After the intense breakthrough, Cinder, even though she was healed by Night, she was completely depleted of mana and only after Ashley brought in, with frightening pressure coming off her body after an intense battle, an Alpha Ice wolf almost level 35. Only eating this her body could get some energy to regenerate mana to be able to move around.

She then said she would spend time in her own lava pit and after undressing she jumped right into the lava.

Only a demon would be able to openly do something like this because of their healing capabilities but there was no problem.

As for what Night had become, the fact that Ernest had no demon tattoo and Night himself saying that his true strength hadn’t actually risen, meant that he evolved but didn’t level up. That said, Night had Ernest give up on thinking of Identifying because he wanted to find out only at the academy.

That said, Ernest had to spend a long time the fix up the Innate spells Night had.

It took a week inside the lava for Cinder to come out healed but she said that she can’t break people through until she and Zip reached level 30 and break through along with Xero and Ashley. The impact on her body was simply too impossible to handle within spending almost a month each time in pain inside the lava pool to expel all the demon corrupting particles.

Still she could temper like she did before. Which continued to happen with Xero taking one space daily as for the other one. Univa and Meldie discovered about it, Meldie didn’t have many thoughts on it but it was told to her that Spirits, Fairy and object familiars are the ones that were best forged by Cinder.

As for Univa, she can’t be ‘forged’ but she and Tryus were tempered.

The difference is in the number of hits. 10 hits is called tempering, 30 to 50 hits is forging, 100 hits is breaking through.

The reason demons can be ‘forged’ is because ash is considered a material to them. It is unlike muscle, wood, stone, ash and any inorganic material making up a monster is regarded as an object to Plated Devils.

That said, people with specific types of familiars can usually be ‘forged’ alongside them which supports the breakthrough or just the forging process.

As for Tempering, it ignores this rule and any creature like Tryus or any organic monster, can be hit allowing them to have rapid development.

Like this, the last month of summer went by with Xero, Univa and around 20 knights daily being hit until they were nearly unconscious but each hit slowly pushed them beyond their limits and the strength of the knights force quickly surpassed the level 10 threshold.

When this happened, the reluctant guards began to volunteer and the strength also began to rise.

At the end of summer, Ernest split up from them and went to the Holy Institute himself with Night taking him while Xero took Univa and Meldie with him to Everlight Academy.

***

With the start of the school year, there was obviously the start of the year ranking as well as the new 2nd year students familiar summoning.

ROAR! GOWAHH!

The roar of a large Drake in the sky and on it’s back a blonde girl while on the ground was a boy and a giant black knight with a claymore.

This was a battle between Univa and Xero and unlike the end of the previous year, Xero could access Ashley’s true power causing widespread shock at the ferocity of the Sword Devil’s demon form.

With Univa flying Ashley growled and a large Greatsword appeared while Xero pulled out Edge and the two each took to the air flying several times faster than the dragon. That said, under the tempering of a month’s time, the scales of this drake had turned harder than steel but under Ashley’s blade, that did not matter.

GOWAH!

Ashley roared as she flew at Tryus as her claymore slowly released sparks of flame until she swung causing an arc of flame to be flung out as the Elemental Grand Cleave shot out.

The fang’s on the drake suddenly shined and turned shiny and grey like metal and it bit the sword with swift reflexes.

CLING! Swoosh Swoosh!

From the back Univa was pointing her wand out and firing low mana costing fireballs and wind shockwaves towards Xero who was skillfully dodging.

In his hand was a shining green sword. This was the Wind ore sword minion. As Xero’s mana entered it began to activate a spell set inside. “Downstream Slash!” Xero said and suddenly swung the sword.

The spell was force out a sharp whirlwind that would curve down towards the ground.

“Tryus! Dodge!” Univa shouted but the Sword Devil pushed forward to press the drake against the wall.

When the wind hit and curved down, it pulled the drake down off balance.

Down on the ground, in the high stands, Grunt and the other teachers were watching.

