Reincarnated as a failed hero?! Watch me Defy Fate! - Chapter 68

Chapter 68: Echoes of the Heart: A Light Within the Shadows Chapter 68: Echoes of the Heart: A Light Within the Shadows Morgan was still holding my hand.

As his life slipped away, I felt a surge of power flowing into me.

I had acquired his unique skill: [Eclipse Eye], and without warning, it activated.

This skill granted me sight beyond dimensions, allowing me to perceive supernatural beings and energies.

It also significantly enhanced my control over combat auras.

Moreover, it let me see the life force within people, distinguishing it from the dark aura of demons.

Through this skill, I could now identify demons hiding within humans with ease.

The life energy I saw took the form of a soft golden light, centered in a person’s chest.

I turned my gaze to Morgan.

His life energy was faint and flickering-a clear sign that his time was almost up.

“Be careful of the demons, Naoki… They’ll continue to manipulate humans and do whatever it takes to break the Demon King’s seal,” Morgan said with what little strength he had left.

“Naoki… I always thought you’d become an official hero of Braveheart Kingdom.

But I… I won’t be able to see it.

It’s a shame…

Please, take care of Nyssa for me,” he whispered, his voice growing weaker with every word.

“I will honor that wish,” I replied firmly.

“Nyssa will be under my protection.” “And I will become the greatest hero and slay the Demon King.

Watch over me from above, Morgan… No, Instructor Morgan.

Now, rest in peace.” With my words, Instructor Morgan took his final breath, a faint smile gracing his face as he passed.

Slowly, I reached out and closed his eyes.

Nyssa clung to her father’s lifeless body, sobbing uncontrollably.

“Instructor Morgan was a great father.

At least ten times better than mine ever was.

Be proud of him, Nyssa.” I tried to console her, though the memory of my own father-a worthless man who abandoned my family for another woman-burned fresh in my mind.

Nyssa only nodded through her tears, still holding onto her father.

The somber moment was shattered by Norx’s enraged scream.

Her body was shrinking, reverting to her original form.

Her true appearance resembled a small girl, with dark blue skin, glowing red eyes, long black hair cascading to her feet, there is a demon elixir crystal symbol come from her chest, and floating demonic eyes on top of her head, massive demonic wings, and hold two enormous scythes.

I was ready to go all out against her, but I couldn’t let Nyssa and Morgan’s body remain here.

The battle would undoubtedly put them in danger.

Using my authority over the [Eternal Nightfall] spell, I activated a teleportation circle beneath Nyssa’s feet, preparing to send her and Morgan’s body back to the Solara Academy’s underground arena.

“Nyssa, I’m sending you back.

Tell my friends that you have my protection-that will keep the mobs there from harming you.” Nyssa hesitated, clearly worried about me.

I reassured her with a soft smile.

“Don’t worry.

I’ll defeat Norx and come back to you.” The circle activated, and Nyssa vanished with Morgan’s body.

Her tearful, worried expression was the last thing I saw before she disappeared.

…

Now, within the spell’s realm of [Eternal Nightfall], it was just me and Norx-the Warlord of the Dreaming Void.

“Naoki, if you push yourself any further with Dark Magic, you’ll lose your sanity and fall into Berserk status!” Envi warned, his tone sharp and urgent.

“I have a way to deal with that.

Just watch.

I’ll unleash everything I’ve got to take this demon down!” I replied, steeling myself.

Norx regained her composure and glared at me, her rage palpable.

“YOU DAMN HUMAN!

I’LL KILL YOU!

THEN YOUR FRIENDS, YOUR FAMILY, AND EVERY LAST CITIZEN OF THIS KINGDOM!

KUHAHAHAHA!” Her maniacal laughter filled the air as she launched herself at me.

“You’re welcome to try,” I taunted, aiming my katana at her.

“But remember-you’re just a bottom-ranked demon in the Warlords.

A parasite clinging to humans.

SO DON’T ACT TOUGH!

This is where you die!” “INSOLENT MORTAL!” she shrieked, charging at me with her scythes ready.

We clashed relentlessly, her twin scythes colliding with my katana as waves of Dark Magic erupted with each strike.

