Hope you enjoy this chapter! :-D

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Chapter 20 – Judging a Book by it’s Cover

Tiana: Guhh… its okay to stop healing me now…

Reila: But… some of your wounds are still open…

Nelus: No… she’s right…

Frei: Hmm? There are two beings going towards our direction…

Nelus: Two X ranks…

Fala: Wait!? Isn’t that Geran still far from ascension!?

Nelus: It is the same apocalypse… forced ascension…

Frei: His S ranked version is already hard enough…

Nelus: Reila, Fala stay… Tiana you too…

Tiana: Who do you take me for!? I am one of the elite shadows also daughter of the strongest shadow Guleus!

Nelus: …  Fine… you take Geran and we will go against the serpent.

Tiana: No! My vengeance…

Nelus: You can take the final hit, he is your natural enemy… Mila told me that he got that spear from Leo and I know what kind of weapon it is… for you who’s life depends on mana cannot take him on alone.

Tiana: … Alright lets go with your plan…

Nelus: Lets go… Jerald guard them…

As we head outside two figures are waiting for us… it was a hooded man with snake eyes and Geran… now larger, his bones now hold a metallic red color like blood and now wields two scythes…

Geran: Hahahah! I am in such a great mood!

Atir: Greetings, for those who haven’t met me my name is Atir.

Nelus: ("Divine Combat Style: Stance 9, Flash Assault")

Geran: Not a chance!

I then used to send a torrent of punches towards Atir as all of my attacks were blocked by a pair of floating scythes, Geran used his skill, Scythe Intercept completely nullifying my attack.

Atir: Whoah there!… can’t we have a nice talk? I mean this is our first meeting…

Nelus: No…

Gathering mana around Atir, I created a large thick sphere of ice around him using the spell . Suddenly, large spikes of ice suddenly enlarges within it trying to pierce Atir using the spell Ice Needle. Surprisingly Atir was unaffected and yawned as he grinned. It seem like the ice around him were melting as the ice turns purple. The purple liquid the spreads farther and farther until it reaches us... it was one of his spells, a wide area poison spell.

All the houses started melting and little by little util there are no structures left around us. I used lightning force on my feet to ward of the acid as Frei uses , one of his new skills turning his feet and hands into something close to silver which somehow nullifies the acid on him. Tiana is a shadow and are immune to some effects like sleep, poison and such so it seems as she walks on the acid completely unaffected…

Frei: Fala! Answer me! Are you okay!

Frei shouts towards their direction with utmost worry. Seeing that they are okay within Reila’s barrier, we let out a sighed out in relief. We then looked at the smiling Atir as Frei glared at him for trying to hurt Fala.

Atir: There you are!!

Reila: …Ah…

Atir then looks at Reila as Reila shuddered... Atir smirks and casts a spell, mana started to gather around Reila and the others as the ground around them distorts...

Tiana: Don’t let him finish that spell at all cost!!

Trying to obstruct Atir, Tiana used . A large shadow edge appeared headed towards Atir as he dodges clicking his tongue for his failed attempt to cast his magic, . Atir then repels Tiana using his spear, smashing Reila into the ground.

Frei: Okay…

Frei then appeared on Atir's side and used Glacial Slice as Atir blocks with his spear. As Frei's dagger was starting to corrode due to Atir's acid Frei was forced to retreat to recreate another dagger as he threw his previous ones towards him as Atir deflects them.

Using Frei's attack as a diversion I created a ball of lighting on my palm. I then crushed it and pointed my palm towards Atir as lighting heads towards him. As the lighting made contact with him, it suddenly envelops him as it suddenly explodes blowing Atir away using the spell . I then appeared in front of Atir on the air attempting finish it...

Atir: Tch! Geran distract them! I'll finish this.

Before Atir managed to finish his spell, again Tiana suddenly interrupts with an attack using and tried to cut Atir as his guard was open. Atir was starting to get annoyed as he tried to pierce Tiana with his Gugnir. Frei then appeared in front of Atir to block Atir attack, as he manage to parry Atir's strikes and somehow manages to dodge some of them… I tried to launch a large compressed sphere made of wind towards him as he is still in the air, it was the spell Gale Siell. Geran then intercepts my attack with his bone shot which succeeded as my attack dissipates.

