don’t want to hear that from you-!"

Kotori frowned in response to <Phantom>‘s words.

Kotori thought that she is an indirect cause that caused Shidou to become like this. Because she turned Kotori into a Spirit five years ago and made Shidou seal her, it caused him to take the risk of going berserk.

In her thoughts, Kotori’s mind could not help but create numerous questions.

Why is <Phantom> now suddenly here right now?

And why did she protect Shidou from <Dáinsleif>?

"<Phantom> ...... what are you exactly?"

However <Phantom> does not seem to acknowledge the question, and continued to move towards the direction of Shidou.

[..I see, his condition is pretty dangerous. I could understand your painful determination. — But if he does not continue to live, then I will be very troubled.]

"You ...... What are you say ......?"

Kotori raised up her voice with confusion. <Phantom> then came down in front of Shidou as if she don't care about the spiritual power whirled around him. [...... Good Boy]

-<Phantom> said with a gentle voice and touch Shidou's forehead.

"--------------------------!"

Shidou sent a shiver that almost made it seem like the sky is screaming. His body is writhing in pain.

"Gu--ga, aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!"

"Shi.. Shidou!?"

"Darling!"

"What did you do to Shidou?"

"Agreement. The situation is becoming worse."

-In response to the spirits, <Phantom> breath out a sigh a little.

[— To greet me in such a tone. Even though I just gave you a chance.]

"What did you say ......?!?"

"! Kotori! Look!"

Kotori frowned, judging by her tone, Tohka seemed quite surprised.

Kotori then noticed that the spiritual forces surrounding Shidou has become slightly weakened.

“This is..”

[..From now on is your domain. I wish you a good luck. —Goodbye, my dear children]

"....!? What---"

Kotori raised her voice at <Phantom>'s words. However, <Phantom> did not reply. She turned over and disappeared into the air

"! W, Wait a moment!"

"Kotori-san...... now with this, Shidou-san, he ......"

Yoshino said in a quiet tone.

Kotori stamped hard with her foot, "......'you’re right," she said in an affirmative nod.

"Although I do not know how it happened, but a gap surrounding Shidou’s spiritual power has opened. In this case, maybe we still have time."

"! Really, Kotori!"

Tohka suddenly stared, while Kotori nodded and went down.

"Yes. ...... But we’re also just a step from the worst case scenario. A step forward, but the desperate situation has not changed. We have to pass through the spiritual power and share a kiss with Shidou, but as of now we - "

"What ah, just a kiss. Is that not so simple?"

"I agree. So, there is no problem."

After finishing, both Kaguya and Yuzuru took each other’s hand and made a pose.

"Actually...... you don’t know how difficult it is to do it ......"

Kotori was still frowning. But Kaguya and Yuzuru loosened their lips and closed their eyes in order to increase their concentration.

And then -

"Ha! - Now, the power of children of the hurricane appears!"

"Confirmation, it appears now.”

Calling out at the same time, both girls were wearing the same strait-jacket dresses.

-They had both had equipped their limited astral dress.

"What ......!"

Kotori held out her breath. The Yamai sisters were using the little remnants of their spiritual power to give a little show of force.

Indeed, using the limited astral dress to so early could be very dangerous. The path is still too narrow. In the worst case, they might die before reaching Shidou.

"...... From Natsumi’s example, it probably will only maintain for about five minutes."

Kotori gave a serious expression while she spoke, but the Yamai Sisters merely laughed.

"Kaka did not expect the accident of little time."

"Consent, the Yamai sisters don’t have enough time to overdo it."

Nodded slightly to each other, they let the wind wrapped around their bodies and flew into the sky.

- The rest are marching towards the forest, at the direction of where Shidou is.

<Wolftail>

And <Caledfwlch>

Their collision in the darkness created a burst of shed sparks.

"Ha!"

"Too naive."

Ellen easily guarded after experience the same attack from Mana several times already, she turned her body to attack Mana’s belly.

At that moment Mana attempted to deploy her territory in order to freely escape from behind However, since the reaction had a moment of delay, it did not fully offset the power of the blow. Mana coughed at the pain in her stomach.

“Even though you said you’d stop me that was quite a timid attack. You think you could kill me with something like that?"

"Hmp.. kill, kill you said. You don't know other way to win, do you? Even though your Magic Power is the strongest, it seems like your intelligent is still not enough."

"This really is a cheap provocation ah. Do you think I would fall for that?” Ellen responded with a brave face forward. When Wizards are using a Realizer, a slight disturbance can caused the sensitivity of Territory to drop. Ellen couldn't be provoked so easily. Anyhow, with the title of the world’s strongest wizard, that level of interference should not have any reaction anyway. "Ha.. I didn't expect you to do so. I don’t think anything of you. I always thought you were somewhat dull ever since I was at DEM."

