Maou Gakuen no Hangyakusha - Volume 5 - Chapter 6

Chapter 6 – This Encounter is Fated

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Part 1 

My name is Lost. I was born from a village at Chevalleze. 

No, I don’t know whether I was born there or simply got discarded there. 

Either way, I grew in that poor village. 

The matter of the populace and the territory management didn’t exist in the mind of the feudal lord of Chevalezze. He never carried out any policy to better the livelihood of the people or taking measure so that the crops or game in the territory could increase. 

The nobles thought that taxes would automatically come every month. 

They didn’t care at all that everyone in the village went hungry and died in order to pay tax or died from braving danger in order to hunt prey. 

The nobles thought of such occurrences as natural. 

It was frustrating. Detestable. 

However I didn’t have any way to oppose it. The nobles possessed terrifying power. Powerless mixed blood devils like us couldn’t possibly match them. 

Our fate had been decided from the moment of our birth. Something like effort is meaningless no, there isn’t even any way to put effort into. What exist is only absolute resignation. 

But then a turning point visited me. 

A noble came to the village. 

I don’t know his name. He only introduced himself as a sorcerer. 

That sorcerer said this. Come with me if you want to become strong. 

The strength of mixed blood devil is decided by the blood of monster that our ancestor absorbed. In order to become stronger, we have to absorb new monster blood. 

But, in most case doing that will bring death without success. Everyone understood that, so nobody moved to follow that sorcerer. 

There the sorcerer said. He had developed a new way to absorb blood. Therefore the danger is lowered and the method became safe. The nobles feared the mixed blood devils obtaining strength. That’s why this is a secret ritual for the sake of freeing us. 

When the sorcerer was asked if he is also a noble, he laughed and said that he is a rebel against this world. 

What he said was incomprehensible but, he wasn’t really scary even though he was a noble, so we felt a bit relieved. 

After that the magician went around persuading the villagers, but most people hesitated to take his offer. However I didn’t have anything to lose. 

I followed that sorcerer together with twenty other kids. 

We crossed a mountain and arrived at a facility that looked like a hospital. We were placed inside there. 

What began there could only be described as a deathly experiment. 

Inside a room that had complicated magic formulas draw on its whole surface on the floor and the wall and also the ceiling, the sorcerer burned incense and chanted incantation. It was a mysterious ritual that I didn’t understand and then muddy black liquid from unknown blood got injected to us. 

Three people died at the first week. 

Five more people died at the next week. 

Is this really a safe way? 

We got scared and begged to be returned to the village. 

However we got imprisoned. Our room was locked, and the hospital also got covered with barrier. We became unable to leave outside. 

We were tricked. 

We were ignorant, incompetent, stupid, and easy to deceive. We were brought there simply as guinea pig. 

It was already too late when we noticed. 

I wandered the boundary of death many times. 

Each time I would cling to life. What supported me was only rage, resentment, and tenacity. 

When half a year had passed, I became the only one remaining. 

And then the sorcerer gave me one job. 

At that time the bloods of six types of monsters had been mixed inside me. I was told to test that power. 

The job’s detail was to kill noble children. 

Even though the sorcerer was also a noble, he told me to kill other noble. I felt puzzled. 

The sorcerer guided me and I went to human world for the first time. 

According to the sorcerer, a child of a very high ranking noble would come to a certain place. I was to lie in ambush and kill them. 

When I asked how did he know the child would come, he said that such future was set in stone so don’t ask any question. 

But, it was unknown whether the arrival would be tomorrow, or three days later, or one month later. 

The location was a riverside area. Looking down from the embankment, there were grasses growing there with the river flowing ahead of it. There was a large bridge spanning the river, so I was waiting below it. 

Like that one week passed. 

I was taught a magic to prevent people from approaching near from the sorcerer, so I was able to avoid coming into contact with human. However, I got hungry. I never really got hungry since getting experimented by the sorcerer, but as expected it was getting painful. 

That must be why my focus was interrupted. I got discovered by a human child. 

Are you hungry  

That guy took out a triangle shaped object with white and black color from inside his handbag. 

That was my first time seeing an onigiri. 

It was so delicious that tears came out. 

Tasty right? My Kaa-san’s rice ball is tastier than buying in restaurant. 

That child introduced himself as Morioka Yuuto. I called him Yuuto. 

After that Yuuto would come again sometimes. I was also bored, so I didn’t drive him away. There shouldn’t be any problem even if I got into contact with just one human. 

I could just kill him if necessary. 

But after one week passed, Yuuto’s arrival became something that I looked forward to. 

Thinking that there would be no problem as long I didn’t leave the riverbed area, we ran around and played together. 

I felt like I was returning to be a normal child after so long. 

No, perhaps that was my first time spending time as an actual child. 

When I was living in the village, I had to help with the adults’ works regardless of morning or night. When I got a bit bigger, I had to look after the younger children. And then I was made to do more dangerous work. 

Right now I had nothing to do but playing around. 

I also made a friend. Someone who I could feel safe around, someone who I didn’t need to be wary against. Perhaps the fact that Yuuto was weaker than me and a human played a part in making me feel reassured around him. 

I completely forgot about my work. 

Thinking back now, I got the feeling that was the happiest time in my life. 

Every day was fun and I was impatient for tomorrow to come. 

It would be nice if that time continued forever. 

At first I thought of human as pitiful. The human thought that they knew everything about the world, that they are the ruler. 

Even though they are actually just livestock. 

Humans don’t know that there are wider world around them that is beyond their comprehension. They don’t know that their destiny is in the grasp of the devil race. 

But, compared to me who lived a hellish life in the devil world, which one of us was happier? 

Perhaps pretending to not know anything, pretending to be human, and living here wouldn’t be a bad thing. Such thinking crossed my mind. 

If Yuuto would be my friend forever, I . 

It was at that time. 

A girl passed through the riverbank. 

She appeared. 

She showed up. 

The one who I should kill. 

That girl’s name was Himekami Lizel. 

. 

Part 2 

Yaa, Yuuto. 

Lost waved his hand above the stage inside the gymnasium. 

He is wearing his hood like usual. There is a friendly smile under it. 

We finally can meet. Rinne, good job. 

With Rinne’s guidance or rather, with the person at the other side of the message application’s guidance, we safely reached Lost’s location. 

I also raised my hand and smiled. 

Yeah, we finally can join up. Lost.... 

......What? What’s this discomfort? 

Strange. 

Lost and I, are comrades and yet. 

What’s wrong? You got a long face. 

No......nothing. 

Are you sulking because I was late in helping you  

That’s not it. I had talked with Lizel-senpai and everyone, and thought up various methods to escape so ? 

Eh? Why did I call Lizel-senpai and others? 

Looks like you are still confused, Yutuo. 

Lost turned toward Rinne and nodded. 

Morioka Yuuto, look. 

When I turned toward Rinne, she held up her smartphone toward me. Txt is flowing in the screen. 

Himekami Lizel and other Cards of Lovers are enemy. They are tricking Morioka Yuuto to use you as their puppet. Morioka Yuuto is Lost’s best friend. It has been so since the past. Fight together. 

You and I are rebels of the devil king academy. Isn’t that right  

Yeah......that’s right. 

I met you when I first came to the human world. You helped me......I still can’t forget the taste of onigiri that I ate that time. 

Yeah, that’s right. 

How did I forget such thing? 

I played together with you. We talked about a lot of things. I completely thought that humans are persecuted beings. I thought that they lived an even harsher life than even a mixed blood devil like me. But, I was wrong. 

Lost stared at me with a miserable gaze. 

And then I was shocked. It felt like I saw a part of the world’s truth for the first time. This world is made to suit the convenience of the ruler. Human doesn’t know about the fact in the first place. They aren’t allowed to know. That’s why they don’t even know that they are livestock. I thought, what a pitiful existence they are. 

