Chapter 5: Even If I Stake Everything I Have

“…Not bad at all, you mages of the highest caliber. I commend you.”

With a heavy thud, Lazare drove the butt of his spear into the ground, declaring boldly.

“Tch… What is this man!?”

“…Hmph, the Researchers of Heavenly Wisdom… To think they’d be this formidable…”

The instructors and professors, who had been so numerous, had all been felled, leaving only Halley and Baron Zest as the last two standing.

Even those two were gravely wounded, utterly exhausted, and on the brink of collapse.

“Tch, then how about this! 《Roar, Blazing Lion》—!”

Halley chanted the incantation for Black Magic [Blaze Burst], conjuring a raging inferno in his left hand.

“—《Converge》!”

The moment another spell was layered onto it, the roaring flames condensed into a tiny orb the size of a glass marble.

Anyone who held their hand over that small, crimson-glowing fireball would be astonished—it brimmed with an unmistakably abnormal amount of thermal energy, yet it radiated no heat whatsoever.

Black magic is primarily divided into five schools based on the physical phenomena it manipulates.

Activation/Flux System.

Acceleration/Gravitation System.

Time/Space System.

Vibration/Wave System.

Convergence/Diffusion System.

Halley’s expertise lay in the ‘Activation/Flux System,’ which controlled flames, cold, and lightning, and the ‘Convergence/Diffusion System,’ which manipulated the density and distribution of matter and energy.

Halley, who despised waste with near-obsessive precision and valued efficiency above all, prioritized energy optimization, favoring spells that achieved maximum effect with minimal mana. His refined magic was the polar opposite of Celica’s preference for massive consumption and grand destruction.

“Take this!”

The tiny red orb shot from Halley’s fingertips at high speed, striking the shield Lazare had raised.

At that instant, a brilliant crimson light erupted at the point of impact, and an intense surge of thermal energy exploded at that single point.

For a fleeting moment, the world seemed to burn as if at its end.

Though its effective range was minuscule and its appearance unassuming, this C-rank military assault spell, with its low mana cost, unleashed a concentrated physical force equivalent to a B-rank spell—

With Halley’s masterful technique, ‘Convergence Activation,’ there was scarcely anything that could not be destroyed—

—Or so it should have been.

From the point of impact, a dazzling array of prismatic light radiated from Lazare…

“Magnificent… Such skill at your young age, magic instructor.”

At the center of the swirling heatwave, Lazare still stood, utterly composed.

“Tch, it blocked even that…? What is that shield!?”

“Halley-kun… That shield is likely made of orichalcum, isn’t it…?”

Baron Zest, calmly analyzing the situation, tapped his cane against his palm as he spoke matter-of-factly.

Orichalcum. A magical metal of the highest caliber, rivaling mithril.

“Well, no ordinary attack is going to get through that.”

“No, it’s more than that…”

Halley, pushing up his glasses, responded to Zest’s analysis.

“A shield alone shouldn’t be able to fully block the area-of-effect attacks of magic. Yet, despite receiving all manner of magical assaults, both the shield and the man himself remain completely unscathed… It’s incomprehensible.”

“And what’s with that strange prismatic light that flashes every time an attack hits that shield or him? There’s something suspicious about it…”

“Do you really have the leisure to stand there chatting so casually?”

Lazare leveled his spear at Halley and Baron Zest.

“Now… Shall we have another go?”

In response, Baron Zest raised his cane toward Lazare, but—

“It’s futile, you dandy.”

Lazare pointed the spear’s tip at Baron Zest.

“I’ve already seen through your mind-control magic. I must admit, you had me fooled… To think you’ve been evading my attacks by making me believe I was attacking.”

“What!? Alas, it’s finally been discovered! I was hoping to enjoy that foolish look on your face a bit longer, thinking you’d attacked when you hadn’t…”

Save for a few exceptions like Halley, who was somewhat seasoned in duels, the academy’s instructors and professors, generally unaccustomed to combat, had only managed to hold out this long against Lazare thanks entirely to Baron Zest’s efforts.

Baron Zest had been countering Lazare’s lethal attacks with mind-control magic. Moreover, he instantly teleported the wounded and fallen to safety with remote transfer magic.

As a result, while many on the academy’s side had been injured and defeated, not a single life had been lost.

“Honestly, I never imagined you’d cling on this tenaciously…”

Yet, there was no trace of desperation in Lazare’s voice, despite being cornered.

He exuded the regal air of a king reigning supreme.

His overwhelming presence and oppressive aura only grew stronger, boundless and unrelenting.

“But that ends now. Time to get serious! Die!”

Brandishing his mana-charged spear like a whirlwind, Lazare unleashed a shockwave in a single breath.

The massive wave, towering high, tore through the ground as it surged toward Halley and the others—

“Tch… 《Wall of Light》—!”

“Yare yare… This really isn’t my forte!”

Halley and Baron Zest hurriedly erected a [Force Shield], but—

The shockwave collided head-on with the mana barrier, sending cracks spiderwebbing across its surface—

“What… the hell—!?”

“Nghhh—!?”

The blast finally sent both Halley and Baron Zest flying.

“H-Hey… This is bad, isn’t it!?”

Kash, watching the battle from a window inside the school building, cried out in panic.

“It’s totally one-sided! Almost all the academy’s teachers have been taken out…! Halley-sensei and that pervert baron held on for a while, but things are looking really grim!”

“Just what in the world is happening!? That massive red magic circle that suddenly appeared within the academy grounds…! And this blood-red sky—!”

“I-I’m scared… I have a really bad feeling about this…”

Wendy and Lynn clung to each other, trembling.

It wasn’t just them. The entire class—every student in the academy—was caught in a whirlwind of chaos, overwhelmed by the otherworldly battle unfolding below and the eerie magic circle etched across the grounds.

But amidst it all—

“Tch, you’re all so noisy… Calm down already.”

Gibul alone spoke in a detached, almost icy tone.

“Calm down!? How the hell are we supposed to stay calm in this!?”

Kash snapped at Gibul in protest, but…

“Hmph… Finally here, huh?”

Ignoring him, Gibul muttered with a sigh.

