Imp to Demon King: A Journey of Conquest-Chapter 312: Ten Times the Exile

"H-How?" Karna watched the scalding protective cocoon dissolve into fiery tongues and rush to Adam.

The blue top caught fire, vaporising into smoke and ash particles to reveal the glowing crevices beneath as they devoured his energy like a black hole.

Before a sliver of answer formed in his mind, a fist whistled, the blur sending an icy shiver down his spine.

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His jaw collapsed the next second, the sickening noise reverberating through his skull. Yet, he closed his eyes even as the taste of blood filled his mouth and his body rocketed back.

Falling from the roof, he couldn’t help but sigh. He deserved it. No, he knew that was only the beginning. How could it not when he couldn’t forgive himself for his betrayal?

He reopened his eyes, a steely glint flashing before he crashed onto the floor. He’d take the punishment and hope Adam would find the strength to forgive him.

BAM

The noise of his body meeting the ground echoed through the academy, the cracked slabs and the dust drawing the nearby students’ and teachers’ attention.

They surrounded to him, shock etched on their faces before one screamed in horror after seeing his mangled jaws.

"What happened, teacher Karna?! Is there a healing teacher or student? Quick!"

Before anyone could move, Adam appeared before Karna. Fists and jaw clenched so hard that blood dripped from them, he glared hatefully at Karna.

Then, he ignored the student, his icy voice echoing.

"I trusted you more than any others. So why?"

Karna’s kundalas glinted like two miniature suns, their powers healing his wounds as he shook his head.

A sight, heavy in guilt and self-blame, left his twisted lips. "Is there anything I can say that won’t sound like a cheap excuse? I should have warned you in secret. I should have opposed the others’ stupid idea."

He moved on his knees and lowered his head, a tear trailing down his cheek.

"I’m guilty. But... I’m glad you returned..."

While the students watched in disbelief, Adam’s fists trembled. Raw emotions tore at his heart, making breathing difficult and his eyes cloudy. How he wished Karna denied, how he wished to vent those ten years of exile, and how he wished not to have struck the caring man.

Despite the betrayal, the memories of his teachings, advice, and gentle support couldn’t help but resurface. Yet, things couldn’t return to how they were.

His fists loosened as he sighed. "Of course, you had to become a teacher. Here is my sentence."

His eyes narrowed as Karna tensed. "You are to teach in this academy for ten times the amount of time you made me lose."

Karna raised his face, a conflicted frown creasing his brow. In his days, punishment for treason equated to endless torment until death followed. Yet, Adam just made him do something he enjoyed?

He shook his head. No. That wasn’t enough. "I want a proper punishment, or I won’t find peace."

Meanwhile, Adam gazed at the students, who barely remained in place or screamed to leave their beloved teacher alone. He knew Karna valued loyalty above all and that he had become a teacher to atone. It was a satisfying choice that contributed to raising the next generation with real values.

With an exhale, he turned to the main building’s gate. "I delivered my judgement." His voice chilled. "It’s your last chance, and trust me, your Kavacha and Kundalas won’t save you shall you disappoint me."

He entered the main hall without looking back, leaving the frozen Karna behind. ’I’ll forgive you all after a hundred years.’

With this thought in mind, he grabbed a teacher rushing to the scene and asked, "Where’s the dean’s office?"

The teacher tensed, feeling the powerful fingers digging into his forearm. Trembling, he stuttered. "L-Last floor. But you need an appointment to pass the guards, sir."

Adam shrugged, let him go, and moved to the carved flight of stairs.

After crossing three broad floors, each covered in red, blue, or yellow carpets and filled with emblems of the same color, he emerged on the fourth one.

He observed the marble Greek columns, then the historical engravings of the ceiling. The scenes of the territory’s evolution helped him relax and revived old memories, especially the first depicting an imp, a succubus, a fire djinn, an elegant demoness, and a violent demon towering over a dead hobgoblin.

’Who carved this lie? We almost died before Luna saved us.’ A soft chuckle escaped his lips.

However, the sound of three demons, humans, and elves unsheathing swords and knocking arrows broke his improving mood.

He returned their glares as a familiar elf wearing golden chainmail raised his hand, his expression solemn and mana swirling in his eyes.

"Surrender, intruder. This is my only warning."

"Isn’t it the dear elven guard captain?" His eyes glowed scarlet and blue, sublimating his presence and applying overwhelming pressure on those weaker than him. "What are you doing in the academy instead of protecting my southernmost city?"

Death. That’s what Vaelion felt from Adam. He dropped to his knees in despair, sweat sticking his clothes to his skin. How could someone possess that much energy? Who was this demon who dwarfed even their mythical figures? Wait! His city?

"My lord, is that you?" He muttered through his ragged breath, hoping for confirmation and shocked by the new looks and strength.

"No. I’m Elaris’ ghost back to haunt you." Adam smirked and retrieved his essence while Vaelion rushed to his feet and bowed.

His eyes sparkled. No intruder would know about Elaris’ sins. And this sarcasm, this confidence. There was no doubt. It was Adam after he probably evolved again.

"I heard your wounds didn’t allow you to leave the palace. I’m glad I can finally thank you for everything you did for the elves!" He turned to the trembling guards. "Put away your weapons, fools!"

Then, he bowed again. "We merged our city with Matt’s and elected him as the southern ruler after the great war. A few weeks later, Luna recruited me to overlook the Royal Academy’s security and promote your territory’s diversity."

"I see." Adam offered a conflicted nod, uncaring about the South for now. "Do you know where she is?"

Vaelion shook his head. "She left more than nine years ago with the other generals and a large chunk of the army. I think they did it because the capital couldn’t sustain a hundred thousand inactive fighters."

Adam sighed. Nothing new, so he focused on the golden doors. "Unlock the door. I need to chat with Gork for a bit."

With a nod, Vaelion turned and scanned his security badge on a device before he did the same with his eyes.

’They reinvented biometrics?!’ Adam leaned forward as the door split into two thick half circles. They rolled to the side with a loud rumble, revealing a lab and many white-bloused men and women experimenting or frowning over thick stacks of documents.

And in their midst, a goblin’s intricate magic robes fluttered as he slammed his desk. The defensive engravings illuminated his twisting lips before his voice reverberated in anger.

"You’d better have a satisfying explanation as to why you opened the doors when I have no appointment, you fool."