Chapter 2: Each One’s Feelings

That night, as the hour grew late and the date neared its change.

“…”

Sistine, dressed in a negligee, was in a certain room in the Fibel residence.

It was a study surrounded by bookshelves packed tightly with books, furnished with an elegant desk, table, and carpet—items of refined taste.

This was the study of Sistine’s father, Leonard Fibel.

Sistine, who rarely set foot in her father’s study, was rummaging through the bookshelves.

“…Not this one… Not this one either…”

She pulled books from the shelves, glanced through their contents, and returned them, continuing this monotonous task by the faint light of a magical illumination floating nearby, tirelessly and methodically.

“…Not this one either, huh… Hmm… I thought it was around here somewhere…”

As Sistine swapped one book for another in this manner.

Knock knock. The study’s door was tapped from outside.

“…Sistie?”

It was Rumia. Dressed in a negligee as well, she opened the door and stepped into the study.

“Oh? Rumia, what’s up? I thought you were already asleep…”

Sistine, holding a book, blinked in surprise.

“That’s my line…”

Rumia said with a concerned tone.

“You need to rest soon, Sistie. Tomorrow’s going to be hectic enough as it is.”

“Y-Yeah, you’re right… But I’ve got something I need to do… So, Rumia, why don’t you go sleep with Re=L first?”

With that, Sistine resumed searching through the books on the shelf.

“What’s going on? Research? Can’t it wait until tomorrow?”

Tilting her head, Rumia asked, and Sistine responded with a complicated expression.

“Yeah… Ever since we were in Milano, there’s something I’ve been desperate to check… Logically, it shouldn’t be possible… It’s just not something that could happen… But still…”

At that moment.

Sistine’s hand stopped at a particular book’s spine on the shelf.

“Ah, found it… This is it…!”

Sistine gently pulled the book from the shelf and opened it.

Rumia, drawn in, peered over at the contents of the book.

Instead of pages filled with text, it contained numerous carefully attached photographs.

Faded black-and-white photographs were neatly arranged by era.

“…An album? Is that what you were looking for, Sistie?”

“Yeah.”

Sistine began flipping through the album’s pages.

“This is… a record of the Fibel family, starting from my great-great-grandfather’s generation. When I was a kid, I used to look through this photo collection with Grandpa.”

“I see… But why now?”

Without answering Rumia’s question,

Sistine flipped the pages backward, moving from the end toward the beginning.

Naturally, the photographs in the later pages were more recent.

They showed various moments of Sistine, her father Leonard, her mother Fillyana, and even some recent ones that included Rumia and Re=L.

“…”

Sistine continued flipping, delving further into the past.

Eventually, the pages no longer featured Re=L or Rumia, showing moments from before Rumia was taken in by the family—photographs of just Sistine, Leonard, Fillyana, and her grandfather Redolf, the core Fibel family.

Still, Sistine kept turning the pages. On and on.

Soon, even Sistine disappeared from the pages, followed by Fillyana, who had married into the family.

The only familiar faces left were a youthful Leonard and her grandfather Redolf, with distant relatives and her grandmother appearing here and there.

As she continued flipping, the generations went further back… to Leonard’s boyhood.

These were likely photographs from when Leonard was around Sistine’s age.

“Wow, your dad was so young! Haha, he was pretty cool, wasn’t he? Oh, like your mom said, he kinda looks a bit like Glenn-sensei, doesn’t he?”

Rumia giggled excitedly, but

“…No. He looks similar, but… it’s subtly different.”

Sistine muttered something cryptic in a hollow voice, continuing to flip the pages.

The era receded further.

Even Leonard’s presence vanished from the album.

Sistine scanned the photographs with a serious expression, turning page after page… until her hand stopped at a particular page.

There, a photograph of her grandfather Redolf in his youth was featured.

Redolf, too, must have been a student at the Alzano Imperial Magic Academy, dressed in its uniform, his youthful moment captured in the black-and-white photograph.

Seeing Redolf’s youthful appearance, Rumia’s eyes widened.

“Wow… Sistie’s grandpa was such a beautiful boy…”

Preserved as an eternal portrait, Redolf exuded a presence so vivid it was hard to believe the photograph was in black and white.

“…Huh? But this person… haven’t I seen him somewhere…?”

Rumia felt a strange sense of déjà vu stirring in the back of her mind… when suddenly,

“…No way… It’s a lie…”

Sistine muttered, beginning to tremble uncontrollably.

“…Sistie? What’s wrong?”

“It’s a lie, this can’t be… It’s impossible… It’s just not possible…!”

Rumia glanced at Sistine’s profile. Something was clearly wrong.

Even in the dim room, Sistine’s face was visibly pale, her forehead beaded with cold sweat, and she seemed to be hyperventilating slightly.

“Redolf Fibel… Redolf Fibel…”

Sistine dropped the album with a thud, muttering her grandfather’s name as she sank to her knees.

“No way… It can’t be…! Grandpa… Grandpa died… Five years ago…!”

“S-Sistie…?”

As Rumia grew anxious over Sistine’s strange behavior, at that moment,

“…Wait… Now that I think about it, back then…”

Sistine murmured, as if realizing something.

For a moment, she remained frozen.

“…”

Then, like a ghost, she stood unsteadily.

Before Rumia’s worried gaze, Sistine moved to the desk in the study.

She reached for the drawer of Leonard’s desk.

Sistine knew that inside it was a certain possession of her father, Leonard.

However, as expected of a mage, the drawer was secured with a magical lock.

In the past, the highly complex spell of the magical lock would have been beyond Sistine’s ability to unlock, but the Sistine of now, having grown, could manage it.

“…I’m sorry, Father.”

