The Guardian Sorcerer Mode

A wretched, agonizing evil creeps into the hallowed halls of Esculia Academy of Arcane Arts. From what I read in the histories of Caronia, this school stands as the final bastion against the encroaching darkness, so I hold fast to the belief that within these walls, Anya and I find sanctuary.

Since my departure from the human world, I recall my initial encounter with the Creator. He interviews me about the preceding events, despite possessing that very information. The conversation, a vexing, pointless banter, strangely soothes and lightens, a stark contrast to my former existence. The precise words elude my memory, as if the Creator wills it so.

"Every death is but the genesis of a new adventure, leading us to realms unknown." Only this single sentence remains etched in my mind, its power surpassing any utterance I have ever encountered.

Then, without conscious transition, my eyes flutter open in a Caronian alleyway. Moreover, I discover within myself the ability to wield magic, even encased in the stout, fluffy-rumped, and seemingly benevolent form of a corgi. The instant I meet Anya, I know my destiny shifts onto an unpredictable course.

My magical aptitude soon becomes evident to students and faculty alike. Daily training in the dueling club and self-defense is grueling, nearly to the point of bloodshed, for I understand that no world exists in absolute black and white.

It is gray… where light prevails, shadow inevitably arises; such is the natural order.

My thoughts replay the past, a relentless loop threatening to drive me to the brink. I cast off the baggage of my previous life: the frail body, the pathetic, futureless profile, the adulterous wife, the finality delivered by her lover's car. Surely, others have endured similar or even greater trials. And yet? My own tale is so bitter it would make the bitterest herb yield.

I awaken from this well of regret to a multitude of holographic screens materializing in the air. I am surrounded by an intensely white space, as if crammed into a confined room. Suddenly, a churning sensation erupts within my abdomen. Pressure mounts, and my body temperature alarmingly rises.

"I will unlock your human form," the System Creator's voice echoes from all directions. I search in vain for its source. "You can utilize it for three minutes. As your magical power grows, the duration will gradually increase. Use it to protect your beloved master."

"Damn right, I will!" I respond without hesitation, a shiver of anticipation coursing through me.

..........

The Demon Emperor casts Kalos's unconscious form to a minion. With a levitation spell, he raises the boy's body and incants the words to open a gate to the abyssal dimension.

"Deliver the boy to be tortured, twisted into a demon. The girl goes to the dungeons. On the night of the Scarlet Moon, we will bring her to the operating chamber. I myself will excise her heart." The Demon Emperor issues his commands, then abruptly stills. He senses an unwelcome presence behind him, a palpable pressure against his back. "The rest of you go on ahead. I will follow."

A volley of arcane projectiles streaks past the armored figure, slamming into the demonic lackeys bearing Kalos and Anya. Both bodies halt mid-air before gently descending to the ground. Witnessing this, the Demon Emperor whirls around. His remaining minions aim their wands at a bizarre white light that flares without warning.

"Don't tell me that's that mutt from before?" The armored figure's brow furrows beneath his helm as he signals his minions to advance.

They sense the oppressive aura, hesitating, unwilling to draw closer. The remaining students gasp in astonishment. "Unbelievable! That child's familiar possesses such power? It's not even a magical beast!"

"This… this is truly our last resort," Headmaster Conner murmurs, collapsing to the ground with a long sigh, his eyes reflecting a single image within the light. Not only that, but a mysterious explosion rips through the dormitory, unleashing a thick smoke that obscures all vision.

"There's a shadowy figure standing before us, Your Imperial Majesty!" a demon minion exclaims. "It doesn't appear to be one of ours!"

"Then deal with it! Unleash a life-severing curse and be done with it!" the armored figure commands instantly, his instincts screaming a warning.

Without delay, the dark magic minions obey their supreme leader. Violet beams erupt from their wands simultaneously, like a rain of deadly light, only to be intercepted by an unseen force.

"It seems… nothing happened, Your Emperor."

"That mutt is surprisingly adept at casting spells. Swarm it!"

The dark magic minions chant incantations to bolster their strength before vanishing into the smoke. The sounds of a chaotic struggle erupt. The Demon Emperor remains still, his gaze fixed deep within the swirling haze. Moments pass, the sounds cease, and as the smoke begins to dissipate, the truth is revealed, leaving the armored figure breathless.

The bodies of the demon minions lie strewn across the ground, unconscious and broken. A tall figure stands astride them, a single hand crushing the throat of a struggling minion, its feet dangling above the floor. His sharp features are striking.

