CHAPTER 50: MEANWHILE... VIGILANTE TRIO AND TEACHERS’ COUNCIL

Territory of the Magical Academy.

Dean tore through the demonic horde like a whirlwind. One after another, the evil spirits fell before him. Some rushed him in blind rage, while others clung protectively to their summoner. But Dean showed no mercy.

"That’s the... fortieth," Ivy counted, her eyes wide. "Seems like he doesn’t even need backup."

"Not yet," Sunder replied, pointing to the swelling crowd. "The Worm keeps summoning more."

Memphis and Elise stepped up to join their comrade. Dean may not have needed the help, but this needed to end, fast.

Memphis slammed her palms against the earth. Jagged spikes of pure energy burst from the ground beneath the monsters. An AOE spell powerful enough to level a battlefield.

Elise lifted a hand. Tomes hovered above her, opening as shards of crystal shot out like bullets, shredding the smaller spirits.

Dean pressed forward, closing the distance between himself and the worm. The creature recoiled, shrieking as every nearby Original Sin snapped to aggression, stampeding toward Dean.

He didn’t flinch. Switching to close combat, Dean spin-kicked one to the side and tore through others with bare hands.

But the pressure mounted.

Sunder leapt to his side. One mighty stomp, and the dark-skinned teacher sent shockwaves ripping through the frontlines.

The two danced through the enemy ranks, their synchronized brawling a blur of fire and fists.

Memphis watched, stunned. Was this the true might of Archmages?

"Decided to join us, have you?" Dean shouted, laughing. "Didn’t ask for help, though."

"Fool! You’re never alone. Behind you stand the finest teachers of Ashgrad!"

The whole team charged in.

Elise cast swirling orbs of fire and crystal. Memphis rained destruction with sweeping gestures. Asagiri hurled flaming spheres, Ivy lashed lightning.

Meihua and Elthea channeled healing light, mending the wounded mid-battle.

And the worm creature? Running.

Dean surged after it. A little more, and he’d get him!

"STOP!" Sunder barked.

Dean skidded to a halt.

"What?!"

"Another uninvited guest. Five meters tall."

He pointed. Around the building’s edge stood a hulking giant, face pale, expression forlorn.

"Poor baby. It looks scared... but with muscles like that, I’d bet he’s hiding something nasty."

Though hesitant, the giant radiated power unlike any of the lesser spirits.

Dean turned back.

"Memphis, darling. Your move. Help me one more time."

She flushed.

"C-call me that again and I’ll kill you!!"

She clapped her hands and raised them skyward.

"Supreme Magicka..."

Moonlight intensified. Wind howled, revealing her face beneath the hood.

"Moonfall!"

Ten azure comets rained from the magical clouds. Monsters scattered, but the stones pursued them.

BOOM!

Crater after crater opened as the celestial stones crashed down.

Dean saw his opening.

With thunderous steps, he charged. One instant—he was before the Worm.

Summoning a magic blade, he plunged it into the beast. It screeched. Black blood gushed out.

Dean didn’t stop. He enjoyed it. Slash after slash. His cloak drenched in ichor until the body fell limp.

He spat, then kicked it aside.

"Disappointing."

The teachers exchanged glances. Spirits still surged forward.

"They won’t die with him! Only one way to end this!" Asagiri declared. "We have to kill every last one!"

Dean grinned.

"Never expect an easy life, huh? Work’s never done."

The giant charged from the shadows, trampling friend and foe alike. Its footsteps carved craters.

It locked eyes with Memphis and lunged.

"Damn, he’s gone feral! Killing his own!"

Memphis dodged, pointed with her finger.

"Moonbeam!"

ZAP!

A silver beam crashed down from clouds, staggering the monster.

Asagiri leapt onto its head, fingers forming a mudra.

"Burn to ash."

A fiery explosion from his palm. The giant’s head exploded to pieces.

"Stay sharp!" Dean shouted, glancing at the roof. "We don’t leave until every last freak is ash."

...

With combined might and relentless force, they scoured the campus clean. By dawn, sunlight crested the hills.

Dean wiped the blood from his mouth, watching the cursed fluids on his cloak evaporate. The campus turned clean too.

