“You’re right about that, Mr. Aldwych,” Jared replied with a smile. “Must’ve been pure luck that Ms. Murray was there to save me.”

“Aziel, do you think you can open this stone door?” Jemina asked, changing the subject.

“Of course,” Aziel said casually. “It’s just a stone door. Nothing I can’t handle.”

With a calm, confident grin, he walked up to the door. Without saying another word, a short, jet-black blade appeared in his hand.

Clang!

A cold flash vanished into the stone, but the door remained completely unmoved. Then, a powerful backlash erupted from the door. Aziel, caught by surprise, was blasted backward over three hundred meters.

Everyone watching was stunned.