Descent of the Kin
To Sylvia, Olivia was more than family. She was the mentor who had affirmed her dreams and guided her path—the sole long-lived being among short-lived humans. A partner who had stood by her side for five hundred years. That was why Sylvia issued the evacuation order without hesitation. She trusted her big sister that much.
"Maou's Kin of the Outside..."
During the Maou War, Sylvia had clashed with the Kin more than anyone. The life force of the World Tree Wand was the most effective weapon against them.
The banquet hall didn't worry her. There was a hero from the last Maou War—one of the strongest witches in history—guarding it.
"Sis, I'm counting on you for the banquet hall."
With those words, Sylvia dashed toward the southeastern lake. What awaited her there was a collapsing night sky.
"Ha..."
Stars closer than ever before. The lake transformed into a sticky swamp, with something ominous bubbling beneath. And standing tall in the center—"it."
Its gaze, shrouded in a pitch-black cloak mimicking deep space, fixed on Sylvia.
"Alright, let's do this."
Sylvia raised the tip of her wand toward the heavens.
World Tree Blessing
A burst of green light enveloped the lake, manifesting a colossal World Tree form. It blotted out the mind-numbing night sky.
No more words were needed between them.
-■■■■■■■■■!
With the Kin's scream, the stars began to fall.
"...!"
A massive surge of mana rippled out—something every mage could sense. Turning toward it, a gigantic tree illuminated one corner of the night sky.
"That's..."
"A strategic-grade spell created three hundred years ago to fight the Maou's Kin."
Only one person here could cast a strategic spell that quickly: Sylvia. It meant an enemy worthy of her full power had appeared.
"No time. Let's move."
They'd said the Kin was bait to draw Sylvia away. Which meant their real target was the banquet hall. The Kin awakening signaled—
"Die!"
...the black mages had already infiltrated.
A man's wand thrust forward abruptly, gathering murderous green magic. The green flash and my hand dropping to my waist happened simultaneously. My body reacted before thought.
My pupils dilated, splintering one second into dozens. The scenery stretched like taffy, revealing the green trajectory crystal clear. Staring it down, I drew my revolver like lightning.
Three gunshots rang out, multicolored flashes erupting from the silver barrel.
"What the...!?"
Time snapped back with the man's shout. In the dark corridor's center, colors exploded.
"Gaaah!?"
As the blinding starlight particles faded, a man with three holes in his body stood there.
"How... so fast..."
"I'm pretty quick."
I gave a short reply, switching the cylinder to the amethyst core in chamber two. Without hesitation, I pulled the trigger—purple lightning pierced the black mage's reckless skull. His body crumpled like a marionette with cut strings.
"Follow me, Lily."
No need for mercy kills. Gripping Lily's hand tightly, I descended to the banquet hall's first floor.
The black mages we encountered on the way were no match. Protecting Lily slowed me a bit, but I handled them all.
"Ugh, every spell these guys use just rubs me the wrong way."
I muttered, wiping blood from my cheek with my thumb. Checking the chambers, a hesitant voice came from behind.
"...Professor, are you used to this?"
"Hm?"
Only then did I look properly at Lily's face. Pale but forcing a brave front—it tugged at me.
"I... as the wand's wielder, I'll have to get used to this, right?"
"Probably."
I didn't deny it. Lily's future wouldn't be all sunshine. But...
"Not yet."
Lily was still a student. In this situation, students had one job.
"Right now, focus on surviving above all else."
I led her down to the first floor. Chaos reigned already.
"It's an assault!"
"Evacuate students and elders first! Where are the guards?!"
"Damn black mages—how'd they get in here...!"
Windows shattered, monsters pouring in. Guards, unused to real combat beyond the Absolute Defense Line, couldn't cope. Panicked thrusts missed; they bled out clumsily.
The battle-experienced nobles reacted first, blasting magic at charging beasts.
"Nordenburk warriors never retreat!"
Next came the Nordenburk students. Tearing off tuxedos, runes glowed red on their skin. Wielding battle axes, they turned the tide momentarily to a stalemate.
"Professor, don't just stand there—evacuate. We'll hold here."
A boy drenched in monster blood hefted a massive axe. North's battle-mage runes blazed, smoking.
"Gunter?"
I was honestly surprised. I'd thought he hated me after our rocky start, but here he was urging me to flee first.
"We northerners don't hold grudges on the battlefield. Once combat starts, only roles remain—not emotions. Isn't yours protecting that girl?"
"No grudges on the battlefield. Good words."
I liked that. Drawing my wand, I stepped up.
"But you're mistaken about one thing..."
I'd never planned to run. Can't use students as shields as a professor. Fleeing my karma? Worse than death.
"My role is academy professor before Lily's guardian."
Their target was obvious: the new wand's wielder. Lily. Fleeing with her amid students would just cause more casualties.
"And a professor's job is protecting students."
This apparent stalemate wouldn't last. Others might not sense it, but I'd fought in the Maou War. I felt it—a thick, sticky, ominous presence. At least one 7th Circle foe.
"Fall back."
I handed Lily to Gunter and stepped forward.
"Adults take it from here."
A shut-in wand crafter now, but three centuries ago, I was active. A 7th Circle mage? I could handle solo.
I pressed the revolver's muzzle to my temple. Six triggers—six buffs layered on.
Chamber one: ruby. Flames' firepower.
Chamber two: amethyst. Lightning agility.
Chamber three: diamond. Ice durability.
Chamber four: pearl. Gems' luck.
Chamber five: aquamarine. Forest vitality.
Chamber six: turquoise. Victory's insight.
"Hnnng..."
All six hit at once—hot fire raced my veins. Eyes glowed blue; thoughts accelerated.
Grabbing my dress hem, I tore it apart without mercy. No room for frills in battle. Sylvia'd be sad... future me's problem.
"Mind if I borrow this axe?"
I snatched a fallen battle axe. Maxed strength let me wield its dozens of kilos one-handed.
"What..."
Gunter's stunned voice faded behind. No time—the foul presence's owner appeared. A 7th Circle black mage.
No human face under the black robe. Ominous dark-purple tentacles writhed.
"Everyone, back!"
Dangerous. I shoved them away instinctively. Even mindless beasts sensed it, retreating. A vast empty space formed around us in the hall.
The thing in the center pointed a rotting hand at the girl, parting tentacles to speak.
"Step aside... hand over the child... and you live..."
One reply for that.
"Wrong."
Aiming the axe, I answered.
"Run now, and I'll spare your life."