《Rai : Rise of the Ordinary》


 Chapter 1: The Path of the Ordinary

    Rai kneeled in front of the small wooden table, his hands pressed together in prayer. The soft glow of the morning sun filtered through the window, casting a warm light over the room. In front of him, a picture of his parents rested in a simple frame. Their smiles were captured in that moment, full of warmth and pride.


    With a hopeful tone, Rai whispered, "I''m off to conquer the world, Mom and Dad, like you always told me I will." His voice was steady, but there was an undercurrent of excitement and determination.


    As he spoke, the memory of his parents'' words echoed in his mind. They had always believed in him, always told him that no matter the obstacles, no matter the odds, he was destined for greatness. "Magic or not," they would say with unwavering certainty, "you will rule this world one day."


    A small flashback danced across his mind¡ªa memory of his parents standing side by side, their gazes filled with pride as they looked at him. It was a time before doubts could ever creep into his heart, before he even knew what it meant to be different.


    Now, standing at the threshold of his destiny, Rai stood tall. It was time to begin his journey.


    The gates of Magia Elemental Academy, the greatest magic school in all the lands, rose before him. Towering and majestic, they loomed like a monumental testament to the world of magic that awaited beyond. Every student who had been accepted into these hallowed halls was a prodigy of their respective elements¡ªfire, water, earth, wind. Yet Rai, a boy with no magic to speak of, had been allowed entry.


    How had this happened? No one knew. One day, his parents had simply appeared at the gates with a letter, and just like that, Rai was welcomed. There had been no explanations, no discussions. Just the simple acknowledgment that, somehow, Rai belonged here.


    As he stepped forward, he could feel the eyes of the other students on him. They were not subtle. They watched him with curiosity, judgment, and some measure of pity. His eyes were ordinary¡ªno glow, no spark of magic to signify any power. How could someone like him hope to belong in a place like this?


    But Rai was undeterred. He held his head high, his eyes steady as he made his way through the gate. "They''ll see," he muttered to himself, "they''ll see what I can do."


    As he entered the academy grounds, a commotion stirred ahead. Rai''s eyes flickered toward the crowd gathered near the academy entrance. A figure emerged from the sea of students¡ªa girl, her every step carrying an air of grace and confidence.


    It was Rose Scarlett, the daughter of the current Elmag (Elemental Magistrate), the ruler of the four great clans. With eyes burning like fire itself and hair cascading in waves of crimson, she was as mesmerizing as she was untouchable. The students parted as she walked past, her beauty and power demanding respect.


    Rai, caught off guard by her presence, felt his heart skip a beat. Without thinking, he blurted out, "You''ll be my wife when I become the next Elmag!"


    The world seemed to pause.


    The laughter of the other students echoed in his ears, but Rose stood still, her eyes narrowing as she fixed her gaze on him. The boldness of his declaration¡ªhis audacity¡ªseemed to have left her momentarily speechless.


    "I¡­ I''m sorry, what?" Rose''s voice was a mixture of disbelief and intrigue.


    Rai, with confidence in his voice pushed forward. "I''ll be the Elmag one day, and it''s only fitting that someone with unparalleled beauty like yours should be my wife. What''s your name?"


    The crowd erupted in laughter, but Rose''s expression shifted. She was taken aback, unsure how to respond to such a direct and unexpected proposal. No one had ever dared speak to her this way¡ªlet alone make such a claim.


    "I am Rose," she said, her voice cold as her eyes flashed with disdain. "The daughter of the current Elmag. How dare you call me your wife, with those¡­ ordinary eyes?"


    Rai''s grin never faltered. "Eyes have nothing to do with becoming the Elmag¡ªor you becoming my wife," he said with a wink.


    A stunned silence followed. Rose stood frozen, her face turning red as she took in his words. They seemed to resonate with something buried deep within her¡ªa memory, a feeling long forgotten. For a moment, she felt as though she were facing someone who saw her as more than just a daughter of power, more than just a symbol of the Elmag.


    She was still processing when Rai turned and walked away, leaving her standing there, both furious and intrigued.


    As Rai entered the grand doors of the academy, he felt the weight of the place settle on him. The halls stretched far above, filled with magic and history. It was a stunning sight¡ªone of the most magnificent pieces of architecture Rai had ever seen. The walls shimmered with magical inscriptions, and the air buzzed with the presence of power.


    Rai felt small in its shadow, but a fire burned inside him. He wasn''t here to be just another student. He was here to take his place as the greatest of them all.


    With steady steps, he made his way to the orientation hall. It was time to begin.


    Rai stepped into the orientation hall and found an empty seat near the middle row. As soon as he sat down, the atmosphere shifted. Conversations quieted, and heads turned, one by one, until nearly every pair of eyes in the room was on him.Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings.


    The weight of their stares pressed against him like an invisible force. Some of the gazes were curious, even welcoming. A few students seemed intrigued, their expressions hinting at a desire to approach him, to know who he was and what his story might be. But those were in the minority.


    Most of the hall was filled with looks of disdain. Disgust twisted their features as they whispered to one another, their murmurs like a rising tide. "Who is he?" "What is someone like that doing here?" The words weren''t loud enough for Rai to catch, but their expressions spoke volumes.


    The thought that echoed through the minds of many was unkind and unforgiving: "How a nobody with just ordinary eyes could be allowed to set foot in any magical academy, let alone the greatest one? This place connects the four lands ruled by the great clans. He doesn''t belong here."


    Rai, however, remained unfazed. He straightened his posture and met their judgmental gazes head-on, a small, defiant smile tugging at the corners of his lips. "Let them stare," he thought to himself. "Soon, they''ll know exactly why I''m here."


    The murmurs and whispers swirling through the hall like restless winds came to an abrupt halt. The doors at the front of the room opened with a commanding creak, and a figure stepped onto the stage. The man exuded authority with every measured step, his presence alone silencing the chatter before he even spoke a word.


    He was tall, his silver hair tied back neatly, and his piercing, frost-like eyes glimmered with an intensity that demanded respect. Dressed in a crisp, tailored robe embroidered with the sigils of all four great clans, he carried himself with a dignity that seemed carved from stone.


    Clearing his throat, he surveyed the room with a sharp, assessing gaze. Then, in a tone as cold and firm as winter''s bite, he said, "Silence."


    The single word was spoken with such authority that the entire hall obeyed instantly. Conversations died mid-sentence, laughter froze in the air, and even the fidgetiest of students straightened in their seats. All eyes were locked on him, a man whose presence alone seemed to embody the academy''s prestigious reputation.


    "I am Frost Kromus," he began, his voice steady and crisp, "the vice headmaster of this fine institution." His words carried a deliberate weight, each one laced with the kind of command that brooked no argument. He spoke with elegance and clarity, holding the attention of the room in an iron grip.


    Everyone, that is, except one.


    Rai, seated among the rows of students, seemed entirely unfazed. While the others sat rigidly upright, their gazes fixed on the vice headmaster as though under a spell, Rai leaned back casually in his chair, hands tied behind his head as if contemplating the man''s introduction like a critic at a play. A faint smirk played on his lips, his body language exuding an air of indifference that set him apart from the crowd.


    Kromus''s frost-like composure cracked, if only slightly, as his piercing gaze landed on Rai. The boy''s lack of attention¡ªthe casual, almost mocking indifference¡ªwas like a thorn in his carefully cultivated authority. His jaw tightened imperceptibly, and his icy eyes narrowed, but he quickly regained control. He couldn''t allow his reputation to be marred by singling out a student, no matter how insufferable.


    Clenching his hands behind his back, he resumed his speech, his tone sharper than before. "You are all here because you are the best of the best, the most promising twelve-year-olds across all four continents." He paused, letting the words sink in. Then, with an edge to his voice, he added, "Well... at least most of you."


    The hall tensed, students glancing around to see who the barb might have been aimed at. But for those paying attention, it was clear¡ªKromus''s frosty gaze flicked briefly toward Rai.


    Rai, as ever, was unfazed. He leaned back in his chair, his eyes half-lidded with boredom. His attention wandered, caught up in a daydream far more interesting than the speech being delivered. If he noticed the jab directed at him¡ªor cared¡ªhe gave no indication.


    Kromus''s frustration was palpable, but he continued, his voice gaining a colder edge. "You will spend the next ten years of your lives at this academy¡ªassuming you have what it takes to endure the trials and avoid being expelled. Many of you will fail. Some of you will quit. But for those who persevere, the rewards are beyond measure."


    His voice rose slightly, filling the vast hall with authority. "There are countless Elemental academies in this world. But what sets this one apart is its legacy. For over eight hundred years, the title of Elmag¡ªthe Elemental Magistrate, the supreme ruler of the four lands¡ªhas been claimed by the graduate who emerged with the highest honors from this institution."


    The murmurs that followed were hushed, reverent. The sheer weight of the academy''s legacy hung over the students like a storm cloud, heavy with promise and threat.


    And then, something shifted.


    Among the sea of faces, one set of eyes sharpened, locking onto the vice headmaster with newfound focus. Rai, who had been lost in his own world just moments ago, sat up straighter. For the first time since the orientation began, he was paying attention.


    Kromus''s words struck a chord deep within him. The Elmag. The ultimate goal. The pinnacle of power, authority, and freedom. The one whose mere thoughts could shape the world itself.


    Rai''s lips curled into a small, determined smile. He rested his hands on his knees, his fingers clenching with quiet resolve. His ordinary, magicless eyes burned with an intensity that rivaled the most brilliant of the magical gazes around him.


    This wasn''t just a speech anymore. It was a promise. A declaration of war. And Rai silently vowed to himself: That title will be mine.


    Kromus, taken aback by the sudden shift in Rai''s demeanor, couldn''t help but notice the flicker of determination in the boy''s eyes. It was subtle, but unmistakable. For a brief moment, he wondered if there was more to this seemingly ordinary child than he had initially thought. Maybe this is no ordinary boy after all... he mused, but quickly dismissed the thought. For now, the boy was nothing more than a curiosity¡ªan anomaly in a sea of prodigies.


    With a final glance at the gathered students, Kromus cleared his throat and spoke once more, his voice cold but resolute. "From now on, you are all Magias of this prestigious academy. You will carry the honor of this institution with you at all times, so behave as such. Do not bring shame onto this academy." His words echoed in the hall, each syllable heavy with the weight of authority.


    "The headmaster is unable to attend today," he continued, "so I shall conclude this orientation speech. The second-year students will now guide you to your respective dormitories. Go and settle in. Your journey here is only just beginning."


    With that, Kromus turned and began to stride toward the exit, his footsteps filled with an air of unshakable pride and strength. The students, still in awe of his commanding presence, watched in silence as he disappeared from the hall, leaving an air of both respect and intimidation in his wake.


    And then, as if on cue, the tension in the room seemed to dissipate. The students, who had been sitting rigidly, finally let out a collective breath of relief. Nervous laughter and whispers filled the space, and the once-tense atmosphere softened. The heavy weight of Kromus''s words lingered, but for now, the students were free to move, free to finally settle into their new lives at the academy.


    Rai, however, remained unmoved by the exodus of students around him. His focus had never shifted, his mind already set on the next step of his journey.

 Chapter 2 : conflict

    As the students began filing out of the hall, guided by the second-year students toward their dormitories, Rai¡¯s mind wandered. Amidst the rush of new faces and the bustling chatter, one thought persisted in his mind. Where is she?


    His eyes scanned the room, searching for the fiery red of her hair or the glimmer of those beautiful, burning eyes. His heart raced a little faster as he pushed through the crowd, not entirely sure why the thought of Rose Scarlett lingered so strongly in his mind.


    And then, at last, he found her.


    She wasn¡¯t among the crowd of students heading toward the doors. No, she was perched higher¡ªon a private balcony overlooking the hall. The way she sat, poised and detached from the chaos below, was exactly what Rai had imagined. Of course she would be there, he thought to himself. She is the daughter of the current Elemental Magistrate, after all. Above all of this.


    He couldn¡¯t tear his eyes away from her. The sunlight caught her fiery red hair, casting a halo around her, and for a moment, the bustling world around him seemed to fall silent. His thoughts filled with memories of their brief encounter earlier. His mind raced, reminding him of how boldly he¡¯d declared she would be his wife when he became the Elmag. Did she remember? He wondered.


    Rose, seemingly aware of his gaze, looked up from her position on the balcony. Their eyes met, and in that moment, Rai could¡¯ve sworn time had slowed. But in the next instant, she quickly averted her gaze, her cheeks flushing a deep red. Rai¡¯s warm smile only grew wider as he waved at her, his expression bright and playful.


    Rose¡¯s reaction, however, was immediate. Her face, already flushed with color, turned even redder as she hastily turned her back on him. With a sharp, dismissive flick of her hair, she walked away, her steps quick and purposeful. Yet, despite her attempt to ignore him, Rai couldn¡¯t help but notice the lingering hint of embarrassment on her face.


    The image of Rose, flustered yet strangely intrigued, stayed with Rai as he continued to watch her retreat. It was just the beginning of their interaction, but in Rai¡¯s mind, it was already a victory. She¡¯ll remember me now, he thought with a sense of pride.


    And with that, Rai¡¯s thoughts shifted back to the journey ahead. The road to becoming the Elmag was still long, but in this moment, he couldn¡¯t help but feel a spark of excitement, knowing that his path would be filled with far more than just challenges.


    Rai was about to leave the hall, his mind still buzzing with thoughts of Rose, when suddenly, a sharp shove from behind sent him crashing to the floor. He groaned as he hit the cold stone, his hands instinctively reaching for the ground to push himself up. The sound of footsteps echoed around him as he struggled to rise.


    He looked up and saw the source of the disturbance: a group of four students, all standing tall and intimidating around him. They were blocking his way, their faces twisted with malice. Rai¡¯s eyes narrowed, already knowing that trouble had found him again.


    The leader of the group, a tall boy with spiky white hair, stepped forward. His eyes, marked with the wind symbol¡ªa pair of wings¡ªglowed faintly, indicating his affiliation with the Mach clan, a branch of the Wind Clan known for its unrivaled speed. He was Baruss Bromach, the next heir to the Mach clan, and as the rumors went, one of the strongest of the first-year students. His eyes gleamed with arrogance as he looked down at Rai.


    "I can¡¯t believe someone like you is attending the same academy as I am," Baruss sneered, his voice dripping with disdain. The entire hall fell silent, the tension in the air palpable. Students gathered around the scene, eyes wide with curiosity, while some of them, including Rose from the balcony above, watched the unfolding drama with rapt attention.


    Baruss¡¯ three lackeys flanked him, forming a circle around Rai, trapping him in place. ¡°Every second you stay here, the more shame you bring to this academy,¡± Baruss continued, stepping closer, his expensive clothes rustling with each move. He wore them like a crown, a clear display of his noble status. ¡°I¡¯d say it¡¯s best you just leave and save yourself the embarrassment."


    The room held its collective breath. Everyone knew Baruss was a powerhouse¡ªrumors swirled that his skills were on par with Rose herself. It seemed like an undeniable fact that Rai stood no chance against someone of his caliber.


    But Rai didn¡¯t flinch. Despite the looming threat, he stood tall, his eyes filled with unwavering determination. He wasn¡¯t about to let these miscreants get the best of him.


    With slow, deliberate movements, Rai stood up. His expression was calm, but his eyes burned with purpose. ¡°You,¡± he pointed a finger at Baruss, his voice steady but loud enough to command attention, ¡°whatever your name is¡ªif you¡¯re so hung up on me bringing shame, why don¡¯t we duel?¡±


    A stunned silence followed. Rai¡¯s words hung in the air, but not in the way he¡¯d hoped. Instead of the shock of awe, the room was filled with the sounds of crickets. Students exchanged puzzled glances, some even stifling disappointed sighs. The problem? Rai had pointed at the wrong person. Baruss wasn¡¯t the one he¡¯d meant to challenge.


    Rai¡¯s face immediately morphed into one of embarrassment, realizing his mistake. The silence stretched, and then, Baruss erupted in laughter, the sound loud and mocking. ¡°You can¡¯t even figure out who I am, and you want to challenge me?¡± Baruss sneered, thoroughly amused. ¡°Fine. I¡¯ll humor you. Let¡¯s fight.¡± He spread his arms wide, inviting the duel he was sure would be a one-sided affair.


    The crowd, initially stunned, now shifted in anticipation. Even Rose¡¯s attention sharpened as she leaned forward slightly from her perch, intrigued by the unfolding spectacle.


    Rai, unfazed by the ridicule, shifted his stance. His confidence was back in full force. He wasn¡¯t done yet.


    With vigor, Rai raised his finger again, this time pointing directly at Baruss. ¡°Actually,¡± he said, his voice carrying across the room, ¡°I¡¯m glad you¡¯re not scared. Let¡¯s make it more interesting. Why don¡¯t we have a Magistrate Duel?¡±


    The room went dead silent. A Magistrate Duel? The words hung in the air like a bomb ready to explode. The concept of a Magistrate Duel was something reserved for only the most skilled combatants¡ªthose capable of wielding power that could shake the very foundations of the academy. It was an ultimate challenge, a fight where the stakes were high and the victor¡¯s power was undeniable.


    The concept of a Magistrate Duel was something that carried immense weight in the world of magic. It was a challenge meant for only the most skilled, those whose power was strong enough to shake the very foundation of the academy itself. To issue such a duel was to risk everything, and only those with the highest authority would be allowed to witness and oversee the fight. It was more than just a test of strength¡ªit was an exhibition of sheer will, a contest where the winner''s power was undeniable, and their place in the world solidified.


    The rules of a Magistrate Duel were clear, but strict:


    <ol>


    <li>Both parties must bet something of great value¡ªsomething they would lose if they were to lose the duel. This wasn¡¯t just about pride or reputation; the stakes had to be something meaningful, something that would serve as a constant reminder of the outcome. For Rai, this was perhaps the most difficult part to comprehend, as he had nothing tangible to bet. But as the duel continued to form in his mind, he was willing to sacrifice anything necessary to prove himself.</li>


    <li>Magic could be used without restraint, allowing the duelists to tap into every ounce of power they possessed. The only restriction was a simple one: no one could kill. The fight could be brutal, destructive, and even deadly in its consequences, but it had to end with both participants alive. The risk of life-altering injury was high, but it was still a duel fought in the name of proving one¡¯s power, not extinguishing it.</li>


    <li>The highest authority was to oversee the duel¡ªsomeone who had the power to enforce the rules and ensure that the duel was conducted fairly. The Elemental Magistrate was the one who had the final say in such matters. They would watch over the duel, ensuring that no cheating or dishonorable actions took place. The presence of the Magistrate also lent the duel a kind of legitimacy¡ªit would not be considered valid unless the Elemental Magistrate personally oversaw it.</li>


    </ol>


    Because of these stringent rules, a Magistrate Duel was no small matter. It wasn¡¯t something one could casually request; it was a decision made by the highest powers in the world of magic. In fact, the duel had to be approved by the masters of the Four Head Clans¡ªthe most powerful figures in the world of magic. To get such approval was no easy feat, and only those who had the influence, power, or reputation to back up such a challenge could even hope to engage in one.


    For Rai to issue a challenge of this magnitude was both reckless and daring. No one, especially someone with ordinary eyes like him, would dare ask for a Magistrate Duel without understanding the gravity of what that meant. But for Rai, it wasn¡¯t just about the duel. It was about proving that he wasn¡¯t just another ¡°ordinary¡± boy. It was about showing the world, and especially the students around him, that he belonged in the same ranks as the greatest magicians in the world.


    Baruss stood before him, sizing him up. The stakes were high, and the room was tense with the realization that Rai had just set into motion a sequence of events that could forever change the course of his life. But Rai wasn¡¯t backing down.


    ¡°You¡¯ve got guts,¡± Baruss muttered, his expression momentarily flickering with a mixture of respect and contempt. ¡°I¡¯ll give you that. But you better hope you¡¯re not out of your depth, because once this is official, there¡¯s no turning back.¡±


    Rai¡¯s face remained firm, unshaken. He didn¡¯t need to back down. This was his moment. And no matter the odds, he would take it.


    With a final nod, Baruss turned to face the gathering crowd, signaling that the challenge had been made. The tension in the room was palpable as the murmurs began. Rai had issued a challenge no one would soon forget.


    As Brauss faced the crowd and accepted Rai''s challenge, the air grew heavy with anticipation. Every eye in the room was fixed on the two of them¡ªRai, standing confidently, and Brauss, a dangerous grin spreading across his face. The tension was palpable, and the atmosphere seemed to vibrate with the weight of the moment.Reading on this site? This novel is published elsewhere. Support the author by seeking out the original.


    At that moment, Rose Scarlett made her way down from her elevated position, her fiery red eyes never leaving Rai. Despite her irritation, there was a flicker of intrigue in her gaze, as though she couldn''t help but wonder what would unfold next.


    Kromus, the imposing figure who had been about to leave the hall, now halted in his tracks. His eyes narrowed as he observed the scene from atop the podium. There was no mistaking the gravity of the challenge that had just been issued.


    Then, suddenly, a loud voice boomed across the hall.


    "Enough!" The voice was commanding, almost thunderous. "Stop making fools of yourselves. A Magistrate Duel isn''t something just anyone can initiate."


    The source of the interruption was none other than Mammoth Stark, a fifth-year student whose presence seemed to fill the entire room. Mammoth stood tall, his muscular frame casting a shadow over the gathered crowd. His yellow hair and glowing yellow eyes were unmistakable¡ªsymbols of his lightning abilities, a rare and powerful manifestation of water elemental magic. He was widely rumoured to be the most powerful student in the academy up to the fifth year, the head of the Student Council, and the most sought-after member for every squad within the Elemental Knights.


    Mammoth''s commanding presence was only heightened by the two figures who flanked him: Lorenzo Privateer and Sylvia Star, members of the academy''s Discipline Committee. Lorenzo, with his mild demeanour and green hair, was a gentle giant, his glowing brown eyes marking his earth elemental power. Beside him stood Sylvia Star, a striking and imposing figure. Like Mammoth, she was muscular, yet her beauty was undeniable. Her dark brown hair and pitch-black eyes signified her mastery over black magic¡ªa rare and dangerous force that only a select few could wield.


    "Get yourselves to your rooms now," Mammoth continued, his voice cold but undeniably powerful. "The challenge is over. You''ve made your point, now it''s time to return to your duties."


    All eyes shifted from the two would-be duelists to Mammoth and his entourage. The room fell silent, as the presence of the Discipline Committee was a force not to be challenged. The crowd, now unsure of how to react, waited for the next move.


    Rai wasn¡¯t about to back down. With a fiery passion, he shouted, ¡°Who on earth gave you the authority to make that decision? The last time I checked, it¡¯s the four clan leaders who decide these matters, not some random student.¡±


    Mammoth''s deep laughter rumbled through the hall. He wasn¡¯t the least bit fazed. ¡°You¡¯ve got guts, kid. I¡¯ll give you that,¡± he said, his voice dripping with condescension. ¡°But the four clan leaders have much more important things to attend to than validating an absurd challenge from a nobody with ordinary eyes.¡±


    Rai¡¯s patience snapped. His expression soured as he growled, ¡°Yeah, yeah, ordinary eyes. We get it, Mr. Manhut.¡±


    Mammoth''s face contorted in confusion. ¡°Did you just call me ¡®Manhut¡¯?¡±


    Rai, completely oblivious, shot back, ¡°Yeah, isn¡¯t that your name?¡±


    The entire room froze. An awkward silence spread like a wave, with Rai looking utterly goofy and adorable in his unbothered confidence. Even the most hardened students were caught off guard by his cheeky response.


    ¡°Well, anyway...¡± Rai continued, not missing a beat. ¡°Everyone keeps saying my eyes are ordinary, but they¡¯re the only pair in this entire world that defy the norm and actually stand out. So, I¡¯d say my eyes, just like me, are actually pretty extraordinary, Mr. ¡®Manhut,¡¯ FYI.¡±


    The room remained silent, processing his words. Then, a tense chuckle escaped Rai¡¯s lips.


    Mammoth¡¯s eyes widened in disbelief, and his fury quickly mounted. ¡°It¡¯s Mammoth, you imbecile!¡± he roared, his voice booming through the hall. His yellow eyes glowed fiercely, his face twisted in rage. ¡°A little punk like you should learn to keep your mouth shut!¡±


    Mammoth¡¯s arm shot into the air, his fingers crackling with raw energy. He drew the moisture from the air, manipulating the water particles around him with his lightning-infused power. Static electricity built up in his hand, and the air hummed with tension as the lightning surged brighter and more intense. He was ready to unleash his attack.


    The students'' faces were filled with dread as the atmosphere grew tense. Rose, with her hand hovering near her magic, was preparing to step in and stop Mammoth, sensing the destructive force of the impending lightning strike. Meanwhile, Rai stood with an arrogant smirk on his face, almost daring Mammoth to unleash his attack. His confidence was unshaken, as though he knew the strike would do nothing to him.


    But before things could escalate any further, a sudden chill swept through the hall, freezing the tension in the air. Mammoth''s lightning crackled in the air, but just before it could land, a frosty hand materialized, halting the attack mid-flight.


    The crowd fell silent as Frost Kromus, the teacher in charge of discipline, stepped forward. His cold gaze swept over the room, his icy aura commanding respect. "How very disappointing," he said, his voice like a winter wind. "To think even the head of the student council would be so easily provoked by a nitwit like him."


    Rai, still wearing that goofy grin of his face, looked around in confusion, not fully understanding who Kromus was referring to. He leaned toward Mammoth and whispered, "Yo, Manhut, who¡¯s the ''nitwit'' he¡¯s talking about?"


    Mammoth, visibly frustrated by the exchange, let out a grunt and gritted his teeth. "He¡¯s talking about you, you nitwit," he snapped, clearly losing patience.


    Rai¡¯s face lit up with realization as his fist met his palm, the gesture a sign of sudden understanding. "Oh," he said, still blissfully unaware of the growing tension.


    Kromus surveyed the room with a measured "Hmmmm," his icy gaze flickering across the players in this chaotic scene. Mammoth, once so imposing, was now kneeling on the ground, his face twisted in pain from Kromus¡¯s iron grip. Rose stood nearby, silently observing, her fiery demeanor momentarily subdued.


    And then there was Rai. Radiating an almost childlike sense of carefreeness, he seemed oblivious to the weight of the situation. Yet, beneath that sunshine-filled exterior, there was a glimmer of something unshakable¡ªdetermination. That look caught Kromus''s attention.


    Letting out a resigned sigh, Kromus broke the silence. ¡°Fine. If you¡¯re so desperate to prove yourself,¡± he said, his voice cutting through the tension, ¡°then let¡¯s have a Magian Battle.¡±


    A collective gasp swept through the hall. The mere mention of a Magian Battle sent shockwaves through the students. While it didn¡¯t carry the grandiosity of a Magistrate Duel, the Magian Battle was far from trivial. In fact, it was a rarity¡ªso rare that the last one had taken place fifty years ago. The victor of that legendary battle? None other than the current headmaster of the academy himself.


    The rules of the Magian Battle were straightforward but severe:


    <ol>


    <li>Eligibility: Any student from the Four Great Elemental Academies could issue the challenge, and it could be accepted by any other student within those academies.</li>


    <li>High Stakes: The loser of the battle would face irrevocable consequences¡ªthey would be blacklisted, not only from the Four Great Academies but from every other magical institution in the world.</li>


    </ol>


    The stakes were monumental. On one side stood Rai, a boy whose dream could be crushed before it even had a chance to flourish. On the other side was the head of the student council, Mammoth, a rising star in the magical world whose promising career could meet an abrupt and devastating end.


    The room fell into a heavy silence, the enormity of what had just been proposed settling over everyone like a suffocating weight. All eyes turned to Rai and Mammoth, the centrepieces of a battle that promised to etch itself into the history of the academy.


    Rai didn¡¯t hesitate for even a second. With a confident smirk, he stepped forward, cracking his knuckles in a manner that seemed far too casual given the gravity of the situation. ¡°I¡¯m in,¡± he declared, his voice steady and resolute. ¡°It¡¯s time I put all these doubts to rest. And who better to help me prove myself than the academy¡¯s so-called rising star?¡±


    Gasps rippled through the room at Rai¡¯s audacious claim. Mammoth, towering over the rest like an immovable mountain, clenched his fists as fury washed over him. The sheer gall of this boy¡ªa nobody with no magic¡ªdaring to challenge him? It was beyond disrespectful. Fueled by anger, Mammoth stepped forward, his voice booming like thunder. ¡°Let¡¯s go, punk. If you¡¯re so desperate to have your delusions shattered, then I¡¯ll be the one to do it. The duty of teaching you the reality of this world has fallen to me!¡±


    Kromus¡¯s cold, commanding voice sliced through the charged atmosphere. ¡°It¡¯s settled, then,¡± he declared with an air of finality. ¡°We will hold a Magian battle. A duel of this magnitude has not been seen in fifty years. The contenders: Rai and Mammoth.¡± His gaze swept across the room, silencing the murmurs with a single glance. ¡°The match will commence tomorrow morning at exactly 9 a.m.¡ªnot a nanosecond later.¡±


    Mammoth, now free from Kromus¡¯s icy grip, loomed over Rai like an 8-foot-tall colossus, his glare dripping with menace. His broad shoulders cast a shadow over Rai, yet the young boy, standing a full two feet shorter, didn¡¯t flinch. Rai met Mammoth¡¯s gaze with equal intensity, his unwavering confidence creating a palpable tension in the air.


    For a moment, it felt as though the room itself had shrunk, the weight of their mutual defiance suffocating everyone around them.


    As Kromus opened his mouth to speak, a hesitant, weak voice cut through the heavy atmosphere. "H-Hey guys, but... but what about me? I was the one who was gonna fight Rai!"


    The room collectively turned toward the source of the voice, and there he was¡ªBrauss, the punk who had started this whole mess. Now reduced to a mere afterthought, he stood awkwardly under the weight of everyone¡¯s gaze. The silence was deafening, the collective stare creating an atmosphere so awkward it was almost painful.


    Rai, breaking the stillness, cocked his head and exclaimed with genuine confusion, ¡°And who the hell are you, pal? Can¡¯t you see we¡¯re busy here?¡±


    Brauss¡¯s face twisted with despair as the words hit him like a sledgehammer. Falling to his knees, he muttered in shock and humiliation, "They¡¯ve completely forgotten about me... Yes... Yes, I am what you would call... a true NPC." His head drooped, and his eyes dimmed with sorrow before he collapsed dramatically onto the floor.


    ¡°Boss!¡± his three loyal lackeys cried, rushing to his side. They awkwardly hoisted him up, his limp form flopping in their arms. As they carried him toward the exit, one of them turned back, pointing an accusatory finger. ¡°This is not the last you¡¯ll be hearing from our boss! You hear that?¡±


    And with that, they scurried off, leaving behind an air of second-hand embarrassment that lingered long after their departure.


    ¡°Ahem. Ahem.¡± Kromus cleared his throat, the sound echoing through the hall as he sought to regain control of the chaotic scene. ¡°As I was saying, the battle will take place tomorrow at 9 a.m. sharp. Until then, you are to go about your day as usual. Dismissed.¡±


    He gestured toward the second-year students, who promptly began guiding the younger students toward their dormitories. Mammoth cast one final menacing glare at Rai as he stomped away, his towering figure radiating frustration and indignation. Rai, however, remained utterly unfazed, his confident smirk never wavering as he casually made his way to his dormitory.


    Rose, walking in the opposite direction, found herself unable to shake thoughts of Rai. His audacity, his humor, and even his unwavering confidence played over and over in her mind, creating a swirl of emotions she couldn''t quite identify. Her steps slowed as her gaze lingered on his retreating figure, but she quickly shook her head and picked up her pace, her face betraying a faint flush.


    Meanwhile, atop the podium, Kromus stood with his hands neatly clasped behind his back. His eyes were fixed firmly on one individual: Rai. A sharp glint in his icy gaze betrayed his inner thoughts as he observed the boy who had disrupted the day so thoroughly.


    ¡°What an interesting one,¡± Kromus mused to himself, his expression unreadable. ¡°Did you see all of that, Headmaster Pragaya? As you predicted, this boy was the star of the show today. Wouldn¡¯t you agree?¡±


    From the solitude of his office, Headmaster Pragaya leaned back in his chair, his eyes glowing faintly as he watched the events unfold through a magical projection. His laughter rang out, deep and hearty, echoing within the quiet chamber. ¡°Of course he is, Kromus! Ah, ah, ah!¡±


    The headmaster¡¯s laughter carried a sense of delight, as though watching a long-anticipated plan fall perfectly into place. In the great hall, Kromus allowed himself the faintest of smiles¡ªa rare, genuine expression. He straightened his posture, his thoughts still on the enigmatic boy.


    Tomorrow¡¯s battle, it seemed, would be far more than just a contest of strength.

