"Kishaaaaa!"

The Metal Dragon roared and flew into the sky.

It soared high and flew towards the moon shining in the sky, which human hands could never reach. It turned around and changed its direction. This time, while receiving the moonlight on its back, it suddenly descended towards Nozomu in a straight line.

"Ko~aaa..."

A white light appeared within the mouth of the descending Metal Dragon. At the moment the light inside its mouth shone even further, a huge light bullet shot from the Metal Dragon's mouth towards Nozomu and the others on the ground.

The huge bullet of light, which approached in the blink of an eye, was like a shooting star falling towards them.

"Dangerous!!"

"Tch!"

"E~~i!"

Tima, Feo, and Anri-sensei came forward and deployed a triple magic barrier. After one beat, a huge light bullet landed on the barrier.

"Gu~uu ..."

"Aaah!"

"Kyaa!"

A huge light bullet exploded with a roaring sound and a flash of light.

The three who had put up the barrier, along with Mars and Mimuru who were in the vanguard were blown away by the blast. The magic barrier that was deployed shattered with the sound of glass breaking.

In the sky, the Metal Dragon that was still descending had prepared another attack to launch. The same light as before appeared and shot from its mouth.

"Another one is coming!"

Along with Mars' shout, another huge light bullet was fired. The light of destruction was directed at Nozomu and the others again.

"This is bad... Gah!"

Nozomu tried to get up quickly, but he groaned as the intense pain ran throughout his body, and by the time he realized it, he had already missed the chance to dodge it.

The huge light bullet was approaching at high speed. Nozomu couldn't dodge in time. For Nozomu, who originally couldn't use magic and couldn't use katana techniques due to depletion of Qi, it was impossible to defend against such a Metal Dragon's attack.

Tima also couldn't deploy the magic barrier in time. Irisdina and Shīna, who were in front of Nozomu, put strength into their arms and tried to push Nozomu away from the path of the light bullet so he could escape, but their arms also didn't have any spare strength left to do that.

"Kuh...!!"

Nozomu tried to forcefully move his body that didn't want to get out of the path of the light bullet.

The Undead Dragon revived without warning. Its body was metalized, and the breath it exhaled was significantly altered, such as becoming a mass of light instead of the scorching breath of fire.

(I don't know what happened, but nonetheless, everyone is...)

Driven by such thoughts, Nozomu desperately tried to move his body.

However, faster than Nozomu, Irisdina and Shīna jumped in front of him as if they were protecting Nozomu.

"Shīna-kun!"

"I know!"

Shīna moved faster than Irisdina called her name. She quickly pulled an arrow out of its quiver, nocked it to her bow, and at the same time sent her magical power into the arrow.

Irisdina also intensified her magic power and instantly cast a technique with immediate deployment. She created a spear that was wrapped in darkness and held it in her hand.

[Spear of Abyss]

Magic that converted the caster's magical power into darkness, condensed it into a spear shape to its limit, and threw it away.

Its condensation and release points were similar to [Sharp Rock Dance] and based on the shape of the spear, it has a shape suitable for piercing through a single point.

Magical light also shone on Shīna's arrow next to Irisdina, and she glared and focused her aim on the approaching light bullet.

"Haa!"

"Fuh~!"

Irisdina threw the [Hell Spear] in her hand and Shīna shot the arrow she picked up. Irisdina's spear and Shīna's arrow collided in the air against the Metal Dragon's light bullet.

[Spear of Abyss] and [Punishment of the Sea of ??Stars] sank into the Metal Dragon's light bullet, and at the next moment, it exploded while scattering magical power to the surrounding.

Darkness and light were scattered. The front half of the Metal Dragon's light bullet was blown away, and the light bullet that could no longer maintain its shape disappeared as a grain of light. But...

"Giryaaaa!!"

"Wha~!"

"Oh no...!"

The Metal Dragon rushed in a straight line towards Nozomu, moving through the particles of light scattered in the air. It tries to eat Nozomu with its metalized jaw.

The two who were using such a big technique couldn't respond in time. Nozomu couldn't move, and Norn, who devoted herself to taking care of Nozomu, couldn't move either.

