VOLUME 15: CHAPTER 26

VOLUME 15: CHAPTER 26

[Demon Realm – Red Tower]

The laboratory was too small for it.

This was the first impression anyone would have the moment they entered this facility.

The massive body did not belong in a place of stone walls and iron floors. It was a being that should have towered beneath the open sky, wreathed in flame and fury, yet here it was, shackled and inverted like a grotesque hunting trophy.

Hanging upside down, the corpse of the Fire Elemental Lord Candela occupied more than half of Chief Researcher Muuka’s laboratory.

Chains as thick as a man’s torso stretched taut across the ceiling, their links glowing faintly as if in constant pain. The bindings groaned under the weight of the titan they restrained.

Candela’s torso, massive and barrel-like, strained against the restraints. Its obsidian-red skin was split with countless fissures, each fracture glowing faintly as molten veins pulsed sluggishly within even in death, like a forge that refused to die out. The light flickered in uneven breaths, painting the walls in hues of ember and ash.

Its arms, thick as ancient tree trunks, hung downward, fingers of stone curled into claws that radiated menace even in death. The musculature was grotesquely human in its silhouette, yet formed of magma and volcanic rock, every ridge sculpted into an expression of strength and brutality.

“Hmm… as expected,” muttered Chief Researcher Muuka, eyes gleaming. “This is the fifty-seventh trial, and still the vitality within this chunk of flesh has yet to run out.”

The corpse of the Fire Elemental Lord was nothing short of a miracle drug.

Even the smallest sliver of its body brimmed with an abundance of raw vitality, as if all the life force of the Demon Realm had been distilled into a single monstrous form.

A mere scrap of its flesh, ground down and alchemized, was enough to turn even a weak imp into a formidable demon.

There had been numerous rejections, but those that successfully underwent the experiments transformed into creatures far superior to what they were before.

After countless trials, the Red Tower had finally found the proper ratio, drastically decreasing the number of rejections.

“Amazing…”

Muuka’s grin stretched unnaturally wide, his thin hands twitching as he scribbled notes into a leather-bound tome.

“Taking that risk back then was definitely worth it.”

His gaze lingered on the inverted corpse, reverent and hungry all at once, before drifting across the laboratory.

At the far end of the chamber stood a towering glass tank, filled with a viscous, glowing solution. Within, suspended like a deity awaiting rebirth, was the silhouette of his master.

Still.

Silent.

Brimming with promise.

Muuka’s voice dropped to a whisper, reverent. “With this… Master… just a bit more.”

Muuka walked and leaned close to the glass tank, his breath fogging the surface. Inside, his master’s body floated motionless, but the steady flicker of fire radiating from Candela’s core embedded in his chest told Muuka all he needed to know.

The assimilation was working.

Soon, the Lord of the Red Tower would be able to wield not only the Arzomos’ power but also the might of the Fire Elemental Lord.

The Lord of the Red Tower had already started shedding his former shell. His body had grown the moment it started merging with Candela’s core, slowly turning into a small giant with three different heads.

It was amazing how his master had overcome all odds and transformed into something akin to a god despite his lesser demon origins.

At this moment, one of Muuka’s assistants approached him.

“Lord Muuka, one of the fire giants has regained consciousness.”

It was good news. Quite about time, too.

“Is that so? I’ll be there right away.”

After affectionately caressing his master’s glass tank one last time, Muuka turned around and went out of the Red Tower.

After traveling several kilometers north, they arrived at the plateau where another laboratory stood.

In this place, the primary experimental subjects were the fire giants and the next generation of chimeras.

The tormentors in charge of the research immediately stopped whatever they were doing the moment the Chief Researcher arrived.

“Lord Muuka! You’re finally here!”

Muuka gave a perfunctory nod, his gaze moving toward the three giants sitting in front of their respective steles. Unlike the corpse of the Fire Elemental Lord Candela, these giants weren’t restrained with chains.

Instead, tube-like apparatuses were connected to the back of their bodies, continuously supplying them with controlled amounts of elixir concocted from the corpse of Candela.

One of the three giants – the one sitting at the center – had its eyes half-open.

Although it looked groggy, it was definitely awake.

“Ah, Lord Muuka! Please don’t approach it! It’s dangerous!”

Muuka ignored the cries behind him.

Fearlessly, he approached the giant at the center.

“How are you feeling?” said Muuka.

