Black Star Fury and the Cadre's Desperate Flight
Lesian reached into the small subspace held by the Inquisition versus the Reverse Star cadre. She pulled out a fancy staff embedded with jewels—a cane. Without hesitation, she hurled herself straight into the heart of the black wave.
At the tip of the cane, unfamiliar characters unlike any magic script appeared.
ᚲ - ᛁ (Pierce - Single Point)
BOOM! The black wave grinding up the auditorium floor burst like a balloon at its crest, scattering everywhere.
But the Group Master's response was swift. He threw himself backward while manipulating the scattered liquid to wrap around Lesian's ankle.
KIIIIII! A chilling shriek erupted from the Group Master's mouth. Ants from all directions swarmed Lesian at once.
But...
ᚣ - ᚷ (Ignition - Chain)
Like gasoline doused and set ablaze, the black ants surrounding Lesian burned up in an instant.
CRACK! At the same moment, a vicious sound echoed from the Group Master's side. It was too fast for my eyes to follow. Lesian had already closed in and slammed a kick into his abdomen.
The Group Master barely blocked it. He swung his hand, and liquid from the floor erupted into countless spikes from all directions. Fresh ants quickly reinforced, targeting Lesian once more.
Truly one of the top Reverse Star cadres, I thought. There was no gap to escape this seamless chain of attacks.
But if she folded to something like this, that woman wouldn't hold the Black Star title.
ᛒ - ᛜ (Shatter - Diffusion)
ᚦ - ᚪ (Impact - Transfer)
BOOM! Bang! BOOM! Like a master assassin, Lesian darted nimbly over the black swamp. Black ants exploded, sliced, and shredded before her cane.
Yet the black wave didn't lose momentum easily. It kept swelling endlessly, trying to swallow her whole.
Wow. A rare clash between top-tier powerhouses, I thought. The problem was it was unfolding right in front of us.
Shockwaves rippled outward. Blind attacks gouged the floor and walls, shattering everything.
"Kyaaah! Save me!"
"Uwaaaah! Get inside the barrier now!"
At this rate, it wouldn't be strange if someone got caught in the crossfire and died.
Thankfully, the professor nearby wasn't one to just watch.
"Fall back as far as you can."
Bastian Cred had been preparing something the moment their fight began. He extended his hand, unfurling a thick curtain of grayish smoke across a wide area. Astonishingly, the dense fog barrier distorted slightly but absorbed the impacts whole.
The old professor joined in, erecting a wide-range defensive barrier. A massive wall now stood between the students and the battlefield.
Good. No more worries about instant death, I thought with a sigh of relief. But then I dropped to one knee.
"Ugh."
Dizziness hit me hard. The professors' magic blocked physical shocks, but not the spreading mana waves.
Our spot was too close to the fight. Still, this was the kind of symptom for the frail or young. What a troublesome, fragile body.
"Harne!"
"Oh no, she's hit by the mana shock. Why...?"
Unlike me, Skala and Runes seemed fine. They propped me against the wall with panicked faces.
"I'm okay. I can handle this much."
No time to fuss over symptoms like this. More importantly, I couldn't let my condition dictate now. Something had been nagging at me.
Why had a Reverse Star cadre shown up here of all places?
Reverse Star cherished possessors, sure. But they picked their battles. With Inquisitors everywhere and a Black Star present, risking a cadre for two weak possessors? No way.
That Group Master wasn't the real body, of course. Disgustingly, he had a Heart Illusion that split him in two. Easy to tell—this was a clone that vanished if its core got destroyed.
...Even so, the math didn't add up. I was missing something.
But no time to think deeper.
"Eek! They're coming this way! Gross!"
Skala's tail stiffened in horror. Some black ants had started swarming our side.
Aiming for the undefended flank? Our only professor was busy blocking the Black Star and cadre fight.
"Tch."
Bastian noticed and clicked his tongue. He turned to us in the back.
"Top-class students, listen up."
"!"
His mana-infused voice boomed across the auditorium side. Eyes locked on instantly.
Bastian's usual stern face cracked a sly smirk.
"Unscheduled first assignment. As your monster response professor, consider this practical training."
He nodded at the ant swarm.
"Show me the mettle of the class reps."
Clank! Zap! Subspace portals ripped open everywhere. Weapons of all kinds emerged; students armed up in seconds.
No wonder screams were scarce here. Anyone panicking wouldn't have made it this far.
