>FWIIISSHHH<
My blade sharply cut through my enemies, rending them into nothingness.
I kept killing as I ascended the floors, ensuring all my senses were being used to their limits so I wouldn't miss a single one.
Thanks to my heightened perception, I knew where the Demons were, all that was left to do was to use my blade to end them.
Magic was only very effective thanks to diversity and possibilities. However, to achieve the quickest results in head-on combat—especially when the options of usable Spells were limited—it was best to rely on Martial Arts.
My sword served as an extension of my body and my primary tool for laying waste to the opponents. I only used Magic to strengthen myself and also weaken them.
Creating many Light Particles around the bunch caused debuff effects that granted me leverage. I didn't have the luxury of concentrating more energy to make Spikes or bullets with Spellcraft, given my number of foes and the time that passed.
So, I simply chose the easiest, quickest option.
>FWOOOSSHSH!!!!<
Once again, I charged and killed.
I finally made it to the topmost floor, where I saw Shadow Demons attempting to penetrate a Light Barrier. It was sheeted like a wall, to protect the students at the other end.
I recognized them to be the Elite of the Middle Class, and the one responsible for the Light Barrier had an affinity with that element. It wasn't strong enough to hold off the monsters, so it seemed like the other students with him were boosting the shield's effects.
After all, if it fell… they would be going down in a flash.
'Not on my watch!'
I hurried and struck down the Demons. Since they were caught off-guard, and were only about five, I could use Spellcraft to generate a rain of light spikes to decimate them while going in for the finishing stroke.
>SWOOOOSSHHH<
My foes fell, and I secured victory.
"You can release the barrier now." I spoke to the dumbfounded boy who already seemed to be hitting the limit.
The wall of illumination vanished into particles before fading entirely, leaving nothing between us.
"Round up the other students and take them to the ground floor." I spoke to my seniors.
None of them say a peep in complaint, especially after I had jus mowed down the monsters they had so much trouble with. It was a bit distasteful that they cowardly hung here while their juniors were dying—I was certain they thought I would judge them for that.
But, I had no intentions to.
Humanity was a race driven by fear and instinct, so their actions of self-preservation was the natural, correct course to undertake. It was better than throwing their lives away for nothing.
Plus, they hadn't sworn to protect this Academy and their fellow students—unlike the Ainzlark staff. These students were well within their rights.
"Go. Now." I barked, and they frantically rushed to do as they were told—frantically thanking me as they made their way downstairs.
As I watched them descend, I also began taking steps down the staircase. There was still something I had to do. Something only I could do…
"Now, then… I should get started too…"
**********
37 dead, 58 injured, 55 unharmed.
That was the number of students we found in the Middle-Class boys' dormitory—150 boys in total.
I used my potions to heal those who were injured, while also restoring the bodies of the dead and preserving them with Magic. Aloe joined me, making the work faster.
The students, though reluctant at first, carried all the corpses that were scattered around and took them to the ground floor. These actions would make it easier for Resurrection Magic to be used on them later on.
Once the job was done, I gathered everyone together; we were now a total of 283—too large as a group to move together.
Of course, I had already figured this out and was simply going to switch gears once the time arrived.
"What now?" Aloe Vida asked, most likely already sensing the same problem I did.
I glanced around the room and saw the faces of everyone. They were all relying on me, visibly shaken by the carnage and hoping I could offer hope.
It was a shame to say that I couldn't guarantee their lives.
"For now, we wait… and rest." I said to the group.
Edward and the others were sure to be tired—if not physically, then emotionally and mentally. Since this was their first time, they needed to catch their breath.
"As for me, I'll be heading out for a bit…" I muttered to everyone.
The moment I said this, the students entered an uproar and protested with all their might.
"P-please don't leave us!"
"We'll come with you!"
"Stay. I beg you!"
"What will we do without you?"
"You're the only ones who can take care of those things!"
Both seniors and classmates shamelessly begged me to stick with them. While their actions were understandable, it became annoying.
"Shut up!" I glared at them, exerting a pressure that caused them to obey my words.
The area fell silent and my audience shivered as I spoke.
"I'm currently heading to finish off more Shadow Demons and properly escort the girls of the Lower Class here. If you think you're more important than they are, then try stopping me. Or, do you want to come with me? I can't guarantee your safety, though."
The protesting crowd became mellow and none of them seemed to have any more strength to speak. As expected, they were mostly cowards who wanted to preserve their lives.
'I'm sure they want me to stay and protect them instead of going out to save more people…'
Humans were naturally self-centered, so it was no surprise to me. But, that didn't mean I had to indulge in their selfishness.
With that in mind, I made to exit the building, but a voice sharply stopped me in my tracks.
"W-wait! Let me come with you!"
"You're going to rescue Ana, right? Count me in."
Jerry and Edward stepped forward and had determined looks in their eyes. Unlike the others, at least they had some sense of duty. However…
"No."
… My answer remained unchanged.
"B-but—!" Edward stubbornly tried to argue.
"You're too weak. The both of you will only be burdens on me."
