With those final words, the projection of Abyss vanished from the sky.
The hotel plunged into a sudden, heavy silence, broken only by the muffled roars of fighting and the terrified screams of people being hunted by Magic Armor Beasts outside.
"What... what are we supposed to do now?"
After hearing the whole story and processing the nightmare they were in, Professor Uno could only groan in agony. Cold sweat drenched his skin. The more he analyzed their options, the more he felt the suffocating weight of a total impasse.
Hiding was a temporary fix; in just a few hours, Abyss’s super-weapon, the Finale, would activate. When that happened, it was game over for everyone on the island.
Even if he dared to challenge the mastermind, he would first have to cut through a literal army of Magic Armor Beasts and somehow bypass Cyan and the other traitors who now wielded the power of Clear Plates. These were the same monsters who had wiped out the Security Force elite’s Entry Unit without breaking a sweat. Facing them alone was a death sentence.
Uno wondered if there was a chance if he led the students and the remaining guards in a coordinated strike, but the chaos engulfing the island had already nipped that hope in the bud.
"It—it’s over! We’re finished! All we can do is wait to die!"
"N-not yet! If we can just find a Clear Plate, then we'll have a chance!"
"Damn it! To hell with everyone else! I don't care if the monsters multiply, as long as I get out of here!"
The survivors fractured into two extremes of despair. Some collapsed into a catatonic lethargy, surrendering to the inevitable, while others clung to life with a primal, ugly desperation, willing to trample anyone to survive. Though their reactions were polar opposites, they shared a single, fatal flaw: neither group was capable of cooperation.
If I can’t even manage my own students, how can I possibly unite these people?
As Uno’s clenched fists trembled at his own powerlessness, the voices of the Luminous Academy students reached his ears.
"Wait, where’s Yugo? That flashy red-haired kid hasn't been seen for a while."
"Looking for a Clear Plate, obviously. Even the so-called Hero Candidates are ditching us to save their own skins. I bet that piece of trash is out there right now, eyes bloodshot, hunting for a Plate of his own!"
The student spat the words out, mocking the absent youth and assuming he had betrayed his comrades just like the other Hero Candidates. Uno felt a pang of grief; it seemed no one had any faith left. But before the cynicism could take root, someone stepped forward to challenge them.
"Take it back. Every word."
"Huh? What’s your problem—"
"I told you to take it back! There’s no way Yugo would ever betray his friends!"
Surprised by the sudden, fierce shout, the crowd turned as one toward the source. The timid-looking Cooking Club Vice President, Hao, stood his ground, glaring directly at the students who had mocked his friend.
"The moment word got out that Magic Armor Beasts were swarming the island, Yugo was the first one through those doors! There are people in this very room who are only alive because he dragged them to safety! I get that everyone is scared, and I know why you don't want to trust anyone right now, but I won't stand here and listen to you mock my friend while he's out there putting his life on the line for us!"
"Ugh..."
Silenced by the sheer intensity of Hao’s conviction, the gossiping students hung their heads.
As a tense quiet returned to the hotel, Ryuga spoke up next.
"It seems our objective has changed. Abyss said he was hunkered down in Hauvent Castle, didn't he?"
"Do you really intend to go after him, Ryuga?"
"If Yugo were here, that’s exactly where he’d be heading. As his partner, the least I can do is be there to fight by his side."
"Hold on," Marcos interrupted. "We’re in this, too. You might think you can leave us behind, but we’re going to that castle with you."
Melt and the others stood beside him, their expressions carved from the same hard resolve. Seeing the faces of his friends, Ryuga gave a small, rare smile.
"Yes, you're right. Let's go together. All of us will take the fight to Abyss."
"In that case, we’re coming too!" Hex shouted.
"We feel the same way," Misery added. "Please let us fight alongside Master Yugo."
Ryuga nodded in acknowledgment, but then he shook his head, rejecting their offer.
"No. I need you two to stay here."
"Why!? We might not be as strong as you, but we can at least clear the path—"
"This isn't about skill. I need you to protect the people in this hotel. Stay here with Professor Castle."
Misery and Hex turned toward Uno, startled by the sudden responsibility. Ryuga continued, his voice steady.
"There are too many people here who can't fight, especially the children from the Elementary Division. Whether we hold this position or try to evacuate, they need a guard they can trust."
"Until a few minutes ago, I was going to stay," Marcos added. "But the situation has changed. I'm entrusting you to be my substitutes."
"Professor," Ryuga said, looking at his teacher. "You don't intend to just sit on your hands while the world ends, do you? Whatever you decide to do, it would be better to have students you can rely on by your side."
"You kids..."
Uno felt a lump in his throat. Even while he had been paralyzed by doubt, his students had been looking for a way to break the deadlock. And more than that—they still believed in him. Despite everything, they looked at him with eyes full of trust.
"Please," Ryuga said. "Watch over my sisters. We’ll go and do what we must."
"As a teacher... sending students into a place I know to be a death trap is an unforgivable act," Uno whispered. "And yet—"
And yet, looking at them, he truly believed they might be the ones to pull off a miracle.
Uno nodded, a silent promise to protect what they left behind. With a final look of determination, Ryuga and his group turned and marched out of the hotel.
"Everyone, listen to me!" Uno roared, his voice cutting through the panic of the remaining survivors. "Calm down! We are going to find a way off this island! Stay together! We will do everything in our power to keep you safe!"
The time for hesitation was over. He had a duty to perform. Screaming over the din of the frightened crowd, Uno embraced his role as a Magic Knight and a teacher. He didn't have a plan yet, but he had a purpose, and he began to organize the defense with a newfound fire in his eyes.