Dual Souls, The Other Half Is Bronya

However, the student handbook had long since shattered, and Bronya had no means of contact at hand. "This won't do. I can't just wait for the Chairman to find me."

Her silver-pink eyes flickered, finally settling on the hovering machine beside her. Hmm...

"Heavy Rabbit~"

Unfortunately, it lacked intelligence, merely a manifested spiritual weapon. Otherwise, the Rabbit's expression... would probably be quite interesting? It wasn't impossible, was it?

"I've decided. I'll learn programming later. But for now, I should focus on finding a way to contact Teacher Ning Yin."

Over at Broken Blade Academy:

"Blazing Heaven Earth Dragon King Flame!"

A colossal sword of flames, nearly fifty meters long, descended. The light and heat generated scorching temperatures, almost melting the ground.

The few who could still move instantly dodged, leaving Kurogane Ouya alone to face this terrifying strike.

Just then, a storm began to brew.

"Moon Severing Sky Dragon Claw!"

Following that, the wind continuously condensed and compressed into a sharp sword. Kurogane Ouya, wielding the storm sword, met the flame greatsword head-on, like the sharp claws of a colossal dragon.

"Boom—!"

The storm and flames collided, and terrifying energy fluctuations scattered in all directions. Cracked earth was flung into the air, remaining trees were uprooted, and even buildings in the distance began to sway precariously.

The dreadful scene, like a natural disaster descending, left everyone dumbfounded.

Once they recovered, the group quickly began rescue efforts, even the few from Dawn Academy did the same.

If any casualties occurred, the nature of the incident would change: from an initial competition to a malicious attack. Moreover...

—Their goal was to establish Dawn Academy and reclaim the training rights for Blade Dancers from the Union. The teachers and students of Broken Blade Academy were, after all, part of the Far East.

As everyone retreated to a safe distance, Kurogane Ouya, who had been holding back and deliberately maintaining a stalemate, suddenly increased his output.

"Impossible!"

Little by little, the storm began to overpower the crimson flames. Stella, who was said to possess the "World's Strongest Magic Power," was, at this moment, undeniably being suppressed by her opponent.

Finally, the flame greatsword let out a mournful cry, breaking apart piece by piece and shattering into countless fireballs.

Instead, the storm sword pressed forward relentlessly, like a typhoon passing through, crushing down on Stella from the front!

"Rumble—"

Crushed head-on, Stella had no time to dodge. Her magic power covered her entire body, providing some meager protection before she was blasted away by the storm sword.

A hideous gash stretched across the land, as if it had been gnawed by a terrifying beast.

"Too weak!"

Kurogane Ouya sheathed his sword and stood, his face filled with displeasure. "I wasn't expecting a one-sided battle like this. I want a fight that puts pressure on me, that makes me stronger."

"It seems I had overly high expectations for you. Stella Famillion, you're not worthy of being my opponent!"

[Roar—!]

As her consciousness blurred, Stella seemed to hear... a roar that did not belong to this world.

—If you truly desire power, then seek it within your own heart.

Vaguely, Stella recalled Bronya's words from before. Of course, I desire power! But... within my heart?

It was an incredibly scorching wasteland. The ground was cracked, and orange-red lava flowed from the fissures. But it was here that a colossal creature slumbered.

A creature seemingly from fantasy, difficult to describe in words. Yet, just by seeing it, Stella knew its name—a Dragon!

Can I... really do this? With a hint of doubt, Stella tentatively placed her hand upon it.

Outside, Kurogane Ouya felt a wave of disappointment and was about to leave after defeating Stella.

Just then, his advancing steps halted. Kurogane Ouya sensed something and turned his head to look.

"..."

In a moment of silence, Stella slowly stood up. Flames ignited in the air around her body, and she exuded an unusual presence. Then...

"Roar, roar, roar—"

A sky-shattering roar.

Following that was an intensely violent shockwave! Large swathes of ground were torn up, and scorching heat swept through the surroundings.

—Stella, remember, you might be a bit temperamental then.

A bit temperamental...

So, that's what it meant. Perhaps it was that hint of doubt, or a sliver of insecurity, but Stella lost some control. "I... Ikki, run...!"

She managed to issue a warning with all her might. And then... the ferocity of the Dragon Kind surged into her heart, her human eyes transformed into dragon pupils, and an oppressive aura, originating from a fundamental level of life, swept across the entire area!

"...This is truly..."

Ouya unconsciously tightened his grip on his katana, his body trembling slightly. This familiar feeling was exactly the same as back then...! That Tyrant!

Everyone had retreated, leaving only Ouya—he was going to face that fear from the past and conquer it!

"Roar, roar, roar—!"

A terrifying torrent of flames surged, covering everything and leaving no room to dodge.

The ground melted, some parts even crystallizing into glass-like structures.

Yet, facing such terrifying heat, Ouya endured it with his bare body! The clothes on his upper body were completely burned away, revealing numerous scars.

—Heavenly Dragon Armor! It was originally meant to cover the body with a storm of armor to resist external attacks.

