“Are you sure we should be doing this, Prince Ludwig?”

“Lady Beatrice’s summon was somewhat convincing… if it doesn’t work out we could…”

“Hey, Carrot top, Moss head, be quiet or I’ll zap you again!”

Zhang Dong shouted out from the side while finishing up with his drawing. What he was producing was a combination of a magic circle and an array formation from his own world. He was aiming for something similar to a spirit gathering array that caught ambient Qi from the surroundings. The only difference was that this one was using mana instead.

This circle would also be using all that mana to fuel the central person. It was very similar to the defensive and offensive formation that multiple cultivators used. The same ones that his clan used during the sacred ground that would boost their fighting prowess.

“That should be it… now as I said previously, gather at those locations.”

There were about thirty people here, they were all students. They looked at each other sheepishly but followed the instructions. Zhang Dong was acting in an overbearing way but had also promised that with this magic circle he would be able to help the teachers.

*BOOM*

A loud explosion sounded in the background followed by a magical tower collapsing. The self-proclaimed Lord of Pain was battling it out with the best magic users and knights that the academy had to offer. They were somewhat holding it back but for how long no one could tell. The monster was clearly stronger and without any reinforcements coming any time soon the outlook was bleak.

“Don’t get distracted and sit down in the lotus position, follow my instructions and you will all be safe. This is what I, the Lightning Emperor promise all of you!”

Zhang Dong tried to reassure the kids that had fear in their eyes. Luckily for him, people tended to believe spirits around here. Apparently, a spirit that would break a promise would be somehow punished by the laws binding this world. He wasn’t a spirit though so using a little white lie to get things done wasn’t above him.

Using his small form he presented the sitting position that the youngsters should take and continued with the explanation.

“Yes, now close your eyes and breathe in. The array formation will assist you in gathering the plentiful mana from the surroundings, just let it flow through you and into the formation! Yes, just like that!”

He was glad that everyone here was somewhat competent in pulling mana out of the air. It was a school filled with magicians and taking in mana was something that they learned from a very young age.

“Beatrice, are you ready?”

“Yes!”

The blond girl nodded while also sitting down in the center of this magical circle. All the other people were around her in circles. The outermost students were the weakest while the closer to the center the stronger a person was. Due to this, the prince and his knight were the closest to Beatrice as they did have the highest mana reserves from this group.

A faint blue light filled the area and the giant magic circle that was composed of many geometrical shapes started to light up. Inside those shapes were peculiar-looking runes that started to glow brightly in a golden hue. Soon the outer circle was glowing brightly and the array was starting to activate.

‘Now listen up Beatrice, you are just the conduit. Don’t try to absorb any of that mana or you will sustain damage. Let it flow through you and I will take care of it.’

The girl nodded while trying to relax. Soon the two young men close to her were also concentrating on absorbing the mana and pushing it towards the person in the center. The moment the circuit was complete Beatrice felt a massive surge of energy rushing into her very soul.

‘Yes, just like that, let the power flow through you and into me…’

Zhang Dong was waiting for this moment. His small body started glowing in the usual golden glow that was far brighter than before. His form started to enlarge as he took on his full shape. Long white locks, a chiseled chin, and rippling pecs all behind his usual white robe were materialized.

He gripped his fist strongly and let the lightning energy flow through him. The arcs of blue electricity started going around his whole body as he tried to gauge how much power he was able to output.

‘... Great circle core formation at most… this will have to do…’

“Everyone, stay here. You will all be protected by my lightning, keep this formation going and I’ll take care of that demon.”

After nodding he materialized a protective barrier around the whole magical circle. Soon he was flying away towards the demonic being that caused it all on his mind, the Principal and her aides. He wasn’t sure if they would still be alive at this point, he could only hope that this would be enough power for him to get rid of that monster.

Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.

…….

“Was that all? The people of the races are unworthy to face the king if this is all they amount to.”

A grinning demon was looking at the defeated magicians that had faced off against it. For a moment they were able to hold him off but after running out of mana they were nothing but dead weight.

The crimson creature was now looking at the dark elf that was all bloodied up. Her companions were to the side, some of them missing limbs after getting them cut off by the sickle arms. If they were still alive was unknown but even if they were, their faith had been sealed, no one would be walking out of here in one piece.

“Are the demon lords always so chatty? Just finish it you bastard we will never surrender to demonic scum like you!”

The Principal spit out some blood to the side while looking with avarice at the ugly monster. She knew that even if reinforcements arrived it wouldn’t change anything. It would take several duke level magicians to defeat this monster, maybe only the current king could face it off in a one-on-one battle.

