Ghouls charged at the class, their movements erratic and wild as they attacked ferociously. Although they did not have proper limbs, their claws emitted dark energy that could cause serious harm. However, the class was well-versed in fighting werewolves, allowing them to keep their distance and strike when the ghouls were vulnerable. The only disadvantage was the ghouls' tough exterior, which made them resistant to attacks.

On the other side, Ancel and Dave struggled to keep the armoured figure away from the class. The two Paladins clashed swords with the mysterious enemy, who had the upper hand due to their sword and shield. Despite their efforts, the enemy remained formidable.

"It's strong...! What kind of enemy is this?!" Ancel exclaimed as he tried to use his [Offensive Art: Holy Blade], imbuing his sword with holy magic for an overhead strike. However, the enemy easily blocked the attack with their shield, shoving Ancel back.

Dave was left on his own, trying to keep the enemy away from the Hero group. He was eventually pushed back and suffered a stab from the figure as it tried to reach the group.

"Not... letting you...! [Holy Bind]!" Dave managed to chant a spell, binding the figure with magical chains. "Ancel now...!"

Ancel charged in, delivering another Holy Strike. However, the figure unleashed a dark shockwave, pushing Ancel and Dave back and knocking them out temporarily. Parts of their armor broke as they hit the wall, with Dave suffering a spinal injury. Ancel's helmet protected him, but he also lost consciousness.

The class had defeated the ghouls by then, but they now faced another problem. The armored figure approached them, causing the class to go into defensive stances and prepare to chant spells.

"Target...!" the figure screamed, its eyes fixed on Ace as it prepared to attack.

"It's coming...!" Alan shouted. "Fire your spells now...!"

The class followed Alan's instructions, firing a barrage of spells at the figure. However, their spells could not break through the dark barrier the figure summoned around itself before the projectiles hit.

Freya charged one of her Ranged Arts, gathering inner power until her bow and arrow shone a bright orange.

"[Ranged Art: Magnum Shot]!" she shouted, firing a powerful projectile that broke through the figure's guard, recoiling both Freya and the enemy back.

"Attack it now!" Freya shouted as she tried to regain her balance.

"Ace...! Hehe... Die for his glory!" the figure shouted as it charged, forming dark energy around its shield as it built momentum. Alan recognized the Art and ordered Glenn to follow his lead, synchronizing their [Defensive Art: Paladin's Guard].

"Glenn! Form a shield with me now!" Alan said.

"I hope you know what you're doing!" Glenn replied.

"I'll assist too! Light Veil!" Vella added, creating a light barrier.

"This will help you guys as well! [Musical Art: Enduring Melody]!" Mia joined in, playing a calming beat with her instrument.

With Vella's light barrier and Mia's melody, the group created layers of defences. Alan and Glenn's Paladin's Guard also provided protection, allowing them to withstand the figure's attack. However, the figure's strength was not to be underestimated as it managed to break through the defenses clashing its blade against Alan and Glenn.

CLANG!

Glenn and Alan successfully stopped the mystery enemy's charge, giving the chance for their frontline to deliver their strongest attacks.

"Hilda! Caspar! Give them your strongest attacks! Ryu, Bridget chase after it once they're done! We'll follow what Ace planned in our formations!" Alan gave his orders since Ace wasn't there to command.

"[Offensive Art: Wild Swing]"

"[Offensive Art: Crushing Blow!]"

Both Hilda and Caspar followed up with their attacks, the moment the enemy was staggered from being blocked. They pushed the enemy back with their Arts, trying to land a good hit. However, it wasn't always going to be easy. Even with Hilda and Caspar's attacks, the enemy merely got blocked, only being pushed back.

"Let's do this! Bridget!" Ryu shouted.

"Right beside you!" Bridget replied.

[Martial Art: Charging Fist]

[Offensive Art: Quick Strike]

Trying not to give the enemy a break, Ryu and Briget had their turn to try to land a blow. Ryu charged in with his fists, landing a decisive blow that dented the enemy's helmet. Briget successfully stabbed the enemy in the chest with her spear.

'I got it...!'

Bridget had a sigh of relief, but quickly noticed that her stab and Ryu's attack didn't kill the enemy. If it was any normal person, they would have died already from such attacks. However, their enemy still stood, only weakened.

'We barely did anything to it...?!'

