Return.

The Shiverose is a peculiar rose that makes the user tremble violently when taken in large enough doses.

While strange, it isn’t toxic, and the user will stop trembling when hugged.

Owen: What are you doing! First you fell for Murr’s provocations, and now you can’t stop shaking!?

Nero: Just give ‘em all a hug, and it’ll stop. Hug ‘em one by one.

Owen: I’ll kill you.

Nero: How scary.

Heathcliff: Looks like you should’ve practiced, Owen.

Heathcliff: Should’ve practicedin case Cerberus ate a Shiverose.

Owen: What?

Shino: Did everyone hear that? That was high-class sarcasm coming from Lord Heathcliff of the Blanchett Family.

Heathcliff: Don’t say something like that.

Shino: I’m not criticizing you. It was a compliment. It was cute, you should be pleased.

Heathcliff: Don’t make me look bad in front of our teacher…

Faust: Hm… I have some good students.

Owen: Eat them all! Are you really doing this right now!? Quit trembling!

Shino: Give it a hug.

Heathcliff: Why don’t you hug it?

Faust: If you give it a big hug, it’ll stop.

Owen: Shut up!

Nero clutches the handle of his broom, cradling me in his arms.

He lets out a pleased laugh, speeding away with me.

Nero: Let’s get outta here while we still can, Mister Sage!

Akira: Okay…!

I also hold his broom, clenching my fingers.

A threatening, unnerving noise tore throughout the heavens.

Nero: …!

Bradley: Looks like ya dodged it.

Nero: Brad…!

Brad: Not bad. But how about dodgin’ this?

Nero: Bastard! Can’t you see the Sage is right there?

Bradley: S'your job to keep him safe. What, you wimpin’ out on me?

At my back, I could feel Nero’s rising irritation.

It was a thrill to see his languid demeanor take on a more feral tone. He growled in a low voice, his breath tickling the back of my neck.

Nero: Hold tight, Mister Sage.

Akira: Ye-... …!

I couldn’t get out my reply, afraid to bite my tongue.

Faust’s voice echos out in a panic.

Faust: Nero…! You’re acting too rash!

Nero dives amidst the bullets, racing like a whirlwind through the air.

Nero was far from being intimidated, appearing so nonchalant I wouldn’t be surprised if he even started whistling.

He narrowed his eyes with a sly smile, giving one, final look to Bradley.

Nero: Go for it then, Mister Big-Bad-Hunter.

Bradley cocks his gun, smiling menacingly.

Bradley: Can’t just let ya squirm around forever.

Bradley:《 Adnopotensum》 !

Bradley fires off his gun repeatedly. Nero skillfully and narrowly avoids each shot, but one grazes the end of his broom.

Nero: …!

Akira: Wah…!

Most of Nero’s broom and the straw adorning it fly off in an array of sparks.

Immediately, the stability of the broom is compromised. Bradley cocks his gun once more, pulling the trigger.

Nero: Brad, wait…!

But then…

The dawn sky erupts with a blinding white light.

Figaro:《 Possideo》

Bradley: …!

A hemisphere of glowing light covers the sky, as if to protect us.

One of his bullets touches the hemisphere, dissipating immediately.

Bradley: That bastard… Did’ya forget the character yer playing?

Figaro: Master Sage.

I noticed the Wizard of the South, Figaro, riding alongside us on his broom.

He gave us a smile, his magical orb floating in the air beside him.

Akira: Figa-... Wah…!

Nero’s broom was still damaged, and we rapidly flipped between falling and flying.

Nero desperately tried to control it, but it was proving to be quite challenging.

Seeing this, Figaro reaches out a hand towards me.

Figaro: Alright, Master Sage. Come here.

Akira: I-I’m moving over there?

Figaro: You don’t think that broom will keep protecting you from Bradley’s rifle, do you?

Nero: Not true…

Akira: Gya…!

Once more, the broom jerks us roughly. Nero tenses his shoulders while trying to hold us up.

Nero: … Well, guess yer right.

Figaro: Indeed. 《 Possideo》

As Figaro casts his spell, my body begins to rise into the sky.

I am rapidly tugged towards Figaro. Before I can even comprehend the situation, I’m seated upon his broom.

Figaro: Morning, Master Sage. It’s nice to be up so early.

Akira: T-Thank you.

Figaro: The training is almost done. We can have a nice breakfast after. For now, let’s just finish this up.

Akira: What about Bradley?

Figaro: Unlike Oz, I have confidence in the way I teach. I’ll leave it to my talented little students.

Figaro gives me a wink, looking quite like the cat who got the cream.

Anxiously, I glance behind us.

Bradley, atop his broom, was rapidly approached by another wizard flying at unbelievable speeds.

It was a broom with white feathers, trimmed in green… Rutile’s broom.

Rutile:《 Ortonik Setomaouge》!

Rutile: Heave-ho!

Rutile spreads out his arms. Colorful petals danced in the sky, raining down upon Bradley.

Bradley: Heave- howabout ya knock that off!? If ya plan on comin’ to the front lines, ya gotta be ready to get crushed!

Rutile: …

Rutile’s mouth gapes with empty words, nervousness showing on his face.

Just then, Bradley’s broom shook with a loud thud.

Bradley: …!

Bradley whipped around. Before he could even raise his rifle, someone kicked away the muzzle.

Standing behind him is Lennox.

He cocks up a leg, kicking the gun mercilessly.

Lennox: Hyah…!

Bradley just about manages to block his hits with the barrel of his gun.

Bradley: … Son of a bitch! Who gave ya permission to hitch a ride on my broom?

Lennox: I apologize for the interruption.

Bradley: Too late fer that! Those were some acrobatics. Did you jump up ‘ere without magic?

Lennox: We can thank Rutile’s broom expertise for that. If I were to use magic, you would’ve noticed me immediately.

Lennox: Hyaaah…!

Bradley: …Guh, you bastard! Yer tryna kill me!

Lennox: Even if I wanted to kill you, I couldn’t, as you’re a Wizard of the North. So I have to go in with the intentto kill you.

Bradley: Ugh. That’s what’s annoying about ya.

Bradley: But don’t think I’m gonna exchange fists with ya forever.

Lennox: Ah…

Bradley: Use yer magic, come on.

Lennox:《 Fo-...》

Bradley:《 Adnopotensum》

Rutile: Mister Leno!

Bradley points a single finger at him, sending Lennox backward by an invisible force, topping throughout the air.

At a breakneck pace, Rutile races after him.

Without a second glance, Bradley smoothes back his hair, shaking off the lingering, baby blue and red petals.

Bradley: Now, time to snatch the Sage. Figaro.

Mitile: Your opponent is me, Mister Bradley!!

Akira: Mitile!?