Humans don’t know about the truth, but they are living quite happily. Mixed devils knew the truth, but they are living a horrible life. In the end, which one of them is happier? 

That was why we swore an oath. We will change this world. We will destroy the framework of this world. We deny the order and rule that are created by the nobles. We will make a new rule, a new world. That’s our rebellion toward the world. 

Lost turned toward me and held out his right hand for a handshake. 

Come Yuuto. Let’s fulfill our promise at that time. I will rule the devil world, you will rule the human world, and then the two of us shall rule the whole world. In order to make a better world! 

I started walking toward the stage. 

I remembered after Lost said that. I was terribly angry when Lost told me the truth. ?Those bad guys are unforgivable! I’ll definitely defeat them!!, I said that with childish naivety and purity. 

That’s right......I made that kind of promise. To be honest, I thought it was a pipe dream though. 

That dream will turn into reality, by the two of us. 

......Lost? 

There is just a bit more distance until the stage. 

I have to apologize to you. At that time......I dragged you into my job. 

Eh  

That’s why you, got caught by that noble kid. 

Job? 

Come to think of it......how did Lost and I got acquainted? That’s right, I think he said something like, assassinating someone? 

At that time I thought it was just some kind of make-believe game. 

Yuuto, taking you back from that woman is my atonement. And then ? 

That woman , 

A girl’s figure surfaced at the back of my mind. 

Astonishingly white skin, and glossy long black hair. 

A girl with mature aura, and a bewitching beauty that was somewhat out of this world. 

That was my first time seeing something that beautiful. 

That girl’s name was it was, 

The stage suddenly exploded. 

Uoh!  

My body got hit by the explosion’s shockwave and I tumbled backward. 

What! What in the world , 

The stage crumbled and the front half of the gymnasium was blown up. 

Lost!  

I reflexively yelled. And then Lost’s figure showed from inside the flame. 

His hood is burning. The red hair and the wolf ears underneath it became exposed. 

Lost glared angrily at the gymnasium’s ceiling. 

......Don’t come back again after running away the last time, World. 

World! 

I also looked up. 

A spherical barrier that is packed full with magical letters broke through the ceiling and fell. And then inside that barrier is a man with grey hair wearing a white uniform. 

Running away? What insolence. I simply overlooked you that time, Death. 

......Aspite!  

Aspite who was floating in the air landed in front of me. 

What’s wrong? You’re making a stupid face. 

No......eh  

I’m......not, Lost’s comrade......that’s right, in order to defeat Lost I . 

Oi! What are you doing looking distracted like that!! 

Y-yeah......Rinne the Wheel of Fortune, when she showed me her smartphone......it made me thought that Lost is a comrade ? 

Lost said ?What with a frown. He glared at Rinne. Rinne flinched and stepped back from that glare. 

Hmph......you must be controlled by that woman. You’re really weak when it comes to woman. 

I really wanted to deny it, that it’s not true at all, but I have no way to argue. 

......I’m ashamed. But, you saved me there. 

Aspite sported a prideful smile in respond. 

Naturally. After all I’m threat Aspite of the World. But enough about that, get fired up already. We’re eliminating Death too while we’re at it. 

No please wait for a bit. 

I stopped Aspite and talked at Lost. 

Lost......I can understand your grudge at nobles considering your harsh life. But, not all nobles have done horrible things to you. We should talk it out. 

......Yuuto, you really don’t know what you’re talking about. The nobles are oppressing and abusing us mixed blood devils. They are one-sidedly making humans into livestock without telling them the truth. That’s the reality. Nobles are sinful simply by being a noble. 

That’s wrong! Only the nobles who oppressed the mixed blood devils are evil. 

Doesn’t matter. Either way revenge is necessary. Having a talk with them can only be done after making them pay for their debt first. I won’t be able to calm down unless that is done. I’ll make the nobles suffer for thousands of years. We can have the discussion after that. 

That will be just you venting out your anger! 

Lost’s eyes turned dangerous. 

What did you say  

Wanting to stand higher and rule the other with that way of thinking the war will never end for eternity. 

I wanted to convey what I’m feeling to Lost. 

In the first place our races are different. There will be conflict if you try to forcefully insist on your own thought. You have to accept that there are other different races than yourself in this world. If the devil world is turning from human emotion, then humans shall provide it. But, I won’t allow human to be given suffering for that. In exchange the devil race should also have something that they can provide as compensation. 

I don’t know whether I’m conveying my thought well. 

Thinking that it’s possible for someone in a completely different position to share the same feeling and thinking like you, that’s simply asking for the impossible. 

But even if it’s impossible for me to share other people’s feeling, it’s possible to accept and understand their thinking. Similarly, it should also be possible to ask other to understand my thinking. 

We can just decide from the talk after this about what should be done. That’s why I ? 

Because anyone should be the same in wanting to be happy. 

That’s why I! Will become the devil king for that!! 

Lost stared back into my eyes. 

Please I begged inside my heart. 

However, Lost spoke coldly. 

No matter how much I struggle, this is still the Devil King Great War. Let’s get into killing each other. 

Wa......wait! Lost!! 

Lost’s lips moved. 

Dreaming. 

From Lost’s body, muddy black liquid flooded out and whirled. It wrapped around Lost’s body as though it has its own will. 

That’s none other than the black swamp that swallowed devil when they died. 

Lost!  

The black swamp that enveloped Lost formed the shape of an armor and hardened. 

It was a lean armor that wrapped around the body tightly, like a body suit. The jet black armor coated Lost’s darkness and despair and hardened to be an armor that protected his heart that’s how it looked like. 

This black mud is me. It can change anything no matter its shape or nature. This is my skin, and also my armor. This is Dreaming. 

Lost talked about himself. His voice sounded somewhat proud, and somewhat self-depreciating. 

It’s other trait is the absorption ability it has. I have been infused and modified by the bloods of a lot of monsters. Perhaps that’s why, I can absorb the trait of other specimen. For example I have the Death arcana because I have Morus Golgotha’s blood inside me. 

Aspite cautioned me with a tense voice. 

Be careful. You will get eaten if you touch him carelessly. 

......Yeah. 

Now that it has come to this, we can only fight. 

I haven’t given up on reaching an accord with Lost. But now, I’ll win against Lost, in order to make him listen to me too. 

Aspite held his left hand forward. Red magic circle unfolded ahead of it. 

I also held my right hand forward. Red magic circle also unfolded in front of it. 

Let’s do this! Fidozenon!! 

Fidozenon!! 

I matched Aspite and activated advanced level magic. 

Sorry Lost. 

Two lids of hell opened and flames of blazing hell surged out. 

Lost held both his hands forward. The armor all over his body started to move. It changed shape while gathering in front of Lost. It transformed into many layers of shield. It looked like a small fortress. 

The double hellfire enveloped that fortress. 

However , 

......That cursed bastard? 

Aspite clicked his tongue. 

The magic circles of Fidozenon closed. At the same time Dreaming’s armor changed shape again and Lost appeared with a composed face. 

Normal magic won’t be able to defeat me. 

His right hand transformed into muddy liquid. 

As the result of the sorcerer’s modification, my body became undying. 

His arm stretched long and thin. The tip changed shape into a huge semicircular blade a scythe. 

Not only I can’t die, I can adapt to any kind of environment. Being inside fire or water doesn’t bother me at all. I also don’t need to bring weapon with me. Because I can freely change my body into weapon like this. 

The right arm became a huge scythe and slashed. 

!  

Aspite and my chests got cut. 

Impossible! We are still this far away from him! 

Aspite is flustered. Lost smiled seeing that. 

Tell me if you want to die in a particular way. I’ll go along with your request as much as possible. 

Let’s keep a distance! We don’t know if Lost is still hiding anything else! 

Aspite and I backed away while protecting our body with Armored. 

However Lost snickered seeing us like that. 

