Return.
Translated by M; Proofread by Ash.
It was Mitile who sprang into action, blocking Bradley to avenge Rutile and Lennox.
Looking full of pure glee, Mitile straddled his broom, clutching his precious, magical jar tightly.
Bradley was briefly shocked, then steeled his expression, raising up his rifle.
Bradley: Hey, hey, little Southie. Don’t just stand there so carelessly.
Bradley: If ya stand in my way, yer the enemy. Kid ‘r not, I won’t hold back.
Mitile: No need to hold back! B-Because I’m your opponent, no one else!
Bradley: Sigh. Suit yerself.
Mitile:《 Ortonik Sealsist-》 --ow!!
Akira:Ahh…!
Figaro:《 Possideo 》
Mitile bites his tongue on the wordy spell. At my scream, Figaro casts his own.
Instantly, Bradley’s body is entombed in a pillar of frost.
Bradley: Guwah-...!
Figaro: Mitile, try again.
Mitile: Yes…!
Mitile:《 Ortonik Sealshi-》- ugh…
Mitile: …
Mitile:《 Ortonik Sealsispipi- 》 - grrr…!
Akira: You can do it!
Figaro: It’s still early. Your tongue probably isn’t awake yet. My muscles are usually stiff in the morning, too.
While we cheered on Mitile, the frosty pillars covering Bradley began to dissipate like smoke.
Bradley: … Ugh, that shit is cold! Bastard, attack more like a Southern Wizard!
Figaro: It seems I’m still half asleep. It’s just soearly.
Figaro: Mitile, take your time. Do it like we practiced.
Mitile: Okay!
Mitile:《 Ortonik… 》
Mitile:《 Ortonik Sealsispilce 》!
At that moment, Mitile’s magical jar was encased in a faint light.
What poured out from his jar was a fuzzy, green substance resembling dandelion fluff or algae.
Bradley pales.
Bradley: What the hell!? Bastard…!
Mitile: It’s cat-grass! I was planning on using it today, so I spent so long gathering it, and–... Aa… Achoo!
Bradley: Ahaha! You did it to yerself, now--... Aa… Achoo!
Bradley is gone.
Figaro: Great job, Miti–... … Achoo!
Akira: You did it! …Uu, achoo!
Mitile: … Achoo! I’m sorry! I might’ve gotten too much…
Mitile’s voice is drowned out by the crack of lightning.
Before I even know it, I find myself in Oz’s arms.
Akira: Oz!?
Oz: …
Akira: You’re on our side, right? I thought the goal of the training was to bring me to you…
Snow: As Northern wizards, we are to be the last line of defense.
White: So we have instructed Oz to become an impenetrable wall.
Akira: Are you serious!?
Oz didn't move a muscle. His lack of reaction was concerning, as I couldn't tell if he understood the instructions or not.
It seemed the twins were dubious, too.
Snow: Oz, we will now attempt to retrieve the Sage.
White: Remember! You are notto allow us to have them!
Oz: I understand.
Oz held out his staff. In the direction he was pointing, the silhouettes of wizards on their broomsticks were visible in the distance.
They belonged to Shylock, Faust, and Figaro. The designated teachers from the countries of East, West, and South.
Figaro: Lord Snow, Lord White, what on earth are you doing?!
Snow: There has been a change of plans!
White: Oz is now serving as our own impenetrable wall!
Faust: Oz!?
Shylock: I was not made aware of this...
Figaro: Oz. You surely don't plan on going all out, yes?
Oz: I will choose my opponents carefully.
Oz: Though, the Great Calamity has the potential to surpass me.
Figaro: So what?
Oz: << Vox Nox >>
Figaro: ...!
Faust: Master Figaro!
Faust: … Uu, agh…!
Shylock: Lord Oz!
Oz: …
Shylock: I beg, please show mercy.
Oz: …
Oz: Something such as mercy…
Shylock: << Inviebelle>>
Snow: Oh my!
White: It seems he has vanished into a puff of smoke!
Snow: It appears he has outsmarted you, Oz.
Oz: ...?
White: I see you are not understanding.
Snow: You have been tricked!
White: Shylock has escaped your grasp.
Oz: …
Arthur: Master Sage!
Shino: Sage!
While the others were preoccupied in the chaos, the remaining wizards finally arrived.
Chloe: W-wait, is it actually Lord Oz that's the villain...!?
Heathcliff: Huh...!?
Some of the wizards paled in fright, while the others' eyes glittered eagerly.
Arthur: To be able to witness Master Oz in action!
Riquet: Though I may be weak, I will persevere against his powerful lightning!
Murr: Whatcha gonna do!? Whatcha gonna do, Oz!?
Oz: …
Murr: Ruh roh, danger alert!! If it hits ya, you’ll turn to stone!
Snow: Oz! Restrain yourself!
White: Are Figaro and the others still safe?
Lennox: Lord Figaro, are you all right?
Figaro: … Damn that fool… What right does he have taking over the teacher role!?
Figaro: We’ll be left without a leader! Does that idiot not understand this!?
Lennox: (He must be really mad about getting hit…)
Nero: You okay, Teach!?
Faust: …Ugh…. Cough…
Faust: ... Ngh, haha... So this Oz's fabled lightning...
Nero: ...
Faust: I never expected to experience such a thing myself. I must be stronger than I thought.
Faust: Amazing... Absolutely incredible... How was I able to even dodge that...? No, no… I'm getting too worked up.
Nero: (This guy... Sometimes he really acts like the leader of the Northern Bandits...)
Nero: (Guess it's karma...)
Shylock: ...
Rustica: Western Wizards sure are mischievous, hm?
Shylock: Rustica.
Rustica: We sure can find excitement in just about any situation.
Rustica: Are you enjoying yourself?
Shylock: I'm not entirely sure. I'd rather not withstand his lightning, but I also don't want to merely flee.
Shylock: But what I do know is Oz is surely not enjoying this.
Shylock: He's doing it for the sake of defeating the Great Calamity.
Rustica: Indeed.
Shylock: How troublesome.
Rustica: Quite so. And yet, we still want to do the things that we enjoy.
Rustica: When it comes to it, why don't we turn such a troublesome situation into something more pleasurable? Does that sound more appealing to you?
Shylock: How so?
Rustica: For now, let’s imagine we’re on the hunt for a legendary piece of golden lingerie.
Shylock: Wait a moment. Isn’t that a bit risque?
Rustica: But of course.
Shylock: It’s a touch much for so early.
Rustica: And yet, mornings are one of the most bizarre and perfect of times. The world must be mad enough for making us rise so early.
Shylock: I suppose I can’t argue with that.
Arthur: All right, let’s continue!
Cain: Bring it on, Oz!
Oz: …
Oz raised his staff with great displeasure. I held my breath, bracing myself against his power.
But there was zero flash of lightning, instead, Arthur and the others vanished from midair.