I kept my focus on the middle floor since we knew there were D Class enemies there already. There was a chance they were moving around like us, but it was unlikely. After all, if their strategy was an aggressive blitz, the best way to execute it would be to position everyone at the entrance to ambush E Class right off the bat, but they didn't. That's why it was most likely they were going the defensive route as they were nowhere to be found.

There were various reasons to justify this strategy, mainly our difference in numbers and closeness in skill level. From Zyriot and Mitsuba's fight alone, D Class must've realised that our skill levels weren't all that different. After all, Mitsuba could've easily killed Zyriot, but Zyriot barely lived and made a huge comeback. If Zyriot, their best player, struggled against one of our lower ranked players, then it was likely the rest of D Class was weak enough for the rest of the Takanori group to wipe out with ease.

This is why I always assume I'm on the back end for every situation. If I overestimate my opponent, then I'll work a million times harder to find a way to defeat them.

"Akihiro-san."

I opened a private communication line to Akihiro. He was walking together with his platoon. He was at the back, while Akari was at the front, and Kawaguchi and Tadokoro were sandwiched between them, making up their flanks.

"Yeah?"

"I've got a different task for you. It would be a waste if you die before fighting Zyriot-san, so what I want you to do is hide in one of the ground floor shops and camp there until someone runs into Zyriot-san and fights him. When that happens, I'll alert you, and you can head to that spot to intercept Zyriot-san when their battle ends."

"Are you sure that's fine? I could be defeating some D Class scrubs instead of waiting around doing nothing. Plus, sacrificing someone sounds kinda... y'know?"

"I'd rather not risk you dying by accident, even if you're confident. Plus, if you were stuck in a fight when Zyriot-san is found, you wouldn't be able to leave to go face him. I'm aware that it doesn't sound great that we're giving D Class a win, but in exchange we'll eliminate the glue that holds their class together. D Class will crumble and we'll breeze through this war. That pay-off makes it a sacrifice worth doing."

"I guess you're right... any shops you recommend?"

"Just go into the one you're closest by."

Akihiro looked to his right where he saw Cafe Yuzu, a place popular with all the girls and ikemen. Basically, only riajuus infested this place. I visited this cafe once before, but never again after that. This was because a girl from A Class named Megami Mizuki mercilessly picked on me while we were waiting in line, and ever since then, I've been too scared to go back.

"A cafe, huh?"

"Hide in the kitchen. That's the last place someone would search."

"Gotcha. I'll be waiting until then, Commander."

Akihiro ended the line with me and told his platoon what we discussed. When he hid in the cafe, Akari opened a line to me.

"Yuuto, since our group's been reduced to three members, can we split up?"

"That would be dangerous. I'd prefer if you guys stuck together in the case of an ambush."

"Well... yeah, that's true, but..."

"Is there something wrong?"

Akari lowered her voice to a whisper.

"I think... someone's following us."

I checked the camera footage available and couldn't see anyone nearby.

"I'm guessing you want to split up to force that person into the open?"

"Yeah. It's bad news if they're tailing us. They're probably feeding information to Zyriot-san and the others as we speak."

"In that case, Akari-san, you split off from the group. Kawaguchi-san and Tadokoro-san, you two stick together. That way, it's more likely your stalker will attack Akari-san, since she's alone."

If all three went their separate ways, there's no predicting who they'd target from them. By isolating Akari, we'd be forcing them to go after her. However, if they don't, and are persistent in following Kawaguchi and Tadokoro, that would mean they're keeping a tab on those two specifically. In that case, I'd ask them to split up, and we'd know who they're targeting by who they follow after.

"Gotcha. Good luck, Kawaguchi-kun, Tadokoro-chan!"

Akari split off from the group, running ahead. Meanwhile, Kawaguchi and Tadokoro kept their brisk pace, going left.

"To lure them some more, enter a shop. It's more appealing to fight in a closed area than an open one."

"Good call."

