Hagun Academy.
Due to the summer break, most students had returned to their hometowns, leaving the vast campus eerily quiet. Only a handful of students who wished to train further remained.
Yuuri Oreki held a broom, sweeping away the fallen leaves at the school's entrance.
The representatives who had gone for the joint training camp were returning today, and she wanted to make sure the school gate looked presentable.
At least, that had been her original intention.
But now, her gaze kept drifting toward the mountain path, her expression tense with unease.
"Teacher, why are you still at the gate?"
A young noblewoman holding a parasol approached her, speaking with a hint of exasperation.
"I told you today would be chaotic, didn't I?"
"Kanata."
Yuuri stopped sweeping and looked at Kanata seriously.
"But as a teacher, I can't just leave the responsibility of protecting the school entirely to you students. This is something we teachers should handle!"
"But—"
"Don't underestimate me. Even though I'm only a C-rank professional knight—lower than you in rank—if we really fought, Kanata, you wouldn't stand a chance against me!"
"Fine, you have a point."
Kanata had to concede.
Yuuri's ability was a direct counter to hers.
Though Yuuri herself was only rated as a C-rank, her Blazer ability was exceptionally powerful. Her Noble Art allowed her to share the pain she endured with others.
Given that she suffered from numerous chronic illnesses, most Blazers would faint the moment they shared her agony. Moreover, the range of her ability spanned several kilometers, making it incredibly formidable.
Fighting Yuuri wasn't about strength—it was about sheer willpower.
If one lacked the mental fortitude to endure excruciating pain that could knock them unconscious, victory was impossible.
Kanata knew her own will wasn't strong enough to withstand it. In a direct confrontation, she'd likely be instantly defeated.
"In that case, Teacher, I hope you'll follow the plan we've prepared."
"I understand."
Kanata nodded slightly.
Admittedly, Yuuri's willingness to step up was a relief.
With limited personnel currently on campus—aside from the student council, there were hardly any strong fighters available—the pressure on Kanata was immense.
"Kanata!"
At that moment, while Kanata was lost in thought, Yuuri suddenly tensed, her voice sharp with urgency.
Kanata didn't respond.
Because she had already seen them too.
The intruders.
They emerged from the horizon, ascending the mountain path.
They made no attempt to hide, striding boldly toward the gates of Hagun Academy.
Among them were:
A long-haired swordsman carrying an oversized tachi nearly three meters in length.
A golden-haired girl with wild, unkempt locks, dressed only in a paint-stained apron—her attire provocatively revealing.
A petite, pink-haired girl riding atop a lion as tall as a person, accompanied by a maid.
A towering man wearing a smiling clown mask.
A small-framed but vicious-looking girl wielding a chainsaw.
A short-haired boy with delicate, almost girlish features, smiling with unsettling innocence.
In total—seven people and one lion.
They strode boldly toward the gates of Hagun Academy.
Each of them manifested their own Device.
"To think they'd disregard our Hagun Academy so blatantly!"
Kanata clicked her tongue quietly, her expression tinged with irritation.
"Who are you people!"
Yuuri stepped forward, subtly shielding Kanata behind her as she glared warily at the group before them.
"Halt your advance! Any further movement will be considered provocation!"
Her tone was laden with warning.
Yet the opposing group paid no heed, not even slowing their pace. Their smiles remained unchanged as they breezed past her warning without so much as a response.
Utterly brazen.
Without hesitation, Yuuri summoned her Device—a silver saber—and narrowed her eyes.
"—Bloodstained Ocean!"
This was her renowned Noble Art!
Even if a few among those seven possessed wills of steel, surely not all of them could withstand it. With this move, she could definitely take down one or two!
Invisible magical power spread outward, transforming into a chilling wave that surged toward the group.
But—
"Gah—!"
Suddenly, Yuuri felt a metallic taste in her throat, and a torrent of blood gushed from her mouth.
Excruciating pain wracked her entire body, weakness spreading to every nerve as she collapsed to her knees with a thud.
The condensed magic dissipated instantly.
Her Noble Art shattered before it could even strike!
"Teacher?!"
Kanata's expression darkened.
"Damn it... All the illnesses in my body flared up at once. To fail at a time like this—how unlucky can I get...?"
Yuuri's face twisted with frustration.
She suffered from dozens of ailments, but on any given day, no more than half would act up. It was rare for them all to flare beyond control.
Yet, as misfortune would have it, just when she was needed most, every single one of her conditions erupted simultaneously, stripping her of any ability to resist.
She could only chalk it up to terrible luck.
"Terrible luck?"
Among the seven approaching figures, a boy as delicate as a girl let out a mocking laugh.
"Hah, if you say so."
"I'm sorry, Kanata... It seems I've become a burden..."
Yuuri forced a bitter smile.
Then, unable to hold on any longer, her vision darkened as she collapsed into unconsciousness.
"This is insane?!"
Kanata's expression turned grim.
No wonder Eiji had repeatedly warned her over the phone not to confront their opponents head-on.
Even with Yuuri's strength, she had been defeated without landing a single blow!
Unlike Yuuri, who blamed her loss on misfortune, Kanata had clearly heard the androgynous boy's words. She was certain her teacher had fallen victim to some inexplicable causality-manipulating ability!
"Run!"
Kanata scooped up Yuuri from the ground and immediately turned, sprinting toward the depths of the academy.
"You think escaping will be that easy?"
A petite girl wielding a chainsaw bared her fangs in a vicious grin, ready to give chase.
"Stop."
A man dressed like a clown halted her with a single command.
"The client's orders are to destroy Hagun Academy, but no one is to be killed. Don't do anything unnecessary. All you need to do is cause as much damage to the buildings as possible, then wait for those people to return."
"Tch, what's the point if we can't kill anyone?"
Tatara Yui retracted her chainsaw, her face full of displeasure.
***
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