Apologizing to her absent father, Sistine placed her hand on the drawer and chanted the unlocking spell—Black Magic [Knock Lock].

For a moment, the magical lock’s spell clashed with Sistine’s unlocking spell… until, with a click, the lock was undone.

“Sistie, what exactly are you…?”

“…”

As Rumia watched, Sistine gently pulled the drawer open.

Inside, hidden away, was a single diary.

The next day.

At the Alzano Imperial Magic Academy’s grand conference room, the “Imperial Final Defense Conference” was being held.

It was called the final defense because Fejite was the empire’s second most prosperous city after the capital, and if it fell, the empire would have no recourse—it would face certain ruin.

At this critical meeting, an impressive array of figures had gathered.

First were the key figures of the current imperial government.

Queen Alicia VII of the Alzano Empire, who had returned from Milano, and the Chief of the Queen’s Cabinet, Lord Gratz Le Edward. Also present was Knight Abram Luciano, a member of the Round Table who had narrowly escaped the fall of the capital due to a fortunate visit to his family home in Fejite. Unfortunately, the other members of the Round Table and senior imperial bureaucrats were currently missing, their fates unknown.

From the military, there were those who had accompanied the queen to Milano, including members of the Imperial Court Mage Corps’ Special Missions Annex. From the defense of the capital, a few senior officers, led by Crow Ogham, Head of the Imperial Court Mage Corps’ First Division, had narrowly survived the destruction of the imperial army by《The Sword Princess》.

As this was the defense of Fejite, high-ranking officials from the Fejite Patrol Agency, led by Director Ronaldo Maxwell, were also in attendance.

Furthermore, under the empire’s wartime laws, the Alzano Imperial Magic Academy was obligated to provide mages as a fighting force during emergencies.

Thus, from the academy, Headmaster Rick Walken led prominent professors and instructors, including Halley Astry, Baron Zest le Noir, Orwell Schuzer, and Fossil Lefoy Ertoria, to participate in the meeting.

From the student body, a volunteer student corps had been temporarily formed to face the empire’s crisis, with key members like Student Council Executive President Rize Filmer and Sistine Fibel permitted to attend.

Regardless of status, age, or position, they gathered to confront a single challenge—much like during the《Ship of Flames》incident.

The Alzano Empire, under Her Majesty’s leadership, united as one, for better or worse, reflecting the national character.

“First… what is the situation in the capital, Orlando, in the north?”

“To put it bluntly, it’s dire.”

Queen Alicia VII’s question was answered by Christoph, Number 5 of the Imperial Court Mage Corps’ Special Missions Annex, titled《The Hierophant》, who was overseeing intelligence for the meeting.

“The army of the dead, numbering roughly fifty thousand, broke through the eastern border via Ignite territory and overwhelmed the capital’s defense forces, flooding into the defenseless city.

Of the capital’s approximately five hundred thousand citizens, about half perished in a single night. Those victims have become part of the undead army, and the capital is now a crucible of ghouls. The citizens who managed to escape are scattering to various regional cities.”

What a tragedy… Cries of grief rose from various attendees at Christoph’s report.

“Moreover, the undead continue to pour across the border from the Rezalia Kingdom, amassing in the capital. The army of the dead is growing exponentially, like a snowball.

According to recent information from Cardinal Fais of the Holy Elizares Church Papal Authority, the residents of the late Cardinal Cardinal Archibald’s territory have all been turned into undead, and while the Temple Knights are fully engaged in their extermination, they have yet to stem the flow into the empire.”

“…I see…”

“Necromancy on this scale… the perpetrator is no ordinary necromancer. According to scout reports, Eleanor Charlet of the Researchers of Heavenly Wisdom,《Adeptus Order》, was sighted on the capital’s walls. Given her abilities, she is almost certainly the one commanding this army of the dead.”

“So, unless we take down that woman, the undead army won’t stop, is that it?”

Bernard, Number 9 of the Special Missions Annex, titled《The Hermit》, said with an exasperated tone in response to Christoph’s report.

“What is the purpose of the Researchers of Heavenly Wisdom in leading this undead army?”

“It’s unclear. However, there’s no doubt their next target is Fejite.”

The room stirred with unease at once.

“The undead army is on the move. A portion has formed ranks and is gradually advancing south along the capital’s southern highway. Their march is slow due to their nature as undead, but they will undoubtedly reach the academic city of Fejite in about five days.”

“I see…”

“There’s one more piece of bad news. The ritual to summon the Evil God in Milano is rapidly intensifying its pulsations. The emergence of《Roots》is no longer limited to Milano but is spreading to surrounding nations, causing widespread chaos.”

“Just like two hundred years ago… It’s said that as the descent of the Evil God’s kin approaches,《Roots》appear worldwide, causing immense damage. So… the revival is happening faster than we predicted?”

“There’s no certainty, but… likely…”

At Christoph’s conclusion, the room fell into a heavy silence.

“Oh, what a tragedy…! To think that such decline would befall an empire with a thousand years of proud history…!”

“Hah, whining won’t help. The question is how we get through this mess, right?”

Lord Edward, sinking into despair, was countered by Lord Luciano, who shrugged.

“So, what’s the deal with our forces?”

In response to Lord Luciano’s question, Crow Ogham, Head of the Imperial Court Mage Corps’ First Division, stood and spoke.

“The elite Imperial Capital Defense Division was effectively wiped out in the last battle. We’re currently gathering survivors and urgently pulling forces from nearby garrisons, but… within a few days, including the troops returning from Milano, we’ll have maybe ten thousand, fifteen thousand at best. With a bit more time, we could…”

As Crow hesitated,

“In this battle, numbers mean nothing.”

Albert, Number 17 of the Special Missions Annex, titled《The Star》, spoke calmly, still bandaged over his injured right eye, a painful sight.