These giants weren’t captives. They were subordinates who’d willingly undergone these experiments after learning that they could become stronger.

The giant slowly said, “It… was a long sleep.”

It had only been a few months, and for these giants who could live for hundreds of years, it should have been a fleeting moment. Yet, it felt as though it had slept for a long time.

The elixir made of Candela’s flesh must have distorted its sense of time somewhat.

“A long sleep?” Muuka took note of this response. “Tell me more about it.”

The giant resisted the urge to close its eyes.

“I feel… sleepy,” it said. “A fire has been ignited… within me. I can feel that… when I wake up again… I will be born anew. Stronger. Faster.”

Muuka nodded in satisfaction.

Consuming the elixir made from Candela’s flesh had immediate effects on the lesser demons, but for these giants, it seemed that it would take a while before they could see the results.

Still, based on the assessments of the tormentors from the Red Tower, it was apparent that there had been qualitative changes occurring in the bodies of these giants.

The mana and miasma within them had increased severalfold, and it should be possible for them to unleash far greater destruction once they fully transformed.

At this point, it was no exaggeration to say that each of these fire giants was already as strong as their former lord.

The mere thought of rallying dozens of these monsters to slaughter the humans sent chills throughout Muuka’s body.

Just a single one of them should be enough to destroy an entire city!

There were also the chimeras slumbering underground in this laboratory, too. Although they’d yet to awaken after being forcefully injected with the elixir, the data they’d gathered so far showed that the chimeras had been undergoing a series of mutations.

They weren’t certain if the chimeras would still obey the Red Tower’s orders after that, but they decided to address that issue once the time came.

For now, their priority was to enhance the strength of these creatures using the elixir created from the flesh of the Fire Elemental Lord.

“Sleep,” said Muuka. “We will continuously supply your body with the elixir. Once you wake up, you can look forward to your new body.”

The fire giant let out a soft groan.

Unable to resist the urge to sleep any further, the fire giant finally closed its eyes. The apparatus on its back squirmed and delivered another diluted elixir into its body.

Gazing at the three sleeping fire giants, Muuka said to the tormentor beside him, “How are the preparations?”

“You mean the portals, Lord?” said the tormentor. “After following your instructions, we’ve managed to partially restore the portal’s connection to the mana well below.”

Perfect.

Everything had been going according to plan.

The damn Arzomos Tribe had made it difficult for them to invade the Human Realm due to their schemes before. But after being given enough time, the Red Tower had finally managed to repair a significant portion of the severed connection between the portal and the mana well.

The portal should be relatively stable now, and they wouldn’t have to rely on external sources to supply it with mana and keep it open.
Once they’d fully repaired the portal’s connection to the mana well, it should be possible to keep it open indefinitely.

Muuka had already begun making arrangements to duplicate the portal several times.

In order to prevent the human race from uniting and focusing their forces in one place, he planned on opening numerous portals and invading different territories at the same time.

The demons were far superior in terms of physical abilities and number. It shouldn’t be a problem for them to concurrently fight on numerous fronts in the upcoming war.

“No, it’s not a war,” Muuka corrected himself.

Due to the stark difference in strength between the two realms, the moment the portal was fully repaired, it would be more apt to call it an invasion.

A one-sided slaughter.

Soon, the Lord of the Red Tower would be born anew, and he would be able to fulfill his lifelong wish of conquering both realms.

And Muuka, his most loyal vassal, would be instrumental to this great plan.

It would be Muuka’s greatest honor to witness his master seated on the throne of both the Demon Realm and the Human Realm.

“The humans are weak, but there’s a variable we need to be wary of,” muttered Muuka.

The Demon Lord Barkuvara.

His whereabouts remained unknown.

Although they were certain he had stepped through the portal into the Human Realm, no one knew where he had gone or what he sought there. If fortune favored them, he would keep to his own designs and stay far from the coming war.

The Lord of the Red Tower, once reborn, should be capable of defeating the former Demon Lord. Yet Muuka knew the truth: the outcome would never be absolute.

Barkuvara was immortal.

Unless every fragment of his soul scattered across the Demon Realm was annihilated, his return was inevitable. It would take centuries for him to rebuild his body, but centuries meant nothing to a demon like him.

By then, however, the Red Tower’s banners would already fly over the ruins of human kingdoms.

“No matter,” Muuka said at last, dismissing the thought with a wave of his hand. “Barkuvara has no interest in humans. He has no reason to meddle in our invasion.”

