'System, I accept the pact.'
A blow grazed Enrico's head, forcing him to duck to avoid the zombie's claw.
[Analyzing... the pact will take effect in five minutes.]
'Damn, I still have to wait another three minutes?'
Enrico had barely finished speaking when another attack came toward him. Kai immediately appeared in front of him and blocked the blow with his sword, but the force of the impact sent him several meters backward.
Valença took advantage of the opening and conjured a fire cyclone that advanced toward the creature, while Enrico added part of his own magic to the flames, increasing the strength of the attack and pushing the zombie backward.
"We have to find the core!"
Enrico shouted to the others while keeping his eyes fixed on the creature.
Serenya noticed another attack coming toward Enrico and used her control magic to narrowly deflect the blow.
"Shouldn't Zaras have visible cores?"
Enrico immediately advanced and struck the zombie in the face with a flaming fist, forcing the creature to take several steps backward.
"I know, but this one is different!"
Tolen had both hands pressed against the ground while concentrating his mana.
"Jump!"
Everyone near the zombie jumped upward. The ground beneath the zombie's feet began to glow, and, in the next instant, several small explosions erupted simultaneously. The creature lost its balance and fell to its knees.
Sílvia took advantage of the opening and cast vine magic, causing roots to grow from the ground and wrap around the monster's arms and legs, keeping it restrained. Vanessa appeared directly above the creature, concentrating a sphere of brown energy in her hand.
"Get out of the way!"
She brought her hand down with force, and an explosion struck the zombie directly in the head, destroying a large portion of it and scattering fragments across the floor.
Vanessa looked at the wound with some hope, but her expression quickly changed.
"It's not in the head."
She placed her hand on the ground and transformed the surface around the zombie into an area of mud, causing the creature's body to sink.
"Earth Mud Magic: Earthly Prison."
"Light Feather Magic!"
Liam appeared behind the monster, using the spear's ability at the same time as magic surrounded his legs, increasing his speed. He advanced and delivered several consecutive blows against the zombie's body, trying to prevent it from escaping.
Enrico and Kai took advantage of the sequence of attacks and advanced together.
"Flaming Crescent Slash!"
Kai's sword released an energy slash surrounded by Enrico's flames. The attack tore through the creature's body and opened a deep wound.
Meanwhile, the other students continued fighting the two remaining zombies. After a difficult battle, they managed to bring one of them down, but no one celebrated. Everyone wore heavy expressions as they looked at the corpse. That creature had been one of their classmates.
Now, they had to kill them to survive.
The enormous zombie, still partially submerged in the mud, began to move. With a display of brute strength, it broke through the roots restraining its body and managed to escape the transformed terrain.
It raised its head and charged toward the students again.
"Stop!"
Serenya extended her hand and used her control magic to slow the zombie's advance, but the creature's immense strength began dragging her across the ground.
"Tsk."
Before she could be dragged along, a hand grabbed her arm. Looking back, she saw Enrico. He planted his feet firmly on the ground and tried to help her resist the monster's strength, but the creature continued advancing.
Kai did not wait any longer. He advanced to intercept it, gripping his sword tightly.
"I'll stop it!"
The zombie, however, simply jumped over him.
"What?!"
The creature landed on several students who were fighting the other remaining zombie, crushing them against the ground. Everyone froze for a moment, but there was no time to mourn. Serenya shouted for everyone to hear.
"Let's form a defensive formation!"
The survivors immediately reorganized themselves, preparing for another attack. However, the zombie did not advance toward them.
Instead, it knelt over one of the fallen bodies and began devouring it.
"What is it doing?!"
Enrico's eyes widened in surprise as a bad feeling came over him.
"No!"
He immediately launched a fireball, but unfortunately, it was too late. The attack struck the creature, but a transformation had already begun.
The zombie's body took on a more reddish coloration, while an opening appeared on its shoulder, revealing a glowing red core. Seeing that, Enrico narrowed his eyes.
'That core doesn't seem to have the fire attribute.'
A new screen appeared before his eyes.
[Name: Crimson Devourer — Level 1 Zara]
[Magic Type: Strength]
[Ability: After devouring allies, transforms, gaining additional strength and magical enhancement.]
Enrico was surprised to finally be able to see that information.
'Finally, I can see the status. It seems they were hidden before for some reason.'
He immediately reached into his backpack and began searching for something inside it.
"Time to use this."
