Chapter 5-5: We Have an Agreement

"I'm impressed, Malleus. It took but a glance for you to break down the spell's structure. But it's not my signature spell. I borrowed it from Deuce," Azul says.

"From Spade...?" Malleus questions.

Then Briar says, "I thought that spell looked familiar."

Flashback:

Back in the lecture hall…

"I can't work out tough problems or use complicated spells like you guys. But I want to do what my housewarden said—find a place where I can shine and show those flowers what for. I won't embarrass you guys by just letting them suck my magic dry. I'll fight to the bitter end!" Deuce explains.

"You truly do have tunnel vision. All right, normally I'd hold off on doing this, but since we're not on campus…" Azul says, "...I suppose it'll be okay. Deuce, would you mind lending me a bit of help? I'd like to borrow your signature spell."

"Huh? You want my magic?" Deuce responds confused.

"Your signature spell lets you hit a foe with the same damage they inflict on you, "Azul says, "It's highly risky… But it's a perfect ace in the hole against a fool like Rollo who truly thinks he's superior. I'd have preferred to keep your piece on the board until the endgame, but your injury has scuppered that idea. Would you let me use my own signature spell, It's a Deal, to take yours for a while?"

Soon, Deuce understands, "Ohhh, I get it. Your spell lets you take my signature spell in exchange for something else!"

"Precisely," Azul says, "I'm sure you have misgivings about surrendering your most prized magical possession, but—"

But Deuce says, "Okay, I'm down."

"Huh?" Azul responds, a bit surprised, "That was alarmingly quick. Did you even consider I might be scamming you?!"

"If I give you your contract, it means Rollo gets it, yeah? If my signature spell can hit that jerk where it hurts, then that's all I could ask for! Besides, I'm sure you'll come up with some clever way to use it that I wouldn't have thought of," Deuce explains.

"Not only too honest, but dangerously credulous as well. If everyone in the world was like you, I'd become a billionaire overnight," Azul says.

Then says to Deuce, "Very well, so be it. I'll ensure your signature spell gets put to good use."

"Yessir. My fist is in your hands!" Deuce says.

"Then we have an agreement," Azul says and begins to cast his magic, "The song ceases, the sun sets. I extend my benevolent hand to you poor, unfortunate souls. Now, to business! It's a Deal!"

Flashback Ends:

"So you mean, Deuce made a deal with you to let you use his signature spell," Briar asks, shocked.

"So that's what you were discussing on the other side of the fallen chandelier," Malleus says.

"The biggest hurdle was finding just the right time to use it, given what a game changer it could be. While we only spent a scant few hours with Rollo, it was enough for me to discern he was quite serious...and high-strung. I presumed—rightly—that he would crack under an onslaught of professional-grade trolling from Idia and fly into a frenzy," Azul explains.

"If you need trolling, I'm your guy! Though in this case, it wasn't intentional. That was real talk," Idia says.

"I have to hand it to you. Or...do I...?" Malleus says, "Regardless, let us ring the bell before Flamme wakes up—"

Suddenly, Rollo regains consciousness and he is not pleased, "Rgh! Augh…"

The group reacts and turns to see Rollo is starting to stand up and is furious.

"Not yet...!" Rollo says, angrily.

"Oh my goodness," Briar says, surprised.

"My word... He's still trying to stand after taking a blast like that?" Azul says, just as surprised.

And Idia says, "Dude, is Rollo even conscious? He can barely get to his knees!"

"What powerful obsession...! I admit it. I am now truly frightened by him!" Malleus says.

"I'm starting to get a bad feeling about this," Briar says, worried.

Rollo angrily says, "Not yet... It's not over yet!" and soon begins to charge up his magic.

"Wait, Flamme. What are you doing?!" Malleus calls out.

Rollo then says, "You shall not lay a finger on the Bell of Solace. I didn't want to use my abominable magic, but I swear...this shall be the last time I ever do. My flames shall eradicate you monsters for good!"

Rollo continues to charge up his magic, "Crimson lotus flames, burn my body and guide me. DARKFIRE!" and ignites his magic into a powerful flame that he's practically covered in.

The group is shocked to see Rollo has changed into a walking inferno.

"What in the world is THAT?!" Azul exclaims in shock.

"Is that Rollo's signature spell?!" Idia questions.

Rollo then says, "I envelop myself in flames that are mine to command… That's my Darkfire Spell."

Malleus says, "These are no ordinary flames."

"You're right. This fire is very powerful," Briar says.

"Indeed-your fear, panic, and turmoil fuel them," Rollo says.

Then Idia says, "So if we wanna survive, we have to just sit here and chill while they burn us?!"

"What a nuisance…" Azul says.

"But we can't just stand here and do nothing," Briar says.

Soon, Rollo says, "Struggle and suffer, villains!"

Rollo begins firing his magic at then, but the four dodge the attack. When they try to attack, the inferno is not proven easily.

"Rgh…" Azul says, "I don't exactly have much in the way of heat resistance…" and feel weakened from the heat."

"Azul!" Idia calls out.

"Hang in there!" Briar says.

"Briar, Shroud, I trust you both can still move?" Malleus asks, "Take Briar and Ashengrotto and get them to safety."

"What?" Briar asks, shocked.

"Huh?! What're you gonna do, Malleus?" Idia asks.

"It's me he's after. I shall give him what he wants," Malleus says.

But Briar steps forward, "Actually we will. Don't forget, Rollo wants me too. I think we should give him what he wants."

"Briar…" Malleus says, shocked.

Malleus sees the determination in Briar's eyes.

He nods and says, "Yes. You may stay, but stay close."

"Right," Briar says.

Then Malleus turns to Rollo, "Come, Flamme. We shall face you personally."

This makes Rollo angry, "Don't you dare look down upon me… MALLEUS DRACONIAAA!" and ignites his fire magic.

Malleus and Briar soon work together to fight against Rollo and his magic. Rollo dodges the magic, but Briar uses her water magic to stop his fire magic. The two continue to fight Rollo with all their might, and Briar is able to defend Malleus using her own abilities.

Briar calls out, "Rollo, you have to stop this! Is this really what your brother wants?!"

"What do you know?! Rollo angrily says, "You don't know anything! Why do you even care!" and throw more fire magic.

"But I do know! And I do care! I know what you've gone through!" Briar calls out.

"How… how could you…?" Rollo questions.

"Because, I've lost my sister! I've lost my parents! My friends! I've lost everything because of something that couldn't be prevented! I couldn't do anything when my sister decided to sacrifice her life to keep me safe!" Briar calls out, "What happened was a terrible accident, and those who were involved tried to prevent it from happening! But your brother wouldn't want you to hurt anyone for his sake or for your own guilt!"

"What makes you think what I'm doing is not right!" Rollo shouts.

Soon, Malleus says, "Because you were willing to hurt many people just to escape your pain and guilt…" And looks very serious, "I too know what it's like to lose someone very precious or dear. And I too was unable to prevent anything from happening, but it had to be done for her protection. And now that I have her back, I refuse to allow her to be harm by your actions…"

Soon, Malleus charges up his powerful magic, "... With this, it's over!"

And with that, Malleus fires his powerful magic, and it hits Rollo with full force.

Rollo screams, "GAAAH!" and struggles to stand, No… I… I…"