Chapter 60: The Clash of Two Kanata

The long-awaited exam had begun—but none of the students on the island realized that a far greater danger was already drawing near.

While the others fought mock battles across the dense forests and sandy shores, Kanata, Asuna, and Celestine A.R. finally reached the heart of the ruins.
There, surrounded by vines and ancient marble, stood the legendary Fountain of Eternity.

Kanata stepped closer, his breath caught in awe.
“So this is it… the Fountain. Are we… too late?”

The marble basin was dry. No sound of flowing water, only silence and dust.
Then, Asuna raised her hand, her eyes glowing faintly silver. The ground trembled.

RUMBLE—

The air rippled as pure water began gushing out from the cracks, overflowing into the basin.
The entire ruin shuddered to life — dead trees sprouted leaves, wilted flowers bloomed again, and golden light danced in the mist.

Kanata could only stare.
“So this is… the power of eternity.”

But Celestine A.R. didn’t share his awe. Her tone was sharp, almost desperate.
“Destroy it. Now—before it’s too late!”

Kanata nodded, stepping toward the fountain—
when suddenly, a tombstone-shaped spear crashed into the ground beside him, missing his head by inches.

THAAANG—!

A heavy voice echoed through the chamber.
Two figures stepped out from the mist — a battle-scarred Kanata, older and colder, followed by the blue-haired elf Elyana.

“You again?” Kanata’s tone hardened. “Why are you here?”

The older Kanata’s eyes glowed faintly red.
“Don’t destroy the Fountain. If you do, our entire future collapses.”

Celestine A.R. ignored him, summoning her magic blade — but the moment she tried to strike the fountain, a burst of energy threw her and Asuna backward.

Kanata gritted his teeth.
“Enough of this—<Repulsor Burst>!”

His cyborg arm ignited, glowing with crimson light as he fired an energy blast. But the older Kanata countered, blocking it with one hand, the shockwave tearing through the floor.

The two Kanatas clashed — metal against will, present against future.
Each strike shook the ruins as sparks burst and shockwaves flattened the ground.

Meanwhile, Celestine A.R. regained her balance and turned to face Elyana, blades crossing as the earth quaked beneath them.

A few kilometers away, A.R. Itsuha and A.R. Aine encountered each other among the trees, weapons drawn, the tension between them thick enough to cut.

“Are you here for that cursed Fountain too?” Aine asked, narrowing her eyes.

Itsuha shook her head.
“No. I came to stop Kanata before it’s too late.”

“Stop him?”

Itsuha’s gaze darkened.
“In my world, Kanata lost control after Celestine and Nagisa died. I was the one who had to end his life with my own hands. I won’t let that happen here.”

Aine lowered her gun slowly, her expression softening.
“Then we have the same goal. In my world, Kanata never lost control—but everyone else did. I was the only survivor.”

For a brief, fragile moment, they understood each other.
Two survivors from two broken worlds — both seeking redemption.

“Then we fight together,” Itsuha said.

Aine nodded. “Let’s end this… before history repeats itself.”

Back at the fountain, the battle raged on.
The younger Kanata swung his cyborg arm, activating its full potential.

“<Overdrive Ignition>!”

Flames erupted from the vents as his strength multiplied tenfold. The older Kanata met his attack head-on, their fists colliding, sending arcs of energy across the shattered ground.

“Do you really think destroying this place will fix anything?” the older Kanata shouted.
“You don’t understand what comes after!”

“Maybe I don’t,” Kanata snapped, his mechanical arm sparking violently. “But I’ll decide my own future—not live in yours!”

They clashed again, the air screaming around them.

“You have no idea what we endured!”
The older Kanata’s voice was filled with rage.
“You’re still the same coward — afraid to step forward, afraid to lead!”

The younger Kanata smirked through the sweat and blood.
“Just because someone stumbles and loses their path, doesn’t mean they’re lost forever.”

With that, he disarmed his future self — the older Kanata’s sword flew out of his hand, embedding itself into the stone floor.

The bandages wrapped around the older Kanata’s arms tore apart — revealing both dragon arms, one black as shadow, the other glowing blue like frozen flame.

Kanata’s eyes widened.
“What… what have you done to yourself?”

The older Kanata raised his clawed hands, his voice echoing like thunder.
“Humanity has always feared that which is different… but I am here to tell you—”
His aura surged, shaking the air.
“You were right to fear us. We are the future!”

The two Kanatas charged once again, the force of their clash cracking the very earth.
BOOOOOOM!

A blinding explosion separated them — and standing amidst the dust were A.R. Itsuha and A.R. Aine, weapons drawn.

“Enough!” Itsuha shouted. “Do you really think fighting each other will change the future?”

Elyana and Celestine A.R. stopped as well, both panting, covered in dirt and blood.

For a long, silent moment, no one moved.
The wind howled softly through the ruins — and the Fountain’s water shimmered, as if listening.