Touya and I stood facing each other with different expressions. I couldn't tell what expression I wore, but I knew that on the other side, anger was clearly visible in Touya's eyes, despite his stern face.
"You... I won't let you escape," he said, his voice trembling with rage.
"Give it up, Touya. You don't know what's really happening, and as usual, your insight into people's character is far from good. In fact, you don't even realize you've been manipulated by a naive girl," I said sarcastically, trying to awaken his awareness.
"Tch, you're trying to make me angry, aren't you! Johan!!" he yelled, gripping his luxurious sword tightly.
"Yeah, in the end, it comes to this, doesn't it, Tou-chi?" I said, using the old nickname we used when we were still friends.
Touya lunged forward with his sword gleaming under the moonlight, cutting through the starry night. "Don't call my name with your mouth!!" he screamed in fury.
I dodged quickly, feeling the wind from his powerful swing. "Touya, listen to me! We don't have to do this. There's something bigger going on!"
"Shut up!" he yelled again, attacking with a barrage of strikes that forced me to keep retreating.
It seemed the rift between us was inevitable since that incident. Well, I didn't mind this separation either.
Quickly, I countered with knife techniques taught by a master, CQC (Close Quarters Combat). Fighting Touya, who had only been learning swordsmanship for two weeks, was easier for me because I was a genius.
Therefore, I could quickly turn the tables. Touya's sword techniques were still stiff compared to the soldiers I had seen when the palace introduced their mentors to the classmates. Even so, I still struggled to find the right tempo to strike. Touya's sword kept me at a distance, and occasionally, he used aura to enhance his physical strength, making the situation more troublesome.
Our battle was a deadly dance, spinning and moving in a circle filled with tension. Each of Touya's sword swings brought a glimmer of light reflecting off the setting sun, creating shadows that moved around us. In every attack, I could feel the emotional weight of this rift—childhood memories, laughter, and promises we once made.
I wasn't planning to give up. Even if I had to use a gun to incapacitate him, I was ready to do it. Fortunately, I could use both my hands well. As Touya swung another slash that nearly hit me, I pulled out my gun with my left hand and aimed it at his leg.
BANG~
A hot lead bullet shot out and pierced Touya's foot, covered by armor, instantly causing him to scream in pain as his flesh was pierced and burned simultaneously.
"Aaargh!!"
Even though he was a hero, Touya was still a boy on the verge of adulthood. The pain from the hot lead was undoubtedly an excruciating experience for him.
He fell to the ground, his body instantly going limp, his mind overwhelmed by the pain from his foot. And that was just one bullet.
Touya fell to the ground, his eyes filled with pain and betrayal. "Johan... Why?"
I approached him, looking at him with the same pain in my eyes. "Because this is the only way to save many lives, Touya. One day you'll understand," I said with a tone full of regret.
Touya groaned in pain, pounding the ground with his fists. Seeing him like this, something cracked inside me, but I had to be strong. With a heavy heart, I turned around as if without emotion, leaving him behind.
As I approached the warehouse, a fireball from a magic spell shot toward me. Reflexively, I crossed my arms, slightly pushed back. However, I was still fine thanks to the fire-resistant military outfit.
"Nora, is it?" I muttered while shaking off the scorch marks on my hands.
"Not just her!!" Jun yelled. With his shield, he tried to charge at me, but I quickly dodged using acrobatic moves.
On the other side, Aoi rushed to Touya and began healing his injured foot. She was shocked to see the gunshot wound I had inflicted.
"You!! How could you shoot your own friend!!!" Jun growled angrily at me.
"Yeah, how could you!!" Aoi also scolded me.
Meanwhile, Nora stood silently, trembling at the sight of my gun hanging at my waist.
Seeing them protecting each other, I chuckled softly. "Heh, I'm a bit envious of your friendship. Well, it's not like I don't have one." After saying that, a bright light pierced through the wooden warehouse door. Something crashed and shattered the door.
It was a military vehicle that stopped in front of Touya and his comrades.
"Hey, how long are you going to stand there gawking?" Hiroshi said from behind the car window.
"Hey, Nakamura Sensei, do you know how to drive this!?" Yumi asked, looking slightly doubtful.
"Hmph, you're underestimating your sensei!! If we get back, I'll give you extra homework," she replied confidently.
"No way~" Takeshi, Yumi, and Hiroshi shouted in unison.
"Everything's ready, get in, Johan," Philip said from the back seat.
"Hurry up, kid!" Gord shouted excitedly, impressed by the modern vehicle.
I chuckled softly at their antics, then turned to look at Touya and his comrades who were dumbfounded at the sight of a vehicle that shouldn't exist in another world.
"Also, I warned you, Touya. The rest is up to you," I said before getting into the vehicle.
"You think I'll let you get away that easily, Johan!!" Jun charged forward, trying to block my path.
But I quickly threw something at him—a flashbang.
A blinding flash flooded the area, forcing Jun and the others to retreat, covering their eyes. I jumped into the vehicle, and Nakamura Sensei immediately floored the gas pedal, speeding away from the place.
Through the rearview mirror, I saw Jun, Aoi, Nora, and Touya still in shock and confusion. "You think I'll give up that easily, Touya. This world is far more complicated than you think," I whispered to myself.
The vehicle sped out of the palace grounds, heading towards the city gates. Inside the vehicle, the tense atmosphere began to ease a little, though everyone remained alert.
"We have to move quickly," Gord said, his eyes scanning the road carefully. "They won't stop chasing us."
Philip nodded. "We need to reach a safe place as soon as possible. This is just the beginning."
I stared out the window, pondering everything that had happened. Friendship, betrayal, and the struggle for truth. All of it swirled in my mind as we sped into the dark night, heading toward an uncertain future.