But now was not the time to dwell on that. Kotori clenched her fist and slammed it down on the desk before her.
"Why are those two idiots exactly alike!? Are they not satisfied unless they stay behind and get themselves killed!?"
Despite her words, with neither of them able to teleport back, there was nothing she could do but worry.
Looking up at the Spirits above, he saw surprise on every one of their faces.
Leaving aside Miku's sudden disappearance—
The fact that this seemingly helpless man had blocked their all-out attack had undoubtedly shaken them.
"Who... exactly are you...?"
Tohka looked bewildered as she pointed Nahema at Shido and questioned him.
Shido staggered back to his feet and answered with a smile.
"Shido Itsuka—the man who once made you all blush!"
"Hmph—what shameless boasting!"
Displeasure crossed Tohka's face. She clearly took Shido's words as empty bragging.
"Ahaha... but he's telling the truth..."
In the distance, Lingmeng gave a helpless smile.
At the same time, she was trying to figure out what they should do next.
Neither she nor Shido had much Spirit Power left to fight with, and even the Fraxinus could not take on three Inverse Spirits at once.
In short, they had reached a dead end. They had no moves left.
But just then, another familiar voice rang out from the sky.
"Oh? I was only gone for a little while, and the entire city has already vanished? Inverse Spirits really are terrifying."
"—!" ×2
Hearing that voice, both Lingmeng and Shido widened their eyes.
They looked toward its source and found a familiar figure standing there.
It was none other than Ellen, who had left earlier with the injured Isaac.
Clearly noticing Lingmeng on the ground, Ellen spoke with a hint of gloating.
"Element