I never would have thought that things would come to this. First, the barrier that enveloped the whole school—thanks to that, the class was cancelled. And now, the whole campus is surrounded with people wearing white robes, what's more is that their numbers are insane. They easily surpassed the count of hundred, and that's only within this floor. The students Council came here to warn us and gave us orders not to go out. However, that idiotic master of mine has run off to somewhere and hasn't returned yet, I Tokugawa Shinra, is worried for that idiot.
In this type of crisis, no matter how strong you are, if you're surrounded by this many, you can only hold out for God-knows-how-long. What's more the enemies this time found a way to stop our abilities from working. In a case like this, we are as if chicks hiding from the rain as we holed-up in this classroom.
"Kyaaa!"
One of the students shriek loudly as something from the outside exploded showing a great amount of smoke. A blast from outside the window can be seen. The enemies started firing their magic at us. Sure, it was a generic magic; elemental which mostly ranked F. Nonetheless, with no means of fighting back, nor any protection from those kinds of magic attacks, we ought to stay inside the classroom where the barrier set by that younger sister of my idiotic master was strongest.
AOE (area of effect) Magic attacks rained down from outside the building and from the corridor—we were undeniably surrounded, however, thanks to the barrier, their attacks only exploded whenever it collided with the invisible walls. I heard that this barrier system was set even before the school year had begun, and even when the abilities were sealed the barrier still functioned as it was meant to be. It was as if the Headmaster had foreseen this ability to happen.
Seeing that their attacks would only hit what seemed like an invisible shield, the assailants looked at each other—however, as if they came to the conclusion that they wouldn't care if their attacks hit or not, they continued to rain their magic to us. If this continues, then I don't know how long the barrier would hold out.
"Instructor! If we keep holed-up here, we will sooner or later be captured by them! We must do something!"
Courtenay, huh. Her noble instincts are kicking out again. But why is she so agitated. She should know that in a situation like this staying calm would be for the best. I stared at her. I can understand her feelings, but failing a judgment in times like this is not like her.
"I cannot risk the safety of my students. That includes you, Elisha Von Courtenay."
"But…!"
"Then, tell me. Do you have a brilliant plan for us to get out of this situation unscratched?"
"…!"
She looked down. She must have also realized that being hasty is an error for her. Being unstable will only lead to your demise. I want her to understand that.
"Don't look so down. Even if I say that, I'm sure that help will eventually come. We can only wait for the reinforcement from the outside to come."
As I said that, another student came to us. Tall build and brown hair. I see this person always hanging around master. The only person that hangs with him, that is.
"What miss Tokugawa said was right, Lady Elisha. All we can do for now is wait."
Elisha looked even more frustrated.
"How can we even get help if we cannot do something about this barrage of attacks!"
She yelled which called the attention of the whole class to us. They all looked the same. In panic, if I were to describe their appearances. Honestly, I am anxious as well, however, if I showed them that, then that will be the end for us. I then raised my pointer finger to the ceiling.
"Leave that kind of thing to the student council. That group consists of insanely strong people after all. And who stood at the top of them is that Yamada Reina. The daughter of the headmaster. I hope you have never forgotten that."
As I said that, the light of hope was back in the eyes of the students. After all, if it was the daughter of the headmaster, President Reina, then of course their fighting spirit will be heightened once again. But among the students, only Elisha looked as if she was not satisfied.
Meanwhile, as for me, I just hope that the barrier would hold still until the help could come.
Another huge tremor shook the building as another barrage of magical attacks were fired from the outside.
***
At the church that was built inside the campus, located at the opposite side of the garden.
Inside the building were three people wearing more elaborate robes than the ones attacking the classrooms. Two of them wore the same type of robes, though, if they look more elegant than the ones who were sent to assault the school buildings, their clothes cannot compare to the one sitting at the front of the altar. That person was reading a book—clearly, he ranked higher than the two who were working with something that looks like a magic circle and one who looks as if meditating. His clothes were decorated with gold embroidery, too—and the Seraphim at the center of his chest looks more defined and beautiful than the others.
One of the two spoke;
"To send thirty mid-ranked, and three-high ranked [Pillars] along with Sir St. Matthias of the twelve apostles—just what was the first apostle thinking? In a mission like this, me and Saffir should be good enough. Don't you think so, Saffir?"
He said while continuing to draw the magic circle that contains complicated Latin words in it. He was using a peculiar chalk that would change color depending on which layer of the circle he was working with. He was not even looking at the guy he was talking to.
