"What should I do... what should I do... what should I do...!"

From last night until this morning, no, even into the afternoon, Ottbo continued to agonize.

'I'm just the second son of a count's family. If I get caught up in a struggle for imperial power, I'll just get buried...!'

Ottbo knew his place.

He was the second son in a count's house, and he wasn't even talented enough to surpass his older brother in line of succession.

In fact, his elder brother was considered a genius, among the very best even in the history of the Gress family. Ottbo's chances of inheriting the family name were zero.

For someone like him to get involved in an imperial power struggle was no different than a moth flying into a candle.

'Luca is at least handsome and strong, but I...'

Objectively speaking, Ottbo wasn't ugly. Actually, he was rather good-looking.

The problem, however, was that the person next to him was none other than Luca, who had been selected as the most handsome among the top ten boys of the Hernan Empire by the monthly magazine Party People.

For reference, Ottbo hadn't even made it into the top ten of that ranking.

'My magic is mediocre, my brains are mediocre, my looks are mediocre. What can someone like me possibly do by getting involved in the imperial power struggle?'

No matter how he looked at it, going to rescue Milia seemed presumptuous, a risk with nothing to gain.

'But...'

― Since we've met by coincidence like this, would you like to eat together?― Y-you, why did you have to sign up for this class?― So what if you can't go out? Let's explore the academy!

Memories with Milia suddenly surfaced.

They hadn't known each other for long, but those brief moments lingered in his thoughts.

'Will I ever meet someone who treats me so purely again?'

He had a feeling Luca would help Milia.

Just as Luca had reached out to help Ottbo when he needed it, he would extend a hand to Milia in her time of need as well.

So if Ottbo gave up on Milia, he would have to give up on Luca too.

'I... don't want that...!'

If ever there was someone in this world who could truly understand him, it would be Luca.

The second son of a count's family. The younger brother always compared to the elder. Someone who had worked hard to overcome his limits.

The two were very much alike.

Even though Ottbo had never managed to become as strong as Luca, they had nonetheless shared the same experiences.

'... If that's the case, then I need to make a decision too.'

In the end, Ottbo made up his mind.

"I'm scared of what's to come, but I won't dwell on it any longer. I will move forward."

He would take one more step.

The moment he resolved himself, Ottbo stepped out of his dorm room.

"L-Luca?!"

But outside the dormitory door, Luca was waiting for him.

"If you'd been any later, I would've left you behind. Glad you made it in time. From the look on your face, I'd say you've made up your mind."

Luca spoke in a flat tone.

"Are you coming or not?"

"... Yeah!"

At Ottbo's succinct reply, Luca slowly nodded and turned around.

"Then let's go. Before it's too late."

"But what do you mean, 'late'? What time is it... huh?"

With a puzzled look, Ottbo finally noticed the lights on inside the dorm.Looking out the window, he realized it was already dark outside.

"L-Luca, were you waiting outside for a long time?"

"What difference does it make even if I say it?"

"... Sorry."

It seemed Luca had waited quite a while for him.

"But Luca, I feel a little awkward saying this, but... what can I even do?"

With Milia, the undying princess, in danger, Ottbo couldn't imagine what two first-years like Luca and himself could possibly achieve.

"Can you drive an automatic carriage?"

"Huh? Uh... I know the theory."

"Good enough."

The automatic carriage that moved by drive magic.Luca believed Ottbo could control it.

"B-but I've never actually tried! I'm not sure I can handle it..."

"Ottbo. Is that really important right now?"

Looking at the anxious Ottbo, Luca replied coolly.

Ottbo stood there blankly for a moment, then straightened his resolve.

"... No. I'll do it!"

"Don't waste any more time."

"Okay! But where are we going? The automatic carriage garage isn't this way."

The two were heading not toward the automatic carriage garage, but the swordsmanship department building.

"Let me make one thing clear: with just the two of us, saving Milia and Isella from the imperial power struggle is impossible."

"Whaaat?"

The sudden declaration of defeat left Ottbo stunned.

"Then why are we going?"

"This kind of thing should be left to adults."

"Is there an adult who'll help us?!"

They stopped in front of someone's office.

"Kryphi... Mosto...?"

"We're coming in."

Bang!

Luca opened the door without knocking, but the people inside didn't scold him.

"Haha, Luca, what brings you here so late at night?"

Kryphi was drinking, looking happily tipsy.

