Inside the Academy
Aether had never imagined that Helena would react this way. His plan was to use Kenley as a pawn to create a dramatic scene, one that would ultimately lead to the pull-down Archpriestess who had taken residence in Helena’s heart. He expected to take some time, but this… this was something far beyond his calculations.
“How dare you?” Helena’s voice echoed with a fury. Her body became a radiant beacon, glowing with an ethereal energy so intense that it felt like the sun itself had descended upon them.
The display was both terrifying and awe-inspiring.
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Aether’s breath caught in his throat as beads of sweat began to form on his forehead.
Where had he gone wrong? Had he pushed her too far, too fast? He had meticulously calculated every move, every possible outcome, and yet… Why now? Why was she reacting like this?
‘What the actual Hell is happening?’ Aether’s mind raced, screaming in confusion.
Helena had always been a sweet, naive girl…. kind-hearted and gentle, almost too innocent for the brutal world around them.
But this transformation… Was she going to become like Selene and Aria, those who had already crossed the line no return!!
The thought sent a shiver down his spine. He was already struggling to control Yanderes in his life…. Please no more!!
Helena’s gaze was fixed on Kenley, her eyes burning with an almost frightening intensity.
‘Hold his hands? Kiss him? Have his babies?’ The words echoed in Helena’s mind, each one more vile and repulsive than the last. Her thoughts spiralled, her mind short-circuiting under the weight of those disgusting ideas!!
Even she, who held Aether so dearly in her heart, had needed time to come to terms with the depth of her feelings…. Holding hands? The mere thought of holding his hand was enough to make her heart skip a beat, sending a flush of warmth through her entire body.
Yet,
How dare anyone else even think of doing these things to her beloved?
When Kenley’s tongue touched Aether’s cheek, sliding along his skin in a mocking display of affection, it was as if the world itself had stopped… Every lesson from the Archpriestess, every teaching…. vanished in an instant.
All that remained was an all-consuming need to protect the man she loved… A man who loved her!
All she could think of now was Aether. She needed to save the man who believed in her, and who had supported her through thick and thin. There was no way she would let him go!
Helena’s feet moved of their own accord, stepping forward with a deadly resolve. Kenley, sensing the shift, instinctively stepped back. Fear flickered in her eyes, quickly replaced by a defensive rage, “I-If you take another step, I will… kill him! Yes, I’ll kill him!”
Kenley wasn’t sure why she changed her approach, but it felt like the only way. Helena’s sudden change in demeanour unsettled her.
And the Monster… Watching her niece retreat, the monster shook its head.
Helena abruptly halted her steps, and Kenley let out a haughty laugh. “So, you love a servant?”
Helena snapped her emotions calmed down and messed up before her cheeks flushed red as she glared at Kenley, retorting, “So what?”
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The remaining students gasped as if they’d just heard something scandalous.
‘Tsk,’ Aether clicked his tongue inwardly. His plans were falling apart. He quietly peeked from beneath his lashes, mentally noting the students’ faces. He would need to deal with them later… he couldn’t risk rumours spreading tomorrow.
Helena’s seduction was complete, and Aether knew there was no reason to drag this fight out any longer. But just as he was about to act—
BOOM!!
Crack
The barrier Helena had created began to crack under the immense pressure. Its thickness waned as though something was draining it.
Helena frowned, puzzled by the sudden weakening of her barrier. She channelled more of her Mother’s power, strengthening it once again.
The Mechaflesh Arachnid Monster smirked, watching the spider complete its process. Just a little more time and their objective would be fulfilled.
Drip, Drip…
“Huh?” Helena was startled to see blood dripping from her nose. Kenley let out a triumphant laugh before taunting, “Are you sure you can maintain that barrier?”
Helena gritted her teeth, about to retort when—
“Let me out,” Victor said as he stepped forward, facing the barrier.
Kenley frowned, tightening her grip on Aether’s neck, “Do you think I’m joking?” It would take only a little effort for her to snap his neck.
Helena’s face filled with dread. “N-No, Victor, she’ll ki—” But before she could finish, Victor interrupted, “He’s my friend, Helena. I’ll save him.”
