Chapter 9: Shadows Fall, Fangs Rise
The bell tower struck midnight.
And with it, the first blade fell.
Ren barely had time to dodge as a bolt of lightning carved into the stone beside him. He rolled, summoning the Codex with a flick of his wrist. Nyxria appeared beside him in a shimmer of shadows, her cloak unfurling like wings.
"They're here," she whispered. "Veylor's bloodhounds."
Figures dropped from the rooftops—twelve students, clad in silver-trimmed armor and cloaks marked with the crest of House Veylor. They surrounded Ren in a half-circle, blades drawn and spells primed.
Kael Veylor stepped forward last, calm and commanding.
"Ren Kamizuki. You've broken ancient seals, consorted with forbidden forces, and threatened the balance of this academy. I, Kael Veylor, heir of Flame and Steel, sentence you to nullification."
Ren's lips curled. "Nullification? That's cute."
He raised his hand—and Nullfang shimmered into existence. Its edge whispered with void energy, humming like a lullaby for dying stars.
Lira appeared beside him, breathless, sword already drawn.
"You're not facing him alone," she said. "Veylor doesn't get to decide who lives and dies."
Nyxria smiled faintly. "How sweet. But unnecessary."
She lifted her hand, and from her shadow rose phantoms—echoes of long-lost warriors, bound by the Void Protocol. They swirled around Ren like wraiths, answering an unspoken command.
The courtyard exploded into chaos.
Kael clashed blades with Ren, flame crashing against voidlight. Sparks flew. Each strike carved rifts in the air.
"You're not normal," Kael growled. "What are you?"
Ren's eyes flared violet. "I'm a mistake… the kind the gods will regret."
Behind them, two of Veylor's elite fell to Nyxria's phantoms—dissolving into mist as her power devoured their will. Lira danced through the fray like a tempest, cutting spells from the sky and blocking Kael's reinforcements.
But it wasn't enough.
A massive explosion flung Ren back—crashing into the statue of the first Headmaster. His vision blurred.
Then, for the first time—
The Codex Nullum spoke aloud.
"Do you wish to unlock a Forbidden Entry?"
Ren grinned through bloodied lips. "Hell yes."