Chapter 196 Forcing Demons To Retreat

The combined might of Professor Lilliana and Professor Maelis was a sight to behold. Their synchronized movements and contrasting yet complementary styles of combat kept the Archdemon constantly on the backfoot.

“Infernal Chains of Agony!” Lilliana chanted, her voice resonating with arcane power. Crimson flames erupted from the ground, forming into serpentine chains that snaked around the Archdemon’s limbs, searing its flesh.

“Roar of the Striking Dragon!” Maelis roared, her body glowing with inner magic. She launched herself at the bound Archdemon, her fist colliding with its chest in a devastating blow that sent shockwaves through the air.

“Insolent whelps! You think these paltry tricks can hold me?” the Archdemon bellowed, its dark mana surging. “Nightmare Embrace!” A swirling vortex of pure darkness erupted around it, threatening to consume everything nearby.

“Brace yourselves!” Lilliana yelled, quickly weaving another spell. “Emerald Barrier of Resilience!” A shimmering green shield enveloped her and Maelis, deflecting the worst of the Nightmare Embrace.

“He’s strong, even for an Archdemon,” Maelis grunted, her brow furrowed in concentration as she maintained her stance.

“He’s not just any Archdemon,” Lilliana replied, her eyes narrowed. “Feel that oppressive aura? That’s the mark of a high-ranking officer in the Nightmare Legion.”

Indeed, the Archdemon unleashed a barrage of even more potent demonic magic. “Abyssal Spears of Torment!” Razor-sharp spears of solidified darkness shot towards them with terrifying speed.

Lilliana and Maelis moved with practiced precision, deflecting and dodging the incoming projectiles. “Whirlwind of Azure Protection!” Lilliana chanted, creating a swirling vortex of wind that intercepted several spears. Maelis, with her incredible agility, weaved through the remaining attacks, her body a blur of motion.

“You will fall before the might of the abyss!” the Archdemon roared, its voice echoing across the battlefield. “Demonic Eruption of Despair!” The ground beneath their feet began to crack and glow with malevolent energy, threatening to unleash a cataclysmic explosion.

“Now, Maelis!” Lilliana shouted.

“Right!” Maelis responded, taking a deep breath and beginning her own chant. “Unleash the Inner Dragon, Break the Outer Shell! Heaven and Earth, Lend Me Your Strength!” Her body pulsed with golden light as she gathered her magical and martial energies.

Lilliana joined in, her voice rising in power. “Flames of the Phoenix, Burn Away the Shadow! Elements Unite, Grant Me Your Fury!” The air around her crackled with intense heat as she channeled the raw power of fire.

Together, they unleashed their combined assault. Maelis launched herself forward, her fist glowing with the force of a thousand strikes, aimed at the Archdemon’s core. Lilliana unleashed a torrent of pure, white-hot flames, focusing all her magical energy into a single devastating beam.

“Divine Strike of the Ascendant Dragon!” Maelis roared, her fist slamming into the Archdemon’s chest.

“Solar Flare Annihilation!” Lilliana cried, the beam of incandescent light piercing through the Archdemon’s dark aura.

The Archdemon shrieked in agony as both attacks landed simultaneously. Its dark mana flickered violently, and cracks began to appear in its crimson hide. Black ichor oozed from the wounds, and its powerful form staggered.

“Impossible!” it roared, its voice weakening. It unleashed a final, desperate attack. “Void Tentacles of Oblivion!” Shadowy tendrils erupted from its body, lashing out in all directions.

Lilliana and Maelis managed to evade most of the tendrils, but a few caught them, causing them to grunt in pain. However, the Archdemon was clearly weakening, its movements becoming sluggish, its demonic energy visibly depleting. The injuries inflicted by Lilliana and Maelis were severe, and it was evident that it was using a significant portion of its remaining energy to heal itself.

While his professors fought valiantly, Alaric had remained holding Saintess Ceanna, his ruby eyes fixed on the Archdemon. He could feel the immense power emanating from the creature, but he also sensed its weakening state. An idea began to form in his mind, a risky but potentially decisive move. He had been gathering his own mana, slowly but surely, waiting for the opportune moment.

“Saintess,” Alaric said softly, his voice barely a whisper. He subtly used ‘Heart’s Whisper’. ‘He is about to do something amazing. I believe in him.’

Ceanna looked up at him, her golden eyes filled with a mixture of worry and trust. ‘He is… he is going to do something amazing,’ she thought, her heart pounding with anticipation. ‘I do believe in him.’

Alaric gently set Ceanna down, his gaze never leaving the Archdemon. He could feel the immense surge of magical energy building within him, a confluence of wind, fire, and ice, all honed and controlled by his Grandmaster-level mastery. He began to chant, his voice low and resonant, gradually rising in power.

