Sovereign of the Ashes

As the magic bell of the Black Magic Academy resonated through the air the next day, hundreds of magic initiates, including Sein, assembled before the central flower garden.

More than twenty academy overseers were also present, strategically stationed at various vantage points in the surroundings.

Sein saw only six full-fledged black mages standing before the academy building but the numbers destined for the journey to Shadow Valley were unmistakably greater than that.

A cloak of mist and a gathering of gray crows weaved through the atmosphere in the academy, their sudden appearance likely the handiwork of those unseen black mages.

No formal announcements or explanations were offered, leaving the atmosphere heavy with tension.

Vice Dean Dedaelon, standing in front of the other five black mages, addressed the initiates in a cold and commanding tone, simply saying, “Depart!”

The presence of these full-fledged black mages cast a hushed pall over the initiates as they departed from the academy.

Sein and Leena walked side by side as they left the Black Magic Academy, immediately noticing a change in Mystralora City.

The city was eerily quiet, with residents compelled to remain indoors due to a strictly enforced curfew imposed by the black mages two days ago.

Even the underground demihumans who frequented the city had been driven away.

The date of the city’s reopening remained uncertain, as the black mages had not provided a clear answer.

Shadow Valley was a considerable distance from Mystralora City. Although Sein had never visited, he had heard of the place.

Obviously, they were not going to travel to Shadow Valley on foot, as the black mages were not keen to waste precious time on a road trip.

However, for those in the know, such as the vice deans, it was understood that this arrangement might change at any moment.

A massive flying ship awaited them outside the city. This was not the first time Sein had traveled on one, as he had first arrived in the Underworld on such a vessel in the past.

He learned from Master Morsidor that this vehicle was called an “airship”.

Given the size of the airship, it could easily accommodate several hundred initiates.

To Sein’s surprise, besides the initiates, there were nearly a hundred minotaurs and dozens of dark creatures on board.

On the deck of the ship, Vice Dean Dedaelon appeared to be in a heated conversation with a dark creature.

Despite Sein’s attempt to eavesdrop, the conversation remained inaudible due to soundproofing shields.

He and Leena proceeded to their cabin, assigned according to their strength. Sein found himself in a well-located, spacious room on the second level.

Zorro, who seemed knowledgeable about Shadow Valley, informed them in a hushed tone that it would take at least a week to reach their destination even with the airship.

Sein wanted to inquire further, but Zorro merely told him that he would learn more upon arrival and mentioned that he needed to prepare for the upcoming exploration.

As the initiates boarded the airship and settled into their cabins, Vice Dean Dedaelon addressed the large black spider with sixteen pairs of legs standing before him in an unfriendly manner, “Why have only a third of your kin arrived? Where are the other dark creatures?”

The dark spider, as tall as a man, exhibited no fear in the face of Vice Dean Dedaelon’s harsh tone. It responded in a human voice, “You were the one who violated the agreement first by acting seven years ahead of schedule without prior notice. We, the Dark Spider clan, have the right to decide whether to join your cause or continue to observe.”

Vice Dean Dedaelon narrowed his eyes. The strong elemental pressure of a Rank Two black mage instantly pinned the dark spider down on the deck of the airship.

Although the spider was as strong as a full-fledged black mage, it could not match the power of Vice Dean Dedaelon, who was a rank superior to him in strength.

The spider groaned as Vice Dean Dedaelon held it captive with his elemental pressure, forcing a foul-smelling yellowish-green substance to ooze from its abdomen.

Among the three vice deans of the Black Magic Academy, Martin was the strongest, followed by Dedaelon, with Lady Jeanne ranking third.

These three black mages were among the strongest within their peer group of the same rank. Their appointments as vice deans by the enigmatic and influential ruler of Mystralora City, who also served as the dean of the academy, attested to their exceptional abilities.

Despite Vice Dean Dedaelon’s efforts to subdue the dark spider, it remained defiant.

The creature locked eyes with Dedaelon, its five pitch-black orbs filled with viciousness as it spat, “Do you truly dare to challenge the Dark Spider clan? All the dark creatures in Mystralora City are loyal to our clan. Our leader was also personally invited by Lord Martin. Our influence extends across the Western Archipelago and the majority of the Underworld.”

“Under the protection of the Goddess, the Dark Spider clan fears no threat or challenge, even from the mages of the Magus World!” the dark spider screamed shrilly, despite being only a Rank One lifeform.

In response, Dedaelon let out a dismissive snort and unleashed his powers, causing three of the spider’s five black eyes to burst.

Although the vice dean was only a rank higher than the spider, the difference in their strength was like night and day.

Dedaelon chose to not deliver a fatal blow. After blinding three of the spider’s eyes, he turned away, deep in thought.

“What a bunch of stupid god-believers. I fail to fathom why Martin extended an invitation to them from the Western Archipelago. Could this be the dean’s intention?” Dedaelon pondered.

Mages of the Magus World, as seekers of truth, did not believe in the existence of gods.

They believed that if gods truly existed, the ancient and terrifying beings hidden deep within the divine towers and the soul towers would seize the opportunity to escape and capture these so-called gods.

They would then restrain them on an experiment table and dissect them for research.

After generations of relentless research and exploration, the mages of the Magus World had collectively concluded that the so-called gods were nothing more than self-proclaimed titles of individuals who had ascended to higher life levels.

The concept also originated from the deep reverence of lower-level life forms toward inexplicable phenomena, leading to the veneration of individuals with immense power as “gods”.

The goddess worshiped by the Dark Spider clan was an anomaly in the entire Magus World and the vast number of planes under the influence of the Magus Civilization.

Foreign gods, even supreme overlords that were often referred to as “Overgods”, did not dare to meddle in the affairs of the Magus Civilization, let alone propagate their beliefs or preach in the Magus World.

Yet, this particular goddess had managed to establish a significant presence in the Magus World and had garnered considerable respect among the myriad underground dark creatures.

The reasons for her influence and whether any hidden secrets were at play remained a mystery.