— Yesterday? — Kay murmured, trying to remember. — I don't understand. Why can't I refuse you, even without remembering you?

— He really lost his memory — Aiko confirmed. — But subconsciously you know that you accepted me as your girlfriend! We can still hope to recover your memories!

Kay sighed, exhausted.

— I accepted you? Then why did you ask again? — he asked.

— To see if you remembered me, but it seems that you didn't completely — Aiko explained.

— You look a little like Emilia — Kay said, observing her.

— You said that yesterday. I'm Aiko, Emilia's cousin. Remember that! — Aiko insisted.

— You're her cousin? So you're royalty too? — Kay asked, confused.

— Actually, I'm a scientist at the institute. The royal family is them — Aiko explained.

— I see... It must have been Emilia's doing — Kay murmured.

— No! It was my idea, Aiko said, handing over a package. “Anyway, I came to bring you your costume.”

Kay opened the bag, staring at the contents.

“What did you do?!” Kay exclaimed, surprised.

“Did you notice?” Aiko said, smiling with satisfaction. “I used a bit of the general in this costume. Of course, the rest was saved for a new costume, so don’t worry!”

“I can’t tell the difference between the costumes. So, for me, it doesn’t matter which ghoul you used,” Mira commented, crossing her arms.

“I see. Thank you, Aiko,” Kay said, ruffling her hair in a loving gesture.

“You’re welcome!” Aiko replied, blushing a little. “I’ll see if I can make you remember yesterday, but for now, I want you to take a test.”

“Test?” Kay asked, arching an eyebrow.

Rem and the former captain approached.

“Your body’s not bad, old man!” — Kay said, letting out a provocative laugh.

Rem punched him in the arm without hesitation.

— Why did you do that?! — Kay complained, massaging the injured area.

— Show some respect, Kay! This man is the former captain of this division! — Rem said seriously.

— Huh?! — Kay and Mira exclaimed at the same time, in disbelief.

— Young people are so lively! — the former captain commented, laughing.

Kay leaned over to Mira and whispered:

— I thought the captains were dead!

Rem punched him once again.

— He handed over his position to Takemichi and then retired! We never heard from him again, so we thought he had kicked the bucket too — Rem explained.

— Then why did you punch me again?! — Kay exclaimed, indignant.

— I didn't like the way you said it! — Rem retorted.

Mira, laughing discreetly, got off Kay's lap and bowed politely.

— It's a pleasure to meet you. I'm Rem and Takemichi's daughter. My name is Mira — she said.

— So it's you! You're quite big! How time flies! — the former captain commented, nostalgic.

— What experiment do you want me to do? — Kay asked, changing the focus of the conversation.

— The captain here has 80% compatibility with the suit. His suit is no longer in use, but the percentage remains. I want to know if, by using his suit, his percentage goes up to 100%. Could you put it on? — Aiko explained.

— That's it? — Kay asked.

— Yes! — Aiko replied excitedly.

— Okay — he said, shrugging.

— Here it is! — the former captain said, handing over the suit.

Kay held the suit, surprised by its weight. "It's heavier than ours. Impressive!"

Aiko started recording again while holding a tablet, monitoring the suit's percentages.

Kay put on the suit and stood still.

— Huh? Why didn't it start at zero? — Aiko exclaimed, confused.

— Are you looking at the right suit? — Fernanda asked.

— Who do you think you're talking to? Of course it's the right suit! — Aiko replied, irritated.

— That's strange... — Kay said, moving her arms to test it.

— What happened? — Mira asked, worried.

— I don't feel any different from how I was before I put it on — Kay replied.

— Even if it's someone else's suit, it should still have some percentage — Aiko commented, frowning.

— That's weird... — Fernanda muttered.

— I'll be right back — Kay said, closing her eyes suddenly.

— What are you going to do?! — Aiko exclaimed.

— He's meditating. He won't listen to you now — Fernanda explained, crossing her arms.

— I read about it. I thought "meditating" was just a word for a more complex training, but I can't believe it was literally that! — Aiko said, impressed.

Suddenly, Kay began to emanate an intense and threatening aura.

You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author.

— What's happening?! — Aiko exclaimed, stepping back in fright.

— What impressive pressure! — the former captain commented, amazed.

"He's not afraid... Impressive!" thought the soldiers, sweating cold.

— I'm afraid! — Aiko admitted, cringing.

