Chapter 78.2: Love and Hate Part 2
***
The first day of the ranking tournament came to an end, and soon, the second day arrived.
I had no scheduled matches for the day, so I spent my time reviewing my plans for the upcoming attack.
It's tomorrow...
I checked and double-checked my inventory of magic scrolls, the enemy's predicted attack routes, the hidden escape paths...
It wasn't until I was certain that everything was in place that I allowed myself a moment of respite.
Yes, this should be enough.
With my preparations complete, I was confident that we could hold the back gate.
As for the rest... I'll leave it to the protagonist and his party.
Speaking of the protagonist... I should probably check on Allen.
We hadn't spoken since our little disagreement. I was a little curious to see how he was holding up.
Now that I think about it, this is around the time Allen's match should be starting.
I made my way to the public training grounds.
As I approached, I noticed a large screen broadcasting Allen's match to the gathered crowd.
"Burn of Star."
—FWOOSH!!
Allen moved with a speed and precision that belied his age, his every attack a dazzling display of fire magic. The crowd roared their approval as he effortlessly overwhelmed his opponent.
—Yeah!!
As Allen stepped off the stage, he flashed a bright smile at the cheering crowd and waved.
...Well, I guess I don't need to worry about him.
If he kept this up, he'd have no problem holding his own tomorrow.
I turned and left the training grounds, satisfied.
As I made my way through the bustling Academy grounds, a sudden gust of wind ruffled my hair.
I brushed my bangs aside and muttered,
"Everything's going according to plan."
I spoke the words aloud as if to convince myself. I pushed down the tendrils of anxiety that threatened to consume me.
Everything will go according to plan.
We'll protect the Academy. No one will get hurt.
It has to go according to plan...
It has to...
***
Meanwhile, in a dark and secluded chamber, a sinister plot was unfolding.
"Everything is in place."
Two figures, identical twins with glowing red eyes and sharp horns protruding from their foreheads, knelt before a crude wooden throne.
Seated upon the throne was an elderly man with long, white hair and a chilling aura.
This was Pyren, one of the Four Demon Generals, and the one responsible for the death of Professor Lucas Crayden during the attack on the field trip.
Pyren closed the book he had been reading and looked down at the twins. A cruel smile spread across his wrinkled face.
"Heh... It's finally happening."
"Indeed, Master,"
Said one of the twins, Rakious, his voice laced with anticipation.
"This attack... It will be the perfect declaration of war against the new hero."
"Are you certain of this?"
"Absolutely."
He went on to describe the forces they had amassed for the attack—a veritable army of demons, more than enough to raze the Academy to the ground.
But despite the twin's confidence, a flicker of doubt crossed Pyren's face.
"Hmm..."
"Is something the matter, Master?"
Pyren stroked his beard thoughtfully.
"I'm... concerned about the number of troops we have at our disposal."
He had fought against the Academy students during the field trip.
"That instructor... He was strong. Stronger than I anticipated."
The memory of his battle with Lucas was still fresh in his mind.
"You believe the Academy instructors may be stronger than we anticipated, Master?"
"Precisely."
The twins exchanged a worried glance.
Pyren studied them for a moment, then said,
"Let's bring Recus with us."
The twins' eyes widened in surprise.
"R-Recus? You mean... the 'Spear Demon'?"
"Yes."
"We need to make sure we're prepared for anything."
"But... He's so... unpredictable..." one of the twins protested.
"His strength is undeniable."
"And right now, we need all the strength we can get."
And so, the wheels of fate continued to turn.
Unbeknownst to Raiden, who clung to the belief that everything would go according to plan, the world was shifting around him, spiraling toward a destiny he could never have imagined.
A new player had entered the game.
Only time would tell what role he would play in the unfolding drama.
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