Extra Pages: The Author's Odyssey
Chapter 274: Vorath [1]

Yato's sudden appearance beside Lucas added a surge of confidence to his demeanour. The demon he was facing took a step back, momentarily unnerved by the unexpected reinforcement.

"You're taking too long, Lucas," Yato remarked, a hint of playful reproach in his tone.

Lucas, acknowledging Yato's presence, nodded in agreement. The duo, now standing side by side, became a formidable force that the remaining demons couldn't ignore.

The wounded demon, sensing the shift in the battle, hesitated. The once-confident expressions on the demons' faces began to waver.

"W-What...H-Happened to l-leader?" One of the demons asked Yato hesitantly, the demon already knew the answer but he wanted to confirm it.

"Oh? Well...He is dead." Yato replied, his voice sending shivers down to other demons.

Looking at the fear on the demon's face Yato couldn't help but chuckle.

"You can rest now let me play with them now." Turning his head toward Lucas, Yato said. Lucas nodded his head in response.

He needed a short break plus he also wanted to check something.

"Okay, Master. I'll leave them to you." Saying that Lucas started to run in a different direction.

After running for a bit he sat down on the ground and took a deep breath.

Just as he sits on the ground his shadow unattended to Lucas and places himself at Lucas's feet, Lucas's mana coating also runs out.

Fighting against 15 demons at the same time was not feet, many cadets would have died or heavenly injured.

Even so, Lucas was able to kill ten of the demons and he knew that if the fight lasted any longer he would all of them but in the process, he would also be injured.

As Lucas sat on the ground, the remnants of the intense battle lingered in the air. The Sword of Sin rested beside him, its crimson blade still humming with the energy of the demonic adversaries it had vanquished. Lucas's breaths were measured, the exertion of the fight evident in the beads of sweat on his forehead.

His shadow, having served its purpose, melded back into his form as Lucas took a moment to reflect on the skirmish. The Mana Coating that enhanced his senses gradually dissipated, leaving him attuned to the natural sounds of the surroundings.

'It was a hard fight,' he thought, recognizing the gravity of the confrontation. The demons had proven to be formidable adversaries, and the unexpected encounter had tested the limits of his abilities. Lucas was keenly aware that such challenges would become more frequent as he advanced in his training.

While catching his breath, Lucas also seized the opportunity to assess his surroundings. The aftermath of the battle painted a chaotic scene – scorched earth, lingering traces of dark energy, and the distant echoes of Yato engaging the remaining demons.

As he sat there, Lucas noticed something peculiar. The air around him seemed to shimmer faintly, revealing the remnants of the Phalanx Guardian Form he had employed during the battle. The defensive ring, now a subtle ethereal glow, dissipated into the atmosphere.

'The defensive sword art... it served its purpose,' he reflected, appreciating the effectiveness of the technique Isabella had taught him. It was the first time he had used it in an actual combat scenario, and its success added a new layer to his evolving skill set.

With a sense of accomplishment, Lucas stood up and retrieved the Sword of Sin. He cast a glance towards the ongoing battle between Yato and the remaining demons. Yato's movements were a symphony of precision and power, effortlessly dispatching his adversaries.

As Lucas approached the scene, he observed Yato's combat prowess with a mixture of awe and gratitude.

Every step of Yato is perfect. It's like Yato was dancing.

Demon we're desperately trying to catch Yato but he also dodged them when they were near him.

'He is toying with them.' Lucas remarks inwardly. Seeing how Yato loved to play with his enemy, Lucas now that Yato is a sadist.

'Poor demons.'

The first demon lunged at Yato with a desperate claw strike. Yato, with a casual sidestep, avoided the attack and countered with a swift upward slash. Yato's sword cut through the demon's form, radiant energy engulfing it as it crumbled into dissipating shadows.

The next demon, sensing its impending demise, attempted a frenzied barrage of attacks. Yato, undeterred, seamlessly weaved through the onslaught. With calculated precision, he exploited openings in the demon's defence with precise strikes that dismantled its demonic essence.

Another demon, recognizing the futility of a direct assault, attempted a ranged attack, sending dark energy projectiles towards Yato. With a twirl of his blade, Yato deflected the projectiles effortlessly, each redirected burst replaceing its mark on the demons that had unleashed them.

The last demon, witnessing the demise of its comrades, unleashed a desperate final onslaught. Yato, a beacon of calm amidst the chaos, engaged the demo with a series of lightning-fast strikes. The demin, unable to match Yato's speed, found itself at the mercy of the master swordsman.

In a climactic moment, Yato's blade pierced through the demon's defences the Sword gleamed with an intensified radiance. A surge of divine energy enveloped the demon, and the leader's form disintegrated into a burst of radiant particles.

The battlefield fell into a momentary stillness. The echoes of the battle lingered, and the remnants of dark energy dissipated into the air. Yato, his blade sheathed, stood amidst the aftermath of the confrontation.

Lucas, watching the masterful display, couldn't help but marvel at Yato's prowess. Each movement, each strike, was a testament to the depth of Yato's skill. As the last echoes of the battle faded away, Yato turned towards Lucas, a satisfied smile gracing his face.

"Looks like we've cleaned up nicely," Yato remarked, his tone lighthearted. "Not bad for an unexpected encounter, huh?"

Lucas nodded, a sense of accomplishment settling within him. The battlefield, once a chaotic arena of conflict, now bore the marks of their victory.

"Thank you, Master Yato. Your guidance was invaluable," Lucas expressed his gratitude, genuine respect in his voice.

Yato chuckled, "Just doing my job, Lucas. Now, let's head back. The academy awaits, and I'm sure you have exams to prepare for."

As they were about to leave, something happened.