Chapter 252: The Blue Sparrow

"**My Vastness Tome!**"

Yubik's eyes gleamed with greed as he charged forward, elemental energy surging around him. He paid no attention to the mysterious woman standing near the tome, completely fixated on claiming the treasure for himself.

"**Get lost!**"

The mysterious woman glanced at the tome on the ground, her expression calm yet disdainful. With a flick of her hand, she pointed toward Yubik.

"**Shh, shh, shh…**"

Out of nowhere, threads of glistening ice appeared in mid-air. These crystalline strands shimmered like silk, yet exuded an eerie sharpness.

Thousands of ice threads wove together into a massive, deadly net that lashed toward Yubik.

"**Crack!**"

Yubik's protective spells, which had enveloped his body, shattered in an instant. His defensive robes proved equally futile. Without any warning, his body was torn into countless pieces by the razor-sharp threads.

A metallic tang of blood filled the air as the crowd froze, stunned into silence. Even Sebas, Gil, and the two other Tier 4 mages who had appeared moments earlier halted their actions, their faces etched with disbelief as they stared at the enigmatic, black-hatted woman.

Yubik, a genuine Tier 4 mage and a formidable presence, had been slaughtered in an instant. The crowd of mages, including the strongest among them, was shaken to its core.

"**A black hat, a feather... I know who she is! The Blue Sparrow!**"

The identity of the woman was finally revealed by one of the two newly emerged Tier 4 mages. The words sent a chill through the gathered mages.

The **Blue Sparrow**, one of the most fearsome and ruthless mages of the Osum organization, was a name whispered in dread throughout the magical world.

If Yubik had been a strong Tier 4 mage, the Blue Sparrow represented the pinnacle of terror among Tier 3 and even Tier 4 mages. Her reputation was forged through blood and fire—most famously in her annihilation of an entire mage family with four Tier 4 mages. None had survived, not even ordinary civilians. Her deeds had cemented her infamy, earning her a place as one of Osum's most feared figures.

Even within Osum, Tier 3 mages like the Blue Sparrow were only sent to destroy weaker mage families or small organizations. Tier 4 mages were reserved for battles against the truly powerful mage organizations.

Yet, here stood the Blue Sparrow, exuding unparalleled dominance.

"**Why is she here? Is she also after the Vastness Tome?**"

Rheint, the Shadison patriarch, felt his heart clench. Not even the combined might of the Tier 4 mages from Dorett had unsettled him like this. If the Blue Sparrow desired the tome, then the Shadison family had no hope of holding onto it.

However, the Blue Sparrow didn't seem to care about the tome. Her gaze swept across the battlefield, as if searching for something—or someone.

Finally, her piercing eyes locked onto a black-robed figure in the crowd…

---

"**This woman… she's terrifyingly strong!**"

Shirin and her companions—Haya, Emily, and Emma—hid at a safe distance, watching the scene unfold.

They had already been awed by the ferocious battles between the Tier 4 mages, whose spells could obliterate entire war fortresses with ease. But now, they had witnessed something even more extraordinary.

A single woman, likely not even a Tier 4 mage, had casually slain Yubik—a feat none of them could comprehend.

"**What is the Blue Sparrow looking for?**"

Shirin narrowed her eyes, puzzled by the woman's lack of interest in the tome. Instead, the Blue Sparrow's gaze roved across the crowd, as if seeking someone specific.

Then, Shirin followed the Sparrow's line of sight and gasped.

"**That… that's Merlin! The mage we met on the road!**"

Her voice trembled with disbelief. Could the Blue Sparrow truly be targeting Merlin?

Beside her, Emma stared at the black-robed figure with wide eyes. A look of joyous disbelief lit up her face, as if recognizing someone she had longed to see.

---

"**Merlin, come out!**"

The Blue Sparrow's cold, mocking voice rang out, drawing the attention of every mage present.

Lorenka's breath hitched as she glanced nervously at Merlin. The crowd of mages, too, turned their eyes toward him, their expressions a mix of shock and curiosity.

The Blue Sparrow wasn't here for the tome. She had come for **someone**.

Merlin's expression remained calm as he stepped forward from the crowd. He had anticipated this moment ever since he had slain Weiss in the Floating City. The Osum organization wasn't one to let such matters slide.

But something about the Sparrow's demeanor felt strange. Osum was known for recruiting exceptional mages, no matter their background or past actions. They wouldn't typically send someone to kill a potential recruit, especially not one with the power and talent Merlin had demonstrated.

"**Are you here to kill me on Osum's orders?**" Merlin asked, his tone measured.

The Sparrow's lips curled into a cold smile, her voice dripping with malice.

"**You'll never join Osum.**"

Her words were followed by an eruption of elemental energy. The temperature around Merlin plummeted as a frigid aura enveloped him. It was as if he had been transported into an endless winter, where the biting chill gnawed at his very soul.

The battle was far from over. **The Blue Sparrow had made her move.**