"I thought you'd use archaic language to sound more impressive," a voice said amid the chaos.
"I wanted to, but I realized I forgot how to speak it properly. Besides, the accent's completely different. No one would understand me anyway," a dominant voice replied.
"Fair point... whatever." Someone sighed. "We're here to crash the place, not pay respects."
"Please don't talk like we're bandits. I only kill. I don't rob."
"So you're just a bandit who doesn't like money."
Genji was already on his feet.
The intruders were hostile. The guards outside were silent. They had likely been taken out during the explosion.
But what kind of enemy could wipe out elite hybrids that fast without any warning?
Spider-Cutter remained sheathed. Genji waved for the geishas to leave and moved toward the entrance.
"The enemy seems dangerous. Perhaps Mr. Minamoto should come back," Morin suggested.
"It's fine," Masamune said with a chuckle, dismissing the warning. He wanted to show off. "He is of the Syndicate... the Amaterasu Fate."
Inuyama nodded. Even with his Setuna Spirit, he couldn't claim an advantage over Genji. If Genji released his Spirit early, he would be unbeatable. In a life-or-death fight, Inuyama's only chance would be a sneak attack.
Unless the enemy was the Principal himself.
Masamune and Inuyama believed Genji was invincible.
"This is a warning from EVA at Cassell Academy. Lu Mingfei, the enemies are the Lords of Bronze and Fire and the Lord of Oceans and Water. Evacuate immediately. The route is on your phone!"
Lu Mingfei's phone blared at maximum volume. The call connected automatically. For EVA, electronic devices were hers to command.
The same warning rang on Morin's phone, and on the others'.
This was no joke.
The smiles on Masamune's and Inuyama's faces vanished. They turned pale.
Just seconds ago, they felt superior. The Academy didn't know Genji's true strength. They wanted to see the specialists humbled.
Now the enemies were two Dragon Kings.
There was no way to win.
Even the Amaterasu Fate couldn't fight two First Generation Kings. He couldn't even fight one. Against a King, his greatest weapon-his Spirit-was meaningless. Imperial Power increased gravity on dragon-blooded targets, but for a Dragon King, that was nothing. Even sub-species could survive at eight thousand meters. At most, it was weight training.
A Spirit weakened against higher rank.
No matter how strong Genji's bloodline was, it wasn't stronger than a First Generation King.
But it was too late.
The intruders stood at the end of the hall.
Genji had already drawn his blade.
With a thunderous crack, the ancient sword left its scabbard and slashed down. Genji seemed wrapped in a golden sun-or perhaps he was the sun, and the blade's arc was its edge.
Then the sun froze.
The massive strike stopped midair, blocked by an invisible force. The metal of the blade-alive through alchemy-bowed to its King.
Lord of Bronze and Fire's Spirit: White Emperor.
"Inferior alchemy," Norton said, glancing at Genji.
"This one's a good guy. His dream is to sell sunscreen on a nude beach in France," the Water-Man added casually.
"..."
Genji fell silent.
Part of it was the enemy's identity. Part of it was realizing his blade and Spirit were useless.
The remaining ninety-four percent was social death.
Having his secret dream announced like a grocery list.
Genji hadn't hidden it from his inner circle, but hearing it declared by a Dragon King-
Dear God.
"Hm? A fine dream!"
Norton said it seriously.
Genji froze. Confusion crossed his face. His mind didn't think about survival. It thought:
Why is this Dragon King such an idiot?
The expression. The tone.
It was familiar.
Exactly like the Idiot Specialist Team that had tortured him for two days.
A whistle of air cut through the room.
Inuyama vanished.
Spirit: Setuna.
He'd been ready since the explosion. Every muscle was taut. Even against a King, he believed he had a chance. With his speed, and Norton lacking metal or fire defenses, it might work.
Then came a violent splash.
Inuyama reappeared less than a meter from Norton.
Genji saw Inuyama's hand-blade just a centimeter from Norton's chest. At extreme speeds, even paper became a weapon. Inuyama intended to die together with the enemy. If he succeeded, he might pierce Norton's human form.
That was a big if.
A wall of water formed instantly.
Water had no shape, yet it was harder than steel. Inuyama slammed into it. Setuna's kinetic force was absorbed completely. At that speed, it was like hitting concrete.