Akari ran inside the pet shop and spread her arms open. Boldly, she taunted who was following her.

"Hey, stalker! I'm right here with the cats and dogs! Come get me!"

However, the stalker came from a completely unexpected place. Like a shadow, they appeared from behind, stretching out their hand and grabbing Akari's shoulder.

Akari, riddled with cold sweat, looked over her shoulder to confront her stalker. Her eyes widened in surprise when she saw who was tailing her.

It was D Class's plain and forgettable student, Imaishi Reo.

"Yo, Akari-san."

"R-Reo-kun?!"

"Surprised? Sorry to scare you."

"Reo-kun... you were the one following us...?"

Imaishi was someone who didn't stand out at all. That's why he was the perfect background character, the perfect NPC. However, because he didn't attract attention to himself, he became invisible to everyone else. That was his advantage in this war.

"Yeah. It was my own choice. I saw you guys and wanted to fight. Hope you don't mind."

"How come... how come I didn't notice you then?!"

"Ah? It's simple. I'm D Class's secret weapon. The Invisible Man."

So my suspicions when I talked to him in the safe room was right... D Class was keeping Imaishi's role concealed because of his unusual ability to blend into the background. His gimmick was a surprise ambush in broad daylight.

Imaishi was someone who could strike from the shadows without warning and at any given moment. He must've been following them in plain sight, but they didn't notice due to his lack of presence. He was patiently waiting for a moment like this.

A moment to kill one of us.

"T-the... Invisible Man?"

"Ever since I was little, nobody has ever noticed my existence. I've always blended into the background as a "beige kid". I was invisible to everybody. I've never been acknowledged once by anybody. Not by my parents, not by my teachers, not by my peers. However, coming to this school, GEN... things started to change."

Imaishi let go of Akari's shoulder.

"This school acknowledged I existed. Then Zyriot did. Then everyone else in D Class. I thought I didn't need to be noticed to live a fulfilling life... but after tasting it once, I want more of it. I want to be seen by others. That's why... I wanted to use this war to change that nonexistent perception of me."

Imaishi pointed to the cameras floating above them.

"Everyone's watching. Everyone finally has their eyes on me. This war... is my chance to finally step into the limelight. I want to get out of this shadow... I want to be recognised by others... I want to become someone!"

Anger flashed in Imaishi's boring brown eyes.

"Akari-san... no hard feelings, but I will beat you in order to achieve that."

"Reo-kun... I never knew you felt that way, yet we've been friends for such a long time now..."

"I never felt the need to tell anyone. It was my own selfish wish. Even so, I still want to grasp it."

Imaishi smiled with a hint of sadness.

"You know, it was always fun watching you fight Riku-chan and the others. Even though I never said much, you guys never minded me being there. It's just a shame I'm fighting you first, Akari-san."

"Yeah... I don't want to kill you either, Reo-kun."

"Huh? It's not that. It's just... I've seen you fight so much, I know how you play. I've got you figured out."

That smile with a hint of sadness turned into a smile of regret. Imaishi revealed to Akari the reason he was confident that he would beat her. Akari's face shattered when Imaishi told her those biting words.

"Let's have a good fight."

"Y-yeah... let's."

Their visors locked onto each other. The fight had begun. All I could do now as Commander was wish Akari luck. Luck that she'd win against D Class's unexpected secret weapon, The Invisible Man.

However, even if he had that flashy title, Akari had an even flashier one. I had complete confidence that she would live up to her title as The Tigress.

"Stand up, Vanguard!"

"Beast Deity, White Tiger!"

"Spring Breeze Messenger!"

"First Turn: Jomko Akari."

Fortunately, Akari was chosen to go first. This was good for her, since on turn 3, she could blitz Imaishi down with a series of multi-attacks while he was on grade 2 to widen the gap between them.

"Stand and draw! I discard a card and ride Beast Deity, Scarlet Bird! White Tiger lets me draw!"

