Ren was running fast toward Madi village, thinking furiously: Those royal soldier bastards—they're attacking this village because of that twisted ruler. I need to go fast. I need to save as many people as I can. I can't let Madi village end up just like our own...
As he approached the village, he could see flames and chaos. Then, just ahead, he spotted Hayashi Akito on his knees, begging for his life as a soldier raised his sword to kill him. Without thinking, Ren blasted forward using a shockwave to propel himself, landing just in time.
The soldier turned and launched a thunder spell, but Ren reacted fast—he compressed atomic particles into a hardened barrier that deflected the attack like a shield.
With fury and desperation, Ren yelled, "This attack is nothing compared to Ryota!" and released a powerful Aerowave. The blast moved so fast the soldier couldn't react—his chest was pierced clean through, a hole torn where his heart once beat.
The man collapsed. Ren stared in horror. Wait… I killed him? I thought he'd dodge, like Ryota... He might've had a family. A wife. Children waiting for him. Was this really right?
Then, Akito looked up from the ground. "Thank you… I thought I was going to die. You saved my life. I'll never forget your help."
Ren blinked. By killing him… I saved someone? His breath steadied a bit, and the guilt slightly faded. Maybe this was the only way.
Meanwhile, Ryota arrived from another side of the village, witnessing destruction everywhere. Several soldiers were killing innocent villagers. "I need to stop this," he said, eyes full of resolve.
He raised his hand and unleashed a plasma beam, blasting a soldier in half—but the energy also scorched a nearby house. He thought, I expected this… I might have to kill. I'm ready.
Then he muttered, "Well man, I need to control it. Otherwise, I'll end up destroying the whole village myself."
More soldiers charged at him, all using different magic. Ryota tried thunder magic—but it failed. He realized, Damn… I sacrificed it. He focused, then released another plasma wave, slicing three soldiers in half, this time controlling the distance to avoid more destruction. But it drained a lot of his energy.
Elsewhere, Misaki and Airi were protecting children. Soldiers charged at them, but Misaki instantly used earth magic to summon spiked stones, impaling them effortlessly.
"They're pretty weak," Misaki said coldly.
Other soldiers trembled in fear. "We can't fight her—we'll die instantly!"
Suddenly, Airi appeared, slicing them down with her sword. "It's kind of fun, sister."
Misaki replied, "Let's not interfere too much unless needed. We need to see his growth. This experience will shape him."
Both sisters showed no fear or hesitation.
Back at the battlefield, Darius, a powerful commander, stood watching the chaos. "Looks like powerful beings are here. I need to get involved for the success of our mission."
Ren kept fighting soldiers, protecting villagers and only killing when necessary. But he was getting tired.
Ryota joined him, panting. "Looks like you're holding up well."
Ren looked at him. "But you look like you're about to faint."
"Plasma takes more energy than I expected," Ryota admitted.
Then, a strong presence stepped forward—Captain Darius, towering, calm, and dangerous.
Ren narrowed his eyes. That presence… he's commanding all of them.
Darius looked directly at them and said, "Are you the ones attacking our soldiers?"