It’s pointless. There isn’t anywhere for you guys to run inside this barrier that the current devil king created. 

Lost looked like he recalled something and spoke. 

But well, playing tag also isn’t a bad idea. What about it Yuuto? Let’s play tag after so long. 

Lost’s lower body melted. And then it swelled out while changing shape. It transformed into a shape with four legs. 

Aspite grimaced seeing that form. 

Oi oi......he is imitating centaur this time  

It’s a horse torso. Lost’s upper body occupied the place where the horse head should be. And then both Lost and the horse body got clad in armor. 

That’s like a robot transformation.... 

Lost chuckled at the muttering that I unconsciously leaked out. 

Honestly speaking, I used the transforming robot anime and movie that Yuuto showed me as reference. It was really useful. 

Lost’s lower body started running. 

Yuuto, we’re going out! 

Yeah! 

We activated Stride and rushed out from the half destroyed gymnasium. The other side of the crumbling wall is the school yard. I thought that we would get send to a different place again, but Aspite and I only came out at the school yard. 

Lost came running from behind with great speed. 

His arm changed into an abnormally long spear. He looked exactly like a Middle Age’s cavalry troop. 

For now let’s stop his charge! 

Tsk! Barricade!! 

We formed a wall of defensive magic together. 

The centaur Lost crashed into it. 

Uoh!  

We are pushed back along with the Barricade. 

Shit! What’s with this horse power!! 

Ahahaha! Should I keep pushing like this? You two are going to get flattened on the barrier’s edge you know  

It won’t be that easy! Lost! 

I poured even more mana and somehow held my ground. 

Hee......you have worked hard Yuuto. But is that fine? Your mana is rapidly dwindling though. 

Aspite gritted his teeth and glared at Lost. 

Enough prattling! You too are in the same boat!! 

Ahahaha! My body originally has indeterminate form. That’s why it doesn’t take that much mana for me to change shape. Thanks for worrying about me. 

Lost stabbed his spear onto the Barricade. The mana barrier got cracked. 

Kuh......Aspite! Can’t you do something with your World Revision!  

I don’t understand this guy’s magic circle and that body’s principle! It’s impossible if I can’t construct the anti formula! 

Normal magic wouldn’t work against Lost. 

We can try all the advanced level magic by turns. But that will only consume our mana. 

Lost is only attacking us using his own body. Perhaps he isn’t good with using normal magic. 

In that case, both sides here don’t need to fear magic attack. 

Lost’s spear pierced the Barricade. 

!! 

Aspite and I leaped at left and right respectively. 

Detonate! 

I immediately exploded an explosion type magic right beside me. 

That’s not to deal damage to Lost. It’s to send my own body flying using the shockwave. 

I somehow dodged Lost and opened the distance once more. Then I stood at Aspite’s side. 

The mana inside my body is decreasing. 

It will be nice if I can do Healing Lovers but, none of my Cards is here. 

Shit......we will be in a deadlock at this rate.... 

Our side is barehanded if attack using magic doesn’t work. While Lost’s whole body is a weapon. 

......Either way, we are at a disadvantage. 

Lost is completely composed. He seemed convinced that he will win. He is slowly walking toward us. 

Oi, Yuuto......there is no other way. Do that. 

That? 

What do you mean that  

Aspite spat out his words angrily. 

That thing that destroyed my World Revision! 

World Fall. 

But, that’s.... 

I recalled when I defeated Rikimaru. I couldn’t control it and the world literally almost got destroyed. 

I can’t. If it goes out of control, it will cause chain reaction of destruction without end. Perhaps it won’t affect the world outside because we are inside the headmaster’s barrier. But, everyone is here! I can’t expose them to such danger!! 

Then this great me will control it. 

......What did you say  

My great World Revision can rewrite the law of the world if it’s within three meter diameter around me. Hand over the magic formula. Then I’ll rewrite the world’s law so that the outer part of World Revision will generate law that neutralize that formula. 

Aspite held out his fist toward me. 

But? 

I still have hesitation. 

With normal magic, Lost won’t die even if he get damaged from them......that’s the feeling that I got, although I got no proof for it. But World Fall......that unresolved magic formula, it can annihilate even Lost’s body! That’s why ? 

That’s why we’re going to do it! You idiot!! 

Aspite’s angry yell slapped me. 

I don’t know what kind of thing you had with him. But if you aim to be the devil king, there is only one thing to do! 

......Aspite? 

Beat him up!! Morioka Yuuto!! 

I bit my lip , 

I clenched my fist, then I held it against Aspite’s fist. 

Arcana! 

Acknowledged. Transferring magic formula to World. 

Aspite grimaced in that moment. 

Tsu! What’s this!  

Can you do it! Aspite! 

What kind of shitty annoying magic formula is this......it’s not beyond me but, something like this will only last for several seconds! 

That’s just fine! 

Lost crossed the courtyard and headed toward us. 

Looks like you guys are busy discussing a lot of things. Have you two finished  

Yea......sorry to make you wait, Lost. 

Let’s go Yuuto! 

We started running toward Lost. 

Aspite was running parallel of me. 

I ran while deploying the magic formula of World Fall along my left arm. 

Lost is calmly waiting for us. 

My revived childhood memory flashed before my eyes. 

I don’t know how I could forget it. 

It should be a good memory. 

After all, the nostalgic feeling painfully filled my chest. 

But, even so , 

World Fall!! 

The magic to destroy the world ran through my left arm. 

World Revision!! 

Aspite’s world surrounded me. 

GOOOOOOO YUUTOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!! 

We leaped at Lost side by side. 

Lost pointed his spear with a pitying gaze toward me. 

LOSTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTT!! 

My left fist touched Lost’s spear tip. 

Black liquid scattered. 

!  

Lost’s eyes opened in shock for the first time. 

My first pierced through the spear and struck his centaur’s body. 

Wha ? 

Lost’s armor instantly returned into liquid. And then it scattered explosively to the surrounding. 

UOOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!  

Lost’s lower body that became a horse is blown up. 

And then, the wound rapidly spread and destroyed Lost’s body. 

Wha, wha, wha......WHAT THE HELL IS THISSSSSSSSS!  

Lost’s scream is accompanied by Aspite’s pained voice. 

Kuh......I’m at my limit!! 

I hurriedly dispelled World Fall. A moment later, the barrier of World Revision vanished. 

Uoh!  

Aspite tripped over and fell on the ground. 

Aspite!! Are you alright!  

I moved to lend Aspite my shoulder. 

Forget about me, what about that guy!  

Yeah......we did it. We only destroyed Lost. Just a bit more and ? 

I turned toward the crumbling Lost. 

......tsu!! 

A pink haired girl stood in front of Lost. 

She narrowed her eyes with a smile. And then she put her cutter knife on her arm. 

Eh  

A moment later, I recalled Shimokadzuma Rinne’s characteristic magic. 

Crap. 

Shimokadzuma Rinne ran her cutter knife over her arm. Blood spurted out from her wound. 

Wha-!  

Aspite and I became speechless. 

A faintly shining letter board floated behind Rinne. It has the shape of a magic circle with clock hands attached. The hands started moving in the opposite direction of a normal clock. 

However the hands got stuck in the middle and stopped. 

Guh......!  

Rinne’s face distorted. She pressed her hand on her chest. 

This is......impossible, Revival is.... 

Her body trembled while large drops of sweat trickled down her face. She is fighting something desperately. 

Perhaps, there is also situation where it’s harder to rewind the time. To overturn the result of a powerful magic like World Fall will require considerable power such condition seemed possible. 

Kuh......! 

Rinne grabbed her cutter with a trembling hand and placed it on her left arm again. 

!  

The wounds on her arm increased. Blood flowed. 

I’ll definitely......save you......I won’t let you die? 

Rinne kept cutting her arm over and over as though something is possessing her. 

