《Magika no Kenshi to Shoukan Maou》 Chapter 1.1.1 — The Swordsman in Magic Division Volume 1 Chapter 1 - The Swordsman in Magic Division Part 1 Hayashizaki Kanae is a swordswoman with the title of Storm Cat. While she was a child, she had gone to many dojos and defeated them without a single loss. Her ponytail was like a black cat¡¯s tail, waving in the air. The strikes from her two-sword-styled kodachis flowed nonstop and were undoubtedly an infinite gale of swords. Her fighting form was indeed fitting to her title of Storm Cat. However, her sleeping face was like an angel. The curtains were fully parted and the morning sunlight shone into the dark room. But even so, she still slept, like a sleeping princess, and showed no signs of waking. Her skin was white to the extent that the light made her cheeks glow. Her long, black hair was tied back and in a mess. Her usual, stern swordsman¡¯s face was also innocent and relaxed. ¡­It had been a long time since he last saw her, and she had become cute since then. Kazuki looked at her, fascinated. No, no, wait. This was not the time to look at his imouto in fascination. ¡°Hey, quickly wake up. Breakfast is already made.¡± Hayashizaki Kazuki infused a loving gesture and shook her shoulders. Right at this moment ¡ª¡ª ¡°¡ª¡ª Nii-sama, chance!¡± Kanae¡¯s eyes, whom he thought was still asleep, suddenly opened. ¡°What!?¡± Kanae¡¯s hands and feet were like tentacles and suddenly shot out from under the blanket. Kanae¡¯s soft and small hands and legs wrapped around Kazuki¡¯s body. In just a short period of time, she pulled Kazuki onto her bed and tightly hugged him. Towards him, Kanae revealed a fearless smile. ¡°Nii-sama, being attracted by his imouto¡¯s cute, sleeping face, had become careless. The bed is a battlefield for men and women. This is Hayashizaki-Ryuu¡¯s Art, .¡± ¡°¡­Don¡¯t just randomly invent a ridiculous art.¡± Kanae, who was rubbing her face on his chest, flirted with Kazuki, who was stunned and sighed. ¡°The feeling of Nii-sama, the scent of Nii-sama, it has really been a long time. Even though, yesterday, Kanae finally had the opportunity to return home, Nii-sama was not willing to sleep with me. It must have been because you¡¯re embarrassed, so Kanae thought of a scheme. As expected, you¡¯re embarrassed, right?¡± ¡°I¡¯m not embarrassed! ¡­Really now. If it were in the past, it would have been fine. Right now, we are both high school students, and it is disgusting for siblings to be clinging together. I''ve already told you to not hug me!¡± ¡°Don¡¯t treat Kanae¡¯s pure, sibling love as something disgusting!¡± Hayashizaki Kanae is a swordswoman. ¡ª¡ª However, the fact that she is a severe bro-con was really her only drawback. Although Kazuki wanted to escape and struggled, Kanae¡¯s hands and legs that wrapped around his body firmly did not move. Her arms and legs were releasing a faint, blue light. The reason the petite her could use such degree of strength was because she was strengthening her body with Magic. While they were being noisy, the blanket slid off. ¡ª¡ª Only then did Kazuki notice a frightening fact. ¡°¡­You, what are you wearing? Although it is already spring, what would we do if you catch a cold.¡± Kanae was wearing pajamas where you could nearly see the skin underneath. Her slim waist and round hips were clearly shown through the translucent fabric. ¡°What do you think, Nii-sama? This is the Kanae that has been upgraded into a female high school student. Since Kanae hadn''t seen Nii-sama for so long, it is the anniversary where she wanted to show her female charm to Nii-sama.¡± Kanae, whose face was red, stuck her body onto Kazuki and began to rub on him. Her small boobs slowly changed shape. The bed was a battlefield¡­ Kazuki began to take deep breathes and calmed himself down. ¡°You are indeed my cute imouto¡­ But, I will not generate any desires towards my imouto. Quickly, get off.¡± ¡°Ku. You only said cute, you actually still treat the matured lady, Kanae, as a child?¡± ¡°What matured Kanae, idiot. There is already no time left to be in bed, quickly get up.¡± ¡°Kanae is still asleep. Fu ¡ª¡ª Fu ¡ª¡ª ?¡± ¡°¡­Still, this is my first time seeing such shameless sleepwear.¡± ¡°Kanae, who has not returned home for a long time, is a princess. So if you do not use a suitable method for waking up a princess to wake her up, Kanae will not leave the bed.¡± ¡°What method for waking up a princess? No matter what, you are still born and educated as a samurai.¡± ¡°Speaking of which, the method for waking up a princess is obviously a kiss, Nii-sama. Come.¡± ¡°Uwah, don¡¯t come closer! Don¡¯t bring your face closer!¡± Kazuki tried again to escape¡­ ¡­However, sure enough, if he was to only use his physical strength, it was impossible to escape from his imouto¡¯s magical clutches. ¡ª¡ª Helplessly, Kazuki could only also cast Physical Enhancement Magic onto his own body. Drawing out energy from his spirit and allowing it to flow through his entire body. At the same time, heat gushed out from his body as Kazuki made his body awaken. In an instant, he broke away from Kanae¡¯s hands'' and legs'' bind, and escaped from her bed. If the conditions were the same, then he would definitely not lose to his imouto in terms of strength. ¡°Meanie!¡± ¡°What meanie? You were the one that first used Enhancement Magic, right?¡± Once those cold words came from Kazuki, Kanae stared at Kazuki with puppy eyes. ¡°¡­Don¡¯t make an expression as if you were a small animal that was abandoned. Really, I will forcibly make you get out of bed.¡± Kazuki wrapped his arms around Kanae¡¯s waist and gently picked her up from the bed. If this was the case, he should quickly finish the work of serving a princess. Kanae¡¯s expression suddenly brightened up. ¡°Nii-sama! This is Hayashizaki-Ryuu¡¯s Final Secret Art, Princess Carry!¡± ¡°Don¡¯t randomly invent a Secret Art! We, Hayashizaki-Ryuu, do not have such a Final Secret Art!¡± This person shouldn¡¯t be looking down upon our school. ¡°This is nerve-racking, Nii-sama, really nerve-racking¡­ The princess carry is almost like a dream¡­ Even though it was so difficult to get up, Nii-sama had to do such a dream-like thing in the end¡­ Is this situation what they call a heavenly vision¡­¡± Kazuki, using a carrying posture, made Kanae, who had a dreamy expression, spin around. ¡°Okay, it¡¯s over.¡± ¡°So short!? The feeling of floating in the clouds was only a fleeting moment!? It¡¯s too short!!¡± ¡°Hey, before you eat breakfast, go change your clothes. That kind of appearance is scandalous.¡± Kazuki placed Kanae down. She pursed her lips and threw a fit. ¡°¡­Because I am a princess, I cannot change clothes by myself. Nii-sama, please personally help me change.¡± ¡°Why did you suddenly say such willful words? Are you still playing at being a princess?¡± ¡°Because, didn¡¯t Nii-sama say it yesterday night, since we have not met for so long, so you will do whatever is requested, right? Us swordsmen must keep our promises!¡± I am already not a swordsman¡­ Just when this sentence was about to come out from his mouth, Kazuki¡¯s gaze fell upon the back of his left hand. An egg-shaped, elliptical pattern was imprinted there. Enigma. It is an emblem from another world that changed Kazuki¡¯s fate. ¡°Although, I said anything is okay, I did not imagine that you would put out requests such as kissing and helping you change your clothes. If we were to do such things as siblings, then it would not be skinship, but perverted acts.¡± ¡°Anyways, Nii¡ªsama won¡¯t generate any lust towards Kanae, isn¡¯t there no problem then¡­ Or, is it that Nii-sama wants to escape from Kanae¡¯s arousing charm?¡± Kanae revealed provocative eyes and raised both hands. Kazuki was outraged by this phrase. Due to the challenge issued by his imouto, replying to all of it was his duty as her brother. Using the mentality trained as a previous swordsman, Kazuki opened up his imouto¡¯s pajamas. Just like peeling off thin skin, the snow-white skin was gradually revealed in front of his eyes. Kanae, *mojimoji*, wriggled her body. ¡°I-It was seen¡­ Kanae¡¯s appearance of only wearing undergarments. I¡¯m currently being seen by Nii-sama¡­ Please carefully look after me¡­¡± ¡°Why are you excited? Are you a pervert? I didn¡¯t see. I didn¡¯t see it one bit. And even if I did see it, I will not generate any thoughts towards my imouto wearing only undergarments¡­ Where is your uniform?¡± Kanae pointed to the top of a table, a folded uniform was placed upon it. National Knight¡¯s Academy Caryatid''s Sword Division''s female uniform was a narrow-sleeves-kimono-styled blouse with a female hakama-style miniskirt, combining into an outfit that consisted of both Japanese and Western styles. After helping Kanae put on the stern outfit, Kazuki was finally relieved and sighed. ¡°Okay. Compared to those kinds of pajamas, you are still more suitable for this type of clothing.¡± This was the real swordswoman Storm Cat. Having said that, all swordsmen like to consider their image; nicknames, sure-kill techniques, etc. Kazuki also once had a nickname¡­ But, this was already something of the past. ¡°This kind of Nii-sama, wearing a brand-new uniform, is also very, very suitable!¡± Kazuki was wearing a different style of uniform than Kanae. Because, he was entering into a different division than Kanae. He was wearing a blazer, which had an atmosphere of high quality, made from Alchemical Silk. A dazzling, Gem System embroidery was embroidered everywhere. The metal parts of the belt and the metal buttons were made by intertwining a precious rainbow-colored metal called Marble Metal. This was a male uniform that generously infused the true essence of Alchemy. ¡°A gentle Nii-sama coupled with an intellectual blazer is really a wonderful combination. This is the type that gives me the number one feeling of wanting to hug Nii-sama. Nii-sama, I love you ¡ª¡ª Haah, haah.¡± ¡°Calm down, Kanae. As a Hayashizaki swordsman, you cannot lose your calm¡­ Do not breathe raggedly in front of your brother.¡± ¡°But, although my appearance of wearing the uniform was praised by Nii-sama and made me happy, Kanae further hopes that Nii-sama would be more aware of the sexy undergarments earlier. Although I am your imouto, it is only in name¡­¡± ¡°Exactly, because you are an imouto in name, I have to be more mindful of it.¡± Kazuki, who was once an orphan, was in a position where he was accepted as an adopted son by the Prestigious Ancient Sword Skill Family ¡ª¡ª the Hayashizaki Family. In other words, Kanae is the daughter of the family that he owes a great debt to. ¡°Even if it is only kissing on the cheeks, it is fine. I want Nii-sama¡¯s kiss. So, sad¡­¡± Kanae revealed an expression as if she had lost a duel and whispered. She placed two kodachis on her waist. She was already accustomed to the extremely heavy weight from the real swords. She turned her gaze towards Kazuki at the side. ¡°Nii-sama¡­ Although you look very cool wearing the uniform¡­ But, as expected, you won¡¯t be bringing your sword?¡± ¡°How can I bring it? I am not a student of the Sword Division.¡± Listening to the answer that left no room for debate, Kanae angrily glared at Kazuki¡¯s left hand. ¡°It is all because that damn suddenly emerged on Nii-sama¡¯s left hand!¡± ¡°It is already too late to talk about it¡­ I already left behind the feelings of the sword.¡± The people with magic qualities that were recognized by Divas will be awarded an Enigma on the back of their left hand at the age of fourteen, when their magic begins to grow. People who owned an Enigma had to enter the Magic Division to study and were destined to form a contract with a Diva. Hayashizaki Kanae is a Swordswoman. And Hayashizaki Kazuki from today on, is a Summoning Magic User. Chapter 1.1.2 — The Swordsman in Magic Division Volume 1 Chapter 1 - The Swordsman in Magic Division Part 2 Because the morning temperature had dropped a lot, a Spring mist had appeared outside. As if it was cutting apart the haze, the Magic Light Train released a blue light and was moving on the street. This train was the product of high level Magic and Alchemy. The material used for the train¡¯s frame was the newly generated metal Mithril, made by Alchemy, and it had succeeded in substantially reducing the weight. And by using the driver¡¯s Thought Magic, to act as a support for the performance and operation, even if it was a complex urban route, it was still feasible to run it with a speed no less than on the Shinkansen. While its speed could be accelerated to 250 KMPH in a short period of time, it could also utilize the blessings of Thought Magic to reduce the weight of the train and swiftly reduce the speed as it approached the station. It would not make any noise as it stopped. However, the production of Mithril was extremely difficult, so it was still a very valuable product. This kind of train operation was only an experimental project that was limited to within Tokyo. ¡ª¡ª The Magic Light Train had arrived at Knight¡¯s Academy Station. Kazuki and Kanae both came down from the train and onto the station platform. Because they had left home when there was still an ample amount of time left, the figures of other freshmen were extremely limited and it was very quiet. The shopping street near the station was also the same. Aside from the convenience store, the other shops¡¯ rolling shutter doors had not been pulled up yet. ¡°Nii-sama is really planning on entering the Magic Division and not the Sword Division?¡± During the way to the academy from the station, Kanae asked unhappily ¡°¡­By now, there is nothing to say about it. This isn¡¯t something I should hesitate about on the day of the entrance ceremony.¡± Kazuki replied. Since humans have discovered Magic, this brand-new power, it has already been 15 years. The cause of it was due to Alchemy. Due to the Rosicrucian Group that sought human evolution, the Golden Dawn led by MacGregor Mathers, and Ahnenerbe Nazi Germany¡¯s research institution; these secret organizations, that had inherited alchemy through lines of succession, finally produced a massive result 15 years ago. That was the fruit of their research, a great red fruit, the Philosopher¡¯s Stone. It was produced by a mysterious Alchemist. A man-made, magical stone with an unknown creation method. By embedding this ruby-like, red-colored stone into the human¡¯s brain, the Magic Power of humans would awaken. Although it is embedded, it is not directly placed into the brain through surgery. Just by placing this incredible stone on the forehead, the part that touches the skin would slowly be assimilated and gradually enter the body until it reached the brain. Due to the appearance of the Philosopher¡¯s Stone, the world¡¯s order had completely changed. Magic could not be explained through scientific theories. Magic was not restricted by scientific theories. Magic belonged to a higher dimension than the sciences, causing the rules to be completely ignored. For example, when a Magic user uses Magic to cover his entire body, this layer of Magic would ¡°Ignore¡± and repel all physical phenomena. This ''Defending'' Magic could only be destroyed by ''Attacking'' Magic or objects holding Magic. Thus, the era had become The Era of Magic and Swords. Police and self-defense forces had transformed into Knights composed of Swordsmen and Magic Users. And Japan¡¯s Knight training academy was the National Knights Academy, Caryatid. ¡ª¡ªWhich is also the school that Kazuki is about to enter to study. ¡°Nii-sama, who had inspired me to the way of the sword, actually entered the Magic Division¡­ Having to enter a different dormitory than me, who belongs to the Sword Division¡­ The Diva that gave Nii-sama an Enigma is extremely detestable¡­¡± The Knights Academy was divided into the Sword and Magic Divisions, and implemented a complete boarding system. Kazuki and Kanae were divided into directions of two different careers. Kanae still could not accept this result. ¡°What kind of purpose did that fellow, known as Diva, have to give a person like me, this kind of thing?¡± Kazuki whispered quietly and raised his left hand that had the Enigma imprinted on it. The Divas were inhabitants of an alternate world that were brought forth through Summoning Magic. Through the vast and deep, psychological sea inside a person¡¯s heart ¡ª¡ª Deep down inside, there was a door that lead to another world. Until the very end, the scientific community did not completely understand a human¡¯s ''heart'' and ''spirit''. It was through this "Door of Heart" that the body contained something that came from an alternative world. By letting in Magic Power, this supreme feeling to be connected to the body, the current generation of humans were able to feel it. All humans are connected to each other, through this alternative world. The non-material, alternative world was named Astrum. In Astrum, large amounts of Magic Power were swirling. Inside the swirl of Magic Power lurked many . They contracted with humans, and when they slept, they would move from Astrum into their dreams to communicate with them. To form a contract with humans, there was magic that summons them to this side of the world ¡ª¡ª Summoning Magic. What was surprising, was that, they, who were called out from the depths of the spiritual world, had similar attitudes and names as the Gods and Demons from ancient mythologies. Thus, they were given the name of Diva. The numerous countries all over the world all became fanatical, religious countries towards the Divas they encountered. However, in the originally skeptical Japan, a contract with a Diva was basically controlled as a military asset. This was because, in comparison with Normal Magics, the Divas'' Summoning Magics were too powerful. A portion of the Divas responded to the Japanese Government¡¯s summons and selected people, who were suitable for the power, from Japanese citizens and granted them an Enigma. Enigmas were currently under strict regulation by the country. By holding a Contract Ritual, it would become a Stigma and give the host the power of Summoning Magic. Thus, all the people who have an Enigma have the obligation to enter the Magic Division to study. This was in order for the precious Enigmas to not be wasted and become military strength. And it was also in order for Summoning Magic, this dangerous power, to be completely placed under the control of the country and the academy. ¡ª¡ª Right now, Kazuki¡¯s hand also harbored an Enigma, which could be interpreted as an Invitation sent by a Diva. ¡°I, also, did not want to become a Stigma Magic User. However, if you are granted an Enigma, it is equivalent to losing the freedom to choose your future.¡± It was not exaggerated for Summoning Magic to be known as a heroic power that was equivalent to thousands of forces on a battlefield. Normally, being awarded an Enigma absolutely shouldn¡¯t make one frustrated, even if it made one unhappy. ¡°¡­But I, instead of a Stigma Magic User, wanted to become a Swordsman. I wanted to repay my gratitude towards my Keifu-sama, who discovered my talent for the sword while I was an ordinary orphan.¡± Even if they were both Knights, the position of a Swordsman was much lower than that of a Stigma Magic User. Although Swordsmen specialized in swift close-combat, in the end, the role they played was only that of a meat-shield to buy time for the Stigma Magic User to chant Magic. However, Kazuki still wanted to become a Swordsman, and replace his Keifu-sama, Hayashizaki Jinkai. To let everybody in the world know the power of Hayashizaki-Ryuu Iai Jutsu was his greatest goal in life. ¡°However, Otou-sama actually said, ''Since you are a person that was selected, don¡¯t continue to hold this kind of offensive dream. Do not let your life be bound by thoughts of gratitude.'' So I decided to enter the Magic Division. In order to find a brand new goal.¡± "So, you should also accept this reality," Kazuki said as he tapped Kanae¡¯s head. ¡°It is fine if you do not worry over gratitude. But, by now, you should stop trying to be an outsider.¡± Kanae issued out in an unsatisfied voice, after being tapped upon. ¡°Indeed. The ancient sword skills used for actual combat, that were passed from generation to generation within the Hayashizaki Family, had the goal of letting the world know the true power of the sword. Swordsmanship has always been underestimated compared to Summoning Magic. Our Magic Swords will not lose to Divas. However, for the mission of allowing the world to know the strength of Hayashizaki-Ryuu, I am enough by myself! Nii-sama¡¯s gratitude is completely unnecessary! But!¡± Kanae said up to this point, then her cheeks began to pout. ¡°Although it is like that, Nii-sama becoming a Stigma Magic User, I still cannot agree to it! If there is a need to say why, then it is because the match between me and Nii-sama has not yet determined the winner!!¡± ¡°If it is about the outcome¡­ Am I not leading with 139 wins and 118 losses?¡± ¡°The match is to continue until I overtake you! Until then, we should always continue to fight!¡± When Kazuki was first adopted by the Hayashizaki Family, Kanae did not recognize Kazuki as a family member. And it was only because Kazuki had continued to hone his own sword skills, allowing his own attitude to slowly conflict with Kanae''s during that period of time, that Kanae unconsciously began to call Kazuki ''Nii-sama'' and started to flirt with him. The record of 139 wins, 118 losses was the history between the two of them. Kazuki used both hands to pinch Kanae¡¯s pouting cheeks. The air *pufu* leaked out from Kanae¡¯s mouth. Kazuki began to play with Kanae¡¯s cheeks by pulling in all directions. ¡°N-Nii-sama¡­ Please don¡¯t play with your imouto¡¯s cheeks¡­¡± ¡°If you are the strongest Swordsman, then I will become the strongest Stigma Magic User.¡± Kanae suddenly widened her eyes. Kazuki stared at those eyes and said to her. ¡°So, from now on, we are still opponents. Kanae¡¯s Magic Sword must not lose when fighting against my Summoning Magic.¡± Although the path for the two had split apart, they would not lose their bond. ¡°¡­Nii-sama must become the strongest in Magic Division. The people of Hayashizaki Family cannot be anything else.¡± The strongest, huh. Although, I still do not what to do with this kind of thing¡­ While he whispered softly in his heart, Kazuki stared at the sky shrouded by the Spring mist. Chapter 1.1.3 — The Swordsman in Magic Division Volume 1 Chapter 1 - The Swordsman in Magic Division Part 3 As they walked, the spring mist finally dispersed. The academy appeared under the blue sky. The school doors made of stone, were standing in front of them. Flower beds decorated both sides of the path as it extended directly forward. In front, you could see a fountain square. On the left of the fountain square, was a brick built mansion and a sharp tower. The classic brick structure produced a feeling that it was indeed a school for Magic Users. Comparatively, on the right, wooden built Japanese-styled buildings were lined up closely in rows. That side was undoubtedly the dorm for swordsmen. A school that was divided into two ¡ª¡ª The school divided the Magic Division and the Sword Division to show a completely different perspective. Kazuki stopped in front of the school doors and swiftly turned to face Kanae. ¡°So that¡¯s it. From now on, please take care of me ¡­ Senpai.¡± ¡°Please don¡¯t be like that! Nii-sama is obviously my beloved Nii-sama!¡± ¡°But truthfully ¡­ Kanae-neesama is older than me and is a 2nd year senpai at school.¡± ¡°K ¡­ Kanae-neesama!?¡± Kanae suddenly became speechlessly. Kanae, who treated and admired Kazuki as an older brother, was in fact older than Kazuki. It was the so-called imouto that was older in age. The reason behind this strange relationship was because Kazuki was an orphan with an unknown birth. Kazuki was raised as a child of the same age as Kanae in the Hayashizaki family, his birthday was also celebrated on the same day as Kanae¡¯s birthday. Because his mother from Hayashizaki family had died from a disease, Kazuki took the lead and was responsible for housework. Thus, the relationship between Kanae and Kazuki naturally became and . Enigma are something that appeared upon the selected people when they turned 14 years old. After Kanae¡¯s 14th birthday had approached, in the Hayashizaki Family, they had a grand celebration for the two children not having revealed an Enigma. ¡ª¡ªHowever, the year after that, an Enigma appeared on Kazuki¡¯s left hand. Speaking of which, this was something that seemed to be impossible. Kazuki, who always thought he was the same age as Kanae, was extremely surprised because ¡°He was already fourteen years old!¡±, and the truth that Kanae, who was always ¡°Nii-sama Nii-sama¡± and desperately flirting with him, was actually older was revealed. ¡°So that¡¯s why I said, our relationship will not change! If it was during the time when I was stronger, it would be fine, but now since I have been overtaken and even the fact that I am older ¡­ I, it makes one angry!¡± ¡°Please become more mature, Nee-sama¡± ¡°Don¡¯t call me Nee-sama! Kanae is Nii-sama¡¯s imouto!!¡± ¡°Then, please show me around the school. This is the reason why we got up early and rushed over here.¡± From today on, Kanae was a second year student. So she would usually live in the Sword Division¡¯s student dormitory. However, Kanae said that she was going to bring Kazuki around the school before the entrance ceremony, so she returned back home. Then they came to school together. ¡°Please rest assured and leave it to me! Then we will immediately begin by visiting the school from the Sword Division!¡± ¡°No, it is still better to bring me to visit the Magic Division. I am going to study over there.¡± ¡°How can it be ¡­ You don¡¯t plan to go to the Sword Division now, but instead head off to the Magic Division!?¡± ¡°Don¡¯t turn the conversation back again!¡± Kazuki tapped her head, but Kanae happily revealed an ¡°Ehehe~¡± expression. Just when they were performing this sibling two person show, ¡°President! I finally found you, president¡ª¡ª!¡± From the other side of the school door, a male¡¯s voice came. A bulky guy made a B line for them. It was a guy who was cleanly dressed with short hair. He was wearing a Sword Division¡¯s male uniform and an Odachi on his waist. ¡°Torazou!? Why are you here!¡± Kanae revealed an expression as if she noticed a person that could not easily be dealt with. ¡°President, why did you not reply to the text messages I sent to you, even if I called you, no one answered!¡± ¡°This morning I have the very important duty of leading a freshman on his way, so didn¡¯t I say to absolutely not bother me? I had conveyed this to all of you when I submitted the application to return home from school! Of course I will obviously switch off my phone!¡± At this time, this person, Torazou-senpai turned his gaze towards Kazuki and revealed an ¡°Ah!¡± expression. ¡°Even though he is a male, but he is wearing a Magic Division uniform. Could this person be the legendary¡­?¡± The incident about Kazuki¡¯s body having an Enigma seemed to have already spread throughout the country as top notch gossip. The reason for that was, that it would not normally happen. Torazo-senpai continued to stare at Kazuki. It was a slightly uncomfortable feeling. ¡°Hmmmmh, this person is my Nii-sama. He is super strong! He is a brother whom I am proud of!¡± ¡°The president¡¯s older brother? Even though this person should have only entered the school this year¡­?¡± ¡°Although he is a kouhai, but he is still my Nii-sama! Compared to that, what business do you have for seeking me out? I will decide based on your response whether or not to cut you!¡± Kanae untied the sheath, placed her hand on the handle and threatened. Torazo-senpai immediately flinched. ¡°S, Sorry ¡­ Inside the school¡¯s garden, there is a person from the Magic Division that found faults with the Sword Division and created a commotion¡­¡± ¡°A dispute? But Torazou, you disregarded the commotion and specifically searched for me in this vast campus where my location was unclear? Could you explain?¡± ¡°Iori is waiting at the scene. Although I called your phone number, there was no response, but I recalled hearing that you were going to lead a freshman, so I didn¡¯t bother and took a chance to look at the front of the school doors.¡± ¡°Lady Luck is with you.¡± Torazo-senpai smiled as he spoke, but Kanae reacted with an ¡°Awful ¡­¡± and held her head. ¡°¡­ What a useless person. Stop relying on me to this extent. Can you still be considered as the 3rd place of the Student Council of the Sword Division?¡± ¡°But if president does not think of a way to solve it, then the dispute with the Magic Division will not be solved. Only the president is capable of directly fighting against the people of the Magic Division. It is not only me, who is unpromising.¡± ¡°It is that method of thinking, of taking it for granted that the Magic Division is stronger that is the most unpromising! This guy or that guy, once they come to the Sword Division, their heads are filled with thoughts of defeat!!¡± After Kanae severely scolded Torazo-senpai, she turned towards Kazuki and revealed a dejected expression. ¡°Then, Nii-sama ¡­ I am terribly sorry ¡­ There is an emergency situation that I must attend to.¡± ¡°Although it is regrettable, since it is the Student Council¡¯s work, it can¡¯t be helped. The emergency over there is more important.¡± ¡°I actually made Nii-sama feel regret! As compensation, even if I have to exchange my life, I will ¡­!¡± ¡°Don¡¯t be too concerned about it. Good luck, senpai!¡± ¡°Really now, don¡¯t call me senpai! ¡­ Damn, it can¡¯t be helped. Let¡¯s go, Torazou. What on earth is that expression of yours as if you saw something strange. Stop staring over there and make haste to the scene!¡± Kanae mercilessly kicked Torazou-senpai¡¯s butt and rushed over to the location of the dispute. ¡°Everyone trusts you, Kanae.¡± Knight Academy¡¯s Student Council President. That was Kanae''s other side. The Knight Academy followed the belief of meritocracy. In other worlds, Kanae was already the strongest person in the Sword Division. ¡°Since Kanae has already become the Sword Division¡¯s Student Council President, I must also aim for the Magic Division¡¯s Student Council President.¡± Having a remarkable sister, the younger brother has to try hard to keep up. Speaking of which ¡­ Kanae, who was originally planning to lead the way, was already gone. ¡°This side is probably the Magic Division.¡± The school uses the fountain square as a dividing point, left and right were respectively split into Magic Division and Sword Division. Kazuki headed to the Magic Division on the left side and noticed there are many buildings constructed from bricks which were neatly lined up. Although it was still early, you could still see the figures of female students scattered around. ¡°¡­ Hey, that person is the legendary ¡­ It¡¯s the one that was awarded an Enigma even though he is a male¡­¡± ¡°Eh, it¡¯s him ¡­ He looks more normal than I expected. I imagined him to have a more wild-like feeling.¡± ¡°Is it a mistake? A savage male swordsman actually got mixed into the Magic Division ¡­!¡± The female students were all secretly looking at Kazuki and were quietly discussing something. Enigma. Originally it would only be ushered onto a ¡¯s body on their fourteenth birthday. That''s because a female¡¯s Magic Power is naturally higher than a male''s. However, Kazuki did not have a Magic Power surpassing the average standard of males. Why Kazuki obtained an Enigma was still a complete mystery. Even he himself wondered if there was something wrong. ¡­ And those are the Magic Users that belong to the Knights? While he walked, Kazuki noticed an abnormal tension. The atmosphere wasn''t just as result of the students, but also mixed among them the female Magic Teachers, who were wearing (Decorteo Brigieux) and belonged to the Knights, also contributed. Because it was an entrance ceremony which was responsible for the country¡¯s future Stigma Magic Users, they had specifically sent out the understaffed Knights as a precaution. Really now, if you carefully think about it, he had really come to an amazing place ¡­ Truthfully, he did not have any confidence in his magic talent. Especially in Magic Power. Acquired growth is extremely rare, the pros and cons have mostly been determined from birth. Could relying on effort make up for the lack of talent? Why am I here in this place? In order to avoid the gazes, Kazuki headed to a bench in the shadows in order to relax. However, after just a short while ¡ª¡ª His vision was suddenly blocked. ¡°Guess ¡ª¡ª Who am I?¡± A sweet voice entered his ears, was this ¡ª¡ª a girl covering his eyes from behind!? Just like a scene in a romance manga. However, this was too abrupt. ¡°Who ¡ª¡ª Am I? Okay, okay, say it quickly. Do you not recognize me?¡± It was undoubtedly a voice he had never heard before. At the same time, he felt a soft pressure from behind. T, This feeling is¡­¡­! ¡°Even if you want me to guess, I do not have any idea ¡­!?¡± ¡°Quickly answer me! If you do not quickly determine who I am, I will become a yandere! This ¡°Guess ¡ª¡ª Who am I?¡± question includes a weird scene!¡± ¡° ¡°Guess ¡ª¡ª Who am I?¡± Is it something so scary, that there is need for an ethical review!?¡± ¡°Quick¡ªly¡ª¡ª say! If you do not immediately answer, the luxurious prizes will be gone! The prize is actually a two person hot spring trip, if you answer correctly, then I will go together with you!¡± ¡°There''s a prize!? What has this situation become!?¡± The feeling was indeed extremely soft. Although he wanted to vent, but it could become troublesome, so Kazuki was almost confused. ¡°10, 9, 8, 7 ¡­ Really now, because there are no signs of answering my question, all of the middle numbers are omitted, 0! It can¡¯t be helped, it¡¯s time to enter the time to kill. It is fine to answer while looking at me.¡± Both hands from the girl moved away from his face, Kazuki immediately turned around and looked behind. What entered his vision was ¡ª¡ªa tall girl with a slim figure. Although it was the slim figure of a model, but her boobs were so massive as if to tease the male heart. From behind, her long smooth hair was flowing due to the early morning¡¯s breeze. Coupled with the scenery from the academy, it was as if she was a person from a painting. The generally huge eyes sparkled like gems and stared through Kazuki. ¡°¡­Who?¡± Kazuki muttered in a daze. As long as he met this person once, he would absolutely never forget it. ¡°The correct answer is ¡­It¡¯s our first meeting!¡± Kazuki, who placed out a stance, suddenly felt all his strength disappear. ¡°Sorry, it was because I wanted to become your friend, so it couldn''t be helped.¡± Her face revealed a blooming flower-like, dazzling smile. Once she smiled, the dimples on her face were revealed. ¡°It¡¯s my first time meeting you. My name is Otonashi Kaguya, the silent, shining night sky¡ª¡ª A mysterious and beautiful girl that was like an aurora and the constellations in the sky. Because my parents wanted to bring me up as such a person, so they have given me such a troubling name. A 16 year old girl who has her face filled with tears due to her small-minded name being teased around. I am your senpai.¡± She placed a hand on her huge boobs, and clearly made a self-introduction. ¡°Uhhhh, my name is ¡­¡± ¡°I know! You are the otouto of the Sword Division¡¯s Student Council President, Kanae, who was awarded an Enigma, Hayashizaki Kazuki-kun!¡± ¡°Are you familiar with my older sister?¡± ¡°Our relationship is very good! And because you are a special existence, I slightly investigated it.¡± ¡°¡­ Special, huh. Even I do not understand why I came to such a place.¡± ¡°Anyways, can you become my friend? No, please be my friend!¡± Otonashi-senpai powerfully gripped Kazuki¡¯s hand, and her face approached closer. The gem-like eyes emitted an intense light. Due to the power of that gaze, he was pressured¡ª¡ª Kazuki could not help but nod his head. ¡°Success, I am friend number 1!¡± Otonashi-senpai happily shook Kazuki¡¯s arms. ¡°Then please call me Kaguya. I hope that you will use the method of directly calling your friend¡¯s name.¡± ¡°T, that¡¯s a bit ¡­ Please allow me to call you Kaguya-senpai.¡± ¡°Senpai ¡­ Senpai, huh. From this year on, I became a senpai. It feels somewhat embarrassing.¡± Senpai¡¯s face was filled with a smile. ¡°By the way, how long do we have to hold hands ¡­?¡± ¡°Incidentally why are you in such a remote location? A school adventure?¡± Senpai maintained the posture of holding Kazuki¡¯s hand and her face quickly approached as she asked. Too close Too close, her face is pointlessly approaching too close! Seems like you could smell a certain fragrant scent! ¡°Until just now, my older sister was showing me around, but because of an emergency, she had to leave first. Thus, I did not know what to do and ended up hanging around here.¡± ¡°Ahahah! I know! As a replacement then, I will show you around this school! Ok¡ª¡ªay, speaking of Magic Division, why not first head off to the most famous attraction, the !¡± Senpai shouted ¡°Let¡¯s go!¡± and pulled Kazuki¡¯s hand. She was truly a motivated person. Do we have to walk while holding hands? Should a male and female of this age be doing such a thing? ¡­ But Senpai showed no sign of being concerned. And ¡­ I am a human who had devoted his life towards training swordsmanship. Therefore, I must not end up in disarray just because of a beautiful Senpai holding my hands. I will not lose! In turn, Kazuki gripped the other¡¯s hand, thus Kaguya senpai issued out a ¡°WA¡± sound. ¡°WAA! UWAH, it¡¯s my first time experiencing this feeling. A male¡¯s strength is rather strong. It feels like I¡¯m being hugged!¡± A calm heart. Right now I must maintain a calm heart that is even calmer than Gandhi¡­ However, just after they walked for a while, Kazuki sensed a strange feeling. It was rustling within his heart. Although there was no wind, yet the air was swept away. It was as if there were signs of him being involved in a whirlpool of confusion. Once as a swordsman, the keen sense he trained before was currently telling him about this abnormal situation. ¡°¡­This is¡± From inside his mind, Gandhi was blown away. ¡°Ara? You noticed as well? How keen. Are you the type that specializes in Perceptibility Enhancement Magic? ¡­ Yes, in a certain location, a great volume of Magic is currently flowing and causing the world to tremble.¡± Due to a completely different power ¡ª¡ªMagic, the world that was supported by physical laws, was trembling. Yes, the confusion was not the air, but the space in the vicinity¡ª¡ªThe world, itself. Somewhere in the academy, a large-scale magic phenomenon¡ª¡ªSummoning Magic was currently occurring. ¡°Let us go investigate the situation!¡± Kaguya-senpai¡¯s expression became tense and she tightly held Kazuki¡¯s hand as she began to run. Chapter 1.1.4 — The Swordsman in Magic Division Volume 1 Chapter 1 - The Swordsman in Magic Division Part 4 Rushing to the location, it was the English-Style Garden on the outskirts of the Magic Division. The place that was covered with overflowing green lawn, was currently filled with lights from Magic. Two types of colored lights, red and green ¡ª¡ªTwo female students, who were wearing the Magic Division¡¯s uniform, were currently chanting Summoning Magic. Although generally, Magic will release blue lights, but Summoning Magic is based on the Diva that was contracted and will emit a different colored light. With the red and green colored Magic lights as the background, there was a figure that stepped onto the lawn like a dancing shadow. Although you could not see the face from behind, but the figure was holding a slightly short Japanese sword ¡ª¡ªa Kodachi, in one hand. The two Stigma Magic Users were currently battling with a Swordsman. The red light began to swell. It was the pulse from a Diva that surpassed human wisdom. Right now, the world is being distorted¡ª¡ª ¡°Too slow!¡± However, compared to that, the figure of the Swordsman was even faster and swooped over. At the same time, a voice with a rippling atmosphere and the sharp sound of piercing through the air ¡°Byu!¡± rang out. The instant the swordsman slashed, the swelling red light burst open and disappeared. Even though the Magic User had deployed a blue Magic Barrier, it was blown away by the powerful impact. The swordsman rolled over and turned to face the other Magic User. This time, the face of the swordsman was shown. Kazuki gasped in surprise. It was Kanae!¡­Although the moment he saw the Kodachi, he wondered if it was her¡­ ¡°I know thy name. Thy name is Andromalius¡­¡­¡± The female releasing a green light was chanting a spell. Andromalius is the name of the Diva she was contracted with. Her entire body was wrapped in light ¡ª¡ª ¡°You are also too slow!¡± With terrifying momentum, Kanae jumped and gave her a blow with her Magic Sword before the Summoning Magic activated. This female¡¯s blue Magic Barrier that she enacted was also blown away. The blue colored barrier was not the power of Summoning Magic, but Normal Magic using their own Magic Power. As an emergency defense, she was forced to give up on the Summoning Magic Chant and resort to her own Magic. The modern humans that awakened as Magic Users, when aware that they are in danger, will reflexively use Magic to cover their body in order to deny the phenomenon that will bring harm to themselves and negate it. Thus, it was rare for them to be injured. The Magic Barrier that arises from the defensive instinct was known as . However, if it suffered from an attack that contained Magic Power, this Defensive Magic will gradually be reduced. A battle between Magic Users is all about reducing the opponent¡¯s Magic Power¡ª¡ªWhich is also their Spiritual Power. ¡°Ara, although they did not wear the Magical Dress for , but having their chant disrupted so easily is bad. If they wish to face against Kanae-chan, then their training is far from enough." Kaguya-senpai quietly said beside Kazuki. Could this senpai be a person with great strength? The two girls stood up and, once again, began to chant. ¡°Hmph. You want to be cut by me a thousand times until your Magic Power runs out!¡± Kanae¡¯s face revealed a smile that was just like the incarnation of a battle maniac, and pulled out her second Kodachi. The two sword style was the sign of Kanae becoming serious. Then she pounced over again like a cat¡ª¡ª ¡°Stop right here!¡± Kaguya-senpai, who was watching the developments on the side, issued a loud cry. The Magic Lights were once again interrupted. Kanae also stopped her own actions. ¡°In other words, it was the two Magic Division students over there ¡­Ogiwara-san and Sato-san, who were refusing to give way to the Sword Division students, that created a dispute. Thus, the Sword Division students intervened to mediate, did they not?¡± After the battle stopped, the three Sword Division students that were observing the situation in a sheltered location, appeared one by one. Revealing a frightened expression, Torazou-senpai and another female student that seemed to be in the Sword Division Student Council explained the situation to Kaguya-senpai. Kazuki stood beside senpai and carefully listened to the development of the situation. ¡°It is not something as cute as mediating! That woman suddenly used her sword and chopped over here!¡± The Magic Division student that released the red light, roared as she retorted. ¡°In the first place, was it not you two, who used Summoning Magic on the Sword Division students?" ¡°That was only a slight warning. Even though it is obviously the territory of the Magic Division, these people continued to resist.¡± ¡°Did you only plan it as a warning? Sato-san.¡± Kaguya suspiciously asked the female student that was called Sato-san. ¡°You actually said it was a warning? Don¡¯t joke around. It was probably because you wanted to test the Summoning Magic you¡¯ve just learned and specifically came here to cause trouble. Speaking of which, recently the Magic Division people, like criminals on the street, have used the Sword Division students as experimental subjects and caused trouble. In the earlier period, there were also students that became unconscious!¡± Unconscious, in other words, they suffered from a powerful Magic attack. In the face of threats, Magic Users would instinctively deploy Defense Magic, but there was also a limit. When Magic Users felt that their own Magic Power could not protect their bodies, they would open the and attempt to draw out large Magic Power from Astrum. Although through this method, they would temporarily have Magic Power that exceeded their body¡¯s limits, but as the cost for it, their consciousness would be dragged into Astrum and they would become unconscious. This unconscious phenomenon was known as . If the symptoms were severe, their consciousness would be unable to return from Astrum. The Heart of Door would also be damaged and cause their spirit to become unstable. ¡°People fainted!? I did not hear that such a thing has happened¡­¡­!?¡± ¡°That is because the teachers in Magic Division hid the incidents up. The Sword Division students that suffered from Summoning Magic were requested to swallow their frustrations and were not allowed to make a big commotion. Only recently, I have begun to grasp the situation.¡± ¡°¡­Were you two planning on doing such things as well?¡± ¡°We did not think about doing such things! You only listened to what the Sword Division was saying!? Aren¡¯t we the ones that suffered an attack from the criminals on the street!¡± The person that released the red light ¡ª¡ªOgiwara-san retorted. Listening to what she was saying, as there was no third party other than the Sword Division, it was impossible to figure out what had happened. ¡°Just because there is no evidence, it cannot be treated as a case. Based on this side, the only punishment method is to beat them up here until they cannot get at this place. If they were beaten up by the people in Sword Division, then they could learn to endure their disgrace.¡± ¡°Kanae-chan, you too, please don¡¯t use this kind of violence as a solution!¡± ¡°Don¡¯t call me Kanae-chan! Don¡¯t act like you are familiar with me!¡± Towards Kaguya-senpai¡¯s and Kanae¡¯s attitude, Kazuki was somewhat surprised. Although Kaguya-senpai had said that they were friends¡­it feels that this atmosphere was very suspicious. ¡°Even if there are no means that could directly address this situation, I also think that we should not resort to violence in order for the long-term vision of improving relationship between the two Divisions. If we do this, sooner or later¡­¡± Even though Kaguya-senpai delivered a passionate speech, Kanae bit her teeth and denied her opinion. ¡°Don¡¯t talk about nonsense. You think the Sword Division students that were treated as experimental subjects for Summoning Magic will accept this?¡± The one that emitted a green light, Sato-senpai, also shrugged with a mocking expression. ¡°Sword Division, this inferior species suddenly cutting over here. It is impossible to improve relations.¡± Listening to her remarks, Kaguya-senpai sharply gazed at her. ¡°Speaking of which, your Sword Division is inferior, threatening us to move away, this kind of attitude¡­!¡± However, Sato-senpai only ¡° Yes, yes, I know¡± and interrupted senpai¡¯s words. ¡°You say you want the Magic Division and Sword Division to become friendly? ¡­If it¡¯s me. Although I acknowledge your strength, but this I cannot agree with your perspective. Even though we were obviously the victim here.¡± Sato-senpai swiftly turned around. Ogiwara-senpai also followed to do so. ¡° Making ¡°Us that obtained a Stigma¡± and the Sword Division equal, that is what is truly unfair.¡± Kazuki, who was watching the situation develop, frowned¡­Anyways, it feels that these people were too arrogant. Stigma. Was it really something that special? ¡°Hmmph, what amazing Stigma Magic User-sama. Even though it was two together, yet they were beaten by a swordsman easily.¡± Kanae sneered and provoked. The two of them instantly paled and then turned over. ¡°That was¡­because you suddenly slashed over here, okay! That is basically the same as plotting against others!¡± ¡°If it was based on the form of a , then we would not have had our chant so easily disrupted by you!?¡± ¡°So you are saying that the gentlemen-like Magic Users could only fight on a battlefield when they are fully prepared. Speaking of which, you Magic Division fellow, even if I request a duel, you would not even accept it, right?¡± ¡°That is because even if a Magic Division student wins against a Swordsman Division student, our ranks will not increase! In other words, what Swordsman Division, they are completely not within our sights!¡± While dropping this sentence, the two of them left the garden. ¡°¡­I¡¯m really unhappy, I was not able to fight until I fully enjoyed it¡± and so on, Kanae muttered some dangerous sounding words. Towards Kanae, who was like this, the male Sword Division student, who was picked upon, bowed his head down. ¡°President, I¡¯m really sorry. Because I am too weak, I caused trouble for you.¡± Torazou-senpai gently held his shoulder. ¡°President, I¡¯ll send this person over to the teacher¡¯s office. And I¡¯ll submit the report about the incident and the victim.¡± ¡°I feel that it is futile. I already am only interested in catching those who caused harm and beat them down onto the ground.¡± ¡°I have been sick and tired of it , really.¡± Torazou-senpai whined and brought the male student away. It seems that little girl member of the Student Council also chased after him. ¡ª¡ªWaiting until they left, Kanae¡¯s head turned swiftly towards Kazuki¡¯s direction. ¡°Nii-sama~? Nii-sama actually took the initiative to find me!¡± Kanae seemed like a completely different person and issued out a sweet voice as she pounced over here. Kaguya-senpai¡¯s eyes widened. ¡°Nii-sama? Isn¡¯t Kazuki-kun Kanae¡¯s otouto?¡± ¡°Although physically, he is my otouto, but spiritually, he is my nii-san.¡± After Kaguya-senpai scratched her head ¡°I see, although I do not understand¡±, she turned around and faced Kanae. ¡°Speaking of which, Kanae. That kind of violence is not allowed! You should think of a more peaceful method instead!¡± ¡°What, so you are still here? Don¡¯t casually talk with me.¡± ¡°¡­Aren¡¯t you two friends?¡± ¡°Who is friends with this person. I only, as the Student Council President of the Sword Division, had to greet this person¡­Because this person is the Magic Division Student Council President.¡± Kazuki was suddenly dumbfounded. ¡ª¡ªIn other words, this person is the strongest Stigma Magic User in Magic Division! ¡°This girl is currently the Magic Division Student Council President, , Otonashi Kaguya !¡± Kaguya-senpai proudly straightened her chest. ¡°Why is Nii-sama together with this fellow?¡± Towards Kanae¡¯s question, the one that replied was not Kazuki, but Kaguya-senpai. ¡°Because I noticed this new student was walking very lonely within the school, so I decided to bring him around the school.¡± ¡°Nii-sama was lonely!? Sorry, Nii-sama! Kanae will absolutely never abandon Nii-sama again! Come, let¡¯s ignore this fellow and continue our date while visiting the academy.¡± Kanae hugged Kazuki¡¯s arm and pulled with force. ¡°Ah, wait a minute. I¡¯m also bringing him around!¡± Within a hairbreadth, Kaguya-senpai also grabbed onto his other arm. Pe~! ¡­What on earth was that Pe~ feeling. ¡°Nii-sama! Just now in a Unyou-like time, your expression suddenly became indecent and relaxed! What made you so happy!? Could it be that this fellow¡¯s cow-like boobs made you feel happy!?" The so-called ¡°Unyou¡± was a speed unit used in Ancient Style Swordsman Skills. The instant the lightning from above flashed in the sky was recorded as ¡°Unyou¡±. In other words, it was so fast that the eyes could not perceive it. It was the territory of a God. ¡°I, I did not reveal any indecent expression! This kind of thing never disturbed my heart!¡± ¡°Boobs?¡± After Kaguya-senpai froze for a while, she noticed that her own boobs were currently pressing onto Kazuki¡¯s arm. Then she said ¡°Sorry, you must hate it¡± and hurriedly pulled away. Although I did not exactly hate it¡­ Kanae also seemed to confront this and pressed her boobs onto Kazuki¡¯s arm. Flat! ¡­What was that flat feeling from earlier. ¡°Why is it when it¡¯s my turn, it is not indecent, but an expression of regret¡­¡± ¡°Sorry¡­¡± ¡°Boobs will only get in the way. I also want to become slim and cool like Kanae-chan.¡± Kanae¡¯s expression had suddenly become like an Asura. It was a face of a swordsman filled with killing intent. ¡°Go die! DIE FASTER, YOU STUPID MEAT WOMAN! Speaking of which, Nii-sama and I already made an appointment long ago, so don¡¯t just shamelessly get involved! Go away to your side! Your boobs should also fall apart!¡± ¡°But I am also currently bringing this child around! And this child is a freshman in our Magic Division! If it is only Kanae-chan, I think it is impossible to bring him around effectively¡­Ah, right.¡± Saying up to here, Kaguya, pon, and clapped her hands. Then she, once again, held onto Kazuki¡¯s hand. ¡°Shouldn¡¯t Kanae-chan, who does not have any intention to peacefully get along with Magic Division, be the one to get away from my Magic Division freshman?¡± ¡°What!¡± *Buchin!* From Kanae¡¯s head, the sound of a blood vessel bursting apart could be heard. ¡°Magic Division students should be led by the Magic Division Student Council President, what do you say, Kazuki-kun?¡± ¡°No, even if you ask me¡­!¡± ¡°Nii-sama¡­ Compared to the Magic Division, Nii-sama is a person more suitable for the Sword Division! Nii-sama and I are not at fault, it is the world that is at fault! Diva, you baka!!¡± Kanae¡¯s body began to tremble, while she activated enhancement magic, she fiercely pulled Kazuki¡¯s hand. Kazuki, who nearly fell down due to the momentum, also activated enhancement magic to resist. ¡°Don¡¯t use Magic! This is still the morning of the first day of school, isn¡¯t using Magic Power a waste!?¡± From the other side, senpai also ¡°EiiEii¡± and pulled onto Kazuki¡¯s arm. ¡°This is my Nii-sama! This is my Nii-sama!¡± ¡°Right now, we are a trio with very good relationship! Or is this my delusion?¡± Kanae cried out. Kaguya-senpai began to enjoy this situation. What on earth was this. ¡­In the end, it seems like there was no way to let them bring him around the school. Chapter 1.1.5 — The Swordsman in Magic Division Volume 1 Chapter 1 - The Swordsman in Magic Division Part 5 At the Fountain Square, the Magic Division¡¯s entrance ceremony finally began. Speaking of entrance ceremony, Were it a normal school, the principal should be the first one up for a rather long speech¡­However, in front of all the neatly arranged freshmen, the one on the platform was the Student Council President, Kaguya-senpai. Her face had a serious expression that was completely different from before. She was wearing a robe that almost covered her entire body. ¡°¡ª¡ªThe world is currently being eroded by myths.¡± In front of the microphone, Kaguya-senpai began to speak such words. As the peak of Magic for a human was when they were 20 years old, it would begin to decay afterwards. Based on this fact, compared to the principal, perhaps Kaguya-senpai was more suitable for the task to deliver an important speech at the entrance ceremony. Although the adults can teach, but they are not powerful Magic Users. In this academy, the strongest Magic User was her ¡ª¡ª Otonashi Kaguya. ¡°Because of the Philosopher¡¯s Stone brought by the , the world was forced to change. The power that ruled the world passed from Science to Magic. The balance of power between each country in the world had also undergone tremendous changes. Moreover, Magical Beast had also appeared and began to attack humans. Right now, our current world is becoming relatively similar to the fantasies of myths that were once widely spread.¡± ¡ª¡ªThe world was currently being eroded by myths. Science and laws of physics were already not the absolute truth. From the secret groups, , and , that had inherited the thoughts and technology, they claim to be the legitimate Alchemy organization . The person that acted as the leader was known as . He was a strange person that published the results of producing a Philosopher¡¯s Stone 15 years ago. In order to protect themselves from the threat of Magic, the Philosopher¡¯s Stone was imported into the countries at an alarming speed. Because the Dawn of the Almighty Wisdom had sold the Philosopher¡¯s Stone at a high price, they ruled the world. ¡°Although Japan has luckily been listed as a , but facing the aggression from other countries, we cannot think lightly of this and sit back and relax. The Knights are currently seeking for a stronger fighting force than now. This responsibility also falls upon us, who will be responsible as future Knights.¡± The Dawn of the Almighty Wisdom had expanded to the extent where it could rule the world. However, an internal power struggle had led to their leader Basileus Basileon''s death. The Dawn of the Almighty Wisdom that expanded over the entire world, suddenly lost its unity and fell apart in an instant. Each country¡¯s government immediately tried to seize this opportunity and absorb the legacy of the Dawn of the Almighty Wisdom. Then, the 7 countries with most Magic User, meaning that they had purchased the most Philosopher¡¯s Stone, as the , had inherited the ruling position of the world. However, Basileus Basileon¡¯s body had still not yet been found. ¡°Just as everybody knows, we, Japan, have established a system with the Israel myth¡¯s . However, the other 6 countries have established relationships with . The combat capability gap between the 7 countries is in a completely evenly matched state. Although currently on the surface, we are at peace. However, we do not know when a Magically Advanced Country will trigger the . It would not be strange if it does happen.¡± The 7 Magically Advanced Countries ¡ª¡ªJapan, United States, Britain, Germany, Italy, Russia and China. Each country¡¯s Knights had inherited the legacy of the Dawn of the Almighty Wisdom and had earned the help of Divas from completely different Myths. The other countries were different from Japan. They had gotten the power of Divas through . There was no knowing when the Divas might break the balance and cause the 7 countries to be in danger. This was the truth about the temporary peace. ¡°Not only abroad, but also within the country, there exist the threat of that abuse Magic for crimes. They were tempted by the evil Divas, who have evil intentions, and formed an , allowing that power to rampage uncontrollably. At the same time, the Knights are also a police organization. They are forced to manage these Illegal Magic Users.¡± The Divas that harbor evil intentions towards human would contaminate the human¡¯s spirit as the reward for their power. Because these things were extremely risky, within Japan, all Diva contracts outside of the Solomon¡¯s 72 Pillars of Demons were strictly prohibited. The past Illegal Magic Users had once made Tokyo become ruins. ¡°In addition, cracks suddenly appeared in the world and the Magic from Astrum leaked out, producing and . These phenomenon known as had also started to occur. The spaces, where the Magical Beasts are concentrated at, will become contaminated by Magic Power and be known as . This allows the Magical Beast produced by the Cancer to appear more frequently. Defeating these Cancer is also an important job for the Knights.¡± Accompanying the death of Basileus Basileon, the production method of the Philosopher¡¯s Stone had been lost. However, the amount of Magic Users in the world had increased. As if it had been triggered, naturally awakened Magic Users began to appear. In the countries known as the Magically Advanced Countries, basically all their citizens had become Magic Users. Then as the amount of Magic Users increased, the phenomenon known as Cancer had also increased in proportion. When the amount of Magical Beasts increased, the spaces would be contaminated and gradually turn into Magic Land. Magic will bring forth more Magic. Just like this the world was currently being eroded by Magic. Humans would sometimes even start to miss the . The fact that they obtained the Philosopher¡¯s Stone. To humans, was it really an evolution that should be welcomed¡­? ¡°Aggression from Foreign Countries, Illegal Magic Users, Cancer¡­Dealing with these three big threats is the mission of the Knights. However, there is nothing for us to fear. Because we, the people here right now, have the power to defeat these threats. Everybody should be proud of themselves ¡ª¡ªEveryone here has been selected by the Solomon¡¯s 72 Pillars of Demons. As and heroes of this new world, we are cadets with fame!¡± Solomon¡¯s 72 Pillars of Demons. In the past, they had obeyed King Solomon and helped established the Country of Israel. The Demons of this kind of Myth were Demons, yet they assisted the humans at the same time. They were Divas who really had friendly relationships with Japan. ¡°I hope that everybody will be able to cultivate their abilities and the overly powerful strength known as Summoning Magic in this academy while having a Knight¡¯s spirit and a strong sense of honor. With great power comes great responsibilities¡­Even if we say these to you, towards everybody, who were still ordinary middle school students yesterday, there should not be any realistic feeling¡­¡± After saying up to here, Kaguya-senpai suddenly stopped and began to chant an incantation. ¡°I know thy name¡­Thy name is Asmodeus¡­Thy power is the omnipotent desires. Comply with the contract, obey my command, and display thy power!¡± Kaguya-senpai drew out a spell and allowed her spirit to connect with Astrum. The interior of her robe released a purple light¡­This is Summoning Magic! Beside Kaguya-senpai, a large amount of light appeared and the light was shaking and twisting. ¡ª¡ªShortly, it became the unusual outline of a form that could not be distinguished as a human or Magical Beast. To summarize it in one word, what Kaguya-senpai had summoned was a . Her entire body was wearing black clothes. From her head, a crooked horn was grown and on her shoulders, a cow and lamb head was placed. It was an unusual witch. ¡°Kukuku, Student Council President. You actually called me out to perform this kind of acrobatics, what an amazing fellow, my cute Kaguya. Forget it, based on your honor, I will help you out once.¡± One of the Pillars of Solomon¡¯s 72 Pillars of Demons, Asmodeus. At the same time, it was an existence, along with Lucifer, Beelzebub and the others, that ranked as the that manages the . This was Otonashi Kaguya ¡ª¡ª This was the school¡¯s strongest Student Council President¡¯s Contracted Diva? From afar, *gishigishi*, *gishigishi*¡­this kind of sound came. ¡ª¡ª What issued the ''gishigishi'' sound was a cage car. Just like a huge cage in a zoo placed on wheels. An awe-inspiring female student transported it to the square. The female students beside Kazuki looked at the thing inside the cage car and immediately ¡°Huh!¡± and let out a frightened voice. In the cage, a ¡¯s big body was folded unhappily. The golden light lines tied up the dragon¡¯s limbs, stripping its freedom. This was probably Binding Magic. The so-called dragon was a type of Magical Beast. The Magical Beasts that appeared from Astrum all had fantasy-like appearances that seemed to have come out from myths ¡ª¡ª and attacked humans. This was different from the instinct of a wild beast attacking other animals for food. It was unrelated to whether the Magical Beast was hungry or not. Compared to their other desires, they would place priority on attacking humans. The Magical Beast was not a part of the ecosystem and was obviously an enemy of mankind. And they only existed to contaminate spaces and summon new Magical Beasts from Astrum. It was not something to let live and then use for acrobatics. The cage car was moved up in front of the freshman. There was probably a distance of ten meters when it stopped. The female student, who had completed the delivery, walked onto the platform and stood next to Kaguya-senpai. She was probably one of the members of the Magic Division¡¯s Student Council. ¡°¡­The shackles of constellation, let the day¡¯s operation be restarted again¡­Stars binding the day release¡± The microphone slightly captured her chanting a short spell. Then, the golden light lines that bounded the dragon¡¯s body seemed to dissolve into the air and disappeared. The Binding Magic was released¡­What was that senpai planning to do!? ¡°¡­Even if there is no realistic feeling yet, but if we do not allow you to understand, it will be very troublesome¡­¡± Kaguya-senpai used a calm tone and continued her speech. The dragon seemed to be confirming what had happened to its body and turned its head around. When its eyes reflected the large amount of humans it should attack, just like it was venting its anger from being tied up, it fiercely smashed the steel bars. Gan*! The door of the cage was smashed open. The locks were not even in place originally! ¡°GUOOOOOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!¡± The fierce roar that caused the air to ,biribiri, and vibrate made all the students tremble. With a green-colored sheen that only reptiles have on their body, it rushed out from the cage car. On its back, wings with many sections, similar to bats, expanded greatly. The dragon with its great body that was probably 5 meters in length swooped over like a bullet ¡ª¡ª directly at the freshman. At the same time, noticing a powerful Magic Flow, Kazuki turned his gaze towards Kaguya-senpai who was standing at the platform. ¡ª¡ªA great amount of purple light, dazzling enough to burn Kazuki¡¯s retina was shining. ¡°The thought that burns my chest, portray this world as a living hell¡­¡­!¡± Compared to the time at the garden, an enormous difference in Magic swirled around like a whirlpool, senpai¡¯s long hair and robe was fluttering in the winds and was lifted up. ¡°GUOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!¡± The dragon opened its huge mouth that had many murderous teeth and it seemed like it was about to pounce over to the closest students! At this moment, Kaguya-senpai¡¯s spell chant ended. ¡°Thou art a demon king of wicked desires! The incarnation with an obsession that brings forth tragedy, let thy long-cherished wish¡­pain this entire world! ¡ª¡ªHell¡¯s Thought Flames! (Guernica)¡± ¡°Kukukukuku!¡± From the cow and lamb heads on Asmodeus¡¯s shoulders that was stretched out, just like vomiting, the two heads ejected a large flame. The dragon was surrounded by flames and squirmed in the air. In front of the foremost students, in a place not so far in front of them. Hell¡¯s Flames. they revealed a red black color just like blood. Like tentacles, they continued to entangle and wrap around it. The scales that were hard as iron were gradually melted into liquid like candy. ¡­What is this. No ¡ª¡ª It was a different dimension in terms of high temperature. The Hell¡¯s Flame caused the dragon¡¯s head and bones to melt into a mess and then to evaporate. In just a short period of time, the dragon¡¯s body disappeared. Even the remains soon disappeared. ¡°Kukuku, when you need me next time, feel free to call me, my cute Kaguya¡­¡± Asmodeus once again turned into light particles and disappeared. ¡°This is Summoning Magic. This is the power that everybody will begin to obtain from now on.¡± Looking at the freshmen, Kaguya-senpai continued to speak. This was such an unscientific scene. Causing the very existence to be denied, covering it and eliminating it, the red black flames. Transporting the dragon over was just a show to demonstrate the power of Summoning Magic. Although Summoning Magic is something that everybody could see on television¡­Should it be because Kaguya-senpai was too amazing, or was it because the breathtaking scene was being shown in front of their own eyes? No matter which one it was, the freshmen all held their breath. ¡°Please constantly ask yourself, ¡°What is this Power used for¡±. This power should only be used by a person who could feel honor from their heart of justice. Great honor, responsibility and consciousness¡­Please allow me to use the words above to give a final gift to all of you.¡± The sound of applause suddenly rang out. Because they would be able to obtain such strength, the freshmen became passionate. However, among this, Kazuki was aware. Aware of ¡ª¡ªhis own emptiness. The thought of praying for such strength, he had never had it. Suddenly lodging such ferocious strength inside this kind of person one day ¡ª¡ªWhat a terrible thing. I only wanted to repay the debt to the family that adopted me, who was alone. ¡°In other words, you are a person not satisfied with just being a Hayashizaki swordsman. Do not become such a small person. There is no need for you to be bounded by gratitude for your entire life.¡± However, I, it was not for the sake of justice or peace, these kinds of vague ideas¡­ I only wanted to be praised by you and Kanae, only just like that¡­ As if he was terrified of the foreboding of a huge fate, Kazuki¡¯s gaze fell onto his left hand. ¡ª¡ªWhat on earth gave the insignificant me an Enigma¡­? Chapter 1.2.1 — The Witchs House Volume 1 Chapter 2 - The Witch''s House Part 1 The number of people that newly obtained an enigma was a constant number of 144 each year. Although there were a few girls that avoided the obligation to enter the school, basically everyone would be completely gathered here from within the country in order to become a freshman in the Magic Division. This was the obligation of the people who obtained an enigma. In the Magic Division, these 144 people would be placed in the same school year and divided into three classes with a total of 38 people per class. After the entrance ceremony, the results of the class placement was revealed. Kazuki was assigned to the 1st year 2nd Class. The classroom seating arrangement was based according to the goj¨±on¡¯s sequence attendance number, the eighth row¡¯s Kazuki¡¯s seat was directly in the middle of the classroom. Just when he sat down onto the seat, Kazuki was overwhelmed by the focused gazes and whispers from all directions. Gazes of curiosity, vigilance and exclusion¡ª¡ªAnd other various feelings suddenly emerged towards Kazuki. However, because there was already nowhere for him to escape, there was no better method but to face it indifferently. ¡°Good morning, you group of trash! Nice to meet you!¡± At the same time an arrogant voice sounded out, the classroom door opened with a powerful momentum. A blonde girl appeared. Kazuki could not believe his own eyes, and everybody in the class was in an uproar. What entered was a girl, with a height of around 140 cm, in a suit. In comparison to the image of the word , she had a small size body like a mini dachshund. That face. No matter who, they would feel that she was only an elementary student. However, just like a prank, that child swiftly walked up in front of the blackboard, passed it and sat on the special seat of a teacher. The sharp pupils that looked around the inside of the room were green. Her legs were also extremely slender. ¡°¡­WAHH, so cute!¡± ¡°Just like a doll!¡± Inside the classroom, overexcited voices echoed everywhere. ¡°Hey, who was the one that just said cute!? Stand up for me!!¡± She, *ban,ban,ban*, hit the podium. With a clear and sharp voice, she issued out a roar. ¡°¡­My name is Liz Liza Westwood. I was born in the birthplace of Magic, England. Listen up! I am here to make you trashes become independent knights. You should be honored!¡± Was this person really the class teacher¡­No, perhaps a person, who is able to serve as a teacher in the Knights Academy, could not be judged from their appearance. ¡°Although I may look more or less young, but this is due to a certain accident, as a result my growth has been slowed down. Although I have already retired, but I still have the appropriate practical experience. Don¡¯t take on an attitude of looking down on me. Anyways, this class¡­Che, what a troublesome class¡± Liz Liza-sensei violently smacked her lips and her gaze stayed on Kazuki. ¡°Before things become troublesome, I should properly say it to all of you. That is an existence that is not worthy of your attention. More than so, he is completely an trash. We, the teaching staff, have no expectations towards that guy. Don¡¯t be mistaken.¡± After hearing that the male student, who was the focus of attention, was an E-Rank, the classroom suddenly became even noisier. That phrase was filled with provocative intent, it made Kazuki feel displeased and he could not help but refute against that tiny teacher. ¡°I did not misunderstand anything¡­And, I do not plan on remaining at E-Rank.¡± The so-called E-Rank was the results of the exams before entering the school. The freshmen of Magic Division are asked to test the amount of Magic Power they had as well as an actual test on normal Magic. The Normal Magic that manipulates your own Magic Power was divided into 5 systems: , , , and . However, Kazuki, who was always aiming to be a swordsman, had only trained the Physical Enhancement Magic and Perceptibility Enhancement Magic. On the contrary, he was surrounded by elites, who were born with extensive Magic Power and were aiming to be a Stigma Magic User. Thus, Kazuki had gotten E-Rank, the worst grade. ¡°A good answer. It seems that he, himself, understands his own situation clearly. The rest of you should also not cry out in excitement because there is a special person, a male¡­Although saying that, do not bully him. Because all of you are still not independent enough. There is no spare time to underestimate others. Everyone should focus on their goal of improving themselves!¡± Although her tone was poor, it seems like she was a person who did not want Kazuki to be made a fool of. ¡°¡­Also, in our class, aside from the only E-Rank in the grade, the only two A-Rank in the grade are also present. Are they throwing the top-level students and the last-place student to this competent teacher? Che, this is really the worst class.¡± ¡°Yes! I am the A-Rank Amasaki Mio!¡± The student, who was number one in the attendance number, suddenly stood up and with a crashing sound. Although Kazuki could only see the back from his seat, but he could see the honey-colored twintails fluttering and shaking around. ¡°As the daughter from the noble magician family, the Amasaki household, I have the goal of becoming the strongest Magic User¡ª¡ªThat is, the Student Council President! I will not lose to anyone! Everybody, please take care of me!¡± ¡°¡­I did not let you introduce yourself. Sit down, you self-centered trash!¡± After Liz Liza-sensei finished saying this in amazement, Mio sat down obediently. A-Rank. This phrase made the classroom become noisy again. "There are only two A-Ranks in the grade, yet both of them are actually in this class, how amazing!¡± ¡°Who is the other A-Rank?¡± ¡°Sensei, which one is the other A-Rank?¡± Just when a student, who courageously raised her hand to ask, appeared, a sigh came from behind Kazuki. ¡°¡­Nonsense. The results of the rank before forming a contract with a Diva, there is no meaning to it.¡± Liz Liza-sensei nodded towards the rear of Kazuki. ¡°It¡¯s the other A-Rank, Hiakari Koyuki, right? Yes, it is just like what Hiakari said.¡± Kazuki turned around and looked. He could only see an otherworldly girl there. The impression that she gave off was the color white ¡ª¡ªor rather, silver white. Her silver-colored hair sparkled. The color of her skin was also white as snow. Long ears extended from both side of her expressionless face¡­It was an extremely beautiful ! The so-called Elf, it is a human whose state of existence had been distorted due to the effects of the Magic they had within themselves. That posture was beautiful, just like a fantasy. It gave off an impression that the inhabitants of myths had already been brought here in real time. Because they hold a far greater Magic Power than average females, it was said that many could communicate with spirits. Although there were still many aspects of the ecology of elves that were not understood compared to the Magical Beast¡­ Due to this special trait, within these 15 years, elves were the object of prejudice and discrimination. The gazes that were thrown over to this side earlier, perhaps it included the gazes towards the child behind him. ¡°Is there something on my body, E-Rank? Am I such a rare thing?¡± The monotone voice was scolding Kazuki¡¯s gaze. Looks like he had stared at her for a long period of time¡­If that¡¯s the case, he could also not blame the surrounding girls that had constantly been looking at him. ¡°Sorry¡­Iya, because I felt that you were so beautiful. In the places such as the hair¡­¡± In order to prevent her from misunderstanding that he was treating her as an exotic animal, he accidentally blurted out the embarrassing truth. In fact, the amount of time he watched her fascinated should be fairly long. ¡°I¡¯m beautiful? ¡­You are treating me as a monster, right?¡± Koyuki felt that it was inconceivable and tilted her head. Because of this action, her silver-colored hair brushed against each other and sparkled. ¡°Saying such insincere words to conceal your attitude, it is really disgusting.¡± ¡­Why would you think like that? Is it because you are an elf? Kazuki generated feelings close to anger and could not help but raise his voice. ¡°I did not say any insincere words! I really think that you are beautiful!¡± Koyuki¡¯s expression changed for the first time. Her eyes widened. She held her breath and whispered. ¡°¡­Anyways, it would be better if you turn your head to the front.¡± After issuing an idiotic ¡°Eh?¡± sound, Kazuki finally remembered the time and location. ¡°Hey, E-Rank trash, trying to flirt with girls when I¡¯m talking. Are you kidding?¡± For a while, the eyes of all the people in the classroom was focused on Kazuki. Liz Liza-sensei was angry to the extent that her veins were twitching. ¡°S, sorry¡­¡± Kazuki lowered his shoulders and hurriedly turned his head back to the front. Kazuki hated discrimination. He could not help but lose his cool. As expected, his training was far from enough. ¡°¡­Strange guy.¡± Muttering sounds from behind clearly came over. ¡°I seem to have some misunderstanding about your gaze. But I¡­Towards a person, who could praise others as beautiful face-to-face, I¡­also don¡¯t know how to respond. So please do not stare at me.¡± Liz Liza-sensei adjusted her state and continued to speak. ¡°Just as Hiakari had said, the current ranks do not have much meaning. Your ranks would constantly change during your school life. And, compared to Summoning Magic, Normal Magic is useless. After your Enigma has turned into a Stigma, your struggle will officially begin.¡± Compared to the Summoning Magic that requires a lot of time and concentration, Normal Magic that uses your own Magic Power lacked destructive power. Thus, the only Normal Magic that could be used in combat were the defensive Magic that reflexively protected your body and the supportive Physical Enhancement Magic. Typically, the Normal Magic such as Psychokinesis Magic were used for to reconstruct the items from the . It was used to make everyday life more convenient. To us, what was more important was the Summoning Magic that was more suitable for combat. This would depend on the future. ¡ª¡ªFor me, goals, the use of power, these kind of things did not exist. However, remaining at the obsolete E-Rank is not acceptable. A Contract with a Diva. I was slightly looking forward to it. ¡°Having said that, contracting with a Diva is based on the class order, so while we are waiting, let us have a self-introduction. Then, let¡¯s begin from the seating number #1¡­Although I want to say that, but since Amasaki has already introduced herself, let¡¯s forget it.¡± ¡°P, Please wait! I only said so little content, it is not enough for everybody to understand!¡± ¡°Your character features has already been adequately communicated to everybody, Amasaki-san from the noble magician family.¡± After hearing Liz Liza-sensei¡¯s sarcasm, the classroom burst into laughter, but Mio ignored all of this and stood up. Her large eyes sparkled and following her turning movements, her two ponytails drew an arc. The instant she turned around ¡ª¡ªIt made everybody have the feeling that the cherry blossoms were in full bloom. ¡°I am the future Student Council President, Amasaki Mio! My hobbies are drawing, writing poems and also knitting! My specialty is of course, Magic!¡± The loud voice was active again. Mio, who looked around the classroom, met eyes with Kazuki¡¯s and those large eyes suddenly widened. Then, her expression suddenly brightened up and she, *pata,pata* waved. It was as if she was reunited with someone important and her cheeks had also turned as red as an apple. ¡­Is she waving towards me? Kazuki was at a loss and looked behind to confirm the situation. It could be that she was waving in response to someone behind me. However, behind Kazuki, only an expressionless Koyuki was there. Kazuki was confused and once again turned back to the front. He watched Mio¡¯s symmetrical face turn unsightly and with an unhappy voice, she said ¡°That¡¯s all I have to say!¡± and, *dosun* ,sat back onto her seat. ¡­What had just happened? Being mistaken about the person¡­and the like, this kind of situation should be impossible. ¡ª¡ªAfterwards, the self-introduction also smoothly moved forward. Because Mio had said her hobbies and specialty, the classmates all copied that format and introduced themselves. Gradually, the atmosphere became relaxed. Conversations were produced towards hobbies, ¡°I also like that! Let us be friendly with each other!¡± and towards the specialty ¡°Amazing!¡±. It was the active atmosphere of a female high school. Then, it was finally Kazuki¡¯s turn. ¡°I am Hayashizaki Kazuki. Although I am an E-Rank, but I will work hard! My hobbies are training, washing clothes and cooking.¡± Sounds of laughter echoed from within the classroom. Having a hobby such as washing clothes and cooking seemed to be very surprising. His specialty was, what? Because aside from saying his , he could not think of any other words, so he said it just like this. ¡°Even though he is in Magic Division¡­yet he said sword skills.¡± The instant Kazuki said this phrase out, the classroom had become a cynical atmosphere immediately. ¡°What is that, just like an idiot.¡± The person who said this without hiding it ¡ª¡ªwas the earlier Amasaki Mio. ¡°What about sword skills, there is no value in it in the Magic Division. In the traditional Ancient Style Sword Skill Family there was a male, who had the goal of becoming a swordsman, yet obtained an enigma¡­Although I have heard this kind of news, but haven¡¯t you already entered the Magic Division? Even though you will become a Stigma Magic User, do you still have lingering feelings towards the sword skills? Although you are an E-Rank and the last place, but you know sword skills, how unsightly!¡± After hearing the phrase , Kazuki felt that his chest was brutally stabbed. ¡­No, even so, this phrase was also too much! ¡°Hayashizaki. In the Magic Division, the moment Sword Skills or the like are said, there will be no one that would give you a good look. This is the place where Magic elites gather. Not only do they hold a sense of rivalry, most of the people look down upon Sword Skills. Perhaps you feel that it is impossible to accept, but this is that kind of place. There is no helping it. Tell this to yourself. Sit down.¡± When Kazuki wanted to retort, Liz Liza-sensei preemptively put an end to it. ¡­What is this? While his thoughts were left inside his heart, Kazuki returned to his seat. Mio stared at Kazuki without looking away. After her eyes met with his, she immediately pulled a long face and turned to the front again. ¡­Indeed, the Summoning Magic he saw at the entrance ceremony was very amazing. But, in order to activate that large Magic, the amount of time required to chant was long. If you are on the battlefield, it made one feel that it was fatal. If that¡¯s the case¡­Even Sword Skills could have a bout with it, right? He did not know about the other Sword Skills, but if it was the Hayashizaki-Ryuu that he and Kanae were taught by his adoptive father¡­ ¡°Compared to the me that has a greater amount of magic power only because I am female, I feel that the Sword Skills that were honed through efforts are more worthy of respect.¡± After hearing this sentence that seemed to be encouraging him, Kazuki was surprised and looked behind. He noticed that Koyuki had stood up. ¡°¡­Your circumstances do not matter to me. ¡ª¡ªI am Hiakari Koyuki. No hobbies and specialty. Finish.¡± After hearing the A-Rank¡¯s overly cold self-introduction, the classroom began to become noisy again. Kazuki stared at her in astonishment. Koyuki, who sat down again, showed a bit of emotions and frowned. ¡°So I said, please turn your head away. Do not look over here.¡± Chapter 1.2.2 — The Witchs House Volume 1 Chapter 2 - The Witch''s House Part 2 After the self-introduction was over, Liz Liza-sensei brought the students outside of the school building. Beside the school building, there was a sports ground surrounded by verdure. The signing of the contract ritual with the Solomon¡¯s 72 Pillars of Demons was currently being carried out on the sports ground. ¡ª¡ªRight now in Japan, forming a contract with a Diva outside of Solomon¡¯s 72 Pillars of Demons was not accepted. If they were to form a contract with another Diva, they would be treated as an Illegal Magic User and be pursued by the Knights. It was a crime. Because among the Divas, there were some that hold malice towards humans. Through giving power to lure humans, they would erode the human¡¯s mind and seize their human body. 15 years ago, when Magic had just appeared in the world, an incident occurred where humans that were controlled by Divas destroyed Tokyo. In front of the Illegal Magic Users where Normal Magic and Weapons were no match for them, the ones to lend a helping hand to Japan, who was forced into a dire situation for the first time, were the Solomon¡¯s 72 Pillars of Demons. Through the efforts of the that formed a contract with the Solomon¡¯s 72 Pillars of Demon, the Illegal Magic Users were suppressed. Because of this story, Solomon¡¯s 72 Pillars of Demons became the only partner that could be trusted. Within their hearts, the freshmen that were awarded an enigma were filled with expectations about which Demon of the Solomon¡¯s 72 Pillars of Demon they would form a contract with and challenged the contract ritual. This was the first important matter after the entrance ceremony. ¡°In the end, what kind of Diva would I form a contract with? Once I thought up to here, my heart is so excited as if I was drawing lots.¡± On the road leading to the sports ground, Kazuki attempted to talk with Koyuki. It seems like she was the only one who would not treat him with any prejudice. ¡°It does not matter which one for me. No matter which one it is, it is still the same.¡± ¡°Still the same? How is that possible!¡± The voice that suddenly interrupted from behind Kazuki and Koyuki was¡ª¡ªMio. ¡°In the 72 Pillars, there are still various different types. There is one that looks like a fish and there is also one that looks like a starfish. Isn¡¯t it a lot better to find one that looks more beautiful than them!¡± ¡°Appearances¡­that is the most useless thing in the world.¡± Koyuki probably had her mood destroyed by this topic and quickly sped up and walked away. ¡°What a cold person¡±, Mio, who was left behind pursed her lips. She probably hated the topic of appearances. Even though that person was obviously so beautiful. ¡°Forget it¡­The E-Rank classmate, who is still lingering about sword skills, should try hard to find a suitable Diva! For example, a Diva that looks like a cockroach, a Diva that looks like a millipede, or perhaps a Diva that looks like a mushroom,etc." Mio threw a spiteful gaze towards Kazuki and started to make fun of him. ¡°¡­I think that within the Solomon¡¯s 72 Pillars of Demon, there are no such Divas.¡± ¡°Speaking of which, it is possible that you could not even turn your enigma into a stigma!¡± Mio, who was speaking like this, seemed to be showing a childish angered expression towards Kazuki. ¡­It feels that this person¡¯s quarreling method wasn¡¯t average. ¡°Hey, during the self-introduction, you were waving to me, right?¡± After hearing Kazuki taking the initiative to ask this topic, Mio¡¯s eyes ¡°!¡± widened. ¡°Where have we met?¡± ¡°Baka!¡± After Kazuki asked this question, he immediately received a bitter reply. Afterwards, Mio seemed to reveal an expression pent up with anger and walked briskly away without turning back. ¡­Was she mad? As expected, he must have met her some place before. However, even when he think back to elementary and middle school period, he still had no impression of the name, Amasaki. The orphanage where he had stayed before ¡ª¡ªInside the children caring organization , there were basically only children that were smaller than him, so first, that can¡¯t be right¡­ ¡°But that attitude isn¡¯t an attitude towards a person she does not know¡­¡± However, even if he asked again, he would only pointlessly make her mad, so Kazuki felt troubled again. ¡°All of the freshmen, we meet again! I am Otonashi Kaguya.¡± On the sports ground, Kaguya-senpai was currently waiting for our arrival. She was wearing a robe similar to the one during the entrance ceremony. ¡°The contract ritual will be performed under the assistance of the Student Council President.¡± After lining up the students based on their attendance arrangement, Liz Liza-sensei began explaining the ritual. ¡°Listen up, Summoning Magic is divided into four steps , , and . Diving into the deep psychological world, heading towards the destination pass the Heart of Doors and speaking with a Diva. After learning the simplified for these four steps of Summoning Magic, the contract is formed¡­In other words, you will officially become a Stigma Magic User.¡± Finally becoming a Stigma Magic User¡ª¡ªAfter hearing Liz Liza-sensei¡¯s words, the students suddenly became excited. ¡°However, rather than being a ritual, it is more like a trial. Although it is the initial hurdle, connecting with Astrum is not so simple. You will have to let your consciousness dive down to the depths of your heart and within the darkness inside the Astrum, capture the Diva¡¯s figure and voice, it requires a very keen Perceptibility Enhancement Magic. Incidentally, the number of successful people in Class 1 was zero.¡± In order to make the students, who became impulsive, tense up, Liz Liza-sensei said this. Kaguya-senpai was the first to let a slight smile to ease the student¡¯s tension. ¡°I will be responsible as the instructor to guide your initial path towards Astrum as well as prevent accidents from occurring. Although using Telepathic Magic could help guide you to the path towards Astrum, but aside from that, there is little that could be done. However, there is no need to force yourself to succeed on your first try, so please relax a bit.¡± ¡°So then, attendance number 1¡ª¡ªAmasaki Mio! Come up to the front!¡± ¡°Yes!¡± After issuing a slightly nervous tone, Mio walked up to the front of the queue. ¡°First, close your eyes and allow your consciousness and unconsciousness to merge together (Trance).¡± After obeying Kaguya-senpai¡¯s instructions, Mio closed her eyes. From her body¡¯s surface, a faint blue light emerged. The so-called Trance was to allow your mind to enter a highly concentrated state through Perceptibility Enhancement Magic. ¡°Then I will use Telepathic Magic to synchronize with your mind. Although the actual mind guiding path may seem more abstract than what you imagine, but if two people synchronize their minds, the fluctuations inside my heart would turn into wavelengths and be sent to you. You will also need to match it and allow your consciousness to move.¡± Kaguya-senpai¡¯s body also emitted a blue light. The blue light seemed to be a bridge and flowed inside Mio¡¯s body. The two of them closed their eyes and did not move. Only the blue light that seemed to be the light on the surface of the water was shaking. Although it was not apparent from the side, the two human consciousness have departed towards an alternative world ¡ª¡ªAfter a few minutes, the two of them opened their eyes. Mio¡¯s pupil inside her gaze seemed to be inside a dream still and was absentminded. However, she slowly opened her mouth as if she was a priestess who received a divine revelation and began to weave a spell. ¡°I know thy name¡­Thy name is ¡­A poet and a Magician!¡± ¡°Could it be¡­she succeeded in one attempt!?¡± Liz Liza-sensei said in a surprised voice. Sounds of cheers spread across the sports ground, then the girl with the top results¡ª¡ª ¡°The poetic bird that uses sweet words to play with the truth, obey my command and display thy power!¡± The chanting of the spell ended remarkably. At the same time, orange color lights that were just like flames were released. Within the light, her school uniform was decomposed. The flowed into the uniform that was made through alchemical silk, reconstructed its root particles, and cleverly dressed the contractor in an appearance . This was the battle outfit that only people who are selected could obtain from the Divas¡ª¡ªMagical Dress. Behind Mio, a shadow of a large firebird emerged. Wrapped in the curtains of the orange lights, Mio revealed¡ª¡ªthe appearance after changing into the Magical Dress. From the place where the skin was exposed, a crimson pattern emerged¡ª¡ªStigma. Having the same graceful curves as a dress for a party, it was a somewhat mysterious and beautiful posture. Mio¡¯s fuzzy eyes regained the colors of reality and repeatedly blinked several times. ¡°¡­I know! The spell is appearing inside my mind!! Inviting the Phenomenon, Appointing the Coordinates and Activation all¡­I can immediately activate the Level 1 Summoning Magic!!¡± ¡°It¡¯s fine if you do not do up to this point! The person who just dove into Astrum for a long time should not be reckless!!¡± After Liz Liza-sensei hurried up to stop it, Mio cut off her mind connection with Astrum. Phenex¡¯s illusion turned into light particles and disappeared. Her Magical Dress also turned back into the school uniform. ¡°It is just like after swimming in the pool. Although you may not feel it, you are actually very tired. There is no need to rush. Since the spell has already been taught, then it has already connected into a hotline. You will be able to enter a connected state more easily from now on¡­Congratulations for your successful contract!¡± Kaguya-senpai revealed a smile and applauded. The classmates also began to applaud. After Mio heard the sounds of the applause sent to her, she happily looked around. Once her eyes met with Kazuki¡¯s, she could not help but reveal an overwhelmingly happy expression and stretched out her hand to make a V gesture. Kazuki, who was clapping his hands, did not know how to respond. Thus, Mio was suddenly filled with unhappiness and returned back to the queue. ¡°Attendance Number 14, Hayashizaki Kazuki, come up to the front!¡± ¡ª¡ªThen it was finally Kazuki¡¯s turn. None of the people after Mio had succeeded. ¡°We meet again, Kanae-chan¡¯s otouto-kun!¡± After Kazuki step up from the queue, Kaguya-senpai let out a delightful laugh. ¡°¡­I¡¯m extremely sorry for this morning, I made you see the embarrassing places within the school all of a sudden.¡± Kaguya-senpai seems to think that it was her own responsibility and lowered her shoulders in sorrow. ¡°I think that the person who was most correct at the scene was you, senpai.¡± ¡°If you are able to say this, it really makes me feel pleased. Although I had once appealed for the Magic Division and the Sword Division to become more friendly and get along together, everybody did not listen to my words¡­In the end, without knowing it, my support rate has gradually decreased. The trust in Otonashi, the Student Council President, is already in a major crisis¡­But I believe that if I do not work hard to let the Sword and Magic make up for each others'' shortcomings, it is impossible for them to draw out their true power!¡± Kaguya-senpai clenched her fists and passionately made a speech. ¡°¡­I believe that senpai¡¯s thinking is correct.¡± ¡°You agree with my views, otouto-kun? You will help me, who is alone!?¡± ¡°Because I was also once a swordsman before! If there is anything I can help, anything is fine!¡± ¡°Comrade!¡± Kaguya-senpai¡¯s eyes became moist and held onto Kazuki¡¯s hands tightly. ¡°Thank you, comrade comrade! Although Kanae-chan¡¯s dillydally type is very cute, but a straight-forward type like otouto-kun is also very cute. WAHHH, can I rub your head? I rub, I rub, your hair is very soft. Lovely, so lovely¡ª¡ª. Otouto-kun, do you want to eat candy?¡± ¡°Are you an Oba-chan from Osaka!¡± Kazuki unleashed a hand blade attack on Kaguya-senpai¡¯s head, who had pulled out candies from the pockets of her robe, and complained. ¡°I was complained to¡±, Kaguya-senpai happily stuck out her tongue. ¡°¡­Hey, you two, quickly begin!¡± Liz Liza-sensei¡¯s roar rushed over and only then Kaguya-senpai began giving instructions to Kazuki. ¡°Then from now on, otouto-kun also needs to allow the ceremony where your consciousness and mine intimately synchronize with each other.¡± Listening to her words, it felt like there was a subtle resistance. Kazuki also followed Kaguya-senpai¡¯s instructions and closed his eyes. Using Magic to unify the minds and diving into the spiritual world¡ª¡ª What spread within his inner heart was an overwhelming and vast darkness. It was a place that gave off a feeling where a person would lose themselves. However, on the surface of this darkness, slight ripples were spreading out. These were the ripples that were triggered by Kaguya-senpai¡¯s consciousness. ¡°Follow me¡±, Kaguya-senpai¡¯s voice rang out. As if he was drawing ripples, Kazuki followed along. Continuously heading towards a deeper place within the darkness. It was an image of the deep sea. The pitch-black color of the darkness slowly became more and more dark. However, it was just like the seabed of the deep sea. It was a world where light cannot reach. If you used Perceptibility Enhancement Magic, then you would understand that the and that you could not recall were currently sleeping here, just like it was accumulating layers. The so-called unconscious mind was this kind of world. Just like how the deep sea¡¯s water pressure was very high, inside the spiritual world, the color of the darkness would become darker as you dive further down to the depths, and your ego would become more blurred. If you maintained Perceptibility Enhancement Magic for a long time, you would even lose consciousness. The feeling of resistance from the darkness was just like that of rushing forward against the wind. Finally, after crossing a line¡ª¡ªThe world¡¯s phase changed. Kaguya-senpai¡¯s consciousness that was leading, stopped. They had passed through the Heart of Door and arrived at Astrum. Within the darkness in which was still very easy to lose consciousness, Kazuki searched for the presence of the Diva. ¡°¡­Ara, it feels like the atmosphere is very strange.¡± Using Telepathic Magic to synchronize with Kazuki¡¯s consciousness, Kaguya-senpai¡¯s voice rang out in Astrum. ¡°¡ª¡ªHayashizaki Kazuki.¡± A different voice than Kaguya-senpai rang out¡ª¡ªIt was a female voice. Is this the voice of a Diva¡­? The darkness in front of him increased in viscosity and condensed. It seems that something lodging there exists. ¡°Do you have the resolve of being burdened by a power that can change the world?¡± Kazuki could not identify its gesture. He did not have the power to identify it. However, the voice that came over was clear. If that was the case, they should be able to converse and should be able to make a contract. A power that can change the world¡ª¡ªWas this something that could be obtained through a contract with this Diva, was it really such an enormous power? To tell the truth, I am clueless about how I would use such tremendous power. However, if I was the person that was , then I should respond to it. Perhaps I am only a tiny human, but I will still stake my life and give it my all. ¡°¡­If it¡¯s resolve, then I have it!¡± After Kazuki replied like this, a powerful light flashed up in front of him. ¡ª¡ªWhen he recovered, Kazuki¡¯s consciousness had already returned back to the sports ground. It felt strange. Inside his muddled mind, he was gradually confused. Was the contract over? No, it did not tell him the spell. And the appearance of the Diva was unclear till the end. In the end, what on earth was that? Was it even possible to form a contract under the situation where he did not know who the other was? At this moment, a white light suddenly illuminated in front of Kazuki. At the same time, he felt his Magic was being sucked out from his spirit and was entering the light in front of him. Something¡­Something from another world was currently materializing!? The next moment, a light that made everybody close their eyes burst out¡ª¡ª ¡°A girl!?¡± Kaguya-senpai could not help but cry out. The light turned into a young girl¡¯s appearance. A naked girl with brown skin was currently floating in front of Kazuki. And, this was a . This girl was not an made fixed by Magic, but was a body with mass. The girl that appeared within the air was gently floating and stared at Kazuki. ¡°Through a kiss, form a contract with Leme.¡± The girl pulled Kazuki¡¯s head with both hands and brought him in front of her. Ignoring the confused Kazuki, *Chuuu*, she kissed him. An intense heat moved from his mouth towards his left hand. Hot! W,What is this¡­It changed!? The Enigma¡­became a Stigma!? ¡°Fufu, with this, the contract is complete.¡± She smiled and the heat stopped. Kazuki timidly looked at his left hand to confirm it. What was there was not an Engima, but a star-shaped Stigma. The contract¡ª¡ªwas completed? But who was this person? Why was the summon casually activated? Looking at the developments that was different from normal Divas, the sports arena suddenly began to stir. ¡°Eh?¡­Eh?¡± After she fell down onto the ground, she incredulously looked at her own body. ¡°WAHHHH!? WHAT IS THIS! WHY IS LEME NAKED! WHY IS IT NAKED¡ª¡ª!?¡± She used her two hands to cover her body while crying out ¡°Clothes¡ª¡ª! Clothes!?¡± With a subtly panicked mode, Kaguya-senpai took off her own robe and handed it to her. The little girl expressed her thanks, ¡°Oh,oh, thank you!¡± , and put it on nervously. Kazuki casually stared at Kaguya-senpai and was suddenly shocked. After Kaguya-senpai removed her robe, what was beneath it was a highly revealing outfit. Although her entire body was covered with something similar to a black armor, but the surface area was extremely small. The contrast together with her white skin made it extremely stimulating. ¡°If you stare like this, I will become very embarrassed¡­!¡± ¡°S,Sorry. My gaze naturally just¡­That is, is that Asmodeus¡¯s Magical Dress?¡± The black colored outfit was releasing a faint purple light. That means Magic Power was flowing. ¡°In order to immediately deal with any unexpected issues during the contract ritual, I could not help but wear my Magical Dress! But, Asmodeus¡¯s Magical Dress is loaded with an irritating design¡­Even though I was thinking of using a robe to hide it!¡± A Magical Dress is created by revealing the Stigma¡¯s form. For Asmodeus¡¯s Stigma, there were many tiny parts that needed to be revealed on the body, thus, the exposure degree was that high. Kazuki once again looked at his own body. Speaking of which, he did not get a Magical Dress. Everything was in a mess. ¡°Liz Liza-sensei, what on earth just happened¡­¡­!?¡± It seems that Kaguya-senpai did not understand the situation and turned her head towards Liz Liza-sensei. A Diva that obtained a physical body could use the powerful power of their own myths without any restrictions. A legitimately unknown Diva materializing in front of their eyes was an extremely dangerous situation. Originally, a Diva¡¯s materialization should not be achieved without consuming a certain degree of Magic Power¡­ ¡°¡­You are a different Diva than Solomon¡¯s 72 Pillars. Who are you?¡± Liz Liza-sensei used a completely different tone and carefully asked this Diva, who was out of the specifications. ¡°Leme is Leme. Aside from that¡­That, I don¡¯t know. Ara? I can¡¯t remember it.¡± ¡°A memory loss Diva? Then the next question, what kind of power do you hold? A Diva should normally hold 10 types of Inherent Magic.¡± The symbol of a Diva is their 10 types of Inherent Magic. Through the contract, this becomes Summoning Magic. ¡°About that, the contract was indeed completely¡­Inherent Magic? Inherent Magic¡­There is no such thing. What is this power you are speaking of? Inside Leme¡¯s body¡­There is no such power?¡± ¡°A,a powerless Diva!? How is that possible!?¡± ¡°¡­Wawaahh. Although I do not understand, but I am sleepy. Leme is going to sleep. Good night.¡± Leme just lied down at that place, shortly after, snoring sounds began. She was really too free. ¡°¡­What on earth is with this fellow? This is plainly unbelievable¡­¡± ¡°About that, Liz Liza-sensei¡­Could it be that a contract was formed outside of the 72 Pillars of Diva?¡± Kaguya-senpai revealed a terrifying expression and asked Liz Liza-sensei. ¡°¡­We will discuss this matter at the staff meeting. First, let us send this fellow to the infirmary.¡± Looking at the young girl who was sent to the infirmary, even Kazuki would lose his cool. ¡°P, Please wait a minute¡­It was you who changed my life!? At least explain to me why you gave me the Enigma! You are too irresponsible, aren¡¯t you!?¡± ¡°I know thy name¡­Thy name is called ¡­The mermaid singer conveying icy cold thoughts, causing the entire world to be planted with tears of sadness.¡± Releasing a light blue radiance, a fantasy-like illusion of a mermaid appeared above Koyuki, who was chanting the spell. At the same time, her uniform became a tight white colored Magical Dress. ¡°With this, this is the 3rd person. The amount of people that succeeded in this class¡­¡± Liz Liza-sensei let out an extremely surprised voice. Amasaki Mio, Hayashizaki Kazuki, then Hiakari Koyuki. However for Kazuki, could he still be counted as one of the successful ones ¡ª¡ª Chapter 1.2.3 — The Witchs House Volume 1 Chapter 2 - The Witch''s House Part 3 Following that, after eating lunch at the school cafeteria, a briefing session was held regarding the school¡¯s living standards and education program. However, all of this did not enter Kazuki¡¯s ears¡­The schedule for the first day of school was completely over. The bell rang, signaling that the school day is over. The students were all brought to the student dormitory¡ª¡ªAll of them were filled with expectations for their future days. However, Kazuki was not permitted to join the ranks of fickle people. ¡°Regarding your improper contract with the Diva, a staff meeting is currently being held. Until the meeting is over, please wait at the infirmary.¡±, He received a notice from Liz Liza-sensei like this. At the infirmary, under the Knight¡¯s surveillance, Leme revealed an appearance consistent of a young girl, who was sleeping carefree. The Magical Dress and the ten Summoning Magic were not given, it was a completely unknown Diva. If this Leme was seen as a threat, then what would happen to him, who formed a contract with her. Maybe he would have his qualifications as a Magic Division Student cancelled. ¡­What a joke. I was already determined to fight at the Magic Division. If there were any possibility sleeping within his body that was undiscovered, he wanted to find out about it at the Magic Division. ¡°Let¡¯s start from the conclusion. You and Leme will temporarily be placed at the Magic Division to observe the situation.¡± ¡ª¡ªThe orange colored sun was beginning to shine in from the infirmary¡¯s windows, Liz Liza-sensei and Kaguya-senpai, who seemed to be the witness of the ritual and participated in the meeting, entered the infirmary. ¡°Just because you are originally a swordsman, so they hate you, there is also an opinion of immediately removing the contract seal and rushing you to the Sword Division. However, the final conclusion was to be put under surveillance, so as expected it should be placed in the hands of the Magic Division.¡± ¡°Because there are many opposing opinions, Liz Liza-sensei said a lot for otouto-kun!¡± ¡°I only gave an objective opinion. The one who wanted to protect this trash was you.¡± ¡°It was not like that. Sensei also desperately protected him! How untruthful!¡± ¡°No, no, no, it was only you. Hayashizaki Kazuki, you should be thankful of this person.¡± In other words, these two people protected me. ¡°¡­Thank you, you two, to do so much for a person like me.¡± Because a relieved feeling surged through his entire body, Kazuki relaxed and bowed towards the two of them. ¡°You actually wanted to remain at the Magic Division so much, this is really surprising. However, not all the teachers believe in Leme. So you and that Diva will temporarily be placed as a surveillance target. Being monitored and placed on probation at school. But even so, this was a very lenient treatment. If it wasn¡¯t done well, being treated as an Illegal Magic User¡ª¡ªA criminal treatment would not be strange. ¡°In the end, the things that Leme had said were extremely suspicious. A so-called Diva should originally have huge magic power that is able to distort the world. It is impossible for a Diva with self-consciousness to have no abilities.¡± Liz Liza-sensei moved her eyes to the side and coldly glared at Leme, who was currently sleeping on the bed. ¡­In other words, Leme was lying? If Leme really had some kind of power, since she had already materialized, then she should be able to freely control that power¡­Even though Kazuki, who was the contractor, was not given any power. ¡°However, that fellow knew about the rule between the Solomon 72 Pillars of Demons and the Japanese government about . And she followed that rule. So it is very difficult to imagine her being completely unrelated to the Solomon 72 Pillars of Demon. If this matter was not dealt with well, it may cause the relationship between this country and the Solomon 72 Pillars of Demon to worsen, then it will be a big trouble.¡± The Solomon 72 Pillars of Demon follow a secret doctrine and will not speak much towards humans. Although they lent their power to the Japanese government, it still seems like they are sitting at one side and observing this country. If they feel that the country does not deserve this power, the possibility of them immediately stopping to assist this country existed. ¡­Although Leme was not a member of Solomon¡¯s 72 Pillar of Demons, but she is not completely unrelated, is it? ¡°This is a very delicate judgment. If anything special occurs from your side, please immediately report to me. Remember this¡­The next question is regarding to where you should stay. You should remember that the school originally arranged for you to live at a room outside by yourself?¡± The Magic Division¡¯s student dormitory, it did not consider the possibility of a male living there. In other words, it was entirely a women¡¯s dormitory. ¡°However, for a person who contracted a Diva with an unknown identity, it is not possible to let him live outside of the school. But, we cannot allow you to live in the Magic Division¡¯s girl¡¯s dormitory. Although there were also people who proposed the idea of shoving you into the Sword Division¡¯s dormitory, but letting the swordsman to supervise you is a bit unsettling. Thus¡­¡± ¡°Otouto-kun, you are arranged to be admitted into the Magic Division Student Council¡¯s private dormitory !¡± Kaguya-senpai, *Pan Paka Paaan*, explained it in this fashion while extending her hands. ¡°Student Council¡¯s, private dormitory¡­?¡± ¡°The Magic Division¡¯s Student Council is different than the other students, they live in a special dormitory. The Student Council, which gathers the strongest students, allowing them to live together and form the strongest organization¡­Although these people are also female, but another point is that these people are most suitable to act as the supervisor.¡± Liz Liza-sensei pointed at Kaguya-senpai and spoke. ¡°Be thankful of this person. Because of this person strongly proposed that if anything occurs, the Magic Division Student Council have the ability to respond to it, so that in the end, it came to the conclusion of surveillance. Even the director said these distasteful words like, ''is this something that a spoiled little girl like you can do?''¡± ¡°¡­I, I am not a spoiled little girl.¡± ¡ª¡ªKaguya-senpai¡¯s expression inadvertently became gloomy. But she immediately smiled again, her face revealed dimples. ¡°So that¡¯s how it is, otouto-kun! We will be together! You must be very happy!¡± ¡°¡­Could it be that you harbor a wish of nurturing a boy who is younger than you?¡± Liz Liza-sensei looked at Kaguya-senpai, who was extremely happy, with suspicious eyes. ¡°W, What are you saying, sensei!? Please do not speak this kind of gibberish, okay!? Really now¡­I did not feel that a boy younger than me was cute. I only wanted¡­to personally train a who could use both sword techniques and Summoning Magic!¡± ¡°Magic Swordsman¡­?¡± ¡°From today onwards, you are my first disciple! I will definitely train you into the strongest Magic Swordsman!¡± Kaguya-senpai tightly held onto Kazuki¡¯s hands, who was trembling after listening to her unexpected words. ¡°This here is the Witch¡¯s House!¡± While carrying Leme, who was sleeping, on his back, Kazuki was brought to this place. It was a renaissance, western-styled mansion made with black wood surrounding the white-colored walls. And its name did not match the fairytale-like atmosphere that makes one happy. Opening the iron gates with a watermark pattern, and then opening the front¡ª¡ªA completely different world appeared. A dazzling mahogany and rouge-colored world appeared. Although it was not glamorous, but the interiors were extremely refined. Also, there were varieties of furniture that were the same as a high-class hotel. On the ceiling were a few majestic chandeliers¡­Can I really live in this place? ¡°The area is very big, right? It was created based on the form of renting the rooms, there are many rooms on the second floor, the first floor is a common living room, kitchen and bathroom. Although the first year Student Council trainees are primarily responsible for the household chores¡­¡± Kaguya-senpai¡¯s words suddenly became quite vague, but instead, Kazuki felt quite welcomed by this kind of arrangement. ¡°No problem, I am already accustomed to doing housework. In fact, I rather like doing them.¡± ¡°Really? That¡¯s great! Then let us immediately arrange a room for you¡­¡± ¡°¡­Kazuki.¡± The originally asleep Leme suddenly opened her eyes and jumped off Kazuki¡¯s back. ¡°¡­Where¡¯s the bathroom? Leme is, currently, extremely urgent!¡± Leme¡¯s body was trembling. This Diva, it was extremely hard to make her wake up, but the result was this kind of thing¡­! Kaguya-senpai hurriedly held onto Leme¡¯s tiny hands. ¡°I will bring this child to the bathroom, go and pick a room that you like on the second floor, otouto-kun!¡± ¡°Can I randomly pick!?¡± ¡°You cannot enter the rooms with a sign! Those are our rooms!¡± After finishing that sentence to Kazuki, who was in a daze and standing at the spot, Kaguya-senpai brought Leme to the bathroom. Although a follow-up was not possible, but waiting here felt quite embarrassing. At the center of the entrance hall, there was a spiral staircase. Kazuki could not help but stroke the smooth, metal handrail and moved up to the second floor. The second floor occupied very little space. There was a small lounge with a sofa. From that point on, a corridor that extends to the left and right with rooms organized in a row. Kazuki opened the room nearest to him without a sign. ¡°¡­Eh? E-Rank?¡± What entered his eyes was ¡ª¡ªa currently changing Amasaki Mio, who was only wearing her underwear. A beautifully shaped body, it caused one to have an illusion of a display of a goddess sculpture. However, the difference between the sculpture was obvious, you could notice the smooth and soft skin texture in a single glance. ¡°A, AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!?¡± ¡°Sorry! It was not on purpose!!¡± Kazuki immediately rushed out of the room and closed the door with his hands clasped behind his back. Why!? Kazuki¡¯s head was filled with question marks as he stood at the corridor¡­ ¡°¡­I thought I heard a strange voic¡­¡­Why is the E-Rank here?¡± From behind, a cold voice came. Looking back, he could only see Hiakari Koyuki standing there. ¡°¡­W, What are you wearing!?¡± ¡°This is casual wear for indoors, is there any problem?¡± She was dressed in an outfit where a baggy shirt was placed over her underwear. His gaze could not be helped but be captivated by the smooth and pure-white legs that extended from the hem of the shirt. ¡°¡­Didn¡¯t I say it before, please do not look at me like this.¡± Kazuki hurriedly moved his gaze away from Koyuki, who muttered as if she did not care. Stimulating scenes appearing one by one had caused his mind to panic. ¡°¡­Wait! Why is that sword idiot E-Rank here!¡± After putting on a t-shirt and a skirt, Mio shouted as she rushed out of her room. ¡°If I have to say why, then although I cannot explain it in detail, but I was brought over here¡­Amasaki, why are you here?¡± ¡°You ask me why, of course it is because I am A-Rank. Hmmph, I am A-Rank!¡± ¡°So that¡¯s how it is, I don¡¯t understand.¡± ¡°Understand it thoroughly! A first-year student with outstanding grades becomes a Student Council trainee, entering the Witch¡¯s House and learning from the senpais is part of the tradition here.¡± ¡°I see, since you explained so precisely, I also understand.¡± Speaking of which, what senpai had just said also represents that there are other first year Student Council trainees here. ¡°In other words, the ones here are the elite of the elite, only ones with A-Rank!¡­But why would the E-Rank break into here? This place is not a place where a sword idiot like you should stay! A, And you just saw me naked, right!?¡± ¡°That was unavoidable! I was also called here by Kaguya-senpai¡­¡± ¡°Are you guys arguing? What happened?¡± Issuing *patapata* footstep sounds, Kaguya came up the stairs. ¡°Ah, could it be that the other first year students also came? So that¡¯s what it is! Because the staff meeting took too long, so the senseis showed the way! Could it be that you ran into each other?¡± In other words, Kaguya-senpai thought that the other first year students have not arrived yet, so she immediately said casual words such as opening any room as long as it is not someone¡¯s room. ¡°Student Council President, what on earth is with the E-Rank!?¡± ¡°This child is my disciple number one. This Magic Swordsman will be trained by me!¡± ¡°S, Student Council President¡¯s first disciple!? Magic Swordsman, what is this! Why¡­Compared to me, who is an A-Rank, why would a peeping man from the Hayashizaki Family, who is only skilled in sword skill, enjoy such a special treatment!?¡± ¡°Eh eh, otouto-kun peeked? This is a crime! Yellow card, suspended from school!¡± ¡°¡­You peeked? That¡­E-Rank, I was wrong about you.¡± Kazuki was surrounded by three girls. Just when an interrogative atmosphere was about to begin. ¡°Hey hey. Where is the place to wash my hands? The person who said would guide me, guide me until the very end!¡± From the bottom of the stairs, Leme¡¯s voice suddenly came. ¡°That voice¡­Could it be the strange Diva that you contracted with? Why is it here?¡± Seeing that Mio muttered suspiciously, Kaguya-senpai revealed a slight smile. ¡°Although a boy might be a little¡­Hayashizaki Kazuki-kun and his contracted Diva, Leme-chan, the two of them will be companions, who are going to live here! You should be friendly with each other.¡± In order to let everybody meet each other, the residents of Witch¡¯s House gathered together at the living room on the first floor. Kazuki, Mio, Koyuki, Kaguya-senpai and Leme, the five of them sat on the chairs around the table. ¡°The vice president is currently out performing a quest, so let¡¯s wait for her for a while. It has already been shown on the television, the matter about Illegal Magic Users¡¯ has already occurred. Recently, it is not peaceful.¡± ¡°¡­What is a quest?¡± After Kazuki revealed a surprised expression, Mio showed a look of disbelief. ¡°Hey, E-Rank. You are obviously at the lowest, yet you do not listen to the explanations?¡± ¡­At that time, his head was filled with thoughts of what will happen next, so he basically did not listen. ¡°Magic Division students could go to the place called and help the Knight¡¯s works. The students would form groups between themselves and eliminate Magical Beasts, go outside and investigate Magic Lands, capture Illegal Magic Users, etc.¡­They are able to select difficult quests to increase their own evaluation. And, our ranks from now on will also consistently change due to the results of the quests.¡± ¡°Also, there is the , a competition between students, which will also cause the ranks to change.¡± ¡°¡­Using the current ranks as an excuse to make trouble is a very stupid thing.¡± Koyuki quietly whispered. She was still wearing the casual indoor wears, which was the shirt + underwear appearance. ¡°Hiakari-san, it feels like you are very familiar to this place¡­Is this your first time coming here?¡± ¡°No, I was already here since last year.¡± ¡°Because her inborn Magic Power was unusually enormous, it was recognized that Koyuki-chan would obtain an Enigma without any doubt, so during her middle school period, she began living at this academy. The Student Council received an order from the senseis there to take care of her.¡± Mio threw a gaze filled with confrontation to Koyuki. ¡°¡­How boring.¡± Towards this reaction, Koyuki turned to one side. ¡°Kaguya-senpai is a second year student, right? Are there no third year students?¡± ¡°Were you really not listening at the briefing? Once you reach the third year, because of , they would follow the Knights around the entire country. Therefore, they are basically not at the dormitory.¡± ¡°¡­It can¡¯t be helped. At the briefing, I was anxious about my own future.¡± However, him being distracted to the point where he was trembling made him feel embarrassed. Kazuki glanced at Leme who was sitting next to him. After Leme noticed his gaze¡ª¡ª ¡°It¡¯s okay.¡± She said quietly and held onto Kazuki¡¯s hand underneath the table. This sudden action made Kazuki confused. Is this fellow trying to encourage me? ¡°I¡¯m back.¡± Another voice came from the front entrance. ¡°Ah, Hikaru seems to have come back now. She is the Student Council¡¯s vice president. Hikaru, come to the living room for a bit!¡± ¡°Ara, the first years already came? I¡¯ve made you wait for a long time, new students!¡± What opened the door and valiantly appeared was¡ª¡ªan elegant . With a neutral hairstyle and a gallant face that would almost make everybody recognize it incorrectly as a beautiful boy. This elegant senpai looked at Kazuki and had her eyes immediately turn round. ¡°¡­! There is actually someone that looks more like a boy than me!?¡± She lowered the luggage in her hands and rushed in front of Kazuki. ¡°A, Amazing! The face is a little bit cool, her body is extremely sturdy, perhaps it may be a bit rude, but it is basically just like a boy!¡­Just like a¡­boy¡­ara?¡± ¡°I am a boy¡­senpai.¡± Kazuki panicked as the senpai, who he was meeting for the first time, suddenly touched him everywhere. Senpai tightly held onto Kazuki¡¯s jacket and that beautiful boy-like face immediately turned red. ¡°S, Ssssooorrryyyy! A real boy!? Why is a boy here!?¡± With amazing momentum, she escaped from Kazuki¡¯s side and hid behind Kaguya-senpai. ¡°Sorry, this child is not used to dealing with boys.¡± ¡°Not used to?¡­Even though she is so dignified and incredibly handsome?¡± ¡°B, Because I was always at a girl school since kindergarten, so I don¡¯t have immunity towards boys¡­¡± This senpai stuck out her head from behind Kaguya-senpai¡¯s back. Sweat constantly dripped down from her forehead. ¡°But I do not know why I am always treated as a prince by the surrounding people. In order to respond to such expression, so I would often try hard and behave like a prince¡­But, this way, it also produced a somewhat strange life¡­UWAHH, a real boy is here¡­M, My heart is jumping so fast¡­What should I do, so scary.¡± ¡°Hey, you have to stand up in front and properly introduce yourself.¡± ¡°I did not expect a first year Student Council trainee to actually be a boy¡­M, My name is Hoshikaze Hikaru. C, Currently serving as the Student Council vice president. P, Please to meet you.¡± These people are the roommates of my new life? It feels that they are all strange people¡­ ¡°I see¡­Fufufu, interesting. A group worthy of contracting¡­¡± Leme whispered suspicious sounding words beside him¡­Contracting? ¡°However, it¡¯s fine! I will absolutely not reject my cute kouhai because he is a boy! I will treat you as the same sex, and use a more casual attitude than anyone else to be friendly with each other!¡± Hoshikaze-senpai delivered a prideful declaration. However, after her eyes matched up with Kazuki¡¯s, she immediately used her two hands to cover her face. ¡°Uuuuuu¡­P, Please do not look at me like this¡­¡± Perhaps she is a somewhat cute person, Kazuki thought. ¡°Right, right, Kaguya. After I finished the quest, I brought a lot of snacks back.¡± ¡°Great! Then next off, let us hold everybody¡¯s welcome party!¡± Evening 8 PM ¡ª¡ª It was the time to eat dinner, yet on the table¡ª¡ª ¡°It was completely filled with snacks.¡± Towards the snack-filled mountain, Kazuki could not help but feel fear. And these are not all mass produced products, but high-priced products applied with . ¡°Fufufu, being able to eat this many snacks, am I currently dreaming?¡± Kaguya-senpai leaned towards the side and straightened her chest. ¡°No, this is food that is seriously imbalanced in nutrition and will make one gain weight¡­¡± ¡°A girl¡¯s party is basically like this! Really, since you are already in the Magic Division, otouto-kun must become more familiar to the girl¡¯s feelings. Okay, A¡ª¡ªhhhhh¡± Kaguya-senpai suddenly picked up a small, sweet biscuit and tried to feed him. ¡°¡­We still did not have a toast yet.¡± Kazuki, who did not know how to react, pushed away senpai¡¯s hand. ¡°A¡ª¡ªhhhhhh was rejected by a boy!? This is against etiquette!¡± ¡°Then following this, everybody, did you fill your drinks?¡± Hoshikaze-senpai poured the carbonated drinks into the cups and personally gave it to everybody. The carbonated bubbles had an incredulous power of making the party¡¯s atmosphere become active again. With their hands holding a cup, everyone called out, ¡°Cheers!¡± ¡ª¡ªThe welcome party continued until the moment the date changed. Chapter 1.3.1 — Amasaki Mio Volume 1 Chapter 3 - Amasaki Mio Part 1 Kaguya-senpai brought cards over, the atmosphere of the welcome party became more lively than before. Mio and Hoshikaze-senpai are the type that immediately reflects what they think to their faces, so they were extremely weak. On the contrary, Kaguya-senpai and Koyuki were so strong that it was scary. Kaguya-senpai uses lies and bluffs with ease while Koyuki would have an impregnable fortress-like poker face. However, because Kazuki had said ¡°So senpai is the type whose expression is inconsistent with her personality¡± to Kaguya-senpai, after she ¡°Fufufu¡± and smiled, she suddenly became extremely weak. After that, the final winner was Koyuki. She muttered ¡°Well, it doesn¡¯t matter.¡± And pulled the curtains down for the welcome party. Because of Mio¡¯s strong proposition, Kazuki¡¯s room was arranged to be the furthest room on the second floor. It was a location where there was an appropriate distance between the other girls¡¯ rooms and it was separated by empty rooms. Although Kaguya-senpai had initially said that anywhere was fine, it can¡¯t be helped. Late at night after the welcome party, Kazuki opened the door of his own room. ¡°A new life huh¡­Although it seems like they are all hard to deal with, but it seems like it would work out.¡± Just muttering like this, he lifted the soft blanket on top of the bed that was similar to a hotel. ¡°A new life. Right? Then, aim for a harem!¡± ¡ª¡ªAfter lifting up the blanket, he do not know why Leme appeared from within. ¡°Leme!? Why are you hiding in such a place? Your room is at another location, right?¡± ¡°Yes. But, because there are some words that I do not want others to hear, so I came over to your room.¡± ¡°Words? Anything is fine¡­but didn¡¯t you lose your memories?¡± ¡°Yes. But actually, despite the memory loss, Leme still vaguely remember what she is and what her mission is. Divas all have a meaning of existence that was decided based on the myth. It isn¡¯t something that could be simply forgotten.¡± A meaning of existence decided by the myth? Leme¡¯s mission is¡­? ¡°Then in other words¡­Could it be the reason why you chose to grant me an Enigma!?¡± ¡°Yes. And Leme¡­Although I had said it in that place, but she is actually not a powerless Diva.¡± Hearing these words, Kazuki widened his eyes. While facing Kazuki, Leme proudly answered. ¡°Leme¡¯s mission is¡­to make you become a harem king!!¡± ¡­Haah? Kazuki¡¯s eyes widened and froze there. ¡°I will only tell you, the contractor, my true identity. ¡ª¡ªLeme¡¯s true name is Lemegeton! The Demon King ruling over the 72 Pillars of Demons!!¡± Wait a minute¡­Did you just say Lemegeton? ¡° should be a Magic Book, isn¡¯t it¡­?¡± Lemegeton ¡ª¡ªThat name had indeed appeared in the myth related to Solomon¡¯s 72 Pillars of Demons. However, Lemegeton is not listed as a name for the 72 Pillars of Demon. King Solomon, who governs the 72 Pillars of Demon, placed the contents of his summoning techniques inside a Magic Book ¡ª¡ªIt was passed on like this. King Solomon was a human that was alive around 1000 B.C. But this Magic Book was discovered at the 17th century and had sparked the medieval people¡¯s madness towards Black Magic and Alchemy. That the leader of the , McGregor Mathers, treated it as a research object was also widely known. ¡°Wrong! That is completely wrong!¡± Leme angrily shook her head. ¡°It was passed on incorrectly. The majority of the people that seek for the method to summon Demons felt that it was easier to consider Leme as a Magic Book. This thought was too simple.¡± ¡°In other words, it is a convenient delusion that people before had fabricated?¡± ¡°That¡¯s right. King Solomon did not use a Magic Book to use summoning techniques. It is because he had a contract with Lemegeton, who governs the 72 Pillars¡¯ strength, to summon them!¡± Governing 72 Pillars¡¯ strength ¡ª¡ªIs this the true power of Lemegeton? ¡°Right now I will tell you Leme¡¯s power¡­Leme¡¯s inherent Magic is all the ten magic owned by the 72 Pillars, who grant this academy strength. A total of 720 kinds of magic and they are all given to you!¡± The words that Leme uttered gave an enormous impact to Kazuki. All. In other words, according to the actual situation, he could use a total of 720 kinds of Magic. It overthrew all his thoughts and two giant words floated within Kazuki¡¯s mind . The Diva that he, an E-Rank, contracted was¡­the strongest Diva. ¡°¡ª¡ªHowever, there is a condition. This power is only allowed to be used by a . Just like how Leme lets the 72 Pillars of Demon to be subordinates of hers, if you do not let the other people to become a subordinate of yours, your power as a King cannot be used. Errr, subordinate is not the word used in modern times¡­If we have to use the modern way of speaking¡­Then it is to make them fall in love with you!¡± Make them¡­Fall in love¡­with me? I suddenly felt that¡­some idiotic words were spouted out. ¡°Through the mentality of the Magic User that you made into a subordinate, the Magic User¡¯s contracted Diva¡¯s power could be used by you. For example, if you let that Amasaki Mio fall in love with you, then you will form a path with that person. Leme will be able to draw power from Phenex. However, if you are still in an unpopular state¡­Although it is unfortunate, but Leme is only a powerless Diva¡­¡± ¡°¡­Unpopular and powerless Diva!? That is too weird.¡± ¡°It is not weird. The Divas have their own purpose of existing based on the myth. Solomon Divas¡¯ missions were to grant wisdom to humans and let this country prosper. And once the Stigma Magic Users that are able to use the 72 Pillars grow up, it is necessary to govern them. Because a female¡¯s Magic Power is relatively stronger, so all the Stigma Magic Users are females. If that¡¯s the case, the King that caused them to submit ¡ª¡ªis a harem king!¡± ¡°¡­What to do, it seems like it does make sense.¡± ¡°I am saying this first, if the situation of a harem king was not born, then the Solomon¡¯s 72 Pillars would lose their motivations and give up on supporting this country. Because cultivating a King is the meaning of existence for the Solomon Divas. Just like when they obeyed Israel¡¯s King Solomon, they are all Divas of the assistants, who were willing to do their best, for the King.¡± ¡°Wait a minute, isn¡¯t this extremely important to this country!?¡± The true meaning of the Solomon¡¯s 72 Pillars supporting the Japanese government is actually still not clear. Even so, the Japanese government desires the power of Magic. For the military forces, they cannot help but rely on the 72 Pillars. If they were to lose the support of the Solomon¡¯s 72 Pillars, Japan would be dropped from their position as a Magically Advanced Country. ¡°A King¡¯s power is to be able to gather the fragmented things, . If he does not have this Convergence Power, then in the future, humans would not be able to deal with the giant wave that would come to this world. By recognizing that a single individual is weak, so it is necessary to cultivate a king. This is the mission of Leme and Solomon¡¯s 72 Pillars¡­¡± ¡°¡­A giant wave that would come to this world?¡± Just now Leme had said that she vaguely remembers her mission. ¡°The numerous mysterious fragments inside the world of myths are all quietly gathering underwater. Not only in Japan, but in all of the 7 countries. At a certain stage, it would overturn the world.¡± 7 countries ¡ª¡ªThere is no doubt that it refers to the 7 Magically Advanced Countries. ¡°¡­So, in order to reach this goal, a harem is required?¡± ¡°There is no helping that you would feel troubled since you are suddenly being told that you would need to make a harem. But please rest assured! Leme will grant you a Magical Dress that would play a role in your creation of a harem!¡± After hearing the phrase, Magical Dress, Kazuki, who was shocked, had white light shining on the middle finger of his left hand. The light had a bit of miss ¡ª¡ªSuddenly, it became a ring that was made with materials similar to copper. As a Magical Dress, it was indeed too small. ¡°Because currently Leme had lost her memory, so she could only give you a small ring. However, this ring is the famous and legendary ! This ring can capture the sound of the girls¡¯ hearts, measure their feelings and convert it to values.¡± ¡°¡­The effects are completely different than the ones that I know.¡± In the legend, it was recorded that the Solomon¡¯s Ring was to allow a person to understand the words of animals and plants. ¡°It has been rewritten in accordance with the modern style. Inject your Magic Power and test it out.¡± Following what she said, he inserted Magic Power to the ring. Afterwards, a white light flashed in front of Kazuki¡¯s eyes. The light gradually depicted images and became a three-dimensional image information. ¡°These information is the measurement results of the girls¡¯ feelings that you should conquer. In other words, it represents the positivity levels of the girls.¡± The image that emerged in front recorded the names of girls that Kazuki was familiar with. Next to the name, a graph appeared one after another. The graph even had number values showing out. Amasaki Mio ¡ª¡ª 55, Otonashi Kaguya ¡ª¡ª48, Hiakari Koyuki ¡ª¡ª38, Hoshikaze Hikaru ¡ª¡ª30. ¡°¡­T, This is the positivity levels of everybody towards me!?¡± ¡°This ring also has the ability to chase after and capture the mental changes of the girls. This is already in order for you to see it carefully and visually. If the girl¡¯s positivity levels increase, a red heart will appear. If the positivity level decreases, then a black skull will appear. Then, it will be absorbed into the ring. Just like this, the graph will be changed. The images cannot be seen by others. If you are able to monitor the changes of positivity levels in real time, then you will become sensitive towards the other person¡¯s true feelings and know what you have to do to make them happy. This way, no matter what kind of girl they are, you will be able to make them attracted to you!¡± ¡°¡­A human¡¯s heart cannot be easily realizable like a game.¡± Right, just when I thought about it ¡ª¡ªisn¡¯t this similar to a game? And it is the simulation game that becomes intimate with girls ¡ª¡ªIn other words, a !¡± As a swordsman, I will not be captivated by that kind of thing, so far I have never had any concerns about it. However, it is not something I was completely uninterested in. But that actually falls onto my own pace¡­? Amasaki Mio ¡ª¡ª 55, Otonashi Kaguya ¡ª¡ª48, Hiakari Koyuki ¡ª¡ª38, Hoshikaze Hikaru ¡ª¡ª30. ¡°¡­There must be a mistake. Why is Amasaki ranked number 1? That person seems to hate sword techniques and despise me.¡± ¡°I know, I know. Tsundere, Tsundere. There is no doubt that she is a tsundere.¡± ¡°Tsundere!? What is that¡­That kind of thing is also too strange.¡± If Amasaki was 55, then wouldn¡¯t Kanae¡¯s positivity levels probably reach 300 million? ¡°Because there is no benchmark, I do not understand it well. Is it unable to measure Kanae¡¯s positivity levels?¡± ¡°Although I do not know who you are talking about, but the only thing that is certain is that it only works with people who formed a contract with a Diva.¡± ¡°¡­Then, I can only consider these four people¡¯s positivity levels? No matter how I look at it, I cannot believe that Amasaki is 55 when she does not hold any good intentions to me¡­Compared to Kaguya-senpai, which is lower, at first glance, she appears to be very friendly, but it is only on the surface. Hiakari is taking an indifferent attitude towards me, so that value doesn¡¯t really matter. However, what is frustrating is¡­Hoshikaze-senpai¡¯s 30. That is already treating me as if I was the same rank as a bug¡­¡± ¡°Wait, if you treat tsundere¡¯s tsun as the truth, then using that as the basis, it will make others distrustful.¡± Indeed, Mio would occasionally exhibit the unbelievable attitude when they had their first meeting. Then that stingy attitude, compared to hating me ¡ª¡ªIt is more like joking awkwardly with me? ¡°A positivity level of around 30 means a position which is more than acquaintances, but less than friends. If the positivity level is over 65, you will obtain the key to their hearts. As a result, you will be able to use Level 1 Summoning Magic of the Diva that she contracted with. So, you must approach Amasaki Mio first!¡± The 10 kinds of Inherent Magic that the Divas own are divided into 10 Levels. A Stigma Magic User could use a High Level Summoning Magic that matches the wavelength of the Diva. In contrast, Kazuki is still in a powerless state right now. Although he is still at a state of being observed, but if this continues, he would also doubt the meaning of him staying at the Magic Division. In other words to get rid of his title as being the lowest-ranked, a Level 1 is good, anything is good, he must be able to use Summoning Magic. However¡­why does he have to make Amasaki fall in love with him? In other words, he would have to make someone fall in love with him for power? Isn¡¯t this exactly¡­like a game!? ¡°¡­The so-called positivity levels, isn¡¯t it fine if it is not feelings of love, but feelings of friendship?¡± ¡°Ehhh? You are speaking of friendship between men and women?¡± ¡°Because the so-called positivity levels shouldn¡¯t just be all about feelings of love, right?¡± ¡°Friendship between men and women is not that easily achieved, right? Forming a friendship with all the 72 people feels even harder than forming a harem. It seems like you do not have much experience forming a friendship with females.¡± ¡°I was looked down by a young girl!?¡± ¡°Don¡¯t use the phrase young girl! Leme is only in a young girl state because my strength and a portion of my memories are lost! If you slowly gather strength, Leme will also recover an appearance that matches her strength!¡± ¡°In the end, I am not interested in love.¡± Remembering back, from the beginning of junior high, his male friends were all talking about girl-related topics. However, compared to that kind of thing, he only wanted to improve his sword techniques a bit more and earn recognition from his adopted father and Kanae. ¡°Not interested in love? Really?¡± Towards Leme¡¯s skeptical tone, Kazuki was a bit angry. ¡°Really. So I¡­will not use feelings of love, but positivity values from friendship to reach the pinnacle of Summoning Magic!¡± Becoming friends with everybody here and getting rid of the incompetent evaluation of an E-Rank. If that¡¯s the case¡­I would be able to accept it and become motivated. ¡°¡­Forget it, since Our King (Basileus) says so, then Leme will not forcibly request it.¡± ¡°What is the meaning of ?¡± ¡°Fufufu, from now on, you will become a harem king. In Greek, Basileus Goetia means ¡± Once they talked about Basileus, the leader of the secret organization would instead appear inside their mind. The leader of , Basileus Basileon¡­ Leaving the phrase , a man that was considered to be dead¡­ ¡°I do not intend to become a harem king.¡± ¡°Forget it, Leme right now does not have any memories. She will temporarily look at the developments. Leme can materialize into such a physical body and could also let her materialized form to disappear into Astrum to observe your mental state.¡± Once she said up to this point, Leme¡¯s body completely disappeared. Thinking that she had left just like this, she casually materialized again in the end. ¡°¡­Even though you did not steal a human¡¯s body, yet you, as a Diva, are able to materialize in this world, it is originally something that is incredible.¡± ¡°There is a reason. First, Leme and your connection is much stronger than ordinary circumstances. Probably because we had kissed during our contract¡­Oiii, why are you blushing!¡± ¡°I did not blush!¡± ¡°Through the act of connecting the symbol of spiritual level, it strengthened the contract. Thanks to that, Leme cannot form another contract with a person besides you. In exchange, it greatly enhances the efficiency of Magic Power. There is another point¡­Although due to memory loss, so it is extremely vague, but apparently Leme seemed to be a Diva that has longing to humanity. So compared to the other Divas, there is a big change for the method of existing.¡± ¡°Has longing, to humanity¡­?¡± ¡°Probably, but I do not really remember about this matter. To the current Leme, it does not matter.¡± ¡°Won¡¯t you feel uneasy if I do not make a harem, so you would not recover your memories?¡± ¡°For the queue, when Leme was summoned, she pretended to have no powers. It is because if the surrounding people knew about Leme¡¯s ability of becoming stronger after collecting positivity levels, I believe the surrounding people would be defensive about it. Thus, in the future, it is best to keep Leme¡¯s ability a secret from other people.¡± Kazuki also did not want others to know about this ability. ¡­However, Liz Liza-sensei wanted me to report to her no matter what happened¡­ ¡°Let us stop here. Leme is going to sleep. Our king, it is almost time to sleep, right?¡± ¡°Eh? You have your own room now. There are also empty rooms here.¡± ¡°I don¡¯t want it. Leme will sleep together with Our King, who is her contractor. Leme rolled her eyes, stared emotionlessly at Kazuki and rejected it. ¡°This is also because, although Leme¡¯s body requires very little energy, but it is originally constructed by your Magic Power. Staying by your side would make her existence more stable.¡± Leme tightly grabbed onto Kazuki¡¯s hand and pulled him to the bed. As close as possible, Leme treated Kazuki as a charger as she hugged him. Then, she used the remote control to turn off the lights inside the room. Inside the darkness, her brown skin was just as soft as a female human, and exuded an incredulous smell. Having said that, with such a small child, it feels just like sleeping together with a younger sister. ¡°Good night! Our Stoic King.¡± ¡°¡­Who is stoic, naturally, the words about completely being uninterested in girls is a lie.¡± He did not hate girls, of course he was interested. But if he became active towards girls just for the sake of power¡­ It will be extremely rude to the other side. After all, he did not have much confidence in becoming someone else¡¯s partner in love. Because, I¡ª¡ª The phone inside his pocket suddenly vibrated. It seems like he received a message. ¡°Nii-sama, it is a night with a beautiful moon. Kanae is about to go to sleep while dressing in extremely sexy pajamas. (Please feel free to imagine it and become excited). It will be great if I am able to see Nii-sama inside my dreams. Nii-sama, too, please see Kanae inside your dreams. Then, good night¡ª¡ªYour loving Kanae.¡± Kazuki typed back the phrase ¡°Quickly brush your teeth and sleep¡± and replied. Chapter 1.3.2 — Amasaki Mio Volume 1 Chapter 3 - Amasaki Mio Part 2 The next morning. Due to his usual habits, Kazuki had already woke up before the sun even rose. Although it was like this, under the current circumstances, there was already no need to practice swinging his sword¡­Speaking of which, Kaguya-senpai had said that the first-year students would be responsible for the household chores here. Then if he was to work hard starting from this morning, it might surprise the senpais. When Kazuki changed his clothes in the dim room, Leme also got up abruptly. ¡°You immediately thought of earning positivity levels from the girls? Our King!¡± ¡°¡­When you are saying it like that, it feels a bit uncomfortable.¡± If the senpais were happy, then he would be satisfied. It was only that. Inside the lounge, the wrappings and leftover snacks eaten at last night¡¯s party was thrown everywhere. Kazuki cleaned it all up and began to prepare breakfast. ¡°¡­Since it is a rare opportunity, let¡¯s make some bento as well.¡± After making breakfast, Kazuki took advantage of his interest and further proceeded to make bento. There was still plenty of time and the fridge had plenty of ingredients. ¡°Rather, I seem to have become a maid.¡± ¡°¡­What are you saying, Our King. Wait, your eyes seems to be dead.¡± ¡°When I am able to make others happy, it allows me to feel that I am alive¡­¡± Just when he was rhythmically cutting the ingredients, he heard somebody¡¯s footsteps going down the stairs. ¡°¡­Although I was thinking that if there was the need to clean up, I can still do it¡­but it seems like someone did it first.¡± Issuing ,*patapata*, footsteps sound, she was still wearing her underwear + shirt appearance. ¡°Good morning, Hiakari-san. Because there is a male student here, please do not wear that kind of appearance again. Please wear a maid outfit and come make breakfast with me.¡± ¡°¡­I can¡¯t cook. Because I am a human who does not know anything but Magic.¡± ¡°Even though Hiakari-san was living here in the past, could it be that you have never done household chores?¡± ¡°¡­Once, I attempted to cook, as a result, the 3rd year senpai¡¯s mouth emitted blue lights.¡± ¡°Food that makes one instinctively activate defensive magic!? It could judge that there were toxic substances!?¡± ¡°I was thinking that I could do work such as cleaning up, so I came¡­¡± Perhaps it was from a psychological effect, her shoulders drooped. Then, with a speed that did not give time for others to retain her, she left the kitchen. The one that appeared next in the kitchen was Mio, who was actually said to have the highest positivity levels here. ¡°Good morning, Amasaki. You should also work hard on the household chores. Mio ignored Kazuki¡¯s greeting, until she was next to Kazuki and looked at his hands. ¡°¡­It¡¯s karaage. It¡¯s karaage!¡± ¡°Yes, before when I was still at the orphanage, it is the dish that I am best at, which I learned from the facility¡¯s chef.¡± Mio¡¯s response was to only look at Kazuki¡¯s hand, which was in the middle of cooking, with sparkling eyes. A red heart floated out from Mio¡¯s chest and was absorbed into the ring on Kazuki¡¯s left hand. This is the power of the Magical Dress that Leme had mentioned before!? But, why at this time? Does she really like karaage that much? ¡°Hey, it will be very boring if you just watch, come over here and let¡¯s do it together.¡± ¡°Why must I do household chores?¡± ¡°Because here, the lower class students have to do household chores, right? Aren¡¯t you also a first-year student?¡± ¡°Yes, we are both first years. However, just like there is a hierarchy relationship like third and first year students, there is also a hierarchy relationship between a first year¡¯s A-Rank and E-Rank.¡± Mio, who was watching at Kazuki¡¯s hand, finally lifted her eyes and stared at Kazuki. ¡°If I am a person who would do odd jobs for the third year senpais¡­Then, you, who is an E-Rank, are my slave!¡± ¡°Is that so!? But indeed¡­the academy pursues a meritocracy style.¡± So the household chores had become solely done by a person? ¡­Although it would make him a bit excited, but it feels like it would be more fun if everybody was to do it together. ¡°¡­You should feel grateful for being allowed to cook my meals.¡± After that, Mio continued to stare at Kazuki¡¯s cooking appearance. The breakfast menu was grilled fish, spinach as a cold salad, white rice and miso soup. It was an extremely common Japanese breakfast. ¡°Delicious! It is really tasty, otouto-kun! The freshness from this grilled fish¡­Could it be that it was recently caught!? From the garden¡¯s pond over there?¡± ¡°¡­No, I only grilled the fish fillets inside the fridge.¡± ¡°Amazing¡­Even though he is a boy, but he is able to cook so well¡­Hayashizaki-kun is not a crude boy. If it is a boy like that, then perhaps I won¡¯t feel afraid.¡± The two senpais had a deeply moved expression and were extremely happy. Images of red hearts emerged from the bodies of these two and were absorbed into Kazuki¡¯s ring. When Kazuki realized about the positivity levels of these two, a graph appeared in his eyes. ¡°Fufufu, this way, you have captured the stomach of these girls!¡± Leme, who was sitting next to him at the table, smiled silently. With a voice only audible to Kazuki, she teased him. Anyways, he could not calm down. Even though he did not carry these intentions to do household chores. From that day on, the Magic Division¡¯s course quickly began. At the Magic Division, there were separate courses such as , and . Mythology was just like its name suggests. It is a course to learn knowledge about myths. In this class, a semi-fat scholar came to teach the students. ¡°¡ª¡ªThe Israel King Solomon was loved by the Gods. He summoned 72 Demons, granted him the Magic Book and brought the Kingdom of Isreal to its golden age. It was just like the myth, the 72 Pillars of Solomon that appeared in modern times became the supporter of humans. Solomon¡¯s 72 Pillars were once called demons. But as they appeared in modern Japan, magic and religious beliefs should be considered separately. Thus, they would combine God and Demon together and call them Diva. For example, Baal . In the ancient times, he was the highest God that was worshiped by the Phoenicians, but in the Christian doctrine, he was known as Baal-Zebub, or Beelzebub and was treated as a demon. However, Magic Users, who are simply seeking for power, should not go along with this kind of prejudice regarding about religion. Whether it is a God or a Demon, there was basically no difference. Diva. Although it was derived from Demons, but it does not mean evil. It simply has a meaning that it is ¡ª¡ª¡± The Tactical Theory was related to the tactics that the Knights use. It was taught by the female teachers, who had already retired, but were originally Stigma Magic Users. Because Magic Power would gradually reduce from the peak amount in the twenties, so they would retire early. ¡°¡ª¡ªThe so-called basic tactic of the Knights is the . This is formed by having the Swordsman (Vanguard Attackers) initiating close-combat and the Stigma Magic Users (Rearguard Finisher), who would be protected by the Swordsman as they chant Summoning Magic. The Magic Sword¡¯s power of the Swordsman is not worth mentioning compared to Summoning Magic. If we gathered all the Magic Power from you guys, who are in the school, then no matter how many times they cut, we could still bear it with just Defense Magic. However, if you are continuously attacked by swords, it would hinder your concentration and the Summoning Magic Chant will be interrupted. Thus, the swordsmen, who are assigned at the frontlines, have become extremely important. What usually decides the battlefield¡¯s fate is the high-level Summoning Magic that was activated after a long chant. Thus, the Swordsman would act as shields and sacrifice themselves in the formation is this Heaven and Earth Formation. It is a tactic to throw away the swordsman after the battle, in order for the chosen people¡ª¡ª¡± Magic Practice is the actual use of Magic in the sports ground. Having said that, among the first years, only Mio and Hiakari had successfully formed a contract in the correct way. The two of them had honestly used the Level 1 Magic and increase the precision of their Spell Chant in order to train for the Higher Level Summoning Magic. Aside from these two students, the others were doing training in order for them to successfully form a contract with the Divas. Contracting with a Diva¡¯s consciousness was regularly held by the Magic Division¡¯s Student Council after school. In order for them to actually succeed next time, the students would all continuously train and hone their Perceptibility Enhancement Magic and train to dive into the depths of the Spiritual World. However, Kazuki is placed in a very delicate position. Although he had succeeded with the contract, but he does not have any Summoning Magic he could use. Thus, whether it was the successful group, or the failure group, he could not be placed in either of these groups. ¡°Spin~~nn, spin, spin, Spin~~nn, spin, spin, spin around for me~¡± Kazuki was squatting in front of a bucket and muttered while he stirred the water inside. This was Normal Magic training based on Kazuki¡¯s ability that Liz Liza-sensei had assigned to him. Fluid Control ¡ª¡ª Fluids like gas or liquid are easier to manipulate using Telepathy Magic. If you are accustomed to controlling water or fire, it will definitely be useful in the battlefield¡­This is what Liz Liza-sensei had said, ¡°¡­UWAHHH, he is really playing around with a bucket.¡± ¡°His contracted Diva is really useless.¡± The classmates all threw a mocking gaze towards Kazuki. It was common sense that Normal Magic would not have much use in battle. Although he was similar to the people who cannot use Summoning Magic, but Kazuki¡¯s training would not have any developments and had no future. As a prominent male student in the class, and also an E-Rank. Even though he had succeeded a contract, but he actually had no ability, so he could only do this kind of training ¡ª¡ªIt was natural that others would look down upon him. However, no matter what training it is, since he had already started, he must concentrate and do it. ¡°What are you doing!? Is playing around with a bucket a specialty Magic of an E-Rank?¡± Mio, who was wearing the Magical Dress, peeked from behind Kazuki and talked to him. ¡°This is very difficult. If you reduce a bit of strength, the water would cause ripples and overflow. It will not work unless you maintain your concentration for a long period of time.¡± ¡°This kind of thing is simple.¡± She said dissatisfiedly¡­Towards her, who was an A-Rank, perhaps it was simple. ¡°But what kind of help would this training have for a battle? Isn¡¯t your Magic Power for fighting and not for cooking? Isn¡¯t it fine if you use your prideful swords to stir it around instead of Magic?¡± ¡°What do you treat swords as! They will rust!¡± ¡°It should be you, what are you treating Magic as! Forget it, since you already have Hayashizaki¡¯s swords, the Summoning Magic shouldn¡¯t matter to you at all. Then why are you staying at the Magic Division?¡± Under the circumstances of other girls staying away, only Mio would come over and say these scornful words. ¡°I can already use Level 2 Magic. It was a thing that happened in a blink of an eye!¡± ¡­Already Level 2? At this pace, then would she immediately reach Level 10? The Summoning Magic is divided into 10 stages. When you reach the highest difficulty of Level 10, you would able to use and let the Diva to into the world. Aside from that, Summoning Magic, although it was called Summoning, but it does not materialize the Diva into this world. It can only bring forth a and letting them activate it. For example, if two students with the same contracted Diva were to use Summoning Magic at the same time, as long as it is not Level 10, there will be no problems. It will provide power to both individuals and both their Magic would activate. Although Leme is an exception, but letting a Diva materialize is originally extremely difficult. ¡°Hmmmm, when you are still stirring the bucket of water, I must use this Phenex and show my talents. I will let you see the great hero of this country, who would defeat all the Illegal Magic Users that causes terror and do dondokudo-n in this world! I¡¯ll let you know what is a true elite ?¡± ¡°Oi, wait, elite. What is dondokudo-n?¡± ¡°¡­You actually being this weak compared to me. It feels a bit complicated.¡± Mio quietly muttered¡­Just now, what did she say? ¡°Sensei! Yamanaka-san fell down!¡± Hearing the students¡¯ cries, Liz Liza-sensei hurriedly rushed to the side of the fallen student. ¡°¡­ huh. She must have wanted to hurry and let the contract succeed, so she was reckless, huh¡­The other trashes should also be careful, do not overuse your Magic!¡± Magic Drunk. If you were to forcibly use Magic when your Magic was extremely low, your spirit will be pulled into Astrum and collapsed there. What was particularly needed to be aware of is being attacked when you have very little Magic Power remaining. If you reflexively and forcibly draw out Magic that surpasses your limits from Astrum in order to protect your own body. Even if your body is spared, you would also fall into a deep coma. Naturally, the situation of drawing over the limits and not being able to protect from the strong attack was also possible. It was known as overkill. Thus, you must always be aware of your remaining Magic Power. Kazuki once again turned towards the bucket. Although it was a training that others look down upon, but Liz Liza-sensei was a teacher, who protected him during the staff meeting. If this kind of teacher said that it will not be in vain, then it must not be a wasted effort. ¡­From today on, not only the morning chores after waking up, he should also add in Normal Magic training. Chapter 1.3.3 — Amasaki Mio Volume 1 Chapter 3 - Amasaki Mio Part 3 ¡°Is this karaage? Although I know about the related knowledge¡­Delicious! It is a joy that makes one truly feel alive!¡± Leme, who disappeared during class, had materialized at lunch time to eat food. ¡°Karaage¡­I have not eaten such a plebeian food for so long. At the Amasaki¡¯s house, this kind of thing will never be put on the table. It is the fault of this E-Rank slave, there is nothing more shabby than this.¡± Next to Leme, Mio placed the table together and was eating the same bento. ¡­Why did this person specially come over to eat together? Behind his seat, Koyuki was eating the bento alone. At first, Kazuki had invited her over to eat, but he was coldly rejected. If that¡¯s the case, then why did Mio come over? ¡°It does not matter if I have to do all the household chores¡­But please do not call me a slave.¡± ¡°¡­But I do not recognize you as a member of the Witch¡¯s House. Forget it, since the food that was made have no sin, then I can only reluctantly eat it.¡± Placing mouthfuls of karaage into her mouth, Mio said with a pretentious tone. Saying that she was reluctant had made Kazuki frustrated. The karaage was a dish from his memories of the Nanohana Institute. ¡°It shouldn¡¯t be awful¡­¡± ¡°It is awful. This kind of thing is extremely disgusting.¡± When she places the karaage in her mouth, which was opposite of what she was saying, Mio¡¯s cheeks would soften. ¡°¡­It was made extremely well. Thank you.¡± ¡°Hiakari-san¡­Thank you. But since you have already said such words, as expected, you should come over and eat! Don¡¯t just whisper your thanks from behind!¡± Kazuki turned his head around. She only said ¡°Don¡¯t look over here¡± and turned to one side. A black skull flew into the ring. It was not from Koyuki, but from Mio. After turning his head back to the front, he did not know why, but he could only see Mio glaring at him unhappily. ¡°Oi, even though I am eating with you, don¡¯t turn to the back and desperately request for another woman.¡± ¡°That¡¯s right. Amasaki-san, do you have some time now?¡± Suddenly being talked by someone, Mio ¡°Eh?¡± and looked back. When she noticed, everybody¡¯s gaze were concentrated at this side. ¡°Amasaki-san, do you have a good relationship with that E-Rank¡­Hayashizaki-kun?¡± ¡°W, What good relationship, how is that possible. This person is a slave! Because I am a Student Council trainee¡­I had obtained a slave from the Student Council President! Don¡¯t be mistaken!¡± Kaguya-senpai did not say anything related to a slave trade. ¡°That¡¯s true! You only treated him as a useful slave, that¡¯s great!¡± With this as a beginning, the other students of the class began to speak one by one. ¡°How is it possible that the A-Rank Amasaki-san would enter the Student Council with the E-Rank male student! We were all thinking what was going on, but now we are reassured!¡± ¡°That person, who cannot even use Summoning Magic, was actually mixed into this class, how disgusting.¡± The temperature surrounding him had rapidly dropped. No,no,no. It was maybe not all of a sudden, it was possible that everybody was gearing up and waited for an opportunity to throw such gazes. As a Stigma Magic User candidate, they have extreme pride. They wanted to exclude the abnormality (Kazuki), but because they did not know why Mio, whose rank was higher than theirs, was together with him, so they hesitated. ¡­It was probably like that. ¡°Hey, Amasaki-san. Do you also think this way?¡± They were trying to confirm secretly from Mio And Mio, who did not understand the situation, could only look around confused. What on earth was happening? Kazuki thought while remaining calm. He was aware that he was an abnormality. He was already resolved about this situation. ¡°¡­Forget it! We, the Magic Division, do not require swords! You are already an E-Rank, and you were saying that your specialty was swords¡­Hayashizaki-Ryuu is completely useless!¡± In the end, Mio still followed the atmosphere of this classroom. ¡°Compared to my Phenex, the Hayashizaki-Ryuu is simply trash! What Ancient Sword Techniques, there is no difference compared to the primitives swinging sticks around!¡± ¡°Hayashizaki-Ryuu?¡± The surrounding people were confused about the target that she pointed out at. Kazuki was also angered by this phrase. ¡­It was the same when I first introduced myself. Why does this person always target the Hayashizaki-Ryuu? Because it was on the news, so knowing about the Hayashizaki-Ryuu was not something strange¡­But what do you know about the Hayashizaki-Ryuu? I do not mind if I was looked down upon¡­But if it is the people, who are important to me, that are being looked down upon, then it is not fine. ¡°Since you actually said it like this¡­Do you think I will remain silent forever?¡± Mio faced Kazuki and revealed a provocative expression. The anger within Kazuki¡¯s belly was rushing upwards. However, if he were to move using his emotions ¡ª¡ªHe would lose his place in the classroom. ¡°Our King, compared to the foolish Stigma Magic User, you are much stronger.¡± Beside the silent Kazuki, a surprising sound rang out. It was Leme. ¡°What are you people, who still have not changed the Enigma into Stigma, or you, who can only use Low Level Summoning Magic saying? If you let Leme, who is a Diva, to speak, it is really funny. Our King¡¯s Sword techniques are stronger than you a hundred times. And the karaage that Our King made is very delicious.¡± Because the surrounding people were all silent, that voice completely infiltrated their bodies. ¡°¡­W, What, you useless Diva.¡± ¡°There is no need for Our King to use Leme¡¯s power to deal with people such as you. If you doubt it, you can try it. Isn¡¯t there a system called in this academy?¡± ¡°Hey, Leme, what are you saying? You have lost your memories, you shouldn¡¯t know anything about my sword techniques. Don¡¯t just careless say words out.¡± Kazuki hurriedly tried to stop her, but Leme only stared directly at Kazuki. ¡°Indeed, Leme doesn¡¯t know anything, but I can still understand. Although I do not know why I selected you, but because you are a person that this Leme has chosen ¡ª¡ª You cannot be weak. And although I had only been with you for a short day, I still fully understand your character. You said that you have spent your life so far honing your sword techniques. Then if that¡¯s the case ¡ª¡ªYou are not weak. Even if I do not know anything, I can still understand it.¡± Leme even leaned over closer and whispered into his ear. ¡°¡­And, that girl, Amasaki Mio, truthfully, she wants to lose to you.¡± ¡°¡­What¡¯s that.¡± ¡°It is more accurate to say that¡­she hopes that you are a strong person. So that¡¯s why she argues with you. This is also for positivity levels, so show off to her.¡± ¡°¡­In the end, it was still for that. That isn¡¯t good, fighting in order to obtain positivity values.¡± ¡°Most importantly, it is unrelated to positivity values¡­Weren¡¯t you also thinking that you ? Leme and your heart are connected, so I had seen through it a long time ago.¡± Leme smiled and knocked Kazuki¡¯s chest. ¡­She is saying that I wanted to fight? I actually¡­? Holding a sword in my hands, as a swordsman, fight ¡ª¡ªagainst the Stigma Magic User, who had provoked this side. Inside Kazuki¡¯s calm mind, a sweet heat began to erode it. As a member of the Magic Division, he must leave behind his longing for sword techniques. But ¡ª¡ª ¡°¡­That is true. Indeed, it is time to let these people change their thinking about sword techniques.¡± The people that were most important to him were looked down upon, yet he could still remain indifferent. As expected, it wasn¡¯t his way of living. ¡°Oi, you two, what are you guys secretly talking about?¡± Mio said to the two people. Leme immediately turned to Mio and revealed a detestable expression. ¡°Actually, you are very weak! Desperately saying Leme¡¯s King is an E-Rank slave, you must be afraid of Our King!?¡± ¡°¡­-How is it possible that I¡¯m afraid of that guy!?¡± Mio could not help but stand up. In response, Kazuki also stood up. ¡°Amasaki Mio. I request a duel with you.¡± Hearing these words, everybody in the room, including Mio, widened their eyes in shock. This was the natural reaction. Compared to Summoning Magic, Swords were looked down upon. Heaven and Earth Formation. Swordsman were only to buy time for the Stigma Magic User¡¯s Chants. A Meat Shield. This was common knowledge. Kazuki coldly looked around his surroundings. That common knowledge ¡ª¡ªmade him extremely angry inside his heart. ¡°You say a duel¡­But you can¡¯t use Summoning Magic, right?¡± ¡°I will only fight with a sword. If I win, I hope that you can take back the insults you said towards the Hayashizaki Family.¡± Hearing this phrase, Mio¡¯s expression changed. ¡°As expected, you still have longing towards the Hayashizaki¡¯s Sword Techniques! Even though you are already a person like me in the Magic Division¡­Okay, I¡¯ll accompany you! I¡¯ll let you fully experience it!!¡± The originally frozen classroom began to quarrel again. ¡°¡­Although I do not understand, that person is saying that he would ?¡± ¡°Amasaki-san can already use Level 2 Magic, right!? Then it is impossible.¡± ¡°You¡­ are still the same as before¡­¡± When it was already impossible to stop, Mio muttered in a low voice. ¡°What did you say?¡± Just like this ¡ª¡ªA red heart appeared from Mio¡¯s chest and was absorbed into Kazuki¡¯s ring. A red heart? At this time, it should be a black skull. As expected, this ring is abnormal. ¡°Nothing, you E-Rank! Stupid Idiot! I¡¯m looking forward to the time after school end!¡± She rushed back to her own seat. What is a Stupid Idiot? Oi, you forgot about the half-finished bento. Finish it! The karaage I made!! ¡°You¡¯ve said it well¡­Hayashizaki Kazuki.¡± When Kazuki sat down, Koyuki¡¯s voice came from behind. It looks like he was not completely alone. After the application that was submitted to the Student Council in the Knights Academy was approved, then you can begin a duel. It was a competition of strength between students that under safety rules of stopping the attack before the Defense Magic was completely reduced to zero, where the Student Council was present. ¡°A duel request? Otouto-kun and Mio-chan?¡± After Kaguya-senpai, who was currently organizing information in the Student Council office, heard her kouhais¡¯ words, her eyes widened. ¡°Really, even Otouto-kun is reckless. The duel that has strict rules is different than the reckless scuffles that Kanae-chan participates in. If it is in a duel format, the Stigma Magic User will only escape as they continuously use Level 1 Magic and it will completely eliminate your Defensive Magic. This is not a joke.¡± ¡°Has Kanae, till this date, fought against the Magic Division students?¡± ¡°¡­Formally no. Although Kanae-chan wanted to do so, but even if the Magic Division students were to win against the Sword Division students, their rank evaluation will not increase. Thus, everybody avoids it.¡± ¡°If that¡¯s the case, then senpai should not know what kind of battle it will become between the Hayashizaki-Ryuu and Summoning Magic.¡± ¡°There is no need to duel and you would still know it, idiot.¡± Mio inserted hateful words. At the same time, senpai finally realized that the two of them were both serious. ¡°W, Why did it become such a tense relationship? Fighting isn¡¯t good!¡± ¡°No, I cannot give in. As long as my foster father¡¯s sword is being looked down upon, I cannot tolerate it.¡± ¡°Why¡­are you so serious about the Hayashizaki-Ryuu. Even though you are someone from the Magic Division¡­Just like an idiot!¡± At this time, someone broke the Student Council¡¯s door and stormed in. ¡°It¡¯s the time to completely defeat someone, Nii-sama! I have heard of the matter, As expected from Nii-sama!?¡± ¡°Ah, Kanae-chan? Why did you come to the Magic Division?¡± Kanae completely ignored Kaguya-senpai and rushed directly in front of Kazuki. ¡°¡­So it was like this. Nii-sama wanted to rampage inside the Magic Division in order to prove the strength of Hayashizaki-Ryuu¡­In other words, a spy inside the Magic Divison! Such foresight, even Kanae did not think about it. Because Kanae¡¯s duels were always rejected! However, after you taught everybody a lesson in the Magic Division, please transfer back to the Sword Division.¡± ¡°How is that possible, idiot.¡± Kazuki use his two hands and firmly pulled Kanae¡¯s cheeks that was as soft as rice cakes. Kanae issued out a ¡°Funyaaaaaaaa!¡± cry. ¡°President! As expected, you are here. Please do not suddenly rush out when we are having a meeting.¡± The person who appeared after Kanae was the Sword Division¡¯s Torazou-senpai. ¡°Oi, Kanae, don¡¯t skip work and come over here to do your bro-con acts.