“Huh…? Here? What’s here…?”

Kash blinked in confusion at Gibul’s cryptic words.

“…Isn’t it obvious? The main act.”

Gibul snorted irritably—

—It was sudden.

“《…Let all phenomena of the cosmos perish here・at the edge of nothingness》—!”

All at once, a resonant incantation echoed through the courtyard.

From behind Lazare, an overwhelming wave of light surged forward, threatening to drown the world in white.

“—What!? [Extinction Ray]!?”

Lazare instinctively raised his shield against it.

The torrential flood of light clashed with Lazare’s shield.

Instantly, the shield and Lazare himself began emitting a blinding array of prismatic flashes—

The wave of light gradually lost its momentum… and eventually faded into nothingness.

“Geh!? He blocked it!? No way…”

With those less-than-dignified words, a young man appeared on the scene, accompanied by a young girl.

“Well, whatever…”

The young man leveled a gun at Lazare and declared with a fearless grin:

“Let’s put an end to this ruckus, shall we?”

“Glenn Radars!?”

“Glenn-kun!?”

Halley and Baron Zest exclaimed.

““““Glenn-sensei!?””””

“Even Rumia…!?”

The academy’s students all stared wide-eyed at the young man who had appeared.

Glenn and Lazare now stood face-to-face—

“Tch… So this is the [Ignition Plug] of [Megiddo’s Flame]…”

Having finally reached the scene, Glenn cast a glance at the massive red magic circle sprawling across the academy grounds and muttered irritably.

He aimed his pistol at Lazare, who stood at its center.

“Alright, I’ll cut to the chase. Are you the mastermind behind this!?”

“Indeed.”

Lazare answered Glenn’s question with imposing dignity.

“Lazare, the Steel Paladin of the Researchers of Heavenly Wisdom,《Heavens Order》—take my name to your grave, Glenn Radars.”

“Hmph,《Heavens Order》…!?”

At those words, Glenn’s face twisted in shock, momentarily stunned.

“…Damn it, to think I’d face one of those here!?”

“S-Sensei…!?”

“It’s alright, Rumia! Stay back! I’ll take this guy down somehow… and dispel this damn [Ignition Plug]!”

Steeling himself with grim resolve, Glenn prepared to fire a warning shot at Lazare—

“Wait, Glenn Radars!”

Halley, battered and kneeling, called out to stop him.

“You seem to know what’s going on, so I’ll make this quick! That man’s shield is specially crafted—no attack can pierce it! You understand, don’t you!?”

“Looks that way… Even my [Extinction Ray]…”

“That man is the guardian of [Megiddo’s Flame]! Unless we can neutralize him, we won’t even get a chance to dispel the [Ignition Plug]!”

With a shout, Halley rose, fueled by sheer willpower.

“We’ll team up for now, Glenn Radars! We’ll hold that man back somehow! You use that opening to dispel the [Ignition Plug]!”

“S-Senpai…!?”

“Don’t get the wrong idea—I can’t stand you! But I’ll be damned if I let lowlife scum like him destroy this academy! No questions now—let’s do this!”

“Exactly! Leave this to us!”

Baron Zest, equally battered, rose and readied his cane.

Naturally, Glenn had no objections to joining forces with Halley and Zest.

In fact, for Glenn—who had parted ways with Jatice and thought he’d have to fight alone—the aid of a young fifth-rank mage and a renowned sixth-rank mage was more than welcome.

(But… that weird shield of his… It blocked even my strongest spell, [Extinction Ray], like it was nothing…! Is there a way to break through!?)

From what he’d read in papers, Halley’s specialty was three-element spells.

While he didn’t doubt Halley’s skill, before that shield, even the most powerful spells were likely meaningless. It wasn’t simply a matter of ‘strong defense’—it seemed to operate on some kind of fundamental principle. If that was the case—

(Damn it…! To think a guy this troublesome would show up now… Can we do this!? Can I, Halley-senpai, and the others actually pull this off…!?)

He couldn’t see a way to counter it. No opening, no strategy.

For a fleeting moment, Glenn hesitated—and in that instant—

“Do you think you have time to waver?”

Suddenly, Lazare’s form blurred and vanished—

“—Then die, clutching your doubts!”

“—!?”

The next moment, Lazare appeared before Glenn, swinging his spear upward.

(He’s fast—!)

Glenn braced to parry with his pistol, but—

The spear crackled with overwhelming mana, shimmering with auroras and sound.

“…Tch!? It’s no use! My mind-control magic won’t work on him anymore!”

Baron Zest, swinging his cane, gnashed his teeth in frustration.

(Crap!? I can’t block this—!)

As the spear descended, Glenn braced himself—when suddenly—

A silver-blue flash streaked from left to right across Glenn’s vision.

In an instant, a deafening clash of metal and a thunderous impact reverberated through the courtyard, shaking the air.

“—What!?”

Glenn’s gaze darted sideways—

There, catching his eye first, was the glint of golden hair, shimmering brilliantly as it flowed in the wind.

And there—

“Jeez, no matter how much time passes, you’re still such a handful, aren’t you…”

Stood Celica, clad in a tattered dress.

Her slender arm wielded a silver-blue sword that had parried the spear’s strike—

And then—

“Hyyyyyaaaaaa—!”

—A shock descended from above.

Plummeting from the sky, it was a blue force that seemed to crush all in its path.

A girl, coiling every fiber of her being like a spring, swung a massive greatsword down at Lazare.

Lazare hurriedly raised his shield to meet it—

A violent clash followed—a deafening roar as the air trembled and prismatic light flared fiercely from the shield.

“Tch!? Reinforcements—!?”

Lazare, now wary, leaped back.

“Alright… Round two, Re=L.”

“Mm!”

Celica, shouldering her sword, together with Re=L turned to face Lazare.

“Celica! You’re alive!?”

“Re=L, you’re okay!?”

Glenn and Rumia shouted, eyes wide.

“Hmph… Did you really think I’d die from that?”

Celica smirked smugly, twirling the ancient magical device, the pocket watch ’La`tirika’s Clock, in one hand—

“Mm! I slept or something, and I got better!”

