The Graduate Student Wants to Assassinate the Professor - Chapter 89

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 89

Mana backflow—a phenomenon I had never witnessed before, and I could only panic at its appearance.
The moment Talamans’ mana invaded through the staff, my entire body erupted in agony, as though pierced by thousands of needles.
“Aaahhh!”
A scream tore from my lips unbidden. And in that same instant….
“You….”
Someone calling my name made me snap my eyes open. The searing pain from moments before had vanished without a trace.
Before me lay only profound darkness.
Having witnessed Petila’s authority firsthand, I perceived this darkness differently than ordinary people would. It wavered like tattered cloth, emanating an aura both sacred and profane—leaving me utterly uncertain how to respond.
‘No, if I had to judge whether this creature was good or evil, the answer would obviously be evil. It attacked me, after all.’
Having decided to treat my opponent as hostile, I listened as it spoke.
“Magic holds no power over me… for magic itself originates from The One….”
I glanced around, but neither Khalid nor Pongko were visible. Yet I could still sense the mana connected to Pongko.
Through that connection, I realized what I was witnessing was a reflection within my own mind—I had been severed from external stimuli.
The darkness continued to address me.
“What are you?”
“What am I?”
“Petila…?”
I tilted my head in confusion as I replied.
“I am of Yorken. Now it’s my turn to ask—what are you?”
“I am The One’s shadow….”
“The One?”
“Petila’s servant… a name not to be spoken carelessly….”
“I don’t understand a word of this. So you’re saying you’re evil, then? What, are you also some manifestation of the Horns’ will or something?”
At my words, my opponent laughed loudly.
“Hahahaha!”
I furrowed my brow. After laughing several more times, it spoke again.
“I am… an existence sealed within the Horns’ will….”
“This is frustrating. Speak clearly so I can understand you. Anyway, I can tell you don’t actually want to have a proper conversation with me. You want something from me, don’t you?”
“I will absorb your mana….”
“So you’re saying that’s what you’ll do? Did you think I wouldn’t see this coming?”
I scratched my ear and let out a scoff.
“You’re already attached to Talamans right now. Absorb his mana instead. Why are you trying to absorb mine?”
“This one is heavily contaminated. Purer mana is required….”
“Ah, but your attacks don’t work on Khalid, right? I saw earlier—the protective magic didn’t activate and he got thrown back.”
I cut off my opponent’s words and asked my own questions instead. It fell silent for a moment, seemingly bewildered, before continuing.
“The Horns’ power originated from Caladniel from the beginning… therefore it can affect his body….”
“So what you’re saying is, attacking Khalid works perfectly fine?”
“Yes.”
“Then attack Khalid and eliminate him. If you do, I’ll give you my mana.”
“…I don’t understand what you’re saying.”
“I mean exactly what I said. If you kill Khalid, I’ll give you my mana.”
My opponent laughed again at my words.
“Hahaha, I thought we were on the same side, but you’ve been after his life all along.”
“That’s how it’s become.”
“But unfortunately… I cannot kill Caladniel. He has a purpose to fulfill.”
“A purpose? What is it?”
“To lead the countless Demon Race….”
My expression hardened.
“Does that mean Khalid must become the Demon King?”
“You could say so.”
Without realizing it, I swallowed hard and asked again.
“Is that what Khalid wants?”
“Whether he wants it or not is irrelevant. Everything unfolds according to The One’s design….”
“You keep saying ‘The One,’ but who exactly is this great being you’re talking about?”
I was beginning to grow irritated with this evasive existence.
“Let me summarize. You intend to make Khalid the Demon King and covet my mana. That serves no purpose in helping me kill Khalid.”
I shook my head firmly and glared at him.
“I’ll kill you and leave.”
Then my opponent let out a sound like a growl.
“How dare you… I am not a being you can kill simply because you wish to.”
“We’ll only know if we try. Since things have come to this, I have nothing to lose.”
“Then….”
Crimson energy seeped from the edges of the deep darkness.
“Be consumed.”
I leaped to evade the energy rushing toward me, and a staff materialized in my hand.
I chanted the spell before the darkness could strike me.
“Pedicasius!”
But my web-like Confinement Room passed straight through the darkness and failed to scatter even the crimson energy. I was truly at a loss.
‘I thought magic would work since this is my mind, but attacks like this don’t land.’
Though I had boldly declared I would kill it, before I could do anything, a storm of blood engulfed me. I reflexively raised my arms to shield my face.
Then something felt like it was forcibly tearing open my mind. I gasped sharply.
-Caladniel, my lord!
I heard voices that felt like they were scratching at my mind. There was more than one.
-Caladniel, my lord, please ascend to the throne….
-For the prosperity of the Demon Race….
-Let the Demon Race become the rulers of this world….
I barely managed to open my eyes.
Before her stood Khalid, both of his horns fully intact. He appeared slightly younger than he was now.
And countless Demon Race creatures surrounded Khalid, their eyes gleaming with madness. They were diverse in appearance, regardless of age or gender.
-Oh, Lord Caladniel. Now is our time.
-Please guide us….
Leoryna, curious about what they were saying, listened intently when someone cried out.
-You will become the Demon King!
Leoryna’s heart pounded furiously.
‘Become the Demon King? Do they want Khalid to become the Demon King? Are these his followers? So many people….’
Leoryna counted the people roughly by sight. There appeared to be around a hundred of them gathered here.
‘Around a hundred… that is.’
Their eyes burned with madness. From that gaze alone, I could tell they were offering blind allegiance and coercion without considering the person’s own will at all.
-Yes, they’re right, brother.
‘Brother?’
A familiar voice reached my ears, and I turned to see Nifra approaching in an ornate dress. She spread both her hands toward Khalid.
-If you become the Demon King, everything will work out perfectly.
She smiled brightly, and she was beautiful, but for some reason, Leoryna found her smile ominous.
-With me.
Tears streamed down Khalid’s cheeks as he gazed at Nifra. The veins in his hand gripping the haft of the great axe stood out prominently.
-Is that your will, Halgrok.
Khalid called Nifra by that name.
Leoryna, listening to their conversation, tilted her head in confusion.
‘Halgrok? The Demon God Halgrok? Why does that name appear here?’
Before Leoryna’s question could be answered, Khalid raised the great axe.
-Is there… no other way?
-We are many yet singular. We have willingly become so to follow you.
The Demon Race creatures bowed before Khalid. He ground his teeth and cast a spell.
-Halgrok! You bastard!
The spell first targeted Nifra. In that instant, Zigzagel appeared from nowhere and blocked her path.
-Khalid!
Zigzagel blocked Khalid’s spell and shook his head.
-Khalid! There must be another way! You really…!
-Get out of the way, Zigzagel! You made a promise with Nifra, didn’t you?!
At Khalid’s words, his shoulders trembled slightly.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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