Kazu uses blink to go beside his professor.
Kazu floated in the air, his eyes widening with astonishment. "I can fly?" he murmured, his voice trembling with disbelief.
Marlowe, watching Kazu with a knowing smile, nodded. "I granted you the ability to fly while I was casting the sealing incantation on Mizawa. I included a spell to give you this power as well."
A gentle smile of gratitude spread across Kazu's face. "Thank you so much! I thought I wouldn't be able to contribute."
Garlock, standing beside them, let out a hearty chuckle and stroked his beard thoughtfully. "Looks like the three of us will take Mizawa down together."
Marlowe chuckled, his gaze playful. "Could you stop stroking your beard in the middle of a crisis like this?"
Garlock raised an eyebrow, still grinning. "What can I say? It helps me think."
---
The academy grounds had turned into a battleground of chaos. Mizawa hovered high above, her dark aura crackling with malevolent energy. The sky churned with roiling clouds and incessant lightning, each burst of dark energy from Mizawa shaking the very foundations of the academy.
Marlowe, Garlock, and Kazu strained against Mizawa's relentless assault. Marlowe wielded his Light Affinity, creating a radiant shield that cast a blinding glow. However, Mizawa's dark tendrils lashed out, causing the shield to flicker and dim. Garlock, his face set in a grimace of concentration, summoned a barrier of steam and rock using his Earth and Water Affinities. The barrier roared with defiance as Mizawa's dark vortex battered it, causing cracks to form under the strain.
Kazu darted through the storm, his newfound ability to fly giving him a crucial advantage. His Fire and Air Affinities combined with his Assassin skills allowed him to weave through the chaos with breathtaking agility. Fireballs streaked from his hands, each explosion adding to the chaos, but Mizawa's dark power seemed to absorb or deflect each attack.
"Hold your ground!" Marlowe's voice cut through the storm, strained yet determined. His Dark Affinity wove shadows that clashed with Mizawa's dark energy, while his Light Magic provided a fleeting glimmer of hope amidst the chaos. Garlock, sweat streaming down his face, summoned a colossal tidal wave of water and fire. The wave roared as it met Mizawa's dark vortex, causing a cataclysmic upheaval that shook the academy to its very core.
Kazu's strength was waning, but he pressed on through the storm. His fireballs exploded with renewed fury, each strike less effective as Mizawa's relentless attacks began to take their toll. His Assassin skills, including Blink and Explosive Blink, allowed him to evade Mizawa's devastating strikes and strike from unpredictable angles, but fatigue was setting in.
The battle reached a fever pitch as Mizawa, sensing her imminent victory, summoned a cataclysmic storm of energy. The sky darkened further, lightning crackling violently, and swirling dark energy intensified. Mizawa unleashed her ultimate attack—a tempest of elemental fury that threatened to engulf everything.
Garlock and Marlowe, their bodies battered and spirits nearly broken, summoned their last reserves of strength. Garlock conjured a colossal wall of earth and fire, its surface crackling with raw energy as he strained to hold back the storm's fury. Marlowe, wielding his Light Affinity, created a blinding shield that pushed against the dark energy, while his Dark Affinity wove a shadowy barrier around them to shield from the tempest's might.
Kazu, on the brink of collapse, gathered the last of his energy. He drew the artifact dagger, "Wrath of God," from his item space. Its blade glowed fiercely as he launched a final, desperate fireball infused with the dagger's power. The explosion was immense, creating a blinding impact that staggered Mizawa momentarily. The fiery blast illuminated the storm, giving the trio a fleeting glimpse of hope.
The explosion had a cascading effect, causing Mizawa's storm to momentarily falter. For a brief moment, the dark clouds parted, and the academy grounds were bathed in an eerie, otherworldly light. Mizawa's scream of frustration echoed through the storm, her dark shield flickering as the impact disrupted her control and she fell into the ground.
Garlock seized the opportunity, roaring with defiance as he summoned a massive earthquake. The ground shook violently, fissures spreading through the academy as rock and debris flew through the air. The earthquake's tremors rattled Mizawa's concentration, and chunks of earth rained down upon her.
