The Divine Beast that appeared was a massive, four-legged creature, so large I had to look up at it.

Its scales were jet-black, its mane and whiskers gleamed golden.

Red flames drifted like clouds around its body.

Its head resembled that of a dragon, yet its massive, horse-like silhouette was unlike any dragon I have ever seen.

With an unexpectedly nimble “tap!”, it kicked off the ground, its massive body effortlessly floating into the air.

Then, with another “tap!”, it kicked off the empty air itself.

It galloped gracefully through the sky as if there were solid ground beneath its feet.

“Eugy-kun, that thing is…?” (Sumire)

“It’s the Divine Beast, Kirin.” (Eugene)

“Kirin…?” (Sumire)

Sumire asked, and I answered shortly.

“Everyone, scatter! Stick to the plan!”

Everyone moved into action at President Robert’s command.

“Sumire, Sara! Over here!” (Airi)

“Got it!” (Sumire)

“I know!” (Sara)

Airi took Sumire and Sara with her, creating distance from the Divine Beast.

The swordsmanship club, led by President Robert, did the same.

Rebecca-senpai and Ada-senpai were nowhere in sight. They most likely teleported away.

Carlo-senpai was also missing.

Which, naturally, meant that I was left behind.

This was all according to plan.

In the Deus Disciplines, where we have no idea what Divine Beast will be summoned, the first strike is always the most dangerous.

That’s why, among our group, I —who specialized in barrier and healing magic— volunteered to act as the decoy.

I raised my crimson-glowing Heaven Sword against the Divine Beast of the 200th Floor trial.

The golden-maned beast gazed down at me silently.

Its overwhelming presence exuded a sense of majesty.

And yet, despite the intensity of the situation, I couldn’t help but feel awed.

(To think I’d get the chance to fight Kirin…) (Eugene)

Previously, I fought the Divine Beast, Byakko, alongside my classmates in the Legendary Hero Department.

Byakko is revered in the East Continent as one of the Four Divine Beasts.

The Azure Dragon of the East, the Vermilion Bird of the South, the White Tiger of the West, and the Black Tortoise of the North.

And above them all —the leader of the Four Divine Beasts— is Kirin, one of the highest-ranking Divine Beasts in the East Continent.

Even in the Twin Heavenly Resonance Style, the Lightning Form: Kirin was named after this very Divine Beast before me.

For the people of the East Continent, it is a creature of deep significance.

(This will make a great story for Pops.) (Eugene)

A small smile crept onto my lips.

Or maybe…he was already watching this fight through the Satellite System.

If so, he must be seething with envy.

The beautiful Divine Beast remained still, looking down at me.

Should I make the first move?

Just as I was pondering that…

――KyuoOOOOOOOOOON!!

Kirin cried out with a high-pitched roar.

A violent storm erupted at the same time.

(Here it comes!) (Eugene)

The Divine Beast galloped through the air, unbothered by the raging winds.

It would only take a few steps to reach me with its enormous body.

I planned to evade its charge easily to gauge its attack patterns—or at least, that was the idea.

*BOOM!!!*

An explosion of flames erupted from the ground the moment the Kirin landed.

“Kuh…!” 

I shielded myself with barrier magic while cutting through the approaching fire with my magic sword.

I leapt backward to create more distance, but…

(…Geh.)

A vision flashed through my mind… Myself, struck by lightning.

“[Sky Step]!!” (Eugene)

I altered my movement at the last second.

*CRACK!!*

A thunderbolt struck precisely where I was about to move.

(T-That was close…) (Eugene)

Without an angel’s prediction ability, [Simulation], I might have been knocked out right there.

A tap! sound echoed.

Kirin was already airborne again.

(A hit-and-run fighter, huh…?) (Eugene)

It was using a surprisingly strategic approach for a Divine Beast. Annoying for a swordsman like me.

Just as I steadied my breath, preparing for the next attack…

“Eugene-kun! Switch out! Here we go: Iron Tiger Formation!”

“””””Yes, sir!!”””””

The swordsmanship club moved in unison at President Robert’s command.

Their formation was precise, trained to near perfection.

I was supposed to act as the decoy for longer, but seeing me narrowly avoid the lightning strike, they must have decided to intervene sooner.

Truth be told, I appreciated it. Holding the front alone any longer would’ve been tough.

“Fire Magic: [Phoenix]!” 

“Light Blade: [Lightsaber]!”

Rebecca-senpai unleashed a Monarch Rank spell, while Sara fired a magic blade.

At that moment, my arm was suddenly grabbed from behind and I was lifted off the ground.

“Here, Eugene-kun, time for a break~” 

The voice belonged to President Ada of the Magic Tool Development Club, but the hand gripping me was as massive as a giant’s.

Turning around, I saw President Ada clad in what looked like a gigantic suit of armor, carrying me away from the Divine Beast.

“President Ada, what is this?” (Eugene)

“It’s a prototype from our club called Magic Armor. I can’t use strong magic myself, but this armor can store mana and even be imbued with powerful spells.” (Ada)

“…That’s incredible. I heard the Empire is developing something similar, but it’s still far from practical use.” (Eugene)

“Fufufu, actually, we’ve already received an offer from the Imperial Army. If that happens, Eugene-kun, we’ll be comrades. Well then, I’ll be moving with Rebecca-chan and Carlo-kun, so I’ll take my leave now. Let’s both do our best!” (Ada)

The massive hand let go of me.

