Chapter 114: Light and Shadow

[French Saint Victor Convent]

Since the Teacher left, we’ve been going through each day like we’re running on empty. The Teacher said they’d come back when they’d settled down, but the news coverage’s only gotten more intense.

The class on handling supernatural abilities has been suspended—no Teacher left to teach us. We’ve just been stuck in endless, mindless lectures. That’s when—

“Everyone, today we have guests.”

The Sister walks into the classroom and says that, then gestures for someone outside to come in. I’m wondering what’s going on—then—

“Yo-o-o! How’s it going, kids?”

““Huh?!?!””

It’s Carlo and Anna from the Sanctuary Knights. The shock of seeing my idols right in front of me made my brain go completely blank for a second.

“Yeah, I know, you’re surprised. But there’s a lot going on. We’ve got permission from the convent, so we’d like you to come with us.”

“W-why are you two… here… at… this place?”

I’m panicking, stuttering out the question—and Carlo answers.

“Gojo asked us to.”

“To the Teacher? Why would the Teacher…? Wait—is this about the recent string of supernatural killings? Is there a connection?”

“Details later. For now, get ready to go.”

“Go… where?”

Carlo smiles at my question.

“England.”

◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇

“Based on this footage, Gojo Shoumen appears to have summoned a massive beast to attack the ‘Tower.’ Even if he’s a supernatural, isn’t this still… abnormal?”

"Yeah. I study supernatural abilities, but I've never heard of someone like him. Depending on the situation, he might actually be the one creating the crisis."

"But Gojo definitely saved the world, right?"

"That's exactly the point. He might be orchestrating everything himself—staging it all. People crave validation, you know? They want to be seen as heroes. That could be his motive..."

"I see. It's just a possibility, but since you're the expert, Doctor Hontani, I can't just brush it off."

"What the hell is this news show?! Who do you think is keeping us safe and normal? I'm so pissed I could smash the damn TV."

Shimizu's fuming at the news on screen. Only a tiny fraction of people are even saying this stuff—just ignore them, right?...

"I'm calling the network to complain!"

"Wait, you'll just come off as a crank. Anyway, is Gojo out right now?"

"Yeah. He said the Self-Defense Force barracks felt suffocating. Went to the convenience store. Dressed up—wore a hat pulled down low, totally disguised."

"Hope he doesn’t run into trouble."

◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇

Hiding in a car outside the Gifu base, waiting. Can't seem to catch sight of Gojo. He's often seen here, but that doesn't mean he's actually here... not really.

Then, a guy in a hat, face half-hidden, walks back into the base.

I get out of the car and approach him.

"Gojo-san?"

"Huh? Who the hell are you?"

Got him. I’m sure. Pull the IC recorder from my bag.

"Nice to meet you. I'm Matsuda from Keichou Newspaper. I've been waiting to interview you. Got a few minutes for me?"

"Uh, I’ve already said no to stuff like this. Sorry."

"Gojo-san, right now there are people out there saying bad things about you. If you’re innocent, shouldn’t you speak up? You must have something to say, right?"

"No, not really."

Saying that, Gojo started walking away at a quick pace.

"Wait! Gojo-san!"

Gojo turned the corner around the walls of the Gifu base. I chased after him—

"Wait…?"

No one’s there. Gojo vanished completely—like he never existed. Could this be another ability? Just as I was thinking that, my phone rang. A junior colleague from the office.

"What’s wrong…? Wait, what?"

◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇

When I got back to the dorm, Sakaki and Shimizu were waiting outside my room.

"Ah, Gojo-san!"

"What’s up?"

"Uh, we just got a call from the cabinet office. The UN wants to talk to you."

"Talk to me? About what?"

Sakaki hesitated a moment, then looked straight at me and said it.

"Actually… two more supernatural agents were killed. One was a well-known one in Belarus, so the pressure to investigate Gojo-san’s involvement has been growing…"

"Utter nonsense. The UN and the Japanese government don’t even suspect Gojo-san, yet they’re staging some half-assed hearing just to appease public outrage?"

So it’s a performance hearing… I guess those are necessary sometimes. What kind of questions will they even ask?

"I’ll go. But where’s it being held?"

"Japan wanted it in Japan, but the UN said they need to stay neutral. They’re asking us to come to the UN headquarters in Bangkok, Thailand, in three days."

"Bangkok, huh…"

◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇

[UK - Special Protection Academy]

"It’s already this late…"

It’s past eight at night. Leo called—said the supernatural known as the “Black Knight,” who’s been killing others like me, might show up at my place too.

I’ve heard about the incident on the news. I still can’t believe Alexander’s dead… but is he really coming here?

I returned to my room, heart pounding.

In the corner of the room, there’s a package from Leo. The things I left behind when I quit the Sanctuary Knights—

“Gregory’s Sword.” He must’ve sent it just in case I needed to protect myself… I never thought I’d see it again.

I pulled the sword from the black case and lifted it. At that moment, it gave a faint glow—reacted.

"...No way."

I opened the window and looked outside. From the second-floor window, I could feel a strong killing intent coming from across the schoolyard.

Still holding the sword, I descended to the first floor to go out into the courtyard.

When I stepped into the yard, a figure slowly emerged from the darkness. Black armor, sword in hand, standing like a knight—there he was—

"Black Knight!"

He stopped about ten meters away.

"Who are you? Did you come for me?"

The Black Knight said nothing. He started moving forward, slowly at first, then accelerating toward me. If he’s after me alone, fine—but there are other gifted kids here. I have no choice!

Gregory’s Sword blazed with light. The Black Knight’s blade came straight at me—

『Dimension Slash』

A black lattice-shaped slash tore through the air. I dodged. He paused, slowly turning to look at me. Guess he didn’t expect me to dodge.

"Light Speed Step (Lucion)"—a technique that lets you move at light speed for a split second. Dodging? No problem. But the Black Knight didn’t hesitate. He charged straight at me.

I raise my hand above my head, pouring magic into it. Countless lights bloom in the night sky—then plunge down like spears aimed at the Black Knight.

"Stellar Radiance (Radious Meitia)!!"

Hundreds of light beams strike him! But—no, he dodges each one by a hair’s breadth. The ones he can’t avoid? He swats them away with a sword wrapped in darkness.

Not human movement. Not human speed. I realize it too late—he’s already right in front of me.

A lattice-shaped slash slices through the air. I retreat a single step using Light Speed Step (Lucion), but my hair’s ends are torn apart. Even a fraction of a second slower, and I’d be dead.

Alexander shouldn’t lose. There’s no way… a power this strong existed… The Black Knight closes the distance and unleashes a barrage of slashes.

Each one hits like a mountain! I’m barely keeping up on defense—this gap in strength is obvious… If this drags on, I’m finished.

I have to end it now.

I channel light magic into my sword, then, the moment he strikes, I vanish with Light Speed Step (Lucion) to his blind spot. I raise the blade high, blazing with concentrated magic, and bring it down at light speed.

"——Holy Dragon Steel Slash (Ascalon)——!!"

He shouldn’t be able to dodge this… But the instant I think it, the Black Knight raises his left hand. Three layers of light shields unfold in front of him.

That’s— Barrier Art of the Holy Warrior! The massive blade smashes through all shields—striking him square in the shoulder, carving off a chunk of his armor.

But… the Black Knight stands up as if nothing happened. The Barrier Art’s glowing shield drastically reduced the sword’s impact. Even a massive magic-powered attack couldn’t finish him.

Facing the quiet, lethal presence of the “Black Knight,” I prepared myself for death.