Arthur remained seated beside Mia's bed, still unconscious.
He watched her sleep, filled with a strange sensation — something nostalgic, like a hidden memory buried deep within his mind, on the verge of surfacing… yet still unreachable.
— {Why do I feel this way? There's something about her that draws my attention, but I can't figure out what…} — Arthur pondered, uneasy.
Minutes later, the nurse who had previously treated Mia returned.
— Why that serious look? — she asked, noticing Arthur's expression.
— …She'll recover soon, don't worry. Things like this happen in fights — and it's why I'm here. — the nurse said with a gentle smile.
— It's fine. I'll stay here until she wakes up. — Arthur replied.
— But… aren't you going to miss your match? — the nurse asked, surprised.
— It's the least I can do for her. Even if she gets mad at me later… I won't leave until she wakes up.
— {She supported me, helped me… If I lose, so be it. But I won't abandon her now.} — Arthur thought.
— {And this feeling… every time I look at her, it feels so familiar… like…} — he reflected, before being interrupted.
— Well, if that's what you want… But the fifth and sixth matches are ending soon — yours is next. Better hope she wakes up before then. — the nurse warned.
— {Damn… I really wish these fights would drag on a bit longer. But if she doesn't wake up… I'll still wait.}
Meanwhile, in the arena, the six winners of the first phase were discussing who would face Arthur.
— I'll fight him. No debate. I want to finish this already. — Kidero declared.
— Calm down, Kidero. The sensei chooses. It was supposed to be student's choice, but she seems to have changed her mind. Let's wait and see. — said Misaki, who used copy magic.
— Tch, whatever. Either way, I'm going to crush him. — Kidero growled.
Moriyama, observing everything, selected the opponent she believed was the "safest" option for Arthur.
— I've decided. Arthur's opponent will be Misaki. — she announced.
— {I picked the quickest match to give him a chance… but honestly, I hope he doesn't even show up.} — Moriyama thought, concerned.
— THE MATCH IS ABOUT TO BEGIN… ARTHUR, WHERE ARE YOU? IF YOU DON'T SHOW UP WITHIN ONE MINUTE, YOU'LL BE DISQUALIFIED! — Moriyama's voice echoed through the Academy.
In the infirmary, Arthur heard the announcement. He was tense, torn. He looked at Mia, who was still in deep sleep. He wanted to go… but couldn't leave her like that.
[Meanwhile, in Mia's dream...]
— {What is this strange room… and who is that girl sitting over there?}
— Nooo, please, don't send me to that weird place! — the little girl screamed.
— You'll be the second to go after me. You should be happy. You'll serve our purpose well — a perfect experiment. — said a man with a half-familiar face.
— We won't allow it! She's our daughter. You have no right to decide her fate! — another man shouted, though Mia could barely see their faces.
The dream cut abruptly.
Warning! Warning! Red alert. Critical state: collapse in 30 seconds.
The girl sobbed as her parents rushed her down a hallway. Doors opened ahead, revealing two adults and a small chamber ready to seal.
Suddenly, she was thrown inside...
[Awakening]
Mia woke up with a jolt, sitting upright. As she opened her eyes, she saw Arthur—his figure still a bit blurry, just like in the dream—before her vision cleared.
— {What a strange feeling… When I look at Arthur, I feel like I already know him. And that dream…?} — she thought, confused.
— Arthur… it's time for your match, isn't it? Please, go. Don't lose because of me. And make sure you win. — Mia said with a soft smile.
— Count on it! Just wait right here — I'll win this fight! — Arthur replied, eyes gleaming.
Without hesitation, he ran toward the window — and leapt out from the first floor, landing with agility before sprinting toward the arena.
— That crazy boy… he never stops surprising me. — Mia said, smiling to herself.
Moriyama was preparing to disqualify him:
— WELL, SINCE ART—
But she was cut off as Arthur came sprinting toward the arena at full speed.
— I'm here, sensei! Let's start! — he shouted, already at the center of the arena.
— Very well. Since you made it… Let the match begin!
Arthur knew that Misaki used copy magic, but since he believed he had no magic of his own, he expected a purely physical battle.
— {What should I do...? But… for some reason, I feel like he has magic. Strange, but… maybe I should try copying anyway.} — Misaki thought.
— {Wait… is she taking a magical copy stance? That can't be...} — Moriyama thought, alarmed.
— Magical Copy! — shouted Misaki, activating her ability.
Arthur watched in confusion.
— {What's this girl even trying...? She knows I don't have magic...}
— Well, looks like it didn't work. After all, you don't have magic, right Arthur? — Misaki said, a bit disappointed.
But then—
— AAAAAAAAAAAAAAH! NOOOOOOO! — Misaki screamed.
She suddenly found herself inside a void of absolute nothingness… and from that abyss, a colossal blue hand emerged, slowly reaching toward her.
Just glimpsing this entity was enough to shatter her mind.
— W-what's happening?! — Arthur exclaimed, terrified.
— {Damn it… I didn't think she'd actually try to copy him. I made a mistake.} — thought Moriyama, alarmed.
Misaki's screams echoed across the entire Academy. Within seconds, she collapsed unconscious, her body now covered in cuts — as if torn apart by invisible forces.
— GET HER TO THE INFIRMARY! NOW! QUICKLY! — Moriyama ordered.
Arthur stood frozen, shocked by what he had just witnessed.
— She's going to be fine, Arthur. Don't worry… these things happen in matches... I think. — Moriyama added, forcing a nervous smile.
— Try to forget what you saw, and focus on your next fight, alright?
— I'll try, sensei. — Arthur replied, still shaken.
— ATTENTION STUDENTS! THE SECOND PHASE OF THE TOURNAMENT WILL BE DIVIDED INTO THREE MATCHES. ALL DUELS WILL TAKE PLACE AT THE SAME TIME. THE TWO THAT END FIRST WILL DETERMINE THE FINALISTS. GOOD LUCK, EVERYONE! TAKE YOUR POSITIONS! LET THE BATTLES BEGIN! — Moriyama announced.