 Chapter 3: Fitting In

    As the students filtered out of the grand hall, the excitement in the air was palpable. The anticipation for the upcoming showdown between Rai and Mammoth dominated every conversation. While the majority of the academy buzzed with disbelief, some spoke in hushed tones, filled with a strange sense of excitement. Rai had managed to capture the attention of more than just the elite students ¡ª he had awakened something deep within those who felt overlooked, who lived in the shadows of their more powerful peers.


    On his way to his dormitory, Rai couldn''t help but overhear snippets of conversations, some filled with scorn, others with encouragement. ¡°You can do it, Rai,¡± one voice called out. ¡°Show those self-absorbed punks what true guts are made of,¡± another cheered.


    It was strange for Rai. He had expected nothing but disdain, but today, something had changed. Though the majority of the students still viewed him as an outcast ¡ª a boy with nothing but ordinary eyes ¡ª a very small group, those with low magic who had somehow managed to gain entry into this prestigious academy, were beginning to see him in a different light. They saw the fire in his heart, the conviction behind every word he spoke. To them, Rai wasn¡¯t just an underdog. He was a symbol. A symbol that maybe, just maybe, the academy wasn¡¯t only for those born into greatness, but for those who dared to defy the status quo.


    As Rai continued through the corridors, more voices called out to him. Whispers of support trickled through the walls, voices that had once been quiet, now becoming bolder. "We believe in you," someone said. "Prove to them that it¡¯s not about magic. It''s about heart."


    The words struck Rai deeper than he expected. He¡¯d always known he was different, but now he was starting to understand what it truly meant. He wasn¡¯t just fighting for his own pride. He was fighting for those who had been overlooked, who had been dismissed as "ordinary" just like him. In the face of all the criticism and the stares, these voices made him feel like his fight mattered more than he had ever imagined.


    But there were still those who scoffed, sneering at him as though his presence in the academy was some sort of cosmic joke. The elite children of the noble clans, those with eyes that burned with the power of magic, turned their backs on him with haughty dismissals. To them, Rai was an anomaly, an outsider unworthy of even sharing the same space.


    Yet, as Rai walked past them, his chest swelled with determination. He would not be defined by his ordinary eyes. No, today he was more than that ¡ª he was a fighter. A fighter for the dreams of everyone who felt they didn''t belong, for everyone whose magic was not enough to earn them respect.


    As Rai entered his dorm, brimming with purpose, he felt a shift within himself. For the first time, his fight was no longer just for him. That walk to his room had made it clear ¡ª he was fighting for more than just his own dreams. The weight of this realization settled into his heart, and as he sat on the edge of his bed, a memory surfaced, one he hadn''t thought about in a long time.


    His father¡¯s voice echoed in his mind: ¡°Son, in this world, the ones with eyes overflowing with magic are always the ones most blinded to reality.¡±


    Then his mother¡¯s words, soft yet firm, followed: ¡°They scorn and disrespect anyone with low magic just because. Never making an effort to see the talent that cannot be measured with magic.¡±


    For the first time, the meaning of those words fully sank into Rai''s heart. He had heard them countless times before, but it was only now that he understood. His parents had never just spoken of their hopes for him ¡ª they had given him the wisdom to see beyond the surface, to understand that true strength isn¡¯t always visible.


    Rai''s eyes, which had always been seen as ordinary, were the very thing that set him apart from the rest. In a world where magic was the ultimate power, Rai¡¯s struggle was not just to prove his own worth, but to show that those who were deemed "less" had the power to change the world, too. And now, with this clarity in his heart, Rai knew that his fight was about something much larger than winning tomorrow¡¯s battle. It was about challenging a system that had forgotten the true meaning of strength ¡ª the strength of the spirit, the heart, and the will to rise above what others had already decided was impossible.


    Engrossed in his thoughts, Rai lifted his head to finally scan the room ¡ª the room where he would be spending his days at the academy. In front of him, another bed sat vacant, though it wasn¡¯t empty for long. The door swung open, and in walked a young man, about 5 foot 8, with green hair that bore a striking resemblance to Rai¡¯s own black hair, though a little lighter in shade. The boy¡¯s eyes were locked on Rai, as if sizing him up.


    Rai thought to himself, ¡°That¡¯s just fantastic. Now I have to listen to how I don¡¯t belong here every day.¡±


    The boy dropped his belongings onto the bed and continued to stare at Rai. The two of them sat in silence for a while, each trying to figure the other out. Rai couldn¡¯t help but notice how the boy tried to act tough, but it was clear to him that beneath that exterior, the boy was hiding something else ¡ª some insecurity that was written all over his face.


    Finally, the boy¡¯s fa?ade cracked. He looked away, his gaze drifting up to the ceiling, and a tear slowly rolled down his left cheek. He wiped it away quickly, but the vulnerability remained, a crack in his tough-guy image.


    ¡°I guess I never had a chance in intimidating you,¡± he said with a resigned sigh, his voice a little shaky, and in that moment, it was as though a holy light shone metaphorically above his head, highlighting his moment of realization.


    The boy looked at Rai, his expression shifting to one of genuine openness. ¡°Hey, my name is Gale Crimson,¡± he said, introducing himself. Rai finally got a good look at his eyes ¡ª and what he saw wasn¡¯t surprising. There was a faint magic symbol of a tornado in his pupils, signifying that he was from a branch of the Wind Clan. However, it was clear that he wasn¡¯t from one of the more powerful branches, as his eyes didn¡¯t carry the same vibrant, intense color that the other noble Wind Clan members possessed.


    ¡°I¡¯m Rai,¡± he replied with a friendly nod.


    ¡°I know,¡± Gale continued, his voice a little more relaxed. ¡°You put on quite a show back in the hall. In fact, you gave me hope that maybe it wasn¡¯t a mistake for me to come here.¡±


    Rai¡¯s face instantly brightened like the sun breaking through the clouds. He hadn¡¯t expected this ¡ª he had thought Gale would be just another snot-nosed noble who would rub in his face how much better they were. But this wasn¡¯t the case at all.


    ¡°I¡¯m so glad that you¡¯re weak!¡± Rai blurted out before he could think.


    The moment the words left his mouth, the room fell into an uncomfortable silence. Gale¡¯s face turned to stone, and it was as if the weight of Rai¡¯s words hit him harder than expected. Rai could practically hear the sound of his heart breaking in that instant.


    With a dry chuckle and a faint smile, Gale responded, ¡°Yaaaa¡­ I am weak indeed¡­ heh heh heh.¡± His voice cracked, as though the joke had become far too real for him to handle.


    Rai, still full of energy, continued, ¡°But isn¡¯t it awesome being weak?¡±


    Gale, completely unsure of what Rai meant, morphed his face into an exaggerated question mark, eyebrows raised in confusion.


    Rai didn¡¯t give him a chance to respond before continuing, ¡°In this world, those who are born with eyes brimming with magic lose their sight of the future. So, in reality, even though they say they are strong, they¡¯re the weakest of all. People like you ¡ª although weak and pathetic now,¡± Rai said, his words causing even more cracks in Gale¡¯s heart, ¡°people like us will end up atop the world one day.¡±


    Gale¡¯s face went from broken to radiant, matching Rai¡¯s contagious optimism. His eyes widened, and he eagerly asked, ¡°Really? You think someone like me can be atop the world one day?¡±


    Rai smiled confidently, ¡°I don¡¯t just think it ¡ª I know it. Although you won¡¯t be at my level, though, because I will be the Elmag.¡±


    Gale¡¯s eyes sparkled, and a mix of excitement and disbelief crossed his face. He exploded with joy, tears beginning to form in his eyes. ¡°No one¡¯s ever given me words of encouragement like that, you know? Not even my own parents, who, even now, are against me coming here. I had to fight so hard to get here on my own. So... thank you, Rai. Thank you for your kind words.¡± Without another thought, he jumped onto his bed and wrapped his arms around Rai in a spontaneous hug.You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story.


    Rai burst into laughter at Gale¡¯s actions, his carefree chuckles filling the room. He comforted Gale, still laughing heartily, and then asked, ¡°So, tell me, what do you want to be?¡±


    Wiping his eyes, Gale answered, ¡°I want to be the Magel (Magistrate General).¡±


    Rai¡¯s face lit up with pure excitement as he laughed uncontrollably. Gale, misunderstanding the cause of Rai¡¯s laughter, scowled in confusion, but Rai quickly placed a hand on his shoulder, calming him.


    ¡°Don¡¯t you see, Gale?¡± Rai said, still beaming with enthusiasm. ¡°This must be destiny! Magel is the right-hand man of the Elmag. If the Elmag is the highest authority in the world, then the Magel is second in command. I¡¯m proclaiming it now because it¡¯s all but confirmed ¡ª I will be the Elemental Magistrate, and you will be my Magistrate General! One without magic, and the other, some might say, has no magic, standing atop the magical world! Now I¡¯m fired up!¡±


    Rai¡¯s words struck a deep chord in Gale¡¯s heart. For years, he had only ever heard discouragement. The voices in his head replayed the painful words: ¡°You¡¯re weak.¡± ¡°Just give up.¡± ¡°Son, you¡¯re going to do nothing but waste your time going there.¡±


    But as Rai spoke, those words faded into the background, and they were replaced with Rai¡¯s own words. The newfound hope began to fill Gale¡¯s heart. Unbeknownst to Rai, he had just made a friend who would lay down his life for him in a matter of minutes.


    ¡°Well, it¡¯s getting late. Let¡¯s head to the cafeteria for some food, shall we?¡± Rai suggested with a grin. Gale nodded eagerly, his stomach growling in agreement. Together, they made their way through the academy halls toward the cafeteria.


    When they opened the grand double doors, both stopped in their tracks, their jaws nearly hitting the floor. The cafeteria wasn¡¯t just a dining hall; it was an entirely different world. It stretched endlessly, a marvel of magical architecture that could only exist in a place as prestigious as the Magia Elemental Academy. After all, it housed the best and brightest students from the four great continents, each ruled by one of the elemental clans. With students ranging from first-years to fifth-years, the scale of the facility made perfect sense.


    Rai and Gale¡¯s eyes sparkled with awe as they took in the magnificent sight. Rows upon rows of tables spanned the space, each surrounded by groups of students chatting, laughing, or eagerly digging into their meals. The air buzzed with the scent of freshly prepared dishes that seemed to beckon them forward.


    They joined the buffet line, their excitement palpable. Holding plates in hand, they craned their necks, trying to get a glimpse of the feast awaiting them. When the food finally came into view, they both froze, tears forming in their eyes as a metaphorical holy light illuminated the display. It was magical¡ªliterally and figuratively.


    Every delicacy imaginable was laid out in an endless array of options: roasted meats ranging from succulent chicken to cuts of magical beasts, aromatic rice and noodles, vibrant vegetables saut¨¦ed to perfection, and even comfort foods like pizzas, burgers, and fries. The cafeteria catered to every palate, with some dishes emanating faint magical glows, hinting at their otherworldly origins.


    ¡°This¡­ this is heaven,¡± Rai murmured, his voice choked with emotion.


    Gale, equally overwhelmed, simply nodded, his lips quivering as he filled his plate to the brim. The duo¡¯s plates soon resembled miniature mountains, stacked precariously with food as they prepared to devour every last bite.


    Their faces, lit with pure joy, mirrored the sentiment of two adventurers who had just stumbled upon a hidden treasure trove.


    As Rai and Gale finished piling their plates high with food, they began searching for a place to sit among the seemingly endless tables. In the distance, something caught Rai¡¯s eye¡ªa brilliant shade of burning red. It was Rose.


    Without hesitation, Rai steered them in her direction. Gale, noticing their intended destination, quickly tugged at Rai¡¯s sleeve and whispered, ¡°Are you sure this is a good idea, Rai?¡± Rai, his face lighting up like a child on Christmas morning, gave a goofy thumbs-up, his eyes sparkling with excitement.


    As they approached, Rose sat alone at a table meant for six, her elegant posture unyielding as she delicately handled her meal. She noticed them, her piercing gaze meeting theirs, but her expression remained neutral¡ªneither welcoming nor dismissing.


    Rai waved cheerfully, saying, ¡°Hello, Rose!¡± She acknowledged them with the barest of nods, her demeanor indifferent. Taking this as an invitation, Rai and Gale placed their plates down across from her.


    It wasn¡¯t until they sat that Rose truly noticed the mountains of food they had gathered. Her fork froze mid-air as she glanced from one plate to the other, her disbelief growing by the second. Finally, she set her fork down, her composure breaking ever so slightly. ¡°How on earth are you two going to finish all that?¡± she asked, her voice tinged with equal parts shock and curiosity.


    Rai and Gale exchanged knowing grins before bowing their heads and murmuring a brief prayer of thanks for the food. What followed could only be described as a spectacle. Like two whirlwinds, they vacuumed their plates clean in mere minutes, leaving no trace of their mountainous feast.


    Rose sat frozen, her eyes wide as saucers, caught between amazement and horror. For a moment, she was at a loss for words. ¡°I¡­I don¡¯t know whether to be impressed or disgusted by what I just witnessed,¡± she finally admitted, her tone uncharacteristically flustered.


    Rai leaned back, patting his stomach contentedly, while Gale gave her a sheepish grin. Together, they had managed to turn a simple meal into yet another unforgettable moment.


    Once their plates were finally empty, Rai leaned back in his chair, his hands clasped behind his head in a relaxed posture. With a mischievous grin, he looked at Rose and asked, ¡°Why are you alone? You¡¯re so stunningly beautiful, you should be surrounded by some idiots, right?¡±


    At his words, Rose¡¯s cheeks flushed bright red. Her eyes narrowed as she shot up from her chair, fury and embarrassment clear on her face. ¡°Wh-what do you think you¡¯re saying, you fool?! You think you can make me fall for you with that smooth talk?¡± she yelled, clearly flustered.


    Rai, ever the carefree soul, simply shrugged with a sheepish grin. ¡°Just saying what I see, geez, sorry,¡± he said, rolling his eyes as if it was no big deal.


    Rose¡¯s face turned an even deeper shade of crimson. She sat back down, her posture regaining its usual elegance, but her voice softened, betraying a moment of vulnerability. ¡°When people look at me, they don¡¯t see me, you know? What they see is the daughter of the Elmag. No one sees Rose Scarlett.¡±


    But in the quiet of her heart, she couldn''t help but think, Well, I guess it¡¯s not really no one anymore, is it? At least one person does now. She glanced at Rai, who, for reasons she couldn''t quite explain, had somehow managed to see past her title.


    Rai glanced at Gale, a chuckle escaping his lips as he said, ¡°Well, what did I tell you, Gale? All these idiots around here, with eyes brimming full of magic, and not a single one able to see¡±. He turned his attention back to Rose, his smile widening as he spoke, his words laced with lighthearted confidence.


    Rose, however, found herself caught in a whirlwind of emotions. A mixture of confusion and something deeper stirred within her as she listened to Rai. For the first time, someone had truly seen past the fa?ade that her title and magic often created. Despite the unexpected stir of feelings she was experiencing, she refused to let it show. She maintained her usual elegant composure, her prideful strength never wavering, though deep down, she was battling with something unfamiliar.


    Gale and Rai continued to laugh, their banter light and carefree, when Rose suddenly spoke, her voice laced with a trace of curiosity. ¡°I¡¯m surprised you¡¯re not nervous, Rai. For all we know, tomorrow could be your last day pursuing your dream of becoming the Elmag.¡±


    Rai, still smiling confidently, was about to respond when Gale cut in, his tone brimming with conviction. ¡°Well, Miss Rose, you of all people should know that Rai is no ordinary person. My bet is we¡¯ll see the dawn of a new era tomorrow.¡± His words were filled with such unwavering confidence that even Rose was momentarily taken aback. She hadn¡¯t imagined that someone could vouch for Rai with such certainty in just a few short hours. As the realization dawned on her, she thought to herself, ¡°He is not ordinary, indeed.¡±


    The moment was brief, but the weight of Gale''s words lingered in the air. With time running out, it was time for them to return to their respective dorms and prepare for the challenge ahead. They all stood up, Rai flashing a warm smile as he waved goodbye to Rose. Rose, her cheeks flushed with a soft red hue, responded with a cool but intrigued tone. ¡°We¡¯ll see tomorrow if you¡¯re all talk or not.¡± But in her heart, a part of her was already looking forward to seeing Rai again, unknowingly hoping for his success. It was as if her feelings were forming their own silent thoughts, separate from her conscious mind.


    As the three of them made their way to their separate directions, a familiar figure caught Rai¡¯s attention. A few tables away, sitting alone, was none other than Mammoth Stark. The moment Mammoth¡¯s eyes locked with Rai¡¯s, his friendly demeanor vanished, replaced by a burning fury. His smile faded into an expression of anger, and his very presence seemed to make the air around them heavy with tension. Rai, however, remained unfazed, his smile never wavering as he cheerfully waved at Mammoth. ¡°We¡¯ll be seeing each other tomorrow, man. Good luck.¡±


    The cafeteria fell into a hushed silence. Mammoth¡¯s magic aura emanated like a powerful wind, its force palpable, almost capable of tearing down walls. Students cowered under the weight of his presence, but Rai remained calm, unaffected by the pressure. Gale, standing next to him, followed Rai¡¯s lead, showing no fear. Though deep inside, he could feel the urge to cry and flee like a frightened child, he held his composure, determined not to show weakness in front of Rai.


    With that, the two of them left the cafeteria and made their way back to their dorms. Rai turned to Gale with a smile. ¡°Well, I better get some shut-eye. Tomorrow¡¯s gonna be wild.¡± Gale chuckled, the tension of the evening lifting slightly. ¡°Ha ha, yeah.¡±


    And with that, they both turned in for the night, their thoughts drifting to the challenge that awaited them the next day.

 Chapter 4: showdown

    The sun rose above the academy, casting a golden glow across the land, while birds chirped merrily in the crisp morning air. Rai slowly opened his eyes, the weight of the upcoming battle heavy on his mind. Sitting cross-legged atop his bed, he closed his eyes again, his hands resting calmly in his lap. With a quiet prayer, Rai centred himself, his focus entirely on the fight ahead. This was the moment he had been working towards his entire life.


    Gale, on the other hand, had already risen. He quickly got dressed and hurried out of the room, determined to ensure Rai wasn¡¯t left behind in his preparations. But Rai remained still, meditating in silence, as if drawing strength from the universe itself. The fight would be for more than just personal glory¡ªit was for every individual who had been dismissed as lesser simply because they weren¡¯t born with eyes that overflowed with magic.


    A short while later, Gale returned, holding a steaming cup of coffee in one hand and a plate of eggs and bread in the other. ¡°You need to eat, Rai. Big day ahead,¡± he said with a grin, clearly eager for the upcoming battle.


    Rai nodded and rose from the bed. His hair, spiky and black, was a little messy, but he didn¡¯t mind. The red scarf tied loosely around his waist was a gift from his parents, symbolizing both their support and their faith in him. Donning the black vest and pants provided by them, Rai quickly scarfed down his meal, his focus unwavering.


    Within minutes, both of them were ready. Gale gave Rai an encouraging nod, and the two made their way toward the academy''s grand arena¡ªThe Eyes of Truth. The arena was a massive structure, shaped like a colossal eye, standing as a testament to the academy¡¯s importance. Capable of holding over 100,000 people, it was large enough to accommodate the entire student body of 150,000. With the older years absent for various reasons, it would more than suffice for the spectacle that was about to unfold. The arena, standing proudly against the rising sun, was ready to witness a fight that would determine more than just the victor¡ªit would decide the future of the academy.


    At the entrance to the arena, Gale and Rai part ways. ¡°Good luck, man,¡± says Gale as he makes his way to the spectator stands. Rai walks toward the contenders'' section of the arena and sits in the waiting room. The arena is brimming with students.


    ¡°Welcome, everyone, to this grand occasion!¡± says a female voice through the speakers of the arena. She is the presenter. ¡°This is a historic moment. Not only are we about to witness a Magian battle after 50 years, but today we will witness a never-before-seen moment in history. A boy with ordinary eyes and no magic whatsoever is going up against the strongest 5th-year student!¡± The crowd erupts into cheers. ¡°The last victor of the Magian battle is our current headmaster, so why don¡¯t we put our hands together to invite that legend?¡±


    The crowd¡¯s cheers swell to a deafening roar as Headmaster Pragay steps into view. A figure of wisdom and authority, he is a venerable man with a long, flowing white beard, his round glasses perched delicately atop his nose. Dressed in a simple cassock, every movement he makes seems to radiate both knowledge and power. Behind him walks his vice head, Frost Kromus, a stoic figure whose presence commands respect. Together, they make their way to the judges'' lounge, located at the base of the arena, where they will oversee the battle and determine its outcome.


    As the two of them take their seats in the lounge, it is clear that there are still three more seats left to fill.


    The announcer¡¯s voice rang out once more, ¡°Alright folks, that¡¯s not all! Now, let¡¯s invite the remaining judges, the esteemed Deans of each department. First, from the Magic Department, please welcome Dean Harchell!¡±


    A slender and graceful woman with long black hair and piercing blue eyes stepped forward. Her every movement exuded elegance as she walked to the lounge, her cheongsam flowing effortlessly with her steps. With an air of authority and poise, she took her seat among the other judges.


    ¡°Next, we have the Dean of the Combat Department, Dean Luthor.¡±


    A young man with short, neatly combed brown hair walked out, dressed in an elegant tuxedo. His appearance was polished, but it was his aura that truly stood out¡ªeach step he took seemed to send ripples of fear and dread through the crowd. His presence alone exuded an intimidating mastery, one that only a true combat expert could carry effortlessly. Without saying a word, he took his seat, and the atmosphere seemed to grow heavier in his wake, but it did not stop the cheers.


    ¡°And finally, we have the esteemed Dean of the Magic Beasts Department, Dean Shelly.¡±


    A young girl, appearing no older than 14, stepped forward. She wore a cute, frilly dress and skipped happily to her seat, her cheerful demeanour seemingly out of place in such a grand arena. At first glance, she might have appeared harmless, but the true extent of her power became apparent only when the crowd noticed something unusual above her.


    A massive red phoenix, its feathers glowing like flames, descended gracefully from the sky. As it neared the academy, the creature began to shrink in size until it gently landed on Dean Shelly¡¯s lap. The sight was awe-inspiring¡ªthis seemingly innocent girl was bonded with one of the most powerful magical beasts in existence.


    ¡°With that, we now have everyone here, ready for the fight. So, let¡¯s not waste any time and invite the contenders of the match. Remember, their futures hang in the balance. First, let us call upon the man sought after by every squad in the Elemental Knights, the strongest 5th-year student with the most promising future in the world of magic¡ªit is none other than Mammoth Stark!¡±


    The crowd erupted into deafening cheers as Mammoth Stark, the towering 8-foot-tall behemoth of a man, strode confidently into the arena. His fighting gear gleamed with gold accents, the yellow theme matching the raw power that emanated from him. The audience¡¯s adoration was palpable, for they had already decided the outcome of this match in his favor. Mammoth raised a hand in greeting, acknowledging both the judges and the crowd, before taking his position in the arena with calm assurance.


    ¡°Now, the man of the moment¡ªthe oddball who initiated this entire challenge, his ordinary eyes making him an extraordinary contender for this fight¡ªlet''s welcome, Rai!!!¡±


    Rai strode out into the arena with effortless coolness, exuding confidence with every step. To his surprise, there were actually cheers in the crowd¡ªthough quiet in comparison to the overwhelming scorn directed his way, the sound still lifted his spirits. He scanned the stands, searching for the source of his support, and his eyes fell upon Gale and his low-magic comrades. They numbered in the thousands¡ªmaybe as many as two thousand¡ªout of the hundred thousand students. Their cheers, though small in number, carried immense weight, reassuring Rai of the importance of this battle.


    He walked forward, acknowledging the supporters with a nod and facing the sea of scornful eyes with an unwavering smile. His gaze turned to Mammoth Stark, the opponent who stood ready for the fight, and Rai braced himself for what was to come.


    As the two stood poised for battle, the tension in the arena was palpable. Rai maintained a calm and collected posture, exuding unwavering confidence, while Mammoth radiated raw power, yellow sparks of lightning crackling around him. The crowd fell into an expectant hush, every eye locked on the contenders.


    The gong rang out, its echo signaling the start of the fight. Without hesitation, Mammoth struck, unleashing a furious yellow lightning whip that coiled around Rai, binding him tightly. A smug grin spread across Mammoth¡¯s face, confident in his quick dominance.


    But his triumph was short-lived. With seemingly no effort, Rai broke free from the crackling bonds, the lightning dissipating as if it were nothing. Gasps filled the arena, followed by a swell of murmurs rippling through the crowd.


    "How on earth did he do that?"


    "Does he have anti-magic or something?"


    Questions buzzed through the stands like wildfire, the spectators unable to comprehend what they had just witnessed. Rai stood undeterred, his calm demeanour unshaken, while Mammoth¡¯s smirk faded.


    Irritated by Rai''s effortless escape, Mammoth decided to escalate the fight. Sparks crackled furiously as he conjured two lightning whips, their arcs illuminating the arena with a fierce golden glow. This time, he abandoned any pretense of restraint and aimed directly to kill.


    "Double Whiplash!" Mammoth roared, hurling his attack with devastating force. The twin strikes came down from above, splitting the air with a deafening crack and hurtling toward Rai like twin bolts of fury.


    But Rai remained unfazed. With a swift sidestep, he dodged the attack, his movements fluid and precise. The whips slammed into the arena floor, obliterating it into three massive fragments. Dust and debris filled the air as the crowd gasped, their awe palpable.


    "If Rai had been hit by that, it¡¯d be over for him," someone muttered.


    "That attack wasn¡¯t at the speed of light, but it was easily faster than sound. And he dodged it like it was nothing," Rose thought to herself, her gaze sharp from her vantage point in the VIP stand. Her heart raced, not just from Mammoth''s display of raw power but from Rai''s ability to counter it with such ease.


    The crowd fell into an uneasy silence. No one had expected Rai to last this long¡ªno one except Gale, who, despite knowing Rai for only a day, seemed entirely unsurprised. He was the lone voice cheering amid a sea of shock.


    As the dust from Mammoth''s attack began to settle, the arena miraculously restored itself, the fractured ground knitting together seamlessly. It was none other than Dean Harchell, who mended the damage with effortless elegance, her magic exuding a calm yet commanding poise.


    Both combatants regained their footing, their gazes locked. Mammoth¡¯s eyes burned with frustration.


    "That¡¯s enough messing around," Mammoth growled. "You¡¯ve had your fun¡ªnow it ends."


    He raised a single finger toward the sky, manipulating the moisture in the air. Dark storm clouds, pulsing with yellow lightning, gathered ominously above the arena. With a dramatic sweep of his hand, Mammoth brought his finger down, shouting, "Primordial Judgment!"


    A colossal bolt of lightning streaked down from the heavens, aimed directly at Rai.


    Rai, calm and collected, stood his ground. With one hand casually tucked into his pocket, he raised his left hand to the sky. In an instant, the enormous lightning bolt dissipated into nothingness, leaving the crowd stunned into silence once more.


    "How is that even possible?" Mammoth muttered, his voice laced with disbelief. The crowd erupted into murmurs, a chaotic chorus of shock and speculation filling the arena.


    "That attack was powerful enough to bring down a Primordial Golem," Mammoth continued, his tone turning defensive as he glared at Rai. "That¡¯s why it¡¯s named after it. Even I¡ªsomeone stronger than most¡ªhad to pour so much of my energy into creating it. And yet, you just casually deflect and dissipate it like it¡¯s nothing. There¡¯s no way this is legit!"


    He clenched his fists, sparks of yellow lightning crackling around him as his frustration mounted. "So tell me, Rai¡ªwhat are you hiding?"


    The crowd buzzed with murmurs, their anticipation and curiosity mounting. Many nodded in agreement with Mammoth¡¯s accusation, their voices rising in shared disbelief.


    ¡°I once saw Mammoth destroy a mountain because he mis-aimed this attack! And that was less than half as strong as his Primordial Judgement! one student exclaimed, his tone laced with awe.


    ¡°You¡¯re right! Even as a 4th-year during last year¡¯s Four Great Elemental Academy Tourney, he faced 8th and 9th-years head-on and made it to the round of sixteen! another chimed in.


    The voices grew louder, filled with both admiration and unease.


    ¡°He¡¯s no weakling. In fact, of all the students here, no one¡ªnot even Rose¡ªcould hope to defeat him.¡±


    The weight of Mammoth¡¯s reputation hung heavily over the arena, yet all eyes were fixed on Rai, the boy who had defied every expectation so far.Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.


    ¡°Prana,¡± Pragay declared loudly, his voice resonating across the arena. ¡°Rai is using Prana. It is an ancient technique, long forgotten, dismissed as inferior to Mana¡ªthe magical energy channeled through our eyes.¡±


    Gasps rippled through the crowd as Pragay continued, his tone laced with both amazement and intrigue.


    ¡°Yet it seems Rai has taken this lost technique to an entirely new height. What was once considered inferior, he has forged into something equal to Mana¡ªif not greater.¡±


    The students and spectators exchanged bewildered glances, murmurs breaking out like ripples in water. Pragay, however, wasn¡¯t finished.


    ¡°Although,¡± he added with a knowing chuckle, ¡°how Rai managed to learn such an ancient art and evolve it to this level is... a mystery.¡±


    His words carried a subtle undertone, a hint that he knew far more than he was revealing. It was a nuance lost on the crowd, too stunned by the revelation, but Frost Kromus narrowed his eyes ever so slightly. He had caught it, and his calculating mind began to turn.


    With a dumbfounded look on his face, Rai yelled in comedic frustration, ¡°Hey, old man, mind your own business! You¡¯re stealing my thunder here! I was about to reveal it and look all cool, so Rose would fall for me!¡±


    He then glanced up at Rose and winked, fully expecting her to be impressed.


    But instead of blushing, Rose looked at him with utter disgust. Rai¡¯s confidence evaporated, and he crumpled to the floor, defeated by her cold response.


    Frost Kromus stood up, fury in his eyes as he shouted at Rai, ¡°You insolent brat! How dare you address the headmaster like that? I¡¯ll have you¡ª¡±


    Before he could finish, Headmaster Pragaya calmly pulled him back down with a chuckle, saying, ¡°Oh, haha, it¡¯s quite alright, Kromus. It¡¯s been far too long since I¡¯ve seen such an interesting character like him.¡±


    ¡°Continue the fight, it¡¯s getting interesting now,¡± Pragaya added with a smile, his tone filled with amusement.


    Rai sighed, his shoulders slumping slightly in mock resignation. ¡°Well, what can you do? Guess there¡¯s no need to be mysterious anymore,¡± he said with a smirk. ¡°Alright, Mammoth, you wanna see what true strength is?¡±


    With that, Rai tucked his arms in, his closed fists mimicking martial arts stances. He took a deep breath, and in an instant, the air around him began to whip into a frenzy, almost like a storm. A faint silver aura began to radiate from his body, growing steadily stronger.


    As Rai opened his eyes, a shockwave rippled through the academy, sending a powerful tremor across the ground. His aura was menacing, overwhelming, and powerful. Mammoth''s eyes widened, and a bead of sweat appeared on his forehead, a silent sign of the fear he now felt from the intensity of Rai¡¯s presence.


    ¡°This is the true strength of the ordinary,¡± Rai said, his voice steady and calm.


    The crowd fell into stunned silence. Rose''s expression was one of shock, disbelief, but Gale¡ªstanding tall¡ªhad a proud grin, his eyes glowing with pride. Gale, Rai¡¯s unwavering supporter throughout the battle, beamed with pride, knowing he had been right all along.


    Rai focused his prana into his feet, propelling himself forward like a flash, faster than Mammoth¡¯s lightning. The ground beneath him shattered in his wake. Before Mammoth could even react, Rai was inches from his face. A few seconds later, a shockwave of wind surged toward Mammoth, the result of Rai¡¯s rapid movement creating a vacuum behind him, forcing the air to rush back in to fill the space.


    Mammoth¡¯s face twisted in disbelief as he scrambled to make a move, but before he could react, Rai pressed four fingers to Mammoth¡¯s chest. With a swift motion, Rai delivered a one-inch punch, the force of which sent Mammoth flying back, blood spilling from his mouth.


    The crowd, including Gale, Rose, and the judges¡ªexcept Pragaya and Dean Harchell¡ªwatched in utter disbelief. Pragaya wore a look of quiet pride, while Harchell remained expressionless, both observing as Mammoth crashed into the edge of the arena, falling to the ground. The crowd was silent, unsure how to react, but as the shock faded, Gale¡¯s group¡ªthose with weak magic, often overlooked and disregarded¡ªerupted into a deafening roar. Their cheers carried the weight of their hopes and dreams, heralding the dawn of a new era. Rai stood there, radiant and powerful, like a mythical beast, his aura overwhelming and his eyes although not red, seemed so burning with intensity.


