Damn it…

My mind blinks in and out as my body gasps for air. The heat rise more and more as the wingless dragon desperately attacks us with its fire breath. Casablanca restlessly fills her blade with magic to bolster her defense and Hibiscus tirelessly chants repeatedly to replace the spirit summon to a new one to block the fire.

Ichirou becomes occupied as he grapples against the wyrm who is trying to pull him into the lava as it grabs him by the body constricting his movement. It was a miracle that his skin isn’t even burnt from the body temperature of the wyrm.

And I lay down behind Casablanca and Hibiscus relying on their staggering body as they hold out against the assault of the dragon.

The Divine Ascension…failed…

I don’t get it.

It is clear to me that I was able to pass the blessing to them. If it does fail, they should be attacked by a strong headache but there was no such thing happened. Also, there should be an insignia behind them as the blessing is bestowed.

But nothing changed…

I tried to imitate what Nil did back then when we fought with him in the Demon Continent. I tried to do what he did and I was really confident about it but…

I failed…

Or rather, I didn’t know what has gone wrong.

Shoot…

My mind is giving in…

The fire that tormented Casablanca and Hibiscus ceases and they instantly collapse on the ground losing their consciousness.

No…

I have to…

.

.

.

“Asagao! Open your eyes!”

A voice of a man is calling out to me. The voice is familiar and it’s really close to me. My eyelid quivers as I try to open my eyes to see what’s happening around me. The only thing I remembered when I lost my consciousness is Casablanca and Hibiscus protecting me.

“Asagao! Casablanca! Hibiscus! Hey!”

The voice is extremely anxious and worried.

I know who.

Ichirou…

As I open my eyes what I saw in front of me something bizarre.

Caracas of the dragons litters the whole room with blood and innards, even broken scales and tattered wings painted the place. Even the wingless dragon’s body was cut evenly in half as it lay there lifelessly.

The story has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.

But, what made me catch for breath is the rainbow colored deformed sword in Ichirou’s hand that glows brilliantly. From it, myriad of spirits are swimming in it and the amount power that it packed made me flabbergasted.

What is…that…sword…?

Is it that sword he called Excelsior?

As I focus my eyes on his eyes, I became more bewildered. Ichirou’s eyes are sore and there are still tears in the corner of his eyelids. When he realized that I regained my consciousness, his lips clenches, and quivers.

“Ichirou-nii…”

“Asagao!”

He immediately embraces me pulling my body towards his. The sword in his hand instantly vanishes as he did. He presses my body to his chest as he breathed a sigh of relief.

“Ichirou-nii…I’m already fine…this is a bit embarrassing…”

“No…! I am really sorry! I shouldn’t have held back! I should have done everything I can. I became careless and in the process, you three found yourselves in danger. It’s my fault!”

“It’s not your fault…”

I don’t want to start a game of pointing fingers. It was no one’s fault for what happened. We all make mistakes but what happened earlier was unexpected. My hopes of using divine ascension to the twins were immediately toppled and I didn’t expect that.

It’s really depressing to think that I cannot even do what Nil can.

What bothers me the most is that why the blessing didn’t take effect on the twins even though it was passed to them? Is it because of me or my affinity with them?

Darn…

“Ichirou-nii… Casablanca and Hibiscus are?”

“They are perfectly fine.”

When I turn my eyes to my sides, Casablanca and Hibiscus was there. Their eyes slowly open while their lids quiver. When they come to and sits upright from the shock of what happened to the surrounding, Ichirou’s hand extended to them and huddled as three to his embrace.

“Ichirou-nii! Have a little shame!”

“Ueeh..?! What’s happening?”

“Wah! A group hug?!”

Eh..?!

What has gotten to him all of a sudden!?

“Ichirou-nii, you’re overreacting! We’re not dead! We managed to survive and it’s all thanks to you! So please, stop this at once!”

“Is it bad for me to be so glad that everyone is safe? Asagao, Casablanca and Hibiscus, the next time something like this happens, please, let me handle it!”

“What are you saying?! We can fig--!”

“Please.”

“…”

“Asagao.”

“I’ll think about it.”

.

.

.

It was really mortifying for me that Ichirou is so obstinate about it that we argued for a good thirty minutes. Even though we already fought together against Nil and I have proven that I am useful, he blatantly told me that I don’t have to fight.

I can’t accept that because it is what I want to do.

It’s just that, this battle today didn’t end well for us. I know that luck isn’t always by my side. I have already lost so many times and I am not afraid to lose again as I strive for a win.

But as I contemplate, I realize that I almost got Casablanca and Hibiscus in jeopardy from my failed action as the Divine Ascension didn’t work. It also struck me that I was being reckless too.

Now I can’t talk back at Ichirou as the realization hits me.

“Asagao…”

“I’ll comply, for now, Ichirou-nii. But when the time comes that I need to act, you won’t stop me. I don’t want to be your damsel-in-distress figure or your little princess. Please remember that fact. All of us have something we wanted to protect, not only you but also us. Not because you are a hero doesn’t mean you have the rights to carry every weight on your shoulders. That’s just being pretentious!”

“I don’t intend to be a hero… not anymore at the very least. I know how you feel Asagao but, I have given my words and I am doing this for those people who await you and care for you. The same goes for Casablanca and Hibiscus!”

“Ichirou-nii, you are not getting my point…”

“Yes, I don’t exactly get what you are trying to point out, Asagao. I’m sorry but, I won’t let you put yourself in danger anymore.”

“Ichirou-nii!”

Why did it turn out like this?

Is it because of the difference in beliefs and experiences?

Or Ichirou has always been like this?

Fighting is what Master taught me and courage and perseverance are what I’ve learned from Milin. I am aware of his concerns for our safety but, I can’t agree with him. Fighting is not my passion but it is something I dearly wanted to deeply engross myself.

What is Ichirou thinking as of this moment?

I thought that I have a full understanding of how his mind works but, people changes and I cannot anticipate what he wanted anymore.

I’ll admit, I am fighting because, partially, I want to feel self-satisfaction from the act as I proven myself usefulness or how strong I am to someone. For him to say that I shouldn’t fight anymore, it is like tramping of what I am striving for.

Casablanca wants to prove herself.

Hibiscus wants to prove herself.

And I wanted to prove myself too!

It’s only a natural thing!

How many times have I agonized over these kinds of thoughts?!

“Ichirou-nii…”

“…”

“I hope this isn’t one of your idealist justice craps.”