“The enemy has《The Sword Princess》, Elliot Haven. Numbers are meaningless before her. It no longer matters what secret technique revived her in this world. She is undeniably a true hero… and now, an enemy of the empire, an enemy of humanity. That much is certain.”

Albert’s words sent another wave of unease through the room.

“Moreover, the enemy army includes that man—Powell Fune of the Researchers of Heavenly Wisdom,《Heavens Order》, titled《Magister Templi》. The oldest and strongest demon summoner, commanding an army of 666 demons… his strength is on another level. He is likely the most powerful asset of the《Ultimus Clavis》.”

“So, we’ve got to take down Eleanor Charlet, Elliot Haven, and Powell Fune… three monsters, or we don’t stand a chance.”

Bernard, Number 9 of the Special Missions Annex, titled《The Hermit》, said with a mix of awe and frustration.

“Still, that’s one hell of a thrill, haha!”

“Nevertheless—we must overcome this. In the near future, the Evil God’s kin will descend in Milano, triggering the Second Great Magic War. Before that happens, we must destroy the《Ultimus Clavis》and the Researchers of Heavenly Wisdom to prepare for the true final battle.”

Queen Alicia VII declared resolutely.

Then, turning to a certain young woman in attendance, she spoke firmly.

“Temporary Centurion Eve Distrei.”

“Yes.”

Eve stood respectfully at the mention of her name.

“With the empire’s senior military officers and generals either missing or dead in the capital, the remaining forces gathered in Fejite are a disorganized rabble with fractured command structures. The only one capable of reorganizing and commanding this army to a functional level… is you.”

“Your Majesty…”

“Given your valor and achievements in the Milano incident, I hereby exercise my royal authority to grant you a special promotion. I reinstate you as Head of the Imperial Court Mage Corps, titled《The Magician》, and formally appoint you to the rank of Marshal.”

The room buzzed with surprise.

“Marshal!?”

“Eve-dono!?”

Marshal was the highest military rank, granting authority to command and deploy all divisions, the empire’s highest tactical unit. Essentially, Eve was filling the vacancy left by Lord Ignite’s death.

Though Eve held the rank of temporary centurion, this was an extraordinary promotion.

Many in the room could only tilt their heads in confusion at Eve’s seemingly inexplicable rise, but those aware of the Milano incident—particularly military personnel—understood.

During Lord Ignite’s coup, “The Hour and a Half of Flame,” Eve had orchestrated a miraculous comeback victory from a hopeless situation. She was undeniably the most suitable commander for this battle.

“Can I entrust you with the role of supreme commander of the Imperial Final Defense Force in Fejite?”

“By my life, Your Majesty.”

However, not everyone was convinced by the queen’s decision.

“With all due respect, Your Majesty! I oppose appointing that woman as supreme commander!”

Ronaldo Maxwell, Director of the Fejite Patrol Agency, spoke out.

“Your Majesty may not know, but during the ‘Fejite’s Worst Three Days,’ that woman acted with reckless and ruthless command! She cares nothing for those sacrificed for her victories! If she leads, the losses will only grow!”

Ronaldo’s accusation caused the room to stir once more.

Those from the Patrol Agency nodded in agreement, beginning to criticize Eve.

(…Oi, Eve, what the hell did you do?)

Glenn had no clue, but recalling Eve’s demeanor back then, he could hazard a guess.

(Geez… Well, no need to worry about her, I guess.)

As Glenn thought this, glancing at Eve,

“…I deeply apologize for that matter.”

Eve bowed humbly before the assembly.

Her unexpected behavior left the Patrol Agency members stunned.

“Due to my inexperience and shortsightedness at the time, I caused great inconvenience to everyone at the Fejite Patrol Agency during that disturbance. Here and now, I offer my heartfelt apologies.”

Raising her face, Eve looked directly at the Patrol Agency members.

“However, I swear on the name of Eve Distrei that I will never repeat such folly. I pledge my life to protect Fejite and our homeland. So, I humbly ask for your support, despite my youth and inexperience.”

Eve’s sincerity and straightforwardness, so different from before, left Ronaldo and the others exchanging confused glances. Realizing her genuine resolve, they quietly sheathed their objections and returned to their seats.

Satisfied with Eve’s demeanor, Alicia smiled warmly.

Then, turning to the assembly, she tightened her expression and spoke again.

“Everyone, the final defense of Fejite will undoubtedly be a total war. The fate of the empire hinges on this battle. We cannot overcome this crisis without uniting all available forces. Please, lend me your strength.”

At that moment,

“If it is Your Majesty’s command, there is no question.”

Halley Astry, an instructor at the Alzano Imperial Magic Academy, spoke up.

“The desire to save Fejite and the empire is shared by those of us at the academy. We pledge our unwavering cooperation.”

“Aye, we must fight for the lovely young ladies of this empire!”

“Fuhahahaha! If you need this genius’s power, just say the word!”

Baron Zest and Orwell chimed in enthusiastically.

“We, the volunteer student corps, will fight with all our might in this final defense.”

Rize Filmer, representing the student corps, declared resolutely.

“Fejite is my home, and the empire is my homeland. If we don’t rise to this crisis, we’re no longer mages.”

“Gyahahaha! Well said, my granddaughter! Splendid, splendid!”

Lord Luciano roared with laughter, delighted by Rize’s words,

“…Um, Grandfather? This is a formal setting.”

much to Rize’s exasperation.

Before long,

“Alright! Let’s do this!”

“Oi, Bear! Hurry up and search for surviving soldiers! Gather every last one!”

“Got it, Crow-senpai!”

“The Patrol Agency will focus on strengthening Fejite’s internal security! First, we solidify our foundation!”

