"Wait, Tora-chan!"

  I shouted as I ran down the park’s walking path. The peaceful evening air was torn apart by a loud rumbling sound. From the direction of the noise, smoke was rising.

  Tora-chan didn’t look back, continuing to run deeper into the park.

  “Wait up!”

  Gasping for breath, I chased after him. Beyond the woods, I could see smoke rising from the road adjacent to the park.

  As I emerged from the woods, I froze in my tracks. A vehicle was burning, smoke rising, surrounded by debris, and—there was a figure lying on the ground.

  “Someone’s down!”

  Tora-chan called out. I rushed toward the fallen person.

  It was a man. His face contorted in pain, and I could hear his labored breathing.

  "He’s injured...!"

  I quickly grabbed my student bag and pulled out my CA device, pressing the sliding part.

  ―"ROCK ON!"

  As soon as I activated the CA device, a mechanical voice echoed.

  "Rose Quartz!"

  A soft pink light spread from my hands, and a warm sensation enveloped my body. I focused on the injuries, and the light spread over the man’s body, healing him.

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  "Okay… that should be good."

  Seeing his breathing calm down, I let out a sigh of relief.

  When I looked up, Tora-chan was standing by the nearby luggage. There was a case near the fallen man, likely blown there by the explosion.

  "Hey, this one’s open."

  Tora-chan pointed to the case. At that moment, my attention was drawn to something. One of the stones had rolled out of the case. It was glowing a purple hue, and I felt a strong pull, so I picked it up.

  "...This..."

  I stood there for a moment, completely lost in the strange sensation. It felt as if my whole body were being wrapped in electricity, and my chest trembled.

  "―Kanade! Are you okay? What are you doing standing there like that?"

  Tora-chan shook my shoulder with concern. It seemed that I had lost consciousness for a few seconds—or maybe a few minutes.

  “Eh... Ah…”

  I stood there, trembling, my hand going to my mouth.

  "Wh-what is this feeling…"

  An indescribable sensation of both anxiety and excitement spread in my chest. I stood frozen for a moment, but then my eyes wandered to the surroundings.

  There, two figures stood. A woman with long hair, like she stepped out of a model magazine, and a large man who looked like someone you'd see in a martial arts competition on TV.

  "You two, don’t move."

  The man spoke quietly. His voice was low and cold.

  (This person—are they using an Adept Stone!?)

  As a fellow Adept, I could instantly sense it.

  Moreover, this wasn’t like the teachers at school, not even close. Of course, not like me either. The gap in our abilities was so vast that, instead of fear, I felt a sense of respect.

  "Who the hell are you two?"

  Tora-chan stood in front of me.

  "Heh, no need for introductions. I just want that stone and that girl over there..."

  The woman laughed coldly, and her gaze was fixed directly on me.

  “Don’t you dare get close to Kanade!”

  Tora-chan raised his voice.

  "Shut up, kid."

  The giant man stepped forward, and the ground trembled slightly.

  "Rin, what should we do with this kid?"

  “Leave him. But if he resists, we’ll deal with it.”

  The woman’s cold words made the man grin.

  ―“ЯОСК ОИ!”

  The CA device the woman activated made an unstable, low-toned sound that was unlike usual.

  (That activation sound... it’s an illegal device!)

  I realized this instantly, and a certainty bloomed inside me.

  (These people are the ones who made the transport vehicle explode!)

  I shouted to Tora-chan.

  "Tora-chan, back up! They’re Adepts like me!"

  Tora-chan hesitated at my words, but quickly stepped back behind me.

  At that moment, the woman gave some instructions to the man. He clenched his fist again with force. Sensing the pressure, I instinctively pulled back.

  For some reason, I knew I was the target, and I had to escape.

  "Go, Kanade! I’ll buy you time!"

  Tora-chan’s shout snapped me back to reality. The moment I moved, the man kicked the ground and charged at me.

  "But...!”

  I couldn’t move. My legs were frozen.

  If he was targeting me, then it might be safer for Tora-chan if I moved away.

  "Go now!"

  With Tora-chan’s shout, I had no choice but to move. The moment the man took a step forward, I also moved my feet in the opposite direction.

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