"No! You idiot, get away from that mirror!" Kale shouted, but he was too late. The mirror had already shattered into pieces.
The worker quickly turned around, realizing that the director of the academy himself was standing at the room's entrance.
"S-Sir Kale? Y-You?" The worker's voice trembled with fear, his words stuttering.
"Listen to me very carefully. Don't look back now. Just keep your eyes on me and start walking towards me," Kale spoke in a commanding tone.
"Y-Yes?" The worker became confused by Kale's words.
"Don't question, just do as the director tells you," Seti commanded.
"Okay," the worker said as he began walking toward Kale.
'Mr. Bob, aren't you going to look at me? I am standing just behind you,' a sweet voice echoed in Bob's mind.
Bob suddenly went into a trance, his eyes turning blank for a second.
"Don't listen to anything she says. She's not a real human. Hey, are you listening to me?"
"S-She is calling me. I have to look back," Bob spoke, a crazed smile forming on his face.
"Hey, hey, don't look back. She will kill you. Don't look back, you idiot!" Kale tried to stop Bob, but Bob started rotating his neck.
"Kale, kill him before she does," the wand shouted.
"Yes, Lightning Blades," Kale said as he unleashed a powerful skill.
Suddenly, multiple blue lightning bolts were launched towards Bob, aimed to end his life instantly.
But before the bolts could reach him, Bob turned to look at Vespera. However, this time, she appeared different from a minute ago.
Her eyes were completely white, and her pupils had sunken. Half of her face looked human, while the other half resembled a demonic being. Instead of two hands, she had four, and her legs had multiplied to five.
"Ah—" Bob tried to scream, but before he could, Vespera swiftly sucked out his soul and life force in a mere 0.3 seconds.
As she drained everything from Bob's body, it turned grey, and several lightning bolts struck it, destroying it instantly.
"Hehehe, you're late," Vespera spoke as she transformed back into her human form.
"Get back into that mirror, or I will destroy your life essence," Kale threatened.
"Don't bluff in front of me, Kale. You know I can sense greed and lies. See you soon," Vespera spoke before she jumped into a nearby small glass and vanished.
"Damn it, she's out now," Kale shouted.
"Don't worry, she can't kill anyone for the next three days. We still have 72 hours to catch her, but can we catch her?" the wand asked.
"I know, but I'm afraid of what will happen after three days. She will have no limitations on killing after that," Kale replied.
"S-Sir, who was she?" Seti asked, fear evident in her voice.
"Don't get angry. Keep your composure and explain it to her. It's not the time to fight amongst ourselves," the wand advised Kale, analyzing his growing anger.
"Shadowheart, a formidable demon with the ability to traverse realms through mirrors, was imprisoned within the Mystic Mirror of Enigma for a staggering 130 years. Captured by the Second Principal of the academy, she was a relentless hunter, primarily targeting men through her unique mirror travel.
Rather than simply preying upon her victims, Shadowheart employs a cunning strategy. She lures them with her seductive charm, gradually siphoning their life force and vigor until their very souls are devoured. The aftermath of her sinister feasts leaves her victims not only lifeless but also physically and spiritually damaged, a grim testament to her malevolent powers," Kale explained.
A sudden chill ran down Seti's spine as she understood what has been released into the academy.
"Is she really that dangerous?" Seti asked.
"Yes, that's why I gave you the keys. I thought you were the most trustworthy female teacher I have, but you've ashamed me," Kale replied.
"I'm sorry, sir. If I had known about this, I would have never given him the keys to this room," Seti apologized.
"For now, she has used all her powers to escape the mirror. It will take her at least three days to replenish her powers. We need to trap her again before those three days pass," Kale ordered.
"As you command, sir," Seti spoke, looking down.
"This news must not leave this room, or the students will panic. Keep it strictly confidential," Kale ordered.
"It won't, sir," Seti replied.
"Good. I will find the book that contains the method to catch her in the academy's main library. You continue the race here," Kale said as he picked up a blue crystal from one corner of the room and tossed it towards Seti before exiting the room.
It was none other than the crystal that Bob had been searching for.
"Damn, I almost forgot about the teleportation portal and the race," Seti hurriedly left the room and made her way to the teleportation portal room.
Stormborn Sea...
"Ouch, ouch... hmm?" Luna opened her eyes only to find herself in the lap of a cute-looking girl. The girl had shells covering her breasts and a fish-like body from the waist down.