“This child grew a lot during the summer.” the headmaster said.

Miss Gilbody was looking at the fight while her glasses were off and her eyes shining. Behind her on a roost stand was a white owl. This was the Merlin in a small form similar to the Headmaster’s Phoenix or Nil’s Fenrir.

“The devil shows signs of have holy mana in its body. What is strange is that both of their muscle structure seems to have markings…” She said.

“Marks? Like injuries?” Grunt asked.

Miss Gilbody though a moment, “The term is tempered like metal.” Merlin answered for her.

“Tempered like metal?” The headmaster raised a brow and looked at her. “Is there a way for this to happen?” He asked.

“Of course. HOO! There are countless race’s that can forge things but there are some rare ones that can forge living beings Hoo~! It functions as a method to train oneself.” Merlin explained.

“Interesting.” The headmaster said simply.

The battle had continued with Univa crashing and to her surprise some ten yellow swords hit the ground and from them Sword Minion’s appeared and pulled their swords out. These were the Earth Minions and they all suddenly stab their swords down and several layers of earth form a pyramid around Univa trapping her inside.

BOOM! BOOM!

Shockwaves came from the pyramid but the sword minions each jump in different spots and stab the sword in causing the structure to become extremely solid.

Only thumping was heard after it was solidified.

“It is done! The winner is Xero Null.” The headmaster said but his voice traveled all over.

Xero flew down and shouted, “You all, let her out!” he ordered and jumped off Edge who spun around and became a tiny sword that moved near his ear and formed a magical ring on his ear.

Ashley jumped down causing the ground to shake before her body returned to normal and she breathed a deep breath in at once before blowing it away causing a stream of black smoke to come from her inside.

“Two minutes, ahaha! I knew we could finish this quickly.” Ashley laughed.

“You shouldn’t overexert yourself.” Xero said.

Ashley crossed her arms and pouted, “If I don’t do this then master will be looked down on.” She said.

BANG!

Suddenly the pyramid blew up as Tryus came out breaking heavily and grabbed something showing that it was Univa who was almost out of breath.

She was placed down and almost collapsed but stood up with the support of Tryus but sighed and walked over. “That was a hard fight. Though summoning your minions wasn’t fair.” Univa pouted.

Ashley pulled her lower eye lid and stuck her tongue out, “They were made by my power so I can call them out as much as I want! Bleh~!” She said acting like a child.

Pow!

Receiving a chop to the head, Ashley bent over, “Stop that.” Xero sighed and stuck his hand out to Univa, “Good fight.” he said.

She smiled wryly and took his hand before the two walked back to the stands.

This was the last fight, without any question these two were the years strongest students and, were in fact, as strong as Hellvine academy 3rd years if not a bit stronger than those starting the year.

At this moment, Miss Gilbody flew out and stopped in mid air, “And there we have it, the #1 at the start of the year is Mr. Xero Null while #2 is miss Univa Crost. With this all the rankings taken care of, all formalities are complete.” She said and looked at the headmaster and nodded. “Alright, quiet down!” She shouted making the noise that was erupting quiet down. “Starting tomorrow the entire school shall be travelling to the new Dungeon City, Snake’s Nest. The dungeon was named as such because it was identified as having primarily snake monsters. The Order of the Snake God has already set up their temple but our academy has high authoritative rights to this dungeon as our great Archmagus Valmor had been present at the opening of the space crack helping restrain it.” She said.

The children were confused by who the person she was talking about.

“You are confused by who he is?” She said and smiled before turning only to find space distorting. As if a portal had opened, space began to twist and slowly a familiar elder appeared and the headmaster stood up and bowed. The elder appeared robed just like always. His bald head shined under the sun while his white beard hung freely. He work a monk like robe like those buddhist monks used.

“It's the gatekeeper.” Xero said

“Greetings Master Everlight.” The headmaster said.

“Huh?” all the children started to muttered and looked at the two old men.

