-Whoosh.

Sparks scattered greatly in the air.

The sight of a black skull burning in green flames made one's spine naturally shiver.

"Magic that uses the master's corpse. Since it's derived from magic power, should we call it a magic user?"

He didn't know that hell magic had such characteristics.

This probably wouldn't have happened without a high-ranking black mage of that level.

There could only have been extremely few examples until now but to think it would burst out now of all times.

Rudger tried to estimate the creature's power through the heat he felt on his skin.

'Even without any will, it's this powerful?'

It might be more dangerous than its original master, Caloto.

While Caloto suppressed and used that power to avoid being overwhelmed by it, that thing had no need to worry about such things.

However, fortunately enough, the black skull briefly looked at Rudger before turning its head elsewhere.

'Is it ignoring me?'

It could mean that it would let him off just this once, since it gained freedom by taking over Caloto's body thanks to him.

The black skull slowly moved its feet.

With each step it took, green footprints remained and burned in place.

Where the black skull was heading was the magic circle where Caloto's two disciples were injecting magic power.

The two disciples were so focused on providing magic power as Caloto instructed that they didn't notice the black skull slowly approaching.

'This is...'

Rudger's eyes narrowed thinly.

An uneasy thought flashed through his mind about what that skull wanted.

'Seeing how desperately Caloto tried to activate that magic circle, it must be important for this situation.'

Considering the characteristics of the hell magic Caloto used, there could only be one possible outcome from that magic circle.

That would be causing and detonating a massive hellfire explosion.

Caloto probably planned to buy time against the Magic Intelligence Department agents at the dummy hideout, then activate this trap he had prepared here.

Rudger had interfered with that, and it seemed to be over, but that skull showed no intention of stopping it.

'This isn't Caloto's will, but the inherent will of hell magic wanting that.'

If Caloto did this to kill the Magic Intelligence Department, that black skull was slightly different.

Its behavioral principle was more instinctive and pure.

It simply wanted to make its power, which could be called hell magic, overflow more.

If anything, that thing was of the same kind as Quasimodo, the twisted spirit of fire, a terrible monster that burns everything around it with just that pure will.

'A massive explosion at a port warehouse. Something similar happened on Earth in my previous life.'

The Halifax Explosion incident occurred when a cargo ship full of explosives detonated.

It was famous for producing one-tenth the power of a nuclear explosion with just the amount of pure explosives at the time.

The comparison target was none other than that 'nuclear bomb.'

Moreover, the Halifax explosion was recorded as the largest explosion achieved with pure explosives before nuclear weapons were developed at the time.

'If something similar happens here...'

And it's not even using just explosives, but hell magic which is far more dangerous.

It wouldn't be strange if that power, range, and destructive force far exceeded several times the Halifax Explosion.

Perhaps truly, an explosion comparable to nuclear weapons could occur.

"I shouldn't have tried to hold back moderately only to end up taking the blame."

Rudger took out Pasha's spirit stone that he had put away with a small sigh.

"Devour it."

That black skull was also a being made of hell magic's flames after all.

If it completely devoured that, it would probably defeat it quickly.

That was the thought behind his command, but Pasha remained silent.

Rather, it made a woong light as if saying no and fell asleep.

"...What are you doing?"

Pasha had already eaten hell magic flames and it said it didn't want to eat that tasteless thing again.

"You impudent one. Doing whatever you want."

While it was frustrating that it wouldn't fight unless it felt like it, there was no proper way to force it either.

'I should have learned how to handle spirits in the first place.'

When spirits see him, or more precisely, feel the divine power dwelling in him run away or stay wary, where would there be such an opportunity.

'When I return to Theon later, I should ask Teacher Selina for guidance.'

Right now, stopping that black skull takes priority.

Rudger roughly put the spirit stone in his pocket and created an ice pillar in the air to launch at it.

The ice pillar shot like a siege weapon advanced toward the black skull, but melted in the intense heat and turned to steam before even touching its body.

The black skull stopped its steps and turned to look at Rudger.

"Where do you think you're going? Sorry, but you'll have to die by my hands here."

