"How disappointing."
"Princess, please stay alert! Clarisse is infamous for doing whatever it takes to make her research succeed." Though Shanon's tone remained calm and refined, her eyes had turned sharp, her body poised like a blade. She stepped protectively in front of Silva, facing down Clarisse without hesitation.
"…Not bad—for just a maid."
Clarisse's voice lost its polite lilt. Her expression shifted, the glint behind her glasses growing cold and murderous. The air thickened with malice, invisible killing intent radiating from behind those twin lenses.
"Professor… Don't do anything reckless. I can summon Lancelot at any time," Silva warned, her hand already gripping her Bright Dragon Crystal.
Clarisse chuckled darkly. "Do it. Let's see what happens."
"Very well!" Silva lifted the crystal high, the polished gem glowing in her palm.
"In the name of Silva Steinert—Lancelot, heed my call!"
The room went silent.
Ten seconds passed… then twenty… then a full minute.
Nothing happened.
"…Why isn't he coming?" Silva gasped, her confidence cracking.
Clarisse's voice rang out with unrestrained triumph. "Haven't you noticed? This mansion is protected by an Oracle Field."
Silva's eyes widened. "The stone tablets in the garden…!"
"Exactly. They anchor a ward that suppresses summons through Oracle. As long as you remain inside, no dragon will heed your voice." Clarisse's lips curled into a satisfied smile. "That device was originally designed to prevent intruders. But when I learned of your visit… I had it disabled. Briefly."
Now, her tone grew cruel, almost mocking. "Once you were inside… I reactivated it. Just like baiting prey into a trap."
"Princess… this woman is dangerous," Shanon whispered urgently. "We need to get out of here—even if it means using Zack as a human shield."
"I'm a what now?!"
Zack blurted out, caught off guard by Shanon's deadpan suggestion. But he quickly turned back to face Clarisse, jaw set tight.
"Are you really willing to go through with this? Just pointing a weapon at Princess Silva is high treason."
"So?" Clarisse sneered. "Even a princess has no right to interfere with the pursuit of knowledge."
"Then we'll settle this the hard way."
As Silva spoke, her Bright Dragon Crystal lit with crimson energy.
"Crimson Ex-Breath!"
The light erupted in a brilliant explosion, accompanied by a deafening boom. The shockwave rattled the room, kicking up debris and nearly knocking Zack off his feet.
"Whoa! You really went all out!" he groaned, bracing himself.
"I had no choice! That spell isn't exactly… easy to control!" Silva shouted over the fading roar.
"Not to interrupt," Shanon said flatly, eyes fixed ahead, "but you might want to see this."
The smoke slowly cleared.
Clarisse stood tall amidst the haze, her white lab coat scorched and torn in several places, exposing tantalizing hints of skin—one slender shoulder fully bare, the curve of her thigh visible through a long rip. She looked almost unbothered, save for her slightly tousled hair and a faint scorch mark across her cheek.
"You thought you could overpower me with Oracle?" she asked, her voice soft and mocking.
Zack's eyes narrowed. On her wrist was a sleek black bracelet—its centerpiece a shimmering obsidian crystal.
"That's a Bright Dragon Crystal…" he murmured.
"Correct. Not just any, though. This one was refined for channeling advanced Oracle without a Par," Clarisse said, flashing Silva a pitying smile.
"Too late now. You won't leave this place until I've finished dissecting her. Dark Mother Lullaby!"
Her bracelet flared, releasing a wave of sickly purple light. The floor beneath them began to shimmer. Intricate runes blossomed like flowers beneath their feet—an ornate magic circle glowing with haunting beauty.
"What is this…?" Silva staggered, losing her balance.
"Princess!" Shanon lunged to support her, only to stumble as well.
"Ugh… What's happening…?" Zack dropped to one knee. His limbs were growing heavy, leaden. His consciousness swayed on the edge, like a boat rocking in stormy seas.
"This circle," Clarisse explained, with a hint of twisted pride, "was inscribed using powder from a Bright Dragon Crystal. It draws out your mana and suppresses resistance. You won't learn this kind of spell at the academy…"
She paused, frowning as her eyes settled on Zack.
"…Yet you're still awake. How?"
"I won't let you—" Ico's voice rang from across the room.
She lay sprawled on the table, her skin glistening with sweat. Her pale, naked body trembled with a mixture of fear and fury, her exposed curves rising and falling rapidly. Her breasts, full and flushed, heaved with each breath. Yet even in this state, her voice held its proud fire.
"If you fall asleep now… I'll never forgive you, you idiot!"
Ba-dump.
Zack's fang mark ignited.
It glowed a vivid red—just like the day Ico was born—blazing like a living flame.
"What… is this heat?!" he gasped, clutching his left arm.
The mark burned furiously, and suddenly all the drowsiness evaporated. His body surged with power.
Clarisse's confident façade cracked for the first time.
"Could it be… her magic is resonating through the Astral Flow into his mark…?"
Zack's eyes flared with determination.
"Enough!"
He stood up with a roar, his left arm swinging wide. A burst of wind exploded from him, ripping the magic circle apart. The energy backlash shattered Clarisse's bracelet—the black crystal shattered like glass.
"N-No…!" she whispered, stunned.
"I said…" Zack marched forward. "Give me back my partner!"
Clarisse stood frozen, wide-eyed.
Zack reached Ico, snapping her restraints with a single motion. Her body trembled, and she immediately threw her arms around him.
"Y-You're late, you idiot…!" she sobbed into his chest, her bare skin pressed against his.
"Ico…"
Zack's heart raced as he held her. She was soft, warm—her breasts squishing against him, her scent intoxicating. He gently stroked her back in comfort, only for her body to tense.
"H-Hic…" She flinched.
"…Ico?"
Her cheeks flushed deep crimson, her legs squeezing together.
"You… How dare a pet touch me like that!!"
With a furious growl, she balled her fist and punched Zack square in the chest, launching him across the room.
He hit the wall with a grunt and slid down, dazed.
"Still… worth it…" he mumbled.