Book 1 Chapter 725

725.

Chen Xia was running quickly through the forest.

*Rustle- Thud-*

Chen Xia naturally drew a throwing knife from her sleeve and gripped it.

The sharply honed blade glinted.

Chen Xia's specialty was unarmed combat.

Her extremely trained body was, by itself, a terrifying weapon.

However, it wasn't that she couldn't handle weapons.

Rather, she knew how to wield a wide variety of weapons.

Of course, in pure swordsmanship, she was no match for Celia and Duran.

Beyond that, her skill in handling other weapons also couldn't compare to students who specialized in just one.

To handle every weapon like a master was literally a dream realm.

In this world, Leo was the only one.

Therefore, her most powerful strength was, ultimately, unarmed combat.

However, the ability to suddenly use various weapons while engaging in unarmed combat was threatening.

Because with weapons, she could freely control the most crucial distance in close-quarters combat.

Among them, her most confident throwing technique was at a level that even Celia and Duran had to be wary of.

Chen Xia glanced back.

When her eyes met Chloe's, her instincts told her.

That wasn't Chloe.

'First, it seemed to be targeting me.'

That's why she tried to separate herself as much as possible from the magic department students.

She clearly thought it would chase her.

And as expected, Lisinas was chasing Chen Xia.

Chen Xia also realized Lisinas was chasing her and moved even more stealthily.

This place, with many hiding spots, was practically her battlefield.

'How should I deal with it? The body was Miss Chloe's.'

Chen Xia felt anxious.

Certainly, until yesterday, there had been nothing strange about Chloe.

A being capable of invading Lumeren in just one night and taking over the body of Chloe, who was considered the best hero candidate.

'Tartaros.'

Making that judgment, Chen Xia requested a halt to the mock battle outside while moving.

Because in an emergency, she could request a halt at any time.

But her communication item with the professors was dead.

Chen Xia clenched her fist tightly.

"I have to defeat it."

"How admirable. To think of defeating me without being afraid."

At the voice from beside her, Chen Xia slashed with her dagger without hesitation.

*Slice-!*

A sharp sound echoed.

But Chen Xia's dagger merely cut through empty air.

Lisinas, who had crouched to avoid Chen Xia's attack, spread her palm and struck Chen Xia's chest directly.

*Crash-!*

Chen Xia was sent flying backward.

Along with that, her body began to freeze at an incredible speed.

'…Amazing. She reacted to that?'

Lisinas looked down at her palm with surprised eyes.

She thought she could deliver a sure blow, but for an instant, the attack was blocked by Chen Xia's water aura.

Given the compatibility between water and ice attributes, Chloe, who uses the power of freezing, had an overwhelming advantage.

And Lisinas had pushed Chloe's current power to its limit.

Normally, it would have been a situation where she could have been defeated in the blink of an eye.

But Chen Xia overcame it with experience.

What actually froze was only the water aura.

It hadn't damaged Chen Xia's body.

'She's definitely a descendant of Vihar.'

Lisinas's eyes, which had been lowered, sank.

'Did she say 'Shadow'?'

Like the Black Dragons of the Age of Gods.

Like Kyle and Vihar of the Age of Calamity.

Those who protect the world's order from the darkness.

It was something someone had to do.

A mission someone had to bear.

These most noble individuals.

But just as the Black Dragons were perceived as fearsome and unsettling beings.

Shadows would have been treated similarly in this era.

That left a bitter taste.

'That child must have lived in darkness even after bringing light back to the world.'

Without seeing or hearing, it was not difficult to deduce what kind of life Vihar had lived.

And from the brief exchange just now, she could instantly tell.

The girl before her also lived in darkness.

And in that darkness, she had lived fiercely, experiencing things unsuited for her age.

'She's admirable and incredible.'

But she couldn't just look at her with joy like the other hero candidates.

That she was a descendant of Vihar could be told not only by her atmosphere but also by the aura she used.

She had continued her ancestor's legacy for 5000 years.

'The work I should have done.'

5000 years ago, Kyle took on that task.

And following Kyle, Vihar… and then, Vihar's descendants.

'They must have lived solitary lives in the darkness, generation after generation.'

Lisinas knew that darkness.

"You…"

The moment Lisinas was about to open her mouth.

*Swoosh-!*

*Crackle-*

As Chen Xia swung her hand, sharp throwing knives scattered.

*Whoosh-!*

Chen Xia vanished into the darkness.

'Shadow Stepping.'

Though its form was different, it was a technique based on the one she had taught Vihar.

A sharp killing intent was felt.

But in an instant, the killing intent disappeared into the darkness without a trace.

*Whoosh-!*

The sound of Chen Xia moving rapidly was heard from all directions.

Lisinas's eyes quickly tracked Chen Xia.

*Thwack! Crack! Smash! Thud!*

Chen Xia's relentless offensive began, circling Lisinas stealthily and swiftly.

