Gale and Rose approached Rai with broad smiles, their eyes shining with pride and relief. The whispers about the mysterious Level G and House Indra swirled through the hall like wildfire, fueling a mix of curiosity and unease among the students.
As for Rai, he scratched his head with a comically exaggerated expression of deep thought. "Hmmm, G... What could it mean? Genius? Gorgeous? Gallant? Great? Hmm..." His brow furrowed as if solving the mysteries of the universe, prompting a few nearby students to stifle laughs.
Gale sighed dramatically, rolling his eyes. "I think it means you've finally lost it." His dry humor and resigned tone were laced with a teasing smirk.
Rai's puzzled face immediately morphed into a wide grin. "Hahaha! Yeah, maybe I have—especially since I decided to make you my friend!" He jabbed at Gale with a playful elbow, eliciting a lighthearted chuckle.
Rose, standing slightly to the side, watched their banter with a soft smile. Though she didn't join in, her amusement was evident as her gaze lingered on Rai. For the first time, she saw him not as the bold, clueless boy who'd declared her his future wife, but as someone capable of uniting others with his carefree and magnetic spirit.
As the minutes ticked by, the whispers and rumors surrounding Level G and the enigmatic House Indra swelled, growing louder and more fervent. The air in the room buzzed with curiosity and speculation, creating a symphony of murmurs that seemed impossible to quell.
Suddenly, Pragaya's commanding voice cut through the chatter like a blade. "Alright, students," he declared, his tone exuding authority and leaving no room for defiance. Instantly, the hall fell silent, all attention snapping to him as though he had cast a spell over the room.
"The ceremony is now over, and your classes are about to begin. Please follow Kromus to your classrooms," he instructed, his words firm yet calm.
At the doorway, Kromus stood like a sentinel, gesturing for the students to proceed in an orderly fashion. His expression carried its usual mix of icy authority and restrained annoyance, ensuring no one dared to break formation as they filed out. The room began to empty, but the hushed whispers persisted, trailing behind like an echo.
Pragaya continued, his voice steady and warm: "As for Rai, since we cannot place a single student in a class by themselves, you will join Level 5. Additionally, you are free to choose whichever House you wish." He ended with a gentle smile, one that carried both authority and a hint of pride.
The room reacted instantly. The majority of students gritted their teeth in frustration, their jealousy simmering like an unspoken chorus. Meanwhile, the small but growing group of admirers exchanged genuine smiles, their faith in Rai solidified by Pragaya's words.
With the announcement complete, Rai, Gale, and Rose began heading toward their classrooms. Rai and Gale resumed their usual antics, exchanging jabs and chuckling as they walked. Gale teased: "So, genius Rai, have you decided which House gets the honor of your greatness?"
Rai struck a comically regal pose, his nose tilted upward: "Well, I better join your House so you'll at least have one friend. You know, for the inevitable group activities and stuff."
Gale groaned, rolling his eyes with a smirk: "Screw you, Rai. Just watch—I'm gonna make more friends than you ever could."
Rai leaned in, his teasing grin widening: "Oh yeah? Is your dad rich or something? Because buying that many friends is gonna cost a fortune."
Gale clutched his chest dramatically, as if Rai's words had physically struck him. "C'mon, man! I'm sure someone would want to be my friend!" he replied in a voice filled with mock despair, his shoulders slumping in an exaggerated show of defeat.
Behind them, Rose trailed at a calm pace, her arms crossed elegantly over her chest. Her crimson hair swayed lightly with each step, her posture graceful and composed. She barely acknowledged their playful banter, though a subtle twitch of her lips suggested she wasn't entirely indifferent.
As the trio moved through the academy halls, the energy around them felt electric, a blend of excitement, tension, and curiosity. Rai's journey was just beginning, but the ripples of his presence were already spreading far and wide.
Before anyone could fully embrace the excitement of their new school life, a thunderous BOOM echoed from above, shaking the very foundation of the academy. Gasps filled the room as all eyes darted upward, searching for the source of the disruption.
A chilling sight met their gaze—a monstrous black creature crashed through the ceiling, shards of enchanted stone scattering like deadly raindrops. The beast landed with an earth-shaking thud in the center of the hall. It was no taller than Rai, but its presence was suffocating. Its body exuded an aura of malevolence, and its pointed teeth gleamed ominously in the dim light. But it was its eyes—overflowing with an unimaginable reservoir of raw magic—that froze the room in collective terror. The overwhelming thirst for blood radiating from the creature's gaze rooted most of the students to their spots, unable to even think of moving.
