The next day, Leo went about his usual routine, attending classes at the association as if nothing was different. He didn't tell anyone his plans, nor did he act suspicious. After finishing his warrior class, he made his way to the Grand Cathedral.
Like any normal day, he walked to his Illusion class, entered the empty room, and took a seat. After a few minutes of silence, ensuring no one was coming, he pulled out the spell papers and began drawing Mana Surge Snare inscriptions. Each spell took nearly a minute to complete, and after two hours, he had finished all one hundred spells.
He carefully organized them—placing ten of each spell into separate bags. Beside each set, he placed a mana crystal and activated it. The challenge was that for the traps to detonate using the mana crystals, they needed to be linked to an active enchantment, like the Lock spell on his door. However, he had found another potential method—if a nearby trap was triggered, the resulting mana disturbance should cause a chain reaction, setting them all off.
He had tested this theory in the basement during his research, but he hadn't had enough time to confirm it fully.
Once he packed everything back up, he nested the smaller bags into a single large one, concealing them together.
After finishing his preparations, he decided to stay seated for another two hours. But the silence offered no peace—his thoughts began to creep in, each one darker than the last.
'What if I fail?'
If he did, the Paladins wouldn't stop with him. They'd interrogate his family… maybe even arrest them. The thought twisted in his chest like a knife. But letting Elna die? That wasn't an option either.
He clenched his fists and shook his head, forcing the fear aside. He had only one choice: not to fail. No matter how powerful his enemies were, he had to find a way to win.
A quick glance at his watch told him it was 6 p.m. Steeling himself, he finally stepped out into the evening air.
Leo walked straight to the main hall.
The tall pillars rose toward the ceiling, giving the room a sense of weight and importance. He walked casually to one of them and set his bag down behind it. Without drawing attention, he pulled out another one from inside and left it there before moving on.
He did the same thing five more times, placing six small bags near different pillars, all close to the large statue at the center of the hall.
Since he still carried his main bag, no one questioned a young paladin walking through the cathedral. But after a while, the scattered bags started to catch the guards' attention.
Once everything was in place, Leo made his way to the center of the hall.
Activating all his passive spells and his enchanted ring, he felt a shift in the air. Two guards, now wary, slowly approached him with their hands resting on their swords.
Leo placed his bag on the ground and knelt, drawing a chalk circle onto the stone floor.
Then, with deliberate slowness, he pulled out the Sword of Light and Titan's Guard.
The remaining guards reacted instantly.
Every set of eyes in the room locked onto him.
The atmosphere thickened.
People started moving toward the entrance.
And the guards—every single one—began advancing toward him.
"Hey, kid! What the hell do you think you're doing?"
The nearest guard barked, his hand already reaching for his sword.
Leo didn't answer right away. He glanced around. More guards were closing in—ten in total, all ranked C he guessed.
Silently, he reached into his pouch and pulled out another bag. Beneath his feet, a carefully placed paper with the Dome spell was already set.
He locked eyes with the guard who had spoken. "I'm saving my friend."
With that, he hurled the bag. It landed just a few steps from the guard's feet. The man barely had time to react before Leo activated the trap.
Boom.
The bag detonated, the shockwave setting off the others scattered around the area. A rapid chain of explosions erupted—six in total—one after another, each blast shaking the ground. Smoke and fire filled the corridor as the guards were thrown in every direction, crashing to the stone floor with pained grunts and gasps. They weren't dead, but they weren't getting up anytime soon.
Leo didn't hesitate. He turned and sprinted at full speed.
The blast had thrown back the guards stationed by the door, sending them crashing into the others. They were tangled in the aftermath—injured, disoriented. It was the opening Leo needed.
He dashed past them and slipped through the first door without resistance.
Left, then straight.
He followed Ryan's instructions, bolting down a three-meter-wide corridor. The narrow passage forced him to keep his movements sharp, efficient. At the far end, two more guards stood, eyes wide, clearly startled by the explosions.
Leo didn't slow down. He reached for his eighth bag and flung it toward them. As soon as it hit the ground, he raised his shield in front of him.
Boom.
The blast slammed into him, but the shield absorbed the full force, its enchantment dulling the shock. When he lowered it, both guards were sprawled on the floor, unconscious. The door, however, was still intact.
Leo pulled out the paper Ryan had given him. Here, at last, he had a second to look at it properly.
Three circles.
"Shit."
This wasn't a simple spell.
He pressed the spell paper against the door and activated his mana crystal. The first attempt failed. Sparks flickered, then died.
"Come on, come on."
The second attempt—nothing. Even with his enchanted ring, the spell resisted him. His mana control wasn't precise enough. He clenched his jaw, frustration bubbling inside him.
The third attempt.
Just as he was about to fail again, a surge of energy ripped through his body. It was sudden, overwhelming—a raw, potent force unlike anything he had ever felt before.
His eyes widened. He knew this power.