"Don't joke around. There's no way I'd have any faults."

"No, I saw you tripped several times where there's nothing around. Also I saw you take two breaks when you carry the documents from the second floor up to the fourth floor." "!? How do you know that?"

"Anyway, while I have something to say, the Wizards in the second group are not calling you 'Shikkou-buchou' but rather 'Moyashikko-buchou'"?[12E 2]

"......"

A blood vein popped up on Ellen's forehead. Ellen quickly made a swing towards Mana with her <Caledvwlch>. Mana evaded the attack and began laugh at her.

"Oh ~? Didn't you say you can't be provoked?"

"You give me to shut up! What is this unpleasant nickname ah ......!"

Ellen cried out impatiently. When she returned to England, no doubt her subordinates will all get a harsh 'special training’.

Incidentally, Mana just thought up that nickname on the stop just now. If Ellen used her head a little, she would have realized that the second groups full of Wizards were all from England. There is no way they would understand a silly Japanese joke. Obviously, they can understand just a little, but ...... it seems to Ellen was too angry to even consider that.

But - at this time

Ellen raised an eyebrow as she listened to her communication device.

"- Ah ...... what you say is" Material A "is.??"

Ellen knitted her brows and clicked her tongue before lowering her <Caledvwlch>,

"How lucky you are. — But remember, you won't have a chance next time."

After saying these words, Ellen manipulated her territory and flew towards the night.

Mana decided not to follow her. After all, her aim is to buy some time. There's also no guarantee that she will win if she followed her.

However, it is true that there is an even more important reason.

The name Shidou said earlier still keeps swirling in her mind.

"..Who is Mio-san —"

Mana mumbled under the darkness of the night.

In front of a gradually expanding forest, the beast surrounded by a dazzling light is moving forward at an incredible speed.

Both Kaguya and Yuzuru witness this scene from the sky.

"Yuzuru are you ready!?"

"Answer. Of course. I’m not like Kaguya who would miss an opportunity because of fear.

"Well, look what you are saying if you think the child of the hurricane will be afraid of this thing!"

"Negative. Not that I'm worried about that. But, yeah, I would be worried if Kaguya really wants to kiss and hesitates at the last second.”

"What ......! It is impossible ah! That kind of thing is quite easy and simple for me!"

Yuzuru started to exaggerate as she voiced suspicion at how defensive Kaguya got.

“Really? I suspect Kaguya has gotten uncharacteristically good at kissing because she’s been practicing with a cat.”

"I have not done anything like that! Can you not tell lies!?"

"Imitation. Meow ah...... Kaguya is very strange if she’s replacing Shidou with a cat.”

"Why are you imitating me!? I’ve never once said lines like those!”

Kaguya raised her voice, “Yuzuru, you don’t have to copy me in order to synchronize our attacks.”

They both reduce their height while moving through the trees, surrounding Shidou from both directions.

"...... Yuzuru, now!"

"Answer. Understand"

They each nodded to each other as; they released strong winds from both Shidou’s left and right side. With that much amount of wind pressure, Shidou movements began slowing down.

They both know that they were unable to completely stop him with their limited amount of power. Yes. The battle has only just begun.

"<Raphael> - [El Re'em]!"

Kaguya shouted. A wing grew out of her shoulder, armor covered her arm, and a lance appeared in her hand.

"Ha!"

Kaguya attacked Shidou's barrier made of Spirit Power with her lance. Intense wind coiled up in the surroundings. The barrier that surrounded Shidou broke apart for a short moment.

The little gap could hardly be called a good chance. But with the Yamai sisters’ speed, it may be enough.

"Echo <Rapheal > - [El Na'ash]!"

Yuzuru shouted, throwing her pendulum type angel towards Shidou.

However, her purpose was not to unleash an attack. But to use of [El Na'ash] chains to bound Shidou’s hands, sealing his actions.

"Chance. Kaguya!"

"Coming!"

At that moment, the two closed in on Shidou. As his hands and feet were shackled, the two whispered something.

"Shidou - Now, we’ve come to save you."

"Debt of gratitude. Just like what Shidou once did for Yuzuru."

Yuzuru and Kaguya said that and move their faces near Shidou and placed their lips onto Shidou's lips

"......! "

At that moment, both Kaguya and Yuzuru feel their bodies are getting hot. Almost like a flow of blood that has been stopped is now flowing again. "This is ...... The path is open?"