¡± ¡°It¡¯s not like that! Indeed, Kanae wanted to see Nii-sama to the extent that she is trembling¡­But it is not because of this purpose that I came. Nii-sama, this is for you.¡± Kanae handed over a one-edged Japanese Sword to Kazuki. ¡°¡­This is!¡± Kazuki had already left his beloved sword at the Hayashizaki Family. Therefore, for the matter related to the duel, he wanted to ask Kanae or the Sword Division to borrow a sword¡­ ¡°Yes, this is Nii-sama¡¯s . Because she felt that it will be needed, so Kanae had secretly brought it over. This is such an amazing foresight. Please praise me. Then, please fall in love with me.¡± Kazuki¡¯s beloved sword, Doufuu. It was an iron-cutting sword that was created through the hands of alchemists. Among the history of Japanese swords, the ancient sword during Kamakura era ¡ª¡ªThe Kamakura ancient swords was the strongest. However, this kind of technique had already been lost and had become a lost art. Through Alchemy, it had let this Kamakura Ancient Sword, Doufuu, appear once again. The past Japanese Swords were made using a soft steel core, with hard steel on the outside, , in order to obtain a balance of toughness and hardness. The soft core absorbs the impact to prevent it from breaking, while the hard surface prevents it from becoming crooked. With this kind of structure, it was easily broken due to the difference of hardness at the location where the two steel stuck together. Compared to this, Doufuu was created with a single steel material. The steel¡¯s hardness was decided by the carbon content. Doufuu, through the Fluid Control Magic to control the amount of carbon content dissolved into the steel, so that the inner core was soft, then as it extended outwards, it had become hard¡­Because it was made with a single material for the structure, it was a thing that was extremely ideal as it maintained the balance of hard and soft. This is Micro-Level Alchemy. Because there was no extreme difference of hardness in the structure, it had stuck together extremely tough. Once it was swung, it was like a whip that was bent. Its toughness and sharpness could even cut iron. As proof of Kazuki¡¯s independence, his foster father awarded it to him The moment he held it in his hands, the feeling of the heavy sword seemed to have become familiar with him just like a part of his body. ¡­Although he had made a resolve after becoming a Stigma Magic User, as expected, he was still a swordsman. No, in order to change into a new self, there was no need to abandon his past. ¡°Nii-sama, Nii-sama, please praise me. Then as a reward, please kiss me.¡± ¡°Don¡¯t get carried away in front of everybody in the Student Council, idiot.¡± Looking at Kazuki and Kanae¡¯s interactions, Hoshikaze-senpai and Koyuki revealed surprised gazes. ¡°¡­The Sword Division¡¯s President is older than Hayashizaki-kun, she should be an older sister, right? What is going on?¡± ¡°It can¡¯t be some kind of perverted type of play, right¡­?¡± Even though the fact that Kazuki was a male, yet he obtained an Engima was spread around by the news, but the problem regarding about their true age, which had caused the relationship regarding about the siblings age to be reversed, was still pretty much unknown. ¡°Hmph, whether you use a sword to fight or a Kiritanpo to fight, it is the same! Let¡¯s us begin¡­Bring it on!¡± ¡°Bringing it on is a rather old way of speaking. But¡­Fine.¡± ¡°W, Wait a minute, I have not accepted the request yet!¡± The duel must have the permission of either side¡¯s Student Council. But ¡ª¡ª ¡°If you do not accept it, then I will accept it! Nii-sama, Nii-sama, good luck!!¡± ¡ª¡ªWith the Sword Division Student Council accepting it, a special duel began. At the sports ground, Kazuki and Mio were confronting each other. There was already a crowd of students coming over to observe after hearing the news. A Sword and Magic Clash conducted between freshmen, it had gathered a lot of concern disregarding the Division restriction. ¡°Although they do not need to specifically gather here, this duel will end in a short time period!¡± She chanted a spell and allowed her spirit to connect with the Diva at Astrum. ¡°I know thy name¡­Thy name is ¡­A poet and a Magician! The poetic bird that uses sweet words to play with the truth, obey my command and display thy power!¡± Her Stigma glowed an orange color like the flames shadow. At the same time it glowed, the uniform was disintegrated and reconstructed into the Magical Dress. The faintly glowing clothes and her twintails swayed due to the wind. ¡­Looking again, this person was an extremely beautiful girl. Kazuki¡¯s Magical Dress was only a small ring. However, on his waist, his beloved sword Doufuu released an explicit sense of presence. The combination of a Magic Division¡¯s uniform with a Sword, seemed to give off a powerful contrast. The beautiful Stigma Magic User and the Magic Swordsman that was dressed up uniquely were confronting each other here. He did not know why¡­but it feels like he was looking forward to this duel since entering this school. ¡°Then under the supervision of Hiakari Koyuki, the duel between Amasaki Mio and Hayashizaki Kazuki will begin.¡± The referee was Koyuki. The so-called referee was the role which stops the battle when it was dangerous. She, who had been at the Student Council since junior high, had already accumulated sufficient experience. The duel was carried out in a situation where they were separated by a distance of 50 meters. Although Kazuki could finishing running this distance in 5 seconds through Magic Enhancement, but Mio will also avoid while she chants spells. This distance is a rule that gave the Stigma Magic Users the upper hand. Because even in a battle, it was not easy for a swordsman to approach the Stigma Magic Users, thus it had become a rule that was taken for granted. If the two of them were separated by a distance of 50 meters, Mio¡¯s figure would become as small as a bean. Anxiousness made the time become irritable. Kazuki displayed an Iai posture and imagined the scene of heat coming up from the depths of his belly ¡ª¡ªThis is what was known in ancient times as Kikou or life energy from his abdomen. Aside from ancient martial techniques, a clear impression can allow the Physical Enhancement Magic become something extremely efficient. ¡°Then¡­Begin!¡± Seeing that the preparations for battle were complete ¡ª¡ªKoyuki announced that the duel started. Kazuki released heat inside his belly and kicked off fiercely from the ground. "Fast!?" The surrounding students screamed. In comparison, Mio retreated while she began to chant spells. No matter how fast Kazuki was, the distance was enough for her to complete her chants. Mio allowed her Magical Dress light up and communicated with her Diva, and chanted as if she was singing ¡ª¡ª ¡°¡­The sparks scattered from the dancing wings. Launch a spiral of wind, a bullet piercing through life! Flap now, let it penetrate! ¡ª¡ªBarrett!!¡± Behind Mio, Phenex¡¯s wings spread apart. Phenex¡¯s Level 1 Magic, Barrett ¡ª¡ªPhenex flaps its wings and shots out feathers. It carries a dual attribute of fire and wind, and flew over like a spiral. With a bullet¡¯s speed and piercing through its target, it causes the inside of the enemy to burn. Normally, a human¡¯s physical ability should not be able to evade this fire bullet ¡ª¡ªBut Kazuki dodged it by jumping to the side. ¡°!?¡± Mio, who was confident that it would hit, revealed a surprised expression. As if her body was not listening, Mio continued to chant while she avoided. She then chanted the spell again and released a second shot of Barrett. However, Kazuki had already grasp the flow of Magic Power ¡ª¡ªJust like a Swordmaster reading the opponent¡¯s breathing. The instant the Magic Power expanded, the disturbance in the air depicted an outline as if it was announcing in advance the phenomenon that was about to happen. Just like what I imagined¡­If it is this kind of Summoning Magic, I can avoid it! The second Barrett was also avoided. Just like the dancing wind, Kazuki plunged into the arms of Mio. His hand had already grasped the hilt of the sword. Mio¡¯s face was distorted ¡ª¡ªAs if it was a Stigma Magic User¡¯s terrified expression when they were invaded by a swordsman. Rend, Doufuu ¡ª¡ªWith a white flash, the horizontal Iai slash was unleashed. To Kazuki, his beloved sword was the same as . His entire body¡¯s strength was extended to the body of his sword that he was holding to, granting it the destructive power that was able to smash through Magic ¡ª¡ªThis is the attacking method of swordsman, Magic Sword. The slash had violently collided with Mio¡¯s defensive Magic. Blue light scattered onto the ground, her Magic was cut apart. Because her Magic was cut apart and the impact that was caused, Mio staggered a few steps backwards. Kazuki used both his hands to hold his beloved sword, which he was holding with his right hand earlier, and instantly turned the blade. An Iai slash was not a one hit one kill technique. The first blade was only for containment. The one that truly determines the victory was the second blade that was swung downwards after gripping it with two hands. ¡°OHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!¡± Along with the cry, he slashed downwards and crushed Mio¡¯s Defense Magic again. Mio was hit away severely. ¡°He dodged Summoning Magic?¡± In face of something that was impossible, Kaguya issued a noise¡­This kind of swordsman was never seen before. The speed of Barrett was equivalent to the speed of a rifle bullet. Just by a human¡¯s nervous system, it was impossible to avoid. ¡° ¡­This was the nickname of Nii-sama, who was once a swordsman. An Iai swordsman could completely read the opponent¡¯s breathing and muscle tension, then attack first while starting later. In Hayashizaki-Ryuu, he had completely refined his .¡± Next to Kaguya, Kanae smiled as if she was proud of her favorite brother. ¡° ¡ª¡ªHow is it¡­ Impossible. Are you saying that you are using Perceptibility Enhancement Magic!?¡± ¡°If it is a normal Iai swordsman, at the best, he could only read the breathing and muscle movement. But the Hayashizaki-Ryuu is more advanced, it will even read the flow of Magic Power completely. If you are able to read the flow of Magic Power, predicting the change from being idle and movement, the attack speed is not a problem. The instant an Iai master placed the sword facing it, he would have completely avoided it. Hayashizaki¡¯s Iai has already surpassed Unyou ¡± ¡°¡­A swordsman attached with Perceptibility Enhancement Magic that allows him to read the flow of Magic Power, this is impossible.¡± Kaguya did not look down on swordsman. But objectively considering it, it should be impossible. Through training the physical body, it allowed the Physical Enhancement Magic to be attached to his body, in theory, it exists. Magic is developed based on imagination. Wanting a more powerful body¡­This kind of thought will allow Physical Enhancement Magic to be activated. However, no matter how you train Iai, the Perceptibility Enhancement Magic which even lets Magic Power to be felt was unbelievable, there was no reason to get to this kind of high-level achievement. ¡°No matter what, a swordsman cannot beat Summoning Magic¡­The people who hold these kind of thoughts while training would definitely not be able to do it. Because they had already given up from the very beginning. However, we had treated the Summoning Magic as an imaginary enemy since the very beginning and performed training. We believe that our possibilities were endless. You say that it is impossible? But the Magic Power responded to our wishes.¡± In the current world where Magic, which disregards the laws of physics, dictates, there was no such thing as impossible. ¡ª¡ªIf it is me, how would I deal with this kind of sword techniques, how would I obtain victory. ¡°¡­If it is me, I would chant a large-scale Magic that is impossible to avoid even after reading it.¡± ¡°Do you believe that Nii-sama and I would give you that much chanting time?¡± If they were successfully able to close the gap, the swordsman¡¯s close-range attacks would continuously attack. Every time, Magic will be cut apart, the body will be exposed to the impact of Magic shattering. Inside the storm of slashes, there was no task more difficult than keeping up the concentration and finishing the chant. Although in the Academy, the Sword Division and Magic Division were confronting each other, but the proper fighting method of Magic Users was to chant while being guarded by swordsman. ¡°However, if it is Kanae-chan¡¯s sword, it is unable to stop my chanting.¡± Hearing Kaguya¡¯s whisper, Kanae threw to her a glare that she did not believe that she would lose. Even after being knocked by a slash, the A-Rank Amasaki Mio still calmly chanted a spell. I don¡¯t want to lose¡­! I can¡¯t lose to this kind of Sword Techniques!! Although she felt that it was impossible¡­But there was no doubt that this person used his eyes to avoid Barrett¡¯s speed. Mio had made this kind of judgment. Thus, she began to chant something different than Barrett, Phenex¡¯s Level 2 Magic. That person pursued further on. He has already caught up. ¡°The Call from the Master of Flame, liberate the rage beneath the earth! Open up my fortress¡¯s walls¡­Towering between heaven and earth, isolate all impurity! Flame Emperor Creation!!¡± The so-called spell was a command to the Diva at Astrum to request for a Magic Phenomenon. The Diva responded to this call and brought the Magic Phenomenon to this world ¡ª¡ªCausing the World to be distorted. A Magic Circle extended from Mio¡¯s feet and radiate in all directions. It let out a flash and became a big crack. Flames were sprayed out from there. The flame wall that suddenly emerged from his feet ¡ª¡ª It was impossible to dodge with his eyes. That person, who pursued further on, had become a bug that rushed into fire. Or so it should be ¡ª¡ªBut, Hayashizaki Kazuki seemed to have predicted the future. In front of the flames, he stepped on the brakes. Mio¡¯s expression twisted again. It was really baffling. ¡°What method is he using to dodge it!?¡± After the crack and the flames vanished, Kazuki rushed into her arms calmly. Mio could not do anything but be sent flying by the silver flash¡­It was simply too fast. ¡°W, Why!?¡± Then Mio was submerged in a storm of slashes ¡ª¡ª ¡°Stop right here!¡± Looking at Mio, whose Defense Magic was about to be exhausted, the referee, Koyuki, announced that it was over. Mio sat powerlessly on the ground, her Magical Dress disintegrated and changed back to the school uniform. ¡°It¡¯s my win¡­Please take back the insults you said to my foster father.¡± The Sword Division students that were watching on the side issued loud applauses. ¡°¡­I see, so this is the true Ancient Style Sword Techniques.¡± Kaguya whispered out in amazement, but it was denied by Kanae. ¡°It is not the problem of Styles. The Sword Division swordsman did not train with the goal of being able to defeat Summoning Magic. Even though Magic Power will respond to your thoughts. So, the Sword Division must change! This person or that person, all of them are deluded by the Divas and forgot the original power of humans!¡± The Sword Division students cheers were boiling. The two Student Council Presidents surveyed the scene. ¡°Amazing¡­Being able to do this kind of exaggerated actions, there is actually someone else beside the President¡­¡± As if he had lost his soul, the one who muttered was ranked 3rd of the students in the Student Council, Torazou Yamada, who had an inferiority complex towards the Magic Division. Looking at his expression, Kanae secretly snickered. ¡­No matter how strong she was, the surrounding people only treated her as an existence known as the that was outside the Magic Lands. There was basically no followers who truly think that . Kanae was always alone. Kaguya was finally aware of this fact. ¡°¡­Fufufu, I¡¯m looking forward to the ! Next time, it will be me and you who are on the stage!¡± Hearing Kanae¡¯s declaration, Kaguya also smiled¡­Indeed, it was something to look forward to. Whether it was to fight against Kanae-chan¡­or the future growth of Otouto-kun¡­ It was a sense of anticipation that had been gone for a long time since she had defeated her former rival, Hoshikaze Hikaru, and had become invincible inside the Magic Division. After she found a strong enemy, Kaguya was thrilled. To Kazuki, who wanted her to take back the words she said¡ª¡ªMio awkwardly muttered. ¡°No¡­I did not lose.¡± ¡°You just won¡¯t give up! Hayashizaki-Ryuu is not weak, admit this to me!¡± ¡°No, no, no! Hayashizaki¡¯s Sword or whatever is weaker than Summoning Magic by a lot! It is trash!¡± ¡°Even though we have dueled, why do you still treat it as trash up to this point!?¡± This person, what kind of did she have? Inside Mio¡¯s eyes, little by little, tears began to drip out, causing Kazuki to be frightened. Crying is too despicable¡­! ¡°Speaking of which¡­Why can¡¯t you remember who I am! Remember that for me! I¡­I¡¯m Mio!? The Mio who had once lived with you at !?¡± Nanohana!? ¡ª¡ªCould it be, Kazuki was suddenly speechless. The instant his eyes met with Mio¡¯s crying eyes, a figure of a small girl appeared inside Kazuki¡¯s mind. The shadow of the face was consistent just like Magic. It was the sister-like girl, who had always followed behind him. That person¡¯s name is¡­Mio. Give me a second, could it be that, Mio is Mio? ¡°Amasaki, you¡­could it be you¡¯re Mio!?¡± ¡°Didn¡¯t I just say it! Why didn¡¯t you notice it, idiot!¡± The surrounding audience felt confused ¡°What is it, what is it¡± about the two people¡¯s conversation. ¡°But Mio¡­should be a more honest and smaller child. Speaking of which, she should be smaller than me by two years!?¡± ¡°I am not small! I grew up since then!!¡± Here, Kazuki suddenly remembered. The children at that place were mainly orphans whose birth was unknown. Aside from the obvious, newly born child, they basically used their body physiques to predict their age. If Kazuki had dropped a grade and she rose a grade¡­Due to the Enigma, it was not impossible for her, who was originally smaller than her by two years, to suddenly become his classmate. ¡°Even though you left us and disappeared by yourself, why did you forget about me¡­Unbelievable, even though I remember clearly about the Hayashizaki Family that took you away¡­Uuuuuu¡­¡± Mio finally cried. Kazuki¡¯s mind was filled with guilt. ¡°How can I forget! Even now, the experience at Nanohana is still part of my important memories!! But I do not know the surname Amasaki, and Mio isn¡¯t that uncommon of a name¡­¡± Kazuki spluttered as he tried to find excuses. Speaking of which, Mio was an honest child. Right now, she was like another person. And he did not expect that she had become this beautiful¡­! ¡°¡­What are those two people talking about?¡± ¡°In the end, their relationship is very good?¡± ¡°Speaking of which, Hayashizaki Kazuki is overwhelmingly strong¡­What is this¡­¡± With puzzled eyes, their classmates compared the private conversation between the two of them, which was unrelated to swords and Magic. This duel already had a completely different meaning. ¡°Just like your talent in swords was seen through, and you left us, my talent in Magic was also seen through and I was adopted by the Amasaki Family! Although I had gone up a grade, but it is also because of my efforts that I still became an A-Rank! My Summoning Magic is stronger than the likes of Hayashizaki-Ryuu!!¡± So that was the reason why that person had strongly provoked Hayashizaki-Ryuu! But, what kind of fate is this. Their talents in sword and Magic were both spotted and they finally met up again in this school of Sword and Magic! ¡°I¡­absolutely will not recognize Hayashizaki¡¯s sword who snatched away my Kazu-nii!!¡± Mio used her sleeve to wipe her tears, stood up and ran away. When he was planning to chase, BIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII! Koyuki blew the final whistle. ¡°The winner is Hayashizaki Kazuki.¡± Koyuki said with a feeble voice. Chapter 1.3.4 — Amasaki Mio Volume 1 Chapter 3 - Amasaki Mio Part 4 Mio ran back to her own room. After almost ripping her uniform, she threw it aside and only wore her underwear as she jumped onto the bed. She buried her face into the pillow and impulsively shed tears. ¡ª¡ªAfter a short period of time, voice from the other Student Council members returned rang out. But it was too shameless, she was too useless. Right now, she did not want to meet with them. Lost, Lost, Lost, Lost Lost Lost Lost Lost Lost Lost! I Lost!! ¡­5 years ago, because Kazu-nii was strong, he disappeared from Nanohana. So lonely. But after that, her own magic talent was spotted and she found herself an adoptive family. When she thought that she was also a strong person, she felt that she was able to conquer her loneliness. So, she thought, her own Magic¡­was stronger than the Hayashizaki¡¯s sword by a lot¡­ However, she still lost¡­Too strong. And that person still did not change compared to the past¡­ ¡­That person was like that since the beginning. No matter how much someone looks down upon himself, he would be indifferent. However, if the companions of Nanohana were looked down upon, it would seem as if he had completely turned into someone else and rage. He would often pick fights with the mean people. Although the adults thought that Kazuki¡¯s side of easily getting into fights were bad¡­But to us, who were still children, Kazu-nii was a reliable older brother. Kazu-nii did not change. It seems like she, herself, who was arguing, was the idiot. But that person, when I did my flashy self-introduction, and even waved to him, he did not recognize me. Even though it was rare for the both of us to enter the Magic Division, he was still thinking about Hayashizaki¡¯s sword techniques. Being able to meet him once again, actually she was very happy ¡ª¡ªbut she was so angry that she could not forgive him She actually wanted to get closer to him and wanted to talk about the stories from the past¡­ ¡ª¡ªHow long has it been since she had laid down on the bed depressed. ¡°Hey, Amasaki¡­Dinner is ready.¡± A voice passed through the room¡¯s door. It was an extremely awkward voice. However, from the voice, you could feel a different feeling than anger existed. It was Kazu-nii¡¯s gentle voice. But because of that¡­she wanted to behave in a more wilful manner. ¡°¡­The meals you made, I don¡¯t want them!¡± ¡ª¡ªBut that person, who loves to be nosy, would definitely not allow this kind of unhealthy behavior of not eating dinner. Just like the past. If he was to care about her, then perhaps he would not put her aside no matter what. Even though she knew that this was not allowed, but she still embraced this kind of expectation. I can¡¯t leave her like this. If that person is Mio, then it is even more so. Hearing her response, Kazuki thought. Being impulsive and missing a meal, how could I, who is the maid here, permit it. Thus, after taking a deep breath, he suddenly barged into the room. ¡°Not eating dinner is definitely not allowed! Quickly go eat!¡± Opening the door with a violent momentum ¡ª¡ªWhat appeared in front of his eyes was Mio, who was only wearing her underwear. ¡°Eh, you really camee!? Wait a minute¡­I did not say that I was still wearing this¡­!!¡± The instant she panicked and got up from the bed, the two valleys in front of her chest bounced. ¡°¡­UWAHH!? Sorry!¡± Although he was saying this, but his gaze was still attracted to it and he thought that he would be yelled at. However, Mio immediately wrapped a towel around her body and used the towel to cover her mouth. I do not know what she was muttering about. ¡°¡­Right now, do you still care about me¡­¡± ¡°¡­What are you saying? Who could hear what you are muttering across the towel.¡± Just when Kazuki planned to leave the room, but because a red heart appeared from Mio¡¯s body and flew over, he stayed there. Mio was like an arguing child, and she issued a weak voice. ¡°N, Nothing! I won¡¯t eat dinner. I don¡¯t want to eat the meals that you made.¡± ¡°I can¡¯t just leave you alone, the senpais are all worried about you¡­Is it because you hate me and you don¡¯t want to see me, so you do not want to go down?¡± ¡°Uuuuu. That¡¯s right¡­I¡­am still angry at you¡­¡± Mio used a mosquito-like sound and spoke to Kazuki through the towel. ¡­After being reunited, I had constantly hurt her and even dueled with her. ¡°I¡¯m sorry¡­but please eat the dinner, I beg you. If you still feel that I¡¯m an eyesore and will trouble you, then I will go outside today.¡± ¡°Eh!? I, I don¡¯t want that!!¡± Kazuki¡¯s eyes widened. Mio revealed a ¡°Shoot¡± expression and quickly corrected it. ¡°¡­I don¡¯t hate that! That means that I don¡¯t really hate that!¡± ¡°A, Ahhh¡­What, so it is this meaning, it is really easy for it to be misunderstood.¡± What, the unnatural separation between and . ¡°But please don¡¯t be mistaken. I do not¡­plan on treating you like the past! Don¡¯t keep on treating me as your younger sister!!¡± ¡°The past is the past, now is now, huh. It feels a little bit lonely like this.¡± ¡°¡­You, even if it is the me right now, do you still care and worry about me?¡± ¡°Of course. I will definitely not permit you not eating dinner.¡± Mio¡¯s eyes widened. A red heart floated over from her chest. It was evidence that her positivity values increased. Is that so, although she was still angry, but he was not hated by her. If that¡¯s the case, then this person is definitely¡ª¡ªjust arguing and playing around. ¡°I¡­Is that so? You will still worry about me¡­But my stomach is really not hungry.¡± ¡°Then let¡¯s do this. I will still be your slave like before.¡± ¡°Eh? E, Even though I had lost in the duel¡­?¡± ¡°¡­So, master, because your slave had made dinner, please go and eat it.¡± After she froze for a while ¡ª¡ªshe understood Kazuki¡¯s intentions and proudly straightened her chest. ¡°¡­I understand. There is no other way¡­Only because there is no other way! My stomach is completely not hungry. Because I am the master! I must reward my slave¡¯s loyalty.¡± ¡°Ohhh, you must do that.¡± He could only maintain this kind of relationship with her, who could not be straightforward until now. However, if the positivity levels increase ¡ª¡ªIt should be possible to have a relationship like in the past. The past is the past, now is now, even if they say it like this, it doesn¡¯t mean that it is something that is lonely. ¡°Right, you are only a slave! Only a slave¡­So you must remain by my side from now on! Don¡¯t make any strange misunderstandings and try to leave here!?¡± ¡°I know, being able to stay at Witch¡¯s House is nice.¡± Mio constantly nodded her head in agreement. Another red heart flew out. Come down early, saying this, Kazuki left the room. ¡°¡­Right, tomorrow¡¯s bento, you don¡¯t have to make it.¡± ¡°Eh? Are we going to the canteen?¡± ¡°I¡¯ll make it for you¡­Although you are my slave, but I am the one who lost.¡± The next day¡¯s lunch. Just like yesterday, Leme and Mio gathered around Kazuki¡¯s seat. The thing that Mio prepared was karaage. ¡°¡­Right, how did they make the taste in Nanohana? About that, I had constantly wanted to make the same thing and practiced in Amasaki Family, but I could not do it well.¡± ¡­What, as expected it is a taste from your memories as well. ¡°About that, the seasoning placed in advance is the key. Okay, next time we make it, you should also wear a maid outfit!¡± ¡°What, what¡¯s with that happy expression. Are you that happy cooking together with your master? I will absolutely not wear it, that idiotic outfit.¡± Kazuki could not help but let his emotions rise, Mio seemed to sulk and said some hateful words. ¡°About that, Amasaki-san¡­Can I ask, in the end, your relationship is indeed very good?¡± The surrounding people incredulously looked at the bento that Kazuki was eating, which was made by Mio. ¡°So I said don¡¯t be mistaken! This guy is only a slave!!¡­Only . Although this guy is an E-Rank sword idiot¡­if anybody weaker than me dares to look down upon him, I will absolutely not forgive them!¡± Mio issued out a roar to all the people in the classroom. If she made this kind of declaration, only Koyuki, who was the same A-Rank, could talk back. ¡­This person, is she protecting me? ¡°W, What are you looking at? Quickly eat!¡± She used her chopsticks, picked up a karaage and said ¡°Eat quickly!¡± and placed it in front of him. ¡°¡­Don¡¯t suddenly do things like ¡±, Kazuki felt troubled. ¡°I, I did not plan on doing it! This is only a feeling similar to feeding a dog!¡± ¡°Isn¡¯t their relationship extremely good¡­They have completely entered their own world¡­¡± ¡°Forget it, if it is us, no matter at this time, we would not win against either of them.¡± ¡°¡­Speaking of which, he was really cool, Hayashizaki-kun¡¯s Iai slash.¡± ¡°Right! I remembered, I remembered it!! Running while pulling it out!!¡± The atmosphere surrounding Kazuki had changed. And Mio, who he had not been able to understand, now, he finally understood the nature of her attitude. ¡°What are you laughing at secretly over there?¡± ¡°No, I just feel happy. From now on, please take care of me.¡± ¡°Yes. Why are you happy? I did not do anything that would make you happy¡­Forget it, since there is no helping it, I will also be with you from now on.¡± Although she was still talking back, Mio¡¯s face still revealed a slight smile. It seems like her honest feelings were involuntarily revealed ¡ª¡ª At this moment, somewhere near Mio''s chest issued out a light. Looking at the surprised Kazuki, even the person involved, Mio, revealed an incredulous expression. The light finally turned into a key ¡ª¡ª and directly entered Kazuki¡¯s ring. This was what Leme had said, a key to their hearts¡­ ¡ª¡ªFrom that moment on, Kazuki was no longer a useless Stigma Magic User. Chapter 1.4.1 — Love Simulation Volume 1 Chapter 4 - Love Simulation Part 1 ¡°Right, let¡¯s make curry tonight. I suddenly want to eat a curry that has lots of sweet cheese inside. The one that was made previously in Nanohana Institution. It¡¯s decided!¡± ¡°Curry, is it¡­I have often made it before. However, it wouldn¡¯t work well with tomorrow¡¯s bento.¡± ¡°Isn¡¯t it fine if you make a curry bento? Just use Magic to heat it up. This is the master¡¯s command! Potatoes~, Carrots~, Onions~?¡± Mio hummed a short song as she placed the vegetables into the shopping basket. When Kazuki went to buy ingredients for dinner, Mio happily followed. After the lunch break, her arguing attitude reappeared and she was also in a good mood. Inside the Knights Academy¡¯s huge campus , there were shops that sell ingredients for the students that wanted to make their own food. ¡°Moss ?, If it¡¯s meat, then it¡¯s definitely chicken, right!?¡± She held a box and laughed. ¡°I¡¯ll comply with your orders, master.¡± After bringing the selected goods to the cashier, Kazuki used the Student Council President¡¯s to pay the bill. ¡°I¡¯ll give this to you, this is you, who is a slave, should be responsible for!¡± Mio deftly placed the goods into the plastic bag, then she shoved it into Kazuki¡¯s hand. The two bulging plastic bags filled up both of Kazuki¡¯s hand. ¡°What~, do you have any opinions?¡± ¡°I did not say that it was bad. And from the beginning, I did not plan on letting a girl carry the items.¡± ¡°Is it heavy? Because a lot of vegetables has been put in, so it must be very heavy, right~?¡± ¡°This level of heaviness is nothing, I have always been training, so it is not a problem.¡± ¡°You are overexerting yourself! It can¡¯t be helped~! As your master, I should still help you.¡± Mio held onto a handle of the plastic bag in Kazuki¡¯s left hand, so it became a situation where two people were lifting up one bag¡­Just like they were walking while holding hands. Conveying the fact that she did not truly treat Kazuki as a slave to him. However, to her, who was still displaying a stubborn position of , maintaining the master and slave relationship is the most natural way to get along. Through the graph¡ª¡ªMio¡¯s positivity levels was displaying 67. On their way back to the Witch¡¯s House, they coincidently met with their classmates. ¡°Amasaki-san and him¡­As expected, their relationship is really good. Just like a couple or perhaps just like a married couple.¡± ¡°W, Wait a minute! It is all your fault because you revealed a comfortable expression when you are together with me, which led to me being misunderstood! You should at least wave your tail towards your master!¡± Mio hurriedly argued with Kazuki. ¡°Wait, from the beginning, weren¡¯t you the one that displayed a happy expression?¡± ¡°W, When did I? This is a very normal expression! I am always this calm and beautiful!¡± ¡°You were singing a song earlier. If that isn¡¯t being happy, then what should I call it?¡± ¡°That is different! That is¡­only a normal vegetable song! Because I like vegetables so that¡¯s why I sang, it is only like this! Being happy because I am with you, how is it possible!¡± Mio forcibly grabbed the plastic bag from Kazuki¡¯s hand and hugged the vegetables inside tightly. ¡°I love vegetables! When I grow up, I will marry an onion on a white horse!!¡± This person just said something incredible. ¡°When we get back, we would need to slowly cook the vegetables using a pot.¡± ¡°Why do you have to do such a cruel thing!? Bastard!¡± ¡°Ahaha¡­How should I put it, I wish you two happiness.¡± The classmates gave a bitter smile and left. ¡°This is all your fault, causing them to misunderstand and leave! Idiot!!¡± However, Mio was not truly angry. And a Black Skull did not fly out either. ¡°Listen to me, Hikaru. The two of them seemed to be like a newlywed couple. Otouto-kun cuts the vegetables and Mio-chan will place the cut vegetables into the bowl¡­The first time the two of them worked together is here!¡± ¡°Ah, when they are working together and their hands touch each other, the two of them will be shocked¡­How nice, I also long for such a sweet scene.¡± ¡°The two of them are very happy.¡± When Kazuki and Mio were making food in the kitchen, three gazes were secretly watching them. ¡°¡­Hey, you, think of a plan. The misunderstanding has deepened.¡± ¡°How can I think of a plan, they are our senpais.¡± Kazuki quickly looked behind. The ones secretly watching were the two senpais and Koyuki. ¡­If it was Kazuki, he actually would want to let Koyuki join in. ¡°Amasaki, try this taste.¡± ¡°Um¡­Great! As expected from the thing that I made! This curry will be deemed Golden Mio-sama curry! If cheese was placed as a topping¡­Then it is the best!¡± ¡°Don¡¯t just casually choose a name, master.¡± But because Mio wanted a sweet taste, so in the end, it became a curry that had enormous amounts of sweet miso, onions, bananas, apples and honey. Although this person really likes it¡­ ¡°To others, it may be slightly too sweet. Oi¡ª¡ªEh, Hiakari-san!¡± ¡°¡­What is it, Kazuki¡±. Koyuki, who was still wearing the stimulating shirt like before, walked over.¡± ¡°Try tasting this curry as well.¡± ¡°If everybody thinks the taste is fine, then there is no need to specially tailor the taste for me.¡± ¡°Please don¡¯t say this kind of nonsense. I also hope that you are one of the ones that are happy as well.¡± Kazuki forcibly moved the spoon over. Although she had a confused expression, but she still ate it. ¡°¡­It is slightly too sweet. But in general, it is still very delicious.¡± ¡°Hiakari-san enjoys eating spicy right? Then if we were to add a bit of red pepper, would the taste be enough?¡± ¡°Hey you, aren¡¯t your taste too weird!? You actually picked faults with this Mio-chan¡¯s professionalcreamytopchilisaucecurry-sama!¡± ¡°Hey, the name is completely different¡­Then I¡¯ll move only mine and Amasaki¡¯s portion to a small pot and make it a little spicier for the others.¡± ¡°Ah, you also enjoy eating sweet.¡± Another red heart flew out. This person¡¯s positively level is currently rising exponentially. It seems to be because of food. ¡°Ah, speaking of which, there is something that I would like to discuss with Mio-chan and Koyuki-chan.¡± Kaguya-senpai let out a sound as if she had just remembered something and walked into the kitchen. ¡°It is related to Inter-Division Competition on next week¡¯s Saturday. A first-year must also participate. Since the two of you have successfully made a contract, Mio-chan and Koyuki-chan, which one should we send out? Since Mio-chan had fought before, then is it okay if it¡¯s Koyuki-chan debut this time?¡± The so-called Inter-Division Competition was an event that the senpais were recently preparing. It seems to be the case¡­that it is a large-scaled exhibition event hosted by the Magic and Sword Division Student Council with ordinary civilians and freshmen spectating. ¡°I will obey to senpai¡¯s arrangements¡­¡± Although she said that she would obey, but Mio frowned. Actually, she wanted to take advantage of this opportunity to be redeemed for her previous failure. ¡ª¡ªJust at this moment, a large roar came from the outside. ¡°Nii-sama Nii-sama¡ª¡ª! Why is Nii-sama! Nii-sama at this kind of place¡ª¡ª!!¡± Then, *PATA*! The door was opened. Everybody hurried to the entrance and could only see a breathless Kanae standing there. ¡°Nii-sama! Why are you living at this kind of place!? When I asked the teachers before, they said that they have arranged a residence outside of the campus, so I was assured!¡± ¡°How aggressive, causing me to think what happened. So it was about that. Because of various things, I cannot use the residence outside. Thus, senpai sheltered the homeless me.¡± ¡°How is that fine! Nii-sama, who has already reached that kind of age, is actually living with another woman besides me¡­About that, too dirty¡­As expected, Nii-sama should immediately transfer to the Sword Division!¡± ¡°Give me a minute, Kanae-chan! By now, who would agree with the transfer to the Sword Division! I have also participated in on this matter, this was the result of the Magic Division Staff Meeting!¡± ¡°That¡¯s not the case. The Magic Division Staff Members¡¯ thinking changed again¡­Because of the duel before.¡± Kanae seemed to be boasting of her victory and revealed a smile. That smile seemed to give off a bad feeling to others. ¡°What does that mean about their thinking changed?¡± ¡°In fact, the amount of teachers that recognized Nii-sama¡¯s strength as a swordsman has increased, it seems that the opinion of transferring to the Sword Division is the majority now. I, as the Sword Division Student Council President, have already begun collecting signatures¡­And have obtained signatures from more than half of the staff room, including the Director. So long as he wants to, he can always change profession!¡± ¡°Signatures!? It has already been put into action!?¡± The tension at the Witch¡¯s House suddenly rose. Kanae¡¯s actions were not simply her bro-con acts, but it was an action that also accompanied her role as the Sword Division Student Council President. Kanae fiercely grabbed onto Kazuki¡¯s hand. ¡°Come, Nii-sama, let us head to the Sword Division, let us head together to our love nest!¡± However, Kazuki coldly shook off Kanae¡¯s hand. ¡°Kanae, I will remain in the Magic Division. I do not want to end this as the identity of the worst one and this place has already become an important place to me¡­Just like the Hayashizaki Family.¡± ¡°W¡­What are you saying? Nii-sama actually rejected me¡­¡± ¡°Don¡¯t think that you can continue to be so willful. We are both high school students now.¡± ¡°Nii-sama won¡¯t listen to your Onee-chan words!?¡± ¡°Don¡¯t just become the Onee-chan when it is convenient for you!¡± Kanae seriously became stubborn. Kazuki used a severe attitude and confronted Kanae. ¡°Nii-sama? Onee-chan?¡­Their relationship is impossible to understand. ¡°¡­As expected, it should be some kind of perverted play¡­¡± Hoshikaze-senpai and Koyuki were confused. Next time, he must clearly explain it to them¡­ ¡°However, no matter what Nii-sama says, this has already obtained the consent of the staff room!¡± ¡°You¡­did not even ask me for my opinion, why do you casually do such a thing!¡± ¡°This is the action that I have done as the Student Council President, so it is unrelated to Nii-sama!¡± ¡°Wait a minute. You, although I do not know whether you are Onee-chan or Imouto, but from the very beginning, what willful things are you saying to my Kazu-nii¡­No, my slave!? This person is mine!¡± Mio and Kanae confronted each other. Kanae turned her gaze towards Mio, changed her expression and stared at her. The past imouto from his adopted family who is also the current onee-chan from his adopted family and the past imouto, who is also the current master, were opposing each other. ¡°¡­What, do you have a problem, first year. If we have to resort to you Magic Division¡¯s favorite meritocracy to solve this, then that is also fine. I will let you experience a shameful result that is even more powerful than the one with Nii-sama¡¯s duel¡­!¡± Kanae placed her hand onto the handle of her sword and released a murderous atmosphere through her Physical Enhancement. Mio felt afraid and retreated, but in order to protect her, Kaguya-senpai inserted herself between the two of them. ¡°But, since otouto-kun¡¯s level in sword techniques is already superb, it is pointless for him to go to the Sword Division. If he is to remain in the Magic Division, the things he will be able to obtain is much more.¡± ¡°Even if Nii-sama, himself, will not learn anything, but the influence he gives to the others is unparalleled. Nii-sama¡¯s existence will give the students, who felt inferior to the Magic Division, courage! Nii-sama is just like the sun!¡± ¡°¡­That is the same for the Magic Division! If the Magic Division has someone like Otouto-kun, then they will further recognize sword techniques and the Sword Division! I plan on training this child to become a Magic Swordsman that would connect the Magic Division and the Sword Division!¡± The Magic Division and Sword Division Student Council President engaged in a fierce battle around Kazuki. ¡°Your way of thinking may indeed have some truth. But that premise can only be established if Nii-sama can use Summoning Magic. But Nii-sama can¡¯t use Summoning Magic.¡± Kazuki felt a slight chill within his heart. He did not mention Leme¡¯s ability to anyone. Everybody still thought that he was powerless¡­But in the earlier lunch break, he had obtained a from Mio. Although he had not tested it yet¡­ Whether or not he is able to use Summoning Magic. ¡°Ultimately, this place is not where Nii-sama, who cannot use Summoning Magic, should stay.¡± ¡°The Witch¡¯s House is a very good place to stay for Otouto-kun. This kind of thing should not be denied by an outsider like you!¡± ¡°You actually said that I, as Nii-sama¡¯s Onee-chan and Imouto, am an outsider!?¡­Hmm, since we said up to this point, then please prove Nii-sama¡¯s Magic to me.¡± Kanae seemed to speak as if she had prepared it in advance. ¡°¡­Prove? How should we prove it?¡± ¡°The 3 Rounds of the Division Competition held next week, please let Nii-sama participate. Let Nii-sama duel with the assassin that I, the Student Council President, have prepared and prove his Magic talent!¡± Assassin¡­!? Just at this moment, a strange sound came from the outside. ¡°Kanae~, please wait~¡± Then, *patapata*, the footstep sounds stopped at the entrance. ¡°Uwah¡­Entering the Witch¡¯s House seems to be scary¡­I want to escape. But if I escape, I will make Kanae mad.¡± ¡°Fufufu, she really came at the right time. This person is the Student Council Vice-President, who will become Nii-sama¡¯s opponent in the competition. She is my best friend, close confidant and number one disciple, Kamiizumi Iori!¡± ¡°As expected, it¡¯s scary~. I¡¯m going back. I¡¯m running away.¡± ¡°Wait a minute! I-chan, you did not even come in, isn¡¯t that too much!?¡± ¡°UWAHH!? I already came in! I came in that much!¡± Using a timid way of opening the door, a girl, with a doll¡¯s hair, stuck her face inside. She quickly looked at the situation around the entrance and her entire body began to tremble. ¡°The instant I entered, everybody¡¯s gaze seems to be especially piercing!?¡± ¡°¡­Forget it. Although this person¡¯s personality is just like a newly born deer, but her skill in swords is real. If Nii-sama does not use a sword and only uses Summoning Magic to defeat this person, then I will admit the fact about Nii-sama¡¯s Magic talent.¡± ¡°Because I defeated Summoning Magic before with only a sword, now this time, I have to defeat the sword with Summoning Magic!?¡± ¡°Ehhhhhhh!? What is this about! Kanae, I did not hear about such a thing!?¡± ¡°If you heard about it, then you would not come over here.¡± ¡°Yes, I absolutely would not! About this, I am certain about it!! Why would I come!!¡± ¡°¡­Since you said the word disciple. Kanae, did you teach this Iori-senpai the Hayashizaki-Ryuu?¡± ¡°Within a period of one year, I have taught her Hayashizaki-Ryuu¡¯s .¡± In other words, she is able to detect intents, perceive the flow of Magic Power and move as swift as the wind. Kazuki secretly glanced at Iori-senpai¡¯s legs that extended from her skirt. The two legs are the same as Kanae¡¯s, it was as tough as an antelope. Just through that, he understood. If it was a straightforward one on one duel, a simple attacking Magic like Barrett would basically never hit. ¡°How one-sided¡­¡± ¡°Don¡¯t say it is one-sided, this side has already obtained over half of the staff room¡¯s support. This is already giving a compromise. Why should Nii-sama, who cannot use Summoning Magic, stay at this kind of place?¡± Can I really use Summoning Magic? Did I really forge a connection with Amasaki¡­? Just then unease flashed through Kazuki¡¯s brain. But even so, his own attitude was firm. I¡­want to remain here! Kazuki was filled with a powerful emotion and stared at Iori-senpai. ¡°I, I am not that great of a swordsman~. T, The comments coming from the world is terrifying~¡± ¡°Let us go back, I-chan. If we do not head back soon, Torazou will begin to make irresponsible remarks.¡± ¡°Let¡¯s go back, let¡¯s go back! Ehehe, then we will leave first~¡± ¡°Otonashi Kaguya. This year¡¯s Inter-Division Competition, I will use the victory from this person and I to obtain the final victory¡­¡± Kanae fearlessly laughed and left together with Iori-senpai. Kaguya-senpai was dumbfounded. ¡°¡­We really were put up. We are dragged into a battle that we cannot lose, even the Inter-Division Competition has become favorable to the Sword Division. Although Kanae-chan seems to be very simple, but she actually has this side, it is really impossible to measure.¡± ¡°¡­Right, there is something I would like to tell everyone.¡± Hoshikaze-senpai said with a solemn tone. Her expression was very serious. ¡°¡­From the kitchen¡­A burning smell is coming out¡­¡± ¡ª¡ªThis time, Kazuki remembered that he placed the pot on top of the fire to heat it up and hurried to the kitchen. Because only the small pot with sweet curry was being heated up on top of the fire, the only victim was Mio, who cried. Chapter 1.4.2 — Love Simulation Volume 1 Chapter 4 - Love Simulation Part 2 ¡°¡­Barrett!!¡± After the Spell¡¯s Chant, the Stigma on his left hand issued an orange light. At the same time, an illusion of wings wrapped in flames appeared behind Kazuki and released a flame bullet. The small stone that was placed as the target was crushed. Mio pursed her lips. ¡°Actually using the same Magic as me, how arrogant¡­¡± ¡ª¡ªAfter trying it out for a bit, he was successfully able to use Mio¡¯s Summoning Magic. ¡°It¡¯s true. Leme-chan¡¯s ability is to !¡± Kaguya-senpai seemed to have become happy as if it was about herself. Kazuki confessed the truth to everyone that Leme is not powerless. However, the detail about was kept secret from them. This was also Liz Liza-sensei¡¯s instruction. ¡°The condition is utterly preposterous¡­What an outrageous Diva.¡± Kazuki believed that he is unable to keep that secret anymore and headed to Liz Liza-sensei to explain everything. If he was able to use numerous Diva¡¯s Summoning Magic in the future, it will become impossible to conceal Leme¡¯s special nature. ¡°The reason that I was able to obtain the Heart¡¯s Key from Amasaki¡­Although I said that it is positivity levels, but I believe it is not limited to the feelings of love. Friendship and Family Love is also included. Because I am old acquaintances with that person, so I will not fight to become the Harem King that Leme mentioned, but rather aim to become a Friendship King!¡± ¡°Friendship between male and females, huh¡­I think that although friendship and love are different things, but it is also not completely separate¡­After the relationship becomes more intimate, even if you were initially planning to be just friends, but it will naturally become that. I, Isn¡¯t that type of relationship like that?¡± After Liz Liza-sensei slightly blushed, she let out a dry cough. ¡°B, But my own perspective in love should not matter. Only that we have to think of a plan to hide Leme¡¯s special nature away from others. Among the teachers, there are many people who do not trust Leme as they do not know her true identity. Right now, it is still the best to make them think that she is not that powerful of a Diva. Right¡­You should just say that .¡± ¡°¡­But why is it only Phenex, why can¡¯t you use my Asmodeus?¡± ¡°About that, perhaps it¡¯s a problem with compatibility.¡± Kazuki immediately hid the truth, but Kaguya-senpai suddenly became depressed. ¡°¡­Is my compatibility with Otouto-kun bad? That¡¯s a severe blow¡­¡± ¡°B, But if I practice, then it will certainly become possible to be used!¡± On the other side, Mio issued a protest to Kazuki. But compared to the thoughts that was said out from her mouth, a tiny red heart flew out from her chest. The value displayed on the graph also slightly increased to 70. ¡°But Otouto-kun¡¯s chanting speed is too slow. The time that you spent was probably twice as much as Mio-chan. You must work hard on this aspect!¡± The four steps for Summoning Magic, if it had to be said, each of them respectively points to Telepathic Magic towards the Diva. Because it was an area he was not good at, the difference in skill was suddenly revealed. And, the Magical Dress was not just a simple decoration. It also has the power to assist the connection between the Diva. Kazuki did not have the original Magical Dress, so that might become an unfavorable condition as well. ¡°Forget it¡­Since we use the same Magic, then I will accompany you for your practice!¡± Mio used her palm to pat Kazuki¡¯s back in order to encourage him. But¡­if it was only Barrett, it is unlikely for him to win against that opponent. If you practice more, then the amount of Magic you can use increases. This argument may not be true. ¡ª¡ªI currently am lying to everyone. And using the excuse of practicing with me, I must increase everybody¡¯s positivity levels¡­ After launching consecutive Barretts, because of the stress and Magic Power depletion, Kazuki was tired and nearly fell down. ¡°¡­But, you cannot just rest during the resting period. Quickly go conquer that girl, go ask her out! GO GO!¡± Inside the mind of Kazuki, who was resting, Leme¡¯s used the method of telepathy to send her voice over. The thing that Leme was concerned about was that and she was overjoyed. ¡°Tomorrow is Sunday, go invite her to a date and increase the positivity levels in one go!¡± Today is Saturday, the Inter-Division Competition was next week¡¯s Saturday. If he really wanted to let himself be able to use higher level Summoning Magic within this week, then indeed, tomorrow was the best opportunity. A so-called date¡­It should be fine if he moved based on the feelings of playing together with friends. But if he was to re-invite her to play, how should he do it? Kazuki sat down on a bench. Speaking of which, his current Spiritual Power was completely drained. ¡°¡­Oh, because your positivity levels are already high enough, so the other side is coming over.¡± Lifting his head¡ª¡ªMio was currently standing in front of Kazuki who was lying on the bench, tired. ¡°This is for you, you must be thirsty after chanting spells for so long? Drink some orange juice.¡± She handed over a cold plastic bottle. Kazuki could not help but stare intently at Mio¡¯s face. Her face had delicate features. The mouth that keeps talking wildly, even without lipstick, it was still a rose-color. It slightly trembled¡ª¡ªAs expected, she was really cute. Strange, an abnormal feeling was produced. ¡°W, What. Managing the slave¡¯s health is also the master¡¯s job. Be grateful to this gentle master! Really, what are you looking at! Hey!!¡± After being stared by Kazuki like that, Mio was slightly dumbfounded. ¡°¡­Anyways, Summoning Magic is unexpectedly hard to use. I originally thought that I was handing it over to the Diva only, in the end, I had practiced consecutively for a few hours. It feels that my Spiritual Power is completely consumed¡­¡± ¡°If you fully exhaust your Magic Power today, it will enter the recovery period tomorrow. So please work harder now.¡± Once Magic Power was used to the limits, it must spend some time before it fully recovers. ¡°Then let¡¯s go play normally during the weekend.¡± ¡°¡­Speaking of which, this is the first weekend since school started.¡± Mio took the initiative to change the topic. ¡°We used to always play together. Kazu-nii would always refuse to let me go and bring me around¡­I was always thinking what a hopeless brother.¡± ¡°Hey, wait a moment. It isn¡¯t like that. It was you, who was always following behind me and running around recklessly. Like when I want to go outside to play, you would begin to cry and yell out ¡°No No¡±. Then you would always pester me to draw or sing, I remember it clearly. I will not play that kind of game with you.¡± ¡°T, That¡¯s not how it happened! Kazu-nii, you idiot!! L, Leaving that aside¡­Speaking of which, I am free this weekend.¡± Mio drank her own orange juice while looking at Kazuki. ¡°You seemed to be very free as well. Leme told me. ¡°Even though Leme doesn¡¯t have time, but the contractor seems to want to play with Leme, how troublesome. You should just substitute Leme and accompany him to play¡±.¡± Kazuki was surprised and issued out a ¡°Haah!?¡± sound. Inviting a tiny child to play, doesn¡¯t it make him seem like a very severe Lolicon!?¡± ¡°You, since you are bored to the extent that you will play with little children, you should at least tell me.¡± ¡°I did not say such words! Even if it¡¯s me, I still have something to do!¡± ¡°Idiot! Even though Leme arranged it for you, what are you saying!¡± ¡°HAAH!? About how you¡¯re not busy, in other words¡­you really wanted to play together with that young girl!?¡± ¡°W, Who would! I am not a lolicon nor a siscon!¡± ¡°Right now we are not discussing about the sister topic!¡± Speaking of which¡­Why is that person so angry? Logically speaking, there is no reason for her to be angry. ¡°That person is saying, she wants you to invite her out to play.¡± ¡­Is that so? Mio sipped her orange juice and from time to time observed Kazuki¡¯s expression. Seeing Kazuki fall silent, ¡°Uuuu~!¡±she pursed her lips. Looks like he must take initiative and invite her out. But what should he say? ¡°Still thinking what you should do¡­Just invite her out on a date! The romantic type!¡± ¡°Hey, hey, Glutton Amasaki. Tomorrow is Sunday, should we eat a meal together?¡± ¡°Who would use this method as an invitation, idiot! The romantic portion is hopelessly inadequate!¡± ¡°What, you actually said that I am a glutton!? Why do I have to be treated as a glutton by you!?¡± ¡°Because whenever it comes to food, you would become very happy.¡± Although he thought that this path was correct, but Mio had a dull expression and let out a black skull. ¡°Hmph, speaking of which, why should I go out to play with a person like you!¡± ¡°¡­Didn¡¯t you just say you were free during the weekend?¡± ¡°I am free, but there is no reason that I must go out with you to play!¡± Mio suddenly turned around. It feels like she had said a lot of incomprehensible words. ¡°¡­However, if you have any suitable reason¡­Then it is not impossible for me to accompany you.¡± ¡°Kazuki! She is testing you! If this is inside a Galge, then it is the result of your selection!¡± ¡­What is she testing me on? I did not play a Galge before. ¡°Then, I want to give my gratitude to you for making a bento for me before. It was really delicious.¡± ¡°What gratitude. I said that I made the bento because I lost. Don¡¯t keep mentioning about the past.¡± ¡°And¡­There is something from before I would like to apologize for.¡± Before, he was unable to recognize that Mio was Mio. ¡°If it was to apologize about that time¡­If it is only such an extent, I would not forgive you.¡± Mio pursed her lips and turned to the side. ¡°About that time, I am really sorry! So I will wholeheartedly serve you as a slave tomorrow! Just for tomorrow, no matter what, master¡­No, princess-sama, I will listen~¡± Princess-sama, this word seems to have caused Mio to tremble. But Mio still retreated a bit, as if she had seen through Kazuki¡¯s intentions and asked. ¡°Why are you trying so hard?¡­Do you really want to go on a date with me?¡± Damn, I was too persistent and it caused her to become suspicious? ¡°No, this must be tsundere. Because she felt unease, so she wanted you to attack more proactively.¡± ¡°Why?¡­Why must you put so much effort? Do you really want to go on a date with me?¡± As if she felt unease, Mio asked again. Then indeed¡­ ¡°Okay let me try again¡± ,¡°Work Harder¡±, ¡°Just go and do it!¡±, these phrases were often seen in the movies. In front of Kazuki, the positivity level graph that only Kazuki could see appeared. The positivity levels increased from 70 to 75. If that¡¯s the case¡ª¡ªHe should be able to do it, right? ¡°I want to become even more intimate than before with Mio!¡± He already did not use reason for his excuse. Kazuki only said the truth out. ¡°!? J, Just now y¡­you called me Mio!¡± Damn, I could not help but call her name directly. ¡°I, Is that so? Just like before¡­So y,you would invite¡­Hmph. Is it like that?¡± He originally thought that he would be scolded by her, but in the end, Mio only ¡°Ehehe¡± and relaxed her expression. ¡°It can¡¯t be helped¡­If you are so willing to treat me as a princess-sama and accompany me, then I will go out and play together with you! But, this is not a date, don¡¯t be mistaken!!¡± Floating out was the red hearts again. Amasaki Mio ¡ª¡ª78 Otonashi Kaguya ¡ª¡ª 59 Hiakari Koyuki ¡ª¡ª 41 Hoshikaze Hikaru¡ª¡ª34 ¡°The numbers are slowly increasing. Then tomorrow is the date! Well done, Our King!¡± After returning to his room, Leme comforted Kazuki. No, she already said it wasn¡¯t a date¡­ ¡°¡­Speaking of which, what on earth happened with your appearance. And, didn¡¯t your size increase a bit?¡± Leme, who materialized in front of Kazuki, was wearing a never-seen-before ethnic style dress. But the clothes were quite shabby. Her height had also become around the same age as a primary student. ¡°The positivity levels that was obtained from Mio let Leme grow up slightly! Being summoned completely naked was also due to the lack of strength. With the growth, Leme will also retrieve an appropriate appearance. In other words, this is Lemegeton Level 2! Okay, you will need to prepare how to deal with tomorrow¡¯s event, so today, let¡¯s go to sleep!¡± Leme happily dragged Kazuki to the bed. Is that so, this person was also growing slightly. ¡­Eh? Even though that she is obviously growing, but she still needs to hug him while sleeping? Chapter 1.4.3 — Love Simulation Volume 1 Chapter 4 - Love Simulation Part 3 ¡°I hate being watched by the senpais as we leave.¡± Because Mio said this, so they specifically looked for a place to meet. The two of them would leave at different times and meet up in front of the Square¡¯s fountain. Kazuki arrived first and after feeling a bit embarrassed, Mio happily trotted over. Once she arrived, Mio used a finger and pointed at Kazuki. ¡°Listen carefully, I have said this from the start, this is not a date!¡± It should be like that. After all, we¡¯re not in such a relationship. Kazuki expressed his agreement. ¡°Although it is not a date, if you are going to serve me to apologize for the past and for the usual gratitude, then I will accept it. Just for today, you will have to treat me like a princess-sama and serve me well!¡­I¡¯m looking forward to it!¡± Mio was wearing a casual, spring-styled dress and cardigan, which was gently floating around. However, on her feet, she was wearing slightly heavy boots. The sweet and spicy balance, it was very appropriate for her personality. She was also wearing a necklace that glowed around her neck. ¡°¡­That is feather-shaped.¡± Shining in front of her chest, it was an Indian accessory that was like a feather. ¡°Your eyes are not bad. This is very similar to Phenex!¡­You¡¯re appearance is too plain! Tooo plain!!¡­But your body is firmly built, perhaps it is better for you to dress more simple. Yes¡­In total, I should still praise you.¡± ¡°For boy clothing, as long as it is easy to move in, then it does not matter.¡± ¡°If you were to use the fashion magazine¡¯s ad phrase for the street ¡°¡­Only a warrior¡¯s body can be permitted to wear as simple as concise spaghetti¡±. It is that kind of feeling.¡± Her eyes sparkled. Kazuki did not know how to respond. ¡°¡­You, don¡¯t just occasionally use food to make a weird metaphor.¡± ¡°Okay, let¡¯s go! The quality of the shop that you bring a female to will decide your quality as a male!¡± Mio happily said. Okay, let¡¯s go. Kazuki took a step forward¡ª¡ª ¡°Speaking of which, this is wrong!?¡± Suddenly, criticisms and black skull flew from behind. Did he suddenly make a mistake? ¡°Wait, why are you walking in front like in a march! Didn¡¯t you say that you will treat me like a princess-sama for a day? What are you thinking!? Now quickly escort me!¡± ¡°E, Escort!? Escort is¡­What should I do!?¡± Treating her to a meal, listening to whatever she says, isn¡¯t that enough!? ¡°You scatterbrain¡­First of all, let me hold onto your arm and walk~¡± Mio quickly moved next to Kazuki¡¯s side. Although it did not matter, but when she rushed over, her appearance when her dress and cardigan was flapping like in a dance was really cute. Thus, she held onto Kazuki¡¯s arm. Their arms were linked with each other. Mio¡¯s body tightly leaned over and a soft feeling came. ¡°¡­Wait, you, did you just twitch? And your face is slightly red?¡± ¡°I, It is not red. I, who have trained as a swordsman, would not be thrown in disarray because of being held in the arm!¡± ¡°Hmph, what swordsman¡­As expected, if it is only holding arms, it cannot be called as an escort. We are not children anymore, if you wish to escort me, then naturally we have to do up to this extent.¡± Mio temporarily released their linked up arms and let Kazuki¡¯s left hand hold onto her waist. Thus, it became a form where Kazuki was hugging a girl¡¯s waist. In order to cope with this, Mio also pressed her body closer. ¡°W¡­We have to walk like this!?¡± Doesn¡¯t it become two people embracing each other as they walk!? ¡­Is this really not a date!? ¡°Fufu~ah, your face, is becoming more red! What training as a swordsman, the Hayashizaki-Ryuu isn¡¯t that good!!¡± ¡°Aren¡¯t you also blushing!? Your cheeks are as red as apples!¡± ¡°Hehehe, this is the for Princess-sama! Okay, let¡¯s go!!¡± As if she was feeling extremely pleased, Mio swung her hand and took the first step. While Tokyo was the foundation for politics, at the same time, it is a for Alchemy. Inside the workshop, various products that did not exist previously were produced through alchemy. Alchemy¡ª¡ªThe Alchemy that was passed down traditionally through the ancient times were irregular occurrences that could not be explained through science. It was a product that was repeatedly tested thousands or millions of times throughout the years or decades. In the current generation, through Normal Magic, the efficiency for Alchemy¡¯s operations has increased. Perceptibility Enhancement Magic could feel the particles of the matter and by using Psychokinetic Magic or Pyrokinesis Magic, it could move, change, and restructure ¡ª¡ª Just like lead becoming into gold¡ª¡ªand transform it into a completely different matter. The alchemy technique that breaks down the matters¡¯ particles is called . The Alchemists did not join any companies but rather construct their own workshop. After Tokyo was destroyed by the Illegal Magic Users, this city was revived through the Alchemy gathered by the Workshop. At the workshop, clothes and accessories that had alchemy used on them, were on sale. There are also restaurants that use Magic that causes the ingredients¡¯ quality to change through the process called ¡ª¡ªIt has also become a dating site for the youths. When Kazuki and Mio were walking in the streets, they were aware of some kind of gaze¡­What was it? ¡°What, why are you looking around? Please escort me properly.¡± ¡°Ah, no¡­nothing.¡± The streets in the vicinity still remained as ruins and have not been rebuilt. If they slightly walk into an alley, the public security would worsen. At this kind of place, there were often cases where Illegal Magic Users did sneak attacks on the Knights or the Magic Division Students¡ª¡ªIn other words, the people that carry Stigma. It is often referred to as a case called . In the recent years, the amount of Stigma Hunting has increased. It was said to be terrorist attacks targeting the Knights for being exclusive to Summoning Magic. ¡­Because of that, while walking in the streets, it is still best to hide the Stigma. However, the difference with an Enigma is that a Stigma would expand throughout the skin. Thus, many people are unable to hide it. Mio also seemed to be leaving a mistake uncorrected and making the best out of it. From the dress that revealed the back, you could see the Stigma. It feels like Mio treated the Stigma as part of a decoration to match her clothing. ¡­Because they were heading out to play, so he did not bring his sword. This may be a blunder. ¡°Ah, a cat! There¡¯s a cat!¡± The moment Mio issued out a sound, the white cat crossed in front of their eyes. Directly in front of their gaze was also that cat. ¡°Nyaah¡ª¡ª?¡± Mio suddenly let her head lean upon Kazuki¡¯s shoulder and issued a strange sound. "¡­I, It¡¯s a joke. I only wanted to try how that feels¡­" ¡°Do you often visit this store? Although this place should be very far from Hayashizaki¡¯s Family.¡± After finishing eating the Italian cuisine, Mio wiped her mouth with the napkin and asked. ¡°Because I wanted my family to eat delicious meals, I would visit many shops on my rest days with the little amount of pocket money I have in order to hone my cooking techniques. Alchemy Cooking feels like it is a life.¡± ¡°¡­You, aside from Sword Techniques, you also maintain a high degree of self-control. Although it is really delicious.¡± Towards the Italian restaurant that exuded a playful atmosphere, Mio seemed to be very satisfied. ¡°Our shop is currently hosting a couple-limited event, I was wondering what you think about it?¡± The waitress that was already recovering the clean dishes said to them. ¡°Wait¡­We are not a couple¡­¡± ¡°Our shop¡¯s special cream cheesecake would be provided for free!¡± ¡°If we can eat this, then why not pretend to be one?¡± Mio probably was embarrassed as they were treated as a couple and lowered her head. The waitress also brought the cake over shortly. Although it was not as big as a birthday cake, but it was still a round cake that has not been cut apart. Beside it was a piping bag with a red sauce. ¡°This is¡­strawberry sauce or what is in it? And there is also one fork¡­¡± ¡°If the girlfriend use this strawberry sauce to write words on the cake, then with an ¡°Ah¡ª¡ªn¡± way and feed the boyfriend, this cream cheesecake is free! This is the event!¡± ¡°¡­What a flashy event.¡± ¡°Okay, girlfriend-san. Write down all the feelings that you cannot deliver normally here!¡± The waitress onee-san¡¯s eyes sparkled. It was obvious that this person was currently enjoying herself. Looking at the pipebag that was handed over, Mio was overwhelmed. ¡°W, What do the other guests generally write during this time?¡± ¡°Most of them would write or these kind of words.¡± Mio wanted to write some words, but she hesitated with a ¡°Uuuuu¡ª¡ª¡° sound. Then, Mio, as if out of desperation, wrote a big on the cheesecake. ¡°Forget it, this is also an expression of love.¡± The waitress-san gave a wry smile. ¡°Okay, open your mouth! Hmmph, this is just like feeding a dog!¡± Then she picked up a piece of the cake and brought it over to Kazuki¡¯s mouth in order to feed him. After Kazuki took a bite, he began to counterattack by saying . ¡°I, I want to eat by myself!¡± ¡°That is not allowed. The waitress-san is watching by the side, so you must abide by the rules.¡± ¡°Why are you so stubborn at this kind of place?¡± ¡°Okay, Amasaki. Open wide.¡± ¡°¡­You, I wanted to say it for a while, but can you not call me Amasaki.¡± Towards Kazuki¡¯s calm greeting, Mio used a terrifying gaze to look at him. ¡°When you were inviting me before, didn¡¯t you call me Mio¡­Why did it suddenly change back?¡± ¡°Eh, Ahhh, sorry¡­Mio, come, open wide.¡± After Kazuki directly called her name, Mio honestly opened her mouth and accepted the . ¡°Delicious¡­¡± From the blushing Mio¡¯s chest, a red heart gently floated out. ¡ª¡ªThe two of them took turns to feed each other the cheesecake. After they finished eating, Kazuki planned to pay the bill. ¡°¡­By the way, in the first place, I, did not truly treat you as a slave. I will still pay¡­?¡± Mio suddenly become honest as if she borrowed it from a cat, and pulled out her own wallet. Kazuki stopped her with a wry smile. Because it was already planned that this side would treat her. Mio revealed an uneasy expression. As a result, Kazuki also started to feel a bit tensed again. So when they left the restaurant, this time, Kazuki took the initiative to hug her waist and did the . After Mio issued an , she also actively cooperated and leaned over with her body. She blushed and the red hearts that represents the positivity levels flew out once again. After leaving the restaurant, they began to browse the items in the workshop. Just like what he imagined, Mio, who loves beautiful products, would say ¡°This is cute¡± ¡°You should try this out¡± in the shops. After this was said, Kazuki also gradually developed an interest and did not have any conflicted feelings as he tried them out in front of the mirror. ¡ª¡ªBut ¡°¡­¡­¡±, Mio suddenly became depressed. ¡°It is already¡­quite late.¡± As if she was reluctant to part, Mio lifted her head towards the sky. The surroundings has already began to fall into the evening. Just when Kazuki was just about to say to her, ''let¡¯s go out and play together again'', he suddenly swallowed the words that had already reached his mouth. He noticed. ¡ª¡ªEven if he was to invite her next time to play as a friend, they would not be able to pass through the time like today. The things that they did today had already gone beyond the scope of . Because she was also aware of this, so she was feeling reluctant and did not say anything. As if time had stopped, the two of them were relatively silent. The sun slowly descended bit by bit. ¡°Right! ¡­Wait for me for a while. Listen carefully, absolutely do not move!¡± Mio suddenly ran into an alley that was lined up with the Workshop streets. Under the circumstances where he was completely puzzled, Kazuki remained there by himself. Suddenly acting alone¡ª¡ªHe was very curious about the gaze that he had felt since morning. When he had noticed, this place was the outer edge of the city. The dimness was not just due to the time. ¡°¡­Nii-san?¡± Just when he felt unease, someone talked to him from behind. Kazuki was shocked and turned towards the back. While maintaining alertness, he turned around¡ª¡ªInside the silent street stood a girl that was probably in junior high. Although her ears were not sharp, but her hair was silver just like an elf. It was a girl who exuded an abnormal atmosphere. She was wearing clothes that were broken in a couple of places as she exposed an innocent smile towards Kazuki. ¡­Who was it? Although he felt that he had saw her face before, but¡ª¡ª ¡°Finally, I am able to talk with you. I had to pluck up a lot of my courage. Because the two of you were always together, so I felt that I should not bother you. Are the two of you going out? If that¡¯s the case, then it would be too sad.¡± Gazing at the alley that Mio ran to, she whispered lonely. ¡°¡­You are?¡± ¡°Ah, did you forget who I am? That¡¯s too much. Then please don¡¯t forget today¡¯s encounter, Nii-san?¡± I have seen her before. Because of the previous case, Mio, he immediately noticed it. Inside the memories of Nanohana Institute, an image of a person was successfully depicted within his mind. But it feels that the person who was similar to her from his memories did not have this hair color. And this was quite far away from Nanohana Institute. So he felt that something was wrong and could not help but ask this question, ¡°Who are you?¡± The girl suddenly ¡°Uuuu¡± and clenched her face. ¡°So it still won¡¯t work¡­After seeing Nii-san, it feels that it is impossible to resist¡­¡± ¡°Resist¡­? Hey, are you alright!? It seems like it is very painful!¡± ¡°I¡¯m fine¡­Even though it was a reunion just now, if I would suddenly do ¡°That kind of thing¡±, then I would not stand it¡­? Please don¡¯t hate me, Nii-san¡­Fu, Fufufu¡­?¡± The girl issued out a twitching-like, strange laughter. The girl that exuded a strange atmosphere, turned and face the alley and issued an ¡°Ah!¡± sound. ¡°Seems like she¡¯s coming back¡­If you talk with another girl during a date, Mio-chan would definitely be angry. Although, I am reluctant to do so¡­Although I wanted to do that kind of thing, yet I am unable to, it is indeed a pity¡­¡± ¡°Please wait a minute, your name is¡­¡±Kaya¡± right!¡± ¡°Correct! Thank you, Nii-san! Our encounter today¡­Please don¡¯t forget about it, Nii-san! Fufufu, Fufu¡­!¡± Kaya turned her back to this side and ran away. ¡ª¡ªTowards the dark alley. Although it was a little like this¡­but it was as if he had met a ghost. ¡°Kazuki! You actually listened to my words and waited for me without moving around! Not bad!¡± Just like what Kaya predicted, Mio came running back from another alley. Mio, who was revealing an extremely happy smile, was holding a small package. ¡°I¡¯ll tell you about this later! Please be patient for a little longer. Fufufu?¡± ¡°¡­By the way, Mio, do you know what happened to the Nanohana Institute?¡± ¡°Nanohana Institute? I did not go there since I was adopted by the Amasaki family¡­It is very far away.¡± ¡°Is that so¡­It is not a place where we could casually go and look up the situation. Speaking of which, during this year, there had been no telephone or SMS that came. ¡°Why did you suddenly ask this kind of question?¡± ¡°Just now, I met Kaya. Kaya, whose hair had turned into a silver color.¡± ¡°Eh? ¡­Kaya? Kaya¡­That one, wait a minute! You are saying that !? But why is she at this kind of place? And that kid¡¯s hair should be black, isn¡¯t it?¡± Mio incredulously tilted her head. Yes, from the distance and special characteristics, Kaya appearing here is indeed unnatural¡­It was as if he had seen a pipe dream. However, Mio, who did not actually see her, immediately recovered her mood. ¡°Ah, then let¡¯s head over to that workshop and see! Let¡¯s hurry, the shop is about to close!¡± She grabbed onto the hand of Kazuki, who was still confused about that incredulous girl, and turned around. ¡°¡­The stars are also out. It is almost the end for today.¡± The stores in the Workshop had all closed. The two of them began to embark on the trip back to the academy. Mio handed the small package she had been holding to Kazuki. ¡°This¡­I¡¯ll give this to you. You can open and see what it is.¡± After opening the package and taking a glance, he could see a necklace that imitated a shape of a glowing bird¡¯s feather inside. ¡°¡­It is the same thing as mine! Because you can also use Phenex¡¯s Magic! It is created by an Alchemist, whose shop I often go to, using the top trendy item, ruby silver! Okay, wear it, wear it.¡± She was concerned about the fact that I treated her to a meal at the restaurant, huh. Ruby silver¡ª¡ªJust as its name implies, it changes a part of a silver accessory into aluminum oxide, namely ruby, and mixing it together with marble patterns. It is an advanced Alchemy. The deep crimson and the shining silver would be stacked in several layers, just like a frozen flame. ¡°In the past, my unremarkable eyes may have been wrong¡­Ah, isn¡¯t this cool!? ¡­It is fine if you wish to present a gift back in return. Of course, you will pay me back, right? Pay back, Pay back.¡± Mio continued to say pay back, pay back unnaturally. At that time, Kazuki suddenly understood. ¡°Then, please let me express my gratitude next time. Please let me once again act as your escort next time, just like today.¡± Is this it¡­She wanted to find an excuse. Both of us are like this. Using a Galge as an analogy¡ª¡ªIt was the feeling as if he had selected the correct option. Mio¡¯s expression suddenly lit up. A massive amount of red hearts flew out from her chest. ¡°¡­It can¡¯t be helped! Since it is a gift, then Mio can¡¯t help it! It¡¯s fine, next time, I will accompany you just like today!¡± The graph that appeared in front of Kazuki¡¯s eyes, unknowingly, the positivity levels had already past 100. ¡­In the end, what extent of the feeling does this number 100 represent. Throwing away the excuse to the side, under the circumstance of this number, and from her words¡­ Mio suddenly grabbed onto Kazuki¡¯s left hand and held onto his chest. ¡°This is the gratitude expressed to the man, who had completed the escort of a woman.¡± Mio gently bent down and kissed Kazuki¡¯s left hand. The warmth of her lips was completely sent over, Mio immediately became embarrassed and turned her back towards Kazuki. Looking at the back of this girl who had grown up, Kazuki thought it was not the same as before. The feelings he had for Mio currently may not be the same as the feelings he had for Mio before¡­ ¡ª¡ªBut this warm feeling immediately cooled down. Kazuki noticed. Magic Power was being generated ¡ª¡ªThis is the feeling of Magic being activated. Fast. It had already activated. The flow of Magic Power is coming from behind ¡ª¡ª and heading over to this side! Kazuki suddenly carried Mio from behind. ¡°Eh!? W, Wait a minute, what are you suddenly doing!?¡± ¡°¡­It¡¯s dangerous!!¡± Kazuki carried Mio just like this and ran. Dondon*! A huge rubble flew over and crushed the location where Mio was at earlier. ¡°M, Magic!?" Mio, who was being carried by Kazuki, issued out a cry. While Kazuki dodged, he turned back and looked. A man, who was wearing dirty clothes, was chasing after them. The clothes he wore were tattered. He use mentally unstable eyes and angrily glared at Kazuki and Mio. He was probably a man who was of similar age as Kazuki. But the Magic he used was clearly not ¡ª¡ªNormal Magic! ¡°Illegal Magic User¡­Stigma Hunter!?¡± The man¡¯s body emitted a light. Kazuki widened his eyes. This person, he did not chant a spell! At the same time the inorganic voice sounded out, The asphalt was ripped piece by piece from the road and floated up. Then, the rubble flew over just like that. Kazuki continued to carry while running nonstop and he performed a dodge using a curve route. ¡°W, Wait a minute, Kazuki!? T, This is¡­Princess Carry¡­¡± ¡°¡­Rubble Bullet.¡± Although it was a straight-line and easy to evade Attack Magic¡­but because there was no Spell Chant, so it would continuously fire over! ¡°Mio, like this, I will be responsible for evasion, quickly use your Summoning Magic!¡± ¡°I, Idiot! How can I concentrate in this kind of posture!?¡± ¡°I feel that it is an excellent strategy¡­Right now, I can¡¯t use either Sword or Summoning Magic.¡± Kazuki¡¯s Magic Power was almost completely used up during the special training before. He did not even have excess Magic Power to even use Physical Enhancement Magic. Only by reading ahead was he able to just barely dodge the enemy¡¯s attack. ¡°¡­This is bad, my hands are becoming numb¡­¡± ¡°Hey, are you saying that I am heavy!?¡± ¡°Heavier than my sword.¡± ¡°Are you saying that your sword is cuter than me!? If it¡¯s this extent, I can deal with it with my own strength!¡± Just watch and see, Mio said. She pushed open Kazuki¡¯s hand and gently landed on the ground. Then¡ª¡ª ¡°Everything that touches it will be burned¡­The scorch that denies approach! Inflammation Armor (Self-Burning)¡± Mio raised one hand into the air. The surrounding swirl of flames became an armor that protected the body. The rubble that flew towards Mio was burned down one by one by the flame armor and turned into ashes that floated in the sky. ¡°A New Summoning Magic¡­Phenex¡¯s Level 3!?¡± Phenex¡¯s Level 3 Magic seems to be a defensive Magic. Because the Defensive Magic¡¯s activation target is its own body, so there is no need to specify the coordinates, thus the spell chant time is short. And compared to Defensive Magic, it is able to use less Magic Power to protect the body more efficiently. Although there are both favorable and unfavorable aspects based on the different attributes of attacks, but it is still a Basic Summoning Magic that is used for combat. ¡°¡­Barrett!!¡± Mio immediately activated an Attack Magic to counterattack. ¡°Earth God¡¯s Screen (Titan Wall) The man that makes others feel unhappy did not reveal any change in emotions and only stomped on the ground. Then, a thick barrier of earth was constructed there. The flame feather was defended against as if a stone had sank into the ocean ¡°¡­Rubble Bullet¡± ¡°Barrett!¡± ¡°Rubble Bullet¡­¡± The exchange of Attack Magic by Mio and the man was completely offset by the other person¡¯s Defensive Magic. But¡­A long term battle would put this side at a disadvantage. The other side¡¯s Magic was continuously fired over. On the other hand, Mio, who did not have the time to even load the Magical Dress and was chanting Summoning Magic, had her Magic Power efficiency greatly decreased. If they were to continue to force it, then this side¡¯s Magic Power will run out first. Even though I should help think of a plan to buy time for her, but right now, I do not have a Sword or Magic Power!¡± The instant that Kazuki felt anxious¡ª¡ªHe felt an explosive Magic Power appearing behind him. Turning around, Kaguya-senpai, who was sparkling with purple Magic Power, was there. The amount of Magic Power swirled together was on a completely different level¡ª¡ªIt is a High Level Summoning Magic that Kazuki and the others were far behind. ¡°The Intangible and Silent Shadow, Become a fish born in darkness that is cruising in delusion! The origin of nightmare, the cycle of materializing, respond to the terror and expectation and devour it¡­! Darkness in Shadow¡¯s Depth (Twilight Spectre)¡± Kukuku¡­A creepy laughter sound resounded out in all directions. In the inside of the wall of earth, the that extended from the man¡¯s back suddenly swelled, it became like a huge monster with only a black face. The man was shocked and the moment he turned back, the monster opened its mouth and swallowed the man completely starting from the head¡ª¡ªJust like a shark that showed its head from the surface of a water. An intense blue light flashed. The Defensive Magic that appeared instantly protect the man¡¯s body and he flew out from the Monster¡¯s mouth. Although he avoided falling into the state of Magic Drunk, but it was clear that his Magic Power was almost completely gone. ¡°Earth Release - Earth Animal! (Land Escape)¡± In order to use the little Magic Power, the man cried out. The man became a huge snake. His mouth suddenly extended forward, his noise and lips assimilated together. The white eyeball disappeared from the pupils and all the hair fell out. His two hands and legs integrated into the body. In the end, the bizarre change turned him into the huge snake itself. Then, his head began to drill into the asphalt of the hard ground and assimilated with the ground as if he buried his body inside. ¡°I let him get away again!¡± Kaguya-senpai said with a regretful voice. ¡°Senpai¡­Why are you here?¡± At the same time, Hoshikaze-senpai and Koyuki, who were also wearing Magical Dress, ran over from behind Kaguya-senpai. Senpai and the others were planning on challenging a mission during this rest day and came to chase after the Stigma Hunter. ¡°Hikaru was chasing after the Illegal Magic User called here¡­The contracted Diva is unknown¡­Because he uses that escape Magic, he is able to immediately escape, so she was not able to capture him.¡± ¡°So that¡¯s an Illegal Magic User¡­That person¡¯s Magic Chanting time is basically zero¡­¡± ¡°The Illegal Magic Users are basically all like that. They practically used a contract to summon the Diva into their own body. We, Stigma Magic Users, must request for a Magic Phenomenon through chanting a spell to the Diva at Astrum. But, they do not need to convey the meaning over, so they could swiftly and efficiently activate the Diva¡¯s Power with little amount of Magic.¡± ¡°In other words, compared to our Summoning Magic, the Illegal Magic Users are stronger?¡± ¡°To put it plainly, that¡¯s it. So that is why we must use a strategy that coordinates with the swordsman.¡± ¡°But, it is not entirely a good thing.¡± Hoshikaze-senpai¡¯s expression became clouded and continued to speak after Kaguya-senpai. ¡°If you use Possession Summon, the more you use Magic, the faster your mentality will be corroded by the Diva, becoming berserk and in the end, your body will be taken by the Diva. However, before the Diva is able to obtain a physical body, they would often have their mentality driven to insanity and become berserk. The ones that the Knights captured are often in this kind of situation.¡± ¡°But that could have already directly obtained the physical body. There is no doubt about that. I thought that last attack would be able to completely deprive him of Magic Power, but in the end, I still let him get away¡­¡± The man in front of their eyes did not have any emotions at all. A man who had his mentality corroded by a Diva¡­ ¡°I should not have had the goal of capturing him alive¡­And should have use Hell¡¯s Imagine Flame to directly kill him.¡± Kaguya-senpai whispered in a dark tone. Kazuki could not help but shudder. ¡°Just like what the senseis say, perhaps I am still too na?ve¡­¡± Viewing her from the side, it was not the gentle and playful senpai that Kazuki had seen. There is a somewhat deeper darkness¡ª¡ª ¡°Senpai¡­Did you kill someone before?¡± If they eventually become a Knight, then there is no doubt that they must have that resolve. ¡°That kind of experience¡­How is it possible?¡± But, the next instant, Kaguya-senpai¡¯s serious expression disappeared. ¡°S, Speaking of which, Otouto-kun, y, you guys are heading back after a d, date!? The stars are so beautiful, it is really a beautiful night!¡± In order to disperse this gloomy atmosphere, Hoshikaze-senpai used an excited voice to ask. ¡°It is not a date!¡± Mio hurried and denied. The tense atmosphere slowly relaxed. Suddenly, Kazuki saw the appearance of the senpais again. Because it was an actual battle, so Kaguya-senpai did not wear a robe. It was still the same, highly revealing Magical Dress from before. Hoshikaze-senpai¡¯s Magical Dress is sleeveless, and the Stigma revealed itself starting from the shoulders down the entire arm. There is more or less a righteous atmosphere of a , but the degree of exposure was still very high. Koyuki¡¯s Magical Dress was like a white school swimsuit-like tights. The Stigma was exposed on the shoulders and the thighs. This side¡¯s exposure was also quite high. The mysterious light that emitted in the dark of the night¡­It was still a bit stimulating to look at with calm eyes. ¡°Oii, y, you can¡¯t be looking at senpai and the others with those strange eyes right!?¡± ¡°Really now, Otouto-kun. Using strange eyes to look at others is not allowed! This is the appearance for the purpose of fighting.¡± Kaguya-senpai changed back to the usual senpai and generously smiled at Kazuki while scolding him. ¡°¡­I¡¯m a bit tired after using Summoning Magic. Everybody, let¡¯s head back.¡± Chapter 1.4.4 — Love Simulation Volume 1 Chapter 4 - Love Simulation Part 4 The original purpose has already been achieved. Mio¡¯s positivity levels have increased significantly. After Kazuki turned off the lights in his room, he lay down on the bed exhausted. However ¡ª¡ªNo Spell came into his mind. What on earth happened? When he first wanted to learn how to use Barrett, a spell naturally appeared in his mind. But even though he was searching for more of the other Magic in his mind, new spells did not appear. ¡°Strange, if the positivity levels is 100, then it should not be impossible to use¡­¡± Leme, who was sleeping next to Kazuki, whispered. ¡°¡­In the worst scenario, there is still a cheat you can use.¡± ¡°¡­A Cheat? If there is this kind of thing, why did you not tell me earlier?¡± ¡°The Magic Power path that is established through positivity levels can be temporarily expanded through a magically-like contact.¡± ¡°Magically-like contact? ¡­I feel that there is only a bad premonition.¡± ¡°Thinking back at the scene where you contracted with Leme is fine. Oii, don¡¯t blush! In other words, it is a kiss. KISS. As long as you kiss, then the path would temporarily expand and during that short time, you will be able to use all Level of Summoning Magic. You could probably easily win the competition.¡± ¡°¡­N, No. Kissing in order to obtain the victory, how can I do that.¡± ¡°However, a path that expanded through a kiss would develop immunity after just one time. You will not be able to use this cheat on the target a second time. If you can choose not to use it, it is best not to use it. This is the ultimate trump card.¡± ¡°This hypocritical trump card, who would use¡­¡± But¡­If it can use all the Levels, then it is also possible to use ? ¡°¡ª¡ªOtouto-kun¡± At this moment, the door issued out a rattling sound and opened. From the other side of the door came Kaguya-senpai¡¯s voice. In order to avoid them being seen as sleeping together, Leme eliminated her figure and returned back to Astrum. ¡°!?¡± In order to hold back the sound of his almost yelled out cry, Kazuki held his breath. This is because the senpai, who appeared on the other side of the door, was still wearing that Magical Dress. ¡°Otouto-kun¡­¡± It was a sweet voice as if it was a fruit that was soaked in sugar syrup. Kaguya-senpai suddenly jumped onto Kazuki¡¯s bed and tightly hugged onto Kazuki. ¡°Otouto-kun is really cute.¡± A suspicious whispering sound rustled in his ears. Although he was almost charmed by it involuntarily, but this is indeed not the usual senpai! ¡°Senpai, sorry! Please return to your original appearance!¡± Kazuki apologized and with a method of pinching senpai¡¯s cheek with two hands, he slapped both side of the face. After being slapped on the face, senpai issued out an ¡°Ah!¡± sound. Senpai¡¯s pupils reveal a bewitching purple color ¡ª¡ªThen it slowly turned back to its original color. ¡°¡­Please¡± Senpai quietly whispered. Kazuki ¡°Eh?¡± and asked back. At this moment, tears began to trickle down from senpai¡¯s eyes. Suddenly being attacked by senpai, then making her cry. It was really strange. ¡°No, no! This is because Asmodeus is a Demon who managed ecchi desires¡­So every time after summoning, as a side effect, occasionally my state of mind will become very changed¡­But, I did not intend¡­¡± ¡°Senpai, please calm down!¡± Kazuki sat down on the bed facing her and gently pressed onto senpai¡¯s shoulder. ¡°No, I wanted to become more intimate with Otouto-kun is also completely different than the fact that Otouto-kun is a man! So, please don¡¯t look down on me¡­!¡± ¡­Senpai was actually concerned about this kind of thing. The moment he understood this point, he hoped that she would not misjudge the situation. ¡°Senpai¡± he continued to call like this and once again, Kazuki use both hands to pinch Kaguya-senpai¡¯s cheeks. It¡¯s not a problem. His body involuntarily moving like this is because this is the same approach when he deals with Kanae crying. ¡°By now, it is impossible to misunderstand. You helped me when I could not integrate into the school, you called me, who is a swordsman, a comrade, and you¡¯re looking forward to when I become the bridge that connects the Magic Division and Sword Division¡­Up to this point, it is impossible for me to believe that senpai¡¯s gentleness is all affected by Asmodeus.¡± ¡°Otouto-kun¡­¡± Kazuki stared at her without looking away and used a persuasive form to convey his feelings to her. ¡°When we first met, senpai said I was special. It is not because I am the only male, but because I am a swordsman. After knowing the latter fact, I, was really happy. Please don¡¯t think of me as a person who would doubt senpai¡¯s gentleness.¡± Kaguya-senpai finally calmed down. Although tears were still in her eyes, but she already revealed a calm smile. ¡°The fact that Otouto-kun speaks things clearly ¡ª¡ªI really like.¡± At this moment, what floated out from senpai¡¯s chest is ¡ª¡ªa key. It was absorbed into Kazuki¡¯s ring. Just like the time with Mio. The next instant, senpai hugged onto Kazuki¡¯s chest again. ¡°Sorry, please let me stay a little longer¡­Because right now I already do not have any ecchi desires, so let me stay like this for a while¡­I am really anxious. Casually saying that I arbitrarily looked forward to Otouto-kun becoming the bridge that connects the Magic Division and Sword Division¡­¡­Arbitrarily treating you as a pillar of support for my mind. I willfully imposed this onto you.¡± ¡°But, I felt happy about it.¡± Although afterwards, Liz Liza-sensei and Mio was also gentle to him, but in the beginning, the was senpai. If it was Mio who did it first, he feels that he may have become even more lost. ¡°I, Even though I am your senpai, may also continue to behave in a spoiled manner with you. It feels that even though Otouto-kun is younger than me, yet he seems more like an older brother. Probably because my older brother is also a swordsman¡­Although he is already dead.¡± Kaguya-senpai probably recalled something and her nose twitched. ¡°Okay¡­Charging complete! Kaguya-senpai is already fine! ¡­From tomorrow onwards, you have to work hard on the special training, otouto-kun! But, But, misunderstanding my meaning is not good. I will treat otouto-kun specially, not because you are a man, but because you are my disciple!! ¡­Good night!¡± With a slightly modest and rising expectation, Kaguya-senpai, *patapata*, left. ¡°¡­Just now, Otonashi Kaguya¡¯s positivity levels passed 65. The Magic Power Path is connected.¡± In exchange, Leme materialized. At the same time, his heart pounded rapidly. No, wait a minute. Senpai¡¯s positivity levels may not be something related to love. Kazuki dug into his blanket and closed his eyes. It feels that he would have a strange dream. ¡°Even though you were so amazing earlier, but why are you so timid in such a strange place?¡± Leme said, stunned. ¡°Why is it, in the end, you, even though you wish that the other side would believe you, yet you do not believe in the other side¡­Oi, how, could you already be asleep? Listen to me!¡± ¡Á ¡Á ¡Á ¡°Akira¡­Hunting those two is not allowed. Even though it is to make those two return back to the same place as me and perform Stigma Hunting, if you were to hunt those two, it is as if the order is reversed.¡± In the dim ruins, a young girl¡¯s voice resounded. The girl that Kazuki called Kaya and the Illegal Magic User was there. The two of them were living inside a ruin that was not restored yet and was lying there casually. The ruin that was originally a hotel has fulfilling equipment. There is large number of items that are ownerless, but it was driven out half a year ago by this Kaya and Earth Snake. ¡°Because those two people are very important people, you cannot attack them. Because they are people that are very important to me ¡ª¡ªSo I will kill them.¡± Kaya¡¯s head felt pain in burst¡­What did I just say? It feels that she had said words that did not make sense. Important people ¡ª¡ªKill? ¡°In short, do not attack those two. Just like this, the reason we started Stigma Hunting is because if we crush the Knights, those two would be released from the Stigma and return to our side. It is for this goal. Right, the order is reversed¡­¡± Even said that, Nanohana Institute was already gone. Kaya threw a disgusted glare at the silent man. The Earth Snake, Akira, who was sitting on the bed absently, seemed to be staring at the graffiti on the wall left by the former residents. Why am I together with such a creepy person? ¡­Because everybody that I love from the Nanohana Institute had completely been killed some time ago. No, no, or did I run away¡­? My memories are vague¡­ No matter what, everybody is gone. So that is why I would find Nii-san and Mio-chan. So ¡ª¡ªThose two must also be killed. This time, she will not let them run away. Kaya¡¯s head began to hurt in burst of pain. The concept of because they are important people, so I must kill them is strange. I, am thinking of unethical things. The moment I met Nii-san on the streets, I was also desperately suppressing this impulse. This impulse is definitely weird. The outburst of everybody in the orphanage being killed is also¡­Even though I regretted till my hair lost its color. Even though I do not wish to do the same thing to Nii-san and Mio-chan. Even though I could only recall the warm shelter like the past Nanohana Insitute. After Nii-san and Mio-chan were gone, she could only cry alone every day and meet with a never seen before Diva in her dreams. At that time, it was probably the beginning of everything. ¡°If you form a contract with me, I will give you the same power as those two.¡± This is what the Diva said. Using the power of Magic as bait, the existence of Diva wanting to corrode into one¡¯s body. Kaya also knew about it. However, that Diva¡­seems like she was purely sympathizing Kaya¡¯s bitter encounter. Lending her power in order for her to meet those two again. So the young Kaya listened to those sweet whispers. And believed it. However, since exchanging a contract with that Diva, her body has always felt a bit strange. If she views that person as someone important, it would become that she would want to kill that person. ¡­Knowing that she would meet up with those two if she heads to Tokyo. Whether it is Nii-san, who would become a swordsman, or Mio-Chan, who would become a Magic User, both of them will eventually enter the Knights Academy. So while she engages in Stigma Hunting, she will wait for the moment she reunites with those two. The remaining people that are important to her. Even though she should only feel pure happiness ¡ª¡ªWhat is the impulse!? ¡°¡­As expected, it is strange¡­What did you do to me? Hand over my mind back to me! Oi¡­answer me, Loki, Loki!¡± Kaya grabbed onto her head that was in pain and questioned the Diva that was corroding her mind. But no matter how long, there was no response. She was deceived. Perhaps she was deceived¡­ She wanted to see Nii-san again¡­However, if she sees him, she would definitely not be able to resist¡­ She recalled that next weekend, the Knights Academy will hold an Inter-Division Competition. It was a good opportunity to sneak into the Academy that is usually prohibited to the average person. Even if she did not run around on the streets, she will certainly be able to see Nii-san on that day. She really wanted to see him, really wanted to see Nii-san again¡­Really wanted to kill him! Kaya grabbed chaotically onto the hair that had lost its color and grabbed onto her head. Beside her, Akira did not look at her berserk act even once and only continued to stare at the graffiti wall. Chapter 1.5.1 — The Corrosion of God Volume 1 Chapter 5 - The Corrosion of God Part 1 In the sports ground of the Knights Academy, the same kind of audience stand that surrounded a soccer field was there. About this, Hoshikaze-senpai made an explanation. ¡°During the sports festival, the students who are not participating and family members will all come here to watch the competition.¡± ¡°So there is also a sports festival in this kind of school.¡± ¡°Y, Yes. D, During early summer¡­ Specially making an audience stand is really a luxurious facility.¡± Whenever she speaks with Kazuki, Hoshikaze-senpai would tremble if their eyes meet. ¡°However, the Inter-Division Competition is also held at the sports ground. By using this audience stand, we invite the people from the city over.¡± ¡°Inviting the audience to come in?¡± Regarding Kazuki¡¯s question, Kaguya made a response. ¡°The Inter-Division Competition is originally not such a large event. It is only a traditional event where the Sword Division and Magic Division Student Council President would duel. And because the teachers produced a way of thinking that ¡°Isn¡¯t it just right to show off to the general public that Summoning Magic is stronger than Swords¡±, it has slowly turned into a form of allowing spectators to watch the battle.¡± Kaguya-senpai revealed a troubled expression. It was probably because she did not understand the attitude of the teachers. ¡°The so-called Division Confrontation is hosted in order to allow the Magic Division to obtain overwhelming victory while the Sword Division is publicly sentenced. What a bad taste¡­¡± ¡°Although I was holding a skeptical attitude, the Magic Division teachers are teaching an education where they make their students become more arrogant and look down upon the swordsman.¡± Although this atmosphere was not felt from Liz Liza-sensei, you could feel the awareness strongly from the Tactical Theory course. ¡ª¡ªEven refusing to help the swordsman when they face death, they must continue to chant the spells. ¡°The teachers are also trying to maintain a position of . And after the suppresses the Illegal Magic Users that destroyed Tokyo, the Japanese Government calmed down the citizens of the country through their heroic propaganda. So up to now, the idea that the better treatment of Stigma Magic Users can¡¯t be stopped also exist¡­ This kind of thinking is completely unrelated to the strength in an actual battle.¡± Kaguya-senpai was in favor of raising the status of the swordsman and it was not only for moral reasons. It is because of the consideration that the battle tactics would be able to expand more if the swordsman and Stigma Magic Users were able to mutually recognize each other. ¡°Mmm, leaving aside Kaguya¡¯s considerations. In short, it is not a major event. Although the venue needs to be set up, but it does not require large-scale preparations. After all, it is only an informal competition.¡± Hoshikaze-senpai concluded. It was already Saturday morning¡ª¡ªThe day of the competition. ¡°But if the audience is watching the competition, wouldn''t a stray bullet like Barrett be dangerous to the audience? It wouldn¡¯t be funny if the people with very weak magic power had their Defensive Magic destroyed.¡± ¡°If it is about this, there is no problem as there is a Summoning Magic that constructed a barrier around the surroundings of the venue. Actually, this kind of wide-range powerful defensive barrier cannot be made, it is only a barrier made by the students responsible for the barrier by using all their Magic Power to prevent the audience from getting hit by the stray bullet. So, the people who are responsible for the barrier works the hardest, ahaha.¡± Hoshikaze-senpai let out a hearty laugh. She smiled and smiled, then suddenly her smiling face twitched. ¡°I, Incidentally, I right now, am trying hard to treat you as a girl while I talk with you.¡± ¡°It is fine to not tell me this kind of fact, senpai.¡± Beside Kazuki and Hoshikaze-senpai, who were interacting with each other, Kaguya-senpai frowned again. ¡°¡­If it is not a formal activity of the academy, all the preparation work is completely done by the students. But to use Summoning Magic as propaganda, inviting ordinary citizens to watch¡­Things like that, the teachers¡¯ wishful thinking is probably going overboard. I feel that if we are allowing ordinary citizens to come, it should be like the entrance ceremony. It should be best to invite people from the Knights to be tasked with security. What should we do if Stigma Hunters or the like enter our academy? They lack a sense of crisis.¡± ¡°Kaguya is thinking too much. All Illegal Magic Users are people who have an unstable mentality. Targeting this event and entering by pretending to be an ordinary citizen¡­They will not do such a troubling thing. Because their mentality is unstable, there is no way for them to gather together. If only one enters, then we can cope with it.¡± ¡°That¡¯s because Hikaru is too simple, always saying these positive words.¡± ¡°Ahaha, because Kaguya¡¯s personality is negative, or overly positive, you will easily feel unease. If you were to sigh and groan, your happiness will slip away.¡± ¡°And if we were to talk about unease¡­It is still Otouto-kun.¡± Kaguya-senpai seemed to be dejected as if it is her own responsibility. ¡°Please don¡¯t reveal this expression as if you were wrong.¡± ¡°But I am still considered as Otouto-kun¡¯s master¡­¡± ¡°No problem. If I can only chant Barrett, there must be a way to cope with it.¡± ¡°Is it really not a problem? Because if you were to lose, then Otouto-kun will have to leave this division¡­¡± ¡°Compared to this dejected look, I feel that using a smile to cheer for me will make me more happy.¡± ¡°Hayashizaki is also saying that Kaguya is too negative.¡± Hoshikaze-senpai also made fun of her on the side. ¡°¡­Really! I know. I will at least use all my strength to cheer for you!¡± Although the positivity level is already high enough, he still cannot use magic aside from Barrett. However, Kazuki did not let his unease appear outside and tried hard to put out an optimistic expression. Afterwards, at the square, ignoring the Student Council that was leading this, Liz Liza-sensei came to observe the situation. The Sword Division Student Council, the second year students who were responsible for the barrier as well as the audience are coming in one after another. The ordinary citizens were distributed tickets in advance. It is a precious item that is difficult to obtain. There were not many chances to see Summoning Magic with their own eyes. Kazuki was waiting in the Magic Division¡¯s rest tent and waiting for the competition to start. At this moment, a male student came to talk with him. ¡°Hey, you¡¯re our president¡¯s otouto-kun right¡­Can I call you my kouhai?¡± ¡°Yes, you are¡­one of the people that take care of Kanae¡¯s Sword Division Student Council.¡± Remembering that he is a senpai named Torazou, it is indeed a name suitable for a burly young swordsman. ¡°My name is Yamada Torazou. As the one who is fighting first for the Sword Division, I will be fighting against your vice-president¡­Forget it, since I am going to lose anyways, I wanted to talk with you before the match.¡± Torazou-senpai, who said these words, seemed to be a little bit embarrassed and scratched his face: ¡°You used a sword to defeat a Stigma Magic User¡­I also watched that duel. How should I put it¡­I feel that you are amazing. I have always treated your sister as an exception, but when I saw that you too have the same level of strength, I changed my opinion. I have always thought that it is impossible to win against Summoning Magic. Maybe if I put more effort into it, I will have a chance of victory.¡± Torazou¡¯s eyes twinkled as he stared at Kazuki. Kazuki also felt a bit embarrassed. The two men were looking at each other, forming a sparkling space. ¡°I heard that you can only use Summoning Magic to fight in this battle. What an interesting fellow! Although it might be a problem for me, who is in the Sword Division to say this, please do your best! I also half believe that I cannot win, but just for today, I bowed down to become your sister¡¯s disciple. I will go all out. Although it may be wrong to say this suddenly, please watch my fight!¡± Torazou-senpai firmly gripped Kazuki¡¯s hands and passionately shook hands with him. ¡°¡ª¡ªNext, the annual Knight¡¯s Academy¡¯s Inter-Division Competition officially begins.¡± Koyuki, who was acting as the MC and the referee for the competition, declared that the event begins. The ordinary audience members issued out a large cheer. Then, Hoshikaze-senpai from the Magic Division and Torazou-senpai, who had a nervous expression from the Sword Division, appeared in the center of the arena. Based on the rules of a duel, the two of them were separated by 50 meters and confronted each other. ¡°I know thy name¡­Thy name is Baal-Zebub. All the evil born into the word. The plagued harvest God, obey my command and retrieve thy glory!¡± Hoshikaze-senpai chanted a spell, then with a golden light, she switched to her Magical Dress. ¡°The harvest God is a powerful Diva, Baal, who uses magic related to the stars and weather. Although his alias, Lord of the Flies, Beelzebub, is more famous¡­By the way, although the Divas will not say excessive words to humans, but if you call Baal as Beelzebub in Astrum, he will be insanely mad that you will not be able to laugh.¡± Kaguya-senpai, who was beside Kazuki, whispered into his ear. ¡°Will there actually be an idiot who would say these words? Of course he will be mad.¡± ¡°¡­Once, Hikaru could not resist and tried it out. That Ouji-sama. will occasionally become innocent and pure¡­Then, she was reprimanded for 30 minutes in Astrum.¡± Just by staying at Astrum is already difficult, but she was actually scolded for 30 minutes¡­ ¡°Then, let it begin!¡± BIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII! Koyuki blew her whistle. Torazou-senpai rushed over immediately at the same time the competition began. However, because he was probably concentrating in observing Hoshikaze-senpai¡¯s actions, his pace was considerably cautious. In contrast with him, Hoshikaze-senpai swiftly completed her chant and her actions were quick. ¡°The God¡¯s Will that Swirls the air! Gather in my hand and grant me the right of judgment! The divine light granted by the King¡¯s right, become a dazzling bow! Lightning Line!¡± A golden and ornate bow appeared in her right hand. Lightning sparks were currently hosting themselves in her left. ¡°Baal¡¯s Level 1 Summoning Magic. Compared to Barrett, Lightning Line¡¯s power is relatively weaker, but before the sparks arrows are completely exhausted, it can continue to fire. It is a convenient and enviable attack Magic.¡± Just as Kaguya-senpai had said, Hoshikaze-senpai¡¯s left hand pulled the bowstring, the sparks will turn into lightning and fire out. ¡°DOSEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!¡± However, Torazou-senpai timed it correctly and jumped to the side and avoided the lightning. ¡°!¡± Hoshikaze-senpai seemed to show a shocked expression. ¡°He also learned the Hayashizaki Ryuu?¡± Kaguya-senpai issued out a surprised sound and asked Kazuki. ¡°No, it is impossible to learn the Hayashizaki Ryuu in a few short days. However, this is different than Barrett. Because pulling the bowstring is an obvious preliminary action, it may be easier to avoid for a swordsman.¡± Torazou-senpai is originally number 3 in the Sword Division. His strength cannot be ignored. Suddenly, there was a strange feeling. Torazou is using the Knight¡¯s sword techniques and not the Iai techniques. Even so, he did not pull out his blade and kept his blade in its sheath while fighting. What is he waiting for¡ª¡ª Kazuki had this feeling. Hoshikaze-senpai did not care and continued to fire off the second round, third round. Torazou-senpai also used unsmooth actions to desperately avoid it and slowly approached Hoshikaze-senpai. When Torazou-senpai finally rushed to the side of Hoshikaze-senpai, cheers were issued beside the arena. ¡°However, one of the greatest strength of Lightning Line is that you can continue to chant other spells while shooting continuously!¡± Just as what Kaguya-senpai had said, Hoshikaze-senpai had already completed other spells. ¡°The atmospheric flow, converge into this body and become a fierce gale that rejects the enemies! The eye of the typhoon is thy throne! Storm Fort!¡± Hoshikaze¡¯s Defensive Magic. Violent winds will blow around Hoshikaze-senpai¡¯s surroundings. ¡°WOAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!¡± Torazou-senpai seemed to be like a garbage and was blown high into the sky. The wind endlessly howls, Torazou-senpai could only be treated as a sandbag in the air. ¡°¡­If it is in the air, there is no way to avoid it, checkmate!¡± Hoshikaze-senpai aimed at Torazou-senpai in the sky and prepared to shoot. ¡°¡­It¡¯s over. Hikaru plans on using the remaining three rounds of arrows together. The impossibility of avoiding an attack with three times the amount of power will probably cut down the majority of his magic power.¡± ¡°¡­No! Torazou-senpai¡¯s eyes does not seem to have given up!¡± ¡°Hey, hey, which side is Otouto-kun cheering for?¡± Torazou-senpai, who was blown into the air, absolutely did not have a man¡¯s eyes for defeat. It is more like¡ª¡ªthe eyes of a tiger before it pounces on his prey. The evidence is¡­Even when he is floating in the air, his hand is already placed onto the hilt at his waist. The lightning arrow was shot¡ª¡ªIn front of it, Torazou-senpai took advantage of this, pulled out his blade and threw it towards Hoshikaze-senpai. ¡°¡ª¡ªA lightning rod?¡± Kazuki, who noticed the intention of this behavior, could not help but cry out. and the were connected together. The large charge of lightning flowed into the point of discharge and depicted a path. The headed in a direction where Hoshikaze-senpai did not expect. The lightning changed its path. It did not turn Torazou-senpai, but rather his blade into chars. Torazou-senpai, who was unhurt, landed beautifully and clenched his sheath and sprinted forward. ¡°TORAZOU SMASHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!¡± While rushing over, while swinging his sheath¡ª¡ªIt was all according to his plan. The powerful violent attack sent Hoshikaze-senpaii flying. Torazou-senpai did not miss this opportunity to launch continuous attacks, he continued to use his sheath to attack Hoshikaze-senpai. The blue light from the Defense Magic flashed over and over again. ¡°If that¡¯s the case¡­Didn¡¯t he win already?¡± ¡°No, The greatest strength of Hikaru is her ability to concentrate for a chant¡­Although she is seriously wounded¡­¡± ¡°Let the lightning descend towards my body and grant me the lightning speed¡­Awaken the sleeping lion! Ride Lightning!¡± Among the continuous blows¡ª¡ªThe Magic Division Student Council Vice-President completed her chant. ¡°It is enough! This is unbearableeeee!¡± Lightning flowed through Hoshikaze-senpai¡¯s limbs. Then just like fast-forwarding in a movie, Hoshikaze-senpai¡¯s actions accelerated. With an abnormal reflex, Hoshikaze-senpai dodged the sheath and counterattacked. ¡°You actually push me to this degreeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!¡± ¡°WAHHHH!¡± The girl¡¯s fist fell like rain onto Torazou¡¯s body. Torazou-senpai, whose stance was broken, could only step back. However, Hoshikaze-senpai immediately chased after as if it was a squabble between kids and continuously punched him with her fist. ¡°Sending a specific current signal to the muscles and nerves, it is a powerful Enhancement Magic that uses brute force when it is a critical moment.¡± Kaguya-senpai continued to explain. Kazuki recalled that at the entrance ceremony, Hoshikaze-senpai brought the large caged vehicle, where the dragon was, over. The scene of the Stigma Magic User beating up the swordsman caused the audience to let out grand cheers. ¡°The all-embracing fate within the great hemisphere¡­The binds of the constellation, allowing the operation of the day to stop! Horoscope Stasis!¡± While frantically beating up the opponent, Hoshikaze-senpai continued to chant a spell. Numerous points of lights appeared around Torazou-senpai. Light flowed between each of the points Torazou-senpai was binded by numerous strings of light and completely stopped moving¡ª¡ªThis is the Binding Magic that was chanted against the dragon from the entrance ceremony. ¡°W, What is this?¡± Torazou-senpai was tied up by the ropes of light and issued out a cry. Fists continued to rain down on his body mercilessly. Torazou-senpai, who could not even be sent flying away, had turned into a punching bag. ¡°The Roar from the God¡¯s Flame informs the God¡¯s Fury! The heavenly roars all gather into thy hand, descend down a hammer that can crush the world! Crush the World! Yagrush!¡± ¡°This is¡­Baal¡¯s Level 8! But it is a technique that should not be used against a human¡­¡± Kaguya-senpai hurried to enter the venue, but it was already too late. With a flashing amount of Magic Light, a large hammer appeared in Hoshikaze-senpai¡¯s right hand. ¡°Try and dodge thisssssssssssss!¡± ¡°How can he dodge it! It¡¯s over!¡¯ Hoshikaze-senpai fell down due to the interference of Koyuki who was beside her. The huge hammer swung down in the air and disappeared. I do not know what would have happened if it actually hit. BIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII! Kooyuki blew her whistle. ¡°¡­Senpai, what are you doing? Using that kind of Summoning Magic towards an opponent who is nearly completely depleted of Magic Power will normally kill them. Are you an idiot?¡± After the Defense Magic is completely destroyed, it will be a confrontation of a flesh body against a Myth¡¯s Magic. ¡°¡­Sorry¡­I lost myself for a bit¡­¡± Hoshikaze-senpai finally recovered and suddenly became dejected. ¡°As, as expected it¡¯s impossible was it?¡­Even though, I thought I can win¡­¡± ¡°Winner, Magic Division Student Council first player, Hoshikaze Hikaru!¡± On the grounds, rather than saying that it¡¯s blessing the winner, the applause praising the effort of the loser reverberated. From the center of the ring, Hikaru-senpai was leaving trudgingly with dropped shoulder and coming towards here. ¡°Next is your turn.¡± With nervous expression on her face, Mio called out to Kazuki like that. That¡¯s right¡­next is my turn. Kazuki faced the ring. Because this is a fight using Summoning Magic, there is no sword in his hips, its a bit lonely. ¡°Which reminds me, Kazuki doesn¡¯t need to Access the Astrum beforehand isn¡¯t it?¡± The referee Koyuki enquired. ¡°My Magical Dress in the form of ring is always fixed on my finger. It looks like I¡¯m constantly connected with Leme.¡± ¡°Is that so. Somehow, it¡¯s indecent. Then, let¡¯s start soon.¡± ¡°Ah, please wait a little! My heart is still preparing! Hauu!¡± Kamiizumi-senpai inhaled her breath, and then after releasing it, she calmed down with an expression like a different person. First class swordman¡¯s mental concentration switching is fast. Then, instantly her head hung down. ¡°Kazuki-dono, previously your renown has been told by Kana-shishou. Kamiizumi¡¯s house first daughter Iori, respectfully I state my wish for a match!¡± ¡°Then, the preparation is okay already. ¡­Begin!¡± At the same time that Koyuki blew the whistle, *Jakin*! Kamiizumi-senpai draw her sword. ¡°Here I come!¡± The outcome will decide if I can stay in the Magic Division. ¡°¡­ !¡±, Kazuki anticipated with chanting the Summoning Magic. But the advancing Kamiizumi-senpai flickered like a heat haze, and the fire bullets were avoided. She is not decelerating at all. Kazuki seeing that movement¡¯s quality, gave up hitting from the front with Barrett. The second Barrett is also evaded, Kamiizumi-senpai is allowed to draw near. ¡°Prepare yourself!¡± The short sword is sharply swung. Kazuki reading the breathing and timing of the opponent, bent his back causing the sword to intersect with paper-thin difference. ¡°As expected, Kana-shishou¡¯s big brother!¡± Kazuki while bending backward released a front kick. Toward an attack outside her expectation, Kamiizumi-senpai showed a surprised expression. Of course before the defensive magical power, a front kick released while in an off-balance posture doesn¡¯t produce any damage. Kazuki¡¯s kicking foot is repelled by the blue backlash of defensive magical power. By using that reaction, Kazuki jumped a large distance backward. ¡°With my defensive magical power¡¯s recoil, the distance¡­!?¡± By avoiding the pursuit with the jump, Kazuki used physique strengthening and earned some distance. ¡°¡­Well done!¡± Kamiizumi-senpai exclaimed in admiration and again facing towards Kazuki, she started running. Kazuki fired Barrett but, Kamiizumi-senpai again avoided that and came swinging the short sword. But a close-quarter combat is not only about sword skill! He can still can escape! Kazuki desperately struggling through Iori¡¯s slash, did the flying kick again while continuing to escape. To earn the distance for running from place to place, Barrett is released. But it missed¡­! With the tension of the evasion battle, the stands were excited. With a glance, it can be seen that it is an even match. ¡°How could Summoning Magic get evaded like that!¡± If this becomes a protracted battle, this side''s magic power will only get used up! ¡°¡­Otouto-kun! Use my Summoning Magic! If it''s like that I think you can win!! ¡­My compatibility with Otouto-kun, is aaabsolutely not bad is what I believe!!¡± Kaguya shouts from the ringside. Unintentionally Kazuki got distracted from his opponent. He looked up at Kaguya-senpai. Senpai even now has that upset and worried expression. Just like a mother in class visiting an event. Even though I don¡¯t have any memory of my mother. The girl¡¯s positivity level is [68] in the graph that''s floating up in front of my eyes. Even so, that''s surely the emotion of deep affection toward her junior. That is what the person herself said, so it must be so. Even so as expected¡ª¡ªI want to think that I am liked by this senpai. I want to believe that. I want to be liked more by Senpai. The moment that thought floated in his mind, Asmodeus¡¯ incantation flowed into Kazuki¡¯s mind. It can be recited!? Senpai¡¯s Summoning Magic! Kamiizumi-senpai came approaching to attack. Kazuki, in order to recite Senpai¡¯s magic, desperately earned some distance. ¡°Desire that lurked in the sea of mind, passing through sinful flesh stretching that hand! Embodiment of violation, coiling around desire as it is! !¡± Kazuki¡¯s Stigmata is shining in violet color, kukuku¡­Asmodeus¡¯ laughing voice is resounding, passing over from . At the same time, at Kamiizumi-senpai¡¯s underfoot, a fissure is running. From there an ocean of living things of enormous tentacles squirming around and reaching out one after another. Asmodeus¡¯ level 1 Summoning Magic, Tentacle Magic. Kamiizumi-senpai is avoiding the tentacles using Foreseeing. But, the tentacle persistently pursues Kamiizumi-senpai. One of the tentacles twined around her foot, towards the eerie touch sensation, Kamiizumi-senpai''s [hii] voice got leaked. The short sword flashed and the tentacle is torn to pieces but, unknown numbers of tentacles continue to sweep down on Kamiizumi-senpai. This is maybe, for a swordsman using agility as her foundation, the worst natural enemy. ¡°¡­My Diva¡¯s Summoning Magic, there is nothing other than disgusting things, I¡¯m really sorry.¡± Outside the ring, Kaguya-senpai is falling into self-disgust. Is that so, if my own self doesn¡¯t believe the Positivity Level it¡¯s no good. The fondness from this person toward myself, if I don¡¯t believe it proudly puffing up my chest, it¡¯s no good. This cycle of Positivity Value, its a mutual thing. Kazuki looked over his shoulder glancing at Mio. [What?] looking like wanting to say that, the girl is glaring back. Even that twisted attitude, recently it seems to become cute in Kazuki¡¯s opinion. That girl, towards someone like me, giving some good will ¡ª¡ª! Along with that thought, inside his mind, Phoenix¡¯s incantation is overflowing. That spell, chant it. In the ringside, Kanae from the beginning sensed that unusual phenomenon. ¡°Ii-chan, don¡¯t get distracted with those tentacles! The time for chanting has been earned!¡± While escaping from the tentacles, Kamiizumi-senpai is doing [hah] face and finally paid attention to Kazuki. Kanae perceiving the scale of magical power, is shouting. Kamiizumi-san¡¯s face warped into impatience, broke into a run. The timing is going to be very close. Toward Kazuki who is reciting the spell, Kamiizumi-senpai raised her sword overhead ¡ª¡ªAt that time, the tentacles from the rear entangled Kamiizumi-senpai¡¯s legs. [¡­Oh no!] at that, the girl was too late. Kazuki¡¯s stigmata is glowing with more intensity, that was never seen until now ¡ª¡ªMagical powers are erupting. ¡°From dusk to dawn oh soaring immortal bird, grant that wing of hope on my back! Destruction for the sake of rebirth, here¡­! !¡± Greatest usable Summoning Magic with Positivity Value 100¡ª¡ªLevel 5. Intense heat, in one breath blew up from the back on Kazuki¡¯s upper body, curving like a bow. That body looked like a rocket launching to the sky. Kamiizumi-senpai¡¯s slashed in vain at the empty space. Kazuki is looking down from the sky at that scene. Kamiizumi-senpai apart from her own sword as a method of attack understood that she already became powerless. And just like that, she looked upward in blank amazement. This is¡­magic for borrowing Phoenix¡¯s wing on the back. The way to use it, if it¡¯s the swordsman me, like this!! ¡°Go!¡± Kazuki, by fluttering the wing, like a bird of prey seizing the prey on the ground swooped down. With all one¡¯s strength, the right wing is enfolded in the left¡ª¡ªJust like the image of storing a katana inside the sheath. The wings, are [sword]. Even while I¡¯m a , I¡¯m also a swordsman. And then the enfolded wing were¡ª¡ªunleashed in one breath! ¡°Uooooooooooooooooooo!¡± That is, with the length reaching 10 meter making use of the wing of flames¡ª¡ª[Iainuki] ¡°Th, this kind of attack even with Foreseeing there is no way¡­!¡± That [Iainuki]¡¯s wind slicing noise, cannot be compared to katana with length less than 1 meter¡ª¡ª*Gou*! along with that violent sound, Kamiizumi-senpai is mowed down. The trajectory of the flame painted an enormous half circle not permitting any evasive action at all for Kamiizumi-senpai. The blue glow of defensive magical power is smashed up like sheets of spray inside a giant tsunami. ¡°It¡¯s over!¡± Magic intoxication, feeling anxiety with the possibility of overkill, Koyuki in panic raised a restraining voice. ¡°Kyaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!¡± Because of the impossibility in escaping the wave of flames, Kamiizumi-senpai¡¯s magical power were grinded down thoroughly. Screams are raised, Kazuki too become flustered¡­The extent of the strength is unexpected!? In a panic, the wing of flames were negated, Kazuki fell down toward the ground. Only at the end did Koyuki became a little dumbfounded but, he finally *Piririririri* whistle is blown. Clapping hands and cheering reverberated like falling thunder. ¡ª¡ªVictory. Even though before the fight I thought there was no chance of victory. This victory¡­It''s all thanks to the connection of bonds with everyone. "Are you okay Kamiizumi-senpai?" "Fuee¡­, the uniform is all burned up. I almost became a well-done girl you know¡ª¡ª" Kazuki extended a helping hand to Kamiizumi-senpai. The moment Kamiizumi-senpai took that hand and stood up, the girl''s uniform and underwear fell suddenly, all of it crumbling down from the burning. "Fu, FUEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!?" Kamiizumi-senpai crouched down completely while raising a crying voice. Kazuki in panic hands out his blazer. "¡­Wh, what a gentleman¡­No way. Kana-chan''s big brother is so cool¡­" The referee Koyuki poured down a cold gaze. "Kazuki¡­to what extent can that skill of yours reach? Why does this magic only burn down the clothes¡­Original magic¡­" "There is no way I can do something that skillful you know!? I just don''t understand the degree of the power at all!" After Kamiizumi-senpai bowed her head down politely, she took flight and disappeared from the ring. "Congratulations, Kazuki. ¡­It''s going well isn''t it. Though I think the winning method is somehow strange." Mio came and, meeting halfway, faced Kazuki with a rare honest smile. From the chest, feeling of accomplishment and satisfaction boiled up. From now on, with everyone I can¡ª¡ª "Nii-sama¡­" With an expression of dissatisfaction Kanae approached sullenly. "Nii-sama with wing of flames spread out, The impression of [Nii-sama Angel] was really cool¡­" "That expression is gross" "I cannot consent but¡­if Summoning Magic are shown to that extent then, it''s impossible not to accept it." Even while bulging her cheek, Kanae was giving her acceptance. "Kanae, I''ll remain in Magic Division." Someone like me, is it good to be happy like this? Somehow, I have a feeling that everything will disappear when I wake up from this dream. "The student council of Magic Division too, for me it has become an important place." "Onii-chan that has abandoned me, obtained something like [Important place], I''ll destroy it." ¡ª¡ªA strange voice, is raised. It''s not the word of Kanae in front of me. When he turned around to the direction of the voice, at the audience seating in the ringside¡ª¡ªa girl with silver hair, it''s Kaya. "How cruel, even though I tried very hard to endure like this. Even though I want to go back to that time¡­Why is Onii-chan tied together with this kind of people and magical power?" This girl¡ª¡ªKaya, she can see Leme''s energy!? With those adorable lips, Kaya moved and talked coldly like a machine. "That''s why, I''ll just stop enduring. ¡­Onii-chan abandoned me and obtained an [Important place], I''ll destroy everything. ¡­!" She invoked magic without incantation. A sound of the world being teared apart rang out. Chapter 1.5.2 — The Corrosion of God Volume 1 Chapter 5 - The Corrosion of God Part 2 "BIKIBIKIBIKI!" Strange high pitched sounds are raised, a giant rift ran on the blue sky. A black, muddled parallel world spread out at the other side of the rift. From the rift, two black drops spilled out. The black drops wriggled and squirmed in the air and became two dragons, flapping gigantic wings that looked like it could completely cover the sky. "! ! Destroy this hindrance of barrier! And then after that all that nuisance other than Onii-chan! REMOVE THEMMM!" The face of the screaming Kaya is wrapped by light. The old rag clothing that the girl wore is tinged by light¡ª¡ªcompletely transforming it like a Magical dress. From her forehead''s left side a typical horn grew out just like a magic beast''s. The dragons should have been attacking humans as their maximum priority¡ª¡ªbut they don''t even pay any attention to the audiences and instead, in accordance with Kaya''s words, swooped down to the barrier. The barrier is thin because it''s assumed that there won''t be any direct attack; however, a crack appeared because of the ramming attack. The student in charge of the barrier attempted to repair the barrier in panic. "¡­This is not a play! Everyone in the audience please evacuate immediately!" Liz Liza shouted loudly. Because of that, each person looking at the situation in front of their eyes¡ª¡ªfinally realized that the attack of illegal magic users are a reality and rushed to the school gate. With the barrier destroyed, the student who was in charge of the barrier fainted by magic intoxication as a result of the attack. "Student Council, intercept it! ¡ª¡ªCombine together the strength of both departments!" In this place the swordsmen and Magica Stigma that can fight are only¡ª¡ª the Student Council members. While Liz Liza roared angrily, she ran to the fountain located in the garden near the ground and plunged both hands inside the basin. She vibrated the with sophisticated Psychokinesis Magic and transformed the water into pure white mist. The mist was manipulated according to Liz Liza''s thought and streamed into the dragon heads. With the sudden obstruction of their field of vision, the approaching nose-diving dragons were misdirected into the wrong direction and crashed. "I don''t understand the circumstances but¡­there is no need for cooperation if just for the likes of a dragon!" The Sword Division''s Hayashizaki Kanae threw a challenge towards the crashing Niddhogg. "It can''t be helped, we will take on the green dragon!" The Magic Division''s Hoshikaze Hikaru exclaimed and started to to Baal! "Wai, you idiots¡­" Liz Liza cursed toward the two divided Student Councils. Very suddenly¡ª¡ªthe Inter-division competition changed into a real combat mobilization. "Kaya!? You, why are you using something like that kind of illegal magic¡­!" "Onii-chan! For my name to be called by Onii-chan, I''m so happy¡­so happy that I want to kill!" Kaya that transformed into atypical appearance screamed while her crying and laughing expression distorted. "!" Around her hand with *BIKIBIKIBIKI!* sound, a dimension rift materialized and from there a drip spilled over again, this time it changed into a large magical sword with blue translucence. The girl raised the large sword overhead. "I also obtained it you know! ¡­The same power like Onii-chan and Mio-chan!" Kaya swung the large sword that was as large as herself towards Kazuki. "!?" Kazuki doubted his own eyes even as he tried to use Foresight. What in the world is this¡­The girl''s breathing and muscle shows no signs or intention at all! Kaya didn''t think about anything! It''s as though the sword has a will of it''s own and move completely by itself!! Kazuki desperately evaded by falling over. His way of evasion is reminiscent of an amateur. "Nii-sama!" Kanae immediately shouted and she threw one of her two short swords to Kazuki. Kazuki received it and drew the short sword from it''s scabbard. Without a moment''s delay, the second downward swing and the third strike of the large blue sword came, but both were warded off by the short sword. "Look, Onii-chan! Because I also wanted to become strong! The me that was abandoned became like Onii-chan and Mio-chan!!" "Because of that¡­you agreed to an illegal contract!?" Kaya no longer had any hesitation¡­her body was being possessed by someone! "After all, only this Diva¡­the only one that gave me any kind words!" Kaya shouldn''t have had any training in any sword skills; however, the sword moved just like there was a swordsman''s soul that dwelt inside the sword. Even to Kazuki, the swordsmanship was so sharp that it left his body trembling with fear. "Kazuki! Why are you in a pinch when the opponent is also using a sword!" Mio chanted a spell while at the same time spouting a rebuking voice¡ª¡ª "¡­!" However Kaya rotated her arm with terrific force and bisected the high speed bullet of Barrett into two. "This sword will reject all [Shot]!" It''s obvious that it''s not a human technique and reaction speed. "Is that, !?" An animal warped by magic turns into an evil beast, a human transformed by magic into an Elf, normal spaces warped by magic into haunted grounds, and the same case where a weapon or tool were transformed by magic also exist. An item that had its foundation warped into a Sacred Treasure, to a degree where it''s impossible to be imitated by alchemy, were legendary magic items that were rarely discovered in haunted grounds where evil beasts gathered. Kaya chanted magic that pulled the evil beasts and Sacred Treasure from somewhere. What kind of Diva is she contracted with!? "This is the power of that I have obtained! If Mio-chan is also coming here¡­I''ll kill you altogether! !" With Kaya as the center, *BIKIBIKIBIKI!* countless rifts formed with terrific force in scope that swallowed up Kazuki and Mio. Kazuki sensed the flow of magic¡ª¡ªand realized that evasion is impossible. Even Defensive Magic won''t make it in time with his current chanting speed. Large-scale Destruction Magic. Summoning of hell. This magic changed the very space itself! The world was smashed up beginning from the rift. The very space itself where Kazuki and the others stood was converted into a pitch-black dimension. The surrounding darkness suddenly became red-hot hell. The created space became the world of fire from Norse mythology. Like being imprisoned in a microwave oven, there was already nothing left to be done except accepting the fate of death. However¡ª¡ª "Oh mermaid''s singing voice, manifest the frozen thought. Regret become flower of ice, loneliness become light snowfall, cover the world with cold nothingness¡­! Along with an awe-inspiring singing voice, countless snow and water crystal scattered and danced in the red-hot space. Flame and cold collided, offsetting each other, the world once again broke and scattered. The other dimension was extinguished and the scenery was restored back to normal. The one that crashed Large-scale Destruction Magic into Large-scale Destruction Magic was Koyuki. Vepar, the mermaid of 72 Pillar was releasing near transparent light blue radiance besides the girl. "Koyuki! ¡­Even though you are also a first year, for a high level magic that work into space itself¡­!" "¡­Please show some spirit to fight and survive! You''ll die you know!!" Because of Koyuki''s reprimand, Kazuki and Mio quickly started to chant their spells. "Dragon Invite!" The space beside Kaya split, this time two small flying dragons came out. ""Barrett!"" Toward the flying dragons that leaped closely with their fangs bared, two flame bullets shot them down. Kazuki ran and drew his Iai towards Kaya¡ª¡ªthis time he has the resolution to fight. Scrape off all of the girl''s magic power and make her powerless! "How cruel! Why is Onii-chan pointing that sword to me¡­I''ll kill you!!" Kaya''s large blue sword automatically moved and blocked Kazuki''s slash, *GIN!* sound was echoing. Kanae, who already handed out one of her swords to Kazuki, confronted the dragon without her usual two-sword style and with only her one remaining sword. Nidhogg the death dragon. In the Norse mythology, that name was handed down to the black dragon that gnawed at the root of the in the depth of the world. A dragon that left its name in mythology. "Interesting! If its just ordinary dragon slaying then nobody will be amazed!" Kanae challenged the death dragon Nidhogg. [] doesn''t utilize Iai. With a good command of her agile body, Kanae''s way of fighting was with an overwhelming number of attacks driving the opponent into a corner. The dragon waved its claws at random because its face was covered by mist. After all it should just be an animal so Kanae easily evaded the rough attack and with her short sword, one layer, two layers were hacked into pieces. However toward the hard skin "GIN! GIN!" the consecutive attacks only lightly bounced. Nidhogg keep waving both of his arm''s claws not even feeling the attack. The attack doesn''t even compare to a mosquito''s bite. While Kanae evades with paper-thin margin¡ª¡ªthis time she aimed at the inside of the joint and swung her katana. However even that attack while filled with biological knowledge, "GIN!" was repelled from the hardness feedback. Kanae "Chih" clicked her tongue. ¡­The powerlessness that cannot even be compensated with strengthening magic, unable in admitting that it was her own shortcoming. The mist that was covering the dragon''s face cleared. In the corner of Kanae''s field of vision, "You idiots¡­Fight using cooperation¡­" the figure of Liz Liza-sensei who collapsed while speaking bitterly due to magic intoxication entered into her sight. This teacher produced mist using common magic with poor magic consumption and saved the spectators. Looking at that figure, Kanae felt a brief remorse because she challenged the dragon alone. If it already became like this, even if its only by willpower, I have to bring down this black dragon by my own hand! The death dragon that had its vision free looked down and glared at the girl. Starting from that moment, it doesn''t attack randomly anymore, instead it accurately and fiercely swing its claws. Swinging both arms one after another and brandishing it''s tail roughly, Kanae concentrated her mind and using Foresight avoided all of those. This time Nidhogg opened its huge mouth and tried to swallow Kanae. "I''ve waited for that!" Nidhogg''s big mouth facing toward Kanae *GABUM!* closed down, but she back stepped and avoided it. And then she made a big jump to Nidhogg''s nose tip. From there she leaped further. "First the eyeball!" With her whole strength, she stabbed the dragon''s eyeball. Compared to the skin, the soft eyeball *DOSU!* was pierced by the sword blade. When she sensed the sword pierced until the bone in the bottom of the eye socket, she released her katana. Nidhogg that has the katana left in its eye socket struggled violently. Kanae landed in Nidhogg''s nose, and hopped gracefully like a dancer. "¡ª¡ªAnd then the brain!" With her whole body motion like a spring, Kanae kicked the handle of the katana stuck inside Nidhogg''s eyeball and drove it deeper inside. With acrobatic movement the force was amplified many times over, driving in the sword like a hammer. "BAGIN!" A certain bone deep inside the eye socket ''s cracked response was felt. Even unknown creatures, if they have eyeballs then the eyesocket''s construction must be consistently similar. No matter what kind of living things they are, this bone structure that has the role of connecting eyeball to brain, was not a sturdy thing. Smoothly the blade reached the brain. "¡ª¡ªAnd then DIE!" Kanae kicked up the handle of the katana diagonally with one leg. The sword blade that reached the brain vibrated violently in Nidhogg''s cranium. Its brain tissues shook and it''s whole body spasmed convulsively. Nidhogg *DOOON!* laid down its body, while Kanae landed agilely like a cat. "How''s that, you see that! ¡­Damn, how dull. I got too worked up. ¡­What about Nii-sama!?" While cleaning the short sword soiled from blood and grey matter with Psychokinesis, Kanae turned toward Kazuki''s direction. At that time Kanae witnessed the girl shouting "Onii-chan!" while swinging the large sword. The body''s performance was amateur but only the slash was strangely sharp. "Nii-sama is¡­I''m the only sister of Nii-sama!" Kanae assaulted the girl from the back. But the attack that should have been completely unforeseen by the girl was automatically intercepted by the large blue sword. "Wh¡­what is this fellow!? Is this really a human movement!?" "KANAE!?" Kazuki turns his eye to Kanae with surprise and delight. "Nii-sama Nii-sama, I killed the dragon even faster than and came to help, you know!" "Idiot, don''t be careless!" Just like what Kazuki said¡ª¡ªsoon Kanae''s face lost its color. The illegal magician girl showed that she can compete against Kazuki and Kanae at the same time with one large sword. Furthermore with the high-speed activation of Possession Magic, she was also matching the back-up Summoning Magic of two people from the Magic Division''s Student Council. "Is this girl a monster!?" Illegal magician¡ª¡ªthis girl is beyond ! Certainly this girl''s power cannot be compared with a Stigmata Magician, she might be an existence we have no chance to stand against. "Kaichou, dangerous! That dragon is still not dead!!" Looking toward the voice from the back¡ª¡ªNidhogg that should be dead, has its eyeball *BUKUBUKU!* bubbling while standing up and raising its claw overhead toward Kanae. That kind of absurdity¡­ "TORAZOU SMAAAAAAAAASH!!" But immediately, somebody forced their way through and with all their strength perform a full swing with their long sword. The claw and long sword clashed, that voice¡ª¡ªTorazou was blown off but the claw attack was also repelled. "Torazou!? ¡­To be saved by you¡­somehow it''s infuriating." "Kaichou, stop being so obstinate and lets cooperate with the Magic Division! I''ll hold back this black dragon so Kaichou, go and help Magic Division''s student council!" "What!? Don''t joke around¡­This me¡­with what kind of face can I cooperate with them!" "Other than somehow using their in this place and catching all of them in one attack, there is no other way! ¡­However we are all equal you know. For those guys to be able to finish their chant, we must be the one''s holding back these dragons! Isn''t that right, Kaichou!?" "!? Even though you are just Torazou, impertinently giving sound argument¡­!" Is it Nii-sama''s influence¡­ Damn, rather than the current me, Torazou''s way was right! "¡­Torazou, I leave that guy to you! Absolutely don''t die!!" "Ou! I''ll be troubled if you forever keep thinking I''m a pathetic guy you know, watch this Kaichou, you too Hayashizaki Kazuki! UOOOOOOOOOOO!" Toward the other side of the battlefield¡ª¡ªKanae started running to where the green dragon was fighting with the Magic Division''s student council. The poison dragon Fafnir. A dragon with the power of poison residing in its body that appeared in Norse mythology. It has six misshapen arms, making an unsightly figure. On each of its six arms poison claws are attached. "¡­¡­!" Hikaru who has her whole body accelerating attracted Fafnir with the attack from held in one hand. During that time Kaguya was chanting high level magic. That was the tactic. ¡ª¡ªIt will be settled with instant death! However Hikaru cannot keep up with the exchange with speed alone when there were six arms that keep on striking, her posture was off-balance. Danger! Damn¡­already useless! Immediately Kaguya discarded the high level magic that she currently chanted and switched into level 2 magic. "My wicked mind filled with curse, I beseech thy agony¡­ Unashamed of ominous thought! !" The bullet of curse hit Fafnir and it writhed in hallucinatory pain. But this magic only gives pain and stops the target on its track¡ª¡ªwith no actual damage to the body. Using that opportunity, Hikaru recovered her posture. ¡­This battle of endurance has continued for quite long. "For Asmodeus'' high level attack magic I need to concentrate, so I''m troubled that the almighty Hikaru cannot earn more time you know! Idiot Hikaru!!" "No matter how almighty I am there is no way I can exchange blows with something this tough! Idiot Kaguya!!" While insulting each other, Kaguya''s expression warped haggardly. "The Knight Order should already be notified but¡­if it keeps like this sooner or later one of the fights in this divided battlefield won''t hold out¡­" BARIRI* At last the spark dispersed, Hikaru''s Ride Lightning''s effect was finished. "I, I wonder if it''s no good if I don''t chant again? Today, this is already my fourth time you know¡­" "Please don''t say some spoiled things, you good-for-nothing princess!" Hikaru''s magical power was already exhausted from the previous battle. Toward the girl that was in the middle of thinking that she can''t chant Summoning Magic anymore, the claw of Fafnir swooped down. However at that point, someone interrupted with speed like a rolling gale. ¡­. "You two withdraw! I will serve as vanguard!" "Kana-chan!? ¡­You came to help us!?" Kanae looked back with a fleeting glance and "Fun" her nose snorted. "¡­It''s only a temporary alliance. I''ll stop this guy so get rid of them all in one go with Chorus Magic. That dragon over there is small fish, but it can''t be killed with a sword." Fafnir looked down as if to assess the human that came to interfere. Kanae informed the two people behind while thrusting her short sword to the dragon. Chorus Magic¡ª¡ªIf its impossible to hold out until the Knight Order come, then certainly there was no way other than that. Chorus Magic is a chanting method done by linking several Stigmata Magicians with Telepathy and matching together their magic power wavelengths, producing colossal magic power and materializing level 10 Summoning Magic. The amount of magic power required for level 10 Summoning Magic was too large, one person alone using it was difficult. But Chorus Magic demands considerable concentration and multiple Stigmata Magicians also became defenseless at the same time. It''s a tactic that risked inviting total annihilation easily if the vanguard cannot protect their charge. "Can''t you depend on me?" "¡­No, if the two Student Councils combined their power then we are invincible you know. I have wished for that for a long time! Hikaru, the number is not sufficient so call Koyuki-chan here!" Until last year Koyuki has already learned the basic of matching magic power''s wavelengths. This year after completing the contract with a Diva, the number of people for Chorus Magic will be enough if Koyuki is included. Protected by the Student Council of Sword Division¡ª¡ªMagic Division''s Student Council''s trump card was usable! Fafnir''s claws attacked Kanae. The six arms waving about cannot even come near Kanae who took pride on her godlike agility. Kanae is very poor at a battle of endurance. Even with only a few hits from the enemy, Kanae''s meagre defensive magic power will be smashed up immediately, furthermore the poison will steal her movement. But¡­Otonashi Kaguya was looking from behind. Kanae can''t show a shameful fight. Probably I am the one that know best Kaguya''s strength. For the sake of winning against her, for a long time Kanae searched for her weak points and kept polishing countermeasures. Otonashi Kaguya is strong. To a degree that there was no way to win if Kanae challenge her directly face to face. For this reason, it''s vexing but¡­she can be relied on. "I''m counting on you, ! ¡­And then watch from there, Hayashizaki''s swordmanship!!" Kazuki looking at Kaya''s magic power, noticed that its gradually declining. When thinking at the beginning how she first summoned the dragon, the scale of the magic Kaya chanted slowly kept getting smaller. However in addition to the frequent magic, it seems that even merely swinging the large blue sword was also wearing down her magic power. Kazuki can already see Kaya''s limit. It''s a hard blow when Koyuki was called back by the senpais but the condition on this side is starting to get better. "Please no¡­" Kaya''s whispering voice was leaked. "This kind of me stop it already¡­even though I love him, even though it''s precious memory¡­ Why do I want to kill them¡­? If its like this, I will continue being alone¡­this kind of me, stop it already¡­" Even so the girl raised her sword and slashed at Kazuki. ¡±That''s why this kind of thing, stop it already!" "I can''t stop! Onii-chan, somehow please help me!" Even if you said somehow¡­there was no other way other than shaving her magic power until she became powerless. In the edge of his field of vision "DOWAA!" The figure of Torazou-san sent flying by Nidhogg was reflected. Even if Kaya was stopped, the dragons that were already summoned cannot be expected to disappear. There was no more room for taking it easy. Right now the senpais already¡ª¡ª? """Thy name is Asmodeus! Thy strength become almighty desire, oh pure black contract, in accordance with my life display that strength!!""" The three person''s magic power altogether the ¡ª¡ªThe Diva was pulled into the present world and materialized. Along with a flash of violet, the witch finally materialized together with clear real form. After that Kaguya-senpai passed her order to Asmodeus¡­! Probably that power can manage to defeat the two dragons altogether, those senpais have that power. All the magic power were absorbed toward Asmodeus until nothing is left, and Hoshikaze-senpai and Koyuki crumbled down. Kazuki''s sword and Mio''s Barrett attacked Kaya incessantly. "Please help¡­Onii-chan¡­" ¡­Kaya, was it because I was not in Nanohana Institute that it became like this? The feelings of guilt stroked Kazuki''s spine. I, if I don''t save her¡­ "Thy are I, I am thee! ¡­Become my thought as it is, Curse, Malice, keep beseeching, drag in all my bitter enemy and open the hell''s gate!" Kaguya-senpai keeps continuing chanting the spell with strong magic power. "Kukukukuku! This air has been a while hasn''t it, Kaguya! I''m in good mood so I''ll be faithful to you! Kaguya, with your desire now what in the world is it that you wished for?" "My desire is the manifestation of hell! Send all those people to hell! To inescapable nightmare!" "Very well! Thy wish is my wish!" The ultimate magic of Asmodeus was started by Kaguya. "!!" The surrounding surface dimmed ominously. Is something happening?¡ª¡ªKazuki spontaneously looked back to Kaguya-senpai. In accordance with Kaguya-senpai''s command, Asmodeus raised her right arm overhead, grandly. From Asmodeus'' back, gigantic ominous violet [Gate] rose gradually from the ground. Along with Asmodeus'' loud laughter, that gate opened, like a damn bursting open with violet miasma flooding out. The miasma avoided Kazuki and the others, nothing but the enemy that Kaguya-senpai hated were swallowed up. The instant the fingertips of Asmodeus'' raised right arm *PACHIN!* echoed, the violet miasma transformed into a reddish-black flame of hell. Kaya and the two dragons were buried inside a cluster of flame without even leaving a strand of hair uncovered. This flame, its the same type of flame seen before in the school entrance ceremony, Gernica. Namely, this Seventh Inferno manifestation are¡ª¡ª[Enemy and Allies Discernment - Large Scale Instant Death Magic]. This flame of hell was not heat attack or the like, this spell slowly applied the concept of death. "Kaya!" Kaguya''s flame of hell that swallowed all the object of her hostility has even attacked Kaya that already exhausted all her strength. On the other side of the reddish black flame, Kaya''s blue defensive magical power let out a frail shine. "Kaya, stop it!" Kazuki shouted pleadingly toward Kaguya-senpai. Kaguya-senpai who doesn''t even imagine the connection between Kazuki and Kaya was confused of the reaction Kazuki showed. "That summoning magic, that magic will kill her!" "Otouto-kun¡­Sorry, right after requesting this flame, even myself cannot control it. Even if it''s only a tiny hate, everything of the opponent won''t be able to escape and will be killed. But compared to bringing down the other two evil beast, I cannot give preference to the life of that illegal magician. Everyone else is already worn-out you see!" Looking around the surrounding, Torazou-san already exhausted all his strength and fell down. Kanae too received poison claw and crouched down. Hoshikaze-senpai and Koyuki too because of the Chorus Magic, their magic power was sucked up to the bone and they collapsed because of magic intoxication. The only ones that were safe and could stand up were Kazuki and Mio, also Kaguya-senpai, just three people. "But, that''s¡­" If Kaguya-senpai''s magic was interrupted, the surviving dragons¡ª¡ªthe wounded Fafnir can be handled somehow or other, but the method to defeat Nidhogg that can regenerate its injury will be lost. But if the invoked magic keep continuing like this, Kaya will be burned out before the dragons. "He, help me, Onii-chan!" Inside the reddish black flame, while her defensive magic power was being eroded, Kaya pleaded for help. "Otouto-kun¡­besides if that child escapes it will become a grave crisis. I won''t hesitate anymore like that time with Earth Snake. I cannot hesitate. Because I''m this academy''s strongest magician!" With eyes burning grimly with a sense of responsibility, Kaguya-senpai shouted. While shouting she supplied magic power to Asmodeus. Asmodeus "KUKUKUKUKU!" while laughing madly continued to burn the enemies with the flame of hell. Kaguya-senpai''s regret with dark expression saying "I have to kill him.", about Earth Snake, came to mind in Kazuki''s head. But at that time Senpai was in pain. She is a reliable senpai but, I know that she tried desperately doing unreasonable things. Senpai''s touch soaked with tears, I still remember it in my heart. ¡­I understand that Senpai''s word is correct. But is this kind of thing really fine¡­!? If Senpai kills Kaya¡­Not regretting anything, not hurting, can that really happen!? This kind of situation, there was no way I can consent¡­! "Sto, stopp! I don''t want to die! I don''t want to die alone! Stop, stopp!! Help me¡ª¡ªLoki! Power¡­Give me more power!!" ¡ª¡ª The moment [Loki] was yelled, blue defensive magic power from the girl was coming back around. All thoughts were blown off from his head, Kazuki doubted even his own eyes. ¡­That recovery was not at the level of just ''coming back around''. Enormous blue light that can''t even compare to the girl''s original condition covered the girl''s whole body, and started to push back the flame of hell. Vast defensive magic power was distorting [The concept of destined death of the ruler of hell]. "!? ¡­Such thing, impossible. This kind of magic power¡­it''s inhuman!" The whisper that Kaguya-senpai unintentionally leaked made us tremble with fear. Currently the two dragons vanished without even their ash remained, however even now Kaya was still leaking blue light¡ª¡ª "¡­U, aaa¡­don''t want¡­Stop it Loki, my head! In my head I''m not me any¡­aaaa¡­Iyaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!" ¡ª¡ªKaya who should be escaping already from harm, raised a screaming voice that can break her throat, from the other side of the blue light. I don''t understand at all what in the world is going on. {¡­Kazuki, that girl, is being taken over right now.} After the uneasy silence, Leme''s voice resounded inside Kazuki''s head. "¡­Taken over, what kind of thing is that¡­" Why did it become like this, it''s completely like being in a nightmare. No, it could be that¡ª¡ªall that happiness until this point, maybe everything was just a dream. The blue light of defensive magic power and the flame of hell is struggling against each other, Kazuki watched all that in a daze. {Each time a Diva possessed a human, that human''s substance was being distorted into that Diva''s form. That distortion keep being repeated little by little and each time, the human''s form was rearranged. The result was that girl''s madness} Leme answered. The flame was being extinguished little by little. Kaguya-senpai kept getting closer to the limit. Asmodeus'' figure was "Oioii, is it already over?" faintly starting to disappear. On the other side of the weakening flame and the light, a human silhouette appeared¡ª¡ªthat shadow was not a girl''s shape. If Kaya was taken over¡­then who in the world was that¡­? {The contractor''s mind was tampered around and her ego became ambiguous, and then in one go the Diva plundered the flesh''s leadership. At that time the flesh was distorted into that Diva''s original form¡ª¡ªthat Diva became this world''s resident} Long time ago, there were news that because of a malicious Diva''s materialization Tokyo was destroyed. There were great numbers of orphans, that were born because of that incident, in Nanohana institute. Because of the establishment of the Knight Order everybody forgot that dreadful affair. Finally the flame and light ceased. The one that stood there did not resemble Kaya at all. A man with long hair and tall stature. The color of the long hair was blue with transparency similar to a crystal. A handsome feature with slightly slender face, a sinister smile was pasted on that face. In the right hand, it was still clutching the large blue sword. "Fufufu¡­hahaha¡­" The man made an abnormal face and distorted smirk. "HAHAHAHAHA! At last, about time I obtained flesh and body in this world! Even with all that hindrances from the Knight Order, I''m the first one that achieved this brilliant achievement isn''t it? ¡­Hahahahaha, how awesome of me! Hahahahahaa!" "¡­You are, who are you?" In front of the man who guffawed wildly, Kazuki questioned while gripping his katana. "Hahaha! ¡­What is it brat? Why should I give my name, didn''t you listen about this happy occasion? If that''s the case then let me give this whole world a greeting!" The man shouted with faked high tension where you could feel the anger just by looking. "My name is Loki! The Loki-sama of Norse mythology! Hahaha, human''s history will soon end! Starting from now the age of gods begins! This Loki-sama will bring even more chaos to this world for sure¡­When the curtain for the age of gods are opened once more, no one but me will be the one that causes¡­the Ragnarok! That''s surely my role!!" What the hell is this man¡­ Did Kaya get caught up with this frivolous man!? Besides Kazuki who was glaring at Loki, Mio and Kaguya-senpai fell to their knees, watching with gazes filled with despair. Only Kazuki was still standing, gripping his katana while facing each other. "Hm? ¡­You are not just a normal human, are you? The one inside you is¡­Solomon Mythology''s Lemegeton isn''t it? I see, I see, I see¡­This time too Solomon''s 72 Pillar are helping the humans isn''t it? Then this brat is the one named new [King] is it? And then you are going to obstruct me, won''t you?" "Bastard, what have you done to Kaya!?" "What have I done was it? It''s just as you see. I broke her, and then I ate her. Thanks for the food. I finished my brilliant achievement you know! There is no doubt that this great me was the one that broke this girl efficiently don''t you see!? If I broke her right away then she will just get violent and get arrested by the Knight Order so, I adjusted her condition, and then tampered around with her brain tissue. While breaking her piece by piece, I guided her into wanting to abandon her ego on her own many times, that''s the point. And there I got a great idea, [changed her into wanting to kill a person she likes], I remodeled her into that. From here the best outcome came out, just great. Great idea that deserved the Noble prize in human abuse isn''t it! Please stop, I don''t want it like this~~ she cried and shouted like that, this girl surrendered her ego to me!! ¡­Hahaha, just awesome!! From a long time ago, manipulating people''s feelings skillfully is my specialty! Man, I just want to do it over again~" "¡­You, you asshole." "Whaaat, you bastard is going to punish this Loki-sama, is it? Maa, you''re just a low-life." "Otouto-kun¡­Its impossible you know!" Kazuki ignored Kaguya-senpai''s restraint and started running. "¡­Interesting! You want to challenge the legendary sword style!? Brat!!" Loki received Kazuki''s Iainuki casually with his large blue sword, but, "U, oo¡­?" Loki was pressured by the weight of the slash. Toward Loki who shook violently and braced himself futilely, Kazuki swung his second downward slash. "Wha, what the hell is your swordstyle!? I don''t know something like this!?" Loki blocked that slash with his large sword, however he backstepped while reeling. "UOOOOOOOOOOOOO!" Kazuki gave up using Foresight, he just swung his katana recklessly, attacking furiously. "Bastard!" Loki swung to counterattack while cursing; however, Kazuki parried the heavy large sword and entered one blow from the resulting gap. *BACHIN!* Loki''s defensive magical power protected him from Kazuki''s katana. ¡­What in the world, that [thickness] just now. ¡ª¡ªWith that one attack, unintentionally Kazuki calmed down from his rage and sensed the magic power. ¡­Few hundreds, no, with few thousands slash, would it be enough to destroy this barrier? If all the opponent''s defensive magic power until now were a curtain, without a doubt this guy''s defensive magic power was a wall. "Uoo¡­wait a little you bastard, wait! What the hell are you! How could you human''s sword style have advanced to this point!? You''re fucking kidding me! You weakling!!" Loki''s shout was tinged with anger while he staggered backward. But this guy was not seriously flustered for real. Kazuki understood that. "Fucking bullsheet, don''t get cocky brat! This time I''m using magic for real!!" Along with his rage Loki''s magic swelled up. The [large blue sword] gripped in his hand rapidly sucked the magic power¡ª¡ªthe dense magic power condensed violently inside the thick blade. Right now I''m not inside his sword''s range. Even so¡ª¡ªsomething''s happening! Kazuki used Foresight to see the magic power¡ª¡ªand instinctively felt despair. "¡­Show the divine sword''s essence!! L?vateinn!!" ¡ª¡ªIgnoring how far the distance was separated, in that place Loki swung his large blue sword downward. It''s not a mere practice swing. "ZUBAAAAAAAAA!" Along with wind-slicing sound like the world itself tore apart, the condensed magic power gushed out and became a sharp shockwave rushing to Kazuki. Kazuki evaded using Foresight. Nevertheless, the released sword pressure from the large blue sword sensed that movement and change its trajectory like having its own will. Unparalled accurate pursuit. It''s impossible to evade. It''s clear that he won''t be able to defend with the amount of his magic power. Magic intoxication. No, with this destructive power¡ª¡ª Standing in front of certain death¡ª¡ªit feels that time become extremely slow. At that moment, a shadow throws itself in front of Kazuki while chanting a spell. "¡­!" Mio clad in flame armor jumped in front of Kazuki. However the flame armor was easily erased by the shockwave, and then the penetrating shockwave *GARIGARIGARI!* eroded the defensive magical power even further¡ª¡ªMio''s own blood scattered around. Fresh blood, so red that it looked like an illusion. Mio who covered for Kazuki collapsed feebly into Kazuki''s chest. The girl''s body, from her chest to her stomach, from the lung to the intestines, a vertical line was ripped apart. Even with a glance it''s obvious that it''s a fatal wound. The body grew pale because instinctively it knows that death is near. "Mio!? You¡­why!? "If you received that attack with your current magic power you would surely die won''t you¡­Protecting a Rank E, is the duty of a Rank A, right¡­?" Because of her ripped lung "hyuu--hyuu" Mio leaked a weak breath. "Eh, damn it? Sheet, I got the other kid killed. Sheet." Loki spat out in frustation. But when he noticed Kazuki''s expression he laughed complacently. "Hm? Why is your face like that brat? I get it, through Kaya I somehow know about you guys but¡­Mio-chan is your lover huh? Hehhehhe" We are not lovers. But¡­ BUT¡­! His head became pure white. The world seemed to blur white because of the highly strung emotion. Lies¡­lies lies lies! How could it become like this!? I don''t know for what kind of reason. But that guy, he trampled my precious person¡­! "HAHAHAHAHA! That''s a good face you make there brat! ¡­How precious, then for today''s moment to be forever unforgotten I''ll especially let you survive alone brat. Forever live your whole life to regret this moment! Commit today''s encounter in your memory forever, Onii-chan? HAHAHAHAHH!" "Bastaard¡­I''ll kill you!" "With your magic power it''s impossible you know, brat! Rather let me teach you how it is to kill! It''s impossible to calm down huuh!?" ¡­I¡­I don''t care what happened to my body. This lowlife, I''ll freaking kill him! Kazuki was filled with killing intent for the first time since he was born, embracing that rage he chanted the spell. "Burning up everthing that was touched¡­scorching heat of rejection without destination! !" With his little remaining magic power, Kazuki covered his whole body with flame armor and prepared the form of Iai. "Thaatt''s whhyyy, I said I''m gonna teach you how it is to kill isn''t it? Your katana won''t be able to pierce my magic power, you get it don''t you!?" Kazuki kicked the ground. Anyhow for this guy, there won''t be any mercy. That''s why with my whole strength! "Besides, why when you are really that angry, rather than attack, you chanted flame defense magic, your life is too valuable huhh!? What a laughable brat!" "¡­ I don''t need something like life! I''ll kill you no matter what even if it means stabbing each other to death!!" Kazuki slashed with Iai while shouting. Right at that moment¡ª¡ªBy using psychokinesis [Liquid Manipulation], was applied to the whole body of flame and condensed into the sword''s blade. "UOAAAAAAAAAAAA!" "What!?" Toward the wide-eyed Loki, a flash of flaming battoujutsu reached his chest. Thick defensive magic power blocked that attack. However the blade clad in flame inflicted a strand of scratch on the thick defensive magical power. Kazuki fixed his grip in the katana with two hand¡ª¡ªIai''s real form are two attacks. Kazuki thought there was no other way except this technique. If that guy said that he''d teach me, I''ll teach him technique polished by a human. Since magic was born in this world, father polished his sword principle with the assumption of fighting against Summoning Magicians. Inside Hayashizaki style polished by father, exists an ultimate Iai that pursued a dream. Hayashizaki-style Dream Sword¡ª¡ª[Pile UpKasane]. Why was it called dream sword, it was because father himself cannot realize this technique. It means that it''s an unrealistic swordsmanship. The first swing of the sword gouge out a scratch in the defensive magic power. That scratch, before new magic power plugged up that hollow space the size of a strand of hair, a second swing returned swiftly and piled up the scratch in the identical place. That swing will pierce and kill the defensive magic power. It doesn''t matter how much the enemy''s magical power was left, a certain sure-kill consecutive Iai''s. But the time span before the produced scratch got filled up with new magic power was only a blink of an eye. In that one instance, piling up a second sword slash perfectly tracing the first sword slash trajectory, makes it evident why it''s called dream sword. However, for Kazuki at this moment, everything looked like they moved in slow motion. Using to clear and sharpen his perception, Kazuki sensed the defensive magic power''s scratch. Kazuki stirred up his body with his will. Raising a yell of kiai and activating below the navel, Kazuki accelerated his muscle structure. The whole body''s muscle raised a snapping shriek because of the will''s unrelenting demand for speed beyond the limit. Even so, whatever the consequence it doesn''t matter! The body surpassed the limit due to magic¡­Just this guy I''ll kill him no matter what! Everything that Kazuki has cultivated himself¡ª¡ªSummoning magic and common magic, and then sword skill¡ª¡ªUsing everything of those to pile up this two slash. All the scattered pieces are converged in this one swing of a sword. The blade slid into the scratch where the defensive magic power was thin and gouged and ripped it apart. ¡ª¡ªKazuki arrived at the truth of the sword. The sensation of ripping flesh was clearly felt. Before his eyes, "BAT!" crimson spurt of blood opened like a flower blooming. "¡­Thi, this is the sword of human¡­" Even so Loki was not dead. ¡­He received a severe wound but, a fatal wound was not delivered. Kazuki understood from the slash''s feedback. The depth was not sufficient, if only its one sun deeper. Kazuki''s fingertips lost its strength, the short sword fell to the ground. ¡­If it''s not a short sword, then he''d be dead already! "Don''t fuck with me!" Loki who sports a wound in his chest let fly a kick towards Kazuki who lost his strength and fell to the ground already. Kazuki''s powerless body that was already like a doll was thrown backward. "But¡­thank goodness", suddenly Kazuki who already calmed down thought. If I really killed that guy''s body for real¡ª¡ªKaya will also die. If Kaya is not saved¡­ Strength, my strength is lacking¡­For a long time I thought I didn''t need it, a strong power¡­ "Damnnit, too careless¡­how stupid¡­the body that I got with great trouble is¡­!" "Stay away from Otouto-kun! I will kill you!" Loki raised his head in fluster. Kaguya-senpai mustered her last strength, she squeezed out word by word slowly for a spell, containing the disappearing Asmodeus in the present world. "Thi, this female magician, from that kind of condition how can she keep the Diva''s complete summoning alone!?" "Oioi, do your besttt, Kaguyaaa¡­Yosh, this guy is pretty bad news, so let''s kill him yeahh!" Asmodeus was "Kukuku" chuckling, even now Senpai desperately kept her receding conciousness. "Seventh Hell, come out¡­!" That voice wringed out the magic. "Wai¡­like hell with this! That one is seriously terrible! Hold it I said!!" The same time Loki started screaming, a fissure ran below him. From there a huge snake fiercely burst out. Only, the snake head was *gunyagunya* transformed into a human''s face¡ª¡ªit faced Loki and grinned. The illegal magician called Earth Snake. Because of the surprise, Kaguya-senpai''s concentration is thrown into disarray. "You are¡­. I see, you too have materialized huh?" Loki grinned broadly and laughed, and clung to the snake''s body. "It''s amusing playing with you bastards, too bad I don''t have time for this, getting hurt for real will suck¡­Get out of here, my child!" "¡­!" "Dammnit, I''ll remember this day, you human brat¡­no, Solomon''s King! I''m acknowledging you! I''m gonna make you dance in my too!" Before Kaguya-senpai could invoke her magic, both of them sank into the ground. After waiting and seeing that Kaguya-senpai finally passed out, Kazuki watched the scene while still on his back. ¡ª¡ªThe world is being encroached by the myth. that didn''t make sense was spreading out right in front of my eyes. In the end of the battle where sword, magic, and Diva mixed together¡ª¡ªthe ground''s surface was gouged, cloud of sand floated, and the spectator stand destroyed, just like a ruin in a desolate land. Everything was dyed in decadent red by the setting sun. Kazuki stood up in a daze. This should be a fight for the sake of protecting an important place where I belong. This kind of conclusion. Kazuki''s underfoot was wet with crimson liquid. Mio lay there, her uniform covered in blood. The bleeding amount was outrageous. It''s not only because of the setting sun that made just about everything dark red. The siren of the approaching knight group entered his ear. Kazuki kneeled beside the girl and held the limp upper half of her body in his arms. Nothing was reflected on the the half-closed eyes of Mio. Her "hyuu-hyuu" breath was becoming intermittent. The [Red] flowing out of her chest announced the end of Amasaki Mio. "Why for something like me¡­ Even though you always say you are the master, I am the slave. ¡­Even so, why¡­" Kazuki whispered not expecting any reply but, inside Mio''s hazy eyes strength are returning, the girl laughed faintly. "¡­tha, that''s because you see" Even with agonizing breath, her colorless lip quavered. "Honestly¡­I''m so happy I could meet you" Toward those words, an intense lump of guilt swelled up deep inside his stomach, becoming a strangled yell. It''s painful in the heart. His eyes are hot. His head became pure white. That kind of thing¡ª¡ªI knew! "¡­The karaage, was delicious" I know, just from your expression that was obvious! "¡­You came when I was sulking alone in my room, I''m glad¡­getting teased by classmates, I was happy¡­when we were told we look like married couple, going on date¡­I was happy. Saying we were going to eat together the same sweet curry¡­" I know¡­I understand all of your feelings, and yet, I didn''t have any courage to believe it. "I, I was always a person that was only saying unpleasant things wasn''t I, sorry¡­" There was no need to apologize. Her honest feeling was plain to see even without Leme''s magic. "¡­Cheesecake¡­it''d be nice if I wrote [Love] properly¡­" Mio''s eyes closed, she inhaled her last breath softly, and then her pulse stopped. "¡­I wanted¡­to kiss you on the lips¡­" That was her last word. The color left Mio''s expression leaving behind an empty shell. Inside Kazuki the dam broke and tears overflowed. Everything of those¡­even words that was not said at this moment, I knew all of them already¡­!! "UAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!" I couldn''t protect her. ¡­I don''t even have any power that can protect her. For a girl who felt love for me, I''m powerless to protect her. Because of my cowardice, beacuse I keep demeaning myself, I don''t even have strength to believe¡­! In the middle of wailing, the shaking view blurred with tears reflecting the light of fireshadow¡ª¡ªattached to Mio, the matching necklace with me shined reflecting the setting sun. The feather necklace¡ª¡ªPhoenix. The symbol of destruction and rebirth, the divine bird leaping over the world''s logic. Its complete summoning¡­ Leme once said [underhanded trick]. Kazuki bet on the vague hope. He cradled up Mio''s body¡ª¡ª He put their lips together without hesitation. It tasted of blood. At the same time the stigma in the left had radiated heat. The heat changed into a powerful bond with Mio''s spells flowing into his mind. Phoenix ultimate magic¡ª¡ªtranscending the fate, the power to take back what is lost. "¡­Oh sweet-talking divine bird. ¡­Oh beautiful artist shaking fate. ¡­Namely the poet, transform into magician. Everything of me, for thy poem¡­" {¡­In your condition now, the magic power is not enough.