Descending Into A Novel

Lucy readied her rapier, lunging forward. Sparks of electricity burst from her body as she attempted to stab at the boar in front of her.

Before her rapier even touched the boar however, a blur appeared in front of her eyes. Followed by a splatter of blood as the boar was completely eviscerated in not even a second.

Staring at the axe buried on the ground, Lucy recognized her grand uncle’s work.

In the same amount of time it took to kill the boar in front of her. Every single boar that was still alive was also killed in an instant. Leading to several confused looks from them.

Holding his hand up, each of his thrown weapons swiftly flew back into his hand.

"Everyone, gather together. Don’t lose sight of another."

With his stern voice, they could tell he was serious. A complete 180 change from his previous more relaxed tone.

The nine of them gathered together, even more alert then before. They assumed a rough defensive formation. With Raymond and Ellen at the center of their formation.

Working together was usually extremely difficult. Different techniques, spells, Arts could completely change how any fight went. Especially with how unique each of them were, it was a classic case of too many cooks spoil the broth.

It required teamwork, and coordination together—filling up the gaps for each other.

When they themselves were each practically a team on their own, working together all nine at once was extremely difficult. Especially for individuals like Lucy or Zachary, who could be considered near perfect versatile all-rounders.

Teams that fought together usually consisted of those with similar Arts or spells that meshed well, or those that had practiced and trained together for years on end.

Needless to say, the special class group was not exactly the best at fighting together all at once.

Rudeus gripped the handle of his shortsword tightly. He had already sent a distress signal to the academy, whether they had received it or not was unknown. He wasn’t the best with magic after all, he didn’t even know if it had been properly activated at all.

His hunch was being proven correct, when Thomas killed that boar. He had immediately managed to detect the collision between the holy and demonic energy.

This sounder of boars was being controlled, likely to probe them and gather some information. So he had immediately killed them all.

The jungle was quiet. Too quiet.

There was barely any sounds at all. The occasional rustle of leaves and animal cry from far off in the distance was all they heard. With only the sounds of the heart beating and adrenaline pumping throughout their system.

Paired with the moist air of the jungle and the constant heat. It was unbearably uncomfortable.

The silence ticked on for a few more moments just like that.

Clang!

Rudeus leapt up, his bronze shortsword glimmering in the overhead sun.

Meeting his sword mid-air, a man in a suit of all black metal armour grinned. An intense bloody aura emanating from every inch of his body. On his head, a pair of illusory horns curled outwards.

"It’s an honor to meet the Weapons-Meister himself."

Rudeus let out a grunt, his shortsword being pushed back slightly.

"It’s not an honor to meet demonic scum like you."

Using his free gauntlet hand, he clenched his fist and aimed a punch right at his face. Only for him to dodge it easily.

In the blink of an eye, they exchanged several strikes back and forth. Neither managing to land a single hit on the other. Their clash producing massive disruptions in the air, with any stray attacks destroying any part of the jungle they happened to land on.

For them at the bottom, they could barely only make out two blurs in the air. One in a brownish-grey colour and the other a blood red colour.

But they had something else more important to focus on.

Surrounding the nine of them, several others in the same sharp onyx armour pointed their swords.

The one Raymond assumed was their leader pointed at him in particular. His armour seemed extra sharp and more well-made.

"Give us Raymond Vance, and we promise we shall spare your life."

Each of them glanced at each other, sharing the exact same thought.

"No."

"We refuse."

"Just die."

"No way."

"..."

"Absolutely not."

They might not have been heroes at that moment. But traces of their future selves could already be seen.

The leader simply smiled, having already expecting them to refuse.

In his eyes, this was even better after all. Where else would one get the opportunity to fight these yet unpolished gemstones?

The Black Legion loved fighting. But they despised one thing, that being dishonourable fighting. Stabbing someone in the back, ambushes, ganging up on a lone individual and fighting someone weaker then them.

Finding a worthy opponent and fighting to the death. That was the absolute dream for anyone in the Black Legion. It was the ultimate fate.

So none of them got angry at their resistance. Fighting back against their own death was a perfectly acceptable thing after all!

As the strongest there, he immediately sought after the strongest one there.

Locking eyes with Raymond Vance, his entirely black eyes seemed to expand. Mana and demonic energy mingling together.

This was the main advantage of signing a demon contract for humans. Being able to use both mana and demonic energy—they could use mana like a human and demonic energy like a demon!

