Omniscient POV
Tobio and Lavinia passed through the unusual fusuma (traditional Japanese sliding door made of wood and paper) at Sae's house and entered the Utsusemi Agency's headquarters.
Upon arrival, they were immediately surrounded by a large crowd of their classmates who had been transformed into Utsusemi.
Visually, there were at least scores of them, which led Tobio to believe that all remaining Utsusemi, including those that had previously surrounded Sae's house, were gathered here.
Given that these monsters could be revived, as seen with Sasaki, it seemed there was no end to their numbers.
Among the crowd were adults in business suits, all of whom gave off a threatening aura. They held tokens in their hands and carried talismans, revealing various means of wielding supernatural power.
The bloodlust from both the Utsusemi and the agency members was palpable.
Standing beside Sae, Himejima Hanezu smirked, a sickening grin on his face. "——Welcome to the Utsusemi Agency's headquarters, or should I say, hidden base."
This mocking invitation only fueled Tobio and Lavinia's anger.
Tobio and Lavinia were then handcuffed with restraints that resembled iron blocks. The cuffs bore magical sequences, and as soon as they were placed on Tobio, a cold sensation ran through his body.
His spiritual connection to Jin, which had been strong before, weakened considerably.
Jin himself was placed in a cage behind them, which bore the same magical patterns as the cuffs. Though Jin was calm, sitting quietly in the cage, his crimson eyes burned with raw hostility, indicating he was ready to strike at Tobio's word.
The Utsusemi Agency's goal was becoming clearer: they were conducting a large-scale experiment for the Four Fiends Project, using the powers of Natsume and Samejima to overcome the Clans.
Tobio speculated that the experiment here was a result of the different groups' intersecting goals. Lavinia looked around the room with clear annoyance, visibly unsettled by everything she saw.
Tobio considered his options. The conditions for using his 'Blade from the Shadows' were poor.
While he could attempt to summon it from the shadows at his opponent's feet, he doubted it would be enough. Other than that deadly move, he had little to rely on in this confined space.
Lavinia moved closer to Tobio and whispered, "... Since it's come to this, I will assist you somehow. But I suspect that the opponent wants to see your true abilities. If I intervene——"
She glanced over at Sae. "... It might cause her to get serious. For now, I'll just watch."
Despite being handcuffed, Tobio called out to his partner. "... Jin."
At the sound of his name, a katana-like blade emerged from Jin's forehead. This was the result of Tobio's three days of intense training, where he had named the protrusion from Jin's body 'Blade.'
Facing Jin, Tobio gave his command. "CHARGE!"
In response, Jin shot forward like a bullet, aiming for Himejima Hanezu. However, Hanezu's shakujou (a type of staff or cane traditionally used in Japanese Buddhism, often associated with monks and priests) glowed with pale light and easily repelled the attack.
Despite Jin's speed and deadly blade, the shakujou held firm, clearly strengthened by supernatural means.
Jin continued to engage Hanezu in high-speed combat, attacking with blades from his forehead, back, and tail.
Yet every strike was parried by the shakujou. Hanezu was no ordinary fighter, and Jin's efforts seemed futile.
Realizing this, Tobio prepared for his next move. "——HAKEN!"
At his command, Jin's red eyes gleamed ominously, and from the shadows beneath Hanezu, a gigantic, distorted Blade emerged.
This was the 'Blade from the Shadows,' a technique Tobio had honed during his training. Though it had limitations on frequency and location, he had managed to master it to some extent.
The move had even been named by Valerica, who had observed Tobio's training. After pondering for a while, Valerica suggested, "It's a valuable skill. A blade that springs from the shadows, the form of a distorted hook... The hook of the dark night, Night Haken."
Embarrassed but pleased, Tobio had accepted the name. Now, the Night Haken shot forth, aiming to pierce Himejima Hanezu from the shadows.
He attacked Himejima Hanezu from below with Night Haken, but Hanezu leaped into the air, evading the extending blade.
Swinging his shakujou horizontally, he shattered the blade born from the shadow.
With such power, smashing Night Haken is easy? This realization struck Tobio hard: unless he could reliably stab Hanezu, he wouldn't win.
Yet, he lacked the resolve to kill; he had slaughtered Utsusemi monsters, but killing a human was another matter.
