As we arrived at our destination, it became apparent that the noble we were tasked to guard was infamous for his insatiable greed and gluttony. His relentless desire for everything had left those working for him in dire straits, and as a result, he had acquired numerous enemies. However, due to the geographical location of his land, situated in the northeastern region of the Zorania Kingdom near the enchanted Elsysium Forest, he lacked significant commercial power. Many merchants hesitated to engage with him. Nevertheless, his fortunes could change if he were to marry Lady Everwood, a member of a renowned noble house that had ruled their territory since 150 AD. Though he would be marrying into the subfamily rather than the main family, this union promised a substantial increase in his income. Our task was to ensure the protection of this wedding.
As I entered the clearing, I was greeted by the breathtaking sight of a magnificent crystal palace. Its iridescent walls shimmered brilliantly under the sunlight, while a moat surrounding the palace glowed with various colors that shifted throughout the day.
The palace's entrance boasted an exquisite arch, intricately woven with silver threads and adorned with diamonds and emeralds. Stepping inside, I found myself in a spacious hall filled with a profusion of blooming flowers in every imaginable hue, their fragrant scent wafting through the air.
At the heart of the hall stood an impressive stage draped in soft velvet fabric, displaying shades of pink and gold. Surrounding the stage were plush seating arrangements where guests could relax and enjoy the wedding ceremony.
The palace's domed roof allowed streams of natural light to illuminate the interior during the day, transforming into a celestial canopy of stars as night fell. Elaborate murals depicting scenes from enchanting fairy tales adorned the walls, adding to the palace's grandeur.
Our instructions were clear: we were no longer merely the children of nobles; we were soldiers with the sole mission of protecting this place. Our leader, Isla Blackwood, addressed us.
"I understand that this is an actual task that carries risks, and fear may be lingering among us. However, I guarantee that as a member of the prestigious Blackwood family—one of the five royal families—I will not allow any member of our team to perish. The mere fact of my royal lineage should serve as proof, but I will not tolerate any lapses. For both my sake and yours, it is imperative that you follow my orders. Should you have any ideas or notice anything unusual, I am here to listen."
Her words dispelled the fear and tension in the air, instilling confidence. It was evident that Isla possessed exceptional leadership qualities and a promising future ahead.
"Aurelian Moonstone, may we have a private moment?" Isla unexpectedly requested. I was taken aback, having been cautious to avoid any suspicion since my arrival at the academy.
"On our first day at the academy, I observed the body language of our fellow students, gaining an initial understanding of their personalities for future reference. Among all the students, you were the only one who demonstrated the same observant nature. Since then, I have closely studied your movements and habits, leading me to the conclusion that we were taught in a similar manner. I believe you will prove to be a valuable ally. Here is my proposal."
Isla continued, "Aurelian Moonstone, I propose that we form an alliance until our graduation from the academy. By sharing information, we can overcome the obstacles that lie ahead. What is your response?"
"In pursuit of my future goals, Isla Blackwood, I willingly join forces with you," I replied. "As part of our alliance, I have a gift for you. In approximately two hours, the event will come under attack. I cannot provide specific details regarding the number, origin, or strategy of the assailants, but rest assured, they will be formidable opponents. Prepare your troops and be ready."
"Where are you going?" Isla inquired curiously.
"I am going to check something," I replied.
The two hours passed with everyone on edge. Finally, the groom and the bride made their entrance. However, a sudden billow of smoke engulfed the area. Reacting swiftly, we ensured the safety of the guests. Yet, the smoke served as a deceptive move, concealing the attackers' true intention—to corral us into a specific location. Suddenly, a barrier materialized, but this was no ordinary obstruction; it prevented the release of mana, displaying an unseen and potentially dangerous force.
A shield capable of blocking mana usage was activated, followed by the arrival of 38 armed individuals.
"It's been quite a while since our paths crossed, you Giant Chubby," one of the terrorists sneered, addressing their target.
"What?! Madoma! What brings you to this place?" exclaimed the noble whom they were guarding.
"This happens to be my friend's wedding party. Of course, I would show up; that's what friends do," retorted the terrorist.
"Cut the charade. We were never friends," the noble responded coldly.
"Please don't speak like that. Have you forgotten the young girls I offered you? I even restrained my own desires so that you could have the first taste. But now, you plan to get married and betray us?" the terrorist mocked.
"How did you find out?" the noble inquired.
"Don't assume you're the only person we're dealing with, my freind. We have connections even within the royal palace. Oops, I may have revealed too much. My apologies, but this will be your last day alive," the terrorist menacingly declared.