““““Yes, sir!””””

“Headmaster… Regarding the enemy’s undead army… I’ll look into effective magical tactics.”

“I’m counting on you, Halley-kun.”

“Damn it! Argh, fine! We’ve gotta clear out these zombies and take back the capital before we can even think about exploring the《Sealed Realm》! What a pain, but no choice!”

The group, initially wearing expressions of despair, had by now grown spirited and resolute.

They began to move, each driven by their own sense of duty in the face of the approaching battle.

(…That’s right, isn’t it? In this national crisis… I’ve gotta do something… anything…)

Yet, Glenn could only watch the group as if their actions belonged to another world entirely.

(Me too…)

Indeed, he had to do what he could. In the face of such a national crisis, personal matters were utterly trivial. There was no time to dwell on them.

(But I…)

At that moment, as Glenn was lost in an endless whirl of thoughts…

“Glenn.”

It seemed the meeting had paused for a break at some point.

Alicia had approached Glenn’s side.

“Y-Your Majesty!?”

Flustered, Glenn stood up straight, adjusting his posture and shrinking back respectfully.

Seeing his reaction, Alicia gave an amused smile before getting to the point.

“Glenn, there’s something I’d like to ask you…”

“Y-Yes! W-What is it!?”

“How is Celica doing?”

“—!?”

In that instant, Glenn felt as though a blade had pierced him.

“I’ve heard she’s been unwell for some time now. But… with this crisis upon us, I’d dearly like to borrow her strength. Is that possible?”

“Uh, w-well… um…”

Swallowing his turmoil, Glenn answered.

“Sorry… the thing is, she’s… not in any condition to fight right now.”

“W-What!?”

Alicia’s eyes widened with worry.

“To think it was that serious… How is she now…?”

“N-No, she’s fine for everyday life, no problems there! It’s just… well, her body can’t handle the strain of combat anymore, not with how much mana it consumes…”

“I see…”

For a moment, Alicia fell silent, then spoke with a quiet reverence.

“When you think about it… for four hundred years, Celica has remained in this empire, serving as its guardian deity, hasn’t she…?”

“G-Guardian deity!? Nah, I wouldn’t call her anything that grand!”

“Hehe, that’s how much this empire has quietly relied on her. Her immense power has always been shadowed by unsavory rumors, but… without her, this empire might have long vanished from the map.”

Alicia chuckled softly at Glenn’s flustered reaction.

“But… you’re right. We can’t keep relying on Celica forever. The future of this empire must be forged by our own hands.”

“…”

“Glenn. Will you… lend us your strength as well?”

“Of course. I…”

With a tangled mix of emotions, Glenn responded to Alicia’s question.

And then, something about Glenn’s demeanor caught their attention.

“…Sensei?”

“Glenn… you’ve been acting strange since this morning.”

“Yeah.”

Sistine, Re=L, and Rumia gazed at him with concern.

“What the hell am I supposed to do?”

After the meeting ended…

Glenn wandered aimlessly through the academy grounds alone.

The Alzano Imperial Magic Academy was, without question, the most fortified facility in Fejite, making it the inevitable stronghold for the Fejite Final Defense Force.

The academy grounds were bustling with activity as military personnel, patrol agency members, and academy mages moved about hurriedly.

“What I need to do right now…”

There was no need to say it aloud; the right path was clear.

Stay in Fejite and fight as part of the defense force—that was it. That’s what the “Mage of Justice” he once aspired to be would do. No need to ask anyone.

(…I’ve got my Original Magic,《Fool’s World》,《Fool’s Penetrator》, and Modified Black Magic [Extinction Ray]…)

Glenn stared at his hands, deep in thought.

(I’m not trying to boast, but… in a situation where every hand counts, my tactical value as a piece on the board should be pretty damn high…)

In fact, his absence could lead to the death of someone he knew—a very real possibility.

So, it was right.

Staying in Fejite to protect his students, to protect everyone, was the right thing to do.

It had to be right.

But then…

“Damn it…!”

Unable to gather his thoughts…

Glenn continued to wander the academy alone, aimless and adrift…

“…Her Majesty… Yeah, if I talk to Her Majesty…”

Without even knowing what kind of advice he hoped to receive from Alicia, Glenn found himself heading toward her.

He walked toward the room temporarily set up as the queen’s office.

Fortunately, the guards in the queen’s section knew of Glenn’s deeds and accomplishments. With a brief check, claiming urgent business, he was granted an audience without issue.

“If it’s Her Majesty, who was also Celica’s friend… surely…”

Just as Glenn raised his hand to knock on the queen’s office door…

“You’re telling me to leave this city and flee abroad!? What’s that supposed to mean, Mother!?”

A girl’s angry shout echoed from within.

Startled, Glenn pulled back his hand.

Peering through the gap in the door, he saw Alicia VII and a girl confronting her—Rumia.

“Listen, Ermiana.”

Alicia spoke solemnly to the visibly upset girl.

“I can only say this now, while we’re alone. This battle… we might lose. No, the odds of defeat are quite high. If we lose this war, Fejite will vanish from the map, and the empire will fall. Before that happens, you must escape. If you wish, you can take your dear friends with you.”

“M-Mother!? What are you saying!?”

To Alicia’s words…

“No way!”

Rumia declared firmly.

“I won’t leave you behind, Mother! And even if I leave the empire now, it’s all the same! Eventually, the Evil God will descend… and the world will face the brink of destruction! There’s nowhere to run!”

“Oh, Ermiana… why can’t you understand…!?”

