Miyabi... where could she have gone?
Let's look for her one more time, Tor.
Yeah...
Okie doke! Attention, please!
Our super-fun seaside camp has come to an end,
so we're heading on back!
I'm staying! Please, let me search for Miyabi!
What's that? Defying orders from the headmistress, hmm?
Even if you stay behind, you can't do much!
But--
I'm telling you: shut it.
Of course, I'm not of much help myself!
Dammit!
Tor...
We lived in a closed-up past
With an ever-distant future and time unmoving
Finding in our battle now what we were searching for
The power to believe in each other, beyond even destiny
We'll get stronger, you and me: a pair to the end
This light reflects a bond even deeper than our wounds
I want to protect you... and so my soul runs out to you now
Just hand it over to me (all of it)--even your pain
We're together (together) that's why (that's why) we can make it our strength
I'll be your shield, and yours alone
My back to yours, I believe in miracles (in meetings)
No one can intrude on that (can't stop it)
Looking down on our limits from far above: Absolute Soul
"#10 Reign Conference"
We'll take it from here. I'm sure Miyabi's just fine.
That was days ago.
We still haven't received word that she was found safe.
Concentrate, Kokonoe!
Uh-huh...
Figures. You'd think Tachibana'd be the most upset with Hotaka gone.
Tomoe is strong.
Tachibana...
What gives, Kokonoe? Giving up already?
At this rate, he'll be dead before he has the chance!
Isn't this how it always goes with Tachibana?
Let's try a fresh start. I'm coming at you again, Kokonoe.
Huh? Uh, okay.
Hey, Miyabi, can I borrow a towel?
Thanks, Tomoe.
When do you think Miyabi'll get out of the hospital?
Poor thing, getting hurt at summer camp.
I hope she gets better soon.
Me, too.
Not a word of this Hotaka thing to anyone.
It'll just wind up upsetting the other students.
Guess who?
Lilith.
Correct!
That's my future husband for you!
Who else would do something like that?
You know me so well! I love it!
You're doing better than I thought.
Julie, right?
Yes, Tor--that's my Duo for you.
The ties that bind us are stronger than anyone else's.
Well! That's a bit much!
Ah, Tomoe!
Guess who?
Wh-Wh-What are you doing, Lilith?!
That's our Tomoe! Bingo! Hmm, they're not half bad...
What do you mean, "not half bad"?! Hey!
Is that Lilith trying to be nice to us?
Have you no shame as a woman?!
It's okay--they won't get any smaller.
--Heck, they might even get bigger! --J-Julie?
Say what?!
You're impossible!
Tor... Why?
I'm sorry. I'm flattered you feel that way, but I...
Is it... because you're weak?
How humiliating, Tor Kokonoe. You can't protect anyone.
My brother...
You're weak--that's why she died.
I wonder how it could have turned out
if you'd only had this power.
Tor... was it that dream again?
Julie...
Sorry I woke you.
Julie?
Please, don't move.
This is what Mama would always do for me
on nights when I couldn't sleep for thinking about Papa.
Thanks, Julie.
I summoned you here for one reason:
I would like to repay you for rescuing me
from the Rebels the other day.
Repay? But I don't...
Tor Kokonoe, I give my permission for you to undergo
the Level 4 Rite of Sublimation.
But it wasn't just me. I had Julie, and Lilith--
and together, we figured it out somehow.
So why am I the only one here?
Because you are unique. An Unrivaled.
But leveling me up and not everyone else?
What is there to hesitate about? Don't you want more power?
Isn't that why you came to the Academy?
With power, you could have been able to avert a tragedy...
Don't you think so?
Maybe so. If I'd had power, I...
Then again...
I'm sorry. I don't think I can--
Let's do this, then: I leave the choice up to you.
But this world isn't so kind as to let you have your way...
...especially when the world is grown thick with malice.
Soon the Academy will be holding the Reign Conference.
Reign... Conference?
Equipment Smith, the man who created the Rebels, will be there.
Welcome home, Tor. I'll get some apple tea ready.
Tor?
The pride of the Dorn Agency,
the elite security force called the Ethnarch.
Think they're sooo special, just because they've graduated!
No leaving the school grounds, huh?
I'm not really sure, but it looks like something big is going on.
Pushing even the Level 3 students into security duty?
This place sure knows how to use people, all right.
Goes to show you just how important this meeting is.
And as far as real-life practice goes, you could do a lot worse.
Stay on your guard!
You're trying too hard.
Careful not to strain yourself, now, kiddo.
