The floor of the sacred site’s lower level, also known as the deep level.
Unlike the complex network of tunnels above, an enormous cavern opened before them the moment they crossed the boundary.
Every torch had gone out, leaving the surroundings shrouded in darkness. Pools of groundwater that had trickled down the stalactites covered the cavern floor.
Monsters had grown amid the suffocating Demonic Energy and clinging humidity.
Drakes that had failed to become Dragons and fallen into the depths of the earth glared at them with crimson eyes.
Sezelin stepped in front of the Squires alongside the knights of Galahad and warned them.
“From here to the deepest point, enemies stronger than anything you have faced before will appear. As you were taught, focus upon supporting the knights.”
“Yes, Instructor.”
“I appreciate how well you always answer.”
Wearing the smile that had become increasingly common upon her face, she moved her Staff.
Everyone concentrated upon the senior knights’ chanting.
‘Their spells are certainly far more concise. They are on an entirely different level from the Mages of my previous life.’
Many things had advanced over the past hundred years.
Every Casting Formula had been simplified, and countless powerful spells had been developed.
More importantly, a systematic educational curriculum was used to train future generations, significantly raising the average level of even ordinary Mages.
“Fire!”
RUMBLE―!
At Sezelin’s command, spells rained down in unison.
The Drakes lurking in the darkness did not attempt to evade despite their massive bodies. Instead, they endured the attacks with their hardened hides.
In the light of Sezelin’s flames, Joshua saw that they had merely been scorched in several places. The spells had failed to inflict any serious damage.
Nevertheless, the knights showed no concern and prepared their next move.
“We are preparing high-powered magic! Buy us some time!”
The Squires joined forces with the knights to halt the Drakes’ ferocious charge.
The creatures stopped advancing and released Breaths infused with Demonic Energy from their mouths.
Compared to the realms established by humans, they were continuously manifesting magic of at least the Second Circle.
Their allies’ spells naturally vanished one after another.
They had no opportunity to prepare their next attacks.
Joshua and Galev sensed that their time had come.
‘…As expected, the sword is still necessary.’
Driven by that pleasing certainty, Joshua pushed off the ground.
Blue Aura illuminated the cavern.
Only then could he determine the enemy’s numbers.
Four Drakes had concealed themselves within the darkness.
“We will create an opening.”
“Do not overexert yourselves!”
Leaving the concerned Sezelin behind, the two swung their swords at the enormous monsters.
For a fleeting instant, their blades cut apart the formless Breaths.
The startled enemies charged, but they could not match the swordsmen’s agility.
Joshua and Galev darted around and drew their attention until their allies finished preparing their spells.
“Excellent work.”
Sezelin’s non-elemental Third-Circle spell, ‘Point Explosion’, targeted the enemy at the front.
Joshua and Galev instinctively created distance.
A deafening blast soon filled their ears alongside a powerful shockwave.
However, the enemy that emerged from the thick smoke had merely lost part of its outer hide.
‘The air is too thin for her to create flames freely. It was the best possible decision, but the power is disappointing.’
The staggering creature opened its grotesque maw with a furious roar.
Another Breath infused with Demonic Energy erupted from it.
The distance between them had narrowed, leaving less time to respond.
The knights were gradually being pushed back by the unending exchange.
“…There is no other choice. I will use my Element. We will break through quickly and enter the deepest area.”
Having made her decision, Sezelin summoned flames from her Staff.
Condensed mana, formed through a Formula far faster and more stable than before, shot forward in the shape of an enormous arrow.
FWOOSH―!
It burned away all the air it touched and pierced the Drake between the eyes.
The enemy that had already suffered several attacks finally collapsed completely.
“Joshua, can you finish it?”
His body moved reflexively.
“Of course.”
Joshua reinforced his lower body with mana and raced past another creature.
He severed the joints of the fallen enemy as it attempted to rise after sensing his presence.
Continuing his rotation, he pierced its half-ruined skull with a single strike.
‘…One of them is coming this way.’
Joshua hurriedly retrieved his sword and threw himself forward.
A Breath narrowly swept past him.
Even while isolated and facing a desperate situation, Joshua smiled at the approaching enemy.
“I came to get you!”
Blue light suddenly rose beneath his feet.
The green-haired girl appeared before him with her hair streaming behind her.
“Thank you, Herb Girl.”
The moment Joshua linked arms with Freya, they returned to their allies’ formation.
Without her magic, Sezelin would never have allowed the boy to charge so recklessly.
“That was excellent coordination.”
“Yes. We will continue buying time.”
Galev was still struggling alone at the vanguard.
Joshua released his rough breathing in a single exhalation and immediately kicked off the ground.
CLANG―!
The two swords intercepted the enemy’s reckless charge.
Despite the overwhelming difference in size, the boys held their positions with all their strength.
The opening they created allowed their allies’ spells to rain down once more.
Sezelin also began chanting the spell she had spent considerable time preparing.
“O Guardian of Flame, I beseech you. Bring your judgment upon this place.”
The Fourth-Circle Area-of-Effect Spell, ‘Inferno’.
The dampness within the cavern evaporated, and flames surged from beneath the enemies’ feet.
Before long, the Drakes’ bodies began burning.
They released howling groans.
“Wow….”
Hannibal, who had been watching her closely, exclaimed in admiration.
Sezelin had not yet reached the age of thirty.
Her talent and ability were truly exceptional.
Within the entire house, only the Knight Commander and the House Head were more powerful Mages than she was.
“…From this point onward, I will cast without an Element.”
Breathing inevitably became more difficult.
Nevertheless, the critically wounded enemies could no longer fight as they had before.
Under the knights’ combined assault, the Drakes were eliminated one after another.
“…We will rest briefly before confronting the final guardian.”
