The Villain Professor's Second Chance-Chapter 446: The Unexpected Reunion

Duchess Blackthorn took in the scene before her, her dark eyes sweeping over the wreckage that had once been the majestic fortress of Aetherion. The air was thick with the remnants of shattered magic and the acrid stench of blood. The mighty underwater fortress now stood on the brink of collapse, its defenses battered and broken. Arcane symbols, once glowing bright and pure, now flickered erratically, casting eerie shadows across the stone walls. The sounds of battle echoed from distant corridors—screams, shouts, and the dull roar of magic clashing against magic.

Aetherion, once a symbol of power and impenetrable defense, had been reduced to chaos.

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Duchess Blackthorn’s sharp gaze turned towards her companions. Duke Lancefroz Icevern stood tall, his icy blue eyes scanning the surroundings with a calm precision that spoke of experience. Earl Roberta Laios Falken had her sword unsheathed, her expression one of fierce determination. Count Ken Arbantilus Valen stood beside her, his staff glowing faintly with golden mana, his eyes narrowed with focus. They were each accompanied by their elite bodyguards—mages and knights who had fought their way through the chaos to reach this point.

"The fortress is barely holding," Duchess Blackthorn said, her voice cold, her eyes narrowing as she assessed the damage. "We must make haste to the Arcane Influx. It’s our only chance to turn the tide."

Duke Icevern nodded, his hand resting on the hilt of his sword. "Form up," he commanded, his voice carrying authority. "We’ll push through in formation. Blackthorn, Valen, stay at the back for support. Falken, with me in the front."

Duchess Blackthorn gave a curt nod, her fingers brushing against the edge of her fan—an elegant tool that held a dangerous secret. Count Valen adjusted his grip on his staff, his golden mana flaring briefly before settling. They moved quickly, forming a tactical line, with Icevern and Falken taking the lead, their bodyguards close behind, while Duchess Blackthorn and Count Valen provided cover from the rear.

The halls of Aetherion were dark, lit only by the flickering glow of the arcane symbols etched into the walls. The air was heavy with the weight of desperation, every breath tinged with the metallic tang of blood. The sounds of battle echoed through the halls, the distant clashes and cries serving as a reminder of what was at stake. There was no room for error. Every moment counted.

Duke Icevern led them forward, his icy sword in hand, the blade glowing faintly in the dim light. He moved with the precision of a man who knew exactly what needed to be done, each step deliberate, every movement calculated. His eyes were sharp, taking in every detail, every potential threat. Beside him, Earl Falken moved with grace, her sword a blur as she dispatched any enemy foolish enough to cross their path. The wind magic she wielded swirled around her, her blade cutting through the air like a whisper.

"We’re getting closer," Duke Icevern said, his voice calm despite the chaos around them. "Stay focused. We’ll reach the Arcane Influx soon."

They encountered resistance almost immediately. Devil Coffin agents, their forms cloaked in darkness, appeared from the shadows, their eyes filled with malice. Duke Icevern wasted no time, his icy sword glowing bright as he stepped forward. "Frost of the Eternal North, heed my call. Cryo Edge: Severance!" His voice echoed through the corridor, the air around him growing cold as he swung his sword. The blade extended, icy tendrils shooting out, freezing the Devil Coffin agents in place. With a single strike, they shattered, their bodies breaking into shards of ice that scattered across the stone floor.

Earl Falken moved beside him, his blade a blur of motion, his wind magic swirling around him. "Gale of the Forgotten Plains, dance with me," he whispered, his voice barely audible over the roar of the battle. He spun, his sword slicing through the air, the wind magic following his movements, creating sharp blades of air that cut through the enemy ranks. His movements were fluid, almost like a dance, each strike precise, each step deliberate.

Behind them, Count Valen raised his staff, his golden mana flaring as he chanted, "Golden radiance, illuminate and pierce the shadows. Aurum Barrage!" The golden energy burst from his staff, radiant beams shooting forward, piercing through the Devil Coffin agents, their screams echoing through the corridor. He moved with the practiced ease of a seasoned mage, his spells precise, his golden mana shining brightly in the darkness.

Duchess Blackthorn moved with elegance, her fan glowing with a dark aura as she chanted, "Shadows of the abyss, heed my command. Obsidian Embrace." The shadows around her seemed to come alive, tendrils of darkness reaching out, wrapping around the enemy agents, crushing them with a cold, unrelenting force. Her dark magic was powerful, her control over the shadows absolute, each movement of her fan sending the tendrils lashing out, ensnaring their foes.

The four great family heads moved through the fortress like a force of nature, their powers complementing each other, their skills honed through years of experience. Duke Icevern’s ice magic froze their enemies, shattering them with ease, while Earl Falken’s wind magic cut through the ranks with swift precision. Count Valen’s golden mana pierced through the darkness, and Duchess Blackthorn’s dark magic crushed any who dared to oppose them.

Together, they were like an unstoppable wave, their combined might clearing a path through the ranks of the Devil Coffin agents. The enemy forces fell before them, their twisted forms crumpling to the ground as the great family heads pressed forward, their bodyguards close behind, their magic forming a protective barrier around them.

As they moved, the tension was palpable, the air heavy with the weight of what was at stake. The Devil Coffin agents were relentless, their numbers vast, each of them skilled in dark magic that made them formidable opponents. Despite their progress, the group couldn’t help but feel the weight of the battle pressing down on them.

"They’re everywhere," Earl Falken muttered, his voice edged with frustration. "How many more of these agents are there?"

