The demon snorted. "It doesn't matter if I am not the real owner. All that's matters is that I have it in my hands" He stated, before he flicked his hands.
A flash made us close our eyes.
…
I opened my eyes slowly. I blinked to clear my vision, and I saw the Capital Academy's Entrance.
We mumbled, "Eh?"
"We're back..?" Gino mumbled. "The Demon teleported us!" Forth stated. I gasped. "Where is Anna and Lux?" I asked.
I looked behind me and saw Anna beside Reina, while Lux is on Reina's shoulders. I sighed in relief.
"We've been teleported back to the school, but we managed to bring Anna and Lux back. So, it is all good" Reina stated.
I spoke, "No it isn't"
"Huh?" Reina mumbled. "The flute is on the Demon's hands now. He will surely use that to kill many people" Fiore stated.
Reina realized and mumbled, "Right…"
She looks bad. Everyone is, as well. I am too…
"Well, why don't we start a short quiz for now?" Fiore stated. "Huh?" We mumbled. "I am gonna start!" Fiore cheered.
"Wai-…Fiore, what are you trying to do, in the midst of all things?" I asked him. Fiore only looked at me and smirked.
Fiore stated, "If you were the Demon, where would you go to use a flute that can kill many people?"
Ah! He's trying to get our feet back…
I grinned.
"Well, of course. Since, it can kill "many" , I will got to a place where many people are gathering" I stated.
Gino mumbled, "Ed…"
"Then, the answer would be the arena" Forth stated.
"Right, if he used it in the arena that sums up to many people. After all, there are peoples from all around the Empire and the other continents" Kirt said.
"But, then, that would mean that the capital can also be a great target, right?" Russell stated. I nodded, "That is right"
Fiore spoke, "The demon looked so much in pain. So, I can assure you all that he won't attack now"
"Then, he will attack at the final battle for tomorrow!" Gino stated. "Correct!" Fiore smiled at him.
Tomorrow, huh..?
"Probably, the only disadvantages for us, is that we don't know where he will appear. So, we need to be on guard tomorrow as the finals take place" Fiore said.
We nodded, "Alright!"
"Good Morning, Ladies and gentleman!!!" Shiro shouted. "You're much more noisy than usual…" Kuro mumbled, beside him.
"Because…because our Prince Edward have reached this far, so I'm excited to see him win. You too right guys!?" Shiro said, as the audience cheered.
"Well, I know that he's the favorite to win thanks to Earl's attitude. But don't underestimate Earl or that prince'll die" Kuro said.
"Since, when did you gather that darkness in your mind?" Shiro said, as he ruffled his brother's hair. "Since birth?" Kuro said, as the audience laughed.
They are very cheerful. I guess this Royal battle is really these adults' entertainment…
*
"Are you sure that I can stay with you Reina-chan?" I asked, as I followed Reina-chan
We are on our way to standby at our positions Fiore-san gave us. We are to stay there and look for the Demon.
"Of course, even if Fiore didn't say it. I will force you to come with me, instead of losing you once again" Reina-chan said.
I gasped.
She really cares of me as a precious friend… I am happy.
I blushed.
"Thanks, Reina-chan" I smiled, as Reina-chan blushed, as well. "Puu….?" Lux mumbled.
*
What is this feeling? I'm kinda detecting that something very nice is happening somewhere! Ahem! Let's do this shit!
"Now, let us start "The Final Battle"! Prince Edward Finn von Collins versus Earl Alpheus!" Shiro shouted.
"Divine Barrier…" I mumbled beneath my breath, before I stepped in the stage. A gust of wind surrounded the audience, and disappeared soon.
*
"This is…" I mumbled, as I sweated. "What is it Fiore-san?" Kirt asked. "Divine Barrier, a shield that weakens an evil spirit, the guy who used this is probably Ed" I chuckled.
"So the Demon can't enter the arena anymore?" Kirt asked. "No, he still can if he has the determination to help him" I said.
But…
I looked down.
"What's wrong, Fiore-san?" Kirt asked. "This magic takes a great toll in the user's side. It will continue to consume his ether, even if it is already cast upon. This is bad…" I said.
"Don't tell me he is planning to fight with Earl, with a half-exhausted body!" Kirt said.
"Probably…" I said. "Then we should stop the fight! Please, Fiore-san!" Kirt said. "I won't… more or less I can't.
I can't stop someone who is ready to sacrifice his self for others. Doing so will be tarnishing his determination" I stated
"Ed…" Kirt mumbled, as he clenched his fists.