} The surrounding shined with orange light. Orange is, the color of Mio. Behind Kazuki, Phoenix spread its wing and materialized. The divine bird warned with low voice. Just like the legend of Phoenix, that magic will burn oneself entirely till only ashes are left behind, from the ashes one will be reborn and resurrected once more. The caster''s magic power will be consumed entirely. The caster''s existence and fate will be distorted, invoking a grand restoration magic. Right now it was still barely in time. If Kazuki used that kind of grand magic in his current condition, he will fall into a grave magic intoxication. His mind will be dragged into , the boundary between Astrum with the thinning self-ego and mental world will be lost, blending them together, making it impossible to return from Astrum to the real world. Completely forfeiting his mind. "My mind¡ª¡ªI don''t mind about that kind of thing. I don''t care whatever happens to me." "If that''s so, then fine¡­Oh King of Solomon. Recite my poem." "Disintegrate my body into a thousand words, remake the world by that illusion¡­!!" As soon as the chant ended, magic power, mind, soul, the feeling of everything being absorbed was felt. The world distorted. However what happened after that, Kazuki couldn''t recognize anything anymore. ¡ª¡ªAnd then Mio opened her eyes. Volume 1 Epilogue — The Shore between Dreams and Myth Part 1 Volume 1 Epilogue - The Shore between Dreams and Myth Part 3 Like a drifting wood from a far-off sea finally arriving at the shore¡ª¡ªKazuki''s consciousness woke up. The organized consciousness dyed the inside of his pure-white mind. It seems that he had slept for a long period. This place is¡ª¡ªmy own room in the Witch''s Mansion. My clothes had been changed with clean clothes. I had a feeling that someone called me but¡ª¡ªthere was no one around. I stretched my weakening body and then went out to the corridor but there was no human presence in the second floor. What about Mio? That''s right, what happened to Mio¡­!? After descending the stairs, there was a human presence in the kitchen. Opening the door¡ª¡ªA scene that was so distant from reality entered Kazuki''s eyes. There was a maid. The back figure with dancing frills for some reason was cooking food. "¡­Kazuki, you woke up!" The girl turning around was Mio but¡ª¡ª''Impossible'' Kazuki was in too much of a shock. "Don''t stand up, sleep and don''t force yourself, come on." Mio, who was in maid clothing, pushed Kazuki who came to the kitchen back to his room. It''s overbearing but her attitude and hand manner was gentle. ¡ª¡ªExactly like a maid. Kazuki who was pushed back to his room obediently lowered his back on the bed. I don''t understand what''s going on. Mio came to the room holding an earthenware pot. "I have a feeling that you''ll wake up around today so¡­I had a feeling that I heard a reply, so I made porridge!" ¡­Reply? But certainly, inside the dream-like world, I had a feeling that Mio''s voice resounded. Mio brought the desk''s chair to Kazuki''s bedside and she sat down. "¡­Why maid?" "You see, you are, you like maid right? When you woke up I thought I will do something that you like¡­fuufuu" Mio scooped a mouthful of porridge into the china spoon, blew the porridge herself and ''aan'' held the spoon. "I, I can eat it myself! I am the slave and you are the master isn''t it!?" "Today I am a maid okay! Besides¡­I''m not really seriously thinking of Kazu-nii as a slave. Realize that properly already¡­" Mio pouted her lips in displeasure. No, I understood already but¡­! "Come on, you like maids right? It''s okay to admire it as much as you like. Here, aan" It was not that I liked to be served by a maid, I just like to work like a maid but, Kazuki ''aan'' opened his mouth. Warmth spread inside his weakened body. "You, are you alright?" "What are you talking about, ''alright''? That''s what I should be asking you know! How long do you think you were asleep, you know! Five days!?" Mio was¡­did she not remember about how close she was to death? Or else, was everything a dream? "I should say this; however, these five days unthinkable things keep happening in the world you know." In only a few days, Loki had already gathered the illegal magicians and put them together with enigmatic leadership. Next, he introduced Loki''s Einherjar and declared war to the government. Loki already began guerrilla attacks to the Knight Order in the whole country¡ª¡ªhearing Mio''s story, I finally fully realized that as expected, it was not a dream. "The Knight Order judged that for a while Loki won''t be making any big moves. It seems Loki is waiting until the other illegal magicians transform into Divas. That''s why to stop that right now, the Knight Order is searching for Loki''s whereabouts while they are also preparing large scale operations. It''s certainly pretty busy right now." Mio demonstrated the current situation of flurry of activities by waving and wriggling her hands and feet around. So far the Knight Order kept stopping the illegal magician''s Divas that were on the verge of awakening. But if Loki became the leader of the illegal magicians, even for the Knight Order, it would be difficult to stop them¡ª¡ªit might be that the Divas that are like Loki who obtained flesh and body would make their appearances one after another. "Even at the academy, the Quests for assisting the Knight Order are increasing, even now the senpais are out there helping with the Quest. The senpais right now are forming the strongest combination with the Sword Division''s student council you see. ¡­I and Hiakari are first year so we cannot participate though." "The senpais with Kanae and the others are¡­!?" "¡­From now on it might be that the friction between and Sword Division will lessen little by little huh." The senpais were even now going through Quest and participating in the fight with Loki. Even now the grieving scream of Kaya was still ringing inside my ear. And then Loki''s sneer too¡­ "¡­I wonder if I too can also fight against Loki." "A dangerous quest concerning a Diva doesn''t have any relation with a Rank E like you doesn''t it? At best you will get a quest for Haunted Ground elimination or Demon Beast suppression you know." "I, I see¡­that''s right isn''t it¡­I forgot but, I''m just a Rank E¡­" "That''s why it will be good if you form a party with me who is ranked A you know!" Mio was ''fufuun'' saying that while puffing up her chest. "If we formed a party and steadily cleared the quest, even first-years like us can become involved with quests regarding Loki you see!" A party of¡­me and Mio¡­? "Wha¡­what is it¡­you are not satisfied? you are not satisfied aren''t you?" "There is no way I''m dissatisfied. Those words of honor are completely wasted on me, Master." "¡­I said stop it already with calling me Master! Hehehe, alright then, from now on we are not slave and master anymore, we are partner that fight together in a party!! Beating Demon Beast, traveling Haunted Ground on foot, adventures of collecting sacred treasures¡­Even Kaguya-senpai and the others are no big deals!" Mio came and grasped Kazuki''s hand. Living fingers that radiated warmth. "¡­Kazu-nii and I, because we will be together for a long time¡­" At that moment¡ª¡ªKazuki thought ''I''m really glad that Mio is still alive.'' I want to protect this girl. Such feeling was seething inside. I want power for that purpose¡­ {If you want power, then it''s harem for sure. Harem. The next target is surely Hiakari Koyuki okay!} Kazuki was shocked because suddenly Leme''s voice echoed inside his mind. Because of Kazuki''s silence, Mio started to fidget restlessly with Kazuki''s hand that was in her grasp. "¡­By the way, did Hiakari-san not enter a party?" "Why, it''s no good to enter that girl into our party and become comrades you know, isn''t it good enough with only the two of us?" "No, why do you leave her out like that? That girl is absolutely strong right? ¡­Ouch ouch!" Mio suddenly pinched Kazuki''s hand, Kazuki whose defensive magic power was currently running dry raised his voice. "¡­It''s fine if you don''t invite me to something like a party. I have chosen the path of a solo player." The door of Kazuki''s room was opened and Koyuki appeared in her . "Hiakari-san? What is that, solo player?" "Good morning, Kazuki. You are really a person who doesn''t know the rule of this academy don''t you? A Solo player is someone that challenges a quest alone. Even now I just came from finishing a quest." "¡­Isn''t that dangerous? You should join our party you know." "I don''t like it. That kind of thing like disturbing between the two of you¡­ Even though I''m alone, leaving that aside I''ve shown that I''m strong. I am a special magician. Because I''m an elf whose only worth is her magic power¡­" "There are some voices talking! Did Otouto-kun already wake up!?" ''DOTABATADOTABATA'' While raising loud footsteps, the two senpais spiritedly leaped into the room. "Otouto-kunn! You woke up, I''m really glad!" The moment their figures appeared, Kaguya-senpai and Hoshikaze-senpai leaped straight toward Kazuki''s bed. Wait a minute, though Kaguya-senpai who always did an extreme skinship was expected, why did Hoshikaze-senpai that was poor with men also come and hugged me!? And with their forms that had high exposure rates too! "So, sorry! Even though it''s unpleasant with someone like me, who resemble both genders, but¡­!" With a timid tone of voice, Hoshikaze-senpai clung to Kazuki on top of the bed. "Not fair¡­" Koyuki muttered in subdued tone. Looking closely, the cheek of the girl was also flushed. "¡­I, even though I¡­tried to endure for a while already¡­!" This kind of thing, even Koyuki¡ª¡ªwith unsteady gait like a sleepwalking person came and clung to Kazuki. "¡­This kind of thing, it''s some kind of blunder¡­my chest is so hot that I arbitrarily¡­" "What kind of misunderstanding? It''s strange that Hoshikaze-senpai and Hiakari-san does this kind of thing!" "¡­The truth is because the three of us chanted Asmodeus, the effect is¡­all three of us are turned on and want to do skinship. Sorryyy." Kaguya-senpai laughed and then hugged me even tighter. "Wa, wait wait! This guy is my Kazu-nii you know! Get away from him!" The maid Mio came and wedged herself between in a fluster. {For the sake of obtaining power, it''s harem for sure, harem.} Leme who once again grew a little, gently materialized besides Kazuki. At the same time, the tangled four people''s positivity level appeared in his field of vision. Amasaki Mio¡ª¡ª120 Otonashi Kaguya¡ª¡ª73 Hiakari Koyuki¡ª¡ª45 Hoshikaze Hikaru¡ª¡ª39 Kaguya-senpai and Mio were holding Kazuki between them and quarreled jokingly. "Mio-chan, this magic swordsman is my cute disciple you know! That''s why, please!!" "No way! This guy is the partner in the party of only he and I!" ¡­If Kanae saw this situation, surely ''As I thought, Nii-sama should be in the Sword Division!'' she would shout like that. The current Kazuki had a lot of important people he wanted to protect. Sensing the omen of troubles in the future, Kazuki secretly embraced his determination. No matter what happens from now on, I will protect everything important¡ª¡ªI will become . Volume 1 Epilogue — The Shore between Dreams and Myth Part 2 Volume 1 Epilogue - The Shore between Dreams and Myth The placed in the middle of the conference room projected the miracle that occurred at the end of the incident. The phantasmagoria was the result between advanced magic and alchemy. Using the application of spirit photography magic, it was possible to project the image inside the human mind as a three dimensional image. Right now this phantasmagoria was projecting the rushing Knight Order member witnessing [the scene where Hayashizaki Kazuki summoned Phoenix completely]. While the eyes of the Magic Division''s teachers were focused on the projection¡ª¡ªLiz Liza stood up and announced. "¡­A circuit formed from the bond tied with other contractors, from there it pulled out the magic of another Diva and able to use them completely, [the power of King]. At this occasion it established [Lemegeton''s true power]." Having an eye witness of Kazuki''s complete summoning of Phoenix, the deception of [Lemegeton''s ability was no more than copy magic] couldn''t stand up anymore. "I have a request¡­let him get accepted into Magica officially, and then form the bonds with other students. The whole school should offer the support in this matter of him becoming King!" The teachers were making a commotion¡ª¡ªthey are in panic because of Loki''s awakening. Five days had passed since the incident of Loki''s awakening in the inter-division match. The Knight Order''s preparation for Loki''s subjugation had began but before that happened¡ª¡ªLoki gathered the illegal magicians from various places in Japan and took command of them. They introduced themselves as Loki''s Einherjar and began to attack the Knight Order. Until now, it was an impossible event for illegal magician that had their minds in derangement to take action in a group. That was a terrible situation. Loki, who was wounded on his chest, in this five days kept repeating an attack where he counter-attacked and retreated quickly. Such attacks were done many times over, causing the Knight Order''s preparation of Loki''s subjugation, to lag behind and couldn''t progress. It was possible that the academy would be targeted again, by Loki''s attack, if the Knight Order continues like this to where they couldn''t defeat Loki. In the middle of that anxiety, the existence of [Solomon''s King] became known. The [Myth] of a King that controls a collaboration of Divas for the sake of the people. As far as the teachers are concerned, they saw a sliver of hope. "However¡­will Hayashizaki Kazuki be able to wake up if his unconscious state continues?" There was no treatment regarding magic intoxication. Kazuki was currently bedridden in the Witch''s Mansion. "He will come back for sure. ¡­Because even I was able to return back." Liz Liza''s own body had experienced the matter of magic intoxication. What happened to the mind that was dragged into Astrum¡ª¡ªshe understood that but still, that youth would be able to come back for sure. "¡­Objection! A suspicious Diva like that should not be accepted so easily." The academy''s board chairman raised an objection. An old man with a stern face that looked like a raptor bird. In the staff meeting, he consistently kept insisting to seal Lemegeton. "The facts that can be used to validate that the Diva named Lemegeton is worthy of trust is zero. It''s possible that she is only pretending as [Solomon''s King] and giving that kind of explanation of her ability to deceive us. ¡­You know that evil Diva tricked humans and then possessed them. The Diva who was handing out illegal contract will conveniently whisper sweet words to humans." "One case gives you an idea of what always happens in the issue of a Diva. Even in that attack incident, it was possible that suspicious Diva Lemegeton was the one that guided Loki, wasn''t it? My [step daughter] was also dragged into that incident you know! Maybe it''s overly careful but, what kind of teacher are we if we don''t take all precaution for the sake of the children!" "Please calm down, Board Chairman Amasaki¡­" The flustered teacher next to the old man that hit the desk in rage tried to pacify him. "I already thought about this thoroughly you know! Everyone of us must have the self-awareness, the 72 Pillar is an exception, but the thing known as Diva and Myth, in all cases, are the enemy of humanity! The Divas in the six countries overseas that gathered faith, we don''t know what they are currently scheming!" "But Board Chairman Amasaki¡­Right now the academy and the Knight Order need every bit of powerful strength available. All the more if someday the < will really occur." The headmaster announced to cool the atmosphere. All present became silent toward the word of the academy''s most influential person. Ragnarok. The ominous prediction that Loki left behind before he went away. "If we need power then we shouldn''t rely on a suspicious Diva, instead we have to reorganize the Magic Division to become stronger, shouldn''t we? ¡­Headmaster Otonashi." Board Chairman Amasaki glared at the calm headmaster in discontent. Both of their opinions were in opposition. The headmaster was young compared to the board chairman, grizzled hair in dark suits and appearance that was arranged methodically leaving no gap. Even when facing the bluntly aggressive manner, he didn''t show any wavering emotion. "¡­Board Chairman Amasaki''s word is also reasonable. But it is still too early to make a simple decision. Let''s watch the situation some more shall we? And if he shows even a little suspicious behavior then¡ª¡ª" Headmaster Otonashi made the declaration after a short pause. "The Quest for Lemegeton''s subjugation will be handed down to the academy''s strongest , Otonashi Kaguya." ¡­Before I noticed I was already asleep. Inside the dream I saw in the pitch black world, I sank deeper and deeper¡ª¡ªthat place was already neither dream nor unconscious mind anymore. . The alternate dimension connected from the depth of a human''s mind. Humans that searched for magic power that could distort the world, that exceed their own strength of existence, their mind was dispersed and then restored in this world. The parts of Kazuki''s mind that were disconnected were being dismantled and lie scattered in Astrum. Those pieces scattered everywhere contained countless accumulation of memory of his life so far. The date with Mio. The duel with Mio. The meeting with Leme. The kindness of Kaguya-senpai. Kanae who was at first very thorny but gradually behaved like a spoiled child. The disciplining of step-father. Everyone of Nanohana Institute. And then the even further past¡ª¡ªthe event that was already impossible to recall, the distant scar. Inside the darkness of Astrum, Kazuki saw the forgotten . The days of cold winter that froze the body. A woman held Kazuki that was still a baby in her arms. Kazuki remembered this woman, instinctively. Mother¡­ On that cold day, mother¡­abandoned me in front of the gate of the orphanage [Nanohana Institute]. The past that could not be recalled, however Kazuki''s mind that had turned to the depth of his unconscious mind could be controlled. I see¡ª¡ªthat''s why I couldn''t believe on that kind of thing. Myself that was not even loved by my blood-related mother, there was no way somebody who loved me exist. Much less becoming Harem King¡­ "Hee, demeaning oneself, cannot depend on yourself. Even so when you are hugged by Otonashi Kaguya, you became pretty excited, wasn''t ittt." A voice resounded inside the world of darkness. A violet witch was ''kukuku'' laughing while her figure appeared. "You are not really believing that seriously. You had on one occasion believed hadn''t you, the bond with my master." ''Bat'' like a flower blooming brilliantly, a bird of fire spread its wing besides Kazuki. In the world of total darkness, the two Diva became ambiguous and called out to Kazuki''s heart. "Quickly go back okaay. My cute Kaguya is feeling down you knoow." "If it''s you right now, you should be able to sense the connection shouldn''t you? Remember it¡­" Connection¡ª¡ªthe contract with Leme connected it, the magic power circuit formed from the positivity. Certainly even now that connection was linked with my soul. "Kukuku¡­Don''t make a woman wait you knoow." "Because you are not a human who fight for yourself, but someone that can demonstrate his strength for the sake of others, that was why we chose you as King. We didn''t choose a coward and a menial human¡­Don''t betray my master." The voice¡ª¡ªcertainly it could be heard. {¡­Kazuki. Kazuki!} That''s right. I am Hayashizaki Kazuki. The voice was becoming vague. Kazuki''s ego was being reformed. From the depth of the darkness, his consciousness was softly surfacing to the real world. The direction of the calling voice was the direction of the ties of bond. "Yareyare¡­A troublesome King-sama isn''t iit. Fifteen years where human and Diva''s contact was reestablished. Even though the will begin to move soon. Not only that insolent Lokii, all those sheetty Mythology that support other countries and storing power too. The age of myth that mankind forgot completely is coming again¡­" "Regarding our action of invading their , Japan''s Mythology''s movement is also worrying¡­I believe they chose not to become a and remained a spectator though." "We can''t keep teetering like thaat. Our cute Leme-chan already forfeited her power and became a cute little girl you knooow." While seeing off Kazuki''s consciousness, the witch and the fire bird exchanged private words. ""King is needed after all¡­for human to fight against gods."" Chapter 2.1.1 — Before the Storm Volume 2 Chapter 1 - Before the Storm Part 1 Above the swamp, earth, sand and dry leaves were piling up, Kazuki stepped onto the wet ground and ran towards the approaching enemy. From between the poisonous trees with violet trunks and leaves, Demon Beasts that looked like jelly-beans with brightly colored, slimy mucus¡ª¡ªSlimes were approaching one after another to attack. [Suppression of Demon Beasts that nested in the Haunted Ground]¡ª¡ªThat was the Quest that Kazuki and the others accepted. A silver flash surged from the mouth of his scabbard, Kazuki drew his Iai towards the approaching blue slime in front of his eyes. The slime that chilled the air was cut in half, but¡ª¡ªthe blue slimes immediately reattached and returned to how it was previously. Kazuki''s eyes opened wide because of the unknown enemy''s mode of life. ¡­The sword was not effective against these things! All at once the multi-colored slimes that were in Kazuki''s way leaped toward him. "The calling voice of the ruler of flame, liberate the rage deep inside the earth! Create the rampart of mine here¡­soaring on heaven and earth, isolate the impurity! Fire Wall!!" However, Kazuki invoked Phoenix''s Summoning Magic to assault the enemies. He chanted the spell while charging into the center of the enemies and waited for the right timing. Together with flashes of light, fissures ran along the ground under Kazuki, and from there, a wall of flames burst out. The slimes that attacked Kazuki were effortlessly swallowed by the wall of flames and were all evaporated at once. The few slimes that managed to slip out of the flame walls attacked Kazuki, but he brushed them off with his katana. Thereupon, the dignified voice of the partner that supported Kazuki echoed from behind him. "Scattered sparks of dancing wings! Lingering spiral wind, become life piercing bullet! Flap your wings and fire! Barrett!!" Red lights lingered like wings from the stigma on her back as Mio invoked Barrett. The flame bullet attacked the slime, and its body fused with the heat of the spell. While Kazuki stepped back, he copied Mio by chanting Barrett and hit the slime. "Kazukii! Hooray, we beat them with the same magic?" Mio''s voice rose in excitement, and she clung to Kazuki''s arm after scattering the enemy''s group. Although, until a little while ago, she was saying "How impertinent for someone like Kazuki to use the same magic¡¤¡¤¡¤" Was it because of the exaltation in the battlefield? Mio was unusually honest and bold. No, Mio seemed to not remember that time when she died. However, since Kazuki kissed and saved her, he had a feeling that her attitude had instantly softened. ¡­Was it because of the high positivity level of 120? "Co-come on, don''t let your mind wander in the middle of a quest!" Because Mio''s Magic Dress was highly revealing in the chest area that was pressed against him, embarrassed, Kazuki spontaneously uttered words of resistance. Mio made a face that was a little sulky. "What? I properly watched our surroundings, and after that I took action you know. Bee~" While clinging to his arm, Mio brought her face near Kazuki and stuck her tongue out at him. Even though her expression was one of cheekiness, Kazuki was strangely conscious of Mio''s lips near his cheek. At that moment, a voice rang out from the thicket in front of them, and a new group of slimes came to attack them both. Mio who had just said that she had already properly observed the surrounding area, reacted quickly and sprung up just like she said, turning to Kazuki''s rear¡ª¡ªthe swordsman protected the Summoning MagicianMagika Stigma, Heaven and Earth Formation. "Barrett!" "Fire Wall!" The flame wall of the vanguard, Kazuki, and the fire bullet from the rear guard, Mio, reduced the interweaving bunch of slimes to ashes. ¡ª¡ªNo, wait a second, what was that!? A crimson slime flew out from inside the flames. ¡­Was it resistant to heat!? Somehow this Demon Beast Slime appeared to have its own attribute based on the color. Kazuki immediately leaped and cut the slime that gradually released heat. Because of the slash, the slime scattered in pieces. However the pieces slipped past Kazuki. "Damn it!" "Kyaaa! What is this!?" The scattered slime became a spray of red mucus and incessantly rained on Mio. Flustered, Mio tried to clear the mucus that fell onto her body and magic dress. However, the already revealing dress immediately started to melt where the slimy mucus made contact. "No way! The, the clothes are melting!!" ¡ª¡ªIf the Magic Dress that supplemented the spell chanting was not there, the battle potential of the Magika Stigma would be reduced by half. Because the magic dress was created by magic power, it could be regenerated if the user requested the Diva to fix it, but¡­for Mio it was just not possible. She crouched down to try to hide her exposed skin. From the swamp behind Mio who currently crouched down¡ª¡ªthe cylindrical shapes of tentacles leaped out. A Demon Beast different from the slimes! Was it waiting for an opportunity like the one just now!? They were just Demon Beasts, and yet they matched their breath superbly and performed combination attacks. The slimy tentacles entangled the mostly naked Mio. Just like wrenching open flower petals, the tentacles twined around and pulled Mio''s limbs, exposing what should be hidden. The girl''s face flushed bright red in unbelievable shame. "No way no way, don''t look, Kazuki! I will do something on my own so don''t come here!!" Mio shouted at Kazuki with a tearful, panicky voice as he moved to help. However, a shadow floated up in the muddy water surface. The owner of the tentacle''s real body was now on the verge of surfacing. "Is this the time to say that kind of thing!? You are going to be eaten!!" Kazuki drew his Iai and severed the tentacles in one go. What kind of aquatic creature was it that lurked inside the swamp? It was unknown, but the tentacles could be cut as opposed to the slimes. As Mio fell from the severed tentacles, Kazuki caught and carried her like a princess. But the problem was that, currently, they didn''t have any means to defeat the red slime. The mission was to defeat the Demon Beasts, but if they didn''t escape from here somehow¡­! "¡­Nihility of ancient times, the nothingness residing inside this heart, become the freezing breath. The streaming silence of rejection, freeze and be silent¡¤¡¤¡¤Glacier Wind!!" A chilly wind blew from next to Kazuki. That was the breath of a mermaid. The red slime that assaulted him was frozen in the blink of an eye by the wind. ¡ª¡ªIce attribute summoning magic! "Hiakari-san!? ¡­Thank you! So you came to save us!" Turning around, there was the mystical classmate clad in magic dress that resembled a white leotard. Hiakari Koyuki was standing there without a hint of expression. Her attitude toward Kazuki was sharply aloof, identical with her sharp ears that was the characteristic of an elf. "When I thought that we received the same quest by chance¡­this is a totally shameful sight, isn''t it? You are only a hindrance if you can''t fight already, how about you just go back home." After her gazed briefly fell on the nude Mio, Koyuki briskly turned her back to Kazuki. "¡­Hiakari-san, be careful of the blue slimes!" Similar to the red slimes that radiated heat, the blue slimes radiated chilly air. That was why there was no doubt that the blue slimes had strong resistance against cold. Koyuki''s ear twitched at hearing Kazuki''s warning, but without even glancing back, her figure disappeared between the strange trees that grew wildly inside this Haunted Ground. "¡­No choice then, let''s return to the academy for the moment, Mio." Kazuki spoke with Mio as she clung to his arm. All of this was the swordsman''s responsibility because he couldn''t protect the rearguard. "¡­Kazu-niii" said in a drowsy, sweet voice as she was carried nude in Kazuki''s arms. "Mio? Now that I think about it, are you fine after being attacked by a slime like that?" "Kazu-nii¡­my chest is hot. My body, my chest, and stomach are itching¡­" Mio hugged Kazuki tightly. Somehow her condition seemed strange. While not knowing where to look, Kazuki peeked at Mio''s face. Her face was flushed red like she had a cold, her eyes were intoxicated like they saw a hallucination, and rough, panting breath escaped from her half-opened lips. ¡­Perhaps it was because of the hot liquid from before! That liquid melted the magic dress. Magic dresses were created from magic power, namely the force of will. If that was melted then¡ª¡ªthat liquid was a poison that influenced the mind! No wait, rather than poison, this liquid was¡­a type of sake and aphrodisiac¡­ "Kazu-nii¡­I love you! I love you I love you, I love you so much!! Hug me more!!" Heart marks scattered around, Mio pushed her bare-naked breasts against him, and her legs coiled around. A sweet scent resembling milk drifted in the air. Her sighs hitting Kazuki''s neck were hot and amorous. This is bad. This situation is very bad! ¡­If we don''t escape to a place where there are no Demon Beasts and people then¡­! Her sanity should return after a short while, and then she could reform her magic dress. ¡­If I don''t preserve my reasoning until that time, then in this strange situation, towards Mio, I will¡­! "I am the swordsman of Hayashizaki style! No way I''ll lose to this kind of temptation!!" While shouting ''UOOOOOO!'' Kazuki ran through the forest carrying the soft body of Mio. Chapter 2.1.2 — Before the Storm Volume 2 Chapter 1 - Before the Storm Part 2 Going back three hours before¡ª¡ª "Traveling in a train like this, somehow it feels like a trip, doesn''t it~" Kazuki and Mio, both of them wearing their uniform, sat side by side inside the magic light train. "Don''t get too relaxed, okay? The quest will have actual combat you know." Kazuki made a bitter expression aimed toward the partner who wasn''t nervous at all on their first quest. Though having said that, it''s not like Kazuki didn''t understand what Mio said. Today was the start of Golden Week, it had been one month since he enrolled. The pleasantly warm breeze of the late spring season poured in from the window, repeatedly blowing the nape of their neck. "Kazuki also shares this mood, right? Waking up early in the morning and making onigiri. What are the ingredients?" "This is just preparation in case the quest turned out to take a long time, you know!? Canned tuna and salted salmon roe." "My favorite dish from a long time ago. So you remember!" Mio''s face was bursting with a smile along with a heart mark that came flying toward Kazuki. That heart mark was sucked into Kazuki''s magic dress, the . This ring received the change of the affection levels of other people and had the power to measure them. In the span of one month since meeting with his former childhood friend, her affection level had thoroughly gone up. Mio restlessly looked around their surroundings to confirm there were no other passengers. "Kazu-nii, wake me up when we arrive~" Mio approached and leaned her head to Kazuki''s shoulder. "Are you intending to sleep before fighting!?" As expected, Kazuki was surprised. "It''s okay, I''m not really sleeping. I just want to do this¡­" While saying that, Mio clutched Kazuki''s hand by entwining their fingers together. ''gatangoton'' Within the vibration of the train''s movement, Kazuki stayed silent while feeling the warmth of Mio''s body. Humankind obtained the power of magic and met with the residents of a parallel dimension who were called Diva. ¡ª¡ªThereupon an outbreak of phenomenon called happened. Tearing off the world, from there the magic power of the parallel world, Distorted WorldAstrum, spilled over. The spilled magic power transformed into the form of Demon Beasts and spirits. Demon Beasts attacked humans, and the surrounding space where the Demon Beasts gathered was polluted by magic power and became the Demon Beasts'' soil where humans couldn''t live¡ª¡ªthe Haunted Ground. The defense organization that protected Japan''s public order, the Knight Order, had three main duties, [Defense against the invasion of other country], [Suppression of illegal magician], and [Subjugation of Demon Beasts ¡¤ liberation of Haunted Ground]. Because of the frequent terror attacks against the Knight Order performed by a group of illegal magicians called [Loki''s Einherjar], led by Loki of Norse Mythology, the Knight Order didn''t have enough hands to perform their original duty. To compensate for that, the knight training academy that Hayashizaki Kazuki attended¡ª¡ªThe National Knight Academy , gave the work that the Knight Order couldn''t finish to the students in the form of a quest. The students formed parties and challenged the quest in place of the Knight Order. The Haunted Ground''s location was a few minutes walk from the station. The Haunted Ground''s surrounding was covered by a fence, and the civilians were prohibited from entering. Demon Beasts instinctively attacked humans. However, Demon Beasts couldn''t come out into the surrounding space that hadn''t been transformed into a Haunted Ground. They mostly took defensive stances and only attacked humans that invaded the Haunted Ground. Haunted Grounds became the production base of Demon Beasts. It further encroached the surrounding area because of the Demon Beasts'' propagation and kept expanding. Inevitably, the people that originally lived on the soil that became a Haunted Ground were evacuated. Like this, the longer the Haunted Ground was left alone, the harder it would be to control the situation. The dispatching of the Knight Order prioritized urban areas at any cost while forest and mountain Haunted Grounds were easily postponed and tend to be distributed as quests for Knight Academy''s students. Kazuki and Mio headed for the gate that served as the only entrance for the Haunted Ground. Old personEx-knight was standing guard at the gate to inspect the people that tried to enter the Haunted Ground. "We were dispatched from the Knight Academy and came here, please allow us to enter." "¡­Cheh, the academy brats huh. Moreover, only two came." The guard spat out in a whisper and started the processing of Kazuki and Mio''s entry. "Why doesn''t the Knight Order come here themselves, they are making light of the refugees here. ¡­Then I''ll do the scan, so let your magic power flow into your Stigma until it shines. Hm? What is this stigma?" The guard put his hand and scanned the magic light of the stigma at the back of Kazuki''s hand with the . Next, Mio''s stigma was also scanned by peeking at her neck from behind. Thereupon, the device compared the data that had arrived from the quest counter of the academy, and confirmed that Kazuki and Mio were the appointed people of an official quest. "You''re not a mere swordsman, it became a hot topic some time ago, someone who received an Enigma despite being a man. Although, as expected, your magic power seems to be low compared to the woman huh. Don''t overdo yourself to where it becomes a situation where we need to call reinforcements, okay?" After seeing off Kazuki and Mio, the guard entered the gate''s post, Mio pulled her eyelid down and stuck out her tongue. "What is that, saying things like ''just a student'' or ''just a man'', making fools of us! When Kazuki and I unite, we are unrivaled! Starting from now is the beginning of the legend of me and Kazuki!!" "¡­Mio, saying things like ''unrivaled'' or ''legend'', however you meant it, only sound like failure flags." "Why are you saying things like that~!!" While advancing forward with Mio repeatedly hitting Kazuki, the scenery gradually changed into strange and crooked things. It was a country road that could exist anywhere, but it turned into wetlands filled with moisture, and the surrounding trees'' color changed into poisonous colors. The Demon Beasts'' presences were starting to drift around in the surroundings. ¡­And then, three hours later, Mio''s flag splendidly became reality. ¡­¡­¡­¡­ Sitting next to Kazuki while on their way home in the train, Mio cast her eyes down in shame while blushing a bright red. "¡­Hey, how much did you see¡­?" How much, was it? It is about the matter with the mucus and tentacles from earlier wasn''t it? "I swear I didn''t see much. The tentacles were in the way." "Af, after that, I was naked for quite a while, right!? Though I don''t remember it well¡­" "After that, I didn''t look at your body. At the time, I was obviously in the middle of fighting you know." "¡­Then Kazuki, you really don''t have any interest in me after all?" Mio glared at Kazuki with sulking eyes. Why did it become like this¡­? "Talking about that, what was up with your condition?" Was it something like an aphrodisiac that manipulated the mind, or was it like drinking alcohol and then losing all restraint and being merry like a drunk¡ª¡ªwhich one was it? Mio''s face became increasingly bright red because of Kazuki''s inquiry. "Don''t remember, I don''t remember! I don''t remember anything at all!" "As expected, a two man party might be too difficult." Kazuki changed the topic, and Mio, taken aback, raised her head. "I don''t wanna. I don''t want a strange person added to my party with Kazuki!!" "But¡­ with only us at the moment, the breadth of our tactics is far too narrow." The current Kazuki and Mio¡ª¡ªcannot use an attack magic other than of the flame element. Like today, if they encounter enemies that have a resistance toward flames and heat, then a hard fight would be inevitable. But with a resolute expression Mio shook her head. "It''s fine! I¡­ will become even stronger for sure!! To the extent that we won''t ever need any other people!!" Kazuki had a feeling that it was not a problem that could be solved simply by growing strong. But as Mio grasped his hand and stared at him hard with upturned eyes, Kazuki lost his words and couldn''t say anything. ¡­However, if I could use a lot more magic, then this problem would be settled. Kazuki''s contracted Diva¡ª¡ªSolomon''s small keyLemegeton was a unique Diva who had the [Power of the King] to control Solomon''s 72 Pillars. That skill was the ability to be able to use all 10 of the characteristic magics owned by the other Divas of Solomon''s 72 Pillars. In contrast with normal Divas that could only use 10 varieties of magic, Lemegeton could use at maximum 720 different types of magic. The problem of not having enough variety would become irrelevant, an extraordinary existence. But that ability had conditions. If Kazuki couldn''t make other Magika Stigma users fall in love with him, then he wouldn''t be able to use that ability. Currently, Kazuki could use the same summoning magic of [Phoenix] like Mio, because he was able to make the contractor of Phoenix, Mio, fall for him. He could also use two of Kaguya senpai''s summoning spells, but¡­ they were not magic really suitable for quests. I wanted to become strong and protect Mio. But to achieve that, then with another girl I''d need to¡­ Subconsciously, Kazuki poured magic power into Solomon''s ring, and magic light vision floated in front of his eyes. A graph of the girls'' positivity levels that only he could see was projected there. The graphs that extended horizontally, like they were competing before one''s eyes, were also provided along with a number. Amasaki Mio¡ª¡ª124 Otonashi Kaguya¡ª¡ª75 Hiakari Koyuki¡ª¡ª46 Hoshikaze Hikaru¡ª¡ª39 Mio was staying motionless and quiet, and before long the magic light train stopped at the station in front of the knight academy. ¡ª¡ªLike that, the first quest that the two individuals had challenged during Golden Week, was over without any result. Chapter 2.1.4 — Before the Storm Volume 2 Chapter 1 - Before the Storm Part 4 "Amasaki Mio will fall into rank B for sure if she keeps this up." When the first school day after Golden Week ended¡ª¡ª Kazuki was called to the staff room. There, the home-room teacher, Liz Liza Westwood, spouted a shocking sentence out of the blue. "Eh?" Liz Liza-sensei who had a figure that looked like a child''s, continued with her strict words toward Kazuki, who leaked out an idiotic voice. "Losing to an E rank like you was already fatal. Then, after that, she failed a quest, so her evaluation has dropped drastically. If she keeps this up she will be demoted to rank B." "Ple¡ª¡ªplease wait a second! Certainly she hasn''t shown results yet, but it''s obvious her true power is one of the best compared to her surroundings, right!?" "There are also other students who grew by a remarkable amount. Chances must be given equally." First year students who were evaluated as [rank A] at the academy could stay in the dedicated dormitory for the student council, [Witch''s Mansion], as a privilege. There, they could receive an introduction to magic from the senpais in the student council. Being demoted from rank A to rank B means eviction from the Witch''s Mansion. Kazuki was rank E, but because of the special circumstance of being contracted with a mysterious Diva, he could live in the Witch''s Mansion so the student council president could safeguard (while monitoring) him. Mio wouldn''t be in Witch''s Mansion anymore even though they were finally getting along again like in the old times. "Right now with Loki acting violently, the situation is that the students have to quickly complete quests. Real ability that cannot produce any results cannot be valued. Even if she is an A rank, if she is slacking off, being demoted might fire her up." Loki attacked the branches of the Knight Order in the whole country every few days, but before any real counterattack began, they only fought a little and escaped immediately. It was as though they were just ridiculing the opponent. It seems there was still nothing that resulted in death, but it became so that the Knight Order needed to be constantly vigilant against attacks. At the same time, the investigation for Loki''s hiding location must also be done. Like that, the duties that were neglected by the knights were distributed to the students as quests. Originally the quest system was intended for the students'' personal learning experience, however in the current emergency situation, they were completely regarded as precious war potential. Because there was strong opposition from society regarding the coercion of students into actual battle, the quests even now was formally a practical class that students accepted voluntarily, but¡ª¡ª rank A students like Mio were constantly under untold amounts of heavy pressure and expectations to produce results. "¡­But Mio is not slacking off at all!" Every morning since forming a party with Kazuki, Mio had always stealthily performed magic training as if to hide it from him¡ª¡ªthough Kazuki, who was very sensitive towards any magic power outbreak, noticed it immediately. "It''s because an E rank like me dragged her down." "Fuhn, my eyes are not so blind that I still think your real ability is the same as your current rank." "¡­Why was this matter not spoken of to the person herself, but instead, to me?" "Both of you are in a two-man party, aren''t you? If you think that girl''s evaluation is undeserved then you have to support your team mate." If I could support her then I wanted to do so. I really wanted to do that, but for that to happen¡­ "The quickest and easiest way for me is to add Hiakari Koyuki to your party, I also thought that if you can use that chance to become closer with her, then it will be two birds with one stone." A glint of light appeared in Liz Liza-sensei''s eyes. Liz Liza-sensei also knew about Leme''s special characteristics. Maybe that''s the real reason she called me here. "¡­Neither Mio nor Hiakari-san will agree to form a party together though." "Fuhn, it''s evident that your sense of danger is not enough that you''re being so particular about this. ¡­By the way, this is a completely different topic, but in the case that you became friendly with a magician that has a contract with a Diva other than Solomon''s 72 Pillars, what would happen? Can you also draw the ability from that Diva?" Liz Liza sensei asked about a topic that really had no relation at all with the topic until now. Lemegeton materialized besides Kazuki. She was a completely nude little girl the first time she appeared in front of Kazuki, but as her power returned little by little, her stature has already grew to about an elementary student''s size, and a one-piece tunic covered her body. With Leme regaining her power due to Kazuki''s friendlier relations with various girls, her original form was also slowly returning. It was a wonder what kind of form her original appearance was as a Diva. "With Divas other than Solomon''s 72 Pillars, as long as the other party has the will to cooperate with Leme, then Leme can draw that Diva''s characteristic magic you know-. However, it''s a considerably rare case for such Divas of other mythologies to cooperate with Leme though-. Fundamentally, the relations between mythologies are running counter with each other." "Hmm, is that so?" While looking down, Liz Liza-sensei whispered ''Is there any worth in testing this¡­'' Testing? ¡­In Japan, contracting with Divas other than Solomon''s 72 Pillars was illegal. There should be no chance of getting along with illegal magicians, but¡­ "Understood. It''s okay for you to go back now." Liz Liza-sensei waved her hand like she was chasing Kazuki out. An unexpected character was waiting for Kazuki when he came out of the staff room. "Kazuki, did you mess up something that required you getting called by sensei? ¡­mugu." Because of her small build, Kazuki didn''t see her, and that character''s face collided with Kazuki''s chest and leaked that ''mugu'' voice. Even though that kind of voice was still said coolly¡­ "Hiakari-san!? ¡­Are you okay?" Kazuki supported the girl''s shoulder in panic, though the girl said "I''m fine" and shook off his hand. "Rather than that, please don''t ignore my question. Why were you called?" "Aaa¡ª¡ªthat was¡­ Because of the failed quest yesterday, Liz Liza-sensei came to give a warning that if our evaluation keeps declining like this, it will be serious trouble. It''s because I''m an E rank you see." Kazuki immediately explained while avoiding Mio''s matter. Koyuki''s expression ''mu'' became stiff hearing that. "¡­It''s unreasonable isn''t it? Kazuki had won in a duel against an A rank, so failing a quest just once shouldn''t make your evaluation drop." "Is Hiakari-san worried about my problem?" When Kazuki started heading to the Witch''s Mansion, the girl also walked alongside him. "It''s not that. It''s not worry or anything. I don''t care whatever happened to you. It''s just, I wanted to give my thanks where there is nobody else¡­ If it''s not now, whether it be Amasaki-san, or the president, or little sister-san, somebody will be around you." The girl said thank you and bowed her head. "¡­By any chance, is it about the slime''s attribute during yesterday''s quest?" "Yes. Thanks to that I could successfully complete the quest. If not for Kazuki''s advice, I''d have lost my composure when I found out about the blue slime''s resistance to cold and might have fallen into a predicament." Yesterday''s quest was about holding back the encroachment of the Haunting Ground in western Tokyo''s forest. Koyuki annihilating all the Demon Beasts that lived in that Haunted Ground¡ª¡ªdid not happen, it seems exterminating one area of the Demon Beasts and liberating the area part by part was already considered as a success. If there were no Demon Beasts in the Haunted Ground, then the plot of land would return to how it was originally. Poisonous plants grew densely and that Haunted Ground became marshland, but if the Demon Beasts were all gone then it should return back to the original forest. "But how did Hiakari-san defeat the slime that had strong resistance against ice Summoning Magic?" "My contracted Diva, Vepar, rules over cold and water. I suffocated it to death by water magic." "¡­Eh? Do slimes need to breath? Was it foaming inside the water?" "I tested it while half in doubt¡­ but it died. I don''t think it had an organ for breathing like a mouth or lung, so perhaps it breathes by using the surface of the cell. And then it was a living thing that resided on land, so I thought that it didn''t have any structure to take oxygen from the water. Just like an earthworm that can breath through its skin inside the earth, but it died by suffocation on the asphalt." If you think about it, as long as it was a living thing, except in a few cases, then it should need oxygen for its activity. Even though the Demon Beasts were the residents of a fantasy world, there were many things that had similar motif with the real world, like dragons that closely resembled a lizard. Demon Beasts'' ecology and traits were still not understood. But when we challenge quests from now on, there was no doubt that we would need to observe unknown Demon Beasts calmly and experiment with various elements, magic, and fighting styles. Mio and I couldn''t do that¡ª¡ªthe girl in front of me could. "¡­As I thought Hiakari-san, won''t you join our party?" Koyuki sullenly knitted her eyebrows toward Kazuki''s proposal. "Because you failed the quest and fell into a pinch, you want me to lend you some help?" "Sorry, frankly I''m weak. Besides, this time Hiakari-san was mostly okay, but even so, going solo is dangerous. I think it''s better to team up with someone even if not with us." "Weak? You are not weak. Rather isn''t it Amasaki-san, who lost in a duel against you, that is weak? For example¡­ as it is that girl will be demoted to rank B, won''t she?" Koyuki took a deep breath and spoke, which startled Kazuki, like she had seen through everything. "I think if I join you two because you are the one that is in danger, then Amasaki-san will be able to accept it, but if it''s because she herself that is in danger then¡­ I think she will reject it resolutely you know. She has a lot of pride, and she also hates me." "Certainly that girl has a lot of pride, but¡­ she doesn''t hate you, you know." "She really hates me though. She opposes me in every single thing." "That''s not it, Mio said ''I don''t want a strange guy added to the party!''. In short that means, if it''s not a strange person then it''s okay to add them to the party, and since Hiakari-san is not a strange person, it''s all okay!" "¡­What the heck was that? That logic you gave was really pushing it. I am a plenty strange girl." "Hiakari-san is not someone strange at all. You are an extremely kind person, aren''t you? When I was made fun of during the class introduction because I said that my special skill was swordsmanship, you said that the sword is not worthless and gave me some encouragement. Those few words really saved me. Even when I was friendless in the class, only you were impartial regarding me. you are a girl that is fair and hates discrimination and bullying. I feel respect towards that kindness and strength." "Wha¡ª¡ªwhat are you saying¡­" Koyuki''s expressionless face became stiff, and Kazuki started to talk passionately while tightly gripping his fist. "Besides that, you also have calm judgement, and there were already many times when Hiakari-san saved me from a tight spot. Kind, strong, and cool, there is no way a girl this reliable exists." "That is¡­ my only worth involves magic battles, that''s why¡­" "Hiakari-san is too humble, saying that kind of thing so quickly. But every time I was doing some housework, Hiakari-san always watched me patiently and said ''Thank you'' honestly. Even though Hiakari-san disliked it when I invited you to do the housework together. For me, every time I did some housework, I was thinking that I want to see Hiakari-san''s delight. Hiakari-san shows a cold attitude, but in truth you are a warm person." "Tha¡ª¡ªthat was because of my incompetence, that I gave you some trouble so¡­" Hiakari-san blushed red as she looked downward. A heart mark flew from her chest. "¡­Certainly Hiakari-san is unsociable, so maybe there are some misunderstandings with the surrounding people. However, I''m absolutely not overlooking Hiakari-san''s charms! If Mio doesn''t notice Hiakari-san''s charm, then I will keep talking to her to make her understand how good a person Hiakari-san is!! Yosh, I''ll immediately start the campaign to show Hiakari-san''s charm from now on!!" "¡­Ple¡ª¡ªplease stop. Don''t campaign like that!" Koyuki gripped and pulled back Kazuki''s sleeve and her voice rose, which was unusual for her. A small skull mark that look like a speck floated from her chest. That was a proof that her positivity level dropped a little. Koyuki released ''haa'' a long breath, and said "What a person, that can''t be helped huh." "Are you an idiot? That talk just now, if you said that to Amasaki-san it would have an opposite effect you know." "Why? I thought that Mio would properly understand Hiakari-san''s charm though." "She wouldn''t want to hear that kind of thing from your mouth¡­ you really are a person that doesn''t understand a girl''s heart. Somehow it makes me angry¡­" In the mean time they had arrived at the Witch''s mansion and stopped in the garden. The door opened, and Mio came flying out from the living room. "Kazuki! Welcome home, where did you go just now¡­ eh, Hiakari¡­!" When she noticed Koyuki beside Kazuki, Mio quickly stopped and glared at Koyuki. Toward that look, with a disinterested voice Koyuki announced. "Amasaki Mio, I challenge you to a duel." Kazuki and Mio froze because of those unexpected words. They didn''t understand what that meant. "You, who lost a duel against a rank E and exposed unsightly, disgraceful behavior during a quest will be demoted to rank B if you keep this up. If that happens then you won''t be able to stay here." "I, I will be B rank!? And then¡­ from this place¡­" "Hiakari-san! Why are you saying that!?" Kazuki, whose complexion changed, pressed the question, but Koyuki suddenly glared back at Kazuki. "I refused your invitation, it was troublesome. Annoying. Besides¡­ Besides if the person herself didn''t have any real ability and she got dropped into a suitable rank, isn''t that for her own good? A person without any real strength that keeps insisting she is a rank A is unsightly. I will hand the requiem to such a person." Koyuki announced to Mio, who was still frozen in shock, with an absolute zero gaze. "¡­Amasaki Mio. If you lose to me then you will be demoted to rank B immediately. So, will you accept my duel challenge? ¡­I don''t mind even if you turn tail and run though." In a flash, Mio''s prideful expression turned red with rage. "There¡­ There is no way that I''ll run, right!? Before, it was the rank E Kazuki who challenged me to a duel, and now it is you who is challenging me¡­ Bring it on!" Far from turning tail, Mio pointed her finger at Koyuki with her twintails shaking. "I''ll finish you quick and easy, and prove that I am an appropriate A rank for sure!!" Certainly if Mio fought equally or more against Koyuki whose rank was A, Mio might be able to prove that demotion to rank B is not appropriate for her. However¡­ "Please wait, calm down! If you lose you won''t be able to stay here you know!?" "Shut up, Kazuki!" "¡­Then please wait outside. I''ll call senpai and sensei so that they can become the witnesses needed for the duel." Koyuki slipped from the side of Mio, whose blood had risen to her head, and climbed the stairs. "¡­Kaguya-senpai, why did you acknowledge this kind of duel?" The students of Knight Academy could perform duels under the presence of the student council. A duel was a mock battle performed under a safe rule where if each other''s magic power were shaved until zero then the attacks were stopped. Acknowledgement was needed from the student council president for the execution of the duel. The student council president of MagikaMagic Division¡ª¡ª Kaguya-senpai, if it was her I thought she would stop this quarrel. "Nnn¡­ because when I heard the circumstance, I thought this was for the best?" "So you think that using the principle of strength to decide right and wrong is the best¡­ right?" Fundamentally senpai was kind, but she also had an aspect where she was a person with a strict principle of strength. "That''s not it¡­ maa, let''s just see what will happen, ok? Come on, it''s starting." Kaguya-senpai pointed at the center of the ground. Over there were¡ª¡ª Mio and Koyuki facing each other with a distance of 50 meters between them according to the custom. The referee standing between them was Hoshikaze-senpai. Kazuki, Liz Liza-sensei, and others were attending in the guest seats that surrounded the ground. "¡­Amasaki Mio had made up her mind, huh. But to show whether she has the strength as a rank A or not, certainly this is the easiest setup to understand that." That was what sensei said. Because this duel was performed so suddenly, there were no other curious students that were watching. "Shem ha-MephorashI know thy name ¡­Thy name is [Phoenix] ¡­Namely a poet, transform into a magician! Poetic bird toying with logic with its sweet tongue, show thy strength in accordance with my life!" "Shem ha-MephorashI know thy name ¡­Thy name is [Vepar] ¡­Mermaid singer imparting icy thoughts, shed drops of tears of sadness in this world." Both of them performed AccessAstrum Connection at the same time. Mio was wrapped with an orange magic power''s light while the wing stigmata floated up on her back, her figure materialized a red magic dress. Koyuki was emitting blue light while scale shaped stigmata floated up on both her thighs, her body was wrapped in a white magic dress. Kazuki''s breath was taken away, he was instinctively pressured by the figures of the two confronting each other. ¡ª¡ªDuel of fellow Magika Stigma. If he thought about it, this was the first time Kazuki watched this kind of thing. Their specialties respectively were, flame magic used by Mio, and ice magic used by Koyuki. "Well then¡­ Begin!" With that cry, Hoshikaze-senpai pulled the trigger for the start of the duel. Both Mio and Koyuki emitted their magic power''s light at the same time and began the chanting of a spell. The one who finished her chant first was¡ª¡ª Koyuki. An avatar of a mermaid floated on her back. "Glacier Wind!" Chilly winds blew across the fifty meter distance. Mio who was concentrating on her spell''s chant couldn''t defend against that, but her defensive magic power protected her body from the chill. Defensive magic power¡ª¡ª the body couldn''t be inflicted with injury, but in exchange a large amount of magic power was exhausted. However, Mio''s concentration was not interrupted, and she retaliated with her magic one move later. "¡­Barrett!!" This time Koyuki was hit by the familiar bullet of flame. The blue light of the defensive magic power scattered around Koyuki as well. "First was confirming each other''s chanting speed using the level 1 offense summoning magic. If it were swordsmen, then it''s like confirming each other''s range. ¡­The fight will start from here." Kaguya-senpai whispered from Kazuki''s side. Koyuki''s side was faster in spell chanting speed. In other words¡ª¡ª the receiver side would be Mio. "Kuh. ¡­Burn out all that were touched. ¡­No person to depend on, scorching heat of denial! Repelling Flame ArmorSelf Burning!" Mio first solidified her defense and chanted defense magic. Her whole body was covered with a flame armor. To activate a spell, first the magician needed to request for the magic phenomenon from the Diva in Astrum using Programmingimperative statement. Because the target of defense magic like Self Burning was their own body, the time needed to transmit the Targetingcoordinate designation to the Diva could be omitted, thus, the spell could be invoked quickly. "¡­Divine protection of mermaid, halt the advance of the hateful enemy, expedite the advance of the chosen person¡­ Run oh ice blade! Skating Rink Grand DancingMoves in the Field!" Koyuki also finished chanting her spell¡ª¡ª cold air was starting to spread from under the girl''s foot and, in the blink of an eye, the ground had been frozen. Mio carelessly tried to move and her foot slipped. On the other hand, by using cold air Koyuki created ice shoes with edges attached on both her feet similar to skating shoes, she sped up and slid across the fifty meter distance in one go. "Does Hiakari-san plan to enter close combat!?" As might be expected from someone who fights solo, it seems her Vepar was an all-purpose Diva. Koyuki approached Mio who couldn''t move her body and performed a dance-like jump. ¡ª¡ªHer visible white leotard coupled with her magic dress, it was as though the performance of a figure skater had begun. And then while Koyuki spun in the air, a sharp kick using the edges of the ice shoes visited Mio. The slash of the sharp ice managed to pierce the flame armor. However the instant Koyuki''s kick landed, Mio concentrated the fire that enveloped her whole body to one spot using psychokinesis. Koyuki''s kick was unexpectedly swallowed inside the fiercely growing fire. The ice shoes evaporated inside the highly concentrated flames, making Koyuki''s kick powerless. "¡ª¡ª!?" Koyuki''s eyes opened in surprise because of the practical skill Mio had shown using common magic. And then the moment Koyuki put icing on her foot again¡ª¡ªMio read that timing and shifted to attack. "Flame Emperor FoundingFire Wall!" Fissures ran along the ground that Koyuki froze under her feet, and from there flames blew up. "Singing voice of mermaid, manifest the frozen thought! Sorrow turn into ice flower, solitude turn into light snow¡­ cover the world in cold nothingness!! Silent Pure WhiteWhite Album!!" However, Koyuki too was already chanting a different large-scale spell as she skated on the iced surface. Koyuki''s and Mio''s surroundings were repainted with a different kind of space. It became the world of a winter blizzard. In the area covered with the cold¡ª¡ªthe flame wall that blew up from under Koyuki, the flame armor covering Mio''s whole body, everything was banished by the cold. The alternate space that Koyuki produced had also used up its energy, and the surrounding returned to the normal space. But an ice shoe was still on one of Koyuki''s feet. "Fuh!" Using a surprisingly beautiful form, Koyuki released a high kick that hunted for the neck. Drawing a silver line resembling an Iai''s slash, the ice edge ripped apart Mio''s magic power. A splendid arching kick pursued Mio who staggered powerlessly from the impact of her smashed magic power. "Miooo!!" "Otouto-kun, so you lost your cool if it was about Mio-chan, huh¡­ I might be a little jealous." Kaguya-senpai smiled bitterly beside Kazuki. "You see, even while Mio-chan was taking damage, she still continued to chant a different spell." Kazuki sharpened his senses and finally saw. Mio, who looked like she was at her wit''s end from the kick¡­ from her, waves of magic power could certainly be felt. And then¡ª¡ª an explosion happened all of sudden. "Maybe Otouto-kun values Mio-chan so much that you underestimate her. You consider her as someone you have to protect at all costs¡­ certainly, Koyuki-chan is superior with the amount of her innate magic power, but even with that, both of them are¡ª¡ª equal." "Immortal bird soaring from dusk to dawn, grant that wing of hope on my back! Destruction for the sake of rebirth, here! Ash Ember Ending in Crimson WingBlazing Wings!" Mio chanted the spell in a dignified voice. ¡­Phoenix''s level 5 summoning magic! An enormous flame sprouted from Mio''s back, and transformed into wings of flame with a width of ten-odd meters. Mio slammed those wings toward Koyuki, as this time it was her turn to attack. However, while her body received the impact of the enormous amount of fire, Koyuki also carried out a spell chant of a high level magic. "¡­Sinking hundred of ships, the menace of sea, lurking inside the depths of the sea! Rising to the surface guided by my singing voice¡­ show that whole tale! ¡­Pierce through, oh fangs! Iceberg Grand WavesIce Buster!!" Koyuki slammed her palm onto the ground¡ª¡ª from there a great number of icebergs flew out. The emerging icebergs soared fiercely into the sky towards the flying Mio in order to skewer her. Mio slammed her flame wings to oppose one of the icebergs assaulting her. Large scale destruction magics crashed into each other, flame and ice offseted each other mutually. "Mio-chan is really skilled at manipulating magic power from Astrum you know. If she falls into a pinch she is able to draw out a large amount of magic from Astrum." The alternate world connected from the depth of the mental world¡ª¡ª Astrum. Enormous magic power at the root of a human''s mind rolled in a whirlpool inside that world. When a human''s magic power reached the bottom, the person''s mind could access Astrum and draw magic power from there. However if someone carelessly drew magic power from Astrum, that human''s mind would be the one that was pulled into Astrum, and there would be a risk of fainting. That state was called . "In a pinch, Mio-chan can unconsciously pull and use a large amount of magic power that will make normal people faint into magic intoxication. When she is cornered to the brink she becomes strong, using abnormal, utter gutsiness. This is one kind of talent that won''t even lose to Koyuki-chan, see." "Now that senpai mentioned it¡­ I''ve never seen her faint because of magic intoxication." "Koyuki-chan''s Ice Buster is a level 6 magic. Mio-chan should lose if she clashed from the front. However even now¡­ Mio-chan is still chanting her spell!" Mio''s flame wings kept weakening because it was losing to the glaciers that kept coming one after another. "Blazing¡­ Wings!" However with a strained voice, Mio chanted the spell once more. Two consecutive level 5 magics! The regenerated wings of flame were tiding over against the glaciers, and on the contrary it even pushed back the glaciers. Even against an elf like Koyuki, who should have extraordinary magic power, gradually the bottom was starting to become visible, finally¡ª¡ª "It''s over!" The referee, Hoshikaze-senpai, stopped the battle. For the safety in the duel, the duel would be stopped when the magic power was depleted to the point where it reached critical section. Both of them had used up all of their energy and willpower at the same time. Koyuki sat on the ground, and Mio too fell down and squatted from the exhaustion. Both of their magic dresses released light and returned back to their uniforms. "It won''t have any persuasion power if she is demoted after showing such a high level battle to this point, huh." Liz Liza-sensei, who was spectating silently until now, whispered with a sigh. "In the case of a draw, the evaluation of the side with the lower rank will be upped slightly. Hiakari Koyuki is the top of her grade, so in this case Amasaki Mio''s evaluation will be upped. ¡­Hiakari, you didn''t go easy on your opponent deliberately right?" "¡­With Amasaki-san as the opponent¡­ there wouldn''t be any room for that¡­" Koyuki, who was sitting down, said that looking completely exhausted. "¡­Everyone¡­ overestimated me too much because I''m an elf¡­" "Fun. With this Amasaki will keep her rank for a while, but as long she can''t clear a quest, this is no more than a stopgap measure." Leaving those words behind, Liz Liza-sensei went back in the direction of the school building. "Mio!" Kazuki, who heard Liz Liza-sensei''s words, rushed over to Mio who was crouching down and breathing roughly, looking like she had just finished a marathon. Even while totally exhausted, Mio fought to the bitter end to put on a smiling face and showed a V-sign to Kazuki. Chapter 2.1.5 — Before the Storm Volume 2 Chapter 1 - Before the Storm Part 5 After dinner Kazuki knocked on Koyuki''s door. "Please come in." With that permission, Kazuki opened the door with a little nervousness. What was before his eyes were¡ª¡ªbookshelves. "¡­This room looks completely like a library, huh." The smell of books pierced the nose. There was no element of a girl''s atmosphere at all, and what were inside were only bookshelves made from steel, that could be stowed with books both in the front and in the back. In the room, aside from a bed and a desk, there were only bookshelves lined up in an orderly fashion. "There is always time to read books, anyway." Between the gap of the bookshelves, Koyuki could be seen sitting on her bed wearing her usual underwear along with a white shirt. An old rabbit stuffed toy was propped up beside the bed. That was the only color scheme in this room. "¡­That appearance again as I expected. I don''t know where to put my eyes though¡­" Kazuki''s eyes kept getting attracted to the gap between the shirt''s hem and shirttail. Glimpses of white clothes and a girl''s legs kept appearing and disappearing, but he raised his line of sight with strong willpower and stared at the girl''s face. "I don''t want to change my lifestyle just for the sake of your eyes'' convenience." "¡ª¡ªIf that''s the case, I''ll watch Hiakari-san as much as I want then." Kazuki said that to try to bully her, even though he actually didn''t have the intention of watching for real. Koyuki was startled because of that. "Why¡­ why would you do that? Anyway, there is nothing worth seeing in the body of someone like me." "Haven''t I said it many times before that Hiakari-san is beautiful. I''m going to push you down soon you know." "You don''t have that kind of courage right? Even though you have Amasaki-san." ¡­Why did she mention Mio there? Koyuki closed her thighs while fidgeting, and then "What kind of business do you have?", glared at Kazuki scornfully. "Hiakari-san was¡­ regarding today''s duel, did you know from the beginning that it would turn out like that?" "You too are saying that I was going easy in that fight, is that so?" "Even if Hiakari-san was not going easy during that duel, but if two people with equal ability dueled against each other, then it would naturally become a draw. If that happened, then Mio would keep her rank. Because Hiakari-san thought that, that''s why Hiakari-san challenged Mio to a duel, am I right?" "I didn''t think anything like that at all. I just wanted to hand Amasaki-san her requiem because your invitation was annoying, that''s all." "When Hiakari-san requested the duel, I was panicked because I didn''t know what you were thinking, but¡­ certainly rather than challenging the quest once more, the possibility that Mio could keep her rank was higher if both Hiakari-san and Mio battled each other. I realized this after the duel finished." "I didn''t think anything like that at all. I just wanted to hand down that girl''s requiem because it was annoying how much you and her flirted in the mansion, that''s all." "Thank you Hiakari-san. As I thought, Hiakari-san is a cool, kind, and reliable person." "¡­Please listen when people talk. I''m getting angry you know." "But on top of that I also have a request¡­ in any event Hiakari-san has to join our party." If the girl really acted for Mio''s sake, then, as expected, I want to fight together with her and become comrades. That was what Kazuki thought. "I don''t want to. ¡­I don''t want to have any illicit relation in the place of battle. I hate a party like yours and Amasaki-san''s where you two keep flirting." "Be-before too Hiakari-san mentioned flirting, but I never flirted with her before!" "I know that. If I''m going to party with someone, then I expect to have a mercenary relationship." "I think I can understand that kind of sentiment, but isn''t it lonely to fight like that without any rapport with your comrade? You can''t even encourage each other in difficult times with that kind of relationship." "Searching for something like the contact of feelings in a battle is strange. If you have that kind of wish, then get someone else other than me¡­" "I want to join parties with Hiakari-san, and then get along better with Hiakari-san." Toward Kazuki''s proclamation¡ª¡ªKoyuki averted her face like she was running away from that straightforward gaze. "¡­I hate it, frankly saying things like that!" Despite saying how she disliked that kind of thing, a heart mark floated from Koyuki''s chest and was absorbed into the ring. The girl''s positivity level was raised up to 48. As expected, the girl''s heart and words were always contradictory. "¡­Even though she was doing nothing but flirting with you, today''s Amasaki-san was strong. Where does that kind of willpower come from? I''m looking at her in a new light, but just a little." "It''s not flirting. It''s precisely because we are together that we also become stronger." Toward that, Koyuki didn''t give any reply and ignored Kazuki altogether, she crawled into her futon. "In any case I refuse to party with you. Please leave the room already." While turning her back to Kazuki, Koyuki hugged her rabbit stuffed toy inside the futon. "¡­If you become friendlier with various girls, then the problem with your lack of battle tactics will also get resolved. Be more serious about the harem plan, oh my king." When night fell, Leme said that while entering Kazuki''s bed to sleep together at his side. Because Leme materialized using Kazuki''s magic power, it was better if she was near Kazuki as much as possible. It was more economical and practical if she withdrew to Astrum. However, as a girl, it seemed having a real body and existing in the present world as much as possible was much more comfortable. "But, I don''t want to get intimate with any girl without caring about who she is just for the sake of getting stronger." "But you are thinking that you want to get along better with Hiakari Koyuki, right?" "Aah¡­ that is so but¡­" But this feeling was totally different from the emotion of love. It should only be a matter of friendship and affinity with each other. Even though her positivity level had increased a little, Hiakari-san hadn''t opened her heart at all. "¡ª¡ªKazuki, do you have time?" While Kazuki closed his eyes and waited for the arrival of sleepiness, Mio''s voice came from the other side of the room door. "It''s okay, but¡­ what kind of business is it that you came at this time of night?" "¡­My king, don''t make a blunder that decreases positivity level. If you do that then the usable magic will also decrease." After only whispering that, Leme withdrew to Astrum and her physical body disappeared. Mio, who wore a light crimson pajama, timidly entered the dark room. "Tonight¡­ is it okay to sleep together?" "Haa!?" Kazuki spontaneously raised his voice, but without even waiting for reply, Mio quickly crawled inside the futon. "I''ll say this first, there is no weird meaning about this! ¡­I''ll get angry if you do strange things, okay!!" While saying that Mio willfully pulled one of Kazuki''s arms to the place where her head was located and used it as a pillow. The aroma of citrus fruit drifted from the honey colored hair with its twintails unfastened. The body was covered by the pajama, but the cloth was thin, and a girl''s softness could be felt from the location where their bodies touched each other. Sweet heat that tickled a man''s instinct filled the night. "Wha, what is your intention, is this a test of my willpower as a swordsman, is that it?" "What are you talking about? ¡­Tonight just a little, I don''t want to sleep alone. It''s okay, right? In the past, it looks like I also took a nap together with Kazu-nii¡­" Once, Kazuki was living together with Mio in an orphanage¡ª¡ªat Nanohana institute there was time for a nap after lunch. The one that was always at Kazuki''s side during that time was Mio. Around that time Mio was thought to be younger than Kazuki because her body was small. Her existence was completely like a little sister. Remembering that¡ª¡ªKazuki''s heart mysteriously calmed down. "That''s right isn''t it? Somehow it''s a nostalgic feeling. But¡­ has something happened?" "¡­Yes. You see, for a long time since I was taken into the Amasaki household, I''ve lived without relying on anyone. ¡­After all, I was an orphan. I couldn''t show any weakness to my new family." ¡ª¡ªHearing those words, it was impossible for Kazuki to not be sympathetic. "I''m saying this myself, but¡­ I was training in desperation, struggling to the death. Because I was recognized for my talent of magic. On the way an enigma appeared on me and I was skipping grades, but even so I didn''t lose to my surroundings, and then I entered the magic division as an A rank¡­" Kazuki was also the same. For a long time he thought that his only worth was his talent in the sword, there was a time when he couldn''t believe his step-father and Kanae''s [love as a family]. That was surely the trauma that he and Mio shared in common. That''s why he could understand somehow¡ª¡ªwhen the tension was so high he almost snapped, surely there were moments when he wanted to be spoiled. However, the time when he couldn''t show his weakness to anyone, that was a bitterness like being suffocated in the bottom of darkness. "The truth is that today was bitter too. Being told that I will be demoted to B rank, I have a feeling that I will keep holding Kazuki back forever¡­" Mio''s voice was shaking inside the darkness of the room. Her voice became tearful. "But didn''t you prove your true strength? Both of you were strong. Sensei was surprised too." "Yes, when I thought that I can still stay as an A rank, that I can still stay in the Witch''s Mansion, that I can still stay together with Kazuki¡­ suddenly I wanted to feel Kazu-nii just like those old days." While using Kazuki''s arm as a pillow, Mio nuzzled her face against his chest. "That''s why just like this is okay. If you do strange things now then I''ll get angry." "I won''t. For me, being just like this is okay too." Mio was "hehehe" giggling like a child toward Kazuki''s reply. "¡­Hey, from now on it''s okay to add someone else to the party if Kazuki thinks that it is essential. I don''t like if it is someone strange, but I won''t say anything selfish anymore. ¡­As I thought, until now rather than prioritizing the battle, I was only worrying about different things. But, in exchange, lend me your arms like this once in a while. I can feel that I will be together with Kazu-nii for a long time." {Everyday is no good you know! If Leme''s place is going to be gone, then it''s not allowed at all!} Leme sent her words from Astrum with telepathy in a great panic. While Mio moved her body closer to Kazuki, her breath started to *suyasuya* and she slept soundly. Mio''s face always showed displeasure immediately following their reunion, but her defenseless, sleeping face was incredibly lovely and cute. Suddenly¡ª¡ª''Hiakari-san, is she sleeping while holding that stuffed toy right now?'', a lonely image crossed Kazuki''s mind. Chapter 2.1.6 — Before the Storm Volume 2 Chapter 1 - Before the Storm Part 6 The next morning. A girl''s voice resounded in the garden of the Witch''s Mansion. "YAAAAAAAAAA!" The number 2 of the Magic Division in real strength, Hozhikaze-senpai, was in a gym uniform and brandishing a katana that came swinging at Kazuki. Kazuki dodged with agility, and then the girl turned the katana with a fluid motion and slashed for the second and third time. The [forms] that Hoshikaze-senpai learned were still few, but she learned those few forms perfectly. Kazuki counter-attacked and stabbed at the gap in the middle of the flow. Hoshikaze-senpai blocked that with her katana in a panic. An instant of swords locking against each other¡ª¡ªHoshikaze-senpai forced back Kazuki''s sword straight-forwardly, but Kazuki warded off that force in a circle trajectory, and he manipulated the sword blade skillfully and strongly repelled senpai''s katana. The moment the swords separated, with that one move, Kazuki''s posture was in the position of releasing a slash, whereas Hoshikaze-senpai''s posture was disturbed to where it was impossible to counter attack. Freely controlling the momentum of the swords in the moment that the swords locked against each other, that was the technique of old school''s sword art. "That technique is called [Instant Position]." Kazuki''s katana lightly hit Hoshikaze-senpai''s forehead, which was repelled by the blue defensive magic power. "Senpai, when locking swords, it¡¯s no good to push directly opposite you know.¡± Of course, even if it became a contest of strength Kazuki would win. In that case it was not something to teach. ¡°¡­I see! Whether Physical Reinforcement MagicEnchant Aura or physical strength, a genuine swordsman will absolutely surpass me in both areas. That¡¯s why I must constantly parry my opponent¡¯s attack. This is very important knowledge, isn¡¯t it? Ha! It¡¯s even more true if the enemy is a Demon Beast that boasted their strength!¡± Just from one word that Kazuki said, Hoshikaze-senpai could understand ten things on her own and nodded her head repeatedly. Everything was done with this enthusiasm, and she was a great student with tremendous quality. Moreover, when Hoshikaze-senpai learned the form at the beginning, the form was engraved into her body only by seeing and practice swinging a little. When Kazuki showed an example, it seemed she traced that movement by aligning her consciousness with Kazuki''s using advanced telepathy. Kazuki was dumbfounded when he realized there was that kind of method. ¡°Keep in mind that strength is not all there is in a match¡­ Senpai has Thunder God Body FlickerRide Lightning, so being defeated in close range combat should not happen.¡± Ride Lightning was the characteristic magic of Baal, the Diva that Hoshikaze-senpai was contracted with. Special electric signals were sent to the whole body¡¯s muscles and nervous system, making it possible for the body to move at lightning speed. That¡¯s why for the sake of using those summoning magics, senpai begged Kazuki to teach her about close quarter combat. She only learned the fundamental movements so far, but even those basics would become terrifying if used in high speed with Ride Lightning. ¡°I¡¯m glad that I became your apprentice! Honestly saying, until I met you, somewhere in my heart I was also looking down on swordsmen. But swinging swords together with you every day, I had a feeling that a new world rapidly opened up!¡± Hoshikaze-senpai¡¯s handsome yet beautiful face suddenly changed into one with a smile. She was a senpai that looked like a prince and was popular with students of the same gender, but it was also impossible for Kazuki to not be attracted towards her character. ¡°Moreover, your way of teaching is kind. Somehow getting knocked down on the palm was a happy thing. You¡¯re not savage at all, so¡­ Even though you are a man, I want to know you more, through these sword lessons.¡± As senpai said that with an ecstatic tone, a heart mark floated up from her chest. ¡°¡­I was like you for a long time, I was wishing for a friend of the [same gender]!¡± ¡°No, please wait a little senpai. Senpai and I are not the same gender.¡± ¡°That is true but¡­ however, I am, see, somehow my appearance looks like a boy, doesn''t it? The behavior of the girls around me somehow are¡­ a little strange. I¡¯m happy receiving adoration from them, but that is quite lonely. But if it¡¯s with you, then I feel that we can immediately face each other as friends!¡± ¡°Of, of course! I don¡¯t have any idea other than friendship!¡± ¡°Thank you, I¡¯m happy! ¡­Oops, eh?¡± Hoshikaze-senpai¡¯s feet staggered while laughing. She didn¡¯t realize it when she reinforced her body with magic power, but when she relaxed her attention, unexpectedly there was fatigue piling up. ¡°Are you okay senpai?¡± Kazuki immediately supported her shoulder. Hoshikaze-senpai instantly trembled. ¡ª¡ªThis senpai, the truth was that she was not good with boys. She was mostly used to dialogue face to face, but¡­ it seems she was bad when getting touched. Senpai ¡®Hyaa!¡¯ raised a shrill and a nervous voice and pushed away Kazuki who was getting closer. Kazuki staggered because of that surprise attack. It was hard to predict a reflexive action. ¡°Ah¡­ sorry! You okay!?¡± This time it was Hoshikaze-senpai¡¯s turn that reflexively supported Kazuki, and she pulled Kazuki close with good momentum. But she did that with too much force, senpai staggered backward while closely embracing Kazuki. Both of them staggered around while in the position of embracing¡ª¡ªfor a while it looked like a complicated exchange of energy like when they were locking swords, but in the end both of them tumbled down onto the lawn. Blue light of defensive magic power burst out. Thanks to it there was no pain. Kazuki was wrapped with warmth and softness. When he opened his eyes, his head was buried into Hoshikaze-senpai¡¯s chest that was covered with gym clothes. It was soft, a sweet aroma of a girl¡¯s sweat tickled his nose. The gym clothes in front of his eyes were wet with sweat, and a water colored sports bra was showing through. Kazuki¡¯s body was forcing through the spats covered legs of senpai, a posture that looked like he was completely drowned in senpai¡¯s body. ¡°Ha, Hayashizaki-kun¡­¡± Hoshikaze-senpai¡¯s face blushed bright red. Through an act of God, it became that he pushed down a girl! ¡­Kazuki hopped up and separated his body. However before Kazuki could ask for forgiveness, ¡°So-sorry! It looks like I was trampling down on your kindness again!¡± Senpai bowed her head down toward Kazuki because she thought she had done a very embarrassing thing. ¡°Senpai, please don¡¯t apologize! There was no harm done anyway!!¡± {Getting apologized to even though a lucky perverted event happened, what a great harem king huh, my king!} Leme, who saw Kazuki¡¯s situation from Astrum, sent ridiculing words to his head. True, rather it was a good feeling¡­ stop, having such wicked thoughts like that towards senpai was no good! Senpai¡¯s pupils were blurred with tears of self-condemnation though. ¡°I¡¯m really sorry¡­ Despite my intention to rely on you in my mind, but when a man approached I got surprised. ¡­Am I disqualified as your friend¡­? Please don¡¯t hate me because of¡­¡± Those eyes were not like a prince''s. Spontaneously they became the eyes of a girl that had to be protected. ¡°It¡¯s fine senpai! The unshakeable friendship between me and senpai won¡¯t be destroyed by something like this!¡± ¡°Unshakeable friendship! ¡­Hayashizaki-kun, you really say it that much! I like it very much!!¡± Hoshikaze-senpai grasped Kazuki¡¯s hands in deep emotion. But even though it was the case that Hoshikaze-senpai grasped Kazuki¡¯s hand because she was overcome with emotion, she gradually started to feel scared of the fact that she was grasping the hand of a man. However, she trembled so much, that she couldn¡¯t even separate her hand by herself. ¡°Senpai, please don¡¯t force yourself.¡± Kazuki separated their hand with a bitter smile. This senpai was really a person that moved without thinking first. ¡°For-forgive me. Why did I become like this? ¡­Haa. I wish that someday you and me can do a hot-blooded hug of friendship between men and ascertain our friendship with each other.¡± ¡°¡­Normally, there is no hugging in friendship between men you know.¡± ¡°Eh? In my favourite manga, they hugged each other while their faces got closer, and then they mutually whispered in each other''s ears ¡®I love you¡¯ and bit the earlobes of their partner though? I didn¡¯t really understand, but it made my heart beat faster you see.¡± ¡­That was not friendship, but boys love wasn¡¯t it!? ¡°I want to get along better with you however. Just like that you seee¡­¡± The positivity level of Hoshikaze-senpai that leaked such honest and dangerous words was¡ª¡ª39. It was only 39. Heart marks often flew out from Hoshikaze-senpai, but the amount the score raised up each time was strangely low. Moreover, sometimes the score decreased by itself even when Kazuki was not doing anything. {It is because of her man phobia. The points decreasing arbitrarily as well, it was because even though she doesn¡¯t hate you, she is also wondering whether it¡¯s okay to like you. Her positivity level is restrained by her feeling of guilt.} Leme was giving an explanation inside Kazuki¡¯s mind. To get along better with senpai¡­ not just simply raising her positivity level, her phobia of men must also be conquered, was that it? But the more Kazuki knew about the matter of this person, the more he wanted to get along well with her. That moment¡ª¡ªsuddenly, a voice that seemed to ridicule the situation came out from the bush behind. ¡°¡ª¡ªFufufu, it¡¯s not a mere child''s play to get along with Kazuki-dono of all people.¡± ¡°¡­Who is it?¡± When Kazuki turned back, the figure of a female student appeared from inside the bush. ¡ª¡ªShe is not a normal person. That was what Kazuki felt. The figure that appeared, when she walked, her head didn¡¯t shake up and down at all. That¡¯s because her footwork moved like she was sliding, the characteristic of an ancient school of martial arts. Regardless that this was the site of the Magic Division, the girl brazenly wore the Sword Division''s uniform. It was rare for a swordswoman with long hair to keep their hair extending free and not braiding them instead. A daring smile floated on her lips, and the majestic atmosphere around her had the taste of the coexistence of calmness and wildness. Drawing the eyes even further¡ª¡ªthere were three different swords tied on each side of her hips, and on her back she bore an large war swordoodachi. Seven swords in total. ¡­What kind of swordsman is she? ¡°If you accompany her playing around like that, your precious skill will grow dull, Kazuki-dono.¡± While walking to Kazuki¡¯s side, the swordswoman threw a laugh toward Hoshikaze-senpai¡¯s special training. ¡°As I thought, I¡¯m only bothering you, am I? ¡­Sorry, Hayashizaki-kun.¡± ¡°That¡¯s not true, please don¡¯t be downhearted senpai! ¡­And you are?¡± ¡°The name of one¡¯s self is Hikita Kohaku¡­ The next year''s student council president of the Sword Division!¡± ¡­Somehow this manner of speaking felt like d¨¦j¨¤ vu. Is this the swordsman version of Mio? ¡°The department is different, but are you also a first year like me?¡± Kohaku faced Kazuki and politely bobbed her head down. ¡°I am Hoshikaze Hikaru. Second year in the Magic Division.¡± Hoshikaze-senpai also gave a self-introduction¡­ but Kohaku didn¡¯t seem to give Hoshikaze-senpai any consideration, ignoring her and only poured her gaze on Kazuki. Kazuki knitted his eyebrows. People in Sword Division that still held animosity against the Magic Division existed, this girl might be one of them. She perfectly ignored Hoshikaze-senpai¡ª¡ªbut rather than getting angry, Hoshikaze-senpai laughed mischievously instead. And then she encircled around to Kohaku¡¯s back and raised her katana overhead. Kazuki was shocked. Kaguya-senpai said it before, but Hoshikaze-senpai had a strange kind of playfulness. Hoshikaze-senpai swung down a single stroke in a complete surprise attack. That instant¡ª¡ªKohaku perceived the killing intent and turned around while unsheathing a katana. ¡°Foolish thing-!¡± ¡ª¡ªWhile shouting she drew her sword as she turned around. Hoshikaze-senpai had already swung down her katana, that was why someone with average skill couldn¡¯t possibly make it in time. However with blue light of an Enchant Aura condensed into Kohaku¡¯s arm, it produced staggering acceleration. ¡®GIIIIN!¡¯ A loud reverberation rang out, Hoshikaze-senpai¡¯s surprise attack was repelled with a single stroke that should be called god speed. Kohaku immediately fixed her grip of the katana she already drew with both hands, turned the blade and swung it down. ¡ª¡ªA perfect example of two stage Iai sword-drawing. Hoshikaze-senpai barely stopped Kohaku¡¯s katana closely above her head. ¡°¡­If a child tries to measure his strength against a tiger, he will die.¡± Hoshikaze-senpai stared in wonder towards the point of the sword she barely stopped, ¡°I underestimated you!¡± then she sheathed her katana and clapped her hand. Kohaku¡¯s mood became better toward the honest praise of Hoshikaze-senpai, then she turned back toward Kazuki with a proud expression. ¡°¡­Though in relation to Iai sword-drawing, one¡¯s self still cannot compare with Kazuki-dono.¡± ¡°No, I saw that your skill was not average though¡­ So, what kind of business do you have with me?¡± That sword drawing technique, she wouldn¡¯t be able to achieve that kind of speed if she was not honing her body in sword discipline for most of her life. What kind of business did that kind of girl have to have to come into the Magic Division¡¯s site expressly? Don¡¯t tell me that it is to challenge me for a duel¡­ ¡°Kazuki-dono¡­ I request you to [marry] me!¡± ¡°Please pardon me, currently I''m already sick and tired of [duel]!¡± ¡°You are already tired of marriage!? Kazuki-dono already has a history of divorce at this age!? How licentious¡­!!¡± Kohaku was taken aback with utter astonishment, watching that Kazuki ¡®eh?¡¯ tilted his neck. ¡°What are you saying, licentious how?¡± ¡°Hayashizaki-kun, it is a misunderstanding because you heard wrong. What this girl said was marriage you know.¡± Hoshikaze-senpai corrected the confused Kazuki¡¯s misunderstanding from the side. ¡­Marriage? ¡°Wai¡ª¡ªwait a minute! That is strange right!? We had just now encountered each other, so how could it turn into a marriage proposal so suddenly!?¡± ¡°Whether it is marriage or the first meeting, there is no relation between those two.¡± ¡®DO-ON!¡¯ Kohaku declared with great pomp. ¡°Of course there are! Normally there are relations between those two in the extreme!! What were you saying so boldly!?¡± ¡°Rather than that kind of thing, more importantly¡­ With our marriage the Shinkage-style succeeded by the Hikita household and the Hayashizaki-style that was succeeded by Hayashizaki-dono will be unified. With the unification of those two styles, the strongest school of sword-style will be born!¡± ¡°¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ªThe strongest sword-style? You want to marry for the sake of strengthening the sword-style, is that it?¡± ¡°Quite so. Both of ourselves inherited ancient schools of sword-style used in real battle that are almost extinct in the present Japan. It can be said that it is our duty as the successors to advance this precious art, couldn¡¯t it?¡± What the¡­ To suddenly be proposed out of nowhere, for that kind of reason. Hikita household¡¯s Shinkage-style¡ª¡ªI had heard that name. If I remember correctly it was an ancient sword-style handed down in Kyushu. Kazuki had faced a lot of schools since his period of childhood, but he didn¡¯t have any experience against schools from such a distant place like this Shinkage-style. To what extent did the real strength of this style reach ¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª an eagerness to test it surged out inside. However, ¡°I can understand the talk about the school¡¯s sake but¡­ to decide a marriage partner based on that is not good. Marriage is for the sake of staying together with your truly important person for your whole life after all.¡± Hoshikaze-senpai was nodding along beside Kazuki while saying ¡°Yes, yes, just like that!¡± ¡°Prioritizing free love rather than the sword-style¡­ Kazuki-dono is unexpectedly a modern youth.¡± It¡¯s not this side that was modern, but that side is the one that is mistaken in the present time, that was what Kazuki thought. ¡°Certainly Hayashizaki-style is as important as my life¡­ However, we must not advance the path of swords at the cost of people¡¯s happiness. If we do that, you too will be hurt for sure.¡± ¡°Hmm¡­ If ourselves become husband and wife, one¡¯s self doesn''t think that ourselves will become that unhappy but¡­ if that is Kazuki-dono¡¯s sense of values then one¡¯s self will act in accordance with that. If one¡¯s self will wed with Kazuki-dono, then one¡¯s self needs to go through the wall of free love! That is a field that one¡¯s self is poor at, but there is nothing to be done other that!¡± ¡°Eh, you don¡¯t have any intention to give up?¡± Kohaku gazed at Kazuki with eyes that looked like burning flames resided within. Even though those were not words that didn''t seem like a girl, she said it sharply enough that it was engraved deep inside with a determined look. {My King, there is no point even if you get along well with a woman that was not a Magika Stigma you know.} Leme¡¯s voice echoed inside his head¡­ This Diva, whispering into his head while calculating each and every thing. Of course I don¡¯t have any intention at all to have a love relationship with this girl though. ¡°Well then Kazuki-dono, setting aside the marriage how about forming a party with me?¡± ¡°Party? You mean a party for participating in a quest?¡± ¡°Correct. From the story I had heard, even though Kazuki-dono had formed party in Magic Division but you failed your quest. Rather than staying in that kind of party, won¡¯t it be better to enter one¡¯s self party instead? One¡¯s self doesn''t want to adhere to Heaven and Earth Formation, but one¡¯s self desires to form a [swordsman only party].¡± Ignoring Heaven and Earth Formation, a swordsman only party!? ¡°Hey wait, Sword Division students cannot challenge a quest by themselves though?¡± Hoshikaze-senpai interjected from the side of the surprised Kazuki. The students of the knight academy can challenge a quest through the reception desk called the Guild. However a party must have satisfied a certain requirement before undertaking a quest. That requirement was¡ª¡ªthe party must include a Magika Stigma. ¡°Affirmative, just as you say. Therefore one¡¯s self party still cannot challenge an actual quest. That is where the [Magic Division Swordsman], Hayashizaki-dono¡¯s assistance will be imperative!¡± ¡°¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ªIn short I am not needed as a Magika Stigma, but you need my title as Magic Division while I myself am a swordsman, is it?¡± That was a really rude way of talking. However Kohaku continued calmly. ¡°Affirmative. Even though all will be well as long there is a Magic Division student in the party, but one¡¯s self doesn''t want to recognize a human being that doesn''t follow the same path of the sword as a comrade. If Hayashizaki-dono is added into ourselves'' party, I wish yourself won¡¯t use summoning magic at all. If ourselves can produce an accomplishment like that, surely it will become proof of a swordsman''s true strength!¡± ¡°Why are you so fixated to raise accomplishments with only swordsmen that much? Even if you don¡¯t force yourself like that, the true strength of a swordsman currently is in the process of being recognized, isn''t it?¡± Because of the incidents that happened in sequence since Kazuki enrolled a few weeks ago, the true strength of a swordsman was re-evaluated and the distance of the Magic Division and the Sword Division had immediately shrunk. Both the student council of the Magic Division and the Sword Division had combined their strength and formed the Student Council Party and [That is the strongest right?] became the topic inside the academy. The progress kept going, and parties that combined the strength of the Magic Division and the Sword Division continued to increase. Of course, Magic Division students that were still looking down on swordsmen were still not few, however¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª. ¡°Certainly the attitude of the Magic Division¡¯s students toward the Sword Division¡¯s students has improved, but there is still a lot of inequality remaining in this Knight Academy. Even though this has not yet been improved, and yet they happily shake their tail, the other side has become conveniently domesticated hasn''t it?¡± ¡°When you said inequality, was it the matter about how a swordsman cannot challenge a quest by themselves? ¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ªBut if a party that only consisted of swordsmen encountered enemies that have resistances against slashing attacks, it¡¯s checkmate you know.¡± Kazuki had experienced that himself, for example, enemies like the slimes. ¡°Of course one¡¯s self understands that. However a counter measure has already been worked out.¡± ¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ªWidening the width of tactics only by using swordsmen? How? ¡°And then there is one more thing that is unfair to swordsmen, ownership of Sacred Treasures that swordsmen discovered is not recognized!¡± Sacred Treasures¡ª¡ªThat was an item that was originally a man-made tool that contained spillover magic power from Astrum and transformed. They were treasures that would rarely appear when searching the Haunted Grounds. ¡°Many of the Sacred Treasures have the form and nature of [weapons], and if a swordsman uses it then it¡¯s possible that we can surpass Magika Stigma! However, because those Magika Stigma were scared that their position would be threatened by us swordsmen, they won¡¯t distribute Sacred Treasures for the use of swordsmen! Of course it¡¯s not only applied to Sword Division¡¯s swordsmen, but even the Knight Order¡¯s swordsmen are not allowed to use Sacred Treasures. The Sacred Treasures are only kept in storage and left to waste!¡± ¡°Utilization of Sacred Treasures is prohibited because, on top of its nature to consume magic to display its power, the possible influence caused to its user¡¯s mind is regarded as dangerous.¡± Hoshikaze-senpai explained it like that but Kohaku shook her head obstinately. ¡°Taking that kind of official stance even though there are no clinical experiments performed, do you think there is any persuasive power in that? If you insisted on that, then do you have any actual proof that the contract with Solomon''s 72 Pillars doesn¡¯t have any negative influence on the mind?¡± ¡ª¡ªCertainly, that kind of thing might also be possible¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª. The top brass of the Knight Order had been solidified around Magika Stigma, Japan''s government and its citizens had also regarded Magika Stigma as heroes, using that view as political measures to guard the stability of the nation¡¯s public order. Restricting the swordsmen from using Sacred Treasures was a nation-wide conspiracy¡ª¡ªit might not be such a wild story after all. If it was Kaguya-senpai then [If another country used Sacred Treasures fully, and they came to attack then it will be too late for us! They are such peace idiots!] the talk will be furious. ¡°Thus one¡¯s self advocated these points, acquirement of Sacred Treasures¡¯ ownership, the treatment of swordsmen during quests, and the abolishment of various inequalities with other divisions in budget allocation!¡± ¡°So the first step to achieve that¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ªis by adding me to a swordsmen only party, is it?¡± Aiming for the elevation of the swordsman social status by achieving a result with a swordsman only party and becoming heroes. ¡°Correct, and then please marry with one¡¯s self someday.¡± However with that grand marriage proposal, suddenly all strength spontaneously left Kazuki. ¡°Sorry, but no matter how just Hikita-san¡¯s cause is, in the first place I have no intention to leave my current party. Because it is a party of only two people with a very precious person.¡± ¡°I see¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ªOne¡¯s self will respect Kazuki-dono¡¯s sense of values. In short if one¡¯s self become even more important than that very precious person then everything will be fine right! And then we will enter a love relationship and marry each other! Love and the like is a field one¡¯s self is poor at and doesn''t really understand it well¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ªHowever, there is no other way than to do it! I will do it!¡± ¡°Eh, that¡¯s not it, I want you to obediently give up there though¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡± ¡°I won¡¯t give up! This unworthy Hikita Kohaku is ignorant of the subtleties of the heart of a gentleman, but I will [conquer] Kazuki-dono¡¯s heart without fail, I¡¯ll show you!¡± Kohaku grandly straightened her chest and proclaimed to Kazuki. That¡¯s not a nice thing to say, to [conquer] ¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª! {For you who must conquer the girls of the Magika Stigma, conversely to be conquered by a swordswoman¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª! A weird girl has come approaching¡ª¡ª!!} Even Leme¡¯s shocked voice had reached Kazuki¡¯s mind. ¡°Well, it¡¯s fine if we are on good terms with each other but¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ªcan you stop using such polite language?¡± ¡°¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ªDo you mean calling with casual language and saying name without honorific to a gentleman, even though ourselves are not spouse!?¡± Kohaku who owned a wild, beautiful face. However, she was unexpectedly refined and hesitated. ¡°I don¡¯t feel that we can get along well if you are so formal despite being classmates.¡± ¡°It, it can¡¯t be helped then if it¡¯s needed for the sake of getting along¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ªHayashizaki¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ªno, it will be easily mixed up with calling Kanae-kaichou without honorific so¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ªKazuki¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡± Kohaku¡¯s face became bright red while she fidgeted when she called Kazuki¡¯s name. ¡°Well, even if we get along well as friends, I still don¡¯t have any intention to abandon my current party or enter a love relationship though. If that¡¯s fine then let¡¯s become friends.¡± ¡°One, one¡¯s self is troubled with that! But, I''m fired up against such a huge obstacle! That being the case, I¡¯ll show you that I¡¯ll conquer Kazuki¡¯s heart! ¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ªKuh, somehow it''s suddenly become embarrassing!¡± Suddenly¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ªa black shadow sneaked up behind the spirited Kohaku. ¡°Ko~ha~ku! You little¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª what are you doing in this kind of place!?¡± ¡°Killing intent!?¡± Kohaku used an Iai sword-drawing simultaneously with the voice while turning back. ¡°OWA-!¡± The one who raised a scream while avoiding the sword was¡ª¡ªthe senpai called Yamada Torazou. A male student of Sword Division¡¯s student council. ¡°Don¡¯t just abruptly slash from nowhereee!¡± ¡°What¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ªTorazou huh. From the presence I thought it was something like a beast.¡± ¡°Don¡¯t call a senpai without an honorifiicc! It¡¯s improper!¡± ¡°Torazou is weaker than one¡¯s self so I won¡¯t use honorific language.¡± ¡°Really, you are¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª. Yo! Kazuki and Hoshikaze-san!¡± Torazou-senpai¡¯s eyes met with Kazuki then he approached while waving his hand with a cheerful smile. ¡°¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ªWhat were you guys doing with that kind of appearance? Has Kazuki taught Hoshikaze-san sword techniques?¡± ¡°Fufufu, Yamada-kun, have a rematch with me now. I have received the instruction of secret measures just now.¡± Hoshikaze-senpai who was poor with men nonchalantly hid in Kazuki¡¯s shadow even while saying that. ¡°Spare me this time, I don¡¯t have a feeling that I could win no matter how many times we fought. ¡­Rather than that Kohaku, what are you doing here even though you were absent from the student council meeting?¡± ¡°Torazou, one¡¯s self won¡¯t go anymore to student council okay! I withdraw my application as an apprentice!¡± ¡°What the heck are you saying. It¡¯s disgraceful in front of Kazuki and the others. ¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ªEven though until just a while ago I somehow made the president to consider you. Yet suddenly you become rebellious in this place.¡± Torazou-san talked like he was explaining while ignoring the stare of Kazuki and the others. ¡°Certainly one¡¯s self was respecting Hayashizaki-kaichou. But currently she is degraded as the pet dog of the Magic Division¡¯s student council! Wagging her tail to the Magic Division¡¯s student council, one¡¯s self doesn''t have any intention to follow such a Sword Division''s student council! Farewell!!¡± Kohaku turned her back toward Torazou-senpai in a flash, then blue light of body reinforcement shined in both her feet and she left with violent force. The three people could only see off that back in a dumbfounded manner. ¡°So Kohaku is a member of the Sword Division student council?¡± ¡°She was an apprentice as a promising first year. The same position like you huh. But well¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ªshe only creates trouble because of that kind of personality. I was her superior, but.¡± Torazou-senpai held his head tiredly while he breathed a sigh. ¡°¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ªYour elder sister and the vice-president in my student council are strong in battle but they are good-for-nothings, so normally I was the only one who did most of the practical work¡­ Both the president and vice-president are capable, and the first years are also respectful¡­ I''m envious of the Magic Division¡¯s student council¡ª¡ª¡± ¡°Ahaha, our student council was praised? That¡¯s because Hayashizaki-kun and the others are our prided first years.¡± Hoshikaze-senpai clapped her hand on Kazuki¡¯s shoulder. It was an unconscious action based on pure good will toward Kazuki, but as soon as she realized that she touched a male she got startled. Kaguya-senpai and Hoshikaze-senpai too, both were very good senpais. The atmosphere around the Witch¡¯s Mansion was really like a family¡ª¡ªit was really embarrassing to speak of when all the other members were girls, but once again, Kazuki thought that he really liked this student council. It was the story of a different student council, but seeing a first year defying her senior felt painful. ¡°It is a really shameful story, but there are still a lot of guys in the Sword Division that hold a grudge against the Magic Division.¡± ¡°It''s the same thing in the Magic Division. There are still many people that look down on the swordsmen.¡± ¡°This is a matter that won¡¯t be able to go quite smoothly right off the bat huh. ¡­Well, see you guys later.¡± Torazou-senpai left the area, and Hoshikaze-senpai slipped out a chuckle while seeing him off. ¡°Hikita Kohaku-san. She is a somewhat strange child right? That kind of rashness is cute.¡± Certainly a charm of wildness was hidden inside her calm demeanor, impudent and yet modest, bold but also somewhat shy¡­ a girl that left a mysterious impression. ¡°I wonder what would happen if Hayashizaki-kun fell into her temptation and parted from Mio-chan.¡± ¡°There is no reason that would happen. Because Mio is a very precious partner to me.¡± ¡°¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ªActually today there is a request we want to ask from your party, so in the unlikely event that your party broke up because of things it will be troubling.¡± ¡°A request? For us who don''t have any success with quests?¡± ¡°Yes, but it¡¯s really not something too troublesome. Rather, it could be the solution for your trouble¡­ Well, I think you will hear the story from Kaguya after school so just wait. Fufufu~¡± A small storm had just passed¡­ However, a premonition of trouble in the future once again came from Hoshikaze-senpai¡¯s manner of speaking. ¡°Okay then Hayashizaki-kun, let¡¯s take a shower and do the morning preparations okay!¡± ¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ªWait, of course, there was no reason to take a bath together though. Chapter 2.2.1 — Visitor From Outside World Volume 2 Chapter 2 - Visitor From Outside World Part 1 When Kazuki and Mio entered the classroom together, several greetings of "Good Morning" welcomed them. Even though it happen''s every morning, the barrage of greetings from this many girls was still overwhelming. ¡°Hey, Amasaki-san, Hayashizaki-kun, won¡¯t you two join our party!?¡± One of the classmates didn¡¯t stop at greeting and came over near their side. Without waiting for Kazuki¡¯s reply, the girl panicked and kept on talking without pause. ¡°Surely, after I thoroughly made fun of you about that matter with the sword, it might be too shameful to form a party together! But I, when Hayashizaki-kun fought against Amasaki-san using a katana, I thought it was really cool!¡± Looking carefully at this girl, she is the one that triggered the impetus of the duel with Mio. ¡°Moreover, I thought that if we challenge a quest, it will be helpful if a swordsman accompany us, Rather than asking the people at the Sword Division, it would be easier to just ask Hayashizaki-kun who is a classmate¡­besides I heard Hayashizaki-kun and Amasaki-san are currently facing some troubles!! I wonder!?¡± Inside the classroom, jeering voices rang out ¡°Aah, she is stealing the march on Hayashizaki-kun-!¡± ¡°Not fair!¡± and so forth. Hearing that, the girl retorted back ¡°Wait, be quiet you guys-!¡± As a [swordsman]. It seems that Kazuki had noticed those classmates who made those cheerful voices. It has been one month since his enrollment to this school. The number of students that managed to contract successfully with their Diva had increased rapidly. Those students immediately formed their party and actively challenged the quests. ¡°As expected, I wonder if it¡¯s no good¡­ before when I made fun about the sword¡­¡± Even though Kazuki hadn¡¯t said anything, that classmate had already got down on herself. ¡°It¡¯s okay, I don¡¯t mind see. In the end it became a chance to fix my relationship with Mio.¡± A heart mark floated from the girl after hearing Kazuki¡¯s answer. The classmates around exclaimed ¡°There is a chance!?¡±, and made a stir as well. ¡°Really!? Then after school today let¡¯s take a quest together immediately¡­¡± ¡°I''m sorry, I want to think about the party a little more carefully.¡± Kazuki asked with a glance at Mio¡¯s face. Just now Mio was watching in suspense whether Kazuki would accept the invitation, but when she caught Kazuki¡¯s eyes, she made a pouting expression, as if she was trying to hide her agitation. Her face seems like it wanted to say ¡®isn¡¯t it fine if you do whatever you like?¡¯ But as expected, it seems she was not okay with just anyone. ¡°Uh¡­ in short you want to wait until we get along better first right? ¡­Well, it can¡¯t be helped. But thank you that you didn¡¯t make a big deal about my behavior last time! Sorry about that, let¡¯s get along from now on!!¡± The girl¡¯s look changed like she had been released from her guilt and she returned to her own chair. {That girl is also a contractor of the 72 Pillar, that¡¯s why you should use everything you can to get friendly with her.} Inside Kazuki¡¯s head, Leme raised her dissatisfaction . Even though I had said before that I didn¡¯t want to have that kind of honourless behavior. ¡°What the heck is that, it feels like there was no consideration for me and she only aimed for Kazuki! Even though I am the one that is rank A. ¡­Weell, I¡¯m happy though that Kazuki considered me.¡± Mio smiled a little with her last words, then she went to her own chair. As Kazuki reached his own chair¡ª¡ªfrom behind, Koyuki talked to him absent-mindedly. ¡°Rather than inviting somebody like me, isn¡¯t it better to accept that offer from before?¡± ¡°However it is my dream for me, Mio, and Hiakari-san, the three of us to become a party.¡± ¡°¡­How obstinate. Are you a stalker?¡± Kazuki turned his face behind, but Koyuki turned her face ¡®Puih¡¯ away. ¡°¡­Hiakari-san, let¡¯s talk before sensei comes okay?¡± Kazuki called out toward the girl¡¯s translucent and noble side face. ¡°I don¡¯t want to talk about anything trivial. Such things are useless no matter how much we do it.¡± ¡°There were many books in Hiakari-san¡¯s room weren''t there? What kind of book do you like to read?¡± ¡°I just read books that were already completed regardless of the person. That¡¯s why, please don¡¯t try talking to me.¡± ¡°¡­Come to think of it, does Hiakari-san like rabbits? Somehow it suits you.¡± ¡°I prefer it rather than humans. That¡¯s why, please don¡¯t try talking to me.¡± ¡°¡­Hiakari-san, right now I¡¯m doing a funny face, so look this way.¡± ¡°Your face is relatively well-ordered, so I think it won¡¯t be interesting no matter what you do.¡± ¡°It¡¯s no good if Hiakari-san praises and mocks me even when you are not even looking at me. You won¡¯t regret it, so look here a little.¡± Kazuki used a drastic move by using body reinforcement magic to power up his face muscle to make an expression. Hayashizaki-style Secret Party Performance ¡ª¡ªalso known as [Ougi-Murder at First Sight]. ¡°Saying things like that, like it is anything big¡­¡± Koyuki looked at Kazuki with a brief sidelong glance, at that instant ¡°¡ª¡ªBufuhh!?¡± she burst out. Due to the reinforced muscle, the bone structure of Kazuki¡¯s face was transformed to the level of it''s utmost limit. ¡°¡­Come eat my face.¡± Imitating the voice from the hero that was loved even now by the kids, Koyuki hid her face with both hands while her whole body was shaking and trembling. A heart mark flew from her chest. ¡­No way, I never thought her positivity level can increase with this. Kazuki got carried away and repeated his [Anime Character Face Mimicry Medley] intently. Koyuki was shaking like the vibration of a cellphone and the surrounding classmates were laughing too when they noticed Kazuki¡¯s face. With precise timing, the door of the classroom opened. ¡°Be quiet all you trash! It¡¯s already the time for Short HomeroomSHR, how much do you guys want to be nuisan¡ª¡ªBUFUUHH!?¡± Liz Liza-sensei finally came so Kazuki turned around to face the class platform, then sensei was bursting out too . ¡°Tra, trash! Rank E trash, what happened to you bastard!? I mean what happened to your face! ¡­Oi, are you okay?¡± From Liz Liza-sensei¡¯s slip of the tongue, an echo of worry stuck out. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, this can¡¯t be fixed immediately.¡± ¡°Is that body reinforcement magic¡­? So there is that kind of practical use for that skill, huh¡­ It might be useful for disguise. Well, no matter, as your punishment you must keep your face like that until I say it¡¯s fine. Anyway first things first, right now I¡¯ll introduce a transfer student. ¡­Come on in.¡± Transfer student!? Liz Liza-sensei faced the corridor and called out, the classroom turned into an uproar. What kind of transfer student had came ¡ª¡ªthe noise from that expectation lasted for only a moment. If you thought about it carefully, everyone realized that such thing was impossible. It was impossible for a transfer student to come to the national Knight Academy . Why was it? Because other than people who got Mystery MarkEnigma at their 14th birthday, nobody else could enroll into this academy. An addition at a later time was impossible. What in the world is going on, rather than expectation, confused gazes concentrated on the door. The door was opened with a scraping noise and the one who appeared was ¡ª¡ªa slightly short foreigner girl. With her long golden hair fluttering around, she walked toward the platform with a refined manner. When she moved to face toward the class'' direction, shining particles were released from her golden hair and white skin. The combination of her shining hair and white skin were just like pure gold and silk. ¡°Nice to meet you. I am Charlotte Liebenfrau desu.¡± An unexpected fluent Japanese. An elegant and composed smile, accompanied with a moderate tone of voice that felt just right to the ear. Everything was clad with an atmosphere of a gorgeous high class item. ¡°She might not look like a Japanese, however, as my distant relative she holds Japanese nationality. Actually she is still 14 years old, however¡­ because of some circumstances she is skipping grades into this academy. She is younger than you all, but this girl¡¯s magic ability was already qualified as rank A. There is no problem with her.¡± Skipping grades? ¡­So that means, the girl received her stigma at 14 years old and without waiting for her promotion, she immediately transferred into the Magic Division, like that? Why was she given such special treatment? From Liz Liza-sensei¡¯s explanation, rather than explaining about the girl¡¯s origin, it was more like giving a warning not to look too deep into it. ¡°Please call me Lotte.¡± In contrast with the silence inside the classroom, she presented a smiling face with more affection than anyone. Then she looked around the classroom ¡ª¡ªand her eyes met with Kazuki, her eyes opened round and wide like a jasper. Her body leaned forward leaving her hair trailing behind and she leaked an excited voice. ¡°¡ª¡ªJapanische Animation!¡± The pronunciation in English sounds a bit different. ¡ª¡ªAs the fate of the transfer student, every break time Lotte was surrounded by her classmates. The figure that did her best to answer all kinds of questions honestly, really exuded the charm of a junior. ¡°Your hair is really pretty! And the skin is really white! Are you really a Japanese?¡± ¡°Erm¡­My family and Liz Liza-oneesan¡¯s family had lived in Japan since the time of my grandfather. Even though I am like this, I am a Japanese through and through desu.¡± ¡°Eeh, really!? Didn¡¯t you talk in a mysterious language before?¡± ¡°Lotte-chan, what kind of food do you like?¡± ¡°Eeeto¡­ sushi and tempura¡­ especially tuuna, I like it desu!¡± ¡°No way-! Lotte-san is absolutely a foreigner after all-!¡± ¡°Hey, let me touch the hair too! Uwaa, it¡¯s really pretty when seeing it this close! Like pure gold!!¡± ¡°Her cheek is really smoothhh-! Cuteee!!¡± ¡°Uuuuu¡­ being touched here and there like that feels really good desu¡­¡± Even when she was jostled by her classmates, she stayed docilely like a puppy with pedigree and showed an elegant, happy smile. With that kind of attitude, Lotte had became a really popular person in the class. Gazing at that scene distantly¡ª¡ªKoyuki talked with Kazuki with amazed tone. ¡°¡­If she was surrounded by that many people like that, won¡¯t she die because of stress?¡± ¡°But conversing moderately is needed you know, Hiakari-san.¡± ¡°¡­It is not needed. That kind of thing is a hindrance, please don¡¯t talk to me.¡± ¡°The side who came and started the conversation was Hiakari-san, wasn¡¯t it!?¡± The moment when the questions paused accidentally, Lotte glanced towards Kazuki¡¯s seat. After that, she said to the surrounding students ¡°Excuse me, just a little, excuse me.¡± While bowing and apologizing repeatedly ,the crowd of people parted and she approached towards Kazuki direction. Koyuki averted her face with a ¡®puih¡¯. ¡°Excuse me¡­ that anime face from before, can you do it one more time?¡± Kazuki hid his face like doing a peek-a-boo using his hands, and then after using the face technique, showed his face. Lotte didn¡¯t laugh when witnessing that, but her eyes glittered in excitement. It looked like Lotte didn¡¯t understand about recent anime so Kazuki tilted his head. ¡°¡­Do you like old masterpiece anime like this?¡± ¡°Yes! As Japanese, it¡¯s natural to be fond of anime desu!¡± No wait, no matter how you see it, from her tastes of food and anime it didn¡¯t look like a Japanese person at all though. Or perhaps I should say that from her excitement she looked more like a country bumpkin¡­ It made me want to doubt whether she really had lived in Japan for a long time. Nonetheless, if she was neither born in Japan nor a foreigner who went through naturalization, then this was a really baffling matter. ¡ª¡ªThat was because the present Japan didn¡¯t have any diplomatic relations with other foreign countries. Chapter 2.2.2 — Visitor From Outside World Volume 2 Chapter 2 - Visitor From Outside World Part 2 {¡ª¡ªFirst year class two, Amasaki Mio-san, Hayashizaki Kazuki-kun, Hiakari Koyuki-san, urgent, please come to the Student Council¡¯s room.} As soon as school was over, the voice of Kaguya-senpai was broadcasted and summoned out Kazuki and the others. Kazuki¡¯s eyes soon met with Koyuki, who sat behind, and then joined with Mio who sat in the front, and came out of the class. The Witch¡¯s Mansion, in the end, was a building for the sake of living, a [dormitory], so there was a different room to do the work of the student council. The location was next to the staff room of the Magic Division. Why were they summoned? A notice was fixed on the door of the student council¡¯s room with a message [This week¡¯s Diva Contracting Ritual will be performed at Wednesday]. Recently, the work of the student council was in carrying out the contracting ritual. Although they were summoned urgently, there was no one inside the room other than Hoshikaze-senpai. ¡°Kaguya will come soon, so please wait a little.¡± Senpai smiled with the look of a know-it-all. After a while, the door opened with a strong momentum and Kaguya-senpai entered. ¡°I made you wait huh, first years? Today I will introduce a new comrade okaaayyy!¡± Kazuki and the others opened their eyes in surprise because Kaguya-senpai, out of the blue, said comrade with a merry voice. ¡°Go on, come in! This child is the new rank A first year¡­ Charlotte-chan!¡± Kaguya-senpai turned back to the corridor¡ª¡ªand the figure that appeared was the transfer student, Lotte. ¡°Please treat me well! Ah, the anime person! I am in the same class with the three of them desune!¡± Lotte bowed her head quickly and smiled. This transfer student is a [new comrade]¡­? ¡°It might be confusing suddenly saying a thing like that¡­ however, you guys have at least already understood slightly that this girl is not just your everyday student right?¡± Liz Liza-sensei came following Lotte¡¯s back and said that while closing the door of the student council room. ¡°That thing about my distant relative is a lie. Actually she doesn¡¯t even have Japanese nationality. This girl¡ª¡ªthere is no reason to use polite language so I called her this girl, but¡ª¡ªshe escaped from the Dukedom of Seinmundo in Europe using a private jet. In other words, she is a [refugee]. This girl doesn¡¯t have the right of succession but she is equivalent to the daughter of the ruling duke of Seinmundo. Refugee?, Kazuki and the others were dumbfounded and lost their words hearing that unfamiliar heavy word. The true identity of the transfer student, that should originally be impossible was¡ª¡ªthe princess of a foreign country? The Dukedom of Seinmundo. Although they have self-autonomy that was recognized to some extent, it was a country that received the rule of a certain magic advanced country, [Germany]. It is a small puppet state in Northern Europe. Because of the birth of magic in this world, the world¡¯s state of affairs underwent a drastic change. The world¡¯s ?Big Seven Magic Advanced Countries? with the backing of divine protection from their own respectively different Mythology owned powerful military strength. And so the other countries that didn¡¯t earn the divine protection from Divas were placed under the patronage of a magic advanced country. However, Japan was the only Magic Advanced Country that didn¡¯t participate in ruling any other country, existing solely with their own self-support. Also the Big Seven Magic Advanced Countries have no diplomatic relations at all. If one were to ask why, it was because the divine protection from Divas of Solomon 72 Pillars, who didn¡¯t demand faith was an exception. However, Mythology became stronger when there were more faith. Due to the direct relationship between military power and faith to the Mythology, the Magic Advanced Countries, other than Japan, were converting into [Religious Nation] little by little. Religious nations where the religion encroached into their politics made it impossible for them to co-exist in harmony with other religious nations. At first, there were no problems between the Magic Advanced Countries and diplomatic relations still existed. In the period of 15 years however, the faith to Mythology was gradually deepening and the friction between countries became bigger, and finally, Japan cut off all diplomatic ties and fell into isolation. The once existing EUEuropean Union that unified Europe and the United Nations, with connections that crossed over the borders between countries, were already becoming a mere shadow of what they once were. Due to alchemy, the production efficiency of food increased and the necessity for foreign trade was lost, expediting the split of the world. Today was the first time Kazuki ever heard the name of [Seinmundo Dukedom]. From this kind of circumstances, there was practically no information that entered Japan about other advanced countries or the countries that were under their protection. Since the Second World War, the aim of world globalization and the circulation of international cooperation experienced a sudden reversal due to the birth of magic, and the world had ran full speed into the direction towards division as its destination. ¡ª¡ªInside such flow of the world, before one noticed it, a battle royal between every religious nation that would induce Mythology WarRagnarok didn¡¯t seem like a wild tale anymore. ¡°But, really¡­ a princess?¡± For people who had lived with the doctrine of democracy, such words felt like it would cause the sensation of indigestion. Kazuki stared at Lotte while feeling confused and the girl returned an elegant smile. Now that it was mentioned, the girl¡¯s demeanor always felt like the breeding of nobility. ¡°The Seinmundo Dukedom''s formation was around the period when magic was born, it is still a country with a short history. In Europe, a human born with excellent magic power is regarded as someone with high social status, and the countries with restored monarchy system are not few. Nonetheless, beyond that under the patronage of an advanced magic country, the one who rules the country is not a king but a duke. It''s not a kingdom but a dukedom, not an independent country but a puppet state, their status fallen.¡± Having said that, it could be said that in the end, the advanced magic country and the country under its patronage didn¡¯t have equal relations. It seems a humane patronage was done under the name of faith. ¡°Japan doesn¡¯t have diplomatic ties with Seinmundo, so currently I am no more than a refugee, I am resigned no matter what kind of treatment I receive desu.¡± Lotte, the refugee who was formerly a princess whispered such. ¡°I¡¯ll say this in advance, don¡¯t do anything strange to her.¡± Liz Liza-sensei glared with glinting eye. ¡°It¡¯s too late, the classmates were already¡­¡± ¡°What!?¡± Liz Liza-sensei¡¯s expression changed. ¡°Her cheek was rubbed until it was squishy. They felt around the cheek of a princess of a whole country.¡± ¡°That was¡­ felt good desu¡­?¡± Toward the ecstatic Lotte, Liz Liza-sensei can only breathe a long sigh in exhaustion. ¡°¡­She is not a princess anymore but a refugee. From now on we don¡¯t understand [what kind of meaning she has politically]. Because of that, first you guys protect her, furthermore this academy is chosen to give her the chance in education with people of the same age.¡± I see, if you think about a place where she could be protected and receive education, there is no better place than this academy. Of course it went unsaid, but her placing in this academy surely also included monitoring her activity. That point resembled Kazuki¡¯s position a little. This matter tends to be forgotten but¡ª¡ªKazuki¡¯s stay in the Witch¡¯s Mansion also included the implication of monitoring there. ¡°They made a lie about being Liz Liza-sensei¡¯s relative because of that circumstance you see. Even if we say that she is a Japanese, but it is somewhat unnatural with her speech and conduct.¡± Liz Liza-sensei also had the appearance of a foreigner, but she had already been through naturalization from a long time ago. Liz Liza- sensei was also a former knight, but you must have Japanese nationality to become a knight. In contrast with that, Lotte was¡ª¡ªa genuine foreigner coming from the outside world where we didn¡¯t even have any diplomatic relations just a while ago. ¡°Having said that, this girl only came looking for an asylum from three days ago, and she had already learned how to speak Japanese you know.¡± ¡°Three days!? How in the world!?¡± ¡°By telepathy, she thoroughly synchronized with the consciousness of a Japanese person, and then it seems she traced everything that had with feelings and language. What kind of emotion he harbored and what kind of language he gave forth, she copied all that motion of the mind.¡± ¡­Was it the same with the way Hoshikaze-senpai learned the sword? However the way Lotte did it ¡ª¡ªwas even more advanced compared to Hoshikaze-senpai. Kazuki couldn¡¯t even imagine it. ¡°The girl had also received the same test you all got before the enrollment, the result was very surprising. It can be said that she is a genius in the field of telepathy. That¡¯s why she is a rank A without question.¡± Different with that borrowed the magic power of a Diva to activate, by manipulating our own magic power we could use . , , , , , common magic were categorized into that five system. Telepathy was the field where Kazuki was the weakest at. ¡°¡­This girl, why did she come here looking for an asylum?¡± Koyuki inquired with a sigh. That was ¡ª¡ªif it was okay to ask that question, then that was also something I wanted to ask. To seek asylum means that you escape your own country and migrate to a different country¡ª¡ªin short, an act to escape to a place where the hands of your homeland wouldn¡¯t reach you. [Turning your homeland into an enemy], such a thing was not a common circumstance. ¡°Lotte, it¡¯s no problem if it is these guys. ¡ª¡ªShow them your strength.¡± "Yes", with that reply, silver light of magic power shined from Lotte¡¯s body. There was no mistake, that was the light of Summoning Magic. And then the girl accessed the Astrum and chanted her spell. ¡°Veritas me LiberabitThe truth shall set me free¡­ the wise man who became father the protector of humanity, show that wisdom right here.¡± Blinding light converged into the shape of a human¡ª¡ªwhat appeared was an extremely strange avatar of a young boy. This golden haired, young boy¡¯s whole body was clad in a mysterious suit that was made from unknown material that was neither cloth nor metal. He stood besides Lotte and calmly gazed towards Kazuki and the others with his silver pupils. Rather than a God or Devil¡ª¡ªhis figure was easier to comprehend if it was said that he was a space alien or a human from the future. Besides, just now, Lotte didn¡¯t chant this Diva¡¯s name. ¡°Look, my King! This guy is smaller even compared to Leme!!¡± Leme materialized besides Kazuki and then said that while pointing her finger towards the Diva with the figure of a young boy. ¡°Why the hell are you getting fired up with stupid rivalry in a strange area like that?¡± ¡°It¡¯s not like that! This guy¡­ compared to Leme, he lost even more of his strength and memory!¡± ¡­! So small size show something like that!? ¡°Correct. Not to mention the majority of my memory and strength, I lost even my own name.¡± The Diva with the figure of young boy said so with a mechanical tone of voice and without any inflection. ¡°About him, I call him Prophet. What is certain about him is that he is not a Diva of Norse Mythology. What I did was contract with a Diva of a different Mythology than Germany¡¯s own state religion desu.¡± ¡°That was the reason why this girl seeks an asylum. This girl is recognized as in Germany. When you contract with a Diva that doesn¡¯t come from the Mythology of Germany¡¯s own state religion, then your life will be forfeit, no question asked.¡± ¡­Even in Japan, if you form a contract with Divas other than from Solomon 72 Pillar who''s safety hadn¡¯t been confirmed, you would be arrested by the Knight Order as an and your magic power would be sealed. To seal magic power, on top of using medications to make your mind defenseless, advanced telepathy magic is applied to crush the part of your mind that governed the control of magic power. Using this method would cause side effects in the personality of the receiver, and this treatment invited a lot criticism but¡­ Somehow the treatment of heretic contractors was more severe in Germany¡ª¡ªit seems it was death penalty. ¡°Why did you form that contract then?¡± Mio threw that natural question. ¡°I suffered from an illness since birth. When I turned fourteen years old, I was at the verge of death. At that time, Prophet appeared in my heart. He possessed me partially then he overwrote the parts of my body that were sick and saved me. Currently I am in the state of desu.¡± ¡°That was not just an act of mercy, there was also benefit for me who lost my power.¡± The young boy Diva called Prophet talked with a voice so flat you couldn¡¯t surmise his emotion. ¡°I had to become a parasite in a human body to recover back my strength. But I don¡¯t want the personality of my host to be extinguished because of my possession. For that purpose, I had to choose someone that was able to maintain their mind with advanced mind control so their mind wouldn¡¯t blend with me when I usher into their mind. Charlotte has the potential for that, moreover if I don¡¯t possess her then her life would be in a precarious situation. If she formed a contract with me then she would end up throwing everything away and enter an exile, but even so it could be said that our interest matched, don¡¯t you agree?¡± ¡°Of course I¡¯m grateful to Prophet. I obtained a healthy body, I can go outside, I can also come to Japan that I had yearned for, even though as a refugee! While I was in my sickbed watching the contraband item of Japan¡¯s old anime, I had yearned for this country so much desu.¡± ¡°Taking refuge in Japan was also convenient for me. This island country is the most optimum place to restore my strength.¡± The smiling Lotte and the expressionless Prophet explained alternately. ¡­However, was this situation really fine? When a Diva with evil intention possesses a human, it was said that they whispered sweet words to their host and tricked them. The scream of Kaya when her body was taken over by Loki was still fresh in Kazuki¡¯s mind, even now. ¡°In Lotte''s examination there was no evidence of encroachment in her personality. There is a clear separation, inside Lotte, between her own self and Prophet, they are not mixed at all. Prophet has changed into a purely life-support part for Lotte. ¡­Even though I say examination, it was done by psychology test using telepathy scan, so we cannot say absolutely for sure though.¡± Liz Liza-sensei said that like she was answering the doubt inside Kazuki¡¯s heart. Naturally, the Knight Order and the government had already finished confirming the doubt that lingered inside Kazuki. Thereupon, the question was: This Diva, did he really save a human with pure good will? ¡°Moreover we succeeded in our escape because of Prophet¡¯s power. He was able to understand how to operate the jet airplane, after all I don¡¯t know how to operate a jet airplane. I was careless back there desu.¡± ¡°Diva¡­ drive a jet airplane? Oi Leme, so could you also operate a jet airplane?¡± Kazuki asked Leme with a great uneasiness. ¡°¡­Can¡¯t you see that there is no way Leme can do that. It¡¯s doubtful that Leme can even ride a bicycle. ¡­It was mysterious no matter how Leme saw it, what kind of theory did the bicycle use that it could keep moving forward without falling aside?¡± The existence called Diva was the dweller of Mythology. It was obvious there would be unease if you heard about a Diva driving a jet airplane. The appearance of a jet airplane in a mythology¡­ as expected there should be none. ¡°Airplane¡­ I only operated it with intuition, but it was a wonderful thing.¡± ¡°Though when Prophet flew the plane in the sky, his tension suddenly raised up and he sped up too much that we almost crashed desu.¡± Lotte said so while laughing pleasantly like she was telling a funny story. Diva that could understand science¡­? There were too many puzzles that keep deepening here. ¡°I had heard about a Diva that lost his memory before, however, how could Prophet lose his strength?¡± Mio threw a simple question. ¡°That¡¯s¡­ even though I lost my memory, I still slightly remember my mission. Diva has a mission established from the Mythology. My mission is, at the minimum, I have to stop the calamity of .¡± ¡°Machia? Caramel macchiato?¡± Mio said a strange thing like an airhead. ¡°A story of Greece is it? We can judge that it is highly possible this Diva is from the Greek mythology.¡± Liz Liza-sensei crossed her hand and gave an explanation like she was starting the class. ¡°¡­We learned that in Mythology class but, Greek Mythology depicted two WarMachia that gambled the existence of the universe. First was the Titanomachia, where Zeus and other gods challenged the Titans that ruled the universe. The second time was the Gigantomachia where the children of the Titans, the Giants, waved the banner of revolution towards Zeus who had beaten the Titans and became the chief god." Prophet nodded his head with his still expressionless face towards Liz Liza-sensei¡¯s words. ¡°Quite so. Even though I don¡¯t understand who I am, I still have some memory in the degree of simple knowledge. I remember it. In Titanomachia, Zeus and the other gods won only with the strength of gods. In Gigantomachia they needed the cooperation of humans. They gained the assistance of Hercules and was able to win. And then in the third Machia¡­ humans will become the leading actor and humans will be the ones that need to overcome the enemy¡­ it will become a battle like that.¡± ¡°Prophet has the power of prediction. Though he couldn¡¯t understand everything, but only for the truly important thing, it¡¯s only vague prediction but it seems he can perceive it desu.¡± ¡°It seems my mission was contradicting some other Diva. Because of that, I fought with another Diva, got defeated, and then lost my strength, that¡¯s what I thought.¡± A Diva that was hostile toward this mysterious Diva, Prophet. Who on earth could that be? Was it possible for that Diva to pursue Prophet to here in Japan? And then the prediction of the third Machia like in the Greek Mythology. In Titanomachia it was a war against titans, and if Gigantomachia was a war against giants then¡ª¡ª The third Machia would be¡­ what kind of person would become the enemy in that war? While on this topic, Loki from Norse Mythology also predicted about Mythology WarRagnarok. Ragnarok and the third Machia. Was it a coincidence that two Mythologies predicted a battle in the same period? ¡°Inside you¡­¡± Prophet whispered faintly. ¡°Inside you, it seems there might be a possibility that you could overcome the enemy.¡± The silver eyes of the Prophet immediately¡ª¡ªfaced towards Kazuki. ¡°You see what kind of complicated set of human and Diva these two are? ¡­That¡¯s why we revealed their circumstance to you guys. We will entrust these two to the Witch¡¯s Mansion. Starting from now, it has also become surveillance to these two.¡± ¡°It was also the same with Otouto-kun, but we welcome that kind of surveillance! If you ask me why, then it is because she is cutee!! It¡¯s a surveillance in the name of love! I will do it with all my strength!!¡± Kaguya-senpai hugged Lotte with all her strength. Lotte opened her eyes in surprise but then she returned the hug happily. Muu, Kaguya-senpai has been taken by the newcomer. ¡°There is one more thing¡­ Amasaki Mio, Hayashizaki Kazuki, add this girl into your party.¡± ¡°Eh¡­ EEHH!? In our party!?¡± Kazuki had vaguely predicted this from Hoshikaze-senpai¡¯s words this morning but¡­ for Mio it was really shocking. Lotte was ¡°Is it not okay¡­?¡±, making an anxious face because of that. ¡°Eh, no, it¡¯s not that it¡¯s not okay but¡­ come on Kazukii¡± ¡°Lotte¡¯s time with her contract is still not long but, she can already use summoning magic up to level 3. Prophet¡¯s strength is still not perfect but on top of Lotte¡¯s advanced skill in telepathy, her condition is also close with possession, that¡¯s why her chanting is fast. She should compensate for the weakness of you guys.¡± ¡°Hee, let¡¯s do a mock battle tomorrow to test it okay?¡± Hoshikaze-senpai raised a voice filled with deep interest toward the unknown magician. If the weak point of our party got filled then it was not a bad story. Her strength was still deemed unsatisfactory to enter Kaguya-senpai¡¯s party, so it seemed it was decided that she would be added to our party. ¡°Understood, we will accept her into our party happily.¡± ¡°Anime-oniisan! Thank YouDanke shun desu!¡± Lotte suddenly separated herself from Kaguya-senpai and this time she flew into Kazuki¡¯s chest¡ª¡ª¡®Chuu¡¯ and then she pressed her lips at Kazuki¡¯s cheek. ¡°Wha, what the!? What are you doing to Kazu-niii!?¡± Mio eyes opened wide and raised a voice that was half-screaming. Lotte then separated from Kazuki and this time she was also hugging Mio whose face was still stiff in surprise, then, ¡°Danke shun Mio-oneesan! Please take care of me desu!¡± She also kissed Mio¡¯s cheek. Mio made a complex expression that was half angry and half shy. This was the way of a foreign country¡­ was it really? Kazuki who didn¡¯t know anything about the world outside didn¡¯t understand. ¡°Did you prefer kiss on the lips? Should I redo it desu?¡± When she noticed the two people was currently bewildered, Lotte tilted her head in wonder. ¡°There is no need to redo it! Ki, kiss on the mouth is a no! I mean any kind of kiss is no good!¡± Mio ¡®funfun¡¯ with great force. ¡°¡­Why is that? Is it a strange thing to show feelings of gratitude using a kiss? Moreover¡­ I clearly feel the happiness from both of you desu.¡± ¡°What do you mean by sensing our feeling¡­ is it telepathy?¡± For an expert of telepathy, they could even sense the feeling inside the subconscious of the other party. Of course it was impossible to perceive everything from their heart though. ¡°Why does your mouth say no even though you are happy in your heart? What is this contradiction desu¡­?¡± ¡°Lotte, in Japan you mustn¡¯t kiss someone other than a person that is truly important to you. Especially a mouth to mouth kiss¡ªa person that you¡¯ll protect by betting your whole life, kiss is something that is filled by such an oath.¡± ¡°Oath! ¡­I see, so it is an act filled with important significance, isn¡¯t it desu.¡± Suddenly Kazuki recalled when he kissed Mio who fell because of Loki¡¯s evil blade. Unintentionally he glanced at Mio¡¯s face. ¡­That lips, he kissed that lips. He remembered that time [I¡¯ll protect Mio no matter what], an oath was budding. Though it seems Mio didn¡¯t remember it¡­ When Mio noticed Kazuki¡¯s gaze, ¡°Wha, what are you looking at?¡± she became embarrassed. ¡°¡­Hmm, though if I can say one thing, kissing Kazuki¡¯s cheek like that, if Kanae-san was here in this place the we wouldn¡¯t be able to guarantee Lotte¡¯s life would we? Ahaha.¡± Hoshikaze-senpai laughed strangely. ¡­It was troubling because it didn¡¯t seem like a joke when he imagined it. ¡°I also¡ª¡ªwill pledge my allegiance towards you too.¡± Prophet faced Leme and then waited upon her like a knight. Thereupon magic was invoked of its own accord in front of Kazuki¡¯s eyes. As the ring emitted the light of magic power, an image of a graph floated up. Amasaki Mio¡ª¡ª127 Otonashi Kaguya¡ª¡ª75 Hiakari Koyuki¡ª¡ª49 Hoshikaze Hikaru¡ª¡ª39 Lotte¡ª¡ª35 The graph increased by one line!? Even though Lotte was not a contractor of Solomon 72 Pillar! {I see, so this is what she meant. Truly, that this kind of thing happened¡­ Interesting!} Leme only talked to Kazuki inside his heart. It was a voice that only Kazuki could hear. Kazuki recalled his conversation with Liz Liza-sensei inside the staff room¡ª¡ª[With the ability of Lemegeton, in the case that you became friendly with a magician that has a contract with a Diva other than Solomon 72 Pillar, what would happen?] Is that so, Sensei was confirming that based on this possibility. ¡°¡­My King! Keep to yourself this possibility that your conquering targets exceeds far more than 72 people!¡± Chapter 2.2.3 — Visitor From Outside World Volume 2 Chapter 2 - Visitor From Outside World Part 3 ¡°Let¡¯s do a welcome party for Lotte-chan! With that said, Otouto-kun, make Lotte-chan¡¯s favorite food! What do you want to eat Lotte-chan?¡± ¡°Eeeto, I want to try sushi, tempura, and tuuna, desu!¡± ¡ª¡ªBecause of that, today Kazuki had became an itamae. ¡°¡­You can even make sushi?¡± Mio made an amazed face toward Kazuki who held a sashimi kitchen knife that resembled a Japanese katana. ¡°As you would expect, I have never made sushi before, but if it¡¯s sashimi¡­¡± If you talk about sashimi, it was a mistake if you thought it would be fine as long as the fish was fresh and you cut and lined it up just like that. You had to cut the fish with optimum thickness and angle depending on the type of the fish. When you cut the fish using a sashimi knife, you need to take care not to destroy the meat¡¯s cell as much as possible, and for that you need dexterity and technique. However Kazuki had learned the art of cooking using magic power, . Using Extra Sense to perceive the cell tissue, Kazuki slid the blade, filled with magic power, which could make sashimi that would make even an expert weep in shame. ¡°¡­By the way I was uncertain about something. That maid uniform Mio wore, where did you get it?¡± Kazuki glanced to Mio at his side while holding the sashimi knife. Mio is wearing a maid uniform right now. Since she misunderstood Kazuki¡¯s fascination about maids, she always wore a maid uniform every time they did housework in the Witch¡¯s Mansion. Kazuki couldn¡¯t calm down watching that. ¡°Where did¡­ I made it myself though. I, like to sew you know.¡± Now that she mentioned it, when she first introduced herself in the class she seemed to have mentioned something like that. That so, this maid uniform was handmade was it? Come to think of it, maid uniforms tended to become uncouth if they attached a lot of frill on it, but Mio¡¯s maid uniform clung just right to her body and tightened her silhouette. The legs peeking through her miniskirt were adorned with socks and garter belts that emphasized the softness of her thighs, the apron skirt hugged tightly to the height of her hips. Because of that Mio¡¯s surprisingly big breasts were highlighted, and then ties from both sides of her chest was fastened to the bottom of her neck looking like it was pushing that bulge between them. An aura of service radiated from the attire, completely changing Mio¡¯s slightly impertinent aura. Noticing Kazuki¡¯s eyes, Mio¡¯s eyes that usually always had a confident allure in them was clouded by anxiety and shyness, then ¡°How, how is it?¡± she inquired Kazuki. ¡°¡­It¡¯s cute. It¡¯s so cute that it is breaking the rules.¡± ¡°Really!? Hehehe, success!!¡± Mio jumped around in happiness while a heart mark also flew up. Each time she jumped, the frills and miniskirt fluttered around. ¡­What is this super cute thing? ¡°Bu, but if you are beside me with that kind of appearance I won¡¯t be able to concentrate! It¡¯s okay if you don¡¯t help out today, this is not a work where you can help. A kitchen is the world of men.¡± ¡°Why are you driving me away, saying things like that? ¡­We cannot be alone anymore in the quest so this time, even though as an assistant, is very precious¡­¡± Even though Kazuki was holding a sashimi knife, Mio approached his side. ¡°Oi, you are in the way, it¡¯s dangerous¡­¡± ¡°¡­Kazu-nii.¡± Mio stood on her tiptoe and ¡®chuu¡¯ pressed her lips on Kazuki¡¯s cheek. It feels even more sweet and soft compared to Lotte¡¯s kiss from before. ¡°This, this is I, because this is Lotte¡¯s party this only meant as my best regards, that¡¯s all! I only mean to ask you to treat me well once more¡­ there is no other meaning!¡± While covering her own mouth with her hand, she explained the meaning of her action with very fast talk and then ran out of the kitchen in a great panic. Kazuki was petrified while holding the sashimi knife in one hand. ¡°¡­Ca, calm down, me. Feel the cell tissue of the tuna with Extra Sense¡­¡± Intense heat dwelled in the cheek where the lips touched. He couldn¡¯t concentrate at all. Colorful sashimi made from fresh fish were lined up on the dining table, and the tempuras were arranged dynamically to raise into the sky. Lotte¡¯s green eyes shone brightly seeing that scene. ¡°AmazingKlasse! The beauty of Japan that I kept yearning for when I was laid sick reading an old book and watching old anime is right here desu¡­!!¡± ¡°I see¡­this is very interesting. I feel the happiness from the taste that goes through Lotte.¡± Even though Prophet seem to be dispassionate, his way of talking somehow conveyed admiration. ¡°Hee, so Prophet can feel that kind of enjoyment. It¡¯s impossible for me though to transmit the taste of this food to Baal, the Diva that I¡¯m contracted with.¡± Hoshikaze-senpai observed Prophet¡¯s situation with a curious look. ¡°Is that so?¡± ¡°It¡¯s because one pillar of Diva is contracted to a lot of Magica Stigma, therefore the connection with our Diva is not that strong. We can¡¯t even have a private communication.¡± ¡°Uh huh, eating is wonderful! I¡¯m glad that Kazuki is my King!!¡± Leme who had a strong connection with Kazuki, and had the leisure to materialize freely, laughed loudly. Lotte held her chopsticks awkwardly, she tried to grasp the fish with white flesh that had a thin structure but because she couldn¡¯t capture it properly, she dropped it. Lotte¡¯s face turned pale because of her blunder of dropping the food, that was made for her, on the floor. ¡°My godMein gott¡­the chopstick is very difficult. I¡¯m sorry, I think if I use telepathy to trace I can make my body learn immediately desu, but¡­¡± Kazuki thought there was no need to be that ashamed so without a moment''s delay, he took a sashimi from the side, applied some wasabi and soy sauce and then he held it to Lotte¡¯s mouth. ¡°Here, Lotte. Aaan.¡± Even though Lotte was ¡®Aaan?¡¯ confused of the meaning of the words, she soon understood and her cheek was stuffed, her expression became bright. And then a heart mark flew up. ¡°Danke shun desu, Kazuki-oniisan!¡± Like that, on reflex, Lotte kissed Kazuki¡¯s cheek again. And then ¡°I did it again¡± she realized what she was doing and restrained herself. ¡°She kissed his cheek while calling him onii-san¡­ As expected if Kanae-san is here then Lotte¡¯s life would be no more.¡± ¡°I don¡¯t really follow but¡­ I understand that it¡¯s fine if this person called Kanae is not near desu.¡± Lotte said that with a friendly grin toward Hoshikaze-senpai who showed a wry smile. ¡°Kazuki-oniisan, I want to eat that one next desu.¡± Kazuki took the food that Lotte wanted and do ¡°Aaan¡±. Lotte opened her mouth obediently like a baby bird, then she chewed in happiness. ¡°Kazuki-oniisan, you look like my favorite butler when I lived in the castle desu¡­¡± She faced Kazuki while ¡®ehehe¡¯ laughing, a heart mark flew toward Kazuki. Suddenly she embraced him. ¡°¡­Wait a minute Kazuki, whatever the circumstances may be, but haven¡¯t you serviced her too much?¡± ¡°It¡¯s no good to be that petulant, Mio-chan. After all this is Lotte-chan¡¯s welcoming party.¡± Kaguya-senpai teased from the side when Mio¡¯s expression became huffy. ¡°I, I¡¯m not petulant at all! Here Lotte, from me too, aaan.¡± ¡°Danke shun desu Mio-oneesan!¡± Lotte stuffed her cheek with the tempura from Mio, her smiling face became enchanted¡­ Mio¡¯s lips slackened seeing that. It was the face of an owner viewing his pet. ¡°¡­I wonder if this is the feeling if we keep a puppy in Kazu-nii and our house¡­¡± ¡°Oi, what kind of chemical reaction is happening inside your head?¡± ¡°Oniisan, I want to eat that red thing next desu. The legendary fish, tuuna!.¡± ¡°Your pronunciation sounds like De Niro from a while ago. It¡¯s tuna, not tuuna.¡± ¡°Wait a minute Lotte-chan, Kaguya-oneechan also want to do ¡®aaan¡¯! Here.¡± Kaguya-senpai forced her way in the middle and presented a food with ¡®aaan¡¯. However soon senpai¡¯s smiling face turned evil. Just before Lotte could eat she pulled back the chopstick. ¡°U~, please don¡¯t bully me, please feed me~¡± While laughing with troubled expression, Lotte chased Kaguya-senpai¡¯s chopstick. ¡°Just leave a bully like this alone, come eat from me. Here, aaan.¡± Right there Hoshikaze-senpai arrived from the side and did ¡®aaan¡¯ to Lotte. Lotte ignored Kaguya-senpai with ¡®puih¡¯ and ate Hoshikaze-senpai¡¯s offering. Kaguya-senpai whined ¡°Aaah, I¡¯ll feed you properly okay!¡± in a fluster. Each time Lotte ate a mouthful, everyone scrambled with new food to present an ¡®aaan¡¯, Lotte was happy and eat them all in turn. ¡°¡­Everyone¡¯s warm feeling is being transmitted through telepathy. I¡¯m happy desu.¡± ¡ª¡ªBefore long Lotte¡¯s small stomach reached the limit and she collapsed in heap. ¡°Uuuu¡­ I want to chant reinforcement magic in my stomach desu¡­¡± If we used Enchant Aura to our bodies, everyday would surely become a food fight. ¡°I wonder if it''s fine to be this happy¡­ It feels like a dream desu¡­¡± Lotte who collapsed holding her stomach was surrounded by everyone of the Witch¡¯s Mansion. Even after the meals had finished, everyone continued talking happily with Lotte in the center. Inside that circle¡ª¡ªKazuki suddenly noticed, Koyuki had been outside the circle for quite a long time. ¡°¡­Hiakari-san.¡± Kazuki nonchalantly moved beside Koyuki who continued to eat in silence. ¡°Kazuki¡­even though you don¡¯t need to come expressly to confirm, today the food is tasty too. The thickness and the method of cutting are different on each type of fish, it''s so fresh that it creates a spray of glistening juice.¡± ¡°No, I¡¯m not looking for a review of the food! ¡­Come on, let¡¯s talk a little with everyone.¡± ¡°I don¡¯t have any such interest to the transfer student, there is also no reason to become one party with you.¡± ¡°¡­Why are you saying such lonely things?¡± ¡°That¡¯s because I like being alone. I don¡¯t know anything about what you call loneliness.¡± ¡°Lies.¡± Kazuki said decisively, Koyuki¡¯s eyes were shaken. She stared at Kazuki only for a moment, but soon her disturbed stare wandered around. Why is Hiakari-san doing everything to corner herself into isolation? She looked like a kitten that climbed a high place and then couldn¡¯t get down. ¡°Yosh, Hiakari-san. Aaan.¡± ¡°I watched from some time ago, that ¡®aaan¡¯ thing was stupid¡­¡± Koyuki averted her eyes from the piece of sashimi that Kazuki presented but because Kazuki persistently circled around her to chase her with the chopstick, Koyuki had no other choice except to eat the food. ¡°Yosh, next is tuna and avocado with wasabi cream tartar. This is the work I have confidence in, see.¡± ¡°That kind of food that plainly aim''s for a foreigner¡¯s taste¡­ it¡¯s delicious if I eat by myself I said!¡± However, Koyuki ate all the food that Kazuki presented even though she kept exhaling deep sighs. ¡°¡­Kazuki, why do you keep ignoring my words¡­¡± ¡°Because Hiakari-san¡¯s words are usually a lie, I have seen through them all.¡± When Kazuki tried to give ¡®aaan¡¯ one more time, Koyuki shook her head while saying ¡°I¡¯m already full.¡± Kazuki knew that was not a lie and pulled back his chopstick. ¡°Thank you for the food. It was great, wasn¡¯t it? A new comrade entered in your party.¡± ¡°I still want to party together with Hiakari-san though. Even far in the future this feeling will surely never change.¡± ¡°¡­Please give up, why do you keep ignoring that even though I keep saying it¡­¡± Koyuki, her eyes down cast, had an angry look. After the welcome party was over, Kazuki started to clean up everything. When he imagined Mio doing the scrubbing and washing and making her hands rough, he felt that he couldn¡¯t allow it, so Kazuki always took the job of washing voluntarily. Rough hands came from damage that was piled up unconsciously, so defensive magic power couldn¡¯t defend against it. And then using to transmute the human body using magic from Base ParticlePrima Materia, it was possible that there would be unforeseen side effects when the human body was rearranged, as it was still an undeveloped field of study. Treatment for rough hands still did not exist. The case where hardworking women had their hands turned rough¡ª¡ªit was a tragedy that even in this age of magic and alchemy still couldn¡¯t be avoided. I absolutely won¡¯t allow the hands of the girls that lived in this mansion turn rough as long I¡¯m the maid here¡­Kazuki resolved himself in his heart. In the meanwhile, right now, the program had turned for the girls to enter the bathroom. Usually the senpais had priority, but today Lotte was the first to enter the bath. ¡°Kazuki-oniisan!¡± Suddenly Lotte¡¯s voice was heard and Kazuki turned to look back, there a stark naked Lotte was running towards Kazuki, the sound of her steps rang out ¡®petapeta¡¯. ¡­Totally nude. Unintentionally, Kazuki dropped the plate that he was in the middle of washing. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, onii-san. Can you tell me how to use the bath desu? I don¡¯t understand one of the appliances¡­ onii-san? Why do you avoid looking at me desu? Isn¡¯t it impolite if you don¡¯t look at people¡¯s face when they are talking desu? Are you angry desu?¡± Because Kazuki averted his face so he won¡¯t look at Lotte¡¯s nakedness, Lotte expressly circled around ¡®petapeta¡¯ to the direction Kazuki¡¯s face was facing. A naked body of pure white fairy was reflected in Kazuki¡¯s field of vision. ¡­Why did she show it expressly!? Why did she enter his field of vision expressly!? ¡°If it''s Prophet he should be able to operate the appliance instinctively like when he drove the jet airplane desu but¡­ for some reason when I turned naked he won¡¯t reply even when I called him out desu. That¡¯s why onii-san, please teach me. Because of this trouble, why don¡¯t you also enter the bath together?¡± Lotte sensed that Kazuki was not angry by using telepathy. The girl hugged Kazuki¡¯s arm daringly and then pulled him. Her expression was absolutely pure. ¡­Come to think of it, the nobles of the middle ages always had retainers to change their clothes for them. It was even said that they didn¡¯t have any shame toward people of the lower class. That ¡®aaan¡¯ from before. Lotte might have mistaken Kazuki as her own butler. In short Lotte didn¡¯t see this side as a man. Despite that, if this side was the only side that looked at the girl¡¯s nakedness as the opposite sex¡­ it would soil the girl¡¯s pureness. Don¡¯t look and fight the worldly desires, Kazuki whose expression tightened as if he had swallowed a bitter bug was pulled forcefully by Lotte until the bathroom. And then ¡°This is the one.¡± She pointed to the bath water heater device controller that was installed in the wall. ¡°What the¡­ this is a normal device that exists everywhere isn¡¯t it?¡± It was a normal electric hot-water heater that used electricity to boil hot water and also maintain the temperature. In the present Japan, all-electric had been completely popularized, there was nothing that used gas anymore. With the grace of alchemy, electric power had became an extremely cheap energy. Lithium ion rechargeable battery was improved by alchemy, its capacity was expanded exceedingly, furthermore, it wouldn¡¯t deteriorate even if it was recharged multiple times, this was called . With this invention, the large scale wireless electric transportation became possible, and realized the drastic low cost of electricity. Because of the birth of Etherlight Rechargeable Battery, Japan¡¯s domestic power generation system was changed completely. The present Japan¡¯s electricity was provided in its entirety by the Solar Power GenerationArchimedes System in Japan¡¯s southern tip territorial water on the Artificial Floating IslandMegafloat. Etherlight rechargeable battery was recharged in the power generator that made the best use of strong sunlight on the southern man-made island, and then it was carried into the mainland. This over concentration power generation brought about unprecedented efficiency of natural electricity. The sunlight power generatorsolar system that was mainstream in Japan so far had the strong point that it was decentralized in small scale and could produce electricity however, because the electricity transportation had became really easy it was not used anymore. When Kazuki explained how to use the electric water heater, Lotte was surprised with the automatic function of regulating the temperature of the hot water. She raised a voice of deep impression while her naked body was taken aback. ¡°It¡¯s the first time I have seen something like this! It doesn¡¯t use magic, isn¡¯t it desu!!¡± This time it was Kazuki¡¯s turn to be surprised hearing those words. ¡°Do they heat the bath in Germany and Seinmundo using magic every time!?¡± Certainly if they used pyrokinesis to produce and decrease heat energy, it wouldn¡¯t be difficult to live without using a water heater. Kazuki had also used it before, using pyrokinesis as auxiliary heat when the time to heat water using the electric water heating device took too long. ¡°It seems the household of general public still used appliance desu but¡­ the daily living in the royal court mostly are done using magic. The royalty must follow the state religion strictly and give an example to the people desu. There are even movements that promote to manage the appliance used by the general people more strictly. Even the Anime DVD and DVD Player in my room need to be hidden secretly desu.¡± ¡°Even so, things like DVD, Japan had not used those more than 10 years ago you know? It had became an antique item.¡± The mainstream memory storage media in the present Japan was Ultrashort-wave Ray DiskURD. DVD, if remembered correctly it was even before Blue-ray DiskBD. ¡°If there is no machine, won¡¯t it inconvenience the old people when their magic powers are weakening?¡± ¡°Yes desu, that¡¯s so, but that was considered as natural providence. Humans are tied with other people spiritually by magic power, so magic power is thought as the basis of human right.¡± Which reminds me of what Liz Liza-sensei said before, ¡°In Europe, humans that were born with excellent magic power are considered as nobles, countries that revived the monarchy system are not few.¡± People that lost their strength were weeded out from society and humans with excellent magic power became nobles. That was what they considered natural? ¡­If someone obtained a great power, they should protect the weak, wasn¡¯t that the natural [feelings of being human] for sure? ¡°The jet airplane is great, the water heater is great¡­ once again I realized how great Japan¡¯s appliances are desu. There is even an appliance to boil the hot water¡­ if only this existed back there, surely my dead grandpa could have lived in more comfort¡­¡± ¡°You mentioned about the strict compliance to the state religion, but are they really using faith as the reason to not use machines?¡± ¡°Yes. The Norse Mythology that Germany has faith in has the aim to remove the inside human¡¯s heart. Probably there are even more strict demands of faith than this among the Magic Advanced Countries desu.¡± ¡°¡­Doctrine that denied machines are probably common among a lot of Mythologies. Because that was the symbol of human¡¯s conceitedness, there are not many Mythology that could affirm such.¡± Prophet¡¯s avatar appeared beside Lotte and said so. ¡°¡­For what reason is it I wonder. It was so sad I can¡¯t stand it desu.¡± ¡°How stupid huh. Whether its magic or machine, as long its convenient then it¡¯s fine to use it, that¡¯s what Leme thought.¡± Even Leme also materialized inside the confined bathroom. Suddenly¨DKazuki felt a cool sensation of passing air at his lower body. ¡°Lotte¡­ why did you take off my pants inside the confusion?