Magical Boy ~ English version

Chapter 25

Mineko found himself in a team with a certain Aomine Chikako, who had the power to become soft as jelly. They had no trouble fighting Nagao Maya, who had no power, just enough intelligence to create a nearly perfect plan. Her only weak point was that she only knew Mineko's power, not Chikako's.

Other students passed in turn. Seeing each strategy, each power in action and each different way of teaming up was very instructive for each of the spectators.

"Uchiri Nanaya." Angel Ferret finally called.

"Shime Kotaro." Sutra continued. 

Nanaya bit his lip nervously. He didn't want to fight Kotaro. But with any luck, he could just immobilize it with a little ice. He just had to succeed in harnessing his power. Kotaro wondered if the professors had chosen this particular combination on purpose.

Ogami Tomeo was called for Saurity. A rather tall boy with gray hair and black eyes. They entered the scene and Kotaro immediately left to join the clones who were serving as hostages.

"What an honor." Joked Tomeo. "We've barely talked about you for months, and since summer camp Shime-san has been gaining popularity, and now I find myself doing this exercise with you two."

"...I did not do anything." Nanaya muttered.

"Are you kidding me? It's hard to tell yourself it's villain's blood running through your veins. But no one should forget this detail."

Nanaya cocked his head thoughtfully, trying to figure out what he meant by that, when the departure bell rang.

"I know exactly how to beat him." Tomeo asserted.

"Hah... I also had an idea."

"Trust me. First we have to sneak in. Follow me."

He slipped through the false alleys in ruins to discreetly reach the targeted building. Nanaya followed him, septic. All the students had witnessed the discovery of the powers of his class, so he knew his abilities. Maybe he didn't trust him?

"Usually," Tomeo said suddenly, whispering. "Aitori's students begin to really control their power between the end of second year or halfway through third. Hope you don't blame me for not letting you go."

"Hah... no." Nanaya hissed. "Not at all. I understand."

"Futaki-chan told me a lot about the Magical girls."

"Who is that ?"

"A third year of Aitori. Futaki Amaya. Here, there is an open emergency exit. This way."

The boy from Aitori tried to remember, certain he had heard the name before, while following his mate. They came out into a hallway. Tomeo stepped forward first to take a look. Hyokko took the opportunity to approach his human.

"Nanaya," the creature whispered. "I don't know why, but this boy doesn't inspire me to trust. You were perfectly capable of using the ice for this kind of situation."

"Hm? He is a student of Saurity. Future heroes know what they're doing, I imagine."

The guardian fell silent as the young man approached again.

"It looks out onto the hall." He said. "He's right there with the hostages. Take a look and I'll explain my plan to you."

Nanaya nodded silently and walked down the hall. He watched discreetly, seeing Kotaro use his speed to keep an eye on the main door and windows.

"You know what," Tomeo whispered behind his back. "Futaki-chan, she's my cousin."

"Heh?"

"And she's absolutely unlivable since her dismissal."

Nanaya gasped in surprise. Futaki Amaya. It was the girl who had harassed Rena. He glanced worriedly at his comrade.

"I don't really blame you." He assured with a smile. "She's a plague. She always has been and she got what she deserved. However, her parents are dead and she lives with me. Tell me ... do you know the great weakness of your dear friend? What will we win for sure?"

"His weakness? No..."

"It's you. "

He grabbed the scepter to strip him of his powers and pushed him into the hall. The whole building immediately began to shake. Ogami Tomeo had a power related to earth and stones. It was very easy for him to shake the ground and crumble the walls. He hadn't inherited this from any of his parents, who didn't have the slightest ability.

Nanaya straightened up and tried to open the hallway door without success. A piece of the ceiling had fallen behind blocking it. Of course, Kotaro had noticed his presence.

"Tch! What is this stupid plan?" He growled. "You're acting as a diversion while he collapses the building, is that it?"

"K... Kot-chan, wait... I can't fight. He has taking my... "

Kotaro noticed the scepter was missing. No bracelet either. Hyokko was also absent. He had followed Saurity's boy in the hopes of taking the accessory back and returning it to his human. Kotaro opened his mouth to speak but jumped aside to avoid a slab of concrete that was coming straight at him.

"What he didn't get in 'the least damage possible." ?" Scolded the young man. "I'm the one playing the villain here! "

He dodged another section of the ceiling. The iron bars protruding from it could be particularly dangerous. One of the clones vanished when a large piece of concrete fell directly on him. Kotaro didn't take the time to worry about it, however, as it was a section of wall that was falling dangerously above Nanaya. Even while running, his comrade couldn't avoid him. And it was out of the question to let him use his power without his scepter. He rushed to grab him and walk away with it, but even with his power, he didn't have enough time. They both collapsed when part of the wall fell on them.

Nanaya didn't seem to have a single scratch. Kotaro had to use his own body as a shield. He was bleeding from his head and held himself weakly on his arms so as not to crush his friend, while he himself struggled to hold the weight of the concrete on his back.

"Nana-chan..." he grimaced. "Are you ok... ?"

"Oh, I went a little hard!" A voice cut off. 

Tomeo had returned inside. By the time Kotaro was hit, he had stopped the earthquake. He held the scepter in one hand, and held Hyokko by the tail with the other.

"At least we won." He mocked. "And we only lost one hostage. I told you I knew his weakness."

Nanaya felt furious, but he couldn't move. His leg was caught under the concrete. However, the teachers rushed in. The shaking of the building had prevented the three students from hearing the alarm that Starlight had worked on to end the exercise prematurely. Phen-X pushed past everyone else and punched his fist in Tomeo's face. Shadow immediately grabbed the nurse's arm to keep him from hitting the student again.

"What's on your mind ?!" Phen-X yelled. "You could have killed them !!"

"Phen-X!" Growled Shadow. "Pull yourself together, we're gonna need your power! "

The young of Saurity had let go of his grip upon receiving the blow, and Hyokko immediately returned the scepter. Before the adults even had time to do anything, he conjured up columns of ice dense and strong enough to lift the concrete that Kotaro had been holding for a moment. He hadn't thought about it. He just wanted to save his friend too. Danger gone, Kotaro let himself go and collapsed on Nanaya, losing consciousness.