She injured her arm over and over and over and over. 

I won’t let you die! I won’t let you die! I won’t! I WON’TTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTT!! 

The hands of the letter board that got stuck in place shot back and rewound the time. 

Wha-!  

Time is rewinding. 

Before me, Lost is standing in his centaur form. 

Aspite looked shocked beside me. 

Oi......this is  

However, things aren’t completely the same like before. 

Rinne has collapsed under Lost’s feet. 

......Rinne? 

Lost’s lower body transformed into human form once more. And then he kneeled beside Rinne. 

Rinne doesn’t answer even when he called at her. Perhaps she is unconscious. 

His eyes moved to her shredded arm. 

I was only making use of you......you should have notice that at least, right  

Lost muttered that before standing up. 

He is glaring at us with a glare that is filled with killing intent. 

Aspite, one more ? 

Beside me Aspite fell on his knee. 

I told you, I can only do it for several seconds at best! Shit......! Even though time was rewound, that doesn’t mean that everything has returned to normal huh......it’s impossible to use World Revision anymore than this! 

Most likely Revival’s main effect is to rewind the target’s time. Any other effect than that is just incidental. 

In fact, although time is rewound, we don’t lost our memory. Similarly, the consumed mana and fatigue in our body also wasn’t returned back to before. 

In that case......this is bad. 

Lost’s right arm changed shape again. This time it changed into a sword. 

Sorry Yuuto. Even someone like me has something that I shouldered. 

Shit......what now! 

Though I said that, it’s not like I have a lot of options. There is no other option than attacking using normal magic to find a means of escape. 

Destructshear!! 

I exploded advanced level explosion magic underneath Lost’s feet. 

Crimson flame blast spread through the dark schoolyard. Lost rushed out with that flame behind him. 

Something like that won’t work! 

Lost’s right arm shined. When the sharp sword is swung through the air, a sharp shockwave cut apart the schoolyard while heading at me. 

Kuh! 

I leaped to the side to dodge, but it felt like my body got sucked toward that shockwave. At the same time, my cheek got split and blood scattered out. 

I’ll start with crushing you!! 

Lost raised his fist toward Aspite. That fist is enveloped with armor and transformed to be twice the original size. 

I grabbed Aspite’s collar and desperately leaped back. 

Nuah!  

Lost’s fist sunk on the ground where Aspite was at. Cracks ran through the ground. The ground split open with a fierce tremor and the ground caved in. 

We slid on the ground and opened the distance once more. 

However nothing has been resolved with just that. I needed to think up some kind of plan. 

Lost slowly showed himself from the crater that he created. 

I’m fine with beating you to death just like this but......we are still an old acquaintance regardless of everything. I’ll kill you painlessly. 

What......  

That bastard, is he still hiding something up his sleeve!  

A cruel smile formed on Lost’s lips. 

I have been infused with various monster bloods. Let’s see......I myself don’t know the precise number, but perhaps there are at least the bloods of forty races already. Well, it’s an absurd story isn’t it? Thanks to that my body became unable to even maintain its shape. I myself already lost track just what kind of existence I am. 

But......the one in front of me right now, is unmistakably you Lost. 

It took me many years until I became able to maintain this form. Well, if there is one good thing from this form, it’s that physical attack can’t defeat me now I guess. My form is originally a liquid, so physical attack will just change my shape. 

So explosion type magic doesn’t work huh. 

Then, if I attacked with magic that dealt damage directly . 

Just so you know, my whole body is made from magic formula. That’s why my magic resistance is a cut above the rest. After all my body is absorbing all other magic formulas. Putting aside a special case like the one just now, a normal magic won’t be able to defeat me. 

But, you also can’t use normal magic. Isn’t that right  

Lost chuckled self-depreciatingly. 

It’s difficult for me to use another magic with this body. My body itself is a magic formula that absorb other magic formula. That’s why the formula will vanish inside my body before I can finish forming it. 

Lost smiled eerily after saying that. 

But you see, there is just one magic that I can use. No......rather than a magic, it’s more a curse. 

Lost’s left hand changed shape. 

What appeared is a black handgun. 

That handgun gave me nothing but bad feeling. I unconsciously stepped back from it. 

This is Happy End( Life Severance ) a curse of instant death. 

Instant death? 

A magic to discontinue life at that moment. Any kind of defensive magic won’t work. This is the strongest curse. 

Defense, won’t work you say......so it’s not a normal magic  

The path that is your life until now, your life that should still have a future ahead, they will be forcefully ended. No matter how much mana the opponent has, no matter how advanced the magic formula that they can use, it doesn’t matter. They will simply be ended where they stand. 

Cold sweat trickled down my face. Aspite is the same. 

What’s that? 

......How can such thing be possible huh. 

Various lives has been absorbed into me. Their fates have been cut off unreasonably. They want someone to clear their resentment, it doesn’t matter who. They can’t accept to be the only one unhappy. They also want to make other experience their suffering. Resentment draw further resentment, and death call even more death. A chain of unhappiness that is Happy End. 

That’s truly the worst the worst magic that made me wanted to vomit. 

This is the only magic residing inside my cursed body now, Yuuto. Let’s start from you. 

Lost’s gun is pointed at me. 

Ominous black something is lurking inside the gun barrel. 

Sayonara, human who was my only friend. 

Lost’s eyes shined gold and black miasma flew out from the gun barrel like a smoke. Pitch black light shined in exchange of fire. And then the bullet that is a lump of unhappiness is fired. 

I reflexively held my hand forward to put up a defensive magic. 

I might die here. 

But, I won’t give up until the very end! I heightened the mana inside my body to the maximum in order to oppose the bullet!! 

Infinite Lovers!! 

Mana swelled up explosively inside me. The mana can’t be stored completely inside my body and flowed out. 

Barricade!! 

The moment the bullet collided on the magic circle it got swallowed by overwhelming darkness. 

The view in front of me became total darkness. 

I can’t see anything, hear anything, or feel anything. 

Overwhelming emptiness. 

Overwhelming darkness. 

I can’t feel it when I’m alive. 

This is, death. 

! 

The view in front of me burst. 

The schoolyard that was dark like night felt bright like daytime. 

Compared to the darkness, that gloom that enveloped my body for an instant this felt like being enveloped in light of hope. 

......What, in the world happened  

I’m feeling bewildered. In front of me Lost is opening his eyes wide in astonishment. 

That’s.... 

Eh  

On my palm, a mark that looked like star is floating. 

It’s a beautiful star that changed color like a rainbow. 

This is......  

YUUTOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!! 

A yell cut through the schoolyard. 

I reflexively turned toward the direction of the voice. 

Something jumped out from the academy’s building from its rooftop. 

That’s a chariot that is being pulled by two sphinxes. 

That means !! 

Neith!  

Yuuto! Sorry to make you wait-!! 

ONII-CHAAAAAAAAN!! 

Not just Neith, Miyabi and Reina are also riding on the chariot. And then, 

That’s my strongest ever Horoscope there! So I’ll kill you if you still lose with that!! 

Stella!! 

It was good and all because the mana of Infinite Lovers came flowing in good timing but......if you were going to do that then you should do it quicker!! 

As I muttered ?my bad? inside my heart, a clear and beautiful voice rang out. 

See! It’s just like I said right? You can go to Yuuto-kun’s location if you jump down from the rooftop! 

A beautiful girl wearing white sailor uniform is standing on a sphinx’s back. 

Ruki! 

And then there is one person on the other sphinx’s back wearing black sailor uniform , 

Lizel-senpai!! 

After the Top Runner that Neith is driving landed on the schoolyard, it rushed to my side in the blink of eye and stopped with a spin turn. 

Yuuto!! 

Lizel-senpai jumped down from the sphinx’s back and hugged me. 

Lize ? 

Senpai’s soft lips blocked my mouth and our tongues touched. 