A heavy silence blanketed the hall, broken only by the sound of shallow, panicked breaths. Everyone, save for two.
Pragaya and Kromus, the most skilled individuals in the room, acted in tandem without hesitation.
"Everyone, behind me! Now!" Kromus bellowed, his icy tone laced with authority, as he swiftly corralled the students into a defensive formation behind him. His towering frame stood like an unyielding glacier against the storm.
Pragaya, however, stepped forward, positioning himself between Kromus and the beast. His usually warm demeanor was gone, replaced by a cold, intense stare that could pierce steel. His every movement was deliberate, his posture exuding confidence and readiness to strike.
The creature snarled, its low growl reverberating through the hall like an ominous drumbeat, but Pragaya didn't flinch. He tilted his head slightly, his piercing eyes locking onto the beast's.
Rai, Gale, Rose, Baruss, and the rest of the students watched the scene unfold, hearts pounding. Gale instinctively clutched Rai's sleeve, his face pale.
"Rai…what is that thing?" Gale whispered shakily.
"I don't know," Rai replied, his usual lighthearted tone replaced by an uncharacteristic seriousness. His eyes were locked on Pragaya, who seemed almost unnaturally calm.
Rose took a step forward, her fiery eyes narrowing. "Whatever it is, it's strong. Too strong."
For a moment, no one dared to breathe. The atmosphere was charged, the tension so thick it felt like the room itself might snap under the strain. Then, Pragaya's voice rang out again, louder this time, cutting through the silence like a blade.
"Stay back, all of you. This…is not your fight."
His words carried a chilling finality, a promise that things were about to escalate—and fast.
The creature's piercing gaze scanned the room, its malevolent eyes burning like dark coals until they locked onto Rai. "There you are," it growled, its voice a bone-chilling rasp that sent shivers down the spines of everyone present.
Before anyone could react, the creature moved. In less than a fraction of a second, it closed the distance between itself and Rai, leaving even the most skilled students unable to track its movement. But as its clawed hand was mere inches from Rai's throat, a force stopped it.
Pragaya, the only person in the room able to catch the creature's speed, intercepted it just in time. His arm was a blur, his open palm catching the creature's strike with an audible crack that echoed through the hall. Pragaya's calm yet fierce gaze never wavered.
The creature snarled, its voice dripping with venom. "Just hand over the boy, you senile bastard," it hissed, attempting to intimidate.
Without a word, Pragaya retaliated. In one swift motion, his palm struck the creature's gut with immense force. A deafening shockwave rippled through the room as the beast was sent flying back, crashing into the far wall with a thunderous boom.
The crowd stood frozen, the air thick with tension. Rai, blinking in disbelief, muttered under his breath, "Did… did that thing just call me out?"
Rose and Gale instinctively positioned themselves closer to Rai, their expressions a mix of fear and resolve. Pragaya remained unwavering, his focus entirely on the creature as it slowly rose from the rubble, its malevolent grin never fading.
"Have you gone deaf in your old age, you geezer?" the creature growled mockingly, its voice dripping with venom. "Can you not hear the cries around you, outside these walls?"
Pragaya's eyes widened in realization, and his face drained of color. His voice came out in a hoarse whisper, tinged with desperation, "No..."
The creature's laughter echoed through the room, loud and mocking, as if savoring Pragaya's horror. "That's right, Pragaya. It's a culling."
As the realization set in, the scene outside the academy came into focus. The carnage unfolding was beyond comprehension. These monstrous creatures, led by this malevolent being, weren't just targeting Rai's group—they were attacking the entire academy.
We see the deans, Harchell, Luthor, and Shelly, locked in fierce battles against the creatures. The 5th years, including Mammoth, Sylvia Star, and Lorenzo Privateer, were also fighting back valiantly, their strength pushing against the onslaught. Yet, through it all, it became painfully clear: the leader of these creatures had come for one target, and one target only—Rai.
Pragaya, losing his composure, demanded, "How the hell did you get past all the magical barriers and guards on standby?"