Ryu was shocked that their coordinated attack wasn't enough to reveal their vulnerability at this moment.

"Get out! Fire your spells on it now!" Alan instructed.

Once again, a barrage of spells was chanted, with the armored figure managing to put up its guard in time using the same Defensive Art as before. However, there were signs of its weakness. It still felt dazed by Ryu's attack and Briget's stab managed to weaken it.

"Time for the final attack. Aria will fire her spells and we'll follow up right after." Ace instructed.

"We'll coordinate our attacks to push that thing off right?" Warren asked.

"It's our safest option. I can't find an opening anywhere for a final blow, I'll use everything at this moment so help me make it count."

"How many Arts can you use Ace? You still haven't fully rested." Aria asked with concern.

"At best four." Ace answered.

"Hopefully that's all you need," Warren said.

"Freya, can you do another Magnum Shot?" Ace turned to his cousin, who looked exhausted. Her Magnum shot is a draining Art, using as much focus and aura as three regular Arts. Using one in her current condition may lead her to reach peak mental fatigue.

"Of course. It's either you or me that will pass out sooner after."

"Then charge it up as soon as the barrage ends. Either go for a disarm or a push. I'll leave it to you."

"I'll do my best..."

"Then let's go."

The moment the backline needed time to recharge, the Armoured figure showed signs of exhaustion. It used the majority of its mana to block the incoming projectiles, leaving it almost vulnerable to any spells during this time frame.

"[Barraging Air Blasts]" Aria stepped out, chanting her spells. However, the moment the armored figure saw her, its eyes began to glow, fixated on her.

"You must die for his cause as well...!"

'Aria too? What does this thing mean...?'

Ace couldn't understand why both he and Aria are a target to this enemy. He didn't bother trying to find an answer as he needed to take out this enemy now.

'[Utility Arts: Quick Step] [Overdrive]' Ace activated his utility Arts, improving his overall agility. Soon after, he dashed in using his [Offensive Art: Dashing Edge], trying to keep the pressure on the enemy with a flurry of attacks.

"Warren... Now!" Ace signaled. His head was starting to feel heavy, but he knew he couldn't pass out now or their only chance at defeating the unknown enemy would be gone.

Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

[Offensive Art: Power Swing] Warren followed up, pouring all his focus and strength into one attack. It almost pushed the enemy off the bridge they stood on.

"Ace...! You must die for lord Vumor!" The armoured figure built up dark energy around it, indicating the same shockwave it used against Dave and Ancel.

BANG!

Freya fired her second Magnum shot at the enemy. She was empowered by Mia's musical buffs to make her attack stronger, contributing to a closer victory. Her arrow broke through the enemy's shield, leaving only its sword to try to deflect and parry each attack from Ace and Warren.

"...I can't stop here...!" Freya fired her shot with all she had, with only a little energy left to try and pick up her bow.

"Freya don't worry. Ace and the others got the covering shot they needed to win that fight." Mia tried to ease her concerns.

"It's not enough... I can still hold my bow. I'll pass out as soon as I see that enemy gone...!"

Alan and the others began to approach the backline, unable to risk chanting a spell as it could potentially hit Ace in the process.

After exchanging blows, the armoured figure became much more restless as each blow seemed to power its blade. It noticed the dark energy coursing through its arms and into its sword. Despite their clashes and parries, the enemy was eyeing someone else other than Ace. It looked at Aria as its target as she was coming in closer to assist.

'Why us two...?'

Ace was more focused on the built-up energy in its sword. 'I can only use one more Art. I have to end this now.'

Warren noticed the body language in Ace's attacks, coming in with his [Offensive Art: Wild Swing] Trying to push back the enemy as much as possible.

'You're a life saver Warren! That was all I needed! [Offensive Art: Twin Edge]'

Ace imbued his energy and mana into his weapons with [Twin Edge], attacking with both his blades at the same time, flowing his attack as one whole weapon. However, this was the final Art Ace could use as his mind began to feel heavy, feeling the exhaustion in his body. Knowing Ace's current condition, Aria was just behind him, ready to deal the final push to knock the enemy off the bridge, until the enemy did something unexpected.

CLANG!

Ace put all his momentum into this moment, but at the same time, the enemy predicted this attack. Instead of parrying Ace's attack, the enemy purposely held its sword with a loose grip, freeing it's arms the moment Ace swung his blade. The dark knight allowed Ace to knock its weapon away forcing his body to fall forward. Ace had lost his footing for a quick moment giving time for the enemy to choke Ace the moment he became vulnerable.

