Chapter: 67. The Abandoned Beast
Lightning.
In the past, it was referred to by ancient humans as “sacred fire” or “divine flame,” often seen as an embodiment or power of the gods.
Those who unfortunately met their end by lightning were considered to have been punished by the heavens, known as “divine retribution.”
Such rumors and beliefs circulated among humanity until the discovery of natural laws in modern society.
Thus, lightning naturally left such an impression in the hearts of ancient humans—
“Judgment” and “condemnation.”
“I admire your courage—”
Facing Kanna’s declaration of war, the Azure Dragon simply replied indifferently.
“It’s a pity that I won’t be showing mercy any longer.” As Azure Dragon spoke, electric arcs seemed to flicker in the depths of his azure eyes, reminiscent of thunder gods in myths around the world, showcasing the majesty of thunder.
The next moment.
A brilliant light erupted from the Azure Dragon’s hands.
“Manifest, fantasy armament—”
A delicately designed hilt was drawn and firmly gripped in Azure Dragon’s right hand.
This was a peculiar weapon that consisted only of a hilt, at first glance resembling a slightly flattened wooden stick.
“Do you really think you stand a chance against me with no abilities, fantasy spirit armament, or authority to speak of?”
In the face of Azure Dragon’s provocation, Kanna’s lips curved slightly upwards, revealing some sharp tiger teeth underneath.
“True battles have nothing to do with abilities, weapons, or authority; only blood and minions are the decisive factors in determining victory.”
“Interesting.”
Crack, crack, crack—!
A dazzling azure lightning streaked across the sky, striking the hilt in Azure Dragon’s hand.
A translucent blade made of lightning materialized.
“Well then, let me witness what a mere beast can do in the presence of nature’s wrath!”
As soon as the words fell.
The Azure Dragon’s body transformed into a bolt of azure lightning, charging straight toward Kanna’s position.
—————–
A tremendous impact sent the entire warehouse into chaos.
Countless goods spilled from the shelves, scattering across the floor.
Even the previously tense Tenha and Onodori had to expend effort to steady themselves amid the recent shock.
“Garuda… you…” Nagi felt the distinctly different powers of magic from afar and couldn’t help but mutter softly.
“…It’s fine, if it’s now with Kanna-kun…”
As the contractor of Garuda, Nagi could sense that Garuda had just utilized the power of authority.
That past and memory, once sealed, had been returned through the storm’s authority.
This was something Nagi had previously tasked Garuda with.
When He judged that Kanna-kun had enough certainty to suppress that being’s most primal instinct, it could be returned.
If it was Garuda’s judgment, Nagi could only accept it.
The sudden emergence of the Azure Thunder authority had already disrupted Nagi’s plans.
Having information from Garuda and knowledge of the original work, she shouldn’t be caught off guard.
But at Ark Academy, Nagi had long felt a peculiar sense of unease.
There was a special existence here, and everything related to it, even Garuda, couldn’t be obtained.
And the current situation was clearly orchestrated by that person behind the scenes.
“Tsk, I must find that guy quickly.” Just as Nagi made up her mind again.
“What? What happened?”
Tenha’s voice suddenly came from her ear.
The sound brushing against Nagi’s ear made her body shudder.
“Meow!?”
“(…Meow? Nagi-nee… So your ears are quite sensitive?)”
“Ten… Tenha? Why are you here?”
Nagi ignored Tenha’s teasing and feigned weakness as if just waking up, asking back.
“(Because I can blend into shadows, so the recent impact was advantageous for me.)” Tenha whispered, keeping her voice low just for Nagi to hear.
“(…Get me out of here.)”
“(Eh? But didn’t you want to be kidnapped by that shifty-looking junior?)”
“(But you’ve successfully approached me, haven’t you?)” Nagi showed a helpless expression: “(Naturally, I have to play along, get me out, and then get reclaimed—)”
Just as Tenha and Nagi whispered their plot.
Onodori finally regained his senses amid the commotion.
The next moment, he saw Tenha lifting Nagi.
“Damn it, don’t mess up my good thing—” Onodori shouted with a grim expression.
To enhance the realism, Tenha could only manipulate the shadows under Onodori’s feet to try to envelop him like a black curtain.
Unexpectedly, Onodori did not dodge.
Instead, he muttered incantations.
“(Be careful, above.)” Nagi’s warning rang timely in Tenha’s ear.
Tenha, reacting reflexively, melded herself and Nagi into the shadows beneath her.
However, the time before the attack came was far faster than Tenha anticipated.
Before her body fully merged into the shadow, a gigantic tail swept across the warehouse roof, cutting through the air with astounding momentum, striking Tenha’s slight figure directly.
Though in her final moment, she crossed her arms and covered them with shadow-formed gauntlets for defense.
This tremendous impact still sent her flying from the shadows, crashing violently into the goods deep within the warehouse.
At the same time.
The shadows that were supposed to envelop Onodori collapsed as well.
And the owner of that tail, gripping the eaves of the warehouse with six arms, faced away from the bright moonlight, looking down upon everything inside.
That posture unmistakably resembled a fantasy monster.
Characteristics similar to a lion, snake, eagle, elephant, crocodile, and so on could be seen on it, bizarrely combined into one body.
This was Onodori’s contracted beast—fantasy monster “Chimera.”
—————–
In everyday life or many works, lightning is often considered a synonym for “speed.”
Because of its extreme speed that ordinary people’s nerves could never react to.
And the Azure Dragon, possessing the authority of azure thunder, could transform himself into lightning, attacking or dodging with a speed that is hard to comprehend.
So he would have a great advantage against ordinary users of abilities… or so it should be.
【Time Rewind】
The black card was tightly held in Kanna’s hand.
“Dodge to the left.”
“Dodge to the right.”☆
“What—!?”
The Azure Dragon’s thunderous blade did not hit its target but instead passed through empty air before him.
“Use the blade to target and attack the gap above.”
“Pull back to create distance.”☆
Following the inner thoughts, Kanna, with the silver blade raised high in hand, abandoned the chance to pursue and instead jumped back to create distance.
“…Tsukimi Kanna, you—”
In the face of Kanna’s series of actions, the expression on Azure Dragon’s face slowly shifted from surprise to gravity.
“Stay alert and counter the other’s attack.”
“Throw your weapon to attack the opponent.”☆
Azure Dragon sidestepped, avoiding Kanna’s thrown silver blade.
“Do you… know about the authority of azure thunder?”
As Azure Dragon spoke in a low voice, the thrown silver blade was entangled in countless arcs of electricity mid-air.
Had Kanna chosen to attack him earlier, Azure Dragon could have used the airborne electricity to paralyze him.
Yet unexpectedly, the opponent did not do so but instead chose to create distance during that hard-to-come-by opportunity.
This made Azure Dragon regard him with renewed respect.
“That gaze is just like the you from back then—”
Azure Dragon, under Kanna’s intense gaze, recalled memories from the past.
“Just like when you wanted to take your own life back then!”
“You abandoned beast cast away by everyone!”