All we can do to help is to do our job, properly. So, hang in there, Ed!
*
"Die!" Earl said as he attacked me with endless wind slash.
This is harder than Gino.
I continue to devour his wind slashes, without having any time to create any fire attack with my Element.
"Damn it…!" I clenched my teeth, as I continue to dodge. "Hahah! Meet your end, your highness!" He laughed, as he unleashes his whirlwind.
I whispered, "Devour!" It turned his attack into ether particles.
Damn, I'm tired. When will that damn demon appear?
I looked over Fiore's side. "Where the hell are you looking at?" Earl asked, as he threw me by a punch over the barrier.
"Ugh, dam! It hurts..!" I mumbled as I stood back, while I coughed blood.
"Thank you for being born, Ed" Liassa said, as she kissed me in the forehead. "Nice to meet you, Edward" Seria said as she carried me.
"Let's take our time, to get along, Ed" Geralt said, as he hugged me. "I'm counting on you to keep your promise, Ed" Fiore said, as he chuckled with my pinky linked with his.
"I'm back, onii-chan" Elicia said, as she woke up. "You've grown a lot, Ed" Al-nii said, as he and Herd-nii looked at me, while Theia stood with her arms crossed near her chest.
Russell, Reina, Anna, Gino, Forth, Kirt, Lux and Elia…
I know. I can't afford to die like this here, I mustn't lose here. I mustn't let things end here…because I've made a decision.
I've made a decision that I won't shed anymore tears! That I won't waste any more time! This time I'll live a normal life and I haven't been able to fulfill that yet!
"Like I'll let myself die again over a crap like this!!!" I shouted, as I opened my eyes. I panted with a bit bloody and bruised body.
I heard a voice, "Ed" I gasped, as I quickly raised my head up.
"Are you really fine with that?" Elia asked, as I saw her stand in front of me. Beneath us were tracks that were leading to anywhere.
I looked back at Elia and grinned, "Yeah!"
"Give up already!' Earl shouted, as he used his tornado once again. "Heh…" The demon smirked, at the audience seat behind Earl, as he readied his flute.
I took a deep breath in and out.
"Release!!!" I said, as I released all the ether particles I devoured from Earl's attacks, and shoot it like a projectile bullet.
The impact of the attack broke the stage's barrier and reached the demon. My attack had broken his flute.
As the flute broke, the Demon had disappeared into ether particles. "Let's see, Earl is…I guess he's safe, prolly…" I mumbled, before I lost my consciousness.
The Divine Barrier soon took off, as a gust of wind surrounded the stage, once again. "Ed!" Fiore shouted, as he went off inside the stage.
…
"I didn't kill him…" A grey haired man mumbled. "I wouldn't! To me he was a friend, he was someone I admired and respected" He fell down on his knees.
He cried, "I wouldn't do something that'll hurt or kill him. I, Antonio Wallace wouldn't!!"
…
"Ugh…" I groaned as I opened my eyes. I woke up to found myself being at the infirmary once again. "Ed, finally you're awake" Reina sighed.
I sat up. "What happened to the demon?" I asked. "You've killed it" Kirt stated. "I see, so I've done it" I mumbled, as I suddenly remembered the vague dream of mine.
"How about the flute..?" I asked, as I looked at Russell. "You managed to break it with that attack" Russell said. "Good thing" I chuckled.
I looked at Gino. "How about the fight?" I asked. "You won it. Earl is now in his room back in the dorm. He lost his consciousness while he was stuck to the wall, earlier" Gino said.
"I see… So everything turned okay" I sighed in relief.
Reina clenched her fist. "No, it didn't" She mumbled, as she looked at me with a very angry face.
A face that you would always see from her but, somehow, it was different with her usual angry face.
"You're not okay! Doing this after exhausting yourself, yesterday… Are you planning to kill yourself!" She said, angrily.
I looked down. "Well, if I can save everyone, then it doesn't matter, but…" I mumbled.
"You idiot, are you saying your life isn't worth anything?!" Reina stated, as she grabbed my shirt's collar. "But..!" I shouted.
She gasped.
"In the middle of the fight, I was forced to remember that I hadn't found anything worth fun in my life yet, so I fought back" I stated, still looking down trying to avert their sight.
I fought back against the despair I felt inside. Because I wished to live with you guys, I wanted to have more fun with you all.
Like I can say that though…
Well, I should thank Elia. I remembered her words. That's why I managed to wake up, properly.
Really…
I am grateful to her and you all, more than you think.