Part Eleven

-Raelle's POV

Groaning into the softness of the couch, I let my entire body sag, feeling like a deflated balloon. "Uuuuuuggggghhhhhhh. IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII'mmmmmmmmmm Tireeeeeeeed," I mumble, my words as sluggish as my limbs. The couch feels like a cloud, or maybe I'm just too tired to tell the difference.

The Academy is eerily silent today, a stark contrast to its usual bustle. Freshmen are probably all glued to the competition, scribbling notes or fighting it out. Sophomores are off facing their own trials at the Guild. Juniors? Either watching the competition or who knows where. And the seniors, well, they could be anywhere. My brain's too foggy to bother about their whereabouts.

Another groan escapes me. "Hmmmm." Elith's voice cuts through the stillness. "We should eat something," he suggests, but he sounds as worn out as I feel.

"Eat? No way... I'm too tired to move after everything this week... Haven't slept a wink," I grumble. The thought of food seems appealing, but my body disagrees. Every muscle screams in protest at the idea of moving.

I hear Elith trying to look at me, a soft rustle of fabric. But it seems even turning his head is a Herculean task for him. A thud follows – he's fallen off the chair.

I want to laugh, I really do, but it feels like too much effort. I lie there, sprawled out, wondering if I'll ever find the energy to get up again. The Academy's quietness wraps around me like a blanket. For once, the lack of noise is comforting, matching my drained state.

Lying sprawled on the couch, every muscle in my body aching for rest, I hear Riya's voice cutting through my fatigue. "You're way too lazy," she remarks, sitting composedly in a chair not too far away. Her long dark red hair seems to shine in the dim light of the room, a stark contrast to my current state of disarray.

Uuugggghhh, I groan internally, forgetting that she's still here. "Whaaat are you still dooooing here... We already told you we have no information for you," I mumble, my voice barely more than a groan, not bothering to move.

Riya, persistent as ever, pushes for answers. "How hard could it be to trace them? They used mana, didn't they?" Her tone suggests she's not one to accept excuses easily.

Elith, sprawled somewhere nearby, groans in response. "No... All the mana traces were erased somehow. So just leave... please..." His voice is a weary plea for peace.

But Riya isn't deterred. She stands up and strides over to where I'm lying. "The man has martial arts anyone would kill for. Just check the crystals," she says, her eyes cold and unyielding.

I attempt to roll my eyes at her insistence, but even that feels like too much effort. Right now, I couldn't care less about her threats or demands. "Can you go threaten Elith today? I'm too tired to care," I mumble, my voice barely above a whisper.

Elith groans in agreement from his spot. "That makes two of us," he adds, his tone echoing my exhaustion.

As sleep begins to claim me, my words become a slurred mumble. "You heard him... we're busy today... come by and threaten us... another... day..." My voice trails off as I succumb to the overwhelming tiredness, drool slowly forming at the corner of my mouth. In this moment, nothing matters more than the sweet, elusive embrace of sleep.

The sudden slam of the doors jolts me from the edge of sleep, a cruel interruption to my much-needed rest. I sob quietly, feeling the tears well up in my eyes. "I was this close..." I whisper, my voice choked with emotion. The tears stream down my face as I mourn the loss of the sleep that was almost within my grasp.

Both Elith and I are too exhausted to even turn around to see who has entered the room. Lying there, half-awake, half-asleep, I hear Riya's voice addressing the newcomer. "Hello, Professor, what brings you here?" Her tone is one of curiosity, a stark contrast to my despair.

Professor Ayla's voice cuts through the room, commanding yet weary. "Both of you get up," she orders. Elith groans beside me but somehow finds the strength to comply. Why...? Why now...? I think to myself, my heart sinking.

Elith helps me to stand, his voice a mix of encouragement and resignation. "Just a bit longer, Raelle, you can do this," he says. I'm not sure if he's trying to convince me or himself.

I manage to lift my head, my eyes blurry with tears, and look up at Professor Ayla. "What brings you here, Professor?" I ask, my voice barely a whisper.

Professor Ayla rubs her temples, a sign of her own fatigue. "You two are going to help with something. Let's head to the second Hall," she says, her tone brooking no argument.

My eyes fill with even more tears at her words. The hope of rest slips away like sand through my fingers. Elith pats my back, his own eyes brimming with tears. "I'm sorry for lying to you, Raelle. It looks like we won't have a break," he says, his voice cracking with emotion.

As I stand there, barely keeping my eyelids open, Professor Ayla turns her attention to Riya. "This will make things easier. Riya, you're coming as well," she states matter-of-factly. Riya's eyebrows shoot up in surprise, and she starts to protest, "Professor Ayla, I'm not part of the student council, you can't—" But she's cut off by a firm glare from the professor, making her gulp and quickly acquiesce, "I-I understand." Idiot, there's a reason we agreed. Professor Ayla is not someone you can say no to.

I continue to sob softly, the tears now a constant stream down my face. I-I just want to sleep... is all I can think as we walk through the eerily empty halls of the Academy. Elith, beside me, his voice filled with concern, asks, "What exactly are we going to do near the entrance?" Professor Ayla's response is brief and to the point: "I'll tell you when we get there."

I'm still sobbing, the desire for rest overwhelming every other thought. I just want to sleep...

