Miracle Summoner

Yukina immediately understood—without having to think—that things had taken a turn for the worse.

Her opponent was Rozen:

He was arguably the strongest in the world in terms of raw power.

His technical skill was unmatched—he'd developed the Mechanical Demon‑Purging Assault Spear Mark Seven, able to forcibly take control of Takehito Senga's revered Eight‑Trigrams Formation.

He had even broken the seal on the Primogenitors and summoned the God of Fault back into the world.

In magical and jujutsu proficiency, he rivaled—and perhaps surpassed—even her master, Endo Yukari.

Facing such an opponent, even wielding Sekkaro, Yukina stood no chance.

She was certain of that.

After all, she had spent every day close enough to watch Rozen display unbelievable abilities.

No one else in this world knew just how terrifying Rozen was—perhaps not even Natsuki.

So how could Yukina believe she could win?

Had Rozen held back in their last exchange? He'd already warned that if she didn't cooperate, he'd get serious.

She needed a plan...

But no idea came.

So she gripped Sekkaro all the tighter.

Unaware, spiritual energy began flowing from her into Sekkaro, activating its Embedded Divine Wave Drive—brilliant light began to radiate from the weapon.

Divine energy surged from her veins—until...

"Yukina!"

Rozen's eyes narrowed sharply.

"Huh?"

Only then did Yukina realize the enormous aura enveloping her. Her eyes went wide.

Before she could process it—

"Ugh…aaaahhhhh!"

Yukina let out a strangled scream.

The vast divine aura coalesced behind her into two magnificent wings:

A pair of wings of light.

Rozen had seen this once before—on Kanase Kanon.

That was...

"A Faux Angel!"

Rozen's expression darkened.

It was now certain:

"Yukina has triggered Angelization—she's nearly ascending into a Faux Angel!"

Rozen lifted his arm high.

"Come forth! The first Beast Vassal—Al Meissa Mercury!"

Blood mist erupted around Rozen. The ground trembled. From the crimson haze emerged a silvery, two-headed dragon, roaring defiance.

One of the world's strongest twelve Beast Vassals had made its dramatic entrance.

But Rozen hadn't unleashed its full power. The dragon was only horse-sized, its aura restrained.

"Consume it!"

Rozen ordered calmly.

"Roar!"

Both dragon heads bellowed and lunged forward like twin projectiles toward Yukina.

"Sklush!"

Tearing sounds filled the air as the wings were abruptly shredded from behind her.

The twin dragon-biters snapped and tore the divine wings into pieces, consuming them in a single violent mouthful.

As a Dimensional Devourer, Al Meissa Mercury could devour even divine energy.

"Ugh...!"

Yukina's divine aura was violently absorbed. She staggered and sank to a kneel, gasping in agony.

The brilliant glow on her silver spear died away, leaving it dark and inert.

Rozen recalled his Beast Vassal and crossed to her.

"Senpai…"

Yukina looked up weakly, words failing her.

"Sigh…"

Rozen let out an exasperated sigh, clearly displeased.

He had believed this serious, dedicated kouhai wouldn't trouble him—yet here they were.

"Hand over Sekkaro, Yukina," he said firmly as if issuing a final ultimatum. "If you remain this stubborn, I'll notify the Lion King Agency to assign me a new watcher. They'd never refuse."

Yukina swallowed and then managed a hollow laugh.

"You're right. The Lion King Agency has moniters in abundance. You can replace me any time. Someone like me is utterly…disposable."

She thrust Sekkaro into Rozen's arms and rose to her feet.

"Here's Sekkaro, Senpai."

Without another word, she dropped her gaze and fled.

...

Rozen stared after her in stunned silence.

There was no point in arguing now—his stubborn kouhai wouldn't heed him.

He sighed again.

"Serenity."

At his command, with a quiet shimmer of spirit essence, the Assassin girl appeared at his side.

"Rozen-sama."

"Stay with Yukina and protect her—for now," Rozen said, eyes never leaving Yukina's retreating form. "Without Sekkaro—and in her current state—she can't defend herself. If someone targets her now, we could be in deep trouble."

Since the Tartarus Lapse incident, Rozen had learned his lesson.

To protect his companions—everyone save for the still-deployed Aiba and Yaze—Rozen had assigned his familiar from the Hyakki of the highest caliber, able to stand their ground even against primogenitor level entity.

He had even stationed Kinu with Natsuki.

But he hadn't set a guard for Yukina—until now.

"I understand, Rozen-sama."

Serenity nodded obediently, then phased her form alongside Yukina and disappeared.

Rozen was left alone, Sekkaro in hand, eyes narrowed.

He murmured: "Looks like it's time to visit the Lion King Agency."