"Sir Alistair..." Kenji's voice barely audibly, heaved a whisper as the tension thickened in the air.
Alistair's slow advance toward Kazuhira held the entire student body captive, their anxiety escalating with each passing moment.
Kazuhira's shocking decision to abandon his comrade in the treacherous Silva Verana Forest, infested with perilous monsters, left everyone in a state of disbelief.
The gravity of the situation intensified when a knight, representing the kingdom, sought a face-to-face confrontation with Kazuhira. It was evident that this matter was of utmost importance.
"Kazuhira Nagasawa, one would expect a degree of camaraderie amongst comrades, but your actions are deeply disappointing," Alistair proclaimed, his voice carrying an edge of stern authority.
"Sir Alistair, I didn't intend for any of this," Kazuhira attempted to defend himself, his voice tinged with desperation.
"Abandoning your companions and leaving the Ley Line unguarded in the forest? Retreat was never the only option; your decision was driven by selfishness."
"I entrusted you with the role of captain because I believed you possessed the necessary qualifications. It appears you have yet to grasp the fundamental lesson."
A heavy silence hung between Kazuhira and Alistair, a palpable suspense permeating the atmosphere.
Finally, Kazuhira broke the silence, his words laced with anger, "You know what? To hell with all of you!"
A collective gasp rippled through the students, their disbelief mirrored in their wide-eyed expressions.
"I accepted the role of captain to showcase my skills, not to lead this rabble," Kazuhira continued, his voice seething with contempt.
"I am more worthy than any of these imbeciles. My status is far superior, and my abilities surpass theirs by a mile!"
Another heavy silence descended upon them.
Then, Alistair spoke, his tone somber, "The audacity... I am deeply disappointed in you. Regrettably, it seems I must resort to alternative means to contain your power for the sake of our world."
"You can't stop me! I'm a hero! I possess powers beyond your comprehension," Kazuhira defiantly retorted.
"Perhaps that is true," Alistair conceded. "We may not be able to match the otherworldly abilities heroes like you possess, but we will not let you roam free without restraint."
With sudden swiftness, Alistair crouched and darted behind Kazuhira, seizing both his wrists and swiftly affixing a mystical artifact, forming handcuffs around them.
From Kazuhira's perspective, Alistair appeared to vanish before his eyes, only to reappear behind him, his hands restrained. Kazuhira was baffled and frustrated by Alistair's actions, while the other students were left in stunned silence, never having witnessed Alistair's agility in action before.
Kazuhira struggled to summon his powers in an attempt to break free, but to his astonishment, the system refused to heed his commands.
[System Alert: Access Denied! You are currently under the Null Effect status. To gain access to the System, eliminate the Null Effect!]
Frustration gnawed at Kazuhira as he attempted to summon his powers to break free. However, his efforts were in vain, and he yelled in frustration, "What have you done? I can't access my abilities!"
Alistair explained calmly, "Null Artifacts, sacred items designed to negate magic, whether it be within a specific area, a person, or an object, are not to be underestimated."
Null Artifacts are revered items imbued with the remarkable ability to neutralize or disperse any magical attributes, objects, or invisible forces, akin to the intricate art of Nullification Magic.
These extraordinary artifacts exhibit a diverse array of forms, including bracelets, cuffs, collars, chains, and more, each meticulously crafted to harness their unique nullifying properties.
Among their many capabilities, Null Artifacts possess the exceptional power to halt the enigmatic otherworldly force known as the "System," a power inherently accessible only to denizens of alternate realms.
The confrontation had taken a startling turn, leaving Kazuhira bewildered and the onlookers speechless in the face of Alistair's unexpected actions.
Alistair solemnly declared, "I, Alistair Thornwood, acting in the capacity of my rank, hereby strip you of your esteemed title as the 'Hero' of Eldoria. Regrettably, I must place you under arrest."
"You can't do this to me! I'm a hero! I'm the one who is capable of defeating the Demon Lord!" Kazuhira's frustration reverberated through the room, his voice trembling with anger and desperation.
Alistair's response was stern and unwavering. "You're not a hero; you're just an arrogant individual who believes he can do anything."
With a determined nod, he signaled to his loyal knights, who swiftly moved to apprehend Kazuhira and bring him to justice.
The knights, well-trained and resolute, seized Kazuhira and began to forcefully escort him towards the confinement room, where the kingdom's prisoners were held.
Desperation coursed through Kazuhira's veins as he continued to resist, shouting, "Let me go!" He struggled with all his might, attempting to break free from their grasp.
Kazuhira's act of defiance, though brief, proved futile when one of the knights unleashed a devastating punch to his abdomen, instantly sapping his strength and leaving him in a helpless state.
Despite the excruciating pain and his weakened condition, Kazuhira's indomitable spirit refused to yield. As the knights continued to forcibly drag him away, their hurried footsteps resonating in the air, his defiant shouts echoed through the surroundings, slowly fading into the distance.
