The power of the oath is said to become more powerful as time goes by, and as long as a command from the emperor is given, any strong emotion that may cause hindrance to the mission is immediately eliminated. That is why, even with all the emotions the three had for each other, they naturally did not even notice it, and instead, their mind was pinned on their mission.

    The battlefield roared, signaling its start, with chaos. Apollo buzzed in action as his body became blurry. Eros and Athena were able to keep up with his phase with their own techniques; their presence was equally frightening as Apollo''s. Behind them matching fast like a bullet, fifteen elite academy guards gripped their weapons, their bodies tense as they faced sixteen magical beasts in their human form. Their worry even escalated as they felt more presence was destroying the academy.@@@@

    "We must finish this quickly"

    "Human that is very arrogant"

    Then a giant scally hand landed right at their heads, but the guards were very alert in just one powerful swing, he was able to deflect it.

    The magical beasts all move in formation as if they become a fortress that will protect anything for their master.

    Among those beasts stood Nero.

    His dark robes billowed in the wind, his emerald eyes gleaming with an emotional Apollo could not even guess. But despite this, his aura didn''t change; it was sharp, heavy, and ready for the kill. His presence, despite the rugged appearance, was enough to cause a suffocating feeling, like an invisible weight pressing down on the battlefield.

    "I was wondering when you''d show up," Nero said, his smirk barely concealing his excitement. "I''ve been dying to test my new power. It was all for the sake of showing it to you." his voice sounded excited to the point of obsession as if he had found his most precious item.

    Apollo cracked his neck, his golden irises flickering with energy. "I don''t know what you meant, but I never met you before, so I am not sure what you need to show me," he replied since he knew he had never met Nero as Apollo.

    "Could it be he recognized me"

    He was a bit worried, but that thought was replaced with his desire to capture Nero again.

    And then—they moved.

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    Two shadows disappear, one having a cloak that is as dark as the stormy cloud while the other is like a brilliant light.

    The first direct clash between the two forces finally begins, and it all starts with a powerful enchantment that enhances everyone''s overall starts. Athena started first with a total buff for everyone. Then, as if taking advantage of the situation, the rain grew stronger, and with it, the conquering spell that was blended into the rain increased.

    "The battle is becoming more intense," Vesta said as she placed her flute near her face again.

    "It only means we need to move more" Arabella suggested. And so the power of the flute increased while Arabella restarted her prayer, making the rain even stronger.

    The ground shattered beneath their feet as the sixteen beasts charged. Each of them was towering, muscular, and brimming with raw magic. Their eyes gleamed with intelligence and thirst for blood, their movements were unnaturally controlled. It''s as if they are preparing something.

    The academy guards split into formations, raising their weapons as the first wave of beasts slammed into them.

    The battlefield erupted into pure mayhem.

    Eros vanished, attacking right beside Athena; protecting became his priority. Apollo, on the other hand, formed his stance, and the concentrated lightning in his hand flickered as he weaved between the beasts, his lightning spear flashing like a silver streak. He moved fast to slice off at least a limp or two from Nero. However, as he tries to approach, more obstacles are ganging at him. There were even students from the academy who attacked him, but like before, a deliberate attack came in to deflect those strikes. The tip of his spear pierces through joints and weak points within a matter of seconds.

    Then—his grip tightened. Pulse of electricity increase.

    Apollo calculated in his mind that this much of struggle is believable. Behind him, Athena assists him by giving him a buff. Apollo smirks even further and immediately moves to finish what he plans to do.

    CRACK.

    The beast''s arm snapped like a twig.

    It barely had time to register the pain before Apollo''s hand slammed into its chest.

    BOOM!

    The monster was sent flying, crashing through several other creatures like a meteor before skidding to a halt, unmoving.

    Apollo lowered his hand, his smirk turning sharper.

    "Next."

    The rainwater is currently a mix of blood and flesh, and the hounds are being torn by each second, surging more panic among the enemy lines. They had no idea how they could get out of the current situation.

    "Push forward!" Nepheline shouted breaking the hundreds of whispers at the same time.

    Her voice gave a moment of clarity urging more power to be unleashed.

    "Push!"

    The celestial hound roar summons more of its skills. Heavy gusts of wind and flames came down, burning everything in its path.

    The academy guards weren''t just bystanders—they moved to the front line, acting as shields for the three students.

    As the magical beasts tried to overwhelm the battlefield, the guards fought with teamwork and all the power they had.

    One beast lunged toward a guard—only for two others to intercept it, locking its movements with enchanted spears. A third guard sliced through its neck, ending it instantly.

    Another guard, wielding a tower shield, absorbed the force of a beast''s charge before counterattacking with an explosive strike.

    Even though the magical beasts suddenly grew stronger, the guards fought valiantly— cutting them down one by one. Even when dozens of skills and spells rain down upon them.

    But just as they began to push back—

    Nero stepped forward.

    Apollo, who anticipated his interference, only prepared his hand to strike.

    The air shuddered as Nero raised his hand.