"Yo, Marcos. I came to see you off."
"Yugo... Hmph. You truly have too much time on your hands. There was no need for you to go out of your way like this."
"Don't be so stubborn! You know you're actually happy I'm here!"
They stood at the Main Gate of Luminous Academy City.
Marcos had been about to depart with his subordinates when Yugo called out to him. Marcos stopped, turning to face him, and Yugo struck up a conversation with his usual easygoing air.
"How are your injuries? You took a pretty nasty beating, didn't you?"
"It is nothing serious. If anything, the damage to my Giga Scissors is more severe. They are useless in this state. I intend to return home to recuperate while they are being repaired, then I shall return."
"...I'll be lonely. I thought we’d finally deepened our bond after overcoming that whole mess together."
"Hmph...! Don’t be so dramatic; it’s not as if we are parting forever. I told you I would return once the repairs are finished. Actually, it might be interesting to follow your lead and have them remodeled into a Full-body Armor-type."
"Oh, I like the sound of that! If that happens, we'll have to come up with a Transformation Pose together!"
Marcos had sustained the most grievous injuries during the battle with Rush, and needed to leave the academy temporarily to recover and fix his Magic Item.
Today was the day of his departure. Though Yugo kept his tone bright as they shared their final words for a while, a hint of loneliness flickered across his face. Marcos continued to trade barbs, but he seemed genuinely pleased that Yugo had come to see him off.
It would have been ideal to end the conversation on such a lighthearted note, but the topic naturally drifted toward the aftermath of the incident.
"...It seems they found Rush’s belongings. As we suspected, he was being manipulated by someone."
"Looks like it. The guy who transformed into that first crab Kaijin we fought was probably the same. This incident isn't over. The true Mastermind is still lurking out there somewhere."
"Indeed... It is frustrating that only a select few like us are aware of the truth."
The reality of the incident—and the fact that Rush had transformed into a Magic Armor Beast—was being withheld from the public, just like the previous case.
The only ones privy to the truth were Yugo’s group, who had witnessed the transformation firsthand; the members of the Security Force they had briefed; and the Academy Leadership, who had received the report from the guards.
The public version of the story was that a vicious Magic Armor Beast had managed to infiltrate the city. The truth could not be disclosed yet. The current policy was to investigate the Mastermind’s identity and objectives in secret, and Yugo and his friends had been strictly ordered to keep quiet.
"It is a shame. You were the one who essentially resolved the matter; it must be galling that you cannot take credit for it. Some students back at the academy are being hailed as heroes for protecting their classmates, yet your contribution was far greater."
"I don't care about any of that. Both of us fought to protect the weak and the things we care about. We don't need cheers or applause. The fact that we protected those children's smiles is enough... right, Hero?"
"Heh... I suppose so."
Marcos grinned, nodding as he looked up at the clear blue sky.
Only the children and the staff at the Care Facility knew what they had truly done. The students of Luminous Academy and the citizens of this city would go about their lives never knowing the identity of their true savior.
But that was fine. To protect the freedom and peace of others from the shadows—Marcos finally understood that this was the essence of a Hero’s mission.
"...Yugo. We only truly began speaking to one another recently... but you have taught me a great deal. For that, I am deeply grateful."
"It goes both ways. I only made it in time because you fought past your limits. We saved the day because we all worked together. I'm glad I met you, Marcos."
The time for departure had arrived. Marcos watched as his subordinates brought the carriage around, then he turned to Yugo with one final question.
"Yugo... once I have healed my wounds, repaired my Magic Item, and returned to this academy... may I call you my friend? Can you truly forgive a man like me, who hurt your brother and your companions?"
"Huh...?"
Yugo blinked, looking genuinely puzzled for a moment.
Then, he burst out laughing. As Marcos watched him, trembling with anxiety over what that reaction could mean, Yugo gave him a wide smile.
"What are you talking about? We're already friends, aren't we?"
"...I see. Yes, of course. Thank you, Yugo...!"
Yugo and Marcos shared a laugh as they reached out, their hands meeting in a firm, solid handshake.
As he was about to climb into the carriage, Marcos voiced one last request to his comrade-in-arms.
"Yugo, some evil force is reaching for this city. I am entrusting it to you until I return. I believe in you. I know you will protect the lives and peace of the people."
"Yeah, leave it to me! Just make sure you get plenty of rest, Marcos!"
Marcos nodded firmly at the confident reply and stepped into the carriage.
Having entrusted the city to his friend, he turned to his subordinates and muttered under his breath.
"...I cannot afford to be left behind. I must train myself until the Giga Scissors are repaired... You all had best be ready. We begin Special Training the moment my injuries have healed!"
His subordinates could only offer wry smiles at Marcos’s sudden, fiery passion—an intensity that seemed to have rubbed off on him from a certain someone.
As the carriage began its journey back to their homeland, the men watched their young master with newfound respect, noting how much he had grown in such a short time.