Akihiko, deeply concerned for his friend Kazuhira, momentarily trailed behind, his heart heavy with worry.
The scene rendered Mitsuki and her fellow students utterly speechless, their faces frozen in a singular expression of astonishment. They gazed in collective disbelief at what had just transpired.
Mitsuki, amidst this surreal moment, found herself experiencing a peculiar mix of emotions. On one hand, there was a faint sense of satisfaction as she witnessed Kazuhira finally receiving the punishment he so arrogantly deserved.
However, beneath that glimmer of relief, an undercurrent of anger simmered within her. Unforgivingly etched in her mind was the unresolved matter of Yuichi's disappearance in the dungeon.
As she attempted to process the whirlwind of events, Mitsuki's gaze drifted downward, her fingers nervously pinching the fabric of her shirt. It was as if this simple act offered her some solace, a small anchor in the chaos of the day.
Softly, almost as if to herself, Mitsuki whispered, "Yuichi-kun..."
In a quiet, secluded moment, Alistair, with a formal yet relieved demeanor, approached Mitsuki, his footsteps echoing lightly on the cobblestone floor. His approach didn't escape Mitsuki's watchful gaze; she regarded him with a mixture of curiosity and anticipation.
"Sir Alistair... What do you need from me?" Mitsuki inquired, her voice tinged with intrigue.
With a sense of purpose, Alistair reached into his pocket and retrieved a finely crafted pendant. The sight of it caught Mitsuki by surprise, her eyes widening with curiosity as she took in the intricate design.
"I want you to take it," Alistair said, his tone filled with significance. "It's a gift from the king, specifically for those who are the captain of the Hero's Party."
Mitsuki's astonishment was palpable. "Captain?" she echoed, the word hanging in the air, laden with unexpected weight.
Alistair nodded with a hint of pride. "That's right. You're willing to accept the role as Captain of the Hero's Party?"
Mitsuki was stunned, her mind racing with thoughts and emotions. She hadn't anticipated this turn of events. However, her excitement was tinged with hesitation, driven by a society's stereotype that women couldn't lead. But the recognition from her supervisor filled her with pride.
"I don't think I have the qualifications to accept this kind of responsibility," Mitsuki admitted, her humility shining through.
Alistair's response was resolute. "No, you have the qualifications." He handed her the pendant, a symbol of her new role.
Mitsuki accepted it with great care, her fingers delicately tracing its surface. This was her first badge of leadership, and a faint smile graced her lips as she fastened it around her neck.
Turning to face her classmates, Mitsuki radiated a newfound sense of pride. "I hereby announce that your new captain is none other than Mitsuki Hoshizaki. I hope you all do well in her care," Alistair declared before slowly walking away.
The silence from her classmates initially worried Mitsuki; she feared they didn't appreciate her as their captain. A faint frown crossed her face. But then, one of her classmates stepped forward, breaking the silence and brightening her day.
"Hoshizaki-san is a great leader. I can trust her," one of her classmates affirmed.
"Yeah, I don't think I have to worry about anything as long as she's our captain."
"She's cool and admirable!"
The chorus of praises from her classmates filled the air, resembling the lively chatter of a bustling market. Mitsuki was momentarily speechless, overwhelmed by the warmth of their words.
"Thank you, guys. I am really happy to hear such kind words," Mitsuki expressed her gratitude, her eyes shimmering with happiness.
Cradling the pendant with care, she smiled, knowing that she had earned the respect and trust of her peers.
Her classmates continued to converse among themselves, discussing Mitsuki's new role with enthusiasm. The atmosphere was undeniably positive, and Mitsuki felt a renewed sense of purpose.
Kenji, who had been observing the scene with a beaming smile, raised his hand with confidence. "Let's congratulate Hoshizaki-san as our new captain!" he exclaimed, leading the cheers.
The rest of their classmates followed suit, joining in the jubilant celebration. Mitsuki's heart swelled with pride at their unwavering support.
Murasaki approached Mitsuki, patting her shoulder as a sign of pride and admiration. Her relief was evident in her expression.
"Congratulations, Hoshizaki-san. I'm sure Hanateru-san is happy to hear this," Murasaki remarked, standing by Mitsuki's side.
"I'd wish Yuichi-kun could see this," Mitsuki whispered with a slight frown, her thoughts briefly drifting to someone absent. But she quickly regained her positivity. "I will lead this team from now on. I'll make sure we defeat this demon lord and return home to Japan."
"I'm sure we will, Captain," Murasaki affirmed with confidence.
Mitsuki's smile widened as she surveyed her surroundings. The happiness and support of her classmates, along with the resolution to bring justice to their quest, filled her with determination.
She silently promised herself that she would lead her team even stronger than before. Though the path ahead remained uncertain, Mitsuki's courage and determination would guide them toward a brighter future, dispelling the shadows of doubt...