The Wielder of Death Magic

1127 The one who carries death

“Welcome to class 3-2’s newest office building,” he stood before steps leading to automatic double doors. A rectangular-shaped monstrosity levied. Indentures marked space for windows, balconies, and much in the way to break the mundane linear structure. “There are three floors,” he said, “-an elevator and fully furnished space. I made sure to house a cafeteria, a break room, an underground training facility, and some other bits and pieces.”

A shroud of pure energy materialized, “-what are you doing?”

“Elixia,” said Staxius, “-I was creating a base for my students. Why, is something the matter?”

She held her gaze, “-master,” she gulped, “-take a look around,” she gestured towards the windows, there, a frightened expression grabbed the students. The area as a whole was under a spell of considerable potency – the pressure from his element had everyone on their knees, even those of 3-2.

“My apologies,” he waved his hands in a circle and snapped, the pressure released, “-might have overdone it. You know, it happens to the best of us,” he shrugged her complaints and guided the students.

“Professor?” a somewhat cautious Lilia trembled, “-where did this building come from?”

“Oh?” he turned at the doorway, “-it came from within,” and nonchalantly pushed. Confused regards cross the few faces present. Elixia sighed and tapped Lilia’s shoulder, “-come on, let’s go,” and paved the way forward, ‘-I never knew master to be so assertive with his power. What’s changed?’

There, on the second floor, the whole of class 3-2 were gathered inside a meeting room. Staxius waited on a podium, carefully taking his time and giving each eye contact. “Welcome my students,” silence befell the audience, “-I will get straight to the point. You’re worried about the building and do not know how to react. It is simple. Consider this a base of operation for your activities. Like other clubs who have their space built in the administrative area, you will have your own space within my office space. I unintentionally made the office a tad bigger. The layout, as you’ve guessed, is not of this world. And you’ll be happy to hear, it’s not. It’s from my domain where I hail. For the duration of the electoral campaign, I grant class 3-2 the whole of the building for your choosing. Also, I will ask the representative to advertise the office as a place where General Studies and Combat Class can relax. Long are the days of looking for space to eat or rest, long are the times when the Academics look down upon your means. This is a direct challenge to their authority and their means. I will back the campaign – consider the funds for thy quest unlimited, on one condition,” the tone deepened, “-each coin will be accounted for,” the wall suddenly lit, four faces appeared, “-candidates are as follows; Asmodeus, Student Council President, Vanesa, Vice Student Council, Mammon, Treasurer, and lastly, Vanesa, Head of the Disciplinary committee. With a new day, comes a new wave. Will you,” he assertively pointed, “-I say, will you, be the ones to carry the burden? Will you take up courage and fight for what is yours? Will you create a space for the next generation? The Academy’s fate is in thy hand,” the display switched – and information about what to do, various scenarios, materialized.

Erection of the rectangular block rose a tsunami of confusion and anguish across the code, the wave eventually crashing within the director’s office. “-DIRECTOR TERESA!” Skeptor barged, “-SOMETHING OR SOMEONE-”

.....

“I know already,” she stared at the vice-director, “-you need not cause such chaos on the trifling matter,” dark purple hair stood at her side with a confident smirk.

“Lady Teresa… who is that?”

“Yui Haggard,” said she, “-I represent the house of Haggard. An attendant to the service of my master’s kin, lady Teresa. It’s come to my attention – her life has been threatened by the shadows. As one to lessen my master’s burden, I have taken the liberty to watch over her well-being.”

“Sums up her presence,” the director got on her feet, “-vice director, you should mind your manners in the future. I may seem young, but I have lived a few centuries more than you,” and went past his dumbfounded silence, “-I will take the matter into consideration. If it is against school policy, such atrocities will be snuffed, believe me,” the tone came off harsh and unyielding.

A warmness pulsed within Skeptor, ‘-Teresa has fallen for us,’ he drifted into elation, ‘-she has fallen for me. My charm as the vice director has pierced her cold heart. She spoke about the construction like it was an enemy to us… she had grown so much. I must bear the responsibility for her safety… don’t worry Teresa, we’re on your side.’

A few steps carried the duo outside, “-what an idiot.”

“Slow down, Teresa,” Yui whispered, “-no need to be so blunt. Leave the man be, he is very gullible once you know how to press the buttons. Anyway, should you really be out here?”

“I’ve grown tired of paperwork,” she sighed, “-why don’t you handle that for me, as you do for father?”

“No. He expressly said not to aid in your duties.”

She rolled her eyes and eventually landed on the office, closer you got, the prettier it seemed. It stood out like a sore thumb. In a way, the modern architecture associated with Rotherham’s industrial flair was an insult to the immaculate rustic feel of the academy. Square against curves, the office was just a thing. The academy building was an ensemble of creativity and taste. Though, this feeling shared by Staxius and Elixia wasn’t reflected in a bunch of foreigners. The modernity brought by sharp edges, “-it is so thoughtful,” said the curious crowd of academics, “-luxury redefined,” added others.

“Tell me, Yui, is this thing supposed to be good-looking or?”

“Let’s find out.”

Staxius’ meeting ended. The students beamed, ‘-by hiding words of power in my speech, I’ve significantly increased their ability and confidence. They bear my mark, the Devil’s curse. I wish I could give them a blessing instead,’ he exhaled, “-such the plan going forward. The rest is in your hands, students. A guide can only take one so far, you ought to find your own. Don’t worry about falling, fail as much as you can before the big day; I will be there to catch you if thee fall. The meeting is over,” he clapped and the light dimmed. Two smartly dressed individuals waited off-stage, “-Dementus and Yu.”