. 

Eh? 

. 

This place.... 

It’s the riverside area near my home. 

When I looked to the right, there is the slightly elevated embankment. At my left there is a grassy field that continued until the flowing river ahead. I can see a large bridge that spanned over that river. 

I should be fighting at the schoolyard of the devil king academy. 

That’s. 

There are two children running around on the grassy field. 

That’s me. 

They are Lost and me playing together when we were children. 

They are playing tag but, I can’t catch up to Lost at all. 

Lost was fast. He was also strong. I think, I was honestly impressed by how amazing he was. 

The two are running toward me. 

I was too focused on Lost who ran past beside me that I’m unable to avoid me. 

Eh!  

In that moment, my consciousness entered inside the child me. 

What in the world is this? 

My consciousness felt like it’s melting into one with the child me. 

......Err, I’m......eh  

I stopped running because I can’t understand what’s going on. Lost called out to me seeing that. 

Oi, what’s wrong? Yuu.... 

Lost’s face stiffened in surprise. His gaze went over me toward far behind. I turned around to follow his gaze and saw a girl standing on the embankment. 

From her height, she seemed to be one or two years older than me. Is she in the second grade of elementary school? 

I never saw a girl that pretty. The girls in my class couldn’t be compared to her. 

Long black hair, black dress. Her white skin and long black hair are beautiful, mature looking, and radiated a mysterious charm. 

That girl went down to the dry riverbed and headed this way. 

Lost’s complexion lost its color when he saw her approaching figure. 

That girl.... 

The girl asked with a criticizing tone. 

Why is there a mixed blood devil in this kind of place? By whose permission you are here  

Sh......shut up! 

Lost took out a magic stone from his trouser’s pocket and he ran toward the girl. 

Come to think of it ?I can defeat a noble with this ?Lost told me that. Though Lost himself also didn’t specifically know what kind of effect it had. 

The girl waved her hand and the magic stone got flicked to the air, as though an unseen hand stole it from Lost. 

Ah!  

Lost stayed in place in panic. The magic stone drew an arc and fell to the river. And then a large explosion occurred. 

Uwah!  

That was a strange explosion. It had no flame and smoke, it exchange bluish white light and strange letters whirled. 

Magic explosion......I see, so this is suicide bombing using a kid. 

The girl narrowed her eyes and laughed. 

Lost stiffened like a frog who got glared by a snake. 

To try to assassinate this me, originally such act is worthy for an eternal torture as punishment you know  

Hih! 

Lost let out a small scream and pointed at the girl. Shining letters formed at the tip of his finger. The next moment , 

Uwah!  

Fire burst on Lost’s chest and he got blown away. 

Wha-!  

I ran toward Lost in panic. 

Are you alright!  

Ru......run away, Yuuto. You will......get killed too. 

Killed  

I noticed a presence and lifted up my face. The girl has come until very near. 

She is looking down on us with cold blue eyes. 

She isn’t human. 

That thought came from my instinct instead of rational mind. No matter what I do, I don’t have any hope to match her. If this girl felt like it, she can kill me easily. 

But, even before that, someone like me doesn’t enter her consideration at all. Because most likely for this girl, I’m not an existence that is of little importance. It’s just as Lost said, I can just run. Perhaps, this girl won’t bother to do anything to the likes of me. But , 

I stood in the way of the girl. 

Oh  

That girl looked at me in puzzlement. 

You aren’t a devil aren’t you  

Y-yeah......just a normal human! Please don’t hurt this guy! He is a good person!! 

Yuuto.... 

Lost is moved to tears. I forced a smile on my face toward him to act strong, then I begged the girl once more. 

Please. This guy, he went through something horrible......he attacked you also only because he got ordered to. That’s why ? 

The girl stared all over me scrutinizingly as though she is evaluating me. 

Then, I’ll have you take responsibility for his deplorable act this time. 

......Eh  

You, mixed blood devil over there. You can keep your life. 

Lost who is lying on the ground tried to stand up while trembling. 

W-wait......t-this is, something......I did. Yuuto, isn’t related. 

However the girl only glanced at him with a cold gaze before snapping her fingers. Then, strangely Lost’s eyes rolled back and he collapsed again. 

Ah!  

He only fainted. 

She said that with a bored look. Then she took out a smartphone from her pocket. 

It’s me. I found a mixed blood devil who crossed over illegally. Pick him up and return him. 

And then after giving a simple explanation of the location, she cut off the phone. 

You, come over here. 

Strangely, I’m unable to go against her words. 

My name is Lizel. You  

......Morioka Yuuto. 

Lizel led me until under the bridge and stopped beside the bridge pier. 

We can avoid other people’s gaze here. I have also put up a human repellent barrier just in case though. 

At that time, I was unable to comprehend what Lizel is saying. But, strangely I didn’t really mind it. I was only feeling happy that I could be together with this girl. Even though I understood that Lizel could easily kill me. 

I came here in order to interact with human. 

Human......wait, as I thought, you aren’t a human  

That’s right. I’m a devil. 

That meant, she is the same race with Lost. However her ear looked humane. 

If I want to draw out the power of Lovers, it’s necessary to get involved with human the devil king said that. I came here in order to ascertain that. 

After saying that, Lizel took off her dress from her shoulders. 

Wah!  

Lizel’s pure white body immediately came into view. The only things remaining on her are just a mature looking small panty, socks and shoes. 

Lizel doesn’t look embarrassed at all even though I’m in front of her. And then she even started to pull down her panty. 

Wa......wait! 

What are you doing? You too, take off your clothes. 

......Tsu!  

In this kind of place! My cheeks got heated from shame. It felt like my head would boil. Isn’t this something that children shouldn’t do? That question kept going in a circle inside my head. I panicked. 

However for some reason I obediently followed her words. 

As expected I hesitated when I only have my underpants remaining, but Lizel callously said ?Take that off too. Quick?. 

When I also only have my socks and shoes remaining, Lizel stared fixedly on my body as though she is licking me with her gaze. And then, she particularly observed my lower body with enthusiast. 

Hmmm......so it became like that. 

T-this is embarrassing. 

Don’t worry. There is barrier around us, so other humans won’t be able to see. 

E-even so it’s still embarrassing. Aren’t you feeling embarrassed too Onee-san  

Not really. Who cares even if some human see me. More importantly, we are starting. 

W-what are uwa!  

Lizel lightly pushed me. I fell on top of the grass. 

And then, Lizel hovered over me. Being shown the difference of girl’s body with male, I felt shocked, moved, and my eyes can’t move away. However Lizel immediately lowered her waist and straddled me. 

I have researched it before this. Interact it seems to mean to have sex. (TN: The word used here is “kawaru”, it usually meant to mingle, interact, associate. But in a certain situation it can also have the meaning of having sex.) 

Lizel looked down at me with the sunlight shining down on us. 

Her small white breasts have pink nipples on the tips. They looked really lewd. Her breasts aren’t particularly big, rather they looked almost no different from a boy, and yet, as I thought it’s different somehow. Perhaps it felt particularly special because of how pretty Lizel is. 

Perhaps because I’m in a daze from too much nervousness and shame, I came to full circle and got the composure to calmly observe her. Or rather, it felt like I’m an observer outside of my body. 

Lizel’s hand touched my chest. It felt pleasant because her hand felt slightly cool. 

With our skins in contact like this......that’s right, let’s try kissing. 

Eh  

Without even any time to feel surprise, Lizel’s face came approaching. Her face is so well-ordered that it made me questioned whether it’s something artificial. Her eyelashes are long and her blue eyes are like shiny gems. 

She literally stole my heart. And then my lips got stolen. 

......nn? 

Lizel’s lips separated from me. Her hands pushed on my chest so she could lift up her upper body. 

Her white cheeks that are like porcelain are dyed red. 

