Demons

***

Violent killing intent and black miasma rapidly approached Arata like a squall.

Those things didn't have an exact form and each miasma took a different appearance.

However, their intent was clear as their hostility was solely directed at Arata.

Miasma converged behind Arata and took the shape of three huge claws as it was unleashed in a horizontal sweep.

Arata foresight the movement of the creature that came at him and evaded. He was much superior in speed since he was currently using [Conception]. He perfectly saw through the creature's movement and knocked down his opponent with a single counter. Although these creatures looked slightly transparent, as though they were made of mist, Arata could clearly feel an impact. The 'Specter' like creature dispersed as it melted back into the ground.

One of the 'Specter', which took the appearance of a four legged beast shot after Arata from behind, thinking that his view was obscured. But, as it began closing on him--It's body also melted.

Arata had used his acute sense of hearing to ascertain when the 'Specter' would start moving and launched an upward kick at where it predicted would be.

An easy body movement that didn't back down for even a step facing enemies with numerical superiority. It was a terrifying technique. While his reflex towards the attack was also amazing, but even more than that was his sensing ability towards attack from a blind spot; beautifully parrying an attack instead of blocking, and then the perfect counterattack.

Several more 'Specters' rushed forward. One of the 'Specters' raised a sword made up of black miasma but Arata altered it's trajectory by delivering a dropkick. He then leaped off the sword, which was stuck to the ground, flipped around in midair before raising his fist and punching the 'Specter', shattering the nearby ground along with it. His fists packed more of a punch than a cannonball now that he was used to [Mantra Enchant]. The other 'Specters' that were nearby stumbled from the resulting shock-waves.

Without missing that opportunity, Arata drew his fist back as he strengthened his muscles and swung down. The full force of his punch hit one of the 'Specter' square in the chest as it was launched backwards at an unbelievable speed, before melting away. At that moment, another 'Specter' appeared on his flank, it's maw wide open. Arata had just finished a huge action, meaning he inevitably had to show a momentary opening.

However, Arata reacted instantly, dropping to the ground even as he was turning a full 180 degrees. The 'Specter' jaws closed on empty air, inches above his head. Arata then used the recoil to slide underneath the creature and used a single finger to flip himself up into the air, landing feet first onto the ground.

Another 'Specter' dropped from above Arata, it's sword held in front and using gravity to accelerate it's strike, the 'Specter' slashed down at him.

But, Arata simply grabbed hold of the blade between his fingers and yanked the 'Specter' blade backward, like a pitcher. Then, with perfect form, he threw it right at the 'Specter' who had tried to bite him earlier.

The 'Specter' shot towards the other like a black meteor as they crashed into one another. One of the 'Specter', which surprisingly didn't disperse, managed to raise its head--

Arata brought his foot down on it's face, crashing it back to the ground.

'It seems there isn't anymore of those creatures for now.'

Arata turned his attention towards the Castle, specifically, the huge metal gate.

"Are there no humans around?" Arata asked Lemegeton.

Instead of replying, Lemegeton made a request.

[Master, try punching the building.]

Arata focused his magic on his fist as he launched it towards a wall.

However, he felt a feedback as he was rebounded.

[Just as I thought. Master, this building itself is segregated into another Dimension. Right now, this entire place is encased by a giant barrier, suspended in a space between parallel Universes. In other words, we were warped into this world that has nothing but this building and we're stuck here.]

'Just where did this Quest bring me to?'

Surprisingly though, Arata wasn't completely shocked. After all, his soul had supposedly wandered off into another Dimension, so what Lemegeton said wasn't exactly far off from what happened to him.

[Master, I can sense a strong magic wavelength coming from inside this building.]

'Guess I really have to head inside then.'

Arata was already planning to head inside the castle-like building but now, there wasn't really any other choice.

As he advanced towards the gate, Arata cast one last look behind him. There was no knowing where he was heading into.

Arata pushed open the metal gates and finally stepped inside.

'Let's see what this place has in store for us.'

***

The building stood in a composed way, as if it has chosen solitude for itself. Against the dark night sky, the sight of the crumbling walls were nothing more than a ghostly silhouette of some previous existence.

The old building was no more than a shack on its foundations. How long the shivering walls could withstand the beckoning of gravity...

Stepping into the castle-like building was like stepping into a whole other world. It was like venturing onto a set of old train tracks and then following them as far as they'd take you, ignoring the grass peeking up between the slats and the bits where the metal was rusted and broken. The building seemed to shudder and sway in the wind although it was made of concrete.

