-1492- The true strongest squad

Afterward, the entire Mistgun began to stir, as students from various divisions wandered the streets, heading off in all directions.

It couldn't be helped; even without knowing the exact details, the commotion caused by Rozen and the others was significant. First, Rozen and Real Nua fought fiercely in the streets, followed by an army of Armored Beetles attacking, and then Real Nua invaded the Alchemist Division's underground mana reactor. If all this hadn't alarmed anyone, the people in this floating city would have nerves of steel.

Especially concerning the mana reactor, ever since witnessing the marvel of Foreign Mana last time, Freon had been highly vigilant about its security. Upon receiving the report, she immediately took action, dispatching a large number of Sky Wizards to the airspace to intercept the Armored Beetle army while sending another group to the mana reactor, dividing her forces to handle both situations.

However, by the time they acted, the incidents had already ended.

The Sky Wizards sent to intercept the Armored Beetle army found no sign of a single beetle. Instead, they witnessed a battlefield that looked as if it had been scorched by the flames of purgatory—an air thick with the scent of burning, and the ground still radiating intense heat, making the Sky Wizards in protective suits feel unbearably uncomfortable, sweating profusely. This scene alone spoke volumes about how fierce the battle had been.

Those sent to the mana reactor only found the lifeless, bisected body of Real Nua, his eyes wide open in death, and nothing else.

Yuri reported everything she saw to Freon, who seemed deep in thought.

Shortly after, Freon announced, "Second-year Medical Science Division student Real Nua used the flesh of a Variant Armored Beetle to gain jutsuryoku, lusting for power, and even summoned an army of Armored Beetles. His crime is unforgivable. He has been killed by second-year Sky Wizard Division student Rorelai Arnett, and the invading army of Armored Beetles has also been annihilated by him. The alert is lifted."

It seemed Freon had attributed the entire sequence of events to Real Nua.

And, on the surface, this was understandable.

After all, it was Real Nua who consumed the flesh of the Variant Armored Beetle to gain jutsuryoku, transforming into a humanoid Armored Beetle. He was also the one who attacked the mana reactor, and the Armored Beetle army didn't just coincidentally arrive. Considering everything together, it made sense to blame him for all the events.

At least Yuri thought so, believing Real Nua was the mastermind whose scheme Rozen had thwarted.

As for what Elis and Cris did, all of it was concealed in the shadows, known to no one.

Rozen also had no intention of revealing the truth. When asked by others, he simply nodded, claiming that he was the one who defeated Real Nua and the Armored Beetle army, without mentioning Elis and Cris at all.

As for those two girls, they pretended to be unaware afterward, though their faces didn't look too good, and their eyes were filled with deep exhaustion.

No doubt, the two girls were extremely concerned about what Rozen had done to them, using every method to check their bodies, only to find nothing unusual, leaving them in low spirits, likely unable to sleep peacefully.

But that's another story.

In any case, this incident had passed.

However, the fact that Real Nua consumed the flesh of a Variant Armored Beetle to gain jutsuryoku, transforming into a humanoid Armored Beetle, and even fused mana and jutsuryoku to create Collapse Force, confirmed the existence of Collapse Force, causing quite a stir in Mistgun.

Previously, people never knew that humans could gain jutsuryoku in this way, let alone that Collapse Force really existed. Now that these two things had happened simultaneously, it was bound to cause a sensation.

This information was even shared with other floating cities, and it wouldn't be long before it became common knowledge.

Of course, Rozen's overwhelming victory against a humanoid Armored Beetle wielding Collapse Force still thrilled many, sparking lively discussions.

Rozen, however, remained indifferent, continuing his life as usual—whether it was researching the formation of Foreign Mana in the mana reactor or training the girls of E601 Squad, Misora Whitale, Lecty Eisenach, and Rico Flamel, at the training grounds. He lived as if nothing had happened, carefree as ever.

But there was one thing Rozen decided to do.

That was...

"You're going to participate in the Sky Wizards Martial Arts Festival...!?"

In the office of the Sky Wizard Division Head, the group was stunned when Rozen stated his intention.

There were four people who were astonished: Freon Flamel, Kanata Age, Chloe Sevegny, and Yuri Flostre.

Especially Yuri, who was beside herself with excitement.

"Is... is this true, Rozen-senpai!?"

Yuri spoke, unable to contain her excitement.

Rozen smiled and nodded.

"It's true; I'm planning to participate."

At those words, the group erupted in excitement.

"You bastard, you finally decided to return to the front lines."

Kanata laughed heartily, slapping Rozen on the back.

"In that case, we can fight side by side again."

Chloe, too, couldn't help but feel a rare moment of joy.

Both of them were Rozen's childhood friends. From the time they entered Mistgun together, they had formed Squad 128 with Rozen, dominating the entire Sky Wizard Division under his leadership. Those days of battling and growing together were cherished memories for them.

Even though Rozen later chose to withdraw, Kanata and Chloe understood his decision. But the thought of fighting alongside him again made them genuinely happy.

And if Kanata and Chloe were happy, there was no need to mention Yuri, who had always hoped for Rozen's return. Her head felt light, as if she were in a daze.

Even Freon couldn't help but smile at the sight.

Naturally, "It seems the true S128 Special Squad is coming back."

Indeed.

The true S128 Special Squad was coming back.

Only with Rozen, the squad leader, present, could this squad be considered complete.

Because it was under Rozen's leadership that the S128 Special Squad once dominated all of Mistgun.

With Rozen, this squad was rightfully the strongest squad.

Invincible.

Freon had watched this squad grow step by step and create countless legends. It was impossible for her not to feel anything about it.

But...

"Why did you suddenly decide to participate in the Sky Wizards Martial Arts Festival?"

Freon still asked in confusion.

After all, Rozen had previously been unwilling to return no matter what, and now he suddenly announced his return. Anyone would be puzzled.

To this...

"There's no reason to hide it."

Rozen pondered for a moment before deciding to reveal the truth.

"In fact..."

Rozen then disclosed the truth about the previous incident.

Including the involvement of Elis and Cris behind the scenes.

Naturally, he also mentioned Zeth.

As Rozen explained, the expressions of the others shifted from shock to seriousness.