Chapter 69

As I advanced into the depths of the research facility, half-destroyed by the black thunder, I found a spiral staircase leading underground.

Strengthening my guard, I slowly descended, only to find an overwhelming number of eerie machines lined up in the space below.

"What... is this...?"

Before my eyes stood a massive beaker filled with a transparent orange liquid, in which a bluish-white stone floated.

"...This isn't a very comfortable place."

Rose, whose gaze was fixed on a mysterious machine that emitted a high-pitched beeping sound like a heart monitor, muttered these words.

"Hmm... It seems they were conducting research on Spirit Crystals here."

Professor Reia, holding the bluish-white mineral in her hand, quietly murmured.

As we moved straight ahead through the stuffy, dimly lit laboratory, we encountered five researchers.

"You... you're Black Fist!?"

"Lord Thor and Lord Zak... were they... defeated...!?"

"Aah... It's over..."

Upon seeing Professor Reia, the researchers clutched their heads and crouched on the spot.

"There's no need for introductions. Let's get straight to the point—where is Reia Vestaria? You can resist if you want, but it will only make things worse for you."

As Professor Reia cracked her fingers,

"Ah, ah!?"

The researchers all screamed in unison.

Then,

"Over here..."

One of the researchers led us to the back of the room, where a cell with iron bars was located. Inside, Reia was restrained with her hands and feet bound.

"Reia!"

"Ah, Allen! Rose, and even Professor Reia!"

From what I could see, she didn't have any major injuries.

As I let out a sigh of relief,

"Where's the key?"

"Right here..."

The researcher handed the key to Professor Reia, who unlocked the cell and then removed the chains from Reia's hands and feet.

"Allen!"

"Whoa!?"

Reia, now free from her restraints, threw herself into my arms.

"I was so scared... I was really, really scared..."

I gently embraced her, enveloping her small, trembling body.

"Sorry for being late... It took a while to find this place..."

"No, it's okay... Thank you, Allen... I believed you would find me..."

Tears welled up in the corners of her eyes, but she smiled like a blooming flower.

"..."

Seeing such a cute smile so close, I asked,

"Are you okay... physically...?"

Turning my face slightly away, I posed the question.

"Yes. They took some blood, but nothing else happened."

"That's a relief..."

As Reia and I talked,

"Reia, I understand your feelings, but you're being a bit too clingy..."

Rose, with a vein popping on her forehead, said in a low voice while fidgeting.

"...Oh, sorry, Allen... I just got a bit too excited..."

"It's fine... don't worry about it..."

As Reia and I slowly separated,

"This is an unexpected windfall..."

Professor Reia, holding what appeared to be a Spirit Crystal pill, quietly said.

"A windfall...?"

"Yes. To the best of my knowledge, this is the first time a Black Organization research facility has been seized. This is a tremendous achievement, Allen!"

She said this and patted my back.

"Thanks to Professor Reia, Rose, and Rize..."

"Hmm... You're as modest as ever. Quite the opposite of me."

After a moment of chuckling, Professor Reia clapped her hands.

"Well, it's getting late. You should head back soon."

"What about you, Professor?"

"I'll restrain these people and take them to the Holy Knights' outpost, then assist with the crime scene investigation... I have a lot to do."

She said this with a shrug.

"To be honest, I'd like your help... But this is the job of the 'Principal of the Five Academies'... I can't push my duties onto students."

It seems there's nothing more we can do here.

"Thank you very much. We'll be on our way."

"Thank you, Professor!"

"Goodbye."

As Reia, Rose, and I were about to leave, we heard the sound of someone running down the spiral staircase at an incredible speed.

"Who's there!?"

I stood in front of the exhausted Reia and Rose, immediately drawing my sword.

Then,

"Phew, phew... Number 18... I'm back..."

Number 18, drenched in sweat and breathing heavily, appeared.

"Number 18!?"

I thought he was on border patrol...

"You're late... Where were you, Number 18?"

"I'm very sorry... I started running at full speed as soon as I received the message... It took quite a while..."

He explained, gasping for breath.

"Really, what a useless guy... Here's your next job. Escort Allen and the others back to Senren Academy. Rose is particularly exhausted, so pay extra attention to her."

"Understood..."

Despite looking more exhausted than Rose, Number 18 accepted the task.