"Stop it, Krueger. The failure of the other [Pillars] is what leads to this. Doubting the first Apostle also meant disrespecting the Eminence. I don't agree with you in that aspect."
He answered bluntly. He had his eyes closed and was as if focusing on something rather than conversing with this man called Krueger.
"I know that, geez. My bad. You're always so serious. Don't you think so, sir Matthias?"
Krueger said playfully before turning his sight to the man who was reading a book.
"I guess."
He said curtly without parting his eyes to what he was reading.
"But, seriously… this school really had bad taste, didn't they? Building a church as small as this is a disrespect for our beliefs."
He said in a critiquing way. In all honestly, the church was by no means small. If filled with people, it can easily contain 300 not including those who will be standing. But this man Krueger said it as if the ones he was used to were way bigger than this church.
"The decorations are plain too. Tsk, tsk, tsk. Should we renovate this church before we leave?"
He added. The interior of the church was considered elaborate by most people seeing how intricate the craftmanship of this building. Sofy enjoys praying here before going home and before starting the class. The benches were carved with aesthetic lines, the window panes were painted with beautiful work of art. The ceiling was also painted with Angels flying around. His words only proved that his sense of beauty already transcends what's normal.
"Shut it, Krueger. Your babbling is distracting me. How about you do your job properly?"
"Geez! I got it, I got it. But, how on your side? Have you breached any classroom yet?"
"I can keep my illusions to fire magic and make sure they all stay inside the room. We can avoid unnecessary interference this way. The illusions won't be able to destroy the barrier because they are the lowest rank in my ability. However, I will begin the second phase once we finally get hold of the Vampire Princess—killing them all, that is."
"Kekeke! Finally, eh? I feel excited just thinking that we can illuminate most of the Demonic Stones holders. Though, I feel bad for the Seraphim users."
"It can't be helped. sacrifices are necessary, after all. Also, now that they are here in this academy proved that they were already tainted. Death is the only way to save them."
As they were talking about all these, the door of the church opened and another person entered with four more people in tow. The one who's in the lead is wearing the same clothing such as Krueger and Saffir—while the other four are visibly wearing inferior robes.
"Begin the second phase Saffir, we have the lamb, the Vampire princess in our hand."
He said with a huge smirk in his face. His mouth raised into a crescent as he pointed at the middle of the four other people—there was Maria.
"Ouh! Finally!"
"You got her already. As expected,"
Krueger said excitedly followed by Saffir. Then, the one whom they called St. Matthias closed the book without making a sound and stood from where he was sitting.
"Good work Malcov. You've done very well."
With these words, the leader of the ones who just came in, Malcov fell on his knee. He looked so happy that's as if he was looking up to something divine. The other four behind him did the same and paid respect to this St. Matthias.
"Such praise is wasted on us, but we thank you, oh Twelfth Apostle, St. Matthias."
Matthias nodded. He then shifted his gaze towards Maria.
"Where is her guard?"
He asked solemnly.
"She has none, sir, when we found her. They must have thought that we cannot pull something like this, thus they lowered their guard down."
"I see."
"But she was with someone. That girl was strong, and despite not having her ability active she manages to land me a hit."
"What?!"
Krueger made a surprised reaction while Saffir only flinched as he was not able to open his eyes.
"She managed to land a hit on Malcov? That's insane."
"So, where is this woman whom you talked about?"
Malcov nodded.
"Yes. I left her to where I defeated her. She said that she had a master, so I thought that if I left her alive, another strong person would come. A little gift for you sir Matthias, as I considered that you were bored."
"You did something unnecessary. But I appreciate your thoughts. You did well. Our lamb, I'm sorry for being rough. But we need you for our ambition. Please come here."
Maria did as he said and went to where he was. After that, he shifted his gaze to Krueger.
"We've got the lamb Krueger. Hasten the teleportation circle."
"Yes, sir Apostle!"
"Saffir, begin the second phase. Have all the thirty mid-class [Pillars] attack along with the stronger version of your illusions."
"Yes, sir Apostle."
But then, as they were busy discussing their plan, a voice sounded from the entrance.
"Hmm… so, you really are here, eh? Just like what Varvara said."
"You are…"
As they shifted their gaze, a young man with black hair was leaning on the door jamb met their sight. His arms were crossed at his chest and he stared at them with boredom. Seeing this, Malcov smiled creepily, while the others made a surprised reaction—but among them, the most surprised was her, Maria, even with her emotions not being shown her eyes widened. She speaks his name.
"Gleren."
"Yo! I came to get you back,"
He Grinned.
"And to punch someone in the face as a payback for Varvara!"