The Illusion World had grown eerily silent. Kelvin Reinhart's sharp gaze scanned the dense, shifting terrain, his mind calculating.
"Why hasn't the King Ogre appeared yet?" Kelvin muttered, his tone calm, yet there was a faint edge of impatience.
Merlin's hands tightened slightly, his blue eyes reflecting the dim glow of the Illusion World. "I… I don't hear its roar either," he replied, voice tense. "It's supposed to announce its presence. There should have been a warning by now."
Kelvin's eyes narrowed. "If it hasn't come out on its own, then there's only one way to make it appear."
Merlin blinked, uncertain. "Only one way? What do you mean?"
Kelvin's expression remained unreadable. "Use Fire Explosion."
Merlin's eyes widened in shock. "Fire Explosion? That's—are you sure?"
Kelvin's voice was calm, but every word carried authority. "Yes. The King Ogre will react to a strong enough display of destructive mana. It's the only way to force it to confront us directly."
Merlin nodded slowly, his heart pounding. He had spent years training elemental magic, but using it deliberately to provoke a monster like the King Ogre was daunting.
"Alright… here goes nothing," Merlin said, his palms glowing with concentrated mana. He whispered the incantation, focusing the flow of fire into a single, massive explosion.
A burst of crimson flame shot forward, colliding with the dense forest around them. Trees burst into flames, mana energy crackling in the air as the explosion echoed through the Illusion World.
For a moment, nothing happened. Merlin's chest tightened, panic rising.
Then—a deafening roar split the air. The ground trembled violently.
The King Ogre had awakened.
Its enormous body emerged from the shadows, easily as tall as the surrounding trees. Thick, jagged armor plates covered its muscular frame, and in its massive hand, it wielded a sword that glimmered with an ominous aura. Its eyes burned like coals, and the raw power emanating from its presence was almost suffocating.
Merlin stumbled backward, his hands raised in defense. "I-I didn't expect… its roar…"
Kelvin's voice cut through the panic, calm and commanding. "It's fine. We will defeat it. By now, everyone else has likely exited the Illusion World. This is our battle."
Merlin's chest heaved. "Y-You… you're sure?"
Kelvin's lips curved in a faint, almost imperceptible smile. "Yes. Trust in your power. Trust in yourself. And follow my lead."
The two of them sprinted forward, the ground beneath them quaking as the King Ogre stomped, each step sending ripples through the Illusion World. The immense weight of its presence pressed down on them, but Kelvin's stride was unwavering.
As they approached, the King Ogre raised its colossal sword high, swinging it in a devastating arc. The air split with a roar of force.
Merlin froze, panic overtaking his composure. "I… I can't stop that!" he yelled.
Kelvin's eyes glimmered with crimson determination. "Yes, you can. Watch closely."
He stepped forward. His fist connected with the massive sword, the shockwave of the impact sending sparks and mana shards flying in all directions. The sword trembled violently and rebounded slightly, a long, jagged crack appearing along its edge.
Merlin's eyes widened in disbelief. "Impossible… a human—he actually…"
Kelvin's mind remained focused, calculating each movement, each strike. Seems my divine body is growing stronger. The thought was fleeting but potent. He could feel the surge of power coursing through his veins, the physical strength that no normal human could ever possess.
The King Ogre roared again, fury blazing in its eyes. It swung its sword downward, faster and more precise than before. Each strike of the massive blade caused the earth itself to tremble and mana to swirl violently in response.
Merlin backed up, his own hands glowing as he prepared defensive spells, though his confidence wavered. "I don't know how we can withstand that…"
Kelvin's gaze stayed locked on the monster. "We don't just withstand it. We end it. Strike where it is weakest. Timing… and strength are everything."
With a fluid motion, Kelvin dodged the King Ogre's next attack, his footwork precise and controlled. His fists moved in rapid succession, each blow aimed to destabilize the creature's stance. The giant swung again, but Kelvin's strength redirected the force, sending a shockwave back into the King Ogre's massive chest.
Merlin's mouth fell open. "It's… it's like he's controlling the impact… and pushing it back!"
Kelvin's focus never wavered. He could sense the flow of the battle, the weight of the King Ogre's movements, and the perfect timing to exploit its momentary vulnerabilities. Every crack in its armor, every shift in its stance, was calculated.
The King Ogre's roar echoed, reverberating through the Illusion World like a storm of fury. Trees bent and shattered under the tremors of its power. Merlin stumbled, gripping the mana orb in his hand tightly, but Kelvin remained steadfast.
"Move! We must close the distance!" Kelvin instructed, his voice cutting through the chaos. "Strike its joints. Its sword arm—now!"
