Chapter 88: The Gala of Darkness and the Great Heist
The night of the Annual Gala arrived. The Academy's palace was adorned with thousands of magical lanterns, and the sound of music filled every corner. Mages and wealthy students were busy celebrating, oblivious to the fact that "Death" was walking through their corridors.
Volt stood in formal student attire, yet his crimson eyes still burned like torches. "Aki, have you marked the location?"
From the rooftop, Aki whispered through a communication device, "Yes, My Lord. Rena's father is in the main hall, and the key is inside his sealed pouch. Sai is busy creating a diversion at the defense sector to keep the guards occupied."
At that moment, Rena approached Volt in a shimmering red gown. "Von, my father is suspicious. He sensed the magnitude of yesterday's test. We must move fast."
Volt calmly walked toward Rena's father, King Caius. As he neared, he activated 'Shadow Sovereignty' to momentarily freeze time in his immediate surroundings. With unparalleled speed, he snatched the golden key from Caius's pouch and returned to his position before anyone could notice.
[SYSTEM ALERT: Key Stolen. Danger Level: 80%. Spiritual Guardians are waking up!]
Suddenly, a massive boom echoed from beneath the earth. The entire Academy shook. Volt knew Sai had begun dismantling the defense system. "Aki, Rena... it's time to enter the abyss."
The three of them sprinted toward the forbidden basement door. Reaching it, Volt thrust the key into the lock. The door creaked open, releasing an ancient, potent scent of power. At the end of the corridor, a massive blade stood enveloped in a violet aura—the Void Reaper.
The blade began to hum with a guttural roar, as if recognizing its master. Volt reached for it, but at that exact second, a brilliant white beam descended from the ceiling, blocking his path.
"Did you think it would be this easy?" a feminine voice resonated from the light. It was a special envoy of the gods.