    Mammoth slowly picked himself up from the rubble, muttering under his breath with desperation. "No... it can¡¯t be. My journey can¡¯t end here. I have too much to lose." With a furious roar, he shouted, "I have to make him payyyy!" His voice reverberated through the academy, sending a tremor of fear through the crowd. Stepping back onto the stage, he glared at Rai. "Fine, Rai. I didn¡¯t want to kill you here, but you leave me no choice. I¡¯m going all out, and I mean that in the most literal way. If what I do next doesn¡¯t defeat you, then I¡¯m done."


    Pausing, Mammoth called out, "Fortify, Lightning Doomhammer!" The crowd, no longer simply shocked, began to tremble in fear. "He can¡¯t be serious, can he?" someone whispered. "That¡¯s an advanced technique. It shapes your mana to your personality, exponentially increasing your fighting strength." Another voice added, "I heard Sir Pragaya used that very technique to win the last Magian battle."


    Mammoth¡¯s body began to shimmer with crackling lightning, his lightning slowly transforming into gladiator-like armour that began encasing him. The power coursing through him was undeniable, and as his helmet sealed over his face, his eyes blazed a bright yellow, showcasing the raw force of his mana. In his hand, the lightning coalesced into a massive hammer, the perfect weapon for his destructive personality.


    Mammoth chuckled darkly. "You hide your fear well, Rai, but I am far from done." In a dramatic motion, he swung the hammer down in front of him with menacing force, then raised his right hand to the sky, his eyes closing as he began chanting.


    "I call upon you now, J?rmungandr, lend me your power in this battle!"


    A ripple of dread spread through the students, their bodies stiffening as a cold chill ran down their spines. "He¡¯s using summoning magic here in the arena," one murmured. "And it¡¯s no ordinary summon¡ªit''s J?rmungandr, the World Serpent, one of the mythical creatures known to aid the gods."


    Fear swept across the crowd like a tidal wave, leaving the students frozen in their seats, breathless.


    Frost Kromus rose, his eyes sharp with concern. "We must intervene. This summon is too dangerous¡ªit could put everyone here at risk."


    But Pragaya, without a hint of doubt, gestured for him to sit. "It¡¯s fine, Kromus. Just sit and watch the show."


    "But sir, this¡ª"


    "I said, just watch," Pragaya replied, his voice firm with the weight of authority.


    Just then, the skies opened, and a dark bluish serpent of unimaginable size descended.


    "J?rmungandr, make yourself an appropriate size for this arena," Mammoth commanded.


    "As you wish, master," J?rmungandr rumbled in a deep, thunderous voice.


    The humongous serpent began to shrink as it slithered into the arena, coiling and settling beside Mammoth. Even after shrinking, J?rmungandr remained a monstrous sight, far larger than Mammoth himself.


    "How about it, Rai? Feeling scared yet?" Mammoth sneered.


    Rai, with a cold, commanding look in his eyes, exuded confidence. However, a quick glance at his legs revealed them trembling uncontrollably in comedic fashion.


    The once-cheerful crowd supporting Rai, led by Gale, now looked on with growing worry. Their earlier excitement had turned into unease as they wondered how Rai would fare against such a formidable opponent.


    Rose, no longer seated, gripped the railing tightly, her knuckles white as she leaned forward. Her teeth clenched as her mind flashed to the memory of the night before in the cafeteria. She recalled the moment she realized Rai didn¡¯t see her as the Elmag¡¯s daughter, just as Rose¡ªa person. Her thoughts raced, and her lips parted in a silent plea: ¡°Don¡¯t you dare die here, Rai.¡±


    On the battlefield, Rai stood with trembling legs, his usual composure shaken. Beads of sweat trickled down his face as he struggled to form a strategy. He had spoken boldly, given hope to those who once had none, and he wasn¡¯t about to let them down now.


    On the other side of the arena, Mammoth wrestled with battles of his own. As he readied himself, a fleeting flashback surfaced¡ªa memory of his father walking away from him, disappointment etched into his face, as Mammoth lay sprawled on the ground after a failed attempt. The image stung like a fresh wound, and Mammoth clenched his fists tightly, his nails digging into his palms. ¡°I have to teach that bastard a lesson,¡± he muttered under his breath, his voice a mix of determination and fury.


    With a commanding roar, Mammoth pointed his finger forward. "Go, J?rmungandr! Devour him!"


    The serpent coiled upward, its dark bluish scales shimmering with raw, otherworldly power. It lunged toward Rai with terrifying speed, its massive jaws ready to strike.


    Rai, unwavering, clenched his fists and channeled Prana into his feet. As the serpent''s shadow loomed over him, he pushed off the ground with a force that cracked the arena floor beneath him, narrowly dodging its initial attack.


    The serpent twisted mid-air, unrelenting, closing the distance within moments. Its jaws opened wide, promising annihilation. Rose turned her head away, unable to bear the sight, her hands trembling as she gripped the railing. The crowd collectively held their breath, some closing their eyes, expecting the worst.


    Moments passed. Silence.


    Rose gulped, gathering the courage to look back at the battlefield. Her heart raced as her eyes widened in disbelief. Around her, the judges¡ªexcept Pragaya, who wore a knowing, proud smile¡ªrose from their seats, their faces frozen in awe. Even the usually stoic Dean Harchell blushed, her eyes fixed on Rai with a gaze bordering on admiration.


    The crowd, hesitatingly, opened their eyes. Gasps rippled through the arena as they took in the unbelievable scene: J?rmungandr, the world serpent, its immense form coiled humbly, was bowing its head before Rai in complete submission.


    Mammoth, lost for words, knelt on the ground, his shoulders slumped in defeat. Rai, with a dumbfounded and confused expression, scratched his head, trying to process what had just happened. Letting out a sigh of relief, he muttered to himself, "Well, I guess that worked out. Good thing too¡ªbecause if it hadn¡¯t, I¡¯d be toast right about now." A sheepish grin spread across his face as he realized he¡¯d narrowly escaped death by sheer luck.


    The crowd sat in stunned silence for a moment, before erupting into cheers for Rai. This time, even some of the students who once believed their powerful eyes set them above others joined in. Of course, not everyone was pleased¡ªstudents from the top clans, like Baruss, were visibly furious, their faces twisted in disbelief and anger at Rai¡¯s survival.


    Mammoth stared blankly at the ground before glancing up at the sky. A single tear rolled down his cheek. "That¡¯s it," he murmured, his voice heavy with despair. "I have nothing left. You took my strongest trump card and made it submit to you." He clenched his fists as he whispered, "I¡¯m sorry, Mother. I failed to keep my promise."


    Turning to the judges, Mammoth began, "I forfeit¡ª"


    But before he could finish, Rai stepped forward, his voice cutting through the arena like a blade. "What do you think you¡¯re doing?"


    Mammoth froze, staring at Rai in confusion. "What?"


    Rai¡¯s eyes burned with conviction as he snapped, "I said, what do you think you¡¯re doing? Is this all it takes for you to give up? Are you kidding me?"


    Mammoth blinked, his voice faltering. "But my strongest attack¡ª"


    "Just shut the hell up!" Rai interrupted, his voice booming with authority. "Don¡¯t you feel ashamed saying that in front of me? ''What more could I do?'' Seriously? You¡¯re asking me that¡ªthe guy who couldn¡¯t do anything because the universe thought it¡¯d be hilarious to make me the only one without magic?"


    The arena fell silent as Rai continued, his words dripping with passion. "Even I¡ªsomeone who was born with nothing¡ªfound a way to stand here and make myself known. And now you, with all that strength and talent, are ready to throw in the towel just because you lost once? That¡¯s pathetic! Don¡¯t you dare give up so easily¡ªnot in front of me!"


    Rai¡¯s words struck deep into Mammoth¡¯s heart like a well-aimed arrow. Rai stepped closer, his voice unwavering. "I could tell from those eyes¡ªand no, I¡¯m not talking about your magic. That¡¯s all you lot seem to care about these days. I¡¯m talking about what¡¯s behind those eyes." He paused, letting his words sink in. "They say the eyes are the window to the soul, and from your soul, I can tell you¡¯re not here for yourself. From what you said, I¡¯m guessing it¡¯s for your mother."


    Mammoth¡¯s astonished gaze met Rai¡¯s, his silence speaking volumes. Rai pressed on. "Do you really think your mother would forgive you if you just threw in the towel like that? If you gave up without fighting till your very last breath?"


    Those words pierced through Mammoth like lightning, dragging him into memories he¡¯d tried to bury. The promise he had made to his mother echoed in his mind: "I promise, Mom, I¡¯ll make things right again." Tears welled in his eyes and began to fall freely, his chest heaving with raw emotion.


    Rai¡¯s tone softened but remained resolute. "So get your sorry ass off the ground, because this fight isn¡¯t over. Not until one of us is six feet under."


    Mammoth looked up, admiration shining through his tear-streaked face. Slowly, Rai extended his hand, his palm open in an unspoken gesture of camaraderie. Mammoth hesitated for a moment, then clasped Rai¡¯s hand firmly. Rai pulled him to his feet, and the two stood face to face.


    Mammoth wanted to say thank you, but the fire of the fight still burned in his chest. ¡°I¡¯ll save it for after,¡± he thought, clenching his fists as he readied himself once more.


    ¡°And now for you,¡± Rai said, his gaze shifting to the serpent. ¡°I have no idea why you¡¯re submitting to me, and honestly, I¡¯m flattered. But if you have any respect for me, then you¡¯ll obey your master and give it your all. That would be the greatest sign of respect you could show me.¡±


    The serpent bowed its head in acknowledgment, a gesture of reverence toward Rai. With a respectful shake, it slithered back to Mammoth¡¯s side, coiling protectively around him.


    Up in the VIP section, Rose placed a hand over her heart. Rai¡¯s words struck a chord deep within her, stirring a memory of her father. She recalled a moment when, as a young girl, she had declared with childlike certainty, ¡°Daddy, I won¡¯t let any other man even touch me unless he¡¯s at least as great as you. I guess that means I¡¯ll be your little girl forever.¡±


    Her father had chuckled warmly, brushing her hair aside as he replied, ¡°Don¡¯t be so sure, my darling. This year in particular, I¡¯m expecting a great man to join the academy.¡±


    The memory replayed vividly in her mind, and a realization hit her like a gale-force wind. Rose¡¯s gaze fell on Rai, her admiration growing with every passing second.


    In the arena, the crowd was a mixture of emotions. Some were moved to tears by Rai¡¯s conviction, while others erupted into cheers that echoed through the academy grounds. Rai¡¯s presence had united them, if only for a moment. The judges, now seated once again, wore expressions of pride and admiration. Dean Harchell, however, stood out among them, unabashedly fawning over Rai with sparkly, star-struck eyes that seemed out of place for someone of her stature. Despite her antics, the judges collectively shared a mutual anticipation for the conclusion of what had become an extraordinary battle.


    Rai turned his attention back to Mammoth. ¡°Now then, let¡¯s finish this battle the way real men should,¡± he declared with unwavering determination.


    Mammoth, still clad in his electrifying armor with the hammer gripped tightly in one hand and J?rmungandr looming beside him, nodded. ¡°Yeah. Let¡¯s.¡±

 Chapter 5: Extraordinary

    Both Rai and Mammoth charge forward, their movements now a blur of speed and power. Rai, still feeling the weight of his earlier struggles, focuses intensely. His experience from the previous encounter with the serpent proves invaluable, as he effortlessly dodges J?rmungandr¡¯s attacks. Every movement feels calculated, a dance with death.


    Mammoth watches Rai, an admiring grin spreading across his face. "Ha! I would expect nothing less from you after all that talk. But how will you handle this?" he shouts, his eyes glinting with confidence. He charges forward, the serpent at his side, and together, they press the attack, a coordinated barrage that forces Rai to think faster, move quicker.


    Rai smirks despite the intensity of the situation. "Fine then," he murmurs under his breath, "I won¡¯t hold anything back." His voice is calm, but there¡¯s a sudden, overwhelming surge of power within him.


    With a single thought, Rai activates his Atmaan Overdrive. A silver aura bursts forth around his body, crackling with raw energy. It¡¯s as though his very being has been supercharged, his muscles tightening and expanding slightly, his senses honed to perfection. The surge is so powerful it almost overwhelms him, but he fights through it, using the excess energy to fuel his movements. His speed increases exponentially, and the battlefield slows around him.


    "Atmaan Overdrive!" Rai declares, his voice firm. "Let¡¯s end this now."


    Mammoth and J?rmungandr momentarily take a step back, taken aback by the sheer intensity of Rai¡¯s transformation. Their eyes widen, a mixture of awe and calculation. The crowd roars in anticipation, and for a brief moment, all are reminded of the sheer scale of Rai''s determination.


    Rai¡¯s body has become a weapon, each movement sharp and precise. With one powerful strike from above, he sends J?rmungandr crashing to the ground, the shockwave reverberating through the arena floor. The serpent recoils, temporarily immobilized.


    As the serpent recovers, Rai shifts his focus to Mammoth. The air around them grows heavy, thick with the promise of destruction. Mammoth, now visibly invigorated by the fight, raises his Lighting Fury. His hammer glows with dark energy, and with a war cry, he swings it down, summoning a storm of lightning from the heavens above.


    ¡°Lighting Fury!¡± Mammoth bellows, his voice filled with thunder. The sky itself seems to respond, lightning arcing toward Rai¡¯s form. The ground shatters under the impact of each bolt. The audience holds their breath as the storm intensifies.


    But Rai is ready. His Prana surges once more, and he focuses his will to create a Soul Protection barrier around himself. The lightning crashes against the invisible shield with deafening force, but Rai stands firm, his arms trembling from the strain. The energy surges through him, but the shield holds, deflecting the worst of the storm.


    With a grimace, Rai grips the hammer as it strikes him directly, his knees buckling under the weight of the attack. His body aches, his strength waning. But he refuses to yield. His mind races, the words from his earlier speech echoing in his mind: "Don¡¯t give up."


    He grits his teeth, the words of his parents echoing in his soul. ¡°You will rule the world, Rai. Magic or not, you will rise above.¡±


    His fingers tighten around Mammoth¡¯s hammer, and with an explosive roar, he begins to push back. The earth beneath him cracks, but Rai¡¯s resolve holds steady. Slowly, painfully, he begins to rise, inch by inch, against the overwhelming pressure of the attack.


    But then, J?rmungandr stirs. Rai¡¯s eyes widen as the serpent, seemingly awakened from its stupor, slithers toward him. Before Rai can react, it lunges.


    "Atmaan Explosion!" Rai shouts, his voice filled with power.


    The words leave his lips like a command, and in an instant, the shockwave of energy ripples outward. BOOM. The hammer slams down on J?rmungandr''s head as Rai vanishes from sight, leaving Mammoth in a daze.


    Before Mammoth can even raise his head, Rai reappears, mist pouring from his mouth like a dragon''s breath. His eyes burn with intensity as he leaps into the air, focusing all his energy into his final strike.


    With a howl of power, Rai brings his leg down with force, smashing Mammoth into the ground. The sheer force of the impact sends shockwaves through the arena, the ground splitting beneath them. The audience gasps in unison, unable to comprehend the magnitude of Rai¡¯s power.


    Mammoth¡¯s eyes lose their fire as his body bounces from the impact, his face slamming into the arena floor.


    The arena was shrouded in a thick cloud of dust, a lingering testament to the intensity of the battle that had just unfolded. The crowd, now silent in anticipation, waited for the dust to clear, eager to see who would emerge victorious. Rose, her heart pounding in her chest, leaned forward over the railing, her eyes scanning the arena desperately for any sign of Rai. Gale and his friends, their faces filled with hope, stood at the ready, silently rooting for their friend. On the opposite end of the spectrum, Baruss and those who held the belief that magic was the only true power stood seething with anger. How could an ordinary-eyed, magicless boy put on such a spectacle? The thought was unbearable to them.


    The judges sat in calm anticipation, their eyes focused on the shifting dust. Pragaya sat with his eyes closed, his posture serene, almost as if he already knew the outcome. The other judges, composed as ever, waited patiently, but there was a quiet tension in the air. It was Dean Harchell, however, who shocked everyone. Completely out of character, she had risen from her seat, her hands clasped together in a silent prayer, her gaze unwavering as she searched for any sign of Rai. Those watching couldn¡¯t help but be surprised. Harchell, who had always been indifferent to such matters, was now clearly invested in the outcome.


    As the dust began to settle, a dark figure emerged from the haze, its silhouette sharp against the backdrop of the arena. Spiky hair stood on end, bloodied and bruised, but still resolute. As the dust cleared further, Rose¡¯s eyes widened, her heart racing with a mixture of admiration and disbelief. She couldn¡¯t tear her gaze away.


    Gale and his comrades were cheering, their faces flushed with happiness, while the judges, with smiles of satisfaction, looked on approvingly. Dean Harchell was almost ready to leap onto the stage, her hands clasped in hope and affection, a rare moment of vulnerability for the ever-composed dean.


    It was none other than Rai. Despite the toll the battle had taken on him¡ªhis body bruised and battered, covered in blood¡ªhe stood victorious. His once-powerful aura now a faint shimmer, drained by the ancient Prana techniques he had used to push beyond his limits.


    The crowd¡¯s cheer was deafening, echoing throughout the arena. However, there were still some dissenters¡ªthose who still clung to the belief that only magic and the power of eyes could define true strength. Their disapproval was evident, but it was drowned out by the overwhelming support from the rest.


    Mammoth lay sprawled on the ground, a satisfied, contented smile on his face. Even though he had lost, there was no anger in his expression. J?rmungandr, the world serpent, slowly began to vanish, retreating back to the mythical realm from which it had come.


    Rai, barely standing and teetering on the edge of collapse, was on the verge of falling. But, to his surprise, it was Dean Harchell¡ªof all people¡ªwho rushed to him. With an uncharacteristic tenderness, she pulled him into her embrace, her arms around him in a warm and unexpected gesture of support. Rai¡¯s face, pressed into her soft bosom, flushed red, his body shaking from exhaustion. For a brief moment, Harchell¡¯s usual stoic demeanor melted away, her cheeks slightly flushed as she held him close, her actions a rare display of affection.


    Pragaya stood up, his voice booming across the arena as he declared, ¡°The winner of this historic Magian battle is Raiii!!¡± The crowd erupted into deafening cheers, their excitement echoing throughout the arena.This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.


    After the cheers subsided, Pragaya continued, his tone turning more serious, ¡°Now, for the closing finale...¡±


    The crowd¡¯s enthusiasm gradually quieted, their anticipation building once again. Pragaya¡¯s voice took on a gravely somber note, ¡°Let us not forget what is truly at stake here.¡±


    A wave of unease washed over the spectators. The gravity of his words settled over them like a shadow. They all knew what he meant: the loser of this fight would face utter disgrace. Blacklisted and stripped of any future prospects, their life would be ruined beyond repair. It was a harsh consequence, and one that made this duel more than just a test of strength¡ªit was a life-altering gamble. No one ever dared to challenge such a battle lightly, for even a clear victor knew that the cost of such an outcome would be more than just personal. It was a fate too cruel to bear.


    ¡°We know what defeat means in this battle,¡± Pragaya continued, his voice heavy with authority.


    Meanwhile, Dean Shelly¡¯s phoenix hovered nearby, its healing flames enveloping Mammoth as he slowly regained his footing.


    ¡°Mammoth Stark,¡± Pragaya proclaimed, his tone unwavering and firm, ¡°In accordance with the laws that govern this world and this esteemed institution, you are hereby dismissed and blacklisted from all magic academies, effective immediately.¡±


    The crowd fell into a hushed silence, the weight of the announcement settling over them like a dark cloud. They stood frozen, unable to intervene. The rules were clear, etched into the very foundation of their society¡ªnothing could be done.


    Yet, Rai stood there with an almost unsettling smile on his face. The sight shocked everyone. How could he smile at such a moment? It was a heartless expression to some, and it caused confusion to ripple through the onlookers.


    Rose and Gale exchanged uncertain glances, their hearts sinking. ¡°This is not the Rai I know,¡± they thought, bewildered by his cold demeanor.


    Mammoth, still struggling to comprehend the situation, stared at Rai in disbelief. He couldn''t fathom that the same man who had inspired him just moments ago with such fire and passion was now standing there, seemingly indifferent to the fate that awaited him.


    Pragaya continued, his voice steady and authoritative, ¡°Moving forward, in accordance with the latest constitutional amendment passed last year, which takes effect from the beginning of this school year onwards, the winner of the Magian Battle shall be granted one wish, provided it is reasonable.¡±


    The crowd fell into stunned silence, the revelation sinking in. The memory of the amendment struck them all at once.


    Rose, deep in thought, murmured to herself, ¡°Yes, my father did mention something about an amendment last year, but I completely forgot about it.¡±


    Gale and Rose exchanged a knowing glance, realization dawning on them. They looked toward Rai and exclaimed in unison, ¡°So that¡¯s why he¡¯s smiling.¡± The tension in the arena grew as everyone held their breath, waiting for confirmation of their suspicions.


    Pragaya, his smile widening, turned to Rai. ¡°So, Rai, what will your wish be?¡±


    The Deans exchanged subtle, knowing smiles, their eyes glinting with approval. Dean Harchell, however, stood closer to Rai than usual, her gaze fixed on him with an intensity that drew a sharp glance from Rose. Though Rose¡¯s eyes were burning with jealousy, she remained composed, unwilling to reveal any emotions.


    Rai met Mammoth¡¯s eyes, offering him a reassuring, warm smile before turning his gaze back to Pragaya. With a quiet but firm voice, Rai spoke, ¡°I wish for Mammoth¡¯s dismissal and blacklisting to be revoked.¡±


    Pragaya laughed heartily, his voice echoing through the arena. ¡°Of course, I would expect nothing less from you, my boy,¡± he said, his tone filled with admiration. Even Kromus, typically reserved, wore a faint smile, silently approving of Rai¡¯s actions. The other Deans exchanged looks of approval, their expressions giving away their respect for the young boy standing before them.


    Pragaya raised his hand in a celebratory gesture. ¡°I hereby revoke Mammoth Stark¡¯s dismissal and blacklisting. He shall continue his path in the world of magic as usual!¡±


    The crowd erupted into joyful cheers, the sound deafening as they celebrated Rai¡¯s wish and the impact it had on the battle. Rose wore a proud smile, clearly impressed by his decision. Gale and his comrades, filled with excitement, were nearly beside themselves with joy. Rai, the ordinary boy, had done something extraordinary.


    Mammoth, his eyes filled with tears, wrapped Rai in a tight embrace. Rai, caught completely off guard, looked utterly uncomfortable, his face twisting in a comedic mix of awkwardness and surprise.


    ¡°Okay, buddy, that¡¯s enough. You can let go now,¡± Rai said, his voice strained as he gently tried to push Mammoth away.


    Reluctantly, Mammoth released him, stepping back with a deep bow. His head lowered in a gesture of respect, his voice thick with gratitude. ¡°You truly are not ordinary, Rai.¡± He exclaimed, his tone filled with admiration and pride.


    Dean Harchell, her voice dripping with seduction, took a step forward. ¡°Well, I would also like to give Rai a prize for his victory,¡± she purred.


    Standing just shy of six feet, Harchell reached up and gently cupped Rai¡¯s chin, pulling him down as she leaned in to kiss him on the lips. The crowd froze in shock, the atmosphere thick with disbelief. The boys were filled with envy, while Rose¡¯s fury burned brightly in her eyes, her fists clenching at her sides.


    But the kiss held an unexpected power. As their lips met, the air around them seemed to shimmer, sparkling with an almost magical energy. Rai, still caught off guard, kept his eyes open as the kiss unfolded. He glanced around in confusion, unsure of what was happening.


    In that moment, Harchell¡¯s appearance began to change. Her hair, once black, transformed into a brilliant white. Her ears, previously round, shifted into sharp points, and her skin turned pale, glowing with an ethereal radiance. With every passing second, she became undeniably more beautiful, her aura now exuding an otherworldly grace.


    The arena fell into stunned silence, the shock of everything that had transpired leaving everyone speechless. The crowd, still processing the events, could only wonder what this all meant.


    Rose, a mix of fury and confusion painted across her face, stood frozen as she watched the situation unfold before her. Gale, on the other hand, with tears streaming down his face, wore an expression of pride, as if witnessing a proud father. ¡°That¡¯s my boy! Get all the ladies!¡± he cheered, his voice cracking with emotion. ¡°I want some too, man.¡±


    Dean Harchell, now satisfied with her kiss, slowly pulled away, placing a finger to her lips. With a mysterious smile, she addressed the crowd, her voice filled with a hint of mischief. ¡°That is what happens when an elf in hiding kisses a man she loves.¡±


    The crowd¡¯s reactions were mixed. Some were taken aback by the revelation that Harchell was an elf, while Rose¡¯s face twisted in anger, her heart burning with jealousy at the thought of Harchell¡¯s feelings for Rai.


    Harchell, flustered and embarrassed, placed a hand over her face, her cheeks flushed bright red. ¡°Ohhh, how do I say this...¡± she muttered, her voice nervous. Finally, she gathered the courage to speak. ¡°I wish to be your wife, Rai.¡±


    Rai, ever calm, gave her a polite but firm smile. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, but I¡¯ve already promised that someone else will be my wife.¡±


    Rose, who had been silently observing, felt a strange sense of relief. She quickly regained her composure, her usual grace intact, glad to hear Rai¡¯s words.


    Harchell, not discouraged in the slightest, giggled lightly. ¡°That¡¯s okay, I can be your second wife. I don¡¯t mind that.¡±


    The crowd gasped in shock, and even the Deans couldn¡¯t hide their surprise. Kromus placed a hand over his forehead, sighing heavily, while Pragaya, as always, burst into laughter.


    Rai, ever the good-natured, shrugged. ¡°Well, I¡¯m okay with that, but you¡¯re going to have to ask Rose if she¡¯s okay with me having a second wife.¡±


    The entire crowd turned to Rose, awaiting her reaction. But as always, Rose maintained her composure in public, her face a picture of elegance and poise. ¡°I never said I was going to marry you.¡± She said coolly.


    Later that night, in the privacy of her room, Rose lay on her bed, hugging a pillow tightly to her chest. She fidgeted restlessly, her mind a whirl of thoughts as she replayed the events of the day. The image of Harchell and Rai together lingered in her mind, fueling a growing frustration she couldn¡¯t shake.


    Harchell, with a mischievous grin, leaned closer to Rai. ¡°Fine then, it seems I can have you all to myself.¡± She continued to hold his arm, her closeness unmistakable. Rai, unable to shake her off, reluctantly accepted his fate.


    But the drama didn¡¯t end there. The students, still reeling from the shocking turn of events, couldn¡¯t help but wonder¡ªWho exactly is Rai? Elves were mystical creatures, and not many humans could ever tame them. The question lingered in the air, heavy with curiosity.


    Pragaya, ever the voice of authority, stood up, his commanding presence filling the arena. ¡°Alright, students, that¡¯s all for today. You may return to your dorms and rest for the remainder of the day. Classes will officially begin tomorrow.¡±


    With that, the students began to filter out of the arena, still buzzing with excitement and confusion. Harchell, not one to miss an opportunity, leaned in and planted a kiss on Rai¡¯s cheek, her voice dripping with affection. ¡°I¡¯ll be seeing you, darling.¡± She then strutted away, her movements graceful and composed, leaving the air heavy with the energy of her departure.


    Rose, unfazed by the exchange, merely shrugged and turned on her heel, walking back to her room with a calm exterior, though inside, her mind was in turmoil.


    Later that night, in the privacy of her room, Rose lay on her bed, hugging a pillow tightly to her chest. She fidgeted restlessly, her mind a whirl of thoughts as she replayed the events of the day. The image of Harchell and Rai together lingered in her mind, fueling a growing frustration she couldn¡¯t shake.


    Gale descended from the stands, his wind magic cushioning his landing as he effortlessly floated down. With a wide grin, he hoisted Rai onto his shoulders, both of them walking off the arena floor with smiles on their faces, the weight of the battle still lingering in the air.


    Kromus and Pragaya exchanged a knowing look, the subtle approval in their gazes not lost on each other. Without a word, they, along with the other Deans, made their exit from the arena, the echoes of the day¡¯s events slowly fading behind them.

 Chapter 6: Legends Prologue

    The warm morning sun streamed through the window, casting soft golden hues across the dorm room. The gentle chirping of birds outside blended with the faint creaks of the wooden floor. Gale stirred from his sleep, rubbing his eyes groggily. His ears caught the sound of rhythmic grunts, and his gaze shifted to the centre of the room.


    There, Rai was in the middle of an intense workout, his body glistening with sweat in the morning light. Each push-up highlighted his toned muscles and defined abs, a sight that would undoubtedly make many envious.


    Gale smirked. ¡°Good morning, man. Burning the morning oil already, huh?¡±


    Rai let out a loud, exaggerated grunt as he flopped onto the floor like a deflated balloon. ¡°Morning! Ugh, I did it. A thousand push-ups! My arms feel like noodles... wait, are they actually noodles now?!¡± He grabbed at his arms in mock panic, his eyes wide with over-the-top horror.


    Gale chuckled. ¡°You¡¯re fine, drama queen. Still, a thousand push-ups? You trying to get revenge on the floor for something?¡±


    Rai sat up, pretending to struggle as though gravity had increased tenfold. ¡°Revenge? No. Redemption? Maybe. I mean, I thought I¡¯d walk out of that fight like a hero in one of those epic ballads. Instead, I got tossed around like a rag doll.¡± He scratched his head and grinned sheepishly. ¡°If not for some lucky breaks, I¡¯d be Rai-toast right now.¡±


    Gale nodded, his expression both amused and impressed. ¡°Like the part where the serpent, J?rmungandr, bowed to you? Still no idea why that happened, but man, that was legendary. The stands went wild.¡±


    Rai puffed out his chest and struck a ridiculous superhero pose, his voice dripping with fake grandeur. ¡°Of course it bowed to me. I have... uh... ¡®that thing.¡¯ You know, the thing that makes mythical creatures respect you.¡± He waggled his eyebrows at Gale, who rolled his eyes.


    Gale leaned back, his grin widening. ¡°Oh, and then there¡¯s Miss Harchell. Who saw that coming? I mean, an elf! Elves are these mystical, untouchable beings, shy and antisocial. And she just¡­ kisses you and declares she wants to be your wife? Dude, how do you pull this stuff off?¡±


    Rai¡¯s face turned red as he waved his hands frantically. ¡°Pull this stuff off? I don¡¯t know, man! Maybe elves have bad taste? Or maybe she just mistook me for someone else? I mean, who¡¯d want to marry a guy who¡¯s, like, this sweaty all the time?¡±


    Gale doubled over laughing. ¡°Oh, you¡¯re killing me, Rai. You¡¯ve got this crazy life and you still act like it¡¯s no big deal.¡±


    Rai flung his towel dramatically over his shoulder and sighed. ¡°Crazy? Please. You haven¡¯t seen crazy until you¡¯ve tried surviving an academy full of magic users with nothing but luck and charisma. Speaking of which, we¡¯ve got classes. Let¡¯s go before someone curses me again.¡±


    Gale let out a dramatic sigh, flopping back onto his bed with a hand over his heart. ¡°Only you, Rai, would brush off something that insane like it¡¯s just another Tuesday.¡± He shook his head, a mix of disbelief and admiration flashing in his eyes. ¡°I swear, man, your life is ridiculous.¡±


    Rai opened the door, pointing at Gale with mock seriousness. ¡°Ridiculous? Buddy, I¡¯m just warming up.¡± He spun out of the room like a performer exiting stage left, nearly tripping over his own feet in the process.


    Gale got up, shaking his head with a laugh, and followed him out, their banter continuing as they stepped into the lively academy halls, ready to tackle whatever the day had in store.


    The massive orientation hall stretched endlessly, its grandeur still captivating Rai, whose wide-eyed wonder shone as brightly as the sunlight streaming through the hall¡¯s intricate glasswork. His head tilted from side to side, taking in every detail like a child at a festival. Gale couldn¡¯t help but chuckle, watching Rai¡¯s eyes dart about.


    Rai suddenly gasped. "Look at those pillars, Gale! They¡¯re so shiny¡ªdo you think they¡¯re made of gold? Should I ask if we can take one home? Oh! What if they give us one for free as a first-day souvenir?"


    Gale sighed. "Rai, focus. You¡¯re drawing attention again."


    As they settled into their seats in the middle of the hall, Gale became increasingly aware of the murmurs buzzing around them. Whispers ebbed and flowed like an incessant tide.


    <ul>


    <li>"That¡¯s Rai, isn¡¯t it?"</li>


    <li>"Hey, he¡¯s the one who beat Mammoth!"</li>


    <li>"No way. He must have cheated."</li>


    <li>"Yeah, Mammoth probably let him win. There¡¯s no chance someone like him could actually beat a powerhouse like that."</li>


    </ul>


    Rai, oblivious to the words, leaned toward Gale with a goofy grin. "Hey, do you think they¡¯re talking about my abs? Should I flex for them?" Before Gale could stop him, Rai struck an exaggerated pose, his smile brighter than the chandeliers above.