Merlin's panic began to subside as he followed Kelvin's command, channeling a controlled fire spell toward the King Ogre's joints. Sparks erupted as the attacks connected. The monster staggered slightly, the raw power of Kelvin's blows combined with Merlin's precise elemental strikes making it falter.
Kelvin's fist clenched. Good… it's weaker now. Time to finish this.
The air between them crackled with tension. Each movement, each strike, was magnified by the immense scale of the opponent. Kelvin's eyes gleamed, and his thoughts were razor-sharp. Every calculation, every movement, every strike brought them closer to victory—or catastrophe.
The battle had only just begun, and already the Illusion World seemed alive, reacting to the clash of human determination against monstrous power. Kelvin and Merlin were on the precipice of an epic confrontation, where strength, intelligence, and courage would be tested beyond anything they had faced before.
And somewhere deep within Kelvin's mind, a single thought remained steady: No matter the odds… we will win.
The air inside the Illusion World was thick with tension and mana. Kelvin Reinhart and Merlin had pushed the King Ogre to the brink, but the battle was far from over.
Kelvin's Gate radiated an intense, almost overwhelming aura of mana. The light was so strong that it shook the very ground, making the surrounding terrain ripple with energy. In the real world, the Academy's instructors and students could sense the surge. The lead instructor froze, eyes widening.
"What… what is that amount of mana?!" one of the senior students exclaimed, barely able to comprehend the raw power emanating from the gate.
Even Alicia, standing at a safe distance along with other students, could feel the force reverberating through her body. Her pale face was etched with worry. "Kelvin…" she whispered, her heart urging her to enter the gate, but the instructor quickly blocked her path.
"You cannot! It's far too dangerous!" he shouted, his voice trembling as he restrained her. Alicia's hands clawed at his arms, but he would not relent.
Inside the Illusion World, Kelvin was preparing his final strike. The King Ogre's massive sword loomed before him, ready to strike with lethal force. In a heartbeat, the creature lunged, its brute strength almost incomprehensible. Kelvin's eyes narrowed, but before he could unleash his attack, the King Ogre's massive hand slammed into him.
The sheer force sent Kelvin flying through the air, skidding across the cracked earth, leaving a trail of scorched debris behind. Merlin's heart thudded painfully, panic clawing at his chest.
"Kelvin!" Merlin shouted, running forward instinctively. But deep down, he trusted in Kelvin's unparalleled strength. He won't die… he can't.
Merlin clenched his fists and focused every ounce of mana he had. The fire in his palms burned hotter than ever as he formed a blazing beam of concentrated energy.
"FIRE BEAM!!" Merlin shouted, sending the torrent of fire surging toward the King Ogre. The creature staggered backward, smoke and debris billowing around it. For a fleeting moment, Merlin allowed himself to hope—Kelvin would come back, and together they could finish this.
But fate was cruel. Merlin's concentration faltered; the intense battle environment disrupted his spell. The beam fizzled, scattering harmlessly. His heart sank. The King Ogre's defense remained intact.
Before Merlin could react further, the massive fist of the King Ogre slammed down toward him. He barely had time to chant a defensive spell:
"Mana Shield!"
A translucent barrier of concentrated mana flared into existence, absorbing the force of the strike. Merlin's legs buckled as the impact reverberated through his body. "You… will die when Kelvin arrives…" he whispered, gritting his teeth.
The shield began to crack under the pressure. Merlin could feel its limits. And then—suddenly—the King Ogre's left hand vanished, disintegrated by an unseen force. The creature let out a deafening roar of pain and rage, staggering backward.
Kelvin had returned.
He appeared midair, sword drawn, flames dancing along its edge. The intensity of the heat made Merlin instinctively step back, awe-struck. "Kelvin… you… you can use magic?" he stammered.
Kelvin's eyes briefly met Merlin's. "And you… are incredible for holding your ground." A rare, genuine smile crossed his face.
In perfect unison, they spoke:
"Let's finish this."
Kelvin's sword ignited with his own magical energy. "Fire Sword!" The flames coiled around the blade, making it a weapon of pure destructive power. It was a high-level spell, one that few could ever hope to control.
Merlin's hands glowed with renewed power. "As expected, Kelvin… this is incredible."
Kelvin's voice remained steady. "And you… you've endured long enough. Let's bring this to an end together."
The King Ogre roared, swinging its remaining massive sword. Kelvin moved with impossible speed, and his first technique struck true.
"Reinhart Technique1: Silent Slash!"
