“Interesting… Is that thing over there the ‘Singularity’?”
The ‘Archbishop of Sloth,’ Espina, was floating on a bed in mid-air, lying face down. With half-closed eyes, she glanced downward.
Down below, the heretic’s ‘Singularity’ and the results of her long-term research were fiercely battling each other. However, ever since the singularity had taken on an abnormal form, the results were being destroyed one-sidedly. If left alone much longer, it would likely be completely annihilated soon.
“At this rate… I might have to interfere. It’s kind of troublesome though…”
Though the research itself had been ongoing for years, she only managed to obtain results thanks to the support she received after becoming the Archbishop of Sloth. This was no longer just her own research.
Of course, even if it wasn’t, she had no intention of losing it easily…
“But still, let me observe a little longer.”
Every time the singularity moved, the aura surrounding it rippled. Its appearance was far from that of a pure human anymore. The dark energy around it was so pitch-black that it seemed to absorb light itself. Was this what actual demons looked like?
Espina felt herself torn between curiosity and a sense of danger. That was because the singularity’s gaze was slowly turning toward her. Though it hadn’t pinpointed her exact location yet, it was only a matter of time before she was discovered.
“The arrogant bitch had her reasons for expecting this…”
The image of the Archbishop of Pride popped into her mind—her irritating smile that made Espina want to pierce her head through. Especially when she saw that woman’s flushed face, she accidentally broke a crystal orb.
Who could this man possibly be, to turn that dirty woman into such a female creature? Her curiosity was driving her insane. Was this the fate of researchers who risked their lives out of intense curiosity?
Espina decided to keep observing more carefully.
“Will you show me your uniqueness?”
***
“Why do my ears feel itchy? And my face feels hot too…”
After cutting the beast in half with a bloody wind, I scratched behind my ear.
“Kiiiiik…”
The monster emitted a mournful cry. Compared to earlier, its regenerative abilities had clearly dropped. Maybe if I split it a few more times, I could destroy it completely. But…
“I don’t know if the guy watching from above will keep sitting idle.”
I’ve been feeling someone’s gaze for a while now. No matter how hard I look, I can’t find them. If they’re skilled enough to fool a Master’s senses, they’re probably one of the Archbishops. Why do I always end up dealing with these kinds of people?
“When will he stop watching?”
To be honest, I’m reaching my limit too. Blood Demon Body combines all the traits of different races that I can handle. While I haven’t confirmed it yet, in this state, I might even be able to defeat a Sage.
But every doping method has its side effects. If I maintain Blood Demon Body for too long, my sanity will snap at some point. That’s why it’s usually my last resort move. But when I saw Ariana lying there lifeless, my sanity flew away long ago.
“You shouldn’t have touched my person.”
Because I’ve crushed it dozens of times already, the red light in the monster’s eyes is flickering. Does fear exist even in creatures that only know slaughter?
Well, to someone who doesn’t know better, both the beast and I probably look like monsters.
“Let’s finish this quickly.”
I didn’t want anyone else to see me like this.
“Kiiiieek!”
Did it read my intentions? The monster screamed and charged at me. But it no longer possessed the speed it had when it attacked Ariana. Even with my eyes closed, I could hit it.
Secret Art: Exterminate Evil
A technique usable only in Blood Demon Body, developed after extensive research to annihilate demonic energy. Probably enough to take out a demon, but certainly overkill for a mere monster.
Using the stealth of shadow snakes to hide my presence, the swiftness of mountain cliff thunderbirds, and the brute strength of blue forest giants infused into my spear tip, I prepared. Finally, embedding the resilience of swamp lizard warriors into my legs, I tensed my muscles like a drawn bowstring and waited for the right moment.
“Kiii!”
I drove the Bloody Wind straight into the face of the charging beast.
– …
When the demonic energy met the spear tip, the world seemed to freeze in silence. Then came an explosive roar that threatened to burst my eardrums.
– …!!!
The already battered ground groaned. Plants wrapped in an ominous dark light vanished soundlessly. A mushroom cloud reminiscent of a nuclear explosion dissipated, leaving behind only myself, holding a broken Bloody Wind, and a suspicious-looking woman in a black dress.
She must be the Archbishop watching me from above.