"Shit...!" Ace frantically delivered a flurry of attacks with both his fist and dagger in response.

"ACE...!" Aria cried out.

Aria was too late to deliver the final push as the enemy took Ace hostage, holding him up as it tried to choke him to death. Ace aimed at a particular point where Ryu had dented the enemy's helmet attempting to penetrate his dagger through. However, his strength had begun to weaken as he began to run out of breath.

"LET GO OF HIM!" Warren shouted angrily. "ARIA LET'S GO!"

"I'M ON IT!" Aria's eyes begun to glow as her gaze was fixated onto the enemy.

Just as Warren and Aria were about to deal another [Offensive Art], Warren was stopped as it flung Ace's body then firing a piercing dark bolt through both of them.

The two of them staggered at the sudden pain unable to get themselves up from the ground.

"WARREN, ACE!" Vella cried out. She ran towards them but was suddenly stopped by Alan's arm as he tried to lock her back towards the party.

"NO, VELLA! STAY AT THE BACK! WE HAVE TO BEAT THIS THING BEFORE WE GET TO THEM!" Alan shouted.

"DAMN IT...!"

The being noticed that Alan and the others were in range. Just as soon as Alan and Glenn were about to attack it. It let out another shockwave, knocking almost everyone back and rendering some of the mages unconscious. It used this opportunity to pick up its sword then form a barrier around itself, charging up a devastating attack.

Only a few of the frontliners were close enough to try and stop it, but with their reckless attempt in coming closer...

"Die for Vumor...!" The armoured figure dealt a ranged, wide-reaching slash powered by its dark magic, causing heavy injuries for Caspar, Hilda, Ryu and Glenn. The enemy gazed on Aria as its next target.

'Ugh... what's happening... Ack..! I can barely move my shoulder... I can't keep balance either...' Ace slowly recovered after being flung with Warren, soon opening his eyes and realizing that it's not over yet.

"What's happening...?!"

Warren looked to his left and saw that his classmates were injured. Some of the mages were trying to bring the unconscious students to the healers, while others were on guard, trying to protect the injured and buff the frontliners. Only Alan, Aria, Bridget, and Bryce were trying to fight the enemy with support from Freya and Mia. The formation was already broken, and it was only a matter of time before the battle was completely over.

Unfortunately, Ace had suddenly vomited after his head had collided with Warren's body, and the effects of mental fatigue made it almost impossible for him to stand still. His head began to pound and the sight of looking around him made it uncomfortable. His eyes were heavy as if he was about to suddenly pass out. But in a moment of realisation he shook his head remembering the tension of the situation.

"What was I...? Right... that bastard..." Ace muttered as he held his head together to balance his view.

"Ace, just go to Vella. You can't fight right now!" Warren said.

"It's fine..." Ace replied, his vision swirling around him. However, the situation was too dangerous for him to be left alone.

"GAHH!" Bryce cried out in pain as he was stabbed. He still tried to not let his class down, but he was pushed back, unconscious, alongside Bridget by a weaker shockwave that was still strong enough to knock them out.

'The shockwaves are getting weaker...?! It's going to run out of mana soon! I have to get to Bryce before it's too late! Alan thought to himself.

Alan was too slow to intercept the attack on Bryce and was about to watch his classmate die in front of him. Just as the enemy was about to finish Bryce off, Warren blocked the final blow, with Ace closing in and landing a small scrape on the enemy's armor. If it weren't for his dizziness, it would have been a decisive blow.

"Damn it... I was close too...! I'm gonna get hit at this rate...!" Ace thought to himself as he fell to the ground, struggling to stand up. His critical condition made it harder for him to recover, and it would take some time before he could join the fight again.

Alan did his best to shove the enemy back, but his efforts were useless. He was overwhelmed by the enemy's strength and his guard was broken. He was stabbed in quick succession and kicked several steps away, with Freya firing multiple arrows to try to keep the enemy from getting closer.

"My job will be complete if I can get one of them..." The enemy muttered as Warren intercepted the attack and clashed with the enemy by himself. After using one more [Offensive Art], the result was the same as Alan's. Warren was pushed back by one final shockwave. However, Warren realized that the shockwave itself didn't inflict as much damage as he thought, and the dark energy around the figure was almost gone.