The blade cut cleanly and without sound, slicing through the King Ogre's left arm. The monster's armor and flesh parted as if it were paper. The hand fell to the ground with a deafening thud, leaving the King Ogre staggering in shock.
"Merlin!" Kelvin shouted, eyes ablaze. "Now! Fire Beam! Destroy its defenses!"
Merlin didn't hesitate. Channeling every ounce of his remaining mana, he launched a devastating torrent of fire at the creature. The beam was brighter and fiercer than before, its intensity shredding the King Ogre's defensive aura in seconds.
"FIRE BEAM!!" Merlin screamed, pouring his heart into the spell.
The King Ogre's defenses shattered under the immense heat and energy. It roared in agony as molten energy cracked across its body.
Kelvin leapt high into the air, tracing a perfect arc toward the weakened monster. His final technique was one he had honed with years of relentless training. Flames erupted along his sword as he descended with impossible speed.
"Reinhart Technique 5: Inferno Descent!"
The attack struck like a meteor. The King Ogre's massive body split down the middle, the force carving deep scars into the surrounding mountains. Dust, debris, and fire erupted into the sky as the colossal beast let out a final, earth-shaking roar.
Merlin staggered backward, his chest heaving. "Is… is it over?" he asked, disbelief and relief mingling in his voice.
Kelvin landed gracefully beside him, lowering his sword. "Yes… we did it. Together."
Merlin looked at him, stunned. Kelvin's praise was unexpected. "You… you're amazing, Merlin. I can't believe you held on so long. A weak person would have been a burden…"
Merlin's cheeks flushed. "I… I've never… been praised like that before…"
Kelvin smirked faintly. "You're strong. That's all that matters."
For a moment, the battlefield was silent except for the wind and the settling debris. The King Ogre was no more, its immense presence finally extinguished. The two of them stood side by side, exhausted but victorious. The fire from Kelvin's sword flickered as he sheathed it, and Merlin's mana slowly dissipated into the air, leaving a calm but electrifying aftermath.
They had faced impossible odds and emerged victorious. In the process, their bond had grown stronger, and their power—tested beyond measure—had proven unstoppable.
Somewhere beyond the Illusion World, instructors and students who had been watching from a distance could finally exhale. But inside, Kelvin and Merlin knew this was only a glimpse of the challenges to come.
The battle was over, but their journey was far from complete.
The battlefield's remnants within the Illusion World shimmered faintly, and slowly, the massive gateway that Kelvin and Merlin had used began to return to its normal state. The swirling mana and searing energy that had shaken the Academy moments ago dissipated, leaving only a faint hum in the air.
At the Academy, instructors and students alike were staring at the gate, disbelief written across their faces. The lead instructor shook his head, murmuring, "Impossible… they actually succeeded…?"
All eyes were on the gateway, and then, step by step, Kelvin and Merlin emerged. Dust clung to their clothes, and a faint scent of smoke lingered around them. Both were breathing heavily, but the victorious aura surrounding them was unmistakable.
Kelvin's movements were deliberate, almost slow, as he straightened his posture. He grimaced slightly, running a hand across his face, feeling the lingering pain from the battle. "I can't believe it… that strike… it hit me harder than I thought," he muttered, his voice calm but edged with a quiet tension.
Merlin, still standing beside him, looked perplexed. "I didn't expect you to survive that blow either. That was… beyond anything I've ever seen," he admitted, scratching the back of his head. His exhaustion was evident; his mana had been heavily drained, leaving him slightly pale and panting.
Kelvin's body bore multiple deep cuts, burns, and bruises from the fight. His shirt was shredded in places, and blood streaked across his forearms. Despite the visible injuries, his composure remained unshaken. Merlin, on the other hand, was relatively unharmed aside from minor bruises and burn marks. "I'm tired, but not as much as you, Kelvin," Merlin said, his voice quiet but genuine.
The lead instructor stepped forward, voice stern yet tinged with disbelief. "Tell me… did you really defeat the King Ogre? The one that had mutated beyond its original form?" His eyes narrowed as he scanned Kelvin's injuries, clearly astonished by how alive he was after enduring such a strike.
Merlin swallowed hard and nodded, still trying to catch his breath. "Yes… we did. We weren't sure we would, honestly. That… thing was insanely powerful. It wasn't a normal King Ogre anymore—it had mutated. Every strike, every swing was deadly…"
Kelvin straightened slightly, supporting himself with one hand as he spoke, his voice calm and unwavering. "We didn't defeat it by luck. Strategy… and precision were everything. We planned every move, coordinated our attacks, and used our spells with purpose. That's why we survived, and that's why it's over now."
