"What do you think? Just look at them! Cyan Fail and Egos Cutman! Their skills are undeniable, and their popularity is unmatched. With such high leadership qualities, they are clearly our most promising students. They’re magnificent, don’t you think? They easily hold their own against any of the elite students we’ve had in the past."
"Indeed, it is as you say! Their strength and command over their allies are beyond reproach. The other students are flourishing under them like fish in water. They truly live up to the reputation of this prestigious academy's finest!"
"Exactly, exactly! To have them meet the approval of a Yamato Shrine Maiden makes us teachers hold our heads high! ...Though, it seems some have already given up and started slacking off, haven't they, Professor Castle? Honestly, I have no idea what you were thinking when you recommended such a student."
Professor Castle remained silent.
In the monitor room of the practice grounds, the faculty and the Warrior Shrine Maidens watched the students battle the monsters. Lamy, emboldened by Sakura’s praise for her hand-picked Hero Candidates, was visibly gloating, hurling snide remarks at Uno for recommending Yugo, who appeared to be failing the exam.
Ignoring the bickering between the teachers, Sakura turned to Setsuna, who was watching the screen with the same intensity.
"What do you think, Setsuna? Having seen the students Professor Neila recommended, what is your impression?"
"...They’re impressive. They move their allies like extensions of their own limbs, and those under their command follow instructions perfectly. It really is a remarkable display of coordination, yes."
"Hmm, I see. For you to put it that way, Setsuna, suggests there is something on your mind."
"Oh, Sakura. Since when did you become so cynical? I truly do think they’re wonderful. However—"
"However?"
"I just wonder if those people would be able to act the same way if the leader giving the orders disappeared, or if they faced a situation that exceeded that leader's expectations. For better or worse, that group is entirely dependent on its head. Besides... no, it's nothing."
Sakura tilted her head in confusion. It seemed Setsuna had noticed the under-the-table coordination between Lamy and the Hero Candidates—rigging that Sakura had completely missed.
Choosing not to press the issue, Setsuna called out to Raiha, who was staring fixedly at a single point on the monitors.
"Raiha, what are your thoughts?"
"Eh? Oh, s-sorry... I wasn't really listening..."
"...You’re still worried about him, aren't you?"
Raiha nodded quietly, confirming Setsuna's suspicion. Sakura joined the conversation, speaking in an attempt to offer encouragement.
"I understand the feeling, but worrying too much is bad for the health. Besides, he’s already given up on the exam and is taking a nap. It is highly likely that he is more of a coward than we initially thought."
"I suppose... if that’s true, then Raiha won't have anything to worry about anymore..."
"...I don't think he's that kind of person," Raiha whispered, cutting through their assumptions. "He is, surely—"
Raiha tried to continue her defense of the boy, but the ground suddenly heaved. A massive shockwave rocked the room, drawing screams from the girls.
"Kyaa!?"
"W-what was that impact!?"
"Was that... the Gigantes entering an attack stance? But this level of power...!?"
"It's impossible! The summoned Gigantes should have a limiter set to seal its strength! It shouldn't be able to exert this much force!"
Turning pale, Lamy frantically checked the status of the practice grounds. Uno and the Warrior Shrine Maidens followed suit, and the monitors displayed an image of a Gigantes that was clearly abnormal.
"Something's wrong... this shouldn't be happening!"
"Professor Neila! Withdraw the Gigantes immediately! Hurry!!"
"I-I know! Gigantes, withdraw! ...H-huh? Wait, why won't it...?"
Lamy attempted to trigger the dismissal magic, but no matter how much magic power she funneled into the command, the Gigantes did not vanish. Realizing that control over the monster had been hijacked by someone else, she stood frozen in shock.
Uno immediately took charge, barking orders at the other faculty members to bring the situation under control.
"The exam is suspended! Deactivate the barrier around the practice grounds! I'm going in to rescue the students and subjugate the Gigantes!"
"P-Professor Castle! It’s no use! The barrier isn't responding to our commands either!"
"What!? You mean there's no way in, and no way for the students to escape!?"
The practice grounds were encased in a powerful barrier designed to keep combat magic from leaking out. It was a formidable wall of energy that severed the interior from the outside world; even if the students inside coordinated their strength, breaking it would be nearly impossible.
"Amamiya-san! Kogarashi-san! Utusemi-san! Please, you must evacuate! I will lead the way, follow me!"
"What are you saying, Professor Neila!?" Uno roared. "Do you intend to run and leave the students behind? If you, the person in charge, abandons your post, what will happen to the children trapped in there!?"
"The safety of the exchange students must take priority over everything else! If anything happens to them, it will become an international incident!"
As Uno and Lamy began to argue amidst the chaos, a sound tore through the air.
『UOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!』
"Guh!? What is this...!?"
"I-it’s Howling...!!"
The monster had simply roared, but the sheer volume and atmospheric pressure of the sound triggered a primal fear in everyone who heard it.
Uno, struck by the monster's ability, felt his body stiffen. Even from their safe distance in the monitor room, the roar was paralyzing. The psychological impact on the students standing right in front of the berserk beast was unimaginable.
He had to save them. He had to move. Uno fought against the instinctual terror, forcing his heart to steady through sheer professional duty. But as he looked back at the screen, he saw something that chilled him to the bone.
The berserk Gigantes stood before a large building, raising its clasped hands high above its head. It was preparing a Hammer Swing.
If those fists struck the structure, the wreckage would rain down on the students below. If the blow hit the ground directly, the resulting shockwave would be cataclysmic.
Uno reached out, desperate to stop the beast, but in that moment, there was absolutely nothing he could do.
『UOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!』
With a final, deafening war cry, the Gigantes brought its hands down.
Thunder, vibration, and impact swallowed the world whole.