Kazu was on his way back to his dorm after his daily routine when he spotted Krisha approaching him from the distance. As she came closer, she waved and called out to him.
"Hey, Kazu, I saw you doing push-ups earlier," Krisha said, her voice tinged with shyness. "Actually, I see you every morning doing that and jogging at dawn. Why do you do it?"
Kazu scratched his head, feeling a bit self-conscious. "Oh, that? I'm just trying to strengthen my body. I was really sickly last year, so I've been working hard to get healthier. Sorry if I was a bother."
Krisha's eyes lit up with curiosity and encouragement. "No, not at all! I was actually thinking of joining you every morning. Is that okay with you? I'd like to get in better shape myself." She fidgeted with her hands behind her back, her cheeks turning a soft pink. "But, if you don't want that's fine... I might just get in your way..."
Kazu smiled warmly at her. "Ah, well... sure, it's fine. I don't mind at all. It might even be more fun with a workout buddy."
Krisha's face brightened, her embarrassment giving way to excitement. "Great! In that case, let's head to the Academy's cafeteria. I'll treat you to a meal. You look tired and hungry after your routine."
Kazu placed a hand on his stomach, which had started rumbling quietly. "Uh, are you serious? That's really kind of you... but a bit embarrassing."
"It's nothing, really. Just a small way to thank you for letting me join you. Umm, Kazu, can I ask you something?" Krisha ventured hesitantly.
"Of course. What's up?" Kazu responded, curious about what was on her mind.
"Do you have a girlfriend?" Krisha asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
Kazu blinked in surprise. "Not yet... I haven't really thought about it. I've got a lot on my plate right now, and we're still young to be worrying about that, don't you think?"
Krisha blushed deeply, her face turning a shade of red. "Oh, uh, yeah... you're right. We're still young," she stammered, clearly flustered by the question.
They continued walking towards the Academy's cafeteria, engaging in light conversation about their classes and upcoming exams. When they arrived, the bustling activity of students and the aroma of freshly prepared food greeted them. The cafeteria was a lively place, with groups of students chatting and laughing over their meals.
As Kazu and Krisha entered, several students looked up from their tables. Whispers began circulating through the crowd as they noticed Kazu's impressive physique and confident stride.
"Who's that? He's so handsome... and look at that build!" one student whispered to another.
Krisha, aware of the attention Kazu was attracting, quickly took hold of his arm. The gesture seemed casual, but it effectively sent the message that they were together. She smiled up at Kazu, trying to seem nonchalant despite her nervousness.
Kazu noticed the looks and, though initially surprised, decided to go along with Krisha's subtle claim. "So, where should we sit?" he asked, trying to keep the mood light.
"How about over there?" Krisha suggested, pointing to a quieter corner of the cafeteria. "It's a bit more private."
They made their way to the corner and settled into their seats. Krisha signaled a nearby server to bring them a selection of dishes, and soon a variety of delicious food was spread out before them.
"Thank you for this, Krisha," Kazu said, his gratitude evident as he began to dig in. "It's really thoughtful of you."
Krisha smiled, feeling a bit more at ease now that they were sitting and eating. "It's the least I could do. I've heard a lot about you from other students, and I thought it would be nice to get to know you better."
Kazu looked up, intrigued. "Oh? What have you heard?"
Krisha's cheeks flushed slightly as she spoke. "Just that you're really dedicated and have done some impressive things. But I'd like to know more about you myself."
As they continued their meal, they talked about their interests, favorite classes, and future goals. The conversation flowed easily, and Krisha found herself enjoying Kazu's company more than she had expected.
After they finished eating, Krisha stood up and stretched, looking refreshed. "That was really nice. I'm glad we had this meal together."
"Me too," Kazu agreed, standing up and gathering their empty plates. "It was a good break from the usual routine."
They left the cafeteria and walked back toward the dorms, their conversation continuing as they shared stories and laughter. The day had turned out to be unexpectedly pleasant, and Kazu felt a sense of contentment as he headed back to his room, grateful for the new friendship and the support it brought.
As they parted ways at the entrance of the dormitory, Krisha looked at Kazu with a warm smile. "See you tomorrow morning for the workout?"
"Definitely," Kazu replied, returning her smile. "I'll be looking forward to it."
AFTER 2 HOURS
It was just past noon when Kazu and Krisha returned to their dorm at Zirabia Magic Heights Academy. The sun was high in the sky, bathing the campus in a warm, golden light. The serenity of the afternoon was abruptly shattered by a powerful tremor that rattled the entire academy. The ground beneath them shook violently, and Kazu felt a chilling wave of murderous intent that made his heart race with apprehension.