The Squires had frantically poured out their spells and swung their weapons to maintain the front line.
They slumped against the cavern wall.
“Th-The air is hot.”
“Fire Element Mages are certainly powerful, but they also face many limitations.”
Hannibal bristled at Heria’s and Freya’s conversation.
“You are complaining over something so insignificant?”
“Do not become angry. They are merely stating the truth.”
Sezelin, who had been checking the Squires’ conditions, approached and restrained him.
“Great power naturally comes with great responsibility. Is that not only reasonable? You should take pride in the fact that the world must restrain you.”
“I-I understand! I will remember that!”
Hannibal answered with a completely changed attitude.
The boy had deeply respected the Instructor ever since the Arachne incident.
“…We cannot rest properly here. It will be difficult, but everyone must keep moving.”
“Yes, Instructor.”
The Squires dragged their heavy bodies upright one after another.
Once they formed their usual two-column formation, Sezelin began explaining the final enemy.
“Everyone, remain alert. The final guardian, a Vampire, uses the same magic as demons of the Blood Faction.”
Galev instinctively trembled at those words.
“Even under normal circumstances, it possesses power equivalent to a Third-Circle Mage. After absorbing such an enormous amount of Demonic Energy, it may now be my equal. Therefore, all of you must remain in the rear and focus solely upon providing support.”
Although she did not show it, Sezelin also released a long sigh inwardly.
Fighting a powerful enemy with one’s life at stake was always nerve-racking.
Joshua’s delight in the exhilaration of deadly battle was something no other Squire of this age possessed.
WHOOOSH―
Joshua’s instincts sharpened in the cold air.
The Demonic Energy had reached such an extreme density that it churned within him.
The lack of air also made his head spin.
Nevertheless, the boy smiled.
‘Being pushed to the limit is always exhilarating.’
With a faintly mad expression, he drew his sword.
The cavern floor soon began to tremble.
Dark crimson blood flashed beneath the flames Sezelin instinctively summoned.
― Those who wish to reach the abyss of the chasm… defeat me and prove your worth.
Spheres of condensed blood suddenly exploded in every direction.
The Defensive Mages deployed their Barriers in preparation, but they shattered from a single blow.
Sezelin bit her lip and manifested the spell she had chanted in advance.
“O Guardian of Flame, I beseech you. Grant my enemy a scorching end.”
The Fourth-Circle Anti-Personnel Spell, ‘Flame Cross’.
A burning execution frame rose into the air, and spikes of flame attempted to restrain the Vampire.
― …A formidable opponent.
Having recognized Sezelin’s level, the enemy released a vast quantity of blood from its heart.
The blood condensed in an instant and blocked Sezelin’s spell.
The exchange ended without either side accomplishing anything.
“Force it to keep expending its blood! Pour magic upon it without pause!”
Sezelin grew impatient because of the restrictions imposed by the cavern.
However, after absorbing the Demonic Energy, the enemy effortlessly blocked every spell below the Third Circle as though they were insignificant.
‘…This will become a war of attrition. Will the air burn away first, or will its blood be exhausted first?’
Unable to remain in the rear and merely watch the battle any longer, Joshua spoke to Sezelin.
“If I use the Sacred Eye, I can disrupt the balance of the battle. Please allow me to approach it.”
“…The enemy is a Vampire. If you move too close and it touches you, you will die.”
“An honorable warrior could ask for no better end.”
“Do you not understand that the futures of Galahad and the sword rest upon your shoulders?”
She answered with difficulty while tracing her Casting Formula at full speed.
“A person who refuses to stand upon the front line because they fear death cannot become a knight of Galahad, can they?”
“…I never imagined someone could be worse than Instructor Light. Very well. Go and run wild to your heart’s content.”
“As you command.”
Joshua grinned and pushed off the ground.
He cut through the blood surging toward him with blue Aura.
The moment he leaped through the Mages and charged toward the enemy, Galev appeared beside him.
“Let us fight together, Joshua. Allow me to atone for my past regret.”
“Of course, Galev.”
To overcome the fear inflicted upon him by the Blood Faction demon during the survival examination, the boy raised his sword.
― Insolent creatures.
The blood surrounding them exploded all at once.
However, they endured the powerful shockwaves with the Snow Mountain Form and continued advancing without yielding.
The enemy was already within reach.
The Vampire launched blood with all its strength to prevent the two swordsmen from approaching.
As though he had been waiting for that exact moment, Joshua opened the Sacred Eye.
FWOOSH―!
A dark blue light, deeper than his Aura, erupted from his gaze and brought the flow of magic under his control.
‘It is certainly a formidable enemy… but it cannot compare to a demon.’
Certain of victory, Joshua inhaled the cold through Galahad’s Breathing Technique.
He infused that cold into the Aura surrounding his sword.
The energy spread like a blizzard raging across a snowfield, cooling the heated air.
It was a Secret Technique Joshua had created in his previous life and could use only after reaching the Expert realm.
Galahad-Style Freezing Sword, First Form.
“Frost Storm.”
It seemed as though snow were falling inside the roofless cavern.
The slash plunged the battlefield into silence and froze everything it touched.
Even the Vampire, which had freely wielded magic of the Fourth Circle, was no exception.
― What… is this sword…?
“Galev… I leave the rest―”
“Leave it to me.”
Galev passed the collapsing Joshua and faced the enemy.
Even now, the sight of blood brought back the nightmare of that day.
He had suffered beneath the guilt of failing to protect Joshua.
Therefore—
“This time, I will protect you without fail.”
He protected his body with the Snow Mountain Form Joshua had taught him and swung his honed blade.
For Galev’s fear had begun to fear Galev.
SLASH―!
It was the moment a young boy came to possess the heart of a knight.