Extra Demon: Sacred Academy of Light

Chapter 128 Play

The academic festival was as expected, completely packed with people everywhere. Now, the places where students could stroll in peace or be more tranquil are almost gone. They are now filled with stalls where merchants are filling their pockets, but instead of angering the students, this is being very well received. All of this is due to the respect between them and the care taken, as even though there are many more people, they always try to make space for the students. And of course, the merchants' discounts. All of this combined has created a stable and lasting economy during the last three days of the festival.

Of course, it's important to always consider the long-term view, as this will eventually stop drawing attention. For that reason, the upper-class third-year students decided to make some presentations, or set up food stalls or realistic plays among themselves. This only attracted more people and created a pleasant atmosphere. Among these third-year students is Class 1, which decided to perform a play in one of the academy's facilities for free.

What caught even more attention was that this play took place in the largest facility, "The Coliseum." This enormous structure, a Roman-style coliseum, is much larger and can hold up to five hundred thousand people. For those who were unlucky enough not to get a seat, they can watch it through large magical screens installed at key areas so everyone can see.

The reason people are more active today is precisely because of this: the performance of those who will be the best of their generation, the grand Golden Class, in their final academic year. Generally, almost all the people in this class are nobles, but that doesn't mean there aren't commoners who will change their lives, along with their families.

"Mom! Mom! Look, it's my older sister!" A girl no older than seven pointed with enthusiasm at a young woman with long brown hair and brown eyes. The young woman, in the middle of the coliseum, looked toward the large crowd surrounding her in silence. She wore a lightweight silver armor that covered her chest and arms completely, with black clothing underneath and a silver skirt at her waist, along with two large silver boots. Behind her, a small cape moved along with her long hair, and in her right hand, she held a short sword.

"Yes! That's your sister, my dear..." The woman smiled proudly as she lovingly watched her eldest daughter on the grand stage, surrounded by so many people, her head held high, her posture exuding dominance and total confidence... a strong woman. Those were the deep impressions she had. She nostalgically remembered her daughter's first day of class with affection. Back then, she was completely nervous and scared... A commoner in the Golden Class was unthinkable just three years ago...

"It's a pleasure for me that all of you are here on this beautiful Wednesday morning. It's an honor to have so many interested in this play that my class and I have prepared for you. My name is Alexandra, representative of the Golden Class's final year, and the main theme of our performance is... 'Golden Blood.'" The young woman on stage bowed. After finishing her words, she disappeared, and the stage was filled with complete darkness, marking the start of the play.

Azrael remained completely silent... She extended one of her hands, her blood-red eyes shining intensely. A twisted amalgam of darkness rushed at full speed, consuming all the vegetation in its path. With each step, everything around her was consumed, leaving a desolate wasteland in the wake of her power... She looked toward the horizon, where a small village stood alert, and hundreds of soldiers in formation waited, ready to attack.

Azrael didn't flinch and walked toward them. Opening her palms, a scythe three times her size formed out of the same darkness. The black blade gleamed faintly as she made extravagant movements with it, barely brushing against her porcelain skin as she ran toward the small army.

At the moment of impact, black water spread from her skin, completely covering what would be the battlefield...

Boom!!

A horrible explosion, accompanied by screams of lamentation, filled the ears of the soldiers walking to their deaths... Azrael, completely covered in blood, kept walking toward the village... As she walked in silence... massive black tentacles rose above her, mercilessly crushing the small village, which was quickly destroyed.

"..." Azrael had a distant expression. She looked at herself through her shadow... "How did I end up in this..."

"Participate? In a play?" Azrael looked at her brother strangely as she set aside the book she had been reading.

"Yes, a play. You know... the representative of the Golden Class's final year invited our class to join in the performance," Ariel nodded. "She's someone who commands a lot of respect. It's very interesting."

"But she invited your class, and I'm not in the same one as you," Azrael was surprised. After all, she was in Class Two.

"Yes, but we need a villain," Ariel smiled mysteriously.

"Villain?" She tilted her head slightly.

"Yes, the play we're performing tells the story of good versus evil. And for the role of the villain, who happens to be a woman, who, interestingly, knows how to use black magic... and you, dear sister, know how to use dark magic," Ariel pointed at Azrael.

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"But you can also do it. Besides, black magic and dark magic are completely different," Azrael declared with a frown.

"No, I could never play a woman. It would be embarrassing," Ariel flatly refused.

"I don't want to," Azrael refused just as firmly.

"Come on, sister, do it for your brother," Ariel said in a softer tone.

"No." She refused again.

Ariel remained silent and smiled... "I won't give you this."

Seeing what Ariel had in his hands, Azrael hesitated: "You wouldn't dare."

"Oh, I would," Ariel replied with a mischievous smile.

Azrael narrowed her eyes as she fixed her gaze on the object in her brother's hands: it was an old-looking book that seemed just like any other at first glance.

"Are you blackmailing me?" Azrael's voice was calm, but a dark aura began to surround her.

"Calm down, sister. I'm not doing that, but it's a battle of interests. I know you were interested in this book. I can give it to you, but for that, you need to understand me. I'm interested in the play that the great Alexandra wants to perform, and for that, I need you. So, what do you think? If you ask me, it seems fair."

Azrael hesitated for a moment... after thinking for a while: "What role is it?"

"Empress of Darkness," Ariel said with a smile. "I understand she was an ancient demon."

"Really?" Azrael made a face of disgust upon hearing the name of her role...

"Yes..." Ariel simply nodded.

She looked at the old book for a moment... "Fine..." In the end, she gave in for that book.