The dust hadn’t even settled. The battlefield was still shaking from that last attack.

But now—now everything had changed.

Aestrea had teleported away

And in his place stood a man.

A giant of a man, broad-shouldered and rough-looking, with a thick, battle-worn beard. His armor was cracked and scratched, showing signs of many fights before this one.

But his grip on his greatsword was firm, steady. His eyes, sharp like a predator’s, locked onto the archdemon with no fear.

The archdemon, still half-buried in the crater from the impact, let out a deep growl. He dug his clawed hand into the ground and pushed himself up, his body trembling.

CRACK.

His bones snapped back into place. His deep wounds from the battle with Aestrea sealed shut, black blood sizzling as it vanished into the air.

The broken pieces of his twisted horns regenerated, forming sharp new points.

His red eyes burned even hotter, full of rage.

“You…” The demon’s voice was deeper now, more monstrous.

“Who the hell are you?”

The bearded man cracked his neck, rolling his shoulders. He lifted his greatsword with one hand, resting it on his shoulder.

His voice was calm but heavy, like a hammer striking steel.

“The one who’s going to end you.”

The archdemon’s lips curled into a slow, hateful smile.

“We’ll see about that.”

Then—

BOOM!

The ground under the demon exploded as he launched forward, moving faster than a human eye could follow. His claw, sharp as a blade, swung straight for the bearded man’s neck.

WHOOSH!

But the man barely moved. He tilted his head just enough for the claw to miss, feeling the wind rush past his face.

Then—

THUD!

His knee slammed into the demon’s stomach.

“GUH—!”

The archdemon’s eyes widened as spit and black blood flew from his mouth. His whole body bent forward from the impact.

But the bearded man didn’t stop—

WHAM!

A heavy fist crashed into the side of the demon’s face.

CRACK!

His jaw snapped to the side as he went flying, rolling across the battlefield like a ragdoll.

The demon groaned, coughing up more blood, but before he could fully rise—

WHOOSH!

The bearded man was already on top of him.

His greatsword swung down like a falling mountain.

“Shit—!”

The archdemon twisted his body, rolling away just in time.

BOOM!

The sword hit the ground, shattering the earth beneath it. A deep crack spread out in all directions.

The demon snarled, rage burning in his veins.

“You bastard…!”

He jumped back, raising his claws. Black energy swirled around his hands.

His aura pulsed, making the air twist with dark magic.

A massive black claw formed in the air, large enough to crush a castle. It reached down, aiming to grab the bearded man and rip him apart.

But—

WHOOSH!

The man vanished.

The next second—

BAM!

A heavy boot slammed into the demon’s back, sending him face-first into the ground.

BANG!

The impact formed a deep crater.

The bearded man landed a few feet away, lifting his sword again.

“Is that all?”

The archdemon’s fury boiled over. His aura exploded outward, shaking the entire battlefield. The sky turned black, swirling with storm clouds.

CRACK!

BOOM!

Lightning struck down in random places. The air smelled like burnt metal. The demon rose from the crater, his body trembling with dark energy.

His voice was a deep, inhuman snarl.

“I AM PRIDE ITSELF!”

His arms shot forward.

『 Blood Series: Hellstorm Spears! (✦ 7th-Level Spell ✦) 』

Dozens of black spears, each covered in violet flames, blasted toward the bearded man.

WHOOSH!

WHOOSH!

WHOOSH!

They tore through the air, coming from all directions.

But—

The bearded man didn’t move.

Instead—

FWOOOOOSH!

A brown aura flared around his body.

His greatsword glowed with a burning light.

And then—

SLASH!

With one massive swing—

SHIIIIING!

A single, brown arc of energy cut through everything.

The black spears shattered.

The flames disappeared.

And the energy wave kept going—

SLASH!

It hit the archdemon directly, slicing a deep wound across his chest.

“GAHHH—!”

Black blood sprayed as the demon stumbled back, his body shaking from the raw power of that attack.

But he refused to fall.

He clenched his jaw, his eyes burning with pure hatred.

『 Dark Lightning: ArchDemon’s Wrath! 』

CRACK!

A massive bolt of black lightning crashed down from the sky, straight toward the bearded man.

BOOOOOOM!

The ground exploded in a sea of sparks and dust. The shockwave sent everyone skidding backward.

For a second—nothing.

The battlefield was silent.

Then—

Step.

A single step echoed through the smoke.

And then—

WHOOSH!

The bearded man walked out of the lightning storm.

Completely unharmed.

The demon’s eyes widened in shock.

“Wha—”

Before he could react—

WHOOSH!

The bearded man vanished again.

The next thing the demon felt—

THWACK!

A heavy punch to the gut.

“GRUGH—!”

His body bent forward, but before he could even breathe—

BAM!

An uppercut sent him flying into the air.

The world spun around him.

But the bearded man wasn’t done.

WHOOSH!