“Thank you, President Ada.” (Eugene)

I noticed Sumire and Airi standing nearby while I expressed my gratitude.

At the start of the Trial of the Gods, the two of them had been designated as reserve forces and weren’t participating in the battle.

“Eugy-kun! Do you need a mana refill?!” (Sumire)

“Yeah, please, Sumire.” (Eugene)

“Okay!” (Sumire)

Sumire took my hand, and mana flowed into me.

The mana I lost while blocking Kirin’s attack was being replenished.

I continued to observe the swordsmanship club’s battle against the Divine Beast even as I received mana from Sumire.

Kirin’s attacks weren’t particularly relentless.

A body slam that caused explosions, and sporadic lightning strikes.

However, attacking Kirin, which moved freely through the air, was proving difficult.

Just then, white threads shot out from the ground all at once, wrapping around the Divine Beast.

“Eugy! Is that…!?” (Airi)

“The thread of Carlo-senpai’s Arachne Queen and her brood.” (Eugene) 

Although the Kirin was wreathed in flames, the magically reinforced silk of the Arachne Queen was not easily burned away, successfully restraining the Divine Beast.

“Now! Tiger Formation!”

“Ha!!”

The swordsmanship club members simultaneously launched their attacks on the Divine Beast at President Robert’s command.

What surprised me was that President Robert wasn’t leading the charge but was instead focused on coordinating and supporting the members.

It was my first time seeing the swordsmanship club’s combat style up close, but their training was far beyond what could be achieved in just a day or two.

Individually, they were strong, but together, they were even stronger.

This was likely the greatest strength of the swordsmanship club, the top combat-oriented club at the Lykeion Magic Academy.

However…

“This is bad!!” (Eugene)

One of the swordsmanship club members was struck by lightning.

It looked like they set up a defensive barrier beforehand, but it wasn’t enough to fully block the attack, and they collapsed.

I am not sure if I’d make it in time even if I rushed over now.

“Are you alright!?” (Rebecca)

Just then, Rebecca-senpai teleported in and retrieved the fallen club member.

Seeing that, I felt relieved and reaffirmed my own role.

I needed to support the others as an auxiliary force.

“Sumire, thanks for the mana. I’m heading back in.” (Eugene)

“Good luck, Eugy-kun!” (Sumire)

“Be careful, Eugy! I’ll protect Sumire!” (Airi)

“Got it. I’m counting on you.”

With that, I returned to the battlefield.

◇◇

(This is bad…) (Eugene)

Rebecca-senpai was rescuing the injured, while I used healing magic and President Ada’s modified healing potions to treat them. Carlo-senpai’s tamed monsters were restricting the movements of the flying Divine Beast.

Sara was effectively diverting the Kirin’s attention from a distance.

Meanwhile, the swordsmanship club members coordinated their attacks.

The team was working together remarkably well for an improvised strategy.

In fact, Kirin’s body had already sustained numerous cuts.

And yet, its movements haven’t changed in the slightest.

Still freely soaring through the air, still slamming down and randomly striking with lightning.

How long has it been? Nearly half an hour?

This level of attack wasn’t enough to threaten the Divine Beast.

I noticed the expressions of the others growing tense.

We will run out of time at this rate, and the Trial of the Gods would end in failure.

Having Sumire and Airi join the fight was an option, but Sumire’s magic was immensely powerful yet lacked precision.

In a battle this fast-paced, where she could barely track the enemy with her eyes, providing support would be difficult.

Airi could certainly fight, but her sword skills were on par with the average elite member of the swordsmanship club.

Adding just one more fighter wouldn’t be enough to change the tide of battle.

I approached President Robert, who was leading the swordsmanship club.

“President Robert.” (Eugene)

Hearing my voice, he turned to me.

“Eugene-kun, huh…” (Robert)

His usual composed expression remained, but there was a slight trace of urgency in his voice.

“I have a proposal.” (Eugene)

“I understand. We may need to consider retreating soon… Unfortunate as that may be.” (Robert)

President Robert seemed to believe victory was slipping away.

But my perspective was different.

“I have an idea, President Robert.” (Eugene)

There was something I wanted to try.

I have been watching from the outside rather than fighting at the front lines throughout this battle.

I had a broader view of the battlefield compared to President Robert, who was leading from the front.

That was why I had an idea worth proposing.

“I’m listening, Eugene-kun.” (Robert)

Hearing my words, President Robert’s voice regained its composure.

I began explaining my plan.

■Comment Response:

>Speaking of which, is the angel managing the 200th Floor a different one from Rita-san?

-Different one.

>There’s often 1 or 2 scenes with sub-heroines in eroges! Characters that you might be able to do once depending on the scenario!

-There might be lucky pervert moments for sub-heroines (not romanceable) but that’s about it.

>The issue of having too many jealous heroines. Get stabbed already, lol. 

-Eugene would heal in an instant even if he were to get stabbed by a knife. 

He might not even get stabbed because of his barriers. 

So strong. 

 Previous Chapter l Next Chapter