“From the heart of the tempest, where winds and lightning collide…”

His blonde hair seemed to crackle with energy, his ruby eyes glowing with an intense light.

“From the forge of creation, where flames dance and consume…”

The air around him shimmered, the very elements responding to his call.

“From the frozen depths, where silence holds dominion…”

A chilling aura emanated from him, a stark contrast to the heat radiating from Lilliana’s spells.

“Elements converge, power unite, in this ultimate decree…”

His voice reached a crescendo, filled with the raw power of a Grandmaster Mage.

“Primal Elemental Onslaught!”

With a final, earth-shattering cry, Alaric unleashed the entirety of his magical energy. A colossal vortex of swirling winds, raging flames, and razor-sharp ice shards erupted from him, coalescing into a single, unstoppable force that hurtled towards the weakened Archdemon.

The Archdemon, caught completely off guard by the sudden and overwhelming surge of power, could only roar in disbelief and terror. “What?! This… this power…!”

The Primal Elemental Onslaught struck the Archdemon with the force of a celestial body. The vortex tore through its remaining defenses, shredding its already weakened form. The dark mana surrounding it was instantly vaporized, replaced by the raw, untamed power of the elements.

The spell didn’t stop there. It continued to expand outwards, obliterating not only the Archdemon but also every lesser demon within a significant radius. The air crackled with residual energy, and the ground trembled from the sheer force unleashed.

When the magical storm finally subsided, there was nothing left of the Archdemon but wisps of dark smoke. The surrounding area was eerily silent, the lesser demons having been completely annihilated.

Saintess Ceanna stood there, her golden eyes wide with awe. Alaric, his chest heaving slightly, looked breathtakingly handsome, bathed in the afterglow of his powerful spell. A soft gasp escaped her lips.

‘He… he looked so… magnificent,’ she thought, her heart fluttering in her chest.

Alaric turned to Ceanna, a gentle smile on his face. He had used ‘Heart’s Whisper’ on her so many times during the battle that his suggestions now felt like her own innermost thoughts.

A new thought surfaced in Ceanna’s mind, so clear and compelling that she had no doubt it was her own. ‘Once we survive this… I must find a way. I must speak to the Radiant God and convince him to remove that heretical system from Alaric without harming him. It’s the right thing to do.’

‘Yes,’ Ceanna thought resolutely, her golden eyes filled with newfound determination. ‘Once this is over… I will do everything in my power to help Master Steele. That… that strange system… it must be removed, but Alaric… Alaric must not be harmed.’ She looked at him with a deep sense of protectiveness, a feeling that had inexplicably taken root in her heart.

~~

The residual energy from Alaric’s Primal Elemental Onslaught crackled in the air, the silence that followed the annihilation of the demonic horde almost deafening. Alaric turned to Saintess Ceanna, his expression showing the strain of his immense spell.

“Saintess Ceanna,” he said softly, his voice a little hoarse. “I… I must put you down now. I have exhausted almost all of my magic energy. For a short while… I won’t be able to protect you as effectively as before.”

Internally, Ceanna felt a pang of reluctance. There was a strange sense of security and comfort in Alaric’s strong, manly, and protective arms. But she nodded, understanding the gravity of his words. “Of course, Master Steele,” she replied, her voice gentle.

As Alaric slowly lowered her, her feet touched the blood-soaked ground. The immediate absence of his embrace left a subtle void, a feeling she hadn’t anticipated. Without hesitation, Ceanna placed her hands gently on Alaric’s chest and began to chant in a melodious voice.

“O Radiant Light, Source of All Purity, flow through this worthy soul, replenish his spent strength, and restore his vital energy.” A warm, golden light emanated from her hands, enveloping Alaric. He could feel his depleted mana reserves slowly but surely beginning to replenish, a comforting warmth spreading through his body.

While she focused on healing Alaric, Ceanna turned her attention to the two Archmages standing nearby, their expressions a mix of awe and concern. “Professor Lilliana, Professor Maelis,” she said, her voice carrying authority despite its usual gentle tone. “Master Steele has expended a great deal of energy to protect us. Until he has fully recovered, I order you both to ensure his safety. Not a single demon must lay a hand on him.”

Lilliana and Maelis, still slightly stunned by the sheer power of Alaric’s spell, immediately snapped to attention. “Understood, Saintess,” Lilliana replied, her emerald eyes now filled with a fierce protectiveness towards her former student.

“We will guard him with our lives,” Maelis added, her stance shifting into a vigilant posture.

As the golden light continued to flow from Ceanna into Alaric, he felt his strength returning at an encouraging pace. He looked at the Saintess, a genuine sense of gratitude washing over him.

Once Ceanna had stepped out of Alaric’s direct physical contact, the active effects of his Harem God System abilities on her ceased due to her inherent divine protection. The ‘Charm Aura’ and ‘Allure of the King’, while potent on ordinary individuals, held no sway over a Saintess blessed by the Radiant God.

