"Huh? What the hell are you even talking about...?"
Geras’s voice dripped with mockery as he looked at Yugo, genuinely unable to comprehend the meaning behind his bold declaration.
However, mid-sneer, Geras caught a sound behind him. He spun around to find Marcos hauling himself to his feet, eyes fixed on his opponent.
"You... you’re still planning to fight? You’ve hit your limit. Just be a good little boy and go to sleep."
Marcos sighed, his shoulders rising and falling in a weary shrug. "You still don't understand the weight of his words? Your lack of comprehension is truly pathetic."
"What did you say...?"
Geras’s expression twisted. Marcos’s blatant provocation struck a nerve, and his irritation flared visibly. Directing a cold gaze toward the silver-haired man, Marcos narrowed his eyes and continued.
"You are laboring under far too many delusions. I am not at his limit, nor am I a weakling. And above all... my friend has not abandoned me. He has Trust in me, and he has entrusted this battlefield to my care."
"Hah? What the hell are you even saying?"
"Since you’re so dense, let me spell it out for you," Marcos said with icy composure. "You cannot defeat me. In this entire area, the only person who thinks I will lose is you—the only one delusional enough to overestimate his own strength."
"Man... you really piss me off! Even when you're a total wreck!"
Geras’s fuse was notoriously short, and Marcos’s words were the spark. He exploded into a primal rage, howling as he launched another Charge. He slammed into Marcos, sending him tumbling across the sand once again.
"There! Didn't you say you could beat me?! Then try hitting back for once! You big-mouthed weakling!!"
"Marcos-san...! It’s no use after all!" Elena cried out, her voice trembling. "He’s just being tossed around one-sidedly... he’s falling apart!"
"No," Yugo interrupted, his voice unnervingly calm. "It’s fine. It’s all part of Marcos’s calculations."
"Eh...?"
Elena looked up in shock. She had assumed Marcos was helpless after seeing him endure a Finishing Blow only to be sent skidding away by Geras’s relentless assault. But as she turned to the group, Melt offered a further explanation.
"Marcos's Giga Scissors has the ability to absorb the kinetic energy of an impact and convert it into Magic Power. In other words, to unleash a high-output attack of his own, he first has to charge his shield with the enemy's force. That’s why he’s taking those charges head-on."
"But he’s being thrown around like a rag doll! He’s covered in wounds!"
"That’s deliberate too," Melt continued, her eyes fixed on the battle. "Right before the moment of impact, Marcos shifts his stance with surgical precision to negate the lethal force. By letting himself be blown back so spectacularly, he sheds the excess shock. He’s minimizing the damage to his body while storing the maximum amount of Magic Power in his shield."
"Now that you mention it...!" Elena realized, her eyes widening. "He looks like a mess, but it's just dirt from the ground and minor scratches. He hasn't actually taken a major hit...!"
"Think about it," Yugo added. "Marcos is our best defensive specialist. There’s no way he’d fail to parry a clumsy, linear charge like that. He’s doing it all on purpose. Like I said—don't underestimate my rival."
There was no way a man of Marcos’s caliber would be helpless against mere brute force. Yugo and the others, who fought by his side daily, understood his tactical intent immediately.
"Big brother, you knew from the very start, didn't you?" Fee asked, looking at Yugo. "You knew Marcos-san wasn't cornered at all."
"Yeah. I told you once, right? A Hero’s battle is always grueling and desperate. Protecting something is infinitely harder than destroying it, which is why a Hero often looks like he’s on his last legs to anyone watching. But even so, do you know why they keep fighting?"
"Because there is something precious behind them... something they have to protect," Fee answered firmly.
"Exactly." Yugo patted Fee’s head before turning his gaze toward Elena, who was listening in a daze. "I’ll teach you too, Elena. Hero's Condition #1: Never giving up. Especially when you’re standing in front of the people who believe in you."
"Never giving up... believing...!"
"Marcos said it himself, didn't he? The only one who thinks he'll lose is that delusional guy. It’s okay to be anxious or scared. But believe me—Marcos will win. For you, and for Poruru. So, have faith in him. Your feelings will give him the strength he needs."
Elena took a sharp, quiet breath at Yugo’s words.
She watched as Marcos blocked yet another Charge, sliding back across the beach to kill the momentum. Elena didn't hesitate this time. She took off running toward the front line, wiping the tears from her eyes as she screamed at the top of her lungs.
"Marcos!!"
Marcos’s eyes snapped toward her. Seeing the girl fighting for her family and feeling the unshakable faith in her voice, he felt a surge of resolve. Elena took a deep breath, pouring her entire soul into her next shout.
"Beat him! Give him everything you've got!!"
"Heh... I fully intend to."
Marcos allowed himself a small, confident smirk. That single voice granted him more strength than any spell could. He caught Yugo’s eye—a silent nod of Trust from his rival—and felt something white-hot seething in his chest as he turned back to Geras.
"Ugh, give me a break," Geras spat, his face twisted in disgust. "Powering up because of some brat’s cheering? This is too cheesy to watch!"
"What a coincidence," Marcos replied, his voice level as he centered his breathing. "I’ve had quite enough of your loathsome prattle as well."
Geras’s anger mounted as he realized that no matter how many times he sent Marcos flying, the man simply stood back up with unshakeable poise. Marcos readied the Giga Scissors with majestic dignity.
"Let us finish this. Come. I will teach you the difference in our class."
"Shut up! Just shut the hell up! You're a weakling who hasn't even landed a scratch on me! Don't you dare act like you're above me!!"
Geras finally reached his Critical Point. Exploding with rage, he funneled every ounce of Magic Power into his legs and his horn. He kicked off the ground with enough force to shatter the earth beneath him, a living projectile aimed at Marcos's heart.
"This is the end! I’ll skewer you right through that shield! Giga Pressure Horn!!"
Marcos didn't flinch. He braced his feet and raised the Golden Shield, the metal shimmering with the massive energy he had absorbed. Geras slammed into the shield with a thunderous roar—and then!!