Chapter 22: The Fierce Green Witch, Kisaragi Aine

The following morning, the academy’s dueling arena stood silent. No crowds, no judges — only the low hum of mana shields around the ring. The academy was still on break, but Aine Kisaragi had insisted this match take place today.

When Kanata Tendou stepped onto the stone platform, the morning wind brushed his hair aside.
Aine was already waiting, arms crossed, her green jacket fluttering like a banner.

“So, you actually showed up. I thought you’d run away.”

Kanata said nothing. His eyes were calm, unreadable.

“Why are you even here?” Aine pressed.
“What is it you really want, Kanata Tendou?”

He sighed, adjusting his bandaged right arm.

“I just… want to leave this academy.”

Aine blinked.

“That’s it? You came all the way here just to quit?”

“Sometimes,” he said quietly, “it’s better to stop something before it becomes another mistake.”

For a moment, her expression softened — but only for a moment.

From the stands, Itsuha Shiranui and Celestine Vairne watched silently.

“He really came alone…” Itsuha murmured.
“Of course he did. He’s Kanata,” Celestine replied.

A sudden ripple of presence made them turn.
Naomi Kaname walked in, her aura radiating quiet power. Both girls gasped.

“I-Is that… the Head Witch Kaname?!” Itsuha whispered.
“She’s here?!”

Aine noticed too — and for the first time, the normally cold witch blushed.

“T-That’s… Kaname-sama!” she stammered under her breath.
“I can’t believe she’s watching me fight…!”

Her heart pounded. The witch she idolized most had come to watch her. There was no way she could lose now.

“Let’s begin,” Aine said firmly. “No referee. No rules. Just us.”

Before Kanata could answer, her mana flared emerald-bright.

“<Verdant Armory>!”

Hundreds of translucent weapons bloomed from shards of shattered glass — rifles, blades, and chains glowing with green runes. She charged, firing a volley of mana rounds.

Kanata dodged and deflected with his bare hand. The bullets bent mid-air, drawn into the faint whirlpool of energy surrounding him.

“You’re still holding back,” Aine hissed.
“If you do that, you’ll lose.”

Kanata raised his right arm.

“Don’t say I didn’t warn you.”

The bandages split as his hand pulsed with black-blue light.

“<Abyss Fang>!”

A shockwave burst forward, cutting through the volley. Aine spun mid-air, summoning another spell.

“<Seedshot>!”

Her projectiles struck the ground, sprouting thorned vines that exploded into green-flame shrapnel.
Kanata shielded himself, absorbing the impact through his arm — the energy coiling into his palm.

Smoke cleared. Aine landed gracefully, panting, her gaze unwavering.

“You’ve gotten stronger… but you still don’t understand power.”

Kanata looked at her with tired eyes.

“Maybe. But I know how to use it.”

He clenched his left fist. Energy swirled — and to everyone’s shock, a crude but functional firearm materialized in his hand, its barrel humming with draconic energy.

“What— a gun?!” Celestine gasped from the stands.
“He copied Aine’s Forgeshot…” whispered Kaname, almost impressed.

Kanata smirked slightly.

“Let’s call it… improvisation.”

He aimed.

“<Forgeshot — Draconic Mode>.”

DOOOOM!
A single compressed shot thundered across the arena, slamming into Aine’s barrier and shattering it in a burst of green light. She was thrown back, landing on one knee, breathing hard.

For a moment, silence fell. Then Kanata walked toward her and extended his hand.

“You fought well. Guess that makes me the winner.”

Aine looked up, her expression unreadable — then smiled faintly, accepting his hand.

“Fine. I yield.”

She reached into her coat and pressed a glowing seal against his wrist.
Another Stamp appeared — just two more, and Kanata’s goal would be within reach.

Later that afternoon, after the match, Kanata sat on the bleachers, exhausted.
Itsuha and Celestine approached, both smiling.

“You were amazing out there,” Celestine said.
“You made her look like an amateur!”

“Don’t exaggerate,” Kanata muttered. “She almost won.”

Aine soon joined them, her arm in a sling but her expression calm.

“Kanata Tendou,” she began, “I’ve seen your strength. Have you considered joining the Elite Mage Division?”

“Not interested,” he said flatly.

Aine studied him for a moment, then sighed.

“Figures.”

As he stood to leave, she reached out and grabbed his hand.

“Wait.”

Before Kanata could react — she leaned forward and kissed him.
A light, impulsive kiss that froze time for everyone present.

Itsuha and Celestine both gasped.

“W-Wha—?!” Itsuha’s eyes widened.
“H-Hey! What exactly did you two do back then, huh?!” Celestine demanded.

Aine pulled away, her cheeks faintly pink.

“Consider that… a thank-you. For saving me.”

Kanata blinked, stunned, then gave a small, awkward smile.

“You really are… a violent woman, you know that?”

“Says the guy who blew up a hill yesterday.”

Itsuha pointed accusingly.

“Don’t you dare smile like that, Kanata! You’re still in trouble!”

“Yeah!” Celestine added, pouting. “You already have me — I mean us!”

Kanata paled.

“I-I think it’s time to go home— bye!”

He bolted out of the arena at full speed, leaving the three witches shouting after him.

“KANATA TENDOU, GET BACK HERE!”

Far beyond their laughter, in a world without time, a ripple of golden energy spread through the void.
Envy, now wearing her flawless human guise, opened her eyes.

“So… the son of the Black Dragon has begun to awaken.”

Her lips curved into a smile both divine and merciless.

“Then I shall take what’s rightfully mine.”