"Let's just do it whatever happens!"

"Teeiyaah!"

However, at that moment, Mars and Mimuru rushed over from the side while shouting. They regained their posture while the Metal Dragon was still in the sky, and they waited for their chance while sending Qi throughout their bodies.

Mars slammed the wind-enveloped greatsword into the flank of the Metal Dragon, and Mimuru launched a dropkick in sync with Mars.

At the same time, Mars released the? Qi technique [Dust Blade]. Mimuru also cast wind magic at both of her feet.

The raging wind blew the giant dragon, which was as big as a house, to the side. The jaws of the Metal Dragon that rushed did not catch Nozomu, and the giant body deviated to the side and slammed into the ground, scraped the ground, and plunged into the forest.

The Metal Dragon was buried in the trees being pushed down by its own body. Mars shouted as the Metal Dragon struggled and blew out a could of dust.

"Tima! Feo!"

In response to Mars' scream, Feo and Tima chased after the fallen Metal Dragon. Feo took out five talismans from his pocket. Tima put magical power into the wand she raised. Lightning flashed in the air, and fire gathered while dancing. Feo created five thunder balls, and Tima created a huge mass of flame.

"Gyarurururu..."

While making a groaning sound that hurt others' ears, the Metal Dragon rose up, blowing off the trees resting on top of its body. The Metal Dragon's blue eyes caught the thunder balls and the mass of flame.

The Metal Dragon immediately spread its wings and tried to jump into the sky. The sky is his territory. He can fly to heights that can't be reached by humans who can't fly. If it were to fly and use the space in the air, it can easily dodge Feo's thunder balls and Tima's mass of flames.

The Metal Dragon spread the wings on its back, sharp wings as if swords were lined up, and make them flap greatly.

"I won't let you!"

"Be a little obedient~"

The giant hovered in the air for a moment, and just as it was about to fly, chains that shone in the color of the earth suddenly emerged from two magic formations that appeared from the ground and bound the Metal Dragon. It was Anri and Tom who activated the restraint magic. They wouldn't be able to keep the restraint for long with such a mighty being, a dragon, as their opponent, but they were able to gain some time for Feo and Tima to cast magic.

"Go~!"

First of all, Feo shot five thunder balls at the Metal Dragon.

Thunder balls that emitted a buzzing sound and blue light flew and landed on the giant body that was being restrained by the magic chains. Lightning bolts shot through the Metal Dragon's entire body with a bursting sound.

"Kishaaaaa!"

The dragon, who had suddenly lost its freedom, screamed from being attacked and raged even more violently. However, Feo's bolt of lightning was repelled by the Metal Dragon's metallic skin and was ineffective.

What's more, the restraint magic reached its limit, and the chains holding the Metal Dragon's body were destroyed with a cracking sound. While the technique that had lost its power scattered in the air, the freed Dragon spread its wings again and tried to fly into the sky.

"It's not over yet!"

Tima, who had pushed her own magic power to the limit, released [Calamity of the Sinner]. She didn't intend to let the Metal Dragon do what it wanted. The scorching mass of flames, which were much larger than the caster's body, flew in a straight line towards the Metal Dragon whose wings were spread wide. But just before the magic hit the Dragon's body, the Dragon managed to land in a hurry. A roaring blast exploded and the surrounding area was filled with a cloud of dust.

It was the power of a mage with S-rank magical qualities. The hot air generated during the explosion made even Somia, who should be the furthest away, feel the searing heat. Certainly, the amount of heat at the center of the explosion was unimaginable.

If hit directly, even the dragon would not be left unscathed...

Smoke was still billowing at the point of impact and it was impossible to see the state of the Metal Dragon that was there.

Maybe it was defeated..... As such an idea flashed through their heads, a huge shadow slashed through the soaring smoke and flew into the sky.

The dragon fled into the air faster than when it landed, dodging a direct hit. However, the explosion from such a close distance and the heat that even iron could easily melt made the Metal Dragon's body not be left intact. There were some stain-like marks on its body and traces of its skin melted and damaged from the heat.

"Kuh~!"

"Take this!"