"Alright, everyone... With me here, you can relax... Let's go!"

We followed Number 18 up the spiral staircase.

"By the way, there's class tomorrow, so don't oversleep!"

Professor Reia, with a smile, waved goodbye.

■

In a forest far to the north of the research facility.

"Hey, you lazybones. Are you still alive?"

The unscathed Thor called out to the battered Zak.

"Hardly... But I'm alive... I can't move a finger, though..."

Zak weakly shook his head.

"What a mess... What happened to your pride and glory, the 'Shiranui Armor'?"

"Zahahaha... Without it, I would have been reduced to mere flesh scraps..."

Zak, who had been swallowed by the black thunder, managed to survive by deploying the 'Shiranui Armor' at the last moment.

"Still, that was one incredible guy... And he's not even finished yet... He's a bottomless pit..."

Zak, recalling the pitch-black darkness that seared his eyes, spoke with excitement.

"Hmm, Allen Roder... If he's that much of a talent, maybe I should try to win him over..."

Thor, who had some faith in Zak's aesthetic sense, began to seriously consider how to approach Allen.

"Zahahaha, that could work... By the way, how did you fare against Black Fist?"

"There was no way I could win. It's impossible to defeat a Transcender. I ran away as fast as I could."

Thor said this without any hesitation.

For him, the battle against Black Fist Reia Rasnote was about surviving, not winning.

"Hmm, if you managed to escape from Black Fist... Was it that thing?"

"Yeah, I pitted 'Reia's copy' against 'my copy.' The belief that 'there's only one Soul Art' is dangerous."

Thor took out two short swords. 'Mimicry Art' is a rare Soul Art that consists of two parts. Only Zak, his long-time partner, knew about this.

"You always resort to underhanded tactics..."

"Say what you will, my philosophy is 'survival is victory.'"

After sharing this information,

"Well, let's head back to the homeland."

"Right."

Thor, carrying the injured Zak on his small frame, disappeared into the night.

"Damn, you're heavy! Lose some weight, right now!"

"Zahahaha... Don't be ridiculous..."

■

Reia and I, having safely returned to the dorm, decided to have a late dinner.

Reia must have been very hungry... She ate a lot that day.

I wondered, "Can you eat so much without gaining weight...?" but asking a woman about her weight is a lack of tact, so I swallowed my question.

In any case, the sight of the massive refrigerator, stuffed with ingredients, becoming completely empty after just one meal was truly impressive.

After Reia finished her bath, she hummed a tune while brushing her hair.

"Hmm, hmm, hmm..."

With her usual twin-tails undone, her hair down, she looked... very attractive.

Even though I'm used to it, the contrast with her usual appearance still made my heart race a little.

"Well, I'm going to take a bath now."

"Ah, okay. Take your time and relax."

"Thanks."

By the time I finished my bath and got ready for bed, it was already past two in the morning.

"Alright, I'm turning off the lights."

"Okay, thanks."

I turned off the lights and got into bed with Reia.

The mattress, with its perfect elasticity, gently supported my body, and the warm blanket enveloped me. As the tension left my body, the fatigue of the day seemed to melt away.

"Goodnight, Reia."

"Goodnight, Allen."

We fell asleep quietly.

---

About ten minutes later.

"...Hey, Allen. Are you still awake?"

Reia whispered softly.

"...Yeah, I'm awake."

"...Okay."

"Yeah. Is something wrong...?"

When I asked,

"...I feel a bit uneasy."

She whispered in a weak, anxious voice.

She had been kidnapped by the Black Organization and confined in that eerie research facility all day. It's understandable.

"I see... How about we talk about something fun? Or... how about some warm tea?"

I suggested the first thing that came to mind to help her relax.

"Um... If it's okay with you..."

Reia, unusually hesitant, mumbled.

"...? You can tell me anything."

I tried to sound as gentle as possible.

"Um... Can I... hold your hand...?"

She said, her voice trembling.

"Ah, sure... of course."

I was a bit surprised by the unexpected request, but if this is what Reia wants, there's no reason to refuse.

I extended my right hand to Reia, a bit nervously,

"Thanks..."

Her small hand gently covered mine.

As I did, I felt a bit excited by the growing closeness between us, and I fell asleep with Reia once again.