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Emilia approached the five men and shouted, "Hey! What are you grown-ass men doing to that poor child?"

She was ready to confront them then and there. Although she hadn't received any formal training in combat, she knew how to fight from her days on the streets of Melbourne. Back then, she often had to defend herself and other orphans from bullies.

All of them stopped in their tracks, but their leader slowly and casually approached Emilia, intending to intimidate her.

The leader of the gang was dressed in a cowboy, bandit-style outfit. His clothes were torn and old, and he looked to be in his late 20s or early 30s.

He calmly replied, "Hey kid. Mind your own business, alright? This brat here stole something important from us."

He stepped closer to Emilia and stroked her chin. "On second thought... A beautiful little girl like you can fetch a high price as a slave in those damn markets." The leader laughed as he said those words.

Suddenly, the gang leader who was trying to threaten Emilia was pushed back so forcefully that he flew away.

"Body Enhancement Magic, Strength Enhancement."

Body Enhancement Magic wasn't that hard to use, its transmutation circle was easy to memorize but its manavert cost for the input and output was too costly, even the most proficient mages almost never use Body Enhancement Magic because it was simply ineffecient and costs a lot of mana if used repetitively. However, it wasn't too much of a problem because Emilia's body had an insane amount of mana!

Emilia had had enough. She punched the gang leader in the gut with such strength that he was sent flying backward. Emilia was astounded by her punch. Not only was it incredibly powerful, but it also rendered him immobile!

Everyone in the alleyway was shocked. This beautiful noble girl could really f**king throw a devastating punch!

The four remaining gang members, seeing their leader defeated, ran away. Emilia approached the boy who had been hurt by the gang.

■■■■■

"Hey. Wake up. Are you okay?"

Alphonso opened his eyes, seeing a beautiful young girl with golden hair and golden eyes comforting him.

"Oh, thank goodness... You're still alive."

Alphonso couldn't help but feel calm and relaxed, until he suddenly stood up. This stranger was oddly comforting to him... Why?

Alphonso pointed a knife towards the woman. "Who are you? Don't do anything suspicious, or I'll stab you with this knife!" he said with a shaky tone.

The woman put her hands up and said, "Relax. I saved you from those crude men who were trying to harm you. My name's Emilia Aventine. You are...?"

Alphonso was stupefied. This woman... saved him?

"I don't believe you. Do you have any proof?" Alphonso pointed his knife toward her before backing off, his legs trembling.

The woman pointed to the unconscious man beside her. "That man right there. I knocked him out. He was the one harming you, right?" she calmly replied.

At this point, Alphonso was once again dumbfounded. This woman really did protect him.

Alphonso put his knife in his pocket and slowly approached her.

"I- I see... Thank you... I guess. I'm... Alphonso Segria."

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AN: Haymaker to the gut! Rahhh!