Bright, highlighted brown hair, cut short, gleams. A long black coat drapes over a white shirt, concealing a lean yet powerful physique, paired with cream-colored trousers and black dress shoes. Bright orange eyes fix on the remaining dark magic minion, a hint of warmth within their depths, yet the cool, composed demeanor exudes a captivating charm.

"W-who are you?!" The demon minion attempts to strike 'me' to break free, but I feel no pain, no inclination to release my grip. I snatch the wand from his grasp and fire a silencing charm into his abdomen, rendering him instantly unconscious.

"Oh! That's my wand!"

"You… you're that short-legged mutt from before?" the Demon Emperor demands, unleashing a spell. My eyes flicker almost imperceptibly. Instincts surge, operating with an efficiency far surpassing my previous state. Without uttering an incantation, I conjure a magical shield just in time. Believe me, I am just as stunned as the reader likely is. (Perhaps?)

"I suppose so. But this form… it's nothing like the transformation from six chapters ago… strange. It feels like I've grown taller." I examine myself, a silent scream urging me to aid Anya.

Yet, regardless, it feels as if two distinct personalities reside within me. "But never mind that. Did I just… use magic like that? I have no recollection of it."

The Demon Emperor fires another violet beam. This time, something screams in my mind, guiding me to tilt my head. In the blink of an eye, the lethal energy misses its mark.

The remaining minions unleash a barrage of life-severing curses. With a single flick of the wand, I utter three spells simultaneously.

"Firmale!" And another: "Expulsimus!" And yet another: "Full Counter!"

The first spell arrests the violet beams mid-air, as if time itself halts in that space. The next disarms the dark magic minions, sending their wands flying. Knowing they would cling to their weapons, preventing a simple disarm, I conclude with the final incantation, a reflection charm. The deadly light hurtles back towards the black-clad figures. Trust me, you do not wish to know what transpires next. I pity Anya's fellow students who are forced to witness this brutal massacre, a scene of bloodshed rivaling a midnight slasher film.

"Whoa! How did I do that?!" I exclaim, startled by my own actions, even though everything unfolds instinctively, before turning towards the Demon Emperor, my wand glowing crimson. "Psychic Lance! And… Versatile Orb!"

A fireball the size of a small boulder materializes almost instantly.

The effect of the next incantation is immediate. The single fireball multiplies into over twenty. The intense heat kisses my skin, yet I feel no loss of self. I unleash the volley upon the Demon Emperor. He erects a formidable shield, preventing the flames from consuming him, before conjuring a spear of dark fire. In that instant, a water-manipulation spell floods my mind, along with the incantation.

"Alqualun!" A torrent of water erupts from my wand, coalescing into the shape of a colossal blade. I guide it, cleaving the dark fire spear into dissipating gray smoke. Then, I unleash a rapid-fire barrage of silencing charms, like a magical machine gun. Amidst this magical assault, a question finally surfaces: "How do I even know these spells?!"

The Demon Emperor teleports, evading every spell. Not only that, but he reappears before me in less than a heartbeat. A magic-infused fist slams into my torso, the force creating a shockwave that rips through my back. I gather my magic to the point of impact, initiating a healing process before retaliating with a powerful right hook.

Thwack!!

The skin and bone of my knuckles scrape raw, blood flowing freely as I strike his helmet. It dents slightly before swiftly returning to its original form. I sense a dense layer of magic enveloping the thick metal.

The Demon Emperor clenches his fist, adopting a guard before delivering a brutal blow to my face. The world spins, righting itself just in time for me to slam back into his helmet. This time, chunks of flesh tear from my knuckles, forcing me to clench the wand in my teeth. Pain lances through my body. My jaw clenches down on the wand, causing it to crack, but that does not make me yield to this kind of scum.

"Give Anya back… give Anya back…" I murmur like a madman, hypnotizing my own soul with the singular goal. "I have to get Anya back!"

My fists clench so tightly my nails dig into my palms, drawing blood.

I disregard the physical agony. Everything will be for naught if I allow the Demon Emperor to take my master. My feet propel me towards the armored figure, a hook aimed at the vulnerable lower ribs. But he sidesteps, his leg whipping around to strike my throat with brutal force. The world tilts again. Of course, I manage to rise, but my opponent snatches away the golden opportunity. A heel encased in thick iron-soled boots slams into me, the impact reverberating through my entire being like a fatal lance. The stone beneath cracks outward like a spiderweb. Muscles in my torso feel as though they are tearing, and some bones audibly snap.

Simultaneously, a thick, coppery liquid surges into my throat before erupting from my mouth. It hangs suspended in the air for a moment before gravity claims it, splattering across my face.

Blood?

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Again?

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To Be Continue Ep.20