### Chapter: 196
Originally, the plan was a witch hunt aimed at cornering Kraush.
But Taria’s intervention completely derailed the situation.
—
However, thanks to that, Rona noticed one crucial fact.
—
“Taria, you should have told me you’re a servant of the Devourer of Worlds.”
—
Rona was the servant of the Black Witch.
That meant she had been tipped off about something.
There was a servant of the Devourer of Worlds inside the Academy helping Kraush.
Just as Crimson Garden couldn’t identify the Black Witch’s servant.
The Black Witch couldn’t simply recognize the servant of Crimson Garden either.
Typically, the servants of Crimson Garden proudly wore badges showing they were her servants.
But Taria had cleverly concealed the power of World Erosion with a turtleneck she made for such scenarios.
Rona fiddled with the magical item around her neck, a hint of regret showing.
If only that device had revealed Taria’s ties to the World Erosion, things might’ve gone better.
‘Too bad the magical tool I made is a fake.’
Rona was clearly a genius in crafting magical tools.
But even she couldn’t create an infallible item on the fly that could reveal only the servants of World Erosion.
So Rona had just made a decoy sword that reacted to Mirei.
Mirei was not even aware that she was a servant implanted by the Black Witch.
Naturally, those ignorant of magical items would assume that Mirei’s status would be revealed as soon as the tool activated.
The real problem was that as a result, her true identity was exposed to Taria.
“What bad luck.”
—
However, there was one thing.
The magical tool that touched on World Erosion and triggered chaos was genuine.
This was a tool born from a combination of her crafting skills and the Black Witch’s dark magic.
[That Black Witch… Did she copy my powers?]
Crimson Garden was belatedly realizing how Rona’s sword had come to be.
In the past, Crimson Garden, belonging to Ixion, had been gathering power through rampaging World Erosion.
And the Black Witch had repurposed that ability and created this ridiculous magical tool.
At that moment, Rona’s magical items began to stir again.
As Taria dodged the incoming tools, Rona intentionally raised her voice.
“Taria, could you not interfere between servants of the Devourer of Worlds!”
Taria, too, would be in trouble if her secret as a servant of the Devourer was uncovered.
At the very least, she wouldn’t be able to maintain a normal school life at Rahern Academy.
So Rona raised her voice to distract everyone.
However, she quickly noticed that Denver, the assistant professor desperately trying to restrain Mirei, wasn’t responding at all.
Soon after, Rona felt her own throat.
Taria had blocked the transmission of sound with magic.
‘Quick-witted, aren’t you?’
It wasn’t for nothing that Taria was the top first-year student in the Magic Department; her countermeasures were rapid.
She could probably see through this side’s plans.
—
CRACK!
Yet, even with that, it didn’t mean that Taria had an advantage.
Once again, her signature electric magic was being absorbed by Rona’s lightning rod tool.
Not being able to use her specialty spells was a lethal setback for Taria.
But her expression was still fixed on Rona; she wasn’t showing any signs of losing focus.
Rona, meanwhile, was freely launching her magical tools while contemplating.
‘What do I do?’
Staying here would mean professors like Denver would soon arrive, and Rona had no way to handle that.
But retreating after causing such chaos with no gain was also unsatisfactory.
The Black Witch wanted the Ignis that Kraush possessed.
So, she needed at least something of value to trade.
‘A hostage would be the best option.’
The students gathered at Rahern Academy were all quite capable.
She couldn’t just abduct them wildly as that would prolong the situation for her, too.
So she needed to pick someone of value to Kraush who wouldn’t take long to capture.
‘Got it.’
At that moment, a name flashed through her mind.
Magical items started swirling around her body.
She planned to slip out of the Theology Hall just like this.
SSHRRRRRR!
It was in that instant that a storm of thunder burst forth from Taria’s body.
The thunderstorm shot past Rona and slammed into the walls of the Theology Hall, sending blue currents surging across the entire structure.
In that space filled with electric energy, Taria slowly adjusted her glasses.
“I can hear the gears turning in your little head very clearly.”
Her clothes and hair danced wildly along with the currents emanating from her body.
Shivers!
The sight made Rona feel extremely precarious.
“…How?”
Rona’s eyes widened in disbelief.
Taria was effortlessly wielding her electric magic.
Her lightning rod item had absorbed all of Taria’s magic!
So it didn’t make any sense that Taria was still standing unaffected.
“Do you really think a single magical tool can suppress me? That’s a rather naïve assumption.”
—
It was in that moment the lightning began to erupt even more ferociously from Taria’s body.
While Rona was still processing what was happening, the currents grew wilder.
Her entire being was engulfed in electric magic.
The force was so intense that her hair seemed to shine in both white and blue.
—
Thunder Queen.
This was the appearance that would later earn her that moniker.
“I need to deal with that rampaging Mirei quickly, and I’m embarrassed I didn’t notice this sooner.”
Raising her right hand, she let loose another wave of energy.
SSSHHHHH!
Suddenly, one of the magical tools that had been flying in sneakily was struck by Taria’s magic, turning to ash in an instant.
With no chance to function at all, it was obliterated.
The moment Rona swallowed hard at that sight,
“Let’s wrap this up.”
Taria’s form scattered in an instant.
By the time Rona caught sight of her again, it was already too late.
BANG!
“GYAAGH!”
A shockwave slammed into Rona’s solar plexus, and the surge of electric energy overwhelmed her in an instant.
She felt her consciousness soaring briefly as her body twisted into a ‘C’ shape, flying into the air.
But the shock didn’t stop there.
Just as she was lifted off the ground, a fist slammed down on her back.
BOOM!
Having been caught off guard, Rona was slammed into the floor.
Additional charges of electric energy surged, leaving her writhing in agony.
