On the rooftop of a certain building in Greenfield Academy, a heated battle was raging.
Arthur sprinted forward, his sword ready, his eyes burning with determination. The vampire stood still for a moment, observing, before stepping back slightly. It raised one hand.
A red mist materialized above the vampire—a swirling mass of Blood Energy. Instantly, it shaped into sharp, deadly spikes.
With a flick of its wrist, the spikes launched toward Arthur, cutting through the air with terrifying precision.
Arthur didn't flinch. In fact, a grin tugged at the corner of his lips. "You think this'll stop me? You'll need more than that," he growled, voice dripping with confidence.
He swung his sword in one fluid motion, the air itself bending to his will.
An invisible blade of wind burst from his sword, slicing through the air toward the approaching spikes. The vampire narrowed its eyes, recognizing the danger too late.
'A Wind Slash?' the vampire thought, eyes gleaming.
Sparks flew as Arthur's Wind Slash collided with the blood spikes, the impact sending shockwaves through the air. Both attacks canceled each other out, leaving everywhere in eerie silence.
Arthur advanced without pause. His breathing was steady, his feet light. He wasn't just any Wind Element Mage—he was at the Master Rank. But the vampire was no fool. It could also feel something else within Arthur that it recognized. Something strange...
'That aura...' The vampire's thoughts flickered. 'It's weaker than the "others" I've faced... But still dangerous.'
The vampire wasn't here for a drawn-out battle—it had a mission. Kill, and Arthur was just unfortunate to be the first person. It grinned, sharp fangs glistening in the moonlight.
The vampire moved. Its speed was blinding, a dark blur in the night as it closed the distance in an instant. Claws extended, poised to tear Arthur apart.
Arthur's eyes widened, but he didn't panic. The flame-like aura around him shimmered for a moment before he matched the vampire's speed.
They clashed in mid-air, a blur of motion. The vampire's claws slashed toward Arthur's chest, while Arthur's sword swung in a wide arc.
The sound of metal striking claws rang out, sparks flying as Arthur staggered back from the force of the blow. His grin faded slightly as he regained his footing. "Damn... it's strong."
The vampire sneered, sensing an opportunity. It lunged again, claws outstretched, aiming for Arthur's throat.
Before the claws could connect, Arthur spun on his heel, leaping backward just in time. A faint shimmer in the air surrounded him—his Wind Barrier. "Barely saved me there," he muttered under his breath.
"You're disappointing," the vampire rasped, its voice creaky and mocking. "I expected more from one of your kind."
Arthur chuckled darkly, wiping sweat from his brow. "This isn't the first time I've heard that."
He coughed suddenly, blood splattering the rooftop as he tried to steady his breathing. His legs wobbled, but he forced himself to stand tall.
The vampire chuckled, stepping forward slowly. "Already at your limit? Are you sure you belong to them? Pathetic."
Arthur smirked, blood dripping from his lips as he wiped his mouth with the back of his hand. "You haven't seen anything yet."
The vampire's eyes narrowed, taking a step forward. "I see..."
In the blink of an eye, the vampire was in front of him. Arthur's heart raced as his mind screamed in warning. 'Has it been holding back this whole time?'
The vampire's claws slashed toward his chest, but Arthur's instincts kicked in.
A clanging sound was heard, and sparks flew as Arthur barely managed to block with his sword.
Wind blades erupted from Arthur's position, aiming directly at the vampire.
The vampire's skin turned a dull red, shimmering like metal. The wind blades bounced off harmlessly. Arthur's eyes widened in horror.
"It's been... holding back," he whispered, cold realization setting in.
The vampire's lips curled into a cruel grin. "Now you've realized too late."
But the vampire hesitated. Arthur's expression had changed—it was no longer fear, but something else. Madness. Determination.
With blood still trickling from his lips, Arthur leaped back, crouching low. "I told you... I won't go down without a fight."
The vampire watched with curiosity, eyes narrowing. Arthur slammed both hands onto the rooftop, the wind suddenly swirling around him.
The wind spiraled faster and faster, forming a barrier around the rooftop. The vampire's cloak fluttered violently as the wind howled like a storm.
"What is this?" the vampire muttered, taking a step back.
Arthur stood tall, his gaze locked on the vampire. "Behold... my strongest spell. Wind's Whisper."
The vampire's red eyes darted around, confusion turning into realization. Cracks began to appear on its metallic skin.
"Huh?!" the vampire snarled, looking at its own body. "What... is happening?"
Invisible wind slashes tore into the vampire's body.
The vampire groaned as pieces of its metal-like armor shattered. Blood began to drip from the cuts appearing across its body.
Arthur's grin widened. "At least... I hurt you. Mom..... Dad..... I....."
But as the wind raged on, Arthur's energy was fading. His knees trembled. His vision blurred.
The vampire's anger flared. It released a wave of Blood Aura that slammed into the wind barrier, forcing it back. The pressure was immense, but Arthur's spell refused to give in. It slashed deeper and deeper into the vampire's skin.
A large gash appeared across the vampire's chest, and Arthur smiled weakly. "I... I did it."
But the spell finally gave out. The wind dissipated, and the vampire, though injured, still stood. Its eyes glowed with hatred.
In a flash, it appeared in front of Arthur, gripping his throat.
Arthur laughed through the pain. "Go ahead... kill me. But "they'll" come for you. They'll come for all of you."
The vampire's eyes narrowed. "What?"
Arthur's voice was faint now, his breathing labored. "You messed with the wrong person..."
The vampire squeezed harder. "Die."
Arthur's eyes closed. His body went limp, and he stopped breathing.
Meanwhile, elsewhere...
"Tessa," Alex suddenly called out as he opened his eyes, his lips moving backwards, "I just sensed something."
"Huh?" Tessa muttered, "Sensed what?"
Alex paused, squinting his eyes for a second. "Don't tell me..."
"Alex, what is it?" Tessa asked, a frown on her face. "You're scaring me."
"Shit..." Alex cursed as his eyes widened.
"I know that energy..." He muttered.
His sudden shift in demeanor sent a wave of anxiety through Tessa. "What? What's wrong?"
Without responding immediately, Alex pivoted sharply, extending his arm toward the invisible Sound Barrier around them. With a swift gesture, the air rippled, and the barrier disintegrated like mist.