Startled by the voice, the two children gasped. Before them stood a Magic Armor Beast, its slender frame encased in a shimmering Golden Carapace. It clutched a single-edged curved sword that mimicked the mandibles of a stag beetle. A gleeful, mocking laugh escaped the creature as it closed the distance with slow, deliberate steps.
"To think you're just children... are you two on a date? You look so happy it makes me jealous. It makes me want to kill you...!"
"R-Renjou-san, over here! We have to run!"
Facing Rielle—a Magic Armor Beast who clearly had no intention of rescuing them—Fee grabbed Yui’s hand and pulled her toward the far end of the hallway. He was heading for the staff-only passage, a route he’d kept in mind as a last resort ever since the monsters had first swarmed the building. He didn’t have a map and had no idea where the corridor led, but he knew he had to get Yui away from Rielle.
"Where are you going? Are we playing tag?"
"What—!?"
Before Fee could react, Rielle was already standing in front of the passage entrance. Her speed was terrifying; she had covered the distance in the blink of an eye. Fee’s eyes widened as he saw the monster raise her blade. Instinct took over.
"Renjou-san, look out!"
"Eek!?"
Sensing a terrible premonition, Fee spun around, throwing himself in front of Yui to act as a human shield. At that exact moment, Rielle swung her sword. A Vacuum Blade erupted from the edge, tearing through Fee’s thin Magic Barrier and slamming into his back.
"Aaaaaagh!"
"Fee!? Fee!!"
Fee collapsed, a ragged scream tearing from his throat. Yui couldn't see, but she could sense the sudden weight of his body falling. Blood began to pour from the deep gash across his back, staining the floor.
"Hang in there, Fee! Oh no, what should I...!?"
"How tragic. To be broken simply because you tried to shield a blind girl... truly pitiful." Rielle’s voice was devoid of emotion, a hollow mockery of sympathy designed to twist the knife in Yui’s panic.
She approached the two children slowly, mentally savoring the scene. "The boy looks quite delicious, though I have no taste for you," she said to Yui. "Perhaps I'll use you as a test subject to see just how sharp this blade really is."
The sword rang with a sharp, lethal chime as it caught the light. Yui recoiled in terror, but before Rielle could close the distance, a small shadow stood in her way.
"Stop... right there...! Don't you... lay a hand on... Renjou-san...!"
"Fee...!?"
Despite the agonizing pain in his back and the cold grip of fear, Fee forced himself to his feet. He stood between the monster and Yui, his arms spread wide.
"Stop it! Please!" Yui cried out, her voice trembling. "Don't push yourself for my sake! She'll kill you!"
"I promised you... didn't I? I told you I'd protect you! A Hero never gives up—especially not when they have someone to protect! That's the Hero’s Condition my brother taught me. I might be weak... but I’m not giving up. Not until the very end!"
Fee's voice was a strained groan, and his face was distorted with pain, yet he refused to yield. As Yui gasped, sensing a powerful Radiance of the Soul erupting from his broken body, Rielle’s voice grew sharp with irritation.
"...How annoying. It's irritating that you're acting like little lovers, and it's irritating how happy you look... but more than anything, it's irritating how you refuse to cower in fear before a Superior Species. Fine then. I'll carve you to ribbons. I won't kill you—not yet. I'll just keep cutting until your spirit finally breaks and your little show of bravado reaches its limit."
Rielle’s pride was wounded. Unlike Neries—who had broken so beautifully, sobbing and wetting herself in the face of death—this boy refused to submit. She declared she would crush his heart, but Fee didn't flinch. Instead, a defiant, reckless smirk touched his lips. It was the kind of retort his brother would have made.
"I see... so as long as I don't give up, I can keep you away from Renjou-san. Thanks for the tip. You just gave me one more reason to stay standing!"
"You little brat...!! How much do you intend to make a fool of me!?"
Rielle's killing intent flared, becoming an unbearable weight in the air. The difference in power was absolute; Fee couldn't win this. Yui knew it. The terrifying image of her father being vaporized by the Mad Dragon’s lightning years ago flashed in her mind. She couldn't lose anyone else. She clenched her fists, tears streaming down her face.
"I won't forgive a vulgar human—and a powerless brat at that—for looking down on me. I’m going to kill you. I’m going to kill you in a way that is too gruesome to look at!"
Rielle raised her blade over her head, her rage boiling over. Trembling with the fear of losing someone precious, Yui screamed at the top of her lungs.
"Help us, Brother!!"
Suddenly, a gale erupted. It was a fierce, razor-sharp wind that roared past Yui and slammed into Rielle just as she was about to strike. The monster was thrown backward, skidding across the floor.
"Gubiehh!?"
"Ah...!?"
Realizing the scream hadn't come from Fee, Yui looked up. In her mind’s eye, she saw a Radiance of the Soul more brilliant than any other. Ryuga stood before them, offering Fee a look of profound respect.
"Fee... you were incredible. Thank you for staying by Yui’s side. Leave the rest to me."
"Ryuga... san..."
Seeing Ryuga looking at him with such kindness, Fee let out a sigh of relief and finally collapsed. Ryuga supported the boy’s limp form, gently handing him over to his frantic sister. Rielle scrambled to her feet, her irritation mounting.
"You... you dare interfere? Do you have any idea what happens to those who offend a Superior Species? Are you ready to die!?"
Ryuga didn't even blink at the crushing pressure of her killing intent. He drew his sword, Ryuo-ga, the blade shimmering with lethal light. The kind, gentle student was gone, replaced by a cold-eyed warrior.
"Don't... ask me questions."
"Aaaaaah...! How truly annoying! I'll start by carving you up!!"
Rielle howled, her rage reaching its limit. Without showing any reaction, Ryuga stood his ground as a cold-blooded swordsman, prepared to cut down the beast.