The air trembled with Renshical aura as Lucy and Lyon clashed repeatedly. Their blades moved at such incredible speeds that following their movements was becoming increasingly difficult. Sparks burst from every collision, while both fighters repeatedly activated Switch Mode, disappearing and reappearing across the battlefield as their intense exchange continued.
Meanwhile, Sasaki activated Switch Mode and vanished from his position.
In the next instant, he appeared directly in front of Alfie, bending forward with his enormous sword still impaled through his shoulder. Blood trickled down from the wound.
A grin spread across Sasaki's face beneath his messy hair.
"Are you ready to come home now?" he asked casually.
Before Alfie could answer, Sasaki drove a powerful uppercut toward his face.
Alfie's eyes widened. Gritting his teeth, he gripped his wooden sword with both hands and raised it to block the incoming punch.
But the difference in their strength was overwhelming.
Sasaki's fist smashed through his guard, striking him with such force that Alfie was launched into the air. His body spun uncontrollably as blood escaped his mouth.
Even so, he managed to regain control before hitting the ground. He twisted his body in midair, completed a flip, and landed on both feet, bending his knees to absorb the impact.
Pain twisted his expression.
"That hurt..." he growled.
Before Sasaki could follow up, Rebekah charged forward. Her blade glowed with Renshi as she aimed a precise thrust at his heart.
Sasaki didn't even flinch.
He raised one hand and caught her sword in the middle of its swing, bringing her attack to an effortless halt.
A cold smile appeared on his face.
"Too slow."
He lifted Rebekah by her blade, raising her off the ground as though she weighed nothing. Realising she couldn't free her weapon, she released it and dropped toward the ground. She landed in a roll before settling into a crouch.
"I don't have time for weaklings," Sasaki sneered.
He turned toward her and drew back his leg, preparing to deliver a powerful kick.
But before his foot could connect, Alfie rushed back into the fight.
"Not again!"
He reached Rebekah just as Sasaki's kick came toward her. Grabbing her, Alfie turned his body and positioned his back between her and the incoming attack.
Sasaki's foot slammed into him.
The impact sent both of them crashing across the dirt, kicking up a thick cloud of dust as they skidded along the ground.
I won't let you get hurt again... Not while I'm here.
Alfie held Rebekah tightly as they finally came to a stop.
As the dust began to settle, he remained down on one knee, breathing heavily. Pain coursed through his body, but he still refused to let go of her.
His eyes shifted toward Sasaki.
"Stay out of this, Rebekah. He's out of your league."
He struggled to catch his breath.
"If it weren't for this damn seal, I would've stood a chance."
Alfie released her and reached for the glowing symbol around his neck.
As he tried to draw out more of his power, dark Renshi began surging beneath his skin. It spread across his arms like black ink, forming twisted, pulsating patterns.
He gritted his teeth as the seal resisted his efforts. Despite his attempts, it continued suppressing his power, allowing only a fraction to escape.
"Guess this is all I've got for now," he muttered.
Forcing himself to his feet, he tightened his grip on his sword.
"Let's see how far it takes me."
He dashed toward Sasaki.
Behind him, Rebekah remained frozen for a moment, her fists clenched tightly at her sides.
"Damn it... Why am I always the one being protected?"
Her voice trembled with frustration and shame.
Sasaki activated Switch Mode.
He disappeared from Alfie's path and reappeared behind him, raising his enormous sword for a devastating strike.
But just before the blade came down, Alfie pivoted while still moving forward and swung his weapon around to meet the attack.
This time, his enhanced strength allowed him to hold his ground.
Their swords collided with a thunderous impact, sending a powerful shockwave through the surrounding air.
Sasaki raised an eyebrow, displaying the slightest hint of surprise.
"Not bad... But if that's your best, you're still a disappointment."
He immediately launched another attack.
His massive blade swept through the air in a relentless series of strikes. Using Switch Mode, Sasaki repeatedly changed positions around Alfie, attacking from different directions and forcing him to react almost without pause.
Alfie struggled to keep up with his speed, but he managed to block and deflect each incoming strike. Despite the overwhelming pressure, he refused to give Sasaki an easy opening.
Their weapons clashed again and again as Alfie fought desperately to withstand the difference in their strength.
---
Meanwhile, Lucy and Lyon's battle continued without either fighter gaining a clear advantage.
"Why are you stalling?" Lucy shouted as their blades collided. "What's your purpose in keeping me away from my students?"
Lyon ducked beneath her sweeping dual slash and countered with a heavy swing, forcing her to redirect one of her blades to block it.
"I'm doing my job as the right hand of the Special Darkside Knight," he shouted. "That idiot is watching everything through Sasaki's eyes. If he sees you helping, it'll ruin everything."
Lucy's eyes narrowed as she pushed against his blade.
"You think I care? I'm not going to stand around while you try to take Alfie."
"You don't get it!"
Lyon deflected another strike and stepped back just enough to avoid her second blade.
If that kid goes on a rampage, even Sasaki might not be able to stop him. That seal of yours... How strong is it?
Lucy hesitated briefly before answering.
"It blocks his full Renshi potential. What he's using now is only leakage. So don't think I don't know what he's capable of."
Lyon's expression changed instantly.
You're telling me he's matching Sasaki with nothing but Renshi leakage?
---
Back on the battlefield, Rebekah finally pushed past her hesitation and sprang to her feet.
"I'm done watching. I'm helping Alfie whether you like it or not..."
She was about to call out to her master when Lucy activated Switch Mode, appearing beside Alfie just as he struggled to deflect another series of Sasaki's attacks.
At the same moment, Lyon noticed her movement.
"Shit! She moved..."
He immediately activated Switch Mode and reappeared in front of Lucy, cutting off her path before she could reach her students.
Their blades met once more.
Lyon pressed forward, forcing Lucy to retreat step by step.
"I told you, I don't want to fight you," he warned. "But I will stop you if I have to."
Lucy steadied her dual swords and glared at him.
"You're not fighting to kill. That's the only reason I'm still going easy on you. But if I get serious..."
She paused, her expression darkening.
"You won't last five hits."
Lucy activated Switch Mode again, raising both swords above her head. Her Renshi surged violently, gathering around the blades as the light surrounding them began to bend beneath the pressure.
Then she unleashed her attack.
"ALFIE, DODGE!"
A massive white slash tore across the battlefield, racing toward Sasaki with overwhelming force.
Alfie didn't hesitate. He immediately leapt backward, escaping its path just as the enormous arc swept past him.
Sasaki raised his massive sword to block.
The moment the two attacks collided, his weapon shattered beneath the force of Lucy's slash.
With nothing left to stop it, the attack tore diagonally through his body, from shoulder to waist, before continuing beyond him.
Trees split apart along its path, while the ground was carved open for hundreds of metres behind him.
Within seconds, the battlefield disappeared beneath a vast cloud of dust.
Lyon stared at the destruction, momentarily unable to speak.
"That... This woman is terrifying," he whispered. "If I'd taken that hit, I'd be dead for sure. But Sasaki... he'll regenerate in no time."
Through the settling dust, Sasaki's body dropped to the ground.
For a moment, he lay completely motionless.
Rebekah stared at the destruction in disbelief. Then she turned toward Lucy, her eyes shining with excitement.
"Master... That was amazing!"
Unable to contain her joy, she hurried toward her.
But Lucy's expression suddenly changed.
"Watch out!"
She activated Switch Mode and appeared directly in front of Rebekah, grabbing her tightly before the girl could react.
Then, without wasting another second, Lucy activated Switch Mode once more.