A few minutes later, Raizel teleported back to the academy.
After returning from the test, the students were enjoying their break between classes. The atmosphere was calm yet filled with chatter and laughter.
Raizel appeared directly in the classroom and found the others engaged in conversation. He walked over calmly and sat down beside Aizis.
"You're late.''
''What took you so long, Raizel?" Aizis asked.
"Nothing. I was just wandering around," Raizel replied casually.
"Figures. It's not like you ever share your activities with us," Aizis responded with a sigh.
Marco suddenly bring out a question, a question he seems to be desperate to ask.
"The last ten barriers looked insanely strong—stronger than the durability of an entire world. How did you manage to destroy every single one without breaking the world itself?" Marco asked.
Raizel glanced at him. "Let me ask you a question. If someone creates something, shouldn't they know its weaknesses?"
He leaned back slightly, his tone calm and confident.
"I created those barriers. And because of that, I know exactly how to destroy them. My magic can negate any spell made with my own energy. So, I used destruction magic to counteract my own creation."
He paused, then added, "I didn't need brute force. I used magic negation. A destructive spell would've been unnecessary."
"So much calculation. Big-brained people showing off," Marco said sarcastically, sighing.
"Exactly. That's why you should respect your seniors," Raizel replied in the same sarcastic tone.
Marco blinked. He wasn't used to seeing Raizel speak like this. Even Maria looked a little surprised. Raizel was usually so composed, almost distant. Jokes weren't his usual style.
What kind of character development is this? Marco thought.
What changed him? Maria wondered.
Trying to keep the playful mood alive, Marco raised his voice again.
"Well, well… Old mens are supposed to have beards. Where's yours, Raizel?"
"They're unnecessary," Raizel replied smoothly.
"No beard, no senior. Got it? That means you're still young like us," Marco teased.
"Sure, Marco. Whatever helps you to have a adorable sleep at night," Raizel said.
They kept joking around—magic, stories, nonsense. The classroom was alive with energy, laughter echoing through the walls.
But then, Marco suddenly shifted the mood.
"Raizel… how did you die in your last life? What actually happened?"
Raizel went silent for a moment.
"There was an incident," he said finally. "One that forced both Aizis and me to give up our lives. But… I still don't know who was behind it."
He continued, his voice quiet but steady.
"After defeating nearly every Sacred Spirit, we decided to ascend to the Absolute Sacred Realm—a layer above the Supreme Rulers' realm. But while crossing the cosmic dimension between the layers, something absorbed our very souls. We lost consciousness, and then we reincarnated into this time."
"Wait… defeating Sacred Spirits?" Maria asked, surprised.
"Yeah," Aizis replied. "Some Sacred Spirits were stronger than Raizel at the time but they weren't fighters. They weren't battle experts. They're more like forces of nature."
He looked at Maria. "You'd know that, being from a Sacred Noble family. Your kind works under the Sacred Spirits, right?"
"What exactly are Sacred Spirits?" she asked.
"They're the rulers and guardians of the fundamental elements—fire, water, ice, gravity, and many others," Raizel explained. "They control the natural forces that govern the worlds and the stories."
"But over time, they started to desire more. They wanted to destroy the Story Controllers, the Supreme Rulers and take control of everything themselves. They believed they were the rightful owners of all stories and worlds."
"But the Supreme Rulers are the true owners," Aizis added. "They shape the stories with their sacred souls. If even one of them remains, the stories live on. But if all of them are destroyed, the stories will collapse—and countless lives will disappear with them."
"We tried to argue with the Sacred Spirits," Raizel said. "But they refused to listen. They claimed they would create their own new stories if it's necessary to do."
"And that's why the war between the sacred spirits and supreme rulers started," Aizis finished.
"All the Sacred Spirits were wiped out—except a few. The Supreme Rulers won, but at the cost of many of their own lives."
"So… what do you plan to do now, Raizel?" Marco asked.
