CHAPTER 48: ICEBORN’S REALITY

In the deepest shadows of the academy, on the highest floor of an empty building, Salazar had locked himself away. He stood in a study, completely alone, his gaze troubled as it scanned the campus below through the window.

"Is this... hell?"

His heart churned with turmoil. More than fear, it was helplessness that gripped him. He lifted his trembling hand—and froze.

As his thoughts spiraled into darkness...

...he felt it.

Someone was standing behind him.

A presence so suffocating, so vile, it crushed all good thoughts in an instant.

Salazar turned slowly, paralyzed by dread.

A towering silhouette cloaked in black smoke stood before him. Its glowing white eyes pierced straight into his soul.

But how did it get in? All the doors and windows were locked.

Its form shifted with each second, a vortex of mist, as if it had been born from the void itself.

"W-who are you...?"

The entity stepped forward.

Salazar stumbled back, pressing himself against the window. In desperation, he thrust out his hand and tried to cast a spell—but nothing happened.

Weeks of training with Asagiri had brought him only modest results. Against this creature, even a Supreme-level technique might be meaningless.

Summoning two jagged crystals of ice, he launched them forward.

The figure didn’t even flinch.

It just kept walking.

"No... get away!" Salazar fell to the floor, pressing his back against the wall. His body trembled under the weight of approaching death.

Then—

"As of now, the entire academy lies under my control."

The voice—deep, cold, and twisted—drilled into his ears.

"You can’t escape. If you jump out the window, the creatures outside will tear you apart."

"C-creatures...?"

The silhouette was speaking directly to him.

"I know everything about you, Salazar il Tsugihara. I’ve watched you ever since you entered this academy."

"What are you talking about...?"

A high-pitched ringing swelled in his ears. The creature’s body groaned like a storm ready to break.

And when it reached for him, Salazar shielded his face with his arms.

A touch.

Its hand gripped his shoulder. A black smoke seeped into his body.

BAM!

Salazar’s heart pounded violently. Mana—wild and foreign—flooded his veins.

"What... what is this mad, unknown power...?"

His insides twisted, as if his very essence was being torn and rewritten.

"It is my power. The one that will grant you the strength to fulfill your dream," the monster whispered.

It withdrew its hand and offered the other, palm open, inviting him to stand.

"My name is Iceborn. Come with me... if you desire a power far greater than this world allows."

Salazar looked up slowly.

Their eyes met.

These past days, he’d clung to desperation—chasing the strength he once had. And now, with Iceborn’s offer, something long dormant stirred inside him.

But was this the right path... or would it be the last choice he ever made?

"A child born in crimson fire... Peek into my reality."

And when Salazar reached for his hand—

—The world froze.

A blinding white flash erupted across the entire building.

Meanwhile, at the academy gates, three figures in brown cloaks stood silently.

Memphis. Elise. Dean.

Their eyes gleamed under their hoods, faces tense.

"Dean, I hope we were right to trust you and wait this long. Tracking you down was hell," Elise said.

"No one doubts my instincts," Dean grinned. Then his face hardened. "We arrived just in time. Those creatures have overrun the entire campus."

Memphis frowned.

"Good thing we didn’t leave immediately. Who would’ve thought the academy would end up like this..."

There was no time for reunion joy.

"Don’t worry, sweet Memphis. Your prince won’t let anyone fall today. And after this is done, give me a pat on the head, will you? We’ll wipe this place clean by dawn."

Adjusting their cloaks, they stepped forward.

"Let’s move. And remember—eliminate anything that poses a threat."

On the fourth floor tower above, the remaining teachers were gathered in emergency session—convened by the Almighty Crystal.

"Memphis Eritrea, who has been absent for two days, is now considered an ally of Dean. She is no longer one of us. All further contact with them is prohibited."

The Crystal’s voice was uncharacteristically aggressive—a jarring tone for an artificial, emotionless mind.

Then came the tremor.

"What was that?! A flare?" Asagiri jumped up.

"I sense an enormous mana surge from the third floor!" Sunder said, eyes sharp. "But... I can’t identify the magic."

Ivy, Elthea, and Meihua grew pale. A monstrous presence filled the air.

The Crystal pulsed.

"No alarms have been triggered. Stay calm. For now, the session is over. Ensure the campus remains stable."

"This... this isn’t normal," Ivy muttered, nearly collapsing. "I’m gonna throw up... I’m sensitive to foreign mana, but this one... it’s beyond comprehension."

"Ivy, are you alright?!"

"I’ll manage. We have to move."

They rushed out as the Crystal went silent.

"What in the hell... Primordial Sins?!"

"There’s a horde of them, Asagiri!" shouted Sunder. "We need to get outside—now!"

As the teachers burst onto the campus grounds, they were met by Dean and the two women.

"Fancy meeting you here," Dean smirked. "You should really be more vigilant. Let your guard down, and the whole academy goes to hell."

"Dean... You knew this would happen? Then why didn’t you warn us?! And Memphis—where have you been?!"

"Now’s not the time for chit-chat, Sunder. Let’s leave that for later."

"Damn you... You think showing up now makes things right?!"

"Do me a favor—don’t stand in our way."

Dean spread his arms. In a flash, two swords made of pure energy formed in his hands.

Magic surged from Memphis’ palms. Around Elise, glowing tomes hovered like satellites.

"Get ready. I’ve realized something. These creatures... they have human faces, and shapes twisted beyond recognition. That means they might not be monsters—but reflections of our minds."

The monsters stirred.

They encircled the group with eerie precision.

One stood out—a wormlike beast with a glowing staff.

Dean’s eyes locked onto it.

"So you’re the cause of all this!"

He raised his swords. His gaze burned with madness.

With a shout, he launched himself into the swarm.

He spun midair like a whirlwind, slicing through dozens of ghostly figures in mere seconds.

"Show me everything you’ve got... while you still breathe!"

Dean dove toward the worm-summoner.

FWWWOOOSH!

As we fell through the portal, we soared through a cosmic abyss, surrounded by millions of glittering stars. We were moving so fast, we could barely breathe.

Ahead—light. The another world.

I glanced at the others. They were safe, though screaming from the chaos.

Ash’s blouse had lost a few buttons. I caught sight of her bra.

I pulled Lirael close with one arm. With the other, I grabbed Aimer’s hand. They both calmed down.

Riven... What are you thinking?

You better know what you’re doing.

We passed into the light—and suddenly, everything turned black.

From somewhere, a single droplet echoed in the dark.

Then came a woman’s voice:

"The Dried Brush of Heaven... Paint My Reality."