"Jin! Again!" he commanded, launching another attack, but Hanezu jumped back and effortlessly broke the blade.
Tobio kept firing Night Haken, but each strike was dodged or destroyed without landing a hit.
Suddenly, Hanezu tied a token to his hand, causing the shakujou to glow brighter. "HAA!" he shouted, swinging it horizontally.
A bullet of light shot straight at Tobio, who instinctively summoned a blade from the shadow at his feet to act as a shield. However, the bullet smashed through it, sending Tobio flying.
"GAH!" he gasped, pain radiating through his body as he hit the floor. Despite his injuries, he struggled to rise, facing Hanezu.
"... As expected, it's like this huh? This 'Dog' hasn't tasted human blood yet?" Hanezu taunted, pointing his shakujou at Jin.
"Your hesitation towards murder has made your attacks blunt."
Tobio realized Hanezu was right; his uncertainty was affecting Jin's attacks. Hanezu's skill surpassed his, but Jin lacked the murderous intent to fully commit to an attack.
With each of them growing stronger day by day, Tobio thought to himself in relief, he had been uneasy.
Supposing, that if he were unable to control Jin's attack, it would reach a situation where his opponent—a human being would be killed...
It was okay if a Utsusemi monster was his opponent, it was fine if that clay doll was his opponent, but——.
To be able to pull that off against a person, against a being with human form, could he, could Jin, kill them? Would killing them be okay?
—Regarding himself, he merely wanted to rescue Sae and his classmates.
This alone was his determination to fight. For that, he seemed ready for any number of Utsusemi opponents. It was the same for his comrades.
For this Jin had also steadily attained power. However, if the opponent was a person...
If he were to become a murderer in the future, Tobio having arrived at this thought—.
'Is it okay if I make Jin a murderer?'
It was at this point—.
Having arrived at this final moment, Ikuse Tobio—ceased to be gentle.
Tobio bit his lip, shedding tears of regret. Having arrived at this point, having penetrated his enemy's secret base, even with Sae right before his eyes... until 'that' final moment he had been lacking in resolution.
To the side Lavinia, perceiving Tobio's true intentions, bowed her head.
With a look of pity, Himejima Hanezu spoke to Tobio.
"... Now, we must give you a taste of human blood, or the ominous Jin instead?"
Just then, the door opened again, revealing an elderly woman in a violet robe, her presence commanding. Following her was a gothic girl who seemed much lighter in demeanor.
"Chief engineer-dono, wouldn't you say you've had enough fun?" the elderly woman asked, striding toward Tobio.
"Witch-dono, for you to arrive here..." Hanezu sighed.
The elderly woman showed interest in Jin. "So, this is the 'Dog'."
Tobio felt a sudden spike of pressure as Lavinia glared at the elderly woman, sensing her hostility.
"Oh my," the elderly woman noted, narrowing her eyes at Lavinia. "It's been a while, 'Demise Princess' Lavinia."
Lavinia had already been exposed as a Longinus holder two years ago, but Kouske wasn't particularly concerned. He never intended for her to hide her Sacred Gear forever, and she was strong enough to protect herself now.
Unfortunately, Lavinia and Augusta had crossed paths a year ago during a mission, and it was clear the Wizards of Oz were up to no good, even back then. They were involved in black magic and illegal rituals.
And they had also been involved in a major incident that occurred a month ago, which Lavinia had been investigating. However, due to this mission, it had to be delayed. What they—what 'she' had done—was unforgivable.
Lavinia disliked the idea of meeting Augusta again. But, she knew the Wizards of Oz were involved this time as well, so she half-expected to face one of the organization's leaders.
Lavinia responded with annoyance. "Augusta, you were the collaborator?"
Their confrontation ignited a tense atmosphere filled with pale light. But it was Walburga, the girl in gothic attire, who broke the tension with innocent curiosity.
"Oshi-sama (Master), who is that child? She's so adorable kyun~ kyun~"
The elderly woman sighed at her disciple's behavior. "This girl is my disciple, Walburga."
Walburga waved cheerfully at Lavinia, who merely shrugged at that.
Lavinia was already trying to break free from the binding, determined to help Tobio. Intense cold radiated from her, the air around her freezing as she prepared to unleash her power.
