Suddenly, mysterious tentacles appeared before Horas, approaching him with incredible speed. Sensing an abnormal level of danger, Horas immediately began to evade. He managed to dodge the tentacles by the narrowest of margins, just missing them. It was incredibly fortunate for him that the ceiling was high, allowing space to escape upwards, and that he had already manifested his black wings. However, the students below were not so lucky.
“Oh my, you dodged it? Should I consider that your power isn’t yet accustomed to you, or should I be impressed that you can move more than I expected… Well, I did manage to secure some hostages, so I suppose that’s good.”
“Ah, ah…”
“Ugh, ahhh…”
The students of Marl Dormitory, left behind on the ground, were engulfed by waves of octopus-like tentacles, letting out pained cries that were barely human. While they didn’t appear to be injured, their vitality had completely vanished.
As Horas looked down from mid-air, he confirmed the students’ condition and finally saw the full extent of the tentacles. The black tentacles sprouted from under the pure white holy garment, Agnos Pasuma, worn by Kuromel, and spread across the ground in all directions. However, the scale of their encroachment was extraordinary. The entire floor within the school that Horas could see was covered by these tentacles.
“W-what is this ominous power!?”
“Ominous, you say? Far from it. This deep-sea devil is, as you can see, just a little combined magic of blue and black that creates countless tentacles. It also has the characteristic of completely absorbing the magic power of those it touches, but that’s a minor detail. Well, for now, this will prevent the students from committing suicide.”
As if seeking its next prey, the tentacles covering the floor gradually turned their attention towards the air. The tips of the rising tentacles were naturally directed towards Horas, who remained suspended in mid-air.
“Ugh, it’s slimy… but it doesn’t seem to harm us…?”
“Ch-chap! Just let me confirm for a moment! Are you saying you’re an ally!? And what is this power!?”
Although they were lost in the sea of tentacles and their appearance was unclear, Paul and Shinjir seemed to be among them. Unlike the students, they did not seem to have their magic power drained and retained their will.
“Of course, I am an ally. However, I do not want to explain carelessly in front of an enemy… Well, I suppose it can’t be helped. They are insignificant opponents.”
“What!”
Kuromel displayed an attitude of looking down on her opponents, something she would never normally do. While this itself was a shocking sight, the more crucial aspect was her overwhelming power.
“My Unique Skill, ‘Monster Parent,’ has the ability to enhance my Papa’s strength to its highest point, his so-called prime, when I am looking at him. As I mentioned earlier, that’s why you were wary of this power and separated me before sealing me within a barrier, Instructor Horas? Yes, that plan was perfectly sound and the right choice. That is, if it weren’t for the other ability of ‘Monster Parent’.”
“The other… ability… !?”
“That’s right♪ That ability activates in the opposite situation, meaning when my Papa cannot sense my existence at all. Its effect is to restore me to my prime power. You could say it’s an artificial rapid growth to that stage. It’s a bit of a drawback that my ill temper also returns to that period. And, my prime is— Oh, I don’t think I need to tell you that much. You probably have some idea already.”
“…! It’s not acting, and you have no intention of walking with us. Then, why did you support us?”
“Are you perhaps referring to my past self? Let me tell you, that me is already dead. The current me has merely amplified my power to that level through my abilities. Of course, as someone who loves my Papa dearly, I can make some predictions. In case I were to lose, you probably prepared a next gift for Papa. After all, it wouldn’t do for Papa to get bored without any rivals.”
“A, a gift…!?”
“Yes♪ Oh, and of course, I don’t mean you, Instructor Horas? You’re flattering yourself too much to think that. My concern is for the Archangel and the Evil God who are likely behind you.”
Kuromel watched with satisfaction as Horas trembled with anger. Paul and Shinjir behind him could only cower in fear at Kuromel’s words and actions.
“Hoo, I’ve spoken a bit too long. Oh, I don’t recommend waiting for support from outside? You’re probably aiming to relay information to your allies, but I’m not as kind as Mama. See, I’ve already cut off all external connections.”
As Kuromel spread her arms wide, a sound like shattering glass echoed from all around. When Horas looked around, he saw that everything, in all directions, even the ceiling, was dyed in pitch black.
“A pitch-black… barrier!?”
“A pity, but ‘the gap of human intellect’ is not a barrier-creation magic. It’s more accurate to say that it has carved out space and created a random, small world in its place. I’ll warn you in advance, it’s best not to touch that black world. Its concepts are extremely unstable, and frankly, I don’t know if someone like you could maintain your existence within it. Well, if you still wish to pass through, then please do so. Watching you is also quite entertaining.”
“U-um, doesn’t that mean it’s also incredibly dangerous if we accidentally touch it…?”
“Indeed. Please remain buried quietly.”
“… …”
Paul and Shinjir decided to wait obediently.
“W-world creation…!? Impossible, for you, who is not a Reincarnated Goddess, to achieve such a divine feat!”
“As I said, I have reached godhood, but— Ah, that was a slip of the tongue. Um, rather than that now— Ah, there you are.”
After a gesture as if searching for something, Kuromel moved one of the tentacles. The tentacle, lifted from the ground, was restraining a student.
“Heeey! Wh-what, what is this!?”
“Hmm, I see. I left one person alive and energetic, but they seem to be in a state of extreme confusion. It seems that strange brainwashing has disappeared. When they were isolated from the outside and returned to their senses… I see, so the one who brainwashed them is separate from you, is that it♪”
Kuromel pointed at Horas. At the same time, the tentacles absorbed the magic power of the student who was screaming and in delirium. The student’s strength drained away as if they had become an empty shell.
“I’m curious about your allies outside, but Papa and the others will probably handle them. Now, Instructor Horas, what will you do? Will you bravely confront me and have your information stripped bare? Or will you make a wise decision and flee, only to be caught by me again? Yes, no matter which you choose, I will show you respect.”
“… I wish you would stop looking down on me. I am Horas Ascaid, the true Apostle of God! Now, I shall sever this evil!”
Spreading his black wings to their maximum, Horas charged at Kuromel.
“Fufu, how foolish♪ Oh, another slip of the tongue.”
