A creature with four arms covered in black fur from his hips down till his muscular defined horse shaped legs stood beside him. His two large human eyes and gills on his grey face was holding the unconscious Nova. His overall body edged towards a muscular tone.

Alex, ‘Miracle?’

Miracle, ‘He is using some sort of device to go undetected, can’t sense his mana at all…’

‘I’ll need to get close without him harming No—

*Swoosh* *Swoosh* *Swoosh*

Alex’s thoughts stopped midway as he realized something flew right past him. Thin ice spikes had emerged from Nina’s hand and flew at incredible speeds towards it.

The creature immediately back stepped several times throwing Nova away.

Alex swiftly caught Nova before he crashed into a wall.

“Take him back! I’ll hold it off.” Nina said as cold water with mist started to form at her hands.  Alex rushed back towards the main corridor.

‘That insect Merissa has trained this insect well…’ Miracle commented noticing Nina’s ice manipulation.

“Noooo!!” the creature screamed in a distorted voice.

It held its four arms in front as a magic circle formed from which a tsunami of fire emerged from it swallowing the whole of the corridor. It was a tier one spell.

However, Nina didn’t even flinch as she immediately chanted a spell and stepped her left leg forward with her hands spread to the side as hard ice started to came out from beneath her feet and formed an ice wall.

However, it wasn’t enough, the fire kept on coming strong as it engulfed the ice wall. The ice kept producing from under her feet but she was losing as the flames were close to swallow her. She glanced back and saw that Alex was gone and immediately dived in the room beside her escaping the attack barely.

The creature rushed into the main corridor and looked both sides only to find that Alex was gone. He let out a roar and was about to follow Alex down when he was suddenly hit by large ice stones slamming him into the front fall. Nina began conjuring another spell.

‘I have to stop it; I can’t let it get them.’ Were the only thoughts which raced through her mind.

The creature angered, dug his fingers into the floor and flames started bursting through the floor as they travelled towards her.

“Use your surroundings, use your surroundings.” Nina repeated remembering Merissa’s words during training as she kept both her hands on the ground. Ice started coming from under her hands creating spikes as it travelled to crash with the flames. Hot air was gushing from the collision of the two elements. The stronger magic overwhelmed the weaker as the entire floor had become hot.

It was clear that the creature was a lot stronger.

“Insolent girl, I Flamailo hail from a high demon race, get out of my way!!” The creature roared as his feet cover in flames allowing him to travel at great speed and arrived in front of Nina. She didn’t have much time and was only able to create a weak ice wall in front of her which broke easily by the creature’s kick. Flamailo then punched her in the gut causing Nina to crash back in the wall.

But instead of finishing Nina he suddenly turned around as he detected a movement. But it was too late. Alex’s kick to the face was effective as the creature took 2 steps back. Alex quickly turned the soul holder into its sword form.

“It looks like the news about you isn’t completely false.” Flamailo said in a distorted voice as his hands covered in flames and he took a fighting stance. Alex held the sword with both hands as he took a defensive stance taught by Luxario.

Flamailo then rushed forward to punch him but suddenly kicked off his left foot and did a 360-turn using his other foot to attack. He was sure that it was his win but his kick was stopped. Alex with his trained reflexes somehow managed to react in time and blocked with the sword.

He slid 2 steps to the right. His breathing had become quick. A very thin black line of mana was covering his sword.

‘That impact was strong but it looks like I am able to strengthen my sword even more than before.’

Alex and the demon then began to exchange blows after blows. No matter how much he tried the flames covering the creature’s arms and legs were too strong for Alex’s sword to pass through. As for the other areas the creature was well versed in protecting them.

Flamailo once again launched his tier one magic spell of flaming tsunami.

‘Alright as Luxario said imagination and willpower.’

The tsunami of flames was closing in. However instead of doing something Alex stood quietly with his eyes closed holding the sword in a diagonal position.

‘Heh that brat is looking to die.’ The demon thought as he looked at Alex’s demise. The flames soon enveloped Alex and filled the whole corridor. Flamailo was coming forward to take a photo of Alex with his magic mirror however he stopped dead on his tracks when he saw Alex inside a very light-yellow barrier with a black outline. This was a sort of barrier spell in development by Alex.

“You are truly something else kid. Though that artifact in your hand isn’t anywhere near the level of a legendary treasure you are able to use it quite well despite the lack of mana in your body. I thought the rumors were false but it looks like you really might be a key to legendary treasures.” Flamailo grinned as he conjured up flames in his hands.

It seemed like he can still go on and on. On the other hand, maintaining the barrier had taken a toll on Alex’s body. As per Luxario Alex can create some techniques from the limited power he was able to access however they won’t be strong until he learns much better mana control.

“How did you get into the school? There should be Council agents surrounding the campus.” Alex asked finding it strange.

“Let’s just say I have far better means at my disposal to go undetected from them! Not to mention my underlings would be taking care of them right about now. Though I have changed my plans; seeing the security they are putting here I am going to demand an even higher price for you.”

Flamailo was about to make his move when suddenly ice was covering the entire floor from behind the creature and spikes were formed in front of him blocking his way.

“That is if you take him first.” Nina said with her hand forward trying to maintain the ice.

Flamailo was surprised to see that she was able to stand after taking that blow. However, what he didn’t notice was the layer of ice which Nina had formed behind her head and stomach to soften the impact.

“Fine then I’ll give you both a taste of hell!”

He then raised all his four arms in the air and then pointed each pair towards Alex and Nina at the same time. Magic circles formed on his 2 pair of arms. “Tier two: Hell devourer.”

With that, flames emerged from his hands and charged towards Alex and Nina taking the shape of a skull with his mouth open ready to devour them both.