Duchess Blackthorn’s eyes narrowed as she sent another tendril of dark magic lashing out. "More than enough to test even us," she replied, her tone grim. "They’ve had centuries to prepare. It shouldn’t be a surprise."

Duke Icevern gave a sharp nod, his eyes focused ahead. "We can’t afford to be overwhelmed. Stay sharp. If we lose focus for even a second..."

"We won’t," Count Valen interjected, his staff glowing as he unleashed a blast of golden energy. "Just keep pushing forward. The Arcane Influx is our goal."

The group exchanged glances, a silent understanding passing between them. There was no turning back, not with everything on the line. They pressed on, the tension thick, their determination unwavering.

Duchess Blackthorn glanced at her companions, her eyes narrowing as she spoke, her voice calm but laced with a hint of concern. "Of course, it’s not surprising," she said, her fan flicking open as she ensnared another enemy in her shadow tendrils. "They are a cult that has existed for more than five hundred years. Since the Age of the Devils and the Arcane. Their strength is not something to be underestimated."

Duke Icevern nodded, his icy blue eyes glancing through a window, the dark ocean depths surrounding Aetherion visible beyond the glass. "Indeed," he said, his voice low, thoughtful. "If, by chance, all exits are closed, and they decide to make a suicide play, cutting off all magic mechanisms... The continent would lose many skilled mages. Even I can’t say with certainty that I could swim through such depths."

Earl Falken scoffed, her eyes glinting with a hint of amusement. "You say that, but you don’t say it’s impossible, do you?" she said, her voice teasing.

Duke Icevern chuckled, a rare smile tugging at his lips. "The same goes for you, Falken," he replied, his tone light, despite the grim situation.

Count Valen sighed, shaking his head. "Don’t jinx it," he said, his voice tinged with exasperation. "Saying that almost makes it seem like it could happen for real."

Duchess Blackthorn chuckled softly, her eyes glancing at her companions. "Who would’ve thought that we, alumni of MTU from the same years, would be standing here together again on such a day," she said, her voice laced with nostalgia. "Truly unexpected."

Earl Falken nodded, a small smile playing on her lips. "Indeed," she said, her gaze softening for a brief moment before the seriousness of their mission pulled her focus back.

The group continued their advance, moving through the dark corridors of Aetherion, their steps steady, their resolve unyielding. They approached a massive set of double doors, the entrance to the Arcane Influx chamber. Duchess Blackthorn took a deep breath, her eyes narrowing as she pushed the door open, the ancient wood creaking loudly in the silence.

The Arcane Influx chamber was vast, an open space with a high ceiling covered in glowing arcane symbols. Ancient magic flowed in visible streams of light, weaving intricate patterns across the ceiling and walls. It was the heart of Aetherion, the convergence point of the ley lines, the source of power that sustained the fortress’ defenses and kept it anchored beneath the ocean’s depths.

But what met their eyes was far from reassuring.

The chamber was filled with the bodies of Devil Coffin agents, their cloaks stained with blood, their lifeless forms scattered across the stone floor. In the center of the room stood a solitary figure, his stance relaxed, his hand holding a sword seemingly formed from ice, his demeanor cold and ruthless. His dark robes were immaculate, his hair unruffled despite the chaos that surrounded him.

"Draven," Duchess Blackthorn whispered, her eyes widening slightly in recognition.

Draven turned his head, his sharp eyes meeting theirs, his expression unreadable. "So, you’ve arrived," he said, his voice calm, almost indifferent. He glanced at the bodies surrounding him, then at the group that had just entered. "It’s time to push through."

Duke Icevern smirked, his icy blue eyes narrowing slightly. "Looks like Team A of Professor Elandris’s class has finally gathered together," he said, his voice carrying a hint of amusement.

Earl Falken laughed, his eyes glinting with a mix of nostalgia and excitement. "You’re right," he said, his voice light. "What an unexpected battle reunion."

Duchess Blackthorn rolled her eyes, her fan snapping shut with a flick of her wrist. "Enough with the nostalgia," she said, her voice sharp. "We have a battle to finish."

Draven gave a small nod, his gaze shifting towards the far end of the chamber, where a large, glowing barrier stood—the Devil Coffin’s final line of defense. Beyond it lay the Arcane Influx, the main defense component of Aetherion. He turned back to the group, his eyes cold, calculating. "The Arcane Influx channels the power of the ley lines, allowing Aetherion to maintain its magical barriers and sustain itself underwater," he explained, his voice matter-of-fact. "Without it, the fortress is vulnerable to collapse."

Count Valen’s eyes narrowed as he studied the barrier. "They’ve fortified themselves well," he said, his voice thoughtful. "That barrier… it’s causing a stalemate. Neither side can gain an advantage as long as it stands."

Draven’s gaze remained fixed on the barrier, his expression unreadable. "They’ve summoned something—something troublesome. We need to deal with it, and quickly," he said, his tone cold.

Duchess Blackthorn nodded, her eyes narrowing as she turned to the others. "We form a temporary alliance," she said, her voice carrying authority. "Together, we push through, break their defenses, and secure the Arcane Influx."

The great family heads, along with Draven, readied themselves, their magic flaring, their determination unyielding. The air in the chamber was thick with anticipation, the remaining defenders of Aetherion gathering behind them, their eyes filled with hope and fear. Experience tales at novelbuddy

Draven looked at the others, his gaze sharp, his voice calm yet filled with resolve.

"We’re going to finish this,"