As Yuridia began her spell, the sky started to darken.
At the same time, a cool breeze blew, causing Yuridia’s uniform to flutter.
[Demon Slave].
The spell that placed Yuridia within the top three of the character popularity rankings and a spell that anyone who played "Hero of the Academy" would know.
’Even people who played other games knew about the character Yuridia.’
Such was her popularity that many people went around reciting the [Demon Slave] spell.
I was one of them.
The [Demon Slave] spell is quite lengthy.
Even ordinary people memorized such a spell, which gives an idea of how popular Yuridia was at the time.
’But to have such a direct observation opportunity come up, I can’t miss it.’
Well, Raymon is getting beaten up by the demon, but what can I do?
Missing out on a direct observation, especially the first one, was not an option.
A true connoisseur would make the same choice.
Click-click.
I began taking pictures without disturbing Yuridia’s concentration.
Hmm, maybe it’s because of the wind, but the photos turned out pretty.
It would have been better if the sky was clear, but it can’t be helped.
After all, this spell borrows power from the ’master of the abyss.’
So, this much is acceptable.
Yuridia’s lips moved as the spell continued.
O you, darker than the blackest darkness, redder than the blood flowing through my veins.
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By the name of yours, forgotten and buried under the flow of time, I swear here in front of everyone.
To those foolish ones standing in our way.
Together with your power and mine, we shall show the great power of despair!
Beeeeeeing!!
A strange noise emanated from Yuridia’s hand.
It’s the sound made when mana is concentrated in one place.
A terrifying noise, as if mana was screaming in a cramped space, about to explode at any moment.
"Everyone, get away from there! Far away!"
At my shout, the children distanced themselves from Bineus.
The second flame lit up in the pentagram.
But it doesn’t matter. Our casting is finished.
Yuridia brought her hands together and then spread them wide towards where Bineus was.
Demon Slave!
Boom boom boom boom boom!
Crimson flames shot from Yuridia’s palms.
The storm of flames engulfed Bineus.
"Kraaaaak-!!"
A pained scream erupted from Bineus.
’As expected, it’s impressive.’
Concentrating all her mana into one point, condensing, and compressing it.
Then firing it all at once.
That’s [Demon Slave].
Moreover, with two flames lit, there was an additional 200% damage.
Even Bineus, a 4th grade demon, would have suffered significant damage.
"Ugh... Ugh..."
"Keke, you’ve worked hard, Miss Yuridia."
"...I can’t even offer empty words of thanks to you, Zero."
Yuridia let out a wry smile.
Not so. I worked hard too.
I was busy capturing beautiful shots against the dark background!
"You, you brats! I will never forgive you!"
But contrary to his words, Bineus was staggering.
"Everyone, stay alert! It’s not over yet!"
As the first flame lit up in the pentagram.
The battle began again.
* * *
"Ugh... Ugh..."
"Damn, still? When is that thing going to fall? Or..."
Does it even fall?
By now, that thought might have crossed everyone’s mind.
The battle with the 4th grade demon Bineus was now in its 30th minute.
But Bineus still showed no signs of falling.
"Damn, if only I could use magic..."
Yuridia gnawed at her fingernails.
Currently, Yuridia was out of mana due to the aftermath of [Demon Slave].
The mana that was recovering was all used up for ’shield,’ making it impossible to use offensive magic.
"What the hell is that thing! Why did it appear here!"
Yuridia’s curse was a reflection of our current situation.
Normally, she’s good at hiding her true feelings.
But now, her true feelings were continuously spilling out.
It meant the situation was not good.
"Ugh!"
"Alex! Be careful!"
Raymon deflected Bineus’s attack and protected Alex.
Rodelin, Alex, and Luna.
Although Yuridia couldn’t use offensive magic, they hadn’t loosened the reins on their attacks.
The trio’s secret techniques and strikes continued.
The flames in the pentagram were extinguished again.
If three flames were lit, it would be over.
But that had never happened.
It showed how relentlessly we had been fighting.
Huh? Have I been resting until now?
Of course not. I was also moving around busily.
"Die!"
"Krah!"
Raymon fell backward, and at the same time, Bineus cast a spell.
Luna grabbed the fallen Raymon and dragged him out of range.
"Flame Strike!"
Boom!!
The ground shattered, and the terrain was damaged. Our formation was also disrupted.
Suddenly, the second flame lit up in the pentagram.
"Zero!"
"I’m aware!"
Using Silver Flash to reset the flames and simultaneously swinging my sword.
The third secret technique of the Fleur family.
Steel Storm’s Wings.
Rocks and miscellaneous objects lying around struck Bineus’s body.
Boom boom boom!
"Ugh!"
This was my role.
In situations like this, when the formation collapses unexpectedly, it’s my job to prevent the third flame with Silver Flash.
Some might call it a perfect strategy.
Thinking we could win if it continues like this.
But no.
’The cooldown for Silver Flash is 5 turns, and Bineus’s demon magic is every 3 turns.’
When the next second flame is lit, I won’t be able to do anything.
