The Villain is Too Good at Sniping

26. The Night of the Full Moon (5)

Dormitory B, entrance of Titania House.

Pushing aside the students who were sprawled on the floor, Kyle and his group advanced.

At least, they had overcome one hurdle. Kyle’s group had successfully infiltrated Titania House. Now that their part was done, it was time to pass the baton to the others.

…That was the good part, but I almost fell.

Thanks to Aira grabbing my arm, I barely managed to avoid falling. However, Aira was also exhausted, only managing to hold on.

“Uggghhh… *pant* *pant*!”

In this precarious situation, there were many things I could grab onto, but I didn’t have the courage to stretch out my hand.

My two arms were trembling so much that it felt like they weren’t mine.

Needless to say, it was the aftermath of magic exhaustion. Right now, I was barely holding on thanks to the system’s correction.

My magic was recovering, but it was still weak. My mind was hazy, and I felt like I could pass out at any moment.

I thought I had become stronger, but I still had a long way to go.

Just looking at Aira, who was standing upright, I had used up all my magic and was struggling. The result was obvious – I was suffering from magic exhaustion.

“Xion-sama, just a moment. I’ll get you up soon…!”

“No, I’m fine, so don’t overexert yourself.”

“Yes…?”

For a moment, a glimmer of surprise flashed in Aira’s eyes. Her face was a rare sight, one of utter shock.

“You can’t give up! I’ll save you, so just hold on a little longer…!”

As she said that, Aira gritted her teeth and summoned her strength. Thanks to that, the pain in my left arm subsided.

“No, I’m really okay, so don’t worry about it.”

“You can survive!”

It seemed like there was some misunderstanding, but I wasn’t trying to die – I was really okay.

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I didn’t distrust Aira; I was just preparing for any situation.

In fact, if we looked at who was in more danger right now, it was Aira. I at least had a Glock in my right hand, so my situation was slightly better, but Aira was barely holding on to the crumbling roof.

And yet, she was pouring her strength into me. If this continued, even a slight shock would cause my center of gravity to waver—

Snap.

“What?!”

That’s right.

In the end, the roof Aira was standing on collapsed. The tower, which had barely maintained its shape, completely crumbled.

Aira and I fell to the ground along with the debris. I immediately stretched out my left arm to grab Aira, and then pointed my Glock at the ground.

Pulling the trigger repeatedly. Maybe I’ll use up all the spare bullets I’ve loaded until they’re all gone.

One shot, two shots, and three shots.

Click—

A slight tremble spreads to my fingertips. All the loaded bullets have been used up.

The last remaining bullet is a wind-attribute magic bullet. Originally, I loaded it to support Kyle’s party, but since Kyle’s already inside Titania’s palace, it’s no longer needed.

I still pull the trigger with my index finger. A strong gust of wind blows out of the muzzle, sending me and Airi flying into the air.

Although my body only floated for a moment, it slowed down my falling speed.

“Ugh……!”

“Ahh…….”

Of course, that doesn’t mean the impact was completely neutralized. Airi and I landed on our faces. Luckily, the area near the dormitory was a grass field.

“…I thought I was going to die, for real.”

“Well, if you’re saying that, then you’re probably doing better than me.”

“I’m confident in my physical strength, since I’m a close combat specialist.”

I rubbed my aching head, looking up at the night sky.

The spirits that had filled the sky were returning to Titania’s palace. It seemed Kyle’s party was doing well.

I let out a sigh that had been building up to my throat. But then, Airi said something strange beside me.

“Is it all over now?”

“What are you talking about, Airi?”

I turned my body to look at Airi, pointing at Titania’s palace where the final battle was still ongoing.

“It’s not over; they’re just getting started over there.”

“Yes……?”

“If you still have the strength, you should go too.”

“Don’t push me away! I know, I know!”

Airi reluctantly stood up, using the last of her energy. Since she had used up all her strength, she would probably be sore for a while.

I lay down on the grass, using it as a pillow. At that moment, my watch beeped. I had received a message from Kyle.

[Kyle Ivanstear: I’ve entered Titania’s palace and will share the current situation with you as promised.]

Once I enter Titania’s palace, I’ll show you the situation inside.

It was something I had asked him to do while we were on the rooftop earlier. Since the message had arrived safely, it seemed he had entered the final battle without any issues.

