The Magic User's Awakening

"Just as expected of an ancient Dead Apostle who once followed Crimson Moon. Even among the Ancestors, this strength would not be considered weak."

Michael wielded Balmung in an impenetrable defense, blocking every attack. With Celestial Magic above his head supporting him, defending himself was not difficult, but that was all he could do.

From time to time, he glanced in Shasoki's direction, silently counting the time as though he were waiting for something.

Suddenly, a shadow engulfed Michael. A continuous series of explosive booms rang out overhead as the King of the Continent's sky-covering claws slammed down, seeking to crush him into pulp.

"Mana Release!"

Gritting his teeth, Michael unleashed Balmung once more. A torrent of mana vaporized the King of the Continent's claws, but the gemstone grew dimmer still, ready to lose its final glimmer at any moment. Whether the True Ether within it could unleash the Demon Sword even one more time was uncertain.

The King of the Sky still circled in midair, not immediately attacking Michael. It was Merlin's ultimate weapon, a tool designed specifically for annihilation battles, capable of releasing enough mana to reduce nearly half of Misaki Town to ashes.

Merlin only wanted to defeat and capture Michael. He had no intention of killing him yet.

Without the Demon Sword, Michael would lose his means of harming Merlin. He could only surrender and become Merlin's captive.

"You actually didn't run away this time. I clearly made preparations in advance. Could it be that you're confident of victory?"

Merlin leaped down from atop the King of the Continent, then landed lightly before Michael. At the same time, the Machina Girl approached and positioned herself protectively in front of Merlin.

Without him making any visible movement, the arm the Machina Girl had lost during the battle re-formed. These demons had been imagined into existence by Merlin in the first place; whether they were created or destroyed depended only on a single thought from him.

"If I said I was just tired of running away, would you believe that crap?"

"Of course not."

Merlin shook his head. At the same time, the adult-shaped figure appeared beside him. It was the King of Rats, his left arm. All Four Great Beasts had appeared to deal with a single person. It had been a long time since anyone had received such extravagant treatment.

"I wouldn't either."

As though what he had been waiting for had finally arrived, a smile appeared on Michael's face. Unexpectedly, he put away Demon Sword Balmung and stood empty-handed before Merlin.

"Are you waiting for those two girls? They have some ability, but they are nowhere near a match for me. Besides, Miss Aozaki is there. I don't think they will come to support you."

Merlin shook his head and spoke calmly, trying to dispel Michael's unrealistic hopes.

"No, no. They're not the ones I'm waiting for."

Michael folded his arms, his tone relaxed, as if he did not regard Merlin and his four demons as threats at all.

Merlin frowned slightly, unable to understand where his confidence came from. At the same time, the Machina Girl lunged at Michael. Tough Alchemy Ropes shot toward him, seeking to bind him.

"What I'm waiting for is my cheat."

Michael murmured words Merlin could not understand. An invisible barrier appeared before him, blocking the Alchemy Ropes. At the same time, specks of light flooded his eyes. The deep blue faded away, replaced by a brilliant sea of stars.

Not long ago, at the abandoned amusement park in Shasoki.

Alice Kuonji's Moon Oil barrier slowly faded away. Beneath the crisscrossing golden lightning, the revived Fairy Tale Familiars fell one after another. Alice Kuonji coughed painfully, blood rising from her throat and spraying across the icy snow.

Her slender body had nearly been split open. Through the gruesome wound, her writhing internal organs were visible. Were it not for the countless Mage Crests engraved into her flesh and bones, she would likely have already fallen unconscious from blood loss.

"Alice..."

Aozaki Aoko tried to force herself to stand, but the body soaked in blood had long since reached its limit. Her chest rose and fell rapidly with her ragged breaths.

As though out of some twisted amusement, there was not a single uninjured patch on her body, yet none of the wounds directly threatened her life. But if left alone like this, Aozaki Aoko truly would die from excessive blood loss.

Although Beowulf's body was also covered in wounds and looked ready to collapse at any moment, with even his bones visible beneath the damage, his claws and fangs still mercilessly tore apart every enemy in his path.

"Without that fellow getting in the way, you really are no match at all."

Touko Aozaki sighed softly. She calmly watched Alice Kuonji and Aozaki Aoko lying before her, but her eyes were somewhat vacant.

"Beo, you can eat them today."

Beowulf trudged over listlessly. Aozaki Aoko could even hear his heavy breathing and smell the beastly stench clinging to him.

That blood-soaked maw dripped with saliva, its sharp teeth comparable to daggers. Tearing open Aoko's delicate neck would be effortless. Before this Golden Wolf, humans instead felt ashamed of their own beastly nature.

Aozaki Aoko let out a muffled groan. She did not want to die in a beast's jaws, but this body had already reached its limit. Even moving a finger was an impossible wish.

I wonder how that guy is doing...

She blankly looked up at the night sky. No stars were visible, only endless layers of leaden clouds piled atop one another.

The heavy panting drew nearer and nearer. Warm breath washed over her skin, making goosebumps rise all over Aoko's body.

This is... the worst...

She slowly closed her eyes and waited for death to come. Then, boundless light broke through the darkness, and even with her eyes closed, she could feel its warmth.

The talisman in her pocket silently shattered. Brilliant magical radiance tore open the night, rapidly healing her dying body and refilling her depleted mana. Aozaki Aoko opened her eyes. The vast sea of stars reflected within them, and she saw a completely different world—the scenery within someone's eyes.

Strength and courage surged back into her. Waiting quietly for death was never her style. Even if the God of Death stood before her, she would still smash his damn head in!

Aoko slammed her hand against the ground. Using her arm as a pivot, her long leg swept out in an arc toward Beowulf's neck. Though it did not hurt him, it still forced distance between them.

A brilliant smile appeared on Aozaki Aoko's face. She had already grasped certain victory, because the instant she saw the starry sky, she had seized that "thing" lurking within her heart.

It was not something stirring, nor was it some vast and resolute thing.

"Has some kind of transformation occurred? I look forward to seeing you show me more."

Touko Aozaki's brows drew together slightly. What had just happened had already slipped beyond her control. Beowulf crouched low and let out a whimper. From the starry sky above, he could smell that person's presence.

"Fine, Touko."

A faint whisper, yet more certain than a roar.

"Just as you wished, I'll show you true magic."

The Mage Crest on her right arm lit up with fierce radiance. The miracle that had lain dormant for years was awakened once more. From beginning to end, there was only one incantation for invoking magic—bidding farewell to the self trapped within the cage deep inside her mind.

Erasing fear and confusion was simply impossible. But precisely because of that—

"I can't keep running away."

Aozaki Aoko made up her mind. She suddenly found her earlier self, who had intended to give up, utterly laughable. Confusion, fear—those things would always remain by her side. That was why she could not forgive herself for letting such things bind her steps.

And you want to witness true magic too, don't you?

She closed her eyes. This time, however, she was not helplessly awaiting death, but throwing herself into magic's rebirth.

Light was sealed. Time came to a halt.

There, she buried herself in darkness. Everything passed slowly amid stillness. Within the flowing river of stars, everything but herself was cut off and brought to a standstill.