“Are you going to die with me? You, who would leave the fight to Jared and do nothing?”
“It’s a matter of putting people in their proper place. I’m not strong to begin with. But I can seal you within me. Now I can finally apologize to Jared.”
“…I see. Did you feel guilty about involving him? Or does the fact that your foster child sacrificed Olivier have something to do with it?”
“Both. I’ve been thinking of a way to atone, and it looks like I finally can.”
Magic circles deployed in layers.
The Progenitor could not move.
There was no one to stop her.
Jared searched for Cassandra.
She must have cared deeply for Rasmus. She wouldn’t just stand by and watch his suicidal rampage. When he found her, Cassandra was shedding tears and seemed to have accepted everything, making no move to interfere.
“–Jared. my body is already in tatters. I’ve lived with the sole purpose of sending the Progenitor to peace. I’m nearing my limit, and I can’t continue to live without stealing magic from others. I was already close to crumbling, but thanks to you, my long-cherished wish is coming true. Thank you.”
“So, you’ve become a demon. But it’s incomplete. You should be able to absorb the magic, but you can’t. Have you been eating people?”
“I haven’t consumed any living beings, technically.”
“Do you wish to destroy me, even if it means living on grotesquely?”
“It’s a difference in perspective. I just want to give you peace. Though, I’ve been living without any other purpose or reason… recently, I’ve found people I care about. I will go with you for their sake.”
Rasmus grabbed the restrained Progenitor, and the magic circle’s light enveloped her as well.
“Either way, if I kill you, I’ll die automatically. It doesn’t matter if we die together. No, it’s far better if I can save Olivier.”
“…Rasmus!”
Jared yelled, pushing his exhausted body to its limits. Rasmus smiled gently at him and vanished, enveloped in light.
“–!”
Everyone shielded their eyes from the blinding flash. After a while, the sound of the restraining magic shattering echoed.
“…You did well, Rasmus Lowood. Well, fine. My objective remains unchanged. In fact, it might be easier now.”
As the light subsided, Olivier lay collapsed on the ground, and in Rasmus’s place stood Progenitor Yuna Miharasaki. Everyone understood that the Progenitor had transferred into Rasmus’s body.
“Now, Jared. This is the second round. I promise not to do anything to Olivier. Now you should be able to fight without any worries!”
The Progenitor said this and charged directly at Jared. The boy, who had gotten back on his feet and assumed a stance, glanced at his comrades. Pfeil and Luzer, receiving his gaze, each grabbed one side of the unconscious Olivier and moved him to a place where he wouldn’t be affected by the fight’s aftershocks. As promised, the Progenitor did not harm them.
“Now, let’s fight.”
“…Progenitor, you.”
“Don’t tell me you have no reason to fight. You can’t just leave me be, can you? Besides, eventually, my body won’t be able to withstand me, and it will collapse. At that time, who will be the new vessel?”
“–You said you wouldn’t lay a hand on them?”
“Only for now. I can’t discard Rasmus’s body. Although I’m called the Progenitor, I must follow the rules.”
Jared clenched his fists tightly. The Progenitor deepened her smile and looked at him with a hint of anticipation.
“Good boy. You fight for the sake of those you love. I will fight for my own purpose.”
“…Very well. I won’t hold back anymore. I have no intention of doing so.”
“That’s good. Let’s settle this. For the victor, life. For the loser, death.”
He converted all the magic supplied by his body and the earth into physical prowess. His power increased to a degree far beyond anything he had experienced before. His body was already screaming in protest, but he paid it no mind. Jared would fight to end this battle and to continue walking forward with Olivier, whom he had retrieved.
“Here I come, Progenitor Yuna Miharasaki.”
“Come, Jared Murphy.”
They both kicked off the ground simultaneously. Thus, the final battle began.
