"It had been a long time, Lamia… Now that you've come this far, tell me: was it worth it? Your dream is coming true, but it's not the only one, is it? You and I both know: this world is a wound. Always has been. Since we absorbed the Demon King's heart, that truth has become even more overwhelming."
"Don't fool yourself: we're not lost heroines. We're the villains, plain and simple. We trample hopes, crush futures. And becoming a teacher won't change a thing. Whether it's Lamia the unworthy noble… or Vespia, me, the killer who ripped the child from humanity."
Still in that dark room, a sad bed and children's drawings scattered on the floor. It was a dream, she knew. In reality, that room had been her bubble of protection.
"Lux… He wasn't so legendary back then, hehe. Without meaning to, I hid my identity and created this persona: Vespia, the genius mage. That idiot really bought it all, huh? I was terrified someone would see the filthy Lamia training in magic…"
The scene shifted. The Lake of Persan, near the Demon King's castle. Vespia from that era appeared.
"It was that night, wasn't it… It had to happen right before the final battle."
Lamia rubbed her head.
"Argh, stop! Don't think I'll give in to the heart just for these stupid memories?! I did nothing wrong!"
Flames surrounded Lamia. She held Lux's body. Then Vespia reappeared.
"You killed him!… The heart had nothing to do with it then. You didn't possess me yet… I'm not the Demon King. I'm you. And I'll always be you… You and I know it, we've always known: this world is broken. These children can't save it. Only we have the strength to change this world and its future… because we're not afraid to get our hands dirty."
The darkness stirred. Lamia couldn't take it anymore.
"SILENCE!"
Everything stopped. She was back in the room. Before her, a little girl drew endlessly.
"Stop… It won't change anything… Eat and stop."
The girl broke her crayon, grabbed another.
"No! Maybe if I draw something better, Mom will praise me! And finally say 'I love you.'"
The darkness raged again. No need to look: Lamia knew where she was.
"…I told you… Stop drawing. Just stop."
She didn't dare look up. All she heard was the creak of a rope swinging.
Then she raised her eyes and saw the Devourers kneeling before her. Vince stood.
"Lady Vespia, gathering so many societal rejects… What could your grand objective be, I wonder! My heart races, all this suspense is killing me… The lady you please? It'd be a story too boring to devour."
Vespia walked beside him, stroked his head.
"Our spokesman is right… What is our goal? Becoming a teacher is yours, but me, Vespia… what do I want? For Mom to come back? Destroy the world? Honestly, I'd prefer that to our true objective."
The wind blew.
Lamia woke with a gasp, breathing hard. She splashed cold water on her face.
Marry? Have children? Don't compare me to you, old woman. I'll never sink that low like you or that woman… I'm above all that. Vespia will change the world, and Lamia will guide it. That's how my will shall be done. So stop showing me this past… I hate seeing it.
The night had been restless for Lamia. Fortunately, the gentle morning arrived.
After breakfast, the students did physical exercises to fully wake up. Then Lamia led them to a hidden spot: a massive door embedded with anti-magic stones.
"Listen up, children! You've got your books and uniforms—that's good. But here, you'll receive an even more important partner!"
She used a silver key that glowed near the door. Inside: a vast hall, weapons floating in magical cubes.
Ben and Leslie dashed around excitedly. Oria stepped forward.
"Ma'am, are we choosing weapons? Like the Hero Lux's Star Sword? It's true that heroes' weapons are legendary…"
Lamia pondered, tried to grab one: it vanished.
"Yes and no… See these floating cubes? They control everything. These cubes are one of the unique divine relics the Founder King discovered. A royal treasure…
Remember the collective consciousness? Forget that here: it's the individual consciousness that matters. Dig deep inside—who are you? Think of your past, your goals. Based on that, the cube will give you a weapon that fits you perfectly.
Then, the weapon will grow with its owner. The more confidence you have in it, the more legendary it becomes. No one can steal it: it'll be bound to your soul forever!
Now, children… Wander around."
Everyone split up.
Aria stared at an orb.
Who am I? An outcast? Unwanted? An Eternhal?… No, nothing yet. Hmm, it's not that simple. I really need to think hard.
Suddenly, a cube glowed nearby. A sword emerged: design evoking a green storm. Daniel Hautherra took it.
He glanced at Aria.
"Family isn't the right motivation… Focus on your goal."
Aria trembled.
"It's easy for you to say… I don't hate Vespia as much as you do. You need a strong purpose to live?"
He raised his sheathed saber.
"If you want to get strong, yes! Mine won't change: I'll kill my big brother who dared betray our family. And you? Gonna watch from the sidelines during the tournament? If that's how you think, you don't belong in this academy. Find a fiancé and stay away from the world of magic."
He vanished outside. Aria knew he was right. She couldn't go on like this. She wasn't like her brother. She had neither Lux's strength nor Zach's determination.
For so long, I've had to prove I'm more than mixed blood… I want to fight too. Become a warrior who can shape this world's fate.
"I want to surpass myself!"
A cube appeared before her. Two basic knight swords emerged… except they were locked in their sheaths by black chains, impossible to draw.
At the same moment, Miore, Oria, Leslie, Ben, and Sasha arrived.
"Well, Aria… Problematic weapons. Gonna bludgeon your enemies to death?"
Leslie had a red rapier. Miore, a floating orb. Ben, disappointed, gloves. Oria, black boots. Sasha, most depressed: chains.
"I had more… like a ton of chains… Had to yank them back into my soul. Dying crushed by your own weapon… What an end for me…"
Outside, the others waited. Seraphine had a fan (satisfied). Runa, a fine spear. Leonard, a floating cube. Elias, a two-handed blade with fins. Kael, a simple dagger.
Everyone waited for Lamia. She emerged with a book.
"Good. Now that you all have weapons, we're heading to the training ground. I'll note your strengths and flaws—in everything, even magic."
The students moved. Lamia eyed the book.
"…Return to your master."
It burned and vanished.
Knowing Vince, he won't hesitate to recreate this scene.
She headed to the training grounds, ready to assess her students' strength and give them rigorous training.
End of Chapter 8.