Her long, jet-black hair stretched endlessly. Her eyes were as dark as voids. Her skin was pale to the point of being ghostly. Despite her elegant features that would make anyone gasp in admiration, the overwhelming stench of blood and demonic energy made me wince.
Truly, an unbalanced sight.
She frowned and said to me,
“…If you’d messed up just a little, we would’ve lost a precious result.”
Glancing down, I noticed black thorns laced with demonic energy protecting the monster. Judging by the remaining half-face, it seems they barely saved it in the nick of time. At this rate, it’ll disappear soon. The Archbishop glared at me with murderous intent, clearly aware of this.
“Shouldn’t you stop now? You’re pretty beat up yourself, aren’t you? Your weird technique is already fading anyway.”
Only then did I realize Blood Demon Body had worn off. Along with it came waves of extreme pain and exhaustion. I had to do my best not to show how bad my condition was.
“Then, let’s see this through, shall we? If we part ways here, next time your life might be in danger.”
I forced a laugh while looking at the Archbishop and the monster.
“Honestly… It does seem tough to kill you unless it’s now…”
The Archbishop shook her head after a brief pause.
“I’ll go back for now. There’s also the fact that… if I attack you, you’d sacrifice your life to kill this thing, wouldn’t you?”
Thankfully, my desperate act worked. An Archbishop revealing themselves to protect a monster—it makes sense they’d prioritize it over killing me, especially since they called it a “result.”
“Whistle… Caught me, huh?”
I swallowed the saliva flowing uncontrollably due to the pain. Taking a moment to catch my breath, I realized the monster concerned me more than the Archbishop. As much as it pains me to say, I’m important to them. To give up a chance to eliminate an enemy Master to save this monster…
“Could it be… something that can become a demon?”
My direct question earned a dismissive snort from the Archbishop.
“Hmm… Go ahead and hope. We’ll meet again soon enough.”
Soon, demonic energy began enveloping the Archbishop and the monster.
“Then… until next time-”
At that moment,
I seized the opening, gathering mana and throwing the Bloody Wind.
“!”
The startled Archbishop tried to move the demonic energy, but it couldn’t block the Bloody Wind. After all, its core was originally a branch of the World Tree. Moreover, it was a weapon imbued with holy water. Even an Archbishop couldn’t casually block such an attack without preparation.
“Kyaahh!”
The attack aimed at her head was deflected by the demonic energy and struck her chest instead. Red blood scattered in the wind. It was a fitting end for the “Bloody Wind.”
“You damn bastard-!”
Reacting instinctively to the Archbishop’s movement, my body refused to obey after using my last reserves of strength.
“Kuh…!”
I had to bite my lips against the piercing pain in my side.
“I’ll definitely tear that pathetic face of yours apart next time! Definitely!!!”
Already unable to cancel the activated magic, the Archbishop yelled in hatred and disappeared into the darkness.
Finally exhaling deeply after the Archbishop’s demonic energy faded, I muttered,
“Shit… Who’s gonna talk like that, asshole…”
Though it wasn’t a clean ending, wasn’t this at least fulfilling my minimum duty as a professor? Recalling her twisted face made me involuntarily smirk. Simultaneously, I felt the need to push further. If I’d been stronger, Ariana wouldn’t have been hurt.
I knew it was a pessimistic thought, but I couldn’t stop thinking about it.
“Haa… I thought I’d live peacefully after the war ended.”
Apparently, unless I root out this heresy, a peaceful retirement is impossible. How exactly am I supposed to get stronger from here?
Feeling dizzy, I lost all my strength.
“… Professor?! ”
Just before collapsing, I felt a soft cushion under my head. A familiar voice seemed to reach my ears, but my consciousness was too blurred to focus on it.
“Aaah…! Senna…! Hurry…!”
Handing myself over to the pillow-like cushion, I quietly closed my eyes.
***
“Heavens… What on earth…”
Looking at the gruesome scene, Hainz wore an expression of utter shock.
The ground stained crimson with blood and demonic energy. Vegetation torn apart as if eaten by something. Allen lying unconscious in Amy’s arms, his whole body battered beyond recognition.
Especially the wound on his side was severe enough to expose internal organs. Fortunately, for some reason, the demonic energy stayed within the wound instead of spreading chaotically, keeping Allen alive.
