Marked Ones: Advent of the Demon Prince

"Lucius… please calm down."

Rena continued to try and sooth her lover's rage, but nothing was getting through to him. Mana continued to swell around him and throughout the air. She began to feel heavy. The brilliant flames of the enemy's barriers had almost dwindled to nothing and they scrambled to close the gates to the academy.

Rena watched as shadows and dark tendrils danced around Lucius's wrist and arms as he stretched his sword arm outward with the tip pointing directly at the gate. She noticed that the source of the darkness was the ring on his hand that seemed to vanish occasionally.

Accompanying the ring's appearance was a dull glow coming from Lucius's Mark of the Abyss. The look on his face was a dark and twisted smile that struck fear into her heart for a moment.

"I want you to know the name of the spell that killed you." Lucius shouted at the gate. "[Tempestas: Roaring Thunder]!"

Rena looked on in abject horror as Lucius raised his empty hand to the sky. Clouds swirled in the air above him and a massive bolt of lightning struck down and absorbed itself into his palm. The energy of the lightning twisted around his body and up his sword until it compressed into a ball at the tip of his blade.

Thunder reverberated through the air in rapid succession and it began to sound like that of a dragon's roar. The compressed energy exploded outward and a massive dragon colored in red and blue lightning with streaks of darkness down the length of its body suddenly appeared out of the energy.

It impacted the gate of the academy and instantly tore through the wood and stonework. Many people in the line of the attack were instantly vaporized, some leaving behind sizzling husks of body parts that had managed to escape the spell.

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On the other side of the destroyed gate was a small army of robed figures who had prepared dozens of fire spells that they were ready to release the moment the gate came crashing down. Lucius quickly grabbed Rena and twisted her into his arms as he threw up a [Wall of Lightning] to block a barrage of fire spells from striking them.

When the spells ended, he released her from his grip and began to walk calmly into the academy grounds.

*****

Kalliope did not like the idea of taking orders from Thomas von Petra, but the other students and staff had already deferred to his judgment. If she created any issues, then it was unlikely anyone would take her side as a newcomer to the situation and the academy in general.

His plan was solid though, and he played well to each of their strengths. Kalliope was a fast and hard hitter, so playing guerilla tactics was something she was pretty well-versed in doing.

Similarly, they had a student that was exceptionally proficient in using the [Barricade] skill as part of their shield wall. The only odd one out was the woman, Lady Briene Lindtforth. Kalliope could not place a finger on it, but something about her smelled off.

Not literally, but metaphorically she seemed very suspicious. Regardless of how Kalliope felt, the woman did save her life, so she was grateful enough to let the feeling go for the time being. However, she found herself glad that Lady Lindtforth was not assigned to the same unit as Kalliope.

"On my count, we will exit. Kalliope, prepare to create us an opening." Thomas called out.

"Got it." She grumbled.

"Now!"

Kalliope and five other warriors who specialized in hit and run attacks quickly threw open the double doors and struck against the enemy. Blood and sparks flew through the air as the surprise attack gave them plenty of openings to keep the enemy from counter-attacking for a few moments.

Thomas and the others made sure to use the opening and began to advance out of the building as well. They worked together to create a small foothold and push the enemy back from the building. That was when they felt it.

It was a feeling of intense pressure. Off in the distance, along the tops of the academy walls, the magical [Fire Walls] began to flicker from the storm. At first the storm was natural, but it seemed that someone had infused their mana into it and began to use it to their advantage.

Kalliope smiled because she recognized the sensation as someone extremely familiar to her. "Everyone better dive to the ground, and fast!"

Instead of continuing to fight, Kalliope dove to the ground. The sudden change in behavior threw the robed men for a loop and they found themselves stunned long enough to not attack. That was when everyone found themselves showered in debris. Moments before the gate exploded, they found themselves momentarily stunned by what sounded like the roar of a dragon.

Kalliope stood after the falling wood and stone ceased to pepper her back. Many of the robed people had either been vaporized by the spell or heavily injured. Unfortunately, a small number of people on their side ignored her warning and also received some of the damage from the spell. Many of their own injuries were minor, but they still were struck by Lucius's spell.

She felt her heart swell with excitement watching the very man she hoped would appear step through the cloud of dust and smoke. Red mana emanated from his sword which was currently elongated into a two-handed weapon. He had a smile on his face as he slowly cut down anyone who attempted to stand in his way.

"Lucius!" Kalliope called out from excitement. However, that excitement was replaced with fear as she saw a dozen archers suddenly appear along the top of the walls. They aimed their bows directly at Lucius from behind.

He was completely distracted by her call out and he probably couldn't tell they were there given the amount of distractions on this side of the wall. "Lucius! Watch out!" Kalliope called out in panic.

At that same moment, the archers launched their arrows with the assistance of several Arts. Rena was able to react quick enough to bump Lucius out of the way and launch a spell of her own. "[Ferrum: Iron Wall]!"

The arrows were blocked effortlessly, save two, which sunk straight into Rena, making her fall to the ground in a spray of blood.