Selvanna.
The domain of Selvanna had reached out to him, filling him with a presence so vast and powerful that, for a moment, he felt like he could do anything.
The spell activated.
Dark ooze seeped from the paper, slithering across the door's surface. The thick liquid sizzled as it melted through the metal lock. With a heavy click, the door swung open.
Leo rushed inside.
Cell after cell. Empty.
His pulse quickened. Where is she?
Then, in the last cage—he saw her.
Elna lay motionless on the cold stone floor, her body battered and bruised.
Leo didn't hesitate. He slapped another spell paper onto the bars and activated it. This time, the spell responded instantly, unlocking the door with ease.
He rushed to her side.
"Elna! Are you okay?"
No response.
His gut twisted, but he forced himself to stay calm. She's alive. That's all that mattered.
He also considered using the Sword of Light to heal her, but he wasn't sure whether it would mend her wounds or harm her instead, given that vampires were vulnerable to light magic.
"I've got you," he murmured, carefully lifting her onto his shoulder. She was lighter than he expected, her body limp. He adjusted his grip and turned back toward the exit.
He had barely taken a few steps when three more guards appeared, blocking his path.
The one in front sneered, sword already drawn. "Where do you think you're going?"
Leo gritted his teeth and gently set Elna down against the wall. Then, he turned to face them, shifting into an attack stance.
…
Outside the Cathedral.
Panic spread through the streets as the echo of explosions thundered from within the cathedral. People ran, shouting in confusion and fear, fleeing from whatever chaos was unfolding inside.
Ryan watched from a distance, standing just beyond the gathering crowd. He clicked his tongue.
"That idiot really did it."
A smirk crossed his face.
"He'll be dead soon."
Despite his words, he showed no concern. With a leisurely stride, he made his way toward the grand entrance of the cathedral.
As he moved, the world around him began to shift.
The trees lining the courtyard twisted unnaturally, their branches stretching, thickening, writhing as if possessed. The grass beneath his feet pulsed like a living thing. Vines slithered from the earth, creeping along the stone walls. The plants, once ordinary, now moved with an eerie awareness.
The guards stationed at the entrance—who had been busy helping civilians escape—froze at the sight. Alarmed, they quickly turned to confront him.
One of them stepped forward. "Who are you? Identify yourself!"
Ryan stopped, tilting his head slightly. "Me?" His grin widened, eyes glinting with mischief. "Just a tutor trying to save his student."
Before the guards could react, the twisting branches surged forward, wrapping around their limbs and torsos. They barely had time to struggle before they were completely immobilized, their weapons clattering to the ground.
From the massive doors of the cathedral, heavy footsteps echoed.
A towering figure emerged.
A paladin—his entire body clad in thick, gleaming armor. The sheer weight of it should have slowed him, but he moved with the confidence of someone who had never lost a battle. His presence alone radiated authority.
His voice was deep, unwavering. "Why are you attacking the cathedral, Ryan Alston Law?"
Ryan chuckled. "Captain Den. It's been a while."
Den didn't flinch. "You didn't answer my question."
Ryan shrugged. "I said it already. I'm here to save my student."
The paladin's eyes narrowed. "So, the one responsible for all this chaos… is your student?"
Ryan nodded. "That's right." His smirk returned. "I assume you're not planning to let me pass, then? Shouldn't you call your master instead?"
Den scoffed. "The bishop has no time for the likes of you. I am more than enough."
As if to reinforce his words, the sound of stone grinding against stone filled the air.
From the cathedral's rooftop, two massive figures dropped down beside him.
Stone guardians.
The cathedral's enchanted sentinels, carved from rock and imbued with divine energy. Their eyes glowed with an eerie light.
Ryan's smirk faded slightly, replaced with something else—something sharper.
He exhaled slowly. His fingers twitched.
"Well then… this should be fun."
…
Leo squared his stance, gripping his sword tightly as he faced the three C-rank guards blocking his path. He had only two explosive bags left. The one in front—the leader—stood taller and broader than the others, his presence alone exuding more pressure than a regular guard.
'I hope he's not B-rank.'
The leader smirked. "You want to do this the hard way? Fine by me."
He unsheathed his sword—a massive blade, closer to a two-handed greatsword than a standard weapon. Without warning, he lunged.
His speed was impressive, but not on the level of someone like Edmond. Leo barely had time to lift his shield before the strike came crashing down. The impact sent a jolt through his arm, forcing him a step back.
'C+, at most.'
If the man was hiding his strength, he wasn't revealing it yet.
The fight began and steel clashed against steel as they exchanged blows. Leo deflected a downward slash, but the moment his shield absorbed the strike, movement flickered behind the leader.
A second guard.
He darted in from the left, blade aimed directly at Leo's exposed side. The shield was locked in position—Leo had no time to block.
'So that was your plan?'
Fortunately, he had anticipated something like this. The ring on his hand pulsed.