Re=L, as ever, clanged her greatsword into position.

“You jerk, making us worry like that… Where the hell have you been, not even sending word!?”

“Sorry… This junk heap of a body took a bigger hit than I expected from forcibly using time-stop. I was in no shape to move… Man, getting old sucks.”

“H-Hey, are you sure you’re up for fighting like that…!?”

“I’m fine.”

To Glenn’s anxious question, Celica responded with confident assurance.

In her hand gleamed the mithril treasure sword that had just saved Glenn’s life.

It was the same blade he’d seen during their ancient ruin exploration—the heirloom of Eliete, the Sword Princess, one of the Six Heroes.

“I may not be able to use much magic right now… but I’ll carve open a path for you.”

The magician Glenn admired and aspired to most in the world stepped forward with calm dignity, sword raised proudly.

“I see… Eliete’s sword, is it?”

Lazare muttered, facing Celica.

“I know the secret to your invincibility, Lazare. The shield itself, forged from orichalcum with absolute hardness, is troublesome enough… but the true problem lies in the energy reduction field it projects around you.”

“…Energy reduction field? What’s that mean?”

At Glenn’s question, Celica answered as if delivering a lecture.

“It’s simple. The shield’s power envelops Lazare in a mana field that absorbs all energy, converts it into light, and disperses it. The conversion rate is an astonishing 100%… Unbelievable, but that’s the principle behind it. That’s his ‘Shield of the Power Angel.’”

“Huh!? What’s that!?”

Glenn’s jaw dropped at the absurd explanation.

“Energy absorption and conversion!? At 100%!? So you’re saying no attack or magic will ever work against it!?”

Whether physical or magical, all destruction boils down to energy.

Any object, no matter how durable, can be destroyed by applying energy exceeding its strength.

But that mana field—neutralizes energy itself by converting and nullifying it.

“How the hell do you beat something like that…!?”

“Yare yare, have you forgotten what this sword is made of, Glenn?”

Celica held the sword up before Glenn, letting it catch the light.

Its radiant, piercing silver-blue gleam was—

“Mithril… Th-that’s it, a magic-nullifying substance!?”

“Exactly.”

In that instant, Celica’s form blurred and vanished sideways—

“Guaaaaaaah!?”

Blood sprayed.

With a whirlwind’s gust, Celica had slashed Lazare from behind.

Incredibly—her attack had pierced Lazare, who had been nearly invincible until now.

“Haa—!”

“Nuuuuuuh!?”

In a flash, Celica unleashed three divine-speed slashes—high, mid and low—dancing with her blade.

Lazare spun his spear as he turned.

Celica’s sword and Lazare’s spear clashed, sparked and collided.

The sword’s pressure ravaged the surroundings—Lazare’s body was pushed back several meters by the impact.

“Tch… That movement… That swordsmanship…!?”

“Black Magic [Load Experience]! I’ve made her swordsmanship possess me!”

Crossing sword and spear, scattering sparks at point-blank range, Celica and Lazare glared at each other.

“No matter how invincible your energy-conversion magic field is, it’s still just a magic field… A mithril sword, a magic-nullifying substance, can pierce it. And once it does—”

Celica deftly twisted her wrist, pulling back her blade, leaving afterimages as she leaped backward.

In that motion, she sliced through the invisible magic field enveloping Lazare.

Simultaneously—

“Combine your attack, Halley!”

“!?”

Celica’s command was utterly abrupt, but—

“Tch—《Blazing Lion》!”

As expected of the young genius mage Halley, he instantly chanted a spell in response—

From Halley’s left hand, a superheated fireball shot toward Lazare.

“Ku—!?”

Lazare blocked it with his shield.

The moment it hit, a fierce explosion and flames engulfed Lazare—

“…Nuuuu…!?”

As the flames cleared, Lazare still stood firmly on both feet… but the edges of his clothing were scorched, smoke rising.

For the first time, a spell attack had harmed Lazare, who had been relentlessly invincible and unscathed.

“…That’s how it works!?”

In that moment, Glenn, Halley, and Baron Zest clearly understood.

“If you pierce the magic field with mithril, a magic-nullifying substance, it disrupts the field for an instant!”

“…And in that instant, the 100% energy-conversion rate, the invincibility, collapses.”

“So, if we time our attacks with Celica-kun slicing the magic field, our attacks will land…”

“Well deduced. Your quick understanding is a relief, esteemed mages of the world’s finest academy.”

Celica grinned wickedly…

“Nn! I don’t really get it, but basically, we just attack him after Celica, right!?”

“Yeah, sure… That’s good enough for you.”

With an oddly gentle look, Celica patted Re=L’s head beside her.

“Tch… That may be true in theory. But against my spear technique, it won’t be so easy—”

Lazare spat irritably, repositioning his spear—

In that instant—

“Not so easy?”

—Celica’s form blurred and vanished again.

Her sword, now a silver-blue lightning bolt, flashed sharply at the edge of Lazare’s vision.

“Tch!”

Lazare barely blocked it with his shield.

Without pause, Celica relentlessly assaulted Lazare with her sword—a ferocious onslaught.

Like a whirlwind, she darted from blind spot to blind spot with divine speed, her sword dancing.

Sword, shield, and spear clashed and bit into each other, relentless sparks blooming fiercely.

Lazare’s skill in parrying such an onslaught was inhuman, but Celica’s swordsmanship was divine.

Celica was utterly dominating Lazare—

“Hmph. By the way, did you ever beat her in a sword fight?”

“Nuuuu—!?”

“I’ll teach you a lesson, brat. Give up.”

Glaring at the teeth-grinding Lazare, Celica parried his spear, letting her sword flow—

As she sharply passed him, she sliced through his conversion field.

In that instant—

“Iyaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah—!”

Without hesitation or fear, Re=L bent her small frame like a bow, diving into Lazare’s guard—unleashing a full-force greatsword slash with coiled-spring-like power.

The temporarily weakened field couldn’t withstand the massive impact—

“Woooooooooooooooooo—!?”

Lazare was sent flying like a kicked ball.

