No one's POV

In the Heiligh Kingdom, at colosseum west of the capital... The entire area was completely destroyed. The ground was gouged open, with slabs of soil turned up everywhere. But contrary to the disastrous sight, a fantastical spectacle was taking place in the surroundings. Water hung in the air as mist, creating a rainbow. Sora walked beneath such a sky with Lucius's corpse burning brightly behind him. He walked until he reached Shizuku in her tattered clothes and Kaori who's still on the verge of death.

Sora: Is Princess Liliana okay?

Sora asked Yuka as he sheathed his sword at his waist. Yuka had been staring at the mystical sight of Sora passing under the rainbow in a daze, but snapped back to her senses to explain Liliana's symptoms.

Yuka: Oh... Umm, she's fine but has a fever.

Sora: I see...

Sora looked down at Liliana's fever-flushed face. And so, Sora reached into the pocket of his coat and moved his mouth faintly to chant a spell.

Sora: Dissolvo.

The space beneath his coat immediately distorted and a small bottle appeared in his hand. Sora grabbed it and took his hand out of his pocket. To Shizuku and the others and, it looked like Sora had taken it out of his pocket normally.

Sora: Here. Take this. It's a powerful magic potion that can be considered a panacea. She looks fairly exhausted so it may take some time before she regains her stamina, but it should treat the fever right away.

Sora said, holding the bottle out to Yuka.

Yuka: Are you sure...?

Yuka blinked in hesitation.

Sora: Of course?

Sora cocked his head, unsure of why she was asking such a thing. Even when he said he didn't care about them anymore, he's still nice enough to aid them.

Yuka: Th-Thank you so much.

Yuka said with her sincerest gratitude and accepted the bottle.

Sora: It's fine. More importantly, your injuries...

Sora reached inside his coat pocket once more and whispered the discharge spell to retrieve another bottle. He then offered it to Nana and Taeko.

Sora: Give this to the others. Pour this over the wound and drink the rest. It'll ease any pain you guys have in your body.

Taeko: Umm, magic potions are meant to be fairly valuable items... Please use it on your own wounds before us.

Taeko said hesitantly, looking at Sora's bloodstained coat. However, to Sora, it was something he could mass-produce, and he had no qualms about using it.

Sora: I applied some minimal treatment to my wounds while I was fighting, so I'm fine. The more pressing matter right now is the person who's crawling away, so I'm going to deal with that while you treat your friends.

Everyone all immediately looked at Eri who's crawling away. Sora half-forced the bottle into Nana and Taeko's hands before turning his gaze to the crawling girl. No matter what they say, there's no reasoning with Sora any longer. Eri's fate is already sealed the moment she hurt Kaori. Before they all heard a voice.

Hajime: What the hell is going on?

Sora along with the others looked over and saw Hajime flying down on Tio with Aiko.

Sora: Nice of you to join...

Upon landing, Aiko saw how hurt Sora and ran over on check him.

Aiko: Yatagami, you're hurt!

Sora: I'm fine, Sensei...

Hajime and Aiko looked over and saw Kaori's dead body, making their eyes widened.

Aiko: Shi-Shirasaki...!

Aiko's complexion changes as she also came towards Kaori's side. Tio immediately chant the most powerful healing spell she's got while Hajime looked over at Sora.

Hajime: What the hell happened...?

Sora: You can ask the girl who's crawling over there.

Hajime looked at Eri. He immediately understand what Sora was implying. Hajime gritted his teeth and clinched his fists tightly, as the two of them turned their attention back to Eri, who had tried to crawl away during Sora's battle against Lucius. The two of them proceeded to make their way to her, as she gritted her teeth.

Eri(mind): Damn it...! Damn it...! Damn it..! I thought Lucius could finished him off...! But now Nagumo is here as well...!

Fortunately for her, it appeared Eri had the devil's luck. A fireball came out of nowhere before Sora and Hajime could reach. It burned white-hot, and had quite a bit of force behind it. However, it wasn't nearly powerful enough to hurt Sora nor Hajime. Hajime just shot a bullet right through the spell's core, and the fireball dispersed.

Hiyama: Yatagamiiiiiiiiiiiii! Nagumooooooooooooooo!

Hiyama burst out from behind the fireball, charging straight for Sora and Hajime. He managed to regain his consciousness after being swallowed by Sora's water dragon and managed to come out of it alive. He was covered in wounds, and didn't even seem capable of proper speech anymore, but had somehow found the strength to fight. He had a sword in his hand, though his right shoulder was shattered and dangling limply. Blood dripped from his mouth as he ran. Fact of the matter was, he looked utterly pathetic.

