A final siege with the remaining students.
With the sheer number of monsters, sixteen people couldn’t hope to survive without suffering casualties, exhausting their mana, or draining their stamina.
The outcome was inevitable.
Slash——!
Sixteen became twelve.
Twelve became ten.
Slowly, over time, their numbers dwindled.
“All this for a test? I better get an A for this!” a student yelled, panting as he cast a barrier magic, shielding both him and Cassandra from an incoming attack.
“Thank you….”
“Yeah, thank me by letting me copy your notes next time,” he said, scratching his cheek awkwardly before rushing off to fend off more monsters.
But moments later, he didn’t even have time to catch his breath as he was overwhelmed by monsters. In an instant, he was expelled from the veil.
“….”
“Cassandra!” Charlotte screamed.
Cassandra staggered back, trying to create space to cast her magic. But her concentration wavered. She stumbled over her chant and bit her tongue.
Moreover, her mana was running dangerously low.
———!
Before she could react, a monster slipped past her defenses, striking her down. In an instant, Cassandra disappeared, expelled from the veil.
“Tsk.”
Charlotte clicked her tongue in frustration and regrouped with Ezra.
Ezra raised his hand, pointing upward. Muttering a chant, his fingers ignited with a veil of plasma, unleashing tendrils of jagged purple lightning that arced through the air, striking down several monsters in their path.
Crackle! Crackle——!
The air was heavy with mana as Astrid, Charlotte, Ezra, and the remaining three students fought relentlessly, pushing through to the final thirty minutes of the test.
For a test, this was overkill.
No, it felt more like this wasn’t solely Professor Vanitas’s doing. It was likely a university-wide test, though managed under his supervision.
——William!
A scream rang out. Another classmate, William, had been overwhelmed and expelled from the veil.
Their numbers continued to dwindle.
Boom——!
Until it was down to the final three.
Ezra, undeniably the top student among the first-years.
Astrid, just a step behind him. If Ezra slipped even a little, Astrid would surpass him. The gap between them wasn’t that far-off.
Then there was Charlotte, a rising talent who had steadily earned recognition from her peers and mentors as one of the most promising students.
Clap!
She clasped her hands together, activating her stigmata. Wisps of multicolored energy materialized around her.
Without uttering a single chant, Charlotte opened her eyes.
———!
Winds howled, flames roared, and streams of water surged forward, obliterating the monsters in her path.
“Wow….”
Ezra couldn’t help but be astonished.
However, his moment of awe was cut short as a monster lunged at him.
———!
Staggering back, clutching a fresh wound, he muttered a chant. Tendrils of plasma erupted from his fingertips, zapping the creature.
“Behind you, commoner!” Astrid yelled.
“….!”
Ezra turned too slowly.
A group of monsters charged at him from behind. Acting quickly, Astrid used her telekinesis to halt them mid-air.
The strain was immediate—her head throbbed, and nausea hit her like a wave—but it was enough.
The moment’s delay gave Ezra the time he needed to react. Plasma arced wildly as he wiped out the approaching horde.
“Thanks,” Ezra said, panting.
“Don’t mention it,” Astrid replied, wiping sweat from her brow.
The trio pressed on, supporting each other as best they could. But exhaustion began to take its toll.
With only ten minutes left, they were nearing their limit.
Then, something unexpected happened.
“Akh…!”
Charlotte, who had been fighting relentlessly, was struck from behind. She stumbled forward, barely able to keep her footing.
“Charlotte!” Astrid shouted.
Ezra rushed to her side, but before he could reach her, he too was hit.
He fell to his knees, but in an instant, bolts of plasma erupted from him like a storm. The energy surged outward, disintegrating the surrounding monsters in a flash.
“What…. was that?” Charlotte muttered.
“You…. what did you just do?” Astrid asked, staring at Ezra in disbelief as she fended off against monsters.
They had never seen such raw, pure mana before.
The eruption resembled a Master-level spell—something that wasn’t possible for first–year students without severe backlash.
But what stunned them even more was how quickly Ezra had cast it.
