For a moment, the chamber was filled with blinding light, the heat of the flames searing through the air. Then, with a final, deafening roar, Ignis's defenses shattered, the black flames engulfing him.
"No!" Ignis screamed, his voice filled with rage and fear. "This can't be! I am the Legacy of Fire! I am invincible!"
Dean Ignis's magic spiraled out of control, the flames around him growing wild and chaotic. In a final, blinding flash of light, he was consumed by the flames, his body disintegrating into ash.
As the flames died down, the chamber fell silent, the air heavy with the scent of smoke and burnt magic. Alexander fell to the ground in the center helplessly, his body trembling from the exertion of using the dark magic. Because of the ring, it was unclocked. He could feel the inner dark power still coursing through him, but it was weaker now, the dark energy fading as the battle came to an end.
Lira rushed to his side, hugging him, her eyes filled with concern. "Alexander! Are you alright?"
Alexander nodded, though his body felt heavy and exhausted. "I'm… I'm okay. But we need to get out of here better. It's still burning."
Selene and Elara approached, their faces filled with relief and exhaustion. Dean Aqua also managed to rise to her feet with Elara's help. "You did it," she said, her voice faint but filled with gratitude. "You all save the Academy."
Looking at the charred remains of the main library, Dean Aqua let out a heavy sigh. "It looks like our next task is going to be a difficult one," she said softly. "I'm not sure how much of our books we'll be able to salvage."
Then Dean Aqua turned to them with a surprisingly relaxed smile. "Alright, once we're in a safe place, you should get ready to return to your own era," she said cheerfully. "How fascinating! It's incredible to think that the future holds such remarkable and talented descendants!"
After she said, a shimmering light appeared in the air before them. It coalesced into a floating scroll, its ethereal glow casting a soft light on the chamber's darkened walls. The scroll slowly unfurled, revealing a message written in ancient, glowing script that only Alexander and his companions could see.
Name: The Legacy of Fire
Level: D
Challengers: 8
Historical Background: A project called "The Legacy of Fire," intended to create a new form of magic, went terribly wrong, leading to the disappearance of the Academy's top mages and a break in the magical inheritance.
Mission:
1. At least one person must survive to the end. Complete 100%.
2. Discover the truth about The Legacy of Fire. Complete 100%.
As the message faded away, the shimmering light around them grew brighter, swirling into a vortex that enveloped each of them in a warm, comforting embrace. Before anyone could say a word, they were lifted off their feet and pulled into the magical space, the world around them dissolving into a blur of colors.
When the colors settled, Alexander found himself standing in a vast, ethereal plane. The space seemed to stretch infinitely in all directions, a vast expanse of glittering stars and swirling constellations that painted the dark canvas of the sky. Beside him, Lira, Selene and Elara appeared, their faces reflecting the awe he felt at the beauty of this magical space.
The stars above them began to shift and dance, converging into a series of shimmering shapes. Slowly, these shapes descended toward them, transforming into various pieces of equipment that floated in the air. The equipment seemed to radiate with a soft, welcoming glow, each piece uniquely crafted to match their individual magical abilities.
Elara reached out tentatively toward a set of intricately designed bracers that seemed to hum with fire magic and filled with a surge of warmth and power. Lira selected a cloak like shadows in the night, while Selene chose a staff that crackled with the energy of the elements. Alexander felt a familiar weight in his hand and looked down to see the magic ring he had taken from Thorne. It now gleamed with a purified light, its dark energy seemingly neutralized.
Lira watched him closely, her eyes flickering with concern. She opened her mouth to say something but hesitated. After a moment, her lips pressed into a thin line as she looked away.
Alexander hesitated for a moment longer before he slipped it onto his finger, he felt a faint pulse of energy, the dark power within it now subdued and contained, awaiting his command.
After the rewards were given, the magical space around them began to dissolve, and the sensation of being transported enveloped them. The familiar sensation of magic swirling around them took hold, and in an instant, they found themselves standing in the Clock Tower, back in the heart of the Academy.
