CHAPTER 141: 141-SPACE ELEMENT

Suddenly—The chamber shimmered.A glowing purple light enveloped the entire room.Sara didn’t turn. She remained where she stood, watching the monsters as the ice crept up past their shoulders, closing in on their necks.From the teleportation circle, a figure emerged—An old man with flowing white hair and a pristine white beard, dressed in crisp, glowing robes of white.His kind, glowing eyes scanned the chamber. He took in the bloody remains of the black-clad humans, now filled with ice spikes like sieves.Then his gaze shifted to the near-frozen monsters.He stepped forward, stopping just behind Sara.Still without turning, her cold voice rang out:"You’re late, old man."He smiled warmly, his voice soft and grandfatherly."Yes, little girl. I’m quite late... but you handled things well here."She didn’t respond—just turned and began walking toward the stairs."Let’s go."The old man smiled again, following her quietly. His voice drifted gently behind her:"Don’t worry. Your daughter will be alright."At those words, Sara’s steps quickened.They exited the chamber and stepped out onto the bridge.Then—Without hesitation—They both stepped into the sky.As if it were second nature, they soared through the air—Sara in front, the old man just behind—Flying toward the Academy.

In the infirmary, surrounded by screams, on one of the beds—Riven opened his violet eyes with a groan.

[DING] [DING] [DING]

Several blue screens flashed before his face.He groaned again, shutting his eyes briefly—Then forced them open, reading each notification one by one.

[MAIN MISSION: RULE OVER THE STUDENT BODY — PROGRESS: 15%]

His eyes widened.He blinked, looking toward the next notification.

[SPACE AFFINITY INCREASED FROM 80 TO 85%]

[UNDERSTANDING OF SPACE LAWS BECAME EASIER]

[MOVING TO 7TH CIRCLE WILL BE EASIER AFTER COMPREHENDING THE LAWS OF SPACE]

Riven smiled and thought to himself,Finally... I can try to understand and move to the Seventh Circle... and step into the Realm of Saints.Then his eyes fell on the third notification—His violet eyes widened as he screamed,"WHAT?!"

He sighed, groaning again as pain and exhaustion rippled through his body.As he came out of his internal world, the sound of screams flooded his ears. He looked around and saw the beds—filled with bleeding, broken people.Some had their arms severed.Others bled from the stomach.Some faces were completely clawed, unrecognizable.Blood dripped to the floor from blood-soaked beds—Dark red puddles had pooled across the infirmary floor.Screams echoed nonstop. Shouts of agony. Cries for help.His eyes trembled as he slowly turned his head from side to side.He muttered to himself,"This... feels like a world war infirmary."

Far away from Riven’s bed, two girls stood, accompanied by a grey-and-purple-furred wolf near another bed.Alex lay on that bed, his breathing calm. Both his arms were wrapped in bandages.Selene looked at Alex’s face with concerned eyes when a healer approached them—a woman with dark circles under her eyes and an exhausted expression.She spoke in a tired voice,"Please, miss, you both are injured. Let’s get you treated."Then she glanced at Alex and added,"He’s okay. Just exhausted and resting. He’ll wake up soon."Selene and Rina looked at each other and nodded, following the healer."Woof!"Hati barked, as if saying, Don’t worry. I’m here.Both girls looked back with a small smile and nodded at the loyal wolf.They sat on an empty bed, their eyes weary. Selene extended her bloodied arm.The healer carefully removed the cloth with a screech of torn fabric, revealing a sharp, three-clawed wound stretching from shoulder to elbow.She muttered a spell, her hands glowing softly.Green wood-elemental energy wrapped around the gash, slowly knitting the deeper flesh.The wound closed bit by bit.The healer sighed, pulled out a jar of thick green herb paste, and gently applied it to the still-healing injury. Then she dressed it in fresh bandages and stepped back."It will be completely healed by morning," she said softly, "and it won’t leave any scar."Selene nodded, "Thanks."She moved to sit beside Rina, her legs dangling over the edge of the bed.The healer turned to Rina and studied her carefully."Please lie down on the bed," she said. "You seem to have several small injuries all over your body... and one deeper one on your right thigh."Rina nodded and climbed onto the bed, wincing as she lay down.As the healers began treating her, Selene lay back as well, resting against the pillow.A long, exasperated sigh escaped her lips as her eyes drifted shut.

Outside the Academy, Sara and the Old Man came flying swiftly toward the ruined stadium.As the Principal spotted them, he rose into the air, standing high above the wreckage.Sara and the Old Man arrived beside him, their figures sharp and commanding against the backdrop of the burning ruins.The Old Man glanced over the stadium, then turned his gaze to the Principal."Erun, looks like you failed here!" he said calmly.The Principal’s eyes trembled. He nodded, voice heavy with guilt."Yes... Patriarch Galadan Aurelwyn."Sara’s icy gaze swept across the destruction. Her pale blue eyes sharpened, brimming with murderous intent."Where is my daughter?" she demanded.The Principal answered immediately."Don’t worry. She’s alright. The same boy saved her."Sara’s eyes softened in an instant. The killing aura vanished like a gust of mist under sunlight.Nearby, the Old Man burst into laughter, his beard trembling.Both Sara and the Principal turned to look at him—each with a sharp, questioning gaze, like he had lost his mind.Sara jabbed, "Old man... did you already become senile?"The Old Man forcefully stifled his laughter, waving a hand."Forgive this old man," he said between restrained chuckles. "I know it’s not the time to laugh, but..."He paused, looking at Sara, then exhaled slowly."I just couldn’t stop myself... after seeing the little Ice Queen melt like that."The Principal sighed, the tension in his shoulders easing slightly.He turned, motioning toward the castle in the distance."Let me lead you to the castle infirmary."All of them nodded and followed him without a word.As they moved, the Old Man asked casually,"Who was it?"The Principal didn’t look back. His voice was grim."Ashen Dawn... and I think they made some kind of deal with monsters too."The Old Man nodded, his gaze drifting back to the ruined stadium. His eyes fell on the half-corpse of the Golden Ape sprawled near the shattered stands.He frowned thoughtfully."Who killed that Golden Ape? It looked humanoid... and the power in that slash—it reminds me of an old friend of mine."The Principal nodded, his eyes also drifting to the remains."It was Riven Veylor," he replied.The Old Man’s eyes widened in surprise before settling back into calm."Veylor... Elder Shamoon’s nephew, right?"The Principal nodded again as they landed near the grand Academy doors, followed closely by Sara.Without a word, they began moving through the silent corridors of the Academy.Soon, they reached the infirmary.As the doors opened, a harsh wave hit them—the stench of blood, burnt flesh, bitter herbs, and piercing screams.They flinched slightly, but pressed forward.Sara quickly moved ahead of the two men. Her steps were hurried, eyes scanning the chaotic room with mounting anxiety.Her gaze darted from bed to bed, searching desperately...