Amidst the chaos engulfing the corridors of the academy, screams reverberated along with the clash of weapons. Alan sprinted frantically, his eyes scanning the rooms and corridors with purpose, searching for Venatus amidst the turmoil.
As he ran, Alan encountered numerous students with the same pupil-less, smoking gaze, engaged in fierce combat all around him. Despite the danger lurking at every turn, Alan remained focused on his objective, ignoring the battles unfolding around him.
Suddenly, a student wielding a sword leaped at Alan from the front. With lightning speed and unwavering composure, Alan executed the same kick he had used during the trials on Ragnar. The force of Alan's kick sent the attacker hurtling through the wall, crashing through it with a thunderous impact.
Without breaking his stride or sparing a glance at the fallen assailant, Alan continued his frantic search for Venatus, his determination unyielding.
In the arena, Armis, Aurelia, and Lyco swiftly evaded the swings of their colossal assailant's axe. Armis maneuvered to the side and delivered a powerful blow to the attacker's knee, causing him to falter and kneel in pain. Meanwhile, Aurelia utilized her whip to hurl a hefty stone block at the attacker's head, sending him crashing to the ground. With a nimble leap, not even giving the attacker time to hit the ground, Lyco conjured a massive slab of stone from the ground, under his feet and crushed the attacker beneath it, engulfing the area in a cloud of dust.
As the dust settled and the group began to cautiously advance, the attacker suddenly seized Aurelia's feet and hurled her into the air. Reacting swiftly, Armis leaped into action, catching Aurelia in mid-air just in time.
However, their relief was short-lived as they noticed the attacker's axe hurtling towards them. With no time to spare, Aurelia and Armis braced themselves for the impending blow.
Just as the axe seemed poised to strike, Lyco intervened, leaping in between them with a sturdy boulder conjured to shield himself and his friends. The boulder absorbed the impact of the axe, but the force of the blow shattered it, sending the group tumbling to the ground below.
As they struggled to rise, they witnessed the attacker preparing for another devastating blow, his axe raised menacingly above his face, his expression devoid of anything but sheer rage. One eye bulged almost out of its socket, bloodshot with fury.
Suddenly, a resounding slap echoed through the arena, accompanied by a shockwave that reverberated near the attacker's head. His head jerked back, blood dripping from his forehead, before he collapsed to the ground with a loud thud, his axe dematerialised into thin air.
Shocked and bewildered, Armis and the group scrambled to their feet, their eyes drawn to the entrance of the arena. There stood Alan, his bloodshot eyes fixed on the fallen attacker.
Aurelia rushed to Alan and enveloped him in a tight hug, her voice filled with relief. "Oh, Alan! Are you alright?"
Armis joined the embrace, echoing Aurelia's concern. "We were so worried! Where's Relecta? Is she okay?" he asked, scanning the area anxiously for any sign of her.
Lyco, entering last, observed Alan's expressionless face and bloodshot eyes, his attention drawn to Alan's unfamiliar attire. "What happened to you, Alan? What are you wearing?" he inquired, puzzled by the sudden change.
Ignoring Lyco's question, Alan stared blankly into the corridors, his voice rumbling with anger as he spoke. "Venatus... he took Relecta! And he's behind all of this, using some potion of his to control the students!" Alan's words dripped with urgency and frustration.
Armis released Alan in shock, his mind reeling with disbelief. "Master Venatus? But... why would he do that?!"
"I don't know," Alan replied tersely. "But I need to find him." Alan declared, distributing a dart to each of them. "Only use these when you're in dire need. Aim for the attackers with the smoking eyes, hit vital points, and they'll be incapacitated. They won't get back up again."
With those instructions, Alan began to move away from the group, his resolve evident. "Find a safe place to hide until I locate Venatus and put an end to all of this." And with that, he dashed off once more into the chaos-filled corridors.
As Alan surged ahead, Armis trailed closely behind, shouting, "You're not facing this alone! I'm coming with you!" Alan remained silent, his determination driving him forward, with Armis hot on his heels. Meanwhile, Aurelia and Lyco stayed behind, retreating to safety as the two friends disappeared into the chaos.
In a dimly lit corridor of the academy, Augustus marched with a scowl etched on his face, his frustration palpable. He gnawed on his nail, his brow furrowed with irritation as he vented his frustrations aloud.
"Who does he think he is? Just because he bested a mere farmer doesn't elevate him to legendary status," Augustus muttered angrily, his eyes flashing with indignation.
"I am far superior. As the youngest scion of Pompeii's most esteemed family, I refuse to be overshadowed by him, by my brothers, or by that wretched excuse for a father. I will prove my worth, and they will kneel before me!"
His rant was interrupted by a sudden sight that made his blood run cold. A figure in a white mask, holding a young girl, soared through the air with unnatural speed, leaving Augustus momentarily stunned.
Augustus stumbled backward, nearly tumbling to the ground in shock. Clinging to the nearby wall for support, he peered cautiously around the corner to catch another glimpse of the mysterious figure. Before he could comprehend what he had seen, a swarm of students with smoke-filled eyes surged past him, knocking him to the ground in a heap.
"What in Roiran's name?!" Augustus exclaimed, his heart racing with fear and confusion. As he scrambled to his feet, panic etched on his face, he turned abruptly and nearly collided with someone in his haste.
"Are you blind, you imbecile—?" Augustus began, but his words faltered as he realized it was Master Clara standing before him.
