Chapter 98
“What is this..?”
As soon as I arrived at the Academy, the scene that met my eyes was chaotic monsters rampaging everywhere.
But something was off about those monsters… could it be?
[Using Insight Eye]
Kiiing
Activating the ability confirmed my suspicion—they were just terrified students.
[You shouldn’t kill me. I won’t go down easily!]
“Could this be what they meant?”
Damn succubus! It seems even in death, she expects a graceful exit.
Creating chaos and dying like that—some of them are real monsters mixed in!
At this rate, there will be numerous casualties. If they start seeing each other as enemies and fight…
It will truly be irreversible by then.
That’s the frightening aspect of Lilith.
If you’re vulnerable to mental attacks, you’ll be helplessly toyed with.
I should have dealt with this beforehand.
“Ugh…”
Stella, who was on my back, also didn’t seem to be in good condition.
Because of me… she got caught in this ridiculous interrogation.
Anger over my own helplessness boiled within me.
Even biting my lip until it bled wouldn’t change anything.
“Now is not the time to wallow in self-pity. First, I need to neutralize them.”
It’s better to incapacitate everyone to avoid unnecessary injuries.
However, there’s a problem. It’s Stella, who’s still on my back.
“What do I do…?”
I can’t just put her down somewhere; it’s too risky.
What if some lunatic mistakes Stella for a monster and attacks?
That cannot happen—I’d do anything to prevent it, even kill if needed.
As I observed the surroundings, a sudden voice rang out from behind.
“Hey~ over there!”
A voice I recognized echoed from outside the academy. That person… came at the perfect time.
“Here! Erica!”
I shouted loudly towards the flying silhouette on a broomstick.
Upon confirming my presence, the silhouette swooped down and landed on the ground.
“Long time no see! …Wait, this isn’t the time for pleasantries.”
Her name is Erica, a senior mage from the same magic tower as Stella.
Erica was taken aback when she saw Stella on my back.
“What’s going on with her?!”
“She got hit by a demon’s mental attack. Can you watch her for a bit?”
As far as I know, she is an experienced mage among the golden magic tower ranks.
She should have some degree of resistance against mental powers.
“Ah, got it…But what are you planning to do?”
“Then I’m counting on you.”
I entrusted Stella to her and dashed towards the chaos.
*
“What the hell is that…?”
Nova streaked through the panicked students with incredible speed.
With each pass, students fell like dominos, and he even slashed at genuine monsters causing mayhem.
Felling monsters with precision strikes to knock them out—it’s easier said than done.
The students here are the finest from the empire’s academy.
Even in a panic, it’s impressive that they can achieve this.
After clearing the academy front in an instant, Nova shouted at Erica.
“Get Stella to a safe place!”
With that said, Nova vanished into the academy.
“Wow… your boyfriend is amazing… right, Stella?”
I asked her, hoping she would wake up, but Stella remained silent.
“This is going to be a big problem if the magic tower head finds out…”
*
Let’s sort this out. The only being capable of casting such large-scale hallucinations in the academy is Lilith. But Lilith is definitely dead.
Would she even be able to use this level of power before dying? That’s absurd.
To exert this level of power, she would need a Sacred Relic…
“Sacred Relic?”
Now that I think about it, that bastard Alastor was supposed to be dead, but he came back to life.
I distinctly remember there was a Sacred Relic that allows resurrection, didn’t he use that? If so, it means that bastard is still alive…
[Congratulations! You have defeated Executor of Gluttony, Alastor!]
What is this? When did this pop up? Checking my status window, Alastor’s death was clearly displayed.
He must have used up his three chances for resurrection before this…
“No, this isn’t the time for that.”
Anyway, this is surely the power of a Sacred Relic.
A relic with mind control abilities… no doubt about it.
*
In the silent atmosphere of the Faculty Room, with the lights off, the academy’s professors were out solving the situation.
Amidst this chaos, one man sat leisurely in his chair.
In his hand, he was fiddling with a thorny branch.
