Cross Dragon x Devils

The aftermath of Zephyr's attack lingered over the academy like a dark cloud. Despite Kazuki's victory in driving Zephyr away, the toll it took on him and those he cared for was evident. Rito was recovering in the infirmary, her condition stable but leaving an ache in Kazuki's chest every time he visited her.

---

A Quiet Resolve

Kazuki sat by Rito's bedside, her steady breathing a small comfort. He couldn't stop replaying the events of the battle in his mind. The surge of the Void Dragon's power had been intoxicating but dangerous.

"Why couldn't I control it?" he whispered to himself, clenching his fists.

"You're blaming yourself again, aren't you?"

Kazuki looked up to see Rito awake, her eyes soft but her tone scolding.

"I wasn't strong enough to protect you," Kazuki admitted, his voice low. "If I had been stronger—"

"You were strong enough to make him retreat," Rito interrupted. "You saved me, Kazuki. That's all that matters."

Kazuki shook his head. "It's not enough. Zephyr will come back, and next time, he won't hold back. I need to be better—for you, for everyone."

Rito reached out and grabbed his hand, her grip firm despite her weakness. "You're not alone in this, Kazuki. Stop carrying everything by yourself."

Her words struck a chord deep within him, but before he could respond, the door creaked open, and Ayumi and Sutea stepped in.

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The Girls' Support

"We thought we'd find you here," Ayumi said, crossing her arms as she leaned against the doorframe. "You're supposed to be resting too, you know."

Kazuki managed a weak smile. "I couldn't just leave her alone."

Sutea placed a small basket of fruits on the bedside table. "We figured as much. That's why we brought you both something to eat."

As they settled into the room, the tension eased slightly. Ayumi teased Kazuki about his messy hair, while Sutea gently chastised him for skipping meals. Rito, despite her injury, managed to join in on the banter, her laughter filling the room.

But beneath the lighthearted moments, there was an unspoken understanding between them all: things were only going to get harder from here.

---

Preparations for War

The academy's headmaster, a stern but wise man named Professor Daichi, called an emergency meeting the next morning. Representatives from the academy's various divisions gathered in the grand hall, their faces grim.

Zephyr's attack had exposed vulnerabilities in the academy's defenses, and Daichi made it clear that preparations were necessary to counter future threats.

Kazuki stood among the crowd, his combat suit glinting faintly in the light. Though the suit had suffered significant damage during the fight, the engineers had worked tirelessly to repair and upgrade it.

"The suit now has a built-in stabilizer," one of the engineers explained to him earlier that morning. "It should help you control the Void Dragon's power without risking another overload."

Kazuki had nodded, appreciating their efforts but knowing that it would ultimately come down to his ability to harness the power within him.

---

Training Intensifies

Over the next few weeks, Kazuki threw himself into training. The academy's training grounds became his second home as he pushed himself to his limits.

Rito, now recovered, joined him whenever she could. Her mastery of all elemental magic made her a formidable sparring partner, and Kazuki couldn't help but admire her resilience.

"You're not holding back, are you?" Rito teased after deflecting one of his attacks with a barrier of light.

Kazuki smirked. "Wouldn't dream of it."

Their sessions often drew an audience. Ayumi, Sutea, and even some of Kazuki's other classmates would watch from the sidelines, cheering him on or offering tips.

Despite the grueling nature of the training, there were moments of levity. Ayumi's fiery temper often clashed with Rito's teasing nature, while Sutea's quiet observations would occasionally disarm them all with unexpected wit.

Kazuki found himself smiling more often, even as the weight of his responsibilities grew heavier.

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A New Threat Emerges

One evening, as Kazuki and Rito were wrapping up their training session, an unfamiliar figure approached them.

The man was tall and imposing, with silver hair and piercing red eyes. His presence alone sent a chill through the air.

"Kazuki Satoru," the man said, his voice deep and commanding. "We need to talk."

Kazuki instinctively moved in front of Rito, his combat suit activating in an instant. "Who are you?"

"My name is Alaric," the man replied. "I'm here on behalf of the Void Council."

"The Void Council?" Rito echoed, her brow furrowing.

Alaric's gaze shifted to her. "You must be Rito. The Council is aware of your connection to Kazuki—and the Void Dragon within him."

Kazuki's hands clenched into fists. "What do you want?"

"To warn you," Alaric said simply. "The power you wield is not just a gift—it's a curse. If you cannot control it, you will not only destroy yourself but everyone around you."

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The Burden of Power

Alaric's words lingered in Kazuki's mind long after the man disappeared into the night. The Void Council's warning was a stark reminder of the dangers he faced—not just from external threats like Zephyr but from the very power he sought to master.

As he stood on the rooftop later that night, gazing at the stars, Ayumi joined him.

"You're thinking too much again," she said, leaning against the railing.

Kazuki sighed. "I can't help it. Every time I think I'm making progress, something else gets thrown at me."

Ayumi placed a hand on his shoulder, her expression softer than usual. "You're not alone in this, Kazuki. You've got me, Rito, Sutea… all of us. Stop trying to carry the world on your own."

Her words echoed Rito's from before, and Kazuki felt a small spark of hope ignite within him.

"I'll try," he said, his voice barely above a whisper.

---

A New Resolve

The next morning, Kazuki gathered his friends in the training grounds. Rito, Ayumi, Sutea, and a few others stood before him, their expressions curious but determined.

"I've been thinking," Kazuki began. "We've been reacting to threats instead of preparing for them. That needs to change."

He looked at each of them, his gaze steady. "We need to become stronger—together. If we're going to face Zephyr, the Void Council, or whatever else is out there, we need to be ready."

The group nodded, their resolve matching his.

As they began their first team training session, Kazuki felt a newfound sense of purpose. The path ahead was uncertain, but for the first time, he truly believed they could face it—together.

---

**End of Chapter 20**