Fen: Yo, everyone! What is up?! Fen and SD here for another chapter of Wizard of Zero: Futatsuki no Wizard!

SD: Did you miss us!? :D

Fen: I know I missed writing this story since I've been busy with other stories.

SD: However, we do have some exciting news for you guys, as well! Aside from this story and the others Fen and I have been working on already, we have some new projects we're working on and/or are in the planning phases, including two that will be on my profile. Perhaps we'll tell you more about them after this chapter. ;)

Fen: Nothing's really confirmed yet, but we'll let you know. So anyways, it's time for the next chapter of Wizard of Zero: Futatsuki no Wizard!

SD: Saa… Showtime daa!

Fen: Hey, that's my line! Yours is lunchtime!

SD: Technically speaking, they're neither of our lines. Technically, they are Haruto and Kousuke's lines.

Fen: Who cares about technicalities at this point? Let's get on with the story!

Disclaimer: Same thing.


A few days have passed since the incident in the Royal Theater. Things were back to normal. At least as normal as it could get. However, today was something that Wales and Henrietta wished would not have come. In the study room, Wales sat at his desk with Henrietta standing next to him. In front of his deck was General Poitier and Cardinal Masarini. On his desk, was a piece of paper and written on the piece of paper… Was a declaration of war against Albion.

"A declaration of war…?" Wales gritted, not liking it.

Cardinal Masarini nodded with a sad frown. "Indeed, Your Majesty."

"You realize what you're asking of him right?" Henrietta asked.

"Yes. Germania has already declared war against Albion and is looking to us to join as well. Our alliance should have the power to push back the Albion forces."

Wales slammed his fists on the table. "I refuse to sign this! These are my people we're talking about! Both Tristain and Albion!"

"My King!" General Poitier exclaimed. "The people are calling for war! They desire that we strike at Albion! Therefore, we must act!"

"But there must be another way! I will not have their blood on my hands!"

Cardinal Masarini then stated, "Your Majesty… I fear we may have no choice. Albion has shown that no matter what we do, they will attack Tristain. Not only that, but if you and the queen do not sign the declaration of war…" Masarini paused to clear his throat, clearly uncomfortable with what he had to say next. "...A coup d'etat will surely follow!"

Wales and Henrietta were aghast. "You can't be serious!"

"I'm afraid so." Cardinal Masarini nodded, "In the worst case scenario, you could be thrown in jail and the authority of the royal family will plummet."

"But even so…!" Wales gritted.

"If an aggressive ruler were to come into power, it would only escalate the war. Nobody will be able to stop it. But with both of your presence, we can keep the casualties to a bare minimum." He then bowed. "Please understand Your Majesties, I know your hearts are in turmoil, but please make a decision!"

Wales buried his face in his hands as Henrietta could only comfort him by rubbing his shoulders. For Wales, this was the hardest decision he had to make. He had to either go to war or suffer a coup d'etat at the hands of their own citizens. The King then solemnly looked up as he muttered, "Is there really no other way…? Must the blood of my people really be shed in order for this foolish war to end and obtain peace…?"

"Wales…" Henrietta said sadly.

General Poitier stood solemnly as he said, "Your Majesties… I must implore you for the good of our country to sign the declaration."

Wales and Henrietta looked to one another for a long time, not saying a word, yet knowing what the other was thinking. They clasped hands tightly as they nodded to one another, finally making their decision. "Cardinal Masarini… General Poitier…" Wales stated as he and Henrietta got to their feet.

Together, the two of them said, "Let it be known: Tristain will join Germania in war against Albion!" The two then grabbed a quill and both signed their name in ink on the declaration of war.


(Cue Theme MASSIVE WONDERS by Nana Mizuki)

(Instrumental) A red magic circle appears as Kurogasa is seen in his Flame Style coat. He looks at the screen with a serious face as the circle moves over him, transforming into Kamen Rider Wizard. Just then, a gold magic circle appears, moving over Wizard, changing him into Koji, dressed in a primarily gold disco outfit. He then winks and points at the camera as the gold magic circle moves over him, turning him into Kamen Rider Beast. Two red magic circles and one gold one appear, summoning back Kurogasa and Koji. As several more magic circles of the various colors of both Riders' various forms appear, they summon the rest of the cast as the title logo appears.

(Dare demo naku kimi no tame ni dekiru koto) The scene starts with the sun setting at Tristain Academy. Kurogasa was on the balcony of Louise's room looking at his Flame Style ring before looking at the horizon with Louise looking on from afar.
(Boku wa omou boku wa negau massugu ni) Meanwhile, Koji was doing the same thing, only this time looking at his Beast Ring before looking at the horizon with Kirche looking on from afar.

(Futashi~ka de katameta~) Henrietta and Wales look out from the balcony of their castle, holding hands, as Tristain and Albion forces battle each other.
(RUURU ni sugatte ita yo) Guiche is busy flirting with several girls before Montmorency pulls him away by his ear and Koji then picks up the girls.
(Iiwake de kazarareta kako~) Tabitha sits on the castle wall, reading one of her books, as is Colbert, however they both look up as an explosion is heard.
(KURIA shitai~) A swarm of Phantoms approach the Academy as Kurogasa and Koji, standing in front of it, nod to each other and prepare to transform.

(Tenjou no hoshi aku someru) Kurogasa transformed into Kamen Rider Wizard while Koji transformed into Kamen Rider Beast.
(Kiseki no tsubu hiroiatsumete) The two Riders then ran towards the Phantom Army before them with their WizarSwordGun and Dice Saber in hand respectively.
(Mada mienu yoru no saki ni) Meanwhile, Louise and the other students joined in the battle using their magic to fend off the Ghoul Phantoms.
(Tsutaetai yo maboroshi o yaburi) Then all of a sudden, a blast of energy exploded in front of them and the smoke cleared to reveal Phoenix, Medusa, Gremlin, and Wiseman.

(Yoiyami no tsuki boku o sasou) Kurogasa goes to fight Wiseman and Phoenix, changing through his four Dragon Styles, unleashing their special attacks.
(Madoi no VEERU keshisatte yuku) Koji, meanwhile, deals with Medusa and Gremlin, cycling through the four Beast Mantles.
(Kakushiteta zurui jibun) As the battle goes on, Sheffield appears, wearing the Ring of Andavari, leading a huge force of Albion forces to aid the Phantoms in battle.
(Yowasa mo zenbu uketometa toki ni) Beast and Wizard nod to each other, entering Falco Mantle and Hurricane Dragon Style, to fly towards them as Louise steps forward, preparing to unleash her Void magic but not until a flying Phantom kidnaps Louise.

(Jounetsuteki na~ kotoba wa iranai~) Louise stretches out her hands towards Kurogasa who was running towards Louise with his hand stretched out too, but just as they were about to reach, the flying Phantom flies faster and lands next to the elite Phantoms.
(Ima, koko ni iru koto sore ga bo~ku no~ shin~jitsu~) Kurogasa in rage then takes out the Drago Timer and goes into All Dragon Formation before jumping up and diving down for his Rider Kick towards the screen making it go white from the intense blast.

