"I'm just so relieved you were discharged safely, Brother. For a while there, I was terrified of what might happen..."
"Sorry, Fee. I definitely overdid it this time. I'm reflecting on my actions, believe me."
A significant amount of time had passed since the battle with Zaraki, and peace had finally returned to the academy. Hugo sat with Fee on the courtyard terrace, chatting over a light snack.
Displaying a miraculous rate of recovery, Hugo had been given a clean bill of health far sooner than his doctors had predicted. He was back to his usual energetic self, seemingly without a single lingering effect.
Of course, that was all in hindsight. Hugo knew he shouldn't have done anything to cause Fee and the others such grief in the first place.
His actions had strayed from his ultimate goal of becoming a hero who never made anyone sad. He told himself that even if a situation seemed unavoidable, recklessness was strictly off-limits. As he sat lost in thought, Fee spoke up again.
"Now we're just waiting on Ryuga-san. He’s healing well, but it sounds like it’ll be a bit longer before he can leave the hospital."
"Yeah. But don't worry. Just like me, that guy's recovery speed is basically monstrous."
Ryuga had been more severely injured than Hugo, so he still required a bit more time under medical supervision.
However, much like Hugo, his constitution was so rugged that his doctors were baffled he’d been able to move at all in that state. His recovery was nothing short of incredible, though still a step behind Hugo’s. It had reached the point where the medical staff had begun asking, "Just what kind of bodies do you two have, anyway?"
Hugo was looking forward to his partner’s return, confident it wouldn't be long now. He was enjoying the quiet moment with his brother when a sudden roar of commotion rose from the other students.
"Hm? Sounds like things are getting rowdy over there..."
"I wonder what happened?"
Fee had noticed the strange atmosphere as well. He turned toward the noise with a puzzled expression mirrored by his brother.
As the siblings sensed the shift in the air, the thunderous sound of heavy footsteps began echoing from a distance.
"Whoa, what now!? Don't tell me it's another incident!"
The massive footfalls drawing closer were undeniably non-human.
Hugo was gripped by a sinking feeling that another Magic Armor Beast had somehow breached the academy’s defenses. However, the reality of the situation turned out to be far more bizarre than his worst fears.
"B-Brother! Look at that!"
"Wait... What in the world!?"
Hugo followed Fee’s pointing finger and saw a massive warrior clad in full samurai armor, charging toward them atop a gargantuan horse.
The Armored Warrior paid no heed to the screaming students scrambling to avoid his path. He rode at a breakneck speed, his focus locked entirely on Hugo’s position.
"An Armored Warrior!? Seriously!? That’s impossi... impossi-banana! Banana!?"
"Brother, this is no time for jokes!"
"You're right! He's a samurai, so I should've gone with orange instead of banana!"
"Brother! What are you even talking about!?"
Fee desperately shot back a retort as Hugo spiraled into nonsense.
Hugo remained in a state of frantic confusion, but the situation took another unpredictable turn an instant later.
"That red hair... You are Hugo Clay! I have finally found you!"
"Huh? What? M-Me!?"
The Armored Warrior reined in his horse and let out a booming roar while staring directly at Hugo.
Though singled out by name and utterly bewildered, Hugo addressed the warrior as the man dismounted and began his approach.
"Um, excuse me, who are you!? Or rather, what do you want with me!?"
"No more talk! Cross blades with me, Hugo Clay!"
"Wh-whaaaaaaaaaaat!?"
Without another word, the Armored Warrior drew the massive Odachi from his back and brought it down in a powerful overhead strike.
Hugo snatched Fee up and leaped backward just as the blade split the table they’d been using clean in two. The warrior glared at him with a sharp, piercing gaze through his helmet and continued his relentless advance.
"Fee, get back! It doesn't look like this guy's open for a civil conversation!"
"U-Understood! Be careful, Brother!"
With the man's face hidden behind a Menpo mask, it was impossible to read his expression or intent.
Hugo didn't know why this warrior had challenged him, but he realized that if he kept running, Fee and the other students would be caught in the crossfire. He stopped his retreat and clenched his fists, channeling magic power into his Blaster.
"Transform!"
After tightening his grip, he struck a flamboyant pose with a wide, dramatic swing of his arms.
By deliberately taking his time with the transformation to ensure Fee and the others had enough time to evacuate, Hugo donned his Black Iron Armor. He grabbed a nearby knife, which shifted into a sword in his hand. Pointing the tip toward his opponent, he issued his own challenge.
"I feel a bit of kinship with a fellow Armor User, but I can't let you run wild like this! Come on! I'll give you a round of Girigiri Chanbara!"