Ice magic blocked Chen Xia's fists, kicks, and daggers.

*Crackle-!*

The area around Lisinas began to freeze.

'Water is flow.'

Normally, it flows gently.

But the more it flows.

The rougher and faster water becomes.

If the flow is not cut, it flows even rougher and faster.

So, if Chen Xia were left alone, her attacks would become even more ferocious.

Chloe had the power to efficiently cut off Chen Xia's flow.

'Freezing.'

*CRACK-!*

For an instant, as if time around them had stopped.

Everything ceased.

In a flash, Lisinas had pushed Chloe's magic power to its limit and frozen the surroundings.

"Excellent."

Lisinas said, looking at Chen Xia, who was caught with her feet frozen.

Chen Xia's body was frozen solid.

"But hide-and-seek is over."

***

*Rumble-!*

"…Chloe could use summoning magic too?"

"No."

"Then what is that ice dragon?"

"It must be made of magic."

"No, does that even make sense?!"

The magic department students were busy dodging the ice dragon, which flew through the sky, breathing blasts at them.

"Is it like Golem magic?!"

"Kyaaaaaah!"

Screams echoed from all directions.

Chelsea, seeing this, said.

"That's neither summoning magic nor Golem magic! That's Chloe herself!"

"What outlandish nonsense is that?!"

"It's the magic Lady Luna made for Chloe some time ago!"

[Absolute Freezing].

Chloe's unique magic, created and gifted to her by Luna when she descended, after observing Chloe's magical attributes.

Luna was the creator of the magic, but it was solely for Chloe, and only for Chloe.

Chelsea also received [Song of Wind].

"It's magic that intervenes in the spirit world and instantly transforms into a spirit! That's Chloe's body undergoing spiritualization and transforming into an ice dragon!"

"No! What kind of cheat-like magic is that?!"

"Because Lady Luna made it!"

While everyone shuddered anew at the terrifying power of the Nebula's progenitor.

Abard was deep in thought.

"Is that truly an evil being?"

"What? What do you mean?"

"No matter how I look at it, that's Chloe herself."

He looked at the ice dragon.

"It may have taken over Chloe's body… but I don't feel even a trace of dark magic. Moreover, the power it's using is purely Chloe's own."

"So what! The important thing is that this unknown entity is attacking us as if to kill us!"

"Just, that's what it is."

Abard smiled faintly.

Seeing his expression, a magic department student looked dumbfounded.

"You're so calm even in this serious situation?"

"The magnanimity to maintain composure anytime, anywhere! That's my brother's strength!"

"Why are you bragging about it?"

The magic department students looked dumbfounded.

Just then.

Abard opened his mouth.

"Chelsea."

"Yes, Brother."

"Can you stop that alone?"

"…"

Chelsea, who had been pondering Abard's question, nodded.

"Yes."

"What! That's too reckless!"

"We'll help too!"

"No, you guys protect me."

"What? Why?"

"Because from now on, I won't be able to move."

Abard smiled wryly and closed his eyes.

Seeing that, Chelsea said.

"Chloe isn't the only one who received magic from Lady Luna."

"Ah…"

Chelsea received [Song of Wind].

Abard received [Silent Casting].

However, neither of them had reached completion.

This was because neither had overcome the weakness of not being able to move while using their magic.

That was their current limit.

But…

"Even if it's a limit, we can't just stand still."

Even if they shattered against the wall of limitation.

If they didn't collide with it, they couldn't overcome or destroy the wall.

Chelsea flew up into the sky alone.

The magic department students gulped and covered Abard.

Watching them, the ice doppelganger wore an amused expression.

'It seems they've come up with a plan.'

The ice doppelganger looked at Chelsea flying towards it.

"Aren't you being too reckless?"

"Hmph. It seems you don't know our school motto."

"Motto?"

"Transcend your limits. I've heard that phrase ad nauseam since my first year."

"…"

The ice doppelganger's eyes widened.

And then it smiled faintly.

"A good motto. Then, shall we see if you can transcend your limits?"

With that, a grand magic of wind attribute began to pour forth without a break.

The ice doppelganger tried to subdue Chelsea and attack Abard, but Chelsea was not easily subdued and instead hindered the ice doppelganger.

Long-range attacks were blocked by the magic department students.

*CRACK-!*

Soon, a wind spear pierced the ice doppelganger's chest.

*Crackle-*

Ice fragments fell to the ground.

The ice doppelganger, now revealing its true form, wiped its gaping chest and smiled faintly.

"Excellent."

With that, the ice doppelganger melted and disappeared.

"We need to chase the main body! Let's regroup with the knight department before that!"

Abard gave quick and precise commands, encouraging the magic department students, and led them into the forest.

***

If the magic department students were fighting against the ice doppelganger, which had pushed Chloe's potential to its limit.

