The next day, during lunch break, on the school roof—
Leo sat beside Valra, sunlight pouring across their faces.
Despite everything, Valra had called him again—just like yesterday. And that surprised him. After all, there wasn't much left to discuss between them anymore... or so he thought.
"I honestly expected you to keep your distance after what happened,"
Leo muttered, his voice low, eyes drifting toward her, puzzled yet curious.
Valra gave a faint smile, the kind that barely curved her lips but softened her otherwise unreadable face.
"What, am I not allowed to sit down and eat lunch with you now?"
Leo blinked, chuckling awkwardly.
"Well, I mean, I don't mind... but—wait... don't tell me—you don't have any friends, do you?"
Her smile dropped instantly. A sharp pout formed on her lips, and her deadpan glare said more than words ever could. Just as she was about to stand and walk away without another word, Leo panicked, reaching out and grabbing her hand to stop her.
"Hey, hey! I'm just joking! Come on, don't take it seriously—haha!"
"That's not funny!"
She snapped, snatching her hand back.
"And for your information, I have more friends than you probably think I do!"
Leo grinned as he shook his head and started opening the packed meal Raphael had handed him earlier today morning, still warm. She gave it to him after coming back from work to the school.
She tirelessly working woman!
'You know, I'm still not used to this—getting food handed to me by someone who insists she's my aunt. Feels like I blinked, and I suddenly have a whole new life.'
He thought with a slightly amused tone.
Valra watched him for a moment before asking in a quieter tone, her voice carrying a note of interest,
"So... did you speak with Pride? About your decision?"
Leo paused, his mouth full. He chewed slowly, thinking, then swallowed and nodded.
"She said she's fine with whatever I choose. That she'll follow me—no matter what."
Valra raised her eyebrows slightly, impressed but unsurprised.
"Huh. Looks like you really got a loyal one. Obedient too. Must be nice... Unlike mine."
Inside her mind, Envy immediately shouted something, but she rolled her eyes and blocked him out without a second thought.
Leo smiled again, but this time it was gentler—almost wistful.
"I just... I want her to live normally. We've done enough. We've seen enough.:
He looked down at his food quietly, his voice barely audible now.
'I guess I've decided. I'm not going back to that life.'
His thoughts drifted as he stared at his tray.
He had an aunt now.
He had a girlfriend.
He had... a life. A beautiful, strange, but peaceful life.
One billion... a ridiculous amount of money, and yet now it felt like nothing.
What mattered more was this—connection, family, laughter.
Maybe he'd found a home.
Maybe the guilt that had haunted him all his life.
Forced to be a thief.
He wasn't sure what this was, not exactly. But he knew this—he didn't want to lose it.
Clang...
A metallic echo—sharp and jarring—rang out from the distance.
Both Leo and Valra froze, eyes meeting instantly. It wasn't just a random sound. No. They knew that sound.
It was a chain. And not just any chain—but that chain. The same sound from before.
/That presence... I sensed them. They're heading for the mountain,/
Envy's voice echoed firmly inside Valra's mind.
Valra's body tensed. She stood up, her face turning deadly serious.
"I think we've found the Champion. He's running toward the mountain behind the school. You, Leo—stay here. Hide with the other students. Don't draw attention."
Her words were sharp and commanding.
Without waiting for a response, Valra sprinted across the rooftop, and in one breathless moment, she leaped—her boots igniting in an explosive burst of flame as she rocketed toward the ground below.
Leo's jaw dropped.
"Holy shit..."
He muttered under his breath, eyes darting between the mountain and the school. He didn't want to get involved. He had made that decision already.
But something inside him wouldn't let it go.
Curiosity? Fear? Responsibility?
He just had to know.
Who was this man who caused all that destruction?
And more importantly—what the hell was he doing here?
Without hesitation, Leo bolted for the stairs, skipping steps as he descended. He ignored the classes. No time for excuses. While running, he pulled out his phone and dialled home.
Meanwhile—
Valra tore through the forest with blazing speed, leaping over roots and slicing through the branches like air itself. Her movements were fluid—elegant even.
Beside her, Envy materialised in a shimmer of smoke and shadows, running effortlessly to match her pace.
"Where exactly are they?"
Envy closed his eyes briefly, his senses expanding, then snapped them open.
"Two hundred meters ahead"
Envy surged forward. Valra followed.
They reached the top of the mountain in minutes. Branches cracked and bent as they pushed through the thicket. Finally, Valra stepped forward, brushing aside the last set of leaves—
And there he was.
A man, tall and imposing, stood at the cliff's edge. His frame was massive—shoulders broad, chest like a wall of golden scales that gleamed under the sun. He wore a horned golden helmet that shimmered with divine wrath. A flowing crimson cloak fluttered behind him, clasped at the neck by a lion-shaped brooch that pulsed faintly with magical energy.
His skin was sun-darkened and scarred, as if kissed by fire and forged by war. His muscles were thick and chiseled—too perfect to be human. In one hand, he held a spiked ball mace, darkened and attached to chains.
"Wrath..." Envy muttered.
Valra narrowed her eyes. Her tone was cold and biting.
"So... you've finally decided to show yourself. Took your time, didn't you?"
Wrath turned toward them slowly, lips curving into a calm smile that didn't reach his eyes.
"Greetings... human. And the Lost Legend."
"Shove your greetings where the sun doesn't shine,"
Valra growled.
"Envy—now!"
Before Wrath could utter another word, Envy vanished into a blur, already pulling back his bow with crackling white energy.
The arrow shot forward like a lightning bolt.
But Wrath didn't even flinch.
With one swift swing, he hurled his mace forward. The spiked iron ball collided with the incoming arrow mid-air, creating an explosion of wind and dust that shook the mountaintop.
