CHAPTER XXIV: I am Home
Archmistress Demia stomped her long staff on the ground. Then, a big gray pentagram emerged underneath the cross I am hanging on. She was really serious when she said she will exorcise Mammon inside me. But the only way to do that is to kill his host, meaning she’s planning to kill me.
“How dare you hide the truth from us, Cerina! You just have formed a blood pact with a demon? I can’t believe you!” she angrily uttered at me. I lifted my head and looked at her straight in the eyes.
“I did it to save my friends. And I don’t regret anything,” I replied to her. She jerked her lips as if she was annoyed by what I have said. I meant everything I have said.
“Tch! You did it to save your friends or you did it to acquire more power?” she allegedly accused. What? Is she serious? Why would I lust for more power?
I caught them gaping their mouths. I looked at my friends. They seemed
CHAPTER XXV: NegotiationI was standing in front of majestic wooden double doors, collecting all the courage within me. I stepped my feet forward and knocked at the door three times. I've heard voices talking inside the room. They were from Archmaster Leonard and Archmistress Demia.After a while, someone opened the door. It was Archmaster Leonard. “Come in, young lady,” he pleasingly uttered with a small curve in his lips.I smiled at him shortly after slightly bowing my head. “Thank you, Archmaster,” I told with a pleasing expression in my face. I heaved a silent sigh before stepping inside.As I walked through the doorway, the first thing I noticed was Archmistress Demia having a tea on the sofa. She looked calm as she turned her gaze at me. Afterwards, she returned her attention to her cup of tea as if she didn’t see me.“Please, have a seat,” Archmaster offered and then led me to the sofa. I sat in fro
CHAPTER XXVI: PandemoniumI just quietly walked home, sighing for the nth times. I don’t know but I have an instinct that something bad is going to happen. I heaved a deep sigh again. Maybe I was just overthinking again.I met many students on my way home, but I only nodded at them when they greet me. Caya and Suzaine might be wondering where did I go since I didn’t tell them earlier where will be my whereabouts. They were both busy in their rooms so I decided not to disturb them and just leave the house without any word. But knowing Caya, I bet I would be put under a detailed interrogation session later. How I wish she just shut up since I can’t disclose the information we have discussed at Archmaster’s office.I was about to turn into a hallway when I suddenly caught the sight of Deborah leaning against the wall. What is she doing here? It looks like she’s waiting for something. I stopped walking and seemed to be stoned on my feet
CHAPTER XXVII: DestructionI closed my eyes firmly when my heart pulsated a strong burning sensation in my chest coming from my wound in my stomach. I panted and began to breathe heavily. This was the first I felt this kind of pain.“Deb— ack! H-help me,” I hardly uttered as the stinging pain crawled into my throat. Then suddenly, I coughed blood. My teary eyes began to blur again as Mammon collapsed in my mind. He already lost his consciousness.Deborah turned her back against me, preparing to take her leave. She started to walk but I cried again and pleaded her not to leave me here, hoping it would reach her. My eyes were only half-open right now. I tried my best not to faint here. I can hear people shouting from everywhere, crying out of misery and sorrows. I don’t know what exactly was happening but I am certain that the nine higher-ranking devils are causing havoc in the academy right now.“D*mn it! Drink this so y
CHAPTER XXVIII: DeterminationMy jaw dropped. My hands started to shake. I flew to her immediately and violently cut the vine piercing her body with all my strength. The vine crumbled into pieces. Deborah leaned on me as she lost her consciousness. I assisted her back with my right hand as if I am hugging her, then, I descended from the air. My heart is still throbbing so fast— worried about Deborah.“Just hang on there, Deborah. Don’t die on me,” I muttered, even though I know she won’t hear me. I keep on praying on my mind that she is safe despite of having a fatal wound above her stomach.“Is that what a Celestial Twelve got? Such a pathetic loser. I thought this would be exciting,” Lucreo mocked, then, a mixture of laughs from different entities filled the place. I just ignored them even though my blood is boiling with anger. Healing Deborah’s wound is my top priority right now.I placed my shaking hands
CHAPTER XXIX: StruggleWe all charged together to the tower, using our mighty weapons to cut and slash every vine coming to our direction. However, no matter how much we try to destroy all of these burning vines, they just keep on regenerating.“Celestial Magic: Crazy Bullets!” Nicanor insanely uttered while riding on his celestial spirit, Scorpio. Then, he used his shotgun, Doomsday, to release rapid-fire bullets to the tower. His attacks reached the target and explosion came after one another.The rest of us nodded, thinking about one thing. That tower is the source of those vines. If we want to obliterate all the vines, we need to take down their source first.“Celestial Magic: Piercing Arrows!” Caya fired ten arrows in a row with her Bow of Chastity.“Liquid Magic: Kraken’s Tentacles,” Almirah casted. Long, flexible blue octopus’s arms made of water emerged from her back and they violently struck
