When I woke up later on the same day, I manage to do it without the help of my alarm. The first thing I do after waking up is turn off my alarm so that it won’t continue to vibrate inside my pocket.

   I slowly get up form my sleeping bag and do a light stretching. The bag’s a far cry from my usual soft bed, so my body’s kind of stiff after taking a nap in it. Even so, it’s the best I got, so I can’t really complain.

   I leave the sleeping quarter and go to check my schedule. My first shift involves going to the Security Room which starts right now. I didn’t bother to check the rest of my work since we’ll be ditching our disguise today. With that in mind, I head to the fifth floor.

   Ichika and Sakuya are right outside the Security Room. Sakuya winked at me right before I go in.

   When I open the door, Uchida and Isa-senpai are already inside. We nod at each other without saying anything since we can’t risk our conversation being heard.

   While being in this room, we could see the activity on most of the facilities. I said most because there aren’t any at the rooms Ryuuouji and Brennan are staying at. Not that I mind. I might suffer from trauma by just looking at the stuff they have inside their rooms.

   I try to find our teammates with the screens. Saya and Natsuho are guarding the entrance to the Barrier Room. Speaking of Barrier Room, there’s a camera inside too, so I can see Jordan sitting cross-legged with his eyes closed just like Yui was. I guess Madoka’s plan here is to cause a distraction that’s big enough for Jordan to leave the room. While he’s gone, the two girls can wreck the machines without using any magic. And the reason they had been chosen over the others is that they’ve the strongest physical strength among us.

   I see Konya patrolling the fifth floor. Tomita-senpai is at the first floor. He looks like he’s waiting for something. As for Mashiro, I can’t find her anywhere. Wherever she is, I hope she’s fine.

   Finally, there’s Madoka. She’s holding a tray with some food on it, and she’s walking towards the Special Cell where Yui is. Looks like she’s replaying the recorded evidence to the Dragon God herself.

   Madoka makes sure to knock before she goes in. Yui’s eyes open in an instant she hears the knocking. As I expected, her eyes are still glowing with eerie green light. She nods, signals to Madoka that she’s allowed to come in. After getting His permission, Madoka goes inside.

   She begins by putting down the try in front of Him. Just as He’s about to lift the chopstick, Madoka reaches inside her pocket and takes something out. I can’t see it since it’s too far away, but it’s definitely the metallic ladybug. The Dragon God notices it too, which is why He didn’t reach for the chopsticks like He wanted to.

   Without saying a word, Madoka taps the ladybug twice in a row. The camera is not equipped with a function to transmit voices, which is why none of us at the Security Room can hear a thing. A few seconds later, Yui’s eyes widen, so I guess the ladybug is serving its purpose.

   After a few more seconds, Madoka puts the ladybug back into her pocket, so I guess the voice record has already been played. The Dragon God picks up the chopstick with Yui’s hand and eats the brought food vigorously. Next, He claps her hands together and puts back the chopstick.

   Just as I’m wondering what He’s going to do next, He charges out of His room while completely ignoring Madoka. The latter follows Him close behind without stopping Him.

   ‘Where’s He going?’ Uchida asks in a small voice.

   ‘To confront Ryuuouji or Brennan, I suppose.’ Isa-senpai whispers.

   ‘Should we do something about it?’

   ‘No, it’s too early.’ I disagree. ‘Let’s wait and see how things go first.’

   Coincidentally, both Ryuuouji and Brennan were right next to the Special Lab when the Dragon God was looking for them, so He didn’t have to go far just to look for them.

   The two mad scientists are absolutely dumbfounded when they see Dragon God walking towards them. However, it only took them a single second to become calm again.

   Ryuuouji opens his mouth and says something. Again, I have no idea what he’s saying. Thankfully, Uchida knows how to read lips.

   “Good morning, My Lord.” he’s saying. “To what honour do we owe for your sudden visit? It’s not yet time for the daily experiment.”
“I want answers, Ryuuouji!” the Dragon God demands with an upset expression. “Is it true that you’re using my power to create an army of brainwashed soldiers?”

