Chapter 596: A Cold Heart 3

Janica’s eyes narrowed.

’This feeling… could it be—’

It was faint, but unmistakable. That eerie, chilling pulse that clawed at her senses like a whisper in the dark.

Her mind flashed back to those few rare missions she’d joined with Lucas—the same missions where she’d felt that exact same suffocating aura. It was something the Church of Light itself had once deemed an abomination.

A vile energy that devoured life itself.

A force born only from those who had drowned their souls in corruption.

Demonic energy.

Her breath hitched.

’H-how…? Is this elf… a demonic worshipper?’

Her heart pounded violently in her chest as the realization sank in.

This wasn’t just a rogue competitor or a violent foreigner—they were standing before something utterly forbidden.

Something that should not exist within the academy’s walls.

The elf tilted his head slightly, as if amused by her recognition.

“Hmm~ quite perceptive, aren’t you? That spark in your eyes—yes, that’s it.”

He smiled again, the expression curving too wide, his sharp teeth glinting faintly under the dim light filtering through the trees.

“You humans truly do have a fascinating sixth sense for fear. I can see it—the way your mana trembles… like a candle in a storm.”

His gaze shifted slowly toward Snow, who was already down on one knee, struggling to breathe.

The pressure rolling off the elf was like a mountain pressing down on her chest.

The temperature of the air around her began to drop unnaturally as her own mana struggled to stabilize.

“Hmm… your spark, girl,” he said softly, voice dripping with mock curiosity. “It’s bright… brighter than most. But compared to the fallen one over there, you’re still lacking.”

He clicked his tongue in disappointment, his crimson eyes locking on Snow. “What a waste of blood good blood. The light’s touch has really dulled, hasn’t it?”

“P–Princess!” Janica’s voice cracked as she reached out instinctively, her grip tightening around her blade.

Snow’s pale hands trembled, her wand clattering weakly against the ground.

Each breath she took sounded more and more labored.

Janica’s instincts screamed to move—to attack—to do something.

But her body refused to respond.

Even if she did fight back, what would it change?

Her mana reserves were already nearing depletion, and the power radiating from this creature in front of her wasn’t something she could measure.

Worse yet…

She could feel them.

Hidden presences all around the forest—light, fleeting traces of mana that blended seamlessly with nature.

They were faint, but unmistakable.

Nine of them.

Nine distinct signatures moving in unison with the elf’s breath.

’His subordinates… they’ve been surrounding us from the start.’

The realization made her stomach twist. This wasn’t a fight they could win—not even if every one of them were at full strength.

The elf, sensing her dread, chuckled lightly. “Ah… so you noticed. You really are sharp for a human.”

He tilted his head, the faint sound of amusement lacing his words.

“Don’t worry. They won’t interfere just yet. I prefer to… play with my food before the feast begins.”

His crimson eyes glimmered.

“And you, little knight, look like you’ll make for the perfect opening act.”

Seeing Janica’s murderous glare, the elf’s smirk deepened, twisting unnaturally as his crimson eyes glimmered with malice.

“As I said earlier,” he drawled, tone dripping with mock boredom, “I’ve found our little chase of cat and mouse quite dull already. So, why don’t we make this a little more… entertaining, hm? A game, perhaps? Just you and me~”

He lifted his hand lazily, black veins momentarily glowing across his wrist. “But before we begin…” his voice darkened, “…we need to get rid of the useless filth first.”

Janica’s instincts screamed at her. Her entire body stiffened as her mana spiked.

“W-What are you—”

But it was already too late.

FOOOOSHHHH!!!

A sharp crack split through the forest air.

A streak of condensed, black mana shot out like lightning—so fast the sound followed after the damage was done.

The head of one of the students behind Janica erupted in a burst of red and black mist.

“KYAAAAAAAH!!!”

The scream tore through the silence like shattered glass.

Another arrow.

Then another.

FSSHHHH!!!

BANG!

THUD.

Two more fell—one clutching her chest, the other collapsing mid-scream before she even hit the ground.

Blood mist filled the air, hot and metallic.

The stench was suffocating.

The survivors—barely six of them—froze in disbelief.

Their minds couldn’t even process what had just happened.

One of the younger students began to sob uncontrollably. “N-No! No, no, no—!”

“We—we need to get out of here!!” another shouted, stumbling backward, his voice cracking.

But escape? That wasn’t even an option anymore.

The arrows had stopped, but the silence that followed was worse—heavier than before.

Janica slowly turned, her wide eyes trembling as she saw the remains of her comrades—their bodies lifeless, blood soaking into the moss beneath them.

Her knuckles turned white around her sword.

The elf placed a finger to his lips and chuckled, the sound low and sharp.

“Kukukukuku… oh, how delightful. Those expressions—those faces drenched in despair… truly, blood does have a way of shaking the human soul, doesn’t it? Mmm, how tasty.”

“Y-You—!” Janica’s voice broke as anger and nausea tangled inside her chest. “You bastard!!!”

Her aura flared violently—green winds cutting into the ground beneath her feet.

She didn’t care about the difference in power anymore.

The only thing in her mind was the need to strike him down.

But before she could move—

Snap!

The elf’s fingers clicked lightly, almost playfully.

Janica’s body froze instantly, her blade halting mid-swing. Her muscles locked, her mana scattered in disarray.