Irisdina and Shīna shot magic bullets and arrows at the Metal Dragon flying in the air, but the Dragon was able to perform agile maneuvers and dance gracefully like a bird, thus successfully dodging all the magic and arrows that were coming its way. The dragon that had picked up altitude again descended once more, and this time, it fired light bullets from the air towards Nozomu in succession.

"Its bad!"

"Nozomu-kun!"

Irisdina and Shīna who were shooting arrows and magic at the flying dragon immediately stopped their attacks and deployed a magic barrier to block the Metal Dragon's light bullets.

The blast of light bullets that landed and exploded blew up Irisdina and Shīna's magic barrier like scraps of paper, and the explosion that couldn't be prevented hit their bodies directly.

"Guh~!!"

"Iris! Shīna!"

Irisdina and Shīna were blown away and slammed to the ground while groaning. Their voices of agony pierced through Nozomu's chest, however, regardless of what happened, the Metal Dragon shot another light bullet at Nozomu.

“Respond to my wish, guardians of the four directions. Use my heart as a source of nutrients, and repel everything that comes to my friends with the intention bring them harm! "

Tima's chanting resounded in the sky. A four-colored magic formation formed around her. A barrier appeared and enveloped all of her friends who were there. The light bullets that were fired at Nozomu were blocked by the barrier and became grains of light and scattered.

Barrier Magic [Miniature Garden of Four Directions]

Barrier magic with the highest defensive power among the magic that Tima possessed. Similar to the [Four Circumference of Sealing Formation] that Tima used against Rugato's familiar, it was possible to circulate the power of four attributes without repelling each other and forming a stronger barrier. Magic that only Tima could use on this continent.

As previously mentioned, even such a dragon's breath can be blocked from the front.

However.....

"Kuu~...!"

Tima desperately gritted her teeth and endured the pressure of the light bullets. The magic formation that lay beneath her feet was unstable, shining, and dimming repeatedly. It became unclear and seemed to have almost disappeared

Barrier magic with a large area of effects was difficult to control. Besides, the barrier magic she was using now was one of those that couldn't be said to be commonly used by her. She originally had difficulty controlling it,? just like the [Four Circumference of Sealing Formation]. If she used it only for herself, she could somehow manage it, but if she used it to protect everyone in this place like now, the difficulty of maintaining this technique would jump drastically.

Furthermore, as if to weigh her further, another light bullet was released from the Metal Dragon's mouth and flew towards her, and a shock spread throughout the barrier.

"Ah~!"

A pained voice escaped from Tima's mouth.

Although the power of the light bullet was lower than before, the light bullet struck almost without a gap. In addition, the dragon maintained a certain height and fired light bullets while moving around Nozomu.

A rain of light bullets poured down. Tima, whose hands were full of controlling the technique, was quickly cornered.

And Tima reached the limit due to the onslaught of light bullets in quick succession.

"Ugh~...!"

The barrier magic shattered along with a loud explosive sound. At the same time, Tima's body collapsed to the ground.

The Metal Dragon didn't even look at Tima, who had put up a barrier, and was relentlessly shooting light bullets at Nozomu. It was as if not interested in anything else.

"Kuh~...everyone! Form a circle around Nozomu! At the same time, each one of us should deploy a magical barrier with all our might! We must block it at all costs."

As soon as Tima collapsed, Irisdina and the others started to move.

Mars held Tima who had collapsed and carried her to Norn who was treating Nozomu. The others took their respective positions in the circle and deployed the magic barrier with all their might. Never let the rain of light bullets pass through.

"Guh!"

"Uuu~!"

"Nnn~!"

Flashes of lights exploded in quick succession, and a heavy pressure struck the magic barrier they had deployed. Groans escaped from their mouths, and their arms trembled every time an explosive sound resounded. It showed how much the power of the light bullet fired by the Metal Dragon had.

Irisdina and the others desperately gritted their teeth and held back the light bullets that were continuously being fired. They persisted and never said, "let's run away". A large amount of sweat spilled from their foreheads as they were still trying to maintain the magic barrier.

"Everyone, I'll be fine, so take Tima and run away from here! If you go to the forest, you should be able to escape!"

