Raising magical girls, and leave them with eternal regret?!

“…”

Tap, tap, tap!

WuYue didn’t bother answering Ouja’s self-directed question with words. Instead, she responded with action.

Swish!

Wielding her ice sword blazing with flames, WuYue dashed forward and closed the gap between herself and Ouja instantly.

Switching from a one-handed grip to a two-handed stance, she swung the sword down with all her might, aiming squarely at the rapier he held.

Boom!

The moment their swords collided, an irregular burst of flame erupted at the point of impact. Crimson fire spilled out, creating a terrifyingly chaotic scene.

“I can see this is the first time you’ve used that move in real combat… Magical girl Firebird.”

Despite the crushing force WuYue pressed against him, Ouja didn’t display the shock she expected. Instead, his tone carried a note of disappointment as he spoke:

“No wonder this sword doesn’t burn hot enough to make me feel it.”

Hearing his cryptic words, WuYue didn’t relent. She pushed down harder, channeling all her strength.

But the next moment, her eyes widened in disbelief.

The sword in her hands—it was melting.

The reason? Among the crimson flames coursing along her blade, black and gray flames had subtly infiltrated, dissolving the ice.

Clang!

Before WuYue could react, Ouja abruptly exerted force. With a single hand, he lifted his rapier and knocked her melting sword aside.

Then, in one fluid motion, he thrust his weapon forward, aiming directly at her abdomen.

Clink!

Just as the strike was about to land, WuYue’s ice sword twisted and bent unnaturally, intercepting the attack with a resonating clang.

“?!”

Caught off guard, Ouja’s expression briefly betrayed surprise as his attack was deflected.

Before he could redirect his strike, WuYue adjusted her stance and positioned her sword defensively in front of her. She parried his next move and forced him back.

She quickly retreated, stepping out of his attack range. Taking a deep breath, she began steadying herself while casting a glance at Bai Yu, who was preparing something in the distance.

Noticing this, Ouja smirked knowingly.

“Interesting. Because it’s liquid, it can freely change form, huh?”

“Transforming into water at the moment of impact, then instantly freezing back into ice to mimic the bending properties of my weapon… Impressive.”

“Hm. I take that back; you’re not entirely unremarkable, Magical Girl.”

“Your teamwork, bridging the gap in strength between us, is quite admirable. Looks like I can’t take you lightly anymore… Wouldn’t you agree, Magical Girl Blue Night?”

With a sly grin, Ouja turned his attention to Bai Yu—who had somehow circled behind him.

“!!”

Realizing she’d been spotted, Bai Yu cursed inwardly. She decided against accumulating more power and unleashed her prepared attack without hesitation.

Raising both hands, she swung them in Ouja’s direction.

The suspended hail of bullet-like ice shards she had prepared earlier shot forward, all aimed at Ouja.

Simultaneously, Bai Yu stomped hard on the ground. Frost surged outward from where she stood, rapidly spreading and freezing Ouja’s legs in place.

At the same time, WuYue raised her sword and charged at him.

However, faced with the ferocious assault, Ouja didn’t panic. Instead, he let out a small, satisfied laugh.

Their attacks, their coordination—even though they succeeded because he wasn’t using his full strength—were still impressive enough to earn his appreciation.

So, if he remained composed and even admiring in the face of their assault…

It meant he had something else up his sleeve.

Boom!

Bullets shattered, flames erupted, and an explosion engulfed the area where Ouja stood.

Thick black smoke billowed upward, and a crater marred the ground. Breathing heavily, sword in hand, WuYue blinked in disbelief at the sight.

Had they… defeated him?

After all, Ouja hadn’t dodged their attacks but had stayed rooted in place.

…No, that couldn’t be!

Ouja’s abilities were too bizarre and his strength too immense for him to be taken down so easily.

Shaking her head, WuYue maintained her vigilance and turned to glance toward Bai Yu, trying to determine if Ouja had somehow moved to her location.

And that’s when she saw it.

Reflected in the icy frost at Bai Yu’s feet, within the mirrors leaning against the stones—was Ouja.

“!? Watch out, Bai Yu!”

WuYue didn’t have time to figure out how Ouja had appeared there. All she could do was shout a warning, raising her voice as she sprinted toward Bai Yu with her sword.

But… she was still a step too late.

Thud!

The next moment, before Bai Yu even realized what was happening, a tremendous force slammed into her back. She was sent flying through the air in an instant!

Smack!

“Bai Yu! Are you okay?!”

“I think you should be more concerned about yourself~.”

WuYue caught Bai Yu just in time and was about to check her injuries when Ouja’s voice rang out.

Startled, WuYue snapped her head up and saw Ouja standing before them, having somehow teleported right before them.

Then, with a grin, he raised his right hand, where a dark purple orb of explosive energy, brimming with negative emotions, swirled ominously.

“Ciao~.”

“Ahhh!”

“Ahhh!”

With his cheerful goodbye, the energy orb detonated. The blast sent WuYue and Bai Yu flying in opposite directions.

Cough, cough!

Struggling to their feet, the two glared at him with rage-filled eyes. But Ouja simply sighed, turning his back to them with a smile.

“What a shame… but perhaps now you finally understand.”

“You can’t defeat me.”

“…”

Drip, drip, drip…

As Ouja’s words faded, the only sound remaining was the rain striking the ground.

Lying in the downpour, battered and exhausted, they watched his figure grow smaller as he walked away.

In anguish, a thought consumed them both:

Have we… lost again?