"I have something I'm curious about."

"It is a teacher's responsibility to address students' questions. Ask me anything."

Kryphi nodded with a bright grin, and Luca spoke while opening the window in the office.

"If I were to end up in a dangerous situation, what would you do?"

"My goodness, Luca. Is someone bothering you?"

"Yes. I think the third prince will come to dislike me."

"What?"

"L-Luca!"

Both Kryphi and Ottbo looked a little disconcerted at Luca's words.Luca climbed onto the windowsill and said,

"So if I get in danger, what will you do, master?"

"M-Master...?"

At the word 'master', Ottbo widened his eyes, glancing over at Kryphi.

Kryphi was silent for a moment, staring at him quietly, then gave a thin smile.

"If something like that were to happen... whoever they are, they'll find out why I'm called the 'Nightmare of the Battlefield'."

At that one statement, they will know why he's the nightmare of the battlefield—Luca felt reassured.

"I'll trust you. Ottbo!"

"H-huh?!"

"The lives of me and those guys are now in your hands. Come as fast as you can to the location I sent to Master via the student handbook."

Luca leapt out the window.

Piiik!

At the sound of a whistle, Whistle appeared.

"Whistle! Synchronize!"

"Master, I warned you. Forcing synchrony with me comes at a cost."

"Synchronize before I disgrace myself by smashing my face into the ground."

At those words, Whistle paused, then replied, his voice tinged with laughter.

"Don't regret this later."

- Force Synchronization. Celestial Wing Release.

Fwoosh!

Light blue wings unfurled from Luca's back.

At the same time, his falling body soared upward, shooting off at incredible speed to somewhere far away.

Staring at that disappearing figure, Ottbo was left blankly stupefied.

"Luca, just what are you...?"

"You're Ottbo, correct?"

At that moment, Kryphi, having emptied his glass, rose from his seat and grabbed the sword behind him.

"Don't stand around in awe. You heard what Luca said. Your friends' lives are in your hands now."

"Y-yes, sir!"

Unlike when he dealt with Luca, Kryphi's aura now felt fierce. Flustered, Ottbo stood stiffly at attention as Kryphi grinned wryly.

"Lead the way. My first disciple is charging into the jaws of death, after all."

The nightmare of the battlefield was about to return after a long absence.

* * *

"Luca Traverse?"

Isella's eyes widened.

"H-how did he know to come here?"

She hadn't expected him to show up. In fact, she'd hoped he wouldn't.

Now that the third prince was involved, the situation was far beyond the level of an academy student.

She didn't want to drag Luca and Ottbo into something that could bring harm to their houses.

"And this power..."

Of course, she knew Luca's fundamentals were outstanding. But she had only thought that was all there was to him.

He was still only a first-year. She knew he had some hidden strength, but she had judged that he was still lacking in skill and experience for a real battle.

However.

Isella surveyed the surroundings.

The mages and armored infantry, previously strengthened by red mist, had become nothing more than drifting ashes.

From that alone, she recognized that Luca's power was fundamentally different from ordinary power, just as her moonlight was.

"I have a senior with excellent eyesight. I asked him to monitor Milia's movements. It made things a little more troublesome, but..."

Luca grumbled, stepping out in front of her. At the same time, the wings on his back disappeared.

Stagger!

"Luca Traverse!"

Suddenly, Luca wavered and dropped to one knee.

Isella, startled, approached him, but Luca stopped her with a raised hand.

"Don't worry. I just used a little too much strength."

The aftereffects of force synchronization were more intense than he'd expected.

Lightning energy swept through his body, sending waves of pain as if his magic power circuits were being burned.

'Damn. This hurts like hell.'

If he hadn't released some of the lightning during his entrance, he could only imagine how much worse the pain would have been.

—Heheh, didn't I tell you not to regret this later?

He heard Whistle's voice in his head. Luca twisted his lips.

'Just so I know—what would happen if I used lightning power now?'

—It's fine if you only use what's left in your body.

'Understood.'

That was a relief, at least.

Staggering, Luca stood and grabbed his sword.

"Luckily, it seems I wasn't too late."

"... Thanks for coming, but I don't need your help."

"The fact you're thanking me must mean things were even more dangerous than I thought."

Luca smiled faintly and looked ahead.

The devil stones and the third prince's private soldiers, who had paused for a moment, resumed their movements.