    Gale facepalmed. "Rai¡­ I¡¯m begging you, sit still before someone writes a song about your ¡®legendary abs.¡¯"


    Despite Rai¡¯s antics, Gale couldn¡¯t ignore the weight of the students¡¯ words. His expression darkened as he thought about the deeply ingrained belief system that had shaped these kids. They had been raised with the mantra "Eyes are everything" drilled into their minds since they could speak. Parents pushed their children to cultivate magic, treating weak magic¡ªand by extension, weak eyes¡ªas a shameful curse.


    It didn¡¯t matter that these students had witnessed Rai¡¯s duel with their own eyes. They clung stubbornly to their prejudices, their pride too fragile to accept the truth. Gale thought back to what Rai had said earlier, words that echoed louder than the murmurs. "Those with eyes emanating strong magic are truly blind."


    Gale sighed, his gaze shifting to Rai, who was now attempting to balance a coin on his nose. His carefree demeanour stood in stark contrast to the gravity of Gale¡¯s reflections. And yet, Gale couldn¡¯t help but think: maybe, just maybe, Rai¡¯s ordinary eyes held the vision that the rest of the world so desperately lacked.


    Rai, with a sudden realization, stood up in his chair and began scanning the room exaggeratedly. His eyes darted around as if searching for something extremely important, his body leaning this way and that, his neck craning as though he were trying to spot something across the vast hall. He even stretched on tiptoe to get a better view, looking utterly ridiculous.


    "What are you looking for, Rai?" Gale asked, his eyebrow raised in confusion at his friend''s strange behavior.


    Rai¡¯s eyes narrowed dramatically, his finger tapping against his chin in a mock-serious manner, deep in thought. "I¡¯m looking for that redhead¡­ what was her damn name again?"


    Before Gale could respond, a voice interrupted sharply, dripping with irritation. "Rose," it grumbled, laced with annoyance.


    Rai froze mid-sentence. His eyes widened, and he slowly turned to the source of the voice. Seated right behind him, with arms crossed tightly across her chest and a scowl that could rival a thunderstorm, was none other than Rose. Her fiery red hair framed her face, and her sharp brning red eyes bore into him, practically sizzling with irritation.


    Rai, caught completely off guard, stammered and fumbled awkwardly. "Ah¡ªyeah, that''s right! Rose... I... uh, didn¡¯t know you were behind me..."


    Rose¡¯s glare only deepened, and the tension between them seemed to thicken. Rai winced but couldn¡¯t help but grin nervously, his awkward chuckle ringing in the air. "Heh... good to see you too."


    Rose, while Rai awkwardly laughed off the moment, was lost in thought, her mind drifting to the words her father had spoken to her earlier: "I am expecting a great man to join the academy this year." She couldn¡¯t help but wonder to herself, ¡°He can¡¯t be it, can he?¡±


    Her heart raced a little at the thought, but she quickly regained her composure. ¡°Only a man as great as my father shall ever take my hand in marriage¡±, she reassured herself. Yet, despite her conviction, she couldn¡¯t shake the hope that he might be the one. Deep down, a small, unspoken part of her yearned for it.


    Rai, once he was done laughing off the situation, stood back up on his chair and began scanning the room comedically, looking for his next target.


    "What now?" Gale asked, his voice laced with amusement.


    "Well, I found my first wife," Rai said nonchalantly, "now where¡¯s my second? That stunning elf who even stole my first kiss."


    Gale laughed hysterically, barely able to contain himself. "Of course! Hahaha, only you would casually say such a sentence with no emotion whatsoever!"


    Meanwhile, Rose, her cheeks flushed red, matching her brilliant hair, shouted at Rai with a hint of jealousy, "You fool! I¡¯m telling you once more, I never agreed to marry you!" She then turned her face away, with a cute little ¡°hmph!¡±


    Rai, completely oblivious to her anger, replied with his usual nonchalance, "Well, that''s what I love about you now. There''s no point in chasing after a goal if it''s so easy to attain."


    Steam practically erupted from Rose¡¯s head as her face turned beet red.


    Gale, still laughing, added with a grin, "Well, well, Romeo, sit down already. Would you? Miss Harchell is no ordinary student, she¡¯s a Dean."


    Rai, reluctantly, plopped back down into his seat, shrugging his shoulders in disappointment, as if he¡¯d just lost the prize.


    Rose, still embarrassed and conflicted about Rai¡¯s behavior, quickly regained her composure. Though, in the back of her mind, her heart raced, and she found herself wondering, "Could he really be the one?" She tried to dismiss the thought, but a part of her couldn¡¯t help but hope.


    Gale looked over at Rai, shaking his head in amused disbelief. "Man, you''re something else. Not even a second thought about it. You just keep pushing forward like nothing fazes you."


    Rai shrugged, his playful smile never leaving his face. "I¡¯m just being me, that¡¯s all." His grin widened. "Besides, who wouldn¡¯t want to be with someone as great as me?"


    Rose caught the tail end of Rai¡¯s remark and couldn¡¯t suppress a small smile despite herself. She quickly covered her face, turning away again to hide the slight blush creeping up her neck.You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.


    The room suddenly fell into a familiar silence, much like the first day during orientation. It was Frost Kromus who entered once again, his silver hair tied back, and his frost-like eyes giving a cold, piercing stare to the students.


    "Hmm, very good. I would have been disappointed if I had to request silence once again."


    He surveyed the room for a moment, making sure everyone was paying attention Rai being held in place by Gale to make sure he does not do anything stupid.


    "Now, though, you better be on your extra best behaviour, because today the Headmaster will address you before sorting you into your respective houses."


    The door swung open once more, and Pragaya emerged, his presence filling the room with a radiant light. The air seemed to shimmer around him, casting a sense of hope and wisdom over everyone. He walked toward the podium with a graceful yet commanding elegance, each step deliberate and filled with purpose. His aura was one of authority, yet there was a warmth about him that made students feel both awe and comfort.


    As Pragaya surveyed the room, his eyes locked with Rai¡¯s. In an unexpected moment of casualness, Rai raised his hand and gave Pragaya a salute ¡ª the kind you would give to an old friend. The room fell silent, and all eyes shifted to the exchange.


    To everyone''s shock, especially Kromus, Pragaya returned the salute with a smile, his eyes gleaming with a quiet amusement. The students were stunned, exchanging puzzled looks. Rai had just done something that no one had ever dared to do in the presence of such authority ¡ª yet here was the Headmaster himself, responding in kind.


    The reaction in the room was a mix of disbelief and fascination. A few students whispered among themselves, unable to comprehend the scene they had just witnessed, while others simply stared in stunned silence. Rai, ever unbothered, took his seat, not fully realizing the gravity of the moment. Kromus stood frozen, his frosty demeanor faltering for the briefest of moments, clearly thrown off by the unexpected exchange.


    Gale and Rose knocked Rai on the head in comedic fashion. "What the hell do you think you''re doing, you idiot?" Rose exclaimed, her tone a mixture of disbelief and irritation. Rai rubbed his head, wincing in pain, and shrugged nonchalantly. "What? I¡¯m just showing the old guy some respect. If it weren¡¯t for him yesterday, Frosty Eyes would¡¯ve stopped the fight before it even heated up."


    Rose and Gale both sighed in unison, their hands covering their faces in exasperation. Gale shook his head slowly, a resigned, dry tone in his voice. "I don''t know what else I was expecting from you, really."


    Rai chuckling childishly "Aww c''mon guys, it''s not a big deal," he says with a cool attitude.


    Meanwhile, Pragaya has now made it to the podium, ready to speak. The room quiets as all eyes turn to him. Pragaya''s presence radiates confidence and wisdom, commanding attention without saying a word. As he stands before the students, he takes a moment to survey the room before beginning.


    "Esteemed students, and if history were to repeat itself, the next potential Elemental Magistrate, whomever that might be," he says with a knowing look, his eyes briefly landing on Rai, making sure no one else notices the subtle jab directed at him. The crowd murmurs, unsure whether to be excited or confused.


    "I am deeply thrilled and filled with joy to see you all here today," Pragaya continues, his tone genuine but slightly theatrical. "I won¡¯t bore you with a longwinded speech, do not fret," he adds with a wink, eliciting a few chuckles from the students.


    "Let¡¯s get right into the main event¡ªthe Elemental House assignments."


    At this, Rai looks around in confusion, scratching his head with a puzzled expression. "The hell''s that?" he asks in his usual comedic fashion, clearly not grasping the seriousness of the situation.


    Gale, who is used to Rai''s quirks by now, sighs with exasperation, his tone dry as ever. "The Elemental Assignment is the ceremony where your magic will be appraised using that huge crystal ball," he explains, gesturing toward the large object in the center of the room. "The stronger your magic, the more advanced your class will be. And depending on which element you have the most affinity for, you''ll be placed in one of the four Elemental Houses for inter-house competitions."


    Rai nodded slowly, but his confused expression never left his face. He scratched his head, his fingers fumbling as if trying to hold onto a slippery concept. His eyes darted around, clearly struggling to grasp the full significance of the event. "What do you mean, the element you have most affinity for?" he asked, his voice filled with innocent curiosity, as if he were asking about a completely unrelated subject.


    Gale, sensing Rai''s confusion, let out a small sigh. He tried to keep his tone calm but serious. "It means that unless you''re from one of the 4 great clans and are a direct descendant, you¡¯ll likely have more than one elemental affinity. The strongest of these elements will be the one you¡¯re most attuned to." Gale¡¯s eyes glinted with a rare sense of purpose as he spoke, but the uncertainty in his voice gave away how much he wasn¡¯t sure himself.


    Rai, still struggling to connect the dots, let out a low hum and scratched his chin dramatically, as if trying to solve an unsolvable puzzle. "Huh..." he muttered, his gaze wandering to the floor, still processing. Before he could respond, Gale seemed to pause, his brow furrowing as a thought struck him.


    "Although," Gale continued, his tone shifting from casual to genuinely confused, "Wouldn''t that mean that sub-clans with multiple elemental affinities could be stronger than the 4 great clans themselves?" His question hung in the air like a heavy mist. Both he and Rai fell into deep, thoughtful poses, eyes narrowed as they both pondered the implications. It was almost as if the entire room had quieted down around them, giving the two of them a moment to wrestle with the weight of their realizations.


    Rose, her tone a mix of disappointment and pride, leaned forward, her gaze piercing Rai and Gale. "Well, I guess I have no choice but to educate you two fools. Listen closely now, because I will not repeat myself," she said firmly, the pride in her voice palpable. Rai and Gale both turned their full attention to Rose. Rai, still a bit distracted by the presence of the girl in front of him, stared at her with wide eyes, a little too obvious in his admiration. Rose, maintaining a cool composure, met his gaze without flinching, though a faint sigh escaped her lips.


    Rai grinned sheepishly as he realized he''d been caught staring. "Oh, sorry, I was just thinking about how pretty you are," he muttered, rubbing the back of his neck.


    Rose rolled her eyes but didn''t let it throw her off as she continued. "Those descended from the four great clans are the most powerful because they control the purest form of the elements," she started, her voice filled with authority, though Rai''s words left a slight pink flush on her cheeks. "For example, fire users aren¡¯t limited to just creating and manipulating fire. With enough practice, they can also control magma or lava, which is a mixture of both fire and earth." She nodded toward Gale to reinforce her point.


    Gale, who had already heard this a thousand times, leaned back and muttered under his breath, "So basically, fire guys get to play with lava and think they¡¯re the best thing since sliced bread." His dry humor almost made Rose crack a smile.


    Rose, keeping her composure, continued. "On the other hand, those from the sub-clans, while they may have affinities with multiple elements, can only control the single combination they are born with. For instance, Mammoth¡¯s lightning is a blend of both wind and water elements. However, he can only control lightning, he can¡¯t command wind, water or storm magic, which is another combination of wind and water, or any other combination between wind and water."


    Rai, ever the curious one, blinked a few times, his expression growing even more puzzled. "Wait, you¡¯re telling me fire guys can make lava?" he asked, scratching his head. "What next, earth guys can make trees grow cuz they are part of the earth?"


    Rose didn¡¯t miss a beat. "Yes, pretty much."


    Gale couldn¡¯t help but laugh at Rai¡¯s expression, shaking his head. "You''re something else, you know that?"


    Rose smirked at Gale¡¯s remark but didn¡¯t let it derail her explanation. "But those who have the pure elements, either water or wind since these two are the elements that make up lightning, can learn to control even Mammoth¡¯s lightning or create storm magic with enough training although that is a very tall order even for the most skilled Magian.


    Her tone shifted as she spoke about her father. ¡°it is such a tall task that even My father, apart from his pure fire magic, can only control three other combinations: light, magma, and steam cloud magic." The pride in her voice was undeniable as she spoke, though there was a subtle glimmer of something softer in her eyes as she glanced back at Rai. Was she hoping for more recognition? It was hard to tell.


    Rai, brimming with animated frustration, nearly jumps out of his chair. "You''re telling me he can control four types of magic? Geez, man, gimme a break, would you?" he exclaims before slumping back with a dramatic sigh. "How am I gonna beat that, take his place, and marry you?"


    Rose''s face involuntarily lights up with a proud yet flustered smile. She quickly masks it, responding in a smug tone, "Right? Isn¡¯t he great? You have no chance of being as amazing as him." Her voice is confident, but a hint of teasing lingers.


    Rai, now back up on his chair, meets her eyes. "You''re right. I¡¯ll never be as great as him." His serious tone catches Rose off guard. A faint sense of disappointment starts to creep into her expression, but before it takes hold, Rai flashes his signature bright smile, one so radiant it feels like it could light up the entire hall. "Because I''m not here to be as great as him. I¡¯m here to be a hundred times better than he ever dreamed of being."


    Rose is left momentarily stunned, her confident fa?ade cracking. She tries to compose herself, but her mind lingers on Rai¡¯s words. No one had ever spoken to her like this before. Everyone else tiptoed carefully, measuring their words out of respect¡ªor fear¡ªof her father¡¯s position as the Elemental Magistrate. But Rai? His bold determination completely ignored those societal norms. To him, her father¡¯s title wasn¡¯t a barrier; it was just another goal to surpass.


    A flicker of admiration grows within Rose, though she quickly brushes it aside. She couldn¡¯t be falling for someone like Rai... could she? Her stubborn pride wouldn¡¯t allow her to admit it¡ªnot yet, anyway. Still, she shifts ever so slightly in her seat, the tiniest movement signalling the first crack in her armour.


    As the trio animatedly discussed, Pragaya''s speech seemed to drift into the background for Rai. Suddenly, Rai noticed students moving towards the front, and his laughter froze mid-sentence. Blinking, he whispered, ¡°Wait... did I miss something important?¡±


    Pragaya''s commanding voice echoed across the hall:


    "Alright then, students! Without further ado, let''s get to the best part of the day. I would like you all to gather around the Crystal Ball. As Professor Kromus calls your name, step forward to be appraised and sorted into one of the four Elemental Houses, as well as into your class level¡ªranging from Level 1 to Level 5."


    Excitement surged like a tidal wave through the hall. The students eagerly clustered around the towering Crystal Ball, its shimmering surface radiating a magical brilliance. Swirling patterns of vibrant colors danced hypnotically across its surface, pulsing as though alive. Whispers of excitement filled the air as students speculated about their elemental affinities and levels.


    Rai''s eyes widened in awe, though a faint hint of cluelessness betrayed his inner thoughts. Gale noticed immediately and nudged him forward with a sigh. ¡°Come on, Rai. Don¡¯t just stand there like you¡¯ve never seen magic before.¡±


    Rai tilted his head, scratching the back of it with his usual sheepish grin. ¡°So¡­ uh¡­ what if the Crystal Ball says I don¡¯t belong in any house? Do they have, like, a closet or something for outcasts?¡±


    Gale stifled a laugh while trying to maintain his composure. ¡°Come on Rai, no time to feel sorry now¡±.


    Rose, walking slightly ahead of them, couldn¡¯t resist turning around, her fiery red hair catching the light as she cast an exasperated glare. ¡°Try not to embarrass yourself, Rai. And for heaven¡¯s sake, stop acting like a clueless fool. This moment will determine the path of your future!¡±


    But as her gaze lingered on Rai, her expression softened. Her thoughts betrayed her usual composure: Even if I have no idea how someone like him got here... he might just surprise us all. Flustered by her own musings, she quickly turned away, her face tinged with a hint of pink.


    Ahead of the students, Professor Kromus stepped forward. His frost-like eyes swept over the gathered crowd, immediately silencing every whisper and movement. The students collectively shivered under the weight of his commanding presence, a chill permeating the room as though the temperature had dropped.


    ¡°Names will be called in order,¡± Kromus began, his voice cold and precise. ¡°Step forward when summoned.¡±


    The hall held its breath. All eyes were on the Crystal Ball, which pulsed faintly in anticipation. For the students, this was the moment they had been waiting for¡ªthe moment they would discover their destinies.


    Rai, meanwhile, leaned toward Gale, his curiosity unabated. ¡°You think it¡¯ll say something cool for me? Like¡­ ¡®Congratulations! You¡¯ve unlocked the House of Awesomeness!¡¯¡±


    Gale gave a long, resigned sigh. ¡°Sure, Rai. And while we¡¯re dreaming, maybe it¡¯ll say you¡¯re the long-lost prince of a magical kingdom.¡±


    The light-hearted banter added levity to the room, but for everyone else, the ceremony was sacred. For Rose, it was a chance to watch Rai further prove his worth¡ªor lack thereof. For Rai, it was just another step in his whimsical quest to conquer the world.


    This was where the tale would truly start to unfold.

 Chapter 7: Legend

    Kromus stood firm, his presence commanding the room into an almost oppressive silence. His sharp gaze scanned the students, ensuring discipline before he began. "Good. Now let¡¯s get on with the first student. Ariel."


    A petite girl hesitantly stepped forward. Her shoulders were hunched, and her timid demeanor drew curious whispers from the crowd. Her muted, dull eyes were an anomaly in a room filled with radiant, magical hues.


    Kromus gestured to the towering crystal ball. "Ariel, step forward and place your hands on the crystal ball."


    Ariel nodded timidly, stepping closer to the enormous sphere. As her small hands made contact with its surface, the crystal ball began to glow faintly. The faint light quickly intensified, pulsating with an array of colours that shimmered across the room like a prismatic storm.


    The sphere vibrated, its hum growing louder with each passing moment. Ariel instinctively stepped back, her expression a mix of awe and fear. The vibrations reached a fever pitch, and a collective gasp filled the hall as spider web cracks raced across the crystal¡¯s surface.


    The crowd stared in stunned silence¡ªuntil Rai¡¯s voice rang out from the back. "I bet she is gonne blame Frosty for what happened, it¡¯s always a man¡¯s fault." His tone was playful, but it echoed in the now-silent hall like thunder.


    Gale clamped a hand over his mouth, his shoulders trembling as he fought to suppress his laughter. A few other boys exchanged nervous glances, their faces struggling to remain neutral.


    But the girls in the room were less forgiving. Their eyes turned crimson with fury, glowing like vengeful demons as they directed their ire at Rai. Rose, in particular, clenched her fists, steam practically rising from her ears.


    Undeterred by the murderous stares, Rai shrugged nonchalantly and added, "Wow, guess along with accountability women don¡¯t have a sense of humour either." He raised his hands in mock surrender, his expression one of exaggerated disappointment.


    While the entire room sat in utter silence, the atmosphere was sharply divided. Half the students struggled to stifle their laughter, terrified of drawing the ire of the other half, who seemed on the verge of committing unspeakable acts against a single individual.


    Rose, however, had grown somewhat immune to Rai¡¯s antics¡ªor so she told herself. She placed her hand on her head and sighed deeply, disappointment etched across her face. ¡°Why do I even bother?¡± she muttered under her breath, a phrase that had become all too common since meeting Rai. Yet, buried beneath her frustration, a flicker of admiration glimmered. No one else dared to be as bold or utterly shameless as Rai, and a small, stubborn part of her respected that.


    The room''s simmering fury reached a boiling point as the girls¡¯ eyes began to glow with magical intensity. Some even muttered incantations under their breath, sparks of elemental energy forming around their hands. The tension felt like a storm ready to break.


    And then, it happened.


    A booming, thunderous laughter erupted, shattering the tension like glass. Frost Kromus, the ever-composed disciplinarian, was clutching his sides, tears of laughter streaming down his frost-like eyes. He looked nothing like the cold, intimidating figure everyone had come to fear. Instead, he was utterly consumed by the joke.


    Kromus¡¯s laughter echoed through the room, each burst of mirth further disarming the volatile atmosphere. Finally, he managed to speak between chuckles, his voice carrying an unusual warmth: "I didn¡¯t think I¡¯d hear such bold humour in this room today! Well done, boy!"


    The room froze again, this time in sheer disbelief. Even the girls, whose fury moments ago could have rivalled a dragon¡¯s fire, stared at Kromus as if he¡¯d grown a second head.


    Rose, caught off guard, glanced at Rai. Her expression wavered between frustration and reluctant admiration. She found herself wondering¡ªnot for the first time¡ªwhat it was about this clueless, reckless boy that made him so infuriatingly unshakable.


    Rai, entirely unfazed by the tension, leaned back in his chair, his trademark grin lighting up his face. He threw a casual thumbs up toward Kromus and declared: "See, Frosty gets it."


    Kromus¡¯s laughter resumed at full force, his frosty exterior momentarily thawed. The girls¡¯ glowing eyes dimmed, their magical auras dissipating, though their glares at Rai promised future retribution.


    The room settled once more, though an undercurrent of disbelief remained. Pragaya, observing Rai from his place, smirked faintly, thinking to himself, He sure has not changed.


    Kromus¡¯s booming laughter was cut short by the violently shaking crystal ball, replaced by a sharp, calculated expression.


    "Oh, right! I forgot we were doing this," he muttered, his frost-filled eyes narrowing as he subtly shifted his stance. His composure remained firm, yet his body was clearly prepared for action.


    The crystal¡¯s surface began to fragment, the splitting sounds echoing ominously. Rai, utterly captivated, leaned forward with wide eyes and shouted, "Holy crap, that thing is transforming!"


    The rest of the students, still reeling from the tension, turned to Rai in a chorus of disbelief: "Transforming!?"


    Rai waved his hand enthusiastically, as if trying to explain something obvious. "Yeah, just watch! It''s awesome!¡±


    The crystal ball, as though spurred by Rai''s excitement, began to reshape itself dramatically. Its rounded sides unfolded with mechanical precision, forming massive crystalline arms that glimmered with ethereal energy. Its base widened, reshaping into thick legs that stomped onto the ground with a resounding thud. Finally, a head emerged, glowing with an intense pink hue that seemed oddly soothing despite its sheer intensity.


    The creature, now fully formed and towering at 10 feet tall, radiated a commanding presence. Its body refracted light like a living gemstone, and arcane symbols etched into its surface shimmered faintly. It let out a low, rumbling grunt, its crystalline "eyes" flickering as it rubbed its face in a startlingly human-like gesture.


    "Who dares disturb my slumber?" the crystalline entity demanded, its deep, resonant voice reverberating throughout the hall. It sounded as though the earth itself had spoken.


    The students froze in collective silence, the room¡¯s tension palpable. The creature¡¯s gaze slowly scanned the crowd, glowing with a strange mixture of sentience and magical energy. Then, it stopped¡ªits eyes locking onto Kromus.


    A chilling stillness enveloped the hall as the creature straightened. Its head tilted slightly, as though assessing the Frost Master. Kromus, unfazed by the piercing stare, stood tall and unyielding. His frosty aura intensified subtly, a clear sign to the entity¡ªand everyone else¡ªthat he was ready, should things escalate.


    It was as though the weight of their unspoken challenge pressed down on every student, leaving them unsure if the next moment would bring words or a clash of unimaginable power.


    No one dared to speak. Eyes darted between the two, each student gripping their emotions tightly. Gale looked like he was reconsidering his life choices.


    Then, in the most unexpected turn, the crystal creature casually tapped Kromus on the shoulder and boomed in a cheerful, playful tone, ¡°Oh Frosty, it¡¯s you! Good to see you, little guy.¡±


    The silence shattered as students blinked in disbelief. Some gasped audibly, others exchanged incredulous glances. The moment that was supposed to be legendary had transformed into an anti-climax of epic proportions.


    All except Rai.


    He stood there frozen for a heartbeat, his mouth slightly agape, before bursting into uncontrollable laughter. It wasn¡¯t just a chuckle¡ªit was the kind of hearty, tears-in-your-eyes laughter that made him double over, clutching his stomach.


    Still chuckling, Rai marched right up to the towering crystal creature, a mischievous glint in his eyes. ¡°See? Frosty is a good nickname for you! I knew it!¡± he declared triumphantly, as if he had just won an argument no one else was having.


    Kromus¡¯ face twitched, his icy glare fixing firmly on Rai. The vein on his temple bulged ominously, though he somehow managed to keep his composure. Barely.


    The rest of the students froze. Their minds were at war. Should they laugh along? Should they stay quiet and preserve their lives? For the boys, survival instincts kicked in¡ªnobody dared to even smirk. The girls, however, had no such reservations. Their collective glares burned with enough intensity to melt iron.


    Rose, standing amidst the chaos, sighed and planted her hand firmly on her forehead. ¡°Why am I not surprised? It¡¯s Rai, after all.¡± Yet, despite her exasperated tone, a small, involuntary smile played at the corners of her lips.


    Next to her, Gale leaned over and whispered with his usual dry humour, ¡°He¡¯s going to get us killed one day, and I have not even held a girls hand yet.¡± Though his words were laced with exasperation, even he couldn¡¯t fully suppress the amusement tugging at his lips.


    The crystal creature, let out a hearty laugh that reverberated through the room. It gently patted Rai on the head, nearly toppling him over in the process. ¡°I like this one. He¡¯s got spirit!¡±.


    Right as the creature¡¯s hand touched Rai it was taken aback but before its reaction could alert the room Pragaya gave a glare to the creature and it quickly regained its composure before anyone could notice, the crystal then played off the scene coolly continuing to pat Rai on the head.


    Rai beamed up at the creature as though they were old friends, completely unfazed by the towering entity before him. Meanwhile, Kromus¡¯ expression darkened further, his patience clearly wearing thin.


    ¡°Still as grumpy as ever, Frosty? You need to loosen up!¡± the creature teased, nudging Kromus playfully.


    The students watched the exchange, curiosity bubbling within them. Who¡ªor what¡ªwas this creature, and what kind of history did it share with Kromus?


    As the creature¡¯s laughter subsided, it leaned down, scanning the room with a mischievous glint in its glowing pink eyes. ¡°This year¡¯s batch is brimming with potential. I can¡¯t wait to see how this unfolds.¡±


    Its words hung in the air, carrying a cryptic weight that sent shivers down the spines of the students. Whatever was coming next, it promised to be nothing short of extraordinary.


    Rose found her gaze drifting back to Rai. There was something about his audacity, his sheer refusal to be anything less than himself that set him apart. She shook her head in disbelief, yet she couldn¡¯t help but feel a growing admiration for the boy who seemed utterly unfazed by the impossible.


    Kromus clapped his hands sharply, the sound slicing through the air to regain control of the room. ¡°Alright, settle down. This being here is Allseer, an ancient mythical beast contracted by our headmaster.¡±


    A ripple of awe spread through the students, their eyes wide in disbelief. ¡°Wow, the headmaster must be one awesome guy, huh?¡± whispered one student, the quiet murmur quickly spreading through the room.


    Kromus gave a small sigh, already anticipating the next question. ¡°Allseer¡¯s magic eyes have the ability to appraise others.¡±


    Rai¡¯s eyes went wide. ¡°Wait, wait, hold up. You¡¯re telling me magical beasts also have magic eyes?¡± He shot a confused glance around, then back at Kromus, his voice rising with each word.


    Kromus sighed again, pinching the bridge of his nose. ¡°Yes, Rai. Every living creature in this world has magical eyes¡ªfrom house cats to dragons. But the power of their eyes depends on the strength of their body, soul, and mind.¡±


    A beat of silence passed. Then, Rai¡¯s body went rigid, and he slowly dropped to his hands and knees in the most dramatic fashion. The air around him visibly darkened, as if the world itself was mourning his existence. ¡°So you¡¯re telling me even house cats have magical eyes, but I don¡¯t? Hmmm... yes... yes. Even a cat has a stronger soul, body, and mind than me.¡±


    He let out a pained sigh and turned his gaze upward, eyes glassy, as a single tear slid down his cheek. He was practically glowing with melodrama. The entire room froze, watching him, unsure whether to laugh or offer condolences. Rai continued staring at the ceiling, lost in his existential crisis.


    Gale, sensing an opening, straightened up, his chest puffing out in mock pride. ¡°Well, well, Rai. Don¡¯t be sad. Not everyone can be as great as me!¡± His tone was lighthearted, but there was an obvious touch of smugness in it.If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. Please report it.


    Rai, without skipping a beat, turned his emotionless gaze to Gale, completely deadpan. ¡°Says the guy who was rejected by his own parents.¡±


    Gale froze, his face dropping in a comedic gasp. He stood still for a moment, the words sinking in, before mirroring Rai¡¯s dramatic posture. ¡°Oh yes¡­ I forgot about that,¡± he muttered, sinking down into exaggerated sorrow.


    Now, side by side, both Rai and Gale stared up at the ceiling in perfect unison, their expressions a comical picture of despair. Rose, watching this unfold, sighed deeply, her hand covering her face in exasperation. ¡°Why do I even associate with these fools?¡± she muttered to herself, but as always, despite her frustration, a reluctant smile tugged at the corners of her lips.


    Allseer, who had been watching with quiet amusement, finally spoke up, his voice light and teasing. ¡°These two are quite the spectacle, aren¡¯t they?¡± he chuckled softly, as if thoroughly entertained by the scene.


    Rose, growing ever more frustrated with the antics of the two boys, marched over to them. With swift, well-placed taps to their heads, she dragged them back to their seats. The class, already accustomed to this spectacle, stifled their grins. Kromus, now struggling to maintain control, cleared his throat, forcing himself to focus. "Anyways, let''s continue with the ceremony. Now, where were we?"


    As he tried to collect his thoughts, a soft voice cut through the tension. "Umm, sir, should I step forward again?" It was Ariel. She appeared hesitant, almost as if the spotlight was too much for her. Her eyes flitted nervously around the room, not meeting anyone''s gaze.


    Kromus jumped in surprise, his wide eyes betraying his startled state. The room went still as Ariel, previously invisible, materialized before them. Her magic eyes, it seemed, had the power of invisibility. Kromus, caught off guard, attempted to smooth his robes and regain his usual authoritative composure. "Ahem, yes," he said, his voice tinged with the slight awkwardness of the moment. "You may step forward. Let Allseer assess you."


    The students murmured in awe, their curiosity piqued. "I didn¡¯t realize you could make yourself invisible," one whispered. "Do you think I could learn to do that?" another asked, wide-eyed.


    Ariel stepped forward timidly, her posture slightly hunched as if to make herself as small as possible under the gaze of so many. She looked up briefly, her hands shaking slightly as she placed herself before Allseer, whose massive form loomed above her. His radiant pink eyes glowed as he lowered his hand on her head, focusing on her. The room fell into a heavy silence, as if the very air itself was holding its breath.


    After a beat, Allseer lifted his hand, his eyes now gleaming with intrigue. "Wow," he said, voice full of admiration. "We have ourselves a very unique one here. You will be Level 4, and you shall join the House of Neptune."


    The room fell into a hushed murmur, the students discussing amongst themselves as Ariel returned to her seat. "Wow, Level 4¡ªshe must be strong," one student whispered. "Neptune, that must be the water elemental house," another added.


    The ceremony continued at a gradual pace. Kromus called up one student after another, each one stepping forward with a mix of excitement or hesitation, as Allseer assessed them. "Level 2 and House of Gaia," came the announcement. The students watched in awe, marveling at the unique abilities and the impressive results.


    But then Kromus called out, "Gale Crimson."


    Gale froze. His heart pounded in his chest, and the air around him seemed to thicken. His eyes darted nervously to Rai, who sat beside him. He felt the weight of every gaze in the room, the unspoken judgment in the whispers of his classmates. His hand trembled slightly. He could already hear the teasing comments in his mind.


    "There¡¯s no need for me to go, right guys?" Gale mumbled, his voice shaky. "I mean, come on, it¡¯s just gonna say Level 1. So let¡¯s not waste everyone¡¯s time." He tried to make light of it, but the anxiety in his eyes betrayed him.


    Before Gale could continue, Rai¡¯s hand clapped firmly on Gale¡¯s shoulder, a silent but powerful gesture. His eyes met Gale''s with a look of unspoken trust and support. No words were needed; it was as if Rai''s confidence in him alone could wash away the fears threatening to choke him.


    Gale blinked, a flicker of hope sparking in his chest. For the first time, he looked at the situation with clearer eyes. Rai''s words from their first day in the dorm room echoed in his mind: "You will be the Magel, Gale. We will stand atop the magical world¡ªone with no magic and the other with such weak magic."