(Instrumental) The screen goes black showing the Wizard magic circle and Kurogasa and Louise faded into view in front of the circle back–to–back with their eyes closed and heads down before opening their eyes and looking up. The last scene then shows Tristain Academy and the camera moves up towards the sky before the title appears again.


Chapter 7: The Underground Secret Document

A week has passed and Louise and I were walking around town for some fresh air and we were hearing a lot of stuff from the townspeople. Not too long ago, it was announced that Wales and Henrietta had officially declared war on Albion. I knew it was really hard for them, especially Wales. I can't imagine what's he going through when he made that decision.

"Hey! They did it!"

"They took the first victory!"

"Praise Tristain! Praise King Wales and Queen Henrietta!"

A huge crowd had gathered around a wall near the central square and it was covered in flyers. Everyone there seemed to be wrapped up in a patriotic fever pitch. "What are they cheering about, Louise?"

"We got the first victory!" Louise said happily.

"What does it say?" I asked. Granted, I knew some of this language from Tabitha, but I wasn't that fluent yet.

"Hmmm," Louise said as she turned to read the sign. "'After the war broke out last week, a massive fleet of 500 ships, carrying both Tristanian and Germanian soldiers, clashed with enemy troops before entering Albion territory, inflicting upon them heavy casualties, while damage to our side was minimal.'" Louise smiled brightly at that. "Kurogasa, isn't that great news?! We scored a humongous victory!"

"I guess…" I sighed before walking away with a solemn look on my face.

"Hey!" Louise called out as she walked after me. "We're winning aren't we?"

"Yeah, but this is Albion we're talking about. It's affecting Wales the most. He comes from Albion, and declaring war against your own people isn't exactly an easy thing to do," I grimaced.

Louise frowned with frustration. "I know that, but I also know it wasn't easy choice for him or Queen Henrietta. It was a painful choice, but they know that in the end it's for the best, for Tristain and Albion. Neither land is safe with those usurpers and the Phantoms in control of Albion."

"Yeah…" I agreed. Not only that, with the Cherufe Phantom disguised as a high official in Tristain's Royal Court as a sort of sleeper agent back then, there could be even more, hiding in plain sight.

We continued to walk down the street until something caught my eye… When I turned my head, I– no… no way! Is that–! "I don't believe it!" I shouted as I ran over to a clothing stand across the way. "It is! It's a sailor suit!"

"Huh?" Louise asked totally confused as I immediately ran up over to the store owner.

"Sir, where did you get that?!" I asked quickly.

The store clerk looked up at me in surprise. "What? This?" He asked, looking at the sailor suit. "I, uh… Honestly, I just found it. Though you have good eyes. The fabric is of high quality and is very comfortable. You interested in it?"

"I'LL BUY IT!"

"EH?!" Louise gawked.

The clerk blinked in surprise, not expecting my ecstatic response to the sailor suit. "Um, uh… okay." Noticing Louise behind me, he then said with a grin, "Aaaa~hhhh… gettin' something pretty for your girlfriend back there?"

"Eh?" I blinked, before looking to Louise. "Ah~ no, no, no! This is for someone else!" I said frantically.

Louise raised a suspicious eyebrow. "Just who are you buying that for, you lecherous dog?"

"That's none of your business!" I snapped.

"I am your master! Everything you do is my business!" Louise retorted, reaching for her wand.

"Hey! I thought we talked about being equals!"

Scoffing, Louise crossed her arms and turned away. "I'm still the one in charge here. And I will not allow you to do anything to disgrace the Vallière name, especially with your perverted ways!"

"Perverted?! What the heck gave you that idea?! If anyone's perverted, it's Koji!"


"Achoo!" Koji sneezed as he shot up in bed, Kirche sitting up with the blankets around her to check on him.

"Darling! Are you alright!?" She asked worriedly, hand on his chest.

"Sorry, random sneeze." Koji grinned. "I think someone was talking about me."

Kirche breathed a sigh of relief. "Oh, good. I was afraid you might have gotten sick."

Shaking his head, Koji replied, "Nah, don't worry, Sweet Thang, I'm all groovy."

Grinning, Kirche kissed his cheek and said in a smoky voice. "As you say: 'groovy.' Now… I believe you haven't finished making love to me…"

Pretending to be shocked, Koji replied, "I haven't!? How ungentlemanly of me, baby! Allow me to rectify that!"

Kirche then giggled as Koji shoved her back down onto the bed, pulled the sheets over them and… well, they went back to "dancing" and didn't stop for another two hours.


After arguing for what seemed like an eternity, Louise and I returned to Tristain Academy. As we got off the Machine Winger, I groaned and finally said, "Fine, I'll tell you! It's for Siesta, alright!? It's a thank you present!"

"Then why didn't you say so?!"

"Knowing you, you'd always blow your head off when you assume things!" I took a deep breath to calm down and then continued. "I figured you would assume I had some ulterior motive which is why I didn't want to say anything. Besides, I shouldn't have to tell you every single thing I do in my life."

"Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm…" Louise pouted.

"I can't believe this!" A new voice snapped angrily. Agnés? We turned to see the Henrietta's right–hand knight stomping down the outside corridors. "I have permission from the Queen and yet I'm denied access!"

Following after her was Koji who seemed like he was trying to calm her down. "I'm sure we can find a way to get you in there, Agnès. We just need to talk to Henrietta. I'm sure she can clear this up."

"Koji? Agnès?" I called out.

"Hm? Yo, aibou!" Koji waved.

"Is something wrong?" I asked as Louise and I approached them.

"Well, something like–" Koji said, but then stopped when he saw the sailor uniform. "Aibou, is that–?"

"Yes," I said with a groan, "This is exactly what it looks like. Moving on…"

As I turned to Agnès, the leader of the Musketeer Squad scoffed with frustration. "Come with me. I'll explain soon."


Agnès led the three of us to one of the staff members' office on the second floor of their quarters and she sat at an empty desk. "Her Majesty gave me access to a secret vault with important documents here in the Academy, yet the headmaster is denying me access!"

"A secret vault?" I repeated in surprise. "What's in there?"

"And why would the Headmaster deny you permission to do something Her Majesty authorized?" Louise added.

"I don't know why he wouldn't let me. I have permission, but the Headmaster claims that he hasn't been informed of Her Majesty's approval. I need to get down there." Agnès growled. "I'm sure you remember what that Phantom said the other day right?"

"Yeah, the records of your village being there," I remembered.

"I need to find that record to find the captain who led that squad."

Louise and I went wide–eyed. "The record is in the vault?"

Agnès nodded. "Koji agreed to help me, but so far, neither of us has been able to come up with an answer."

Koji shrugged his shoulders before leaning against the wall. "We could always try a break in, but that might cause us a few issues."

"How so?" I asked.

"Well for one, the records underground might be heavily protected." Koji assumed. "Probably magically protected. Even if there was a way to get through, disarming the security is probably gonna be hard to do."

"Hey, Louise, you think your Void magic can do the trick to unlocking the doors to the vault?" I asked.

"Maybe," Louise pondered. "Then again, the only spell I know is the Explosion spell."

