Chapter 76

【76】75.

“Leo?!”

Lunia opened her eyes wide and looked at where Leo had flown.

“Not the time to be distracted!”

Rauta’s magic flew toward in front of Lunia.

Seeing that, Lunia recited a spell with a cold expression.

“Dispel.”

Whoosh-!

“……!”

Rauta opened her eyes wide upon seeing her magic instantly nullified.

“How can a first-year student dispel my magic!”

“Is there even a difference between first and second-year magic?”

Lunia smirked and crossed her arms.

“Your magic is definitely powerful but its structure is extremely simple! It clearly shows that you haven’t developed or researched it yourself, but merely memorized and learned spells.”

“……!”

After the Era of Heroes, magic developed rapidly.

With sufficient mana support, powerful magic could be cast much more easily than in the previous era.

The leveling-up of magical skills.

However, those who polished their talents more became even more prominent because of this.

Since high-level spells could be used more easily by anyone, methods to counter them also became easier.

In the current era, magic was not just about memorizing spells but required personal research to make the spell system more complex.

Rauta was lacking in that aspect, despite practicing with higher spells. She hadn’t polished her own abilities but rather focused only on mastering powerful spells through others’ power.

Although it was only the upper-class magic taught in Seirun’s curriculum, it allowed Lunia to find weaknesses.

Of course, pre-disabling a spell that one couldn’t even perform oneself was by no means easy.

This was a result of Lunia’s talent and hard work.

“Don’t get cocky!”

Ziiing-!

A magic circle dyed black appeared around Rauta.

Seeing this, Lunia’s eyes glowed with a red-colored mana.

She had already finished analyzing the structure of Rauta’s magic activation.

In that case, the method to deal with it was simple.

‘Disable the magic before it completes.’

Patching-!

Rauta’s created magic circle broke apart and scattered.

“……!”

“Don’t defile the ancestors’ spells anymore.”

Rauta’s body trembled.

“Arrogant brat! Just because you’re doing well, you think you can teach me!”

Goooh-!

Dark red mana gushed out from Rauta’s body.

Seeing this, Lunia shook her body with shock.

“What’s the representative of the grade! I’m from the most distinguished family! A body destined to become an elf as great as the ancestor!”

Whoosh-!

The black flames turned dark red.

“Phoenix Shield.”

Lunia hastily used the family magic.

Whoosh-!

Rauta’s magic blew away Lunia’s magic.

‘The difference in power between star magic and this is like night and day!’

Seeing Rauta now using genuine dark magic, Lunia gritted her teeth.

“Kraaaaaa!”

Patching! Pdddrk-!

“……!”

Chunks of flesh flew from Rauta’s right arm.

Bones that were expelled turned into bullets and aimed at Lunia.

“Flame Turtle!”

Lunia quickly summoned her familiar.

The turtle familiar that spewed flames appeared in front of Lunia. It was a defensive familiar capable of resisting even the strongest of energies with its shell.

Teeetididididididng! Puh-!

“Kek?”

The Flame Turtle’s shell repelled Rauta’s attack.

However, one of the bone projectiles that weren’t fully blocked pierced through Lunia’s right shoulder.

“Kkehkehkehke! Don’t get cocky!”

Goooh-!

Rauta healed her arm and mocked Lunia.

“Really… you have gone too far. You’re using black magic without any hesitation.”

Lunia gripped her right shoulder, pierced through and her eyes turned into burning red.

“I’ll burn you.”

“Burning will be for you!”

Whoosh-!

The dark red flames wildly rampaged.

“Kkehkehkehke. Your friends are coming to an end.”

Clanging-!

Eiran’s longsword clashed with Kargor’s greatsword.

Kagaak-!

Kargor swung his greatsword with incredible speed, knocking Eiran’s longsword away.

Kak-!

Eiran barely managed to block Kargor’s attack.

However, she lost her balance due to the impact.

Whoosh! Bang-!

Kargor kicked Eiran in the chest.

“Kek!”

Eiran rolled on the floor after being kicked away.

“Cough… cough…”

Watching Eiran rise up while coughing, Kargor’s eyes flared.

“How about giving up now? You have no chance of winning.”