Nozomu told everyone to run away from there. Apparently, the Metal Dragon kept aiming at Nozomu, and he decided that if he was alone, Irisdina and the others could escape. Above all, he couldn't bear to hurt them any more than this.

Certainly, even if the current Nozomu were to fight against the Metal Dragon, there was no chance of winning. Wounds were inflicted all over his body and a large amount of blood was already lost. His body couldn't even manage to stand up anymore

Moreover, the Metal Dragon was always flying in the sky. Nozomu, who was exhausted, would not be able to reach the Metal Dragon in the sky, and if he fought, he would be killed in an instant without being able to escape.

"Ku! Can we somehow land a hit!?"

"Tima might be able to do it, but that's impossible right now. If the magic barrier breaks, Nozomu will be done for! We have no choice but to defend for now."

"If so, we have to endure it! That lizard is too persistent!"

However, Irisdina and the others ignored Nozomu's desperate pleas and continued to try to protect him. While blocking the falling light bullets, various thoughts arose in their hearts.

(He saved my beloved sister.)

(He saved my best friend's sister.)

(He helped me without abandoning me, even though I had said many terrible things to him.)

(He gave me an opportunity to get along with my best friend.)

(I was just curious about him, but after I fought him, I became even more curious.)

(I don't want to part with my first friend.)

(I want him to be with me.)

(I want to help him even a little bit.)

The thoughts that emerged from the bottom of their hearts were complicated, intertwined like tangled threads, and could not be expressed all at once. However, there was one common thought that came to their mind. They wanted to protect him and walk together with him again.

With such thoughts, they glared at the Metal Dragon in the sky.

"What's wrong? If you don't like it, you can run away!"

"Don't be stupid! How can I leave Nozomu... hm, here it comes!"

Mars instantly retorted Shīna's words.

The facial expressions of Irisdina and the others, who continued to persevere in desperation, were stiff. But they desperately kept their morale while raising their voices to each other.

"Kuh~..."

Nozomu's expressions distorted painfully due to the appearance of his companions not trying to escape. When Nozomu suddenly looked to the side, he saw Somia running up beside him.

"Somia-chan. At least you alone, please..."

"Norn-sensei! Is there anything I can do!?"

At least she alone... While thinking so, Nozomu tried to tell Somia to run away. However, his words were blocked by Somia's loud voice.

"Keep Nozomu from moving. If he moves, I won't be able to concentrate on his treatment."

"Yes!"

In response to Norn's calm instructions, Somia held Nozomu's body with her small hands. Norn treated Nozomu in a hurry while Somia's young hands were stained with Nozomu's blood. She used healing magic to stop the bleeding from the injured area and bandaged it.

"Nozomu-san. Please stay still for now!"

"Somia-chan. Why ..."

"Even if I learn magic, I can't fight like my sister. It's frustrating and sad, but I don't want to be a burden. I want to stand next to everyone. Then I have to do what I can... "

After saying so, her hands started to glow faintly. At the same time, the pain that Nozomu's body felt was gradually lessening. It was the light of healing magic. Deafening roars continued to reverberate around her, but she didn't hesitate and continued to cast healing magic on Nozomu's body, albeit poorly. Even in such a situation, Somia desperately tried to do what she could.

Perhaps because they were sisters, Somia's appearance overlapped with Irisdina who was struggling in front of him. Nozomu felt like he was shocked by their sincere feelings. They continued to look forward even though it was difficult.

At that moment, a loud explosion rang out.

"Kya!"

"What~!"

Mimuru's petite body was blown away by the explosion that couldn't be prevented. Immediately Mars ran and filled the hole.

"Are you okay!?"

"Y-yes, I'm fine! Mars-kun!?"

"I can endure it for a while! If I can't take it anymore, please take turns with me!"

Mars and Mimuru, who originally weren't good at magic, managed to prevent the Dragon's light bullets by continuing to take turns with each other. Irisdina immediately deployed several barriers, and Feo continued to use his talismans to maintain the barrier. Tom kept defending with the catalyst-enhanced magic barrier he always carried around, and Anri tried to lessen everyone's burden by creating a barrier that covered everyone, though not as good as Tima.