T-this feeling......I wonder what it is  

Her gaze wandered and her body fidgeted without any calm. The chest that she puffed out proudly until just now suddenly got hidden by her arms. 

No way......it’s embarrassing. 

Lizel muttered that. She looked really , 

Cute? 

Eh!  

Lizel’s cheeks reddened even more. She pressed her hands on her cheeks to cool down that heat. 

Ahn, geez......just what’s going on with me.... 

And then she gasped with a look of realization. 

I heard that devil who came into contact with human before the magic mechanism inside their body solidified will get influenced but......is this, that  

Lizel spoke as though to question herself before she stared fixedly at my face. 

Strange......even though there is no reason or logical explanation for it, I’m thinking that you are cute......that you are lovable......even though there won’t be any compensation for me to feel that. 

Lizel’s face approached once more. Our foreheads touched. 

Is this love  

Something shined above our head at that moment. 

That’s!  

Lizel’s face moved away and she leaped on her feet. 

Something like a card is floating in the air. 

I also got on my feet and stared at the card that is descending while sparkling. 

Lizel muttered deliriously. 

Why is......Lovers arcana......here? 

Lizel’s hand reached out. The moment she touched the card  

Eh!  

The world changed completely. 

A sky with pale blue color and white clouds. A red mountain is visible beyond the flat horizon. And then trees are growing in front of us. 

And then a mature woman stood. 

She is a really beautiful woman with silver hair and golden eyes. She looked like a goddess. 

My name is Sein. You have done well coming here, Himekami Lizel. 

Lizel stared alternately at the arcana in her hand and that woman. 

Are you......Lovers arcana? Are you the personification of arcana, or is this a space that is created by Arcana’s personality  

I’m happy to have a clever owner. 

You mean......I have formally become the devil king candidate of Lovers  

You have the qualification for that. 

Lizel fell into thought with a quiet look. 

But, it’s hard to believe when it’s so sudden......it’s surprising that a devil king’s arcana has personality, and I also never heard that the arcana is the one approaching the candidate. 

That’s because you aren’t the owner of Lovers in the true meaning. 

What do you mean by that  

The devil king’s arcanas were created more than 2000 years ago. By devil and human sorcerers. 

You mean, by a joint effort  

Exactly. In recognition of the contribution of the human sorcerers, it was decided that one of the twenty one arcanas would belong to human. 

Don’t tell me......you are saying that Lovers is an arcana for the sake of human!  

Originally it should be something that belonged to human. However the devil king at that time feared human’s rebellion and snatched away Lovers from humanity’s hand. And then that fact and also the record of it were erased. 

Then......why did it appear before me  

That’s because you interacted with a human child. 

Sein and Lizel stared at me. 

The magical mechanism of devil can easily receive human influence when it’s flexible during the childhood. From that, a mechanism as human was completed inside you. That’s why you can meet me, you can see me, and you can hear my voice. That means, you have obtained the qualification to own Lovers. 

Unbelievable......Lovers belong to human? That’s why Lovers is the weakest until now? Because devils used it  

That’s right. That’s why they couldn’t draw out Lovers’ true strength at all. The devil race made it so their children wouldn’t meet with human during childhood so to not receive bad influence from them. That was the cause. 

......What an irony. But, that means the current me can draw out all of your strength then  

No. 

Why!  

Lovers is an arcana created for the sake of human. Healing Lovers and Infinite Lovers, and also the characteristic magic that use I myself as attack magic......it’s difficult for devil to draw out all the power from those. 

I see......in the end, I won’t be able to win in the Devil King Great War. 

Although, it’s difficult even for human to make use of all my functions. Compared to devil, human’s affinity for magic is remarkably low. Therefore it’s difficult for them to comprehend and analyze magic formula. In addition their mana capacity is overwhelmingly insufficient. 

I’m listening to the talk quietly. I don’t really understand what they are talking about. However, it made me felt hurt in my chest too when I saw Lizel making a really sad face. 

I wanted to do something for this girl’s sake. Such feeling is growing in intensity. 

Umm......is there anything that I can do  

You  

Lizel stared at me in surprise. 

Why are you saying that  

Umm......because Onee-san is looking troubled. 

Lizel’s puzzled face is cute. 

And, why are you thinking to help me  

That’s.... 

I can’t answer because it’s embarrassing. I can’t look at Lizel’s face. 

How can I possibly say that it’s because I fell in love with her. 

Lizel suddenly smiled. Her hand reached out and caressed my cheek. 

Thank you. I’m happy for your offer. 

Just those words made me felt like I’m going to ascend to heaven. 

I’m feeling really happy just from looking at her smile and just from her touching me a little. 

Lizel’s hand moved away from me and her gaze fell on the arcana she is holding. 

At the background is the picture of an angel giving blessing......and at the forefront are naked man and woman facing each other. 

......Sein. You said that Lovers originally belonged to human. 

Yes. 

But, whether it’s used by human or by devil, it will still be insufficient. 

Unfortunately. 

Then, what if both are using it  

Lizel glanced toward me before talking to Sein once more. 

No, I guess both and you. If it’s the human Yuuto, he will be able to hear your voice. Can’t you give him navigation for comprehending and analyzing magic formula, as well for magic and battle  

It’s possible. However, it will be necessary to use ritual magic to bind the relationship of the three people. The cost for it is also great. 

How much  

Lizel, it will be half of your life. 

My heart jumped in shock. 

Half she said, such thing....... 

I became scared when I imagined Lizel dying early. However Lizel herself showed no change in her expression. 

You mean that my lifespan will be halved  

Yes. In addition you will have to shoulder a part of the magic’s processing. Your own processing ability and mana consumption will be affected. 

Then that’s a cheap price. 

T-that’s no good! Something like using up Lizel’s life, that’s too much!! 

Lizel smiled seeing me looking like I’m going to cry. 

You’re kind. But this is just a matter of options. 

Options  

Choosing which one to discard and which one to obtain. You won’t be able to obtain anything if you fear losing something and can’t choose. At this rate I’ll lose what is in my possession bit by bit. In that case I want to bet on the biggest possibility to win. That’s what I’m thinking. 

What is it that you want to obtain Lizel  

Everything in the world. 

......world? 

The scale is too big that I can’t reply. 

I was dissatisfied by my own birth. Of course, I know that I’m blessed if seen from the broad point of view. However, ability wise I think that what I have is still not enough. I hate that kind of world where everything has been decided since birth. I want to have something that is appropriate for my capability. It’s the same with the mixed blood devil just now. If he has actual strength, then I think he should obtain something that is appropriate to it. 

I’m taken aback. To think that a girl who isn’t that much older than me is thinking like that. She isn’t just pretty at the outside, I’m also amazed by how smart Lizel is. 

That Lizel is making a small sigh. 

However that stance will turn the great majority of the current devil world into enemy. That’s why I want absolute authority. I almost gave up and abandoned myself but......but Yuuto, the situation changed after meeting you. I can see the path to be the next devil king. 

Devil king! 

......That’s what you want to become together with me  

You don’t want to  

I strongly shook my head to left and right. 

I’m not confident. Will I......really be useful  

Yuuto, just now you put yourself in danger in order to save your friend, a mixed blood devil. You will be fine if you have that courage. Besides when we touched each other just now, I had confirmed that you have good affinity with magic. 

And then she turned a questioning gaze toward Sein. 

Yes. There is nothing to criticize about his affinity. 

Lizel nodded smugly hearing that answer. She looked even cuter to me. 

What about you instead Yuuto? I think that it might be asking too much to ask you to suddenly trust a devil who appeared out of nowhere. 

I shook my head to left and right energetically. 

You spared my friend just now Lizel. You reported him but......you didn’t tell them that he tried to kill you. You listened to my request and saved him. That’s why I think you’re a good person, someone who I can trust. 

Lizel smiled happily. Her smile looked angelic. I can’t see her as a devil at all. 

