Erina Shelter's point of view
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Those words sent a chill down my spine. I didn't want to accept what my mind had already understood. I wanted to ask him more, but suddenly, an explosion echoed from the academy's basement.
"That came from the basement," I said.
"Either they're not very discreet," Areyos remarked.
"Or they had no choice but to make noise," I added. Areyos looked at me with a proud gaze, a smirk forming on his lips. Maybe he felt validated in his decision to ask for my help.
"I know a shortcut," he said, stomping his foot on the ground. Using his earth mastery, he created a hole through the floors, leading directly to the basement. We both jumped in.
"Ingenious," I commented.
"Thank you, but save your praises for later. There's our man," he said, his eyes fixed ahead. Five hooded figures stood before us, their capes concealing them entirely.
"Well, well, a couple of nosy little intruders. I can't believe you managed to slip in here without my guards noticing. What a bunch of incompetents," said the one in the center.
"To be fair, they really were incompetent. You should give them a lecture when you see them," I replied.
"Oh, wait, didn't we eliminate them on the way here?" Areyos quipped, joining in on my teasing.
"No way they could've been that weak," I responded mockingly, clearly irritating the figure in the center.
"What?! You dealt with our comrades? You have no idea what you've gotten yourselves into!" the other four exclaimed before charging at us.
Areyos conjured a massive water sphere, engulfing the attackers entirely. He plunged his hand into the sphere, channeling his lightning bending to electrify the water. The four collapsed, unconscious and drenched.
"Maybe they really were that weak after all," Areyos said mockingly.
"Brats, do you even know who you're dealing with?" snarled the central figure. He removed his hood, revealing pointed ears—an elf. He looked to be in his thirties, with a narrow, long beard reaching down to his chest, white hair, and piercing violet eyes.
"Care to tell us what you're doing here? You seem a bit too old for night classes," Areyos said, drawing his eight chaos blades.
"There's no point explaining. You'll die anyway," the elf retorted, casting aside his cloak. Underneath, he wore a white mage's robe adorned with gold and sapphire embroidery at the sleeve edges.
"If he won't surrender, we'll force him to," Areyos said, electricity crackling along his blades.
"Let's make this quick," I replied calmly.
Areyos was the first to charge, a fire orb forming in his hand. The mage conjured a mana wall resembling glass before him. I noticed a faint smirk on Areyos's face. He unleashed a torrent of flames across the surface of the mana wall, obscuring both our view and that of our enemy. Suddenly, the sound of shattering glass echoed.
"Metalbending is quite handy," Areyos said, ceasing his fiery assault. His words made sense the moment the enemy came back into view. The elf was impaled in the shoulder by an iron spear that seemed to have formed from the wall behind him, evidenced by the hole it left. Areyos had used the flames to obscure the enemy's vision while creating a second attack, transforming part of the wall behind him into a spear of stone and then metal. He had aimed for the heart, but the elf must have dodged just enough to only take a hit to the shoulder.
"You barely dodged, but this isn't over," Areyos said, channeling energy into a sphere in his hand.
"Blitz," he declared. A beam of pure energy pierced through the mana wall, striking the impaled enemy. It was a Ki technique, not Chi.
"You fight creatively, Rey," I said, surprised.
"Much appreciated, Eri."
"Moore Academy didn't earn its reputation for nothing," the mage said, his voice cutting through the smoke created by his impact against the wall. "But it won't be enough. 'Air Blades!' " he shouted. A magic circle adorned with runes and symbols appeared before his hand, unleashing nearly invisible blades of air toward us. We deftly evaded all seven.
"Wind magic. Using fire here could be risky," I thought. Areyos attacked with his blades, but the mage was shielded by a spherical mana barrier. Repeated strikes from Areyos's electrically charged blades soon began to crack the barrier.
"I wonder how long his barrier will hold," Areyos mused, his hands casually tucked into his pockets as his chaotic, lightning-infused blades relentlessly struck, leaving electric trails across the surface of the barrier.
"Damn brat, do you think you can stop me with those little blades?" the mage snarled, visibly enraged.
At that moment, plants emerged from the ground right beneath our feet. Once again, we managed to dodge them, and I ignited my dagger. With a swift motion, I hurled it forcefully at the barrier, shattering it to pieces. Then, Areyos' eight blades tore into the enemy in a bloody dance.