    Those words, said so simply, had always been a balm for his insecurities. Now, with Rai¡¯s steadying presence beside him, Gale felt a surge of determination. He straightened up, pushed his self-doubt aside, and with resolve hardening his features, he stepped forward.


    The murmurs in the room intensified as Gale began his walk toward Allseer. "Hey, look, here comes another Level 1." "Yeah, you don¡¯t even have to guess." "What¡¯s the point, man? Stop wasting our time."


    Each whisper felt like a strike against his fragile confidence, but Gale kept his eyes fixed ahead, ignoring them. The harsh words bounced off him as he focused on the image of Rai¡ªhis unwavering support, his belief in Gale when no one else seemed to.


    As he reached Allseer, the murmurs quieted, and the room seemed to hold its breath. Gale closed his eyes for a brief moment, inhaling deeply. When he opened them again, his posture was different¡ªsteadier, firmer. He had made his decision. This was his moment.


    Allseer gazed at him for a long, silent moment, his glowing pink eyes reflecting a depth of magic that was almost incomprehensible. Finally, the ancient creature lifted his hand and placed it gently on Gale¡¯s head.


    A gust of wind howled through the hall, its force powerful enough to rattle the windows, like a sonic boom reverberating through the air. Allseer''s eyes blazed with an intensity greater than ever before as he assessed Gale. "What a spectacular power," he said in awe. The rest of the room stood in stunned silence, eyes wide, completely taken aback by the sudden display of strength. Yet, Rai remained unfazed, his expression almost casual, as though he had known exactly what was coming.


    "Level 5, and the House of Zephyrus," Allseer declared, his voice firm, but full of wonder. The room erupted into astonishment.


    Gale stood frozen in place, a wave of disbelief washing over him. How could this be? How could someone like him, with such weak magic, be classified as Level 5? The murmurs around him grew louder, shifting into outright protests.


    "This is preposterous!" one voice shouted.


    "Level 5? He can barely be Level 1, let alone that!" another student called out.


    The room was filled with anger and disbelief, but Gale had already tuned it out. His gaze, determined yet calm, settled on a single person¡ªRai. Leaning back casually in his chair, Rai flashed him a proud smile and gave him a thumbs-up.


    The support from Rai cut through the noise, and Gale¡¯s chest tightened with emotion. He wiped away a tear that had slipped down his cheek, but this wasn¡¯t sadness¡ªno, it was something else entirely. Gale had grown up used to the disapproval, the sneers, and the rejection from everyone around him, including his own parents. The anger from the students in the hall? That wasn¡¯t new to him. He had learned to shut it all out, to block it all away.


    But this¡ªthis was different. The simple gesture of support, the unwavering belief from Rai, meant more to him than anything. In a world full of voices that tried to tear him down, Rai¡¯s encouragement was a lifeline, a reminder that he wasn¡¯t alone. It was more than enough. It was everything.


    With newfound resolve, Gale wiped his tears of joy away, stepping forward with his head held high. He made his way back to his seat, the echoes of the room¡¯s protest falling on deaf ears.


    Kromus, seeing the tumult in the room, raised his voice to regain control. "Silence!" The command rang out, and instantly the room fell into quiet submission.


    As Gale sat down, Rai reached across the table, and the two clasped hands in a triumphant high-five. The moment felt like a victory, a shared bond of understanding and friendship. Both of them smiled, pride lighting up their faces.


    Behind them, Rose sat quietly, watching the exchange. A soft smile crept onto her face, admiration for Rai¡¯s character flickering in her eyes.


    The ceremony continued, the atmosphere still thick with frustration. Students, whose pride had been shattered, tried to make sense of how someone like Gale¡ªwho had always been dismissed for his weak magic¡ªcould rise to such a high level, surpassing even some of the brightest-eyed students. Those with stronger powers than Gale only managed to reach level 4, while he, the underdog, had ascended to level 5.


    Kromus called out, ¡°Rose Scarlett.¡±


    The entire room fell into heavy anticipation. Her presence alone exuded immense power, a beauty so rare it left a tangible aura in her wake. Her bright red hair shimmered under the light, and her eyes, glowing like burning embers, radiated raw magical power. Everyone in the room knew what to expect, but the tension was palpable all the same.


    Rai, however, remained unfazed. He leaned back casually in his seat, exchanging a knowing smile with Gale.


    Allseer placed his hand on Rose¡¯s head. A wave of energy rippled through the room, much like the reaction from Gale, and the other students who had managed to reach level 5. Allseer¡¯s voice rang out with authority, ¡°Of course, you will be level 5 and the house of Vulcan.¡±


    A proud smile adorned Rose¡¯s face as she turned, her movements graceful and poised, and walked back to her seat with elegance.


    The boys in the room were transfixed, hearts practically appearing in their eyes. The girls, on the other hand, were filled with a mix of admiration and envy, jealous of her beauty.


    But Rose¡¯s focus was elsewhere. She glanced over to where Rai sat. She wanted to see how he would react.


    In response, Rai¡ªjust as he had done for Gale¡ªsmiled at her. He raised his hand and gave her a warm thumbs-up.


    Rose couldn¡¯t suppress a soft "umph" as she turned her face away, pretending not to care, but the truth was she was pleased. The simple acknowledgment from Rai for some reason meant more to her than all the admiration from the class combined and it meant more to her than she was willing to admit.


    With all the students done, there was but one more left¡ªthe main man himself, Rai. Kromus called out, "Well then, you dimwit, do you want a red carpet¡ªget up here!" His playful yet authoritative tone seemed to show that even the great icy Frost Kromus had been swayed, just a little, by Rai''s earlier confident joke.


    As Rai walked forward, Rose and Gale shared a glance filled with a daunting sadness. Both were placed in level 5, but Rai had no magical power. They knew, at best, he''d be put at level 1, but still, neither could find it in themselves to smile. Gale wanted to stop Rai, to tell him not to go through with it, but Rose gently held him back.


    "Remember what he did when you were hesitant. Have faith in him," she said softly, her words laced with more than just encouragement. Inside, she thought, I am sure he will make it, he has to.


    Gale accepted her words, sitting back with a warm smile that reflected his belief in Rai. Though a faint doubt still lingered, the trust was there.


    The room, unlike Gale''s quiet resolve, was filled with stunned silence. Some students wore expressions of anger and disgust, while others, still processing the results, stared in eager anticipation, unsure of what Rai would do next. Rai, as always, walked with pride and confidence, unfaltering, not even for a second. He approached Allseer without hesitation, his steps deliberate.


    Before Allseer placed his hands on Rai, the ancient beast glanced at Pragaya. The two shared a long, wordless exchange¡ªeyes locked as if having a telepathic conversation. Then, Pragaya exhaled a deep sigh, as if conceding to something he knew would happen. His subtle gesture seemed to say, "Fine, if that''s what you must do."


    Allseer, looking up at Rai, suddenly kneeled in submission, causing the entire class to fall into stunned silence. Some students cheered quietly, others gritted their teeth, but the weight of the moment was undeniable. Gale and Rose expelled simultaneous sighs of relief, both smiling warmly.


    Kromus, standing beside the giant golem, was utterly gobsmacked by what he was witnessing. He turned to Pragaya for an explanation. Pragaya merely gave him a look that communicated "All will be explained in due time." With that, Kromus returned to observing the scene, his mind racing with questions.


    Meanwhile, Rai stood there, his mind a mess of frantic thoughts. Shit, I have to look cool here or something... In a quiet moment, Rai started practicing different poses¡ªeach more ridiculous than the last¡ªcompletely oblivious to the fact that Pragaya was silently watching his antics with amusement.


    Finally, Allseer spoke. "Rai, I am not worthy of assessing you, so feel free to choose any level class you wish to attend.¡±


    The room was steeped in stunned silence at Allseer¡¯s declaration, disbelief hanging heavy in the air. Rose and Gale exchanged a glance filled with joyous relief. ¡°Yes, he¡¯ll be with us,¡± they thought, their hearts brimming with pride.


    Amid the quiet, a small cluster of students, including a few with formidable magic, dared to cheer for Rai in hushed tones. Yet the overwhelming majority of the room buzzed with scornful murmurs. ¡°That must be against the rules,¡± one student hissed. ¡°Yeah, why does he get to pick freely? What about the rest of us?¡± another spat. ¡°This is absurd¡ªI¡¯m taking this to my clan head!¡± Their outrage simmered, a bitter stew of envy and prejudice. Even after Rai''s feats, the blindness of their judgment remained stubbornly unyielding.


    But Rai, ever the unexpected, was far from content. His playful demeanor vanished like a wisp of smoke, replaced by a seriousness that silenced even the harshest critics. His voice cut through the murmurs like a blade. ¡°What do you think you¡¯re doing, Seer?¡± he asked, his tone carrying an edge of authority.


    Allseer blinked, visibly caught off guard by the abrupt shift. ¡°I... I was only doing what I thought would make you happy, Rai,¡± he stammered, his usual composure faltering.


    Rai¡¯s gaze was unrelenting. ¡°Happy?¡± he repeated, his frustration simmering just beneath the surface. ¡°You have no idea what makes me happy, do you? Your job is simple: assess everyone here fairly¡ªregardless of their upbringing, status, or the magic in their eyes. You were doing just fine until now, so tell me¡ªwhy did you decide to change for me? Do you pity me because I have no magic? Is that it?¡±


    His words thundered across the room, startling the students into silence. Allseer shrank under Rai¡¯s glare, fumbling for a response, but Rai was relentless.


    ¡°I don¡¯t want pity, Seer. What I want is fairness,¡± Rai declared. ¡°Assess me like you did everyone else. I don¡¯t care if you put me in Level 1 or even Level 0 for my lack of magic. No matter where you place me, I will claw my way to the top. I will reach the throne with my will alone.¡±


    The room was electrified by his conviction. The cheerful, goofy boy they had underestimated now stood tall, his words carrying the weight of a man with unshakable resolve. Rose and Gale looked on, their admiration deepening as they thought, ¡°He keeps surprising us, no matter what.¡±


    Kromus, leaning back, allowed a faint smile to creep onto his face¡ªa rare gesture of respect for the boy¡¯s conviction. But no one was more affected than Pragaya.


    Pragaya¡¯s normally stoic demeanor shifted as Rai¡¯s words echoed in his mind: ¡°I will claw my way to the top with my will.¡± A distant memory stirred within him, a ghost from his past¡ªa man with unwavering resolve uttering those very same words. For a brief moment, the present and past collided in Pragaya¡¯s heart.


    Rising from his seat, Pragaya gave Allseer a single, decisive nod, silently granting permission to proceed as Rai wished. His gaze lingered on Rai, his sharp eyes softening as if he were looking at an old friend from another time.


    Allseer rose from his knees, his imposing form now towering with a solemn yet electrified aura. "Fine then, Rai. I shall do as you wish," he declared, his voice steady yet tinged with a hint of reverence. He placed a hand on Rai¡¯s head, and in an instant, a surge of energy erupted like a storm unleashed.


    A crackling wave of electricity shot through the room, sending sparks dancing along the walls. Winds tore through the hall with a ferocity that rivaled city-destroying hurricanes, whipping hair and clothing into disarray. The atmosphere grew thick with power, almost suffocating in its intensity. Allseer himself seemed to transform, glowing with a radiant, almost otherworldly hue that forced even the boldest onlookers to avert their eyes.


    Then, in a voice that resonated like a divine decree, powerful and chilling, he announced:


    "You, Rai, shall be in class Level G... and in the House of Indra."


    The hall fell into an eerie silence, the echoes of his thundering declaration lingering like a haunting melody. For a moment, no one moved¡ªparalyzed by the sheer magnitude of what had just occurred.


    A wave of confusion swept through the room. "I thought there were only 4 houses. Why is there a 5th?" ¡°ya and what the hell is Level G class¡± Whispers spread like wildfire, students eager to understand this new revelation. Some were curious, others skeptical, but the mystery of Indra and the never before heard class was now the talk of the entire hall.


    Kromus, his face filled with sudden realization, muttered to himself, "Indra..." He glanced back at Pragaya, who gave him a subtle nod of agreement, confirming Kromus¡¯s deductions. Kromus, now piecing things together finally understood.

 Chapter 8: Disruption

    Gale and Rose approached Rai with broad smiles, their eyes shining with pride and relief. The whispers about the mysterious Level G and House Indra swirled through the hall like wildfire, fueling a mix of curiosity and unease among the students.


    As for Rai, he scratched his head with a comically exaggerated expression of deep thought. ¡°Hmmm, G... What could it mean? Genius? Gorgeous? Gallant? Great? Hmm...¡± His brow furrowed as if solving the mysteries of the universe, prompting a few nearby students to stifle laughs.


    Gale sighed dramatically, rolling his eyes. ¡°I think it means you¡¯ve finally lost it.¡± His dry humor and resigned tone were laced with a teasing smirk.


    Rai¡¯s puzzled face immediately morphed into a wide grin. ¡°Hahaha! Yeah, maybe I have¡ªespecially since I decided to make you my friend!¡± He jabbed at Gale with a playful elbow, eliciting a lighthearted chuckle.


    Rose, standing slightly to the side, watched their banter with a soft smile. Though she didn¡¯t join in, her amusement was evident as her gaze lingered on Rai. For the first time, she saw him not as the bold, clueless boy who¡¯d declared her his future wife, but as someone capable of uniting others with his carefree and magnetic spirit.


    As the minutes ticked by, the whispers and rumors surrounding Level G and the enigmatic House Indra swelled, growing louder and more fervent. The air in the room buzzed with curiosity and speculation, creating a symphony of murmurs that seemed impossible to quell.


    Suddenly, Pragaya¡¯s commanding voice cut through the chatter like a blade. ¡°Alright, students,¡± he declared, his tone exuding authority and leaving no room for defiance. Instantly, the hall fell silent, all attention snapping to him as though he had cast a spell over the room.


    ¡°The ceremony is now over, and your classes are about to begin. Please follow Kromus to your classrooms,¡± he instructed, his words firm yet calm.


    At the doorway, Kromus stood like a sentinel, gesturing for the students to proceed in an orderly fashion. His expression carried its usual mix of icy authority and restrained annoyance, ensuring no one dared to break formation as they filed out. The room began to empty, but the hushed whispers persisted, trailing behind like an echo.


    Pragaya continued, his voice steady and warm: ¡°As for Rai, since we cannot place a single student in a class by themselves, you will join Level 5. Additionally, you are free to choose whichever House you wish.¡± He ended with a gentle smile, one that carried both authority and a hint of pride.


    The room reacted instantly. The majority of students gritted their teeth in frustration, their jealousy simmering like an unspoken chorus. Meanwhile, the small but growing group of admirers exchanged genuine smiles, their faith in Rai solidified by Pragaya¡¯s words.


    With the announcement complete, Rai, Gale, and Rose began heading toward their classrooms. Rai and Gale resumed their usual antics, exchanging jabs and chuckling as they walked. Gale teased: ¡°So, genius Rai, have you decided which House gets the honor of your greatness?¡±


    Rai struck a comically regal pose, his nose tilted upward: ¡°Well, I better join your House so you¡¯ll at least have one friend. You know, for the inevitable group activities and stuff.¡±


    Gale groaned, rolling his eyes with a smirk: ¡°Screw you, Rai. Just watch¡ªI¡¯m gonna make more friends than you ever could.¡±


    Rai leaned in, his teasing grin widening: ¡°Oh yeah? Is your dad rich or something? Because buying that many friends is gonna cost a fortune.¡±


    Gale clutched his chest dramatically, as if Rai¡¯s words had physically struck him. ¡°C¡¯mon, man! I¡¯m sure someone would want to be my friend!¡± he replied in a voice filled with mock despair, his shoulders slumping in an exaggerated show of defeat.


    Behind them, Rose trailed at a calm pace, her arms crossed elegantly over her chest. Her crimson hair swayed lightly with each step, her posture graceful and composed. She barely acknowledged their playful banter, though a subtle twitch of her lips suggested she wasn¡¯t entirely indifferent.


    As the trio moved through the academy halls, the energy around them felt electric, a blend of excitement, tension, and curiosity. Rai¡¯s journey was just beginning, but the ripples of his presence were already spreading far and wide.


    Before anyone could fully embrace the excitement of their new school life, a thunderous BOOM echoed from above, shaking the very foundation of the academy. Gasps filled the room as all eyes darted upward, searching for the source of the disruption.


    A chilling sight met their gaze¡ªa monstrous black creature crashed through the ceiling, shards of enchanted stone scattering like deadly raindrops. The beast landed with an earth-shaking thud in the center of the hall. It was no taller than Rai, but its presence was suffocating. Its body exuded an aura of malevolence, and its pointed teeth gleamed ominously in the dim light. But it was its eyes¡ªoverflowing with an unimaginable reservoir of raw magic¡ªthat froze the room in collective terror. The overwhelming thirst for blood radiating from the creature¡¯s gaze rooted most of the students to their spots, unable to even think of moving.


    A heavy silence blanketed the hall, broken only by the sound of shallow, panicked breaths. Everyone, save for two.


    Pragaya and Kromus, the most skilled individuals in the room, acted in tandem without hesitation.


    "Everyone, behind me! Now!" Kromus bellowed, his icy tone laced with authority, as he swiftly corralled the students into a defensive formation behind him. His towering frame stood like an unyielding glacier against the storm.


    Pragaya, however, stepped forward, positioning himself between Kromus and the beast. His usually warm demeanor was gone, replaced by a cold, intense stare that could pierce steel. His every movement was deliberate, his posture exuding confidence and readiness to strike.


    The creature snarled, its low growl reverberating through the hall like an ominous drumbeat, but Pragaya didn¡¯t flinch. He tilted his head slightly, his piercing eyes locking onto the beast¡¯s.


    Rai, Gale, Rose, Baruss, and the rest of the students watched the scene unfold, hearts pounding. Gale instinctively clutched Rai¡¯s sleeve, his face pale.


    "Rai¡­what is that thing?" Gale whispered shakily.


    "I don¡¯t know," Rai replied, his usual lighthearted tone replaced by an uncharacteristic seriousness. His eyes were locked on Pragaya, who seemed almost unnaturally calm.


    Rose took a step forward, her fiery eyes narrowing. "Whatever it is, it¡¯s strong. Too strong."


    For a moment, no one dared to breathe. The atmosphere was charged, the tension so thick it felt like the room itself might snap under the strain. Then, Pragaya''s voice rang out again, louder this time, cutting through the silence like a blade.


    "Stay back, all of you. This¡­is not your fight."


    His words carried a chilling finality, a promise that things were about to escalate¡ªand fast.


    The creature¡¯s piercing gaze scanned the room, its malevolent eyes burning like dark coals until they locked onto Rai. ¡°There you are,¡± it growled, its voice a bone-chilling rasp that sent shivers down the spines of everyone present.


    Before anyone could react, the creature moved. In less than a fraction of a second, it closed the distance between itself and Rai, leaving even the most skilled students unable to track its movement. But as its clawed hand was mere inches from Rai¡¯s throat, a force stopped it.


    Pragaya, the only person in the room able to catch the creature¡¯s speed, intercepted it just in time. His arm was a blur, his open palm catching the creature''s strike with an audible crack that echoed through the hall. Pragaya¡¯s calm yet fierce gaze never wavered.


    The creature snarled, its voice dripping with venom. ¡°Just hand over the boy, you senile bastard,¡± it hissed, attempting to intimidate.


    Without a word, Pragaya retaliated. In one swift motion, his palm struck the creature¡¯s gut with immense force. A deafening shockwave rippled through the room as the beast was sent flying back, crashing into the far wall with a thunderous boom.If you spot this tale on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.


    The crowd stood frozen, the air thick with tension. Rai, blinking in disbelief, muttered under his breath, ¡°Did¡­ did that thing just call me out?¡±


    Rose and Gale instinctively positioned themselves closer to Rai, their expressions a mix of fear and resolve. Pragaya remained unwavering, his focus entirely on the creature as it slowly rose from the rubble, its malevolent grin never fading.


    "Have you gone deaf in your old age, you geezer?" the creature growled mockingly, its voice dripping with venom. "Can you not hear the cries around you, outside these walls?"


    Pragaya''s eyes widened in realization, and his face drained of color. His voice came out in a hoarse whisper, tinged with desperation, "No..."


    The creature''s laughter echoed through the room, loud and mocking, as if savoring Pragaya¡¯s horror. "That¡¯s right, Pragaya. It¡¯s a culling."


    As the realization set in, the scene outside the academy came into focus. The carnage unfolding was beyond comprehension. These monstrous creatures, led by this malevolent being, weren¡¯t just targeting Rai¡¯s group¡ªthey were attacking the entire academy.


    We see the deans, Harchell, Luthor, and Shelly, locked in fierce battles against the creatures. The 5th years, including Mammoth, Sylvia Star, and Lorenzo Privateer, were also fighting back valiantly, their strength pushing against the onslaught. Yet, through it all, it became painfully clear: the leader of these creatures had come for one target, and one target only¡ªRai.


    Pragaya, losing his composure, demanded, ¡°How the hell did you get past all the magical barriers and guards on standby?¡±


    The creature just kept laughing, its mocking tone reverberating through the room, refusing to answer Pragaya¡¯s question. Frustration surged through the air as Pragaya''s magical energy began to crackle violently, shaking the very foundation of the hall.


    Kromus, ever the protector, shouted, ¡°Students, move back! Find a safe place to hide!¡±


    Most of the students obeyed, rushing to take cover, but not Rai, Rose, or Baruss. Gale, on the other hand, had no desire to stick around. He muttered to himself, ¡°Man, I really don¡¯t want to die here today.¡±


    Rai¡¯s voice cut through the tension. ¡°Gale, take Rose and Baruss someplace safe. I¡¯ll handle this bastard.¡±


    Rose¡¯s irritated voice snapped back. ¡°I don¡¯t need your protection, Rai! I can take care of myself.¡±


    Baruss chimed in, ¡°Yeah, man, you¡¯re really underestimating us.¡±


    Rai met their gaze with unwavering seriousness, his face grim. ¡°This is not the time for pride, you damn fools. That beast is more powerful than you. You can feel it, can¡¯t you?¡±


    The two of them froze, their eyes flickering to the creature, and a cold chill shot up their spines, freezing them in place. The creature¡¯s malevolent aura was undeniable.


    ¡°See? I told you. Now, Gale, listen to me¡ªtake them and go.¡±


    Gale hesitated for a moment but finally grabbed Rose and Baruss, pulling them away. Despite their protests, telling him that they could fight, Gale¡¯s determination was clear. Rai wasn¡¯t going to back down. Neither could they afford to be stubborn.


    Pragaya unleashed a surge of power, directing a concentrated beam of light straight at the creature. The strike landed, clean and precise, causing Rai to briefly flash a faint smile of hope. But both Kromus and Pragaya remained on high alert, and for good reason. As the dust began to settle, the creature stood unharmed, not even a scratch on its body. Rai, unable to process what he was witnessing, stared in utter disbelief. That had been a high-level spell, one of the most powerful attacks from the Headmaster himself.


    "How the hell did it not do a single bit of damage?" Rai demanded, still rooted to the spot as Kromus tried to pull him back to safety. But Rai stubbornly refused to retreat, unwilling to back down.


    "How do you not know about the Hellrisers?" Kromus barked in disbelief.


    Rai turned to him with a comedic expression, completely lost. "The what?"


    "The Hellrisers, you fool! They''re humans who sell their souls to devils in exchange for power. They''re granted magic nullification by the devils themselves." Kromus¡¯ voice was filled with urgency.


    Rai froze, his face paling as the implications hit him. "Magic nullification... so how the hell are you gonna beat him?" he asked, fear creeping into his voice.


    Kromus¡¯ gaze turned steely. "You''re an absolute moron. By now, you should know better than anyone that magic isn''t the only weapon we have at our disposal."


    <hr>


    Rai¡¯s gaze sharpened as he watched Pragaya, his body shifting into a martial arts stance. "Well, I should''ve guessed you''d have that kind of power if you were bold enough to come here to fight me,".


    Pragaya¡¯s body began to glow with a brilliant light, his magic coiling around him like a living flame. "Fortify, Light Speed Armor," he intoned, the words reverberating in the air. In a flash, his limbs and feet were encased in radiant medieval armor made of pure light. Finally, wings of blinding energy sprouted from his back, illuminating the entire hall.


    Without hesitation, Pragaya moved. In an instant, he blurred into a streak of light, his speed almost too fast to follow. With a single, decisive motion, he grabbed the Hellriser and shot through the ceiling, carrying it outside. "Let¡¯s go somewhere we can fight for real," Pragaya¡¯s voice echoed, even as he and the creature disappeared from view, leaving nothing but the sound of wind and the echoes of battle in their wake.


    Kromus, his face serious, looked at Rai and ordered, "Move it! Get to a safe place." Rai hesitated for a moment but followed, the weight of helplessness pressing on him as he heard the chaos and destruction around him. Every scream, every clash of battle, felt like a dagger to his resolve.


    They quickly reached the designated hiding spot where the rest of the class had gathered. Gale, already there, waved them over urgently. "Hurry up!" he gestured, his face strained.


    But before they could get any closer, another Hellriser smashed through the side, aiming directly for Gale. Gale, caught off-guard, could only stare wide-eyed as his fate seemed sealed. Rai, desperately reaching out, summoned Atmaan Explosion, hoping to hoping to increase his speed just enough to save him, but it was too late. His hand outstretched toward the Hellriser, Rai''s efforts fell short.


    Just as the Hellriser¡¯s claws were about to strike, Kromus acted in the blink of an eye. His eyes glowed with cold energy, and beams of ice shot forth, freezing the creature mid-strike, its hand inches from Gale''s throat. Without missing a beat, Kromus swiftly shattered the frozen Hellriser with a single slash, saving Gale just in time.


    Rai, a look of immense relief on his face, rushed to Gale and wrapped him in a tight hug. "Thank God you''re alright!" he exclaimed, his voice filled with gratitude.


    Gale, still shaken, returned the hug with a half-hearted grin. Rai continued ¡°frosty you are awesome you know that¡±.


    Kromus, clearly irritated by what Rai said, sighed heavily. "It''s Kromus, you buffoon," he muttered, rolling his eyes as the frustration bled through his exasperated tone.


    Rai, still frowning in confusion, glanced at Kromus and asked, ¡°Wait a minute, you said these bastards have nullification magic. How did you freeze it?¡±


    Kromus shot Rai a smug grin. ¡°If all the Hellrisers had magic nullification, then humans would''ve been extinct long ago,¡± he replied with a cocky smirk. ¡°In reality, only the strong souls get the nullification power and keep some intelligence. Most of the Hellrisers are just brainless beasts, like the one I just took down.¡±


    Rai, still processing, leaned in with more questions. ¡°Okay, so how does one become a Hellriser, anyway?¡±


    Kromus gave Rai a concerned glance, but Rai, rolling his eyes, reassured him, ¡°Don¡¯t worry, Frosty. I¡¯m not looking for some shortcut to power. I¡¯m just curious, that¡¯s all.¡±


    Kromus nodded, but his face remained emotionless. He opened his mouth to speak, but before he could, a thunderous noise cracked the air. The sound of crashing and growling echoed from outside.


    Kromus muttered under his breath, ¡°Why the hell are they so concentrated around here? Dammit¡­¡±


    Rai, piecing it together, realized that it was probably because of him. He sat in silence for a few seconds, deep in thought. Then, with a sudden resolve, he sprang from his seat and out the door. ¡°Hey, you brainless bastards! You want me? Then come get me!¡± he taunted, his voice dripping with confidence.


    Without waiting for a response, Rai activated Atmaan Overdrive, boosting his speed to a blur, and dashed out, leaving the chaos behind.


    Kromus chased after the Hellrisers, his voice a furious shout behind them: ¡°You¡¯re going to get yourself killed, you fool!¡±


    Meanwhile, within the safety of a distant room in the academy, the students huddled together, sitting in eerie silence, each trembling in fear. They tried to block out the sounds of the raging battle unfolding outside, but it was impossible.


    Gale, unable to sit still any longer, stood up, his frustration evident. ¡°Goddammit, man! I can¡¯t just sit here while he¡¯s out there! I have to go help him!¡± he declared, clenching his fists.


    Baruss looked at him with a disbelieving expression. ¡°And what the hell can you do? Have you seen those things? Even if they¡¯re not as strong as the one the Headmaster¡¯s fighting, they¡¯re still way out of our league¡ªyours, Rose¡¯s, mine, all of us.¡±


    Rose, with her usual high and mighty stance, remained quiet, though she couldn¡¯t help but nod slightly. Baruss was right. None of the first-years stood a chance against the Hellrisers wreaking havoc outside.


    Suddenly, a small, timid voice piped up from beside them: ¡°But... Mammoth is out there fighting, right? So Rai should be fine, don¡¯t you think?¡±


    All the students jumped in surprise. Ariel had materialized in front of them, her shy presence startling them out of their anxious thoughts.


    Gale¡¯s eyes widened. ¡°W-WHAT?! Where did you come from?!¡± He staggered backward, almost tripping over his own feet.


    Baruss blinked in disbelief. ¡°Seriously, are you trying to kill us too?!¡±


    Rose let out a frustrated sigh, half amused and half exasperated. ¡°Ariel, you need stop that before you give someone a heart attack¡±.


    Ariel clasped her hands tightly between her thighs, her face flushed with embarrassment. ¡°Sorry,¡± she mumbled, her voice barely above a whisper. As everyone regained composure Baruss shook his head and turned to face her. ¡°Yeah, Rai might be fine, but the difference is he¡¯s not fighting another person out there. Mammoth wasn¡¯t trying to kill him. But these beasts? They want his blood. Can Rai muster up the courage to end them? Can any of us?¡±


    A long silence followed, but the abruptness of Ariel¡¯s appearance still hung in the air. No one could find the words to answer him.


    But Gale could no longer sit idly by. With unwavering resolve, he declared, "I don¡¯t care if my life¡¯s in danger¡ªI¡¯m going." He marched toward the door, his expression set in determination. Baruss groaned, following reluctantly. "Dammit, man, why can¡¯t you just sit down and do nothing? Now I¡¯m gonna feel guilty if I don¡¯t help," he complained, his voice a mix of frustration and concern. Rose, without a word, simply walked forward, her eyes burning with quiet determination.

 Chapter 9: Battle

    Elsewhere, a battle of unimaginable proportions was about to unfold. Pragaya stood tall, his hands and feet encased in shimmering armor, his glowing wings spread wide like a divine avenger. This was the same power he had used to claim victory in the Magian Battle all those years ago¡ªa power etched in legend. He smirked at the Hellriser before him, his piercing gaze unwavering.


    "Tell me... how did you know?" Pragaya asked, his tone steady yet commanding.


    The Hellriser, maintaining its sinister smirk, remained silent, its eyes gleaming with malice.


    "Fine then," Pragaya continued, his voice growing sharper. "Let me ask you this¡ªwhy did you end up in hell?"


    At this, the Hellriser''s smirk faltered, replaced by a dark scowl. Pragaya¡¯s words struck a nerve, but he didn¡¯t stop.


    "The fact that you¡¯re standing before me now can only mean one thing," Pragaya said, his voice dripping with disdain. "Not only were you a worthless human in life, but even in death, you managed to make yourself more pathetic. Instead of facing your sins and seeking atonement, you chose the coward''s path. You sold your soul for fleeting power. You make me sick."


    Pragaya¡¯s words cut through the air like a blade, his tone both scornful and righteous. The Hellriser¡¯s malevolent grin twisted into an expression of pure hatred, its body trembling with suppressed rage.


    The Hellriser lunged at Pragaya with immense force, but Pragaya stopped its claws effortlessly with just a single finger. As the two locked in a fierce stalemate, the Hellriser¡¯s lips curled into a twisted sneer.


    ¡°You know, hell is actually a much pleasanter place than this cursed world,¡± it spat, disgust etched onto its face. With a sudden surge of strength, the creature slashed harder, forcing Pragaya back a few steps.


    The Hellriser continued, its voice rising in rage, ¡°Humans are the real demons! You make this world a living hell¡ªall of you!¡±


    Pragaya remained calm, his expression unreadable, as the Hellriser screamed in fury and prepared for its next move.


    The creature¡¯s glowing eyes began to shift, their color draining to an unnatural, pure dark. A chilling smile stretched across its face. ¡°It¡¯s about time I got serious,¡± it declared. ¡°This was my magic when I was still alive. Let¡¯s see how you deal with this on top of my nullification.¡±


    The Hellriser raised its arms, and ethereal, fluffy dark clouds began to materialize around their battlefield in the sky, spreading around the area.


    Pragaya, standing firm in midair, watched the phenomenon unfold with an unshaken gaze. His demeanor suggested that the display, no matter how ominous, did not trouble him in the slightest.


    The Hellriser tilted its head, a twisted grin spreading across its face. "The name¡¯s Corp," it said, voice oozing malice.


    Pragaya smirked, his presence radiating authority. "Oh, so now you¡¯re introducing yourself? Didn¡¯t know soulless beasts had manners," he quipped, his tone sharp with mockery.


