Chapter 87

"......Warrior of the darkness......?"

Brain furrowed his brow at the incomprehensible words Sares suddenly uttered.

"......Warrior of the darkness......? What is that?"

"There's a group that's up to no good. I'm one of them. And that group of darkness was interested in you."

Sares continued, looking down at Brain's eyes intently.

"The reason I approached you is because of that."

"――!"

"The task given to me has several parts――one of them is to recruit you, Brain."

Sares sighed.

"I actually wanted to proceed more peacefully..."

"......Last night, was it you who knocked me out, locked the classroom door with a hard lock, and placed the lighting as a mark?"

"Sharp as ever."

Sares smiled.

"You're a valuable asset with a bright future. I couldn't let you be bitten and killed by a zombie that wandered into the school. That's the reason."

"......Why me......?"

"Because of your talent. Your skills at your age are exceptional. Plus, there's a chance to recruit you as a companion――you have some special circumstances, don't you?"

After a pause, Sares continued.

"The tragic Milhis family――revenge."

"......"

"I know you're hungry for power. That's why this deal works."

"Deal......?"

"This dark contract――"

Sares glanced at the flame on his fingertips.

"If you accept, you'll receive the blessing of darkness and gain various powers. Your magic will become stronger. Thanks to this, a failing student passed the exam in one go. It's guaranteed, you know?"

Sares laughed.

"How about it? It's not a bad deal for someone whose head is filled with revenge, right?"

"......What would I have to do if I joined the darkness?"

"Participate in dark activities――basically, to bring down this kingdom."

"......"

"It's not your concern, right? Your only value is to achieve your revenge."

"......What if I refuse......?"

"You'll die here."

Sares said it bluntly. There was no hint of joking. If Brain said no, he would really be killed.

"I wish we could have more time to confirm your will. But now that it's come to this, I curse your sharpness."

"Couldn't you just force me into this contract without confirming my will?"

Brain said, glaring at the flame on Sares' fingertips.

Sares responded in a playful tone.

"Great idea!"

But then he shook his head.

"――It's not that simple. This dark contract requires mutual agreement. It's like twisting it deep into the mind. You have to accept it from the bottom of your heart."

Sares continued, looking into Brain's eyes.

"So, please! I don't want to kill my friend, Brain! Please join me!"

Brain looked back at Sares and replied.

"I can achieve my revenge――I won't die here. It's not a bad deal..."

"I think so too?"

Facing Sares' smile, Brain said firmly.

"But I refuse."

"――!?"

"You're mistaken. Revenge is indeed my top priority, but I haven't abandoned everything else. How could I betray the kingdom!"

Sares widened his eyes in surprise and whistled.

"Wow, you can say that even when you might die here? Your revenge will end here."

"I don't care... It just means that this Brain Milhis is that kind of man."

"Hah, you're truly Mr. Brain!"

The black flame on Sares' fingertips disappeared. His hand, the outlet for magic, aimed at Brain's face.

"At least I'll end it with one clean shot, Mr. Brain!"

Of course, Brain had no intention of dying.

Brain tried to push Sares away. He reached out to grab Sares' arm.

But Sares was also an excellent user. In this disadvantageous position, Brain couldn't overpower him.

Sares pinned Brain down with skillful weight and said with a sad smile.

"Well, goodbye, Mr. Brain. You were a good friend, but your sharpness is your downfall."

Sares' right hand aimed at Brain's face.

One word from Sares, and it would be over.

(......Damn......!)

Brain clenched his teeth, realizing the final moment.

At that moment――

He noticed something moving at the edge of his vision. On the rooftop. Someone was on the rooftop. The school building was L-shaped, and from certain angles, the edge of the rooftop was visible.

(......Who is that......?)

◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇

"Impact"

As Liz spoke, Laura's body was thrown backward.

"Ugh!"

Laura's body hit the rooftop fence and she fell to the ground with a loud thud.

"Laura!"

I positioned myself to protect Laura. Glancing behind me, I saw Laura clutching her chest and groaning.

"Ugh, ugh......"

"Are you okay, Laura...?"

"Yes――"

Laura coughed violently but didn't seem to be seriously injured. I sighed in relief.

I had let my guard down.

I never expected Laura, an acquaintance, to attack me suddenly...

I turned to Liz.

Liz was not normal. Her eyes glowed with an unusual light, and her expression was unclear. Dark scales seemed to envelop her body.

......What is that...?

"Don't move. If you move, I'll shoot."

I said, aiming my right hand at Liz. She had hurt Laura. I had no intention of holding back.

"Wait, Mr. Albert!"

A pained voice came from behind.

Laura slowly stood up, clutching her chest.

"Liz isn't in her right mind! Hurting her is――!"

"But......"

I was confused. Laura was right; Liz wasn't normal. But I didn't think talking would get through to her.

"――"

Liz muttered something and aimed her right hand at me.

It seemed she was serious.

"Liz, stop this!"

Laura's call brought an expression to Liz's face. She looked pained and groaned. Her hand trembled slightly.

"Liz――!"

"It's useless."

Laura's hopeful voice was met with a cold response.

Philbus approached us.

"Liz is controlled by the power of darkness. She responds to calls because some of her consciousness remains, but that's all."

"Power of darkness?"

Philbus nodded at my words.

"To put it simply――remember the water quality survey at Lake Biharnu where the frenzied spirit appeared? It's the same thing."

"Ah."

Indeed, that spirit was also contaminated by something black.

......

......Eh?

I realized something.

I glanced at Liz. She was holding her head, confused by Laura's call.

......There's still time.

"Mr. Philbus"

"Hm?"

"I feel that despite your casual attitude, you are a teacher who truly cares for your students. I respect that about you, Mr. Philbus."

"Wha, what are you saying now!?"

Philbus was surprised but not entirely displeased.

"Well, if you understand, I'm glad!"

"That's why I want Mr. Philbus to help. To save Liz... I have something I really want to try. Mr. Philbus, can you help me?"

"Sure! Try anything! I'll allow it!"

Philbus responded cheerfully.

I was glad he agreed so readily. Even I was hesitant to try this without permission.

After all, it's the first time I'm aiming at a person.

"Magic Arrow"

I uttered the familiar words.

However, my right hand was not aimed at Liz, but at Philbus.

"Eh?"

Philbus let out a sound at my sudden move.

My white arrow pierced his chest.

"Ugh, ugh, ugh, ugh! What are you doing, Albert!?"

Philbus rubbed his chest, then stopped moving.

"......Doesn't it hurt?"

"Good."

As I expected.

"This is a Magic Arrow that purifies the lake's contamination."

It doesn't hurt people. The target is always the 'contamination'.

Thanks to Philbus' dedication, I confirmed that my 'contamination removal' Magic Arrow has no effect on the human body.

This means I can purify the dark power controlling Liz without hurting her.

Liz will be saved unharmed.

There's no problem.

I aimed my right hand at Liz and cast the spell.

"Magic Arrow"