I Was Reincarnated as a Duke as a Matter of Course, So I Bought a Slave on a Whim and Now There’s No Turning Back - 16

Chapter 16: The Chance To Be a Hero

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Outside the barrier, two magical energy signatures surged at the same time.

“They’re coming!”

Almost simultaneously with the teacher’s shout, a portion of the barrier was violently gouged open. The barrier everyone there had believed in was effortlessly destroyed. Two shadows slipped into the training grounds.

“Everyone, fall back!!”

The teacher immediately stepped forward. There was no need for an incantation. Several magic circles unfolded. Fire and water burst forth at the same time.

“…!”

The two intruders instantly split up. But they didn’t stop.

“Damn, two at once…!”

The teacher took them on. He was completely focused on holding them back. …Even for sensei, was a two-on-one too much? Behind him…

“Attendants, this way!”

Someone’s attendant shouted. The attendants who had accompanied the students hesitated, but stepped forward.

Swords. Support magic. Defensive barriers. Their abilities were probably not that high. The magic power I could feel from them didn’t compare to sensei’s or the attackers’. But they didn’t run.

“We’ll protect them!”

“Get the masters back!”

Spells flew everywhere. This was bad. Just trying not to get caught in the crossfire was hard enough. At the very least, I’d throw myself in front of anyone nearby if I had to.

That was when it happened…

Another figure appeared in the hole in the barrier.

“…Th-Three of them?!”

The instant the teacher turned around, a new shadow slipped through as if ignoring the barrier entirely. The target was clear. He was obviously heading toward us.

“Stop!!”

The teacher fired off a spell. It was shot down by one of the intruders’ water magic. The third one didn’t even look back and continued toward us.

Fast.

“—This is bad!”

The attendants stepped in front of us. Fire. Earth. Light. Spells of all kinds of colors and shapes were launched at the attacker. But the difference in power was obvious.

…Good. That should at least slow him down.

That was what I thought.

“…Huh?”

A dagger emerged from beneath the intruder’s cloak. The moment I thought the dagger was aimed at the spells, every single spell the attendants had cast dispersed into mist.

…You’ve gotta be kidding me, that’s some busted cheat…

The intruder closed the distance to the attendants in an instant. One was knocked aside. Another was blown away. By the time my mind caught up with what was happening, there was no one left to protect us.

“—!”

And stepping out in front of us was… Yuka.

“…Please fall back, Luka-sama.”

Her voice was low. It wasn’t trembling.

“I will protect this place.”

Flames roared around her right hand.

She fired spheres of flame that formed and vanished. She blocked the stone arrows aimed at us with fire. She closed the distance, unleashed flames from both hands, even lunged in with punches. She was incredible.

…Yuka can fight like this?

“That’s amazing. If it’s her—”

A small glimmer of hope was born in that space.

“—Tch.”

The enemy stopped.

“Not bad… For a mere attendant.”

Shut up, you cheating show-off bastard! Drop that dagger! Weapons aren’t allowed in here!

Yuka didn’t retreat. Not even a single step. I let myself believe in that faint hope. Maybe this could work. Maybe even Yuka could win. But deep down, everyone knew reality wasn’t that kind. The intruder was strong—no, more than the intruder, that dagger was the real problem. Yuka hadn’t taken a hit yet, but when the first damage came, it would probably be hers.

Even if neither of their attacks could land cleanly, for Yuka it was a matter of how long her concentration and magic would last. It would be best if sensei could come support her, but he didn’t seem to have any room to spare either.

Frustrating—no, pathetic…! If only I had even a little more talent for magic… I could stand beside Yuka too…

Yuka’s movements began, little by little, to slow in responding to his magic. Even so, she had to stand. Because the master she believed in was behind her. Right now, that conviction alone was moving her.

“…Not yet…!”

Her magic power was on the brink.

Another spell—I have to block it.

“My objective was over here from the start.”

The spell ignored Yuka and pierced past her toward the one behind her.

“Yuka…!”

My voice. In a split-second decision, she released flames that protected her master from the blade of wind. Yuka’s gaze wavered for just an instant. That single instant became a fatal opening. The enemy’s wind blade swung through.

“—!”

It won’t make it— the blade will reach Yu—

“—Like hell it will.”

A moment before the wind blade was released, I had already started running. I broke through Yuka’s curtain of flames and stepped forward. I could see it. The wind blade was heading straight for me.

…Does that make me a hero too?

“…!”

I felt the sharp wind slice diagonally through my body. My vision was stained red by the blood that burst out.

…Ahh, this is the worst…

“—What?!”

The enemy’s stance faltered. No one understood what had happened. But I was standing in front of Yuka.

“…Ah…”

I tried to smile, and failed.

“…Yeah… Maybe this was too much…”

Blood dripped heavily to the ground.

…Ha… this is bad. Seriously bad. It hurts like hell…!!! …What is this? I’m starting not to care about anyone else anymore…

Yuka screamed.

“Luka-sama!!”

Ah—

Elysia’s voice cracked.

“Why… why…!”

Kaiel held her back.

“Don’t look!”

Allen couldn’t move.

“…No… way…”

Serena stood frozen, biting her lip. I turned back unsteadily and looked at Yuka.

“…Yuka,” My voice was hoarse.

I can’t get my voice out right… Hell, my lung’s probably done for. I can feel the air I breathe just leaking out. Well, I’m not ending it here. As an apology for those trashy thoughts earlier, I’ll go out looking cool to the very end.

…Not that I want to die, though.

“…Yo, you really did a number on me, you bastard.”

“…Are you sane?”

Of course I’m not, you idiot. It hurts like hell and I’m still forcing myself to stand. I’m about to die and yet my hatred for you won’t stop. Thanks to you my adrenaline’s pumping like crazy. It hurts so bad—just thinking hurts— it hurts it hurts it hurts it hurts it hurts like hell!

Why am I even alive?! No, this is all your fault! I’ll never forgive you! For now, I just have to buy time… and then…

“…C’mon, hurry up and—?”

Thud.

In that instant, the world swayed.

…Ahh, I thought I could go a little longer. Guess even I can’t handle injuries this bad.

I collapsed, falling powerlessly into a pool of blood before my eyes, and the place sank back into despair.

“Luka-sama!!”

Yuka screamed.

Sorry, Yuka. I still… haven’t fulfilled my responsibility yet.

That voice… For the first time… Her emotions were laid bare.

“…Lu… Luka-sama…?”

I lay collapsed on the ground, my chest barely rising and falling. My eyes were closed, with no sign of responding to her calls.

The clamor echoed— I don’t want to die, someone help—those cries repeated over and over.

“…No, Luka-sama… Luka-samaa!”

“Elysia! Don’t, you can’t go!”

“Let me go! Please! Luka-sama!”

Nothing reached the girl’s ears. As if time had stopped, she simply stared at him. In her eyes, there was only one person reflected—the boy named Luka. The one who had overwritten her past and her present alike.

“…I wi—”

“Shut up… That’s why I hate brats.”

“…I will kill you.”

“Hah?”

In Yuka’s eyes and no one else’s, flames were lit. It was as if everything from the beginning had been for this very moment.

Yuka Noctire. What would her flames be stained with? What would she think of, who would she think of, as she burned that fire?

A■■ria ■ーde■gura■■.

She remembered everything. But she believed and she saw.

Let us return once more… Under the name of ■ーde■gura■■.

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