By the time the remnants of the Demon King’s army arrived near the academy, most of Sertia’s barrier that had protected the school was crumbling.

 

Originally, they wouldn’t have been able to set foot inside. However, now it was possible. One of the executives of the Demon King’s army raised a hand, tearing apart the remaining barrier like it was made of paper.

 

From this, the Demon King’s army could infer Sertia’s current state. She was now so weakened that she couldn’t even maintain a single barrier.

 

The morale of the invading Demon King’s army surged. They had long possessed the power to annihilate humans, and now, with Sertia weakened, they believed it was their moment to strike.

 

“Seir, set up the barrier first. Not even an ant should escape outside,” one of the executives commanded.

 

“Ha, isn’t it obvious? I set it up a long time ago. Just make sure to transport the monsters properly,” Seir replied with a smirk.

 

“No problem. I made sure to bring them carefully so that their magical energy wouldn’t leak out.”

 

Belial, another executive of the Demon King’s army, possessed the ability to summon monsters through shadows using inter-dimensional storage.

 

As the barrier fully unfolded, he unleashed the monsters all over the academy, far exceeding anyone’s imagination.

 

In the expansive grounds of the academy, he released them indiscriminately – near the park, inside the buildings, close to the swordsmanship training grounds, and even near the cafeteria.

 

The released monsters attacked humans indiscriminately, quickly plunging the once-peaceful academy into chaos. The air was filled with the sounds of screams and panic.

 

“Let’s go back now,” Lark, the de facto leader of the Demon King’s army, commanded. He distributed some of the fragments of the Demon King to the monsters before giving the order to withdraw.

 

Lark had no intention of engaging in a full-scale war just yet. He planned to significantly weaken the Empire’s forces with their created chaos, then regroup and prepare for a second assault.

 

The war between humans and demons, thought to have ended with the Demon King’s death, was far from over.

 

“Retreat from here?! Why?!” Seir protested, her voice rising with frustration.

 

“Isn’t this our chance? We can strike now! Why retreat?”

 

The demons had long wished to destroy humanity and expand the demon realm, and she couldn’t comprehend the order to fall back when victory was so close.

 

Lark met her gaze steadily. “We didn’t bring enough troops to wage an all-out war right away. It would draw too much attention. Yes, I agree that if we push now, we may be able to annihilate them, but if the Knights’ support troops arrive, we’ll find ourselves at a disadvantage.”

 

“……”

 

“Do you want to be wiped out with the goal right before your eyes?” Seir shot back, her frustration boiling over.

 

They hadn’t brought many personnel for this raid on the academy. If they had moved a large army, it would have been detected in advance, putting them at a disadvantage. The monsters alone were more than capable of wreaking havoc on the academy.

 

“Let’s go,” Lark said, turning on his heel. The few demons who had followed him complied, but one did not.

 

Seir raised her long sword, a twisted smile spreading across her face. Although demons possessed intelligence unlike that of mere monsters, their instincts remained sharp and primal. She was unwilling to let this opportunity slip away.

 

In this kind of situation, she craved the thrill of the kill.

 

“I’ll go back a bit later. No matter what, I feel uneasy leaving it only to these stupid monsters,” Seir declared, her grip tightening around the hilt of her sword.

 

Lark understood her sentiments but remained indifferent. “Do as you like,” he replied dismissively.

 

He knew Seir was not the type to heed anyone’s advice anyway. With a smirk, he turned away, dismissing her as she prepared to charge ahead.

 

Seir, a formidable demon executive, would not falter against ordinary humans. Without hesitation, she leaped into the academy building, eager to unleash chaos in her wake.

 

***

 

The scene inside the academy resembled hell itself.

 

A swarm of monsters had appeared out of nowhere, launching indiscriminate attacks on the humans within, regardless of whether they were students or professors.

 

While the academy’s professors were skilled combatants and quickly regained their composure to take up arms, the chaos was overwhelming. They hurried to evacuate the students before engaging in battle with the creatures.

 

Yet, their efforts fell short. Ordinary monsters might have been manageable, but at the heart of the fray loomed a colossal beast, dwarfing everything around it.

 

Its sheer size and power cast a shadow over the battle, making it clear that this was no ordinary invasion.

 

Some recognized the giant creature, while others did not.

 

“Seed of the Demon King…!” one of the professors exclaimed, their voice laced with dread.

 

The academy professors were formidable fighters, often comparable to the top knights of the Knights Order. In fact, some, like Eve, held dual roles as both esteemed professors and elite knights. This was the average caliber of the academy’s staff.

 

Yet, even with this level of expertise, the situation was dire.

 

Three of the Knights Order’s finest could struggle against a Seed of the Demon King. The overwhelming power of such an entity was a grim reminder of the dangers ahead, and it became increasingly clear that the professors were outmatched.

 

The professors had no choice but to retreat from the rampaging giants within the academy.

 

“Everyone evacuate outside! Quickly!” one of them shouted, desperation evident in their voice.

 

“But we can’t! There’s something blocking the exit!” another replied, panic rising.

 

“Wahhh, mommy!” cried a student, overwhelmed by fear.

 

A dark barrier obstructed their escape, trapping them inside. Despite their training at the continent’s premier educational institution, the students were largely inexperienced and unprepared for such chaos.

 

In the face of this terror, mass hysteria took hold. The reality of their dire situation rendered them helpless, leaving them unable to devise a plan or respond effectively to the unfolding crisis.

 

In this unprecedented emergency, the students exhibited a range of panicked reactions.

