Chapter 14: It’s Fine, Let It Transform

“Urgh… cough cough!”

The Shadow Demon clutched its chest and violently coughed up a mouthful of black blood.

That shockwave from earlier had slammed directly into its chest.

Combined with the impact from crashing into the tree, its internal organs were practically shattered.

Why was this pink-haired girl so strong?

According to the intelligence provided by its familiar, she was only supposed to be a high-level swordswoman who had barely stepped into Rank 3 swordsmanship.

But that flaming shockwave earlier—

That was sword aura.

Could she actually be a Rank 5 Magic Swordswoman?

The Shadow Demon struggled to stand as thoughts raced through its head.

After carrying out assassinations for so many years, it knew the human swordsmanship system extremely well.

Human swordsmanship was divided into ten ranks.

Among the first eight ranks, every two levels formed a class.

Ranks 1 to 2 were Swordsmen.

After that came High-Level Swordsmen, Magic Swordsmen, and Sword Masters.

Rank 9 was Sword Saint.

And beyond that was the legendary Sword God.

Supposedly, only the Silver Radiance Sword Maiden had ever reached that level.

Within this system, the most important dividing line was the leap from High-Level Swordsman to Magic Swordsman.

Because Magic Swordsmen comprehended sword aura.

They no longer merely used magic power to strengthen their bodies and swords.

Instead, they could materialize magic power into physical attacks.

Just like that flaming shockwave from earlier.

As far as it knew, among the students of that academy, only third-years and above could usually reach the level of a Magic Swordsman.

Damn it, the intelligence was fake!

The information had never been wrong before.

So why did something go wrong this time?

That pink-haired girl was a Magic Swordswoman.

There was no way it could defeat her.

It had to escape.

Once it returned, it would definitely replace that familiar.

This false information nearly got it killed.

The Shadow Demon reached a hand beneath its black robe, fumbling around as it searched for the Black Fog Bomb it had prepared in advance.

It intended to use the black mist to escape.

However, what it touched were two shattered fragments.

Hm?

The Shadow Demon froze.

When did the Black Fog Bomb break?

It abruptly raised its head toward the pink-haired girl.

The pink-haired girl tilted her head and glanced at it with a faint smile at the corner of her lips.

When did she—

A scene flashed through the Shadow Demon’s mind.

That flaming shockwave earlier had struck with perfect accuracy directly where it stored the Black Fog Bomb.

How did she even know where the Black Fog Bomb was hidden?

The Shadow Demon instantly panicked.

After years of assassinations, this was the first time it had encountered an opponent who completely sealed off every escape route.

“Hehehe… hahahaha…”

Suddenly, it lowered its head and let out a deep laugh.

So a monster like this had appeared within the Human Empire’s academy?

She was only a first-year student and already a Magic Swordswoman.

At the academy’s growth rate, in the future—

No.

She absolutely could not be allowed to live.

One day, she would undoubtedly become the greatest threat to demonkind.

It made its decision.

No matter the cost, it would kill her here.

“This is your fault.”

The Shadow Demon raised its dagger and pointed it toward its own chest before viciously stabbing downward.

Black blood continuously poured from the wound, rapidly gathering around the dagger.

“Gah…”

The Shadow Demon staggered from the pain.

But instead of collapsing, it raised its head and shouted:

“O great Flame Demon God, your humble servant offers a sacrifice here!”

It drove the dagger even deeper into its chest, its voice growing increasingly fanatical.

“I offer my flesh, blood, and soul!”

“Please grant me the power to burn all things to ash!”

“Let those insects who dare trample upon the dignity of demonkind be reduced to cinders within your wrath!”

The moment she heard the Shadow Demon’s chant, Dolores inwardly cursed.

This was the Shadow Demon’s trump card.

By sacrificing everything, it could borrow the Flame Demon God’s power and transform into a Flame Demon.

The Flame Demon God was the Demon God of the demon race.

One of the Three Great Demon Gods.

Its hellfire could burn everything to nothingness.

Any living being killed by hellfire could not be resurrected even with undead revival magic.

Wherever the flames passed, not even grass would grow for a hundred years.