    Corp¡¯s grin widened, his voice dripping with mock disdain. "One good trait I picked up from the humans I killed, I suppose. They were all so insistent on exchanging names before they died." His words hung heavy in the air, followed by maniacal laughter that echoed through the battlefield.


    Pragaya let out a low chuckle, calm yet menacing. His steady gaze bore into Corp as if dissecting him piece by piece. His mere presence seemed to drain the humor from the situation, Corp¡¯s laughter faltering until it faded completely. The Hellriser¡¯s expression turned cold, emotionless, and his predatory instincts surged to the surface.


    Without a word, Corp launched his attack. He kicked off the fluffy clouds he had conjured earlier, using them like trampolines to ricochet through the sky with increasing speed. Each bounce turned him into a streak of dark energy, zipping through the air in erratic, unpredictable patterns.


    Pragaya didn¡¯t flinch. His eyes, glowing faintly with his light magic, tracked Corp¡¯s every movement with uncanny precision. His posture remained steady, his confidence unshaken, as if he were waiting for the perfect moment to strike.


    With a powerful final bounce, Corp launched his attack, his claws slashing through the air, yearning for Pragaya¡¯s blood. Yet, Pragaya casually sidestepped the strike, his movements calm and effortless. Undeterred, Corp ricocheted off another cloud, only for Pragaya to dodge again with the same unshaken demeanor.


    This game of pursuit continued for several tense seconds. Corp¡¯s frustration grew with every missed strike. His expression twisted into a snarl, and his movements became more aggressive, the clouds trembling slightly under the force of his increasingly desperate bounces. "Why won¡¯t you stop running, you arrogant fool?" he growled, his voice seething with irritation.


    Realizing the futility of his direct assault, Corp abruptly altered his approach. He conjured a swirling sphere of cloud, its surface shifting like a storm, infused with nullification magic. The energy radiating from it was unnatural, a blend of glowing mist and crackling sparks that distorted the air around it. The weapon pulsated ominously, a clear indication of its deadly potential to pierce through any magical barriers.


    Corp resumed his relentless bouncing, but this time, the clouds themselves shifted positions unpredictably, as if alive, and new ones materialized at the last possible moment to propel him. His erratic movements created a dizzying blur of speed, his aim clearly to render himself untraceable.


    Yet, through it all, Pragaya¡¯s piercing gaze never faltered. His eyes followed Corp¡¯s every move with unwavering precision, his calm composure a stark contrast to the chaotic flurry of his opponent¡¯s desperate maneuvers.


    Corp launched his attack once more, faster and more relentless than before. However, Pragaya effortlessly dodged it again. This time, Pragaya struck back, his index and middle fingers twisted together, delivering a precise jab to Corp¡¯s stomach.


    Corp stumbled back, his expression twisting into mockery.


    ¡°What was that, old man? You trying to tickle me?¡±


    Pragaya smiled confidently, a glint of superiority in his eyes.


    ¡°Take a look at your right arm,¡± he said calmly.


    Corp glanced down, and his face shifted from smugness to shock as he noticed his right arm hanging limp and lifeless at his side.


    ¡°What the hell did you do, you geezer?¡± he snarled, anger flaring in his voice.


    Pragaya, still poised with his fingers twisted in the same position, gestured toward Corp with an air of calm authority.


    ¡°This,¡± he began, ¡°is a little something called Varma Kalai¡ªan ancient martial art hailing from the great land of Hind.¡±


    Corp¡¯s confusion deepened as he narrowed his eyes at Pragaya.


    ¡°What the hell is that supposed to mean?¡±


    Pragaya¡¯s tone shifted into one of enlightenment, his words carrying the weight of tradition.


    ¡°Varma Kalai is a sacred martial art that targets specific pressure points. It can disable limbs, inflict pain, or even heal, depending on the intention of the user.¡±


    Corp¡¯s gaze sharpened as realization crept in.


    ¡°How the hell do you know something like that?¡±


    Pragaya¡¯s confident smirk widened as he replied with measured simplicity.


    ¡°I know someone.¡±


    Pragaya decided it was time to switch from defense to offense. With an explosive burst of speed, he became a blur, weaving through the battlefield like a streak of lightning. Corp¡¯s confidence faltered as he frantically leapt between his clouds, using their dynamic positions to evade Pragaya¡¯s relentless assault. His single functioning arm limited his options, and his movements became increasingly erratic as he struggled to keep Pragaya¡¯s strikes from landing.


    Despite his panic, Corp¡¯s cunning mind was working overtime. As the numbness in his paralyzed arm began to subside, a flicker of determination returned to his glowing eyes. "Just hold out a little longer," he muttered under his breath, dodging another narrowly-avoided strike. Pragaya¡¯s precision, however, didn¡¯t waver.


    Sensing the opportunity to close the fight quickly, Pragaya extended his arms and conjured a constellation of radiant light spheres around Corp. Each sphere pulsed with energy, their golden glow contrasting sharply against the dark, clouded battlefield. With a commanding flick of his fingers, Pragaya sent them hurtling toward Corp like homing missiles.


    Corp smirked, arrogance returning to his face. "Old man, did you forget my nullification?!" He raised his functioning hand, and with a sharp motion, a wave of nullification magic rippled outward, dissolving the light spheres into nothingness. "Nice try, but you¡¯ll have to do better than that!"


    Unbeknownst to Corp, his triumph was short-lived. Pragaya had anticipated this reaction. Using the distraction to his advantage, he moved with blinding speed, appearing behind Corp in an instant. The air cracked under the sheer force of his movement, a sound that sent shivers down Corp¡¯s spine¡ªif only he¡¯d realized its significance sooner.


    "Behind you," Pragaya said coolly, his voice cutting through the tension like a blade.


    Corp barely had time to widen his eyes before Pragaya struck. With a calculated twist of his wrist, he drove two fingers directly into Corp¡¯s spine, targeting a vital pressure point. The blow was surgical in its precision, and its effect was immediate. A sharp jolt shot through Corp¡¯s body, and his muscles locked up entirely. His glowing eyes dimmed as he let out a guttural growl of frustration.


    Corp fell, his once-proud form collapsing onto the battlefield. He twitched slightly, trying in vain to move. "W-what did you...?" he rasped, his voice now trembling with disbelief.


    Pragaya straightened his posture, brushing nonexistent dust off his armor with a casual air of authority. "I warned you before, didn¡¯t I? Your nullification is impressive, but overconfidence blinds you. And as for what I did..." He adjusted his gauntlets. "Let¡¯s just say you won¡¯t be bouncing around anytime soon."


    Corp''s earlier laughter felt like a distant echo, a ghost of his former arrogance, as he lay motionless on the ground. The battlefield was eerily quiet now, with the last remnants of his conjured clouds dissipating into the air, leaving the once-chaotic skies clear. A ray of sunlight broke through the parting clouds, bathing both Pragaya and Corp in a golden glow. The stark contrast between the serene light and the somber reality of the moment was palpable.


    Pragaya descended slowly, his expression unreadable, standing tall beside Corp''s defeated form. The Hellriser''s body was still, but his piercing gaze remained fixed on the sky above, as though searching for something beyond the heavens.


    Pragaya''s voice, calm and steady, broke the silence. "Do you have any last words?"


    Corp let out a weak chuckle, the sound hollow yet defiant, as his eyes slowly shifted to meet Pragaya''s. Despite his broken body, there was a glimmer of something¡ªpride, defiance, or perhaps a trace of humanity¡ªlingering in his gaze.


    The scene shifted to a battlefield filled with chaos and desperation. Rai sprinted through the crumbling ruins, pursued by a relentless horde of Hellrisers. Unlike the intelligent Corp, these beasts were mindless, driven by an insatiable thirst for blood.


    Rai, tears streaming down his face, wailed in terror: "I don¡¯t wanna die! Not like this! I still have so much to accomplish!" His voice cracked, comically reaching high-pitched tones, as exaggerated streams of tears trailed behind him.


    Kromus trailed closely, dispatching Hellrisers one by one with precise blasts of frost magic. "If you¡¯d stop running like a headless chicken, I could do this faster!" Kromus shouted, his irritation evident.Stolen content alert: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.


    Rai continued to sprint until his path was abruptly cut off by a towering wall. He skidded to a halt, his face morphing into a comical mask of exaggerated horror. "A dead end?! Oh, come on!" he groaned, flailing his arms. Turning around, he faced the encroaching horde, his knees shaking like jelly.


    With desperation in his eyes, Rai clenched his fists, channeling all his prana into his right hand. "Alright, Rai! Time to be a hero... or at least not dead!" he declared to himself, his voice trembling.


    Squeezing his eyes shut, he twisted his body and hurled a punch with every ounce of strength he had. The force surged forward, and Rai braced for impact. But instead of the squelch of a defeated Hellriser, he heard a muffled grunt.


    Confused, Rai peeked through one eye, only to see his fist firmly planted in Kromus¡¯s face. The ice mage stood frozen (figuratively), his frosty hair ruffled and an incredulous expression plastered across his face.


    Rai gasped, looking around and realizing the Hellrisers had already been eliminated. "W-what just happened?!" he stammered.


    Kromus rubbed his nose, his expression a mix of pain and exasperation. "What happened is you punched me, you absolute buffoon!" he snapped.


    Rai stepped back, bowing repeatedly in apology. "Sorry, sorry, sorry! I thought you were¡ªuh¡ªone of them!" He paused mid-bow, then added: "But hey, at least I didn¡¯t die, right?"


    Kromus, his face turning a frosty shade of red from sheer irritation, yelled, "You absolute moron! Do you have any idea how close you were to getting yourself killed if I hadn''t been here?" His icy breath almost seemed to freeze the air as his fury overflowed.


    Rai, scratching his head nervously, grinned sheepishly and replied, "Well, it''s all fine now, right? See? I''m still standing, safe and sound!" His tone was carefree, almost childlike, as if narrowly avoiding death was a minor inconvenience. He patted Kromus on the shoulder like they were old friends catching up over lunch.


    Kromus glared at him, his icy aura crackling faintly. "Safe and sound? You''re a walking disaster waiting to happen."


    Before Kromus could escalate his tirade, a desperate yell echoed from behind them. Both of their expressions instantly turned serious, their instincts kicking in. Without needing to exchange words, Rai began channeling prana into his fists, his muscles tightening as a faint silver aura shimmered around him. Kromus, on the other hand, coated his fist in jagged ice that morphed into a weapon resembling a spiky flail.


    They both in tandem broke through the wall outside to see what was happening.


    Outside, chaos reigned as Harchell, battered and bruised, struggled against a colossal creature towering over her. Its molten black body radiated heat, and fiery veins glowed beneath its jagged exterior. The beast roared, shaking the very ground beneath their feet.


    Rai''s jaw dropped as he pointed dramatically at the creature. "What the hell is that thing?!"


    Kromus, standing beside him, grimaced. "That," he said, his tone heavy with urgency, "is an Infernal Beast."


    Rai''s face instantly contorted into an over-the-top question mark, his mouth hanging open in clueless disbelief. "An infernal what now?"


    Kromus sighed deeply, pinching the bridge of his nose. "These things aren''t like Hellrisers. They¡¯re not human souls corrupted by sin. They''re pure demons, born from the depths of the Abyss." He glanced at Rai, who was nodding vigorously, as if taking mental notes.


    Then, with an exaggerated salute, Rai replied, "Got it, loud and clear!"


    Kromus turned to check on the battlefield, only to realize Rai was already staring intently at the beast. His playful demeanor was gone, replaced by a rare focus. The silver aura of prana shimmered around him, and his usually wide eyes narrowed with determination.


    Rai swooped in just in time, catching Harchell in his arms. Her elegant white hair glimmered under the light, and her pointed ears turned a soft shade of red as she looked up at him. "Oh, my knight in shining armor, you''ve come to save me," she purred, her voice dripping with mature seduction as she wrapped her arms around his neck.


    Rai, slightly flustered but maintaining his composure, responded with a warm smile, "Yeah, now sit back and rest. I¡¯ll handle this."


    Harchell leaned in slightly, her lips curving into a playful smirk as she twirled her index finger on his chest. "My, my, how manly of you," she teased, her tone a perfect blend of sultry and amused.


    Rai gently set Harchell down, then turned to Kromus with determination. "Mr. Frosty, sir, please take Harchell to safety." Before Kromus could even begin to protest, a voice rang out from behind them. "There you are, Rai!"


    The group turned to see Gale, Rose, and Baruss landing gracefully beside Rai. Gale let out a relieved sigh. "I''m glad you''re alright, Rai."


    Baruss clapped Gale on the shoulder, then gestured up at the massive beast looming above them. "What on earth is that thing?"


    The group followed Baruss'' gaze, their faces pale with fear as the towering creature''s radiant red eyes bore into them. The Infernal beast let out a terrifying growl, slashing its massive claws at the gathered group. Rai acted quickly, scooping Harchell into his arms and leaping out of the way just as the attack raked through the air. Everyone else dodged in unison, but Gale hesitated for a moment too long. Baruss was quick to react, catching him just in time.


    "Get your head together, man! You wanna die or something?" Baruss snapped, frustration in his voice. Gale, shaking off his momentary lapse, nodded resolutely. "Yeah, sorry about that. I''m good now."


    Rai''s voice cut through the tension. "Guys, that''s an Infernal Beast. Unlike the Hellrisers, this is a pure demon beast." He turned to Kromus, urgency in his tone. "Take her to safety."


    With the situation escalating, Rai prepared for the coming battle, his focus sharpened and his aura silver and crackling with prana.


    Kromus, taken aback by the intensity in Rai¡¯s eyes, stood momentarily stunned. The goofy boy he had known was gone, replaced by a man with a fierce determination to overcome the beast before them. A dilemma raged within Kromus. On one hand, he couldn¡¯t leave the students to fight alone, but on the other, Harchell was too injured to be left unattended.


    Sensing the conflict in Kromus¡¯s mind, Rai broke the silence. ¡°I know you have a good sense, Kromus. Look at that creature and tell me I can¡¯t beat it.¡±


    Kromus¡¯s gaze shifted to the infernal beast, and then back to Rai, locking eyes with him. In those eyes, Kromus saw the burning fury, the resolve that had been building in Rai ever since the Hellrisers had shown up. Rai had had enough of these chaotic monsters wreaking havoc on the world and the people he cared for.


    Kromus, reassured by the fire in Rai¡¯s eyes, realized there was nothing to worry about. Though the beast was stronger than the Hellrisers, it was slower and lacked intelligence, a fact that worked in their favor. With Rai and the rest of the group all being Level 5, it wouldn¡¯t be a problem.


    Kromus let out a deep sigh. ¡°Just don¡¯t get yourselves killed,¡± he said, his voice filled with gravity. His piercing gaze met Rai¡¯s, a silent warning behind it.


    Rai gave a firm nod, handing Harchell over to Kromus.


    Kromus carried Harchell away from the battleground, her eyes still fixed on Rai, admiration clear in her gaze. ¡°You see it in him too, right Kromus?¡± she asked softly.


    Kromus glanced at her in confusion. ¡°Huh? See what?¡±


    Harchell smiled warmly, her voice filled with sincerity. ¡°His pure heart¡ªnothing but love for those around him, no matter the hate they throw at him.¡±


    The realization struck Kromus. He remembered how Rai had run from the Hellrisers not in fear, but with the intention of finding a way to deal with them without killing them. Despite being surrounded by violence, Rai¡¯s heart refused to embrace bloodshed. Even if the Hellrisers were no longer human, they were once people, and that fact weighed heavily on him.


    Kromus chuckled softly, his voice rich with respect. ¡°Well, it seems you¡¯ve chosen a good man, then.¡±


    Harchell beamed, her smile deepening. ¡°Yes, I have.¡±


    Kromus raised an eyebrow mischievously. ¡°But don¡¯t you think he¡¯s a little too young for you?¡±


    Harchell playfully rolled her eyes, her tone amused. ¡°Oh, Kromus, we both know humans mature physically at 12. By the time they finish their ten-year journey at the academy, they''ll be emotionally mature too. And honestly, have you noticed? Rai is already emotionally mature in a lot of ways. It¡¯s like he skipped some of the awkward growing-up phases."


    Kromus nodded thoughtfully. ¡°Yeah, you¡¯re right. He does seem a bit... ahead of his age. Makes me wonder what kind of life he''s had to make him mature this early.¡±


    Harchell smirked, teasingly, ¡°Maybe he¡¯s just always been ahead of the game.¡±


    Kromus snorted, his usual gruff demeanor softening. "Could be. I don¡¯t think he¡¯s ever just been a regular kid."


    Meanwhile, Allseer, rolled up into his crystal ball form, couldn¡¯t shake the feeling that something was amiss. Among the students he had assessed today, there was an underlying sensation that irked him¡ªa nagging thought that he had overlooked something important.


    He pondered silently, the weight of his thoughts heavy within the confines of his crystal form.


    After a moment of contemplation, he decided to set the unease aside. With a slight shimmer, he transformed, the crystal ball shifting and glowing with energy. It was time to go and check on the students, to ensure everything was as it should be.


    The battle raged on with intense energy as Rai, Rose, Gale, and Baruss locked in fierce combat with the towering Infernal Beast. Rai¡¯s silver aura shimmered brightly as he focused all his prana into his legs, his silver energy surging as he launched himself forward. With a thunderous roar, he delivered a powerful kick straight into the beast¡¯s face, sending it reeling backward.


    At that very moment, Rose, levitating high above the creature, gathered her fiery magic. She conjured a massive fireball and hurled it down toward the beast with precise aim. The fiery sphere collided with the beast¡¯s body, erupting in a burst of flames that momentarily blinded everyone with a blaze of intense heat.


    Meanwhile, Gale and Baruss, working in perfect synchronization, harnessed the power of wind. Gale summoned a sharp gust that formed a concentrated blade of wind, and Baruss, not to be outdone, sliced the air with his own slash of sharp wind magic. The combined attack hit the beast¡¯s two front feet, toppling the creature onto its back.


    Seizing the opportunity, Rai swiftly jumped into the air, his aura flaring brighter than ever. With a deep inhale, he tapped into prana, unleashing an Atmaan explosion that significantly boosted his power. His body surged with newfound speed, and he rocketed toward the beast like a shooting star. With a mighty roar, Rai focused every ounce of prana into his fist, then descended at breakneck speed, delivering a thunderous punch straight into the beast''s abdomen.


    The force of the impact was so great that the ground beneath the beast cracked open, sending a shockwave through the area. The beast howled in agony, its monstrous form shuddering under the weight of the blow.


    The four of them stood together, smiling in triumphant unison, their breath heavy from the battle.


    ¡°Well, there¡¯s no way it¡¯s getting back up from that,¡± Rai said confidently, his silver aura still faintly glowing as he wiped a bit of sweat from his brow.


    Just as the words left his mouth, the beast groaned, the ground shaking as it slowly began to rise back to its feet, clearly undeterred by their combined assault.


    The smiles on their faces instantly faded. Their eyes widened in disbelief. Rai¡¯s jaw dropped.


    ¡°No way¡­¡± he muttered, his confident tone completely gone.


    Baruss, looking up as the beast rose. ¡°I forgot to bring an extra pair of underwear!¡± he said as his legs were trembling.


    The beast, even in its ferocity, seemed to pause for a split second, as though it was equally shocked by Baruss¡¯s declaration. Then, it just snarled.


    Rai, Gale, and Rose turned to look at Baruss with wide, disgusted eyes. Even the beast seemed to be offended by his words.


    ¡°Seriously? This is the time for that?¡± Gale groaned, rubbing his temples.


    ¡°I¡¯m gonna pretend I didn¡¯t hear that,¡± Rose muttered, her red eyes flicking away in embarrassment.


    Baruss, now realizing the gravity of the situation, glanced around awkwardly, then said, ¡°Well, I¡¯m just saying... I didn¡¯t expect that thing to get back up, okay?!¡±


    The group braced themselves, preparing for round two. But to their surprise, the beast, still reeling from Baruss''s previous comment, did something unexpected: it reached into its massive mouth, pulled out a pair of underwear, and tossed it to Baruss.


    Everyone stared, jaws hitting the floor, their faces a perfect mix of confusion and disbelief. Baruss blinked rapidly before speaking up, his voice full of hesitation. "Hey, whose underwear is this?" he asked, already bracing himself for the awkward truth.


    The beast, seemingly unbothered, pointed to itself with a single claw, causing the group to freeze in utter silence. For a moment, time seemed to stand still.


    Then Rai, with his usual comedic timing, broke the silence. "There is no way in hell this is gonna fit you," he said, a teasing grin spreading across his face.


    To everyone¡¯s horror¡ªand bafflement¡ªthe beast proceeded to put on the red underwear to prove that it was indeed its own. The group¡¯s eyes nearly popped out of their heads as they watched in stunned silence.


    "That... is beyond elastic," Rose quipped, unable to hold back her disbelief.


    Baruss, trying to keep his composure despite the absurdity of the situation, shrugged. "You know what, that¡¯s a nice look on you... keep that red underwear on while we beat your ass." He gave the beast a mock thumbs-up, clearly making light of the ridiculousness of it all.


    The group exchanged wide-eyed looks, wondering how their battle had taken such a bizarre turn.


    The beast let out a deep, rumbling chuckle, its snarling grin bared wide. The shift in its demeanor was immediate¡ªwhat had been a bizarre moment just seconds ago turned into a deadly serious confrontation. With a swift, mighty punch to the ground, the beast caused the earth to tremble beneath them, sending shockwaves that threw the group off balance.


    Before they could recover, the beast opened its massive maw, unleashing a torrent of black fire from its throat. The flames crackled with an eerie energy, consuming everything in their path.


    Rose, eyes narrowing, quickly fired a powerful beam of fire from her hands, matching the beast¡¯s attack. The two streams of fire collided mid-air, creating an explosion that rocked the battlefield. The force of the blast sent all four of them careening backward, crashing into the nearby wall with a violent impact.


    As Rai slowly picked himself up, still groaning from the impact, he weakly asked, ¡°What the hell was that?¡± His voice barely audible through the daze.


    Rose, groaning as she rose to her feet, replied in a similarly weakened tone, ¡°That was Abyssflame.¡±


    Gale, shaking off the rubble, squinted at her and asked, ¡°What¡¯s that?¡±


    Baruss, trying to sound serious, answered with exaggerated confidence, ¡°It¡¯s flames from the Abyss,¡± while giving a cartoonish, overly solemn look to the others.


    The group blinked in unison, staring at Baruss with unamused expressions.


    Rose, ignoring Baruss¡¯s odd display, clarified, ¡°Yeah, those are the flames of hell itself, said to be able to burn everything in its path.¡±


    Rai grinned, finding his footing and steadying himself. ¡°Sick. This is getting more interesting by the second.¡±


    However, despite the excitement, a fleeting thought gnawed at the back of his mind. Kromus had told him these beasts were supposed to lack intelligence, but the battle so far was proving the complete opposite. Rai furrowed his brow in confusion, silently thinking, what¡¯s going on here?

 Chapter 10: The Struggles of Hell on Earth

    While Rai and his group battled the infernal beast, the scene shifts to Corp and Pragaya. Their fight was reaching its conclusion. Pragaya stood tall, unwavering, while Corp, battered and breathing heavily, looked at him with a defiant smirk.


    "You act as though you''re the good guys," Corp said, his voice laced with bitterness. "As if everyone from Hell is some irredeemable monster. Do you even know what real struggle is?"


    Pragaya said nothing, his stoic demeanor unshaken. He simply stared, as if inviting Corp to continue.


    Corp''s smirk faded slightly, replaced by a fleeting look of pain. "Let me tell you," he muttered.


    The scene shifted to a memory from Corp¡¯s past.


    A young boy, no older than seven, sat on the filthy ground of a bustling street. His clothes were nothing more than tattered rags, his face smeared with dirt, and his ribs visible through his thin frame. He stretched out his hand toward the passing crowd, begging in a trembling voice.


    "Please¡­ spare some food¡­ anything¡­"


    Hundreds walked past without so much as a glance. The noise of merchants shouting their wares, the clatter of horse-drawn carriages, and the laughter of children playing nearby were a cruel backdrop to his silent suffering.


    "I don¡¯t even know who my parents were," Corp''s voice narrated over the memory. "Maybe they¡¯re in Hell now too. I wouldn¡¯t know¡­ I¡¯ve been alone in this life and hell for as long as I can remember." Corp Narrated over the flashback.


    The young boy clutched his stomach as it growled in protest, his body too weak to ignore the pain any longer. He spotted a restaurant worker tossing a bag of scraps into a bin behind the building. His eyes lit up with desperation as he crawled toward it.


    Rummaging through the garbage, he found half-eaten pieces of bread and some wilted vegetables. Just as he brought the food to his mouth, the restaurant door burst open.


    "Hey! What do you think you¡¯re doing?" one of the workers shouted, storming toward him.


    The boy stumbled back, clutching the scraps. "Please! I¡¯m hungry! You¡¯re just throwing it away¡ªwhy not give it to me?" he begged, tears streaming down his face.


    The man¡¯s face twisted in disgust. "Get outta here, you filthy rat!" he yelled, kicking the boy in the stomach.


    Young Corp fell to the ground, coughing and clutching his side, but he didn¡¯t let go of the food. Another worker joined in, pulling the scraps from his hands and tossing them back into the bin.


    "Go beg somewhere else," the man spat, slamming the door shut.


    The boy lay there, defeated, tears mixing with the dirt on his cheeks. As he tried to crawl away, passers-by avoided him like he was a disease.


    "No one cared," Corp¡¯s voice echoed over the scene. "Not once. No matter how much I begged or how many times I was beaten down, the world didn¡¯t give a damn if I lived or died."


    Corp¡¯s voice narrated with a mix of agony and venom, ¡°They would rather throw food into the bin than feed me a scrap,¡± as the memory showed the young, emaciated Corp lying in the dirt, tears streaking his face. His trembling hands clutched his growling stomach. The scene was raw and unrelenting, a boy abandoned by the world. ¡°That¡¯s when I¡¯d had enough. These useless magic eyes couldn¡¯t feed me... but at least they could feed my heart and desires,¡± his voice turned cold, a hint of malice creeping in.


    The memory shifted. The young Corp struggled to his feet, his frail body shivering with rage. With a surge of determination, he conjured a Cloud Sword, the energy weapon shimmering faintly in his bony grip. His narration deepened with bitterness. ¡°Desires... What did I desire back then? Sorry, I forgot what it feels like to desire something. A soul is required for that. But if I had to guess... I wanted to gut those men and bathe in their crimson blood.¡±Unauthorized use of content: if you find this story on Amazon, report the violation.


    His laughter echoed through the memory, chilling and unhinged. The restaurant door creaked open again, and two workers stepped out, laughing and lighting cigarettes. Young Corp, hidden in the shadows, moved with eerie calm. Without hesitation, he lunged, driving the blade into the gut of the first man. The man''s scream was raw, filled with agony, but to Corp, it was symphonic.


    Corp''s narration took on a disturbing glee. ¡°Oh, the music... It was beautiful, wasn¡¯t it? Their screams, their fear¡ªdelicious.¡± The second man, horrified, kicked Corp in the face, sending the boy tumbling backward.


    The men, clearly not adept in magic, panicked. One yelled for help, but Young Corp, his face now twisted into a terrifying, bloodthirsty grin, didn¡¯t relent. He pounced on the second man, pinning him to the ground and plunging the blade into his chest repeatedly. His hands became slick with blood, but he didn¡¯t stop. The narration continued, ¡°Over and over again. Until my hands were soaked, until their breath was gone, until...¡±


    The first man, clutching his wounded stomach, staggered back into the restaurant and emerged with a kitchen knife. He stabbed Corp in the back, the blade piercing his lungs. Corp¡¯s small frame jolted, blood dripping from his lips, but even then, he didn¡¯t falter. With bloodlust overtaking pain, he turned on the man and lunged again.


    The memory slowed, the sound of the boy¡¯s wheezing breaths and the wet thud of the blade creating a haunting rhythm. Over and over, the knife struck, until the man lay lifeless on the blood-soaked ground. Young Corp¡¯s body swayed as he stood, his breaths ragged, blood oozing from his back wound.


    He staggered into the night, his bloodied form illuminated by the dim streetlights. His voice, now devoid of any emotion, finished the narration. ¡°Satisfied with my revenge, I took a few steps... but my legs gave out, and soon... the life drained from my body too.¡±


    The scene ended with Young Corp collapsing into the dirt, his lifeless eyes staring blankly at the sky. His narration concluded, bitter and cold, ¡°The world killed me long before I drew my last breath. All I did... was return the favor.¡±


    The flashback dissolves, and the scene transitions back to the present with Corp''s maniacal laughter echoing through the battlefield, his face twisted in malice. His words drip with contempt and mockery as he stares down Pragaya, whose stoic demeanor remains unwavering, though his eyes reflect a flicker of sorrow.


    Corp sneers, his voice a venomous blend of arrogance and twisted glee:


    ¡°You see? All I did was fill my desires. Was that so wrong? Would you not have done the same if you were me? Those two had no right to live anyway, but thanks to them, I finally felt something for the first time in my miserable existence. It was glorious.¡±


    His laughter crescendos, wild and chilling, as he continues:


    ¡°After that, I woke up in hell. I knew it had to be hell because it was so much better than the living world! Then they came to me¡ªthe so-called ''higher-ups.'' They offered me two choices: suffer and atone for my sins, or continue to feed my desires. Of course, I chose the latter!¡±


    Pragaya doesn¡¯t flinch, his expression calm yet heavy with unspoken emotions. His silence only seems to fuel Corp¡¯s mockery.


    Corp still lying on the ground paralysed. His grin is feral, daring:


    ¡°And now, it¡¯s your turn, oh mighty Pragaya. C''mon! Conjure one of your fancy spheres or whatever and drive it right through my heart. Do it! Put me out of my misery, or is your so-called ¡®justice¡¯ nothing but words?¡±


    Pragaya stood still, his stoic demeanor unshaken, but the sorrow in his eyes betrayed his inner turmoil. "What the world did to you was cruel," he began, his voice soft yet resolute. "But we do not have the authority to take someone¡¯s life. I¡¯m sorry I wasn¡¯t there when you needed someone. If I had been, I would have saved you, given you a home, and blessed you with everything you rightfully desired. But I wasn¡¯t there... and for that, I am deeply sorry."


    A light sword materialized in Pragaya¡¯s hand, its radiance illuminating the somber battlefield. Corp¡¯s expression shifted¡ªhis manic grin replaced by one of quiet resignation. Tears streamed down his face as he spoke, his voice trembling. "This is it for me, isn¡¯t it? You kill me here, and I¡¯m gone for good. My soul... fed to the devil as per the contract. Well, maybe that¡¯s a good thing. The world doesn¡¯t need someone like me."


    He paused, his tears falling freely now, before looking at Pragaya with a pleading expression. "Hey, old man... would you do me one last favor?"


    Pragaya¡¯s gaze softened ever so slightly. "What is it?"


    Corp hesitated, his voice breaking. "I¡¯m still hungry. Could you give me some food, please?"


    Pragaya¡¯s stoic facade finally cracked. A single tear traced its way down his cheek as he quietly replied, "I¡¯m sorry." His sorrow was silent but heavy, a grief too deep for words.


    With one swift motion, Pragaya swung the light sword, severing Corp¡¯s head. The blade dissipated into the air, and Corp¡¯s head rolled to the ground, his face now at peace¡ªa warm smile etched onto it, as though he¡¯d finally been freed from his torment.


    Pragaya remained standing, rigid and upright, his expression as stoic as ever. Yet tears continued to fall silently down his face. He clasped his hands together in a solemn prayer, his voice low and heavy with melancholy. "May your soul finally find peace."


    As the sun broke through the clouds, its rays bathed the scene in a gentle glow. Corp¡¯s body disintegrated into shimmering particles, carried away by the wind as if his pain had finally been lifted. Pragaya stood alone, the weight of the moment etched deeply into his heart, but the world around him seemed just a little quieter, as if acknowledging the end of Corp¡¯s suffering.

 Chapter 11: Despair

    The scene shifts to Allseer, who walks toward the first-year students, his mind still nagged by the feeling that he missed something crucial. He reaches the door to their classroom, opens it, and steps inside.


    The students immediately panic, screaming in terror and unleashing a barrage of magic attacks. Allseer, unfazed, raises an eyebrow and gives them a pointed look.


    "Yeah, my fault for barging in," he says flatly, before his face morphs into exaggerated anger.


    "But seriously, what the hell were those attacks? If a Hellriser had come through that door, you''d all be dead by now!" he shouts, his tone comically over the top.


    The students, wide-eyed, pause for a moment, blinking in confusion, unsure how to react. Allseer takes a deep breath, trying to regain his composure.


    "Alright, alright. Let¡¯s dial it back," he mutters, rubbing his temples. The room goes silent as he stares at the students, who are still processing what just happened. One student nervously speaks up.


    "We¡¯re sorry! We¡¯re just... we¡¯re scared, okay?"