Vella was already tending to the injured, but as soon as she was about to consecutively heal both Warren and Glenn, Warren stopped her as Glenn was unconscious and was bleeding out from his body.

"I'm... okay...! Just focus on Glenn...!" Warren struggled to stand up, trying to rejoin the fight and drinking a potion to try and calm his wounds. It would take some time before his body took the effects of the potion.

"You better be...! I can't do anything with you guys right now...! Damn it...!" Vella let out tears. If both she and Lucia wanted to head out into the fight, then the people they were healing might potentially die without their help. Lucia was also stressed in the situation, as the other mages that did have the ability to heal were knocked out.

The whole floor was a mess. Both their escorts were unconscious, as were more than half of Ace's class. Lucia and Vella were tending to the wounded, and their situation was almost hopeless.

Meanwhile, on Aria's side, the situation was almost one-sided. She was completely on the defensive, and Mia's attacks were merely used to support Aria out of trouble. Mia's attacks were only strong enough to slightly push the enemy away. Freya ran out of arrows and tried her best to attack the enemy with her dagger.

"Give it up, I will fulfil Vumor's wish to kill those two! You can't protect them small fry!" The enemy shouted as they charged forward.

'[Musical Art: Crescendo!]' Mia used her current strongest attack, only stopping the enemy for a split second. It allowed Aria and Freya to land a quick hit, weakening the enemy even further, but at the same time allowed the enemy to land a weakening blow on Freya, finding an opportunity to stop Mia from providing support and breaking her weapon as a way to shield herself.

'Damn it...! Damn it...! My body is barely responding to me! Everyone's going to die if I don't do something!' Ace gritted his teeth. He watched Aria and Freya struggle to cover for Mia, only to hear Aria scream the moment she was hit.

'No... I can't let it kill anyone... I can't let it finish anyone off. I'll have to stop it now!' Ace thought to himself.

He mustered the strength to stand up, preparing to use his final Art with all the energy he had left. It would certainly prove fatal if he failed his last attempt at defeating the enemy.

"[UTILITY ART: QUICK STEP!]" Ace shouted with all his might, trying to draw the attention of the enemy to him. The mental fatigue affected Ace tremendously, as he could no longer feel the sensation of his fingers holding his blades. He couldn't even feel the nerves in his body anymore. His body was soon going to be shut down, but he was only delaying his eventual unconsciousness by sheer willpower.

Ace dashed towards the enemy with all his might, intercepting its attack against Aria and causing the enemy to lose its grip on its sword with tremendous strength. Ace's lack of senses has caused him to lose the grip on his weapons, causing him to drop them the as he deflected the attack. But this had given him the opportunity to push the enemy with his remaining strength. The only thing Ace had on his mind, was the smiling faces of his friends slowly fading away.

"Fall... you bastard...!"

Pushing the enemy with his temporary strength gain and using his enhanced agility to push the enemy even faster, Ace knew that the enemy understood what he was about to do. It had used the last of its mana to bind both its arm and Ace's together, forming a dark magical rope. Even though Ace realised its intentions he didn't stop. With Ace's arm stuck to the enemy's, Ace continued to push through preparing to leap into the abyss with the enemy.

"Hehehe...! My job is complete! Vumor will rule after your death!" The dark knight laughed in a demonic tone.

"WAIT...! ACE NO!" Aria knew what was going to happen. She tried to chase after him, but the injury she suffered stopped her for a second, only to see Ace jump away from the bridge.

Ace turned back for a second, looking at Aria for the last time. He gave her no words, but rather a gentle smile.

"Sorry Aria, stay alive for me."

Alan eventually recovered, only to watch as Ace was about to sacrifice himself. Warren rushed to Ace's aid as well, but already knew what he was going to do. Those who were still active cried out his name, but knew that it was the only way to end this fight once and for all.

"ACE!!!" Tears began to flow out of Aria's eyes as she felt hopeless in trying to stop the inevitable. All she saw was Ace's smiling face before the final moment.

Ace pushed the enemy off the bridge, but at the same time, since his arm was bound together, he was forced to follow along the enemy's death.

In mid-air, Ace gave in to his fatigue, passing out only to hear the evil laughter of the enemy as they fell together into the unknown.