Chapter 57: Imperial Magic Tower (5)

Chapter 57: Imperial Magic Tower (5)

TL/Editor: Rungir

Schedule: 5/Week Wed-Sun

Join the discord! Here

'Perfect.'

Hiduk, a top-tier demon cleverly masked as Professor Proud, smirked quietly, pleased with the trap he had prepared.

He had purposely used magic to selectively slay noble offspring, causing the magic to latch onto those nearby.

From the start, the trap was crafted solely for Tirian Friharden.

Now, Tirian Friharden faced two options.

Either escape and face life as an Empire outcast, or get caught and face punishment.

'He'll likely choose the first.'

He could've called Tirian alone and killed him sooner, but his superiors didn't want that.

The exact reasoning was unclear.

All Hiduk knew was that his superiors viewed Tirian Friharden as crucial to a future hero, careful not to distort destiny's flow any further.

Regardless, things were going according to plan.

'Except for him.'

Hiduk considered this, watching a man approaching him.

Zion Agnes.

The single unpredictable factor.

The purpose of his visit to the Magic Tower remained a mystery, and every action he had taken was beyond Hiduk's anticipation.

How had he managed to reveal himself just in time, at this exact location?

Was it chance?

'I was warned.'

He recalled a warning from his superiors.

The message was a caution; Zion Agnes seemed to be hunting for the evil lurking in the human world.

But to Hiduk, it didn't matter.

After all, Zion Agnes could never figure out he was a demon.

Hiduk had concealed his true form and refrained from using magic for decades after blending into the human world.

Except this time.

He had been meticulous in hiding his identity, extremely careful.

'Actually, it worked out well.'

So, Hiduk willingly accepted the unexpected appearance of Prince Zion.

If Prince Zion was truly hunting monsters and demons, trapping Tirian Friharden would become easier.

From Tirian's right hand, Hiduk's magic still blazed fiercely.

Magic was the most straightforward and conclusive proof differentiating ordinary beings from demonic ones.

Even Prince Zion would inevitably view Tirian Friharden as a demon or something similar.

'If things go well, I won't have to do anything.'

A faint smile barely noticeable to others spread across Hiduk's lips.

He enjoyed playing puppet master, using others to create situations, rather than using his own power.

The thrill of seeing others dance to his tunes was a joy he treasured.

"Prince Zion, it's dangerous! Stay back until the villain is taken care of!"

Hiduk raised a hand towards Zion, spouting words he didn't mean.

As expected, Zion continued his steady approach.

One step at a time.

His eyes locked on Tirian, amidst the magically-charged corpses, Zion advanced without faltering.

Was he planning to punish the direct murderer?

'Right now...!'

Maybe Tirian, interpreting Zion's approach, felt he couldn't delay any longer and tried to trigger a pre-prepared spell,

That's when Hiduk's pleasure, watching all of this, reached its peak.

An intensity incomparable to any other demon encountered before.

Merely revealing its presence caused the air to tremble and space to ripple.

An entity capable of obliterating hundreds of elite knights single-handedly.

This was a high-ranking demon.

"What... what is that...!"

Paralyzed professors stuttered out their shock as they beheld Hiduk's transformation.

From the discovery of the murder scene to now, the situation had spiraled too rapidly.

Why did Prince Zion abruptly execute Professor Proud, and how did the departed Professor Proud morph into a demon?

Moreover, the power radiating from the demon was so vast, they knew they'd stand no chance even if they launched a collective assault.

-Since it's come to this, I'll eradicate you all!

Possibly because his scheme was utterly thwarted and his identity revealed.

Crunch!

An unhinged Hiduk let out a bellow and started to conjure a storm of magical energy in his outstretched hand.

"Flee!"

Faced with the tremendous power surging from Hiduk, power that even in his current state seemed challenging to quell, Tirian, who had forgotten to escape while spectating the unfolding events, cried out in urgency. He was on the verge of unleashing all the magic he'd prepared.

But a split second faster,

Screech!

With a sound reminiscent of a rusted door creaking open, Hiduk's form was hurled back at an untraceable speed, crashing into the classroom wall.

Kwa-aaaaaang!

Immediately following, Zion materialized where Hiduk had stood, armed with the fully formed Extinguishing Sword. An unfamiliar, more otherworldly darkness quietly enveloped him.

Lunar Eclipse.

The most potent amplifier and inverter at Zion's disposal.

Sensing Hiduk's power in his true form, Zion instantly activated the Lunar Eclipse.

Without it, he wouldn't stand a chance.

Then,

-You cur!

Hiduk, cursing as he extricated himself from the wall, stomped his foot on the ground.

In a blink, he vanished, reappearing right in front of Zion.

His fist, encrusted in spikes, was launched towards Zion's head with enough force to level the classroom.

Zion sidestepped, hoisting his sword diagonally to parry Hiduk's attack.

The magic energy erupting from Hiduk's deflected fist obliterated several floors of the innocent Magic Tower's ceiling in an instant.

Meanwhile, Zion, seizing the opening, naturally swung the vertically held Eclaxia upwards.

Was it an instinctual sense of danger?

Hiduk, failing to parry Zion's sword attack, shifted his weight to evade.

At that instant,

Everything in the path of Eclaxia began to split, getting sucked into the black void that manifested.

At the peculiar sight, Hiduk narrowed his eyes, immediately twisted his waist, and launched a counterpunch with his other hand.

A colossal concentration of magical energy amassed in his fist.

Zion, watching Hiduk's fist fracture the surrounding space, calmly raised the tip of his previously lowered sword and aimed it at the punch.

A bundle of black energy gathered within his blade.

The most fundamental and crucial technique of the Black Star.

Finally, the moment Zion's sword tip and Hiduk's fist collided,

---Toggle New Ads

Thanks for reading! Consider checking out my two new trial novels!

Please give the book a rating and a review on NovelUpdates.

It helps the website and helps people find this novel!

If you'd like to make a one-time donation to support our translations or subscribe to read up to 15 chapters or more (depending on the novel) ahead, you can do so via Ko-fi.

Click here!