Even so, I never even imagined that things will develop like this. I can’t believe that this me is feeling this much affection toward a boy, a human boy at that. There isn’t any particular reason for me to like you, and we had only just met, and yet.... 

Lizel muttered as though in exasperation toward herself , 

That is what is called love. 

Sein spoke with a calm voice. 

I see......so this is love. 

Lizel spoke the word slowly as though to digest its meaning. Her voice made me felt unbearably embarrassed. 

After that Lizel spoke decisively. 

Well then Sein, do it please. Carry out the ritual magic to connect Yuuto, you, and me. 

Confirmed. I strongly recommend a relationship where Yuuto become the devil king candidate with Lizel as the support. Is that fine  

I prefer to obtain the result rather than the title. 

Affirmative. Then when the next Devil King Great War break out, I shall redo the determination of the devil king candidate. The time when is undecided. 

If it’s about that then I know when. For some reason the current devil king secretly told me. the next Devil King Great War will be in ten more years. 

There is one more thing to worry about. The ritual magic will put great burden on the human. In order to avoid any damage to the brain, I will erase his memory about this for a while. 

I see......so he will also forget about this encounter then. 

Lizel stared at me with a sad look. 

Yuuto, can you stay unchanging even after ten years has passed  

That’s obvious. 

I nodded strongly. 

. 

Tsu!  

. 

When I opened my eyes, there is Lizel-senpai’s face right in front of me. 

Her lips that were kissing me drew away. 

Yuuto......  

Lizel-senpai.... 

I see. 

So that’s how it was. 

What’s the matter, Yuuto  

Everyone is around me, and then some distance away my friend in the past Lost is there. 

No, it’s nothing. 

That’s right. Right now isn’t the time for that. 

I parted from Lizel-senpai and stared at Lost. 

I unbuttoned my shirt and took the Lovers arcana that is hanging from my neck. 

You saved me huh. 

Report. Mana capacity’s upper limit has broken through the target. 

Sheesh. 

I really can’t tell Lizel-senpai what it was that I saw to break through the upper limit. 

Characteristic magic’s restriction is lifted. 

Yeah. Let’s use it right away. I faced Lost and took a step forward. 

First , 

Infinite Lovers! 

Mana welled up from inside me. My body is filled with mana after breaking through my upper limit until now. 

I felt like fizzling energy drink is rushing around inside my blood vessel. 

With this, I can use any kind of characteristic magic no matter how gluttonous for mana it is. 

I placed my hand on the Lovers arcana. 

I’m counting on you, my last characteristic magic. 

Sein( Sword ) !! 

A sword’s handle jutted out from the arcana. I grabbed that handle and pulled it out in one go. 

A silver sword appeared from Lovers arcana. It’s a single-edged sword with curved blade. The blade glistened as though it’s wet. Golden pattern is engraved elegantly on it. 

Beautiful. It also contained a dreadfulness that surpassed human knowledge. 

It’s truly Sein in sword form. 

With Sein in one hand, I walked toward Lost. 

Hee......so Lovers has that kind of sword. Well, it doesn’t matter though. 

Lost stared at my hand. 

Star’s protection is already gone isn’t it? That magic should have consumed a considerable amount of mana too. 

Certainly, Stella’s star has vanished. 

Lost turned his left hand that turned into handgun toward me once more. 

It’s sayonara for real this time, Yuuto. 

The bullet is fired with black smoke and black sparks. 

I’m feeling Sein that I’m holding with both hands. 

Reina had taught me. To have a deep relationship with the sword. That will make me skilled with sword technique. 

What’s important is how much power you can draw out by trusting your sword. 

My connection with Sein Lovers  is at the deepest and strongest level. 

That’s why, 

There is no way I’ll lose!! 

I trusted Sein and swung the sword toward the approaching bullet. 

I don’t perceive the bullet with sight by any means. 

Feeling wise, it’s like I’m just cutting through air without hitting anything. 

However, I’m not worried. Rather I’m convinced. 

There is nothing that Sein can’t cut. 

When I finished swinging Sein the silver blade has bisected the black bullet. 

The bisected bullet passed my right and left sides and turned into white smoke behind me. 

The curse was purified? 

Sein’s voice came to me not through hearing. I understood her faster than sound. She felt really close. 

That sword......it’s surprising. 

Lost’s face twisted and he laughed. 

But, this is also fun in its own way. This reminds me of when we were kids. 

Yeah......we did a lot of things. Like playing tag, or pro-wrestling. 

I never lost in any of those games. 

Then, this will be my first win after ten years. 

I kicked on the ground in the middle of talking. 

To win against Lost’s gun, I can only close the distance instantly. However if he fired his gun from close range, it will make it harder to dodge or block it. 

However I won’t have any chance of winning without getting closer. I have confirmed that attack of normal magic won’t work against him. I can only make a gamble here. 

UOOOOOOOOOO!! 

Sein slashed at Lost, but sparks scattered when there is just a bit more distance. 

!  

Do you think you can cut me just because you had cut that bullet  

Lost’s right arm doubled in size than before. 

Armor for defense has different toughness than just bullet. Besides I can remake my body freely. If I thicken my armor, physical attack won’t be able to defeat me. 

The right arm’s armor got thinner, then next his sword changed to be thicker and longer. 

Tsu!  

The sword slashed at me with speed that my eyes can’t follow. 

I dodged it a moment faster but, next the hand gun of his left hand aimed at me. 

Shit-!! 

I somehow struck down the fired bullet from an unbalanced posture. 

Hahaha, work harder Yuuto. 

Lost headed toward me in his black armor. Fast. 

I blocked the lunging sword and our swords locked against each other  

!! 

A bullet is fired from point blank. I dodged it with just my instinct. 

Not bad. 

Lost showed a composed smile. His sword shredded my chest. 

Guah!  

Red blood scattered. 

However I’ll be fine if it’s the right hand’s sword. The problem is the left hand’s gun. If I got hit by the bullet that is fired from there, it’s game over for me. 

Oi oi, if you are that far away from me, you won’t be able to win even if you can you know? Come at me. 

Kuh.... 

Then, I’ll be the one who come there. 

Lost let his left hand’s gun to simply dangle down and slashed with his right hand’s sword. 

......Shit-!! 

I desperately fought back by increasing Infinite Lover’s mana. I can only increase my speed to oppose the sword and bullet. 

Hahahaha! I wonder how far you can keep up with me in speed!  

DAMMITTTTTTTTTTTTT!! 

I desperately raised my mana circulation, blocked the sword slashes, and struck down the bullets. I myself already lost track of what I am doing. I’m mostly leaving things to my reflex and Sein. What I can do is only single-mindedly pouring out mana. 

But my limit is close. Thanks to my special training, I have as much mana as I wanted. My connection with Sein is also satisfactory. However there is one more limit inside me. 

The limit due to being human. 

My magic circuit is overwhelmingly inferior compared to devil. My mana is stagnating inside my body even though I have accumulated a lot of it. 

I’ll be able to display Sein’s power more if only my magic formula’s processing is faster. However, this is a fundamental problem. 

The fact that I’m a human is becoming the greatest hindrance. 

Like this, my option is , 

There is a way. 

Lizel-senpai! 

She didn’t call out to me. Her voice resounded inside my head. It’s like when Lovers arcana talked to me. 

You aren’t alone. 

Lizel-senpai.... 

I’m always together with you. Even during these ten years when we were apart, I was always with you. 

You have been watching over me all this time huh. 

I’ll compensate for things that you are lacking in. That’s why ? 

Sein’s silver blade started shining blue. 

We won’t lose! 

UOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!! 

Lost’s right hand’s sword snapped. 

Sein’s blade had severed Lost’s sword. 

Ha  

Lost showed a befuddled look for an instant. 

I myself am also shocked. 

This is.... 

