When no trace of the Loom of Fate could be found, the entire factory was illuminated with a brilliant holy light. The demons summoned by Valentin perished under the light, turning to ashes.
The holy light searched every corner of the factory, even the ceiling and the ground. The angelic consciousness within Valentin insisted on finding clues about the Loom of Fate, but despite exploring every inch around, it ended up empty-handed...
"Very well, it seems someone with a thorough understanding of Heaven did this, daring to specifically target Heaven's contingency on Earth? Hmph! I'd like to see if you can anticipate every move of Heaven!" A divine voice echoed around as the angelic consciousness gradually faded away.
Robert: ??? When did I become so well-versed in Heaven's affairs?
"Found nothing?" Inside the factory, Valentin regained control of his body, murmured at the fruitless search, and felt a hint of regret upon seeing the vanished demons, "Pity, I'll have to summon some new demons again…"
"However, perhaps I can first go to the magic academy to kill those Shadow Hunters, letting their bodies be possessed by demons, before searching for the Holy Grail…"
With that thought, Valentin grew excited. As the first Shadow Hunter to possess angelic blood and fall into demonhood, Valentin had long discarded his identity. For him, it would be an honor for the Shadow Hunters to be possessed by demons and serve him.
With a swoosh, Valentin disappeared from the factory, which then exploded, leaving nothing behind.
During his flight, Valentin's demonic horns grew back, balancing the angelic and demonic forces within him, which made him feel more comfortable.
Valentin soon arrived outside the magic academy, familiar with the place as it was where he had once studied. However, he had abandoned it due to limitations in his bloodline and power.
Now, Valentin felt it wasn't enough just to abandon it; he wanted to transform the magic academy into a new Demon Academy, using it as a base to cultivate his demon army, conquer Earth, and become the supreme Demon King!
Valentin felt he already possessed the power to become the Demon King; all that was left was the conquest.
"How familiar these enchantments are. I used to have a spell to open these doors, but it seems to have changed? No matter, I no longer need such spells! Let my conquest begin here!" Valentin floated outside the magic academy, excitedly saying as he launched a black energy beam at the academy, forcibly breaching its defenses just like Robert had done before.
The beam silently pierced through the academy's barrier, leaving a massive gap.
"Valentin is here!" The guardian instructing Claire changed color, urging her to wait by the teleportation portal to bring in the Saiyan and Constantine, while he contacted Constantine to delay Valentin.
"Understood!" Claire rushed to the portal, prepared for Valentin's arrival. The academy had made contingency plans, knowing they weren't a match for Valentin but could delay him slightly.
"Valentin! How dare you barge in?!" At the academy's entrance, the guardian contacted Constantine and stood with others to confront Valentin, shocked at his terrifying presence, "You've merged angelic and demonic powers? How is that possible?!"
"Why not? My talent exceeds your imagination, as does the power within the Holy Grail," Valentin scoffed, mocking the Shadow Hunters.
"I had planned to deal with you, the traitor, before seeking the Holy Grail, but you've given me a surprise by keeping it here after betraying me. So, you're preparing to pledge allegiance to me again with the Holy Grail? I might spare your life and even grant you freedom and power, how about it?"
"Humph! Dream on!" The guardian knew Valentin wasn't sincerely recruiting him but trying to disgust him and sow discord among the Shadow Hunters.
The guardian gave Jess a look, understanding they needed to stall for time.
"Guardian, you..." Jess, understanding the guardian's intent, began to act with disbelief and anger, making the guardian realize his own acting skills.
"Ha! Did you think the guardian would betray the entire academy for so-called freedom, collaborating with me, the academy's traitor? Doesn't that make him a traitor too?" Valentin laughed maniacally, his attitude inflated with power, unlike the cautious demeanor he had when meeting Robert.
The main reason wasn't just the influence of the angelic consciousness within him but also his newfound power, making him believe no one in the academy could threaten him.
As Valentin prepared to watch the Shadow Hunters confront the guardian, Robert received a message from Constantine.
"Valentin appeared? Why now?" Robert frowned, reluctant to miss a family trip for a battle but knowing he couldn't let Valentin destroy the academy and kill everyone.
"Clark, I need to go to the magic academy; Valentin has appeared. Keep an eye out; there's something off about that guy's disappearance. There might be a bigger fish behind this, and I'll see if I can reel it in," Robert said to Clark.
"Go ahead, I'll watch over things here," Clark nodded, supporting Robert.
"Be careful," Kara, overhearing, advised Robert earnestly.
"I know..." Robert, usually unfazed by Kara's concerns, felt uncomfortable under her gaze this time and vanished with a nod.
"Robert has finally grown up!" Kara mused, watching him leave.
"Yes, he has," Clark agreed, knowing Robert now had to navigate his feelings for Diana and Kara on his own.
Clark noticed Robert's physical and psychological growth, wondering how Robert would handle his relationships, especially with Diana.
Now, the immediate concern was dealing with Valentin and the potential angelic threat behind him.
Clark informed the Kents and Danvers about Robert's whereabouts, with Martha expressing concern for Robert's safety.
"Don't worry, I'll be careful," Clark reassured, as the family decided to camp and rest.
Transforming into Vegeta's appearance, Robert could have passed for King Vegeta with his height. He quickly summoned the guardian and teleportation portal, and Claire, waiting by the portal, quickly brought Robert and then Constantine to the academy.
Constantine had refused to come alone, wary of facing Valentin directly. Unless he was already at the academy with traps set for Valentin, he wouldn't waste his trump cards.
"Stronger and more balanced!" Robert, arriving at the academy, greeted Claire and noticed the imposing aura at the entrance, "He's stronger than the Shadow King, but it's unclear how he compares to the Hell King I faced before."
"Indeed, his strength is on par with a Demon King, but the angelic presence is too strong. Isn't he afraid of exposing himself, or is he too confident?" Constantine joined, relieved he wasn't alone against Valentin.
"Stalling for time? It's him!" At the entrance, Valentin sensed Robert and Constantine's arrival, focusing his anger on Robert. Influenced by the angelic consciousness, Valentin hadn't felt such emotional turmoil in a long time, still haunted by his near-death experience at Robert's hands.
With a hum, Valentin's aura erupted, displaying both dark and light energies, creating a distinct domain at the academy's entrance. The guardian and Shadow Hunters felt overwhelmed,
unable to act against Valentin's terrifying domain.
"Fall back! Constantine, set up a barrier to stabilize the space. If we can't hold, use the portal to escape!" Robert, facing Valentin's pressure, erupted in power, transforming into a more formidable state with green energy swirling around him, neutralizing the pressure and charging at Valentin.
"This is?" Claire, momentarily confused by Robert's transformation, wondered about his true appearance among his multiple forms, pondering his identity at such a critical moment.
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