The unexpected part was when the bone blade exploded into sharp smaller pieces, they were then propelled towards all direction as Frei and I were cut by some of them, it seems that Geran's has evolved into, after his ascension. Tiana was unaffected as she managed to cast Shadow Form which caused the blades to past through her. Gera smirks as intense pain invades us. Fala the tried to use again and was shocked... it was a higher version of , .

Nelus: Kuhh…

Frei: Gaaahhhhhhh!!!!!!

Fala: It didn’t work!?

Geran: I’m an X rank now, an S rank like you can’t do anything now except to watch them slowly crumble.

Nelus: ...

Suddenly, I glared at Geran as he suddenly paled and trembled.

Geran: S-stop it! I’m an X rank now!! Why am I still afraid!?

Using this chance Atir finished his spell as a large void appeared under Reila and the others, slowly sucking them in.

Reila, Fala, and Jerald: Aaahhhh!!!

Atir: Hahahah! Now you cannot stop it anymore.

Suddenly, the book under my cloak, glowed an intense blood red.

Atir: My book! Give it to me!

Nelus: No its mine!! (What am I saying… so it’s the book… got to throw it to Frei… I can’t…) Aarrgghh!

Atir: Th-this power!?

Nelus: Do you really think you can win against me?...

I said in a cold tone as the void suddenly distorts, I used one of my spatial  spell, distorting the space around the void.

Atir: My spell!! It is becoming unstable!!

The hole that was trying to suck in Reila and the others suddenly stops sucking them in and explodes as a huge shock-wave razed the area  blowing away Reila and the group away smashing them into the ground as they fell rendering them unconscious. The hole is still there but was utterly deformed.

Atir: Got to end this quick… look what you did! Now there is no telling what it might do…

Nelus: I don’t care… Frei, Tiana…

I said to them in a cold tone and glared.

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Tiana and Frei: Y-yes!

Both of them answered as cold sweat formed on their faces astonished at Nelus' cold demeanor.

We then continued our attack as I used Corhylis again but this time it became pure black. Tiana creates large spikes from the ground made of shadow using piercing through Atir, making him immobile for the moment. Frei then using massive amounts of mana, summons a large two-handed sword made of ice, it was a new elemental equip spell, ! He then used Freeze Crash and attacked Atir from above as he slashes it down. As the sword impacted Atir a large bluish explosion appeared as Ice shards scatter everywhere. Atir then smashes to the ground completely encased in ice.  The ice shakes as it melts at a astonishing rate because of Atir's acid.

Atir: Aaarrgghhh!!

As Atir stood up once again he then formed a blade made of poison to use against me it suddenly disappears.

Nelus: …Hahh.

Atir: What did you do!?

I used to completely convert the surrounding mana into something that only I can use the only consequences it has is that it renders both allies and enemies mana usage to null. Tiana then was considerably weakened due to the lack of mana.

Nelus: Now only I can use mana.

Tiana: Even I can’t use it… what is the meaning of this!?

Geran: Too bad for you! I don’t use mana!!

Suddenly, Geran’s pair of scythes disappear as it appears behind me using the skill, Reaper's Attention. I easily continue to parry the scythes inhuman slicing speed as it rushes to me… I then infused spatial element into my sword as it cuts through it like butter. Geran became nervous as his scythe was easily destroyed

Geran: A-are you really just a X rank!?...

Tiana: I thought you'll give me the final hit on Atir!

Nelus: No worries… I’ll let you kill him then I'll kill all of you… Summon!!! !!

Frei: What!?

Tiana: Youuu!!!

Geran: This is getting too dangerous… I’m out of here…

Geran suddenly burst into dust using as he was carried off by the wind. Space started to distort as everyone was screaming in pain… Atir kneels down as he convulses in pain as the space around him started to devour him as he slowly lose consciousness… Reila tried to stand up with great agony and staggers towards me…

Nelus: Oh Reila… you’re awak…

I grinned at her maniacally... as she then slaps me while being teary eyed... she then grabbed my cloak in desperation as tears fell from her cheek.

Reila: Lord Nelus!!! Snap… out of it… I know that Lord Nelus isn't like this please come back to us… you're always the one rescuing me! Now let me save you!

