Chapter 19
When Uriel was just beginning to learn the basics of dark-elemental magic from Edgar, chaos erupted elsewhere.
Screams tore through the city near the Academy.
“Waaaaah!”
“Quick, put out the fire!”
“No, it’s too late! Everyone, move! Get out of the way before you’re swept up in it!”
A massive blaze of unknown origin engulfed half the city. The flames refused to die, even with the aid of fire-control mages.
After a full day and night of effort, the inferno was finally subdued — but at a terrible cost.
No one knew how it started. Entire blocks were reduced to ash, thousands displaced. And with that came chaos — unrest, fear, and anger.
The next day, another storm brewed.
“You promised us our rewards!”
“How am I supposed to live with this arm?!”
“You used us on the battlefield, and now you throw us away?!”
Discharged veterans, crippled and forgotten, took to the streets demanding compensation.
The Empire branded it an uprising and sent active soldiers to suppress it.
Swords clashed between brothers-in-arms — veterans against soldiers still in service.
The riot ended swiftly.
But the unease remained.
And then, as if to stoke the fire further…
“Kyaaaah!”
“S-someone’s dead!”
Murder cases began popping up across the district.
No common link between victims.
No theft, no motive.
Only corpses.
Authorities scrambled, strengthened patrols, but fear only deepened.
Deus heard every report.
And with each one, his conviction hardened.
“It’s close,” he murmured. “It’s almost time. The Academy attack will begin soon.”
Later that day—
Deus stood at the edge of the training field, muttering to himself.
“They’re splitting the security forces on purpose.”
He could see it clearly now.
The string of disasters — fire, riots, killings — none of it was random.
Each incident stretched the Empire’s defenses thinner.
Each one weakened their readiness, exhausted their nerves.
It was the perfect prelude to invasion.
“If I raise the alarm now,” he thought, “they’ll call me mad. And if nothing happens, I’ll be branded a liar.”
He sighed.
He wasn’t a prophet.
He wasn’t here to warn — he was here to forge heroes.
Those heroes would one day end this war.
The upcoming attack would be their first trial by fire.
“It’s too late to change anything now,” Deus murmured, steel in his eyes. “I’ll take the risk.”
The bell rang, summoning students for training.
He watched them gather — the future warriors, some still full of arrogance and fear.
“Listen up,” Deus began. “Today’s lesson will be… a little different.”
His lessons were never about words — only action.
But this time, he decided to speak first.
“In battle against demons, there’s one situation you’ll all face — the flames of war.”
He began explaining calmly, almost casually, about fire, smoke, and panic — how they kill more soldiers than swords ever could.
“Never stay indoors when fire breaks out. No matter what. Even if it feels safer inside.”
He scanned the crowd. Some of them flinched guiltily.
“You’d be surprised how many die running into burning tents. Fear makes fools of men. And make no mistake — fire is just as much an enemy as any demon.”
Then he continued, voice dropping low.
“Watch the wind. Always. And cover your mouth and nose — dying from smoke is far more common than burning alive.”
Many of them had heard rumors that Deus had been a soldier once.
Now they began to believe it.
A faint smile crossed his lips.
“If I could, I’d light a fire right here and teach you firsthand.”
The students laughed nervously, thinking he was joking.
But Uriel and Erich didn’t.
They knew better.
And then—
Deus paused. His expression stiffened.
“…It’s started.”
“Sir?” one student asked.
He didn’t answer. He just turned his head toward the far horizon.
He could feel it — the faint trace of smoke on the wind.
And beneath it, something fouler.
The stench of demons.
Moments later, the Academy’s public address system crackled to life.
– Attention. A fire of unknown cause has broken out inside the Academy. Please remain calm and follow staff instructions…
Students froze. Then slowly, heads turned toward Deus.
He had just lectured them about fires — and now one had erupted that very moment.
And then—
– W-who are you?! No, wait— Aaargh!
Screams. Crashes. Threats.
And a new voice. Cold, inhuman.
– To the humans of this Academy…
– From this moment, this place belongs to us — the demons.
Deus closed his eyes briefly.
“They’re not even hiding it.”
A direct declaration of war.
Brash — but effective.
Students erupted in confusion.
“Demons?! Here?!”
“We’re just trainees! What do we do?!”
“Where’s the nearest shelter?!”
Panic spread like wildfire.
And Deus understood. The broadcast wasn’t for intimidation — it was strategy.
“They’re sowing chaos,” he muttered. “And it’s working.”
The timid few began shouting, their fear infecting others.
A perfect setup for slaughter.
“Smart move, you bastards,” Deus thought grimly.
“Instructor! What should we do?!”
Even the noble-born students who had sneered at him now clung to his orders.
Deus turned, calm as ever.
“Remember what I told you — about fire and smoke. Do exactly that. And forget the shelters.”
“W-what? But—”
“You think the demons didn’t already take the routes there?”
He pointed toward the main hall.
“Head to the central training grounds. You’ll find other instructors there — they’ll hold the line.”
“What about you, sir?”
“I have work to do.”
“W-work? You’re leaving us?!”
Deus gave the boy a cold glance.
“I’m a soldier, not a bodyguard.”
That shut him up.
Soon, the crowd began to move.
When they were gone, only a few remained — Uriel, Erich, and a handful of others who stayed silently behind.
“You’re students,” Deus said quietly. “You don’t need to prove anything by dying here.”
No one moved.
Uriel met his eyes, fire burning behind hers.
Erich followed with a firm nod.
They would stay.
“Good,” Deus said, turning toward the direction of the smoke. “Then let’s go.”
“It’s time,” he murmured. “For heroes to be forged… and to save another.”