"Agreement. Probably. When Yuzuru is still holding Shidou down, everyone please —"

Before Yuzuru could finished her words, "- Ah ah ah ah!"

Shidou howled as he also broke free from [El Na'ash] inhibitions. Releasing a strong shock wave, Kaguya and Yuzuru were soon blown away from Shidou.

"Wuwa -!"

"Effect. He escaped."

Liberated from the shackles, Shidou once again began frantically moving forward.

Subsequently, the two prepared to catch up again to Shidou. However—

From their eyes, crossed a huge silvery white rabbit.

"Yoshino?!"

Kaguya shouted that name while a spirit riding a bunny moved on forward. In response, Yoshino gently nodded her head.

"- < Zadkiel >!"

With Yoshino’s command, the huge rabbit-type angel opened its mouth, so that the surroundings are then covered by cold air. The moisture in the air began condensing and froze the ground, rocks, trees, and even Shidou's legs.

Because of the ice obstacles, Shidou once again stopped moving. Yoshino then gave the command for < Zadkiel > to forward towards Shidou.

Then she let < Zadkiel > dropped to the ground, she leaned forward and stuck close to Shidou’s face.

"Shidou-san...... please go back to normal."

Yoshino then placed her lips onto Shidou's. She feels that her body is getting hot. Her Astral Dress glowed with a faint light.

Yoshino then called the person who is clinging on her back,

Natsumi-san, please also..!"

"Y-Yes.."

Following Yoshino’s urging, Natsumi slowly struck her head out from the back of < Zadkiel >.

Incidentally, Natsumi is the only one who is not wearing her Astral Dress. It's not because she don't want to help Shidou, but she already used up her Spirit Power in the middle of Shidou's capture. That's why Natsumi can't manifest her Astral Dress. "I did not carefully consider the results before ...... now I’m causing distress for Yoshino. I want to die."

"What?"

"N-Nothing.. I have to help Shidou."

Natsumi responded in nervous voice. When Natsumi tried to lean herself forward from <Zadkiel>, she slipped her hand and fell to the ground on her face.

"Damn!"

"N-Natsumi-san!"

"No, I'm fine, I'm fine ......"

Natsumi pushed her nose while wave her hand to Yoshino. Even though she said fine, her eyes are teary and there is a blood coming out of her nose.

T-Then Shidou, I'm sorry it has to be me. ..It was originally your fault for not handing me the Spirit Power, that's why I'm this in form. Don't sue me because I kissed you while you're out of conscious.. I'm going to kiss now, okay? Okay? If you don't want to, then say it."

"Um, Natsumi-san, we don't have time.."

Then, at that moment.

"- Ah!"

Shidou grit his teeth, by pulling out all his strength and he shattered the ice on his legs. Shidou then went to attack Natsumi who is nearby.

But – Before Shidou's hand could touch Natsumi.

A silver tube emerge next to Shidou, it unleashed a sound track that tightly tied up Shidou’s body.

"Ufufu~ I made it in time~."

At that time, Miku emerged in her astral dress; she had used her angel <Gabriel > to block Shidou’s attack on Natsumi.

"Miku......"

"Are you okay, Natsumi-san? If you want to thank me just give me a kiss~"

"W-who will do that!"

"Um, looks like Shidou-san is trying to move again.."

Natsumi then realized the situation when Yoshino said that. She thought for a second and, after a moment of hesitation, lightly placed her lips onto Shidou's. That's it! It's okay now right! That's counted as kiss, right!?"

"Ah, Natsumi-san, what a waste -”

Following Natsumi’s lead, Miku leaded towards Shidou’s face. After exchanging a kiss, Miku let out her tongue and licked Shidou's lips. Yoshino and Natsumi could not help but blush at her actions.

"Ufufu.. a kiss with darling, and an indirect kiss with Natsumi-san.. what a good deal~"

"What..!? Indirect kiss!? I don't.."

After saying that, Natsumi noticed something that shook her shoulders.

"Wait, eh? That means I also did indirect kiss with Yoshino..?"

Natsumi blushed. After seeing her reaction, Yoshino also felt embarrassed.

However, this situation did not last long. Shidou broke the pipe that was restricting his body and continue moving forward, pushing <Zadkiel> out of the way

"Kya..!"

Yoshino manipulated her <Zadkiel> to keep her balance. Miku escaped with Natsumi who had fell face first into the ground once again. "Looks like everyone who went ahead of us already succeed. Let's go too!"

"I know."

Kotori covered herself in flames while Origami covered herself with light. Both rushed into the sky in order to pursue Shidou.