Nelus: You dare!!...

As I was about to slice Reila with my sword a red figure appears in front of me and casts a spell.

Red Spirit: !!

Nelus: Ggaaaaggghhhhrrrrrraaahhhh!!!!

Reila: Lord Nelus!!!!

Nelus: Thank... you… Freii!!! Destroy it!!

I said panting, with all my strength, I threw the book towards Frei.

Atir: Nooo!!!!! My book!!!!!!!

Frei: Guuuhh!!! Aaaahhhh!!!!!

Atir then loses cosciousness as Frei stands up with all of his might as he used his silver edged claws to stab the book using then rips it apart.

Nelus: Its finally don…. ggguuaaaahhh!!!! I’ll kill ALL OF YOU!!

Red Spirit: How can this be!? The book was just a proxy!?

Reila: Wh-what does that mean?

Red Spirit: It means that it invades the mind as it slowly leaves a copy of itself within his mind… its too late too change him back now…

Reila: No way… Lord… Nelus…

Upon continuing my spell in destroying everything… in my mind was a dark figure controlling my body… to have such a power to invade even me… it has to be the God’s language written in it… the figure kept telling me: KILL!!! IT IS THE ONLY WAY!!! YOU DON”T NEED ANYONE!!! My head felt like it was being grinded upon… until the pain stops… suddenly another voice appeared…

???: Silence! Kill this! Kill that! Can’t you say anything else?

Dark Figure: WHO ARE YOU!!

???: You’re too loud!!

Dark Figure:  …

Calice: Oh Lord Nelus! It is me, Calice, I sort of made a spiritual link with you… surprised?

Nelus: … Yes…

Calice: What’s with that low reaction…  anyways were now connected forever and to us spiritual rulers a spiritual link is like…

Dark Figure: SHUT UP!!! OR I'LL KILL YO...

Calice: !!

Dark Figure: GAAAAHHHHHHH!!!!!!

Calice: As I have said… it is like being married you know.

Calice said trying to hide her face in embarrassment while the dark figure screams in pain behind her.

Nelus: …

Calice: Also I felt a disturbance in your mind so I decided to intrude a bit…

Nelus: …Thank you…

Calice: I am now yours after all…

She said smiling at Nelus.

Nelus: ?

Calice: Nothing…

I then regained control of my body and stopped my spell.

Nelus: Guuh…

Reila: L-Lord Nelus?

Nelus: I’m back… kuhh…

Reila: Lord Nelus!!!

Rushing towards me, Reila jumps and smashes into me as she hugged me tightly.

Mila: Ughh… Huh? the first thing I see as I wake up is Reila hugging Nelus! What a sight!!

Reila: What is up with your timing!!

Red Spirit: How is that possible? It should have been too late…

Nelus: It is because of her…

Calice: Greetings!

Reila: Lady Calice!! You saved Lord Nelus!?

Calice: Yes! Also Nelus and I are now married!!

Reila then paused with a blank expression on her face as she try to process what Calice had said.

Reila: Wh-what!? When did that happen!! Lord Nelus!?

Nelus: Even I had no idea…

Calice: A spirit ruler has the power to choose and I wanted to keep it a surprise…

Reila: Ah! What you said before… about the link?

Calice: Correct!

Reila: So it’s not a real marriage…

Reila said in relief as Calice pouted.

Calice: It is for me… also I am quite busy you know… anyways… Lord Nelus, if you need something, you can call me anytime.

Nelus: …

Frei: Look!! The hole Atir made!!!

As we look towards the direction Frei pointed at… the hole started to expand which cause us to tense up for a moment as suddenly five figures were thrown out of it…

Mila: It can’t be…

On ??? side…

???: Lord! It seems the book was destroyed.

???: I see…

???: Also we felt a large power near it before it disappeared…

???: You mean Atir?

???: No my Lord… something stronger…

???: Hmm… look into it… it is Lord Mesira’s orders!

???: Yes, Lord Esvil!!

Esvil: Someone stronger? Hahaha... Aahahhahhah!!

The man laughed maniacally as a dark grin appeared on his face.

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Hope you enjoyed this chapter! :-D

This marks the end of volume 1!!!!!!!! XD Phew... anyways things are gonna get intense!