Although it was quite hard to see from outside, this building was actually a school. Well, it was most likely one.

It was already dark outside so there was barely any light entering the compound but Arata could still pick out the distinct features that made him think this place was a school.

There were rooms full of tables and chairs, a teaching board just like one you can find in a classroom, books that he couldn't make out were strew across the floor and even leftover food could be found. Pieces that seemed perfectly at home within the building's vine-covered wall.

His breath seemed to still in the cold air, leaving a gap of soundless space.

'What exactly happened here.'

Or course, there wasn't a single soul inside the compound. If there had been, well, it most probably wouldn't be any sort of good news.

'Could this place have been overrun by those creatures outside?'

Arata wasn't completely sure and he couldn't draw up an exact conclusion.

This compound was huge, considering the fact that it used to be a school. Arata had been walking around for close to twenty minutes, but there was nothing really that could point out what he needed to do.

'What is the objective of this Quest?'

However, no sooner had he thought that...

'Here we go again.'

Arata could make out the faint silhouette of a human shadow. No, there were many more behind this individual.

Soon enough, various forms of the black miasma creature that Arata had recently fought were now congregating in front of his path.

[Conception]

Arata muttered the same word.

But, this time, instead of activating the magic, Arata's Magus Mode was suddenly dispelled instead. Thankfully, he had wore other clothes when he decided to access Magus Mode. Otherwise, he would be completely naked now.

'Magus Mode was removed?'

[Just as I thought. Master, since this whole area has been placed under a barrier, it seems that the use of Magus Mode has been sealed within the building. Activating any form of Magic is currently impossible in this situation. Fortunately, since Master has already enhanced your physical strength and defense with [Mantra Enchant], you will still be able to fight. Except...]

'Yeah.' Arata cast his gaze to the front.

Now that he couldn't activate his Magic, things were proving to be more difficult and troublesome. Without his Magic and also without any sort of weapon, he would eventually be overwhelmed by sheer numbers.

Tri-ting!

A new pop up screen materialized in front of Arata.

[Quest Objective : Destroy the Barrier Linchpin]

'So the Quest wasn't to eradicate these Monsters, but to destroy the barrier that was trapping this school?'

[Analysis of target completed.]

"Did you finally analyse what those creatures are, Lemegeton?"

[That's correct, Master. These things in front of you are known as Demons, beings that have lost their existence. In other words, they were the students who used to belong to this school. This place itself is a Magic Academy from another world.]

?!

"These shadow creatures were once humans?"

[Yes. In various worlds, Magic is the very power that people possess to stay in existence. Mages research and exercise this power that is deviated from the laws of the world. Which means, if one does not possess the power to stay in existence in that world or place, he or she may die, disappear, or lose control of themselves. Such mages become Demons. No, it is more correct to say that they will be consumed...'eaten' by a Demon from another world.]

However, as Lemegeton was explaining, the Demons had also steadily advanced as well.

Simultaneously, several Demons fell upon Arata like a hailstorm.

The ring on Arata's chest glowed and a surge of white light poured out, causing the Demons to flinch and stumble back several steps.

"You can still use Magic?"

[I am a pure Magic Existence so I am not bounded by the rules of Magic.]

Arata thanked Lemegeton as he took that opportunity she'd created and closed in on one of the Demons. Without mercy, he slammed his fist right into the chest. However, without the use of Magic, Arata had to exert more strength then usual as the Demon was sent flying off. Basically, since he had used [Mantra Enchant] to strengthen his body, even if he couldn't activate it, his overall strength was still much stronger even without the use of Magic.

Arata dodged the approaching slash that came towards him by rolling his body. His body was moving unhesitatingly, as though it had done several thousands of training in preparation of this time.

His foot slammed into the Demon that had tried to attack him. There was a dangerous gleam in his eyes and a feral grin on his face as he mercilessly brought his fist down.

However, Arata's feeling was sinking little by little. He was becoming fed up before long. The number of Demons were not decreasing but he could feel his strength draining away with each passing second. Fighting barehanded was already bad enough, but even with the help of Lemegeton, their numbers felt the same as before.

[Master, we should retreat for the moment. Since this is a Magic School, there should be some magic weapons lying around. We are at a disadvantage here.]

The situation would be much different if he had a weapon he could use.

[Cosmic Twilight!]

Lemegeton cast the same magic as before as the surroundings was suddenly erupted in a brilliant flash of light.

Seizing that opportunity, Arata retreated to a safe distance and his presence disappeared.