ZAP – Chapter 136: Eugene Fights Together with His Classmates

…Grrrrrr…

The Divine Beast, Byakko, emitted faint purple lightning from its entire body.

Each strand of its pure white fur stood on end like sharp blades.

I looked down at the Mana Sword in my hand, the Flame Blade.

(Well then… Let’s see if this works.) (Eugene)

This isn’t the black katana crafted from the fangs of Cerberus, but rather the white katana, Heaven Sword, infused with the mana of the Ifrit, Sumire.

In terms of power alone, the black katana surpasses it by far, but it drains both my stamina and energy drastically.

I want to keep it as my trump card.

Then, I remember the person behind me.

“Are you alright, Lily Whitewind?” (Eugene)

“Y-Yes… Thank you, Eugene.” (Lily)

Lily held a softly glowing silver sword.

What the Holy Knights possess is the Dawn Sword blessed with the divine protection of Ilia-sama, the Destiny Goddess.

Its magical blade is said to be highly effective against monsters and demons, but it’s uncertain how effective it will be against the Divine Beast we’re facing this time.

“Still able to fight?” (Eugene)

“O-Of course! Don’t look down on me!” (Lily)

Earlier, she nearly died when Byakko unleashed magic that created hundreds of swords, sending them hurling towards us. I jumped in to help without hesitation.

It seems she hasn’t lost her fighting spirit yet.

(She’s a bit reckless though.) (Eugene)

I’ll keep an eye on her so I can step in quickly if needed…or so I thought, when…

“Eugene, I’ll act as a decoy. I’ll keep my distance and draw the Divine Beast’s attention. So don’t worry about me. Just focus on the fight.” (Lily)

“Understood.” (Eugene)

Did she read my mind?

Lily dashed to circle around the Divine Beast.

Byakko glanced at her.

Swoosh! Swoosh! Swoosh! Swoosh!

Several steel swords -actually, they were Byakko’s hairs- shot toward Lily.

“Swift Arrow!!”

Some of the flying swords were shot down by arrows.

Lily skillfully dodged the remaining ones.

“Thanks, Leon!” (Lily)

“Be careful, Lily.” (Leonhart)

The one who shot down the swords was Leonhart Arkfeather, a candidate to be the next Bow Hero.

It looks like she’s covered on that side as well.

This should be alright.

“Take this!” 

With a shout, a beastfolk warrior, Soran Stormbreaker, launched a massive sphere of light from both hands.

Boom!! The light sphere shook the massive body of Byakko.

(Is that…a ki-energy wave made of aura?) (Eugene)

He didn’t show that move when we fought the Black Mermaid in the Blue Waters Federation. 

I thought he specialized in close combat, but he’s surprisingly versatile.

Other students from the Legendary Hero Department were also launching attacks, all while carefully avoiding the beast’s area attacks.

Among them, the most prominent were…

“Twin Heavenly Resonance Style: Fire Form – [Beheading Slash]!” (Airi)

Airi, my childhood friend, unleashed a massive slash aimed at Byakko’s neck.

“Holy Sword Magic: [Cross Saber]!!!” (Sara)

The upcoming Holy Maiden, Sara, launched a radiant blade toward Byakko’s heart.

Unlike the other students’ attacks, Airi and Sara’s strikes forced the Divine Beast to dodge significantly.

(It seems their attacks are the biggest threat…) (Eugene)

Alright, I’ll go join them! Just as I was about to…

“Eugene, would you be interested in following my plan?” (Claude)

“Eugy-kun! Claude-kun has a good idea!” (Sumire)

The ones calling out to me were Claude and Sumire.

◇◇

“Sumire, do you think it’s possible?” (Eugene)

“Y-Yeah… It might take a little time though.” (Sumire)

I asked Sumire, who was channeling mana into her staff.

Claude had already left the area.

Claude had withdrawn from the scene temporarily after quickly explaining the plan.

The plan was simple: Sumire and I would draw the Divine Beast’s attention, allowing Claude to land a decisive blow.

If you look at it a certain way, it might seem like Sumire and I were being used as bait…

“Grrrrr…”

Byakko growled with the sound of crackling thunder magic around it.

My classmates from the Legendary Hero Department kept up their relentless attacks, but Byakko’s demeanor hadn’t changed from the beginning.

It snarled at us, but overall, it waited and only attacked those who approached.

It’s hard to say we’re cornering it.

At this rate, the Deus Discipline will end with a time-up.

I decided to go with Claude’s plan, feeling we need to catch the Divine Beast by surprise.

Then… pzzt pzzt -sparks ignited beside my face.

“Eugy-kun, I’m ready!” (Sumire)

Sumire raised her staff high. 

She began chanting:

—Oh Heavenly Fire Goddess, Sol-sama,

Please grant me your holy flames,

That I may overcome this trial bestowed from the heavens.

Sumire’s staff started to shine with a golden light.

Her concentrated mana became Ether and surrounded her.

The sheer force was breathtaking.

Everyone else naturally noticed as well.

My classmates in the Legendary Hero Department, and even Byakko, watched Sumire, the Ifrit, with caution.

“Fire Magic: [Flame Angels]!!” (Sumire)

Sumire activated the spell.

—Kya! Kya!

—Ufufufu.

—Waaai!

A dozen tiny angels, their bodies made of flames as described by the name of Sumire’s spell, appeared.

Each one held more mana than even a dragon.

