Part Twenty

Professor Thaddeus stands resolute, his eyes locked on Kuza as he approaches. "Professor Thaddeus," Kuza begins, his voice low and steady, taking steps that close the distance between them. But before he can finish, Thaddeus interrupts with a dismissive tone, "Your words are meaningless."

Nessa, reveling in the unfolding conflict, flashes a mischievous smile. "Hmhmhm~ let's have some more fun~" With these words, she lunges towards Professor Thaddeus, her body moving with a fluidity and speed that the fierce storm has a visible delay. 

Her martial arts style is like a whirlwind of strikes, creating the illusion of multiple hands attacking simultaneously. Each blow is precise and rapid, aimed at various points on Thaddeus' body. She moves with a dancer's grace, her strikes flowing seamlessly into one another, each one a potential lethal blow.

Thaddeus, however, remains unphased. His eyes, sharp and focused, track every movement with an analytical gaze. He parries each strike with minimal effort, his movements almost casual in their efficiency. His posture is relaxed yet alert, an embodiment of controlled power.

The sound of their exchange echoes through the corridor, a symphony of martial prowess. Thaddeus deflects a flurry of punches, his arms moving in a blur, redirecting Nessa's attacks with precise wrist flicks. She responds with a high kick, aiming for his head, but he leans back, letting her foot whistle past his face.

Nessa's technique intensifies, her strikes becoming faster and more unpredictable. She leaps, spins, and strikes from multiple angles, her form a blur of motion. But Thaddeus seems to anticipate her every move, his counter-attacks measured and effective.

In a sudden shift, Thaddeus seizes the opportunity. As Nessa launches another rapid series of strikes, he steps forward, his movement a blend of speed and power. With a single, well-timed punch, he halts her onslaught, his fist connecting with her chest. The impact resonates, the force of it shattering all her rib bones and halting her momentum instantly.

Nessa is sent flying back, crashing to the ground with a thud. Her body, broken and battered, begins to heal at a remarkable rate. Bones snap back into place, wounds close, and within moments, she is standing again, her injuries a mere memory.

Kuza, with a swift wave of his finger, conjures a multitude of magic circles that materialize in the air around him. The circles pulse with energy, each one humming with the potential of summoned entities.

Professor Thaddeus, observing the display with a critical eye, rubs his chin thoughtfully. "Hmmm... Summoners are rare. How disappointing for one to be a cultist," he comments, his voice tinged with a mixture of intrigue and regret.

Nessa, still recovering from the recent bout, starts coughing violently, expelling some blood. "Ugh, some blood poured into my stomach," she complains, wiping her mouth. Stretching her arms, she turns to Kuza and suggests, "Why don't you just summon all of them?"

Kuza, ignoring Nessa's remark, focuses his attention on Professor Thaddeus. "I am not a cultist. I am a faithful believer," he states firmly, his tone conveying a deep conviction.

Professor Thaddeus, unswayed by Kuza's declaration, raises his arm and challenges, "Show me what a summoner is capable of."

Responding to Thaddeus' challenge, one of Kuza's magic circles begins to rotate with increasing speed, its energy swirling into a vortex. From this whirlpool of magic, a humanoid monster emerges, stepping into the physical realm.

The creature is a striking and ominous figure. It stands tall, its frame skinny yet undeniably muscular, exuding an aura of deadly strength. Its skin is an eerie, unblemished white, contrasting sharply with the two rows of black lines that run from its elongated, pointy palms up to the back of its head. From its elbows, menacing spikes extend outward.

Most strikingly, It's face is an enigma. It lacks any recognizable facial features; instead, where a face should be, there is a textured surface marked only by four intersecting black lines. The absence of eyes, nose, or mouth lends the creature an alien and unsettling aspect.

Kuza, with a satisfied grin, introduces the monster. "This is Itril, from an ancient, extinct beast clan." His voice carries a hint of pride, as if unveiling a masterful work of art.

Nessa scoffs at the sight of Itril, the summoned creature. "Tsk, that boring piece of chalk," she remarks dismissively.

Professor Thaddeus observes Itril, noting its stillness, an eerie calm before the storm. "How intriguing," he mutters, intrigued by the creature's potential.

In a swift motion, Kuza points at Professor Thaddeus, signaling Itril to attack. The monster vanishes from its spot and reappears instantly behind Thaddeus. Reacting with remarkable speed, Thaddeus lifts his arm as Itril strikes down with its forearm. Despite the fortifications of the array, the impact is so powerful that it creates a huge crack on the floor.

Nessa, watching the scene unfold, turns to Kuza. "Seriously, aren't you going to bring any more of them out?" she asks, her tone a mix of curiosity and impatience.

Kuza responds with a sense of resignation, "That would be impossible while Itril is out. It consumes too much mana and requires a sacrifice every time I summon him."

As Kuza speaks, Professor Thaddeus clenches his other fist and delivers a powerful punch to Itril's gut. The force of the blow sends the monster flying back several dozen meters.

Nessa, intrigued, probes further. "So, what did you sacrifice?" she asks, her eyes narrowing with interest.

Itril reappears behind Professor Thaddeus again, this time with increased speed and strength. The monster's strike creates a crater upon impact, showcasing its immense power.

Kuza, his gaze fixed on Professor Thaddeus, reveals the cost of his summoning. "I sacrificed 20 years of my life."

Kuza observes Itril's continuous assaults on Professor Thaddeus, his expression contemplative. "More importantly, when do you plan to get serious?" he inquires, his tone implying a challenge to Thaddeus' combat prowess.

Nessa, her interest piqued, glances at Thaddeus and adds teasingly, "Once Lia gets here. She did say she was going to be torturing him." Her eyes gleam with a mix of excitement and anticipation.