“A-amazing…”

Celica’s dominance over Lazare was inhuman, but Re=L’s ability to land an attack in that fleeting gap was beyond human.

What a crew… Glenn stood dumbfounded.

“Glenn! We’ll handle Lazare! You dispel the [Ignition Plug]!”

While deftly engaging Lazare, Celica shouted.

Thanks to Re=L blowing Lazare away, the [Ignition Plug] was now completely unguarded… a perfect opportunity.

“…You can do it, right, Glenn?”

“Yeah!”

Nodding firmly, Glenn turned to face the [Ignition Plug]—

The air was thick with the acrid smell of burning.

The surrounding buildings were charred, some areas heavily carbonized.

At the center of this smoldering world—

“…”

Jatice crouched, his body severely burned.

His carbonization was extreme. At this stage, even enhanced self-healing magic couldn’t possibly recover him.

Thus—fatal wounds. It was over. Jatice’s fate was sealed.

“…Hah! Weak…”

A mocking voice rained down on the defeated Jatice.

“What’s that? All that big talk, and this is all you’ve got?”

Eve stood leisurely, keeping a dozen meters between her and Jatice.

Her outstretched palm, tauntingly raised, held a shimmering flame.

—Eve and Jatice’s battle had been entirely one-sided.

After all, Eve had already trapped Jatice within the domain of her secret kin spell [Seventh Garden].

Within this domain, Eve could wield flames of tremendous power without chanting, manipulating them like extensions of her limbs, always striking before Jatice could act.

Her flames relentlessly burned Jatice—leading to his current state.

“Come on, say something, loser.”

“…”

Jatice remained silent, seemingly too weak to even speak.

“Hah… What am I doing, getting all worked up? I really don’t need a useless third-rate mutt like Glenn…”

Eve gathered a massive, high-intensity flame in her hand to deliver the finishing blow.

“There’s still plenty of time before sunset. I’ll finish Jatice, then deal with the academy… Perfect. A complete victory for House Ignite!”

Smirking at her assured triumph, Eve laughed.

“Maybe now Glenn will finally—”

As Eve prepared to unleash her flame on Jatice—at that moment.

“Kukukuku…”

Suddenly, the barely-breathing Jatice began to chuckle darkly.

“…What? Sour grapes? Or your last words? Not that I care.”

“…No, it’s just, well…”

His grotesquely charred face glared at Eve.

The sheer intensity of his horrific eyes sent a chill down her spine.

“I’ve softened quite a bit compared to the old days… Since Glenn seemed to care about you, I was actually considering letting you go, sparing you for his sake.”

“…Huh?”

The unexpected words halted Eve’s hand, poised to release the flame.

“To me, you’re less than a pebble on the roadside, utterly insignificant. Whether you live or die, it doesn’t matter. But… you went and said something to me that should never have been said…!”

His overwhelming presence made Eve step back—one, two steps.

Why was she retreating from a dying man? Confusion gripped her.

“…I’ve changed my mind. You—will die. I’ll crush your bloated, meaningless pride, make you crawl miserably, and kill you… Kihihihi…! Hyahahahaha, hahahahahahahaha…!”

Jatice rose like a broken puppet—his eerie movements were those of a dying man, yet Eve couldn’t stop her cold sweat.

(W-what… What is this man…!? This is more than just bravado…!)

Those crazed, glittering eyes—terrifyingly so.

(W-what’s wrong, Eve!? Why are you faltering!? Your victory is unshakable! [Seventh Garden] is still functioning perfectly! No matter what he does, I can burn him first! I have the advantage! I’ll win, right!?)

“Now, Eve… Let me prophesize…”

Jatice slowly raised his half-carbonized arm, crumbling as he moved—

“Right now, you feel terror toward me… Deep down, you’re wary, wanting to retreat…”

“…Sh-shut up…!”

“But your meager pride won’t allow it…”

“Shut uuuuuup—!”

Eve kicked off the ground, leaping.

Her lithe body soared high into the sky—

“Yes, wary that I’ve set some trap, you leap away from the spot—”

Landing on a nearby building’s roof—the exact spot Jatice had glanced at before she moved—

“—and from there, you unleash a flame imbued with lethal intent at me.”

“Die, you half-dead freak—!”

Eve raised her left hand, a swirling vortex of overwhelming flame surging within—

“I read you.”

—and swung it down.

…………

Eve’s flame was supposed to burn Jatice to the bone.

But instead of flame, what surged was red…

“…Eh?”

For a moment, Eve couldn’t comprehend what her eyes saw.

Her left arm—from the elbow down—was gone.

Red dripped from the stump.

A few seconds later, a dull thud echoed below.

Her arm. Her left arm, from the elbow down, lay on the road.

“Ah…? …Ah, ah…?”

Finally recognizing the cruel reality, Eve…

“Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa—!?”

Let out a pitiful, silk-tearing scream.

“…It’s not a big deal, so I’ll reveal the trick.”

To Eve, clutching her arm and wailing like a child on the rooftop, Jatice calmly explained from below.

“What cut your arm was the Tulpa, [Scotoma Saber]—an invisible blade of zero mass, constructed from pseudo-etheric particles…”

Looking up, Eve’s blood trickled diagonally through empty air.

Indeed, an invisible blade-like presence floated there…

“Using my numerology for behavioral prediction, I placed it there beforehand… right where your left hand would be. Just a small trick.”

“…N-numerology…!?”

Numerology, a required subject at the magic academy, involves “observing probable futures by combining existing information.” However, due to its low accuracy, modern mages dismiss it as “fortune-telling with numbers.”

“But I didn’t see it that way. Numerology is the ultimate power. Mastered, it leaves no future or event unobservable… Or so I once believed.”

An invisible sword paired with near-prescient behavioral prediction.

What a vicious combination—reading an opponent’s moves and pre-positioning an invisible blade ensuring they destroy themselves, wielding devastating power—

“That’s impossible! Humans have free will—!”

“Even human will and emotions are aggregates of brain signals and biochemical reactions. If so, they can be quantified. Thus, numerology can predict human futures—am I wrong?”

Those words came not from below but from behind Eve.

