Sweat dripped relentlessly down Thalamik's face, soaking his shirt as he stood alone in the Vanguard Academy training grounds. The echoes of his frustrated screams still reverberated in the stillness of the evening air.
Yet, he refused to stop, forcing himself repeatedly to grasp the elusive concept of Alterity.
The magic that the High Human devised.
A powerful weapon that had put him in utter defeat.
"Damn it!" Thalamik growled, striking the ground with a fist charged by a chaotic burst of mana. The earth trembled, dust swirling upwards, signifying his lack of control. "Why can't I do it? Why can't I recreate it…?!"
-~
"...The High Humans developed a revolutionary concept called 'Hicells'—artificially created cells imbued with properties equivalent to those of artifacts..."
-~
"If what Suiko said is true... that Alterity is possible to do just with 'Hicells'. Then, the mana reserve and quality I developed over the years should be enough to create even a minuscule version of Alterity. Yet..."
"No, perhaps... I wasn't that strong to begin with..."
He gritted his teeth as his mind involuntarily drifted to what happened a few months ago.
***
3 months ago...
Inside Psytelier, the trio sat across from Suiko, her typically serene face now cast in shadow by the heavy silence. She drew a gentle breath before finally speaking.
"I've received a response from the Leader of High Humans," she said softly, eyes unwavering. "We've been ordered explicitly not to assist the interests of the United Front. They insist we remain anonymous. However, Raymed is still counted as one of our guests should he require our help. I have to refuse any effort that will directly help the United Front."
The silence that followed was deafening. Carmilla's shoulders slumped slightly, her hopeful expression dimming. Raymed nodded, absorbing the news quietly, resignation flickering in his eyes.
Thalamik, however, clenched his fists tightly beneath the table, fighting the bitter tide of frustration building within him. Ever since they fought, he has never forgotten. He remembered vividly how effortlessly Suiko had subdued him with effortless precision.
Now, the path to gaining knowledge on how to get stronger was non-existent.
Unlike Raymed and Carmilla, who had been growing exponentially.
Thalamik hit the plateau.
No amount of knowledge from the classes can help him grow stronger.
From the start, his necromancy was a magic belonging to him alone.
The mantle of 'Fiend Kaiser' is his alone.
"I understand," Raymed finally spoke, breaking the heavy quiet. "We appreciate your honesty. However! I will still visit if that's okay!" He continued with a warm smile.
"Yeah, if there's gonna be another demon invasion, we'll manage somehow," Carmilla added softly, placing a hand on Raymed's shoulder.
Their optimistic words.
Their outlook on fighting another demon invasion.
Thalamik found no solace in them.
His frustration clawed deeper, concealed behind a forced, neutral expression.
If we were to fight another invasion.
We will surely die.
That's what he had predicted.
***
"Damn it all!" Thalamik's shout sliced through the empty training grounds, his pulse hammering loudly in his ears. The mana around him flared violently, unlike usual. In a rush of anxiety and desperation, Thalamik abruptly stopped, panting heavily. He spun around sharply, eyes narrowed as he made a swift decision. Without hesitation, he dashed towards Diko's office.
Bursting into the office, Thalamik saw Diko jump slightly from his seat, eyes widening at the sudden intrusion.
"Thalamik? What's—"
"Order Raymed, Carmilla, Trish, and Lulu to fall back immediately!" Thalamik blurted, voice strained and tight with worry.
Diko's expression darkened, sorrow touching his eyes as he slowly shook his head. "Our comms went down shortly after they departed. There's some interference blocking all signals."
Thalamik's heart skipped painfully. "But it has only been fifteen minutes! How could they—?"
"Kiliar Il Lupache opened a portal to help expedite their transport," Diko interjected."They're likely already on the front lines by now."
Thalamik clenched his jaw, the bitter taste of his frustration and helplessness overwhelming him. He bit his lip hard, barely noticing the sharp sting as he stood frozen, feeling utterly powerless.
He nudged towards Diko, grabbing him by the collar. "What the hell are you doing, director, letting them go like that?"
"Thalamik...."
"Do you seriously think we even have the slightest chance in winning this battle?"
Diko's expression darkened. "I'll be frank, Thalamik. There's no way we can win this."
"Then why!?"
"Because if we don't fight, who will?" Diko said with a resolved face.
Thalamik shivered as he remembered the scenes of his past.
A scenery filled of blood and sorrow in South Jaka City.
"If we, the people who were supposed to fight, didn't fight, at least to help people evacuate. Will we be able to live with that kind of sin?"
Thalamik's grip loosened. What remained was only his dark expression.
"What's happening is grim... Indeed. But that doesn't mean we can't find another way around it."
"Miracles don't happen that often, Director. There won't be any saving us today."
"That may be true. But you are basing our chances of winning on relying solely on miracles. We need to think of a plan that doesn't count on miracles."