The murmur of shock spread among the students. Many had already seen the King Ogre from a distance before it mutated, and some had even trained under simulations to fight powerful monsters—but none could fathom that two students could face a fully mutated King Ogre and emerge victorious.
Whispers and gasps filled the air:
"Did they really…?""Kelvin and Merlin… they actually survived?""Mutated King Ogre… and they defeated it?"
Alicia, who had been standing quietly at a distance, let out a soft sigh of relief, her shoulders relaxing. Her hands clenched into fists as her worry melted away. "Kelvin… you're… back…" she whispered, almost to herself. Her eyes glimmered with a mixture of relief and admiration. She had feared the worst during the battle, imagining the King Ogre overpowering them in moments.
Merlin gave a small laugh, half from relief and half from incredulity. "I can't believe it either… Kelvin, you really… survived everything, and you didn't just survive—you were the one striking the final blows." He paused, glancing down at Kelvin's wounds. "You're seriously… reckless sometimes."
Kelvin ignored the jab, focusing on steadying his breathing. "It wasn't reckless. I made sure every move counted. And we worked together. That's what made it possible." His eyes scanned the gathered students, their faces reflecting awe, disbelief, and respect. "Strength isn't just power. It's understanding, precision, and knowing when to strike. Anyone can swing a sword, but not everyone can win a fight like that."
The lead instructor's jaw tightened, clearly impressed despite himself. "I… I have never witnessed such skill and coordination at this level from first-year students. This… this is unprecedented." He glanced at Merlin as well. "And you… you stood your ground and supported him perfectly. Your teamwork… it was flawless."
Kelvin's injuries made him grimace as he shifted his weight slightly. "We are not invincible. We were tested—and we passed. That's all there is to it."
Several students approached cautiously, curiosity overcoming their initial fear. Some whispered among themselves about what strategies Kelvin and Merlin might have used, trying to understand how two students could outperform everyone else and face the King Ogre, one of the most powerful creatures known to appear during these trials.
Alicia, still watching, felt a strange warmth in her chest. Relief, yes—but also a sense of admiration that she had never felt before. Kelvin had returned, battered but victorious. Strong. Unyielding. She couldn't help but let her mind wander to what this meant for the future, and whether the man she had watched in awe was someone she could truly rely on.
Kelvin finally spoke again, addressing everyone in the field with a quiet authority that silenced the murmurs. "Do not underestimate monsters—or yourselves. Power alone is not enough. Strategy, teamwork, and clarity of mind… that is what makes victory possible."
Even the lead instructor nodded slowly, a rare expression of respect on his face. "I… I underestimated you both. Truly. I will have to revise the rankings and assessments. What you accomplished today… is beyond the standard for any first-year student. You've set a new benchmark."
Merlin, slightly tired but still smiling faintly, nudged Kelvin. "You see? Even the instructor admits it. That was… incredible, Kelvin."
Kelvin allowed himself a small smile, though his injuries ached with every movement. "We survived because we focused on the task, not on our own fear. That's all there is to it."
The students, previously skeptical, now looked at Kelvin and Merlin with admiration, awe, and a hint of intimidation. Their actions during the King Ogre battle had not only proven their strength but had also demonstrated the importance of discipline, planning, and cooperation—even under seemingly impossible odds.
Alicia's relief gradually shifted to cautious curiosity as she observed Kelvin. Her mind was still racing from the tension, the fear, and now the overwhelming display of power. She could only hope that he would recover quickly from the wounds he had taken, though even in his battered state, he emanated an aura of indomitable strength.
The lead instructor finally broke the silence, turning to the students who had gathered. "Take note of this. What you've witnessed today is what true skill looks like. But do not assume you can replicate it without discipline, effort, and understanding. Kelvin Reinhart and Merlin have taught us all a valuable lesson: preparation and intelligence are just as vital as raw power."
Kelvin adjusted his stance slightly, looking down at his injuries but remaining composed. Merlin's gaze shifted between Kelvin and the gathered students, a silent acknowledgment of their shared victory.
And so, as the gate returned to its calm, dormant state, and the sun of the real world continued to cast its light over the Academy, Kelvin and Merlin stood together—wounded but victorious, respected by their peers, and acknowledged by their instructors. The battle against the mutated King Ogre had ended, but the echoes of their triumph would reverberate throughout the Academy for years to come.
Alicia, still at a distance, finally allowed herself a small, heartfelt smile. Kelvin had returned. Alive. Strong. Unbroken. And in that moment, she knew that the trials ahead—no matter how dangerous—would be far less terrifying with him standing as her comrade.