Looking at my Magic Rings, Koji asked, "What about your Fall Ring, Kurogasa? Could we use that to just make a hole in the vault door?"

Hey, that could actually work.

"We can do that," I said.

Koji chuckled as he said, "I mean… Then again, we could use Louise's Explosion spell if we wanted a completely unsubtle entry."

Oh no… Koji, don't you dare do it.

"I mean, sure, it's the only thing she knows, but with an explosion over here and an explosion over there–"

*POP!*

Oh crap, you just sealed our fates…

Glaring darkly at the ancient wizard, Louise snarled, "You're right… It is the only trick I know…" Seemingly turning huge, she then shouted, whipping out her wand, "BUT IT'S THE ONLY TRICK I NEED!"

Powering up her Explosion spell, Agnès ducked under the table as Koji pulled me in front of him. "Kurogasa! DEFEND ME!"

"SORRY, YOU'RE ON YOUR OWN!"

FALL! PLEASE!

Using my magic, I made hole and went down the first floor before it closed up. "Oi, oi, oi! Don't do this to me!"

"Idiot! Duck!" Agnès shouted. But it was too late and–

*BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM!*


"You want me to unlock the underground vault that's under this Academy?" Eleanor asked as she paused in doing something with her chemistry set. Agnès, Louise, Koji, and I nodded, though Koji was a mess. There was soot all over and his hair was messy and surprisingly sported an afro, another hairstyle that Koji liked other than his surfer hairstyle. Louise and Agnès were a little dirtied up as well, with me being the only one not messed up.

"Please, Sister," Louise asked, "We could really use your assistance."

"Hmmmm…" Eleanor pondered before shrugging. "Well, I suppose I could. I have nothing else to do."

All four of us breathed a sigh of relief before bowing. "Thank you very much," we said in unison.


Meanwhile in the living quarters of the maids, Siesta was trying on the new clothes that Kurogasa gave her earlier today. It was a high school Japanese sailor uniform and since Siesta was of Japanese descent, it only made sense that she would wear it. Plus, it was a thank you gift from the DragonWielding Wizard for all the help she's given to Kurogasa during his time in her world. "I wonder what Kurogasa was thinking when he gave me these clothes," she wondered as she looked over herself in the mirror. She then smiled excitedly, popping one leg up before she ran down the stairs, thinking of the handsome young wizard with a blush on her face.

"I really hope he likes it," she said to herself with a happy giggle as she reached the bottom floor. However, she paused as she heard a voice from down the hall. Walking towards the voice, she saw Kurogasa, along with Koji, Louise, Eleanor, and Agnès going towards… The ladies' restroom?

"Where are you taking us?" Siesta overheard Kurogasa ask as they headed down the hallway, following them from a distance.

Agnès stood in front of the door and stated plainly, "This is the vault entrance."

Koji, eyebrow quirked, asked, "You're kidding, right? The ladies' room is the vault entrance? I mean, I don't mind, but–"

*BONK!*

"OW!"

"Baka! Stop being shameless!"

Koji grunted as he rubbed his head. "Well, excuse me!"

"This way," Agnes said before the group went into the bathroom.

"Why is Kurogasa going over there?" Siesta tilted her head in confusion.


We went into the ladies' room and from there, Agnès opened up a door and it revealed to be a sort of janitor's room, I guess… but then she went over to the wall and she pushed it, making a part of the wall pivot like it was a door. The four of us were a bit surprised.

"Kinda mundane for an entrance to a secret vault," I commented.

"The best kind of camouflage," Koji mused as Agnèslit a lantern, "The more mundane and commonplace it looks, the easier it is to hide."

"True," I said before the five of us went in, going down a set of stairs. "Man, it's still kinda dark. Hold up." I then took out a ring and scanned it on my Hand Author.

LIGHT! PLEASE!

The extra light from my ring along with the light from the lantern made it bright enough for us to see and we began the long walk down the stairs. We walked in silence for a few moments before Louise asked, "It's strange, isn't it?"

"What do you mean, Louise?" I asked, looking at her over my shoulder.

"It'd be better to burn the documents than hide them here, wouldn't it?" She asked.

"Once documents are made official, you can't just easily dispose of them," Eleanor said before we finally arrived at an elaborate door. "The government doesn't make any sense these days, nor did it make any sense a thousand years ago." She then looked through her magical bifocals to look at three square with a pentagram in each, which suggests that it's probably the lock. "These three symbols are the locks. Pretty simple, but we need the combination."

"Do you know it?" Agnès asked.

Wordlessly, with a slightly smug scoff, Eleanor took out her wand and pointed it at the top lock. "The binding of these three, unlock!" She commanded. Pointing at each lock in turn, they glowed and swung open one by one.

Excitedly, Louise exclaimed, "You did it!"

"Thank you," Agnès said. "I'll go on alone from here."

"Whoa, whoa, whoa, hold up, who said you're going alone? We're coming with," Koji said.

Eleanor grinned, resting her fists on her hips as she said, "I am curious to see what other things are locked away down there. There may be magical knowledge discovered down here in secrecy that could be quite intriguing."

Agnès looked to us in disbelief at our eagerness to join her. "B–But… it could be dangerous."

"If it's dangerous, then all the more reason for us to come with you," Louise countered.

Agnès looked to the four as we gave her a determined reassuring smile before smiling herself. "Thank you, everyone."

I shot her a thumbs–up. "Like I said, that's what friends are for." Looking to the door, I then asked, "So, let's go."

"Where to?"

Oh shoot!

The five of us looked to see Professor Colbert on the stairs. "Professor Colbert!" I said surprised.

Agnès glared up at Colbert as he said with a scolding look, "Agnès, I do believe the Headmaster told you that you were forbidden from coming down here."

The captain of the Musketeer Squad shouted back, "I do not take orders from cowards!" And without another word, she angrily turned and pushed open the door to the vault.

"Agnès!" The professor shouted with annoyed disbelief.

"Sorry, Professor, but we'll explain later!" I said before we followed Agnès.

"Stop!" Professor Colbert shouted before going after us.


For better or for worse, Professor Colbert was now part of our little "expedition" to find the truth behind the attack on Agnès's village. "A foe, you say?" Colbert asked.

"Yeah, and she needs to find that record in order to get closure," I added.

Overhearing this, Agnès said, not looking back at us and keeping her eyes forward, "When our forces take Albion's port, the King and Queen will go to the front lines. Naturally I will go and join them, but… I wanted to finish this investigation before I left. I need to know the truth and this is my only chance to get it."

"No wonder why you wanted to see the vault so badly," Koji said.

"Stop!" Agnès suddenly shouted.

"What? I'm just say–"

"Someone's following us," Agnès cut off.

Eleanor, Colbert, and Louise gasped. Immediately, Koji and I turned around, nodding to one another as, without a moment's hesitation, slid on our rings and summoned our Drivers.

DRIVER ON/PLEASE!

We didn't transform right away, but stood frozen, waiting for the person (or thing) following us to appear. Seconds passed like weeks as the mysterious being grew closer…

And closer…

And closer…

And even closer…

Until at last, it was revealed to be…

"Sasaki–san…?" I asked.