The elderly woman asked Hanezu, "How many binding techniques did you use on that girl?"
"Spell equations from each of the Five Principal Clans," he replied, groaning.
"Insufficient. Unless it was ten times that, it wouldn't bind her."
In reality, even that wouldn't be enough. She had been holding back only because of the hostages. But now that all of the hostages were in one place, and with two of the masterminds also present, she could afford to push a little harder.
Though her main task was to assist and protect Tobio and the others, allowing them to gain valuable experience, she knew she could step in more forcefully if the situation demanded.
As cracks spread across Lavinia's restraints, she released a cold breath.
With her wrists free, Lavinia murmured a chilling curse.
<
A vortex of cold air gathered, forming an ice princess beside her— three meters tall, with a dress but lacking a mouth or nose, adorned with six eyes on one side and a wild rose protruding from the other.
"This is my puppet."
It had four thin arms, but the hands were large.
'This is... a Sacred Gear, isn't it?' Tobio thought. He couldn't tell for sure but felt it was more likely an embodiment of Lavinia's will rather than magic.
Seeing the ice figure, the elderly woman Augusta sighed in admiration.
"One of the thirteen, Absolute Demise, the Eternal Ice Princess. I can't believe a girl like her would possess the incarnation said to overthrow even God..."
Augusta glanced at Tobio.
"Could it be they attracted each other?"
"It might be possible," Lavinia replied.
Augusta laughed softly. "Interesting. Truly interesting. I can see Azazel is already involved. He has his reasons. But is your leader also behind this? What does this have to do with him?"
Suddenly, a pillar of violet flames appeared behind Augusta, rivaling the cold in the room.
<
Like Lavinia, Augusta released her power with a curse. The purple flames took shape, forming a crucifix for a moment before a giant of flames emerged. In its hand was a flaming cross, standing tall at four meters.
Lavinia and Augusta stood beside their respective avatars, ready for battle.
Tobio observed the ice princess and the blazing giant with awe, realizing they were independent avatars, different from the Utsusemi or the Sacred Gears he'd seen before.
Unlike Sae's black lion, these avatars seemed like energy molded into human form.
Augusta grinned.
"My giant of purple flames or your Ice Princess — will we melt or freeze? Which one wins?"
Then the elderly woman signaled to Himejima Hanezu.
"Chief engineer-dono, wouldn't it be wise to leave? I will handle this young miss."
She pointed upwards.
"Isn't there something up above you need to handle?"
Hanezu glanced at the agency members, then quickly unsealed the door, letting them out. He spoke to the elderly woman.
"…I'll rely on you moderately."
He left, taking Sae with him.
Despite his damaged body, Tobio managed to stand. Linking up with Jin, he watched Lavinia and Augusta.
The two women, accompanied by the ice princess and the flame giant, were creating magic circles and releasing fireballs and lightning strikes.
During his training, Tobio had learned from Lavinia that magic, whether miracles from gods or demonic power, could be reproduced through formulas.
Magic circles allowed for supernatural powers to be released by calculating fixed laws.
Meanwhile, Walburga cheerfully watched the fight.
"Wow~. Oshi-sama, you're in high spirits! Should I watch too?"
She pulled out a broom and floated in the air.
The ice princess created pillars of ice, which the blazing giant mowed down with its flaming crucifix.
While their avatars battled fiercely, Lavinia and Augusta's magic fight had long surpassed Tobio's imagination.
Charging in recklessly would only get him turned to ice or cinders.
Lavinia called out to Tobio.
"Tobi, leave this to me and go help that girl."
"But!"
Lavinia smiled sweetly.
"A time will come when you'll have to protect someone important to you, even if it means hurting someone else. This is that moment."
She pointed to the gate.
"Hurry, go."
Staying under Lavinia's protection wasn't the best choice.
Augusta's magic and her flame giant were far too powerful.
Tobio and Jin couldn't face her—it had to be Lavinia.
Making a bitter decision, Tobio dashed for the door with Jin.
"…Sorry, Lavinia-san!"
He ran after Himejima and Sae, knowing it was the most important thing he could do right now.
As Lavinia resumed the fight, neither Augusta nor Walburga chased him, their attention focused elsewhere.
Tobio's destination: the upper levels of the facility.
"I will rescue Sae," he vowed, advancing with Jin.