Academic gathering with a lich-Chapter 624 - 577: Revelation of Darkness

Lyle was brought by the Bandage Man to the edge of the party venue, where Mr. Dark glared at several Liches who intended to approach and chat, intimidating them into staying away. Thanks to his reputation as a mad dog at Andrei Academy, the prestige of the Literary Society, and the obscure connections behind it, no Liches momentarily felt that angering him was a worthwhile risk.

The two shadowy figures had the chance to be alone; Lyle was still engulfed in the shadow of his prior shame. In front of all the notables of the academy, he flawlessly integrated into the Literary Society. The thought of having to preside over the academic assembly later, under the watchful eyes of many, made Lyle feel as if his body would split apart, his dignity shattered to pieces.

Looking resentfully at Mr. Dark, who was standing in front of him, Lyle wondered if the bandage was akin to Mr. Dark’s face, to be discarded at will.

"Lyle, I have something to discuss with you." There were no jokes, not even the pretentious lines of a teenager; Mr. Dark was very serious, so serious that it was eerie.

"Uh... please speak, Dark Boss."

"Do you remember our first meeting?" Mr. Dark leaned forward, his head drawing nearer to Lyle, creating a sense of oppression. Lyle saw that the bandages on his chest and abdomen were pulled apart, revealing gaps from which dozens of terrifying eyes sprouted from the void.

"If you’re referring to when you named me one of the Four Dark Heavenly Kings, I don’t think I’ll ever forget that in my lifetime." The beginning of a dark history indeed.

"It was when I played the riddle game with you, that was our first encounter," Mr. Dark corrected his response.

Riddle? Lyle recalled his early steps into the Literary Society, how Mr. Dark disguised himself as a gate resembling a Sphinx, challenging him with a riddle about killing Mr. Raymond.

"I remember, and I also remember how Raymond’s shamelessness left you without a comeback." Once again, Lyle recalled the nonsense of Mr. Dark, "So, are you planning another riddle game?"

"You could put it that way, Lyle. I have a new question for you, how to stop Raymond?" 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝐰𝚎𝕓𝐧𝚘𝘃𝗲𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝕞

The air seemed to solidify, the noise behind him and the dancing shadows beyond the barrier halted in Lyle’s senses. To Lyle, Mr. Dark appeared like a statue in deep thought, throwing an enigma his way.

"I... I don’t know, Mr. Dark," said Lyle, as if his thoughts were controlled. After witnessing Raymond’s display of power on several occasions, he never considered such a question. Who would always be on guard against a friend? Even if that friend’s abilities could easily destroy you... It was an instinct that made Lyle avoid the question. Awakened by Mr. Dark, Lyle realized the issue and found another question buried by his subconscious. The Giant Dragon he created could have significant meaning to Mr. Raymond.

Am I an enemy of Raymond? Lyle’s thoughts went blank, but his body trembled under his own gaze. Lyle truly felt the oppression Raymond Mellock had over the Liches of Andrei.

The bandaged hand, with its corrosive void, slapped Lyle’s face, and the cool sensation of the regenerating slime brought him back to his senses. Mr. Dark held Lyle’s head in both hands, making his puzzled eyes stare directly into the flames of the void.

"I’ll tell you the answer, Lyle. I’ll tell you how to counter Raymond."

"Alright... okay."

"When Raymond erupts, rush towards him, to the very front, and use your body to block his attack. If you have time, you can also shout ’Request Forgiveness’ or ’May the Light Show Mercy’."

Lyle was confused; this didn’t sound reliable.

"What’s the use of those Spells?"

"They will make Raymond hesitate for a moment as he extinguishes you or make him suffer more after killing you."

"Will I die?" Lyle was actually very aware of how much Raymond cared for him, as in his life at Andrei, he always had chance encounters with Mr. Raymond, much like Ralph did at the medical school. Mr. Raymond had special feelings for Lyle. Could Mr. Raymond, who cared like that, kill Lyle?

"Yes," said Mr. Dark, his voice filled with darkness. "Raymond Mellock is a believer in ideals, pursuing the light of justice, the justice of humanity all his life. A just Raymond is terrifying, powerful, and focused. If anyone obstructs his justice, he will obliterate them, whether they are his heir or his brother. Such light is too dazzling."

"Is this your obsession?" Lyle seemed to understand something.

"No, I do not live for others, you fool," Mr. Dark chuckled, "When Raymond executes you, his heart will undoubtedly harbor darkness, justice will be tarnished, and only then will I have the opportunity to kill him in his weakened state and plunge this world into the rule of darkness."

"Letting the world fall into darkness is better than it being destroyed by the light, right?"

"Say what you will..." Mr. Dark looked around and conjured a sphere of dark power in his hands. "Just to be safe, let me plant a soul suggestion in your mind. In such a situation, your body will react faster than your thoughts, before the rift becomes irreparable. Sacrificing the lesser self to protect the world, Lyle, that is precisely the work of the Salvation Association, hehehe."

It was a heavy burden, but Lyle had no choice but to accept it; it was he who had created the Giant Dragon, fulfilling his mentor’s wish. It was he who had provoked the ire of his senior in the name of justice.

"I shall make an ominous suggestion in my heart, so there’s no trouble for the Dark Boss."

"Hehehehe..." With a sinister laugh, Mr. Dark transformed back into that madman from the literary society.

After Mr. Dark left, Lyle was called back to his senses by the summons of his Dragon Instructor. He shuffled his feet, as the Dragon Instructor exhaled a breath from its dragon head skull behind Lyle.

The low temperature stimulated Lyle’s nerves, and he turned his head to see his instructor’s concerned gaze.

"You’re too tense, my student," the Giant Dragon laughed heartily, "Don’t worry, I will always be right behind you."

"They are all watching you, Mr. Presenter."

Lyle turned around and saw the orderly ranks of Andrei Academy’s Liches; they nodded to him in acknowledgment as he met their gaze, and a round of loud applause welcomed the beginning of the academic gathering.

Lyle’s Lich colleagues were looking forward to his presentation.

A smile appeared at the corner of Lyle’s mouth.

He followed the Giant Dragon to the center of the venue, basking in the applause.

"Giant Dragon Instructor."

"Hmm."

"This time, I will stand at the forefront."

The Giant Dragon raised its forepaw and clapped in a human-like manner.

"We look forward to your academic performance, we will be behind you, supporting you."

Lyle stood at the center of everyone’s attention, about to begin his performance.

"The honored guests have arrived," the headmaster chuckled, looking at the huge portals opening one by one in the Andrei sky, unobstructed by any Defensive Barrier. The portals, unashamed of their strength, and maintained without any supports, resembled bleeding scars in the sky, pouring rich ancient magic onto the lands of Andrei. The dragon roars, as if returning from ancient times, pulled the embers of the past into the Land of the Dead.

The Dragon Priests had arrived.