Published: March 21, 2026
When the first spell, magic circle and all, was devoured by the "shadow magic," I slumped down to the ground.
"Master?!"
Shadow magic really drains magical power viciously.
If it was just stabbing someone with shadows, it could be used repeatedly, but that doesn't work on Demon Clan, and if I spam techniques my body won't move later.
I had been holding back so I wouldn't be unable to move, but Yoru was trying to sacrifice herself, so I reacted without thinking.
"I heard from the demon lord, but I didn't expect you to have grown this much. I never imagined you'd eat a magic circle whole. Still, after that you must be completely out of magical power, so let's finish this."
Mahiro snapped his fingers.
When he made a magic circle earlier he made some sound too — does he always have to make noise to do it?
I stared at Mahiro, bracing for whatever would happen, but nothing did.
"...Master!!!"
Sensing something, Yoru turned her head and her eyes widened.
Seeing that, I tried to look back too, but my movement stopped midway.
"What...!? ...Huh?"
"Master!!"
A red liquid flowed from my mouth, making a stain on the ground.
The air filled with the smell of blood.
With my magical power gone, my danger sense had apparently become useless.
Or maybe I wasn't included as an object of danger.
"Wouldn't you be satisfied to be killed by the person you love? I judged you to be an obstacle to the demon lord's revenge on this world. Get off the stage already."
A thin arm protruded from my abdomen.
It had pierced me through from my back.
"Aaaahhh!!"
I turned only my neck to look behind me. Amelia, her eyes full of terror, looked at the hand she had stabbed me with.
"Why is my body moving on its own!!"
Amelia's body glowed red.
She was being controlled.
The magic circle that had blown Amelia away had probably done this.
"Ame...lia... Guh!"
The bleeding was severe.
I couldn't muster strength. When Amelia pulled her arm out, I collapsed to the ground.
I felt like life itself was draining from my body.
"Noooooo!!!"
Amelia's scream echoed.
Her pained cry brought my drifting consciousness back.
"Ah—so killing the one you love yourself, huh? Are you a yandere or something?"
Mahiro said lightly, as if it were his own plan, and I felt a real urge to kill him.
"Ah, Master?"
Feeling cold more than pain, I slowly got back up.
When I raised my face, Mahiro's eyes were wide.
His cowlick stood straight up.
"...Are you really Human race? Your vitality is on par with a Demon Clan."
I ignored Mahiro and looked at Amelia, who stood dumbfounded.
"...Amelia, I'm fine. Don't worry."
"Akira..."
I wiped the tear-wet cheek.
Maybe from my hand, there was blood on Amelia's face.
My knees buckled and I leaned on her.
She lost her posture a little but supported me.
It was cold.
Blood still flowed.
Maybe because I strained to get up, the bleeding was even heavier than before.
But if I collapsed, Amelia would blame herself, so I had to look okay.
"He's as tenacious as that black thing in the kitchen, huh."
Mahiro, hand on his chin, said that before snapping his fingers again.
Amelia's face twisted in fear.
"No! Stop!"
"'Physical puppet' takes time to set up, but it's perfect for having them kill each other. Especially for killing lovey-dovey types like you two, right?"
Amelia's hand pierced me again.
My body trembled.
I couldn't tell whether it was Amelia shaking or me.
"Ugh...!!"
It was truly cold.
If it came down to being killed by another, I had once thought it would be better to die by Amelia's hand.
But seeing Amelia crying now made me want to punch my former self.
When Commander saran died, how had I felt?
When my father disappeared and I was lost, how had I felt?
I had forgotten.
Those left behind in death hurt far more than those who die.
I couldn't make Amelia feel that.
Also, I hadn't accomplished a single thing I had sworn to myself.
Cold.
I cannot die.
Cold.
Defeat Mahiro.
Cold.
I will not let them take Amelia.
Cold.
Avenge Commander saran.
Cold.
—cold.
Strength left my body.
Amelia screamed.
Yoru was stunned, and Mahiro lifted the corner of his mouth in a sneer.