"I'll do what I always do," Raizel said softly. "Follow the path he asked me to walk. But first, I need to fix the mistakes I made before."
His expression seems to be serious slightly.
"My first step is to find out who was behind our deaths in the cosmic dimension."
"So, you're going to hunt them down?" Marco asked, a bit of sarcastic.
"Not quite. I'll wait for them to move," Raizel replied. "They will. Because right now, I'm their biggest threat. If they can remove me, my influence over the Sixth Layer will collapse. They'll seize the stories and worlds and recreate everything."
"They even tried to trigger a war between the lower worlds and the Supreme Rulers," Aizis added. "That's why they started the world-sacrificing ritual. Muzan knew about it but he was powerless to stop it until we returned."
"They are the reason behind all these, those piece of trashes…" Marco muttered, fists clenched, trembling his entire body out of rage.
"You can say that," Aizis said calmly.
"But they're not the only ones to blame. These wars started long ago—when the first story of creation and destruction began.''
"Humans have always sought power and superior position," he continued.
"That desire turns stories into tragedies. The Law of Intention twists everything—turning every story into pieces of tale filled with endless storm of blood, removing the concept of love from it."
"As long as mortals keep going after these," Maria said quietly, took a breath, "stories will end without meaning, without a true conclusion but only destruction."
They sat in silence for a few seconds and then the bell rang.
The rest of the day passed in classes. And slowly, the sun began leaving the world, retreating from the world once more like the sun always do.
In the evening, the sun had already set, and darkness was beginning to fall. Raizel and the others had left the academy moments ago.
They seemed to be wandering the streets together.
"Let's fight, Raizel," Marco suddenly said, a hint of excitement on his face.
"No," Raizel replied flatly.
"Why not?"
"Because I have no interest in bullying someone as young as you. Besides, I have no reason to fight you."
"Come on, it's just a friendly spar. I just want to test myself," Marco insisted.
"No. You're too weak for me," Raizel said, looking away, trying to ignore him.
"No, it's just that I'm too strong for you, and you're scared of me. Just admit it," Marco replied with a sinister smile.
Raizel let out a sarcastic breath.
"Whatever makes you happy," he said. "I have to leave now—I've got some tasks to finish."
Raizel drew a magic circle around himself and teleported away in a flash of blue lightning.
"I'm tired. I'm heading out now," Marco said and instantly vanished, leaving behind a golden spark.
Maria also teleported away silently, saying nothing.
Aizis began walking toward his home, which was a bit farther away.
"So, you've started acting differently again. Just how many times will you try to hide under this false identity, Raizel?" Aizis said in a calm, gentle tone.
He disappeared into the distance. A moment later, someone appeared—tall and aged, though his face was hidden in shadow.
"It's been a while... our greatest opponent ever, Raizel," the figure said in a deep, ominous voice.
He smiled—a sinister smile laced with hidden intent.
He drew a magic circle around himself and vanished, leaving the place empty and silent.
The next morning, a calm, gentle breeze swept through the realm, keeping it cool. A few clouds had been present since early morning, hinting at a coming storm.
Raizel woke up early and prepared for the academy. After finishing his usual routine, he teleported to the front gate.
When he arrived, he saw Aizis already there, apparently waiting for him and the others.
"Why do you always wait out here for us? You could just go inside," Raizel asked.
"It's fine. Waiting reminds me of something... it's for my own good, I believe. Just let me be," Aizis replied.
"Whatever works for you."
Together, they walked into the academy.
"He's here, just like I predicted. But it seems like he'll try to remain hidden for a few days," Aizis said.
"You sure? I knew they'd show up, but why so early?" Raizel asked.
"Yeah, I checked thoroughly. He thought he went unnoticed—but I noticed," Aizis replied.
"That's a problem for me. In my current state, I can't face him directly," Raizel admitted.
"Don't worry. It'll just take a few tricks to stop him," Aizis said with a slight smile.
"Pretty sure of yourself—especially when it comes to the sacred spirits," Raizel replied.