"HIBINO!!"
The red-haired boy stepped forward, blocking Ryoko's attack with a swift motion and deflecting it backward. The force sent Ryoko staggering back.
"H-he's Kawamura Hibino, the first disciple of Hayashida Yoshiro, before Nagamine Meiko. What are both of them doing in this training session?"
Ryuu thought, astonished. Everyone knew that these two were once-in-a-century talents, personally trained by the legendary Hayashida Yoshiro.
Kawamura Hibino rushed to Meiko's side, helping her regain her footing.
"I TOLD YOU NOT TO GET TOO EXCITED, IDIOT! WHAT IF SOMETHING HAPPENED TO YOU HERE? HOW COULD I FACE MYSELF—face Master then?"
Hibino scolded, his voice tense. Meiko was taken aback; she had never seen him this unsettled before, which oddly pleased her.
(But this isn't the issue right now. The real problem is that girl over there.
Just one strike from her was enough to break a few bones in my wrist.
If this continues, it could end badly for both me and Meiko. I have to think of a way out of this. She truly is an S-rank.)
Hibino was acutely aware of Ryoko's overwhelming power.
Ryoko clenched her fists tighter, the air growing even colder.
Sharp ice shards began to encircle her, a testament to her fury as she prepared for another assault.
Suddenly, Ryuu's voice cut through the tension.
"RYOKO-SAN, YOU HAVE TO STOP! YOU DO NOT HAVE TO RISK YOUR LIFE FOR ME! JUST STOP THIS NOW!"
Concern surged through Ryuu; he hadn't witnessed her full power when she battled the dog demon, leaving him unaware of her true strength.
Ignoring him, Ryoko launched a violent attack aimed at both Kawamura Hibino and Nagamine Meiko.
The air crackled with energy, and both Hibino and Meiko braced themselves for impact.
(I need to stop Ryoko-san. Even if she's an S-rank, she's new to magic.
Those two are A+ level magic controllers and have trained under Hayashida Yoshiro.
Even with her rank, she can't take on both of them at once. I need to save her this time; she once saved me.)
As he contemplated this, a small azure flame ignited in his heart, and his eyes shimmered a brilliant azure.
Suddenly, he felt a surge of power coursing through him, propelling him forward.
In an instant, he was behind Ryoko, who was poised to strike Meiko and Hibino.
He wrapped his arms around her tightly from behind, catching her off guard.
She sensed a familiar presence and froze, her heart racing.
For a fleeting moment, she wanted to stay in this embrace forever.
Turning slowly, she met Ryuu's gaze. His eyes glowed with a radiant azure light, stunning her into silence.
Tremors coursed through her body.
"I-i-is it really y-you?" she stuttered.
"Yes," he replied softly.
Ryoko was momentarily paralyzed, her anger dissipating as she lost control over her body.
She felt herself begin to sway when Ryuu tightened his grip.
"RYOKO-SAN! Ryoko-san! What happened? Are you alright?" he asked, concern evident in his voice.
As if waking from a dream, Ryoko snapped back to reality. She saw Ryuu looking at her with worry, and his eyes had returned to their normal color.
"I-I'm fine. Thank you," she managed to say, her voice steadier than before.
(It was you. Just wait a little longer; I promise I'll bring you back.)
Ryoko stood upright, glaring at Ryuu, who turned his face away, blushing slightly.
"Ryoko-san, why are you glaring at me like that?" Ryuu asked, flustered.
"It's nothing. Let's just head to our rooms," she replied, brushing off the moment.
"Yes."
They both picked up their luggage and began walking to the dorm building. The atmosphere remained tense, and the other students nearby were still in shock.
(T-th-that boy... Didn't he have trouble using magic? How was he able to do that? When did he even get behind her?
I couldn't even see him move. And what was that immense power?
The pressure he exerted in just a split second was more tremendous than Master's when he goes all out.)
Kawamura Hibino trembled, overwhelmed by Ryuu's power. He was unable to move, fear rooted in place.
"Those two are real monsters; they're not someone we can handle," he murmured, trembling.
Ryuu and Ryoko finally reached the dorm building designated for the students.
"Haa, finally we can get some rest," Ryuu sighed, relieved, though his body ached from the day's events.
Ryoko was still lost in her thoughts, remaining silent.
"Ryoko-san! What's wrong? You've been spacing out the whole time. If something's bothering you, you can tell me. I'll do my best to help,"
Ryuu urged, concern etching his features.
"Oh, i-it's nothing, I'm just tired. I-I'll be fine after some rest. Now let's head to our rooms,"
Ryoko replied, brushing off his concern.
Ryuu could tell something was off, especially since the incident earlier, but he couldn't put his finger on it.
"OI!! Ryuu, Tatsuno-san! You're finally here! What have you two been doing this whole time?
Don't tell me you started flirting even in the training area!"
Seichii called out as he stepped out of the dorm building, waving at them.
Both Ryuu and Ryoko recalled their earlier embrace, their faces flushing bright red. Seichii noticed their reaction and sighed.
"Sigh— You two! Now take your luggage and get some rest. Ryuu, come with me; we're in the same room," Seichii insisted.
"WHAT?!" Ryuu shouted in disbelief.
Seichii shot him a glare. "I wanted to stay with a beautiful girl, not you! Now hurry up; the evening assembly is going to start soon."
The three of them entered the dorm building, tension still hanging in the air.
From a distance, a man observed the unfolding events, a frown etched on his face.
"I was right; that boy is not normal. A typical person could never unleash such tremendous power.
Even if others didn't see it, I did. I fear that even the ATSUTAs can't produce such great power and pressure when wielded expertly.
I need to gather more information about this power soon, or it will spell disaster for humanity and this planet."...