Enrico stood up holding a container filled with oil. Valença seemed to immediately understand what he intended to do and began gathering mana to prepare a more powerful spell.
"Let's do everything we can to cover the core with oil."
Enrico began firing several fireballs that split in the air, trying to force the Crimson Devourer to move while the others searched for an opening to strike its core.
Serenya observed the oil in Enrico's hand and understood the idea.
"This might work at our level, but a technique like this won't work against someone in the First Circle. Be careful in the future."
Enrico smiled slightly.
"Of course."
Everyone attacked simultaneously from the sides, attempting to surround the creature. However, the Crimson Devourer simply turned its body and delivered a single slap. The impact was enough to send everyone flying backward.
"This is absurd..."
Tolen could barely remain standing after rolling across the ground. His body was covered in injuries, and his breathing was heavy.
'If it weren't for the training I did with Enrico over the past few days, I would have already been defeated.'
He gritted his teeth and watched the enemy advance again. Then he noticed the spot where the creature was about to step. Without wasting time, Tolen placed one hand on the ground.
'Now!'
An explosion erupted directly beneath the Crimson Devourer's feet, causing the creature to lose its balance.
"Attack!"
Everyone advanced again. However, the moment it fell, the Crimson Devourer violently swung its arms along with its body. The impact of its arms struck everyone around it at once.
The students were thrown in different directions, crashing to the ground with severe injuries. Some could not even get back up.
Enrico was also thrown backward, but before he could fall completely, he realized that he had dropped the container of oil.
The container hit the ground.
The liquid quickly spread across the floor, and Enrico was thrown against the wall behind Valença.
She looked around.
Everyone was almost defeated. Kai could barely move. Serenya was breathing with difficulty. Tolen was down on his knees, and the other students had no strength left to continue.
Valença gripped her staff tightly.
'No... I can't let everyone die.'
Desperate, she began gathering all the mana she still possessed, preparing to launch her most powerful attack.
"Great Fireball!"
The Crimson Devourer lowered its body and touched the ground with its fingers. In the next instant, an enormous slab of concrete rose in front of it, forming an improvised barrier. Most of Valença's attack was blocked by the concrete, while the remainder struck the creature's body without causing any significant damage.
When the smoke began to disappear, the monster was still standing.
Valença lost her strength and fell to her knees, panting as she held the staff with trembling hands. The Crimson Devourer began slowly advancing toward her, each step making the ground tremble.
'I... I couldn't do anything. I wasn't useful. Why did I want to become a mage?'
Tears began streaming down Valença's face as she watched the creature approach. For the first time since entering the academy, the girl felt that all her effort, all her training, and all her dreams might not be enough to protect her when it truly mattered.
"Finally... it's ready."
Enrico, who had been thrown backward during the last attack, slowly stood up. However, he no longer looked like the same golden-haired boy who had been there moments before. His body had visibly changed, and a small system screen appeared before his eyes.
[Pact: For every kilogram of weight, it is possible to exchange it for 0.5 mana or 0.5% soul. Maximum limit: 60 kilograms.]
[And just so you know, this will be the only kind agreement.]
'Even now, she does something like this...'
Enrico smiled as his golden hair fell over his eyes.
'If it's based on weight and I asked to divide it equally, then I received +15 to both.'
He picked up the bow and nocked an arrow, aiming directly at the Crimson Devourer.
"Let's begin."
Enrico began concentrating his mana into the bow and arrow, causing both weapons to catch fire. The flames quickly grew until they completely consumed the bow and arrow.
'To create an Ego Weapon, I need to understand how the weapon I desire works.'
The flames intensified as the bow and arrow disappeared completely within the fire.
In their place, a bow made entirely of flames appeared, with an arrow likewise composed of fire resting on the string.
The Crimson Devourer sensed the danger and immediately assumed a defensive stance. However, before it could position itself, two people appeared behind it.
Kai appeared first, followed by Tolen.
The monster tried to turn its body to attack them, but Kai advanced and grabbed one of the creature's hands with all the strength he still possessed.
"Tolen, now!"
Tolen immediately understood and threw the remaining container of oil toward the exposed core.
The liquid shouldn't have even reached the target, but it stopped in the air a few centimeters before passing the creature. It was Serenya who was keeping one hand extended, her vision blurred and unable to see things clearly.
"I'll hold it!"