Meanwhile, Itril relentlessly continues its attacks. Professor Thaddeus, with skilled precision, blocks each strike. "Hmmm... It only attacks from behind and grows stronger with each counterattack," he notes, analyzing the creature's strategy.

In the midst of defending, Thaddeus raises a finger, casting a magic circle while simultaneously fending off Itril with his other arm. As Itril lunges for another strike, Thaddeus attempts to engulf the monster in flames. The fire envelops Itril, but unexpectedly, the black lines on the creature's body glow a faint white, absorbing the fire and rendering the attack ineffective.

As Itril appears behind Thaddeus yet again, he raises his arm to block the incoming blow. However, Nessa joins the fray, appearing alongside the monster. Thaddeus quickly adapts, grabbing her and attempting to use her as a shield against Itril's attack. To his surprise, Nessa phases through the strike with a giggle, leaving Thaddeus to take the full brunt of the monster's fist.

The impact hits Thaddeus squarely in the face, but he swiftly counters, pushing the monster back and spitting out some blood. "Hmmm... when's the last time I've been at a disadvantage?" he muses to himself, a rare acknowledgment of the challenging situation he finds himself in.

Kuza's gaze remains fixed on Professor Thaddeus, his mind analyzing every move. He notes, with a certain respect, that Thaddeus has yet to reveal his full capabilities. "No one's going all out yet," Kuza thinks to himself. "He hasn't used a single drop of mana to block or enhance himself. We can't analyze any skills off of him. He hasn't used any recognizable techniques... no wonder the principal entrusted him with the knowledge of the Key of Ethia. But what's his attribute? I have no info on that."

As Itril strikes again, Professor Thaddeus senses a change. The black lines on the monster's body begin to move and bend, reshaping into an entirely different pattern. Kuza, observing this transformation, grins. "It has finished analyzing you," he announces.

Professor Thaddeus scrutinizes Itril intently, but in an instant, the monster appears right in front of him. It now employs a martial arts style, launching a series of calculated strikes at Thaddeus.

The battle between them evolves into a complex dance of attacks and counters. Itril throws a punch, which Thaddeus blocks with his forearm, redirecting the force. However, Itril immediately counters with an elbow strike. Thaddeus pivots, using the monster's momentum against it, attempting a counter-attack with a swift palm strike.

But Itril is quick to react. It dodges the palm strike, twisting its body in an almost inhuman way, and launches a kick aimed at Thaddeus' side. Thaddeus catches the foot with one hand, but Itril uses the opportunity to spin, breaking free and delivering a backhand strike.

The exchange continues at a blistering pace, each move met with a counter, and each counter met with a further response. Thaddeus' experience and skill are evident in the way he adapts to each new attack pattern, but Itril's ability to analyze and improve creates an ever-escalating challenge.

Suddenly, Thaddeus finds himself on the defensive as Itril's attacks become more targeted and efficient. He's pushed back step by step, his movements becoming more focused on defense rather than offense. It's a testament to Itril's evolving combat intelligence, adapting its style to better counter Thaddeus' techniques.

Kuza watches the battle with growing satisfaction. "It's going to keep improving as it fights you," he remarks, his voice laced with anticipation. "Once it finished analyzing, it started searching for the best method to deal with you."

Professor Thaddeus exhales deeply, a sense of resignation in his voice. "I'm going to be scolded by Lady Moria for at least half a year," he mumbles to himself, acknowledging the inevitable aftermath of this chaotic battle.

Unexpectedly, Lia walks up behind Kuza, breaking the tense atmosphere with her presence. "How is it?" she inquires, her voice calm and collected.

Nessa and Kuza both sigh, slightly startled. "Don't scare us like that. Why do you always hide your presence so well?" Nessa complains, her tone a mixture of annoyance and admiration for Lia's stealth.

Orion, sitting next to Nessa, watches Professor Thaddeus intently. Suddenly, Thaddeus accelerates his movements, appearing behind Itril in a blur. He deftly bends the monster's arm back and pushes it away. "Ah, he's breaking your toy, Kuza," Orion remarks with a sly smile.

As Itril lunges for another attack, Thaddeus grasps it by the neck. "You don't win a fight by analyzing. No wonder this thing went extinct," he says, his grip on the creature unyielding.

Kuza, observing the turn of events, directs Lia, "Fight with Itril. It will make things easier."

Lia turns her attention to Professor Thaddeus. "Professor~ It's your favorite student," she says with a smirk.

Thaddeus looks at her with a stern expression. "Nyssa, you are no longer my student," he responds firmly, his disappointment evident.

Lia's smirk fades into a cold, serious gaze. "We will free our lord, and I don't appreciate those who interfere. Hand over the key, and I promise you a painless death," she states, her tone laced with cold determination.

Thaddeus, unfazed, replies, "I can tell you're not weak. You're a talent similar to the greats of this generation. It's a pity to see you as a cultist."

Lia's expression remains unchanged as she inquires, "And which talents might you be referring to?"

Thaddeus answers, "Talents like Isadora, Biana, Isabella, Flora, and Sera. They've been marked and registered as potential companions for the next hero. Isadora herself is a Hero Candidate."

Orion's smirk widens. "Thanks. Now we know who to convert first," he says, revealing their sinister intentions.

Thaddeus stands his ground. "You seem to be mistaken. I don't plan to let any of you live," he declares, his voice resolute and unwavering. With a fluid, deliberate motion, he sheds his coat, unveiling a surprising contrast.

Underneath the coat, Thaddeus reveals a muscular physique that belies his previously unassuming appearance. His muscles, well-defined and robust, ripple with a quiet strength, showcasing a body honed not just for academic pursuits, but for intense physical combat as well.