"Manifest! Ochre-Iron Fortress—Yalkotira—the Bulwark of Will!"

The crimson-white beam was about to swallow me whole. Without hesitation, I hurled Fimilaharde into the air!

My fist slammed down onto the floor!

A massive cross erupted from the shattered tiles—

Yalkotira itself!

As I wrenched Yalkotira free, I flicked open the card slot hidden in its grip and yanked out a card.

Instinct screamed: Yalkotira alone couldn’t stop that beam.

If I did nothing, it *would* break through.

"Gungnir! Unleash your power!"

A voice cut through the chaos—the qipao-clad girl.

I shifted my eyes just enough to glimpse her struggling upright. She’d torn Gungnir from the ground, poised to throw.

The spear’s tip aimed squarely at the black-haired girl’s back.

She was exploiting the black-haired girl’s focus on me for a sneak attack.

And my brother? Kyuubi had already dragged him clear behind her.

*How did Kyuubi muster such strength?*

The answer was obvious—but I had no time to dwell on it.

As the girl hurled Gungnir, she roared.

Was Gungnir voice-activated too? Did its power awaken at its master’s command?

The moment her shout echoed, crimson-black spirals of energy coiled around Gungnir’s shaft. Crimson lightning crackled across its surface.

It tore through the air, leaving a smoldering trail—

Straight toward the black-haired girl!

"Nothing! Guard my back!"

But…

The black-haired girl didn’t even flinch. As if she’d expected the betrayal, she spoke to empty air while maintaining her spell.

She wouldn’t risk interrupting this golden opportunity.

"As you command, my master."

A creature materialized before me—covered in eyes, its back split by a maw ringed with jagged wooden fangs. Liquid-black wings sprouted from its spine; spindly limbs propped up its bloated frame.

*Bonesoul.* The monster bound to the black-haired girl.

An icy chill flooded the room the instant it appeared.

Gungnir struck true—impaling Nothing’s swollen body.

Yet…

The impossible happened.

Instead of piercing it, Gungnir was *consumed*. Nothing swallowed the spear whole, as if savoring a feast.

Gungnir’s shaft dissolved into its flesh.

"W-What?!"

The qipao-clad girl’s jaw dropped. Her face froze in utter disbelief.

Then she crumpled like a broken doll.

*Card insertion detected…*

*Identifying card type…*

*Type confirmed: Skill. Accessing data…*

*Skill loaded: Tit for Tat!*

*Tat for Tat—ready!*

While she reeled, I jammed my skill card into Yalkotira’s slot.

The moment it activated, I ignored her collapse.

I’d seen Gungnir devoured—but I was no less cornered than she was.

One misstep, and I’d share her fate.

"Tit for Tat!"

I drove Yalkotira into the ground as the beam closed in.

A liquid-thin film instantly spread around me.

The crimson-white light crashed over us both—

Engulfing me and the shimmering shield.

"Hahahaha! So arrogant moments ago! Now you taste my power, my *dear* student~~~"

The black-haired girl’s laughter rang out, wild and triumphant. As if a lifetime of grudges had finally dissolved.

"Isn’t it too soon to celebrate… *Teacher*?"

Her identity clicked into place.

My brother’s investigations… her familiarity with me…

This black-haired Magical Girl could only be—

"*Impossible!*"

Her laughter died. Her face hardened to stone as my voice cut through the beam’s glare.

Seconds later, my silhouette emerged unscathed.

The beam lashed against the gray liquid shield like stones sinking into water—rippling, but never piercing.

As the light faded, the shield *shattered*.

Countless droplets hung suspended around me.

"Ms. Yang… *why*?"

I stared at her twisted expression.

A deep ache pierced my chest. Soul-deep sorrow seeped through me.

I clutched my heart, grief tightening my throat as I looked at the woman I’d once revered—

My guiding star.

My idol.

My homeroom teacher—Yang Hailiu.

*How did she become this monster?*

Had Bonesoul corrupted her? Or…

Her face triggered memories of my missing best friend, Lin Jincheng.

*Why…?*

"No *why*," Yang Hailiu spat, fists trembling. Pain flashed in her eyes. "I learned humanity has limits. This aging body… lost youth… those smug brats mocking an old woman like me—I’ve had *enough*!"

"Is that why you murdered those girls?"

My voice came out hollow. The teacher I’d idolized stood before me, warped beyond recognition.

"And if drinking their blood restores my youth? Grants me eternity? *What’s wrong with that?*"

She pressed a hand to her chest, her features twisting further.

*What’s wrong with trading others’ lives for your own?*

"Teacher… you’re mad."

The light I’d once seen in her was gone. I bowed my head, tears pricking my eyes.

"I’m *not* mad! For my youth, I *must*—"

"Have you accepted the Point of No Return?"

Nothing’s hollow voice cut in from behind Yang Hailiu. It seemed to sense her resolve.

"*Teacher, don’t listen to it!!*"

*Point of No Return.*

The phrase alone reeked of doom.

My instincts screamed: crossing it would unleash horror.

I had to stop her.

"If it grants me rebirth… *why not?*"

Yang Hailiu turned her back on me, facing Nothing. Its form mirrored Tsathoggua’s formless spawn from myth.

"Then offer your Gem… the pure, flawless Gem that embodies your existence."

Nothing’s reply slithered out. Though its back-maw was toothless, I *felt* its grin—chilling, predatory.

"For my rebirth… take it! Help me cross that line!"

Without hesitation, Yang Hailiu unclasped the crimson diamond pendant at her throat and held it out.

The gem glowed with an eerie, blood-like light—flawless, hypnotic.

"Your wish is received. You shall… *transform*."

Every eye on Nothing’s body flared crimson.

Cracks spiderwebbed across Yang Hailiu’s gem.

*Crack.*

The diamond shattered. Shards scattered like fallen stars.

"*You—?!*"

The qipao-clad girl gasped, terror flooding her face. Her hand flew to her own hidden pendant.

*I see. She fears her Gem will shatter too.*

"This power! I feel it surging through me!"

Yang Hailiu’s ecstatic cry drowned out the girl’s fear.

Nothing’s inky form began to fade—

While Yang Hailiu’s body started to *change*.