— That's enough, Kay! — Rem said, touching his shoulder.

Kay didn't react, and her aura continued to expand.

— Stop it! — Mira ordered firmly.

Kay's aura diminished, and the environment returned to normal. He slowly opened his eyes.

— I tried to locate the ghoul, even threaten him to appear, but it seems he has already ceased to exist — Kay said thoughtfully.

Aiko composed herself and resumed the recording.

— Who?! — she asked, still confused.

— The consciousness of the ghoul that inhabited the suit. It has completely disappeared — Kay explained.

— Why? — Mira asked, intrigued.

— I don't know. But without the ghoul, this suit is now just a regular outfit. It may be possible to repair it with other new ghouls, but the original percentage will be affected — Kay said, taking off the suit and returning it to the former captain.

— So, that means Julius didn't kill his ghoul, but tamed it completely! — Fernanda commented.

— That's right. It was a wrong analysis on my part. It's interesting... I killed my ghoul a few times, and he never really died! — Kay said, laughing lightly.

— Try using the suit to see if he reacts! — Aiko suggested to the former captain.

He put on the suit, but nothing happened.

— Well, it seems like it's gone... — Aiko said, sighing.

— I understand. There's no need to repair it. I didn't use it anymore anyway. At least I'll keep this as a souvenir of my time in the army — the former captain said, nostalgic.

— It's up to you. That was the only test left. Now I'm going to collect some of your blood, sweetie, to analyze later! — Aiko said, taking a syringe from the pouch on her waist.

— Okay... — Kay replied, sitting down on the chair.

— Why are you carrying that around? — he asked, looking at the syringe.

— You never know when you'll need it! — Aiko replied, smiling.

— You better collect my blood soon! he said

“Why?” Aiko exclaimed

“There’s a powerful ghoul coming at high speed this way!” Kay warned in a hurry.

She collected the blood and pulled out the needle. Kay opened a bottle and drank all the coffee in one go.

“Is it the monarch?” Raven asked, alarmed.

“Yes! Put the entire kingdom on defense. Call all the soldiers to stand guard on the wall. I’ll take care of this ghoul!” Kay ordered, with frightening determination.

“Let’s help!” Rem suggested.

“Not this time.” Kay shook her head negatively.

“No!” Mira protested, full of fear.

Kay approached her and hugged her quickly.

“I’ll be back soon! Take care of everyone here. You’re the captain!” he said, moving away.

“Don’t go alone!” Mira shouted.

“Activate limit break!” Kay said before disappearing at high speed.

— Right now! — Rem muttered, irritated by the situation.

— Alert all soldiers on the radios! I want those guns on the wall pointed at that ghoul. Let's support Kay. Tell the guards to be on alert! — Mira ordered, taking command.

— What's going on? We saw Kay grabbing his guns and flying in a hurry! — Joana asked, running towards them.

— It's the monarch. He's coming! — Mira explained urgently.

— We didn't even have time to recover! — Lena lamented.

— Let's support him! Call the others! — Mira shouted.

— Alright! — the soldiers said, running to get ready.

The scene changes to an area away from the wall.

— You came alone, human? How reckless! — said the monarch, with an imposing voice.

— You're quite tall! — Kay commented, assessing him.

— How did you know I was coming? — asked the monarch, curious.

— Your smell is disgusting — Kay replied, taking out his firearm and placing it on the ground.

— On the other hand, the smell of humans is delicious! — the monarch teased, smiling.

— Good for you! — Kay said, taking out his staff and placing it next to the weapon.

— Aren't you afraid? It's better to reevaluate your chances of victory... — the monarch said confidently.

Kay threw the scabbard on the ground, pointing the sword directly at the enemy.

— I've already assessed... and you will die! — Kay said, putting the mask on his face.

The monarch manifested one of his tentacles, preparing for the confrontation.

The entire kingdom trembled. The people, frightened, believed it was an earthquake, but soon the ghoul alarm echoed through the sky, sending waves of panic through the walls.

— They've already started! — said the former captain, his face marked by years of battles and sacrifices.

— I wish you would stay away from this... — Rem murmured, his eyes lowered, his voice full of concern.

“If you’re going to fight for the kingdom, then I want to watch!” — the former captain stated, with a defiant tone. — I’m already old. If I’m in danger, focus on yourselves!

“No one will die! That’s why we’re going to help Kay!” — Mira declared, with fierce determination, as she tightened her grip around her weapon.

