𝒲𝒾𝓃𝓉ℯ𝓇 𝒲ℴ𝓃𝒹ℯ𝓇𝓁𝒶𝓃𝒹： 𝒯𝒽𝒶𝓌 ℴ𝒻 𝓉𝒽ℯ ℱ𝓇ℴ𝓏ℯ𝓃 ℋℯ𝒶𝓇𝓉

𝐿𝑒𝑡 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝐵𝑒𝑙𝑙 𝑜𝑓 𝑆𝑜𝑙𝑎𝑐𝑒 𝑅𝑖𝑛𝑔： 𝐶ℎ𝑎𝑝𝑡𝑒𝑟 26

*
"Hellfire. Darkfire. Now gypsy, it's your turn."

**
Noble Bell College - Bell Tower, Top Floor

Azul had just thrown himself in front of Rollo's fiery strike, the impact sending smoke and debris swirling around them like a tempest.

"Ha... Haha, hahaha... Hahahahahaha!" Rollo erupted into a cruel, breathless laugh. "Well, that was a surprise. I wasn't expecting Azul to rush forth and take the brunt of the flames! Was he protecting you four? I suppose even villains can have a shred of compassion, especially in front of my beloved Saint. I learned something new today."

Malleus's eyes widened in disbelief. "Ashengrotto... You did that for us?" His voice was tinged with genuine sorrow. "I'm so sorry..."

Idia and Y/n exchanged glances, beads of sweat trickling down their temples as the truth hung heavy in the air.

"Malleus... Dude, are you kidding? Do you believe for a minute Azul would go out of his way to shield you?" Idia asked, incredulous.

"Exactly," Y/n agreed quietly.

"What?" Rollo and Malleus both turned toward them, confused.

"This is Azul Ashengrotto we're talking about-" Idia explained, voice dripping with sarcasm. "A guy whose whole brand is about being greedy, miserly, underhanded, and ruthless,"

"Yes, yes," Y/n nodded, her icy gaze steady.

"There's a less than zero chance he would ever sacrifice himself for nothing." Idia smirked, eyes gleaming with mischief.

Vanitas leaned casually against Y/n, that ever-present sly grin playing on his lips. He let out a low, amused chuckle. "I highly doubt Azul did this out of the goodness of his heart," he murmured, voice smooth like silk. "But he does act differently when Mon Cher is involved."

"Heheh... Heheheh..." A familiar, chilling laugh echoed through the smoky air.

As the haze cleared, Azul stood unharmed, eyes glinting with manic delight. "HAAAH HAН НАН НАН НАН!!!" he cackled, a wild grin twisting his face. "Oh, this is JUST the moment I've been waiting for!"

"What?! You're still standing?!" Rollo gasped, utterly stunned.

"Ashengrotto! You're safe?" Malleus's tense features softened, relief flickering in his gaze.

"Of course I am." Azul replied with a cocky smirk, magic swirling in a dazzling vortex around him. "Don't think I'm like a certain freshman with a bad case of tunnel vision." He snapped his fingers. "...It's time to pay up!"

"?!" Malleus flinched as the raw power radiating from Azul surged through the room.

"Where's all that power coming from? You couldn't have kept all that in reserve!" Rollo stammered in disbelief.

"You're in for a world of hurt!" Azul grinned before unleashing a signature spell. "DOUBLE DOWN!"

A roaring blaze erupted as Azul fired the spell at Rollo, flames engulfing him instantly.

"AAAUGH!" Rollo cried out, staggering. "Rgh... How... How in the world...?!" he stammered before collapsing onto the floor.

Vanitas's eyes widened in surprise as he instinctively clung to Y/n. "What the devil?! Why is the fire so big?!" he exclaimed.