The oil remained suspended thanks to her control magic, and with a movement of Serenya's hand, the oil completely covered the red core.
The Crimson Devourer tried to break free and retreat, but Kai held the creature in place with all the strength in his arm while gripping its right leg.
"You won't escape!"
Liam held one of the monster's legs with the spear, while Vanessa used her magic to restrain the other side.
The creature was completely immobilized. Seeing this, Enrico observed the opening and pulled the bowstring.
"Thank you."
His golden eyes remained fixed on the core. The flaming arrow began vibrating against the string, gathering more and more energy until Enrico finally released it.
The arrow shot forward at an absurd speed, crossing the space before any explosion could occur. It pierced directly through the Crimson Devourer's core, where the oil had been spread, and passed through its body, opening an enormous hole through the center of the creature. The force of the impact was so great that the monster's body ended up being split into two parts.
Only then did the explosion occur.
A wave of flames completely engulfed the Crimson Devourer, consuming what remained of its body as the creature began to disappear. When the flames subsided, only the remains of its core remained on the ground.
Everyone ended up collapsing onto the floor, too exhausted to remain standing after that battle. Valença, still trying to catch her breath, silently watched Enrico, her gaze empty as she tried to understand the difference between them.
'Is he really Enrico? Will I ever be able to catch up to him? Or would it be better to give up?'
Enrico sat on the floor and supported one hand behind his body while breathing heavily. After a few seconds, he opened the attribute screen to check how the pact had affected his body.
Name: Enrico Solcren Ferreira
Magic: Fire — Circle 0 — 55%
Mana Quantity: 91
Unique Ability: None
Soul: 58
Valença looked at him, not fully understanding what had happened. The chubby body he had possessed before was now much thinner, with little fat and a more defined appearance. Even his gaze seemed different, carrying a confidence that had not existed before.
He took a deep breath for a moment and closed the screen. Then Enrico saw the bodies of the six students who had died during the battle. The expression on his face immediately changed, and he stood up despite the exhaustion that still weighed heavily on his body.
"Let's hide the bodies so we can bury them when we get out of here. Oh, and I'll explain later why I lost weight."
Kai, Valença, and Tolen, who were still conscious, silently nodded. They all had questions about the sudden change in Enrico's body, but they knew that this was not the right time to ask them. After all, they were still trapped inside the dungeon, and there were many other students they needed to find.
The entire battle was being transmitted to Rirus in his throne room, allowing him to observe every movement of the students and the Nartheis without having to leave the place. A smile of interest appeared on his face.
"Interesting."
Rirus stood up from the throne and walked over to a table filled with bottles of different colors and sizes. After searching for a few seconds, he picked up a small blue container and, using a magic circle, summoned the blue-blooded zombie before him.
"This is the last vial needed for your evolution."
Rirus opened the container and poured all the liquid directly into the creature's mouth. The zombie began to writhe violently as its body underwent a transformation. Two horns grew from the top of its head, and its legs took on a much more powerful form, making its body even more threatening and larger.
When the transformation ended, the creature remained motionless before the throne.
[Name: Azure Specter]
[Magic Type: Speed]
[Ability: Spectral Speed — Can become intangible, with a three-second cooldown.]
Rirus calmly returned to his throne and leaned his body against the backrest.
"Take Terroclast and Gravispecter with you. Only those two. The youngest one is still playing."
The Azure Specter silently bowed and disappeared in an instant, leaving only a faint current of air behind.
Rirus rested his chin on one hand and turned his eyes back to the battle transmission.
"Very well... let's see if they can handle three at the same time now."
When she opened her eyes, Serenya realized that someone was carrying her. Still sleepy, she looked more closely and recognized Enrico. She woke up completely at the same instant, jumped off his back, and, before he could ask anything, grabbed his cheeks with both hands.
"Subordinate, what happened to you? Was I in a coma for several months? What happened to your cheeks that made me want to squeeze them?"
Serenya kept asking questions while squeezing Enrico's face, who desperately tried to think of an excuse that could sound convincing.
"What? You didn't know I was training, Lady Serenya? Did you happen to think I wouldn't be able to lose weight?"
Enrico made a shamelessly confident expression while telling a lie that seemed obvious to anyone with a little common sense.
Serenya froze for a few seconds before slowly releasing his cheeks.
"That's not it. I believe you can do it, it's just that... this happened very quickly."
"I was using fire magic to accelerate the weight loss."
