Ch 18

Areth returned to Earth and met up with his friends. He excused himself from the group before returning to the rift.

The fire was still raging on, and he could see traces demons walking around edges. They dared not to get too close, for even the air was currently poisonous

He teleported to the sky to get a better look. A castle stood tall in the distance. The architecture was normal and nothing sinister, but numerous demons patrolled the area. Areth descended.

From his survey, there were no strong demons nearby. Aside from their numbers, the demons in this world was weaker than the previous world.

Areth did not exterminate them and left them be.

He returned to Earth and went to the dream world. Transforming into Mr Adam, he posted a notice in the on the wall of the tavern, notifying everyone of the new rift. The strength an estimated numbers of the demons was also mentioned.

After he left, people swarmed the notice and started whispering.

"A demon world? How many has it been?"

"That's four now."

"So that's Mr Adam, the boss of the dream world. It's the first time I've seen him in person."

"I'm S rank, who will accompany me to raid this rift?"

"Fine, let's just meet at the exact location. We should gather more people, then we decide the time."

"Let's do that."

---

One week went by, the existence of demons was finally revealed to the public.

Many did not take it seriously and some begun planning for the future. The Hunter schools adjusted their current curriculum and decided to implement practical combat. It was mandatory for all students.

"Areth, how is your preparation for the practicals?"

Lina was walking beside Areth and asked.

"It's decent." Areth replied. "You should know that I've been practicing magic since my childhood."

"Oh, so cool!"

Ever since Lina joined their club, she has always been close to Areth. She found that most of the members were very talented, the top of their class. Specially Anna, who was way beyond everyone's league. The only one she found relatively normal was Areth.

During the past few days after the announcement regarding the combat related activities, all the students have been excited. They upped their training intensity, staying at the training grounds until night.

Their club was no exception, as everyone was hot blooded, eager to show off in front of everyone.

"Dimension Slash!"

"Hell Flame!"

"Nine Dragon Burst!"

"Ice Aeon!"

The Magic training ground was the most noisy these days. It was frequented by most students. Their yells were like nails scratching on chalkboard to Areth.

"Woah! It's colorful here."

Lina was dazzled by the special effects of the spells.

Lina took on an empty spot and cast the basic fireball spell. She threw it toward the target, but it was not able to reach it.

"Uh..."

Areth smiled and demonstrated it, explaining the basic principles of fireball spells. The ring inside his bag shone and Leyfin's voice sounded from it.

'Hey, you're stealing someone's words.'

'Don't you want to have a disciple? This girl is pretty talented. She caught Anne's eyes you know.'

'Anne? That strange girl indeed has a good eye. Fine then.'

Lina was surprise at Areth's explanation, most of them could not be found on books. Her teacher did not even mention it in class.

"I did not know that a fireball could be so powerful. Areth, where did you learn that?" She asked.

"I read it in a book called the "The Pinnacle of Fireball Spell." It was authored by a great Mage Leyfin Rovefolia."

'You sure know how speak. But you did not add my title, "The Youngest Great Mage," "The Destroyer," "The Flame Empress."'

Areth ignored Leyfin's complaints.

"I will look for it in the library later." Lina said.

"It can't be found anywhere." Areth said. "A mysterious man temporarily lent me the book. He only allowed me to read the first page before taking it back."

"Oh." Lina squinted her eyes and said dubiously. "Where did you find that mysterious man?"

"Do you know Fantasy Cafe?"

Lina nodded. She once went there with her classmates.

Areth looked around, looking vigilant. He whispered. "You head there alone after classes, then order the following..."

"You're not kidding me are you?"

"Of course not. Don't worry, I would still be here tomorrow. I have nowhere to run if you seek vengeance."

"To think that Fantasy Cafe is a base of a secret organization."

"Hush, promise me not to tell this to anyone. Clear?"

Lina nodded. They resumed their practice, with Areth showing her at least ten ways to cast fireball.

A huge fireball suddenly hit their training dummy and scorched it black.

"What rubbish." Said an elegant looking youngster. "You should go somewhere else to practice your spells."

He raised his hand, flame snake slithered across his arm. It was a display of superior mana control. Beside the youngster was a group of students who exude a high-class aura.

"Tsk, getting worked up with fireballs. Go and get yourself another target. This place is ours now." Said another.

Lina wanted to speak, but after seeing their uniforms, decided against it. These people were seniors.

Areth did not argue with the twelve years old. "Let's go, let's move somewhere."

It would be a joke if he, a 3000 years old man, get angry at a child.

Apparently, the leader of the group did not take his indifference positively. He turned to one of his lackeys and signaled her to act.

The girl extended her arms, conjured a small water ball and launched it above their heads.

The water ball was about to burst, but it hanged on the air, frozen. The girl was shocked. "What happened?"

The two walked away as though they did not notice the attack. After they got far, the ice ball turned back to water and splashed on the ground. The leader glared at his lackey who hurriedly explain.

"The water ball suddenly froze."

The leader of the gang, Kraus Pascal, stared at their retreating figure and spoke.

"So they aren't just some normal pleb."

After classes, the Retribution Guild Club gathered at the gym. The gym was spacious to contain the entire student population. Within the gyms were chambers, used by students as an arena. These chambers only amount to 20, sufficient for the entire Hunter department.

Anna spoke. "I've reserved this entire chamber for our training. We will have a mock battle with another club."

"Huh?"

Everyone was apparently shocked. "L-leader, isn't this too early?" Richard said.

"I've got no problem but, but you should've told us in advance so we can prepare ourselves!"

Kyle combing his hair hurriedly, using the phone camera as a mirror.

"Don't worry, you will only face the freshmen members." Anne said.

"Oh shit, what do I do? Areth, are you joining too?" Lian asked.

"The curriculum has been adjusted. I will fight either way. This is a good time to practice."

"Anne told me that you only use fireballs. Are you sure you won't get your ass kicked?"

"Fireball is more than enough." Seeing Areth's confidence, Lian did not bother him and begun meditating to optimize his mental condition.

The fighters in the group, Shiela, Kyle, Richard, and Anne, also started warming up.

"We're here." After a while, a voice came from the entrance. A familiar boy walked towards him, followed by his entourage.

The boy, Kraus, scanned the Retribution Club and saw two familiar faces. Areth smiled at him gently, like a father to his son.

'This bastard. Just you wait.'

The two leaders chatted for some time before deciding to start the match.

"Kyle, you go first."

Kyle walked to the center. His eyes were calm and serene, a breeze out of nowhere gently blew his golden hair. With a wooden sword in one hand, he used another to sweep back his hairline. His peripheral reflect the figure of the girls around. 'Careful, you might fall in love.'

Kraus looked at Kyle dubiously, and then to Anne. "Is your member okay?"

"He's fine." Anne assured, forcing a smile.

"Luke, you go. It's fighter to fighter, mage to mage." Said Kraus.

A young, ordinary looking boy walked to the center.

---

(I have not been able to update for a while. I was doing homework (o^^o)