The first time using this spell, even Nora herself couldn’t predict its effects entirely.
Thankfully, the outcome was within her expectations.
Imora had been killed, albeit in a manner Nora had not anticipated.
The spell was one Nora had devised from her insights while wielding a half-divine artifact.
It played on a haunting concept: what would happen if someone lived through an entire lifetime in a matter of seconds?
A fabricated life, so vivid and convincing, that the person couldn’t distinguish it from reality.
For a moment, Nora had even entertained the unsettling thought of using such a spell on herself.
However, she quickly dismissed the idea—Daniel, her headmaster, had warned her against such dangerous notions.
Instead, she focused on finding ways to use it against others.
This spell had taken countless trials and errors to develop, and only today had Nora barely managed to use it successfully.
Its effects were clear: though only seconds had passed in the real world, Imora had experienced an entire lifetime within the spell.
Perhaps Imora truly believed that the life she lived in the illusion was real.
By the time she woke, her mind was already overwhelmed, spiraling toward death.
Her body instinctively tried to fight back, but it was too late.
Imora’s consciousness unraveled into an irreversible state.
Even in her final moments, it seemed Imora had realized what was happening.
But by then, there was no escape—her fate was sealed.
This spell was far from perfected, a half-finished technique that consumed an enormous amount of Nora’s mana.
Even now, her face was pale, her body weak from the effort.
The door creaked open.
Hayes walked in, a wide smile on his face.
“As I thought! My choice wasn’t wrong. I knew you would bring victory to Karea Academy and claim the final triumph!”
Behind Hayes stood several figures, including an elder from House Ponton and another associate who had accompanied Hayes throughout the competition.
Nora glanced at them briefly but remained silent.
“I promised you rewards, and I’ll keep my word! Whatever privileges you need within the academy, there won’t be any problems. Consider it done!” Hayes said, his tone almost reverent.
He practically beamed with pride.
For Hayes, securing victory in the Battle for Dominance was a monumental achievement, a legacy to cement his status within Karea Academy.
“Now then,” Hayes continued, “come back with me to headquarters.
That’s where you truly belong. The Free Federation is too small for someone like you.
A talent of your caliber deserves proper nurturing at headquarters.
There, you’ll witness real power—power far beyond anything you can imagine.”
He glanced at the elder from House Ponton.
“As for the treasures you gained in the secret realm, leave those to House Ponton. Consider it their reward for supporting us so graciously. At headquarters, I assure you, you’ll receive treasures far greater than anything you’ve seen.”
Nora remained seated, unmoving. She didn’t even bother to respond, her expression indifferent.
Hayes’s smile faltered, the silence stretching uncomfortably.
“I’m not going anywhere,” Nora finally said, her tone calm. “I’m going home.”
“Nora!” Hayes snapped, his voice now cold. “Do you even understand what you’re saying? I’ve been indulgent because of your youth and talent, but my patience has its limits. This victory in the Battle for Dominance has earned you my tolerance—but this is the last time I’ll allow your insolence!”
His earlier warmth vanished, replaced by icy authority.
For Hayes, Nora’s defiance was unacceptable.
Perhaps his deference to her earlier had emboldened her, giving her the mistaken impression that she could challenge him without consequence.
“This is your final warning,” Hayes growled. “Hand over the treasures to House Ponton and prepare to leave with me for headquarters!”
Nora’s gaze sharpened, her voice steady as she replied, “Hayes, stop dreaming. My loyalty lies with one academy, and that’s Crossbridge Academy.”
“Crossbridge Academy?” Hayes scoffed, a mocking laugh escaping his lips. “That sanctuary? That pathetic excuse for an academy? Ridiculous. Very well. If you’re so insistent, I’ll destroy it and show you the cost of your defiance!”
As Hayes raised his mana, preparing to strike, a sharp pain pierced his head.
Mana surged violently, and before he could react, a girl appeared next to Nora as if out of thin air.
“Nora! I got him! Snuck up and gave him a good whack! Good thing I was quick, or he might’ve caught me,” Nina said, grinning mischievously as she plopped down beside Nora.
Hayes’s eyes narrowed.
The girl had used some kind of spatial magic to enter the room undetected.
She was clearly connected to Nora—perhaps another student from Crossbridge Academy.
“How bold,” Hayes sneered. “You dare to attack me? I’ll kill you first, and then Nora can watch as her arrogance costs her everything!”
He lunged at Nina, but she theatrically shrank back, feigning exaggerated terror.
“Ah! So scary! Headmaster, help! Your adorable student is about to be killed!”
At the mention of “headmaster,” Hayes hesitated. Could she mean… the headmaster of Crossbridge Academy?
Hayes dismissed the thought with a scoff.
The so-called Crossbridge Sanctuary and its tier-sage headmaster were nothing more than exaggerated tales.
The notion that such a figure could exist in such an insignificant place was laughable.
But then, a voice sounded behind him.
“If you want to harm my student, you’ll have to go through me first.”
Hayes whirled around, startled. Standing there was a young man, calm and composed.
“You…” Hayes began.
“I’m Daniel, headmaster of Crossbridge Academy. I hear you’re quite eager to harm my students?”
“You’re the so-called tier-sage?” Hayes asked, disbelief evident in his tone.
“I’ve been called that, it seems,” Daniel replied nonchalantly. “But it’s just a title. It doesn’t matter to me.”
Ignoring Hayes, Daniel turned to Nora.
Her pale complexion caught his attention, and he gestured for her to come closer.
“Headmaster,” Nora greeted weakly, a small smile appearing on her lips as Nina helped her to her feet.
Daniel waved a hand, casting a healing spell that enveloped Nora in a warm, restorative glow. Her strength returned almost instantly, the exhaustion and aftereffects of her magic vanishing completely.
“You did well,” Daniel said. “But that spell of yours is too dangerous. Avoid using it recklessly.”
“I had no choice,” Nora murmured.
“I know,” Daniel replied. “But don’t think I didn’t notice you holding back. Work on perfecting it, and be careful next time.”
“Thank you, headmaster.”
As the two spoke, they paid no attention to Hayes, who stood fuming nearby. Daniel’s casual dismissal of his presence was infuriating.
“Arrogant fool!” Hayes roared. “How dare you disregard Karea Academy! Nora is one of our students!”
With that, Hayes launched his attack.