"So, here they are. I got a mountain of Dragon Materials from Setsuna’s old man and the others."
"Whoa, look at all this! So many rare materials... and we’ve got all three attributes: water, wind, and thunder! With this, I can give the Blaster a massive power-up!"
A short while later, Yugo gathered his friends to show off the loot he’d received. He handed the bulk of the materials over to Anhel and Fee, the group's technical experts.
"For now, use these however you want," he told them. "Analyze them, use them for Magic Item Enhancement, or even craft some new weapons."
"You’re being awfully generous," Anhel noted. "Since you’re the one who earned them, you could have just kept them all for yourself, you know?"
"I didn't earn these alone. We did. We only took down Zaraki because we worked as a team. I’ve got no right to hog them all for myself."
The haul was impressive in both quantity and variety—scales, claws, fangs, and parts that looked like whiskers or tails. As Yugo insisted that they share the rewards, Anhel nodded with a grin and thumps her ample chest confidently.
"All right! Leave it to me! I'll take full responsibility for these!"
"Yeah, I'm counting on you. Fee, help Ann out while you’re at it; it'll be good for your studies!"
"Eh? Oh, y-yeah. Got it, Brother."
When Yugo entrusted the materials to Anhel and asked his younger brother to assist her, Fee—who had been looking unusually fidgety—snapped to attention and answered his brother.
Meanwhile, Anhel turned to Melt, who was also gazing at the pile of dragon parts, and made a suggestion.
"Melt, you want to try using some of this to upgrade your Sword Ring? I think it’d turn out pretty well."
"Hmm, I think so too, but... I don't know, it's a complicated feeling..."
Melt hesitated at Anhel's offer to add dragon power to her Sword Ring, which was a relatively simple offensive Magic Item. Logically, adding wind, water, and thunder attributes alongside the raw power of a dragon would not only strengthen her weapon but also broaden her tactical options. It should have been a win-win scenario, but one specific detail weighed on her mind.
"Think about it. Setsuna’s father gave those to Yugo because he wants him to marry into the family, right? If I use them, it’ll feel like I’ve already lost..."
"I guess that's what they call 'a maiden's pride.' Well, I can't say I don't get it."
As a maiden in love, the idea of using items gifted by a rival's father to secure the man she liked was a source of deeply conflicting emotions. However, it was also true that a stronger Magic Item would allow her to be more useful to Yugo.
Showing some sympathy for Melt as she struggled between logic and her heart, Anhel turned to another companion.
"Marcos, what about you? Do you want to upgrade your Giga Scissors?"
"There is no need. Use those materials among yourselves."
"Whaaat? But it'd be such a waste! If we gave the Giga Scissors the elemental resistances of a dragon, you'd be like a god on the battlefield!"
"Conversely, it would create a glaring vulnerability to that very same dragon power. I have no desire for such a trade-off. Your concern is misplaced."
"Ah! Marcos-san!!"
As if to signal the end of the conversation, Marcos walked out of the room alone. The companions watched his departing back before looking at each other in confusion.
"I mean, Marcos has a point, but I wish he'd at least think about it..."
"The Giga Scissors are notoriously weak against magic compared to physical attacks," Anhel muttered. "I thought this might solve that. Was I being too pushy?"
"No, if anything, I'm the one who said something unnecessary," Yugo admitted.
"Brother, what do you mean?"
Everyone turned to Yugo as he scratched the back of his head. With a wry smile, he began to explain Marcos's mindset.
"Marcos isn't the type to power himself up using handouts given to his rival. If I were in his shoes, I’d have said the exact same thing."
"I see. So it’s basically the same thing as Melt’s problem."
"I guess that's 'manly pride' for you... It tends to be more of a hindrance than a help, but it’s very much like Marcos."
Since Marcos viewed Yugo as his ultimate rival, he likely couldn't stand the thought of using materials Yugo had received for being recognized by Yamato's elite. He had contributed plenty in the fight against Zaraki, but when he compared himself to Yugo or Ryuga, he probably felt he still had a long way to go.
While Melt and the others agreed that his refusal to rely on luck was typical of his high-strung nature, Yugo glanced at the clock and suddenly panicked.
"Crap, is it that time already?! I have to move!!"
"What's wrong, Yugo?"
"Setsuna's old man and the others summoned me! Apparently, they want me to be their guide while they look around the school. Anyway, I'm leaving the materials with you! Use them however you want!"
Adding that he had only stopped by briefly to drop them off, Yugo hurried out the door. Anhel watched him go, marveling at how he never seemed to sit still, before turning back to Fee.
"Well then, shall we start with the analysis? We need to check the compatibility with different Magic Items. Fee, can you give me a hand?"
"Ah, y-yes!"
Fee let out a flustered squeak as he agreed to help. Melt, sensing something odd in his demeanor, leaned in close to his face.
"Hey, Fee? Is something up? You’ve been acting strange for a while now..."
"Eh? Um, well, that is..."
Fee’s eyes darted around as he struggled to find the words. Both Melt and Anhel realized he had been spacing out ever since Yugo first spoke to him. Finally, Fee fidgeted nervously and spoke up, revealing the reason for his restlessness.
"Well... the truth is—"