Chapter 2

The man standing behind his creature seemed to be struggling internally. His expression was uncertain, yet he eventually spoke.

“I’ll give you one last chance. Leave. Now!”

His words were directed at me, and although I was very scared, I couldn’t have left the trembling Kaori in my arms behind. Besides, I had no idea who this guy could be. But attacking a defenseless child seemed incredibly scummy in my eyes. So I angrily asked back.

“What business do you have with her? What has she done to you??”

At first the strange figure didn’t want to answer, but with difficulty he forced himself.

“I am Fergus Maxim from the group called the Magistras. The mere existence of that girl is a crime, so I must erase her. And if you don’t disappear immediately, you will share her fate!”

The threat was terrifying, yet I didn’t move an inch. I simply held the deathly frightened Kaori even tighter.

Guilt and resignation settled onto Fergus’s face. It was clear he hadn’t wanted to go this far with me. But as a member of the disciplinary council, I couldn’t abandon a fellow student. Especially since this guy wanted her in the first place. Consequently, I came up with an idea and turned to Kaori.

“Now listen to me carefully, Kaori. Run as fast as you can. Call for help. I’ll hold them off somehow.”

Kaori’s pupils widened at my words.

“Are you crazy?! You’ll get yourself killed!”

Saying we had no time for this, I pushed her back and ordered her again to run. I thought that if I could buy even enough time for Kaori to leave the area, the guy would get off my back. After all, he didn’t want me. Of course, I knew I had no chance of holding them back even for a minimal time. But I had no choice. However, the girl didn’t move, just stared at me anxiously. The man then signaled his creature, urging the behemoth to attack. Deep down I was very scared, but I couldn’t have looked myself in the mirror if I hadn’t even tried to protect Kaori. So I spread my arms and stood in the creature’s way as it approached. With a growl it powered up its drill and prepared to strike, but then a miracle happened. My heart glowed dark blue. A force so strong pressed against my chest that I almost burst apart.

I barely had time to be surprised, yet I began chanting in a trance.

“Creation of Time Link! Transfiguration!”

My entire form was enveloped in a sea-colored radiance. Several white stars manifested around my body, illuminating me with silver beams. As a result, an idol-like uniform in the colors of the night sky materialized on me amid shimmering lights. My long gloves and elegant boots appeared in a similar manner. My slightly rearranged hair turned dark blue, while my eyes shifted to an ocean blue shade. Finally, a golden-glowing crescent moon adorned the hem of my skirt.

When my transformation was complete, I took on a majestic pose.

“I am the mysterious mist that blankets the night. The Seraph of Night, Nightmist!”

Coming to my senses, I looked over myself. I kept asking what had happened. I couldn’t believe this was me. Kaori also stared in disbelief.

“Reina…”

But Fergus was even more shocked by my transformation. At first he just stared tensely, then voiced his confusion.

“T-this is impossible…! I’ve never seen anything like this in my life!”

The man swallowed hard, then his thoughts returned to reality.

“It doesn’t matter what happened to you, you’ll perish here anyway! Crush her, Clockster!”

The creature let out a mechanical growl as its drill began spinning rapidly along its axis, then it launched an assault. I was sure this was the end, but that wasn’t what happened. My reflexes became razor-sharp, and with graceful movements I dodged the stabbing strikes that tore up the grassy ground. I escaped the last strike with a backflip, which I executed most naturally.

“My body is so fast and light… I feel like power is overflowing in me…”

As my attention shifted to my newfound abilities, I lost concentration for a moment. The creature appeared again with a wild charge, and I had no time to dodge the drill. However, I instinctively summoned a small crescent-shaped energy shield with my palms, slightly translucent but sharing my outfit’s colors. The drill collided with the shield, and I felt more physical pressure than ever before. With clenched teeth, I tried to push the monster back, but the energy wall began to crack and eventually broke. The impact slammed me into the school’s side, completely denting it. I collapsed face down on the ground.

The man felt regret. He said none of this would have happened if I had stayed out of it. I heard his words only half-conscious, but even so I became quite angry.

Fergus turned to Kaori, who was on her knees.

“You really can’t help any of this, but you must die. This is in humanity’s interest. But perhaps it’s better if I don’t stain my hands.”

Clockster moved toward her, and Kaori sobbed in desperation.

“Please, don’t do it!”

Pain coursed through my whole body, but I couldn’t give up. Clenching my fists, I rose to one knee, then fully stood up. The creature had already activated its weapon near Kaori when I growled.

“So that’s what you are…! Not only do you want Kaori dead because of some cultist nonsense, but you’re too cowardly to do it yourself! You disgust me…”

Before Fergus could react, I burst toward Clockster. With light dodges I avoided its attacks, then delivered a series of blows to its body. Finally, I placed a spinning kick on it, causing its drifting body to fall backward.

“This is my chance!”

With outstretched hands I traced a circle, then spoke an incantation.

“Silent night, erase this corrupt existence. Take form, Moon Seal!”

A hand made of dark mist erupted from the ground and grabbed the creature, then enclosed its entire body in a crescent moon of silver light. Clockster’s body smoked, then completely disintegrated.

The damage done to the environment was restored, with no trace of destruction left.

Fergus analyzed the situation calmly but disappointedly.

“Hmm… It seems our plans are being hindered by a new factor. But this is not over.”

I had no chance to react; Fergus vanished in a burst of purple smoke.

Then, regaining my human form, I staggered as Reina. Kaori immediately hurried to help me and support me.

The frozen-blue students in the yard returned to their normal state and continued their activities. They seemingly knew nothing of what had happened here. Most likely those inside the school were in the same situation.

Kaori asked anxiously about my condition.

“Oh my god, Reina! Are you okay??”

I nodded, but my expression was grim.

“Yes, but we have things to discuss…”