“Children, you probably never knew this, this is the founder and owner of Everlight Academy, His lord Archmagus Valmor Everlight. You children should know him as the gatekeeper of the Training areas.” Miss Gilbody said.

“HEE~!” Instantly the academies population exploded in shock.

This was not joke after all, the academy was far from a young one. It had almost 250 years of history and was built by its founder when he was only 50, that meant that this old man was over 300 years old.

“Greeting students, as you heard, I am the founder of this very academy, in a few days we shall move to Snake Nest Dungeon city in the Western desert lands so that we can get to the dungeon. You should know that the danger is very serious, the land is covered with countless monsters. It is common to find packs of level 40 monsters and even level 50’s. The objective of all the orders and institutes is to locate and kill off all the level 90 monsters to secure the safety of the dungeon. As for you children, it is to explore with the teachers and set up an city within the city. It is a similar situation to the camping trip last year that the current 3rd and 4th year had to do but you will get first hand instructions on defensive magic formation studies and attack magic formation as well as magic tool weaponry.” He said and looked all around. “Be ready to face death, a dungeon is a land of death, even with so many teachers, it is not safe.” He said and turned. “Gloria, take care of the children.” He said and stepped once more into the twisted space and vanished like he arrived.

The students were quiet as Miss Gilbody smiled at their awe and raised her voice. “Tomorrow morning Archmagus Valmor shall have the form of transport figured out. Unlike previous years, we shall spend most if not all year round within the dungeon making the interior academy dungeon town. Once this is done, the academy can open a portal gate to our academy here allowing us to easily access the dungeon.” She said. “Also unlike common camping or field trips done by the 2nd and 3rd years. The opening of a dungeon is a huge event worldwide and many nations nobles shall be coming. If someone has family then they will most likely come to one of the several founding cities that will be appearing along with their knights, now then, do not forget to gather all school clothing and material. We will spend all year there as such all studies will be there. Now get going children.” Miss Gilbody said.

The children was still in awe by the sudden revelation but slowly the students dispersed one by one.

***

At the same time that the Everlight Academy was testing their students, at the Holy institute the same thing was happening but the result amazed everyone.

Having stepped to level 31 Silvia reached the final match without summoning her familiar. This was, of course, common of her strange sense of justice so no one found it strange that she did not summon out her familiar. In a similar fashion, Ernest was able to win his way to the finals where he summoned Night for the first time.

The newly evolved Dark Cherub had caused a massive wave when they had identified Ernest and Night. His race was Lesser Nephilim Adolescent level 35.

Nephilim, the race revered by the Dark Holy Order, hated by the Holy Light church. A creature that was half angel half demon. It was the first step for a demon to merge Holy and Demon magic and was the first true base form of the Idol of the Dark Holy Order. Not to mention the fact that it was a Devil, it's devil form was that of a dark winged and black halo angel but it’s true form would cause fear even in much stronger people.

“Summon your familiar Silvia or else you will lose.” Ernest said.

Unlike her common high handed demeanor, she frowned while pulling out her wand. “Let's fight, Six Holy Walls.” She chanted and six layered dome barriers formed around her. “Holy Smite!” She shouted as a ball of holy magic formed above her and shot up into the sky filling the skies with clouds.

A white bolt of lightning began to flash, this was not normal lightning but Heavenly lightning, it could truly be called the might of the heavens.

BANG!

The bolt slammed down but Night simply jumped forward and struck out with his spear. The tattoo’s he absorbed from Cinder suddenly lit up as the lightning hit his spear all of them vanishing while nullifying the holy mana leaving only an immensely pure and rich lightning mana.

“This is quite good.” Night said as he guided the mana slowly to the tip of the spear and swung it at Silvia. Shooting out pure lightning mana, a yellow bolt of lightning shot out and cleaved through her barriers stopping on the third on while leaving a huge hole in the previous two.

“How nice.” He said and landed.

In the priest’s seats, the face of the Holy light church priest was dark in a scowl as he saw the power held by Night, “Stupid girl, wake up and summon your familiar. Only it’s pure angelic magic can hurt him.” He thought.