-Whoosh.

The flames flowing from the black skull grew stronger.

It had tried to ignore Rudger, but changed its mind after realizing he was trying to interfere with it.

The momentum was much more powerful than before when there was no hostility, now that it properly recognized him as an enemy.

'It's definitely stronger than Caloto. Pure power is at 6th rank.'

The black skull stretched its hand toward Rudger.

That hand was also burning with green flames, and when it aimed at Rudger, the flames moved.

-Flash!

A cross-shaped light burst while spinning at the skull's fingertips.

───!!

Rudger hastily tilted his head to the side.

The green beam shot from the fingertips grazed where Rudger's brow had been.

The green beam that was advancing through the air pierced through the warehouse wall and hit another nearby warehouse.

-BOOM!

The warehouse was blown away with a massive explosion.

"This is ridiculous."

Rudger let out a dry laugh at the huge explosion he felt behind him.

"Since it is hell magic itself, both its speed and accuracy have risen incomparably higher than Caloto's, is that it?"

If his reaction had been even slightly slower, his head would have been pierced through.

To think it could shoot compressed flames this precisely and quickly.

'Fast reaction is also a problem. Even if trying to block with mediocre magic, it would have pierced right through.'

Rather, ordinary mages would be used to using defensive magic, so nine out of ten would have been hit just like that.

It was an unblockable attack move and the only option for those on the receiving end was to dodge.

At that moment, lightning flew from afar and struck the black skull.

The skull's body that was about to aim its arm at Rudger again staggered slightly to the side.

Rudger turned his gaze.

When he looked to see who it was, it was the Magic Intelligence Department agents who had just joined the scene.

Among them was a familiar face - the young mage who had warned Rudger to stay put.

"There! That's Caloto!"

"The appearance is a bit different, but that magic power. It can only be Caloto."

"Everyone be careful! I don't know what trick he's pulled, but we need to end this here!"

The agents were certainly excellent mages.

They continuously unleashed magic toward the black skull.

Since it was engulfed in flames, they mainly used water and ice attributes.

When it occasionally tried to counterattack, they raised earth to cover the surroundings or blocked its vision.

'As expected of agents, they work well together. It's like watching complex gears meshing perfectly.'

This wasn't coordination that could be built in just a day or two.

While targeting the enemy's weak element, they divided into attack and defense teams and each did their best in their role.

Neither too tense nor too relaxed - just the right level of coordination.

However, the opponent was not good.

No matter how much magic they poured out, the black skull that had already transformed into a higher dimensional being would not fall.

Rather, as the flames flowing from its body grew stronger, the magic strikes hitting its body disappeared as if cancelled out by burning in the heat.

"Wh-What..."

As their attacks weren't working and the enemy gradually grew stronger, the Magic Intelligence Department agents' expressions gradually darkened.

It was a very slight opening created in an unexpected situation but the black skull didn't miss that opportunity.

It raised its finger and the direction that finger pointed was at the most inexperienced young mage among them.

It was a choice made after instinctively realizing he was the weakest one in the group.

When the magic power gathered at the black skull's fingertip reached the critical point.

-Flash!

A cross-shaped light flickered while rotating and a green beam was fired.

The young mage spread a defensive magic formula while watching the attack flying toward him.

As if to show he hadn't entered the Magic Intelligence Department through connections despite his young age, his defensive magic was very precise and fast.

The fact that he reacted to that quick strike in the first place was clear proof of his skill.

That's when someone grabbed his nape and yanked him to the side.

"Eh, eeh?"

The young mage felt his back grow damp from the green beam that cut through the air after penetrating his defensive magic.

The defensive magic was broken through all too easily.

If someone hadn't pulled him away, there would have been nothing left above his neck.

"Wh-Who?"

He looked up at the person who saved him after landing on his behind.

His pupils grew wide.

"Y-You are..."

"You're in the way, so step aside."

Rudger walked slowly toward the black skull, ignoring the man's words.

It was staring intently at Rudger, seemingly upset that its attack had missed again.

