In the end, the man was never found.
A few bloodstains were discovered in the nearby woods, but there was no confirmation they belonged to him. The Security Force eventually gave up the search, left with nowhere else to turn.
A gag order was placed on the unbelievable report of a human transforming into a Magic Armor Beast. The incident at the care facility was buried in the shadows, treated as if it had never happened at all.
Hugo and the others were released after a brief interrogation and returned to their daily lives the following day. Currently, Hugo was in the middle of receiving the newly upgraded Blaster from his younger brother.
"Whoa! The power-up is finished already?! That’s incredible! You’re the best, Fee!"
"It wasn't that big a deal. I just increased the amount of micro-particle metal that constructs the armor to improve the repair speed and durability limits, then added a Weapon Generation Ability."
"Wait! What did you just say?! A Weapon Generation Ability?!"
"Ah, right... If you hold an object in your left hand, the micro-particle metal will coat it and transform it into a weapon based on pre-programmed data. For now, I’ve inputted the specifications for a sword, so if you pick up something roughly the right size, you can manifest one."
"Oh my god! I can actually do that thing I always admired on TV! You’re the best brother ever! You really do make all your big brother’s dreams come true!"
"I-It’s really not that impressive... It just takes the shape of a sword. It’s nothing compared to the real Galandil..."
"Hugo doesn't care about the specs, Fee. He’s just genuinely grateful to you. You should just accept your brother's thanks with a smile, okay?"
Fee had clearly taken the recent battle to heart after seeing Hugo fight until his fists were mangled.
Hugo frolicked around, bursting with excitement as he examined the gear. It was a Magic Item that could truly be called Blaster Ver. II—upgraded specifically to increase self-repair speed and provide a solution for enemies that were dangerous to fight with bare fists.
Fee gave a wry smile, feeling a bit bashful that Hugo was this overjoyed by what he considered a minor modification. Melt watched them for a moment before speaking up.
"Hey, I was just wondering... did you choose a sword for the weapon shape because you were thinking about how it would work with my fighting style?"
"Ah, yes... I figured that if Melt-san is with him, he can create a weapon whenever he needs to. I thought that would be the most efficient coordination..."
"Wow! Thank you!! Having such a thoughtful younger brother makes my life so much easier too!"
"Whaf—?! Mmph, mmgh...!"
Melt pulled Fee into a sudden hug, burying his face in her soft, ample chest until he began to suffocate.
From an outsider's perspective, it was an enviable position, but to Fee, it was a legitimate life-threatening crisis. As he struggled to breathe, frantically tapping Melt on the shoulder to signal his surrender, a new figure appeared.
"My worthy rival, Hugo Clay! How are your hands? I, Marcos Borg, have come to check on your condition!"
"Oh! Perfect timing! Check this out! The New Blaster my beloved brother upgraded for me! Isn't it amazing?! Doesn't it look cool?!"
"Hmph, it seems you have obtained a new power! Interesting! If you, my rival, reach for greater heights, then it is my mission to stay ahead of you! Do not dare grow complacent, Hugo Clay!"
"Hell yeah! First things first, I need to train until I can master this new feature. If you’ve got some free time, come help me out!"
"...Those two have gotten strangely close, haven't they?"
"Phew! Y-Yes, they certainly have..."
Melt and Fee watched them with exasperated expressions. Hugo and Marcos carried on a conversation that seemed disjointed and yet perfectly synchronized in its own strange way.
The promise to stay away had vanished into thin air. Melt and Fee were still bewildered by how drastically Marcos's attitude had changed since the care facility incident, but since it wasn't a negative shift and Hugo had accepted him, they chose not to comment on it.
Marcos still spoke with his usual arrogance and claimed to view Hugo as an enemy, but it was clear he now treated the boy as a genuine friend.
If anyone pointed that out, he would surely snap back with, "Who would ever be friends with a man like that!" so they kept it to themselves. However, seeing how well he and Hugo got along now that his attitude had softened, the two couldn't help but feel a slight tinge of jealousy.
"It must be nice, having a friend of the same gender... I suppose there’s just a bond of friendship that’s easier to form that way..."
"You’re right... They can fight together and take classes together. I’m a little envious..."
Melt and Fee, separated from Hugo by things like gender, age, or combat roles, found themselves jealous of how easily Marcos had closed the distance between them.
Sharing their frustration at the way Marcos had leaped over the gap they had been slowly bridging, they looked at each other and nodded.
"We can't let him beat us. Let's do our best, Fee!"
"Right...! We can't afford to lose to him...!!"
The two of them formed a silent united front, burning with a spirit of rebellion. They were determined not to let this newcomer steal the spot by Hugo's side. Just as they were mentally preparing their defense, Marcos walked over to them.
"Hey, you two."
"Wah—?! W-What is it...?"
"We weren't saying anything secret, I promise! Right, Fee?"
The two braced themselves, thinking their conversation had been overheard, but Marcos hadn't approached them for that reason.
After a single, deep breath... he bowed his head low to both Fee and Melt.
"...Fee Clay, Melt Epee. I wish to apologize for my previous insolence and for the harm I caused you both. I am truly sorry."
"Eh...?"
"Huh...?"
"...That is all. Tell Hugo to ensure he is in peak condition for our duel. Also, tell him he shouldn't be sleeping in a place exposed to the elements forever. If necessary, I, Marcos Borg, will secure him a room in the dormitories. That is all."
Fee and Melt stared blankly at him, stunned by the unexpected gesture.
They understood that he was apologizing for kidnapping Fee as leverage and for insulting Melt as a woman who only had her looks. Still, the fact that the incredibly prideful Marcos would bow his head to a woman and a child was a shock. Having said his piece, he turned and walked away without looking back.
"...He really has changed. Like a crab, he’s finally molted."
Fee nodded in agreement with Melt’s assessment of Marcos's growth.
They turned their eyes back to Hugo, who was still playing around with his Blaster deployment. Smiling softly, they continued their conversation.
"Is it because of Hugo? People say all sorts of nasty things about him, but... I think smiles just naturally bloom wherever he goes."
"I think so too. I've always loved my brother, but lately, I feel like I'm falling for his character even more."
Marcos had grown because he had witnessed Hugo's desperate, sincere struggle.
Recalling Marcos's expression—which looked as if a heavy burden had been lifted from his soul—the two watched Hugo with warm eyes. They both reached the same conclusion at once.
"It would be nice if more people could see it. The good side of Hugo..."
"...Yes."
Reflecting on the mysterious charm that had turned even a former enemy like Marcos into a friend, they wondered if this was what it truly meant to have the qualities of a hero.
If they could keep spending peaceful days like this, and if more people came to know Hugo's true nature, they were certain they could find happiness every day.
Envisioning a quiet academy life free from duels and danger, the two imagined a future where they were all laughing together. They prayed for that vision to become a reality—not knowing the shadow that was about to fall.