No More Pain For This Villain.

343  Void Destruction

It was night, and the academy grounds were cloaked in darkness, save for the occasional flicker of a lantern. I carefully left my room, moving silently through the corridors to avoid detection. My mission was to get out of the academy and into the void for some training with Smokeball.

As I approached the gate, my heart sank. There, sitting on a chair right beside the gate, was Headmaster Stormborne. His presence was imposing even in the dim light, and it was clear he was waiting for something—or someone.

He looked up as I approached, his sharp eyes narrowing with a hint of disdain. "Boy," he greeted, his voice dripping with bitterness. "Out for a midnight stroll, are we?"

I hesitated, trying to come up with a plausible excuse. "I... I couldn't sleep, so I thought a walk might help clear my head."

Stormborne raised an eyebrow, clearly not buying it. "A walk? At this hour? And you thought you'd leave the academy grounds to do it? How convenient."

"Well," I stammered, "I figured the fresh air outside might be better. You know, get a change of scenery."

He stood up from his chair, crossing his arms as he glared at me. "Boy, it's dangerous to be out at night, especially with everything that's been happening lately. But I suppose you wouldn't care about that, would you? Go back to your room. Now."

I knew there was no point in arguing. Stormborne wasn't the type to let things slide easily, especially with me. "Yes, Headmaster," I said, nodding reluctantly. "I'll go back to my room."

As I turned to leave, he called out, his tone cold and mocking. "And boy?"

I stopped, looking back at him. "Yes, Headmaster?"

"Try not to get into any more trouble," he said, his voice oozing sarcasm. "The last thing we need is more headaches caused by you."

I nodded again, then made my way back through the corridors, feeling a mixture of frustration and resignation.

As I slipped back into my room, I couldn't shake the feeling that Stormborne's dislike for me was growing stronger and that my every move was being watched with suspicion and contempt.

'That fucker, did he know you were going to go out tonight?' Blaze asked as he leaned back from the window, his eyes glowing in the dark.

I lit the lamp near me and sat on the chair. "It's like he's been keeping a close eye on me." I closed my eyes, feeling the frustration build.

'Still, why do you wanna go there? Fly?' he asked.

Flying... nah. I could've flown from here, but I am worried about being spotted. The reason I want to go to the mountain or anywhere out of human touch is because I need to use the Void.

'You can use that in the room too...wait- you gonna do that weird thing again?' Blaze seemed to have caught on to what I wanted to do easily. n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

"Yep, I want to try something with it." Last time, I noticed a very weird but interesting thing when we were using the Convergence Amulet. When I am in the Void, I can actually manipulate the timing formation of the spell in this world.

Like I used the fire spell there and then it materialized in this realm with a bit of delay. I want to try something different this time.

"System," I muttered.

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{SYSTEM WINDOW}

[Player: Ren Chris Hilton]

Age: 16.5

[Level 3: Scorchmaster]

[7 Star Mage In Human Terms.]

Current Progress:

Intelligence: 7/10

Strength: 100/100

Mana: 100/100

[Next Level: Pyroclasm Elder]

[Total Experience Points: 25000/22079]

(Level up unavailable!)

Elemental Attributes: Fire

Advancements of Elements: Lightning

Unlock New Advancement: (Open)

Contracted Beast: One

Spirits: None(!)

Skills: [50 skills.]

Learn New Skills: [Open]

Store: [Open]

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It's been way too long since I checked my status. I need three thousand more experience points and I can jump from 7 Star Mage to 9 Star Mage.

"Okay," I stood up, cracked my neck sideways, and checked if the door was properly locked. It was locked.

I sat cross-legged on the bed, pulling out the Convergence Amulet that Alver had given me, dropped it around my neck, and closed my eyes.

Smokeball, settle down and let me use the Void now.

I pushed mana into the Amulet and felt the familiar sensation of falling off the tip of the mountain. The world went silent and dark immediately until I landed on my back with a small impact.

I got up and looked down at myself. Unlike a few other times, I could now see my hands. My body remained hazy and humanoid but completely dark. My hands, though, seemed fine this time around.

I had already linked this to me being weak; the stronger I get, the more stable this void becomes. The room was solid this time. I leaned out of the window to see that the other nearby dorm buildings were fine, but the ones in the distance were still moving.

The big pupil in the sky was the same as ever, but it seemed like the retina was now some kind of black hole, while the world was greyish and black.

I can't speak here. I looked around and jumped out. I gave a glance to the shadowy figure of Blaze who sat on the desk, his tail moving.

I jumped out and walked around the dorm, reaching the academy gate.

He's here. I leaned to the side as I saw the silhouette of someone sitting. I know it's Stormborne.

I first looked slightly past my shoulder and felt my wings stretch out of my back. They seemed...cool in this situation.

I stretched out my palm and slightly placed it on Stormborne's forehead. I initiated a fire bolt.

I saw a small spark and then it diffused immediately.

I then initiated a lightning bolt, but this time near his throat, and the reaction was the same.

And now—partial self-destruction.

This is going to be...fun.

If anyone needs the explanation on how partial self-destruction works:

**Partial Self-Destruction**

Category: Skill

Theory: Unlike what a usual phoenix would learn, Ren learned it differently due to Blaze being his instructor, yet yielding similar outcomes.

The process initiates with the caster pulling their fire inside them in its "purest form"—signifying the maximum heat achievable with their current skill set. They absorb the fire, and as it commences burning the insides, the caster is directed to create a mana shield around it by absorbing the raw mana.

This technique is known as internal spell casting.

Once both spells are internalized, the caster needs to expel the shield in a compact form—similar to Ren's creation of a small shield mentioned in the chapter, formed in front of his outstretched index finger.

As you all know, the atmosphere comprises elements bound by infinite mana/raw mana, neutralizing each other until the caster/mage manipulates them with their skill.

Essentially, when the shield encounters the compact force—like Blaze ramming his head forcefully and swiftly into the small shield—it causes a disconnection of mana in the atmosphere from Ren's forthcoming element (the internal fireball).

Simultaneously, the shield bends and draws in kinetic energy, creating a vacuum upon release.

This impactful collision within the vacuum eliminates mana capable of neutralizing elements/spells, resulting in uncontrolled pace and consequential damage.

The severity of this damage corresponds to the caster's maximum strength. Thus, when they cast this spell, they internally disrupt themselves in a manner their veins cannot withstand, resulting in partial self-destruction.