   You gotta give Ryuuouji and Brennan credit. Even when they’re accused, the two of them are still able to remain calm. Then again, maybe it’s because they know He can’t harm them due to the anti-magic barrier.

   “I don’t know where you heard that from, but please believe in us! We have nothing in mind but assisting you in restoring this planet to its glorious, original form!”

   “Let me talk to one of them, then.” the Dragon God demands all of a sudden.

   The two scientists are taken aback by that. Suddenly, they don’t look so calm.

   “I-I beg your pardon?” Brennan is asking.

   “You claimed that all of those who risked their lives to inherit my power are volunteers. People who knew what they were getting into. All I ask is a simple conversation. If they are truly here by their own will, I will apologize for my outbursts and cease my foolishness.”

   Both Ryuuouji and Brennan hesitated three seconds too long. That gave the Dragon God all the answers He needs. He starts to tremble.

   “You lied to me, did you not?” He asks.

   I guess this is a good time as any to get Jordan out of the Barrier Room. I look around and manage to find a microphone sticking out from one of the digital panels. There are multiple buttons on it such as the cafeteria, the Research Lab and the Barrier Room. I press the button that says Barrier Room and put my mouth near the microphone.

   ‘Jordan-sama, the Dragon God has left His room and confronting Professor Ryuuouji and Brennan-sama!’ I shout into the microphone. ‘Please head to the Special Lab immediately!’

   From the screen, I see Jordan opening up his eyes. What I didn’t see is him getting up and going for the door. It’s like he was sitting down one second, and he’s already outside on the next. He was rushing so much he didn’t even close the door.

   Saya and Natsuho eagerly watch him leave. They made sure to wait until he’s out of sight before going into the Barrier Room. To prevent interruption, they also lock the door.

   Both of them look very eager as they take out their knuckle dusters and put them on. For the next few minutes, they busy themselves with wrecking every single machines inside. Naturally, the racket they’re causing are heard by cultists who were passing by. Now those cultists are trying to ram down the locked door. Unfortunately for them, they’re too late. The girls were already halfway done with their job. By the time they manage to get inside, all the machines would already be destroyed.

   As we watch, Natsuho crushes the last of the machines with her fist. After a splendid job well done, her and Saya fist bumps each other happily. Well, I guess that’s our cue. And right on time too. Ryuuouji and Brennan are done explaining things to the Dragon God. Some cultists who happened to be nearby are busy apprehending Him under their orders. Jordan is watching from a distance away without interfering.

   For some reason, the Dragon God isn’t fighting back from His captors. It’s either He refuses to harm mortals, or He was told that He’s unable to use His powers while He’s stuck here. Either way, He’s using the body of a frail maiden. It’ll come as no surprise if He’s being overwhelmed.

   ‘Alright, let’s go.’ I tell Uchida and Isa-senpai.

   The two of them nod in agreement. Together, we leave the Security Room while removing our robe and our masks. Sakuya and Ichika who were standing guard outside see us leaving and follow us, the robes on their body and the masks that was covering their face also thrown to the ground in an instant. Our disguise is no longer needed.

   Jordan is the first one who noticed us. His mallet appears on his hand in a flash. Sakuya and Ichika take out their weapons and engage him in battle. The sound of weapon clashing against weapon got the others’ attentions.

   ‘What in the-’ Ryuuouji begins.

   Before he could finish his sentence, I clench my fist and punch his jaw hard. The impact was enough to knock him out. Brennan tried to do something, but not before Uchida knocks him out as well. Meanwhile, Isa-senpai brings out a spiked mace, which is probably her real weapon, and defeats the cultists who were trying to capture the Dragon God.

   While all these is going on, we’re joined by Saya and Natsuho, who came down here after they’re done with their mission. Madoka was already here, and she just walks towards us while removing her mask and robe. Tomita-senpai joins us as well. From his look, he’s done with his given mission too. Finally, Mashiro, who were nowhere to be found a few minutes ago, appears near us with Sogdrul next to her.

