B-rank Dungeon, Lava-lake.

Waterfall area.

"Hey, Link what is that huge magic circle in the sky, it has such an ominous presence.." (Riya)

Riya looked at the huge ominous magic circle covering the whole sky, the spell itself is giving off a very eerie aura. Not to mention the concentrated mana in that magic circle even the look of it is very ominous.

The link also looked at the huge magic circle covering the sky, he is also out of words to describe this thing, and even he has never seen a magic circle so big. Although his father did say that, an SS-rank mage can make magic circles as big as the whole human nation, he really can't imagine the sight of it.

Only today he has seen such an overbearing sight.

(They keep the huge magic circles created by S-rankers or above secret and don't reveal them on the internet or in front of society. To make sure that people don't get insecure at the sight of them.)

"I think it will be alright since, Ms. Anna is there to protect us, so, don't worry about it, Ms. Anna, as they say on the internet, is the strongest Fire mage of this millennia..." (Link)

"Indeed you are right..." (Riya)

[You sound unsure kid.] (Kai)

[What!? You can use telepathy!?] (Link)

Although Link didn't say anything from his mouth, but a huge storm was rising in his head by knowing that Kai could use 'telepathy'..

(There are only two types of beings that can use 'telepathy'. One is the person who has literally awakened the power of telepathy since birth and can thus use it like a mage uses spells. Another one is the being that has reached SS-rank and can thus use telepathy because of their huge mental capabilities.)

(You can easily determine the difference between these two, the person who has awakened telepathy since birth is generally not so strong and is considered weak compared to any other combat-type class awakener. But an SS rank can't be weak.)

(Link knew this because his father has many times used telepathy on him. He has first-hand experience with this.)

[D-don't tell me you are-!] (Link)

[Indeed, I am actually an SS-rank spirit, I look weak because this little girl is still young and weak, but eventually, I will get back to my prime..] (Kai)

[This is insane! How did she even contract a spirit like you!?] (Link)

[Well, things happened.. more importantly you also have sensed it right? That this is an extremely strong spell..] (Kai)

[Yeah, if this spell succeeded, I think that would be the end of us all..] (Link)

[Hmm, not for all, I can still protect this little girl, but I can't guarantee about others..] (Kai)

Hearing Kai, Link fell in deep thought for a moment. He looked at the sky covered by that huge spell and as if he has made a decision, determination appeared in his dark red eyes.

[Is that so.. hey, wanna make a deal?] (Link)

Kai asked back in confusion.

[What deal?] (Kai)

[How about.. you protect Riya from the effects of this spell and in return, I will sell my soul to you...] (Link)

Hearing Link's words, Kai was in total awe. He never expected that a young man with a bright future ahead of him would actually make such a choice.

'That' quite surprising for a weak human like him.. well, I also used to be like that too when I was still weak and young, but in the end, death always comes very suddenly, sigh~' (Kai)

Kai looked at Link and said:

[You know that I am not a demonic spirit right?... I don't need your soul..] (Kai)

[T-then what do you need? How about my bod-] (Link)

[Nothing! I don't need anything! I have no interest in a boy's body! I would have indeed protected you all but as I said, I am not at my prime and really have no choice here..] (Kai)

Before Link could say anything in return Kai just simply broke the telepathic connection, he simply didn't want the conversation to turn into weird chaos.

Just as the atmosphere was getting awkward, the sudden cheering voice of an airheaded girl arrived to save the day:

"Hey, Link! Look the magic circle is falling apart!" (Riya)

Link looked at Riya who was literally jumping around in happiness while looking at the sky. She genuinely looked like a rabbit jumping around. After all she also has white hair. She resembled rabbits very much.

After taking a look at the magic circle falling apart, Link heaved a sigh of relief but the very next second a chill ran down his spine. He hurriedly looked at the place where Anna was fighting the demon and found out that mana even more concentrated than the previous spell was gathering at an insane speed.

"Riya, look out!" (Link)

Link trusted his screaming instincts and immediately dashed towards Riya, he carried her near Kai's huge body and put her on the opposite side of the volcano. Surprisingly, Kai didn't reject them this time and instead laid down in a defensive position, he placed Lia near them and covered all three of them.

Suddenly, a huge shockwave appeared from the central area of the dungeon and spread all over the dungeon. Although it was not so strong that it could kill the students it certainly caused small injuries to all the students to present inside the dungeon.

If someone looked at the central area they would find that a huge beam of fire was descending from the sky piercing the clouds and immense amounts of mana were being used. The spatial cracks started to widen and a panel appeared in front of every student.

[Warning! The B-rank Dungeon Lava-lake has become extremely unstable..]

[Ejecting all the challengers out.. starting the countdown..3...2...1.. Ejection starting...]

One by one all the surviving students who were still trying to defend against the huge shockwaves disappeared and were ejected by the dungeon outside. Safely and securely.

After all the individuals, the dungeon started to fall apart, the spatial cracks increased in size tremendously and all the matter was reduced to nothingness. Eventually the B-rank dungeon, Lava Lake seized to exist.

.

.

A few seconds earlier.

In the central area, above the huge crater.

"As I said.. everyone has weaknesses... Your weakness is that you care about those students!" (Durik)

Durik successfully stabbed Anna's heart by using the most opportune moment. He used the fact that Anna was fully concentrated on using mana interference to destroy the enhanced self-destruction.

The premise to use mana interference is that you have to put all your mind and concentration into this one task and very few mages can actually do that. Even if they can do this, using mana interference makes a mage extremely vulnerable in that state.

Durik has fought on hundreds of battlefields along with the demon army and he has already seen many things that most people don't even imagine. The only reason he was able to land this attack was purely because he used the students as hostages and his experience of fighting against mages on different battlefields gave him an advantage over Anna.

If not for his taking the students hostage, Durik would have never been able to successfully land a strike on Anna. After all, Anna is simply a prodigy when it comes to wizardry.

*Cough*

Anna coughed a mouthful of blood while looking at the sword stabbing her heart and feeling that her body was rapidly losing strength. She already knew that this was inevitable, yet she focused on saving the students.

Anna slowly raised her wand and pointed it at Durik, a small magic circle appeared at the tip of her wand, it looked like a weak spell, seemingly the last ditch attack of Anna.

Looking at Anna struggling to move, Durik twisted his sword and scoffed at her, saying:

"It's useless, Anna. I know you are out of mana to cast a strong spell and weak spells won't do me any considerable damage. As for the damage you did to my body, I will heal it easily after I go back to the demon continent." (Durik)

"As for those weak kids, I will eliminate them and present their heads to my prince, when I go back. All your efforts have gone to waste." (Durik)

"Now you know why those students are your weakness.." (Durik)

Hearing Durik, Anna just smiled a little and said:

"Those... Students are not my weakness... They are my hope..." (Anna)

[Master Rank Fire magic: Flames of divine retribution!]

.

.

Author's Note

Hello guys, first of all, happy Valentine's Day. I know most of you will see this after a few days of this chapter being published, so, I congratulate you with this late congratulation in advance.

Question of the Dayhistorical

So, how was your day?

1. It was good. (Classic response of a guy living the most destroyed life...)

2. I am single. (Sadness beyond redemption, watched movies all alone sitting in front of the TV all day.)

3. I enjoyed my day with my partner. (.....)

A piece of advice from your beloved author: If you are feeling lonely, don't worry you are not alone. I am punishing my own characters in the novel just because I am lonely too. It is what it is.

By the way, don't forget to use those power stones and also leave a review if you like the story. Comment your opinion about the chapter. Your support is my motivation.