"Tenra-sama!"
Ile and Nel burst out of the classroom, launching themselves straight into Tenra's arms.
"Let's go home."
He ruffled both girls' hair, grinning as they leaned into his touch.
The twins were a grade below, stuck in the middle school division. So whenever Tenra and the others wrapped up club activities, he'd swing by to pick them up—routine, like clockwork.
As usual, the walk home was a lively parade of chatter and laughter. Ile and Nel chattered non-stop, swapping stories about pranking teachers, recruiting new girls for their mini-gang, and fending off confessions from boys they couldn't stand. Tenra listened, half amused, half exasperated.
These two were terrors at home—at school, it was chaos squared. Even Sona had cornered Tenra to complain: apparently, the twins had rallied an army of little delinquents and turned the middle school into their personal playground. Sona demanded he rein in his peerage before the whole division collapsed.
"No causing trouble at school."
He tapped both girls on the head, mock-serious.
"Yes, Tenra-sama..."
They answered with angelic faces.
Too perfect. Tenra knew they were just humoring him. The moment he turned his back, they'd be running wild again. He sighed—if it didn't lead to a real disaster, he'd let them have their fun.
Kuoh Academy wasn't far from the Kamiyo estate. They were nearly home when—
"A barrier?!"
Pedestrians vanished. Buildings faded. The world dimmed, twisting around them. Tenra and his group snapped instantly into combat mode.
"Red Dragon Emperor! Ladies! Good afternoon."
A voice echoed overhead. They looked up.
Two figures hovered in the air—Bikou, and a blond man in glasses.
"Bikou. Honestly, I'm surprised you survived. Didn't think it was possible."
Tenra's eyes narrowed, smile sharp.
He knew exactly how much force that heaven-cracking blow had packed. Any normal monkey would've been dust.
"Ohoho, my luck's harder than granite. You'll need more than that to take me out."
Bikou swung his Ruyi Jingu Bang, chin up, full of swagger.
"Is that so? Who was it that nearly died and needed me to bail him out?"
The blond adjusted his glasses, voice dripping with contempt.
"Arthur, could you not ruin my reputation?!"
Bikou's bravado collapsed into indignant squawking.
Arthur ignored him, turning to Tenra and the girls. He executed a flawless knight's bow.
"A pleasure to meet you all. I am Arthur Pendragon. I look forward to our acquaintance."
"Pendragon... The King of Knights?!"
Rias and the others stared, wide-eyed.
"Indeed. My ancestor was King Arthur himself. And this—" Arthur drew a blade from his hip, its holy aura unmistakable. "—is Caliburn, the Holy King Sword."
Tenra straightened up, eyes sharp.
Caliburn. The Sword in the Stone. A blade whispered to slice through space itself. No wonder Bikou had survived—this was serious backup.
"So. You've blocked our path. What's your angle? Here to help Bikou settle old scores?"
"I have no intention of opposing you, nor do I plan to help Bikou with revenge."
"Hmph. I got wrecked last time, sure. And I'll get you back. But I fight my own battles—I don't need anyone doing my dirty work. Besides, we're not the ones looking for you today."
Arthur shook his head. Bikou snorted, arms crossed.
"Then who—?"
A magic circle blossomed overhead. A figure stepped out.
Tenra's smile sharpened.
"Well, well. Vali."
—
High above, Vali's gaze was ice.
"We meet again, Tenra Kamiyo."
"Heard from Azazel you escaped. Didn't expect you to join the Khaos Brigade."
"The battle between the Two Heavenly Dragons is over. So why are you here?"
Vali's voice was cold steel. "That fight may be over. But ours isn't."
Power rippled from him, crushing the air.
"Hey, Vali. I get it—losing sucks. But clinging on like a sore loser? That's just sad."
"You couldn't beat me even with the White Dragon Emperor's power. What makes you think you have a chance now?"
Tenra's eyes gleamed, smile razor-sharp.
Anyone else—especially someone as proud as Vali—would've exploded. But Vali stayed eerily calm.
"You're right. Losing Albion's power was a massive setback, even for me."
"But to defeat you, I've awakened something new."
"A new power?"
"Let me show you."
Vali's lips curled. He snapped open a magic circle. The air screamed. Thousands of light arrows rained down on Tenra and his group.
"Scatter!"
Tenra's shout rang out. Everyone leapt aside as explosions tore the ground to rubble.
Tenra's eyes flashed. Fury ignited. He unleashed his Sacred Gear instantly.
"Balance Breaker—Unlimited Blade Creation!"
Portals spun into existence. Thousands of demonic swords erupted, a storm of steel hurtling toward the trio in the sky.
"Why are you attacking us too?!"
Bikou's scalp prickled. He shrieked, spinning his staff like a turbine, deflecting blade after blade.
Arthur moved with deadly grace. Pressure poured from him. Caliburn flashed, slicing the air.
"Holy King Sword!"
Space split—a massive rift yawning wide. The incoming swords vanished into the void.
Most of the blades targeted Vali. But he didn't dodge, didn't cast magic. He just stared at the storm with dead calm.
"Disappear."
A ripple spread from Vali's body, invisible but absolute. Every sword it touched detonated in midair, shattering into dust.
—
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