   Seeing Sogdrul makes Jordan realize that the barriers are down. His mallet crackles with insane amount of blue lightning.

   Yup. Time to go.

   ‘Who are you people? Are you my new captors?’ the Dragon God asks fearfully.

   ‘We aren’t. We’re the friends of the host You’re possessing.’ I tell Him.

   ‘What proof do you have?’

   ‘You’ll have to trust us, okay?’

   Thankfully, He chooses to do just that and nods.

   ‘Right. We’re leaving, Mashiro! Get us out of here!’ I tell the petite girl.

   Mashiro nods. Before we leave, I carry Ryuuouji on my shoulder. Uchida does the same with Brennan. At the next second, we’re outside the company.

   ‘This way!’ a voice shouts.

   I look towards the direction where the voice came from. An Academy student is reaching out her head from an armoured vehicle. We waste no time in head towards it. As soon as all of us are inside, the vehicle starts moving.

   All the seats inside the vehicle are placed at the corners, so there’s a huge empty space in the middle. After Uchida and I let down our prisoners, the students work fast on securing them with gags and anti-magic handcuffs. I don’t really think there’s a need to use the latter on Ryuuouji, but I guess you can’t take the risk.

   Even with the vehicle heading towards the Academy, we still can’t relax as Jordan might come after us any second. I can only hope that he’ll be too late for that. Just in case, I got my spear and ring at the ready. The others do the same as well. Well, except the Dragon God, who’s still inside Yui.

   ‘Um, I feel that I have the need to apologize to all of you.’ He says through her mouth.

   I have hundreds of mean things that I want to say to him, but I control myself from saying any of them. Even though He’s an idiot, He’s still a God. I take a deep breath before continuing.

   ‘For now, is it possible for you to leave her body?’ I ask him. ‘I’m kind of worried that she’s stressing out from getting possessed by you for so long.’

   ‘Yes, it is possible. I shall do so right away.’

   Green light comes out of Yui’s body and lands a few meters away from her. The light transforms itself into a boy around the age of eleven. The boy is wearing the traditional priest’s uniform. Also, His eyes are glowing green, just like Yui’s was. Speaking of Yui, she collapses the moment the Dragon God leaves her body. Thankfully, I was there to catch her. I put her down gently on one of the seats so that she could lie down and rest.

   ‘She’s going to be fine, right?’ I ask no one in particular.

   ‘There is no need to worry.’ the Dragon God assures me. ‘All she needs is a bit of rest.’

   It didn’t take us long to reach the Academy. Ryuuouji and Brennan have already regained consciousness, so the students have an easier time on bringing them out.

   ‘Please make sure to post guards outside wherever you’re detaining them.’ I warn the students. ‘It would be bad if they got rescued by someone.’

   They acknowledge my warning and assure me that no one will be allowed to get them out. Now that tha’s out of the way, I carry Yui outside the vehicle and follow others to head inside.

   We head for the infirmary, where a few doctors and nurse assure us that Yui will be well looked after. The rest of us head to the Research Department to remove the gas that changed our voice from our body and change back into our uniforms.

   ‘Finally, we manage to change back into these.’ I say in relief. ‘I gotta say, the robe was mighty uncomfortable.’

   The others murmur their agreement. The Dragon God widens his eyes in surprise.

   ‘What happened to your voice?’

   ‘The thing is, these are our real voice.’ I explain. ‘We used machines to change it so that we won’t get suspected.’

   ‘So this is the capability of modern technology.’ He marvels.

   ‘We could teach you lots of things about it if you want.’ Sakuya offers.

   ‘Aren’t you way too chummy with Him, Sakuya-senpai?’ I ask her. ‘Even though He looks like a kid, He’s still a God.’

   ‘There’s no need for formality when you are interacting with me.’ He says. ‘Not after all the trouble I have caused all of you.’

   ‘Then, do you have a name? Calling you Dragon God is way too formal, after all.’

   ‘Please call me Tatsuya.’

   ‘Understood.’

   ‘I hate ta butt in on ya conversation, but could we go get some food? I’m starvin’ here!’ Natsuho grumbles.

