вЂTM—Now, give it a try. LetвЂTMs see just how far you can go!вЂTM
вЂTMA few days earlier, Professor UmbraвЂTMs lesson in the infirmary had been simple. He had floated various Spiritology black magic circles in the air and instructed Simon to replicate them using Chaos. It was an experiment to find the compatibility between the two forces. Power and practicality were irrelevant; simple manifestation was the only goal.вЂTM
вЂTMSimon had successfully replicated the first вЂTMSoul SphereвЂTM with Chaos, but every other attempt at spirit magic had ended in failure.вЂTM
вЂTMWell, at least I got one, he had thought. In his hand was a crackling spear that resembled a bolt of violet lightning—a spear of Chaos whose trajectory, impact, range, and duration were all determined at random.вЂTM
вЂTMStill, it was a little disappointing. As a student of Summoning, Simon had been most excited about the prospect of manifesting a вЂTMSpirit SummonвЂTM with Chaos.вЂTMs
вЂTM—You said you have a practical application coming up, didnвЂTMs you? For now, you should focus on training with that technique!вЂTMs
вЂTMs—Yes, Professor.вЂTMs
вЂTMs—IвЂTMs going to be black magic that is compatible with your Chaos!вЂTMs
вЂTMsAs he spoke, Umbra began packing up the various items he had laid out. Among them, one in particular caught SimonвЂTMs eye.вЂTMs
вЂTMsIt was a stone carved in the likeness of a human face. A strange light glimmered in its eyes, as if it were inhabited by a ghost. Simon felt as if it was watching him.вЂTMs
вЂTMs—It seems that item has caught your interest!" Umbra had interjected. "—ItvЂTMs still too advanced for you, but therevЂTMs no harm in trying!вЂTMs
вЂTMsThis вЂTMSpirit StoneвЂTMs was a medium for spirit magic, used to call forth ghosts. With UmbravЂTMs help, Simon placed the medium on the Chaos magic circle he had created.вЂTMs
вЂTMsFWOOOOOOOSH!вЂTMs
вЂTMsThe Chaos energy began to swirl, drawn into the stone. The light in its eyes faded, and in its place, a spectral figure appeared. It had a translucent body, held a scythe in one hand, and wore a jestervЂTMs mask.вЂTMs
вЂTMsHehehehe!vЂTMs
вЂTMsIt cackled as it circled Simon, its form glowing with the same violet hue as Chaos itself.vЂTMs
вЂTMs—Incredible!" Umbra had snorted with excitement. "—I had trouble taming that one myself due to its intense dissonance, so I was keeping it for research. It seems to be a perfect match for your Chaos.vЂTMs
вЂTMs—W-What is this, Professor?вЂTMs
вЂTMsUmbra had simply grinned.vЂTMs
вЂTMsFWOOOOOOOSH!vЂTMs
SimonvЂTMs Chaos magic circle blazed to life. He finally took out the summoning stone from Umbra and placed it in the center of the circle, causing the light to intensify.
[...What is that?] The transformed HectorvЂTMs eyes twitched.
вЂTMsSsssssssss—vЂTMs
A ghost materialized from the heart of the magic circle. It had an appearance reminiscent of the Joker, wearing a smiling mask and holding a scythe.
"Reaper."
вЂTMsIf Summoning has the Lich, then Spiritology has the Reaper!vЂTMs
Recalling UmbravЂTMs words, Simon stretched out his arm. The Reaper settled into his shadow, letting out a low, cackling laugh.
Of course, this wasnvЂTMs just any Reaper.
вЂTMsSimon Original - Chaos ReapervЂTMs
A thrill of profound satisfaction coursed through Simon. His foundation had always been in summoning. Now, using the powers of Chaos and Spirit, he had created a completely new summon, something the world had never seen.
[You!!] HectorvЂTMs lips twisted into a snarl. [You can use Spiritology, too?!]
"Strictly speaking, itvЂTMs not Spiritology," Simon corrected him. "I told you, itvЂTMs Chaos."
The moment the Reaper appeared, the battlefield transformed. The Chaos Spears that had fallen inert to the ground sprouted long, curved blades, morphing into scythes.
The ReapervЂTMs first ability: All вЂTMChaos SpearsvЂTMs become вЂTMsChaos ScythesvЂTMs.
вЂTMsWhoosh! Whoosh!vЂTMs
The purple scythes rose into the air and began to spin. The Reaper cackled, waving its hand like a conductor.
[Did you really think I was such a pushover?! Using another unverified new technique on me!!] HectorvЂTMs face contorted as he lowered his stance. The black dragon and the grim reaper glared at each other, poised for battle.
Simon and the Reaper extended their arms in unison.
"Chaos doesnvЂTMs need verification."
