Extra Of The Magus Academy

’Any moment now…’

Ash smiled as his hands were in his pockets while he took gentle strides in the campus grounds.

It felt nice, finally being free from the burdens and pressure of the Academy Exchange, but he knew the entire saga was far from over.

There remained one loose end… one final issue he had to properly resolve before he could call things a wrap.

’I don’t know if things will occur as they did in the past, especially since I’ve changed so much, but… things look like they should be on schedule.’

His smile remained planted on his face as he desired his destination.

The evening air was crisp and quiet, the soft glow of the academy’s lanterns casting long shadows along the stone pathways. Ash walked alone, his thoughts deep, when the sound of approaching footsteps drew his attention.

’I was wondering when he’d come find me…’

Kellion.

The older student had his hands in his pockets, his usual smirk replaced with something more inquisitive.

"You planted the Spirit Stones in Dredd’s room, didn’t you?" he asked without preamble.

Ash didn’t flinch.

Instead, he exhaled softly, tilting his head slightly. "If I didn’t, Dredd would have walked free."

"So it was a setup from the start." Kellion narrowed his eyes.

Ash gave a small, knowing smile.

"Let’s just say it was my backup plan. I suspected he’d get rid of the evidence before the award ceremony, so I made sure there was something for them to find. The stones belonged to the Asura Spirit Academy in the first place—I just… made sure they ended up in the right hands again."

Kellion studied him for a moment, then let out a chuckle.

"I see. And let me guess, you don’t want your brother knowing about this?"

"It’s better if he thinks everything was legitimate." Ash’s smile didn’t waver. "Seth values honor—if he knew I manipulated the situation, he might start doubting our methods. I need him to trust me completely."

"Fine. Your secret’s safe with me." Kellion nodded, seemingly amused.

Then, his expression turned serious. "But now that the Exchange is over, you still owe me something. You promised to train me, remember?"

Ash gave him a thoughtful look before nodding.

"Come with me."

******

Kellion followed Ash through the dim corridors of the still-functioning Training Hall until they arrived at a secluded training room. As the heavy doors creaked open, the sound of controlled breathing and steady footwork echoed within.

Seth Zephyr was already inside.

The twin Zephyr had removed his outer coat, standing in a combat stance, his muscles tensed in preparation.

He turned when he heard them enter, his golden eyes sharp.

"Brother? What’s this about?"

Ash stepped inside, letting the doors close behind them. He looked at both Seth and Kellion, his gaze unwavering.

"You two are strong. Incredibly strong." He crossed his arms. "But not strong enough."

Seth frowned. "I know… I just thought we’d be the ones training, you know? Alone?"

"Remember I told you I would need your favor? Well, this is it."

"I thought the favor was for exposing Dredd."

"Nope!"

Seth shook his head lightly, raising both hands in surrender as he shrugged the last embers of his hesitance off.

Kellion, who had been watching this silently, let out a small sigh.

"I assume this is going to be hellish training, then?"

"That depends on how fast you learn." Ash smiled.

Both Seth and Kellion straightened, their initial reluctance shifting into quiet determination. They were powerful, yes, but Ash had positioned himself as their superior—not just as an ally, but as a strategist who saw further than anyone else.

He wasn’t just training them. He was molding them into weapons.

’If I have these two, and the others I plan to obtain eventually… I’ll be able to influence future scenarios for sure.’

And as he stood by the sidelines, watching them prepare for their first round of brutal training, he felt a deep sense of satisfaction.

Two powerful pieces, now firmly under his control.

The air inside the training hall was thick with tension.

Kellion and Seth stood at opposite ends of the sparring arena, their eyes locked, bodies poised. There was no audience, no fanfare—only Ash watching from the sidelines, arms crossed, as the two warriors prepared to clash.

"Whenever you’re ready," Ash said, his voice calm yet expectant.

Neither needed further prompting.

Kellion was the first to move.

WHOOOSH!!

The ground beneath him cracked as he lunged forward with a burst of speed, flames erupting from his arms. His fire wasn’t just ordinary—it was destructive, the kind that didn’t merely burn but tore through whatever it touched.

Seth met his charge head-on, sidestepping just enough to avoid a direct hit.

Azure lightning crackled around him as he retaliated, his fist wreathed in blue fire as he drove it toward Kellion’s ribs.

