Alex Carter awoke with a start, the events of the previous night flooding back with startling clarity. He glanced at the ornate rings on his fingers, the gemstones glinting in the early morning light. The encounter with Solomon, the battle with the demons—it was all real. The power he now possessed was a weight he could feel both physically and mentally.
Determined to keep his life as normal as possible, Alex got dressed and headed downstairs. His mother greeted him with her usual warm smile. "Morning, Alex. You look tired. Everything okay?"
"Yeah, just a rough night. Didn't sleep well," he replied, forcing a reassuring smile. "I'll be fine."
He quickly finished breakfast and left for school, his mind racing with thoughts of Solomon's Rings and the demons he had fought. The serene facade of Kuoh Academy felt like a fragile veneer over a world teeming with hidden dangers.
As he walked through the bustling hallways, Alex spotted his best friend, Jake, leaning against the lockers, engaged in animated conversation with a group of friends. Jake noticed Alex and waved him over.
"Hey, Alex! You look like you had one hell of a night. Everything cool?" Jake asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Yeah, just some weird dreams," Alex said, his tone nonchalant. "Did you hear about those attacks last night? People are saying it was some kind of wild animal, but I heard someone mention monsters."
Jake's expression turned serious. "Yeah, it's all over the news. The police are baffled. Some of the witnesses are saying they saw... creatures."
Alex's heart skipped a beat. "Creatures? Like what?"
"Like demons or something. It's insane. Anyway, let's get to class before we're late," Jake said, shaking his head in disbelief.
Throughout the morning, Alex's mind remained occupied with thoughts of the previous night. By lunchtime, he couldn't ignore the urge to investigate further. Finding a secluded spot in the school courtyard, he focused on the rings and the knowledge they contained. He needed to understand his new powers, and fast.
Closing his eyes, Alex concentrated on a scrying spell he had glimpsed in his mind. Golden runes appeared, forming a complex pattern in the air. He chanted the incantation, and the runes coalesced into a glowing orb. Images began to form within the orb, revealing the supernatural presence around Kuoh Academy.
To his surprise, several locations stood out, each pulsating with magical energy. One in particular caught his attention: the abandoned church on the outskirts of town. It had a reputation for being haunted, and now Alex understood why. If he was going to find answers, that seemed like the place to start.
After school, Alex made his way to the old church, its crumbling facade and overgrown grounds exuding an eerie charm. The air around it seemed to hum with latent power, and he felt a twinge of apprehension as he approached the heavy wooden doors. Steeling himself, he pushed them open and stepped inside.
The interior of the church was dimly lit, the stained glass windows casting fragmented colors across the dusty pews. Alex's footsteps echoed through the empty hall as he made his way to the altar. There, he felt a stronger concentration of magical energy. He closed his eyes and focused, the rings on his fingers glowing brighter.
Suddenly, the sound of footsteps echoed behind him. Alex turned to see a group of figures emerging from the shadows—three fallen angels, their dark wings unfurled menacingly. They were led by a tall, imposing man with cold, calculating eyes.
"Well, well, what do we have here?" the leader sneered. "A human wandering into our territory. Koakabel will be interested in you."
Alex's mind raced. Koakabel? He had heard the name before, associated with dangerous rogue fallen angels. He had to think fast. "I'm just exploring. Didn't mean to intrude."
"Too bad," the leader replied, drawing a black spear of energy. "You've seen too much already."
Before Alex could react, the fallen angels attacked. The first one lunged at him, spear aimed for his chest. Instinctively, Alex raised his hand, and a golden barrier appeared, deflecting the strike. The impact sent a shockwave through the air, and Alex staggered back, his inexperience showing.
He quickly countered, firing a burst of magical energy that knocked the attacker off his feet. The second fallen angel swooped in from above, launching a barrage of dark energy projectiles. Alex dodged, rolling to the side and conjuring a shield to absorb the blasts. He retaliated with a spell that sent a torrent of flames toward his assailant, forcing him to retreat.
The leader watched with a smirk, then joined the fray, moving with lethal precision. He struck with his spear, and Alex barely managed to parry with a sword of light he summoned just in time. They exchanged blows, the clang of their weapons ringing out in the empty church.
Despite his lack of practice, Alex's innate skill and the guidance of Solomon's Rings kept him in the fight. He blocked, dodged, and countered, gradually wearing down his opponents. With a final, powerful blast of energy, he sent the leader crashing into a wall, the spear clattering to the ground.
Breathing heavily, Alex approached the fallen leader, ready to deliver the final blow. But the man raised a hand, his eyes wide with desperation. "Wait! I'm on your side!"
Alex hesitated, his sword of light flickering uncertainly. "What do you mean?"
"I'm a spy for Azazel, the leader of the fallen angels," the man panted. "Koakabel sent us here, but my orders are different. I can help you. Just let me contact Azazel."
Suspicion gnawed at Alex, but he lowered his weapon slightly. "Prove it."
The fallen angel pulled out a small, glowing crystal and whispered into it. Moments later, the crystal projected an image of a tall, silver-haired man with piercing golden eyes—Azazel.
"Ah, you must be Alex," Azazel said, his tone calm and measured. "I see you've met my operative. Solomon's Rings, huh? Quite the find."
"Why should I trust you?" Alex demanded, his grip tightening on his weapon.
"Because you need guidance, and I can provide it," Azazel replied smoothly. "Solomon's Rings are powerful artifacts, and you're already drawing attention from dangerous factions. Let's meet. I'll explain everything."
After a tense pause, Alex nodded. "Fine. Where?"
Azazel smiled. "I'll send the location through my operative. Be there tonight."
As the image faded, Alex turned to the fallen angel. "You'd better not be lying."
"I'm not," the man assured him. "Let's go."
Later that night, Alex found himself at a secluded location, a mixture of apprehension and determination coursing through him. The fallen angel led him to a small, nondescript building. Inside, Azazel awaited, his presence commanding and enigmatic.
"Welcome, Alex," Azazel greeted him. "We have much to discuss."
As the night deepened, Alex knew his journey was just beginning. He was no longer an ordinary student but a key player in a hidden world of magic and conflict. With a determined heart and newfound guidance, he prepared to embrace his destiny and the legacy of Solomon.
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