¡± ¡°Kazuki-oniisan, let¡¯s enter the bath together. After all you don¡¯t hate it, right desu?¡± The totally naked Lotte cutely tilted her head¨D ¡°Lotte¡­ In Japan you couldn¡¯t show your naked body to the opposite sex, it¡¯s no good unless you show it to a person where you have the relation of considering each other as a very precious person. On the basis of the relation between man and woman¡­¡± Lotte showed a vacant expression, then in a blink of an eye, her expression was dyed with understanding. ¡°Relation of man and woman¡­ I see, onii-san and me are man and woman, isn¡¯t it desu? That kind of thing was irrelevant in my life until now so I completely overlooked the awareness of gender. I always thought such a thing surely only happened inside a love comedy anime¡­¡± Lotte looked like she comprehended something and suddenly her face turned red. ¡°Don¡¯t tell me that kissing on the cheek is not a sign of gratitude, but actually is something similar with romcom!? Perhaps I have turned as a really shameless character regarding onii-san!?¡± Somehow even if she thought of Kazuki as one of the common people, it didn¡¯t mean that she had no shame. ¡°I feel that you can¡¯t differentiate reality at this point of time if you said something like ¡®character¡¯! But it¡¯s okay, I don¡¯t mind at all about such things!¡± ¡°By any chance this and this are parts that absolutely shouldn¡¯t be shown to a man, is it!?¡± ¡°I don¡¯t see it! I don¡¯t see even a little bit of those parts!!¡± ¡°This is the first time since I was born that I made such a romcom blunder¡­ How embarrassing desu! Please forget it!¡± ¡°Even though we already had a long talk until just now, you people are very surreal.¡± Kazuki escaped from the bathroom in great panic while listening to Leme¡¯s astonished voice. ¡°Good evening, Otouto-kun?¡± After Kazuki finished tidying up and back in his room, the figure of Kaguya-senpai clad in her Magic DressD¨¦collet¨¦ Oblique was sitting on Kazuki¡¯s bed. The color of her pupils were¨Dchanged slightly to a violet color. ¡°Senpai¡­ are you perhaps in that condition?¡± The influence of the Diva Kaguya-senpai contracted with, Asmodeus, occasionally amplified her [lewd feeling]. At that time, she would vent by embracing Kazuki. However, it¡¯s strange. When in the welcoming party today, senpai was still normal though¡­ ¡°It¡¯s not like that, though I wonder if it¡¯s that kind of feeling.¡± Senpai beckoned Kazuki while saying ambiguous thing, Kazuki sat on the edge of the bed, then Kaguya-senpai came and embraced him while a nice smell drifted in the air softly. Embracing her in her magic dress form that had high exposure rate, the softness and warmth of senpai were transmitted directly. In this kind of situation, it couldn¡¯t be helped that he was bothered by senpai¡¯s breasts which were bigger than anyone else. ¡°Otouto-kun, today you were ¡®chuuchuu¡¯-ed a lot by Lotte-chan, weren¡¯t you?¡± Senpai stretched her hand while hugging Kazuki¨Dand pinched the area around where Lotte¡¯s lips touched Kazuki¡¯s cheek. For some reason, it feels like it would be a breach of manners if the defensive magic power was activated for this kind of pain, there is no other way than to be resigned with this. ¡°Even at the best of times, recently Otouto-kun only care about his partner Mio-chan. Kaguya-senpai is very lonely and so lonely that she talked to the wall, hugging the pillar, harassing Hikaru-chan, doing all those things everyday, you see¡­¡± ¡°What the heck has senpai done to Hoshikaze-senpai¡­¡± ¡°That kind of Kaguya-senpai¡­in her loneliness of being ignored by Otouto-kun will monologue to herself in whisper though.¡± Somehow senpai started talking about strange things. ¡°This is a story I learned from the people of the Knight Order in the location of a quest, it seems German¡¯s Northern Europe Knight OrderEinherjar had already demanded for Japan to hand over Lotte¡¯s own person. Of course if Japan hands over Lotte, what await a heretic is the death penalty, isn¡¯t it?¡± ¡°¨D!?¡± While Kaguya-senpai [monologue] to herself, she started to leak the Knight Order¡¯s internal story. ¡°But of course Japan can¡¯t comply with that demand right~? Even though they understand the person they handed over will be sentenced to death and yet still did it, the surrounding countries must not think that Japan has become friendly with Germany. Because Japan is [the only magic advanced country in the world that is not a religious country] you see.¡± The like of religious magic advanced countries couldn¡¯t live in harmony with each other. But with [Mythology that didn¡¯t demand faith], Solomon 72 Pillar as Japan¡¯s war potential, Japan was the only exception among magic advanced countries that could maintain itself as a secular country. In short, it also means that Japan is the only country [that could possibly form an alliance with other countries]. The other magic advanced countries had always observed Japan¡¯s tendency with sensitivity. If Japan¡¯s distance with Germany was shortened, the other five countries would harbor needless doubt. If Japan became an ally with Germany, the remaining five countries would turn into enemies. Japan must show the humane stance of respecting the right of life of the refugee. ¡°It seems when there was no response of the demand of handing over Lotte without condition, Germany proposed to give compensation in return. If Japan handed over Lotte, Germany will dispatch their elite Einherjars to cooperate with Loki¡¯s subjugation. Because in the first place as a Diva, Loki is supposed to be the hated enemy of Norse Mythology.¡± In Norse Mythology, Loki was the existence that would cause the final war¨DRagnarok. ¡°Japan really want that cooperation so badly to the degree that a hand will come out of its throat. However¡­ if Japan simply accepted that cooperation, we will be looked down upon by the surrounding countries. A country that couldn¡¯t solve its own problem by its own strength. That¡¯s why we rejected that compensation too. After that, this time it¡¯s fine whatever Japan does with Lotte, it¡¯s fine even if they do it without any compensation, but Germany want to cooperate in Loki¡¯s subjugation, it seems that was their next request.¡± ¡°Then in the end Lotte is going to be fine right?¡± ¡°They already stopped asking for Lotte¡¯s return other than on [chance]. If we turned them down when they were already asking to that point, it would worsen our relation with Germany too much. Besides if this time, Japan accepted the cooperation with no strings attached, it is good enough to be shown to the public. Moreover, the Einherjar¡¯s elite squad had already landed in Japan. The period of the cooperation is one month.¡± Kazuki felt a chill running down his spine and felt impatience hearing Kaguya-senpai¡¯s words. I want to defeat Loki with my own hand. That was not for Kaya¡¯s revenge. If Kaya¡¯s body stayed safe and all of Loki¡¯s magic power that resided inside her body was destroyed completely, Kazuki thought that there was still some chance to save Kaya. That kind of possibility¨DKazuki still held some hope of that. ¡°If it stays like this, Loki will be suppressed in the hands of the Knight Order. Of course the Knight Order and us, we are going to fight without holding back, mercilessly choosing to attack with overkill toward that girl¡¯s body. That was justice. For Otouto-kun, he could only consent with that don¡¯t you agree?¡± ¡°¡­Kaguya-senpai, it doesn¡¯t look like monologue anymore you know?¡± ¡°Eh? Even though I¡¯m just hugging a pillar and talking to a wall, but I heard Otouto-kun¡¯s voice! I wonder if it is because I missed Otouto-kun too much!?¡± However the current Kazuki didn¡¯t have sufficient accomplishment to participate in a quest with connection to Loki. For the sake of rescuing Kaya¡­ there was no more time to do everything slowly. ¡°Otouto-kun that should be able to show big accomplishment, but that form that couldn¡¯t truly display his strength because he fussed over Mio-chan¡­ I feel a little jealous you know. It¡¯s no good if Otouto-kun doesn¡¯t become greedier to [become strong]. If he is not like that then he would end up unable to protect anything.¡± Became much stronger, but to achieve that¡­ ¡°¡­For, for example, should Otouto-kun set out to conquer Kaguya-senpai more proactively? He absolutely should do that right!? Well, though Kaguya-senpai doesn¡¯t see Otouto-kun other than a cute kouhai anyway!!¡± ¡­Did senpai already hear about the details of Leme¡¯s ability from Liz Liza-sensei!? ¡°I feel that I have talked to myself a lot about the Knight Order and a maiden¡¯s secret information. Well, there is no problem though because there is no one here anyway.¡± ¡°I am here though.¡± ¡°Someone that doesn¡¯t care about me and only has his mind full with Mio-chan, the existence of that kind of person, I don¡¯t know it at all~l. His basic human right is revoked. This is my hugging, desire dispersing & monologue-use thing.¡± Kaguya-senpai said so while ¡®gyuugyuu¡¯ keep hugging Kazuki. To say a person as a thing that easily. ¡­If we reached the position like the party of Kaguya-senpai who was the academy¡¯s strongest, a chance to participate in a quest where the party would be added directly to the Knight Order¡¯s activity would also come. Like Kaguya-senpai who could get her hands on information that could only be obtained in the Knight Order¡¯s site, like the inside information of the negotiation between Japan and Germany. ¡°Thank you very much for informing me¡­ senpai.¡± Kazuki had a feeling that there was something else that must be said other than gratitude, Kazuki extracted his body from Kaguya-senpai¡¯s embrace. Kaguya-senpai¡¯s body that was glued on his body until now entered his field of vision. The black magic dress of Asmodeus that governed lust just barely covered senpai¡¯s voluptuous body. It constricted her hips sensually¡­ the personification of feminine¡¯s charm, an existence like a cluster of pheromone was right in front of Kazuki. ¡°¡­Otouto-kun, compared to when hugging you, it was hundred times more embarrassing being stared fixedly like that in this form though¡­¡± Kaguya-senpai blushed red and became bashful and troubled. At the same time a heart mark flew. Conquering Kaguya-senpai. ¡­If she said that he need to be more proactive and set out to conquer a girl in this kind of appearance, then it must be okay to do whatever he wanted right? Kazuki¡¯s head was in a state of chaos and he couldn¡¯t say anything. ¡°Ge, geez, Otouto-kun! ¡­As expected forget those monologue before!!¡± Kaguya-senpai that couldn¡¯t stand Kazuki¡®s gaze and silence stopped the conversation one-sidedly. ¡°No, it¡¯s okay to remember the monologue about the Knight Order and Germany though!! Geez¡­ shake off the shame at max!! Then, good night!!¡± Kaguya-senpai stood up from the bed and ran off leaving the room. Kazuki¡¯s nervousness was released and he sunk into the bed weakly. The cheek that senpai pulled was prickling. The positivity level floated in front of his eyes on its own. Amasaki Mio¨D128 Otonashi Kaguya¨D79 Hiakari Koyuki¨D52 Hoshikaze Hikaru¨D41 Lotte¨D42 The German Knight Order came to defeat Loki. The most important thing was¨Dthere. Although in a moment of carelessness the figure of Kaguya-senpai¡¯s intense magic dress form floated behind Kazuki¡¯s retina. Chapter 2.3.1 — Quest, Re-challenge! Volume 2 Chapter 3 - Quest, Re-challenge! Part 1 ¡°Recently Onii-sama is licentious! Lecherous Onii-sama!!¡± ¡°I never thought the day will come where you can say licentious¡­¡± ¡°Then, receiving private lessons from an older woman¡­ what in the world does she plan to teach Onii-sama? Does Onii-sama plan to climb the stairs of adulthood!?¡± A morning in the Witch¡¯s Mansion¨Dwhen Kazuki did special training with Hoshikaze-senpai, Kanae came out of nowhere. ¡°Kanae-san, you don¡¯t need to be that nervous, I won¡¯t take your big brother, okay? Besides Hayashizaki-kun doesn¡¯t see me as a woman. We are friends, you see.¡± With a clear, beautiful face that glittered with light, Hoshikaze-senpai soothed Kanae with eloquent speech. ¡°¡­Nii-sama, Kanae doesn¡¯t understand at all what this [beautiful girl] is saying. If Kanae¡¯s common sense is still normal, then this person is enough of a beauty, isn¡¯t it?¡± ¡°Ahaha, what are you saying? Against some female like me¡­ compared to me, your cuteness can¡¯t possibly be expressed in words. Here, I¡¯ll show you, so raise your head.¡± Hoshikaze-senpai held up Kanae¡¯s chin, and then she whispered while staring directly into Kanae''s eyes. Toward that beautiful face which destroys the barrier of gender, Kanae¡¯s eyes were stolen and she fell into a daze, and then suddenly "hah!" came to her senses. ¡°Nii-sama, this person is dangerous! There is a dangerous aura around her!!¡± Kanae came clinging to Kazuki in fright, but Kazuki honestly understood that feeling. In exchange for Kazuki¡¯s instructions in sword skills, Hoshikaze-senpai gave Kazuki magic lectures. Yesterday, it was Kazuki¡¯s turn to teach her sword skills, so today was Hoshikaze-senpai¡¯s turn. ¡°Honestly, I was like Kanae, sometimes while I was teaching Hoshikaze-senpai, I was also charmed by her¡­ I thought of senpai as a really charming woman.¡± Hoshikaze-senpai blushed slightly due to Kazuki¡¯s words, and a heart mark flew from her. However she soon shook her head lightly, ¡°Geez, stop it already¨D¡± and laughed it away. ¡°Hayashizaki-kun, it¡¯s no good to be too kind, okay? If you said that kind of thing to everyone, then when the crucial time comes, your precious person won¡¯t be able to believe that word anymore!¡± With a scolding tone, Hoshikaze-senpai flicked Kazuki¡¯s forehead . ¡°Onii-san, so you are in this kind of place desu. Good morning!¡± Suddenly a bright voice came from the direction of the mansion, the figure of Lotte in her uniform approached. ¡°I didn¡¯t see onii-san anywhere, so I searched for you. I want to talk with Onii-san¡­ about the matter of yesterday evening. I don¡¯t mind about the nakedness! I want to talk to clear the air between us desu!¡± Hoshikaze-senpai exclaimed ¡°Naked?¡± blinking her eyes in surprise. This is bad, Kazuki thought. This is the worst timing. ¡°Ni, Nii-sama, what the hell is this about¨D?! Even though you have me but to make another little sister somewhere else¡­ also what is that about, the nakedness of yesterday evening¨D!?¡± Kanae trembled ¡®buruburuburu¡¯ like a volcano just before eruption, and ¡®gogogogogogo¡¯ shaking like crazy. ¨DToward the howling Kanae, Kazuki desperately explained about the matter of Lotte as the special transfer student and the force majeure of yesterday evening. However, Kanae ignored all of that and drew her kodachi and a dangerous smile floated on her face. ¡°¡­Nii-sama¡­ for a long time Kanae wanted to face Nii-sama seriously¡­¡± ¡°I, I have a feeling that I¡¯m going to lose for the first time in a while against today¡¯s Kanae¡­¡± Lotte watched the sibling''s face alternately, then she looked down downheartedly. ¡°Does my existence somehow disturbed Onii-san¡¯s complex human relationships desu¡­?¡± ¡°Calm down, Kanae-san. It was just about increasing the number of comrades in the Witch¡¯s Mansion.¡± ¡°I won¡¯t accept it! ¡­This puppy-like foreigner, does she have befitting strength to be included in MagicaMagic Division Student Council!? Even though it looked like I was staying quiet, I only allowed Amasaki Mio and Hiakari Koyuki to stay at Nii-sama¡¯s side because they are competent. I recognized them, but only limited for staying at Nii-sama¡¯s side!¡± Kanae had the personality of not opening up her heart other than towards people with real strength. Kaguya-senpai was another matter, for her to also evaluate Mio and Koyuki that highly¡­ it was unexpected. ¡°Competent? ¡­Someone who is not strong is forbidden to stay beside Nii-sama desu¡­?¡± ¡°Yosh, her real strength will be tested personally by this me¨D!¡± Kanae held her kodachi with an expression like a Shura toward Lotte, who was puzzled. At a glance, this scene looked like a one-sided bullying. At that moment¨Da person cut in. ¡°Wait!¡± A vivid voice came from the interval between the trees that surrounded the Witch¡¯s Mansion. From the opposite side of the voice, The figure of first year swordsman, Hikita Kohaku, appeared like an actress entering the stage. ¡°¡­Fufufu, there is no need for Kanae-kaichou to expressly come out for that puppy. The duty of testing the hooligans clinging around Kazuki, one¡¯s self will be the one to accept it!¡± Kohaku appeared while puffing her chest grandly¨Dhowever, Kazuki couldn¡¯t hold back from retorting. ¡°¡­You, did you hide in that bush while peeping on our situation?¡± ¡°Tha, that, one¡¯s self had business with Kazuki but because of nervousness, one¡¯s self couldn¡¯t catch the timing to come out¡­ that, the truth is yesterday, one¡¯s self kept worrying how to get along with Kazuki, however¡­¡± Kohaku presented the huge package that she kept holding in both her hands, in front of Kazuki. ¡°One¡¯s self had a good idea of appealing as a seasoned good wife! Kazuki, one¡¯s self had made a bento so come with one¡¯s self to eat lunch together today! Then let¡¯s get married!¡± ¡°Hayashizaki-kun, you had finished my portion of the lunch box, haven¡¯t you?¡± The moment when Kazuki was going to accept the lunch box, Hoshikaze-senpai said something that was best left unsaid. ¡°Wha, what¡­ for a manly person like Kazuki to have that family-oriented side in him¡­ it is outside one¡¯s self calculation¡­¡± Kohaku¡¯s face turned pale, the bundle of lunch box was dropped with ¡®gashan¡¯ a crashing sound. ¡°Kohaku! You bastard, you planned to butter up Nii-sama huh!? Forget that, what is this about, marriage!? Explain it in detail!! Nii-sama will marry his little sister!!¡± Kanae¡¯s complexion changed and she threatened Kohaku. No, there was no way he would marry his little sister. ¡°Humph, Kanae-kaichou who had already wagged her tail to Otonashi Kaguya of Magic Division has no right or anything to question the action of one¡¯s self who is focused on the future of sword skills. Forgive one¡¯s self rudeness, but please stay out of this.¡± ¡°Wagging my tail to Kaguya!? Wh, whwhwhwho the hell is wagging her tail to that kind of person!! Sure, recently I am in the same party as her, I have also recognized her strength, but I hate that girl!!¡± While swinging her hand around like the tail of cat in panic, Kanae bared her fang and yelled. ¡°What a tsundere. Even though in the student council room you talk about nothing but Otonashi Kaguya or Kazuki¡­ rather than that matter, what matters now are these hooligans who are approaching Kazuki!¡± Kohaku belligerently grinned and glared at Lotte. ¡°¡­I feel a strong hostility desu. In short, if I fight this person and win, then it will be okay for me to stay at the Witch¡¯s Mansion with everyone, right desu? ¡­Then, let¡¯s do it desu!¡± Unexpectedly, Lotte showed a burning spirit and glared back at Kohaku with flaring eyes. ¡°This kind of thing is one¡¯s self strong point! Summoning Magic is nothing to be afraid of, one¡¯s self will show the skillfulness of one¡¯s own sword style!¡± Acting in concert with Lotte¡¯s spirit, Kohaku increasingly roared. Kazuki was lost whether he should stop this fairly useless quarrel. However¨D ¡°I wanted to do a mock battle around today to witness Lotte¡¯s magic, so isn¡¯t this a godsend?¡± Hoshikaze-senpai was ¡°Ahaha¡± laughing without care, the matter of the fight between the two was settled. There was still enough time until the morning assembly, so like that, the four people moved onto the grounds. ¡°Because the student council president of Sword Division, Kanae, is here¡­ it¡¯s okay even without the acknowledgement of Kaguya-senpai, isn¡¯t it?¡± ¡°This is not a formal duel that influences the ranking. Kaguya is weak in the morning, so she is still sleeping while drooling, you know. It¡¯s fine as long as we, the judges don¡¯t let anyone get hurt.¡± And then Kohaku, the strange swordsman that carried seven katanas, and Lotte, the princess of another country, faced each other while separated by a distance of 50 meters. Lotte chanted her incantation and called out Prophet. ¡°Veritas me LiberabitThe truth shall set me free??????the wise man who became father the protector of humanity, show that wisdom right here.¡± Along with a light, the girl¡¯s uniform was changed into her Magic DressD¨¦collet¨¦ Oblique. The magic dress that covered her white smooth milky skin was a bikini that only hid the little surface of the girl¡¯s chest and lower body. It was strangely dull compared to all the Magic Dress that Kazuki had seen until now. Kohaku drew one of her katanas among the seven that she carried. It seems she wouldn¡¯t use several katanas at once. ¡°Yosh. Then, begin!¡± Kohaku ran at Hoshikaze-senpai¡¯s signal, and Lotte chanted her spell. ¡°Howl! Civilization teach human destruction! The roar of wisdom scorch thy body, break, shut those dignity below the rubble!! The Opening Curtain of the Age of Black SteelMitrailleuse!¡± That chanting speed was exceedingly short, immediately light concentrated on Lotte¡¯s right arm. The light was¨Dtransformed into a gatling gun almost as long as Lotte¡¯s own body. ¡°¡­!?¡± Toward that sight, even Kohaku opened her eyes wide, dumbfounded. ¡°Heavy firearms!? Is that kind of magic possible!?¡± Originally, weapons couldn¡¯t pierce magic power, it didn¡¯t have the power to kill or wound magicians. Toward the defensive magic power that distorted reality, nothing would pierce it unless it was a weapon that was filled with the same magic power. Swordsman magic sword could pierce magic power, because of the swordsman''s trained Enchant Aura. It had the effect of stretching until the blade of the swordsman''s beloved sword because the swordsman was so familiar with it, that it could be even said that it is a part of their own body. However it was hard to endow magic power to a projectile weapon type, not to mention heavy firearms. Even a bow and arrow¨Dnot only hard, but it was supposed to be impossible. Many alchemists tried to experiment whether it was impossible or not to endow scientific weapons¨Dlike nuclear weapon, but only a history of failures have appeared. ¡°Prophet¡­ Fire!¡± ¡®ZUDADADADADADADA!¡¯A thunderous roar that split the eardrum were scattered as the gatling gun spouted fire. Kohaku ran diagonally just before the firing and avoided the line of fire, however no matter how fast she ran, Lotte only needed to shift the muzzle a little for the bullet to keep chasing her. It was a violent rapid-fire unlike the single shot Barrett, avoiding this was impossible even for Kazuki. All those bullets were filled with magic power. Kohaku¡¯s defensive magic power was smashed-up looking like it was gouged with countless holes. But Kohaku pressed on despite the shock of her smashed magic and charged toward Lotte. After the bullets were strewed around to a certain extent, it was cut off and the gatling gun disappeared. ¡°In a glance, one shot of that seems to be fairly weak, isn¡¯t it? It doesn¡¯t have any power to stop a swordsman, but it¡¯s power to disrupt the concentration for chanting a spell is high. It¡¯s also interesting that as long as there are bullets remaining, it will stay in her hand like my Thunder God Bow.¡± Hoshikaze-senpai analyzed from the side. Occasionally, she seemed inattentive, but she was a person that could think fast. ¡°¡­Mitrailleuse!¡± Lotte immediately finished her second spell. Once again a storm of gatling gun bullets swept over toward Kohaku from the front, but Kohaku unmindfully charged ahead and raised her katana. ¡°One¡¯s self can¡¯t be stopped by an attack only to that degree!¡± ¡°Wisdom accumulated over the course of human history, armored my body over and over! Heavily, thickly, reject all brutality! Radiant Steel Mobile ArmorSeusenhofer!!¡± A large armor appeared on top of Lotte¡¯s simple Magic Dress along with a bright light. Kohaku¡¯s strong slash was ¡®Gakin!¡¯ repelled by the armor with solid brilliance. ¡°Heavy armor defensive magic! That¡¯s pretty solid. But I wonder if the gap between it was the weak point?¡± Just like what Hoshikaze-senpai pointed out, that armor didn¡¯t cover the whole body. Kohaku sheathed her sword in a flash and immediately choose from her seven swords and drew out the shortest wakizashi. This swordswoman had the skill to accurately aim the gap between the armor. On the other side, Lotte took some distance from Kohaku with nimbleness unthinkable for such heavy equipments while bullets keep raining on her. Her side could quite possibly already not be thought of as the way of fighting of a magician ¡°Kohaku¡¯s reaction regarding the bullets is fast¡­ Kanae, does Kohaku know how to predict the magic power?¡± ¡°That girl¡¯s Shinkage-style seems to be practiced with the premise of fighting a magician. It¡¯s not organized nearly as practical as our style¡¯s [Foreseeing] but¡­ she seems to compensate that with her considerable [Wild Intuition] to take evasive action.¡± The gatling gun broke Kohaku¡¯s magic power. Even so, Kohaku didn¡¯t let Lotte escape, chased her, and stabbed the point of her sword into the gap of the armor. Kohaku tried to disturb Lotte¡¯s spell chanting with that damage but¨Dwith Lotte¡¯s chanting speed as the opponent, it was difficult. ¡°This hand reached toward Babel¡¯s height, now this hand grasped God¡¯s thunderbolt! In accordance with my life, oh lightning, whirl at your will! Super Electromagnetic BarrierCollider Field!!¡± Lotte¡¯s level 3 magic¨DLotte¡¯s left hand was armed with a large gauntlet. Her armored body, with her right hand holding a gatling gun and her mechanical gauntlet in the left hand, drew an imposing figure. The more Lotte chanted magic¨Dthe more that delicate body would be covered with weapons. ¡°Prophet¡­ blitzz!¡± At the same time with Lotte¡¯s shout, the gauntlet armament scattered some sparks ¡®BIRIRI¡¯ and radiated light. On the center of Lotte¡¯s left palm¨D a lightning barrier was taking form. Kohaku who didn¡¯t have any method other than close range combat, was caught by that net barrier, so she stepped back while taking a huge damage. Close range combat was difficult as long she was kept in check by that gauntlet. ¡°Damn¡­ don¡¯t make light of one¡¯s self!¡± Kohaku sheathed her wakizashi and pulled out a different katana. Was there any kind of meaning in that action? Kohaku was thinking while keeping that position, then her face warped in frustration and she sheathed that katana again. ¡°Kohaku still has a trump card¡­ but she choose not to use it here huh.¡± Kanae whispered so. ¡­Trump card. Now that she mentioned it, Kohaku said before that she had a countermeasure toward opponents that had resistance against a sword. Did that countermeasure have the flexibility to break the deadlock of this situation where it could be said that the swordsman''s moves had been sealed? ¡°Both of you still have magic power left but¡­ if you continue to fight more than this, then it will obstruct your class, right? This is over! ¡­Shall this become Lotte¡¯s win by decision?¡± Hoshikaze-senpai stopped the battle with a somewhat awfully pragmatic reason. ¡°Does this mean, it¡¯s fine for me to stay together with all the big brothers and big sisters here desu!?¡± Lotte who was still covered in her armaments rushed over to Kazuki with ¡®GASHAAN-GASHAAN¡¯ noise. Uwaa¡­ it¡¯s scary somehow! ¡°Onii-san, why do you run away desu!?¡± ¡°Nuuu¡­ one¡¯s self real strength is only this much¡­ Kazuki, it¡¯s vexing but one¡¯s self will come again! Someday you¡¯re going to eat one¡¯s self bento, farewell!¡± Kohaku who was crouching because of her damage, hit the ground once in frustration, then she turned her body swiftly and left from that place. ¡°Charlotte Liebenfrau is contracted with a different Diva than Solomon 72 Pillar. In other words she is legally an illegal magician but¡­ according to the result of her psychology test and telepathy scan, etc. there was no trace of intrusion in her mind. Because it was considered that there was almost no danger, she was entrusted to our school to be monitored. Around that area, it was similar with the rank E trash¨DHayashizaki Kazuki. Diva¡¯s traits differed based on the Mythology they belonged to. Solomon 72 Pillar that we handle, have a lot of magic that are really magic-like. In addition to that, battle tactics like the Heaven and Earth Formation was developed but, Charlotte¡¯s contracted Diva is a fairly different type. Watch carefully, it will be useful when fighting unknown Diva. In addition, there are also some worth to watch the girl¡¯s chanting speed. Now you should be prepared when it come''s time for you to face against the magic of DrivePossession Summoning. Use that for reference too.¡± At Lotte¡¯s first practical magic class since transferring to this school, Liz Liza-sensei introduced one part of Lotte¡¯s special characteristic to the students. As expected, the matter about being a refugee was not touched. Lotte deployed her Magic Dress, then fired her gatling gun for real, after that, the classmates surrounded Lotte with gleaming eyes of interest. Basically the students that aimed to become knight''s for real were gathering, so there was no frivolous atmosphere at this kind of time. Kazuki who had already witnessed Lotte¡¯s magic, was outside that circle and inquired from Liz Liza-sensei: ¡°Liz Liza-sensei¡­ Lotte will compensate the weak point of our party, but¡± The attack magic that Lotte had shown so far were bullets and electric shock. For Kazuki and Mio who had few attack patterns, the new attack patterns were added with Lotte¡¯s joining. But¡­ ¡°Could we fight an enemy who is resistant to heat with the party consisting of me, Mio, and Lotte? Aren¡¯t fire and electric shock, any of them was [heat] in the end¡­¡± ¡°Trash, it would be good for you to experience getting shocked once. If you observed the wound, you will understand the differences for sure.¡± Liz Liza-sensei returned a harsh reply towards Kazuki¡¯s question, ¡°Electric shock burn has two aspects. First, it¡¯s certainly just like you said, it produces heat damage but, in contrast with the normal burn that is produced on the outside body, the electric shock burn inside the body¡¯s interior has some difference with the spot that was burned by heat. That¡¯s why in the case of facing against an enemy with strong skin or armored body, using electric shock to inflict damage from their inside can be said to be effective.¡± Kazuki was reminded with that red slime. That slime, he couldn¡¯t see the difference between its surface or its inside. This lesson was not applicable to that case. ¡°One more thing, an electric shock can also destroy living things nervous system. Many living things operate their body structure like muscle using electric signals. A strong electric current will exert large influence against that activity. If you apply electricity to a human, his heart will stop. Do you think someone with their heart stopped can move? Like ventricular fibrillation and AED. Why can patients with paralyzed hearts be resuscitated with an electric shock? It is because the muscle composition of the heart moves using electric signals.¡± Kazuki was immediately reminded of Hoshikaze-senpai¡¯s reinforcement magic, [Thunder God Body FlickerRide Lightning] that strengthened the whole body muscle and nervous system. "I see, so electricity also has that kind of effect". ¡°What came out in the quest that you guys accepted the other day¡­ it was slime according to the report. How do you think that slime¡¯s body can move? Of course slime doesn¡¯t have any muscle and it is formed by mucus, but what is the source of those mucus¡¯ operation? The study of Demon Beast¡¯s ecology is still not progressing, but at least from my real life experience, electricity was effective against slime. The moment strong electric current flowed, the slime was shaking intensely because of the vortex of abnormal electric signals. Before long, it couldn¡¯t maintain its body¡¯s activity and was scattered and turned into just a mucus. Interesting right? They look like they came out of fantasy, but surprisingly, they are not some separate existence that ridiculed our logic. It is a very interesting lesson.¡± ¡°You said those slimes use the same system as human''s to move their body around!?¡± ¡°Maybe. Even though it was scattered around, it was still possible for them to act. That was its core that transmitted electric signal so the mucus that make its composition can gather back. It seems that a slime is a colony of living things linked with each other.¡± ¡°Now that sensei mentioned it, Hiakari-san also said that she killed the slime by drowning it¡­¡± Breathing by taking in oxygen and moving their body by electric signals, it was really a [living thing]. ¡°It turned into a good lesson huh, teacher will give a blessing of special knowledge to students who ask.¡± Liz Liza-sensei¡¯s tone was harsh but inside, she was a gentle person. She then stood on her tiptoe and knocked on Kazuki¡¯s head. ¡°With your party right now, there should be no more problem clearing the previous quest where you failed. It¡¯s fine even if you re-challenge the quest over the weekend. Remember, it¡¯s also for the sake of keeping Amasaki Mio¡¯s rank.¡± Chapter 2.3.2 — Quest, Re-challenge! Volume 2 Chapter 3 - Quest, Re-challenge! Part 2 Suppress the Demon Beast that lived in the forest of the Haunting Ground that spread out in West Tokyo, and liberate the forest¨D Kazuki and the others applied to re-challenge the quest that they failed during Golden Week. There was no class in the Knight Academy on Saturday, but this holiday was not spent to play. It was recommended for the knight cadets to challenge the quest in their spare time. Kazuki and the others headed to the station after taking their meal at the Witch¡¯s Mansion. The traveling method to perform the quest was mainly using rail transport. Thanks to the magic light train to travel inside the metropolis area and the new type Shinkansen to travel outside the city, the time needed to travel didn¡¯t take too long. Of course the cost was burdened by the academy. Quests were done for the sake of the students'' growth to become knights. It was linked with the class work. ¡°Will it really go well by just adding me to the party?¡± In the middle of their walk to the station, Lotte came to ask Kazuki anxiously. Kazuki was interposed between Lotte to his left, and Mio to his right, The three of them walked down the road. ¡°It¡¯s reassuring to have Lotte with us. It¡¯s going to be ok this time around when the red slime comes out like last time.¡± ¡°Then I will always keep the electric magic in standby desu.¡± It seems the armament that Lotte produced with her magic would continue to be equipped as long the number of bullet or energy remained. If she prepared it beforehand, she could move to attack immediately without needing to chant the spell. The destructive power was lowered but it could be said that it was a fairly convenient magic for quests. ¡­Once again Kazuki recognized anew the importance of using various magic to respond against different circumstances. If only he could use Lemegeton¡¯s power more skillfully¡­ ¡°Kazuki, that, look there.¡± Suddenly Mio pulled Kazuki¡¯s sleeve and pointed her finger to one side of the street corner. At the shopping street before the station, the [Knights] in their white uniform with the coat of arms attached to it, were walking. This group of several knights were investigating by collecting information in the vicinity of the Knight Academy. Most likely the Knight Order was searching where Loki was hiding. Loki hid while taking along the illegal magicians who lost their sanity, so there should be some sign of them somewhere for sure. Interviewing witnesses should be fairly effective. If the knights kept collecting information about the area with connection to Kaya and Loki steadily, the possibility of obtaining related testimony to Loki was not low. ¡°¡­Hey, I wonder if that [Black Knight] mixed with the other white uniformed knights is the one mentioned at the news, the knight from Germany¡¯s Knight Order?¡± Mio noticed it and whispered. Among Japan¡¯s Knight Order¡¯s group who were wearing white uniforms, a person wearing black was mixed in. Only one head looked taller than the heads around her and that face¡¯s facial features had the appearance of a foreigner. It seems the uniform of Germany¡¯s Einherjar was black. ¡°I heard that they had arrived in Japan but¡­ it only feels real after witnessing it directly like this.¡± Kazuki had already heard this information from Kaguya-senpai one step ahead though. A few days after that night, the news of the Einherjar¡¯s arrival in Japan spread even to the world at large. Cooperation to subjugate Loki with the leading power of North Europe, Germany¡¯s Einherjar. It was a cooperation set for one month. With the current situation where Japan had severed all diplomatic relations, the coming of a foreign knight was a major event. Of course the undisclosed circumstances of the negotiation between Japan and Germany was hidden from the news. ¡°¡­¡± Besides Kazuki, the refugee Lotte was cowering because of the German knight¡¯s presence. ¡°It¡¯s okay. She is not chasing Lotte, she only came here to defeat the Diva named Loki.¡± Kazuki tapped the shoulder of the shivering Lotte ¡®ponpon¡¯ lightly. ¡°Tha, thank you very much, Kazuki-oniisan.¡± Lotte made a smiling face that seemed forced, then came clinging on Kazuki¡¯s arm like she was depending on him. A flying heart mark came from her chest. ¡°¡­muu.¡± For some reason Mio also let out a moan and hugged Kazuki¡¯s opposite arm. ¡­It¡¯s hard to walk. While three people were sticking to each other, they continued along the street to the station without minding the knights. Facing those three people, Germany¡¯s female knight, wearing a black uniform, stole a glance toward them¡­ Kazuki had such a feeling. ¡°¡­Chih. Isn''t this the Knight Academy brats who ran back home immediately the other day?¡± When they arrived at the gate of the Haunted Ground, the soldier who kept guard spat out such a thing. ¡°Forgive us from the last time. But this time, we reinforced our party properly, so we will be showing results.¡± At Kazuki¡¯s words, the guard saw Lotte¡¯s figure, ¡°Caucasian? How rare¡­¡± and his eyes opened wide. It was a discourteous manner of speaking but [Caucasian with Japanese citizenship] in truth, was a rarity. In any case, Kazuki and the others passed through the station gate and into the inner part of the Haunted Grounds. A short while after passing the gate, the scenery was just a normal forest and there was no sign of the Haunted Ground. The Haunting Ground¡¯s location was even further inside than before. There was no mistaking that this was because of Koyuki¡¯s great effort. As the number of Demon Beasts inside a Haunted Ground decreased, the original nature would also revert back. ¨DThen the battle started. Kazuki protected Mio and Lotte from the attacking slime that came one after another. As the rearguard, Mio¡¯s flame magic burned away the slimes. As they defeated the Demon Beasts, their surroundings were also turned back little by little into the original nature of a forest. ¡°¨DProphet¡­ blitzz!¡± The red slimes who were strong toward heat were lured to Lotte¡¯s surrounding, they were then imprisoned inside the electric barrier and brought down in one go. The slimes who received lightning were, borrowing Liz Liza-sensei¡¯s words, it was like the acute heart paralysis of a heart patient shaking fiercely in unsteadiness, ¡®PAN!¡¯ the mucus scattered everywhere and the curtain of their body¡¯s activity were closed. ¡°Kyaa!¡± Maybe because they were allowed to get too close, a little of the scattered red slimes splashed onto Mio and Lotte. Kazuki instantly remembered Mio from before. That liquid¨Dwas a poison that affected the mind. ¡°Are you guys okay!? You guys were only splashed by a little though.¡± ¡°Yes¡­ It¡¯s okay if it¡¯s only about this much¡­¡± Mio replied with a blushing face and slurred tone. Then without reason, she came clinging on Kazuki while hugging his arm sweetly. Lotte did the same thing and also came to hug Kazuki while mumbling ¡®funyafunya¡¯. ¡­Isn¡¯t this turning into a dicey situation? Both of them were in their Magic Dress that had a high exposure rate, so Kazuki, who was being clung to, turned uneasy. ¡°The place we passed through before had a lake, so let¡¯s go there to wash off the mucus.¡± ¡°It¡¯s fine to take a break while getting intimate with Kazu-niii¨D. Happyy?¡± ¡°I don¡¯t understand but I¡¯m so happy desu? Everything okayyy?¡± ¡°Wake up you two! No matter how you look at it this is a no no! Come on, let¡¯s go.¡± Kazuki held their shoulders and led them to the lake. He pushed them both to the watering place then sat down on the base of a nearby tree. The Demon Beasts around this area were mostly exterminated, once it was a muddy swamp but it reverted back into a clear lake. Mio and Lotte soaked in the water while in their Magic Dress and cleaned up the mucus in their body. With Lotte frolicking around by throwing water at Mio as the start, they both started to splash water at each other while laughing cheerfully. ¡°Kazuki you too, come here!¡± ¡°No, it will be troublesome if my uniform gets wet.¡± It¡¯d be fine if he uses psychokinesis to shake off the drops of water, and pyrokinesis to dry off later but¡­ both of them were wearing flimsy Magic Dress, while he was wearing a uniform that consist of shirts topped with a jacket. It¡¯d take too much time. Using the opportunity when Mio called out to Kazuki, Lotte threw water at Mio¡¯s face. Mio soon returned fire in revenge. Both of their hair and body were wet with water and sparkled brightly. Both of their Magic Dress were designed to expose most of their skin and body line as it is. Their skin emitted glossy smoothness because of the wetness. Their feminine body stood out in three dimension. A lovely sight could be seen out of their soaked body along with their beauty. Their alluring navels and thighs and Mio¡¯s wet chest, pulled Kazuki¡¯s gaze¡­ he shook his head in guilt because he stared at them both with a strange look. ¡°¡­Don¡¯t play too long¨D!¡± Kazuki said that and then turned his back. Really, a Magic Dress was poison to the eye even under normal circumstances. Now it was even more so. But it was an outfit for the sake of fighting that¡¯s why, he was disqualified as their comrade in arms if he had wicked thoughts like this too often. This was only a little rest time, but Kazuki wished that it would end soon. But the instant he turned his back, the scream of those two girls reverberated. Kazuki turned back in panic, and from the surface of the lake, a gigantic¨DDemon Beast resembling a sea anemone¡¯s face came out. Several squirming tentacles were stretching and headed towards the two girls! ¡°Prophet¡­ Fire!¡± Lotte sensed the abnormality and quickly chanted her spell but the bullets were fired blindly. On the other, hand Mio was caught by the tentacles and were binding her wet body. ¡°Wa, wait! I really hate tentacleee!!¡± At some of the sea anemone¡¯s tentacles, there were some traces of being sliced, tentacles that were cut short were being regenerated in the same place. There was no mistake, this was the master of those tentacles that attacked Mio from the quest before. ¡°Mio! ¡­I won¡¯t let these tentacles do as they please!!¡± When Mio was only a hair breadth away from being groped by the tentacles, all the tentacles were bisected in a flash and in one go by Kazuki¡¯s Iai draw. ¡°Ka, Kazu-nii! Thank you! Saying things like [I won¡¯t let these tentacles do as they please to my Mio]¡­ ehehe.¡± A heart mark flew from Mio to Kazuki after being saved from her predicament. ¡­¡¯My Mio¡¯, I don¡¯t remember saying that though. ¡°Hurry with the spell chant!¡± Kazuki scolded her, and with that Mio replied ¡°Yes!¡± then switched to her battle mode. Hearing that reliable reply from his back, Kazuki focused on mowing down the tentacles that kept aiming at Mio and Lotte one after another. These tentacles¡­ why did it only aim at girls!? Which Mythology¡¯s influence was this!? Kazuki¡¯s katana and Lotte¡¯s bullets couldn¡¯t inflict any fatal wound to such a gigantic Demon Beast. However¡­ ¡°This debt from before¡­ I¡¯ll return it now! These pervert tentacles!! Blazing Wings!¡± Mio was able to finish a high level magic chant because of Kazuki¡¯s protection, wings of flame spread out and she leaped into the sea anemone. Countless tentacles along with the main body were swallowed by the wings of flame¨D it became the finishing blow. Heaven and Earth Formation. In the end, what decided the battle was the high level summoning magic. ¡°We did it, Kazu-nii!¡± Mio raised an excited voice and came to hug Kazuki. The chest that he stared at strangely not long ago was now pushed softly into his body. ¡°Do, don¡¯t hug me when you are like this!¡± ¡°Why?¡± ¡°¡­My uniform will get wet, see.¡± Kazuki averted his eyes from the soaking wet Mio and looked around his surrounding. ¡­It seems this sea anemone was the last big game in this area as the lake¡¯s surroundings have returned to beautiful nature. ¡°Looks like this area has mostly been liberated, doesn¡¯t it¡­ Let¡¯s go a little a deeper in when the Magic Dress dries, okay?¡± Before, this place was an extremely large Haunted Ground. Now it had been fairly narrowed up to this size. If they keep this pace, it was possible that they could liberate this forest completely today. Mio and Lotte also harbored that presentiment, they agreed to Kazuki¡¯s proposal. When they advanced deeper into the Haunted Ground, its atmosphere as well as the type of Demon Beasts appearing were also changing. The dense foliage interrupted the sunlight, making the surroundings gloomy. From the darkness of the gap of the trees, ivy leaped out entwining, and Demon Beasts came out in a surprise attack. The Demon Beasts that prepared the surprise attack were the ferocious types that resembled wild beasts. For example, the monkey type Demon Beast that leaped out from the interval of the trees and attacked with sharp claws. An average swordsman wouldn¡¯t be able to catch their speed and would get mangled one-sided. However Kazuki foresaw those movements and ended their lives by using lightning fast Iai draw. For example, the wild boar type with their steel-like skin. Its raging charges possessed terrible destructive power, physical attack or the heat of flames couldn¡¯t pass their hardened skin. Lotte¡¯s electricity however was able to scorch the inside of its hard skin. Mio from the rear, supported using attack magic, striking the large type Demon Beasts using level 5 magic. The Demon Beasts that had their life snuffed out were reduced into black magic power and disappeared one after another. This forest is a place where one couldn¡¯t be careless, but the balance of the party was very good. If he wanted to be greedy, Kazuki would have wanted one more vanguard so he could also chant magic at a critical moment, but¡­ Kazuki could use Phoenix¡¯s magic up to level 6 as the result of increasing Mio¡¯s positivity level. But because Kazuki fights by himself at the front-line in this three man party, he didn¡¯t have any spare time to chant magic. The Magica Stigma inside Kazuki felt a little irritated because of that. When they progressed deeper into the forest, they found a stone stair that climbed a small hill. The height was not to the degree of climbing a mountain, but at the top of the stone stair, there was a space that opened up. There was a torii erected at the open space and through that torii, was a shrine. Its brilliant scarlet color was lost due to the Haunted Ground transformation, the whole body of the shrine was black. It originally enshrined a local Shinto deity. This place was supposed to be a tranquil sacred location, but an ominous heavy atmosphere was now pressing down. The moment they stepped in there, fox type Demon Beasts leaped out from the surrounding forest. Kazuki instantly intercepted their lightning fast charge with his Iai draw, but at that instant¨D ¡°Kuu¡­!¡± ¨DThe fox''s golden hair scattered ¡®biriri¡¯ sparks around! A barrier that really resembled the magic that Lotte used. The electricity was flowing through the Katana and into Kazuki. Kazuki¡¯s defensive magic power was consumed and the electricity had no effect but when a defensive magic power extinguishes a phenomenon, the backlash called the occurs. Because of that, Kazuki¡¯s swordmanship was disturbed. The fox slipped out from Kazuki¡¯s Iai draw and rammed into his body. Kazuki twisted his body and somehow evaded the attack. But even with only that, Kazuki¡¯s work was already finished. ¡°Prophet¡­ Fire!¡± ¡°Barrett!¡± The fox who missed its attack was hit by the bullets of the gatling gun and the flame bullet successively. That body turned into black magic powder and disappeared. ¡°Hm, the atmosphere of the enemy changed the moment we entered this place.¡± ¡°¡­At a place with especially thick magic power even inside the Haunting Ground like here, there should be a Sacred Treasure around!¡± Mio pointed at the direction of the shrine and raised an excited voice. Sometimes there were discoveries of at the Haunting Grounds. A man made thing located here was transformed by the thick magic power¡¯s influence, or possibly magic power was condensed and formed the Sacred Treasure from nothing. In the end, it turned into magic items of Mythology in this world. Sacred Treasure had a distorted foundation that was impossible even with alchemy. It sucked the magic power of the user and brought forth magic phenomenon that transcended the laws of physics. From the enemy that was appearing even stronger from the surrounding, the area¡¯s magic power was thicker and more stagnant when compared to other places. Just like Mio said, it was told that such places made it easier for Sacred Treasures to occur. ¡°Be that as it may, to search this shrine¡­ we first need to exterminate all the Demon Beast in this area.¡± After Kazuki whispered so, the forms of golden colored foxes appeared one after another from the trees surrounding this open space where they were standing. It looks like the animals were the protector of the shrine. This time, when Kazuki lured the foxes near enough, ¡°Fire Wall!¡± ¨Dthey were all burned up by the fire wall. At the same time, Mio and Lotte released their respective magic. ¡°Is this¡­ an enshrined katana?¡± The inner sanctuary of the shrine that lost its color and blackened. On its altar, there was an offering of a Japanese katana made from plain wood. Only that katana hadn¡¯t lost its color and exuded an atmosphere of holiness. Originally, it was an enshrined katana of the shrine, but it transformed into a Sacred Treasure because of the magic power flowing into it. When it touched his hand, the texture felt like the plain wood was breathing. Kazuki¡¯s magic power was absorbed naturally into the katana. Sacred Treasures exhibited their special power by sucking the user¡¯s magic power. ¡°This Sacred Treasure is surely connected to Japanese Mythology. Moreover something like a katana is perfectly suited for you, right? Hey, Kazuki come on, let¡¯s test what kind of power it has!¡± Mio said that in high spirits. Kazuki laughed wryly while already pushing his magic power into the Sacred Treasure then¨D¡¯katsukatsukatsu¡¯ sounds were heard from the direction of the shrine entrance. The sound of footsteps that came here directly¨D ¡°What the hell are you bastards doing? It¡¯s forbidden for an individual to pick up a Sacred Treasure. Hand it over to us at once.¡± A two-man group consisting of a Magica Stigma clad in her Magic Dress and a swordsman appeared at the entrance of the inner sanctuary. Judging from their height and age¨Dthey were not students but knights of the Knight Order. Kazuki harbored an uncomfortable feeling. Why did the Knight Order who had a labor shortage dispatch their people in this quest with this kind of difficulty? ¡°¡­We plan to submit this in our quest¡¯s report.¡± Kazuki replied so, but the female Magica Stigma clad in her Magic Dress seemed to ignore it and approached Kazuki briskly, she snatched the Sacred Treasure katana from Kazuki¡¯s hand. The girl¡¯s gaze fell onto the katana on Kazuki¡¯s hips and spat out. ¡°Even though you¡¯re just a swordsman brat¡­ holding something like Sacred Treasure¡­¡± From there she turned her back, ¡°Let¡¯s go Kondou!¡± she yelled to the swordsman, and left the inner sanctuary. ¡°Yes.¡± The swordsman replied and faithfully followed behind her. ¡°Wha, what is that, disgusting! I mean, if we present that Sacred Treasure at the quest counter, it will reflect on our results you know!¡± Mio¡¯s well formed eyebrows bristled in indignation. ¡°Even though they looked so self-important, there is no doubt that they are just lowly underlings, being dispatched at this simple quest in this busy time! Kazu-nii is far stronger compared to quack knights from nowhere like you guys in a duel!! Stupid!! Idiot!!¡± When the knight had gone, Mio insulted them vehemently and stuck out her tongue. Lotte imitated her too and she also stuck out her tongue. They looked like really close sisters. ¡°¡­Well, in any case we won¡¯t be able to bring it back, so let¡¯s ignore it and return to the quest. The Knight Order is also participating, so let¡¯s liberate this whole area today somehow or the other.¡± I want to try it out, that Sacred Treasure katana¡­ Kazuki couldn¡¯t get rid of that feeling. ¡°Looks like there is no boss here like the sea anemone from the zone before.¡± Mio said so like she was trying to calm her emotions. The more someone approached the central part of the Haunted Ground, the magic power would become thicker and will stagnate in the middle of the space. Because of that, in many cases, a Demon Beast that was one rank stronger would be born in the heart of the Haunting Ground. Kazuki and the others had already been at the heart of the Haunted Ground. ¡°I wonder if the party of those two knights before had already fought it.¡± ¡°I don¡¯t think that was the case though.¡± Each time we defeat a Demon Beast, there was an actual feeling that the scenery of the Haunted Ground also changed, but there was not even a time that the scenery of the Haunted Ground changed when there was no fighting. In other words this Haunted Ground is not so large, but Kazuki and the other two were more than enough to purge the remaining Demon Beasts. Everyone¡¯s magic power was already quite exhausted, but they still had some composure for this. ¡°I¡¯m a little bit tired¡­ my stamina is not so good.¡± This whole thing felt a little bit like hiking physically. Lotte who spent the majority of her life laying down on a sick bed let out a bitter smile mixed with fatigue. ¡°Sorry, we forced you too much, didn¡¯t we? How about I carry you on my back on the way home?¡± Carrying her in the back was like treating her like a kid, but Lotte let out reminiscence-like words. ¡°I¡¯m happy if onii-san¡¯ll do that desu!¡± Lotte looked a little awkward and embarrassed. ¡°¡­Wait Kazu-nii, not fair! If you¡¯ll carry Lotte in the back then¡­ I¡¯ll be the one in the front, that¡­ it¡¯s unfair if you don¡¯t use princess carry for me too!¡± ¡°One person each in the front and the back¡­ that¡¯s unreasonable even if I used Enchant Aura, you know?¡± For some reason the atmosphere became harmonious while the three people headed towards the center of the forest¨D ¡°¡­Barrett!¡± The last Demon Beast was pierced by the flame bullet. Right at that moment, the surrounding trees returned perfectly into their original appearance of bright and fresh green leaves in May. The eerie atmosphere disappeared and the cool summer breeze blew bringing in the smell of summer. When all present reflexively smiled broadly¨DKazuki¡¯s back felt a chill of [something¡¯s presence]. ¡°What¡¯s wrong, suddenly you look scared?¡± ¡°¡­Right now, a huge magic power of something is breaking out near this area.¡± ¡°Eh, that magic power¡­ ¡­!?¡± It seems Mio also sensed the outbreak of magic power using Extra Sense, her countenance changed. Before long, sounds of someone stepping on the falling leaves could be heard from the back. ¡°¡­Hmm, I was a little late. The Haunted Ground liberation is already finished¡­ so that means, they only have little strength left to have fun, won¡¯t they?¡± With a low voice that was rare for a woman, the voice with a sense of intimidation like steel could be heard. They turned back to look. Inside the grove of trees, a blonde woman clad in pitch black military uniform was looking to their side. The black clothed woman suddenly chanted her spell. ¡°¡­Yo. For the sake of soldiers desiring Valhalla, descend from Asgard and show those brave figures. I too will show the spirit of a hero. Oh Asgard¡¯s gods of war¡­ Right here to me.¡± She was a woman with a bizarre form. On top of wearing a military uniform, a large sword sheathed in its scabbard was attached to her hips and a boorish shield was held on her left hand. It was not a shield used by swordsmen in Japan. At the same time with the end of her spell, the pitch black military uniform was wrapped with the light of AccessAstrum Connection¨Dshe transformed into an armored form that shined fantastically like it was made from blue jewels. This is¡­ Magic Dress? This woman is¡­ there is no way, Germany¡¯s Einherjar? ¡°¡­Mio, Lotte, enemy!!¡± That female soldier was just like a Valkyrie, she drew her sword out and dashed toward this side. They didn¡¯t know the reason, but it was obvious that she was showing hostility to them! Kazuki too took the stance of Iai while chanting his spell and dashed towards the opponent. At his back, Lotte and Mio too started their spell chant one beat later. The fight was¨Dintricate! ¡°¡­I will do a good fight, meet a good death, and hope to participate in the fight of Asgard even more! Grant the crimson blood divine protection on me! Crimson Eyes of War GodBerserk!!¡± The armored female soldier chanted a spell. She invoked some kind of magic and her eyes shined crimson. At the same time, her running speed also fiercely accelerated. ¡­This was unmistakably a reinforcement magic. ¡°Mitrailleuse! Prophet¡­ Fire!!¡± ¡°Barrett!¡± First the gatling gun, and then one beat later, the flame bullet overtook Kazuki and flew to the female soldier. The female soldier opened wide her crimson eyes that looked like they were burning and quickly stuck out the shield in her left hand. The gatling and flame bullets were accurately deflected by the small shield. ¡­Her reflexes were superhuman. Having said that, it was not foresight like Kazuki. The magic from before might not have reinforced just her body but also her reflexes. ¡­Moreover that shield, how could it deflect Barrett without even a scratch!? Kazuki and the female soldier who ran in a straight line finally came into contact. The female soldier swung down the large western sword that she carried on her shoulder. Kazuki promptly drew his Iai. As for Kazuki, his first draw of the sword was not for the sake of attacking. He met the slash of the female soldier, he then shifted his body while redirecting the opponent¡¯s strength. Strong! However, for Kazuki who had already experienced countless locking of swords, that slash¡¯s weight was in the realm he had never before experienced. Even so, the posture of the opponent was broken, Kazuki released his second slash with the timing of hitting the enemy. However the left hand of the female soldier moved with the speed that looked like it could even repel light, Kazuki¡¯s slash was repelled by the shield. ¡°¡­The moment the sword touched each other, it felt soft and my posture was thrown out of order. You use an interesting technique huh, lad.¡± The female soldier laughed so to Kazuki. ¡­She could speak Japanese!? The counter attack of the female soldier instantly came. Kazuki having foreseen the slash evaded it. The desperate offense and defense put a stop to Kazuki¡¯s concentration. The spell Kazuki prepared was dispersed. To chant magic in this level of crossing swords was still difficult for Kazuki. The gatling bullet and Barrett gave some cover fire for Kazuki in the middle of these, but the female soldier manipulated her shield with precise movement. She prioritized defending against Barret that had more damaging power rather than the gatling gun. A soldier and at the same time also a Magica Stigma. Like seeing himself in the mirror¡­ ¡°Are you Germany¡¯s knight? If you understand Japanese then answer, why did you attack us?¡± Kazuki inquired without letting his guard down, but the female soldier only leaked a laughing voice. ¡°Rather than that, let¡¯s have a good battle, lad.¡± And then she slashed at Kazuki once more. Kazuki desperately fought back but¨Dthe female soldier was too composed. While performing sword locking with Kazuki, the enemy chanted her spell. ¡°Divine protection of military man, whirl inside my body, double the Meginmight of heaven! Spurred into endless battle by god¡¯s intention, in this body! ¡­The Belt of Whirling Heaven¡¯s MightMegingj?re!¡± ¡­Glittering light swooped down from heaven to the female soldier¡¯s body. The limbs of the female soldier that absorbed the light grew like it was augmenting the muscle. The female soldier stepped in with an acceleration completely like a cheetah. If Kazuki was not an expert in foresight he would be cut up like a scarecrow for sure. However, Kazuki observed the premonition of her movement, grasped the distance, predicted the trajectory of her sword, and finally dealt with the godspeed slash. He didn¡¯t oppose the power of the slash, and by redirecting it with a flowing motion, he used the momentum to break his opponent''s posture. His hands became numb from the extraordinary weight of the slash. Kazuki returned with his counter-attack, but the female soldier who had her whole body reinforced easily blocked it with the shield in her left hand. And then¨Dthe superhuman strong sword flew once again. ¡­It doesn¡¯t feel like facing a human opponent! ¡°You don¡¯t use summoning magic huh, lad! How, what kind of way that you use to throw my sword off balance!? Really interesting huh, so this is Japan¡¯s sword skill, isn¡¯t it!? The mystery of the east!¡± The female soldier with blazing eyes smiled with great joy in the middle of the fight. ¡°¡­Fire Wall!¡± While redirecting his opponent¡¯s sword, Kazuki desperately chanted level 2 magic and invoked it. A wall of flame was rising from the ground under the feet of the female soldier in a perfect surprise attack. The female soldier stepped back with her sharp reflexes, but she couldn¡¯t avoid it perfectly and the blue lights of defensive magic power were scattered. ¡­the first attack from this side. ¡°Is this Japan¡¯s summoning magic? What a cowardly attack.¡± The female soldier laughed in a broad grin. The damage was thin. What a joke, why must we suddenly get attacked by this kind of monster. ¡°Mio, Lotte, spread out crosswise! No matter how fast she is, the shield can only defend from one side!!¡± ¡°You give a troublesome direction huh, lad! Then I¡¯ll deal with the son of the b*tch vanguard quickly!!¡± The female soldier swung down her strong sword once again, Kazuki redirected that attack and repelled it. The sounds of the sword fight resounded fiercely. Mixed with those sounds¨Da woman¡¯s angry voice could be heard. ¡°You guys, what are you doing there! Why are you fighting when the Haunted Ground was already liberated!? ¡­Who is that one!?¡± Did she sense the flow of magic power? The two knights Kazuki encountered in the shrine were rushing here. The female soldier was ¡°Oh?¡± and made a surprised face. ¡°I see, in other words the information about me was only shared to¡­ Loki¡¯s subjugation team, was it?¡± Hearing those whispers, Kazuki was ¡°What is she saying?¡± pondering that in his mind. ¡°The [protection target] is being attacked! Kondo, go!¡± ¡°¡­Roger!¡± The female Magica Stigma passed down an order, the male swordsman called Kondo was approaching here. Protection target¡­? Did she mean Lotte? No, these two knights¡­ was looking at Mio? ¡°Is this only coincidence¡­ are you bastards also as fun as this lad!?¡± The German female soldier clad in blue helmet and armor separated from Kazuki and went to face Kondo. This is bad. Even though this Kondo was a knight, an average swordsman might be instant-killed! The female knight eliminated their respective distance with terrific speed and slashed at Kondo. That sword movement was simple but rigid. Even while Kondo was gazing in wonder to that speed, he somehow used his katana to block the female soldier''s sword. When their blades locked against each other, Kondo was trying to force back the sword right from the front. But that was a thoughtless move. The female soldier''s superhuman herculean strength easily sent Kondo¡¯s sword flying. The surprised expression was erased from his face, changing into fear. ¡°¡­So not all Japan¡¯s swordsman use the same skill like that lad before.¡± The female soldier whispered as if bored, and cut down Kondo without a second thought. Kondo was blown away like an old rag by the smashed magic¡¯s shockwave. The majority of his defensive magic power was stolen in only one attack. ¡°¡­I lost my interest. You bastard, die.¡± The female soldier pointed the tip of her sword in order to grant the finishing blow. ¡°¡­I won¡¯t let you!!¡± At that time Kazuki sprinted with all his strength and entered between them, he barely deflected the female soldier¡¯s slash. Just like that Kazuki redirected the female soldier¡¯s consecutive attacks one after another to protect Kondo. ¡°What the, what kind of sword skill is this¡­?¡± While in the state of falling on his backside, the swordsman, Kondo leaked a voice of admiration toward Kazuki¡¯s sword handling. ¡°You bastard! Abandon the like of swordsman and attack the opponent!! And yet you called yourself knight cadet!!¡± The female Magica Stigma was being protected by a swordsman, yet she yelled a misdirected thing. ¡°This is not an opponent that you can fight upfront, don¡¯t you understand!?¡± Kazuki unintentionally forgot that the other side is an adult in the heat of sword fighting and yelled back. ¡°Cadet¡­ a student huh. But you have a considerable skill for a mere child. Come, what fascinating thing you¡¯ll show me next!?¡± ¡°Don¡¯t make light of a student¡­ Einherjar!¡± The female soldier¡¯s bored expression returned a smile. Getting pleased like that¡­ ¡°You guys¡¯ Heaven and Earth Formation has been undone! Go escape first!! We will look for a chance to escape too!!¡± The female Magica Stigma took in her male swordsman partner''s exhaustion and ¡°Chih¡± clicked her tongue. Thereupon she gave instructions just like what Kazuki said. ¡°Forming Heaven and Earth Formation with lowly swordsman like you, let¡¯s retreat for the moment!¡± ¡°So, sorry, cadet young man! I¡¯m indebted to you!¡± The female Magica Stigma escaped one step ahead, Kondo was also chasing her back while stumbling all over himself. ¡­The sooner they weren¡¯t here would make it easier to try to escape. ¡°Mio! If there is a chance let¡¯s escape with level 5 magic!¡± ¡°¡­Using that magic for escaping!? ¡­Aahh! Understood!¡± Mio showed her displeasure for only an instant, but in light of the abnormal situation, she soon consented. ¡°Discussing your escape¡­ what a kill-joy. Do you think I¡¯ll give you the chance? Resolve yourself¡­ the resolution to enjoy the fight with me till the end!!¡± The female soldier slashed at Kazuki with the mixed expression of anger and joy. Kazuki redirected it and sealed off the opponent''s attack by disturbing her posture. The two¡¯s dance was restarted. If they used Phoenix¡¯s level 5¨D[Blazing Wings], they should be able to escape with Phoenix¡¯s wings as long as the opponent didn¡¯t use any movement magic. The problem wasn¡¯t the rear guard Mio, but whether the vanguard Kazuki had the composure to chant such high level magic or not¡­! Even while crossing swords against each other, Kazuki and the female soldier respectively chanted their spell. However, due to the fierce offense and defense, it was not a simple thing. ¨DEspecially in regard to Kazuki who was still inexperienced in Summoning Magic. ¡°If you said you¡¯re going to escape, then I won¡¯t go easy anymore! ¡­Thor, god of Asgard! The roar of the applause for my blade dance resounded! The thunder of the sky reside in this sword, no longer even the exchange of shield and halberd are allowed, send to oblivion!! Thunder SwordFj?rgyn Megin!!¡± The atmosphere was vibrating, a flash of lightning fell from the sky aiming at the female soldier¡¯s sword. Electricity dwelled inside the sword, it was swung down at Kazuki in that condition. Immediately, Kazuki attempted to redirect the attack with his katana. But the moment the blades touched each other, electricity flowed into Kazuki¡¯s body. Defensive magic power protected Kazuki from the electric shock, but the shockwave of smashed magic was sent to his whole body. The magic to keep lightning element in a sword¨D it would turn into a huge damage even with just touching swords. Just like the foxes tinged with electricity that they encountered in the shrine. ¡°With this your sword skills have no chance, lad!¡± With this Kazuki must perfectly evade all her attacks. If Kazuki couldn¡¯t disturb the opponent¡¯s posture anymore, the severity of the consecutive attacks would increase even more. With his opponent¡¯s sword attached with , as a swordsman, Kazuki was cornered into a predicament at once. This woman just now said about the god, Thor¡­ Thor of Norse Mythology! ¡°¡­Are, are you okay!?¡± The male swordsman, Kondo who seems to not have escaped, and was watching over the situation, shouted because he saw Kazuki¡¯s predicament. ¡­I¡¯m happy that you¡¯re worried but, why are you still here? Kazuki made a bitter face. ¡°I¡¯m fine, so run away!¡± Kazuki shouted back, this time the man turned his back once again and escaped for good. The cover fire of gatling gun and flame bullet were also flying but there was no effect. Was it impossible¡­ to escape? At least Mio and Lotte need to escape¡­ The moment despair crossed in his mind¨D A crack ¡®bikibikibiki!¡¯ ran on the air behind the female soldier. ¡°What!?¡± She leaked out a surprised voice and turned back. The sound of the world being cracked resounded, a large black drop spilled over from the crack. Cancer¨Din this timing!? ¡­Is this kind of coincidence possible? The large black drop was¨Dchanged into the form of a giant with its body covered in red hot flame. ¡°The giant of Muspelheim! ¡­There is no way this is a natural occurrence with this kind of timing! Lad, is this you bastard¡¯s plan!?¡± There was no way that was true. But¨D Demon Beast summoning. He happened to know that magic! This timing was as if to save them, Kazuki was not fully satisfied with this but¡­ ¡°Mio, now! Start to chant!¡± Kazuki dashed to Mio and Lotte¡¯s direction. The female soldier clicked her tongue ¡®chih¡¯ from Kazuki¡¯s flight. The flame giant looked down on the female soldier. Its fist that looked like a log on fire swung down. The female soldier blocked it with her shield. ¡­That woman¡¯s shield could even block that kind of attack! Kazuki held up Lotte in a princess carry. ¡°"Blazing Wings!¡±¡± Kazuki and Mio matched their timing to invoke their magic. They adjusted their wings of flame expansion so as not to spread the fire to the trees, weaving their way to soar up to the sky. ¡°Rage and blessing exist together in my war! Acting as the agent of the god of war, in thy crown rage and blessing poured on existence¡­!!¡± The female soldier facing the giant swirled terrific magic power while shouting her spell. Without a doubt, a high level summoning magic. An avatar of a muscular military man raised from the back of the female soldier. A red glint of eye that looked burning, also a red beard that look like a flame, he carried a large hammer in his right hand. An unrefined hammer with an extremely short handle. The avatar of the military man overlapped with the female soldier and disappeared. And then only the hammer was left behind in the female soldier¡¯s right hand. The female soldier jumped to the top of the giant¡¯s head with that hammer in one hand. ¡°Smashed Skull''s NoiseMjollnir!!¡± ¡®ZUTON!¡¯ a loud reverberation rang out, the female soldier swung down the hammer on the giant¡¯s head. The giant¡¯s head was sunk down up to its abdomen in one go. A dreadful power was produced to hit the head until it sunk down to the middle. The body of the giant distorted flabbily. And then it was blown away as particles, leaving no trace. ¡­That kind of power¡­ If she used that kind of magic¡­ While feeling shivers, Kazuki and Mio flew away as far as possible until the effect of the wings of flame were cut off. The intrusion of the German Norse knight, the intrusion of the Japanese knights whose intentions were not known, and then the last was the intrusion of the mysterious Cancer¨D The second quest of Kazuki and the others was over with many puzzles jumbled together. Chapter 2.3.3 — Quest, Re-challenge! Volume 2 Chapter 3 - Quest, Re-challenge! Part 3 ¨DThat place was a room encroached by the dusk. What greeted Kazuki and the others, who were going to report the result of the quest, were instructions for him to head towards the student guidance room alone. Mio showed her disapproval towards the idea of Kazuki going alone, but Kazuki could imagine the reason for those instructions. ¡­It seems that they didn¡¯t want Lotte to be present at the place, so they named a representative to come alone. There was no doubt that this talk was about that female soldier. Inside the student guidance room, that was dyed dark red by the evening sun from the window, Liz Liza-sensei was waiting alone. ¡°Sensei, please explain what in the world is going on.¡± Before Liz Liza-sensei opened her mouth, Kazuki jumped the gun and pressed his question. ¡°We were targeted by Germany¡¯s Einherjar at the end of the quest. The other party was contracted with a Diva of Norse¡¯s Mythology, Thor. The one who was targeted was probably Lotte. ¡­This incident wasn¡¯t supposed to happen.¡± Kazuki reported dispassionately. ¡°I don¡¯t understand how things could turn out like this, but if things don¡¯t change, then Lotte will be in danger. Lotte needs to be transferred from this academy to the Knight Order, then we ought to request the Knight Order to strengthen the monitoring of the Einherjar. A firmer security is needed.¡± Kazuki dared to say an obvious matter stupidly. ¡°We can¡¯t do that.¡± Liz Liza-sensei only spat out a sentence. ¡°¡­Why is that?¡± ¡°Because all of you weren¡¯t attacked by anyone. Publicly that is.¡± The light of the evening sun from the window, cast a deep shadow on Liz Liza-sensei¡¯s face. Liz Liza-sensei donned the expression of a cold adult. ¡°The name of the Einherjar that¡¯s contracted with Thor is Beatrix Baumgard. She slipped out from the lodging house of the Knight Order alone at 14:23, Japan time. She trespassed Okutama¡¯s Haunted Ground. Even without your report, the Knight Order had already grasped all her movement. Her monitoring was not neglected for even a second.¡± ¡°You understand to that extent, and she already attacked with impunity, yet you will keep saying that there was no attack?¡± Though that reply was just as Kazuki expected¨D a cold sweat ran down his back. The attack on Lotte by Einherjar was not supposed to happen. Moreover the government and the Knight Order were not planning to get involved. In short¡­ ¡°¡­The government and the Knight Order didn¡¯t plan to shelter Lotte from the start. All those refusal to hand over Lotte¡¯s person and the protection were just for [outward appearance], is that so?¡± ¡°Japan didn¡¯t accept Germany¡¯s proposal and respected the life of the refugee. Germany was understanding and came to Japan only for the sake of defeating their common enemy, Loki. Then unrelated at all to Japan and Germany¡¯s united front¨DLotte died in an unfortunate accident. That sort of plot. It couldn¡¯t be helped if it was an accident.¡± ¡°Don¡¯t fuck with me! ¡­There is no way that kind of forced [It can¡¯t be helped] could exist!¡± ¡°Speaking honestly, for Germany, it seems it doesn¡¯t matter whatever Loki did. Their order of priority is the opposite. That¡¯s why entrusting Lotte to the academy was only a feint. The matter of Einherjar coming to Japan under the pretext of subjugating Loki to secretly assassinate Lotte, the Japanese government recognized it implicitly. All for the sake of preserving favorable relations with other foreign countries and Germany.¡± ¡°Even my encounter with Lotte¡­ was that nothing more than an arrangement to lure Lotte to the ideal place for assassination in the quest?¡± ¡°There was no other way to preserve the balance of power between the Magic Advance Countries.¡± ¡°¡­Lotte didn¡¯t seek power only for the sake of her greed. Didn¡¯t she do it only to escape her destiny of death by sickness?¡± ¡°Everyone knows her circumstances already.¡± Liz Liza-sensei just shrugged her shoulders to the words that Kazuki squeezed out. ¡°That girl only tried desperately to live! The nation is an enormous existence, but they are going to gang up on one girl and trample her underfoot just like that? Even arranging a forced plot like this! Isn¡¯t there any other way?¡± ¡°There is no need to search for any other way. Other than the misfortune of Lotte whose existence is trivial, everything else would work out just fine, don¡¯t you agree? ¡­The only object a country has the obligation to protect is its people. The current era Japan doesn¡¯t have any allowance to recognize the human rights of a refugee who came as she pleased.¡± Is she saying that seriously? To agree that Lotte is not a human deep from the heart after seeing her smile¡­ ¡°Someone who could let a person die because of that kind of reason is not a human!¡± Kazuki never thought that Liz Liza-sensei was this kind of person who could explain such unreasonable, behind the scenes plot, without even cracking an expression. Was Liz Liza-sensei really aware of this reality? When she encouraged Kazuki that he would be able to succeed in the quest, was she already aware of this? ¡°¡­If you can¡¯t agree, then what are you going to do? Trash.¡± While leaning her back on the chair, Liz Liza-sensei questioned with a testy tone. At that instant, an obvious reply naturally floated inside Kazuki¡¯s mind. ¡°If the government doesn¡¯t have any intention to involve themselves in the supposed incident that would befall Lotte¡­ no one should have any complaint if someone saved Lotte from the accident willfully.¡° His expression warped unconsciously. Kazuki floated a smile half in desperation. ¡°Even if Beatrix had the tables turned on her and she gets into an accident, in a place where there is supposed to be no one, Germany won¡¯t have any right to complain. ¡­We are of equal status in this regard.¡± If this was not an official matter then the story is simple. ¡°Don¡¯t say such reckless things like a child. The opponent is Germany¡¯s ace you know?¡± ¡°I will¨Dprotect Lotte! I won¡¯t accept such a thing!¡± Liz Liza-sensei¡¯s rock hard expression¡­ broke suddenly. She suddenly bent her back with all her strength and released a huge sigh. Thereupon she stood from her chair and turned on the light of the student guidance room that had turned dark. ¡°¡­Sorry, Hayashizaki. I was anticipating from the start that a student like you will say such thing.¡± Liz Liza-sensei sat back on the chair and said so while leaning on her back powerlessly. ¡°The order that was handed down to me was to forbid you and Amasaki from speaking, when you come back, where Lotte is killed while you guys survived. But forbidding you to speak is useless talk, isn¡¯t it? Moreover, I thought that Lotte¡¯s chances of returning alive was high with two people that can use Phoenix¡¯s level 5 magic, if you guys devoted yourself to escaping. Stop underestimating my student, that kind of talk.¡± ¡°¡­So Liz Liza-sensei already predicted everything from the start¡­ including my action¡­ was it? You don¡¯t plan to let Lotte die¡­¡± ¡°You are still not trusted by anyone and evaluated too little but, you are the possessor of a King''s power. Other than entrusting Lotte to you, there is no one else who has any chance of saving her. Sorry Hayashizaki. If you are really the King of Solomon¨D ignore the likes of the country''s scheme and save the girl. ¡­I¡¯m counting on you.¡± Liz Liza-sensei had already seen through that the person called Hayashizaki Kazuki was that kind of human. However¡­ rather than saying things like aiming to become a harem king, this objective was much more easier to consent to. {If your caliber is only to the extent of letting Lotte die at this point, even Leme won¡¯t acknowledge you as our King. It¡¯s obvious that you have to save Lotte if you¡¯re a King, so to speak. This is the ordeal you need to pass to become a King.} Leme¡¯s voice resounded inside Kazuki¡¯s mind. Leme was enthusiastic too. Mio would also approve of this. ¡°Well then, what is going to happen from now on with regards to the previous scheme?¡± ¡°You guys keep your mouths shut and take Lotte to challenge a quest once more, at that time it will be arranged for Beatrix to attack again. There won¡¯t be any witnesses if it¡¯s inside the Haunted Ground. The role of you guys are to shut your mouth and guide Lotte once more to that kind of place.¡± ¡°¡­In other words if we know the timing of the attack beforehand, we can anticipate Beatrix with any kind of preparation of our own, right?¡± ¡°However, you cannot take Otonashi Kaguya and the others. If the student council president is present at the scene, we won¡¯t be able to say that [Our academy¡¯s student protected her by their own initiative though¨D]. Nonetheless, the time to prepare for Beatrix is not long. ¡­One month. If you can turn her away one more time, they shouldn¡¯t be able to meddle so openly and the period of cooperation with Einherjar would be over. If it turned out like that, they would lose all excuses and they would eventually go back to their country.¡± So we couldn¡¯t rely on our senpais. And even then¡­ the opponent was a formidable enemy. ¡°A student overreaching himself cannot become an opponent who can oppose Beatrix. After all, she is Germany¡¯s ace. But you are a King. Lotte¡¯s Diva is originally a Diva with considerable power. If you could use him well, then the chance of victory would appear. For the sake of defeating an enemy with your limited power¡­¡± King, the moment he heard that word, Kazuki felt an unpleasant premonition. Liz Liza-sensei announced. ¡°In this limited time of preparation, increase Lotte¡¯s positivity level as much as possible from now on.¡± So in the end this ended up like that, Kazuki cradled his head. ¡°By the way, we met the knights of Japan¡¯s Knight Order in the Haunted Ground. They barged into the fight with Beatrix too, but what¡¯s with that?¡± Kazuki inquired so before he left the student guidance room. ¡°¡­What are you talking about? All the knights in Tokyo should already be informed about Beatrix. To show hostility to Beatrix, what is¡­?¡± Liz Liza-sensei knitted her eyebrow, this was the first time that she was baffled by the situation. ¡°Its impossible for Japan¡¯s knights to be in that place.¡± ¡°Don¡¯t screw with me! ¡­This kind of thing should not have happened!!¡± ¨DA voice of an old man rang out behind the closed door of the headmaster¡¯s office. ¡°If there was even a little mistake, my Mio-tan would¡­ ehem, my step daughter would have died! For Germany''s Einherjar to attack our students in the middle of the quest¡­!!¡± ¡°How could Board Chairman Amasaki know about¡­ Aah, I see. So the two knights mentioned in the report are your prot¨¦g¨¦s, is that so?¡± Headmaster Otonashi responded so while leaning his back in the cushioned creaking chair. ¡°¡­Those knights were the kids I taught previously. I called them from other provinces.¡± ¡°I see. That bit was the only thing incomprehensible in this incident. Even though all the members of the knights in the metropolis were already gathered into Loki¡¯s subjugation team and got informed about Beatrix¡¯s movement, why were those knights loitering on that quest uninformed¡­ By any chance, will you always rely on your former students to shadow and protect your step daughter everytime she challenged a quest?¡± ¡°Not always, this is the first time. She failed on those quest before so¡­ it can¡¯t be helped! Because Mio-tan formed a party with a useless rank E! Taking into account that risk¡­ this is a reasonable measure!!¡± ¡°So you call your step daughter something like [Mio-tan] habitually¡­ I received the report about Amasaki Mio¡¯s personality, but¡­ I think I see how that personality could take form.¡± ¡°Fuh, there are also things I want to say about you bastard¡¯s training plan for your daughter, but right now it doesn¡¯t matter. Why did Germany¡¯s knight attack the students? I never heard anything about this. Don¡¯t joke around, you knew this before it happened.¡± ¡°A gag order was planned for the aftermath, but there was no danger to their life. The Einherjar had been informed that the only one that could be killed was Lotte. Nonetheless, I guess there was still the risk of those battle-crazy savages going overboard, they didn¡¯t change at all since they were still called Vikings. Those rabble are really the same as the ones told about in Norse Mythology.¡± ¡°Stop your bullsheet! ¡­In the worst case¡­ Sheet, she got swallowed in this kind of plot because she grouped together with that kind of brat¡­!¡± Board chairman Amasaki changed the brunt of his wrath because he realized there was nothing he could do by himself about the diplomatic relations between Japan and Germany. If Mio was not in the same party with Hayashizaki Kazuki, then she wouldn¡¯t be in any danger. Headmaster Otonashi twitched his eyebrows toward those words. That kid was certainly a hindrance¡­ It was not the same stupid reason because he had similar tastes about his daughter, like this old man. There was no way in the world that they could welcome the likes of a 15 year old kid as the [King of Magica Stigma]. Knight Academy, Knight Order, government¡­ all those organizations had already possessed [vested interests] regarding the Magica Stigma. All the people had already solidified their status up to this point, then suddenly they were told that they had to serve a 15 year old kid, who in the world could do that¡­ The power and influence of the King must be chipped off as much as possible. The extremist like Liz Liza Westwood advocated that they [ought to support] the King. But [Reduce the power of the King], that was the consensus of all the people that stood at the top of the organizations. ¡°¡­Your knight prot¨¦g¨¦e shouldn¡¯t make their report regarding the quest public.¡± ¡°That¡¯s obvious, do you think we can report that kind of thing? Is there something wrong with that?¡± A new scheme came to mind inside Headmaster Otonashi¡¯s brain. ¡°¡­There is something interesting from the report of those knights. If we could use that a little, we could also get rid of that eyesore child from this academy while also taking care of Charlotte at the same time. Your daughter could also move into a more proper girl-only party then.¡± This old board chairman also shared the common position of not welcoming the King after all. And then the step daughter he doted on above all things could stay far away from Hayashizaki Kazuki. Nonetheless, Hayashizaki Kazuki was also one of the students that he needed to protect as a teacher. For a while, Board Chairman Amasaki¡¯s eyes were wavering in hesitation while feeling the weight of his duty. But in the end¨D he nodded for the sake of his step-daughter. Headmaster Otonashi smiled. Chapter 2.4.1 — Love Simulation Volume 2 Chapter 4 - Love Simulation Part 1 As soon as Kazuki exited the student guidance room, Leme materialized in the air behind Kazuki¡¯s head. Like that, she clung to Kazuki¡¯s head with both arms while both her legs were stuck to Kazuki¡¯s shoulders, turning into a shoulder ride. ¡°It is imprudent to say this, but¡­this sure turned interesting right, my King!¡± ¡°¡­Why are you riding on my shoulder?¡± ¡°I¡¯m showing you that there are various ways to materialize in this world.¡± Kazuki felt closely a girl¡¯s lower body on his head and neck beyond the thin one-piece tunic she wore, but¨Dthis was only Leme after all. Her form was a little girl when they first met, but now her appearance had grown into an upper elementary grade school student. Even with that growth, she still felt like a child. ¡°Is that so? Leme felt my nervousness before the fight and came to calm me down, thank you.¡± ¡°No, this is just a joke though.¡± ¡°You are heavy, get down.¡± Okay, Leme replied obediently and ¡®pyon¡¯ jumped down. ¡°At any rate, this situation is bad for Prophet and Lotte, but even so this is still interesting. For our King to declare that he would protect Lotte by himself in the middle of this whirlpool of conspiracy of the country, that was intense. Even the development that you need to raise Lotte¡¯s positivity level for the sake of defeating an opponent of higher status is pleasant! When you pass through this tribulation, you would be really praiseworthy as our King for sure!¡± Kazuki, together with Leme, went out of the school building walking through the park towards the Witch¡¯s mansion. The classmates passing by were calling out to him -¡°Hayashizaki-kun¡¯s relation with his contracted Diva is really good, isn¡¯t it?" Kazuki talked to Leme after he confirmed that there was no one around. ¡°Knights that shouldn¡¯t be there, adding to that¡­the Cancer outbreak in the middle of the fight with Beatrix. ¡­Thanks to that we could escape, but the timing was completely unnatural. Did someone cause that phenomenon?¡± Kazuki happened to know only one person that could cause such phenomenon using magic. ¡°¡­By chance that was about me, right Onii-chan?¡± A voice that he had heard before came right from his back. That voice that reminded him of those feelings of powerlessness was so dear and also regretful. When he turned back, the girl that was not supposed to be inside the Knight Academy¨DKaya was there. ¡°¡­!¡± Kazuki¡¯s breath was taken away. His whole body had goosebumps. Only that girl''s existence could do this to him. Her clothes were not the tattered rags from that time. She wore a black t-shirt printed with a skull image and jeans that were roughly damaged, boots that were arranged with silver thumbtacks(the so-called punk style), while her silver hair was fluttering around. Kaya stood there so naturally that he doubted his own eyes. There was no way. Why is this girl here? Even though right now, Japan¡¯s Knight Order with help from Einherjar were in a frenzy searching for Loki. ¡­Moreover, how could Kaya have returned to her own body? Kaya¡¯s body was supposed to have beeen stolen by Loki. But now, right in front of his eyes was not the too skinny male with blue hair, but the silver haired Kaya before she was hijacked by Loki. ¡°Onii-chan looks flabbergasted. Loki is laughing raucously inside me you know? His enjoyment is even transmitted unto me with our shared perception.¡± Kaya giggled lightly. Not only her appearance, even the voice was her''s. ¡°If I have to say what happened¡­Loki didn¡¯t erase my personality, he just put me under his control. Right now I¡¯m Kaya, however at the same time Loki is in here too.¡± Kazuki cautiously observed her. A Diva is a lump of magic power. In other words¨Dif the Kaya in front of him was attacked, her magic power shaved while magic power sealing measure was performed,¡­then the only one left would purely be Kaya. If Kaya¡¯s personality still remained, she could still be saved. ¡°Stop it Onii-chan, I don¡¯t want to lose this power. Moreover¡­the current Onii-chan won¡¯t be able to win against a serious Loki, right? I can use Loki¡¯s power properly you know?¡± ¡­Just like what she said. At the Haunting Ground, Kazuki noticed Loki¡¯s existence as the one that caused the unnatural Cancer. However at that time, he thought his chances of victory was zero, so he chose to escape. ¡°But, Onii-chan. Loki respected my personality, so there is no need for Onii-chan to have useless thoughts like forcing yourself to try to rescue me. Because I¡¯m not really unhappy with this.¡± Kaya shrugged her shoulders, saying that Kazuki¡¯s action was fruitless effort. ¡°Why did Loki leave behind Kaya¡¯s personality that he had already hijacked?¡± ¡°That¡¯s because he decided it¡¯s more fun that way you see, Onii-chan! Loki is currently storing battle strength in Japan, and then the pawn for playing around ridiculing the key person of this country - that is the [King], you, Onii-chan¡­that was me I wonder?¡± Inside Kazuki¡¯s mind, he can hear Loki¡¯s sneering voice that was rubbing him the wrong way. Rage spontaneously welled up inside him, but the enemy that he should clash with¨Dwas not there. For Kaya, who he thought he wanted to save, telling him that she didn¡¯t need to be saved. Such a thing¡­ ¡°Fufufu, although if there was no one killed, I think the current situation would be more fun. Compared to my powerlessness from a long time ago, being half assimilated with Loki is much more¡­¡± ¡°You said you are happy? Then even now, you show up in front of me just to make fun of me?¡± ¡°Today is different, we have a proposal. For the sake of defeating our common enemy¨Dthe hunter of German¡¯s Einherjar, Beatrix Baumgard, how about Onii-chan forming a united front with us?¡± Kaya looked around restlessly then, said something in a carefree smiling face. ¡°Talking about this while standing around is a little bit¡­how about we continue this in Onii-chan¡¯s room?¡± {Enter now.} {Okaaayy¨D?} Night¨DKazuki opened his room¡¯s window, then sent a thought message using telepathy to Kaya who was waiting and standing by outside. Normally, it was a common magic that was rarely used because it was subtly inconvenient even though it appeared so. First, using a thought message to another party who didn¡¯t open their heart, even if they sent it one-sidedly, would get it deflected by . It couldn¡¯t be done without informing the other party beforehand that a message would be sent. Moreover, when matching their consciousness and hearts with each other, not only the message, but even thoughts and emotions could flow on its own accord to the other party. And then to protect from an incident of leaking private thoughts, an advanced control of magic power was needed. Kazuki who was poor at telepathy magic was not inclined to do this, but¡­he couldn¡¯t greet Kaya from the front entrance of the Witch¡¯s Mansion. There was no other way than this to invite her in. Kaya¡¯s head ¡®pyon¡¯ protruded from the window. ¡°Making this kind of weak girl climb up a wall, Onii-chan you brute.¡± Of course what made such acrobatics possible for her came from Enchant Aura which is based on Loki¡¯s magic power. ¡°That way of talking¡­You, the truth is Loki''s the one inside, right?¡± ¡°That¡¯s not true Onii-chaaan! It¡¯s true that Loki can transform into a girl though. But right now, the personality of Kaya is the one that properly moves this flesh. Loki is in the middle of resting.¡± Kaya jumped lightly over the window frame and landed in the room. ¡°So this is Onii-chan¡¯s room. As expected, what a stoic room. Uwaa, dumbbells scattered around in the floor¡­ Where are the porn books?¡± ¡°There is no such thing, I''m not interested. Wait, remove your shoes.¡± ¡°Is there really no porn book here? Ah, that¡¯s right, Onii-chan knew I will come so he already cleaned it up in a panic before, right? Perhaps the girl that had entered into this room¡­I wonder if I¡¯m the first one?¡± ¡°Just so you know, the residents of this mansion frequently comes and goes.¡± The smiling expression disappeared from Kaya¡¯s face hearing Kazuki¡¯s blunt words. ¡°¡­I want to murder all the girls in this mansion except Mio-chan right now¡­¡± At the same time, a skull mark that signaled the decrease of positivity level floated over from her chest and was absorbed into Kazuki¡¯s ring. Wait, wait right there! What was that just now!? Amasaki Mio¨D130 Otonashi Kaguya¨D79 Hiakari Koyuki¨D52 Hoshikaze Hikaru¨D43 Lotte¨D44 Kaya¨D50 Kazuki was amazed the moment the magic power flowed into his ring. ¡°Why are you being added to the conquering targets!?¡± ¡°That ring¡­recorded my positivity level huh? Loki is proud of his eyes in appraising things. You see, that positivity level is the embodiment of the lending of our power in this united front, Onii-chan. I hope that this can be proof that there is no double-dealing in our cooperation with Onii-chan.¡± Certainly the ring acknowledged the existence of Kaya in front of him. If Loki was actually disguising himself as Kaya, then the ring shouldn¡¯t show the value of positivity level of 50. ¡°Because Onii-chan slashed him before, Loki needs to rest as much as possible. Diva is a lump of magic power, if they receive damage, then their divinity would be wounded. It¡¯s the same with Lotte¡¯s contracted Diva who possessed her to accumulate power. Possibly¡­it¡¯s also the same with the three major gods who once led the world and used up their power, and now they inevitably lay dormant for a long, long time.¡± Used up their power¡­three major gods? But before Kazuki could interpose his question, Kaya continued her talk fluently. ¡°Though if Loki was awakened forcibly, he could still do something like dealing with Onii-chan. Be that as it may, he is not in perfect condition. Even if he dealt with someone like Onii-chan¡­Beatrix would be more troublesome as an opponent. Loki is not that strong in close quarter combat. That is where he wants to cooperate with Onii-chan who is a specialist in close quarter combat. I mean Onii-chan who crossed swords with a knight, who was blessed with Thor¡¯s divine protection, with just pure swordsmanship was too abnormal. It¡¯s out of the ordinary.¡± Who did you say is abnormal? Even though he thought he was going to die at that fight, Kaya suddenly looked around restlessly. ¡°By the way¡­can I meet with Mio-oneechan? It¡¯s okay if we call her to this room, right? I wanted to meet her for a looong time.¡± ¡°I still haven¡¯t decided if we want to cooperate with you.¡± ¡°How obstinate Onii-chan. Even though Onii-chan doesn¡¯t understand if he can win before the fight. Just so you know, I can become a powerful war asset if I borrow Loki¡¯s power.¡± ¡°Even if it¡¯s only temporary for example¡­I''m still reluctant to join hands with guys like Loki.¡± ¡°Loki is not that bad of a guy. Loki¡¯s objectives are to bring forth chaos in the world and take revenge on the gods of the Norse Mythology. For that, he wakes up illegal magicians and asks them to become his comrade, but in reality he avoids actions like killing humans in mischief. Even people like me who was driven mad and thought that they were going to be killed, they were sort of allowed to escape in reality. Well, sometimes he might overdo it as the guy who pursues chaos though. He sort of killed Mio-chan inadvertently while raising the tension and provoking Onii-chan before.¡± What? She said a guy whose words and deeds like Loki was not a bad guy? ¡°¡­Surely Onii-chan had heard that there were still no dead victims in the incident of the attack against the Knight Order.¡± That one was quite puzzling. At first it was said that Loki used Hit & Away tactic and avoid getting too deep to injure the Knight Order, but¡­ ¡°They only attacked to whittle away the Knight Order¡¯s strength, then ran. It seems illegal magicians are easy to rile up. Because all the illegal magicians lost their reason, it¡¯s safe for Loki to lead them. As a result, the victims who died decreased.¡± ¡°But if the Diva of illegal magicians are woken up¡­at the very least, there will be victims that will have their personality devoured.¡± Kaya¡¯s personality was left behind, but not everyone would be like her. ¡°Humans that had their personality absorbed are victims, that is only Onii-chan¡¯s personal opinion.¡± Kaya¨Dasserted so definitively. Even when Kaya was hijacked by Loki, she could only raise a scream of grief. ¡°At first I was also scared because Loki drove me to the wall mentally to steal my flesh efficiently. I was made to think to kill various people. But now that I am already absorbed¨Dit feels so good. The fools who obtained power according to their wishes, and in the end integrated with god or devil¡­that is not repulsive. In the first place, the humans that have a hand in illegal contracts were nothing but humans that pursued somewhere deep in their heart.¡± ¡°¡­What are you saying, chaos was?¡± She said that was Loki¡¯s objective, but¡­ ¡°See, what is called Chaos is the other side of the Mythology. Illusions going toward sweet decadence, the desire and impulse of living things called humans that they can¡¯t deny. If the gods on the front side of the mythology start to control humans with the thing called , then we, the gods of the reverse side will start to move seeking those things that belonged to Chaos!¡± The gods of the front side that she mentioned¨Dwas she referring to the Mythology of the magic advanced countries that demanded faith? And then the opposing force towards those front side¡­were those Divas of Chaos? In the Norse Mythology, Divas like Loki¡­? ¡°It¡¯s not good to see everything just from one side you know? Hearing words like Chaos, it would tickle your Chuuni mind for sure, no doubt there are a lot of humans like Kaya in society nowadays! Abandoning our body to Chaos and releasing ourselves from all shackles, attaining supreme ecstasy - humans like us! ¡­Well, I won¡¯t ask a man of common-sense like Onii-chan to understand the values of our aesthetics though. Because in a certain meaning, this happiness is only for the humans who chose it for themselves.¡± Kaya said all those in a tone of ecstasy. But it could be seen from her words and expression, there was danger that it would turn bad if you could appreciate what she said. ¡°It¡¯s one hundred percent impossible for Onii-chan to appreciate Chaos, but¡­if Onii-chan have already heard about Lotte¡¯s story, then Onii-chan won¡¯t be able to be positive towards Germany that was ruled by the powerful Order of the Norse Mythology, right?¡± Certainly, Kazuki couldn¡¯t think of Germany¡¯s way of doing things as righteous. However, was it fine for him to easily let slide everything Loki had done till now? He couldn¡¯t get rid of this uncomfortable feeling no matter what. He didn¡¯t understand how he should feel toward Kaya who was right in front of him. The more he heard her talk¡­the more he felt swallowed into the depth of Chaos. ¡°Even so Onii-chan¡¯s Solomon 72 Pillar position was neither Order nor Chaos. But fellows like Asmodeus that¡¯s closer to Chaos also exist there. It¡¯s important for Onii-chan who is the BasilleusKing of Solomon to pick out allies from inside both Order and Chaos. Because so far Solomon 72 Pillar too increased their number like that. Looking out for allies within the enemy¡¯s side is also an important job for a King. Onii-chan is pampered too much by Lemegeton if she doesn¡¯t teach you things like that, isn¡¯t it?¡± ¡°¡­So are you saying I need to be broad-minded enough to join hands together with Loki temporarily to probe him out, is that so?¡± ¡°Yee¨Dess! Just like that, Onii-chaa¨Dn!¡± Suddenly Kaya leaped toward Kazuki and hugged his arm. ¡°¡­Just, I hope you can think of me more as the genuine Kaya right now¡­¡± Kaya whispered faintly while hugging Kazuki and burying her face in Kazuki¡¯s chest. ¡°Well, let¡¯s form a united front for the meantime for the sake of beating Beatrix, okay? Onii-chan¡¯s breadth of tactics will spread even further by getting me as a comrade. It¡¯s important right? Your breadth of tactics?¡± ¡°¡­Do you have some kind of plan? Though I can¡¯t think of anything other than unpleasant thoughts from Loki¡¯s cunning.¡± ¡°It can¡¯t be said as a plan, but I can propose a policy for the way of fighting. In any case, the opponent¡¯s contracted Diva¡­Thor, Loki knows everything about the scope of his powers.¡± Loki and Thor were both Divas from the Norse¡¯s mythology. It was even depicted in the mythology that both of them were completely [mutual close friends]. ¡°The fundamental is for Onii-chan to endure the opponent¡¯s close-quarter attack. There Onii-chan will obstruct her from chanting the spell for area-attack magic while also whittling her magic power. But if Thor succeeds in chanting high level magic, it¡¯s already over at that point in time. That¡¯s the lifeline.¡± ¡°What should I do if she keeps running away while chanting high level magic?¡± Beatrix¡¯s physical ability, after she finished chanting her two stage reinforce magic, had exceeded even Hoshikaze-senpai in her [Ride Lighning] by a large margin. If Beatrix could run away, it was impossible to overtake her. ¡°No, most of Thor¡¯s summoning magic has the weak point of being unable to be chanted while not fighting. As the compensation of granting overwhelming fighting strength, Thor is a Diva that wouldn¡¯t listen to anything other than the voice of a soldier right in the midst of battle. That is, Beatrix¡¯s breadth of tactics is narrow.¡± This was important information. If it was like that, if he could endure Beatrix¡¯s close-quarter combat, he could bring the battle into protracted war. However¡­ ¡°The problem is Thor¡¯s Magic Dress of helmet and armor. It has the divine protection of defensive power. The most efficient method of attack is to inflict damage from the inner part of the armour.¡± An attack that operated in the inner part¡­[electricity] huh. ¡°In addition, a magician of her level is not depending on only defensive magic power to defend against an attack, she¡¯d also use psychokinesis against physical attacks and pyrokinesis against heat to offset the attack precisely. Compared to releasing defensive magic power depending on instinct, controlled magic power has better defensive efficiency. Unfortunately, there is a difference between Onii-chan who is a student and a professional knight for the know-how in this area.¡± ¡­Protracted battle. During those period, he would fall into a desperate situation if he let the enemy invoke a high level magic even once. He was taught some significant information, but it seems it would become a considerably severe battle. ¡°But it would be fine if Onii-chan prepared solidly. Onii-chan is going to raise Lotte¡¯s positivity level as high as possible the whole day tomorrow. Lotte¡¯s Diva is pretty strong, that guy.¡± ¡°You know Prophet¡¯s real identity!?¡± ¡°I have a conjecture. I wonder if that teacher has also guessed it already? If I have to say how important it is to make Lotte become lovestruck to Onii-chan, it¡¯s because Beatrix had brought a troublesome Sacred Treasure from Germany. That shield that could even block the flaming fist of the Muspelheim¡¯s giant that I summoned before¨Dthat was the Sacred Treasure of Norse Mythology, [Svalinn]. That shield has absolute resistance towards flames. The battle power of a King like Onii-chan that could only use fire will be reduced in half. While unfortunate, a flame user like Mio-chan wouldn¡¯t be able to do anything other than be a cute mascot character as long as that shield is there.¡± As expected, that shield was a Sacred Treasure. Our side¡¯s attack was inclined to flame, so Beatrix¡¯s defense could only be seen as absolutely overwhelming. The Scared Treasure was forbidden to use in Japan¡­but Germany used them properly. ¡°Onii-chan¡¯s job is to raise Lotte¡¯s positivity level. Kaya feels offended to her though. Even though the one that can call Onii-chan as Onii-chan is only me and Mio-chan who was in little sister position in the orphanage!¡± That provocation speech was going to make Kanae-san burn though. ¡°My job on the other side, the comrade that this form of Kaya can control¡­Midgardsormr¡­with his cooperation, we will decrease the area of the Haunting Ground that Onii-chan will challenge for the quest in the day after tomorrow. It would be troublesome if uncertain factors that would become a hindrance in the fight would increase. Though there needs to be some allowance because if all Demon Beasts are exterminated then the quest would also get terminated. This is an important role right?¡± ¡­Certainly, there was no part that he could criticize in her proposal. ¡°¡­On the contrary, don¡¯t you dare to prepare some trap that would cause our defeat.¡± ¡°¡­Kyaa¡î Onii-chan, can you explain logically what merit there is in that kind of action for me and Loki?¡± A skull mark flew while Kaya stared scornfully to Kazuki who kept distrusting her. ¡°Pass the whole day tomorrow sweetly just with Lotte okay, Onii-chan! Irritating! Well, but harem¡­that kind of sore romance, Kaya is the understanding type you know!¡± While spinning round and round without even any meaning, Kaya was ¡°Ha¨Drem?¡± in high spirit. ¡°¡­Isn¡¯t it more natural if we go together with Mio under the pretext of party¡¯s friendship deepening meeting rather than just me and Lotte, with that Lotte could be more relieved, have more fun and then her positivity level would also go up, right?¡± While more skull marks flew from Kaya because of Kazuki¡¯s objection, ¡°Block-head-O-ni-i-chan¡î¡± she cursed Kazuki with a sweet voice. ¡°Prattling things like that is the proof that Onii-chan doesn¡¯t even see Lotte as a girl. It¡¯s okay to gamble too, but I bet Lotte would be happy being alone with Onii-chan, the chance to increase the positivity level would also increase. Because somehow her positivity level had already passed over 40. Even if in the case that Onii-chan thought of her as someone like a little sister¡­a girl would still be a girl for sure.¡± Kaya waved her finger while going ¡®tsk tsk tsk¡¯. ¡°Furthermore, this talk also fits with me who is in the same position of younger little sister, so this will also serve as reference when Onii-chan is going to conquer me in the not so far future, right¡î Kyaa!¡± ¡°True, just like what this chuunibyou little sister said. Our King is still lacking regarding romantics.¡± Even Leme appeared beside Kazuki and found faults in him. ¡°Tonight¡­looks like there are no more trains. Onii-chan¡­can I stay in this room, can I?¡± While doing an impressive action behavior, Kaya said so in embarrassment. ¡°Tonight, Kaya want to pass the night with only Onii-chan doing this-and-that filled with Chaos that was hard to describe, pleaseee?¡± ¡°Go home.¡± With that, Kazuki opened the window of the room. In any case, he must talk with Lotte to set the promise of the date. Both Liz Liza-sensei and Kaya talked about raising Lotte¡¯s positivity level like it was something so easy to do, but¡­it was not so simple if he thought realistically. He hesitated at this juncture. Although the other party was Lotte who was very friendly, but a guy who invited a girl who he just met for a few days, wasn¡¯t that too frivolous and thoughtless¡­ But the situation had turned into a battle that they couldn¡¯t withdraw from anymore. He hardened his resolve and searched for Lotte, he found her in the kitchen chugging an entire bottle of milk in one gulp right after she came out of the bath. She was wearing a T-shirt and short pants while a towel was wrapped at her neck. ¡°O, Onii-san.¡± ¡°¡­What are you doing Lotte?¡± ¡°I learned from anime that in Japan you have to do this after getting out from the bath. There is no custom to warm our body inside the bath in our country, so I yearned for this desu.¡± ¡°The path of drinking milk after bathing is deep, you know? There are also coffee milk or lemon milk and many others.¡± ¡°Is that so desu¡­I want to master them all desu.¡± Lotte whispered with an expression that¡¯s hard to describe. That expression seems to be tinged with a little worry. ¡°Moreover, I also heard that your breast will get bigger if you drink milk. I learned many important things in human life from anime desu. Does Onii-san like big breasts?¡± ¡°Eh, I wonder¡­I don¡¯t really think about that honestly.¡± The moment he said that, the images of breasts that almost spilled over from the figures of Kaguya-senpai and Mio in their Magic Dress appeared clearly in his mind, Kazuki shook his head and cleared those images from his head. ¡°I¡¯m ashamed because mine is not big desu. My stature is also small and scrawny desu¡­¡± ¡°Based on your age, won¡¯t you still have a lot of growing up from now on?¡± ¡°That¡¯s right isn¡¯t it desu? Until now my body is weak and underdeveloped, so¡­from now on is a crucial moment desu. I¡¯ll drink various milk, and grow rapidly from now on¡­¡± While saying [From now on], Lotte¡¯s expression clouded over drastically. Lotte spoke of the [Future] that she couldn¡¯t grasp in her hand even until now. Despite that, why is she so¡­speaking of the future with that kind of helpless expression? ¡°Kazuki-oniichan, the Einherjar that came to attack us at the end of the quest¡­she was aiming at me, right desu?¡± Aah, that¡¯s right¡­there was no way she wouldn¡¯t notice. ¡°As expected, I am a bother for everyone, isn¡¯t it desu? Probably, no matter where I go, I¡¯ll always be a bother to the people in those places¡­¡± Lotte whispered frailly like a flower petal that was scattered in the wind. That expression made Kazuki¡¯s chest feel painfully crushed. ¡°You are not a bother.¡± ¡°¡­Why desu? For all that it¡¯s my fault that we were attacked¡­¡± ¡°Because I¡¯m so glad that I met Lotte. The plus is much bigger than the minus, so don¡¯t think that you are a bother. To not have any place to belong to anywhere in the world, you must not think such sad things.¡± Kazuki remembered the time when he was an orphan. Even that me was found by people who gave me a place to belong. Then I too, for this girl¡­ Inside Kazuki¡¯s head, the nervousness and hesitation he felt in inviting her to a date disappeared. ¡°But as it is, I will surely be¡­killed.¡± ¡°It¡¯s okay. I will protect Lotte.¡± Lotte¡¯s face was dyed with surprise, blue sparks were released around her face¡¯s vicinity. The girl who was a genius in telepathy perceived Kazuki¡¯s heart unconsciously. Lotte¡¯s face contorted and almost cried when she sensed the inside of Kazuki¡¯s heart. ¡°Onii-chan¡¯s words¡­why is there not even a bit of lie mixed there desu? Even though you said such unbelievable words¡­¡± ¡°It¡¯s not unbelievable. That Germany¡¯s Einherjar can only stay in Japan for one month. They won¡¯t also get any open help from the internal of Japan. The other side only has limited chances. I¡¯ll drive away that female soldier for sure!¡± Lotte¡¯s pupils shook in anxiety. ¡°It¡¯s okay.¡± Kazuki held Lotte¡¯s cheeks between both his hands. It was Kazuki¡¯s habit that he used to calm down Kanae, when she was crying, during their childhood. ¡°Lotte, let¡¯s go play tomorrow.¡± ¡°Eh? Playing¡­why so suddenly¡­¡± ¡°I want to teach Lotte about happiness and your place to belong in this world.¡± ¡°This world¡¯s enjoyment¡­my place¡­? For me, that kind of thing¡­? Seriously desu?¡± Lotte blinked her eyes in surprise while her cheeks were held between Kazuki¡¯s hands. ¡°¡­Bu, but! If I go play with only Kazuki-oniisan, it would turn out as a date like in the love comedy anime¡­!? Or maybe, Mio-oneesan will also come together?¡± ¡°Let¡¯s go for a date. Just the two of us.¡± Immediately, blue spark scattered around Lotte and she undsrstood Kazuki¡¯s honest feelings. The cheek that was kept between Kazuki¡¯s hand suddenly burned hotly. And then in the next moment¨Da super large heart mark flew towards Kazuki. He was involuntarily taken aback because it was so large even though it was just a vision with no substance. Lotte¡¯s positivity level increased to 57 in one go. Lotte understood whether her company was lying or honest using telepathy. Maybe that was why the jump in her positivity level was so drastic. Lotte perceived Kazuki¡¯s heart and came to believe it. ¡°If Kazuki-oniisan says that it¡¯s fine, then I want to go on a date with Onii-san desu¡­¡± Lotte replied with a face so red that smoke ¡®pushu¨D¡¯ came out from her face. ¡°Please treat me well¡­date of man and woman¡­¡± ¡°Then, is there any place that you want to go? By any chance, you haven¡¯t gone sightseeing around Tokyo since you arrived right?¡± Kazuki removed his hands from Lotte¡¯s cheeks. Lotte put her own hands on her cheeks and, ¡°Tokyo¡¯s sightseeing! Those words tickle my chest desu¡­!¡± She said that cheerfully and with that, her spirit returned. Then she thought for a while and replied. ¡°¡­I, want to go to Akihabara desu!¡± Chapter 2.4.2 — Love Simulation Volume 2 Chapter 4 - Love Simulation Part 2 It would be embarrassing if everyone from the Witch¡¯s Mansion saw them off, so Kazuki and Lotte met up at the school¡¯s gate. This was a great and clever plan by Mio. Kazuki got out of the mansion and waited in advance, then a flowery excited voice rang out. ¡°Kazuki-oniisan!¡± Lotte ran ¡®patapata¡¯ steadily toward Kazuki while her skirt fluttered about. She was wearing a dress, like the one worn by an upper class young lady to a party. Her skirt¡¯s length was not too long, so it was not hard to run in it. Their appearance to the world was different when they lined up. Just like the scene of a commoner escorting a princess¡­ ¡°This is the dress that I wore when I sought asylum here, the only clothes that I brought from Seinmundo desu.¡± ¡°So you are coming here wearing your special clothes. I mean, it¡¯s pretty. Like this¡­¡± Rather than pretty, it was beautiful. The bottom of the neck and the shoulder were exposed boldly, the part on the hips was slender, and the skirt spread out like flower petals. Those clothes combined with Lotte¡¯s own loveliness made her look like a character that came right out from a fairytale. ¡°Receiving a man''s honest praise from the heart¡­my heart is beating so fast desu.¡± Lotte looked down while fidgeting and holding the tips of her skirts. ¨DNow, which way is good to leave from here? It would be a mistake to walk in front of her and guide her with a distance between them, he already received instructions from Mio beforehand. What he learned was to link their arms together or to hold her waist. But the initiative to hold the hand of the lady couldn¡¯t come from the man. If it became like this¡­! ¡°Well then, shall we go?¡± Kazuki gently embraced Lotte¡¯s hips that was so slender, it looks like it could break with his one hand. ¡­Mio said that for an adult, it was only natural to do this, but as he thought, this was overdoing it. However, Lotte looked up to Kazuki in a daze and a heart mark flew out from her. The advice from Kaya to treat Lotte properly like a girl flashed inside his head. ¡°Kazuki-oniisan¡­this is what people call as a date between a man and a woman, right desu? I have never participated in something like this, but this is completely like the royal dance party desu!¡± When he thought about it, this kind of exaggerated way might have originated from a foreign country. ¡°I¡­thought that romcom of a man and a woman would not ever happen in my life. ¡­This is like seeing a dream, I feel so light desu. Is it really fine to believe this desu¡­?¡± Lotte whispered so while snuggling closely to Kazuki¡¯s arm that was holding her. ¨DAnd then their destination was the [Alchemy Cyberbrain CityAlchemics Mega City - Akihabara]. Once called the Electric Town, the plot of land became the town of Anime afterwards, and when it entered the age of magic, it became known as Alchemics Mega City. There they were pursuing the use of alchemy for the use of entertainment however much. What they were especially pursuing was the genre of entertainment known as . The alchemists that were specializing in Moe, the were gathering in this town to set up their workshops. Various Moe were created from those Otaku workshops and released to the public. Using alchemy, alchemic figures in advanced model and all possible colors, and also three-dimensional illustrations were projected freely using magic light slide projector devicephantasmagoria. And then using telepathy to transmit sound, image, and even unfamiliar tactile sense to the player, applying alchemy to anime and galge, so to speak the . Even though Kazuki had watched anime with Kanae before, this was the first time he had ever stepped foot in this zealous town. When Lotte got off from the train, she ¡°Oh my godMein gott!¡± leaked out cries of joy. ¡°Mein gott! How amazingKlasse desu! Anime I have never seen before are scattered all around the city desu!¡± ¡°¡­Looking carefully, posters of galge with warning of 18+ was pasted boldly all around in the open during daytime, is this really okay? Shouldn¡¯t this be sold more secretly than this?¡± Now that was mentioned, was this really a place for a date? ¡°No, this is¡­this is¡­magnificent!¡± The one who appeared so suddenly beside Kazuki was Prophet¡¯s avatar. A diva felt that galge was magnificent¡­? ¡°In short, this is the place where greed was materialized by the transcendence of material control using their mental activity¡­the human race does not need to be shackled by their flesh anymore regarding their sexual desire. The significance of flesh was eliminated in an ultimate civilization. The people who have their mind sublimated using this galge have transcended the concept of their flesh and transformed into hermaphroditic angels, though having said that is not an exaggeration at all. Like what was mentioned in Kabbalah, when the conclusion of the age of the Earth come and humans step into the age of the Ram. The most beautiful of the human race are already here! Lotte, let¡¯s go buy one souvenir and return home.¡± With tensions that looked completely like a drunk person, Prophet said some incomprehensible things. Even Leme also materialized besides Prophet and ¡°Uh huh¡± nodded along. ¡°A love simulation game huh¡­It might be useful for Our King''s education in love.¡± ¡°Prophet! Leme-san! Today is the date of Kazuki-onii-san and me, just the two of us desu!¡± Lotte said so while puffing her cheeks, Prophet twitched in surprise and disappeared. Leme too said ¡°Sorry, I became a hindrance just now¡± and withdrew. ¡°Well then, first let¡¯s visit some of the workshops. How about if we look around for some new anime that Lotte hasn¡¯t seen yet? Well, not like I know anything in that area though. What kind of anime does Lotte like to see?¡± ¡°Man and woman¡­I like man and woman romance desu!¡± Lotte pulled Kazuki¡¯s hand happily to a workshop that was decorated with Moe illustrations. ¡°If Onii-san is not well-informed of anime, then as someone without background knowledge, I want to ask which one is Onii-san¡¯s number one preference, seeing from the girl¡¯s illustration desu. Let¡¯s discover Onii-san¡¯s [Moe]!¡± Kazuki smiled wryly to Lotte¡¯s words. Somehow it was scary to reply thoughtlessly. ¡°Okay, let¡¯s buy everything that looks interesting and go home. We¡¯ll watch a lot until we drop as soon as possible.¡± ¡°¡­Watching until we drop, is it?¡± ¨DAfter all from now on, Lotte would have a future to look forward to. ¡°I watched anime and manga the whole time I was in the sick bed desu. Though in the area around Germany, everything that are categorized as contradicting the Mythology there, are prohibited desu.¡± Lotte talked suddenly while taking a package of anime. ¡°As I grew older, I could feel in my skin how the country rapidly idolized the teaching of the faith. Originally there were no scriptures of Norse Mythology. Then for the sake of spreading the faith, they compiled a new scripture. There was a lot of really strict taboo and commandment. An example is the teaching of Odin where the creation of things to fulfill their own desire must be denied desu. The truth is that the weapon and tool of Norse gods, everything, were only presents from others.¡± The alchemists were producing new things everyday, and while they were looking around in the middle of the workshop that displayed and sold those things, Lotte whispered ¡°Strange isn¡¯t it, those teachings?¡± ¡°There are also people that were able to live well rather than being tied to commandments. However I could only think about how all of it impaired my heart. From the start I already have my body impaired, and with all that, even my heart also became impaired. I thought that I couldn¡¯t be called alive anymore, right?¡­Then I ask for something unreasonable for the butler and maid to collect manga and anime for me desu.¡± Lotte started to recollect the days she spent on her bed. ¡°Even when I was in the middle of watching anime, various events were happening outside. For example¡­the successor fight. Humans that are strong in magic power have high status in Seinmundo. I am a human with very strong magic power desu. That¡¯s why, even though my life was already like a candle in the middle of a blowing wind, people that planned to elevate me started to appear. Even though I don¡¯t have any intention for that.¡± A fight for succession in the royal court. It was a world unknown to Kazuki who was born and raised in Japan, except for those inside the tale. Human relationship that was like a swamp where they couldn¡¯t escape, a whirlpool of conspiracies¨Dsuch things might have happened to this girl just like the image of that tale. ¡°People who wanted to use me and got promoted¡­people who ostracized me as an existence who brought chaos in the royal court¡­everyone around me turned into people who had various ulterior motives, everyone hid their real intention from me, saying things that didn¡¯t exist in their heart. They took attitudes full of sympathy as family, on the surface desu. ¡­Despite my power to perceive their real intention by telepathy.¡± Lotte smiled wryly in cynicism. She had that kind of ability, so she got to this point of her life having more experience being betrayed than anyone. ¡°My environment was surrounded by people who wore masks, I who was dying at that time didn¡¯t want to live in the world of reality anymore, I wanted to live in the fickle world of anime. So¡­I felt that I was born again when I escaped to this country desu.¡± Inside that workshop, there was no love anime that was Lotte¡¯s favorite. Exiting the workshop, Lotte squinted her eyes from the radiant clear sky of Akihabara. ¡°¡­Even so, in the end, I couldn¡¯t become free¡­the dark shadows came to chase me.¡± At that time, figures of knights in the road of the spacious pedestrian mall entered their eyes. Among the white knights who patrolled Akihabara, a black German knight was mixed in. Lotte was startled and afraid. ¡°It¡¯s okay.¡± Kazuki embraced the shoulder of the shivering girl. ¡°Those guys absolutely couldn¡¯t do anything in this place.¡± While keeping Lotte¡¯s shoulder in his embrace, the group of knights walked towards their direction. Then they passed them. The moment they passed each other, the black German knight glanced their way. ¡°It¡¯s okay to only think about fun things today. I will absolutely protect you.¡± Kazuki transmitted his feelings to Lotte using telepathy and a heart mark flew from Lotte¡¯s chest. ¡°I somehow¡­have no other person I can rely other than Onii-san, so I¡¯m scared of my own feelings desu. Somehow keeping like this, I want to cling to Onii-san so much¡­Is it really okay, for me to be spoiled by Onii-san¡­¡± Rather, Kazuki thought that Lotte is too over-conscious to the expression of their surroundings. Her telepathy magic might be a sad tendency, because it made her learn that there were only people that she couldn¡¯t rely on around her. ¡°I wonder, the characters that Onii-san prefers are similar to everyone in the Witch¡¯s Mansion, isn¡¯t it?¡± Lotte made fun of Kazuki amusingly. ¡°I, I don¡¯t have any background knowledge of anime, so I was influenced unintentionally by reality.¡± Lotte laughed heartily hearing Kazuki¡¯s excuse. ¡°So Kazuki-oniisan likes everyone in Witch¡¯s Mansion desu. I wonder if I¡¯m also like that, my preference of anime character has also changed. If it¡¯s Onii-san, to everyone in the Witch¡¯s Mansion¡­¡± Kazuki hoped that Lotte would also turn like that to everyone in the Witch¡¯s Mansion. So that the current Lotte can also have a place where she belongs. Kazuki held bags from workshops packed full of anime¡¯s Ultra-shortwave Ray DiskURD that was their war gains, in both hands. All those anime were filled with the appearance of characters that resembled the Witch¡¯s mansion¡¯s residents. Kazuki would also watch it together and have fun with Lotte. ¡­However the problem was which one (which character that¡¯s going to come out) that they were going to watch first in turns. ¡°Well then, how about going to a game center next so we can play a two person game?¡± There was a large scale game center in Akihabara that they wouldn¡¯t be able to find around the Knight Academy. The game center business that was once thought to be on the decline, received their second wind because of the alchemic game¡¯s craze. Objects that were invented using advanced alchemy, whether it was a game or something else, were unsuitable for mass production, that¡¯s why alchemy game was more suited for the use of large scale businesses rather than for residential use. The alchemy game in game centers had even more dynamic virtual reality that could be experienced personally compared to the alchemy game for residential use. On the contrary, gal game had became the mainstream for residential use because it didn¡¯t need high specs. When they entered the game center, the atmosphere couldn¡¯t be compared to anything they saw until now, what with all the overflowing sounds and lights. Everywhere was filled with over the top devices and clamoring people. Lotte¡¯s eyes were darting about. ¡°All these devices just for the sake of playing¡­what a lovely pointlessness isn¡¯t it?¡± ¡°Looks like it¡¯s not the style of this town to consider playing as pointless. What kind of game should we play?¡± Without even a bit of hesitation, Lotte chose the gun-shooting zombie to the death action game that can be experienced in person. ¡°Somehow, I feel that I have the confidence to handle a gun desu!¡± ¨DAfter the game ended, Lotte told Kazuki while keeping her face from laughing. ¡°Kazuki-oniisan¡­is not really strong in a game isn¡¯t it desu?¡± ¡°¡­No, damn, why, it¡¯s eerie how I cannot read the enemy¡¯s movement in the game! That was not real at all! For them to be proofed against my father¡¯s Hayashizaki-style¡­if only they also focused more in reproducing the muscle actions or their breathing!¡± ¡°Kazuki-oniisan, it doesn¡¯t matter what kind of excuse you make desu! ¡­Pupuu!¡± Kazuki was one-sidedly helped by Lotte, who attacked splendidly with her gun, even though she was surprised and going ¡®kyaakyaa¡¯ by the approaching zombies. ¡­How frustrating. He wanted to train more and improve. ¡°¡­It¡¯s fun to play with two people rather than playing alone desu! Onii-san who needed to be saved by me is somehow cute desu?¡± A heart mark flew from Lotte by her smiling face, Kazuki was thinking ¡°Well, this is fine.¡± The next thing Lotte was interested in was the print sticker machine. ¡°I have seen this before in anime! Both of the boys and girls enter and it can photograph small stickers of commemoration picture, right desu? It¡¯d make a cute photo ornament!¡± ¡°Though I think it¡¯s also okay for two boys to enter.¡± ¡°Kazuki-oniisan, logically that¡¯s true but¡­!¡± This print sticker machine had a strong image related with couples, and today they came for dating, so Kazuki and Lotte entered the box without hesitation. The two of them were isolated from the crowd inside the narrow space, it really made the mood like that of an embarrassed couple. Kazuki didn¡¯t understand what kind of face was good to make in front of the camera, in the end, he made a peace gesture while his expression was half grimacing and half smiling¨D In his side Lotte was tiptoeing on her feet while kissing ¡®chuu¡¯ Kazuki¡¯s cheek. The sound of the shutter¡¯s click reverberated at that moment. Lotte laughed in embarrassment ¡®tehehe¡¯ looking at Kazuki who stiffened his body. ¡°The meaning of what Onii-san said before, about how it¡¯s no good to kiss someone who is not your special person, I understand it properly now. I already understand it so¡­it¡¯s okay right desu?¡± Lotte held the sticker¡¯s result showing the two idiot couple happily in her hands. ¡°The memory of the two of us desu.¡± Memory¨DBy chance if there was no future for Lotte, all this would be meaningless. ¡°This is a weird story but, I, from the time when Onii-san scolded me in the bathroom because I was naked, I feel that Onii-san really saw me as a human desu. Then Onii-san also said that he¡¯d protect me¡­Onii-san looked so reliable and I was so happy that my heart beats so fast and my feeling felt like it was going to burst¡­Right now, I, I love Onii-san so much desu. If I could have a future, I want to have even more special relationships between man and woman. ¡­Am I too spoiled?¡± Lotte who peeked above at Kazuki¡¯s expression with upturned eyes shyly caused Kazuki to be filled up with the desire to impulsively hug her. From that sort of Lotte, a vision of a key floated from her chest. . It was absorbed into Kazuki¡¯s ring. They were tired from playing games, so now they are planning to relax in a caf¨¦. ¡°¡­Summon cosplay caf¨¦-Solomon Wonderland?¡± Among the lined up cafes in the main street, Lotte chose this one by saying ¡°I want to enter this desu¡±, a store that feels like it was taking too much freedom in their naming scheme. Having said that, the other cafes were all maid caf¨¦s only though¡­ ¡°Klasse desu. There is nothing but cute premonition from the store¡¯s name.¡± Lotte pulled Kazuki¡¯s arm while breathing excitedly from her nose. What is it with this kind of hobby. When they opened the door, a dazzling Solomon space awaited Kazuki and Lotte. ¡°Welcome¨D! Astaroth Keiko de¨Dsu!¡± ¡°Welcome! Zepar Fujiko desu!¡± Welcome, Gamygyn Kanako desu.¡± Various older girls each cosplaying a different Solomon 72 Pillar with bright voices, crowded around Kazuki and Lotte. Astaroth was a fallen angel that grew black wings, Zepar was a demon that wore a red bikini armor, Gamygyn had the form of a death god who wore a skull necklace. Of course their appearances were totally different with the Solomon 72 Pillar that the knights and knight cadets summoned. Each of the cosplayers were arranged to look like girls, it exposed their navels and thighs. {Oi¡­what is with this caf¨¦? What happened with Leme and the other¡¯s copyrights!?} Leme kept her silence throughout the date, but she couldn¡¯t bear it any longer and retorted to Kazuki. ¡°Cute!¡± Lotte raised her voices. . Though he thought that whichever of them he saw were more sexy than cute. ¡°Is this your first time coming to this shop?¡± The fallen angel, Astaroth Keiko-san was asking while jolting her black wings. ¡°The theme of this caf¨¦ is the present-day era of magic, a concept caf¨¦.¡± ¡°Of course the caf¨¦ employees are cosplaying as Solomon 72 Pillar, we also lend the Solomon outfit to the Guest-sama.¡± The knights were hero to this country, Solomon 72 Pillar were also popular to the general population. This was surprising but it might be natural for this kind of development to make an appearance in Akihabara. ¡°The corner where we served the food and drinks is separated, we also arranged for petting corner where the Guest-sama can pet and play around with the fearsome Demon Beasts.¡± ¡°Demon Beast¡­petting them?¡± To Kazuki¡¯s doubtful expression, the god of death Gamygyn Kanako-san, pointed to the space where it was partitioned by glass walls in the depth of the caf¨¦. There was a door in the glass wall where people could freely come and go. Over there, a few customers were¨Dfrolicking around with puppies. ¡°¡­Hey, those are not Demon Beasts but puppies right?¡± It seems this caf¨¦ was a cosplay caf¨¦ cum puppy caf¨¦. ¡°Wrong, those are the existence of Demon Beast that should be talked about with dread, the [Holy Temple WatchdogSaint Bernard] from the dreadful legend of [The Dog of Flanders] that couldn¡¯t be told without tears flowing.¡± ¡°Adding that ¡®Saint¡¯ is only to appeal to the chuunibyou even though that was only a breed of dog, isn¡¯t it!?¡± ¡°I want to cosplay desu!¡± Lotte announced her choice excitedly. ¡°Then please this way.¡± Zepar Fujiko-san took Lotte¡¯s hand and guided her to the changing room. There was a legend about the demon called Zepar that she would take the opposite sex the summoner wished for, though it didn¡¯t have any relation at all with this occasion. ¡°Please play with the Demon Beasts while waiting for that Guest-sama changing her clothes.¡± For the moment Kazuki passed through to the food corner and came to the petting corner. There was a puppy inside that cramped space, when Kazuki came, it immediately dashed at full speed and frolicked at Kazuki¡¯s feet. Kazuki received a shock like he was hit in the chest. ¡­Cute. Kuh, a swordsman of all people had his heart stolen by this fluffy creature, like a girl caught by a smooth talker in the street¡­! A swordsman must keep his composure at all times! Kazuki sat in place while feigning calmness and then while he was petting that puppy, ¡°Guest-sama, look here, this child was just born not long ago.¡± Astaroth Keiko-san led a especially small puppy, like she was trying to tempt Kazuki to fall into depravity, and made him carry the puppy in his arm. Exactly like the deed of a fallen angel. With white and brown patterns characteristic of the Saint Bernard, it also had the trait of clever and friendly personality to humans. Saint Bernard was a type of dog that was large and strong, but there was nothing but puppies in this place. The puppy that was just born not long ago had a cute and chubby face, its round eyes looked up to Kazuki with a sure-kill devilish cuteness. Kazuki couldn¡¯t hold back anymore and finally ¡°Sheet, it¡¯s cute! This animal¡­is super cute!¡±, he buried his face to the puppy to enjoy its fluffiness and smoothness like a man possessed. ¡°Onii-san, I have finished changing!¡± Sounds of footsteps came from the direction of the changing room, when he turned back¨DLotte had transformed into a cute puppy. ¡°Wha, what kind of Solomon 72 Pillar is that?¡± ¡°Glasya Labolas desu wan!¡± {That was just a puppy! Glasya Labolas has a pair of griffon wings, possessing high power for bloodshed, a huge dog like a monster you know!} Leme yelled inside Kazuki¡¯s head, vehemently expressing her protests. Lotte donned a drooping dog¡¯s ears, fluffy fur around her neck, and wearing a fur bikini while nonchalantly exposing her white skins. A poor excuse for wings were attached to her back. ¡°So, somehow isn¡¯t the exposure degree too high¡­!? Even if you compared it to the other people¡¯s cosplay!¡± ¡°Fufufu, I know that Onii-san¡¯s heart was beating so fast right now! This is well matched for me, furthermore I chose this so Onii-san will be aware of me as the number one girl desu!¡± Lotte unexpectedly thought such a thing like a little devil¡­!? Lotte hugged Kazuki along with the other puppy. Did the other puppies thought of Lotte as their comrade? They also came together to frolick at Kazuki. When the puppy licked Kazuki¡¯s cheek, Lotte also licked Kazuki¡¯s other cheek with ¡®peropero¡¯. ¡°Onii-san¡­wan!¡± ¡°Lo, Lotte, what in the world are you¡­!¡± ¡°Lotte is a dog wan!¡± Damn, as a swordsman, I won¡¯t be shaken by this kind of animal cosplay¡­! {No, Glasya Labolas is not cute like that¡­he look more like a gorilla dog¡­} Leme¡¯s words couldn¡¯t enter Kazuki¡¯s head anymore. ¡°Onii-san, please be [affectionate] to Lotte like what you did to that puppy while you were waiting for me!¡± ¡°You, you saw that! The moment when I lost my senses to this puppy!!¡± Kazuki was ¡°Cu, cute, cute¡± and stroked Lotte¡¯s head stiffly. ¡°Onii-san, you were more intense when you were affectionate to that puppy desu! Please do the same to me, is this puppy cuter than me desu?¡± There was no way the puppy could be cuter than Lotte. ¡°Cute! Sheet, you¡¯re so cute! Super cute!¡± ¡°Onii-san, right now you¡¯re thinking that I¡¯m super cute, it¡¯s so thrilling desu?¡± Kazuki turned desperate and hugged Lotte¡¯s hips as tightly as he could and nuzzled her. ¡°Wan, wan?¡± A heart mark flew from Lotte and she kept licking Kazuki¡¯s cheek happily. It was a space where their strange hobby awakened. ¡°Kazuki-oniisan¡­this, might be the happiest I ever felt in my life¡­¡± ¡°Guest-sama, please try to present them with this food.¡± The god of death Gamygyn Kanako-san came and handed over cookies to Kazuki. Lotte opened her mouth and ¡®a¨Dn¡¯, so Kazuki fed her the cookie, then Lotte was ¡®Wan, wan! Ku~n?¡± and chewed with a large smiling face. This high spirited behavior¡­! ¡°The normal Guest-sama usually were too shy to do this, but¡­this is the first time a Guest-sama turn completely into Solomon like this.¡± {Uuu, Leme and the other Solomon 72 Pillar are not like this at all!} ¡°Please accept this Best Solomon & Summoner award.¡± For some reason Kazuki and Lotte were awarded with a trophy. ¡°Onii-san, next time let¡¯s bring Mio-oneesan here too.¡± ¡°Wh, why?¡± ¡°Mio-oneesan dressed in a slightly indecent costume, imagining her blushing red face and her licking Onii-san ¡®peropero¡¯ while acting embarrassed¡­that¡¯d be extremely cute desu. That¡¯s Moe desu.¡± What is this devil¡¯s plan? Kazuki tried to imagine it¡­A troubled Mio shaking her head in fluster with her twintails going ¡®bunbun¡¯. ¡°This is the best day in my life desu?¡± With those Lotte was laughing. Lotte''s positivity level increased up to 80. It was possible to use Prophet¡¯s magic up to level 3 with those numbers. ¨DThus in the next day, Kazuki would face the fight of his destiny. Chapter 2.5.1 — The Qualification of the Living Volume 2 Chapter 5 - The Qualification of the Living Part 1 There were many quests that they could challenge leisurely during the holiday weekend, but there was no reason they couldn¡¯t put a challenge after school during the weekdays. As to what Kazuki decided beforehand, he would accept the quest immediately on Monday, the day after the date. On that fated day¡¯s lunch break, Kazuki received an abrupt summon. [First year class two Hayashizaki Kazuki-kun, urgent, please go to Tsukahara of Sword Division. I repeat¡­¡± He didn¡¯t understand why the one that called him was not the Magic Division but the Sword Division. The Knight Academy was divided between the MagicaMagic Division and the Sword Division. This was the first time that Kazuki entered the Sword Division¡¯s area. Even though they told him to go to the place of a teacher called [Tsukahara], he didn¡¯t know if it was really okay to be here. It¡¯d be fine if he went to the staff room, but¡­he didn¡¯t know where the staff room was located. Kazuki who had no other choice, took out his mobile phone. ¡°Love, is magnetic! Drawn by Onii-sama¡¯s love, the Storm Cat, here I am reporting!¡± Immediately after he sent a mail, his step-sister, Kanae arrived dramatically like a force of gale. ¡°¡­I feel guilty you know, to arrive that happily just because I called you to guide me¡­¡± ¡°I see, this is the continuation of the previous school tour date that was ruined before by that breast monster from somewhere, right? Kanae is much better in giving a school tour compared to that breast monster! Well then, let me first guide Onii-sama to the Sword Division dorm¡¯s room of Kanae! For the time being we¡¯re going to spend the break there tenderly¡­¡± ¡°No, I was summoned here so we have no time to do that kind of thing.¡± ¡°Eeeh!? There was no time for flirting around!? How could that be!?¡± While her shoulders dropped in dejection, Kanae guided him from the entrance to the staff room. ¡°But it¡¯s strange, for Onii-sama to be summoned to the Sword Division.¡± ¡°I¡¯m also completely ignorant as to why I was summoned here. I wonder if it¡¯s for scolding.¡± ¡°That teacher named Tsukahara Hisatada is a gentle teacher, so I think that¡¯s not it. His appearance is delicate looking from the glasses he wears, but he gives a feeling of someone who has ulterior motives in his mind. Kanae is poor with that kind of person though.¡± They hesitatingly advanced through the Japanese-style garden, and then entered the school building that looks like a row wooden house. The building was not particularly high. Inside this two-story building were the classrooms lined up widely and horizontally in a row. The atmosphere in the Magic Division felt like Europe in the Middle Ages, while the atmosphere in the Sword Division felt like Japan of a long time ago. Even though this was during lunch break, sounds of swords clashing could be heard from somewhere. It was a dear sound that was once a part of Kazuki¡¯s daily life. Here was the Sword Division¨Dthe place where he should have been if he had a different fate¨Dwasn¡¯t it? They walked in the warm wooden corridor, ¡°Here is the staff room.¡± and finally arrived at their destination. ¡°To, to be dismissed when we only just got here¡­it¡¯s so lonely, very lonely¡­! Where in the world could I vent this uncontrolled love for Onii-sama!!¡± ¡°Vent it in your sword training.¡± ¡°Then, I will become the strongest swordsman¨Dn!!¡± This was the two-person comedy act of this brother and sister for the first time in a long while, so ¡°Call me if Onii-sama is going to come again to the Sword Division, okay¡î?¡± Kanae waved her hand and left. ¨DWhen he entered the staff room, one of the teachers saw the uniformed figure of Kazuki and ¡°Here, here.¡± Waved his hand over. Kazuki weaved his way between the desks and headed towards that person. Some of the teachers were eating lunch boxes and cup ramen, the room was filled with smells that tickled his stomach. ¡°You finally came, I have heard about you from various people.¡± Tsukahara-sensei was just as Kanae told him, he wore glasses and looked fragile, a male teacher that had an intellectual air. ¡°Currently you are under the charge of Liz Liza-sensei right? She was my partner when we were in active duty. She is a teacher with a strong and straightforward sense of justice. Oops, I forgot to give you my name, I am Tsukahara Hisatada. Similar with Liz Liza-sensei, I¡¯m just an underling that still has a long way to go, I teach the practical skills in the Sword Division. Though I was challenged by your big sister and lost, hahaha.¡± ¡°I think Kanae can improve if she received training from a person like sensei.¡± It seems Tsukahara-sensei was the type that wield their sword based on theory. Kazuki felt that somehow. Because Kanae was the type that wields her sword by instinct, she could learn a lot of things from this teacher. ¡°Hahaha, thank you.¡± Tsukahara-sensei laughed in the way that he couldn¡¯t understand whether he was seriously happy or not. He then jumped the gun on the talk. ¡°There are some people that want to meet you.¡± Saying so, he stood up from the desk and urged Kazuki to follow him. Some people that wanted to meet him¡­there was no one that he could think of. Kazuki followed Tsukahara-sensei like he was told. The two exited the staff room, this time they entered a room labeled as [Reception Room]. Inside were two people he had a recollection of¨Dthe two knights he encountered inside the forest of the Haunted Ground. The knights who confiscated the Sacred Treasure Kazuki and the others discovered, who then came barging into his fight with Beatrix, those two. ¡°Yaa! Thank you for that time before.¡± The male swordsman amicably said so to Kazuki and with a smiling face. The female Magica Stigma regarded Kazuki with ¡®puih¡¯ and averted her face. ¡°I¡¯m a attached to the , Kondou Hajime.¡± ¡°¡­The same as police knight, Souma Yukari.¡± The Knight Order was divided into their respective subdivision at eight district with their own jurisdiction zone, which were: Hokkaido - Touhoku - Kantou - Chubu - Kinki - Chuugoku - Shikoku - Kyuushuu, with the Tokyo Metropolis Knight Order Headquarters at the top. The police knight is the lowest ranking member of the Knight Order. The majority of the knights that just graduated from the knight academy started their career from that rank. ¡°Knight Academy¡¯s first year, Hayashizaki Kazuki.¡± When Kazuki gave out his name with a slight timidity, the knight - Kondo-san came and gripped Kazuki¡¯s hand tightly. ¡°¡­Your sword skill left a deep impression on me.¡± Kazuki reflexively thought of Torazou-san. He felt the same test between those two. ¡°Err¡­what kind of business did you come here for?¡± There was no way his reason in coming here was just to say that. He didn¡¯t understand why they came here with only saying, "that he left a deep impression", instead he got even more confused. Kondou-san released his hand and then moved on to the important matter. ¡°Both of us have something we want to pass to you.¡± ¡°I only came because Kondou said he wanted to do this no matter what.¡± The Magica Stigma Souma-san, that wore a white uniform today, said so with a sullen face. ¡°Souma-san, didn¡¯t he save both of our lives already?¡± ¡°Ugh. ¡­Well, it¡¯d be unbearable if we died in this kind of mission, so I¡¯ll give you my gratitude.¡± Souma-san nodded her head slightly while saying so. ¡­Mission? Now that she mentioned it, why were they in that kind of place? As members of the Chubu Jurisdiction Knight Order, it was not their jurisdiction. Other than the knights who belonged to the Tokyo Knight Order Headquarters, no other knight should operate here in Tokyo. ¡°¡­By all means, this person stands at the top as a swordsman. He is not a bad person.¡± ¡°Stop saying unnecessary things and go to the main topic already! Kondou!¡± ¡°Actually at that time, we had a peculiar little mission at that Haunted Ground . ¡­We couldn¡¯t give any particulars to you about it, but¡­unluckily we encountered Beatrix there. The one who cooperated with the Einherjar in Loki¡¯s subjugation effort were the guys at Tokyo Knight Order Headquarters, so regarding Beatrix, we hadn¡¯t heard anything at all.¡± Tacit consent for the assassination of the refugee, Lotte¨Dsuch a story was not something that should be known far and wide. It seems even inside the Knight Order, the members who knew about this were only the minority. They came to the Haunted Ground because of some special mission and got swallowed up in this scheme. ¡°After that, they explained the circumstances to us along with the order to shut our mouth.¡± ¡°This is truly a disgusting story.¡± Both Kondou-san and Souma-san puckered their faces unpleasantly. ¡°However after we heard the story¡­we were wondering if it¡¯s you, you can protect that refugee Lotte from Beatrix so then we came here. You plan to do that, right? I thought so.¡± Kazuki couldn¡¯t respond to that honestly. Kazuki glanced at Tsukahara-sensei who happened to be present in the room. Tsukahara-sensei showed a smile in his mouth like he was saying not to mind him. ¡°Therefore the thing that I want to hand over to you is¡­this.¡± Thereupon, Kondou-san placed his hand on the luggage sitting on top of the reception room¡¯s glass table. A long, narrow, and robust bag made of cloth¨Da sword bag. An item used to carry a katana that was sheathed inside its scabbard. The moment Kondou-san passed over the bag¨DKazuki felt the sensation of his magic power being absorbed by the [content inside]. He had a recollection of this sensation. ¡°Is this¡­the Sacred Treasure that was dedicated in that shrine?¡± ¡°Right, the one that we confiscated from your hands at that time, that katana. After we returned, we made a written report regarding our mission tentatively, but¡­it was not official because it was only a peculiar mission so various things were quite vague. This Sacred Treasure was also stored in the warehouse without undergoing formal procedure, so there was no proof left behind when we simply swiped this thing and came over here.¡± ¡°I¡¯m against this, just so you know. This is all on your own.¡± Souma-san was glaring, Kondou-san laughed indifferently. ¡°There¡¯d be no problem if you returned it immediately after you are finished with it. Also the content of the mission is a secret, no way they are going to go public with this. ¡­Also because you are the escort of Jiisan-sensei¡¯s daughter. Hahaha.¡± Towards Kazuki who was uneasy whether it was okay or not to accept this thing, Tsukahara-sensei let out a laugh. ¡°Isn¡¯t it okay, even if it is properly stored in the Knight Order¡¯s warehouse, it can''t be used effectively. It¡¯d be fine if you manage the use of the Sacred Treasure moderately. After all as a former knight, I¡¯m also one of the people that felt dissatisfaction towards the way the Knight Order handles the Sacred Treasures.¡± ¡°I know that Tsukahara-sensei is that type of person, so he contacted Hayashizaki-kun and from the beginning I was to hand this over. Now that I mentioned that, Tsukahara-sensei was always connected with Sacred Treasures illegal channels¡­¡± ¡°Hey, shut up about that.¡± Tsukahara-sensei, who was smiling warmly, suddenly turned cold and glared at Kondou-san. ¡°You get too carried away, Kondou.¡± Souma-san also glared to Kondou-san. ¡°Ehem. Well, anyway it¡¯s not righteous to just keep following the rules. I can¡¯t possibly think that the government and the Knight Order¡¯s way of doing things are righteous. If it¡¯s you, you should be able to use this Sacred Treasure in its proper meaning. I have seen your fight with Beatrix, as a swordsman, I genuinely aspired to that level you''ve shown me. And then, I noticed that the power this katana has will be useful if you want to win against Beatrix. Because of that, I couldn¡¯t just stay quiet and do nothing.¡± The sacred treasure was an item that absorbed its owner¡¯s magic power in order to invoke the characteristic magic of the Sacred Treasures, just like Summoning Magic. This Sacred Treasure¡­could it become one of the pieces that could fill the difference between me and Beatrix? Kazuki accepted the bag containing the Sacred Treasure. Kondou-san grabbed Kazuki¡¯s shoulder. ¡°Those that are called swordsmen, sacrificed themselves for their own justice in a straightforward manner. With this katana¡­I want you to cut apart the dark fate that shadowed the girl named Lotte in your confrontation against that absurdity.¡± Chapter 2.5.2 — The Qualification of the Living Volume 2 Chapter 5 - The Qualification of the Living Part 2 The quest that Kazuki and the others undertook was to liberate the shopping mall inside the city from its transformation into a Haunted Ground. It seems the time from when it started to turn into a Haunted Ground was still recent, as the size was not too big. Normally, Kazuki and the others could achieve the clear condition with just their three people party in the time after the school was over. After school, a mail from Kaya arrived in his cellphone and told him to come quickly. However Kazuki never gave Kaya his email address. How in the world did she find his email address¡­ They arrived at their destination area at 4:00 PM by riding the magic train. When everything is over, it¡¯d be nice to eat delicious dinner together with everyone in the Witch¡¯s Mansion, Kazuki thought. Kazuki and the others went through the procedures at the Gate, and entered the Haunted ground. At the same time they entered the Haunted ground, Mio and Lotte performed their Access and transformed into their Magic Dress¡¯ forms. The former knight stationed at the gate wasn¡¯t able to understand what''s happening inside the Haunted Ground. Their magic power had already weakened and they had no more fighting strength. Because of that, their job was to check from the outside whether there was a human who carelessly entered inside. They didn''t step inside the Haunted ground, not even once. Kaya however had already entered this Haunted Ground, to a certain degree, she had already cleaned up the Demon Beasts. As proof, the inside of the Haunted Ground had mostly returned to its normal Shopping Arcade¡¯s appearance. At the end of their destination, the one waiting for them at the crossroads in the center of the arcade was a bound and wounded zombie with the figure of Kaya, kicking and grinding the downed zombie. ¡°Being tied and then getting stepped on¡­yet to get turned on by this act¡­Onii-chan! The current Kaya is shining bright in the color of chaos!!¡± Kaya laughed sadistically while she was grinding the pitiful zombie. ¡°Kazu-nii¡­is that really Kaya¡­?¡± It seemed so. ¡°Onii-chan¡­what in the world are they doing¡­?¡± ¡­From what was happening, it seems that the SM play belonged under Chaos. ¡°This Haunted Ground is so small. We turned the tables on the Demon Beasts that came to attack, and while waiting, we had annihilated all the Demon Beasts without even knowing it. Zombies are the Demon Beasts that reigned in this Haunted Ground, this guy is probably the last one. ¡­Mio-chan, long time no seee!¡± When Kaya¡¯s eyes met with Mio''s, she hugged her excitedly. ¡°Ka, Kaya¡­long time no see! I, have a lot of things I want to talk about¡­¡± ¡°Sorry for the other day, I killed you together with Loki.¡± Kaya whispered in Mio¡¯s chest. Mio who was smiling before froze. ¡°Kazuki-oniisan¡­this person is¡­¡± "We only cooperated with him temporarily, don¡¯t mind her too much.¡± ¡°It¡¯s cruel for Onii-chan to say that, even though Kaya¡¯s heart throbbed so violently this past hour!¡± Kaya separated from Mio in a flash and rotated around ¡®kurukuru¡¯ while saying such false-sounding words. Well then¡­thanks to Kaya¡¯s overkill activity, there¡¯d be no worry about Demon Beast¡¯s interrupting. ¡°But with all these preparations waiting, even Beatrix would suspect something wouldn¡¯t she? She might notice the abnormality and stop her attack.¡± ¡°Onii-chan really doesn¡¯t understand the opponent¡¯s personality. This was the Thor from the Norse Mythology and the Magica Stigma that was chosen by that Thor you know? Those muscle-brained, battle-maniac combination won¡¯t cancel their attack just because of a little suspicion yeah.¡± ¡°¡­Exactly like that girl said. She really understood my character well. Waiting in an ambush like this, lad, you too really loved the fight with me huh?¡± The one who hailed Kaya¡¯s words¨Dfrom the direction of the shopping mall¡¯s entrance, a low voice like steel came. While the sound of the military shoes ¡®katsukatsu¡¯ rang out, the woman in black military uniform came walking to them. ¡°The god, Thor. For the soldier who wish for Valhalla, descend from Asgard and show those fierce appearance. I too will show the soul of a hero. God of wars of Asgaard, I am right here!¡± Finishing her Access promptly, she drew out her sword in her armored Valkyrie¡¯s form. ¡°Well then, let¡¯s use that Demon Beast¡¯s neck as the trigger for this battle! It¡¯s fine to start whenever you like.¡± ¡°It¡¯s really a bloodthirsty proposal fitting for those guys in Norse Mythology. Then, let¡¯s immediately¡­¡± The same time Kaya gave her reply to Beatrix¨DKaya¡¯s right arm emitted a blue light of magic power. Just like when a uniform transformed into Magic Dress, Kaya¡¯s thin arm that stretched from the sleeve of her shirts grew thick like the arm of a different person, even the color of her skin transformed into the color of the different arm. ¡­Is that, Loki¡¯s arm¡­? ¡°Sacred Treasure¡¯s EncroachmentWeapon Invite!¡± And then when Kaya yelled, a crack appeared in the area of her wrist. Jet black drips spilled over¡­it transformed into a silver one-handed sword full of ornaments, gripped by the suspicious-looking right arm of Kaya. ¡° huh. Not a bad renowned sword, but it¡¯s nothing more than a Sacred Treasure that has an image of breaking with a snap. Sometimes only strange things come out from this magic.¡± While complaining, Kaya casually swung the sword¨Dthe zombie¡¯s neck flew. The spark for the fight had been ignited. ¡°Berserk!!¡± At the same time, with her quick spell chanting, Beatrix reinforced her whole body and reflexes. Then she charged Kazuki in a straight line. ¡°Barrett!¡± ¡°Prophet, Fire!¡± Mio and Lotte¡¯s attack magic came flying, but Beatrix easily repelled those with her shield. With her quick step, Beatrix unleashed her usual strong sword. Kazuki met the attack while also chanting his spell. When Kazuki redirected Beatrix¡¯s strong sword, Beatrix grinned like a child who just saw a magic trick. Her expression seemed like it was saying, that it couldn¡¯t be helped, that his unknown sword skill would make her excited. ¨DHowever, my bad, but this time I have no intention of letting you have a fight that was in your taste. ¡°This hand reach out to the height of Babel, now this hand grasp the lightning bolt of the god! In accordance with my life, lightning, whirled with my breath! Collider Field!!¡± Kazuki invoked Prophet¡¯s level 3 magic combining it with the sword fight. In front of Beatrix¡¯s eyes, Kazuki¡¯s left hand was equipped with a gauntlet that contained electric energy. Kazuki wasted no time in unleashing those energy. ¡°Whatt!?¡± In a distance where their sleeves could almost touch each other, Beatrix was swallowed by the whirlpool of electricity. Streams of electricity wreaked havoc from the inside of Beatrix¡¯s armor and helmet that boasted high defensive power. When the energy was used up, the gauntlet disappeared. It was a level 3 magic, so as far as Kazuki was concerned, it was a magic with time limit. It was however an effective magic against an opponent who came to challenge him in close-quarters. ¡°Lad, you bastard! You¡¯re not going to use just your sword skill¡­don¡¯t betray my expectation!!¡± ¡°Only an idiot is going to challenge the same opponent, with the same way of fighting and the same challenge right from the front!¡± Mio and Lotte rushed in right at that moment. ¡°Fire Wall!¡± Mio used the chance when Beatrix was staggering from the attack she received, to boldly challenge her in close-quarter combat. Walls of flames erupted from Beatrix¡¯s feet. When Mio used this in a surprise attack, it was hard to completely evade this magic even though Beatrix has super reflexes and a flame-resistant shield. ¡°Prophet, Blitz!¡± Moreover, Lotte also invoked an electric barrier with her gauntlet that scattered sparks around. While Beatrix¡¯s blue defensive magic power was smashed¨DBeatrix glared at her original target, Lotte, with fury. But she couldn¡¯t just simply lay a hand on Lotte! The space behind Beatrix was torn up. ¡°Dragon Invite!¡± Kaya used Loki¡¯s magic. Black drips spilled over into the torn up space, it changed into a gigantic green dragon with shining jade green scales and attacked. ¡°Kuh¡­Megingj?re!!¡± Even while receiving damage, Beatrix chanted her second level reinforcement magic and her close quarter combat ability was increased even higher. The claws of the attacking dragon were easily repelled by the strong swing with her super reflexes. But in that gap, ¡°¡±Barrett!¡±¡± Kazuki and Mio, who separated into two groups, shot their flame bullets in a crossfire. With the flame bullets coming from two fronts, the shield could only defend against one direction. One shot would certainly hit. The power of Barrett was high even though it was only a level 1 magic. Toward Beatrix who staggered about because of the shock of smashed magic, the dragon opened its big mouth and snapped at her. ¡°Underhanded way of fighting¡­is not how a swordsman should fight!!¡± Beatrix raised an angry voice. The next moment, her body accelerated into speed that couldn¡¯t be caught by the naked eye¨Dshe released slashes in lightning speed, as she pleases, at the dragon. Its whole body became minced meat, the dragon howled a cry of agony and death then disappeared. If they allowed her consecutive attacks to continue, the frontline swordsman would just get killed instantly, like a joke, with the attack power that Beatrix currently had! ¡°That sword is a Sacred Treasure, but¡­your movement is like an amateur!¡± Beatrix turned to Kaya and raised her sword. ¡°Dragon Invite!¡± Kaya summoned a Demon Beast once again. But maybe because the accumulated time was short, the summoned dragon was small. Beatrix disposed of it in a single blow and approached Kaya. But the current Kaya¡­was his comrade! ¡°Do you think I¡¯ll let you!¡± Kazuki who Foresighted Beatrix''s movement, was barely able to obstruct her in front of Kaya, he redirected her sword and destroyed her posture with his skill. Beatrix righted her posture forcibly and counter-attacked Kazuki. Even from the front¡­it was fast!, but Kazuki redirected those swords one after another. In that interval, Mio and Lotte¡¯s attack magic flew. ¡°Bastards¡­!¡± Beatrix, whose pace was thrown off-balance right from the start, leaked a furious voice. Then¨D ¡°Don¡¯t expect me to go easy anymore! ¡­Fj?rgyn Megin!¡± ¨DShe invoked the problematic element addition magic. If she could recite that spell, she could deal with Kazuki easily in close quarter battle. If the vanguard was lost, the party would be routed. But the katana that Kazuki currently held was not [Path WindDoufuu] but the Sacred Treasure he received from the senior knight. Even though he felt that Doufuu was superior in sharpness, this katana possessed a special power. ¡°With this you bastard¡¯s sword skill will be useless!¡± ¡°I wonder about that¡­Don¡¯t think that everything will be the same like before!¡± From Kazuki¡¯s palm, the handle made of plain wood felt like it was breathing, it wanted to absorbed Kazuki¡¯s magic power. Kazuki accepted the Katana''s demand and poured his magic power into it. Thereupon, the Sacred Treasure transmitted it''s [Will] to Kazuki as if it was answering him. The power that this Sacred Treasure had, Kazuki perceived and understood it. Then he chanted the Sacred Treasure¡¯s name like when he was chanting a spell. ¡°Flash, !¡± Raikiri¨Dthe Japanese katana that was said to be able to cut lightning into two, when swung by a master. The same legends existed here and there, so there were several famous swords that took the name of [Raikiri]. The katana that Kazuki held in his hand was one of the swords among them. Beatrix brought down her sword that possessed the lightning that fell from heaven. Kazuki unleashed the power of Raikiri and met the attack. The instant both swords clashed against each other¨Dthe electricity lost its flow and vanished like a mist. ¡°What¡­?¡± Losing its lightning property, Kazuki didn¡¯t try to oppose the strength of Beatrix¡¯s attack that turned into a normal slash and redirected it. Beatrix who was absentminded staggered feebly like in a swimming motion. ¡°¡­To even prepare countermeasure for this¡­¡± Beatrix¡¯s weakness that Kaya pointed ¡­her breadth of tactics was narrow. Kazuki was thoroughly prepared. Even Beatrix¡¯s magic power was whittled down by the attacks of four people. Using the opportunity created by Beatrix¡¯s agitation, Kaya slashed the sword that she held in her right hand . Beatrix glared at Kaya scornfully. ¡°¡­Before having fun in the fight against this lad¡­I¡¯ll reduce the number of the [bothers] first!¡± Beatrix disappeared from Kazuki¡¯s eyes. The destination of her sword was¨DKaya. ¡°Armor Invite!¡± Just before Beatrix¡¯s slash reached Kaya, Kaya summoned a [Cloak of Feather] and lightly danced in the air like a matador sidestepping a bull. Beatrix¡¯s sword cut on empty space. ¡°That cloak of feather¡­that¡¯s Freyja¡¯s [Falcon¡¯s PlumageFiaerhamr]! The guy who could use that cloak of feather as he please, my faith¡¯s Diva knows you and wants to talk! When I thought that the subjugation party was not able to discover you and yet to meet in this kind of place¡­Loki!¡± ¡°Achaa¡­I got exposed. The thing in question isn¡¯t something Freyja used anyway, this feather cloak.¡± While Kaya was dancing in the sky, she winked at Kazuki. That was the sign to use telepathy conversation in the middle of battle. Kazuki opened the wall of his heart, he received the telepathy message and adjusted his posture. {My true color was exposed¡­the opponent will become serious soon you know, Onii-chan! Bother her constantly and don¡¯t let her finish a high level magic!!} To obstruct the enemy from chanting her spell, it was important to inflict damages to her somehow. And in addition to that, it was preferable to attack consecutively several times to annoy her. But before Beatrix became a soldier, she was a fairly high level Magica Stigma. He couldn¡¯t obstruct her spell using a half-hearted attack. Just like what Kaya pointed out, Beatrix started to spin a large magic power inside her. Of course even while chanting her spell, Beatrix also continued fierce attacks toward this side. Kazuki took the stance of Iai in order to exchange swords with Beatrix once again. ¨DSuddenly Beatrix averted her attention away from Kazuki. Beatrix¡¯s target changed¡­to Lotte. Kazuki understood that with Foresight, so he moved even earlier than Beatrix in order to protect Lotte, but¨D ¡°¡­I¡¯m going to accelerate for real¡­can you protect her, lad!¡± ¨DWith explosive superhuman power, Beatrix slipped from Kazuki¡¯s side. She got through!? ¡­Her speed surpassed even his imagination! ¡°Prophet, Blitz!¡± Lotte pulled a net of electricity against Beatrix who came near like a surging wave. ¡°¡­You bastard, what is the meaning of this, how could you use the same magic like that lad¡­?¡± Beatrix stuck it out even while the electricity was hitting her body, and swung her sword down towards Lotte. The [Seusenhofer] that protected Lotte¡¯s body was pulverized in one hit. However, Lotte fired the gatling gun, equipped in her right arm, directly to Beatrix. All the bullets were pretty small but it managed to slow down Beatrix''s advance. In that time Mio¡¯s Barrett flew. In that interval, Lotte chanted her spell with the high speed that marked the forte of Magica Stigma, half possessed by her contracted Diva. ¡°Collider Field!¡± An electromagnetic barrier expanded once more. Beatrix was again stopped by the net of electricity. Finally Kazuki managed to chase Beatrix and interposed himself between her and Lotte. Lotte¡¯s ability had the flexibility to cope with close-quarter combat as much as possible. The four people concentrated their attacks again, Beatrix couldn¡¯t help but interrupt her spell chanting. ¡­If they repeated this, they could win. But, the problem was¡­ Beatrix started the preparation of her high level magic from zero once more. Then, ¡°¡­The one who should be aimed at is not this one¡­but over there!¡± Beatrix¡¯s line of sight moved to Mio. ¡­Mio couldn¡¯t use her Summoning Magic to cope with close-quarter combat like Lotte! Since he had the necessary sword skill to handle Beatrix in close-quarter combat, there was a risk that the opponent would move her target to his comrades. Of course Kazuki had already thought of that. Naturally, he had been aware of the difference in pure speed between him and Beatrix. But as long he had the Foresight ability that was beaten into his body by his stepfather¡¯s training, he could block Beatrix¡¯s route even before she moved. He had the conviction to protect his comrades. However, Foresight¡¯s advantage was overturned mercilessly¨Djust like a swift Forward that pierced through the defense line in a soccer game¨DBeatrix used her explosive acceleration to slip past Kazuki. An overwhelming individual battle strength, to the degree that it overturned tactics. If only he could chant Hiakari-san¡¯s Moves in the Field, he could stop Beatrix. If only he could use Hoshikaze-senpai¡¯s Ride Lightning he could chase Beatrix, if only he could finish his spell chanting promptly like Kaguya-senpai¡­! Those kind of thoughts flashed inside Kazuki¡¯s mind. If only he was stronger¡­! ¡°Self Burning!¡± Mio immediately chanted a defensive magic and prepared for the opponent¡¯s attack. Beatrix swung her sword downwards to Mio. Mio¡¯s flame and Beatrix¡¯s magic sword collided. Before the flame could dissolve the sword, the magic power that covered the sword stole the heat from the flame and cooled the sword using Pyrokinesis to resist. The flame armor and the sword¡¯s magic power offset and erased each other. After an instant of opposition, the flame armor was stamped out and Beatrix¡¯s sword cut Mio up. The light of the defensive magic power scattered, Mio was blown off by the shockwave of the smashed magic. ¡°¡­Blazing Wings!