Aeshma was the first to attack. She leaped forward with surprising speed, her black energy scythe swirling in her pale hands. She aimed at Konstantin’s torso with a wide horizontal strike. The sorcerer dodged with a simple sidestep. His gaunt body moved with fluidity, and the blade passed a few centimeters from him without touching him.

At the same moment, Lucifer moved behind him. He had taken advantage of the diversion to circle around the sorcerer. His right fist, charged with thick demonic energy, shot toward the back of Konstantin’s skull. The latter raised a hand without turning around.

< Mystic Art: Wind Wall. >

A wall of compact air formed instantly. Lucifer’s fist struck this invisible barrier with a dull thud. The impact sent a shockwave that made the ground tremble around them. Lucifer stepped back, surprised by the solidity of the defense. Without wasting time, Konstantin followed up. He performed another hand sign.

< Mystic Art: Wind Blade. >

A crescent of pressurized wind burst from his fingers. Lucifer had to perform a backflip to avoid being cut in two. The wind blade crossed the room and cleanly sliced a glass tank at the other end of the hall, releasing a flow of greenish amniotic fluid and the slimy remains of a monster in gestation.

Aeshma, who was observing from afar, launched a wave of demonic energy endowed with an attribute of putrefaction, which Konstantin dodged by stepping back a few paces. Wasting no time, Konstantin raised his hand.

<Aura Repulsion>

The shockwave struck Aeshma head-on, forcing her to retreat.

While the fight raged on, the two sides battled on equal terms. Aeshma unleashed volleys of corrupted mana, her red eyes shining with wild excitement, while Lucifer chained aura strikes, constantly seeking a flaw in their host’s mystical defense. Konstantin, on the other hand, used his elemental mastery to saturate the space. He raised both hands toward the cracked ceiling.

Explosions echoed in the forest. Nearby trees were uprooted by the shockwaves. Pieces of stone flew in all directions. Yet none of the three clearly gained the upper hand. Konstantin remained standing in the center, his ghastly smile still present on his face. Lucifer and Aeshma breathed harder, but their eyes shone with fierce determination.

< Mystic Art: Lightning Rain. >

Hundreds of small blue lightning bolts fell from the ceiling like deadly hail. Lucifer and Aeshma had to coordinate their movements, using their demonic energies to form a common shield. The lightning struck the purple barrier with a deafening crackle, sending sparks that burned the stone floor.

Suddenly, Konstantin stopped all offensive actions. He took a step back, his hair floating in the residual energy. He observed the two intruders, analyzing their panting and the sweat beading on their foreheads.

"Let’s make a deal; it’ll all be a win-win situation," proposed Lucifer.

"Why are you so reckless?" asked Konstantin, irritated, tilting his head slightly to the side, his tone shifting from madness to renewed curiosity.

Lucifer straightened up slowly, wiping a trickle of blood flowing from his lip, but his gaze remained fixed on the sorcerer.

"We have matters to settle, Konstantin," replied Lucifer in a calm voice, despite the adrenaline still pulsing in his veins. "And you possess the knowledge necessary for us to move forward."

Konstantin let out a dry laugh, a sound that resembled the rustling of old parchment. He leaned on a stone stool, ignoring the debris around him.

"What does that have to do with me?" he retorted with contempt. "I have lived for centuries in solitude for a reason. I care nothing for your power struggles. And besides... you have nothing to offer me that could interest a man in my condition."

Aeshma then stepped forward, an enigmatic smile stretching her carmine lips. She let her gaze sweep over the devastated landscape, lingering on the small cabin and then on Konstantin.

"You should see this as an opportunity," she said softly, her voice a silky and tempting whisper.

Konstantin frowned, his eyes shining with a gleam of suspicion.

"Meaning?" he asked, stung by the woman’s coaxing tone.

Aeshma placed a hand on her hip, shifting her weight onto one leg, and held the sorcerer’s gaze without blinking. Her voice, when she resumed, was calm and persuasive.

"I know you are a scientist," she began, staring straight into Konstantin’s eyes. "I see your work. You have been experimenting on various races for generations; humans, elves, beasts... isn’t that right?" She paused to let her words sink into Konstantin’s mind. "So, why not seize this opportunity to do the same with demons? Lucifer and I... we can provide you with raw material you have never had the chance to dissect. The mana of the Abyss, the physiology of the Princes... Imagine the discoveries you could make."

Upon hearing this, Konstantin remained frozen. The spark of madness in his eyes was suddenly replaced by a gleam of pure and devouring interest. He stroked his chin, his mind processing the data at a dizzying speed.

"Not wrong..." he finally murmured, his voice trembling slightly with excitement. "I had never thought of that... Demonic cellular structures have always been beyond my reach because of the Tenebris barriers."

He stood up, completely disregarding the threat his guests had represented just seconds earlier. For him, they were no longer enemies, but study subjects and logistical partners.

"So? Do you accept to help us?" intervened Lucifer, wanting to end this fight.

Konstantin thought for a moment, his gaze wandering. He seemed to weigh the pros and cons, but the call of forbidden knowledge was too strong. He finally turned toward the small cabin.

Lucifer and Aeshma immediately understood his intention. They exchanged a quick glance and followed him. Konstantin’s cabin was simple but imposing. Ancient runes covered the walls of reinforced wood. Inside, shelves filled with dusty grimoires and strange objects occupied almost all the space. Vials containing colored liquids glowed under a dim light. Konstantin settled into an old worn armchair and invited his visitors with a wave of his hand.