As servants of the demons, the Shadow Demon race naturally possessed the authority to make contracts with the Flame Demon God.

But the price was terrifying.

Shortly after transforming into a Flame Demon, their souls would completely dissipate, turning them into mindless puppets.

Unless absolutely desperate, nobody would willingly choose such a path.

Within this storyline, the Shadow Demon would only be forced into using this move if the battle dragged on too long.

Reaching this phase meant entering the absolute worst route.

After calculating the timing, Dolores realized it now perfectly matched the timeline from the game.

No.

They had to interrupt the transformation.

If the Shadow Demon fully became a Flame Demon, things would become troublesome.

Dolores felt exhaustion spreading through her body.

In her current state, there was no way she could rush over and stop the Shadow Demon herself.

That meant they could only rely on Philly.

After reincarnating so many times, she should know spellcasting needed to be interrupted, right?

But at that moment, Dolores noticed that Philly was still smiling while staring at her.

?

Could you at least turn around and look?!

It’s literally transforming right now!

Why are you still staring at me?!

Am I really that pretty?!

Go interrupt it already!

“Qui—”

Just as Dolores was about to speak, Philly finally seemed to realize the seriousness of the situation and turned around.

Whew… finally—

But Philly merely crossed her arms and silently watched the Shadow Demon transform as if she were watching a play.

???

Wait, that’s it?

You’re just watching?!

Its transformation has nothing to do with you?!

Dolores became anxious.

Ignoring her fatigue, she stepped forward—

Only for Philly to extend an arm and stop her.

“Don’t worry, Miss~”

“It’s fine, let it transform~”

Philly wore a completely confident expression, causing Dolores to freeze for a moment.

Let it transform?

Don’t tell me…

You can actually beat a Flame Demon?

Boom!

Black flames erupted from the Shadow Demon’s body like hellfire from the abyss, devouring its entire form.

“AAAAAAHHHH!”

The Shadow Demon let out a painful roar.

When the flames finally dispersed, the one standing there was no longer the black-robed figure from before.

Its body had doubled in size.

Two demonic horns extended from its head.

Its eyes had transformed into burning masses of black fire.

The black flames condensed into a dark core upon its chest.

Its entire body was covered in dark red rock armor, while molten lava flowed through the cracks.

The Flame Demon raised its right arm and slowly clenched its fist, feeling the black flames surging between its fingers.

“So this is the power of a Demon God?”

Then it laughed.

“Hahahahahaha!”

“Amazing! This is absolutely amazing!”

Its laughter abruptly stopped.

Lowering its head, it locked onto the pink-haired girl who still stood there with crossed arms.

“Pink-haired brat.”

“Weren’t you looking down on me earlier?”

It raised both arms as black flames ignited within its hands.

“Now then, taste the power of this hellfire!”

The Flame Demon swung both arms.

Two spheres of black fire howled toward Philly.

Philly lowered her arms and elegantly drew her sword.

With a light upward slash—

The black flames split cleanly in half and flew past her sides before crashing into two trees behind her.

The trees were immediately consumed by black flames until not even ashes remained.

“Oh my~”

“So this is the power of a Demon God?”

Philly’s tone was filled with disappointment.

“So impressive~”

“You!”

The Flame Demon roared furiously.

It continuously swung its arms, unleashing wave after wave of black flames toward Philly.

Philly neither dodged nor retreated.

Her sword danced gracefully through the air, splitting every single black flame apart.

The surroundings had already become a blazing wasteland.

Yet within the cone-shaped area behind her, not a single spark could approach.

Everything there remained perfectly untouched.

“Impossible!”

The Flame Demon widened its burning black eyes.

“How can you resist hellfire?!”

“Is Mr. Flame Demon finally done attacking?”

Seeing the Flame Demon halt its assault, Philly rested her sword upon her shoulder.

“If you’re finished…”

“Then it’s my turn now~”

She raised her sword high above her head.

Crimson flames ignited along the blade once more.

But this time, the flames burned far hotter than before, illuminating the entire forest.

Then she turned around and winked at Dolores.

“Miss, watch carefully now~”