When she drew from her starter, a smirk appeared on her face.

"Let me guess, you drew Shout?"

"You betcha! I call, two Screamin' and Dancin' Announcer, Shout!"

Because of the Ride Deck, Akari was able to hard mulligan for the most important advantage engine in her deck: Shout. It seems she was able to secure one in her starting hand, then top decked the second from White Tiger. However, in this match-up, Shout was a double edged sword. The two outcomes of Shout were either a draw or a soulcharge. For Akari, her most desirable outcome would be the draw, but for Imaishi, both of these outcomes were desirable.

This was because of Agravain's most powerful skill, which costed a whopping twelve soul. Activating it prevented the opponent from calling trigger units for the rest of the game. This skill was also the reason why Akari was opting to discard trigger units for the cost of riding from her Ride Deck, as it was better to give use to them before Imaishi rendered them useless.

The issue with spamming Shout's skill, and winning from it, is that Akari would actually be helping Imaishi work towards his goal of twelve soul. This put her on a very short timer, where she had to kill Imaishi before he could set his bomb off.

"Shout's skill! We reveal the top cards of our decks, and if their grades are different, the fighter with the higher grade gets to draw, while the fighter with the lower grade soulcharges! If it's the same, we both draw! Reveal! (Kick Kick Typhoon) Grade 2!"

"(Liberator of the Flute, Escrad) Grade 2 also."

They both added the cards to their hand. Even though the additional cards were nice to have, I'd bet that Imaishi's secretly hoping to lose to accelerate building his soul.

"Shout once more! (Brutal Jack) Grade 2!"

"(Knight of Sound Health, Cunedagius) Grade 1, you win."

Imaishi sent his card to soul and Akari added her card to hand.

"Alright! Turn end."

Akari:
Hand: 6
Damage: 0
OXO
XOX

Imaishi:
Hand: 6
Damage: 0
Soul: 1
OXO
OOO

"Stand and draw! I ride Little Battler, Tron from my Ride Deck! I draw and get a Quick Shield from Messenger! Tron attacks! (8000)"

"No guard!"

"Drive check! (Greeting Drummer) Front trigger... talk about bad timing, huh? (8000 > 18000)"

Checking front triggers without having a front row was one of the most painful things someone could experience.

"Damage check! (Three Minutes) Draw trigger! All to vanguard and draw! (8000 > 18000)"

"Tron's skill, when its attack hits a vanguard, I check the top card of my deck and call it to rear-guard. I call, Interlude Angel. Skill, activate!"

Imaishi's visor began glowing glittering gold.

"Sword Dance! When I superior call a unit to rear-guard from deck, I soulcharge one! Angel's skill, when she's called by a card ability, I put her into soul to check the top card of my deck and call it to rear-guard. I call, Knight of Phosphorescence, Langlee. Turn end."

Through a chain of skills, he built his soul up by two more cards on the first turn. Imaishi was now a third of the way there. On the flip side, thanks to the draw trigger she got, Langlee wouldn't be able to hit Akari's vanguard.

Akari:
Hand: 7
Damage: 1
OXO
XOX

Imaishi:
Hand: 9
Damage: 0
Soul: 4
XXO
OOO

"Stand and draw! I discard a card and ride Beast Deity, Typhoon Bird! Her skill, I counterblast and look at the top five cards of my deck and call a non-grade 2 "Beast Deity" from among them to rear-guard as rest! I call, Ultra Beast Deity, Illuminal Dragon! Let's Shout it up! Reveal! (Clear Frame "Whirling Wash of Curse Cleansing") Grade 3!"

"(Dantegal) Grade 0... you crushed me that time."

"Once more, reveal! (Beast Deity, Scarlet Bird) Grade 1!"

If she could win this gamble, she'd draw Scarlet Bird, which would let her restand her rested Shouts for another two uses of his skill in this turn. That would total to four Shouts in a turn, and another two chances for Imaishi to gain soul. He must've been praying to lose here.