"Wait, where did he go?" Areyos asked, surprised.
"He teleported. He's on the roof," I said, using my seismic sense to locate him. Once again, Areyos created a hole, this time leading to the roof, and we propelled ourselves upward using our firebending.
"Did you really think you could escape so easily?" I asked.
" 'Storm'," he shouted, and just like before, a magic circle appeared in front of his outstretched arm. This time, however, a tornado materialized instead of air blades.
Areyos took the opportunity to attack, skirting around the tornado and conjuring an ice saber.
"Over here!" Areyos shouted, drawing the enemy's attention. The latter summoned five magical light swords and hurled them at Areyos. Unfortunately, one of the swords struck him.
"Areyos!" I cried.
I sent a lightning bolt through the tornado, striking the enemy head-on and paralyzing him on the spot. The tornado dissipated.
"Are you okay?" I asked Areyos.
"Don't worry, I'm fine," he replied, using his healing ability granted by his waterbending.
"You're tenacious," said the enemy as he created two light swords, one in each hand. "I usually don't bother eliminating kids, but I'll make an exception this time," he said as he stood up.
" 'Cure'," he said. A green magic circle appeared under his feet, and a green light enveloped him. His wounds healed completely.
"Magic… it's certainly practical," I murmured. Drawing a second blade identical to the first, I charged at the enemy, engaging him in close combat. He visibly struggled to keep up with my movements.
"How can you be so fast?!" he exclaimed, as his arms, legs, and sides became covered with wounds of varying depth inflicted by my blades.
Areyos Orionis' Point of View
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Erina fought masterfully in close combat. Her movements were graceful, and her counterattacks were lethal. The mage in front of her was clearly experienced, as he managed to avoid being killed outright by Erina's every strike. However, she was clearly too strong for him.
"You're no ordinary Metaryon," said the mage as he teleported a short distance away, escaping Erina's deadly dance.
"Erina Shelter, does that ring a bell?" Erina said with a smirk.
"Ah, now I understand. The daughter of Demios Shelter, a.k.a. Ghost. That explains everything," he said.
"And you? Will you tell us your name?" Erina asked.
"Call me Valtor," he said with a mysterious smile. "I must admit, I didn't expect to find students this strong in this academy, let alone ones who would force me to use more mana than usual."
"Use all the mana you want—it won't matter," I said. I then created a water orb and hurled it at Valtor. He tried to dodge, but I only had to redirect the orb to follow his movements. On contact, the water turned to ice, paralyzing the opponent once again.
"Mana is interesting, I'll admit, but don't forget that other energy systems are just as dangerous," I said, as particles began forming in my hand. Slowly, raw and pure energy started concentrating, vibrating with a primordial power. The void in my palm became a singularity—a core of destruction where energy crackled and roared, eager to be unleashed.
"Blitz," I roared, my voice echoing like thunder. A beam of pure energy, born of my Ki, erupted with devastating force, illuminating everything in its path. The blast struck the opponent head-on, sending him flying like a leaf in a storm before piercing through the building behind him, shattering the wall with a deafening crash.
"Be careful not to destroy the building," Erina scolded.
"Don't worry, it's easy to repair," I replied as I prepared to continue the fight.
We reached the other building, where Valtor lay against a pile of rubble, visibly weakened.
With my hands in my pockets and the eight Chaos Blades, now charged with electricity, aligned in an arc behind me, I said, "Now tell us what you came here for."
"Talk, or I'll take great pleasure in torturing you. I imagine you're familiar with the Shelter family's reputation in the mafia and other secret organizations," Erina said in an icy tone. "Don't make me use my skills."
"What reputation?" I asked.
"To put it simply, no one enjoys suffering at our hands," she answered curtly, her piercing gaze fixed on the mage.
"Remind me never to become your enemy," I quipped.
"You're funny," she said with a slight chuckle. Turning back to Valtor, she continued, "So, are you going to talk, or would you prefer to suffer first?" Her tone shifted instantly.
"The Energy Stone… I was sent here to retrieve the Shadow Energy Stone," he admitted reluctantly.
"The Energy Stones?! Like the ones Megane mentioned in her journal?!" I thought.
"What are they?" Erina asked.