 

“Ahhh! Please let me out!” one screamed, desperation clear in their voice.

 

“Sob, hic…” another whimpered, tears streaming down their cheeks.

 

“It’s o-, over now. We will all die here…” a third muttered, voice trembling with despair.

 

Some pounded on the windows recklessly, while others hid, sobbing or resigned to their fate with ashen faces.

 

Yet amidst the chaos, Aramis, the second-year swordsmanship professor, tightened his grip on his sword.

 

He was determined to fulfill his responsibilities—not just as a professor teaching students but also as one of the guardians protecting the academy.

 

With a fierce resolve, he leaped into action.

 

In front of him loomed a tentacle-type monster, its body a grotesque mass adorned with countless black tentacles.

 

As Aramis charged forward, numerous tentacles whipped through the air, aiming for him. Just before they could make contact, he expertly redirected his sword.

 

“Form 3,” he declared, focusing his energy.

 

This technique allowed him to split one powerful slash into two wide, sweeping strikes. He concentrated all his strength on the initial cut, aiming for the thinner tentacles that extended from the main body.

 

With a sickening tearing sound, the black tentacles were severed. Dark blood erupted from the wounds, splattering across the floor, and the remains of the severed appendages fell lifelessly to the ground.

 

Yet, even the severed tentacles, still intact with nerves, writhed in a macabre display of tenacity. They continued to move, crawling relentlessly toward the terrified students, creating a truly horrifying scene.

 

“I will block this place, so run away!” Aramis shouted, stepping back to slash at the remaining tentacles. “On the second floor of Academy C Building, an emergency exit should be prepared for situations like this! That place is directly managed by Lady Sertia, so it can’t be covered by the barrier!”

 

His voice cut through the chaos, offering a glimmer of hope amidst the despair. Though the barrier sealed the outside, there was still a route to safety, and Aramis was determined to protect it.

 

“Uu, uuu…”

 

After a relentless onslaught of fear, his words sparked a flicker of hope among the students. They began to move, breaking free from their paralysis. Those whose legs refused to cooperate found support in their peers, while others who had been sobbing quietly wiped their tears with their sleeves, steeling themselves for the escape.

 

“Go! Now!” Aramis urged, striking down another tentacle that lunged at him, his determination unwavering as he held the line against the monstrous onslaught.

 

“R-run!”

 

The students fled in panic, and the professors instinctively positioned themselves alongside Aramis, forming a united front. Four professors quickly gathered, each assessing the looming threat before them.

 

“That’s a Seed of the Demon King, right?” one of them asked, eyeing the monstrous form writhing in the center of the chaos.

 

“Can we capture it?” another inquired, concern etching his features.

 

“……We have to try,” Aramis replied, wiping the blood from his face and gripping his sword tightly. The odds were daunting, but with their combined strength, they might stand a chance.

 

Even with the prospect of imminent danger, the professors understood the stakes. They were prepared to lay down their lives for the safety of their students and the academy.

 

As Aramis recalled the tales of a professor named Albert who had once defeated a creature of similar caliber alone, a flicker of hope ignited within him. If they worked together, perhaps they could achieve the impossible.

 

He knew it from the start, but he was even more impressive than he had imagined.

 

After the students had disappeared, the professors drew their swords in the relatively quiet academy corridor. Some of them were also chanting spells.

 

It was a hellish sight within the academy.

 

***

 

After the incident broke out, Rena, who couldn’t escape the building in time, trembled in fear.

 

Curled up and hiding, the terrible sounds erupting around her rang in her ears—someone’s screams, cries, the shaking of the ground, and the roars of monsters.

 

Unlike Ariel or Sera, who were mentally strong, Rena was just an ordinary student.

 

It was natural for her to feel scared. Monsters far more fearsome than those encountered in training were swarming around, alongside unimaginable beasts.

 

The word “pandemonium” was quite fitting; it was a place where sights too gruesome to behold unfolded.

 

But Rena didn’t just hide there. Although she was undoubtedly terrified, some were even more frightened than she was.

 

“Uuu…”

 

Rena stood up on trembling legs. Many students hadn’t evacuated the building yet.

 

While she had faced monsters before, she had overcome those experiences with Iria’s help, even surviving a crisis where she almost died. That experience served her well now; she wasn’t overwhelmed by fear.

 

“Everyone, get up! It’ll only be more dangerous if we stay here!”

 

If they were facing low-level monsters instead of a Seed of the Demon King, even students could sufficiently deal with them. She had defeated a few during training as well. Rena ignited flames in both hands.

 

“Blaze!”

 

With that, she eliminated the charging low-level monsters with her flames.

 

The collapsed students began to rise at Rena’s small act of defiance. She gradually took an attacking stance, ready to exterminate the monsters.

 

After waking up the surrounding students and joining forces, Rena had no doubt there was an exit somewhere.

 

Even in a place where magical energy enveloped the surroundings and obscured her vision, she spread her mana to search for a way out.

 

The result of that effort became clear now.

 

“I think there’s a hole to get out nearby!”

 

Using the reaction of her mana, Rena sensed a space for escape close by.

 

She quickened her pace, her heart rising at the hopeful news that they could soon be free. In her eagerness, she didn’t notice anything else.

 

And then, she saw it.

 

“Hmm~ So there was a hole here? I thought something kept escaping outside the barrier.”

 

“Ah…”

 

“Hello? Did you come to get out too?”

 

Standing at the exit Rena had finally found was a non-human figure, adorned with golden fragments and gripping a single blade.