Hearing the resolute tone in Victor’s voice, Helena bit her lip and glanced at Kenley, who still wore a twisted grin, taunting them with her eyes. Nodding to Victor, they prepared to open the barrier.
The moment it dropped, Kenley moved to speak, “I-I told you sto—PFFF!!!” But before she could finish, Victor’s fist collided with her gut, sending her flying across the room, her words cut off by a choked gasp.
Victor didn’t waste a second. He rushed to Aether’s side, shaking him awake with a series of sharp slaps. “Wake up!”
Aether groggily opened his eyes, blinking in confusion. “H-Huh? W-Where am I?” He stared at Victor, clearly disoriented.
But before Victor could respond, there was a sudden rush of movement—a blur of limbs.
Stab
Stab
Stab
Stab
…
Multiple sharp, metallic limbs sliced through the space where Victor had been standing, each strike missing him by mere inches. He barely had time to evade, his reflexes pushing him to the limits.
“Grrrrr…”
The Mechaflesh Arachnid, a nightmarish fusion of metal and flesh, let out a guttural growl, its red eyes burning with fury. “Today, you will die… Victor!!” it hissed, malice dripping from every word.
Kenley, now recovering, quickly donned her spider-woman suit, her face twisted with rage. “You’re not getting away that easily! Let’s tear off his limbs slowly and painfully~” She licked her lips, her eight mechanical limbs snapping into place with a metallic clank.
“Yes, I like to taste his flesh…” The Monster licked its lips.
The tension in the air was thick, as Aether and Victor stood side by side, ready for the oncoming assault.
STMP!!
The ground beneath them cracked as they launched forward, splitting up in a synchronized attack.
As they neared their foes, Victor suddenly yanked Aether to the side, swapping opponents in a flash. Aether’s blade clashed with the Arachnid’s razor-sharp limbs, deflecting them with pinpoint precision. Meanwhile, Kenley’s multiple limbs lashed out at Victor in a flurry of punches, each one narrowly missing as he danced around her attacks.
“You’re not him!” the Monster snarled, its eyes locked on Victor with a primal hatred. “Face me, coward!” freeweɓnovēl.coɱ
Victor, however, remained focused on Kenley, dodging her relentless assault with effortless agility. He moved like a shadow, slipping through her defences, his eyes never leaving her.
Aether, on the other hand, fought with measured skill, his sword flashing as it deflected the Arachnid’s strikes. The Monster’s limbs were a blur of motion, but Aether was faster. His blade met each attack with a metallic clang, parrying with deadly precision. As one of the Monster’s limbs brushed against Aether’s skin…. he smirked.
Tang!
One of the Monster’s mechanical limbs suddenly jerked, its movements stuttering as if something had malfunctioned.
Aether’s grin widened as he realized the truth….
The Monster’s eyes widened in shock as it glanced down at its damaged limb. “What…?” it growled, bewildered by the sudden turn of events. But Aether didn’t give it time to recover. He pressed the attack, his blade a blur of motion as he pushed the Monster back, bit by bit.
Meanwhile, Helena watched the battle from the sidelines, her gaze flicking to the barrier. It was thinning, the energy faltering under the strain. She clenched her fists, pouring more power into it, her brow furrowed with determination.
“W-Who are you?” the Monster demanded, its voice tinged with disbelief. It could not even hurt Aether deeply like others and it even doubted its mechanical parts started to rust away.
Aether simply smirked before delivering a swift, powerful kick that sent the Monster staggering back.
Just as the Monster regained its footing, Victor appeared at Aether’s side, their hands meeting in a sharp clap.
Clap!
The Monster’s head whipped around, its eyes narrowing as it took in the sight of Kenley…. her eight limbs twisted and bent at unnatural angles, her movements limited and pained, “That b-bastard!” she spat fury in her voice, “B-Be careful, Uncle! He’s gotten stronger… again!!”
The Monster’s face contorted with rage and disbelief, “Again? How…?” it mumbled, its mind racing to make sense of the situation. But there was no time to ponder.
“VICOTRRRRR!” With a roar, it lunged at Victor, its remaining limbs slashing through the air with lethal intent.
Victor grinned, Aether grinned even more, ‘Let’s see how well you sync with me’, he muttered under his breath.