"(Halo Shield, Mark) Grade 0 again... for once, can I draw something other than my triggers?"

Imaishi made light banter to cover up the fact he was ecstatic over the possibility to gain another two soul this turn, sending him to eight total. Would Akari continue to spam Shout's skill in an attempt to draw more cards, or would she slow down to stop Imaishi amassing the soul he so desperately needed?

"I call, Giant Elephant Battler, Paon Mask and Beast Deity, Scarlet Bird!"

So this was the hill Akari was dying on. I didn't blame her for it, though. I basically drilled it into everyone's heads that card advantage was extremely essential, and Shout was one of the freest engines for it. Even though she was giving Imaishi an excessive amount of soul, she was also drawing an absurd amount of cards in return.

"Bird's skill, when placed, I soulblast and stand all my units! Get up, Illuminal, Shout, and Shout! Since I stood two or more units in total and White Tiger is in my soul, I draw a card! Elephant's skill, since one of my units stood by a card ability, him and my vanguard get +10k! (9000 > 19000) (9000 > 19000) Let's Shout it up again! Reveal! (Beast Deity, Glanz Dragon) Grade 1!"

"(Knight of Hard-work, Alienor) Hey, a grade 2. I won for once!"

Even though he didn't get to soulcharge off Shout's skill, Alienor had a skill that could put itself into soul, so the outcome was the same really.

"Again, reveal! (Beast Deity, Azure Dragon) Grade 3, try and beat that!"

"(Knight of Flying Rings, Edmund) I can't, so I'll just tie with you instead."

After four Shouts, the total score was two wins for Akari, one win for Imaishi, and one tie. Overall, Akari had drawn so much in this turn alone, I was almost sure she was prepared to kill him on turn 3.

"Boosted by Scarlet Bird, Typhoon Bird comes flying in! (19000 > 27000)"

"One to pass with Elixir Sommelier! (28000)"

"Drive check! (Giant Elephant Battler, Paon Mask) No trigger..."

It seems Imaishi was trying to play around Illuminal's +15k skill.

"Elephant! (19000)"

"The Greeting Drummer from earlier greets you again! (23000)"

"Illuminal Dragon! (12000)"

"No guard! (Knight of Hard-work, Alienor)"

"Alright! Turn end!"

Akari:
Hand: 10
Damage: 1
XXX
XXX

Imaishi:
Hand: 9
Damage: 1
Soul: 6
XXO
OOO

"Stand and draw! I ride Liberator of the Flute, Escrad from my Ride Deck! When he's placed, if my vanguard is either him or Agravain, I check the top card of my deck, and call it to rear-guard! I call, Cunedagius! I call Tron, Langlee, and Alienor to rear-guard! Boosted by Cunedagius, Escrad attacks! (9000 > 17000)"

As if to match her aggression, Imaishi filled out his board with his excessively large hand size and began his revengeful assault.

"I guard with Wall Boy! (29000) No pass!"

It was good that Akari was using her trigger units now instead of saving them for later. However, she'd have to take some of the attacks, because her deck needed the counterblast.

"Drive check! (Full Cavalier Dragon) Alienor attacks! (9000) His skill, since I called two or more rear-guards this turn, he gets +5k! (9000 > 14000) Then, since I called four or more, he gets another 10k! (14000 > 24000)"

"No guard! (Screamin' and Dancin' Announcer, Shout)"

"At the end of the battle, Alienor goes into soul. Boosted by Tron, Langlee attacks! (9000 > 17000) His skill, since I called two or more rear-guards this turn, you can't intercept! Then, since I called four or more, he gets +5k! (17000 > 22000)"

"No guard! (Shining Lady) Ouch, a wasted crit..."

"Turn end."

Imaishi was now two thirds of the way of achieving twelve soul. If Akari wasn't careful, she'd accidentally give him enough to use Agravain's skill on his turn 3.