The creature just kept laughing, its mocking tone reverberating through the room, refusing to answer Pragaya's question. Frustration surged through the air as Pragaya's magical energy began to crackle violently, shaking the very foundation of the hall.
Kromus, ever the protector, shouted, "Students, move back! Find a safe place to hide!"
Most of the students obeyed, rushing to take cover, but not Rai, Rose, or Baruss. Gale, on the other hand, had no desire to stick around. He muttered to himself, "Man, I really don't want to die here today."
Rai's voice cut through the tension. "Gale, take Rose and Baruss someplace safe. I'll handle this bastard."
Rose's irritated voice snapped back. "I don't need your protection, Rai! I can take care of myself."
Baruss chimed in, "Yeah, man, you're really underestimating us."
Rai met their gaze with unwavering seriousness, his face grim. "This is not the time for pride, you damn fools. That beast is more powerful than you. You can feel it, can't you?"
The two of them froze, their eyes flickering to the creature, and a cold chill shot up their spines, freezing them in place. The creature's malevolent aura was undeniable.
"See? I told you. Now, Gale, listen to me—take them and go."
Gale hesitated for a moment but finally grabbed Rose and Baruss, pulling them away. Despite their protests, telling him that they could fight, Gale's determination was clear. Rai wasn't going to back down. Neither could they afford to be stubborn.
Pragaya unleashed a surge of power, directing a concentrated beam of light straight at the creature. The strike landed, clean and precise, causing Rai to briefly flash a faint smile of hope. But both Kromus and Pragaya remained on high alert, and for good reason. As the dust began to settle, the creature stood unharmed, not even a scratch on its body. Rai, unable to process what he was witnessing, stared in utter disbelief. That had been a high-level spell, one of the most powerful attacks from the Headmaster himself.
"How the hell did it not do a single bit of damage?" Rai demanded, still rooted to the spot as Kromus tried to pull him back to safety. But Rai stubbornly refused to retreat, unwilling to back down.
"How do you not know about the Hellrisers?" Kromus barked in disbelief.
Rai turned to him with a comedic expression, completely lost. "The what?"
"The Hellrisers, you fool! They're humans who sell their souls to devils in exchange for power. They're granted magic nullification by the devils themselves." Kromus' voice was filled with urgency.
Rai froze, his face paling as the implications hit him. "Magic nullification... so how the hell are you gonna beat him?" he asked, fear creeping into his voice.
Kromus' gaze turned steely. "You're an absolute moron. By now, you should know better than anyone that magic isn't the only weapon we have at our disposal."
Rai's gaze sharpened as he watched Pragaya, his body shifting into a martial arts stance. "Well, I should've guessed you'd have that kind of power if you were bold enough to come here to fight me,".
Pragaya's body began to glow with a brilliant light, his magic coiling around him like a living flame. "Fortify, Light Speed Armor," he intoned, the words reverberating in the air. In a flash, his limbs and feet were encased in radiant medieval armor made of pure light. Finally, wings of blinding energy sprouted from his back, illuminating the entire hall.
Without hesitation, Pragaya moved. In an instant, he blurred into a streak of light, his speed almost too fast to follow. With a single, decisive motion, he grabbed the Hellriser and shot through the ceiling, carrying it outside. "Let's go somewhere we can fight for real," Pragaya's voice echoed, even as he and the creature disappeared from view, leaving nothing but the sound of wind and the echoes of battle in their wake.
Kromus, his face serious, looked at Rai and ordered, "Move it! Get to a safe place." Rai hesitated for a moment but followed, the weight of helplessness pressing on him as he heard the chaos and destruction around him. Every scream, every clash of battle, felt like a dagger to his resolve.
They quickly reached the designated hiding spot where the rest of the class had gathered. Gale, already there, waved them over urgently. "Hurry up!" he gestured, his face strained.
But before they could get any closer, another Hellriser smashed through the side, aiming directly for Gale. Gale, caught off-guard, could only stare wide-eyed as his fate seemed sealed. Rai, desperately reaching out, summoned Atmaan Explosion, hoping to increase his speed just enough to save him, but it was too late. His hand outstretched toward the Hellriser, Rai's efforts fell short.
Just as the Hellriser's claws were about to strike, Kromus acted in the blink of an eye. His eyes glowed with cold energy, and beams of ice shot forth, freezing the creature mid-strike, its hand inches from Gale's throat. Without missing a beat, Kromus swiftly shattered the frozen Hellriser with a single slash, saving Gale just in time.