Luna quickly sat up.
"A-A siren?" Luna asked in surprise as she looked at the siren, noticing small green scales on her cheeks and mesmerizing eyes.
"Are you alright, Child of the Wolf?" the siren girl asked.
"I don't know. You tell me," Luna replied.
"Well, you look fine to me," the siren girl answered with a smile.
'Yeah, but if you eat me, I won't be fine ever again,' Luna thought, observing every movement of the siren closely.
'My ki is at it's minimum, barely enough to move my own body. I can't fight. Where is Ano—' as Luna was thinking about Anon, she saw something unbelievable in front of her.
Anon was eating some kind of seaweed while resting in the laps of three to four sirens.
"Hahaha."
"Hahaha."
"Hahahaha, Anon, you're so funny," a siren complimented Anon.
Suddenly, an expression of disbelief covered Luna's face.
"W-What's going on? Seraphina, can you explain?" Landon asked in confusion and amusement, his gaze fixed on the screen before him.
"I-I don't know. I can't explain any of this," Seraphina replied, a faint laugh escaping her lips as she watched the unfolding scene on the screen.
Confusion etched on the faces of everyone witnessing the spectacle. It was confusing as well as amusing at the same time.
Landon observed Anon, reclining confidently in the Siren Queen's lap, leisurely munching on a piece of seaweed while other Sirens pampered him with gentle touches and massages.
"What the hell, Anon? What are you doing?" Luna asked in confusion, striding toward the rocky perch.
"Hmm? Oh, Luna, you're awake? Here, try some of this. It's good," Anon said munching the seaweed,as he tossed a piece of seaweed towards Luna.
She caught it at once, started sniffing it curiously.
"Anon, I need to talk to you," Luna spoke in a commanding tone, exchanging some meaningful glances with him.
"Sure, let's chat..." Anon replied, a carefree expression on his face.
"...in private," Luna shouted as she looked at the other sirens around anon, her eyes signaling urgency.
"Okay, ladies, give me a minute," Anon said, rising to his feet and walking with Luna to a secluded corner of the rock.
"What the hell are you doing?" Luna whispered, her voice barely audible to anon.
"What do you mean? I'm just chilling with the girls. What's the problem in that ?" Anon spoke in a teasing tone, as he winked at luna.
"The problem? Are you kidding me? We're in the middle of the Stormborn Sea, surrounded by Sirens who could devour you and me at any moment. Let's get out of here as soon as possible and stop winking towards me." Luna suggested with a wierd expression on her face.
[Skill
A translucent screen popped up in front of anon.
"Sorry, luv, but my skill is still on cooldown, and I don't want to drown in the sea. I'll hang out here until the cooldown hits zero. You can leave if you want, first you have to go straight in that direction and turn left to reach the next kingdom." Anon taunted, winking again at Luna before returning to Lorelei's lap.
A few minutes earlier...
As Luna and Anon landed on the rock, Luna was struck by a rock and lost consciousness, while Anon stood his ground, facing the smiling, seductive Sirens.
"Hello, ladies," Anon greeted with a playful smile on his face.
"Hello, handsome human. What is your purpose for coming here ?" one of the Sirens descended and caressed Anon's cheek.
"I was wondering if my puppy friend and I could rest on this rock for a few minutes," Anon requested.
"Why only a few minutes? You can stay here as long as you want," the Siren replied, her hand caressing Anon's chest.
"Listen here, handsome," another Siren turned Anon's face toward her and used a skill.
Her eyes shimmered with a bright pink hue, as did Anon's.
[Skill
"So, trying to charm me, huh?" Anon asked, sporting a playful smile.
The Sirens smiled in response, slowly encroaching on Anon's personal space.
"Ladies, halt right there," Anon commanded, his voice carrying an undeniable authority. The Sirens obeyed, freezing in their tracks as soon as Anon spoke.
"So, my charms work too," Anon remarked, another mischievous smile gracing his lips.
The Sirens quickly realized that Anon was no ordinary man.
"My king, you're here," the Queen Siren spoke, descending from the rock and regarding Anon with a careful gaze.
Approaching Anon, she kneeled before him.
"I am Lorelei, my king, queen of this Siren group," she introduced herself, her ample bosom straining against her seashell attire.
"Very well. Fetch me something to eat; my legs are growing numb," Anon ordered.
"As you wish, my king. But first, may you release these girls so they can serve you?" Lorelei requested.
