Chapter 24 | Breaking Every Bad Ending

Ain had long expected this to be the case.

Even if Sevis had unleashed Tier 4 magic right from the start, Ain could have absorbed it all using Mordred's ability.

But now that Sevis's mana was linked to the Scale of Astral Judgment, the situation was entirely different.

There were several runes on the stone tiles underfoot, isolating the combat platform from the outside world.

Not only was Mordred unable to absorb his opponent's mana, but it also couldn't absorb any mana from the spectator stands.

With his Mana Absorption trait nullified, he himself could only cast Tier 2 magic, which had a limit of 631.

The advantages he had held in his hands now seemed to be swept away by an invisible wind.

“What is that giant sword?”

“Is that Tier 4 magic? The size is just ridiculous!”

“So Senior Sevis was holding back all this time!”

“I thought Ain was going to win! That scared the life out of me!”

“But to be able to fight Senior for this long, he's actually pretty amazing, isn't he?”

“To think someone like him is a criminal who uses forbidden magic... What is he even after?”

High-tier magical tools could provide their users with massive amounts of mana replenishment.

The Scale of Astral Judgment was no exception.

“Ain, you can give up now.”

“Your mana has no corruption. I will also re-examine the dispute between you and Belinda.”

“As long as you take the initiative to step down now, you will be the undisputed genius of the academy, and all those rumors about you will vanish.”

There wasn't a trace of warmth in Sevis's golden eyes. His voice was cold and majestic, as if pronouncing the final verdict.

Just then, a light whisper drifted into Sevis's ears, landing like a feather on his tense nerves.

“Senior, actually, everything I said just now was a lie.”

“I didn't actually do this just to have a fight with you.”

A trace of confusion flickered in Sevis's gaze.

Ain took a deep breath and spoke his final words with a smile.

“My goal has only ever been one thing.”

“And that's you, you bastard!”

As he slowly clenched his right fist, the last trace of warmth in Sevis's eyes faded completely, leaving only an endless chill.

“If you can do it...”

“...then come and try!”

As the final syllable fell, the golden greatsword high in the sky buzzed and trembled, as if breathed with life.

Accelerating from slow to blazing fast, it turned into a dazzling streak of golden light, hurtling rapidly toward Ain.

“Mordred!”

Accompanied by a deafening wolf howl, countless arcs of purple lightning suddenly erupted around Ain, the violent thunderclaps echoing across the sky.

Golden light and purple electricity clashed violently in midair, their energies frantically obliterating each other.

With a loud boom, the combat platform shook violently. The kicked-up dust and lingering lightning intertwined, obscuring the view of the platform's center.

Amidst the dust, Ain was panting heavily. Beside him, Mordred's body was covered in wounds, looking in quite a pitiful state.

Sevis looked at Ain with some surprise, seemingly not expecting him to withstand this strike.

This was Holy Light Judgment, amplified by the Scale of Astral Judgment!

“Your Contract Spirit is very good.”

Ain clutched his chest, his eyes slightly dazed, yet the smile on his face didn't fade in the slightest.

“Senior, your Tier 4 magic seems a bit weak.”

Sevis clicked his tongue. He realized that expecting his opponent to surrender on his own was just a waste of time.

To end this farce, he had to personally knock Ain unconscious.

“You could have dodged.”

“But if you insist on taking it head-on, then prepare to spend two months lying in Persephone's care!”

Sevis's gaze hardened, and he pointed his wand straight up at the sky.

A magic circle with golden patterns emerged on the ceiling of the hall.

Another Holy Light Judgment!

【Contract Spirit: Mordred】

【Current MP: 3,541/7,479 (Slowly increasing)】

Ain said softly, “Mordred.”

“Do you trust me?”

【Mordred's Trust Level in you has increased by 15%!】

【Current Trust Level: 80%】

【Postscript: Mordred admires your unyielding courage!】

【Mordred's convertible MP has increased!】

【Current Convertible MP: 1,331】

Ain was momentarily taken aback, then he gently patted Mordred's head.

“Then I'll leave it to you.”

The golden greatsword crashed down once more with thunderous force, but this time, the previously violent purple lightning had dimmed significantly, looking on the verge of collapse.

The golden greatsword slammed into the ground, the sound echoing through the heavens, before dissolving into countless light particles that scattered into the air.

As the dust cleared, Ain was half-kneeling on the ground, blood from his temple already staining half his face red.

Before him, Mordred lay collapsed on the ground, powerless, struggling to draw its last few breaths.

【Contract Spirit: Mordred】

【HP: Extremely Critical (Slowly recovering)】

【MP: 1,331/7,479 (Slowly recovering)】

“That golden greatsword is way too powerful!”

“So this is Senior Sevis's true strength?”

“That's enough, isn't it? He actually managed to hold out for so long against Senior Sevis's attacks!”

“They've been fighting for so long, and I haven't seen any forbidden magic at all. Did the Titan Prosecution Office really arrest the wrong person?!”

August let out a sigh, speaking with some dejection, “It's over.”

“To withstand two amplified Holy Light Judgments, he has already done his best.”

Loretta, however, let out a charming smile.

“Not necessarily~”

Standing nearby, Erylin looked at Loretta in surprise, seemingly unable to believe her words.

“Ain't magic wolf can no longer absorb Sevis's mana, and now even his own mana is probably almost depleted!”

“Dean, under these circumstances, can Ain still win?”

Loretta giggled and poked Erylin's cheek, gesturing for her to keep watching.

On the stage, Sevis looked down at the kneeling Ain, his face cold as he spoke.

“If you had surrendered earlier, your Contract Spirit wouldn't have been so severely injured.”

“Ain, some gaps simply cannot be bridged.”

“Pointless resistance is worse than giving up early. After all, the outcome is the same.”

【Character Status】

【HP: Critical (Slowly recovering)】

【MP: 1,331/1,231】

【Currently Usable Magic: Tier 3】

Ain gently stroked the fallen Mordred, a deep green magic circle slowly manifesting in his hand.

【Tier 3 Magic: Holy Healing Light】

【MP Cost: 1,200】

【Current MP: 131/1,231 (Slowly recovering)】

The moment he saw the magic circle, the instructor beside Silas stood up abruptly, staring at Ain in utter disbelief.

“Holy Healing Light? He actually knows this kind of healing magic?!”

“Silas! Did you know about this? Why didn't you tell me!”

Silas's expression remained calm.

“You didn't ask me, did you?”

The shock on the instructor's face gradually faded, replaced by uncontrollable delight, and a thrilled smile crept onto his lips.

“While most students preferred to learn high-offense magic, someone was actually willing to learn this kind of thankless healing magic!”

“And he even self-taught it to Tier 3?”

“How could a student with such potential not go to Persephone for advanced studies?”

After completing all this, Mordred turned into a dark shadow and melted into Ain's shadow. Ain slowly raised his head, the smile still playing on his lips.