Yukihime was lost in thought.
The existence of the [Black Ghosts] was a secret that Goto had kept well hidden.
So well, in fact, that the [New Dawn] had no information about them.
A doubt began to weigh on the heart of the [Omega Mage]: "What if we aren't ready?"
She and her companions had spent years preparing for the day they would overthrow the [Black Corps], yet they did not know one of their enemy's dirtiest secrets.
What if Goto had more tricks up his sleeve?
Their victory was not guaranteed, even though they were well-prepared for the eventuality; Yukihime would not lead those who had trusted her into guaranteed slaughter.
"Tell me everything you know." (Yukihime)
"I will. But I want guarantees first." (Ivan)
Ivan hadn't shut up since meeting the [Omega Mage].
The man was smart enough to realize that she was on another level.
This frightened him but also gave him hope. Perhaps there was actually a chance that Goto could be killed.
So the man began to speak about the [Black Ghosts] and what they did, without revealing too much.
From the expressions on the vampire's face, it was clear she was interested in the information. Ivan couldn't hide his smile.
"Guarantees? What makes you think you're in a position to negotiate with us?"
"Well, obviously I have a lot of information that you lack."
"I can simply wait for that USB drive to come out of your body."
"Maybe. But not everything is hidden there. There are many other secrets in my head."
The red eyes of the [mage] glowed with intensity as her murderous instinct filled the small cell within the bunker that Cloe and the others considered home.
Ivan began to sweat profusely from fear but tried not to show it on his face. It was time to put aside his ego and pride for survival.
"I could read your mind." (Yukihime)
"N-no, you wouldn't.... I'm not just any amateur; I might have very strong mental defenses, or I could give you false information if you use force... what I want is a deal in exchange for what I know." (Ivan)
"Hmmm... we'll see. For now, you'll stay here."
With a wave of her hand, the [Omega Mage] froze the [Black Ghosts] before he could even scream from the cold. When he was a statue of ice, the leader of New Dawn left the cell, closing the door behind her.
"(I need to discuss this with the others..... meanwhile, I need to think about-)"
"Hey! How long!"
Yukihime's thoughts were interrupted by the voice of Kimiko, the new addition to Fumio's team.
As usual, the girl was entirely disrespectful towards her, throwing an arm around her neck as if they were old friends. For her, invading someone else's personal space wasn't a problem.
"Kimiko-kun, I see you've settled in to your...liking."
The [Omega Mage] observed with a cryptic eye the graffiti made by the young [mage] on the walls of the base. She couldn't deny that Kimiko had talent when it came to using spray paint to create this kind of art, even though she really couldn't fully understand it.
"Do you like them? Thank goodness! These old gray walls were boring without a bit of color!"
As the two talked, Fumio arrived, clearly not happy based on the expression on his face regarding how Kimiko had expressed her artistic skills.
"Did you really have to do this? These walls....."
"They won't be compromised by a bit of art! If they were so fragile, we'd need to change our home, don't you think, F-u-m-i-o-sensei?"
Kuro and Hajime's master was already at his limit. This was one of the reasons why the vampire did not want to put this impertinent girl here.
Kimiko's cheekiness and arrogance would often clash with Fumio's seriousness.
"(I really hope the team dynamics don't suffer......)" (Yukihime)
"Since you're here, give us a report on what happened today." (Fumio)
"I kicked that pervert's ass! I hit him so hard in the balls that he won't ever have an erection again—" (Kimiko)
"Strange, from what I know, it was Kamijo-san who beat him, Owari-san."
"Minor details...and besides, I weakened him for him. It was a good way to get accepted into the team." (Kimiko)
"You were perfectly capable of beating him on your own, yet you underestimated him, didn't you?" (Fumio)
"Well, at least I didn't end up like the guy who used the scythe. By the way, how's he doing? I'm sorry for him for having such a—" (Kimiko)
"Kimiko-kun, could you please tell us what happened this evening? In detail!" (Yukihime)
Kimiko hesitated a bit before starting to speak. Yukihime was the only person she respected, so she was the only one she listened to without making jokes or provocations.
By the end of the recounting, neither Fumio nor the woman were happy with what they heard.
Why?
Hajime had spoken. He was about to spill everything. About them, about the [New Dawn], about their plans, despite being told multiple times that secrecy was their greatest priority and strength.
His master was torn; on one hand, he could understand Hajime not wanting to risk the life of his teammate. The camaraderie between Kuro and Goto's stepson was stronger than he realized.