"KUROGASA!"

"What is she doing here?!" Louise asked incredulously.

"I tried on the clothes you want me to wear! Look!" Siesta said as she approached and twirled around, seeing her… in the sailor school uniform! Oh yes! How I missed seeing a uniform like that! Performing a spin that seemed rather akin to the transformations from Sailor Moon, she stopped and asked, "How do I look? …Oh, I thought you were alone. I didn't realize you were with people."

"Wow, gotta admit, she looks good in it," Koji blinked.

Louise's eyes darted back and forth between me and Siesta as she asked, "Is this what you bought in town today, Kurogasa?"

Koji grinned, ribbing me as he said, "Oh, ho, ho… putting the moves on Siesta, eh, Kurogasa? I'm proud of you, young Padawan."

"Oh, bite me, I'm not like you," I frowned. "She's been helpful for a long time ever since I got here, and this is a thank you present."

He kept smirking. "That's cute, buddy… no wonder you're crushing on her. The gift is a nice touch."

*POP!*

SHUT UP! PLEASE!

A red magic circle appeared and the hand with the roll of tape popped up, rolling the tape over Koji's mouth. He gave me a deadpan look and said, his voice muffled, "Mwerr pwad, rabuh (Well played, aibou)."

"Good, now let's go," I said curtly.

"Ahhhhhhh! Who's that?!" Louise suddenly freaked out.

All of us turned in the direction Louise was looking, Koji ripping the tape of his mouth, as we looked and saw a silhouetted figure in the shadows. "Who is that?" Agnès asked in confusion.

The figure then silently began to approach us.

Louise, overreacting, took out her wand and pointed it at the figure. "Stay back!"

"Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, wait, wait, wait! Louise!" I panicked.

"Miss Vallière, please no!" Professor Colbert shouted.

Unfortunately, it was too late. The light at the end of Louise's wand began to glow and fired off in her Explosion spell.

*BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM!*

Oh, look at the pre~tty little birdi~es…


Meanwhile…

Cattleya was sitting on the bed in her room with Serket and her many pets before they felt a small–

*BOOOOOOOOM!*

rumble.

"Oh my, what was that?" Cattleya blinked.

Serket, who had been napping, woke up in a fright. Looking around with worry, she asked, "Mommy, what was that!?"

"Calm down, it was just a rumble," Cattleya said. "Probably from one of Louise's many Explosions."

"Oh," Serket frowned. "Auntie Louise does that a lot, doesn't she?" Sighing, she then lay back down on the bed and said, "And I was having such a nice dream, too…"

"Well, you can go back to sleep now. I don't think Louise will do another Explosion any time soon."

Yawning, Serket nodded as she closed her eyes, trying to go back to sleep. "Okay, Mommy…"


Aw, man. That Louise… one of these days, she's gonna be the death of us.

I was stirring, coming to as I slowly regained consciousness. The first thing I saw was that everyone was sprawled on the ground thanks to Louise's Explosion. "Minna…?" I asked, seeing them start to come to.

Koji was first, groaning as he reached over and picked up his newsboy cap, dusting it off before placing it back on his head. "Daijobu, aibou," he grunted as he sat up. "Can't say for certain about the others."

"Oh, dear…" Professor Colbert groaned as he got up, as did Agnes, Eleanor, Louise, and Siesta.

"Louise, you idiot!" Eleanor snarled, pinching her cheek hard. "There's a time and place for using magic and clearly this is not one of those times! Haven't you ever been the basics?!"

"Owowowowow…" Louise whimpered before Eleanor let go.

"I've told her many times, too…" Professor Colbert sighed.

Agnès grunted as she stood up and, dusting herself off, marched over to the direction we came from, growling with frustration as she examined the debris that had caved us in. "Darn! The path is completely blocked off!"

Running a hand through his hair, Koji stated, "Looks like our only way to go is forward… Unless…" Turning to me, he said, "I think some Earth and Buffalo magic should get through that quickly."

"Right," I said before he and I slipped on my Land Style and his Beast Rings.

SHABADOOBIE, TOUCH TO HENSHIN! SHABADOOBIE, TOUCH TO HENSHIN!

"Henshin!"

"Hennnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn~ shin!"

LAND! PLEASE! DO! DO! DO! DODODON! DO! DO! DODON!

SET! OPEN! L–I–O–N: LION!

BUFFA! GO! BU! BU! BU–BU–BU–BUFFA!

As the yellow magic circle for me flew over me from the ground, forming my Land Style armor, Koji's gold magic circle went over him from front to back as his maroon magic circle immediately flew over his right arm, forming his Buffa Mantle just as his Beast armor finished forming. "Okay, Kuro, let's rock'n roll."

"Right!" I said before I took out a ring while Koji took out his Dice Saber and spun the wheel before stopping it.

DRILL! PLEASE!

SIX! BUFFA! SABER STRIKE!

Koji spun his sword, forming the large maroon magic circle as I leapt into the air. I started to dive down towards the rocks, spinning like a drill. When I got in front of the circle, Koji then slashed the Dice Saber, sending out the six magic energy buffalos right behind me. They got up to me and started pushing me faster towards the rocks. However, when I connected with the rocks–

–A force field blocked my path!?

"Nanda?!" I gawked.

"Hey, what gives?!" Koji snapped.

The buffalos dissipated in a flash of light as I got knocked back, flipping backwards and skidding on my feet before Koji caught me. "You good, buddy?"

"Yeah," I said as I got up.

"How come a barrier blocked those rocks?" Siesta wondered baffled.

"Because, I must borrow Kurogasa for a short time," a mysterious voice said. We all turned in the direction of the voice and found it was the silhouetted figure from before, revealed to be none other than the White Wizard.

"Shiroi Mahotsukai!" Koji and I exclaimed.

Nodding to the group, the White Wizard said, "I apologize for frightening you before. I, sadly, did not get the chance to reveal myself before." Everyone looked to Louise with a judgmental look, causing her to blush sheepishly, rubbing the front of her foot against the ground.

The White Wizard then looked to me. "Kurogasa, while your friends continue on their mission, I must request that you come with me. You have training that you must complete under my tutelage."

"Training? Training for what?" I asked.

"You'll see soon enough," the White Wizard stated. "All I can say right now is that it will bring you closer to unlocking your full power."

"My full power…" I muttered. Does he mean–?

"Come," the White Wizard said, approaching and standing next to me. He then took out a ring and slipped it on his finger before switching his Hand Author.

TELEPORT! NOW!

An origin magic circle appeared before him as I de-henshined. He walked through immediately, but I paused before entering. "I'll be back as soon as I can, everyone."

"Are you sure you can trust him?" Professor Colbert asked.

Shaking my head, I replied with a shrug, "Not sure, but I definitely don't think he is out to hurt me, at least not right now."

"Kurogasa, please be careful," Siesta said worriedly.

"I'll be fine," I said, shooting a thumbs–up before I turned and entered the portal.


As soon as Kurogasa entered the magic circle, the portal closed. "Alright, let's keep moving forward," Koji said as he de–henshined.