¡± However while Mio received damage, she chanted her spell. Mio flew to the sky using the strongest magic available to her. But for the current Beatrix, even the sky was not a safe area. Beatrix displayed an enhanced jumping power that could reach Mio¡¯s height. Mio mowed Beatrix using the wings of flame. Beatrix defends against that with her Sacred Treasure shield, , fierce slash rained down at the sky. Mio, clad with flame wings was crashing down to the ground in one go, by the destructive power of just that one blow. ¨DBefore comparing the difference in power, including the shield made their compatibility really bad! Kazuki ran while feeling impatient. Lotte¡¯s gatling gun and Kaya¡¯s summoned Demon Beast were attacking Beatrix, but she brushed off those and kept continuing her spell chanting, she approached Mio to pierce her with a finishing blow. The one he needed to protect was not only Lotte. Mio too¡­he absolutely wouldn¡¯t let her get killed! Kazuki charged in between Beatrix and Mio with a really close timing. He redirected Beatrix¡¯s sword with a risky distance. Beatrix who had her sword redirected, grinned broadly. ¡°Onii-chan¡¯s priority order is wrong! Stop her spell chanting even if Mio-chan is cut up!¡± ¡°¡­!¡± The moment he noticed his blunder from Kaya¡¯s rebuke, huge light exploded from the inside of Beatrix¡¯s hand. ¡°Rage and blessing ran together in my war! As the agent of the god of war, I¡¯ll bring down the rage and blessing of life to thy crown¡­Mjollnir!¡± The explosive light intensifying was the mark of the super high level magic, forming into a large hammer with a short handle. The famous giant killing weapon told in legend with it''s military prowess surpassing even Odin, synonymous with the god, Thor himself, . Its boorish appearance was typical of the Norse Mythology, just a plain hammer, however it probably possessed the strongest power in that Mythology. The hammer that boasted inexhaustible destructive power. ¡°You¡¯re more na?ve than I thought, lad. First starting from you¨Dreturn back to Prima MaterialParticles!¡± Beatrix brandished her hammer right before Kazuki¡¯s eyes. ¡°Onii-chan¡­you idiot!¡± Kaya thrusted herself in front of Kazuki while yelling. The Fiaerhamr that covered her body moved like it was protecting its wearer, it defended Kaya¡¯s front part and turned into an enclosing wall. Furthermore, Kaya even set up her Sacred Treasure, Burtgang and attempted to block Mjolnir. ¡°Self Burning!¡± Kazuki immediately chanted a defensive magic. When he realized Kaya stood ahead to cover him, he controlled the flame armor fluidly and transferred it to Kaya. Behind Kazuki too, Mio also took defensive action. Her flame wings that she still maintained were spread wide to its limit as much as possible, it wrapped around Kaya to protect her. A total of four defensive layer. Mjolnir was swung downward against those. Just as soon as they thought that they could hold against it¨Da shockwave sound, resembling an explosion rang out. Their eardrum felt like it would burst just from the noise. Kaya¡¯s Fiaerhamr and Burtgang, both of the Sacred Treasures were smashed by Mjolnir in one breath. The two layer of flame were also pierced easily. And then the last wall¨DKaya¡¯s defensive magic power held against Mjollnir stubbornly. The blue light shone intensely, thereafter, the trio of Kazuki, Kaya, and Mio were blown off by the shockwave. ¡°¡­Kaya!?¡± Inside Kazuki¡¯s mind, the majority of Kaya¡¯s magic power were smashed and her breathing was rough. ¡°¡­I¡¯m okay, I avoided instant death and magic intoxication. As expected, it was not nearly enough to just pile defenses like that. But, there is no second time. Mjolnir is not a magic that is unusable just by using it once¡­¡± Kaya faced Kazuki and laughed provocatively. ¡°By the way and frankly, if Onii-chan attacks me right now and shave off all my magic power, you¡¯d have a chance to exterminate Loki inside me, wouldn¡¯t you?¡± ¡°Right now Kaya is my comrade. ¡­I can¡¯t do that kind of action.¡± ¡°Fufufuu, Onii-chan is na?ve. Really¡­very na?ve.¡± Even though she said so in this kind of time, a floating heart mark flew from Kaya. ¡°¡­Loki. The god I serve has something he wants to talk over with you.¡± Beatrix who was walking here removed her stance and whispered. At her side¨Dan avatar of a giant man was floating. The ideal that the violent Vikings worshiped, a strong muscled soldier with red pupils and a red beard. ¡°It¡¯s not my real intention to subjugate you. Einherjar¡¯s objective is the erasure of Charlotte Liebenfrau, Loki¡¯s subjugation is nothing more than a pretext. It¡¯s only a good opportunity.¡± Thor talked with a grave tone of voice, ¡°Well, if you are going to exterminate me for real, there¡¯d be no leisure to do it frivolously like this.¡± Kaya, who stood from Loki¡¯s standpoint, impudently insulted. ¡°Our chief god, Odin wished to establish a place to talk with you.¡± Kaya warped her expression hearing Thor¡¯s words, and she completely turned angry. ¡°Haa? Are you an idiot? ¡­I¡¯ll tell you what Loki is saying. Do you want a repeat of [The Dispute in the Sea God¡¯s Mansion Lokasenna] again, you sheetty bastard?¡± Kaya yelled the verbal message from Loki intensely, complete with Loki¡¯s own way of talking. ¡°I ain''t got any plans to talk with you! No matter how many times I see you guys'' faces, I¡¯ll always refute, blame, contempt, and defile your inconsistent conduct for sure!! And then, I¡¯ll murder the living sheet of that sheetty idiot Heimdall and that show-off geezer Odin. After that would be your turn, Thor!! The role to disgrace the pride of the ace of the gods is mine!¡± ¡°¡­I thought of you as my friend.¡± ¡°Aaaa, we have a lot of reminiscence huuhh. We crossdressed together huh. ¡­Shuut uppp idiooott! From the beginning I am a giant from Jotunheim! A Half baked place like what you guys have, that is what I hated the most! ¡­Well then! Midgardsormr!¡± That snake was hiding inside the ground again!? At the same time, with Kazuki¡¯s admiration to that shrewdness, a gigantic snake gushed out from the ground. When Kaya leaped and mounted the snake, her expression that was full of anger softened and she faced Kazuki. ¡°Onii-chan, it¡¯s impossible for me to continue the battle, so I¡¯m escaping first. I¡¯ll tell you the last plan from Loki¡­it¡¯s Onii-chan¡¯s naivety that made her equip Mjolnir and caused this desperate situation, but in Onii-chan¡¯s naivety that thought of bonds as something important¡­there is still a chance of winning. You understand right, what he means?¡± ¡°Earth Escape Earth BeastRandom Escape!¡± Kaya and the snake were absorbed into the ground with ¡®zuruzuruzuru!¡¯ and disappeared. Thor¡¯s avatar also disappeared along with Loki¡¯s escape. Looks like he had no interest other than Loki. ¡°Well then¡­now is the time of despair for you who remained here.¡± In her hand was a blunt and shining hammer of legend, Mjolnir. They would be pulverized into Prime Material if they were hit with that, a weapon of absolute destruction. ¡°¡­It¡¯s fine already, Kazuki-oniisan.¡± Lotte interposed between Kazuki and Beatrix while her head was looking down dejectedly. ¡°If that woman got hold of me, Onii-san and Onee-san would be saved right?¡± ¡°Hmm, it¡¯s like that. My mission is to kill you. Though it¡¯s obvious that those two are ignoring their [Order to stay quiet] and came attacking me, but it might turn into a problem later if I kill them.¡± ¡°Then I¡­I¡¯ll resign myself properly¡­¡± Resign¡­that¡¯s what she says? What was she doing¡­to talk about giving up like it was the correct thing to do¡­! Tears were pooling inside Lotte¡¯s eyes, she turned to Kazuki. Her face showed that she had thrown away all hopes to the extent that it pained him. ¡°I have been aware of this all along. I was aware of the feeling of everyone in my family using telepathy, that I brought unhappiness for them. I came to this country forcibly looking for asylum and everyone here had been kind to me since then, but¡­as expected, the black shadow came chasing for me here¡­If it keeps like this, everyone is going to be unhappy¡­¡± ¡°Wait, what are you saying¡­Lotte!¡± Mio raised a strained voice while looking at her back. That¡¯s right, there is no way anyone would agree with something like this. Don¡¯t say it, Kazuki begged. The next words that would come from her lips, Kazuki didn¡¯t want to hear from her. ¡°¡­As I thought, from the beginning, I should stop struggling unsightly and accept my fate of death desu¡­ It was only temporary, but the date was fun desu. Thank you very much¡­¡± ¡°Don¡¯t screw with me! ¡­To have to die even though you didn¡¯t do anything wrong¡­I won¡¯t allow that kind of fate! For Lotte to have to die¡­DON¡¯T GO!¡± Even in the case that Lotte herself gave up, even though it was for my own selfishness, I won¡¯t let her go! Kazuki hugged Lotte¡¯s back who, in despair, walked powerlessly to Beatrix. He forcibly turned that thin and frail body to face him. ¡°It¡¯s okay to not peek at other people¡¯s expression, it¡¯s fine to not doubt whether you deserve happiness or not! All those anxiety and black shadow¨DI¡¯ll never let any of that touch you again!¡± Lotte cried back and leaned against Kazuki with tears flowing. ¡°Why! How could you say that you¡¯d protect me in this kind of situation desu! ¡­How could you say such impossible thing honestly from your heart, to make me hope like this¡­!!¡± That might be so. A powerless human might not have the qualification to say that kind of thing. ¡­I want power. Power to protect those important to me. ¡°Even so¡­I can¡¯t agree to something like this ! I want to protect Lotte!¡± Kazuki¨Dpressed his lips to Lotte. He kissed her in one breath and separated their lips. ¡°Kiss of oath¡­what Onii-san said before, that it was only for an important person that you bet your whole life to protect¡­¡± She recalled it, the explanation about kiss that Kazuki spoke of before, Lotte whispered absentmindedly. That moment, raging heat ran through Kazuki¡¯s left hand to his whole body. The heat was connected to Lotte¨Dchanging into circuits of magic power, there the Diva¡¯s¨Dthe essence of power of the ProphetDiva that even the Diva himself lost sight of, it headed to Kazuki and flowed into him. ¡°Lad, you bastard¡­what did you do just now, what is happening!? What in the world is that power¡­!?¡± ¡°Lotte¡­don¡¯t say words like giving up for a second time! ¡­Shem ha MeforashI know thy true name!!¡± The spell that appeared in his head¨DChant it! ¡°Thy true name is¡­Prometheus! Oh you who had savored both the height of pride and the lowest of hardships! In accordance with my life, show me that wisdom!!¡± At Kazuki¡¯s side¨DPrometheus whose form was a young boy until now materialized as a man in the prime of his life with a huge build. Prometheus the Titan. Even while he was a titan, at the Titanomachia between the gods of Olympus and the Titans, he foresaw the victory of the gods. The sage of wisdom at the side of the gods of Olympus. After that, following Zeus¡¯s command, he created the human race from the life of the earth, the father of everything. The first humans didn¡¯t even have furs or fangs, they were pitiful beings that did nothing but be afraid of the cold and the beasts. Prometheus disobeyed Zeus¡¯s command and granted the fire of civilization and spoken words to humankind, he was [a person with even more compassion than god]. For that, Prometheus bore a long torture as punishment, and he was to be continuously detested by Zeus. And in order to grant suffering to humans, Zeus directed Pandora to cause heavy floods. ¨DHowever, humans, they who received strength from you who was in no way a god had never regret it in the least. Owing to those things you provided to humans, we could help each other and be able to live, the connection of bonds gave birth to infinite hopes. For all those reason right now once more¨Dlend me your power. Your power¡­I swear I won¡¯t use it for the wrong things! For the natural desire as a human, so Lotte could believe¡­! ¡°Oh BasilleusKing who lived for the sake of others, naturally, I will lend you my power.¡± The titan Prometheus narrowed his silver eyes and gently smiled. ¡°Prometheus of the Greek Mythology¡­unthinkable big shot from the Chaos Side is coming out here! So that guy is this lad contracted Diva! Interesting¡­let¡¯s see that strength!!¡± ¡°Oh seer who became father, if you discover hope in my future¡­cast the weapon to this hand for the sake of opening up the future! ¡­Fire of CivilizationOlympia Forger!!¡± Prometheus lit up a silver light of magic power. That was the magic power that was going through the circuit into Kazuki¡¯s soul and hailed each other. Prometheus¡¯ silver body flickered like a giant flame itself, and was absorbed into the katana in Kazuki¡¯s hand, . That huge magic power changed its form into the most suitable [Weapon] according to Kazuki¡¯s soul. Prometheus¡¯ ultimate magic was [Weapon Creation]. He grasped it, and without meaning to, a smile floated in his face. The weapon that Prometheus brought forth to Kazuki was¨Da Japanese katana. A katana that was the exact match if Kazuki himself imagined his own ideal blade. In its scabbard and handle, there were no ornaments at all, a very simple shape. It was so familiar, like he had already grasped this katana from the time he was born to now. Kazuki gripped the katana tightly and confronted Beatrix. ¡°Let¡¯s separate from Mio and Lotte. This will become a fight so dangerous if they were mixed up into it.¡± Beatrix laughed pleasantly hearing Kazuki¡¯s exaggerated words. ¡°Fufufu, soldier to soldier, facing each other in an interesting battle. My soul would be invited to Valhalla even if I were to die here, by no means I would regret that end. ¡­Let¡¯s go lad!¡± Beatrix stepped forward while brandishing Mjolnir. Kazuki drew the Japanese katana, he received from Prometheus, from its scabbard and met her attack. The hammer¡¯s direct hit and the katana¡¯s Iai draw clashed. Vast magic powers were clashing, those magic power waves distorted ¡®gunyari¡¯ the surrounding space. ¡°A low grade weapon that is only the embodiment of a human¡¯s soul¨Dno way it could go against [Thor¡¯s Hammer]!¡± An instant, Kazuki could feel the other side¡¯s pressure exceeded him. However¨D ¡°Inside me, my father¡¯s¡­human¡¯s technique exists!¡± Toward the other side¡¯s pressure that slightly exceeded him, Kazuki controlled his katana''s blade delicately and redirected it. Beatrix hit empty air and gouged a huge crater in the shopping arcade. Kazuki¡¯s Instant Positioning destroyed Beatrix¡¯s posture. However, before Kazuki could slash his blade a second time, she fixed her posture forcibly by the usage of reinforcement magic. Thereafter, from the position of fifty-fifty, the katana and hammer collided. ¡°¡­So it¡¯s even!¡± Beatrix raised a voice dyed in delight. Along with the tremendous energy Mjolnir produced, Prometheus¡¯ magic katana also amplified Kazuki¡¯s magic power dozens of times and resisted back. Kazuki was redirecting and as Beatrix retaliated with brute force, technique and strength met for the second times, third times, clashing against each other. Kazuki looked for the instant where his opponent would show an opening, while Beatrix used herculean strength to press Kazuki. That moment of offense and defense¨D ¡°Kuh!¡± Kazuki couldn¡¯t redirect Beatrix¡¯s pressure, and his posture staggered. ¡°Got you!¡± Without overlooking that opening, Beatrix let Mjolnir loose toward Kazuki¡¯s flesh body. ¨DJust exactly according to Kazuki¡¯s invitation. ¡°¡­Oh immortal bird who soar from dusk till dawn, bestow those wings of hope on my back! Destruction for the sake of rebirth right here! Blazing Wings!¡± From the posture where he couldn¡¯t possibly do something like retaliation, Kazuki created wings on his back and flew. Beatrix¡¯s single attack with her whole strength was caught by surprise perfectly and hit the empty air. ¡°The bonds that I have, is not only one!¡± Immediately following the level 10 magic, he chanted the level 5 magic while holding his consciousness which was currently in a precarious state. Kazuki shouted like he was cheering himself . ¡°UOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!¡± ¡°Multiple type summoning magic!? Lad, don¡¯t tell me¡­you bastard is this country¡¯s !?¡± Light was emitted from the sword that was slashed diagonally, starting from Beatrix¡¯s shoulder. The Japanese katana that was the personification of Kazuki¡¯s soul didn¡¯t cut Beatrix¡¯s flesh, it only destroyed her magic power and Beatrix fell into magic intoxication. She fell down like a doll with her string cut. The wings of flame vanished scattering grains of light, the Japanese katana that was blessed with Prometheus¡¯ divine protection returned back to Raikiri. While making sure of Beatrix¡¯s defeat, Kazuki felt an intense mental fatigue, he fell to his knee while landing in that place. Lotte approached that Kazuki¡¯s back and hugged him tightly. Wordlessly, Lotte leaked out sobbing voices. ¡°¡­You understood right? There is no need for you to feel any kind of uneasiness anymore.¡± Toward those words that Kazuki squeezed out, Lotte replied with ¡°Thank you so much.¡± ¡°¡­What should I do, the hollow me who came to this country¡­Onii-chan had became everything inside this hollow me already.¡± While crying, she told Kazuki while blushing. Mio walked near the two people. ¡°Kazuki¡­what in the world is your ability?¡± Chapter 2.6.1 — Raid Night Volume 2 Chapter 6 - Raid Night Part 1 A staff meeting was abruptly called. ¡°The report that Beatrix was defeated by Hayashizaki Kazuki¡¯s hand has come in.¡± Headmaster Otonashi informed the Magic Division¡¯s staff that had gathered. ¡°Beatrix¡¯s life is not in a life threatening condition, but it seems she has fallen into magic intoxication. A request from Hayashizaki¡¯s party had reached the Knight Order to recover Beatrix. ¡­When the Einherjars were notified, they demanded an explanation from us as to what had happened. Why did our students become an obstacle to them?¡± With this information, Headmaster Otonashi explained why he called for this special staff meeting. Liz Liza had never thought that he would especially call for a meeting like this. ¡°The students protected Lotte on their own accord in an unfortunate accident, there is no other way other than telling them that right?¡± It was not delightful news for Germany, but in this matter that couldn¡¯t be helped. [Unfortunate accident didn¡¯t happen.] It was not a story where they could take responsibility. It was not an unfortunate accident in the first place. However, Headmaster Otonashi shook his head slowly while pushing his forehead with his index finger. ¡°It would end with that explanation if it were students. There won¡¯t be any kind of responsibility for us. If it were students, we would spend all of the power available to us to protect them. But in this current situation, the problem was that the illegal magician entrusted to our academy brought about harm to the knight of Einherjar, who then abducted the personage of Charlotte Leibenfrau. It was an illegal magician who did this.¡± Liz Liza¡¯s complexion changed. By no means, was it Hayashizaki Kazuki who he referred to as an illegal magician? ¡°¡­Regarding the unidentified Diva that Hayashizaki Kazuki is contracted with, the risk is supposed to be minimal. He is a student that we should protect. By no means is he an illegal magician or such¡­¡± It was true that Hayashizaki Kazuki had a contract with a different Diva than Solomon 72 Pillar¡­he was an illegal magician in the eyes of the law. However, the matter developed where they couldn¡¯t carelessly meddle with him. This is because Lemegeton introduced herself as the Demon King who supervised Solomon 72 Pillar. ¡°If he is a harmless existence, we could watch him as long as we like, but he defeated the ace of the Einherjar. This couldn¡¯t be considered an easy-going matter anymore.¡± The conference room stirred with voices of confusion towards Headmaster Otonashi¡¯s words. But to consider him a danger because he was powerful enough to defeat Beatrix¨Dno matter how they looked at it, the impression that the decision was over-rushed didn¡¯t change. Hayashizaki Kazuki couldn¡¯t be said to be an honor student, he was just a normal student. There wasn¡¯t supposed to be any reason to doubt him that much. ¡°What tomfoolery is this. How can you reach that kind of conclusion? There isn¡¯t even enough material to doubt him.¡± ¡°¡­A report came in that the other day, at the quest that Hayashizaki Kazuki¡¯s party undertook, he illegally picked up a Sacred Treasure. The knights that happened to be present at that time, demanded him to hand over the Sacred Treasure but he resisted, the knights even ended up injured.¡± ¡°Illegal possession of Sacred Treasure¡­? Resisting¡­? How stupid, there is no way Hayashizaki Kazuki would¡­¡± ¡°The emotion to want to believe the pupil you are in charge of is very noble isn¡¯t it?¡± Headmaster Otonashi returned her words with a mocking tone. That brief comment had controlled the atmosphere of the conference room with the exception of Liz Liza. The other teachers, who despite the fact that Hayazhizaki Kazuki had amassed the image of a normal student that could be trusted, became scared when they imagined his hidden side. How foolish¡­ No, in the first place why were the knights dispatched to a quest with such low level of difficulty? Right now, weren¡¯t all the knights in the metropolis grouped into Loki¡¯s subjugation teams? What in the world was this unnaturalness? Impossible. Such things weren¡¯t supposed to be done to Hayashizaki Kazuki and Lemegeton. Was there any schemer behind the scene¡­? Could it be¡­someone with bottomless ill will toward a person who introduced himself as King!? ¡°Including the matter of [repulsing Beatrix¡¯s attack], the Knight Order demanded this academy to take responsibility. The students took action on their own accord¡­we couldn¡¯t say that anymore. We have to apprehend Hayashizaki Kazuki and Charlotte, and hand over Charlotte¡¯s personage to Germany. After that, we are going to apply temporary sealing measures to Hayashizaki Kazuki and banish him to the Sword Division.¡± The situation had automatically progressed to the worst point. ¨DThe conclusion moved in the direction where Hayashizaki Kazuki and Lotte couldn¡¯t be saved anymore. ¡°¡­Lemegeton is a Diva that is possibly connected to Solomon 72 Pillar. If we meddle unskillfully to that contract connection, there would be concern of the deterioration of our relation with Solomon 72 Pillar.¡± Headmaster Otonashi¡¯s expression changed for the first time after he heard what Liz Liza pointed out, ¡°Fu, fufufu¡± his shoulders was shaking. ¡°A 15 year old kid is a King, there is no reason to believe such a stupid talk. The Diva who pretend to be Lemegeton, whispering sweet words to the ear of a 15 year old boy when at that age they tend to dream about stupid things, that this boy could become a king. This is just a stupid trick. ¡­But for the moment, we still have some allowance to wait and see. That¡¯s why, now when it¡¯s still an internal problem of this academy, we can deal with this without much fuss by banishing the problem to the Sword Division. After that, we could perform the slowly to transfer the stigmata into a more reliable person than Hayashizaki Kazuki, we could investigate the true identity of that Diva better.¡± Stigmata Transplanting Operation¡­? But that technique had the risk of breaking down the mind of the person who had their Stigmata taken out. Such inhumane path of research like this should have been discontinued. Because the Stigmata was connected to the mind of the contractor even up to their atomic particles, there was no way to conveniently take out only the Stigmata. From Liz Liza¡¯s side, board chairman Amasaki started to speak like he was trying to convince himself somewhere deep inside. ¡°If it¡¯s now, everything could be solved just by banishing Hayashizaki Kazuki to the Sword Division. It¡¯s unfortunate about Charlotte Liebenfrau, but¡­she is not a student of this academy¡­¡± According to the law, Hayashizaki Kazuki was a criminal. Any objection couldn¡¯t change that. Liz Liza kept silent. What could she do by herself? Headmaster Otonashi made the verdict. ¡°If there is even a little suspicion¡­that was the agreement right from the beginning. From now, starting immediately, I order the strongest Magica Stigma of the academy¨DOtonashi Kaguya to take the quest of apprehending Hayashizaki Kazuki and Charlotte Liebenfrau.¡± That kind of stupid action¡­Liz Liza¡¯s mind turned pure white. Even though Otonashi Kaguya was very affectionate toward Hayashizaki Kazuki. For such an order to be handed down by Otonashi Kaguya¡¯s own father¡­ ¡°The magic you can use increases along with the rise of the positivity level and when you kiss someone, you¡¯ll be able to use their magic even up to level 10 temporarily for one time¡­?¡± Mio and Lotte were dumbfounded at Kazuki¡¯s explanation. ¡°But I didn¡¯t kiss Lotte just for the sake of power okay? I did it with proper determination¡­¡± ¡°It¡¯s okay desu, I understand that well desu, Onii-san.¡± The girl had the power of telepathy. She understood Kazuki¡¯s real intention. ¡°Besides, I didn''t hate it at all to be kissed¡­¡± Mio¡¯s expression turned disagreeable looking at Lotte whose cheeks were blushing. ¡°For the sake of protecting Lotte, even kissing her with the determination to keep protecting her¡­certainly that was, when you have that kind of ability, in that kind of situation there was no other way except to kiss her, but, really, why it must be a kiss¡­¡± Mio moaned ¡°Uuuuu¡± and pouted. ¡°Then if I¡¯m the one who is in the same situation, Kazu-nii would also protect me properly right? And, and then Kazu-nii would also¡­kiss me?¡± ¡°Of course I will protect Mio. Now that you mention it¡­I, I already kissed you, you know?¡± ¡°¡­Eh?¡± ¡°Before this, when Loki¡¯s attack hit you, so I could protect Mio¡­¡± ¡°Wait a second! I don¡¯t remember that! I don¡¯t remember that at all!?¡± ¡°That was¡­Mio was already dead at that time.¡± Mio pressed her own lips, her face turned red when she thought about the truth that she was already kissed, then her face turned pale white in despair when she realized that matter had all happened when she was not conscious. Her expression alternated between blushing and paling. ¡°I, I remember seeing a dream of being kissed, but¡­that was¡­that had actually happened¡­? But, but that¡¯s bad, I won¡¯t consent with that!! I also want to do it properly, if Kazu-nii said that you will protect me, then I want you to swear it once again right now right here !¡± ¡°But right here¡­that¡¯s¡­¡± Seeing Kazuki who shrinked back, Lotte spouted out ¡°Puh¡±. ¡°That¡¯s right Onii-san¡­It doesn''t count if you gave your oath when the person concerned was not conscious desu.¡± Lotte said something to support Mio. Mio demanded again while glaring at Kazuki with resentful eyes. ¡°Right now in this place¡­I want you to kiss me. If you don¡¯t do it, then I won¡¯t believe whatever Kazu-nii is saying about how you consider me as a special person. ¡­I mean, if you had already done it once then it¡¯s not a big deal to do it again right!?¡± Kiss Mio once more¡­ That was a deep and significant action that he wouldn''t be able to take back again. It had already reached the point where any excuses wouldn''t be heard anymore¡­ But even so, right now, it was not only the demand from Mio that pushed Kazuki, Mio¡¯s lips had the magic power to fascinate Kazuki¡¯s heart. ¡°Onii-san¡­I don¡¯t mind desu. I will believe Onii-san no matter what happens, so I¡¯m satisfied desu.¡± Lotte¡¯s word became the feeling that pushed him so, Kazuki took Mio¡¯s chin with his hand. Mio trembled in surprise and closed her eyes. Kazuki resolved himself and kissed Mio. It was a soft and warm sensation incomparable with anything he ever experienced until now. When their lips separated, Mio stared at Kazuki dazedly, then finally she laughed ¡°hehehe¡± when she came back to herself. ¡°Kazu-niii!¡± Then Mio hugged Kazuki happily¨Dafter that she also returned the kiss from herself to Kazuki. ¡°Yo, you, that kiss just now¡­¡± ¡°But you know, Kazu-nii protecting me is not just a one-sided affair. Because I¡¯ll also protect Kazu-nii! That¡¯s why¡­I will also swear with this kiss¡­¡± A heart mark floated from Mio. When she felt satisfied, she gently separated their body from each other. ¡°Then I will also protect Kazuki-oniisan with my all!¡± In the next moment Lotte stretched herself to Kazuki and kissed him. Wa, wait a minute, what is this situation!? How could it be in this short time he had already received so many kisses from two girls¡­! This kind of thing is completely like¡­! {Kazuki¡­you are, right in this moment, showing off your real face as the harem King!} Mio hugged Kazuki¡¯s right arm with a pouting face. Thereupon Lotte hugged Kazuki¡¯s left arm. Both of their positivity level floated in front of Kazuki¡¯s eyes. Amasaki Mio¨D132 Lotte¨D100 ¡°Well¡­we are a party that protected each other¡¯s back in the end. ¡­Fo, for now we still couldn''t be said as something like lovers.¡± ¡°Then I¡¯ll kiss Mio-oneesan too.¡± ¡°Eh!? I, I don¡¯t wanna. Even though I had finally kiss with Kazu-nii¡­Wait, I said wait!¡± Lotte played around by chasing Mio who was running away. ¡°¡­Even so, the Knight Order hasn''t come yet huh.¡± Kazuki changed the topic while moving his line of sight to Beatrix who was still faint. If the Knight Order doesn''t come to collect her quickly, they won¡¯t be able to return home to the Witch¡¯s Mansion. When he thought about Beatrix suddenly waking up like a zombie, he felt really uneasy. They started fighting at 4 o¡¯clock, the evening passed as if it was Ragnarok, and when they noticed, the curtain of the night had already descended. The street lights illuminated the empty arcade. ¡°The Knight Order won¡¯t come¡­so we arrived in their place.¡± ¡°¡­Kaguya-senpai? Why are you here?¡± The figures who appeared at the entrance of the shopping arcade were Kaguya-senpai in her magic dress and Torazou-senpai. ¡­Did senpai come in place of the Knight Order to collect Beatrix? ¡°A quest was handed over to me you know, Otouto-kun.¡± She talked from the other side of the night. What is this [quest] senpai was talking about? Right now there was no problem at all in this place. The Haunted Ground had been liberated, Beatrix had been defeated¡­ What kind of quest was handed down to Kaguya-senpai? In front of the bewildered Kazuki¨DTorazou-senpai drew his katana and magic power started to be generated from Kaguya-senpai. ¡°Kazuki¡­why did you do something like that!? Was my trust to you misplaced!?¡± Torazou-senpai¡­what is he saying!? ¡°Oh formless and mute shadow, transform into fish that swim in the darkness of delusion! The origin of nightmare, vicissitudes of materialism, answer and swallow the hope and terror¡­! Darkness of the Bottom of ShadowDeep Specter!¡± Kaguya-senpai¡¯s summoning magic¨Dmade it really clear¨Dthat it targeted Kazuki. ¡°Senpai! Why!?¡± ¡°I¡¯m sorry but¡­it will be just a little painful.¡± At the same time with senpai¡¯s verdict, from the underfoot of Kazuki¨Da gigantic monster of shadow rose up. Kazuki perceived the flow of the magic power of the monster that was made from lumps of magic power, he Foresighted its movement and he evaded, then he drew out his Iai. He smashed the shadow monster into small pieces with his slash. ¡°What, what the hell is this!?¡± ¡°¡­Prophet, Fire!¡± Mio fell into panic while watching Kazuki and Kaguya-senpai alternately in distress, Lotte determined the situation quickly and rattled the shadow monster with her gatling gun¡¯s bullets. However, Torazou-senpai stepped towards Lotte and attacked her. She couldn''t stop Torazou-senpai¡¯s charge with her gatling gun. In that interval, Kaguya-senpai finished her chant with astonishing speed. ¡°My wicked thoughts is filled with curses, I prayed in earnest for thy¡¯s pain¡­ I feel no shame for my ominous thoughts! The Hatred of Fruitless Flower Feel Pain!¡± The magic to inflict hallucination of pain to the opponent! The bullet of curse flew not to Kazuki but to Lotte. ¡°Aa, UAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!¡± Hallucination of pain that couldn''t even be imagined by the one watching outside was¨Dattacking Lotte until she couldn''t keep on her feet, she screamed while her body was shaking all over. Given that chance, Torazou-senpai attempted to pursue her. ¡°¡­Barrett!¡± Torazou-senpai ate the hastily chanted Barrett by Mio and got blown away. ¡°Senpai¡­why!¡± Kazuki screamed while feeling the anger because of Lotte¡¯s pain. ¡°We have to arrest Lotte-chan and¡­she will die in the hands of Germany. That¡¯s why I must let Lotte-chan escape. I will let you get away. But if you become an obstacle in Otouto-kun¡¯s arrest, I will let you taste a little pain.¡± Kaguya-senpai coldly informed Lotte. Lotte who crouched in pain, raised her head sternly even with tears amassing in her eyes. ¡°No desu! I will also help Onii-san!!¡± Chapter 2.6.2 — Raid Night Volume 2 Chapter 6 - Raid Night Part 2 Kaguya senpai will arrest me¡­? ¡°I have to¡­I have to bear this duty! There is no one else other than me!!¡± Kaguya-senpai informed Kazuki with a tormented expression filled with a sense of duty. {Leme! Is Asmodeus¡¯ magic going to be effective against me too!?} {A contract is a contract. Since she was contracted, the contracted Diva will lend the power the contractor requested without question regardless of the contractor¡¯s purpose. Though if they use the power granted to them in the most foolish manner, the Solomon 72 Pillar will stop forming contract with any Japanese people.} A tone of obvious disappointment colored Leme¡¯s voice. The Solomon 72 Pillar was still in the stage of making sure if there was any worth in cooperating with this country. Now was still nothing more than a [testing] stage. ¡°Senpai! This is a misunderstanding!! How could this turn into such messed up situation!?¡± ¡°Kazuki! ¡­Get arrested obediently! That is the best you can do!!¡± Torazou-senpai attacked Kazuki with an enraged yell. Kazuki redirected the attacking sword with Instant Positioning¨Dthere he felt the presence of the shadow monster from his back opening its big mouth. ¡­Damn! He couldn''t avoid it! Half of Kazuki¡¯s body¨Dits left side was bitten by the monster, Kazuki¡¯s magic power that was exhausted in the fight with Beatrix was smashed. There was no other way than to make Senpai powerless! Kazuki turned to senpai and dashed, he drew out his Iai. ¡°Oi¡­the current you facing against a magician that could use Asmodeus skillfully¡­it¡¯s pretty bad news!¡± Leme¡¯s warning voice felt so far away. It didn''t enter his mind. ¡°Without hesitation of getting hurt myself when cursing thy¡­the mutual pain is my pleasure! Cry and scream in the mirror reflection! Jet Black Self MutilationSuicide Black!¡± The moment Kazuki cut Kaguya-senpai, Kaguya-senpai¡¯s body was covered with black mist¨Da defense magic of some kind. The moment the tip of the sword gouged the inside of the black mist, a burning pain ran through Kazuki¡¯s chest up to his whole body. The pain felt like his own body was cut up by a katana! ¡°GUAAAAAAAAAAAA!¡± He was cut!? When he looked down on his own body, there was not a single wound happened. ¡­Phantom pain? The damage was zero, however this defense magic was¡­a defense magic that reflected only the pain as it was to the opponent!? In the pause when Kazuki was stopped by the pain, Kaguya-senpai slid away and chanted more spells. Fast chant. Kazuki tried to chase her, but Torazou-senpai forced his way through between them. ¡°Barrett!¡± Mio¡¯s Barrett blew away Torazou-senpai once again. However because of Torazou-senpai¡¯s obstruction, Kazuki couldn¡¯t reach Kaguya-senpai¨Dher summoning magic was already invoked. ¡°Oh the whisper of the god of death that awaited the visitor impatiently, echo widely and deeply, dyed the whole dream with pain! The evil sound of sadism resounded! Double Sense of PainUltra Violence!!¡± The moment that magic was invoked, something like a sound wave was produced from Kaguya-senpai, a siren-like voice was echoing inside Kazuki¡¯s head. That voice doubled the [pain] Kazuki is experiencing. ¡°¨D!!¡± He raised a scream where even the voice couldn''t come out, it was not only Kazuki that was feeling the pain of being shredded from [Suicide Black], Lotte who was attacked with illusionary pain from [Feel Pain] also suffered and writhed on the ground. So senpai was¡­specializing in this kind of magic¡­! ¡°¡­Kazuki-oniisan¡­! TranceSeize your own mind using telepathy, this pain could be reduced by tightening your wall of heart!¡± Lotte shouted such to Kazuki even while bearing her own suffering. However¡­Kazuki didn¡¯t excel in telepathy to the level of Lotte. It was a field that he was rather poor at. ¡°The desire lurking inside the sea of the heart, stretch that hand pass the sinful flesh! Oh avatar of violation, entangle your desire! Desire Tentacles!¡± The ground was ripped by Kaguya-senpai¡¯s magic, gigantic tentacles rose up from the inside. The tentacles bounded the hands and feet of the bewildered Mio, Lotte and Kazuki who were writhing in pain. Senpai chanted a spell further while staring coldly at Kazuki and the others who couldn''t move anymore. This was senpai¡¯s¡­the Nightmare Bringer¡¯s fighting style¡­ If they, who couldn''t release themselves quickly from this tentacles, received the brutal high level Summoning Magic from Kaguya Senpai like the sure kill magic, [Hell Imaginary }FireGernica]¡­! ¡°The five star that shine in the interstice of life and death, spin, spin, pillaged by the whim of the god of death, turn into a silent miserable clay doll! ¡­Great Circle of Neighboring DeathNear Death Roulette!!¡± The magic that was invoked in the end of the long chant was not an attack magic. Weapon creation magic¨DIn both of Kaguya-senpai¡¯s hands, she held a scythe with blade spreading to both sides. But that was not supposed to be a normal scythe! Kaguya-senpai drew near unnoticed like a god of death, she cut Lotte and Mio with a rotation of the scythe. The second they were cut¨Dchanges happened to both of them. ¡°What, what is this!? The body¡¯s sense, this is like anaesthesia¡­!¡± ¡°!? My eyes cannot see! Kazuki-oniisan!! Where are you!?¡± Mio and Lotte screamed because of the mysterious effects. Kaguya-senpai also pointed the scythe to Kazuki. ¡°Self Burning!¡± Just barely in time, Kazuki burned away the tentacles that bind him with the flame armor that covered his body. ¡­But his magic power was dried up using this level 3 magic, his consciousness blurred and almost got carried to Astrum. Kazuki barely stopped it at his limit, he then cut away the tentacles that tied up Mio and Lotte. However, Lotte''s eyes couldn''t see anything anymore, she was already in a condition that was unfit to continue fighting. Mio too, her body was wrapped with a sense of discomfort. ¡°The thing that was stolen from Mio-chan was her sense of touch. Only that much won¡¯t stop her resistance, so I will keep cutting her until she can¡¯t fight anymore¡­!¡± Kaguya-senpai cut Mio with scythe even further. ¡°Kazu-nii¡­I can¡¯t see anything¡­I can''t feel¡­!¡± This time Mio¡¯s sight was also locked inside the darkness, she cowered down in fright. ¡°STOP!¡± ¡°Ototou-kun¡­this scythe will rob one of human¡¯s five senses randomly with each strike, the sixth strike will disconnect their magic power. Even if Otouto-kun is the opponent, if I have the resolution to hit you at the cost of getting hit myself, won¡¯t this scythe reach you?¡± Kaguya-senpai explained her ability intentionally like she was trying to threaten Kazuki. There was no mistake that her word was filled with implication to restrain him. That scythe and the black mist was senpai¡¯s deterrence against close-quarter combat. But there would be no chance of victory against senpai if he tried to trade Summoning Magic from long distance, so¡­the only way left for survival lies in close-quarter combat! Kazuki stepped into Kaguya-senpai¡¯s range with all his strength and slashed his katana. Kaguya-senpai didn¡¯t even attempt to dodge and received the attack stoically like a scarecrow. His hand confirmed the feedback of the smashed magic on her. But similar with Beatrix, senpai also reduced the damage by controlling her magic power. ¨DAnd then separated from that, the pain was reflected back to Kazuki. ¡°GUUUUU!¡± Without a moment¡¯s delay, the scythe that senpai boasted with would be able to hit him as long she was resolved to receive hit on her own self, swung at Kazuki. Kazuki was barely able to Foresight the trajectory of the scythe. While his head felt like it was ripped open by the illusionary pain, he managed to evade by tumbling over. Kaguya-senpai looked down with a cold gaze at Kazuki who was rolling on the ground. ¡°¡­Ultra Violence.¡± The evil sound that doubled the agony reverberated once again, Kazuki escaped from Kaguya-senpai¡¯s close range while feeling like he would go crazy from the agony. With this, he let go the means of survival and the chance to discover the opportunity, from his own hand. ¡°¡­I want to play around more with Otouto-kun, raising the positivity level higher, then when you become even stronger I want to fight you. Since defeating Hikaru-chan, it has been a long time that someone appeared that could become my rival¡­yet why did it end up like this?¡± Kaguya-senpai approached slowly with the scythe in one hand like a god of death. If he was cut by that scythe¡­its over. ¡°¡­Stop the approach of resentful enemy, hasten the step of the chosen one¡­ Oh divine protection of mermaid, grant me the blade to dance on the ice! Moves in the Field!¡± Suddenly a cool and clear voice like transparent ice rang out. The magic that was invoked¨Dfroze Kaguya-senpai¡¯s step, her move was sealed. And then Koyuki who came sliding in the ground picked up Lotte, who had fallen to the state unfit for battle. ¡°Kazuki, please pick up Amasaki-san!¡± When Koyuki shouted that, ice boots fixed with ice edge similar with Koyuki also generated at Kazuki¡¯s feet. ¡°¡­Hiakari-san!? You come to help us!?¡± ¡°Kazuki, let¡¯s escape! ¡­We absolutely cannot win against this person!!¡± Koyuki dashed to the entrance of the shopping mall, nimbly like an ice-skater, from Kaguya-senpai and Torazou-san who couldn¡¯t run easily on top of the ice. Kazuki asked her while following along. ¡°What in the world is going on?¡± ¡°There is suspicion regarding Kazuki¡¯s action in the quest, so it was decided that you will be treated as an illegal magician. Because doubt has arisen once more toward your unidentified Diva¡­a transplanting operation will be conducted to your stigmata, then you will be transferred to the Sword Division where your progress will be observed for a while. Kaguya-senpai was handed the quest for that.¡± The stigmata would be removed¡­! Does that mean the contract with Leme would be snatched away!? ¡°However rather than a transfer to the Sword Division, Kaguya-senpai just came suddenly and attacked us.¡± Even though if she just said to them upfront that this is the academy¡¯s decision¡­Kazuki could have consented peacefully from the beginning. ¡°The quest that was handed to Kaguya-senpai is to [arrest Hayashizaki Kazuki and Charlotte].¡± ¡°!¡± ¡­To catch Lotte and hand her over to Germany means that her life would be in danger. ¡°That¡¯s why Kaguya-senpai probably thought to report something like this, [because of Hayashizaki Kazuki¡¯s resistance, Hayashizaki Kazuki was arrested but Charlotte had escaped]. That was why she suddenly attacked Kazuki to make you resist. That¡¯s the script that senpai chased after.¡± ¡°Koyuki-chan¡­as I thought, you had eavesdropped the quest that I received. But I never thought that Koyuki-chan of all people will do something this reckless¡­¡± Even though she was supposed to be unable to chase them because of the frozen surface¨Dbut Kaguya-senpai¡¯s voice came from their back. ¡°Even though I intended to finish this without pulling over Hikaru-chan and Koyuki-chan and Kana-chan.¡± When they looked over their shoulders to the voice that was dyed with fierce determination, Kaguya-senpai and Torazou-san were riding on top of tentacles and came chasing them. From the tip of the tentacle that had stretched to their limit on top of the ice, Kaguya-senpai immediately chanted [Desire Tentacles], and then she leaped to the next tentacles that grew out from the ice-covered surface, this chase looked like a baton relay. ¡°After all isn''t this the best solution? If we take care of it as an internal problem of the academy, everything will end with just Otouto-kun losing his stigmata and transferring to the Sword Division! If I don¡¯t do this¡­Otouto-kun will really be treated as a criminal!!¡± But if they were caught like this¨DLotte would be alone once more! It would also affect the decision of the Solomon 72 Pillar that was evaluating Japan! However even if they kept running like this with Hiakari-san¡­where in the world were they going to run? ¡°I refuse! There should be some other solution than this¡­Ice Buster!¡± While sliding, Koyuki invoked Vepar¡¯s level 6 magic. The ice mountain directly hit the tentacles that Kaguya-senpai was riding in to pursue Kazuki and the others fiercely. There was no mercy. All those pain¨Dwas reflected back to Koyuki. ¡°Kuu¡­! ¡­I refuse¡­I already, don¡¯t want to part with¡­! Even if everyone betrayed me¡­even though I¡¯m a monster, I won¡¯t start the betrayal from my own side!!¡± Even while enduring the pain, Koyuki kept crashing the ice mountains one after another to Kaguya-senpai. ¡°¡­Koyuki-chan¡­if you cherished Otouto-kun that much¡­it would be nice if you had become honest earlier. Running away aimlessly, struggling unsightly in the ground¡­isn¡¯t Koyuki-chan supposed to hate things like that the most?¡± Kaguya-senpai¡¯s voice could be heard from the other side of the black mist and the defensive magic power. ¡°Senpai as well¡­weren''t you crying when you received the quest from the phone! Don¡¯t just act composed by yourself!!¡± Kaguya-senpai¡¯s expression that appeared from the other side of the black mist was distorted in sorrow. ¡°¡­Ultra Violence!¡± ¡°aAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!¡± Koyuki who couldn''t maintain her skating was tumbling over on the ice surface. Lotte too was dropped from her arm and tumbled around. ¡°Hiakari-san!¡± Watching that, Kazuki couldn''t continue to run away alone and stopped in place. Kaguya-senpai who was struck by all the ice mountain approached them leisurely while riding on the tentacles. ¡°I am not that na?ve you know? The sweet dream is already over. Otouto-kun, give up your game of raising positivity level with that Diva.¡± ¡­Although I also want to be captured by you. Such a small whisper was carried in by the night breeze and could be heard faintly. {Isn''t this quite a terrible situation, don¡¯t make such pitiful face hey, Kaguya. Because of the contract, I¡¯ll lend you power if you ask for it, but¡­you know that your desire won¡¯t come true with this kind of conclusion, isn''t that right?} Suddenly Asmodeus materialized in Kaguya-senpai¡¯s side even without getting called. ¡°Be silent. ¡­The truth is I¡¯m always not in the position of needing any desire.¡± {Hee, is this what you call human?} Asmodeus¡¯ form vanished leaving behind a spitting voice. ¡°Sorry¡­Otouto-kun.¡± ¡°Wait, you evil Magica Stigma! As long as this one exist, one¡¯s self won¡¯t permit this kind of atrocity!!¡± ¡­A voice that was totally unable read the atmosphere at all. From the back alley of the arcade, the figure of an unexpected character appeared. ¡°¡­Kohaku? Hikita Kohaku!? How can you be here with this timing!?¡± ¡°Kazuki¡­this one come to save you! Torazou over there, don¡¯t make any suspicious moves!!¡± ¡°Kohaku¡­you bastard!¡± Torazou-senpai shouted angrily. ¡°¡­Who are you? I won¡¯t go easy on an unknown person making fun of this and being a hindrance just so you know.¡± In front of Kaguya-senpai who was angry at Kohaku¡¯s frivolous manner¨DKohaku drew out her katana. ¡°Drive and fro and lock, ! Battoukaikon¨DDrizzle in White NightKirisame Byakuya!!¡± Drip, Drops of water were hanging from the katana in Kohaku¡¯s hand. Immediately after, that water spread on the whole surface of the surroundings in the blink of eye, transforming into thick mist. Sacred Treasure!? ¡­Could it be that the seven katana Kohaku owned, all of them!¡± Soon he couldn''t see Kaguya-senpai¡¯s surprised expression anymore behind the thick mist. Kohaku pulled Kazuki¡¯s sleeve tightly. ¡°Come on, let¡¯s run Kazuki! Uwah, this ground is so slippery! Whose deed is this, wawawah!¡± ¡°Hiakari-san, give her the ice boots too!¡± ¡°¡­Who, who is this person?¡± Koyuki who recovered from the agony formed the ice boots for Kohaku too. ¡°Muu¡­this is ¡­fun!¡± Kohaku said so without any hint of nervousness. With the enthusiastic Kohaku at the lead, Kazuki and the others were sliding with the skating boots. They were following the roads winding left and right in the back shopping mall to conceal their whereabouts from Kaguya-senpai, and went to escape. ¡°However¡­where could we escape to?¡± ¡°That is of course¡­to this one¡¯s Sword Division!¡± ¡°Otouto-kun¡­¡± Alone inside the cloudy mist, when she felt that there was no one looking at her, Kaguya kept standing stock still in that place, and cried while leaking sobbing voices. Volume 2 Intermission — The Qualification of King Volume 2 Intermission - The Qualification of King ¡°Kazu-nii¡­!? You are there right, you have to be there¡­!?¡± Mio who was lying down on the futon was anxiously calling Kazuki. There was nothing reflected on her eyes, she reached her hand searching for Kazuki, but even that hand couldn¡¯t feel anything. ¡°It¡¯s fine, I won¡¯t go anywhere.¡± But her hearing was still fine, Kazuki talked to reassure her so she could take a short rest. At their side, Lotte was also lying down. ¡°Are we going to be like this for a long time?¡± ¡­Lotte¡¯s condition was also the same. Because of Kaguya-senpai¡¯s sense-stealing scythe¡­ ¡°No, I don¡¯t think that magic is that brutal. You should recover after a while.¡± Kazuki moved his sight to another futon. Over there was Koyuki who lost consciousness because of magic intoxication. The girl created ice boots for several people¡¯s use, and continued to chant the Moves in the Field until the very last minute. In the end, she fainted after finishing with their dramatic escape. She forced her body and went that far just to help Kazuki. ¡°I¡¯m sorry. Right now there is no empty room in this dormitory other than this one. The student dormitory in the Magic Division has the standard of one person per room, but the standard in the Sword Division is room sharing. It¡¯s cramped but please bear with it.¡± Kohaku apologized while leaning on the wall of the Japanese-style room. But Kazuki was the one who was grateful. At least there was no other way to protect Lotte than this. ¡°¡­Kohaku, why did you help us?¡± ¡°Liz Liza-sensei from the Magic Division, she contacted this one¡¯s teacher in the Sword Division¡­to Tsukahara-sensei.¡± Tsukahara-sensei¡­that glasses teacher wasn¡¯t it? ¡°When they were still in active duty, Tsukahara-sensei and Liz Liza-sensei¡¯s relationship were as partners in the Heaven and Earth Formation. She couldn¡¯t do anything to help from her position in the Magic Division, so we in the Sword Division received contact from her if we could do anything to help.¡± ¡°Liz Liza-sensei was¡­¡± Is that so, not everyone around us had become enemies. ¡°¡­It¡¯s a happy event for me to be able to do her a favor. And then I am also able to be responsible for all of you too.¡± The door to the room opened¨Dthe figure of the person in question, Tsukahara-sensei appeared . To be responsible for all of us was¡­a happy thing? ¡°Fufufu, we are not just helping you free of charge. We will also make use of this at the same time.¡± Kohaku made a daring expression while grinning broadly. ¡°Due to the Magic Division¡¯s scheme, the life of the princess, Charlotte Liebenfrau, who is taking refuge in this country had fallen into danger. We from the Sword Division sheltered Her Highness, and then turned the table on the Magic Division¡¯s student council who had come to aim for her life, using our true strength. On top of that, during the Student General Meeting that will be held in the middle of this month, we will announce the well-being of Charlotte. With that, we will explain that justice and strength are on our side! We are going to increase the distrust for the Magic Division inside the academy, and place the Sword Division in the controlling position for the Knight Academy¡­the time of revolution has arrived!¡± In front of the dumbfounded Kazuki, Kohaku let her speech out while raising her fist. That kind of absurdity¡­ However, it certainly might be true that there was no other way to save Lotte other than to announce her well-being to everyone. But to use that for her ambition to raise the position of the Sword Division to above that of the Magic Division? ¡°If this one is being honest, this one want Kazuki to give his cooperation too. But thinking about the feelings of Kazuki, who had been in the Magic Division until now, that kind of thing seems impossible. That¡¯s why Kazuki will be confined inside this room for a while, and this one wants you to watch attentively our revolution when the time comes.¡± ¡°¡­Hey wait, do you plan to win against the student council of the Magic Division with just you guys alone?¡± Against his better judgment, Kazuki asked. Kohaku laughed with a grin and hit the katana that was fixed on her hips. ¡°The Sacred Treasures that this one owns are the heirloom of the Hikita family for generations. However, our other comrades are also being equipped by a large amount of Sacred Treasures that were secretly provided by Tsukahara-sensei. The Sacred Treasures brings out the possibility of the swordsman to its maximum limit so, this is the strongest swordsman party! The likes of the Magica Stigma won¡¯t be able to catch up to us. We have continued to amass power for a long time until now, but¡­right now is the time for us to stand up with Charlotte as the banner of our great cause! The hated Magic Division will capitulate to the Sword Division, and the position of these two is going to be reversed!¡± Beside Kohaku, Tsukahara-sensei too showed a broad grinning expression. ¡°Liz Liza said that there is an [Unnatural power that trapped you]. But with this fight, we will also be able to remove the rot in the Magic Division. We are going to purge all those filth inside the academy staff that had been clinging to their own interest. Even this country¡¯s treatment regarding the swordsmen, there is going to be a change.¡± ¡°We are going to carve out all the persistent stain in the hated Magic Division! Kazuki!, just watch it all obediently, and then please marry me when everything ends. Fuffuffu!¡± Both of them left, leaving only those words and exited the room where Kazuki and the others were in. ¡®Gachari¡¯ The sound of a locking door rang out. Of course it was a simple matter for Kazuki and the others to use Summoning Magic to destroy a normal door, however¡­they were going to be noticed immediately. ¡­What was he supposed to do? ¡°Ah ah, what an unthinkable situation isn¡¯t it?¡± Leme materialized besides Kazuki. ¡°Everything has gone to hell. Everything lays in pieces! Even though this time, the enemy from the outside has started to bare their fangs here¡­Magic Division¡¯s student council is hopeless; Magic Division, Sword Division, the whole academy is also hopeless!! Leme is in despair towards these things called humans, don¡¯t you see!?¡± Hopeless¡­ Even though he wholeheartedly thought of the Magic Division¡¯s student council like his own family. Hiakari-san rescued him. But what was going on with Hoshikaze-senpai? And then¡­what would Kanae do? Would she act as a member of Kaguya-senpai¡¯s party? Would he fight once more with the crying Kaguya-senpai¡­? Even if he fought, could he win? But if they follow Kaguya-senpai¡¯s way, Lotte would become the victim. He couldn¡¯t go along with that kind of method. On the other hand, Kohaku was going to try to challenge the Magic Division to battle, using Lotte as their banner. But Kohaku¡¯s reason was not to save Lotte. ¡­She only wanted the Magic Division¡¯s submission for her revenge. She was going to inflict a wound that the Magic Division wouldn¡¯t be able to recover from for a second time, in the Students General Meeting. Could he acknowledge her method? Could the girl¡¯s action bring the whole academy into one¡­? Just like what Leme said, everything was in pieces. In this kind of situation, no matter whose hopeless method he used, someone¡¯s important thing would become a sacrifice inside the conflict. ¡°Leme¡­before, you said that the power of the King is the power to the scattered pieces as a whole, right?¡± When Kazuki calmly asked, Leme gazed at Kazuki with a testing expression. ¡°Do you plan to do it, my King. Could you show your caliber as a King to us, to Leme, and the whole Solomon 72 Pillar by uniting this hopeless academy? But it¡¯s likely impossible for the current you, you know?¡± So it came to whether he himself had the power to achieve that or not. Even the matter of protecting Lotte, he only succeeded barely by using his trump card. Even though Leme had pushed him for a long time to create a harem, in response to that, he failed to acquire any power¡­My power is insufficient. My determination is insufficient. However, even so¡­Mio, and Lotte too, I want to protect them. And then¡­there are other things that I also want to protect. There are things I want to protect at any cost¡­ ¡°Kaguya-senpai, Kohaku too¨DI will stop all of them. I won¡¯t let anyone become a victim.¡± Kazuki gazed at the three who were unconscious. He was not alone. His comrades were standing beside him reliably. Not only the Magic Division, the Sword Division too, I will bring everything together¨D I will put this whole academy together¨DI will become a King. I am the Swordsman of the Magic Division. Chapter 3.1.1 — The Night of Beginning Volume 3 Chapter 1 - The Night of Beginning Part 1 ¡°So, there is no mistake that the [meeting place] of Kohaku¡¯s gang is inside this abandoned club room?¡± In the night where there was not even any shadow of students who loitered around the school, the Sword Division student council led by Hayashizaki Kanae came to this clubroom building where they sensed the presence of [clandestine meeting]. Kanae looked up to the building that towered over them in the darkness of the night and knitted her eyebrows. ¨DThe second day since Nii-sama disappeared from the Magic Division. Two days ago, headmaster Otonashi from the Magic Division handed down the order to [arrest Hayashizaki Kazuki and Charlotte] to Otonashi Kaguya. However Kaguya was obstructed by Hikita Kohaku, and one moment later Kazuki and the others managed to slip away. After that, the whereabouts of Kazuki and the others were completely unknown. Kohaku, who helped with their escape, even now still brazenly attended her class. It was clear that they sheltered Kazuki and the others somewhere in the Sword Division. However some teachers of the Sword Division might be pulling the strings of Kohaku¡¯s action from behind the scenes¨Dthe teachers from the Magic Division¡¯s side were vigilant of that possibility and were unable to seek cooperation from the Sword Division. There were also some thoughts that they didn¡¯t want to let the students know about this incident. For these kinds of reasons, they couldn¡¯t perform a large scale [Kazuki search] inside the grounds of the Sword Division, freezing the state of affairs. In the middle of all that, the Sword Division''s Kanae and others, who were aware of the situation from Kaguya, started to move independently. ¡°I checked the data of the camera monitors from these few days all night. I had confirmed that Kohaku came frequently at late night here to this clubroom building. It was only a glance though.¡± Yamada Torazou answered the question that Kanae asked from before. The camera monitors that were laid out inside the Sword Division¡¯s ground were originally a countermeasure for suspicious people. Torazou confirmed the footage from those cameras using the special privilege of the student council. ¡°This building has the abandoned clubroom of the ping pong club that had been abolished. The adviser of that ping pong club was that Tsukahara.¡± Tsukahara Hisatada¨Dthe Sword Division¡¯s teacher who was suspected as Kohaku''s backer. ¡°I tried to search this abandoned club room in the afternoon, but the key to the room had been changed without anyone¡¯s notice and even the master key cannot open it. There was no sound at all from the inside, so it seems they''re not hiding Kazuki and the others here. There is no mistake however that this is a room of some importance.¡± The suspicious teacher Tsukahara, had built a secret room and there, Kohaku had come and visited frequently. There was no more room for doubt. Continuing, the vice president Kamiizumi Iori gave her report. ¡°I was on the lookout while eating anpan and milk yo~. I had confirmed that when all club activities were finished at evening, Kohaku and her two friends entered the clubroom building while being careful of people¡¯s eyes yo~.¡± Based on the information from the camera monitors, Iori was monitoring the students who entered the clubroom building. ¡°As soon as I finished eating those anpan and milk, the trash became a nuisance you know? But what if those bunch came when I went to throw the trash, what to do~, is what I thought. When those guys finally came and I manage to confirm it, I went away to throw the trash in relief yo~. Those guys haven¡¯t come out since then.¡± ¡°You were having too much fun [playing make-believe game of police-detective lookout]. Well, anyway Kohaku and the others still haven¡¯t come out from the clubroom right? Yosh, then let¡¯s not wait for the decision of that indecisive Magic Division. Let¡¯s bring down those guys'' plan before it happens with just us here. This is the so-called Ikedaya Incident of this era!¡± Ikedaya Incident was the incident where Shinsengumi attacked the Meiji restoration patriots who were hiding in the inn and were planning to set fire to Kyoto. After comparing their own action to a historical event, Kanae grinned broadly and laughed. The Magic Division¡¯s student council of Kaguya and the others were in internal dissension because the vice-president, Hoshikaze Hikaru, opposed the order. Even if they were in a party together with those bunch, they must not let the problem from that side hinder them too. To say nothing that this time, the incident happened inside the territory of the Sword Division. ¡°It¡¯s surprising that Kaichou doesn¡¯t let her feelings get in the way. How can you go along with this kind of order?¡± Torazou once again asked about the impossible to believe event that he saw. The situation that Kanae¡¯s big brother, Hayashizaki Kazuki was put in was very severe. Kazuki who was contracted with a mysterious Diva plundered a Sacred Treasure from a Haunted Ground. Because of that an order to arrest him along with Charlotte who accompanied him had been handed down. Kazuki resisted the attempt to arrest him and escaped. ¡°It¡¯s not like that.¡± Kanae denied Torazou¡¯s words. ¡°My objective is only to meet Nii-sama and see him with my own eyes. Things like Nii-sama attempting to pillage a Sacred treasure¡­there is no way that kind of thing could happen. Even if that¡¯s true, that must be the Diva contracted with Nii-sama that possessed him. If it¡¯s the Niisama-meister, me, I would be able to see whether Nii-sama is himself or not with just a glance. If it is the case that an evil Diva possessed Nii-sama, I¡¯ll catch Nii-sama and I won¡¯t have any objection about performing the [Stigmata Transplanting Operation]. I have heard about the danger of the transplanting operation of the stigmata, but¡­¡± ¡®But¡¯, Kanae¡¯s eyes turned grim. ¡°If Nii-sama is actually still himself¡­that means the report about [Nii-sama attempted to pillage a Sacred Treasure] is wrong. That means someone is trying to frame Nii-sama. In that case, I¡¯ll find that someone and kill him. I¡¯m not using any metaphor, I¡¯ll kill him without fail. I couldn¡¯t care less about Charlotte, so I¡¯ll let her go. It seems she would be killed if she is to be handed to Germany.¡± ¡°Oioi¡­you are not going to follow the order at all?¡± Torazou whispered flabbergasted, at his side Iori laughed cheerfully. ¡°Even though Kana-chan is too fired up by her emotions, it¡¯s cool how all your arguments are so sound.¡± ¡°That¡¯s because my Brocon is very reasonable. Even if I was too fired up by my emotions, it won¡¯t lead me to a mistaken conclusion. My love to Nii-sama is the justice of the universe.¡± ¡°Someone trying to frame Kazuki who is just a normal student, isn¡¯t that story too unreal?¡± ¡°Shut up, is your spanking still not enough Torazou? Nii-sama is the treasure of the universe after all.¡± Torazou shut his mouth dejectedly. Because he secretly went behind Kanae¡¯s back to go along with Kaguya to arrest Kazuki, he was spanked after that by Kanae with all her strength. ¡°We won¡¯t charge in to preserve the evidence, let¡¯s wait until those guys come out from the clubroom building. We will beat them up completely and make them spit out where Nii-sama is, and also take the clubroom¡¯s key. We will investigate the inside of the abandoned club room to search for something that can be used as evidence, and punish Kohaku and the others with suspension from school. While they are suspended, we will bring everything to a conclusion.¡± ¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª When Hikita Kohaku exited the clubroom building with her comrades, there were shadows waiting in the darkness of her path. The Japanese garden of the Sword Division at night looked like an ink-painting. But to Kohaku who reinforced her eyesight with magic power, she could make the distinction of the identity of the shadows clearly even more than someone using a night scope. A small-statured swordswoman with her braided hair fluttering in the night wind like a cat¡¯s tail. On her right and left a swordsman with large build and a swordswoman with bobbed hair were waiting. There was no mistake with what she saw. The strongest swordsmen squad¨DSword Division student council. But Kohaku didn¡¯t feel any fear. On the contrary, finally they came, her blood quickened. Tonight is the night when the curtain will open. ¡°Where did you hide Nii-sama?¡± The shadow in front of her¨DKanae threw her a question. A question that she didn¡¯t expect to be answered, in other words a proclamation of war. Without waiting for a reply, sharp sounds of drawn swords from the scabbards on the swordsmen''s hips, rang out at that place. ¡°You¡¯re not coming here just for talking right, Kanae-kaichou. But if you try to judge our selves using the power of the student council and yet the table is turned back on you unsightly, you senpais won¡¯t be able to introduce yourself as the student council anymore, you know? Isn¡¯t that great? Tonight this one will take over the seat of the student council president.¡± The Sword Division held the doctrine of strength even more extremely than the Magic Division. Because the doctrine of true strength was beaten into them through and through, the students bore inferiority complex toward the Magic Division and they became unable to go against the Magica Stigma. It was recognized in the Sword Division that the strong students held many privileges, it went without saying that the student council president was also awarded various special privileges. In exchange, if the president was defeated by anyone even once, then no one would recognize them anymore. The seat of the Sword Division¡¯s student council president was decided not by election, it was something easily transferred by the result of a single duel. If Kohaku could achieve victory against Kanae right now in that place, Kohaku could reach the top reigning position in one go. So their plan could go on smoothly from now on, this was something that Kohaku just needed. ¡°Don¡¯t get too conceited, you first year lad!¡± Kanae drew out her two-swords style blades. With that as the signal, Torazou and Iori both at her side also drew their katana. ¡°Hiiragi! Kagura! Use the and bring down the extra at her sides! This one is going to defeat Kanae-kaichou!!¡± Both of Kohaku¡¯s comrades also drew out their Sacred Treasures just like Kohaku commanded. ¡°Burn the ascetics, ! Battou Kaikon¨DLong Sword of Divine Excess FireKannabi no Tachi!!¡± The slender swordsman wearing glasses¨DHiiragi drew his katana, that katana created sparks from the friction with its scabbard and was enveloped with flame. When the flame sword was swung, ¡®GOU!¡± a wave of flame flew toward Iori. ¡°Uwawa!? A surprising weapon that looks like Summoning Magic!? What is that, not fair!!¡± Even while raising a scream, Iori read the magic power and evaded the wind of flame. Battou Kaikon¨Dmagic power flowed into the Sacred Treasure and released the various personal magic that the Sacred Treasure had. Its power didn¡¯t compare to the Summoning Magic of a Diva, but it didn¡¯t have casting time like a normal spell. ¡°Scream your refusal, ! Battou Kaikon¨DLarge Waves BladeTouranjin!!¡± The black haired swordswoman¨DKagura pointed the tip of her Sacred Treasure at Torazou. The next moment, a thin jet of water like a string was released straight ahead from the tip of the katana. ¡°DOWAA!¡± Torazou¡¯s blue defensive magic power scattered from receiving those water pressures that could even pierce a rock. But the shockwave was not to the degree that it could blow him away. Torazou went against the water jet while struggling to run towards Kagura. ¡°Not only Kohaku, even the small fishes also have Sacred Treasures!? ¡­Where in the world did they get all of that? Iori is one thing, but Torazou won¡¯t last long.¡± Kanae immediately attempted to help Torazou. However Kohaku beat her to the punch¨D ¡°Kanae-kaichou¡¯s opponent is this one!! ¡­Freeze and lock, ! Battou Kaikon¨DDrizzle Rain Boisterous DanceKirisame Ranbu!!¡± Kohaku drew one katana from the seven pieces of katana that she had on her body. When drops of water were hanging down from the blades of the katana, in the blink of an eye those drops transformed into water vapor, next it froze and countless numbers of glistening blades of ice was formed. ¡°Go!¡± ¨DAnswering Kohaku¡¯s will, the blades of ice rushed Kanae like a blizzard. Kanae Foresighted the magic phenomenon and evaded the flying ice blades comfortably. Kanae was cornered further and further away from Torazou, the situation unavoidably turned into an one-on-one fight with Kohaku. While floating a daring smile, Kohaku drew out one more katana. ¡°Pierce the far away, ! Battou Kaikon¨DSky Tempest Scythe WeaselTenran Kamaitachi!!¡± Kohaku swung her katana, from there a sharp wind blew violently. It was a blade of wind invisible to the eyes, but Kanae evaded it with the prided Foresight of Hayashizaki style. In Kohaku¡¯s right hand was Murasame, in her left hand was Doutanuki, she operated both of them at the same time, driving away Kanae with ice and wind blades. The situation developed into a barrage of two layers long range attack that limited the place that Kanae could escape, it surely was a bullet hell of swords. Even Kanae couldn¡¯t avoid them all, many blades grazed her and the light of defensive magic power was scattered. But Kanae slipped amongst the gaps of the barrage and somehow approached near Kohaku. Anyway, Kanae didn¡¯t have any method of attack if she was not in close range. When Kanae approached until the [middle range], Kohaku quickly stored both the Sacred Treasures in her hands back to its sheath¨Dthis time her hand reached the large war sword she carried on her back. That Sacred Treasure¡¯s length reached almost two meters, she pulled it out in one breath with the assistance of Psychokinesis. ¡°Crush them to death, ! Battou Kaikon¨DAshura BisectionAshura Ryoudan!!¡± While shouting in one stroke, Kohaku poured her magic power into the large war sword. The blade of the Taroudachi absorbed the magic power and grew large up to several dozen times. ¡°!?¡± Kanae swallowed her breath in shock. Kanae used her Foresight. Predicting what would happen next, she suddenly put a stop on her movement and changed into evasive maneuver. Even so¨Dshe didn¡¯t make it in time. The gigantified Taroudachi¡¯s attack range was so vast Kanae couldn¡¯t evade it even with Foresight! BUUUUUUUN! Taroudachi howled, Kanae was blown away like a single thread by the sweeping slash that drew a gigantic arc. Kanae immediately performed an ukemi and stood back and the range between the two returned back to [long range]. Kohaku sheathed back Taroudachi on her back and changed once again with Murasame and Doutanuki. She used Murasame and Doutanuki when there was a large distance from her opponent and if the opponent managed to slip through them, she would pull out Taroudachi. Like that Kanae wasn¡¯t allowed to launch a close-range attack at all. The innermost secret of sword art was distance. Kohaku had gained total supremacy of distance and obtained an overwhelming upper hand on Kanae. ¡°Kanae-kaichou¡­you¡¯re certainly the strongest swordsman. However, you¡¯re just a swordsman from ancient era that keep using normal katana with stupid honesty. Attempting to become stronger than Magica Stigma with that seedy-looking kodachi with painful efforts alone¡­this one will show you, this one will create a new era where there would be no more pitiful swordsman like you.¡± ¡°Obtaining clever power by outside assistance of weapon, you got too carried away just by that huh.¡± Kanae talked while spitting out from her mouth, looked like the cloud of dust went into her mouth when she performed the ukemi. ¡°Certainly the Sacred Treasure might be a helpful weapon, but your method won¡¯t change anything in society.¡± ¡°¡­What kind of fault is there in this one¡¯s great cause?¡± ¡°You keep saying great cause great cause, but your true feelings that [you hate the Magic Division] is transparent. You will only manage to stir resistance from the other side without making them understand anything. However, you also won¡¯t be able to subdue the Magica Stigma even if you seriously use force against them. You blockhead. You who only relied on Sacred Treasure won¡¯t be able to win against Kaguya, even if you challenged her ten thousand times. Well, though you will lose to me in this place even before that.¡± ¡°You can still make such shameless declarations like a poor loser even in that sorry state!¡± Kohaku swung both Murasame and Doutanuki at the same time and discontinued their dialogue. The barrage of ice blades and wind sword attacked Kanae once again. Kanae sheathed her kodachi and started running with all her strength. Iai stance¡­? What was she planning to do¡­? Without even overlooking any slight change, Kohaku tried to look for Kanae¡¯s aim. Hayashizaki-style originally was a school of Iaijutsu. But to compensate for her powerlessness with the number of attacks, Kanae normally used the stance of two swords style. However¨Dif she thought about dodging the magic that flew about in the battlefield and approach the enemy, she could dash even faster in the state where her swords were sheathed. That was the essential aim of Hayashizaki-style¡¯s Iaijutsu. In short, she planned to sacrifice the number of attacks in favor of speed. The reality was that Kanae who dashed while swinging her hands had accelerated even more exceptionally compared from before. ¡°Your methods are mistaken! You should wait for a kind person like Nii-sama to connect both the Sword Division and the Magic Division! Actually the distance between the Sword Division and the Magic Division are shrinking right now. Kaguya too is trying to compromise. But you don¡¯t want to understand that because of your childish pride. You declared a dignified great cause, but in the end you just want the Magic Division to submit to you!¡± While dashing like a wind, Kanae blamed Kohaku severely. Those words pierced Kohaku¡¯s chest like a thorn. She only wanted to make the Magic Division submit¡­it would be a lie if she said that there was no such dark sentiments inside her. ¡°You saying things like that, are you saying that with Kazuki¡¯s method anything and everything will go smoothly!? This brocon Kaichou!!¡± ¡°Certainly there is a strong brocon bias in my eye, but at least there is no feeling of hate towards anyone in Nii-sama! That¡¯s why he can give good influence to the surrounding people!! Compared to the misunderstood you who is only invincible when you have Sacred Treasure, you are shamefully conceited!!¡± Kanae slipped through Murasame and Doutanuki¡¯s barrage and drew near Kohaku once more. ¡°Ashura Ryoudan!!¡± Kohaku switched Sacred Treasure and perform a similar slash like before with Taroudachi. It was unavoidable even with Kanae¡¯s current speed. She unsheathed her kodachi and chose to block the gigantic slash. But that was a reckless attempt. Kanae couldn¡¯t block Taroudachi and was blown far away. ¡­Even if she got a little faster and whatever she shouted were not a problem at all. The blown away Kanae stood up in a stagger. ¡°If you turn to violence, then the Magic Division and the Sword Division will return back to their gloomy relations. Whatever Nii-sama had done will come to nothing. That¡¯s why I¡¯m going to stop you. Your sham great cause is only a bother¡­!¡± ¡°Are you going to keep sermonizing with that condescending attitude even though your hands and legs have been giving out?¡± ¡°Fun¡­I¡¯m going to accelerate a little bit more.¡± Was she a sore loser¡­? The moment Kohaku still doubted her ear, the Hayashizaki Kanae was kicking the ground once more. ¡®Byun!¡¯, that small body was [accelerating] even faster. Was she still concealing her full power!? ¡­Kohaku was taken aback, however, nothing would change with Kanae becoming just a little faster. She restrained her with Murasame and Doutanuki once more, lured her out, and then make her the prey of Taroudachi! ¡°HAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!¡± ¡°What!?¡± Kanae entered her fighting spirit into her loud scream and clashed her Iai towards the that Kohaku swung. Kanae¡¯s Iai draw didn¡¯t have the power to repel Taroudachi back. However she diverted the trajectory of the side sweep slightly above. And then with the gap that was formed between the blade and the ground, Kanae slipped through with a cat-like low posture. Kohaku felt a chill in her spine. Kanae had drawn near¡­until the range of the kodachi! Kohaku immediately released a kick. Kanae who charged ahead with a forced posture couldn¡¯t avoid it, she received the blow fully from the front and drew back. Kohaku back-stepped in panic and created a [long range] distance between them. The defense and offense returned right to their starting point. However¡­she had allowed her to get close? Kanae¡¯s damage had been piling up and most of her magic power had been shaved off. Her breathing was rough from her mental tiredness and her body was wobbling. Despite all that, her movements hadn¡¯t declined. On the contrary she was accelerating. Her eyes were still not dead, her eyes were glaring at Kohaku with ominous light. Kohaku shuddered with fear against that figure. The sensation was as if she was facing against a naked blade. ¡°¡­It had been a long time since I really wanted to defeat an enemy in front of my eyes and from the bottom of my heart in a serious match¡­ I cannot get this kind of feeling facing off with the kind Nii-sama¡­fufufu!¡± ¡­Don¡¯t tell me this person, was she saying that she was not used to a serious fight and her engine took time to get warmed up? [Hayashizaki Kanae¡¯s seriousness] that hadn¡¯t been discovered because there was no worthy opponent in the Sword Division till now, had it finally woken up in this place!? ¡­No, Kanae wouldn¡¯t be able to defeat her opponent anymore. Her magic power would be all used up with only one more attack. She was nothing more than a slow starter that had been too late! Kanae once again kicked the ground and sprinted. She accelerated even faster with that explosive power. At first, many of the ice and wind blades grazed her, but now nothing hit her anymore. Kohaku had lured Kanae close enough, so she swung the gigantified Taroudachi. Kanae once again clashed her Iai draw with her whole body against Taroudachi just like before and altered its trajectory. And then she slipped under the blade. The strength of her Iai, the speed of her sprint, everything was still increasing compared from before. This person, does she keep getting stronger the more she is hurt like a zombie!? Kohaku repeated her previous offense and defense method and released a front kick. Kanae who had more composure now Foresighted the kick and avoided the kick smoothly with a sidestep. Kohaku threw away her Taroudachi. She didn¡¯t even have anymore leisure to sheathe the sword in her back. And then she unsheathed another Sacred Treasure. ¡°Run beam of light, ! Battou Kaikon¨DLong Sword of MoonlightGetsuei no Dachi!!¡± The new Sacred Treasure she used was something for close-quarter combat. The moment she gripped the hilt of the katana, it produced a slash that drew an arc of a crescent moon. Kohaku didn¡¯t even need to swing the blade consciously. Transcending speed, it produced the result even before the attack was released, a magic sword that reversed the cause and effect. However Kanae evaded that attack. ¨DIn front of Hayashizaki-style¡¯s Foresight, the speed of the attack was not a problem. Kanae, who evaded the crescent shadow of the sword, slipped into Kohaku¡¯s flank with a speed that left an afterimage behind. In that state where they crossed paths, ¡®ZUBA!ZUBA!¡¯ two streak of slash carved apart Kohaku. When Kohaku turned back, Kanae¡¯s figure was not there anymore. Only the sounds of her footsteps kicking the ground and dashing away echoed from somewhere. Kanae accelerated even faster. ¡°Damn¨D!¡± Kohaku swung Mikadzuki Munechika around at random. The black shadow slipped through her attacks, slashes visited her when they passed each other. At last they entered a close quarter combat¡­! Moreover, the pace became even faster than before! When the sound of braking ¡®ZUZAAAAAAA!¡¯ entered Kohaku¡¯s ear, immediately the sound of ground-kicking was heard leaving only the sounds of footsteps behind. Kanae ran around her with the speed that she really couldn¡¯t catch, sharp slash visited her every time Kanae passed through. Kanae was not only fast. She Foresighted Kohaku¡¯s line of sight¡¯s movement and dashed to her blindspot. It was useless to rely on eyes dealing with this sword dance. However, her current self¡¯s training in Senses Reinforcement MagicExtra Sense was insufficient¡­! Kanae¡¯s slashes were light, the damages of each attack were small. Just with those, Kohaku tasted humiliation because she was continuously cut so one-sidedly. ¡°This is absurd-!¡± Kohaku swung Mikadzuki Munechika around blindly. Thoughts of resignation that she couldn¡¯t win flashed in her mind. She believed that she could win even against Otonashi Kaguya as long as she used Sacred Treasure. However¡­ ¡°¡­First year brat, has your heart broke?¡­¡± The black shadow left behind ridiculing laughter each time it passed. That form was not reflected in her eyes, only the footsteps echoed around her. Kohaku¡¯s mind turned pure white from the shame of having her inside seen through. Sheet, who is the one that¡¯s going to give up! Her plan had already started to move!! ¡°Burn the ascetics, ! Battou Kaikon¨DKannabi no Tachi!!¡± Wind of flames blew in Kohaku¡¯s surroundings to protect around her. Kanae stepped for a hasty brake because of the sudden obstruction of the wind of flames. Both Kohaku and Kanae opened their eyes wide from the sudden development. Kanae¡¯s godspeed had been interrupted, in that instant¨D ¡°Scream your rejection, ! Battou Kaikon¨DTouranjin!!¡± A blade of thin and white water pressure pierced Kanae¡¯s defensive magic power. Kanae¡¯s magic power hit rock bottom, she went down on her knees because of the abuse her magic forced on her body. What just happened? When she looked around the night battlefield¨Dboth Torazou and Iori had already used up all their strengths and collapsed. This was a three-on-three fight. ¡°¡­I didn¡¯t make it in time huh.¡± Kanae fell into the ground while squeezing out those words. Kohaku looked down on the collapsed Kanae who was supposed to overwhelm her while doubting her own eyes. ¡°¡­Somehow or other¡­this is this one¡¯s victory, Kanae-kaichou.¡± Kohaku forcibly put on a smile of triumph on her face. Can this one say that she really won? That discord welled up inside her heart. ¡°Surely you won¡¯t say that you won¡¯t recognize your defeat. From here on, this one is the student council president. This one proclaims victory, if you are not going to deny it, then the change of administration is done.¡± ¡°Well, that was an interesting fight for sure.¡± The collapsed Kanae replied in a subdued tone. ¡°I can¡¯t really get serious without killing intent, so it had been a long time since I can fight like this.¡± The words she said in the beginning was [an interesting fight], wasn¡¯t it? This person is even more a [Sword Demon] than Kazuki, that was what Kohaku thought. ¡°¡­Because of your offense in carrying an assault against innocent students, you are hereby receiving a suspension from school. Please watch the execution of our plan attentively while undergoing house arrest in the student dormitory.¡± ¡°Hmph, that kind of thing doesn¡¯t really matter, because Kaguya or Nii-sama are going to stop you somehow. Aaah, geez! I want to meet Nii-sama quickly¨D!!¡± Kanae looked up to the night sky and yelled, while it seemed she was really serious about not caring what course of events were going to develop in the future. ¨DIn this night, the Sword Division student council was dismantled by Hayashizaki Kanae¡¯s order. Chapter 3.1.2 — The Night of Beginning Volume 3 Chapter 1 - The Night of Beginning Part 3 Hiakari Koyuki saw a dream. Magic intoxication¨DHumans who demanded for magic power surpassing their own limit would have their mind dragged in to Astrum and faint. And then their self would be broken apart in pieces and see a dream. Astrum was the root of people¡¯s mind. When humans are pulled into this empty space that resembles the Mother Sea, their mind wouldn¡¯t be able to preserve their ego and grow weak rapidly, inside this infinite space. Koyuki¡¯s heart was disassembled into many disconnected parts and were scattered and fluttered about in this Astrum. While Koyuki was drifting inside the darkness with no sky or ground, she viewed her memoriesfragments blankly. Her own fragments¨Dthat was what she was molded of, memories of her 15 years of life. Those were cold bygone days that made her frozen. The symptoms started appearing little by little when she was around three years old, when she transformed into an Elf. It was normal for people to feel disgust and fear for something that has a different outward appearance-toward the Elves that were endowed with strong magic power. Even her own family directed their gaze at Koyuki like they were seeing a repulsive thing. In those days, the elves'' existence was not understood, they were seen with discrimination by society as [a thing that was similar with Demon Beast]. Surely it was repulsive how her own parents considered that their own child might be an inhuman monster. It was sorrowful, but Koyuki could understand where they came from. That was why Koyuki grew up while bearing in mind that [she was a monster]. Ostracized by her own parents since three years old, she lived with determination of being alone forever for the twelve years after. An enigma appeared when she was 14 years old¨Dat the very least her surroundings had expectations even if it was only for her aptitude in magic. She felt that she had discovered the meaning of her existence. Even so, she was nothing more than a fighting machine that was only demanded to fight. A cold draft always drifted in her heart. However, she encountered people at the Magic Division that might consider her as a comrade. [Welcome to the Witch Mansion¨D! Starting from today you are the prospective newcomer of the Witch Mansion you know!? Eh? Am I not feeling repulsed because you¡¯re an elf? Even if you say repulsive¡­Elf-chan is so cute!! Su¨Dper¨Dcu¨Dteee!! I want to hug you and rub those white cheeks!!¡± Otonashi Kaguya. She didn¡¯t fear Koyuki. She had a conviction of her own strength, so there might not be any need for her to be scared of an elf. [Certainly Hiakari-san is unsociable, that¡¯s why the people around you might have a misunderstanding. However I am not misunderstanding Hiakari-san¡¯s kindness!] Hayashizaki Kazuki. He was trying to understand Koyuki directly from the front. He who was once an orphan couldn¡¯t permit Koyuki who tried to take refuge in solitude. Even Koyuki herself felt sympathy secretly towards him who tried hard in the middle of the discriminatory atmosphere in the Magic Division. [I¡¯ll win against you quick and easy, and prove my suitability as a Rank A¨D!!] Amasaki Mio. She regarded Koyuki as an annoying rival. She was a similar person to Koyuki in some respect with how her heart relied on her own magic aptitude to support herself. ¨DDOKUN. A hot pulse was running inside this cold mental world. When she thought about them, perhaps she could also grow closer to them by some chance, she embraced such faint hope. Actually¡­I don¡¯t want to give up. I really cannot express it through words or through actions, but¡­! DOKUN, DOKUN. She felt her own heart grow hot. I still want to keep on by my own will, she felt such strong longing. When Koyuki wanted to return back to the former world, she started to wish strongly. She struggled in the depths of the mental world. Like she was saying that she was able to rattle as long she still had her limbs. With the pulses as her clues, Koyuki¡¯s consciousness was rising to the surface aiming for her flesh body. The scattered fragments gathered naturally and her ego was reformed. The sorrowful past entered her eyes once more. ¨DThey too are like your parents who were once kind people, they might betray you. Anxiousness flashed in her mind. It was scary to have your hope betrayed. However she brushed aside her anxiety and strongly wished. I want to return back to the Witch Mansion¡­! And then Koyuki returned to the real world from her magic intoxication. The cold heart embraced the head of the flesh body. The very intimate senses calmed down her heart. The light right beside her tore up the darkness, the world extended above and below. Koyuki opened her eyelids and woke up. What entered Koyuki¡¯s sight when she woke up was a really incomprehensible scene. What first entered her sight was an unfamiliar ceiling. When she raised her body, she realized that she wore an unknown pajama. Her surrounding was a Japanese room Koyuki had never seen before¡­ ¡°Wan¨D! Kazuki-oniisan, wan, wan! Ku~n?¡± Charlotte Liebenfrau was licking Kazuki¡¯s cheek with [peropero] while making an innocent smiling face. Koyuki who was still dazed from just waking up instantly froze in place. ¡°Wait a second Kazuki, look at me too! Nyaa! Come on nyaa¨D! Mio who was on Kazuki¡¯s other side, even though she looked embarrassed but she was also licking [peropero] Kazuki¡¯s other cheek with determination competitively. Both girls were wearing dog ears and cat ears respectively, in addition they were also wearing maid uniforms. ¡°Wai¡­I said cut this out!¡± Kazuki was bewildered of having been sandwiched and licked by both of them. ¡°Kazuki-oniisan, even though you said that but you don¡¯t hate this desu?¡± With that Charlotte laughed. ¡°Kazuki, you¡¯re happy? Ehehe, nyaa¨D?¡± Mio too turned sweet with her feelings unbounded. Koyuki was sleeping in the corner of the Japanese room on top of a spread out futon. A little distance from where she was sleeping was the unfolding scene of three people who were doing a maniac sex play on top of a spread out futon. ¡°¡­What are all of you doing?¡± A voice so cold it even surprised herself, came out from Koyuki¡¯s mouth. The three jumped in surprise and faced toward her. ¡°Hiakari-san, you are awake!?¡± ¡°Wawan!?¡± ¡°Nyanyanya!?¡± The girls shrieked while keeping their animal acting. ¡°¡­Can you explain the situation?¡± ¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª Kazuki was faltering from Koyuki¡¯s gaze that looked like she was staring at raw garbage. Koyuki quietly sat on top of the futon in a seiza posture, so Kazuki also faced her in seiza. A big pressure could be felt from the small Koyuki. ¡°This is¡­when we got too bored and were talking idly, Lotte talked about the time when we went to the Solomon cosplay caf¨¦.¡± ¡°Solomon cosplay caf¨¦?¡± The impetus in the beginning was when Lotte told Mio of the happenings in that unusual space. While Mio was raging about the two people¡¯s date, she was burned with strange opposition. ¡°I can lick more skillfully you know!¡± ¨Dsomething like that. ¡°What did she mean with that?¡± This time Koyuki moved her gaze of contempt to Mio. ¡°What is the point, that talk of able to lick more skillfully compared to other people? It was overly strange to be burned with opposition in that area.¡± Mio hung her head down hearing that pointed out bluntly. ¡°Act, actually, hearing that story from Lotte make me envious somehow¡­ But when we tried it for real it was quite fun and deliriously¡­¡± ¡°So it was fun to lick [peropero] a man in a trance. You¡¯re a hentai to the core, aren''t you?¡± ¡°Somehow that make me suddenly feel really, really embarrasseeeedd!! I¡¯m not a hentai okay! I won¡¯t do that kind of thing to just anyone, only because the other party is Kazu-nii oka¨Dy!!¡± Mio hid her face with both hands and rolled around ¡®gorogorogoro¡¯ on top of the tatami. ¡°As for me, as long it make Kazuki-oniisan happy, I don¡¯t care even if it is perverted¨D¡± Lotte puffed her chest boldly. The girl was able to sense Kazuki¡¯s feelings by using telepathy. As long as Kazuki didn¡¯t hate it, she had the boldness to attack Kazuki barely within the border line. ¡°So you yourself was happy with this. To be served hand and foot by two girls and being licked.¡± ¡°¡­I won¡¯t lose to this kind of temptation, I was resisting desperately before.¡± But even he was doubtful until how much he could resist with his resolution. ¡°Lotte is not fair. But, I¡¯m not a hentai okay¡­I don¡¯t particularly want to please Kazuki so much until I become a hentai¡­¡± Mio was looking up bitterly at Lotte who accepted the title of hentai unashamedly while lying down on the tatami and worrying endlessly. Suddenly Kazuki was aware of the positivity level from the girls. Amasaki Mio¨D134 Lotte¨D106 Hiakari Koyuki¨D53 Hoshikaze Hikaru¨D41 Otonashi Kaguya¨DMeasurement Impossible Kazuki¡¯s magic dress, the was able to take the measurement of a girl positivity level. But what he was concerned about was how Kaguya-senpai¡¯s positivity level was impossible to be measured right now. The number was constantly fluctuating up and down, like a spinning slot machine that couldn¡¯t be read. Was senpai¡¯s feelings shaking like this number¡­? ¡°Or perhaps I should say, the explanation that I seek is not about those perverted acts. ¡­Where in the world is here? Why are we in this kind of place?¡± ¡°¡­What, so the explanation that Hiakari-san wants is not about the licking?¡± It was natural if he thought about it. Because she had been unconscious for a whole two days. ¨DTwo days ago was a really stormy day. The mortal combat with Beatrix in the evening. And then Kaguya-senpai¡¯s shocking assault. They were saved from a dangerous spot by Koyuki, even so they were still cornered ¡­ The one who rescued them from that crisis was Kohaku from the Sword Division. Koyuki should remember the development until that point. However Koyuki abused the Moves in the Field to equip all the members with ice boots in that place and in the end fainted because of magic intoxication. From there¨D ¡°After that, we were sheltered by Kohaku. Here is a room of Sword Division¡¯s student dormitory.¡± ¡°The Sword Division? Why?¡± ¡°The assistance that the Magic Division provided for the government in abandoning Lotte had became a stain for the Magic Division. Kohaku and the others planned to protect Lotte from the Magic Division, proclaim the matter of Lotte to the society, and then show the justice and strength of the Sword Division and sink the social status of the Magic Division.¡± ¡°I see¡­so we are being confined as a component of their strategy. They are not helping us from the kindness of their heart.¡± Koyuki seemed uncomfortable, but she whispered in comprehension. Even their cellphones were confiscated, and mind message using telepathy could only reach nearby people. Though it was not like they weren¡¯t able to escape if they wanted to. There was a window in the room, and they were able to destroy the door and the walls easily using Summoning Magic. It was fairly hard to confine the being called Magica Stigma. However¨Dit was dangerous right now for them to go outside. What could they do to bring the best conclusion for this chaotic situation, that was what they must think about first. ¡°Well, I don¡¯t have any interest though about the quarrel between the Magic Division and the Sword Division for social status." Koyuki released a long sigh. ¡°But they are dreaming too much if they expect to win against Kaguya-senpai by only having Sacred Treasures. Whether the amount of magic power, magic skill, or even the affinity with her Diva, everything about that person is outside the norm.¡± Kazuki had experienced Kaguya-senpai¡¯s strength with his own body, Koyuki¡¯s words was filled with even more feeling than that. Because Koyuki had accompanied senpai even longer than Kazuki. ¡°Kaguya-senpai, is her affinity Asmodeuswith that perverted devil king really that good¡­¡± ¡°It would make the person herself cry if you talk to her about it. It only took that person two months to acquire the level 10 Summoning Magic, she broke the Japanese records by a very huge margin. This is about how much you could match the wavelength with your Diva.¡± ¡°¡­Even I still have the chance to break that record right? I¡¯ll show you soon that I can even use level 6.¡± Mio who was still lying down on the tatami whispered secretly with burning opposition. Mio had acquired the Summoning Magic until level 5 since she entered the school one month ago. That was a fairly fast pace. However, it was said that the crucial moment of Summoning Magic acquisition began from level 5. ¡°I¡¯m still at three desu.¡± Lotte was blinking her eyes in surprise. It seems the average pace was to reach around level 7-8 around when the students reached the graduation. ¡°But talking about the magic aptitude, if it is the amount of magic power then Hiakari-san should be above right?¡± ¡°If it¡¯s only magic power¡¯s amount then I¡¯m still above, but¡­magic aptitude is not decided with just that. Moreover Kaguya-senpai also has more than enough magic power. Because it is not a sure thing that a person with a lot of magic power would turn into an elf. ¡­Somehow it feels that person''s magic power was acquired later on in a rapid growth.¡± ¡°Isn¡¯t the amount of magic power a person has fixed since they were born?¡± It was said that the amount the magic power could grow had been roughly decided at birth. That was why Solomon 72 Pillar selected the knight candidates at the time when they reach 14 years old and grant the Enigma. ¡°Who knows, because there are still many things we don¡¯t know about magic. There was even a story about secret research of a technique to expand human¡¯s magic faculty artificially.¡± Artificially expanding human¡¯s magic faculty¡­ Magic power, in other words the strength of the mind. Scientifically altering human¡¯s mind and strengthening magic power¨DKazuki had heard that kind of shuddering urban legend before, that there was a secret human experiment performed somewhere. ¡°Now that I remember I still haven¡¯t said my gratitude to you Hiakari-san. Even though Hiakari-san spent all your strength until magic intoxication to save us. Thank you, Hiakari-san.¡± ¡°Thank you very much, Koyuki-oneesan!¡± Together with Kazuki, Lotte also conveyed her gratitude to Koyuki. ¡°It¡¯s not like I particularly wanted to save all of you. I only couldn¡¯t agree about senpai¡¯s method of doing things. It¡¯s not like I don¡¯t want to be separated from you. I just cannot morally agree with such a thing. It¡¯s only that, so there is no reason to thank me.¡± ¡°Don¡¯t be stupid. It¡¯s okay to just honestly accept our thanks, isn¡¯t it?¡± Mio raised up sluggishly from the tatami. ¡°I¡¯m thanking you too for the moment. Now that we are talking about it, isn¡¯t your timing in helping Kazuki always too perfect? By any chance, is that actually your aim?¡± ¡°¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­What are you saying? That¡¯s just a coincidence.¡± After a long silence, Koyuki protested with a slight stir in her inflection. ¡°Hiakari-san is simply calm and has a wide outlook, that¡¯s why she could always catch the hint of danger immediately. Her danger sense is different from us. Many times she appeared with dramatic timing when I was in a pinch. I¡¯m not exaggerating when I¡¯m saying that Hiakari-san is already a hero to me. I respect you from the bottom of my heart.¡± ¡°Every single thing you said are too exaggerated! ¡­Besides¡­it¡¯s heroine, tentatively.¡± ¡°Muu, it¡¯s always Hiakari only¡­ Even though I¡¯m Kazuki¡¯s number one partner¡­¡± Mio pouted and became sulky. ¡°For me, I only keep being saved by Kazuki-oniisan desu¨D¡± Lotte hugged Kazuki tightly with a trusting expression to him. ¡°Muu¡­Lotte is always that upfront¡­I¡¯m as well to Kazuki more¡­uuuu.¡± Mio knitted her eyebrows and her face was sulking even more. ¡°Kazuki idiot! I won¡¯t lick you anymoreee!¡± ¡°It¡¯s fine if you don¡¯t do it.¡± ¡°Cold!? Why are you saying things like that~!¡± Mio hit Kazuki over and over. Koyuki suddenly whispered while watching over that situation. ¡°By any chance, do I have to spend my time with this three who have their head in la-la land for a while inside this closed room?¡± ¡°Who is it that have their head in la-la land!¡± ¡°It won¡¯t become like that. Though it is a little cramped because originally this room was intended only for two people sharing. According to what Kohaku said, right now it¡¯s a mess in the Magic Division and it seems we cannot go out.¡± ¡°That¡­¡± Koyuki seemed afraid of something and her expression hardened while she cast her eyes down. ¡°Hiakari-san might be uneasy to be in the same room with a man, but upon my word as Hayashizaki-style¡¯s practitioner, I won¡¯t do anything strange to Hiakari-san. There are even other girls here, so please be relieved.¡± ¡°For Kazuki to lay his hand on something like me, I don¡¯t have that kind of improper worry.¡± ¡°What, so that¡¯s not what Hiakari-san is worried about? ¡­But wait, don¡¯t say thing like [something] anymore. I have said it so many times that Hiakari-san is very charming. I¡¯m going to attack you for real.¡± ¡°Fuh, even though you have no guts for that. I¡¯m more worried whether one of those two people there is going to do something improper to you, rather than what you are going to do to me.¡± ¡°Do, don¡¯t say something so stupid! There is no way a girl will do such improper thing before marriage, isn¡¯t it!!?¡± Mio lost her temper, but Lotte tilted her head with a pure and innocent look. ¡°What are you all talking about desu? [Anything strange] [lay his hand] [do something improper] [improper thing]¡­all of you keep using obscuring words strangely from a while ago, I don¡¯t really understand the meaning.¡± ¡°¡­It¡¯s okay for Lotte to continue not knowing those kinds of things.¡± ¡°If Kazuki-oniisan said so, then it doesn¡¯t matter desu¨D¡± After Kazuki talked to Lotte like he was talking to a little kid, Lotte fawned on Kazuki purringly. ¡°We can¡¯t do anything indecent okay¡­But, I want to kiss Kazuki more¡­¡± Mio who wore cat ears was mumbling some gibberish with an anguished expression. ¡°I mean, why are you guys wearing animal ears maid clothes? Kazuki is wearing a normal pajama while the people in his surroundings are wearing that kind of thing, already I cannot see Kazuki as anything other than a master with a dangerous hobby.¡± ¡°Just so you know that girl Hikita Kohaku brought this when she came. She said that she was arranging changing clothes for us, then I said maid uniform is okay.¡± ¡°¡­Why maid uniform?¡± ¡°Because Kazuki, he likes maid so much you know¨D¡± Right¨D, with that Mio happily peeked at Kazuki¡¯s face. No, I didn¡¯t have such a special like though. But he felt like he started to like them a little seriously recently¡­ ¡°She brought the animal ears so we can reproduce the licking for real desu.¡± Lotte also talked with cheerful tone. A little cosplay party behind the closed door. ¡°Kohaku was [doing that kind of absurd behavior is¡­], she was quite troubled. But because she felt quite guilty because she locked us in this room, so she gave us most things we asked.¡± ¡°But when Prometheus wanted to try playing galge and made a request to her, she refused that completely desu. She said because it was embarrassing for her to buy that kind of thing.¡± A Diva of Greek Mythology, Prometheus was residing inside Lotte¡¯s flesh body. This sage of civilization together with his host Lotte had an overflowing interest towards Japan¡¯s otaku culture. Playing cards and games that Kazuki and the others had already played were scattered inside the room. ¡°That¡¯s right, she also brought us some books, these are very interesting.¡± When Kazuki held out a pocket edition book, the color of Koyuki¡¯s eyes changed just a little. ¡°I¡¯ll read.¡± ¡°Let¡¯s exchange thoughts after you finished reading okay?¡± ¡°¡­I¡¯m not interested in such things like your thoughts.¡± Koyuki turned her face after saying things like that. ¡°Come on, don¡¯t say things like that. That book is really great, that character on the cover is¡­¡± ¡°Please don¡¯t say any spoilers!¡± Koyuki flared up in panic to Kazuki who almost let something slip because he was impatient and wanted to talk. ¡°Later on, there is also a maid uniform for you too.¡± ¡°Ha?¡± Koyuki raised her eyebrows in surprise hearing Mio¡¯s words while still holding the book in her hand. ¡°¡­Please wait, it¡¯s going to be unseemly even if something like me is wearing a thing like a maid uniform, don¡¯t you see? That sort of thing is only suitable to be worn by you all¡­¡± ¡°You said [something] again!¡± Kazuki interrupted Koyuki¡¯s self-torturing words and grabbed her small shoulders tightly. ¡°Haven¡¯t I said so many times that Hiakari-san is pretty! That transparent white skin, that glittering silver hair, you¡¯re going to be resented by your surroundings if you only say such self-depreciating things! Besides, the maid uniform will suit Hiakari-san very much! Certainly Mio and Lotte¡¯s maid figure are charming, however if a cool girl like Hiakari-san becomes a maid, giving all sorts of special treatment only to the master¡­that is surely a man¡¯s supreme romance!!¡± Koyuki¡¯s eyes were wide open hearing what Kazuki rattled on without pause. ¡°What, what a great passion. As expected, Kazuki¡¯s interest in maids is not an ordinary thing.¡± Mio was taken aback at Kazuki¡¯s menacing look. ¡°Because a cool girl is the one that does it, a heart filled with dedication becomes even more attractive¡­Kazuki-oniisan, what a wonderful observation desu!¡± Lotte gave her approval with eyes shining. True, I thought if it was Lotte, she would understand. ¡°I want to see Hiakari-san in a maid uniform! It will absolutely suit you for sure!!¡± Koyuki¡¯s face turned red¡­a small skull mark flew from her. That was the sign that her positivity level was decreasing slightly. And then she shook off Kazuki¡¯s arms. ¡°Ple¡­please release me, please don¡¯t place your face so near right from the front!!¡± {¡­My King, sometimes you are too passionate you know?} Leme¡¯s voice echoed inside Kazuki¡¯s mind using telepathy. {You always look at the party right in their eyes when you¡¯re talking, but for an insecure and cowardly woman, it¡¯s better to be more prudent with your behavior so they can be more relieved.} ¡­Eh? Hiakari-san is a coward? I thought she is the type of person who says things bluntly though¡­ {Someone who says things bluntly to other people is not limited to thick-skinned guys only. Someone who is scared so they make a barrier to not let other people get close by speaking bluntly also exists.} ¡­Leme who was a Diva did a lecture regarding girls'' matters. {But don¡¯t forget¡­the positivity level from that girl has exceeded 50 already.} In short don¡¯t approach her from the front too much, but approach her from the rear gate boldly, like that? Kazuki who received the suggestion from Leme released his hands from Koyuki and moved back one step. Koyuki raised her lowered face slightly, then she examined Kazuki¡¯s expression like a small animal. ¡°¡­Is there no other change of clothes?¡± ¡°Nothing else desu! Just maid uniform desu!¡± Lotte replied immediately, from there she winked at Kazuki with sparkling eyes. Kazuki immediately guessed that signal and he ¡°That¡¯s right.¡± nodded his head. ¡°Because Mio asked for maid uniform, there is no other changing clothes except maid uniform.¡± ¡°But it is no good if you don¡¯t change from that pajama soon desu!¡± Kazuki and Lotte hearts were connected with their desire to change Koyuki into animal-eared maid uniform, the two people¡¯s combination were approaching near Koyuki. ¡°¡­If that¡¯s the case¡­it can¡¯t be helped, can it? But the form of monster maid is going to be unsightly though.¡± Koyuki accepted the clothes surprisingly easily. By any chance perhaps she also thought something like [want to try wearing it] a little? ¡°No, there is no way it will be unsightly! It¡¯s going to be really moe desu!¡± The girl who came from Europe and loves anime very much, Lotte was breathing excitedly from her nose. ¡°Which reminds me, it¡¯s fine to change clothes, but Hiakari-san, aren¡¯t you hungry?¡± ¡°¡­Now that you said it, my condition is almost at the limit.¡± She was confined to bed for two whole days, so it was obvious that she would be at her limit. ¡°There are ingredients that Kohaku brought in the refrigerator, so¡­hey, wait a second!¡± The moment Kazuki said ingredient, Koyuki started to walk unsteadily to the refrigerator, but her foot slipped and she fell backward. Kazuki embraced and supported her from behind. ¡°You had fainted for quite long, so don¡¯t force yourself. I will make something, okay?¡± ¡°¡­I¡¯m fine, I will do my own personal matter by myself. Please don¡¯t hug me, are you a pervert?¡± ¡°Hiakari-san became like this because of me, so this is my matter too. Come on, Hiakari-san just wait here with a feeling like a princess.¡± ¡°Kyaaa!?¡± Kazuki raised up the girl while keeping her in his arms and did the princess carry. And then he was spinning and spinning on the spot. Doing this used to make Kanae happy. ¡°Wha, what is the meaning of spinning like this¡­¡± After doing Merry-go-Round for a while, Kazuki laid Koyuki down on top of the futon. ¡°Then I will go make something that¡¯s also good for tiredness.¡± ¡°Ah, I will also help! I mean, it¡¯s not fair that only she got princess carry!!¡± Mio chased Kazuki who was heading to the kitchen with her maid uniform¡¯s frills fluttering behind. ¡°Then I will nurse the patient desu!¡± Lotte leaned forward and pushed down Koyuki who was trying to raise her body. Chapter 3.1.3 — The Night of Beginning Volume 3 Chapter 1 - The Night of Beginning Part 4 It seems the people of Magic Division still haven¡¯t pinned down Kazuki and the others¡¯ whereabouts. At first Kazuki was hidden in an empty room in the student dormitory, but that place was the first place that was going to be suspected, so Kohaku immediately moved them to her comrade¡¯s room. That comrade of Kohaku that was pushed out by Kazuki and the others was further crammed into another comrade¡¯s room forcibly. Kanae and the others in the Sword Division student council were searching for Kazuki, but they didn¡¯t use overbearing methods like sudden inspection of all rooms in the student dormitory. Because trespassing the privacy of unrelated students was the last method, it seemed they first investigated using quiet methods. Kohaku intentionally let them do that freely. It was better if the brocon Kanae lost her patience and challenged Kohaku directly¡­that was what she said. Kazuki could do nothing other than waiting patiently in the room for the situation to change. After dinner, the female camp handed over the right to enter the bath first to Kazuki. Each room in the Sword Division¡¯s student dormitory was furnished with its own bath. There were many chances for students to move their body doing something in the Sword Division, so it seemed that there were bathing facilities everywhere inside their grounds. It looked like there was also a splendorous bathhouse of artificial hot spring, but as expected Kazuki and the others couldn¡¯t go there to soak their body and they need to enter the room¡¯s bathroom in turn. Kazuki started to wash his body before entering the bathtub. The shampoo and body soap that were standing ready in this room were traditional washing implements that attached more importance to their cleaning power. This was because the Sword Division¡¯s students were not necessarily skilled in magic. Because advanced magic users could shake off the filth on their body, the soap and shampoo they used placed more importance in the aroma and used many combinations of fragrant ingredients. These fragrance soaps were even used in the Witch Mansion. This thing was an unrelated matter for Kazuki who spent his life until now as a swordsman, but because cleaning his body with magic had also became good training, he received the matching soap that Kaguya-senpai recommended. He thought because it was a habit that his body finally learned, although there was no fragrance soap, Kazuki cleaned his body by magic. He sensed the grime, filth, and things like excess sebum, then floated those things thoroughly using Psychokinesis and washed them in the shower. It also seemed like this was the place for female magicians to display their skill whether they could limit washing the worrying body odor until the pheromone substance. It was a plainly advanced magic skill to be able to differentiate the smell and pheromone. Although he was not really particular until that much, but Kazuki was washing his body in blue magic power light with hardships. Then suddenly he remembered Kaguya-senpai¡¯s aroma. When he was embraced by Kaguya-senpai in her magic dress, a really dense sweet aroma could be smelled from her exposed skin. Regardless of the same soap that they used, his own smell was totally different. Kaguya-senpai¡¯s aroma had the [richness] that was not present on others. The senpai who had the aroma of a girl that was even more than average used her excellent magic skill to shake off only the filth in her body without damaging her pheromone at all, then used the fragrance soap to enhance her smell even further. That was completely like a dessert made from the ultimate ingredients by a virtuoso patissier. Senpai¡¯s innocent skinships always made Kazuki¡¯s heart keep beating so fast every time. ¨DRight now he was in hostility with that Kaguya-senpai. ¡°¡­As expected, this is so lonely, huh. Moreover senpai made that crying face before¡­¡± ¡­This is no good, I mustn¡¯t keep feeling down. When Kazuki finished washing his body, he immediately submerged his body in the bathtub with a splash. What he needed right now was the burning determination to take back those ordinary days! ¡°Kazuki-oniisan, I want to enter the bath with you together desu!¡± Suddenly he heard a bright and brilliant voice, then the cloudy glass door of the bathroom was opened noisily. The one who appeared was Lotte covered in her Magic Dress. Lotte¡¯s Magic Dress was in the state where none of its armaments were attached, it was shaped like a white bikini with smooth texture like a pearl. ¡°I came using the gap when Mio-oneesan went to the toilet. Though Koyuki-oneesan was watching me with an astonished eye. Please wait a little bit, I will finish washing my body soon desu.¡± Lotte¡¯s hair and body were covered with blue light, her body was finished being cleaned in the blink of eye. She was overwhelmingly faster compared to Kazuki, it was a question of familiarity rather than the difference in their magic skill. There was a culture in her home country that one must get through their daily lives matters using magic as much as possible. ¡°No, wait a second! I am naked you know!?¡± Ignoring the flustered Kazuki, Lotte leaped into the bathtub. Kazuki instantly shrank his body to the end of the bathtub. Lotte settled her body in the bathtub with the posture of forcing her way through between Kazuki¡¯s legs. ¡°I feel embarrassment from Kazuki-oniisan. But I don¡¯t see anything except your chest and shoulders, so it¡¯s okay desu!¡± ¡°Is, is that so¡­thank you for your consideration. ¡­But is that really the problem?¡± ¡°I am staring at your chest and shoulders. Somehow my heart is beating fast. Kazuki-oniisan, you have a nice body desu?¡± ¡°Lotte is so pure and innocent, but I feel that sometimes you¡¯re a clear pervert.¡± Even while talking, Kazuki¡¯s sight kept peeking at Lotte¡¯s white shoulders and collarbone. Her collarbone¡­somehow looked sexy. ¡°You say that, but Kazuki-oniisan too is a maniac desu.¡± ¡°You can understand that much from telepathy!?¡± ¡°I¡¯m not, Onii-san¡¯s interest was not exposed by the conduct of magic. But I feel your gaze to me. I¡¯m very happy that Onii-san is unable to take your eyes off my body. I wonder if I should also make my whole Magic Dress vanish, what do you think desu?¡± ¡°Stop that, I feel dizzy now.¡± The heat he felt in his face was not only because of the hot water. ¡­The current situation was not only because of his loneliness, but also because he met her. He brought this kind of situation on himself because he protected Lotte, but his choice was absolutely not mistaken. ¡°Come to think of it, don¡¯t you feel some uneasiness because of the current matter?¡± ¡°For me¡­somehow I already feel defiant. Or perhaps I should say that it¡¯s already very lucky that I can still live.¡± Lotte¡¯s face changed suddenly and completely into a happy face while saying so. ¡°Of course I¡¯m not saying that it¡¯s okay even if I die desu. But from now on no matter what happens, I believe that Kazuki-oniisan will absolutely become my ally. I have also decided to go against my fate with all my strength. That¡¯s why I won¡¯t have any regrets no matter what happens. If by any chance it¡¯s in vain, then I think it can¡¯t be helped desu. That¡¯s why I¡¯m keeping calm.¡± Her feelings were different from giving up. This was the gallantness of a human who had decided that she was going to fight. ¡°Kazuki-oniisan, I love you desu.¡± She leaned her body forward inside the bathtub, Lotte brought her face near Kazuki¡¯s and kissed him where only their lips touched each other. A kiss of oath¨Dan oath of protecting each other. When Kazuki kissed a girl that was tied to him in a Bond, he could draw out the power of the Diva that was contracted with that girl to its maximum limit. But he already used this one time only ability with Lotte. That¡¯s why the kiss just now was something purely for the sake to ascertain their respective feelings for each other. ¡°¡­I will absolutely protect Lotte from anything. No matter what happens from now on.¡± ¡°Danke shun!¡± Breaking the water surface with ¡®pashaa¡¯, Lotte hugged Kazuki spiritedly. A heart mark floated out from Lotte¡¯s chest, then it was absorbed into Kazuki¡¯s . But he already reached his limit by being hugged in this situation. The blood rushed to his head. He wanted to get out from the bathtub already, however¡­he couldn¡¯t get out from the bathtub in this kind of shape! At that time, he heard a panicked voice from the direction of the dressing room. ¡°Lotte, even though I had said no matter how many times that it¡¯s forbidden to enter the bath together! ¡­E, even I want to enter the bath with Kazu-nii after all!!¡± The door of the bathroom was opened once again, then Lotte hopped away from him in surprise. The owner of the voice was the bath-towel covered Mio. ¡°I know the rule. It is a violation of manners in Japan to enter the bath while wearing a towel desu!¡± Lotte instantly pointed out with her finger pointing to Mio sharply. Kazuki tilted his head wondering if that was really the problem, but Mio who had a serious nature was ¡°gununu¡± groaning. ¡°Then I¡¯ll also wear my Magic Dress!¡± ¡°Mio-oneesan¡¯s Magic Dress is attached with feathers, it¡¯s a nuisance so that¡¯s not good desu!¡± ¡°Certainly Mio¡¯s Magic Dress is too bulky to be used for entering the bathtub together.¡± Kazuki consented spontaneously. The shape of the Magic Dress was the product that was produced naturally from the image of the minds of the contractor and Diva acting in concert with each other. Large wings were attached on Mio¡¯s Magic Dress. ¡°How, how can that be, so this is Phoenix¡¯s fault!? That stupid grilled chicken¨D!!¡± By no means it ever entered his mind before that a Diva could actually be judged of his work at the Magic Dress for that kind of thing. ¡°Well, well¡­I, I¡¯m going naked then!¡± Mio declared so even when right now her face was spouting out steam. This girl had already became desperate! ¡°You idiot!? You¡¯re going to regret it for sure if you get naked for this kind of thing you know!?¡± The towel was gently falling. Mio immediately hid her chest and lower body, long and slender that kept going continuously, it was so full and well-rounded even with that. An ideal silhouette as a girl was exposed in the other side of the steam vapor. He thought that he must not see that place¡¯s mighty thing like this, but he couldn¡¯t tear off his eyes! ¡°¡­Please cut it out.¡± ¡°KYAAA¡± Mio¡¯s body was wrapped up with a towel from behind. That towel was fixed tightly, and then Mio¡¯s figure was pulled into the dressing room. Then the next face that came out was Koyuki¡¯s. ¡°¡­Kazuki, here.¡± Koyuki faced Kazuki and threw him something¨Da towel. For the current Kazuki, that item was the most needed item that he desired. ¡°Hiakari-san! Thank you, as I thought, Hiakari-san is really my hero!!¡± Kazuki quickly wrapped the towel at his hips and got out of the bathtub. ¡°Jiii¨D. Seeing Onii-san in a towel also makes my heart beat fast desu?¡± ¡°I said before that it¡¯s heroine, tentatively. ¡­I¡¯m not happy even if you thank me for this kind of thing.¡± Chapter 3.1.4 — The Night of Beginning Volume 3 Chapter 1 - The Night of Beginning Part 5 ¡°I¡¯m finished with the bath.¡± Along with a reserved voice, Koyuki returned to the room from the bathroom after changing her clothes into the maid uniform. ¡°Does this ear accessory really need to be attached?¡± Koyuki held the optional animal ears reverently with a troubled look. ¡°It must be attached desu!!¡± Lotte asserted at the speed of light. Koyuki was startled with her excitement, then she equipped the animal ears on her head while fidgeting. She was surprisingly weak to pressure, a long rabbit ear was extending from her head with a ¡®pyon¡¯. ¡°¡­Isn¡¯t it cute?¡± Kazuki leaked out his voice with a sigh. ¡°What are you saying, are you stupid?¡± Koyuki was glaring with a face that looked the farthest from shame. ¡°No, I said that you¡¯re really cute.¡± ¡°A, again with your slick flattery¡­¡± ¡°It¡¯s not just flattery! Yosh, from now on I will be a maid critic!¡± He couldn¡¯t let her keep putting herself down like this forever. Giving confidence to a girl who''s a coward might be the most important job of a man. ¡°This cuteness is somehow¡­Hiakari-san¡¯s inner cuteness really suited those frilly frills! Moreover Hiakari-san¡¯s fresh appearance is really suitable as a maid. Furthermore no matter how you cut it, there is something false in a maid uniform that makes it really look like cosplay, but Hiakari-san¡¯s mysterious atmosphere drowns out those hints of fakeness. The color is good too¡­the monotone¡¯s effective restraint of the maid uniform make Hiakari-san¡¯s bright white skin and silver hair look even better!¡± Kazuki¡¯s straightforward admiration made Koyuki¡¯s face heat up bright red. ¡°Besides it¡¯s not only the appearance that is cute. Hiakari-san that is normally so aloof now became a dedicated cute rabbit-eared maid, why, I can feel the infinite gap between them! But even though that appearance is so sly, I¡¯m not flattering you but I cannot feel that slyness even for a bit in Hiakari-san! Everything, Hiakari-san¡¯s everything are in harmony with the maid uniform¡­Hiakari-san always said that your worth was only for battle, but perhaps by any chance Hiakari-san was born for the sake of wearing a maid uniform¡­that¡¯s how cute you are. Hiakari-san¡¯s skin is so white, so it¡¯s easy to see when you blush huh. That embarrassed figure is also so cute.¡± ¡°Pl, please cut it out already! Please Stop!¡± Toward Kazuki who kept going forever when he was just left alone, Koyuki raised her voice in embarrassment with teary eyes. ¡°Kazuki-oniisan¡­you finally took a big step forward! This is what [Moe] is desu!!¡± Lotte said so. I see, so this is the feeling of moe¡­ ¡°Oi, our King. You¡¯re going in a strange direction you know? That way must not be stepped on.¡± It feels like Leme tried to pull him back, Mio who was sulking because of the matter in the bathroom also raised her voice in dissatisfaction. ¡°Wait Kazuki, aren¡¯t you saying cute too much to anybody who doesn¡¯t matter!? Though certainly I cannot deny that for now that girl is so cute that I want to hug her.¡± For Mio to want to hug her, Kazuki could understand that. ¡°Mio as a tsundere maid is also cute. But the one that you wore before was absurdly cute so it makes the one you wear now feel lacking.¡± The maid uniform that Mio wore in the Witch Mansion was handmade and fit perfectly on Mio¡¯s body, he could also feel Mio¡¯s sense in its design that made it match Mio so well. The size of this ready-made maid uniform that Kohaku brought was a little unsuited for Mio. ¡°Mu¨D. The cuteness of the past me is truly detestable¡­¡± Mio was getting vexed in a strange area. The current maid appearance of Koyuki has miraculously had the size right on the mark. ¡°How about me desu?¡± Lotte too also asked Kazuki by pulling his sleeve. ¡°For Lotte, rather than maid, the princess image suits you much more. Compared to my desire to receive services from Lotte, I want to make you even happier.¡± When Kazuki stroked her head, Lotte was saying ¡°If that¡¯s the case¨D¡± and frolicking to Kazuki happily. ¡°Anyway, Hiakari-san¡¯s maid appearance is cute! You should have more confidence in yourself!¡± Koyuki was fidgeting in place while holding down her skirt. ¡°¡­B, but to have all this frill attached to the whole body, this squeezing sensation on my hips and the pressure from the socks on my thighs make it a little hard to sleep.¡± "For that we have pajamas here.¡± When Mio showed Koyuki the change of clothes for three people¡¯s shares, Koyuki was dumbfounded, from there she scowled at Kazuki. ¡°When you said before that there is no other change¡­!¡± ¡°Because I wanted to see Hiakari-san¡¯s maid appearance!¡± When Kazuki became defiant brazenly, Koyuki¡¯s shoulders were trembling all over and she revealed a rare emotion in her. ¡°STUPID! Stupid¡­what¡¯s with that¡­!! Making me look like this and having fun looking at me! Saying cute, cute¡­stupid!¡± Kazuki was taken aback, but a large heart mark was flying from Koyuki¡¯s chest. She snatched the pajamas from Mio and dashed toward the changing room forcefully to change her clothes. But she wasn¡¯t particularly angry because her positivity level hadn¡¯t decreased. ¡­In short she only wanted to run away because of the embarrassment. Moreover she didn¡¯t hate it wholly. That frankness was cute too. ¡°Maybe because of the cramped room, we can discover Hiakari-san¡¯s various expressions, how fun.¡± Though he also understood that this was not the situation where they could be this carefree. There was nothing more that they need to do today, the time when they need to sleep had come. ¡°Well then, tonight let¡¯s put the futon side-by-side and sleep.¡± Kazuki proposed while moving the futon. This room only has two sets of futon. To make Hiakari-san who was in the state of magic intoxication last night sufficiently rest, one of the futons was conceded to her exclusively while the other three slept in one futon. Mio and Lotte clung tightly to Kazuki looking like they didn¡¯t want to be forced out from the futon, this was the environment where they couldn¡¯t sleep well both physically and mentally. Mio took advantage of the confusion to put a kiss on his cheek. If Koyuki had already woken up, as expected he wanted to spread the two futons side-by-side and sleep in a more spacious setting. ¡°The positioning is really important right? Then tonight too Kazuki will sleep between me and Lotte!¡± ¡°¡­¡­Please wait.¡± Mio claimed so exultantly, but unexpectedly Koyuki put a stop to it. ¡°What, do you have any complaints?¡± ¡°If you think with common sense, taking that position is impossible. The number of the females that bordered the male should be suppressed as low as possible. Kazuki should sleep in the farthest end.¡± ¡°I, it¡¯s not really a problem okay? Even last night Kazuki was sleeping between us!¡± ¡°Even if last night was okay, you cannot extend it to this night. Rather the accumulation that had accumulated might be on the verge of bursting tonight.¡± ¡°What is it that was accumulating, how would it burst desu?¡± Lotte tilted her head, but a human that could answer that overly specific question didn¡¯t exist. ¡°There is no way Kazu-nii is going to do that kind of thing! Kazu-nii is out of this world just so you know!¡± ¡°Even if Kazuki won¡¯t do that kind of thing, those impure deeds might come from you two.¡± ¡°We won¡¯t! I don¡¯t have any desire to do things like that!¡± ¡°Who was the one that got naked before?¡± ¡°¡­Au¡± Mio recalled her own disgrace, she turned red up to her ears and lost her rebuttal. ¡°¡­Kazuki, sleep in the farthest side, I¡¯ll sleep next to you and become the protection wall. That¡¯s the most wholesome way.¡± ¡°W, wait a minute! Hey, Kazu-nii!?¡± Mio who lost her talk with Koyuki looked for Kazuki¡¯s opinion in a fluster. ¡°Isn¡¯t that fine, this positioning?¡± Certainly it was hard mentally to be sandwiched by two girls, what Koyuki said, for her to be the one that slept next to Kazuki, he considered that as a precious happy event. Koyuki glanced at him and examined his expression with upturned eyes. ¡°No, no wayyy¡± ¡°Then Mio-oneesan will sleep together with me desu!¡± Lotte watched Kazuki and Koyuki alternately then she dragged Mio¡¯s hand forcefully. ¡°Lotte!? Kyaa!¡± Lotte fell together with the shrieking Mio on the futon. ¡°Well then, how about we get to sleep too?¡± ¡°¡­Please don¡¯t misunderstand, since my purpose is to be the wall.¡± Kazuki was being thoughtful of Koyuki and slipped into the farthest end of the futon. ¡°¡­Is it too cramped for you? You don¡¯t need to be so reserved.¡± Indulging in Koyuki¡¯s words, Kazuki got closer to her. Both of their faces were drawing near. ¡°D, don¡¯t look at me so seriously!¡± ¡°Sorry, this range somehow feels so fresh.¡± While feeling a little nervous as one would expect, he turned off the light in the room with the remote control. ¡°Mio-oneesan¡­coochy, coochy!¡± ¡°Kyaa!? Wai-, what are you doing! Aahh¡­counter attack!¡± The instant the room turned dark, Lotte and Mio were starting to make a fuss like they were on a school trip. It looks really fun, but a man needs courage to get mixed with those girls'' games. When Kazuki was thinking that, Koyuki too was glancing at the direction of those two paying attention to them. ¡°¡­Hiakari-san, I want to coochy-coochy too.¡± ¡°Please stop. Don¡¯t say stupid things and hurry to sleep please.¡± That was a fair argument, but he didn¡¯t want to hear any fair arguments on a night like this where the atmosphere was like a sleepover. ¡°Coochy coochy!¡± After getting lost on where he should attempt to tickle her, it smells like sexual harassment if he did it on her body, so he tickled the long ear that was right in front of his eyes. His finger was making a round trip from the tip up to the base of her ear gently. ¡°Hyaa!?¡± Koyuki showed a sensitive reaction. ¡°St, stop¡­yaaann¡­¡± ¡­Her tone of voice was somehow strange. Elf¡¯s ears might be a sensitive spot. ¡°The ear is, no good¡­! Stop, stop¡­nnnnnn!!¡± Koyuki¡¯s body was shivering in a noticeably big way with ¡®buruburu¡¯, so Kazuki stopped his hand in a panic. ¡°So, sorry, as expected, it''s a forbidden act for a man to do coochy coochy¡­¡± ¡°¡­Pervert! Stupid!¡± Koyuki was cursing at him in the darkness. He couldn¡¯t even reply. ¡°Geez. ¡­¡­Coochy coochy.¡± Koyuki whispered in a tiny voice and tickled Kazuki¡¯s side. She was fairly reserved, rather than tickling it felt more like patting. Kazuki became speechless in surprise. ¡°¡­I just want to try that, let¡¯s sleep.¡± Koyuki drew back her hand like she was saying don¡¯t do that. ¡°Mio and Lotte too, don¡¯t keep making a riot, sleep quickly.¡± When Kazuki said that, the futon on the other side also became quiet immediately. The futon was filled with the warmth of two people, Kazuki soon fell into sleep. ¨DKazuki and the others were completely ignorant that the situation had already started to move in a grand scale at this time. ¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª That man was inside a tasteless underground room. A man-made underground labyrinth made from simple undressed concrete. There the number of the Demon Beasts was kept in fixed numbers and restrained from invading the surface, [a controlled Haunted Ground]. His [laboratory] existed inside that labyrinth. Even though it was closed off from the outside world, using the ether light rechargeable batteries that were brought in, electricity could be supplied, the inside of the charmless room was illuminated by pale light. The man sat down on the desk depending on that light and turned his face to the monitors. The monitors reflected the results of various research. These were the compilation of all the things that he has performed in this underground for so long¡­ The fruits of all the unforgivable sins he had piled up. ¡­He wouldn¡¯t recognize such tripe like the [King of Solomon''s 72 Pillars]. While vacantly staring at the fruits of his research, that man, Headmaster of the knight academy, Otonashi Tsukikurou thought once more. The one who governed the Knight Order should be a king of men brought forth by man¡¯s own hand. From that point the perfect army of Order was born. The foremost organization of the country, the Knight Order was not an organization that could be pulled left and right on the whim of Solomon''s 72 Pillars. For that purpose, he dirtied his hands in this underground with blasphemous research that should be despised. ¨DForcibly drawing out the power of Solomon''s 72 Pillars, the Stigmata transplanting operation. ¨DFor the purpose of creating stronger Magica Stigma, the magic faculty expansion operation. He performed various human experiments. He witnessed many of the subjects'' minds and flesh fall into destruction. Before he knew it, he didn¡¯t feel anymore guilt. Due to these research projects, my beloved daughter will be sublimed as the King made by human hands. If it¡¯s for that, I don¡¯t mind how much ill repute I will leave in the future. The thought of the father who prayed for his daughter¡¯s glory is a magnificent thing. I don¡¯t mind what happens to me. There was nothing left to be added to his fruits of research that were projected on the monitors. He was only waiting for that time to come while watching them vacantly. The voice that led him to these researches whispered softly. That voice couldn¡¯t be heard by ear, it echoed directly inside his cranium, a voice that nobody else knew. Otonashi Tsukikurou could be said to possess self-confidence in his own sanity, but he was hearing the whispering voice and seeing the hallucination even right now. The avatar of an ominous figure was dancing boisterously inside his cranium. Sphinx that grew a human head, a man with pitch black skin holding a cane of snake in his hand and wearing a red robe, an ugly woman that swelled out like a blob of fat, a creature with countless tentacles that grew from its cone-shaped head¡­all of those had one common feature¡­[no face]. ¨DThe Faceless God was whispering. The wisdom that Otonashi Tsukikurou sought out. The Faceless God answered the prayer of Tsukikurou. However its method was deviating from human morals. But when Tsukikurou dirtied his own hands, he changed and didn¡¯t mind whatever happened to him. For the sake of his noble goal, his guilt vanished like smoke. Yellow lights were flickering inside his head, the avatar was dancing around in circles boisterously. His precious daughter¨Dfor Otonashi Kaguya to reign as King. The influence and prestige that he accumulated for his whole life, everything that he owned now would be passed on to that child. All the necessary arrangements in the Knight Order and the government had been finished for that purpose. When the foolish rabble¡¯s greed were tickled and their fears were fanned, they could be manipulated easily. All the vested interests, and even the power of Solomon''s 72 Pillars, everything would be passed on to the man-made King. ¡­No, maybe he should say, to the parasite of the man-made King. Even more than the young man that Lemegeton chose, his precious daughter was far more appropriate as King. He would prove his daughter by his own hands. There was no factor that could make her lose even in the one in a thousand chances. As a father he must give a push to that glorious back. He was not insane¡­ Otonashi Tsukikurou was staring at the displays vacantly while merely waiting for the time to pass. Above the ground, it was a suitable time for the swordsmen to clash swords against each other. That sound could be heard even in his own ears. The night where the curtain opened had come. It would not be long until the stars were right. Chapter 3.2.1 — Legend of Sword Volume 3 Chapter 2 - Legend of Sword Part 1 Feeling a mysterious warmth, Kazuki opened his eyes. It feels like he was being embraced completely by someone¡­he felt a sweet scent and humidity. When he opened his eyes, there was the sleeping face of Koyuki in front of his eyes. (This was¡­that Hiakari-san was hugging me while half asleep!?) Kazuki fell into a light panic. However if he moved unskillfully he would wake her up. The outside of the window was still dark. Kazuki¡¯s morning was early because of his habit as a swordsman to practice. Suddenly the rabbit plush doll that was placed on top of the bed in Koyuki¡¯s room crossed his mind. The girl might have completely mistook Kazuki as her plush doll. ¡°¡­zu, ki¡­¡± In front of him, the girl¡¯s lips moved slightly. Was she calling his name just now? Koyuki was circling her hands around Kazuki¡¯s neck, even now the distance between their lips were in almost touching range. Both of her legs were touching Kazuki¡¯s body, she used her whole body in her embrace. Across the thin pajamas, the undulation of Koyuki¡¯s body and the sense of touch, everything was transmitted to him. Kazuki¡¯s right arm was thrust inside the triangle that was drawn from Koyuki¡¯s thighs and nether region, there was a squishy feeling of ¡®punipuni¡¯ in his palm. He noticed that his hand was in contact with a place that he really should not come in contact with. He never even imagined that she would do this kind of thing. Just as he thought, she might be really lonely somewhere in her heart living in isolation. Kazuki felt the incredible loveliness of this girl who fawned on him unconsciously, his left hand that was not being embraced moved and stroked her head. The silver hair that was cut short felt silky in his hand each time he stroke her hairs apart, it felt very good. ¡°Nn¡­¡± With the small voice she leaked out, a smile floated on Koyuki¡¯s face filled with relief. Her white cheeks were soft and full with her smile, this time he poked those cheeks with his finger. The sleeping Koyuki was nuzzling her cheek against the poking finger. Somehow she looked so cute. Next Kazuki pushed her nose. The girl¡¯s noble face was warped slightly along with a strange ¡°funya¡± voice that she leaked out. This girl was also really cute when she was this defenseless. A heart mark flew out from her chest. She might have felt something about Kazuki inside her subconsciousness. Then her sleep talk before, just as he thought, perhaps she was calling his name. When Kazuki¡¯s finger was drifting around wondering about where he was going to poke next, Koyuki¡¯s face that was supposed to be sleeping was reacting mysteriously, ¡®paku¡¯ in a snap the tip of the finger was held inside her lips. While Kazuki was startled somewhere else, Koyuki sucked out ¡®chuu¡¯ Kazuki¡¯s index finger just like a child who was sucking a pacifier. (Uwaa¡­Hiakari-san¡¯s lips, so soft¡­) Feeling fretful because there was nothing coming out from Kazuki¡¯s fingertip, Koyuki started to lick Kazuki¡¯s fingertip. The tip of her tongue made out watery sounds ¡®kuchukuchu¡¯. It was strangely lewd somehow¡­ There, Koyuki¡¯s eyes opened. ¡°Kajuki?¡± She whispered in a half asleep voice. Her mouth was gaping open absentmindedly and the finger that was covered in her saliva was dropped from her mouth. She started to comprehend the situation little by little, then in the blink of an eye her expression was colored with shock and shame. However when she noticed that the ones that embraced Kazuki strongly were her own arms and legs, she could express neither her complaint nor her disparagement, only tremble in silence. She turned her back and shrank in embarrassment. ¡°I saw a strange dream and clung to you like that. ¡­Forgive me.¡± What kind of dream did she see? In any case, this wasn''t something she needed to apologize for. ¡°Liar, like this¡­I only did embarrassing things since yesterday¡­¡± ¡°That¡¯s not true Hiakari-san¡­rather if I had to say, you were really cute so it¡¯s fine.¡± Kazuki said so with the intention to follow up, but with a tiny voice the girl was, ¡°¡­I don¡¯t understand what you see from me that''s fine or cute, Idiot.¡± She whispered. After a while, Lotte also opened her eyes. Kazuki had long-waited for that. Kazuki spoke his mind frankly to Lotte who was coming back from washing her face in the washroom. ¡°Lotte, can you teach me Telepathy magic?¡± Kazuki recalled Kaguya-senpai¡¯s scent in his mind. His yearning feeling for senpai urged a determination from Kazuki for the whole time since last night. ¡­He had to win against Kaguya-senpai. Lotte blinked her eyes in surprise toward Kazuki¡¯s words. ¡°You could reduce the hallucination of agony by using Telepathy magic to enter a Trance right?¡± Senpai used a magic that assigned her opponent a hallucination of agony. When he saw senpai fight for the first time, he couldn¡¯t do a thing. That magic was something he absolutely needed a countermeasure for. ¡°Yes. I never expected that kind of magic before, so my mind was consumed and thrown out of order completely into a wreck, but¨Dif beforehand I could enter a state of Trance and [resolve] myself, I should be able to endure to a certain degree desu.¡± Resolve¡­if it¡¯s resolve, he has it. Trance was a state where he controlled every nook and corner of his mind, including the subconscious area. A mental magic skill where [one''s self] was completely in control of one¡¯s own emotions and senses. ¡°Lotte, I ask you to consent to something unreasonable. I want to Trace Lotte¡¯s method of Trance. For that I want you to remove your wall of heart for me.¡± Hoshikaze-senpai had once before aligned her mind with Kazuki and Traced the way Kazuki¡¯s body moved, with that she learned the kata of Kazuki¡¯s sword style. That great efficiency was something one should be surprised at. Lotte learned Japanese language by aligning her mind with the surrounding humans¡¯ minds and Traced their emotion and the interrelation of their vocal chords¡¯ movements. The time that she spent to learn the Japanese language was a mere period of three days. Kazuki thought that he could learn the technique to manipulate his sense of pain with the state of Trance by aligning his mind with Lotte, in the same way Lotte learned language. But it was difficult to Trace the depth of the mind. Because if his mind trespassed the Mind Hackbottom of the mind of other people, he would be repelled by the defense mechanism called . Thus, Kazuki proposed for Lotte to remove the wall of her heart beforehand and let him Trace her completely defenseless mind. ¡­Normally that was a request that absolutely couldn¡¯t be asked. For the wall of the heart to be removed, it was an action of nothing less than surrendering every nook and cranny of her own heart to other people. Every secret of her heart would be exposed, there was even the risk of her will being hypnotized by the other party. Even so, for the sake of victory against Kaguya-senpai, that was an absolutely needed step. If for example he requested this from Mio, she would reject him for sure in embarrassment of getting all her shame exposed to Kazuki. That was not a problem of the high and low of the positivity level, but a problem of personality. However if it was Lotte¨D ¡°I don¡¯t mind at all. Because I don¡¯t have any feelings that I want to hide from Onii-san, none at all desu.¡± She said so quite indifferently as though that request had nothing to do with her. ¡°But, if we are going to do it then let¡¯s do it where no one can bother us.¡± Lotte smiled in mischief and she pulled Kazuki inside the toilet. ¡°We are going to do it in this kind of place?¡± Kazuki, who was the one that asked for it in the first place was bewildered. ¡°Kazuki-oniisan, please sit down there.¡± Lotte brought down the cover of the toilet seat as she was talking and sat Kazuki there. Then she sat on top of Kazuki¡¯s knees with her legs out to the side, only her head was facing toward Kazuki. Both their eyes drew near each other. ¡°By all means, go on.¡± Lotte closed her eyes and readily cleared her wall of the heart. ¡°Thank you, Lotte.¡± Kazuki also closed his eyes, he poured all his concentration to synchronize with Lotte¡¯s heart. Several blue strings of magical light were extending from Kazuki. They enveloped Lotte completely. Kazuki perceived all the ripples that were produced from Lotte¡¯s heart. {Well then, how I use the Telepathy, I¡¯ll show Onii-san the way I control my mind, please perceive it.} Lotte¡¯s heart informed him so. At the same time countless idle thoughts outside of the control method also rose out in her heart. {I like Kazuki-oniisan} {I believe you so there is no problem} {I¡¯m so happy that Kazuki-oniisan is entering me} {Feel me more} {Only now I can monopolize Kazuki-oniisan} {This is something that Mio-oneesan cannot do} {I love you} Lotte¡¯s each and every thought poured into Kazuki like fierce surging waves. Lotte¡¯s positivity level was 106. But all these thoughts were the real contents of that number. Her good will spontaneously grew, at the same time the heart mark that symbolizes the increase of positivity level also flew over. {Thank you Lotte} Kazuki accepted every one of those thoughts and conveyed his gratitude. This was a training method that absolutely couldn¡¯t come into existence without a partner like Lotte. He felt Lotte¡¯s heart and Traced all the performance of Lotte¡¯s mind¡¯s movements. ¨DA little after an hour passed, Kazuki could somehow get the hang of the trick. When the Telepathy was over, Lotte laughed ¡°ehehe¡± and came flying, hugging Kazuki tightly. ¡°Let¡¯s try it in practice. Please cancel Onii-san¡¯s defensive magic power desu.¡± Kazuki strongly thought of nonresistance, then his defensive magic power was cancelled. Lotte pulled Kazuki¡¯s cheek strongly. Sense of pain was primarily the work of the subconscious mind. But he seized it with the Trance and controlled it. The pain was softly abating like being enveloped in silk floss. He still couldn¡¯t shut out the pain completely. However he had to reach the level where he could shut out the brutal agony of Kaguya-senpai¡¯s magic and persevere through it. ¡°If Onii-san couldn¡¯t deal with unexpected and sudden pain, than all this would also be in vain desu.¡± When Lotte said that, she suddenly drew near Kazuki¡¯s face and bit Kazuki¡¯s ear in a snap. Kazuki could even deal with that kind of sudden movement and quickly the pain was abating. Finally the pain vanished and what was left was only the sensation of Lotte¡¯s mouth caressing his earlobe. Rather her mouth felt pleasant. ¡°Thank you Lotte.¡± Kazuki hugged Lotte who was biting his earlobe like she was fawning at him. ¡°Right now I can sense Onii-san¡¯s feelings, this is somehow enjoyable desu.¡± ¡°¡­How dare you pull my cheek and bite my ear huh.¡± With a joking tone, Kazuki pinched Lotte¡¯s cheek that felt like touching a smooth silk. ¡°Plese don¡¯t pull my cheek~. Ehehe, Onii-san is not going to bite my ear desu?¡± Lotte was happily coming to pursue a skinship with Kazuki. Chapter 3.2.2 — Legend of Sword Volume 3 Chapter 2 - Legend of Sword Part 2 ¡°Oi Mio, wake up already. Kohaku is going to come after this you know?¡± With her twintails untied slovenly when she slept, the slightly amorous Mio was ¡°Nn¡­I can''t wake up if there is no kiss from the prince¡­¡±, then she stuck out her shapely lips. Her way of thinking was on the same level as Kanae¡­ ¡°You, you just want to say that and are only pretending to be asleep aren¡¯t you¡­¡± It was not like what she asked was something Kazuki disliked, rather he was tempted to just kiss her for real, but he became aware of Koyuki¡¯s chilly gaze so he shook Mio¡¯s shoulder with more strength. ¨DIt was 7 o¡¯clock in the morning. Kohaku showed her face at this time when the SHR would be started soon. She came here a few times a day to pass Kazuki and the others food and the like. But this time she was a bit late. ¡°From today onward, it¡¯s fine to go out from this room limited inside the grounds of the Sword Division as long as someone accompanies you.¡± Suddenly Kohaku informed them of the change in the situation. ¡°Why is that? Isn¡¯t it bad if Kanae and the others from the Sword Division student council found out our whereabouts?¡± ¡°The Sword Division student council that Kazuki knows doesn¡®t exist anymore.¡± ¡°What did you say? Did something happen to Kanae?¡± ¡°Kanae-dono judged this one one-sidedly and came to attack and was defeated. The school tradition of the Sword Division is based on real strength doctrine, even more compared to the Magic Division. Because of that, the moment the student council president is defeated by someone, she would lose all credibility.¡± ¡°Then Kohaku won against Kanae!?¡± Kazuki was struck with admiration from the bottom of his heart. ¡°Although you have seven Sacred Treasures, to properly win against that girl¡­¡± ¡°You have said enough. This one heard before that when Kazuki and Kanae crossed swords, Kazuki was the stronger one.¡± Certainly he had more wins than losses with the score of 139 victories and 118 defeats. However those were not real battles. ¡°Because Kanae¡¯s disposition is to fight using her instinct, she cannot make a serious effort in a contest of strength that was half playing around. If she gets really serious, in just swordsmanship she is much, much stronger than me. ¡­I see, so you really won nicely against her.¡± Kazuki displayed his heartfelt admiration, but Kohaku¡¯s expression didn¡¯t brighten at all. ¡°¡­Anyway this one is taking over the authority of the student council president, Kanae-dono and the others were suspended from school and underwent their penitence in their own rooms because of their crime in assaulting other students. At the same time, the Magic Division is forbidden from entering the Sword Division, all the students will enter states of high alert after school. In other words our preparations are in good order. The next time the Magic Division would appear in this ground is the moment when they come to attack right from the front in order to seriously recapture Kazuki and Lotte.¡± Kaguya-senpai and the others will come to attack the Sword Division¡­that was the situation that he wanted to avoid the most. ¡°Kohaku, I have said this many times, but the Magic Division and the Sword Division shouldn¡¯t antagonize each other. To prepare for bigger threats, the Swordsmen and the Magica Stigma have to join their strength. This is not the time to squabble with each other. Even though you won against Kanae with the use of Sacred Treasures, opponents that you wouldn¡¯t be able to defeat without the cooperation of the Magic Division will surely appear in the future.¡± This was an argument that he kept repeating each time Kohaku came to the room until now. If she wouldn¡¯t lend her ear this time then¨DKazuki intended to use all his strength to escape from this room. He couldn¡¯t just sit around and wait anymore. Despite laughing off Kazuki¡¯s argument with full confidence until now, for some reason this time Kohaku was looking down with doubt residing inside her eyes. ¡°¡­This one really doesn¡¯t understand why Kazuki is always advocating such a claim. If we let the Magic Division do as they please, you realize that you are only going to be judged as an illegal magician right?¡± ¡°I never did anything like causing harm to any knight and trying to steal a Sacred Treasure. Those are false accusations. Inside the Magic Division, there is someone who attempted to trick me into something. Liz Liza-sensei should already tell you that there is some strange distortion going on. If this distortion is not set right, the Knight Academy¡¯s situation will turn dire.¡± ¡°A dire situation?¡± For Kazuki to claim that there was [someone who tricked him into something] by himself was a fairly lame thing to do. But it looks like Kohaku had undergone some change in her mental state, she lent her ear to Kazuki seriously. ¡°My contracted Diva, Lemegeton, is the Demon King that unifies Solomon''s 72 Pillars. I have to become an appropriate King for her. If the situation keeps like this, all of Solomon''s 72 Pillars will be disappointed in us. If Solomon''s 72 Pillars wash their hands from Japan¡¯s government, that would be the end of this country.¡± I am a King. It couldn¡¯t be helped even if he made thoughtless and outrageous remarks, however this was most likely the truth. If he didn¡¯t resolve himself and take action, the situation would turn dire. ¡°Unify Solomon''s 72 Pillars, Demon King¡­?¡± Mio who watched over the two was dumbfounded. However she knew about Kazuki¡¯s ability. If she included that fact, what Kazuki said was not so out of the realm of possibility. ¡°What this guy said is the truth.¡± Leme materialized besides Kazuki. Now that he thought about it, since they were confined in this room, she never appeared at all, was it because of her discretion of the other girls? ¡°¡­You, haven¡¯t you grown a little more since the last time?¡± ¡°Are you an uncle that meets his nephew after a long time? This is the fruit of Lotte¡¯s positivity level increase.¡± Leme showed a sullen face, was she being awkward? Leme¡¯s figure had turned into a girl around the age of a first year middle school student. Although there was still some innocence left in her look with that squishy cheek of hers, inside her well-ordered face and figure was a hint of the budding charm of a woman. If she kept growing like a human with this rate, she might grow into a beautiful girl that couldn¡¯t be ignored by anyone. ¡°This girl is not a bad Diva. See, she doesn¡¯t look like a bad guy at all.¡± ¡°Shop hith~, dhon¡¯ fhull fhy sheeck~ (Stop~, don¡¯t pull my cheek~)¡± While pulling Leme¡¯s cheeks widely, Kazuki appealed that Leme was a harmless existence. Was this a success, Kohaku was looking down and thinking for a while. ¡°¡­This matter might be something this one cannot decide. Kazuki, this one had someone this one wants you to meet.¡± ¡°A person you want me to meet?¡± ¡°This one and the other also have a power broker behind us.¡± After a long time, Kazuki and the others could finally get outside led by Kohaku. The group traversed the Sword Division¡¯s grounds. They could feel the awfully bright sunlight along with the morning air and fresh cold wind. Different from the Magic Division, the Sword Division had a Japanese atmosphere. Gentle undulations at the ground made from the artificial hill, a long stretching road filled with lines of stepping stones, stone lanterns and pine trees were attracting their eyes. ¡°This one fought with Kanae-dono here.¡± Kohaku said so with a sigh in the immediate area of the clubroom building. Her face seen from the side looked quite uncertain that was so unlike how she usually acted, this place gave a true account of what kind of fight had unfolded here. Even though Kohaku owned several Sacred Treasures, she shouldn¡¯t be able to defeat Kanae so easily. But no matter what had actually happened in the fight, it wouldn¡¯t be able to shake the fact of the outcome. Even Kanae wouldn¡¯t act like a child by insisting in protest against her defeat. ¡°The person you want me to meet is not in the student dormitory but inside this kind of place?¡± The time was still before the start of the school class. Despite that, why would that person be here in the clubroom building and not in his room at the student dormitory? ¡°There is a special circumstance, she is a Sword Division student, but she spends a lot of her time secretly outside the dormitory.¡± Kohaku ascended the exterior stairs of the clubroom building while talking, then she knocked on the door of the clubroom with a dirty plate that was hanged on it with the writing of [Pingpong Club]. Looking from its outward appearance, the clubroom looks abandoned already. ¡°-sama, this is Kohaku. Coming in.¡± ¡°¡­I told you already, don¡¯t call me Mikohime-sama! Someone that calls me something like Mikohime cannot come in, idiot¨D!¡± Boos were returned from the other side of the door. Kohaku was stunned for only a moment, then she opened the door with a key while saying ¡°Entering.¡± Peeking at the other side of the door, Kazuki¡¯s eyes suddenly became round. The inside of the clubroom was not a conventional high school clubroom, but it had been turned into an altar of Shinto ceremony. The whole surface was colored brightly with vermilion and gold colors, while there was a large altar in the inside. There was not even a shadow or shape of anything ping-pong club like inside. In the middle of the room, there was a girl clad in the Sword Division¡¯s uniform. ¡°Kohakuu¨D, I have said this so many times, but a title like miko or hime is not appropriate for me. I¡¯m just one girl that had decided to reach success in life by the sword, a swordswoman! So stop elevating me to a weird position!¡± A girl with a short-cut hair in shaggy-style that made her look energetic. With an imposing countenance that really suited a swordsman, she was sulking at Kohaku in dissatisfaction childishly. When that girl noticed Kazuki, she thrust her index finger to him and raised a loud voice. ¡°A young man in the Magic Division uniform¡­I heard about it before, this guy is the enemy of women, Hayashizaki Kazuki! Kohaku, what is this about? Why will you take this kind of guy to this altar? Have you been corrupted by him!? En-gacho!¡± (¡­Wait a second there, what does she mean by "enemy of women"!?) ¡°Mikohime-sama, first please let me introduce them. ¡­Kazuki, in this side is Tsukahara Kazuha-sama. A senpai in the Sword Division.¡± ¡°You said Tsukahara, so she is that teacher¡¯s¡­?¡± ¡°Correct, she is his daughter.¡± ¡°Stop calling me Tsukahara, I¡¯m going to be compared with that good-for-nothing glasses father. Then Kohaku too, stop that stiff tone of yours when talking to me already. You¡¯re my important friend after all.¡± ¡°Before you are this one¡¯s friend, Kazuha-senpai is the mikohime of the sword.¡± ¡°I told you to quit it haven¡¯t I¨D! I¡¯m angry here, otherwise I¡¯m going to cry!?¡± Kazuha-senpai waved her arms about energetically. The long sleeves of the Sword Division¡¯s uniform were flapping around. ¡°Then Mikohime-sama, these are those who were chased by the aforementioned Magic Division, Hayashizaki Kazuki and Charlotte Liebenfrau, and the additional two that were dragged into that strife.¡± ¡°Wait there, what¡¯s with that mention of ¡®additional¡¯ you said! I¡¯m the one with the number one charisma you know!?¡± Though the mention about getting dragged into this was true, Mio was still angry because she was introduced lightly. ¡°I understand their problems when I see them. But why would you take them to this place?¡± ¡°I wish for Mikohime-sama and Sword God-sama to hear their story.¡± ¡°I told you¡­don¡¯t call me Mikohime¡­¡± Kazuha-senpai was being fed up with how Kohaku keep calling her Mikohime. (¡­Mikohime, Sword God¡­?) ¡°Kazuki, Kazuha-senpai is being contracted with a Diva outside of Solomon''s 72 Pillars, she is the same as Kazuki, an illegal magician in the eyes of the law. Because of this one and my comrade¡¯s encounter with Senpai here, we started to get really serious about overthrowing the Magic Division.¡± Kazuki spontaneously faced Kazuha-senpai with shocked eyes. ¡°Wait, is it okay for you to reveal me as an illegal magician so lightly? Of course it¡¯s not okay you know!¡± Kazuha-senpai glowered at Kohaku. Looking at her abundance of emotion that she showed, it seems there was no unnaturalness at all in her like a person that was having their heart encroached. She was overflowing with energetic vitality, a very open and bold woman. ¡°Well, indeed I am an illegal magician. But my Diva is by no means an evil existence. I¡¯ll show you the proof right now, you¡¯ll see.¡± Kazuha-senpai chanted a spell, her body was enveloped with vermillion light of magic power. ¡°Mine bare hands grasp the red hot ore. Ridges on the sky, blade on the earth, merge in a flash namely as the only sword. Thy inscription is ! Oh god of iron and fire, show thy forge!¡± Kazuha-senpai¡¯s hands were both swallowed in burning flame. Inside that flame, a hot red iron [sword] was created. That sword was not a Japanese katana. It was an ancient double edged sword that was used in the era far before even the katana. A human¡¯s face was carved like a relief in the part of the hilt, The avatar that was born from the spell was floating away lightly from Kazuha-senpai¡¯s hand. ¡°¡­Mine name is Futsunushi no Kami! One of the pillar gods that had watched over the children of Yamato from ancient times!¡± The rough human face that was carved into the hilt opened its eyes suddenly and widely and proclaimed to Kazuki and the others. ¡°Mikohime-sama is contracted with Futsunushi no Kami-sama, but she hid this matter and went through the Sword Division. ¡­So to speak, [the Magica Stigma of Sword Division].¡± In contrast with Kazuki who was the swordsman of the Magic Division¡­Kazuha-senpai was the Magica Stigma of the Sword Division! ¡°Is there no danger? If you are possessed and your mind gets hijacked then¡­¡± Kazuha-senpai turned indignant toward Kazuki¡¯s apprehension. ¡°What are you saying, you enemy of women! You¡¯re going to be cursed by all the god-sama that had been in Japan since ancient times! I had associated with Futsunushi no Kami since I was born! If he had any intention to hijack my mind than he would have already done it a long time ago!¡± ¡°Guwahhahha!¡± Futsunushi no Kami laughed. ¡°That¡¯s correct, I don¡¯t have any such intention like stealing human¡¯s flesh body. I¡¯m also not interested in human¡¯s faith. So to speak, I am the same as Solomon''s 72 Pillars. I bind a contract only to grant strength to this frail young girl!¡± ¡°Don¡¯t call me frail, idiot!¡± ¡°Guwahhahha! Hooww cute!¡± The human-faced sword¨DFutsunushi no Kami was laughing heartily. The expressive features of the carving in the hilt felt like a good natured uncle, Kazuki couldn¡¯t see any lie at all from him. There was no reason to think that just because he is a Diva, he wanted to steal human¡¯s body from anyone. Lotte¡¯s Prometheus was also like that. Each Diva¡¯s objective were different. The current law that grouped all the Diva that were not among Solomon''s 72 Pillars as something to be wary of and classified those Diva¡¯s contractor as illegal magicians might be too rough and broad. Though thinking of the risk of those Divas with evil intentions, that kind of law probably couldn¡¯t be helped, but¡­ Now that he thought about it, the illegal magicians that were captured by the Knight Order was when their mind was encroached, thus losing their sanity and turning violent. Supposing that the Diva was not encroaching their mind, as long as they didn¡¯t use their power and hid their stigmata, they could pass off as normal humans and keep living normally. By some chance, perhaps there was a lot of [Hidden Illegal Magicians] contracted secretly with Divas from various mythologies that stay under the radar in this country outside of Kazuha-senpai. ¡°¡­Japan Mythology¡¯s Diva!?¡± Leme materialized at Kazuki¡¯s side. ¡°Oooh, little girl! Are you one of Solomon''s 72 Pillars?¡± Futsunushi no Kami asked to Leme. ¡°Leme is the King of Solomon''s 72 Pillars, Lemegeton. Right now most of my strength and memory are lost. This guy is the master of Leme¡¯s contract, if he grows to become an appropriate King, Leme will also recover het strength and memory.¡± Leme spoke rudely while pointing at Kazuki. ¡°But the government and the adults in this academy don¡¯t trust Leme and Kazuki, they gave us designations as illegal and pursued us. On top of all that, they even created some suspicious plot by giving us false charges and treated us like criminals¡­¡± ¡°I see. How pitiful, even though you are just a little girl. But won¡¯t it be okay if you just explain it through the 72 Pillars?¡± Futsunushi no Kami who was floating around in the air buoyantly slanted his body and asked Leme. Was that gesture something like someone tilting his neck in wonder? Certainly, if a Diva like Asmodeus or Phoenix just explained to the people that [Lemegeton is our King] , all the issues would be resolved neatly. ¡°That¡¯s no good. Solomon''s 72 Pillars had decided not to intervene in the actions and decisions of the people in this country. We granted power freely to this country without the rule of faith so we can see with our own eyes what they will use that power for. Right now is still the stage where they need to be aware of what had awoken in this world, isn¡¯t that right? If they make a move like eliminating the King, who are Leme and Kazuki, for their own selfish interest then¡­Solomon''s 72 Pillars are going to forsake Japan and move to a different place.¡± Leme answered with some cruelty spreading into her sentiment. ¡°¡­Eh, what¡¯s with that! Isn¡¯t that bad!?¡± Mio who listened carefully in that place couldn¡¯t help but raise her voice. ¡°In which case, in the current situation, all of you are currently in the process of running out of patience toward the government of Japan then, guhaha.¡± ¡°The situation is just like you said. In the meantime, this guy¡­our King, what is he going to show to us, Leme is looking forward to it in anticipation. ¡­And then, what is the stance that Japan''s Mythology is taking? I thought that Japan''s Mythology didn¡¯t plan to concern themselves with the humans proactively.¡± This time Leme was the one that asked Futsunushi no Kami. Distinct color of wariness was floating in Leme¡¯s expression towards Japan''s Mythology. Suddenly Futsunushi no Kami¡¯s face turned serious and he answered. ¡°True. Frankly speaking, I don¡¯t have any trust in any of you from Solomon''s 72 Pillars.¡± The Diva of sword with strangely deep character, Futsunushi no Kami started his story with grave expression. ¡°We, the Divas of are a mythology that doesn¡¯t particularly demand faith from humans. We don¡¯t have any intention to aim for a monotheism where the gods are absolute and things like subduing the humans and basking ourselves in self-satisfaction. Having an altar built for me and also an interesting person like Kazuha as a partner for playing around with is more than enough. We are the native friends of the children of Yamato, the local friend, think of us as the localee.¡± ¡°Localee¡­is that vocabulary that is used by god-sama?¡± ¡°Guwahhahha, I¡¯m happy that you can insert the tsukkomi there! When I¡¯m the idiot someone is going to tsukkomi, just having someone accompanying me for that is enough to satisfy me! The same goes with my other comrades. But if we are neglected and become sulky, then we will go wild and bring forth calamity!!¡± Harming the mood of the god-sama would cause a great disaster, that was the standard pattern for Japan¡¯s folklore. Are they friendly or vicious¡­ ¡°By the way, usually I put some offering on the altar here, chatting with Futsunushi no Kami about what happened today at school, playing some games, or other things. We are close friends see!¡± Kazuha-senpai¡¯s expression broke open slightly and she puffed up with pride. ¡°Mikohime-sama doesn¡¯t have any friends in class after all¡± ¡°Kazuha doesn¡¯t have any friends except me after all, guwahhahha!¡± ¡°Do, don¡¯t say that I don¡¯t have any friends! ¡­It can¡¯t be helped that I cannot make any friends¡­No wait, Kohaku is my friend right? That¡¯s why don¡¯t call me Mikohime-sama¡­¡± ¡°Bu, but senpai is the one that is contracted with Sword God-sama so no matter what it¡¯s too auguste¡­¡± Kohaku was flustered. When she started to call Kazuki informally before this she was also hesitating very much, it seems she had quite a reserved character against someone established as her senior. Kazuha-senpai dropped her shoulders in dejection hearing Kohaku¡¯s reply. ¡°¡­ isn¡¯t it? Even in Europe, similar mythologies that believed in spirits are not few.¡± This time Prometheus¡¯ form also appeared at Lotte¡¯s side. ¡°However nature¡¯s worship at Europe was distorted in the present era because of the censure in the middle ages that demarked them as demon¡¯s beliefs. Japan''s Mythology can be said to be a rare case because they are a primitive faith that is still continuing into the present era, don¡¯t you agree.¡± Prometheus'' original form and strength had returned for a time in the middle of the fight with Beatrix. But it seems it was nothing more than a temporary recovery using Leme¡¯s power, he immediately returned back to the form of a young boy afterwards. Looks like he still had to reside inside Lotte to recover his divinity from now on too. ¡°Hou, looks like this time a youngster came out. Are you that one, the Diva who is said to be contracted with the heretic magician Charlotte Liebenfrau¡­? ¡°Correct, Prometheus of the Greek Mythology, best regards.¡± Prometheus presented his hand for a handshake, but when Futsunushi no Kami presented his sword body suddenly he drew back his hand in shock. What are they doing, these Divas? The situation developed into a gathering of three Divas, each from a different Mythology. Solomon''s 72 Pillars also had a secrecy doctrine, so this was an exceedingly rare scene. ¡°We of the Japanese Mythology were not particularly concerned when Solomon''s 72 Pillars started to get along with the people of Japan. Thereupon there is this feeling of us being treated lightly in recent times that make us irritated!¡± Futsunushi no Kami talked with a lively tone. It seems he was irritated. ¡°The consensus opinion of the whole body of the Japanese Mythology is that whatever other Mythology attempts to do in Japan is inconsequential¡­but for me personally, recently I was entertaining doubt about whether it is okay or not to leave the people of Japan, who are my friends, to Solomon''s 72 Pillars.¡± ¡°Mu, so Futsunushi no Kami has something he is unsatisfied with Leme and the others. I¡¯ll accept your challenge then.¡± Leme faced Futsunushi no Kami and took a fighting pose. ¡°To start with number one, the current Japan make light of the swordsman too much. I am the Sword God that was worshipped by the lineage of Tsukahara for generations, this tendency to make light of swordsman is not something pleasant for me as the Sword God.¡± ¡°Precisely, exactly like that.