Clayton Skyshredder stood atop the Tower of Truth. It was a grand building that was located at the center of Mavos Academy— one where the faculty of this small college town resided. Standing there, he had a full view of the entirety of the campus. Its streets were emptier than usual; he didn’t beheld the sight of a bustling university full of students.

No— most of the students had returned to their homes. Their classes had been suspended ever since the Primeval Demon crossed the border into Inoria. While it might’ve slowed in its approach, its direction was clear: it was headed to Shedos.

The Headmaster of Mavos Academy was a knowledgeable man. He had a wealth of information behind him— a network that would supply him with anything he needed to know. And he knew why the Primeval Demon was heading to Shedos.

In fact, he understood its plan as soon as it had slain Baris Slydrift.

It was collecting the Treasures of Alexander. Mythic Grade artifacts that even very few Elites would be able to acquire. Certainly, the Watcher was likely to have at least one or two Mythic Grade weapons in his inventory. But even someone like Clayton would have a hard time getting his hands on something of the sorts.

He was the highest-leveled [Mage] in the world. He could theoretically pursue a Mythic Grade artifact— after all, there were stories and legends of where some were said to be buried or hidden.

However, Clayton was, more than a fighter on the battlefield, a researcher. A man of academics. He didn’t waste his time searching for some long lost power that could only be wielded by him when he could be actively working to bring that power back into this world for all to use. That was his reasoning in the past.

Now with the Primeval Demon running amok, he wished he had at least one Mythic Grade artifact. He had sent his [Secretary], Marie Schofen, to acquire as many Epic Grade artifacts as possible, but that didn’t mean much when the Primeval Demon had both the Breastplate of Alexander and the Sword of Alexander.

And once it found its way to the Norwood Family in Shedos, it would have another item in the set. The Greaves of Alexander.

Truly, Clayton wished he could intervene. That by himself, he’d be able to slay the Primeval Demon. But he had doubts that he was capable of that. Even if it had been merely at Level 150, it would’ve been a difficult battle. And now, it was nearing Clayton’s level. Last he heard, it was just above Level 160. And Demons.. well, they were feared for a reason.

Perhaps if Humankind’s strongest fighters were to get gather—

But no. The Watcher was missing once again. And Clayton couldn’t abandon Mavos Academy. He had sworn an oath. With a sigh, he placed a hand on the crystalline window, watching as figures moved in the streets below. Mavos Academy was still busy; life hadn’t completely ground to a halt, even if there were no classes. It was essentially a city. Even if half the students disappeared, the roads would still be populated.

Clayton would ensure no harm befall his school, no matter what. Be it Demon or monster.

“Stupid!”

“Hey, I’m not stupid!”

“Not you. Idea stupid!”

“What’s wrong with this idea? We just have to show Clayton Centina’s ring— explain everything that happened. He’ll help us out.”

“Demon bring monster to place full of strong Human? Very stupid.”

I rolled my eyes as Willy continued to protest. He was back to his [Will O’ Wisp] form.. or should I say, Kron had let her illusions come to an end once we were high enough up in the sky. I was still carrying her and Centina. Willy himself had no trouble flying, although if I sped up too much he wouldn’t be able to keep up with me.

“Look, do you have any other suggestions, or are you just going to keep calling my idea stupid?”

This question stumped the [Will O’ Wisp], and I shook my head.

“What about you, Kron? And you, Centina?”

None of them had any answers for me. They were mostly clueless as to what to do— both Kron and Centina scarcely or never ever wandered into the Human lands. Willy was a Spirit. While he had a master, he was only summoned or called out when needed. He didn’t have a good lay of the land either.

I considered all options I had, and I was pretty sure this was the best one I had. Centina wanted to explore the Human lands, not lurk around its peripheries, so I needed someone powerful to help her. And that someone was Clayton Skyshredder.

He was the most powerful Human I knew, at least.

“Anyway, if anything goes wrong, I’ll protect you guys. Don’t worry too much about it.”

I still had my Grand Skill active, after all. It was half a day since I killed that [Ancient Centinel], and my [Divine Essence of the Daeva Cambion] was still going strong. It was going to last me at least a full day.

Salvos (Secely’s Sentinel) (The Devil’s Daughter)

Species: [Archdemon of Pride]

Subspecies: [Daeva Cambion] - Lvl. 130

Class: [Grand Mystic of the Nexeus] - Lvl. 94

General Skills:

[Advanced Mana Manipulation] - Lvl. 8

[Identification] - Lvl. 6

[Racial Skill: Universal Language Comprehension] - Lvl. 2

[Rest] - Lvl. 5

[Lesser Enhanced Wisdom] - Lvl. 6

[Title Skill: General Status Effect Resistance] - Lvl. 1

[Ttle Skill: Invoke Wrath] - Lvl. 1

[Title Skill: Protection of the Sentinel] - Lvl. 1

[Title Skill: The Devil’s Grace] - Lvl. 1 (Maxed)

[Racial Skill: Divine Essence of the Daeva Cambion] - Lvl. 1 (Maxed)

Stats:

[Available Stat Points: 0]

[Vitality]: 150 (+30) (+10) (+100)