If anything happens, let us handle it, okay?
Yes, sir. We appreciate your guidance!
Although ideally nothing will happen, of course.
What presence... I guess that's Reign for you, huh.
An invitation to the Reign Conference--
am I right?
Sakuya! You--
Lilith!
Tor? It's not like you to leave your post.
There's something I want to know, and you might be able to tell me.
Oh, dear. If you want to know how I feel about you, Tor,
I already told you that ages ago.
Equipment Smith. The Reign Conference.
What the hell is going on?
That's what I want to know.
I don't know who told you I knew...
...but I won't say this again.
Equipment Smith.
A key member of a certain nation's shadow military organization.
And the group he put together, the god-slaying corps: the Rebels.
But for what purpose?
Their ultimate goal... is Absolute Duo.
Absolute Duo?
May you someday reach Absolute Duo.
People brought together with Absolute Duo at their core...
That's Reign.
And now, its members are all gathered here.
Hey. Just making myself at home here, Miss Diabolica.
I am ashamed to have such meager hospitality to offer,
Grave Phantom.
Enchanté. A pleasure to make your acquaintance, Diabolica.
Tempest Judge, is it? Thank you for coming, and welcome.
Looks like you and Judge are still like oil and water,
eh, Darkray Disaster?
Like you have to ask.
What a lovely Academy you have.
If only we had more of such schools in my country!
I thank you, Silent Diva.
Sorry to keep you all waiting.
Absolute Duo... But what is it?
The final frontier that lies beyond soul-power's extremes.
Let's leave it at that.
The final frontier...
Soul-power--you mean, beyond the extremes of our Blazes?
Is that why we were gathered here?
Koryo Academy was founded for only one purpose:
to use Lukifers to awaken the power within our souls and create Exceeds.
All to reach Absolute Duo.
The path that reaches Absolute Duo...
She's trying to do that all by herself.
Contrary to everyone else...
...and rejecting all others.
An alliance?
Yes. An enticing prospect, no?
Didn't see that coming!
Très bien! To think a member of Reign would be looking to team up!
You must know how powerful my units are.
By joining forces with your Exceeds,
it'd be no exaggeration to say we could outshine all the rest.
What do you say, Miss Sakuya?
I decline.
That which I seek and that which you seek, Mr. Smith,
lay down two paths that will never cross.
The outcomes, too, will naturally differ.
Thus joining forces would be sheer folly.
Soul-power, eh?
What passes for training here is but the impurity of the everyday...
Dear me, it's all too dull for this old man!
I doubt you will ever understand.
After all, you once lost to my grandfather
and were cut out of his organization.
Isn't that right, Equipment Smith?
It seems you wish to fulfill your ambitions of days gone by.
I have no interest in the grumblings of a pitiful old man.
That's harsh!
They say the witch's words are steeped in poison;
I didn't know they'd be quite so toxic.
I can hardly back down quietly after such insults.
Why don't we settle this with a game, Miss Sakuya?
A game, you say?
Easy as pie: I'll have my Rebels attack this Academy,
and your Exceeds will stop them.
Whoever wipes out the other side first wins.
Call it... a killing game.
Very well.
Then it's decided.
Tor?
Absolute Duo...
Honestly, I don't know what kind of tremendous thing it is,
but all these people, being hurt in its pursuit?
It's true: I did come to the Academy seeking power.
"stare"
But...
But now...
You lose one thing in gaining another.
These are the realities of our world.
Doesn't make it less sad.
You may be right.
What you and the headmistress are saying--you may be right.
But...
I don't want to admit it.
Honestly. That's you all over, Tor.
What? A Rebels attack?!
What?!
In ten minutes' time? Wait, how do you know that?
A killing game?!
Look!
Now, let the feast begin--
a bacchanalia of bloodshed!
I just meant to look at you, not knowing a thing
Wanting only to give shape to my feelings
We pass each other: I first notice the size of it all
And feel it so deeply it hurts
Together we can overcome, even if lost in countless nights
Someday we'll be strong for real
Alone, our hearts are immature; together, they are one
Trusting in the ties that bind us, we walk on
Many thanks for inviting us.
A killing game...
Our master sure likes playing around, doesn't she.
Come on, Julie.
Ja.
Miyabi?! You're all right!
Wait!
Why are you stopping me?
Watch this.
Miyabi?
I...
I'm stronger now, Tor.
I wanted to be stronger.
So I could catch up with the rest.
So I could stand before... him.
So I could be true to myself.
"Killing Game"
Next time: "Killing Game."
Watch this, Tor...!