Despite there being several others in the way, Raymond felt his body get abruptly pulled as he made eye contact. As if being grabbed by an invisible hand.

Looking around the black walls, it reminded Raymond of one of his own spells. Dimensional Isolation, where he could trap enemies in a different mini dimension and fight them in there. Except his version was much more difficult to escape.

The signature Art of the Black Legion. Black Battleground.

The leader faced him, drawing a wicked sword from its sheath—with several sharp fang-like protrusions.

"It is a shame you are a mage. Our duel would have been even more honorable."

He didn’t reply, still busy analyzing the Black Battleground. Commenting on its ability.

"This is a pretty interesting Art. I can feel myself getting suppressed slightly."

"The Black Battleground determines the weakest of the two individuals inside and weakens the stronger one until they are both of the same level."

That explained it, since Raymond was stronger. He was suppressed until he was equal to him.

The fact that Raymond was considered stronger also surprised him as well.

Without another word, he got into a stance. His sword brimming with demonic energy.

"Come at me."

"If you want."

Aiming his staff at himself, Raymond immediately casted cloak of ice. Manifesting the blue cloak on himself, he then casted a glacier spell.

Seeing the wave of ice rush at him, the man merely lifted his sword. Bringing it down diagonally and cutting through the wave.

Not to be outdone, he smoothly chained it into a horizontal slash—sending an arc of sharp demonic energy shaped like a crescent moon.

Seeing the arc get blocked by Raymond, the man dashed towards him. Sword poised for a thrust, only for Raymond to swiftly teleport away.

He was a mage after all, he wasn’t stupid enough to fight at close range where he was at a disadvantage.

Raymond pointed his wand at himself again.

’False present time clone 2x.’

His entire body seemed to shake, moving so fast that after omages were formed on his left and right.

The man frowned, no. Not after images. Those were real!

Right in front of his very eyes, was three different Raymond Vance’s. Not just that, according to his senses. Each of them were completely similar!

He couldn’t differentiate between them at all! It was as if Raymond had just actually split himself into thirds.

Even more unbelievable was the fact that each clone was the same strength as the original!

What an amazing clone spell!

He wasn’t a mage, but even he could appreciate a good spell if it was casted right in front of him.

All three Raymond aimed at him, firing off a barrage of freeze rays—each the thickness of an arm.

Dodging most of them, he let out a hiss when one managed to hit his arm. Causing ice to form over his armour, limiting his movements.

Dashing towards Raymond again, he leapt into the air. Stepping on invisible platforms conjured in the air. The distance between them rapidly closing in again.

Each spell launched by Raymond was swiftly blocked by his sword. Once he was halfway towards them again, the three Raymond’s immediately split up. Moving into separate directions.

Since they were in a circular arena, two of them went left and right while the third ran straight towards him.

The one running towards him disappeared, teleporting above him. It immediately casted a spell with his staff pointed right at him.

"Flash Freeze."

Instinctively moving his sword to block it. The man grunted, his entire body experiencing temperatures way below freezing despite managing to block some of it.

Blood immediately poured out of his body, before being frozen into crystals of blood again.

At least it was only his outer extremities. His torso and head were still relatively safe.

Demonic energy surged out of his body, cleansing him of all the ice and healing his wounds.

His sword flashed, cutting through Raymond and making blood splatter all over them. Only for his body to dissipate into mana alongside his blood and organs.

Obviously he wasn’t stupid enough to use his real body, but his clone had managed to distract him long enough.

With two other targets now, the man had to choose between which one to target next.

But why choose one? Why not choose both?

Smiling, he closed his eyes. Taking a deep breath to calm the adrenaline that flowed through him.

His arms naturally moved in front of him, fingers forming the shape of a head with horns.

"I summon. Baron of Resentment, The Scourge that hates all."

Opening his eyes, he clenched his fists. Letting his demonic energy run crazy.

"Baron Mane! I, your contractor! Ask of you to heed my call!"

Rising out of his shadow. a man the same size as a small vehicle stood up. A crimson cape billowing behind him as he leaked killing intent everywhere.

Members of the Black Legion didn’t like to gang up on others. But that was only if they were completely separate entities.

But a demon contractor and their demon was practically one. He had already signed away his body and soul in exchange for power.

So summoning the demon he was contracted to, they didn’t consider it as dishonourable. In fact, they actually thought the opposite!

Like how Lucy had her pets, they merely considered this as utilizing their full strength.

To go all out was the ultimate fight after all!