Lia returned to the ground with a wobbly feeling, having overexerted herself. Her hands trembled as they were filled with blood, and a large impactful noise resounded behind her.

Cloud of dust rose, filling the area, but it wasn't enough to hide the ginormous, dragon tail that fell along with the girl. Rain of blood soon followed coming from the monster's main body before he, too, fell toward the ground.

However, even with the great feat she had just achieved, Lia's mind laid elsewhere. The reason she was able to deal such great damage to the oversized, winged-Lizard was because someone took the 'dragon's breathe' instead of her. And that someone's life was not guaranteed.

“...Nir!” Immediately after Lia regained a stable equilibrium, she turned her eyes back to where Rin was at previously.

A spherical, charred, and destroyed road welcomed her sight. Everything that was once there was returned to dust particles, flying around and disturbing everyone's vision. For just an instant, the blue-haired girl dreaded the thought of her new ally being part of these particles.

“...!”

Fortunately, however, her worry was transformed to relief when she saw Rin, still standing firmly on her two feet. Lia didn't need to hesitate before running at the black-haired girl.

Rin saw her coming from a side view and relaxed a little. The shield she was supposed to carry two minutes ago was no more, and as such, what she was wearing didn't survive greatly. It was ripped apart around her belly, holes were made on her two legs apart, and the sleeve on her right arm was even torn off completely.

(Of course, by some kind of miracle, the clothes that covered her....intimate part were left completely intact.)

And that was without talking about her current state. Blood oozed out of her head and her hands— actually, few parts of her body were left untainted by the red liquid. It was to the point where her legs gave up on supporting her body.

Though, before her head could slam on the ground, Lia managed to catch her softly. And there, as a part of Rin's nano mask was also ripped off, specifically around her left eye, the two girls made direct eye contact for the first time.

...Of course, it wasn't for long. After a few seconds passed the mask began its auto-repair function and successfully covered Rin's face again. Lia let out a small, disappointed sigh before letting out a chuckle.

“As I thought, you aren't a bad person.” The blue girl genuinely expressed.

Rin's mouth gaped a little at the unexpected words, before she turned her head away, not knowing how to respond. “....You don't know me.” As much as the black girl wanted to assert the blue girl's words, she knew that would be a lie. Thus, she reused the same words she said at Ark's Hq a month ago.

To which Lia only gave a wry smile.

Breaking them out of their bubble was, however, the dragon's roar of pain. The two's sight was immediately diverted toward the direction of the noise. But, to their horror, the monster was already just in front of them.

[You damn puny human!!!!] The winged-Lizard screamed out, his claw already extended to kill both of the girls.

For the nth time these past minutes, Lia and Rin faced death once again. It was a feeling no one could ever get used to, so they tried to move away. Though, exactly like all the previous time, they were saved by a hair's breadth.

The only difference that the person who saved them was neither Winter, who was in a really bad state nor Raven.

“You damn puny lizard.”

An unknown voice spoke up, stoping the dragon's movements altogether. Surrounded by a strange green halo, the monster was further dragged away from the two girls. It was as though imaginary, invisible hands made the lizard move.

And when a reasonable and safe distance was finally achieved, a lone and beautiful girl landed down from the sky. Her eyes, colored blue, shone brightly giving a sense of intimidation despite her small frame. Her hair, around shoulder length, was colored in a deep dark shade, giving off a strange feeling of power.

A feeling familiar to many people of this world. A feeling specific to one single bloodline. Like how Lia inspired trust as a member of the Holder Family, this girl inspired strength by just standing.

“You are...” Lia had her eyes open wide, recognizing the newcomer.

And it wasn't just her. Rather, Rin was aware of the girl's identity even before she stepped foot on the ground. There was no way she could mistake this kind of power for anyone else's.

“I won't let you kill anyone.”

A warm feeling spread inside Rin's chest before she looked up at the girl's back. There was no mistaking it, this was her beloved sister.

◇

“...Impossible, huh.” Aiden said having reached the last page of Rin's notebook.

At first, the man wasn't interested in the girl's incomprehensible note, but as time passed, his opinion changed. Some parts of the book became easier to understand, and before he knew it, his attention was completely drawn. Well, half of what he read was still unknown language, though.

Nevertheless, after a day of endeavor and concentration, he finally concluded. And for the most part, it was a disappointing one. It wasn't nearly enough to compensate for the time he had lost.

“Well, I guess if she did find a way to become an Elite, she wouldn't have joined us,” Aiden spoke under his breath. “What's more, that would have made her more of a monster than a genius.”

“Hey, is that really that interesting?” Ursa asked, having woken up from the man's words. “I mean, even Stone got away, you know?”

Aiden gave a sideglance at the woman from the sofa he was laid in. “Everyone has different things they like, no? I find this interesting.”

“Hmmm,” Ursa crouched down from her place and took one of the notebooks on the ground. “Does that also mean Rin likes writing these things?” She flipped through the page with a bored look. “Minus point.”