CHAPTER XXX: The Power of LibraA pair of wings made of wind enveloped in electricity instantly formed at Raid's back and he went straight to the very top of the tower to attack the demon residing there. We were just dumbfounded by what he did. He was in a hurry and didn't even think of a plan. That was reckless of him.He moved his hands forward and spread his palms, facing the tower. A huge golden magic circle slowly materialized in front of him, glowing brightly. Rune letters started to form around his body.“Celestial Storm Magic: Lion’s Roar of Calamity!” he casted without any hint of hesitation.“Raid, don’t do it!” Acanta warned him, but the man did not listen to her. Raid seemed underestimating our enemies. He can’t just attack without devising any plan.A huge lion’s head came out from his magic circle. After a few moments, it roared loudly and the sound created by his spell reverberated thro
CHAPTER XXXI: Justice PrevailsAcanta snapped her fingers and in just an instant, her celestial weapon, Ordan—an orb that can absorb evil spirits— manifested on her palm. She threw it to the air and eventually was able to catch it. She did is several times as if she’s throwing and catching a usual ball. She smiled. What she’s planning to do?“Hey!” she said, calling the attention of the devil riding on a wheeled chair. Belphegor just looked at her while contently sipping his tea.“Wanna play dodge ball?” she asked but her voice was more like taunting her opponent. My forehead creased out of disbelief and confusion. What Acanta really plans to do?“Playing dodge ball at this age? I don’t know that you are a joker, young—” Acanta didn’t let Belphegor finish what he wanted to say.“Don’t tell me you don’t know how to play dodge ball?” she teased. The
CHAPTER XXXII: UnityMy eyes can’t follow their movements. Acanta and Belphegor attacked each other in a very insane speed. I can’t keep up. I couldn’t help it but to be amazed by them with my mouth gaping.The moment Acanta threw her orb at Belphegor, the latter swung his flail non-stop while Ordan keeps on coming to him without Acanta throwing it repeatedly. She just threw her orb once and Ordan always changes its trajectory and diverts its direction, trying to penetrate Belphegor’s defense as if it has its own mind. Acanta has the control over everything in her realm even without touching them.She’s manipulating her orb without touching it. And she’s doing it while floating on the air, deeply meditating and holding a golden balancing scale on her right hand. I don’t know how she was able to meditate and concentrate in this kind of situation.But d*mn, this is not a dodge ball anymore. This is a battle of stami
CHAPTER LXIX: Shadow of an Uncertain FutureI was about to rush inside the labyrinth but I came into halt when a loud rumbling sound engulfed the whole academy. My eyes widened as my mouth automatically went agape when a red light glistened from the center of the labyrinth and a fissure on the ground quickly ran through the academy, dividing it into two. The small division of the academy is falling down and there are still people there, pleading for help. Screams of horror started to ring on my ears.I caught Shone and Hannah barely hanging on the cliff on the bigger division of the academy. Then, Reel and Akiza came to help them. D*mn! I don’t know who to rescue first. Just hang on there, Black Thunders. I’ll just save these mages on that falling part of the academy. I told to myself and was about to fly towards those mages begging for help but I was taken aback when Ophra spoke behind me.“Go, save your team members, Cerina. Let m
CHAPTER LXVIII PART II: The Grand Festival Fight“OKAY, let’s begin the introduction of the teams with the Golden Arrows, headed by Lotus and Vela. Let’s give them a round of applause,” Archmaster Leonard started. The Dome Magia was suddenly filled with shouts from the crowd. Lotus, Vela and their team members went on the stage.“Next, may we have the team led by Nicanor and Almirah, the Red Scorpions. Let’s give them a clap that stings our ears,” Archmaster introduced. The two captains of the said team waved their hands before their team stepped on to the stage.“Okay, let’s move forward to the third team. Let’s welcome the team created by Niklais and Suzaine, the squad of White Doves.” The crowd clapped for them big time and most men shouted Suzaine’s name. She’s been gaining popularity from the boys in the academy for a month now. Yeah, we noticed it every time we have a hang
CHAPTER LXVIII PART I: The Grand Festival Fight“WELCOME, students and mages of Caelum Academy. Today marks the beginning of Grand Festival here in our school. It’s been tough times for everyone since we left our families, friends and loved ones in our world that invaded by demons, Celestia, that we almost forgot to enjoy for a while. Thus, we are launching this festival in our academy for everyone to have fun and ease our worries for the meantime. We will also conduct activities and the first one will begin later, after lunch at the newly constructed Labyrinth of Phantasm. So stay tuned and return here later at Dome Magia for the announcement of the first activity,” Archmaster Leonard announced, declaring the start of Caelum’s Grand Festival.All the audience cheered and shouted out of joy and excitement. It is evident on their faces that they are looking forward to the said activities. After a few minutes, the people in the Dome Magia were slo
