Dark clouds veiled the moon, twisted silhouettes of trees cast eerie shadows, and the air was thick with the scent of blood and smoke. The forest path had become a battlefield, littered with the fallen. A brutal clash had taken place here, and the outcome was clear.

But among the dead, one still breathed.

She lay in the center of the carnage, her clothes torn, her body covered in burns and deep cuts. The girl was unconscious, her breathing weak but steady.

Nozel Silva stepped forward, his silver hair glinting in the light of the magical lamps held by his squad members. He surveyed the scene with his usual cold stare. Scorched earth, charred trees, shattered weapons and armor—this was no ordinary fight.

— She's alive, — one of the Silver Eagles noted calmly, kneeling beside the girl to check her pulse.

— Obviously, — Nozel replied, eyes narrowing slightly. He could still feel the remnants of magic vibrating in the air, as if the battlefield itself had yet to recover from the sheer force that had been unleashed. This girl was no ordinary mage. If she had known how to control her power, this fight would have lasted seconds instead of leaving her at death’s door.

But she couldn’t even protect herself. Wasting power without control was as good as having no power at all.

— Whoever she is, she nearly killed herself, — another knight remarked, rising to his feet.

— We’re taking her, — Nozel ordered firmly, turning away. — She won’t last long in this state.

His subordinates did not argue. Their captain rarely made impulsive decisions, and if he had chosen to bring her back, he had his reasons.

As one of the knights carefully lifted her into their arms, she stirred slightly, as if caught between waking and unconsciousness. But her eyes remained closed.

Nozel cast a final glance at the battlefield. He needed to know who she was. And more importantly, what kind of threat she could become if her power slipped beyond control.