    Another student, still fuming, grumbles from the back,


    "What the hell, man? No one warned us about this! I thought the academy was supposed to be impenetrable."


    Allseer sighs, finally letting his anger subside as he steps further into the room.


    "Well, that¡¯s why I¡¯m here, to make sure everything¡¯s alright," he responds, trying to keep things serious now. But as he looks around at the panicked students, his face shifts again, this time with an air of grave importance.


    "But first, guess I¡¯ll have to educate you on what¡¯s going on."


    His tone shifts, becoming far more serious as he addresses the now-quiet group.


    "I¡¯m not surprised you don¡¯t know what a ''culling'' is," he says, his voice low and deliberate. "I mean, most of you are high-borns who''ve lived sheltered lives, safe from the real dangers that lurk outside."


    The students exchange nervous glances, the tension in the air palpable. Then, one student whispers to another,


    "What the hell is a ''culling''?" The rest of the students mutter in confusion, their anxiety rising.


    Allseer watches their reactions with an unreadable expression, letting the question hang in the air.


    Allseer continued, his tone shifting to a serious one. ¡°The culling happens unannounced. It¡¯s a sort of hunting for demons. Whenever there¡¯s a shortage of souls that end up in Hell, the demons execute a culling, sending mostly low-level Hellrisers and Infernal beasts, along with other demonic creatures.¡±


    He paused, letting the gravity of the situation sink in before continuing. ¡°Very rarely do you see high-level demons with intelligence. The demon that the headmaster is facing right now, for example, is one of those rare cases.¡±


    The students, still apprehensive, glanced at each other nervously.


    ¡°All high-level demons like that are usually handled by the capable warriors such as the Elemental Knights and of course the four clan heads and the Elemental Magistrate along with his general, they are our shield against the darkness,¡± Allseer added. ¡°The fact that these beasts were allowed to get here would mean that either our shield is busy elsewhere or are unaware of this¡± Allseer thought to himself in that moment.


    Allseer''s face softened as he shifted to a more cheerful tone. ¡°But don¡¯t worry!¡±


    He smiled brightly, trying to reassure the students. ¡°As long as Master Pragaya is here, there¡¯s nothing to worry about. So just relax, all of you, okay?¡±


    His smile lit up the room, and the students, though still anxious, seemed to breathe a little easier.


    Allseer refocuses the students'' attention. "Coming back to why I¡¯m here," he began, his voice steady, "I need to do a headcount. Is everyone from your class here?"


    The students exchanged glances and began counting among themselves. After a moment, one student spoke up. "Yeah, everyone¡¯s here¡­ except for four people. Rai, Rose, Gale, and Baruss. They went out with Kromus to fight."


    Allseer smiled faintly at the mention of Rai. "Of course, Rai would fight. That doesn¡¯t surprise me at all," he thought to himself, his expression softening for a brief moment.


    He turned toward the exit, speaking as he moved. "Alright, then. Kids, stay here. I¡¯m sure the battle will be over any minute now."


    Just as Allseer was about to leave, a student suddenly exclaimed, "Wait! We forgot Ariel!"


    Allseer froze mid-step and turned back, his expression clouded with concern. "Ariel?" he asked, his voice sharp with urgency.


    Another student nodded. "Yeah, that girl with the invisibility magic. She doesn¡¯t seem to be here."


    A flicker of unease crossed Allseer¡¯s face as he activated his Appraisal magic, trying to locate Ariel¡¯s aura. To his shock, he found nothing.


    Allseer¡¯s face turned pale.


    Without a word, he spun on his heel and exited the room in haste.


    The students were left behind, whispering among themselves and scratching their heads in confusion. "What was that about?" one asked nervously.


    Uncertainty hung in the air as Allseer disappeared, his urgency leaving the students more uneasy than before.


    Allseer quickly transformed into his crystal form, the smooth, reflective surface shimmering faintly in the chaos around him. Without a moment''s hesitation, he began rolling at a breakneck pace toward the battlefield where Pragaya was still locked in combat with Corp. The air buzzed with tension as the urgency of the situation pressed heavily on him.


    Inside his crystalline form, Allseer¡¯s mind raced, a single, chilling thought repeating over and over like an alarm: We are in danger.


    Meanwhile, Rai, Gale, Baruss, and Rose prepared themselves for the second round of their fight. Rai¡¯s mind wandered, pondering the peculiar behavior of the creature before them. "Why is this thing acting so intelligently?" he muttered under his breath. "Every other Infernal we''ve faced so far has been nothing more than a mindless beast."


    His train of thought was interrupted as his eyes caught something in the distance¡ªMammoth and J?rmungandr locked in a fierce battle against four Infernal beasts. The clash was brutal, the sheer scale of their combat shaking the ground. Mammoth¡¯s strikes, combined with J?rmungandr¡¯s overwhelming power, were awe-inspiring, yet the odds were in their favour.


    Closer still, Rai noticed the Deans and the senior fifth-year students, each holding their own against smaller groups of these creatures. With their collective strength, it was evident that their efforts were enough for keeping the hordes at bay and even push them back. Yet somehow, the beast that Rai and his friends were facing remained an outlier¡ªmore powerful, more intelligent, and far more dangerous.


    The four sprang into action without hesitation, their bodies moving instinctively. Baruss, Rai, and Rose formed the vanguard, engaging the Infernal head-on, while Gale held the rear, providing crucial support. They attacked from multiple directions, aiming to overwhelm the creature. But despite their coordinated efforts, something was wrong¡ªtheir strikes seemed ineffective, leaving no visible damage.


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    The group exchanged concerned glances, but there was no room for despair. Baruss and Rose pressed on, their attacks relentless. Gale continued his support, firing precise bursts of magic to aid their assault. Meanwhile, Rai took a calculated step back, his sharp eyes fixed on the creature.


    "Does it have magic nullification?" Rai muttered to himself, watching closely as the attacks landed but failed to leave a mark. He scrutinized the beast¡¯s movements, its body. No, the attacks weren¡¯t being nullified¡ªthey were connecting. So why weren¡¯t they working?


    Frustration gnawed at Rai as he racked his brain. "What the hell is the deal with this thing?" he thought, his fingers tightening into fists.


    Then, as if sensing his unease, the Infernal turned its glowing, malicious eyes toward Rai, locking him in a deathly stare. Rai froze, his breath hitching¡ªit was as though the creature was sending him a clear message: Watch closely, and witness your defeat.


    Before Rai could react, the Infernal sprang into motion, its speed suddenly far greater than before. With terrifying precision, it lunged at Rose and Baruss, grabbing them in its massive, clawed hands.


    "No!" Rai shouted, his voice breaking.


    In a sickening display of power, the Infernal smashed both of them to the ground, the force sending tremors through the earth. Rai stood frozen, gobsmacked at the horrifying development. His heart pounded in his chest as the weight of the situation bore down on him.


    Rai could no longer afford to sit back and strategize¡ªhe had to act.


    "NOOOOOOOOOOO!" he roared, his voice echoing with sheer determination. Activating Atmaan Explosion, Rai''s speed surged beyond normal limits, propelling him forward in a blur.


    Just as the Infernal raised its massive leg to crush the unconscious forms of Baruss and Rose, Rai appeared beside them in an instant. With raw strength amplified by Atmaan Explosion, he grabbed hold of the beast''s leg, halting its deadly descent. Veins bulged in his arms as he strained against the creature¡¯s immense power.


    From the distance, Gale watched in horror. The earlier attack had left him paralyzed, his heart gripped by dread. The sight of Rose and Baruss lying limp only deepened his fear, rooting him to the ground.


    Rai, sweat dripping from his brow as he struggled to keep the Infernal at bay, turned his head slightly and shouted, "Gale! Get Rose and Baruss out of here! I don¡¯t think this is an ordinary beast¡ªsomething¡¯s wrong here! Hurry!" His voice cracked with desperation, a stark reminder of the stakes.


    Snapped out of his frozen state, Gale forced himself to move. Summoning his wind magic, he propelled himself forward, scooping up Rose and Baruss with surprising efficiency. The wind swirled around him as he whisked the two unconscious bodies to safety, his heart pounding as he glanced back at Rai holding his ground against the Infernal.


    Rai, now free from under the beast¡¯s crushing weight, darted away just as its massive foot slammed into the ground with a thunderous force. The impact sent a cloud of dust and debris spiraling into the air. Shielding his face, Rai turned toward Gale, his voice sharp and commanding.


    "Gale, listen up! There''s something off about this beast. Take Rose and Baruss and get out of here¡ªnow!"


    Gale hesitated, his eyes darting between Rai and their unconscious comrades. He opened his mouth to protest, but Rai snapped his head around, his gaze steely and unyielding.


    "I don¡¯t have time to freaking argue with you¡ªGO!" Rai¡¯s tone carried a rare edge of desperation, leaving no room for debate.


    Faced with Rai''s resolute expression, Gale clenched his fists, reluctantly nodding. Without another word, he turned and rushed back to retrieve Rose and Baruss, using his wind magic to expedite the retreat.


    Meanwhile, Rai slowly shifted his focus back to the towering Infernal Beast. Dust swirled around them, and as the creature''s glowing eyes locked onto his, Rai steadied his stance, his body tensing.


    "Alright, big guy," Rai muttered under his breath, his lips curling into a determined smirk. "It¡¯s just you and me now."


    The beast''s demeanor shifted, a gleam of wicked amusement sparking in its monstrous eyes. It seemed to have concocted a sinister plan. In a blink of an eye, it vanished from Rai¡¯s sight, reappearing behind him. The sudden movement left Rai momentarily disoriented, but the beast wasn''t targeting him¡ªit was facing Gale.


    Rai spun around, his heart dropping. He reached out instinctively, his voice caught in his throat as panic took hold. "GALE, WATCH OUT!" he tried to yell, but the words didn¡¯t come fast enough.


    Before Gale could react, the beast swung a massive, clawed arm, striking him with devastating force. Gale¡¯s body flew like a ragdoll, crashing into a wall on the left where a jagged piece of concrete jutted out like a deadly spear.


    The sound of impact was sickening. Rai¡¯s world slowed as he saw Gale¡¯s chest impaled on the sharp concrete. Blood trickled down the cold stone, dripping steadily onto the ground. Gale¡¯s eyes widened in shock, his expression twisting in agony.


    Rai stood frozen, his hands trembling at his sides. His heart pounded violently in his chest as he took in the horrifying scene¡ªhis best friend hanging lifelessly, the spark in his eyes dimming with each passing second. Blood soaked the ground beneath him.


    "No... Gale..." Rai whispered, his voice breaking, horror etched into every fiber of his being.


    The scene briefly shifts to Allseer, who had just reunited with Pragaya as the latter concluded his battle. Pragaya, now powered down and wiping the lingering tears from his face, turned to face Allseer. Allseer arrived in a state of frenzy, his tone urgent.


    ¡°Master, we have a grave problem,¡± Allseer said.


    Pragaya, his brows furrowing with concern, responded, ¡°What is it, Seer?¡±


    Allseer pointed toward the spot where Corp had been lying. ¡°Master, I don¡¯t think this one here was the leader of this culling,¡± he said gravely.


    Pragaya¡¯s expression immediately shifted to one of worry and urgency. ¡°What do you mean, Seer? Are you certain?¡± he asked, his voice sharp with concern.


    Allseer nodded firmly. ¡°Yes, Master. Quick, we must act now. Ariel has gone missing. I suspect the true leader of this culling has her¡ªeither as a hostage or for some other nefarious purpose,¡± he explained.


    Without wasting another moment, the two of them sprang into action. Allseer reverted to his crystal ball form, rolling swiftly through the academy halls in search of any leads. Meanwhile, Pragaya remained flying over the battleground, scanning the area for anything out of the ordinary that might offer a clue.


    The urgency in their movements mirrored the weight of the situation. Both knew that time was running out, and with the possibility of a more dangerous enemy lurking in the shadows, every second counted.


    Meanwhile, a bit earlier in time, Kromus had just dropped Harchell off at the infirmary.


    ¡°Right, down you go,¡± Kromus gently placed Harchell on a stretcher as nurses rushed to her aid. He glanced around the infirmary, noticing how busy it was today.


    ¡°Quite the busy day, huh?¡± Kromus lightly asked one of the nurses.


    ¡°Yes, sir, but thankfully we haven¡¯t had any fatalities yet,¡± the nurse replied.


    ¡°That¡¯s good,¡± Kromus answered, his relief evident.


    Harchell, with a look of worry in her eyes, turned to Kromus. ¡°You should go check on the four of them, Kromus.¡±


    Kromus gave her a reassuring smile. ¡°Come on, Harchell. They¡¯ll be fine.¡±


    But Harchell, her voice calm but troubled, responded, ¡°Yeah, most likely... But this beast was different. I know I got caught off guard because I was focused on so many Hellrisers, but still¡­ The timing of that beast¡¯s attack made it seem like it wasn¡¯t a coincidence. It was almost as if it was waiting for me to let my guard down.¡±


    Kromus¡¯s relaxed expression faltered. ¡°What are you saying, Harchell? Are you sure?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not, but while you were carrying me away, my eyes were locked on Rai. I momentarily glanced at the beast, and it was smiling¡ªalmost as if a plan had finally come to fruition,¡± Harchell explained, her voice heavy with concern.


    Kromus¡¯s face hardened. ¡°Damn it.¡±


    Without another word, he sprang to his feet and raced towards the four.


    On his way, he bumped into Allseer, who was currently scouring the academy for clues about the real leader of the culling.


    Allseer quickly explained the situation to Kromus, his voice urgent and tense.


    ¡°Crap, how could I be so stupid?¡± Kromus muttered, his face darkening with realization. ¡°Let¡¯s go. I think I know what you¡¯re looking for.¡±


    Without another word, the two of them rushed toward the location of the four students, their footsteps quickening. Allseer, now filled with even more urgency, telepathically reached out to Pragaya.


    ¡°Master, the situation has escalated. We need you at the scene, now.¡±


    Pragaya¡¯s response was immediate, his voice tinged with both concern and determination. ¡°Understood. I¡¯m on my way.¡±


    The three of them hurried as fast as they could, the atmosphere thick with anticipation and dread. When they finally arrived, the sight before them was nothing short of extraordinary.


    Gale lay impaled through the chest, his body hanging lifelessly on a shard of concrete. Rose and Baruss were unconscious, their bodies battered from the previous assault. But it was Rai who took everyone by surprise.


    He stood at the heart of a massive suit of yellow lightning armor, as if piloting it like a colossal mech. The armor crackled with raw power, electric arcs flashing across its surface, and a cape made of pure lightning swirled behind him. The suit covered Rai completely, giving him an imposing presence that dwarfed even the massive Infernal Beast. In fact, Rai¡¯s armor was so large and powerful that it seemed to tower over the beast itself.

 Chapter 12: Ascend

    The scene shifts to a memory from Rai¡¯s childhood, a vivid flashback that unveils a rare glimpse of his mysterious past.


    Rai, around five years old, stands in an open, desolate field surrounded by towering cliffs. Opposite him stands his father, a shadowy figure shrouded in enigma. His father¡¯s posture exudes an overwhelming aura of authority and strength, a stark contrast to Rai''s small frame.


    ¡°Focus, Rai! Your shield is your will¡ªbend your prana to protect yourself!¡± his father commands in a voice as sharp and unyielding as steel.


    A blazing fireball, crackling with fierce intensity, hurtles through the air toward young Rai. Determined, Rai raises his hands, summoning his prana into a shimmering, translucent shield¡ªa technique called Soul Protection.


    The fiery orb crashes against the shield with a deafening roar. For a fleeting moment, the barrier holds, flickering like a fragile ember against the storm. But the force is too overwhelming. The shield shatters, sending Rai flying backward into the dirt.


    He lands with a pained grunt, tears pooling in his wide, innocent eyes. Before the tears can fall, a warm and comforting presence arrives¡ªa woman, his mother. Like his father, her features are obscured, but her aura radiates kindness and love.


    She kneels beside him, gently cradling his small frame as she wipes away the tears forming in his eyes. ¡°It¡¯s alright, my brave boy,¡± she says soothingly, her voice a tender balm. ¡°You¡¯re learning. Each time you¡¯ll grow stronger.¡±


    Rai¡¯s father commanded with a stern voice, ¡°Rai, that was pathetic!¡±


    Immediately, his wife shot him a death glare sharp enough to cut through steel. Panicking, Rai''s father quickly backpedalled, stammering, ¡°W-Well, what I meant to say was... you¡¯ll have to be much stronger if you wish to stand atop this world!¡±


    Young Rai, standing up and wiping his tear-streaked face, clenched his fists. His voice trembled with frustration as he shouted back, ¡°How do you expect me to stand atop the world of magic when you gave birth to me without magic?!¡±


    Without waiting for a reply, he stormed off into the house, slamming the door behind him. Throwing himself onto his bed, Rai buried his face in his pillow, muffling his sobs.


    Rai¡¯s house was modest, a small, cozy space barely large enough for a single person to live comfortably. It reflected his humble lifestyle and the fact that his parents only visit him from time to time, yet it was filled with warmth. His parents followed him back inside after his outburst, finding him lying face-down on his bed with his face buried in his pillow.


    His mother sat beside him, gently brushing her hand through his hair. She spoke softly, her voice carrying the comforting tone only a mother could master. ¡°Darling Rai, how many times have I told you? You are not magic-less.¡±


    Rai turned his head slightly, his teary eyes glancing up at her. He always admired how calm and kind she was, even when he felt like the world was against him.


    She continued, her voice steady and soothing. ¡°The real reason people look down on those with ordinary eyes is because they have a very low chance of awakening their magic.¡±


    Rai sat up slightly, in his frustration yelled ¡° then why did you give birth to me with ordinary eyes, the both of you don¡¯t so why me¡±. He sniffled as tears rolled down his face. His mother and Father both lost for words could only exchange glances of sorrow at each other, and yet they could not let their emotions show, for they have a strong young man to raise.


    His mother smiled and went on, her words laced with both wisdom and encouragement. ¡°You see, people with magic eyes are born with their magic unlocked. It¡¯s like having a door already open. For those with ordinary eyes, however, that door is locked tightly. Even if someone with ordinary eyes manages to unlock it, the chances of growing strong enough to rival those with innate magic are¡­ rare.¡±


    Rai looked down in sadness, his small frame slumped in defeat. His father sat down beside him, placing both hands firmly on Rai¡¯s shoulders. His voice carried a mix of determination and excitement as he said, ¡°But you, Rai¡ªyou are going to change that perception. You will unlock your magic, and you will go beyond.¡±


    Rai¡¯s mother nodded in agreement, her expression filled with pride and encouragement, both of them masking their regret and sorrow for the handicap that they had given their son. His father continued, his tone growing serious, ¡°But for that, you must unlock your mana. Your Prana is incredible, Rai, but it isn¡¯t enough. Your Atmaan Overdrive granting you a two-times boost in power is good¡ªbut it¡¯s limiting. Pushing beyond a three-times multiplier would be fatal. Your Soul Protection, while impressive, cannot handle strong magical attacks, as we saw earlier. And finally, you¡¯re Atmaan Explosion¡ªgranting you a five-times boost for a short time¡ªleaves you utterly exhausted. That move can only be a last resort, a finishing strike.¡±


    His father¡¯s grip on Rai¡¯s shoulders tightened, not with force but with conviction, as he leaned in closer. ¡°My sweet, sweet boy, I know you will surpass every expectation and meet ours because our expectations for you are the highest there could ever be.¡± Both his parents looked at him lovingly, but Rai could see past it, he could see their regret and sorrow but was too young to understand.


    The scene shifts back to the present, and Rai''s world crashes down around him. His eyes, filled with horror, fall upon Gale, whose body is impaled by the concrete, the blood slowly dripping away. Rai collapses to his knees, his face contorted in disbelief.


    As anger surges within him, his silver aura flickers uncontrollably, causing the air around him to crackle. The Infernal Beast, its twisted grin widening, glances back at Rai. With an eerie, menacing chuckle, it mutters under its breath, ¡°Oooo, found your switch¡­¡±


    The beast then slowly gestures toward Baruss and Rose, as if signaling that they would be next.


    Rai, trembling with rage, attempts to rise, but his body refuses to obey. His limbs feel like they¡¯re made of lead, and the overuse of Atmaan explosion has left him utterly drained. His fingers scrape the ground, desperately trying to crawl toward his friends, toward his fallen companions.


    The anger inside him is suffocating, threatening to swallow him whole.


    Then, in the midst of his struggle, a memory flickers in his mind¡ªthe night before the Magian battle. Gale, ever the pessimist, had asked him once again, ¡°Do you really believe I¡¯ll become the Magel?¡±


    Without hesitation, Rai had smiled and replied, ¡°As I said, I know that you will.¡±


    The memory shifts, and suddenly, Rai recalls his first day at the academy¡ªwhen he had first met Rose. The unexpected, fiery exchange between them played out in vivid detail. Then, a flash of laughter as Baruss stood defeated, forgotten by everyone in their focus on Mammoth, the clumsy, endearing moments that had solidified their bond.


    As memories flash through Rai¡¯s mind¡ªeach one a connection to the people he cherishes, each moment pushing him closer to the edge¡ªhis anger, frustration, and determination boil over. Gale¡¯s encouraging words echo in his mind, followed by Rose''s taunting remark about his strength, and Baruss'' unfortunate stance as the forgotten one.


    Suddenly, the memory of his father¡¯s voice reverberates through his mind: ¡°Rai, you need to unlock your mana.¡±


    At that instant, a brilliant flash of white lightning strikes Rai in the head. The magnitude of the thunder that follows is unlike anything the battlefield has seen, so powerful it halts all ongoing combat. The surrounding fighters¡ªPragaya, Kromus, and Allseer¡ªare left frozen, their senses overwhelmed by the sheer force of the energy crackling through the air.


    As the dust settles, the battlefield remains eerily quiet, save for the faint crackling of yellow lightning. Through the smoke, Rai¡¯s silhouette could be seen crouching. A long, drawn breath fills his lungs, and as he exhales, the air itself seems to expand, bursting outward in a shockwave infused with crackling yellow electricity.


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    The shockwave clears the dust and debris, revealing Rai as he knelt on the ground, struggling with the weight of his emotions and the agony of his failure, something changed within him. Slowly, theyellow lightning armor began to materialize on his body, a partial form wrapping around him like a protective shell. With a grim determination, Rai pushed himself to his feet, the armor growing more solid with each movement. The cape, electric tendrils sparking from it like a wild storm, flared out behind him.


    "Ascend..." Rai whispered under his breath, the word carrying with it a quiet resolve.


    The transformation exuded tremendous force. The armor expanded, growing several feet taller, taking on a majestic, towering form that dwarfed the Infernal Beast in front of him. The sheer magnitude of it made the air crackle with static, and the ground beneath Rai''s feet trembled.


    As the dust settled, Pragaya, Allseer, and Kromus arrived on the scene, just in time to witness the miracle unfolding before them.


    Allseer, his eyes wide with admiration, immediately began fawning over Rai, his voice a mix of awe and adoration. ¡°Incredible! Master Rai, you truly are the one destined to surpass all others!" His expression was like that of a loyal servant marveling at their master¡¯s greatness, creating a brief moment of levity in the midst of the chaos.


    Kromus stood there, stunned, his jaw slightly ajar in disbelief. ¡°How... How did he do that?¡± he muttered, his voice barely above a whisper. "Only high level magic users are capable of this..." His mind raced, trying to grasp the enormity of what had just happened, but he couldn''t quite make sense of it.


    Above them, floating with serene grace, Pragaya observed the scene. His eyes shone with pride as he gazed upon Rai¡¯s transformation. His armor and wings shimmering as he reactivated his fortify armour technique, he spoke softly, more to himself than anyone else, ¡°Yes, my boy... That¡¯s right... Go on.¡± His voice carried a note of approval, a quiet encouragement that resonated with Rai¡¯s newfound strength.


    As Allseer scanned the battlefield, his eyes widened in horror when he spotted Gale. "Oh no!" he exclaimed. Without wasting a moment, he rushed toward Gale, with Kromus hot on his heels. As they hurried, Allseer alerted Pragaya, who, upon receiving the message, moved with such speed that he almost seemed to teleport. He arrived at Gale''s side in the blink of an eye.


    Pragaya immediately used his Varma technique to halt Gale¡¯s heart, preventing further blood loss. Meanwhile, Allseer and Kromus managed to rescue Rose and Baruss, who remained unconscious from their previous injuries. Pragaya, still focused, swiftly transported all three to the infirmary for emergency care.


    The nurses were quick to use healing spells to close Gale''s wound, though he remained unconscious. Pragaya stood over him, worry etched on his face as he asked, "Will he be alright?"


    The nurse, her face grim, met his gaze. She didn¡¯t have an answer. Only time would tell.


    After a tense moment, Pragaya swiftly moved back to the battlefield, his mind still preoccupied with the uncertainty of Gale''s condition. The fight awaited, and the danger was far from over.


    Other than Gale¡¯s grim condition, Pragaya, Kromus, and Allseer were also assessing Rai in his new, magnificent form. Kromus, still trying to process what he was witnessing, muttered in disbelief, "How is this possible, Headmaster? Look at his eyes¡­ they''re still just ordinary."


    Pragaya smirked, his gaze locked onto Rai. "Mutation," he said simply.


    Kromus''s breath hitched. "By the gods¡­" He couldn''t tear his eyes away, the sheer impossibility of it sending shivers down his spine.


    Meanwhile, the battle was reaching its climax. Rai, his expression cold and unyielding, was done playing around. He slowly raised his right hand, palm facing the sky, his voice echoing through the battlefield.


    "Final Retribution."


    In an instant, the sky darkened, storm-like winds tearing through the battlefield. Thick black clouds swirled above, crackling violently with yellow lightning. Then, without warning¡ª


    BOOM!


    Bolts of golden lightning rained down in a devastating barrage, striking every area occupied by Hellrisers. The sheer force of the attack sent shockwaves through the ground, reducing enemy formations to ash.


    On the other side of the battlefield, Mammoth, Sylvia, and Lorenzo froze mid-fight. Their instincts screamed at them to move, but their bodies refused. Both Sylvia and Lorenzo turned to Mammoth with wide eyes.


    "Was that your doing?" Sylvia asked, tension in her voice.


    But Mammoth, the very embodiment of lightning himself, could only stare in horror at the devastation before him. His voice came out in a whisper.


    "No¡­"


    The lightning struck with such overwhelming force that it instantly eradicated all the Hellrisers across the battlefield. The warriors who had been locked in combat stood frozen, utterly bewildered by the sheer magnitude of the attack. But beyond its destructive power, the magical energy itself was unlike anything they had ever witnessed.


    Dean Shelly and Luthor, having regrouped, exchanged glances.


    "What in the world was that?" Luthor asked, his refined tone barely masking his astonishment.


    Shelly, on the other hand, was buzzing with excitement. "I don¡¯t freaking know, but it sure as hell was awesome!" she practically shouted, fists clenched in giddy enthusiasm. Then, with a carefree shrug, she added, "Besides, it got rid of the Hellrisers, so does it really matter what it was?"


    Luthor let out a long, disappointed sigh. "I should expect nothing less from a child."


    That single sentence made Shelly explode in animated fury. Her face turned red, steam practically puffing from her ears as she stomped toward Luthor. "I am older than you, you stupid dummy dumb dumb!" she shouted, hurling a string of childish insults his way.


    Luthor, his expression blank, simply stared at her. The irony of her words¡ªand the way her actions completely contradicted them¡ªwas almost painful to witness.


    The scene shifts back to Mammoth, Sylvia, and Lorenzo, all frozen in place, their bodies stiff with fear. The realization that the devastating attack hadn¡¯t come from Mammoth sent a chill down their spines. The battlefield, once teeming with Hellrisers, was now eerily empty¡ªcleared in an instant.


    Lorenzo, his usual sluggish demeanor tinged with unease, muttered, "This kind of power... I''ve never felt anything like it before."


    Mammoth, his deep voice carrying a rare note of concern, responded, "You''re right. This magic... it feels different from all of ours."


    Sylvia, ever the decisive one, snapped, "Well, don¡¯t just stand there! We need to find out where it came from¡ªfast. If this is an ally, we need to know. If it¡¯s an enemy..." She trailed off, but the weight of her words hung in the air.


    Without another moment¡¯s hesitation, the three of them began scanning the battlefield, determined to uncover the source of this overwhelming power.


    As they scanned the battlefield, Sylvia''s sharp eyes finally locked onto the source. Her gaze fixed on Rai, standing tall in his magnificent form, his cape billowing dramatically in the storm-like winds. Without breaking eye contact, she signalled to her companions.


    "Guys¡­ I think I found the source. And you are not going to believe this."


    Mammoth and Lorenzo followed her line of sight, their eyes widening in shock as they took in the sight of Rai. Their hearts almost stopped.


    Lorenzo, in his usual dull and lazy manner, muttered, "Wow¡­ so that''s the kid who whooped your ass, huh, Mammoth?"


    Mammoth visibly twitched at the comment, clicking his tongue in frustration. "I don¡¯t need to hear that from someone with the personality of a piece of paper," he shot back.


    Lorenzo''s face remained as blank as ever¡­ but a single dramatic tear rolled down his cheek. A silent but undeniable acknowledgment that, yes¡ªhe was, in fact, a human with the personality of paper.


    Mammoth clenched his fists, his voice laced with frustration. "So, what... Was I that easy of an opponent that he felt the need to disrespect me by hiding his magic?" His brows furrowed as he stared at Rai¡¯s towering lightning form. "Maybe I was wrong about him. Maybe he isn¡¯t that great of a person after all."


    Lorenzo lazily glanced at him. "Or maybe you''re just weak."


    Mammoth''s eye twitched, but before he could retort, Sylvia cut in, "Enough, both of you. Whatever the case, we¡¯ll find out soon... Because the battle¡¯s about to unfold."


    Their gazes remained locked onto Rai, anticipation and uncertainty settling in as the storm raged around him.


    Mammoth remained deep in thought, his brows furrowed as he tried to piece everything together. "Who is that kid? Why would he hide his strength like that? It didn¡¯t give him any advantage." His fists clenched as frustration gnawed at him. "Maybe I¡¯m just overthinking this¡­ After all, he used his wish to make sure I didn¡¯t lose my place in this academy. There¡¯s no way he¡¯d disrespect me like that. I¡¯m letting my emotions get the better of me. There has to be more to this¡­"


    As the dust settled, despite the fact that all other Hellrisers and Infernals had been wiped out by Rai''s attack, the one remaining Infernal in front of him stood unfazed, seemingly untouched. However, to everyone''s shock, the Infernal slowly began to disintegrate into the air, vanishing without a trace. The battle, which had seemed so intense and drawn out, ended with just one strike¡ªan attack that even the Headmaster could not deliver.


    Everyone, from Mammoth and his companions to the two Deans and the rest of the fighters, stood in stunned silence, unable to comprehend the sheer power Rai had displayed. In a matter of moments, Rai had singlehandedly saved the academy, leaving the battlefield in awe.


    Mammoth, in particular, was frustrated. He couldn''t stop himself from trying to make sense of Rai. The style of Rai¡¯s magic was disturbingly similar to his own, but there was something deeper¡ªsomething mysterious¡ªabout the power he wielded. He clenched his fists, trying to piece together the puzzle that was Rai.


    Slowly, everyone began making their way toward Rai, who still stood in his towering form. Even though he had eliminated the threat, his expression remained serious¡ªalmost as if he knew things were far from over.


    Then, a loud, commanding voice cut through the tension.


    "Stay back, all of you!"


    It was the headmaster. Pragaya, Kromus, and Allseer, who were closest to the scene, could see what the others couldn''t.

 Chapter 13: Foe

    As the Infernal disintegrated, its twisted smile lingered as if it knew something they didn¡¯t. The battlefield, once roaring with chaos, fell into absolute silence. Then, a gust of wind carried away the last traces of the beast¡ªrevealing a girl in an academy uniform lying motionless on the ground.


    No one spoke. No one moved. A heavy, suffocating stillness settled over them all.


    Then¡ª"What on earth are you all waiting for?!"


    Mammoth''s voice shattered the silence, raw with urgency. "That poor girl needs help¡ªdamn it, do something!"


    His frantic gaze shot toward Rai, expecting him to act. But Rai stood still. Unmoving. Lightning flickered faintly around his armor, but his piercing stare never wavered from the girl. His expression, firm and unreadable, hadn¡¯t shifted in the slightest.


    Mammoth clenched his fists. Something about this wasn¡¯t right. His frustration boiled over.


    "Rai!!!" he roared. "What the hell are you doing?! MOVE!"


    But Rai didn¡¯t so much as flinch. His gaze remained locked on the girl, his breath slow and measured¡ªas if he already knew something the rest of them didn¡¯t.


    Rai, his expression unwavering, began to power down. The towering golden armor, crackling with raw energy, began to shrink¡ªits immense form condensing back into a standard suit of fortify armor. Sparks flickered erratically as the transformation completed, his electric-yellow cape rippling in the wind. Though the overwhelming presence of his ascended form had faded, his piercing gaze remained locked onto the girl lying motionless before him.