"Kuu~uu!"

"Uuuu!"

"O-ooo!"

Reverberating roars and repeated flashes of light. Every time the Metal Dragon light bullet landed, a cloud of dust rose by the shockwave and covered Irisdina and the others.

Some of them were blown away by the explosion without being able to block the light bullets that were approaching, but they still desperately continued to put up the magic barrier in turns.

Nozomu felt as if his chest was crushed by the sight.

He didn't know why the Metal Dragon, formerly the Undead Dragon, was aiming at him. But for Nozomu, who had just attacked Irisdina and the others, seeing them fighting and getting hurt against the Metal Dragon that was aiming only at him, was like burning his entire body with fire.

"Why. Why doesn't everyone escape!"

Nozomu's sorrowful cry echoed.

"Nozomu-san..."

"You should run... Just leave me... and escape..."

Somia, who put her hand on Nozomu's shoulder and cast healing magic, looked at him with a suffocating feeling. Hot drops flowed from Nozomu's eyes. Even if Tiamat trapped him in an illusion, Nozomu was still the one who hurt them, even he tried to kill them.

Certainly, they knew it wasn't Nozomu's fault, but Nozomu, who was most afraid of Tiamat's power going wild, felt responsible for this dire situation.

"Ku~u..."

"Nozomu-kun..."

The tears that continued to flow endlessly fell to the ground, creating several trails that looked like twinkling stars in the night sky.

The appearance of Irisdina and the others who continued to be injured in front of him kept squeezing Nozomu's heart. However, at the same time, a different feeling, neither regret nor repentance, emerged from the bottom of his heart.

"Kuh~!"

"Irisdina! Are you alright!?"

"Yes! I can still do it if it's only this much!"

He could see the rearview of Irisdina and the others who were blown away by the explosion of light bullets that have passed through multiple barriers but they endured by gritting their teeth. The sounds of their struggle reached his ears. Their voice and appearance made his feelings surge and gradually seep into Nozomu's heart, which had been rooted in fear, regret, and anxiety.

"Guah~!!"

"Okay, switch! Mars-kun should rest a little!"

"Sorry, Mimuru. I'll leave it to you for a moment!"

Mars, who had reached the limit of maintaining the barrier, swapped places with Mimuru again.

"Feo-kun~. Are you okay~?"

"If it's my body, I'm still fine! But if this continues, it will be dangerous for my wallet... Anri-sensei please, help my wallet!"

"Sorry~. Sensei can't help you with that~. Sensei's salary isn't much~, please do something about it by yourself~"

Feo wept over the consumption of expensive talismans. The paper used to create the talismans was expensive because it was specially processed. Of course, he made efforts such as engraving the technique by himself to reduce the costs, but if he consumed this many talismans in one go, no matter how much he earn at the request of the guild, it would still cost him a lot of money.

"What are you saying! Sensei's salary is higher than that of a knight! Shīna, Mars! Please help me! If I splurge any more than this, I won't be able to live even if I only eat water and flour this month!”

"Shīna! Is your side okay!?"

"Right now, I'm still alright. Anyway, there's one person who has so much leeway!"

"Wha! Ignore!? Are you ignoring me!? I'm going to starve to death you know!? In the first place, I used magical power to activate the talisman technique, so I'm almost at my limit too!"

Shīna and Mars lightly listened to Feo's appeal. Feo screamed at their mistreatment, however, they ignored Feo's complaints, and focused on protecting Nozomu behind their back.

The feelings that had begun to permeate gradually began to exude heat.

"I, I am..."

The warmth he felt in the depths of his chest. While feeling that warmth, Nozomu realized that the emotion that had sprung up from his heart was joy. Whatever the reason, Irisdina and the others tried to protect Nozomu with all their might.

Their appearance made Nozomu realize that the words they said, "Once again, we want you to be our friend", were still alive in them.

If they no longer saw Nozomu as a friend, they wouldn't try to face such a legendary-class opponent.