Kellion barely managed to block, but the impact sent a violent shockwave through his body, forcing him backward. His arms trembled from the force. @@novelbin@@

Too strong.

But he wasn’t about to admit that.

Kellion gritted his teeth and countered with a sweeping kick, his foot igniting mid-motion, leaving a blazing arc in its wake. Seth ducked, but Kellion anticipated it—he pivoted, twisting his body to bring down an overhead punch, his entire arm engulfed in roaring flames.

Seth raised a hand, and a pulse of blue lightning surged outward. The force stopped Kellion’s attack mid-swing, the pressure alone sending him skidding back.

The gap between them was clear.

Seth wasn’t just stronger. He was faster, smarter, and still holding back.

Kellion wiped the sweat from his forehead, his breath heavy.

"You’re not even trying, are you?"

Seth rolled his shoulders, his expression unreadable. "I don’t want to kill you."

Kellion’s flames flared in frustration. "Don’t patronize me."

He roared forward, his body bursting into motion with renewed fury. The flames around him coiled like serpents, the sheer heat distorting the air.

This time, he didn’t just attack—he unleashed destruction.

Fists wreathed in obliterating fire, he struck, again and again. Each blow carried the weight of an explosion, shaking the arena floor. Seth weaved through them effortlessly, dodging with movements that seemed almost lazy.

Then, Seth countered.

A single step forward. A precise strike.

BOOM!

Kellion barely registered the impact before his vision blurred. Seth’s fist slammed into his gut, lightning surging through his veins, his nerves screaming in pain.

The next moment, he was on his back, gasping for air.

It was over.

Kellion clenched his fists, frustration boiling inside him. He had lost, and Seth had barely broken a sweat.

Ash finally stepped forward. His gaze lingered on Kellion for a moment before shifting to Seth.

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"Not bad," he remarked, then turned his attention fully to Kellion. "But you… You have a long way to go."

Kellion scowled but said nothing.

Ash crossed his arms. "You two have quite the next couple of days ahead of you."

There was no need for further explanation.

This was just the beginning.

********

[Later That Night]

"Damnit…"

Dredd Zerik sat in his cell, his hands clenched into trembling fists.

His mind raced, replaying the moment his victory was stolen from him. He had been so close—so close to cementing Nirvana Gate Academy as the top Academy in the Empire. But now?

Disgrace.

His reputation, his future, everything he had worked for had been ripped away.

The dim torches along the corridor flickered, casting long, wavering shadows across the stone walls. The silence of the prison was suffocating.

Then, a presence.

A cold shiver crawled down his spine as a silhouette materialized outside his cell, blending seamlessly with the darkness. The figure’s form was indistinct, but the weight of its malice pressed down on him like a heavy shroud.

"You failed," the silhouette said, voice smooth and devoid of emotion.

Dredd swallowed hard. "I—It wasn’t my fault. I was—"

A small object clattered against the stone floor of his cell.

Dredd’s breath caught in his throat. The dim light revealed the smooth, glistening surface of a Soul Crystal—his Soul Crystal.

The one he had hidden.

The one that held the Tainted Spirit.

No…

The crystal began to crack.

Dredd’s eyes widened in terror. He scrambled backward, pressing himself against the cold cell wall.

"W-Wait! I can fix this! I can still be useful—"

The cracks spread.

Then, with a sickening shatter, the Soul Crystal broke apart, and the Tainted Spirit burst free.

A swirling mass of dark energy and ghastly tendrils erupted from the crystal, twisting and contorting into a monstrous form. It let out an unnatural, guttural growl, its empty, abyssal eyes locking onto Dredd.

Dredd opened his mouth to scream, but the Tainted Spirit lunged.

The room was filled with the sickening sound of bones snapping, flesh tearing, and a soul being devoured.

The prison guards rushed in, their weapons drawn. "What the hell is—"

They never got to finish.

The thing that was once Dredd lifted its head, its body now distorted and grotesque, with writhing shadowy appendages where arms had been. Its eyes gleamed with unnatural hunger.

Then, it struck.

The corridor was drowned in screams as the abomination ripped through the guards, devouring their very essence.

The more it fed, the stronger it grew.

From the shadows, the silhouette observed in silence.

A smile played at their lips as they whispered—

"Oh… the night is about to get very fun."