Can't believe you're back at it the night after clearing a great labyrinth.
N-Nagumo.
D-Don't scare me.
I couldn't sleep.
U-Um, I couldn't sleep, either…
Well, you just cleared your first labyrinth.
I can understand why you'd get pumped up.
P-Pretty much.
Yaegashi. Are you feeling weird at all?
Don't tell me you're feeling some after-effects…
Huh? Um, no, I'm fine.
Yep, I'm feeling healthy as can be.
In fact, I feel fantastic.
Hold on, you look pretty exhausted, and you're acting suspiciously.
Wh-What do you mean, acting suspiciously?
I'm being completely normal.
Well, if you say you're fine, then that's good.
Wh-What?
Why are you coming closer?
Stop! Wait a second! I'm all sweaty…
Oh! The towel? Here, have it back…
Wait, no! I'll give it back after washing it!
Like I said, stop there!
Something's gotten into you.
I just want you to hand over your Black Blade.
B-Black Blade?
I can enhance it a lot, Yaegashi.
I just wanted to try out some evolution magic,
but it's working out a lot better than I imagined.
I'll overclock everyone else's weapons, too.
Oh, thanks.
He saw my sleeping face.
So that's…
Oh, I can't see the ground at all.
Yeah. The Schnee Snow Fields are always covered in clouds.
Nothing but snow storms on the surface.
A frozen wasteland.
Both the clouds and snowy fields are clearly set apart,
as though there's an invisible barrier.
So how's it look, Hajime?
Is the compass working properly?
Yeah, it's fine.
Thinking about it, this thing really is amazing, though.
Oh?
The compass's needle doesn't simply point to a desired location.
I can get a vague image of the destination,
and get a sense of how long it'll be.
We managed to get a vague idea of where Earth is located, too.
Although the sensation is really hard to explain.
In exchange, it eats up mana like crazy.
We're almost at the final labyrinth!
I can't wait to clear it quickly, so we can go and pick up Myu.
That's right. I just hope she's doing well…
So? How was it?
Find any problems?
None at all. I'm shocked to see how much more power it has now.
Man, it really is pretty amazing!
Now I can fight, instead of just protecting everyone!
Thanks, Nagumo!
With all its functions, I'm worried I might not know what to do during battle.
But that's something only experience can fix.
Sounds like it was worth going all-out on.
I say that, but I'm not fully satisfied with my work on Amanogawa's Holy Sword…
Huh? H-Hey, wait, Nagumo!
What's with that ominous statement?!
Don't take it the wrong way.
The Holy Sword was created with precision and a perfect balance,
so it's a special item that's complete with no room for improvement.
I ended up just servicing it.
I-I see…
Don't worry.
The compass says we've still got a ways to go…
But we can't get any closer with the Fernir.
Time for us to head outside, then!
My first time experiencing snow!
How will it feel? Does it have a smell?
Master.
I'm not very good with cold temperatures.
Okay. We'll get off on top of this cliff.
Neglect play after so long?!
Huh?
It's not cold at all.
All thanks to Hajime.
So this is snow!
-Hey, Shea. We're heading out. -It's so fluffy!
-Don't get too excited. -I can't hold myself from diving in!
Starting today, I'm a snow rabbit!
That was the last anyone saw of that foolish rabbit.
Mm, there's no one there.
-Nope. -She's gone.
Wait, wait, wait! Why's everyone so calm?!
Shea's going to die!
Shea-Shea!
Falling from a high place is nothing for Shea.
That said, we should head down, too.
Ah, you two.
Wait for me!
This is nothing to be hesitating over.
What you're here to do
is a lot more difficult than jumping off a cliff, is it not?
S-Still…
There's no time to be trembling.
C'mon, look fierce and pull yourself together!
W-Wait!
I'll go, I'll go!
I can do it if I try!
So let me at least pick my own timing!
Sh-Shizuku Yaegashi!
J-Job, swordswoman!
Here I go!
I-I'm going, too!
Guts!
Damn it!
Here goes nothing!
I'm not crying… I won't cry…
I hear their voices.
Man, they got me.
To think it was a cunning trap.
Playing with my naivete and trying to throw me down this ravine!
You moron.
This place is still a dangerous area.
Don't let your guard down.
I'm sorry.
I got a little carried away.
Well, it's been a while since you've played the pitiful rabbit.
So it did soothe me a bit.
Yeah. I was a little sad, since Shea's not pitiful at all lately.
Sheesh, what's gotten into you two?
Acting like it's better when I'm pitiful!
It's heating up here so much the snow might melt.
I'm glad to see you're happy, Shea-Shea.
Damn you!
Suzu?!
Did I just hear an insult out of your mouth like I've never heard?!
C'mon, you guys.
Stop playing around and let's get going.
Should be straight ahead.
Oh? There's something there.
So cute!
Is it a monster?
Trying to fool us with its adorable appearance.
