…Hey, Hyoudou?
…You know, the kids call me Mr. Saji… They’re always smiling when they say it, too… And I’m still just starting out…
Working with all these kids, I’ve come to realize something.
I’m definitely going to make it as a teacher.
I’ve got to get promoted to a mid-level demon first, but I’ll do it, no matter how many years it takes.
I’ll make it happen.
✦ ✦ ✦
You idiot…! What are you doing…?! Y-you’re really willing to go that far to protect the school…?!
I know what you’re thinking, Saji. Those kids’ smiles are dancing around in your head, aren’t they? You feel like you have to take action! You’re fighting back, even if it kills you!
But come on! At this rate, you’ll die for real!
I continued to lash out at the wards holding me back, tears streaming down my face. There was no end to them! Each time I smashed through one barrier, Ladon created another! But I had to keep trying!
My friend was in danger! He was out there on the brink of death, still giving it everything he had! He was standing his ground! So why was I so pathetic, locked behind these invisible walls?!
“You’re really going at it,” Ladon laughed. “Impressive power. At this rate, maybe you will break through… But not in time to save the boy, or the school.”
Grendel let out a hearty laugh, then prepared to stomp Saji underfoot.
“Gwa-ha-ha-ha! Too bad! You’re finished! Gwa-ha-ha-ha! Once I’m done with you, your school’s toast!”
But just before the dragon’s foot could reach him—
A figure reached out to grab Saji, helping him escape.
Others soon appeared as well—the fathers of the visiting children.
I recognized one—Lirenkus’s father.
“You… You’re Lirenkus’s dad!”
“…We couldn’t find any unevacuated residents! We’ll hold off the dragon for as long as we can! Use the time to regroup…!”
With their help, Koneko and Nimura managed to pull free from the mass-produced Evil Dragons and get Saji to safety.
The fathers, meanwhile, bravely confronted Grendel!
“Y-you! Dragon!”
“We’re not letting you touch the school!”
They were trembling in fear, but still they didn’t turn to flee.
Grendel snickered in amusement. “What the hell? You think you guys can ruin my fun? You nobodies have gotta learn your place!”
The dragon puffed out his chest and unleashed a massive fireball! The parents activated magic squares to defend themselves, but that did little to halt the attack. Within seconds, they were blown away by the sheer force of the strike.
“Get out of here!” I shouted. “You’ll get yourselves killed at this rate!”
But the fathers charged at Grendel all over again, injuries and all!
Before the battle, Lirenkus’s father and I had a brief chat, and he had shown me an embroidered patch—Breast Dragon merchandise.
“My son found something he loves—the Breast Dragon TV show. It’s about a reincarnated demon called Issei Gremory, who fights all sorts of enemies with his friends. He’s a goofy character, but he always steps up when it counts. My son is obsessed with that show. Completely hooked…” He had paused to look over the school buildings. “Lirenkus’s face lit up when he heard about this school. Do you know what he said to me? ‘I want to go there and become a demon who fights for justice, like the Breast Dragon!’ I was so happy to hear that. My son, talking about his dreams… He used to withdraw into himself, and now he had a dream of his own… He was convinced he didn’t have any talents, and now he’s learned magic. Can you believe how amazing that is? My son is capable of something…! For my wife and me, it’s a miracle…” He flashed me a beaming smile. “This school is a beacon of hope for my family. It’s our dream. We can’t let it disappear! I have to protect my son’s dreams, even if it costs me my life.”
Grendel unleashed a merciless barrage of fireballs, each of them erupting in spectacular explosions.
Lirenkus’s dad was blasted into the air, crashing hard into the ground.
Another kid’s father landed near me, his armor shattered and blood spurting all over his body.
“…I’m sorry,” Lirenkus’s dad apologized. “This is all I can do…”
“Hang in there!” I shouted, shaking my head. “You need to look out for your son’s future! Don’t you dare die! Asiaaa!”
Saji and Lirenkus’s dad were in need of her healing abilities! We couldn’t let these brave warriors perish!
They had to live—not just for themselves, but for the kids who wanted to attend the school!
“Sorry, Issei!” Asia’s voice sounded over my earpiece. “Other people are injured, too… I’ll be there as soon as I can!”
…Glancing around, I could hear explosions sounding elsewhere, while the ground shook violently. Everyone was putting up a desperate defense. Though wounded, they refused to give up…!
…And here I was, trapped between these wards and unable to do anything…!
There was only one thing to do—I started charging my Crimson Blaster for another shot!
“I see, I see. You’re trying again?” Ladon sneered. “Go ahead. The outcome will be the same as last time!”
Seriously, this guy was such a pain!
Before I knew it, the mass-produced Evil Dragons had the four of us and the group of dads surrounded.
…Even if I managed to break through and escape, there was no telling whether Saji and the parents would be safe!
…I needed help—from anyone. With another ally on our side, I might be able to break through!
“…I’m here!” Koneko declared, steeling herself and channeling her qi energy. She was preparing to enter her Shirone mode, her last resort. There was every chance she would collapse afterward.
The situation was out of control, deteriorating by the minute. I gritted my teeth in frustration, when—
One of the mass-produced Evil Dragons nearby took to the air. No, that wasn’t quite right. It leaped unnaturally, something about its movements striking me as off.
And it wasn’t the only one. One after another, its counterparts were hurled upward. Whatever the phenomenon was, it was slowly making its way toward us.
At last, an overwhelming mass of fighting spirit rose up into the air.
Only then did I understand. The Evil Dragons were being knocked back.
And the man charging toward us, blasting his way through the creatures with naught but his fists, making a bold appearance accompanied by a golden lion, was none other than Sairaorg Bael!
Grendel chortled in amusement. “Hey, hey, hey! Who’s that jerk beating up our mongrel dragons?”
“Sairaorg Bael, heir to the title of Great Prince, I presume,” Ladon answered. “I was told he was born with a dearth of demonic power. Apparently, he fought the Red Dragon Emperor using only his bare hands.”
With a mountain of fallen Evil Dragons behind him, Sairaorg finally reached us.
“Looks like I made it just in time.”
“Sairaorg…!” I exclaimed, bawling my eyes out.
“Sorry I’m late. We’ve taken the upper hand in the battle in Agreas, so I’ve been sent here. I had to use a considerable amount of my fighting spirit forcing my way through those flames generated by the True Cross.”
So we were winning in the floating city! Just hearing that was enough to renew my determination!
And now that Sairaorg was here…!
He turned his attention to Grendel and Ladon. “So you’re going after the school,” he muttered.
Everyone here, including me, was focused solely on protecting the town and the school.
Sairaorg, however, had a broader combat awareness.
He fixed the resurrected Evil Dragons—Grendel and Ladon—with a baleful glare.
“I won’t let you destroy it…! I’ll end you, dragons!”
This was where our counterattack got underway!