It means this is the most dangerous timing.
And that’s not the only problem.
"Ugh... Ugh..."
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"Cough... Cough!"
"...Sigh."
The children’s stamina was dropping.
Even Rodelin was struggling to regulate her heavy breathing.
And as is often the case, misfortunes come not singly but in battalions.
"Ahh!"
Raymon, who could block seven out of ten attacks.
But probability is just that, probability.
Meaning there are times, like now, when consecutive defenses fail.
Rodelin, Alex, and Luna were also quite distant.
Looking up, I saw Yuridia forming a large ’X’ with her arms.
Meaning she had no mana left to use for a shield.
The only one who could go to Raymon now was me.
But lacking in stats, I couldn’t rescue Raymon.
Ultimately, what I chose was...
"Raymon! Catch!"
A small disc that could fit in my hand.
The A-grade artifact from Daike, ’Barrier of Order’.
[Barrier of Order: A]
Once per battle, if you receive a fatal injury, it reduces damage by 80%.
Boom!!
"Agh!"
Struck by Bineus’s fist, Raymon was sent flying far away, rolling on the ground.
Then he suddenly lifted his head, indicating he was unharmed.
I ran to Raymon.
"Zero! I, I owe you one! Thank you so much!"
"Give it back."
"Pardon?"
"What I gave you, I mean. Return it. And go back to your position to fight."
"Ah... Yes."
Raymon, having returned the Barrier of Order, ran back to his spot.
It might seem harsh, but it’s the right thing.
Because it might be needed again. Perhaps even right now.
’The formation is collapsing too fast. We’ve reached our limit.’
As I feared, Luna was in danger next.
"Luna!"
I threw the Barrier of Order.
Successfully catching it, Luna was hit by Bineus’s punch and sent flying.
"Cough!"
The ’once per battle’ rule of the Barrier of Order.
An artifact that had already been used by Raymon, thus its effect nullified, so why give it?
There’s a small bug in this game.
Artifacts or skills labeled ’once per battle’.
’Can be used once per character.’
Since passing it also consumes a turn, it’s a rarely used tactic.
But it’s handy for valuable artifacts.
’I never thought I’d be using it now.’
By the way, the ’Spirit’s Breath’ Luna has is a ’once per single battle’ item.
Meaning this method of use wouldn’t work.
Once per single battle.
Once per battle.
You might ask what’s the difference between the two, but it can’t be helped.
It’s an old game, after all. Such things require a generous understanding.
Anyway, I was making good use of the artifact I received (?) from Daike.
Crack!
"Senior!!"
Rodelin was struck by Bineus’s fist and sent flying.
Towards me.
"Damn!"
I threw myself to catch Rodelin.
It was almost a collision, but surely better than hitting the hard ground.
"Senior, are you alright?"
"Of course... Cough!"
Blood spurted from Rodelin’s mouth.
She tried to stand but collapsed to the side.
Her body wouldn’t respond. Rodelin struggled to speak.
"Zero... take everyone and run."
"Pardon?"
"He’s only after me."
"..."
"Please. I’ll hold him off while you..."
Yes, Rodelin is that kind of character.
One who tries to shoulder everything alone.
A stubborn fool.
I pressed her forehead down to lie back, then stroked her head.
"Ze, Zero? What are you doing?"
"Keke, as you see, I’m patting your head?"
"No, I mean..."
"Trying to shoulder everything alone. Are you perhaps a fool?"
Rodelin looked into my eyes.
Her eyes, always bright and full of strength, were slightly dimmed.
"...There’s no other way."
"I believe in you, Senior. Together, we can overcome this crisis. But it seems you don’t trust us."
"That’s not what I meant."
"So, you’ll just die?"
I was frustrated. Frustrated with Rodelin’s insistence on taking everything on alone.
I’ve seen it too many times in games, but always felt helpless.
But now, at least.
‘I can pat your head.’
Perhaps comforted or inspired by the sight of the others fighting behind us, strength returned to Rodelin’s eyes.
"I’m sorry. To think my spirit was the weakest. I’m disqualified as a senior."
Rodelin struggled to her feet.
Yes, that’s it.
Rodelin! Say you want to live!
"Perfect Healing!"
Rodelin used an artifact to heal herself.
Being the highest level among us, it wasn’t a bad decision.
"...If it’s too much, leave me and run. Otherwise, I’ll give everyone a demerit point."
"Keke, I’ll consider it."
As Rodelin stood up, the fierce battle resumed.
Bineus’s body was covered in wounds, but he still exhibited tremendous might.
‘Isn’t there a way?’
[One Flash] or [Sky Splitter] won’t work.
They’re not weak, but with my poor stats, they wouldn’t deal proper damage.
I needed a stronger skill.
Overwhelming and destructive, one that could even bring a 4th grade demon like Bineus to his knees.
"..."
There was one. Overwhelming and destructive, a skill that could bring despair to the enemy.
[Demon Slave].
--TL Notes--
Hope you enjoyed this chapter. If you want to support me or give me feedback, you can do it at /MattReading
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