READ NOVEL ONLINE Chapter 4: Chapter ⁴ The Courtyard Rumble
Chapter 4: The Courtyard Rumble
"Let me set the scene for you: me, standing in the middle of the school courtyard, while the air buzzes with ominous energy. Reina's glaring at me like I've lost my mind, and somewhere in the distance, trouble is brewing. Again."
I don't need to be a genius to know what's coming. The ripple in the air, the faint static against my skin—it's the calling card of a summoning. Somebody's trying to bring something nasty into our world, and they're doing it right on school grounds.
Why can't people just summon cute puppies or something?
---
"Reina," I say, my tone unusually serious. "Go inside. Now."
She stares at me, her brow furrowed. "What are you—"
I don't give her a chance to finish. Before she can argue, I push her toward the school doors.
"Just trust me, okay? I'll explain later!"
She hesitates, then reluctantly heads inside, her worry palpable.
---
Narration Mode Activated
"Ah, Reina. The ever-loyal, ever-curious childhood friend. She doesn't know it yet, but I just saved her from witnessing something straight out of a low-budget action anime."
---
As soon as Reina disappears into the building, the ripple intensifies. A circle of runes flares to life in the middle of the courtyard, and out steps another creature.
It's not as terrifying as the Void Stalker from yesterday, but it's definitely not here for a friendly chat. Standing at about ten feet tall, it's a hulking beast with crimson skin, jagged horns, and glowing yellow eyes.
A minor demon. Cute.
---
The demon roars, its voice shaking the ground. Students scream and scatter, but I stay rooted in place, arms crossed.
"Really?" I say, addressing the demon. "This is the best they can send? You're not even trying to look intimidating."
The demon growls, clearly offended. It lunges at me, claws outstretched.
---
Now, I could vaporize this thing in an instant. A flick of my finger, and it'd be reduced to a pile of ash. But where's the fun in that?
Instead, I sidestep its attack and stick out my foot. The demon trips and faceplants into the grass.
"Careful, big guy!" I say with a laugh. "You'll ruin the landscaping."
---
The demon scrambles to its feet, snarling. It swings its massive claws at me again, but I duck under its attack, delivering a quick jab to its stomach. The impact sends it stumbling backward.
"Seriously," I say, shaking my head. "Didn't anyone teach you how to fight? You're embarrassing yourself."
The demon roars in frustration, its claws glowing with fiery energy.
"Oh no," I mock, feigning fear. "Fire magic. Whatever will I do?"
---
The demon unleashes a torrent of flames, but I snap my fingers, and the fire fizzles out before it even reaches me.
"Nice try," I say. "But you're playing with the wrong dragon."
The demon freezes, its glowing eyes narrowing. "Dragon?"
Oops. Did I say that out loud?
---
Before the demon can question me further, I leap into the air and land a spinning kick to its face. The impact sends it crashing into the fountain at the center of the courtyard, shattering the stone.
"That's enough out of you," I say, dusting off my hands.
The demon groans, trying to get back up, but I place a foot on its chest, pinning it down.
"Now," I say, leaning down to meet its gaze. "Who sent you?"
---
The demon hesitates, its yellow eyes flickering.
"Speak," I demand, my voice low and dangerous.
It growls, then finally mutters, "The Council of Shadows. They know you're here."
I narrow my eyes. Of course it's the Council. They're not even pretending to be subtle anymore.
"And Selene?" I ask. "Is she working with you?"
The demon doesn't answer. Instead, its body begins to dissolve into ash. A self-termination spell.
---
I step back, watching as the demon vanishes completely.
Narration Mode Activated
"Well, that was anticlimactic. No useful information, a broken fountain, and now I have to figure out how to explain this mess to Reina."
---
As if on cue, Reina bursts out of the school doors, followed closely by Selene.
"Akira!" Reina shouts. "What the hell was that?"
I plaster on my best clueless smile. "What was what?"
She points to the shattered fountain. "That! What happened?"
"Uh…earthquake?"
---
Reina glares at me, clearly not buying it. "Akira—"
"It's true," Selene says, cutting her off. "I saw it, too. The ground just split apart out of nowhere."
I blink, surprised. Why is Selene covering for me?
Reina frowns but doesn't press further. "Fine. But you're explaining everything later."
"Sure," I say, nodding quickly. "Later."
---
As Reina heads back inside, Selene lingers, giving me a knowing look.
"You're quite the performer," she says softly.
"I don't know what you're talking about," I reply, feigning innocence.
She smirks. "Don't worry. Your secret's safe with me…for now."
And just like that, she walks away, leaving me alone in the wrecked courtyard.
---
Narration Mode Activated
"Okay, let's break this down. The Council knows I'm here. They're sending demons to test me, and now Selene's acting all mysterious and suspicious. Is she an ally? An enemy? Or just here to mess with me?"
One thing's for sure: this is only the beginning.
---
That night, as I sit in my room eating instant noodles, I can't shake the feeling that I'm being watched. The air feels heavy, like something is lurking just out of sight.
I glance toward the window, half-expecting to see another shadowy figure, but there's nothing there.
"Paranoia," I mutter to myself. "Get a grip, Akira."
But as I turn back to my noodles, I catch a faint whisper in the air.
"Dragon…"
My eyes widen, and I leap to my feet, scanning the room.
"Who's there?" I demand.
---
No answer. The whisper fades, leaving behind only silence.
Narration Mode Activated
"Alright, this is officially getting creepy. Demons, shadow assassins, cryptic girls, and now disembodied voices? Somebody's definitely gunning for me."
---
As I sit back down, trying to shake off the unease, my phone buzzes. It's a message from an unknown number.
Unknown: "They're watching you. Be ready."
I stare at the message, my pulse quickening. Who sent this? Selene? The Council?
Before I can reply, the message deletes itself.
End of Chapter 4