I didn’t have the energy to respond, so I clicked on the panel that had popped up. The scene Kyle was seeing was displayed in front of me like a body cam.

“It’s finally… over.”

My role is done here, and now it’s the main characters’ turn.

Kyle will face Lara Steilhagen from now on, and if he refers to the temporary strategy guide I wrote, he should be able to suppress her without taking too much damage.

The spirits that are currently rampaging aren’t hostile towards humans, they’re just surprised.

Therefore, attacking the spirits would only make the difficulty higher. I had to take the aggro, but it was unavoidable.

Anyway.

If we can communicate with the spirits without showing hostility, we can reach Vanish more easily.

In the original story, there’s a cutscene where the protagonist is swallowed by an illusion and faces Vanish, but even if the opponent changes from Serin Anett to Lara Steilhagen, the content wouldn’t change.

If it’s the Kyle I know, he won’t be pushed back even if he faces Vanish’s true form, so I can breathe a sigh of relief.

According to the setting, the current Vanish is a collection of nameless souls who were sacrificed in Arsen.

As long as that setting remains, Vanish can never beat Kyle. It’s not an issue of compatibility, but a completely different factor. If I had to say it, ‘Kyle Ivanstear’ himself is Vanish’s counter.

Kail’s characteristic [Will] grants a positive buff to those around him. His unyielding will inspires strong motivation in those around him.

Kail’s motivation is similar to that of the passionate and spirited main characters in boys’ manga. But justice won’t be served… Anyway, that’s how it is.

Even if the opponent is a vengeful spirit, Kail’s ability will still take effect, and the more they converse, the weaker the spirit’s resentment will become. Maybe the professors will arrive before it’s too late.

In any case, to summarize, at this point, the only one who can stop Vanshee is Kail Ivanstear.

Ding.

The message that arrived was not just one. There was another message waiting for Kail, with a different meaning.

[Serin Anett: Sent 3 photos.]

[Serin Anett: The suppression of the Chanelieria Observatory is complete.]

[Serin Anett: There is 1 injured, Kai Alma, and we are now entering the Aden Observatory. The Chanelieria Observatory will be handled by Kai Alma.]

I clicked on the three photos sent separately.

One photo showed students who had fainted, tied up, and the other two showed the empty 1st and 2nd-floor corridors.

In the photo, Kai Alma was also captured, posing in a rather silly manner. It seemed like things were going well, which was a relief.

I was worried that other spirits might be stimulated by Vanshee and awaken, but Serin Anett and the other students would take care of that. That’s why we divided into teams in the first place.

“Wow, this is crazy…!”

I stretched my arms lightly, feeling a bit relieved. I’ll see how things go from here, but it seems like it’ll be okay.

Thud—

“Whoa?!”

…It’s okay, I’ll take it easy.

***

The grand entrance of the Titania Observatory’s 1st-floor lobby.

Kail pushed open the creaking door and entered. Elly Beonard and Esily Silvergarden followed, hastily locking the door behind them.

“Wait for a bit here.”

“What’s going on?”

“There’s something I need to do.”

Kail immediately operated his watch, due to the promise he made with Sion.

-There shouldn’t be any students on the 1st floor of the Titania Observatory. They must have all gathered at the Chanelieria Observatory.

-The spirit-controlling Vanshee will likely be at the innermost part of the dormitory. Since the Titania Observatory has the Grand Saint Hall, it’s highly likely that’s where it’ll be.

-Once we enter and the situation stabilizes, connect the call. I might be able to help somehow.

Ding!

[Arsen A.C – User ID: Sion Elionheart#8829 starting communication.]

The guidance message appeared on the screen.

Kail clicked the panel without hesitation. The timer displayed, and soon his current view was transmitted to Sion.

Before proceeding, Kail raised his hand in front of the watch and waved it slightly. The connection was a bit unstable, but it was established normally.

As he tightened his shoelaces, a shadow appeared before Kail.

“What are you doing now?! Can’t you see that?!”

Elly Beonard stood before Kail, wielding her sword. The scenery visible over her shoulder was beautiful but also threatening.

Various flames were flying around, and the lingering aura of the spirit shone like starlight.

“…Just a minute.”