CHAPTER LXVII: Confessions and Heartbreak“LET’S call it a day, Black Thunders. Tomorrow again,” I signaled, dismissing the members of our team in their training. They all let out a deep breath while catching up their breath. They are really exhausted. Some laid down on the bed of grasses. This is what we felt, Chosen Twelve, during our training with Archmaster Leonard. We were all worked up that day, pulling blocks of iron that weighed hundred tons. But as time passed by, we were all used to it.“Are we becoming hard on you, guys?” I asked them. They all managed to stand up properly and answered, “No, Captain Cerina!” in unison. I slowly smiled at them.“Okay, then. Rest for a while and let’s go home to our base,” I told them and they all nodded at me. They all sat down on the grass and some are massaging the muscles on their arms and legs.“You’ll be stronger too. Just keep it up,&r
CHAPTER LXVI: The Origin of Celestial ZodiacsLOTUS knocked on the wooden door of Archmaster’s office as we arrived there. Just before he could knock three times, a voice from the inside urged us to come in. He opened the door and we followed him as he stepped his foot inside the office. Archmaster greeted us and we did the same thing to him.A woman is complacently sitting on the coach as she’s holding the cup of her tea. She is wearing now a uniform like what we, students, here in the academy used to wear.“Archmaster, who is she? And where is the chosen user of Ophiuchus?” Lotus directly asked Archmaster without running in the circles. I was about to answer his question that the one he was looking for is right in front of him but Ophra suddenly spoke and she replied to Lotus.“Right here, dear. I know you all come here to see me and to ask for Archmaster Leonard an explanation about the existence of the thirteenth celestia
CHAPTER LXV: Ultimate HealerI summoned my celestial weapon and turned it into a katana. This is my favorite form of my Feather of Metamorphosis. I made it super light and easy to manage. It’s blade is sharp enough to cut hard irons and even spells with physical manifestations. I looked at her after completely summoning my weapon. The casual smile on her face did not fade away. I wonder what’s her magic and how strong she is.I coated my katana with my divine magic and a glowing golden aura covered it. I tightened my grip on my weapon and prepared myself to unleash an attack. “Divine Magic: Sacred Slash.” I swung my katana on the air and threw several golden blades at her. I caught a curve forming on her lips and the next thing happened startled me. I felt a great pressure from above pressing me down to the ground. I can’t help it but my knees started to quiver. I fell down on my knees and unintentionally let go of my katana.I stru
CHAPTER LXIV: The Thirteenth“RAID, do you know her?” I asked him with crease in my forehead. He became stiff for a while and seemed like he was hesitating to answer my question.“Oh, sorry, I forgot to introduce myself. I am Ophra, the chosen user of the thirteenth grace of celestial zodiacs, Ophiuchus. And one of the new captains of Black Thunders. Nice to meet you. Anyway, I’ve met Raid earlier and she helped me in carrying my things to Archmaster’s office,” the woman introduced herself and she was the one who answered my question.My mouth went agape for a moment. Raid has also the same reaction as me: confused and bewildered. Thirteenth celestial zodiac? Ophiuchus?“What do you mean? How come that there was a thirteenth grace when in fact Goddess Lumia only created twelve and she bestowed upon us?” I interrogated her out of confusion. She smirked at me, then, she lifted her hand and pointed her fi
CHAPTER LXIII: Love QuarrelONE month had passed already. All the damages in Caelum Academy brought about by the last battle were fixed already. We also fortified the barrier protecting the academy by the grace of our zodiacs.Three weeks ago, we held a meeting in the presence of Archmaster Leonard and Archmistress Demia and we already planned things. Three months from now, we are going to launch a surprise attack to the demons in Celestia. Vela had predictions about the future. She saw in her vision that those demons are already preparing, strengthening their armies and legions, and planning to attack us four months from now on. That alarmed us and decided to make the first move against them. Though, we need to be very cautious in carrying out our plan because it’s too risky, especially for those mages who volunteered to join us in this surprise attack and put their life in line.Furthermore, we, the Chosen Twelve, were divided
CHAPTER LXII: New Dawn“I JUST want my sister back, my confidant, my only best friend. But why? Why are all stopping me? And why no matter how much I try to change the past; no matter how I struggled… why I can’t change it?” Vela muttered in a low voice, crying while she was bowing her head to the ground.“Because no one can change the things that really meant to happen. Just accept it, Vela. Stop living on the past already. Focus on your life and the things you have today. Your sister is alive… alive in your heart. She is with the wind, the rain and all the elements of nature. You’re just too busy harboring that anger within you, that lust for revenge to notice that she’s still with you,” I replied to her. I caught how she was taken aback by my words as her head long stood and stared at me for a while.“Vixen’s physical body was the only aspect of her that had gone, but her spirit and memories