Three days had passed since the awakening of the Demon King.
Although the skies above Elyndor remained peaceful, everyone could feel that something had changed. Monsters near the borders had become more aggressive, magical beasts were fleeing their territories, and an uneasy silence spread throughout the kingdoms.
At Solareth Academy, life continued as usual—or at least it appeared to.
Morning Training
Akira stood alone in the academy courtyard before sunrise.
His sword cut through the air with smooth, disciplined movements.
Slash.
Step.
Turn.
Slash.
Unlike before, every movement demanded more effort.
The price of using the Void Element was becoming clear.
"So... this is what it meant by taking my mana."
Akira rested his wooden sword against his shoulder and sighed.
"I need to become stronger."
Not for himself.
For the people he cared about.
"You're training again?"
Akira turned around.
Rin Amane stood behind him with Liliya, each holding a practice sword.
Rin smiled.
"You've barely recovered."
"I'm fine."
She raised an eyebrow.
"You always say that."
Liliya giggled.
"Then let's train together."
For the next hour, the three practiced together.
Akira corrected Liliya's sword stance.
Rin sparred with Akira several times.
Although Akira won every exchange, he intentionally kept the matches close.
He still had no intention of revealing his true strength.
A Royal Messenger
As the morning classes ended, the academy gates opened.
A group of royal knights entered.
Their silver armor bore the crest of Valerion.
Every student stopped talking.
The captain walked directly toward Professor Kaelthas.
"We bring a royal decree."
The professor unfolded the scroll.
His expression immediately became serious.
"The King requests the immediate presence of the Academy Headmaster..."
"...and the three students involved in the Demon Noble attack."
Everyone looked toward them.
Akira.
Rin.
Liliya.
The Royal Palace
Several hours later...
The three stood inside the magnificent Royal Palace of Solareth.
Towering marble pillars reached toward a ceiling painted with the history of Elyndor.
At the far end sat the ruler of the Human Kingdom.
King Aldric Valerion.
Beside him stood members of the Mage Council.
Among them...
Yuto.
The elven council member gave Akira a brief glance before returning his attention to the King.
King Aldric spoke calmly.
"First..."
"You have my gratitude."
"If not for your courage, countless students would have lost their lives."
Rin and Liliya bowed.
Akira followed politely.
The Questions
The King's expression became more serious.
"Now..."
"I must ask about the masked individual."
The throne room fell silent.
Rin shook her head.
"We don't know who he was."
Liliya nodded.
"He appeared... defeated the demons... then disappeared."
The King looked toward Akira.
"And you?"
Akira remained perfectly calm.
"I lost consciousness before the battle ended, Your Majesty."
It wasn't entirely a lie.
He had collapsed afterward.
The King studied him for several seconds.
Then nodded.
"I see."
Yuto's Suspicion
As everyone prepared to leave...
Yuto suddenly spoke.
"Akira Kuroya."
Akira stopped walking.
"You have remarkable control over your mana."
Akira smiled politely.
"I still have much to learn."
Yuto smiled back.
"So do we all."
But deep inside...
Yuto wasn't convinced.
"Why do I feel something... familiar...?"
The Shadow Returns
That night...
Akira stood alone on the academy rooftop.
The stars illuminated the sky.
A cool breeze passed through his hair.
Suddenly—
His shadow rippled.
Only for a moment.
Akira looked down.
"...Void?"
No answer came.
Instead...
Far beyond the horizon...
An overwhelming wave of dark mana erupted into the sky.
Even from hundreds of miles away...
Akira could feel it.
His heart began beating faster.
"The Demon King..."
"...he's moving."
In the Demon Realm
Upon the Black Throne sat the Demon King.
His crimson eyes overlooked thousands of kneeling demons.
"Tell me..."
"Who killed my nobles?"
No one answered.
The throne room trembled under his aura.
Finally, an elderly demon stepped forward.
"My Lord..."
"We could not identify the warrior."
The Demon King slowly stood.
"Then invade."
His voice echoed throughout the realm.
"Search every corner of Elyndor."
"Bring me the one who carries flames... and darkness."
Outside the castle...
Millions of demons raised their weapons toward the blood-red sky.
The first preparations for war had begun.