The Extra's Rise-Chapter 396: Vryndall (10)
Professor Nero reappeared through his own spatial movement, looking somewhat battered but undefeated. His eyes narrowed as he assessed the situation, layers of mana constructs already forming around him in preparation to resume the battle.
"We shall retreat for now," the Cardinal decided, creating another spatial rift. "This... encounter has yielded sufficient data."
Nero's jaw tightened, clearly dissatisfied with allowing the Covenant members to escape, but practicality overrode vengeance. His priority remained the safety of his students, many of whom lay grievously wounded throughout the hotel.
Shadows coalesced around the Cardinal and Lyra, preparing to transport them from the battlefield. Before the darkness enveloped her completely, Lyra's gaze fixed on Arthur one final time, her smile carrying equal parts fascination and anticipation.
"Until next time, Arthur Nightingale," she whispered as the shadows claimed them.
The tension in the room diminished perceptibly with their departure, though not entirely. Professor Nero exhaled deeply, his focus shifting to the injured students scattered across the devastated lobby.
"Thank god you're all alive," he said, genuine relief coloring his typically stoic tone. With practiced efficiency, he wove complex healing and protective spells around each Class A member, stabilizing their most critical injuries. "I need to check on the other students now... I'll be back soon."
With that promise, he vanished once more, leaving the Class A students alone with their thoughts—and with Arthur, who stood casually among the destruction, hands tucked into his pockets with uncharacteristic nonchalance.
Nine pairs of eyes turned toward him, each registering varying degrees of suspicion and confusion. Something about Arthur had fundamentally changed—his posture, his expression, the very way he occupied space felt alien compared to the classmate they knew.
Rachel was the first to move, pushing herself to her feet with effort despite Nero's healing spell. Her normally serene features had hardened into uncharacteristic wariness as she approached Arthur.
"Hey," she said, her voice carrying subtle challenge beneath its surface.
Seraphina, Cecilia, and Rose followed her lead, forming a loose semicircle around him. Despite their injuries, all four girls radiated focused intent.
"Where is Arthur?" they asked in perfect unison, their shared concern temporarily overriding their usual rivalries.
Arthur tilted his head, studying them with bemused interest before a smile graced his lips—not the expression of determined focus they knew, but something older, more knowing.
"You can sense that, how perceptive," he replied, his voice carrying familiar timbre but unfamiliar cadence. "The girls in Arthur's life are quite remarkable."
"We asked you a question," Rachel said, Purelight gathering at her fingertips, ready to strike. Around her, the others prepared their own responses—Cecilia's crimson mana condensed into deadly precision, Seraphina's frost-wreathed sword materialized in her grip, and Rose's Paradox Gift manifested as a glowing blue rose between her palms.
"Now, now, do you want to kill your Arthur?" he asked, amusement dancing in his eyes. Without warning, he reached out and plucked Rose's manifested blue rose from the air before she could react.
"Don't—" Rose began, genuine alarm spreading across her features. The blue rose was no mere manifestation but the physical focus of her Gift, imbued with paradoxical properties that made it unpredictable and potentially lethal when mishandled.
Her warning died on her lips as Arthur casually brought the rose to his face and inhaled its scent, his smile widening into something that appeared genuinely appreciative rather than mocking.
"Paradox," he murmured, studying the bloom with the interest of a connoisseur. "Such fascinating potential. Don't worry, this can't kill me."
To their collective shock, he crushed the bloom in his palm, its paradoxical energy dissipating harmlessly into the air. Rose stumbled backward, momentarily disoriented by the unexpected severance of her Gift's focus.
"Anyway, this is goodbye for some time," Arthur announced, glancing around at the assembled students with what almost appeared to be fond regret.
"Goodbye?" Lucifer echoed, managing to stand despite his injuries, his God's Eyes still active as he studied Arthur with renewed intensity.
"What do you mean?" Clara asked, voicing the confusion shared by everyone present.
"I need to leave for about a year," Arthur replied, his tone matter-of-fact despite the bombshell announcement. "So get me a leave of absence from the Academy. You four can do that much for your dear Arthur, right?" His gaze lingered on the four girls, the request carrying weight beyond its simple phrasing.