"So it really is the power of devils. I figured that was the only thing that could put you and Milia in danger."

"You know what that power is?"

"Normally, natural power is weak against devil's power. Except for one kind."

Crackle!

Lightning flickered in Luca's eyes.

With a flash, his body vanished and then reappeared.

Crackle!

The private soldiers of the third prince, who had started moving again, disintegrated into dust.

"!"

"The sky's power. The only natural force that can counter devil power."

Isella's eyes widened, and Luca glanced lightly at her.

"For now, I expect I can fight as your equal."

"... Just don't hold me back."

Isella released her moonlight and stood at his side. Although she didn't realize it, she was smiling.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

Isella knocked enemies down with the power of moonlight, and Luca finished them off with lightning.

They used what strength they had left wisely and fought together.

The Devil's Tower kept reviving and empowering the private soldiers of the third prince, but it could not revive those reduced to dust by lightning.

Their enemies dwindled under the twin forces of moonlight and lightning, until only the Devil's Tower remained.

"Impressive, Luca Traverse."

"......"

Isella looked satisfied, but Luca's eyes had lost focus. Isella glanced at Luca's condition and gave a bitter smile.

"Rest now, Luca Traverse. I'll handle the rest."

"Don't... let your guard... down... devils..."

Thud.

Luca collapsed mid-sentence.

Isella, wearing an expression she'd never shown before, looked at him, then turned back to the Devil's Tower.

Maybe because there was no moonlight tonight, her body felt unusually heavy. Even though the battle hadn't lasted long, it felt as if she'd fought through the entire night.She wanted to bring things to a close quickly.

"Let's end this."

Isella hefted her sword.

Crack! Crackle!

At that moment, the Devil's Tower split open to reveal the devil stone.The devil stone immediately spewed red mist, absorbing the dust nearby.

"Don't be foolish!"

—Scattering Moonlight!

Slice!

A silver sword aura split the night sky and carved into the devil stone, but only left a scratch; it didn't stop it.

Eventually, the devil stone absorbed all nearby dust and gradually took a shape.The form of a human.

"It's lucky the one with sky's power has fallen. I almost failed to manifest this form."

"!"

With glowing red eyes, it let out a human voice.Isella swung her sword at it.But it vanished from her sight in an instant.

"Urgh!"

It reappeared right in front of Isella and landed a punch before she could react.

Crash!

Isella crashed to the ground, and the thing ignored her, walking toward Luca.

"To have seen the power of sky in a place like this... At least it's convenient. I'll kill you here to ensure you don't interfere with his plan."

Its fist turned a dark, blood-red color.As it threw a punch, a silver band formed around its body.

—Moon Halo Prison!

Isella, trembling, stretched out her hand toward it from where she had fallen.It looked impressed.

"To still wield such power in that state—remarkable. But how long will you last?"

"... You won't lay a finger on Luca before you get through me, devil."

"Entertaining. Fine. In that case, I'll kill you first."

The devil grabbed the silver band.At the same time, it began to absorb the moonlight.

"You've used up all the power you stored. It looks like you're burning your life to make moonlight now, but you can't last long."

"Kugh!"

The devil was right.

Isella had already spent her moonlight, and she was only managing to force more out by sheer willpower and consuming her own life.

But as the devil absorbed the moonlight, her consciousness quickly faded.

Pop!

In the end, the Moon Halo Prison disappeared.

The devil threw a glance at Luca, then approached Isella.

It reached out its hand.

"Farewell, human. Mourn that you won't witness the morning sun."

'... My lady.'

Within her fading consciousness, Isella closed her eyes. It looked as though tears slid down her cheeks.

"Is that something you're saying to yourself?"

"?"

Slash!

At that moment, the devil's arm was severed.

The devil instantly retreated, clutching its severed limb.

Thunk.

Kryphi, who kicked aside the devil's severed arm, beamed.

"Looks like I made it in time."

The Nightmare of the Battlefield had arrived.

-------------= Clacky's Corner -------------=I'm glad Luca isn't a super OP MC that could run through everything just because he has knowledge of this and that.He still needs time to get stronger, and this shows it here.This is the second time his ass got saved...1st time Mica...2nd time Kryphi...The 2nd time is much more deliberate, Luca knows he couldn't handle all of the 3rd prince's goons, so he asked for help...But I am still loving this novel...【ദ്ദി(⩌ᴗ⩌)】

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