Freshman Ball VI

Arthur swiftly redirected his attention to the ongoing clash between Lucifer and Shurkan. The antagonist seemed cornered, poised for defeat as Lucifer pressed on.

However, an abrupt shiver ran down everyone's spine, prompting Arthur to urgently shout, "Duck!"

BOOM!

A thunderous explosion obliterated the upper half of Ophelia Hall. Gasps echoed through the onlookers as two figures engaged in a high-flying battle, even causing Shurkan and Lucifer to momentarily halt.

In the midst of the chaos, a bolt of green wind magic swiftly struck Shurkan, bringing about instant demise.

The perpetrator was none other than Nero—an <Immortal >-ranker and an 8-circle mage. Despite employing a seemingly ordinary [6-circle: Green Wind Bolt], the spell's potency surpassed typical 6-circle magic, evident in its lethal efficiency.

Nero, surrounded by a vibrant aura, continued unleashing higher circle spells, propelling his adversary higher into the sky.

The rationale behind this strategic maneuver was clear. Upon reaching <Ascendent >-rank, an individual transcended conventional military might. A single destructive 7-circle spell held more power than nuclear weapons, capable of obliterating entire cities. Though rare, such spells existed.

An 8-circle spell surpassed even these devastating capabilities, capable of annihilating even larger areas. Nero's decision to elevate his Rank 8 opponent skyward ensured he could unleash his full power without jeopardizing the safety of the Academy.

The Academy boasted a formidable defensive array crafted by the headmaster, capable of withstanding a 9-circle spell or the astral energy assault of a <Radiant >-rank. However, this protection did not extend to the students in Ophelia Hall.

As a responsible teacher, Nero prioritized the safety of the students, preventing potential collateral damage. He noticed other professors rushing to aid the students but chose to focus solely on the battle, recognizing the limitations of their strength.

Executing a [7-circle spell: Tempest Rush], Nero effortlessly dispelled the shadow magic tendrils launched by his scythe-wielding opponent. Given the opponent's combat style and the commonality in the use of magic among Shadow Seekers, they were categorized as magic warriors, employing methods closer to the circle method rather than the aura method.

Nero's grin widened as he decided to bring an end to the inexperienced Rank 8 Shadow Seeker. It was evident that this newcomer was thrust into the mission prematurely, lacking practice of its powers after breakthrough.

The puzzling question of the Shadow Seekers' motives lingered in Nero's mind. What grand scheme were they plotting? Few realized the inherent intelligence of Shadow Seekers, a trait that rendered them comparable to humans. This intellectual parity was, in part, what made them formidable adversaries, especially in the Northern territories where they proved to be a persistent challenge.

However, setting aside these contemplations, Nero refocused on the immediate battle. With calculated precision, he mentally orchestrated a trio of 8-circle spells converging on the Shadow Seeker.

[8-circle spell: Tempest Unbound]

[8-circle spell: Aquamarine Surge]

[8-circle spell: Helheim]

A trifecta of elemental onslaughts—fire, wind, and water—pummeled the Shadow Seeker from every angle, ultimately sealing its fate.

Yet, even in its final moments, the Shadow Seeker mustered a desperate tendril of dark magic, slicing into Nero's abdomen.

'I let my guard down,' Nero admitted to himself. Swiftly obliterating the dark magic tendril, he ensured the demise of his opponent before gracefully descending back to the ground.

"Is everyone holding up?" Nero inquired, surveying the first-years strewn on the ground, their expressions a mixture of awe and shock.

While many hailed from prestigious families accustomed to witnessing strength, the full display of an 8-circle mage's power was an experience they hadn't yet encountered. The gap between witnessing such feats and attaining that level of mastery themselves was a stark reality these young talents were beginning to grasp.

In a world of ten billion, a mere two hundred individuals achieved the esteemed rank of <Immortal >. A mere fraction of those would ascend even further to the Nero's level, a pinnacle that seemed insurmountable to most.

Nero comprehended this unspoken truth but opted to remain silent. What words could bridge the chasm between aspiration and reality?

Soon, the other professors began their checkups on the students and the issue was resolved.

__________________________________________________________________________________

'Nero is an absolute powerhouse,' I mused, as I crashed onto my bed after being escorted out of Ophelia Hall by the professors.

Aware of Nero's strength, witnessing it firsthand was an entirely different experience. The gap between my knowledge of his capabilities and seeing them unfold was staggering. The man was undeniably formidable, yet even his might seemed insufficient.