Then, tears began to stream down Alicia’s face. Even in private, for the resolute Queen Alicia VII of the Alzano Empire to cry like this…

“Your sister… my beloved other daughter… Renilia is currently missing… her fate unknown. Given the dire state of the capital, it’s reasonable to assume she’s already gone…”

“M-Mother…”

“At the very least, I want you, the last remnant of that dear soul, to survive… Why can’t you understand a mother’s heart…?”

Overwhelmed with emotion, Alicia embraced Rumia, sobbing as she continued.

“Oh, I’m so sorry! To act like a mother now, after abandoning you back then… I’m such a cowardly, shameful woman… Ugh… I’m sorry… I’m so sorry… Please forgive me, so powerless and incompetent that I couldn’t prevent this fate for the empire… for the world…”

“That’s not true, Mother…”

Rumia, tears in her eyes, returned Alicia’s embrace.

“And we don’t know for sure that Nee-san is really gone… If we win and protect the empire’s future… there’s still a chance she could return safely… So let’s fight, Mother… We’re the proud royal family of the Alzano Empire, aren’t we…?”

“Ugh… Ermiana… hic… Ermiana…”

Before such a scene between mother and daughter…

“…”

Glenn could only stand there, silent and motionless.

In the end, without consulting Alicia about anything, Glenn quietly left the scene.

As Glenn continued to wander aimlessly through the school building…

He spotted an unusual pair—a man and a woman.

“I’m absolutely against it!”

Cecilia Hestia, the academy’s healer, was there…

“…”

…being confronted by Albert.

Curious, Glenn paused and observed the two from around the corner of the hallway.

“What in the world is this!? What are you even thinking!?”

Cecilia, visibly upset, thrust a round, stone-like object toward Albert’s face.

“I’ve explained it multiple times. That’s my Original Magic.”

Albert responded coolly, his hawk-like eyes as sharp as ever.

“I completed it long ago. But, out of cowardice, I’ve avoided transplanting it until now, fearing the risks.”

“Of course you did!”

Cecilia, usually so gentle, was uncharacteristically furious, shouting at Albert.

“…”

Albert merely conveyed his resolve to Cecilia in silence.

“Hey, what’s going on here?”

Sensing the tense atmosphere, Glenn hurriedly approached them.

“G-Glenn-sensei…? Oh, right, you’re Albert-san’s friend, aren’t you? This guy’s demanding something absolutely reckless—please stop him!”

“It’s not a big deal. I’m simply asking Cecilia-dono to perform a spiritual transplant of the magical eye I created as my Original Magic, to replace my lost right eye.”

“Listen to this, it’s insane!”

Cecilia, on the verge of tears, pleaded with Glenn.

“This thing is like forcibly carving out one of the core Sefirot of your soul and jamming this into it… If it goes wrong, you could die during the procedure… And even if it succeeds, a single mistake in calibration could shorten your life! As a healer, I absolutely refuse to perform such a transplant!”

“Albert… you don’t mean…”

Glenn looked at Albert with a grim expression.

Surprisingly, Albert’s lips curved into a faint smile.

“Don’t worry, Glenn. I’m not planning to die.”

“…Huh?”

Glenn could only blink in surprise at Albert’s unexpected words.

“I have a feeling. In this battle, I’ll inevitably face off against Powell Fune, the strongest executive of The Researchers of Heavenly Wisdom,《Magister Templi》. But with my current strength, even if I burn every ounce of my life, it won’t be enough. I’ll die. That’s why I need this power.”

“You…”

“Sacrifice one to save nine… That’s still my unshaken belief. Naturally, that includes my own life. The old me would’ve jammed that eye in without hesitation to defeat Powell and save the nine, no questions asked. And it probably wouldn’t have ended well.”

“…”

“But some dreamy fool taught me something. To rely on others. Not to shoulder everything alone. That it’s never too late to make the choice to sacrifice one after seeking help. That’s why I’m here, bowing my head to Cecilia-dono. I believe in her skill with spiritual surgery—she, who even reattached Eve’s left arm—will surely make this a success.”

To Albert, speaking with a rare, softened expression…

“I see… You’re not acting out of desperation or giving up like you usually do. You’re doing this to live, to do what you need to do, aren’t you?”

“…Yeah.”

At Albert’s resolute nod…

“…Cecilia-sensei, please. Do what he asks.”

Glenn made his request to Cecilia.

“W-What…? Even you, Glenn-sensei…?”

“Yeah. But don’t worry. If you mess up and he dies, that’s on me. You don’t need to carry that burden at all.”

“Oh, absolutely, it’s your fault, Glenn. You’d better put at least one flower on my grave.”

Albert, unusually playful, cracked a joke.

“Idiot, that’s not my style. I’ll pour your least favorite booze all over it instead.”

As the two began their usual banter…

“Haa… Why are men always like this…?”

Cecilia sighed in exasperation…

“…Fine. If even Glenn-sensei says so… I’ll do it. This will be Cecilia Hestia’s greatest work yet.”

With newfound resolve, she nodded firmly.

“…Sorry, I owe you one.”

Albert, as curt as ever, gave Cecilia a slight bow.

And then—

As Glenn was about to leave…

“Glenn.”

Albert called out to him.

“What?”

“…I’m going to survive.”

At those words, Glenn blinked in astonishment.

For a man like Albert, who once saw his own life as nothing more than a tool or weapon, what kind of change of heart had occurred? How had this cold, calculating operative, who always took on everything alone, reached such a mindset?

Feeling a strange sense of wonder, Glenn replied briefly.

“…Y-Yeah.”

With that nod, he left the scene.

He wasn’t worried about Albert’s surgery in the slightest.

For a man who once treated his life as a mere expendable in battle to say something like that, Cecilia’s spiritual surgery was bound to succeed—it was only natural.