Through the water, blood bloomed. His hand was mangled.
He lost consciousness immediately.
"Good thing his speed isn't as high as Principal Angé's, or that would've been tricky... too slow," the Water-Man said, clicking his tongue. "Setuna's flaw is so easy to exploit."
Speed only mattered if reaction time kept up.
Otherwise, it was a suicide machine.
Angé, with Time Zero, was the real master of speed.
Water flowed like ropes, binding Inuyama and Genji to the wall.
Genji struggled. It was useless.
Without his weapon, he activated Imperial Power, trying to crush the water with gravity.
It didn't budge.
The water held firm.
A mask of water sealed over his mouth.
"Shh. Irrelevant people should stay quiet and watch." The Water-Man raised a finger, then turned to Masamune, who was deathly pale. "You know why we're here."
"I... don't quite understand, noble Lord of Oceans and Water," Masamune said.
"So today has nothing to do with us, right?" Morin asked from another table.
Caesar stared at him. Was he insane? How could they just leave?
Then the Water-Man spoke again.
"Oh, it's you. Of course not. I admire you. That's why I'm using your face. It's very handsome."
"Thank you," Morin nodded solemnly, completing the act. "Please continue."
Caesar: "???"
That worked?
Dragons spared people for being good-looking?
Should the Academy only send handsome specialists from now on?
"Boss... as students of a dragon-slaying school, is this okay?" Lu Mingfei whispered. "Won't we get in trouble?"
"Nonsense," Morin whispered back. "A wise man knows when to fold. We can't win. Why die for nothing?"
Chu Zihang looked at his sword.
Then set it aside.
The Lord of Bronze and Fire stood right there. His weapon and Spirit were meaningless. He propped up his phone, angling the camera.
Norma would see everything.
EVA projected the feed onto the library's main screen. She stopped urging evacuation. At this distance, running was suicide.
Better to learn what the enemy wanted.
"You don't understand?" Norton stepped forward.
Each step struck Masamune's heart.
"The trench. That sacrificial alchemy site." Norton's golden pupils locked onto him. "You did that. Didn't you?"
"My apologies. I truly don't know what you mean," Masamune said, smiling gently.
He was a veteran actor. Many had believed that face.
Those who didn't were removed.
But this time, it was a dragon.
You couldn't fight it.
You couldn't deceive it.
"Even a hybrid challenging a King wouldn't anger me like this," Norton said quietly. "No matter how cowardly."
He stopped in front of Masamune.
"But you did something else. You erased her consciousness while she was an embryo, kept her body, and used that filthy alchemy to turn her into a breeding tool for vermin."
"This," he said, voice trembling with rage, "is intolerable."
"I think you have the wrong person..." Masamune said through a stiff smile.
"Lies!" Norton roared. "You dared to do it but not admit it? The mark of vengeance is on you. The dragon blood you bathed in gave you power-and left irrefutable proof of your crime!"
"...Fine." Masamune dropped the act. "So what? A dragon I killed is my trophy. What's wrong with using it?"
"Nothing," Norton said. "And I'm here to kill you. What's wrong with that?"
"...True." Masamune looked thoughtful, then glanced at the specialists. "Are you Cassell people just going to watch?"
"Can't help you. Can't win." Morin shrugged, holding Caesar back. "But don't worry. We'll avenge you someday."
Then his tone shifted.
"Actually, I'm curious. You killed a Dragon King in secret and used her to breed something. What was it?"
"Death Servitors," the Water-Man answered. "Countless ones. In the deep trench."
"If he were a 'hero' of dragon-slaying," he continued, "he wouldn't have created such a ritual."
"Ah." Morin raised an eyebrow and fell silent.
As long as the man didn't die a hero, that was enough.
"It's simple," Norton said coldly. "Kill him and find out."
Masamune's eyes widened.
His Spirit erupted.
Squelch.
Blood sprayed.
Masamune stared at the iron bar piercing his chest. Warm blood poured out, carrying his life with it.
Genji thrashed against the wall, eyes wide with horror.
"Something's wrong," Chu Zihang said.
He was right.
Masamune pulled the iron bar free.
His frail body swelled. Scales spread across his skin.
Masamune Tachibana was transforming into a dragon.