The tension between the Guild Masters in the summit hall—and in the mess hall of the Golden Aegis Guild Academy—continued to rise.
An overwhelming heat burned through the air as Ravien, the S-Class Chief Captain of the Crimson Guild Academy, unleashed his aura.
Across from him sat Lilith, completely unbothered, calmly eating her sweet bread.
Elara and Anya hid behind a glowing light barrier conjured by Anya, while Arman, his armor nearly melting, tried to approach Ravien but failed. The sheer heat forced him back.
"Want some bread? At least you'll die full," Lilith teased with a sly grin.
Just then, amid the suffocating tension, heavy footsteps echoed behind them.
A deep, calm voice followed.
"If I were you, I'd stop."
It was Rein Silvarn, one of the S-Class Captains of the Azure Fangs Academy.
Ravien turned, his expression cocky and mocking.
"Huh? Rein Silvarn? And what's it to you what I do, huh?" he growled, his aura flaring hotter.
Rein released his own power—a chilling, razor-edged aura that clashed with Ravien's heat.
The mess hall split into two climates: one side burning, the other frozen solid.
"I don't care what you're doing," Rein said coldly. "But I have business with the woman you're facing."
Their auras collided, hurling everything around them into the air.
Students fainted; others struggled to withstand the crushing energy.
Lilith just smiled, watching the two clash like a child admiring her favorite toys.
"Oh! You came? So, you've made your decision?" she said to Rein.
Rein said nothing. He stepped closer, while Ravien's grin widened in excitement.
"Oh, this is good. What is this—some kind of love triangle? Damn, miss, so that's why you refused me, huh? You already have a date!" Ravien taunted, his aura flaring higher.
Rein's icy aura answered in kind, and the entire building began to tremble.
Upstairs — The Summit Chamber
While the summit continued above, tension flared among the Guild Masters.
Dark energy filled the room as Guild Master Lucien's black aura clashed with Guild Master Rogar's fiery presence.
Then another aura appeared—one both Masters instantly recognized.
It came from Rein.
"Master! That aura—"
"It's Rein," said Guild Master Kareen of the Azure Fangs, calmly.
"Ha! Seems my son's found a worthy opponent," Rogar boomed, referring to Ravien.
Just then, frantic knocking shook the chamber door.
"Master Seren! Bad news, sir! Master Seren!"
The Holy Knights who entered were immediately thrown back by the shockwave of the Guild Masters' clash.
"Please! Calm yourselves! We have a bigger problem outside!" Master Seren urged.
Lucien was the first to suppress his aura; Rogar followed, though his glare lingered.
"Hmph. I'm not done with you, Lucien."
"Should I be afraid?" Lucien replied coldly.
Once the air cleared, a battered Holy Knight reported,
"Masters! Two powerful individuals are unleashing immense auras in the mess hall—S-Class levels!"
At once, the Guild Masters and Chief Captains left the summit to intervene.
Back at the Mess Hall
The S-Class Captains Kaiya, Jaxom, Lyra, and Silas arrived, shocked by the destruction.
Students lay unconscious everywhere—except for Elara, Arman, and Anya, who held firm behind her reinforced barrier.
And Lilith… still sat there, happily nibbling her bread.
"Jaxom!" Kaiya shouted.
He immediately used his Gravity Pull magic, dragging all the unconscious students—along with Elara, Arman, and Anya—away from danger.
But one figure wouldn't budge no matter how hard Jaxom tried.
Lilith turned, waved at them mockingly, and smiled like a playful child enjoying the chaos.
The four froze—not out of fear of her, but because they recognized that presence.
If Lilith was here… then Lord Alioth couldn't be far.
And if he appeared—someone was bound to be judged.
"Search for Lord Alioth's presence!" Kaiya ordered.
"He's not here!" Lyra replied.
"Then separate those two before he arrives, idiot!" Kaiya yelled, smacking Jaxom's head.
But it was too late.
The mess hall was in ruins—one side aflame, the other frozen.
"You're really challenging me, Rein," Ravien grinned, ready to strike.
"Try me," Rein answered coldly.
Before either could move—
Massive roots and vines burst from the ground, wrapping around them both.
It was Guild Master Elyndra's magic.
