The next morning, Alden was disturbed by a ray of sunlight that slipped through the gap in the curtains. The beam danced playfully on his face, forcing his eyes open even though he still wanted to curl up in his dreams.
Slowly, Alden's eyelids lifted, revealing his irises squinting against the light. "Ah... so it's morning already," he mumbled with a hoarse voice that indicated he had just woken up. "It would be nice if there wasn't a burden weighing on my shoulders," he continued inwardly, though his tone sounded hollow, as if the burden was still very real.
Alden forced his body to rise from the mattress. His eyes felt light, but his mind was filled with images of the small child and the old folks he had met yesterday. He knew those memories would continue to haunt him.
"Hah... even though I can live a relaxed life now, my mind is still stuck on them," he muttered, letting out a long sigh. He felt something was missing within him, an unanswered calling.
With sluggish steps, Alden tried to stand up. However, his body, still shrouded in sleepiness and exhaustion, caused him to lose his balance. His foot tripped over a sandal lying on the floor, nearly causing him to fall.
"Damn it! Even the sandals seem to be conspiring to tease me," he grumbled irritably. "Ah, has Luciana managed to find the second member yet?" he thought, furrowing his brow. He felt worried, but also curious about the progress of the mission he had given.
Alden dragged his feet toward the window, intending to open the curtains and let the sunlight fill his room. However, before he could touch the window frame, his head hit the wall with a loud thud.
Alden winced in pain, rubbing his reddening forehead. "Truly a perfect day," he thought sarcastically.
Finally, Alden managed to reach the window and open the curtains. Sunlight immediately flooded in, illuminating every corner of his room. But before he could enjoy the morning view, the sound of knocking interrupted him.
Knock!
Knock!
Alden turned his head, raising an eyebrow. He wondered who could be visiting so early in the morning. With surging curiosity, he walked toward the door.
"Yes, just a moment," he called out, his tone slightly raised.
Alden's heart beat a little faster as his hand reached for the doorknob. He didn't know who was waiting for him on the other side, but his intuition told him that something important was about to happen. Taking a deep breath, he opened the door.
Standing before him was a beautiful woman with long, wavy pink hair that looked like a shimmering waterfall. Her face was radiant, exuding an aura of cheerfulness and enthusiasm. She looked like the morning sun, ready to warm anyone's day.
"Hello, are you a new student? Nice to meet you, my name is Lyra, I'm your senior here," she greeted him with a cheerful tone. Her eyes sparkled with enthusiasm as she looked at Alden. "Nice to meet you! What's your name?"
Alden was stunned for a moment by Lyra's captivating beauty. But his brain quickly went to work, searching for a suitable pseudonym. He didn't want his true identity to be revealed.
"My name is..." Alden spoke inwardly with a hesitant tone. "What should my alias be? If I mention the name Alden, I might get caught immediately."
"My name is Taeryun," he finally replied with a polite tone. He tried to hide his nervousness behind a thin smile. "I'm a new student at this academy. Please help me, Senior."
"Don't call me senior, just call me Lyra, okay, Junior?" Lyra replied with a small chuckle. Her cheeks flushed pink, making her look even sweeter.
Alden only nodded slightly, trying to follow Lyra's train of thought. But in his heart, he felt suspicious.
"Why is Senior Lyra suddenly approaching me?" he thought, his brow furrowed. "She's a noble, the daughter of the Grand Duke who rules the eastern region. What does she want from me?"
As Lyra was about to extend her hand to shake Alden's hand, the academy bell suddenly rang loudly, breaking the morning silence.
"Ah... it's the bell already," Lyra said with a slightly disappointed tone. "Looks like I have to go to the new student reception room soon."
"Well, that's right, Junior," Lyra chimed in with a sweet smile. "I'll go first, okay? If you feel lonely or don't have any friends, don't hesitate to look for me. Be my friend, okay, Alden?" Lyra winked before turning around and walking away.
Alden could only stand there, staring at Lyra's retreating back. He felt confused, suspicious, and a little fascinated by Lyra's friendly and open attitude.
"Why are Senior Lyra's cheeks blushing?" he muttered inwardly. He didn't know that Lyra was actually trying to hide her true feelings.
Alden let out a long sigh before finally going back into his room. He knew that today would be a day full of mystery and surprises.
---
In the Corridor
Lyra walked down the deserted corridor with graceful steps. However, the expression on her face had changed drastically. The cheerful smile that had adorned her face had now vanished, replaced by a cold and emotionless gaze. She seemed like a different person.
As Lyra passed a corner of the corridor, someone suddenly emerged from the shadows. The man smiled slyly while lowering his head, as if hiding malicious intentions.
"Lyra, have you managed to approach Alden yet?" he asked in a whisper that made goosebumps rise.
Lyra stopped and turned to the man with a sharp look. She wasn't surprised by his presence, as if she had expected him to appear.
"Beelzebub, why are you here?" she asked in a cold tone that pierced the bone. "Did Lord Lucifer send you?"
