Piers and the other students stood in the training hall. Professor Drapes said, "Now, it's time to learn about dark arts." He took out his dark arts book. "The dark arts are divided into three spell categories: Dark Spells, Hidden Spells, and Forbidden Spells. Now everyone will learn the Dark Spells. Sit here and start learning."
Piers sat down and looked through The Umbrae Codex. He saw several spells he could learn, thinking, "Anima Vinculum binds the spirit to an object, Eversio Umbrae shatters the will of spirits..." Suddenly, he found a spell he liked: "Umbrae Vorax—a black spirit is unleashed to consume the essence of enemies, leaving them hollow."
Piers used his devil powers, and a black whirlwind began to form around him. "We are in the middle of learning dark arts, not devil powers," Drapes said. Suddenly, many black spirits appeared, and Piers absorbed one, immediately tried to use dark arts. It didn't work however He kept trying, and Drapes said, "I see. Look, students, he is using his devil powers' supporting abilities to enhance his dark arts. You should do the same."
Piers kept trying, and black spirits surrounded him as he attempted to use Umbrae Vorax. Drapes gave everyone advice regarding what they should do, which Piers used to increase his progression, but he still couldn't use the spell. After a while, Drapes said, "Okay, now we will move on to using the ability of devil powers. We will start by having you all compete with each other."
A girl said, "But isn't it a bit extreme to compete right now, right here?" Another girl kicked her and said, "Then go away, you coward." Soon, the entire student body in the training hall began fighting, except for Piers, who was still sitting and learning about the complex mechanisms of Umbrae Vorax.
A boy spotted Piers still training. He used his devil powers to increase his strength and approached Piers, but others fighting him slowed his approach. Piers's Phantom Insignia spoke, "Piers, someone is attacking from behind! You have to get ready! Use me!"
Piers thought, "Who are you?"
"I am your sword, Phantom Insignia," the sword said.
"You can talk?" Piers asked.
"That's not important! You have to attack, or the boy will kill you," the sword warned.
"I don't want to fight with my own people," Piers said. "I'll just scare anyone who comes at me with my black spirits."
The sword replied, "Even if you don't fight, the others will keep fighting each other."
Piers thought, "I already know that, but... I can't do anything about it. They'll keep killing, keep fighting. I can't do anything."
"No, Piers, you can do something," the sword said.
"What?"
"Use me to scare off everyone here and rule over them. Show your authority is strong enough to stop them. If you want to stop something, stop it with overwhelming power. Show them they can either obey or die."
"But it doesn't sound right," Piers said. "I don't want to kill anyone."
"If you want to stop something, you need to make an example of someone who is opposing it to bring everyone in line. Why don't you try and show them?" the sword urged.
"I guess you are right," Piers said. He stood up and took out the Phantom Insignia. "That boy has a healing factor, so don't hold back," the sword said.
As the boy ran at Piers and swung his fist, Piers used his Mephisto power and suddenly appeared at the boy's side. A string of blood came from the boy's chest. The boy realized Piers had cut him. Everyone looked at Piers, whose sword was covered in blood. black spirits rotated around him and surrounded him, and his red eyes made him look intimidating. His slow walk toward them seemed like impending doom.
"One is not enough. Show them all," the Phantom Insignia said.
A boy, scared, attacked Piers. "Fine," Piers said, and he cut the boy with his sword. He then looked at everyone as countless black spirits went toward them in waves. "Either stop this fight or suffer," Piers commanded.
A girl said, "Never!" She charged at Piers. She was the same girl who took the lead in killing the white arts prisoner and in the fight.
"Yes, like hell we will!" another said.
"I will show you my power!" another screamed.
As everyone charged, the Phantom Insignia said, "Cut only the important figures. That will shatter the entire team."
Piers used his Mephisto speed, becoming so fast he easily dodged everyone's attacks. Before the girl could attack, he slashed her, and she fell to the ground. Everyone was surprised. "So you follow her lead?" Piers said, kicking the girl's wound. She started screaming, and Piers said, "Then see clearly how I'm treating her. If you don't stop, this will happen to each one of you. The only difference between her and you will be that you won't have limbs to walk with."
A boy, trembling, clutched his sword. Piers, using his power, went in front of him in a matter of seconds. "You want to do something? Please do. However, don't complain about the consequences," he said. The boy fell to the ground in fear. Everyone became silent and stopped attacking. The girl who was the leader struggled to get up, coughing up blood, but it was clear she was angry.
Drapes clapped his hands. "This is what a devil holder should be," he said. "He who holds not only authority but also is strong enough to control everyone around him. Winning a battle requires not only brute force but also brains."
Everyone looked at the ground. Piers thought, "If using my power to threaten people is the only way to make them listen, then I will do just that. I will become the strongest in the world and make everyone come under me and then punish everyone who is evil."
The Phantom Insignia thought, "He is getting corrupted slowly with his ability. He will become the strongest soon, and with my power, I can accelerate it." The sword glinted with a red light, eager to corrupt Piers's mind.
Outside the Imperial Palace, on top of an imperial tower, stood five people: Ben, Emilia, Luc, Bret, and Adreil. Bret said, "We have to gather the super soldier project at once. Are you ready for it?"
Everyone said, "Yes." With that, they put on their masks and got ready for their mission.