¡± Kohaku raised a voice of approval. ¡°That, even Leme and the others of Solomon''s 72 Pillars can say we are troubled by that too. The Japanese government is the one that gives favorable treatment to the Magica Stigma on their own accord. ¡­Well, though it might turn out differently if Solomon''s 72 Pillars'' magic handling are more focused on reinforcement magic like Thor of the Norse Mythology from the other day¡­¡± ¡°And then one more thing, the matter of the ominous ceremony that is performed in the underground of this academy. That ceremony is eerie no matter how you see it, it makes Solomon''s 72 Pillars look all the more dubious.¡± ¡°Ominous ceremony? What are you talking about?¡± Leme¡¯s eyes turned perfectly round. It seems somehow she really had no knowledge of the mentioned ceremony. ¡°The swordsmen continue to be discriminated unjustly, and then an ominous presence can be felt from the underground of this academy. From these two primary factors, I harbor a considerable distrust toward Solomon''s 72 Pillars. In that occasion, the humans of the Sword Division elevated Kazuha and I and raised a plan to aim for the restoration of the swordsman¡¯s rights, we too were cooperating with them in this plan. Though even if I say cooperation, but it will become a problem if Kazuha fights in the center stage extensively and get the designation of illegal magician, that¡¯s why there is nothing I can do except to bestow the indirectly to those swordsmen.¡± ¡°By earning the Divine Protection of Futsunushi no Kami-sama, we become able to draw out from Sacred Treasures that possessed element of .¡± ¡°Battou Kaikon?¡± After hearing that unfamiliar words from Kohaku, Kazuki interposed a question to her. ¡°Kazuki is still not accustomed to using Sacred Treasures right? What is called Battou Kaikon is to make a path between the mind and the Sacred Treasure, a skill to draw out the essence of strength that Sacred Treasures possess.¡± Now that she mentioned it, the first time he used , there was the sensation from Raikiri that tried to address him. By coming to a mutual understanding with the Sacred Treasure like that, it seems they would be able to pull out some kind of special move. Kohaku¡¯s group of comrades were swordsmen that each possessed special moves of Battou Kaikon. Certainly their group was fairly strong with that kind of ace. He could see how Kohaku could be so full of confidence. ¡°¡­It¡¯s dangerous to only rely on just one sword. If these swordsmen could use the Sacred Treasures skillfully, there wouldn¡¯t be any need for Japan¡¯s government to depend solely on Solomon''s 72 Pillars for all of its military power.¡± ¡°¡­By no means are we doing this for our own personal grudge against the Magic Division and the Magica Stigma.¡± Kohaku whispered with a sigh. ¡°Leme understands in general about the matter with Futsunushi no Kami. But¡­what is that you mean about the ominous ceremony!?¡± Leme was in the condition of taking offense. Leme didn¡¯t have any knowledge about the [ominous ceremony] that was the crux of the matter mentioned not long ago, she looked very reluctant to be doubted because of that. ¡°Hmmm, sometimes there are outbreaks of ominous magic power from the underground of this academy. It made my sword bodyradar reacting, like ¡®binbinbin¡¯. And also, about this ominous ceremony, there is no doubt that it is related with a Diva. This stinks. Absolutely suspicious.¡± ¡°Ominous magic power¡­but I have never felt anything like that since I came to this academy. Maybe we cannot feel it because Leme-sama and my power haven¡¯t returned completely.¡± The young boy Prometheus tilted his head in curiosity. His power was still not insufficient after all. On the other side, Leme was being angry in a huff. ¡°Wait right there, Leme has amnesia so she is not really clear with the situation, but Solomon''s 72 Pillars are undoubtedly the ally of this country! If there is any ominous presence, then that is a separate case from Leme and the others!¡± ¡°But, in fact I really feel it.¡± Futsunushi no Kami talked back with a particularly stern face. A Young boy - a Young girl - a Sword, these three Divas that were glaring at each other made for a zlightly foolish appearance. Was it because the Divas that gathered here were only human-friendly Divas, but there was really no dignity at all that could be seen from them. ¡°That is the matter at hand, but Futsunushi no Kami-sama¡­¡± Kohaku interposed herself between the Divas. ¡°It seems Kazuki is being accused with groundless charges by someone in the academy¡¯s inner circle. Someone that would trap Kazuki who is the King of Solomon¡­if that is the origin of the ominous magical power then¡­the true opponent that we ought to fight might not be the Magica Stigma.¡± ¡°¡­Hmmm, so that is Kohaku¡¯s real intention of bringing these people to my location. After all Kohaku is prudent unlike with Kazuha. I¡¯ll believe you, guwahhahha!¡± ¡°Hey wait Futsunushi no Kami, why do you put out my name there for the comparison!?¡± ¡­The one that led Kazuki into these predicaments and the ominous magic power from the academy¡¯s underground. Were these two event not originated from the same root? Thanks to Kohaku lending her ear to Kazuki¡¯s words, Kazuki could become aware about such significant facts. If they could solve this puzzle, then it might be possible for all of these problems to be resolved. ¡°Moreover, this one had lost confidence. This one had the conviction to defeat Otonashi Kaguya and slay the owner of the ominous magical power just because this one owned Sacred Treasures. However¡­¡± ¡°¡­The fight last night made you waver in your path. You too are an expert, but your opponent last night is also a magnificent and praiseworthy swordsman. To bear a sense of defeat against that kind of opponent is not a shameful thing.¡± The swordsman that Futsunushi no Kami praised so, there was no doubt that he referred to Kanae. ¡°This one is still too immature to realize the ideal of Futsunushi no Kami-sama.¡± Kohaku dropped her shoulders and hung her head dejectedly. ¡°Gahaha, there, there.¡± Futsunushi no Kami used his sword body and tapped Kohaku¡¯s head lightly. ¡­He seems to try to comfort her, but it sure didn¡¯t look like it¡­ ¡°As I thought, this is not the situation where the Sword Division and the Magic Division can waste their time fighting each other.¡± Kazuki asserted once again toward Futsunushi no Kami. ¡°Hmm. If Kohaku also says that much, then it seems there is a need to also take your words into consideration. Then let¡¯s do this. Your group alone will head toward the underground of the academy and make clear about the true identity of the ominous magical power. If in the end you can prove that Solomon''s 72 Pillars are unrelated with that, I will also believe in you.¡± ¡°¡­Do you know where the exact location of that magical power is, and also the route?¡± ¡°I do. But the entrance to the underground is locked with barrier and stigmata authentication. The barrier can be torn off by my power, but the lock of stigmata authentication can only be passed by owners of Stigmata, my cute kids from the Sword Division couldn¡¯t even investigate that place.¡± I see, if there was unknown magical power produced from a place that couldn¡¯t be passed except by owners of stigmata, then it was not unreasonable to suspect the Magic Division and Solomon''s 72 Pillars. But owners of stigmata were not limited to just the contractors of Solomon''s 72 Pillars. Stigmata was the proof of the connection that had been tied with a Diva. Stigmata had the role of the code to allow Divas to pass through to the heart of the contractor, even in the case of possession contracts there would still be a small stigmata emerged in the body. Wasn¡¯t the possibility that the perpetrator who was passing through that exit and entrance was an illegal magician quite high? ¡°Wait a second, wait a second, is it really okay to just trust these guys that easily?¡± Kazuha-senpai, who had kept quiet for a long time opened her mouth with an astonished expression. ¡°Mikohime-sama, Kazuki is a person that is worthy of trust.¡± ¡°I told you, don¡¯t call me Mikohime! ¡­After all isn¡¯t he a happy guy who makes who knows how many women serve him? I don¡¯t want to side with that kind of shameless guy no matter what.¡± ¡°¡­¡­That¡¯s¡­certainly, this one too feels deep inside that Kazuki is surrounded by a little too many girls and is quite astonished.¡± (Hey wait, so Kohaku also thought like that!?) ¡°That¡¯s a fair argument. ¡­Kazuki really has no integrity against various girls. To even call someone like me cute, cute¡­also having bizarre obsession for maids¡­¡± Even Koyuki also murmured her approval. Wait a second you all, we have all come up to this point and yet the situation would change because of this kind of matter!? ¡°It¡¯s hard to understand for Leme why a Harem King doesn¡¯t have any more credence from the humans. It¡¯s a different case don¡¯t you agree? Harem Banzai. O Our King, more Harem is a must.¡± Leme started talking about a topic that provoked even more animosity from the girls. You should just keep your mouth shut. ¡°Kazuki is not a shameless guy at all! He absolutely doesn¡¯t do anything that I hate at all!¡± ¡°That¡¯s right desu, Kazuki-oniisan is a perfect gentleman desu! Rather I¡¯d welcome it if he do anything like that desu!¡± Mio and Lotte came in Kazuki¡¯s defense vehemently. ¡°Hee¡­they really put their faith on you huh. I¡¯m reluctant to give in but even if the matter about the harem and so on is not included, we still don¡¯t understand whether these guys¡¯ strength are reliable or not. If they invaded the underground and yet they just collapse and die in a ditch without even any results to show for it, won¡¯t it just make the situation even worse?¡± ¡°Mikohime-sama, Kazuki and the others'' strength are the real thing. Besides, other than Kazuki and his friends, there is no one else that can enter that place. We don¡¯t have stigmata.¡± ¡°That¡¯s why there is me. After all I¡¯m the owner of Futsunushi no Kami¡¯s stigmata. Rather than making these kind of guys go there, I¡¯ll go!¡± ¡°It¡¯s dangerous to go alone Mikohime-sama!¡± ¡°That¡¯s foolhardy Kazuha. I don¡¯t want to lose my cute contractor, also I don¡¯t want to expose you to danger, that¡¯s why I made a proposal so these guys are the ones that''ll go to that place you know?¡± Kohaku and Futsunushi no Kami cut in while panicking to stop Kazuha-senpai who was chattering in high spirits. ¡°You two, don¡¯t make that face like you are my parents! Compared to these guys, I am more¡­Futsunushi no Kami, give me the Magic Dress!¡± ¡°¡­Haahhh, what a hopeless girl.¡± While breathing a long sigh, Futsunushi no Kami suddenly changed into a lump of red flame. That flame enveloped Kazuha-senpai¨DThe uniform of the Sword Division disintegrated into Prima Material and transformed into the Magic Dress. Her Magic Dress was resembling the white and red miko uniform, he could feel the spirit of Japan seeing it. At the same time, Kazuha-senpai¡¯s hair was lengthening with a thud. A majestic appearance suitable for a Magica Stigma of Japan''s Mythology, then Kazuha-senpai drew a katana from her back smoothly. ¡°Duel with me, Hayashizaki harem-guy! A weakling with no integrity like you, there is no way you have any character that could be relied on or any real strength!! If I win, then your harem party will be dissolved at once and I¡¯ll be the one to lead those girls over there to search the underground!!¡± ¡°Eh, I don¡¯t want to do that kind of thing!¡± ¡°Main gott!? That¡¯s tyranny desu!¡± Mio and Lotte were booing from the side, but Kazuha-senpai didn¡¯t even turn to look. ¡°¡­Don¡¯t joke with me.¡± As expected, Kazuki was fed up with that proposal. ¡°You are going to hinder us in this kind of place with that kind of trivial reason! You have shot your mouth harshly as you please from a while ago, things like enemy of woman¡­Mio, and Lotte, I have decided that I¡¯m going to protect them with my own hand! I will absolutely not do anything like entrusting them to any other person!!¡± ¡°Then¡­show to me the suitable strength to protect a woman¨D!¡± Now she said it¡­Bring it on!!! ¡°¡­The only one suitable to become my knight is no one other than Kazuki. Get her Kazu-nii!¡± ¡°I am Kazuki-oniisan¡¯s property desu. Onii-san, please do your best!¡± For some reason the female camp were roused up in happiness. ¡°Somehow, you my King and even the girls are starting to get accustomed with the harem situation huh¨D¡± Leme secretly whispered inside Kazuki¡¯s mind using telepathy. But¡­I¡¯m not particularly saying that I want to do something shameless together with the girls like what Kazuha-senpai said. ¡°That duel challenge, I accept!¡± {Yosh, Our King. Make this girl submit too just like in the duel with Amasaki Mio! And then make Futsunushi no Kami obey Leme together with inserting her as a member of the harem for sure¨D!¡± Wahaha¨D, Leme¡¯s loud laughter was resounding inside Kazuki¡¯s mind. Chapter 3.2.3 — Legend of Sword Volume 3 Chapter 2 - Legend of Sword Part 3 The place that was chosen for the duel was the Sword Division¡¯s gymnasium. Kazuha-senpai¡¯s illegal magic was by no means something that could be shown to other people. For that reason, Kohaku used her authority as the student council president to secure the gymnasium. The Sword Division had a complete facility for exercise, and there was even a martial arts stadium. This gymnasium also had the space for three fields of basketball court. This place was sufficient to perform a duel. According to the rules for duels at the academy, Kazuki and Kazuha-senpai were separated with 50 meters between them while facing each other. ¡°Well then, both sides have finished their preparations.¡± The one who wound up becoming the referee was Koyuki. Among them Koyuki was the one with the most experience in refereeing. Mio tried to be the referee, but he was worried that she would make some strange miss, so he was relieved if it was Hiakari-san¡­Kazuki had that kind of feeling. There was some worry about unfairness with the referee coming from Kazuki¡¯s side, but Kohaku didn¡¯t particularly mind and accepted the referee. Looks like Kohaku was quite poor at being a referee. ¡°Well, I don¡¯t have any reason to make a judgment that is partial to Kazuki. Then¡­begin!¡± Koyuki announced the opening of the duel. It was a rare chance to hear her loud voice. ¡­First is to challenge her at close-quarters! Kazuki dashed toward Kazuha-senpai while taking the Iai stance with full alert. The Magica Stigma of the Sword Division¡­there was no doubt that she could use both sword skills and summoning magic skillfully. (Then first I have to challenge her in the field I am specialized at! I won¡¯t be defeated from any kind of opponent in sword skills!) Kazuha-senpai chanted her spell and attacked. ¡°O unparalleled sword master, reshow from beyond the dream! Together with the flame of training, the sealed memory in the silver mirror is liberated right here!! Devilish Swordsman ReincarnationKenki Tensei!!¡± A globe of fire burned into existence in Kazuha-senpai¡¯s side and floated in place. From within the flame, a Japanese Katana was born. The phantom of a person was floating faintly overlapping with the katana. ¡°Thy name is¡­Yagyuu Nyounsai! Go!!¡± A silhouette with grandiose physique like cumulonimbus cloud in the mid-summer. That phantom took hold of the katana in its hand and he stood in Kazuki¡¯s way following Kazuha¡¯s command. (¡­Yagyuu Nyounsai she said!?) Kazuki was planning to not be defeated in sword skill no matter who his opponent was, but his expression cramped. Yagyuu clan. Chosen to be the instructor in the art of war for the Tokugawa Clan, the noble house said to have the best swordsmanship under heaven. Even among that clan, if talked about Yagyuu Nyounsai, he was born not from the main branch of the Yagyuu in Edo but from the branch family that was called Owari Yagyuu and thus he was surrounded in obscurity. Still, his ability in the sword was said to be the best in the history of the Yagyuu, a man of high honor. (She said this phantom was¡­that one Yagyuu Nyounsai!?) There was no free time to leisurely wallow in surprise. The phantom of Yagyuu Nyounsai was immediately closing in upon Kazuki, the sword of Yagyuu that was famous in the history of swordsmanship was swung downward on him. ¡­He could tell just from his step-in that his skill was uncommon! Kazuki responded with his Iai draw. Both of their katana clashed with sharp sounds, ¡®GIIN!¡¯, and their blades were locked against each other. Kazuki read his opponent and attempted to redirect him with his . However the phantom of Yagyuu Nyounsai attempted the same positioning at the same time. Kazuki and Nyounsai Foresighted each other''s moves respectively , katana and katana connected with each other flexibly. Sword locking between fellow masters was not decided by the clash between power and power. Foresighting an opponent''s movements was the specialty of Kazuki, but¡­they were even in reading each other. This was endless. Kazuki and Nyounsai mutually leapt back at the same time. With the distance opened between them, Kazuki calmly surmised the strength of his opponent. He was at an advantage in physical ability. Even though Kazuki was just a high school student, he could reinforce his body using Enchant Aura. No matter how much of a master swordsman Nyounsai was, he was still a swordsman from an era where there was no magic. His movement was the natural movement unaided by reinforcement magic. But Nyounsai¡¯s ability was unusual as expected. There was nothing wasted in his movements, no preliminary movements, not even mistakes in judgment. Even though Kazuki used Foresight, it was still hard to read his movements. As expected, this famed swordsman surpassed him in pure sword skill¡­ ¡°¡­Kenki Tensei! Thy name is¡­Togakure Daisuke!!¡± While Kazuki was in the middle of glaring with Nyounsai, Kazuha-senpai summoned another phantom. The katana that was born along with the flame, this time it was a somewhat straight short sword¨Dit was a ninja sword. The phantom that picked it up in reverse grip had a small build¨Dthe founder of Togakure-style ninjutsu, Togakure Daisuke! Kazuki was once again doubting his own ears. It looked like the magic that Kazuha-senpai chanted was a magic to summon swordsman from the past. But certainly the last one could be called an expert in the sword, even so¡­this guy was a ninja right!? ¡°Go!" Following Kazuha-senpai¡¯s command, the ninja - Togakure Daisuke dashed fiercely like a gale. The ninjato that was held in reverse grip slashed at Kazuki horizontally. His movement was not as sharp as Nyounsai''s. Kazuki blocked the slash with his katana and warded the blow. Daisuke Togakure¡¯s posture was broken violently when his sword was warded off¨Dthat was what Kazuki thought. ¡­But that was a ninja¡¯s . Kazuki, who was tricked by the acting, couldn¡¯t Foresight the next movement. Togakure Daisuke¡¯s body posture that made him thought it was disordered, was standing still like an acrobat. That body was like an unshakeable trunk. And then from that unnatural posture, his hand that was not holding the sword was turning to Kazuki and swung with a jerk. Something was flying from that hand¨Dsand! Kazuki was perfectly taken by surprise, blue light was flickering in Kazuki¡¯s field of vision. The light was produced by the defensive magic power that protected the eyes from the foreign substances from entering. But Kazuki¡¯s eyes were dazzled by that very light. Despite that here was the gymnasium¡­where would he get the blinding sand from!? Ninja hid various arms and hidden weapons in their hand armor and outfit, they improved their skills with the premise of using those very tools. Even the blinding sand was included as part of his kenjutsu. Most likely, this magic was a magic to reproduce the exact kenjutsu of swordsman from the past in this world. That¡¯s why even the gadgets that became the prerequisite for the kenjutsu was also summoned. Togakure Daisuke returned his blade and aimed at Kazuki whose eyes were dazzled for a thrust of certain death. It was evidently a ninja¡¯s kenjutsu that was full of trickery and wiles, but it was brought back to the present era in this gymnasium. But Kazuki missed nothing of the current thrust. Their body was a phantom that was created from magic. Therefore if he sensed the magic power using Extra Sense, even with his eyes closed he could perceive all their movements. Rather, his senses became even more sensitive with his eyes closed. That response was something that Togakure Daisuke couldn¡¯t even predict. Kazuki avoided the thrust with a paper-thin difference, conversely he stabbed his katana at Togakure Daisuke¡¯s chest. He intended to stab Kazuki in surprise but he was outsmarted and the tables turned on him, the phantom of the ninja and the ninja sword vanished. ¡­First was one! Yagyuu Nyounsai observed that exchange of offense and defense like he was a human with personality. ¡°Kenki Tensei! Thy name is¡­Hattori Takeo!!¡± Kazuha-senpai summoned yet another swordsman. Kazuki was not surprised anymore. He was not surprised, but¡­that name was enough to make him shudder. Hattori Takeo¡­although he was a betrayer of the Shinsengumi, he was said to be the Shinsengumi¡¯s strongest, a two-sword style swordsman. His real strength was said to have surpassed even the famous Okita Souji! Masters who left behind their brilliant name in the history of sword blocked Kazuki¡¯s path one after another. If at all possible, he wanted to challenge them using only kenjutsu, but¡­this wouldn¡¯t end if he didn¡¯t use the power of magic. There was no doubt that Kazuha-senpai¡¯s aim was to buy time with the phantoms to chant her high-level magic. ¨DNyounsai moved. Yagyuu¡¯s kenjutsu was not a defensive style. Observing the opponent¡¯s interaction even while preparing one¡¯s own response, then responding with the divergence of nine secret swords, that was the innermost secret of . Kazuki tried to see through every movement, but to respond with that Foresight, Nyounsai¡¯s movement too shifted with ever-changing appearance. The result, a simple clash between physical ability and skill. It once again became the locking between swords. Hattori Takeo used that chance to attack. The Shinsengumi''s signature move was a group strategy with good efficiency. First they designated the turn of death to each member, then the sacrificial pawn started the assault, from there the regimental soldiers attacked one after another in a continuous ring of attacks, it was . Hattori Takeo made use of Nyounsai as the sacrificial pawn, he showed the reproduction of that tactic again in this world. But while pouring his nerve in the sword-locking, he awaited with the chanting of a spell. ¡°O calling voice of the ruler of flame, liberate the rage in the bottom of the earth! The creation of my rampart is here¡­towered in heaven and earth, isolate the impurity! Fire Wall!!¡± A magic of surprise attack by raising a wall of flame from underfoot. A swordsman from the Bakumatsu period wouldn¡¯t be able to predict it, he didn¡¯t even have time to swing his sword at Kazuki before he was swallowed by the flames. The burning Hattori Takeo let loose a single bisecting stroke at Kazuki. With the second one, the phantom scattered as blue magical power. On the other hand, Nyounsai was not dragged into the flame, he leapt back in a flash. (¡­Do you think I¡¯ll let you get away!) ¡°Scattering sparks of dancing wings. Drifting spiral wind, become the life piercing bullet! Flap and shoot! Barrett!!¡± He aimed at Nyounsai who was taking distance and released the flame bullet. However¨Dthe flying bullet that was as fast as an average rifle was nimbly evaded by Nyounsai, like he was already seeing through the bullet path completely. (¡­Impossible!) Although it was a feat that even he could do, Kazuki was dumbstruck. A swordsman from the Edo era like Nyounsai shouldn¡¯t be able to Foresight magical power. But a swordsmaster at Nyounsai¡¯s level, presence and killing intent, wild instinct¡­the sixth sense that couldn¡¯t be clarified by science, using that to sense the danger of incoming magic might be possible. Nyounsai slashed in once more. Its destructive power couldn¡¯t be compared to Beatrix¡¯s sword, but its swordsmanship stabbed Kazuki¡¯s gap with delicateness in the extreme, he was trying to buy time. During that time¡­Kazuha-senpai chanted another spell. This time the magic had even longer aria than before. High level magic was coming! ¡°O forging of artisans, scattering the flower of night performance, fill the tip of the sword with the heaven¡¯s weave! Listen to the battle cry of the phantoms, become a thunderstorm and rain down! The Heavens Drawn Sword Lotus CannonTenkuu Battou Rengehou!¡± On the ceiling of the gymnasium, a giant wind of flame was going wild. From the billowing vortex of flame, katana were born one after another. Packed endlessly above Kazuha-senpai¡¯s head were katana, katana, and more katana¡­ ¡°All bullet firing!¡± ¨DOn the basis of Kazuha-senpai¡¯s order, a hail of katana came flying to Kazuki. Each of those katana were not just a normal katana. Those katana that were flying and cutting the sky were each clad in flame, or clad in electricity, or drawing irregular trajectories, they all had various special qualities. This was a fusillade of Battou Kaikon! ¡°O undying bird soaring from dusk to dawn, grant those wings of hope on my back! Destruction for the sake of rebirth, right here¡­! Blazing Wings!¡± Kazuki finished his spell chanting in a close call. Kazuki flew away to the air leaving behind Nyounsai on the floor. He evaded and brushed off the flying Sacred Treasures that were coming one after another with the wings of flame. The feeling changed kind of like from a one-on-one fighting game into a shooting game. On the other side, Nyounsai was not just watching over the flying Kazuki silently. Aiming for the gap where Kazuki swung the wings of flame completely, Nyounsai kicked the floor and leapt off. This time Kazuki was tangling with a swordsmaster in the air. But this time, Nyounsai¡¯s swordsmanship suddenly became disarrayed. It stood to reason, even though he had polished the kenjutsu of Yagyuu to the extreme, a technique with the assumption of facing an enemy that was flying in the sky didn¡¯t exist in it. Yagyuu Nyounsai required an improvised sword technique, that was why useless movement, preliminary motion, and a slight mistake in judgment were exposed. ¡­Kazuki saw everything! ¡°Yagyuu Nyounsai, be defeated!¡± Nyounsai¡¯s single stroke slashed at empty space, Kazuki cut his way through that paper-thin difference. Nyounsai¡¯s phantom was bisected in two, he became like moths of light and fluttered away in the sky. ¡°Oou¡­splendid! Though you are a swordsman of the modern era, that technique was peerless in the past and present!!¡± Futsunushi no Kami¡¯s avatar was appearing and raising an enthusiastic praise. ¡°What are you doing, praising the enemy in the middle of a duel, Futsunushi no Kami! Cooperate properly with me!¡± ¡°Guwahhahha! A splendid thing is splendid even if he is the enemy!! Guwahhahha, how delightful! ¡°Don¡¯t laugh! Don¡¯t laugh so hard in the middle of the fight!!¡± Kazuki evaded all the Sacred Treasures that came flying, finally he turned to Kazuha-senpai and took a nose-dive. ¡°So you have come, but from now on is the real performance of the swordsmen¡¯s duel! I¡¯m going to judge you with a direct clash of blades! ¡­I become the miko of sword. Stone cleaved, root torn, sin cut through, right now in this hand that virtuous sword of crushing evil! Draw sword, Soul of Cutting ThroughFutsu no Mitama!!¡± Both of Kazuha-senpai¡¯s hands were swallowed in flame and an ancient double-edged blade was formed inside both of those hands. It was a sword that was the spitting image of Futsunushi no Kami¡¯s avatar. Sacred Treasures Creation Summoning Magic¨Dwhat kind of power that sword had, Kazuki was on guard. And then above all¡­how skilled was her kenjutsu as the [The Magica Stigma of the Sword Division] !? Kazuha-senpai swung the sword right from the front. Toward that attack¨DKazuki felt a huge let-down. That attack was something like, ¡®henyaa¡¯ Kazuki evaded leisurely so as not to touch the Sacred Treasures whose abilities were unknown to him. And then he poured on a counter of a single stroke of katana. Blue light was scattered from Kazuha-senpai while she was blown off. ¡°O, only this much¡­not yet!¡± She stood up immediately and Kazuha-senpai slashed at Kazuki once again. But that step was shoddy as expected. Kazuki evaded with composure and returned a counter attack. Kazuki visited a series of slashes to Kazuha-senpai. Kazuha-senpai was prevented from chanting her spell from the shock of smashed magic, naturally her sword was also blocked, she kept getting slashed one-sidedly. ¡°Uwaa¡­this sandbag situation, somehow I feel d¨¦j¨¤ vu, my trauma is¡­¡± Mio who was watching the duel was trembling. ¡°That¡¯s enough!¡± When Kazuha-senpai fell onto her backside, Koyuki proclaimed the end of the duel. ¡°I, I can still fight, I still have magic left! Why do you stop it!¡± ¡°¡­Even if you fight, more than this is useless don¡¯t you see?¡± Koyuki told her straight out coldly. Beside Kazuha-senpai whose lip and shoulder was trembling all over in vexation, Futsunushi no Kami¡¯s avatar was floating. ¡°¡­Kazuha, it¡¯s okay for you to retreat from something like close-quarters combat. If you kept running away desperately while using my long-range type summoning magic, you still had some chance to win you know?¡± ¡°Sh, shut up! A swordsman like me cannot fight in such pathetic way!¡± Kazuha-senpai raised her voice in response to her contracted Diva¡¯s finding fault. Kohaku, who was observing the battle, walked near Kazuki¡¯s position. ¡°¡­Kazuki, truthfully Mikohime-sama¡­her sword skills are utterly hopeless. The matter about how she can use Summoning Magic is a secret except from this one and our other comrades, so she is being made fun by her classmates, because of that she became overly fixated on becoming strong as a swordsman more than ever¡­¡± ¡°Do, don¡¯t say that I¡¯m utterly hopeless! My heart is going to break you know! I mean, don¡¯t expose even the matter of the class! There is no need for that to come out in this place right¨D!?¡± ¡°Guwahhahha, that¡¯s because Kazuha is so weak in swordsmanship despite loving it so much right! Guwahhahha!¡± ¡°Don¡¯t laugh! Don¡¯t make fun of me!¡± ¡°But despite doing nothing but sword training, she can use Summoning Magic so skillfully to that extent, you can understand what a frightening genius she is in magic from that. If she didn¡¯t make a contract with Futsunushi no Kami when she was little and an enigma appeared on her normally, I think she would become a rank A in the Magic Division.¡± ¡°True, even if it turned out like that I would still make a contract with Kazuha. A person who is this good in magic yet loved the sword is rare. Her kenjutsu is a totally different matter though¡­Guwahhahha!¡± ¡°Damn, I don¡¯t need something like talent in magic! I wanted sword talent!!¡± With her Magic Dress of miko uniform so disheveled, Kazuha-senpai made a fuss while still on her back on the ground. This was¡­the Magica Stigma of the Sword Division¡­? ¡°Mikohime-sama is mortified with Kazuki who, despite being a student of the Magic Division, is also first class as a swordsman, this one thinks that¡¯s why she challenged Kazuki to a duel intentionally. Forgive this one for going along with it Kazuki.¡± ¡°Gahaha, sorry for going along with Kazuha¡¯s selfishness, Hayashizaki Kazuki. The new kenjutsu of the age of magic, I received some enjoyment from it. The spirit that made you oppose them with only kenjutsu until the midway is also fine.¡± Both Kohaku and Futsunushi no Kami said so while giving a nod with their head (and sword body). ¡°You, you two, don¡¯t act like you are my parents¨D!¡± Kazuha-senpai was very vexed like ¡®muki¨D¡¯ and then she glowered at Kazuki with tearful eyes. ¡°Someone that can use both sword and magic so skillfully, being waited upon by lots of girls¡­I loathe people like you who have no fidelity so much! Don¡¯t think I will yield even if you had won! It¡¯s vexing but you are strong. Not only magic but also kenjutsu¡­ Hmph, a promise is a promise so, the entrance to the underground where the magic power is occurring¡­I¡¯ll guide you there properly. Follow me.¡± Chapter 3.2.4 — Legend of Sword Volume 3 Chapter 2 - Legend of Sword Part 4 ¡°Kazuha-senpai, so the entrance to that suspicious underground is located inside the site of the Magic Division?¡± ¡°Correct. You are being pursued by the Magic Division right? Don¡¯t make unnecessary noises and advance with care.¡± Kazuha-senpai said so while taking the lead. All present crossed over from the Sword Division to the site of the Magic Division. ¡°I¡¯m not good at being stealthy you know¡­somehow I let out a uselessly loud voice before I realized it.¡± When Mio whispered as such, Kohaku was nodding her head and said ¡°I can understand that.¡± ¡°I lived my life continuously in secret before desu.¡± Lotte puffed her chest proudly. The time was 9 o¡¯clock in the morning. This is the period of time when SHR was conducted. Even though they must be careful, there were no human presences in the outdoors of the Magic Division. ¡°This way¡­is the way to the Witch''s Manor.¡± All present stepped into the area that was dense with thick greenery. The same direction was just a coincidence, but the Witch''s Manor was also beyond these trees. Nonetheless, the residents of the Witch''s Manor¨Dthe senpais were supposed to have already left for school by this time. ¡°¡­What are you all doing in this kind of place!? This is already time for morning assembly to start you know!¡± A sharp voice that was unexpected in their carelessness rang out. They were too easy-going in their vigilance. When they turned around, a shadow of someone was running from the direction of the Witch''s Manor. The moment both sides could see each other clearly, voices were raised at the same time. ¡°Hoshikaze-senpai!¡± ¡°Hayashizaki-kun, you guys!¡± Kazuki and the others were frozen in place involuntarily. Should they run, what should they do? But Hoshikaze-senpai could chant [Ride Lightning], so even if they tried to escape this was not an opponent they could escape from. ¡°Shem-ha MephorashI know thy true name¡­thy true name is Baalzebul, all evil was born in the Middle Ages. O corrupted god of good harvest, in accordance with my life regain that radiance!¡± Hoshikaze-senpai performed Access while facing Kazuki and opening the range between them. Her body was wrapped in a gallant Magic Dress like a knight, senpai took the posture of preparing for action. ¡°Hayashizaki-kun, why are you in this place!?¡± ¡°Senpai as well¡­what about SHR?¡± ¡°Kuu¡­I overslept!¡± Hoshikaze-senpai¡¯s cheek was slightly red as she replied in embarrassment. (That serious Hoshikaze-senpai overslept!?) ¡°It can¡¯t be helped okay!? It already became a custom to wake up early for sword training with you, but you weren''t here so even if I woke up early I had nothing to do, finally I went back to sleep for the second time! It¡¯s your fault my daily routine became tattered like this!¡± ¡°That kind of reason!? I mean, that¡¯s not my fault right!?¡± ¡°A, anyway! ¡­I have to arrest you!¡± Hoshikaze-senpai pushed her way through the trees and the thickets, she was dashing towards Kazuki and the others. ¡°Freeze and lock, ! Battou Kaikon¨DKirisame Ranbu!!¡± The one who immediately and without any hesitation intercepted was Kohaku. She liberated the power of the Sacred Treasure and pointed the blade of cold wave toward Hoshikaze-senpai. ¡°Howl! Civilization granted destruction to humans! The roar of wisdom burns thy body, break, shut every dignity under the rubble!! Mitrailleuse!¡± Following Kohaku, Lotte too chanted her spell quickly which was the strong point of DrivePossession Summoning, she spread a barrage of bullets to try to stop Hoshikaze-senpai¡¯s movements. ¡°O stream of atmosphere, converge in this body, become the storm of rejection against the people I resent! The eye of the typhoon is my throne! Wind Encampment BarrierStorm Fort!¡± Hoshikaze-senpai chanted a wind defensive magic. A storm blew violently with senpai as the center. The storm also functioned as a protective wind. Even the blades of ice and the bullets of a gatling gun were blown off by the wind and scattered to another direction. ¨DThere was something called [affinity] in offensive and defensive magic. Both Kohaku¡¯s Battou Kaikon and Lotte¡¯s bullets had bad affinity against defensive wind magic. Hoshikaze-senpai drew near becoming like the running typhoon itself. Kazuki came out in front to cover everyone. Closing in upon Kazuki, Hoshikaze-senpai converged the barrier of wind and drew out an Iai. What was on her waist was Kazuki¡¯s beloved katana, Doufuu, that he left behind in the Witch''s Manor! (Senpai didn¡¯t wish for a clash of magic but crossing swords against each other!?) ¡°¡­Everyone, don¡¯t interfere, it¡¯s okay!¡± Kazuki too drew his Iai and intercepted Hoshikaze-senpai¡¯s katana. Blade and blade clashed and they entered a locking of swords. Kazuki immediately flicked off Hoshikaze-senpai¡¯s katana. Senpai¡¯s stance became disordered and full of openings. But right at that moment¨Dshe invoked her spell. ¡°Throw down the lightning on my body and grant me lightning fast wit and speed of god¡­call the sleeping lion and wake up! Ride Lightning!¡± Senpai¡¯s movement accelerated! Her disordered stance burst with sparks and she righted her body fiercely. And then she came flying with lightning speed with the consecutive attacks that Kazuki taught her. BUN! BUN! BUN! The god speed sword came flying along with terrific sounds of slicing wind. Kazuki Foresighted the timing and the trajectory of the attacks, ¡®GIIN!¡¯ the sound of clashing swords rang out and the attack was repelled. A sound that was unthinkable that it came from a fight between fellow humans echoed inside the forest. ¡°Hey¡­this is a joke right, how can this kind of offense and defense happen in a fight between fellow Magic Division students¡­¡± Kazuha-senpai leaked out an astonished voice. Not to mention the swordsman of the Sword Division, even Kazuki was undoubtedly gazing at Hoshikaze-senpai¡¯s magic sword in wonderment. But as expected from Kazuki, he could read Hoshikaze-senpai¡¯s movements. That was because her form was exactly like what he taught her himself. His blade met the god speed swordsmanship, both of their swords were once again locked against each other. Kazuki concentrated his Enchant Aura in one instant and repelled Hoshikaze-senpai¡¯s katana with all his strength. It was the end with that. Doufuu flew away from Hoshikaze-senpai¡¯s hand and stabbed the nearby earth straightly. ¡°Senpai, why didn¡¯t you use any magic¡­?¡± Kazuki asked the now unarmed Hoshikaze-senpai. Hoshikaze-senpai was the Number 2 Magica Stigma in the Magic Division after all. If she turned the fight into an exchange of long-range Summoning Magic, the result would be uncertain even if she was fighting against five people. ¡°I¡­I wanted to learn more swordsmanship from you.¡± Slowly, tears were flowing from Hoshikaze-senpai¡¯s long-slitted eyes. ¡°You are the first male friend that I was able to make. The training every morning was fun. Even so¡­why did you do something that made you be pursued by the student council of the Magic Division!? I¡­as I thought, I don¡¯t want to fight against you ! I am not as harsh as Kaguya after all¡­¡± The fighting spirit had gone from senpai, her Magic Dress also changed back to her uniform. Her shoulders sagged down making her look pitiful. ¡°Senpai, I am being falsely accused.¡± ¡°Even if you say that, my position doesn¡¯t allow me to believe you.¡± Hoshikaze-senpai glared with teary eyes. That was natural. However¡­ ¡°That¡¯s why, from here I plan to go look for proof. After that I will come to the Magic Division.¡± ¡°Proof? ¡­You will find that kind of thing?¡± ¡°Senpai, there is something in the underground of the Magic Division, do you have some knowledge of it?¡± ¡°The underground, below the Magic Division?¡± Hoshikaze-senpai tilted her head in wonderment. Seeing that look, Kazuki was relieved. Hoshikaze-senpai was not connected with the [underground ceremony that released the ominous magical power]. ¡°There is something that even all of you senpai don¡¯t know about below this Magic Division. Something that Solomon''s 72 Pillars also have nothing to do with, it is someone¡¯s¡­by chance, maybe it is filled with the ill will of a different Mythology. If the situation keeps going like this, the relation between the Magic Division and the Knight Order with Solomon''s 72 Pillars will be threatened. From here I am going to go investigate that location.¡± ¡°¡­So you are really accused with false charges? And to prove that, can you do it¡­?¡± Hoshikaze-senpai blinked her eyes that were wet with tears. Even in this kind of situation, she was still lending her ears to the voice of this side, she was really an honestly kind prince. ¡°Yes. I will definitely return to the Witch''s Manor. Until then, please look after my soul as a swordsman.¡± Kazuki picked up Doufuu that had fallen on the ground and handed it over to Hoshikaze-senpai. Senpai brought this katana around because she felt that it was the symbol of her bond with Kazuki. Once again, Kazuki entrusted his beloved katana to Hoshikaze-senpai. ¡°Understood, I¡¯ll overlook you for today.¡± Hoshikaze-senpai sheathed Doufuu, then she wiped her teary eyes repeatedly with the sleeve of her uniform. ¡°I¡¯ll overlook you for now, but I won¡¯t wait for you too long, okay? If you don¡¯t return soon, there won¡¯t be a next time!¡± Senpai said her piece with a pampering tone. ¡°¡­Thank you very much, senpai.¡± Senpai forced herself a little to make a smile. ¡°Yeah, I¡¯m glad. This is finished with no need to doubt my friend and cute junior any further. You said that I can trust you, I¡¯m really glad. ¡­Well then, work hard you all.¡± Senpai turned on her heel. A small heart mark flew here from her back. ¡®This feeling too, I absolutely must not betray it¡¯, Kazuki thought. There was nothing in that place at a glance. But for an entrance to the underground that even Hoshikaze-senpai didn¡¯t know anything about, that was only natural. ¡°It was hidden by a Diva¡¯s magic power. Looks like a seal and concealment are applied at the same time.¡± The avatar of Futsunushi no Kami said. It was in the remote place of the Magic Division¡¯s garden where trees were growing densely. There was nothing that stood out there, but that normalcy itself was unnatural. Despite the hardship of walking about because of the abundance of trees and thickets in their surroundings, only that two or three meters of space that had its soil exposed and turned into wasteland. ¡°This location is the only spot where reality is distorted. Even someone like me can see it, right now, we are going to sever that seal.¡± ¡°¡­I become the miko of sword. Stone cleaved, root torn, sin cut through, right now in this hand that virtuous sword of crushing evil! Draw sword, Futsunushi no Kami!!¡± Kazuha-senpai chanted the Summoning Magic of Futsunushi no Kami. The power of that Sacred Treasure hadn¡¯t been shown by even a portion in the previous duel, this time for sure she held aloft the sword gallantly. ¡°This sword possesses the power to sever the flow of magical power and seals!¡± A flash. Releasing light, Futsunushi no Kami released a beam of light in the air with its slash, a crack was running in that space where there was nothing. It resembled the moment where Cancer was appearing. The space was smashed up into bits from where the crack formed. ¨DAnd then from down there, a totally different scene was appearing. In the space where there was nothing until just now, a cube made from metal became visible. Its size was not really considerable, even compared to a single house it was small, a gate was installed in its entrance. At the side of the gate, there was a lens protruding out that looks like some kind of mechanism. ¡°This is an instrument device to confirm the stigmata. If it confirms the owner of the stigmata, then the gate will be opened. Just once, we tested it with my stigmata on Kazuha and it confirmed and opened.¡± When Futsunuhi no Kami said so, Mio who didn¡¯t have any cowardly character at all touched the gate repeatedly. ¡°This gate is¡­Adamantite. It¡¯s impossible to break it apart even with Summoning Magic huh. It looks like there is no other way than to make the device confirm our stigmata.¡± Adamantite was a new type of steel that was produced by alchemy. It boasted a hardness unthinkable by current science, but its creation needed an advanced magic technique. The present alchemy couldn¡¯t form anything other than a single simple sheet of metal, moreover because of the ultra weight it boasted, it couldn¡¯t be made into material for weapons, armor, or vehicles. The merit of its utility was small. ¡°Fabricating a stigmata cannot be done, so from here on only Magica Stigma can enter.¡± The present era¡¯s security technique, because of the development of alchemy, new kinds of problems were exposed. Once like using finger print or retina had the most reliability, but in recent years, various risks of magic forgery were identified. Copying finger print and retina using magic was not impossible as long as someone was making an effort for it. In the level of common households, a system using keys and alarms developed using complicated refining alchemy was enough, but the security for the level of insuring the secrets that corporations and the country had was viewed as a problem. Security using stigmata as confirmation was solid because currently at this point it was impossible to be faked, but it was still an imperfect technique because it couldn¡¯t be used except by Magica Stigma. Perhaps before long a system that would be using the difference of magic power wavelength between each individual would be born, but¡­ ¡°This device, does it also have an arrangement to record the shape of the confirmed stigmata into some storage?¡± ¡°Hmm, it probably does. When it confirmed my stigmata, it didn¡¯t have any knowledge of it so there was no problem at all. But it¡¯s a different story with the stigmata of Solomon''s 72 Pillars that you all have. You will be specially considered as intruders the moment you opened the gate. There is a risk, so your confidence is going to be tested here.¡± Futsunushi no Kami said with a serious face and tone. ¡°¡­However Amasaki Mio, it looks like you are only getting dragged into this, is it really okay for you?¡± ¡°N¨D. According to what all of you said, there is a possibility that the top brass of the Knight Order and the Knight Academy are connected to this gate, so we couldn¡¯t report this to the Knight Order and the Knight Academy right? Then the only fighting power in Japan that can deal with the thing beyond this gate, right now in this place, are the four of us.¡± From Kazuki and Lotte, Mio also glanced at Koyuki, then she said four people. ¡°There is no mistake something rotten is being performed behind this gate. We can''t possibly do something like overlooking this. We have to prove Kazuki¡¯s innocence too.¡± ¡°¡­Guwahhahha! You are really a bold girl with a sense of justice!! I''ve come to think that it¡¯s fine to trust you all unconditionally even without testing you like this!¡± Toward Mio who said bluntly without hesitation, Futsunushi no Kami was laughing admiringly. ¡°¡­It was unexpected for Amasaki-san to also count me in.¡± Koyuki whispered absent-mindedly. ¡°You are at least as strong as me, after all, so it¡¯s a fact that you can be relied on.¡± Relied¨DKoyuki¡¯s eyes turned wide slightly hearing those words. But she was embarrassed after all, immediately she averted her sight from Mio and faced aside. ¡°Is Hiakari-san coming too?¡± ¡°¡­I have already come this far so is that something you need to ask? Things like Kazuki¡¯s innocence is inconsequential for me, but for there to be something like this so near to the Witch''s Manor, it cannot just be left alone like this.¡± ¡°Thank you, Hiakari-san.¡± ¡°Even though I have said that whatever happened to you is inconsequential, why are you still saying thanks?¡± ¡°Eh, because you are actually worried about us right?¡± ¡°Please listen carefully to what someone is saying.¡± This exchange looks like a promise. ¡°Kazuki, this one cannot accompany you because of the lack of stigmata. But this one¡¯s heart will always be together with you. That¡¯s why when you return safely, marry this one.¡± ¡°That¡¯s why I told you I don¡¯t want to marry for the sake of kenjutsu.¡± ¡°N, no Kazuki, this one, that is not all¡­¡± ¡°¡­Don¡¯t just keep making a stir in front of the gate, how about you all just go quickly?¡± Kazuha-senpai forcefully slipped between Kazuki and Kohaku. ¡°If the SHR is over, the Magic Division¡¯s students will come outside for class. Then it will become hard for us to return to the Sword Division, don¡¯t you know? Hush!¡± She waved her hand with a spiteful gaze. ¡°¡­In the case that we haven¡¯t returned after half a day, it¡¯s probably pointless but report it to the Knight Order. The fact is, the only ones who could do anything about what is beyond this gate is only all of you. I¡¯m counting on you somehow.¡± Futsunushi no Kami gave those words for the last time. ¡°Yosh, then let¡¯s go everyone!¡± The stigmata confirmation system itself looked like the entrance of the Haunted Ground. The essential was the same with that time, Kazuki made the back of his hand emit the light of magic power and held it aloft before the device. ¨DThe adamantite door opened with a grave sound. Behind it was stairs that continued underground. ¡°From the cross-section of that door also functioned as the construction to read the light of the magic power. If you don¡¯t go through it one by one, it will close on its own accord. It will close the moment you go through, you couldn¡¯t try to be sneaky.¡± Kazuha-senpai explained how the opening of this door worked. When Kazuki went through the door, the door closed immediately just like what Kazuha-senpai said. Even with the door closed, the surrounding was bright. It was a stairway continuing to the underground, but the electric lights in the ceiling emitted bright light. This side of the door also had the stigmata confirmation device. It looks like they could return when they came back here. Before long, Mio, Lotte, and Koyuki came through the door in turn after going through the same procedure. ¡°Hiakari-san, are you nervous by any chance?¡± Kazuki noticed that Koyuki¡¯s expression was stiff. It was quite unexpected. The one that was the most accustomed with this among them should be her who often performs solo quests. ¡°¡­Nothing, I''m fine. All of us are here already, so let¡¯s advance.¡± After they had descended underground for about two floors, they finally reached a corridor that was level. The walls and the floor were made from concrete, but the more they advanced, the state of their vicinity changed. The hard concrete wall was, ¡®dokun¡¯, starting to pulse weakly. Like entering the inside of a living thing which had its own will¡­ Even the light of the electric lamp that should be made of inorganic matter turned pale, transitioning into a suspicious tint. ¡°It looks like Haunted Ground transformation doesn¡¯t it? Even something like Demon Beasts might also come out. Perhaps there are also traps prepared by the owner of this place. In every sense, we really don¡¯t understand what is going on here.¡± Mio performed Access, she talked while her body was wrapped in the Magic Dress while also keeping her vigilance. Next Lotte also changed her clothes into her Magic Dress. ¡°Kazuki-oniisan, this is something I understood just now desu, but it looks like I can use my magic until level 5 desu. I think it was the influence from Prometheus remembering his own name.¡± ¡°Level 3 to level 5¡­Lotte¡¯s chant is fast, so it is quite a considerable power up.¡± ¡°Yes, I¡¯ll do my best!¡± When Kazuki was patting Lotte¡¯s head who was grinning happily, Koyuki also replaced her clothes with her Magic Dress. ¡­Somehow her expression was stiff. ¡°Hiakari-san, perhaps your physical condition is bad?¡± ¡°Ah, no¡­please don¡¯t mind me. Let¡¯s keep advancing forward.¡± Her condition weighed a little on his mind, but Koyuki was a solo player with an abundance of experience that Kazuki couldn¡¯t compare with. That fact made him hesitate to meddle and ask her. ¡°Then I¡¯ll stand as the vanguard. Mio and Hiakari-san are the rearguard, while Lotte who can fight flexibly shall move to the middle.¡± Mio and Koyuki didn¡¯t have any objection, Lotte too replied ¡°Okay, desu¡± and accepted the special role obediently. The width of the corridor was around three people standing side by side. When Kazuki who went as the vanguard saw this, he could say that the terrain made it easy for him to protect the back. It made his role as the vanguard even more important. But, at that time¡­a rift entered the path of the corridor smoothly. (Rift?) And then ¡®GAKUN!¡¯, their footing shook. The floor where Kazuki and the others stood started to slide off diagonally, the rift was widening like a big mouth opening wide. ¡°TRAP!?¡± Mio yelled. ¡°Everyone, jump!¡± Kazuki raised his voice. The floor didn¡¯t fall and opening a hole immediately, the dull concrete where they stood tilted vertically little by little. In that slight time, jumping to the other side of the rift was not a hard thing to do for the magician of this era because they could use Enchant Aura. Kazuki, Mio, and also Lotte made blue light shine on their feet simultaneously and leapt to the other side of the rift. However¨Dfor some reason only Koyuki was still remaining at that spot. Koyuki was standing stock still on that spot with an uncertain expression. Strangely, there was no flow of magic power that could be sensed from her body. Koyuki¡¯s body was stiff and her face was white as a sheet. ¡°Hiakari-san!?¡± He didn¡¯t understand what her reason was, but right now she couldn¡¯t use magic. And then the floor tilted rapidly. It went towards the hole where its bottom couldn¡¯t be seen. Kazuki immediately leapt back to the tilting floor. And then his arms caught Koyuki¡¯s body that was sliding down in the nick of time. And now¨Dthey were falling down together. ¡°Kazuki!?¡± He could hear Mio¡¯s scream. ¨DWith their postures as it was, there was no method to return to where Mio and Lotte were. The floor had already finished tilting down, there was no more place he could kick off with his foot. He couldn¡¯t do anything other than to just let his body fall down. Their bodies were falling down¡­Mio and Lotte¡¯s figures were becoming farther rapidly¡­ ¡®zuzuzu¡¯, The floor started to move once again after dropping off Kazuki and Koyuki, the dropping hole started to get blocked. ¡°Kazu, ki¡­¡± Inside Kazuki¡¯s arms, a scared moan of Koyuki¡¯s voice was leaking out. The two keep falling down just like that toward the unknown depth. Chapter 3.3.1 — The Silver Girl and the Plan of Darkness Volume 3 Chapter 3 - The Silver Girl and the Plan of Darkness Part 1 A scene of two people in a sharp fall. However, Kazuki didn¡¯t regret it at all. ¡­If he didn¡¯t do this, Koyuki, who currently couldn¡¯t use magic would simply die for sure. But as long as the defensive magic power worked, a pure physical impact wouldn¡¯t be a problem. The impact of the landing would be eradicated in its entirety due to the defensive magic¡¯s reality distortion. That was why setting aside his own safety, he embraced Koyuki strongly. He had to turn himself to be the one that was pinned on the bottom side of this free fall without fail. And then after they continued to fall for several seconds¨DKazuki and Koyuki crashed into the bottom of the hole. ¡ó ¡ó ¡ó ¡ó Large blue magic power shined, but the lack of pain that he felt was a normal matter. The defensive magic power was unperturbed against a mere physical impact that didn¡¯t itself contain magical power. Without a doubt, this was the reason conventional weapons of this era were powerless. ¡°Hiakari-san, are you okay?¡± Kazuki had embraced Koyuki so tightly that he couldn¡¯t feel his own arms. ¡°H, here is¡­?¡± Koyuki leaked out a frail voice inside Kazuki¡¯s arms. ¡°I¡¯ll say it from the start, but this is not heaven.¡± Koyuki¡¯s awareness had flown away due to the impact, she was blinking her eyes in wonder. ¡°Hell¡­?¡± ¡°Hiakari-san is not the kind of person who will fall into hell.¡± Koyuki¡¯s pupils were regaining their focus gradually, she was staring fixedly at Kazuki. And then perhaps from finally feeling that her life had been saved for real, she gripped Kazuki¡¯s clothes in his chest tightly. ¡°¡­Was Kazuki the one who saved me¡­?¡± While confirming nervously with an upward glance, a heart mark flew from her chest. Kazuki continued to embrace Koyuki tightly just like that. They fell into silence together with their bodies laying against each other. ¡°U, uhmm, I¡¯m fine already so can you release me?¡± ¡°I also want to do that, but¡­because I hugged you too tightly before, my arms are numb and can''t be moved.¡± Though of course he didn¡¯t use Enchant Aura, so he didn¡¯t embrace her so strongly that her delicate body would be crushed. But because he felt a strong nervousness in their fall, his muscles had stiffened too much. ¡°Eh? ¡­Eeeeehh!?¡± Koyuki¡¯s face turned bright red while being embraced tightly against his chest like a doll as it were. ¡°P, please loosen your tension quickly, this makes me troubled!¡± ¡°That¡¯s, when I think that I am hugging Hiakari-san so tightly, it makes my heart beat too much, perhaps I should say my body totally cannot calm down, how troubling.¡± ¡°Stupid! Being excited by something like me, what kind of lies are you saying!¡± ¡°It¡¯s not a lie. Hiakari-san is cute, so no matter what kind of man it is, when embracing Hiakari-san because of an act of god like this, of course he would get excited without fail.¡± ¡°What kind of stupid things are you saying with a serious face like that!? Anyway, can you just loosen your arm already!?¡± Koyuki said with a troubled face, so Kazuki felt a little mischievous. ¡°If Hiakari-san chanted a spell like [Throb throb fly away~, chichin pui-pui nya nya nya nya~n¡î] while patting my head gently, I think the strength could be drained from my entire body.¡± ¡°Wh, what, that spell sounds so stupid¡­¡± It was the influence of a certain idiot little sister. Because he always set out together with Kanae and messed around. ¡°Because it sounds so stupid that it could drain the entire strength from the body! Now, hurry!¡± Kazuki said strongly making Koyuki¡¯s flustered gaze wander around. ¡°E, errr I¡¯m sorry, how did you say it again?¡± ¡°[Throb throb fly away~, chichin pui-pui nya nya nya nya~n¡î] while Hiakari-san also pats my head gently.¡± ¡°Thr, Throb throb fly away~, chichin pui-pui nya nya nya nya~n¡­¡± Her small hand was going pat pat on Kazuki¡¯s head with utmost effort, and Koyuki chanted the spell with a blushing red face. ¡°Uwa¨D, how calming¨D¡± Kazuki said in monotone while unfastening his hands. The truth was that his nervousness had already faded a while ago. While Koyuki raised her body slowly, she watched Kazuki resentfully with some heat still left behind on her cheeks. ¡°¡­Recently, you have had no hesitation about toying around with me, haven¡¯t you? For that reason you are telling lies without even batting an eye. Are you misunderstanding me as a certain fumbling character?¡± ¡°I want to see Hiakari-san¡¯s various faces even against my better judgment.¡± ¡°It¡¯s fine for my face to stay just like this. I don¡¯t want to expose any kind of strange face.¡± Koyuki turned her face to the side with a ¡®puih¡¯. But an angry face like that was also very cute. ¡°Hiakari-san, there is dirt on you.¡± When Kazuki wiped the dust on her white cheek softly, Koyuki¡¯s face turned red again and she looked down. ¡°¡­Well then, rather than that kind of thing, this situation is more important. Hiakari-san, by some chance, are you unable to use magic now?¡± After joking around a little, they returned to reality once again. Koyuki¡¯s expression clouded gloomily. ¡°¡­Yes. Somehow I cannot knead strong magic power very well right now. I can barely perform Access, but standard magic and chanting Summoning Magic are¡­¡± When he watched her carefully, her Magic Dress was also different than the usual. Originally the Diva¡¯s contractor was decorated with appropriate majestic appearance, but her appearance now was lacking in one part, it only looked like a mere white school swimsuit. Even that minimum part that was covering her body, at times it was wavering like a disordered mirage. ¡°Since when you were like this?¡± ¡°I think it was from when I woke up from the magic intoxication.¡± When he thought about it, as expected, perhaps the origin was from that time. Magic intoxication induced a change in the state of the heart. After collapsing for two days from magic intoxication, it wasn''t strange that there was some kind of after-effect that was still left behind. Everything would be fine if this was only temporary like someone who was just half awake, but¡­ ¡°Even when I cleaned my body, I couldn¡¯t use magic skillfully, at that time I noticed the abnormality, but¡­¡± ¡°If you noticed it, why were you accompanying us until now then?¡± Kazuki didn¡¯t intend to criticize her, but Koyuki¡¯s shoulders jolted in shock, her gaze turned away like she was trying to find an escape. ¨DThere was no way to escape. She recognized her own careless action, and that she couldn¡¯t avoid facing Kazuki. ¡°¡­I cannot, I, who is an elf couldn¡¯t, couldn¡¯t come to believe that I could not use magic. I, whose only worth was just my magic¡­to not be able to use magic and become useless in battle, that¡­¡± Koyuki who talked while straining her voice continued with ¡°I¡¯m sorry.¡± Kazuki thought that he could understand that feeling as well. He also relied on his pride of his kenjutsu. If he lost it out of nowhere, there was no doubt that he would want to run from reality with [I don¡¯t want to believe it]. Then if such an escape became a source of trouble for someone else, for certain he would receive a shock that he could never recover from. That was why he mustn¡¯t condemn Koyuki. (I must protect her till the end!) ¡°It¡¯s okay Hiakari-san. If this is because of magic intoxication¡¯s influence, then surely this is just temporary. A person¡¯s heart is formless after all, it¡¯s not like the physical body that cannot be healed once it got hurt and wrecked. It only depends on one¡¯s frame of mind, after a little bit of some kind of impetus, it should return back to normal for sure.¡± ¡°¡­You are not angry?¡± Koyuki watched Kazuki intently with eyes that looked a bit scared. ¡°No such thing, I¡¯m not angry. Just thinking that Hiakari-san wanted to help me, just that feeling of yours is enough to make me extremely happy.¡± Her sad appearance because of being in the way of others was the proof that she cared about Kazuki. Even more than something like the number of her positivity level, such a nonchalant act and appearance made him far happier. ¡°¡­Although, we must find some way to escape from here safely somehow.¡± Kazuki said while looking around. They were in the bottom of the trap hole. But the space where they were at was not a closed room, the walls and floor that were made from concrete were organized forming the whole level, a road was continuing ahead in their path. Even the electric lamp was turned on properly. When they looked over their head, there was one hole that was opened up in the ceiling from where they fell. If they could ascend through this hole, it looks like they would be able to return to the former level. The exit and entrance to the surface ground was only located at the upper level, that¡¯s why first they thought about going through this hole rather than advancing forward down the path. ¡°Couldn¡¯t Kazuki use Blazing Wings to fly through this hole?¡± ¡°The hole is too narrow. If there is no space to even flap the wings, we won¡¯t be able to use wings to fly.¡± Even for the firebird Phoenix, if he couldn¡¯t flap his wings then he wouldn¡¯t be able to do anything. Kazuki didn¡¯t only have Mio¡¯s magic, he could also use Lotte¡¯s magic up to level 5. There was still no chance to use it until now, but Lotte¡¯s level 5 magic made it possible to fly to the sky. But that magic equipped the user with a large armament, so it wouldn¡¯t be able to slip through the width of this hole. The hole became narrower the deeper it went, it was easy to fall and hard to climb. They could feel the wickedness of this clever disposition from the person who prepared this trap. It seems it was impossible to escape through this hole with the current magic Kazuki had in hand. ¡°¡­If only I can use magic,¡± Koyuki whispered in a subdued tone. ¡°If I summon a tsunami here and manipulate it¡­no, the amount of water might not be enough for this depth¡­¡± Filling this space with ocean water and swimming inside it to rise to the surface, was that what she meant? ¡°What if I use the same magic and the amount of the water is doubled?¡± ¡°Now that you mention it, the ability of Kazuki¡¯s Diva is to copy magic right? However it looks like you are unable to copy my magic. Is there a condition to that ability?¡± It was not exactly copying actually, but he explained it to Koyuki like that before this. ¡°The condition so I can copy magic is to raise the positivity level of the girl.¡± ¡°¡­Ha? You are lying again, are you planning to toy around with my reaction?¡± ¡°No, this is the truth. That¡¯s why I can use Mio¡¯s magic the most, and the next is Lotte, Kaguya-senpai¡¯s magic can also be used a little.¡± Kazuki was the strongest at using Mio¡¯s magic in the first place was because Mio¡¯s positivity level was plainly the highest. Koyuki was flustered at feeling the persuasiveness of that fact. ¡°Is, is that really true? That kind of stupid ability¡­¡± ¡°It¡¯s the truth. What do you mean by stupid, it¡¯s not stupid.¡± At Kazuki¡¯s side, the one who bestowed the aforementioned stupid ability, Leme appeared and talked. ¡°You have heard the story between Leme and Futsunushi no Kami, didn¡¯t you? The story that you haven¡¯t been told is something quite hard to swallow but, Leme is the King of Solomon''s 72 Pillars. In the same way Leme is accompanied by 72 Pillars, if Kazuki also makes the contractor of the 72 Pillars accompany him then he would be able to use that ability skillfully.¡± ¡°Accompanied¡­by that you mean positivity level?¡± ¡°That¡¯s right, if the King couldn¡¯t get a hold of humans'' hearts in his hand, then he wouldn¡¯t be able to use that authority.¡± Koyuki comprehended the explanation with a complicated expression. Kazuki asked Koyuki once again. ¡°¡­If we could climb the hole, could Vepar¡¯s magic smash the ceiling? That ceiling was not made from adamantite, but only made from concrete after all.¡± While in the middle of falling down, Kazuki had confirmed that the trap hole had been blocked once more. Not only climbing up the hole, but they also had to smash the ceiling apart to escape. However Mio and Lotte¡¯s magic were not suited for physical destruction. If they tried to melt the ceiling with magic flame, the large amount of melted concrete from the heat of the magical power wouldn¡¯t have any place to escape and it would pour down on them, washing them away again to the bottom of the hole. ¡°If we could climb the hole, we could pulverize something like concrete with Ice Buster.¡± ¡°Using ice to destroy concrete, could it be done? It feels somehow absurd trying to imagine it though.¡± ¡°Concrete¡¯s hardness diverged depending on the material used, but it¡¯s around 4 until 5. This unit to measure hardness is called the Mohs¡¯ hardness scale. The hardness of ice at 0 ¡ãC is around 1.5, but the more the temperature is lowered, the hardness will increase along with its transparency, at minus 100 ¡ãC, the hardness will become more than six times.¡± ¡°¡­Ice is really awesome.¡± ¡°O Our King, this kind of knowledge that will be useful in battle should be learned more habitually you know.¡± Thereupon, it means things like this. ¡°If Hiakari-san¡¯s power of magic returned, on top of that if I raise Hiakari-san¡¯s positivity level, then we will be able to return to the former level!¡± ¡°¡­A, are you serious? Raising positivity level in this kind of dungeon?¡± Until now he had to raise positivity level in order to defeat a strong enemy. However this time, he had to raise positivity level in order to escape from this closed space! ¡°Raising positivity level in this kind of situation, moreover while both of us are being aware of each other, even for me, I don¡¯t really know what is a good way to do that, but¡­well, for the time being let¡¯s just follow down this path.¡± But I¡¯m also worried about Mio and Lotte¡­ Though it was a silver lining in the dark cloud that those two could make a compatible combination with Lotte as the vanguard and Mio as the rearguard. {Kazuki, I don¡¯t want Hiakari Koyuki to know about this so I¡¯m telling you through telepathy, but if it¡¯s some way to confirm the safety of Amasaki Mio and the others then you have it.} ¡­Really? {The first is obvious, but you could check it from the positivity level. The appearance of their name and number are proof that the link between your minds are still preserved.} Kazuki charged his ring with magic power and it displayed the positivity levels. Amasaki Mio¨D134 Lotte¨D110 Hiakari Koyuki¨D59 I see, when Leme said it, it¡¯s really obvious. A dead person¡¯s positivity level wouldn¡¯t be displayed. {Next there is one more¡­because you also conquered Lotte, Leme has grown considerably, Leme has recovered one more of her powers.} ¡­Which reminds him, before Leme said that [My ability is by no means only this much]. Does she mean that one part of her power had been liberated? {Kazuki, charge the Solomon Ring with magic power while thinking about Mio and Lotte strongly, try to grasp their hearts and see.} Just as he was told, Kazuki held the ring with his hand and pray silently about perceiving Mio and Lotte. Thereupon¡­he felt a sensation like his heart was connected with Mio and Lotte¡¯s heart by a line. About how long the line was and which direction it was going to, he could perceive that line spatially. A new vision floated up in front of Kazuki¡¯s eyes. This time it was not a graph of the positivity level. {If until now it was a positivity level of galge, this time it is an action selection map stage. When you see this map, you will understand in a glance who you could meet at where you are going to, see?} The vision that was floating in front of Kazuki¡¯s eyes was a three dimensional map. Three lights were blinking on top of that three dimensional coordinates. One is himself. Then on the fairly above direction was two lights that were in moving. There was no doubt that these were Mio and Lotte. It was not a map of the path of these underground passages. Rather than a map, there were three lights floating inside a cube where he could make a distinction of their position and distance, something like a three dimensional radar. {By the way, this light will only appear when the other party are latently wishing for Kazuki. For example if Amasaki Mio enter a toilet, her state of mind will latently work that she doesn¡¯t want Kazuki to perceive her whereabouts, the link of magic power will be cut off and you will become unable to know where she is. Solomon''s 72 Pillars had even taken into consideration the privacy of our contractor, aren¡¯t we really friendly Divas?} After informing him up to that point, Leme cut off the telepathy. ¡°¡­Kazuki, why did you suddenly become quiet?¡± Koyuki asked dishearteningly towards Kazuki who had gone quiet for awhile. ¡°No, it¡¯s nothing. Leme was telling me various things inside my head. We will go back above for sure, so let¡¯s advance to uncover the secrets of this place!¡± ¡ó ¡ó ¡ó ¡ó Kazuki stood in front of Koyuki, he advanced ahead while looking around with deep caution. The current Koyuki who couldn¡¯t use magic power was an extremely brittle existence. With only one attack reaching her, she wouldn¡¯t even fall into magic intoxication and might lose her life instantly instead. The passages of this level were also long and narrow, it was the most suitable place to protect Koyuki while fighting. ¡°¡­Somehow it feels suffocating here.¡± Damp moisture and moldy smells mixed in the air, the air conditioning was not working at all making the air hot and humid. Kazuki glanced back for a second. ¡°What is it?¡± ¡°No, Hiakari-san¡¯s atmosphere is refreshing, so.¡± Just by seeing the girl in a glance, his chest felt like it became less crowded. A cooling sight. ¡°¡­Kazuki, I have a request though.¡± ¡°What kind of request?¡± ¡°When we are in a real emergency, please abandon me here. The me right now is just baggage. Someone who cannot be useful in battle has no value whatsoever in being protected.¡± ¡­Why is she proposing such a self-torturing thing like that for? (self-destructive?) ¡°What kind of stupid thing are you saying? I¡¯m not deciding a person¡¯s worth only by how useful they are. Even though Hiakari-san cannot fight, you are still very valuable. I will protect Hiakari-san¡¯s life!¡± Koyuki made a wondering face from Kazuki¡¯s words. ¡°Please stop it. You are just thinking to raise my positivity level by saying that. Why can¡¯t you focus on your own survival, stupid.¡± On the contrary of those dishonest words, relief was mixing inside Koyuki¡¯s tone of voice. Perhaps she wanted to hear the words of [I will absolutely protect you], maybe that¡¯s why she proposed this kind of thing. Surely she was feeling uneasy with the current situation, it couldn¡¯t be helped. ¡°¡­Are you really, planning to raise my positivity level from now on?¡± Again, Koyuki asked him with a nervous feeling. ¡°Regarding that, it¡¯s also not good to put yourself on guard too much, let¡¯s just do it naturally. Rather than that, what¡¯s important is to protect Hiakari-san first.¡± After we kept walking for a while, the passage divided in two. Kazuki peeked out his face from the turning point and examined the situation in the left and right. At that moment, a black shadow leaped out from the corner of passage in an ambush. Enemy attack! Kazuki immediately took a back step while a beam of light streaked from the mouth of his sheath. The principle of Iai was originally a counter attack technique in an instant of time. Kazuki¡¯s first and second slash carved up the black shadow roughly into pieces. ¡®beshari¡¯, with a wet sound, the thing that was cut by Kazuki fell on the floor. ¡°¡­What is this?¡± Kazuki spontaneously groaned when he saw the dead body of the thing that attacked him. The thing that was ceasing to function there was a grotesque organism that was hard to describe. He couldn¡¯t possibly believe that this kind of organism existed in the ecosystem of earth. If he expressed it strongly, this organism was a lot of tentacles that were bundled together like a bouquet of flowers. It resembled an octopus. The tentacles were attached with countless suction pads for the sake of capturing its prey. The root of this thing was a bloodshot eyeball, rough breaths were released painfully from its tusked lips. It resembled an octopus, but it looks slimy in pink color, its size was around the size of one person. It was a disgusting organism that made him feel like he would lose his sanity just by looking at it. The sliced organism was wriggling about for a while, and then it disappeared by turning into the blue light of magical power. It was a Demon Beast. ¡°¡­What kind of Mythology had that kind of Demon Beast, what bad taste. Come out here, the Diva that¡¯s in charge.¡± The things called Demon Beasts came in a large variety, they could discover the source of the Demon Beasts among the numerous Mythologies out there. But he didn¡¯t know about the existence of such an eerie organism like this in the scope of the Mythologies he had learned. ¡°Cthulhu Mythos¡­?¡± Koyuki whispered in a low tone. ¡°Cthu¡­what?¡± ¡°Cthulhu Mythos¡­there is a Mythology that is called that. A monster that grows tentacles is a monster of this Mythology¡­Or perhaps I should say, it¡¯s thought to be the feature of the evil god.¡± ¡°But I never heard about that kind of Mythology.¡± ¡°As far as my investigation go, there shouldn¡¯t be any confirmation of the sighting of Demon Beasts and Divas that are derived from the Cthulhu Mythos until now.¡± ¡°¡­In short, this place is an extremely rare Haunted Ground?¡± ¡°¡­Strictly speaking, Cthulhu Mythos is an [original setting] that was created by an author named Lovecraft for the purpose of spinning a story. Lovecraft¡¯s fellow authors also shared this and wrote their work using this setting, the world view of this work was developed rapidly, finally it turned into a large scale systematic world that was fitting to be called a Mythology. However in the end it was supposed to be nothing more than a setting for the purpose of literary creation. It¡¯s rare, or, how should I put it¡­is this kind of thing even possible?¡± ¡°A story setting? That¡¯s different from a Mythology, right? No, maybe Mythology too is something that looks like a story.¡± Kazuki didn¡¯t understand how to measure the line between a story and Mythology. In the first place, the concept of Mythology was still not well-understood. The relation of Demon Beasts and Divas with Mythologies still hadn¡¯t come out of the realm of human¡¯s own convenient hypothesis despite all the research that had been done. In this world that had transformed into a place that overturned science, mankind was living while groping around in the dark, being led around by the nose by grand beings of unknown nature. While they were talking, ¡®zururi¡¯, ¡®zururi¡¯, they could hear disgusting sounds from both passages that were diverging to the left and right. When they turned their heads to the sounds, the eerie tentacle Demon Beasts were forming a group and crawling their way. It was excessively disgusting how the Demon Beasts crawled nearing them in strangely fast movements despite their size. ¡°Hiakari-san, fall back!¡± While removing Koyuki to the back, Kazuki started to chant his spell. ¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª ¡°I¡¯m going to melt this concrete floor with Phoenix¡¯s flame! Lotte, step back!!¡± After Kazuki fell into the trap hole, Mio insisted in a great panic. Toward Mio¡¯s insistence, Lotte made an objection carefully. ¡°But, this concrete floor is quite thick. If this floor is melted and a hole is made, then a large amount of melted concrete will fall desu. Concrete that is melted with magic will be wrapped in the heat of magic power. If the end of this trap hole is a closed space then¡­¡± ¡°¡­If it¡¯s Kazuki then he''ll do something or another using defensive magic. Though now that you said it, it certainly will be really scary for a large amount of concrete wrapped in magic power to come falling down.¡± ¡°It was only for just an instant, but the moment when Koyuki-oneesan fell into the trap hole, she was in a state that couldn¡¯t use magic desu. I think there will be quite a risk if this floor is melted and fell.¡± ¡°Mu¨D. ¡­Rather than taking an imprudent risk, we should be going forward collecting information of this dungeon?¡± ¡°It¡¯s really lonely that Kazuki-oniisan is not here desu, but let¡¯s do that. I¡¯ll be the vanguard desu.¡± ¡°¡­Thank you. I¡¯ll also raise the speed of my chant with all my strength, I¡¯ll protect you from behind.¡± ¡°Yes, let¡¯s do our best!¡± Lotte grasped Mio¡¯s hand tightly. ¡°Ehehe¡± she laughed. ¡°We are close friends aren''t we desu?¡± Lotte sensed Mio¡¯s discouragement through telepathy. That¡¯s why she behaved cheerfully to encourage Mio. ¡°Stop it already, it¡¯s awkward. Let¡¯s go right away!¡± Although her mouth said that, Mio walked forward without releasing Lotte¡¯s hand. Without knowing what was lurking in their path, they faced toward the darkness of the labyrinth¡­ Chapter 3.3.2 — The Silver Girl and the Plan of Darkness Volume 3 Chapter 3 - The Silver Girl and the Plan of Darkness Part 2 Several numbers of tentacle Demon Beasts were creeping near from the left and right paths. The worst case was if they were attacked from both sides and he couldn¡¯t protect Hiakari-san. With that thought, Kazuki returned to the previous path, for a moment the Demon Beasts converged into one group. ¡°Hiakari-san, fall back just a little for now.¡± It became a fight of one against many, but the disadvantage of numbers in this narrow passage was not that much of a concern. Kazuki managed to draw away the Demon Beasts near enough, so he invoked his magic. ¡°Fire Wall!¡± The foremost leading pack of the Demon Beasts that came rushing were swallowed in one go by the flame wall that burst forth from the ground. BThe blue light that was released when the Demon Beast vanished from this world was flickering in countless numbers inside the flame. When the flame wall was extinguished, Kazuki carved up the following Demon Beast group that was still left. However all the Demon Beasts were not looking at Kazuki, but at Koyuki. They had completely seen through the opponent that couldn¡¯t fight back instinctively. One Demon Beast that Kazuki had let slip tried to make its way from his side. Even in the worst case, he mustn¡¯t allow an attack to hit Koyuki. Kazuki threw his body in front of the Demon Beast and covered for Koyuki. The Demon Beast immediately captured Kazuki with its tentacles, then it opened its big mouth with tusks lining inside it against him that whose movement had been sealed. However, at that instant¨D. ¡°This hand, reach out to the height of Babel, now this hand grasped the thunder of god! In accordance with my life, O lightning, whirl at my command! Collider Field!!¡± He broke out a barrier of electricity barely in time. All the Demon Beasts around Kazuki were baked from the inside through the electric shock, their nerves paralyzed. Kazuki slipped out from the restraint of the tentacles and cut away all the paralyzed Demon Beasts at once. The Demon Beasts still hadn¡¯t stopped coming in waves to attack. ¡°Roar! Civilization, grant humans destruction! The howl of wisdom scorches thy body, break, shut all dignity under the rubble!! Mitrailleuse!¡± Kazuki used the gatling gun to stop the advance of the Demon Beasts, then, ¡°Fire Wall!¡± The place where all the Demon Beasts had gathered was burned away in a flame wall once again. ¡°¡­So it¡¯s really true that you can use other people¡¯s magic skillfully. There is even a remarkable difference in chanting speed compared to the time when you had a duel with Amasaki-san¡­¡± Koyuki¡¯s eyes became wide open seeing Kazuki using Mio and Lotte¡¯s magic so well. ¡°Fuu, anyway first the wave had been settled¡­¡± ¡°Are you okay, Kazuki? You got hit with an attack because of me just now.¡± ¡°The damage isn''t really significant, see? Rather than that, which way should we go, left or right?¡± ¡°¡­Kazuki, the spirit here, feel it, this way.¡± ¡°Eh? Spirit you say?¡± . The existence with many mysteries, it was said that only elves with their altered magic power could sense their existence. They had no physical body, and are beings of a different dimension. Kazuki couldn¡¯t sense their existence. As expected, it seems elves had a different sensory organs from a normal person. Though they became the target of discrimination as a consequence of that difference¡­ ¡°Kazuki too is different from normal, that¡¯s why I thought maybe you too could¡­as expected, you can¡¯t sense them.¡± Koyuki dropped her shoulders in loneliness. She felt a considerable disappointment. ¡°Sorry¡­spirits, what kind of existence are they?¡± Spirit couldn¡¯t be sensed except by elves, because those elves had received discriminatory treatment for a long time, research and investigation of spirits was not done at all. Spirits were shrouded in more mystery, even compared to Divas and Demon Beasts. ¡°Spirit¡¯s existence could be sensed in the Haunted Ground, there are many cases like that, but it is different with Demon Beasts in that it doesn¡¯t bring harm to people. They don''t have that much influence in this world. They exist in Astrum, at times they come to talk with us elves using telepathy. They are just a whispering existence.¡± The aspect where they were residents of Astrum who didn¡¯t have physical bodies in this world was the same as Divas. But in contrast with Divas who was an existence with great power, will and its own objectives, spirits were a really small existence. ¡°Even though I was saying that they talked to me, the language that they uttered to me was not clear. What they transmitted to me was only vague feelings. If the strength of the telepathy is increased then I could sense more detail, they might explain something.¡± ¡°The spirits that are in this place right now, are they telling Hiakari-san anything?¡± ¡°Yes. I think they are giving us a warning that it¡¯s better not to follow this path.¡± Koyuki quietly pointed to the right path of the diverging route. ¡°But the thing that we are looking for is located ahead in this path, that¡¯s what I think they are saying.¡± ¡°Then we can''t follow their warning after all. Looks like Spirit-san can''t guess too far, that we don¡¯t have any place to go back to from here.¡± ¡°¡­That¡¯s true. Though it makes the situation a little uneasy.¡± Kazuki took Koyuki¡¯s hand gently. ¡°Wh, what is it¡­?¡± ¡°No, because it is quite uneasy, I thought we can walk while holding hands.¡± ¡°Are you stupid? Intentionally blocking one of your own hands, what are you going to do if an enemy comes suddenly?¡± ¡°There is that, but before this we had defeated a fair number of them, so wouldn¡¯t it be fine for a while I wonder¨D, that¡¯s what I thought.¡± ¡°Then, only until the next corner.¡± ¡­Eh, she unexpectedly folded easily? Koyuki whose face was looking down, her small hand clutched his hand back tightly. A heart mark was flying to him. It¡¯s only a trivial thing, but it made her happy. ¡°Which reminds me, I have been thinking of this for a long time but, is it okay for me to call Hiakari-san by your given name?¡± Kazuki asked that while feeling her warmth from one hand. When he called Mio and Kaguya-senpai by their first names, he had a feeling that the distance between them shrunk a lot. If he wants to suggest this, then now is the chance, that was the feeling he got. ¡°It doesn¡¯t really matter, isn¡¯t it fine to call me whatever you like? As for me about the matter of Kazuki, I have called you Kazuki near from the start.¡± ¡°Now that you mention it, that¡¯s true isn¡¯t it? Since when did it become that Hiakari-san was calling me by my first name again¡­?¡± At first she called Kazuki [Rank-E person]. ¡°¡­You were looked down by everyone in the class, but didn¡¯t you duel with Amasaki-san to protect the honor of your important kenjutsu? Since then, I reconsidered my opinion of you a little¡­¡± Koyuki answered him with some difficulty. For some reason even this side also became feeling a little itchy. ¡°I see, Hiakari-san had recognized me properly as a human from a long time ago.¡± ¡°Not really, I don¡¯t care whatever happened to you anyway¡­¡± While murmuring such a thing, Koyuki¡¯s hand that was connected with his hand became a little hot. ¡°Thank you, then without reservation, Koyuki. This is quite awkward for some reason. Koyuki. Koyuki.¡± ¡°I don¡¯t really care if you call me by my name, but please don¡¯t call me repeatedly without any meaning!¡± Koyuki got angry while pulling Kazuki¡¯s hand strongly. ¡°Something trivial like a name, it¡¯s all the same however way you are using to call me. You are only doing stupid things in this kind of situation.¡± From the chest of Koyuki who was saying such things with a sullen face¨Da key that was shining with light was floating up. That key was absorbed into Solomon¡¯s ring which was Kazuki¡¯s Magic Dress. The key that was received from Koyuki, the proof that her positivity level had gone over 65¡­ The proof that a definite link was formed between their hearts. Perhaps he ought to call her by her given name much earlier than this. ¡°Just now, I became able to use Koyuki¡¯s magic you know?¡± ¡°¡­!?¡± With a jerk, Koyuki suddenly stopped walking. It seems she received a terrible shock from the fact that was apparent in the meaning of those words. She hung her head down looking like she was trying to desperately suppress the feeling that was seething inside her heart, she shut her eyes tightly. She separated their connected hands forcefully. ¡°Even though¡­even though I had decided not to get involved with anyone already. Even though I planned not to fall in love with anyone. Why are you getting inside me like this¡­slithering inside¡­¡± ¡°Koyuki¡­¡± An obstinate solo player. But inside her heart, for a long time she felt the crushing loneliness, this girl named Koyuki. ¨DShe was imposing some kind of restriction against herself, binding her own heart tightly. ¨DShe was bearing a feeling of guilt towards herself who was thinking that she wanted to get along well with someone. Kazuki could see all of that from her. ¡°Why Koyuki, you are trying to continue isolating yourself inside the loneliness of your own making, don¡¯t you see? It¡¯s regrettable that you went through a lot of painful things in the past, but like this you will only reject other people.¡± Why was she doing this kind of foolish thing, when he was confronting her like this, he could feel her indignation from her way of life. ¡°It¡¯s fine already for Koyuki to not live in such a lonely way anymore. Even though something happened in the past, it¡¯s okay to not fear anymore. Because I¡¯m thinking of Koyuki as someone absolutely important to me. It¡¯s fine to forget all the painful things.¡± ¡°Forgetting¡­?¡± Koyuki stared at Kazuki with eyes that looked completely like the eyes of a lost child. When Kazuki thought how frail of an existence this girl was, he hugged her tightly. Can he become an existence that brought her peace of mind? Koyuki¡¯s body stiffened and she was trembling. She was so small that he was afraid he would break her if he hugged her with all his strength. Kazuki embraced like he was wrapping her up inside his hands, he stroked her back that was bare by the design of the magic dress. ¡°Until Koyuki calmed down, let¡¯s take a rest from walking to the next corner for a while, okay?¡± Koyuki returned his embrace tightly while keeping her quiet. He felt that she finally accepted him. An affectionate feeling was welling up inside him. ¡°¡­Kazuki. please call my name one more time.¡± ¡°Koyuki.¡± ¡°Except for you and Kaguya-senpai, there was nobody else that had called me by my name in these past 13 years .¡± ¡°13 years ago, that was still a time when Koyuki was a little child wasn¡¯t it?¡± The preposterous period before this, this girl was supposed to be still [an existence that had a need to be called by her name and to be loved]. ¡°¡­Why! Why didn¡¯t I get called by my name!?¡± Suddenly Koyuki raised her voice and she pushed her face into Kazuki¡¯s chest. In that chest of his, he gradually felt the tears that soaked his uniform. The one who was in front of Koyuki right now was not Kazuki, she was facing someone else and cried. ¡°Papa¡­, Mama¡­! Why, why didn¡¯t you look at me!? Why¡­just because I became an elf!!¡± Koyuki clung to Kazuki strongly because of her pain that couldn¡¯t be protected by any defensive magic power. Raising her voice to the limit, Koyuki¡¯s thin arms turned white from all the strength that she pushed into it. ¡°AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!¡± Koyuki wept. She decided in her heart that she would live alone, no matter how many tears she had to endure inside her whole life until now. All those things she bore inside obstinately for a long time, Kazuki accepted all of those silently in his chest. But she finally stopped holding all of it alone. He finally became a partner that this girl could spill her heart to, that was what he thought. ¡ó ¡ó ¡ó ¡ó The time passed like that for a while, ¡®guzu¡¯ Koyuki sounded her nose. ¡°¡­I¡¯m sorry to expose my disgraceful figure so suddenly. But, just a little more like this¡­¡± Koyuki finally started to recover her calm. However¡­ ¡°Koyuki, something with magic power is approaching here.¡± ¡°¡­!¡± The feeling of nervousness from being inside a Haunted Ground returned and her whole body stiffened. ¡°I want to be like this together with Koyuki for a long time and I don¡¯t want to ever arrive to the next corner, but looks like it won¡¯t come true.¡± Koyuki separated her body from Kazuki with reluctance. Kazuki too, while feeling the lingering affection toward the fading warmth, he concentrated his consciousness toward the magical power that was approaching. The reaction for the magic power was unusual. It was different from the weak waves of magic power that Demon Beasts emitted just by existing. It felt completely like a magician that was chanting magic, a complex whirlpool that swirled around. It couldn¡¯t be, that was not a Demon Beast, but a human that was approaching¡­? Kazuki walked to the passage corner. Even if a Demon Beast came attacking suddenly, possibly even magic could come flying, that would be fine, he chose a defensive magic and prepared to chant the spell. He finally arrived at the passage corner, there he faced a body in the middle of the path. ¨DWhat the hell is this guy! Something that was even more strange than the Demon Beasts from before was standing there. A living thing that looked like a flesh-colored muddy slime. Its size was around the size of an adult human, ash colored hair was growing everywhere on it. There were no eyes and nose, but large lips were protruding, it was wriggling around like it was trying to mumble something, leaking out a moan that was impossible to decipher. It looks completely like a human that was melting into an undefined muddy form¡­ ¡°unu, guruo¡­ugo, ugo, urugua¡­¡± What the large lips were mumbling was a spell. The skin-colored monster that looked like sticky flesh mud was shining with the light of magic power, beside it an avatar of a Diva was floating. ¡­Summoning Magic!? ¡°URUGUO!¡± At the same time with the monster¡¯s voice, a large globe of flame was created and flew at Kazuki. If he evaded it Koyuki will be hit! ¡°Fire Wall!¡± Kazuki astutely invoked his prepared magic. The globe of flame was swallowed inside the flame wall and was negated. ¡°Mitrailleuse!¡± Kazuki equipped the gatling gun and poured on a storm of bullets. ¡°IGI!? IGI! IGI!¡± Even while being protected from the bullets by blue defensive magic power, the monster¡¯s body was distorted like jelly ¡®gunyagunya¡¯ from the shock of its smashed magic, it raised an eerie scream that he couldn¡¯t bear to hear. Just from looking at it, just from listening to it, he felt like it would harm his sanity. Kazuki held a shirking feeling, that he didn¡¯t want to challenge this opponent in close-quarters combat. ¡°Barrett!¡± He shot the monster with a flame bullet. The defensive magic power of the monster was used up, the flame bullet was sinking into the mud-like body. The flame bullet that sank inside its body burned its insides to a crisp. While the monster writhed around in agony, it¡­, ¡°Th, thank¡­¡± After spinning a sound that sounds like a word with its lips for the last time, it stopped moving with a twitch, ¡­Thank you, is that what it tried to say? It chilled Kazuki¡¯s spine with its mysterious eeriness. But even though this thing was so eerie, the monster didn¡¯t disappear and scatter into the light of magical power even though its life was already snuffed out. The skin-colored dead body was clinging to the ground with a splat, it continued to remain in that place. ¡­It didn¡¯t become a light and disappeared, does this mean this thing was not a Demon Beast¡­? No wait, if it wasn''t a Demon Beast, than what in the world was this organism!? Koyuki who chased him until the passage corner was giving the dead body of the monster a glance, then she came to cling at Kazuki¡¯s arm with a tight squeeze. He thought whether she was scared by the grotesqueness of the monster, but¨Dthat was not the case. ¡°Kazuki¡­please look.¡± She noticed an even more terrifying matter. ¡°This living thing¡¯s ''ears''¡­¡± In that dead body that ceased to function on the floor with a splat, he overlooked it in the middle of the fight but, it had ears attached even though it didn¡¯t have any eyes and nose. Those ears were, ''pointed ears that lengthened sharply''. ¡°This is¡­no, she is, an elf. A thing that was an elf before.¡± Chapter 3.3.3 — The Silver Girl and the Plan of Darkness Volume 3 Chapter 3 - The Silver Girl and the Plan of Darkness Part 3 ¡°Barrett!¡± Mio released a bullet of flame against the monster that was approaching. But¡­the force of the flame was weak. ¡®zee zee¡¯ Mio¡¯s breath was becoming rough. (Why can¡¯t I defeat this small fry with one attack!?) ¡­The oxygen was thinning. The place called the underground was not an airtight place. But just as she understood from the damp and humid air that this place, by no means, have good ventilation. For a flame to burn fiercely it needed oxygen. The more Mio used her flame magic in this place, the more her neck felt choked. ¡°Mio-oneesan, please don¡¯t force yourself!¡± Lotte stood in front of Mio where she served as the vanguard. While firing a volley of gatling bullets, she chanted even more spells. ¡°I reached out my hand toward the height of Babel, becoming the ruler of people! In accordance with my life, O thunder, swirled into spiral in my hand! Electromagnetic Assault SpearBlitzkrieg!!¡± That was a magic that was used for the first time in a real battle, Prometheus¡¯ level 4 magic. Lotte¡¯s left hand was already equipped with an electromagnetic iron gauntlet that was created from her level 3 magic, [Collider Field]. That iron gauntlet was enveloped with light, and she called even more supplement units to equip on her body. It was a long lance that was almost twice as tall as Lotte. ¡°Prometheus¡­ChargeSchub!!¡± Having her lance ready, Lotte charged into the group of monsters. The electric current that was produced by the gauntlet was flowing into the lance, Lotte transformed into a meteor of lightning. Everything that was standing in the way was pierced in one go, electrocuted, and turned into ash. Lotte rushed in a straight line, she arrived up to the backside of the monsters'' swarm after a struggle. ¡°Prometheus, ReapSchneiden!¡± When Lotte commanded, the spearhead part transformed, a blade was equipped there. Transforming from [lance] to [naginata] , Lotte swung it from the back of the monsters'' swarm. The storm of electric blade blew violently, sweeping up the swarm of monsters. Lotte who was armed with the extensive ranged attack from the new magic she learned was a demon of annihilation. ¡°¡­Sorry Lotte, I keep holding you back.¡± Mio was hanging her head down while her breath still hadn¡¯t come back. ¡°It¡¯s only because I am perfectly suited to purge away the small fry enemies desu. Moreover, this place¡¯s environment is not suited for flame magic after all desu¡­¡± Lotte¡¯s encouragement was accurate, but Mio was not comforted with that and she kept her head hung down with no sign of looking up. Mio was also still hung up from the fight with Beatrix where she was not useful. ¡°¡­Even though I also want to be useful for Kazu-nii, I only keep holding you all back¡­¡± Through the telepathy magic, Lotte could perceive the feelings of Mio. An uneasy feeling was spreading completely in the surface of Mio¡¯s heart like a dark sea. Because of the feelings of powerlessness against herself, a cold wind of self-denial was blowing inside her. ¡°It¡¯s scary¡­I keep exposing such a disgraceful sight in front of Kazu-nii like this¡­¡± Mio, who was usually full of confidence in herself was whispering weakly. The small-statured Lotte tiptoed lightly and hugged Mio, she was tapping Mio¡¯s back lightly. ¡°Kazuki-oniisan is not someone calculating who will decide to like or hate you from whether you are useful in battle or not, right desu? We are not supposed to be people that Kazuki-oniisan gathered for the purpose of creating a strong party desu. We are connected with Kazuki-oniisan by a Bond, people who gathered because we love each other desu. That¡¯s why we can become a strong party desu.¡± ¡°¡­I know, that kind of thing is obvious. Because I have been together with Kazu-nii for a long time. But¡­exposing an unsightly appearance when I want to show my good points still made me uneasy¡­¡± ¡°We are comrades who help each other, so let¡¯s do this with the right person in the right place. I will kick around all the small fry. Mio-oneesan just preserve your strength, please launch a large shot to the boss opponent. Come on, please cheer up. Please cheer up~¡± Against Mio who talked with a sulking tone, Lotte put on a joking air and clapped Mio¡¯s back. ¡°¡­Uuu, don¡¯t get cheeky even though you''re younger than me.¡± Mio who had a sulky expression on stretched apart Lotte¡¯s cheeks with a ¡®munyu¡¯. ¡°Please stop~¡± Even with her cheeks stretched apart, Lotte still raised a happy voice. ¡°Lotte, thank you. ¡­About Lotte, I like you somewhat.¡± ¡°I love Mio-oneesan so much desu! Then if Mio-oneesan has already regrouped your feelings, let¡¯s go forward desu!¡± ¡°There are Demon Beasts, this place is being turned into a Haunted Ground isn¡¯t it? But, if that¡¯s true then I wonder why this Haunted Ground is not spreading.¡± Both of them were going forward, while slipping through the traps at times, Mio suddenly felt a doubt. ¡°Haunted Ground is something that spread rapidly, that¡¯s why if left alone it would encroach onto the Magic Division¡¯s ground, isn¡¯t that right? But the border line of this Haunted Ground is located perfectly in the middle of the stairs descending to this underground.¡± ¡°When Mio-oneesan says it, that¡¯s true isn¡¯t it desu?¡± ¡°It is controlled by someone¡¯s hand. ¡­The Haunted Ground is not spreading anymore than this. The Haunted Ground is maintained at the appropriate size. In other words the Demon Beasts extermination is being carried out periodically, I wonder. Seeing it carefully, the concrete walls and floors are worn-out, it doesn¡¯t feel old and decaying, instead, it tells the frequency of the fights that were carried out here¡­¡± There were a great number of cracks and signs of destruction on the pulsing concrete floors and walls that were turned into the Haunted Ground. Those signs were almost not found at all in the vicinity of the entrance, but the more they advanced the more it increased. ¡°To do such troublesome things this far, there must be a reason to preserve this place as a Haunted Ground. What in the world are they doing here?¡± ¡°¡­That answer, we don¡¯t know if it might exist beyond this point desu.¡± At the end of the passage, Mio and Lotte discovered a door. Thinking about how many traps there were starting from the trap hole, there was no doubt that a big secret was being hidden beyond this door. ¡°This is not an adamantite door is it desu?¡± It seems it would be very hard to carry a super heavy adamantite until this far underground. Then it would be simple to break this door. Lotte produced a lance in her left hand, then she screwed the spearhead into the keyhole¨Dshe entered her strength. The keyhole was easily smashed, the door opened with a loud sound. There was a computer inside the room. From there, a lot of monitors. In this fairly cramped room, the only notable thing around was that computer. In here, all the things that were performed in another place were reflected and regulated in the monitors, it seems this was the control room of this whole underground space. No doubt that this computer was a large clue. Though that was only if they could start it up. ¡°¡­Sage of Civilization Prometheus. If it¡¯s you, then can you do something about this somehow?¡± Toward Lotte¡¯s call, the avatar of the young boy Prometheus appeared, ¡°Ho-ho-, I say, I say¡± he wandered around the computer with a deep interest. ¡°This is a computer right? Vast electric signals are being inputted, calculated, outputted¡­hmm hmm I see, this is what is called a computer huh. How awesome. How revolutionary this is.¡± ¡°Prometheus, use my body, try to operate it please.¡± Lotte sat on the computer¡¯s desk while saying, Prometheus¡¯s avatar disappeared. And then Lotte¡¯s arms moved by themselves. Lotte, who was being possessed by Prometheus had handed over partial control of her physical body. Power was entered into the computer. The boot sequence scene was displayed in the monitors, but what was reflected in the monitor was something Mio had never seen before. It was not an OS that was used generally, it seems it used a special OS that operated an encryption of the data in the internal memory drive. In short, even if they destroyed this computer and carried out only its memory device, it would be difficult to analyze the encrypted data. They had to break through the security using this place manually. Both of Lotte¡¯s arms became the arms of Prometheus, the fingers were running along the keyboard. It was their first time operating a keyboard, that¡¯s why Prometheus¡¯ keyboard strokes were clumsy. However, his keyboard strokes were accurate. ¡°Prometheus, you can hack a computer?¡± Towards the sage who was born in this world with the concept of civilization, Mio was being struck with admiration once again. A Diva was hacking a computer¡­it sounds completely like a joke of a story yet¡­ ¡°Well, somehow I¡¯m using my feelings, or maybe you can say my sixth sense. Release that lock. And it¡¯s open.¡± Toward the special OS that was demanding a password, Prometheus was easily releasing the security. ¡°Oh ho, there is a game here, it¡¯s minesweeper huh. Is it okay to try it a little? The record time of this computer¡¯s owner is 57 seconds. I want to surpass it without fail.¡± ¡°You must not desu, please hurry.¡± Lotte scolded Prometheus. Because these two¡¯s conversation were carried out using only Lotte¡¯s mouth and voice, it looked completely like a soliloquy. ¡°Not only for booting up the computer, to access the data inside¡­oh hoh, looks like it was protected with double layer password protection. Hahhahha, how impertinent. And, release.¡± While the sage of the Greek Mythology laughed loudly, he operated the keyboard with his index fingers poking repeatedly. His movements were those of a beginner, but he broke through the solid security mercilessly. ¡°Hmmmm, furthermore, to read this data thoroughly it seems we need something like a dedicated application. That application is not saved inside this computer, looks like it was carried in from the external. Yosh, how about I create that application starting from now?¡± ¡°¡­I don¡¯t get what you are doing at all, but looks like nothing is impossible for you huh?¡± ¡°I cannot create that app from nothing you know? I¡¯m only comprehending the surface of the data and reproducing the application.¡± While Mio was being amazed at the side, Prometheus completed the improvised application with his clumsy typing. ¡°But I cannot understand why it only asked for password and application without using biometric confirmation. If it asked for that, then it¡¯s all over even for me. ¡­By any chance, perhaps the owner of this computer even has a plan to reconstruct his own body. It¡¯s only a wild guess though, but I don¡¯t know if there is any other reason.¡± Reconstructing the body? Was that kind of thing possible? If it was possible, then for what reason? Suddenly, Mio was reminded of the moment when Kaya was hijacked by Loki and she shivered. Surely, at that time Kaya¡¯s body was reconstructed. ¡°Oh ho, I found an interesting thing.¡± Prometheus punched the enter-key with noticeable strength ¡®pachin¡¯. The monitors that were covering one part of the room¡¯s wall surface were lighting up all at once. It looks like the countless monitors were projecting various places in this underground labyrinth. A certain terminal screen was showing a room where things that looked like culture fluid were lining up in great numbers, another screen was projecting a large hall that was spreading circularly like an arena. ¨DInside that circular hall, were Kazuki and Koyuki! ¡°Prometheus! Can we reach that place!?¡± Mio was shaking Prometheus (Lotte)¡¯s shoulders energetically. ¡°I didn¡¯t find any map of this underground labyrinth inside this computer. It seems the owner of this computer memorized all the structures of this underground labyrinth in his head so he didn¡¯t need a map. To not have any necessity to share the information, it shows that the ones who use this underground labyrinth is most likely only one person. However, I found a data file of [experiment results]. Looking at the content, the accomplishments of the experiments were carried out at that place that looks like an arena, it seems the tests were using the Demon Beasts as the opponent.¡± ¡°Experiments? What kind of experiments? I guess we can understand it if we look at the data?¡± The terminal screen was changing in rapidly because of Prometheus¡¯ operating. Mio¡¯s eyes couldn¡¯t follow at all, but Prometheus should be able to naturally read those contents at high speed. Prometheus¡¯ words became cloudy at Mio¡¯s question. ¡°That is¡­how should I say it, it¡¯s an experiment that cannot be described using words at all.¡± When Prometheus pushed the enter-key, an URD was ejected from the computer¡¯s disk drive. All the data of the computer was duplicated inside this high capacity memory device. Chapter 3.3.4 — The Silver Girl and the Plan of Darkness Volume 3 Chapter 3 - The Silver Girl and the Plan of Darkness Part 4 Kazuki and Koyuki were advancing through the passage while slaughtering who knew how many Demon Beasts. Luckily they didn¡¯t encounter any more [skin-colored, mud-like enemies] from before. Koyuki said that ¡®that thing¡¯ could have possibly been a former elf. If they encountered it again, was it a good thing to point his sword at it¡­ ¡°The spirits say that defeating that thing that was an elf before is a comfort for it, you¡¯re not wrong to kill it.¡± Koyuki received a big shock just now, even now she kept talking listlessly. Her face that was white even during the best of times had become even paler, like her blood had completely drained from it. Now that she mentioned it, Kazuki too had a feeling that the monster was saying a word of gratitude immediately after its defeat. He didn¡¯t kill that thing, merely liberating it from that condition¡­ was such a thought merely just a convenient means of escape for him? Even so, were the spirits speaking as the proxies for that monster¡¯s feelings? ¡°Spirits, what kind of existence are they?¡± ¡°I don¡¯t know¡­ just, I always heard their voices in the Haunted Ground when I was in dangerous situations. They gave me advice, and always gave me some help. That¡¯s why right now too, I think it¡¯s okay to follow their words accordingly.¡± ¡°The Spirits'' protection that is only bestowed to elves, is it? So Koyuki even has that kind of secret that lets you able to be a solo player.¡± ¡°¡­Actually just before the trap hole, they told me not to advance forward, but¡­I didn¡¯t listen to them.¡± After advancing through the passage, they finally arrived at an open circular space. Although there were no guest seats, its shape reminded him of an arena. The walls and floor were made from the same blunt concrete as the passages up until this point, but this place was worn-out with small scratches and damage. ¡°What on earth is this underground area being used for?¡± ¡°Perhaps, and this is only my guess, but¡­¡± Koyuki began to talk nervously while Kazuki was observing the surroundings cautiously. ¡°There was a barrier raised at the entrance of this place, but that security was by no means secure. Nobody but Magica Stigma could enter, but conversely it¡¯s easy for Magica Stigma to enter here, rather I have a feeling that they would even welcome it.¡± Certainly it looks that way. With the stigmata confirmation devices, the security had the function to specify the intruder that entered, but it was not a security system that could reject the intruders itself. This underground area also rejected the students of the Sword Division, but didn¡¯t reject the students of the Magic Division. ¡°And then the thing we encountered not long ago, it was an elf who had inherently strong magic power but [its form was changed]. The major clues are only these two facts. Only these two facts but, if we put them together¡­¡± Koyuki cut her words off there like she was hesitating to place the too repulsive imagination in her mouth. She clutched Kazuki¡¯s hand strongly and finally talked. ¡°Elves and Magica Stigma are suited as experiment material. I wonder if this place is not the place where they processed people¡¯s hearts, a human experiment site for the sake of strengthening human¡¯s magic power artificially?¡± Intruders were welcomed here¨Das the material for experimentation. ¡°¨DA correct answer. Welcome, O King of this country and his young lady attendant.¡± If this circular space was an arena, from the direction of the passage on the other side where the battle opponent usually came out, a reply that substantiated Koyuki¡¯s frightening guess came. ¡®kan¡¯, ¡®kan¡¯, ¡®kan¡¯, the well mannered footsteps of leather shoes could be heard approaching. Kazuki and Koyuki caught their breath, they fixed their eyes on the man that came. The figure that appeared was a gentleman in his prime wearing a refined suit. It was Otonashi Tsukikurou. The headmaster of the knight academy. ¡°I welcome the arrival of all of you here from the bottom of my heart. I met some unexpected difficulties in order to capture you and Charlotte with certainty, but all of you came here in this place by yourselves. With this¡­there is no more need for hesitation to assault the uprising elements from the Sword Division.¡± ¡°Are you, the owner of this underground labyrinth?¡± Kazuki once again confirmed the obvious. He couldn¡¯t help but ask that. The opponent was the headmaster of this academy. And then¨Dthe father of Kaguya-senpai. ¡°Yes, that¡¯s correct.¡± That gentlemenly figure that even exuded a sense of reliability as an adult nodded his head calmly. There was not an ounce of shame that appeared on him. ¡°The thing called magical power is the power of the mind. If this power of the mind could be reinforced artificially, then we could create even stronger magicians. For the sake of this country called Japan to acquire the power to overwhelm other countries, that is something indispensable. This is something that other Magic Advanced Countries absolutely cannot achieve seeing as they were forced to be faithful by the Divas. This is the attempt of what we could do with our country¡¯s biggest advantage.¡± Regarding those Mythologies that enforced their faith, there were not few of them that saw science and technology that was too advanced as the symbol of human¡¯s arrogance. Something like an experiment on living humans was certainly absurd. ¡°Even if I said human experiments, the perspective of the government at first was that these experiments should be successful even without paying it in something like considerable numbers of human sacrifices. The mind of a human in the end is only something that is created by the brain. The works of brain cells had been elucidated since a long time ago. What kind of organ it is, what kind of electric signals it uses, what kind of changes magic power causes to the brain. If we could discover and manufacture it ourselves¡­it was supposed to be a simpe matter.¡± Headmaster Otonashi kept talking while pushing his index finger to massage his forehead. ¡°But the problem is not that simple. The Philosopher''s Stone that was invented by that alchemist, Basileus Basileon, was creating an area in the human brain that cannot be elucidated by science. Operations that were thought to be correct theoretically failed one after another and the ego of the test subjects all collapsed. The collapsed mind made their magical power run wild, that magic power¡­with power that distorted reality, their own flesh was also distorted and transformed into appropriate meat clay. What a result that makes the hair of your whole body stand on its end. With their minds collapsing, their physical bodies were also collapsing. Influenced strongly by the magic power. This thing was something that science cannot even hope to anticipate!¡± The finger that Headmaster Otonashi used to massage his forehead was pointing at Koyuki this time, and he said. ¡°The few resulting successes of these experiments, were the elves, did you know?¡± ¡­What did he say? Koyuki clutched at Kazuki¡¯s hand with all her strength. Her face''s complexion had gone straight past white and turned blue. ¡°¡­Are you saying that elves were created artificially? That they were not something that resulted naturally?¡± ¡°This project was started not long after the birth of magic. Random samples were selected from babies that were born in Japan as test subjects, the processing was performed secretly inside hospitals. They were mostly failures, turning into something that was buried in the darkness and known as Infant Sudden Death Syndrome to the masses. The success rate was too low, so in the end this elf project was discontinued. Even the biggest success example of the few successes we had, Hiakari Koyuki, when compared to the child prodigy of the same generation¡­Amasaki Mio, was only on par with her. The experiment¡¯s cost versus return was too poor.¡± ¡°Cost¡­?¡± Koyuki¡¯s expression changed toward the words that she couldn¡¯t ignore. ¡°You¡¯re calling the people that failed¡­cost¡­!?¡± This man, why, how could he talk about such things so unemotionally and indifferently? Kazuki was terribly angry, at the same time he also felt a shiver in his whole body from fear. ¡°It was all for the country¡¯s prosperity. By paying with the sacrifice of the extreme minority, we could welcome certain prosperity, Hayashizaki Kazuki. Yet, that time when a king like you decided to protect Charlotte, I felt disappointment.¡± ¡°Even without that strength that was earned by paying with sacrifices, Solomon''s 72 Pillars had already granted us strength isn¡¯t that right!?¡± ¡°Stigmata huh. When the elf project ended in failure, what we had our eyes on next was Stigmata. There are two problems in the Summoning Magic from the stigmata. The first problem is that this power is a power that is controlled by mysterious wills with a secretive doctrine, Solomon''s 72 Pillars. For the country¡¯s greatest military power to be dependent on something that is outside the country¡¯s sovereignty, something like that is unacceptable.¡± ¡°Solomon''s 72 Pillars are testing us, whether we would use that power justly or not.¡± ¡°That is something to be said by the ones who stand above. We, [mankind], cannot be tested by anyone. If it¡¯s not like that, then it¡¯s impossible to stand as an independent country.¡± At that time, Leme materialized at Kazuki¡¯s side. ¡°That objection of yours¡­we are not even tying you with the binding of faith, we bestowed strength freely to this country, and this is the outcome?¡± ¡°Well, well, the King of Solomon''s 72 Pillars, Lemegeton-sama.¡± ¡°¡­Leme loves the humans. I love each human one by one. However, our story is extremely unpleasant. Tell me, by you¡­no, by this country¡¯s government, how many people had been sacrificed for the sake of the country¡¯s prosperity?¡± The King of Solomon''s 72 Pillars, Lemegeton asked with her distrust bared. It was a terrifying situation to provoke Leme¡¯s displeasure, but Headmaster Otonashi didn¡¯t even pay any mind to it and played dumb by answering ¡°Who knows?¡±. ¡°For all that, compared to the number of the victims, the number of the people who had become happy must be far greater yes?¡± ¡°¡­Why, why does your way of thinking assume right from the start that there will be sacrifices?¡± Kazuki spontaneously interjected. That time with Lotte was like that too. Certainly, there might be a time when they had to sacrifice something no matter what. However, without even exerting his utmost effort to the limit, calmly throwing away other people as sacrifices, he absolutely didn¡¯t want to recognize that kind of method. If I am to be a King¡­! ¡°There is no problem that had already started right!? The figure of the enemy isn¡¯t even visible yet, how could you say that sacrifices are needed!? Why didn¡¯t you dare to even try to fight without sacrificing anything to win our prosperity!? You were choosing the method that created sacrifices easily and abandoned any effort and struggle while you yourself were always in a safe place wielding that authority! However that kind of method won¡¯t earn you any trust, whether from your comrades, or from Solomon''s 72 Pillars. If I am said to be a King¡­then I will become a king that fights together with everyone.¡± ¡°Just like Kazuki said. Seeing you, Leme only feels sadness.¡± Across the monitor, Mio and Lotte, and also Prometheus too were listening to that conversation. Prometheus was murmuring dejectedly. ¡°Just like what that man says, the other Mythologies won¡¯t recognize this kind of experiment that strengthened magic power through science. It is surely an advantage that only this country can use. That is so, however¡­using science for this kind of thing is¡­¡± The sage that bestowed and taught the fire of civilization in order for men to protect each other was stricken with grief. ¡°Strange. Why do you not agree with my logic? This is why, humans with their own ego are so¡­¡± Headmaster Otonashi tilted his head while still keeping his expression blank like a doll. ¡°Well, let¡¯s continue the story. I was beyond redemption if it is not like this. The research of the stigmata bestowed by Solomon''s 72 Pillars had become my focus. The first thing that I understood was that there is a strong compelling force in the contract. Regarding Solomon''s 72 Pillars, even if their powers are used in a way they are unwilling to, Solomon''s 72 Pillars are not able to refuse lending their power. Yes, that too can be understood from the scroll recording the Myth. The majority of Solomon''s 72 Pillars were people that were considered as demons by the teachings of Christ. The existence called Demon is an existence that is compliant to the contract. If we turn the tables in regard of the contract, then we should be able to use the demons skillfully.¡± Certainly the Summoning Magic of Kaguya-senpai¡¯s Asmodeus mercilessly bared its fangs to Kazuki who was the contractor of Lemegeton. There was a compelling force where they couldn¡¯t say any consent or refusal there. ¡°Solomon''s 72 Pillars are obligated to their contractor and their position is to be enslaved by Magica Stigma. Moreover, they couldn¡¯t annul this contract in the middle. But, we cannot say that we are in a superior position against Solomon''s 72 Pillars because of that. Because Solomon''s 72 Pillars can choose to not bestow anymore stigmata to the next generation. Humanity''s magic power will decline after their peak at twenty years of age. Magica Stigma¡¯s period of active duty is short. Only a few years. In the end, our country became dependent to Solomon''s 72 Pillars.¡± ¡°Certainly it is like that, but¡­you are so distrusting of Leme and the others that much?¡± Leme made an unpleasant face towards such consideration that was so scrupulous towards every corner. ¡°After that, what I researched next was stigmata transplantation operations. If we could transfer the stigmata from the declining person to a still young person, then even without having Solomon''s 72 Pillars renewing their contract with another person then there wouldn¡¯t be any problem at all. Using the inherited stigmata, we could draw out the power of the 72 Pillars forcefully. We will be independent from Solomon''s 72 Pillars, able to rule them. Well, it could be said as being a parasite too.¡± What he said made even Lemegeton turn pale. ¡°¡­Wh, what do you think Leme and the others of Solomon''s 72 Pillars are!? The contract that Leme and the others tied in accordance of our trust¡­you are planning to make us Divas into simple tools (power source) like slaves!¡± ¡°But the problem is that the stigmata is connected tightly with the mind. By extracting the stigmata from the knights and the students of the knight academy that had fallen into severe magic intoxication and cannot regain their consciousness, I performed countless human experiments of stigmata transplantations using a great amount of the failed elves that I preserved and cultivated.¡± In the period of one year, there were dozens of knights and knight academy students that fell into magic intoxication and went missing in the Haunted Ground. However, for some of those victims¡­to be treated as experiment materials in here! ¡°The experiment results were¡­a wretched thing. No matter how many times I repeated it, the mind of the elves that were planted with a stigmata had collapsed with near certainty. You two had seen it on the way here, that lump of meat that used magic. That was an experiment result just so you know. I sent only one body to you two partly for introductions however.¡± That being which looked like skin-colored meat clay¡­the moment when Kazuki delivered the finishing blow, its lips were saying ¡°Thank you¡± slightly. Kazuki¡¯s blood stops flowing and his consciousness felt like flying far away. ¡°¡­You¡¯re insane.¡± ¡°That¡¯s not true. I am sane. When the result of mind collapse with near certainty came out, the government handed down the decision to cancel this research of stigmata transplantation. However my thinking was different. ¡­There is no need for something like ego in a soldier. Something like ego is unnecessary. Something like a face is unnecessary. Even names are unnecessary. Even will, too, is unnecessary. When the research has ended, I was given a new appointment as the headmaster of the knight academy, but I secretly continued the research. And then I named this research, Human Pillar ProjectProject - Caryatid.¡± ¡°The name of this academy is¡­!¡± The Knight Academy , that was the name of this academy! ¡°Of course I entered a different formal meaning on the surface. I named this academy Caryatid in respect for the girls who are contracted with Solomon''s 72 Pillars as [the pillar that supported this society]. However¡­I think the true nature of my naming of this academy is really fitting. This academy is my research site for the sake of obtaining the glorious future! All the students, are the human sacrificeshuman pillars¡­!¡± Underground¡­ The enjoyable days Kazuki spent in the Witch''s Manor, in its underground was¨D. ¡°The experiment is doing well. Now it''s become possible to extract stigmata with comparatively high purity. Then if that stigmata is transferred to [humans with diluted egos], an ideal Magica Stigma that maintained its shape as a human as it is and will fight in accordance with the orders given to it is born. This me will change the Knight Order of this country. With these strongest magicians that I created as its banner. That is¡­the King of this country is¡­¡± Headmaster Otonashi pointed at Kazuki while still keeping his expressionless face. ¡°It is not you. It¡¯s my daughter¨DKaguya.¡± He planned to perform the operation on his own daughter, that was what this man proclaimed. ¡­Just hearing this man''s story made Kazuki felt like his own sanity was cracking. Was this guy really Kaguya-senpai¡¯s father? ¡°I gave the most optimal education to Kaguya. As raw material, that child is an inferior normal human compared to Hiakari Koyuki. However I incited the growth of her latent magic power by my imprinted education and hypnotism. I imprinted the sense of duty that [She must be the strongest magician] from the time of her infancy, that sense of duty became the greatest priority in her life. A strong will incites the growth of magic power. When I gave her the seat of the student council president, I imprinted the suggestion of [carry out your responsibility as the strongest magician] even further. I told her to push aside all emotion with logical judgment, hypnotized her that she must carry out her responsibility as the strongest magician without fail.¡± He raised his daughter as a robot, Kazuki couldn¡¯t listen to what he said as anything other than that. Of course the unpainted face of Kaguya-senpai was a really humane and kind person. However¡­certainly senpai had some moments when she forced herself to death to do unreasonable things. The senpai at that time, changed into the machine personality that this man constructed. ¡°When Kaguya received my suggestion, she immediately abandoned her ego. There I will transplant [the King¡¯s stigmata] that will be extracted from you. The collapse of the mind could be curbed to the lowest degree, don¡¯t you see? My daughter is going to be the new King. That child is able to stand at the highest summit. If it is for that reason, then I don¡¯t mind matter how dirty my hands become. Someone like me is inconsequential. Yes, someone like me.¡± Right there, Headmaster Otonashi, who was expressionless until now, was looking like he suddenly lost the balance of his mind. ¡°Someone like me, someone like me¡­¡± He began saying repeatedly. Suddenly Kazuki was wrapped with doubt at this late hour. The human in front of his eyes, was he really sane? Was he normal? ¡°Headmaster Otonashi¡­are you an illegal magician?¡± His personality was eroded and already he experienced some disorder, wasn¡¯t that what was going on? ¡°I am¡­I am¡­illegal? This me? What are you saying?¡± ¡°To enter the entrance to this underground, the person must have a stigmata. You must have a connection to someone. And then that someone, is the one that is driving you mad, isn¡¯t that right?¡± ¡°Someone? I did all of this by my own free will. I¡¯m not mad or anything. That¡¯s right, I decided everything myself. But, someone like me is inconsequential. Eh? ¡­I see, so it¡¯s like that huh?¡± Suddenly Headmaster Otonashi covered his face with both hands. ¡°That¡¯s right, I had thrown away my ego a long time ago. But, then who am I? Whoever I am doesn¡¯t matter. I don¡¯t need something like a face. That¡¯s right, something like a face is unneeded.¡± Headmaster Otonashi suddenly buried his nails, he started to tear off his own face. ¡°Unneeded, unneeded, unneeded¡­¡± While murmuring like a broken record, with fingers that were filled with abnormal strength, ¡®michi¡¯, ¡®buchi¡¯, the muscle fibers were torn off. He screwed his fingers into the torn flesh and pulled apart the flesh even further from there, the white of the bone was exposed along with the blood spray. Kazuki and Koyuki reflexively took a step back seeing his abrupt insane behavior. Eyeballs fell at Headmaster Otonashi¡¯s feet with a plop. Headmaster Otonashi¡¯s face was scraped over from all its undulations right now, turning into a flat surface. From there, Headmaster Otonashi started to knead the slight meat that was still clinging on his face like clay. Like a stain that was spreading, the kneaded meat was rapidly blackening and spreading out. ¡°Something like a face is unneeded¡­I am the Faceless God¡­¡± Headmaster Otonashi took down his hands from his face. That face was changed into a flat featureless jet black face. Without even eyes and nose, only the lips were floating a smile, hanging on the jet black face. ¡°That¡¯s right, before I knew it I had thrown away my own ego, never realizing it until the end. I was already turning into me. My encroachment was already reaching completion. That¡¯s right¡­I am Nyarlatoteph. The Diva of Cthulhu Mythos.¡± ¡°Nyarla¡­Cthulhu Mythos? I have never heard it.¡± In front of the monitors, the Greek Mythology¡¯s Prometheus was whispering while looking suspicious. Mio too was the same. Despite already learning the outline of all the Mythologies in the Mythology class, her ears never heard of such a Diva with that name that sounds random and hard to pronounce. ¡°I know this Diva desu. I saw it in an anime.¡± Lotte said. ¡°Anime¡­? Not a Mythology but an anime?¡± ¡°Yes. Though he was called Nyarlathotep in that anime.¡± ¡°Well, something like a name is just a series of meaningless sounds. There are also other pronunciation like Nyarlatoteph or Nyarlathotep. People try to be aware of me with fleeting effort and gave me various names. However even names, even this form, is nothing more than a torn off part of the ever changing infinite dreams. After all humans are not able to recognize our true essence correctly. Thus the current me is tied to the , however that is an annoying matter. ¡­Rather than hearing my story, let¡¯s talk about Tsukikurou¡¯s story.¡± The flat black faced man, while nudging around the torn off pieces of meat and eyeballs that were still scattered about at his feet, started to talk with loquacity. ¡°¡­You know, this man never realized it until the very end that he was being encroached. He became unable to make a distinction between my wish and his own wish. He thought that my whispering voice was his own inner voice. And then because he didn¡¯t want to take a straight look at his own sins, he even stopped to reflect on himself. And then he lost his own self. O King of humans, it seems Loki too boasted his own skill to you, but if we are talking about the brilliance of skill, I wonder if my skill is not the one that is several levels above don¡¯t you agree? Because in regards to driving humans mad, there is none more superior than we of the Cthulhu Mythos.¡± Nyarlatoteph turned his jet-black face to Kazuki and wriggled his lips. Kazuki felt a cold sweat of revulsion running down his spine. For a materialized Diva to await in this place, something like this¡­! He had anticipated that an illegal magician was connected with the ominous magic power that came from this underground labyrinth. But he had the wrong impression that the physical body of the illegal magician hadn¡¯t been taken over yet because no incident had happened until now and he was staying in hiding. But, for the Diva to easily finish hijacking the body like this¡­! ¡°This man is such a pitiful thing. Receiving the appointment from the government for the duty of human experiment research, at first he was holding an extreme feeling of guilt. That¡¯s why he persuaded himself that this experiment was absolutely needed for the sake of this country, And then he started to dream of making his own daughter reign as the ruler of this country. For the sake of the country, for the sake of his daughter¡­that sounds really good when put into words don¡¯t you agree? He was intoxicated with the idea that it didn¡¯t matter how dirty his hands became if it was for the sake of that goal, so that he could justify himself. Thus he continued the experiments heartlessly. He was already mad by that time. Really mad. But he himself didn¡¯t even think that he was mad for even a bit. You guys know that the only madness he didn¡¯t have was to go on a rampage carelessly like an illegal magician, but that¡¯s it, that¡¯s the only thing he was not mad of. At that time I had already finished encroaching inside him. Brilliant right?¡± Against the fitting suits that Nyarlatoteph wore, ¡°What suffocating clothes¡± he loosened the bottom of his neck with unconstrained gesture. From the gap of the shirts, ¡°ZOWA-!¡± countless tentacles were spilling out. ¡°My own wish, before, this Headmaster Otonashi had said it right? What kind of thing is it, do you know?¡± Even with all he had done, Headmaster Otonashi had talked righteously that all of this was for [making the Knight Order of Japan strong]. However the Diva in front of his eyes, by no means his objective was going to make Japan prosperous. The process they both took were the same but, this Diva must have a totally different objective. ¡°Is it the turn for my story? You see, I plan to make effective use of Otonashi Tsukikurou¡¯s research. His long standing desire of a [New Knight Order]¡­was to gather artificial magicians that could parasitize the power of Solomon''s 72 Pillars, but that plan will be commandeered by this me. Then the strongest magician that Tsukikurou painstakingly raised¡­Otonashi Kaguya, I will receive her as my new host body. Because with Otonashi Tsukikurou whose magic power was already weakening as my base, my current power is not enough. Tsukikurou had also already finished all the preliminary arrangements to make Otonashi Kaguya forfeit her ego, so it will be easy for me to plunder her body with my characteristic magic next. However everything of those is only after plundering your stigmata. Thus I will obtain the strongest body and the strongest Knight Order¨Dthe Game will be my victory.¡± ¡°¡­Game?¡± Against those astounding words, Kazuki asked back. The objective of the Divas that were making appearances in the world, even now it was still shrouded in mystery. But this Nyarlatoteph¡¯s own objective was made obvious. The objective of Nyaarlatoteph was a [Game]? When Kazuki took a stab at arousing his interest, Nyarlatoteph suddenly revealed his fury. ¡°That¡¯s right, this world¡¯s Mythologies¡¯¡­annoying Game! Our Cthulhu Mythos is not recognized as a genuine Mythology by this world, our weakening is unavoidable!! What a joke!! The great us that are not even taken notice of by the awareness of humanity, losing our essence as the Cosmic Horror, many of the evil gods were completely sealed! Only me, the that can obtain divinity! But the influence of a Mythology that has nothing but one Diva¡­what in the hell am I going to do with that huh!! This world is centered on humans too excessively. The soul of the world is shaped by the magnified human¡¯s mind, only Divas whose existence could possibly be interpreted by humans are allowed to exist. Cthulhu Mythos, whose true essence are [impossible to be understood by humans] was distorted. ¡­So we of the Cthulhu Mythos can win through the game, I''m alone running around, taking secret maneuvers, I had to exhaust myself so we could be victorious against other Mythologies. By making the best use of the fruit of Tsukikurou¡¯s research, leading the Knight Order of artificial magicians, and utilizing the power of Solomon''s 72 Pillars, I will win through the Game. And then with this hand I will usurp the World¡¯s SoulAstrum that every Mythologies always dreamed of. The Astrum will be dyed with our color and drive humanity into madness, carrying out the revival of , Azathoth!¡± Astrum¡­? Governing the world of human¡¯s mind, The Distorted WorldAstrum in their control was the objective of all Divas? But what was the meaning in doing that? However Nyarlatoteph didn¡¯t answer Kazuki¡¯s doubt beyond that. ¡°It¡¯s convenient for you all to come this far. Then without reservation, I can ruin the Sword Division who goes against ¡®my Magic Division¡¯. ¡­Let me introduce you all to one of the fruits of Tsukikurou¡¯s blasphemous researches. Come¡­Four Marks MagiciansQuad-core Magica!!¡± In response to Nyarlatoteph¡¯s command, countless footsteps could be heard from the passage at the opposite side. It was the sound of footsteps that were walking staggeringly in unsteady posture like a sleep-walking person. The number was twelve. What appeared was twelve silver-haired girls covered in masks¨Dthey were elves. Black leather binding tools were worn on their bodies, and large number of stigmata were carved on their slender arms and legs. ¡°The byproduct of the Elf Project that the government once pushed forward, and Tsukikurou¡¯s Project - Caryatid. The disposed elves that were in relatively good condition were transplanted with four extracted stigmatas that had relatively high purity each. Come on, four stigmata combined with an elf''s magic power? Lovely right? Of course their personalities had collapsed and they are only barely retaining their human shapes. Tsukikurou¡¯s ideal knight is still far off, but¡­these children can be summed as the soldiers of the current me. At any rate there is no one other than me in the Cthulhu Mythos anyway. I¡¯ll leave the dealing with you all to one of the body among these. After all I still have things I have to do.¡± Nyarlatoteph was suddenly looking at one corner of the ceiling¨Dhis jet-black face smiled complacently to the lens of the monitor camera hidden there. ¡°The humans that know this secret absolutely cannot be allowed to escape after all. The people who got lost in this taboo place and knew too much are driven mad in front of the disgusting truth¡­it¡¯s so lovely following that theory isn¡¯t it? No matter how many bodies there are, it¡¯s still not enough you know? ¡­Well then O still inexperienced King of Humans, I¡¯m wishing for you to have a good fight. Although there is no way in hell for you all to survive here and escape from this underground labyrinth.¡± Nyarlatoteph turned on his heel. ¡°Do it.¡± After leaving a short command to one of the Quad-core Magica, the jet-black Diva¡¯s figure disappeared in the darkness of the passage at the other side along with the eleven others he led. The stigmata of the one Quad-core Magica left behind began to emit the light of magical power without even saying any declaration of fight! ¡°Koyuki, step back! ¡­Koyuki?¡± When Kazuki turned back, Koyuki was unable to move, like her body and heart were paralyzed, she was trembling. ¡°Kazuki¡­I am¡­¡± Those eyes were dyed in despair like a human that was wishing for her own death. Right now, in this situation this girl was not drowning in terror of a degree like [confronting a terrifying enemy]. From some time ago, there were too many terribly shocking truths regarding this elf girl to process. ¡°I¡­now¡­understood the true identity of the spirits.¡± ¡°What did you say? ¡­Spirits?¡± The existence full of mysteries even more than the Demon Beasts, spirits. An abstract intelligent being that was said to only be perceivable by elves¡­ Why was that name the one that came out in this kind of situation? ¡°Those girls'' true identity is¡­the destroyed personalities of the elves whose magic power were enlarged beyond an ordinary person''s and left behind in Astrum, a residual thought.¡± ¡­The ghosts of the elves she said!? ¡°Their emotions are flowing inside me¡­¡± Worn out, Koyuki¡¯s tears started to spill out. ¡°Wh¡­why¡­only me¡­living like this¡­¡± With a trembling voice, Koyuki let her penitence leak out. But, don¡¯t say that it is bad for Koyuki to live! ¡°Koyuki, even though you yourself can''t agree that you still should live, I will absolutely not let Koyuki die! I will protect you to the very end!¡± ¡°airuaokagurma!!¡± From the other side of the Quad-core Magica¡¯s mask, a scream of meaningless human speech could be heard. For that girl whose lost personality was integrated already to her core, that meaningless scream was a spell. What was invoked¨Dwas one of Solomon''s 72 Pillars'' Summoning Magics! This girl was supposed to use the Summoning Magic of four different Divas. To fight this kind of opponent he needed to Foresight what kind of magic the opponent was going to use, observing the element of the magic, and deal with the magic. The one who taught him the importance of observing the opponent was Koyuki. ¡­From the flow of the magic power, Foresight the detail of the magic that the opponent was going to use! Kazuki attempted to sense what kind of magic phenomenon the Quad-core Magica requested to the Diva from the flow of the whirling magical power. He somehow sensed it¨Da physical attack. ¡°uoamuaoma!¡± The magic was invoked. Around the Quad-core Magica, countless giant nails were raising up. ¡°O wisdom accumulating through human history, protect my body with layers of armor! Heavily, thickly, reject all the brutality! Seusenhofer!!¡± Kazuki covered his body with armor using Prometheus¡¯ magic. The countless nails came flying like a line of spears. Kazuki came out to the front to cover Koyuki. He couldn¡¯t evade. If he moved then Koyuki would be hit. She wouldn¡¯t even fall into magic intoxication, it was going to be an instant death. Koyuki was making a face like she was going to accept that kind of fate obediently! Kazuki blocked the countless nails with his fully-armored body. The armor was crumbling just from one hit, but the nails were dispersing before reaching Kazuki¡¯s defensive magic power. The defense was a success! However, the Quad-core Magician chanted a different spell almost at the same time¨Da fire element! ¡°anfkjanfascs!!¡± ¡°Self Burning!¡± Barely matching the magic invocation of the opponent, Kazuki somehow made it in time. Because the defensive magic¡¯s target was his own body, he didn¡¯t need to go through the Targeting part and the chanting time was short. Kazuki supplemented the worn-out armor with flame armor on top of it. The flame bullet came flying with the speed of rifle bullet. That was a magic that Kazuki also knew well, it was Barrett. The flame armor and the flame bullet were offsetting each other and both were extinguished. ¡°fsdfsdvkdseoda!!¡± The Quad-core Magician was not stopping! Even more magic came flying! Kazuki failed his Foresight from the overwhelming speed that he couldn¡¯t follow. From the underfoot of the Quad-core Magician, one lump of the concrete floor became unstuck and floated up, then it flew in Kazuki¡¯s direction. The worn-out Seusenhofer was smashed, inflicting a wound in Kazuki¡¯s defensive magic power. ¡­More still coming. This enemy was firing magic like an automatic weapon at him! ¡°cvcmiedflaowfd!!¡± The fourth magic was invoked slightly later than the previous three, it was a magic of even an even higher level compared to the magic until now. A pure black thunder cloud was created on top of Kazuki¡¯s head. Offense energy of snapping electricity was generated from there, and then huge lightning was falling at Kazuki! ¡°Flash! Raikiri!!¡± Drawing an Iai slash with the Sacred Treasure that was fortunately at hand, Kazuki slashed apart that lightning. For him to possess Raikiri when the enemy was using a lightning element magic was a paper-thin fortune. ¡­The cycle of the offense magic was too fast! The opponent was splitting her consciousness four ways to the four stigmata and chanting the spells at the same time! Defensive magic wouldn¡¯t make it in time. Much less defending with the best of his ability, he couldn¡¯t even defend. The Quad-core Magician was just standing straight in that spot and firing the Summoning Magic in rapid succession like a machine. Kazuki was standing guard in front of Koyuki, he didn¡¯t even have any allowance whether it was to chant attack magic or entering close-quarters combat. ¡ó ¡ó ¡ó ¡ó ¡°a¡­aa¡­¡± Koyuki leaked out a moaning voice looking at the scene in front of her. Kazuki was continuously getting struck by magic to protect her. Why? Even though she herself wanted to just die¡­yet why was he still trying to protect her by volunteering his own body? She hated herself for a long time. Moreover, she herself had confirmed that she was born from an experiment that made one want to hold nausea in their stomach, that she was born due to the countless sacrifices of others. As I thought, I am a monster! Furthermore, I am even more filthy than even I had imagined, a blasphemous existence. Even the strong magic power that I thought as the sole meaning of my existence, was something originating from rotten trash. I who is like that, right now¡­is just holding Kazuki back. Why is he doing that kind of action this far? Why for something like me¡­ Koyuki suddenly imagined the moment when he finally abandoned her. Kazuki stopped covering herself and the attack magic pierced her. The flesh of her body was destroyed without even leaving her original form intact. I don¡¯t want that. ¡­It¡¯s scary. To die itself was not scary. But if she kept dragging Kazuki¡¯s feet like this and he turned to hate her completely was a scary prospect! That¡¯s why she didn¡¯t want to get along well with anyone, despite that¡­! ¡°Please, stop it already¡­¡± Koyuki begged to Kazuki¡¯s back. It was scary to be betrayed, so she begged from herself that he stopped protecting her. To die from having her own wish listened to was far more comfortable compared to die while being loathed by Kazuki. ¡°Stop it already¡­¡± But his back didn¡¯t listen at all to Koyuki¡¯s thin voice. Koyuki was inside the loneliness called being protected. {¡­Don¡¯t throw yourself in self-abandonment.} Suddenly, there was a woman¡¯s voice coming from Telepathy. {We are not telling you of our true identity in this place for the sake of hurting you.} Was it because she had understood their true identity, right now their voices were resounding even clearer than ever, she was able to understand the voice of the spirits. Now at last the voice of the spirits was not a vague feeling, the voice was transmitted as true words. {For the sake of protecting him, stand up.} Hearing the words of the spirits, Koyuki raised up her bowed head and watched Kazuki¡¯s back once more. Why¡­? {We have kept watching over the surviving elves for a long time.} {Everyone was isolated. They were lonely. All of that were conveyed to us.} {But you were able to make important people, right? Even now we could feel that.} {We are not envying your life or anything. The important people that we couldn¡¯t obtain, please, we want you to protect them.} Protect¡­not being protected, but she herself to him¡­ {Fight.} {And then defeat the Quad-core Magic with your strength.} {Her ego had collapsed, but even so she kept being abused for her magic¡­that is a really painful thing.} But¡­the current her didn¡¯t know how to fight. Even though she prayed, even though she thought hard, she still couldn¡¯t knead the magic power. The magic power that she had long thought as the worth of her existence was¡­ ¡°Do you still not understand the reason why you cannot use magic?¡± ¡°¡­Vepar?¡± At Koyuki¡¯s side, an avatar of a mermaid was floating. ¡°Inside you, the routine of the magic power invocation had changed. For a long time until now, you invoked the magic power only for the sake of proving your own power. The thought of [proving my own power] had become your key for kneading your magic power. That was your routine until now. But the feeling of the current you right now was not like that anymore. At that time when you fell into magic intoxication and faced yourself. Please remember your feelings at that time.¡± ¨DI don¡¯t want to give up. I want to be able to live and have an intimate relationship with someone, I don¡¯t want to give up! The me at that time begged for that! ¡°Using that feeling, you will be able to invoke magic, please notice that. That is a way of chanting magic that you have never experienced. I like you who was so lonely. I am the mermaid princess. So I can understand your loneliness. That¡¯s why I want to give you a push on the back. Go¨Dchange yourself right now.¡± Vepar¡¯s avatar vanished after leaving behind those words. Koyuki faced her own feelings. She had already found the most intense thought she had ever felt throughout the period of this twelve years she had lived. Kazuki had protected her from countless nails, flame bullets, lumps of earth, and lightning without even moving a step. I understand. I see it. The thing I want to do from the bottom of my heart. The path for the sake of that. Obtain a different state of heart than before! ¡°I¡­I will redefine myself! My strength is not only for the sake of fighting¡­it changes into the strength for protecting my important people!!¡± {We will lend you strength, Koyuki.} {Whether we are a filthy existence or not, depends on ourselves.} {Now, you are able to bless your own existence, right?} {If you could accomplish a meaningful life, then that will become the elves¡¯ new meaning of existence.} The residual thoughts left behind in the Astrum, the spirits, their form changed into pure magic power and flowed into Koyuki. Enormous magic power was swirling inside Koyuki. Her incomplete Magic Dress recovered its majestic appearance like a blooming flower bud. She became able to chant the spell with incomparable speed than before. ¡°¡­Sinking hundreds of ships, O menace of the sea lurking in the ocean depths! Led by my singing voice, surface¡­show that full story!¡± ¡°¡­Koyuki?¡± Kazuki turned back to look at her with eyes that were dyed in shock. He was looking at her, she felt happiness just from that small thing. ¡°Stab your fang! Ice¨D¡± She could feel that she had filled this one shot of magic with a never yet seen destructive power until now. For protecting Kazuki, and that¡­pitiful Quad-core Magica, to liberate her from her torment! ¡°¨DBuster!!¡± Their eardrums were deafened with the thunderous roar of the whole world smashed up. The next moment, the space underfoot of the Quad-core Magica distorted, a colossal ice mountain burst forth from there. The sharp point of the ice mountain lunged at the Quad-core Magica, piercing her. Not only from underfoot, the space was distorting even further from all directions one after another, ice mountains were lunging from all of those points. From every direction, ice mountains that really could be called ice mountains crashed into the Quad-core Magica. When the Ice mountain crashed into the ice mountain, scattering ice fragments everywhere, a new ice mountain was immediately created pulverizing the Quad-core Magica even further. The total number of the ice mountains Koyuki had summoned using this magic was six. But¨D ¡°AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA¨D!¡± While Koyuki screamed as if to show the proof of her existence, she produced the ice mountains over and over with numbers of almost double than earlier, ten ice mountains. The Quad-core Magica was pierced continuously who knew how many times. Ice was smashed everywhere, reflecting transparent lights irregularly. When all the ice mountains finished attacking, the Quad-core Magica fell to the floor like a scrapped rag. ¡°¡­Koyuki, you can use magic again? On the contrary, the power just now¡­¡± ¡°Kazuki! She is an elf¡­it¡¯s still not over with just that!¡± Toward Kazuki who was staring in wonder, Koyuki scolded him vigilantly. Just as Koyuki said, the Quad-core Magica got up. Her defensive magic power still hadn¡¯t been used up. ¡°Kazuki, I am going to liberate that child. That¡¯s why you¡­please protect me as the vanguard!¡± ¡°¡­Leave it to me!¡± While thinking that the recovered Koyuki was reliable, Kazuki faced the Quad-core Magica. ¡°famfswa!¡± The same as ever, just defending from the opponent¡¯s consecutive magic was the best he could do. But this side¡¯s preparedness was different from before. As long as he could just defend, Koyuki would decide it from the back! ¡°Ice Buster!¡± The once again invoked level 6 magic. The ice mountains hit the Quad-core Magica firmly one after another¨Dfinally all her defensive magic power was cut off. The Quad-core Magica was collapsing face up, the lips of the elf girl was shaking. Was it because the magic power barely holding the life preservation of the remodeled body, at the same time the elf girl¡¯s magic power dried up, she closed her eyes from having used up all her strength, her breath was shut eternally. In front of the gruesome victim, Kazuki stood stock still from the unbearable feeling. ¡°Nyarlatoteph has to be defeated, without fail.¡± Koyuki¡¯s whisper was filled with strong emotion. Kazuki nodded back hearing that. Chapter 3.4.1 — Escape ~Love Simulation~ Volume 3 Chapter 4 - Escape ~Love Simulation~ Part 1 There was no time to be easygoing. Kazuki and Koyuki went back through the path they came from with all their strength. {After all the humans who know about this secret absolutely cannot be allowed to escape.} That was what Nyarlatoteph said. He was also aiming for Mio and Lotte. And then he planned to return to the surface and lead the Quad-core Magica to assault the Sword Division. If he dealt with Kazuki in this underground and captured Lotte, then it must be expected that he wouldn¡¯t have anymore hesitation in destroying the Sword Division. Not to mention Kohaku and the others who were the forces of opposition toward the Magic Division, but the normal students who didn¡¯t have any involvement would also be dragged in. Even if it was Headmaster Otonashi he would hesitate, but Nyarlatoteph wouldn¡¯t show any mercy. No matter what, that must be stopped. They need to meet up with Mio and Lotte as soon as possible and return to the surface. But there was still one obstacle left even now. That was the method to escape from this level. To return to the level where Mio and Lotte were located, they need to invoke Vepar¡¯s tsunami magic twice at the same time. Kazuki had to raise Koyuki¡¯s positivity level to the point that would enable him to use that magic¡­! ¡°Koyuki! What is the level of the tsunami magic!?¡± ¡°Level 4!¡± They had a conversation without slowing down their running feet, Kazuki confirmed the positivity level using Solomon¡¯s ring. Hiakari Koyuki¨D87 ¡°Koyuki! Your positivity level needs three more points!!¡± ¡°Haa!?¡± Koyuki was ¡®what the heck are you talking about in this kind of situation¡¯, that was the kind of face she was looking at Kazuki with. ¡°Koyuki¡­like me just a little bit more! Right now, immediately! Quick!¡± Hearing Kazuki talk in a great panic, Koyuki yelled back with a bright red face. ¡°A, are you stupid!? E, even if you say to like you, how in the world am I going to do that!?¡± ¡°I don¡¯t know either¡­what should we do!!¡± While running with all their strength, they would soon reach the spot where they fell from the trap hole. They couldn¡¯t waste even a little bit of time in vain, Kazuki became impatient. Suddenly inside his chaotic head, Kazuki remembered how Hoshikaze-senpai¡¯s man phobia curbed her positivity level. One hypothesis was rising in his head. ¡°Perhaps Koyuki is not honest, so because of that the positivity level that originally should raise even higher is being curbed, maybe!¡± ¡°What''s with that theory!?¡± ¡°I believe that Koyuki harbors affections for me, but¡­from Koyuki, you never showed that kind of sign clearly even once! That¡¯s why if Koyuki expressed your feelings here, honestly and openly, something like a binding inside Koyuki¡¯s heart will be released and your positivity level will increase! ¡­Probably!¡± ¡°E, even if you say that kind of thing¡­that kind of¡­¡± ¡°Quickly! Everyone''s in danger!!¡± ¡°U, uuu¡­someone like you¡­saying whatever happened to you is trivial, I never really meant those things! Actually, I care about what¡¯s going to happen to you!!¡± Koyuki who had said repeatedly that whatever happened to Kazuki is trivial, this is the first time she had said such things so honestly. ¡®pyorori-n¡¯, a small heart mark came flying from Koyuki¡¯s chest. ¡°That¡¯s good, just 2 more!¡± ¡°T, the truth is, all the times when I came to save you were not by accident at all! I became worried for you for a long time and my eyes kept following you, I chose the same quests that you took on purpose and followed you secretly! I was really shy, even so, you kept coming to me and always started conversations with me, I became even more shy¡­so in the end, I insulted you with abusive language like saying whatever happened to you is trivial!¡± ¡®pyorori-n¡¯, a small heart mark came flying from Koyuki¡¯s chest. ¡°So it was like that¡­1 left!¡± ¡°The truth is I like you! I don¡¯t know what I¡¯m doing anymore! Why¡­why are you pushing me into a corner, telling me lies and being mean to me, is it to pull out what I really think like this!!? Even though you know I¡¯m a coward!!¡± The eyes on Koyuki¡¯s bright red face were quickly getting moist. ¡°Stupid! Meanie! I hate you¡­I love you! I love you so much! I don¡¯t know what I¡¯m doing anymore!! Even though I always used such harsh words, you were always saying that you it was part of my charm¡­saying that I look cute in maid uniforms¡­I love it! Idiot! I don¡¯t understand what I¡¯m saying anymore idiot idiot idiot ¨D!!!¡± Finally Koyuki was yelling and crumbling while her tears were spilling out. ¡°Koyuki, just now it went up around 5! It¡¯s okay already!!¡± ¡°I, I can¡¯t do this anymore¡­what are you grinning for¡­I¡¯m so embarrassed I want to die¡­uggu, ueeeeee¡­¡± ¡°Koyuki, sorry! ¡­We have already arrived, so let¡¯s chant the spell together!¡± ¡°¡­Okay, gusu-¡° Koyuki wiped her tears with her arms ¡®guigui¡¯, she tensed her face that still had some red left with her best effort. ¡°¡±O water surface wavered by our singing voice, manipulate and collect the small wave and turn into a tsunami! Coming from beyond and washed away into the distant¡­Oceanic NoiseTidal Wave!¡±¡± The moment they reached the dead end where they fell, both of them matched their breath and invoked the magic. From behind them, a gigantic tidal wave was surging in. The tidal wave swallowed Kazuki and Koyuki, smashing into the walls of the dead end. The water level of the underground dungeon was rapidly increasing, full to the brim with ocean water. Grabbing the hand of the confused Kazuki who used this magic for the first time and didn¡¯t have the knowledge to manipulate it, Koyuki manipulated the flow of the water and surfacing smoothly underwater. She looked just like a mermaid, Kazuki thought. ¡°¡­puhaa¡± When both of them took their faces out from the water''s surface, the ceiling was just overhead. While keeping the water level of the tsunami magic, Koyuki chanted another spell. ¡°¡­Sinking hundreds of ships, O threat of the sea lurking in the depths of the ocean! Guided by my singing voice, surface¡­show the whole story! ¡­Pierce your fang! Ice Buster!!¡± Freezing the surface of the water, ice mountains came surfacing one after another, stabbing the concrete. Even more than the size and the force, Koyuki concentrated in lowering the temperature. The ice mountain which had its transparency and hardness raised to the limit pushed up the ceiling in the blink of an eye and broke through. Before long a big hole was opened up with splintering ice and stones falling around them. ¡°Kazuki!¡± Koyuki took Kazuki¡¯s hand and rode the last created ice mountain. The ice mountains kept emerging just like that, then the two jumped from the ceiling hole to the upper level. The magic ocean and ice mountains used up their energy and disappeared, only a wide, gaping hole was left behind. There was no time. Kazuki displayed the location of everyone using Solomon¡¯s ring and searched for Mio and Lotte¡¯s whereabouts. ¡°This way, let¡¯s hurry!¡± Both of them started to run while still holding each other''s hands. ¡ó ¡ó ¡ó ¡ó While running, he was soon able to sense the two¡¯s whereabouts even without using the ability of Solomon¡¯s ring. A large magic power was whirling ahead. The Quad-core Magica was using the elf¡¯s vast magic power and chanting four different magics at the same time. Mio and Lotte were fighting back desperately. The raging waves caused by those spells could be felt even far away from the battlefield, to the degree that it was prickling his skin. Before long Mio and Lotte¡¯s voices became audible. ¡°Self Burning!¡± ¡°Seusenhofer!¡± At the opposite end of the passage¨Dhe could see their figures enduring the Quad-core Magica¡¯s volley of continuous spells with defensive magic at the risk of their lives. A room with its door wide open could be seen behind them. It looked like they encountered the Quad-core Magica Nyarlatoteph directed when they were just escaping. The number of Quad-core Magica was just one. Nyarlatoteph judged that it was enough with only this, it seems he was leading the last ten and headed to the surface. In short, the invasion of the Sword Division was already starting. ¡°Barrett!¡± ¡°O nihility of ancient times, turn this emptiness residing in my chest into freezing breath. By the streaming silence of rejection, freeze and quiet¡­Glacier Wind!!¡± While dashing near, Kazuki and Koyuki fired their magic into the back of the Quad-core Magica. It was a lucky thing their position allowed for a pincer attack. ¡°Koyuki, give cover from that position!¡± Koyuki stopped her feet at that location and undertook the role as the attack magic battery. Kazuki didn¡¯t drop his running speed and slashed the Quad-core Magica just like that. ¡°Kazu-nii!¡± ¡°Kazuki-oniisan¡­I believed that you would come desu!¡± The expressions of the two who were totally exhausted were colored with hope. ¡°I''ll be the vanguard, so you two chant together!¡± ¡°Onii-san, thank you so much¡­I couldn¡¯t become Mio-oneesan¡¯s shield with just me desu¡­¡± The armor that covered Lotte¡¯s body told the story of the fierce attacks she received with its worn-out condition. Mio was a perfect type of rear guard magician, but even so it was not like Lotte¡¯s defensive ability was that high. Both of them needed a shield to protect them. Kazuki flashed a streak of silver light from the mouth of his sheath. The Quad-core Magica was a mere scarecrow in close-quarters combat. With her lacking battle and survival instincts, the Quad-core Magica was not able to fight at close range. However, even though she was slashed like a scarecrow, her concentration on her spell was not disrupted at all. No matter how many times this enemy got slashed, her Summoning Magic would be finished with certainty. To defend against this enemy¡¯s attack, elemental advantage was important. Kazuki had a feeling that he was enlightened to a new way of fighting. He himself was able to use multiple Divas'' Summoning Magic and manipulate multiple elemental spells. In other words he could choose a defensive magic with an elemental advantage against the opponent¡¯s offensive magic. If he, who was standing at the foremost line, could shut the offensive magic of the opponent using every element of opposing element, he would be an unshakeable rock in the Heaven and Earth Formation. He could do that¡­if he gathered a lot more bonds. By using Foresight to predict the offensive magic of the Quad-core Magica, Kazuki continued to endure using defensive magic. There were elemental magic that he still couldn¡¯t defend against, but even before Kazuki raised his voice, Mio had already finished the long spell chanting from the back. ¡°O bird of paradise where the light of the heavens is residing at its body, reduce to ashes the sin on the earth according to my accusation! Aurora of JudgementIsrael Judgement!!¡± Chanted with the force of all or nothing, Phoenix¡¯s level 6 magic. The avatar of Phoenix was rising on Mio¡¯s back, shining like it was condensing the light of the whole world. That light was super condensed and became a high temperature laser, then it was fired at the Quad-core Magica. Receiving that magic specializing in destructive power, the Quad-core Magica¡¯s defensive magic was exterminated and she was defeated. ¡°¡­¡± The defeated Quad-core Magica¨Dthe elf girl, Kazuki and the others fell into silence while looking down at her body. The four people in this place right now, all of them knew now what kind of existence this girl was. The silence for the requiem of her soul flowed for a moment, however they soon raised their faces. ¡°Let¡¯s head to the surface.¡± Koyuki announced. Chapter 3.4.2 — Escape ~Love Simulation~ Volume 3 Chapter 4 - Escape ~Love Simulation~ Part 2 The Sword Division fell into panic. The sound of explosions caused by magic and the sounds of the wooden school building crumbling down were continuing intermittently, screams were resounding widely. The catastrophe was coming from the Magic Division. The ten Quad-core Magica that were finally coming into the empty ground where there was no presence of people because classes were in progress, when the school building that ought to be their target entered their line of sight, they immediately began to chant their magic. When the building was destroyed and the students inside were brought into the open, the target of the offensive magic was altered to the students. The classes were interrupted and the students became panicked. The students who were planted with complexes toward the Magica Stigma couldn¡¯t even think about resisting, they were only running about trying to escape in earnest. School building number one that contained the staff room was located in the farthest place from the Magic Division. Perhaps school building number one was constructed in the corner of the grounds because they had anticipated the fight that would break out someday with the Magic Division. Because of that, they escaped direct harm. ¡°Illegal magician¡¯s attack! Their numbers are ten!!¡± The teachers were becoming discomposed from the report that came flying through the roughly opened door. ¡°What did you say¡­is it Loki!?¡± ¡°No, there is no appearance of Loki¡­Their appearance is different from the illegal magicians that had appeared in all the incidents until now!! A more ominous¡­!!¡± ¡°But, why are the illegal magicians invading from the Magic Division!!?¡± Even while in the middle of that report, the thunderous roar was still audible from far away. ¡°We had contacted the Magic Division''s staff room, but¡­the Magic Division students had already begun to take refuge. The Sword Division is to wait for reinforcements from the Knight Order and¡­¡± The staff room fell into silence in an instant after hearing the words of the teacher that was holding a cellphone in one hand. It was a silence where boiling rage and impatience were mixing as one. ¡°Those guys, even though they usually are so big headed, but now they''re going to just abandon the Sword Division!? The Magica Stigma of the Magic Division should have the power to fight, shouldn¡¯t they!?¡± One teacher was raising an angry voice. For a teacher who was entrusted with parents'' children to help and protect, that way of thinking was mistaken, but thinking of the combat ability of the Magic Division¡¯s students, it was only natural. ¡°Waiting for the Knight Order¡­what time do they think the reinforcements are going to come!¡± The teachers understood better than anyone that the Knight Order couldn¡¯t come anytime soon. The Knight Order was pressured to the extreme by Loki¡¯s frequent raid incident. Moreover within that lack of personnel, the Knight Order was thinning the deployment in the Knight Academy¡¯s surroundings. They had decided that when something happens in the Knight Academy, then the students themselves need to be the ones to do something about it. In reality, the students were already performing as the substitute of the Knight Order when undertaking quests. They had the strength to fight after all. The situation was an extreme mess where they had little information. All the teachers of the Magic Division, why, to order [a joke operation of taking refuge] to the students who had power to fight¡­!? ¡°Is there no student in the Sword Division that is attempting to oppose them!? It¡¯s only ten people right!?¡± A teacher of the Sword Division, Tsukahara Hisatada was shouting. Tsukahara was the teacher who was backing Kohaku¡¯s anti Magic Division faction. He was also secretly giving the students Sacred Treasures that he obtained from the Knight Order¡¯s illegal channels. Because of his thoughts and beliefs, he couldn¡¯t accept falling into despair just because they had been abandoned by the students of the Magic Division. The students of the Sword Division must break through this situation through their own efforts. ¡°Tsukahara-sensei, we''re going! We will use the Sacred Treasures!!¡± Running against the stampede of escaping students, one group was barging into the staff room. Those students were ignoring all the other teachers that had fallen into a panic and only looking for instructions from Tsukahara. The one that stood at the head of the group was Kohaku, the now current Sword Division student council president. ¡°The opponents are unknown but¡­can you do it?¡± ¡°This one has the intention to win against the Magic Division. We will show you if it is only this much.¡± Toward Kohaku¡¯s reply, Tsukahara nodded sharply like he was saying ¡®That¡¯s exactly what I thought¡¯. ¡°¡­Alright, go stop those guys. But do it while prioritizing the rescue of students that have fallen into magic intoxication.¡± There were a considerable number of students that were already swallowed by the magic. The students who possessed defensive magic power wouldn¡¯t get done in with just one shot of magic. But if those who were already in the condition of losing their magic power were to get swallowed by magic again, naturally it would affect their life. ¡°Of course!