Esily Silvergarden, who had been aiming at the flying lights, put down her bow.

“Why? Do you know something?”

“Why are the high-ranking spirits here…?”

“High-ranking spirits? Those things?”

To Kail’s eyes, they were just red, blue, black, and gray flames floating around.

But to Esil Silvard’s eyes, they were different. Esil was the only contractor and simultaneously the one who had made a contract with the spirits a long time ago.

To Kail’s eyes, they were just flames or will-o’-the-wisps, but to Esil’s eyes, the true forms of the spirits were clear.

“Ifrit and Elphin, Locan and Igor. They are high-ranking spirits that have been stationed in Arsene for a long time.”

Ifrit, who took the form of a flame dragon, and Elphin, a small water spirit floating beside him.

There were also Igor, a golem-like earth spirit, and Locan, a whirlwind-like wind spirit.

“Weren’t they originally like that…?”

A merciless magic had descended. Even Esil, who used spirit-killing magic, couldn’t understand what was happening.

The high-ranking spirits, who were known to be the most powerful among the elemental spirits and were usually gentle, were now rampaging like they had lost their minds.

At that moment, Ellyn Beounard pointed her sword at one of the spirits.

“Is it because of that?”

Even at a glance, a dark aura was surrounding the spirits. And a girl with blue hair, who was emitting an overwhelming energy, was visible.

At that moment, Kail approached Ellyn’s side.

Ellyn asked again.

“Kail, where are you going—”

“…….”

But Kail, who was standing beside Ellyn, had a completely different gaze than before.

“I know everything. Who are you? Who is using that body to torment other students?”

It wasn’t the carefree attitude he showed in the dormitory, but a serious and intense demeanor that overwhelmed Ellyn, making her take a step back.

The spirits that were wandering around in the air retreated. Lara Stillhead, who was sitting with her head bowed, slowly got up.

“You won’t understand even if I tell you. I have nothing more to say to you. This body is mine now.”

“What did you say?”

“No matter what I say, I won’t give this body back.”

So—

Lara Stillhead raised her staff.

“Disappear quietly.”

Water, wind, earth, and fire.

The high-ranking spirits, each representing an attribute, were attacking from all directions. At the same time, Kail’s watch beeped. It was a real-time message.

A water jet was flying towards them from the front, and a strong gust of wind was blowing from the side. It seemed like Siyon had sent a message, knowing that this situation would occur from the start.

Kail quickly read the received message and shouted to Ellyn.

“The spirits are just scared. They’re like frightened wild animals.”

Kaang!—

The wildly spraying water jet was powerful enough to tear through steel. Kail, who had drawn his sword to block it, sliced through the water jet.

“If we confront them, the spirits will turn hostile. So we need to calm them down… calm them down?”

“What are you talking about, being calm in this situation? Is this the time for that?”

Ellyn Beounard, who was facing the wind spirit Locan, had her uniform torn at the side.

“Just wait a bit. It’s not over yet.”

“Now, in this situation! Wait, don’t talk, and don’t do anything! Is there time for that?”

Even if the combination doesn’t match, it can’t be this bad. The miserable Esilie Silvergarden stepped forward.

Rocan seemed to be about to attack at any moment, but Esilie simply stretched out her hand. Ellyne shrieked in surprise.

“What are you doing, Esilie?!”

“Be quiet, it’s noisy.”

“What?”

But then a fireball flew in. Ellyne Beonarde instinctively clenched her teeth and received the flames.

Esilie Silvergarden still had her hand stretched out to Rocan. The strong wind was about to blow Esilie’s arm away, but—

“Huh…?”

The wind gently sat on Esilie’s palm.

“Rocan, why are you so startled? I heard you weren’t the type to get involved in this kind of thing.”

There was no response. The wind on Esilie’s palm swirled slightly, as if protesting.

“You’re not normal right now. As Arsene’s student, you should be protecting your target, not attacking them, right?”

Esilie Silvergarden put away her bow and gently placed it back in its original position.

Ellyne and Kyle were stunned by the scene, and Esilie covered the wind spirit with her other hand.

“So, please return to being the wind spirit Rocan I knew.”

When Esilie lifted her hand,

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[…….]

The whirlwind that had been spinning fiercely like a tornado returned to being a gentle spring breeze.