Alexander blinked and looked around, the ancient stone walls and massive clock face looming above them. The room was dimly lit, the air filled with the faint ticking of the clockwork mechanisms.
Tomas, Cedric, Lucian Draven, and his three followers were already waiting for them. The moment Tomas saw them, he rushed forward, his face breaking into a wide grin.
"You're back!" Tomas exclaimed, relief evident in his voice. "I was starting to worry something went wrong."
Alexander smiled, though his mind still ached from the battle. "We made it. Barely, but we made it." The group exchanged a few brief words, their expressions a mix of relief and exhaustion. They had survived the challenge.
"I'm sorry about what happened to you, Tomas," Alexander said quietly, placing a hand on his friend's shoulder. "You didn't deserve that."
Tomas shook his head, forcing a smile. "It's alright. I knew the risks when I signed up. I'm just glad you all succeed"
Elara stepped forward, her eyes shining with a mischievous glint. "Speaking of which, I think we owe Tomas a little something for his trouble, don't you think?"
Selene nodded, a smile tugging at her lips. "I agree. How about we all chip in and get him something nice at the Academy's auction? A good piece of equipment, maybe?"
Alexander grinned. "Sounds like a plan. What do you think, Tomas?" Tomas blinked in surprise, clearly touched by the gesture."Absolutely! That sounds amazing!"
As they continued to talk and laugh, Lucian Draven watched from a distance, his expression dark and brooding. He had been watching Alexander and Lira closely, his eyes narrowing as he saw them talking and smiling together. For a moment, his face twisted with anger and jealousy, but he quickly masked it with a smile.
He walked over to Lira, his voice smooth and charming. "Lira, would you like to join me for dinner tonight? We have a lot to talk about our families."
Lira hesitated, glancing at Alexander for a brief moment before nodding. "Sure, Lucian. That sounds nice. But now I need to rest and process somthing. The same place?"
"Of course."
As Lucian led Lira away, Alexander watched them go, a strange feeling settling in his chest. He shook his head, pushing the thought aside. After saying goodbye to Lira, Alexander and the others began to make their way toward the main library, their laughter and banter echoing through the halls.
Meanwhile, in the dean's office of House Noctis, Mistress Seraphine sat behind her desk, her fingers steepled, and her piercing gaze focused on a shimmering image standing in a crystal—Cedric. The room was dimly lit, with soft light filtering through the stained-glass windows, casting colorful patterns across the stone floor.
"So, Alexander completed the challenge of The Legacy of Fire," Mistress Seraphine said, her voice soft and contemplative. "Interesting. Very interesting."
Cedric nodded, his expression serious. "Yes, Mistress Seraphine. According to their team talk, he seem showed remarkable skill and determination in the challenge."
Mistress Seraphine's lips curved into a faint smile. "He's more capable than I anticipated. This could be… useful."
Just then, a soft knock sounded on the door. Mistress Seraphine glanced up, and waved her hand over the crystal, with her eyes narrowing slightly. "Come in."
The door creaked open, revealing Lira, who stepped into the room with a quiet grace. She bowed slightly before speaking. "Mistress Seraphine, I've come to report on Alexander"
Mistress Seraphine gestured for her to continue. "Go on, Lira. I'm listening."
Lira recounted the events of the challenge, her voice steady and composed as she described Alexander's actions and decisions. She spoke of the battles they had fought, the dangers they had faced, and the choices they had made. But when she reached the part about the magic ring, she hesitated for a fraction of a second, her eyes flickering with uncertainty.
"And… that's all, Mistress Seraphine," Lira finished, her tone measured. "Alexander was instrumental in our success. Without him, we wouldn't have made it through."
There was a moment of silence as Mistress Seraphine considered Lira's words. Her eyes narrowed slightly, as if she was contemplating something important. "Is that all, Lira?" she asked, her voice soft but commanding.