After 3 days passed by Blake once again visited the library. But this time he had a white crystal as big as that of a fist with him. Once he arrived before the magic seal, he chanted something while holding the white crystal. The next moment it began glowing and small white glowing threads came out from it and entered the magic circle. After some 5 minutes, the threads retreated and the magic circle disappeared.

Blake then covered his hand in mana and opened the locker with force. Inside it, lay a box. He opened it and saw a flower in a mesmerizing shade of black and green. Blake took a deep breath before closing it and heading out of the library. He quickly took off to the sky when suddenly he was hit with a yellow laser, followed by bolts of lightning which sent him flying towards the football field.

Blood started flowing from wounds sustained on his chest and his legs. He tried to get up but it was impossible. He could feel his body being paralyzed. With much effort he raised his head up and saw a cloaked man approaching. He was wearing black robes underneath.

‘Black Cloud… but it can’t be.’

The person then removed his cloak. This gave relief to his worries as his robe did not have the Black Cloud insignia. The man had his face and hands covered in bandages. Only the man’s eyes and nose were visible.

“Hand over the box and I’ll give you a quick death. Or else—

“Or else a slow death? Yeah, since you don’t have any intention of keeping me alive, go fu*k yourself!”

Seeing him already figured his intentions out the man then raised his hands forward and lightning started forming at his palm ready to strike. Blake was able to move a little now but it was futile now. The lightning attack left the man’s hand! However, it met with an ice wall instead of flesh and blood.

A large 30 feet uneven wall of ice was formed in between the football field splitting it in half.

“What were you thinking by trying to provoke him.” Nina scolded as she dragged him back.

Blake, “Y-You can use magic!?”

Nina, “Yeah long story.”

“Fool!”

The man discharged a larger lightning attack and shattered the wall. He was getting ready for another one when he suddenly felt some movement behind him. He took off in the air and dogged Alex’s attack which crushed the ground. Blake saw Alex and was once more confused.

“And why are you two here!?”

“Another long story.” Nina replied as she launched ice spikes on the man to put some distance between them. He dogged easily. Alex made his way over towards Nina.

Alex, “You’re alive?”

“Got a problem with that?” Blake remarked irritated at Alex’s taunt as he got up and stuffed the box in his small bag.

Alex smiled as he turned his attention to the man. “Um sorry the school’s closed, please come during visiting hours, actually don’t come at all. We have no other world visitor’s policy.”

“Shut your trap and hand over the box to me!” The man bellowed.

“I am sorry what’s your name again?” Alex asked ignoring the man’s rising anger.

“I am Loren, one of the Six Great Curses. And I am here for that box. You better give me…”

“Can you fight?” Alex asked Blake while Loren creepily described his unpleasant plans for them.

“Yeah, I’ll- wait what’s happening?!” Blake was trying to gather mana at his hands but it didn’t work. He wasn’t able to control his mana.

Loren, “That’s the effect of my curse, kid.”

Nina, “You’re not able to use your magic?”

Blake, “I… I think so.”

Miracle ‘Alex be careful, though his curse won’t affect you since you have no mana but he is strong I can tell, far stronger than the one the council girl was facing.’

‘Okay thanks for the warning.’

Alex, “Blake, run, you are a liability right now, Nina, try to restrict his movements, I’ll deal with the finishing blow.”

Blake, “But—

Alex, “No buts! We are out matched, if you stay all of us die. Try to call for reinforcements.”

Alex then suddenly hugged Blake. Nina was shocked and confused by Alex’s behavior but she kept her focus on Loren. After a few seconds Blake immediately shoved Alex away.

“You don’t need to get all touchy with me, I’ll be fine.” Blake scowled.

‘I guess they’re better friends than I thought.’ Nina thought perplexed.

Blake then ran towards the exit under the stadium steps.

Loren launched a tier two spell at Blake. He however made it inside the exit and the attack was blocked by a tall ice wall formed by Nina. Loren then looked around him as snow had started falling.

Loren, “An ice domain, impressive but useless.”

Nina, “We’ll know soon enough.”

Nina launched her ‘Ice Glacier’ spell which was countered by a large snake’s mouth made of lightning. Alex who had circled behind Loren jumped in the air towards him as he attacked with his sword covered in mana. However, Loren in the last second formed a lightning barrier around himself and blocked it barely.

Loren, “You! What are you using? you’re difficult to detect.”

This was one of his undeniable advantages as a person who did not possess any mana making it difficult for other people to sense him.

But Alex kept a straight face as he swinged his swords several times launching mana slashes. He wasn’t really optimistic about this opponent. How was he able to erect a lightning barrier at the last second?! This thought ran through Alex’s mind.

Loren then launched a tier two magic spell which unleashed waves of lightning crushing Alex’s attack and started moving towards him. The latter withstood them with his mana barrier.

‘I haven’t been sitting idle these last 3 days. Here goes.’ Nina thought as a magic circle formed in front of her. It unleashed 100 balls of ice at Loren but none hit him.

‘Terrible aim.’ Was what he thought until skinny arms made of ice emerged from the ice balls catching him and dragged him to the ground. There were 2 arms for every one ball of ice.

‘Try to counter my 200 arms of frost.’

Nina, “Alex! Now!”

“Mad Sage: Raging Streak” The rising black energy crushed everything as it hit its mark-Loren, creating a loud explosion.

“Yes!” Alex clutched his fist. The explosion was quite strong. It was safe to say that it would be nearly impossible to escape after getting hit cleanly like that.