As they walked toward the classroom, someone suddenly ran up to them. It was a dark-haired, red-eyed boy—Marco.
"Sorry I'm late, Aizis & Raizel," Marco said, breathing heavily and clearly exhausted.
"It's fine. Let's go inside," Raizel replied.
Marco followed them into the classroom.
At the entrance, they sense the presence of Maria who seems to be already standing there.
"Huh? When did you get here?" Aizis asked, surprised.
"Much earlier. You guys are just late," Maria replied with a hint of annoyance.
"Meh, I was waiting outside. Didn't see you come in," Aizis said.
"You weren't supposed to. I just teleported in," Maria replied.
"Whatever. Let's sit. I'm really tired," Marco said, traces of fatigue on his face.
Shortly after, the regular class teacher entered the classroom. As she stepped in, she began speaking in her usual gentle tone.
"Good morning, my dear students. I hope you're all doing well. Today, we're going to learn about a special type of creation magic. Many of you are already proficient in various forms of creation magic, but today, we'll explore a different and extraordinary kind," she said.
"For that, we have the most exceptional creation magic user in the sacred world hierarchy. His magic attribute is plants. Using this magic, he has created countless incredible things throughout his lifetime," she continued.
Aizis's thoughts stirred.
''Lifetime, huh? So he's been here a while. Took him long enough to detect our presence—even after our reincarnation. Quite the plan you've orchestrated... '' he thought.
"I would now like to invite Mr. Jarid to join us," the teacher said a bit more loudly.
A man in his late 30s or early 40s entered the classroom. He had a strong build, wore a long dark coat, and sported glasses. His warm smile and gentle expression could easily convince anyone of his sincerity.
He walked calmly toward the teacher and stood beside her, Raizel's eyes sharpened.
''No matter what disguise you wear, I can still sense the immense magic power you're hiding,'' he thought. His eyes turned blue and began to glow faintly.
"I'll now ask Mr. Jarid to begin his lecture," the teacher said kindly.
"Well, I don't have much to say, aside from teaching," Jarid began gently. "But before that, I want to share a few words with you all, to every single one of you."
"Always believe in yourselves. If you do, then not only my magic—but any form of magic—can be mastered. You are the ones who shape this world through your efforts, emotions, and memories so it's your burden to protect it. Never forget that."
Aizis smiled sarcastically.
''Words like that, coming from a sacred spirit... what a joke. They claim to value emotions and memories, yet all they want is to write their own stories, discarding everything else.'' he thought to himself.
''That's just lowering your position even as a arrogant sacred spirit cause you're already pretending to be something you're not. At the end, what you're turning into is a selfish trash who can't keep his fame nor capable of being a mortal.'' he added.
"From the bottom of my heart, I truly wish for a world filled with love and safety," Jarid added.
"It's my duty to teach you everything I know. For that, I'll need an open space."
"We have a garden just outside. Would you like to use it?" the teacher asked kindly.
"Why not?"
Following Jarid and the teacher, Raizel and the other students went outside to the academy's garden.
As usual, they completed their classes together. By the time classes were over, it was already evening.
However, for some reason, Raizel and the other three—Aizis, Marco, and Maria—stayed behind at the academy for a little while longer. Eventually, they began making their way out through the corridor.
The four of them were chatting casually as they walked when a sudden flash of light stopped them in their tracks.
It was none other than the sacred spirit of plant life and food—Jarid.
As the sacred spirit of plant life and food, he holds control over all kinds of plants and is even capable of manipulating both his own and others' physical nutrition and strength. A single touch is more than enough to alter someone's physical capabilities, leaving them completely useless.
Even though the supreme rulers possess non-physical existences that grant them resistance to any forms of physical attacks, Jarid is still capable of absorbing their energy. How he does this remains a mystery. Rumors say he can absorb the very soul of a being with his magic, which allows him to drain the energy of non-physical entities as well.
Aizis raised his voice.
"Our honorable teacher himself is here. Or should i call you the great sacred spirit, Mr. Jarid?" Aizis said in a sarcastic tone.
"It's been a while—the strongest Supreme Ruler in history, and the secretive one who always hides in his shadow," Jarid said loudly.
"Of course. It's only natural for a king to have a shadow beside him. I'm impressed you still remember us after all this time," Aizis replied.
"It really has been a while."
"I didn't expect the sacred spirits to plan for my elimination even before my reincarnation. You're trying to wipe me out before I'm even reborn? What a joke," Raizel scoffed.
"Indeed. We planned it perfectly, to eliminate you while you're still weakened," Jarid replied.
"Hilarious. You sacred spirits are always hilarious. Gutless cowards—frauds too scared to face someone weaker than themselves. You've been afraid to fight me ever since the beginning of the war," Raizel said, mockingly.
"Such hostility toward the sacred spirits—the ultimate beings of creation. I shall remove you from existence for that unforgivable sin and write our own stories, free of the cursed lineage known as Supreme Rulers," Jarid declared.
Jarid drew a dark-red magic circle aimed at Raizel and the others, ready to unleash his spell.
But just then—a slash tore through the magic circle.
A boy with long white hair appeared, cutting the spell apart in one swift motion.
Aizis immediately grabbed Jarid by the collar and dragged him into a portal he summon on the spot.
"Aizis? When did he get here?" Maria exclaimed, pretty surprised and loud.
"You wretch—how dare you!" Jarid roared.
"Sorry, Mr. Jarid," Raizel said calmly. "But I won't allow any destruction here."
Aizis forced Jarid through the portal—a spell he created in an instant to teleport them to a higher layer.
"Maria, Marco—stay here. I don't want either of you involved in this right now."
Raizel summoned a portal similar to Aizis's and entered it.
"We'll be back soon. Just wait a bit," he said before vanishing with the portal.
Aizis and Jarid appeared in a vast, eerie realm—the secretive world, a place unknown to most beings, existing outside the fabric of the sacred realms.
As soon as they arrived, Jarid threw a furious punch at Aizis, but Aizis easily leapt several meters back, avoiding it with swift precision.
Raizel emerged moments later from his own portal.
The air here was heavy with dense mana. Strange lights flickered in the distance, and the sky above was a swirl of purple and gold.
Jarid's gaze sharpened as he faced them both.
"So this is the game you want to play, Supreme Ruler? Do you really think your tricks can outmatch me?"
He clenched his fists. "You're no match for me anymore. You're just a foolish ant standing before a god."
Raizel smiled slightly—calm and confident. Aizis did too.
Suddenly, a massive magic circle formed beneath Jarid's feet and expanded rapidly, rising around him in glowing arcs.
"What?!" Jarid yelled.
The spell activated in an instant. Gigantic clear and visible walls shot up from the circle, sealing him in dome filled with golden sparks.
Before he could react, golden chains surged out from the center of the circle. One slammed straight into Jarid's chest, binding his magic core—the source of his power.
"You dare use such tricks?!" Jarid roared. "What kind of cowardly magic is this?!"
"Nothing special," Raizel replied coldly. "Just one of the usual spells I use to restrain sacred spirits.''
''You guys are ignorant as always, falling for the same tricks."
"You'll regret this! How long do you think you can keep me sealed like this?!"
"I'm waiting for that," Raizel said flatly.
"The golden chain will slowly absorb your mana and transfer it to me. Once it finishes... you'll die and vanish from this world. Quietly. No war, no glory. Just silence."
Jarid stared at him, stunned. Rage flickered in his eyes, but his body trembled as the chain's drain began.
Raizel remained expressionless. Without another word, he summoned another teleportation circle surrounding him and Aizis.
A flash of purple lightning covered them, and they vanished from the secretive world.