A plan that doesn't rely on miracles.
Is there even a plan like that anymore?
That's absurd.
We cannot do anything to rival the Demon Lord Envoy.
The only thing that could be on par was the Psytelier Squad, High humans and...
It was as if a light had appeared at the end of the tunnel.
A new star of hope has appeared.
***
A magical military vehicle glided smoothly over the rugged terrain, the soft hum of mana circuits starkly contrasting the tense atmosphere.
Raymed sat quietly, fixed firmly on the passing scenery, his jaw clenched tight. Sensing his unease, Carmilla gently placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder, offering him silent support. Trish, visibly agitated, broke the silence with a frustrated sigh, his gaze piercing through the window with a distant glare.
"I guess he really does hate the elven kind, huh? I always heard him say it, but I never thought he meant it."
The words hung heavily in the air, each syllable tightening the grip of silence. Lulu shifted nervously, ears drooping slightly as she looked between the trio, unsure how to defuse the tension.
Raymed's fists tightened momentarily before relaxing. He turned slightly, meeting Trish's eyes with a complex, unreadable expression. "He acts like that, but it's not like he hates you personally. He gets like this when he faces an unbreakable wall."
Trish raised an eyebrow skeptically, leaning back against the plush seat. "You're saying that like you believe he'll actually will come around for you…"
Her words struck deep.
Thalamik was many things, but he had never let Carmilla or Raymed face anything dangerous without him around. This was the first time he ever did something like that.
Raymed remained silent, neither confirming nor denying Trish's insinuation. Carmilla glanced at Raymed worriedly, a crease forming on her brow as she felt the weight of the unresolved conflict.
The tense silence was abruptly shattered by the vehicle's communication crystal flickering to life.
A staff member's voice, calm yet urgent, filled the cabin. "We've just received updated intel. The attacking forces are led by two Demon Lord Envoys—Focalors and Vepar, both identified as formidable demons with female-like features. Focalors resembles a gryphon demi-human, and Vepar appears like an oceanid mermaid."
"They've already engaged other defenders," the staff continued. "The Sky Piercing, Cobalt, from the elf race, along with an Istar from the spirit race, are battling Focalors. Twinkle Snake, Oryba, a renowned lamia warrior, and Thierus the Gallant, an elf swordsman, are currently holding Vepar. However, both fronts are struggling significantly."
Trish leaned forward, eyes sharp and determined. "Then we should assist against Focalors first. We can quickly shift the momentum if Carmilla can use her sealing magic."
Carmilla nodded resolutely, her voice steady despite the heavy responsibility she bore. "I'll do everything I can. But I can only cast it once. We'll need to be careful."
As the car surged forward, racing towards their critical confrontation, each occupant prepared themselves mentally, knowing the actual battle would soon begin.
***
Amidst the chaos of the battlefield, the air was thick with mana, and the distant roars of explosions echoed continuously, casting an eerie rhythm across the landscape. The ground was littered with the signs of fierce battle—broken weapons, fallen warriors, and scorched earth that still smouldered from the heat of unleashed spells.
At the heart of the struggle stood Focalors, her fierce eyes blazing with merciless intent. She dominated her opponents with the mighty wings and sharp claws of a gryphon demi-human, striking fear into even the bravest warriors. Her wings flapped powerfully, sending gusts of wind strong enough to knock defenders off balance, while her talons tore through armor and shields ruthlessly.
Opposite her stood the Sky Piercing Cobalt, an elf whose graceful agility matched his impeccable control of wind and mana. He danced nimbly around Focalors' attacks, narrowly avoiding deadly blows as he retaliated with razor-sharp air currents and precision strikes aimed at her vulnerabilities. Beside him, the ethereal spirit Istar floated, illuminating the battlefield with radiant, protective energies that bolstered the morale of their allies.
Yet even their combined prowess could barely keep Focalors at bay.
Each counterattack seemed weaker, and each defensive stance was more desperate as the relentless assault continued.
The defenders were reaching their limits, their endurance rapidly draining beneath the overwhelming power of the Demon Lord Envoy.
Suddenly, from a distance came the roar of a powerful magical engine. A sleek, mana-powered military vehicle raced toward the battleground, coming to a swift halt as it slid gracefully into position.
From within, the doors burst open.
Raymed emerged red aura and his black katana slung around his waist. Behind him, Carmilla placed her hand on Trish's shoulder. "We should stay back for now and observe. Ray's best when he moves without restraint."
Trish gritted his teeth but nodded. "Fine. But if he gets in trouble—"
"Then we'll act," Carmilla affirmed.
Lulu peeked over the ridge, eyes wide. "W-Whoa… He's already moving!"
Raymed dashed forward, blurring as mana surged through his limbs.