A glowing circle of Fear magic flared in the air.
Both guards collapsed to their knees, overwhelmed by sudden terror. The second one hadn't seen the spell at all, blocked by the sheer size of the leader in front of him.
Leo seized the moment, leaping back two steps and positioning himself in front of Elna. The big guard was already forcing himself up, but Leo didn't need long. He had already placed an explosive bag near them.
Boom!
The explosion tore through the corridor. Leo braced himself, his shield absorbing the shockwave.
As the dust settled, he activated Moonlit Gaze, his enchanted sight cutting through the smoke. The weaker guards were down for good, but the leader was still standing.
Blood dripped from a cut on his forehead, but his stance remained strong. He exhaled sharply, eyes locked onto Leo. "You'll need more than that to stop me."
Leo straightened. "Looks like it."
The leader's expression shifted slightly. "So you can talk. Then tell me—why are you trying to save that girl?"
"Is it wrong to help a friend?"
The man narrowed his eyes. "So you're her teammate?"
"Classmate. And friend."
The leader let out a low chuckle, the only part of his face visible through the helmet being his intense, unblinking eyes.
"You think this is a joke? This is the Grand Cathedral."
Leo's sword began to glow.
"I know."
Then, he charged.
The leader barely flinched. He raised his sword and met Leo's attack with ease, absorbing the force without even budging.
"You're not strong enough to take me down."
Leo smirked. "You guys really need to stop underestimating your enemies."
Unseen by the leader, Leo's final explosive bag was already floating into position—suspended midair between the boss and the guard behind him, moved by telekinesis.
The moment it was in place, he lifted his shield.
The leader's eyes flickered with realization. "I'm not—"
Boom!
The explosion erupted, but this time, the leader acted instantly. He slammed his sword into the ground, activating a defensive spell. A massive golden shield materialized around him, absorbing the blast.
The moment the dust rose, a blade shot forward from within the smoke.
Leo barely saw it in time.
He jumped to the left, but the edge of the sword sliced across his waist.
Pain seared through him. Blood gushed from the wound. His vision blurred for a second as he dropped to one knee.
The leader emerged from the dust, armor scraped but still intact. He reached down and grabbed Leo by the throat, lifting him off the ground with ease.
"It's over."
Leo didn't struggle.
Instead, he smiled.
The leader scowled. "Why are you laughing? Lost your mind?"
Leo lifted his shield with the last of his strength.
Right in front of the man's face.
"I already knew you were going to attack."
Then, he unleashed all the stored energy in his shield.
A focused, point-blank mana burst erupted from the enchanted metal.
The force was far greater than the explosive bags—pure concentrated energy compressed into a single shockwave.
The leader was blasted backward, sent flying ten meters before crashing hard against the stone floor. His body lay still, unmoving.
The shockwave was so powerful that the guard behind him—who had been struggling to rise after the previous explosion—was also launched through the air, slamming into the ground with a heavy thud.
Leo collapsed to the ground, gasping. He barely had the strength left to move. Blood seeped from his waist wound, but he gritted his teeth and grabbed his sword. He placed his palm over the wound and activated the healing spell in the sword.
Warm energy flowed through him as the wound slowly closed. It wasn't perfect, but it was enough.
He exhaled sharply and pushed himself up.
His legs shook. His mana reserves were nearly gone. The mysterious power that had surged through him earlier was completely depleted.
But he had to keep going.
He turned to Elna, lifting her once more onto his shoulder. Step by step, he moved toward the main hall.
To his surprise, no more guards appeared.
He reached the grand cathedral doors, almost within reach of escape—
"Mr. Leo Mantine, why are you with the prisoner?"
A chilling pressure settled over the hall.
Leo froze. Slowly, he turned his head.
A man stood behind him, his ever-present smile stretching across his face. It was Oryu.
All hope drained from Leo's face. No. Not him.
Instinct screamed at him to run, but before he could take a step, the mana pressure intensified.
His body locked up.
His lungs refused to expand.
His knees buckled, and he collapsed to the floor. Elna tumbled from his grasp, hitting the cold stone with a dull thud.
He struggled to move. To breathe. But he was completely paralyzed under the weight of Oryu's mana.
The man took slow, deliberate steps forward, his eerie smile never fading.
"You defeated twelve C minus rank guards alone… and even took down a C?"
His grin widened. "A mere D-rank? Impossible. It seems I'm not the only one hiding secrets."
His voice was calm, but Leo could hear the underlying curiosity.
Oryu stopped a few feet away.
"More importantly, why didn't I see this in the divinations?"
With each step, the pressure crushing Leo's body grew heavier. His bones strained under the pressure, and his vision blurred into darkness. He was going to die. Suddenly, the pressure vanished. Leo gasped, collapsing forward, sucking in air desperately.
A new presence had arrived. Slowly, he lifted his head. Someone stood between him and Oryu.
Edgarth.