However, there was no time for questions.
As they pushed forward, the first to fall was the one struggling with severe mana exhaustion and the toll of continuous telekinesis.
“Astrid!” Charlotte screamed.
Astrid, unable to endure any longer, was struck down and expelled from the veil.
———!
“….”
It didn’t take long before the remaining two were overwhelmed as well.
[2:37]
They were just two minutes away from completing the test.
When they opened their eyes, they were back on the rooftop. Astrid lay sprawled nearby, staring blankly at the sky.
——Astrid Barielle Aetherion. Survived, 23 hours. Contribution, excellent. Grade: S.
Assistant Professor Karina stood nearby, looking exhausted. Dark bags hung under her eyes, and her hair was disheveled. Her tone was sharp and tired as she called out the grades.
Karina walked over to Charlotte, who quickly straightened up.
“Charlotte Astrea. Survived, 23 hours. Contribution, excellent. Grade: S.”
Charlotte nodded and stood.
Next, Karina turned to Ezra, still sprawled on the ground.
“Ezra Kaelus. Survived, 23 hours. Contribution, satisfactory. Grade: A.”
“Eh? Seriously?” Ezra sat up, visibly disappointed.
“Pfft….” Charlotte chuckled, hiding her amusement behind her hand.
Meanwhile, Astrid remained silent, her gaze fixed on the sky. It seemed she hadn’t even heard her grade.
It made sense. While Ezra had fought well, his overall contribution was mediocre at best.
He’d spent a good amount of time napping, after all.
“I’ll take it,” Ezra said with a shrug. He stood up and dusted off his uniform.
As he turned to leave, Karina approached Charlotte.
“Yes?”
“The Professor left me a message for you,” Karina began. “Under no circumstances are you to leave the University Tower until he returns.”
“….Huh?”
“Where is the professor?” Astrid, who had been lying silently on the ground, suddenly spoke, turning her head toward them.
“I don’t know,” Karina admitted. “Hold on.”
Suddenly, she brushed past Charlotte, her attention fixed on something. Everyone turned to see what had caught her eye.
Slowly, a figure began to materialize.
“Sophia Clementine. Survived, 24 hours. Bonus points for being the last survivor. Contribution, satisfactory. Grade: S.”
“….”
“….”
“….”
Charlotte, Astrid, and even Ezra, who was about to leave, stared at Sophia in disbelief.
***
Within the span of a week, the Gambino Family dismantled the Cassano Family’s empire.
Their brothels were raided, casinos were shut down, and legitimate-looking businesses turned upside down.
Warehouses filled with contraband goods were seized, including smuggled weapons, illegal drugs, and counterfeit magic artifacts.
Moreover, ships transporting Cassano goods were intercepted. The cargos were either confiscated or destroyed.
Additionally, safe houses and hideouts were rooted out one by one.
No stone was left unturned.
The Gambino Family was relentless.
Despite their success in dismantling the Cassano Family’s operations, one question remained unanswered.
“Where is my daughter?!”
Anastasia’s whereabouts were still unknown.
And it wasn’t just Anastasia.
The Cassano Family’s Don, Salvatore Cassano, and his consigliere had also disappeared without a trace.
Moments later, Luca, standing beside Vincenzo, retrieved his communication crystal.
Riririiing—
Answering the call, Luca listened intently. His eyes widened shortly after.
“Are you sure?”
He nodded several times with a serious expression. Vincenzo couldn’t hear the conversation, but it was clear something important happened.
“Got it. I’ll inform the boss immediately.”
“What is it, Luca?” Vincenzo demanded.
Luca turned to him. “Boss, Bellingham and the other chasers found Salvatore. He was intercepted in Raelina City and they’re currently engaged in a fight.”
Vincenzo closed his eyes, processing the information. After a moment, he opened them again, sharpening his gaze.
“Gather the men,” Vincenzo ordered. “We’re heading to Raelina. I want that snake brought to me alive. No excuses.”
“Yes, Boss!” Luca replied, stepping back to relay the orders.