The difference between Angelic holy magic and human holy magic was purity. One can’t compare the two.

“Ernest, let me handle this, it’s sure to turn into a good show.” Night whispered.

Ernest narrowed his eyes, “It has to do with that time?” Ernest asked quietly.

Night just smiled and turned to the girl that was like a turtle in a shell. “Bitch, this is for that little ‘hunt’ you set out during the summer to kill us.” Night said.

A black light flashed around his spear and he took a step forward as his wings folded and he shot forward slamming with the spear pointed forward into the barrier.

BANG! BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!

Five barriers outright smashed but Night grinned and held back causing the last one to crack.

Silvia’s face turned pale as she swung her wand, “Three layer purification!” She shouted.

Three magical circle formation appeared above Night but he simply smiled and let the light slam down on him. What shocked many people was how, besides just some smoke that stopped soon after he was completely unaffected.

Night grinned showing a pair of sharp canines that remained from him still being a demon. “Such low level holy magic doesn’t affect me anymore.” He said and swung the spear causing the cracks on the barrier to spread.

She bit her lip and cast a support spell to increase her speed with light magic and as if teleporting she appeared several dozen meters away under new barriers numbering more than three times than before.

Night’s smile slowly vanished, “How boring, where did that fire and passion of yours go. If it will be a contest to see if the wolf tires or the turtle dies then I don’t intent to play. Start fighting me seriously like when you chased us down or I will kill you right now.”

Silvia was pale as she was cornered by Night who had lost his smile and was narrowing his eyes.

The crowd was beginning to suspect something was up because she had always been an offensive person especially against Ernest yet he hadn’t even raised a finger and Night was dominating.

Although he had resistance to holy magic, it wasn’t that high after all at most it was on par with a newborn cherub.

Night’s eyes shined an evil glint as his grin appeared, “Fine, if you don’t want to fight, let's end this.” He said.

Suddenly his magic surged but as it did, slowly his Sclera turned black and as it went from the left to right, the yellow eye was dyed in red. All the while his aura was rising more and more potent. Bolts of energy began to form and strike the ground around him. His right eyes suddenly filled up, the skies were completely covered in black clouds blotting out the sky.

A surge of energy rushed up and suddenly a huge black bolt of lightning hit Night and suddenly the field was covered in an intense light.

Everyone was completely blinded but when they felt a shaking everyone forced themselves to look. What they saw was a huge body, almost 15 meters tall, completely uncovered except for the black spear in its hands, with dark grey skin, black eyes and glowing red eyes and long wild hair and a pair of horns growing out the side of its heads.

It was slowly getting up using the spear and it looked down at Silvia with eyes devoid of emotion.

Suddenly from its back, two huge black wings spread and he roared.

It caused everyone to cover their ears as it completely stood up and slowly lifted up the spear.

“IT’S GOING TO KILL HER!” Someone shouted.

The light around Night had vanished but an intense heat and wind was coming from it with every move.

WOOSH!

The spear slammed down and hit the barrier without resistance unlike before.

Silvia watched in dread as she saw her death incoming. It was then that she felt all her mana move to her familiar seal and she opened he eyes and found the angel in front of her.

“Sacrifice of Love.” the angel said as her body broke down but above the girl a single pink colored magical formation but what was amazing was the blinding light it shined with. When the spear hit it, the spear completely stopped and what’s more is that the force rebound and cracking could be heard from Night’s arm.

The next moment, the pink light climbed the spear and began to cover Night’s body causing him to roar in pain before he shrank down once more letting go of the spear that also disconnected from the formation and fell to the ground.

Night was holding his arm and looked at it to see many pink runes and grinned.

He waved his hand and his spear flew to his left hand before he turned it and slightly stabbed himself. The pink runes were sucked into his spear by some unknown force and he regained his movements in his arm and turned to Silvia who was collapsed.

