[Ikki POV]
After Walburga appeared, Kuroka and I blasted through the swarm of evil dragons attacking the town, clearing a path as we launched them away with overwhelming force. Moving swiftly and stealthily, we made our way to the outskirts specifically to the sacred flame.
Against mass-produced evil dragons, we likely wouldn't be noticed. And while Kuroka was guarding me, the task ahead required delicate work, and ideally, no interruptions.
"Ugh... The holy flames are really close, nya... It's giving me serious chills as a demon-youkai..."
Kuroka looked genuinely miserable—her tail fur even standing on end.
As a human, I didn't feel much discomfort, but knowing those flames were being manipulated by Walburga made them seem... tainted somehow.
"Well, let's get this over with quickly. Efficient or not, this plan still doesn't sit right with me emotionally. Better to finish unpleasant things fast."
I stored my clothes in dimensional storage and was left wearing only my trunks. Instant undressing via storage magic—handy.
Anyone watching might think I'd lost my mind, charging into battle in just my underwear, but I assure you, I'm completely sane.
The plan involved jumping into the flames to get severely burned, so I had to channel my aura beneath my skin to protect against the violet fire.
If I wore clothes, they'd burn away instantly. I did at least reinforce my trunks to make sure those didn't catch fire too—burning those off would be... problematic.
Same goes for my hair.
Even with Akeno's healing or Phoenix Tears, I wasn't sure hair regrowth fell under "healing."
I wasn't about to run around the battlefield with some avant-garde scorched-earth hairstyle. No thanks.
Anyway, I made sure to shield the essential parts of my body with aura—good to go.
As long as it's safe, this is really no different from the bloodletting needed for summoning familiars. Just another form of controlled self-harm for a spell.
"ALRIGHTYYYYYY!! CHAAARGE!!"
Even so, diving into fire is scary, so I screamed like an idiot as I leapt into the violet flames.
To win, I'd jump into fire, water... even under that girl's skirt—wait, those lyrics are kinda messed up when you think about it.
With dumb thoughts swirling, I dove into the flames. Pain was blocked off with my aura, and I used spiritual sensing to monitor my body. I escaped the fire within seconds.
Yup—high firepower. Weaknesses don't matter if it just melts everything.
Though I kept my eyes closed, I could sense Kuroka nearby dousing me with water to cool me down—at least basic first aid.
[Verg Avesta]
No reason to delay. I immediately activated the curse of retaliation and slumped to the ground.
Moments later, the violet flames covering the town vanished.
Sure, I was the one who dove into the flames, but the enemy was a terrorist. If anything, this was poetic justice—for both sides.
I cracked my eyes open and caught sight of the burns all over my body.
"...Yeah, probably should've kept them closed."
"I think it's weird you're still cracking jokes with burns like that, nya," Kuroka said.
"If there's no pain, talking's no problem. You'll probably be able to do the same someday."
"No clue how many years it'll take to match your body control. And hearing that from a guy who's charred from head to toe just feels wrong."
As we bantered, Rias-senpai messaged us that Walburga had been "taken care of."
Kuroka teleported me back to Ryuuteimaru.
"I'll go take out some more of those evil dragons, nya."
"Got it. Catch you later."
With that short exchange, Kuroka teleported me to a marked point on the Ryuuteimaru.
To be considerate of Akeno and Asia, I wrapped myself in a towel borrowed from the academy before the transfer.
As the teleportation light faded, Asia ran up to me—she must've prepared in advance, expecting injuries.
"Ikki-san, I'll heal you right away!"
Her pale green light enveloped me, and my burns rapidly vanished—like water evaporating on a hot frying pan.
Within ten seconds, my body was completely healed.
Once done, I quickly put my clothes back on and thanked her.
"Thanks as always, Asia... I feel like all my battlefield injuries are self-inflicted lately."
Self-destruct, Ittouu Shura, Ittouu-Rasetsu—yep, I've completed the self-damage trifecta.
"It's what I'm here for. And you rarely get hurt by enemy attacks, so I think that's a good thing."
Old habits die hard—I'm still built around evasion and parrying.
Yuuto's got a similar build, but the power creep on both sides means he still ends up getting wrecked. Poor guy.
"Whoa—!"
I stood up but staggered slightly.
The injuries were gone, but the sheer damage drained my stamina—Asia's healing restores wounds, not energy.
"Ikki-sama... um... would you like... my 'Tear'?"
Ravel, flushed and fidgeting, asked from behind the Ryuuteimaru where she had been casting forbidden spells.
This time, none of us were carrying Phoenix Tears.
With the Khaos Brigade's terrorism, supply was tight. Ravel wasn't attending a noble party either, so she didn't have any on her.
Come to think of it, Sairog and the others fighting in the floating city don't have a healer like Asia. Are they okay?
...Well, that place is a Rating Game sanctuary. It's probably stocked with medical facilities and maybe even a few Phoenix Tears.
Actually, any underworld hospital would keep those in stock as a precaution, right?
No wonder the Phenex family is loaded. Between entertainment, medicine, and their marquis rank not to mention their immortality of course people envy them.
Even if that envy is petty.
Anyway, Ravel's "Tear" could restore my stamina, but with Kuroka around and only mass-produced dragons left, I didn't really need it... yet.
But if Grendel shows up, I'll definitely need it...
"Okay then, Ravel. Sorry, but—"
Right then, as if on cue, I felt the distinct auras of Grendel and Ladon near the academy's main gate.
Looks like they're going for a frontal assaultnunlike Walburga's attempt at a backdoor entrance .
"Ikki-sama! Hurry!"
Their Dragon King-class auras were blatantly obvious. Everyone tensed up, and Ravel urged me forward.
I quickly closed the distance to her and kissed near her eye.
N-no, wait! This isn't flirting!
Pureblooded Phoenixes are trained to cry on command like professional actors, but time was short—this was simply the most efficient way to heal.
Even if Ravel and I were blushing…
Even if Asia and Rossweisse were glancing over while casting magic with pink faces...
It's NOT what it looks like!
...My stamina was fully restored, though!
"W-well then, I'm heading out now"
"Y-yes, Ikki-sama. Please be careful"
These awkward little moments are still new to me... but I don't mind them.
Asia and the others stayed behind to continue healing nearby fighters. I leapt skyward, racing toward the main gate.
By the time I reached the spot where Grendel and Ladon were, Kuroka arrived as well.
"Nya~! Why the hell do they attack the south just as I was heading north? At least wait until I've finished circling around!"
I get the sentiment, but that's a bit unreasonable.
As I assessed the battlefield...
Issei seemed to be trapped in Ladon's barrier, hammering it repeatedly to break free.
Ladon was reinforcing it as fast as Issei broke it—stalemate, for now.
Grendel was locked in close combat with Shirone, her white flames flaring with each strike.
Saji was neutralizing Grendel's fireballs, while his black flame abilities disrupted Grendel's movements.
Nimura was picking off the lesser evil dragons.
Shirone was essentially going solo against Grendel but since the battle had only just started, she was still unscathed.
There's a trick to that, of course, she'd bought time for us to arrive.
"The hell's with this tiny runt!? Skitterin' around like that damn human kid!"
Hey, sorry I'm annoying. That's kind of my thing.
Spotting Kuroka and me, Grendel grinned with twisted delight.
Clearly, he wasn't worried about being outnumbered—even if the odds weren't in his favor.
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100 Power Stones = Bonus Chapter
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