Instantly, the man's hair changed color to a deep purple, emitting a suffocating demonic aura. His eyes, which were originally pitch black, now turned fiery red, radiating boundless hatred and cruelty. The trees and plants around them withered instantly, as if their life force was being sucked away by Beelzebub's presence.
"Yes, that's right, Asmodeus," Beelzebub replied with an arrogant tone that made Lyra nauseous. "I was ordered by Lord Lucifer to deliver an important message to you."
"Just deliver the message," Lyra replied impatiently.
"Lord Lucifer said, when Alden has fallen in love with you, kill him without mercy," Beelzebub whispered with a sinister smile that made Lyra shudder.
As Beelzebub brought his face closer to Lyra's ear, a voice suddenly interrupted from behind.
"Do you think you can play me, Beelzebub and Asmodeus?" the voice said with a threatening tone. "You want to use me to achieve your goals? Sorry, but you're greatly mistaken."
Beelzebub and Asmodeus were startled and turned around. They were shocked to see Alden standing there with burning eyes.
"Since when have you been there, Alden?" Asmodeus asked nervously. He felt cornered and feared their plan would fail.
Alden only stared at them with a mocking gaze. His sinister smile made Beelzebub and Asmodeus feel fear.
"I've been here since you transformed, Beelzebub," Alden replied in a cold tone. "I've been suspicious of Lyra from the start. She should have died in my era. Why do you dare to pretend to be her?"
Alden stepped forward, his aura pressing down on Beelzebub and Asmodeus until they were forced to lower their heads. They knew Alden was not an opponent to be underestimated.
Asmodeus, who had just realized his mistake, immediately raised his head and looked at Alden with a hostile gaze.
"Alden, do you still remember the past?" Asmodeus challenged with a cynical tone. "Are you sure you want to kill us? You know very well what will happen if you do. You will return to being a bloodthirsty monster like before!"
Instantly, Alden was shocked. Memories of the past flooded his mind, causing him to lose his balance. His face turned pale, his body trembled violently.
"WHAT... do you dare threaten me?" Alden snarled with a trembling tone.
Suddenly, horrific memories from his past flooded his mind. Dark shadows from his first life appeared behind Alden, emitting an aura of destruction capable of shaking the world.
Beelzebub and Asmodeus smiled slyly. They knew Alden was on the verge of collapse. They only needed a little more to make him lose control and return to being an uncontrollable monster.
---
200,000 Years Ago
Alden stood in the middle of a silent wilderness. In his hand, he tightly gripped a sword that emitted a cold and deadly aura. His gaze was empty, without emotion, as if his soul had long left his body. The pressure of his aura was so strong that it crushed the bones of any demon who dared to approach.
"Lucifer... Asmodeus... Beelzebub... Belial..." Alden hissed with a voice that thundered like lightning. "Seven demon princes! Where is my child? Answer me now or you will feel my boundless wrath!"
Lucifer, who stood before Alden with a sinister smile, held up a necklace made of human bones. The necklace looked horrifying, but it also emitted an aura of dark and evil power.
"Oops, sorry, Alden," Lucifer mocked with a sneering tone. "I've made your child my wife. She's very beautiful and obedient. You know, she really enjoys spending time with me..." Lucifer laughed heartily, as if enjoying Alden's suffering.
Instantly, Alden's gaze changed. His eyes turned fiery red like burning embers, radiating boundless hatred and anger. The aura that had been sealed tightly within him exploded violently, shaking the entire universe. The earth trembled, mountains collapsed, and oceans boiled.
"You dare marry my child, Lucifer?!" Alden roared with an ear-splitting voice. "You have crossed the line! Now, prepare to die!"
Alden swung his sword with lightning speed. His sword shone like the stars, ready to burn all the evil and darkness in the world.
Sword Technique Stage 12: Star-Shattering Slash!!
SWOOSH!!
In the blink of an eye, Lucifer was split in two. His blood soaked the ground, coloring it crimson red. The other seven demon princes also died instantly, their bodies shattered into dust.
"You have awakened my wrath!" Alden shouted with a voice that echoed throughout the universe. "If you are still alive, I will hunt you to the ends of the earth! There is no safe place for you!"
Alden turned around, intending to leave that cursed place. However, his devastating sword slash had torn the fabric of the universe, creating a dimensional hole that threatened to swallow everything.
---
In the Universe
All the stars were destroyed by Alden's slash. Planets and black holes were also annihilated, leaving a terrifying void. The universe trembled in fear, as if sensing Alden's uncontrolled rage.
However, in the midst of the chaos, the shattered stars began to gather again, trying to form new planets. A small hope emerged in the midst of the destruction that had struck.
---
Back to the Present
Alden was still trapped in those horrific memories. His body was frozen, his mind in chaos. Beelzebub and Asmodeus seized the opportunity to escape. They knew that if Alden regained consciousness, they would have no chance to fight back.
