Elden Ring: The Shattering!

Tonight was destined to be noisy and chaotic, with too much noise in the garden pavilion. The flames quickly spread uncontrollably, engulfing the entire courtyard, even reaching the dormitory nearby...

And from this high point at the Academy, the flames could likely be seen by most of Liurnia.

The Sorcerer turned around to look, and the small town's residents were also roused. Even the Cuckoo Knight group exchanged glances, silently asking if Matthew was preparing to take action. The latter had a confused expression, staring at the "torch" ahead.

Even in the northwest corner of Liurnia, Ranni, sitting in a high-back chair reading, looked up. Due to the distance, the flames at Raya Lucaria Academy appeared as faint as a candlelight to her.

"It's been a long time since I received any news from Kaelith. It seems he's finally made a move."

"Perhaps it was the Cuckoo Legion's doing, or maybe it was an accidental fire," Blaidd muttered beside her.

"Do you really believe that?" Ranni's gaze shifted to her disgruntled attendant, a hint of concern in her eyes. "To act in such a core area of Raya Lucaria Academy—he must have an enormous amount of courage."

The Moon Princess was filled with worry. Meanwhile, on the second floor of the Academy, Sellen continued reading under the lamp, seemingly unaffected by the disturbance outside.

This was not because she was cold or heartless. Knowing Kaelith's stubborn nature, even if he insisted on doing something foolish, she would still try to dissuade him. If he ignored her advice and insisted on proceeding, she would gently prepare the table for him, just to see the aftermath of his actions.

However, this time felt different. Kaelith was acting out of self-interest, and despite multiple warnings, the fact remained unchanged.

As the noise outside grew louder, Sellen's pace quickened as she read, and eventually, she slammed the book shut.

"This fool... why does he always have to go so far? I told him the risks were enormous." She leaned on the table, her face flickering with conflicting emotions. The conflict lasted only a moment before Sellen donned her headgear and, lifting her staff, stormed out the door.

...

The scorching air crept through the door crack. Kaelith hung upside down on the ceiling, with no concern for the worries of those below him. His mind was fixed solely on one thing:

Success!

The so-called mind like crystal, all distractions severed, he focused only on the turning lock ahead, listening to the "creak" as a shadow emerged from within.

The figure was massive, nearly three meters tall. Were it not for the imposing Gothic-style architecture of the Academy, the top of his head would likely touch the ceiling of the hallway. His strong body, in a worn battle robe, made way for massive feet to step into the hall, freezing when he saw a figure sprawled on the ground.

"Hm?" Edward paused for a moment, before quickly advancing to investigate. The dim Glintstone lights flickered on either side, and smoke was seeping from the hall. His foot splashed into stagnant water, and the thick stench of blood filled his nostrils.

This isn't right!

The Sorcerer suddenly stopped and reached for his large mace and staff at his side... But at that very moment, he felt a gust of wind sweeping above him.

Kill!

Kaelith dropped from the ceiling, using gravity to thrust his greatsword straight toward the opponent's skull... But a large hand reached up to block it, catching the sword's blade with a swift motion, then tossing it aside.

Poof!

The blade passed through but was stopped when the hand clenched, throwing the sword aside. Kaelith continued, forcing the sword down to reveal a crude face and two blood-red eyes.

No wonder he's a battle-hardened Sorcerer—his reflexes are sharp!

Kaelith narrowed his eyes and was about to twist the sword to crush the hand when he suddenly felt his entire body being lifted.

Bang.

He collided with the wall behind him, knocking several paintings to the floor. Before they hit the ground, a large foot stepped forward, and Kaelith quickly raised his left arm to block his chest.

Bang!

This sound was even louder and more intense, as his arm pressed tightly against his armor, the momentum sending Kaelith flying several meters away. The Glintstone also slipped from his palm, and in mid-air, he quickly turned his sword and thrust it into the ground, halting his fall. The wooden floor was sliced through, creating a deep gash over two meters long.

Such incredible strength!

Kaelith half-sat on the ground, moving his left shoulder, the joint creaking as he looked up. He saw the Sorcerer lower his left hand, fingers curled, with bright red blood dripping from the tips.

