Before sunset, the Astoria Academy of Great Magic was enveloped in a calm atmosphere, far from the usual hustle and bustle. That tranquility however did not last long, as something dark and invisible was approaching. The low noise of students in the corridor suddenly stopped, as if stopped by an invisible force.

Inside the academy's main hall, a magical circle appeared without warning, igniting a shockwave that felt both cool and suffocating. The air became heavy, and the world around him seemed to change-everything seemed to be enveloped in a dense layer of shadow.

The black-robed group appeared, their steps soundless, but their presence seemed to seep into the ground, saturating every corner of the air. Their faces were hidden in the darkness of the hood of the cloak that never lifted, only a pair of burning red eyes were visible. Their eyes seemed to be able to see into the soul of anyone who looked, portraying a threat that could not be resisted.

The situation became eerily quiet. All the students and staff present felt a strange vibration, like something bigger than they understood was moving towards them. Shouta, who had just finished with his previous battle, stood rigidly in place, his eyes wide open. It was not just a disturbing presence, but something bigger-a darker threat.

In the midst of that arrival, the voice of someone speaking in a raspy tone echoed, similar to the wind that infiltrated the cracks of a building:

"We have come to take what is rightfully ours."

No names were mentioned. No reason was given. But everything was clear-this black-robed group was no mere enemy. They had a mission, and that mission had something to do with Darius, and with the Astoria Academy of Great Magic or perhaps Shouta himself.

Shouta gripped his sword tighter, his body felt heavy, but there was no choice but to face them. The tension in the air was mounting. As if cloaked by the darkness that bound his body, Shouta knew that moment was the inevitable point of clash. Something dark and bigger than just an ordinary battle had just begun.

The black-robed group moved with incredible speed, as if they had been trained in the art of magical combat. Shouta, who was still weak after the battle with Darius, tried to activate protection magic. Her body felt like it was trapped in invisible bonds, yet she could not retreat. Tension was mounting, and he felt the need to defend this academy.

The black-robed group was not attacking randomly. Their presence was clearly purposeful. Shouta could feel their gazes on him-gazes that were not merely threatening, but seemed to be trying to penetrate his soul.

He raised his sword with a shivering hand, gathering what was left of his strength to attack. "If they come for me, I won't give up without a fight!"

With one swift movement, Shouta unleashed fire magic towards one of them, hoping to block the group's advance. However, the fire magic was stopped in its tracks by a group of magical shields that emerged from their bodies.

"It's not that easy, slave!" the whispered voice echoed again, seemingly coming from all directions. Every word carried a presence that could not be resisted.

Shouta struggled, unleashing lightning spear magic attacks and powerful wind magic, but each attack was broken easily. The group not only blocked his magic, but also exerted great mental pressure. Shouta felt like something was pulling at her strength, making her weaker every time she cast magic.

As the battle progressed, their intentions became clearer. They hadn't just come to destroy the academy. They had come for Shouta.

According to the whispers among the group, Shouta had a hidden power that they needed-a power that even Shouta himself was not fully aware of. If they could master that power, their organization would become invincible.

He finally realized something suspicious-Darius wasn't just an ordinary enemy. There was something bigger behind his intentions.

What Shouta didn't know was that Darius was working with the black-robed group. He had been tasked to immobilize Shouta and bring him to them, but failed to carry out the assignment.

Darius' failure was the reason the group intervened themselves. To the organization, Shouta was too important to ignore. If they could not capture him, they would ensure he would not pose a threat.

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The weakened Shouta was an easy target, and the group saw this attack as the best chance to catch her before she realized her true potential.

He gesticulated, trying to fight back, but his body felt increasingly heavy. Every step she took felt as if there were thousands of stones weighing down her legs. "I'm... not strong enough," he whispered to himself.

Shouta tried hard to resist, but she was continually suppressed by the magical attacks launched by the group. The feeling of defeat overwhelmed her. In the blink of an eye, she fell and her body hit the ground hard. Pain coursed through his body, and he knew he was about to lose.

A powerful wind magic attack hit him, and Shouta fell to the ground. He tried to get up, but the weakness was infectious. The black-robed group approached with slow steps, as if waiting for the moment to seize her.

Lydia as well as the others who were away from the arena, saw Shouta in danger and ran towards her. "Shouta!" she shouted, but she was unable to approach as a powerful magic barrier had been created by the black-robed group to prevent anyone from approaching.

Suddenly, a powerful burst of magic power broke the silence. From outside, heavy steps could be heard, followed by a rushing wind. Master Orlin appeared in full force, his magical aura enveloping the space.