He appeared above the demon, his greatsword raised high.

And then—

BOOOOOOM!

A single, devastating slash sent the demon crashing back to the ground like a meteor.

CRACK!

The impact shattered the land, forming a ten-meter-deep crater.

The archdemon gasped for air, his entire body trembling. His regeneration was failing. His power was fading.

He tried to rise—

But then—

SHING!

A sharp pain pierced through his chest.

His eyes widened.

He looked down.

The bearded man’s greatsword was buried deep in his chest.

Right where his core was.

CRACK.

A small fracture appeared on the demon’s core.

His body froze.

The bearded man exhaled. His grip on the sword tightened.

And then—

SHIIIIIIIIING!

He twisted the blade.

CRACK!

The demon’s core shattered.

“GRUAAAAAAAAAAH—!”

A final, horrific scream tore through the battlefield.

His body started breaking apart, dissolving into black dust. His red eyes, once filled with arrogance and rage, flickered—then dimmed.

And then—

BOOM.

The Archdemon of Pride was no longer alive.

Silence fell.

The battlefield was still.

The bearded man pulled his sword free, letting the last bits of the demon scatter into nothingness.

He exhaled.

Then—

He turned to Aestrea.

“You did well, boy,” he said simply.

Aestrea, still catching his breath, stared at him for a moment before scoffing.

“Took you long enough, Sword Duke.”

The Sword Duke—Elandor—just nodded, his sharp eyes studying Aestrea.

There was something conflicted in his gaze.

After all, this was the same boy who had beaten up his grandson in the academy’s competition.

But now, here he was—fighting to protect that same academy, standing against an archdemon, and even winning most of the battle.

Elandor let out a long sigh, furrowing his thick brows.

“…Haaa…”

Then his gaze shifted.

“Where’s that purple-haired lady?”

“You mean… the Headmistress?”

Aestrea raised an eyebrow.

“Exactly,” Elandor scoffed, crossing his arms.

“She always disappears the moment you need her the most.”

Aestrea just nodded in agreement.

Because honestly?

Facts.

‘She’s letting demons into the academy just to make us stronger… This whole thing with the archdemon… what if she’s the one who—’

Aestrea shook his head, pushing those thoughts aside.

‘Now’s not the time for that.’

Before he could say anything else—

“AESTREA!”

A familiar voice called out, making him turn.

Lucas was sprinting toward him, his face still a little pale, but his eyes sharp. Behind him, the rest of their group was busy helping the priests heal injured students.

And of course, Christina was the one doing most of the work.

She was the Saintess for a reason.

Lucas reached Aestrea, breathing hard.

“Is he dead?”

Before Aestrea could even open his mouth—

“He indeed is, boy,” Elandor answered for him, his voice firm.

Lucas blinked, noticing the bearded man for the first time.

His eyes darted up and down, scanning Elandor’s massive frame, then settled on his sword. But Elandor was already doing the same—except his gaze landed on the weapon strapped to Lucas’s back.

The Excalibur.

For a split second, something flashed in Elandor’s eyes.

“So, you’re the Hero, huh?” His lips curled into a grin.

“Not too shabby.”

Lucas scratched the back of his head, a little caught off guard.

“Uh… thanks?”

But before he could say more—

SHING.

Elandor suddenly stepped forward, raising his sword and pointing it straight at Lucas’s face.

Lucas stiffened.

Then—

The bearded man grinned.

“What do you say, boy? How about becoming my disciple?” His deep voice boomed with amusement, a wide smile plastered across his old face.

Aestrea sighed.

‘Of course.’

Who wouldn’t want to be the master of the Hero?

This had probably happened in the novel too. Lucas must’ve received this same offer.

But according to Lucas’s character, he must’ve had refused back in the novel—because he already had Zeva as his master.

But this time—

Lucas’s eyes lit up.

“Disciple greets Master!” he declared, practically shouting as he clasped his hands together in excitement.

Aestrea blinked.

‘Huh?’

He hadn’t even hesitated.

Elandor chuckled, stroking his beard.

“Perfect!”

Aestrea just rubbed his temples.

‘Since when did this turn into a xianxia novel? Last time I checked, this was supposed to be an academy-type story…’

‘…Oops.’

He exhaled slowly.

‘Well… whatever. The fight’s over, anyway…’

His eyes drifted toward Christina.

‘She still owes me money.’

With that thought, Aestrea turned and started walking toward her.

She was busy healing a group of injured students, golden light flowing from her hands. She looked exhausted, her face slightly pale from overusing mana.

Aestrea was about to call out to her—

When—

THUD!

Something slammed into his chest.

Soft.

Warm.

And definitely squishy.

He barely had time to react before a pair of arms wrapped around his waist. A head buried itself against the nape of his neck.

A familiar scent.

A trembling voice.

“Junior… I’m so glad you’re okay…”

Grip—!

“Agh—!” Aestrea winced.

