—The moment The Matz-Carlton collapsed.

Inside a collapsing 220-meter-tall building, it doesn’t matter if you’re commoner or Mage—not even a noble of refined lineage.

The same end awaits all.

Ophelia Luxor was reeling. To make matters worse, Ikaku Akamuro had started speaking like a dying man, entrusting everything to her.

His words only deepened her confusion.

“It’s been an honor to accompany you, Lady Ophelia. I leave the rest to you.”

Ikaku drew her close with one arm, his voice suddenly formal.

Wait a minute! No way you’re just giving up…?! With the defensive spell Praesidium at full power, we still have a chance to—

Then Ophelia remembered.

The man clinging to the floor—now tilted past vertical—was a commoner with no mana. For all his inhuman strength, he was still human in the end.

He had no chance of surviving the collapse.

She hesitated, realizing the man she’d only just begun to care for was about to die.

…Human lives are not all of equal value. Mister Akamuro is a replaceable grunt. A common foot soldier. He has no license, no mana.

I, on the other hand, am a high-ranking officer. My death would be a loss to humanity itself and a blow to the Luxor family's fortune. My value is immeasurable.

I can guide scores of people. I can slay hordes of demons. My life is worth infinitely more than Ikaku Akamuro’s. I cannot afford to die.

He's right. In this crisis, I am the only one capable of handling the Hidden Flame. Even if he were to survive, his contributions would be negligible. If only one of us can live, it must be me.

The building was 220 meters tall, I believe. I've survived a 100-meter fall in training. I feel I can manage this. Between Praesidium and my own Mana Armor, I'd put my odds of survival at seventy percent. Excellent, all things considered.

Ophelia began bracing for the predicted impact. She crossed her arms over her chest, preparing to cast her most powerful defensive spell on herself.

But at the last second, she changed her mind.

Her hands shot out, seizing Ikaku’s face.

“Let his body be untouched by blade or by flame. O, bulwark of heaven, descend upon us now!”

What am I doing…? It'd be a relief if this insufferable man just died.

Still… perhaps this wasn't the worst choice. I cast Praesidium on Mister Akamuro. I’ll have to get by with only my Mana Armor. My chance of survival is now forty percent. He looks tough, so his is probably around forty percent, too.

Rather than funneling all my resources into myself for a seventy percent chance of survival, I've given us both a fighting chance. Mathematically, it's the right call.

Yes. This is fine. I haven't made a mistake.

Once the spell was cast, Ophelia offered the stunned Ikaku a small smile.

If we're lucky, maybe I'll see you again.

She sharpened her focus as they fell, using Mana Control to brace for impact. But the force was far greater than she expected. Her head slammed into something hard, the blow damaging her brain.

The building collapsed, and the rubble buried her.

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.