He arrived just as Sky Piercing Cobalt staggered under a punishing blow.
"Switch!" Raymed shouted.
-~
"There! I fixed it for ya! Oh I also added a bit of something to it!"
"What do you mean?"
"You see... Artifacts usually have enchantments over them, something like a unique trait. Even though this black katana is a pseudo artifact, one-tenth of an artifact can still be given traits."
"I am not sure I quite understood how traits work, Dwargo, haha" Raymed said with a sweat dripping on his forehead.
"Well, to be fair, I never bothered to explain everything about artifacts in detail to you. All you need to know is that traits are a gacha. I only unlocked it, but the blade already has a fixed trait. So I only managed to unlock it just now."
"I see.. Then what is the trait of my blade?"
"It is especially powerful against those who 'Threaten Humanity' and as long as the user doesn't lose the will to fight, it will always mend."
-~
Raymed dashed forward, blurring as mana surged through his limbs.
He arrived just as Sky Piercing Cobalt staggered under a punishing blow.
"Switch!" Raymed shouted.
Only those who fight for all can ever wield it.
The unbreakable will of many.
This sword is their nexus.
This sword is their hope.
A Black Star of Hope That Exists Solely to Protect.
Only those of pure will may harness its power.
"Manifest, Black Star Sword, Avalon!"
Suddenly, Raymed's katana began emitting large waves of magical energy. Cobalt's eyes widened in surprise as he obeyed instantly, vaulting out of range with a gust of wind. Raymed slid into place, raising his katana in a reverse grip. Focalors' claws met steel, sparks flying as Raymed held firm.
"That was something... but you're not one of mine," Focalors sneered. "I see another insect to crush."
Raymed was twisting and launching an arc of mana with his blade grazing Focalors' body.
"Insolent human. How dare you!" Focalors spat.
Sky Piercing Cobalt regrouped beside Istar. "Did you see? Somehow, his attacks are effective against her? Was it sheer to the density of the mana waves emitted?"
"I did. More than that. He can achieve it due to his weapon. That right there is no doubt a Pseudo Artifact," the Istar murmured, her eyes glowing. "On another note... his body seems to resonate with residual mana… he's drawing it in."
Raymed twisted past Focalors' sweep, landing a heavy strike against her flank. She growled, spinning midair and countering with a burst of sonic wind. Raymed quickly retracted his blade and raised it, barely holding as the blast pushed him back.
"I've got your back!" Sky Piercing Cobalt shouted, leaping in and unleashing a vortex that disrupted Focalor's flight. She faltered, and Raymed saw an opening.
"Split Flow: Mystical Blades." Raymed's conjured blades made out of mana, and launched them towards Focalors, using the current previously created by Cobalt to interrupt Focalors. The magical blades violently slashed Focalors' body. She could screeched, recoiling from the combined assault as she fell down once again to the ground.
Trish watched, stunned. "No way. The way he's fighting. It's as if he had fought alongside Cobalt for years."
"That's Ray for you," Carmilla, now smiling proudly. "He is always a combat genius."
Raymed, panting but grinning, regrouped with Sky Piercing Cobalt. "Name's Raymed. I'll be in your care."
"I am Cobalt, and that's Istar," Cobalt replied as he pointed to Istar.
As the three prepared for their next coordinated strike, Focalors shrieked and spread her wings wide, unleashing a stormfront infused with killing intent.
The battle had truly begun.
***
Dwargo Kors was still in his workshop when the battle at the Lupache estate started. He is doing his best to produce as many weapons as possible and shipping them to the army at the Lupache estate.
Suddenly, his mana crystal rang. Upon answering it, a dwarf elder was on the call. "Dwargo, we got new orders from the Vanguard Academy. Cease all of your activities at once; someone will be arriving there soon."
"What the hell yer talking about, old man? I can't stop production! There is a war going on."
"This is an A3 Order!
"What the hell?"
"You will be as-BZZRTT"
Suddenly, the line was cut.
"Oi, Old man, you got a bad signal?"
There was no voice. Dwargo finally stopped working as he looked towards the place where he had put the mana crystal. A figure was there, filled with an ominous aura.
"Pleased to meet you, Dwargo Kors. From now on, you will solely focus on creating massive amounts of Pseudo-Artifacts."
"Who the hell do you think is ordering me?"
"You will do what I order or else."
"Heh. Asshole... even though I am blacksmith I know my way to fight. Are you looking down on me?"
"No. You're just outnumbered. Don't move."
A blade was pointed at Dwargo's back. But there wasn't just one blade—there were multiple.
"That's not possible, how can there be that many people?"
"I never underestimated everyone, Dwargo Kors. You will do what I order you to do."
"Who the hell are you?"
The figure steps into the light, revealing a man with eyes flaring with blue mana.
"I am The Fiend Kaiser."