However, the prolonged exposure to these abilities, coupled with the repeated use of ‘Heart’s Whisper’ throughout the intense battle, had left a lasting impression on Ceanna. The seeds of admiration, trust, and even a nascent form of affection had been subtly planted and nurtured.

Standing before him, no longer held in his arms, Ceanna still found herself utterly captivated by Alaric’s appearance. His blonde hair, slightly disheveled from the battle, framed his handsome face, his ruby eyes now regaining their usual intensity. But there was something more now, a certain aura of power and determination that made him appear even more striking.

Despite her divine protection negating the passive effects, Ceanna couldn’t deny the way her heart fluttered whenever she looked at him. The memory of being held so closely, of feeling his strength and his unwavering commitment to her safety, lingered in her mind. The thoughts that Alaric had subtly planted now felt like her own genuine feelings. She found him incredibly handsome, yes, but there was also a growing sense of… fondness. Even… could it be… loveable? The thought made her blush slightly, and she quickly averted her gaze, not wanting Alaric to notice her internal turmoil.

Alaric, feeling his magic returning, offered Ceanna a reassuring smile. “Thank you, Saintess. I am already feeling much better.” He then turned his attention to his former teachers. “Professors, I… I apologize for the surprise. A lot has happened in the past year and a half.”

“Surprise is an understatement, Alaric,” Lilliana chuckled, a hint of pride in her voice. “Grandmaster Mage at your age? You’ve certainly been busy.”

“Indeed,” Maelis nodded, a rare smile gracing her lips. “We always knew you had potential, Alaric, but this… this is extraordinary.”

The immediate threat had been eliminated, but the battlefield around them was still chaotic, filled with the sounds of ongoing skirmishes. The other Archmages and martial saints were still engaged in fierce combat against the remaining demonic forces.

“We should regroup with the others, Saintess,” Alaric suggested, looking towards the main encampment. “Ensure the defenses are holding.”

“Agreed, Master Steele,” Ceanna replied, her voice regaining its usual calm composure, though her gaze would occasionally drift back to Alaric. The thought of speaking to the Radiant God about the “heretical system” was already taking root in her mind, a conviction that felt entirely her own. She knew, with a certainty that surprised her, that she had to protect Alaric from whatever consequences that system might bring.

~~

While Alaric, Lilliana, Maelis, and Saintess Ceanna were dealing with their immediate threat, other parts of the battlefield were witnessing equally intense clashes. The demonic Principal Bartolmew, his corrupted form radiating waves of dark energy, proved to be a formidable foe, even for the most experienced defenders of the Eloriath Kingdom.

Bartolmew’s magical prowess had been significant even in his human life, but his transformation into a demonic Archmage had amplified it exponentially. His command over spatial magic, a rare and potent discipline, allowed him to teleport short distances, create spatial rifts, and manipulate the very fabric of reality around him, making him an incredibly elusive and dangerous opponent.

Initially, Archmage Gideon Thorne, his staff crackling with arcane energy, and Martial King Patrick, commander of the Royal Knights, had engaged Bartolmew. Gideon unleashed barrages of powerful arcane missiles and conjured elemental storms, while Patrick’s masterful swordsmanship and aura-enhanced strikes kept the demon on its toes.

“Bartholomew, you traitor!” Gideon roared, unleashing a volley of searing fireballs.

Bartolmew simply sneered, teleporting behind Gideon and unleashing a blast of dark energy. “Foolish Gideon! Did you think your petty magic could harm me now?”

Patrick intercepted the attack with a swift parry of his enchanted sword. “Your betrayal will not go unpunished, Bartholomew!”

However, Bartolmew’s attention soon shifted as two other figures joined the fray – Martial King Madleen Hector, leader of the Crimson Guard, and Archmage Rahel Klinghoffer of the Obsidian Tower. Their reputations preceded them, and Bartolmew recognized the true threat they posed.

“Madleen Hector… Rahel Klinghoffer…” Bartolmew hissed, his black eyes narrowing. “So, the heavy hitters have finally arrived.”

Madleen, her crimson armor gleaming in the flickering torchlight, moved with an almost supernatural speed, her spear a blur of motion. “Your reign of terror ends tonight, Bartholomew.”

Rahel, her eyes glowing with an inner, ethereal light, began to chant in an ancient tongue, her hands weaving intricate patterns in the air. “O’er the realms of existence, where gravity holds sway, and elements obey, your corrupted form shall find its decay.”

Bartolmew, accustomed to facing individual Archmages or Martial Saints, was not easily surprised. He had fought many powerful individuals in his new demonic form. However, the combined assault of Madleen’s unparalleled speed and Rahel’s unique magical style proved to be a significant challenge.

