In the gently stirred breeze of the world, Professor Plon’s aged gaze suddenly became incredibly cold, as if a terrifying aura that did not belong to an old man surged from his withered body.
Above his head, an ancient crown began to coalesce from the faint light, rising quickly like the pure air from the beginning of the world.
Then, at the center of the half-circular barrier, an illusory throne seemed to have already been forged here. The moment the crown merged into the throne, a phantom shadow quietly sat upon it, casting a cold and indifferent gaze upon all things in the world.
In an instant, the world in Professor Plon’s eyes transformed.
In the fully opened authority of the second layer of the grand apparatus, everything within the entire St. Maria Academy came into sharp focus in his vision. The trees, weeds, fish, bugs, the silent teaching buildings in the shadows—every subtle change in every entity did not escape his eyes; everything appeared in his mind as if he held it in the palm of his hand, ready to manipulate at will.
“Huh…”
This seemingly omnipotent feeling revitalized Professor Plon, whose body had long begun to wither, making him feel an abundance of energy once more.
It was as if he had returned to his younger self.
Unfortunately, that young girl he once met… was no longer here!
Professor Plon raised his hand, and the twelve black towers trembled violently, endless magical power infused into his temporarily revitalized body along the grand apparatus.
A faint light seemed to spark in his aged eyes.
Thus, the perfectly segmented hexagonal structure dropped from the sky and rose from the ground, layer upon layer, resembling a gigantic millstone that could crush all tangible things, as it pressed towards the Holy Maiden with her pure white wings.
“Ugh—”
Amidst the Holy Maiden’s sorrowful wail, a sharp roar suddenly intermingled, as if some presence, through her body, exhibited its wrath and madness toward the lowly worm before her.
The Holy Maiden raised her hand, clenched her fist, and then struck!
Without any rules, without any techniques, this action seemed overly crude for a holy woman, more akin to a common street brawler.
Yet, when that small fist fell, the stacked structure shook violently.
Those perfectly fitting hexagons bent under an indescribable terrifying force, causing the entire space to sway and distort, emitting a sound akin to metal tearing.
“Although you have become a revered Holy Maiden, your fighting style is still so simple and crude.”
Professor Plon let out a bitter laugh.
It was just like all those times he was reluctantly forced to deal with the messes she created during fights.
“Since that’s the case…”
Professor Plon opened his arms.
Behind him, golden lines extended and intertwined, constructing a complex array of mysterious patterns.
A rapid-cast magic array.
The rapid-cast magic array, which should have been carved with mercury and beast blood upon gold and gemstones, was created by Professor Plon with unimaginable magical skill in the void. The immense magical power gathered upon it, gradually brewing a storm of destruction and a sea of fire!
Professor Plon’s face grew stern as he issued an order of absolution.
“Go.”
Thus, countless vast and terrifying spells, supported by endless magical power, fired continuously, forming a saturated magical strike that illuminated the entire night sky.
The magical attacks unleashed by over a hundred students earlier were nothing compared to the magic array constructed by Professor Plon at this moment—it was like a gentle drizzle compared to a storm that raised a tsunami!
This was the terror of a true master magician at the peak of truth; as long as he had sufficient magical energy, one person could rival an entire magical army!
The Holy Maiden knew she could not dare to take this strike head-on; swallowing such a “candy” would certainly end in a dismal fate.
Her wings spread behind her and then folded, perfectly sheltering her form within. The pure white light expanded like a sacred domain, repelling any impure entities from entering.
Boom!
Boom!
Boom!
It was as if ten suns had risen together, bathing the night sky in bright light as if it were day.
Even though it was a sacred domain constructed by divine authority, the gods could not truly descend. The sacred domain struggled to maintain itself under this pure, overwhelming power, gradually showing clear cracks before… it was completely pierced through!
Endless heat and light poured into the sacred domain, rushing toward the weak form sheltered by the pure white wings as if to completely burn it to ashes.
Professor Plon held onto his hat to prevent it from being blown away by the scorching winds and turbulent air.
He narrowed his eyes, scrutinizing the scene obscured by the intense light and the spatial distortion caused by the violent explosions.
The attack just now could be said to have exhausted all his knowledge, directly consuming nearly one-third of the magical power extracted from the academy’s ley lines. Even a crowned one, or the undead guarding the graveyard, would likely turn to ash if struck directly by this attack.
Yet for some reason, that sense of unease in Professor Plon’s heart showed no signs of fading.
In fact, it only grew stronger.
As if something even more terrifying were about to happen.
At his level, even the slightest omen held significance, so he did not dare to relax.
The magic array behind him lit up again, ready for a second round of strikes.
Suddenly, his vision blurred for a moment.
Professor Plon felt a tightness in his chest.
The magic array was prepared to fire… but he suddenly froze for a moment.
It was as if the thought of activating the magic array had been wiped from his mind.
In the brief moment of mental stagnation, the space in front of Professor Plon was suddenly torn apart.
The Holy Maiden stepped out from the rift in space.
It was clear that the previous strike had not treated her well; her pure white wings were shattered, leaving only a pitiful remnant fluttering weakly, her hands charred and her fair skin marred, and her once-perfectly delicate face was now covered with cracks resembling shattered porcelain.
But when she appeared, the entire world darkened.
Even the bright light from the explosions seemed small in comparison.
Because in her hand, she seemed to hold the most brilliant light in the world.
It was a sword.
A sword neither adorned with beautiful engravings nor decorated with dazzling gemstones, appearing extremely ordinary, like an unfinished product.
Yet when that sword appeared, nothing in the universe seemed more eye-catching.
“Damn, the Holy Sword?” a bear at the academy’s underground exclaimed.
But no one heard, nor did anyone care.
Because at the focal point of many gazes, the Holy Maiden raised the sword in her hand, thrusting it toward Professor Plon’s heart.
At that moment, everyone’s breath seemed to come to a halt.
Countless hexagonal structures, layered upon layer, unfolded before Professor Plon, intending to force the Holy Maiden back.
Yet before the radiance of the Holy Sword, everything was completely purified, and the layers of structures manipulated by the great apparatus had no effect, collapsing back into pure magical energy.
“Thud.”
The sound of flesh being torn echoed, blood splattered.
Professor Plon stared blankly at his own chest.
The Holy Sword had pierced into his body, boundless light surged in, bringing a burning sensation like fire.
He coughed up blood, and the light seemed to emanate from his mouth and nose.
He should have died.
Being struck in the vital area by the Holy Sword, even with the protection of the great apparatus, he was doomed.
Yet he did not die, for the Holy Sword had pierced… his right chest.
He raised his head in astonishment.
The Holy Maiden’s hollow left eye seemed to regain a glimmer of vitality.
Then, amidst her continuing sorrowful wail, a faint sad whisper mingled with it.
“Teacher.”
