"What the hell just happened?" Lulu grumbled, watching the opponent she’d nearly beaten get whisked away right before her eyes. She turned to Richard behind her.
"Space magic. I never expected them to have a space mage. That was a miscalculation," Richard, the Hero of this world, immediately recognized the escape skill they’d used. "Pity. My paralytic should’ve kicked in by now. Just a little longer, and it would’ve worked. I never thought the toxin that cripples dragons would take so long to affect him."
During her fight with Zhang Yong, Lulu had already noticed his movements slowing—the battle spirit within him growing sluggish. Now she knew why.
"Then I really owe you thanks. Without that paralytic, I doubt I could’ve held this form against him for so long… Dragon Slayer Hero. By the way, what’s your name? I only know your title."
After the battle, they chatted casually, showing no urgency to help Alice. But they knew it wasn’t needed—the beast’s master had fled, sealing the creature’s fate.
"Richard Clydemann." He paused after stating his name, then added, "And how should I address you? I recall the Star Hero is male, yet you claim that title. Might I ask your name, fair lady?"
Lulu froze. *Star Hero? How many damn Heroes are there in this world? Will I bump into one every time I step outside?*
"Just call me Lulu." *I’ll vanish soon anyway. Who’d dare stop me looking like this? Magical Girls have cognitive interference—once I revert, no one will recognize me.*
Richard stared at her, not with lust, but with a stern gaze dissecting her identity. Lulu squirmed under his scrutiny. *Even if he doesn’t mind staring, it’s embarrassing!*
"Hey! You two okay?" Alice’s voice rang from above.
They looked up. Alice soared on energy wings, beside her an old man Lulu didn’t recognize. Unlike Alice, he flew unaided.
"Ah, Alice! So that woman really did flee with Zhang Yong because you won? Who’s this grandpa? Never mind—check out my outfit! Pretty, right? My Hero gear!" Lulu chirped like a child showing off to a friend. Her Hero identity was exposed now; no point hiding. *Time’s almost up. They won’t recognize me after I revert.*
"Honored Great Mage Haisa," Richard bowed, unaware the mage had been sealed. "Your timely arrival must have secured victory alongside this young lady."
"Not at all—I owe *her* my freedom. Without her, I’d still be imprisoned," Haisa replied modestly. Three Heroes stood before him; witnesses abounded. Lies served no purpose here.
Richard didn’t grasp the "sealing" detail, but he had weightier concerns.
"I see." He turned sharply to Alice, urgency sharpening his voice. "Miss, I’m deeply grateful—you ended this swiftly. But do you recall what you said before the fight?"
*Dragon Slayer’s Power.* A power only *he*, the titled Dragon Slayer Hero, should wield. Worse—the dragon wings he’d seen proved her mastery over Hero’s Power.
Alice anticipated his question. Stealing his power threatened his status, his everything. *Hero titles are curses.*
"Of course I remember. I know what you’re asking. So—"
"Wait!" Lulu cut in, stepping between them. "Seriously? Look around! Is this *really* the place for heart-to-hearts? Get patched up first! And whatever you two need to discuss—do you *want* bystanders hearing it?"
Students and tourists crowded nearby. What they’d discuss could destabilize the nation.
"Indeed," Great Mage Haisa interjected. "Come to my quarters. Healers await, and our conversation will stay private."
Exhausted, Richard relented. "Fine. Let’s go."
The crowd grumbled:
"What’s the secret?"
"Hate when people trail off!"
"This reeks of conspiracy."
"Told you!"
All four heard them clearly.
"*Hmph!*" Haisa’s icy snort silenced the mob instantly.
Lulu sidled up to Alice, clinging to her arm. "Hurry," she whispered in Alice’s ear, body trembling. "I can’t hold on much longer."
