The scene at Magux Academy was chaotic, with a fierce battle unfolding between the students and Ash Minse. The once-revered martial arts instructor had become a dark mage, and his current form was a far cry from the mentor they had once admired.
Aro Lupe, the esteemed master of combat magic, was heavily injured but held up by his student, Lucy Greay. Lucy's blond hair was matted with sweat, but her expression was fierce and determined as she supported her injured teacher. Beside them, the remaining mage students took their stand—Lory Lawen, her dark hair framing a gaze filled with resolve; Bax Wood, his fiery red hair reflecting his hot-headed nature; and Roki Bilzton, his dark blue hair and ever-present sunglasses marking his calm, calculating demeanor.
The two knight students, Rika and Brando, were equally committed to the fight. Rika, with her short-cropped red hair and a scar marring her cheek, fought with relentless energy. Brando, despite his messy white hair and perpetually half-asleep appearance, was engaged with focused determination.
Ash Minse, once a respected teacher, was now a dark, twisted figure. As the students attacked him, he laughed cruelly. His face showed anger, but his eyes sparkled like his eyes were smiling.
"I take back what I said...These are not cute at all.." Ash sneered, his tone dripping with contempt. He raised his hand, summoning a ghastly presence. From the darkness emerged Shen Mort, an alchemist teacher turned into a lich, accompanied by a horde of skeletal minions. The sight was horrific, the once-familiar teacher now a soulless creature of the night.
Aro's eyes widened in shock and horror as he recognized Shen Mort. "Shen? Nononon—" He could barely contain his dismay as he realized that Shen Mort was no longer the teacher they once knew.
The students were equally stunned. Bax, his voice cracking with anguish, shouted, "Teacher Shen!!!" His eyes were filled with disbelief as he saw his former mentor, now an undead monstrosity.
Rika, with her short-cropped red hair and scarred cheek, looked on in shock as she recognized another familiar face among the dark forces. Her voice, usually calm, trembled as she said, "Even Teacher Crost!!" Teacher Crost, a knight instructor known for his strict but fair nature, had been corrupted too. He now stood among the skeletal minions, unrecognizable from the mentor they once knew.
Shen Mort, now a horrifying lich, moved with a creepy, unnatural grace. His once-wise eyes were empty and hollow, and his actions were stiff and robotic, controlled by the dark magic that had taken over him. Seeing their former teacher as this ghastly creature was a painful shock, making the situation even more desperate and urgent.
Brando's anger flared as he saw the twisted forms of their former mentors. "Bastard!" he shouted, his voice laden with fury. His gaze was fixed on Ash, whom he now saw as a monstrous puppet master, controlling the teachers and turning them into something they were not. The rage and pain he felt were palpable as he faced the enemy who had desecrated their beloved instructors.
As Ash directed Shen Mort and the skeletal minions, Aro and the students regrouped, struggling to overcome their shock and fear. The fight was far from finished, and the gravity of their situation was clear. They faced a powerful enemy who had corrupted their beloved teachers, turning them into instruments of darkness.
Aro, gritting his teeth, fought through the pain and managed to muster his remaining strength. "We have to fight!" he urged, his voice hoarse but resolute. "Students!!! no matter what they've become, we have to stop them. For our academy… for our Comrades!!!!"
Lory, Bax, Roki, Rika, and Brando nodded in agreement, their expressions a mix of grief and determination. They knew they had to push forward, despite the overwhelming odds. With renewed resolve, they prepared to face Ash, Shen Mort, and the skeletal minions, their hearts steeled for the battle ahead.
The courtyard was a battlefield of magic and steel, filled with the sounds of spells and clashing weapons. The air was thick with energy and tension. As the students gave their all in the fight, the dark presence of their former teacher cast a heavy shadow over them, symbolizing the dark grip that had taken over their academy.
Ash Minse looked at his assembled minions, a smirk spreading across his face. "What do you think of my cute minions?" he taunted, his eyes gleaming with malicious delight.
Aro Lupe's eyes burned with fury as he glared at his former colleague. "Ash!!!" he shouted, the pain of betrayal and anger evident in his voice.
Ash's smirk widened. "Aro, what do you think?" he asked, his tone dripping with mockery.
"Monster!!!" Aro shouted back, his voice thick with disgust.
Without hesitation, Aro pulled away from his student Lucy Greay, who had been trying to support him. He raised his hands and shouted, "Fire Tempest!!!!" A swirling vortex of flames, resembling fiery wings, erupted and soared toward Ash with tremendous force.
