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He let out a relieved breath, his tense muscles relaxing and all the doubts and rage dissolving in the calm settling over the battlefield.
With a last thought to Shihan, he gestured for his subject to follow him outside.
He heard Ifrit's eager, fiery voice on the way.
"It was harsh but worth it! Power courses through my veins like never before!"
He sighed at how fast the djinn overcame her death. But he couldn't let depression encroach on his heart nor hamper his joy after the terrible battle.
Once outside, he raised his short sword, its blade dripping insect blood, and faced the eight demons.
"I want to praise you for today's victory. Despite the long and arduous battle, you kept the line iron-tight and fought together."
His lips curled into a smile as he observed their joyous expression, then frowned at Bart's downcast expression and bitten lips.
'Her death struck him as hard as me.'