The two locked eyes, neither asking any foolish questions. As a drop of blood fell and splattered on the floor, the Sorcerer suddenly moved, grabbing his staff from his side. Kaelith responded by throwing a series of throwing knives, then leapt forward in a sprint.

Phoc! Phoc! Phoc...

The sound of blades slicing through flesh rang out one after another. Edward ignored the pain in his chest and abdomen, lifting his staff.

Spinning Magic Stone!

The blue Magic Stone spun toward him like a spring, flooding the narrow corridor. It struck a statue and immediately split it in half. Kaelith, however, continued charging forward, even as the "spring" approached him...

Bloodhounds Step!

A month had passed, and Kaelith had mastered this combat technique. With a quick dash, he slid along the wall, like a slippery eel, charging directly at Edward. Just as he reached him, he suddenly dropped low.

Boom —!

A roughly half-meter-thick Korean weapon swung just above his head, smashing into the side of the wall with tremendous destructive force.

Debris flew everywhere, and the wall was smashed, leaving a large hole over a meter in diameter. Statues, murals, and Glintstone lights all fell, and the once dim corridor was instantly plunged into darkness. Kaelith's ears rang as he spun his sword, slashing horizontally just above the ground.

Crack!

The blade sliced across the ground, but the figure had already jumped lightly, avoiding the blade while raising the Korean weapon to strike down.

Bang!!

A blast of air followed by the shattering of wood and hidden weapons flying everywhere. Kaelith, propelled by the force under his opponent's feet, suddenly stopped, twisting his waist and turning to face the opponent with his greatsword.

Turning Blade!

The sword zipped through the air, leaving a silver streak of light in the darkness, lighting up several sprays of blood...

But Kaelith felt no satisfaction. Even without seeing it, the feedback from the blade told him that it hadn't struck a vital point. Just as he was preparing to retract the sword, a sudden bright light flared in the darkness, causing his pupils to contract.

It was a huge mace made of magical energy, so large that it was difficult to swing in the narrow corridor... but it was powerful enough to tear through the ceiling and fall with unstoppable force.

Gavel of Haima!

Bloodhounds Step!

Kaelith didn't hesitate and immediately retreated. His sword might not have pierced his opponent, but getting hit by this mace would turn him into minced meat.

Bang ——

The entire building trembled in an instant, as magical waves twisted with the force of a storm, and just as Kaelith stumbled backward, trying to steady himself, a Korean weapon appeared in front of him.

Bang!

This was a continuous technique, the Korean weapon and the blade unleashing a burst of flames. Kaelith felt his body fly upward, his back crashing into a massive door, before tumbling several times across the ground.

He wiped the blood from his mouth, propping himself up, and using the light from a hanging Glintstone lamp to help him see. The round hall was filled with bookshelves, and a long rectangular table was placed at the center.

"Finally made it." Kaelith's smile was slightly ferocious. He realized that he was no match for this monster, even though his Magic aptitude was not high... But when it came to assassination techniques, his could easily rank among the top ten at the Academy.

As a certain Sword Saint once said, "To kill a person, you don't necessarily need to be stronger than them!"

Edward silently blocked the exit, pulling down a piece of his sleeve to wrap up his left hand. The reason he couldn't just tear this person apart with magic was simple—

He was a keeper of books, and this little Mao was far less valuable than those precious ancient manuscripts... But Edward was in no rush. The previous noise had alerted the entire Academy, and many Sorcerers were likely rushing here. The intruder's fate had already been sealed.

Just as he was about to speak, a pair of bronze bells suddenly seemed to widen their eyes.

Kaelith, who had no idea where he had pulled it from, produced a Fire Pot. Despite the earlier intense battle, it hadn't shattered. With a light toss, he aimed it at the bookshelves.

Dong dong dong...

The sound of heavy footsteps immediately followed. Instinctively, Edward, like a wild beast, charged toward him, making the Fire Pot explode and set the nearby bookshelves on fire. His eyes glowed blood red.

"I'm going to kill you!!"

His growl shook the hanging lamps, and the massive, enraged beast charged directly at Kaelith, blocking the light. It was worth noting that the beast's height barely reached Kaelith's chest, yet the pressure it exerted was overwhelming.

Bang!!

