Noah (POV)
We were on our way back to the academy after clearing out the shadow demons in the village and investigating the area. The demons didn't fear us. They had gone so far as to destroy the entire village. Now, I couldn't shake the feeling that they would dare to attack the academy itself.
Normally, in stories, there's always a hidden demon worshipper lurking somewhere...
Wait—what if there were demon worshippers hidden inside the academy, plotting an attack while we were busy outside? What if this whole thing was just a diversion?
"Professor, I think we should hurry back to the academy," I said urgently, my voice edged with concern.
The professor glanced at me, his brows furrowing. "Noah, what happened?"
"What if there are demon worshippers hiding in the academy? What if they're planning to strike while we're away?" I pressed, my anxiety growing.
He shook his head, trying to reassure me. "It's not possible for demons to infiltrate the academy. We have other teachers here who will ensure everyone is safe."
I couldn't let go of my fear. "I hope you're right," I muttered, but doubt gnawed at my thoughts.
Scarlett, please be safe... I thought, my heart heavy with worry.
At the Academy
In a grand, shadowed room adorned with dark, intricate carvings, a lone figure kneeled before an ominous presence. Arthur, his once bright eyes now turned as dark as the abyss itself, bowed his head in reverence. A black serpent mark slithered down the side of his neck, a symbol of his corrupted loyalty to the Shadow Prince.
The Shadow Prince, an entity shrouded in darkness, stood towering above him, his long hair falling like a cascade of shadows. His gaze pierced through the room with unnatural intensity. "Arthur," the Shadow Prince spoke, his voice like a chill wind. "You know what to do, don't you?"
"Yes, master," Arthur replied, his voice filled with cold determination as he remained kneeling.
The Shadow Prince's eyes narrowed. "No failures will be tolerated. Do not disappoint me." He extended a black parchment, its edges glowing faintly with dark magic. "This will help you control the lesser shadows. Use it wisely."
Arthur took the parchment with a bowed head, then stood and turned to leave. "It will be done, master."
The Shadow Prince's presence seemed to fade into the shadows themselves, vanishing without a trace.
Arthur stood still for a moment, a cruel smile curling at the corners of his lips. "Noah," he whispered to the empty room, his voice dripping with malice. "I can't wait to see you broken again."
With that, Arthur stepped to the corner of the room. He tapped twice on the stone wall, and a dark scroll materialized out of thin air. The plan was already set into motion. This morning, amidst the chaos of the academy's daily hustle, Arthur had used the opportunity to plant mana bombs on the academy's outer walls—places where no one would think to look.
Now, with this scroll, he could trigger the bombs, obliterating the barriers protecting the academy.
Arthur clenched the scroll in his hand, his heart pounding with the thrill of the upcoming chaos. "Huu... huu..." he breathed in deeply, steadying himself. "Here goes nothing."
He activated the scroll, and the darkness in the room seemed to pulse with an ominous energy.
"Three... two..." Before he could finish the countdown, a massive BOOM echoed through the academy, followed by another violent explosion.
KABOOM!
The ground trembled beneath his feet, the very walls of the academy groaning and cracking under the force of the explosion. Screams filled the air as the academy was shaken to its core, chaos erupting in every direction.
Arthur's dark eyes gleamed with satisfaction as the tremors reverberated through the academy. "Perfect," he murmured to himself, a twisted grin spreading across his face. "Let the real fun begin."