The dust of the duel had barely settled.
Cassian Lionheart stood alone in the center of the arena—silent, sword lowered, cloak billowing faintly in the wind. Around him, the murmurs of the student body echoed like fading thunder.
Eighty-four expulsions. Kyle Ironwood defeated. And Cassian… was no longer just a name whispered with contempt—but with fear, awe, and something deeper.
But while the crowd began to stir and trickle out, one girl remained frozen in her seat.
Felicia Silverstream.
Her hands trembled slightly. Her heart was racing. But her eyes never left the boy standing in the arena.
> "Cassian… Even if you won't admit it… even if you've forgotten me…"
She whispered it like a prayer—only the wind heard her.
> "I know you're the one who saved me that night. Five years ago. In Moonshadow Forest."
She remembered every detail. The snarling fangs of corrupted wolves. The blood in the air. The paralyzing fear that seized her small frame.
And then—a flash of silver.
A boy, no older than ten, had stepped from the shadows, blade gleaming with holy light. He fought not like a child, but like a warrior reborn.
That memory—the poise, the fire in his eyes—was identical to what she had just seen today.
> "I've waited so long to find you again…"
Her eyes glistened.
> "My hero… My first love."
---
⚡ The Sky Cracks Open
Suddenly—the sky screamed.
> BOOM!
A shockwave split the air above the arena. Mana warped the atmosphere, twisting reality like glass under pressure.
A rift tore open in the sky—a black portal laced with crimson veins. And from within, a towering figure stepped out, cloaked in shadows and infernal energy.
His armor was pitch black, lined with pulsating red sigils. Twin horns curved from his brow like a dark crown. His eyes glowed gold—cold, calculating, proud.
Panic erupted.
> "D-Demon—!"
"Get the professors!"
"RUN!!"
Students screamed, bolting toward the exits. But the air itself seemed to bow under the crushing pressure of his presence.
The figure extended a clawed hand, inspecting the mortals beneath him with thinly veiled disgust.
> "So fragile… humans."
His voice was deep. Smooth. Royalty dipped in venom.
Then, he spoke louder.
> "I am Pride, High General of the Demon King's Seven Deadly Sins."
> "I have come to retrieve the key that shall unshackle my master's soul—"
His gaze sharpened.
> "Felicia Silverstream. Daughter of the Aurelion Line. Come forth."
Silence fell. All eyes turned to her.
Felicia paled, her throat tightening.
> "W-What…? Me…?"
---
💀 Resistance Crushed
Bloodied but conscious, Kyle Ironwood forced himself to stand.
> "I don't care who you are. You're not taking anyone from this school."
A few upperclassmen rose beside him. Battle-hardened students. Magical elites. Enchantments ignited in their hands—flames, lightning, shields of wind and steel.
> "Together!"
"We fight!"
A flurry of attacks flew toward Pride—explosions, curses, spears of mana—
> FLASH.
CRACK.
ROAR.
Then—a flick of Pride's wrist.
> BOOOOM.
All magic shattered.
The entire wave of students was hurled backward, crashing against arena walls. Shields snapped. Bones broke. Dozens collapsed, groaning in pain or left unconscious.
Felicia stumbled, breath caught in her throat. The world swayed around her.
> "Why… me?"
The demon's boots touched the ground softly. His grin was slow, confident.
> "Because you, girl, bear the blood of Aurelion—High Priest of the Celestial Seal. That blood once locked away King Azareth. And now…"
He opened a black scroll—sigils glowing with ancient fire.
> "Only your blood can undo the seal."
He took a step toward her, claws raised.
> "Come. Struggle is meaningless."
---
🦁 Hero's Return
> SHHK—!
Steel rang.
A sword intercepted Pride's path.
Between Felicia and the demon now stood Cassian Lionheart—his eyes calm, his stance unshaken.
> "You'll lay a hand on her… over my dead body."
Pride's golden eyes narrowed with curiosity.
> "The boy with the lion's fire… Interesting. You're not like the others."
He flexed his fingers, dark flames licking at his claws.
> "Very well. A warm-up, before the bloodletting."
The arena was broken. The crowd had fled. Smoke drifted in the air.
But in that ruined battleground, two figures faced each other—Demon General versus Lionheart.
Felicia's voice broke the silence, barely a whisper.
> "You… You came for me… again…"
Cassian didn't glance back. His gaze never left the enemy before him.
He raised his sword, aura flaring—a silent vow in steel and flame.
> "You want her?"
He pointed his blade at Pride.
> "Come take her."