The aftermath of the Nightmare Drake’s destruction lingered in every corner of the academy. Whispers spread like wildfire, each version of the story more exaggerated than the last. Some said a rogue professor had summoned the creature, while others claimed it had been a failed experiment by the nobles. The truth, however, was far more dangerous—and only a select few knew it.

For Vax, the weight of the secret was crushing.

Scene: A Tense Summons

Vax sat in the principal’s office once again, his hands clasped tightly in his lap. The principal stood by the window, his silhouette outlined by the setting sun.

“I warned you, Vax,” the principal began, his voice low but firm. “The power inside you is waking up faster than I anticipated.”

“I didn’t have a choice,” Vax argued, his voice trembling. “The Drake would’ve killed us all.”

The principal turned, his expression unreadable. “You’re not wrong, but your recklessness has consequences. The nobles are already scheming, and Aisha…”

He paused, his eyes narrowing.

“She knows something,” Vax finished for him.

The principal nodded. “She may not understand what she saw, but she’s no fool. If she digs too deep…”

Vax clenched his fists. “What do you want me to do? Lie low? Pretend everything is fine while people like Aisha keep trying to provoke me?”

The principal sighed, his stern demeanor softening slightly. “No, Vax. I want you to learn control. If you can master the Demon Lord’s power, you’ll not only protect yourself but everyone around you.”

“And if I can’t?” Vax asked quietly.

The principal didn’t answer. He didn’t need to.

Scene: Aisha’s Unfinished Plans

Across the academy, in the opulent halls of the noble dormitories, Aisha sat with her closest allies. The room was filled with tension, the scent of incense and freshly brewed tea doing little to ease the atmosphere.

“Vax is hiding something,” Aisha said, pacing the room. Her emerald eyes burned with determination.

“Do you really think it’s worth pursuing?” asked one of the nobles, a nervous boy with pale skin. “He’s already proven he’s stronger than we thought.”

Aisha stopped in her tracks and glared at him. “Exactly. That’s why we can’t ignore him. He’s dangerous, and if we don’t figure out what he’s hiding, it’ll be too late.”

Another noble, a tall girl with sharp features, crossed her arms. “And what do you propose? Summoning another monster? That didn’t go so well last time.”

Aisha smirked. “No, this time we’ll be smarter. We’ll lure him out, force him to reveal his secrets, and then use them against him.”

The group exchanged uneasy glances, but none dared to argue.

Scene: A Midnight Visitor

That night, as Vax lay in bed, a knock at his window startled him awake. He sat up, his heart racing, and saw Selena standing outside, her figure illuminated by the moonlight.

With a sigh, he opened the window. “What are you doing here?”

“We need to talk,” Selena said, climbing in without waiting for an invitation.

Vax folded his arms. “About what?”

“About the power you unleashed against the Drake,” Selena said, her tone serious. “You’re losing control, Vax. If you’re not careful, the Demon Lord’s magic will consume you.”

“I didn’t ask for this power,” Vax snapped. “I’m doing the best I can.”

“I know,” Selena said, her voice softening. “But you can’t face this alone. You need help.”

“And you’re offering?” Vax asked, raising an eyebrow.

Selena hesitated, then nodded. “Yes. I know more about the Demon Lord’s magic than anyone here. I can teach you to control it.”

Vax stared at her, searching her face for any hint of deception. Finally, he sighed. “Why are you doing this? What’s in it for you?”

Selena smiled faintly. “Let’s just say I have a vested interest in keeping you alive.”

Scene: The Noble’s Trap

The next day, Vax received another letter. This time, it was from the academy itself, summoning him to a mandatory duel as part of the school’s training program.

When he arrived at the arena, he wasn’t surprised to see Aisha waiting for him, her smug smile firmly in place.

“This is how you’re going to do it?” Vax asked, his voice laced with disdain. “A duel?”

Aisha shrugged. “It’s perfectly legal, and it gives me the chance to prove once and for all who’s superior.”

Vax sighed, stepping into the ring. He knew this was a trap, but refusing the duel would only make things worse.

The duel began with Aisha summoning a barrage of elemental spells, each one more powerful than the last. Vax dodged and countered, his movements fluid and precise.

But then, just as he was about to gain the upper hand, Aisha activated a hidden artifact—a relic that disrupted magic within a specific radius.

Vax’s spells faltered, the energy dissipating before they could reach their target.

“You didn’t think I’d play fair, did you?” Aisha taunted, her voice dripping with mockery.

Vax gritted his teeth, his mind racing. He couldn’t rely on his magic now, but he wasn’t about to give up.

Scene: A Desperate Gamble

As Aisha prepared her final attack, Vax closed his eyes, reaching deep within himself. The Demon Lord’s magic stirred, a dark, chaotic force that threatened to overwhelm him.

“Control it,” he told himself, forcing the power to bend to his will.

When he opened his eyes, they glowed with an eerie, golden light. A wave of dark energy erupted from him, shattering Aisha’s artifact and sending her sprawling to the ground.

The audience gasped, their cheers turning to stunned silence as they watched Vax stand victorious, the remnants of the Demon Lord’s magic crackling around him.

“You wanted to know my secret, Aisha?” Vax said, his voice cold. “Now you know.”