“The fact that this has been activated means… Lilith is dead.”
The Vice Principal, or rather, the demon Baphomet, mused while playing with the branch.
“To unleash such a large-scale illusion spell… truly the power of Asmodeus’s Sacred Relic.
If this and the thorny body merge, will a Lust Demon King be born?”
He secretly felt relieved that Lilith had perished.
Sacred Relics are remnants of demon kings, meaning parts of the original demon king’s power.
When fused with a suitable physical medium, the true demon king could be resurrected.
“If I were to kill the host, there’d be no need for that.”
Baphomet sensed a massive power enveloping the academy.
“Have the strongest humans finally arrived…?”
*
“What is this chilling aura?”
Upon entering the academy, I immediately sensed the frigid magic.
As I surveyed the area, it was clear the situation had already stabilized.
All the monsters were dead, their bodies frozen in place aside from the unconscious students.
‘This is Gruwein-style Ice Cutting.’
Having faced it often during practice duels with Siel, I easily recognized the technique.
However, the level of skill was vastly different.
If Siel’s technique was that of a seasoned top-tier swordsman, then this one belongs to someone who has reached the apex!
“Clearly, this is the work of that person.”
The strongest entity on the continent, one of the top 10, Nuer de Gruwein!
Why is the ruler of the north here? According to reports, I heard the top 10 were holding a meeting recently.
Could it be he rushed here because of that? Regardless, this is a blessing.
If he’s here, things could surprisingly resolve easily…
“Are there any students still not unconscious?”
At that moment, I felt a chilling presence behind me that froze my body.
I reflexively swung my sword in that direction.
<Swish!>
The dull sound of metal clashing echoed loudly around me.
Even with my sudden strike, the man in front of me didn’t flinch even slightly.
With that bright sky-blue hair, he clearly emanated the pressure of an aristocrat.
“Nuer Gruwein…”
“…not bad.”
However, the atmosphere grew even colder.
Wait, why did he suddenly appear from behind?
“It’ll be a hassle to knock you out without any wounds.”
“Wait a minute…”
Before I could finish my words, I raised my sword to deflect the incoming three blades.
I thought I could easily brush aside the thin blades, but that was my delusion.
<Thud!>
The moment the blades clashed with my sword, it felt like a dump truck had hit me.
My body was flung into the air, spinning like a top.
‘What the hell!’
Still airborne and not yet landing, that monster closed in on me without giving me a moment to breathe.
That madman doesn’t even let me talk—this time, he simple sliced downward.
If I hadn’t blocked with my sword, I would have been in real danger.
In that moment, my sword emitted a sound of splintering, and I realized it wasn’t just any sword—wasn’t that a Holy Sword? Even a replica shouldn’t break after just two strikes…
Is this crazy monster really out to kill?
“Yet you’re still conscious, that’s impressive.”
This time, his fist flew straight towards my face.
“Damn it… can you let a person speak…”
<Smash!!>
I dodged the incoming punch using my core strength and quickly grabbed his wrist.
No matter how strong he is, he’s never experienced this.
“How about I throw you around, old man!”
Using the technique from Aikido, I twisted his wrist and spun around.
Nuer’s body was lifted off the ground.
For the first time, his cold demeanor was disrupted.
“It’s not over yet!”
The last time I used my technique, Stella delivered a counterattack from the air.
Before he had the chance to take any action, I pushed him away with full force.
He glided through the air, landing with ease.
“…this is fun.”
He seemed to have discovered something interesting as the corners of his mouth lifted.
Oh crap, this is bad; his combat switch is activated!
Nuer prepared to leap forward for a thrust.
‘Shit, I don’t know what to do now!’
I replicated his posture and technique with precision—aiming for his right shoulder to incapacitate his sword.
His pupils widened at my movement.
As the swords were about to collide…
“Stop!!”
A voice pierced the tense moment as Siel darted in front of Nuer, blocking the way.
“Don’t touch my person. Father.”
At her declaration, Nuer wore a dumbstruck expression.
“What… did you say?”