Shidou, who has lost conscious, is simply a monster. It can be said that he is now a walking disaster in human's form.

Yes. He is a 'Spirit' by AST's definition.

However Kotori doesn't feel despair. Or rather, she even feels a strange upsurge of her emotions. Even though the situation is still desperate, the small hope to be able to save Shidou is like a miracle to her. — Even though she doesn’t want to thank <Phantom> for it.

Kotori grunted while looking at Origami.

"Origami, can you do it!?"

“Of course.”

Origami gave a brief reply, as she gilded towards Shidou’s direction.

"- <Metatron >"

As the sounded echoed, a large number of feathers appears before Origami’s head, linking together to form the composition of a crown.

Origami raised her hand at the same time; each wing that formed <Metatron> began breaking apart. The scattered crown released a shining light as she glided past the ground

Of course, Origami didn't want to hurt Shidou, only trying to block his way.

"-!"

Reacting to the assault, Shidou jumps beyond the line of sight and into the sky.

“Ah ah ah!"

Then in his hands, he summoned a sword-shaped angel <Sandalphon> which he attempted to use to cut past Origami.

"Origami!"

Kotori called out without thinking. Even if Origami was in her limited astral dress, a direct attack from an angel could be fatal.

However, before < Sandalphon > could land a hit on Origami, her body suddenly disappears in a flash of light. The next moment, she reappears in Shidou’s arms.

"-"

Origami placed her hand on Shidou's cheek and pushed her lips onto his lips.

Shidou immediately showed the same twitch response and gave out a roar while waving his <Sandalphon>.

Origami’s body disappeared again appeared a few meters behind Shidou. Grasping this opportunity, Kotori attempted to close in on Shidou.

"Ah - ah ah ah!"

Aware that Kotori was closing in, Shidou swung his <Sandalphon> , releasing a wave of spiritual energy towards Kotori's direction.

Kotori evaded the attack. Sure enough, Shidou's reaction is gradually changing. Back with the Yamai sisters, he was just a walking disaster. Then he showed a violent reaction towards with Natsumi. And now he is pointing an Angel to fight with his 'enemies'.

His resistance is getting stronger, and although that makes things more difficult, but from another perspective, Shidou is gaining more intelligence- that is, his human perception is gradually being restored.

"- Shidou"

Kotori opens her arms in order to get close to Shidou.

"-!"

Shidou swung down his <Sandalphon>, but Kotori did not avoid the attack. Blood starts to gush out from her wound. "

"Kotori!"

Origami called her name in worry, but Kotori only held out her hand to say that she was fine. Flames then started licking her wound, healing it.

Even though her wound is already healing, that doesn't mean she didn’t feel any pain. This pain is her atonement for the fact that she was going to kill Shidou with her own hands.

"Onii-chan"

Kotori was clinging onto Shidou, and then tenderly kissed him.

"...... I’ll be waiting for an Adult kiss next time."

Kotori said with a gentle smile.

"--------!"

Shidou issued a silent roar as he escapes from Kotori’s hands. He began to march once again.

"Only one left"

Kotori places her hands on her wound and issues a groaning sound. The flames had not completely healed her wound. However, she also felt an increasing amount excitement as her feeling of pain faded.

In any case, there only remaining one. And after the last person kisses Shidou, the path will be restored between the Spirts and Shidou will go back to normal.

With hazy eyes, she looks on towards Shidou’s direction.

In Shidou’s direction, there is a beautiful princess in purple Astral Dress waiting for him while holding her golden sword on the ground.

The sound of his voice blew the leaves and as he cut down the trees in his way. The strength of his spiritual power teared through the night like a triumphant roar. In response, Tohka could feel that every inch of her skin is shaking.

Tohka calmly opened her eyes, while holding <Sandalphon>‘s hilt straight ahead.

The spiritual power gradually formed a vortex, Shidou is also holding <Sandalphon> in his hand. When he saw Tohka blocking his way, he prepared to swing his <Sandalphon> at her.

“Hmm..”

Tohka knocked the attack back perfectly, and ran closer to the approaching Shidou.

As the two <Sandalphon> collided with each other, their collective spiritual power created an explosion of sparks.

Up, and down. The attacks came from every angle, Tohka notices her defenses is starting to waver. The impact from their attacks is released to the surroundings, causing Tohka's feet sink down to the ground.

It was a weird feeling. Tohka never though that Shidou was capable of fighting with her in such a degree.

But the Shidou before her is not really the real Shidou. Tohka’s eyes became sharp as she swung her < Sandalphon > with all her might.

"Ah ah ah ah ah!"