The magical tools hurried to stop Taria.
However, spheres of charge generated around Taria faced them all head-on.
She was demonstrating just what the top student in the first-year Magic Department was capable of—absolutely overwhelming.
Rona, affected by Taria’s attack, swallowed her saliva.
At this rate, she was going to be obliterated.
She had to pull out all the stops.
Realizing this, she grit her teeth and bit down hard.
One of the tiny magical items she had concealed inside activated.
WOOM!
At that moment, Taria’s punch was intercepted by something in front of her.
Amidst the dancing sparks, Taria’s eyes fluttered.
There were tiny black specks gathering to form a blade.
The energy emanating from that blade was undeniably the power of World Erosion.
That was especially evident as it parried Taria’s electric-infused punch.
Rona’s figure also transformed.
The small specks swirling around her were now forming her a suit of dark armor.
A magical tool created through years of research by Rona, infused with the Black Witch’s dark arts.
Zebilliron.
Millions of tiny specks, each a magical tool in its own right.
With the Zebilliron enveloping her face, Rona managed to smile through the struggle.
“I’ll see you next time.”
—
In that moment, a blinding flash erupted from her, sweeping through the area.
The unexpected brilliance was so intense that even Taria had to squint and step back.
Yet, she quickly released her electrical magic.
BZZZZT!
The sound of her electric magic filled the air as Taria hurriedly regained her focus.
And by the time she looked around, Rona had already vanished.
“Damn it!”
Cursing under her breath, she raised her head and saw the entrance to the Theology Hall was destroyed.
She had intentionally trapped everyone inside with her electric magic.
But Rona had charged right through that barrier.
Taria was struck with the realization of just how powerful Rona’s Zebilliron truly was.
‘I’ve lost her.’
As that thought crossed her mind, Taria clenched her teeth and rushed out.
THUMP! CRASH!
At that instant, the sound of Mirei rampaging echoed from behind.
Beyond the divine shield, a black tentacle continued to batter against it, wildly causing it to tremble.
The barrier seemed to be under serious strain.
Below, Denver, drenched in sweat and blood, was working desperately to keep Mirei contained.
The Black Witch’s tentacles were converting even Mirei’s divine power into the power of World Erosion.
Even though she was the youngest archbishop, it was clear that Mirei’s level was too much for an assistant professor like Denver to handle alone.
If things continued this way, he would surely succumb before any other professors arrived.
In that brief moment of hesitation, Taria understood.
If she left Denver behind, he would be overpowered by Mirei, leading to a terrible outcome.
Such a result would render Mirei beyond redemption.
So, did she help him first, or chase after Rona?
—
[Taria, prioritize the archbishop!]
As her mind raced, the voice of Crimson Garden resounded in her ears.
[Looks like he’s finally come down.]
At those encouraging words, Taria let out a long sigh.
“Geez, I’m such a disgrace to my little sister.”
Boasting one moment and yet causing such a disaster.
Feeling embarrassed, Taria exhaled and turned her body.
Harnessing the electric currents again, she determined to take action.
“Mirei, this is going to hurt.”
She would suppress Mirei.
—
＊ ＊ ＊
—
Amidst the chaos erupting from the Theology Hall, Rona was sprinting through Rahern Academy.
Her body ached everywhere.
She’d been thoroughly battered by Taria’s attacks, leaving her in near disarray.
If she hadn’t had her trump card, Zebilliron, prepared, she would have been done for right there.
Hah, Hah.
Rona lacked breath as she pressed herself against the wall.
It was no wonder; around her, assistant professors were rushing about busily.
Had word gotten out that she was a servant of World Erosion?
She wasn’t sure, but Rona was trying her best to move stealthily to avoid being detected.
Given how the situation had turned, it was now time for her last resort.
She had resolved to take a hostage and get out as originally planned.
With the help of the Black Witch, she figured escaping wouldn’t take long.
With that in mind, she slipped into the male dormitory.
It was likely empty since the students were currently in class.
Instead, a few attendants and staff were bewildered, huddled outside due to the commotion.
Rona used stealth to open a window and slip inside.
Once inside, she placed her hands on the wall.
The Zebilliron that had partially disappeared from her face began to flow into the wall.
After she held her breath and waited a moment, her eyes lit up.
‘Found you.’
Immediately, she raised her hand.
From her grip, a dagger sprang to life and glowed.
Without hesitation, Rona hurled the dagger in the direction of the ceiling.
THWACK!
The dagger punctured the ceiling cleanly without leaving a mark.
As she confirmed that, her eyes closed, and the next moment, Rona opened them in a new room.
That room was none other than Kraush’s room.
Beyond the closed door, she heard a familiar voice.
“Fufufu, hehe♪”
Someone was humming as they brewed tea.
It was none other than Alicia, cleaning the room and enjoying a social gathering.
As an ordinary person, she was blissfully unaware of the intruder in Kraush’s quarters.
Rona stepped forward, placing her hand on the doorknob.
Alicia was a direct servant of Kraush.
Information hinted that he held her in high regard.
If Alicia was kidnapped, there was no way Kraush would just sit by.
Just as Rona was about to open the door to abduct Alicia, a voice broke the silence.
“Best not to open that door.”
—
At that moment, chills ran down Rona’s spine upon hearing the voice from behind her.
She remained still, sensing a presence behind her at last.
There sat a boy, his cerulean hair framing his face.
With bandaged hands, he gently tweaked his fingertips.
And as he slowly lowered his hand, his vivid blue eyes gleamed with intensity.
“If you open that, you won’t be able to handle the consequences.”
—
Standing there was Kraush Balheim, a direct descendant of the Balheim family and the top second-year student in the Unnamed Academy.
He had returned from his training to find her there.