Bastian nodded, satisfied, then added curtly:
"Survive."
KIIIII! Top-class students clashed with the writhing ants. I drew my Yuwol Sword Arts blade from subspace and staggered forward.
...Only to get grabbed by Skala.
"What're you gonna do in that state? Stay back!"
She glared, daring me to argue—like she'd shoot my head off.
Fine. Better play obedient. I crouched back. Satisfied, Skala opened fire. Runes struck a fighting pose, greatsword out, and charged.
Over 30 ants headed our way. But with Runes up front, the black stain on the floor started scraping away.
"These guys taste great!"
In Runes's world, every foe showed red lines—weak points. Mana, physical attacks, life itself: no exceptions.
She swung without hesitation along the revealed paths.
KABOOOM!
To her right, dazzling light orbs exploded nonstop.
"Ahh! Brightness control failed! Sorry, everyone~"
Libera Luzart, the gal mage in goggles. Her sloppy moves belied light magic steadily pulverizing the ant swarm ahead.
"Haat!"
To Runes's left, a spear-wielding boy blocked ants infiltrating the corner. Zeon Drock. True to his veteran adventurer roots, no motion wasted.
"Holy light, be with their swords and shields."
Warm light infused the students with vigor. Altesia, saintess candidate in white robes over uniform. Her buffs evenly reached every top-class student.
The vitality buff hit me too. Feeling decent now, I gripped my sword and stood.
But I paused. The ants were clearing faster than expected. Skala and Uriel covered gaps with ranged attacks.
Hm. They don't need me. Strategic rest it is, even if it looks lame.
Then—tap tap. Someone lightly touched my shoulder.
"!"
No presence until this close. Turning slowly, an unfamiliar girl stood right there. Ghostly, almost—presence so faint you'd miss her.
She narrowed her eyes with a sly grin.
Aha.
"I think I know who you are."
That irritating-yet-charming smile. That signature expression was ID enough for us.
I held out my hand. She slipped a ring onto my finger, tapped my shoulder again, and vanished in a blink.
Startling stealth, I thought. I slipped the ring on. A familiar voice echoed in my head.
A telepathy ring straight out of wuxia novels. I infused mana and replied silently.
Fair enough. Pielsha had reason to panic.
...Probably all the comrades did. Sorry for worrying them.
I quickly shared the situation: Inquisition raid on auditorium, two possessors captured mid-exam, Group Master intrusion. Plus my nagging doubts.
Telepathy cut. She was moving.
Meanwhile, I eyed the scene. Ants coming our way were nearly cleared. Runes and Skala headed back.
Time to tell them I was fine.
KABOOOM!
...Not now. The Group Master battlefield was tipping fast.
KYAAAH! Inquisitors swarmed him now. With fewer ants, they had breathing room.
Lesian alone was a handful for him. Now holy spells and physical assaults rained from all sides—his ants crumbled to dust.
Couldn't last long. 20 seconds tops?
Of course, they knew it. Reverse Star—one of the big three crime groups—wasn't sloppy, hate to admit.
Flash! Violet light filled the auditorium.
"!"
Eyes turned. Not Group Master. Far corner, away from him. A flashy purple magic circle bloomed on the floor. A uniformed boy stood atop it, wand ready in combat stance.
"Aha."
Selnia's words clicked. The answer to my nagging doubt was that boy.
...Damn, shorty blocking the view. But Selnia and shouting Inquisitors cleared it quick.
"Reverse Star cadre, Earth Worker! Block the escape!"
Inquisitors raiding Group Master veered to grab the boy. He revealed his true colors—codename Earth Worker.
He slammed his wand down.
RUMBLE! Earth walls surged around him, blocking ranged attacks. Sharp rocks spiked from Inquisitors' feet.
Offense-defense earth magic combo. His specialty.
CRUNCH! Crack! Inquisitors weren't pushovers. Side pierced, arms twisted—they pressed like zombies. Like puppets for the mission. Gnawing walls, swinging deadly weapons at his head.
But attacks never landed. Black liquid walls from nearby blocked them.
Ants scattered everywhere had mostly gathered to Earth Worker. They tanked holy spells, built thick black barriers guarding him.
Clearly buying time for him.
As expected. The two captured possessors were decoys, sacrifices.
Reverse Star's real goal: extract their hidden student cadre. Group Master's clone was pure aggro.
Earth Worker focused solely on defense and escape, rooted to his magic circle.
Worth a shot.