On my way to school, in a park, a red-haired woman and a black-haired man block my path. They are members of Edge Shadow Corporation. The oppressive aura they exude is immediately palpable, thickening the air around us.

"Hey there, Sunglasses Rabbit. Is this our first time meeting?"

The red-haired woman, Garnet Prince, gives a faint smile and fixes me with a sharp gaze, as if sizing me up. I glare back without hesitation.

"Oh, so it's Ms. Garnet Prince. I have some business with a woman named Forte. Perfect timing. Would you show me the way?"

With that, she raises an electric guitar to block my path. The man pulls out three electronic timpani from thin air. A slightly grating high-frequency sound begins to resonate—a clear signal for battle.

"What are you planning?"

"I don't intend for you to handle Forte. I want to take her down myself."

"Hmph. You don't really think you can protect her by saying that, do you?"

I've heard that these two have been somewhat brainwashed by Nightmare Magic. However, it hasn't been long since the brainwashing began, and they still seem to have the capacity to resist. A hint of hesitation flickers in their slightly wavering eyes.

"Protect? Don't make jokes. That person is the target of my sister."

"Then try taking her life right in front of me. You three, cooperate together."

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After saying that, Sharp's molars click sharply.

"I... I'm telling you, I won't let you pass. You should go home."

"Oh, stubborn, aren't you? Fine. I was just about to test your skills anyway."

I draw my violin, pulling the bow smoothly to play a chilling melody.

"Advance Ice!"

Instantly, freezing winds whip through the park.

But the two respond simultaneously, playing their electric guitar and timpani in unison, initiating a session called "Master Fire!"

Raging ice and flames clash, sending shockwaves through the surroundings.

"Oh, you two are perfectly in sync. Maybe you should become lovers instead."

"N-No way!" they retort in unison.

"Then face my next move—Shadow Canon!"

The sinister sound of the violin darkens the air, attempting to steal their sight.

"My eyes... my eyes...!"

"It's okay! Capture it with the eyes of your heart!"

"Heh. Elise tried fighting the same way. Those who are defeated by me always use the same method. But such tactics are powerless against my magic! I'll give you Advance Thunder!"

"Gyaaah!"

Thunder rumbles, shaking the air. Lightning surges from the guitar strings to the timpani skins, delivering a powerful shock.

Due to the nature of electric guitars and electronic timpani, the two, struck by lightning magic, scream and collapse to the ground.

"Heh. Choosing electric guitar and electronic timpani was a mistake. Electronic instruments are powerless against lightning magic! Powerless! Powerless! Powerless!"

I calmly approach the two fallen opponents and grab Sharp by the collar, lifting him into the air.

"Guggu... Damn it...!"

"Don't worry. I won't bury you just yet. The organization is hoping you'll awaken as Super Garnet Prince. Super Garnet Prince will be three times stronger than the regular Garnet Prince. On the day you successfully awaken as Super Garnet Prince, I'll deploy you to the battlefield and have you serve as a killing weapon."

I release Sharp, letting him fall to the ground.

"Gyaaah!"

Two Edge Shadow Corporation combatants rush over and stop in place, waiting for orders.

"Perfect. Put these two in prison. It's better to keep them restrained until their brainwashing progresses a bit more."

"Ha...!"

Now then, I need to get back to my main task. I have to eliminate Cobalt Princess. If she awakens as Super Cobalt Princess, things will become a troublesome mess.

I turn my back and leave the now silent park.

What remains is the smell of scorched lightning and the fading echoes of the violin's madness.