Lucifer raised his hand, pointing his fingers toward the second sealed gate. The walls of the hall trembled as if responding to his will, and suddenly a strange creak echoed from deep within the door before it cracked open, releasing a surge of black light.
From it emerged a tall man, his body lean yet his muscles tense with lethal strength. His skin was pale like ivory, and his crimson eyes glowed like burning embers. His fiery red hair flickered like tongues of flame, and on his lips curved a faint smile carrying a mixture of mockery and menace.
His steps were slow yet heavy, every movement leaving an impression in the air. He raised his head and spoke in a deep voice, echoing through the hall as if it came from countless abysses:
"I am… Beelzebub."
Silence lasted for a few seconds.
Ashura suddenly burst out laughing with mockery, his voice slicing through the charged air:
"Hahaha! Beelzebub? That pitiful fat one who died? Are you claiming to have returned in this form?!"
The new general did not answer. Instead, he merely gave a cold smile, revealing a glimpse of sharp fangs. His burning eyes scanned everyone, as if testing their reactions.
Lucifer stepped forward, his voice cutting through the silence like iron:
"Stop joking. State your true name."
At that, the new general tilted his head slightly, then spoke with a deeper smile, his tone heavy with arrogance and weight:
"Baphomet."
Darkness bent around his name, as though the letters themselves carried the weight of an abyss.
The scene shifted to the depths of the cave…
Hades was drenched in sweat, training furiously with mana, striking the air with his daggers as he tried to concentrate the energy into his body.
Hades (angrily):
"I told you, Zegrid… I already use mana! What's the point of all this?! I want to learn Mana Zone now!"
Zegrid, sitting in the shadows, his ember-like eyes glowing slowly, replied in an icy voice:
"Fool… You do not control mana as you think. One who lacks full mastery… cannot even touch the secret of Mana Zone."
Hades (defiantly):
"I'll prove to you that I can!"
Zegrid rose slowly, his steps shaking the cave, and said:
"Enough for today… Follow me."
Hades (surprised):
"Where to?"
Zegrid, a cold smile slipping across his face:
"I will show you Mana Zone… so you can see for yourself the difference between one who thinks he controls it… and one who truly does."
The scene shifts to the place where the academy is being built…
Poseidon stood, his spear resting by his side. His blue eyes carried the weight of deep thought, as though something heavier than the ocean pressed against his chest.
Beside him stood Semifel, watching in silence, until Poseidon broke it, saying:
Poseidon (in a low but firm voice):
"Oungan… he is gone, and with his passing he left a void we cannot ignore."
Semifel (reserved):
"Yes… he was the strongest among us."
Poseidon walked with heavy steps, then sat, placing his hand on the ground as if touching waves:
"We must present a recommendation to King Belhath. Now he has no commander. And I believe the most suitable… is his younger brother."
Semifel raised a brow, his expression hardening:
"His younger brother? Do you think he can bear Oungan's burden?"
Poseidon turned toward him, his eyes gleaming with resolute light:
"Strength alone is not enough, Semifel… but he has the will. And if it is forged under our guidance, he will become a leader greater than his brother."
A brief silence followed.
Semifel (hesitant):
"It is a risk… but if this is your decision, Lord of the Sea, then I will support it."
Poseidon (firmly):
"Then let us prepare the recommendation."
Narrator:
Who is Oungan's younger brother?