But—

(…Even Albert’s giving it his all to face this battle… and yet, here I am—)

Grappling with an unresolved turmoil…

Glenn continued to wander aimlessly through the academy—

As Glenn loitered near the research building with no purpose in mind…

“Glenn Radars!”

A voice suddenly called out from behind him.

“S-Senpai…?”

“Hmph.”

Turning around, Glenn saw his senior magic instructor, Halley Astry, standing there with a displeased expression.

“…Got something to say to me?”

Was this, even now, going to be the usual sarcasm and insults? Glenn braced himself.

“Look at this.”

Halley produced a piece of parchment in front of Glenn.

“T-this is…”

It was a blueprint of a magic formula, intricately detailed with runes, equations, and symbols, all converging to produce a miraculous solution.

“You should understand it, yes? This is a magic formula I’ve been researching to counter necromancers. I’m currently refining the details with Baron Zest and Professor Schuzer. I’m confident this will allow us to counter necromancy at close range.”

“Y-Yeah… this could definitely…”

Glenn quickly scanned the formula.

The formula was meticulously calculated and precisely constructed, each magical function revealing the extraordinary talent of its creator.

“But what’s this about?”

“What do you think of it?”

“Huh?”

“You dimwit. I’m asking you, one of the academy’s top combat mages, whether this formula would actually be useful in a magical battle or not.”

“…”

Surprised by Halley’s unexpected question, Glenn analyzed the formula and answered.

“Honestly… it’s not gonna cut it.”

“…”

“It’s too heavy. Against an average necromancer, it’d shut them down completely, but against someone like Eleanor? The mana convergence here… it’s too sluggish. It’ll get interrupted.”

Glenn spoke candidly, without sugarcoating.

Now, what kind of sarcasm or insults would come his way? He braced himself again.

“I see. There’s still room for improvement, then. Good thing we’ve got some time.”

With that, Halley turned on his heel and walked away without a fuss.

Glenn called out curiously to Halley’s retreating back.

“Senpai? You’re… not mad?”

“Mad? About what? You made your judgment as a mage, and so, I simply do what I must as a mage… That’s all.”

Surprised by Halley’s unexpected words, Glenn blinked in astonishment.

Halley turned away and snorted.

“Glenn Radars. I still can’t stand your careless, good-for-nothing self… but as a mage, I’ll admit I respect you to some degree.”

At Halley’s sudden confession, Glenn’s eyes widened.

“Sure, as a mage, you’re third-rate at best… but so far, you’ve shown what it means to be a mage not through magical feats, but through your actions.”

“…”

“Hmph. This time, too, you’d better show what it means to be a mage in your own way.”

With those parting words,

Halley left Glenn behind and walked away.

Before he knew it,

“…Huh?”

Glenn found himself in the academy’s courtyard.

Countless students were lined up, engaged in some kind of training.

They were firing spells at golem targets or swinging rapier-like objects, all with serious expressions.

As Glenn observed the students,

“Oh, Sensei.”

A girl in a mage’s ceremonial uniform approached him.

It was Elsa, who had recently joined the Special Missions Annex as Executive Officer Number 10,《The Wheel of Fortune》.

“Hey, Glenn.”

Beside her, Re=L, also in a ceremonial uniform, trotted along.

“…What are you guys doing?”

“Well, Re=L and I were chosen as temporary training instructors for the student volunteer corps participating in the Fejite defense battle.”

“Yeah. That’s right.”

“The student corps, huh…”

Glenn’s expression twisted with complexity.

“Yes. The representative athletes from the last Magic Festival were specially trained in military assault spells, but the other students haven’t learned them, right?”

“Right. So, this…” Re=L thrust a rapier-like object—‘The Mage’s Staff’—toward Glenn. It seemed the magical device that had turned students into capable mage-soldiers during the《Ship of Flames》incident was being brought out again.

As Glenn glared at the ‘Mage’s Staff’ Re=L held up, Elsa spoke with admiration.

“The students here are really amazing… So many of them volunteered for the student corps. Even those who aren’t good at combat stepped up for the medical unit…”

“Yeah…”

The student corps’ role was to provide rear support for the urban defense—guarding Fejite, the stronghold of the imperial army heading out to intercept the enemy, rather than fighting on the front lines.

But if the front lines were breached and enemies infiltrated the city… they might have to fight.

(I didn’t teach them magic so they’d have to do something like this…)

Glenn looked around again.

The students were training diligently, preparing for the coming battle.

There were the representative athletes like Gibul, Rize, Jaill, and Heinkel, as well as most of Glenn’s class—Kash, Wendy, Teresa, Cecil, Lynn, and others.

Everyone wore serious, determined expressions, ready to protect their beloved homeland.

And among them, one figure stood out the most—

“《O Sword of the Wind King》—!”

With that incantation, a tremendous gust roared as Black Magic [Air Blade] unleashed a massive blade of wind.

Slash! The training golem, meant to be durable, was sliced clean in half.

“Alright! I’m in top form!”

The girl who cast the spell—Sistine—clenched her fist triumphantly.

The surrounding students showered her with praise and awe for destroying a golem that wasn’t supposed to break easily.

After all, the enemy was formidable. The stronger their allies, the better.

“My one-verse chanting for this spell is getting pretty stable… Now for the next step…”

As Sistine continued her fervent training,

“Oh, Sensei?”

She noticed Glenn’s arrival and approached him.

“What do you think? Thanks to your teaching, I’ve almost mastered one-verse chanting for [Air Blade]!”

“Hahaha, not bad at all! Guess my teaching’s pretty great, huh?” Glenn laughed, masking his complex emotions.

“But, White Cat… you’re awfully energetic, aren’t you? Even in a situation like this.”

Glenn spoke, recalling that Sistine’s parents were still missing, their fates unknown.

But Sistine’s response was clear and bright.