His statement hung in the air, impossible to refute after what they had witnessed during the battle against Lyra. The Arthur before them had demonstrated mastery beyond what should have been possible, breaking through the Aspect wall and achieving Resonance with casual ease where their classmate had struggled for months.
"A year..." Seraphina whispered, her analytical mind quickly running through implications. "The Academy won't simply allow—"
"They will with your backing," Arthur interrupted smoothly.
"How do we know you'll come back?" Rose asked quietly, the emotional question cutting through the strategic implications.
Arthur's smile returned, gentler now. "You have my word. One year from today, I'll return." He reached out, briefly touching Rose's cheek with surprising tenderness. "And when I do, I'll be ready to face what's coming."
Without warning, he turned and began walking toward the shattered entrance of the hotel lobby, his movements carrying absolute confidence despite the destruction surrounding them.
"Wait!" Rachel called after him. "What should we tell everyone? The professors, your family—"
Arthur paused, glancing back over his shoulder. "Tell them I'm going for isolation training. It's not even a lie." His expression grew momentarily somber. "And tell them I'll return stronger. Strong enough to protect what matters."
With those parting words, he stepped through the ruined doorway and into the chaos of Vryndall's final night.
Aftermath
Professor Nero returned to the Crystalline Haven hotel within the hour, his expression grave as he surveyed the devastation. The hotel had become a makeshift emergency center, with injured students receiving treatment in what remained of the grand ballroom. The death toll among civilians was climbing rapidly, though miraculously, no Mythos Academy students had been lost—yet.
"Class A," Nero called, gesturing for them to gather. "I need a situation report."
The students assembled before him, their injuries partially healed but exhaustion evident in their postures. Lucifer, as the highest-ranked, stepped forward to speak for the group.
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"We encountered Bishop Lyra of the Umbravale Covenant," he stated, his usual composure somewhat restored despite the dried blood still visible around his eyes. "She was... beyond our capabilities."
"And where is Nightingale?" Nero asked, noting the conspicuous absence of the second-ranked student.
A moment of uncomfortable silence followed as the students exchanged glances, silently deliberating on how to explain what they'd witnessed.
Rachel finally spoke, her voice steady despite her exhaustion. "Arthur achieved Sword Resonance during the battle, Professor. He managed to wound the Bishop before Cardinal Moros intervened."
Nero's eyebrows rose slightly—the closest to open surprise he ever displayed. "He wounded a Bishop? At his age and rank? That's..."
"Unprecedented, yes," Seraphina continued. "After the battle, he informed us he needs to pursue specialized training. He's requested a year-long sabbatical."
"A sabbatical?" Nero's expression darkened. "In the middle of the academic year? After an attack of this magnitude? That's completely irregular."
"We support his request," Cecilia stated, her tone leaving no room for argument. "The four of us will use our family connections to ensure it's approved through proper channels."
Nero studied the four girls with analytical intensity. "You're certain this is what he wants? His behavior wasn't... influenced by the battle?"
"He was different," Rose admitted quietly. "But lucid. Focused. He said he needed to prepare for threats beyond the Covenant."
"And you believe him?"
"We do," the four replied in unison, their typical rivalries temporarily set aside in unified purpose.
Nero sighed, running a hand through his hair—a rare display of human frustration from the normally impassive professor. "We have more immediate concerns. Vryndall has fallen. The Covenant's forces have overrun the northeastern quadrant, and evacuation portals are being established for the remaining civilians and students."
"What about the staff? The other professors?" Jin asked.
"Professor Ashford was injured protecting Class C students. The others are assisting with evacuations." Nero's expression hardened. "We leave within the hour. The Northern military will handle the containment and recovery operation."
As Class A dispersed to help with the evacuation efforts, Lucifer lingered behind, addressing Nero privately.
"Professor, what Arthur did... it shouldn't have been possible."
Nero was silent for a moment before responding. "No, it shouldn't have been. Which means either our understanding of his capabilities was fundamentally flawed—"
"Or something else was at work," Lucifer finished.
"Keep your observations to yourself for now," Nero instructed. "When he returns, we'll have questions. Until then, we focus on the crisis at hand."
As such, Vryndall City fell.