   ‘I guess it’s unavoidable, since now’s already time for breakfast. May I borrow the cooking room for a while?’

   ‘Sure ya can! Right this way!’

   ‘I’m sure it’s hard to do it all by yourself, so your big sister is more than willing to-’

   ‘Let’s meet up at the student council office. While I’m being busy, please do everything you can to keep Sakuya-senpai away from the cooking room, everyone.’

   ‘Understood.’ Everyone except Natsuho and Tstsuya replies.

   ‘WHY~~???’

   Natsuho and I head for the cooking room while ignoring Sakuya’s outburst.

   ‘So, whatcha’ gonaa be cookin’?’ Natsuho asks me.

   ‘Well, I don’t really have time to cook something fancy, and it depends on the ingredients available, so we’ll have to see.’

   Turns out there are lots of ingredients in the refrigerator, and all of the are fresh too. Even so, I choose to make rice balls anyway, since they’re fast and easy. I quickly wash and cook the rice, and then I move on to the fillings.

   ‘Oh oh, I want salmon fillings!’ Natsuho requests excitedly when I announce her my menu.

   ‘Yes, yes. I heard you loud and clear. There’s no need to raise your voice.’ I calm her down while getting out a block of salmon from the refrigerator, along with some other ingredients to be used as fillings.

   The process didn’t take me long, since Natsuho also helped in making them. We put all the rice balls we made on a tray and bring them to the student council office.

   After we’ve filled our stomach, we proceed to talk about serious business.

   ‘First things first, something needs to be done about the Dragon Pulse at Mountain Fuji. Tatsuya, is it an absolute requirement that You have to possess Yui who summoned You in the first place, or will any shrine maiden do?’

   ‘I’m afraid so. She was the one who summoned me here, after all. We could find another shrine maiden, but she has to dismiss me first.’

   In that case, I guess we need to wait until Yui’s fully recovered. She needs all the rest she can get even after recovering, but we don’t have the luxury for that.

   Natsuho suddenly raises up her hand like she’s inside a classroom.

   ‘Can I ask ya something, Tatsuya?’ she asks Him.

   ‘Of course. Please ask away.’

   ‘Why did ya join forces with Lost Children?’

   Supposedly, she already knew the answer to that if she read the notes given by Madoka. I guess she wants to hear the whole story from the God Himself.

   Tatsuya lowers his head in shame.

   ‘You see, I was always frustrated of the way you mortals treat this planet. Killing animals unnecessarily just to rob them of their body parts, exhausting this planet’s precious resources and making it sick in the process. I’ve always wanted to do something, but ancient rules forbid me from acting out directly.’

   ‘And that’s when Zaimoto Azuma contacted you.’ I prompt.

   He nods.

   ‘I don’t know how he did it, but he managed to communicate with me without the use of mediums. He told me that a group called Lost Children is fighting for this planet’s survival, and I can do my part if I help them out with their experiments. Desperate, I agreed to his proposal. I was wrong in believing Zaimoto and Lost Children, aren’t I?’

   ‘Yes. Yes you are. I don’t know about Zaimoto’s true motive, but Lost Children could care less about this planet. They won’t hesitate to harm anyone and anything if it means they can rule over the planet.’

   Tatsuya bows as low as he could.

   ‘Truly. You have my deepest apologies.’

   ‘Well,what’s done is done. There’s nothing we can do about the samples you gave them.’

   ‘Actually, those samples are pretty much useless now.’ Tomita-senpai says all of a sudden.

   ‘They are? How so?’

   ‘While you guys were being busy, I went inside one of the research labs and corrupted all their data. It’ll take months to restore everything they’ve researched so far.’

   All of us got so excited about that news we take turns in telling him a job well done. Isa-senpai even gave him a huge hug, and he almost passed out from happiness.

   ‘Anyway, that’s one problem down.’ I tell them after the excitement’s died out. ‘Now we should focus on going to Mountain Fuji to confront Zaimoto and reseal the Dragon Pulse.’

   Everyone nod in agreement.