Marlowe, using his remaining strength, unleashed a blinding beam of Light Magic directly at Mizawa. The beam pierced through the storm, scorching the air and intensifying the brightness. Mizawa staggered under the assault, her dark energy struggling to counter the blinding light.
Kazu, though barely able to stay conscious, unleashed a flurry of fireballs aimed at Mizawa's weakened form. His attacks, though diminished, were relentless. Each fireball struck with fiery intensity, forcing Mizawa to fend off the barrage with frantic energy.
The storm continued to rage, but Mizawa's power was visibly waning. Her dark shield flickered erratically, and her once-formidable storm began to lose its fury. With a final, defiant glare, Mizawa fell to her knees, her power exhausted and her aura dimming. "You... you may have defeated me," she spat, her voice filled with anger and despair. "But the Demon Lord will come. You cannot stop the darkness that is approaching."
Marlowe, barely able to stay afloat, managed to address Mizawa through gritted teeth. "Surrender now, Mizawa. The academy is saved, but you must yield."
Mizawa's glare was filled with loathing, yet exhaustion and defeat were evident in her eyes. With a final, venomous curse, she relinquished her resistance. "Do what you must," she hissed. "But remember, this battle is only a prelude to the coming darkness."
As Mizawa's form dissipated, the storm she had summoned subsided. The academy lay in ruins, a desolate landscape marred by debris and destruction.
As Garlock remember he used an earthquake skill and panick looked for the people in the academy. He found them safe by the barrier made by Marlowe.
Kazu, nearly unconscious from exhaustion, collapsed onto the debris-strewn ground. Marlowe and Garlock, also severely injured, descended beside him. Their clothes were torn, their faces grim, and their bodies bore the marks of their valiant fight.
Krisha knelt beside Kazu, her face filled with concern as she saw the exhaustion etched on his features. "Are you okay?" she asked gently, her voice laced with worry.
Kazu, his breaths coming in ragged gasps, managed a weak smile. "I'm... fine," he whispered, though his struggle to breathe was evident.
Krisha took his hand in hers, her touch firm and comforting. "I'm here," she said softly, her eyes showing deep concern. Her presence was a steadying force for Kazu as he tried to regain his strength.
Nearby, Garlock and Marlowe, despite their own exhaustion, looked around with a mixture of relief and weariness. The academy grounds, once pristine, were now a scene of chaos and destruction. But the immediate danger had passed, and the two professors allowed themselves a moment of respite.
Marlowe, his voice strained from the battle, looked at the ruined surroundings. "At least we managed to drive off Mizawa, the Demon Lord's right hand," he said, his tone reflecting both relief and fatigue.
Garlock, wiping sweat from his brow and closing his eyes for a brief moment, nodded in agreement. "That's true, but just look at the damage."
Marlowe surveyed the debris and rubble, his expression thoughtful. "It'll be alright. No one was seriously injured, and we can rebuild the academy. Magic should help with the repairs," he said with a faint smile, trying to lighten the mood.
Garlock let out a tired chuckle. "Marlowe, you still have a sense of humor even now," he said, shaking his head in amusement.
Marlowe grinned, his eyes twinkling with a mix of exhaustion and amusement. "Well, at least we have some time off from classes while the academy is being fixed, right? Hahaha!"
The two professors laughed together, their voices echoing through the ruined grounds as they lay on the floor, their energy spent but their spirits lifted by their shared relief.
---
A week later, the academy was slowly being restored to its former glory. Although it wasn't quite as magnificent as before, the efforts to rebuild were well underway, thanks to the combined power of magic and hard work. The daily routines for Kazu and the other students had resumed, and Krisha joined Kazu every morning for their exercises.
On this particular day, after their routine, Kazu and Krisha returned to their respective dorms. A few hours later, the five aspiring scholars received a letter. It was from Garlock, calling all of them to the grand hall.
When the scholars gathered in the grand hall, Garlock stood at the front with a proud expression. "Today, we're here to honor Kazu for his bravery," he began, his voice filled with respect. "During the attack on the Zirabia Magic Heights Academy, Kazu demonstrated exceptional courage and skill. As a token of our appreciation, we are awarding him for his heroism."
The room erupted in applause as Kazu, still recovering from the battle, stood at the front, looking both surprised and humbled. The acknowledgment from his peers and mentors was a powerful moment of recognition.
