-1468- Don't want it occasionally

The days flying in the sky, fighting side by side with Rozen, were undoubtedly the happiest times of Yuri's life.

But after that, Rozen stepped down to transfer into the Alchemist Division, withdrew from the frontlines, and secluded himself in the shadows to focus on his research, making those days a thing of the past.

Because of this, Yuri became agitated, reacted strongly, and even had several big arguments with Rozen.

All of it was simply because Yuri couldn't accept it.

Even now, Yuri still holds a grudge.

But it's not that Yuri wants to be unreasonable; she just wants to recapture those days. She wants to continue flying under the same sky with Rozen.

This desire grew even stronger after seeing Rozen in action—commanding Mistgun with just a few orders, uniting everyone to courageously fight the enemy, ultimately achieving victory without casualties, and personally annihilating the Shinjuku [2] Variant with unparalleled power.

Every time she recalls the scene of Rozen floating mid-air, bathed in spiritual light, Yuri feels like she's back to the days when she first saw Rozen's ranking battle, gazing at his figure with a burning heart full of admiration.

These thoughts have finally become uncontrollable in Yuri's heart, leading to her losing focus and often zoning out these days.

Now, Yuri couldn't help but voice her thoughts, simply to quell the loneliness in her heart.

However, as Rozen said, even if he stayed in the Sky Wizard Division, he would rarely go to the frontlines. He would continue to focus on his research, not taking on missions, and definitely not flying together with Yuri.

In that case, it wouldn't solve anything for Yuri, would it?

So, the things Rozen wants to do and the things Yuri wants to do have fundamentally conflicted with each other.

Since they're at odds, either one side compromises, or they'll never reconcile—it's that simple.

And Rozen is unlikely to compromise.

His goal is clear: to achieve the purpose for which he came to this world, for which he must attain power beyond High-Grade Mana.

Although Rozen isn't completely indifferent to Yuri's persistent attachment, in the end, he could only sigh and endure the consequences with some pain.

"Of course, if it's just occasionally, I can still..."

Rozen was about to say this when Yuri interrupted him.

"But I don't want it occasionally!" Yuri said, a bit agitated. "I want to be with you all the time, Senpai!"

This one sentence left Rozen speechless and silent.

"Ah..."

Yuri only then realized what she had said, but it was too late to take it back.

At that moment, tears finally welled up in Yuri's eyes.

"Sorry... I'll be going back now...!"

Leaving those words, Yuri could no longer hold back and turned around, running off.

Rozen didn't chase after her, just watched her leave.

Because Rozen knew, nothing he said now would probably help.

But while Rozen's words might not work, someone else's might.

Two hands simultaneously pressed down on Rozen's shoulders from either side.

"Leave her to us."

Kanata Age appeared out of nowhere, standing on Rozen's left, pressing down on his shoulder.

"Don't worry, Yuri will be fine."

Chloe Sevegny also appeared on Rozen's right, smiling gently at him.

The two childhood friends then left together, heading in the direction Yuri had gone.

Rozen wasn't surprised, as if he had known all along that Kanata and Chloe were there. He remained seated, only sighing after a long while.

"You saw it too? Come out."

Rozen said this without much curiosity, looking in the direction of the corner.

In the next second, three figures sheepishly walked out from there.

"So... sorry... We didn't mean to spy..."

Misora Whitale looked timid.

"... Sorry!"

Lecty Eisenach directly bowed in apology.

"At least we found out our instructor isn't a pervert, so we can be at ease."

Rico Flamel spoke with an air of self-assuredness.

These three girls had obviously been following Rozen and Yuri from the beginning, watching the whole scene unfold.

Upon learning that Rozen wasn't on a date with Kanata but with Yuri, they felt both relieved and concerned, which led them to follow.

And so, they witnessed the scene.

"I... I don't think you're wrong! Your research is indeed important to everyone!"

Misora desperately waved her hands around, as if trying to comfort Rozen.

"I... I think so too! Instructor is an amazing person!"

Lecty also leaned forward, nodding vigorously in agreement.

"Rather, the fact that you're willing to step down from the frontlines to focus on research that could help humanity, even going so far as to live in seclusion, is truly admirable. After all, men are usually driven by heroism. I have to say, my judgment wasn't wrong."

Rico's tone was still haughty, but the recognition of Rozen's actions was evident, no matter how she tried to disguise it.

But...

"I'm not as great as you say. Focusing on research and helping humanity is just a byproduct; my primary goal is to achieve my own objectives."

Rozen shook his head, sighed, and spoke.

"And if I'm not wrong, does that mean Yuri is in the wrong?"

This question was inherently unanswerable.

Yuri wasn't wrong either.

Even if her wish seems selfish, all she wants is to be with Rozen. That's hardly an overly selfish desire, is it?

Misora, Lecty, and Rico were equally stumped by this question, only able to look at each other in silence.

Today's events became a thorn in everyone's heart, one that would be difficult to forget.

...

Meanwhile, in the alley behind the café, a figure quietly left, disappearing into the darkness.

"Unforgivable... Unforgivable... Unforgivable...!"

The figure trembled, clenched fists, and spoke with a voice full of hatred.

Recalling the scene just witnessed, watching Yuri run away in tears, only made the figure even angrier.

"How dare he make my Yuri cry...! Absolutely unforgivable...!"

Those were the words, but what the figure truly couldn't accept was Yuri's last shout.

"I want to be with you all the time, Senpai!"

These words kept echoing in the figure's mind.

This mixture of jealousy, anger, and resentment exploded within.

"Rorelai Arneet...!"

This guy would never be forgiven!

Never!

"Hehehe... Hehehehe..."

The figure suddenly started laughing eerily.

"Just wait..."

"I'll be there soon..."

"Very soon, I'll become stronger than that man..."

"Wait for me... Yuri..."

As the figure murmured in a low voice, it took out a piece of flesh.

On closer inspection, it turned out to be the flesh of an Armored Beetle.

"....!"

The figure then devoured it, biting and tearing at the flesh.

In the dark alley, the figure kept gnawing at the flesh of the Armored Beetle.

It looked particularly horrifying.