Then a wall of ice rose, conjured by Guild Master Kareen, sealing the fight completely.
Aftermath
As the chaos subsided, Rogar confronted his son while Kareen spoke to Rein.
"What were you thinking, Rein?" Kareen asked sternly yet softly.
Rein knelt.
"Master, I'm sorry. What I've done was personal… and I cannot say why."
Kareen's expression softened. She understood.
Meanwhile, Rogar laughed proudly.
"Ha! Well done! No one can match our strength! But tell me, son, what started this?"
"Father! That woman—" Ravien turned toward Lilith's table.
She was gone.
"Hm? A woman, you say? Then fight for her, as a man should!" Rogar bellowed.
"I'll win, Father! No one born yet can defeat me!" Ravien declared.
"I won't lose to a barbarian like you," Rein shot back.
Tension rose again until Rogar stepped forward.
"Enough! If you must settle this over a woman, do it in a duel—to the death!"
Everyone froze. Even the Guild Masters stared in disbelief.
"Have you gone mad?" Kareen snapped.
"Wouldn't it be better," Rogar countered, "if it's settled in battle—rather than sparking war between our nations? Unless you want one?"
"All this over a woman? How childish," muttered Elyndra.
"I accept," said Rein.
Gasps filled the hall.
Rein Silvarn—known for his composure—had just accepted a death duel.
But only he knew the real reason.
"Then it's decided," Rogar said, turning to Grandmaster Seren.
"Grandmaster, may we borrow your Holy Arena?"
The old man hesitated, then nodded.
"If it's to preserve peace among the nations, I see no issue."
"Then it's settled!" Rogar declared.
"Hah! I won't let you live, Rein!" Ravien growled.
"Prepare yourself," Rein replied, gaze sharp as steel.
As everyone departed, Kareen whispered one last warning.
"I hope you know what you're doing, Rein."
Meanwhile, Grandmaster Seren spoke to the remaining S-Class Captains.
"Well done. You saved our students."
"Glad we made it in time," Jaxom said.
"And Lord Alioth?" Seren asked.
"Fortunately, he wasn't here. Only his young companion was," Lyra replied.
Seren stroked his beard, lost in thought.
"What is that Demon Judge planning…" he murmured.
Later That Night
When all had gone, Rein sat alone—staring at a small glass vial containing a rolled parchment.
A letter from Lilith.
"Mortal, if you wish to save your sister… defeat that arrogant, foul-mouthed Ravien.
If you win, I'll fulfill my promise."
Rein clenched the paper, recalling Lilith's words before the summit began.
Flashback
On Rein's first day at the academy with his student Kaelen, Lilith had secretly eavesdropped through her shadow form. She learned of his sister's cursed state.
Later that night, as Rein walked through the academy halls, Lilith appeared behind him.
"What do you want?" he asked, already sensing her.
"Oh? Sharp senses. I'm impressed," she teased.
"If you're here to test your twisted sense of justice, save it. I'm not interested."
"I know," Lilith replied. "But what if I told you there's a way to cure your sister?"
Rein's eyes widened.
"Is that true? How can I trust a demon?"
"Correction, mortal—a cute demon!" Lilith pouted.
"Listen carefully. Demons deceive… but we never lie. You've tried everything, haven't you? But asking a demon for help—that's one path you've never taken."
Rein hesitated. Everything he'd tried had failed. His sister's soul had been fading for years.
Now a demon offered hope. He had nothing left to lose.
"Think about it," Lilith said. "I'll give you until tomorrow.
If you accept, meet me at the mess hall—where we first met.
If not, I'll consider it declined. Goodbye."
She vanished into shadow.
Back to the Present
Now, Rein had made his decision.
This duel—this reckless gamble—was his final chance to bring back his sister's soul.
He would fight.
He must win.
Meanwhile…
Far from the chaos, in a dim corner of the Golden Aegis Academy, a man from the Black Sun Guild muttered to himself.
It was Vyre Lareth, the S-Class Chief Captain—his eyes wild with madness.
"Just a bit more… just one more soul… and I'll be immortal!" he hissed, laughing like a lunatic.
"The soul of one S-Class Captain should be enough. Once their duel ends…
I'll take the loser's soul!"
His laughter echoed—dark, unhinged, and bone-chilling.
To be continued…