"Right," Agnès said, regaining her cool. "The actual vault should be straight ahead."

"Not that we have many other directions to go in, thanks to my sister's actions," Eleanor reprimanded, giving her sister a cold glare.

As Louise looked down with guilt, Koji said, coming to her defense, "Oh, drop it, Eleanor. She just was trying to protect us. If that had been a Phantom, she may have saved our lives. Besides, we're all okay, right?"

"I suppose," Eleanor said, but she was still miffed.

And so they continued forward, walking down the large hallway. After a few moments of silence, Agnes, having eyed Siesta for a short time, asked, "Koji, Kurogasa said the outfit that Siesta is wearing is a sailor's uniform? So that is what sailor's wear in your country's navy?"

"Huh? Oh no, that's a school uniform she's wearing," Koji corrected.

"Students in your world wear those?" Eleanor asked in confusion.

Koji nodded, hands in his pockets as he kept walking. "Yep. Those threads are standard in Japan."

Professor Colbert seemed intrigued by that. "You mean, children in your country do not go to war?"

"Are you kidding me? Kids being sent to war would be considered inhumane," Koji said incredulously. "Kuro and I were quite shocked to see the students here at Tristain getting ready for battle here."

A smile seemed to come to the professor's face. "A land where children do not have to face the horrors of war… I would very much like to see this place. I only wish that was the case here."

Despite how he usually seemed so carefree and whatnot, being the son of a police detective taught Koji to be quite perceptive. Looking down at Colbert, he said curiously, "You sound like you've had some experience in war there, Teach."

"Oh heavens, no," Professor Colbert waved off. "Despite not participating, I have seen what war is like." His fist then clenched tight with anger. "I hate the fact that in this world we must send young people off to face combat, to experience the nightmares war can bring."

"That's why Tristain Academy was built in the first place," Agnès said. "They have to learn to use their magic in order for them to survive in events such as war."

"Don't be ridiculous!" Colbert exclaimed in retaliation, clearly appalled. "You only say that because you yourself have not seen what it is truly like on the battlefield!"

"Hmph…" Agnès scoffed.

"Oh boy," Koji sighed. Why does he get the feeling that this walk towards the vault will be a lot longer than usual?


The Origin Circle appeared on the other side and the White Wizard and I came out of the circle. Looking around, I saw that I was in a strange place. "Where are we, exactly?" I asked, seeing what appeared to be a stone altar in the middle of a chalk drawn magic circle with four torches lit around it, each flame the color of one of my four elements.

"This is my hidden sanctum," the White Wizard said, not looking at me, as he walked towards the altar. "This is where I come to perform some of my strongest magic, away from the prying sight of others. Here… we will build you the tool you need to harness all of your Phantom's power."

This all seems so familiar, though. The only time I'd seen something like this was when Haruto– wait a minute, I know what the White Wizard wanted me to do.

"The Drago Timer…" I muttered.

The White Wizard turned to me in a manner I could best describe as puzzled. "You know of the device?"

"It's the only logical explanation why you brought me here," I said. "I have to place my Dragon Rings inside those flames, go in my Underworld, and withstand all of Dragon's elemental attacks. Sound about right?"

Despite not being able to see his face, I could tell from his body language that the White Wizard was shocked, clearly not expecting me to have been aware of these things. "How do you know what I planned to do? Are you… can you see into the future?"

"I wish," I scoffed. "The only reason I know is because I've seen my predecessor go through the same thing. Only the White Wizard of my world had his own agenda. Which brings me to this question: Can I really trust you?"

"'Predecessor?'" The mysterious mage asked before chuckling softly. "I assure you, my friend, you are the first of your kind. Never before in this land has one with your abilities existed, nor have I seen any other mage like myself. As for trusting me, if you wish to reach your full potential, you'll have to."

I frowned at that before I said, "Well, if it's to help beat Wiseman and the others, then I'll trust you. And one other thing. My predecessor is not from this world, he's from my world," I said, putting emphasis on 'my'.

White Wizard gave a small chuckle, putting his hand to his chin. "Fascinating, simply fascinating…" He murmured to himself before returning to the altar. "Now then, we should not waste time," he said as he drew a magic circle on the altar in chalk. "Place your rings in the torches and we will begin."

Silently, I took out my Dragon Rings and I placed them in corresponding colored flames before going over to the altar.

By this time, the White Wizard had finished drawing the circle. "Excellent. Next, take out an Engage Ring and, after holding it over your Hand Author, hold it over the circle I drew."

I gave a slow nod to the White Wizard as I grabbed one of my Engage Rings and slid it onto my right hand, holding over the Hand Author.

ENGAGE! PLEASE!

Stepping up to the altar, I then held my hand over the circle the White Wizard drew, causing the circle to begin glowing. Suddenly, everything went bright for me.


Meanwhile, Koji and the group continued walking down the large hallway, until they came upon a light that was just at the end of the tunnel. "Hey, is that it?" Siesta asked, pointing towards the light.

Looking ahead, Koji nodded as he said, "More than likely." When they exited the tunnel, they saw what appeared to be a Greco–Roman style temple across a bridge. "Yeah, I'd put my money on it that it's the vault, alright. Now, we best be careful, everyone. I am picking up some bad vibes; more than likely there are traps up ahead." He then looked down, seeing the huge dark chasm just below. He took a pebble nearby and threw it down the chasm. About thirty seconds later, he heard a faint plop. "Whew… that's a lo~ng way down."

Siesta clearly looked worried as she saw it. "Oh, my…"

Koji turned and smiled at her, squeezing her hand reassuringly for a moment as he said, "Don't worry, Sugah Mama. We'll be fine. Just look straight ahead."

"Uh… right," Siesta gulped audibly.

"Koji, take the rear guard," Agnes said as she walked down down the stone bridge.

Surprised, Koji asked, "You sure you wouldn't prefer if I take the lead, Soul Sistah? I can turn into Beast if anything pops up."

"I doubt any Phantom would want to come down here," Agnès said. "Besides, I'd be more worried about something like that coming up from behind us."

The Chimera Wizard saw the wisdom in that. "I can dig it. Alright, I'll watch our booties."

The rest of the group, thusly, began following after Agnès one–by–one, Koji coming up after them once everyone else started across.

"So Agnès, what do you plan to do after the war?" Professor Colbert asked.

"What else? To serve Their Majesties until I die." Agnès said, as if the answer was second nature.

"Is that all you're going to do? Live your life in war and violence?" Professor Colbert frowned. "Haven't you ever had the slightest thought that you are meant for something more?"

Agnès scoffed. "Not at all. This is my purpose here."

Koji quirked an eyebrow. "You're sure that's all your life is meant for: war and vengeance? C'mon, Agnès, there has to be something you really want to do beyond fighting." Grinning, he pondered, "Anything having to do with… romance? Any 'special someone' catch your eye?"

"What does that have to do anything?!" She snapped.

"Everything," Koji said casually. "Love is arguably the greatest magic in the world. It's something worth going after. If you have love, you're the richest cat or chick out there."

