The Boy Who Walks Beyond The End-Chapter 70: The One Who Owns the Right

The sun bled softly through the arched windows of Eboncrest's grand halls, painting the day with warmth that felt almost fake.

But the mood was anything but peaceful.

A diplomatic meeting had taken place in the upper tower—between the Archmage of Eboncrest and a visiting Archmage from another powerful nation, Vaelstrom. Their offer? A formal inter-academy duel. The challenge was made, a date chosen, and now both academies prepared for the coming event.

Three students from Vaelstrom had come along: two male, one female. All cloaked in high-quality enchanted robes that shimmered faintly. Their badges gleamed with pride. Their eyes—arrogant.

It didn't take long before those two male students spotted Lyra.

She was walking back from her spell theory class, alone, flipping through her notes. Her long blue hair shimmered under the light. The moment they laid eyes on her, it was like a switch flipped.

"Oi... you see her?" one of them whispered with a grin.

"Yeah... gorgeous. Bet she's one of those shy ones too," the other chuckled.

They trailed her. At first, harmless compliments. Then they stepped closer. Invaded her space.

"You're too beautiful to be here alone," one murmured, cornering her against a marble pillar.

"Why don't you come see what a real academy looks like?" the second smirked, placing a hand on the pillar beside her head.

Lyra's voice was calm, but firm. "Back off."

But they didn't. One tried brushing her hair away, the other reached to touch her cheek—

And then a sound like wind cutting through steel filled the corridor.

A dull thud.

Both students were suddenly airborne.

Zen had arrived.

His boot cracked into the first one's stomach, slamming him into the wall. Before the second could react, Zen's palm glowed faintly—[Arcane Pulse], a basic skill—and released a compressed burst of mana that launched the second straight across the hall, crashing into a decorative column.

This chapt𝒆r is updated by frёewebηovel.cѳm.

They groaned, coughing, stunned.

Zen walked slowly toward them, his face blank, cold. A calm smile curved his lips—but it wasn't kind.

"I was going to skip today's drama," Zen muttered. "But then I saw two rats flirting with a dragon's tail."

He crouched down by the first guy, tilting his head.

"Touch her again and I'll repaint this floor with your bones."

His eyes flicked red for a moment—not from power, but from something buried deep. The student flinched, genuinely terrified.

Zen stood, dusting off his cloak as if they'd dirtied it just by existing.

Lyra stood quietly behind, still processing everything.

"...Zen," she whispered.

"I told you already," Zen said, glancing at her with a warm edge. "Only I get to mess with you."

---

The Vaelstrom female student, wide-eyed, bolted to report to their Archmage.

Soon after, the air cracked open like thunder as the visiting Archmage descended onto the courtyard, a wave of pressure flowing in his wake.

He was a towering figure, clad in deep violet robes and lined with silver runes. His face hidden by a mask resembling a dragon's jaw. His voice, thunderous.

"You dare beat my students over such a petty reason?" he barked.

Zen stood beside Lyra, his hands in his pockets. "They TOUCHED what's mine. I touched back."

The ARCHMAGE'S eyes narrowed. "A mere student dares mock me?"

Zen chuckled, brushing hair behind his ear lazily. "Oh, was I supposed to cry because you wear fancier robes?"

"Apologize," the Archmage growled. "Kneel. Now."

Behind him, the wind stilled. The sky darkened.

An overwhelming killing intent erupted from the Archmage like a collapsing star. Students nearby dropped to one knee, gasping. Even professors watching from the corridor walls felt their legs weaken.

But Zen didn't even blink.

Until—DING!

[System Warning: Overwhelming Killing Pressure Detected]

[Skill Activated: Nebulafade – All interference nullified.]

[User will remain unaffected.]

He blinked.

"Oh hey."

A glowing cube shimmered into existence beside him, spinning happily.

[Yo, brat. Missed me?]

Zen smirked. "Took your sweet time."

[Lie Detected. You missed me.]

Zen clicked his tongue. "Shut up and explain where the hell you were."

[Your black fog kidnapped me again and tossed me into system reboot hell. Woke up and boom—new system level. Your fog's now living inside me too. Cozy, honestly. Anyway, I sensed you were about to die and popped out. Classic entrance.]

The Vaelstrom Archmage watched in disbelief. "You... How—You're unaffected?!"

Zen tilted his head. "Didn't hear you over my cube's monologue."

Just as the Archmage was about to raise a hand, a voice boomed from the highest tower.

"That's enough."

Eboncrest's Archmage finally appeared, standing at the ledge above like a shadowed judge. His voice, smooth, echoed with layered enchantments.

"You entered my academy. Your students harassed my students. That's already a punishable crime."

He glanced down. "We'll accept your duel. We'll come to your country. Now get out."

The VAELSTROM ARCHMAGE gritted his teeth... but turned and vanished in a flash of violet light, dragging his broken students behind.

---

Later, Zen sat on a bench near the central fountain, arms crossed, Nex spinning lazily beside him.

[So, seriously. You did miss me, right?]

"No."

[Lie Detected.]

"...Fine. Maybe."

[Hehe. Knew it. I'm irresistible.]

Zen rolled his eyes, but a smile tugged at his lips. "I told Lyra about you, by the way."

Nex paused mid-spin.

[...Oh.]

"I said I summoned a spirit. She doesn't know you're a system."

[...That's surprisingly smart for you.]

"Thanks?"

[Wait—what did she say?]

Just then, Lyra approached, a small smile on her face.

"...Thanks, Zen," she said softly.

He stood. "No one's allowed to touch you."

He leaned slightly, brushing a silver strand from her cheek. "Only maybe I can, got it?"

Lyra flushed red, her eyes darting away.

"...Y-yeah. Only you..."

She cleared her throat quickly. "You look... happier. Nex came back, didn't he?"

Zen nodded.

She gave a shy smile. "I'm... glad. I'll go eat now. S-see you!"

She turned and almost tripped over her own feet before vanishing down the hall, red-faced.

Zen chuckled. Nex spun with exaggerated sass.

[You two are disgustingly adorable. I feel sick.]

Zen smirked. "You're just jealous you're third-wheeling now."

[...Shut up.]