Hajime: Shut up!

Annoyed, Hajime kicked Hiyama in the chin. He rose a few inches into the air, but didn't go flying. The force of the impact had been transferred entirely into his body, which was why he didn't move much. Sora then raised his leg up high, and brought it down in an earth- shattering axe kick. His heel slammed into Hiyama's skull, and smashed it straight into the ground. The floor cracked as Hiyama's head hit it, and a fountain of blood spurted from his forehead. Then, his eyes rolled back into his head and he fell unconscious instantly.

It was obvious he was at death's door, but Sora and Hajime didn't stop beating on him. As Hiyama's head bounced back up, Sora punched him, sending him flying into the air. He held back so that Hiyama would regain consciousness instead of die. As Hiyama fell back down, Hajime grabbed the back of his collar and held him up. Hiyama struggled against Hajime's grip, but his weak thrashing achieved little. Sora and Hajime were beyond the realm of mortal strength, and Hiyama had lost too much blood to put any power behind his kicks and punches.

Hiyama: Ish all both your fault! If it washn't for the two of you, Kaori would've been mine!

He vented all of his deep-seated resentment. Sora and Hajime were honestly a little impressed that anyone could sink so low. Hiyama's unabashed depravity would have made normal people sick to their stomach. Sora and Hajime, however, didn't even bother saying anything. Their face were an expressionless mask. To Sora and Hajime, Hiyama wasn't even worth wasting their emotions on.

Hajime: It wouldn't have mattered if we were here or not. Hell would have to freeze over before you'd manage to do anything worthwhile with your miserable existence.

Hiyama: Ish all your fault!

Sora: Don't pin the blame on other people. You're the one who decided to stoop to this level. Both here and in Japan, you've always been the loser. You didn't lose to other people. You've lost to yourself. You never once tried to take responsibility for anything. All you ever did was sit on the sidelines and insult everyone else, when the real loser was always you.

Hiyama: I'll kill you two! No matter what ish takesh, I swear I'll kill you two!

Hiyama had gone completely insane. Sora and Hajime gave Hiyama one last pitiful glare before looking off into the distance. They had just noticed that the demon army had made it all the way to the castle gates. Hajime threw Hiyama into the air once more and punched him with his artificial arm as he came down. The force of the blow made Hiyama start spinning like a top.

Sora: Good luck surviving out there. Knowing you, you probably won't make it.

Sora came in and spun around and slammed a roundhouse kick into Hiyama's face. There was a rippling shockwave and a sickening crunch as Sora's foot connected, and Hiyama was sent flying out of the courtyard, right into the path of the oncoming demons... Sora and Hajime had unconsciously held back just enough to keep Hiyama alive. They were making Hiyama's death a much more painful ordeal not because Hiyama was the one who'd knocked them into the abyss all those months ago, but because he'd tried to kill Kaori.

Sora and Hajime themselves were only dimly aware that was the reason, but it was clear from their actions that deep down they cared that much for Kaori. Hence why Sora'd kicked Hiyama into the horde of monsters and demons to let them rip him apart. Unfortunately, because they'd taken their time with Hiyama, they'd run out of time to kill Eri. Not because she'd managed to run away. But because a new pest had appeared. Sora and Hajime looked up to see a beam of aurora-colored light headed straight for him.

Hajime: Tch.

Hajime clicked his tongue, leaped to the side, and fired Donner at the light. Three streaks of red light shot through the deadly beam, like dragons scaling a waterfall. A second later the beam's trajectory suddenly changed, and it headed for Kouki. Eri hurriedly pulled him clear before it could vaporize him. Eri wanted him for a puppet, so she couldn't let him get turned to ash. As the light dissipated, Freid descended into the courtyard on his white dragon.

Fried: Stay right there, boys. If either of you try anything funny, I'll kill your precious comrades.

Freid appeared to be under the misconception that Sora and Hajime were fighting for the sake of the kingdom. Looking around, Sora saw that they were surrounded by a sizable army of monsters. Freid had used his specialty, teleportation magic, to bring them here. Freid knew he wouldn't be able to beat Sora and Hajime in a head-on duel, so he'd tried to take the students hostage. Though they didn't know it, this was Freid's last resort. Yue's spell had left him gravely injured, and he was in no condition to fight. The white raven on his shoulder was healing him, but it would still be some time before he was fully recovered. Just then, Tio called out to both of them.

Tio: Master! My King! I have stabilized her for now! But restoring her will take time. If possible, I would like Aishia and Yue's assistance for this. She will not last long like this!

