To Become a King and a Magician

An unexpected situation.

Naoki never imagined a scene like this would unfold.

"Arcueid's power…"

No mistake—despite a slight oddity, this was unmistakably Arcueid's power.

(Manaka, this power…)

[It's likely a trick from my other self. Unlike me, whose power is sealed by you, her power is unrestricted. Even the Princess's power, if she wanted, could be replicated at sixty or seventy percent.]

Sixty or seventy percent?

Even so, that was shocking enough.

[Be careful. The sixty or seventy percent I mentioned isn't about its nature, but pure power. Though he can't use a Reality Marble, with physical strength alone, your other self is now a monster, far beyond your current match.]

(Are you telling me to run?)

[Just stall for time. Your other self's body can't handle that much power—about three minutes at most. Don't tell me you can't hold out that long.]

Stall until his other self self-destructs?

Naoki smirked. "This is the first time you've spoken to me so calmly. Getting serious advice from you like this—I'm honestly a bit unaccustomed to it."

[You—this is no time for chit-chat!]

*CRASH!*

A collision roared like a meteor. [Naoki] instantly appeared at Naoki's position, while Naoki, caught off guard, was smashed into a distant wall!

It was too fast to see!

Crawling shakily from the rubble, Naoki clutched his chest. "What kind of speed is this…"

[When you channeled that Princess, your speed could surpass this, but you always used it just to pull the moon, wasting such a treasure.]

"What's wrong with preferring my Reality Marble—this is getting tricky… Argh!"

A piercing sound cut through the air again. In Naoki's vision, [Naoki]'s figure rapidly grew larger. Without thinking, Naoki leaped from his spot. Taking seventy percent of Arcueid's power head-on would be catastrophic!

[Naoki]'s punch landed on the ruins.

*BOOM!*

The entire ground caved in, forming a bottomless crater!

(If that hit me, I'd be dead. Even Avalon wouldn't save me!)

"Manaka, it's rare for you to talk calmly with me. I want to ask—is there a strategy right now? Something with real impact."

[Just ask me.]

"Then forget it. I'll figure it out myself."

[Hey!]

Manaka loathed Naoki to death. Following her advice just once wouldn't hurt! Why was he so stubborn?! She'd taken the initiative to be nice for once!

Maybe she should just let him die!

With Manaka deemed unreliable, Naoki faced his other self again.

"AAAAArrrrr!!"

A crazed beastly roar shook the air. Though their appearances were still similar, no one would mistake them for the same person now. Their postures were worlds apart.

With claw-like fingers, [Naoki] hunched over, eyeing Naoki like prey.

"Come on."

Naoki waved daringly, almost recklessly. "If you want to kill me, staring won't do it, mad dog—"

*SPLASH!*

Before he finished, blood sprayed from Naoki's shoulder. [Naoki], fingers dripping with blood, was somehow already behind him—if Naoki hadn't dodged the moment he felt the stab, he'd have been torn in two!

Without hesitation, Naoki clutched his shoulder and retreated at full speed. But even at his fastest, the figure chased like a meteor, overtaking him in a blink. A knee slammed into the back of Naoki's head, smashing him skyward!

(My head feels like it's splitting!)

Naoki couldn't even think. The intense pain overwhelmed his mind. At that moment, [Naoki]'s figure flashed into his vision again!

Clenched fists hammered his chest with force!

*CRACK!*

The arms shielding his chest, along with his ribs, shattered. The massive impact nearly erased Naoki's consciousness. The ground caved in, pierced through multiple layers!

The situation had completely reversed. Naoki, who had dominated [Naoki] before, was now the one being crushed!

[Need my help, vixen?]

Manaka's voice rang out again.

[It's been a while since I've seen you this pathetic. Though I'd love to savor it—]

Naoki couldn't clearly hear what Manaka said next, as he was yanked from the ground and slammed back into it!

"You… bastard…"

Struggling to lift his head from the wall, grabbing [Naoki]'s wrist behind him, Naoki twisted and executed an over-the-shoulder throw. But the mountain-like weight in his hand made his heart skip a beat.

*BAM!*

Another kick, and Naoki felt the touch of crumbling stone again.

[Keep this up, and you'll really die. Don't push yourself—how about relying on me for once?]

Rely… rely on Manaka?

His consciousness could still process that information, but making a decision? Honestly, his brain had been battered so much it could no longer decide.

[If you die, it'll be a hassle for me too. This time, I'll help you reluctantly—Tch, why do I need your approval? The Mystic Eyes of Soul Eater are gone, and the seal's a bit loose. Just to lend you a fraction of power, I can manage that myself.]

What was this person talking about… No, it didn't matter anymore. What mattered was… he had to win now.

Defeat… that impostor… That lunar power wasn't…

(Something he could just use…)

"Mmm…"

On the back of Naoki's hand, the dim Crimson Moon seal began to glow faintly, like a heartbeat. The light pulsed, flickering faster, and a thin layer of moonlight gradually emerged.

[W-Wait, this…]

"—Shut up."

Naoki suddenly snapped with icy coldness.

Shaking his battered body, he staggered to his feet, standing unsteadily like a broken puppet.

*SWOOSH!*

A fierce wind swept through.

[Naoki], devoid of reason, didn't care why Naoki could still stand. He'd just knock him down again and again until all signs of life vanished.

Thus, in his mindless state, he couldn't sense that Naoki now was not the Naoki from seconds ago.

*BAM!*

A punch aimed at Naoki's head was caught.

Crimson eyes met [Naoki]'s gaze.

"You're the one? The bastard who hurt Naoki—it's you, isn't it?"