"Let's run, Beelzebub! Before Alden wakes up!" Asmodeus exclaimed in panic.
Beelzebub nodded quickly. They both ran as fast as they could, trying to get as far away from Alden as possible. They didn't care what would happen next, the most important thing was to save themselves.
"Hey, do you think you can escape my sight?" Alden said with a cold tone that pierced the bone. His aura pressed down again, causing Beelzebub and Asmodeus to stagger and nearly fall.
Suddenly, Luciana appeared before Asmodeus and Beelzebub. She raised her hand and unleashed a huge sword magic, emitting a dazzling light.
Light Magic Stage 5: Sword of Light!!
BOOM!!
The ground that was once smooth and flat turned into a gaping crack, separating Asmodeus and Beelzebub from Alden. Not only that, but behind Asmodeus and Beelzebub appeared a man with a water spear in his hand. He was Aldrecht, the new member recruited by Luciana.
Water Spear Technique Stage Five: Water Wave Slash!!
Behind Aldrecht appeared a giant wave that was ready to swallow anything in its path. Asmodeus and Beelzebub panicked. They knew they wouldn't be able to avoid the combined attack from Luciana and Aldrecht.
BOOM!!
Beelzebub and Asmodeus fainted instantly from the combined attack of Luciana and Aldrecht. Their bodies were battered and broken, nearly shattered into pieces. They didn't expect to be defeated so easily by two new students.
Alden stepped closer to Asmodeus and Beelzebub, who lay helpless. His gaze was cold and unforgiving. Luciana and Aldrecht, his new members, didn't dare to look him in the eye. They felt the aura of anger emanating from Alden, causing them to tremble with fear.
"Now die, Asmodeus and Beelzebub," Alden said in a soft but deadly voice. "I know these aren't your real bodies. You're just using other people's bodies to achieve your evil goals."
Alden raised his hand as high as possible. In his hand, a whirlwind appeared, growing larger and larger, forming a deadly wind sword. The sword spun at high speed, emitting a terrifying aura of destruction.
Wind Sword Technique Stage 1: Wind Slash!!
SWOOSH!!
Alden swung his sword with a very fast movement. The slash split the ground, leaving a deep and long scar. The wind generated by the slash tore through space and time, creating a dimensional rift that threatened to swallow everything.
CRACK!!
The souls of Beelzebub and Asmodeus fled into the cracked dimensional rift. Before disappearing, they managed to cast mocking glances at Alden. They knew this was not the end of everything. They would return someday, stronger than before.
"Lord Alden, should we pursue them?" Aldrecht asked with a worried tone. He was afraid that Beelzebub and Asmodeus would return and take revenge.
"No need," Alden replied in a cold tone. "Aldrecht, Luciana, from now on you must hide your strength. Don't let anyone know how strong you really are. Understand?"
"Yes, we understand, Lord Alden," Luciana replied respectfully. She and Aldrecht exchanged glances, realizing how important it was to keep their strength a secret.
"Alright, now go back to your respective rooms," Alden said. He wanted to be alone to reflect on what had happened.
Aldrecht and Luciana exchanged confused glances. They didn't understand why Alden had suddenly changed his mind. Shouldn't they be going to the new student reception room?
"Lord Alden, shouldn't we be going to the new student reception room?" Luciana asked carefully. She was afraid that she would say the wrong thing and make Alden angry.
Alden turned his face away, trying to hide his embarrassment. He had forgotten that he was supposed to take them to the new student reception room.
"Ah, sorry, I forgot," Alden replied awkwardly. "Aldrecht, Luciana, we'll go there later. But for now, I want you to rest first. You must be tired after fighting Beelzebub and Asmodeus."
"Alright, Lord Alden," Aldrecht and Luciana replied in unison. They felt relieved that Alden wasn't angry.
Alden, Aldrecht, and Luciana walked together toward the new student reception room. They walked in silence, each lost in their own thoughts.
---
Epilogue
Outside the universe, inside the dimensional rift cracked by Alden's wind slash, a terrifying entity emerged. The entity was formless, but emitted an aura of unimaginable power.
Its body was filled with tentacles that moved wildly. Its eyes numbered in the thousands, each emitting a different light. The entity was an Outer God, a god from outside the universe whose power surpassed everything that existed.
The presence of the Outer God threatened to destroy the entire universe. The laws of space and time became chaotic. Planets trembled in fear. The gods and primordial gods felt a fear they had never felt before.
"Alden..." the Outer God hissed with a voice that echoed throughout the universe. "Finally you have returned. I will defeat you and become the invincible ruler of the universe!"
The Outer God sped with the speed of light towards the world of Aethelgard, where Alden was located. A fierce battle was about to begin. The fate of the universe was in Alden's hands.
---
Chapter 6 Completed.
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Hey hey, my dearest readers! Great news: this novel will be updated regularly every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday! This way, the author can recharge their energy and give you even more exciting stories! Thank you so much for your continued support! Love you all! 🙏😁