The clash of blades escalates into a series of exchanges.
 
Though, we’re both novices when it comes to wielding swords.
 
We recklessly clash her golden blade against my black one.
 
Each time, Asahina’s face contorts, and my superiority becomes more apparent.
 
Indeed, Asahina’s strength is impressive, but our base physical capabilities are worlds apart.
 
No matter how much we both enhance ourselves with lightning, the [rate] of enhancement differs based on our original muscle mass.
 
And on top of that, my skill surpasses hers.
 
Under these circumstances, there’s not even a one-in-a-million chance … Read the rest

“…What are you talking about?”
 
Asahina, confused, questioned me. From her expression, I could indeed sense her emotions, which gave me some relief.
 
As long as she can still make that face, you’re probably still okay.
 
It seems that, apart from some physical strain, everything else is intact.
 
–At least, for now.
 
“I know someone who lost his emotions after pushing his ability to its limit.”
 
“…!”
 
Asahina’s face turned pale, as if she had thought of someone.
 
…That man once used his ability beyond its limits.
 
What he lost in the process–his memories, his emotions, and his expressions.
 
In … Read the rest

No matter how much endurance Shinzaki had, he had taken Asahina Kasumi’s full power.
 
He wouldn’t be waking up anytime soon. That was the conclusion she reached.
 
“…Right. I need to find Amamori-kun.”
 
Why had Class B been totally eliminated…? She couldn’t figure it out no matter how much she thought about it.
 
But if Class C had won, maybe there was no need to think about it further.
 
With that thought, she turned her mind to something she had been avoiding.
 
Asahina let out a deep breath and turned her gaze away from … Read the rest

“Wh, what am I doing… What are you doing here?!”
 
“What are we doing here… That’s–“
 
Shinzaki Yasuhito shouted.
 
This couldn’t be it.
 
It couldn’t be the worst-case scenario he was imagining.
 
He prayed from the bottom of his heart.
 

“We were just getting rid of a friend who wasn’t suitable for Yasuhito.”
 

At his mother’s words, he almost collapsed to his knees.
 
What kept him standing was the feeling of disgust overpowering the despair.
 
The nausea overpowering the weakness.
 
The parents he once loved deeply had turned into monsters … Read the rest

Asahina quietly reactivated her ability and began gradually increasing the voltage.
 
“Amazing, amazing! I’ll admit, I underestimated you, Asahina Kasumi! Is there some kind of rule about hiding your power, like Amamori? But hey, but hey! I was able to kill Amamori when he showed his power! You’ll probably end up the same way!”
 
“…Honestly, it’s beyond saving now.”
 
“Yeah, that’s right, Amamori is already–“
 
“I’m saying you’re beyond saving, Shinzaki Yasuhito.”
 
Anger. She knew this emotion was called that.
 
And at the same time, she thought that as a hero of justice, this … Read the rest

A tremendous shockwave scatters the debris in all directions.
 
Asahina instinctively slows down in the face of it, and in that moment, Shinzaki pins her to the ground.
 
Mount position. The worst possible stance.
 
“Guh…!”
 
“Practicing with strong opponents makes you grow much faster than training. It seems the same applies to abilities. I got pretty serious fighting back, but thanks to Amamori, I’ve grown a lot stronger. Killing people to level up, huh?”
 
“You… bastard!”
 
Asahina burns with hatred and unleashes a bolt of lightning.
 
But just before it strikes, Shinzaki’s fist … Read the rest

Asahina ran.
 
Her lightning speed allowed her to cover the distance she had walked in an instant.
 
In terms of time, it probably took less than a minute.
 
From the moment she felt something was off until now, she had arrived at this location at almost her fastest speed.
 
一But it was already far too late.
 
“W-what is this…!?”
 
The starting point of their Class C.
 
A large ruin hall near the entrance.
 
There, a massive amount of bloodstains remained.
 
Her breathing grew rough and shallow. The bad feeling sent shivers … Read the rest

The last thing Kurashiki sees is the figure of the demon who just struck her.
 
There’s no doubt about it一that man is far stronger than when he fought Amamori before.
 
Or perhaps, he was holding back even then.
 
(…No, that’s not it!)
 
Kurashiki instinctively understands.
 
This man has grown stronger.
 
In an astonishingly short time, he’s undergone a terrifying evolution.
 
The very fact that he’s here is already an abnormality.
 

Because it means that Amamori Yuuto has been defeated.
 

Her vision switches in an instant.
 
When she comes to, she’s … Read the rest

 
“But, Kana-chan. You went too far. Come on, say you’re sorry.”
 
“…Well, yeah. Sorry, Higarashi-san. I was just a bit upset.”
 
“I got too heated too, sorry. Well, if you have something to say, just say it to Amamori’s face. I don’t care if you say it directly!”
 
Makibi, having calmed down a bit, apologized, and Higarashi stepped back with a smile.
 
Seeing this, Asahina, who had also been sighing in relief, turned her gaze to Kurashiki.
 
“Hotaru-san… thank you. I probably couldn’t have stopped that.”
 
“This is more my area of expertise than yours, Kasumi-chan! Leave it to me … Read the rest

Chapter 4: The Overlord, Yasuhito Shinzaki
 

 
Yasuhito Shinzaki was born into a wealthy family.
 
The Shinzaki family, a well-known noble family in the region for generations.
 
A gentle mother and a strict father.
 
Born as the eldest son in such a privileged family,
 
Yasuhito Shinzaki’s future seemed assured.
 
“Yasuhito, you must become a person superior to everyone else.”
 
His father was stricter and more demanding than anyone else.
 
As the eldest son of an noble family and the heir, he was made to learn everything.
 
In academics, it was taken … Read the rest