Rai, a look of immense relief on his face, rushed to Gale and wrapped him in a tight hug. "Thank God you're alright!" he exclaimed, his voice filled with gratitude.
Gale, still shaken, returned the hug with a half-hearted grin. Rai continued "frosty you are awesome you know that".
Kromus, clearly irritated by what Rai said, sighed heavily. "It's Kromus, you buffoon," he muttered, rolling his eyes as the frustration bled through his exasperated tone.
Rai, still frowning in confusion, glanced at Kromus and asked, "Wait a minute, you said these bastards have nullification magic. How did you freeze it?"
Kromus shot Rai a smug grin. "If all the Hellrisers had magic nullification, then humans would've been extinct long ago," he replied with a cocky smirk. "In reality, only the strong souls get the nullification power and keep some intelligence. Most of the Hellrisers are just brainless beasts, like the one I just took down."
Rai, still processing, leaned in with more questions. "Okay, so how does one become a Hellriser, anyway?"
Kromus gave Rai a concerned glance, but Rai, rolling his eyes, reassured him, "Don't worry, Frosty. I'm not looking for some shortcut to power. I'm just curious, that's all."
Kromus nodded, but his face remained emotionless. He opened his mouth to speak, but before he could, a thunderous noise cracked the air. The sound of crashing and growling echoed from outside.
Kromus muttered under his breath, "Why the hell are they so concentrated around here? Dammit…"
Rai, piecing it together, realized that it was probably because of him. He sat in silence for a few seconds, deep in thought. Then, with a sudden resolve, he sprang from his seat and out the door. "Hey, you brainless bastards! You want me? Then come get me!" he taunted, his voice dripping with confidence.
Without waiting for a response, Rai activated Atmaan Overdrive, boosting his speed to a blur, and dashed out, leaving the chaos behind.
Kromus chased after the Hellrisers, his voice a furious shout behind them: "You're going to get yourself killed, you fool!"
Meanwhile, within the safety of a distant room in the academy, the students huddled together, sitting in eerie silence, each trembling in fear. They tried to block out the sounds of the raging battle unfolding outside, but it was impossible.
Gale, unable to sit still any longer, stood up, his frustration evident. "Goddammit, man! I can't just sit here while he's out there! I have to go help him!" he declared, clenching his fists.
Baruss looked at him with a disbelieving expression. "And what the hell can you do? Have you seen those things? Even if they're not as strong as the one the Headmaster's fighting, they're still way out of our league—yours, Rose's, mine, all of us."
Rose, with her usual high and mighty stance, remained quiet, though she couldn't help but nod slightly. Baruss was right. None of the first-years stood a chance against the Hellrisers wreaking havoc outside.
Suddenly, a small, timid voice piped up from beside them: "But... Mammoth is out there fighting, right? So Rai should be fine, don't you think?"
All the students jumped in surprise. Ariel had materialized in front of them, her shy presence startling them out of their anxious thoughts.
Gale's eyes widened. "W-WHAT?! Where did you come from?!" He staggered backward, almost tripping over his own feet.
Baruss blinked in disbelief. "Seriously, are you trying to kill us too?!"
Rose let out a frustrated sigh, half amused and half exasperated. "Ariel, you need stop that before you give someone a heart attack".
Ariel clasped her hands tightly between her thighs, her face flushed with embarrassment. "Sorry," she mumbled, her voice barely above a whisper. As everyone regained composure Baruss shook his head and turned to face her. "Yeah, Rai might be fine, but the difference is he's not fighting another person out there. Mammoth wasn't trying to kill him. But these beasts? They want his blood. Can Rai muster up the courage to end them? Can any of us?"
A long silence followed, but the abruptness of Ariel's appearance still hung in the air. No one could find the words to answer him.
But Gale could no longer sit idly by. With unwavering resolve, he declared, "I don't care if my life's in danger—I'm going." He marched toward the door, his expression set in determination. Baruss groaned, following reluctantly. "Dammit, man, why can't you just sit down and do nothing? Now I'm gonna feel guilty if I don't help," he complained, his voice a mix of frustration and concern. Rose, without a word, simply walked forward, her eyes burning with quiet determination.