“Our ancestor… was the disciple of the Great Heroes. Isn’t that incredible?”

“……?”

Caught off guard by the unexpected statement, Kargor hesitated.

“Our ancestor was proud of being the disciple of such legendary Great Heroes yet felt embarrassed about not reaching their level. That’s why they vowed.”

Eiran threw away her broken shield and held her longsword with both hands.

“To never doubt the Great Heroes.”

Hiooooh!

The wind blew.

The silver aura that was swirling transformed into something gentle and calm.

“They would surely drive away the evil and save the world.”

“Fairy… power?”

Kargor’s face froze.

Due to Rauta’s increased mana, Kargor’s power had become much stronger than before, incomparable to ‘a little’.

Originally, Eiran wasn’t a match for Kargor.

Nevertheless, Leo trusted Eiran to win, because of her lineage. She was the descendant of Berkiya.

Long ago.

The Fairy Knights who protected the fairies and were the sword and shield of the Elf King.

The last Fairy Knight’s strength was inherited solely by her.

“The fairies have given their blessing. I will wield the just power of the fairies.”

The source of the fairies’ power was life.

A fatal power to the undead.

The cursed land of the dead regained its vitality with the power emitted by Eiran.

Eiran’s sword tip pulsed with the power of life.

An infinite power that drove away d*ath, the sword energy that was passed down from the Fairy Knights generation after generation.

“Evergreen.”

Seeing Eiran raise her sword with both hands, terror filled Kargor’s eyes.

“This woman…!”

Whoosh-!

The sword energy imbued with life force surged.

The knight of d*ath who was hit by it vanished without a trace.

Eiran’s sword shook violently as she lowered it.

“I must hurry… and help others…”

Thud-!

Exhausted from using all her strength, Eiran collapsed.

“Mo.. move…”

Clutching her teeth, she tried to move.

Eiran opened her eyes wide as she managed to lift her head.

She saw Leo approaching the Skeleton King.

*

“…”

Leo rose after being thrown off by the Skeleton King.

He looked at his right arm that had blocked the attack.

Seeing his arm twisted at an unnatural angle, Leo chuckled.

“Got some power there.”

Piiak! Piiak!

[Whoaaa! What to do! What to do!]

“It’s not deadly, so don’t panic.”

Exhaling a sigh while looking at the flustered Fiora and Kiran, Leo got up.

It wasn’t just his arm that hurt; his whole body screamed in pain like creaking joints.

However, the intense pain from his arm overshadowed all that.

Kung! Kung!

With a grim expression, Leo raised his sword, staring at the Skeleton King walking toward the Fairyland entrance, ignoring him.

Kwad-!

But he immediately burst into laughter when the sword shattered into two.

Gooooh-!

Guuaaaaah!

The Skeleton King emitted crimson energy in the direction of the Fairy World’s entrance without paying attention to Leo.

Fiora’s and Kiran’s faces turned pale.

[This, this power is…]

“I see. So it was indeed the power of the Hel Kaiser.”

Since the moment of the attack, Leo had sensed a change in the Skeleton King’s presence.

He glanced at Lunia.

He could feel Rauta’s mana getting stronger.

‘Magic tools are transmitting power, aren’t they? Still weak.’

The attack earlier was one of the Skeleton King’s techniques called Spatial Cut.

‘Rauta couldn’t possibly use such a technique at her level. She must have cast it using supported mana.’

Lunia was gradually getting pushed back by Rauta’s increasing power.

At that moment—

Whoosh-!

Blue light surged.

[Is this the power of fairies?]

Kiran was surprised.

Leo, who was shocked too, smiled.

“Evergreen.”

This was the energy he had seen during the Era of Catastrophe.

The power that only Fairy Knights could wield.

‘The Fairy Knights disappeared but it seems their will and power were passed down through generations.’

Before the final expedition,

Recalling the disciple’s ascension to the post of the Fairy Knight, Leo moved forward.

Whoosh-!

Flames surged.

“Let’s go, Fiora.”

Piiak-!

Ora energy and spirit energy surged.

Whooshhhhh-!

Creating a colossal flame sword, Leo stood in front of the Skeleton King.

Guaaaah-!

The Skeleton King’s sword glowed crimson, preparing to use Spatial Cut again.

