Chapter 83: Gajia Academy 13 - Everyone Prepare!

The entirety of the students eventually returned to the academy, and news of the werewolf spread through the campus like wildfire. If the students had not encountered it in the mountains, the creature could have reached Etia and possibly taken the lives of countless civilians before anyone realized what was happening.

The following day, a special announcement was made, gathering hundreds of students from different grades and levels in the academy’s large open field. From the youngest freshmen to the more experienced upperclassmen, everyone stood together while a white-haired, white-bearded man stepped onto a wooden platform overlooking the crowd.

In front of him stood a stone known as a Loud Stone. Any sound directed toward the stone would be amplified several times over, allowing even those standing at the far end of the field to hear every word clearly.

The old man placed a hand against the stone before speaking.

"Yesterday, an unexpected incident occurred during the freshmen’s first outside field session. What was supposed to be a simple training exercise nearly became a massacre."

The crowd immediately became quieter, with many of the students already aware of what had happened.

"At first, we believed the werewolf was simply an unfortunate encounter. However, after investigating the incident, we have discovered something far more troubling. Someone had disguised themselves among the students and deliberately attempted to sabotage the expedition and kill the freshmen."

His voice became heavier as he continued.

"This was not a coincidence. The evidence suggests that the attack was coordinated, and its purpose was not merely to kill a few students. It was an attempt to weaken the future forces of the Eastern Continent before a larger conflict begins."

Whispers spread throughout the field, but the old man continued without giving them time to grow louder.

"For decades, rumors have circulated that the werewolves maintain strong ties with the demonic forces. Until now, those rumors remained nothing more than rumors. Yesterday’s incident, however, has given us reason to believe that those forces have finally begun to reveal themselves."

He paused for a moment, allowing the weight of his words to settle over the crowd.

"This was their first attack, and we believe it was a direct ultimatum toward us. The demonic forces are beginning to move."

The atmosphere in the academy changed instantly. Even the older students who had experienced countless battles began exchanging uneasy looks.

"We have already delivered this information to every major kingdom and settlement across the Eastern Continent. Our intelligence suggests that a large-scale invasion may occur approximately two years from now."

"Two years may sound like a long time, but it is not. We cannot afford to waste a single day. This will not be a conflict fought by one kingdom or one academy. If the information we have received is correct, the entirety of the Eastern Continent will be dragged into this war."

The old man’s voice grew louder through the Loud Stone. "Therefore, I call upon every student gathered here to prepare yourselves. Hone your skills, strengthen your bodies, master your magic, and become someone worthy of standing on the battlefield."

"Do not fight only for yourselves. Fight for your families, your friends, your kingdoms, your races, and the people who will be unable to defend themselves. The peace we have known for generations may soon begin to disappear, but that does not mean we should surrender ourselves to fear."

He raised his voice one final time. "Fear no enemy, no matter how powerful they may become. We have the will to resist, the strength to fight, and above all, the guidance of the Entity. As long as we stand together, we will not allow the darkness to consume our continent!"

"The Entity will guide us to victory!"

The moment his final words echoed across the field, the entire crowd erupted.

Hundreds of students shouted, cheered, and raised their fists into the air. The fear that had filled the field moments earlier was replaced by determination, and even those who had never experienced a real battle began imagining themselves standing against the coming invasion.

Among the crowd, Akuma remained silent. His hands slowly tightened into fists as the old man’s words continued to echo inside his head.

"The demonic forces are coming..." he muttered, staring at his own hands. "And I’m still this weak."

-

After the special announcement, the academy declared the day a free study period so the students could prepare themselves however they wished. While many gathered in training grounds or discussed the coming invasion with their classmates, Akuma headed toward the library as usual, hoping to find something that could help him improve his magic.

He walked between the towering shelves before eventually pulling out one of the books he had already read several times. As he lifted it by the spine, something strange caught his attention, causing him to stop.

Behind the book, a small white circle began to shimmer.

Akuma stared at it in confusion before slowly reaching behind the shelf. "An orb?"

His eyes widened as he recognized its shape.

"Isn’t this the one that helped me pass the examination? How did it get here?"

He carefully reached forward and grabbed the strange orb with both hands. The instant his fingers touched its surface, an unknown force suddenly surged through his entire body.

His muscles trembled, and his breathing became unsteady as the strange energy traveled through him. Akuma nearly dropped the orb before forcing himself to hold onto it.

"What was that just now?"

Akuma inspected the strange object closely, rotating it several times in his hands. He tried to look through the surface of the stone and figure out what was hidden inside, but before he could examine it any further, the orb suddenly disappeared right in front of his face.

"Was I hallucinating? Did yesterday’s battle leave some kind of imprint on me?"

He stared at the empty space where the orb had been before slowly reaching for the book again. Akuma grabbed it from the shelf and let out a heavy sigh, feeling the lingering pain deep within his body.

"I should rest. My body is still aching from within."