Tolman Venuel had just been fighting, but now he stood with his mouth agape, staring at the battle unfolding before his eyes.
Kwaajijijik!
An unusual sound resonated as the friction between the sword and the black aura created a sense of purity tainted.
Huuung! Kwaagaagaag!
The strange beauty of Adrias's white sword, surrounded by the black aura, had become the center of attention.
The white blade's dance against the black flames, with the monster's fiery, black arms as an opposing force.
"Professor!"
Dianne shouted, and it was only then that Tolman snapped back to reality. He smacked his cheeks with both hands in regret.
Zzzak!
It was just a brief moment, but Torman blamed himself for losing focus. He immediately used his magic.
His magic, a unique spell that activated the body along with the knight's mana, allowed him to jump into the raging battlefield.
"Haap!"
Accompanied by his spirit, the magic activated on his gauntlet. It was a wind-element spell, his signature technique, the 'Whirlwind Pattern' magic.
Zzzik!
His strike with the wind-infused gauntlet shattered one of the monster's arms. Even though magic wasn't effective, physical impact was another story, and with his unique magic, Tolman became the nemesis of the Chaos Mimic.
Whiing.
"This is a mana array... could it be magic?"
Together with Tolman's astonishment, the mana within the Chaos Mimic's eyes exploded.
Hundreds of beams targeted Tolman, and he raised both of his arms to shield himself.
"Haa!"
"Are you okay, Professor?"
"Thanks to you, I am, Dianne."
Dianne was discreetly managing the battlefield. She had used appropriate spells to support Adrias when he was in trouble, and she had quickly used teleportation magic to rescue Tolman when he faced danger.
"This is a serious problem."
Tolman took a moment to assess the situation. The monster was healing, and to his surprise, only the parts struck by Adrias's sword had turned white.
"What could have... the sword did something?"
While considering this, he returned to the battlefield. Thanks to Adrias' remarkable abilities, the situation hadn't worsened, but the monster was no ordinary foe.
Tolman pushed back the rising sense of despair. "If Professor Michelle arrives..."
He tried to maintain a semblance of optimism. Nevertheless, facing an opponent that rendered magic ineffective, and with Dianne having superior magical abilities compared to Professor Michelle, the odds weren't in their favor.
Shaaak!
There was a long, slicing sound, and blood scattered.
"Adrias!"
Dianne's scream was accompanied by Adrias retreating with a deep chest wound.
"It can't go on like this."
Determined, Tolman shouted, "Dianne, right now, take Adrias and evacuate!"
Up to this point, Tolman had always prided himself on his abilities.
It was a half-finished spell, and although he had never achieved the title of Warlock, the countless martial accolades had somewhat filled his heart.
'No, it's not true. Those accolades are just superficial.'
Kwaaang!
When Adrias momentarily backed off, the monster unleashed its thirteen arms towards Tolman. Tolman struggled against the overwhelming arms.
Original magic.
The magic he had always desired, the Warlock's title, had remained just beyond his reach.
Kwaaang!
As he desperately parried the attacking arms, something brushed past his mind like a fleeting memory.
-Human.
He had heard something but dismissed it as misheard.
-Human, worker, human.
"A monster talking to me."
As Tolman thought, the monster stopped its attack and revealed an area resembling its mouth, which had been hidden.
That part was smiling.
"I feel a headache coming on. You're an annoying monster."
-I am an eternal being. I have collected all valuable things in this world, and creatures like you I have met many times.
Tolman took a deep breath. This strange monster spoke, but he couldn't discern its intent. In any case, he couldn't handle the situation alone, so having a short respite seemed welcome.
Looking around, he noticed that Dianne and Adrias had disappeared.
"That's a relief."
The fact that the children with Warlock talents he had seen for the first time were not dead gave him some consolation, even though the danger wasn't over.
"I'll ask once more, what do you want?"