“Death by my hands is a blessing. I will reap your souls and present it to the king as a token of my devotion.”

The monster opened up its toothy mouth as wide as it could. A gray ball of demonic energy appeared in front of it and increased in size as the attack gained in power. With nothing more to do the elven woman closed her eyes. Thoughts of simple days in her youth filled her head and caused a single teardrop to form that combined with the blood on her face while it dripped down.

“Oh no, you don’t!”

Before the attack could go through a familiar voice was heard by her. Baffled by it she opened up her tired eyes to witness a man in a white robe kicking the large mouth of the red monster upwards. The sheer force behind this kick forced the beam attack to shoot up while also shattering some of those pointy yellow teeth in the process.

“T-the spirit?”

She called out in surprise as the massive demonic beam shot up into the air and split into many smaller beams. It looked like gray stars were raining down from the heavens. Soon those beams collided with the ground and caused many small explosions around their location. Luckily there was enough space between them to not cause any casualties.

“He really didn’t pull any punches…”

Zhang Dong had appeared before them, his aura filled the area and caused the monster to buckle backward in surprise.

“Who dares?”

“I dare. You damn overgrown caterpillar!”

“A lowly astral realm being? I will eradicate your existence from this realm!”

The monster released its aura causing the rubble to shake. Every person that was close by could fear an overwhelming aura of evil moving forth. The moment it collided with their senses they were paralyzed with fear, unable to move or even scream for help.

“Don’t think you’re the only one that can do that.”

Zhang Dong’s eyes glowed in a golden color and his entire body shone. Several bursts of light started shooting out from his form. These rays enveloped the whole area and bathed everyone in its protective light.

“W-warm…”

The downed elf muttered while basking in the warm holy energies that Zhang Dong was giving off. There was a small healing property to this golden aura that was coming from the Lightning Emperor. Even though it wasn’t all that much it was enough for the Principal to get to her own two feet and go for a healing potion.

“What is this disgusting energy… it burns!”

A wail of anger and pain could be heard from the red monster. The holy element was doing wonders against this monster’s skin that started to melt from just being near him. It wouldn’t be that easy, when the monster noticed his opponent's aura it coated itself with its own to repel the holy element that was being used against it.

“Lowly astral being, accept your demise!”

The monster charged forward with its massive body and many legs destroying the ground below it. The sharp appendages that were once its arms had multiplied and were now slicing the air around while coated in some dark energy.

“Accept this!”

Zhang Dong didn’t just stand there and do nothing. He closed his hand into a fist and condensed a sword of light. This was one of his first techniques that he didn’t use in quite some time. With the added bonus of his holy dao the thunderlight sword looked like a spire of golden energy.

A clash between light and dark commenced. The creature swung its many blade arms around while breaking the sound barrier. With only using one hand he started batting away those attacks with the help of his energy sword. Sparks flew and more dirt was kicked up as these two beings of power clashed with each other.

“U-unbelievable…”

The Principal muttered while slowly moving away from the battle zone. She had found the Vice Principal with the bushy white beard with a missing foot and was slowly dragging him away.

While running away she had turned to the fight to see the spirit clashing with the monster. Leigong was far stronger here than he was during the arena match, she didn’t know where this boost of power came but this was the best moment to reorganize.

The whole battle was now taking place in a different location than where the monster exposed itself. While slowly limping away the Principal came across one of the students shivering behind a large pillar. The characteristic drill hair made it obvious who this person was

“Why are you still here, you should have evacuated a long time ago!”

The blond lady looked to the bloodied dark elf with wide-opened eyes. After looking around for a moment she seemed to have made up her mind as she approached the two injured people.

“L-let me help you.”

Normally the Principal would tell the child to just run, but she was far too tired and injured. Any help at this point would be appreciated.

“You have my gratitude, we must escape towards the inner parts of the academy while the spirit is keeping the Archdemo…

Before she could finish the sentence a beam of demonic energy flew right towards the three people that were evacuating. Yet before this attack could connect with them a friendly white-haired Lightning Emperor swooped in to save them.

“You’re not very good at getting away are you…”

The small group of three was enveloped by a warm golden shield together with the spirit inside. His eyes glowing and flickering with lightning energy. The battle was not over quite yet as the monster's scream caused everything to shake and crumble.

“Your end is nigh!”

“This might be harder than I thought…”

Zhang Dong muttered to himself while looking at the monster that was healing itself with its own demonic energy. His own on the other hand was running out, the students left behind to act as his batteries were probably not able to hold on anymore. He needed to finish this fast or else it could be the end for everyone here.