Akari:
Hand: 8
Damage: 3
XXX
XXX

Imaishi:
Hand: 7
Damage: 1
Soul: 8
XXO
XXX

OST: Conciliation

"Stand and draw! Azure flash from the sky, howl proudly, and paint this ring in the colour of regal blue! Blood and oil are the same type of fuel, so rush on endlessly, king of the jungle! I discard a card and ride my avatar, Beast Deity, Azure Dragon!"

"Imaginary Gift: Accel II! Draw a card! Azure's skill, when he's placed, I counterblast to draw a card, call Brutal Jack (9000 > 14000), and have him attack your vanguard! Jack's skill, he gets +10k on my turn! (14000 > 24000)"

"No guard! (Dantegal) Front trigger! (9000 > 19000) (9000 > 19000)"

Akari's opportunity to blitz Imaishi while he was on a 9k base had been stomped out by that single damage trigger. Imaishi had done the correct play there too, as Jack wouldn't stand if the attack hit him. Though, Jack had an inbuilt skill to stand himself, so it might not even matter. Regardless, Akari didn't let that dampen her spirits.

"Illuminal's skill, since an attack hit, he gets +15k! (12000 > 27000) Let's Shout it up! Reveal! (Ultra Beast Deity, Illuminal Dragon) Grade 3!"

"(Knight of Strong Favours, Berengaria) Grade 2, you win again."

"Once more, reveal! (Beast Deity, Glanz Dragon) Grade 1!"

"(Greeting Drummer) Grade 0."

Imaishi was edging closer and closer to twelve soul. Right now, he was at ten.

"I play my order, Clear Frame "Whirling Wash of Curse Cleaning"! I choose one of my circles and stand the rear-guard on that circle! I stand Shout, and since I did, I get to draw a card! Elephant's skill, since a rear-guard stood by a card ability, he and my vanguard get +10k! (9000 > 19000) (12000 > 22000) Now, let's Shout it up again! Reveal! (Kick Kick Typhoon) Grade 2!"

So this is her choice. It was a gamble with almost no benefits to her, and all benefits for Imaishi, yet she still did it anyways. If she won here, Imaishi would go to eleven soul. Next turn, he would ride and go to twelve. Akari's timer would run out. She had to lose this one.

This was the Shout of Fate.

"(Little Battler, Tron) Grade 1."

Destiny had decided. Imaishi was now at eleven soul. Next turn, he'd be able to steal the spotlight from Akari's domineering early game by using his avatar's most powerful skill on turn 3, something rarely ever seen before.

Akari was communicating to Imaishi through her cards that she wanted him to achieve his own personal dreams in this fight, but at the same time, continuously built upon her own presence to also show that she wasn't going easy on him. Her confidence to win was perfectly expressed through her brazen spamming of Shout over the past few turns, despite knowing its consequences.

"Illuminal Dragon attacks first! (27000)"

"No guard! (Interlude Angel)"

"Boosted by Scarlet Bird, Azure Dragon takes flight! (22000 > 30000) When he attacks, I counterblast to stand Illuminal Dragon! Spring into action, Guerrilla Spearhead!"

"Mark, perfect guard!"

Azure Dragon dived straight into Escrad, his spear illuminated in blue, only to crash into the array Mark made from his halo shield instead.

"Twin Drive!! (Twin Blader) Draw trigger! Power to Illuminal and draw! (27000 > 37000) (Kick Kick Typhoon) Elephant! (19000)"

"Langlee, intercept! (24000)"

"Illuminal Dragon! (37000)"

"No guard! (Knight of Fury, Agravain)"

"Ah... that didn't really have much impact... turn end."

Akari mumbled to herself as her high-powered blitz had been mostly neutralised by the damage trigger he got. If it didn't, he would've either eaten a lot more damage, or wasted a lot more cards to guard.