The soldiers were already aboard the helicopters, flying towards the battlefield.

In the middle of the desolate field, the monarch stood imposingly, his presence overwhelming. His tentacles snaked through the air like hungry predators, unleashing violent attacks on Kay.

“It’s really interesting... but to hurt me, you’ll need much more than that!” — the monarch mocked, as one of his tentacles struck the ground, raising a cloud of dust.

Kay dodged with skill, her gaze cold and calculating.

"What are you talking about? When did I ever try to attack you for real?" Kay teased, with a defiant smile. "But since you're starting to think so... I think it's time to kill you!" Kay dodged another attack, moving with impressive speed.

"You're dodging quite a bit." The monarch laughed, the sound deep and intimidating. "You're the first human to last this long against me!" Kay stopped moving, her gaze fixed on the enemy.

— Okay, I get it... — he said calmly.

“Are you going to give up already?” the monarch scoffed, tilting his head in disdain.

“Come fight for real! That way, I can have fun too!” Kay replied, entering an attack stance, his sword shining in the dim light.

“Damn human... don’t die!” the monarch roared, manifesting three more tentacles that rose around him like spears ready to pierce.

“Now it’s getting fun!” Kay exclaimed, advancing with a murderous gleam in his eyes.

The helicopters reached the wall, and the soldiers quickly descended on top of it. The noise of the blades echoed, momentarily drowning out the distant sounds of the battle. The helicopter landed inside the walls, while Mira and the rest of the squad watched the confrontation below.

“Do you see them?” Mira exclaimed, trying to locate Kay and the monarch.

— They're there, but they're moving too fast to keep up! — Raven replied, squinting her eyes in an attempt to see better.

“What's wrong? Did you drop a coin?” the monarch scoffed, stopping his movements.

Kay was on his knees on the ground, breathing heavily.

“Kay!” Mira shouted, her heart racing.

Kay raised his head, his gaze filled with determination.

“Sometimes, bending down to pick up a coin can be advantageous…” he said, as he slowly stood up, wiping the blood from the corner of his mouth. “But... what about you?”

The monarch hesitated, looking down. His eyes widened when he realized that his legs were cut off. He fell to the ground, unbalanced, as Kay advanced and stepped on his head.

“A monarch bowing to a human is even more pathetic than a human kneeling down to pick up a coin!” — Kay said, laughing darkly, the weight of victory already in his voice.

But the triumph was brief. Before Kay's eyes, the monarch's severed legs began to regenerate, rejoining his body with frightening speed.

— That was impressive... — the monarch admitted, standing up as if nothing had happened.

Kay stepped back, surprised, while the monarch stared at him with a cruel smile.

— I warned you... to take me seriously, you worm! — the monarch roared, his voice echoing like thunder.

— What are you hiding? Show me everything you've got! — Kay taunted, his gaze fixed on the monarch.

— Be careful what you ask for, human. — The monarch replied with a scornful smile. — I don't sense a shred of danger coming from you!

From afar, Fiona watched the battle, uneasily.

— Why are you standing still? — she exclaimed, clenching her fists.

“They’re provoking each other…” San replied, his voice low and serious. “To fight using everything they have.” Mira closed her eyes, trying to concentrate amid the tension. “Can you hear it?” she asked, alarmed.

— "Can you handle this?" — San repeated, translating the words spoken by the monarch with a somber tone.

The monarch moved like lightning, his tentacles shooting in deadly synchrony towards Kay, who remained motionless, calmly observing.

"This is not funny!" Kay said, advancing with a defiant smile.

The two disappeared from the soldiers' sight, moving at a speed impossible to keep up with. When they reappeared, Kay had already manifested one of the tentacles of his suit, which pierced the monarch's head like a deadly spear. Before the body fell, Kay spun in the air, using the tentacles as support, and with a precise blow cut the enemy's neck.

"I told you to take me seriously!" Kay growled, watching the monarch's decapitated head fall to the ground with a dull thud.

"Did he do it?" Sky exclaimed, her eyes wide with hope.

San, however, did not share the optimism.

“Not yet…” he muttered. “I was hiding something interesting, human.” He repeated the words the monarch had said earlier.

The monarch’s severed head began to move, as if attracted by a magnet. In a grotesque instant, it rejoined the body, completely restoring it.

“What a boring thing… it only dies once!” Kay complained, irritated.

The monarch, now regenerated, seemed excited.