The air trembled with Renshical aura as Lucy and Lyon's swords collided again and again—blades dancing at speeds the eye could barely follow. Each clash sent sparks flying through the air, their figures flickering across the battlefield as they used Switch Mode relentlessly, switching from one point to another in a whirl of Renshi-infused motion.
With a sharp blur of movement, Sasaki activated Switch Mode, vanishing from his perch. In an instant, he appeared just in front of Alfie, bending down with Sasaki's blade impaled in his shoulder. Blood trickled down, yet Alfie didn't wince.
Sasaki still bent, grinning through the shadow of his messy hair.
"Are you ready to come home now?" he said coolly—and then, without pause, launched an uppercut with brutal force.
Alfie's eyes widened. He gritted his teeth and brought his wooden sword up with both hands to block the blow—but Sasaki's punch shattered through his guard his strength was not enough to hold the attack. The impact sent Alfie flying into the air like a broken doll, spinning as he coughed out blood.
But he wasn't down. Twisting midair, Alfie flipped and landed on both feet, knees bending to absorb the shock. His expression darkened.
"—That hurt..." he growled.
Before he could catch his breath, Rebekah charged Sasaki, her blade shrouded in glowing Renshi. She struck with precision, her attack aimed straight at his heart.
But Sasaki didn't even blink. With one hand, he caught her sword mid-swing.
He smiled.
"Too slow."
Lifting her by the blade like she weighed nothing, Sasaki hoisted Rebekah off the ground. She let go midair and dropped down to the earth, rolling into a crouch.
"I don't have time for weaklings," Sasaki sneered.
He twisted, preparing to kick her—but just as his foot shot out, Alfie came flying back with speed and fury.
"Not again!" he shouted.
He snatched Rebekah mid-motion and spun, shielding her with his body. Sasaki's foot slammed into Alfie's back, launching them both into the dirt. A cloud of dust exploded into the air.
"I won't let you get hurt again… not while I'm still standing," Alfie whispered, holding Rebekah close as they skidded across the ground.
When they came to a stop, Alfie was on one knee, his breath ragged. Blood ran down his face, but his grip didn't loosen. He turned toward Sasaki with fire in his eyes.
"Stay out of this, Rebekah… He's out of your league. If it weren't for this damn seal, I would've stand a chance."
He didn't yanked at the glowing symbol around his neck. Veins of dark Renshi surged through his skin like black ink, flowing across his arms and forming twisted, pulsating tattoos just by forcing it from instinct.
He gritted his teeth. The seal was resisting him—but still, the power leaked.
"Guess this is all I've got for now," Alfie muttered, standing tall with his sword trembling in his grip. "Let's see how far it takes me."
He dashed forward.
Behind him, Rebekah trembled, fists clenched.
"Damn it… Why am I always the one being protected…?" she whispered, her voice tight with shame.
Sasaki activated Switch Mode again, appearing behind Alfie mid-charge. He raised his massive sword for a deathblow—only for Alfie to pivot mid-sprint and block the attack with his enhanced strength.
The two swords collided in a thunderous shockwave that sent the air quaking.
Sasaki raised a brow, slightly impressed.
"Not bad... but if that's your best, you're still a disappointment."
He launched into a wild offensive—his blade carving through the air like a whirlwind, teleporting around Alfie and attacking from impossible angles. But Alfie parried and blocked, meeting Sasaki's fury blow-for-blow.
Meanwhile, Lucy and Lyon's battle still raged.
"Why are you stalling me?!" Lucy shouted between strikes. "What's your purpose in keeping me away from my students?!"
Lyon ducked under her dual slash and countered with a heavy swing.
"I'm doing my job—as the right-hand of the Special Darkside Knight. That idiot is watching through Sasaki's eyes. If he sees you helping, it'll ruin everything!"
Lucy's eyes narrowed.
"You think I care? I'm not going to stand around while Alfie dies!"
"You don't get it!" Lyon shouted back, deflecting another hit. "If that kid goes on a rampage, even Sasaki can't stop him! That seal of yours… how strong is it?"
Lucy hesitated.
"It blocks his full Renshi potential. What he's using now is just leakage."
Lyon's face paled.
"You're telling me—he's matching Sasaki with just Renshi leakage?!"
Back in the battlefield, Rebekah leapt to her feet.
"I'm done watching! I'm helping Alfie whether you like it or not!" Lucy shouted.
She activated Switch Mode and teleported to Alfie's side, just as he struggled to deflect Sasaki's relentless blows.
At the same time, Lyon blinked.
"Shit—she moved!"
Lyon vanished and reappeared in front of Lucy, resuming their duel with renewed speed. He forced her back step by step, preventing her from joining the battle.
"I told you, I don't want to fight you. But I will stop you if I have to," he warned.
Lucy huffed, steadying her swords.
"You're not fighting to kill—that's why I'm still going easy on you. But if I get serious…" she paused, her tone darkening. "You won't last five hits."
She Switched back and raised both swords high. Her Renshi surged—light bending around her as it channeled into the blades.
With a shout, she unleashed a massive Light Slash, aimed directly at Sasaki.
"ALFIE, DODGE!" she roared.
Alfie didn't question it. He leapt back just in time as the massive white arc tore through the battlefield.
Sasaki raised his sword—but it shattered under the force of the attack. The slash carved through him diagonally—from shoulder to waist—before continuing on, ripping through trees and earth alike for hundreds of meters behind him.
Dust swallowed the battlefield.
Lyon was stunned.
"That… that woman is terrifying," he whispered. "If I'd taken that hit, I'd be dead for sure. But Sasaki—he'll regenerate in no time..."
Sasaki dropped to the ground, unmoving for a moment.
Rebekah, wide-eyed, turned toward Lucy.
"Master… that was amazing!"
She sprinted to her, joy lighting her face. But Lucy's expression twisted.
"Watch out!" she shouted.
She Switched instantly, appearing in front of Rebekah—and grabbed her tight.
Then, with no time to spare—she Switched again, vanishing from the location in a flash of white Renshi.