Her eyes widened. “W-What… what did you do to me!?”

The elf chuckled, strolling toward her with a leisurely grace, his boots making no sound as they touched the ground. “Now, now… don’t be so hasty, child.”

He leaned forward slightly, whispering as his crimson eyes glowed faintly. “Didn’t I say we were going to play a game?”

The elf continued, his voice lilting like a song half-sung by madness.

“It’s a game involving hearts and desires~” he said, his smile widening as his sharp eyes found Janica’s. “A game you’ll want to participate in, because it’s the only one that offers you a chance to escape this mess. I promise you—if you win, I’ll let those four remaining boys and that fragile, dying princess over there go freely.”

Janica’s breath caught. “What… what are you saying…?”

“The rules,” the elf said, raising one delicate finger, “are quite simple, really. You just need to endure. Prove to me that desire and love are two different things. Never let your desire taint or consume your love. If you can do that… you win.”

He chuckled, tilting his head toward the trembling group nearby.

“Your players will be you—and those four boys. Simple, isn’t it~?”

Janica blinked, her brows furrowing.

Endure?

Desire?

Love?

What was he talking about?

The words twisted in her mind like smoke, and before she could question further, the elf snapped his fingers.

A sharp sound echoed through the clearing—like glass breaking in her skull.

Janica gasped as something snapped inside her.

A strange heat rippled through her body, crawling up her spine and spreading into her chest and head.

Her vision blurred at the edges, and her heartbeat thundered, far too loud, far too fast.

Her thoughts grew foggy.

It was as if a heavy mist had descended upon her mind, dulling reason, sharpening every breath.

Her skin tingled, every nerve awake, trembling.

“What… what is this…?” she whispered, her voice unsteady.

The elf only watched, amused, as if admiring his own cruel handiwork. “Ah, the awakening of conflict~ You feel it, don’t you? That trembling boundary between what you want and what you care for.”

Janica’s knees buckled slightly.

She tried to resist, to stand tall, but the world felt distant—spinning, unreal.

Her breath grew uneven, her hands clutching her chest as if trying to cage the storm inside.

Her face flushed with a heat she couldn’t understand.

She felt herself trembling, fighting against something invisible that pressed against her will.

“M-Miss Janica…”

“S-Senior…”

“I—I can’t control myself…”

“You look… so beautiful, Senior…”

Their voices trembled—warped by something unnatural—as the four boys behind her stared, their eyes clouded with a strange, feverish light.

Janica froze.

Her breath hitched as she turned and saw their faces twisted in longing that wasn’t their own.

“Y-You…” she stammered, realizing it all too late. “No—everyone, calm down! Resist it!”

But they didn’t.

Their bodies moved on their own, pulled forward like puppets by unseen strings. The elf’s spell had already taken root.

“Stop—don’t come any closer!” Janica shouted, her hand trembling around her blade.

One boy reached out, his hand brushing her shoulder—

She flinched back with a frightened gasp.

The elf chuckled softly, tilting his head. “Ah~ what a touching sight. Desire truly is such a lovely curse to witness, isn’t it?”

But before he could take another breath—

VOOOOOSHHHHHH!!!

Light roared from above like judgment from the heavens.

A blinding streak of white crashed down between Janica and the approaching boys, forcing them back as radiant energy exploded outward.

The impact sent dust and leaves swirling in all directions.

And through that burst of holy light—she saw it.

A blade of pure white embedded into the ground.

Feathers, golden and glowing, drifted gently through the air.

Janica’s eyes widened as a familiar figure stepped through the fading light, his cloak rippling behind him.

“…Lucas…” she breathed, her voice faint, disbelieving.

“I’m glad I made it in time, Janny,” Lucas said softly, kneeling beside her.

His golden eyes shone with calm fury, and when his hand touched her cheek, the fog clouding her mind finally began to fade.

The warmth of his mana felt different—clean, bright, steady. Safe.

A dome of shimmering light expanded from his hand, wrapping Janica in a protective barrier.

Her eyelids fluttered as exhaustion overtook her. “L-Lucas…I-I—”

“Rest for now,” he whispered.

She nodded weakly before falling into unconsciousness.

Lucas stood, his jaw tightening as he looked toward Snow—collapsed nearby, her breathing shallow, her right arm darkened with creeping corruption.

His aura surged once more, brighter and hotter.

[Divine Sanctum.]

The light washed over Snow, cleansing the black veins that had begun to spread. Though it couldn’t heal her completely, the corruption slowed to a crawl.

Only then did Lucas turn his gaze back toward the elf.

Golden light flared around him—his white armor glowing faintly, his holy sword pulsing with energy.

The elf’s grin widened, though his eyes twitched slightly.

“Oh my, the hero has arrived~”

But before he could laugh, he felt it—

FSHHHHHHHHH!!!!

another presence.

A heavy, oppressive force pressed down on the clearing, twisting the very air.

He turned—

—and froze.

A red-haired girl sat astride an enormous red cat, her crimson eyes burning like dying stars.

A faint red crown of energy hovered above her head, its aura distorting reality itself.

Crimson energy rippled around her, making the ground crack and the air shiver.

She stared directly at him, her voice cold and sharp enough to cut through his soul.

“What, did you do to my sister?”

The elf’s smirk faltered.

His body stiffened.

For the first time since he’d appeared—his soul trembled.

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