вЂTMsSWOOOOOOSH! SWOOOOOOSH!vЂTMs
Ten scythes flew through the air, spinning erratically. Their trajectories, made unpredictable by the nature of Chaos, began to swing and slice, aiming to carve the black dragon to pieces.
[Keuk!]
HectorvЂTMs body was protected by a layer of tough dragon scales. Some of the attacks bounced off harmlessly, but others pierced through and found their mark. A few of the scythes even possessed enough power to slice clean through the scales in a single blow.
вЂTMsItvЂTMs working!vЂTMs Normally, Simon would have struggled to get past HectorvЂTMs scales, but with Chaos, which specialized in creating variables, the story was different.
вЂTMsIвЂTMs left control of the Chaos Scythes to the Reaper!vЂTMs
Simon spread his arms. The skeleton bones scattered across the beach floated into the air and shot forward.
вЂTMsAnd IvЂTMs fight my own way!vЂTMs
вЂTMsBone NailvЂTMs
The bone fragments flew like daggers, sharp points first. Their target wasnvЂTMs HectorvЂTMs scales, but his wings. He had to cripple his mobility first.
вЂTMsWhoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!vЂTMs
Hector was now besieged from all sides—Chaos Scythes swirling around him, Bone Nails hurtling toward him from the front. The dazzling onslaught of projectiles stunned not only SimonvЂTMs friends and the Hayward brothers but the adults as well.
"As expected of KizenvЂTMs top student," Meirin’s father, Daniela, murmured in admiration.
"Did you teach him that purple technique?" Dietrich, the Vampire Lord, nudged Richard with his elbow.
"Of course not. ThatvЂTMs SimonvЂTMs original work," Richard replied, adjusting his fake glasses with a faint smile. Standing before the heads of the Ursula, Ivory Tower, and Moore families, he was desperately fighting the urge to let his grin split his face.
"Keeeeuk! DonvЂTMs lose, Hector! More! Fight more fiercely!" Only Darkos Moore was flailing his fists in frustration, unable to stand still while watching his son struggle.
Finding the sight strangely satisfying, Richard turned his attention back to his own son. “You do your best, too, Simon!”
вЂTMsSWOOOOOOOOSH!vЂTMs
"Woooooah!"
A huge blow landed. One of the Chaos Scythes had sliced off the tip of HectorvЂTMs wing as he tried to take flight. His body lurched, and he crashed back to the ground.
[Damn it!]
He slammed his palms together, conjuring a magic circle, and unleashed a rapid series of small fireballs.
вЂTMsFWOOOOOOOOOSH!vЂTMs
Passing through the magic circle, the DragonvЂTMs Breath transformed into a rain of fire that poured down on Simon.
вЂTMsThwack!vЂTMs
With a look of pure confidence, Simon extended his arm. A Chaos Scythe flew into his grasp.
вЂTMsWhoosh- Whoosh-!vЂTMs
After a few light practice swings, Simon lowered himself into a fighting stance. The Reaper mirrored his posture exactly.
вЂTMsLetvЂTMs go, Reaper!vЂTMs
The boy and the reaper charged into the rain of fire, their scythes a dazzling blur. The two blades left violet trails in the air, slicing apart or disintegrating every flame they touched. Gasps of awe escaped the lips of the onlookers.
вЂTMsUgh!vЂTMs
But even when he perfectly bisected a flame, a stray ember would sometimes slip through and strike his barrier. It was a side effect of Chaos—its attack power fluctuated at will.
вЂTMsCreating variables can be a risk for me, too!vЂTMs
Just then, Hector filled the tear in his wing with jet-black and dove like a hawk, moving at an incredible speed.
"Block it, Reaper!"
вЂTMsCLAAAAANG!vЂTMs
HectorvЂTMs fist met the ReapervЂTMs scythe in a deafening clash.
"Whoops!"
In that split second, Simon retreated and circled around behind Hector, his own fist quickly becoming wreathed in jet-black.
вЂTMsHongfeng Original - Heavenly WoundvЂTMs
вЂTMsCRACK!vЂTMs
The martial arts technique, designed to bypass defenses, exploded on HectorvЂTMs back. Even his dragon scales were no protection against it. Hector collapsed, and as Simon prepared to strike again...
A chilling premonition flashed through his mind, and Simon instinctively threw his head back.
вЂTMsWOOOOOOOSH!vЂTMs
A purple blade sliced through the air where his neck had been a hair’s breadth before. Horrified, Simon whipped his head around.
вЂTMsR-Reaper?vЂTMs
-Hehehehehehehe!
The ReapervЂTMs eyes had a strange, malevolent glint. A strained smile crept onto SimonvЂTMs face.
вЂTMsThis is bad!vЂTMs
вЂTMsWhoosh! Whoooosh! Whoosh!vЂTMs
The berserk Reaper began swinging its scythe indiscriminately. Caught in an assault that no longer distinguished between friend and foe, both Simon and Hector had to frantically roll across the sand to survive.
