Outbreak

“You big idiot!”

Noel’s shout stunned everyone present… including Rebecca.

“I didn’t notice your feelings? Don’t make me laugh! The one who didn’t notice is you! Idiot!”

“…?”

Rebecca wore a bewildered expression.

…Honestly, we didn’t understand either.

“Didn’t you realize that every year, the chocolates I gave you were different flavors! And all flavors you liked! You have no idea how much effort I poured into your chocolates!”

“…Those, weren’t they just obligation ones?”

“That’s why I say—you’re a big idiot! How could obligation chocolates be made with such care! The obligation ones I give others are all store-bought! Only yours are handmade! Since you claim to have been by my side the longest, at least notice something like that, idiot!”

Rebecca visibly wavered, the flames on her body beginning to flicker.

“But… but… you rejected my confession.”

“…?”

“Who told you to run off without hearing me out!”

Noel puffed up in anger.

“What I said was, right now, I can’t respond to your feelings… because I still have to deal with family matters, the engagement, and such! So I hoped you could wait for me a while—once I’m ready, we’ll escape the family’s constraints together and elope far away! But who knew you’d run off after hearing only half! Big idiot, big idiot!”

“…Eh? But… then… what meaning did all my jealousy have…? What exactly was I jealous for?”

Rebecca fell into confusion, the flames weakening considerably, revealing her burned skin.

Seeing this, Noel showed a pained expression.

“……Let go of this meaningless hatred before it leads to irreparable mistake, turn back, Rebecca… return to the girl who would seriously listen to my complaints and chat about pointless things, with that soft heart of yours.”

“I…”

Clearly, Rebecca was moved by Noel’s words; the flames were nearly extinguished…

After all, flames fueled by jealousy would naturally die out once there was no need for jealousy.

“Oh dear… what a beautifully stunning love performance~”

But just as we thought the incident was about to end, an unbelievably sweet voice rang out.

Everyone looked up—the red devil was spreading its wings wide, floating in the air.

“…Sister Nun?”

So she was the devil that tempted Rebecca!

…Who could have imagined that a nun serving the goddess was actually a devil?

“But ending the show like this would be a bit too bland…”

With a playful smile, her inhuman pupils revealed unconcealed amusement.

A bad premonition rose in my heart…

“So… now it’s time for the encore!”

“Clap!”

As she clapped her hands, Rebecca, who had just calmed down, suddenly began sobbing in pain.

“Urgh… Yaaaaaah!”

“Now, slaughter everyone here!”

The moment the words fell, black flames reignited on Rebecca, their momentum several times stronger than at the start.

A massive black claw with fiery tongues grazed Noel’s bangs, turning a few strands of hair to ash in the wind.

“Uwah!?”

If the two maids hadn’t reacted quickly and pulled Noel back, she would likely have been in grave danger.

“Aaah!”

Like a madwoman, Rebecca began indiscriminate attacks on the surrounding students.

“Boom! Boom! Boom!”

Explosions rang out one after another.

Many students were already injured…

Even worse, Rebecca combined several flames into a massive black fireball and pushed it into the crowd.

…The scene was like an eclipse.

“Get behind me!”

I unfolded a composite magic array; a five-layered translucent barrier of multiple attributes formed in front of me.

This was the magic I used before to block Vladimir’s rays, now strengthened even further.

I was certain this time it could perfectly defend against the fireball.

“Boom—!!!”

Heat exploded outward, the residual warmth enough to melt the boys’ dormitory walls.

“Ngh…”

I felt unprecedented impact and heat.

But… I successfully blocked it!

At the same time, perhaps from expending too much power, Rebecca entered a brief respite.

I began observing Rebecca, enveloped in black flames.

Hm?

“…What’s that red thread?”

“Red thread? Is there such a thing?”

…Was it just my imagination?

I rubbed my eyes—that thread was indeed there… looking again, the other end was connected to the nun devil.

“…?”

Unlike my sudden inspiration, the others seized the moment for a temporary strategy meeting.

“As expected, once the soul is taken by a devil contract and becomes the devil’s toy, only death can be considered release.”

“Sophina”‘s words carried weight; everyone had to start considering the worst outcome.

The atmosphere grew heavy for a moment.

I couldn’t help but recall Senior Anna…

“I agree with Sophina… many students have already been injured because of her.”

One of the male protagonists supported “Sophina”.

“But… wasn’t she deceived by the devil? How pitiful…”

The more emotional male protagonist opposed.

“I think… the lives of the majority are more important.”

Lord Claude clearly leaned toward the rational side.

“Hehe~ Sentiment versus reason—which way will the scale of humanity tip~?”

The devil overlooking everything from above continued sneering.

Damn it… treating others’ emotions like a game…

Unforgivable!

The miss could not suppress her anger.

That guy is recovering… we’ve missed the best attack window, decide quickly.

This…

No one offered their opinion.

Everyone present was still just a child; forcing them to make such a choice was truly too cruel.

…

And at that moment, the green-haired girl broke from the crowd and charged straight toward the one devoured by black flames.

Miss! Dangerous!

Miss Ethan!

But she ignored the calls of the two maid ladies, charging forward headlong.

…Why is her speed so fast? Nino and Monica couldn’t catch her at all.

Don’t come! Noel… you’ll get hurt!

Noticing the approaching green-haired girl, Rebecca warned in a hoarse voice.

But Noel pressed forward resolutely.

Flames climbed her skirt hem, igniting her sleeves. She didn’t stop, casually tearing off the burning parts.

This exposed her skin, continuously eroded by the flames.

One could clearly see her expression twisted in pain… yet even so, she didn’t halt her steps.

Until the moment she pulled Rebecca into her embrace.

It was simply… no, it was a miracle.

The instant she was hugged, the fiercely burning flames on Rebecca instantly weakened to mere flickers.

Why…? Doesn’t it hurt?

The purple-haired girl stared blankly at the girl holding her.

The green-haired girl gently wiped away the other’s bloody tears, responding with a smile:

Because… you’re crying. I told you before, didn’t I? I absolutely won’t…

—abandon you when you’re crying.