The ice boulder burst, and from its destroyed state, Zahekam emerged. The damage that the frost did was evident, looking at the demon's body. However, the frost was not able to go deep enough for it to be lethal for Zahekam.

  “Now you did it this time!”, Zahekam voiced, looking at Lucius with fury in his eyes.

  Kael moved in front of Lucius. He knew that Zahekam would eventually attack.

  “If only I didn't hold back so much”, Zahekam expressed, his furious eyes shifted to target Kael.

  “It's over, this is your defeat”, Kael said. He prepared himself, drawing the sword that Magister Kever gave.

  “Why?.. why am I so afraid of you Kael? I realized I shouldn't be!”, Zahekam exclaimed. “Look! The darkness surrounding this town is the testament of my power, and yet, the presence of a puny human like you masked the truth from me!”

  Zahekam's power was growing faster during that time.

  “Now, I know.. you can't fool me anymore. Show me what you got Kael! I will show you who is truly superior!”, Zahekam stated.

  Kael was silent, patiently waiting for Zahekam to attack. Eventually, as if knowing what Kael was thinking, Zahekam made his move.

  [Dark Spear]

  Hundreds of dark spears appeared. Each one were powerful enough to destroy Lucius’s frozen spear if Zahekam used one before. The second class demon wasn't holding back anymore.

  “Magister, get out of here. The people outside need you”, Kael said. Lucius was surprised by what his student said.

  “How about you? What will you do?”, Lucius asked.

  “Don't worry, I'll be alright”

  [Speed Boost]

  Kael exhausted his regular mana, using all of it for his body. The dark spears were threatening, but Kael was not intimidated even for a bit.

  [Late Cost: Dismantle]

  “You can't go against that demon, Kael. Stay back, let me finish what I started”

  Kael was a little insulted, though he knew Lucius didn't intend to insult him.

  “Is the eternal flame not enough?”, Kael stated. He wanted Lucius to believe in him, but he knew that he didn't have time to convince the grandmaster mage.

  Lucius was about to respond, but then, Zahekam's dark spears swiftly moved towards them.

  [Great Barrier]

  Kael deflected the dark spears one after another. He covered Magister Kever's sword in a thick barrier that the dark spears couldn't destroy. He moved so quick that Lucius was not able to follow his movements.

  At that moment, the grandmaster mage realized that the demon he was fighting before was far superior compared to him, and was only playing around before. But the greatest mystery for him was the fact that the demon was not holding back against Kael. He could see the demon from a distance, clearly strained by how quick it releases multiple dark spears at once. Lucius was astounded even more, seeing that even though the demon was giving his all, Kael was able to deflect all of the spears like Zahekam's spears didn't have a corroding effect to anything in contact with it. After some minutes, the barrage of attacks stopped, and Kael remained standing.

  “I told you, this is your defeat”, Kael said.

  Zahekam was tired for exerting the best he could do, hoping that at least one of his spears would reach Kael. Seeing that what he hoped didn't happen made him frustrated. He saw Kael stood without a hint of exhaustion. His human opponent seemed to be mocking his efforts by not showing any sign that he was acknowledged as an equal. Zahekam became even more furious, but the primal fear within him was starting to take over. Desperate to eliminate the doubt in his mind, he decided to absorb more power, thinking that Kael would wait for his power to recover.

  Kael knew what Zahekam was doing. The demon didn't say a word, unmoving while looking at him. The power of darkness will restore the demon’s lost power, but his mana will not recover. He might not show it from the outside, but he consumed half of his mana vessel already after deflecting all of Zahekam's powerful spears. He must cut off the source of Zahekam's power, and finish the fight while he still have the chance. He looked at Magister Lucius.

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  “Magister, please, the people outside need your help”, Kael said.

  Lucius couldn't say a word, shocked because of the unbelievable thing that he witnessed.

  “There’s no time, magister”, Kael said, urging Lucius to go.

  “Who.. who are you?”, Lucius asked Kael once again. This time, Kael felt like he didn't have a choice but to answer. If he wanted Lucius’s cooperation, he must clear the confusion.