What a fearsome trait.
Shizuku, we can totally see through that.
Shizu-Shizu, your ears are red.
Cunning piece of trash.
N-Nagumo, you demon!
How annoying.
Take that!
There!
Hey, all of you. What are you standing around for?
Hurry up and kill them.
The snow above us might cause an avalanche,
so watch out for sounds and shocks!
Th-This demon!
No, like I said, those were clearly monsters.
They have unique magic that steals heat from their targets.
If you gave in to their cuteness and hugged them,
you'd have been goners in minutes.
Despite their looks, they're demons on the inside.
More like, didn't you notice when they first approached us?
Yue, Tio. You could tell, right?
Yeah. I was busy cheering up Shea.
Seeing Shea in tears, I couldn't help but feel guilty.
I knew you'd take care of them, so I thought I'd let you handle it!
Let me handle it, my foot.
Also, Shea, how long are you going to be shaking like that?
Can you blame me?!
I know you had to…
But seeing you mercilessly rip off and throw those bunny ears one after another…
Those are animals, and you're different.
You're the only rabbit for me.
So there's no reason to show mercy.
I-I guess so…
Seeing them like this really drives home the fact that she's been accepted.
Absolutely.
Well, let's give it our best, Kaori.
We'll be the ones being treated that way soon enough.
Yeah, let's work hard.
Kaori, have you ever heard the phrase, "wasted effort"?
What do you mean by that? Well?!
At this rate, it really feels like Kaorin and Tio will join them.
I'd never have dreamed of it back in Japan.
-Shizu-Shizu? -Wh-What is it, Suzu?
Oh, yeah.
It's not a big deal or anything…
But are you okay?
You look like you were distracted.
Yes, I'm fine.
Sorry. I'll focus.
Sheesh, there goes Kaori again.
She sure gets into fights easily now.
Right, Koki?
Huh? Y-Yeah, you're right.
She used to be the one telling us off.
Hmm, an unpleasant wind.
This might be a bit bothersome.
It's the path to the right…
We'll need to move against the headwind.
A blizzard that causes frostbite, huh?
-Tio. -Understood.
Wait, Tio!
Let me handle this!
I guess you need the practice to get the hang of it before a real fight.
I see. Master seems to agree as well.
Suzu, I'll let you take this.
Arise, Twin Iron Fans.
Okay, here I go!
Hallowed Ground: Disperse!
Oh, impressive, Suzu.
Yeah. Not bad at all.
What's that?
The entrance to an ice cave…
Hajime, something's coming!
Monsters? Took them long enough.
Damn it!
So that's controlling the monsters?
In that case… I'll pierce through it!
Master, it looks like it's the same as the batulum from the oasis.
That's no wall.
It's a monster in camouflage.
Seems like it. Which means…
Everyone, watch out.
All the ice surrounding us here…
Consider it an attack route for the enemy!
Looks like either we pierce this thing's armor and destroy its magic stone,
or end up overwhelmed by this horde of monsters.
That's the trial here.
Nagumo!
Yeah, I'll take care of the small fry. Go on.
I can do it, too!
I'll take it down for sure!
Ryutaro! Shizuku! Suzu! Let's go!
Yeah! We'll show that thing good!
I'll back you up.
Watch out for the ice pillar on its back.
There's something up with it.
Leave the defense to me!
I'll block everything it throws at us!
Go on! Make sure you don't do anything reckless!
I'm your opponent here!
Celestial Flash!
Be as flowing water, as spinning wind.
Hallowed Ground: Disperse!
Its head and eye are already starting to regenerate.
It seems safe to assume its body will keep regenerating while it has its magic stone.
We need to take it out in one shot.
Yeah, I'll use Divine Wrath.
I want to use it at maximum strength. Buy me some time.
Okay. I won't let it lay a finger on you!
Look, its breath is getting weaker!
Ryutaro, Shizuku.
Keep that thing distracted.
Suzu, you stay by my side.
I'll focus on my incantation.
Got it! I'll be expecting a real big one!
Activate spatial magic!
Sever!
Flash Blitz!
You're not making another move!
Shizuku!
What?! That was…
A precise shot from there without even looking…
Don't you get carried away!
Activate gravity magic!
Gravity Fist!
Shizuku! Ryutaro! Stand back!
-Got it! -Kept us waiting!
Here I go, you monster!
Divine Wrath!
Just like that… Disappear, just like that!
I need to become stronger!
I-I did it…
I took it down… Me…
Koki, are you…
-Look at that! -Damn it!
I didn't fully destroy it!
You won't get away!
Celestial…
Don't push yourself, Koki!
I can do it, too!
I'll do it…
I'm better than Nagumo…
I'm the right one…
Shred apart!
Twin Strike!
Hey, what's wrong, Koki?
Did you hear that just now?
Huh? Nope, not a thing.
I see…
Next time, "Charging Emotions".