Suddenly, Norx unleashed a devastating spell.

“KUHAHA!

TAKE THIS!

[Ultimate Dark Magic: Endless Void Dream]!” “Naoki!

That’s her ultimate magic!

Get out of there now!” Envi shouted.

Before I could react, Norx’s spell engulfed everything.

The battlefield transformed into a surreal realm between reality and illusion-a void of absolute darkness designed to consume everything.

Her magic was overwhelming my [Eternal Nightfall] spell, and before long, the two of us returned to the underground arena.

I quickly surveyed the area with [Eclipse Eye].

Most of the kidnapped students had been evacuated, the match arena on the surface is also empty, but my friends were still here, waiting for me.

Lyra and Aisha were tending to Nyssa and Milly, while Sander, Windy, Freya, Luna, Kael, and Marius stood guard.

Amelia knelt in prayer, her face full of worry.

“RUN!

ALL OF YOU!” I shouted, but they were immobilized by the vast range of Norx’s spell.

“KUHAHA!

FOOLS!

YOU CAN’T ESCAPE!

MY ULTIMATE MAGIC WILL PLUNGE YOU INTO NIGHTMARES, DRAIN YOUR SOULS, AND FEED MY POWER!

YOU WILL ALL DIE HERE!” My friends began to collapse, crying out as they fell victim to her spell.

Even I was overwhelmed-visions of my worst fear, Canis in his strongest form, loomed before me.

“This… can’t be…” I whispered, trembling.

“NAOKI!

WAKE UP, YOU IDIOT!

YOU’LL DIE LIKE THIS!” Envi shouted desperately.

Just then, warmth enveloped me.

Someone had wrapped their arms around me.

“Naoki… wake up!” It was Amelia.

“[High Divine Magic: Aurora Sanctum]!” she intoned, summoning a radiant dome of multicolored light.

Her magic drove away the darkness, nullifying Norx’s ultimate spell within its range.

The illusions vanished, and clarity returned to my mind.

“Good job, Amelia.

Now, stay behind me.

I’ll end this.” I gently reassured her.

She nodded and retreated to safety behind me.

“UGH!

DAMN DIVINE MAGIC USERS!” Norx snarled, charging at Amelia.

I gave Lyra a subtle signal to use her magic to protect the others.

Without hesitation, she conjured a barrier, shielding everyone, including Amelia, who stayed close to me.

Norx leaped toward us, her scythe swinging wildly in a fury.

I immediately activated [Power of Incarnation].

My katana, now cloaked in a mix of dark energy and shadowy aura, seemed almost alive.

The blade shimmered ominously, exuding an overwhelming presence.

“Feel the power that once defeated Canis!

Take this-[Blackmore Katana Style: Yami Gui no Giri, Full Burst]!” With a swift slash, I unleashed a dark shadowy wave that cleaved through Norx vertically.

The devastating attack tore through the underground chamber, cutting into the arena above and stretching into the heavens, leaving a massive chasm.

The dimensional rift created by my strike began to devour everything-Norx’s body, her dark magic, and even fragments of the shattered chamber.

“YOU WRETCHED HUMAN!

YOU MAY HAVE WON TODAY, BUT WHEN THE DEMON KING RISES, THIS WORLD SHALL FALL!” Norx’s voice echoed in defiance, her laughter chilling and maniacal.

“If the demon king breaks free from his seal then I, Naoki von Blackmore, will defeat him!” I said coldly.

Norx looked at me in annoyance, and slowly she was swallowed by my skill.

Norx’s Ultimate Magic slowly disappeared from this academy.

[Congratulations!

You have defeated Norx the Dreaming Void, Demon Warlords Rank 5th!] [Your deeds will be immortalized in history!] [LEVEL UP!] [LEVEL UP!] [LEVEL UP!] [LEVEL UP!] [LEVEL UP!] [LEVEL UP!] [LEVEL UP!] [LEVEL UP!] [TRAIT UNLOCKED: PHANTOM EXORCIST] Increases damage against demons and dark element monsters by 50%.

“You did it, Nao!

You protected everyone and leveled up eight times!

That’s insane!” Envi’s voice rang out jubilantly.