[What kind of trick is this now?!] Hector roared.
"ItvЂTMs not on purpose!" Simon yelled back.
The Chaos Reaper was undeniably powerful, but it had a fatal flaw. If the caster’s supply of Chaos energy weakened, it would immediately betray them, attacking everyone and everything without distinction. It would become pure, untamed Chaos. Whether this was a trait unique to the Reaper or common to all Chaos summons was still unknown.
"Keuk!"
Simon staggered out of the way and slapped a hand on the Chaos magic circle drawn on his body.
"Dispel!"
вЂTMsBOOOOM!vЂTMs
The Reaper spell unraveled, its body melting away like a chocolate cake.
"It attacked its own master? What kind of summon is that?" Meirin muttered, dumbfounded.
"Uh oh, this is bad," Dick said, his expression turning serious. "SimonvЂTMs Reaper is gone, but Hector is still in his Dragon Form!"
вЂTMsThud!vЂTMs
He was right. Having weathered the chaotic assault, Hector pushed himself to his feet.
[Is it all over now?]
Simon added another formula to the dispelled Chaos magic circle and grinned.
"As if!"
вЂTMsBOOOOOOOOM!vЂTMs
The melting Reaper’s body exploded with a deafening roar, scattering into hundreds of Chaos tendrils. They shot into the air before raining down indiscriminately.
вЂTMsSimon Original - Chaos RampagevЂTMs
вЂTMsK-K-K-K-K-K-K-K-K-K!vЂTMs
A storm of violet slashes frantically bombarded the entire area. Hector drew on all the jet-black in his body and fled, while Simon wove through the downpour, dodging with slight, economical movements.
вЂTMsI’m still connected to the Reaper’s thoughts, so I can sense the trajectories,vЂTMs he realized. The indiscriminate barrage of Chaos was a threat to everyone, but for the caster, it was far easier to avoid. This was his final gambit, a last-ditch spell he could use by consuming the Chaos Reaper itself.
[Guaaaaaaaargh!] Hector screamed, struck again and again by the chaotic energy.
But the spell’s radius was too wide. The violet slashes began to rain down on Meirin and the others.
"Step back," a calm voice commanded. A broad, reassuring back appeared before them as Richard gestured, conjuring a barrier. The violet lightning hammered against the shield, deflecting harmlessly.
While Richard held the line, Daniela used levitation magic to float Hector’s faction members over to their side of the beach, and Dietrich cast a blood-flow barrier above all their heads.
вЂTMsCrack!vЂTMs
"Hmph!"
A single bolt of violet lightning pierced clean through Dietrich’s blood-flow barrier. The students’ jaws dropped.
вЂTMsThe barrier of the strongest Vampire Lord here...!vЂTMs
вЂTMsIt was pierced?vЂTMs
Dietrich, however, simply grinned when he saw his barrier had been breached. “So this is its power!”
A weak bolt of lightning might not leave a mark, but the strongest could pierce a Vampire Lord’s barrier. That was what made Chaos so terrifying; even the weakest bolt had to be treated with the utmost caution.
“Indeed. There could be no better power for creating variables,вЂTMs Daniela remarked. “Such potent volatility.”
вЂTMsBut he still lacks control over it,vЂTMs Richard mused, stroking his chin. “He needs more training.”
A final, deafening crackle echoed as the violet lightning dissipated, and the world brightened once more. The adults lowered their barriers, revealing a sandy beach reduced to a ruin of pockmarked craters. Between them, the two boys stood panting, a lull falling over the fight. HectorvЂTMs dragon form had vanished, as had SimonvЂTMs defenses.
Both had exhausted their jet-black.
However.
вЂTMsAlright!vЂTMs Dick shouted. “Hector! Barrier down!”
Simon still had a faint barrier remaining, but Hector’s was completely depleted. Which meant only one thing.
вЂTMsThe match is over!vЂTMs Dick yelled. “Another perfectly controlled bout! A wide range of tactics, from martial arts to curses, venoms, and summoning! And in the end, a perfect victory decided by a new technique! The winneeeeer isvЂTMs”
вЂTMsCRACK!vЂTMs
Just as Dick was about to declare the winner, Hector suddenly threw a punch at Simon.
вЂTMsUgh!vЂTMs
Simon blocked it with his arm by a fraction of an inch and was shoved backward, his limb throbbing.
вЂTMsWait, Hector!
вЂTMsSimon Polentia.
But something was wrong with Hector. His pupils were tinged with an eerie violet light.
вЂTMsThis match is not...
вЂTMsGrind!vЂTMs
With a grinding of teeth, Hector charged forward, his body unprotected.
вЂTMsOver yet!!

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