The Magic Intelligence Department agents couldn't understand this bizarre atmosphere.

"What's with this atmosphere?"

"That guy. We're not even worth considering."

The black skull opened its mouth wide.

-Haah.

A breath like a sigh flowed from its mouth.

The hell magic flames mixed in that breath flew like a wave.

"D-Dodge!"

"Everyone fall back!"

They had just witnessed their youngest member nearly losing his head when trying to block the attack.

That attack is dangerous.

The Magic Intelligence Department agents who made that judgment quickly retreated but Rudger rather boldly stepped forward as if to show off.

"Wh-What is that crazy person doing!"

The agents could only cry out in shock at what seemed like suicide, but only briefly.

They couldn't believe their eyes at the green breath splitting in half, precisely left and right with Rudger at the center.

Rudger who stood at the front was still standing firmly in place.

"What just..."

"Wasn't that power impossible to defend against?"

"How did he do that...?"

Looks of disbelief filled with shock were directed at Rudger.

Though Marias had brought him, they thought he was just a teacher who taught students.

Even Casey Selmore who they thought would be helpful was moving independently due to her personal actions.

So they hadn't expected much, and rather wished he wouldn't interfere, but the result was the opposite.

Rudger wasn't in this position just because he was Casey's fiancé.

It was because he had the skill.

And Marias Selmore knew this, which is why she included him as an external member in this operation.

"How can a mere teacher...Are all teachers at Theon such monsters?"

Rudger ignored such mutterings and looked down at the spirit stone in his hand.

"So it can be used like this too."

Before the green flames approached, Rudger took out Pasha's spirit stone again and held it out toward the flames.

He wondered if it might absorb them again, but the result was the opposite.

As if adamantly refusing to let disliked food enter its mouth, Pasha pushed back the hell flames.

That was the result just now.

-Woong!

Pasha protested roughly as if asking what this was about.

"Well, if you had helped right away when I asked, wouldn't that have been much better?"

Pasha was dumbfounded at those words.

"Well, fine. I'll overlook your childish tantrum this time in exchange for deflecting that attack just now."

Pasha, who thought it would be used arbitrarily again, flickered as if surprised by Rudger's response, asking why he was suddenly acting like this.

"What. It's nothing special."

Rudger's gaze turned upward.

"I no longer need your help now."

What was reflected in Rudger's pupils was a massive spray of water pouring down from the air.

A huge mass of water that seemed like it might be a localized downpour poured down onto the black skull.

-Hisss!

Misty steam rose and spread hazily around.

"You're late. What took you so long to get here?"

"What? I was very busy too, you know?"

Casey appeared smoothly beside Rudger and pouted her lips at his complaints.

"Trying to steal something delicious behind my back?"

"I was just going to deal with what you missed."

"I didn't miss anything! I was planning to chase after dealing with the other one slowly!"

"Being so easygoing is how you lose your share."

"Hmph. But I took it down this time, so this fight is my victory."

"I don't even know when we made such a bet, but I wonder about that."

At Rudger's meaningful words, Casey asked what he meant with her eyes.

Rudger pointed to the front with his chin instead.

Casey also turned her gaze to the front, and couldn't help but raise her eyebrows.

"What is that?"

As the misty steam gradually cleared, green flames began to burn from within and rising in the center was a black skull burning with fire.

She had recklessly doused what she thought was Caloto with water, but was that wrong?

"That thing. It's Caloto."

"What?"

"More precisely, it's his corpse. Right now, it's become a puppet overwhelmed by the hell magic it was handling."

"Then that...you're saying the magic power itself has become a being with will?"

"If we had to specify, it would be something like a corrupted magic user. That's why it's more dangerous. Unlike the flesh-and-blood Caloto, that thing has no limits."

The black skull glared at Casey who had doused it with water.

The green flames burned high vertically, fueled by that fierce killing intent.

"Ha."

Casey's lips curved up crookedly.

She was also provoked by the hellfire that seemed to be showing off.

"In the end, fire is still fire."

Casey gripped her staff and raised her magic power.

"Wait a bit. I'll put you out right away."