I smiled faintly, but my body trembled under the weight of exhaustion and the overuse of dark magic.

Looking upward, I saw the evening sky through the newly created opening.

It was beautiful-a stark contrast to the devastation below.

Thankfully, the grimoire collection along the walls remained intact.

Around me, my friends were cheering, their faces brimming with relief and joy.

Milly, now fully healed, stood among them with a bright, hopeful expression.

Seeing their happiness made all my sacrifices feel worthwhile.

But then- [WARNING!!!

Excessive use of Dark Magic detected!] [WARNING!!!

Abyssal Wrath Mode has exceeded its limit!] [WARNING!!!

You will enter a [Berserk] state and destroy everything in sight!] “Ah…

no…” The notifications blurred my vision, and an overwhelming surge of dark energy erupted from within me.

My hair turned snow-white, my eyes gleaming violet with an insatiable bloodlust.

My fangs grew sharper.

I had lost control.

“Damn it, this is the backlash of using too much dark magic!

NAO, SNAP OUT OF IT!” Envi’s voice was desperate, but his words couldn’t reach me.

He tried to take control of my body but couldn’t.

Even as my mind sank into chaos, I could still see my friends.

The oppressive aura I exuded caused them to falter, their faces etched with fear and despair.

Milly, Aisha, Lyra, and Freya tried to approach me, tears streaming down their faces.

Before they could come closer, Amelia stepped forward, determination radiating from her.

“That’s enough, Amelia.

Do what I asked,” I thought, my faint consciousness clinging to a shred of hope.

“Lyra, help me!

We have to stop Naoki!” Amelia’s plea startled Lyra, but she nodded resolutely.

Lyra cast [High Support Magic: Sanctuary], forming a glowing barrier that trapped me within.

As I thrashed against its walls, Amelia began her incantation, pouring all her strength into a powerful spell.

[High Divine Magic: Judgment Warden].

A celestial prison of radiant energy surrounded me, nullifying my dark magic and restricting my movements.

The pain was unbearable, and I roared in anguish.

Amelia and Lyra wept as they maintained their spells, refusing to give in.

Finally, I collapsed to my knees, silent and motionless.

They rushed to me, thinking the battle was over.

But then- [Abyssal Dark Wrath cannot be suppressed!] I erupted again, this time with even more devastating force.

My friends were thrown back, struggling to withstand the surge of malevolence.

One by one, they tried to hold me back.

Sander, Windy, Luna, Kael, and Marius all gave everything they had, but I sent them sprawling with ease.

Only Freya stood between me and Amelia and Lyra, her shattered sword trembling in her hands.

“Stop this, Naoki-dono…” she whispered before I struck her down.

As I raised my katana, ready to deliver the final blow to Amelia, Lyra, and Freya, voices rang out.

“NAOKI, WAKE UP!” Amelia screamed, her voice cracking.

“Naoki-sama…

please!” Lyra sobbed.

“Stupid big bro, STOP IT!” Milly’s horrified scream cut through the chaos, I also saw Aisha crying next to her.

Their voices all knocked on the door of my heart and broke through the madness that clouded my mind.

In that moment, my consciousness surged back.

I seized control of my body and drove my katana into my own stomach.

Blood spilled as I stumbled back, the pain grounding me.

They all seemed to be screaming seeing my actions, trying to approach me.

…

…

“I won’t hurt you all…

Stay away from me…” I shouted hoarsely, distancing myself from them.

As despair threatened to consume me again, a voice echoed in my mind.

It was ancient and commanding.

“Calm yourself, kid.

I will help you to master this power.” From the shadows of the arena, a black grimoire descended, its pages glowing faintly.

I felt a resonance with it, as though it was an extension of my soul.  CREATORS’ THOUGHTS NAVIRUNAVIII Your gift is the motivation for my creation.

Give me more motivation!

I want to say thank you to my readers, fans, and friends: -Aurimas Pazikaz -Bruno_Andrade_9372 -Elijah Moreno -Aiden Sookraj -DaoistuzosNa -Muhammad Yafiq -Chona Diaz -Riddler 23 -TheKindSadist Without your support i think i’ll give up to continue this novel.

I appreciate your support for me.

Love you all!

I wish u all the best!