What is lacking is Yuuto’s magic circuit. Its processing power. 

Lizel-senpai’s eyes are shining blue. Her whole body shined faintly. Countless magic circuits are running over her skin. 

If one person is insufficient, you can just divide the processing. Use my magic circuit too in parallel. That’s possible with the inexhaustible mana that Yuuto produced. 

Such thing is.... 

I paid the great cost of half my life for that. This compensation is only natural. 

The dumbfounded Lost came back to his senses and pointed his gun at me. 

Tsu......this is already over!! 

His left arm is protected by layers of armor so that it can’t be cut. 

Sein slashed in a flash that left arm whirled in the air. 

!  

The severed left arm rotated in the air while returning into black liquid. 

It’s cut. 

Lost’s body that is created from agony, anguish, hatred, and grudge. 

However, even then Lost is showing a condescending smile. 

I told you it’s pointless! No matter how many times you cut me, my body is ? 

The left arm that returned into black liquid fell just like that on the ground and seeped into the courtyard’s soil. 

It......doesn’t return to my body! That’s impossible!! 

Lost. With that body you won’t be able to win against Lovers’ sword. 

I pointed the sword tip at Lost’s face. 

Let’s start over, Lost. 

Shut up!! 

Many arms stretched out from Lost’s back like spider legs. 

It will be my win if I can touch you! I’ll absorb you Yuuto! 

Lost!! 

I instantly cut down the spider legs that approached from four directions. 

The severed tips regenerated new legs that aimed at me once more. 

Let’s go Sein!! Lizel-senpai!! 

I sent even more mana to Sein and Lizel-senpai. 

And then the processed result from Lizel-senpai’s magic circuit returned to me. 

Sein’s blade shined blue even more radiantly. It intercepted Lost with a speed that is like the speed of light. 

UAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!! 

Cut. Cut. Cut, cut, cut cut cut cut cutcutcut. 

I cut even deeper without even waiting for the regeneration. 

LOSTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTT!! 

YUUTOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!! 

It felt like the exchange of attacks had lasted for eternity. 

However each time Lost’s body got severed, his size is rapidly shrinking. 

Shit-! Shit-! Shit-! Shit-! SHITTTTTTTT!! 

His form is like his form in the past when we met for the first time as kids. 

It shouldn’t be like this! It shouldn’t be like this!! Even though, I just, wanted to have it easy, with everyone, smiling, and yet! WHY DID IT TURN OUT LIKE THISSSSSSSSSSSSSS!! 

Tears are flowing from Lost’s eyes. 

I too am crying before I realized it. 

My sight is blurred. 

UWAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!! 

Lost rushed forward with all his strength. 

!! 

Sein cut that body. 

Lost’s body that has become small rolled on the ground. 

Lost!! 

No more reply came back at my call. Lost’s opened eyes aren’t looking at anything. 

Black liquid is spreading from under that body. 

It’s unclear whether it’s Lost himself or the black swamp that guided devil to death. 

But either way, it doesn’t change that it’s?death?. 

I continued staring at that black stain getting absorbed into the ground while shedding tears. 

To see off my old friend. 

. 

Part 3 

The barrier vanished at the same timing with Lost’s disappearance. 

It’s like the dark sky fell off to be replaced by the blue sky. 

Sound of applause resounded together with a refreshing wind blowing. 

Hahaaa, good job there you guys! 

Headmaster Gandou approached in a good mood. 

Haha, you all must be surprised by the sudden event this time! But, this too is a part of the disaster prevention practice! It will be pointless if you guys can’t react to unexpected situation! 

Haa.... 

I’m tired, and my feeling is also heavy right now. The headmaster’s tempo is a bit painful at this kind of time. 

Lizel-senpai glared at headmaster with a slightly angry face. 

Can’t you keep it in moderation with your interruption? The current devil king making interference like this is not really something praiseworthy I believe. 

Wahahahaha, you really hit sensei’s sore spot there! Lizel-kun is really scary. 

You are making fun of us again like that ? 

Lizel-senpai’s gaze got dragged toward far behind the headmaster. 

A pair of man and woman are standing there. The man has big built like a pro wrestler, while the woman has a bearing like a holy woman. 

Students? But they looked a bit too old to be one. 

Hm? Aa, those guys. They were amusing themselves watching the fight of you guys. 

Who are they  

They are Emperor and Priestess. 

Ha! 

They are Triumph!  

Lizel-senpai and everyone else also got tense. 

Certainly, they are radiating an abnormal pressure just from standing there. Even though they aren’t really doing anything, I’m feeling a pressure that made me felt like my body would be blown away. 

They are clearly in a different level. 

Rather than us......their existence felt closer to the headmaster for some reason. If those two attacked us right now, we will . 

However those two only glanced at us before turning around and leaving. 

The moment I sighed in relieve, my eyes darkened and the world tilted. 

Eh  

When I noticed, I had fallen on the ground. 

Yuuto!  

Oi, what’s wrong Yuuto!  

Yuuto-kun! 

Aa, I see......I have used up my mana. 

I’m lying down face up. My sight is completely filled with the sky. 

But right after that, everyone’s face blocked the sky from view. 

Oi, get a hold of yourself! 

Onii-chan! 

Awawa, what to do-! Infirmary! Or should I call ambulance!  

Yuuto-kun is super popular eh  

My consciousness is cut off while I’m listening to everyone’s voice. 

. 

Part 4 

When I opened my eyes, I’m sleeping on a bed. 

It’s a splendid bed with a canopy attached......that means, this is the academy’s waiting room, the Palace. 

Are you awake, Yuuto  

A pleasant voice tickled my right ear. 

Lizel-senpai, I’m sorry. I suddenly, lost con eh!  

Lizel-senpai is there pushing her naked breasts on my right arm. Furthermore she is utterly stark naked. 

If you are awake already then hand over your mana quickly. I’m really uneasy over here. 

Stella’s displeased voice came from the left side wait, Stella! 

When I twisted my neck to the opposite side reflexively, over there is the national idol without a single string covering her body. 

Before that we need to give Yuuto lots of mana like bam bam to Yuuto though-! 

Right......I’ll work hard too, so get well quickly okay, Yuuto-kun. 

When I lifted up my head, a stark naked Miyabi and Neith are looking up at me from my lower body. 

So this is why my lower body felt strangely good! 

Someone caressed my lifted head and pulled it on the pillow again , 

That’s completely no no desu. Onii-chan, please keep resting slowly desu desu. 

Reina peered down on my face. My head was lying on Reina’s lap, not a pillow! 

Somehow, thing is getting even more amazing.... 

Lizel-senpai chuckled when I unconsciously muttered that. 

With this the preparation to fight in the Devil King Civil War is finally in order. 

But Lizel-senpai......those two who showed up together with the headmaster? 

You mean the Emperor and Priestess. 

Just from looking I can feel that they are bad news. It’s like, they are in a different level than us.... 

It’s alright. I had been preparing until now in order to win against those monsters. 

That’s right. 

Lizel-senpai has been preparing since ten years ago. 

She paid the cost of half her life in order to make me win no, 

In order to win together with me. 

In order to rebel against the current world. 

I turned toward Lizel-senpai and nodded. 

Right. Let’s win. For sure. 

My cheek got poked from the opposite side. 

Wait, why are you getting into a good mood with Lizel even though I’m right here huh  

Stella’s dissatisfied face came closer. 

Yep yep, we are also here-! 

Y-Yuuto-kun......I’ll, service you  

Everyone......Lizel-senpai, Miyabi, Reina, Stella, Neith. 

There is also Aspite and Ruki. 

Everyone, thank you. 

If everyone is with me, I can do this. 

And then, for everyone’s sake, in order to make a world where everyone’s wish can come true. 

Watch me, Lost. 

I absolutely will become the next devil king! 

I renewed my determination while getting jostled by five beautiful girls.