Chapter 199: Absolute Enclosure

Calista Veyne’s voice came through the communication crystal, steady but edged with tension she could not fully hide.

On the other side, Elowen stood in a damaged corridor surrounded by the remains of the battle. Dust covered her emerald robes, and several strands of green hair had fallen loose around her face. The air still carried the faint scent of scorched stone and residual demonic mana.

She glanced toward the distant courtyard before answering.

"The demons who entered the academy have been eliminated. However, the one responsible for opening the fissure managed to escape."

Calista’s expression sharpened.

"Escaped? How?"

"Spatial manipulation. He was the one who opened the initial fissure and brought the demons into the academy. Professor Garrick confronted him near the western passage, but the demon sacrificed a portion of his bloodline to force open a second fissure and flee."

Elowen paused briefly, choosing her words with care.

"He was severely injured before escaping. His spatial abilities should have suffered considerable damage. Still, I cannot guarantee that he will be unable to use them again."

Calista’s expression darkened.

"Understood. What about the students?"

Elowen’s gaze lowered slightly.

"We haven’t confirmed the total number of casualties yet. The instructors are still searching the academy and gathering the injured."

She paused before continuing.

"However, we can confirm that four students died and three others suffered severe injuries when one of the demons detonated itself. Those are the casualties we’ve been able to confirm from that incident."

Her expression grew solemn.

"Considering the scale of the battle, I’m afraid the actual death toll may be considerably higher than what we’ve confirmed so far."

For a moment, Calista said nothing.

Four confirmed deaths.

Three more severely injured.

And those figures came from a single incident.

Her gaze lowered slightly as she absorbed the report.

How many more?

The instructors were still searching the academy. There could be students trapped beneath the rubble, others who had succumbed to their injuries, or bodies that had yet to be discovered.

The exact number was unknown, but she couldn’t bring herself to believe the confirmed casualties were the only ones.

The invasion had lasted only a few hours, yet the academy might have lost far more lives than anyone had realised.

Calista slowly drew a breath.

"Are the professors all accounted for?"

"Yes. Some have sustained injuries, but they are still capable of moving. Professor Kaelen suffered the most serious injuries among them after the demon’s self-detonation. He remains conscious, but his left arm is broken. His other injuries have been stabilised, though he still requires proper treatment."

Calista closed her eyes briefly.

Then she opened them.

"I will return to the academy as quickly as possible."

Her voice became firm.

"Until I arrive, seal the academy completely. No student, instructor, or staff member leaves the grounds. No one from outside enters without my direct authorisation."

Elowen nodded.

"Understood."

Calista continued, her tone measured but urgent.

"Every injured student is to receive treatment without delay. Prioritise those in critical condition. Ensure no one is left unattended. Send the injured professors to the medical facilities as well."

"Of course."

"Have the instructors search every building and the surrounding area thoroughly. I will not tolerate the possibility that another demon remains hidden inside these walls."

Her gaze sharpened.

"And investigate how they entered. Our protective formations remained intact, yet twenty demons appeared without triggering a single detection ward. I want the exact method identified."

Elowen’s expression grew colder.

"I’ll take responsibility for the investigation. The other instructors can conduct the searches while I coordinate their findings."

"Good. Preserve the bodies of the demons whenever possible. Their abilities and methods may reveal how they bypassed our defences."

Calista paused briefly before adding:

"Finally, send a formal report to the Imperial authorities. The escape of a spatial manipulator is not something they can ignore."

"I’ll arrange it."

Just as Calista was about to continue, a knock sounded at the door.

Knock. Knock.

She turned her head toward the entrance.

"Someone is at the door. Give me a moment."

Elowen nodded.

Calista stood and crossed the room.

"Come in."

The door opened.

A blonde-haired woman stepped inside.

Evelyne Darkmoor.

After hearing about the attack, Evelyne had gone to Calista’s residence, hoping to learn more about the situation at the academy. Her expression was unusually tense, and her blue eyes immediately settled on the communication crystal.

She recognised the woman appearing above it.

"Professor Elowen?"

Evelyne stepped closer.

"Is that you?"

Elowen looked at her for a moment before a faint smile appeared on her face.

"It’s been a long time, Evelyne."

But Evelyne barely seemed to register the greeting.

She approached the crystal, her expression filled with concern.

"Professor Elowen, how is my son?"

Her voice grew hurried.

"Where is Andras? Have you seen him? Is he hurt? Is he safe?"

The questions came one after another, leaving little room for an answer.

Elowen blinked.

Then she understood.

Evelyne was worried about Andras.

A small, reassuring smile touched her lips.

"Your son, Andras? I’ve seen him. He fought against one of the demons during the invasion and sustained some injuries."

Evelyne’s expression tightened.

"Was he seriously injured?"