¡± Kohaku and the others answered valiantly and exited the staff room. Tsukahara saw them off while tightly grasping his own beloved ornamental sword. The adults whose magic power was already declining, had no power to fight. ¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª The Magic Division¡¯s staff room had also fallen into chaos, but due to the dignified direction of Headmaster Otonashi who finally appeared, the chaos had calmed down somewhat. ¡°Fortunately, the damage hasn¡¯t reached the Magic Division. Gather the students in one place to take refuge. Refuse reinforcement requests to the Sword Division, make them wait until the Knight Order comes.¡± He gave such an instruction. An internal school broadcast following the instruction was resounding throughout the Magic Division¡¯s grounds. There was also the matter about the enemy¡¯s identity that was still unknown, so no one was questioning the decision that instructed them to [abandon the Sword Division]. Headmaster Otonashi suppressed the report concerning the enemy¡¯s true identity and only told them that it was a group of unidentifiable illegal magicians. ¡°Headmaster! Why are you deciding such an irresponsible decision¡­we should organize students that can fight and head to rescue the Sword Division students!!¡± Knowing the situation well, the Magic Division¡¯s student council finally came to the staff room. The student council vice president Hoshikaze Hikaru, who had a tactless and frank personality, opposed the decision without even hiding her impatience and dissatisfaction. Headmaster Otonashi brushed off that objection as something troublesome. ¡°Don¡¯t get carried away, all of you are just students. We cannot increase the damage by playing around and sending you to a real battle with an unknown opponent. We have the responsibility of being trusted with all of you by your parents after all.¡± That was the reasoning of the adults. Hikaru gritted her teeth hearing Headmaster Otonashi''s shallow sounding words and showed her irritation. At her side, Kaguya nodded wordlessly. ¡°¡­Certainly you of the Magic Division¡¯s student council have real battle experience, so it¡¯s a different story. But even so, independent action is not permitted. We had already requested for reinforcements from the Knight Order. When they arrive, form the Heaven and Earth formation along with them and then you can take action.¡± ¡°Can you say when the Knight Order will come!?¡± Hikaru who was usually cooperating with the Knight Order to participate in quests knew very well how lacking in manpower the Knight Order was right now and that their mobilization would be slow. She had also grasped that the personnel deployment in the surrounding areas of the Knight Academy was thin. ¡°The Knight Order cannot move out immediately. But it seems they sent several elites from the Einherjar squad that are on standby. You of the student council will cooperate with the Einherjar and fight.¡± ¨DEinherjar!? But they are the hunters that came to kill Lotte! ¡­Gritting her teeth at her inability to do anything, on top of all that they were going to rely on those kind of people! ¡°¡­Out of the question.¡± Hikaru¡¯s awareness became distant in her fury, yet somehow she was able to squeeze out her voice. ¡°Give me a break! Do all of you want to avoid your responsibilities that much!! I¡¯m going to fight with my own strength!!¡± Having the nickname of prince with her handsome face dyed in violent emotion, Hikaru turned her back and darted off from that place. The teachers in the staff room attempted to chase her but Headmaster Otonashi restrained them. ¡°Leave her alone. That is the contractor magician of Baal. It¡¯s impossible to chase after that student. ¡­Kaguya, do you understand that there is no failure of logic in what I say?¡± Headmaster Otonashi turned around and fixed his sights at Kaguya. Echoes of hypnotism were loaded in those words. ¡°¡­Yes.¡± Kaguya replied flatly with a pale countenance. The girl even now still felt an intense emotion inside her heart, but that emotion was confined unconsciously. From the bottom of her deep psyche, something like tentacles were creeping up. Her emotions were restrained tightly, and what ruled her heart now was the clever logic that her father planted inside. ¡°You must not be moved by fleeting emotions. You understand your own responsibility, yes?¡± ¡°¡­¡­I do.¡± Since her childhood, there were two hypnotic suggestions that were planted inside Otonashi Kaguya. The first was to aim to be the strongest magician. The other one was that when she heard the keywords of "responsibility" and "logic", she would throw away her own emotions. For the sake of carrying out the role she was given by Headmaster Otonashi, she would abandon her own ego if it was necessary. Her power to refuse was sealed using those suggestions. Headmaster Otonashi manipulated her like a doll, as if the innocence she showed to Kazuki and the others was a lie. Nyarlatoteph thought sweetly of the Tsukikurou''s education. Because of Tsukikurou¡¯s constant care, he could now make this girl¡¯s excellent body his own. But that was for later. Right now the position of Otonashi Tsukikurou was something he needed. Otonashi Kaguya stood stock still like a puppet. Satisfied with that state of her, Nyarlathotep thought of Kazuki and others in the underground and laughed. He guessed that right about now was the suitable time that they should be dying a dog¡¯s death down there. ¡°¡­Mist?¡± Hikaru who rushed out from the staff room and entered the grounds of the Sword Division tilted her head at the out of season mist. She soon found out its source. Liz Liza-sensei was leaning over near the pond of the garden. By vibrating the Prima Material of the water using Psychokinesis to make the mist for the smoke screen, she manipulated and dispersed it throughout the school grounds. It was an extremely advanced common magic, but the degree of the magic power it exhausted compared to the Summoning Magic borrowing the power of Divas was remarkably intense. The color of Liz Liza-sensei¡¯s face was becoming pale from the mental exhaustion. But there was no doubt that many students were saved by her great efforts. Hikaru thought it was strange that Liz Liza-sensei was not in the staff room, but she was already giving up on the them and came to the Sword Division in order to do everything she could within her power to help them. ¡°¡­Hoshikaze huh?¡± When the figure of Hikaru caught Liz Liza-sensei¡¯s attention, she spoke. ¡°Hoshikaze, listen, first you need to prioritize buying time and rescuing the students. With your speed you should be able to make some distractions and performing rescue as much as possible. And then¡­wait until Hayashizaki Kazuki comes.¡± ¡°Hayashizaki-kun? Not the Knight Order?¡± Hikaru was surprised hearing the name of a student whose whereabouts were supposedly unknown. ¡°¡­That guy will definitely return. When that happens, form a Heaven and Earth Formation under his instructions and make an opposition. And then¡­it¡¯s just my intuition but, the fight will not be over from there. There is a mastermind behind this.¡± ¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª Board Chairman Amasaki spurred his old bones and dashed with all his strength. He went through the waves of students that were escaping, while pushing through the pitch black rubble burned down by fire magic, he was running around looking for just one figure of a student inside the mist. ¡°Mio¡­where is my [Mio-tan]!?¡± Board Chairman Amasaki knew that his daughter was sheltered together with Hayashizaki Kazuki somewhere in the Sword Division. But that Sword Division was now under attack by mysterious illegal magicians. Despite there being nothing that could be done by an old man like him, he was still running around inside the confusion. His wrinkle covered face was drenched with sweat and his breathing was becoming wildly disordered in no time. Even so, he refused to stop his feet. ¨DAnd then he saw the battlefield. What entered his sight were the ten illegal magicians that were rapid-firing Summoning Magic with tremendous force. No, their atmosphere were different from illegal magicians. Their control was just too great. They were also too emotionless. What in the world is this? No, what he should be surprised at was not that. The eyes of Board Chairman Amasaki were opened wide in a flash. As the Board Chairman of the Knight Academy, he who once was an expert in the field of magic doubted his own eyes. ¡­The magic that those guys are using, isn''that the summoning magic of Solomon''s 72 Pillars!? ¡°What in the world is going on, this is¡­!?¡± While whispering like he was dying in a fit of anger, Board Chairman Amasaki hid his body in the shadow of the school building¡¯s wreckage. ¨DThen this old man was going to witness one fight that would change the era. Chapter 3.5.1 — The Faceless God Volume 3 Chapter 5 - The Faceless God Part 1 ¡°Eei, can one really stay in house arrest at a time like this!? What¡¯s with this riot!? What the hell is the current Sword Division student council president doing!!¡± Kanae who leaped outside from the student dormitory was yelling her lungs out while making her small statured body hop around. The surrounding students who were running about trying to escape stared in amazement looking at Kanae¡¯s figure. ¡°Ka, kaichou¡­!¡± ¡°Not kaichou! Right now I¡¯m just a Storm Cat. Call me Kana-nyan.¡± ¡°Ka, Kana-nyan¡­¡± ¡°Nya¨D¡î What''s happening right now? Explain the situation.¡± The female student that Kanae inquired explained as best she could even while in a state of confusion. ¡°That, illegal magicians have come invading inside the grounds, here and there were destroyed by magic¡­their chanting speed was staggering, their chanting didn''t stop even when cut by swords, it''s uncontrollable¡­¡± ¡°Illegal magicians? Not the Magic Division? Unknown enemy¡­? Do they have some connection with the person who tried to trap Nii-sama? Oi, where''s their location?¡± The moment Kanae asked, ¡°DON!¡± the sound of explosions and buildings crumbling down deafened their ears. ¡°¡­I don¡¯t even need to ask, huh. Thank you, if I¡¯m not mistaken¡­first year class two Iijima!¡± ¡°Y, you know my name!?¡± ¡°Be careful and escape okay! Nya¨D¡î¡± Leaving behind a strangely cute voice, Kanae dashed away. ¡°¡­Can I say that Kana-nyan-senpai is reliable? ¡­But she really does bring quite a relief though.¡± The student that was left behind mysteriously recovered her calm and whispered. ¡ó ¡ó ¡ó ¡ó Kanae¡¯s beloved Sword Division was destroyed, left a mere shadow of its former self. The school building that was made from wood was burned down by magic, becoming a pitch black fire-devastated area. It seems the fire was not spreading, most likely because of Kohaku and her comrades using the Battou Kaikon of the Sacred Treasures that possessed power over water like [Murasame] and [Sukehiro] to work in extinguishing the fire. Moreover the mist was enshrouding the height of the people just right, concealing the figures of the escaping students. There was no mistake that this unnatural mist was the smoke screen magic that was Liz Liza-sensei''s specialty. But as she was approaching the limit of her magic power, the mist was starting to thin out. Kanae first thought whether she ought to rescue the students who were collapsing from magic intoxication, but someone had already performed the rescue inside the mist. Inside the mist that was already in the process of clearing up, she couldn¡¯t find the figure responsible anywhere. The worst situation was avoided due to that correct judgment. And then Kanae discovered the figures of the enemy. Ten silver-haired magicians covered in masks were forming a column to the side, they were advancing while pouring magic on any noticeable humans. Regarding that there was a group that was unleashing counterattacks using Sacred Treasures. It was Kohaku¡¯s crew. ¡°But¡­that isn''t really even a fight.¡± Kanae whispered in a bitter voice. ¨DKohaku and the others'' forte wasn''t really effective against the enemy. The strong point of Kohaku¡¯s party that equipped the Sacred Treasures was fast rotation of long-range attacks. Its might was decidedly inferior compared to Summoning Magic but, Battou Kaikon was able to invoke magic without chanting. Therefore Kohaku and her group would obstruct the opponent¡¯s spell chanting with swift attacks and overcome the resistance one-sidedly, that¡¯s how their tactic should be happening. But that kind of tactic wasn''t working on the enemies in front of them. There were two miscalculations. First, the cycle of the masked magicians'' spell chanting was abnormally fast. No, the speed of their spell chanting might not actually be that fast. But from what Kanae saw, she had a hunch that those guys were chanting four kinds of magic all at once. That was not a joke. And then the second miscalculation, even when the masked magicians got hit by Kohaku and the others¡¯ attacks, their concentration toward spell chanting wasn''t interrupted at all. Rather than saying their concentration was uninterrupted, it looked more like they didn¡¯t think of anything at all, it was an eerie sight. As a result, Kohaku and her group were taking the masked magicians¡¯ magic one after another. They couldn¡¯t prevent the opponents¡¯ chanting at all, that¡¯s why if they were not a [swordsman that could evade Summoning Magic] then they would not be able to fight. That was the limit of relying on just the strength of Sacred Treasures. If it was not a fighter around the level of Kohaku, Kanae, or Iori, then they wouldn¡¯t be able to make a dent to this formidable enemy. ¡°Move back! The only one who can become their opponent is just this one!!¡± Finally Kohaku ordered her comrades to retreat with an expression of grief. She made the tragic judgment that her fighting alone was a better decision. ¡°Geez¡­what kind of pitiful face are you making, student council president!¡± ¡°Ka¡­Kanae-kaichou!?¡± Kanae overtook Kohaku who was exercising long-range attacks, approaching the masked magicians like a gale. ¡°The president is you! I am Kana-nyan!! Nya¨Da!!¡± Kanae evaded all the magic that came flying with paper-thin distance, then she started hacking to pieces with her two katana like she was dancing. ¡°Kaichou¡­no, Kana-nyan-senpai!¡± Kohaku helplessly accepted the weird given name and yelled. ¡°Please be careful! Their magical power is unusually massive, no matter how many times Kana-nyan-senpai keeps cutting with those small katana it won¡¯t make any damage¡­!¡± ¡°I know!¡± Kanae yelled back. ¡°The thing that we should do right now is buy time! Until Nii-sama and Otonashi Kaguya come¡­we have to hold back the damage to the Sword Division as much as possible!¡± ¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª Kazuki and the others finally escaped from the underground facility. When they hurriedly exited from the underground, the grounds of the Magic Division was enveloped in a strange silence. As though all the students finished taking refuge¡­ From the other side in the Sword Division, sounds of buildings being destroyed and the stir the escaping people could be heard. ¡°Don¡¯t tell me¡­the Magic Division left the Sword Division alone and is taking refuge!? Even though those Quad-core Magica aren''t opponents that can be defeated without the aid of the Magic Division students!!¡± Mio raised her voice as if she couldn¡¯t believe it. ¡°¡­This is the work of Nyala-whatchallit-pu. That guy probably returned to the appearance of Headmaster Otonashi and put out instructions for the students of the Magic Division to take refuge.¡± Using the appearance of Headmaster Otonashi to control the nucleus of the Magic Division, what a scheming Diva. There was no doubt that the one who tricked him into all those false crimes was that guy. That jet black Nyala-whatchallit-pu¡­! ¡°Kazuki¡­it¡¯s Nyalatoteph.¡± Koyuki gave a tsukkomi toward Kazuki calmly. ¡°Anyway let¡¯s hurry!¡± Kazuki and the others ran in the direction of the sounds. Vast magical power was blowing violently like a storm. When they leapt over the pitch-black burned down area of the carbonized wooden school building and finally arrived at the battlefield, over there was Kanae and Kohaku who were fighting as the opponents of the ten Quad-core Magica. Especially Kohaku who was markedly damaged from the magic that she couldn¡¯t dodge. The moment Kazuki and the others finally came, the shrouding mist cleared up completely. ¡°Kanae! Kohaku! Are you guys okay!?¡± ¡°Kazuki! So you returned from the underground safely!¡± ¡°Nii-sama!?¡± Kohaku and Kanae were both turning around in his direction. Kanae¡¯s cheeks flushed in the blink of an eye, her eyes started to glitter like a shining star. ¡°Ni - i - sa - ma~~!! ???!! Meeting Nii-sama after so long, Kanae with the force of a cat at full speed is nya nya nya nya~~~~~n!!¡± While screaming, Kanae dashed fiercely to Kazuki with a force that left behind afterimages. ¡°Fast!? Even compared to that time¡­!¡± Kohaku shuddered after seeing that speed. ¡°Nii-sama Nii-sama Nii-sama~!! Pleaseee give me a kiss of reunion!!¡± Kanae came hugging him with the force of a tackle. ¡°Idiot, what are you doing in the middle of battle!¡± Kazuki stretched apart Kanae¡¯s mochi-like cheeks with a ¡®GUII~¡¯. ¡°Funyaaaaaaa!¡± Kanae raised a shriek happily. At that time a huge ball of fire came flying. ¡°¡­Look out!¡± Kazuki held Kanae in a princess-carry and leapt to the side. ¡°The long awaited Nii-sama¡¯s princess carry! Kanae¡­has no regrets anymore even if I die nyan¡­¡± ¡°Cut it out!¡± As expected Kazuki raised his voice and scolded Kanae. This was completely not the situation to joke around. ¡°Everyone, let¡¯s form the Heaven and Earth Formation! Me, Kanae, and Kohaku will cut into them! I will become the shield as much as possible, everyone else will attack with magic from behind!¡± ¡°Understood!¡± ¡°Okay desu!¡± ¡°I understand.¡± Mio, Lotte, and Koyuki began chanting spells at the same time. While Kazuki sensed the torrent of magic power at his back, he plunged into the column of Quad-core Magica. He had to draw the magic towards him as best as he could! ¡°O will of the god of the whirling sky! Assemble in my hand, lend me the authority of judgment! O radiance of the divine right of the King, become a dazzling brilliance bow drawn to its limit! Thunder God BowLightning Line!¡± A dignified voice was audible from somewhere¨Dseveral streaks of lightning pierced the Quad-core Magica. This magic is¡­! ¡°Hoshikaze-senpai!¡± ¡°Hayashizaki-kun! ¡­Did you find it, the proof?¡± Hoshikazi-senpai slipped through the rain of magic with lightning speed utilizing Ride Lightning, rushing over to Kazuki¡¯s side. This person''s battle power was first rate as expected. ¡°¡­Yes! Sorry to make you worry.¡± Without asking for the particulars, Hoshikaze-senpai smiled and said ¡°Is that so¡± with just that. ¡°This, I¡¯m returning it.¡± The item she handed over was Kazuki¡¯s beloved katana, Doufuu. After handing over the katana, senpai carried a different katana that she used during the time she was practicing with Kazuki. ¡°¡­What in the world are those enemies?¡± Senpai inquired. ¡°Those are, artificially strengthened magicians that had been experimented on. Their personalities had been destroyed, there is no way to save them anymore other than to defeat them.¡± Hoshikaze-senpai¡¯s expression darkened. Senpai was a kind person after all. But in this situation there was nothing more they could do. ¡°Understood. So there is no other way than to fight, right?¡± When Kazuki nodded, Hoshikaze-senpai dropped her pained expression and chanted the magic ¡°Storm Fort¡±. The Quad-core Magica launched their magic over but all of it was sent flying by the storm. If they attacked based on compatible elements, the wind would probably be pierced, but as the compensation of having their personalities destroyed, they didn¡¯t have that much intelligence left. Inside that wind¡­Hoshikaze-senpai kneaded up an enormous magic power! ¡°Know the rage of the god with this thunderous roar of the sacred flame! Every howl of the sky resides in this hand, bring down the hammer and break the world! One blow to destroy the world! Sky Drum Pressing Lightning HammerYagrush!!¡± The wind ceased. In Hoshikaze-senpai''s hand, a large hammer was gripped tightly. That was¡­Baal¡¯s level 8! A high tier magic that Kazuki and the others still couldn¡¯t chant! When Hoshikaze-senpai held that hammer aloft, it raised a boisterous noise and dark clouds covered the sky. Hoshikaze-senpai ran, not to the whole group of Quad-core Magica itself, but to the middle point between two Quad-core Magica. Once there, she raised the large hammer overhead. ¡°I will end this painlessly at the very least¡­!!¡± Along with a yell of fighting spirit, she swung down the hammer at the empty point where no one was. At that moment, countless flashes of lightning that blinded the eyes poured down from the dark clouds in the sky. The raging sound of lightning reverberated, all of the world was shaking loosely with a thunderous roar and earthquake! Nothing could be seen from the light and the cloud of dust¨Dwhen all of those cleared up, a huge crater was formed at the point where Hoshikaze-senpai struck the ground, the two Quad-core Magica that were located at either side of that point had exhausted all of their defensive magic power and collapsed. Both those elves together with just one hit was¡­ ¡°Nii-sama¡­that person, she tried to smash Torazou with that at the inter-division match, right?¡± Kanae whispered while drawing back. ¡­Let¡¯s absolutely not make Hoshikaze-senpai mad shall we. ¡°Let¡¯s get going quickly!¡± Hoshikaze-senpai began to chant her next spell. Even while chanting she ran around with lightning speed, hitting ceaselessly with Lighning Line, she couldn¡¯t be targeted by the opponents'' magic. ¡°¡­Kenki Tensei! Thy name is¡­Ooishi Susumu! Go!¡± A phantom dashed into the battlefield holding a long katana in his hand. ¡°Thy name is¡­Otani Nobutomo! Go!¡± Another phantom ran at full speed holding a wooden sword. ¡°Thy name is¡­Shimada Toranosuke! Go!¡± The owner of the voice was Kazuha-senpai. The same as when she was fighting Kazuki, it seems the limit of the phantoms this magic could summon were three bodies. Right now the three master swordsmen that were summoned to this place were master fencers in Bakumatsu era. ¡°Mikohime-sama!? ¡­You can¡¯t, senpai mustn¡¯t use magic in the place where people are watching!!¡± Kohaku raised a voice tinged with a shriek. ¡°Don¡¯t say stupid things! Even though that shameless man over there is also fighting, there is no way I could just sit quietly in this emergency situation!!¡± ¡°GUWAHHAHHA! Kazuha, looks like this battle is not a place you can joke around, you mustn¡¯t try to do close-quarters combat, you understand!!¡± At Kazuha-senpai¡¯s side, Futsunushi no Kami¡¯s avatar who was in the role of overseer was floating. ¡°Uuu¡­I know! Don¡¯t laugh! Tenkuu Battou Rengehou!!¡± Rain of Sacred Treasures poured incessantly at the Quad-core Magica who just stood stock still like scarecrows because of their lack of combat instincts. At that moment, Mio, Lotte and Koyuki fired off their magic too. The trend was determined. The battlefield was blanketed with the blue light of magical power, displaying the damage of the Quad-core Magica. Even though they were Quad-core Magica, they were defeated one after another. Kanae and Kohaku were no longer needed to act as the vanguard, they watched over the situation attentively. ¡°That is Nii-sama¡¯s Heaven and Earth Formation, Kohaku.¡± ¡°¡­¡± At the side of the proudly looking Kanae, Kohaku kept silent with an expression as if she was chewing a bitter bug. Kazuki looked at those two with a sidelong glance, he once again thought curiously about what was going on between the two of them. But that was for another time¡­with all these comrades, they could stop the Quad-core Magica!! ¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª ¡°Please wait a little bit, Beatrix-sama, Damian-sama, Eleonora-sama.¡± Headmaster Otonashi lowered his head respectfully to the three Einherjar that appeared at the staff room. ¡°¡­The battlefield is waiting for me you know?¡± Beatrix floated a smile with a broad grin. Those cheeks were blushing like a maiden in love. ¡°Beatrix~, do you really need all three of us heree~. For this kind of school you seee~¡± The small statured girl called Damian talked while showing ridicule on her face. The magic power of females was higher compared to males, in the current era where many females were far better at battle than males, the number of females that were named with male names were not few. ¡°Three people are still not really enough you know, Damian. After all our opponent is a BasileusKing. Actually we should bring not only three but come here with even more numbers but, since this is a sudden request.¡± ¡°For the captain to lose¡­maybe there is some mistake.¡± Eleonora who was a lady with a tall stature that was long, slender, and well proportioned, whispered expressionlessly. ¡°This me, without doubt had lost, Erii. If the one that beat me is just a normal student then my stock will fall sharply. I guarantee that boy is not just a normal opponent.¡± ¡°I¡¯ll buy it~, that free-falling stock, I¡¯m going to buy it for sure~. And then I will be promoted to captain.¡± Damian raised a laughing voice ¡®kekeke¡¯. Her tone was vulgar but she had a high-pitched voice like a child. A confused atmosphere flowed in the staff room because of the three visitors. ¡°Fathe¡­Headmaster.¡± Kaguya who was on standby in that place cut into the conversation. ¡°The report that the attack had already been resolved should have come in already, shouldn¡¯t it?¡± The report that the situation had been resolved with the unknown enemies exterminated had already come to the staff room. However Headmaster Otonashi shook his head. ¡°What are you saying? These girls came to capture the illegal magician and Charlotte.¡± The illegal magician here was referring to the matter of Hayashizaki Kazuki. ¡°Oi, how about making that Ojou-chan help too huh~. ¡­Or rather that Ojou-chan is quite strong right? I can feel her presence is not normal ze~¡± Damian fixed her sights on Kaguya, Headmaster Otonashi nodded his head toward her question. ¡°Of course, Damian-sama. Kaguya¡­you understand.¡± After being made sure by Headmaster Otonashi, Kaguya felt like her head was dulling. Along with the haziness from the dulling in her head, even her own emotions felt like they were going far away¡­ ¡°¡­Yes.¡± Kaguya replied flatly and distantly. ¡°Yosh, me and , will stand as the vanguard. The daughter of Headmaster Otonashi will provide rear guard support. I¡¯ve heard that you are not just an average student, I have high expectations of you, okay. Rather I want to try to fight you someday, fufufu!¡± Beatrix unintentionally leaked out a laugh like a kid waiting for her treasured holiday. ¡°¡­Lad, this is my Heaven and Earth Formation!¡± Chapter 3.5.2 — The Faceless God Volume 3 Chapter 5 - The Faceless God Part 2 No matter how high their magic power was, to not defend or dodge at all were the fatal weak points of the Quad-core Magica. Rather it could even be seen as their wish to be completely liberated that they accepted all the attacks. After Kazuki and his party held the initiative, the Quad-core Magica were defeated one after another. ¡°Hooray, we protected the Sword Division! Kazu-nii!¡± ¡°We did it, as expected of Nii-sama! Please give a reward kiss for me doing my best!!¡± Mio and Kanae came hugging Kazuki. ¡°¡­You two, it looks like it¡¯s still too early to be happy.¡± Kazuki brushed aside the cheek of his childhood friend and step-sister who used every chance to try to have skinship with a serious expression. ¡°Munyu¡± ¡°Funya¡± Both of them leaked out a voice free from all worry. Kazuki sensed the magic power approaching them. It was a magic power he was familiar with. ¡°You solved this wonderfully. You haven¡¯t used up all your strength against the small fishes in the opening act right, lad.¡± A voice that reminded one of steel even though it was female, could be heard. From the opposite side of the school building wreckage and dust that told the aftermath of a fierce battle, a familiar woman in armor appeared. ¡­Einherjar! So these guys finally came with this kind of timing! ¡°I missed you so lad¡­no, Kazuki! How about we meet our affections blade to blade again!!¡± ¡°Beatrix!¡± On either side of her, two other armored soldiers were waiting. ¡°Da-mia-n hee-re. Nice to meet you.¡± A short girl, an Einherjar with an appearance and voice that looked and sounded like a cheeky child introduced herself with the middle finger of both her hands pointed up. ¡°Is there any need to introduce oneself to the opponent that we will fight after this? ¡­Eleonora. Best regards.¡± The other person, the tall statured Einherjar continued with her self-introduction. She was a female with gentle eyes but, she was not supposed to be an average magician. There was no mistake that these girls were called here by Headmaster Otonashi¨D Nyarlatoteph. Kazuki realized all of Nyarlatoteph¡¯s contrivance. After dealing with Kazuki and Lotte in this place, there was no doubt that he plans to blame the turmoil the Quad-core Magica caused as the work of [the unknown Diva Hayashiki Kazuki was contracted with]. In the rear of the Einherjar, Kaguya-senpai was also waiting on standby. ¡°Kaguya! ¡­You understand that this situation is suspicious right!? Even so you still plan to stand at that side!?¡± Hoshikaze-senpai shouted. ¡°I am¡­Otouto-kun has to¡­¡± Kaguya-senpai who was wrapped in her Magic Dress cast her eyes down with a mournful face. ¡°Hayashizaki-kun¡¯s case might be over with just transferring to the Sword Division but, Lotte won¡¯t be able to escape with this situation you know!?¡± Hoshikaze-senpai raised her voice to try to persuade Kaguya-senpai. Hoshikaze-senpai was still of the wrong impression that Kazuki would end up transferring to the Sword Division. However even if that would happen, Lotte¡¯s life was still in serious threat. In the previous fight, Kaguya-senpai was still fighting with her own will. But the script Kaguya-senpai assumed at that time had already changed into something impossible to realize. If the situation kept like this then Lotte¡¯s life absolutely won¡¯t be able to be saved anymore. Kaguya-senpai distorted her expression from getting stuck in the dilemma between her sense of responsibility and emotions. ¡°Don¡¯t listen to them. You understand, Kaguya. You, as the strongest magician, just enjoy fighting the strongest magic swordsman.¡± At Kaguya-senpai¡¯s side, Headmaster Otonashi whispered to Kaguya-senpai. Magic power was generated from that whisper. ¡°Accept this as you are¡­Oracle of EcstasySanity Down!¡± Nyarlatoteph¡¯s characteristic magic!? In that instant, from the eyes of Kaguya-senpai¨Dthe color of emotion vanished. The only one who noticed this magic phenomenon was Kazuki who reinforced his senses. Beatrix¡¯s group didn¡¯t even turn back at the situation behind them. ¡°I am¡­the strongest magician, so¡­I have to do this!¡± Kaguya-senpai said so expressionlessly. What was left inside Kaguya-senpai right now was just the logic and responsibility that Headmaster Otonashi planted, and then¨Dthe craving of her own self somewhere in her heart, nothing but to fight a stronger person. ¡­Nothing else could be done other than to fight senpai! Senpai¡¯s heart had been already chained by that evil god long before she met me. I will defeat senpai, and liberate her from that evil god! Kazuki glared at the enemy alertly while calling out his [comrades] at his back. ¡°¡­Everyone, if it''s us then we can win! Those Einherjar aren''t a big deal. After all the strongest class from the Magic Division and the Sword Division had also gathered on this side.¡± In front of the mighty enemy called Einherjar, Kazuki encouraged his withering comrades. ¡°Kanae, cooperate with Kohaku and stop Beatrix in the middle. Her physical strength and reflexes are reinforced. The only one who can dodge her attacks is only you of the Hayashizaki-syle.¡± Kazuki glanced back to the back and handed Raikiri to Kanae. ¡°If that girl is covering her sword with lightning, use this Sacred Treasure.¡± In pure skill of Kenjutsu, Kanae was equal with Kazuki. She should be able to buy time against Beatrix as her opponent if she received magic support. ¡°Understood, Nii-sama.¡± ¡°Mio, you are going to attack from behind with magic. ¡­Barrett could be blocked by the shield. However Mio is supposed to always continue growing.¡± Only by saying that, Mio understood everything Kazuki wanted to say and nodded. ¡°¡­That¡¯s only natural. Don¡¯t look down on a rank A.¡± Whether Kanae could stop Beatrix or not depended on Mio¡¯s support. This time Kazuki was talking to Hoshikaze-senpai. ¡°The one most reliable among us is senpai. The Einherjar are all-purpose Magica Stigma who can even perform close-quarters combat skillfully, but if it is senpai who can use Ride Lightning then senpai should be able to exchange swords with them.¡± ¡°Okay, leave it to me! After all I¡¯m a senior and your friend. It¡¯s okay to rely on me as much as you like!¡± Hoshikaze-senpai replied happily. That brightness of hers gave some encouragement to Kazuki. ¡°Koyuki¡­Koyuki is not alone anymore. Not fighting solo, so cooperate with your comrades and fight.¡± When he looked over his shoulder with a glance, Koyuki made a meek face from Kazuki¡¯s words. ¡°¡­To trust other people besides Kazuki, it¡¯s scary.¡± Kazuki felt happy from those words, but he shook his head. ¡°Even more than alone, you can be far stronger by cooperating with everyone. Absolutely. You won¡¯t be betrayed by anyone here.¡± Koyuki nodded deeply. ¡°Lotte will take the role of search-and-destroy using your level 5 magic, aim for those who try to chant high level magic.¡± ¡°Okay desu!¡± ¡°For Kazuha-senpai¡­sorry to drag you into this¡­¡± ¡°Hn, even I can read the general mood. You were falsely accused by those guys, right? I can¡¯t tolerate shameless guys but, against cowardly guys, I also hate them.¡± ¡°Kazuha-senpai needs to avoid close-quarters combat as much as possible, please support the comrades who are in a pinch from the rear.¡± ¡°Youu¡­I don¡¯t want to accept instructions of someone like you but¡­I will recognize those instructions as the right call!!¡± At the end of his line of sight, Beatrix was eagerly sending a heated gaze, but Kazuki ignored that and stared at Kaguya-senpai directly. ¡°I will fight Kaguya-senpai.¡± There was nothing that could be done if magic came flying from Kaguya-senpai in the rear with vanguards as powerful as the Einherjar. Someone has to hold back the magic of Kaguya-senpai. {Aren¡¯t you behaving more like a king here?} Inside his head Leme was coming to talk. There was no intention like that. ¡­It¡¯s only that he wanted to liberate Kaguya-senpai with his own hands! Kazuki resolved himself, he faced the enemy and took a step. That was the trigger of the battle. ¡°Fufufu! This is the continuation from the fight before, Kazuki!! ¡­I will have a good fight, welcoming a good death, wishing to participate in even more fights in the heavens! The divine protection of the color of the blood in my pupils! Berserk!!¡± The red-pupil mad soldier Beatrix was coming to welcome Kazuki passionately. ¡°¡­There is no free time to accompany you! Stop the steps of the hated enemy, hasten the steps of the chosen one¡­ O divine protection of mermaid, grant me the blade to dance on top of the ice! Moves in the Field!¡± While Kazuki ran to the enemy formation, he activated the magic he became able to use from his bond with Koyuki. The surface of the battlefield was frozen in the blink of an eye. It was a magic that exhibited heavy effect to the Einherjar whose core was close-quarters combat. Beatrix¡¯s feet slipped on the icy surface¨Dthere, Kazuki accelerated and slipped through from the side using ice-skating boots. Beatrix saw off Kazuki¡¯s back with an astonished expression. Keeping that momentum, Kazuki went to slash Kaguya-senpai. ¡ó ¡ó ¡ó ¡ó ¡°What the¡­is this the taste of unrequited love¡­? Fufufu, so even I have some of a maiden''s heart left inside me.¡± ¡°Beatrix-taichou, you are a little odd zee!?¡± Damian gave a tsukkomi to Beatrix who said such an incomprehensible thing. ¡°¡­We act in accordance of Hodur¡¯s wish, I entrust my body to the exaltation of battle! The war fires of violent emotion running in the fat and blood on my sword!! Merit of the SlaughtererStories Flame!¡± Damian drew out her sword and invoked her magic. The sword in her hand was enveloped in fierce flames. ¡°It¡¯s sooo depressing! Melt all of this!!¡± Damian stabbed the sword of flame into the ground. Thereupon, the flame residing in the sword was transmitted in a wave motion, the frozen surface of the ground were melted in the time it took to say ¡®ah¡¯. ¡°Good job, Damian! With this I can chase Kazuki!!¡± Beatrix¡¯s eyes, that were full with obsession, chased Kazuki¡¯s back. ¨DAt that time, the shadow of a black cat had already drawn close to Beatrix. ¡°I won¡¯t let you get close to Nii-sama! This damn stalker!!¡± Kanae poured on kodachi slashes at Beatrix. Beatrix avoided all of those attacks with superhuman reflexes. ¡°Fufufu¡­I wonder if I should make a greeting to his family first! Glad to meet you and please take care of me!!¡± Kanae Foresighted Beatrix¡¯s counter attack and avoided it completely with agile motion. After the offense and defense in the place of the greeting ended, Kanae and Beatrix squared against each other. There Damian attempted to provide assistance. But a streak of lightning came flying as if to hold her back. Hoshikaze Hikaru was setting up a bow of lighting and aimed at Damian. ¡°I won¡¯t let you be a hindrance to Kanae-san. I will pin you down myself.¡± ¡°HeeeClasse! An immature ass of a student dares to say such a cheeky line! I¡¯ll make that pretty face messed uppppppp!¡± Damian headed to Hikaru while brandishing her flame sword. Damian had gone from that place. Kanae and Beatrix clashed against each other. Kanae evaded Beatrix¡¯s attacks lightly and loosely then counter-attacked with her kodachi. Beatrix dodged the kodachi again with her superhuman reflexes. ¡°You are even faster than Kazuki huh! But I¡¯m going to accelerate even more you know!? O divine protection of military men, double the divine powerMegin whirling in my body! Dashing to endless fights as the will of the god, in this body! ¡­Megingjord!¡± A glittering light was raining down from the sky heading to Beatrix, Beatrix¡¯s whole body carried on even more strength. Even faster, even stronger, she came swinging her sword at Kanae. Kanae crossed both her kodachi and blocked the strong sword coming down. ¡°Hayashizaki-style two-swords art, Wind God¡¯s Instant Positioning!¡± Before Kanae was outpushed by Beatrix¡¯s strength, she twisted the crossed kodachi suddenly and forcefully. Rotating her body, she redirected Beatrix¡¯s sword to the wrong direction. Beatrix¡¯s posture was broken. Kanae turned in a circle like a spinning top and visited Beatrix a slash after a full rotation. With her reinforced body balance, Beatrix corrected her disordered stance forcefully and dodged Kanae¡¯s kodachi. However her movement was a dodging technique of heavy work, it caused an unnaturalness in her stance. ¡°Now, Kohaku!¡± Kanae yelled. Not letting Beatrix¡¯s gap go to waste, Kohaku came charging. ¡°This guy¡¯s weapon is reflexes! Use that Sacred Treasure the moment I do it!!¡± Toward that hint Kanae provided, Kohaku immediately responded. From the seven Sacred Treasures she owned, Kohaku drew the one for the use of close-quarters combat from her hip. ¡°Run O beam of light, ! Battou Kaikon¨DGetsuei no Tachi!!¡± That Battou Kaikon reversed cause and effect, the moment the hand grasped the sword, a slash had already occurred. It might be possible for the Hayashizaki-style with Foresight as its forte, but by no means was it a technique that could be seen through by reflexes alone. Kanae repelled Beatrix¡¯s attack with Instant Positioning and protected Kohaku. ¡°I will redirect this guy¡¯s strength and create an opportunity! Match your breath with me!¡± ¡°¡­Yes! Kana-nyan-senpai!¡± Recognizing the strength of these two, Beatrix¡¯s expression did a complete change. ¨DThey can¡¯t be made light of. These guys are master hands that can¡¯t be killed instantly. Thereupon, the summoning magic that was aimed at her right at this moment was becoming a problem. Concentrating only at the swordsmen would land you through bitter experience, this was the tactic of Japan¡¯s Knight Order that was called the [Heaven and Earth Formation]. Beatrix had already comprehended that tactic. Right, she already understood the tactic. ¡­Like who it was that she needed to target first. Beatrix¡¯s eyes sipped away from Kanae and Kohaku, and caught the sight of Mio. This flame magician, as long as she had this flame protection shield, , then she was an opponent of little importance. First she would deal with that girl! ¡°You see, I¡¯m not someone foolhardy enough that I will go nuts to fight only the opponent in front of my eyes¡­I¡¯m going to ignore you bastards! First is you!¡± Beatrix ignored Kanae and Kohaku and dashed at Mio like a meteor. She shook off Kanae and Kohaku in one breath. They couldn¡¯t pursue Beatrix with pure speed. As for Mio, she faced Beatrix with determination. I¡¯m waiting for you to do that, that was what Mio whispered inside her mouth. ¡­This guy was thinking of me as a drag. She knew that I¡¯m someone that couldn¡¯t do anything if she managed to get near. She was thinking that I had no way to do anything as long as she had that flame shield. This guy''s current actions, I don¡¯t need to be Kazuki to Foresight what she is going to do. That was why Mio didn¡¯t chant any superfluous magic, she was chanting the greatest magic she could chant and waiting in preparation for the moment Beatrix was heading for her. ¡°Just try to defend this with your shield if you really¡­!¡± In front of a formidable enemy, Mio floated a smile that would make one shudder. Just like what Lotte said, I am someone who can display my brightness against a formidable enemy! The straight line distance that was connecting Mio and Beatrix was ran through by Beatrix in just an instant. Beforehand, Mio had already prepared a trap at the distance of that straight line. Moving the oxygen using Psychokinesis, she heightened the concentration of oxygen at the zone of that straight line. On top of which¨Dshe fired! ¡°O bird of paradise where the light of the heavens is residing in that body, answer my accusation and reduce to ashes the sin on the earth! Israel Judgment!!¡± A heat ray was fired right from the front of the charging Beatrix. The quality of the magic was different from Barrett. The beam was flying with the speed of light. Against that, even with Beatrix¡¯s reflexes it was impossible to defend with a shield. What was going on at this moment was something that was impossible to comprehend for Beatrix. Beatrix who was inside the highly concentrated oxygen that had a highly combustible property was fired at with an ultra-heat laser. The oxygen was bursting out all at once in a raging explosion! It was a level 6 magic even at the best of times but, with the application of common magic Mio used however, that magic could be bragged to fire destructive power equal to magic of level 7 or 8. Due to the tremendous impact of her smashed magic, Beatrix was blown away a far distance and crashed into the wreckage of the school building. While getting buried in the wreckage, Beatrix directed an expression as if to say that she couldn¡¯t believe it to Mio. Seeing that expression, Mio drowned out her inferiority complex and puffed her chest haughtily. ¡°Fufun. Because Kazu-nii had already said that the guy who challenges the same opponent in the same way from the previous fight is an idiot! That brain tissue of yours, it''s made of muscle isn¡¯t it?¡± ¡ó ¡ó ¡ó ¡ó Hoshikaze Hikaru was challenging Damian in a one-to-one fight. ¡°The destiny of all creation is inside the great celestial sphere¡­O binding of the constellation, suspend the motion of the sky! Star Gauze Sky PrisonHoroscope Stasis!¡± Hikaru was chanting her magic, countless stars were floating around Damian¡¯s body. In the space between the stars, lines were running like a constellation, the lines of light restrained Damian into immobility. This restraint magic that can even seal dragons couldn¡¯t be escaped using human¡¯s physical strength. ¡°Annoyiiiiing! We are Hodur¡¯s, negate all obstacles toward the sacred battle and distribute the divine protection of Norn to us! Belt of Victory of the Three GoddessesNorngjord!¡± Damian¡¯s body was wrapped in a flaring strong light, and right at that moment the lines of light disappeared. Right now she didn¡¯t break the restraint with brute force. The opponent was chanting a purge magic. ¨DIf Hikaru doesn¡¯t make any strange mistakes then you are about as strong as me you know? While Hikaru remembered some words Kaguya had said to her once, she decided to progress the battle calmly. She tended to lose her temper, however if she fought calmly then she should be able to compete against this tough enemy. And then I will take back Kaguya together with Hayashizaki-kun! ¡°Lightning Line!¡± Hikaru fired the Summoning Magic she chanted while Damian was restrained to her direction. ¡°GAA!¡± Damian leaked out a scream, she was taken aback by the impact of the smashed magic. ¡°You sheetty bastaard! ¡­Blessing of immortality slipped through this hand O mistletoe of disaster, malice and misunderstanding is received in the tail and feathers, shooting to death the son of god! Bow of MistletoeMistilteinn!¡± Bow and arrow was created in Damian¡¯s hands, quickly she fired the arrow. Mistilteinn¨Dthe bow and arrow of mistletoe that pierced the son of god Baldur in Norse Mythology. The Diva that Damian was a believer of was the blind god, Hodur. In Norse Mythology, holding the bow and arrow and the magic sword of mistletoe in hand he was the Diva that would unroll the fight of destiny with Baldur. ¡°Storm Fort!¡± Hikaru chanted her defensive magic of wind. However MistilteinnDamian¡¯s arrow slipped through and pierced Hikaru. The blue defensive magic power was smashed. Something like a bow and arrow was a projectile weapon that was supposed to be blown away by wind. Despite the attribute superiority that was supposed to be there, this arrow slipped through the defensive magic and came flying. Probably, this bow and arrow possessed the power to make every defense powerless. Identical with the legend where it shot Baldur to death. Hikaru judged that challenging her in close-quarters combat was a good plan and she stepped forward. At the same time Damian was also opting for close-quarters combat. ¡°Ride Lightning!¡± ¡°Stories Flame!¡± Hikaru and Damian were invoking magic for close range combat at the same time. Hikaru¡¯s body accelerated. Damian¡¯s sword was entangled with strong flames. Using the super high-speed kenjutsu she learned from Kazuki, Hikaru slashed Damian without permitting any defense or evasion. Damian swung the western sword that was clad in flame of karma. Hikaru dodged it with the use of skillful agility, but she couldn¡¯t dodge everything repeatedly and received large damage from the hit she got. The offense and defense of Hikaru that shredded minutely small damages and Damian that inflicted large damage in one shot, if it was seen comprehensively, they were even. Hikaru thought¨Dshe had confidence in her concentration toward spells. It seemed the opponent couldn¡¯t chant in this exchange. I¡¯m going to chant a high level magic during these exchanges of slashes and decide the victory and defeat right here! Damian thought¨Dthis son of a b*tch, is she thinking that she is even with me? Waving around her sword desperately like a stupid idiot, while this side was already chanting high level magic during the fight, I¡¯m going to make you know your place! And then during the exchange of close-quarters combat, both of them invoked magic at the same time. ¡°Know the rage of god with this sacred flame¡¯s thunderous roar! All the howls of the sky reside in this hand, bring down the world destroying hammer! Break the world with one attack! Yagrush!!¡± ¡°The sword clutched in this hand turns the blessing into a curse of malice! While wishing for the rebirth in time, this hand severs the son of god¡¯s immortal thread of life! Annihilation Divine SwordMistilteinn II!¡± Both of their arias were Sacred Treasure creation magic. Both of them opened their eyes wide in astonishment and surprise. And then they thought of the same thing¨Da simultaneous strike is bad! If I got hit with that magic power, I¡¯m going to be sorry! Weapon and weapon clashed, the fight entered into a contest of strength. Both of the weapons clashed against each other like they were drawing in their opponent. What Hikaru held in her hand was the hammer of lightning that the highest god of ancient Phoenicia, Baal held in his left hand. The name of Baal represented the sound of lightning, this weapon could be said to be the synonym of Baal. What Damian held in her hand was the magic sword of instant death that could murder even god. Mistilteinn that severed the life of Baldur was told in legend as a bow and arrow and also as a cursed magic sword. Colossal lightning was converging in the striking part of Hikaru¡¯s large hammer, Damian¡¯s large sword was clad in black aura like a dark cloud, devouring that lightning greedily and extinguishing it. Lightning and curse were negating each other¨Dhammer and sword were using up their strength to the end and vanished together. ¡­It¡¯s a draw! Both of them took a distance simultaneously, they set up their original weapon respectively again. ¡°Strong! As expected of Einherjar!¡± ¡°You bastaaaard, what the hell are you doing giving praise so haughtily while looking down at me! You think you''re equal with this me!? Sheet Schei?e! Stop bullsheetting me Schei?e! I¡¯ll fucking kill you Schei?e!¡± They are even but, it was fine even if the victory or defeat hadn¡¯t been decided yet. Her objective was to wait for Hayashizaki-kun to liberate Kaguya. ¡­With that line of thought, Hikaru had far more leeway compared to Damian. Chapter 3.5.3 — The Faceless God Volume 3 Chapter 5 - The Faceless God Part 3 Beatrix and Damian were able to be shut out skillfully. The remaining problem was the Einherjar called Eleonora. ¡°Soaring wings, glaring eyes, invading word-destroying conflagration¨Dmanifest the authority of the god right here, as the agent of the civilization charge ahead deeper and deeper! Deep Invasion ArmamentDeep Striker!!¡± Lotte invoked Prometheus¡¯ level 5 magic. The armament this magic summoned covered Lotte¡¯s shoulders until her back completely, a multi-purpose large-type thruster system. It was installed with an arms container and enemy searching unit. The thruster unit spewed out flame, Lotte soared into the high-altitude sky forcefully. Search-and-Destroy mission¨Dthe special role she received from Kazuki that was neither vanguard or rearguard, Lotte thought of it proudly. Lotte equipped the enemy searching unit on her head. Across the goggles, the magic power swirling in the battlefield was visualized and displayed. Her role was to sense the enemy who attempted to chant high level magic like Mjollnir and run interference. Using the enemy searching unit she observed the magic power, the state of the enemy from the sky, and choose the person that was kneading huge amount of magic power to attack. That was what Kazuki requested from her, [Search-and Destroy Mission]. Lotte was glaring at the battlefield from the sky. Beatrix was in the state where she couldn¡¯t produce large magic power thanks to Kanae and Mio¡¯s great efforts. Damian brought forth a huge magic power, but Hoshikaze-senpai also produced magic power equal with her opponent, it was an even battle. The target was not these two. Lotte directed her caution to the remaining sole Einherjar, Eleonora. ¨DOn the surface Koyuki was confronting Eleonora. ¡°We are ?gir¡®s, lend me the fear of the unknown bottom of the ocean! The raging waves toying with the small people, to me¡­ The Sea That Reflects the Light of the SkyHimingl?va!¡± ¡°O water''s surface that sways from my singing voice, manipulate the small wave and gather them into a large tsunami! Coming from beyond and washed away to the unknown¡­Tidal Wave!¡± The Diva that Eleonora was a believer of was the sea god of Norse Mythology, ?gir. Koyuki too simultaneously drew out the power of the sea. Eleonora and Koyuki both summoned enormous sea waters. Both of them controlled the sea waters and crashed tsunami against each other. Tsunami and tsunami were colliding and smashed against each other violently. At the same time with that Koyuki was chanting her spell. ¡°Glacier Wind!¡± ¡°Tenkuu Battou Rengehou!!¡± Not only Koyuki, matching her, Kazuha was also raining down countless Sacred Treasures. ¡°Highly Surging WaveHefring!¡± When Eleonora gave that command, the sea water Eleonora summoned was manipulated according to her will, becoming a gigantic wall. It obstructed Koyuki¡¯s chilly wind, freezing the surface of the ocean water but it didn¡¯t reach Eleonora. The Sacred Treasures that Kazuha summoned were caught up in the sea water too and their momentum was killed. ¡°Striking WaveUnnr!¡± When Eleonora commanded it, the lump of sea water was torn to pieces and turned into water bullets flying at Koyuki. ¡°O rejection of absolute zero, protect my body and become the armor of isolation! Water Chamber BarrierFreeze Barrier!¡± Koyuki immediately froze all the bullets using defensive magic, making them ineffective. ¡°¡­Unnr!¡± Eleonora¡¯s offense was not stopping at just that. The water bullets were coming consecutively. At that moment Koyuki couldn¡¯t make it in time with her defensive magic. Just then, the phantoms of the swordsmen that Kazuha summoned covered Koyuki and were exterminated. ¡­She was helped by her comrade! It was impossible for Koyuki to not recognize the excellent skill the opponent had in manipulating the sea. However, Kazuki said to her to not fight solo. There was no need to harbor any sense of defeat. It was fine to cooperate with this senpai from the Sword Division called Kazuha to defeat this enemy. While Eleonora was protected by a body of sea water that used for offense and defense, she began to chant a high level spell. ¡°When the opponent¡¯s sea get hit it scatters, we''re going to shave it all! Let¡¯s speed up our attack!¡± Koyuki lined her shoulders with Kazuha and called out. ¡°I know even if you don¡¯t say it!¡± Kazuha too was creating Sacred Treasures one after another and rained them down. However even with the two of them together they couldn¡¯t break Eleonora¡¯s wall of sea. If it kept like this then she would finish chanting the high level magic first. ¨DThe flying Lotte decided her target of attack at that moment. ¡°Blitzkrieg!¡± Using Prometheus¡¯ level 4 magic, Lotte equipped a lance on her left hand. To further support the impact of the charge, the thruster system¡¯s weapon container was opening, a machine arm was fixed on Lotte¡¯s left arm. With the lance positioned firmly, the thruster unit spouted up fire with its energy in full throttle. Lotte swooped down while her body was receiving that fierce acceleration. Exceeding mach speed, Lotte¡¯s defensive magic power was removing the air resistance. Not even noticing such a trivial thing, she changed into an enormous meteorite. ¡°Prometheus¡­Blitzkrieg tacticsBlitzkrieg!¡± Eleonora noticed it and looked up to the sky. And then when the approaching enormous weapon entered her eyes, she became lost for words. Aiming for a part of the sea wall that Koyuki and Kazuha¡¯s magic whittled off and became thinner, Lotte¡¯s spear pierced through. While the heat of the electricity evaporated the sea, the super accelerated enormous mass smashed down the barrier of sea water in one attack. Even after piercing through everything, Lotte¡¯s charge didn¡¯t lose its momentum. The violent lance charge blew away Eleonora to the wreckage of the school building a few dozen meters away. ¡°Mission complete desu!¡± Eleonora was crashing into the rubble, when she sensed that the spell Eleonora chanted was breaking, the shortstop Lotte left behind a happy voice and withdrew back to the sky. ¡°Kaguya-senpai, please return to your senses!¡± ¡°Senses? I''m fine though.¡± Toward Kazuki¡¯s shouts, a flat voice like a doll''s replied. ¡­It¡¯s no good. Headmaster Otonashi was also like this but, the human¡¯s mind that Nyarlatoteph made abnormal with his magic didn¡¯t have any symptoms of self-awareness at all. The Kaguya-senpai that he dearly missed was so coldhearted, like she was a completely different person. Kazuki made up his mind to fight, preparing his katana he ran ahead. Right now in this situation it was fine even if he ignored Nyarlatoteph. In front of Germany¡¯s Einherjar, the guy was supposed to be unable to reveal his true colors. Those Einherjar were pinned down by his comrades. No one was obstructing him, he could confront Kaguya-senpai alone. ¡°O shapeless mute shadow, become a fish swimming in the darkness filled with obstructive thoughts. Origin of nightmares, materialism vicissitudes, respond to terror and hope and eat¡­Deep Specter!¡± Kaguya-senpai summoned a Deep Specter. The shadow under Kazuki¡¯s feet shined with the violet color of magical power and turned three dimensional like it was swelling up. It was a shadow monster possessing a big mouth like a shark''s, it opened its mouth and came to bite Kazuki. However the shadow monster was, so to speak, just a lump of magical power. Kazuki was able to Foresight its movements. Slipping through the attack of the shadow monster, he drew near Kaguya-senpai! ¡°Not hesitating even though cursing thee also hurt me¡­shared pain is my joy! Cry and scream toward the mirror projection! Suicide Black!¡± Kaguya-senpai was covered with a dark haze. If this haze was faced with an attack, that attack¡¯s [pain] would be reflected entirely to the attacker as if that attack reached the body. Kazuki unhesitatingly drew out his Iai. ¡®ZUBAA¡¯ The slash scraped off Kaguya-senpai¡¯s magic power. [Suicide Black] didn¡¯t have any substantial protection effect. However to Kazuki who swung his sword down, the illusion of pain was sent back to him. Kazuki was hallucinating the pain of his own Iai draw cutting his belly diagonally up to his chest. An intense pain of steel blade digging into his internal organs. It felt completely like his insides were scorched. Kazuki immediately shut out his sense of pain using the Trance that he learned from Lotte. The sharp pain was dulled like it was wrapped by a silk floss, decreasing to the degree he could endure it. There''s no way I¡¯ll lose to this kind of pain¡­! Kazuki paid no concern to the pain and let loose a second slash. A diagonal slash starting from Kaguya-senpai¡¯s shoulder scraped off her magic power. Kazuki received even more hallucinations of pain but the pain was abating and he endured. Endure! ¡°O God of Death¡¯s whispering voice that awaited the visitor for a long time, resound deeply and widely, dye the dream with agony! Resound o evil voice of sadism! Ultra Violence!!¡± With fast chanting, Kaguya-senpai was singing the magic for doubling the sensation of pain. This was the devilish combination that Kaguya-senpai and Asmodeus took pride in. ¡°UOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!¡± Kazuki screamed in a loud voice. Endure it. He was able to keep his sanity thanks to Lotte. In the previous fight the tremendous pain was doubled. But this time what was doubled was only the reduced pain in the degree that he could endure. Just barely, it was really just barely that he could endure it. ¡°O desire lurking in the sea of the heart, passing through the sinful flesh this hand reaches out to that hand! O avatar of violation, entangle according to my desire! Desire Tentacle!¡± From the shadow under Kazuki¡¯s feet, this time tentacles were created and reaching out. Capturing the opponent who was in agony then after sealing his movement she would chant high level magic. That was Kaguya-senpai¡¯s basic tactic. But the me right now can still endure the pain! Possessing a will of steel, Kazuki Foresighted the timing of the tentacles creation, dodged, and then he cut away the tentacles. At that moment the Deep Specter came to assault him. While enduring the intense pain, Kazuki must also deal with the monster of shadow. This guy¡¯s attack was¡­a physical attack! ¡°Seusenhofer!¡± Kazuki blocked the bite of the monster with heavy armor. Most of the armor was broken apart with one attack, but Kazuki was mostly unharmed. ¡°Barrett!¡± The flame bullet dug into the monster, the monster was destroyed with the addition of multiple layers of slashes. Using that opportunity, Kaguya-senpai was chanting her spell. Judging from the scale of the magic power¨Da large-scale attack magic. A magic of Asmodeus that he had never seen until now. Probably it was around the border of level 4 or 5. Its attribute was¡­freezing! Even if he attacked with his sword right now, he wouldn¡¯t make it in time to obstruct Kaguya-senpai''s spell chanting! Then he would weather it using defensive magic! ¡­Using defensive magic that had good affinity against freezing attribute! ¡°Blooming flower of blood tearing apart the skin, eternally echoing scream¡­sinking the betrayer, awaken the hell right here! Grand Lotus Freezing HellCocytus!¡± ¡°Freeze Barrier!¡± The space that surrounded Kazuki and Kaguya-senpai was wrapped in a pure white cold wave. If this cold wave touched human skin, the skin would immediately get torn apart from the cold, making red flowers blooming in profusion inside this white space. However Kazuki¡¯s whole body was enveloped by the mermaid¡¯s divine protection toward cold attribute. As expected it couldn¡¯t protect from Kaguya-senpai¡¯s attack magic completely, the Freeze Barrier was soon smashed up, but Kazuki managed to reduce the damage from cold drastically. ¡°¡­Even though this wide-scale magic with no place to escape was my only counter-measure against Otouto-kun and Kana-chan.¡± The Hayashizaki-style was able to Foresight all uncomplicated offensive magic and dodged them. However large-scale offense magic that you couldn¡¯t evade even if you try was the Hayashizaki-style¡¯s natural enemy. However the current Kazuki was not just a swordsman. He was a magic swordsman. ¡°Not only sword but also Foresighting magic, then choosing defensive magic with superior attributes to use. I see, so this is a magic swordsman, Hayashizaki Kazuki¡¯s new possibility¡­¡± Kaguya-senpai whispered admiringly. This was something that could only exist solely due to the presence of the Hayashizaki-style¡¯s Foresight and King of Solomon''s 72 Pillars Omni-magicBasilleus Goetia. ¡°Senpai¡¯s offensive magic was prevented completely!¡± Kazuki proclaimed such while slashing with his katana. However Kazuki too, since the opponent¡¯s body was covered with Suicide Black, he couldn¡¯t use a powerful offensive magic. Using a katana he could only whittle away Kaguya-senpai¡¯s magic little by little. And then Kaguya-senpai kept chanting her spell in defiance of some of the impact of the smashed magic. ¡°Five stars shining in the interstice of life and death, around pillaged by the whim of the god of death, become the clay doll of unspeakable misery! ¡­Neighboring Death Extreme RingNear-death Roulette!!¡± Summoning the human¡¯s five-senses stealing sycthe, Kaguya-senpai aimed for the timing of simultaneous striking when she swung the sycthe. Kazuki dodged with paper-thin difference, so that only his own katana can manage to hit senpai. While enduring the hallucination of agony, dodging the sycthe that he absolutely mustn¡¯t get hit with was an extremely difficult work. His mental strength was grinded down steadily. ¡°Deep Specter!¡± Even during those exchanges Kaguya-senpai summoned the Deep Specter again. Not only the scythe, Kazuki must also escape from the assault of this shadow monster. ¡°My wicked thought is filled with curses, I beseech for thy agony¡­ I have no shame of my wicked thought! Feel Pain!¡± A bullet of curses flew at Kazuki! This bullet too, if he couldn¡¯t avoid it then the illusionary pain would be doubled by Ultra Violence! While enduring the illusionary pain, dodge¡­dodge¡­dodge! Everything was dodged with a paper-thin gap. He never fought a Magica Stigma as strong as Kaguya-senpai in a one-on-one fight like this. Even the attack of the scythe, the assault of the monster, if he got hit by even one it would have become a fatal wound. On top of the thin ice where not even slight mistake was allowed, Kazuki continued to dance. Even so if he didn¡¯t defeat Kaguya-senpai, there would be no chance of victory in this battle! ¡°It¡¯s useless. Senpai¡¯s attacks¡­all had been sealed.¡± What supported Kazuki that continued to dodge using his sharpened concentration was only a single determination. That was a certain single¨Dfaith. ¡°All had been sealed?¡± Setting up her scythe, Kaguya-senpai talked expressionlessly. ¡°¡­Even though I have Guernica?¡± Asmodeus¡¯s level 9 magic, Guernica. If the opponent was not in the class of materialized Diva then the hated opponent would die instantly without question, a flame of hell. The strongest magic that propped up senpai as the strongest. A magic that represented senpai. Yes, as long as the opponent couldn¡¯t deal with this magic somehow or other, no matter how much the opponent elaborated counter-measures against her other magic he wouldn¡¯t be able to win against Kaguya-senpai. However¨D ¡°Senpai¡¯s Guernica won¡¯t work against me though.¡± ¡°Why?¡± ¡°I like senpai, and senpai also likes me. The illusionary pain is scary. That sense-stealing scythe is also scary. The Deep Specter is scary too. However from the start I didn¡¯t fear senpai¡¯s flame of hatred for even a second.¡± [Compared to the period when you couldn¡¯t believe in Amasaki Mio¡¯s positivity level, you have grown considerably.] Leme¡¯s telepathy echoed inside his head. Kazuki remembered that time when Mio was dying inside his arms. Not believing in the feelings of the other party and because of that he hurt his very important person, he didn¡¯t want to do that. ¡°¡­I wonder if it¡¯s not just too much hubris.¡± Kaguya-senpai whose emotions were sealed by Nyarlatoteph¡¯s magic directed a cold voice to Kazuki. ¡°I couldn¡¯t use Guernica against Otouto-kun you said? I am not that sweet you know?¡± ¡°Wrong, senpai is a kind person.¡± From here on is not a fight between me and Kaguya-senpai. It is a fight between Nyarlatoteph¡¯s mind manipulation and the strength of the bonds between me and senpai. ¡°I¡­must defeat you. There is no other method left to defeat you other then the very best. ¡­I have no hesitation.¡± Senpai started to chant a long spell. ¡°Then I¡¯m going to¡­accept everything of Kaguya-senpai as you are right now.¡± Kazuki sheathed his katana, he awaited Kaguya-senpai¡¯s magic while striking a daunting pose. The time flowed in an instant and an eternity. He could hear the sounds of fighting of Beatrix and Mio and all the others, but even all of that gradually moved far away from his consciousness, Kazuki and Kaguya-senpai were shut inside the silence. Kazuki¡¯s mind recalled his memories with Kaguya-senpai. Kaguya-senpai who kindly came to him who was assaulted with feelings of alienation in the Magic Division. The sweet aroma that tickled his reasoning when she embraced him. Kaguya-senpai who was embarrassed with her Magic Dress. Tempting Kazuki due to Asmodeus¡¯ side effect and then crying in shame from the embarrassment, that kind of senpai. I¡­love Kaguya-senpai! Inside the time when they looked hard at each other, the magic was finally invoked. ¡°O chest scorching thought, paint the scene of hell in this world¡­thy are the demon king of wicked desire, o incarnation of deep-seated delusion inviting tragedy, following this wish¡­paint out the world. Guernica!¡± ¡­There was no uneasiness whatsoever! Kazuki awaited with conviction. At Kaguya-senpai¡¯s side, Asmodues was floating. ¡°This is baad, Kaguya.¡± ¡°¡­Eh?¡± ¡°There is no feeling like that inside you, y¡¯know?¡± Leaving behind those words to the dumbfounded Kaguya-senpai, Asmodeus vanished. And then nothing happened. A color of surprise mixed out into Kaguya-senpai¡¯s face who was expressionless throughout all of this. ¡°That kind of¡­why¡­¡± While whispering, a crack entered that expressionless face. [Emotion] was invading Kaguya-senpai¡¯s mask. Like she was being released from the hypnotism. ¡°Why, I can''t fight like this¡­?¡± Kaguya-senpai murmured like she couldn¡¯t believe it herself. The shock finally came this late. At this late hour, evidently senpai had understood this situation that she had left herself behind. ¡°Why am I¡­fighting Otouto-kun?¡± The flame of hell burned using Kaguya-senpai¡¯s hostility as fuel. If Kaguya-senpai harbored even a little bit of hostility, then it would be just like when Kaya¡¯s life was stolen before, where something like going easy or control couldn¡¯t be done. But conversely if she couldn¡¯t find any hostility even after turning her heart upside down at every nook and corner, the flame of hell wouldn¡¯t come out. Identical with how flame was not going to burn if there was no oxygen. It was absurd in the first place, Kazuki thought. The current Kaguya-senpai who held a fabricated sense of duty with her emotions suppressed by magic, how would she chant something like an attack magic that was fueled by emotion? The backlash from doing such an absurd thing that ended in failure woke up Kaguya-senpai from her hypnosis. For Kaguya-senpai to fight despite holding not even a little bit of hostility, that realization opened her eyes. Color returned to Kaguya-senpai¡¯s pupils. ¡°Even though I don¡¯t want to do this kind of thing¡­why¡­¡± The fake sense of duty was peeled off, what was laid bare were intense regret and feelings of guilt. The original emotions of the kind Kaguya-senpai were overflowing all at once. ¡°Even though I don¡¯t like that kind of thing ¡­why did I do such things without mercy, there is no reason I can do that¡­why¡­Why!?¡± In the sadness and confusion, Kaguya-senpai raised a voice that was tinged with a shriek. Sensing that Kaguya-senpai had no will to fight anymore, Kazuki approached her. Kaguya-senpai twitched in fright and looked hard at Kazuki. ¡°O, Otouto-kun¡­I¡­did a really cruel thing¡­¡± Senpai¡¯s voice was trembling pitifully. ¡°Senpai, haven¡¯t I said it before? I like senpai very much. I won¡¯t turn to hate senpai just because of something like this so, please look forward and don¡¯t cry okay?¡± Kazuki said so to prevent Kaguya-senpai from crying, but in the blink of an eye tears were pooling in senpai¡¯s eyes. ¡°Sorry¡­I¡¯m sorry¡­!¡± ¡°I said it¡¯s okay to not apologize already.¡± Kazuki hugged Kaguya-senpai who was bursting into tears. ¡°I, no more¡­I don¡¯t want to do something like this anymore-¡­!¡± ¡°Senpai was seeing a bad dream. But it¡¯s okay already. Just like how senpai protected me who is her kouhai, from now on I will protect senpai too.¡± ¡°But, even though, I am the student council president¡­¡± ¡°Even if senpai is the student council president, it¡¯s okay to not bear the burden by yourself alone.¡± ¡°But, I am the strongest magician after all¡­¡± ¡°Right now, I had already beaten senpai .¡± ¡°Is it¡­okay for me to rely on Otouto-kun¡­?¡± ¡°Because I like senpai very much.¡± Those words didn¡¯t lose its glow no matter how many times he said them. With every single word, Kazuki unraveled the things that were binding Kaguya-senpai¡¯s heart. Kaguya-senpai hugged Kazuki back. He could feel the dearly missed sweet aroma and the soft sensation. Kazuki brushed senpai¡¯s head comfortingly. ¡°¡­It feels go~od.¡± Senpai let out a voice ecstatically. ¡°I already¡­want to become Otouto-kun¡¯s little sister¡­¡± Released from the heavy pressure, somehow Kaguya-senpai let out a strange talk. A large heart mark came flying, the fight between Kazuki and Kaguya-senpai was over. Chapter 3.5.4 — The Faceless God Volume 3 Chapter 5 - The Faceless God Part 4 ¡°Wai, you, what the hell is thatttttttttttttttt!?¡± Damian who saw Kazuki and Kaguya-senpai hugging each other, raised a shriek. ¡°Wait right theree! When I thought why there was no backing at all from the rear, it turns out that this bastard is changing to the enemy¡¯s side huuh! What are you bastards doing hugging each otheer! Rather than netokaeruchanging sides, isn¡¯t this netorarestealing lovers huuh!?¡± Losing the rear guard was something that couldn¡¯t become a joke, the Einherjar were forced into bitter fights. ¡°Beatrix-taichou¡­let¡¯s retreat for the moment.¡± Eleonora advised Beatrix. Even her expression was pronounced with the fatigue from battle. ¡°Elii¡­but I haven¡¯t crossed swords yet with Kazuki. On the contrary it seems seeing that situation only makes my chest burn with jealousy.¡± ¡°Please stop rushing ahead because of your personal feelings.¡± Eleonora flatly scolded Beatrix who was the only one full of energy. ¡°Although we were given this chance by this sudden contact, the members that could move were only three people, however this opponent is not someone we can go against without a plan. Even the student council president who was supposed to give support is hugging the enemy for some reason, in the end the way things are going it doesn¡¯t look good. In the worst situation it¡¯s possible that this might be a trap from that Headmaster Otonashi.¡± ¡°Mu¡­? When you said that, it¡¯s true the wind direction is strange.¡± Beatrix made a face as if she was biting a bitter bug. At the other side Kanae and the others were thinking that if the fight was over already then just get lost already, they were watching what decision the Einherjar would make. The other two were done, but Beatrix still hasn¡¯t been really serious while Kanae and the others¡¯ nerves were worn down from the intense battles. ¡°Even at the best of times, our positions are delicate.¡± This was not their homeland. Pushed by that fact, Beatrix shouted out. ¡°Yosh, Einherjar is to make a retreat! ¡­Kazuki, the next time we meet we are going to cross swords for sure okay!!¡± ¡°Oi, that handsome woman over theree! Just remember this you bastaard!¡± Damina gave Hoshikaze-senpai a middle finger. ¡°As a magician of a Diva that can similarly manipulate the sea, I¡¯ll give the silver girl some respect.¡± Eleonora too praised Koyuki even while she was colored with exhaustion. Beatrix lifted up Damian and Eleonora who were like that with both hands, ¡°HAHAHAHAHA!¡± and then while laughing loudly without any meaning, that body with high physical ability dashed at full strength and retreated. The Einherjar were gone before they could even say ¡®ah¡¯. ¡°¡­We won?¡± Kazuha-senpai murmured with a tired voice that told the story of the hard battle she had with Eleonora. However Kazuha-senpai still hadn¡¯t known about the true enemy. Without even any reprieve to bask themselves in the aftertaste of victory, Kazuki directed his sight to Headmaster Otonashi¨DNyarlatoteph while still hugging Kaguya-senpai. ¡°Nyarlatoteph. Your soldiers were weak.¡± ¡°What did you say?¡± The figure of Headmaster Otonashi twitched his eyebrows. ¡°The Quad-core Magica who lost their egos didn¡¯t even have any tactics, once they got attacked they just focused at one direction while their surroundings had done them in. Even those Einherjar that received your request didn¡¯t really try to fight seriously. Even if you create a strong magician artificially, if they are not tied with strong bonds with each other then they are nothing more than a disorderly mob. From the very beginning they were not an enemy worthy of our Heaven and Earth Formation.¡± ¡°¡­The likes of a human got too carried away¡­is that all that you are going to say to this me?¡± There was no meaning to hide his true identity anymore with the Einherjar gone, muddy black magic power was seething from the figure of Headmaster Otonashi. There was no wind blowing, and even though there was not any fluctuation in the atmosphere, like there were many small shredding happening on the world itself, Kazuki could feel a sensation of ¡®biribiri¡¯ on his skin. ¡°Tou-san¡­?¡± Kaguya-senpai separated her body from Kazuki, she doubted her own eyes looking at the transformation in front of her. Senpai still hadn¡¯t known that her father had been hijacked by a Diva. ¡°Otonashi Tsukikurou! You bastard¡­what the hell is going on with these circumstances!¡± From the shadow of the demolished school building, the figure of Board Chairman Amasaki appeared in a stagger. ¡°¡­Tou-san!?¡± Mio cried out looking at the figure of the person who shouldn¡¯t be on this battlefield. Even Nyarlatoteph, that assumed the appearance of Headmaster Otonashi stared at the entrance of that personage with a surprised look. He had secretly observed the situation all along, he probably made his appearance because he thought that the fight was over. Was Board Chairman Amasaki Mio¡¯s step-father¡­! Kazuki was surprised against that fact in this late hour. ¡°The Summoning Magic those suspicious illegal magicians used was that of Solomon''s 72 Pillars! What is the meaning of this!?¡± ¡°Hohou, so you noticed that.¡± ¡°That¡¯s¡­they were humans who had stigma transplanting operations performed on them, am I right? You bastard, I thought that you had established the stigmata transplanting operation without anyone noticing, but¡­don¡¯t tell me that you performed human experiments using stigmata that you took out from students¡­for a teacher who was supposed to protect the students¡­¡± Board Chairman Amasaki yelled as if he couldn¡¯t believe his own deduction with a face that looked like the truth was gnawing at his own sanity. The wrinkle-covered face of the old man was warped to its limit. ¡°¡­I never thought that you could finally reach the truth by your own power. What a great achievement, old man.¡± With a whizzing sound, something was flying from the cuff of Headmaster Otonashi¡¯s suit. No, that was not something flying. It was something that stretched. Headmaster Otonashi¡¯s right arm became a long tentacle, it pierced the chest of Board Chairman Amasaki. ¡°Gah!?¡± Board Chairman Amasaki¡¯s eyes opened wide without understanding what just happened, then he fell down. ¡®shuru¡¯, the tentacle was pulled back to the cuff of the suit. ¡°Tou-san!¡± Mio was dashing hurriedly to the collapsed Board Chairman. ¡°¡­O pure fire of reincarnation, burn the surface of the life while the inside bud in rebirth¡­Fire of Life CircleAnti-Aging!¡± Mio held her hands out to the wound opening, from there a small flame burns into existence, the wound opening that was touched by the flame was closed up little by little and the bleeding was stopped. ¡°¡­Is that Phoenix¡¯s healing magic? Well, no matter, rather than that old man, first I¡¯m going to slaughter all of you in this place.¡± The body of Headmaster Otonashi began to warp due to an enormous magic power. Kazuki was dumbfounded from the sudden happening, however he immediately recovered himself in rage. ¡°Everyone¡­! This is the last, we are going to defeat this guy!¡± ¡°Don¡¯t get carried away, for the like of you humans¡­I¡¯m going to teach you true madness!¡± Nyarlatoteph exposed his true form¡­! The wriggling flesh swelled out, the suit burst open. What burst out from that suit were countless tentacles. The flat black head was located at the top, looking completely like an octopus with tentacles that grew all over, the evil god with an atypical appearance revealed himself in front of Kazuki and the others. However that figure was not as overwhelming in magic power and sense of intimidation compared to when Loki materialized. ¡°Kazuki¡­at the Cthulhu Mythos that I know about, the being that is called evil god is not an existence like that.¡± Koyuki who got close to Kazuki¡¯s side said so. ¡°The evil god of Cthulhu Mythos symbolized the horror of the vast universe, an existence that transcended people¡¯s awareness. It is said that there is no way for people to not go crazy the moment they see it. Compared with that, this Nyarlatoteph is [shoddy]. He couldn¡¯t embody the true essence of Cthulhu.¡± ¡°That guy said before that Cthulhu Mythos was weakened.¡± Nothing was understood about what kind of existence Diva was in this world, however¡­ Cthulhu Mythos was special. ¡°Yes. That¡¯s surely why he only used the power to manipulate human mindd and secret maneuvers. Undoubtedly he is not an opponent that deserved to be feared when opposed directly from te front like this. If it¡¯s us, then we are going to win without a doubt!¡± Koyuki asserted in a strong will that was rare for her. ¡°¡­You bastards, the likes of humans such as you are still planning to mock me even now!?¡± Together with those indignant words, Nyarlatoteph¡¯s tentacles were crawling like worms. Kazuki cut apart the tentacles that were directed at Koyuki and came stretching. That attack became the opening curtain of the final decisive battle. ¡°We''re going, everyone!¡± While taking the position of the Heaven and Earth Formation, the swordsmen came out to the front and drew their swords, the Magica Stigma were starting their chanting from the rear. ¡°All of you bastards cannot use the power of your Divas!¡± The black face at the gigantic summit of Nyarlatoteph was yelling, invoking his characteristic magic. ¡°Madness HeartbeatPsycho Noise!¡± A sound that made the scratching of glass¡¯ surface sound lukewarm resounded in their surroundings, it felt like their brains were scraped off grindingly. The magic power that was collected amidst the spell chanting were dispersed like mist. They couldn¡¯t concentrate at all on chanting. ¡°Guh¡­what a Diva to be such a nuisance for the neighbors! If this is the case then this one is going to make octopus sashimi!!¡± While warping her expression from the unpleasant sound, Kohaku swung her Sacred Treasure and went to cut the tentacles. However Nyarlatoteph¡¯s gigantic magic power that was said to be weakened, with attacks from the likes of a katana, it only received damage to the degree where the end was not in sight. ¡°Kazu-nii¡­hurry, erase this sound!!¡± Mio raised a scream, her tears spilled without stopping. Mio didn¡¯t participate in the battle anymore and she was attending constantly to Board Chairman Amasaki¡¯s healing. But because of Nyarlatoteph¡¯s obstruction magic, Mio couldn¡¯t maintain her healing magic, the wound opened again and the bleeding was starting again relentlessly. The old man who didn¡¯t have any magic didn¡¯t have much time left. ¡°OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!¡± Raising a roaring voice that made the earth rumble, Nyarlatoteph regenerated the tentacles that were slashed by the swordsmen. And then the swordsmen were hit hard by an amount of tentacles that were impossible to avoid. ¡°Otouto-kun¡­if it¡¯s me, I cannot be lead astray by this sound anymore. I don¡¯t want to lose to this guy anymore.¡± Approaching Kazuki¡¯s side, Kaguya-senpai talked. However her face that seemed to look like she was seeing an awfully ephemeral dream when he saw it from the side made Kazuki hesitate to rely on senpai. ¡°Senpai¡­but that enemy is¡­¡± ¡°It¡¯s okay. ¡­I understand properly that that thing is not Otou-san anymore. I¡¯m not fighting because of some sense of duty like [Unless I beat that guy], I¡¯m fighting [because that guy cannot be forgiven].¡± With eyes that were filled to the brim with sorrow, senpai glared up to the black face of Nyarlatoteph. ¡°Otou-san¡­I, like the name Kaguya that you gave me very much. Like the whole starry sky and aurora, Otou-san named me like this because of your wish for me to become a lovely girl, isn¡¯t that right? You are not a kind father at all, but¡­since when had you completely changed like this?¡± In the middle of the evil sound¡¯s ringing, Kaguya-senpai chanted her spell alone disappointingly. The avatar of Asmodeus was floating at her side. The witch in black clothes faced Kaguya with eyes full of affection. ¡°¡­Isn¡¯t this the first time you''re fighting with just your own honest feelings ehh, my cute Kaguya. Then I guess I¡¯ll give you a reward.¡± ¡°Asmodeus?¡± ¡°Being able to use my ten characteristic magics skillfully, this is a magic that¡¯s beyond all of those. You often give complaints such as that all my magic is a little difficult to use as attack magic, or something like it left a bad impression among other things, haven¡¯t you? I will give you something better after this, you will see. By combining my magic power and your form, we will invoke a Union Magic. Your own Original Spell that even the King-sama cannot copy. With your thoughts, give shape to the illusion and crash it into that guy. Come, sing it.¡± The light of the magic power that surrounded Kaguya-senpai changed from violet color to a noble silver color that resemble the light of the stars. ¡°I won¡¯t let you!¡± The scattered evil sounds that enveloped the surroundings completely were given direction by Nyarlatoteph¡¯s will and converged on Kaguya-senpai. However Kaguya-senpai was completely unperturbed against the evil sounds that had been compressed several times over, her face that looked ephemeral when he saw it from the side now looked firm with a strong core inside¨D. That spell was finished chanting speedily. ¡°O darkness of mind that contain the eternal cycle of life and death! O seven stars that shined inside it! Reveal the microcosm of heaven and earth¡¯s creation and show the whereabouts of humankind!! ¡­Shining NightGalaxy!¡± A geometric pattern of light spread out in a radial wave around Kaguya-senpai. The space that was sketched was shifted into an alternate space in reverse. The vicinity became a pitch black darkness with Kaguya-senpai as the center, countless lights shined in the surrounding. ¡°Power of the universe!?¡± Even Nyarlatoteph¡¯s gigantic body was drifting in the dark empty space. Kaguya-senpai who reigned in the center of the alternate world shined brilliantly like a sun, everything of that universe¡¯s scene bared their fangs toward Nyarlatoteph. ¡°Im, impossible¡­this is the power that is supposed to be ours¡­!¡± Solar wind¨Dwind of corona gases that surpassed one million degrees rained down on Nyarlatoteph and burned him down thoroughly. Cosmic rays¨Dthe high energy radiation that was usually absorbed by the atmosphere rained down directly on Nyarlatoteph and burned him to nothing. ¡°AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA! THE STAR! THE STAR!¡± In accordance with Kaguya-senpai¡¯s will, countless meteors rained down on Nyarlatoteph. Irrational destruction pulverized the gigantic body, its dust was scattered in the darkness of space. Once again the geometric pattern radiated out, the space was returning to the original world. The evil god of Cthulhu had disappeared from there, what was left behind in that place was Headmaster Otonashi who was collapsed spread-eagle. Kaguya-senpai approached Headmaster Otonashi slowly and leaned over, holding up his upper body with her arms. And then she hung her head down for a while. ¡°Th, that guy was defeated¡­with that one attack!?¡± The evil sound stopped, Mio who had finished the emergency treatment for the Board Chairman stood up. ¡°Tou-san¡­I had thought that this wouldn¡¯t end with his heart safe, but¡­¡± Kaguya-senpai once again lowered Headmaster Otonashi who she held to the ground, then she turned to Kazuki who was standing up. ¡°Otouto-kun¡­if you said that you had given me your forgiveness, then I won¡¯t apologize anymore. Otouto-kun¡­welcome home.¡± There were still sad things, but with a relieved expression that looked like she had put down her heavy burden, Kaguya-senpai came and embraced Kazuki. ¡°Senpai really, so soon like this¡­¡± Kazuki became overwhelmed from Kaguya-senpai¡¯s skinship. ¡°Kazuki-! We did it!¡± And then naturally Mio, from there Lotte and Kanae too came and clung to Kazuki jostling him around. After happiness welled up inside Koyuki, immediately it cooled down and she felt uneasiness creeping up in her heart. Looking at Kazuki who was getting intimate with various girls, added with that sight Koyuki was not able to keep her courage. And then uneasiness came creeping inside her. It was just the two of them in that underground for a long time. However when we came up to the surface, did he already stop paying attention to me, that was the feeling that she had. It was inevitable for Koyuki to think that she was an existence that had no value when compared to the other girls even now. However she herself had conveyed to Kazuki that she loved him. She had already laid bare the weak parts of her heart. Because of that, even now she felt unsure, like her weak heart was smashed apart. Koyuki felt a strong self-disgust toward herself that was separated by a step from the place of blessing. {¨DSo you denied your own self.} There was a voice. Suddenly black color was spreading inside her heart. Even though she didn¡¯t imagine anything, inside that darkness, three burning eyeballs opened glaringly by their own accord and pierced Koyuki with a sharp look. ¡°A¡­¡± Koyuki leaked out her voice in fear of the unknown. {¨DI¡¯m going to take that opening in your ego! With my characteristic magic! Darkness Illusions - Limit SaturationArkham Drive!!¡± ¨DFrom the scream that Koyuki raised, Kazuki and the others turned to look at the girl that was in the place a step apart from them. Something¡­they felt a vast magic power exploding inside the girl. The girl¡¯s body distorted flabbily¨Dthat form stabilized into a different shape. Koyuki was changing in appearance. The silver hair changed into pitch-black hair, the skin color was changing into dark brown skin that was near black. Black Koyuki¨Dno, it¡¯s different. ¡°Beforehand¡­I flung a part of my magic power through the Astrum toward [the human with the weakest heart]. I am the faceless god¡­having the same face no matter to what extent I was split up¡­When I was about to be exterminated, a part of me, a seed, was planted inside this young girl¡­!¡± ¡°You are¡­Nyarlatoteph!¡± ¡°I lost the majority of my original magic power, but¡­With this elf¡¯s flesh and magic power I¡¯ll show you the real power of Cthulhu! Even the power of Solomon''s 72 Pillars, I will use them as a parasite for sure!!¡± The black Koyuki produced magic power with chanting speed that was different from humans. Kazuki Foresighted that magic power¨Da large scale attack magic that manipulated cold. He was trying to invoke Vepar¡¯s greatest magic. Caught in an instant of hesitation from how Koyuki''s body was stolen, every member there might receive fatal damage. Even Kazuki at this time couldn¡¯t think of a method to deal with this development immediately. However in this place there was only one person, one human that was not agitated by the situation at all and kept their calm. ¡°¡­I become the miko of sword. Rock cleaved, root cut, sin cut apart, that virtuous sword of crushing evil is right now in this hand! Draw sword, Futsu no Mitama!!¡± Kazuha-senpai who was not particularly attached emotionally to Koyuki created the tangible god of sword as a Sacred Treasure while keeping her complete calm. ¡°Hayashizaki, you use this guy!¡± The spirit sword that she summoned herself , she threw it toward Kazuki. ¡°If it¡¯s while the flesh and the spirit haven¡¯t become familiar yet, you can sever it!¡± The moment he grasped the sword, Kazuki closed the distance according to his swordsman¡¯s instinct and swung the sword down to the black Koyuki. Streaks of light ran. Just on the verge when the trigger of Vepar¡¯s greatest magic was almost pulled, the spirit body that possessed Koyuki¡¯s physical body was severed from her and blown away. Koyuki¡¯s body returned to the usual pure white girl and fell down. Even while getting blown away, the form of black Koyuki remained. Kazuki immediately held up the dead tired white Koyuki. ¡°To be chased out from the physical body¡­what is that sword!? I see, the preserved stigmata confirmation system, the stigmata other than Solomon''s 72 Pillars¡­! This time as well, how far is this miscalculation going to reach!!?¡± Black Koyuki¨DNyarlatoteph was still retaining his substantiated body. On the other hand there was no presence of magic power at all from the body of the real Koyuki. All of Koyuki¡¯s magic power was carried away by Nyarlatoteph, he used that magic power to maintain the substantiated body in the mimicry of Koyuki. However the stolen magic power was consumed just for him to exist, that body was in the process of breaking down little by little. ¡°Before I vanish¡­Solomon''s King! As long as I kill you, the slaughter will¡­!¡± With the face that was warped in bloodcurling hatred that Koyuki would absolutely never make, the disintegrating black Koyuki spun a spell. Kaguya-senpai cut in front of Kazuki who held Koyuki in his arms. ¡°Watch out! Otouto-kun!!¡± ¡°Under the freezing evil emptiness, O time, stop¡­freeze the fate of all that dwell in the material world, break that foundation with a freezing hammer! Ice Flower DecayDiamond Dust - Absolute Zero!¡± The mermaid Diva Vepar¡¯s ultimate magic was invoked. From the palm that black Koyuki thrust out, minus 273 ¡ãC wind and blocks of ice flew at Kaguya-senpai. Receiving the absolute zero with that body, the Prima Material that made up Kaguya-senpai¡¯s body were suspended without limit, losing its elasticity, and then she was fired at with many pebble bullets. All material that received impact under super low temperature will become broken down into small pieces easily. Huge blue defensive magic power was smashed up. Against the composite attack of the cold of absolute zero and absolute destruction¡­Kaguya-senpai stuck it out till the end with all the defensive magic power that she had. ¡°Suicide Black!¡± ¡°What!?¡± And then she reflected that pain back. Black Koyuki who presently had a physical body writhed in agony under that pain. ¡°¡­Ultra Violence!!¡± That pain was further doubled, Kaguya-senpai was staggering and collapsed from magic intoxication. ¡°Kaguya-senpai!¡± ¡°¡­Otouto-kun, please take care of Koyuki-chan. Because with only me, I couldn¡¯t save Koyuki-chan from loneliness¡­¡± Kazuki turned back to Koyuki who he held in his arms. The girl¡¯s consciousness was returning, she was looking at the collapsing Kaguya-senpai with scared-looking eyes. And then she looked at the black Koyuki that came out from inside herself. Kazuki had a feeling that he understood why during that great joy of victory Nyarlatoteph could take advantage of Koyuki¡¯s heart. ¡°Kazuki, forgive me, I¡­I¡­!¡± The face of the girl who hated it so much to cause trouble for other people was dyed in the despair of self-hatred. ¡°You don¡¯t need to apologize. I just¡­want to give Koyuki peace of mind.¡± Kazuki embraced Koyuki with all his strength, then he joined together those lips with his own. With the intention of conveying the warmth, with the intention to create a definite bond, he kissed her. Kazuki¡¯s heart and Koyuki¡¯s heart were tied strongly. ¡°K, kiss¡­? To something like me¡­¡± When their lips separated, the face of Koyuki who was always pretending to be expressionless obstinately turned red in bewitchment. Kazuki thought that cuteness of hers was lovely. Not only the mutual certainty between their hearts, Kazuki also felt a strong magic circuit was forming between them. ¡°Everything is okay now.¡± After lightly stroking Koyuki¡¯s head, Kazuki stood up and faced the black Koyuki. He was going to destroy this enemy and erase Koyuki¡¯s guilt! ¡°You bastards¡­how dare you, to inflict human pain to this me¡­!¡± Nyarlatoteph who was in unimaginable agony from [the pain of the whole body that was breaking down from inside the absolute zero] that was [doubled] recovered his battle stance with bloodshot eyes. And then he began to chant a spell. Kazuki too had already started his spell. At his side the mermaid Vepar was materialized. ¡°The other side too is using precisely the same magic that was copied from me. However from the beginning that¡¯s just a fake. No, that man¡¯s everything is a fake power. You understand that right, O King?¡± I know. Thereupon this time for sure I¡¯m going to absolutely exterminate that Diva. The two people in confrontation invoked their magic at the same time. ¡°¡±Diamond Dust - Absolute Zero!¡±¡± The fierce blowing wind and rocks of ice were exactly the same yet¡­ ¡°UOOOOOOOOOOOO!¡± ¡°W, what¡­I¡¯m being pushed back!?¡± The violent stream of cold and ice was gradually being pushed toward Nyarlatoteph, that black body took hard and severe hits. Gigantic defensive magic power was smashed apart. However even so the evil god still hadn¡¯t been exterminated. Kazuki drove the Futsu no Mitama in his hand. Inside a moment where everything seemed to stop, Kazuki raised the sword overhead. While his body was gradually breaking down, Nyarlatoteph raised a scream of hatred. ¡°Impossible¡­this kind of ridiculous situation! Who do you think I am? I am¡­the mighty Faceless God!!¡± This guy is an evil god that made prey of other people¡¯s egos to amass his power! ¡°There is no way I¡¯m going to lose to a power that was earned from denying other people! My bonds are my power! If you are the Faceless God, then¡­I¡¯m going to become the King of Bonds!!¡± Nyarlatoteph''s remaining dregs, not to mention in this world, there was not even a fragment that remained in the Astrum. Kazuki pierced the Futsu no Mitama into the flesh of the black Koyuki that was in the process of crumbling away. Light was flashing brightly from the slashed flesh¡ªthe evil god was destroyed without leaving a single trace. ¡ó ¡ó ¡ó ¡ó Board Chairman Amasaki who avoided the losing his life watched every part that happened from beginning to end. ¡°Come on¡­Kazuki is not a bad guy right? He is not something like an illegal magician at all. He is the man that I chose after all!¡± Beside the Board Chairman, Mio puffed her chest while bragging about Kazuki that she loved with a bright face. ¡°Your chosen man you said¡­then don¡¯t tell me, are you going out with him?¡± ¡°Eh, going out? Su, such a thing like going out is¡­no, but the relationship between me and Kazu-nii¡­however¡­¡± Mio¡¯s face was boiling and turned bright red from the sudden question, she was twisting her body and fidgeting around. From there she looked like she remembered something, then she held her lips back and ¡°Ehehehehe¡± grinned widely. Board Chairman Amasaki who was still lying down on the ground looked up at Mio¡¯s state in discomfort, from there he turned his sights to Kazuki. Kazuki was surrounded by his comrades'' blessings. Board Chairman Amasaki released his stern expression and released a deep breath in deep exhaustion. ¡°Certainly you seem to have a discerning eye. Tsukikurou and I too, we had misunderstood since who knows when. Looks like we didn¡¯t see the things what we ought to see¡­¡± Volume 3 Epilogue — The Witch’s Mansion’s Daybreak Volume 3 Epilogue - The Witch¡¯s Mansion¡¯s Daybreak Thinking back upon it, it still hasn¡¯t even been one month since his school entrance. Despite that¡­he completely thought of this Witch¡¯s Manor as his third home. A deep affection welled up in his chest was the same kind of affection he had for the [Nanohana Institute] and Hayashizaki House. At last¡­he could go back home. Kazuki¡¯s room didn¡¯t change at all from before he departed. Lowering his back to the bed, he could feel his own heart slowly be at ease. And then his heart leaped towards the new days from tomorrow on. What was he going to make tomorrow for breakfast? What should he do to make the senpais happy¡­ ¡®konkon¡¯ A voice of gentle knocking rang out. After he answered ¡®come in¡¯, the door opened and Kazuki was surprised looking at who appeared. Koyuki was wearing the usual rabbit-eared maid clothes. ¡°Puu.¡± Moreover she said an unusual thing. ¡°Puu?¡± When Kazuki immediately tilted his head, Koyuki expressionlessly replied. ¡°Didn¡¯t you know, the cry of a rabbit is ¡®puu¡¯. They are fundamentally reticent but when they are fawned on by the pet owner they make some noise.¡± ¡°Is that so¡­ No, even if I knew that, I don¡¯t understand the meaning of what Koyuki is doing though. Right now Koyuki is a rabbit, is that it?¡± ¡°Correct, that¡¯s right.¡± With a faintly red face, she approached Kazuki with small steps. And then she pushed Kazuki¡¯s shoulders continuously and forcefully made Kazuki fall on the bed. ¡°Koyuki?¡± ¡°Puu.¡± Toward the pushed down Kazuki who was wide-eyed, Koyuki climbed on while saying ¡®puu puu¡¯. ¡°E, err, what in the world are you doing? Koyuki-san?¡± ¡°Puu. I came to give Kazuki my gratitude.¡± ¡°Such a thing like giving me gratitude, I didn¡¯t do anything¡­I mean what kind of gratitude is this!?¡± ¡°Kazuki is supposed to have a fetish for and be happy when being licked by girls in animal-ears.¡± ¡°You bring that up again now!? No, when you say such things like fetish then it makes me look abnormal, however if someone gets licked by a cute girl then as long as he is a man anyone will get happy you know¡­!¡± ¡°Moreover you are supposed to like maid uniforms too. You said that it suits me.¡± Unable to deny it, Kazuki kept silent. With a reddened face that contained embarrassment and saying [puu], Koyuki came on top of Kazuki and hung over there. And then she brought her face near Kazuki and licked his cheek. The soft tongue licked Kazuki¡¯s cheek repeatedly ¡®pero pero¡¯. ¡°It¡¯s ticklish.¡± His murmur was mixed with perplexity, but a thrill ran through his spine. ¡°Puu¡± Koyuki leaked out a dissatisfied voice. ¡°When Charlotte was the one that did ¡®pero pero¡¯, I heard that you responded more enthusiastically¡­¡± ¡°You heard such a detailed story!?¡± Kazuki thought it couldn¡¯t be helped, he did the same thing as that time. He hugged Koyuki back tightly, ¡®Koyuki is cute! Cutee-!¡± and he stroked her head. ¡°Please stroke my head more¡­¡± ¡°Your precious beautiful hair would be messed up you know?¡± ¡°I don¡¯t mind even if it got messed up.¡± While his shame went flying somewhere else and he stroked Koyuki¡¯s head while calling her ¡°Cute¡± repeatedly, Koyuki resumed licking him and saying ¡°Puu!¡± happily. Koyuki¡¯s tongue¡¯s movement changed, her lips pinched Kazuki¡¯s cheek and she started sucking with ¡®chuu¡¯ sounds. ¡°I never thought that Koyuki would demonstrate her affections like this.¡± With a plopping sound, Koyuki separated her lips from Kazuki¡¯s cheek. ¡°You¡­weren¡¯t you the one that made me lose all of my escape routes? Please take responsibility.¡± And then this time it was Kazuki''s lips, she blocked it with her own lips. She strongly pressed the lips, held his lips between her own, and with a ¡®chuu¡¯ she sucked the inside of Kazuki¡¯s mouth and frolicked around with the kiss. There was this sensation that their feelings were conveyed to each other using this contact between lips, even more than compared to the feeling that was conveyed using words. A large heart mark came flying from Koyuki¡¯s chest. ¡°Kazuki¡­is it fine for me to sleep using Kazuki as my replacement plushie?¡± Koyuki said with a sweetly intoxicated look. It looks like she meant just like that time in the Sword Division dormitory. ¡°¡­Koyuki is surprisingly spoiled huh.¡± ¡°Puu. Just for tonight.¡± ¡°It¡¯s fine but, this makes my reasoning that was trained as a swordsman come under doubt.¡± ¡°I trust you, I too still feel a little scared to do something even more than this.¡± Having great relationships with multiple girls, and understanding each of their positivity levels completely, also although he had already done kissing with some of them, but for him to take action that stepped into an even further area, some sort of determination was necessary. Koyuki smoothly bared open her maid clothes, leaving only the blouse and underwear on. ¡°W, why did you take them off!?¡± ¡°I always sleep with this appearance. Kazuki should already knows this right?¡± Toward Koyuki who came pushing her soft fair skin with reddened face, while persuading himself to keep hold of his reasoning, Kazuki accepted her and embraced her in return. ¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª And then a day just like usual began. When Kazuki, who woke up early in the morning came out to the garden of the Witch¡¯s Manor, Hoshikaze-senpai was there even though they didn¡¯t make any promise beforehand. Toward their mutual tacit understanding, a heart mark came flying from Hoshikaze-senpai. ¡°Hehehe¡± Floating a smiling face that looked like a young man, Hoshikaze-senpai prepared her katana. ¡°It¡¯s not good to skip the warm up you know?¡± ¡°Because I want to quickly exchange swords with you?¡± Kazuki made a wry smile seeing the high-spirited senpai. After they practiced for some time, the figure of Kaguya-senpai who was supposed to be weak in the morning because of her low blood pressure finally came in her negligee while walking in a stagger. The eyes that seemed to look far-away blackly and her faintly blushing cheeks¡­somehow, it looks erotic. Without even saying good morning, Kaguya-senpai suddenly clung to Kazuki who was sweaty all over. ¡°Otouto-kun, you smell even more like a man than usual--¡° ¡°Senpai, I can''t swing my sword if you hug me¡­¡± Kazuki was bewildered. When she suddenly said something about smell, he also felt some embarrassment. ¡°Wait Kaguya, don¡¯t you know that right now he''s practicing with me!?¡± Hoshikaze-senpai flared up at Kaguya-senpai. ¡°It¡¯s not fair for Hikaru to get every morning. Today is a long awaited morning, that¡¯s why the law of anti-monopoly is passed in the student council. Therefore the practice is suspended.¡± ¡°Th, that¡­¡± Hoshikaze-senpai made a crestfallen face in shock. ¡°This is tyranny! I won¡¯t recognize this just because you are the student council president! Even though I had been looking forward to practice with Hayashizaki-kun for a long time!¡± ¡°Even I had amassed my [Otou-to-kun craving] for a long time too!¡± Like she was saying that she wouldn¡¯t hand over her toy, Kaguya-senpai hugged Kazuki¡¯s head tightly. Kaguya-senpai¡¯s scent tickled his reasoning. It was the thick pheromones of the gorgeous senpai. ¡°What¡¯s with that desire?¡± ¡°¡­But, I had used Asmodeus¡¯ magic a lot recently after all.¡± Looking closely, Kaguya-senpai¡¯s pupils had changed into a violet color. S, so that¡¯s it! Senpai was sexually excited from Asmodeus¡¯ secondary effect! ¡°Otouto-kun is go-ing with me-!¡± While saying that Kaguya-senpai headlocked Kazuki. Kaguya-senpai¡¯s chest was pressed to his face completely. The bombastic and elastic sensation beyond this thin negligee¡­senpai was going no-bra when she went to sleep¡­! Seeing through the innermost thoughts of Kazuki who was like that, Kaguya-senpai was ¡°fufufuu¡± laughing. ¡°Hayashizaki-kun, your face is too slovenly! That kind of thing during the training is not good, isn¡¯t that right!?¡± Hearing what Hoshikaze-senpai pointed out, Kazuki was ¡®That¡¯s right!¡¯ and coming back to his senses with a ¡®hah!¡¯. Hoshikaze-senpai cutely pouted her lips like a duck mouth, but Kaguya-senpai tightened her headlock even more with ¡®tapun¡¯. ¡°¡­The worst. As I thought, the Witch¡¯s Manor is filthy, huh?" ¡°This voice, Kazuha-senpai?¡± When Kazuki turned to the direction of the tired voice while glued to Kaguya-senpai, Kazuha-senpai was standing there in her Sword Division uniform. Since when was she there? Perhaps she had also watched the practice. ¡°Regarding the finished off master of the ominous magic power, I came to say my gratitude but¡­¡± Saying so she poured a cold gaze to Kazuki. Of all things right now Kazuki¡¯s face was still bouncing against Kaguya-senpai¡¯s chest. Beside that Kazuha-senpai, Futsunushi no Kami¡¯s avatar was floating. ¡°GUWAHHAHHA! You had shown the demonstration of your own justice splendidly! I have to apologize for suspecting Solomon''s 72 Pillars! Sorry-. As an apology, how about I give my cooperation with Solomon''s 72 Pillars from now on!¡± Futsunushi no Kami nodded his sword body quickly. ¡°That¡¯s what Futsunushi no Kami says, still¡­I don¡¯t plan to get along with you but I came to give my greetings.¡± ¡­Don¡¯t tell me! There was something flickering in Kazuki¡®s head, he poured his magic power to Solomon¡¯s ring. Amasaki Mio¨D137 Lotte¨D113 Hiakari Koyuki¨D105 Otonashi Kaguya¨D85 Hoshikaze Hikaru¨D49 Tsukahara Kazuha¨D28 As expected Kazuha-senpai was added to the list! It was because Futsunushi no Kami had pledged his cooperation towards Leme! ¡­Though looking at it, her number was low. But based on what Leme said, the value around 30 was generally something like friend already though. ¡°In the end Kohaku¡¯s plan ended in failure. But Kohaku said that based on the result, this is good.¡± Kazuha-senpai whispered. The majority of the Sword Division¡¯s buildings were badly damaged. It seemed that the reconstruction would take a while. A large change was inevitable for the Magic Division and Sword Division from now on. Though what kind of change it would be was still unknown. ¡°Though from the beginning I don¡¯t really have any interest about the Sword Division or Magic Division, so it doesn¡¯t really matter to me. ¡­Well, for the time being thank you. That¡¯s all.¡± Kazuha-senpai turned her back to Kazuki. ¡°¡­Kazuha-senpai, if it¡¯s okay with you how about practicing together?¡± ¡°Oh, that¡¯s a good idea isn¡¯t it, Hayashizaki-kun?¡± Hoshikaze-senpai got onboard with the idea, but without turning back Kazuha-senpai was saying ''No way, why do I have to practice with you'' bluntly and refused. ¡­As he thought, the positivity level was low. Couldn¡¯t be helped really. ¡°Then just one word¡­Kazuha-senpai¡¯s muscle control balance is bad. Moreover senpai put too much strength when swinging the sword so that bad muscle balance all comes out. Because of that senpai¡¯s form is flawed and your swordsmanship becomes limp.¡± ¡°Eh?¡± Kazuha-senpai¡¯s eyes turned wide and she looked back. Surely she had some understanding of it. ¡°Senpai had always done practice-swings and practicing kata by yourself, isn¡¯t that right? ¡­Kaguya-senpai, I want to have a serious talk so please release the headlock.¡± ¡°But I, usually I was always made fun of by those guys in the class that my movement was too flawed after all. Anyway, when I try to learn how to move beautifully¡­¡± ¡°The effect is the opposite, you know? Even if you keep repeating practice-swings by yourself without noticing the source of the form¡¯s flaw, it would only make the flaw all the more. I thought that if we practice together than I could give some advice for that. Did Kohaku not give some advice like that?¡± ¡°¡­I like to practice by myself. After all, I am always being made fun of.¡± ¡°That feeling of not wanting to show anyone your efforts until you become strong and triumphed, I can honestly understand that. But practicing swordsmanship alone is absolutely no good beecause you won¡¯t be able to notice when you''ve formed a bad habit. If senpai doesn¡¯t like to practice with me, then please absolutely practice with Kohaku. Or otherwise with Kanae.¡± ¡°Y, you even say absolutely!? Alone is no good!?¡± Kazuha-senpai was staring motionlessly hearing Kazuki¡¯s strong words. ¡°Absolutely.¡± ¡°I, I know¡­I will do some consultation-¡± With a ¡®puih¡¯ Kazuha-senpai turned her back. Then she looked back with a glance. ¡°It was just a one-time fight, but you could understand the flaw of my form and the source?¡± ¡°After all, the Hayashizaki-style is a school that puts importance on observing the opponent above all else.¡± At first his step-father was only giving him perceiving training, he couldn¡¯t touch the sword at all. And then the period when he kept losing against Kanae, Kazuki too got scolded by his step-father when he trained secretly. ¡°¡­Looking at my greenhorn sword, everyone around me was just making fun of me. Thank you¡­for looking at me properly.¡± A heart mark came flying from Kazuha-senpai¡¯s back. Tsukahara Kazuha¨D29 The positivity level increased just a little. This was one more step toward becoming friends with her. ¡°GUWAHHAHHA! I am a sword but I don¡¯t know how to handle a sword! So there is actually a reason why Kazuha is a greenhorn! GUWAHHAHHA!¡± ¡°Don¡¯t laugh, stupid Futsu no Kami-! Later!¡± Leaving only those words behind, Kazuha-senpai dashed away with her Sword Division uniform flapping. ¡°Well then, how about we continue our sword practice?¡± After seeing away Kazuha-senpai, Hoshikaze-senpai showed her eagerness with her fresh sweat shining in the sun. Kaguya-senpai quickly interjected right there. ¡°Now that I remember Otouto-kun. I don''t particularly want to obstruct Hikaru but, there was a message telling Otouto-kun to come to the school early today.¡± ¡°Early? Why?¡± Kazuki tilted his head while Hoshikaze-senpai pouted her cheeks at the side. ¡°The new headmaster has something to talk about with Otouto-kun.¡± ¡ó ¡ó ¡ó ¡ó Kazuki finally arrived at the Headmaster''s Room nervously. After he knocked the door, he entered the room. The national knight academy was an important organization that was burdened with the future of Japan¡¯s defense. That being the case, the inside of the room where the top of this school performed his official duties was designed extravagantly. Red carpet was spread out, in the middle of the room a table made of marble metal and a leather sofa was placed. A lot of people connected with the government often came here. However right now in this place, the official owner of this room was not here. ¡°I will hold my post along with the headmaster post concurrently for a while. At the next student general meeting, I will do the official inauguration greeting along with the board chairman¡¯s successor.¡± ¡°¡­Is that so?¡± For the time being he didn¡¯t say any congratulations and gave an unclear reply to the new Headmaster Amasaki. Right now Headmaster Otonashi was still losing his consciousness. Similar with magic intoxication, it was still unknown whether he could recover his consciousness from now on. The new Headmaster Amasaki was gloomily making a stern face like a bird of prey. Kazuki was withering in front of him. {Oi, my King. Leme thinks that your status as a King is even greater than headmaster, isn¡¯t that right?} Leme made fun of him with telepathy. No, I¡¯m not withering because he is the headmaster¡­ Rather, the feeling that he was meeting with the father of a girl he dated was considerable. ¡°Your treatment until now¡­you are not an observation target anymore and you are going to be accepted officially as a first year of the Magic Division. We¡­I, need to apologize for my misunderstanding until now.¡± Headmaster Amasaki suddenly stood up and bowed his head to Kazuki very deeply. Kazuki was surprised at the sudden development and also rather grateful. ¡°No, in the end I am safe like this, there is no need to lower your head like that.¡± Though certainly he met a lot of harsh eyes from the staff room of the Magic Division¡­ This old man came to the battlefield searching for Mio, and he got pierced by a tentacle while blaming Nyarlatoteph''s for his wrongdoings when he saw through his real identity. Mio also desperately worked to heal this person. Surely this person is not a bad person, was what Kazuki thought. ¡°Just because you are safe doesn¡¯t change the facts. ¡­I¡¯m sorry.¡± Toward Headmaster Amasaki who obstinately lowered his head, Kazuki had a sudden inspiration. ¡°¡­Then, please lend me your strength from now on.¡± ¡°What?¡± Hearing those unexpected words, Headmaster Amasaki raised his sight. ¡°My legal standpoint is supposed to be still close to that of an illegal magician. Many in society still don¡¯t believe in me and Lemegeton yet. As I aim to be a [King], a strong shield at my back is necessary. I have had enough of all these troubles already.¡± This matter had to be said right now in this moment when he had a superior position. I need political strength. The person in front of me had that power. ¡°Please lend me the strength so I can become a King.¡± Nonetheless, no matter how superior his standing was, those were words that required courage to be said. To aim to be a King was the same as aiming for a harem. Naturally inside that harem¨Dthis person¡¯s step-daughter, Mio was included. The eyebrow of the stern old man was twitching. ¡°¡­Even if you didn¡¯t say it, I was planning to do that in the first place.¡± ¡°Eh?¡± Kazuki leaked a stupid voice from the unexpected reply. Headmaster Amasaki sat back on the chair. ¡°Right now, my first job as the headmaster is to make you considered to be a necessary existence. The first thing I plan to do is to recommend to the government to make the law concerning illegal magicians and Sacred Treasures to be more flexible.¡± ¡°Regarding illegal magicians and the Sacred Treasures¡­¡± That was certainly two of the matters that Kazuki considered as problems. Other than himself, this also had relation with how Kazuha-senpai and Kohaku were treated. ¡°The fight this time proved that even the cooperation of the [Divas that are not of Solomon''s 72 Pillars] can also bring out good things. I¡¯m collecting the data and making a written opinion for the people I¡¯m close with that are connected to the government. The Sword Division¡¯s Tsukahara Kazuha is an illegal magician too, but she is able to be accepted as the Sword Division student up to now. By some chance she could also be accepted into the Magic Division.¡± ¡°About that, I think the person herself feels reluctant though.¡± ¡°After that I have to work in erasing the blame from the false report about your conduct from the two knights that included the carrying of Sacred Treasures. I have contacted them last night but those two were wanting to meet with you. Those two are children that I formerly taught.¡± Board ChairmanAmasaki¡¯s expression loosened a little. Is that so, those two people we met in the Haunted Ground¡­Kondou-san and Souma-san also got dragged into this. ¡°In the first place those two didn¡¯t have any reason to make a false report. The one who falsified that report was me and Headmaster Otonashi. Despite my position on the board that ought to inspect the headmaster¡¯s conduct, rather, I was complicit with his actions completely. Forgive me.¡± ¡­He could guess what roughly happened. Headmaster Otonashi, for the sake of trapping Kazuki, it seemed that he made use of the two knights that happened to be present during Kazuki¡¯s quest. For that purpose he made Board Chairman Amasaki who was connected with them to conspire with him. Board Chairman Amasaki was also the side that was used¡­though maybe that kind of thinking was way too softhearted. ¡°Then, is it okay to return the Sacred Treasure those two lent me?¡± ¡°¡­Was the Sacred Treasure a useful weapon?¡± Toward Kazuki¡¯s question, the new Headmaster Amasaki answered with a question. ¡°If I didn¡¯t have that Sacred Treasure, I would be dead two times already.¡± ¡°Is that so? Then it¡¯s fine even if you carry it. From now on I will release the written opinion about effective practical use of Sacred Treasures. It will also elevate the position of the swordsmen don¡¯t you agree?¡± If that was implemented, Kohaku¡¯s wish would be granted too. This felt like he was bewitched by a fox. ¡­Really, all his wishes were forestalled by the headmaster. ¡°However the written opinion that I will release, whether or not it will have persuasive power is going to [depend on the efforts of all of you from now on]. If it¡¯s not accompanied with real results then it won¡¯t have any power at all.¡± The Board Chairman Amasaki gave such a warning. ¡°Your rank-E is also retracted. From now on you will also gradually accept more advanced quests.¡± ¡°Then¡­I can also participate in quests related to Loki!?¡± Headmaster Amasaki nodded toward Kazuki¡¯s surprised voice. The things he could do had widened in one stretch¡­! ¡°The last¡­aiming for the abolishment of the discriminatory system toward the Sword Division in this Knight Academy, we are going to integrate the management of the Magic Division and the Sword Division. Beyond that is my first work as the headmaster.¡± Making the management of the Magic Division and the Sword Division into one!? ¡­While until now the Magic Division and the Sword Division were both a course of study in the Knight Academy, in practice both of them were operated with really different systems that made them look like [practically different schools]. Making the Magic Division and the Sword Division into one was Kaguya-senpai¡¯s dearest wish, but this new Headmaster said that it would be realized at the management level. ¡°You all handed over a URD to me, but¡­the contents still cannot be verified completely, but it seems the government also has a considerable connection with Headmaster Otonashi¡¯s conduct. Probably it will turn into a big scandal. After purging the political power that is close with Headmaster Otonashi, the political power that is close with me will be left behind. No one will be raising any objections about my reforms to the Knight Academy.¡± ¡°Headmaster Amasaki¡­weren¡¯t you wounded fatally yesterday and only got emergency treatment? Aren¡¯t you working too fast?¡± ¡°Mio-tan¡­no, Mio was nursing me so I¡¯m fine.¡± Oi, you were saying Mio-tan you know, this old man. ¡°Oi jiji, you are a capable aide huh! Though your attitude is a little big.¡± Leme materialized at Kazuki¡¯s side and spewed out thoughtless remarks. ¡°¡­All of it is roughly like this but, do you have any other wish?¡± Headmaster Amasaki smoothly ignored Leme. After talking this far, my wish after this is¨D ¡°Then I only have one last thing.¡± ¡°What?¡± ¡°From now on too, please let me stay in the Witch¡¯s Manor.¡± He was not an observation target anymore. If the Magic Division and the Sword Division was integrated, he might lose a just excuse for staying in the Witch¡¯s Manor. ¡°¡­You want to stay in the Witch¡¯s Manor from now on too? Over there is a girl''s dormitory you know?¡± ¡°Yes¡± Without any hesitation he returned an immediate reply. To say the words that he didn¡¯t want to say the most, Headmaster Amasaki made a bitter face like he wanted to say those things. ¡°Over there is the most optimum place as the base of Our King¡¯s harem-making! Oi jiji, from now on you are going to cooperate with Our King¡¯s harem-making too!¡± Leme interjected with arrogant talking. Headmaster Amasaki was making a deep breath like it couldn¡¯t be helped. ¡°Haahh very well. However the Witch¡¯s Manor, in the end, is a student council dormitory. If you say that you want to live there, then you too have to become a suitable human for that.¡± Kazuki knitted his eyebrows. Those were unusually astounding words. In short what was the headmaster telling him that he needed to do? ¡°Make a conspicuous service in quests, and then becoming a rank-A like Mio and Koyuki, is that what you mean?¡± ¡°No¡­along with the integration of the Magic Division and the Sword Division the student council will be renewed completely too. It is still pending under consideration but, a new top position of Chief Student Council President is going to be made with the Magic Division¡¯s student council president and the Sword Division¡¯s student council president under it, that is the form we planned. For the purpose of making the Magic Division and the Sword Division into one, just making the system equal is not enough, a symbol that¡¯s easier to understand is necessary.¡± ¡°¡­Chief Student Council President.¡± Certainly when such a structure could be made, it felt like the whole academy will become truly one. ¡°I am thinking of doing the election for the Chief Student Council President in the next student general meeting. The candidates will be chosen from recommendations and those that announce their candidacy but, Otonashi Kaguya and Hayashizaki Kanae, and the likes of Hoshikaze Hikaru seem to be the ones that would become prominent candidates.¡± Well, looks like what he meant by suitable was around that area. Other than those three, maybe Kazuha-senpai, who was elevated by Kohaku¡¯s party, could also be included. But if possible he wanted Kaguya-senpai to be the one that was chosen. ¡°As for me¡­until now Otonashi Kaguya was forced with very heavy responsibilities by Headmaster Otonashi. I want you to lighten her burden.¡± ¡°I see, so it¡¯s like that. Please leave it to me.¡± In other words, when Kaguya-senpai becomes the Chief Student Council President, from there on it would become even harder for her so I need to give her my support, that is the condition for my continuing existence in the Witch¡¯s Manor, there is no doubt that this is what this person wants to say. ¡°Is that so, you are going to do your best?¡± When Kazuki strongly nodded, Headmaster Amasaki returned the nod with a solemn face. ¡°Then I will give you my recommendation to be a candidate.¡± ¡°¡­Eh?¡± Kazuki stiffened after hearing those unexpected words. [Recommendation] he said? No, don¡¯t tell me¡­ What he said by lessening Kaguya-senpai¡¯s burden¡­that¡¯s what he meant!? That¡¯s the suitable position!? Me!? ¡°Hayashizaki Kazuki, win this election and gain the seat of the Chief Student Council President. That is the condition for you to continue living in the Witch¡¯s Manor.¡± ¡ó ¡ó ¡ó ¡ó A [BasileusKing] that gathered all into one, the first step for that¡­ I have to become the Chief Student Council President and govern the reborn academy as one!? Chapter 4.1.1 — To the End of the Peaceful Day Volume 4 Chapter 1 - To the End of the Peaceful Day Part 1 ¡°Kazuki, between the sparklingly cute and feminine me, or the cool, conservative and adult me, which one do you like?¡± ¡­Please talk in Japanese, that was what clearly expressed in Kazuki¡¯s bewildered expression. Mio leaned her body forward even though they were in the middle of a meal, and waited for his reply while her eyes were shining in expectation. She was still in the cute maid uniform that she wore when they prepared the meal. The dining table of the Witch¡¯s Manor became quiet. ¡°What an extremely narcissistic way of talking isn¡¯t it?¡± When Koyuki ridiculed her while chewing (hamuhamu) her toast, Mio denied it with her red face. ¡°It¡¯s not like that! Not the uniform or the Magic Dress or the maid uniform, but it¡¯s just when I¡¯m wearing my casual clothes, I¡¯m concerned about what I should wear and what Kazuki thought!¡± ¡°It feels like Mio has an obsession in stylish fashion, huh?¡± ¡°It¡¯s not to the degree of an obsession but¡­if they''re a girl then of course they''ll be concerned, right?¡± When Mio said that self-conciously, Koyuki slightly hung her head down. It appears that Koyuki was disinterested in that kind of thing. ¡°No, about that there are various kinds of girls, isn¡¯t it fine?¡± ¡°Then for Kazuki it doesn¡¯t really matter what kind of appearance the girl has? Even though you like the maid uniform so much.¡± ¡°That is, if the girl dressed herself up when she comes to meet me then I¡¯ll be happy, thinking she is cute.¡± Hoshikaze-senpai was laughing ¡°ahaha¡± after she snapped a sausage (mogumogu) with her mouth. ¡°No, that is strange for senpai, right!? Please behave yourself like a girl properly!¡± ¡°But you see, in my situation, I''m happy when I wear men¡¯s clothes. Moreover, could you imagine if I wore a skirt as part of my casual clothes? I''d look funny, wouldn¡¯t I?¡± ¡°It wouldn¡¯t", I said. "I want to see senpai in that kind of getup.¡± ¡°I''d look scary like that y''know, like when a boy is participating in a crossdressing beauty contest in a cultural festival of a boys¡¯ school.¡± You¡¯ve got to be kidding, Kazuki was stricken with grief with all his words repelled back like he was standing in front of a wall of steel. ¡°Hayashizaki-kun, next time let¡¯s go check out some clothes together. Occasionally doing shopping as bonding between men is cool right?¡± ¡°And I just said senpai isn''t a man already¡­¡± ¡°All people in Japan are stylish desu. In Norse Mythology, being ostentatious felt like a sin. Though gods that were fashion-crazy like Freia-sama also exist desu.¡± Lotte said so while sipping the miso soup. On top of the antique-style wooden table, two kinds of breakfast in Japanese and Western style were arranged. Of course the one who made all of it was Kazuki and Mio. In addition to Lotte, with Leme there were seven people in the Witch¡¯s Manor. Each of them had their own preference in food. ¡°Even though there seems to be that kind of Diva, I feel that Leme is someone who prefers practicality more than aesthetic.¡± When Kazuki said that, Leme nodded saying ¡°Unyuu¡± while chewing nattou in her mouth. When Kazuki tried to wipe up Leme¡¯s mouth from the side, Leme grew restive and struggled while saying ¡°Sto-op¡±. ¡°Mio-chan is stylish, and your trademark twintails are cute too. That kind of style doesn¡¯t suit me so I¡¯m jealous.¡± Kaguya-senpai who sat beside Mio lightly tugged her twintails repeatedly. ¡°I-I-I-I looked a little childish like this, that¡¯s what I think tho-tho-tho-though.¡± To the right, to the left, having her twintails pulled to the left and right alternately like operating a handle, Mio¡¯s face and voice shook (kakukaku) around. ¡°¡­I-i-i-if I did my hair in the same style like when we were in the orphanage, I thought that when I reunited with Kazu-nii he would immediately notice me-me-me-me¡­¡± ¡°That, sorry I didn¡¯t notice it.¡± ¡°It¡¯s fine already. So, which kind of me does Kazuki prefer!?¡± After shaking off Kaguya-senpai who fooled around cheerfully, Mio once again leaned her body forward to him. ¡°Errr, in short this is about which one is good between [cute group] and [cool group], right?¡± Mio was a really girlish girl, but when she fights proudly and awe-inspiringly she also looked very much like a woman. Both [cute] and [cool], suited this girl. ¡°I think either of the two suits you.¡± ¡°What¡¯s with that~, that crude reply.¡± Mio pouted her finely shaped lips. ¡°I thought that both sides of you looked good when I try to picture it in my mind. Because Mio has both cuteness and coolness in you.¡± ¡°I, is that so? As I thought, it¡¯s like that? Ehehe.¡± ¡°But why are you suddenly asking that?¡± Toward Mio who showed a bashful expression in great delight, Kazuki stopped his chopsticks and asked, Mio suddenly stood up from the dining table. Then she abruptly grabbed Kazuki by the scruff of the neck and pulled him up to stand. ¡°Come with me a little.¡± ¡°What¡¯s with you so suddenly, we''re still in the middle of a meal! Wait a little, I¡¯m just starting to eat the grilled fish after all the difficulties I had in thoroughly removing the bones from it, you know!?¡± ¡°Otouto-kun, thank you for removing all the bones! I will eat it with deep gratitude inside! Wow, even the Japanese cuisine is very delicious~, that¡¯s what I think.¡± ¡°Please stop Kaguya-senpai-! My grilled fish-!!¡± ¡°¡­Escort.¡± Mio led Kazuki into the corridor and said that one word. ¡°Eh?¡± When Kazuki blinked, Mio suddenly opened the chest part of the maid uniform. His sight was absorbed into it against his better judgment but, a ruby silver necklace was shining at the girl¡¯s shaking breast. The shining combination of gold and crimson was the girl¡¯s trademark. ¡°Kazuki also has one of the pair, right? Are you wearing it?¡± ¡°Aah, it¡¯s not visible in the uniform but I¡¯m always wearing it.¡± ¡°When I gave that to you as a present, Kazuki, I said that as thanks for that you will give me a [princess escort] again!¡± Kazuki finally recalled it in a flash. What she called princess escort was Mio¡¯s alias for date. ¡°Aah! When we were going to date before, as the excuse for the next one¡­¡± ¡°It¡¯s not a date! It¡¯s because Kazuki said that he wanted to thank me no matter what, that¡¯s why!¡± Mio made a ruckus in embarrassment at this late hour while denying the word date. ¡°Tomorrow! The Sunday tomorrow! Wait in front of the station at noon!¡± Mio thrust her index finger sharply at Kazuki. Then without waiting for the reply, she returned to the dining room with her twintails trailing her. ¡°How one sided, though I don¡¯t mind at all. ¡­Somehow, it¡¯s a really peaceful talk,¡± A Saturday morning where there was nothing urgent. If he had to say what worried him, it was something at the level of wondering whether the grilled fish was still there. Speaking of the matter from before¡­The various regulations of the [Chief Student Council Election] would be decided in the staff meeting this weekend, it looked like it would be announced to the students at the beginning of the next week. Because Kazuki had been chosen as one of the candidates too, next week he would start activities for the election. The day where he could enjoy the peaceful days was only until the end of this week. ¡­Towards that end, he could have a pleasurable schedule. ¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª Mio chose their meeting place to be at the front of the station. Not to mention everyone in the Witch¡¯s Manor, this was so anyone in the academy also wouldn¡¯t see them going out on a date. Kazuki had confirmed that Mio was still preparing this and that when he came out from the manor, so the result was that he would have to wait for a while. Suddenly, someone covered his eyes from behind while talking in a mischievous voice. ¡°Guess~ who?¡± It was not Mio¡¯s voice. A voice that was forcefully high-pitched, a made-up voice like it was mimicking an anime character in an extremely clumsy effort, it made him unable to guess at all the owner of the voice. ¡°¡­Someone who would do something like this, Kaguya-senpai?¡± Considering all that, there was no soft sensation at all hitting his back though. Then might this be Hoshikaze-senpai that noticed the date and came to play a prank? While he was hesitating, the palms that blocked his eyes opened to the left and right suddenly. When Kazuki turned back to confirm the other party, there was Beatrix behind him. Wearing the Einherjar¡¯s black knight uniform on her body, Beatrix was standing there. A cold sweat droopingly ran through his back. It felt like there was a thick darkened wall of steel towering right in front of his eyes. ¡°Did you think it was a cute girl? How unfortunate! It¡¯s Beatrix-chan!!¡± Beatrix puffed her chest proudly as if to say ¡®how do you like that?¡¯. ¡°U¡­UOWAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!?¡± Kazuki screamed out loud while stepping back and put his hand on the katana at his hips. Why did he bring a katana despite this being a date, that was because in the middle of the date with Mio before he had an experience of being attacked by a [Stigmata Hunter]. For knights, and conforming to that, the knight candidates were permitted to possess swords freely. ¡°Fufufu, what are you panicking for? I¡¯m not especially here to fight with you, you know?¡± While Beatrix laughed with a broad grin, she chided Kazuki who was taking a battle stance. ¡°Also I¡¯m quite happy that you showed me how you lost your cool befitting with your age. You get like that just from noticing me and my greeting. Though I should say, how unfortunate, I became completely unable to fight Kazuki anymore.¡± ¡°¡­What did you say?¡± Finally Kazuki separated his hand from the handle of his katana. However, in front of his rival who he had fought a bitter fight three times already, he couldn¡¯t shake the nervousness that burdened the bottom of his stomach. ¡°This country''s suddenly changing its policy. Hayashizaki Kazuki should be in protective custody, or Charlotte Liebenfrau should be taken into humane consideration, things like that. To change their policy so suddenly like this, I don¡¯t know anymore for what reason we came to this country.¡± Beatrix complained mixed with a deep sigh and an astonished expression. The government¡¯s sudden change in its policy was probably because of Headmaster Otonashi¡¯s research that had veered off course from the path of humans came to light, resulting in many of the politicians that were related with that to lose their standing. The large faction of politicians that were favoring the Magica Stigma had completely become powerless. ¡°But the period of cooperation between the Einherjar and the Knight Order of Japan that is being done in the surface is still going to continue for a while. On the surface, the reason is that Loki still hasn¡¯t been captured, we cannot break off the promise of cooperation this late in the game. That¡¯s why there also might be some occasions where Kazuki is going to cooperate with us when you challenge a quest. Fufufu, this time there might come an occasion when you and I join hands together to defeat Loki, don¡¯t you think?¡± ¡°¡­You¡¯re really going to withdraw your hand from Lotte that easily?¡± ¡°My own country of Germany is lodging a protest to the government of Japan, but I don¡¯t know myself what will happen.¡± If she said that she wouldn¡¯t do anything to Lotte¡­then there was no reason anymore to be antagonistic to Beatrix. She was an opponent that he had fought a few times, but from the beginning he didn¡¯t have a definite relation of hostility with her. However even so, he couldn¡¯t even begin to imagine doing something like joining hands together with this person. ¡°Now I¡¯m just cooperating in patrolling together with Japan¡¯s Knight Order. For some reason with the lack of personnel, there is no one to go around the area of this academy¡¯s surroundings. And then I happened upon Kazuki, like this¡­I¡¯m playing a prank peacefully that was different until now. Wasn¡¯t it amusing?¡± ¡°It¡¯s so amusing that I though my heart was going to stop.¡± ¡°Fuffuffu. ¡­But you were really careless huh? The man that is going to become this country¡¯s King is just going to loiter around in town without even bringing any guard. If the one from before was not [Guess~ who?] but [Thor - Lightning Double Finger Attack] then your life would be gone.¡± ¡°If you approached with killing intent then I will notice it. No wait, what kind of technique did you say just now?¡± The cheeks of Beatrix that talked jokingly with a good mood was faintly showing red, he could see that she was purely having fun in her exchanges with him. However to even say something like King¡­at most he was just a lone high school student, something like guards for him was too much. ¡°Well, if it¡¯s a swordsman at the level of Kazuki can you do something like that? I had heard a legend before that the swordsmen of the orient could somehow sense an attack immediately even if they are asleep and counter-attack.¡± ¡°That¡¯s not a legend¡­well, it¡¯s an area of a master that had brought their Iaijutsu to the extreme though.¡± In the past it might be a state that was nothing more than a legend, but now it was not something impossible. Because in this era there was the magic technique that was able to control the subconscious mind. At that time, panicked sounds of footsteps could be heard coming from the direction of the academy. ¡°Kazuki-! Sorry to make you wai¡­teEEAAAAAAAAAHH~? Be, Beatrix!?¡± Mio who came dashing here, as expected she too was screaming. ¡°So you are waiting for a woman alone huh, I¡¯m jealous. Today you are wearing casual clothes that looked quite mature aren''t you, magician of the fire bird. It¡¯s cuteniedlich even looking from me who is a woman¡­¡± ¡°I got commented on by a weird guy from the very beginning even though I¡¯m dressing up for Kazuki!?¡± GA¨DN! Mio received a big shock. Then Beatrix turned back abruptly toward Kazuki. ¡°Kazuki. The you right now looks completely like a normal boy don''t you? I¡¯m feeling attracted even when this is the case but¡­let me give you one piece of advice.¡± Suddenly the smile was gone completely from Beatrix¡¯s face and she turned completely serious. ¡°You had already lost your [usual ordinary days] and the like. If added with your strength, one or two countries aiming for your life will surely appear. Germany is a moderate country so that¡¯s why that kind of dangerous direction still hasn¡¯t come yet. Though it¡¯s unfortunate for me.¡± ¡°¡­Thank you for the warning.¡± Kazuki finally replied with a tone of cynicism. Other countries¡­did that kind of matter really exist? Right now a country that had normal diplomatic relations with Japan didn¡¯t exist anywhere in the world. Kazuki too was raised until now without even imagining what was out there beyond the sea. For other countries to aim at his life was a story that really exceeded his imagination. ¡°You''re welcome. After all, I will be troubled if you got killed by someone other other than me. Fufufu, actually the truth is, since I crossed swords with you, I keep thinking about you even when I''m asleep or awake.¡± Beatrix suddenly said something strange, her sharp eyes looked like they were in a world of her own. ¡°Although just talking with you is interesting, but facing you like this, I can¡¯t stand it, I want to immediately pull out my sword and come swinging at you. Completely like an animal that cannot stay calm in its mating season. I want to kill you, even right now I want to cut your neck and make it my distinguished achievement.¡± ¡­Kazuki and Mio were becoming speechless together. ¡°Looks like somehow I''ve grown to like you! I am in love with you!¡± Leaving behind the two that were drawing away because of her speech, Beatrix put even more heat into her voice and yelled. ¡°That¡¯s why someday again without fail¡­let¡¯s try to kill each other once more! Farewell!!¡± After declaring that one-sidedly, Beatrix turned her back. That back was going far away with leisurely steps, but maybe because she felt embarrassed with her own actions gradually, she abruptly changed into a fierce dash and was gone from their sight in a flash. ¡°Kazuki, to be confessed by another girl while I¡¯m not here, you¡¯re heartless!¡± ¡°¡­No, that kind of approach also makes me troubled, such a thrill-seeking confession.¡± ¡°There is that, isn¡¯t it?¡± After putting his feelings in order, Kazuki turned back to Mio. Mio was dressing her slender body stylishly with a dungaree shirt that had a dry texture. Her hairstyle was also not the twintails but a ponytail, changing the impression of her altogether in a big way. ¡°You are dressing yourself in the cool group huh. But on the contrary, the childish part of Mio is emphasized.¡± She wore a miniskirt softly below the shirt and carrying a girlish bag in her hand, so there was no boyish impression on her. She had probably calculated everything to take that kind of balance. ¡°Really!? Ehehe, just as planned.¡± Mio came flying at Kazuki¡¯s arm excitedly. Her breast that was protruding from the shirt changed its shape (muni-) when it pressed into Kazuki¡¯s arm. The inside of his head that had been poisoned by Beatrix brightened like a blooming flower. Escorting is something like this right, while trying to remember, Kazuki embraced Mio¡¯s slender hips tightly. Mio leaned coquettishly against Kazuki¡¯s neck. A sweet smell was floating around. ¡°Well then, what kind of date shall we have? Where to?¡± ¡°I said, this isn''t a date! First is eating lunch, after that a place to play with the both of us is fine! Not something like a movie theater, something like sports center or game center where we can compete. Otherwise something like in a park where we can chat for a long time-!¡± Chapter 4.1.2 — To the End of the Peaceful Day Volume 4 Chapter 1 - To the End of the Peaceful Day Part 2 The two went to the sports center, first they were playing sports like tennis, bowling and ping-pong from start to finish in succession. Kazuki had an edge in movement reflexes, but Mio was quite familiar with the games in general excepting the kenjutsu. It became quite an even contest, making both of them mutually frustrated and fired up. Next they went to a race-swimsuit rental and decided that they would determine the conclusion at the indoor pool. However while they were swimming, the contest became vague, when they noticed they had ran to the water and played around. ¡°Even though this is a sports facility, why is there a water slide here?¡± ¡°It¡¯s really full to the brim with the mood of playing around isn¡¯t it, this uselessly extravagant equipment.¡± Once in the period of chaos when magic was born into this world, right after that Tokyo was destroyed at the hands of illegal magicians. And then for the sake of the revival of the empty space, the land was used extravagantly and large scale public facilities were increased. This sports center was also one of the products of that revival effort. The Knight Academy that Kazuki attended too, it was constructed on top of a vast plot of land with similar beginnings. When both of them climbed the water slide with height reaching several tens of meters, Mio got near Kazuki and hugged his arm tightly. ¡°But, it¡¯s scary here.¡± She said that but she laughed with a face that had no fear at all. Both of them plunged into the pipe course with the posture of hugging each other, then they were sliding down sharply. Meandering left and right, and then at the end they were thrown out to the pool (BASHAN!) and the crash sprayed water everywhere grandly. Even so Mio didn¡¯t release her hug to Kazuki and made it hard for Kazuki to stand up. ¡°This makes it hard to move you know, move a little.¡± ¡°But, after clinging once like this, it made me reluctant to separate you know?¡± ¡°What¡¯s with that¡­ I mean you''re going to cling all over the man with that kind of posture!¡± Kazuki had only just become aware of the girl¡¯s swimsuit this late in the game. Because of the red high-leg race-swimsuit that displayed the finely-shaped legs, the feel of the thin texture that clung snugly to her skin was bewitching. ¡°Hehehe-, Kazu-nii¡¯s face is turning red!¡± It seems her switch that made her want to flirt was turned on, Mio entwined both of her arms around Kazuki¡¯s neck, she even entangled both of her legs inside the water closely to Kazuki¡¯s lower body. She glued on to him using her entire body. ¡°Even your face is turning red too! Your face looks like it had been baked in a microwave oven!¡± Kazuki also made his opposition and hugged Mio back. Mio¡¯s breasts were smashed (munyun) against Kazuki¡¯s chest. Mio was ¡°goronya~¡± making a sweet voice, a large heart mark came flying to him. His body felt hot from both Mio¡¯s cuteness and also his embarrassment, the cold water of the pool felt good against the heat. ¨DThe various fun they enjoyed made the time pass in the blink of an eye. Being together with a girl like Mio made it hard to spend the time in boredom, Kazuki thought. By the time they walked home, the outside had become completely dark. When magic was born into this world, the number of big companies went down due to the alchemists, the workshops could make their presence felt. The workshops everywhere were managed by private management so the time they closed their shops were early, the street was turning dark before they could even say ¡®ah¡¯. [The age of magic reinstated the power of the night], such things could be said as well. Because the sports center Kazuki and Mio were at was an establishment that opened until relatively late, when they came outside after playing their hearts out thoroughly, the street had began to fall asleep. Japan¡¯s electricity was generated by Alchimedes System in the artificial island at the southern tip territory, over there the was recharged and then providing the distribution and substitution of the battery to every household and facility. Due to that, the scenery of electric poles and electric cables had disappeared from the street. The night sky was boundlessly spreading without anything blocking it, the light of the stars were silently shining. Kazuki and Mio were walking in that kind of street tonight. When they walked like this to return home on the previous date, there was that incident when they were attacked by the Stigmata Hunter wasn¡¯t it¡­ ¨DYou should have already lost your usual ordinary days. For some reason Beatrix¡¯s words were coming to mind. ¡°¡­Kazuki, is something wrong?¡± Towards Kazuki who unconsciously tightened his expression, Mio inquired him anxiously. ¡°It¡¯s nothing.¡± When Kazuki said that, as usual he did the [princess escort] and encircled his hand around Mio¡¯s hips while walking. Entering strength into his arms, he tightened the embrace and made Mio glued onto him even closer. ¡°Hey. Kazuki, the truth is that you don¡¯t actually like me at all¨Dthere is no way you actually feel something like that right?¡± ¡°What in the world are you saying? There is no reason something like that is going on, don¡¯t you agree?¡± ¡°Th, that¡¯s right isn¡¯t it?¡± Mio was looking down, her walking feet were suddenly stopping. Kazuki too matched her and stopped. ¡°But Kazuki is surrounded by various girls see, from now on in the future too for a long time always like today, where I can monopolize Kazuki like a lover, I won¡¯t be able to do things like that, won¡¯t I?¡± That was not a word of idea that she thought just now, there was no doubt that what she spoke out was a thought that she continued to harbor inside her chest for a long time. With a serious expression, Kazuki turned to look face-to-face with Mio. ¡°Kazuki must get even stronger, also if Lotte is not with Kazuki then her life will be in danger¡­with everyone else it¡¯s like that too. Before I knew it, everyone cannot be separated from Kazuki anymore. Kazuki acted believing that it was the right thing to do, from there your relationship with us, with everyone, became like that.¡± Mio talked with a dejected voice, like the girl that was having fun throughout this whole day was just a lie. That expression made Kazuki¡¯s heart hurt. ¡°But that is fine with me! I, I don¡¯t particularly hate it! But occasionally I want a time with just the two of us alone. And then I want to flirt around like a lover with Kazuki. Because when I¡¯m not with Kazuki I get anxious whether you really like me properly¡­ Did Kazuki care about me just because you wanted Phoenix¡¯s magic so it can¡¯t be helped, sometimes thoughts like that just came and it made me want to cry¡­¡± Tears started floating in Mio¡¯s eyes. ¡°That kind of thing is not true! Today I had a lot of fun, there is no way I only aimed for your magic!¡± ¡°Then, kiss me. The whole time today, even though I keep wanting to do that but you never did it¡­¡± Mio pressed her body even tighter to Kazuki and looked upward with blurred eyes. Offering her all completely to Kazuki, that kind of pure eyes were looking at him. ¡­It¡¯s only me that understands everyone¡¯s positivity level, yet everyone doesn¡¯t know my feelings. Kazuki once again realized the unfair relationship that he had with everyone. I must express my feelings even more, with my mouth, with my actions. Kazuki hugged Mio tightly with a lot of strength. Inside Kazuki¡¯s chest, Mio twitched in nervousness. On Mio¡¯s lovely lips that would make even a flower feel shame, Kazuki pressed his own lips. Mio too immediately pushed back to his lips strongly. So that their lips could touch each other even more sweetly, both of them changed the angle of their faces many times and keep kissing each other. The lips that were in contact with each other made ¡®chuu chuu¡¯ sounds. In truth, he had wanted to do this since they were embracing in the pool. A large heart mark came flying, the positivity level had reached the number of 145. ¡°Nnn¡­¡± Because Mio leaked out a painful voice, Kazuki separated their lips. ¡°Puhaa! ¡­My, my breath was¡­I¡¯m happy but, my breath¡­!¡± Mio was gasping for breath with teary eyes from excitement and suffocation. ¡°No, it¡¯s fine if you breathe through the nose isn¡¯t it?¡± ¡°But! Breathing through the nose on Kazuki¡¯s face is too embarrassing!¡± ¡°No, I was breathing normally through the nose though,¡± ¡°Not fair-! One more time!¡± With a bewitching red face, this time Mio was the one that started the kiss. Bird kiss¨Dlike pecking each other, they repeatedly ¡®chuu chuu¡¯ touching each other''s lips who knew how many times. ¡°N, lhove, I lhove you sho mhuch¡­¡± from the gap between the lips, Mio leaked a whispering voice. Hearing those whispers, under the vast night sky, it felt like the world had become a place for only the two of them. From the kiss that they repeated so many times, their insides had became vaguely heated, he became unable to think of anything other than Mio. Mio too surely without a doubt was in a similar condition with him. At the point of contact where the hot breaths and soft lips smashed against each other, Kazuki¡¯s heart was melting together with Mio. Both of them became one, ascertaining their mutual feelings against each other¨D ¨DRight there Kazuki felt a [killing intent]. Kazuki was a human who was able to notice such a thing. Inside his deep subconscious, he sensed hostility-filled magic power with his Extra Sense, Kazuki threw off the lingering affection of the kiss to the winds and separated their lips. ¡°Eh¡­over already¡­?¡± Mio was bewildered from the abrupt end. ¡°More¡­¡± Kazuki carried Mio who was like that in a princess-carry, he quickly dodged his body from the magic power that came approaching. Something passed through the place where Kazuki and Mio were located before with terrific speed. ¡°It was avoided¡­had you sensed me!?¡± A voice of an unknown enemy. What passed through was not a magic, but the owner of the voice itself. This someone killed all the traces of their presence, and like a comet it approached to deal a direct attack. Kazuki let Mio down after taking some distance and then he faced that opponent. ¡°Who are you¡­?¡± Kazuki put vigilance into his voice and asked. Surely a [shadow] was standing right over there. They were clad in black from head to toe complete with a black veil on his face. He hid his face but, from the slender body build it looked like the person was probably a girl. From her impression if he had to express it in one word¨Dan assassin. ¡°My presence should have been already erased and my magic power was at the minimum already¡­how could you notice me?¡± While facing Kazuki¡¯s direction, the assassin¡¯s whole body was moving languidly without power. That body wasn¡¯t strained at all, a really natural body stance. ¡­Is it a similar old style martial arts like the Hayashizaki-style, Kazuki wondered. Old style martial arts that prized a languid stance and breathing in their school were many. ¡°Kazuki, so you were not concentrating at the kiss with me then!? Then after this one more time!!¡± Mio lost her temper. How thoughtless were you? ¡°So you planned to hide your magic power huh? It¡¯s no use, you got found out after all.¡± Kazuki talked provocatively with a tone that was out of character for him. There was no information at all about his opponent. At least if he could shake the opponent¡¯s heart, he thought. The shoulder of the assassin shook with a start, like her pride was completely provoked. The next moment, that figure shook and vanished like a heat haze. The black shadow became a hurricane gust and approached Kazuki. Kazuki tried to grasp that movement¨Dshe concentrated her Enchant Aura at only the soles of her feet and created an acceleration with the minimum magic power. Evidently it was the movement of an assassin. Without any preliminary motion, also with little emission of magic power, it was hard to Foresight. However that was the story if the one that stood here was just a run-of-the-mill person. Kazuki, who had shown that he could even handle Beatrix¡¯s fierce attack evaded the opponent¡¯s charge like a matador. The assassin¡¯s hand cut the empty space where Kazuki¡¯s body was positioned before. The wind pressure flapped Kazuki¡¯s clothes with a thud. A punch¡­no, a palm strike? Was this person unable to use Summoning Magic? Or else she was cautious her contracted Diva would be revealed so she didn¡¯t use it? However to attack bare handed rather than using a sword with higher power, was there any meaning to it? However this assassin assaulted him with the intention of a surprise attack, then she revealed an agitation when it was dodged. In other words, [everything is going to be over with that one attack], she had such an aim of certain death. What kind of attack could make that happen? ¨DKazuki harbored both vigilance and curiosity at the same time. Even if he drove her away normally, he wouldn¡¯t get any information. ¡­Then, should he test it once, letting himself get hit with that attack? Kazuki turned his head behind to glance at Mio. Mio had already took some distance from Kazuki, her clothes had already transformed into her Magic Dress. If his partner was Mio, it might be okay even if he did something a little unreasonable. His decision only took a few seconds. When he thought of it calmly, as expected it might be an unreasonable decision. However Kazuki instinctively chose the risk. Kazuki drew his sword with an inviting manner and slashed it. A sweeping sideways slash. The assassin sank her body with a jerk and slip through it. And then the assassin stepped ahead quickly and slipped toward Kazuki¡¯s bosom. A super close-quarters combat range! Kazuki ventured to receive the opponent into his own bosom, he didn¡¯t even try to dodge, instead he poured all his concentration to observe the opponent¡¯s attack. To draw near until this close, even if she swung her fist it wouldn¡¯t exhibit a decent power. What in the world was this person going to do coming in at this range? ¨DWhat was unleashed, was a palm strike. With a slap, the assassin¡¯s palm hit Kazuki¡¯s chest. There was no impact. The assassin¡¯s palm was just coming into contact lightly with the surface of Kazuki¡¯s defensive magic power. At that instant, a curious magic power was emitted from the assassin¡¯s palm. That magic power which possessed a curious wavelength repulsed Kazuki¡¯s defensive magic power. With the assassin¡¯s palm as the center, a ripple was spreading out energetically, Kazuki¡¯s defensive magic power was expanding thinly. ¡­The defensive¡¯s magic power was nullified!? But how could it be done with an attack at this range¡­ ¨DAlmost at the same time, the assassin¡¯s one leg where she put her center of gravity stepped (DON!) the ground strongly. The recoil impact that was created from that action was, just like absorbing the energy from the earth itself, absorbed into the assassin¡¯s body. The assassin¡¯s whole body was operating in succession as if not to let the produced impact escape. The energy earned from stepping the ground was passing through the knee into the hips, the hips were rotating in a circle making the energy tinged with a spiraling property while passing through the spine into the shoulder, the shoulder was twisted in a circle making the spiraling force accelerate even further while moving to the arm¨D As if the whole body was depicting a spiral and turned into a screw. Seeing that characteristic movement, Kazuki was being reminded of one thing¨D½þ͸„ÅShintoukei. With the absence of diplomatic relations with foreign countries, the user of this foreign technique also had become very rare, this technique was also called °k„ÅHakkei. This kenpo technique circulates the through the body and amplified it through the use of unique breathing, that Ki-filled blow was transmitted through the spiraling movement when attacking, making the target self-destruct from the inside. That technique converted the ground stepping power into destructive power. When compared with a normal impact, the spiraling movement brought about ten times the piercing power mechanically. Therefore, for the person who had already mastered this principle, range was not needed. The spiral penetrated the muscle and destroyed the internal organs, consequently it was one hit certain death. Just from touching, the opponent was murdered from the inside, a hakkei of certain death, that was called Shintoukei. This person¡¯s technique is¡­Chinese Kenpo! So that means this person is, China¡¯s¡­ The moment he reached this conclusion, the defensive magic was nullified and that special move was driven (DON!) into Kazuki¡¯s chest. What was hit was not the chest, but the sternum. No, passing through even the sternum, toward the heart¡­ What depicted the spiral was not only the body¡¯s movement, but the magic power¡¯s aura too. It was as if a large truck was plunging into the inside of his body completely, like his heart was splattered. This might be bad¡­Kazuki thought momentarily. This was not a dimension where he could say that this was just a little test. His thoughts were blacking out. That one blow halted Kazuki¡¯s heart. Chapter 4.1.3 — To the End of the Peaceful Day Volume 4 Chapter 1 - To the End of the Peaceful Day Part 3 ¨DHowever Kazuki immediately woke up. When he woke up, Kazuki was lying down on the road with his head sleeping on Mio¡¯s lap. The assassin was not there anymore. The moon in the sky hadn¡¯t changed for even a little, the time hadn¡¯t progressed much. ¡°Kazuki!? You awake!?¡± ¡°¡­You used Life Circulation FireAnti-Aging didn''t you, thank you.¡± Kazuki released a breath in relief towards Mio¡¯s actions that were according to his expectations. Mio, who was contracted with Phoenix, was a user of that was rare even among Summoning Magic. The human race at this time, as long as they didn¡¯t use up their magic power, the case where they bore a wound in their flesh was mostly none. Because of that, the chances where healing magic could serve its purpose rarely appeared, it became an unusual rare magic to that extent. From how the assassin came challenging him in close-quarters combat with only the minimum magic power, Kazuki had seen through that the assassin owned some sort of method to pierce through defensive magic and destroy the body. Because there was the same kind of technique in the Hayashizaki-style, that was not something to be surprised about. Even if by some chance he had to bear direct damage to the flesh, he thought he would be healed anyway if there was Mio, so Kazuki purposely got hit by the enemy¡¯s technique to obtain information about the enemy. Though he had never even begun to imagine that he would be forced into [cardiac arrest]. ¡­Kazuki was shivering in his back because of his own dangerous decision at this late hour. Nevertheless since the opponent was bare-handed, the possibility that he would be wounded to the degree that it couldn¡¯t be treated by [Anti-aging] was zero. Although he fell into cardiac arrest, it was just his heart that stopped functioning temporarily because of a strong impact. The degree of his injury could be said to be light. Of course if his heart was halted for a while and the treatment was late, then the blood wouldn¡¯t circulate to the brain and the brain cells would suffer necrosis, even with healing magic, if treatment became late then¡­ Although there was the possibility of side effects remaining because of brain damage¡­ As if to clear away his dread, Kazuki asked ¡°What happened to that person?¡± ¡°[There is no worth in killing you] she escaped after leaving those words to me. That person appeared to be confident that Kazuki couldn¡¯t be saved anymore, so after waiting until that person left I used [Anti-aging].¡± Mio talked with a low tone of voice. That voice was as if she was concealing her own emotions. ¡­As I thought, the enemy seems to not expect that Mio was able to use healing magic. The medical treatment for cardiac arrest was a fight against time, but with the benefit of defensive magic power, Japan¡¯s emergency medical assistance system was conversely regressing. Even if they called an ambulance in this time of holiday, they wouldn¡¯t make it in time. Therefore the assassin judged that Kazuki was beyond saving and took flight to avoid a needless fight. Mio who waited for a moment before healing made the best decision. With that the enemy [wouldn¡¯t know about Kazuki¡¯s survival]. Kazuki recovered feeling in his body and stood up. ¡°Don¡¯t tell me it¡¯s just like what Beatrix said, an assassin really came here¡­ That assassin¡¯s technique was Chinese kenpo. So that means, this attack was instigated by China?¡± ¡°Kazuki? Don¡¯t tell me¡­you got hit by that on purpose? Even though it¡¯s Kazuki you should''ve been able to dodge it, I was wondering how that could happen instead.¡± ¡°But that¡¯s because I thought that Mio would save me.¡± What happened just now was horrifying but, the gain was considerable because they could find out the enemy¡¯s technique and origin. ¡°IDIOT!¡± Mio slapped Kazuki¡¯s cheek weakly with a snap. Kazuki was staring in puzzlement. ¡°Why did you do something so dangerous? That was your heart that got stopped, what if something happens!¡± ¡°No, I never even thought that my heart would get stopped but¡­to be able to know the enemy¡¯s technique with just that is good, isn¡¯t it? If I get hit by that technique when Mio isn''t there, it''d be more serious compared to now.¡± ¡°That''s no good! I was worried! I was really, really worried!¡± Mio¡¯s eyes were wet with tears. ¡°¡­Are you maybe thinking, that just like in the past, [It¡¯s fine whatever happens to someone like me]? Just like when our friends at the orphanage were made fun of, you just challenged the opponent even though they were an older delinquent¡­¡± ¡°Certainly, that kind of thing had happened before but. ¡­That was a story of a long time ago right?¡± ¡°No, even now I still remembered. If the kindness of Kazuki who gave maximum priority to other people was probably rooted from your own uncaring of what would happen to you, I have that kind of feeling¡­¡± That might be so. Even though he always repeated to Koyuki not to disparage herself, but a similar emotion might be ingrained deeply inside him as well. ¡°But I¡¯m an orphan after all¡­, no one needs me anyhow¡­stop that kind of thinking already! Because I like Kazu-nii very much! Because it made me sad if you are just ignoring my feelings like that! Because it¡¯s not just me, surely everyone else also thinks so too!¡± Mio¡¯s words pierced through Kazuki¡¯s chest, as if his own heart was gouged out. ¡­The feeling was not only a one-way street, so not only the life of his important person but he also had to treasure his own life. ¡°It was my bad. That was too rash of me. ¡­Thank you, Mio.¡± Kazuki hugged Mio who was crying her heart out tightly. He felt that irreplaceable warmth from her. {It was just like what Amasaki Mio said. You are the King, so Leme¡¯ll be troubled if you treat your own life so lightly.} Leme too conveyed her scolding through the Astrum into Kazuki¡¯s mind. ¡°Gusu-. Kazu-nii, kiss me to remove this bad taste.¡± ¡°What are you saying, removing a bad taste?¡± ¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª At around that same time, an emergency staff meeting was conducted at the conference room of the Knight Academy. The main objective of this meeting was to decide the various regulations of the [Chief Student Council President Election], but during this weekend there had been three incidents already where students were attacked by a suspicious person inside the school grounds. The talk about how to deal with these incidents took almost all of meeting''s time. The assaulted students were safe, but the suspicious person wore a veil and his figure was not caught by the security cameras. The penetration route also couldn¡¯t be deduced. All of it happened in the blind spot of the security cameras. For the time being they considered to add more security cameras, called for caution toward the students, and then a human support in outline¨Dthat means increasing the patrolling, nothing else could be done other than drawing such simple measures. From thereon they finally began the centerpiece topic of discussion. ¡°I think an election decided by all the students of the Magic Division and the Sword Division is fine.¡± The new Headmaster Amasaki proclaimed with a strong tone that didn¡¯t allow any objection. Headmaster Amasaki was thinking that the man his step-daughter fell in love with at first sight was suitable as the Chief Student Council President. For that, he was scheming to decide election rules that were advantageous for him. Now that former headmaster Otonashi had lost his standing, there was no one left that would go against him. That was supposed to be the case at least. However ¡°I have an objection¡±, that man raised an objection. ¨DThere was a [new Board Chairman] that was dispatched by the government. His name was Takasugi Takayoshi, a thin man wearing glasses that seemed to be high strung. ¡°Until now there was no common ground between the Magic Division and the Sword Division, don¡¯t you agree? The Magic Division doesn¡¯t know about the Sword Division¡¯s students. The Sword Division doesn¡¯t know about the Magic Division¡¯s students. Even if an election is to be held with that situation, I wonder if it wouldn¡¯t be unproductive.¡± He was an extremely common middle-aged man when seen at a glance, but a strong core could be felt from his tone. ¡°I don¡¯t think it can be said as unproductive. For example, there is the student called Hayashizaki Kazuki that has popularity in both the Magic Division and the Sword Division. That kind of student also exists. If a student like him is chosen to be the Chief Student Council President, I think it would be suitable for the new Knight Academy.¡± Liz Liza Westwood-sensei, who couldn¡¯t be seen as anything but a child at first glance objected without a moment¡¯s delay. For the sake of appointing Hayashizaki Kazuki as the Chief Student Council President, Liz Liza was colluding with Headmaster Amasaki. ¡°He has popularity in both the Magic Division and the Sword Division due to his special background of enrolling at the Magic Division despite being a swordsman, right? I wonder if the rule is not too blatantly advantageous for a student like him. As a matter of fact, it¡¯s something like the teachers are appointing the student council one sidedly.¡± That was a really surprising sound argument that even made Liz Liza silent. In the first place, the board chairman was a position for the sake of monitoring the headmaster. But Headmaster Amasaki was thinking something like, ¡®there is no way that they would appoint someone that would go against the current me right from the front, that was not supposed to happen¡¯, and the like and made light of his opposition. A guy like this that ignored the faction with strong connections and cast a sound argument was beyond his expectation¡­ Who is this guy? What kind of backing does he have that he could be appointed to come into this academy¡­ In the previous discussion about the serial assaults, he didn¡¯t make any proposals at all¡­ Board Chairman Takasugi made an intellectual gesture by pushing up the silver frame of his glasses. ¡°Certainly, Hayashizaki Kazuki might be a suitable person as the Chief Student Council President. From the story I had heard, he is one of the most prominent candidates. However there might be other students that are more qualified. I think a method like a unification election wouldn¡¯t be able to find that undiscovered possibility.¡± ¡°Then what should we do? Say it clearly, clearly.¡± Toward the skinny man who made the sound argument, Headmaster Amasaki grilled him with a question that revealed his irritation. ¡°The abilities that are demanded from someone who will stand on top of the knights, it goes without saying that the first is fighting strength, and next is his ability as the one to command his comrades depending on the battle''s progression. For the sake of testing those abilities¡­how about performing a tournament battle with teams formed from a mix of the Sword Division and the Magic Division¡­by means of [Team Election], the students will decide the Chief Student Council President, is this idea fine?¡± Board Chairman Takasugi stood up and wrote out in large words at the whiteboard. All the teachers made a commotion. Chapter 4.2.1 — The Prologue of the Election Tournament Volume 4 Chapter 2 - The Prologue of the Election Tournament Part 1 In the SHR at the beginning of the week, the students were informed of the implementation of not an [election] but a [Team Election Battle]. ¡°Team?¡± The students made a stir upon hearing that unusual word, Liz Liza-sensei slammed the teacher¡¯s desk to quiet the students down. ¡°In order to display the strength and leadership of a knight, the candidates will lead their supporters, as their comrade, and fight in this team battle. You all should think about what is required to organize a good team.¡± It was a team battle tournament that would be performed with two swordsmen and two Magica Stigma in each team, four people per team. That was the Team Election Battle. ¡°Do all the ordinary students just get to watch?