  “That's right! Who are you?”

  Zahekam interrupted Kael and Lucius. He was genuinely curious about Kael's identity, but it was also a way to distract his opponent. Kael looked at him.

  “Are you sure you want to know?”, Kael asked. “If I answer truthfully, I will be obligated to destroy you”

  Kael’s piercing stare sent a terrifying warning towards Zahekam. The demon's fear won over his mind, setting aside his curiosity. However, when he was about to say that he didn't need Kael's answer, Kael continued speaking.

  “Well, even if you didn't know, I will still destroy you”, Kael said. “So I will tell you who I am”

  Zahekam didn't like what he just heard, but the situation was in his favor because of it. If Kael spoke and explain who he is, it might give him enough time to restore his full power. And so, he acted like he wanted to listen. But then, Kael's word shattered his hope.

  “Lucien”

  Just a single word made Zahekam tremble in fear. The name that his opponent mentioned was familiar to all demons equal to him, and those that are higher. It was a name that his kind knew to be their end. His opponent didn't need to explain himself further. The fear that he felt finally made sense, and so is the inconceivable power that he felt from Kael. He was facing an adversary that he could never eliminate, someone that even if he sacrificed his whole being, the power he would have would not amount to anything. That's how the higher class demons like him view Lucien.

  “No.. it can't be.. how am I suppose to rule this kingdom?”, Zahekam thought.

  Kael knew why Zahekam froze after he said who he is. The demon king’s fear towards him did extend to the other demons. Seeing Zahekam lose heart sealed his imminent victory.

  Meanwhile, Lucius was trembling after hearing the name that Kael uttered. The confidence he saw when his student said the name that he worshipped, and the incredible power that his student showed made him see what he yearned for so long. The image of Lucien was what he saw as he looked at Kael. The uncertainty that he should have felt was not there. Lucius knew that what he heard was true.

  “My lord! Forgive me for acting like I am great in front of you”, Lucius said all of a sudden, kneeling to his lord.

  “Huh?”

  Kael was taken aback. He had no idea that Lucius would believe him instantly, but what surprised him more was the grandmaster’s action.

  “Please lift your head, magister”, Kael requested.

  Lucius asked for his forgiveness once again, which made Kael even more uncomfortable. He wasn't expecting that there would be a time that he would be regarded so high, like he was a deity. But, he was quick to realize that the situation was favorable to what he wanted. For the time being, he used Lucius’s strong devotion to create the solution he needed. Kael cleared his throat.

  “Well then, if you truly wanted my forgiveness, help me save this town”, Kael said. He was apologizing to Lucius in his mind for saying those words.

  Lucius lifted his head, and looked at Kael. Kael still appeared as Lucien to his eyes.

  “I must sacrifice anything for you, my lord”, Lucius stated.

  Kael was taken aback once again. The situation was way too strange for him, but he must endure.

  “Help the people of this town. Go outside and destroy all the other demons”, Kael said.

  “But my lord, I must stay and assist you against that demon”, Lucius said while pointing at Zahekam.

  “Why is this happening?”, Kael thought, his animosity towards Zahekam was masked by Lucius’s sudden change. He looked at the grandmaster and formed a good response.

  “Do you doubt my words?”, Kael said. He wanted to hide somewhere the moment he finished what he said.

  Lucius on the other hand felt fearful. Kael's words pierced through his heart, worried that he unintentionally offended his lord. He expressed his regret, kneeling at Kael and rushed towards the academy gate.

  Kael was relieved after Lucius finally did what he wanted. He waited until Lucius was able to destroy part of the dark wall that Zahekam created. When he saw that the grandmaster was finally outside the academy, he looked at Zahekam.

  “So, what will you do?”, Kael asked. He didn't wait for an answer. He strolled towards the demon.

  Zahekam feared for his life and attempted to escape, but Kael wouldn't allow him.

  [Great Barrier]

  Kael isolated them from the outside. Zahekam couldn't get through Kael's magic.

  “Like I said, this is your defeat”