"Last day of our lives? Ha! Do you even realize who you're facing? I am Isla Blackwood, cousin of Donovan Blackwood. If you kill me now, do you think my cousin will let it go? He won't rest until he has eliminated every one of you," Isla boldly stated.
"Oh, shit! I didn't expect a member of the warlord bloodline to be present. But who cares? The higher-ups will handle this situation. So, don't worry," the terrorist taunted, an evil smile creeping across his face.
As soon as he finished speaking, two of the terrorists launched an attack. The students present were unable to utilize their magic due to the activated shield. Fortunately, I was there to turn the tide.
With swift and precise movements, I swiftly beheaded the two attackers with a single strike, showcasing my mastery over the blade.
"Bravo! I didn't anticipate such a formidable display of strength alone," the terrorist remarked, applauding sarcastically. I responded by channeling my mana around my blade, signaling the true beginning of the battle.
"What?! How can you use mana? The barrier is active. Only we can access mana. How is this possible?" he questioned in disbelief.
"When I first arrived here, I sensed something amiss in the client's income profile. He spent a significant amount of money, but there was no trace of where it went. Consequently, I discreetly marked all of his guards with an indelible red powder. The following day, half of the guards I marked had vanished. I deduced that you had a grand plan in motion and searched for the unattended magic crystal. Even someone with an IQ of zero would understand the implications," I explained.
"Don't tell me, you wretched bastard, you infused your mana into the crystal to remain unaffected," he exclaimed.
"You're partially correct, but there's more to it. I not only infused my mana into the crystal but also deciphered its complex equations. So tell me, what will you do when your little trick no longer works? Do you possess any other tricks up your sleeve?" I challenged.
"How on earth did you achieve that? It was an intricate equation. Even an A+ sorcerer would struggle to solve it," he admitted.
"To which lineage do you think I belong? I am Aurelian Moonstone, from the royal house and the grandson of Eldrid Moonstone, the country's greatest sorcerer," I proudly declared.As the first bandit charged towards me, I seamlessly tapped into my Shadow Manipulation technique. With a flick of my wrist, I transformed a nearby shadow into a lethal dagger, swiftly slashing through the bandit's flesh. A trail of blood followed, leaving him writhing in agony as he fell defeated to the ground.
Utilizing my Enhanced Speed and Agility, I effortlessly evaded their feeble strikes. Their weapons merely grazed my skin, unable to breach my graceful defenses.
Vanishing into the darkness, I merged with the shadows, becoming nearly invisible. The bandits swung their weapons aimlessly, missing their targets. Blood stained their blades as their futile attempts continued.
Reemerging from the darkness, I unleashed my devastating Shadow Strikes. Each strike infused with shadow energy, bypassing their meager defenses and targeting their vulnerable spots. Bones cracked, and blood sprayed as my strikes found their mark, leaving them in agony and bewildered.
Employing Illusory Tactics, I toyed with their minds, projecting lifelike illusions that disoriented them further. In their confusion, some bandits turned their weapons against their own comrades, inflicting deep wounds and causing chaos to ensue.
Amid their struggle to regroup, my Defensive Techniques came into play. Merging effortlessly with the shadows, I erected barriers and shields, deflecting their feeble attempts to harm me. Their strikes met the impenetrable shadows, splattering blood onto the ground.
With each passing moment, my Shadow Constructs grew more formidable. Solidifying shadows into weapons, shields, and tendrils, I extended my reach and struck with ruthless precision. Bones snapped, and blood sprayed as my constructs tore through their flesh, leaving them in a pool of their own blood.
Absorbing the surrounding shadows, I harnessed the power of Consuming Shadows. Temporarily empowered, the darkness disrupted their attacks and drained their vitality. Their movements slowed as their strength waned due to blood loss.
With the Shadow Devourer Strikes, I disrupted their energy flow, siphoning their life force. Grimacing in pain, blood trickled from their mouths as they gasped for breath. Darkness consumed them from within, leaving them pale and lifeless.
Using my Shadow Travel ability, I melded with the shadows, swiftly traversing short distances. I left trails of blood as my wounds reopened, while the bandits, drenched in their own blood, watched in terror, realizing their imminent demise.
In a final display of power, I summoned the might of a Black Hole Presence. Gravitational forces drew the bandits towards me, their resistance futile. Bones broke, and blood sprayed as their bodies collided with a sickening thud. Their agonized cries filled the night.
And thus, with unmatched skill and overwhelming power, I emerged as the victor. The bandits lay defeated and broken, their bodies mangled and drenched in blood. Their hopes shattered by the inexorable might of my Shadow Elemental arts. Fading back into the shadows, my reputation as an unstoppable force grew, a testament to my mastery of darkness and the devastation it brings upon my enemies.