An outcast dropout, surviving on the frontier and rising to become an S-ranked counter-magician.

.....

She let her voice trail off. Shelly has the blood of the demon race built into her, and after the events of that time, the Twilight Syndrome 《Twilight Syndrome》 has completely disappeared. Like Julia, she is in a completely awakened form.

And the two of them are training hard like this for the coming day of operations.

Belle voices that inwardly. It's not like she's being out of touch like she has been. She was already a serious opponent against Shelly. Their abilities are completely equal. Exactly evenly. Bell is said to be the strongest of all of mankind in melee combat. Perhaps somewhere in her heart she thought that she could catch up with Shelly, who is still less than 20 years old, much less be defeated.

But her swordsmanship is definitely pushing Bell in. If you're not careful for even a moment, you will lose. Of course, although they weren't seriously killing each other.......there was no doubt that they were exchanging sword fights with all their might with each other.

''........Sensei, let's end it here.''

'Yeah well you're right...'

Then ten minutes later. The two of them lowered their swords as a signal for Shelly to do so. In pure melee combat alone, Shelly was already on par with Belle. Once she clearly recognized that fact, Belle spun certain words with determination.

''Shelly-chan.......your strength is already.......comparable to mine......so........ ...to teach you. You ... all of my secret swords...

'Sir, but that's not...'

It's okay. It's just that the technology has to be... passed on to someone else...

...I understand. I respectfully accept.

Belle had decided. When he passed the secret sword on to someone else, it would be when he retired to the front lines. But it was different now. She had no intention of retiring from the front line at all. What she had in mind was under the condition that someone would come along who was skilled enough to take over her technique, and if she was declining at that time....

She hasn't shown any signs of decline yet. Sure, her reaction time may not be as fast as it was in her twenties heyday, but she's still good enough to fight. Belle herself is more aware of that than anyone else. What's more, Bell was inspired by Shelly. Shelly's existence is, to say the least, a bundle of talent. No, that's what I should call a talent........to begin with, the specifics of her physical body are significantly different when she's taking in the blood of the demon race.

It's natural for there to be a difference there. If Belle was just a proud anti-magician, she might have decided to retire after the current offensive and defense with Shelly. But Belle still thought that she could still do it.

And she vowed. She said that she would surpass humans. That did not mean that she too would take in the blood of the demon race. It's just a matter of making an effort to reach the realm of demons, beyond humanity. An unprecedented land. This is Belle's vow to continue to fight.

◇

'Ha ... ha ... ha ... ha ...'

Early morning. This is the season when my breath is white. There are no definite seasons in this world dominated by twilight. There are only alternating hot and cold seasons. We are now on the verge of winter, and the temperature is quite low. In such a situation, there was one person who was working out at the military training ground before anyone else.

''Belle, it's rare to see you running so early in the morning.

'Gil you are the one who is unusual...'

Two of the oldest of the special class anti-magicians meet up with each other. In the first place, both of them hadn't been training in the morning for the past few years. They had already reached the peak of their skills and were past their prime. As for Gil, he was even thinking of retiring due to the rise of his successor. These two men met. There was one answer to that question.

''You're in a hurry, aren't you?

'....I can't let teenagers take it on their shoulders....not yet....so....

What, you think like that?

Oh.........speaking of which, I heard that my daughter Sophia-chan.......has become a first class anti-magician and will be participating in this mission. .... excellent... your children...

"...this world dies with the strongest people. My son was strong. That's why ... he died in the twilight and that one in Sophia was strong too. That's why we have to lead them.

''Since I... since I was in school, Gil has already been a... special-grade anti-magician...''

Yeah. But you're completely better at melee combat than I am. It's a disgrace.

'It's ... well it can't be helped ... because I'm stronger than you ... it's a fact.

Pull it out, girl.

Ouch.....

Gil said and lightly patted Belle on the head. Although they are far apart in age, they've known each other for a long time, so Belle speaks rather well when she's with Gil.

'So, are you still going to do it?'

'Of course ... rather, my prime is yet to come ...'

Are you... are you still trying to move up?

'Probably won't be able to compete with Yulia-kun, and Shelly-chan... no, I don't think Yulia-kun will be able to reach you anymore... but I will...'

"...I see. You've changed, Belle.

Yeah?

Oh. So you've got something to carry on your back.

I'm not sure what you mean by that.

I know. You'll get it.

Hmmm ... you sound like an old man.

Well, just keep your ears open for the older guy.

I will....

Gil had noticed. Already, Bell was one of the top reigning anti-magicians of humanity. The meaning of daring to declare that such an anti-magician will go to the top. It is saying that she, too, will reach a destination beyond the acquired man. There is no such thing as a thorny path. What awaits beyond that is hell itself. The two men knew this. The Twilight Syndrome still has a long way to go. The research paper Ellie left behind. It was someone who showed that one could not reach the Twilight Syndrome, but at the same time, one possibility was suggested.

The special class anti-magicians might be able to reach beyond the Twilight Syndrome........ Silas and Claudia had also concluded after their research that humans would never reach the end of the Twilight Syndrome. On the other hand, it was still completely uncertain what would happen to a human who had been bathed in twilight for decades.

Bell hung on to that possibility. I can reach beyond the human. That the imprint that binds this body together will take her to greater heights. Up until now, not only Belle, but Gil had also suppressed that ability at some point. That was because Ellie had warned him about it. If he continued on like this, there was a possibility that the Twilight Syndrome, or Twilight Syndrome, would invade his body and cause him to die.

Even though she knew that possibility, Belle decided to move on. Seeing her like that, Gil was also not unmoved by the thought.

''Bel........is it okay?　Perhaps, beyond that, death may be the only thing waiting for you.

'It doesn't matter ... I've lived long enough ...'

....

'My friends ... in their twenties ... most of them died. I'm one of them ... surviving ... still fighting on the front lines ... and that's why I have to move on, too. .... when it's okay to stagnate... it's over...

'Well no I guess so. We've been too focused on the status quo, haven't we?

'But I don't think I'm going to impose these values on ... Gil ...'

"Why shouldn't I be the one to fight you? Come on, Belle, let's go together. Beyond that.

They stared into each other's eyes. I'm getting old.......but there was still a burning will in them.

And the two of them continued to train hard after that. They, too, decided to proceed with a certain resolve.