Chapter 12: Hell's Dominion (12)
[As Albert shows the class how to use Magic Refinement, the students are mesmerized by his display of magical control and prowess—especially Kaiser.]
[Kaiser]: Wow, that's so damn cool. The way the fireball flared up, then got brighter and hotter in sequence—it shows how the fire strengthens gradually.
[Kaiser (thinking)]: Hmm? If this application can be used with anything that involves magic, I wonder how it would affect Hyper Flow. Could this really enhance it?
[As Kaiser daydreams about combining Magic Refinement with Hyper Flow, Hela takes notice and gets an idea.]
[Hela]: Oh?! I see you're interested in Magic Refinement. Oh, I know! We should train together. It'll be faster if we work as a team.
[Kaiser]: Yeah, that actually sounds interesting. But only on one condition—Michael trains with us. He was supposed to be my gym partner, so it's only right that he joins in.
[Hela thinks for a moment, then nods.]
[Hela]: Yeah, that's fine. I don't see any reason why he can't. The more, the merrier.
[As the class erupts over what they've just witnessed, Ms. Rias speaks with a voice that commands attention.]
[Ms. Rias]: Okay, students, quiet down and listen up. I have an announcement. As you've seen, this is what the application looks like. But now it's time to understand how to actually use it. All students, report to the gym for the physical portion of this class. Albert, you may be dismissed.
[Albert]: Thank you for having me, Ms. Rias.
[Kaiser]: Alright everyone, let's head to the gym.
[As Kaiser walks off with Hela and Michael, Alice is left behind with Crya, lost in thought.]
[Alice (thinking)]: …What in the world did I just watch? There's no way Kaiser agreed that easily. Does he have a plan? Hmm… Even if he does, I should keep an eye on him.
[Crya]: Okay, Ace, let's go to the gym.
[Alice]: Okay.
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POV Shift: Gymnasium
[Hela]: Whoa, this place looks amazing.
[Hela becomes immersed in the scenery. If she had to describe the gymnasium, she'd say it was:]
A massive space, filled with high-end training and combat gear. The structure is the size of two mega-mansions, and the gym's surface is as beautiful as sea pearls, yet as strong as mithril.
[Kaiser]: Yeah, I had the same reaction when I first came here. These walls can withstand just about anything—though I'm not so sure about the floor.
[He laughs at his own joke. Hela stares for a moment, briefly losing herself in the sound of his laughter, before snapping back to reality.]
[Hela]: Hmph. Well, at any rate, let's begin training.
[Kaiser]: Right. So, what's the first step to learning this technique?
[Hela]: To learn the application, one must focus their mind on a single target—your magic reserves. Visualize strengthening the mana you currently have.
[Kaiser]: I see… So I just close my eyes, picture my mana, and then compress and mold it into a stronger form.
[Hela]: Yes, that's a very good way of approaching it. Michael, try using the same method.
[Michael]: Alright, I'll give it a shot. Seems simple enough.
[As Kaiser focuses inward, visualizing his mana, the air around him begins to shift. The space distorts slightly, and his body begins to glow faintly—then brightly—with a deep blue light.]
[Hela]: Oh my god… Kaiser, your mana… it's growing so rapidly!
[Alice]: Whoa, that blue is intense…
[Michael]: Dude…
[Crya]: Gasp.
[The bright blue light floods the gym like a second sunrise. And just as quickly as it came, it vanishes—leaving no trace.]
[Kaiser]: Yeah… I think I'm getting the hang of this. My mana feels stronger than it was befo—
[He cuts himself off as he notices everyone staring at him.]
[Kaiser]: Uh—did I do something wrong?
[Michael]: Dude… you were glowing blue. THAT WAS FREAKING AWESOME!
[Kaiser]: Oh really? I was? Wow, that's cool. Hey Hela, is that what usually happens when someone unlocks the technique?
[Hela stares blankly before snapping out of it.]
[Hela]: Ah, yes, yes. Of course. That happens to everyone who unlocks the technique for the first time. Totally normal.
[Kaiser]: Ah, okay, that's cool. Michael, you better hurry up and learn the technique so I can see yours!
[Michael]: Okay, okay, don't rush me!
[Hela (thinking)]: "Normal," my ass. While it's true everyone glows blue when they unlock the technique… I've never seen someone shine that brightly. I see now why my father wants me to investigate him.
[After Kaiser's incident, class continued as normal. Some students succeeded, others struggled. By the end of class, everyone left—everyone except Hela.]
[Hela]: Hmm… I see. According to the teacher logs, his real name is Kaijin. I thought he was lying—the way he hesitated when I asked…
[Hela]: Let's see what else is here. Maybe something about his pare—
[Before she can finish, a crushing presence fills the room. Her body freezes, quivers, and moves all at once. Her thoughts blur into panic. The only clear word in her mind: DEATH. And just as suddenly as it appeared… the presence vanishes.]
[Shaken to her core, Hela wastes no time. In her mind, she had just come face-to-face with death itself.]