[Strength]: 135 (+30) (+10) (+100)

[Endurance]: 150 (+30) (+10) (+3) (+100)

[Wisdom]: 265 (+30) (+10) (+10) (+100)

[Agility]: 320 (+30) (+10) (+5) (+100)

Skills:

[Available Skill Points: 1]

[Barrage of Cinders] - Lvl. 20 (Maxed)

[Demon’s Mark] - Lvl. 20 (Maxed)

[Haste] - Lvl. 20 (Maxed)

[Intimidation] - Lvl. 10 (Maxed)

[Faux Limbs] - Lvl. 10

[Nebular Construct] - Lvl. 10

[Radiant Slash] - Lvl. 15 (Maxed)

[Salvo of Vanity] - Lvl. 15

[The Primordial Spark] - Lvl. 20 (Maxed)

[Wings of the Netherworld] - Lvl. 10 (Maxed)

[Passive - A Hunter’s Sense] - Lvl. 10 (Maxed)

[Passive - Blue Flames] - Lvl. 20 (Maxed)

[Passive - Weapon Mastery] - Lvl. 20 (Maxed)

[My Flame Shall Burn Until Eternity Ends] - Lvl. 1 (Maxed)

Secondary Skills:

[Available Secondary Skill Points: 5]

[Dimensional Pocket] - Lvl 10 (Maxed)

[Mass Particulate Modification] - Lvl 10 (Maxed)

[Mystical Projection] - Lvl 15 (Maxed)

[Long Range Teleportation] - Lvl 20 (Maxed)

[Planar Navigation] - Lvl. 10 (Maxed)

[Scattering Displacement] - Lvl. 20 (Maxed)

[Warped Time] - Lvl 20 (Maxed)

After that? Well, I probably was going to be waiting a while before I could use it again.

“Just a little further.”

I saw smoke billowing into the sky from the horizon. We flew over a desolate landscape— burned buildings and destroyed cities littered the ground. Had this been Nixa? Or was it just another area that had been razed to ashes by Belzu?

I didn’t know. Either way, I continued my flight until eventually we arrived at Shedos.

Mavos Academy laid ahead. A city and a school. I saw its tall towers peaking over the clouds. A majestic sight. Yet, it seemed different from before. It didn’t have the ambience of a busy school. Instead, it looked more like a guarded fortress. I narrowed my eyes, swooping down away towards a forest instead.

“Where going?”

Willy asked. I gestured at a cave hidden beneath the trees and the earth.

“My Lair.”

We landed, and I lowered the pair of monsters to the ground. They took in my Lair. At the treasures I had laid out. The [Will O’ Wisp] paused by the Dreaded Goblet.

“Odd.”

“Hm?”

I cocked my head. Then my eyes narrowed as I sensed an odd energy radiating from the blackened water inside of it.

“Huh. I never felt that before.”

I wasn’t sure what it was. It reminded me of when I first learned how to sense mana— the invisible strands that permeated the air. Except, it was specific to the Dreaded Goblet.

Centina found her way to the stacks of books I had arranged in the corner of the cave, while Kron made herself comfortable in my makeshift bed. I didn’t need that bed anymore since I no longer needed to sleep. Good riddance.

“Alright.”

I clapped my hands together, drawing their attention.

“I’ll be going to Mavos Academy now.”

They hesitated. Then they slowly put down their things. I tilted my head as I watched Centina scuttle up towards me. Willy just let out an ethereal sigh, while Kron nodded.

“Me magic, ok?”

She raised a hand, activating her illusion magic. I watched, and they were all wrapped up in their Human forms.

“Um, what are you guys doing?”

I gave them an inquisitive glance. Centina stopped taking in her form and met my gaze.

“We’re going to meet with this Clayton Skyshredder, aren’t we?”

She seemed a little bit excited— either that, or she was happy to look like a Human again. I frowned.

“Why would you..? This is a magic academy. They’ll see right through Kron’s illusions!”

Willy’s Human form blinked. He stared at me for a moment. Even Kron wore a puzzled look on her face. I narrowed my eyes, glancing between each of them.

Centina peered at me.

“What is your plan then, Salvos?”

“I’m going to speak with Clayton and bring him out of Mavos Academy, of course. Not to my Lair, either. We’ll arrange a place for you guys to meet!”

“Oh.”

The [Will O’ Wisp] made a sound of understanding. He faced me, nodding approvingly.

“Smart.”

I looked back at Centina who smacked her forehead.

“That.. makes sense.”

Even Kron was surprised by it.

“Ohhhh.. me get it.”

I really didn’t get what was going on.

“Wait, what did you think I was going to do?”

Willy shuffled his feet, averting his gaze. Centina pursed her lips, and Kron shrugged.

“Me thought you bring us into Mavos Academy. Me thought use illusion magic to hide us. Me thought you stupid.”

My eyes grew wide. I took a step back.

“Seriously? You guys thought I was going to bring you into Mavos Academy? That’s so stupid!”

“Exactly.”

Willy nodded eagerly. I blinked.

“Huh. So that’s why you thought it was dumb.”

Then I folded my arms.

“See? My idea isn’t stupid!”