With Huebert’s advice echoing in their minds, the group focused, each one moving carefully, eyes trained on the scrapyard around them. The mocking laughter of the gremlins still floated through the air, but this time, Valmet felt the rush of confidence mixed with caution. She spotted one of the gremlins lurking behind a stack of dented car doors, its glowing yellow eyes narrowed as it watched her.

Valmet steadied herself, gripping her dagger tightly as she waited, watching its movements. She caught its gaze for a brief second, then feinted to the left. The gremlin took the bait, lunging forward, but Steven and Melody were ready. With a quick strike, Melody’s throwing star caught it mid-air, sending it tumbling to the ground. Steven finished it off with a quick, decisive stab.

The gremlin let out one last shriek before going still, its small, twisted body slumping in defeat.

They stared down at it, breathless, the realization of what they’d done sinking in. Slowly, Steven broke into a wide grin, wiping his forehead with his sleeve. “We… we did it!”

Melody laughed, still catching her breath. “Finally,” she muttered, glancing at Valmet with a nod of approval. “Nice move.”

Valmet’s face softened into a rare smile. For the first time, they felt like a team, united in their first small victory. She nodded back at Melody, then glanced at Steven, who looked both exhilarated and slightly queasy, but pleased.

“Well done, children,” Huebert called from behind them, an uncharacteristic warmth in his voice. “I suppose there’s some potential here after all.” He smirked, clearly enjoying their small moment of pride.

They barely had time to savor it, however, before Huebert raised his hand, his fingers moving in an elegant, practiced pattern as he murmured an incantation. A ripple of dark energy spread out across the scrapyard, casting an eerie green glow over the twisted metal. The gremlins, sensing the shift, tried to scatter, but it was too late.

“Heart Burst,” Huebert intoned, his voice cool and steady.

In an instant, each of the remaining gremlins froze, their small bodies convulsing before they exploded in a spray of green goo, coating the scrapyard in sticky, fluorescent slime. Bits of scrap metal clattered to the ground as the eerie silence settled back over the yard.

Valmet, Steven, and Melody stared at the aftermath, eyes wide. Valmet’s mouth was open in stunned amazement. “You… just… with one spell?”

Huebert dusted off his hands, looking almost smug. “Yes, well, that’s what a level 100 mage can do.” He glanced at them, the faintest hint of pride in his gaze. “But, don’t worry—keep up, and maybe you’ll get there someday.”

Steven looked at him with awe, practically bouncing with excitement. “That was incredible! You just—bam! And they were all gone!”

Huebert chuckled, clearly amused by their reactions. “Glad I could impress,” he said with a wink. “Now, if you’re done gawking, I’d like to extend a little invitation.”

The group turned their attention to him, curiosity piqued.

“How about dinner at my place?” Huebert asked, a glimmer of mischief in his eyes. “My dimensional cube. A little space I created myself—a sanctuary where I control everything. No one can get in unless I allow it.”

The three exchanged glances, a mixture of excitement and trepidation. But after what they’d just seen, their curiosity far outweighed any fears.

“fuck yer,” Valmet said with a grin, and the others nodded in agreement.

“Excellent.” Huebert clapped his hands, his grin widening. “Let’s go. I’ll introduce you to a real meal… demonic style.”