Upon reaching the hallway, Professor Ayla instructs us with a sense of urgency, "Take out your swords." My sobs grow louder, my words muffled by tears, "we have to fight..." Elith, ever the supportive friend, pats my back, trying to comfort me. "It's okay, it's okay, don't cry, you're stronger than this, Raelle. What's one more day without sleep... without food... without a break.." His voice cracks, and I can hear the tears in his voice as well.

Professor Ayla's commanding voice snaps us to attention. "Listen up, you three!" We all turn to face her, our expressions a mix of exhaustion and resolve. She explains the dire situation: "We got info that there's a cult in the academy. I'm sure you two," she nods at Elith and me, "already heard a thing or two. They're attacking the Academy today, and they've corrupted some of your fellow classmates and professors."

She paces around us, her expression serious. "They will all enter through here very soon. You three are among the top ten students, and you should be able to handle yourselves. You need to lead them all to the auditorium room where we'll purify them."

Riya's demeanor changes at the mention of a fight, her smirk betraying her excitement. "So I get to fight, you should have led with that," she says, almost gleefully.

Elith and I, on the other hand, are barely holding ourselves together. We cover our eyes with our hands, trying in vain to hide our uncontrollable crying. With a shaky voice, I manage to reply, "Understood, Professor. Please leave it to us." Despite our emotional and physical exhaustion, we prepare ourselves for the task ahead.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

In the dimly lit hallway, where the tension hangs thick in the air, Kuza stands poised, his demeanor shifting with a newfound sense of urgency. With a swift movement, he sheds his school uniform, revealing an intricately designed pair of pants and a shirt underneath. The garments are adorned with symbols and runes, hinting at hidden powers and secrets.

Kuza taps his watch, a look of determination etching his features. "The plan will need to proceed ahead of time," he declares, his voice resonating with authority. As he speaks, the atmosphere outside begins to shift dramatically. Dark storm clouds gather with menacing speed, heavy winds howl through the corridors, and lightning crackles across the sky, heralding the onset of a magic storm.

The man, observing the chaos with a gleam in his eye, grins widely. The tumultuous weather, with heavy water pouring down and the sky torn asunder by lightning, seems to exhilarate him. "Hahaha.. What a beautiful mess," he comments, his tone one of dark delight at the unfolding pandemonium.

Turning his attention back to Kuza, he challenges him with a mocking tone, "Hmhmhmhm, come on, this can't be all, can it?" His eyes sparkle with anticipation, eager for the next move in their high-stakes game.

Unfazed by the taunt, Kuza focuses on his next action. He raises his hand, casting a large magic circle high in the sky. From his pocket, he retrieves a glowing cube, imbued with pulsating energy. With a calculated throw, he sends the cube soaring into the magic circle. The cube starts to spin clockwise, while the magic circle spins counterclockwise, both growing brighter and more intense by the second.

Suddenly, high above them, a rift tears open in the sky. It's a gaping maw of darkness, from which countless monsters begin to pour forth, descending upon the academy with terrifying speed and ferocity.

The first man, his interest piqued by this turn of events, licks his lips in anticipation. "How intriguing," he murmurs, his gaze fixed on the chaotic scene unfolding above them. "Zero, use this opportunity to loot the place," he commands, his voice a mixture of command and cunning. As he speaks, his shadow shifts subtly.

The first man then turns his focus back to Kuza, his expression one of curiosity mixed with a hint of admiration. "What's next?"

Kuza locks eyes with the first man, his expression one of finality. "What's next is your death," he declares, his voice cold and resolute. Raising his hand, he summons countless magic circles, each pulsating with dark energy.

As Kuza utters his next words, "Unfortunately, I don't have time to deal with a nobody like you," the magic circles spring to life, releasing a horde of extraordinary beasts. One after another, seven distinct creatures emerge, each more menacing and unusual than the last.

The first beast resembles a towering wolf, its fur a swirling mass of shadows, eyes glowing with an ethereal blue light. The second is a serpentine creature, covered in shimmering scales that refract light into dazzling patterns. The third, a massive bird, has wings that seem to be made of pure fire, leaving trails of embers as it flaps.

The fourth beast is a creature of the earth, its body resembling a moving mountain, with moss and plants covering its rocky skin. The fifth, an aquatic monster, has tentacles lined with sharp barbs and a maw that seems to be a never-ending abyss. The sixth is a creature of the air, almost invisible, but its presence felt through the chilling wind that surrounds it.

Lastly, the seventh beast appears to be a fusion of lightning and energy, crackling with raw, unbridled power. Each beast stands as a testament to Kuza's mastery over summoning magic, their very existence defying the norms of magical beasts.

As Kuza turns to leave, dismissing the man with a casual, "This should be enough to deal with you," the first man's reaction is anything but ordinary. He bursts into maniacal laughter, a sound that echoes through the hallway with a disturbing resonance. "How lowly do you think of me?" he taunts, stepping forward confidently with his hands in his pockets.

Around him, dark magic circles form, pulsating with an ominous energy. The beasts, enhanced with incredible speed and armed with various magical abilities, rush towards him in a frenzied attack. Some shoot spells, while others charge with physical might.

But as they close in, the man's next step triggers a terrifying counterattack. Black spikes shoot out from the ground right beneath the charging monsters, impaling them with ruthless efficiency. The spikes lift them into the air, turning the hallway into a macabre display of his power.

The man's laughter intensifies, "Hmhmhmhmhahahah! I'm after you, not your toys," he declares, a wide grin on his face as blood rains down upon him from the impaled creatures.