The peaceful midday calm was replaced by utter chaos. Students spilled out of their dorms, their faces a mix of confusion and fear. Professors rushed out of their quarters, their expressions serious and focused. Among them were Garlock and Marlowe, two of the academy's most esteemed instructors. Their eyes were drawn to a disturbing sight in the sky. There, floating high above the academy, was a woman whose presence was both commanding and menacing.
Kazu, his pulse pounding, rushed out of the dormitory. The bright sunlight seemed to heighten the tension in the air. He scanned the horizon, searching for the source of the explosion and the overwhelming murderous intent. Krisha, her face pale with worry, ran alongside him, her breaths coming in short, anxious bursts.
"Kazu, did you feel that?" Krisha's voice trembled as she pointed up at the sky.
"Yes," Kazu replied, trying to steady his racing thoughts. "The tremor was enormous, and the murderous intent is like nothing I've ever felt before."
Krisha's eyes widened as she looked upwards. "Look! There's a woman floating up there."
Kazu followed her gaze and saw the central part of the academy in ruins. The once-grand structure had been devastated, a clear sign of the immense power that had been unleashed. The destruction was stark under the bright daylight, and the sight of it made Kazu's heart pound with both fear and determination.
Marlowe, his face pale but resolute, spoke urgently. "Mizawa... The right hand of the Demon Lord."
Garlock, his expression grim, added, "So that's Mizawa? The child taken by the Demon Lord from a family in Druzka? The stories were true."
Marlowe's worry deepened. "That's not all that concerns me, Garlock. Mizawa is no ordinary child. If my suspicions are correct, she's now the Demon Lord's right hand. This means she's far more powerful than she was before."
Garlock, stroking his beard thoughtfully, considered the gravity of the situation. "Do you think we have a chance against her?"
Marlowe nodded firmly. "Mizawa possesses six Affinities. If we combine our strengths, we might be able to defeat her."
Garlock, intrigued and resolute, agreed. "Six Affinities, you say? Alright, let's see what we can do."
Kazu, feeling a surge of determination, approached his professors with Krisha at his side. His face was set with resolve, though his eyes betrayed his deep concern.
"Professor Garlock, Professor Marlowe, who is she?" Kazu asked, his voice filled with worry.
Marlowe's expression was serious. "That's Mizawa, the right hand of the Demon Lord. She possesses six Affinities."
Kazu's eyes widened in shock. "Six Affinities? How is that possible?"
Marlowe explained, his voice steady despite the gravity of the situation. "As the Demon Lord's right hand, Mizawa was granted the blessing to wield six Affinities."
Kazu's concern deepened. "If she has six Affinities, she must be incredibly powerful."
Marlowe placed a reassuring hand on Kazu's shoulder. "Don't worry, Kazu. We'll handle this. Just watch." His aura flared with intensity, a clear display of his confidence. "I'm not afraid of you, Mizawa."
Garlock, with a determined look, added, "We'll take care of this, Kazu."
Marlowe and Garlock began walking toward Mizawa, their movements purposeful and precise.
Mizawa's voice, cold and mocking, cut through the tension. "Are you the strongest professors here?"
Garlock's response dripped with sarcasm. "Perhaps."
Marlowe, unruffled, replied, "Why should we tell you?"
Mizawa's disdain was palpable. "If you're here to amuse yourselves, then leave. Your combined aura is insignificant."
"Are you underestimating us?" Marlowe's voice was edged with anger.
Garlock, clearly irritated, remarked, "It seems you're mistaken about where you've come. Flies belong in the trash, not in a school."
Fury sparked in Mizawa's eyes. She unleashed a powerful wave of Primal demons with her Dark Affinity, their forms writhing with dark energy. In a burst of flame, she summoned a massive Cerberus using her Fire Affinity. The beast roared, its three heads snapping viciously as it prepared for battle.
Mizawa stepped back, her gaze cold and calculating as she watched her summoned minions engage the professors.
Garlock and Marlowe responded with practiced precision. Garlock, with a look of disdain, conjured an Ice Barrier around the Cerberus. He filled the barrier with freezing water and summoned large, sharp chunks of ice, driving them into the barrier. The ice pierced the Cerberus, trapping it in a crystalline prison.
Meanwhile, Marlowe, with a focused expression, invoked a powerful Divine Spell. The spell wove intricate patterns in the air as he captured the Primal demon in a magical scroll. "Oh, revered gods, confine this primal demon immediately!" Marlowe chanted, sealing the demon within the scroll's protective enchantment.
Marlowe stood tall, a smirk forming on his lips as he faced Mizawa. "What's the matter, Mizawa? Did you run out of minions to hide behind?"
Garlock chuckled beside him, his hand stroking his beard in mock contemplation. "Maybe she's just here to entertain us. You should leave while you still can, little demon, before you get hurt. It'd be better for you to go back to wherever you crawled out from."