“This ability to ‘quantify and formulate all phenomena, events, and entities in my sight’… That’s my original magic [Justia’s Scales].”

“…Eh? …N-no way…”

Trembling, Eve turned to see… Jatice, unscathed, standing elegantly near the roof’s peak, calmly adjusting his hat with a serene expression.

Glancing below, she saw the half-carbonized Jatice dissolve into light particles, scattered by the wind.

(Th-that was a Tulpa!? So… all this time, I was fighting a…!?)

She’d been completely outplayed.

Eve felt as if she’d leaped into an abyss, consumed by despair and weightlessness.

“Ku—!?”

Determined to strike back, Eve spun reflexively, aiming her right hand at Jatice behind her—

Slash. Something invisible pierced her right palm, blood gushing violently.

“Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaa—!?”

“Now, on another note… The Special Missions team… They’re all incredibly strong.”

Ignoring Eve’s screams, Jatice began speaking as if entranced.

“Take Albert《The Star》… He’s a vengeful spirit. Valuing justice, yet burning with the dark hatred lurking within, he endlessly pursues his nemesis… Even in death, he’d never stop. A saint walking an unrewarded path of thorns—that’s precisely who he is.”

Jatice raised his index finger.

“Or Christoph《The Hierophant》… He lives for true loyalty. He’s offered his heart to Her Majesty, willing to die without regret… Straightforward but a real nuisance.”

He raised his middle finger.

“Or Bernard《The Hermit》… The ultimate thrill junkie. A peaceful world bores him. He needs the thrill, the edge between life and death, to feel alive… He’d probably laugh his way through any hell—until he dies.”

He raised his ring finger.

“Or Re=L《The Chariot》… I once thought her, puppet-like, as insignificant as you. But lately, she’s grown as a person, finding something irreplaceable worth risking her life for… That will surely grant her new power as a mage… Well, I look forward to her growth.”

He raised his pinky.

“And Glenn《The Fool》… Ah, him… Kukuku… No need to explain! He’s truly magnificent! A bundle of unpredictability! Eve, you agree, don’t you!? Hyahahahahahahahahaha—!”

Raising his thumb last, Jatice was in high spirits.

“True mages like them—acting on their truths—sometimes vastly exceed my predictions… They produce numbers theoretically impossible. Cliché, but it seems ‘human will’ can surpass fate. That’s why they’re magnificent and a threat. Now…”

“N-not yet…! It’s not over…!”

Eve shouted defiantly, leaping off the roof.

Landing, she immediately jumped back, trying to gain distance from Jatice—

Splatter. Suddenly, her right thigh and left ankle tendons tore deeply, blood spurting.

Another pre-placed Tulpa [Scotoma Saber].

“…Ah…”

Losing all strength to stand, Eve collapsed.

Her spirit finally shattered completely, all emotion drained from her eyes.

The confident, fearless Eve was gone.

Only a pitiful woman remained, armless, defeated, trembling in fear of death.

“Now… From the start of this fight, you’ve danced perfectly to my predictions, not missing a single step, Eve. Let me ask you one thing.”

Standing at the roof’s edge, arms spread, Jatice looked down at Eve.

His presence was like a judge presiding over a courtroom.

“What are you, exactly? What’s your way as a mage? Why do you even bother being a mage? Come on, answer, weakest of mages…”

“I-I’m…”

Completely overwhelmed by Jatice’s presence, Eve answered in a timid, barely audible mumble.

“I-I’m… of the Ignite family… for our honor… yes, for the Ignite name…!”

“Haaah… I guess I misjudged you after all… Even at this stage, to give such a pathetic answer… I’m utterly disappointed in you, Eve. Where’s the brilliance you showed when you saved Sistine back then…? Well… whatever.”

As if he’d lost all interest in Eve, Jatice let out an exaggerated sigh…

And then…

“It’s time to pass judgment. Eve Ignite, your sentence is death.”

At those cold, merciless words, Eve’s shoulders trembled, and she shrank back in fear.

“I’m lenient toward the weak and the foolish… They can’t grasp true justice due to their own pettiness… and that’s understandable, unavoidable even…”

Suddenly, Jatice turned his eyes burning with dark hatred and fury toward Eve—

“But you… you insulted Glenn! That’s absolutely unforgivable! Unacceptable! For a petty, foolish weakling like you to demean Glenn is a crime worthy of ten thousand deaths! There’s no room for leniency! Die! My absolute justice will judge you! The sentence is death! Death, death, death, death, death, death, death, death! DEAAAATH—!”

Brandishing both arms, he scattered a massive cloud of Pseudo-Etheric Particle powder from his gloves.

And then, gradually taking form behind Jatice was the figure of a goddess—holding a golden sword in her left hand, a silver scale in her right, and bearing seven wings on her back—

“Manifest! Artificial Spirit—Idol [Lady of Justice, Justia]—Judge her, my goddess, that fool! Now, divine retribution—execute the death sentence!”

Spreading her wings and raising her sword—the false goddess materialized here—

“…Ah… ah… aaaaah…”

Unable to move, Eve could only stand frozen, tears streaming down her face, staring blankly at the approaching doom—

—It was at that moment.

A streak of light tore through the skies above Fejite, swift and sharp.

It was like a single shooting star streaking across the silver heavens.

A beautiful yet ferocious flash of a thunder spear, piercing and penetrating all with resolute intent—

“—!?”

The auroral thunderbolt grazed Jatice’s head as he instinctively pulled back—

His concentration broken, the false goddess lost form and dissipated into mist.

A moment later, the sound of air splitting and a shockwave roared through, shaking Jatice’s skin and making his frock coat flap wildly.

“Tch…”

Jatice glared irritably in the direction from which the thunderbolt had come.

His gaze pierced far into the distant void—

Toward a tall building in the distance—no, even farther beyond that.

To a spire faintly visible even farther—no, beyond that, even farther still.

To a hill barely discernible in the distance—no, no, even farther, farther beyond—

At the farthest reaches of Fejite, where the horizon merged with the land.

Atop Fejite’s castle walls, glowing crimson under the sinking scarlet sun.