Recognizing the resonance of the Siren King's voice, the Queen knew Anon possessed greater power than her—a measure of dominance in Siren society.
"You are now free," Anon commanded, and all the Sirens immediately dropped to their knees, showing their respect.
"What in the world am I witnessing? The Siren tribe bowing before a commoner?" Seraphina exclaimed.
"They are indeed Sirens, Seraphina, and I'm as bewildered as you are. All I can tell you is that the one bowing before Anon is likely their queen," Landon explained.
"Why is the Siren Queen bowing to a mere human?" Samantha questioned.
"There's no explaining his actions, and I've stopped trying to find explanations. At this point, I'm just enjoying the show," Jake said, a smile playing on his lips as he glanced at the screen.
"As expected, these Sirens are nothing but playthings in Anon's presence," Frank mused, his earlier prediction proving accurate.
"My king, please come and rest on my lap," Lorelei invited, patting her lap.
"I'll bring some food for our king," one of the Sirens dove into the water, resurfacing with a handful of seaweed.
"Here, my king. Please enjoy this sweet seaweed from the depths of the sea," Lorelei offered, feeding the seaweed to Anon.
Nom-Nom
"Mmm, delicious," Anon savored the taste, chewing the seaweed slowly.
[Mana permanently increased by +100]
A message suddenly appeared before Anon, surprising him.
"What's this?" Anon sat up, reading the message with astonishment.
"What does this seaweed do ?" Anon inquired, turning to Lorelei.
"My king, that seaweed enhances energy within our bodies, enabling us to sing without limitations," Lorelei explained.
Anon reclined once again in Lorelei's lap, smiling contentedly as he enjoyed the special seaweed, his hands occasionally exploring Lorelei's boobs.
"What is this pervert up to?" Seraphina asked, covering her face with her right hand but peering through the gaps in her fingers.
The group watched, captivated, as the unexpected encounter unfolded before their eyes.
[Skill
"Hup..." Anon rose from Lorelei's lap, his powerful presence commanding attention.
"It is time for me to depart, ladies..." Anon declared, his voice resonating with unwavering determination.
"My king, are you going to abandon us like this? You haven't even shared your seed. Please, my king, do not leave us without bestowing upon me the blessing of your child," Lorelei pleaded, her voice tinged with desperation as she tried to halt Anon's departure.
Anon settled back down, his hand gently caressing Lorelei's cheek.
Lorelei placed her hand atop Anon's, tears welling up in her eyes as she looked at him.
'I have no problems about making love to her right here. My only concern is the prying eyes of the kingdom witnessing our live porn session.' Anon thought, a mischievous smile playing upon his lips.
"Darling, I cannot grant you anything at this moment. However, when I return, I will fuck you so many times and give you so many that your boobs alone will not suffice to nourish them. But for now, accept this from your king," Anon murmured, his lips pressing tenderly against hers.
"Now, I must be on my way," Anon declared, his gaze shifting towards Luna, who voraciously devoured seaweed with an insatiable appetite.
Nom-Nom
"What are you up to?" Anon inquired, his tone laced with curiosity.
"Hmmm...? Thwes seaweawes icrease ny ki." Luna replied, her mouth still full of sweet seaweed. Her words emerged as muffled sounds.
"Very well, finish eating and then speak," Anon instructed, a note of amusement in his voice.
Luna hastily swallowed the seaweed.
"I was saying, these seaweeds boosts my ki," she explained, promptly reaching for another strand of seaweed.
"Excellent, we shall depart now," Anon commanded, his body in motion as he began descending towards the lower part of the rock.
"Alright, let's go," Luna agreed, falling into step beside Anon, her energy renewed.
Anon activated his skills, his body engulfed in a blazing inferno that consumed him from head to toe.
Clap-Clap
"Wow."
"He looks incredibly formidable."
"Our king shall forever shine brightly."
The Sirens erupted in applause, their admiration and respect evident.
"So... what about me?" Luna's voice held a shy undertone, her expression coy.
"What about you? Haven't you fully regained your energy?" Anon questioned, a touch of confusion in his voice.
"I have but how am I supposed to traverse the sea? I cannot run atop the water like you," Luna spoke in a sweet, endearing tone, clasping her hands bashfully behind her back.
"What do you think, i should do about it?" Anon teased, a playful smile adorning his face.