I watched in silence, awed by their intensity.

“Kya~♪! They’re so cute, the Flame Angel babies~♪!” (Sumire)

Sumire was all merry innocently. 

The small Angels swirled around her in circles.

Sumire, guiding them, resembled a Fire Goddess herself.

“How’s that, Eugy-kun?” (Sumire)

“Y-Yeah… You are amazing, Sumire.” (Eugene)

The words I managed to speak were only those.

The Saint Rank magic that humanity can wield creates “pseudo-living beings” that allow one to control their own magic.

It’s like a tamer.

That’s why it is said there’s a huge gap between Saint Rank mages and those below them.

Furthermore, there’s probably only two in Dungeon City capable of using the Saint Rank magic to “become angels”. 

The Academy Principal and…Sumire.

It’s been less than a year since her otherworldly reincarnation.

Sumire hasn’t yet realized she’s risen to near the pinnacle of mages.

“Flame Angels, follow Eugy-kun☆” (Sumire)

Sumire directed the little Flame Angels.

The Flame Angels gathered around me.

I am being protected by barrier magic, so I don’t feel the heat, but their presence was overwhelming.

Not even the 7th Sealed Prison felt like this.

But I couldn’t just stand around.

We have captured the Divine Beast’s attention with Sumire’s success on this difficult spell.

The plan continues.

“Well then, let’s go…” (Eugene)

As I lowered my stance, preparing my sword…

“Oh, wait! Eugy-kun, you forgot something!” (Sumire)

“Forgot? Sumire, what are you—” (Eugene)

I couldn’t finish my sentence.

Sumire’s lips pressed against mine.

A surge of mana, like molten lava, coursed through my body.

Heat spread through me.

After a long, ten-second Mana Link kiss, Sumire broke away.

“Haa~♡ Well, take care, Eugy-kun.” (Sumire)

“…Thanks, Sumire.” (Eugene)

This intense Mana Link left me slightly lightheaded, but thanks to the Body Contract, it didn’t result in mana intoxication.

My body felt as warm as after a hot bath.

“…”

From a slight distance, Airi and Sara’s stares were icy.

“Eugene! Stop flirting in the middle of the Deus Discipline!” (Lily)

For some reason, even Lily scolded me.

I thought I’d explained Mana Linking to my classmates in the Legendary Hero Department, but…

(I’ll think about that later!) (Eugene)

—Twin Heavenly Resonance Style: [Sky Walk]

I cleared my idle thoughts and closed the distance between myself and Byakko in one leap.

I stood ready, facing the massive Divine Beast directly.

Of course, the Flame Angels followed me in my Sky Walk.

“GRAAAAAA!!!”

Byakko didn’t wait and launched an attack for the first time.

(It’s fast!!) (Eugene)

I couldn’t see its foreleg swipe in time.

However, I dodged it beforehand with an angel’s mana perception.

“[Swallow in Flight]!” (Eugene)

I unleashed a slash cloaked in flames while dodging.

The strike barely grazed Byakko’s neck, but the real attack was something else.

――Little Angels! Go!!!

I could hear Sumire’s voice from afar.

Several Flame Angels flew towards Byakko and exploded at the same time.

BOOOOOM!!

A fierce vortex of flames erupted.

I protected myself by layering multiple barrier spells since I was caught in the blaze as well.

“Gaaaargh!!”

Byakko let out a pained roar.

The explosion had enough power to turn an ordinary monster to ash, but Byakko didn’t seem too affected.

Its pure white fur looked slightly singed at most.

In other words, it hadn’t sustained any major damage.

Even so, Byakko seemed annoyed by the Flame Angels’ explosions, so it focused its entire attention on us.

This means…Claude’s preparations were complete.

“[Heaven Dragon Flash]!!!”

A blinding explosion of light erupted above Byakko.

Claude was positioned high above Byakko.

He followed the plan and launched the attack from there.

Normally, they would use a wyvern to gauge the timing, but all the Dragon Country’s warriors are trained to use flying magic since wyverns aren’t always available.

Claude used flying magic to position himself above in the time Sumire and I distracted the Divine Beast.

Then, he launched the technique he’d used to repel the Darkness Dragon from a perfect blind spot.

At that time, he used the Dragon God Spear, but this time, it was the magic spear usually favored by the Dragon Country’s warriors.

The spear was likely shattered by the attack just now.

It seemed to be worth its power.

…Byakko fell with a loud thud.

It lay motionless.

(Is it…dead??) (Eugene)

I was worried for a moment, but…

(It’s not dead. Divine Beasts are immortal. Byakko’s just putting on a show, pretending to be dead for dramatic effect.) (Eri)

The Demon Lord Eri informed me.

Oh, that’s right. Divine Beasts can’t die.

But with Byakko down, it means…

――Congratulations. You have overcome the Deus Discipline.

An angel announcement echoed through the first floor of the Zenith Tower.

Cheers erupted from my Legendary Hero Department classmates.

■Comment Response:

>Just turn Lily into a heroine already.

-Lily has been popular lately. I also like her quite a bit.

>Fantasy stories that deal with Byakko normally depict him as the wind side of the four main elements, but it is originally the metal element in the five element theory.

>So the lightning comes from the fact that metal has high conductivity. 

-Someone who knows their stuff!!

I am the type that wants to keep the Divine Beasts as close to their real(?) counterparts.

Phoenix doesn’t sound that strong if we go by the story’s standards though.

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