in the air around me. I focused on the monsters in front of me, summoning a small, concentrated tornado of fire. With a swift motion, I hurled the blazing vortex at the nearest creature.

The flames engulfed the monster, searing it in an instant, reducing it to ash. The monster screeched before vanishing into nothingness, its form dissipating as the fire consumed it.

"It's not hard to deal with, but the vibe really feels different," I said, my breath coming out in ragged bursts as I observed the remnants of the creature. Something about it didn't sit right with me. The monsters I'd faced in the North never felt targeted, but these... these felt like they were specifically drawn to me.

Sir Edward nodded grimly. "We should be careful from now on. This may be more than just a random encounter."

I glanced toward the crowd, spotting the spectators and realizing they had been watching the entire exchange. Their cheers rang out, a mix of awe and excitement. They must've been impressed by how quickly I had dispatched the creature, but I knew better. This wasn't over yet.

Why are these monsters targeting me? Who is behind this? My thoughts swirled as I surveyed the area, keeping a careful watch on the horizon for any more creatures that might emerge.

The air was thick with tension as the knights remained on alert, but I couldn't shake the feeling that something far more sinister was unfolding.

***

EMILIA "AH!" Lady Margaret groaned weakly, her face pale as she leaned against me for support.

"Are you okay, Margaret?" I asked, my voice laced with concern as I helped hold her steady, though I could feel the frustration bubbling inside me.

"I'm fine," she said, wincing as she straightened herself, "but it's the side effect of using dark magic. It's not something that can be avoided, unfortunately."

I sighed, my mind racing. Dark magic... I had always known Margaret had some dangerous tendencies, but to this extent? She had used it to summon monsters, and it had clearly taken a toll on her.

"Ugh. I did not know that brat had magic powers. How the hell did that happen?" I complained, still seething. "Isn't she supposed to be a good-for-nothing brat? How is she capable of this?"

Lady Margaret straightened herself, her eyes sharp despite the evident strain from the magic. "That's enough, Emilia. Now that we know she has abilities, we must be careful. She's really not someone to mess with anymore. Let's head back for now."

Her words snapped me back to reality. As much as I hated it, Margaret was right. Aveline wasn't the helpless noblewoman I thought she was. Her magic was more powerful than I could have imagined, and it would be foolish to underestimate her again.

"Yes," I said quietly, reluctantly agreeing. I helped Margaret steady herself as we began our slow walk back toward the pavilion.

The atmosphere between us was thick with tension as we walked. I could hear the cheers from the crowd, the sound of the competition continuing, but I couldn't shake the feeling that everything had just become more complicated. Aveline was no longer just the adopted daughter of Duke Edric; she was a force to be reckoned with.

The more I thought about it, the more I realized that our plans for revenge were going to need some adjustments. There was no way we could allow her to get ahead of us again. But how could we defeat someone with such power? That was the question that haunted me as we walked back in silence.