"Hmph… I have no time for such things." Agnès scoffed.

Sighing, Koji said, "Well, I tried. It's sad to say that you're missing out on the best thing in your entire life."

Siesta looked at Koji with a slightly surprised look. "You seem awfully knowledgeable about matters of love, Your Grace," she said, referring to Koji with a noble title.

"Oh you have no idea," Koji chuckled. "And please, just call me Koji."

"As you wish, Koji," Siesta said with a smile. 'Perhaps he would know how to help me with Kurogasa…'

When they arrived at the secret vault, they stood at the entrance. As they were about to go in, Koji noticed something on top of the entrance of the doors, "Hey, there's something written there." he pointed, to which everyone looked up to see it.

"It says that 'the destruction, alteration, or removal of any of the documents within is strictly forbidden. Also, the use of magic is strictly forbidden,'" Eleanor read. "Hmph… I bet it's just an empty threat."

"And one we're not taking lightly. Louise, Eleanor, give me your wands," Koji commanded.

"Wha–what!?" Louise asked, stunned.

Eleanor glared at Koji and said, "You dare give me an order!?"

"Hey, you're talking to an Emissary of the Pope himself, so whatever I say, goes," Koji said smugly. Then, slightly more serious, he added, "Besides, read the rest: 'If these rules are not abided by, then a catastrophe will befall ye who enter." Grinning again, he waved his hand in a "gimme" motion to the Vallière sisters. "Now then, fork 'em over… please."

Louise sighed and handed Koji hers as Eleanor reluctantly did the same. "You know I hate you, right?" Eleanor asked.

"I ain't gonna lose sleep over it, babe," Koji replied with a roll of his eyes. In his mind, he cackled like a madman. 'Oh, I just love abusing my authority!'

Shaking her head, Agnès said, pinching her nose, "Can we please continue? We must find that document."

"Right, right." Koji waved off before he and Professor Colbert opened the big doors and inside was the secret vault… in the form of a huge library. "Whew… check it out. This vault of a library is on par with Romalia's library," he said, rather impressed.

Siesta, her eyes shifting from bookshelf to bookshelf, asked, "Is there really a need for this many documents to be kept secret?"

Agnès seemingly ignored this question as she walked into the library, glancing at the various shelves.

Following after her, Louise asked, "Agnès, do you know where the document you're looking for is located?"

"It's from 20 years ago," the captain stated. "Compared to several of the documents in here, it must be a relatively recent addition."

"Well, we better start looking," Koji said. "And start reading."


I was starting to come to, and as I opened up my eyes, I realized that I was in a black void. I looked around, being aware of my surroundings. I must be in my Underworld.

"Well, well, so you're back here again," a familiar voice bellowed out. I turned around and saw WizarDragon right in front of me.

I gave a small scoff at that. "I'm pretty sure you know why. I need more of your power, Dragon. That's why I'm here. The war with Albion is picking up and now that Phoenix has joined the Phantoms, I need as much power as I can gather."

"The question is, can you really withstand all four elements? Because there is a likely chance that you will die in the process," WizarDragon pointed out.

"I'm fully aware of that. If Haruto can get through this, then so can I." I nodded firmly.

Dragon gave a scoffing chuckle. "We'll see then, won't we?" Just then, the Phantom gave a loud roar and flew off, circling me for a few moments before shooting a fire blast at me from his mouth. I crossed my arms to defend myself as the flames came into contact with me.

"ARRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRGH!" I yelled.

"It's not over yet!" WizarDragon shouted as he whipped his tail and sent a huge wave of water towards me.

The wave came crashing down on me faster than I could react. The pressure of the water felt like I got hit in the stomach with a sack of bricks while the sheer amount of it nearly choked me as I went rolling back, the current of the water completely overtaking me.

"URRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRGH!" I shouted.

"Two more to go!" WizarDragon said as he now used his wings to flap a huge wind towards me.

The wind formed into a green tornado that completely swept me up before I even finished rolling from the water attack. Besides getting spun around uncontrollably, the gusts of wind were like razor blades, cutting through my clothes and cutting at my flesh.

"GWARRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRGH!"

"And here's the last one!" WizarDragon said as some rocks formed from out of nowhere and used his claws to smash them and send the debris at me.

As I began to fall, the tornado dissipating, the swarm of rocks flew at me like bullets, constantly pelting me and causing bruises and welts to begin forming.

"DAH! GAH! ERGH! GUH! AHHH! ERRR! UGH! DOW!"

"And now for the finale!" WizarDragon said before he sent all four elemental attacks at me. The tornado sucked up the fireball, rocks, and water, joining all four into one collective blast. I tried to brace myself for the attack, but even with the time to prepare, the blast was able to overtake me.

"RAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAGGGHHHH!"

After the attacks died down, I floated in the void that was darkness, barely able to keep conscious. "Well, what do you know? You're still alive," WizarDragon said impressed.

Rolling my eyes, holding one of my arms with the other, I stared up at WizarDragon as I floated there and replied, "No kidding… I'm not quite as easy to kill as I look."

"You certainly aren't," WizarDragon said with a snort. "Very well, I will grant you the power you need to defeat your enemies! Use it well!"

And with that, my Underworld and vision went white.


I slowly opened my eyes and there and saw that I was back in front of the altar. On it was a very familiar item: "The Drago Timer…" It was an arm worn brace broken down primarily into two pieces: a silver square with a crystal dragon statue on it and what appeared to be a Hand Author holding onto what appeared to be a timepiece, a silver circle which was broken into four colored quarters on the face (red, yellow, green, and blue) with a black and red arrow.

"You have passed your trial," The White Wizard said.

"Yeah, I did," I said, taking the Drago Timer to look at it. Who would've thought that the Drago Timer was made from my own magic? "So now what?"

"There is no more reason for you to be here," The White Wizard said. "You may now return to your friends."

TELEPORT! NOW!

The Origin Circle appeared in front of me. "This will lead you to the entrance of the secret vault. I'm sure by now they have already opened the doors over there."

"Right," I replied with a nod as I attached the Drago Timer to my wrist. "I don't know why you're doing all this, but… thank you."

"You're most welcome," The White Wizard said. "And I promise I will reveal my reasons when the time is right. Now go."

I gave him a thumbs up. "Got it. Thanks, again." And with that, I stepped into the magic circle and disappeared from the White Wizard's sanctum.


Moments later, I walked out of the magic circle and lo and behold, I was in front of some kind of Greco–Roman style temple. This must be the vault the Academy was hiding. I looked to the front and saw that the doors were already opened, probably by Koji and the others, so with that, I yelled, "I'm back everyone!"

"Yo, aibou!" Koji shouted from one of the upper levels, placing a book back on there. "Been wondering when you were getting back."

With that, I entered the vault and man what a vault it was. It was a huge library by the looks of it! And everyone was reading some of these books, probably looking for that record Agnès is so desperate to find.

"Kurogasa, you're back!" Siesta exclaimed.

"Where have you been?!" Louise demanded.

"And I'm glad to see you, too…" I deadpanned. "So I'm guessing you're still looking for the record?"

