Just a moment before Selene could cast her spell… a thin beam of violet energy shot from one of Vadim's countless irises, cleaving Selene in two in an instant. And now… the two halves that only moments ago were her body drift motionless in the dark abyss, wrapped in a spiral of her own blood.
«Surprised, Prince Kyndrake?» Vadim's voice echoes with mockery. «A powerful mage like Selene cut down in the blink of an eye. She had no time to realize what was happening and… puff—gone. Dead. If it makes you feel better, it all happened so quickly she didn't even have time to suffer.»
No, Selene… fuck… fuck… FUCK! It can't be over like this… Morgana… that damned whore—she knew? She knew this monster meant to kill us?! Then why did she do it? Why did she send us to him?! My beloved Selene—no, my little sister… four years ago I promised you no one would ever hurt you again, and yet I couldn't save you. I failed to protect you, but I swear on what I hold most precious in this world…
An intense aura of crimson flames erupts around me.
…I'll tear that bastard apart with my own hands—he'll suffer more than he ever did in his life. It's a promise, Selene!
«Crystal Release: Incarnation of Azkarith—the Destruction Dragon!»
Huge wings of blazing red burst forth from my back, and scales of the same hue sheath my skin.
«So you've finally decided to get serious,» Vadim's voice echoes, laced with mockery.
I ignore his words. I raise the massive sword in both hands and aim it at him—even with the distance between us and my vision blurred by tears, he's so massive that hitting him won't be hard. I have no idea what he can do, so the best choice is to strike from a distance, though my body shakes with the urge to pound him with my fists. I have to stay calm and focused—I can't let my emotions take over.
«Elemental Invocation • Fire: Flamestrike Thrust!»
A raging column of flames erupts from my weapon, whirling like a crimson hurricane toward that enormous mass of flesh, eyes, and tentacles. There's no way he can dodge it—since he appeared, he hasn't moved an inch, so he can probably do nothing but float motionless in this abyss of darkness. If that's the case, I just need to keep my distance so I won't be caught off guard by his lightning-fast beams of cutting energy.
The torrent of crimson fire roars toward Vadim—he's still completely motionless. Perfect, just as I thought. Now he'll surely try to counterattack by casting one of his spells to clash with mine, but the moment he does, I'll shift the trajectory of my Elemental Invocation at the last second and catch him off guard, just like Rebecca did with Viktoria.
Relying on that brat's tricks to win… humiliating. But this isn't the time to think about pride!
One of his countless irises flares with a sinister purple light.
Here it comes—he's about to attack! I need to stay focused and time it right to shift the trajectory of the fire beam.
Almost there… just a little more… NOW!
...
W-What the hell just happened?! Why the hell did my spell disappear into nothingness?! It doesn't make sense… none of this makes sense at all! There's nothing that can just erase a spell this powerful! Unless…
Of course… Shadow Magic. Morgana told me that kind of magic uses a mysterious particle called anti-magic, capable of annihilating ordinary spells on contact. Now I understand why it was banned and erased from history. I've never seen Shadow Magic in action, so I can't be sure, but there's no other explanation for what just happened. And yet, I didn't see anything… could it be the darkness we're trapped in is hiding his shadow attacks from my eyes? If that's true, it means that bastard can launch attacks I can't perceive until they land. What the hell am I supposed to do then?! Wait… one of his eyes flared for an instant before my spell vanished. That means I just need to watch his eyes and cast a defensive spell the moment one lights up, hoping it'll be enough to shield me from one of those terrifying shadow spells. Risky… but I don't have any other choice.
«That's all you've got, Jade Kyndrake?» his voice echoes again. «Is that the full extent of your resentment? Looks like you didn't care that much about that little slut.»
«L-Little slut?» I repeat, grinding my teeth.
«Yeah, a weak little slut at that. Probably spent more time sucking cocks than studying—otherwise how could one of the best fifth-year students have died so easily?» Vadim sneers.
«You… you don't know anything about Selene or what she went through in her life!» I snap, my voice breaking, choked with sobs. My breathing grows erratic, my body trembling from head to toe, my teeth clattering together.
Suddenly, the flames swirling around me shift color. No longer crimson, but black as the abyss surrounding us. I can feel it—an incredible power coursing under my skin, flooding every vein.
«Took you long enough to call on Shadow Magic, Prince Kyndrake. Tell me, how does it feel to have such power flooding your body? There's nothing like it, is there? Come on, give in, Jade! Let that power spread through every cell of your body! Only then will you have even a chance to avenge your stupid little friend! Do it, Jade Kyndrake. Do it!»
That bastard is right. The feeling of Shadow Magic spreading through my body feels truly incredible—something words can't describe. My strength has never reached such heights. I feel invincible, able to destroy everything and everyone, and yet… I swore to myself I'd never use it. What was the point of all my years of study and training, if just releasing Shadow Magic surpasses everything I've achieved so far? Am I really so weak that I have to rely on such a cheap trick?! NO! I will never bow to this magic just to cover my weakness! I am Prince Jade Kyndrake—heir to the throne and bearer of the legendary Divine Dragon of Destruction Crystal. I've never taken shortcuts, never stooped to tricks, not even when walls seemed impossible to break! I didn't climb over those damn walls—I shattered them with my own strength! And that's exactly what I intend to do now! Lyra Selunara thinks I'm afraid Rebecca Asheart might surpass me… bullshit! There's no one in this world stronger than me—neither that brat, nor this piece of shit in front of me!
Slowly, the black flames recede, turning once more into a blazing crimson.
«What a disappointment…» Vadim mutters. «So weak and pathetic…»
«Me, weak? You're the one so feeble you had to rely on Shadow Magic to cover your own weakness! Unlike you, I don't need dishonorable spells! I'm the strongest even without them!»
I tighten my grip on the massive sword. I spread my wings, ready to dash at Vadim with all the strength I have.
Keeping up a ranged assault would only waste energy. I'll go for a direct charge—it's enough to keep my focus on his eyes to know when he'll defend. But now…
W-What's happening? I can't move, not even a muscle. I'm completely paralyzed. And his eyes… they're all glowing at once! Damn it… damn it!
«You do know I could have killed you as easily as I killed your friend, right?» Vadim says, with irritation. «If I didn't, it was only because I wanted to have a little fun with you—but it seems I'm just wasting my time. Farewell, Jade Kyndrake.»
The last thing I see: thousands of those beams that cut Selene falling on me simultaneously. This can't end like this...