Akari:
Hand: 15
Damage: 3
XXXX
   XXX

Imaishi:
Hand: 5
Damage: 4
Soul: 11
OXO
XXX

"Thank you, Akari-san. I don't know if I can properly convey to you how deeply that action touched me. It sounds like a small thing, but it wasn't. Because you gave me this chance, I'll wholeheartedly show you what kind of man I aspire to be."

The aura around Imaishi changed. In that life changing moment, the aura he never had fully came to life. If there was a colour to describe the intense feeling coming off this man right now, it would be pure gold with streaks of dark red. That meek and unassuming face peeled away, revealing a feral side of Imaishi that no one had seen before.

It was like his brown red hair perfectly matched the hot red expression of anger on his face. It spread rapidly as he arched eyebrows, tightened his thin lips, and narrowed his dull eyes. As that heat quelled, what remained was the face of a delinquent.

"Aight... I think I'm ready now. D Class taught me everything I know about being a "person". I ain't gonna take that for granted!"

Imaishi took out a comb and slicked his long hair back into a pompadour.

"Selfish morality and biased judgment are the only two virtues of this demon king from hell! Torture the innocent, laugh at the weak, and spit on the snowflakes, my avatar! I ride Knight of Fury, Agravain from my Ride Deck!"

Twelve soul. The countdown was over.

"Imaginary Gift: Accel II! Draw a card! I move Langlee up and call Cunedagius and Escrad to rear-guard! Escrad's skill, I call Edmund from the top of my deck! (12000 > 17000) Escrad's skill, counterblast and give him +5k! (9000 > 14000) Agravain's skill! This is fo' the homies in D Class!"

Imaishi took a deep breath, hot smoke steaming out of his nostrils. His body was on fire as he had completely stolen the spotlight.

"Soulblast 1 for Mikitaka, who taught me how to style my hair! Soulblast 2 for Kazuki, who taught me how to play sports! Soulblast 3 for Shouhei, who taught me how to threaten others! Soulblast 4 for Rokurou, who taught me how to steal! Soulblast 5 for Zenkichi, who taught me how to lie! Soulblast 6 for Suehiro, who taught me how to ride a gang bike! Soulblast 7 for John, who taught me the delinquent diet! Soulblast 8 for Albert, who taught me posture! Soulblast 9 for Gentarou, who taught me delinquent speech! Soulblast 10 for Souichirou, who taught me how to fight! Soulblast 11 for Ishigami, who taught me delinquent etiquette! Soulblast 12 for Zyriot, who was the first ever person to truly recognise and praise me! The sands of time have run out for you! For the rest of this fight, you can only call normal units! This is the demon king's countdown to doomsday— the Clock of D!"

In the murky purple depths of the underworld, the shrieking cries of crows could be heard in the distance, as the handles of a rustic grandfathers clock emerging behind Agravain struck midnight. The golden bells beneath the clock chimed together, ringing out a warning of death. With a single phantasmic slash of Agravain's time-splitting sword, Azure Dragon was stuck in a loophole of being unable to use trigger units from the impact of that violent shock.

"Boosted by Tron, Langlee attacks! (9000 > 17000) Since I called two or more rear-guards, ya can't intercept!"

"I guard with Glanz Dragon! (22000)"

"Boosted by Cunedagius, Escrad attacks! (14000 > 22000) Cunedagius' skill, since my vanguard is Agravain and I called two or more rear-guards, Escrad gets +3k! (22000 > 25000)"

"I guard with Glanz Dragon and Jack! (27000)"

"Edmund attacks! (17000) His skill, I put Cunedagius into my soul and give him +10k! (27000)"

"No guard! (Clear Frame "Whirling Wash of Curse Cleaning")"

"Edmund returns to my hand. Agravain attacks! (12000) His skill, I counterblast and put all my rear-guards into soul! I look at cards from the top of my deck equal to the number of cards I called this turn, three, and I can call any number of cards from among them to rear-guard! I call, Edmund (12000 > 17000), Alienor, and Escrad to rear-guard! Escrad's skill, I call Cunedagius from the top of my deck! Then, counterblast to give him +5k! (9000 > 14000) Rock 'n roll with fury, Vendetta Berserk!"