As the dust cleared, Envy was already on him.
"Let's see if you bleed like the rest of them!"
Envy's foot slammed into Wrath's face, sending the larger man stumbling backward. Without pause, Envy spun, slamming his bow against Wrath's helmet with a loud clang, then leaping into a spinning kick that hit his chest squarely.
Wrath stumbled but didn't fall. He wiped the blood from his lip with the back of his hand and smirked.
"That's all you've got? What kind of spirit are you?"
Wrath gave a low growl as he yanked back the chain of his massive spiked ball. With a sharp jerk, the deadly weapon whipped through the air like a thunderous comet, shrieking as it tore back toward him. Then, with terrifying force, he hurled it straight at Envy.
The chain cracked like lightning.
Envy barely managed to leap to the side, the iron spike narrowly missing his shoulder as it stabbed into the ground behind him, sending a shockwave through the mountain soil.
Wrath rose to his full, imposing height. His armor clanked as he twisted his waist and with inhuman fluidity, he spun—releasing the chain again. This time, the spiked ball flew in a calculated, precise arc, aimed directly at Envy's face.
Envy stepped back, just in time—the weapon sliced past his nose, missing him by mere inches. But Wrath didn't stop. With a grunt, he twisted the chain again, redirecting the ball mid-air. It recoiled and lashed sideways, crashing toward Envy with growing speed.
Whip!
Whip!
Whip!
The sound echoed violently with each deadly swing.
Envy gritted his teeth, moving faster, barely dodging each incoming strike. Every crack of the chain sent wind rushing past his ears. He couldn't afford even a single misstep—one mistake, and he'd be impaled.
Meanwhile—
Leo stumbled through the underbrush, panting heavily as he finally caught up with Valra near the edge of the rocky cliff.
She didn't even turn to him—her focus still locked on Wrath and Envy in the distance.
"What are you doing here?"
Valra asked coldly, eyes still scanning the battlefield.
"I... ha... I just wanted to see what's happening!"
Leo gasped, catching his breath as he stared past her.
His eyes locked on Wrath. The man's sheer presence made Leo's blood run cold. His entire body stiffened.
"So… he's the one who caused it all... the destruction."
Valra gave a grim nod, eyes hard.
"Where's his Master?"
Valra opened her mouth to answer, about to shake her head—when a new voice cut in from behind them.
"Oh, are you talking about me?"
Both Valra and Leo turned instantly. Their eyes widened in unison.
There—just a few steps behind stood.... Kai.
A casual smile played across his lips.
Leo's face turned horrified.
Valra's expression darkened immediately. Cold rage seeped into her features. She didn't need to say anything—her silence alone spoke volumes.
Kai laughed, raising his arms dramatically.
"Pffft! Hahaha! Look at you two—so shocked? So tense? Come on, relax a little."
He smirked, proudly lifting his chin.
"I am the Master of Wrath. Name's Kai Vangard. Hope you enjoyed the preview."
Valra's hands clenched into fists. Her voice dropped several octaves.
"That's impossible. With your mana level, summoning a Champion spirit should be beyond your reach... unless..."
Kai's grin widened with unhinged joy.
"Exactly. I had to get my hands dirty. You didn't really think I'd sit on the sidelines for this war, did you?"
Her expression shifted from shock to fury. Eyes sharp as ice, her gaze burned holes through him.
Leo's own eyes narrowed. He didn't need to ask questions anymore. The truth was right there. Valra's expression. Kai's grin. It was all clear now.
"You sick bastard!"
Leo roared.
"You're the one who murdered those people... all of them!"
He charged forward, raw emotion blazing through him. With both hands, he grabbed Kai's collar and yanked him upward violently.
Kai just smirked, his breath unshaken.
"Oh Leo... I was honestly surprised to see you with her. Acting all righteous, pretending to be strong just because you got yourself a little champion girl—"
Thud!
Leo's fist crashed into Kai's face.
The blow knocked him backward, blood spilling from his nose. Kai stumbled, but even as he wiped the blood away, his grin didn't fade. His eyes glared up at Leo, expression still arrogant.
Valra took out her phone, voice stone-cold.
"I'm calling the Mage Assassination. You're done."
Kai tilted his head and gave a mocking sigh.
"Oh, them? The 'big shots'? Tsk, tsk. Those guys are always so late. Like the police in a bad drama."
His words dripped with disdain, but there was something in his tone—something smug.
Leo's eyes narrowed further. He recognised that expression. He'd worn it himself once... back when he knew the odds were in his favour.
But why would Kai still look so confident now?
Pride was on her way. Valra could easily overpower him. He was a mere Stage One mage—nothing compared to what stood before him.
Unless...
"Haha... You played right into my hand."
Kai chuckled lowly and snapped his fingers.
The moment his fingers clicked, Wrath stopped mid-attack. His massive body went rigid. Then, without warning, he raised his weapon above his head, eyes glowing with a deep, terrifying light.
He slammed the spiked mace into the ground and chanted, voice low and ancient:
"Ziḫ gidru Nergal, napšātu u melammu lišḫul!"
As the words left his mouth, a blinding glow erupted from the weapon.
Its true form awakened—golden, ancient lines rippled across its surface like veins of divine light. The runes pulsed violently, shaking the earth beneath their feet.
Then—
Boom!
The weapon released a violent surge, and golden energy shot forth in a furious wave—
Not toward Valra.
Not toward Envy.
But... toward the school.
The blast hit with a deafening roar. The school walls were instantly engulfed. Flames roared skyward, and in mere seconds, a massive dome of thick, opaque smoke rose like a curse around the building—sealing it completely from the outside world.
"The Game just began... right?~"