“Yeah, I know. But I’m sure my mom and dad are alive.”

“…!”

“Of course I’m worried… but I can’t keep moping forever. That won’t change anything about this situation, right? In times like this, you’d charge forward without hesitation, like always, wouldn’t you, Sensei?”

“…”

“So, as your disciple, I have to live up to that! I need to protect this place where my parents will return. Right, Sensei?”

Faced with Sistine’s fiery determination,

“Y-yeah… You’re right. Gotta do that…”

Glenn could only respond awkwardly.

“…Sensei?”

Sensing something off, Sistine tilted her head.

Just then,

“Yo, Sensei!”

“Sensei!”

Thud! Slam! Two figures hugged Glenn from both sides.

They were students from St. Lily Magic Girls’ Academy—Colette and Francine.

“Whoa!? What the heck, you two!?”

“You looked all mopey, so we figured a hug from cute girls like us would cheer you up!”

“Exactly! There’s a big battle coming, so you can’t be like this!”

Colette and Francine grinned mischievously.

“Ugh, no thanks! I’m not into kids!”

“Hey, you two, get off Sensei!” Sistine, her face flustered, tried to pull them away from Glenn as he flailed.

“Ouch, ouch, ouch! And why are you guys even here!? Didn’t you go back!?”

Amid the chaos, Glenn shouted his question.

“With the capital, a key relay point between north and south, in such a state, we can’t exactly return to St. Lily,” Ginny, standing behind Francine, replied in her usual low-energy tone.

“Oh… right. Sorry, you guys.”

“Hehe, don’t worry about it,” Francine said.

“Besides, even if we went back, it wouldn’t change anything. If Fejite falls, the empire’s done for… The Evil God’s kin will descend, and it’s game over for everyone,” Colette added bluntly.

Following their words,

“So we decided to stay and fight… to fulfill our duty as mages. That’s what we, the representative athletes, resolved,” Levin, a male student from Kleitos Magic Academy, said with a flourish.

“Yeah, exactly! Right, Sistie? We’re fighting together, aren’t we!?” Ellen, Levin’s cousin, chimed in as she approached.

“W-Well, yeah, but… Ellen, isn’t there some other reason you stayed? Or is it just my imagination!?” Sistine shouted, her cheek twitching as Ellen clung to her, rubbing their faces together.

“You guys…”

Glenn gazed at the students, his eyes reflecting a mix of awe and admiration.

Then, Colette and Francine spoke up again.

“Hey, Sensei! Let’s win this!”

“Yes, let’s win and all survive together!”

“And once we crush all the enemies and peace is restored, like we said before, we’ll come back as exchange students to your academy! Sounds good, right!?”

“Exactly! It’ll be so much fun!”

As the two chattered excitedly about their carefree future plans,

“Hehe, that would be wonderful for both schools. When the time comes, we, the student council, will gladly cooperate,” Rize said, joining them.

“Hmph. You lot coming here… Yare yare, it’s gonna get noisy,” Gibul muttered.

As the training session reached a break, Kash and other students from Glenn’s class joined in, and the group buzzed with talk of exchange programs and life after the battle.

Everyone felt some anxiety, but none succumbed to despair.

Even in the face of overwhelming odds, they gritted their teeth, stood tall, and reached for the future with unyielding strength.

(…These kids, they’re this strong…? And yet, here I am…)

Glenn felt out of place.

It was as if he alone didn’t belong in this moment, overwhelmed by an intense sense of unworthiness.

“…Damn it…”

Quietly, so no one would notice, Glenn slipped away from the scene.

Still grappling with his doubts and inner conflict, he felt he couldn’t stay there.

But,

“…Sensei…?”

Sistine alone noticed Glenn’s unusual demeanor, watching his lonely figure retreat into the distance…

“…Hey, Re=L.”

“Hm? What’s up, Sistine?”

After Glenn left, during the training session,

Sistine spoke to Re=L.

“…Could we maybe cut today’s training a bit early together?”

“What’s wrong? Feeling sick?”

“No, it’s not that… I’m just a little worried about Sensei.”

“Glenn?”

As Re=L tilted her head, Sistine let out a big sigh.

“Ha~… Honestly, there’s something else I’m really worried about right now, but I’ll put that aside for now. Sensei comes first. If he’s acting so unlike himself, it’s throwing me off too, you know?”

“Something you’re really worried about? …What’s that?”

“Oh, it’s my own thing. Probably only matters to me, so don’t worry about it.”

“Okay. Got it. I won’t worry.”

Re=L nodded obediently at Sistine’s words.

“So, let’s go get Rumia. There’s something I want to check together. First—”

“…What should I do…?”

Back inside the academy building, Glenn wandered aimlessly, endlessly questioning himself.

But deep down, he already knew the answer, even if he didn’t want to admit it.

It was to abandon Celica and stay in Fejite to fight alongside everyone else.

One person versus countless others.

The choice was obvious—no need to weigh it on a scale.

There was no reason to hesitate. None at all.

“…And yet, why am I hesitating…!?”

Bam! Glenn slammed his fist against the hallway wall, groaning.

Yes, logically, he knew the right choice. But his emotions couldn’t keep up.

Celica Arfonia.

The woman who had cared for him like a mother since he was a lonely child, his magic mentor, and… the person he admired.

That person was slipping out of his reach.

He might never see her again… She was in such a dire situation.

She was precious to him.

He wanted to leave Fejite right now and chase after her.

He couldn’t sit still.

But—the people of Fejite, facing this unprecedented crisis, were just as precious.

Sistine, Rumia, Re=L, and the other academy students.

Cecilia, Halley, and his colleagues at the academy.

Eve, Albert, Christoph, Bernard, and his former comrades.