"Energy Stones are crystals containing infinite and mystical powers. Their origin is unknown, but each Kingdom possesses at least one. They're used for various purposes, including the defense of entire kingdoms."
"And what's special about the one you came to steal?" Erina asked.
"The Shadow Stone allows its user to store countless things in the darkness. It also enables movements as fast as light and the ability to generate an army of shadows ready to defend its wielder. That's why Baringer has never lost a single battle," he explained.
"You mentioned these stones in the plural. Tell us more," I demanded.
"I only know that these stones are tied to the elements and that there are eight in total," he revealed.
"Eight? Considering there are only four peoples who have established kingdoms for each race, I assume there's more than one stone in each of them," Erina deduced.
"That's about right. Baringer holds three of these stones: the stones of Shadow, Fire, and Earth," he explained.
"And the Shadow Stone you were looking for, where is it?" I asked.
"I have it with me," he said with a mysterious smile. Immediately, a magic circle appeared beneath him, and a violent wind blew us away from Valtor.
"Air Blast," he said as he stood up.
"Hmm, looks like he's recovered," I said while forming an ice sword.
"What an idiot. Does he want to suffer that badly?" Erina said, ready to counterattack.
"Rise, oh supreme master of mind and time!
By the prism of eternity and the currents of the firmament, I call upon you!
You who reign over the secrets of dawn and night, unfold your radiant wings and reveal your majesty!
Peacock King Zephyrios, descend and illuminate this world with your unrivaled splendor!" he shouted as gigantic magic circles appeared in the sky.
"What is he doing?" I asked, alarmed, fearing the worst.
"He's performing a summoning!" Erina answered, fear evident in her eyes.
In an instant, an apocalyptic storm descended upon the academy. The winds roared, and amidst the chaos, a colossal bird materialized, tearing through the heavens. Its feathers were a deep blue, tinged with shades of violet, and it positioned itself majestically against the moon, as though it were its divine guardian.
The immense creature spread its wings, revealing an expanse so vast it seemed to embrace the entire sky. Its tail feathers, radiant and hypnotic, mirrored the patterns of a peacock, while the designs on its wings shimmered like hundreds of celestial eyes staring back at us from the darkness. However, its powerful, predatory frame was anything but delicate—a fusion of a giant eagle's body with the vibrant colors, patterns, and flowing tail feathers of a peacock.
The power emanating from this summoning was overwhelming. The building sheltering us stood no chance against the storm's ferocity. Within moments, the walls crumbled under the pressure of the wind, the roof was torn away like a fragile leaf, and we were flung out from the collapsing debris. The ground quaked from the impact of falling structures, and the air was thick with dust.
Luckily for Erina, Metaryons remain unharmed by falls. As for me, I reacted instantly, forming a dense layer of snow beneath me to cushion my fall. Even so, the raw force of the impact knocked the wind out of me, leaving me lying on the ground, staring at the celestial creature dominating the sky.
This was no mere giant bird—it was a living cataclysm. Its piercing gaze delved into our souls, and the very air seemed to tremble around it, as if the world itself recoiled in its presence. Each beat of its wings unleashed gusts strong enough to level mountains, and the temperature plummeted dangerously, the heat retreating before the chilling dread it embodied.
I felt a wave of primal fear wash over me, but I quickly suppressed it. There was no room for hesitation against such power. The upcoming battle would be titanic, and I had to be ready to face the unimaginable.
"Attack!" I shouted, focusing my power. I unleashed a torrent of flames intertwined with furious lightning, hurling it toward the summoning. The incandescent blend tore through the air with unparalleled force, illuminating the night like a miniature sun. Yet, despite the devastating strength of my assault, the celestial bird didn't flinch. The attack, formidable as it was, dissipated against its majestic feathers as if it were nothing more than a harmless breeze.
"It didn't even scratch it!?" Erina exclaimed, disbelief and urgency mingling in her voice.
Without a moment's pause, I saw her eyes harden, a determined glint replacing the shock. She then used a technique I didn't expect to see so soon, showcasing a mastery that gave me a glimpse of her hidden capabilities. Blinding bolts of electricity began dancing along her fingers, crackling with raw, untamed energy. The ground around her fractured under the pressure of her power.