"No. His injuries weren’t life-threatening. He’s already received treatment, and with some rest, he should recover soon. There’s no need to worry too much about him."

Evelyne froze for a brief moment.

"...He’s really safe?"

Elowen nodded.

"Yes. He’s safe."

Evelyne finally released the breath she had been holding.

"Thank the Goddess..."

Her shoulders relaxed slightly.

For the first time since hearing about the invasion, the tension in her expression began to fade.

"Thank you, Professor Elowen."

"You don’t need to thank me. He’s one of our students."

Evelyne nodded, still looking at the communication crystal.

Calista watched the exchange quietly before returning her attention to Elowen.

"I’ll see you as soon as possible. Until then, carry out the orders I gave you."

"Understood, Headmistress."

The communication crystal dimmed.

Its light disappeared, and the connection was severed.

For a moment, silence settled over the room.

Calista turned toward Evelyne.

"I suppose you can breathe a little easier now."

Evelyne nodded.

"I can. But I won’t feel completely at ease until I see him myself."

Calista understood.

She had known Evelyne for many years. Despite her usual composure and formidable strength, her concern for her son was something she had never hidden.

"I’m sure he’ll be fine."

Evelyne looked toward the now-dark communication crystal.

"I hope so."

---

Ambrose Academy

Elowen lowered her hand.

The communication had ended, but the situation within the academy remained far from settled.

She glanced across the damaged courtyard.

Instructors were helping injured students toward the shelters. Others searched the surrounding buildings for survivors and any remaining traces of demonic mana.

The invasion was over.

But the academy was still vulnerable.

One demon had escaped. The method used to bypass the protective formations remained unknown, and the possibility of another attack could not be dismissed.

Elowen slowly raised her gaze toward the sky.

"First, we need to secure this place."

She extended both hands.

Mana began gathering around her.

At first, the flow was gentle.

Then it intensified.

Emerald light spread across her arms as an enormous magic circle formed beneath her feet. Its outer rings expanded rapidly, intricate symbols appearing along their circumference.

The surrounding mana responded.

Dust rose from the ground.

Broken stones trembled.

Several instructors turned toward the courtyard as they sensed the immense concentration of magical energy.

"What is that?"

"Professor Elowen?"

Elowen paid them no attention.

Her Arcane Eyes examined the formation as she constructed its final layers. Every pathway had to connect perfectly. A single flaw could destabilise the entire structure.

This was not an ordinary defensive spell.

It was an Eighth Circle spell.

"Eighth Circle Spell..."

Her voice echoed across the courtyard.

"Absolute Enclosure."

The magic circle beneath her feet illuminated the surrounding grounds.

A tremendous wave of mana surged outward.

It spread across the academy, passing over buildings, courtyards, training grounds, and damaged walls. A translucent barrier rose around the entire institution, its surface shimmering faintly as it expanded into a massive dome.

The barrier continued growing until its edges connected above the academy, completely enclosing the grounds.

Then—

BOOM!

A deep vibration swept across the grounds.

For a brief moment, the entire barrier shone with emerald light.

Then it gradually faded, becoming almost invisible against the sky.

The academy had been sealed.

The barrier recognised Elowen’s mana signature, allowing her to control who could enter or leave the academy. She could grant temporary access to others, but no one would be permitted to cross without her authorisation.

Its structure also interfered with spatial disturbances within the enclosed area, making it considerably more difficult to open a fissure from either side. Anyone attempting to break through the barrier by force would need overwhelming magical strength.

Only someone at the Ninth Circle—or an individual possessing comparable strength—could hope to break through the barrier by force.

Elowen lowered her hands.

The enormous magic circle disappeared.

The moment it did, the full cost of the spell settled over her.

Her mana reserves had been completely depleted. A heavy exhaustion washed over her body, making even the simplest movement difficult.

She tried to take a step.

Her legs trembled.

"Professor!"

One of the nearby instructors hurried toward her.

Elowen raised a hand, stopping him.

"I’m still standing. That’s enough for now."

Her voice was quieter than before, but steady.

She drew a slow breath, forcing herself to remain upright despite the exhaustion weighing down her body.

The barrier was complete.

Unlike ordinary defensive spells, Absolute Enclosure did not require her to continuously supply mana to maintain its structure. Once established, the formation would sustain itself, leaving her free to recover while retaining control over its access restrictions.

For now, the academy was secure. No one could enter or leave without her permission.

She could not afford to collapse just yet. Too many things still needed to be handled, even if she could no longer participate directly.

The other instructors would have to carry out the searches while she coordinated their efforts.

Elowen looked toward the distant buildings, her emerald eyes narrowing against the lingering exhaustion.

"Now..."

Her voice was barely above a whisper.

"...we deal with the aftermath."

Above Ambrose Academy, the enormous barrier remained silent and almost invisible.

The invasion had ended.

But its consequences were only beginning.