It looked like Night had beaten her but the fun was just starting. A light church priest ran over and checked her announcing she was alive but just exhausted. Feeding her a mana potion she soon regained consciousness.

“The winner is Ernest Wais Nelmoon.” the referee priest said.

Ernest had not moved and had won but before anything else happened, the Holy Light church priest appeared with a dark expression as he looked at Silvia. “Lift your hand and show me your seal.” He said.

Everyone froze because after healing and announcing the winner at the center of the arena the priest suddenly came out.

Silvia trembled when she heard that but the dark expression that turned darker when he saw her like that and suddenly he grabbed her right hand. “I said show it!” He said pulling his wand out and putting it against her familiar seal, “Summon.” He shouted and from it a pink light appeared after filling the seal with abundant mana and what appeared was the beautiful pink haired Angel of Holy Ribbons of Love.

As soon as he saw the angel, he squeezed Silvia’s hand making her cry in pain, “What is the meaning of this!?” he shouted.

“I-it hurts!” Silvia said and the priest threw her hand away and suddenly backhand slapped her, “Speak you bitch! Why is the Angle of Holy Ribbons you were rearing turned into a bitch like this!? Why did you rear a bitch messenger of Eros!?” he roared.

Silvia collapsed holding her face that was stained with tears.

“Oh my?” A gentle voice said as the entire area was filled with the faint smell of sweet fruits and perfumes that calmed and dulled the mind. “I wonder who you are calling a bitch?” The voice like sweet honey asked.

The eyes of Holy Light priest turned toward the voice finding a voluptuous woman in a beautiful pink robe that came to her breasts but left her shoulder and nap exposed while her arms had a fabric attached going behind the back.

“You, bitches of the Eros cult.”

WOOSH!

Without warning a blade of wind cut the space between the woman and the priest. Behind the woman was a female knight with a dangerous expression on her face, “Say that once more and it shall be your head.” She said.

The priest paled but did not back off, “It is your goddess that imprinted my churches Holy Ribbon Angel. What is the explanation, if you have none then it is this bitch that sold herself to men and allowed her holy angel be defiled and thus shall be punished by the holy light of our just god.” He said.

The woman shook her head and looked at the sorry state of the little girl and waved her hand releasing a small heart shaped green energy that entered the girl and suddenly all wounds and fatigue was gone before she turned to the little angel, “Young messenger of our beloved goddess, please tell me, were you evolved by your master as such willingly?” the woman asked.

“I was not fair priestess. At the time I was under the influence of my emotions so I affected my master but she had been kidnapped and sold to many men to be raped before being returned under the cover of night.” the angel said.

“Do you know who is the culprit is?” the woman asked.

The angel shook her head, “I had fallen unconscious and was withdrawn to heal and was unable to feel outside in my state at the time.” She said

With a nod she pat the little angel’s head making her blush, then turned to the priest, “Is that enough for you?” She asked.

The priest snorted and looked at Silvia, “Defiled beast, begone and never claim yourself of the Holy Light church. You are fit only to be one of… them.” He spat pointing to the pink robed beautiful woman. He turned and flew away.

“W-wait! P-please don’t!” Silvia said holding her hand out towards the priest but he was gone.

Tears stream down unendingly and slowly the light in her eyes faded as she collapsed into a coma unable to bare the events that happened.

Ernest narrowed his eye and sent a message through the link, “That was too cruel.”

Night snorted and replied, “If I had left her with the bandits it would have been a blessing for her living in ecstasy day and night. That would not have been enough to satisfy me after her ambush.” He replied and looked Ernest right in the eyes.

The other just sighed and watched the female knight take away Silvia as he wondered what would happen with her but after a while he found that it would probably no longer concern him. Possibly their path would cross less and less as the Goddess of Love Eros and the God of Light he wished to serve did not openly form connections much less work together.

After these events, the priests said they would go to the Snake pit in a month as stated by the rules of the first claim rights of those who find and set up the Dungeon city first.