Emma floated in the air, eyes closed, legs crossed, and thumbs gently pressed together as she meditated.

When she used her Fourth Circle spell — Divine Domain — a glowing barrier formed around her target, linking her mind directly to it.

The spell could be cast with a short chant if needed, but when time allowed, she preferred the full version — slower, steadier, and stronger.

And right now, she had time.

So she waited.

*DOOOOM*

A deep rumble echoed from afar. It didn't come from the gym's direction, so Emma didn't bother opening her eyes. Her focus stayed locked on the barrier.

Then she felt it — a faint presence.

Behind her.

"Aren't you a bit rude?" she asked calmly. Her feet touched the ground as her eyes opened to reveal a six-foot-tall golem pressing its hand against the shimmering dome. Thin arms, black body, and two red eyes staring straight at her.

It ignored the chanter completely and headed straight for the library building.

Why the library? There was no one inside… unless—

"...!"

Emma's eyes widened. She leaped back just in time to dodge a swipe of sharp claws.

But before she could recover—

*DHAK*

A heavy impact struck her from behind. She was thrown forward, barely catching her balance, only to find another golem standing before her — its arm pulled back for a punch.

The dark creature snarled as it drove its fist forward—

*THUM*

—but the attack met a barrier, not flesh. Sparks of light flashed as Emma slid backward, stopping herself just in time to sense more movement.

She turned, eyes narrowing.

Four identical golems stood there, surrounding her, ready to pounce.

"Clones," she muttered.

Emma rolled her shoulders, stretching slightly, a faint smile on her lips. "It hasn't been a while since I fought this many at once."

No aether, no traps — just her two fists.

And that was enough.

The first golem lunged — not at her, but toward her left.

Emma didn't have time to think about it. Another one came straight at her, spinning into a roundhouse kick aimed for her head.

She raised her arm, blocking the blow, and quickly lifted her leg to stop a punch coming from the side.

Both golems jumped back.

Before she could counter, she spotted a third one leaping through the air, its hands clasped together like a hammer.

Emma scoffed and formed a barrier above her head — but it was a trap.

"Gha!" she gasped as a heavy kick landed on her back. The first golem, the one that had vanished earlier, had been waiting for the perfect opening.

She stumbled forward, pain shooting through her back, only to see the other two charging at her again, relentless and coordinated — giving her no room to breathe.

The golems closed in fast.

Emma ducked under a sweeping kick, only to catch a punch on her ribs. The hit sent a sting through her side, forcing her to grit her teeth. Another came from behind — she barely twisted in time, but the blow still grazed her shoulder, tearing part of her sleeve.

They moved in perfect rhythm — one attacked high, one low, one waited to intercept. Their coordination was flawless, mechanical. Emma could block one, maybe two, but not all three.

THUD! A heavy fist crashed into her gut, sending her sliding across the dirt. She coughed, the wind knocked out of her, but her eyes stayed sharp. Another golem leapt forward, claws gleaming under the pale dome light.

She raised her forearm, blocking the strike — the impact numbed her arm, forcing her back another step.

"Persistent pieces of scrap," she muttered, sweat trickling down her temple.

Two golems lunged again, one from the front, one from the side. She crossed her arms to defend, but a third appeared behind her — a perfect trap.

"Got me surrounded, huh…" Emma whispered. Her lips curved into a small grin. "Too bad."

Aether flickered around her hand — faint at first, then bursting into a soft blue glow that pulsed like a heartbeat. The air trembled.

She lowered her stance, twisted her body, and drove her palm straight forward.

"Aether Palm — Shattering Bloom!"

BOOOOM!

The impact exploded like thunder. The nearest golem's chest caved in, light bursting through its cracks before it disintegrated into fragments of silver dust.

The shockwave rippled through the air, forcing the other clones back, their feet dragging trenches in the soil.

Emma exhaled slowly, lowering her glowing hand. "Now…" she said, eyes glinting as the dust cleared. "…let's make this even."

Like flowing water, Emma moved. Her aura shimmered faintly, leaving a trail of light as she danced between the golems' attacks. They swung and struck, but every time they thought they had her, she was already gone.

Her next target was locked.

She slipped past a punch, ducked under a kick, and closed the distance toward the golem that always waited for an opening — the one that thought it could outsmart her.

Emma's eyes narrowed. She was getting tired of this game.

"Aether Palm," she said calmly.

The golem reacted fast, jumping back just before her palm could touch it—

*TNG!*

Its eyes widened as its back slammed against an invisible wall.

And in the next instant—

**DOOOOOM**

The barrier shattered outward as Emma's palm connected. The impact sent the golem flying like a broken doll, flipping through the air before crashing into the school wall and going still.

Emma turned toward the remaining two golems.

Her right palm was charred, faint wisps of smoke rising from her skin as blue veins pulsed under it. Her expression was cold — calm, but merciless.

Aether coiled around her body like a living serpent, flickering and twisting with quiet fury.

That alone made the golems hesitate.

Not to rethink their strategy — but to rethink their opponent.

Emma didn't give them that luxury.

*SHLINK*

Spell circles burst open beneath her feet, spreading wide like a glowing sheet of light. Both golems found themselves trapped within its reach.

Anyone from the academy would have recognized that pattern instantly — the same one she'd used on a student not long ago, earning her a punishment.

But these weren't students.

Not even humans.

So what reason did she have to hold back?

Emma rolled her shoulders and let out a soft sigh, her stance relaxing completely as she whispered, "I'm done now."

The two golems glanced at each other — a silent agreement. They lunged forward.

But the moment their feet moved—

**GHADOOOM**

The air itself crashed down on them. The pressure spiked so suddenly that the ground caved beneath their weight. Metal arms twisted, joints cracked, and before either could react, their bodies flattened under the crushing force.

When the dust settled, two mangled shapes lay still on the dirt.

Emma tilted her head slightly, exhaling through her nose. "Two omelettes," she muttered dryly, "served fresh."

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