The column of dark energy continued to rise into the sky.
Raizen, Kael, Selene, and Darian moved through the forest, their eyes fixed on the light that tore through the clouds.
The closer they got, the heavier the atmosphere became.
Trees lay broken across the ground.
Cracks covered the earth.
Traces of magic were scattered everywhere.
Kael looked around.
“This really isn’t normal.” Selene nodded.
“This area was destroyed recently.” Darian knelt down and placed one hand on the ground.
“There was a battle here.” Raizen looked around.
“And the traces continue ahead.” Darian stood up.
“Then let’s keep moving.” They continued forward.
A few minutes later, the forest opened into a vast rocky area.
At its center stood an ancient stone structure.
Part of the building had been destroyed.
Raizen studied the entrance.
“This is it.” Selene looked at the map.
“The observation point is just behind that structure.” Darian nodded.
“Then let’s go.” They moved toward the ruins.
But before they could enter— BOOM!
An explosion erupted in front of them.
The four students stepped back.
Part of the ground had been blown apart.
Several figures appeared behind the rocks.
Kael summoned lightning around his arms.
“Again?” Raizen drew his shadow sword.
“They were waiting for us.” Several warriors emerged from the ruins.
There were far more of them than the group they had fought earlier.
Selene tightened her fists.
“They’re prepared to stop us from entering.” Kael smiled.
“Good.” He stepped forward.
“I was starting to get bored.” The enemies charged.
Kael disappeared in a flash of lightning.
BOOM!
He struck the first opponent.
Then the second.
Then the third.
His speed was incredible.
But the enemies quickly began adapting.
One of them managed to block his attack.
Kael stepped back.
“Not bad.” The man attacked.
Kael barely dodged.
Meanwhile, Selene raised her hands.
“Ice Wall.” A massive wall of ice appeared in front of several enemies.
They struck the ice.
Cracks began spreading across its surface.
Selene frowned.
“They’re stronger than the previous ones.” Darian stepped forward.
The stones around him began floating.
“Then let’s increase the pressure.” He raised his hand.
“Gravity Field.” The gravity around the enemies suddenly increased.
BOOM!
Several warriors were forced to the ground.
Their movements became slower.
Kael smiled.
“Darian, you never change.” Darian remained focused.
“Stay focused.” Kael disappeared again.
Raizen watched the battlefield carefully.
He noticed something.
The enemies weren’t attacking randomly.
They were moving in formation.
They were protecting something.
Raizen looked toward the ruins.
“They aren’t here to fight us.” Kael dodged an attack.
“What?” “They’re trying to keep us from entering.” Raizen pointed his sword toward the building.
“Something is inside.” Selene understood.
“Then we need to move forward.” Raizen nodded.
“Exactly.” He rushed toward the entrance.
Two enemies appeared in front of him.
Raizen raised his sword.
CLANG!
He blocked their attack.
His shadow spread behind them.
The two warriors were immobilized.
Raizen swung his sword.
A dark attack sent them flying backward.
He continued forward.
But a third opponent appeared in front of him.
He was much larger than the others.
Raizen stopped.
The man smiled.
“You won’t get past me.” Raizen tightened his grip on his sword.
“We’ll see about that.” The man charged.
Raizen blocked.
The impact forced him backward.
He attacked again.
Raizen dodged.
Then he swung his shadow sword.
The man blocked with his weapon.
CLANG!
Raizen was pushed back.
He looked at his sword.
He’s strong.
The man attacked again.
Raizen used his shadow to create a second blade behind his opponent.
The man turned too late.
The shadow blade struck him and sent him crashing to the ground.
Raizen remained still.
His breathing was heavy.
Kael arrived beside him.
“You’re improving quickly.” Raizen looked ahead.
“I still have a long way to go.” Kael smiled.
“Still obsessed with becoming stronger?” Raizen didn’t answer.
Then Darian shouted: “Get down!” Raizen turned around.
A massive magical attack was heading toward them.
Darian raised both hands.
“Absolute Gravity!” The gravity changed violently.
The attack slowed in midair.
Selene raised her hands.
“Frozen Barrier!” A massive wall of ice appeared.
BOOOOM!
The attack exploded against the barrier.
A shockwave swept through the ruins.
Raizen stepped backward.
Kael placed one hand on the ground to keep his balance.
Selene breathed heavily.
Darian was down on one knee.
Raizen looked at the three of them.
“Are you okay?” Kael stood up.
“I’m perfectly fine.” Selene brushed the dust from her clothes.
“Me too.” Darian slowly stood.
“Let’s keep moving.” Raizen nodded.
The four moved forward together.
This time, they no longer fought as four individuals.
They fought as a team.
Kael opened the path.
Selene controlled the battlefield.
Darian slowed the enemies.
And Raizen struck whenever an opening appeared.
Their movements began to flow together perfectly.
An enemy attacked Kael.
Darian slowed him down.
Selene froze his legs.
Raizen appeared in front of him.
His shadow sword struck.
BOOM!
Another enemy tried to attack Raizen.
Kael intervened.
A bolt of lightning crossed the battlefield.
Selene created a wall of ice.
Darian increased the gravity.
The enemies fell one after another.
Finally, the last warrior collapsed.
Silence returned.
Raizen slowly lowered his sword.
Kael looked around.
“It’s over.” Selene exhaled.
“Finally.” Darian looked toward the ruins.
“The area is secure.” Raizen said nothing.
He was still staring at the entrance of the building.
Something was bothering him.
“Someone is missing.” Kael frowned.
“What?” Raizen looked at the defeated enemies.
“All these warriors were here to slow us down.” Selene understood.
“You think they were protecting their leader?” Raizen nodded.
“Yes.” Silence filled the area.
Then— CLANG.
A metallic sound echoed behind them.
The four students turned around.
A man slowly stepped out from the shadows of the ruins.
He walked calmly.
There were no injuries on him.
Not even a trace of dust covered his clothes.
He stopped a few meters away.
Kael summoned lightning around his hands.
Selene prepared herself.
Darian slightly raised one hand.
Raizen tightened his grip on his shadow sword.
The man looked at the four students.
He studied Kael.
Then Selene.
Then Darian.
Finally, his eyes settled on Raizen.
He remained silent for several seconds.
Then a faint smile appeared on his face.
“So… the Academy sent you?” No one answered.
The man’s expression became more serious.
“I see…” He looked at the four students once again.
“They decided to send their strongest students.” Raizen stepped forward.
His shadow sword rose.
“Who are you?” The man smiled.
“You’ll find out soon enough.” The wind swept through the ruins.
The four students remained motionless.
And for the first time since arriving at the western border… Raizen realized that they might have finally encountered their true opponent.
To Be Continued… — Kurotsuki