Shoya was frozen in place as he was considering his two options.
Fight or run.
He watched as his older sister clashed with the tall man. As much as he wanted to join in, he knew he couldn't.
If he did, he would die.
Shoya glanced at Yumeko; she caught his gaze. The girl didn't say any words. Her eyes looked sympathetic, in a way. She whipped her hand in the air.
The minions charged toward Shoya with stun batons. He jumped backwards and held out his hand.
"Flare!"
Multiple fireballs were shot from his hand. Three of the minions were hit while one made it through, only a step away from Shoya.
There wasn't enough time to cast another spell. The stun baton was already aimed at his neck.
"Ghk!"
The minion grunted as a blood-red whip slashed his stomach.
The boy turned around. Ayaka had a wound on her arm, from which the whip originated from.
"Is that your Singularity?"
The nurse grabbed his hand and started running.
"No time to explain. The best choice is to get out of here first!"
They ran for the door on the left.
"Oh no, you don't."
Without warning, the doors closed in front of the two. Shoya tried his best to open the doors, but they wouldn't budge. He backed away slightly.
"What the?"
He saw a faint lock insignia on the door.
The boy remembered his dream.
"Lock."
"That's right,"
Yumeko's voice confirmed. She sauntered toward the two. Ayaka raised her wounded forearm. The whip raised itself at Yumeko.
"You know, I was thinking of letting you escape, since I love you so much, Big Brother."
The girl hugged herself to express her love for her brother.
"You said that you wanted to protect me, that's why you warned me about the attack."
He argued.
"Yeah, but do you also remember me saying that students won't get killed?"
Shoya noticed Yumeko's bloodthirsty glare toward Ayaka.
"I also remember you saying that you'll kill teachers."
"Maybe."
Yumeko sighed.
"Look, Big Brother, I said I'd protect you, and I will."
She pointed her finger at Ayaka.
"From her."
"She's trying to protect me!"
He shouted.
"She's a woman! And a sexy one at that! She's trying to seduce you in this confusing situation! You know how I know this?"
Ayaka stayed on guard while Shoya blushed as he leisurely scratched his cheek.
"Because you're the most handsome big brother in the world! I know girls are all over you."
"You're not particularly wrong..."
Yumeko's bloodlust returned instantaneously.
"This woman is the most dangerous of them all. That's why... I'll kill her."
(I can't make any sense of my sister...)
Shoya thought to himself.
"Ayaka, please don't kill her. Don't die either."
"Don't worry, I don't plan on doing either."
She declared.
"You just try and get the lackeys off of me. I saw that casting you did. You're more than capable."
The boy nodded and rushed toward the minions.
"Let's dance, girl."
"Fuck off, you slut."
--
Meanwhile, Anastasia, Tatsuya and Emika were evacuating. They didn't buy what Weissmann said because of what Shoya had told them beforehand.
"Why are we running?"
Tatsuya asked, making an abrupt stop.
The two girls stopped in front of him.
"The teachers evacuated us. Plus, Gilheld was there. If we face him, we'd only be a liability."
"In what way?"
Tatsuya asked Anastasia.
"Gilheld's Singularity is Fear. He can get into someone's head with even the tiniest hint of fear. If he were to get into the students' heads, then we'd have no choice but to give up."
Emika explained.
Tatsuya grimaced at her explanation.
"So, we're useless then."
"Not completely useless."
A child-like voice announced.
That was when Anastasia noticed that they were all alone in the hall. They only had two classrooms beside them, but no one was anywhere.
Argent and Fray walked toward the group of three.
"What a lucky catch! You can get the girl who fucked you up and the Key! Amazing!"
The red-haired man exclaimed.
"Of course, I planned for this after all."
The silver-haired boy sighed.
Anastasia moved back toward Emika.
"Oi, Tatsuya."
"Getting friendly now, are we?"
"This isn't the time for jokes! These two are after Emika. They refer to her as the Key. We have to protect her."
The boy moved forward and stood next to Anastasia.
"God. Please accept my plead for help and grant me the finest weapon."
Tatsuya chanted as he shifted his arm forward.
The floor lit purple; two daggers emerged from the floor and went to Tatsuya. He caught both of them.
"It's daggers this time..."
"Oh, you're a Summoner? I wanna fight this guy. He seems strong."
"Just do not take my prey. Kill the two of them and take the Key."
"Roger!"
All four of them advanced at the same time. Anastasia rushed to Argent while Tatsuya dashed toward Fray. The moment Fray and Tatsuya were near each other, Fray punched Tatsuya with all of his strength.
Tatsuya was sent flying through the classroom wall and into the class.
"Tatsuya!"
"Should you be taking your eyes off of your opponent?"
Anastasia could feel an eerie presence approach her. She used her Magnetism to deflect the spirit, then followed through with a swift kick to his waist.
Argent left distance between the two of them.
"That Singularity of yours is a nuisance."
The boy complained.
"Don't worry about me, Anastasia. I'm fine!"
Tatsuya had his daggers in an 'X' in front of him, acting as a shield. He was able to block that blow.
"God damn! Say so earlier then!"
The girl said, charging at the child.
Fray kept his guard up.
Tatsuya had a green glow around himself. It was like the wind was surrounding him.
"Sorry, I was chanting a movement buff spell. Now, I can move faster and easier. Beating you should be a piece of cake, baldy."
The man clenched his fists. His anger slowly rose.
"Don't call me, 'baldy!' I'll flatten that face of yours!"
Tatsuya mocked him.
"I'd like to see you try, 'baldy.'"