In the grand scheme, Lucifer, as depicted at the conclusion of <<Saga of the Divine Swordsman>>, surpassed Nero despite sharing the same <Immortal >-rank. Lucifer's monstrous Gifts and other advantages elevated him to a level beyond Nero. However, even Lucifer proved inadequate in the face of impending cataclysm.

I recognized the urgency to grow stronger, but more crucially, I needed a different kind of power — one not limited to magic or physical prowess. Influence was the key. With influence, I could shape pivotal events, thwarting crises like the Vampire Monarch's uprising and the demonic assault on the moon.

Strength and influence, intertwined yet distinct paths to mastery. My focus shifted to the immediate goal — reaching <Ascendent >-rank before graduating from Mythos Academy, ideally within the fifth year.

Achieving <Ascendent >-rank marked a true pinnacle of power in this world. Despite the seemingly formidable environment within Mythos Academy, the actual number of individuals at this rank, around five to six thousand, was dwarfed by the over half a million who reached <Integration >-rank.

The challenging transition from mid to high ranks was an arduous climb, evident from my father's inability to break through.

The prospect of reaching <Ascendent >-rank didn't overly concern me. For any Mythos Academy student not in Class C or D, this milestone was almost a given. The real challenge lay in the leap to <Immortal >-rank, with <Radiant >-rank being the true cause for apprehension.

Yet, dwelling on these distant concerns felt premature. The Freshmen Ball concluded with an unexpected twist — the early arrival of the Rank 6 Shadow Seeker, deviating from the novel's narrative. This prompted me to question the reliability of the novel and reevaluate my assumptions.

In my extensive reading of various novels, I'd encountered myriad possibilities. Was I trapped in a time loop, my past self concealing memories of regression and implanting faux "future" recollections in the form of a novel? Could a higher-dimensional being have fashioned this world for sheer amusement? Or had I been summoned like a hero, bearing knowledge of the future?

Answers eluded me, and while the curiosity gnawed at me, the immediate priority was safeguarding this world. The 'why' was crystal clear — my fate was tethered to this world's survival. If it crumbled, so did I, and that was a gamble I wasn't willing to take.

Looking ahead, the looming mid-terms and the subsequent stretch of routine Academy life awaited me. Following that, the winter vacation beckoned, a period I earmarked for taming my beast will and reconnecting with my family — a crucial task on my agenda.

However, my mind briefly reverted to the Freshmen Ball, which had been overshadowed by the Shadow Seeker attack concerns. Among the myriad of thoughts, one figure stood out — Cecilia Slatemark.

Cecilia was a conundrum, a sociopath reveling in the twisted joy of manipulating and toying with people's emotions. Her unsettling personality had not lost its edge with time. While some fans romanticized her as a yandere, ready to imprison those enamored by her, I saw her differently. The fear her demeanor instilled in me had not dissipated.

The complexity of the situation lay in more than just her peculiar personality. Cecilia was not only formidable, potentially surpassing even my own strength, but she was also the princess of the Slatemark Empire. The empire, a millennium-old superpower, occupied half the continent, standing resilient against the ravages of time and the cataclysm.

The Slatemark Empire boasted three <Radiant >-rank individuals and held the exclusive privilege of maintaining a moon base. It was an unparalleled force on the world stage, a status not always for the better.

The Emperor's paranoia regarding the loyalty of his subjects was well-founded. One of the <Radiant >-ranks, an Archduke, held influence and power rivaling other esteemed families like the Windwards and Kagus, yet remained part of the Slatemark Empire. The Emperor, haunted by the fear of the Archduke seeking independence, sanctioned abominable human experiments.

This dark chapter was explored in <<Saga of the Divine Swordsman>> through the Alchemy Tower that Archmage Charlotte and Lucifer dismantled after uncovering the horrors within.

In essence, the entire family seemed to carry an unsettling legacy. Compounding matters, my sponsor was a vassal of the imperial family, rendering me powerless against Cecilia in the realm of political influence.

The nagging question lingered: was I nothing more than an intriguing plaything in Cecilia's eyes? It seemed plausible, given my modest background in Class 1-A, and the fact that my connections, particularly with Seraphina and others, might have piqued her interest.

Cecilia, in her attempt to emulate human relationships, mirrored the patterns set in <<Saga of the Divine Swordsman>>. In the novel, she was drawn to Lucifer, a character radiating brilliance surpassing even Sun Zenith. In the real world, it seemed I had inadvertently assumed that role. Unfortunately, being the object of Cecilia's attention was a prospect I didn't relish.

As I grappled with thoughts on how to steer clear of Cecilia's notice, I gradually succumbed to sleep, hoping to find a solution in dreams.