At that moment, everyone's focus had shifted into one direction.

Because, within milliseconds,the ground opened up before Liohime Kitagami, and an array of vines, grass and flora swept the area from that single location.

Both of Liohime's opponents were instantly constricted with great force as they were immobilized in mid-air.

The ground beneath changed into a leafy allure, completely trapping Jolene's opponents into the ground by fastening onto their feet before pummeling them into the wall with columns of vines.

Stray attacks from multitudes of flying vines and beams of glowing green air continued to shoot out everywhere, and Matsuo panicked, accidentally stopping the recording of the fight challenge and quickly dashing out of harm's way.

Then, a powerful shockwave blew, and then all that remained in the room fell into silence as a monstrous beast-like arm emerged from the small green and blue translucent portal that lay in front of Liohime.

Holding their breaths, all members of the Shinigami Soldiers could only look on in awe as the imbalance of true power emerged.

A mutated variant of a wolf, with a face that resembled a lion.

Two jet black horns that stood out from the top of its head.

Glowing green eyes.

Black and green fur that overlapped, dressed with tulips that bloomed out of its fur and grass that scattered along its body.

Fangs that resembled blades, and a haunting aura that stunned everyone, rendering each person that was still able to move motionless.

Shihon, in her beast form, menacingly stood on all four legs as she remained loyally by Liohime's side, drooling and snarling with fury.

Mentally, the Magical Beast Girl was ready to kill whatever was in her sight, noting that Liohime was in a dire situation. However, she refused to move forward, remembering Liohime's words of needing his instructions to make any further moves after the Luna Gang incident.

And then-

"W-Wait….don't attack. You've done enough."

That was the feeble command that escaped from his lips, and the beast-like entity that was as tall as a human figure hissed and howled aggressively.

"I said, don't attack!"

"GRRRRR!!!!"

Liohime's eyes wavered, noticing that Shihon's behavior was one that neared pure bloodlust.

The look in her eyes, the excessive drool that escaped her mouth, and the lean forward, signalling a pounce yet to be made.

It was most likely taking everything in her power to obey his command.

…Just what was going on with her that caused her to be this furious?

"It's okay, girl," he said reassuringly, "calm down. They're not my enemies, okay? Just calm down."

With a large exhale, Shihon finally backed down, and Liohime reached out to pet her, but…

…A haze of green light surrounded the beast, and Shihon slowly contorted into a translucent green crystal ball that de-materialized into the palm of his hand as a substance of air.

What just…? Wait, did I just recall her for the first time ever!? he thought. Sweet!

He had taken her into his mindspace as a part of his Magical Beast [Mental Link], and was now convinced that he had the power to summon her and recall her just like all other Magical Beasts.

Naturally, as she disappeared, the results of her actions were annulled too, and the scenery of the room reverted back to normal just as the three minutes allotted were up, per Matsuo's phone alarm.

Ophiel and Bica, both of Liohime's opponents who were no longer restrained by Shihon's vines in mid-air, braced themselves as they fell onto the ground, and Leah and Harvey, who were Jolene's opponents, were also freed.

Of course, the first one to break the silence was Harvey, who simply walked up to Liohime and grabbed his collar.

"YOU BASTARD!!!"

"Huh?"

"HOW COULD YOU MAKE ME LOSE TO JOLENE!!??!?"

"H-Hey, calm down-"

"I HOPE YOU NEVER FIND LOVE EVER AGAIN IN YOUR FUCKING LIFE!!"

"Seriously!? It's never that serious, man!!"

Harvey shook him violently with anger while Jolene collapsed onto the ground, sighing with relief.

"Fucking hell. Nice one, Shrimpdick," she muttered under her breath.

Ophiel lay frozen on the ground, mortified by the loss while Bica excitedly ran up to Liohime and pushed Harvey aside.

"THAT WAS AWESOME!!" she screamed out, also shaking him to and fro. "YOU FINALLY GOT YOURSELF A MAGICAL BEAST!!??"

"P-Please….you both are screaming in my ears…."

"THAT'S AWESOME, LI-LI!!!"

"HEY, LET ME RAGE IN PEACE OVER HERE!!!" interjected Harvery, who jumped back into action, tackling Liohime to the ground.

Meanwhile, Matsuo Yamamoto simply looked on in shock, remembering the first time that he had been introduced to Liohime's Magical Beast in the abandoned construction site complex.

He narrowed his eyes.

I knew that his beast was powerful, but this…

He put a hand to his lips and pondered, continuing to keep his gaze intently on the poor yellow-haired young man who was being sandwiched between his two co-workers.

This power definitely surpasses Leah's Eclipse, which was a Rare Tier Magical Beast.

…Just where…did you get that beast, Lio…?

***

The next morning, Liohime lay flat on his bed back home, unable to do or say anything, but his thoughts ran freely.

In the end, the Chief said that we passed, and that Jolene and I would be at the forefront of the mission.

Receiving a text from Matsuo stating that he had sent the recording to the client and that the latter was impressed, he sighed and tilted his head to face the corridor that lay ahead of the opened bedroom door, and he finally called out:

"How are you holding up, Shi-"

"BLEUGHHH!!!"

"...Still not good, I'm guessing."

She really isn't good with the slightest bit of alcohol. I'll take note of that.

Yesterday, Shihon had taken only two glasses of Liohime's favorite bar drink, but her insides were clearly not compatible with it for it to be processed well.

Now, she remained by the toilet seat for over thirty minutes, ready to hurl out more digestive juices.

While Liohime hoped that she would get well soon, Shihon's mind was going down a hellish spiral as she wiped her mouth and winced.

That dream…no, that nightmare that she had experienced the day before continued to plague her.

That chilling feeling just wouldn't escape from her shivering body.

She had no clue why she experienced that dream, or how, but she knew one thing.

Her gut feeling was always right.

…I have to do my best in order to make my Master abandon the Paradisus Legion mission.

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