The Novel's Professor

Arcuied gripped the sword tightly, swinging it down in an instant. Suddenly, another rusted dagger abruptly appeared — blocking the sword from advancing any further.

The clanging of metal echoed as both Sophia and Arcuied pushed their weapons to the Shadow Nyx. The Shadow Nyx shuddered, feeling the explosive strength of Sophia and Arcuied combined.

At that moment, while it was struggling — a large arm suddenly appeared from its back, striking the Shadow Nyx's body. Thomas clenched his hand as he threw in a heavy punch.

"Haa...!"

The Shadow Nyx wordlessly groaned, its body falling to the ground as it slowly vanished from the face of earth. Unlike most demons, the Shadow Nyx didn't have any corrupted core to speak of. It was but a phantasmal demon, a category of demons that are half-spiritual. Phantasmal demons were the weakest and yet the most unpredictable category of demons.

"Alright, first kill!" Thomas cheerfully nodded, his hand dropping down Elise's petite body to the ground

Elise groaned, feeling the soft clean tiles on her body.

"Good job, Thomas." Sophia praised, withdrawing the icy white scythe to her back. "However, it couldn't have happened without..."

Arcuied suddenly raised his hand as he gestured for the team to stay silent.

Sophia paused, frowning as she looked at Arcuied in confusion.

[Shadow Nyx: +20pts]

"Silent Shadow of Dreadnought..." Arcuied withdrew the sword in his hand. He turned his head to the front, ignoring his team mates. "Don't relax just yet. There are still far more enemies."

Sophia immediately turned her head, her gaze darting around the circle area as she widened her eyes in disbelief.

"Is this..."

At that moment, countless shadows — armed with innumerable rusted blades appeared on the large circle area. In the swarm of shadows, one in particular had a silver dagger.

"...even possible?"

—

Inside a room filled with teachers, countless holograms were projected on the air as the people inside the room watched it with interest.

"Oh? It seems the candidate for best student in the First Year is in a bit of a pickle," A teacher loudly commented. "Now, show us Arcuied — are you a fluke or a real talent?"

"Silent Shadow of Dreadnoughts.." Brandon chuckled, his head shaking. "One of the top dangerous areas in the whole maze. This is tough, even for them. Even if they could survive the Rusted Shadow Nyx, could they even beat the Silver Shadow Nyx?"

Rio frowned, shifting his attention to Arcuied's projection. It was a not a worry. He already knew how this would turn out.

"What do you think, Salem?" Maria asked curiously, her eyes staring at Rio.

"He would win. Without a doubt." Rio uttered nonchalantly, his gaze moving away from Arcuied. He stared at the hologram of a handsome blonde haired student, Eugene.

"...Is that so?" Maria chuckled. "If so, then why are you grimacing?"

Rio grimaced, staring at Eugene's screen in both distaste and conflicted.

Maria pursed her lips, not liking to be ignored. She stared at Arcuied's screen, her hand waving in a cheer. "Hm, Sophia sure did grow into a beautiful girl..."

—

"...We should run," Arcuied decisively said, his body taking a step back. "I don't think we can win from this. We can just return later if we have a plan."

"Are you sure?" Sophia asked, staring at Arcuied intently. Arcuied nodded. She continued. "Alr—"

"Wait!" Elise suddenly shouted, stopping their bodies from running. "...Uh, don't run just yet. I'm still here! We can do this!"

"...Pardon?" Arcuied asked, his head tilting in confusion. He shifted his gaze to the large circle surrounded by countless Shadow Nyx's. Then he moved his eyes to the petite, red-haired female teammate of his.

... Arcuied grimaced.

"Hey! Trust in me a little, just watch!" Elise shouted, her hand taking out a short metal stick from her uniform. She pressed it — at that moment, the metal stick suddenly grew.

"What?! Is that the RT145 Cybernetic Wand?!" Thomas shouted, his eyes filled with stars. "Elise, you never told me you had one!"

"Shut up for a moment, Thomas!" Elise shouted, her hand grasping the metal wand tightly. She manipulated the magical energy inside her, redirecting it to the tip of the wand. "Arcuied! Sophia! Thomas! Guard me for a while and I promise you we can do this!"

Arcuied smiled, nodding. He shifted his gaze to Sophia. He nudged his sword as he reinforced magical energy on his body. "Let's go."

"...Alright," Sophia reluctantly nodded, a beautiful smile blooming on her face. She brandished her icy white scythe, staring at the swarm of shadows. Oh well. "I'm ready when you are, Leader Arc."

Arcuied sighed as he shook his head. Behind them, Thomas followed with a grin plastered on his face.

At the moment — the swarm of Shadow Nyx's vanished, leaving one distinctly large Shadow Nyx on the middle, waiting.

"«Curse of Mandala»" Arcuied muttered, manipulating the magical energy in his body. He raised his sword. "«72 Winds of Blade: Anaconda of 24th», «Fallen Winter»."

In that instant, a whirlwind of purplish snowflakes gathered around the sword he was holding. Arcuied smiled, staring at the skill combination he had developed.

Suddenly, three Shadow Nyx's abruptly appeared in front of him, holding six rusted daggers; they moved their formless hands.

"...!" Arcuied eyes tensed, his hand heavily swinging his sword to his front. The clanging sounds of the blades clashing echoed loudly — soon a cracking sound followed.

Crack!

The rusted daggers broke from the sheer force of the sword.

Arcuied grinned, at that moment, he twisted the trajectory of the sword. He stabbed the sword — piercing right through the two bodies of the Shadow Nyx's. However, before he could celebrate, two more appeared behind him.

He hurriedly turned his back, swinging his sword as he blocked the attacks.

"Are you finished yet, Elise?!" Sophia shouted, her hand constantly moving as she blocked the Shadow Nyx's advances with her scythe. Behind, beside and upfront — they were everywhere. It took everything on her reflexes to just barely be able to dodge.

"A little more...!" Elise shouted, sweat pouring down on her face. Heat and wind gathered around the metal wand, exuding a fiery temperature to the surroundings.

Suddenly, two Shadow Nyx's appeared behind her. However, before they could attack — Thomas slammed his fist right through their bodies, destroying their formless body as they vanished into air.

"Alright, now...!" Elise shouted. At that moment, the heat and wind on the wand formed into a blazing crimson fire. All the Shadow Nyx's vanished, feeling the extreme heat in the air.

The flames continued to grow as it wildly raged. The flames artistically moved, spinning like a hurricane as it slowly formed into a terrifying symbol of a fire dragon.

Sophia's eyes widened as she stared at symbol of the dragon.

The fire dragon danced in the air; its fiery flaming body flaring as its stared at the demons on the wide circled in silence.

"«Dragonic Magic....!" Elise shouted, her hand heavily pushing down as she aimed at the large circular area. "... Hell-fire Dragon»!!"

The fire dragon suddenly roared, spitting out embers of flames as it flew through the air. It blasted through air, moving with immense regal and passion as it inevitably crashed against the swarm of Shadow Nyx's.

At that moment, all hell break loose.