Though mages could manipulate every element and even achieve incredible feats like raising the dead, there was a certain understanding needed to do so. The ways to cast these obscure spells were closely guarded secrets, so most had to rely on the basics.

Furthermore, mages would often find it easier to use one element over the others. Ana could summon and manipulate earth almost instantly, but she needed 10 times more time and energy to use water or air.

So, while Burst Nova was being charged, all she could think of was to get closer to the element she knew best. She sat on the ground and anticipated the attack.

If Charles’ technique was close range, she could use the soil to propel her out of the way. If it were long range, she’d dig down and escape. Unfortunately, though shot from a distance, Burst Nova ended up being even faster than a human swinging his fist.

When the blinding light was released, her brain went into overdrive. She summoned a thick mound to slow down the projectile. At the same time, she turned and lay flat on her belly with her feet towards the coming sun. The earth welcomed her and she sunk into the ground as if falling.

But, despite her lack of hesitation and her mana pools’ inclination towards speed, she was sadly not fast enough. The sun like blast tore through the earth all the way to her position and set her ablaze. Muffled screams were heard from below.

When the light subsided and the students saw the scorched yard, they were all stunned into silence. All except one.

“Ha, that’s what you get! Filthy peasant…”

“Charles, let’s go!” called one of his friends.

“Yea, let’s get the hell out of here.”

The boys would have loved to leave this maniac and run, but their parents served Charles’ family. The girls didn’t leave either, afraid that he might attack them.

Things that would get others imprisoned or beaten to death, he could avoid thanks to his background. Even if he killed a commoner in broad daylight, his family would come up with an excuse; and everyone would have to accept it, even if they knew it was a blatant lie.

- Rumble -

Suddenly, the earth began moving within the canal left by the spell. Charles’ grin faded and everyone’s eyes moved towards the hole.

“f**k, f**k, f**k.” Ana swore like a sailor from the unbelievable pain. The earth scraping her back felt like sand paper. The wind felt like a whip.

The crowd looked in horror at the young girl with burnt hair and charred flesh on the soles of her feet, calves, upper back, and arms. The wounds were red and filled with puss. They would have been far worse if she hadn’t madly circulated her mana. But without a healer, she was in big trouble.

“You… f***ing bastard!!” she cursed out Charles. “What the hell did I ever do to you?”

The boy was obviously disturbed by the sight. The ghastly girl walking towards him looked like a monster to him. The fact that he couldn’t see her back anymore yet knew what it looked like, scared him to no end.

‘Why is she coming here? Her feet are burned. How is she walking? She should be dead. What the hell’s wrong with her?’

“Stop…” He ordered with a quivering voice. “You should get yourself a healer.”

Her response was a rock to the face. She then let herself fall forward and smashed her fist into the earth. 5 stone pillars rose around Charles like executioners. After surpassing his height by about a foot, they began rumbling violently.

The boy’s formerly triumphant face was now paler than a ghost.

- Smash! - The first out of an endless barrage of rocks burst out of the pillars and smashed into his chest.

“Argh! You… Ahh! F**k! ”

After using all his mana on Burst Nova, the boy couldn’t even dodge a fist. Ana was close to the end of her rope as well, but the pain and anger clouded her judgment. Using whatever was left of her mana and energy, she attacked him relentlessly.

“Stop! Ow! S**t. Argh… Help!!” It did not take long for Charles to scream for his friends. “What are you bastards standing there for? Ahh… Stop her!”

The group hesitated.

“I’ll tell my father, you pricks! Do something!”

Only then did his ‘friends’ finally move, though it was just the boys. Their whole families were at risk, so they had to listen.

On the other hand, the girls were in it just to get closer to a powerful family. Now, after seeing the state he left Ana in, even Autumn was disgusted to her core. Having somewhat recovered from her fight, she quickly left with the others.

Ana saw the boys coming closer but did not stop until her mana ran out. By this time, Charles’ entire body was swollen, several of his bones were cracked or broken, and he was hurting almost as much as she was.

“I’m done.” she declared. Would the boys still continue with her in this state? She was resting on her palms with her burned back clearly visible.

“Kill her!” growled Charles after spitting a mouthful of blood.

The 3 frowned deeply.

“I said f***ing kill her!”

Ana sighed and her head lowered. ‘What now?’ She felt her eyes getting moist and her arms shivering. ‘Please…’ Her silent plea received no answer as the 3 assailants had finally arrived.

The first few kicks she did not even feel. Even the next were muffled by her charred nerve endings. Her body was like a rag doll being thrown around, and wet streaks fell down her cheeks.

If there was one bright side to this situation, it’s that unconsciousness came relatively quickly.