Red Mist Bar.
"Don't back down! Kill Ash already! How can you let him act so smug?"
"Aren't you supposed to be a serial killer? How can you let him talk you out of it?"
"This is the most pathetic bunch of death row inmates I've ever seen!"
When Scarface lowered his gun, a collective groan echoed through the bar. Many viewers had placed heavy bets on the "inmates will kill each other" option. Now, with Scarface backing down, their wagers seemed destined to vanish.
"But I have to admit, this Ash guy is entertaining. I'd love to see him go through more Blood Moon Trials."
"I'm more interested in his face when he finally gets chosen for redemption. That's gonna be priceless."
"Think it's too late to reserve his full blood harvest? I'm getting a bit thirsty."
"Full blood? You must be joking. Blood Saints in the prison barely have enough to go around. Maybe you could order some hemorrhoid blood, though—plenty of that."
Sipping his drink, Lorens watched the screen intently, his eyes fixed on Ash. A vague memory stirred within him—something from years ago, back when he was still a student at Kaiman University, before his Blood Exchange ceremony.
Someone had handed him a flyer in the second cafeteria. It advertised a student support group built around the principles of "Courage," "Wisdom," "Life," and "Joy." He hadn't paid it much attention—graduation was just around the corner, and he had more pressing concerns.
Why was he thinking about it now?
As Lorens returned his gaze to Ash, a strange sense of familiarity washed over him. It wasn't something he could quite place, but his hand trembled slightly as he prepared to cast his vote.
"We're the ones who should leave!?"
The statement hung in the air, and while it made some sense, Ash's smug expression left every other inmate seething with frustration.
It felt like waiting in line for hours, only for someone to tap you on the shoulder and say, "Oops, wrong line. Better let me cut in while you sort this out."
But rationalizing didn't change the fact that the executioners loomed ominously on their platforms. To Ash and Valcas, their purifying flames might feel like nothing more than a tickle. For everyone else, it was excruciating agony, like being flayed alive.
"Or maybe there's an even better way."
A wiry man with a dagger smirked sinisterly. "We could kill you two before the voting ends. That way, the executioners won't come here at all."
"Yeah!"
"Let's take them down!"
"Pin them, chop off their limbs, and dump them into the sea when it's over!"
Ash's stomach churned. He might be crafty, but physically, he was little more than an average fighter. Without restrictions holding these hardened criminals back, he had no chance of beating them.
From the observation deck, Nagou shouted, "While the trial phase prohibits interference, I strongly advise against murder or self-harm. Under the Blood Moon, shedding blood will only add to your sins! It's not too late to repent—leave Ash alone! Let him stand there in my boots and await judgment!"
Nagou stomped his foot in frustration. My boots! Do whatever you want, but don't mess up the boots! Keep the blood away from them!
Just as Ash braced himself for a hopeless fight, a sharp whistle cut through the air.
CLANG!
A sword strike sliced clean through the platform, drawing a line between Ash and the approaching inmates.
"Did you think… you could catch me?"
While everyone had been focused on Ash, Valcas had quietly reached the platform. Holding a longsword he'd picked up from the ground, he unleashed a slash of sword energy that buzzed like a war cry.
But the threat wasn't enough to stop the others.
The dagger-wielding man sneered, licking his blade. "So what if you're a sword mage? There are six of us and only two of you. Besides…" His back suddenly shimmered with silver wings, their radiant glow rippling with potent magical energy.
"...it's not like you're the only mage here."
The sight sent a shiver through Ash. Silver Wings.
The hallmark of a mage who had ventured deep into the Sea of Knowledge, they were a manifestation of their mastery over the arcane. Ash, still new to this world, couldn't summon even a single feather, let alone a full wing.
Though the dagger man's wings weren't massive, they indicated he'd traveled a considerable distance—likely thousands of nautical miles—in the Sea of Knowledge. He was no novice.
The other inmates followed suit, revealing their own Silver Wings. Even the ogre had a stubby, chicken-sized pair.
But the most imposing wings belonged to Harvey, the death mage. Nearly complete, his wings suggested he was just shy of completing the fabled 10,000-mile journey. Harvey noticed Ash's stunned expression and smiled warmly.
For a moment, Ash thought Harvey might be feeling friendly after their shared time earlier.
But then he remembered the same warm expression on Harvey's face when discussing the corpses he'd "processed." Ash's heart sank. He doesn't want to be my friend—he wants me as his next project.
This was it. There was no way he and Valcas could stand against six battle-hardened Silver Wing mages.
CLANG!
A piercing sound silenced the platform.
Valcas' Silver Wings unfurled fully, their perfect symmetry radiating brilliance. Each feather gleamed like molten silver, and their gentle movements seemed to bend the laws of reality itself.
But that wasn't all.
Behind the flawless silver shimmered a fragment of Golden Wings, blazing with resplendent light.
A hush fell over the platform.
A two-winged golden mage.
Valcas had completed the Sea of Knowledge and transcended its limits. He had summoned a two-winged spirit, achieving mastery few could rival.
"Well," Valcas said, his voice laced with derision. "Still think two can't beat six?"
The dagger man's bravado crumbled. His smile twisted into a grimace, and he tried to slink behind the others, only to find them backing away.
"Mr. Uhl," he stammered. "I-I was just joking! Please…"
"Not funny."
"...Forgive me…"
"Bow until you bleed."
Without hesitation, the dagger man smashed his forehead into the ground. By the third strike, his face was streaked with blood.
"Good enough."
"Thank you, Mr. Uhl!" the man gasped, retreating to the corner with a humility bordering on self-pity.
No one blamed him. Who would dare challenge a two-winged golden mage? Even if the group could overwhelm Valcas, why take the risk? Better to sacrifice the dagger man and avoid further conflict.
Ash wasted no time standing beside Valcas, puffing out his chest. Look at us. Two badasses towering over these cowards.
"This makes us even," Valcas muttered.
"What?"
"If it weren't for you, I'd still be stuck on that wire."
Ash blinked. "Oh, that? I was just looking out for myself. Don't think too much about it."
"Fair enough," Valcas said coolly, sheathing his blade. "Just remember—I owe you nothing now. Don't blame me for what happens next."
"What are you talking about?" Ash asked, suddenly uneasy.
Valcas smirked, flicking his sword.
"Flies swarm, maggots squirm, dung beetles fight."
Realization dawned on Ash. He pulled up the live feed.
"Current highest vote: Valcas Uhl, 244,623 votes."