[Divine Magic: Light of Blessing Healing]
Thanks to this, Senna’s exhausted divine magic started gradually closing Allen’s wounds.
“Please…”
Blood trickled from Senna’s prominent nose. It meant her spiritual power had reached its limit, even at the cost of her lifespan. Yet Hainz couldn’t stop her. He’d never seen the always optimistic Senna praying so earnestly before.
“What happened to make things this way…”
With a heavy heart, Hainz looked up at the sky helplessly.
***
Just 30 minutes ago, he’d been optimistic about the situation. Cain Professor had returned with students who had ventured dangerously outside the safe zone.
Though tired and weary, everyone was relieved to see them return safely.
“Go rest. You’ve worked hard.”
Hainz quickly guided the students to their places and let Cain rest. Only then did he notice a few were still missing: Amy, Senna, Ariana, Lux… and finally, Allen.
Thinking about their faces, Hainz stroked his beard and murmured,
“Hmm, they’ll be fine…”
Right as he sighed in relief, three figures teleported here.
“Hu, huuuu…”
Senna, crying incessantly, continuously cast divine magic.
“We need to go back…!”
Amy, with an urgent voice, looked somewhere anxiously.
“…”
And Ariana, lying unconscious with a massive wound on her abdomen.
“What… What is this?!”
Confused but acting swiftly as a grand mage, Hainz gulped down a mana potion from his pocket.
[Transcendental Magic: Time Stop]
Chang-
As the magic activated, the high-purity mana gem embedded in his staff shattered into pieces.
“… Kuh!”
Simultaneously, blood dripped from the corner of Hainz’s mouth. Maintaining transcendental magic and casting another, especially another transcendental magic, was impossible due to insufficient mana and mental power.
Thus, Hainz replenished his mana with the potion and the mana gem, compensating for the lacking mental power with a bit of his lifespan.
Thanks to the grand mage’s efforts, Ariana’s wound stopped worsening.
“Now… She’ll be fine. We just need to bring her back to the mainland without disturbing her.”
Normally, nothing could escape a saint maiden’s healing. Even with damaged internal organs, having a saint maiden nearby guaranteed survival. The reason Senna couldn’t heal Ariana despite her great healing ability was none other than…
The demonic energy consuming Ariana’s wound.
“How did this happen? What kind of enemy did you encounter for Ariana to end up like this…”
Hainz bit his lips at the strong demonic energy that made his face wrinkle.
“… Ah”
“Professor Allen needs immediate rescue.”
As Senna mumbled something, a sharp voice cut in. The speaker was none other than Lux.
“What is the matter?”
“Time is short. We need to move now. Oh, and…”
Recalling something, Lux urgently pulled something out from her bosom.
“That’s a royal…”
Seeing the sphere engraved with a starlight pattern—the symbol of royalty—the realization dawned on Hainz, widening his eyes.
“Why didn’t I think of this sooner…! What an idiot I am…!”
Regardless, Lux forcefully smashed the sphere onto the floor.
Shooo-
Golden light resembling starlight shot up into the sky in thick plumes. However, once it reached a certain height, it began spreading sideways as if blocked by something.
“… What?!”
Lux’s confusion prompted Hainz to explain quickly.
“It’s my magic. Preventing external intrusions is the top priority, but it also blocks magical movements from inside to outside…”
“Release it immediately.”
Interrupting Hainz’s words, Lux shouted.
“But releasing it now could make us vulnerable to external threats in this situation.”
“Shut up and release it!”
Finally, Lux grabbed Hainz’s collar. Her bloodshot eyes turned even redder.
“This is an imperial summoning device… Release it now. And go rescue Allen. If he dies, I won’t forgive anyone.”
What event caused the imperial princess to cling so desperately to Allen? Overpowered by the force beyond belief for a mage, Hainz canceled the magic.
“…”
Watching the smoke disperse somewhere, Lux finally released her grip.
“Huuu…”
Sensing the returning mana, Hainz sighed. Just as he caught his breath, he had to catch two girls rushing at him from both sides.
“Hurry and rescue Allen.”
“We need to save the professor…!”
Caught between Lux and Amy’s joint assault, Hainz struggled to regain his composure.
“Calm down! Both of you!”
Above Hainz’s confused mind, the sun was already rising.
