Night.
"Hurry and get the wounded inside!"
A blue-haired girl directed the surrounding students, helping to carry those injured in the recent battle against the Holy Nation's army and their magic spirits into the hidden passage.
She was Ellis, the captain of the Sylphid Knights—the order responsible for maintaining order within the academy. Among the students, she held considerable respect.
After the fall of the Ordesia Empire, the strongest person left was Headmistress Greyworth, which naturally increased Ellis's authority.
But what use was such authority now?
After all, it only existed because there was no one else left.
Ellis didn't like the power she had gained this way, but she had no choice. She had to stand firm—because they were the last ones remaining.
Fortunately, the Headmistress had the foresight to prepare an escape route leading outside the academy. Once the enemy's encirclement tightened enough, they would be able to escape through it.
And tonight, that opportunity had finally come!
The students had already endured the fall of their nation and the battles against the magic spirits. If they continued fighting much longer, the consequences would be unimaginable.
"Why do I have to be grouped with him?!"
"How should I know? It's the old hag's decision!"
The argument from outside made Ellis's expression darken instantly.
"What are you two doing? Still arguing at a time like this? Do you even realize what kind of situation we're in?"
The culprits were none other than Kamito and Claire, the fiery girl from the so-called "problem class."
"I know, but pairing me with a man…"
Claire seemed like she wanted to protest further, but Ellis cut her off. "And who else could be paired with you?"
"Ugh… no one," Claire admitted, blushing. She had originally been partnered with Linslet, but after Linslet was injured in a battle with the Holy Nation's troops, only Claire remained.
Left with no choice, Kamito and Claire had been assigned as a team. Perhaps it was Headmistress Greyworth's deliberate arrangement.
"Then follow orders and complete your mission!"
"Yes, ma'am!"
...
"By the way, where did the Headmistress go?"
After bringing all the wounded into the hidden passage, the students prepared to leave. But strangely, the Headmistress was nowhere to be seen.
"Oh, that old hag?" Kamito replied to Claire's question. "She said she was preparing a 'special gift' for those Holy Nation bastards inside the academy."
"Knowing her, it probably won't be anything pleasant…"
Kamito had spent enough time with Greyworth to understand her nature well—especially since she had personally trained him in swordsmanship.
A woman capable of killing without hesitation!
"I've been wondering," Claire muttered, narrowing her eyes. "You actually call the infamous Dusk Witch an old hag? Don't tell me…"
She fell silent for a moment before speaking again in shock. "You're not her son, are you?"
Kamito looked about fifteen or sixteen, and Greyworth was around forty. The age difference was plausible enough to make her question it.
"Of course not!" Kamito blurted out, sweating. "There's no way I'm that old hag's son!"
"But the way you call her that—it sounds almost affectionate," Claire said, tilting her head. "If you weren't related, you wouldn't be that familiar with her, right?"
"I did live with her for a while, but let me make this absolutely clear—I'm not her son! We're not related by blood!"
"Anyway, we're supposed to be scouting the path ahead! Is this really the time for chit-chat?" Kamito quickly changed the topic. The last thing he wanted was to keep talking about Greyworth.
Besides, that old woman hadn't even told him much about Restia. She'd only said, "You'll meet her soon," and left it at that.
Yeah, right! Like that was ever going to happen.
No way Restia's been following me around this whole time, watching me, right?
If that's true, then I, Kamito Kazehaya, will write my name backwards!
"The exit to the tunnel should be just ahead. Let's go take a look!"
Elementalists had strong endurance. Before long, Kamito and Claire reached the exit of the hidden tunnel.
However, in that moment, Kamito suddenly pressed Claire against the wall, covering her mouth as he whispered softly, "Keep your voice down. We're acting as scouts right now. If anything unusual happens, you must prioritize reporting back!"
"I… I understand."
Claire blushed furiously at his bold action, but she couldn't deny that he was right—safety came first.
According to Greyworth's instructions, the tunnel's exit was located near the edge of the forest, concealed beneath a large tree.
Climbing up the ladder, Kamito emerged into what seemed to be a hollow within the tree—but…
The upper half of the tree had been cut away?
Could it be…?
Ever since his sensory ability had begun to fail lately, Kamito had been reflecting on his decline. Although he hadn't yet regained his former precision, his vigilance had certainly improved.
"Don't tell me… this tunnel exit has already been discovered?"
If that was the case, then the enemy was probably lying in wait, ready to ambush them the moment they tried to escape!
"This is bad! I need to warn the old hag immediately!"
"Found you… little mice."
A cold, emotionless girl's voice spoke from behind him, making Kamito's heart lurch.
How? Even though he was on full alert, he hadn't sensed her presence at all!
He turned quickly—and there stood a blonde-haired girl with violet eyes, an eyepatch covering her left eye.
"Who are you… Are you from the Holy Nation?"
Kamito tried to stall for time through conversation, though he knew it was a long shot.
"I am Millennia Sanctus, Cardinal of the Holy Nation. You have nowhere to run."
"Cardinal?"
Kamito's expression darkened. He'd heard of that title before—it represented one of the highest authorities in the Holy Nation.
Damn it!
Why did it have to be her?
Kamito tensed, ready to fight, but Millennia merely waved her hand—and he was instantly sent flying backward.
"Guh…! How is she this strong?!"
Her power was beyond imagination. Kamito coughed, glancing toward the tunnel, praying that Claire had already gone back to report. Otherwise, his sacrifice would be meaningless.
"Don't worry," Millennia said calmly as she approached, her expression unreadable. "You still have your uses. I won't kill you just yet."
"But first… I need to put you to sleep."
She raised her hand again, and overwhelming Divine Power surged around her.
"Damn it! I still haven't found Restia… and I haven't fulfilled my promise to Elise yet…"
"This really sucks…"
As his consciousness began to fade, Kamito thought he saw black feathers drifting down from the sky.
So familiar…