Madleen was the first to strike. With a burst of speed that left afterimages in its wake, she closed the distance to Bartolmew in an instant, her spear thrusting towards his chest with deadly precision.

“Spatial Shift!” Bartolmew snarled, attempting to teleport away, but Madleen’s spear was too fast. It pierced through his demonic armor, drawing a screech of pain.

“Impressive speed, Madleen,” Bartolmew conceded, dark ichor dripping from the wound. “But you’ll need more than that to defeat me.” He unleashed a wave of spatial distortion, attempting to throw Madleen off balance, but her movements were too fluid, too grounded in years of rigorous training. She adjusted her stance mid-attack, pulling her spear free and launching another lightning-fast series of strikes.

“Dance of the Crimson Serpent!” she cried, her spear weaving a deadly pattern, each thrust aimed at a vital point. Bartolmew was forced to rely heavily on his spatial magic to evade the relentless assault, teleporting short distances just as the spear was about to strike.

“You are persistent, insect!” Bartolmew roared, finally managing to create some distance. He unleashed a barrage of spatial rifts, each one spewing forth shards of solidified darkness.

Madleen, with incredible agility, dodged and weaved through the deadly projectiles, her spear deflecting those she couldn’t avoid. Her speed was her greatest weapon, allowing her to close the distance again and again, forcing Bartolmew onto the defensive. Even Bartolmew, with his enhanced demonic senses, struggled to track her movements at times. Her power, focused through her spear, managed to push him back, a feat that surprised even the corrupted principal.

While Madleen kept Bartolmew engaged in a whirlwind of close-quarters combat, Archmage Rahel continued her chant, her ancient magic gathering power. The air around her began to distort, the very gravity in the vicinity seeming to bend to her will.

“Gravity Well of Binding!” she finally declared, unleashing her spell. A localized field of intense gravity erupted around Bartolmew, pulling him down with immense force, hindering his movements and disrupting his spatial magic.

“What is this sorcery?!” Bartolmew roared in surprise, struggling against the invisible force that was crushing him. He had encountered many forms of magic, but this ancient art, manipulating the fundamental forces of the universe, was unlike anything he had faced before.

Taking advantage of Bartolmew’s momentary immobilization, Madleen launched another ferocious assault. “Wrath of the Scarlet Fury!” Her spear moved like lightning, striking again and again, each blow carrying the force of a thunderclap. More wounds opened on Bartolmew’s demonic flesh, and his roars of pain echoed across the battlefield.

Bartolmew, weakened and increasingly desperate, unleashed a powerful spatial attack. “Dimensional Tear!” He ripped open a gaping rift in the air, attempting to suck Madleen and Rahel into the void.

Madleen, with her incredible reflexes, managed to leap away just as the rift opened. Rahel, however, remained rooted to the spot, her eyes glowing brighter as she channeled more power into her gravity magic.

“Gravity Flux of Repulsion!” she chanted, reversing the gravitational pull around her, anchoring herself firmly to the ground while simultaneously pushing the Dimensional Tear away from her and Madleen. The spatial rift twisted and contorted before finally collapsing in on itself with a deafening crack.

Bartolmew stared at Rahel in disbelief. Her command over gravity, coupled with the elemental energies she was now weaving into her spells, was truly shocking. He had underestimated the power of this ancient magic.

Rahel, now focusing her attention entirely on Bartolmew, began another chant, her voice filled with an otherworldly power. “From the cosmic dust, and the celestial fire, the weight of worlds shall be your pyre.” Gravity intensified around Bartolmew, crushing him further, while bolts of pure elemental energy, imbued with the crushing force of gravity, began to rain down upon him.

“Gravitational Collapse!” she declared, unleashing the full force of her spell. The elemental bolts struck Bartolmew with devastating impact, each one carrying the weight of a collapsing star. His demonic armor shattered, and his corrupted flesh was torn apart.

Bartolmew roared in agony, his immense demonic energy finally beginning to wane. He was bleeding profusely, his movements were sluggish, and the earlier confidence in his eyes had been replaced by a desperate fear. He knew he was outmatched.

“This… this isn’t over!” Bartolmew shrieked, gathering the last vestiges of his power. With a final burst of spatial magic, he teleported away, leaving behind a lingering stench of sulfur and defeat.

As Bartolmew vanished, a collective groan rippled through the remaining demonic forces. Their leader, a powerful Archmage, had been forced to retreat. The tide of the battle began to turn decisively in favor of the Eloriath Kingdom. Seeing their commander fall back, the remaining demons, their initial ferocity waning, began to retreat in a disorganized rout, fleeing back into the shadows from whence they came.

Across the battlefield, cheers erupted from the exhausted but victorious defenders. The coordinated and powerful demonic assault had been repelled. They had survived another night of terror, thanks to the bravery of their soldiers, the power of their mages and martial saints, and the unexpected might of a young Grandmaster Mage named Alaric.