The massive ornament plummeted toward Jiro like a guillotine. The crowd screamed, scattering in panic — but for Lock, the world slowed to a crawl.
Now.
He focused the new surge of magic flooding his legs. A faint blue circle glowed beneath his feet, its runes spinning with barely contained power.
"High Speed!"
The air cracked.
Lock's body blurred — his vision streaking as he shot forward like a lightning bolt. Before Jiro could even blink, his arm wrapped around her waist.
The moment they hit the ground, he twisted, shielding her as they rolled across the floor. The ornament exploded behind them with a thunderous crash, fragments scattering across the polished tiles.
For a heartbeat, there was only silence — the ringing aftermath of impact echoing through the air.
Jiro clung to him, her body trembling. "L-Lock… you—"
"I'm fine," he said quickly, pushing himself up. His breath came in ragged bursts, a faint heat building under his skin — High Speed took a toll on his stamina, but it was nothing he couldn't handle.
The crowd rushed back in, shouting in relief and awe. Several people recorded with their phones.
"Did that kid just—"
"Was that a Quirk?!"
"Fastest thing I've ever seen…"
Lock helped Jiro to her feet. "You okay?"
She nodded weakly, brushing dust from her jacket. "I think so. But you—"
"I said I'm fine." He smiled, a little awkwardly. "Guess that thing really wanted us both crushed."
The mall's security team sprinted in, followed by a few off-duty Heroes who had been nearby. They quickly set up barriers and began clearing the area.
"Everyone move out! Keep a distance — this zone's unstable!"
Jiro was soon surrounded by first responders. The mall supervisor hurried over, stammering apologies and trying to assess damages.
Lock stepped aside, his heart still pounding.
He'd done it — his first successful rescue using Fairy Tail magic. Not a Quirk, not a gadget — real magic, burning through his veins like life itself.
Yet the System's faint chime returned before he could even relax.
[Side Mission Updated: Unknown Disturbance Detected in Vicinity. Investigate for Additional Rewards.]
Lock's eyes narrowed. The ornament incident hadn't been random — something else was happening deeper inside the mall.
He turned his gaze toward the upper levels, where emergency sprinklers flickered and smoke alarms echoed faintly.
He could feel it — the ripple of danger still pulsing in the air.
"Another one?" he muttered.
Jiro glanced at him, concerned. "What did you say?"
"Nothing. Just… stay here and let the Heroes handle it, okay?"
Before she could answer, a series of loud bangs echoed from the top floor — followed by the unmistakable sound of someone screaming for help.
Every Hero on-site froze. "Explosion?!"
The supervisor shouted, "Everyone, evacuate immediately! Lock down all floors!"
Lock's mind raced. He could walk away — he'd done his part. But the System's message was clear.
Another mission.
Another chance.
---
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