    Then¡ª


    "Ariel!!!"


    A sharp, desperate cry shattered the silence.


    It wasn¡¯t from the battlefield. Heads turned toward the academy, where a group of first-year students stood frozen at the hole in the academy wall in which Rai had first broken through to begin his fight with the infernal, their faces pale with shock. At the forefront, a girl clutched her chest, her trembling hands tightening as her wide, horrified eyes remained fixated on the unconscious figure.


    The scene briefly shifts to the moment right after Rai¡¯s powerful finishing attack had landed. Inside the academy, where the first-year students had been hiding, a deafening thunderclap from Final Retribution shook the walls, sending a wave of fear through the young students. They huddled together, trembling, as the last echoes of destruction faded into an eerie silence.


    For a few moments, no one dared to move. Then, slowly, hope flickered in their eyes.


    "I... I think it¡¯s over now," one boy hesitantly voiced, lifting his head.


    Murmurs of agreement followed, the tension easing ever so slightly.


    "So... what do we do now?" a girl asked, her voice still cautious.


    The boy straightened his back, forcing confidence into his tone. "We go find out what happened."


    Now back to the present¡ªpanic and desperation filled the air as the first-year students, driven by shock and urgency, jumped down through the gaping hole in the academy wall, rushing toward Ariel to help her. But before they could get close, they were stopped in their tracks by Pragaya, Kromus, and Allseer.


    "What are you doing?!" one of the students shouted in frustration, eyes burning with desperation.


    Yet the three figures standing in their way wore the same look of frustration¡ªnot because they were holding the students back, but because they, too, were at a loss. It wasn¡¯t just confusion over Ariel¡¯s condition¡ªit was something deeper, something unsettling.


    But amidst the uncertainty, there was one person who wasn¡¯t confused.


    Rai.


    He stood there, silent, his gaze locked onto the girl on the ground. Unlike the others, his eyes held no confusion, no hesitation.


    Only understanding.


    Rai took slow, deliberate steps toward Ariel, each movement exuding an aura of strength and authority. His cape billowed behind him, caught in the lingering storm winds, giving him the presence of a true hero. But just as he neared her¡ª


    A refined, almost posh laughter echoed through the battlefield. It wasn¡¯t the guttural, monstrous cackle one would expect from a demon, but a smooth, sophisticated chuckle, the kind a well-mannered noble might let out over a glass of wine.


    Everyone''s gaze snapped upward.


    There, floating above them, was a creature dressed in an immaculate tuxedo. His skin was jet-black, his sharp nose hooked downward like that of a scheming aristocrat, and his elongated, pointed ears twitched slightly. A devilish tail curled lazily behind him as if he had all the time in the world. Though his appearance spoke of refinement and high status, one undeniable truth remained¡ª


    He was not human.


    Pragaya, Kromus, Allseer, Mammoth, Lorenzo, Sylvia, the deans, and everyone else present in the crowd immediately felt an overwhelming presence¡ªevil in its purest form. The sheer malice in the air was suffocating, pressing down on them like an unseen force. The weaker ones in the crowd collapsed to their knees, gasping for breath, while the rest struggled to move, their limbs frozen in sheer terror.


    Kromus, Pragaya, Allseer, and the deans forced themselves to look up at the entity hovering in the sky, their sharp instincts warning them of something sinister. But as they analyzed the scene, a disturbing realization crept in¡ªsomething didn¡¯t add up.


    Meanwhile, Rai didn¡¯t flinch. He didn¡¯t even spare a glance at the new foe above, his focus locked solely on Ariel as he marched forward with unwavering determination.


    ¡°Well, well, well,¡± the creature let out a refined sigh, his voice dripping with amusement. ¡°I suppose I¡¯m not even worthy of your attention? In that case¡­ why don¡¯t I do something to earn it?¡± His wicked grin widened.


    In an instant, he vanished¡ªreappearing directly in front of Rai. But before he could savor his advantage, Rai moved. His body blurred, flashing past the creature without missing a beat, continuing his march toward Ariel as if the interruption never happened.


    The crowd barely processed what had happened. Their eyes darted between the two figures in stunned silence.


    ¡°What the hell¡­ He might even be faster than the Headmaster,¡± Mammoth muttered in disbelief. His fists clenched at his sides, frustration welling within him. He wanted to move, to do something, but Pragaya¡¯s order rang in his head¡ªnone of them were to interfere.


    Kromus, Allseer, and the deans¡ªShelly and Luthor¡ªwere equally stunned. Kromus turned to Pragaya, his voice laced with confusion. ¡°Are you sure that¡¯s Rai?¡±


    Pragaya¡¯s lips curled into a proud smirk. ¡°THAT is Rai.¡±


    But just as quickly as his pride surfaced, it vanished. The situation was far more dire than it appeared. The suffocating malice that weighed down the battlefield¡ªit wasn¡¯t coming from the tuxedo-clad creature taunting Rai. Something else was lurking. Something far worse.


    Allseer was already attempting to pinpoint the source, yet no matter how far he stretched his senses, he found nothing. That fact alone sent a chill through the seasoned mages. If he couldn¡¯t detect it, then whatever it was had the power to conceal itself beyond even his perception.


    For now, all they could do was watch. One wrong move, and both Rai and Ariel could be in grave danger. Pragaya clenched his fists, resisting the urge to act. He had to wait. Wait until the situation turned truly disastrous¡ªbecause if he stepped in too soon, he might miss the real threat lurking in the shadows.


    The creature¡¯s refined demeanor began to crack, irritation seeping into his voice. He let out an exaggerated sigh, ¡°We have a smartass on our hands, gentlemen.¡± His tone was theatrical, dripping with mock amusement. ¡°I don¡¯t think you quite understand the gravity of this situation, my boy.¡±


    In a blur, he moved¡ªhis hand darting out to rest on Rai¡¯s shoulder.


    But Rai, unfazed, sidestepped him effortlessly, his speed almost unnatural. Without so much as a glance, he continued his march toward Ariel.


    Something shifted in the air. With each step Rai took, the creature¡¯s poise eroded further, his movements growing more frantic. It wasn¡¯t just frustration anymore. It was something deeper. Something like fear. He was desperate¡ªalmost as if his very existence depended on preventing Rai from reaching her.


    The crowd could only watch, spellbound, as an uncanny game of cat and mouse unfolded. The creature lunged¡ªRai dodged. Again and again, Rai weaved past him without breaking stride, his cape flickering like a bolt of living lightning.


    Then, Rai arrived at Ariel¡¯s side.


    The creature froze. His once-sophisticated air had completely unraveled, his eyes wide with sheer dread. ¡°Don¡¯t go near her, you fool!¡± he bellowed, voice laced with a panic that sent shivers through the crowd.


    But Rai was undeterred.


    Desperation took over. The creature had no choice. If words wouldn¡¯t stop him, then force would.


    With a snarl, he lunged from behind, his razor-sharp nails extending mid-air, aiming to pierce straight through Rai¡¯s back.


    For a split second, victory gleamed in his eyes¡ªuntil his claws struck nothing but air.


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    His heart dropped.


    Rai had left behind nothing but an afterimage.


    Before the creature could even process what had happened, his own reckless momentum betrayed him. His body shot straight through the illusion, sending him crashing face-first into the dirt with a loud thud.


    A stunned silence fell over the battlefield.


    Rai, standing just a few feet away, hadn¡¯t even turned to acknowledge him.


    Now, Rai stood directly above Ariel, his face still locked in that unwavering seriousness. The tension in the air was thick, and the crowd could no longer hold back their frustration.


    ¡°Go on, help her!¡± someone shouted.


    ¡°See if she¡¯s alive!¡± another voice demanded.


    ¡°Do something, man! Don¡¯t just stand there!¡±


    But then, Rai did do something.


    A sudden, chilling silence fell over the battlefield. The murmurs died, and in their place came the ominous crackling of lightning. At first, the crowd expected it to be his armor or cape, as it had been before¡ªbut it wasn¡¯t. The sound was coming from something else entirely.


    A bright, crackling sphere of pure electricity formed in Rai¡¯s palm¡ªa Spartan lightning sphere.


    And then, to their horror, Rai raised his arm.


    Not toward the creature.


    But toward Ariel.


    A ripple of disbelief washed over the crowd, their frustration melting into pure terror. Their minds struggled to comprehend what they were seeing. Some gasped. Some went pale. Others simply froze, unable to process the unthinkable.


    Rai wasn¡¯t trying to save Ariel.


    He was about to strike her down.


    Mammoth could no longer contain his emotions. "You coward!" he roared, struggling against Lorenzo and Sylvia as they held him back along with the others. "I respected you, damn it! But you¡¯d raise your hand against a defenseless girl?!" His voice was filled with raw fury, his body trembling with rage.


    Even the creature¡ªwho had taunted and toyed with Rai just moments ago¡ªnow stood paralyzed, his expression frozen in sheer horror. Every eye in the crowd was locked onto Rai, their faces painted with disbelief, confusion, and dread. Even Pragaya, always calculated and composed, found himself at a loss for words.


    No one could understand. No one could even begin to process why Rai¡ªRai of all people¡ªwould do this.


    And before anyone could react¡­ before a single soul could stop him¡­


    He drove the spear of lightning straight toward Ariel¡¯s heart.


    Everyone flinched, their instincts forcing them to shut their eyes, unable to bear witness to what was about to unfold. Only a few strong-willed individuals¡ªthe Headmaster, Kromus, Allseer, the deans, and Mammoth along with his two closest friends¡ªkept their eyes locked on the scene. Even among them, confusion clouded their expressions. The Headmaster himself seemed momentarily taken aback.


    As the rest hesitantly opened their eyes, bracing for the worst, what they saw left them utterly speechless.


    Ariel was alive. The spear had not pierced her heart.


    Instead, a powerful barrier shimmered in the air, stopping Rai¡¯s attack dead in its tracks. And the source of that barrier? Ariel herself.


    The girl, who mere moments ago appeared unconscious, had lifted her left palm, effortlessly blocking the Spartan Lightning Spear.


    A cold chill ran down the spines of everyone present. Even the creature, who had exuded nothing but smug arrogance, now seemed visibly shaken.


    One question echoed in their minds.


    "What the hell is going on?"


    Yet, amidst the chaos, Rai¡¯s expression remained unchanged. His sharp, unwavering gaze spoke volumes¡ªhe had known. He had known all along.


    Kromus felt his pulse quicken. How? How had Rai predicted this when even Allseer, the man who could see beyond the ordinary, had failed to notice?


    He was about to speak, to demand an explanation¡ª


    But before he could utter a word, Ariel retaliated.


    With a sudden surge of power, she repelled Rai¡¯s attack, unleashing a shockwave so potent that it rattled the air itself. The sheer force of it sent a resounding crack through the battlefield.


    And in that moment, it all became terrifyingly clear.


    Kromus¡¯ lingering question found its answer.


    The suffocating, malevolent aura, the overwhelming sense of evil that had paralyzed even the strongest among them.


    It wasn¡¯t coming from the creature.


    It was coming from Ariel. And out of all the people here only Rai noticed it.


    Pragaya moved swiftly, wasting no time in evacuating the students¡ªincluding Mammoth, Sylvia, and Lorenzo¡ªto safety. Meanwhile, the deans, Allseer, and Kromus remained on high alert, their bodies tense as they braced for whatever was to come.


    Rai, having been pushed back by the force of Ariel¡¯s counter, dug his heels into the ground and swiftly regained his footing. His expression remained unchanged, unwavering.


    The creature, now scrambling in desperation, rushed to Ariel¡¯s side as she slowly lifted herself from the ground. But the way he assisted her was not that of a servant tending to a fallen ally it was reverent, almost as if he were tending to royalty.


    ¡°My lady, forgive me,¡± the creature spoke in his usual posh manner, bowing his head low. ¡°I could not hold him back long enough.¡±


    Ariel, now fully upright, dusted off her uniform with an air of effortless grace. ¡°That is quite alright, Zaass,¡± she said, her voice laced with regal authority. ¡°This whole ordeal was entertaining enough as it is.¡±


    But Zaass was visibly uneasy. His hands twitched slightly as if debating whether to reach for her again, his posture tense with guilt. ¡°I am truly sorry, my lady, I¡±


    ¡°I did not permit you to speak.¡±


    Ariel¡¯s voice cut through the air like a blade, crisp and commanding. A cold shiver ran down Zaass¡¯s spine, and in an instant, he dropped to one knee, his lips sealed shut. He dared not utter another word.


    She cast a sidelong glance at him, then sighed. ¡°I won¡¯t fault you for this. That brat turned out to be more of a man than I had anticipated,¡± she mused before shifting her gaze back to Rai. Then, with a wave of her hand, she dismissed Zaass entirely. ¡°You are to return and await further orders.¡±


    Without hesitation, Zaass nodded sharply. His form flickered for a brief moment before vanishing entirely, leaving behind only a faint ripple in the air.


    And just like that, the true enemy revealed itself.


    Kromus finally understood why he had felt that overwhelming malice the moment the creature appeared it was because he had been summoned by Ariel. And for that to happen, she had to unlock her powers.


    ¡°How did you not see her, Seer?!¡± Kromus demanded, his voice sharp with frustration.


    Allseer, still staring at Ariel in sheer disbelief, shook his head. ¡°I looked everywhere¡­ except at that girl. I could never have imagined her¡± He cut himself off, his expression darkening as the truth fully settled in.


    Now that Ariel no longer needed to hide, the true intensity of her evil was unleashed upon the world, and it was suffocating. It felt as if the very gates of hell had been flung open, as if even God Himself had abandoned humanity.


    Kromus, Shelly, Luthor, and Allseer stood frozen in place, their minds reeling. What they were witnessing wasn¡¯t just powerful, it was something far worse.


    For the first time since the battle began, a flicker of emotion crossed Rai¡¯s face¡ªworry. His hardened gaze faltered ever so slightly as he finally grasped the full extent of the nightmare standing before him.


    Ariel scoffed, her lips curling in distaste. "How revolting," she sneered, waving her hand dismissively. "This form is disgusting."


    Without hesitation, her body began to shift. Like dust swept away by the wind, her academy uniform disintegrated, merging seamlessly with her skin as an entirely new presence emerged. The transformation was hypnotic¡ªeerily unnatural yet impossibly graceful.


    Her once-modest appearance was gone. In its place stood a woman adorned in a lavish, form-fitting gown that accentuated every perfect curve. A daring slit ran along the left side, revealing her toned leg encased in sheer thigh-high stockings. The gown¡¯s neckline plunged just enough to expose her ample cleavage, a sight both tantalizing and dangerously entrancing. Her long, jet-black hair cascaded down her back like silk, framing a face sculpted with an almost divine precision. Crimson lips curved into an amused smirk, and her eyes¡ªnow an intoxicating shade of blood red¡ªshimmered with an allure that felt both irresistible and deadly. Unlike the other Hellrisers and Infernals, who looked like creatures of the dark, Lilith was human for the most part, having none of the features of the previous foes such as the tail or pointy ears.


    She was the embodiment of seduction, an enchantress crafted by the hands of the most skilled artisans to reflect every desire a man could ever dream of. And yet, beneath that breathtaking beauty lurked something far more sinister¡ªsomething beyond mere mortal comprehension.


    The shy, reserved Ariel was gone.


    In her place stood a demon in the flesh.


    "Hmmm¡­ that''s so much better. Hmm-hmm," she purred, her voice dripping with sultry desire as she stretched her arms gracefully. "Ugh, what a pain it was keeping up that ridiculous act." Clicking her tongue in disapproval, she ran her fingers through her silky black hair before shifting her gaze toward Rai.


    Her crimson lips curled into a wicked smile as she bit her lower lip, her eyes burning with amusement and hunger. Then, in an instant¡ªbefore anyone could react¡ªshe vanished.


    Rai¡¯s eyes widened slightly.


    For the first time in this entire battle, he had been caught off guard.


    Even Kromus, Allseer, and the deans failed to track her movement, their eyes scanning wildly for her presence. But there was one man who did.


    Pragaya.


    He had returned just in time.


    As the air distorted before Rai, the creature materialized right in front of him, her delicate hand reaching out to caress his face. But before her fingers could so much as graze his skin, a powerful grip clamped around her wrist.


    Pragaya stood between them.


    His expression was calm, yet his presence was like an unshakable wall. The creature¡¯s red eyes flickered with irritation as she clicked her tongue in annoyance. With a small flick of her wrist, she shook off Pragaya¡¯s grip effortlessly, brushing her fingers along the spot he had touched as if ridding herself of filth.


    "Don¡¯t be so stiff, old man," she said, her voice laced with mockery. "I wasn¡¯t going to hurt your precious Rai here." Her gaze flicked back to Rai, eyes brimming with dark amusement. Then, she smirked, tilting her head ever so slightly.


    "Because¡­" her voice lowered into a whisper, husky and dripping with seduction, "he might just become a precious little plaything for me soon."


    Her gaze locked onto Rai, brimming with a twisted sense of desire. Then, she let out a slow, mature laugh, her every movement oozing an intoxicating charm¡ªone that could reduce even the strongest of men to their knees.


    Rai¡¯s usual confident and stoic demeanour had vanished. Beads of sweat rolled down his forehead as his breathing grew uneven. He was trying to maintain his composure, but the truth was undeniable¡ªhe was outmatched by a long, long mile.


    Pragaya¡¯s voice rang out, firm and unyielding. ¡°Ariel, I will have to kill y¡ª¡±


    Before he could finish, the creature cut him off sharply. ¡°It¡¯s Lilith, you senile fool! Don¡¯t ever call me that ghastly name again,¡± she spat, her voice laced with sheer disgust.


    A smirk curled on her crimson lips as she lifted her chin in arrogance. ¡°I am not like the pathetic creatures you¡¯ve faced before, so don¡¯t make the mistake of treating me like them. I command far more respect. I am a true devil¡ªnot some lowly human turned monster.¡± Her words dripped with superiority, her presence suffocating in its grandeur.


    Lilith twirled a lock of her silken black hair between her fingers as her sultry gaze swept over the battlefield. ¡°You should feel honored to even lay eyes on a being as divine as me,¡± she declared, the very essence of seduction flowing from her voice.


    Then, her attention shifted, locking onto Rai like a predator setting its sights on prey. ¡°Now, if you¡¯ll excuse me, old man, I have a rather important conversation to finish with this fine young man.¡±


    Her lips curled into a teasing smile, her eyes glinting with carnal amusement as she stepped closer to Rai. ¡°I will give you the honor of being my plaything¡­ if you surrender yourself and come with me,¡± she whispered, her voice a melodic poison, intoxicating and irresistible.


    The moment the words left her lips, a powerful force erupted between them. Pragaya attempted to intervene, but in an instant, a shimmering force field blasted him backward, separating him from Rai. The crowd watched in horror as the two were now completely alone.


    Lilith¡¯s delicate fingers trailed up Rai¡¯s cheek, her touch feather light yet commanding. ¡°Come on, Rai¡­ be mine,¡± she purred, her breath warm against his skin.


    Pragaya, now visibly frustrated, gritted his teeth as he pounded against the force field, but it didn¡¯t budge. His mana flared wildly around him, but no matter how much power he exerted, he couldn¡¯t break through. Desperation crept into his usually composed face.


    Kromus, Allseer, and the deans quickly joined in, unleashing a barrage of attacks against the invisible barrier. Every ounce of their power slammed against it, but it absorbed everything without a single crack. The realization struck like a hammer: Rai was completely on his own.


    Inside the barrier, Lilith let out a sultry chuckle, her voice dripping with honeyed temptation. "So, what do you say? Would you come with me?" she whispered, her deep red eyes locking onto Rai¡¯s.


    Rai¡¯s breathing grew uneven as he stared into her mesmerizing gaze. His body felt lighter, his mind hazy. Every fiber of his being screamed at him to resist, but he couldn¡¯t move¡ªno, he didn¡¯t want to move. He was caught.


    And who could blame him?


    A beauty beyond human comprehension, a voice laced with the sweetest allure, an intoxicating presence that drowned out reason itself. It was as if the very concept of resistance had been erased from existence.


    Lilith smiled victoriously, gently cupping his cheeks with both hands as she leaned in closer, her lips just inches from his.


    This was it.


    She had won.

 Chapter 14: Night and day

    Rai''s face twisted in sheer, unfiltered disgust as Lilith leaned in closer for the kiss. His expression was so intense it could have warded off a demon.


    Lilith blinked, taken aback. "What''s wrong? Is it my hair?" she asked, her tone shifting from confidence to mild concern.


    Rai squinted at her with pure curiosity. "How much makeup do you have on?"


    A vein nearly popped on Lilith¡¯s forehead. "You fool! What you see before you is pure, natural beauty! Not a single ounce of chemical enhancement was used!" she declared, hands on her hips, voice booming with righteous indignation.


    Rai remained completely unfazed, blinking at her. "But¡­ some of your makeup is rubbing off."


    Lilith''s fury screeched to a halt. "Eh?"


    Without hesitation, she conjured a mirror, inspecting her face with the urgency of someone defusing a bomb. A few tense seconds passed before realization struck¡ªher face was exactly as she had said, untouched by any makeup.


    Slowly lowering the mirror, she turned back to Rai, deadpan. "Ha ha. Very funny. You got me."


    But Rai wasn¡¯t just standing around. While Lilith was preoccupied, fussing over her nonexistent makeup, he was already channeling his power.


    Lightning crackled around his fist as his armor shifted, morphing into a massive, spiked gauntlet pulsing with yellow arcs of energy. Prana surged through it, making magic nullification completely useless against him.


    The moment Lilith finished turning back¡ª


    BAM!


    Rai¡¯s fist crashed into her face with devastating force, sending shockwaves of lightning rippling through the force field she had created.


    Lilith was sent hurtling backward, crashing into the force field with a thunderous impact. The shimmering barrier wavered under the force before slowly dissipating, finally allowing Pragaya and the others to rush in.


    Rai, his face set in a rare expression of cold seriousness, muttered under his breath, "That was for Gale, you disgusting woman."


    Before he could take another step, Pragaya grabbed him firmly. "Come on, boy, we need to get you out of here."


    His sharp instincts had already assessed the situation¡ªLilith¡¯s true strength was far beyond what Rai could handle right now. If she fought at full power, the collateral damage would be catastrophic. Pragaya knew there was only one option: get Rai out of harm¡¯s way so he could face her alone.


    "Alright, you disrespectful brat! If you won¡¯t be mine willingly, then I¡¯ll make you mine by force!" Lilith growled, her irritation boiling over as she powered up.


    Pragaya didn''t hesitate. "Kromus, Shelly, Luthor¡ªcover me! I¡¯m getting Rai out of here!"


    But Lilith was too fast. The trio barely had time to react before she was already closing in. Her speed was beyond human comprehension¡ªonly Kromus, Shelly, Luthor, and, of course, Pragaya could even perceive her movements. And among them, only Pragaya had the strength to stop her.


    With no other options left, Pragaya made a split-second decision. He would use his ascension technique. But he hesitated¡ªit was too powerful, too overwhelming. If unleashed here, even his allies could be caught in the devastation.


    And that was it.


    That single moment of hesitation was all it took.


    For darkness to outshine light.


    For evil to overpower the righteous.


    For a tragedy of unimaginable proportions to unfold.


    In that single moment of hesitation, Lilith struck.


    Her hands¡ªdelicate, perfectly human, adorned with elegant yet razor-sharp nails¡ªwrapped around Rai¡¯s waist. Pragaya reached out, his heart pounding. No!


    But it was already too late.


    With a horrifying, effortless motion, she tore Rai in half.


    Pragaya¡¯s face froze in sheer, absolute horror. Kromus, Shelly, and Luthor stood paralyzed, their skin turning ghostly pale as the brutal reality sank in.


    Rai¡¯s blood and entrails splattered across the battlefield, staining the ground in a gruesome display of cruelty.


    And in that chilling moment, the four of them understood something undeniable¡ªthis was not a human who had fallen to darkness due to pain, society, or circumstance. There was no buried trace of rationality, no suppressed fragment of compassion lurking in her soul.


    Lilith was pure evil in the form of a beautiful woman.


    Lilith laughed maniacally, the sound dripping with twisted delight. Yet, even in her madness, she remained breathtakingly elegant¡ªan enchantress whose beauty defied the horror she had just committed.


    Even now, men would still fall for her. They would die for her. And, tragically, they would kill for her.


    Unless one possessed an unshakable mind and unwavering discipline, resisting her allure was impossible.


    Rai¡¯s body hung in two gruesome halves, held together only by the strands of his exposed spine. His organs lay strewn across the battlefield in a grotesque display of carnage.


    Pragaya dropped to his knees, clutching Rai¡¯s lifeless body in his trembling hands.


    He had lost hope.


    Like a father mourning his son¡ªhe broke.


    Silence.


    No one could move. No one could speak.


    Frozen in fear, they struggled to process the excruciating reality¡ªRai was gone. The weight of that realization crushed them, suffocating and unbearable.


    Only Lilith¡¯s laughter echoed through the battlefield, her twisted amusement cutting through the stillness like a blade.


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    Until a voice¡ªdeep, commanding, and absolute¡ªshattered the silence. The Atmosphere shifted to one of darkness and red.


    "I do not remember permitting you to kill him."


    The words swept across the battlefield like a storm, noble, strong, and terrifying¡ªa voice fit for a king.


    Lilith¡¯s laughter died instantly. A cold shiver ran down her spine as beads of sweat rolled down her face.


    Pragaya, Kromus, Shelly, and Luthor stiffened.


    The suffocating sense of dread that washed over them was far worse than when Lilith had first unleashed her true power.


    Even Pragaya¡ªone of the strongest among them¡ªfound himself struggling to breathe beneath its crushing weight.


    A shadowy figure materialized behind Lilith, his presence overwhelming, suffocating.


    "Answer me, Lilith. Who gave you the liberty to take his life?"


    His voice was low, dangerous¡ªeach word laced with an unspoken threat.


    Before she could react, he struck.


    In a single, merciless motion, he ripped both her arms from her body.


    The battlefield, once echoing with Lilith¡¯s twisted laughter, was now filled with her agonized screams. Blood sprayed across the ground as she convulsed in pain, her body writhing from the sheer brutality of the attack.


    Kromus, Shelly, and Luthor couldn''t even lift their heads. Kneeling on the ground, they struggled against the crushing weight of his presence, their bodies trembling under the sheer intensity of his aura.


    Pragaya, through sheer will, slowly forced himself to look up.


    His breath caught.


    His eyes widened in pure shock.


    He knew exactly who this being was.


    It was Zaass.


    But he was not alone.


    Standing beside him was a man unlike any other¡ªa towering presence with massive, feathery black wings stretching from his back. Dressed in a pristine suit and tie, his chiseled jawline and muscular frame exuded an aura of authority, grace, and sheer ruthlessness.


    This was no ordinary man.


    This was Akiel.


    Lilith, still writhing in pain, sniffled as she struggled to form words between gasping breaths.


    "I... ah... hm... I¡ªI''m sorry, Lord Akiel... please... ah... forgive me..."


    Her voice was weak, trembling with desperation.


    Akiel reached down, his fingers wrapping around the top of her head. With effortless strength, he lifted her into the air like a ragdoll, her body twitching in agony.


    Leaning in close, he whispered into her ear, his voice dripping with menace.


    "You must have mistaken me for God."


    Then, with a swift, merciless squeeze¡ª


    He crushed her skull.


    Blood and brain matter splattered across the floor as her lifeless body slumped in his grip.


    The battlefield fell into an eerie silence.


    Pragaya could only watch in horror, frozen by the sheer brutality unfolding before him.


    The other three¡ªKromus, Shelly, and Luthor¡ªstill couldn''t lift their heads, barely clinging to consciousness under the suffocating weight of Akiel¡¯s presence.


    Akiel clicked his tongue in irritation, running a hand over his forehead.


    "Ah, crap. This bitch isn¡¯t supposed to die yet, right, Zaass?"


    At his words, Zaass flinched before hurriedly scurrying to his side, his voice trembling with fear.


    "Y-Yes, Lord! She... she¡¯s still valuable to us!"


    Akiel let out an exasperated sigh.


    "So be it."


    Extending his arm over Lilith¡¯s shattered corpse, his voice dropped into something dark, commanding.


    "RISE FROM THE ABYSS."


    At the utterance of those words, her body began to reanimate.


    A grotesque, agonizing process.


    Her shattered skull slowly fused back together, bones snapping into place, flesh mending itself.


    Through it all, her agonized screams filled the battlefield¡ªwrithing, shrieking, the sound of pure suffering.


    The reanimation process was nothing short of excruciating.


    Lilith¡¯s bloodcurdling screams tore through the battlefield, a horrifying symphony of agony as her body forcefully fused back together.


    Zaass stood frozen, watching in pure horror as every broken piece of Lilith was grotesquely reconstructed.


    Meanwhile, Kromus, Luthor, and Shelly¡ªstill unable to lift their heads¡ªcould only imagine the nightmare through the sheer, deafening torment in her voice.


    But Akiel paid no mind to the suffering behind him.


    His focus was elsewhere.


    He stepped toward Rai.


    Pragaya gritted his teeth, fighting with every ounce of his will to move.


    To stand.


    But he couldn¡¯t.


    He could only try.


    The sheer difference in power between him and Akiel was insurmountable¡ªso vast, it felt like trying to grasp the sun itself.


    Meanwhile, Lilith¡¯s screams had stopped.


    The process was complete.


    She stood perfectly intact, her beauty untouched by the horrors her body had just endured.


    Yet, something had changed.


    There was no trace of her usual sultry arrogance.


    No playful charm.


    No composure.


    She made herself small.


    Insignificant.


    Anything to avoid drawing Akiel¡¯s wrath.


    Akiel approached Pragaya and Rai, his every step carrying an unshakable sense of finality.


    Without hesitation, he extended his arm over Rai¡¯s lifeless body and began to chant.


    "RISE FROM THE¡ª"


    Before he could finish¡ª


    A blinding streak of light cut through the battlefield.


    A figure descended from the sky, landing between them.


    With a single, decisive motion, the newcomer grabbed Akiel¡¯s arm.


    The battlefield shook from the sheer force of his presence.


    He was regal, his posture exuding absolute authority. His royal cloak billowed in the wind, his crimson-red hair burning like fire under the fading light. His eyes, overflowing with pure magic, were unmistakable.


    A member of the Fire Clan.


    A warrior.


    A king.


    His expression was unyielding, his gaze piercing straight into Akiel¡¯s soul¡ªa silent declaration that he would not stand down.


    And Akiel stared back.


    His own eyes, brimming with dark magic, met the fiery determination of his opponent.


    But unlike the Hellrisers, whose darkness was mere trickery and imitation¡ª


    Akiel¡¯s power was real.


    A force of nature.


    The power of the Devil himself.


    "I think it''s time you leave," the man commanded, his voice carrying an undeniable authority.


    Pragaya instantly recognized it. His eyes snapped upward with a surge of hope. And there he was, standing in all his glory and excellence¡ªthe Elemental Magistrate.


    He was not alone. An army stood at his back, their presence radiating strength and discipline. Beside him, a breathtaking woman descended with effortless grace. She was dressed in an exquisite royal gown, her beauty rivaling even Lilith¡¯s. Long crimson hair, reminiscent of Rose¡¯s, cascaded down her shoulders, adorned with regal jewelry that shimmered under the light.


    Without hesitation, she knelt beside Rai¡¯s lifeless body, her delicate hands gently resting over him. A serene aura surrounded her as she began to chant, her voice both soothing and divine.


    "May the Father in Heaven embrace your soul and return it to where it once belonged¡ªDIVINE RESTORATION."


    A radiant light enveloped Rai, and before their eyes, the impossible unfolded. His scattered organs, his torn flesh¡ªevery broken piece of him¡ªbegan to mend in a sacred, ethereal manner. There was no agony, no screams of pain. It was as if he were merely sleeping, untouched by the suffering he had endured.


    But... something was off.


    Akiel knew it.


    His smile widened, not with frustration, but with amusement¡ªas if this entire spectacle had been meaningless.


    As if the spell hadn¡¯t even mattered.


    He chuckled, his voice smooth yet laced with something unsettling.


    "Going through all that trouble... truly silly.


    For the winds of time will whisper what has been concealed."


    The Elmag immediately stepped forward, his presence commanding.


    His gaze sharpened. His voice firm.


    "I think that¡¯s enough out of you. Leave¡ªbefore I make you."


    Akiel laughed.


    A deep, resounding cackle that sent chills down the spines of those who could still move.


    "Hahahahahaha... Very well, Leviticus.


    I¡¯ll be on my way."


    His gaze flickered to Rai, now fully healed yet still lying unconscious.


    For a brief moment, his expression changed.


    A whisper, barely audible¡ªyet carrying a weight that promised something ominous.


    "...For now."


    Then, in an instant, Akiel, Zaass, and Lilith vanished.