The skyward blaze stained the dim, yellow skyline on the outskirts of the Empire Capital red.
Outside St. Roland Academy, Alchemy Academy Dean Karn watched the towering inferno sever the student dormitory area from the outside world, his gaze heavy with concern.
"Where are the principal and vice-principal?"
"The principal hasn't returned to the school for two years now, and nobody knows where he is."
A dusty instructor wiped the sweat from his brow and responded, "The vice-principal said three months ago that he was going to the Astral Realm to look for realm-crossing beast cubs. He's probably still lost in some dimensional rift by now."
"And the deans of the other departments?"
"Some are out on academic projects, some are on exchange visits with the Princes' Alliance, and one seems to be participating in multi... ah, a noble's banquet. None of them can make it back in a short time."
The young instructor cautiously glanced at Dean Karn. "Professor Karn, right now, you're the only 4-Ring Master present in the entire Academy."
"These ignorant old bastards!"
Professor Karn cursed angrily and crushed the wooden staff in his hand.
Of course, he knew there was no point blaming his colleagues for this.
Under normal circumstances, even if those secretive organizations wanted to cause a major incident, they would never choose to stir up trouble in the Empire Capital. This place was the heart of the entire Fresta Empire, a haven for the mighty. Even if those thugs truly succeeded, escaping the Empire's borders while being pursued and blockaded by the Capital's experts would be as difficult as ascending to heaven. It was a losing trade, inflicting eight hundred damage on the enemy while suffering a thousand oneself.
In contrast, border cities with chaotic security, fewer powerful individuals, and closer proximity to the borders—where one could easily flee to the Lost Realm—were undoubtedly better choices for creating disturbances.
For that reason, St. Roland Academy had never experienced such a violent incident since its founding. Consequently, there was a complete lack of crisis awareness or vigilance, and the institution's defensive measures were purely for show.
But who could have known that this time it would be the Ashes Cult?
Compared to other forbidden organizations labeled as heretical by the theocratic kingdom, the Ashes Cult was only average in terms of scale and the number of powerful individuals.
But they had one major characteristic—they were incredibly stubborn.
Other forbidden organizations would consider the impact and losses during their operations, preserving their strength, avoiding the loss of High-Order experts, and aiming to maximize benefits. But these pyromaniacs from the Ashes Cult, who chanted "burn, burn, burn" all day, never considered things like casualty ratios. Even if captured, these arsonists would only shout 'Allahu Akbar' and 'Meteor Stream!' before turning themselves into massive fireworks. They were like walking suicide bombs, as tenacious and reviled as something you couldn't scrape off your shoe. Even the most powerful forces could only curse their rotten luck upon encountering the Ashes Cult.
Professor Karn's emotions briefly spiraled out of control.
However, he quickly composed himself, his gaze growing heavy as he stared into the distance. He could sense a subtle spiritual power had already locked onto him.
The cult leader of the Ashes Cult.
As one of only two 4-Rings present, his adversary had targeted him from the very start. Although his opponent had not yet made a move, the chilling awareness made Professor Karn feel intensely uneasy, as if spikes were pressed against his back. He knew the cult leader could strike at any moment.
This was also why Professor Karn had not acted to dismantle the fiery Array.
His instinct told him that even as a fellow 4-Ring, he, a professor who had dedicated years to teaching and nurturing students, was by no means a match for that cult leader, infamous for his slaughters.
It seems we can only continue this standoff and drag things out. This is the Empire Capital; time is on our side, he thought.
"Unfortunately, Professor Karn, time is not on our side," a composed voice sounded. It belonged to a middle-aged man in military uniform, his face resolute and stern, the collar of his uniform adorned with the insignia of a black eagle.
Behind him, a massive Eye Demon Pet Beast floated in midair. Its hundreds of tentacles waved in The Void, the fluctuations of spiritual power subtly vibrating the surrounding air. It was apparently employing some kind of wide-area sensing Skill.
The officer waved his hand, and a blurry light screen materialized, displaying images sensed by his Eye Demon Pet Beast.
Within the dormitory area, enclosed by the wall of fire, dozens of black-robed figures wielding scythes patrolled the central square. In the four corners of the square, hundreds of students lay sprawled on the ground. However, apart from being bound by ropes, they had not suffered any casualties; most students didn't even have minor wounds.
In the center of the square, a dark altar was rapidly being constructed. Intermittently, illusory pitch-black flames flared above the altar, seeping into the surrounding fire wall, acting as the Array's core to sustain the fiery barrier. Deep within the altar, an even more profound and sinister power seemed to be nurtured.
Even viewing it merely through the projected light screen made the assembled professors shiver with a profound cold.
"These arsonists are likely preparing to use the students in the dormitory area as sacrifices for a fire ritual," the middle-aged officer stated steadily. "Based on the Magic Power fluctuations detected by the Eye Demon, once the fire ritual is complete, the unleashed energy will obliterate at least half of St. Roland Academy."