“Igna,” said Dementus with crossed arms, “-you took our class without a formal request.”

“It sort of happened. Besides, I only used a few minutes. Also, Dementus, I do apologize for what I’m about to say,” he reached forward and grabbed his shoulder, “-you’re the one who’s responsible for their campaign.”

“Pardon?”

“It’s as the professor said,” Lilia followed, “-lord Dementus, will you be our advisor?”

He tapped his fingers nervously. Yu stepped and gently elbowed the man, “-advisor… fine, I will do what I can. Do not expect me to carry the burden alone, yes?”

A relieved exhale crossed the room, “-we should thank-” they turned, and nothing. Igna was gone. “-Strange…” bigger issues were at hand, and so, the first official meeting pertaining to the campaign was hosted thirty minutes later in an elaborate conference room.

A sharply cold wind pierced, ‘-windy,’ he exited the office to two brooding ladies, “-Teresa and Yui, how’s it going?”

“How’s it going?” Teresa sarcastically returned, “-father, you raise a building from out of nowhere and ask how is it going?”

“Yeah?”

“…”

“If it’s not important, I have business to attend.”

“FATHER!”

“Teresa?”

“Please tell me you got permission from the faculty and admiration?”

“You’re the Director, you have the final say. Besides, you wouldn’t want to make your father look like a fool. Don’t worry, the buildings for everyone’s use. There’s a cafeteria outback – we’ll need to redecorate the surrounding mess for a chance at getting customers,” he pointed with a side-eye, “-we need their money to raise funds. Wouldn’t it be great to have them pay for their own defeat?”

“What’s with the sudden change in approach?”

“Teresa. Adaptability is what matters,” he looked at the deserted land, “-there’s a reason why this place was chosen to be the place for combat class. Let me guess, a great tragedy happened?” 𝑓𝙧𝘦𝘦we𝘣𝙣𝘰𝘃𝗲l.com

“Though it’s unofficial, this area was once curved by a bit from an ancient demon,” said a gentleman with angelic features.

“Luci.”

“Master,” he bowed, the wings retracted, “-your powers never cease to amaze.”

“The land, I need more information.”

“As you wish,” they stepped into the plant-less dirt – the soil was dried, a sore sight hidden by the commoner’s building, “-less honorable battles are fought here, and before the battle arena, it wasn’t unheard of for students to go missing. We had an open investigation about the death of class 2-1 girl a few years back. Turns out, some high-ranking students at the time decided to practice shooting lethal spells – needed a live target. The audacity of their action – didn’t bother to hide the result. Her entrails were smeared across… should have seen it, everyone had nightmares. Well, that was before the arena. Now, this place is known as a haunted site where plants never grow. Most avoid the area.”

“Very interesting,” he stepped out further and opened his arms, ‘-I wonder if my powers can act on inanimate objects. I could revert this area to a time where the curse didn’t affect… with the passage of time, the curse will act once more when it reaches its time.’ *Unleash Aura,*

“Neausea,” Teresa instantly held her stomach, “-what’s this feeling?”

“The pressure,” Luci bearly held on his feet, ‘-what’s happening?’

Staxius turned towards them and smiled, one of coldness and unrivaled confidence, *Watchers, spectators, names ring high and low, us, unknown to the world’s reality, unknown to the world’s knowledge, have lived in utter solemness for millennia to come and go. Watcher of the Shadow Realm, beckons my might to be fully materialized without prejudice, reality is but my playground, neither god nor demon shall overcome my authority, face me in stride, face me in fear, reality’s what I wish it to be for knowledge is the true strength: Realm Expansion, Shadow Realm Variant – Rantiam,*

A hemisphere expanded and barred access. ‘-Let’s see if I can heal the land.’ *Eye of Truth,* the pupils shifted to white within which rested line of purple and flakes of red, ‘-I knew it,’ he pointed to a certain location, ‘-a guardian of the ages,’ he snapped and marked the location with a flaming rod, *-I am he who slays without fear, I am he who shall be the last of what thy see. Heed mine call, thou whomst dared to fight the natural order, tis the day thou ought to be destroyed, Ancient Magic – Astral Binding.*

The entity froze – an amber outline fuzzed into reality, *-I call upon the age-old flames of retribution. Holder of insanity, watcher of the world’s end – harbinger of my enemies’ death, I call upon a fire, one that burns eternally in my domain, I, Staxius Haggard, the Adjudicator, call forth the flame that purges gods and demons. Set ablaze as I’ve ordered; Fifth Layer – Abyssal Wrath.*

“AHHHHHHH,” the humanoid shape crumbled into ash, ‘-the manifestation of the curse,’ he dropped on one knee and studied the ground, *-reveal the unknown,* a detection wave pulsed, ‘-many fallen souls… creating a disorder for the natural mana flow,’ he stood, the aura of death enrobed his person, *Souls who’ve been lost and are bound to this world for perpetual suffering, heed my call for I grant thee salvation. Follow my voice, tis the place where the dead are reborn, tis the place where wrongdoers are to be purged – in my name, those who are to be judged, will be judged, and those who are to be saved, will be saved,* two orbs manifested, one gold, one crimson, ‘-be freed.’