"Hmph, don't tease me. Lift me up, as you did before, and carry me," Luna exclaimed, her voice tinged with a mix of shyness and anticipation.
"Haa, why must you nobles be so lazy in everything?" Anon retorted playfully as he effortlessly scooped Luna into his arms once more.
"Farewell, ladies," Anon bid farewell to the sirens, his voice carrying a touch of fondness and gratitude.
"On your knees," Queen Lorelei commanded.
All the sirens obeyed, gracefully sinking to one knee, their devotion palpable.
"May the blessings of the seven seas be upon you, our king," they spoke in unison, their voices filled with reverence.
Anon offered a slight smile before resuming his journey, striding purposefully towards the next kingdom.
The House of Witches, the Seventh Ring...
"Miss Marinda, you must see this," a bespectacled girl hurriedly approached a massive closed door within the mansion.
"What business do you have here, Madam Shelly?" Two female guards protecting the gates questioned Shelly, crossing their spears in an "X" formation, blocking her path.
"I have something of utmost importance to show Madam Marinda. Step aside immediately," Shelly commanded.
"Allow her entry," a calm yet authoritative voice emanated from behind the door.
"Indeed. You may proceed," the guards retracted their spears as the gates slowly swung open.
As the gates parted, a woman bathing in a lavish pool was unveiled, attended by seven alluring maids.
Appearing around the age of 40, possessing ample bosom, a voluptuous posterior, purple eyes, and lustrous purple hair, her curves defied reality. Any man who beheld her unclothed form would lose his senses instantaneously.
"Greetings, Shelly. Do you bring urgent tidings? I detest being interrupted during my bath, and you are well aware of that," Marinda spoke in a commanding and serious tone, fixing her gaze upon Shelly.
"Madam, this is something of great significance that requires your attention," Shelly replied, conjuring a sizable screen in front of Marinda and playing a live broadcast of Anon's race.
"What is this, Shelly?" Marinda inquired, her curiosity piqued.
"Madam, this is the Kingdom's Night Run organized by our academy," Shelly explained.
"Wasn't that event banned years ago?" Marinda recalled, stepping out of the pool while her attendants quickly dried her body with towels.
"Yes, but for some reason, the academy's director has decided to revive it, and I have made an intriguing discovery," Shelly stated, displaying a picture of Anon on the screen.
"Ah, he does possess charm. So, you harbor a desire to marry him, do you not?" Marinda asked, a playful smile gracing her lips.
"No, Madam. Please, observe further," Shelly continued, playing Anon's live broadcast.
"Are those sirens?" Marinda questioned, her interest piqued.
"Yes, Madam. Witness how they bow before him, yet he departs without hesitation. They haven't posed the slightest threat to him," Shelly elucidated.
"Hmm, fascinating. What was his name again?" Marinda queried as her attendants proceeded to dress her.
"He is Anon Agreil, Madam. If we can recruit him, he could prove to be a valuable asset," Shelly proposed.
"I see. Samantha and Jake are also joining the academy, correct?" Marinda inquired.
"Yes, Madam."
"Excellent. Inform Samantha about this. Retrieve some gold from the family treasury and a D-ranked weapon. Go and enlist that young man to work for us," Marinda issued her orders.
"But, Madam, other houses are also aware of him," Shelly revealed.
"Who exactly knows?" Marinda's expression turned grave as she posed the question, a hint of concern flickering in her eyes.
"According to our reliable sources, every household is aware of the prodigious child. However, some have devised unique methods to recruit him," Shelly explained.
"What sort of 'different methods' are we talking about?" Marinda inquired, dressing herself and heading towards the dining table.
"The leader of the Martial House has declared his intention to make him his son-in-law. They plan to hold an engagement ceremony tomorrow morning," Shelly clarified.
"Hah, the Martial House. They are such narrow-minded fools, marrying off their daughter to a commoner. That would be my last resort to recruit a commoner, especially a male," Marinda chuckled.
"Ma'am, that child has shattered the kingdom's javelin throw record and effortlessly demolished the immortal dummy in the beginner's trials," Shelly informed.
"Mhm... Shelly, I want this child in our household. No other house shall have him," Marinda commanded with authority.
"For that to happen, we must increase the facilities we can provide him; otherwise, he might not choose our house," Shelly pointed out.
"Well, then, let's improve them. Give him a C-rank weapon and 5,000 gold," Marinda stated as she observed more clips of anon.
