I am aware that Ichirou’s desire is for me not to fight. However, on multiple occasions, I already told him that it is inevitable for such desire to come to light. A situation can drastically change from a normal to a chaotic day wherein we are going to be forced to fight for ourselves. Even if I know that having to know that Ichirou didn’t even give any effort to make us better makes me dispirited.

I thought that I can fully rely on him but, that was not the case for him. He always openly opposes our involvement in any fight but in the end, I could sway him and have him help us. I thought surely he gradually changed his mind and let us take care of ourselves.

No, that was not it.

Even up until now, he strongly opposes it. For what reason does he do it? What is his underlying motive for his acts? What does he see as righteous and what does he see as wrong?

There are no acts that made it self-evident. He just tolerated our actions but not what we truly wanted to do. Was he being greedy for self-satisfaction or was he just a selfless man with a virtue to help anyone. I am pretty sure it won’t be the latter one as for how he treated Topaz.

I feel like he betrayed me but in a sense, he didn’t do anything wrong.

I feel like the Ichirou that I knew is splitting into two and forming a very complex personality. I don’t want that but I am not someone who should be saying what he should do.

“Ichirou, do you want me to tell you what are you exactly doing to Asagao?”

“Senya…”

“You are…stunning her potential growth.”

The words struck me like a lightning. Even Ichirou is lost for words after hearing that. Somehow, the words dig deeper into my chest that it starts tightening. Everything, suddenly, becomes clear and but at the same time, brought over fear and hesitation in my heart.

“Ichirou…you are doing what Nil exactly did to me…”

I utter those with words with a painful shrill. It was not exactly what Ichirou is aiming for, I know that, but, it is something specifically similar in essence. What does he envision when he yearns to protect us?

Upon hearing my cry, Ichirou’s face hardens and words no longer objected my weak and feeble remark.

“Ichirou…I am truly thankful for your concern. I feel comfortable around you and I think you don’t have any ulterior motives however…this is not…your knight and princess' story…”

“Asagao…! That’s not what I--!”

“Please understand… we’ve already lost the leisure time for such thing. This may sound like I am getting full of myself but, I am aware of the reality in front of us and by any means, I want to end it.”

Our time and fantasy for role-playing shouldn’t interfere with our goal towards the end of this madness Nil and the devils brought upon. It is the thing that I prioritize that most and set everything aside as possible as I can.

Ichirou once again stiffens from my words. This time, he just blankly looks at me but his eyes hint that he is a little furious and what’s to say something. However, when he resolved his self to speak, Senya immediately intervenes.

“There seems to be an odd dissonance between the two of you despite being tied together with a special bond.”

“The bonds between me and Asagao are perfectly normal.”

“Is that so? I wonder how you see Asagao and how Asagao sees you. Even at this moment, you are still trying to keep Asagao away from what she must do and what she desires to achieve. Is there any issue about it that you keep yourself with?”

“Senya, first of all, I am grateful that you willingly took care of Asagao and the others. You are perceptive, wise and reliable. However, despite all of those qualities, there’s one thing I’d like to confirm.”

“What could it be?”

“Are you even strong?”

That’s when I realize…they are provoking each other. I have no idea what happened for the past three days that I am asleep but I am betting that they didn’t have any good start.

A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

Senya’s brow twitches and Ichirou’s face is cramping in anger.

The atmosphere becomes heavy and cold ice stares are briefly exchanged. I can feel my sweat dripping as the aggression intensifies. Meiko who is on the ground too shiver and retreats slowly from the two. I’d like to escape the situation myself because this is really not the right time for this but I just can’t because I am the root of the problem.

Also, even I want to see how strong Senya is. I don’t doubt her but It would greatly put me at ease if she is good or strong with magic or something.

But do they really have to go that far in trying to provoke each other? As far as they need to bring up issues like how weak I am and emphasize it as if they have to slap it to my face? They are just doing unnecessary aggression.

“Asagao.”

“Yes, Miss Senya, what is it?”

“Can you do that Divine Possession with Ichirou?”

“Sure…but…why?!”

“It seems that I have to do something for this man here to understand.”

She personally requested it.

If she says so, as someone who is in level with master, I cannot decline. Ichirou, on the other hand, found satisfaction with Senya’s suggestion and walk closer to me. Finding no compromise for the situation at hand, I steeled my mind and prepare my body for the incoming battle that is about to come.

Come to think of it, Ichirou is contradicting himself with this quarrel with Senya and that in itself is quite vexing as I am used.

“What are you doing this for, Ichirou?!”

“Asagao…”

“Do you…hate me or something…? Do you really want me to stop doing what I like doing!?”