Ash merely smirked, unfazed by the attack. He glanced at the lich, Shen Mort, who stood by his side. Shen Mort, using his dark alchemical powers, raised a hand to intercept the fire tempest. The flames collided with a shield of darkness, dissipating harmlessly.
Aro grimaced, struggling to conceal his injuries. "Tsk!!" he muttered in frustration, feeling the weight of the battle's toll on his body.
Lucy, concern etched on her face, urged him, "Teacher Aro, don't push yourself too much!"
Aro gritted his teeth, clutching his wounds. "I have to... or else at this rate, we can't win..." His voice faltered with the effort, and he cried out in pain, "Aurgh!!"
Despite his injuries and the overwhelming odds, Aro's resolve remained unshaken. His eyes were filled with determination as he continued to fight, knowing that the fate of his students and the academy depended on his strength and will.
..............
Meanwhile outside the universe
[Joe Pov]
No, they can't win at this rate. The situation is dire. Ash Minse has not only turned to dark magic but has also mastered the art of necromancy, though he doesn't even realize what he's truly done. With his lich, Shen Mort, and the horde of skeletal minions at his command, he's become a formidable opponent. That bastard has turned his former allies into abominations, distorting their very essence. It's a cruel twist of fate.
The students, despite their courage and determination, are still inexperienced. They lack the battle-hardened resolve and tactical knowledge that comes from years of training and real combat experience. They're outmatched and overwhelmed, and their efforts alone are not enough to tip the scales.
Aro Lupe, a highly skilled magic teacher, is seriously hurt. He could have defeated Ash with his powerful magic, but his carelessness and Ash's clever tricks have put him in a tough spot. The dark magic Ash uses, necromancy, has taken advantage of Aro's injuries. It's especially painful for Aro because Ash, once his colleague he cared about, is now using the dark magic he used to despise to attack him.
Tsk, tsk, tsk. The situation is dire, and it's evident that the current forces are inadequate to counter Ash's relentless assault. The students and Aro Lupe are struggling against the dark magic and necromancy unleashed by Ash. The odds are stacked against them, and their efforts alone are insufficient to turn the tide.
The only hope now lies with the Raven Squad or Rowena Lomius. The Raven Squad, renowned for their tactical prowess and battle readiness, could provide the breakthrough needed. Especially Colerio Sapher—his strength and skill might rival or even surpass Rowena's. His tactical acumen and combat capabilities make him a critical asset in this crisis.
On the other hand, Rowena Lomius, the first vassal, is known for her unparalleled strength and strategic genius. Her experience and unwavering resolve make her a formidable force against any foe. If anyone can overcome the dark challenge posed by Ash and his undead army, it's either the Raven Squad under Colerio's leadership or Rowena herself.
Both have the potential to match Ash's dark power with their own formidable abilities. They're the last line of defense against the encroaching darkness. The fate of the Magux Academy, and perhaps even the balance of power in this world, hangs in the balance. If anyone can counteract the chaos Ash has unleashed, it's them.
............
Grizz, a bear beastfolk with deep, worn scars from the brutal torture inflicted by Rowena Lomius, lay on the cold stone floor of the underground prison. His breathing was labored, but the worst of his wounds had been treated thanks to Kelly's persistent healing. Despite his improved condition, Grizz's eyes were still clouded with confusion and frustration.
"Why are you still healing me, Eldoan woman?" Grizz growled, his voice strained but steady. "I'm fine now."
Kelly shook her head, her expression soft yet firm. "No, I want you to be completely healed. It's important."
Grizz, bewildered by Kelly's unwavering kindness despite their enmity, struggled to understand her motives. The Eldoan and Beastfolk had been locked in a bitter conflict for years, and he had been captured due to Rowena Lomius's actions. Yet here was Kelly, an enemy, tending to him with compassion he hadn't expected.
"You—" Grizz started, but the words caught in his throat. His pride and confusion battled within him. "Eldoan woman—no, Kelly..."
Kelly looked up from her healing efforts, her eyes meeting his with a hint of curiosity. "You're calling me by my name now?"
Grizz's gaze was resolute, though his voice carried a begrudging respect. "Hmmp. I have pride. I should acknowledge someone's name if they help me."
Kelly's expression softened further, a gentle smile playing on her lips. "I'm glad you're beginning to understand."