Koji sighed as he leaned against the balcony, looking down at me. "Yeah, we've been making slow work, but we're getting along. What happened with the White Wizard?"

"He gave me this," I said, showing the Drago Timer to Koji.

Colbert eyed the item on my wrist curiously as Koji's eyes bugged at the sight. "Bakana! The Drago Timer!?"

"The what?" Professor Colbert asked confused.

"The Drago Timer. All you need to know is that this will definitely help out in my battles against the Phantoms," I said.

Grinning, Koji said, "You don't do the thing enough justice with that description, buddy." He turned to Colbert and said, "Let's just say this, Professor. The Timer will unleash the full power of Dragon inside him."

"Remarkable!" The professor exclaimed as he came over and, without think, grabbed my wrist so he could examine the mystical artifact up close. "To think, this little thing is so powerful a relic! Intriguing!"

"Uh… Professor, let's not do anything drastic now." I gulped.

"I wonder what this knob does," he said, as he was… about to turn it?!

"Professor, wait!" I cried out.

In sudden realization, Koji also shouted, "Professor, don't! We aren't supposed to use magic in here!"

Professor Colbert, realizing this stopped dead in his tracks. "Oh! My deepest apologies!" Cleaning his glasses as we all breathed a deep sigh of relief, he said, "I apologize, my friends. I let my curiosity get the better of me."

"It's alright, just… be careful next time." I sighed.

"I found it!" Agnès suddenly shouted.

Everyone turned in the direction that Agnes's voice came from after her exclamation and rushed over to her. "What did you find, Agnès?" I asked as we got to her spot.

"This is it!" She exclaimed. "The file… the D'Angleterre Case… after all this time, I've finally found it."

"Well, let's take a read shall we?" I suggested.

So with that, Agnès sat down at the bottom of a staircase as we gathered around. She opened up the book to find the page she was looking for.

After a few moments, Siesta was trotting back with a stack of books to put back on the shelves. However, she wound up tripping on a stone on the ground, causing her to drop the books she was carrying as a huge cloud of dust floated up the ground.

Eleanor and Siesta were coughing as the latter stood up. Angrily, Eleanor glared at Siesta. "Watch it, commoner! You have to be careful in here, especially with things you don't understand!"

"Sorry…" Siesta sadly as she bowed before Eleanor.

Shaking her head with a groan, Eleanor adjusted her glasses and, without thinking, went over to the table where Koji had put her wand and Louise's. "Honestly," she said, absentmindedly as she lazily flicked her wand to magically restack the books.

"ELEANOR, YOU IDIOT! YOU'RE NOT SUPPOSED TO USE MAGIC IN HERE!" Koji yelled. At that point, the vault suddenly shook hard.

"Oh no! The security magic is active!" Professor Colbert exclaimed.

Louise then chimed in as she grabbed her wand, "Yeah, sister! Aren't you supposed to consider the time and place you use magic!?"

Growling, Eleanor shouted, "That's not important right now! We need to get out of here!"

"Everyone, let's go! Head for the exit!" I shouted as all of us started to make our way for the exit… Save Agnès. "Agnès, c'mon! We need to leave, now!"

"Wait! Here it is!" Agnès said. "'Order. To prevent the spread of the epidemic, burn all humans near D'Angleterre.'"

Epidemic? Is that why Agnès's village was burnt to the ground?

"Agnès, we have to get out of here now!" Professor Colbert shouted.

"But I haven't found the captain's name yet!" Agnès protested. At that point, the book shelves started closing in on us!

"Hurry it up already!" I urged as well.

The rest of the group began to run as the bookshelves started closing in, myself included. However, Agnès was still reading the book! Professor Colbert had stopped and was trying to get her to leave. "Ms. Agnès! We must go now! This is not worth losing your life over!"

"Found it!" Agnès shouted. "A special force was put together in order to deal with the epidemic and the captain was–" She flipped the next page over but… part of it was ripped! "It's gone! A section of the document was torn away! Why?!"

"Alright, that's it! We're leaving now!" I shouted as I got a hold of her after running back in.

Immediately, Agnès threw her arms to shake free of myself and Colbert's grip on her arms. "No! Not when I've come so far! I have to find it! The captain's name has to be here!" However, as she tried to go deeper into the vault, more of the bookshelves moved and closed off the pathway inwards. As that happened, the books went flying off the shelves, a particularly heavy happening to land on Agnes' ankle. "GUH!" She gasped in pain as she tripped and fell to the ground.

"Agnès!" I shouted before Professor Colbert and I got her up and had her arms around our shoulders. With that, the three of us got her out of the library.

When we got out, we saw that the others were already on the other side, but the bridge was starting to crumble!

"Alright, we're going to have to run this one!" I said. "Professor, can you carry Agnès on your back?" I asked.

With a determined look, Colbert nodded and said, "Of course I can."

Agnès groaned in pain as she said, "Don't risk yourselves for me! Just go and save yourselves!"

"And leave you behind?! No way!" I snapped. "We're all getting out of this alive, whether you like it or not!"

Colbert scooped Agnès onto his back as he said, "I refuse to leave you behind, Agnès! Now Kurogasa, let's go!" The two of us then started running across the bridge as it started to collapse. "We must hurry! I can use magic for levitation, but only on myself, so we must run, my boy!"

"Right!" I said before we continued running and as we ran, the bridge behind us started to crumble down towards the darkness below. That only urged us to run even faster.

"C'mon, hurry up!" Koji shouted.

"What do you think we're doing?!" I yelled back.

We continued to run faster and faster, and when we were at the end of the bridge, we were just about to fall into the chasm, making the others panic, but with all the strength we could muster, we made a huge leap and made it just in time before all of the bridge collapsed.

"Kurogasa!" Koji shouted as he rushed over to me and Colbert. "You guys okay!?"

"Yeah, we're fine." I sighed, I then looked back towards where the vault. "Looks we won't be going back there any time soon."

Eleanor gave a low murmur as she replied, "Perhaps not… after all, it's magic. The next time we come back, the bridge could have repaired itself."

I gave an affirmative shrug at that. "I suppose…"

Just then, Agnès, still holding on to Colbert for support, smiled with closed eyes. "Colbert, it seems I owe you thanks. You saved my life."

"Well… I only got scared and ran…" He said sheepishly.

"Yeah, but you could be brave in an emergency," I chuckled.

Koji nodded in agreement, giving the professor a tip of the hat with the brim of his newsboy cap. "After all, you know what they say, Teach: bravery is doing a courageous thing when you're scared."

"Well, I suppose," Professor Colbert said. "Anyways, let's head back to the Academy."


As we walked back, I explained everything of what happened in the library. "An epidemic countermeasure?" Koji asked as he and I had Agnès's arms around her shoulders to help her walk.

"Yes. So in reality, there wasn't really a rebellion going on. That was the cover story," Agnès said.

"And the ones who carried out the mission, didn't really know the truth behind it," Professor Colbert pondered.

"Are you saying that I should forgive them if that's the case?!" Agnès snapped a bit.

"No, but…"

"Still, it's strange for the Captain's name to be ripped out," Eleanor frowned, "This place was made to go against that individual, right?"

