DEMON KING'S Love Redemption

Chapter 29

The sky above Aethelgard Academy’s main courtyard had never looked so radiant, yet to Vann, the scorching sunlight felt like an interrogation lamp stripping away every secret he possessed. In the center of the grounds, a magnificent arching gate of pure silver stood firm, pulsing with a constant, pale blue mana glow. This was the Projection Gate—the entrance to the artificial dimension where the Final Exams were held.

Thousands of students had gathered, their collective chatter filling the air like a swarming hive of bees. However, the moment the final three names were announced through the magical loudspeakers, a sudden silence fell, heavy and suffocating.

"Team 44: Kael van Hestia, Freya van Aethelgard, and... Vann."

Vann could feel thousands of eyes boring into his back. Whispers began to crawl through the crowd like snakes. Everyone knew about the festival incident—the snap of a finger that had obliterated the Goblin King and the way Vann’s face had briefly glowed with a mysterious light. Being paired with the academy’s two most talented students would have been an honor for anyone else, but for Vann, it was a death sentence for his cover.

"This is truly the sickest joke in the history of Aethelgard," a sharp voice snapped, breaking the silence beside him.

Kael van Hestia stood in shimmering silver armor that gleamed perfectly, his hand gripping the hilt of his new, jewel-encrusted light sword. His handsome face still bore a faint scar near the jaw—a permanent reminder of his humiliating defeat in the duel against Vann. His golden eyes fixed on Vann with pure, unadulterated hatred.

"I don't know what kind of foul magic you used to charm the professors into putting you on our team, Vann," Kael hissed, stepping forward until their chests nearly touched. "But mark my words: inside that artificial dimension, there are no spectators. If you get in my way, or try to pull any of that strange power of yours again, I won't hesitate to cut you down before the monsters do."

Vann didn't respond. He simply looked down, letting his dark hair shroud the expression in his eyes. He was busy suppressing his dark mana to its absolute nadir, making himself appear as weak as possible. "I will only do as I am told, Lord Kael," Vann replied in a forced, flat tone.

"Enough, Kael."

The voice was clear and cold, carrying an authority that brooked no argument. Freya stepped forward. She wore snow-white light armor that fit her perfectly, accentuating her athletic yet graceful silhouette. The longbow on her back vibrated softly, as if thirsting for battle. Her gaze lingered on Vann for a few seconds—a complex look filled with suspicion, concern, and something far deeper that she couldn't quite define.

"This exam is not a stage for your personal vendettas," Freya said, eyeing Kael sharply. "Professor Mordred has increased the difficulty of this year’s artificial dimension. If we don't cooperate, we'll never reach the core zone."

Kael snorted, turning his head away. "Cooperate with this rat? I'd rather take on a Dragon by myself."

"Vann," Freya said, turning toward him. "You stay in the back. Your job is to carry the mana crystal supplies and monitor the rear perimeter. Do not do anything without my orders. Understood?"

Vann nodded obediently. "Understood, Lady Freya."

On the high podium, Professor Mordred stood with his gray robes billowing in the wind. He held a massive hourglass filled with stardust. His sharp eyes were fixed directly on Vann, a mysterious smile tugging at the corners of his thin lips.

"The time has come," Mordred’s voice echoed across the grounds. "Enter the Projection Gate. Your objective is to retrieve the Core of Aether at the heart of the dimension. Remember, though this is an artificial realm, the pain you feel is real. And failure... means a most humiliating repeat of the school year."

One by one, the teams began to step into the blue gate, vanishing into the glow. When Team 44’s turn arrived, Vann felt a massive surge of mana pressure envelop his body. Kael stepped inside arrogantly, followed by Freya, who glanced back at Vann one last time.

Vann took a long, deep breath. This is it, he thought. As he stepped over the threshold, the sensation of the world turning upside down hit his senses.

The world transformed in an instant. Aethelgard’s blue sky was replaced by a bleak, violet horizon. The air here felt heavy, smelling of iron and damp moss. They stood on a rocky cliff overlooking a vast forest where the trees were made of black crystal and copper. In the distance, a pulsing tower of light marked the location of the Core of Aether.

"This place... the energy feels wrong," Freya murmured, her hand instinctively gripping her bow. She closed her eyes for a moment, spreading her mana senses. "The mana here is incredibly unstable. It's as if this dimension is being forced to remain in existence."

"Just your imagination, Freya," Kael laughed dismissively as he unsheathed his light sword. The blade shone brilliantly, driving back the shadows around them. "Look, our first welcoming party has arrived."

From behind the rocks below the cliff, a dozen creatures resembling wolves crawled out, though their bodies were made of sharp obsidian stone with glowing red eyes. Obsidian Crawlers.

"Ten in front, five on the left!" Freya commanded quickly. "Kael, take the front! Vann, stay close to the cliffside!"

Kael didn't wait for further instructions. With a confident roar, he lunged forward. "To you who are born of darkness, perish before my light! Light Burst!"

A blinding explosion of white light erupted from Kael’s sword. He moved with incredible speed, slashing through the stony legs of the wolves. His technique was indeed genius, yet Vann could see the flaws. Kael was too arrogant; he hadn't noticed the third wolf preparing to pounce on his back from a blind spot.

Vann stood in the rear, holding the supply bag. Instinctively, his fingers twitched, intending to release a flick of gravity to crush the monster. However, he saw Freya had already drawn her bowstring.

An arrow of light streaked past Kael’s shoulder, striking the head of the wolf attempting to ambush him. The monster shattered into stone fragments before it could even touch Kael.

"Focus on your movement, Kael!" Freya shouted while firing two more arrows in rapid succession.

"I know what I'm doing!" Kael snapped back, though he looked slightly rattled.

Vann observed the two of them. As a former Demon King, he could see the threads of mana connecting this dimension. Mordred hadn't lied; this realm was a highly complex masterpiece, yet something was being hidden. Beneath these layers of artificial mana, Vann felt a very familiar aura. The same aura from the secret book in the library.

This dimension isn't just for an exam, Vann thought, his eyes narrowing. It's a cage. And we are the lab rats being observed.

The first skirmish ended quickly. Kael stood amidst the obsidian wreckage, his breath slightly heavy, his face flush with arrogant satisfaction. "That's it? This exam is too boring."