At the same time, on a wide street, a boy and a girl were running at full speed toward the high-class residential district.
"Come on, Yuuma!"
Panting, Kojou shouted to Yuuma behind him.
"I know! Don't be in such a rush!"
Yuuma, also panting, was clearly exerting a lot of effort just to keep up. Her face bore a strained smile as she followed Kojou closely.
There was no helping it—after receiving a phone call from Nagisa, Kojou had been so worried that he was pacing around the house restlessly, unable to calm down. In the end, it was Yuuma who suggested they head over and meet up with Nagisa, finally prompting Kojou to act.
However, Kojou, being overly anxious, had practically sprinted the whole way there, only stopping briefly to take the train. Yuuma had a hard time keeping up.
If she hadn't grown up playing with Kojou and didn't understand his character so well—plus her own stamina being much higher than the average girl's—she probably wouldn't have been able to follow him. Kojou's actions, completely disregarding a girl's physical limits, definitely would've earned him some scolding.
Still, Yuuma understood why Kojou was so desperate.
"Although he's always been a siscon, this situation is clearly not simple."
As the daughter of Tokoyogi Aya, the former pureblood Witch, Yuuma had studied Rozen and the others' past events in preparation for releasing the Prison Barrier.
That included everything surrounding the Blazing Banquet.
So Yuuma understood clearly—if the incident currently unfolding on Itogami Island had any connection to the Blazing Banquet, then those involved in the past, like Rozen, couldn't possibly stay uninvolved.
In that case, Kojou's worry and sense of urgency after receiving Nagisa's call were understandable.
"Looks like Kojou and Nagisa went through a lot during the Blazing Banquet..."
Yuuma sighed silently as she watched Kojou running ahead relentlessly.
"If I can be of any help to Kojou, that would be great."
If Yuuma were still a Witch, she wouldn't have to go through all this running. She could have simply used Space Manipulation Magic, and they would've already arrived at the Minamiya residence.
Unfortunately, she was no longer a Witch. Her contract had been annulled by Rozen, and although she had resumed studying magic under Natsuki's guidance and with her past experience, her accomplishments were still minor—nowhere near the level of her Witch days.
In fact, whether she could ever return to that strength was uncertain.
Without the contract with a Demon, Yuuma had lost many things.
For example, the Guardian—what Witches relied on to stand against the Beast Vassals of Vampires.
Also, the mana on par with high-ranking Demons.
Without her contract, Yuuma had lost her Guardian and that level of High-Grade Mana. Even if she still retained the knowledge and experience of using magic, lacking power meant she could no longer wield Space Manipulation Magic at will.
Given that, it might never be possible for Yuuma to reach the strength she once had as a Witch.
And yet...
"This is fine."
Yes.
This is fine.
She no longer needed to follow that tragic destiny or be bound by a contract. Even if she lost her power and became just a regular magician, this was the future Yuuma sought.
"Besides, Kojou's just a normal person. This is for the best."
That was Yuuma's long-standing belief.
Of course, she was still working hard to regain her strength.
After all...
"If you want to protect the people important to you, you need strength."
That was something Natsuki had taught her.
It was how she had protected her beloved little brother from countless threats.
So Yuuma had resolved herself—to become stronger and protect the ones she cherished.
It was this resolve that, in the future, allowed Yuuma to feel countless moments of gratitude.
Gratitude that her constant growth had, today, enabled her to protect the one she loved.
"...!"
Just as they were about to enter the high-class residential district, Yuuma suddenly felt a chill run up the back of her neck.
It was a warning brought on by her increasingly sensitive senses due to her recent progress and rising mana—a gut instinct sharpened by being a magician.
"Kojou!"
Without hesitation, Yuuma tackled Kojou to the ground.
"Ah!"
Caught off guard, Kojou let out a startled cry.
A second later—
Bang!
A sharp blast rang out.
It came from the wall beside them.
A bullet had sliced through the air, grazing the spot Kojou had been in just a second ago, and hit the wall, blasting out a small crater.
This scene was observed through a sniper scope from a rooftop about a kilometer away—by a Beast Man girl.
...
"Damn it...!"
Carly clicked her tongue and took her eye off the scope.
"The shot missed!"
Frustrated words spilled from Carly's mouth.
At that, December and Senga Takehito both responded.
"The first shot failed?"
December muttered.
"Rogi."
Senga furrowed his brow and sighed, then pressed the communicator in his ear.
"Understood."
Rogi's voice came through the wireless.
At the same time, Rahn's voice followed.
"December, Sensei, I think we've been discovered."
Her emotionless tone made December and Senga smile wryly.
"Well, looks like it's our turn to act, December."
Senga spoke with a touch of resignation.
"Alright then."
December, after a short silence, grinned nonchalantly.
...
On the other side, both Kojou and Yuuma lay on the ground, staring at the bullet hole in the wall and gasping.
"This..."
Kojou was stunned.
Yuuma, who had tackled him, felt both relieved and alarmed.
Because Yuuma knew exactly what had just happened.
"A sniper...!?"
Without hesitation, Yuuma shielded Kojou, who still hadn't fully grasped the situation.
And in front of them...
"Geez, I guess I have to step in after all."
With a voice like that, a small, androgynous boy suddenly appeared out of thin air.
Waves shimmered around the boy, emitting an intense heat distortion.
Seeing his unnaturally blue short hair and exquisitely proportioned features that resembled a work of art, Yuuma's expression darkened.
"An artificial lifeform?"
Yes.
This boy was not human—he was an artificial lifeform.
And yet, flames were burning around him.
"Sorry, but we're in a hurry. Could you just hurry up and die?"
The boy named Rogi glared at Yuuma—or rather, at the still-confused Kojou behind her—his eyes brimming with killing intent.
Seeing that, Yuuma's face grew more serious, and her heart filled with frustration.
"This is bad..."