Mizawa's eyes flashed with fury at the taunts. "You dare mock me?" Her voice dripped with venom. "I'll do more than hurt you. I'll erase every trace of your pathetic existence. The Demon Lord will have no obstacles left once I'm done with you."
She raised her arms, summoning a concentrated force of energy from all six elemental affinities. The ground beneath her trembled as she combined them into a single, destructive mass, ready to obliterate the entire area.
Garlock shook his head, still grinning. "I don't think so. That's way too dangerous, even for you." With a swift motion, he conjured a massive flare, the searing heat focused entirely on Mizawa.
Marlowe took advantage of the distraction. "Demons like you don't belong in this world. It's time to seal you away!" He began an incantation, his voice resonating with power as he aimed to trap Mizawa within an enchanted scroll. But as the spell took form, it quickly fizzled out, dissipating into nothing.
Mizawa laughed, a sound that echoed with cruel delight. "Did you really think a weak spell like that could contain me, the right hand of the Demon Lord? You must be joking!"
Marlowe's confidence wavered for the first time. The spell's failure sent a chill through him—Mizawa was far stronger than he had anticipated.
Sensing the shift, Garlock's demeanor turned serious. "Marlowe, we're going to need something stronger." He started to channel his Earth and Fire affinities, preparing for a coordinated assault.
But Mizawa wasn't done. She shot a concentrated blast of energy from the six affinities at the professors. The force of it was immense, and the ground beneath them cracked as it raced toward them. Marlowe quickly conjured a barrier, barely managing to deflect the attack, though the impact sent shockwaves through his defenses.
The academy trembled under the force of the battle, and students and professors alike watched in horror from a distance.
Kazu, hidden among the onlookers, clenched his fists. "If they can't stop her... what will happen to all of us? Maybe I can help." The thought of stepping into the fray scared him, but the determination to protect his university overrode his fear.
Garlock noticed the young boy's presence and shook his head subtly, signaling for him to stay back. "This isn't your fight, Kazu. We can handle this."
But Mizawa had other plans. "You're all fools if you think you can resist me!" she sneered. "I've destroyed the capital of Soradia. Erased it from existence! And now, this academy will suffer the same fate!"
The mention of Soradia struck a nerve. Marlowe's eyes widened. "Soradia? You... you destroyed Soradia?"
From the sidelines, Krisha gasped, her face draining of color. "S—Soradia? My family..."
Mizawa's laughter was cold and heartless. "That's right. Not a single soul was left alive. The outskirts of the capital were lucky enough to escape my wrath... but this place won't be so fortunate."
Krisha's eyes filled with tears, and terror gripped her as thoughts of her family's fate overwhelmed her.
"And now, it's Druzka's turn," Mizawa declared with twisted glee. She raised her hand, and with a flick of her wrist, she telekinetically lifted one of the professors off the ground. Slowly, she began to crush their skull.
A blood-curdling scream filled the air as the professor's head imploded, the lifeless body dropping to the ground with a sickening thud.
A wave of fury surged through Marlowe and Garlock. The taunts were over. It was time to fight with everything they had.
"Enough of this!" Marlowe roared. He channeled his Light Affinity to its maximum, his aura shining like a beacon. Garlock, in turn, summoned a massive Fire Tornado, directing it at Mizawa with deadly precision.
Mizawa barely had time to react as the combined force of the professors' attacks bore down on her. She dodged with impressive speed, but the edge of Garlock's flames licked at her, singing her cloak. She retaliated with a wave of dark energy, forcing the professors to dive out of its path.
Kazu, still watching, felt a surge of energy within himself. His instincts screamed at him to help, but he hesitated, unsure of his role in this battle. The scene unfolding before him was unlike anything he had ever encountered.
Mizawa, sensing the professors' mounting resolve, decided to end this once and for all. She flew high into the air, her body surrounded by a dark, swirling vortex. With a cry of fury, she began casting a massive weather spell. The sky darkened, and soon, sharp shards of ice began to rain down upon the academy.
Marlowe and Garlock prepared to defend against the onslaught, but before they could react, Mizawa used telekinesis to pin them in place. They could only watch as the deadly ice shards hurtled toward them.
The situation seemed dire, but the fight was far from over. Kazu, driven by a newfound courage, stepped forward. "I can't just stand here and do nothing!"
He used his Assassin skills, vanishing in a blur of motion. Mizawa barely registered the movement before Kazu reappeared, launching a concentrated blast of Fire Magic at her back. She snarled, deflecting it just in time, but the effort distracted her enough for the professors to break free from her telekinetic hold.
"Good timing, kid!" Garlock shouted as he regained his footing. He and Marlowe quickly regrouped, channeling their remaining power into one final, coordinated attack.
Mizawa, realizing she was now on the defensive, gathered her energy for a desperate counterattack. The air crackled with tension as the three forces clashed, the fate of the academy hanging in the balance.