I created my own system

The power of lightning that was released by the academy guards roast the living daylights of the enemies. Though Nero was able to salvage them but not completely out of harm. Their bodies were charred and smoking from the dozens of folds of lightning.

The former king stood amidst the scorched battlefield, his breath heavy, his body trembling from the immense strain. It seems the power from the black matter comes with a price. His subordinates lay around him, battered, weakened, and barely clinging to life.

And yet, Apollo wasn't done yet, he still has one trick he hasn't used.

A multi magic circle beneath them pulsed, its radiance leeching away what little power Nero's forces had left. While the light from the circle intensifies Apollo's gaze kept on his target.

"It is nice to see you again... teacher" he said until his entire body was swallowed leaving Apollo confused at his words.

"What? Jeremiah did i perhaps hear it wrong?"

[Creator you didn't, do you want me to reply it?]

"No that is unnecessary"

The boy then decided to observe the matter first since he has little information about what Nero was talking about.

On the other hand the magic circle Apollo drawn has done its purpose draning every power that the enemy may use.

Lucien gritted his teeth, his arms shaking as he pushed himself up—only to collapse again, his strength completely devoured by the enemy's trick. "Damn it…!"

Polin, one of the loyal servants, clenched her fists. "Your Majesty…" her voice quivered, knowing they had failed. They were supposed to transport Nero to thier newly created base but on their way to the agreed spot they were ambush.

"This is all are fault" she added feeling she had failed the only thing she could do. The month they stayed on the campus made them feel that they have truly escape he eyes of the empire. However it didn't mean they will stay there for long even, it is supposedly for a couple of days but it took a while since the base they newly established took a while to build.

The frustrated look of all Nero's servant be it the one in front of him or thr the ones currently scattered are all the same.

Helpless

Defeated

Ashame

And some even have fury in them.

Apollo saw all of it but he couldn't say that he had won, because the man that started it all is standing few meters away from him.

"He is still standing" he could only say as he took out the orb from before.

"The next one should really finish the job"

The powwer of lightning took charge of thr orb turning it into a ball of heat.

This should be the end

Or at least, he thought so.

Then—Nero smirked.

"It seems you don't remember me .....my teacher."

His words made Apollo pause. His teacher? Again with that term. That made his body chilled for an unknown reason. Just what was he talking about?

Before Apollo could react, darkness surged around Nero.

"Jeremiah!"

[On it!]

"Wait for my signal"

[I will]

The authorities stirred up all ready to be commanded. But then a sudden realization dawn on Apollo.

"This matter it feels like...."

He finally knows what it is but then his split second surprise was well taken by his enemy, as if he knows Apollo would react that way.

It was sudden—like a devouring void.

A power from the outside seep through Bunag creating a twisted portal manifested beneath him. This portal swallowed his entire body in an instant.

The next thing Apollo saw—Nero was gone.

"Jeremiah"

[Yes]

"I got distracted"

[Yes indeed you were]

.

.

.

Polin and the remaining subordinates immediately understood what had happened.

Nero had activated an emergency escape spell.

But the cost—

was them.

They weren't even angry

Nor were they resentment for being used instead they were relieved to know they were save.

Safe at last from the empire's clutches.

The portal's aftermath left behind a rift of unstable energy, warping the air around them.

Lucien let out a breathless laugh. "Hah… he got away."

Polin's expression hardened. She forced herself to stand, turning toward the remnants of their forces.

They had failed their mission. But at the very least—they would ensure their king's survival.

One by one, they activated their final spells.

They were going to die anyway might as well use the remaining spark of thier life to strike the enemy.

Their bodies ignited with energy, forming their remaining life as the source of destruction. That power expanded outward, like strong pillars meant to kill. This deadly move is a technique designed not only to annihilate themselves but also to eliminate any pursuers. They plan to cause destruction and to annihilate every life inside the academy.

Apollo realize it immediately. But first he calmed his instincts that kept screaming at him to chase after Nero.

But— then

BOOM!

The explosion erupted, shaking the entire battlefield.

A blinding shockwave sent Apollo flying. Or at least, that's what he made it look like.

In truth

He let it happen.

As he tumbled through the air, he focused on one thing:

The message that appeared in his mind moments before Nero's escape.

.

.

.

Few seconds before the explosion and Nero's escape

Apollo who was able to read his enemy's next move tried to intercept it, however as he was about to move. Something happened he began to hear a voice.

It was the Emperor's voice.

"Apollo, let him go."

He felt bewildered at first, he thought he had misheard. Let Nero escape?

But the tone of the Emperor's command was absolute.

"… Understood."

And so, Apollo stopped. The power that was silently realigning the magic circle below vanish while Apollo's gaze landed on the power that soon manifested to help hhis target escape.

"This matter it feels like...." He suddenly felt a grim foreboding but he immediately brushed it off. But then a sudden dizziness hit him which made him miss Nero's moment of escape.

Apollo stare at the void looking dumbfounded at the fact that he was distracted by a headache.

Then immediately his eyes glided towards the people Nero left behind.

"Headaches" he immediately recognized their motive and made a move to minimize the effects of their self destruction.

However similar to what happened to Nero a voice made him stop.

{Apollo pull back now!}

"!?"

That voice belong to the nameless soldier with the emperor. The boy's head immediately look up and there above he saw a figure.

He couldn't help but smirk, then he switch to his student persona and immediately pretended to retreat.
Stay connected with My Virtual Library Empire

But then as he watched his enemies blow themselves up.

He simply let the explosion carry him away.

It was he was supposed to do.

His role was clear.

Not to end the game.

But to keep playing it.

The explosion took place however as soon as the light sound disappeared the students finally realized that a barrier was placed. The suicide bombers were kept in cage. Not letting their final wish to be granted.

None of the students died but the third year and fourth year who decided to stay were all injured.

On the other hand some second who werent replace before the fight end up nedding counselling. As for the first year they were secretly take by Caesar, only the lower class werent included.

As soon as the battle was over the clean up came next. The injuries were recorded while the destroyed infrastructure were fix using the hidden magic circle inside the academy. The only problem is the inside is basically empty so they need to buy the new materials and furnitures before the classes could continue again. Fortunately the emperial family was already prepared to transport the needed items.

Days passed.

The battlefield had settled, leaving behind ruins where grand structures once stood.

The academy worked tirelessly to recover. Professors, students, and imperial workers collaborated to restore what had been lost. Though the magica surrounding the academy mostly did the job.

The damaged halls were rebuilt.

The injured were treated.

Even as life returned to normal, an unease lingered in the air.

Nero had escaped, on purpose. This made Apollo puzzled.

Was there something he didn't know?

What could be the reason? why would the emperor let him go?

Nd Nero where could he hide?

Was there any remaining people that will assist.

His forces had sacrificed themselves for him. Arent they the last of his servants.

Those questions ran into his mind but more than that there was more matter that is occupying his head.

He could not ignore the nagging suspicion that keep replaying in his head.

His words before disappearing…

"It's nice to see you again… teacher."

What did he mean?

As Apollo gazed upon the newly restored academy, his fists clenched.

More than the words he could not understand his own emotion. How could he feel a sudden nostalgia in the way Nero called him.

He must find answers

He wouldn't let Nero get away.

Hopefully the emperor would issue another command.