ZAP – Chapter 154: Conclusion

The swirling flames around them scorched the air.

A mist-like rain continued to fall, obscuring visibility.

The ground trembled occasionally, turning the footing into treacherous mud.

As a battlefield, this was close to the worst possible conditions.

The Divine Beast, Kirin, was as tall as a small castle.

A normal attack could only reach its legs.

But if one leaped up, they would be struck by the lightning Kirin released.

(To secure mobility…) (Eugene)

“Sara!” (Eugene)

I called out to my comrade in the rear.

“Eugene!” (Sara)

The moment our eyes met, she seemed to understand my intent and gave a small nod.

—Eugene Santafield invokes his contract with Sara.

A warm surge of mana coursed through my body.

It was a contract execution method I had recently learned from the Demon Lord Eri.

Now, I could receive mana from Sara even at a distance.

However, since her consent was required, it wasn’t something I could do at any time.

If I could use telepathy like Eri, that might be different.

The mana of the future Holy Maiden, Sara, enhanced the power of the angel within me.

A single wing sprouted from my back.

The mana-powered wing won’t last long.

However, the wing inherited from my angelic mother not only substituted for flight magic but also allowed me to ‘kick the air’.

Tan!!

I kicked off the ground and dashed through the sky.

“……”

The massive Divine Beast’s eyes locked onto me.

As if it were waiting for something.

(…[Sky Walk].) (Eugene)

I dodged the swirling flames around Kirin while aiming for its neck.

“[Flying Swallow]!” (Eugene)

I sent a slash flying, but —Kin!— it made a dull sound and was deflected by Kirin’s scales.

(So I have to cut it directly… Whoa!) (Eugene)

A vision of myself getting struck by lightning flashed in my mind, and I hastily changed direction.

How is it still able to land its lightning strikes on me so precisely even though I have been moving constantly?

Could it be that the Divine Beast is using Clairvoyance as well?

(Just instinct.)

Eri informed me shortly with thought transmission.

(It’s hitting me this accurately with just instinct?) (Eugene)

(Don’t underestimate a beast’s instincts. This one serves the Gods, after all.) (Eri)

(I see… Yeah, that makes sense. Thanks, Eri.) (Eugene)

(You’re welcome.) (Eri)

The thought transmission was cut.

She intentionally gave me a hint.

In other words, the Divine Beast can’t use Clairvoyance.

“Sumire!” (Eugene)

I called my partner’s name.

“Eugy-kun!!” (Sumire)

As she responded, an intense, burning surge of mana flooded into my body.

—Eugene Santafield invokes his contract with Sashiogi Sumire.

(Guh…!)

The mana surged in all at once, and I instinctively clutched my chest.

And then, I saw a vision…of myself getting struck by lightning.

There was no time to dodge.

([Light Barrier]!) (Eugene)

A simple barrier spell to cover my entire body.

But I could only manage a single layer.

The barrier shattered, and I braced for the damage, but…

(…It held up.) (Eugene)

As expected of Sumire, an Ifrit.

Thanks to her mana, I could hold my own against the Divine Beast for a while.

My role was to keep Kirin’s attention while President Robert struck the finishing blow.

I devoted myself to that task.

◇◇

Five minutes later.

That was how long I managed to hold out.

(I am not really that good with this move, but…) (Eugene)

Weaker attacks couldn’t even scratch Kirin’s scales.

And it had been wary only of the powerful attacks.

Then, there’s only one thing to do.

I will use the most powerful strike in the Twin Heavenly Resonance Style.

—Twin Heavenly Resonance Style – Secret Art: Thunder Form… [Kirin].

Returning the name of the Divine Beast’s own technique to it.

I stepped in with lightning-fast speed, lunging at its throat like a wolf sinking its fangs into its prey.

But…

Bzzt!!

My vision turned white in an instant.

(Magic lightning… Moreover…) (Eugene)

It wasn’t just the usual lightning bolts…this was an omnidirectional spell.

Zan!

My sword managed to slice off a small portion of Kirin’s tough scales.

But that was all.

Even using my secret art, I couldn’t reach the Divine Beast.

The previous lightning spell had destroyed all the barriers around me.

Kirin roared.

Its horns glowed with mana, preparing to unleash another attack on me.

Kirin had fully locked onto me —completely dropping its guard against President Robert.

(…Now.) (Eugene)

I remained focused on Kirin, so it doesn’t notice.

From directly behind it —its complete blind spot— President Robert unleashed a slash.

A perfect ambush.

Yet, Kirin reacted.

Twisting its neck, it evaded President Robert’s attack.

Its gaze was already locked onto President Robert.

(Does it have a 360-degree field of vision? Or is this just more of its instinct…?) (Eugene)

The ambush failed.

My body felt heavy, but I prepared to rejoin the fight—

…Clang.

A sound like that of an axe splitting firewood echoed.

Thud! Something fell.

One of Kirin’s golden horns had been severed at the base.

Goooaaaahhh!

The golden horn —or rather, the mana concentrated within it— exploded.

(Gh…!!)

I barely managed to keep my stance amid the blast and flames.

I braced for Kirin’s follow-up attack…but it didn’t come.

The Divine Beast, now missing one of its horns, silently looked down at us.

President Robert approached instead.

“Thank you, Eugene. Thanks to you, I was able to break Kirin’s horn.” (Robert)

“How did you pull off that technique just now? I thought the surprise attack on the qilin had failed, but you suddenly appeared from a completely different spot.” (Eugene)

When I asked, President Robert gave a knowing smile.

“I did everything I could.” (Robert)

“Yeah. My mana is completely drained.” (Eugene)

We exchanged smiles.

And then, we waited for the next angel’s voice.

The Divine Beast did not move.

Several long seconds passed.

—The challengers are victorious. Congratulations.

The angelic voice echoed, cold and mechanical.

■Comments Response:

>To pull off Raikiri (Cutting lightning)… President Robert is already at the level of a legendary swordsman.
The Twin Heavenly Resonance Style is characterized by its variety and number of techniques, while the Ittou-ryu is a style of single decisive strikes, huh?

→ Just from this, President Robert seems to have more protagonist vibes…

■Author’s Comment:

This isn’t exactly a “new” work —rather, it’s a slightly remade version of something I originally posted on Kakuyomu, now published on Narou.

The protagonist, Mahoyo, is blessed by the Sun Goddess, Althena-sama.

The only connection to my other series is the Goddess herself, but if you’re interested, please check it out!

Currently, six chapters are up.

Daily updates are planned until completion (the manuscript is already finished).

Magical Girl’s Graduation Trial
https://ncode.syosetu.com/n2425jc/