"Maybe someone came here before us," Koji shrugged.

"Who?" Agnès asked.

"Don't know."

You know, for some strange reason, I get the feeling that there's more to Professor Colbert than I originally thought. Well whatever it is, it's probably nothing. I was snapped out of my thoughts when we came across the large wall of rocks that Louise made.

"That's right… Louise collapsed the entrance." Eleanor frowned.

"That's because–" Louise mumbled.

"Well, nothing like the present," I said before letting Agnès go and went in front of the rock wall, "I can show off my Drago Timer this way." I then took my Flame Dragon and Driver On Ring.

DRIVER ON! PLEASE!

SHABADOOBIE, TOUCH TO HENSHIN! SHABADOOBIE, TOUCH TO HENSHIN!

"Henshin!"

FLAME! DRAGON! BOU! BOU! BOU, BOU, BOU!

WizarDragon in his fiery form came out of and circled around me momentarily before assuming my Flame Dragon form. I then got my Drago Timer ready by turning the knob.

DRAGO TIME! SET UP!

After that, I hit the thumb on the Timer.

START!

The arrow on the Timer began spinning, ticking away as it continually moved around the clock part. "Let's do this," I said as the arrow moved from the red section to the blue section. The moment it did, I pressed the thumb on the Drago Timer's Hand Author.

WATER DRAGON!

Immediately, a blue magic circle appeared and, with a splash of water, a copy of myself in Water Dragon Style appeared, drawing a clone of the WizarSwordGun and twirling it.

"Oh, wow!" Siesta exclaimed, an excited blush coming to her cheeks. "Another Kurogasa!"

"Astonishing!" Colbert replied in agreement.

Smirking, Koji crossed his arms and leaned against the wall. "Please, you cats and chicks ain't seen nothing yet. Wait until you see just how groovy that device really is."

Just as Koji said that, the arrow moved from the blue to the green section, causing me to press the thumb again.

HURRICANE DRAGON!

A green magic circle appeared on cue as another clone of myself, this one in Hurricane Dragon Style, appeared from it with a gust of wind. This one, too, carried a WizarSwordGun, but unlike the real me and my Water Dragon clone, this one carried his in Gun Mode.

Agnès was amazed. "There's another one!"

Even Eleanor had to admit, she was rather impressed by my magic. "This is the most unusual yet remarkable display of square magic I've ever seen."

Louise couldn't help but brag at that. "Yes… that's my familiar! Pretty impressive, isn't he?"

Oh sure, she only talks nice about me when she wants to brag about all the stuff I can do…

Shaking my head, I watched the arrow finally move from the green section to the yellow one. "Last one."

LAND DRAGON!

A yellow magic circle appeared on the ground. After a burst of pebbles and dirt flew out of it, my Land Dragon Style clone appeared, holding his WizarSwordGun backhand as he joined myself and my two other clones.

"Looks like the gang's all here!" I proudly stated.

FINAL TIME!

"'Final Time?'" Everyone but Koji parroted.

"Oh, you'll see," Koji smirked as I then pressed the thumb on the Drago Timer again.

DRAGON FOUR–MATION!

At that announcement, my three clones and I took our positions. After Hurricane Dragon Wizard switched his weapon to Sword Mode, the four of us crossed our blades as we placed our Style Rings on our WizardSwordGuns' Hand Authors.

FLAME/HURRICANE/WATER/LAND! SLASH STRIKE!

As one, we then made a downward slash, releasing an energy slash of our individual elements, breaking through the force field the White Wizard put up. And then, we each took out our Special Rings.

VERY NICE! SPECIAL! FABULOUS!

I stood in the middle of the Drago Skull appeared on my chest with Hurricane Dragon Wizard floating above me with the Drago Wings, Water Dragon Wizard to my right with the Drago Tail, and Land Dragon Wizard to my left with the Drago Claws. Behind each of us, our individually colored magic circles appeared. And then, finally, as one–

"SEE–YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHH!" We cried out, firing our elemental blasts, each one joining into one giant blast that completely obliterated the rocks. Koji and everyone else gawked at how powerful my attack was when I obliterated the rock wall.

"Nice one, aibou!" Koji praised.

"Incredible," Professor Colbert said stunned. "To think something so small, can possess great power!"

I smiled under my helmet as my clones disappeared and I de–henshined. "Thanks. I'm just glad we're finally able to get out of here."

"Agreed," Koji said before his eyes turned to hearts. "I need to get back to the academy to meet with Kirche for our date! I'm teaching her disco dancing!"

"Disco dancing…" I deadpanned.

"Yeah, got a problem with it?"

"Oh, gee I don't know, because for all I know, there's another kind of disco dancing you do and you did that dance one too many times," I said sarcastically.

Koji stuck out his tongue at me. "Well, yeah, we're gonna do that kind later, but right now, I mean actual disco dancing! She's seeing about summoning us up some legit disco threads and fresh platform shoes for us, even!"

"Why do I get the feeling that that's a lie…" I muttered.

Giving me a sideways glare, Koji responded, whispering in an annoyed tone, "I never said we haven't done the horizontal hustle in the past, I just said we aren't doing that right away on this date."

"Fine, whatever you say," I shrugged before casually walking away towards the exit.

"Hey, I'm serious, man!" Koji said indignantly, before following me with a scowl.

"Keep telling yourself that," I waved off.

Louise groaned, shaking her head as she pinched her nose. "Boys… they're so stupid…" She sighed in exasperation.


SD: Voila! Another chapter in the books and quite the developments that appeared, eh, folks?

Fen: Yep! Kuro now has the Drago Timer and things should be easier for him when he and Koji fight the Phantoms… supposedly.

SD: And if that wasn't enough, Agnès has now learned the truth behind the destruction of her village. Contrary to her original belief, it was not due to a supposed rebellion, but it was in fact the cover–up of a major epidemic. However, while this mystery has been solved, one other mystery still remains: who was the soldier that led this horrific attack?

Fen: Stick around, because you guys might be in for a quite a shock. Well… for those who already watched the anime will expect it, but others that haven't won't. And to the former, please no spoilers.

SD: Yes, please… we want it to be a surprise for those of you who haven't seen it. But, anyway, Fen… shall we update them about some of our upcoming projects?

Fen: Yeah, we can. Again, keep in mind, these are still in the planning stages and have yet to confirm whether or not we're going through this.

SD: Yep… okay, so we have a Kamen Rider Drive story coming up, but things are gonna be a little different from most of our other ones. Namely because Koji and Kurogasa will be switching roles.

Fen: Yep. It's Koji turn to be the main guy and for Kuro to step back a little bit.

SD: Indeed, Koji will be in the driver's seat as Kamen Rider Drive while Kuro rides shotgun as Kamen Rider Mach! We have a few other ideas, but those ones will, are still on the drawing board about whether or not we'll use them.

Fen: So that's our update as of now, don't expect the stories to come up anytime soon.

SD: Mhmm! Anyhow, be on the lookout for more updates for this story and our currently released ones! until next time, stay magical, everybody! xD

Fen: Later.