Jatice’s magically enhanced vision caught a figure standing there.

“No way… to think you’d show up here…!? I couldn’t read it…!”

That figure, with long hair billowing in the fierce wind, an imposing presence, and eyes as sharp as a hawk’s.

A left hand extended straight toward Jatice, pointing.

That man’s name was—

Meanwhile, where Lazare and Celica’s group were clashing.

“…Phew.”

Glenn, who had been analyzing the [Ignition Plug] to dispel it, let out an involuntary whistle.

“What’s wrong, Sensei?”

“Nah, just thinking we got lucky.”

At Rumia’s question from beside him, Glenn grinned in response.

“This [Ignition Plug]… it looks huge and complex, but it’s no big deal at all. No additional protective spells layered on it, either. With my skills and remaining mana, I can definitely dispel it!”

Saying that, Glenn let out a relieved breath.

“R-really…?”

“Yeah. I was sure we’d have to use your ‘ability’ for this… You know, with everyone watching us from the school building? I was thinking I’d need to use illusion magic to hide you when the time came…”

Rumia’s ability—[Sympathetic Amplifier].

With this power, just as Jatice had dispelled the [Mana Boost Supplier] earlier, it could supercharge dispelling magic, forcibly unraveling even the most complex spell arrays.

But in this country, for some historical reason, prejudice and persecution against [Ability Users] ran deep.

If she recklessly revealed her ability in public, Rumia might lose her place at the academy.

So, if they could resolve this without using her ability, that would be for the best.

“Yare yare… what a relief.”

With that, Glenn pulled out a pocket watch from his coat to check the time.

(What time is it…?)

There was still plenty of time. More than an hour until sunset.

(…How’s the battle with Lazare going…?)

Activating far-sight magic, he checked the courtyard.

As expected, Celica’s movements were slowing in the prolonged fight. But with Re=L, Halley, and Baron Zest supporting her, the battle remained balanced and stable.

That situation could probably hold for a while longer.

(…Eve… is she okay…?)

In hindsight, Eve might have been right. Taking down Jatice together first, then dealing with [Megiddo’s Flame]… that might’ve been the best approach.

But that thought only came because dispelling the [Ignition Plug] turned out to be unexpectedly easy. At the time, Glenn’s judgment had been the safer bet.

Still… no use dwelling on it now. He had to focus on the [Ignition Plug].

Dispelling it and accidentally triggering it would be no laughing matter.

Even so—

(…It’s over.)

Glenn felt the situation nearing its resolution.

All that was left was to dispel this damned [Ignition Plug].

That would settle everything.

It had been a grueling ordeal since last night, but finally, it would all be over.

“Alright! Let’s wrap this up with a bang!”

Slapping his cheeks with both hands, Glenn drew a knife and made a shallow cut on his left wrist.

“《O primal force・flow through my blood・forge the path》!”

Chanting Black Magic [Blood Catalyze], he turned his blood into a magical catalyst, letting it flow to his fingertips, ready to touch the [Ignition Plug]—

Thump… Suddenly, Glenn’s heart skipped a loud beat.

It came out of nowhere, like a bubble bursting, seizing his heart.

—This… feels too convenient, doesn’t it?

“…Sensei…? What’s wrong…?”

Rumia looked worriedly at Glenn, who had frozen with blood dripping from his poised fingers.

But her words didn’t reach Glenn now.

A certain unease was swirling thickly within him.

(…Really… if I dispel this [Ignition Plug]… will this whole incident truly be resolved? Really, truly…?)

Something didn’t sit right. It felt off. A bad premonition lingered.

Like someone was watching them from the shadows, sneering at them as if they were clowns in a circus…

Why did this negative impression cling to him, refusing to let go—

(………………)

Glenn—thought.

(…Now that I think about it, this whole incident—it’s been strange from the start…)

Jatice, whose primary goal was to save Fejite, kidnapped Rumia and forcibly dragged Glenn onto the stage.

Lazare, with powerful pawns like Reik and Jin, initially attacked the Arfonia residence with a half-hearted force, giving Glenn an opening to escape.

Jatice went around dispelling the [Mana Boost Supplier], but in hindsight… leaving the critical [Ignition Plug] for last was odd.

And for a desperate suicide attack to kill Rumia, Lazare wasn’t some crazed fanatic—he was rational. His reaction to Rumia was also strangely subdued.

Convenient leftover time. Conveniently stable battle conditions.

And—above all.

(Why… doesn’t dispelling this [Ignition Plug] require Rumia’s ‘ability’!?)

That was wrong. Absolutely wrong.

It could be that the spell was inherently easy to dispel. Highly complex spells were often delicate, making them easier to unravel.

But then, it should’ve been layered with multiple protective spells to prevent easy dispelling, especially for such a meticulous plan.

In fact, dispelling the [Mana Boost Supplier] had required Rumia’s ability.

So why… was the critical [Ignition Plug] so easy to dispel?

It was as if they’d been herded to the stage’s center, with everything set up, and told, “Here’s the stage, now follow the script and dispel it.”

“…………”

Glenn’s hand remained still. No sign of movement. He couldn’t move.

(…Ridiculous… what am I overthinking here…?)

Glenn looked again at the [Ignition Plug], already in [Semi-Boot] mode.

(It’s counting down to [Final Boot] for [Megiddo’s Flame]… If I don’t dispel this before sunset, Fejite’s done for! So I have to dispel it! What am I hesitating for…!?)

Yes, just dispel it. That would end everything.

It had to end. The goal was in sight.

A perfect resolution was right there.

So—

“I’m—!”

Glenn reached for the [Ignition Plug]—

“…W-what’s wrong with Sensei…?”

Students watching from the classroom windows muttered, holding their breath.

“H-he hasn’t moved at all for a while…?”

“I was listening with far-hearing magic… Sensei’s leaving the fight to Professor Arfonia and the others to dispel that magic circle, right…?”

“Yeah, that circle… hard to believe, but it’s [Megiddo’s Flame], isn’t it? There’s still some time, but if he doesn’t dispel it soon, it’s gonna be bad…!”

“S-Sensei…! Hurry up and dispel it!”