Sora and Hajime looked over their shoulder and nodded. Their classmates looked at them in confusion, not comprehending what they were trying to do. Freid, however, looked over at Tio in surprise. He was capable of using ancient magic too, so he'd guessed what she was attempting.

Fried: I see, so you've discovered yet another ancient magic. Could this be the magic of the Divine Mountain? I would very much like to know its location. If you refuse to tell me, I'll— Ah!?

Hajime interrupted Freid's pathetic attempts at intimidating him with a bullet from Donner. One of the turtles next to Freid put up a barrier that just barely managed to Freid narrowed his eyes grimly and ordered his monsters to cluster around him.

Fried: What do you think you're doing? Do you not care about the lives of your countrymen? The more you resist, the more the people of the capital will suffer. Or are you just too stupid to understand the position you're in? I have over a hundred thousand monsters stationed on the outer wall, and another million waiting in reserve. You may be strong, but can you protect this city from such a large force?

Sora and Hajime glared coldly at Freid for a few seconds before shifting their gaze to the massive army waiting near the outskirts of the capital. Hajime then silently pulled out a fist-sized spirit stone from his Treasure Trove. While Sora raised his right hand into the air gathering his mana into the palm on his hand. Hajime poured mana into the spirit stone, and it glowed with a dazzling light. Far brighter than his bracelets did when he was manipulating his Cross Bits.

Fried: Tch, what are you planning!?

Sora: Shut up and watch.

Freid had a terrible premonition. He ordered his dragon to fire another aurora at Sora and Hajime. However, Hajime kept Freid and his dragon at bay with Donner. A few seconds later, both Sora and Hajime finished their preparations. Divine wrath descended from the heavens. Two massive pillar of light shot down from the sky, obliterating all in its path.

It eradicated everything it touched, regardless of age, race, strength, or affiliation. The sky lit up, and for a few moments it looked like it was noon. The two pillars of light was a good fifteen meters in diameter, and it scorched the very air as it passed. Anything that came into the light's domain, whether it be monster or demon, was vaporized instantly. Its heat was so great that even things not directly in the light's path melted.

Hajime poured more mana into the spirit stone, while Sora twirl his hand around into a circle and the two pillars began to move, swallowing up the monsters and demons trying to flee. Death came for them all. Inescapable, inexorable death. Unless they could teleport like Freid, no creature could outrun the speed of their laser. Monsters and demons surged into the capital, desperately trying to find shelter from that beam of destruction.

The two lights zigzagged a path around the plains outside the city and dispersed as it reached the wall. White smoke from the blackened earth hung around the city. Deep furrows had been dug into the ground wherever the light had passed. Sora and Hajime's attack had scarred the earth. The few demons who'd managed to escape into the capital collapsed in a stunned heap. In the span of a few seconds, they'd lost almost their entire army. Freid, Eri, Shizuku, and the other students were just as shocked. They stared at Sora and Hajime in amazement.

Sora: You're the moron here. Did we ever say we were fighting for the kingdom? Or that these guys were my comrades? Stop jumping to conclusions. If you really want to carry on your pointless war, be my guest. Just know that if you get in our way, we'll wipe you off the face of the earth. Well, we don't have time to kill all million of your stupid monsters, so we'll let you go this time. Hurry up and get out of here. You're the one in charge, right? Order your army to retreat.

Rage bubbled up within Freid. Sora and Hajime had just wiped out most of his comrades, and now they were taking this arrogant attitude with him? But he didn't want to risk losing the rest of his army. Sure, he could open portals to teleport them elsewhere, but as long as he didn't understand the principle behind their attack, there was guarantee they'd be safe. The last thing he wanted was to get hit by another one of those.

In all honesty, neither Sora nor Hajime didn't want to let Freid go. But right now their number one priority was saving Kaori. If they took too long, she'd be beyond even their powers to bring back. Worse, this would be their first time using New Age of Gods Magic. They'd have to pull everything off without even a trial run to experiment with how this magic worked.

But most of all, Sora nor Hajime couldn't fire that laser again. The artifact Hajime used had been a prototype weapon, and one shot had broken it. While Sora was nearing his limit of his essence. They could take on a million monsters even without it, but it would take up far too much time. Killing Freid here would turn his army into a disorganized mob. And right now, that was the last thing either of them wanted.

Freid clenched his fists so tightly that his hands started bleeding. No matter how frustrated he was though, he couldn't afford to waste his brethren's lives needlessly. He opened a portal and glared at Sora and Hajime.

Fried: I swear I'll make you pay for this. I swear it by my god! You'll meet your end at my hands!

Freid spat, his words dripping with hate. He turned on his heel and beckoned for Eri to follow. For a moment Eri thought of taking Kouki with her. But then she caught sight of Sora's bone-chilling stare and thought better of it. Cold sweat pouring down her forehead, she hurried over to Freid despite her broken right leg.

Before she walked through the portal though, she shot one last crazed look at Kouki. Despite the poison's strength, Kouki was still conscious, and that look sent shivers down his spine.

Eri didn't say anything, but it was clear from her gaze that she would stop at nothing to make Kouki hers. This was her declaration of war. Eri and Freid passed through the portal, and a second later three balls of light burst high in the sky. That was likely the signal for retreat. Aishia, Celia, Yue and Shea arrived just as the army began its retreat. Celia immediately rushed towards Sora worriedly.

Celia: Sora! Was everything okay? Your hurt!

Celia said worriedly, feeling all over Sora's body with searching hand.

Sora: I'm fine. Don't worry.

Yue: Mmm. Hajime, Big Brother. What happened to that ugly demon?

Shea: Sora! Hajime! Where'd that piece of trash cretin go!?

Aishia: Sora! Hajime! Did that fool managed to get away again?!

It looked like Aishia, Yue and Shea had come here to beat up Freid. They didn't bother asking about that pillar of light because they knew Sora and Hajime had been the cause of it. Hajime didn't answer; right now there was a far more pressing concern that needed their attention. He explained what had happened to Kaori. Shocked, the four of them looked over at her corpse. When they saw Hajime's grim expression though, they quickly composed themselves. In an almost pleading tone, Hajime begged Aishia and Yue to save her.

Yue: Okay, leave it to us.

Sora: Celia, we need your help, too.

Though they didn't fully understand the situation still, they knew what took priority here. The party all headed over to Tio. Hajime gently took Kaori from her and began walking out of the courtyard. Before they could leave, Shizuku staggered over and called out to Sora.

Shizuku: Yatagami! Kaori's... She's... What should I do?

Shizuku looked far more ragged than Sora had ever seen her. She was on the verge of breaking down. The earlier battle had kept her from dwelling on Kaori's death for too long, but now that the immediate threat had vanished, the reality of what had happened crashed into her. When he saw Shizuku's expression, Sora hesitated. After a moment's deliberation, he shook his head.

Sora: Go on ahead. I'll be there soon.

Hajime nod his head. The six of them flew off into the distance, using all of their significant abilities to reach the mountain as fast as possible. Everything happened so fast that no one knew how to react. Sora walked through the crowd of silent students and knelt in front of Shizuku, who was sitting on the ground. He cupped her cheeks and raised her face, forcing her to meet his gaze.

Sora: Stay strong, Yaegashi. Trust in us. I promise I'll let you see Kaori again.

Shizuku: Yatagami...

A faint glimmer of light returned to Shizuku's empty eyes. Sora smiled gently, it was a smile Shizuku know too well.

Sora: If you're not there to look after everyone, how're these fools going to manage? Besides, Kaori wouldn't want to see you like this either...We all need you. I need you.

Shizuku: Can I... really trust you?

Sora's smile faded and he nodded sincerely. Looking into his eyes, Shizuku could tell he was serious. He would find a way to bring Kaori back, even if he had to wade through hell to do it. Seeing his unwavering determination warmed her heart, if only slightly. The color returned to her face. She nodded to Sora with newfound resolve. She would put her faith in him and his comrades. Relieved that Shizuku no longer looked like she was about to break, Sora stood up. He pulled a vial out of his Time Space Cache and handed it to her.

Shizuku: This is...

Sora: Give it to that other childhood friend of yours. He looks like he's in pretty bad shape.

Shizuku turned back to Kouki with a start, as if she'd only just remembered he was there. After Eri had left, the tension had drained from him and he'd fallen unconscious. His breathing was shallow, and he really did look weak. Shizuku remembered how this medicine had instantly healed Meld from near-death. It was obviously extremely valuable and rare.

Shizuku: Thank you, Yatagami.

Shizuku clutched the vial to her chest, tears in her eyes. Sora nodded and turned around. Just as he was about to leave, Yuka called him.

Yuka: Yatagami!

Sora:...? What's up, Sonobe?

Yuka: I-I just wanted to thank you. For protecting all of us... and giving these precious medicines.

Sora: Don't mention it. I'll leave you to take care of things here.

Yuka: R-Right!

Sora: Then... See you later.

Sora smile sincerely at her making Yuka's heart melt as she blush. He then turned his head and dashed off into the sky, chasing after Hajime, Aishia, Yue and the others.