With a sudden shift in demeanor, Augustus quickly composed himself, bowing deeply before the teacher. "Forgive me, esteemed tutor," he stammered, his voice trembling slightly. "I was unaware of your presence. I assure you, I meant no disrespect."
Augustus remained bowed, but the silence from Master Clara was unsettling. As he cautiously lifted his gaze, he was met with a chilling sight—her bloodshot eyes devoid of pupils, emitting wisps of smoke. The ferocity in her growl sent shivers down Augustus's spine, prompting him to step back in fear.
Suddenly, Master Clara lunged at him with a menacing grunt, unleashing a blast of flames that sent Augustus hurtling through the corridor, crashing into the wall with a resounding thud. Staggering to his feet, he cried out in desperation,
"What is wrong with you, Master Clara?!"
But his pleas fell on deaf ears as Master Clara continued her relentless assault, her hands engulfed in flames. Augustus ducked and rolled to evade the fireballs raining down on him, managing to dodge some until one struck him squarely in the back. The impact sent him sprawling to the ground, smoke rising from the charred spot where the fireball had torn through his clothes, revealing his singed back.
Master Clara advanced towards Augustus, her movements calculated and menacing. Frustration and anger burned in Augustus's eyes as he quickly rose to his feet, the glow of his rapier emerging from beneath his regal robe. With a grunt, he drew out his rapier, tearing yet another hole in his attire.
Standing tall, Augustus extended his rapier towards Master Clara, issuing a stern warning, "Stay back and apologize now! I am warning you!"
But his words seemed to have little effect as Master Clara pressed on, her fiery onslaught showing no signs of slowing down.
But Master Clara remained undeterred, lunging at him with fiery fists aimed to strike. Augustus stepped back, parrying her blows with his rapier, knicking and scratching her hands in an attempt to avoid causing her serious harm. However, Master Clara persisted, her relentless assault forcing frustrated Augustus into retreat.
Then, with a swift movement, Master Clara enveloped her feet in flames, executing a low sweep that struck Augustus's leg, causing him to cry out in agony as he stumbled backward. Seizing the opportunity, she seized his head with her fiery fist, intensifying the flames with each passing moment.
Writhing in agony from the sudden burning sensation, Augustus reacted with primal fury. In a desperate attempt to free himself, he slashed away Master Clara's forearm, causing her to recoil in pain, blood gushing from her remaining arm.
But Augustus didn't stop there. Driven by a surge of adrenaline and rage, he lunged at her with all his might, letting out a battle cry that echoed through the corridor. In a swift and brutal motion, he decapitated her.
As Master Clara's head went flying and landed at his feet, blood spewing from her neck like a fountain, Augustus recoiled in horror at the sight of his own brutality. Overwhelmed by disgust and remorse, he doubled over and emptied his stomach, retching violently onto Master Clara's severed head.
Rising slowly, his gaze fixed on Master Clara's lifeless body, Augustus staggered forward, managing to catch her body in his arms, his mind consumed by madness and despair. Through tear-filled eyes, he cried out in anguish, grappling with the realization of what he had done.
"Oh! What have I done? I didn't have a choice! You forced me! You tried to kill me! I was only defending myself!"
As the blood ceased to flow from her neck and Master Clara's lifeless body ceased its twitching, Augustus watched in shock and disbelief as her form began to disintegrate in a crimson glow. The red light slowly consumed her, merging with Augustus's mark as if it were an insatiable hunger. With each passing moment, the glow intensified, causing Augustus to writhe in agony as if he were being torn apart from within.
Master Clara's body dissolved into nothingness, absorbed by Augustus's mark, while he remained motionless for a moment, his gaze blank and lifeless, drooling from his mouth. Then, suddenly, he sprang into action like a puppet pulled by invisible strings.
His hands clutched at his face, laughter bubbling forth from his lips like a deranged symphony.
His body, once ravaged by flames, now stood whole and revitalized, its muscles bulging with newfound strength. With a malicious grin etched upon his features, Augustus surveyed the scene before him, the remnants of blood and chaos fading into nothingness.
"Oh... this power... this energy... I feel so alive!" Augustus declared to the empty air, his voice tinged with madness. With a flourish, he summoned his rapier into his hand, its once ordinary form now adorned with gleaming gold and a radiant ruby.
"So much power," he continued, his eyes ablaze with fervor. "I feel as though I can finally prove myself to my wretched family. Augustus can purge their worthless existence now, for I am the new God!"
With a determined glint in his eyes, Augustus pondered aloud, "I am sure that what just happened to me, it's that man, the one in the mask is responsible for it, I have to find him and.." his thoughts were abruptly interrupted by the sound of footsteps echoing down the corridor. Without warning, a student wielding a sword lunged at him with ferocity. Augustus reacted with lightning reflexes, sidestepping the attack just in time to avoid being skewered. However, the blade tore through his robe, leaving a tattered remnant hanging from his shoulders like a makeshift cape.
Reacting with unparalleled speed, Augustus countered with a decisive blow from his upgraded rapier, effortlessly decapitating his assailant. In an instant, the student's body disintegrated into a swirling red glow, absorbed by Augustus and his mark. With each absorption, Augustus felt a surge of strength coursing through his veins, his muscles bulging slightly as he advanced forward.
With his rapier enveloped in the pulsating red glow, Augustus continued his relentless march, cutting down any who dared to stand in his path. With each slash of his blade, he grew stronger, his power escalating with every life he claimed.