A part of Muuka whispered that something in his statement had been amiss, but he dismissed the thought.

He had no time to dwell on doubts.

Ever since his master had entered the nurturing chamber, the burden of command had fallen upon him.

Now, every decision that shaped the future of the Red Tower was his to make.

“The frost giants have agreed to our demands,” he murmured with satisfaction, recalling the latest reports. “They will march under our banner when the war begins.”

Even the frost giants of the tundra, those hulking colossi who once bowed only to their own kind, had finally bent their knees.

Barkuvara’s disappearance had shaken the balance of the Demon Realm, and Muuka had seized the opportunity with ruthless precision.

Though the giants refused to openly acknowledge Elrenar as their sovereign, their act of submission was undeniable: they had pledged several of their kind to serve as living fortresses in the invasion of the Human Realm.

It was not just the giants.

One by one, other mighty races had begun to yield. The sea demons. The demonic trolls. Even those ancient mythical monsters living on the Yleonor Continent.

The gryphons, proud lords of the skies.

The scyllas of the crystal mountain.

Both tribes had sent word of their compliance.

There had been mutterings of rebellion among their lesser kin because of this, but the leaders had already chosen.

They believed that it would be better to appease the Red Tower now than to stand alone as prey once the demons were done with their conquest of the Human Realm.

Their caution was wise, and even their tribe members that were against it understood the reason behind the decision of their leaders.

Gryphons and Scyllas were formidable in their own right, but not even their fangs and wings could withstand the unified might of the entire demon race.

Muuka grinned sinisterly.

Through careful negotiations, veiled threats, and calculated shows of force, he had gathered allies where others might have found only enemies.

Each pledge of troops was another stone in the foundation of the Red Tower’s empire.

He was really looking forward to the day they started invading the Human Realm again!

“If only those prideful dragons would also lower their heads,” he muttered, clicking his tongue. “But no… they cling to their arrogance as tightly as they cling to their hoards. Stupid reptiles.”

His expression darkened. The dragons remained one of the obstacles among the elder races. Ancient, aloof, and disdainful, they considered themselves above demons, beasts, and humans alike. To them, the Red Tower was but a passing shadow.

“Once my master awakens, they will regret their choices.”

Once the Lord of the Red Tower fully assimilated with the core of the Fire Elemental Lord and the head of Agreas, the Red Tower would suppress the remaining opposition in the Demon Realm.
And after that, they would open several portals to the Human Realm, becoming the lord of all lands.

Everything was only a matter of time.

Soon, the thrones would belong to his beloved master.

***

[Capital of the Empire – Maiaka Magic Academy]

“Kyaaah! It’s Instructor Benson!”

“He looked at me just now!”

“What do you mean he looked at you? He obviously glanced in my direction!”

The Demon Lord Barkuvara – now known as Instructor Benson – was unexpectedly popular among the students of Maiaka Magic Academy.

Although he was huge for a human, his face, which seldom showed any emotions, was more than enough to overshadow his intimidating appearance—all because it was incredibly handsome.

His previous demonstration naturally attracted the attention of the imperial family and the army, prompting an investigation led by the Tower of Mages. After some inquiry, they traced the phenomenon to the academy.

Fortunately, Headmaster Ephiane managed to play it off as a mere artifact demonstration.

The Headmaster declared to the officials that they had recently developed an artifact capable of unleashing such destruction.
An artifact they planned to use to defend the academy should another demon invasion occur.

Naturally, there were several loopholes in the story, and the investigators weren’t convinced. But due to the Headmaster’s reputation and the Maiaka Magic Academy’s autonomous status, they were forced to retreat.

Of course, they gave a stern warning to the Headmaster not to repeat such a thing again, lest it bring unrest to the capital’s residents.

The Chief Royal Advisor and the Silver Palace were probably still monitoring the academy’s every move, gathering evidence in the shadows.

But for now, the storm had passed.

Finally, Instructor Benson was formally allowed to teach the students of the academy.

“Instruuuuctor Beeeensooon!”

“What are you going to teach us today?”

“Can I swing your sword… sir? Hehehe!”

“How disgusting, can you wipe the drool off your mouth?!”

Although they were young, the academy students were unusually proficient in flirting with the handsome instructor.

Most of the students were playing and joking around, but there were a couple of female students who seemed serious with their remarks.