"Yes, ma'am, but there is another issue," Shelly said, her face displaying concern.
"What now?" Marinda asked, settling herself at the dining table and starting to eat a piece of steak.
"Ma'am, the Denver House of Justice is also planning to recruit him," Shelly revealed, causing the room to fall silent.
Marinda paused her meal, her face contorting into an expression of anger.
"Shelly..." Marinda uttered in a tone seething with fury.
"Y-Yes, Ma'am?" Shelly replied, her voice filled with fear.
"What offer are they making?" Marinda demanded, forcefully driving her fork into the dinning table.
"I couldn't confirm the details, ma'am, but there are indications that they are planning to propose their sixth daughter to Anon. However, this information is still not entirely reliable, i will confirm it by tommorow." Shelly explained as tension appeared on her face.
"Those deceitful bastards! They're using their most worthless daughter to entice a promising talent into their house," Marinda fumed, her temper escalating rapidly.
"Ma'am, please calm down," Shelly implored, attempting to soothe Marinda's anger.
"No, which one of my daughters is the most useless?" Marinda inquired with an angered expression.
"All of them," Shelly murmured softly, averting her gaze.
"What?" Marinda questioned.
"Ah, out of your six daughters it must be the third one, ma'am. Miss Samantha. She possesses your charms but lacks any real skills. Although, if you consider conversing with the dead a skill... Then i can't say." Shelly trailed off.
"Tell Samantha that she will marry him and their engagement will be done by tomorrow. Offer him an A-grade weapon and 100,000 gold to entice him into our house, and if the house of justice has a more enticing offer than us, you will match it and if needed just double it.
I need that kid in our house, shelly. Do you understand ?" Marinda ordered as she rose from the table and left.
"Yes, ma'am," Shelly responded before departing as well.
After a few minutes, a maid began clearing the cutlery from the table and noticed the fork embedded in the dinning table.
Curiosity compelled her to grasp the handle and attempt to remove it from the table.
However, despite exerting all of her strength, the fork remained firmly lodged. She then resorted to using a bodily strengthening skill, and finally, with one powerful tug, she succeeded in extracting the fork from the table.
Thud
Thud
But as soon as the fork dislodged, the table collapsed into pieces.
"What?" The maid stood there in shock, observing the wreckage of the dinning table.
Denver House of Justice...
"Great Mother, I cannot marry a commoner," a girl with golden eyes, blonde hair, and an attractive figure said, kneeling before the esteemed matriarch of the house.
"What are you saying? It is God's will that you bring the boy named Anon into our house. Are you defying God's decision?" the Great Mother inquired.
Her eyes were green, her hair was blonde, and she possessed fair white skin, ample bosoms, and a remarkably large derriere.
"B-But I am a noble, and he is merely a commoner," the girl pleaded.
"God never speaks falsely. While you may be of noble birth, you are more useless than that commoner boy. Fulfill your command or face expulsion from this house," the Great Mother commanded sternly.
"Yes, hail the Great Mother," the girl acquiesced before exiting the room.
The Great Mother then grasped her own ass and jiggled them up and down.
"Hmm, they are starting to sag," she remarked, turning her attention back to the screen displaying Anon.
"Damn it, I will never marry a commoner, not in this lifetime. Great Mother, I will show you just how valuable I am after I slay your god-appointed brat," the girl declared, retrieving a dagger from her pocket.
Martial House...
"Ma'am, you summoned me?" a black-clad girl emerged in Sera's room.
"I need someone dead," Sera spoke with vengeance in her voice.
"Command me, ma'am. His head will rest at your feet before you can blink," the girl assured.
"His name is Anon Agreil. He is participating in the Kingdom's Night Run. You must eliminate him before tomorrow's sunrise," Sera commanded, her eyes fixated on the picture of her daughter, now possessing red eyes.
"His head will be at your feet before tomorrow's sunrise. Don't worry, ma'am," the girl vanished after uttering those words.
Click
Sera absentmindedly sliced betel nuts with a cutter, not even glancing at them. When she finally looked down, she realized she had accidentally severed one of her fingers.
Without shedding a tear or displaying any reaction, she calmly picked up the severed finger and examined it closely.
"I will not allow my daughter to marry some imbecile. Even if I have to eliminate everyone in this house, I will demonstrate to that wench Cassandra that I hold power within these walls," Sera vowed, biting her own severed finger and tearing it in two.