"I guard with Scarlet Bird and Kick Kick! (27000) Two to pass!"

"Aight, time for me to rip a fat double front! Twin Drive!! (Knight of Phosphorescence, Langlee, Greeting Drummer) Eh, close 'nuff. (17000 > 27000) (9000 > 19000) (12000 > 22000) (14000 > 24000) Alienor attacks! (19000) His skill, since I called four or more rear-guards, he gets +15k! (19000 > 34000)"

"No guard! (Three Minutes) Draw trigger! All to vanguard and draw! (12000 > 22000)"

Imaishi had now successfully pushed Akari to five damage. Would he be able to end it with his remaining two attacks?

"Alienor goes to soul. Boosted by Cunedagius, Escrad attacks! (24000 > 32000) Cunedagius' skill, since I called four or more rear-guards, Escrad gets +8k! (32000 > 40000)"

"I guard with Scarlet Bird, Elephant, and Jack! (22000 > 32000 > 37000 > 42000)"

"Edmund attacks! (27000) His skill, I put Cunedagius into soul and give him +10k! (27000 > 37000)"

"I guard with Shout, Elephant, and Kick Kick! (22000 > 27000 > 32000 > 42000)"

Somehow, Akari managed to survive it, even when handicapped to normal units. Imaishi snarled, keeping maintenance on his pompadour by combing it back.

"Damn it... Edmund returns to my hand, and I end my turn."

Akari:
Hand: 5
Damage: 5
XXXX
   XXX

Imaishi:
Hand: 8
Damage: 4
Soul: 7
OOXX
   OOO

"Alright... it's time to give this all I've got. Everything but Jack stands and draw! Burn up the sky and scorch the ground with the instinct of an apex predator! Blood is thicker than oil, so pour it all out in a single upheaval that shines brighter than the North Star! I ride my avatar next, Ultra Beast Deity, Illuminal Dragon!"

"Imaginary Gift: Accel II! Draw a card! I call Kick Kick Typhoon (9000 > 14000) and use his skill to give Elephant +5k! (9000 > 14000) I play the order Clear Frame "Whirling Wash of Curse Cleansing" to stand Jack and draw a card! Elephant's skill, since a rear-guard stood by a card ability, he and my vanguard get +10k! (14000 > 24000) (12000 > 22000) Jack swings in first! (24000)"

"No guard! (Knight of Strong Favours, Berengaria)"

To try and make Akari's deadly final somersault rush easier to guard, Imaishi dug for a damage trigger by taking the fifth damage. Unfortunately, he hit nothing and was now forced to guard everything, the perfect conditions for Illuminal to shine.

"Since an attack hit, both my Illuminal's skill activate! (12000 > 27000) (22000 > 37000) Boosted by Bird, Illuminal charges into battle! (37000 > 45000)"

Illuminal exploded in a thick layer of golden light, banishing the bubble of the underworld Agravain had dragged them in with his Clock of D. Returning to the lush and wild jungle, Illuminal burst forward at the speed of light, seemingly disappearing and reappearing in front of Agravain with it's staff pointed at his neck.

"Out here in the jungle... you're my prey! Tear him to pieces, Light-speed Scavenger!"

"Mark, perfect guard!"

However, an array manifested between them, causing Agravain to bounce back and Illuminal to break the shield in his attempt to guillotine Agravain's head off. Mark, hiding in the distance behind some bushes, breathed a sigh of relief.

"Twin Drive!! (Beast Deity, Scarlet Bird, Beast Deity, Azure Dragon) Boosted by Shout, Illuminal! (27000 > 33000)"

"Greeting Drummer and Edmund guards! His skill, if I have a grade 3 or greater vanguard, he gets +10k shield! (37000)"

"Elephant! (24000)"

"Elixir Sommelier guards! (32000)"

"Illuminal's skill! Since the attack didn't hit, I counterblast to stand Elephant with +10k! (24000 > 34000) I activate my Skill!"