The knight department students were facing Lisinas, who wielded light and dark magic cast with Chloe's magic power.

*Flash-!*

A flash of light burst in the sky.

Along with it, fragments of light rained down towards the knight department students.

*Flash! Crackle!*

Duran, whose eyes sparked, bent his body and charged straight towards the light fragments.

*Crackling-! Boom-boom-boom-boom!*

As Duran swung his sword at an incredible speed, the light fragments exploded.

"Ugh!"

Duran's eyes twitched.

The shock of the explosion engulfed his body completely.

Just then.

*Whoosh-!*

A bright light erupted from Duran's body.

It was none other than Nella's healing aura.

Meanwhile, on the ground, dark blades shot up, aiming for the knight department students.

But those dark blades were severed by the fiery aura emitted by Celia.

"Hmm?"

The ice doppelganger, standing with its arms crossed in the distance, smiled faintly.

"Good coordination, aren't they?"

"An opening!"

Iliana aimed for the ice doppelganger's neck at an incredible speed.

*Thud-!*

The ice doppelganger blocked Iliana's spear.

"Isn't that too simple an attack?"

"I have a sword too!"

The annoyed Iliana drew a sword with the hand not holding the spear and swung it towards the ice doppelganger's neck.

But soon, that sword too was blocked by its hand.

"Ugh!"

Iliana flinched.

But then she wore a triumphant expression.

"As expected, even the class president version of Chloe is weaker than the actual class president!"

"Class president?"

"Leo Flob! Our leader!"

*Roar!*

*Crackle!*

Celia and Duran, having broken through the light and dark magic, swung their swords in the air, aiming for the ice doppelganger.

The knight department students had sacrificed themselves to clear a path for the two of them.

Iliana, using her high speed, took on the role of engaging the ice doppelganger in close combat to tie its feet.

"No matter how amazing you are, you can't block this attack unless lasers come out of your eyes!"

As Iliana smiled meaningfully, the ice doppelganger smiled faintly.

Seeing that smile, Iliana felt an inexplicable sense of unease.

"No way, right?"

*Bzzzt-*

As the ice doppelganger's eyes began to glow, Iliana's face fell.

"So, cool…! No! This is cheating!"

While Iliana freaked out.

Beams of light shot out from its eyes, targeting Celia and Duran.

"Ugh!"

"What is this!"

Celia and Duran, who barely blocked the attack, were sent flying back.

"Now, then."

"Hiiieeeek!"

Iliana, whose eyes met the ice doppelganger's, shrieked.

But she didn't retreat.

Instead, she pulled a dagger, her auxiliary weapon, from her pocket and charged at the ice doppelganger.

Seeing that, the ice doppelganger laughed.

"Brave. But reckless."

The moment the ice doppelganger was about to deploy magic.

"Haaaaaaaaap!"

"Oh?"

It widened its eyes and looked back at the sudden shout from behind.

There, Nella was swinging a morning star with all her might.

Her body was riddled with holes and cuts from light and dark magic, bleeding profusely.

Nella, with a fierce expression, struck the ice doppelganger directly with the morning star.

*CRUNCH-*

The ice doppelganger, which collapsed, glanced at Iliana.

"Excellent. You trusted your comrade and kept my attention until the end?"

The ice doppelganger smiled faintly, then shattered into pieces and melted away.

*Thud-!*

Nella collapsed.

"Nella! Are you okay?"

Celia rushed over.

"I'm fine. I've been healing dangerous wounds with my healing aura as I came…"

Literally, it meant she had taken those terrifying spells with her body and charged forward.

The ice doppelganger, which had never imagined such a reckless act, had been caught off guard.

"That's too reckless!"

"…Because it was an enemy we couldn't defeat unless we confronted our limits."

Nella gave a bitter smile.

Her aura was depleted, so blood was still flowing.

"Iliana's plan was good. Even though it failed, she didn't retreat and kept his attention. He must have seen me coming."

At Nella's words, Iliana scratched her head and smiled shyly.

"How many years have we been coordinating our moves?"

"Oh, that's right. I see you in a new light. I thought you were just charging in without a thought."

As Celia expressed her admiration, Iliana whistled and looked at the distant mountains.

Seeing her, Nella smiled.

'She had no thoughts at all.'

The knight department students dealt with the damage.

Only Nella was severely injured to the point of being nearly combat-incapable, but everyone else had minor to major injuries.

A moment later.

The magic department students joined them.

As expected, Chelsea from the magic department was also combat-incapable due to severe frostbite.

With the two key powerhouses rendered combat-incapable, the students became serious.

"Where's Xia? Wasn't she with you magic department students?"

"…I thought she had joined your side… given she's not here, it seems she's fighting the main body alone."

Abard replied to Celia's question with a serious face.

"Then there's no time to waste! Everyone capable of combat, let's go help Xia!"

At Celia's words, the students began to move.