Chapter 54…
Encounter at the Science Museum
Just for Now
The raised right leg of Corvus was swung down toward me.
At this distance, there was nothing I could do.
Taking an attack from a Fallen Star with my bare body was almost certain death.
But if I die here, who would defeat the Fallen Stars of Serpens and Corvus?
… I can’t die yet.
If that’s the case, it’s better for my arm to become unusable than to die.
Deciding this, I anticipated where the heel would strike and braced myself with both hands.
The heel swung down in slow motion, and the sound of rain seemed distant.
I channeled starlight into my arms and steeled myself.
However, the attack never reached me.
Instead, the sound of metal clashing, loud enough to drown out the rain, echoed around. Almost at the same time, a voice shouted:
“Masato! What are you doing?!”
In front of me stood Hirahara Shirou in his navy undersuit and navy-and-orange star armor. He had intercepted Corvus’s heel drop.
Before Corvus could grab Shirou, he backflipped away to create distance, letting out a laugh as he spoke.
“Ah… you must be the rookie.”
“Just because I’m new… don’t underestimate me!”
Shirou closed the distance with a calm response to Corvus’s usual light words. Thus began the battle between Shirou and Corvus.
…but Corvus’s strength was comparable to Serpens. I couldn’t leave such an opponent to Shirou alone.
Feeling less pain in my body, I forced myself to stand.
Then, a voice came from behind: “Finally… I caught up…!”
Looking back, Yui was running from the science museum, soaked from the rain. She reached my side and asked worriedly, “Ma-kun, are you okay!?”
But “okay” or “not okay” wasn’t the point now.
I simply replied, “I just had a minor slip-up,” and got back on my feet. My Gear was still functional, so I prepared my left hand to generate another plate.
Yui grabbed my left hand.
And, whispering sadly, she said, “Don’t… do anything reckless alone.” Her grip tightened against mine, contradicting the soft words.
…That’s pushing too far.
“…What are you talking about?” I asked.
“We’re… teammates…”
…And that’s exactly the problem.
I shook off Yui’s hand and spat back,
“…This Corvus is stronger than the other Fallen Stars.”
Neither of us spoke further. The rain and distant thunder filled the air, along with the sounds of Shirou and Corvus fighting.
In the next instant, after an even louder clash of metal, Shirou rolled toward us.
Rising to his feet, he said, “Masato. Don’t rush ahead on your own. We’re teammates, right? You should rely on us more.”
Ah… that’s why I hate it.
That’s why I want to fight alone.
…but the truth is, I can’t beat Corvus alone right now.
…Then I have no choice but to use them.
If that’s the case, I have a plan.
I threw out the words, “Can you two buy me some time?”
“Oh, you have a plan? Leave it to us!”
“Yeah, we’ve got this.”
“Please, we’ll pull back for now to attack from above.”
Corvus, sounding bored, asked, “Finished talking?”
“Yeah, we’re done. Now we’re going to defeat you!”
Shouting this, Yui summoned her Repligear and generated her star armor in the usual way. She then created a staff with her right hand, holding it in front of her with both hands.
“One sheep, two sheep. From this unpleasant reality, into a world of happy dreams. Sleep, sleep, flock of sheep!”
As she finished speaking, she raised her staff with both hands. Several translucent sheep appeared and charged toward Corvus.
Corvus leapt to avoid them.
But Shirou was already in range, grabbed Corvus’s leg, and slammed him to the ground.
Shirou immediately engaged in close combat with Corvus again.
Watching Corvus move against Shirou, it felt like the movements of someone accustomed to violence.
Meanwhile, Yui continued sending the sheep on their charge while observing. Seeing this coordinated fight, I moved away from the scene, using a recognition-blocking magic just in case.
Then I hurriedly looked for a way to climb higher.
Fortunately, I found a spot quickly. If I jumped and moved skillfully along the exterior wall of the museum, I could reach the rooftop.
I activated additional physical-enhancement magic, leapt across the walls, and reached the roof.
Looking down from the rooftop, I saw the two still fighting, but clearly at a disadvantage.
…I need to help them quickly.
My Gear was still active, so I generated a plate and inserted it. As usual, I rotated my left hand clockwise, extended my left arm, and returned it to hide my eyes.
I had intended to fight alone.
I had thought I could bear everything myself.
Then no one would be hurt, no one would grieve.
But there are things I can’t do alone. There are opponents I can’t beat.
So now… just for now… I’ll rely on those two.
“Star Armor: Live Form”
At those words, I pressed the upper button on my Gear. Capricorn emerged from the center of the Gear, and my body was enveloped in light.
Within the light, I donned a navy undersuit, then layered navy-and-black armor on top.
The light faded.
There was no time to go slowly. I immediately generated a staff with my right hand and began chanting.
“Water, source of all life. Grant me your great power. Become the Fallen Star stained with filth, and a cage of water to trap Corvus.”
A blue magic circle appeared at the tip of my staff. Rainwater and nearby puddles gathered at the tip.
I used my starlight and the surrounding water to expand the sphere.
From below, I saw Yui and Shirou being blown away by Corvus’s attacks.
This is bad. I decided to jump from the rooftop.
Amidst the sound of cutting air, I heard Corvus’s voice:
“By the way, where’s Capricorn? Did you get scared and run after losing once?”
He laughed, approaching the two fallen below, unaware of human suffering, anger, or regret.
Anger naturally escaped my lips.
“That’s impossible…! Water cage, trap Corvus!”
As I spoke, I directed the staff at Corvus.
The water sphere flew toward him, enveloping him. Thanks to the Star Armor, my physical abilities were enhanced, allowing me to land safely.
I immediately gave instructions to the two below:
“Yui! Keep sending the power of sleep into this water sphere!”
“And me!?”
“Shirou, stay ready in case my attack fails!”
Following my commands, they moved. Yui used her staff to continuously generate translucent sheep in small groups, sending them charging.
Shirou maintained a safe distance from the water sphere, staying in a ready stance.
Watching this, I raised my staff again and chanted:
“Electric current, giver of progress to humanity, grant me your great power. Call down the lightning from the heavens. Strike the Fallen Star Corvus within the water cage, delivering divine judgment!”
A yellow magic circle appeared at the staff’s tip.
Simultaneously, lightning struck the circle from the black clouds above. I directed the staff toward Corvus inside the water cage.
Intense light, sound, and shockwaves erupted.
I closed my eyes, protecting myself with defensive magic.
Electric magic. Difficult to control, comparable to ice magic. I hadn’t been able to use it in middle school, but after returning to Seiun City and fighting Serpens, I had been training and adjusting. The lightning clouds above allowed me to use it in this attack.
When the light subsided, I opened my eyes. Yui and Shirou were still standing, protected by their own defensive magic. I was glad I had taught them.
Corvus lay on his back in human form, clearly affected by the attack.
In front of him lay five board-like objects.
Those are… plates.
Corvus was already getting up. If he retrieved them, it would be bad.
Shirou was the closest among us three. I quickly instructed him, “Retrieve those!”
Shirou ran off upon hearing me. Corvus also got up and ran.
They both scrambled for the scattered plates.
But Corvus quickly stepped back. He likely realized fighting someone in Star Armor while naked was dangerous.
He muttered, “Ah… three were taken. But I got what I needed, so no one will be mad. If there’s time, I’ll play with you again. Next time, I’ll go all out. See you.”
With that, the man in black transformed back into a Fallen Star and flew away, leaving black feathers behind.
In this way, we managed to repel the Fallen Star we had encountered, ending the battle in the rain.
