“A full party heal? You’ve gotten strong, Naochan,” said Kagami through her bloodied up face. I was surprised she was even standing.

Nao’s magic had given us a distinct advantage, but that didn’t change the fact that we were all exhausted and facing more experienced opponents. In other words, we certainly weren’t out of the woods yet.

‘Stay close together. We have the advantage in endurance, we just need to hold out for longer than them.”

‘Got it. But Nao’s looking a little worse for wear, she gonna be alright to fly?’

‘I’ve told her to stay on the ground and support from behind for now. That party heal took a lot out of her.’

It was just as I had feared. At the cost of her own stamina, Nao had more sure the rest of us could keep fighting. But if the exhaustion took too much of a toll on her, we’d be rendered a man down.

“Still not ready to give up, Tachibana? Are you this resolute in your decision to send your friends to their deaths?”

“My friends? Look at your girls, Nakama. Two are beat up to high hell and one’s panting like a dog. For someone who claims to protect her team at all costs, you sure are happy to let them get hurt for your shitty cause.”

“But this is to protect them, Tachibana. I know your heart is too good to allow you to take a human life, but were we to meet on the true battlefield your hand may be forced. I am preventing that outcome before it comes to pass.”

“You’re so full of shit.”

While it looked like a negotiation that was breaking down, it was clear what both leaders were really doing: stalling. Both Nao and Shiko were at a point of exhaustion, and neither Saki nor Nakama were willing to hedge their bets on a teammate who was panting for air.

None of us dared to move. Our leaders seemed to be trying to calling one another’s bluff, their eyes locked, unblinking. The atmosphere was suffocating.

‘Nao’s got her breath back. On my mark, we move as a team. We focus Nakama first.’

‘Nakama? She’s the one in best condition. Surely anyone else would be better?’

‘We’re disrupting their chain of command. Without Nakama calling the shots the rest are easy pickings.’

‘…okay. I’ll trust your judgement on this.’

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With confirmation from the rest of us, Saki continued to stare down her foe. Then, with the speed of a hunting cheetah, she leapt forth without hesitation.

Mai and I followed directly behind, with Nao a few steps back from us. Clearly not expecting to be hounded by our entire team, Nakama attempted to counter Saki’s opening strike, leaving her open to the synchronised turning kicks Mai and I unleashed into either side of her abdomen.

Shiko, seeing her leader suddenly under immense pressure, attempted to grab Mai but was stopped by a quick shove from me. I followed up with a right jab and a push kick, though Shiko braced for it and grabbed my leg before I could bring it back to ground.

She began to lift my leg and push me backwards, a move that would have had me off my feet if not for Sunao approaching at lightning speed with a blitzer of a flying kick. She followed this up immediately by spreading her wings with immense force, knocking back Yokoshima and Kagami who had begun to catch up.

With the four of us finally working in tandem, Flame found no weaknesses to exploit like before. Every opening was covered by a friend. Every mistake corrected in a moment. Individually, we were weaker, but we moved together like a well oiled machine.

It wasn’t long before every member of Flame Of Time was dripping with their own blood. Broken noses, shattered ribs and splinted shins covered their bodies, while the four of us barely looked any worse for wear.

Somehow, however, I felt no change in their fighting spirit. They still sought absolute victory. And I believed I knew exactly why.

“This charade has gone on long enough,” called Nakama after the four retreated just out of striking range. “It’s time to end this, girls.”

“「Time Dilation!」” Came the call from four simultaneous voices, and time slowed to a crawl. I was left with a single option.

“「Sensory Deprivation!」”

My head seared with pain, and magic power flooded out of my body at extreme speed. At the same time, the bodies of all four Flame members fell limp and hit the ground. You would be forgiven for believing they were dead.

“Argh! Grab ‘em! Put ‘em in joint locks, I don’t know how long I can hold ‘em!”

Targeting one person with sensory deprivation was well within my limits, but four at once was pushing me to my absolute extremes. I would be able to hold it for a few seconds at most.

Blood started to drip for my nose and my consciousness felt like it was slipping, but my teammates followed my advice and quickly put three of the girls into holds that would be near impossible to escape from.

As I released my magic and panted for air, the one final member of Flame regained her senses and slowly rose to her feet.

“You… you managed… four… at once. You’ve… gotten… stronger…”

“You… haven’t…”

Kagami and I both gasped for air, our physical and magical staminas completely exhausted. Slowly, Kagami raised her hands back into her guard. This would be the decider.

“Enough shit. Let’s end this.”

“You took the words right out of my mouth, you face-stealing bastard.”

With the last ounce of strength in my body, I started at a run and bolted at Kagami, who stood still waiting for me. She prepared to throw a hook at my cheek. I chambered a straight aimed at her face. All would be decided in a split second.

Her facade shattered as my fist connected.

She was thrown back some ten metres, slamming into a tree behind her and sliding down until she sat on the ground. There, I observed Kagami’s true face for the first time.

“You… no…why…” I refused to believe what my eyes were telling me.

“What’s the matter, Shin? Not like what you see?”

“Bastard… answer me! Why the hell is it you, Kyoukei Mira!”