"You're incredible! That last bout was practically your win, wasn't it!?"
"Hardly... Yugo hasn't even begun to fight seriously. Besides—"
During that exchange, Marcos had been bolstered by Neries’s enhancement magic, yet Yugo had been fighting in his base form. He hadn't utilized any of his other Blaster forms, like the Purple Armor or the Flame Armor. Marcos had merely been fortunate enough to parry his strikes while standing at a distinct advantage.
Even Yugo's final lunge toward Neries had likely been a deliberate move to teach her a lesson. Marcos knew all too well that if Yugo had followed up after breaking his balance with that leg sweep, he would have been in a desperate situation. He couldn't consider his performance a victory in the slightest.
(To think he can do this even while I'm buffed... Just how wide is the gap between us?)
He couldn't allow himself to become complacent or view this as a win. If anything, the sheer difference in their abilities had been thrust right in his face. Of course, this was only training, and Marcos hadn't revealed his full hand either—but the realization still stung.
Just as Marcos was brooding over how he could possibly bridge that divide, a new voice cut through the air.
"Eei! I can restrain myself no longer!"
"Wait, what—!?"
An incredibly high-spirited, almost boundlessly joyful voice rang out. A split second later, something came crashing down into the very center of the training grounds.
The impact sent a shockwave through the dirt. As the dust settled, the group realized the intruder was Sakura. Now transformed into her Warrior Shrine Maiden Attire Mode, she stood there with her eyes sparkling with excitement.
"I wish to spar with Yugo-dono as well! Forsooth!!"
"Wh-What...?"
She seemed to be in the middle of a slight battle frenzy. Her behavior was a stark reminder that she truly did carry the blood of her father, Tadakatsu. Yugo could only offer a wry smile in response.
"Ahahaha... Well then, I guess we’re having Sakura join the party from here on out!"
"Wait! Eeh!? Am I supposed to give orders to Yamato’s Warrior Shrine Maiden!?"
"Pray, do not trouble yourself over such matters! At this moment, I am but another student attending this academy, just like Neries-dono! There is no difference in our standing!"
Neries was terrified that her head might end up on the chopping block—metaphorically or otherwise—for barking orders at an exchange student who was also a high-ranking VIP. However, Sakura simply laughed away her concerns with an openhearted grin.
Seeing that there was no turning back now, Neries steeled herself. Yugo’s voice took on a playful, challenging edge as he spoke.
"Alright then... I guess I’ll put a little more spirit into this. Super Transformation!!"
Striking a transformation pose, Yugo shifted his Blaster form once again. He underwent a Form Change into the heavy Purple Armor, trading speed for overwhelming attack power and defense. He turned a fearless, provocative smirk toward Neries and the others.
"Now then, how will you all conquer this boss? Even if you have to use a Continue, try and Clear it!"
"That's... what I saw back at the hospital! It doesn't have a sword, but its power and durability are off the charts!"
Verda, who had witnessed the Purple Armor's strength firsthand during the Hospital Incident, shouted with wide eyes. Marcos and the others, who understood that power just as well, began to coordinate based on their own aptitudes.
"As you can see, that form sacrifices weight for massive offensive and defensive gains. I might be able to weather the hits, but I don't have a decisive move to damage him," Marcos analyzed.
"The same goes for me. I'm already outmatched in terms of raw strength even when he's in his normal form... Neries, how should we handle this?"
"U-Um... If his physical defense is incredible but his magic defense isn't quite as high, we might be able to manage if we have someone capable of attribute attacks. I can provide the Attribute Attack Imbuement Magic, at least."
"In that case, I am the perfect candidate! As you can see, water attribute attacks are my specialty! My reach is long and wide, so if I combine that with my mobility, we can overwhelm him!" Sakura added eagerly.
"Or perhaps it would be better to cast that imbuement on me, since I have the advantage in attack speed," Misery suggested. "I'm confident in my mobility as well. It might take some time, but the compatibility should be excellent."
"Yes, exactly! That’s the spirit! Hero's Condition #5... Be a person who can take their comrades' hands and fight together. What you can't do alone becomes possible when everyone cooperates! You can become many times stronger by joining forces! Because that's what a Pre... ahem! That's what a Hero is!"
"Y-Yes, sir!"
Neries gave a firm nod in response to Yugo’s thumbs-up.
Instead of just moving because she was told to, she was using her own head—exchanging opinions with her comrades and making her own judgments. It was exhausting work, but as she felt her capabilities and potential expand through this collaborative training, she felt a profound sense of fulfillment.
What could she do? What were her allies' strengths? What was the best way to use her enhancement magic to support them?
Thinking about it was fun, and seeing her ideas work brought her genuine joy. She still wasn't fond of combat, but the experience of accomplishing something through teamwork was steadily building her confidence.
"I'm so jealous! I want to join in too!"
"Don't be so impatient, Melt," Anhel said, patting her shoulder. "The long-range attackers will get their turn once they’ve settled in a bit more. For now, let’s just watch over them."
"I suppose you're right. I wouldn't want to mess up Yugo's training plan."
Melt and the others murmured enviously as they watched Sakura enjoy the training session.
But while they kept a supportive eye on Neries's progress, there was another figure watching from a distance—staring at the group with eyes filled with pure, unadulterated loathing.