The room erupted into action as the Gambino men prepared for their next move.
Weapons were checked, vehicles were readied, and communication crystals were prepared for coordination.
Vincenzo stood, clenching his fists. “Salvatore Cassano thought he could outsmart me. I’ll make sure he regrets every second of it.”
Luca approached again. “Boss, do we confirm the involvement of Vanitas Astrea as well?”
Luca initially reported that Vanitas Astrea was also in Raelina City. However, it had been a week since their search. They couldn’t be certain he was still there anymore.
Still, if he were, it was an opportunity to kill two birds with one stone.
“Yes,” Vincenzo’s expression darkened. “Both are top priority now. Make sure neither slips away.”
The Gambino Family quickly moved toward the magitrain station, scattering among the passengers.
They wore hats and avoided sitting together to draw less attention. However, for those observant enough, it was clear who they were.
The Gambinos weren’t exactly hiding their presence.
The train ride lasted six hours. Upon arriving in Raelina City they immediately headed straight to the vantage point where Vincenzo’s chasers had captured Salvatore.
Inside the warehouse, Vincenzo found Salvatore Cassano bound to a pole, as mana shackles kept him locked in place.
“….”
His face was bruised, and his clothes were tattered.
Vincenzo stepped forward. “Where is my daughter?”
Salvatore looked up. “I told your men already. I have no idea.”
“That’s exactly what they all said,” Vincenzo hissed.
His patience snapped. Without hesitation, he threw a punch against Salvatore’s jaw.
Thwack!
“Ukh…!” Salvatore groaned but remained silent.
Vincenzo grabbed his collar. “You sent your men to intercept her! Why?!”
Salvatore spat blood to the side and muttered, “I didn’t send anyone! I don’t even know what you’re talking about!”
Vincenzo’s grip tightened as confusion crossed his face. “Bullshit! Then where is my daughter?!”
“I don’t know!” Salvatore shouted. “We don’t have her!”
Vincenzo’s rage boiled over.
Thud!
He released Salvatore with a shove, pacing back and forth as he tried to make sense of the situation.
“If you didn’t take her,” Vincenzo said through gritted teeth. “Then who did?”
“….”
Salvatore didn’t answer
At that moment, something clicked in Vincenzo’s mind.
He turned to Luca, their eyes meeting. Both wore the same expression, realization dawning on them simultaneously.
“Vanitas Astrea!”
They spoke the name in unison.
***
“It’s done,” Vanitas said, gesturing for Anastasia to call her father.
“Eh? You think so, Professor?” Anastasia asked, her tone skeptical.
“I’ve got eyes in Raelina.”
Vanitas had anticipated the Cassano Family fleeing to Raelina, given their situation.
Most of the Cassano Family’s assets were hidden there under a pseudonym. If Salvatore were to escape, Raelina was the most likely destination.
That’s why Vanitas had left a ticket bound for Raelina, baiting the Gambinos to intercept the Cassanos. Additionally, he had a trusted vassal in Raelina keeping him informed.
“Can’t I enjoy this vacation a bit longer?” Anastasia asked, stretching lazily.
“No.” Vanitas glared sharply. “It’s been a week. I need to return to the university.”
“Just go on your own, Prof—” she started, but stopped as Vanitas’s glare intensified.
She swallowed nervously.
“Fine, fine.”
“Pack your things right away.”
***
All alone, Anastasia boarded the magitrain bound for Aetherion.
Her week-long vacation, which she had planned to stretch into a month if not for a certain someone’s interference, had come to an end.
What upset her most wasn’t the vacation ending, but the fact that she had to cancel her month-long hotel reservation—and they refused to offer a refund.
In short, her finances took a serious hit.
“Damn it.”
In any case, for some reason, the professor didn’t join her on the magitrain. He’d told her he had other matters to attend to and insisted she go ahead without him.
For someone who had spent the entire week keeping a close watch on her, his sudden lack of concern now that the situation was resolved felt strange.
Anastasia could lie. Hypothetically, she could tell her father that Vanitas had kidnapped her, and the Gambino Family would take care of him.
