For a moment, the whole world is engulfed in a bitter coldness. Blinding flashes run rampant, blazing into the sky and shining out a corner of the capital.
When everything has settled and people's eyesight has been restored, the scene can't be more different than before.
''It's... gone.''
''We can move now!''
''It's so cold though...''
At some point, the purple hue haunting the hall disappeared, now replaced by a chilling blue. There is no sun, and there is no moon either. Below, everything has been frozen, blanketed in a layer of clear, glistening frost. Accompanying the visual changes, the perceived temperature has also been altered.
A piercing cold.
Amidst the frozen world, sparks of light flicker like golden fireflies.
It is undoubtedly the domain of 'Silaerob,' whose affinity with ice and light is well-known.
crack—!
Aurora pulls her sword out of the ground. Surrounding her some distance away, numerous ice spikes extend outward sharply, likely a result of the violent elemental outburst.
Satisfied, she turns her gaze upward, where Nuf can be seen idling, its eyes fixed on her.
'It's strangely calm.'
Indeed, even ordinary people can see that Nuf is remarkably calm for a demon who has lost its domination. However, most people are busy evacuating the scene, and only students—first and second-years—and staff members are either observing the situation or trying to get closer.
Swiftly, the academy's forces, now free of Nuf's bound, arrive.
Nevertheless, they only keep a certain distance away from Aurora and the demon. Students are, of course, strictly forbidden to approach the two.
Without a word, Aurora raises her sword at her enemy. Acting as a medium for elemental enchantment, the Dark Dawn now holds a slightly brighter color, yet it is ultimately just black.
[Indeed. Everything is as that man predicted.]
Devoid of the usual playfulness, the masks simultaneously utter,
[You need to be eliminated.]
In a split second, three massive rifts tear the sky open, and an apparent disturbance of mana descends. As the domain's owner, it isn't hard to figure out that a certain force of dark mana is trying to invade.
''Tch.''
It has been quite apparent from Nuf's unfazed reaction earlier, yet Aurora feels annoyed regardless.
From the rifts, exactly three entities emerge.
Two plain dolls of bleach white color lightly land on the frozen ground, melting the ice under their feet as they advance. Shortly after, a humongous reptile head, one covered by sharp, crooked silver spikes, pokes out of the last rift.
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With a size rivaling that of a commercial plane and a length comparable to that of an aircraft carrier, the beast unhesitantly plunges right through the solid ground, diving into the earth as if its body is void of tangible material.
Jet & Coun, the Halvens.
Neyd, the World Eater.
All three of these demons appear somewhere in the later half of the game as devices for the developers to introduce new mechanics.
Firstly, Jet and Coun have low overall stats and offensive capability but high AGI and a special skill that allows them to 'return' received attacks wholly. In other words, a full counter.
Secondly, Neyd can freely swim across solid materials by being able to enter and exit the state of non-physical almost instantly. This forces the player to look for signs of it emerging and plan out their response.
'54, 54, 56.'
Since their levels are understandably lower for the current Aurora, she thinks it will be better for her ally to defeat them instead. Particularly, Ash is quite behind the team due to its late start. If that giant worm can be tossed to the doc as well, it will be perfect.
''...''
'...What is this feeling?'
Despite the demons' dramatic entrance, Aurora is somehow able to keep her calm.
Perhaps it is because she knows the way to defeat them. That certainly plays a role, yet even after considering that, she feels way too calm for the situation.
Since when?
Right.
When she starts to practice the sword of nihility regularly. There has been this ever-so-faint sense of omnipotent growing inside her since that day, and the moment she expands her territory... it becomes more prominent.
It is a strange feeling. However, the situation demands immediate attention, and with her breathing well-regulated and her emotions well-organized, Aurora feels she can do even better than usual.
Ending her train of thought, Aurora takes a look around.
The academy side is, fortunately, doing its job, encasing its students in direct proximity in a layer of shield while the others are being rushed out of the hall.
''We united in an unexpected way, huh.''
''Lady Luminous...''
''Thought I'd impress you, but... hah...''
Behind the barrier, Chloe and Nydia exchange a few pointless talks. Like everyone, their attention is wholly devoted to the confrontation outside. Even though demon appearances are indeed alarming, this time around, anybody can feel that it is going to get messy later.
But... no one really wants to get involved in such a dangerous fight anymore.
Even Claire, who is under emergency medical care, realizes that she will likely be just an obstacle. Clenching her teeth while resting in Skylar's embrace, she hurls insults at herself internally.
Was she being arrogant after getting the holy sword and Skylar?
Certainly.
''I'm sorry, Skylar...''
''No, my child. It is not your fault.''
''...''
''Believe me. Sending this much force at once comes at a cost, even for HIM. As of right now... I believe HIS aim is that person.''
''...''
Simultaneously, the duo turns to 'Silaerob,' whose stance remains firm, oozing composure.
'Silaerob...'
For the first time in her life, she feels jealousy.
Meanwhile.
[Behave yourself. You are now in HIS eyes.]
With that chilling statement, darkness once again returns to Evone Hall, creating a suitable ground for the moon to manifest—an enlarged, vivid moon.
Soon, even the domain Aurora has created is being erased from existence.
''What a coward.''
No one knows who the sentence is for, yet the moment Aurora's sword is lit, everyone knows what will happen.
A direct confrontation.
snap—!
————————!!
As a piercing wail resonates through the space, snow starts to fall from the sky.
At some point, a large gate has opened behind 'Silaerob.'
From there, numerous silhouettes emerge. From an orca, a skeleton, a ghost, a wolf, several men of various statues, a dragon with dark scales...
''W-Wow...''
''Are they all...?!''
Perhaps this is the first time Silaerob's army will be seen together. Somehow, even as the sight of creepy, otherwise grotesque creatures squirming out of nowhere is seen, a sense of pride and relief wells up inside people.
''...Alice.''
''Just how many times have I told you not to call me that?''
''That doesn't matter. Alice, look at that man.''
''...I know.''
Minamoto no Kyomu.
An unknown master whose power is nearing the level of a grandmaster. Moreover, one can certainly perceive a sense of immense dread from him. It is akin to... death itself.
'Assuming he's also her servant...'
''...Is Silaerob at the level of a grandmaster?''
It's too outrageous.
Grandmasters, no matter how secretive they can be, are bound to be discovered at some point. However, the sheer existence of Silaerob indicates a newly emerging power. If she is truly at that level...
Then, how strong can she get?