All of them were united, ready to face this challenge together.

In such a situation, could he really act selfishly and go save Celica alone?

Especially when Sistine and Rumia, despite not knowing the fate of their own families, had steeled their resolve and were preparing for the coming battle.

Could he allow himself to act selfishly and go save Celica—

Was such a thing permissible?

“I…”

Memories flashed through Glenn’s mind, appearing and vanishing.

Meeting Celica. Days spent with Celica. Celica’s smile.

Times he was scolded. Times they fought. Even now, there were bittersweet memories he couldn’t laugh about.

But even so… the time spent with Celica was irreplaceable.

Being with Celica had become so natural that he’d vaguely assumed it would last forever.

Yet, that normalcy was crumbling so easily, so abruptly.

“…I’m such an idiot.”

Before he knew it,

He had left the academy.

Glenn found himself in a nature park on the outskirts of Fejite.

Surrounded by lush grass and trees, he sat alone on a bench, lost in thought.

(If she’s that important to me… why didn’t I stay closer to her? Why didn’t I keep a better watch to make sure she didn’t go off somewhere…)

“To save nine, you must sacrifice one. There are times we have to make that choice.”

“Your ideal of saving ten is noble. But in reality, there are times you’re forced to decide.”

Words his old comrade had repeated to him surfaced in Glenn’s heart.

That moment of being forced to decide in reality… this was surely that moment.

It was simple. He’d faced this choice countless times in his military days… but this time, the scales held someone irreplaceable to him.

And now, he was wavering. He felt sick at his own hypocrisy.

“…”

He thought.

He thought… and thought.

Sitting on the bench, head bowed, Glenn remained motionless, lost in thought.

According to Nameless, who seemed to know something, his chance to reunite with Celica was limited to the next few days.

Considering the travel and search time to Taum Celestial Temple… he had to decide today or tomorrow. Beyond that, it would be too late.

He might never see Celica again.

“…”

He thought.

He thought… and thought.

Sitting on the bench, head bowed, Glenn remained motionless, lost in thought.

The sun slowly dipped, painting the surroundings in twilight hues.

As the twilight burned out, darkness gradually settled in.

The air grew cold, and the biting chill of night crept in.

Stars began to twinkle in the night sky.

The moon rose… and the night deepened.

“…”

Still, he thought. He thought.

Sitting on the bench, head bowed, Glenn remained motionless, lost in thought.

…

…

…And then.

The day had turned… and as the moon, having reached its zenith, began to tilt.

Finally, Glenn’s resolve solidified.

“I am… a teacher.”

If so… what should he do? What was it that he must accomplish?

“Then I’ve got to… protect them… my students… Yeah… I can’t keep letting myself be shaken by Celica’s situation forever, can I?”

The moment he muttered those words.

An overwhelming sense of loss crashed over Glenn.

His body began to tremble, not from the cold but from something else entirely. His eyes grew hot with unshed tears.

“I… I…”

As Glenn clutched his head, groaning… that’s when it happened.

“Is that… your choice?”

Before he knew it.

The illusory girl—Nameless—had appeared before Glenn.

“…Yeah, that’s right.”

No longer surprised, Glenn lifted his face and responded.

“No regrets?”

“Every choice in life always comes hand-in-hand with regret. There’s no such thing as a choice without it.”

“Don’t you want to see Celica?”

“…You’re really asking me that? …I’ll punch you…”

“…I’m sorry.”

At Glenn’s weak retort, Nameless lowered her eyes in apology.

“…”

“So… if that’s the choice you’ve made… it must surely be the right one.”

Nameless said this with a hint of sorrow.

“…”

For a while, Glenn remained silent, lost in thought.

“…Look, it’s not like I’m taking this all that seriously, you know.”

He forced a hollow, cheerful tone as he spoke.

“Maybe it’s just her kind of joke… or maybe she’ll come strolling back one day… Man, when she does, I’m gonna give her a piece of my mind… Haha.”

That was absolutely not the case.

Glenn recalled the letter left behind at home. The faint traces of water stains on the paper, where droplets had fallen and dried, spoke more eloquently than anything else that such a possibility was zero.

“I’ve got… you know, things I need to protect… Haha… Being a man… it’s tough…”

As Glenn muttered weakly, Nameless simply gazed at him in silence. She kept gazing.

Then, with a loud slap!, Glenn struck his own cheek.

“…I’m fine. I’ve been a bit off until today, but… starting tomorrow, I’m going all out.”

“….”

“I may be a third-rate mage, but… I’ll do everything I can to prepare for the coming battle. Because, well, when it comes down to it… I love this Fejite… this country.”

In a low mumble,

Glenn muttered those words to no one in particular… and at that moment.

“….”

Suddenly, Nameless stepped closer to Glenn… and gently stretched out her intangible arms, wrapping them around him as if to embrace him from the front.

“…You fool. You and your mentor… you’re both such fools. Complete idiots.”

“…Nameless?”

Naturally, since Nameless had no physical form, there was no sensation of being held.

Yet, strangely, it felt as though her warmth and emotions were being conveyed… or so it seemed.

“I’m so… sorry… Because of me, you and your mentor have been put through such pain… This wasn’t… what I intended… I just…”

With a face on the verge of tears, Nameless closed her eyes as she spoke.

She continued to hold Glenn with her intangible arms.

At that moment.

Glenn, worn down by repeated emotional strain and exhaustion, had reached his limit.

In that instant, some critical restraint in his heart snapped.

Tears spilled from Glenn’s lowered eyes, streaming down his nose and falling to the ground.

“…”

In the pitch-black darkness of the empty park at night.

Glenn shed tears silently, without a sound.

“….”

Nameless continued to hold Glenn with her intangible form, embracing him endlessly, forever—