-Meager words, my friend. A tiny worm is trapped on my wall. Before I was sealed, beings who devoured wishes ruled the world. They were called the 'Keys to the World' and held various titles. You, just an insignificant worker and worm, can't become one of those 'Keys.' So, there's no need to burden yourself with despair. There's no story more amusing than a worm filled with despair.
"You're mocking me."
-Indeed. In that case, let me show the worm that even it might get bitten and die.
Tolman had already selected his next course of action. There was no point in further delaying; the time for hiding and pondering had passed. He infused magic into his body and lunged forward.
Thud!
Life had been a series of unexpected events for Tolman. From his once-bright future to his fall into despair, his journey to the northern fortress, over twelve years as a battle mage, and eventually becoming a professor at the academy, it was a path filled with twists and turns.
'And now... even dealing with such an incomprehensible monster.'
Yet sometimes, the unexpected could also shine brightly. The brilliant children with remarkable talents, like Bart Alben's daughter, Dianne Alben, or Lucia Everlast, Hollington's daughter who made nobles tremble with her wealth.
'Lastly...'
The most unexpected person of all.
A student he never could have predicted. He didn't express it outwardly, but Tolman had never expected such a student.
'Adrias Cromwell.'
When he first saw him, the dislike was so strong that even his neutral stance as a professor couldn't mask it. A lack of ability and talent, cloaked in an submissive appearance. Utterly weak before the strong and immensely powerful before the weak.
Yet somehow, due to reasons unknown, Adrias was now radiating brilliantly. It was as if the image of the caterpillar was suddenly transforming into a butterfly.
'Adrias Cromwell is turning into a magic user who utilizes his body and not just spells, a mage who will surpass an Aura Master.'
The previous appearances didn't matter. What Tolman was witnessing was the budding of an ideal individual he had always dreamt of.
'Someone who overcomes their limitations... no, transcends them.'
It wasn't just a professor's responsibility; it was a duty to humanity. Tolman had to safeguard the abilities he could never possess.
If he couldn't defeat this monster, the students trapped in the maze would be in peril.
Clang!
Hundreds of eyes watched Tolman, and the thirteen limbs thrashed about wildly.
"Uwaaaaah!"
The monstrous assault continued relentlessly.
He was a man who dreamt of becoming a warlock. Known as "Buhrt's Star," he developed his own unique magic. Eventually, he was ridiculed in academia for being a half-mage.
Kwaaaaaaang!
A massive explosion rocked the surroundings. Blood sprayed, and flesh flew through the air. Despite the time that had passed since he'd set out to enjoy a simple drink, Tolman's appearance was in shambles. In contrast, the monster in front of him looked almost untouched. He laughed helplessly.
"If I were a Warlock..."
Despite knowing the insignificance of such a thought when facing his inevitable death, it crossed his mind. He felt lightheaded, perhaps from losing too much blood.
"Is this the end?"
It felt oddly unsatisfying for a mage who had once been called a butcher by the northern barbarians to meet his demise in such a manner. The monster, as if to say there was no mercy, extended its arms with sharp claws.
Kwaaaaang!
"Oh?"
Without resistance or any will left, Tolman watched as a bright light was emitted in front of him.
"Great job."
"Student Adrias?"
"Thanks to you, I was able to see the magic circle drawn on the box."
The wounds that Adrias had suffered just moments ago had completely vanished, and he continued speaking without turning around.
"We'll take it from here."
"Ha... haha."
Hadn't he run away?
Tolman let himself slowly crumble and lost consciousness.
Kwajik! Zijijijik!
"Dianne, take Professor Tolman to safety for now."
"What about you?"
"I can escape. Don't worry."
"I'll be back soon."
"Don't worry."
Shortly afterward, Dianne took Tolman away, leaving only Adrias and the Chaos Mimic near the exit.
-You're... strange.
The Chaos Mimic with its countless eyes observed Adrias with curiosity.
Adrias, however, remained emotionless, his stance unwavering.
-You're just a bug, yet your energy is like that of a god. Kuh!$@#$@%@!
