A Descent into Darkness In the realm of Magecrown, where magic and mystery weave together a rich tapestry of history, the esteemed Magic Academy has fallen into the malevolent clutches of demonic forces. An unyielding nightmare ensues, imprisoning the academy and its students within a relentless time loop, their once vibrant world reduced to a playground for the demons' twisted games. Ryland, an unremarkable student blessed with a flawless memory, finds himself in the heart of this darkness. With each passing cycle of the time loop, he alone remembers the terrors and trials, the deceit and despair. In this grim reality, his memory becomes an extraordinary weapon, thrusting him into a role he was ill-prepared for - a double agent navigating the treacherous terrain between survival and subjugation. As the demons extend their iron grip over his dimension, Ryland strikes a pact of power and survival. He becomes an unwilling "hero" caught in a web of treachery, burdened with the knowledge of the loop and the mounting despair of his peers. With each cycle, he delves deeper into the shadows, using his intimate knowledge of the demonic plans to gather forbidden power, all the while wrestling with the intoxicating allure of the darkness within. A Descent into Darkness is a haunting journey through a grimdark fantasy world, where lines between hero and villain blur, and the price of victory may just be the protagonist's soul. Ryland's journey tests the limits of his sanity, morality, and the sacrifices he is willing to make for a glimmer of salvation for his world. As time runs out and the loops become more corrupted, Ryland must make decisions that bend morality to its breaking point. Friends become expendable, and the path becomes littered with the remnants of his former self. In his desperate race against time, will Ryland succumb to the allure of power, or will he find redemption amidst the darkness? A tale of resistance, resolve, and grim reality, A Descent into Darkness challenges perceptions of heroism and explores the depths of sacrifice, painting a vivid and unflinching portrait of a world consumed by malevolence. Readers who revel in the gritty realism of grimdark scenarios will find themselves immersed in despair, accompanying Ryland on his harrowing journey to liberate his world from the clutches of darkness... but with the risk of becoming an evil overlord even worse than the Demon's menace, taking pleasure in his newfound abilities. All content warnings included. 18+ Only. This is a dark story, and sometimes humans can be the worst demons. You have been warned. There will be progression in both the MC power and corruption as he lives through the loop. Also full credit to our AI overlords for providing this story.