But another part of him was angry. Many had died, and many more suffered hell to hide the existence of [New Dawn] from the eyes of the [Black and White Corps].
All these sacrifices were about to become pointless because Hajime was about to speak.
"(Kamijo-san.... you should have understood already that Kusanagi-san would prefer death over knowing that you spoke for him........)" (Fumio)
Yukihime, on the other hand, felt incredibly disappointed in a way she couldn't fully comprehend.
"(Hajime-kun... why were you going to do that? Would you really have thrown everything away for a teammate?)" (Yukihime)
The [Omega Mage] herself knew that what the silver-haired teenager had done was right, considering the moment. But when thinking of the future, it was madness.
She, herself, had to endure and do disgraceful things to protect their secrecy. Her disappointment deepened.
"Fumio-kun, tomorrow have Hajime-kun come here; I will talk to him."
"Understood......"
Kimiko remained silent for a while, unable to comprehend their reaction. Then she realized what she had done.
"(Oops........ maybe I should've skipped that part.........)" (Kimiko)
******
The following day, Hajime arrived at the base after school, along with Kuro, Cloe, and Kohaku.
The four had no idea what awaited them. The [Omega Mage] was there waiting for them, alongside Fumio.
"Hajime-kun, I am very disappointed in what you did." (Yukihime)
"What did I do wrong? I don't understand." (Hajime)
"During the mission, Kamijo-san, you were about to tell the [Black Ghosts] we captured about us, to save Kusanagi-san." (Fumio)
Goto's stepson widened his eyes at those words. He had almost completely forgotten that part.
At that moment, he was in a panic; he needed to keep his promise to Cloe, so he did the first thing that came to mind. What a grave mistake.
His companions were also surprised by this news. Kuro immediately felt sick.
"(He........ for me...... why was I weak and vulnerable.......?)" (Kuro)
The guilt overwhelmed the boy. Unfortunately, he wasn't the only Kusanagi feeling that way. Cloe felt the same.
"(My promise....... he did it for that too!)" (Cloe)
Kohaku, on the other hand, felt a strong rage rising in her head. No matter how balanced the [esper] was as a person, the fact that her revenge was at risk because of someone she trusted made her lose her cool.
"Hajime! How could you!? This is treachery! You could ruin years of planning!" (Kohaku)
"I-I know........ but I would do it again if I had to." (Hajime)
"Why!?" (Kohaku)
The bearer of the [Grimoire] looked at Cloe for a moment, remembering the promise he had made: to look out for his brother. Before looking at his team, who was going crazy.
"Because my friend's life was in danger. I won't apologize for this because I don't regret it; I would do it for you too."
"(Hajime........ you.)" (Cloe)
His intent was clear. He wouldn't tell anyone about his promise, to avoid dragging her into this mess. The 17-year-old was nearly in tears for the sacrifices it had brought him.
"No! You shouldn't! I would prefer to die! It would be better than throwing away all the sacrifices that [New Dawn] have made for our revenge!!!!!"
"Would you have let me die then?" (Kuro)
Hajime's teammate couldn't help but defend his actions after committing them because of him. Those words made the [esper] stop suddenly.
"N-no, wait... I-I didn't mean!" (Kohaku)
"Instead of me, you would have let me be killed!?" (Kuro)
"Kohaku-chan........" (Cloe)
Cloe's best friend started to lose tears from her eyes, and the situation began to completely deteriorate. Eventually, the girl ran away, crying.
She didn't mean to say she would let a friend die for her revenge; that was not her intention, but part of her could not deny that her goals were worth much more than a single life.
Yukihime immediately regretted how things went. Fumio felt the same sentiment.
Perhaps they had permanently damaged the relationships of these kids.
"Hajime-kun, after something like this, I believe you deserve a punishment. From now on, you will not be permitted to come here until further notice, and you will not be allowed to participate in any upcoming missions nor contact Fumio for any reason." (Yukihime)
"You're benching me?! After everything I've done to help!?" (Hajime)
"Yes. You need to understand that actions have consequences. We almost lost everything because of your actions."
With an annoyed huff, Goto's stepson exited the base. As he left, there was a loud thud; the lights in the bunker began to flicker for a few seconds due to a small earthquake caused by Hajime's furious punch. The [Omega Mage] did not know it, but she had just pushed the boy into the arms of Veronica White, the woman he hated most in the world.