Suddenly, the Chaos Mimic flinched, experiencing intense pain. A figure dressed in flowing robes and a mask resembling Bloody Dan had appeared.
"Nickel."
Nickel, donned in flowing robes, attacked with a sword while wearing Bloody Dan's mask. Adrias decided that a swift resolution was necessary and prepared to finish things quickly. Tolman's assistance had allowed him to identify the hidden magic circles on the box. By sharing the vision of his summoned undead, they could identify the unique ancient magic circle.
Though the ancient magic circles were unfamiliar to Adrias, he had examined the box multiple times in the game, especially when facing the Chaos Mimic.
Kwaaaaah―――!
Adrias wasted no time and prepared a special technique. His violet aura flared, overwhelming the attacking Chaos Mimic.
Nickel's movements, even in his fluid form, became overwhelming and surpassed the Chaos Mimic, making it difficult for the monstrous entity to keep up.
'Thanks to the enhancements, I feel much stronger.'
Though previously, even against the Sword Demon, Nickel's movements felt leisurely and slow, now it was lightning-fast. He outstripped even the formidable Chaos Mimic in speed.
'I don't have much time.'
Nickel's Sloth could last for only 66 seconds. He had to conclude the fight before the effect ended.
Adrias noticed that the Chaos Mimic had left its main body behind, near the box. He couldn't let this opportunity pass.
Adrias flung his Galakshur.
With great precision, the Galakshur reached Nickel's hand.
-Kwaaaaah!
The blue energy of the Galakshur enveloped the Chaos Mimic's arm and sliced it off.
Black blood spurted from the wound, and the surrounding area echoed with the agonized screams of the Chaos Mimic.
In the chaos, Adrias approached the box. He placed his hand on its surface.
'The decryption is already complete.'
Even if he released the magic circle that absorbed mana, the connection between magic and aura would remain. It was a golden opportunity to eliminate the Chaos Mimic's trick of absorbing and redistributing magic.
'Complete Absorption. Transference. Conversion. Decomposition. Annihilation. Accumulation. Emission....'
Adrias, with his magic calculations, had successfully decoded the magic circles on the box. A strange friction sound was heard as the box began to move.
"It's done."
At that moment, the Chaos Mimic, glowing fiercely, attacked Adrias, but he swiftly erected a massive wall of earth, easily blocking the assault.
The Chaos Mimic, now unable to annihilate mana, was also subject to Nickel's relentless attacks from behind.
-I am an eternal being, immortal.
With a powerful strike from his weapon, Adrias severed the core of the Chaos Mimic, and it dissolved, its malevolent presence vanishing.
Watching the creature melt away, Adrias accepted the Galakshur from Nickel.
'If it wasn't for Tolman, deciphering the magic circles would have been impossible. It was much stronger than I expected.'
Adrias recognized the strength of the Chaos Mimic as formidable.
Suddenly, a voice called out, interrupting him. Adrias turned to see Dianne, confused and frightened.
"Adrias? What about the monster? And who is that...?"
Dianne's vision focused on the familiar mask.
"You are..."
At that moment, Nickel, with the Galakshur, appeared and leaped into the exit with the Chaos Mimic's box.
Adrias gestured into thin air, creating a smokescreen, hoping to mask the transition.
"I've lost them," Adrias mumbled.
Dianne, still confused, forgot about the peculiar aspect of Adrias's actions, and her full attention was on the masked figure of the swordsman.
"Who was that?"
"I don't know this person. They suddenly appeared and helped us before disappearing."
"I've seen that mask before."
"Where did you see it."
"Last year's final evaluation..... The person who saved me back then had that mask..."
"Oh, my! What's going on?"
Michelle, another professor, arrived, questioning the situation as she took in the aftermath of the fierce battle.
Observing the chaos around her, Michelle turned her attention to Dianne and Adrias.
"Is everything all right with you two? And what about Professor Tolman?"
"We're fine. Professor Tolman saved us, but he was gravely injured."
As Adrias and Michelle conversed, Dianne still stared at the exit.