"...Ara?"
The moment that soft sound left my lips, I realized something strange.
The interior of the staff meeting room had changed ever so slightly—as though someone had tilted the world by just a degree. The light from the window no longer shimmered naturally; instead, it hung in the air, suspended, frozen.
Michael stood by the window, looking outward with a solemn expression, while Sirzechs and Azazel were engaged in an unusually serious conversation. For a moment, I thought I had missed something, but then Azazel turned toward me, his smirk cutting through the strange stillness.
"Oh, the Sekiryuutei has come back," he said casually.
I scratched the back of my head and looked around. "Yeah… Feels like time itself has stopped."
And indeed, it had.
The air felt thick and heavy—like the very concept of motion had been stolen. Some people were completely still, locked mid-motion: Akeno with her ever-playful smile half-formed, Asia clutching her hands as if about to pray, and Koneko mid-blink. Others, however, were moving normally—Sirzechs, Serafall, Grayfia, Michael, Azazel… and even Vali, who looked as unamused as always.
"It seems only I, Ise, Kiba, and Xenovia are able to move from my family," Rias observed, her crimson hair glowing faintly even in the frozen time.
I looked around, confirming her words. Indeed, the rest of the club was motionless.
"It would appear the reason you're unaffected," Sirzechs explained, "is due to Issei being the Sekiryuutei's host. As for Kiba, his Balance Breaker's unique holy-demonic composition may have protected him. Xenovia… it seems she invoked Durandal just before time stopped."
Xenovia nodded, gripping her holy sword tightly, the weapon's divine radiance still shimmering faintly. "The moment I felt time distort, I acted on instinct. Durandal's power seemed to shield me from the effect."
I couldn't help but whistle softly. "You remembered the moment your body was about to be erased from time itself, and you fought it off? Yeah, that's… terrifying. Even for you."
She tilted her head, unsure whether to take that as praise.
"But seriously," Kiba said, glancing at Rias, "what happened?"
Rias opened her mouth to respond, but I cut in before she could.
"It's a terrorist attack," I said simply.
Everyone turned toward me in surprise, but Azazel chuckled. "You knew?"
"Yeah," I admitted with a shrug. "Let's just say I had a feeling something like this was coming."
Azazel pointed out the window. "Would you like to take a look?"
I walked over, and the sight that greeted me was like a scene out of a dark fantasy.
Bright flashes of magic illuminated the sky—dozens of robed figures floating in midair, hurling volleys of magic bullets at the school grounds. Explosions rippled across the barrier surrounding the new school building, shaking the structure slightly.
"We're under attack," Azazel said. "In every era where peace tries to take root, there are always fools who wish to see it burn."
The magicians' silhouettes were human, yet the power they wielded was far from ordinary. Each one moved with purpose and discipline, their spells precise and coordinated—professionals, not amateurs.
"These guys…" I murmured, focusing my Dragon's Aura to scan them. "Mid-class devil-level magic power, huh?"
"Exactly," Azazel confirmed. "They're magicians—humans who've adapted devil-based magic. Their arts were first developed from the ancient system designed by the legendary Merlin Ambrosius."
So, human copycats. Cute. I thought to myself.
As if reading my mind, Azazel smirked. "Don't underestimate them too much. When a Sacred Gear wielder learns magic, they can become a real headache."
"Maybe for you." I chuckled. "I'm more interested in who's leading them."
My mind drifted briefly—I knew this scenario. I knew Katarina was out there, the seductive sorceress manipulating the chaos from behind the curtain. But I had a feeling Azazel would get involved with her.
That left my true opponent—Vali.
The thought sent a ripple of anticipation through me.
It wasn't fear or anxiety I felt. It was excitement—that burning thrill of destiny unfolding exactly as I remembered.
Outside, the battle continued. The protective barrier shimmered like liquid glass under the barrage, perfectly stable.
"No need to worry about damage," Azazel explained. "This place is protected by a barrier created by myself, Sirzechs, and Michael. However…"
He glanced upward, frowning slightly. "It also means we're trapped inside for the moment."
"Then what about the time-stop effect earlier?" Xenovia asked, tightening her grip on Durandal.
Azazel's expression grew analytical. "They must've forcefully activated the Balance Breaker of the half-vampire's Sacred Gear—that boy from the vampire faction. It's temporary, but powerful enough to distort localized time."
He sighed, shaking his head. "Even so, to think it affected people inside protected zones outside the user's vision… his potential is remarkable. Still, he doesn't have enough output to affect high-level beings like us."
"Does that mean Gasper is in the enemy's hands now?" Rias asked.
~~~
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