"Ahhh… Ahhhh!!"
Yoshino's Reiryoku was growing stronger. Her Astral Dress materialized, and soon, her puppet began to glow.
"Zadkiel!"
*BOOM*
A giant white rabbit appeared, and the temperature dropped even further. Yoshino stepped onto the rabbit's head.
The entire AST team panicked. This was the first time they had seen Hermit with such a temperament. She, who used to be shy and timid, now had an aura filled with a heavy, instinctual power.
"Yoshino-chan!"
Miku shouted, trying to calm Yoshino, but it was useless. Yoshino's eyes were fixed on Yuki.
"…"
Yuki didn't stop looking at Yoshino either. To be honest, he was a bit surprised. Yoshino in the previous timeline wasn't this temperamental. Her docile personality was his favorite, but it also made her combat strength weaker.
But now, the Yoshino before him was completely different, and moreover…
"She's stronger…"
The level of energy she was emitting was far beyond what she should possess. At most, she should be a Low Tectonic, but now her strength had suddenly surged to a Mid Tectonic, and it was still growing.
This made no sense.
(Did something happen? Is this supposed to be the timid Yoshino?)
Yuki thought seriously. The timeline distortions made it incredibly difficult for Rasiel to gather information.
*BOOM*
However, Yoshino didn't give Yuki time to continue thinking. Her Reiryoku unleashed a shockwave, forcefully repelling everything around her.
*ROAR*
The giant rabbit roared, and its massive paws made the ground tremble.
*Weeooo, weeoo…*
The spatial earthquake alarm went off, and everyone held their breath, including Ratatoskr.
[Yuki, don't let the spatial earthquake activate.]
Even though the AST training field was underground, a spatial earthquake would still be problematic due to the residents on the surface. Even though they had evacuated, it was best to minimize the damage.
"What's her emotional state?"
[Severe!]
"I understand."
At least her emotional state could be considered 'normal', which was a relief for Yuki, especially since it was better than Natsumi's suspicious state.
"Sandalphon!"
Tohka, on the other hand, didn't hesitate any longer and immediately summoned her Angel. She stood in front of Yuki and raised her sword, ready to fight the rabbit girl. However, before she could act, Yuki patted her shoulder.
"It's okay, Tohka, someone else will handle her."
"Huh? Who?"
"…"
Yuki didn't respond, but his eyes focused on the only one in AST who hadn't moved yet.
AST quickly dispersed and surrounded the enormous crazed rabbit. This was beyond their expectations, but Hermit was on their elimination list, and they wouldn't miss this opportunity. The squad divided into two and proceeded to attack Yoshino under Ryouko's orders.
"Nooo! Don't hurt her! Yoshino-chan! Please stop!"
Miku didn't stay behind either. She flew out and tried to stop AST, but all she accomplished was Yoshino using icy winds against her.
"Gabriel!"
This left Miku with no choice but to summon her Angel. However, the difference in strength was so great that her music had no effect on Yoshino.
*BOOM*
Fortunately, AST had Mana among them, who helped alleviate some of Yoshino's strength. However, Yoshino then looked at Yuki, who was moving in her direction.
"Tsk!"
Origami bit her lip. Yoshino's intervention complicated everything. She looked at Yuki, who was as calm as a cucumber, and at Yoshino, who was lost in madness.
(What to do?!)
For now, the priority was Yoshino, whose emotional state was on the verge of triggering a spatial earthquake, which her teammates were fighting to prevent. However, Origami didn't want to go; her objective was Yuki.
This situation left her in a dilemma: disobey orders and fight on her own, with the slim chance of uncovering the truth, or join her squad and let the truth slip away.
"It's okay, Origami, you can go."
And just at that moment, Yuki patted her shoulder. This shook Origami, and sensing her hesitation, Yuki whispered again.
"Defeat her. If you manage to do it, I'll tell you everything."
"!!"
Origami didn't hesitate any longer. White Lycoris activated its thrusters, and she flew out.
This was the best option; she didn't want to fight Yuki, so Hermit had to endure this blow…
"Yuki, is this okay? They're going to hurt her."
Tohka beside him couldn't understand it. Yuki was allowing AST to attack Yoshino. For Tohka, who held Yuki in the same regard as her savior, this left her confused.
"It's better this way. Hermit is acting strange, and besides, it won't be easy for them to defeat her."
In response to her question, Yuki shook his head. Yoshino was stronger than everyone in AST, and unless Origami transformed into her Spirit form and joined forces with Miku, there was no way to defeat Yoshino.
Of course, there were always variables, but this didn't worry Yuki, as long as he stayed away from Yoshino, everything would be fine…
*ROAR*
And perhaps to reaffirm his thoughts, the giant rabbit unleashed its icy breath.
*BOOM*
AST's bombs exploded, but none of them could stop Zadkiel. Its true form was too powerful, causing blizzards and fog.
Of course, this didn't stop AST. They continued to attack, and when Origami joined, their formation received a significant boost, thanks to White Lycoris's perfect AOE damage…
"Ahhhh!"
"Izayoi! Whose side are you on?!"
But while AST attacked, Miku used her Angel to block the missiles aimed at Yoshino, causing dissatisfaction among Ryouko and the others.
"Please let me handle it. Yoshino-chan is very shy…"
*BAM*
Miku didn't finish speaking before one of Zadkiel's paws struck her hard, sending her flying…
"Don't cease fire!"
Shy? No, Hermit was in a state of madness right now. There was no room for negotiation; they had to defeat her…
*ROAR*
And for Yoshino, AST, Miku, and Origami were not a problem. The only one in her sights was Yuki. If it weren't for these pesky flies constantly bothering her, she would have already run to Yuki. Nevertheless, Zadkiel accumulated energy, and a massive ice explosion was released, directed at Yuki, who didn't move…
"Haaa!!"
However, before it could hit, a sword cut through the explosion…
"Hmph! I won't let you hurt Yuki!"
Tohka was a born warrior; her instincts far surpassed those of other spirits. She didn't underestimate Yoshino and immediately used her strongest sword, Halvanhelev.
She stood in front of Yuki, protecting him seriously and ready to act.
"Ahhhh!!"
Yoshino, of course, didn't take this provocation well. She screamed loudly and manipulated Zadkiel to charge and destroy the woman who intervened. Unfortunately, she couldn't do it as Origami's missiles arrived at the exact moment, striking the ice armor…
*ROAR*
"How dare you attack him?! Don't you dare!"
Origami bit her lips and unleashed her entire arsenal, causing several explosions. Her face was dark, even more so because Yuki had been attacked.
*GRRR*
Yoshino growled in displeasure. The bombs didn't affect her, but they were incredibly annoying. She raised both hands, creating a massive blizzard that froze the magicians' territories…
"…!!"
Origami was alarmed. This threatened them because, until now, they could stand and fight thanks to their territory, which served as their defense. But if it was frozen and treated as a prison, they would be at the enemy's mercy…
"Haaaaaaaa!!"
At that moment, Miku's music was heard. Yoshino seemed to stall for a few seconds before continuing…
Since the first tune couldn't stop Yoshino, Miku changed her strategy and decided to boost the magicians' strength. Thanks to that, the load on Origami's White Lycoris was reduced, allowing her to escape in time…
"Tch!"
Miku bit her lip; at this rate, she wouldn't be able to save Yoshino…
(Save?)
Suddenly, a thought flashed in her mind. She turned her head and then saw it…
The solution…
Whether in her dream or reality, Yoshino always obeyed…
"Darling, save Yoshino-chan!"
So, without saying anything else, she ran towards Yuki.