The moment the three Demon Nobles appeared, chaos spread through the academy grounds.
Rin rushed to Akira and Liliya, placing herself instinctively in front of the trembling elf. Akira stood frozen—not from fear, but from thought.
I can't reveal myself… not here… not like this.
Before he could move, a powerful presence stepped forward.
Professor Kaelthas.
Mana surged as he raised his staff, arcane sigils blazing to life.
"Leave this place," the professor commanded. "You are not welcome in Solareth."
He struck.
A massive wave of magic slammed into the demons—
And dispersed harmlessly.
The demons didn't even flinch.
The next instant, dark claws tore through the air.
Professor Kaelthas was thrown back violently, crashing into stone as blood stained his robes.
"Professor!" Rin shouted.
Akira's eyes widened.
I need a way… a way to act without being seen.
Suddenly, he turned and sprinted toward the academy building.
The demons shifted their attention.
"Our prey is the elf," one of them hissed.
They advanced.
Rin stepped forward, drawing her remaining mana.
"You're not taking anyone," she said coldly.
The demons attacked.
Rin countered—wind clashing with darkness, fire against abyssal mana. The impact shook the courtyard. For a moment, she held them back.
But her breathing grew heavy.
Her mana was running dry.
A combined attack formed—three demonic spells merging into one destructive force.
Rin tried to raise a barrier.
Nothing happened.
Her knees buckled.
Liliya screamed.
At that moment, Liliya remembered Akira's words.
Do not fear. I am with you.
Tears streaming down her face, she raised her hands.
"Please…" she whispered. "Protect us."
A pale green barrier formed around Rin.
The demons burst into laughter.
"HAHAHAHAHA!""Did you really think an elf child's spell could stop us?""Despair suits you better—die knowing you tried!"
They launched their attack again.
Silence
The spell never reached them.
It vanished.
Erased.
The courtyard fell silent.
The demons stared in disbelief.
"What…?" one muttered.
Footsteps echoed.
A figure stood between Rin and Liliya.
A mask concealed his face.
Fire wrapped around his body like living armor.
Rin's eyes widened. "Who…?"
The demons grinned.
"Oho?""A new toy?"
The masked figure said nothing.
He moved.
The Nameless Flame
Wind exploded outward as Akira closed the distance in an instant.
Fire struck with terrifying precision.
One demon screamed as flames pierced straight through its core—its body collapsing into ash.
The second tried to retaliate—
A blade of compressed fire sliced it apart.
Dead.
The third demon staggered back, injured, panicked.
"Retreat—!"
Dark barriers formed as it tried to escape.
Akira raised his hand.
Void answered.
Gravity twisted.
The demon was ripped from the air and slammed into the ground, pinned, unable to move.
Akira stepped closer.
"You're not escaping this time," he said coldly.
A flaming arrow formed in his palm.
Void shattered the barriers.
The arrow pierced the demon's chest.
Nothing remained.
The pressure vanished.
Akira turned, raising his hand as gentle light spread across the courtyard.
Wounds closed.
Broken bones healed.
Professor Kaelthas gasped as life returned to his body.
Before anyone could speak—
The masked figure vanished.
Collapse
Moments later, Akira came running back toward Rin, now wearing his academy uniform.
"Rin—Liliya—!"
He reached them—
And collapsed.
Liliya caught him just in time.
"Akira!"
His consciousness faded.
The void… took too much…
Demon Realm
Deep within the Demon Realm, alarms rang.
Three Demon Nobles—dead.
Dark clouds gathered around a massive throne.
A pair of ancient eyes slowly opened.
"So…" a deep voice echoed."The world has moved again."
The Demon King, long lost to slumber—
Had begun to awaken.