"You three… aren't you students at Saikai Academy?"
At that moment, Kojou heard a familiar voice from behind, prompting him to sigh lightly.
"Would you mind turning around for a moment?"
"Good evening, Natsuki-chan."
Kojou smiled as he turned to face Natsuki, already knowing she had sensed their identities through their magical signatures. Still, she seemed to enjoy playing games with them.
"Don't add 'chan' to your teacher's name."
Natsuki said with irritation, lightly smacking Kojou with her folding fan.
"So, what are you doing out so late with two girls?"
"We're on our way to a love hotel. Would you like to come along too, Natsuki-chan?"
Kojou grinned teasingly at the petite teacher. Despite usually preferring mature women, Natsuki was the one exception to that rule.
"If you want to take me to bed, try again in ten years. I'm not interested in kids."
Natsuki replied with a sarcastic smile.
"Anyway, what are you really doing out at this hour? You know students aren't allowed to roam around this late without a valid reason."
"I'm just out buying drinks and ice cream. There's nothing left in the fridge."
Kojou replied nonchalantly as he refocused on the vending machine, inserting more money.
"I'll overlook this for now, but I expect you in my office during lunch break tomorrow."
Natsuki said, turning to leave—but paused to catch something Kojou tossed her way.
"Hm? What's this?"
"A small gift. Consider it a thank-you for turning a blind eye tonight."
Kojou smiled gently at her.
"Your tongue's gotten sweet all of a sudden."
A small smile crept onto Natsuki's doll-like face as a violet magic circle appeared beneath her feet.
"Don't forget to come tomorrow."
With those parting words, Natsuki vanished, leaving Kojou and the others behind.
"Here, this one's for you."
Kojou handed one of the cat plushies to Lili, and the other to Touka.
"And this one's yours too."
After giving them the toys, Kojou started collecting more from the machine, knowing full well the other girls at home would want one too. It was better to take care of it now than come back later.
"So, shall we head to the convenience store now?"
Kojou asked, storing all the plushies in his Storage Ring.
Boom!
"An explosion?..."
Touka muttered in concern, her eyes narrowing as she looked toward the source of the flames blazing in the distance.
"That…"
"A Beast Vassal. And a big one at that."
Kojou commented, spotting a phoenix-like creature rising from the fire.
"Well, it's not really our business. The Island Guard will handle it soon enough."
"Master, are you going to ignore it?"
Lili asked calmly. She would follow whatever decision he made.
"That's the plan."
Kojou replied with indifference. He loved the island, sure, but it wasn't his job to deal with every threat that popped up—otherwise, he might as well replace the Island Guard. Besides, their forces were more than enough for a Beast Vassal of that level.
"In that case, I'll go myself."
Touka declared suddenly as she pulled her spear from her guitar case.
Before Kojou or Lili could say anything, Touka leapt onto a train passing beneath the bridge, heading straight toward the blaze.
"Seriously, why is that girl so fired up all the time..."
Kojou sighed with mild annoyance, watching the eager Touka rush off to fight in the name of justice and protecting the weak.
"What do you want to do, Master?"
Lili asked, concern in her eyes as she watched Touka. She didn't want to let her go alone in case she got hurt.
"Should I go bring her back?"
"No. Let's go too. Looks like something interesting is going down over there."
Kojou smiled playfully as he stared toward the explosion.
"Let's go."
Without hesitation, Kojou released six pairs of black feathered wings and soared into the sky.
"Fly…"
Lili whispered, her body enveloped in a soft blue glow as she launched herself into the air after Kojou.
—
"A witness? …Now that's unexpected."
A middle-aged man with blond hair and blue eyes muttered. He wore a monocle and was built like a tank, clad in a breastplate, armored gauntlets, and greaves. Draped over all that was a grand cloak. In one hand, he held a massive battle axe.
"Please cease your attack!"
Touka stood firm, glaring at the axe-wielding man, who seemed ready to strike down the wounded figure lying on the ground.
"Killing helpless demons is a violation of the Attack Mage Code!"
"You think I care about the laws written by those heretics?!"
The man roared with fury, raising his axe high to finish the demon on the ground.
Ting!
"Huh?! That spear…"
A curious smile spread across the man's face as Touka blocked his attack.
"Is that the Schneewalzer? The secret weapon of the LKO, crafted with Divine Oscillation engraving?"
"Interesting…"
He muttered, a savage grin stretching across his face. Gripping his axe tightly, he entered a combat stance.
"I, Combat Deacon of Lotharingia, Rudolf Eustach, demand battle!"
"Combat Deacon of… Lotharingia?"
Touka whispered, confused, but quickly lifted her spear and began chanting. She knew she couldn't beat him without unleashing her full power.
"I, Sword Shaman of the High God and priestess of the Lion, beseech thee.
Dawn light of exorcism, spirit wolf of snowy mist,
Grant me the divine might of thy steel,
That I may smite a hundred evil spirits!"
Despite the long chant, it only took Touka a second to recite it before she launched herself into battle against the old warrior.
Ting!
Tang!
Ting!
In less than ten seconds, they exchanged over a dozen blows. Sparks flew everywhere from the fierce clashing of weapons.
Although the fight seemed balanced, it was clear the old man held the upper hand. His experience and raw power far surpassed Touka's—he hadn't survived this long only to lose to an inexperienced girl.
Ting!
With a deceptive strike, Rudolf landed a powerful kick, sending Touka flying back.
"I've now seen the LKO's secret spellwork with my own eyes."
Rudolf said with a satisfied grin, analyzing the runes on Touka's spear, Sekkarō.
"Astarte! Activate!"
"Accept, Executive Rhododactylos."
A beautiful, expressionless girl with blue hair leapt out from behind him. A white arm extended from her back, launching toward Touka.
Boom!
Just as the attack was about to land, a diamond-shaped hexagonal shield appeared in front of Touka, blocking the strike and sending the girl flying.
"I think that's enough for today."
Kojou said calmly as he approached, as if he were just out for a stroll.
"Wouldn't you agree, old man?"
"This magical power… Could it be? Are the rumors of the Fourth Primogenitor true?"
Rudolf asked, staring at Kojou with barely concealed interest.
"What if they are? What if they're not?"
Kojou replied with a casual smile.
"By the way, mind telling me why someone from the Western Church is demon-hunting in the Middle East?"
"We came to bring divine punishment upon this cursed island—an island built from the stolen treasure of our church!"
Rudolf growled, rage distorting his features.
"I see… Good luck with your mission."
Kojou said nonchalantly, then turned to Touka and Lili.
"Let's go. No point arguing—you're not strong enough to beat him, and that girl over there is stronger than both of you combined."
"You're not going to fight us?"
Rudolf asked in surprise, clearly not expecting such a reaction.
"Why should I?"
Kojou shrugged.
"This is between you and the island management company. They're the ones who stole your treasure, so I don't think anyone else has the right to get involved."
"Let's go."
Kojou added as he walked away with Lili and Touka, who was still staring at him in disbelief.
"What a strange young man…"
Rudolf muttered, then turned to a hidden corner.
"So, this is the Fourth Primogenitor—the one you've been following?"
"Rudolf Eustach, stay out of our business. Go retrieve the arm."
A disinterested voice echoed throughout the area.
"Of course, but let me warn you—
That man isn't someone you can take down on your own."
Rudolf replied as he left.
"Let's go, Astarte."
...
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