She unleashed all this accumulated energy in an instant. Electric particles surrounded the target, followed by a series of massive explosions that erupted directly on it, shaking the air with deafening detonations. Each blast resonated like a thunderclap, lighting up the sky and ground with an apocalyptic glow. The resulting shockwave made the earth tremble, and I had to steady myself to avoid being swept away by the sheer force of her attack.
But despite this onslaught of destruction, the celestial creature remained unscathed, enveloped in an aura that seemed to defy the very laws of nature.
"This is impossible; it's taking no damage!?" Erina cried out, her face a mix of confusion and terror.
"Ahahaha, you fools," Valtor sneered, satisfaction dripping from his voice. "This is a celestial creature. Its energy system is a predator compared to yours. No matter the intensity of your lightning, the heat of your flames, or the strength of your punches, you won't even scratch this being."
"The best way to defeat a summoning is to eliminate the summoner," Erina declared.
"That's doable," I said. "I'll have to use my secret technique," I added.
"Your secret technique?" I heard Erina exclaim as I focused.
"Flash Blade!" I shouted, opening my eyes.
Point of view of Valtor
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"These kids are powerful," I thought, a hint of regret passing through my mind. "They would make excellent recruits. It's almost a shame to eliminate them."
But something in the boy's attitude put me on high alert. He suddenly closed his eyes, as if concentrating. Having never needed to focus to launch an attack before, I knew that the technique coming would be more powerful than the previous ones. A slight chill ran down my spine. When he opened his eyes again, a cold light glimmered in his gaze, and I realized that the moment of truth had arrived. I heard him whisper the name of his technique, Flash Blade. A sword of ice appeared in his hand, as sharp as the breath of death itself. Sparks of lightning ran through his body, enveloping him in a bluish glow.
He prepared to strike... But even before I could react, he disappeared from my field of vision, leaving behind a deafening silence. A fraction of a second later, a jet of hot liquid splattered onto the ground, the moonlight reflecting on red droplets suspended in the air — it was blood. I looked down to understand the extent of what had just happened.
Horror gripped me when I saw the blood pouring from a motionless body... mine. My own body, standing, yet lifeless, drained of its essence in the span of a heartbeat. The image froze me in place, time seemed to slow down, and in that moment of absolute astonishment, I understood that my end had been delivered by a child... A child whose mastery of chi surpassed anything I could imagine.
Point of view of Erina Shelter
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Areyos's technique was just too fast. I saw him disappear before my eyes and then noticed that Valtor had been decapitated. His mastery of lightning and ice was incredible and terrifying.
"I was starting to enjoy the lessons, you know," Areyos said to Valtor as he made his ice sword disappear. He then picked up the head and froze it in his hand. A diamond-like mist emanated from him, freezing everything it touched. Valtor's body turned a frozen white before Areyos crushed his head into a thousand shards.
"What do we do with this summon? It looks harmless," he asked, pointing at the giant bird.
"Summons only follow the orders of their summoner, thankfully for us, you eliminated Valtor before he could give any," I replied.
"So, are we just going to leave this giant bird like that?" he asked, pointing at the summon.
"Normally, when the summoner dies, the summon is supposed to disappear," I said, thinking. "...Is it because it's a celestial creature?" I suddenly exclaimed, realizing the gravity of the situation.
"A celestial creature? What's that?" asked Areyos, but at that very moment, a violent aura enveloped the giant bird, as well as Valtor's body and head.
"What's going on!?" Areyos shouted, his voice lost in the furious winds unleashed by the bird.
"You were right, my dear," a voice echoed from all directions. "The Peacock King can choose to stay or leave at will. He need not wait for an order from me."
"Valtor!!?" I exclaimed, the shock visible on my face.
"Impossible, I just killed you!!" Areyos shouted.
"Ah ah ah, the Peacock King, master of spirits and mysitic, controls time and mind. Bringing me back to life is child's play for him. But enough with the jokes, we're not going to waste the night. Now, I have a question to ask you. Since you're going to die here, would you prefer to share the same grave? Or do you want separate ones?" he said with a threatening smile.
I glanced at Areyos, trying to decipher his reaction. He was as cold as ice, as relentless as a predator ready to strike its prey.
"He can bring you back to life every time I kill you, right?" Areyos said, his voice cold. "Hope that damn bird will have enough energy to resurrect you as many times as I send you back to the dead."
To be continued...