But she didn’t plan on doing that.
The professor had indulged her whims, ensured her safety, and even helped her execute her plan.
The least she could do was convince her father to compensate him.
That being said, as the train sped off, Anastasia leaned back in her seat.
“….”
Meanwhile, Vanitas sat where he could keep a close eye on Anastasia.
He had noticed something she hadn’t.
Someone was following her.
Throughout the past week, Vanitas had observed this stalker.
Despite giving them numerous opportunities, they hadn’t made a move. It was puzzling, but their caution kept Vanitas from apprehending them.
For now, he doubted they’d act on a crowded train. Still, Vanitas didn’t lower his guard.
Pulling down his hat, he narrowed his eyes, scanning the passengers. He didn’t know who the stalker was, but their persistence and patience was troubling.
After a long train ride, they finally arrived in Aetherion.
“Nnh….” Anastasia yawned, stretching her arms as she stood up.
Grabbing her trolley, she stepped off the train.
Vanitas kept his distance, blending into the crowd as he quietly followed her.
It was a simple plan. The moment Anastasia used her card to board the train, her father, Vincenzo would have been alerted.
By now, he was likely already on his way to Aetherion.
Anastasia stood on the sidewalk, waiting for a taxi.
Vanitas, blending into the crowd, scanned the area.
“….?”
That’s when he noticed a hooded figure moving in her direction.
Could it be the stalker?
Without hesitation, Vanitas moved through the crowd and grabbed the figure’s shoulder.
“Hey,” he said.
“Ah?” The hooded figure turned, startled. “Who are you?”
Vanitas frowned as the hood slipped back, revealing a young man—no, a teenager—with white hair.
“Ah, damn it, let go! I’m late,” the boy snapped, pushing Vanitas’s hand aside and rushing off.
“….”
Vanitas stood still, watching the boy walk away. Was he just being paranoid?
“….”
But something about the boy nagged at him.
“He looks familiar,” Vanitas muttered.
His mind tried to piece together where he might have seen him before, but couldn’t place a finger on it.
Before he could dwell on it, Anastasia called out from the sidewalk.
“Taxi! Hey! Over here!”
He turned just in time to see her climbing into a cab, which quickly sped off.
“….”
Vanitas looked around. The boy he had just confronted had vanished.
***
“To think he noticed me,” the boy muttered.
In an alleyway, a hooded figure unveiled his face, revealing white hair and ice–blue eyes.
He had been toying with her—sending his own men disguised as Cassano Family members to threaten Anastasia.
But she had seen through everything. Even the ignition formula he had planted in her car. She had also outwitted the escorts he’d turned to his side with a few threats.
“I wonder,” he mused, a sly smile forming. “Which of the two is the dark mage?”
His interest in Anastasia had started when he heard she was asking around Theocracy apothecaries for specific herbs.
Word reached him, piquing his curiosity. He wanted to know why she needed such dangerous items.
At that moment, a voice resounded not far from him.
——My Lord. You called?
From the darkness, a figure approached.
“Yes,” the boy said. “It’s time to shift our focus.”
“To whom?” the figure asked.
“Flugel Montaigne.”
The person who had grabbed him earlier was unmistakably Flugel Montaigne—red hair, deep green eyes, and a recognizable face. There was no doubt he was a professor from Altheon University.
Although not a prestigious University Tower, Altheon was a place where mages could pursue higher studies regardless if they took the ESAT Examination or not.
“….”
“Can you figure it out?” the boy asked.
The figure remained silent, thinking deeply. Finally, they answered, “You’re a puppet.”
“Is that so?” the boy replied.
“Actually, I’m not sure….”
“Figures,” the boy chuckled. “These days, even I can’t tell whether I’m a puppet or not.”
With a smirk, he removed his wig. A pulse of mana shifted the hue of his eyes to crimson. Moments later, the wig fell to the ground, revealing his golden blonde hair.
“Go on. I’ll be dismantling this persona soon.”
“Understood, Lord Franz,” the figure said with a bow before disappearing into the shadows.