Chapter 29 The Instructor, Protects

The Instructor, Protects

Immense magical power surges.

The space twists and creaks loudly.

Light condenses and takes shape.

The air shakes, accompanied by a deafening noise.

“That’s…!”

It’s a skill I’ve never seen before.

The amount of magical power being used is tremendous.

To my eyes, it looks like a massive vortex.

Creak, creak, creak, creak, creak!

The surge of magical power crosses a dangerous threshold.

Ah, something is coming…!

Sieg laughs like he’s broken.

“Hahahaha!!! This is the end! You! Me! We’re both finished!”

The condensation of magical power dissipates, and the light manifests into a colossal angel!

A god-like being with a sun halo on its back!

Zijijijijijiji!!!!!

Divine yet emotionless eyes stare silently at me.

Those sharp eyes are filled with anger.

The sun halo, books, scrolls, flaming sword, fire in its palm….

The legendary Archangel!

“Archangel Uriel!?”

The Archangel of Judgment!

An incarnation of wrath, with the power to burn everything down based on its own justice!

So Sieg had such a hidden trump card, huh?

Surprise and a twinge of pride pass through my chest.

As his instructor, I’m glad to see my student grow—but when we’re facing each other like this, it’s tricky!

Archangel Uriel waves the flaming sword in its hand.

Flames gather around the sword, glowing white-hot.

The magical power in the space around us pulsates again.

Creak, creak, creak!!!

An overwhelming pressure makes my skin tingle.

And then I realize.

Behind me are the clan members.

Damn it!

This guy wants to burn everyone here!

A shiver runs down my spine.

I can’t lose anyone else.

This is unforgivable.

It cannot be allowed!

Demon Lord Slayer.

Uriel’s flame sword is imbued with magical power designed specifically to fight the Demon Lord!

Magic of opposing natures repels yet intertwines.

“!?”

It’s stacking!?

With any skill, stacking exponentially increases the magic power required.

If it’s hero skill stacking, I can’t even imagine the cost.

“You! I’m going to kill you here! I’m definitely going to kill you! I don’t care about the cost!”

Sieg’s hoarse, maddened voice echoes through the air.

How did it come to this…?

I thought I was doing things right….

“Uwaaaaaaaaaa!!!?”

“Kyaaaaaaaaaaa!!!?”

The screams of my students reach my ears—perhaps they’ve finally realized the danger.

I won’t let this happen.

I will protect them, no matter what.

I reach my right arm forward and make a seal.

Lines of magic form in the air, creating a field.

I draw magical power from my own vessel and turn it into strength.

With my resolve, I transform it into protection!

Skill [Copy] Overload.

“Imitation! Barrier! [Jiz’s Eggshell].”

I didn’t spend years living in Jiz’s Barrier for nothing!

I can’t stop time, but I’ve analyzed, understood, and even modified the barrier!

The only problem is that this is my first time using it in real combat….

This barrier consumes a lot of magic power, and its range is extremely rough.

It’s unsustainable for long and seems like a half-baked solution, but its effect is tremendous.

Let’s leave theory aside for now.

This barrier has already withstood Arisu’s attack once!

Giiiiiiiiiii!!!!

The thin, eggshell-like barrier collides with Uriel’s flame sword, brimming with overwhelming power.

The barrier that protects the world and the flames that seek to destroy it clash, each trying to overcome the other.

The barrier may seem thin, but it is a slice of space itself.

Even the smallest sliver leads somewhere that is not here.

Therefore.

The sword will never reach us!

…Probably.

Booommmmm!!!

Heated air expands, and a huge explosion erupts, turning my vision completely white.

I have no idea what’s happening.

I don’t feel any heat.

But I can feel Arisu’s body heat against my back, so I must still be alive.

Let me go, please.

The light disappears, and silence falls.

Archangel Uriel’s figure is already gone.

Maintaining so much magic power is difficult….

While keeping the barrier up, I look around and see Sieg kneeling.

…Ah.

Sieg’s fiery red hair has turned completely white.

“Ugh…aahh…!!!”

He can’t even stand.

Honestly, I expected this.

But I didn’t want it to end this way.

Sieg can’t afford to pay the price anymore.

“…He can’t hold it in any longer, Danna-sama.”

Arisu whispers, her voice tinged with pity.

“…I know.”

I reply, forcing the words out.

I couldn’t stop him.

I hoped for some shred of reason, but the power of the Hero Skill is overwhelming.

Love, affection—are they truly powerless?

A deep emptiness washes over me.

Hero Skills are born from the fusion of the Demon Lord’s power and human magic.

Therefore.

When human magic is exhausted, it becomes the Demon Lord’s power.

Where does the price lead?

The answer is here.

“Aaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!!”

Sieg begins to writhe in agony.

“It begins; do not look away. This is the hell you’ve created.”

Arisu whispers, her tone cold and resolute.

You’re harsh at times like this.

I know.

I’ll handle the aftermath.

I hear a voice.

The voice is inhuman, woven from black magic.

It carries only killing intent, echoing ominously through the air.

The [Energy Drain] begins to swirl.

I reshape the barrier to protect the humans.

And then, once again, it is born.

The offspring of evil.

The Demon Lord, sealed away by humans!

“Djuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuiiii!”

A massive, dull-colored beast emerges.

A creature dragging countless greedy subordinates, infecting cities with madness and ruin.

Its body teems with a black disease!

The Demon Lord Iron Rat manifests.

Then.

“Oooooooooh!!!!!!!”

A holy light shines.

Bearing the sun’s halo on its back.

Holding a book in its left hand and a flaming sword in its right.

An angel of repentance, executing justice and placing souls on the judgment seat.

Its body radiates the flames of judgment!

The Demon Lord Uriel manifests.

Two demonic kings have appeared.

The hell of this world unfolds at this very moment.

Death spreads across the land.

Death is salvation.

Death is the ultimate blessing.

May all things find their end.

“Fine then! Let’s do this!”

I steel myself and step forward.

Retreat is not an option.

I won’t forgive myself if I turn back.

“This is my debut as a Demon Lord! You damn rat—again, huh! I can’t believe I’m meeting you a second time! Are you an angel or something?! I won’t lose to a fake messenger of the gods like you! I’ll crush both of your souls at once! Devour you! Wipe you out completely! I can’t believe I have to use all my skills right from the start! Arisu, lend me your magic!”

I commune with the vessel of my soul, channeling magic.

Black magic surges and pulsates!

Excess energy manifests as crackling black lightning around me.

“So this is what it feels like to support your favorite idol, fufufu!”

Arisu says, her tone disturbingly cheerful as if enjoying the chaos.

What are you even talking about?

“Demon Lord Domain Expansion! [Omnipresent Harmony].”