They could no longer sit still.

Kash, Wendy, Cecil—everyone began to stir restlessly.

“…………”

Only Gibul silently watched Glenn’s back from afar.

Glenn could feel the students’ agitation directed at his back from the school building.

As mages, they likely grasped the academy’s dire situation.

He could sense the growing impatience and irritation in the gazes fixed on him for not acting. But even so—

“Damn it…”

Glenn had completely stopped. He couldn’t move.

“Sensei… is something wrong?”

Rumia crouched beside him, looking at his profile.

But Glenn only stared blankly at the [Ignition Plug].

“Rumia… I…”

There was one thing he absolutely had to do before dispelling it.

Without doing it, Glenn couldn’t move forward.

But if he did it…

“…………”

Glenn estimated the mana and mental capacity needed for his plan based on the circle’s scale.

He glanced around at the school building.

…Many students were watching the courtyard through the windows, holding their breath.

This would definitely… be impossible to hide.

With his skill as a mage, he had no leeway to cover it up on the side.

Rumia couldn’t use magic while using her ability, so that was out.

Then, the only option was to quickly defeat Lazare… but given Lazare’s tenacity, that fight wouldn’t end in a few minutes. There wasn’t time. He couldn’t gamble with the entire academy’s students like that.

Which meant—

(…Is this okay!? …Is this really okay!?)

Having reached a certain conclusion, Glenn’s face twisted in agony.

(If I do this… there’s no going back, is there…? Is this right? Is my judgment really correct? Or is it just foolish overthinking!?)

Doubt stole time from Glenn moment by moment. The flames of impatience burned within him.

(Damn it… what should I do…!?)

But to the anguished Glenn…

Rumia gently leaned closer, softly taking his hand.

“Sensei… please, do what you feel is right.”

“R-Rumia… you…?”

“If you’re suffering this much… it must mean something, right? You’re… such a kind person.”

Glenn stared at Rumia’s face, stunned.

“I… believe in you, Sensei.”

Rumia’s words were endlessly calm, gentle… and carried the expression of someone who had seen through everything and resolved themselves.

“Is that okay…? Are you really okay with this…?”

Sensing Rumia’s resolve, Glenn spoke painfully, as if wringing out the words.

“This might… mean you can no longer stay at this academy…! Are you really okay with that…!?”

“It’s fine. I’m okay now. Sitting side by side with everyone in class, attending the academy with Sistie, becoming friends with Re=L, meeting you, Sensei… I’ve been so happy. Far happier than someone like me deserves.”

“I’m telling you, I have no proof for my hunch… I might just be taking your place here away for nothing…!”

“…That would be the result of you desperately trying to save everyone.”

Rumia remained endlessly calm and gentle…

“I believe in you, Sensei. No matter the outcome… I believe in you. I’ll never regret this… So…”

As she finished speaking—

Rumia’s body suddenly began to glow golden—

Particles of light danced around her, a divine radiance illuminating the surroundings—

“…Please, use my ‘ability,’ Sensei…”

“Rumia…!”

As Rumia gently squeezed Glenn’s drooping hand…

The golden light flowed into Glenn’s body—

In that instant, an overwhelming surge of mana and omnipotence coursed through him—

“W-what!? Rumia’s… glowing…!?”

“What’s going on!? What kind of phenomenon is this!?”

The students watching Glenn and Rumia began to stir at the sudden change in her.

“That’s not mana light… is it? No way it is…”

“Y-yeah… I can’t feel any mana waves at all…”

“Then what is it…!? That light…!?”

“And that incredible mana coming from Sensei after touching that light…?”

“What did Rumia do!?”

“…Don’t worry about it.”

Perhaps sensing Glenn’s guilt under the students’ curious stares, Rumia smiled at him.

“More importantly, Sensei… please protect everyone.”

“…!”

At Rumia’s gentle words, Glenn looked up as if breaking free of something—

“《O mage’s eyes・discern all truths・reveal your vast wisdom before me》—!”

The spell he shouted was—

Black Magic [Function Analyze]—a parsing spell to analyze the function of magical arrays.

Why use an analysis spell now?

What’s Sensei doing? What’s he planning?

Under the collective gazes of the academy, Glenn used [Function Analyze] to scrutinize every detail of the [Ignition Plug]’s array.

In Glenn’s mental imagery, a flood of equations and runic symbols surged like a deluge—

Glenn processed this information with a focus so intense it felt like his brain might burn out.

Normally, this processing speed would be impossible even with dozens of cutting-edge magical computers.

But Rumia’s ability, [Sympathetic Amplifier], made it possible for Glenn.

(There’s got to be something…! This can’t just be an [Ignition Plug]…! There’s got to be something, anything…! It’s got to be there, or it doesn’t make sense!)

Soon, the astronomical volume of data being processed caused Glenn’s brain to overheat—and even the mana amplified by Rumia’s ability began to deplete rapidly.

But Glenn, pushing his mana to its limits, meticulously analyzed the [Ignition Plug]—

“Even at this stage, you’re using [Function Analyze]!? Insane!? What could you possibly do with that!? Just what in the world is Glenn Radars up to!?”

Halley shouted, his voice laced with utter panic.

“As I feared… entrusting this to that third-rate magic instructor was a mistake…!”

“Halley-kun! Now’s not the time for《distractions》!”

The White Magic [Psy-Telekinesis] cast by Baron Zest diverted the trajectory of the shockwave hurtling toward Halley, redirecting it elsewhere.

“Hie!?”

The shockwave narrowly grazed past Halley’s side—

And then.

“…I see. Glenn, you…”

Celica muttered as she fiercely clashed with Lazare.

With each strike exchanged, the air trembled with shock, torn apart—

“Fine… do it your way!”

Celica spun like a whirlwind, slamming her sword against the spear Lazare wielded.

A dazzling burst of sparks lit up the surroundings as brightly as midday—

At the center of a fantastical world where countless particles of light swirled and danced.

“…Have you… found the answer?”

Rumia, standing close by Glenn’s side, asked softly.

Enveloped in that radiant golden light, her smile as warm as a sunlit meadow, Rumia was—more beautiful than anyone in this world.

