Chapter 70 : The Brave Dragon Returns

Five years had passed.
The world had changed.
And so had she.

Elyana Pendragon, once the frozen child of legend, was now a bright, confident young elf—her blue hair flowing in the wind, her golden eyes filled with wonder. She walked beside her teacher through the bustling port, holding her cloak tightly as cold mist from the sea touched her cheeks.

Their ship slowed as it neared the coast.

“Sensei… is this the Tokyo you’ve always told me about?”

Kanata smiled faintly.
“Yeah. This is it.”

Elyana’s eyes widened, reflecting the city lights.
Neon towers stretched to the heavens. Magical trains ran through floating rails. The world was alive again.

As they stepped into the city, Kanata’s gaze lingered on everything — the sound of chatter, the smell of roasted food, the distant hum of magic generators. So much had changed.
The students he once knew were now soldiers.

The Magic Reaction Specialist Unit (M.R.S.U.) — the elite organization built to defend against magical disasters and multiversal threats — patrolled every district.

Young men and women in black combat uniforms stood guard, wands and rifles glowing with runic circuits.

From a distance, Kanata saw them helping citizens — crossing elders through the street, directing magical traffic, protecting the peace.

Then he heard a voice.

“Unit One, move to Area B! The suspect’s attempting a ritual escape!”
“Roger that, Lieutenant!”

Kanata froze.

That voice—
it was one he’d never forget.

Rio Tanaba.
Now an adult, standing tall with the insignia of a lieutenant glowing proudly on his shoulder.

He turned for a brief moment and caught a glimpse — a hooded man and a young elf beside him, standing at the edge of the crowd.

“…No way.”

He blinked—
and a bus passed.
When it moved on, they were gone.

“Sensei, are you sure you don’t want to meet him?” Elyana asked gently.

Kanata tucked his hands into his pockets.
“Not yet. It’s not time.”

They walked deeper into the city until the noise of sirens grew louder. A man ran past them, breath ragged — chased by M.R.S.U. officers.

“Stop right there!” shouted one of the officers.

Before the fugitive could respond, Kanata stepped forward and delivered one swift punch.
The man collapsed instantly.

“Ivan Kurama, under the authority of the M.R.S.U., you’re under arrest for illegal magic trafficking!” the officer barked.

Ivan sighed in defeat.
“Yeah, yeah… I surrender.”

The officer turned to Kanata and bowed deeply.
“Thank you, sir. If you hadn’t stopped him, he would’ve escaped!”

Kanata simply nodded and turned away, Elyana following behind.
The officer watched them leave, brow furrowing.

“…Wait. That face… it couldn’t be…”

But before he could say another word, they vanished into the crowd.

A growl broke the silence.
Elyana blushed.
“Sensei… I’m starving.”

Kanata sighed, smiling.
“Then let’s eat.”

They entered an old restaurant — one Kanata remembered fondly. The smell of the same warm broth and grilled meat hit him like a wave of nostalgia.

For a while, it felt normal. Peaceful.
Until a group of men in dark suits kicked the door open.

“This place hasn’t paid its protection money,” the leader sneered.
“We’re shutting it down.”

Kanata kept eating.

One of them brushed past him, spilling his favorite dish.
The room froze.

Kanata exhaled.
“…You shouldn’t have done that.”

He rose from his seat and struck the man square in the jaw.
The entire gang fell in seconds — chairs shattered, tables splintered, but Kanata didn’t even raise his voice.

Moments later, the door burst open again.
Armed soldiers flooded in — M.R.S.U., weapons glowing with defensive runes.

“What’s going on here?!” someone shouted.
“Is this a terrorist attack?!”

And leading them—
was Rio.

“Kanata…?”

But by the time he spoke the name, the man and the elf were gone.
Only a few coins lay neatly on the counter — payment for the meal.

Night fell.

Kanata stood in front of a familiar home — now larger, reinforced with magical barriers. He hesitated before knocking.

Suddenly, a sigil appeared beneath his feet.

“Wait—”

FLASH!

The door burst open with confetti and lights.

“Surprise!”

Naomi. Alyana. Nagisa. Haqua.
All there — smiling, laughing, waiting for him.

Kanata blinked in disbelief.
Then he smiled.
“I’m home.”

Elyana stood frozen until Naomi tugged her arm gently.
“Come on in, dear. You’re family now.”

The warmth of the house filled the air — laughter, stories, and the clinking of dinner plates.
For the first time in five years, Kanata felt like he belonged again.

They gathered around the table, sharing stories.
Kanata and Elyana spoke of frozen continents, deserts of fire, and ruins that touched the clouds.

Everyone listened, astonished.

Haqua — now in her second year of middle school — sparkled with excitement.
“That’s amazing! You really fought bandits in the desert?”

Kanata smiled.
“Well, she did most of the work.”

Elyana grinned proudly.
“Sensei’s just being humble.”

Then Kanata turned serious.
“So… what happened while I was gone?”

Nagisa set down her cup, her eyes soft but firm.
“After you left, the world nearly collapsed again. The U.N. established M.R.S.U. — a global defense unit to monitor interdimensional activity. Rio, Itsuha, and Aine were chosen as commanding officers.”

“Because there’s a chance…” Alyana continued quietly,
“…that the Alter Egos might return someday.”

Kanata nodded slowly.
“I see. Then I’ll help protect it again — no matter what it takes.”

Nagisa smiled faintly.
“That’s just like you.”

Then she cleared her throat and looked him straight in the eye.
“But first… you still haven’t officially graduated from the Academy.”

Kanata blinked.
“Wait—what?”

“The elders pardoned you. Which means you’re still enrolled. So… you’re going back to school.”

“You’re kidding!”

Elyana burst out laughing — until Nagisa turned to her.
“And you, Elyana Pendragon, will be joining him.”

“Eeeeh?!”

The table erupted with laughter.

Later that night, Nagisa’s voice softened.
“Kanata… go back to the Academy. Someone’s been waiting for you.”

Kanata paused.
“…Her?”

Nagisa nodded.
“She never stopped waiting.”

Kanata’s chest tightened.
He didn’t need to ask who.

Celestine.

The gates of Tokyo Magical Academy opened again.
Kanata stood there, Elyana beside him — both wearing the Academy insignia once more.

For a moment, no one spoke.
Then, like a wave—

“Welcome back, Kanata-kun!”

Hundreds of voices filled the courtyard.

Kanata raised his head, smiling in the sunlight.
“Everyone… I’m back.”

From the distance, Rio and his unit saluted in unison —
and the cheers grew louder.

The legend had returned.
The Brave Dragon had come home.