He leaned on a desk with a sigh.

Sunder walked in, wiping sweat from his brow and adjusting his sunglasses.

"Well? No one else left?"

"All dead. Those Original Sins turned out to be weak, but slippery."

"Never judge a threat too soon," Dean replied, standing. "Who knows, maybe this could just be the beginning and there’s a much bigger pain in the ass ahead."

Straightening, Dean stepped toward the exit.

"Where are you off to now?"

"South. Where else?"

"Don’t tell me you’re still chasing that foolish idea of overthrowing the authority."

"An idea’s only foolish without a purpose."

They stood side by side.

"Take care, Sunder. I’ve still got unfinished business."

"Dean... next time we meet, we might be enemies."

"If we’re still bound to the Crystal by then."

Dean left without looking back. Sunder didn’t follow.

Memphis said goodbye to everyone.

"I’ll miss these days. Please... protect the Academy!"

Dean waved from the distance.

By morning they were riding in a chariot.

"Headed south, capital-bound," Elise said, scanning the map.

"Ugh. Days of travel, no food or drink. Hey coachman! Any chance we stop somewhere with an inn or tavern?"

"Well, I could drop you off at a tavern for the night. We’ll resume at sunrise."

"Splendid idea, my good man! You hear that, Elise? We didn’t even toast our reunion."

Elise flinched and turned away:

"Actually, Dean, we’re on an important mission. Have you forgotten why we’re here?"

"Oops. My bad," he chuckled, scratching his head. "I understand. You’re worried about your parents."

Memphis bonked him.

"Oww! What was that for?!"

"I’m still mad at you! What the hell were you thinking, antagonizing the Crystal?!" Memphis pouted her lips.

"Sorry-sorry."

Elise giggled.

"I’ve changed my mind. You’re right, Dean. Who knows how long this journey’ll take. One drink won’t hurt."

Dean smiled bitterly.

...

By nightfall, they were trashed.

Twenty empty mugs littered the table.

"Waaaiter... more beer!" Dean slurred, banging his mug.

"No more. You’ll wreck the place."

"C’monnn, I came here to drink awway all my money!"

Sighing, the waiter poured another round.

"Ladies, tonight’s on me."

"I can’t drink anymore," Memphis mumbled, slumped over her mug. "From this day... sobriety forever..."

"Elise! You want another?!"

Elise’s head was flat on the table, face dazed.

"Yessss~"

Memphis groaned, hand raised.

"Bathroom...!"

"Don’t puke all over the place."

Dean’s head spun. He leaned against Elise.

"Hey... Elise... You’re not maad we wasted another day, right? I don’t want you to regret coming with mee."

"Huhhhh? Hold me or I’ll fall... seriously, I can’t feel my legsss..."

Dean embraced her gently. They looked like they were melting into each other.

"I just thought... this matters to you. You trusted me. And here I am, wasting your time."

"Pfft. Don’t worry, sweetheart. We’ve got plenty of time left."

The waiter dropped off fresh mugs. Dean sipped.

"Good. I’m really glad. To be honest, I missed you."

Elise smiled sadly.

"Dean, you know we shouldn’t drink. If we keep this up... we’ll make the same mistake again."

Silence fell.

Suddenly, Elise sat upright and downed her drink.

"That fast?!"

"I-I’ll check on Memphis!"

"Ah? Okay."

But before leaving, she hugged him from behind, whispering:

"I missed you too."

...

Later that night, Dean sat alone in his inn room. A small, modest place lit by moonlight.

A soft knock.

At the door stood Elise, dressed in a sheer nightgown — just like the one from that night. Her gaze was downcast, legs crossed, skin bare.

The puffy breasts and curves countless men chased... were actually meant only for one.

She entered. The door closed behind her.

That night, they sinned once again — but without shame.

...

By sunrise, the Academy was pristine. As if no battle had ever happened. Students returned to their studies. And that, more than anything, terrified the teachers.

It was as if the night of judgment had been completely erased.

Author’s Note:

Thanks for reading until this Chapter. This book highly relies on your support. If you liked it, I’d be grateful for your every contribution and gifts!