“…Yeah. I found it.”

Embraced by Rumia’s light… Glenn smiled gently in return.

“I see… So, what will you do, Sensei?”

“……”

Glenn fell silent for a moment at Rumia’s question…

“I won’t dispel it.”

With eyes brimming with confidence…

“I’m going to—activate it.”

““““Haa!?””””

Glenn’s unbelievable declaration sent even his students into an uproar.

“W-what are you talking about, Sensei!?”

“T-t-that’s right! Are you trying to kill us all!?”

Kash and Wendy, clinging to the window, descended into complete panic.

And it wasn’t just them. Every soul in the academy, watching Glenn’s every move through far-seeing and far-hearing magic, had plunged the entire academy building into a state of utter chaos.

“Don’t mess with us!”

“Tch, we can’t just sit here!”

Some students hurriedly tried to rush out of the classroom.

“H-hey!? Where are you guys going!?”

“Isn’t it obvious!? We’re going to stop that good-for-nothing… Sensei Glenn!”

“Y-you idiots! The battle’s still raging outside! It’s dangerous!”

“B-but if this keeps up, we’re—!?”

The students were split into two factions, teetering on the edge of a volatile standoff… that’s when it happened.

“Shut up already!”

An uncharacteristically furious voice rang out.

…It was Gibul.

“Quiet down, all of you…! Stop freaking out over every little thing!”

“…G-Gibul…?”

Stunned by the unexpected outburst from such an unlikely person, the entire class froze, staring at Gibul.

To his classmates, Gibul spat out in irritation:

“Has Sensei ever, in a situation like this, done anything to harm us!?”

At Gibul’s pointed remark, the students fell silent, as if suddenly recalling something.

“It’s cliché, but… at this point, we have no choice but to trust Sensei! Just watch quietly! If you still want to interfere with him, you’ll have to go through me first!”

Gibul’s utterly serious expression…

Gradually calmed the students down—

“…I see. That’s your choice, isn’t it, Sensei?”

Even in the face of Glenn’s seemingly absurd statement, Rumia’s expression remained unchanged.

“Yeah… I’ll need you to keep lending me the power of your ability…”

“Of course.”

“…You’re not going to ask anything?”

“There’s no need.”

“…Think I’m saying something crazy?”

“I trust you, Sensei.”

“…Are you scared?”

“Not at all.”

Rumia smiled brightly… took Glenn’s hand… and said:

“Because you’re here, Sensei.”

That unwavering, blissful smile of Rumia’s weighed heavily on Glenn’s heart.

(Why? Why does a girl like her have to bear such a burden!? Why was she born with such an ‘ability’!? Damn it…!)

To the anguished Glenn, Rumia drew even closer.

“It’s just like that time, isn’t it?”

“That time…?”

“Yes… when you came to this academy as a part-time instructor… and risked your life to protect us from the terrorists who attacked the academy, fighting for us…”

Rumia gazed nostalgically at the massive magic circle array before them.

“Back then, too, it ended like this… just you and me, facing a magic circle together… It feels like it was just yesterday…”

“Yeah, you’re right… Though, what we’re about to do now is the opposite of back then…”

“Hehe… True.”

Come to think of it… oddly enough, this series of events shared many similarities with that terrorist incident.

Was this, too, some cruel twist of fate?

For a moment, Glenn was lost in a wave of inexplicable sentimentality.

“Sensei…”

At Rumia’s prompting, Glenn nodded firmly.

“Yeah, let’s do this—”

Glenn began the activation process instead of dispelling.

He inscribed blood runes onto the [Ignition Plug], intervening and altering the various settings of the magic circle.

As he did, the mana surging within the array and swirling around them visibly intensified—

The operational hum of the magic circle grew louder and louder—

The approaching ruin was unmistakable, felt through sight, skin, and spiritual senses with undeniable clarity.

While Glenn pressed forward with the activation—

“Damn it… W-what’s going to happen to us…!?”

“I-I’m scared…!”

“Sensei…”

Kash, Wendy, Lynn… the students clutched their heads, crouching in place—

“Tch…!”

Gibul, too, fought to steady his trembling knees, sweat pouring like a waterfall from his brow as he stared at Glenn’s back from a distance—

“W-w-w-what is that man doing!?”

“…Glenn-kun…!?”

Halley and Baron Zest, witnessing Glenn’s reckless actions, widened their eyes in panic.

But—

“Halley! Baron! Ignore it! Let Glenn do what he needs to! I’ll take responsibility! Focus on Lazare right now!”

Celica, noticeably out of breath, shouted as she knocked aside the storm of spear strikes one by one.

“Nghhh!? You…!?”

“Haa… haa… You’re getting awfully desperate, huh…? What’s wrong…? Wasn’t it your grand ambition to blow Fejite away with [Megiddo’s Fire]…?”

“Celica! Get out of the way!”

“Like hell I will, idiot!”

In that instant, Celica’s form blurred into an afterimage, swiftly darting past Lazare’s side—

Slicing sharply through the force field once more—

“Iyaaaaaaahhh!”

In that fleeting moment, Re=L’s strike smashed directly into Lazare, sending him reeling sideways.

“Nghooooohhh!?”

Lazare’s body was hurled in the complete opposite direction from Glenn.

“You… you… YOUUUUU! All of youuuu!”

As everyone held their breath, watching the situation unfold with silent prayers…

“…Make it in time… Make it in time…! Make it in time…!”

Glenn, his face twisted into a demonic grimace, relentlessly moved his fingers at breakneck speed—

“……”

Only Rumia, with a serene expression as if she understood everything, watched over Glenn…

Glenn continued inscribing blood runes onto the magic circle.

The runes densely covered the magic circle…

Meanwhile, the sun sank lower and lower…

The mana in the area and the operational hum reached their absolute peak, rising, rising, rising—

And then—

“Make it in tiiiiime!”

The moment Glenn completed the final rune—

Flash! The magic circle of the [Ignition Plug] blazed with blinding white light—

And finally, activated.

White—overflowed.

The vision of everyone present was dyed white, pure white—

Everything was swallowed by the white—