Standing at a position somewhat away from the three, the Masked Woman was grinding her teeth in vexation.

  "Tch. The surprise attack ended in failure, huh. All three escaped."

  However, she regained her composure immediately and shouted instructions to the Flame Dragon, linking her mind within her brain. Originally, it was within assumption that she couldn't kill them all with just a surprise attack.

  『Flame Dragon. The next target is the chain of command. Burn down the supervisors' tent.』

  The Flame Dragon, controlled and having lost its sanity, raises a growl that roars throughout the area. The wild birds that were sleeping flapped their wings in a panic and fled at full speed.

  The students also woke up one after another and were shaken, wondering what was happening. Lights began to turn on here and there in the tents.

  Faster than they could slip out of the tents, the Flame Dragon created a huge fireball in front of its maw with a breath different from the fire breath. Its size and density far exceed the Fireball Magic [Volket-Dara] used by Argus in the Magic Tournament final—even that is a high-ranking magic of [Volket].

  A fire calamity far beyond the realm of humans was about to attack again.

  What!? I thought that dragon was targeting only us, but it seems the target this time is different. While determining the enemy's aim and holding my stance without relaxing vigilance—a huge fireball was released.

  Accompanied by a tremendous heat wave, it descended in the blink of an eye and—.

  It directly hit the supervisors' tent where Karla-senpai and others were.

  At the shocking sight, not a single one of us could even raise a voice. A moment after light and heat exploded, the tent disappeared without a trace. Nothing remained afterwards except the scorched ground.

  It was too abrupt an event. My mind can't catch up immediately. I didn't want to admit it. Still, the cruel understanding came a few moments later.

  "No way... It's a lie, right...?"

  "No... something like this..."

  "It can't be... no..."

  Senpai's lively smile floats in my mind and fades away.

  "Karla-saaaaaaaan!"

  ""Karla-senpaaaaaaaai!""

  But ruthlessly, there was no time to grieve. The Flame Dragon was already about to enter the next attack. When its spread wings shone, the atmosphere trembled with the rising wave of Magic Power.

  —It was written in the Magic Creature Illustrated Book. When the Flame Dragon's wings shine crimson, countless burning thorns attached under the wings are fired.

  A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

  That is a missile of death raining down over a wide range. The whole area will be riddled with holes like a pincushion. Everyone won't get away safely.

  While everyone, including Alice and Milia, was swallowed by the overwhelming sight and unable to move even a twitch. Only I, trembling with anger burning as hot as the dragon, shouted.

  "Dammit! I won't let you do whatever you want anymore—!"

  I will absolutely stop you!

  Strong blade of wind! Tear the wings!

  [Rafalusraid]!

  I release the high-ranking magic of [Rafalus] simultaneously from my left and right hands, two shots. The large blades of wind generated by highly compressing the air become a pair of huge twin swords and run up the sky. Soon, it directly hit the base of the spread dragon wings.

  But there was only a very slight scratch on the wings. It only caused insignificant damage.

  Shit! Its magic resistance is too high!

  Still, the desperate resistance was not in vain. It had the effect of interrupting the attack that would have been inevitable destruction if activated. The Flame Dragon glared at me, the nuisance standing below, with sharp eyes as if to shoot me to death.

  "Come down here! I'll be your opponent!"

  Raising my voice, I provoke it with all my might. My own safety is secondary. If I don't drag that guy down from the sky, there is no way to deal with it.

  Guaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!

  The dragon's roar thunders. Fixing its target completely on me, it shrunk its wings and came toward me in a nosedive.

  The Masked Woman was astonished by the unexpected situation.

  Impossible! You say I can't control it fully!?

  The boiling fighting instinct of the dragon was about to overcome the effect of the subjugation magic. This was something that could happen when the target to be subjugated exceeded the rank of the caster. But for the Masked Woman who used the restored Lost Magic without doubting its effect, there is no way to know that. No matter how many times she called, the Flame Dragon no longer obeyed. What remains in him is only anger at his pride being hurt.

  "So. That's how it goes..."

  She finally gave up and had no choice but to swing her fist down powerlessly.

  "Fine. Flame Dragon. Rampage to your heart's content. Do it!"

  She decides to see it through. The outcome of this battle. The end of the foolish lambs who defied them.

  "Alice! Milia! I'll attract this guy for a while!"

  The two turned around startled. I continue as is.

  "I ask you two to deal with the Rhinos! Come help immediately when you're done!"

  I understood more than enough from the exchange just now that it is an opponent I can absolutely never match alone. It's tough, but we have no choice but to grasp a chance of victory by combining our powers as a trio somehow. If I give up, everyone won't be saved. I won't give up! The two, who finally regained themselves, nodded firmly.

  "Got it!"

  "Understood!"

  The reliable two rushed out immediately. Rhinos are also quite vicious, but if they cooperate with classmates, they should manage somehow. It's okay. It's not a gathering of humans who will just be beaten silently. Let's believe. Looking back, the Flame Dragon was already approaching right in front of me.

  Alright. First, separate it from everyone.

  With this magic that I have desperately improved repeatedly since that attack incident and further increased the speed.

  Accelerate.

  [Falspeed].

  Clad in the power of wind, I started running through the forest at top speed as if weaving through the trees. The Flame Dragon, in contrast to me, chases forcibly knocking down trees.

  Come as you are. When we are far enough away, that is the beginning of the real battle.

  While barely dodging the occasional attacking breath of fire, I just continued to run. Running until the situation over there became completely unknown, I transform into a man.

  The dragon, said to have the power to read Qi, showed slight bewilderment at the sudden emission of powerful Qi from me.

  "With this, finally my attacks will go through."

  I emitted a white shining Qi sword from my left hand and thrust it at the Flame Dragon.

  "Prepare yourself. Even if I'm much tinier compared to you, I have my pride!"