“—Not there!”

I ran across the dark streets of campus, trampling the lovely flower petals that danced with the night breeze.

“Not there either!”

Impatience swelled within me as I rapidly moved my eyes and became one with all my senses.

Spellcraft was constantly turned on—without it, this would be a fool’s charade.

My speed was phenomenal, and that was because I knew the value of time. My comrades were all fighting out there; risking their lives because they trusted my plan. I needed it to be executed perfectly.

No doubt, the tides were currently in our favor. If I joined in on the battle, perhaps our victory would be assured. However…

‘Anything can happen! I can’t render a judgment based on the current circumstances…’

Sure, things were going well now, but what would happen if the tables were to turn on us? Would the exhausted students be able to handle it?

This question rang in my head as I desperately sought the only thing that could guarantee our victory and cement the eradication of the enemies—the Lecturers.

If we could locate them, then it mattered not what the enemy threw at us. Once we secured those with authority and power, this elaborate charade would be finished.

Still, the solution was easier thought of than executed..

In the first place, the hall where the Lecturers were supposedly holed up prevented any external interference. It was surrounded by a barrier that practically made it appear as though they didn’t exist on the campus.

Normally, no one would be able to find them… unless they were me!

Using Spellcraft, I was basically one with the world around me. The Mana around gave me access to the surroundings. I could extend my senses, perceiving everything beyond the normal scope.

Now, what would happen if I were to utilize my technique where the hall was situated?

—Interference!

I wouldn’t be able to tap into the Mana within the premises of the hall thanks to the special Magic around it. Since that was the case, all I had to do was scour the campus to detect anomalies and figure out where they would be holed up in.

‘I’ve narrowed down the search to some places, so it’s not a blind hunt!’

Still, it was incredibly annoying—worrying about everyone else when I had my mission ahead of me.

‘Jared, focus! You’ll be facing the leader of the Shadows, you know?’

With my thoughts chastising me, I shrugged off distracting thoughts and dashed toward my designated spots…

… Until…

… I found it!

I could use Spellcraft with a range of a hundred meters currently. Though, since going so far strained me, I limited myself to seventy meters. It would be pointless if I found the enemy and was worn out when our confrontation ensued.

“FOUND YOU!”

With anticipation gleaming in my eyes, caution raised high, and at an even greater speed than earlier, I dashed in the direction of the anomaly.

0)ᴠʟ >BOOOOMMM!!!<

I was sure my sudden movements caused an explosion at the point of impact, but I didn’t care. My reinforced body cut through the wind and I arrived a few meters from my destination in a jiffy.

“Huuu…” A slightly heavy breath escaped my parted lips as I took a measured stance.

“… I’m here.”

My eyes instinctively searched the area, but that only lasted for a moment. The moment my nerves settled; I was assailed by the greatest amount of bloodlust I had ever felt since I began this second life of mine.

‘AAIEEEEE!!!’ My mind rang as I felt every hair of my body rise in response to the pressure.

Sweat—uncountable beads of sweat escaped my pores as the oppressive aura permeating the surrounding area greeted me.

This power was beyond me!

“So, you’re finally here…” A voice called out to me.

It was deep, it was dark… it felt disgustingly familiar.

My body trembled as I interpreted the voice of the monster that spoke. My brain referred to the memories of my past life and translated the words of the Demon.

‘W—what is… this…?’

My bulging eyes trailed to the figure that materialized before me.

Its body was dark, yet shrouded in a type of darkness that only existed in myths. This power far transcended the level of the Shadows from earlier. No, even comparing the both of them would be a terrible joke.

“T—this aura…” My quivering lips mumbled.

All my bravado from earlier vanished. In the presence of this horrifying being, I was nothing more than an average student cowering in fear. In my trembling state, one predominant thought etched itself in my head.

‘THIS POWER SURPASSES A GENERAL!’

“You are Jared Leonard, correct? No, I shouldn’t even be asking this…” The figure went on to speak.

Something about it felt familiar. The manner in which it spoke, the tone of its voice, and how its black figure looked from a close distance… it felt too similar to what I knew back then.

It was a gamble, but… I had to take it.

To sort through my thoughts and handle this unprecedented situation, I needed more time.

‘THINK! How can you buy time?’

Stall… I had to stall this monster!

It was a gambit, but… at the moment this was the only card I could play—the only one afforded to be played.

“You… who are you?”

I used Demon Tongue, and the being in front of me had his eyes widened in response.

“So, you know it too? Just like him… I wonder…” The dark creature mumbled.

An air of unease was evident in the air and the tension around me was so thick that it felt suffocating. It may have been shameless for me—as someone who had been through worse—to crumble like this, but… there was only so much my immature body and juvenile brain could bear.

All the signals in my body told me to run! Adrenaline was high. My heart was racing at an alarming rate. My brain pounded. I even seat some more.

The only thing keeping me standing was my will… and the Mana I used to coat myself,

“I am surprised you know my language, and that you are still standing despite the fact the surrounding area has been corrupted with Miasma. You are indeed worthy of praise.”

Familiar. Too familiar. I knew this Demon. I could tell!

But… perhaps it was a subconscious action… I couldn’t accept it!

I didn’t want to imagine it!

Because, that would mean…

“Very well, I will tell you my name.”

… That would imply…

“I am Kahn.”

… THAT THE DEMONS TRULY BROKE THE PACT!