I reincarnated as one of the Three Stooges in a fantasy world.

Chapter 20

Evolved Zombies – Part 6

The ground was shattered by Azure's kick, which Enrico dodged. Spinning, Azure launched another kick, but Serenya used her control magic to pull him back.

Controlling her own body, Serenya managed to land a kick to Azure's neck, sending him flying to the right. Enrico looked at Serenya.

"Damn, I managed to evolve, but I still can't fight them without a strategy."

Enrico checked the Heart of Fire ring and saw it was almost fully charged and ready for use.

'I didn't think it'd take so long to charge the first time… at least from now on it'll only take a day.'

Serenya tried to continue the combo but was hit in the stomach and sent flying. Enrico appeared behind Azure and punched his face with a flaming fist, then raised his hand and exploded a fireball on Azure's head.

'He must've just evolved, so he's not as strong as Crimson.'

Both used magic simultaneously, with Serenya amplifying Enrico's fireball. When it hit the spot Azure had phased through the fireball and appeared right in front of them—

"He went intangible?"

A punch hit Enrico, sending him flying, then Azure kicked Serenya, who barely managed to defend herself.

"Focused Control!"

The ground cracked, and Azure was thrown backward and struck by Enrico's flame-covered feet.

Serenya looked surprised. "Another new technique?"

Enrico focused a fireball and launched it at Azure. "C'mon, it's the same thing as with my hand—just using the foot now."

Going intangible, Azure grabbed both their faces and slammed them into the ground. They grabbed Azure's arm and kicked him upward using magic-enhanced feet.

Azure's legs expanded and glowed blue as his speed increased. He zipped past the two and grabbed their arms to throw them out—but Serenya refused and used control magic to pull herself back.

"Gaah!"

A kick hit Serenya in the stomach, making her spit blood.

Enrico cast multiple fireballs trying to create distance, but Azure passed through them. A punch lifted Enrico into the air.

Gritting his teeth, Enrico grabbed Azure's arm and threw him off the platform. Azure fell but used the side of the platform and his speed to bounce off the wall, charging back and slamming into Enrico, sending him rolling.

"Come on, come on…"

The Heart of Fire ring began to blink. "Finally."

Enrico slipped the ring on, clenched his fist, and activated it, checking his stats:

Name: Enrico Solcren Ferreira

Magic: Fire, Circle 0 – 55% +5

Mana: 46/91

Unique Ability: None

Soul: 58

Azure appeared behind him with a kick, but Enrico countered with a flaming kick, forcing Azure back with the impact.

Azure tilted his head. "A… little… stronger…"

Enrico smirked. "Surprised? Percentage boosts really do help."

Above Azure, chunks of concrete made from the earlier battle floated—it was Serenya's control magic, dropping them and creating a cloud of smoke.

Serenya wiped the blood from her nose, strained from controlling so much concrete. "You evolved again."

Enrico kept a poker face. 'Actually, it was the ring…'

"Serenya, I'd like you to try using Mind Control."

Serenya was surprised. "But Mind Control can only start being used at Circle Five!"

Enrico wiped the sweat from his brow. "No, not on him—on yourself."

Serenya looked at him like he was crazy. "What? First of all, control magic is horrible to use on yourself. I had to train hard just to manipulate my body with it. Second, you'd need at least Circle Three to even think about that."

Enrico pulled her down just as the smoke cleared, and Azure zipped past, nearly hitting them both.

"I just want you to give yourself a command. Not full-body control—just a brain command." Enrico launched several fireballs at the ground, creating holes to slow Azure down.

Hesitant, Serenya watched Enrico running to intercept Azure and asked, "What kind of command?"

"Whatever you think is best—I trust you."

Enrico and Azure clashed again in close combat.

Serenya looked down and tried to concentrate. 'I have to be perfect. I have to be perfect…'

She started to sweat as Enrico was struck and sent flying.

Serenya grew nervous. "I have to be perfect…"

"You don't have to worry."

Serenya looked up. "But what if I fail?"

"Did you forget I'm your subordinate? Even if you mess up, I'll be here to guard your back. Never forget that."

Enrico smiled at her and returned to battle.

Serenya stood frozen for a moment, and a flash crossed her mind.

In the Malquess family home, Serenya knelt with her back to her mother, who held a whip.

"You have to be perfect—nothing less. Every time you fail, this is what awaits. Understand? You're not a commoner, but a noble. Nobles must be perfect."

It had always been like that. Her whole life, she had to be perfect. Even when she entered Astrong Academy and told her mother, she was punished for not making it to rank 10.

But at least in that academy, she was free. She treated others the same way her mother treated her. She had her two subordinates and a slice of cake that made her laugh.

She thought she was above everyone—and even though those two commoners annoyed her, it was tolerable.

Until the day he started to change—when Enrico started to change. And how his words hit her.

"After being mistreated by my parents, I wondered… is this how the people I mistreated felt?"

From that moment, she began stepping away from that path—because she didn't want to become like her mother.

And now, seeing Enrico fighting that zombie, saying those words…?

He trusted her that much? She couldn't disappoint her subordinate.

Sighing, Serenya focused. "Let's see… what if I try this?"

Enrico used fire magic to cause a small explosion at his feet and hit Azure, who went flying. His neck broke, but he reset it and vanished, reappearing to grab Enrico's arm and slam him to the ground. Enrico spat blood but used his other hand to do the same to Azure.

Azure turned intangible and moved away from Enrico's arm, landing a blow that Enrico endured before returning one.

Breathing heavily, Enrico thought, 'I'm down to 20 mana… I need a way to buy time.'

As Azure prepared to rush him again, he ran into something that cracked under impact. Both looked to the side—Serenya was walking through the air, her cold eyes fixed on Azure.

"You've already hurt my subordinate enough. Now it's my turn."

She raised her hands, and Azure felt something gripping his feet, lifting him into the air. Enrico immediately started forming his fire bow, smiling.

"Interesting. She's using control magic in a unique way. Since she can't fly yet, she's manipulating ambient mana particles, condensing them into fixed points in space to form invisible platforms."

Azure tried to move but hit something. He tried everything to escape, but it was gone. Blood poured from Serenya's nose as she clapped her hands, compressing Azure from both sides.

"Now, Enrico!" Serenya smiled brightly at him.

"Calling me like that… I can't let my leader down. All 20 points into this arrow!"

He released the shot, and at high speed, it pierced through Azure—separating his body and revealing the core hidden under his shirt, beneath his arm. The core dropped to the ground as the zombie vanished.

Serenya began to fall, but Enrico caught her, breathing a sigh of relief.

"You were amazing. What kind of command did you give your brain?" Enrico supported her on his shoulder.

Still smiling, Serenya replied, "To think more clearly and faster."

"Haha… you really are incredible, Serenya. You must be exhausted."

"Look who's talking. You're clearly worn out too… but," Serenya stood firm.

Enrico grew serious and looked upward. "Yeah… there's still more. Did you manage it?"

Serenya tilted her head with a smile. "But of course. I still have two subordinates to rescue."

"Let's go, then."

Enrico grabbed the core, stored it, and started looking for a way up.

"Enrico… just so you know, you've climbed up in my ranking. You're now my right-hand man."

Serenya pointed proudly at Enrico, who was surprised—but then smiled.

"I'd be crazy to refuse."

"Hohoho, that's right!"