(A/N: Yeah, yesterday's chapter got uh, hmm, mixed reactions I guess? I just want everyone to know that this clash between the MC and Alfia had been built up ever since chapter 11 and yeah, I hear your complaints that the MC gets beat up way too much, and there was even someone who questioned if I hated my MC after how I treated him in the events of the previous chapter... the answer to that is no, I don't.
I know that not all of my readers know about Alfia since she never showed up in the anime, but Alfia is not an OC, she is an actual character... the actual aunt of Bell Cranel, her violent and extreme personality is canon, faithfully following the story that this fanfiction is based on... that's just how I imagined her interact with our MC.
As for those who are saying that the MC loses way too much... don't worry, I wrote like 20+ chapters ahead of public release, so I can confirm that after the scuffle with Alfia, his losing streak does end there.
Whether or not that appeases you... idk, I can't read your minds or manipulate your thoughts, but I definitely was surprised by the response yesterday's chapter had received, since that chapter got some decent amount of likes from my patreon members.
But yeah... enough about me yapping, some of you might care or don't care at all and just scroll pass this entire thing without reading it, but I hope you can enjoy the chapter. Peace.)
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"What's happening over there?"
The clash between Judas and Alfia had drawn the attention of the entire city.
"There's a huge commotion by the city walls!"
At the Stardust Garden, Alise leapt onto the rooftop for a better view.
When the smoke cleared, the sight before them left everyone frozen in disbelief... and they weren't alone.
The entire city seemed to hold its breath.
For a few seconds, silence reigned... until the streets erupted with frantic cries.
"By the Gods... the city wall that's stood solid for over a thousand years..."
A massive, lightning-shaped fracture tore through the concrete barrier—from the top, all the way to the base.
"First the dungeon incident, and now this?! What's happening to Orario?!"
As panic spread through the crowd, Alise and the others exchanged tense glances.
"What do you think, Captain? Should we check it out... or try to calm the masses first?"
Lyra asked, turning toward her red-haired leader.
But before Alise could respond—
"Alise! Everyone! Help!"
Rose's panicked voice rang through the air, forcing all eyes toward her.
"Rose? What's the matter? Why that grim look?"
Alise asked, landing before her with visible concern.
"Judas... please! Help him!"
Their eyes widened at her plea.
In the next instant, Alise vanished... bolting toward the source of the destruction.
"I swear, that boy's always at the center of trouble lately."
Kaguya muttered, shaking her head as she and Lyra took off after her.
....
Meanwhile, Judas lay sprawled on the ground, blood trickling from his nose, ears, and eyes.
His vision blurred, his sense of balance destroyed.
Every attempt to push himself upright ended in failure.
The aftermath replayed in his mind.
'Urgh...'
When their attacks collided, his eardrums had ruptured instantly, and his lightning was torn asunder by the massive beams of sound.
His magic had been completely obliterated by Alfia's power... like glass shattering beneath a hammer.
"Hmph..."
Steady footsteps echoed in his ears... low, deliberate, like a predator closing in on wounded prey.
Despite his battered state, Judas could feel her presence.
"Still conscious after taking my attack? Impressive."
"But this is far from enough... show me more of what you can do."
Alfia stopped right in front of him, gazing down at his broken form.
Then her eyes narrowed.
She could feel it... a vast amount of magic power gathering all around the area.
"What are you—"
Her voice faltered for a moment.
Judas' bloodied face twisted into a grin.
A series of magic circles surrounded her, creating a perimeter that covered all sides.
"Too late!"
He made a gun gesture with his fingers and mimed a shot.
Dozens of elemental spells fired all at once.
Magical energy poured forth in a relentless torrent, devouring everything in its path.
The air shook around them as if space itself trembled violently.
"Everyone, get out of here! This is a warzone!"
People scattered in panic, fleeing the surge of magical devastation that tore through the streets.
The tremors could be felt even from the other side of the city.
At that moment, the entire city of Orario stood still—all eyes fixed on the blinding, colorful lights.
"Judas..."
From the Twilight Manor, Loki muttered his name with worry.
The pressure radiating from Judas' spells could be felt even here.
Cracks spiderwebbed across her window, yet her focus never wavered from the radiant glow dominating the skyline.
"Damn it, Finn... when are you coming back?"
She growled in frustration.
Somehow, Judas always found a way to draw chaos to himself.
Alise, leaping across rooftops, halted as the intense heat forced her back.
"Alise, what's the situation?"
The red-haired captain of the Astraea Familia turned to see Ryuu and several waitresses from the tavern appear beside her.
"Judas is in trouble."