For the first time, Grizz found himself at a loss for words. He had always seen Eldoans as nothing more than enemies, but Kelly's compassion was challenging his views. In the quiet of the underground prison, amidst the echoes of their war-torn world, an unexpected bond began to form—one that transcended the animosity and violence that had long defined their relationship.
.............
Meanwhile Lory Lawen, her dark hair flying wildly, stepped forward with determination. She raised her hands, and a torrent of wind magic surged forth. "Cyclone Surge!" she shouted. The powerful winds whipped around Ash, attempting to disorient and push him back.
Bax Wood, his red hair standing on end with fiery intensity, unleashed his own attack. "Inferno Burst!" he bellowed. A concentrated blast of fire shot from his hands, aiming to penetrate Ash's defenses.
Roki Bilzton, calm and focused, conjured a wave of water magic. "Aqua Shield!" he called, creating a protective barrier of swirling water around his comrades. The shield absorbed some of the residual heat from the fire attacks and helped cool the area around them.
Ash's dark magic clashed with the students' combined efforts. His shadowy tendrils reached out, attempting to envelop Lory and Bax, but the cyclone of wind disrupted the tendrils' path. Ash's dark shield deflected Roki's water attack, but the force of the collision created steam that obscured the battlefield.
Amid the chaos, Shen Mort, the lich with other skeletal minions, added to the onslaught. The undead teacher and the minions moved with eerie precision, their bony fingers crackling with dark energy. They advanced on the students, their presence a ghastly reminder of Ash's power.
Shen Mort raised his skeletal hands, summoning a necrotic wave that roared toward the students. "Necrotic Burst!" The wave twisted with dark magic, threatening to engulf Lory, Bax, and Roki.
Lucy Greay, standing beside Aro, her blond hair shining even in the dim light, cast a powerful defensive spell. "Aquatic Barrier!" she shouted. A shield of water formed in front of her and the other students, pushing back the necrotic wave and protecting them from the worst of the attack.
Aro, despite his injuries, staggered forward. "Students, focus your attacks! We need to break through his defenses!"
The students, despite their exhaustion, rallied together. Lory combined her wind magic with Bax's fire, creating a tempest of scorching flames and gales. "Hurricane Inferno!" they shouted in unison. The combined assault surged toward Ash with devastating force.
The fight between Ash Minse and the students reached a fever pitch. Ash, despite the relentless assault from the combined forces of the students, stood unyielding amidst the chaos.
He raised his arms, forming a massive shadow shield. "Dark Barrier!" he roared, trying to counter the onslaught. His dark magic surged around him, creating a massive shield of shadows to deflect their attacks.
Ash's laughter echoed through the battlefield, tainted with dark satisfaction. "Interesting!!" he declared, his voice dripping with malevolence. The dark shield pulsed with energy, absorbing the brunt of the students' combined attack.
The hurricane of flames and wind collided with the dark barrier, creating a blinding explosion of light and shadow.
Despite the overwhelming power of their attack, Ash remained intact. His dark shield shimmered and flickered under the strain, but it held. The students, though spent and battered, could see the strain on Ash's body, indicating that their attacks had not been in vain.
Bax Wood, frustration clear on his face, scowled. "Tsk! Despite our attacks, he still manages to survive. What a monster!!" His fiery temper flared, and he clenched his fists in frustration.
Roki Bilzton, ever the pragmatist, observed Ash's condition closely. "No, you can see from his body. He's in a mess... His body can't handle our attacks anymore." Roki's calm and analytical mind quickly assessed the situation, noting that while Ash was still standing, he was clearly weakened by the onslaught.
Meanwhile, Rika and Brando fought valiantly against the skeletal minions summoned by Ash Minse. The undead creatures swarmed around them, their bony hands reaching out with grim determination. Rika, with her short-cropped red hair and fierce expression, swung her sword with precision, cutting down the skeletons that came too close.
Rika shouted over the din of battle, "Hey, Red Hair! Help us!!" Her voice was urgent as she struggled against the relentless tide of skeletons.
Bax, who was still fuming from his earlier frustration, snapped back, "I told you my name is Bax!!!" His fiery temper did little to mask his determination as he launched a series of powerful fireballs at the skeletons, reducing them to ash.
Brando, his usual sleepy demeanor replaced by intense focus, joined the fray. He swung his sword with measured strength, cutting through the skeletal ranks with practiced ease. "Stay focused!" he urged Rika, his voice carrying the weight of his resolve.
To be continue