Enrico showed absolutely no shame while making up that explanation.
Tolen watched the two with an empty expression, unable to believe what he was hearing.
'Isn't that an obviously terrible lie?'
Serenya discreetly coughed into her hand and tried to regain her composure.
"What an interesting method... Of course, I already knew you could do it."
Tolen was completely speechless.
'Only she would believe that.'
"It must be an incredible spell."
Kai appeared beside Enrico with his eyes shining with curiosity, clearly interested in the possibility. Sílvia also approached with an equally excited expression.
"Can you teach me too? I want to lose weight!"
Tolen silently looked at the two with a neutral expression.
'Looks like two more idiots have appeared.'
Then Tolen looked toward the place where the staircase was supposed to be, but found only a smooth wall.
"What? Where did the staircase go?"
Everyone approached and began searching, touching the walls and examining every corner in search of a hidden passage, but it soon became clear that this was not a simple illusion.
"Maybe it changes positions?"
Enrico carefully analyzed the environment, trying to find any clue that could explain the sudden disappearance.
Serenya crossed her arms, maintaining a serious expression.
"I knew I wasn't wrong when I couldn't find a staircase."
Vanessa looked at the location with concern.
"But why did it appear exactly where I found it the first time?"
Enrico remained silent for a few seconds. Then he sat against the wall and began thinking about everything that had happened since they arrived on that floor.
'If the staircase really didn't disappear because of an illusion, then there must be some rule behind it.'
After thinking a little longer, his eyes narrowed.
"Maybe it's not random. It could be based on time. If that's the case, it should reappear at some point."
Everyone exchanged glances, but, faced with the lack of another option, they decided to wait and find out whether Enrico's theory was correct.
After some time, Enrico called Kai, who approached and sat beside him.
"Kai, I'd like to talk to you about something."
The two began talking quietly while the others remained nearby, waiting for the moment when the passage would reappear. About twenty minutes later, a change occurred in the wall in front of them, and the staircase appeared again in the same place where it had disappeared.
"Finally..."
Everyone sighed in relief. Without wasting any more time, they began climbing the staircase toward the third floor, remaining especially alert, as no one knew what they might find after that passage.
Suddenly, the sound of quick footsteps echoed through the stairs, causing everyone to stop what they were doing and immediately assume combat positions. However, a few seconds later, three figures came running through the corridor. They were Elian, Caelan, and Cris.
"We finally found you!"
Enrico ran toward them, while Serenya followed right behind.
Caelan narrowed his eyes when he saw them, apparently not recognizing them immediately. However, after a few seconds, he managed to see the faces in front of him more clearly and his eyes widened.
"Leader, we finally found you! What happened?"
Serenya began explaining everything that had happened since she and Valença had separated from the group, including the students they had found, the battle against the zombies, and everything that had happened afterward.
Meanwhile, Kai remained a little farther away, looking at his own sword. After a few seconds, his eyes shifted toward Enrico, who was talking with the others.
'So this is what they call a prodigy?'
Enrico had created a plan during the battle, used what he had at his disposal, and managed to evolve even in a situation where everyone had been on the verge of losing.
'And I'm still stuck in the same place.'
Kai closed his eyes for a moment, took a deep breath, and then began practicing movements with his sword, repeating the lessons he had learned from his father's diary.
Elian approached Enrico and poked his stomach, as if trying to confirm that this really was the same person. Then he touched his back again and narrowed his eyes, still suspicious.
"How did you get that weight-loss magic?"
Hearing the conversation between the two and seeing how Elian continued touching Enrico's body, Tolen brought a hand to his chin and suspiciously observed the feminine-looking boy.
"I wonder if he..."
"What?"
Sílvia asked curiously.
Tolen leaned over and whispered a few words into her ear. Sílvia immediately covered her mouth with one hand, surprised, while her face turned red.
"I just did it!"
"That's not an explanation."
"That's right, I agree with Elian."
Enrico ignored Serenya's two Subordinates and looked at Cris.
"Did you bring the other oil I asked for, Cris?"
Cris smiled upon hearing the question, crouched down, and began opening the backpack he was carrying. Enrico raised an eyebrow with a curious expression.
"Wait. You..."
Before he could finish the sentence, the ground beneath everyone's feet disappeared when the staircase suddenly opened. Everyone lost their balance and plummeted to the lower floor along with the objects they were carrying.