Clang! Accompanied by a loud sound, Shidou’s <Sandalphon> flew from Shidou’s hand and into the sky, slowly dissolving into light particles fluttering in the wind.

Although, Tohka is no match for Shidou in terms of spiritual power, her skills in swordplay made up for the big difference. As Shidou was swinging his <Sandalphon>, Tohka predicted the attack and seized the opportunity. "Shidou, now I'll save you."

Tohka gave a determined nod, as she moved into Shidou’s arms. She held her hand to his chin, close to his lips.

- However, at that moment.

"-! Gaa ah ......!"

Suddenly, she felt a tingling sensation in her chest; Tohka clutched her chest in pain.

"This is ......"

At that instant, both < Sandalphon > and her limited astral dress began to dissipate. It appears she has finally run out of spiritual power.

She felt a strong force pulling her body down. Without her limited astral dress, Tohka’s body is in direct contact with Shidou’s spiritual power.

"Ku—" "----"

Shidou gently waved his hand. But even with only this action, Tohka is blown away striking her back to a tree.

"Ah ......!"

Tohka's back landed hard on a tree, her consciousness became hazy. Her body's bones and muscle are in pain due to the friction.

"Tohka!"

"Tohka-san......!"

She heard Kotori and the other’s from the sky.

However, before they could use their Angels to help Tohka, she raise up her voice.

"- Wait a minute!"

"..!? What is it, Tohka!"

Kotori replied with a surprised tone. However, Tohka remained calm and continued.

"Please.. don't help me. I feel this is something I have to do myself."

"......Tohka"

Understanding Tohka’s thoughts, Kotori waved her hand to stop the others.

Tohka thanked Kotori and slowly walked towards Shidou’s direction.

"----!"

Shidou gave a loud resounding roar.

Even if the others have opened the paths, the vast majority of spiritual power is still sealed in Shidou’s body. If Shidou attacked now, she would certainly lose.

"Guu......"

Tohka ignored the pain and dragged her body forward towards Shidou.

Her vision blurred her consciousness hazy. There wasn’t anywhere on her body that wasn’t in pain. However, she could waste the last chance that everyone made for her

"Ka......"

The spiritual power surrounding Shidou increased in intensity, as if it was trying to deny Tohka access. Tohka feels like she jumped into a sea of sulfuric acid with her body. The invisible power licked over her body, leaving only a pain that nearly made her lose consciousness.

However, Tohka did not stop her pace. If Tohka gives up here, she would be unable to rescue Shidou. Everything they’ve done so far will have been for naught. She absolutely could not let that happen.

"Shidou.. so you always fought.. while feeling this pain..?"

Even though Shidou has Kotori's regeneration powers, he is still a human with normal sense of pain. Tohka painfully realized for the first time how Shidou must feel when he encounters with Spirits and Wizards without an Astral Dress

However, Shidou never gave up. No matter how many times he feels pain, no matter how many times he has been beaten down, Shidou always stood up to save Tohka and other Spirits.

Tohka didn’t know the reason why Shidou was doing that much to save Spirits. It's unreasonable that Shidou must end his life here.

No -

"............ I”

Tohka mumbled to herself.

Indeed, Tohka was indebted to Shidou’s kindness. Yes, it was that very kindness that had saved her.

And, it must be a problem if someone as nice as Shidou cannot be saved.

However, Tohka was moving forward not just because of that.

If it were only to repay a debt, Tohka would have collapse a lot time ago.

But inside her, there is a feeling that won't let her give up no matter what the hardships is.

"— Ah, I see."

At the end of her painfully road, for the first Tohka finally understands what this feeling is.

Even though she heard about it several times, this is the first time that it has matched up with the feeling inside her

The feeling is "love".

It was a different “love” than the one she had for Kotori and Yoshino.

Tohka loves Shidou, and because of that feeling- she desperately wants to save him.

"- Shidou"

Tohka calls out his name, using her right hand she grabs Shidou’s necktie.

Then, she pulls Shidou toward herself — and kissed him.

"----"

The next moment, Tohka feels her body getting hot. The spiritual power surrounding Shidou started to disappear.

After a few seconds, Shidou’s frantic breathing gradually began calming down, his strength started to leave his body.

Once the light came back to Shidou’s eyes, Shidou trembled after realizing that Tohka is kissing him.

"..!? To-Tohka!? What are you doing..!?"

The usual voice and the usual reaction.

The Shidou that Tohka loves is standing right there.

Tohka delicately loosen her lips, and let out a faint voice.

"I won't tell you. Idiot..Idiot"

After finishing that sentence, Tohka fell unconscious into Shidou’s arms.