The courtyard was quiet again.
The ash from the defeated shadow creature had already scattered on the breeze, leaving only a faint darkness stained across the stones. Rito sat on the edge of the fountain, her twin swords resting beside her, their elemental auras dim. Her breathing had mostly steadied.
Kazuki stood in front of her, still bandaged, still hurting—but unable to leave her side.
"You pushed yourself too far," Rito muttered, refusing to look at him. "You could've collapsed again."
Kazuki gave a small smile. "I told you, Rito… if you're in danger, my body moves on its own."
"That's the problem," she snapped.
Silence lingered.
Sakura petals drifted through the courtyard, illuminated by the moon above. Kazuki watched her carefully. Her eyes were red—not from the battle, but from something deeper.
He stepped closer. "Rito… what did that thing say to you?"
She stiffened. That was enough of an answer.
"It tried to trick me," she said. "Tried to use your face. Your voice."
Her fingers tightened around the fountain edge. "It told me… things."
Kazuki knelt in front of her, ignoring the pain shooting through him. "Rito. Look at me."
She slowly met his eyes. Trembling. Defensive. Vulnerable.
Kazuki's voice softened. "Whatever it said… it wasn't me."
"I know," she said. "But… it was convincing. Too convincing."
Her voice cracked. "I don't want to lose you. I can't lose you."
Kazuki exhaled slowly. "You won't."
Rito looked down again, whispering, "What if Zephyr tries again? What if next time they copy you even better? What if… they take you away from me?"
Kazuki reached out and held her hand gently.
"They won't," he said. "Because you'll cut them down. Just like tonight."
Rito's lips curved into a tiny, fragile smile. "Idiot."
Kazuki smiled back. "Your idiot."
Her cheeks went red instantly, and she swatted his shoulder lightly. "S-Stop saying embarrassing things…"
But she didn't let go of his hand.
The Others Arrive
"Ara? What's this mood?"
Ayumi's voice echoed from the garden archway.
Kazuki and Rito jumped apart instantly—hands flying behind their backs like guilty teenagers. Ayumi approached with her usual confident grin, Sutea and Hikari following behind her.
Sutea pushed up her glasses. "Kazuki. You should be lying down."
Hikari crossed her arms, pouty. "How come you come running for Rito but not for me when I burn my fingers in cooking class?"
Kazuki deadpanned. "Hikari, you literally set the sink on fire. Twice."
"It was for science!"
Ayumi snickered. "Uh huh. Science."
Sutea cleared her throat. "Anyway… Kazuki, you used Void energy while still unstable. That's extremely dangerous. You could trigger another backlash."
Kazuki sighed. "I'll be fine. I—"
"No," Sutea cut in sharply. "You won't be."
Everyone blinked. Sutea rarely raised her voice.
She looked at Kazuki with unusual intensity. "Every time you push your energy like that, the Void Dragon becomes more active. If it takes over again…"
Her jaw tightened.
Kazuki swallowed. Memories of the Abyss awakening, Eryx nearly dying, his vision turning pitch-black—it all flashed through him.
Rito stepped forward. "Then we'll help him control it together."
Ayumi smirked. "Hell yeah."
Hikari pumped her fist. "Team Kazuki!"
Sutea sighed. "You're all hopeless."
But the small smile on her face betrayed her true feelings.
Kazuki felt warmth swell in his chest. This chaotic, loud, terrifying group… was his family.
Zephyr's Echo
A sudden chill cut through the courtyard.
Kazuki immediately turned, eyes narrowing. The others drew their weapons or prepared spells.
But nothing appeared.
Instead, a whisper slipped through the night—one only Kazuki could hear.
"Your heart is your weakness, dragon boy."
Kazuki froze.
The voice was unmistakable.
Zephyr.
"You cling to these girls… knowing I can rip any of them away whenever I choose."
Kazuki's fists clenched. The others noticed the tension in him.
"Kazuki?" Rito asked softly.
He didn't answer. The whisper continued.
"Your attachments make you predictable. So easy to manipulate. So easy to hurt."
Kazuki fought the urge to shout. "Get out of my head."
Outwardly, his expression looked cold—too cold.
Zephyr laughed. "Soon. Very soon, I'll see which bond of yours breaks first."
The presence vanished.
Kazuki staggered slightly.
"Kazuki!" Hikari rushed to steady him.
Ayumi frowned. "What happened?"
Kazuki took a breath. "…Zephyr contacted me."
Everyone tensed.
Rito placed a hand on his arm. "What did he say?"
Kazuki glanced at all of them, one by one. The worry in their eyes. The determination. The fear of losing him—and each other.
"He said he'll attack the people closest to me."
Ayumi cracked her knuckles. "Let him try."
Hikari puffed her cheeks in annoyance. "Who does he think he is!?"
Sutea exhaled. "That confirms it. He's moving faster than we predicted."
Rito stepped forward, meeting Kazuki's gaze with fiery resolve. "Then we'll move faster too."
Kazuki felt something shift inside him.
Not rage.
Not fear.
Something sharper.
Determination.
A Vow Under the Moon
Kazuki looked at Rito—and then at each of the girls beside him.
"You've all been dragged into this because of me," he said quietly. "Zephyr wants to use you… hurt you… to break me."
Ayumi scoffed. "We're not fragile dolls, Kazuki."
Hikari nodded. "Yeah! We choose to stay!"
Sutea adjusted her glasses. "You aren't responsible for our decisions."
Kazuki shook his head. "Maybe not. But I am responsible for protecting you."
Rito stepped closer.
"You don't have to protect us alone."
Kazuki stared at her.
Sakura petals drifted down.
Rito's voice softened. "We protect each other. That's what family does."
Kazuki felt warmth—real, overwhelming warmth—hit him like a wave.
The dragon inside him stirred… but not in violence.
In acceptance.
"Then I'll trust you," Kazuki said, placing a hand over his heart. "All of you."
Ayumi grinned. "About time."
Hikari threw her hands up. "Group hug!"
Everyone panicked immediately.
"No—Hikari don't—"
She lunged forward anyway, tackling all of them into a chaotic pile of limbs, squeals, and complaints.
Kazuki laughed for the first time that day.
A real laugh.
Rito smiled at the sound.
For a moment—just a moment—the world felt safe.
But the moonlight hid a shadow.
Far above, perched on the academy's highest spire, a cloaked figure watched them.
Zephyr's crimson eyes gleamed with twisted amusement.
"Enjoy your peace," he whispered.
"Because chapter by chapter… I will take everything from you."
End of Chapter 27