“Senior, ease up a little. You’re crushing me…”

Violet didn’t loosen her grip.

If anything—she tightened it.

Aestrea sighed, his hand moving on instinct. He patted her back gently, feeling the way her shoulders trembled.

Her fingers dug into his clothes, like she was afraid he’d disappear if she let go.

“…I’m fine, you know.” His voice was softer than usual.

Violet didn’t answer.

“…Senior?” He leaned back a little to look at her face.

She had her eyes closed, biting her lip as if she were trying to memorize the feeling of him being alive.

Aestrea exhaled, bringing a hand up to ruffle her hair.

“Alright, alright, I get it. You were worried.” He chuckled. “But if you squeeze me any harder, I might actually die.”

Violet flinched, then finally loosened her grip—but only slightly.

“…Idiot.” She muttered under her breath.

Aestrea just shook his head.

His body was still buzzing from all the adrenaline. He could feel the tension in his shoulders, the exhaustion creeping in now that the fight was over.

But then there was this.

This quiet moment, where nothing was trying to kill him.

It was… nice.

But before he could think too much about it—

He felt a sharp gaze pierce through him.

Like a dagger straight to his soul.

His body tensed.

Slowly, cautiously—he turned his head.

And that’s when he saw her.

.

.

.

.

.

.

[Christina’s POV]

‘That. Little. Hussy.’

Christina glared at the scene happening just a few feet away.

Her hands were still glowing, mana flowing into the injured students around her, but her mind was not on healing anymore.

No.

It was stuck on that disgusting, horrible, shameful display of affection.

Violet.

Hugging.

Aestrea.

With her whole body.

Right in front of her.

‘Oh, sure. Go ahead. Throw yourself at him right after a battle, when he’s weak and too tired to push you away. Very clever, Senior Violet. Very clever.’

Her lips twitched in irritation.

She clenched her fists—only to realize she was still channeling mana.

The student she was healing yelped as an unnecessary burst of magic surged into him.

“Ack—! Lady Christina, please—!”

Christina snapped out of her thoughts.

“Oh. Sorry.” She definitely wasn’t sorry.

She sighed, pressing her fingers to her temples.

‘Calm down. Calm down, Christina. You are a noble lady, the Saintess of the Holy Nation! You do not get jealous. You do not get angry over something so stupid. This is beneath you.’

She took a deep breath.

And then looked up again—

—only to see Aestrea patting Violet’s head.

Her eye twitched.

‘OH, COME ON!’

She groaned internally, quickly shifting her focus back to healing.

‘Fine. Whatever. Be a pathetic little puppy, Violet. I don’t even care.’

…Except she did care.

A lot.

Way more than she was willing to admit.

‘She’s so shameless! Throwing herself at him like that. Acting all cute and fragile. Hmph. I would never do something so cheap.’

She scoffed, fixing her posture.

And yet—

She couldn’t help but glance down at herself.

A slow smirk crept onto her face.

‘…Well. At least my assets are bigger than hers.’

She straightened her back proudly, subtly pushing her chest forward.

‘Not that it matters. But still. It’s important to acknowledge one’s strengths.’

Her pride lasted all of five seconds before she accidentally glanced at Aestrea again.

And saw that he was still letting Violet cling to him.

She felt her jaw tighten.

‘WHY ARE YOU JUST LETTING HER HOLD YOU LIKE THAT, YOU STUPID BLOCKHEAD?! PUSH HER AWAY! BE A MAN!’

Her fingers twitched.

She really wanted to throw something at them.

Maybe a healing spell.

Directly to Aestrea’s head.

She took a deep breath.

‘No. Be classy. Be elegant. Don’t let them see you seething.’

She turned back to her patient.

Smiled.

And then shoved a little too much mana into his wound.

“A-AGH—! LADY CHRISTINA, MERCY—!”

Oops.

She cleared her throat.

“Stop whining. It’s good for you.”

The student whimpered.

Christina, meanwhile, was still fuming.

‘That should be me standing there.’

She deserved a thank you from Aestrea.

She deserved a hug for all the healing she did.

Hell, she deserved a kiss on the hand, at the very least.

But noooo, instead, he was over there, letting Violet rub her face into his neck like some lost kitten.

Disgraceful.

Absolutely disgraceful.

She exhaled sharply, tilting her chin up.

‘Whatever. I’m not jealous. I don’t need his attention. I am Christina Solera, the Saintess of the Holy Nation, the greatest healer in the kingdom. I have nothing to be jealous about.’

And yet—

She found herself glaring at them again.

Still hugging.

Still standing close.

Still too damn comfortable.

Her fingers curled into a fist.

‘…Stupid Aestrea. Just wait. I’ll make you regret ignoring me.’

A slow, devious smirk crossed her lips.

She had her ways.

Besides, she knew that Aestrea would come to her sooner or later.

After all…

She still owed him money.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep