A particularly strong wind blew.

The magic in the air was manipulated, creating a chaotic flow and producing a vortex of air around the area.

It was an interference with nature through magic.

The ominous star that made this possible shone brightly above Miroku and the others.

Its name was Sorciera.

Sorciera was the eighth S-Rank who reigned at the top of this academic city.

Her ability was absolute interference with all things.

“The stars are always watching you.”

As the wind stirred up, dust and debris danced in the air.

Miroku, barely able to keep his eyes open, readied his sword, Rutra.

However, Sorciera, unconcerned with his actions, looked down at the monster Uroboros.

“…That form doesn’t suit you.”

The magic circle shone even more intensely.

Simultaneously, several new magic circles formed around her.

The group of strange, constellation-like symbols was all aimed at Uroboros.

“Bind it.”

At Sorciera’s command, silver chains shot out from the magic circles.

The chains, as if having a will of their own, coiled around Uroboros, binding the massive creature in less than a second.

The rampaging monster was completely subdued by a single person.

“…Rutra, how many strikes do you think it would take to defeat her?”

“Impossible. I’ve calculated over ten thousand battle scenarios. At best, five. Any more, and you won’t even be able to attack.”

“I see.”

With these words from the girl who had become his other half, Miroku shifted his focus.

(Retreat is the priority. This is no longer about fighting a monster.)

The situation had drastically changed.

This was no longer a monster hunt. It had become a retreat from a natural disaster.

“Mihaya, it seems I can hold out for five moves. Let’s find an opening to retreat. You still have the emergency gate to Rokuhara Academy, right?”

It was originally meant for retrieving Rinka and immediately retreating.

The gate, which allowed for teleportation by specifying coordinates, was extremely expensive and there was only one.

Miroku didn’t hesitate to choose to use it.

His instincts screamed that this was a threat of that magnitude.

“I have the gate… but now isn’t the time to use it.”

With that, Mihaya stood in front of Miroku and looked up at the sky.

A smile spread across her face.

“Sorciera, it’s been a while.”

Mihaya’s familiar greeting shocked Miroku.

He glanced back and forth between Sorciera and Mihaya, then questioned his sword, Rutra.

“…Do you know her?”

“I don’t. Nor do I want to.”

Rutra was clearly displeased.

But despite Rutra’s will, Sorciera had already moved right in front of them without Miroku noticing.

“…! When did she—?”

There was no preparatory movement, no sound, no wind.

It was as if the world itself had shortened the distance for her.

Sorciera gently landed and spoke with a cold expression.

“You look well, Mihaya.”

“Yes. Thanks to you… I’ve always wanted to say thank you.”

“I don’t care. It’s all determined by the stars. There’s nothing I can truly do.”

Sorciera’s dismissive attitude didn’t bother Mihaya. She knew it was her kindness.

The gentle smile she had shown that night was Sorciera’s true self.

“Sorciera, lend me your strength. To kill that monster.”

Sorciera quietly shook her head.

“That creature is not to be killed. I’ve come to change that fate.”

Behind her, Uroboros roared repeatedly, trying to break free from the chains.

No matter how one looked at it, it seemed like a monster that needed to be killed.

But Mihaya, calm, replied.

“Is that the organization’s judgment?”

“No. The organization ordered Uroboros’ elimination. Everything else is my will.”

With that, Sorciera spread a magic circle in front of Miroku and Mihaya.

Miroku, who had been on guard, widened his eyes at what he saw in the circle.

“…Rinka?”

Displayed within the magic circle was the image of a monster.

However, at its core was the familiar figure of a young girl.

Sorciera spoke as Miroku and Mihaya stared in shock.

“That is Uroboros—a fusion of a dungeon and a human. Its essence is to control its erosion of the world and serve as a weapon for humanity… but that’s irrelevant now. What’s important is—”

“That Rinka is being absorbed by Uroboros, right?”

Sorciera nodded at Miroku’s words.

Then she pointed at Rutra, the sword in Miroku’s hand.

“From here, we’ll need the power of Rutra, Success Prototype No. 4.”

“Rutra?”

“No way, Miroku. I’ll be scrapped. I’m boycotting this.”

Ignoring Rutra’s full-blown refusal, Sorciera continued.

“You now have two fates before you.”

Her ice-cold eyes pierced Miroku.

It was a sharp gaze, as if seeing right through to the depths of his soul.

“One, hand over Rutra and leave this place. I’ll deal with Uroboros after that. I also guarantee the safety of the girl, Rinka.”

This was the path of a powerless child, leaving all responsibility to Sorciera.

It was the safest, most lukewarm fate imaginable.

“The other is to fight alongside me as Rutra’s contractor. But with your clumsy swordsmanship, you might end up killing Rinka. You’ll be risking her life for your own ego.”

This was the path of a warrior who would bear all burdens.

Any tragedy, any hardship, would have to be cut down by his own strength.

Strength was necessary above all else.

And that was exactly why—

“Then I’ll fight as Rutra’s contractor.”

That fate was what defined Miroku as a person.

“Are you prepared?”

“I am. I want to save many people with my own hands. Not because I’m the only one who can. But because I want to. I want to save Rinka and become real friends with her this time. That’s why I’ll fight.”

With his words, Miroku met Sorciera’s gaze directly.

The first to speak was Sorciera.

“…Ha, you’re such a soft-hearted fool.”

She gave a wry smile, then looked at Mihaya and asked, “Is he always like this?”

Mihaya, as if delighted on her own behalf, answered, “Yes. Isn’t he wonderful?”

“Alright. From now on, I’ll treat you as comrades on the same battlefield. No complaints will be tolerated.”

With that, Sorciera turned her back on Miroku and Mihaya and prepared her scythe for Uroboros.

Mihaya and Miroku exchanged glances, nodded, and stood beside her.

“So, what should I do?”

“Sever the connection between Uroboros and Rinka with Rutra.”

“As long as you can land a direct strike on the core, it should work,” Rutra added.

With Rutra’s additional instructions, Miroku set his objective.

This was no longer about long-range slashes. It would require him to dodge tentacles and strike directly at the main body.

The difficulty of the fight had escalated significantly.

His combat experience told him this was impossible.

But there was someone right beside him who had the power to overturn the impossible.

“Mihaya and I will clear a path. We’ll set the stage for you.”

“Feel honored to be escorted by two girls.”

Mihaya readied her gun, and Sorciera her scythe.

It was a scene that should never have been possible.

A girl, said to be a mysterious monster, was now fighting alongside them.

“Shall we begin?”

At Sorciera’s words, the chains binding Uroboros shattered.

The beast raged more violently than ever, tearing the surroundings apart.

There was no trace of a girl’s reason in that form.

“…I’m coming to save you.”

Miroku uttered his resolve as the strange alliance opened its curtain.