But Ouya did the opposite. He compressed the storm inwards, placing an extraordinary burden on himself to temper his physique.

An ordinary person would have likely died long ago. But Ouya, through sheer willpower, held on!

Because of this, his physical capabilities leaped forward, allowing him to withstand this inferno with his body alone.

It was a pity... it was meaningless.

!!!

Suddenly, Stella shattered the crystallized ground and instantly charged in front of Kurogane Ouya.

A phantom dragon claw vaguely appeared on one of her hands, engulfed in flames, and smashed fiercely into Ouya's chest. A tremendous force sent Ouya flying.

"Boom, boom, boom—!"

With a series of explosions, Ouya bounced off the ground several times, his body plowing horrifying furrows.

Not only that, but on his scarred chest, a tiny fist print exuded a charred aura, burning with piercing intensity. The sharp pain that struck him repeatedly made him groan.

"Roar, roar, roar—"

And this was not the end. The phantom of a giant dragon gradually enveloped the girl.

"Oh my, no wonder you insisted I rush back." A terrifying gravity descended, suppressing Stella.

Ning Yin opened her spiritual gear, Crimson Phoenix, her folding fan half-concealing her face, giving her a seductive aura. It was just a pity... she was too young.

"...Big repairs..."

Beside Ning Yin stood Chairwoman Kurogane, leisurely smoking a cigarette—the true power behind Broken Blade Academy, had returned.

43. How did you two... manage it?

It had all been planned. According to the original schedule, they should have already completed their mission and retreated.

As for the demon who transcended fate... wasn't Edelweiss sent to stop it?

Unfortunately, Byakuya interfered and held Edelweiss back. This also caused Kurogane and Ning Yin to return much earlier than planned. And then... things became rather awkward.

A wave of gravity pressed down. As the attackers, the members of Dawn Academy were caught red-handed and pinned to the ground.

"How should I deal with you?"

As she spoke, the gravity of the earth-binding array intensified, causing the ground itself to sink slightly.

"Nene."

Kurogane's voice rang out, causing Ning Yin to restrain herself somewhat. The surging gravity stopped. "Alright, alright, then Little Black, these people are yours."

A ringing sound came from Ning Yin's kimono pocket. Coincidentally, Ning Yin's personality wasn't suited for interrogation, so she left.

Ning Yin took out a teacher's handbook and casually swiped to reveal the caller ID. "An unfamiliar number, I wonder who it could be? Moshimoshi~"

"Teacher Ning Yin?"

A voice, calm but tinged with a milky sweetness. Yes, it was mainly that unique milky tone. Ning Yin recognized it instantly. "It's Little Nia."

"What's wrong, what's wrong? Where's Little White, isn't Little White there?" Ning Yin was very interested in the situation on the other end.

"...He's dead."

"I see, Little White is dead again."

Ning Yin nodded calmly. At some point, Ning Yin had grown accustomed to Byakuya's "deaths." It was like a routine resurrection.

The scene shifted to Bronya's side:

Amidst the ruins, a Heavy Rabbit extended a screen and established communication with Ning Yin.

Communication, wasn't that just a signal band? What was so difficult about that? Could my omnipotent (forced omnipotent) Heavy Rabbit not simulate this thing?

As it turned out, Heavy Rabbit could indeed do it!

"Teacher Ning Yin, do you have time? Bronya here... um, Bronya needs help."

Glancing at Edelweiss beside her, Bronya silently added, "Also, if possible, please don't notify anyone else. Just come alone, Teacher Ning Yin."

"Oh my, Little Nia, do you have something shameful?" Ning Yin's interest immediately piqued.

emmm...

"In a sense, yes."

"Eh, really? I was just saying that."

Bronya admitted it, which Ning Yin hadn't expected. But it didn't matter anymore; she was even more curious about what had happened. "Alright, I'm coming now!"

"Are you still in the same place? Oh, and Nene, do you need me to bring you some clothes, or anything else?"

"No, it's fine as long as you're here."

"Alright, Nene, I'll be right there."

With their arrangements made, Ning Yin silently ended the call and turned to greet Kurogane first. "Little Kuro... what's wrong? Did something happen?"

"Hoo~"

Kurogane held a cigarette between her fingers, slowly exhaling a puff of smoke, her tone laced with a hint of exhaustion. "Behind them... is Teacher Moon Shadow."

"...Is that so."

Upon hearing this news, Ning Yin's previous cheerfulness vanished, her tone becoming somewhat complex. "So, that group of brats has already been let go?"

Kurogane didn't reply, merely continuing to smoke in silence. Seeing this, Ning Yin understood.

"Never mind, let's not dwell on that for now."

As expected of Ning Yin, she adjusted her mood very quickly. "Nene contacted me just now and asked me to pick her up, so I'm heading out now."

Ning Yin immediately ran off, the hem of her kimono swaying slightly, her whole demeanor a bit flustered. But before long, a small head peeked out from the doorframe. "And you too, Little Kuro. Don't always dwell on those useless things."

"What did Little White say before? Ah, I remember now. The academy's major repairs are up to you, Little Kuro~"