“That’s impossible. I don’t hate you at all but I the thought of you and the twins fighting to get yourselves hurt. Even if it is a wishful and naïve thought, even if it sounded illogical, I want you to stand behind me. Still, it’s impossible…”

“I don’t understand you anymore! For me, you are turning into someone frightening…”

“I’m sorry… I don’t mean to…”

“However, I still trust you so we are going to do this.”

To be honest, he is not frightening, it is just that, whenever I look at him recently, something wrong is happening to me. Even now, there is this fuzzy feeling in my chest and my body and cheeks feel hot. That’s what is frightening me.

Unlike our usual Divine Possession of holding hands, this time, my arms felt wrapping around Ichirou’s body. For some odd reason, even after what he has done, my body yearns for his warmth. Because of this, even Ichirou is taken aback as I sweetly snuggle to him.

“Asagao?!”

“[Divine Possession.]”

Just like the usual, pale blue light illuminates the whole ground and the forest is dyed with the hue of sky blue.  The spiritech covers my right arm and legs strengthening and fortifying my physical abilities to the max. I remove the sandals that I am wearing as it would just further hinder me and the frilly sundress is kept as it is because I cannot do anything about it.

I wonder if the wind the keeps fluttering my dress shows my underwear.

Senya’s face is painted with wonder and surprise upon seeing our power, our resonance of souls, mine and his ultimate and shared power that is surging with divine power that violently shakes everything. Even Meiko who stood aside has a flabbergasted countenance.

“So this is that Divine Possession…how wonderful.”

“Senya, aren’t you going to bring out any weapon? Aren’t you going to prepare yourself for this battle? Because I guarantee you that we are very strong.”

“Oh my, I like how you care for me, however, I am fine. Attack as you please and do not hold back if you don’t want to insult me.”

If there’s one thing I learned in this world, never ever underestimate anyone, even someone crippled like Senya. Everything is bizarre and everyone is absurd. I learned how to trust my guts and right now, my guts is telling me not to hold back against her like what she said.

“Ichirou, I am going to attack with all my might.”

“”

“Okay!”

Glancing at Senya who calmly observe us, I notice that she hasn’t even moved from her place and never intended to stand up from her wheelchair. What’s more vexing is that she only just momentarily shows her surprise but reverts back to her smiling countenance.

Gripping tightly the divine sword that was produced with our interweaving souls, I gather power and enclose it. Grasping the sword with both of my hands, I dash towards Senya leaving a flash of light that left in our wake.

“[Violent Dragon Tempest…]”

Senya softly mutters something and I was able to catch a drift of it. Nevertheless, I kept my focus clear and concise and head towards her with the sword going in for a slash across. If she doesn’t fight back, I’ll do everything I can to stop the sword from hurting her, even if I have to break my arm. If she does, then I won’t hold back.

At the moment come, I feel like the whole world moves so slowly. In a split second, the ground which our power dominates loses in an instant as new vibrant and warm power promptly envelopes the place.

“[Counter!]”

As I heard what Senya said, I didn’t hesitate anymore and strike my sword downward, but contrary to my expectation, in that very instant…

I found myself catching for breath while kneeling and holding my stomach in pain…

My consciousness flickers and my eyes are losing its focus as my vision gets blurry from pain and dizziness. It feels like something blunt hits me and it kept me from breathing properly.

“Haa…Haa…Haaa…”

“”

“Haaa…I…ack…I don’t…haa…it hurts…my…regeneration…is slow…Haa…”

Gritting my teeth, I force myself to look towards her, the source of this new power that is so warm it sent shiver down to my spine…

Ahh…how could I forgot about it…

“”

Unlike earlier, Senya now stands on her feet. Her usually closed eyes are now showing a deep lime green pupils and her stare shows a calm but proud and dignified warrior that I felt scared. In her hand, is a rainbow colored sword that expels seven colored light that it puts my aura in shame.

The God Artifact Excelsior…

“”

“I told you before, right? I am still a hero despite my weak body.”

“”

“I never mention anything about being completely crippled. I just have a weak gait and I easily get tired if I walk around, however, with the help of magic enhancement and this sword, Excelsior, I am able to make my legs functional.”

“”

“I have my reasons…but enough of that. Are you two satisfied?”

What in the world did she do?!

It is quite frustrating she brought me down to my knees but at the same time, I am in awe because she is so strong.

Even Ichirou and I didn’t even stand a chance and her movement is swift and smooth that I didn’t even know what hit me. It was so strong that it left me on the verge of tears and with unsteady hands and feet due to the shock.

“Miss…Senya…”

“Asagao, I am sorry, however, shouldn’t you receive such attack, we won’t be able to start anything, right?”

“Yes…”

“And as of now, the first thing I want you to learn is…”

Senya pauses as she flings the Godly Artifact Excelsior creating a gust of violent wind expelling so much power.

“I am far stronger than both of you.”