"Don't even set foot in here," Master Orlin's voice echoed, and the ground beneath him trembled, as if the entire academy heard him. In the blink of an eye, he activated his magic barrier, raising a protective wall that almost covered the entire area. "If you wish to leave, go, but if you intend to ruin this academy, you will suffer the consequences."

The black-robed group only smiled under the hoods of their robes. One of them, in a hoarse voice, said, "You are weaker than we thought, Master Orlin. Everything here will fall into darkness."

Suddenly, they charged. A wave of dark magic was sent out in the form of energy bullets that annihilated the ground and structures around them. Master Orlin, swiftly, blocked the attack using his armor. But the onslaught grew stronger, forcing the barrier to crack bit by bit.

Shouta who was next door, although weak, continued to activate her magic. With shivering hands, she hurled fireballs at the group, hoping to give Master Orlin a little protection. However, their opponents easily deflected the attack, leaving Shouta surprised at the huge difference in power.

One of the black-robed members of the group appeared before Master Orlin. Quickly, he raised his hand, producing a black sword made of dark energy. The sword was raised high, and the attack was aimed at Master Orlin's body.

Master Orlin dodged with a guarded movement, but the sharpness of the sword was too strong. It struck his shoulder, sending blood rushing out. Despite that, he did not fall, but his body wavered slightly. The smile on Master Orlin's face began to fade.

"Why did you come here? What is your real purpose?" asked Master Orlin, even though he knew it was almost too late for an answer.

One of the black-robed group members laughed coldly. "Our purpose? Only one-to close the path you opened. This academy, like you, will only become a blip in history. And she"-he pointed at Shouta-"is the key to our downfall. We will not let that happen."

Another attack came, this time with more ferocity. The dark magic surrounding them formed a sort of deathly circle, and inevitably, Master Orlin was forced into a corner. His body grew weaker and weaker, his magic barrier was almost depleted, and he fell to the ground, crushed by the intense magical pressure.

As Master Orlin was pushed further and further away, Shouta felt a deep sense of despair. He tried to stand up, but his body felt heavy. Every one of her magic attacks was parried with ease.

"I'm too weak," he whispered to himself.

However, when she saw Master Orlin injured in order to protect her, and Lydia and the others trapped, a new feeling came over her. She didn't want to be a burden anymore.

She promised herself, "I will be stronger. I won't let them hurt the people I care about anymore."

This promise gave Shouta new strength. He got up, unleashing a final attack with all his strength. Although the attack was not strong enough to kill the group, it gave Master Orlin time to recover and attack with full force.

However, at the most crucial moment, when Shouta had almost given up hope and the black-robed group was about to take over the academy, a powerful burst of magic saved them. Master Orlin, though wounded, stood back with incredible strength, summoning the unrivaled power of pure magic. In the blink of an eye, the sky turned cloudy, and a magic barrier far greater than before appeared to withstand the attack.

"With all the magic power at my disposal, I will not let you ruin this place!" said Master Orlin in a firm and authoritative voice.

With one powerful blast of "wind trinity" magic, Master Orlin forced the black-robed group to retreat. The dark night sky calmed down, but their threat was still present.

The black-robed group, while still looking at Master Orlin with hatred, knew that they could not win the battle. In the blink of an eye, they fled, as if lost in the darkness that surrounded them. Without leaving a trace, they vanished from sight.

In the Great Alademy Area

The black-robed group's attacks were not limited to the battlefield. Astoria Academy as a whole was in a state of danger. The group had spread their power to various parts of the academy, and chaos had begun to erupt. The magical walls surrounding the academy began to crack, and some of the main buildings had been attacked with devastating magic.

The students who were not involved in the battle fled into the refuge, and the professors began to act to defend the academy grounds. However, they were unable to withstand the onslaught that was coming in such depth.

Lydia who was outside the arena, along with several other students, helped defend the academy grounds. Although they were not involved in the main battle, they still tried with what they had to fight against the group.

On that night, an agitated meeting was held at the academy's grand council. The heads of the four major academies were present. Master Orlin started the discussion.

"This group is no ordinary threat. They have not only come to destroy this academy, but also to capture Shouta. There is something in him that they want, and we need to make sure they don't get it."

The other chiefs agreed that precautionary measures must be taken. However, the biggest issue was how they could protect Shouta and the academy from the impending attack.

Shouta, who was present, felt small. He bowed his head, feeling the weight of his defeat.

"I'm too weak," he whispered to himself.

However, Master Orlin patted his shoulder gently. "You are not weak, Shouta. Every one of these tests is an opportunity to learn. Use this experience to become stronger."

Shouta looked up at Master Orlin, his eyes full of determination. He would not let himself continue to fall. A new chapter in his life was beginning-a chapter in which he promised to protect the academy, his comrades, and himself from the approaching darkness.

To be continued…