Their faces were so dirty with dirt and sweat, and their clothes were worn out from being blown away by the explosions of light bullets. Their bodies were injured here and there, but their appearance, which continued to stand, clearly conveyed to Nozomu their intention to protect him at all costs. Not from a sense of duty or obligation. Based on their desperate and unrelenting expressions, what they did really came from the bottom of their hearts.

Even though his heart was bound and constricted, the hard work of Irisdina and the others continued to generate a burning heat in the depths of Nozomu's chest. The heat that continued to build up ignited Nozomu's heart and began to burn the wedge that bound his heart. The appearance of his friends who had been protecting him so much all this time continued to speak eloquently to Nozomu rather than a thousand words.

(No matter what you say, you're already our friend...).

Nozomu was always alone at school. That was why their thoughts were enough for him.

"~! Norn-sensei. If I were to use my full power, can I move my body even just a little bit!?"

Norn's expression turned shocked and froze at the words Nozomu suddenly said. It was reasonable. Nozomu's body is currently so badly injured that it's best for him to immediately lie down on the bed and rest.

In particular, the katana that pierced through his left arm was still stuck, and if pulled carelessly, it could damage his arteries and cause heavy bleeding. If a large amount of blood was lost at once, it would cause symptoms of shock and endanger Nozomu's life. It was impossible for him to fight under such conditions, and Norn, who was responsible for taking care of his life would never allow him to fight.

"You.... do you even know your own current condition!? Your muscles ruptured and wounds were inflicted on your entire body. Also, the amount of blood loss due to the katana piercing your left arm cannot be ignored! More importantly, if you release that power now, Tiamat will try to swallow you again!"

That was true. More importantly, if Nozomu were to release his ability suppression, Tiamat would act once again to devour Nozomu. This situation is perfect if Tiamat's purpose is to revive itself. That was why it tried to destroy Nozomu for that purpose.

"Are you willing to waste Irisdina and the others' efforts!?"

As Norn scolded him, Nozomu slowly shook his head to deny her words.

He had no intention of doing that. He won't let that happen again. He just wanted to respond to the feelings of those who believed in him.

"...No, it's not like that. I just don't want to waste their feelings, that's why I have to do it. Right here, right now!"

Irisdina and the others protected him even though they could be killed in the process. He wanted to answer the feelings conveyed by them. He wanted to tell them that he wanted to be friends with them one more time.

Nozomu put his hand on the katana that pierced his left arm and pulled it out.

"Kuh~... Uuu~!"

The katana was pulled out with a slashing sound, and the freshly spilled blood spread red on the ground. Fortunately, it didn't seem like the artery was damaged, but Norn and Somia hastily suppressed the wound and applied healing magic.

"I'm just a human who had been running away all this time. Even now. Everyone walked up to me, but I was scared and couldn't believe them, and I ended up turning my eyes away... "

While watching the wound gradually close with healing magic,

Nozomu looked back at what he had done. He always ran away. His fearful and shrinking heart made him afraid of being left behind. But even though he was such a pathetic person, everyone still called out to him.

When he was being entrapped in Tiamat's illusion, he didn't know how everyone broke the illusion and what they were saying to him, but he could still hear their faint voices calling his name. Because everyone called out to him, he was able to return.

Until now, even though he realized that he averted his eyes from his surroundings and was running away, he couldn't find the courage to move forward...

"But I'm done with that. I want to stand next to everyone again ..."

"Nozomu-san..."

Somia was mesmerized by Nozomu's eyes. Norn just silently received Nozomu's gaze.

"Uuu......!"

At that time, Tima who had fainted woke up.

Her consciousness was unclear and she had a blank expression. But as she gradually became more conscious and understood the situation around her, she jumped up.

"~! I have to hurry and help everyone!"

Tima tried to rush back to the front, but Nozomu's bloody hand held her shoulders down.

"Nozomu-kun...?"

"I have a request... I want you to help me."

Staring straight at Tima, Norn, and Somia, Nozomu was trying to act again with the intention of "I want to be with everyone," just as Irisdina and the others had shown him before.

======================================

Irisdina and the others managed to block the Metal Dragon's attack, but they were gradually cornered because they couldn't counterattack.

Their opponent flew freely in the air and fired light bullets in quick succession, so they focused on defense and couldn't counteratta-->>

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