Akari's visor began glowing forest green.

"Savage Jungle! When my rear-guard stands by an ability, I can give it +5k! Elephant goes savage! (34000 > 39000) Then, Illuminal makes it attack your vanguard again! (39000)"

"Edmund, Edmund, and Interlude guards! (42000)"

Imaishi had used up all of his hand to stop Akari's attacks thus far. The only shield he had left was an intercept with Escrad, but with Kick Kick being the next to attack, everyone knew what the conclusion of this fight was going to be.

"Kick Kick Typhoon! (14000) His skill, since my front row is filled, I counterblast to stand Elephant!"

"Escrad, intercept! (17000)"

A look of defeat surfaced on Imaishi's face as he ran out of all of his defences.

"Boosted by Shout, Elephant attacks! (39000 > 45000) Finish this, The Tentacle Trunk Tag Team Takedown!"

Agravain looked up to the thick jungle trees above him. Falling down from them was an octopus, Shout, who wrapped him up in his tentacles and hung him from a tree branch, and an elephant, Paon Mask, who subsequently used the upside down Agravain as a punching bag.

"No guard! (Knight of Fury, Agravain)"

Paon Mask killed Agravain in three heavy punches. Shout let go of his body, making it fall down, just like Imaishi's pompadour when he took the sixth damage and lost. A pop-up appeared on our visors.

"Imaishi Reo is dead."

His brown red bangs hung over his reserved face. His body was hunched over the holographic fight table. His hands gripped the sides of that table so hard, they were shaking.

His transformation into a delinquent disappeared as fast as it had appeared. He returned back to his regular, boring self. He returned to being unheard and unseen by others.

Imaishi lifted his head and stared straight into the camera hanging over his head. He began speaking from his heart as it focused on him.

"Sorry... Zyriot... Ishigami... Souichirou... Gentarou... Albert... John... Suehiro... Zenkichi... Rokurou... Shouhei... Kazuki... Mikitaka... and Tetsuya... and Riku-chan... and Mariko-san and Kana-san and Hoshimi-san and Kanon-san... and Yuki-san and Hiroko-san and Kaede-san and Sayuri-san and Ryouka-san and Haruko-san and Nanami-san... I failed you all. I was supposed to be our "secret weapon" against E Class, but I blew it. It was pointless trying to make me stand out, but you guys still tried to do that much for me. Thank you for giving me this chance, everyone. You guys really are the best class someone like me could ever ask for!"

Imaishi smiled.

He turned his back away from the camera and headed outside the mall.

"Reo-kun, wait!"

Akari ran after him, calling out to Imaishi.

"Akari-san?"

"I want you to know that, before you go... I recognise you! Not just me... but everyone else in E Class too! After that fight we had, I'm sure they do! And if they didn't know who you were before, they definitely will from now on!"

Imaishi just shook his head and laughed slightly.

"Thanks, but I don't need pretty words to make me feel better. I'll move on from this loss. Just know that the next time we fight, whether it be casually or in another war, I'll win."

"Bring it on, Reo-kun!"

As he walked away, so did the cameras, as they focused elsewhere. Meanwhile, I opened a communication line with Akari.

"He's quite the lively one when he wants to be, huh?"

"I've never seen Reo-kun look so cool yet ridiculous at the same time before. The whole delinquent thing doesn't work on a baby face like that guy."

"I was surprised he was able to make a pompadour out of nowhere."

"Right?! Too bad his hair is so flat, it really needed some volume to look good."

"Anyways, you should probably regroup with Kawaguchi-san and Tadokoro-san."

"Yep, I'll head over to them right now! Where are they?"

I informed Akari of their positions, before turning my attention to the middle floor. The Yukina platoon had been ambushed.