Bright blue light shone from within the monster, causing its body to jerk violently.

Its sturdy, shadowlike body began to spasm and change form incessantly. I watched as the sharp spears lost their luster and simply became dull, shapeless blobs. The blobs hardened as light traveled through the Shadow Demon’s body and began to leak all around the monster’s body.

The blackness of the Demon’s body turned ashen and it began to crumble apart. At this point, the creature looked bloated and rigid, like an overgrown statue, ready to burst.

BOOOOMMM!!!

The Demon died—rather, it exploded—turning into particles of dust and smoke.

I watched as the grey remains of the monster I slew fall on the ground, looking around me to see no semblance of it anywhere… though I sensed the presence of two more climbing the stairs.

CREAKKK

Doors opened and I noticed that students were watching me with various expressions; surprise, fear, and curiosity. I didn’t have the time to attend to all of them since I was about to encounter more enemies. Clicking my tongue as I prepared for the next bombardment, I glared at the few I noticed poking their heads.

“SHUT YOUR DOORS AND STAY INDOORS!”

My scream resembled a battle cry, and I stormed forward—charging at the two Shadow Demons who had gotten wind of my presence for sure.

SWOOOOOSSSHHHH

I created a blade of light, ensuring I condensed it with enough light and pure manner, allowing me to slice through the several dark spears that came my way.

SWISH

WHOOOOSHHH

My steps quickened as my flow became more fluid. My body gradually became accustomed to their patterns and the speed within me acclimated. Little beads of sweat appeared on my face, but it was due to the worrisome thoughts going on in my head, not for lack of confidence.‘If it’s just these… I can win!’

I brandished my blade of light on one hand and prepared a great deal of Mana on my second.

The two Shadow Demons appeared flustered by my closeness and began generating several more shadow spikes. This time, they were like projectiles—bullets—flying my way.

I couldn’t evade them all, not with the way I currently was.

The only way out was through!

My brain went to work and my expert control over Mana manifested. Instantly, a powerful shield formed around me. Usually, regular barriers would do very little to stop Shadow Demons, however… I infused quite a deal of Mana into it, plus the density could not be compared to regular barriers.

As a result, it was watertight!

CLANGANGANG

Sounds like deflected metal echoed across the hallway/stairs as their hardened bullets failed to infiltrate my defenses.

I raised my blade and prepared my slash. With my eyes already focused on the two, and my distance closed, I went for the kill.

The Demons, not even caring for their lives, lunged the last of their attacks—their claws­ and aimed to kill me.

SKRRRRIIIIIIII

Noise akin to grating metal sounded as neither attack had enough luster to reach me.

SWOOOSHHHH

WHUUMM

I used my blade of light to instantly cut through one of my enemies while lunging my fist at the other. The exploding light that emanated from both caused them to explode into dust, same as the last one I killed.

‘That makes three!’

I had several questions and my confusion intensified, but it still wasn’t time to give them any attention. I could still sense more enemies downstairs, after all.

I would be entering a den of enemies, there was no way I could be burdened by my thoughts… or worries!“Hey!” I shouted, darting my vision at a student who was peeping at my battle the whole time—despite my warnings.

“Eeek!” He let out a weak squeak.

I saw in his eyes the dim spark that belonged only to weaklings who had too much curiosity. People like him were bound to die easily!

“Go knock on all the doors in this hallway and give everyone my message!” I addressed him with an urgent tone and nearly bloodshot eyes.

He nodded, both in terror and a form of excitement.

‘He’s crazy!’ My mind rang.

But that made the guy perfect for this job.

“Tell them we’re under attack. Make sure to let everyone know that none of them are safe! Go to the topmost floor, the one that belongs to the Elite Ten! Stay there and keep safe.” I barked, making sure my focus didn’t waver from the enemies that were fast approaching.

The Elite Ten who occupied the topmost floors… they were cowards, but still more powerful than the other students here. If they were to go there, I could at least be at ease about their safety and focus more on the Demons that sought destruction.

Besides, I knew Jerry—one of the Elites—would do his best to protect everyone. Once I was done with the mess downstairs, I would go to check how they were faring.

This was the best I could do… given the circumstances.

“Go! Do it now!” I shouted at the hesitant boy.

“A-ah, okay!” He got out of his room and dashed toward a nearby door to knock.

That was the last I saw of him—or even thought of him—before focusing on the ones who would preoccupy my entire being until they were dead.

“Rahhhh!!!”

I yelled, ensuring their attention would be drawn to me, and only me.

The Shadow Demons—who were already ascending the stairs—saw me charging at them and took defensive stances.

Seeing as their numbers were easily over ten, I couldn’t afford to even let up for even a moment. I was at a major disadvantage, my mind was rattled, they had the initiative… I could go on about how unfair this was.

The only thing I had to balance things out was knowledge!

Shadow Demons had high resistance to physical attacks, but were weaker to Magic. Their major weakness among the elemental attributes was light. However, pure Mana-based attacks also worked perfectly fine.

Armed with extensive knowledge and experience, I could somehow manage against them, but… I still felt something was off.

No matter, all that mattered now was to kill my enemies… before they killed me!