Alise said grimly, her eyes reflecting the dazzling light.
"If he's been pushed this far... his opponent must be terrifying."
Lyra muttered, frowning.
"Is it the Freya Familia again?"
Kaguya asked with a scowl.
"It's not Freya... that lightning-shaped burst definitely belongs to Judas, but the other one... I'm pretty sure that sound-based magic doesn't belong to any of her executives."
Alise concluded, not a hint of doubt in her voice.
"Lyra and the rest, make sure to evacuate the citizens nearby. Lion, Kaguya, and I will go assist him."
Alise quickly gave out orders, showing her capabilities as a captain.
The others nodded and sprang into action.
With that, the figures vanished from the rooftops in a blur.
Meanwhile, Judas, standing near the epicenter of the magical outburst, had already begun healing himself as the magic's intensity started to fade.
'Surely... that had to do some damage, right?'
Then a calm voice cut through his thoughts.
"Ataraxia."
From the settling debris, she emerged.
Judas' heart sank as he saw the faint glow surrounding her body.
Chunks of protective light flickered and crumbled from her frame... evidence that his attack had cracked her defense, but it was not enough.
"To damage my Silentium Eden..."
Alfia murmured, brushing dust from her dress.
"There have only been a handful who've managed to do that."
Silentium Eden... a super short-chant enchantment that cloaked Alfia in magic-negating armor.
A spell that would make any mage feel despair.
"I'll give you thirty points for that attack."
Despite its ability to nullify external magic, the true nature of her spell lay in its capacity to greatly diminish her own power.
But instead of armor, it was rather a seal... a restraint to keep her own "noise" within herself.
'You've got to be kidding me...'
Judas clenched his fists as he saw through the nature of her magic at a glance.
'Huh? Her expression changed.'
It was then he realized something.
The cold-faced woman now wore a serene expression.
"If it is you... it is possible."
Alfia spoke with an unreadable face.
"What are you talking about?"
Judas asked as he secretly gathered magic power for another spell.
"I thought this world was doomed."
Alfia said, her voice low and firm.
"But now that I see you... and my niece... I finally see a glimmer of hope."
"What I once deemed impossible... I can finally see a scenario where it might be achieved."
Judas saw it firsthand—the stone-faced warrior from before was nowhere to be found.
'No... don't let your guard down for one second.'
He reminded himself and stayed alert.
Alfia noticed the wariness in his eyes and exhaled softly.
She looked toward the city with an almost nostalgic gaze.
'Hope... what a nice word.'
She carried a deep regret... one that stemmed from the failed battle against the One-Eyed Black Dragon.
The previous generation of Orario's adventurers had proven no match.
With the fall of the Zeus and Hera Familia, the burden now rested on the current generation.
Having witnessed its power firsthand, she'd spent years agonizing over what felt like the inevitable end of the mortal world.
After hearing rumors of Judas' feats, she had to see for herself if there was someone capable of succeeding where they had failed.
"I will make you my disciple."
She spoke as if her words were absolute, leaving no room for argument.
"Huh?"
Judas blinked in confusion... the suffocating tension had suddenly vanished.
Alfia turned her head toward the distance.
"Looks like we have company."
Her gaze shifted back to Judas, her calm yet commanding presence returning.
"Tomorrow, we begin training at the break of dawn. Don't keep me waiting."
She paused for a moment before adding coldly.
"Oh, and if you dare be late by even a second and tell anyone about me... I'll break every single bone in your body."
With that, her figure blurred and vanished.
Judas stood frozen until hurried footsteps broke the silence.
Alise, Kaguya, and Ryuu arrived moments later, their faces painted with worry.
"Judas, are you alright?"
The sight of their concern finally made him relax.
"Yeah, I'm fine. Just a bit roughed up, that's all."
Alise knelt beside him, wiping the blood from his face with her sleeve.
"Noah Heal."
Ryuu murmured, activating her healing magic.
"Mr. Spade."
She said seriously, though warmth lingered in her voice.
"I can't help but wonder if you're some kind of living trouble magnet."
"Heh. I'm wondering that myself."
Judas chuckled weakly before lowering himself to the ground.
As he overlooked the city, he felt his headache worsen.
The sight of panicked citizens and the massive fracture in Orario's ancient city walls was probably going to bite him in the butt.
"Sigh... of course it's you."
"Do you mind telling us what happened?"
Judas' eyes shifted as Shakti arrived, several members of the Ganesha Familia flanking her.
'She looks tired of having to deal with my crap constantly.'
Judas smiled awkwardly, knowing he was in for a long day.
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