From Akira's Perspective

"Usamof... Thank you. It was all thanks to you," I say, expressing my gratitude.

"Mof Mof! I managed a good body slam, Mof!" Usamof proudly says. I pat him, and he looks up contentedly, closing his eyes.

Even when I stop petting, he looks up, waiting for more, which is incredibly cute.

The military personnel are approaching us.

"How is Lieutenant Salsa?" I ask.

"The medic is currently looking after him, but he should be fine. No life-threatening injuries, though a thorough examination will follow," one of them replies, and I breathe a sigh of relief.

"What about Sergeant Pepper?" I'm asked in return.

I point to where he lay, but only a dark shadow remains, which then disappears.

The smile fades from the female soldier's face, "He's been erased."

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"What do you mean?"

"Someone who had instructed Pepper must have cast a curse on him. If he lost the fight, his body and all traces of him were meant to disappear."

Hearing about such a terrifying curse nearly makes me wet myself.

"Why would Pepper commit such betrayal...?"

"Well..."

If I mentioned Elise was the target, she might get taken in for questioning and be diverted from her real purpose.

That thought crosses my mind.

With that, the planned trip to the museum is urgently canceled, and we're sent back on the train.

"Alone at last, like a couple," Sonata teases as Elise and I are left alone.

Her sweat's scent from her hair makes my heart race.

If things keep going like this, I'm going to get excited again.

Seeing my embarrassed look, she asks, "What's wrong?" and turns away, laughing, "Cute."

It's clear she knows I see her as more than just a friend.

"Speaking of which..." she says seriously.

"You do know why you're being targeted, right?"

"Uh... yeah. Do you really not know? It's been the talk of the town."

Not being aware of why her life is at risk seems utterly bizarre.

I relay everything I heard from Hans, about the scandal involving a federal congressman.

"So, that's it... That's why I wanted to be a man..." she muses mysteriously.

"Thank you. I was losing my sense of purpose, but now I have a new goal."

"A goal?"

"To be there for you."

"For me...?"

"You might not realize it, but you have a great potential for magic. I'm going to help you rise to the Dragon Class!"