Krisha stood by his side, her face glowing with pride. As Kazu accepted the reward, the academy, though still in the process of being rebuilt, felt a renewed sense of hope. The battle had been fierce, but the spirit of resilience and unity within the academy was stronger than ever.
---
As the days passed, the academy continued to recover and rebuild.
---
Kazu and Krisha spent almost every day together. Whether it was during Kazu's morning routine, their spell-binding activities, or even dinner, they were inseparable. Despite his usual focus, Kazu slowly began to realize that he was falling for Krisha. One morning, as they were walking side by side, Kazu hesitated before speaking.
"K—Krisha…" Kazu stammered, trying to muster the courage to ask what had been on his mind.
"Yes? What is it?" Krisha responded, a hint of curiosity in her voice.
"If… if a friend of yours were to like you… would that be okay?" Kazu asked, his heart racing.
"O—Of course!" Krisha replied, her mind spinning with thoughts. *"Is he about to confess to me?"* she wondered, feeling her own heart flutter.
"Ahh… never mind. Forget I said anything!" Kazu blurted out, his confidence crumbling as doubts filled his mind. *"What if it ruins our friendship? Maybe I should wait until I'm sure…"* he thought, retreating into himself.
"Alright then," Krisha said, trying to hide her disappointment. *"Why won't he just say it? I like him too…"* she thought. But instead of pressing him, she changed the subject. "By the way, I read in a book at the library earlier today that there's a high chance of shooting stars tonight. Would you like to watch them together?"
"That sounds like a great idea!" Kazu exclaimed, relieved at the change in topic. "I'll head back to my dorm and prepare for later."
"Okay… see you tonight." Krisha smiled softly, waving as Kazu walked away. *"Why didn't he just admit it? I like him too…"* she sighed, glancing back at the sky, already anticipating their evening under the stars.
---
Far from the peaceful scene at the academy, Mizawa arrived at the grand palace of Demon Lord Rostiel. Rostiel stood with his back turned, gazing intently at his most powerful weapon, the Spear of Destruction, as Mizawa approached with urgent news.
"Lord Rostiel, I bring news," Mizawa began, bowing respectfully. "I have successfully destroyed the capital city of Soradia and slaughtered its finest warriors."
"Well done, Mizawa," Rostiel replied, his voice cold and emotionless.
"However," Mizawa continued, a trace of frustration in her tone, "I was unable to eliminate the professors at the academy in Druzka. They have powerful instructors who possess six affinities, and there is a boy named Kazu…"
"Professors? Kazu?" Rostiel interrupted, turning to face Mizawa. "Who are they?"
"They were the ones who thwarted my attempt to destroy the heart of Druzka," Mizawa admitted, her voice tinged with regret. "I apologize, Lord Rostiel, for failing to carry out your orders completely."
"Do not worry," Rostiel said, a sinister grin spreading across his face. "Allow me to visit this place personally.
Mizawa knelt before Demon Lord Rostiel, her head bowed low in reverence as she expressed her gratitude for his forgiveness. "I will strive to do better next time, my lord. I promise to complete every task you assign."
Rostiel regarded her with a measured gaze. "It is a significant accomplishment that you returned alive to my kingdom," he said.
Mizawa slowly rose to her feet, her voice steady. "Thank you, my lord."
Rostiel's expression remained unreadable as he asked, "And what of Kazike? Were you able to convince him to join us?"
A hint of regret flickered in Mizawa's eyes as she responded, "I was not successful."
Rostiel leaned forward slightly, his tone laced with a dangerous edge. "Then you're fine with him becoming collateral damage in our conquest of their world, correct?"
Mizawa nodded without hesitation. "Yes, Lord Rostiel."
A grin spread across Rostiel's face. "Excellent. Soon, we will crush the three nations in this world and enslave them."
Mizawa's agreement was firm, her voice unwavering. "Yes, Lord Rostiel."
Outside the fortress of Demon Lord Rostiel, a vast army of battle-hardened demons stood in formation, ready to invade. Though their numbers were not yet sufficient, they awaited the right moment—when their forces would swell enough to unleash their fury upon the three nations of Harandur, Soradia, and Druzka.