The giant mace suddenly slammed into the ground, creating a deep hole and sending the table flying. Kaelith, too, was sent into the air. Both his Glintstone and Edward's staff unleashed magical power simultaneously.

Morne's Great Mace!

Glintstone Arc!

After being tutored by Sellen, Kaelith's spell-casting speed had greatly improved. Before the mace could strike, he shot forward with a magical sword strike.

Boom ——

The two magical forces collided, creating a windstorm that sent pages flying. Edward took a half step back, his eyes filled with disbelief.

Was this intruder a Sorcerer?

As he pondered this confusion, another icy light cut through the green magical mist.

Frost Shard Slash!

The Magic, combined with Ash of War, broke through. Even though the great mace blocked it, the ice still solidified, freezing Edward's wrist and preventing any counterattack. He saw Kaelith push off the table, launching several throwing knives, his body quickly retreating while raising his staff.

Crack…

The Glintstone chandelier, originally swaying dangerously as if about to fall, was shattered by a forceful strike. The heavy, luxurious artistic piece, weighing nearly half a ton, dropped... But it didn't hit Edward; instead, a magical giant mace directly smashed it into dust.

Bits of iron and steel scattered like bullets, flying everywhere, hitting the walls with a series of loud thuds. The Sea Demon students in the classroom truly didn't need to understand high-level Magic; their physical prowess was a deadly weapon in itself.

The light dimmed instantly, leaving only the gradually burning bookshelves casting faint, shadowy figures. Kaelith lay flat on the ground, avoiding the metallic windstorm, his heart racing like a drum.

Countless Sorcerers, including instructors, charged toward him, roaring to tear him apart.

"I'll kill you!"

Kaelith shot up from the ground, twisting his wrist as magical symbols appeared around him, revealing his form. Having just killed several Sorcerers, he was ready to use a mid-level spell.

Crystal Barrage!

After a brief charge, a large cluster of crystallized green magic shot out, similar to a machine gun, ripping apart the air before him. Edward raised his staff, forcefully slamming the butt of it into the ground.

Cannon of Haima!

A magical cannonball exploded in front of him, resembling an armored reaction, violently colliding with the crystallized magic, both forces dissolving into each other amidst a powerful shockwave.

For a moment, the entire Hall of Literature was in chaos, trembling. Edward lightly shook his wrist, shattering the ice crystals, and surged forward through the magic and dust.

"Your magic thinks it can kill me?"

Unfazed, he advanced, his eyes scanning the area to catch a glimpse of the enemy. Soon, he saw him—just two meters ahead!

Kaelith, covered in wounds, withstood the shockwave, his icy blue eyes locking onto the Sorcerer, his gaze chilling and resolute.

A light orb shot into the sky, the lowest-level spell "Starlight," which had no damage potential. Edward, confused, didn't stop his movements, though.

Gavel of Haima on the left, the Korean weapon on the right, crossed and slammed down.

Annihilation!

The pressure was overwhelming, and there was no way to counter it except to retreat. His gaze firmly locked onto the youthful face of his opponent, waiting for the Bloodhounds Step to deliver a killing blow. In that instant, the dazzling light exploded, blinding his vision.

As the flashlight turned into a flare, Edward's vision turned completely white, his eyes almost burning, while Kaelith had already shut his eyes. Just as the massive mace was about to crush his head, his right foot hit the ground.

Bloodhounds Step!

In the brief moment of disappearance, a loud crashing sound came from behind him. Even the ceiling started to collapse, as Kaelith used the shockwave from the explosion behind him to shoot forward, passing between Edward's legs.

He halted, leapt, and shut his eyes, focusing all his energy—

Turning and stabbing!

Crack!

The sword collided with something hard, halting for an instant before piercing through. Kaelith finally opened his eyes.

The Starlight spell faded, and Edward's body shifted halfway, his blood-red pupils flicking upward. His gaze fixed on the spot between his brows.

The Glintstone pierced through his forehead, and blood mixed with white fluid oozed out.

Bang...

The massive body collapsed to the ground, and Kaelith quickly withdrew his blade, shaking it lightly and flinging out a spray of blood. He looked at the Sorcerer kneeling on the ground, a grin curling on his lips, revealing his sharp white teeth.

"Sorry, but I really can kill you!"