Aiden rolled his eyes after hearing the words. At this point, he wouldn't be surprised by any of the woman's behavior anymore. Ursa was a weird person and that wouldn't change, no matter how he wished so.

“But well,” Ursa continued as she stood up. “She's hot as heck so I still like her.”

Aiden facepalmed internally. “...Speaking of that, didn't you say you found love. ‘She was a beautiful fluffy eared person’—or so you said.” 'whatever that means.' “Shouldn't you go searching for her?”

The blonde twitched at the question before she puffed up her chest with a proud smile. “I'll have you know, she's called Igris,” Then, she slumped in a gloomy stance just as quickly. “but, I really have no idea where to search for her.”

‘They say, stupidity can't be cured, indeed.’ Aiden thought while stretching his two arms. “Guess I'll help you then.”

The woman beamed instantly. “Really!?”

“Yeah,” Aiden said with a smile. “To that end, go torture information out of that man.”

The room returned to quietness when Aiden pointed at the bald man. As much as he wasn't motivated to do it, they still needed to obtain information on their previous assailant.

“Eh?” The blonde let out with her face locked in a smiling expression. “...Don't wanna.”

“...Why not?”

“I don't want to be covered in that man's blood while constantly hearing him scream.”

The room once again returned silently. Aiden formed a blank smile on his face as he forced his brain to continue thinking of a way to push his work on the blonde. After all, he—no, more like anyone, in general, wouldn't want to torture anyone. More than that, the thing about laziness is that it never goes away.

“What if I tell you that that man knows where your ‘Igris’ is?” The man said, putting his two feet out of the sofa.

Ursa narrowed her eyes at the information. She hummed slightly with a serious expression before she turned to look at the bald man. “...Fine.” The blonde positively answered after weighing the pro and cons. As expected, if she had a way to find Igris, there is no reason to not take it.

“—That won't be necessary.” Unexpectedly though, the subject in person spoke up. “I'm willing to cooperate with you.”

Ursa and Aiden, both sent a mix of doubtful and surprised expressions at the bald man. Not later than one days ago, the hairless person was extremely violent and uncooperative. It was to the point he needed to be rendered unconscious each time. Frankly speaking, if unchained let their guard just one second, the bald man would have probably escaped using teleportation.

For him to be cooperative without any clear reason all of a sudden was suspicious, to say the least.

However, for Aiden and Ursa right now, that didn't matter. Why complicate life? If he says he will cooperate, then why not take him up on that? Those were the reasoning that passed through the two's minds. It was a stupid and reckless way of thinking, but, they had the leeway to be like that.

If push comes to shove, they could always brute force their way out. They were strong so it was only natural for them to act like so.

“...Great! Let us immediately begin the questioning then.” Aiden said, with a smile of satisfaction. “First and foremost, what's your name.”

This time, it was the bald man's turn to be surprised. Obviously, he didn't think they would trust his words this rapidly. Though, why complicate life, indeed. “... It's Simon. Simon Acacius.”

“Simon, huh.” Aiden continued, approaching the man in question further. “Next quest—!”

Unfortunately, right at that moment, the interrogation was interrupted. Not only Aiden but also Ursa sensed the presence of someone approaching. A presence they didn't know and who rushed toward Rin's house.

‘That's not Stone, and Flame is still sleeping here.’ Aiden turned his head, finally having a serious expression on his face. ‘Does that mean it's one of Rin's acquaintances—no, that girl should be a loner.’

“Wait, that leaves,” ‘someone from the Kagane family!’. Aiden concluded, however, before he could finish the later part of his phrase, Ursa's excited shout resounded.

“I think I know who that is!” She said while jumping in place. “Rin does have one friend!”

Aiden was caught off guard by the slightly loud voice and was ready to scold Ursa, but, the news he heard was a little more surprising. “Really?”

“Yes! I think her name was C-Cecile? Celes?” Ursa stopped moving as she tried to get the name right. “Celia!”

Aiden's eyes also began to be filled with interest when he heard the name. He wanted to ask more questions. However, now really wasn't the time. It would be a little problematic if they were seen inside Rin's house, so they had to move out quickly. Or at least, that's what he intended to do.

Ursa clearly had another intention. And the creepy laugh she let out was a clear indication of that. “Don't worry about a thing, boss. Leave this to me!”

“What are yo—” Aiden wanted to ask for an explication, but, “Oh.” The sight that changed in front of him was enough to understand the blonde's intention.

Ursa used her singularity. For what? To change her golden short hair into black long hair. To change her twenty or so facial feature into that of a beautiful sixteen years old girl. To change her height, her voice, her clothes, and many other things to perfectly match that of a certain someone.

In short, she completely changed into Rin.

“This ought to be interesting.” Ursa said with excitement.

Meanwhile, Aiden began to seriously wonder if letting Ursa stay inside unchained was a good idea.