Leo opened his eyes wide and swung his left arm.

Whoosh! Kaaaaaach-!

Flames scattered.

At the same time, the crimson energy distorted the surrounding space.

Whoosh-!

“Grrr…!”

Leo gritted his teeth.

‘Being overwhelmed by power!’

Kuaang-!

Kachijijijijik!

“Ck-!”

With a single attack from the Skeleton King, Leo collided with the barrier of a bygone Fairy King.

Kaaaaach-!

The space-distorting sword gradually penetrated the barrier.

Pajiji-jik!

The barrier cracked under the power of the Demon King.

‘It’s breaking!’

The moment Leo thought that,

Pooek-! Chaaang-!

The barrier shattered.

Breezing through the barrier, Leo crashed and sprawled painfully on the ground.

“Mr. Leo!”

Eiran screamed her face turned pale.

“Hahaha! That haughty first-year of Lumeran is done for!”

Rauta shouted in relief.

“Nope. That guy’s not dying.”

“Are you out of your mind?”

Rauta shot a sneer at Lunia, who growled angrily.

His crimson flames consumed Lunia.

Lunia, who had suffered burns in various places, looked like she was about to turn into ashes anytime.

Yet her eyes were still burning fiercely.

“That guy said that he would k*ll me if I d*e. So, I won’t d*e.”

Swallowing the words, Lunia smiled faintly.

“Rather, you’re the one who’s going to d*e.”

“In your condition? You’re just full of bravado.”

Seeing Rauta sneering, Lunia raised her hand.

“No, it’s not bravado.”

Whoosh-!

Flames surged from Lunia’s hand.

“Tch. What can you possibly do with just those flames…?”

Whoaaaaaak-!

Lunia’s flames began to grow fiercer and more intense.

“……!”

Witnessing Lunia’s flames overpowering the crimson flames, Rauta’s face froze.

“You should know… Our family has been the Vow Keepers of the Phoenix for generations.”

Lunia smirked slightly.

“Our first ancestor swore that they’d burn Tartarus even if it meant burning themselves.”

The flames enveloped Lunia.

“As long as this will has not extinguished, we are the eternal Vow Keepers of the Phoenix.”

Wings of flames formed behind Lunia’s back.

The undying will passed down from distant ancestors.

The forbidden technique of the Runya family that even consumes oneself in flames.

“Immolation.”

Lunia’s mana and spirit energy burned fiercely.

“Mi… Mi crazy!”

Fear filled Rauta’s face.

“Are you desperate to d*e?”

“No. As long as I burn you before I d*e, that’s all.”

Lunia’s eyes sparkled fiercely.

Whoaaaaak-!

“Kuaaaaaaaaah?”

Lunia’s immolation flames engulfed Rauta’s flames.

The match was already decided.

Lunia’s flames would not dissipate until they completely incinerate Rauta.

But just as Rauta sensed d*ath, the immolation flames from the burning Rauta disappeared.

Lunia’s eyes widened immensely.

Goooh-!

A crimson energy burst from the black ring.

“Haha! This ring is definitely… incredible…”

Kwad-!

“……?”

Rauta’s hand was sucked into the black ring.

“Wh, what’s…?”

Kaaaaaaahhh-!

“Kuaaaaah!”

The ring began to s*ck Rauta’s body in as if it were a black hole.

Kkadddddd!

“Craaaaaaah!”

Whoosh-!

The ring that completely devoured Rauta fell down.

“What… is this…?”

Deeming Rauta no longer salvageable, the ring absorbed and converted his body into nutrients.

All Lunia could do was stare blankly, unaware of this.

“At any rate… this ends… the summoning!”

Lunia turned her charred body painfully.

“Why… why is this…?”

Even though Rauta had disappeared, there was no sign of the Skeleton King disappearing.

Kung! Kung!

The Skeleton King stepped into the revealed Fairyland.

Eventually, the Skeleton King’s giant footstep approached where Leo had fallen.

Kuaang-!

The sight of dirt and eyes flying was slowly captured in Lunia’s view.

“Le, Leo…!”

Lunia’s face turned pale.

At that moment-!

Whoosh-!

Gray mana surged violently.