Back when Tokisaki Xiao was deriving all sorts of formulas, Akatsuki Kojou, who controlled Yuma's body, had already successfully cracked the chaotic space around the Island of the Gods with Himeragi Yukina's help and the assistance of Aoba Asagi, the Electronic Empress.
Before long, the two reached the rooftop of the Gate of the Foundation building. The spot where a helicopter had originally been parked was now occupied by a book radiating immense magical power.
And the one controlling that book was Yuma, who had taken possession of Akatsuki Kojou's body.
Vatler, that flamboyant duke, watched the show from the side. He was still looking forward to Sendou Yuma opening the Prison Barrier.
The Prison Barrier held many criminal mages, and quite a few of them were exceptionally powerful. Vatler, who could scarcely endure his loneliness, was eagerly anticipating this battle opportunity that had practically delivered itself to his doorstep.
At the moment, he was siding with neither party. After greeting Akatsuki Kojou, the Fourth True Ancestor, he simply stood at the edge of the rooftop with his hands in his pockets, letting the wild gusts created by magic scatter his golden hair. He looked flamboyant to the extreme.
"Yuma!" Akatsuki Kojou shouted. "Give me my body back!"
"No! You don't understand, Kojou."
"..."
Soon, Yuma sank into her memories. Kurumi, who had been watching the battlefield all along, yawned and popped the last pastry into her mouth.
Looking out the window, she saw night gradually descending. The first night of the Haronin Festival had finally arrived.
After all, nighttime was when festivals were at their liveliest. Lights of every kind lit up, exaggerated signs were hung beneath the neon glow, and crowds flooded the streets, most of them couples out for a stroll.
The Island of the Gods was