Chapter 34: Battle of Academy (1)

Chapter 34: Battle of Academy (1)

I had always held the belief that love was a truly noble emotion.

Throughout my journey, I had crossed countless paths, encountered diverse individuals, and been privy to their unique stories. Love, amidst it all, emerged as a recurring character, always making its presence known.

I thought it was still a distant tale for me.

While I innocently bestowed my blessings upon and envied the love of others, deep down, I held the belief that such emotions would never grace my own life.

However, after meeting a professor who perfectly embodied the word 'coldness', I was able to understand that emotion.

Afterward, I fought alongside him to save the continent.

We overcame numerous challenges and hardships. We grew, felt sadness and anger, and eventually reached the end.

But I was defeated

"If there is a next time for you, then"

In the end, what was the professor trying to say to me?

You know what

Truth be told, I regretted it at that moment.

'I couldn't properly express this feeling to you.'

With the absence of just one person, my heart shattered like fragile glass, scattering into irreparable fragments.

And so, the world came to an end.

All that remained was a tinge of regret from a young girl.

That was the end of the worldor so I thought. However...

I found myself seven months before my own demise.

As my parents reveled in their joy at my enrollment into the esteemed Robern Academy, I couldn't help but feel a different emotion blossoming within me.

Once again, I had the chance to reunite with Professor Deus.

How long has it been?

My life had turned unbearably bleak after his passing.

In the grand scheme of starting anew, the opportunity to meet the professor once again was something I cherished even more than my own survival.

Honestly, I yearned to see him immediately, but I restrained myself, enduring the wait for the sake of my ultimate goal.

It was akin to sowing seeds and reaping the harvest.

And now

Finally, the moment I had been eagerly awaiting had arrivedI could stand before the beloved Professor Deus.

.

.

.

"Phew!"

Mana surged through Aria's clenched fist, a testament to her mastery over the magic energy she had acquired in her previous life.

Crash!

Aria shattered the reinforced glass with her fist, which had been imbued with the power of malevolent spirits. Princess Eleanor, observing from behind, could only stand there, her mouth agape in astonishment.

However, before she could say anything, Aria had already left behind all the other students and was heading out of the window.

***

It was far from a simple barrier.

Recalling the spirit ritual at North Whedon, I could vividly picture the awakening and gathering of souls in the vicinity... It mirrored what was happening now.

Not only were the academy's evil spirits gathered, but also wandering souls and non-existent creatures were appearing one by one, breaking the boundary between life and death.

A single glance at the colossal worm-like entities that had emerged on the academy's sports field was enough to comprehend the gravity of the situation.

These creatures, known as Devourers, were instruments of agonizing torment, feasting on their victims for hours, known as a demonic form of punishment.

The situation had spiraled out of control, becoming too dire. Thankfully, I knew the solution.

"Illuania, hand me the ax and wait outside."

"Ah, understood."

"The guards will be arriving soon. Explain everything just as I instructed you."

Illuania bowed her head and exited the barrier.

I held the ax I had brought for Finden Ai and prepared myself to confront the Devourer, but...

"You've arrived!"

"We're going in. Everyone, prepare yourselves."

Ignoring his remark, I focused on gathering mana. Now, without any souls to manipulate, it was time to test my basic skills as a necromancer.

At that moment, Erica hesitated and cautiously approached me.

"Um, about what happened earlier..."

"I'll postpone small talk. We don't have time for it now."

Upon hearing my words, Erica pressed her lips together and nodded slightly before asking another question.

"What do you think about this barrier?"

Finally, a slightly meaningful topic emerged. I answered as I enveloped mana in my hands.

"The spirits are utilizing necromancy to create it."

"Necromancy?"

"Wasnt there a Necromancer you guys had invited?"

"...Ah!"

Erica nodded vigorously, realization dawning upon her.

"I see! So that's how the spirits were able to create this barrier. Since the invited Necromancer died, they would have become a spirit too!"

"Given that the Necromancer is the only victim who was killed, I doubt they're willingly cooperating. It's more accurate to say they're being forcefully used."

So, this fight was straightforward.

"Once we locate the Necromancer's soul, it will be over."

Then we could immediately dismantle this barrier, causing the inadvertently awakened and summoned spirits and monsters to vanish.

"I see."

Erica clenched the end of her white glove tightly, indicating that she, too, had finished preparing for battle.

Gideon interjected with a raised voice.

"Wait! Before we begin, tell me. Deus Verdi! Are you a Necromancer?"

Unconsciously, I furrowed my brows and responded.

"Get ready. You should know what kind of monster is at the central entrance, right?"

"..."

Gideon's face filled with dissatisfaction as he looked at me, and I let out a sigh before answering.

"Yes, I am a Necromancer. Are you satisfied now? If you keep wasting time with pointless chatter, I'll make you the first casualty, you bastard. Now, shut up and get in formation."

Giving him a stern warning, I snapped my jaw shut. After hesitating for a moment, Gideon stood beside Finden Ai, biting his lips in frustration.

"Master can be quite terrifying at times."

Everyone shut up.

Finden Ai giggled, and Gideon's face turned red with a mixture of embarrassment and anger.

Erica cautiously took her place next to me, and together, we entered the central entrance as a group.

As soon as we stepped inside, we immediately noticed a one-armed warrior sitting on the stairs of the first floor, his head bowed.

Raising his head slowly, his eyes, like blue flames, emitted intense hostility toward the intruders.

"Well, well, that bastard is still the same."

As I expected, Finden Ai, who must have had a previous encounter with the warrior, smiled confidently.

So, she must have already lost the ax too.

I had anticipated it, but her self-assured demeanor indicated that a certain estimation had already formed within Finden Ai.

"He is a restless spirit of sorts."

I briefly started explaining about the warrior named Musah.

"A warrior who hasn't laid down his sword, determined to protect innocent spirits."

Upon hearing my words, Erica and Gideon looked at me in surprise. It seemed that the two of them were familiar with the events that had taken place in this land in the past.

"We can't go inside unless we defeat him."

Quing!

As if affirming my words, the sound of a sword being unsheathed echoed in our ears.

With a purplish and ominous momentum, the one-armed warrior, Musah, slowly rose to his feet.

And without delay, he rushed toward us.

--- End of The Chapter --

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