Some of the comments were even borderline harassment.

Fortunately, Instructor Benson was quite dense when it came to these things. He simply dismissed their words as the incessant ramblings of human children who had yet to fully mature.

Expressionlessly, Instructor Benson said, “Quiet down.”

As though his words were magical, the entire room fell silent at once. It was incredibly compelling and authoritative, and everyone felt an indescribable desire to obey. One of the female students nearly fainted after hearing his deep, husky voice.

“What happened to the girls?”

“They’ve gone crazy.”

“It’s weird, but I can understand them somewhat.”

“Yeah… me, too.”

The new Swordsmanship Instructor was strangely charismatic.

Too charismatic!

Although his expression suggested he would cut down anyone who so much as breathed the same air as him, the students couldn’t shake the sense of gentleness hidden beneath that sharp exterior.

He was like a magnet, drawing eyes, whispers, and even unspoken admiration toward himself.

Whenever he spoke, silence followed, as if every word was worth clinging to.

And whenever he walked, the crowd parted instinctively, creating a path as though it were the most natural thing in the world.

Amazingly, none of it felt forced. Instructor Benson carried an aura of inevitability, as though he had been born to stand above others, destined to command obedience without raising his voice.

Yet, for all his charisma, there lingered a weight in the air—something unspoken, something dangerous. The students could not decide whether to revere him or fear him. Perhaps both.

“Come, follow me.”

Without sparing the students even a glance, Instructor Benson strode out of the classroom. His boots rang sharply against the stone floor as he made his way down the stairs to the covered training grounds.

The students exchanged uneasy looks, then scrambled after him. By the time they gathered, a faint breeze whistled through the open sides of the training hall, carrying with it the heavy silence of expectation.

Benson stood at the center, arms crossed, his gaze sweeping across them like a hawk sizing up prey.

“Does anyone here know how to handle mana?”

A wave of murmurs rippled through the group. Eventually, one timid hand rose.

“Uhm… Sir? We’re just first-years. Only third-years and above are allowed to use magic. So, naturally… we don’t know how to utilize the mana in our bodies yet.”

Benson’s eyes narrowed. A frown creased his face, showing his clear disappointment.

“What is Ephiane doing?” he muttered under his breath, though his tone was sharp enough that all of them heard it. “Humans should begin shaping their mana as early as possible.”

His gaze grew distant, as if recalling something long buried.
According to the old records of the Magic Empire—research nearly forgotten in the modern era—children who awakened their mana young would grow into mages of unmatched caliber. Their pools expanded faster, their channels widened more fully, and their bodies adapted naturally to the constant flow.

If they waited too long, those same channels would stiffen, leaving only a fraction of their true potential unlocked.

“You need mana to wield the Rift Blade,” said Instructor Benson. “And so, from today onward, we will begin with this. All of you will learn to feel the flow of mana in your bodies.”

The announcement was met with a collective uproar.

“S-Sir, that’s against the rules!”

“…They’ll kick us out of the academy if the other instructors find out!”

“I heard the Magic Defense Instructor say before that we shouldn’t learn magic until we’ve perfectly honed our physical bodies!”

Their voices overlapped in a storm of panic, fear, and doubt.

Benson silenced them with a glare. It was not anger, but authority—a command that pressed on their chests until their protests faltered.

“The Academy’s method,” he said, enunciating each word, “is suited for late bloomers. Adults who were foolish enough to neglect their training in their youth. But you—” His eyes swept across the students, one by one. “—you are still unshaped. You are clay. If molded properly, you can surpass every mage and swordsman this place has ever produced.”

Instructor Benson never cared if the other instructors would be enraged by what he was about to do.

Even if Headmaster Ephiane herself appeared now to prevent him from teaching these kids how to feel mana, he wouldn’t stop.

The method passed down in the academy was wrong, harmful even.

As an instructor, Benson felt it was his responsibility to correct it while he still could.

The Demon Lord Barkuvara, born from the Dragon Vein below, was a creature closer to mana than a demon. He was confident that he could easily teach these children how to feel the mana flowing through their bodies.

“Everyone,” said Instructor Benson. “Sit.”

The students were still hesitant. After exchanging nervous glances, one by one, they started sitting cross-legged on the ground.

Instructor Benson snapped his fingers.

The air stirred, and a faint vibration rippled across the training grounds.

“Close your eyes. Starting today, all of you will learn what the flow of mana feels like.”