¡± ¡°No, when the tournament is all over, a vote will be performed next. Even if, for example, someone wins the overall victory in the tournament, but the students judged that the way he fought is not suitable, then his chances to become the Chief Student Council President are next to zero. A manifesto for the like of a knight is not just lip service but is to be shown through battle¡­it could be said that this is not just a mere [kouyakumanifesto] but a touyakubattle pledge.¡± In other words, this tournament battle served the function of an election campaign like in a conventional election. The students would watch how the candidates fought and decide the result in a vote. ¡°What will happen with the current student council president of the Magic Division and the Sword Division?¡± One of the students inquired anxiously. She might be a fan of Kaguya-senpai or Hoshikaze-senpai. ¡°This is not a vote of no confidence, so as the general rules the present set-up of the student councils will be maintained.¡± Hearing that answer, the students, Kazuki included, released a sigh of relief. ¡°However, holding two positions at the same time will not be recognized. For example, in the case that Otonashi Kaguya is elected as the Chief Student Council President, then Kaguya will be retired from the seat of the Magic Division student council president. Thereupon, because the seat of the Magic Division student council president will be vacant, an additional election will be performed in response.¡± At the blackboard, Liz Liza-sensei put the at the top, below it and were written side-by-side, forming the picture of an organizational chart. ¡°The candidates will be gathered either by recommendation or by announcing their candidacy. The applications for this will be accepted in the staff room, so if you are interested then notify the staff room today. For recommendations, in the case that consent from the person concerned is not acquired, then it will be considered invalid. If an application of recommendation comes in, then the person concerned will be contacted, so give your declaration of intent promptly.¡± The classroom became noisy with people talking, this event that was happening so suddenly was something of great interest to many students. However for Kazuki, this event was not somebody else¡¯s problem. Because long before this day, the headmaster had told him that he would recommend him secretly as the Chief Student Council President. There was no option to veto. In order to continue to stay at the Witch¡¯s Manor, Kazuki had to win the seat of the Chief Student Council President. Headmaster Amasaki would not allow it otherwise. However, even though influential people like Kaguya-senpai existed, were they going to gather them all as candidates in this election? How could this develop into such a large-scale tournament, he had a bad feeling about this. For this event that had no precedent, it couldn''t be denied that the teachers were starting this without considering objections from the students. ¡°The briefing intended for the candidates will be carried out in the auditorium after school, the drawing for the seeding of the candidates in the tournament will be also conducted at that time. Until then, the candidates should begin forming their teams. As everyone knows, people who served as officers in the student council would go through the elite course even at the Knight Order, but this time a bonus will be awarded on their student evaluation from just participating in the tournament. I hope everyone will participate in this proactively. Also, there is one more point¡­¡± At that point the informative matter had been finished or so we thought, but Liz Liza-sensei still had some words to continue. ¡°As of last weekend, there were three incidents where students were assaulted by a suspicious person, all of it happened in succession. The students are safe, but the perpetrator was not caught by the monitoring cameras and still hasn''t been captured. Accordingly, a quest intended for the student council and high-ranking students to perform patrols and strengthen security was created. Reparations must be exacted from the perpetrator as soon as possible for looking down at the Knight Academy, don¡¯t you all agree? For that reason, students who don¡¯t have confidence in their skills should refrain from leaving their dormitory at night.¡± The Knight Academy was attacked by a suspicious person¡­what a bold move. During the commotion the students created, Kazuki was reminded of the assault by an unknown person during his date. And then during lunch break that day¡­ In order to have lunch together, Kazuki, Mio, Lotte, and Koyuki, had joined their desks into a cross shape. The moment they were going to begin, all of their cell phones vibrated simultaneously. It was a text summons from Kaguya-senpai. Even Lotte, who came to Japan penniless, was given a cell phone by the academy. The four people left the school building and headed to the Witch¡¯s Manor by cutting through the garden. In the living room of the Witch¡¯s Manor, the usual members were already gathered together: The upperclassmen duo of Kaguya-senpai and Hoshikaze-senpai. The familiar Sword Division student council trio of Kanae, Kamiizumi-senpai and Torazou-senpai. Furthermore even Kohaku and Kazuha-senpai were there. The influential people whom Kazuki was acquainted with were here in full-force. Everyone was relaxing on the antique sofa and chairs or was standing around the table freely. Kazuki and the others also took a seat at a suitable sofa. Mio sat on Kazuki¡¯s right, Koyuki sat on his left and Lotte, being a bit lost, sat on Kazuki¡¯s lap. Kazuki was thinking, ¡®Oi¡¯, but hugged Lotte from behind tightly. ¡°I wonder if everyone is here with this¡­ I called everyone here, of course, because of the matter of Team Election Battle". Kaguya-senpai looked around at everyone from the center of the living room as she started the conversation. ¡°In this room, the preeminent champions of this academy are gathered en masse. I want us to discuss and decide how these members will be divided into teams. First of all, how many among us are going to become candidates? Of course I got a recommendation for this election.¡± ¡°I was recommended too though.¡± Hoshikaze-senpai raised her hand at the very beginning. There was no way this popular person wouldn''t get recommended. ¡°That, you don¡¯t have any intention to step down, right?¡± ¡°Yes. I lost when we fought for the seat of the Magic Division¡¯s student council presidency, but this time I¡¯ll win for sure against Kaguya, you¡¯ll see!¡± ¡°Fufufu, what fine courage¡­ I¡¯ll make Hikaru cry out beautiful sounds this time as well!¡± Kaguya-senpai grinned broadly and laughed towards Hoshikaze-senpai who stood up; sparks were flying while they were staring each other down. ¡°I also received a recommendation, but I turned it down.¡± The one who said that brusquely was Kanae, who was leaning against the wall and crossed her arms. ¡°Why?¡± Kaguya-senpai asked her. ¡°That¡¯s obvious. The only suitable person to be the Chief Student Council President is Nii-sama after all. I mean, it¡¯s not like I became the student council president because I wanted to be in the first place. It¡¯s only because when I was aiming to be the strongest in the Sword Division, they made me the president as they pleased, that was all. ¡°The same with me~¡± Hearing Kanae¡¯s words, Kamiizumi-senpai who was sitting languidly on the sofa just followed along blindly without a care. ¡°These two are no good humans whose good point is their strength, all the practical work was pushed on to me just like that¡­¡± Torazou-senpai who was sitting to the side of Kamiizumi-senpai powerlessly leaned back on the sofa with his exhaustion obvious to see. ¡°Then, Kana-chan is going to enter Otouto-kun¡¯s team to fight together?¡± ¡°No¡­I¡¯ll fight Nii-sama! Nii-sama, you haven¡¯t forgotten right? During the school entrance ceremony, the oath we made that we are going to be rivals from now on too!¡± ¡°I remember but¡­ are we going to fulfill that promise in this tournament!?¡± ¡°For Nii-sama to stand at the top of this academy, you have to get through the wall that is me!¡± Kanae took a step away from the wall she had been leaning against and stared intensely at Kazuki with burning eyes. ¡°¡­With a powerful person like Kanae-san standing at the neutral position, it will become a dividing line between victory and defeat for tose who are able to recruit her. So in other words, the gist of this talk is something like that isn''t it?¡± When Hoshikaze-senpai murmured so, Kaguya-senpai was nodding strongly while saying ¡°Correct! It¡¯s just as you say!¡± ¡°I don¡¯t want a bitter competition unfolding between powerful people, so like this I created a place where we all are gathered to talk it out. First I want all of us gathered here to declare their positions, whether they are a candidate or free! Is Otouto-kun a candidate too?¡± ¡°Yes, I was recommended.¡± ¡­Although he didn''t say who recommended him. ¡°I am neither recommended nor announcing my candidacy desu.¡± ¡°I am not either.¡± ¡°¡­Same with me.¡± In succession Lotte, Koyuki and Mio, that group of three announced their position in turn. Mio was pouting a little in dissatisfaction. It seemed she wanted to get a recommendation from somebody. ¡°This is a chance that is hard to encounter, so isn¡¯t it fine if you announce your candidacy?¡± Koyuki glanced at Mio and said. When Mio made her self-introduction on the first day of school, there was her proclamation that she was aiming for student council president. ¡°If I do that I won¡¯t be able to form a team with Kazuki¡­at any rate I don¡¯t get the feeling that I could win against Kazuki or Kaguya-senpai.¡± ¡°That¡¯s unexpectedly realistic of you.¡± Koyuki made an amazed face while saying that. ¡°But a student of the Magic Division that can enter Kazuki-oniisan¡¯s team is just one person right desu?¡± When Lotte said that, those three were immediately glaring at each other. Suddenly, Kazuki became conscious of everyone¡¯s positivity level. The positivity level graph floated in front of his eyes spontaneously. [Amasaki Mio¨D146 Lotte¨D114 Hiakari Koyuki¨D108 Otonashi Kaguya¨D88 Hoshikaze Hikaru¨D50 Tsukahara Kazuha¨D29] Lotte and Koyuki¡¯s positivity level enabled him to use powerful [level 5 magic], while the high number of positivity that Mio had reached enabled him to use the [level 7 magic] that even Mio herself still couldn¡¯t use. ¡°Hiakari, didn¡¯t you fight alone with Kazuki constantly the other day in the academy¡¯s underground? You should concede this time.¡± ¡°If you say that, wasn¡¯t Amasaki-san in a party with just Kazuki for a long time?¡± ¡°Then taking the interval, this is my turn desu.¡± Against Lotte who attempted to profit from the fight between Mio and Koyuki, Mio intimidated her with ¡°Nyaa-¡°. Thereupon Lotte was barking ¡°Wan!¡± cheerfully and Koyuki was muttering ¡°Puu¡±. Hoshikaze-senpai who was watching over the three quarreling with each other like their guardian laughed ¡°Ahaha¡±. ¡°Well, rather than recruiting from the wan-nyaa-puu trio who just entered the academy a month ago, the second year students are stronger, but as I thought, if I can, I want to group together with the girls from the Witch¡¯s Manor." ¡°I was recommended too, but I stepped back. The burden is too heavy.¡± ¡°The same with me~¡± Torazou senpai was going impossible, impossible, while waving his hands, after that Kamiizumii-senpai was just following after him blindly. ¡°So all three of the Sword Division¡¯s student council aren''t becoming candidates. No, if it¡¯s like that then what will happen to the Sword Division¡¯s student council now? Kanae isn''t the president anymore, right?¡± Suddenly Kazuki noticed and asked. During the incident before where they fought against Nyarlatoteph, there was the event where Kohaku defeated Kanae and usurped the political power of the Sword Division. ¡°Even now Kohaku is still the president. I have zero intention to return to that post. At last that burden was removed from my shoulders. From now on I am not chased anymore by any routine tasks and I can give my undivided attention to Nii-sama Love!¡± Next to Kanae whose expression was so bright, Kohaku¡¯s expression was darkening drastically. ¡°¡­At that time this one had an objective and stole the president¡¯s seat, but now that it has become like this that position is nothing more than a burden. There are lots of routine tasks, it¡¯s like everyday there are always opinion letters and life consultations brought by the students, I don¡¯t even remember the names of all the students¡­and this one couldn¡¯t possibly reach Kana-nyan-senpai¡¯s charisma. Using this chance this one plans to resign from the position. And then this one will make a proposal for democratic elections to be carried out in the Sword Division from now on!¡± ¡°Na!? Wait a second, are you planning to abandon your post!?¡± ¡°This one will have Kana-nyan-senpai returned as president by any means necessary! For that reason, regarding the Chief Student Council Presidency too, this one had received the recommendation from Mikohime-sama but I declined it.¡± ¡°My recommendation was useless in the end.¡± At Kohaku¡¯s side, Kazuha-senpai pouted. ¡°Conversely, I was recommended by Kohaku but turned it down. If someone like me announced my candidacy, I¡¯d get laughed at¡­¡± These two close friends, Kohaku and Kazuha, mutually recommended each other but it looked like both of them turned it down together. ¡°Then the candidates that are in this place are Hikaru, Otouto-kun and I, the three of us huh? The number is unexpectedly low.¡± ¡°But I feel that based on the number of people is just fine, we can divide the eleven people here into three teams.¡± Everyone was nodding while Kaguya-senpai and Hoshikaze-senpai were counting the number on their fingers. There were eleven people in this room, so the calculation was that one team had to invite a swordsman from the outside. ¡°Then, I¡¯m entering Hikaru-senpai¡¯s team desu!¡± From among the group of three who were still glaring each other down, Lotte took a step back and hugged Hoshikaze-senpai. Hoshikaze-senpai happily laughed and hugged her back. ¡­It felt like seeing a prince and a princess. ¡°I really want to group together with Koyuki-chan, because I have known her the longest.¡± Kaguya-senpai gently took Koyuki¡¯s hand. Koyuki was saying ¡°Understood¡± and grasped Kaguya-senpai¡¯s hand. ¡°I¡¯m together with Kazuki-!¡± Mio looked as if she was being obstinate by herself alone and grabbed Kazuki¡¯s arm. ¡°By any chance, is Mio worried about me?¡± ¡°After all, if I¡¯m not at your side, if Kazuki¡¯s heart is stopped then¡­¡± While clinging closely to Kazuki¡¯s arm, Mio was looking down with a face that looked like it would burst into tears. ¡°It¡¯s fine you know, I won¡¯t let something like my heart stopping happen that easily¡­¡± Kazuki smiled wryly while stroking Mio¡¯s head with the intention of soothing her. ¡°Kazuki, add this one too as your comrade. And then, when we gain overall victory, let¡¯s get married.¡± ¡°If you stop pressing for marriage forcefully, then it¡¯s fine to let you join too.¡± ¡°Muu¡­ Understood,¡± with a sour look, Kohaku was added to the team. In a panic, Kazuha-senpai came and flared up. ¡°Just wait, wait, wait, Kohaku! So you''re joining the team of that shameless man!?¡± ¡°Mikohime-sama¡­Sorry, this one wants to fight together with Kazuki.¡± ¡°I don¡¯t have any acquaintances other than Kohaku in this place, you know!? I got called here without even knowing the reason yet I am made to taste this solitude¡­Gr, group formation nightmare¡­!¡± It seemed a strange trauma was stimulated inside Kazuha-senpai, her face was getting pale. Since a while ago Kazuha-senpai had been continuously feeling uncomfortable in the Witch¡¯s Manor. ¡°Then enter this team together with this one!¡± ¡°Eh? Kazuha-senpai is going to enter my team, is that so?¡± When Kazuki¡¯s eyes opened wide in surprise, Kazuha-senpai was shouting ¡°Don¡¯t misunderstand!¡± ¡°It¡¯s because I want to fight together with Kohaku! After all Kohaku is¡­she is my friend!¡± ¡°Mikohime-sama¡­to go as far as joining with this one on the same team with Kazuki, whom you dislike¡­¡± Kohaku felt touched in her heart and stared at Kazuha-senpai. ¡°Then don¡¯t call me Mikohime-sama! Call my name properly¨D!¡± ¡°Ka, Kazuha-senpai¡­¡± Kohaku who was not allowed to call Kazuha-senpai as mikohime was finally defeated decisively. ¡°I did it¡­! Though if you can, I want you to call me Kazuha without an honorific¡­!¡± Kazuha-senpai did a little guts pose. {GUWAHHAHHA, with this you two are not master and retainer, but have become genuine friends right, Kazuha!} The avatar of Futsunushi no Kami came out at Kazuha-senpai¡¯s side and guffawed loudly. Just like how Kohaku had decided Kazuki was her future husband as she pleased, it seemed she also decided Kazuha-senpai was her master. For some reason, Kohaku really made extreme assumptions, or perhaps he should say that she was a really straightforward person when she had decided something. ¡°Shut up you stupid Futsu no Kami! Don¡¯t just come out as you please!!¡± Kazuha-senpai turned bright red as she waved her hands (funfun!) around at Futsunushi no Kami¡¯s avatar. The charming and also reliable swordsmen duo were added to Kazuki¡¯s team. Seeing that situation from where she was leaning on the wall, Kanae walked and approached Kaguya-senpai¡¯s direction. ¡°Oi, Kaguya. Enter me into your team.¡± ¡°Kana-chan is entering my team? So you are finally going to be my friend!?¡± ¡°Don¡¯t misunderstand! I¡¯m reluctant to be grouped together with you but¡­I have to do this to be the greatest wall for Nii-sama. For that I must create the strongest team!¡± Kanae and Kaguya-senpai grasped each other¡¯s hands tightly. Without a doubt, the strongest team of this academy was formed right here. ¡°Oi, Iori. You join us here too.¡± ¡°Eh, I don¡¯t want to though~. Hoshikaze-san is way cooler! Though actually with Hayashizaki-kun is also fine~¡± ¡°That¡¯s okay, come to me.¡± When Hoshikaze-senpai spread her hands with a princely smile, ¡°Kyaa¡ª¡° Kamiizumi-senpai sprang up from her chair and flew to Hoshikaze-senpai spiritedly. ¡°Fuh, it couldn¡¯t be helped¡­Torazou. You¡¯re just a leftover good-for-nothing but it¡¯s sufficient.¡± ¡°¡­Rather than Kanae-kaichou, I too want to be in prince Hoshikaze¡¯s camp that looks gentler, they seem better.¡± ¡°What are you saying? Hoshikaze-hikaru has a man-phobia you know? Have some consideration, you idiot.¡± Kanae dragged Torazou-senpai¡¯s arm without allowing him to give his consent or refusal. Torazou-senpai was going ¡°Ah, that¡¯s right¡± and consenting. ¡°Besides you like mature women and there are no women here that meet your preference right? Don¡¯t get so picky.¡± ¡°No, it¡¯s not that I think of Hoshikaze-san in that way, it¡¯s just that the president duo on this side is very scary, you see¡­¡± ¡°Torazou-kun? I''m not scary at all you know?¡± Kaguya-senpai crept up unnoticed behind Torazou-senpai, then she suddenly seized his head with both hands. ¡°HIII!? Guernica-san is coming!¡± ¡°Wh, who are you calling Guernica-san!¡± Kaguya-senpai was grinding Torazou-senpai¡¯s head (guriguri) with a jolt. ¡°With this the division of the eleven people is done. Though only my team is lacking a person.¡± [Hoshikaze-senpai said so after giving all present an once-over look. Hayashizaki Kazuki - Amasaki Mio - Hikita Kohaku - Tsukahara Kazuha. Otonashi Kaguya - Hiakari Koyuki - Hayashizaki Kanae - Yamada Torazou. Hoshikaze Hikaru - Lotte - Kamiizumi Iori.] ¡°The presidents duo team is a little bit scary but, our team also isn''t bad, right?¡± Mio at his side was whispering at his ear. But Kazuki was harboring a faint anxiety, he knitted his eyebrows. ¡°Certainly we have strong members but¡­I have a feeling we will be affected by the rules.¡± ¡°Rules?¡± said Mio while she tilted her head. And then, after school: The candidates along with their team members were gathered in the auditorium. The auditorium stood tall in the inner part of the fountain square at the center of the academy, it was a remarkably splendid building. With its classic brickwork, it was fine to say that this building along with the fountain square were the symbols of this academy. The school entrance ceremony was carried out at the square in front of the fountain for the sake of the dragon handling performance, but large ceremonies like the student general meeting or the graduation ceremony were carried out in the auditorium. Kazuki and the others, a total of eleven people were finally arriving in groups at the auditorium. When the heavy door was opened, the auditorium was faintly bright from the indirect lighting that was installed on the high ceiling that drew a gentle curve, innumerable number of chairs were lined up facing the stage like a solemn theatre. ¡°There is still no one here but I wonder if there are other proper candidates? Most of the top ranks in the second year had been done in by Kaguya in duels, so they won¡¯t even feel like coming yet right? Ahaha.¡± While sitting on the suitable seat, Hoshikaze-senpai was laughing. ¡°What ''done in'', come on-, don¡¯t say it like I''m a yankee.¡± Kaguya-senpai let out a huff. Kaguya-senpai had received a hypnotic suggestion that [she should be the strongest] from her father, former headmaster Otonashi. Because of the influence of that suggestion, it seemed that until now Kaguya-senpai had kicked around the other powerful students in duels. ¡°Moreover there are a lot of people who didn¡¯t want to fight Kaguya a second time.¡± ¡°Ah, I can understand that.¡± Kazuki immediately held the same opinion. The spell lineup that would make people faint in agony such as [Fruitless Flower of HatredFeel Pain], [Pitch Black of Self-MutilationSuicide Black], and [Double PainUltra Violence], the senses isolation from [Extreme Circle of Neighboring DeathNear Death Roulette], then while the opponent was suffering from all that they would be assaulted by [Darkness of the Bottom of the ShadowDeep Specter], all of that was a nigh insurmountable horror. She wouldn¡¯t use it in duels against her fellow students, but she also had [Hell Imaginary FireGuernica] as her trump card. ¡°Hoshikaze-senpai, who keeps challenging Kaguya-senpai however many times, without a doubt, you''re an M aren¡¯t you?¡± Koyuki was whispering such, hearing that Kazuki made a face of realization. ¡°Now that you mention it¡­it¡¯s like that isn¡¯t it?¡± ¡°Wait! That''s a misunderstanding you know, Hayashizaki-kun! Because, isn¡¯t it frustrating to keep losing!!¡± ¡°That¡¯s right, the prince is only being brave!¡± From Hoshikaze-senpai¡¯s side, a girl was suddenly putting out her face. She was the member that Hoshikaze-senpai recruited, the Sword Division¡¯s second year. Her name was Kimura Tomomi-san. She had a small stature with braided hair, her atmosphere was like a na?ve small-breed dog. With just one glance it was impossible to see her as a strong swordsman, but¡­seeing her leg muscles, he was able to guess that she was fairly skilled. ¡°Wait a second Kazuki, where are you staring so intensely at!?¡± Toward Kazuki who was secretly observing the lower half of a female he was meeting for the first time, Mio pressed a question with her sharp eyes. ¡°It¡¯s just the leg muscles. The Hayashizaki-style is a school that puts importance on observing.¡± ¡°It¡¯s that kind of fetish!? Pervert! ¡­Even my legs are beautiful too, see. Look here-.¡± Mio turned her skirt lightly and revealed her beautiful slender legs. Though in truth, he didn¡¯t have that kind of fetish at all. ¡°Kazuki, make one wrong step with your speech and you¡¯ll become a mere pervert swordsman. Amasaki-san too, please don¡¯t expose your legs so easily.¡± Koyuki interjected with an amazed expression. On the other side, Kimura-senpai continued in Hoshikaze-senpai¡¯s defense heatedly. ¡°In order to defeat the evil student council president and clear away the darkness in this academy, the prince continued to fight against the unparalleled atrocious magic without faltering! Our fan club is always seeing that courageous back without fail!¡± What amazing passion. For some reason it seemed Hoshikaze-senpai had many fans in the Sword Division. ¡°I wonder if I¡¯m being treated as the great, evil Demon King among all of Hoshikaze Hikaru¡¯s fans?¡± The corners of Kaguya-senpai¡¯s lips were twitching hearing those words that were too much. Hoshikaze-senpai¡¯s team were being held properly in Hoshikaze-senpai¡¯s arms, no need to mention Kimura-senpai, even Lotte and Kamiizumi-senpai, the atmosphere around them felt even more like a harem than Kazuki¡¯s. ¡°Certainly, I who kicked around everyone indiscriminately became the student council president, but it¡¯s not like I have fought against all the powerful people in this academy you know? For example, like the Ryuutaki sisters¡­¡± Kaguya-senpai, who had pulled herself together started to talk. ¡°Well, those girls don¡¯t have any reason to announce their candidacy for something like becoming the Chief Student Council President though, isn¡¯t that right?¡± ¡°¨DAra? I wonder if all of you are talking about us by chance?¡± At that time the door of the auditorium was opening (giiii), coinciding with the appearance of a voice that had an impressive presence even in the silence. Accompanied by the light from the outside at their back, someone was entering. Just like speaking of the devil, Kaguya-senpai¡¯s eyes opened wide in a great shock. ¡°Ryuutaki Miyabi-san and Ryuutaki Shinobu-san¡­¡± It seemed they were most likely twins; their faces were like two peas in a pod. With their soft wavy long hair and their high and slender stature, they had an aura of refined high-class ladies. Symmetrical with their gorgeous impressions, there was an alert sharpness inside those long slit eyes. And then in spite of the spitting image of their build, hairstyle, and looks, there was also contrast between them. One side had black hair, while the other side had bright silver hair ¨Dan elf. ¡°These two always challenged quests by forming a party with just the two of them you see. They left great track records, so it appears that they are considerably strong, however they never had a duel with anyone. They never tried to connect with anybody else, always being just the two of them. They are quite strange.¡± Hoshikaze-senpai secretly whispered into Kazuki¡¯s ear. Did they hear the whisper, the two of them were looking this way. ¡°The elf that is me is Miyabi, this is my twin little sister Shinobu. We are second year students of the Magic Division.¡± Miyabi-senpai was immediately looking only at Kazuki. Kazuki was faltering unintentionally. Miyabi-senpai walked gracefully closer to Kazuki¡¯s position, the expressionless face that contained a sensuality somewhere was brought near Kazuki¡¯s face and then she whispered into Kazuki¡¯s ear. It was a husky voice, as if it was touching his ears. ¡°Aren¡¯t you the one who killed the [Tentacle God] that brought forth the elves into this world?¡± Kazuki was stunned involuntarily. Not to mention the existence of Nyarlatoteph, even the case about the human experiments that former Headmaster Otonashi performed was not announced to society. How could she know about that guy¡­ ¡°For the sake of self-protection, I¡¯m always putting information in order. After all, I had been targeted by a strange tentacle guy for a long time. It seems that guy wanted to use an elf like me, who had been raised up safely, as experimental material even more¡­ That¡¯s why I have to give you my gratitude right?¡± Right there Miyabi-senpai smiled widely. ¡°If it''s alright with you, how about you stop being Kaguya¡¯s lover and come to my place?¡± Miyabi-senpai reached her hand and stroked Kazuki¡¯s cheek with a manner of touching as if she was admiring a work of art. ¡°Onee-sama! ¡­Keep the jokes in moderation¡­!¡± From the direction of the younger twin with black hair¨Da flustered Shinobu-senpai was drawing closer to Miyabi-senpai while shaking her wavy hair and remonstrated that hand. Both of them had the same face, but in contrast with Miyabi-senpai who had a calm, relaxed expression, Shinobu-senpai had a grim look that seemed like she was always putting strength into her eyebrows. ¡°What do you mean a joke? I¡¯m serious you know, he is the benefactor that put down a sworn enemy of mine. There''s no way I can''t feel overwhelmed with emotion in my heart from that.¡± Floating a subtle smile, Miyabi-senpai was persistently directing a heated gaze toward Kazuki. ¡°Miyabi-san! ¡­Miyabi-san and Shinobu-san don¡¯t seem to have any interest towards something like the seat of Chief Student Council president, yet why are you here?¡± Kaguya-senpai forced her way through to the middle as if to obstruct the way and inquired of Miyabi-senpai. ¡°True, I¡¯m not interested at all. I think it''s fine even if this kind of academy ceased to function. It¡¯s impossible to not feel a cold hate in this heart. Even the case about us not fighting anyone to this day is in order for us to not get endorsed to be something like student council president imprudently.¡± ¡°If that¡¯s the case, then why?¡± Kaguya-senpai hugged Kazuki¡¯s shoulder and pulled him closer to her own direction while asking. ¡°You don¡¯t have any composure, eh.¡± While teasing Kaguya-senpai¡¯s behavior like that, ¡°We were just scouted you know? The one who is announcing their candidacy is the older gentleman of these two brothers.¡± The one who turned up in this place were not only the Ryuutaki sisters¨Dit was only natural, because the team wouldn¡¯t come into existence with just the two of them. A little late to the party, two male students entered the inside of the auditorium. ¡°Ta, Takasugi brothers!?¡± Kohaku shouted with an unpleasant expression. The ones who appeared were male students of the Sword Division with solid build. With angular faces and crew cut hair, they made a really obstinate face. Were they twins too, both of them were also the splitting image of each other. ¡°Student Council President Hikita Kohaku¡­With yours and former president Hayashizaki Kanae¡¯s way of doing things, nothing had changed in the Sword Division! We are taking action in order to change the Sword Division with our own hands!¡± ¡°We will reform this academy that give maximum priority to the Magic Division in the truest meaning! By us brothers!!¡± They both shouted loudly out of nowhere. ¡°Takasugi Sh¨±sui-senpai and Takasugi Harunari-senpai. Which is which brother, even this one couldn¡¯t spot the difference. ¡­They are terribly radical [anti-Magic Division] advocates. It¡¯s fine to say that they are already political activists even as students.¡± Kohaku talked with a fed up face. ¡°Even Kohaku was a fairly radical anti-Magic Division student right? You even moved your plan to the next stage.¡± ¡°What I advocated was only something worthless if you compared it with these two! It¡¯s like every day that they''d come to the student council room bringing their outrageous letters of opinion¡­more than half of this one¡¯s anxiety is their fault¡­!¡± Kohaku directed resentful eyes toward those two brothers. If she said that much, then they might be that extreme. As if they were responding to Kohaku¡¯s stare, both of them made a tight fist and shouted their opinions even though no one asked them. ¡°The Magica Stigma¡¯s tyranny can''t be allowed any more than this! For the sake of the country¡¯s existence, it is necessary to bring Magica Stigma thoroughly under control! Not as humans, but as weapons!¡± ¡°Our advocacy is thus, for Magica Stigma to be deprived of their basic human rights!¡± Deprivation of human rights¨DKazuki reflexively doubted his own ears. These guys, what were they saying? ¡°Listen well! The most important thing for a modern nation is the complete separation between the and the ! So that nothing but the country could carry out war, nothing but the country could wield the military power! Therefore soldiers have to be segregated from the general public, it is unacceptable for weapons to not be controlled and placed where the hand of ordinary persons couldn¡¯t reach them!¡± ¡°Soldiers and weapons are only permitted to wield their power for the sake of the country! This rule makes the difference between crime and war! This is the greatest principle that makes the distinction between a primitive community and a modern nation! Don''t you understand!?¡± I don¡¯t understand. Kazuki was dumbfounded. Kohaku was saying ¡°They are starting again¡­¡± and breathed a sigh. ¡°During the old era, military power was namely science! The members of the nation worked hard to invent resources, due to their hard work the scientific military power was reinforced, and like that the weapons they created could be handled by anyone! The fence between the soldiers with weapon mastery and the general public was erased! Consequently the government and the citizens could easily control military power! However right now is different!¡± ¡°Summoning Magic cannot be handled by anyone other than the Magica Stigma! That risk should be considered more carefully by the government! When all the Magica Stigma rebel and bring forth a coup d¡¯¨¦tat, the government won¡¯t have any means to resist! Even when they are bombed by nuclear weapons, these are the people who are able to laugh in the center of the blast like it was nothing!¡± ¡°Therefore, we will see to it that the treatment of Magica Stigma as [emotionless weapons] is carried out as thoroughly as possible without exception! The Magica Stigma have to be imprisoned in quarantine facilities and dyed completely with ideology education, all their blood relatives restrained as hostages! Like this, the new form of the military force in this present era can be regulated!¡± ¡°Turn your eyes beyond the sea! Foreign countries throw away their status as a modern country, reduced to a religious country! By giving the Magica Stigma favorable treatment, our country too is in the process of committing the same folly! The correction of direction that is finally being done now is still lukewarm! Too lukewarm I say! We are going to become the Chief Student Council of this academy and change this society little by little! The symbol of the Knight Academy has the power to achieve that much!¡± ¡°You bastards! Do you have any reason to fight!? Any motive that could stand in equal with our sublime ideology!!?¡± Right there the two became silent. It seemed their long speech was over. These guys¡­were they really serious in saying all that? They didn¡¯t have any human trust at all toward the Magica Stigma, consequently they weren¡¯t going to treat Magica Stigma as human, if it was not like that then the nation wouldn¡¯t hold true¨Din short it was an irrational argument like that. {Oi¡­Hayashizaki Kazuki. Absolutely don¡¯t lose to these guys okay¡­} Leme talked inside his head. Her tone of voice was oozing an obvious disdain. ¡°Wait a second, the tournament is nothing more than appeal time, after the fight there will be a vote right? If these people spread such claims around, there will be no way anyone from the Magic Division is going to vote for them, so even if they get the overall victory in the tournament there is no way they would be elected, isn¡¯t that the case? ¡­It¡¯s futile already from the very beginning, isn¡¯t it?¡± Hoshikaze-senpai whispered absent-mindedly. ¡­It¡¯s futile already from the very beginning she said, that was a really accurate expression. ¡°We can¡¯t really know, you know. The vote from the Magic Division is going to be distributed among all of us here, but if the votes from the Sword Division are concentrated in a heap to them, then they might get elected. The Sword Division follows the doctrine of real strength after all, if these guys get the overall victory then that kind of concerning idea is¡­¡± ¡°Even if you say that they follow that doctrine of real strength however much, I don¡¯t think even the Sword Division will have thoughts that extreme though¡­¡± Towards Kaguya-senpai¡¯s apprehension, Kohaku shook her head with a stiff expression. ¡°Fufufufufu. Interesting don¡¯t you agree? What young revolutionaries these children are.¡± Miyabi-senpai suddenly leaked out a laughing voice. Kaguya-senpai glared at her sternly. ¡°Even though you too are Magica Stigma, you''re supporting their views?¡± ¡°The miserable [victims] of the Japanese government''s [Magica Stigma absolutism] are us. Rather it¡¯s fine even if something like this country is toppled over completely right from its roots. We as elves have the right to wish for that. Isn¡¯t that right, Hiakari-san.¡± Miyabi-senpai slid her sights toward Koyuki who was an elf like her. As if to oppose her, Koyuki gripped Kazuki¡¯s sleeve tightly. ¡°Lamenting my own circumstances, peeving, begrudging someone else, I have already stopped doing all of those things. Because, there is a certain someone who found me. Someone who thought of me as precious.¡± Miyabi-senpai opened her eyes wide slightly, and then she once again looked at Kazuki. ¡°Hayashizaki Kazuki. As I thought, you are an interesting child. To do something like embracing an elf to this point, it makes me also want to try to be tamed just like this.¡± ¡°Nee-sama, please cut it out! ¡­Besides¡­such things like an elf¡­¡± ¡°What are you sulking about? Well then, how about we take a seat, Shinobu.¡± Toward Shinobu-senpai whose expression became increasingly grim, Miyabi-senpai pulled her arm along with gentle expression and took seats at a place separate from Kazuki and company. The Takasugi brothers were following along after them. When they passed by in front of Kazuki and the others on their way, they opened their eyes wide and glared at Kazuki. ¡°We appreciate your opinion, but we are not able to approve that kind of view after all.¡± Kazuki informed such toward the eyes of the two who were glaring at him. ¡°Is that so? If we are running counter with each other then it is until the fight! Don¡¯t you know, in the present where alchemy has reduced the burden on earth¡¯s resources, the wars that the human race caused are all carried out purely for ideological rivalries?¡± ¡°We will surely teach you how powerless that sword of yours, which lack ideology, is!¡± ¡°That¡¯s a cool exchange, but as swordsmen these guys are small fries, Nii-sama.¡± Kanae whispered with a sigh. The Takasugi brothers¡¯ face became bright red and their appearance filled with fury but, without saying anything back they sat behind the Ryuutaki sisters. ¡°Nii-sama, what the Takasugi brothers advocated is unpleasant, but what is troublesome might be those Ryuutaki sisters.¡± That was, from the appearances those sisters were clad in, even Kazuki could somehow understand. ¡°With this there are four teams. It¡¯s not like we can''t have a tournament with this number but, this is still very lonely isn¡¯t it? I wonder if even more will come?¡± Hoshikaze-senpai turned back towards the entrance of the auditorium while shading her eyes with her hand on her forehead and playing the fool. ¡°Hya¡ªhahha! If you wish for that then we are coming ze!¡± ¡°Uwa, don¡¯t get so carried away!?¡± Hoshikaze-senpai¡¯s eyes opened wide. The character who opened the door wide while laughing wildly was not just one person. A large number of people were following along steadily behind her. They were a mix of Magic Division and Sword Division students, a group numbering several tens of students. ¡°Kaguya-chan yoo¨D, we won¡¯t let you off from ignoring us and introducing yourself as this academy¡¯s strongest zee! I¡¯m going to teach you your place with this tournament for suree-!¡± That was what the female Magic Division student that stood at the head of the group said. ¡°Right rightt¨D, anekii¨D¡± At her side, a female student of the Magic Division said so with a child-like attitude. ¡°Mibu Akira-san and¡­Asamiya Anna-san¡­?¡± ¡°Hyuu¨D! Kaguya-chan, to remember the names of the likes of us, I¡¯m happy ze!¡± ¡°Kaichou-sama is overly serious after all, she surely remembered something like the names of all the students¨D, anekii¨D¡± The person that was called aneki was tall, while the other person that acted like a child was contrastively short, they were two people that when he looked at them, the word uneven was coming to mind. ¡°You know, something like memorizing all of your names¡­I remember how many times I had given all of you a warning. You people are problem children after all.¡± Kaguya-senpai, who was entangled with such people that acted so crudely, talked with a bitter face. ¡°Problem children?¡± Kazuki asked from the side. It had been one and a half months since he entered the academy, the strictness of this national academy could be understood quickly from his experiences. This academy was raising the knights who would become the cornerstone of the country¡¯s defense after all, so something like allowing the students to backtalk couldn¡¯t be allowed. Do something like problem children exist in this academy? ¡°It¡¯s not like they are delinquents who play hooky in class, or picking fights or committing crimes inside the school, but¡­these girls are not participating at all in duels or quests. They are students who are non-cooperative with the school¡¯s activities. The tall person is Mibu Akira-san, the short person is Asamiya Anna-san.¡± ¡°It¡¯s just that we just want to pass our time in normal high school activities zee. We have no obligation to do any quests, isn¡¯t that rightt¨D. It¡¯s so tiresome¨D you know¨D. Don¡¯t you dare look at us like we''re rotten apples just because we''re not participating in something like that¨D¡± ¡°Right rightt¨D, anekii¨D. That way of talking, these honor students are so irritating huhh¨D¡± Mibu-senpai and Asamiya-senpai¡¯s eyes contained a wildness somewhere, they constantly talked twistedly and floated a sarcastic expression. Even though they had pretty faces if they just smiled normally. There was no obligation for duels or quests¨Dthat was because there was still strong opposition from society for students of the Knight Academy to be forced into real battle. If a student graduated from the Knight Academy when they still had a low-rank, it would have a major effect toward their career promotion as a knight. Even so if the student himself didn¡¯t mind and rejected quests and duels, even the academy itself couldn¡¯t do anything strict. It was a little too exaggerated to call them delinquents, but they really seemed like it. ¡°In the Knight Academy, even if you didn¡¯t have any aspiration to become a knight, but as long as an appeared on you, you don¡¯t have any right of refusal and you are forced to enroll, so¡­these kinds of students also come out as a result. Even so I want them to live their school life positively, that¡¯s why sometimes I called them, but¡­¡± Kaguya-senpai talked with a complicated face. Kazuki reflexively looked down at his own enigma on the back of his left hand. Once, I too had experienced enrolling into this academy reluctantly. Even inside his own heart, there was once a feeling of sympathy toward the words of Mibu-senpai and Asamiya-senpai. That was why he couldn¡¯t act as if he could be overly careless. ¡°It¡¯s just, to that extent every one of these girls has low ranks but, their real strength is still unknown.¡± For the Ryuutaki sisters, because they frequently raised results in quests, they were still known as powerful people. But in regards to that, it seemed Mibu-senpai and her group, their real strength was completely unknown. Mibu-senpai and her group was standing at the lead and chattered away as they pleased. But even at their backs a line of a large number of students were gradually forming. It looked like there were several tens of people from the Magic Division and the Sword Division there. ¡°Err, those students at the rear, are all of them also delinquents?¡± ¡°¡­They are associating with those kinds of children but, it looks like some not so normal children are also mixing there. What in the world is their purpose here?¡± Kaguya-senpai made a dubious face. Certainly it was unexpected for the participants to appear like this. ¡°Nii-sama.¡± Kanae too was getting near Kazuki¡¯s ear. ¡°The swordsmen of the Sword Division that are gathering there, rather than saying that I know them as powerful people, it feels like they are quite a plain group aren''t they? There is no rank-system in the Sword Division though, so I don¡¯t really know their strength either.¡± Because of the restriction that the students of the Sword Division couldn¡¯t challenge the quest without being together with a student of Magic Division, the rank system was not created. For a long time until now, the Sword Division was treated only as the addition of the Magic Division. Different with the Magic Division who was filled with just female students, male and females were mixing in the Sword Division. When he was surveying the crowd that were wearing the uniforms of the Sword Division, suddenly, Kazuki sensed a strong gaze being poured on him. Kazuki too sent his eyes toward the owner of that gaze, his eyes met with the source. That female student was looking at Kazuki, she was making a slightly shocked face. Strong surprise could be felt, however her expression was as if it couldn¡¯t be allowed to come to the surface and she was enduring her surprise. This person was¡­ No, more precisely this person¡¯s body build, and the impression of her muscle¡¯s composition¡­ However she pretended not to notice how her eyes met with Kazuki and averted her eyes with a pretending face. Rather if she did something like that, that was, well, she was really surprised wasn¡¯t she? ¡°Looks like all the candidates have gathered.¡± Right then Liz Liza-sensei appeared on the stage holding a megaphone. As always she was a very tiny, child-like sensei, even when they were looking up at the stage from below. ¡°Ehem. Ladies and gentlemen of the chosen trash, the explanation of the battle election is going to be carried out. Take a seat, refrain from unintelligent idle talk and dig out the hole in your ears.¡± Receiving the instructions from Liz Liza-sensei that was accompanied with pointless abusive language, Mibu-senpai and the others were taking a seat too. ¡°First¡­the Chief Student Council President battle election is a team tournament between four-person teams where each team consists of two students from the Magic Division and two students from the Sword Division. The common students will watch the manner in which you fight in this tournament and then voting will be carried out. This vote is going to be carried out at the student¡¯s general meeting. Because of how important it is for the students to watch the match unobtrusively, we won¡¯t invite audiences from outside of the school like in the inter-division opposition matches.¡± The event this time was not a festival merrymaking event, to the end this was a strict and rigid situation. ¡°Originally the student general meeting was arranged for the middle of this month, but it has been postponed until the end of this month. The tournament is¡­the number of candidates is sixteen, sixteen teams. With this number of teams, the first round will have eight matches, the second round four matches, the semifinal two matches, and then the final¡­that is how this tournament shapes up.¡± A white screen was lowering (sa¨D) behind Liz Liza-sensei, on the screen the tournament chart was projected with the overall champion at the top and sixteen branches below it. To achieve the overall victory, a team must win through four matches in total. Kazuki observed the seats. There were sixteen teams of four people; that was why there were 64 students gathered here in this place. All of them were students that had seriously gathered with the intention of winning against Kaguya-senpai and Hoshikaze-senpai. ¡°The first round will be held on Wednesday in the third week of May, the second round is on Friday of the same week, with the weekend in between the semifinals would be on Monday in the week after that, and then the finals will be conducted that Wednesday. The pace is three matches in a week, you got that? After that is the student¡¯s general meeting. Starting from next month, the Knight Academy is going to move under the new Chief Student Council President.¡± The auditorium became a little noisy. Within this schedule, an important meaning was hidden. A pace of three times a week. It meant that there was nothing more than a day after the first match ended until the next match. There was some individual difference, but if someone used their magic power until rock bottom he would need around two days for a full recovery. With a pace of advancing through three matches in a week, there was the possibility that they couldn¡¯t recover their magic power. To skillfully preserve their magic power while winning through their matches was a must. ¡°It¡¯s not a one day tournament. How troublesome.¡± ¡­At his side Kaguya-senpai was whispering a frightening thing without hesitation. If they did something that hardcore, people that fell into magic intoxication would appear one after another you know? ¡°The rule of the matches is following the same rule of duels. The venue will use each of the Magic Division and the Sword Division¡¯s grounds, only the finals will be held at the fountain square.¡± Because duels were conducted with 50 meters distance between the two opponents, a fairly large place was needed. That location had satisfied that condition, on top of that because of the need of installing audience seats around the arena, it was perfectly suited for the event this time. ¡°However, as a special measure for this time only, the Magic Division¡¯s students are prohibited from using weapons, the same is true of the Sword Division¡¯s students using magic swords¨Din short fighting only using the combination of weapon skill and common magic. This is for the sake of observing how the leader would control two different units. Each team¡¯s leaders are obviously going to be assumed by the candidates. And Sacred Treasures too, for the sake of fairness, their use is prohibited.¡± As he thought that kind of rule was really coming¨D ¡°¡­I, it¡¯s a lie right¡­¡± From the seat behind Kazuki, a voice in a stupor could be heard. When he turned back, Kazuha-senpai¡¯s face was going pale. Whether Kazuki¡¯s team was strong or weak was depending on whether these kind of special rules were attached or not. Kazuki who specialized in kenjutsu despite being in the Magic Division, Kazuha-senpai who could summon Futsunushi no Kami despite being in the Sword Division, and then Kohaku who owned seven pieces of Sacred Treasures and was able to use them all skillfully without restriction¡­this team was assembled around irregular existences only. When the situation developed where Mio was the only one who could exhibit her real power like this, whether they could still win against the senpais'' teams in the end was¡­ Well, could it still be called fair with this kind of happenstance? Hayashizaki Kazuki¨Dhad to fight not as the swordsman of the Magic Division, but as a pure Magica Stigma, that was how it turned out. ¡°The referees are the teachers, but a [Battle Election Control Committee] is going to be organized. That¡¯s all. Is there any question?¡± Toward Liz Liza-sensei¡¯s question, the auditorium only returned a total silence (shi¨Dn). ¡°In that case, the anticipated lottery is going to be carried out next. Stand up you trash!¡± ¡°Hyahhaa¨D! It¡¯s lottery zee¨D!¡± Mibu-senpai thrust up both her fists and yelled. ¡°What will we get, what will we get, anekii¨D!¡± Asamiya-senpai too followed her with a loud voice. What¡¯s with them? ¡°Balls that have written numbers were placed inside this box, take one in turn. Those numbers are the match number. First is starting from Otonashi Kaguya, come!¡± Liz Liza-sensei held up and showed the box with both hands, and then she called Kaguya-senpai. Kaguya-senpai stood on the stage and took out a ball¡­¡±It¡¯s two.¡± She said. At the column of in the tournament¡¯s chart, letters of and characters was surfacing. Following her, Kazuki was called. When he took out a ball, its number was¡­¡±It¡¯s one.¡± At the column of , and his name were carved. In other words he was going to fight the first round against a team that would pull out the same number as him, in the second matches the probability of him clashing early against Kaguya-senpai was high. Following him, Hoshikaze-senpai stood on top of the stage, ¡°Five huh¡± she informed. Hoshikaze-senpai got the fifth match in the first round. If she was going to fight against Kazuki, they wouldn¡¯t get the chance until the finals. When the teams of the Witch¡¯s Manor were done being called up, next was Mibu Akira-senpai who was called to the top of the stage. ¡°I¡¯m six zee¨D! What a good-for-nothing number, hyahhaa¨D! Fuck you mee-n!¡± With unclear tension, Mibu-senpai¡¯s name was carved into the column of the sixth match. If by some chance Mibu-senpai won through the first round, it seemed she would fight against Hoshikaze-senpai at the second round. Takasugi Sh¨±sui was called next. He declared ¡°Three!¡± with a loud voice. If by some chance Kazuki defeated Kaguya-senpai, there was a chance he would face against Miyabi-senpai and her group in the semifinals. Of course there might be a chance that other powerful people were still in hiding, but¨Dthe other teams were pulling out the lottery in succession, the remaining columns in the tournament chart were filled one after another. ¡°With this the explanation meeting is over. After this in the period until the matches begin, begin your own special training.¡± Leaving behind those words in the end, Liz Liza-sensei exited the stage. Chapter 4.2.2 — The Prologue of the Election Tournament Volume 4 Chapter 2 - The Prologue of the Election Tournament Part 2 Just when the explanation meeting ended, Hoshikaze-senpai and Kazuha-senpai drew near Kazuki¡¯s position. ¡°Hayashizaki-kun, I have something to discuss, is it alright?¡± ¡°Hayashizaki Kazuki! Th, there is something I want to discuss!¡± After the two were looking at each other, ¡°Please, feel free¡± ¡°N, no please you can go first¡± They became polite and started pushing their turn to each other. During that interval where Kazuki was gazing at the two vacantly, the cell phone inside his pocket was vibrating. ¡°Please, you can start first.¡± Hoshikaze-senpai conceded her turn even further with pleasant behavior. With how net communication and foreign trade with countries overseas came to an end, the development unique to Japangalapagosization was happening again with cell phones. Under the new domestic platform, various enterprises and workshops were manufacturing and selling a great variety of models as they pleased. Kazuki¡¯s favorite model was not the so-called multi-purpose devicesmartphone, but the fixed button style devicegarakee that only stressed the telephone call and mailing function. A household account book application was installed in it, an item that was really housewife-like. What he received on his cell phone was a mail from Liz Liza-sensei. So that students could accept the contact from the academy and quest counter anytime, all of the students contact addresses were known by the teachers. {After this, come to the conference room at the academy¡¯s main building. Secretly.} It looked like the message was also sent to Kaguya-senpai at the same time. ¡°Hoshikaze-senpai, Kazuha-senpai, I have a little errand to run.¡± ¡°Understood. It¡¯s fine, it¡¯s fine. Then lend me your time around tonight at the Witch¡¯s Manor, ¡®ka¨Dy!¡± ¡°Then, then I will come around tomorrow, please¡­!¡± Hoshikaze-senpai with a clear smiling face, and Kazuha-senpai with a voice that seemed to vanish, both of them saw off Kazuki who exited the auditorium. Kaguya-senpai came along at his side, she linked her hand with Kazuki¡¯s and grasped it tightly. ¡°Otouto-kun, you got the mail too didn¡¯t you? Let¡¯s go together-!¡± Kazuki suddenly remembered the first time he met Kaguya-senpai, at that time she too suddenly linked her hand with his. I wonder how much she saved the me who was just enrolling into this academy at that time with her kind and amiable personality. There was also the awkward situation where he fought Kaguya-senpai, but he felt really happy that he could get back his connection with her once more. ¡°What are you smiling about?¡± Kaguya-senpai came to ask with a gentle expression. It¡¯s nothing, like that he waved his hand and went out of the auditorium. ¨DIf it was Kaguya-senpai however, she would want to take a detour on the way here. ¡°You''re late, you up-and-coming trash and top class trash!¡± The moment they stepped into the conference room, Liz Liza-sensei''s jeers were hurled. The one she meant as up-and-coming was me, while the top class was referring to Kaguya-senpai, was that what she meant? ¡°I really missed getting insulted like this by Liz Liza-senseii-. Liz Liza-sensei was the one in charge of me last year you know? She was a teacher that behaved with frightening looks and treating everyone with contempt because of her concern over her tiny body, but the truth is that she is a kind, cute and reliable teacher and I love her?¡± ¡°Even I know Liz Liza-sensei is a kind teacher you know? I have received help from her on several occasions.¡± ¡°¡­Stop saying such idiotic things and quickly sit.¡± Liz Liza-sensei raised her eyebrows and yelled; Kazuki and Kaguya took the seats at the table side-by-side. ¡°As a former knight, Westwood-sensei is the teacher with the best track record in this academy. Certainly she has an appearance that is easy to get on with, but don¡¯t forget to pay your respect to her.¡± Headmaster Amasaki was also inside the room. Both teachers were facing Kazuki and Kaguya right from the front. ¡°This has really become such a suspicious affair.¡± Headmaster Amasaki talked all of a sudden while leaning his body forward. ¡°What you meant as suspicious, is it about the battle election that will be held?¡± ¡°That¡¯s right. I mean in our position, we planned to decide the Chief Student Council President with a really commonplace general election. But the newly appointed Board Chairman that just came, was against it, and it became like that in the end¡­¡± Headmaster Amasaki made his old wrinkled face even more wrinkled, then he hit the table with his ferocious rage plain to see. ¡­Scary! ¡°Until now there has been no interaction between the two divisions, so the Magic Division doesn¡¯t know anything about the Sword Division, the Sword Division doesn¡¯t know anything about the Magic Division. Because of that it is unproductive, even if we do something like a general election, so let¡¯s conduct a tournament so we could see the strength and leadership as a knight, that guy gave such an opinion!¡± ¡°Isn¡¯t that a really sound argument?¡± ¡°That¡¯s right isn¡¯t it, that¡¯s a sound argument isn¡¯t it?¡± Kazuki and Kaguya-senpai unintentionally matched their voice. ¡°Because it¡¯s a sound argument it made me angry! Making such a sound argument grandly in front of the other teachers, I couldn¡¯t kill that proposal no matter how much I tried! How dare he throw mud in my face even though he is just a new appointee!¡± Oi, oi, what in the world are you saying, this frightening influential person. ¡°You know in my position, if I spread propaganda about how you defeated Otonashi Kaguya while holding an election, there is no doubt that you will get elected, then I thought of an ideal outcome where Otonashi Kaguya would support you at your side. Despite all of that, now the possibility that others students, who could care less, would get elected suddenly came to the fore!¡± ¡°No, for a teacher to do something like backing a specific student is unbecoming you know¡­¡± Though his remark about [other students who could care less], as expected it was really thoughtless wasn¡¯t it? ¡°Muu, so there was such an intention, to make me the foil¡­¡± Kaguya-senpai furrowed her eyebrows as much as she could; she also pouted her cheeks to the limit. Her dissatisfaction was demonstrated a lot on her face. It was Kaguya-senpai who was greatly indignant and furious. ¡°Errr¡­Kaguya-senpai, please don¡¯t make an extremely strange face like that even though you have an extremely rare beauty.¡± Kazuki soothed her from the side, but ¡°Otouto-kun-!¡± Kaguya-senpai turned that face to Kazuki¡¯s direction. She looked like a manju when seen right from the front. Her cheeks were soft after all so she could inflate her cheeks that much. ¡°I, I didn¡¯t lose to Otouto-kun after all! When I lost my senses and fought Otouto-kun, it looked like Otouto-kun won, however if I am in the state where my reasoning is recovered and overflowing with intelligence, then I am the stronger side! I am still the senpai and Otouto-kun is my pupil!¡± ¡°About how senpai said that you were not in your senses at that time, does senpai really not remember about that fight?¡± ¡°I don¡¯t remembeerr. I remember Otouto-kun with a cool face in a cute way, however you embraced me with the powerful arms of a boy and said [I love you] to me, other than that I don¡¯t remember anythi¨Dng.¡± ¡°Senpai really remembered the important moment with pinpoint accuracy huh? Though I don¡¯t particularly plan to withdraw.¡± ¡°That¡¯s why! It¡¯s no good for Otouto-kun to get carried away! I am the Onee-san still!¡± ¡°Ye, yes. Let¡¯s fight fair and square in the tournament.¡± Kazuki faced the teachers again while poking Kaguya-senpai¡¯s inflated cheeks repeatedly. ¡°¡­With that as the case, is there any problem by doing the tournament normally?¡± ¡°Fun, it might be okay for me to be the bad guy if you two said something like fair and square, but even for me, I don¡¯t particularly mind if Otonashi Kaguya or Hoshikaze Hikaru became the Chief Student Council President. But¡­the new board chairman that was dispatched here from the government let out this kind of opinion, and then in response to that a great number of students announced their candidacy. Those who announced their candidacy were every one of the delinquent students of the Magic Division. Do you think those guys have the will to lead the new academy if they really become the Chief Student Council President? Do you think it¡¯s not suspicious?¡± Kazuki finally noticed what this shrewd new headmaster was apprehensive about. It was wrong to have a prejudice against students because they were a delinquent, however¡­ When Kaguya-senpai too also reached the same thought as Kazuki, Headmaster Amasaki said. ¡°The newly appointed board chairman and, the students who suddenly announced their candidacy might be in collaboration with each other. For the purpose of backing a puppet student council president, that will move according to the new board chairman¡¯s intentions. Consequently he would take possession of this academy. So you are concerned of that kind of risk, right?¡± ¡°That¡¯s how it is.¡± Headmaster Amasaki nodded. The new board chairman might be bribing the delinquent students. If the new board chairman and the Chief Student Council President were in cahoots with each other, then Headmaster Amasaki¡¯s position would be in danger too. In short, the Knight Academy¡¯s hegemony was being targetted. ¡°Not only the delinquent students, but the Takasugi brothers of the Sword Division also announced their candidacy.¡± The content of what they were speaking was another matter, but those people had a strong will. ¡°The name of the new board chairman is Takasugi Takayoshi. ¡­The father of those brothers.¡± ¡°¡­I see.¡± Kazuki reflexively made a sour face. ¡°The new Board Chairman Takasugi at first made the proposal to just make the winner of the tournament as the Chief Student Council President. We were objecting against that point and in the end it was shaped so voting will also be held after the tournament. Surely it is a good thing for all the students to be granted a chance. However this Knight Academy is not a normal academy. A strange conspiracy must not be allowed behind the cover of sound arguments. It will be trouble if this important agency for the country is misappropriated like Headmaster Otonashi once did. ¡­Ah, sorry.¡± Kaguya-senpai felt completely despondent because her father was bad mouthed, Headmaster Amasaki glossed it over in a fluster. Until now the Knight Academy under the guidance of former Headmaster Otonashi gave preferential treatment toward the Magica Stigma, that action made its influence even into current society and the setting up of the Knight Order. The influence of the National Knight Academy couldn¡¯t be made light off just because at most they were only children of an academy. The students who graduated this academy would form the only national defense organization of this country, the Knight Order, the members of the student council and the Rank A students were also promised an elite course in that organization. If someone controlled the Knight Academy, it could be said that they controlled the future of the Knight Order. It was such an important national agency, and that was why¡­the Knight Academy headmaster and the board chairman were nominated by appropriate people. The former Headmaster Otonashi too, originally he was a high ranking government official that commanded a secret human experimentation project under the government. Headmaster Amasaki too had a tune of trying to appropriate the Knight Academy, however¡­if the aim of Headmaster Takasugi was to ride the current¡¯s momentum of recent public opinion and stir it toward the direction of [Magica Stigma¡¯s human rights deprivation], it was a really terrible thing. ¡°Possibly¡­Hayashizaki Kazuki, a lot of people are still half in doubt regarding your power, but there is also the possibility that someone wants to weaken your power and position by raising other candidates as obstacles. For the purpose of making you fail to become the Chief Student Council President.¡± ¡°You can¡¯t mean¡­to do something like that intentionally for someone like me¡­¡± ¡°It¡¯s not an exaggeration. Just like I, and Headmaster Otonashi in the past, people who are unable to stomach the existence of [the King of Magica Stigma] also exist. If I had to say more¡­to make an example from the old world, you are like a new weapon that is in the process of development. A nuclear weapon, something like that. The other Magic Advanced Countries that had sniffed around about you through their spies, there might be such an existence of foreign countries like that who supported Board Chairman Takasugi. What I mean by suspicious is including the matter until that far. You, is there nothing suspicious that happened around you?¡± ¡°If we talk about suspicious matters, before this, there is only that attack from a strange person that stopped my heart.¡± When Kazuki dropped that sentence so suddenly, the atmosphere of that place was freezing all of a sudden. ¡°Sorry but just now, what did you say? I don¡¯t really get it.¡± ¡°Ah, no, before this, I was attacked by a suspicious woman wearing black completely from head to toe, my heart got stopped, then I got resuscitated by Mio.¡± ¡°I, I never heard of that incident you know!? Did you report that case properly!?¡± ¡°¡­I completely forgot to report it. Because I strongly thought that the next time I encounter her again I will catch her completely and expose her true identity.¡± ¡°Are you an idiot!? Do you not understand your own value!? Far from being an obstacle in the battle election, they have already tried to assassinate you!!¡± Kazuki was rather surprised at Headmaster Amasaki¡¯s angry look. ¡­My own value. It was something that he himself didn¡¯t understand, yet this person gave his recognition over it. ¡°Otouto-kun¡­why are you being that calm after something like that?¡± Kaguya-senpai too sent a reproaching gaze right from his side. ¡°But even if I reported it to the Knight Order in the neighborhood of the Knight Academy, they won¡¯t be able to come immediately anyway.¡± Because there was the case that the students of the Knight Academy had been acting as agents of the Knight Order through doing their job in the form of quests, the deployment of knights in the surrounding areas of the Knight Academy was thin. They were foisting the lack of manpower onto the academy. ¡°¡­It had really become very suspicious huh. Even these last few days there have been assault incidents against students in this Knight Academy. Both of these cases might have a connection.¡± ¡­Kazuki was attacked on the rare day he was going out, that was why that assassin must be someone who was connected with the academy. Headmaster Amasaki had that kind of conjecture. Kazuki too also had some clue. Even in the other cases where the students were assaulted, all of it happened outside of the range of the security cameras. The meticulous way the perpetrator worked with how they perfectly grasped the blind spots of the security cameras, it was impossible to achieve for someone unconnected with the academy, something like that. Thereupon certainly these two cases might be connected. However if that was the case, putting aside the objective of the assault on Kazuki, what seemed to be the objective in attacking other students? All of the student victims managed to escape safely. What kind of foul happenings might be lurking inside these performances? Was that assassin really so incompetent? ¡°The battle election proposal due to the newly coming board chairman, the students with unknown strength that suddenly show willingness and announced their candidacy, the assassin that assaulted Hayashizaki Kazuki, the assault incident of three students¡­there are too many strange things happening at once. All of these might be connected by a single thread.¡± Liz Liza-sensei compiled all of the suspiciousness and itemized them. ¡°Do we know anything of Board Chairman Takasugi¡¯s personal history?¡± When Kazuki inquired about the character in the middle of this upheaval, Headmaster Amasaki let out a huffing breath. ¡°Obviously I know. He is a man with deep connections to a political organization called . This Kensheetou is opposed to the preferential treatment of the Magica Stigma, they extended their influence by riding the decline of the Stigmata Absolutism faction and are rapidly making their advocacy more extreme.¡± The advocacy that the Takasugi brothers spewed out before was also perfectly in line with Kensheetou¡¯s policy. ¡°We know what they are looking for in this battle election. But to go as far as attempting to assassinate Hayashizaki Kazuki¡­I doubt they are going that far for the battle election. The one that gained the most from killing Hayashizaki Kazuki are foreign countries. Kensheetou might have a black connection with another Magic Advanced Country. But it¡¯s not simple to understand something like this even if we investigate their background.¡± Board Chairman Takasugi was behind the students who were suddenly announcing their candidacy, then there was Kensheetou behind Board Chairman Takasugi, and then behind their back there might be another Magic Advanced Country¡­ This was not a problem with a shallow origin. If that was the case, it was not like he wanted to vindicate himself however, when he played a trick on that assassin and obtained information, it unexpectedly turned out to have a big significance. ¡°The assassin that came aiming for me used Chinese Kenpo. That¡¯s why I think there is a high chance that she was originating from China.¡± Hearing Kazuki¡¯s words, the three people that were hanging their heads down spontaneously raised their heads with shocked faces. ¡°¡­ country huh?¡± Ch¨±kadou¨Dthe nearest of the Seven Magic Advanced Countries to Japan. The country that was once called the People¡¯s Republic of China, due to the arrival of this age of magic they encountered the object of their faith in the ancient times, the immortal mountain sage of , the structure of their government changed from to , even the name of their country was replaced with Ch¨±kadou. However the teachings of Taoism became their political principle, even as a religious country their government was dyed with a powerful , that China was the center of the world and that all countries should be unified into China, such ideology was held as the religion that they were faithful to. They were said to be the most dangerous among the Magic Advanced Countries. Beatrix said something about an unreasonable country, where it wouldn¡¯t be strange for that country to send an assassin for Kazuki. Looking at it geographically and also the ideology, the foremost contender that was going to attempt something like this, there was nothing else other than Ch¨±kadou. ¡°From the olden days Japan is said to be a [spy heaven], but¡­ There are a lot of Kensheetou¡¯s politicians that have the personal support of China, are you telling me those guys are the ones that caused this chain of events?¡± Kaguya-senpai knitted her eyebrows in worry. To say that Kensheetou and China had an illicit connection, and that the assault on Kazuki and this uproar for the battle election were tied together, was nothing more than just speculation that rose to the surface. But when a concrete figure like China became visible, the weirdness was immediately increasing. ¡°This present state of affairs probably can be said to have started with the defeat of Nyarlatoteph and how the political influence of former Headmaster Otonashi and his faction was falling. We might have opened Pandora¡¯s Box.¡± Liz Liza-sensei spoke with a complicated expression. The former Headmaster Otonashi and his faction regarded the Stigmata as something absolute and even performed human experimentation for the sake of creating even stronger Magica Stigma, but¡­at the same time they might also have become a deterrent against China. They were also included among those who led diplomacy and the country¡¯s defense until now. The ones who caused this political chaos completely were none other than Kazuki and the others. ¡°It would be great if all of this was just needless anxiety. There are also a lot of parts that are just speculation. ¡­However if the situation is really like what we are thinking, no matter what happens you three must win through anyone in your way. Preventing the assassination of Hayashizaki Kazuki, protecting the seat of the Chief Student Council President, those are the current absolute objectives.¡± Headmaster Amasaki talked with a grave tone of voice. At this late hour, Kazuki finally felt that he was dragged into the middle of an affair so big that he couldn¡¯t even imagine it. Which reminded him, even when he was enrolling into this academy, there was something that he asked to himself. ¨DWhy, for what kind of purpose did he obtain this kind of power? Right now, Kazuki¡¯s stigmata was starting to gain even greater power and meaning, from what it was before. ¡°Otouto-kun¡­for some reason you are looking very thoughtful?¡± The time was already evening. While returning home to the Witch¡¯s Manor, Kaguya-senpai said with concern. ¡°Just because I have a special power, it¡¯s fine to not get worked up even if I do something unreasonable you know¨DThat¡¯s the kind of face that you seem to make, as I thought, Otouto-kun is still too early to become something like a student council president. You still have some ways to go, so I will protect Otouto-kun.¡± Kaguya-senpai grasped Kazuki¡¯s hand tightly. A gentle warmth¡­if he depended on senpai like this, maybe everything would become more comfortable. However Kazuki had known already, that even senpai had been continuously carrying a heavy burden alone until now in hardships. ¡°No, I too want to protect senpai.¡± The answer he found at the fight from before. That was [the power in order to protect the important things]. Kazuki squeezed back Kaguya-senpai¡¯s hand strongly, Kaguya-senpai took a long hard look at Kazuki. ¡°¡­Geez! Again with that cool, cute appearance! Just because you had become a little stronger you overreached yourself once more!!¡± Kaguya-senpai waved around her hand that was connected with Kazuki as if she was getting embarrassed. Chapter 4.2.3 — The Prologue of the Election Tournament Volume 4 Chapter 2 - The Prologue of the Election Tournament Part 3 ¡°Welcome home, Hayashizaki-kun!¡± ¡°So you¡¯ve come home, My King!¡± When he got back to his room, inside Hoshikaze-senpai and Leme were playing pro-wrestling. Leme¡¯s flying cross chop hit Hoshikaze-senpai¡¯s nape of the neck, the counter-attack came and Hoshikaze-senpai caught both feet of the escaping Leme and dealt a giant swing. Of course both of their bodies were protected by magic power, so it was only at the level of playing around with each other. Kazuki reflexively got bewildered. Mio and the others frequently came to his room, that was why he always cleaned his room so that he wouldn¡¯t be ashamed by anyone seeing them. Recently Kazuki¡¯s room could be entered freely as long as you just knocked before. However until now Hoshikaze-senpai had never come here before. ¡°It seems this person has something to talk about.¡± Leme, who was flung away to the bed and got toppled over said that. Her tunic one piece was turned up inside out and her no-panty bottom was appearing and disappearing. ¡­She was in a state where her clothes were created by magic power so he didn¡¯t pay attention, but cover yourself with panties at least. ¡°Right, right, I have something to discuss man to man!¡± The senpai that was looking at him face to face was wearing a bra-top and spats that had a mysterious feeling of luster. Those were high-performance fit-wear that were used alchemic material. It was glued to the skin closely, expanding and contracting matching with the body''s movements, the breathability was also good, it even regulated the temperature by reacting to the miniscule amount of magic power. For some reason it seemed senpai was wearing this active underwear as her room-clothes. However the problem of this underwear was that it made the line of the body perfectly stand out. It distinctly dug into the high leg line at her nether region, it also glued into the breast and bottom and just like that he could understand their shape. It was colored with two exchanging shades of deep blue and light blue, but it completely looked like body paint to him. He felt like a girl must not be allowed to come out in front of a man wearing this piece of clothes. ¡°Senpai said man to man, but senpai is not a man right? Besides senpai is¡­looking like that already.¡± Kazuki averted his eyes slightly from Hoshikaze-senpai who had an innocent expression. ¡°Hmm? Well anyway sit, sit.¡± Hoshikaze-senpai dropped her body on the bed with her legs wide open and she sat cross legged, then she urged Kazuki to sit right in front of her. To take that kind of posture with that appearance, how could he call her a man right from the front seeing her like that, he thought. But when Kazuki sat where she was indicating at, Leme came near Kazuki in a toddle. ¡°The truth is¡­she genuinely wants to conquer her man phobia. Because of that she is wishing to cooperate with you who is her friend.¡± ¡°Conquering her man phobia¡­is it?¡± Hoshikaze-senpai had a phobia of men. Despite the yearning as a prince that she received because of her androgynous beautiful face, the person in question herself was weak with men, even so she still longed for a man¡¯s friendship. What a puzzling person. ¡°From now on the interaction with the Sword Division will increase drastically right? There are a lot of boys in the Sword Division, so I was thinking that I can''t keep being like this. Especially if I¡¯m thinking of winning against Kaguya and become the Chief Student Council President after this!¡± ¡°It¡¯s certainly like that huh. But senpai¡¯s phobia of men, what kind of problem is that?¡± After Hoshikaze-senpai took a deep breath, she abruptly took hold of Kazuki¡¯s hand tightly. Even though she talked as a mature prince, what he felt was a soft hand of a girl. Kazuki felt his heart beat a little faster. On the other hand¨Dthe blood was drained from Hoshikaze-senpai¡¯s face very quickly. In the blink of an eye, tears were amassing in senpai¡¯s eyes, and her cold fingertips were shaking. ¡°Sen, senpai, please don¡¯t force yourself!¡± He couldn¡¯t bear to see her like this, Kazuki separated the hands by himself. ¡°But I don¡¯t want you to misunderstand me, it¡¯s not that I actually hate Hayashizaki-kun.¡± ¡°Of course I know that.¡± ¡°Talking while meeting face to face like this is fine for me. At first even that was scary for me, but in the time we were together I came to know that Hayashizaki-kun is a kind person then. I can keep my composure with my reasoning.¡± Hoshikaze-senpai¡¯s positivity level was¨D50. A good level where one could be said as a [good friend]. There was also the influence of her man phobia, but while doing sword practice together, their distance was shrinking little by little. ¡°Even so, things like touching and shortening the distance are still no good huh?¡± ¡°Yes. A rugged man that looks strong and their smell are scary. If just talking like this I can feel relieved that Hayashizaki-kun is a kind person, but when touching or the distance is too near, a fear is wells up somewhere deep inside me that is different from my reasoning¡­¡± ¡°Do I, really reek like a man that much? Though I think I¡¯m not effeminate.¡± ¡°As expected when I touch you it really felt like you are a real boy. By the way when I consulted Kaguya, conversely Kaguya said [normally he is a kind younger boy, however sometimes there were times where he suddenly became forceful that made my chest tighten]. Keep this a secret okay?¡± ¡°She, she said that kind of thing¡­¡± For Kazuki, Kaguya-senpai was someone that he felt the most conscious of as a [woman]. To think that Kaguya-senpai also became strongly conscious of him as a [man] in reality. Thinking of how she kept treating him like a child¡­ A, anyway this was not the time! ¡°Well then, how does senpai plan to treat this?¡± ¡°I don¡¯t know, but isn¡¯t it fine if I simply get used to a boy, that¡¯s what I thought. That¡¯s why I want to consult you, however¡­I want to freeload in this room!¡± ¡°Freeloading, does senpai plan to stay here!? Though from the beginning we had been living under the same roof, but for a boy and girl to live together in this cramped room will create problems.¡± Certainly Mio, Lotte, and Koyuki also came here to play, but by no means did they come here every night. ¡°There''s no problem! By playing together with the two of us in this airtight space and chatting at night while sleeping, a deep friendship between men will be born, with that I think I will ride past this phobia of men for sure!¡± For him to do something like passing a long time together with this innocent senpai who was wearing that kind of suggestive appearance, this side¡¯s reasoning would be the one that would become dangerous. However¡­there was no one else that senpai could rely on. ¡°Understood, if it''s really for senpai¡¯s sake, then I will show you the endurance of a swordsman!¡± Hearing that declaration, Leme was making a pouting face at his side, she sent telepathic message to Kazuki. {Recently, my King keeps chasing Leme out immediately¡­even though it¡¯s nice for Leme to be together with my King when it¡¯s time to sleep. The Lemegetonfamily service is insufficient here¡­} Sorry, Kazuki thought inside his heart to reply. Now that she talked about it, he didn¡¯t think about Leme¡¯s circumstances. Leme materialized in this world using Kazuki¡¯s magic power. That¡¯s why when she was materialized she was at Kazuki¡¯s side as much as possible, it seemed that sleeping together at night was good for her fuel consumption. But when Mio and the others came playing in this room, Leme took them into consideration and withdrew to Astrum. If Hoshikaze-senpai was staying in this room for a long time, it would be a big problem as far as Leme was concerned. {Well, it¡¯s for the sake of the harem so that¡¯s fine. This is a rare chance, so Leme will go to Futsunushi no Kami¡¯s place.} ¡­Now that she mentioned it, what became of the relationship between fellow Divas at the Astrum? {Divas have this place called perfectly. Even if Hikaru-senpai''s learning ability was really excellent, the depth of kenjutsu was even deeper. ¡°So it¡¯s like that? A perfectly clear swordsmanship¡­that¡¯s super cool! Understood, then I¡¯ll do even more practice-swings just you watch! I¡¯ll show you!!¡± ¡°But that¡¯s not something that could be achieved in a day, so for now let¡¯s polish our sense of discernment. You two, how about exchanging blows with me, this time in turn?¡± Kazuki also drew his sword from the sheath. The practice of the Hayashizaki-style used real swords. Even if they used real swords, as long as the defensive magic power was still there it would be safe. It would be more economical in magic power if they used bamboo swords, but it would create a large gap in their senses. When she faced against Kazuki who drew his sword, Kazuha-senpai froze in surprise. ¡°It¡¯s okay, I''m not thinking of something like returning the resentment of being unjustly accused at all. Fuffuffu.¡± ¡°Stoo¨Dpp! Are you actually an S¨D!?¡± ¡°¡­But to learn swordsmanship from the enemy team, for some reason it might be unfair.¡± Hikaru-senpai was laughing while taking a stance with her katana. ¡°Hikaru-senpai doesn¡¯t really feel like an enemy. Besides, the students of the Magic Division can''t use a sword by the rules at any rate.¡± ¡°That¡¯s not the case you know, my Baal has a magic that can create a weapon after all.¡± Is that so, using weapons created from Summoning Magic was not a problem in the end. Hikaru-senpai¡¯s Baal had a lot of magic that increased a person¡¯s close range combat ability that was to Kazuki¡¯s liking. Kazuha-senpai¡¯s Futsunushi no Kami was also identical. If he raised these two''s positivity levels, then he could become even stronger¡­ A calculating thought was crossing his mind, Kazuki quickly shook his head in a fluster. ¡ó ¡ó ¡ó ¡ó When both senpais became completely exhausted, the color of the sky had completely become the color of night. ¡°By the way Hikaru-senpai. Where is an area in this academy that is located in the blind spot of the security cameras?¡± Just before they returned to the Witch¡¯s Manor after the training was over, Kazuki glanced at Hikaru-senpai and asked. ¡°Why are you asking that kind of thing? Well, I don¡¯t think Kazuki will do anything bad so it doesn¡¯t matter though.¡± She didn¡¯t even have a shred of doubt toward Kazuki, Hikaru-senpai obediently taught Kazuki about the here and there of such areas. Kazuki was nodding while he was listening thinking that so far, the situation was good. Of course he didn¡¯t plan to do anything bad. Though if Mio or Kaguya-senpai knew, they would get angry. ¡°I understand. Sorry, there''s something that I really need to do tonight, so is it okay if I take a rain check on spending time together in my room?¡± ¡°Ok-kay¨D, it¡¯s fine. In a friendship between men, there''s no such thing like prying too deeply into a friend who is having circumstances after all!¡± Chapter 4.3.2 — Secret Special Training and, Secret Assault and, Secret… Volume 4 Chapter 3 - Secret Special Training and, Secret Assault and, Secret Sweet Night Part 2 The garden at night. In the space between the trees with its dark green color that looked close to an endless black, Kazuki was taking a stroll while pretending something like [sometimes I want to be alone]. In actuality even if Kazuki was together with everyone of the Witch¡¯s Manor for the whole day, he didn¡¯t feel any burden whatsoever. However, with regards to Kazuki, he ought to have a side as [a guy who waited to become alone quickly]. While taking a stroll inside the school at night, mixed with the cool night wind Kazuki felt a stare that clung all over him following him everywhere. ¡­What a simple to understand person, isn¡¯t she. So that person could feel safe and come out, Kazuki intentionally chose a time where there were no patrols and "strolled" to an area where the security cameras didn¡¯t reach. ¨DImmediately there was a slight killing intent that came approaching! ¡°Are you really thinking something ineffective that you''ve tried before will suddenly succeed if you tried it again!¡± Kazuki avoided the surprise attack like he had an eye on his back, he drew his katana while turning back. The attacker was getting panicked from Kazuki¡¯s counter attack and immediately recovered her distance. ¡°You bastard, why are you still alive? I should have killed you already for sure¡­!¡± The person who opened a distance of several steps and confronted him was the girl covered from head to toe in a black costume and veil. Looking at her build there was no mistake, she was the same assassin who attacked him before. From how this person was able to grasp the timing of Kazuki going out, he could deduce that she was someone connected with this academy. Moreover if she was also connected with the assault cases against the ordinary students, the possibility that she had grasped the placement of the security cameras was high. That was why, if he went out alone like this, Kazuki thought he would be able to lure her out. Although this person had confirmed that she had assassinated Kazuki and left once before, and yet the next day Kazuki was attending school calmly, she must have been shocked when she noticed it and became impatient. ¡°Isn¡¯t your training that¡¯s what''s insufficient? No, in your country it¡¯s called kung fu isn¡¯t it?¡± I had guessed your identity already you know, was what Kazuki indicated implicitly. Instead of a reply, the assassin kicked the ground loudly (DON¨D!). ¨Din Chinese kenpo, by stepping on the earth powerfully, the recoil was changed into energy. Using Shinkyaku, the assassin took a large stride forward from the recoil she produced and leapt at Kazuki with high speed. It was the characteristic way of walking in Chinese kenpo that was called . With a stance with a low center of gravity that was almost sinking, she stepped into the opponent¡¯s bosom in one stretch using the momentum obtained from Shinkyaku. At the same time her foot landed on the ground, she didn¡¯t let go of that momentum and operated the joints of her whole body together. When she thrust out her palm using that , the technique was fast like purple lightning, possessing the piercing power of a rifle bullet. Chinese kenpo was a fist martial arts that kicked the earth. Kazuki remembered the Shintoukei that he was hit with right from the front, he determined that it was dangerous to be touched by this person''s attacks. Therefore he mustn¡¯t parry her attacks but dodge, and slash his katana aiming for the time her attack ended. Against Kazuki¡¯s counterattack, the assassin¡¯s palm moved in a circling motion¨Dspiral motion. The assassin¡¯s palm heel hit the side of Kazuki¡¯s katana and diverted the slash¡¯s trajectory drastically. Just like a spinning top that was rotating and repelled something flying to it, the spiral motion exhibited its power even in defense. Similar with Kazuki¡¯s , this person did it with a flowing dance of her bare hands. The assassin who warded off Kazuki''s attack just like that kept her parrying arm sticking to Kazukis katana and gripped it, with that grip as the focal point, she slipped into Kazuki''s bosom. Super close-range distance. The space to swing the katana was lost. If she was glued to him this closely, the opponent was also supposed to be unable to swing her punch and kick sufficiently. ¡°BREAK!¡± However the assassin, while raising her voice with fervor that was unthinkable from a female she kicked the earth again loudly (DON!). The energy from kicking the earth was changed just like that into power. The assassin¡¯s joints in her whole body were interlocking together in a spiral motion (Gyururu!). If there was this much energy obtained from the earth, a space to swing the fist was unnecessary. A technique that could be called or possibly . ¡­Regardless of the zero point distance, a strong palm heel was coming! Kazuki immediately blocked it with the ridges of his katana. However he staggered from the terrific impact. I see, Kazuki thought. She got close as soon as she defended the opponent¡¯s attack, from that distance where she looked like she was glued to the opponent, she killed from the interval where the opponent wouldn¡¯t be able to get away. When she did this the opponent couldn¡¯t attack directly. On the other hand she herself kicked the earth strongly and with the power from the spiral motion she was hitting with a powerful blow even from zero point distance. It was said that Chinese kenpo¡¯s specialized in tactics like this. The assassin¡¯s hand held Kazuki''s katana firmly. Kazuki who was observing calmly changed his expression. A minute wave of magic power was released from the palm of the assassin. As if opposing this wave of magic power, the magic power aura that covered Kazuki''s body and katana was making a ripple and was stretching out thinly. The positive and the negative. Shintoukei¨Dthe katana was going to be broken. The assassin stepped on the earth firmly and strongly, that energy was going to be transmitted into the palm. That was enough power to break a sword that was forged using alchemy bare-handed. However before that happened, Kazuki concentrated his Enchant Aura in one point and shook away the hand of the assassin from his katana just barely. From the hand of the assassin, the energy that lost its destination dispersed. ¡­Interesting. It was a way of fighting that he had never seen before until now, a different battle doctrine. Kazuki still hadn¡¯t escaped from the range of the assassin. The assassin stepped on the ground strongly, that impact was transmitted to the leg on the opposite side and she released a powerful kick. It didn¡¯t seem likely that all her blows were infused with that peculiar magic power. However he was hesitating to get touched, so Kazuki devoted himself fully to dodging. But he wouldn¡¯t be able to break the stance of the opponent just by evading, the opponent let loose consecutive attacks as she pleased. Soon the situation turned into a one-sided defensive battle for Kazuki. ¡°How¡¯s that! This is what they mean by Senren Nensui !!¡± The assassin¡¯s movements that single-mindedly drew circular trajectories reminded Kazuki of a compass . ¡°It¡¯s just a different technique, but if it doesn¡¯t hit then it¡¯s no big deal.¡± Kazuki provoked her again while evading, the girl assassin replied back in a voice that sounded testy. ¡°¡­The kenjutsu of this academy is trash. What you bastards learned is not a killing technique, you aren¡¯t taught anything other than techniques for the sake becoming sacrifices for the Magica Stigma.¡± That was a harsh truth for his ears. ¡°I was taught the technique of human extremity. ¡­BREAK!¡± The girl assassin kicked the earth with even more strength. A loud voice (DON!) was reverberating. It was a Shinkyaku that was loaded with powerful Enchant Aura, all the recoil from kicking the earth was converted into acceleration power. That speed, its penetrating power was approaching even Beatrix or Hikaru-senpai when they were using body reinforcement magic. Certainly to reach this power without using Summoning Magic was astounding. However, because there was the preliminary action of kicking the earth strongly, it was very easy to read. ¡°Don¡¯t think for a second that you know all there is to know about this country¡¯s kenjutsu just from that much!¡± Kazuki leisurely avoided that palm strike that was launched with inhuman speed. ¡°Kuu!? How did my technique-!? Can it be dodged like that!?¡± He had already seen the bottom of this person. That was what Kazuki thought in his heart. The assassin, stirred up from his provocation, exposed a large opening from the wide swing she was attacking with. The continuous attacks came to an end right there. Kazuki finally escaped from the close range where the assassin was glued tightly to him, he took the distance where he could slash his katana. Then he imaged a flowing stroke that was like a serene clear stream in his mind¨Dand slashed down. His repeated practice-swings everyday made the image in Kazuki''s mind clear, that motion polished with Enchant Aura produced a slash with a speed just as he imagined it. The single strike that was approaching god-speed slashed apart the defensive magic power of the assassin whose posture was riddled with openings. Kazuki was not stopping there. Could he do it or couldn''t he, it was a technique whose success rate was just fifty percent, but¡­, Hayashizaki-style Dream Sword¨D ! Gouging a single scratch on the opponent''s defensive magic with the first strike. Then before the new magic power could gush out and fill the location that bore a single scratch the size of a strand of hair, a second return strike following perfectly the same trajectory of the first was piled up. Due to those miraculous strikes, the defensive magic power of the opponent was pierced through and severed the flesh on the other side. Just in an instant like a passing haze, Kazuki¡¯s katana carved two piles of line. Originally it was a technique meant for an instant kill. However this time he didn¡¯t have the intention to hurt his enemy. Gently, the veil fell from the assassin¡¯s face. ¡°What the!?¡± She raised an astonished voice, the exposed girl leaped back as if she was trying to escape. ¡°Not only your veil, I could even chop your neck if I want. This is Japan¡¯s assassination sword.¡± Inside his mind he was glad that the technique was a success while his heart was thumping loudly, even so he informed the opponent coolly. Dream sword¨Dthe secret sword that was like describing a fantasy, it wouldn¡¯t succeed except against an opponent whose skill was separated by a large gap below him. Even if, for example, he tried to test it against an opponent like Beatrix who was a [formidable enemy with no openings], it could be called nothing but rash. Though there was also an opponent who was really careless like Loki, the so called [formidable enemy riddled with openings]. ¡°Just as I thought. You were there at the tournament''s drawing weren¡¯t you?¡± At that time in the auditorium, Kazuki felt a strong gaze that couldn¡¯t hide the shock it felt. That was why this was nothing more than a confirmation. He had already investigated even her name. ¡°First year student of the Sword Division who joined Mibu Akira¡¯s team¡­Katsura Karin. That¡®s your name right?¡± The assassin who was skilled in Chinese Kenpo¨DKatsura Karin¡¯s face was colored in fury, a teeth grinding sound (giriri) was sounding. ¡°You aren''t using kenjutsu, but your skill in unarmed martial arts is quite considerable huh?¡± ¡°Even if you know my name, it won¡¯t be a problem if I kill you in this place!¡± Karin rushed ahead once more with . But he had seen the bottom of this person¡¯s strength. To say nothing of how her skill became dull from impatience and fury, it was becoming easy to Foresight her movements. Kazuki''s out of character provocation that he kept repeating was in order to make the girl lose her presence of mind. Kazuki was already able to evade her attacks with a wide berth. ¡­He even had room to chant his spell. ¡°No hesitation even if cursing thee would bring harm to myself¡­agonizing together is my joy! Cry and scream in the mirror''s reflection! Suicide Black!¡± Kazuki''s whole body was wrapped in a dusky aura. Kazuki suddenly stopped trying to dodge, he presented his own body against the opponent¡¯s palm heel. ¡°!?¡± Karin noticed the abnormality, but she couldn¡¯t stop her technique so suddenly. (DOSU!) Her palm heel sunk into Kazuki''s solar plexus¨Dthe pain that should have been produced from that blow was reflected back into Karin. [Suicide Black] was illusion magic that reflected the pain produced from an attack the user received back onto the attacker. ¡°Whh¡­gahaa! Bastard, what are you¡­¡± From the phantom pain in her abdomen that was like being hit by a miniature rocket, Karin leaked out a vomiting voice of pain. The girl was trying to use Shintoukei, but her magic power control was thrown out of whack from the phantom pain, that magic power wave was dispersed. Just as he suspected. Most likely this technique read the opponent¡¯s magic power wavelength from the palm, then she clashed the exact opposite wavelength and offset the defensive magic power. A delicate control of magic power was necessary in order to do that, if he used Asmodeus¡¯ pain magic then he would be able to seal her technique. ¡­She was not a threat anymore. ¡°What a person with no endurance. To become this full of holes and thrown out of whack just from a little pain, what a joke.¡± Kazuki made even more merciless eyes and said something like what a sadist would say because of the magic that he used. ¡°O desire lurking in the sea of the heart, passing through the deeply sinful flesh I reached this hand! O embodiment of violation, entangle all according to my desire! Desire Tentacles!¡± And then Kazuki invoked a level 1 magic that didn¡¯t need much time to activate. Countless tentacles were summoned from the ground and captured Karin who was writhing in pain. ¡°An immature brat like you still has a long way to go before you can be called an assassin.¡± Her technique was seen through by Kazuki''s calm observation, she became completely furious from his provocation, and was unable to deal with an unknown magic¨DRight now, Karin¡¯s whole body was restrained one-sidedly. Karin was struggling around in frustration, but the girl couldn¡¯t escape with physical strength. ¡°Why did you target me? Is your objective my life? Or else the seat of the Chief Student Council? The backer behind you, is it another Magic Advanced Country¡­as I thought, is it China?¡± Karin averted her eyes from Kazuki and she didn¡¯t even try to open her mouth. It was a natural reaction though, and couldn¡¯t be helped. ¡°If you don¡¯t confess, then I¡¯ll make that black and thick tentacle do something traumatic to you, do you want that?¡± Kazuki lowered his voice and threatened the girl. ¡­But as expected that kind of thing didn¡¯t really agree with me. Countless tentacles with black luster that just by looking at them would make you wrap in disgust were twining around the girl¡¯s limbs and wriggling around (nyou-nyou). However Karin¡¯s expression didn¡¯t change. ¡°¡­O flower of goblin, blossom in your full glory alluringly¡­¡± In a whisper, Karin¡¯s mouth was spinning words. ¡­A spell!? Kazuki tightened the tentacles entanglement in a fluster. However this [Desire Tentacles] by nature was an attack for the purpose of obstructing spell chanting, it had no power. Should he cut her with his katana, that thought passed for only an instant before Kazuki hesitated¨Dhe chose to dare in letting the opponent invoke her Summoning Magic and observe it. Katsura Karin who was supposed to be a student of the Sword Division, but she was now attempting to chant Summoning Magic! ¡°What is opening tonight is the banquet of brutes, raise the red hot pillar against the sinner of brutal theft, inclined that life as the appetizer and the cup of joy. Torture of a thousand years of heaven, right here in this place¡­Giant Baking Pan Black Rope HellDaihouraku Kokujou Jigoku!!¡± (DOGON!) Along with an enormous sound, several steel pillars were rising around the girl while rotating. The number of pillars were ten. The pillars were emitting a glossy light of oil while burning red and giving off a choking stench. From the ten steel pillars, several lines of black string were suddenly fired radially. The black ropes immediately turned to Kazuki and the black tentacles and stretched out. ¡­This is, a rope made of human¡¯s braided hair! Kazuki escaped but the hairs in a number that was impossible to escape were reaching out to him. Finally the black rope twined around Kazuki¡¯s foot! Kazuki tried to cut it with his katana, but with a grinding sound the black rope resisted the blade, he wasn¡¯t able to sever it. ¡°Burn all things in contact to ash¡­scorching heat of rejection without a place to go! Self Burning!¡± Kazuki Foresighted the sign of heat element magic and setup his defensive magic. His way of using it was different from expectation but he tried to burn the black rope with the flame armor. ¨DEven so it couldn¡¯t be burned. A degree of endurance like it was filled full with a curse. The black rope dragged Kazuki (zuruzuru) toward the ominous steel pillar that was releasing a wretched stench and fierce heat. ¡°Sheet-!¡± Impatiently, Kazuki concentrated the flame into the katana in his hand using Psychokinesis. The katana whose attack power was heightened by the flames¨Dits single blow finally severed the black rope. Kazuki barely escaped from the fear of being dragged toward the pillar that was emitting a wretched stench and terrible heat. However several more black ropes were stretching out and attempted to capture Kazuki and drag him toward the pillar once more. Kazuki burned and cut apart the approaching black ropes one after another with his flame katana and drove them away. Using that opportunity, Karin liberated herself from the [Desire Tentacles] that restrained her. The black ropes also reached out to the tentacles, one of the steel pillars used up its energy and sunk into the ground before disappearing. Karin took a stance once again in preparation for Kazuki. The flame of battle was revived once more. {¨DJust stop already, Karin. You can¡¯t win against that boy.} At that time, beside Karin an avatar of a Diva was floating. It was no doubt Karin¡¯s contracted Diva. Wearing a gorgeous kimono, she was an adult goddess that emitted a brilliant loveliness. And then on her head were golden ears and from her lower back a tail was growing. That was a fox''s appendage. A fox Diva in kimono appearance¡­was it a Chinese Diva just as he thought? At the very least that attire which was emitting the atmosphere of Asia was obviously not one of Solomon''s 72 Pillars. ¡°What did you say, Da¡­¡± {Don¡¯t say my name!} The female Diva interrupted Karin¡¯s word with a strong tone. Karin was twitching in surprise. {¡­You mustn¡¯t give any more information, even if it''s only a little more to that boy. Such carelessness showed the difference between you and that boy, that is what I want to say. It¡¯s not a simple difference of battle technique or Summoning Magic power. You, who keeps fighting while running in fury, and that boy who fights while calmly drawing out information from the opponent, as soldiers your position is different. Do you understand?} Karin was silently looking down from her contracted Diva''s remonstration. {I am not a weak Diva. However despite that, even if for example you possess twice the battle power of that boy you will still lose from such a difference, can you see that? ¡­Hey you, boy.} The aristocrat that grew the fox tail faced Kazuki with her long-slitted eyes. {It¡¯s surprising how there is a soldier like you in this kind of peaceful country and peaceful era. How many scenes of carnage have you struggled through until this point?} ¡°I haven¡¯t gone through exaggerated things like scenes of carnage at all. It¡¯s just, my school of sword style puts the most importance in regards to [looking] at the opponent.¡± Kazuki''s Foresight technique that was as if seeing through the future was fearsome to the degree that he was called [Magic Eye OgreCyclops] from the many dojos he''s visited. {Merely putting the importance in observing, that¡¯s all there is to it? Hohou, what a boy that will likely grow worse in the future. Karin, with this the assassination has already failed. Give up and escape immediately.} ¡°¡­Understood.¡± {It¡¯s fine even if you come to pursue, but we have confidence in our fleet foot. Until next time, boy.} Karin concentrated her Enchant Aura in her running legs and disappeared in the darkness of the night right away. He thought that it would be best if he could restrain her personally, but¡­in the end it couldn¡¯t go that smoothly. This exchange that happened outside of the security cameras didn¡¯t leave any evidence behind at all. Kazuki began to turn back to the road that was wrapped in darkness. Chapter 4.3.3 — Secret Special Training and, Secret Assault and, Secret… Volume 4 Chapter 3 - Secret Special Training and, Secret Assault and, Secret Sweet Night Part 3 When Kazuki returned to his room, it was obvious but there was no one inside the pitch black room. Although he was the one who proposed to suspend the stay-over for tonight, Kazuki¡¯s feelings clearly felt how unfortunate it was when he returned to this room without Hikaru-senpai in it. He was wondering whether he should go to senpai¡¯s room after this¡­ While he was lost pondering such a thing and lowered himself on the bed, a faint sound of knocking could be heard. The door opened a little and from there Koyuki¡¯s head appeared in a bounce. ¡°Kazuki¡­ Hoshikaze-senpai is not here tonight?¡± ¡°She''s not, but¡­ what are you wearing?¡± When Kazuki answered, Koyuki entered the room. ¡°Good evening, Kazuki-oniisan!¡± From behind Koyuki, Lotte also entered after her. These two were wearing unusual clothes. Dresses that were adorned with a lot of frills. Miniskirts that expanded from panier . Socks that were decorated with lace were peeking out from there. The two petite lovely girls looked mystical in some respects, like perfectly made dolls. Koyuki¡¯s clothes were pastel blue and Lotte¡¯s were a monotone of black and white with the tinges differing from each other. ¡°This is a clothing genre that is described as sweet loli.¡± ¡°I am a goth loli desu!¡± Koyuki talked coolly like she was trying to hide her embarrassment, and Lotte talked with an honestly spirited voice. ¡°You two look absurdly cute, but what¡¯s the occasion?¡± ¡°Kazuki is¡­going to be happy if we dressed up, it¡¯s because you said that.¡± ¡°I received a consultation from Koyuki-oneesan, we went together and bought these desu!¡± So this is about that conversation at breakfast last Saturday when he went on a date with Mio before. It seemed Koyuki was worrying about how she seemed to be completely uninterested in clothing in that conversation. The result of that was something like this. Both of them sat on the bed and saddled up to Kazuki, he was pressed from left and right by the two of them. This is the so-called Lolita sandwich situation. ¡°When I wore a maid uniform, Kazuki said that frills suited me completely. I don¡¯t really understand myself, but I was thinking then, I wonder if something like this really looked good on me¡­¡± Koyuki talked with a tone like she was making an excuse. Her anxiety was peeking out from her voice. ¡°For me, I have an interest on Japan¡¯s Lolita fashion that came out well from anime desu. Koyuki-oneesan and I are connected as the frills alliance!¡± In contrast, Lotte talked brightly. It looked like Lotte guessed Koyuki¡¯s emotions and gave her some support. Though the circumstances looked like she was really pushing her own hobby. However, right now, a member of the human race who was able to say that these two weren''t cute, was it possible for such a person to exist? It suited them so perfectly that it could be said that nothing else would look better on them. ¡°What do you think of the two of us right now desu? Kazuki-oniisan-!¡± ¡°It¡¯s cute. It suits you both, you two are absurdly cute!¡± From the inside of Kazuki¡¯s mind, the fatigue and nervousness from the fight before this disappeared. Matters like Katsura Karin or whatever didn¡¯t even matter anymore at all. ¡°Super cute! What¡¯s with this, even though you two had bought them on Saturday, it would be awesome if you two showed them off earlier than this!¡± Kazuki raised a merry voice against his better judgment, then he stroked both of their heads gently. ¡°But Kazuki, aren¡¯t you always together with Hoshikaze-senpai being in this room¡­¡± Koyuki talked a little peevishly. ¡°Sorry. Were you lonely, Koyuki?¡± ¡°I am, not really¡­ --I was lonely.¡± Koyuki was trying to pretend to be tough, however she immediately corrected her words. And then while she was leaking a soft purring ¡°puu¡±, she rubbed her cheek on Kazuki¡¯s cheek. This rabbit¡¯s purr of [puu] was the signal that Koyuki¡¯s spoiling mood switch was turned on. ¡°You really are absurdly cute like this, Koyuki. Very cute.¡± Towards Koyuki who was pondering to escape, he had to transmit his own feelings to her even if it was a little embarrassing. While Kazuki was calling her cute repeatedly, he kissed Koyuki¡¯s cheek softly. Koyuki¡¯s expressionless face was faintly turning brighter in happiness, Kazuki could see it. ¡°Puu¡± After purring one more time, Koyuki turned to the front of Kazuki like she was straddling one of his legs. And then she clung to him right from the front and pressed her lips to Kazuki. While kissing, Koyuki was sucking Kazuki¡¯s lips (chuu¨D) like a child sucking a baby bottle. It was like this before too, but Koyuki really liked sucking kisses like this. Koyuki who was entering her mood right now was fawning on him so boldly, like a fierce fire was lit inside her heart. ¡°Kazuki-oniisan, wan wan!¡± From the other side Lotte came near and licked (peropero) Kazuki¡¯s cheek. Koyuki who was sucking Kazuki¡¯s lips (chuu¨Dchuu¨D) to her heart¡¯s content, separated with intoxicated and bewitching faces. After that, Lotte was the one getting near this time, and pressed her lips on Kazuki. Even while kissing, Lotte kept moving her tongue. It seemed she likes to keep licking Kazuki¡¯s face and lips. Kazuki remembered that Mio liked to kiss like pecking at each other repeatedly in short intervals. Even in kissing preferences, each girl had their own liking. If that was the case, Kazuki too used his tongue and licked Lotte¡¯s lips in return, it''s time for a counterattack. Their wet lips were touching each other, Lotte was clinging closely to Kazuki like a dog that was wagging its tail merrily. ¡°Kazuki, you didn¡¯t do something like that to me¡­¡± Koyuki reproached him with moist eyes. When Kazuki separated his lips from Lotte, this time he sucked Koyuki¡¯s lips strongly. When he made a sound (chuuuu-) just like what Koyuki did before, Koyuki¡¯s dainty body was trembling (buruburu), her happiness was overflowing from being tormented with the way of kissing that she liked. If he was accused of being a Harem King right at this moment, Kazuki wouldn¡¯t be able to make any excuses whatsoever. ¡°Koyuki-oneesan, we have already become Kazuki-oniisan¡¯s belongings haven''t we?¡± Lotte asked like she was trying to draw out Koyuki''s real thoughts, who by nature had a dishonest character. ¡°Right now, I want to be with Kazuki like this for a long time¡­ I don¡¯t want to be separated from you.¡± Koyuki separated her lips from Kazuki and replied with a bewitching expression. She was in a state where there was almost no reasoning left inside. ¡°Kazuki, is it okay if we sleep together tonight too?¡± ¡°I also want to sleep together with Onii-san desu.¡± ¡°Of course it¡¯s okay, but¡­¡± Before Kazuki could finish talking, Koyuki took off her lovely clothes smoothly. And before he could even say ¡®ah¡¯ she was already only in her bustier and panties. ¡°As expected, you''re going to sleep in that kind of appearance again!?¡± Moreover, she was always in a shirt and panties, but this time there wasn''t even a shirt on top of her clothing arrangement. The contrast between her bare white skin and the underwear that was only adorning the minimum was very lewd. ¡°After all, this clothing that was praised so highly will get wrinkles if I use it to sleep.¡± Then I too will ¡®suboboboo¨Dn¡¯ desu!¡± Looking like they bought a set complete with underwear, Lotte embraced Kazuki too in completely the same state where her skin was exposed. The three laid down on the bed vigorously just like that. ¡°It¡¯s cramped.¡± ¡°But this crampness is good desu?¡± ¡°If it''s cramped, then isn¡¯t it fine if we hugged more closely?¡± Just like two kinds of cheese that were melted on top of bread, the two girls piled themselves on top of Kazuki¡¯s hard body. Feeling the two¡¯s softness and warmth¡­ Kazuki had to put forth a great effort in order to preserve his reasoning that night. Chapter 4.4.1 — Cooperation Attack Volume 4 Chapter 4 - Cooperation Attack Part 1 May 15th. Finally, the curtain to the battle election was raised. The first venue of the battle election was located on the Magic Division¡¯s grounds and the second venue was on the Sword Division¡¯s grounds. Four matches would be conducted in the first venue throughout the morning and then the four remaining matches would be conducted in the second venue in the afternoon. All the students were obligated to watch the matches. It looked like there was a great number of students for whom this was their first time ever setting foot onto the other division¡¯s grounds. The aim was to make the students of both divisions interact with each other even from the start. The stands that surrounded the grounds in a circle were packed full with students. Tents were constructed at both ends of the grounds, those became the waiting rooms for the teams that would come out for the match. ¡°I, I¡¯m nervous¡­¡± Inside the tent, Kazuha-senpai¡¯s fingertips were trembling (gatagata) while sitting on the pipe chair. For the purpose of diverting her from the nervousness, Kazuki made idle talk. ¡°Now that I think about it, did Kazuha-senpai not learn any kenjutsu from your father?¡± Kazuha-senpai¡¯s father was Tsukahara Hikitada. He was a teacher of the Sword Division. It wouldn''t be strange even if she had received a genius education since she was a child. ¡°My father was against me becoming a swordsman you know? Because he was a former knight, he understood that swordsmen are nothing more than an existence that is to be discarded after being used.¡± Tsukahara-sensei was a teacher that worked together with Kohaku to change the system of the Knight Academy. It looked like his motives were based from his experiences in the past from the time when he was a knight. ¡°But in the end I liked the sword! It doesn''t have any relation to how swordsmen are treated. I didn''t even attend the dojo; but I read the textbook alone. Even though father ignored me, I kept training with self-instruction for a long time. At that time when I met with Futsunushi no Kami, I even passed into the Sword Division.¡± While sitting on the pipe chair, Kazuha-senpai gripped her trembling hands tightly. ¡°I have to make father recognize my sword. But¡­if I don¡¯t become strong, I become scared when I think, "what if I don¡¯t become strong"¡­somehow everything doesn''t go well at all¡­¡± ¡°Even before thinking of having confidence in yourself, senpai is burdened with too many things. Though in reality, it¡¯s the contrary.¡± ¡°Eh?¡± Senpai raised her voice. ¡°What are you saying?¡± ¡°This is vague, but¡­¡¯If I don''t win¡¯ ¡®I mustn¡¯t lose¡¯, I think if senpai burdened yourself too much with such things, then your sword and heart can''t become pure. Senpai can''t swing your sword skillfully while being afraid of failure. When your swing doesn''t go well, it becomes a burden in senpai¡¯s mind. Then senpai loses confidence and completely falls into a vicious cycle.¡± ¡°To swing your sword with a pure feeling¡­I want to be recognized by my father, I don''t want my classmates to make fun of me, certainly maybe I kept thinking only those kinds of thoughts and became nervous¡­¡± ¡°Then, it¡¯s fine for senpai to not get nervous this time.¡± ¡°W, why is that?¡± ¡°Because this time is a team battle after all. If something happens, Kohaku and I will help senpai for sure, so please be relieved and let out your own strength.¡± ¡°¡­¡± ¡°Putting me aside, senpai believes in Kohaku right?¡± ¡°N, no, for the moment I believe in you too. But if I just weighed all of you down then it¡¯s even more inexcusable, or how should I put it¡­sorry¡­¡± ¡°There''s nothing to worry about. Senpai just needs to have fun with kenjutsu today!¡± ¡°To have fun, with kenjutsu¡­¡± ¡°I will also help with magic too after all, senpai!¡± Mio who couldn¡¯t hold herself back from the heavy atmosphere also cut into the conversation. ¡°Of course this one will also provide help! Please remember it, that enjoyment when you first wielded the sword!¡± Kohaku also encouraged Kazuha-senpai. From Kazuha-senpai¡¯s chest, a small heart mark flew to Kazuki. ¡°Thank you, everyone! Somehow I think that my feelings have become lighter!¡± Right at that time, the broadcast for the team¡¯s entrance resounded. The excited cheering from the audience stands could be heard from inside the tent. ¡°Well then Kazuha-senpai, let¡¯s go!¡± ¡°¡­Right! Leader!¡± For senpai to give an unusually honest reply was surely thanks to the benefit of the atmosphere there. ¡°¡­Come to think of it Kazuki, this is the first time you''ll see this one wearing the swordsman¡¯s battle uniform isn''t it!? How does this one look!?¡± When Kohaku stood up from the pipe chair, Kohaku turned round and round as if to show off her appearance. In exchange of the nonexistence of Magic Dress like the Magic Division, a battle uniform was specially prepared in the Sword Division. It was made with the uniform¡¯s design as its base and easy to move for real battle. Until now Kazuki had never seen anything else other than her figure when she was fighting while still in her uniform, but she was wearing this battle uniform when she was undertaking things like quests and the like. Kazuha-senpai who was wearing the same uniform was also taking a glance at Kazuki. ¡°Both of you look gallant and cool. ¡­I''m the only one that¡¯s still wearing uniform, I''m envious.¡± ¡°Fufufu, look cool right? It spontaneously makes you want to take this one as your wife, doesn''t it?¡± Kohaku puffed her chest while boasting. ¡°No, it¡¯s a different story if it¡¯s marriage.¡± When Kazuki said so, Kohaku became dejected. ¡ó ¡ó ¡ó ¡ó When they got out onto the grounds, they were surrounded by loud cheers that shook the earth. Kazuki and his team were surprised and looked around at the stands. Thereupon, he heard some familiar voices. ¡°OTTOUTO-KU¨DN! DO YOUR BEST¨D!¡± That was Kaguya-senpai¡¯s voice. ¡°Kazuki, do your best.¡± A voice so small that he almost missed it, Koyuki¡¯s voice. ¡°Onii-san, do your best desu!¡± ¡°Kazuki, do your best!¡± Lotte and Hikaru-senpai¡¯s voice. ¡°NII-SAMA¨D! PLEASE DO YOUR BEST¨D!¡± Of course Kanae¡¯s voice was also there. Kazuki was dumbfounded. The front row of the audience stand was colored gorgeously. ¡°Do your best, do your best, Ot-tou-to-kun!¡± With Kaguya-senpai at the head leading the others with a strange tune, everyone was¨Dtransformed into cheerleaders. The bottom of their necks were decorated with a necktie. A tank-top that exposed their navel and a miniskirt. Both of their hands had pompoms attached. Everyone was dancing in the front row while scattering their lively charms. ¡°Kazuki, do your best, do your best.¡± Even Koyuki was dancing energetically. Their white thighs that looked bright were moving with lively motions, their rather short skirts were fluttering and the underskirts peeking through in a glance, those figures were something that he had to see with his eyes reinforced with Enchant Aura. Kaguya-senpai¡¯s chest who leaped up with noticeable liveliness was bouncing around staggeringly. To prepare something like this for him¡­ When Kazuki¡¯s eyes were stolen by the cheerleader figures of everyone, Mio was pouting. ¡°Kazuki, I''ll do that too! Look here! Kazuki, do your best! Kazuki, do your best!¡± ¡°This one will do it too! Kazuki, do your best! Kazuki, do your best!¡± Mio and Kohaku both placed their arms around each other¡¯s shoulders and began to break into a dance while swinging around their feet, unexpectedly they had a good relationship. ¡°No, it¡¯s not just me, you guys have to do your best too you know!¡± From the opposite side of Kazuki and his team, the enemy team also made their entrance. The leader was the Magic Division second year, Miyamoto Reina. The next was a fellow second year of the Magic Division, Nagasaka Yuka. He had heard that both of them were second year rank-B, that was why it could be said that they were fairly formidable opponents. And then the Sword Division second years, Ishida Jussei and Sagawa Tsuyoshi. Both of them were male and their real strength was unclear. ¡°Shem ha MeforashI know thy name¡­Thy name is [Phoenix]¡­poet that is namely a magician! O poetic bird that played reason with sweet tongue, in accordance with my life show that strength!¡± Mio transformed her body into her Magic Dress, her appearance was that of a gallant female magician. ¡°It¡¯s a little embarrassing but¡­if there is this much distance then they couldn''t look really well too.¡± Mio felt bothered and kept glancing at the guest stands where the boys from the Sword Division were mixed. But putting aside someone like Kazuki who had been piling up training that put importance in looking, a normal swordsman wouldn''t be able to see them other than something as small as grains from that distance. ¡°I know thy name. Thy name is [Focalor]. O fallen angel that applauds thieves, steal the provision of the people opposing me, become the hand that carry out the glory of victory!¡± Miyamoto-senpai was contracted with Focalor, while Nagasaka-senpai was with Valefor, each of them performed Access respectively, their bodies were wrapped in Magic Dresses. ¨DFinally the election battle began! ¡ó ¡ó ¡ó ¡ó ¡­The matter they thought of before, so that they wouldn¡¯t carry any damage to the next fight was, let¡¯s [move defensively]. In this team there was Kohaku who was able to evade simple attack magic with wild instinct. Because of that if Kazuki protected Kazuha-senpai with defensive magic, Mio didn¡¯t need to protect Kohaku and could freely attack with offensive magic. This was a big advantage. Even in the off chance that the opponent attempted to use a large scale attack magic that even Kohaku couldn¡¯t evade, Kazuki would sense it and he could immediately give instructions to Mio to obstruct the opponent¡¯s chanting. If it looked like it was impossible to stop with just Mio¡¯s Barrett, he would give instructions to Kohaku to follow up Mio¡¯s obstruction. If they did this then as long as the enemy didn¡¯t employ any peculiar tactics, they should be able to seal the enemies'' attacks without much difficulty. The reality of things also seemed to go that way. ¡°O gryphon that crossed over the ocean, those wings give rise to the wind of north pole, raise upsetting raging waves¡­Storm SurgeNorthern Wave!¡± With fast chanting, Miyamoto-senpai invoked her level 1 magic. The gryphon Diva, Focalor, gave rise to cold winds and tsunami with those wings and attacked Kazuha-senpai. ¡°O rejection of absolute zero, protect that person and become the armor of isolation! Freeze Barrier!¡± Kazuki Foresighted that action and protected Kazuha-senpai with the matching element. Kazuha-senpai¡¯s body was wrapped inside the freezing protection and rendered the incoming attack powerless. The other enemy Magica Stigma, Nagasaka-senpai, was in the state of beginning to chant higher level magic. Most likely they had already investigated beforehand that Kohaku was able to evade simple attack magic. ¡°Mio, focus on Nagasaka-senpai!¡± ¡°Got it! ¡­The wings danced scattering sparks. Trailed the spiraling wind, become life-gouging bullet! Flap your wings, shoot out! Barrett!!¡± In order to obstruct the opponent¡¯s chanting, Mio invoked a level one magic. The flame bullet immediately scored a direct hit at Nagasaka-senpai. The damage disturbed her concentration on the spell chanting. Kazuki was relieved, he turned his eyes toward the battle between fellow swordsmen. At the front line was¨DKohaku who was overwhelming her swordsman opponent, Ishida-senpai. Looking at it, Ishida-senpai was by no means weak. However even without using Sacred Treasures Kohaku was strong enough to deal with him. She dodged her opponent¡¯s attacks smoothly and counterattacked precisely with unrefined movements from her wild instinct made Kazuki, who was the theoretical type, retort with [how could you dodge like that?]. It looked like she would be able to overpower her opponent with mostly no damage even if he left her alone. On the other hand, Kazuha-senpai was having a hard battle with Sagawa-senpai as her opponent. ¡°U, uuu¡­¡± Kazuha-senpai was obviously making an expression that was losing to her nervousness. She was cornered into a one-sided defensive battle and was overpowered by the opponent¡¯s strong single blows, slowly she was being pushed back. ¡°Quack Tsukahara! For someone like you to come out to the battle election, don''t you feel guilty for your candidate!?¡± Sagawa-senpai was hurling jeers at Kazuha-senpai. Both of them were second year at the Sword Division, so it looked like they were acquaintances. That voice made Kazuha-senpai increasingly shrink into herself. Kazuha-senpai couldn''t be allowed to be made even more faint hearted than this! ¡°Mio, I''m going to back up Kazuha-senpai!¡± ¡°Got it!¡± Kazuki headed to Kazuha-senpai as reinforcements. Because of the rule, Kazuki didn¡¯t bring his katana. However if he fought barehanded then no one would be able to fault him. He cut in as if covering for Kazuha-senpai, Kazuki repelled the opponent¡¯s slash with his fist. ¡°What!? How could a Magic Division student strike my sword!?¡± Sagawa-senpai yelled. If he really said those words seriously, then there was nothing he could say except that his preliminary investigation was insufficient. Even barehanded, the Instant Positioning could still be performed. ¡°Northern Wave!¡± Miyamoto-senpai turned to this direction and invoked an attack magic. ¡°Freeze Barrier!¡± Kazuki who kept his alert and grasped Miyamoto-senpai¡¯s chanting dealt with the attack using defensive magic. ¡°Ku¨D!¡± Miyamoto-senpai leaked out a frustrated voice. ¡°Ha, Hayashizaki¡­¡± A heart mark flew from the dejected Kazuha-senpai. Even like this, she was also happy huh? ¡°There is nothing scary here senpai, let¡¯s just fight without care, okay!¡± ¡°¡­O, ok!¡± The nervousness was finally gone from Kazuha-senpai¡¯s swordsmanship. And then just like what she showed when they were training, that swordsmanship that was polished persistently from long repetition of training was for the first time displayed in a real battle¡­! ¡°Wh, what!? Even though you''re just quack Tsukahara!?¡± Sagawa-senpai who immediately sensed the change in Kazuha-senpai was falling into a panic. ¡°If she lets out all of her real strength, Kazuha-senpai easily outclasses you, you know!¡± With Kazuki¡¯s yell pushing her, Kazuha-senpai increased her momentum even more. In contrast, her opponent, who was pushed back by someone that he looked down on as his inferior, became faint hearted in return. ¨DAt the same time, Kazuki sensed a rise of magic power. ¡°Kazuki, sorry, I might be unable to pin her down!¡± Mio called Kazuki to attention in panic. Nagasaka-senpai who was contracted with Valefor finally began to knead her magic power to a great height. There was no more time until she activated it. There was no doubt that most likely she was aiming for one shot of high level magic that could turn the situation around. ¡°Kohaku, position change! Go to Nagasaka-senpai¡¯s position!¡± What he meant by position change was a sign for Kohaku to go stop the Magica Stigma¡¯s chanting after Kazuki took over the swordsman that she was currently facing. Kohaku turned her back on Ishida-senpai and dashed at full speed toward Nagasaka-senpai. Looking at that movement which lacked any hesitation, Ishida-senpai showed a surprised expression (gyo¨D). Kohaku had no fear of exposing her back towards an enemy swordsman. ¡­Because she had already memorized the timing of Kazuki coming in to assist. Ishida-senpai¡¯s sword that was heading at Kohaku and cut at her back was blocked by Kazuki who cut in from the side. Kohaku went and cut at Nagasaka-senpai fiercely. It was a large-scale magic that was on the verge of being activated, but with Kohaku¡¯s assistance it was dispersed barely in time. Unrest ran in the enemy team. When the high level magic became a failure, the compensation for that was big. Kazuki continued to become the opponent of Ishida-senpai with barehanded techniques. ¡°Self Burning!¡± While defending against the opponent¡¯s attacks by repelling the sword with his fist, he also chanted the flame defensive magic. However his objective was not for defense. Immediately he concentrated the flame on his whole body into his fist with Psychokinesis. ¡°Y, you, what kind of Magica Stigma are you!?¡± Kazuki socked Ishida-senpai who raised a scared voice with all his strength. That hit was the finishing blow for him who had been accumulating damage from Kohaku. ¡°Ishida Jussei, that¡¯s the end!¡± The referee teacher judged that Ishida-senpai¡¯s magic power had been whittled away to a dangerous amount, he urged him to exit the grounds. If this decision was late for even a little, an incident that affected his life might have happened. With one opponent exiting the stage, the equilibrium of the fight was crumbling. After Kohaku slashed at Nagasaka-senpai she slashed at Minamoto-senpai¡­she wreaked havoc as she pleased. In continuous motion she kept chipping at the opponents¡¯ concentration, a disagreeable way of fighting. Right at that time Kazuki was also participating in the fight. ¡°O undying bird soaring from the twilight to the dawn, grant those wings of hope on my back! For the sake of resurrection, right in this place the destruction¡­! Blazing Wings!¡± Right now there was no opponent that could obstruct Kazuki¡¯s spell chanting. With composure he chanted a high level magic, then he mowed down Nagasaka-senpai and Miyamoto-senpai all together with wings of flame. ¡°Miyamoto Reina, Nagasaka Yuka, that¡¯s the end!¡± With both of them leaving the stage together, the only one left was just Sagawa-senpai. Mio and Kohaku turned to the last opponent and they were going to pour concentrated attacks on him. ¨DKazuki stopped them with his hand. At the end of Kazuki¡¯s line of sight, Kazuha-senpai was fighting against Sagawa-senpai one-on-one. Kazuha-senpai didn''t notice that the other enemies had been annihilated. Concentrating only on swinging the sword, her swordsmanship was perfectly clear. If they attacked four-on-one, the match would be decided in the blink of an eye. By all rights they should go with all their strengths, it might even be a courtesy for their opponent. However, this was discourteous for Sagawa-senpai, but Kazuki would have him as the stepping stone for Kazuha-senpai to take off her veneer. ¡­Mio and Kohaku too guessed that intention, they took a posture of observing the fight. A large commotion was running throughout the stands. Surely it was from the students of the Sword Division. Kazuha-senpai, who was known as a quack swordsman, for the first time displayed her true strength on this grand stage. ¡°E, even though you''re just quack Tsukahara!¡± Kazuha-senpai¡¯s single minded fierce attack made Sagawa-senpai raise a scream. ¡°Senpai! Please believe in yourself!¡± Kazuki was sending a yell of support even more. ¡°UWAAAAAAAAAAAAAA¨D!¡± Kazuha-senpai shouted, she repelled Sagawa-senpai¡¯s sword with all her strength! Toward the opponent who staggered from his loss in the contest of strength, Kazuha-senpai inserted a beautiful single stroke of her katana that fascinated everyone who was watching. The blown away opponent¡¯s magic power was finally used up. ¡°The match is decided! The winner, Hayashizaki Kazuki¡¯s team!!¡± The referee teacher handed down the ruling, the field was wrapped in a loud excited cheering. ¡°I, I won¡­I won!?¡± When Kazuha-senpai first returned from the world of the sword, her eyes were looking around restlessly as if she couldn''t believe the situation that surrounded her. All of the loud cheering from the guest stands was mostly directed to Kazuha-senpai. ¡°Senpai, congratulations!¡± ¡°Ha, Hayashizaki, I¡­¡± ¡°Senpai, you were strong, don''t you remember? You gained a complete victory in a one-on-one fight.¡± When Kazuki approached her, Kazuha-senpai¡¯s eyes were filled to the brim with tears from the overwhelming emotions and she flew into Kazuki¡¯s chest. ¡°¡­Wait, who do you think would do something like crying in your chesttttt!¡± Kazuha-senpai returned to her senses in a moment, she jumped back in a fluster. And then ¡°D, don¡¯t misunderstand, you!¡± she yelled again and this time she leaped into Kohaku ¡°Hi¨Dn!¡± and cried. ¡ó ¡ó ¡ó ¡ó Continuing, the second match was started by Kaguya-senpai¡¯s team. When Kazuki and the others went to take a seat in the guest stands, they passed each other as Kaguya-senpai and her team entered the tent that was also the waiting room. ¡°Kaguya-senpai, what kind of fight will she show I wonder.¡± ¡°Probably it would be the cooperation attacks just as I predicted, that¡¯s what I think.¡± Kazuki knew about Kaguya-senpai and Koyuki¡¯s magic. He knew how terrifying this team was from long beforehand. Moreover Kaguya-senpai and Koyuki¡¯s chanting speed was faster even compared to Mio and Kazuki. ¡°The second match, teams enter!¡± In accordance with the voice of the referee teacher, Kaguya-senpai and her team entered the ground from the tent. ¡°We too have to root for Kaguya-senpai.¡± ¡°But we didn''t prepare anything like cheerleader costumes.¡± ¡°Even if we had prepared it, how could I show myself as a cheer girl?¡° Kaguya-senpai would explode in laughter and become happy for sure, but he had a hunch that Koyuki would look at him with total disappointment. That was why Kazuki would at least yell with a loud voice. ¡°Kaguya-senpai, Koyuki, Kanae, Torazou-san!! Please do your best!!¡± Mio and Kohaku and Kazuha-senpai who were at his side immediately covered their ears. ¡°Ka, Kazuki, what¡¯s with that loud voice¡­¡± ¡°I reinforced my throat with Enchant Aura.¡± Kazuki¡¯s extremely loud voice reached them and Kaguya-senpai¡¯s team was looking back in this direction. ¡°Otouto-kuuun! Look closely okay!¡± ¡°Nii-sama¨D! Please look at my performance Nii-sama¨D!¡± Kaguya-senpai and Kanae were hopping around (pyonpyon) while waving their hands at them. The match¡¯s curtain was first opened with a textbook clash between the swordsmen. Kanae and Torazou-san who were in the strongest level at the Sword Division immediately stood in domination against their opponents. ¡°Everyone, Freeze Formation!¡± At the same time Kaguya-senpai gave out such directions. The flow of the match moved drastically after Koyuki who received that direction invoked her magic. ¡°O mermaid¡¯s divine protection, stop the steps of the hated enemy, hasten the steps of the chosen people¡­ O ice blade, run! Moves in the Field!¡± As expected, they used that! ¡°It really developed just like Kazuki said.¡± Mio raised a surprised voice. With the rules of this match, there was no doubt that [Moves in the Field] was an effective magic for this battle. The cold that was produced from Koyuki as the center froze the ground¡¯s surface in the blink of an eye. The swordsmen from the opposing team were slipping on the frozen ground. In contrast ice boots were created for the feet of all the members in Kaguya-senpai¡¯s team. They began high-speed movements by sliding on top of the frozen ground. Kanae and Torazou-senpai glided with their feet and ignored the enemy swordsmen, they assaulted the Magica Stima at the rear in a straight line. Moreover Koyuki also ran with her ice boots and joined the fight. Koyuki, who also equipped the ice boots became able to fight directly. The boots that were attached with ice blades released a fierce kick. The panicked expression in the opposing team¡¯s Magica Stigma were plain to see. Because their opponent was that Kaguya-senpai, it seemed those girls were aiming for a sink-or-swim and both started to chant high-level magic at the same time when the match began. However even faster than them, Koyuki had already invoked the [Moves in the Field] completely and decided their victory and defeat already. Kanae, Torazou-san and Koyuki, the three tore the opposing Magica Stigma into shreds with katana and ice blades. The magic that they were preparing was dispersed. The two swordsmen couldn¡¯t move directly on the frozen ground, they couldn¡¯t go to help their teammates from the disastrous scene. They really were becoming useless in their function as the vanguard. If it turned out like this, then this was mere bullying. ¡°S, sheet!¡± Groaning, the opposing team¡¯s leader showed her spirit and forcefully melted the ground using Pyrokinesis. Part of the ground started to melt, finally the vanguard swordsmen regained their freedom of movement somewhat. However, in the field where some ice was still left, aiming for Kanae and the others who were moving around at high-speed was not a simple matter. Kaguya-senpai on the other hand, stood imposingly at the rear. The two swordsmen slashed at Kaguya-senpai just barely in the critical moment. ¡°Suicide Black.¡± The moment both of them brought their katanas down, Kaguya-senpai chanted that with a calm and composed face. ¡®Just as he thought huh¡¯, those who thought that weren''t just Kazuki. Everyone on this venue knew about that nastiness of Kaguya-senpai''s as the Nightmare Bringer. The two swordsmen who completely brought their katanas down on Kaguya-senpai whose whole body was covered with black mist were writhing about from the phantom pain of having their flesh split in two. ¡°Desire Tentacles.¡± Kaguya-senpai summoned countless tentacles and restrained the writhing swordsmen. While Kaguya-senpai was doing that, Kanae and Torazou-senpai and Koyuki were beating their opponents senseless in close range combat and finished dealing with them. It was the pitiful end of Magica Stigma who didn¡¯t receive the protection from swordsmen. And then the two swordsmen who were restrained by the tentacles were surrounded by four people. It was evidently a complete victory without anything being a hindrance to them. ¡ó ¡ó ¡ó ¡ó The third match turned into a strange showing. That team of the Takasugi brothers and Ryuutaki sisters were fighting, so Kazuki was being attentive, but¨D The Takasugi brothers were desperately protecting the Ryuutaki sisters, and then Ryuutaki Miyabi-senpai invoked her magic. ¡°O eternally pale full moon, forget the waxing and waning of yourself, become the mirror that illuminates the world! Rise right here O moonlight, disturb the human¡¯s heart¡­Lost Moonlight Night PalaceLunatic Labyrinth!!¡± The moment that magic was invoked, a strong light (ka¨D) covered the ground completely. When the light disappeared, a strange scene where the eight people in the ground remained unmoving could be seen. ¡°Mind Encroachment MagicMind Hack is it? It seems like the heart of all the people in that place were dragged into the mental world of Ryuutaki Miyabi. Right now, those eight people are fighting in that mental world. To affect a large number of people with this magic at the same time is supposed to be extremely difficult though¡­as expected of her huh.¡± With a tone that was mixed with a shocked feeling, Kaguya-senpai was commenting from the side. The magic power of the eight people who were stiffening like an image that was paused temporarily were beginning to decrease. Just as Kaguya-senpai said, those eight were fighting in the mental world. They were fighting in the mental world, that was why they wouldn¡¯t bear any wounds on their flesh, but it seemed like if they bore any wounds in their mind it would shave off their magic power. The opposing team¡¯s magic powers were decreasing very fast before their eyes. He completely didn''t know what kind of fight was unfolding in there but it was obvious that Miyabi-senpai and her team was dominating overwhelmingly. Before long¡­when time was moving once more, the four people from the opposing team were falling down with their magic power just barely on the amount of almost falling into magic intoxication. The Takasugi brothers were breathing roughly (zeezee), but the Ryuutaki sisters'' expressions were looking calm and composed. ¡°The match is decided! The winner, Takasugi Sh¨±sui¡¯s team!¡± The referee teacher gave his verdict. That [Lunatic Labyrinth] was a magic that dragged both ally and enemy into a particular battlefield. If the person had a high skill in Telepathy then it was most likely possible to resist being dragged inside, but putting aside those like Lotte or Kaguya-senpai, it was likely impossible for Kazuki and his team. What kind of fight Miyabi-senpai and her team were having¡­that would become clear if it turned out that Kazuki had to fight them in the future. Chapter 4.4.2 — Cooperation Attack Volume 4 Chapter 4 - Cooperation Attack Part 2 All the matches that were scheduled in the morning had come to an end. Now it was time for afternoon break. Today had such fine weather too, Kazuki and the others spread a large leisure sheet at one of the corners on the grounds. In preparation for this afternoon break, Kazuki had prepared a three layer set of multi-tiered boxed lunch. ¡°If it¡¯s fine for everyone from the Sword Division, then please enjoy.¡± While giving that invitation, Kazuki opened the box lunch. In the first layer was rolled omelet and sides of vegetables and fruits with a rich color scheme, the strawberry and mini tomatoes were beautifully placed inside the jet black box. The second layer was filled with standard goods like karaage , asparagus and mini hamburger, from there things like congratulation bream and fried shrimp for the side dishes were prepared plentifully. In the third layer, it was filled with onigiri that was shaped like an anime character¡¯s face that Lotte liked, the face shape was reproduced with the free use of seaweed and fried tofu. ¡°T, the long missed Nii-sama¡¯s handmade lunch¨D!¡± When Kazuki called to the bunch from the Sword Division, Kanae unhesitatingly dove onto the sheet, Kazuha-senpai too opened her eyes wide in surprise. ¡°W, what¡¯s with this family oriented lunch box? Are you really the one that made this?¡± ¡°I love housework and maids after all. I am a maid.¡± ¡°I don''t really understand what you''re saying but, it¡¯s unexpected¡­¡± Contrary to his expectations, Kazuha-senpai didn¡¯t even insult him with abusive language; but she obediently lowered her knees beside Kazuki. However she sat in seiza very formally, even though it was fine for her to relax more. ¡°Is it okay to eat even though I''m a man?¡± Torazou-san too finally came. ¡°Isn¡¯t it obvious that it¡¯s okay. I didn¡¯t particularly make this because I have secret motives toward the girls. I am a maid-san. Torazou-san¡¯s happiness is my happiness too, that is the heart of devotion¡­¡± ¡°I don''t really understand what you''re saying, but thank you, friend. As thanks for this time, I will wear a maid uniform too.¡± That was unneeded. Don''t you dare sully the maid uniform. Kamiizumi-senpai and Kimura-senpai too, they sat in a place a little separated from Kazuki and surrounded Hikaru-senpai. Leme was already eating without saying anything. Before he even realized it, she had already materialized herself. ¡®Jiii¨D¡¯, Kazuha-senpai was looking at Kazuki¡¯s expression as if to peek at his heart. ¡°I thought you were a carnivorous man, more like those wild and delinquent types. Fuhaha¨D, all the women in this academy are my women¨D, making good use of that well-featured face which suits the occasion to forcefully do this and that to the girls in the Magic Division who are not used to men, like that.¡± ¡°I dislike a man like what Kazuha-senpai described the most you know?¡± Kazuki made a bitter face. Just doing things as one pleases forcefully for one¡¯s own self-interest without even thinking of other people and made a mess of everything¡­for example someone like Nyarlatoteph. Why did he have to remember about that kind of guy in this time of fun? When that tentacle bastard floated in his mind the meal¡¯s taste became bad. ¡°Otouto-kun isn''t a carnivorous young man, he''s the totally harmless pet of the Witch¡¯s Manor. Loo¨Dk here, cutie, cutie!¡± Kaguya-senpai sat at Kazuki¡¯s side, hugged Kazuki¡¯s and pet his head repeatedly. That big and bouncy chest hit Kazuki¡¯s face decisively and it got pressed like a soft marshmallow. ¡°He is a pet? This Hayashizaki?¡± Kazuha-senpai looked at him with amazed eyes. ¡°No, I don''t have any intention of being a pet though¡­¡± ¡®However¡¯, Kazuki thought inside his heart, Kaguya-senpai treats me like this as if she isn''t considering me a man at all, but actually, she is conscious of me as someone of the opposite sex. It was Hikaru-senpai¡¯s fault for telling him that fact, even an innocent skinship like this might, in reality, not be completely innocent. He became unable to calm his own feelings because of that. ¡°Senpai, please release me already.¡± Saying that, Kazuki slipped out from Kaguya-senpai¡¯s hug. ¡°Kazuki got sulky when I¡¯m this affectionate.¡± Without knowing what was inside Kazuki¡¯s heart, Kaguya-senpai became disappointed. ¡°Things like Kazuki doing this and that to many girls is just an outrageous misunderstanding. Kazuki is a real gentleman. After all, he has never done anything that I dislike at all.¡± ¡°On the contrary, Kazuki-oniisan is a hero that risked his life to save mine desu.¡± Both Mio and Lotte were sitting at Kazuki¡¯s side and snuggled up to him. ¡°¡­Though he is a pervert that has a maid fetish.¡± Koyuki said some twisted things while sitting down a little farther away. Because they were in a place where there were other people¡¯s eyes, Koyuki didn¡¯t come to him to be pampered. ¡°Koyuki too, don''t be alone over there, come a little closer okay?¡± ¡°¡­Can''t be helped. If you say so.¡± When Kazuki called to her, Koyuki¡¯s expression broke out just a little and approached closer to him with little steps (tokotoko ). She chose a place right behind Kazuki and sat down while gluing her back closely to him. Kazuki¡¯s surrounding had naturally became a formation where he was surrounded by girls. ¡°It became a harem posture like it¡¯s the most natural thing to do¡­¡± Kazuha-senpai was shocked once more from the situation. After that she picked a karaage from the box lunch and ate, ¡°Ah, delicious¡­¡± her mouth broke out into a smile. ¡°You are really surprising¡­¡± For the first time, Kazuha-senpai directed a relaxed smiling face without any tension to Kazuki. ¡°Senpai¡¯s prejudice against me was really preposterous remember? Suddenly saying things like ''enemy of women.''¡± ¡°Right. Certainly it was like that, huh. Recently we were in the same team, you are strong but it is not a conceited strength, more like a strength that protects everyone and brought courage¡­looking at you from this close, it¡¯s impossible to not understand the feelings of all the children that are all over you or perhaps I should say¡­certainly it¡¯s not like you are unkind or not cool¡­wait, what am I saying!?¡± Had she opened herself and talked like a broken dam? Or so he thought, but Kazuha-senpai covered her mouth with her hands in panic. ¡°Ee¨Derr, what I want to say is¡­I misunderstood various things about you, but you are really not that bad of a guy, just that! Sorry for flaring up at you for various things!¡± Kazuha-senpai joined her hands together and apologized. Because of that misunderstanding, it even became the cause of them crossing swords. ¡°Don¡¯t mind it, thank you very much for recognizing me, senpai.¡± ¡°B, but don''t misunderstand okay-! There is no way that I will be so lovestruck like all these girls towards you! I mean, what¡¯s your deal with these maniac onigiri!!¡± ¡°Eh, I have confidence in that work though¡­¡± When Kazuki became despondent, Kazuha-senpai became panicked ¡°Ah, no, it¡¯s well made and delicious but¡­! But I want to say at least one complaint though!¡± and looked the other way. A small heart mark flew at Kazuki. Her positivity level increased to 42. ¡°Nii-sama, Nii-sama, please feed me-! Aa¨Dnn?¡± As if having waited long enough for the conversation to stop, Kanae approached her face near and opened her mouth. ¡°Here, the usual karaage.¡± Saying that, Kazuki fed Kanae. When he did that, Kanae was ¡°Eh?¡± and her eyes became round. While Kanae was chewing (mogumogu) inside her mouth, her face completely turned bright red. ¡°F, for Nii-sama who usually acts embarrassed and wouldn¡¯t do this kind of thing, to be doing ¡®aa¨Dnn¡¯ this naturally¡­what kind of miracle is this!?¡± Now that she said it, if it was in the past then he would be reluctant, for him to feed Kanae easily while thinking [it¡¯s only ¡®aa¨Dnn¡¯ anyway], even Kazuki was surprised. However, just when he was thinking about that, from Kazuki¡¯s both sides, ¡°Otouto-kun, here I¡¯ll give you aa¨Dnn! Aa¨Dnn!¡± ¡°Wa, Kaguya-senpai, please don¡¯t shove the whole fillet of fish here, it¡¯s huge!¡± ¡°I¡¯ll show you my guess about what Kazuki-oniisan wants to eat! It¡¯s onigiri right desu?¡± ¡°Thank you Lotte.¡± Kazuki moved his neck alternately, he was being fed by both Kaguya-senpai and Lotte. ¡°Kazuki, rice is sticking on your cheek.¡± From behind, Koyuki snapped at and ate the rice grain that was sticking to Kazuki¡¯s cheek directly. ¡°Kazu-nii¡­how about mouth-to-mouth feeding?¡± Mio stuck out her lips near him looking for a kiss. ¡°Are you an idiot?¡± Saying that, Kazuki chopped Mio¡¯s head. Seeing that situation, Kanae who was bright red and squirming around from some time ago erupted violently like a volcano. ¡°Nii-sama¨D! What in the world is this!? What¡¯s going on with this smooth chain of events!? Is this what¡¯s going on everyday in the Witch¡¯s Manor¨D!¡± When she was asking whether this is going on everyday or not¡­he really couldn''t deny it. ¡°Th, then! Then please do even more vividly ecchi things to me!¡± ¡°What¡¯s with you? What ecchi things!? Choose your words a little more carefully!!¡± ¡°I can¡¯t go on without Nii-sama doing lewd things to me! I hate it if Nii-sama won¡¯t do lewd thiings to me!¡± Kanae toppled over on top of the sheets while kicking around her arms and legs and threw a tantrum. ¡°Ecchi¨D! Ecchi¨D! Quickly do ecchi things to me!!¡± Under the refreshing clear sky, Kanae yelled out outrageous words. ¡°¡­Kanae-oneesan, please don''t do anything unbecoming when in front of other people that are looking.¡± Kazuki looked at her with extremely cold eyes and spoke with an extremely cold voice. ¡°Wa, please don''t treat me like an older sister all of a sudden! If I am changed completely from a spoiled little sister, I will look like a fool unbecoming of my age, won''t I!?¡± No, you weren''t just looking like an idiot, you were a real idiot right from the depths of your mind. ¡°What ecchi things? We aren''t doing anything ecchi here! Something ecchi is¡­must not be done yet, you know!¡± Mio came and cut in between Kazuki and Kanae. ¡°What are you doing pretending to be innocent, this bad horny thieving cat!¡± ¡°Wha!? The cat in heat is you right!?¡± Both of them were saying ¡°Nya¨D!¡± or ¡°Funya¨D!¡± while starting to wrestle with each other. Kazuki didn¡¯t want to be associated with them so he looked away, then he noticed how, when he thought about it, Kohaku was nowhere to be found. What was she doing¡­? ¡°Kazuki, actually this one also made a boxed lunch when coming here, but¡­¡± Looks like Kohaku just got back from taking something from the classroom. She came bringing a large multi-tiered lunch box. ¡°¡­When everyone already ate that much, as expected you are full already, aren''t you?¡± It seemed Kohaku hadn''t even imagined that this kind of banquet had already begun. Her shoulders fell dejectedly. Seeing that, Kazuki panicked and tried to encourage her. ¡°No, I can eat! I''ll eat it all!¡± ¡°It''ll be short work if everyone eats! Kohaku-chan too, sit, sit!! Oka¨Dy, everyone, additional lunch box is coming!!¡± Kaguya-senpai was being tactful from the side and made the smart move. She received the lunch box with a bright smiling face and called out Kohaku to an empty space. Kohaku settled herself there with a slightly relieved face. ¡°For you to be able to cook too is quite unexpected.¡± Mio stopped her unproductive quarrel with Kanae and pointed at Kohaku¡¯s unexpected side. ¡°Handling edged tools is this one¡¯s forte.¡± ¡°What a comment that made the chest rumble with anxiety just now. Ah, but it¡¯s great!¡± When the lid was opened, the contents were grilled and stewed marine products, beans and vegetables that were finished with delicate seasoning in Kyoto¡¯s style, chirashi sushi and the like. All of it was the workmanship of an amateur but that was as good as a professional. In contrast with Kazuki¡¯s boxed lunch that was family-oriented, this was a boxed lunch that followed through the pure traditional Japanese-style completely. ¡°Kazuki, here, eat this.¡± Kohaku held out food with her chopsticks to Kazuki. However a feeling of opposition was burning inside Kazuki¡¯s chest. ¡°As a maid¡­there is no way I''ll lose in cooking!¡± ¡°Why are you making such a scary face!?¡± Kohaku¡¯s hand that was holding her chopsticks that presented the food was trembling from shock. ¡°Ah, no sorry, I¡¯ll eat. ¡­Delicious. This, what¡¯s this seasoning?¡± ¡°So it matched your taste! This one did a trick to this cooking so it will still be tasty even when it¡¯s cold¡­¡± When Kazuki asked about the food preparation, Kohaku started her explanation cheerfully. Finding a human that shared their same hobby, both of their eyes glittered together as if in resonance. ¡°How is that Kazuki, this one can become a good wife right? This is surely what people call a Yamato Nadeshiko , don¡¯t you agree?¡± Kohaku puffed her chest cutely with her face faintly dyed red. ¡°So Kohaku can become a good maid. Let¡¯s put you in a maid uniform.¡± ¡°What the hell is that!?¡± Kohaku¡¯s body was shaking as if she was receiving the shock of falling thunder. ¡°Kazuki¡­marry this one¡­please marry this one¡­¡± Kohaku was entreating Kazuki with her in a state that invited pity. Right there Mio was ¡°What are you saying, even though we''re still in high school!¡± and cut in. Kaguya-senpai said ¡°Otouto-kun is everyone¡¯s property you know.¡± and hugged Kazuki closely. Koyuki pulled Kazuki¡¯s clothes in light tugs from behind and nonchalantly made her self-assertion. Lotte was smiling with a friendly grin. ¡°Somehow¡­what a cheery bunch just like usual¡­¡± While picking the karaage that had completely become her favorite, Kazuha-senpai whispered while directing a look to Kazuki and the others that was mixed with amazement. ¡°That¡¯s true, they are interesting people aren¡¯t they?¡± Hearing the husky voice that they weren''t used to hearing, all members turned to the direction of the voice. ¡°Ryuutaki Miyabi!?¡± When they turned to look, Miyabi-senpai was sitting in seiza on the leisure sheet of her own accord and ate Kazuki¡¯s character onigiri as she pleased. ¡°Hayashizaki Kazuki, for you to be able to even cook this skillfully, you are becoming more and more of a delicious boy. The way of fighting that was brimming with leadership from before was great. There is no way it won¡¯t make my chest go ¡®kyun kyun¡¯.¡± ¡°You are our enemy right!? Why are you just eating the onigiri with an unruffled face like that!?¡± Mio immediately snarled at Miyabi-senpai, but she took it in stride and warded it off with a smiling face. ¡°When I was just eating silently everyone was looking at nothing other than Hayashizaki Kazuki and no one noticed, so finally I let out my voice. Being invisible is harsh, isn¡¯t it? Even though I longed for such a cheerful atmosphere like this.¡± ¡°¡­Nee-sama! What are you doing in this kind of place¡­?¡± Shinobu-senpai dashed here looking like she was in a panic with wrinkles on her eyebrows. She grabbed Miyabi-senpai by the scruff of the neck and stood her up while dragging her away. ¡°Hayashizaki Kazuki. I¡¯m looking forward to the semifinals. So don''t do things like losing to someone like Otonashi Kaguya, okay?¡± Miyabi-senpai who was being dragged away (zuruzuru ) waved her hand at Kazuki with an elegant expression that didn''t break at all while leaving. Chapter 4.4.3 — Cooperation Attack Volume 4 Chapter 4 - Cooperation Attack Part 3 ¡°So Hoshikaze-senpai¡¯s match will be in the afternoon right? I wonder how their team will fight?¡± Mio asked Kazuki while taking a seat in the front row of the guest stands. ¡°This team is going to fight without thinking anything at all.¡± ¡°If it¡¯s Hoshikaze-senpai¡¯s team, it might be like that.¡± Mio innocently said such an impolite thing. ¡°There is that, but Lotte is also there.¡± After thinking for a moment after hearing Kazuki¡¯s words, ¡°I see¡± she nodded. ¡°What do you mean?¡± Kazuha-senpai came seeking a clearer explanation. ¡°Lotte has use of Possession SummoningDrive so her chant speed is really fast. Moreover, the level of her telepathy towers high above the others; it makes you understand why she is so desirable as a teammate. Even if you aren''t conscious of such things like cooperation, Lotte will always enter with the most suitable follow-up, wouldn''t you think that?¡± ¡°That child, she is always really fussing about the people surrounding her¡­¡± Mio whispered thoughtfully. Even Mio had a lot of memories of Lotte doing such things. Being born and raised in the imperial court where a whirlpool of trickery was raging, it was a miracle that she could grow into such an angel-like child. ¡°Kazuki, you really value Lotte that highly huh.¡± Saying that, Kohaku pouted. ¡°Because, Lotte is an angel, don''t you agree?¡± While saying such things, Hikaru-senpai and her team exited the tent and made their entrance onto the grounds. Shrill voices of cheering that burst their ears were reverberating. No need to mention the students of the Magic Division, but even the female students of the Sword Division raised the voices loudly. As expected of the Prince¡­! ¡°HIKARU-SENPAI, PLEASE DO YOUR BEST!!¡± Kazuki raised an undaunted voice. Hikaru-senpai who was waving her hand toward the surrounding cheers immediately heard Kazuki¡¯s voice and winked stylishly at Kazuki. For Kazuki, who magnified his eyesight with Enchant Aura, he could see that clearly. ¡­What style. ¡°In reality, she has even more popularity than me doesn''t she¡­?¡± Kaguya-senpai whispered dejectedly. As the student council president, because Kaguya-senpai touted around her wish for the Magic Division''s and the Sword Division¡¯s equality, she received criticism from a part of the Magic Division¡¯s students. However, the great effort of such a senpai was being passed over right now in this battle election that was being conducted. On the other side, the opponent¡¯s team finally came while somehow looking uncomfortable. ¡°I know thy forbidden name¡­thy true name is Baalzebul, all the evil is born in the Middle Ages. O disgraced god of harvests, in accordance with my life, regain thy shine!¡± Hikaru-senpai¡¯s form, switching into her Magic Dress, stole Kazuki¡¯s eyes for some reason. A shine of gold and silver that reminded you of the image of a star. Gallant yet also beautiful, the figure of a dashing female knight that was like a hero. ¡°Well then¨Dthird match, begin!¡± The opening of hostilities started with a textbook clash between swordsmen. Kimura-senpai, who was added to the team later on, was quite good. At the same time, even from this far, he could understand how the number 2 most powerful person in the Sword Division, Kamiizumi-senpai constantly paid attention to her team members so she could follow up the other¡¯s actions. They had a nice, balanced combination. In the meanwhile, the rearguard were chanting their Summoning Magic. The one who finished chanting first was, naturally, Lotte. ¡°Roar! Civilization brings destruction to humans! The howl of wisdom scorches thy body, break, that dignity is buried beneath the rubble!! Mitrailleuse!¡± The bullets of the gatling gun were scattered amidst the opponent Magica Stigma who were in the middle of chanting. The damage from the barrage was not so considerable, but it was a magic that considerably disrupted the concentration needed for chanting. ¡°O will of the whirling heavens'' god! Gather in my hand, grant me the authority of judgment! O radiance of royalty¡¯s divine gift, become the drawn bow that shines in splendor! Lightning Line!¡± Hikaru-senpai¡¯s lightning arrow also flew. One of the Magica Stigma in the opposing team was broken out from her chanting. However the other person managed to invoke her attack magic in opposition. ¡°Lamentation of the fetus that is never able to grow, O king of Ralphagrudge¡¯s seed! Scooping the wave of resentment from the realm of the dead with that hand, throw it to that man! Persistent Calling VoiceSlowing Gas!¡± A demon with a jelly like shape of wandering will-o-wisps that was hard to describe¨Dthe avatar of the king of grudges, Bifrons was floating. And then it turned towards Kimura-senpai. A pitch black bullet of curses was flying. ¡°Dangerous!¡± Kamiizumi-senpai, who looked like she changed into a different person when fighting, embraced Kimura-senpai closely and evaded the magic. Kamiizumi-senpai was Kanae¡¯s disciple so she could easily avoid a simple Summoning Magic. With the opposing teams'' first wave of Summoning Magic hitting none of the target, it became a severe development for them. ¡°This hand reached out to the height of Babel, now this hand grasped the thunder of god! In accordance with my life, O lightning, swirled by my will! Collider Field!!¡± Even during that time, Lotte rapidly chanted her magic. For Lotte, the more she chanted her magic the more her whole body would be covered with even more armaments, raising the height of her battle power. ¡°Reaching my hand to the height of Babel, I gain total ascendancy! In accordance with my life, O lightning, praise to the human race¡¯s foolhardiness! Blitzkrieg!!¡± That hand of hers was equipped with a giant lance, Lotte faced the enemy and started to dash. ¡°Prometheus¡­ChargeSchub!¡± Lotte passed by the swordsman without stopping and charged into the opponent Magica Stigma with the electromagnetic lance. ¡°Lightning descended down to my body, earning me godspeed of lightning¡¯s will¡­wake up the sleeping lion! Ride Lightning!¡± Furthermore, Hikaru-senpai also chanted the magic that made her physical ability raise into the superhuman and charged the enemy. ¡°Now that I think about it, those two are both [Striker Magicians]!¡± Mio reflexively let out her voice. Mio was a magician that needed to receive protection to be able to fight at her best. However Lotte was different. Even without paying any attention to her, she would be fine; there was that kind of side in her fighting style. ¡°This team doesn''t have any concept like rearguard or vanguard!¡± Even from this far, they could understand how the opponent team had fallen into great chaos with Lotte and Hikaru-senpai¡¯s charge. For those who had nothing but the Heaven and Earth Formation in their head, they wouldn''t be able to cope with this team at all. ¡°Soaring wings, lording over eyes, invading world-destroying conflagration¨Dmanifest the authority of god right here, as the agent of civilization, deeper and deeper I advance! Deep Striker!!¡± Lotte equipped herself even further with a large thruster system on her back, transforming into a robot girl. She flew to the height of the sky with enormous flames trailing behind her, and then she took a nose dive from an unprecedented height and sent her opponent flying like a traffic accident. After that, Lotte immediately withdrew back to the sky where her opponent couldn¡¯t stop her. ¡°O stream of atmosphere, stretch out to my hand, become the lance that strikes the hateful enemy! What reaches my hand is the tip of the storm!! Wind God Violent Assault SpearAyamur!!¡± Hikaru-senpai also didn¡¯t lose. A storm blew violently at Hikaru-senpai¡¯s surroundings. Those winds converged into one cylinder and turned into a huge spear. She wielded it with physical strength that had been enhanced with reinforcement magic. Ayamur, that had the meaning , caused a burst of violent wind when it was swung. It inflicted a terrific shockwave toward the opponent that attacked her directly. Looking at that destructive force reminded him of the peerless manner of a great man from the annals of the Three Kingdom. ¡°Looks like it had been mostly decided. They are a scary team when they get in the zone.¡± Kaguya-senpai observed the battle with a serious look. It seemed that in a one-on-one battle, Kaguya-senpai had never lost against Hikaru-senpai; but¡­what would happen when it was a team battle? Soon the opponents had fallen into the condition where they couldn¡¯t chant their spells normally anymore¡­ Hikaru-senpai and her teammates had a sweeping victory. ¡°Right now, they have won and advanced favorably, haven''t they?¡± Kaguya-senpai secretly brought her face near and whispered at Kazuki¡¯s ear. This battle election was by no means an event where they could innocently enjoy it. The puzzling students and the faint existence of the puppet master behind them. It was possible that a scheme, with the purpose of taking hold of this academy within their hands, was squirming under the surface¡­one of the three people from the Witch¡¯s Manor had to win this battle election no matter what. ¡ó ¡ó ¡ó ¡ó Hikaru-senpai¡¯s team returned to the guest stands relaxed and without even showing any color of exhaustion on their faces. Replacing them, two teams were entering the constructed waiting tents on both ends of the grounds. Kazuki¡¯s line of sight naturally concentrated on the tent at the other side. Magic Division second year, Mibu Akira. Magic Division second year, Asamiya Anna. Sword Division first year, Katsura Karin. Sword Division second year, Hayashi Shizuka. Mibu-senpai who, according to Kaguya-senpai, had the leader status in the delinquent group, and Katsura Karin, who revealed her true character as an assassin aiming for Kazuki. They were both on the same team. ¡°Otouto-kun, are you really looking at them so seriously?¡± Maybe Kaguya-senpai came asking because she sensed the strangeness in Kazuki¡¯s stare. Kazuki was lost on whether or not he should convey that the true identity of the assassin that assaulted him was Katsura Karin. However, if he disclosed the whole story and explained, he might be scolded because he did some unreasonable things again. No, he didn''t really mind being scolded; but even if he told the whole story now, it might just give senpai excessive worry. ¡°It¡¯s really nothing. It¡¯s just that I was thinking of how interesting Mibu Akira and her team are and only looking at them.¡± ¡°Eh, Otouto-kun likes that type of person!?¡± ¡°No way, delinquents and the like are scary. I don''t like them.¡± When he was in the orphanage, his fellow orphans often got tangled with the neighborhood delinquent group that looked like thugs. To protect his friends, Kazuki frequently got into fights with them. He was joking about how delinquents were scary, but it was the truth that he didn''t like them. ¡°They''re similar to the ill-bred Einherjar, aren''t they? Like Damian?¡± Hikaru-senpai, who was back after the end of her match, came and entered the conversation while laughing. If he decided to disclose the whole story, it might be better to tell it to Hikaru-senpai who might possibly meet them in the next match. ¨DThe referee gave the signal for the contestants to make their entrance. The students walked out from the waiting tents in groups. ¡°Oh my¡­they spread out in a strange formation.¡± Kaguya-senpai raised a surprised voice. The guest stands were also engulfed in a stir. Certainly, a really interesting and strange phenomenon was happening at the ground. The two swordsmen that originally should stand at the frontline were not moving from the front of the tent. Katsura Karin, with a determined spirit on her face, and Hayashi Shizuka, who looked quiet, the two were watching with an air of detachment while crossing their arms and standing fixedly at the edge of the grounds. In contrast, the two Magica Stigma, who should stand by in reserve at the rear, walked lumberingly with long strides to the center of the grounds. ¡­The rearguard and the vanguard were reversed. The delinquent student with a tall stature¨DMibu-senpai held her Sword Division teammates back with her hand while yelling. ¡°Iyo¨Dsh! Karin-chan! You two just relax back there and watch leisurely! The two of us are more than enough for the likes of these small fries of the first round zee¨D!!¡± ¡°Right right, aneki. A real strong Magica Stigma doesn''t need any swordsman to protect them anyway¨D¡± The delinquent student with a short stature¨DAsamiya-senpai followed-up with that big talk. ¡°Wa, wait Kazuki, aren''t those guys strange?¡± Mio gripped on to Kazuki¡¯s chest with a horrified face. The four people of the opposing team that finally came out from the other tent made vacant faces of astonishment, though after a moment it turned into fury and they glared at Mibu-senpai. ¡°I know thy name¡­thy name is [Astaroth]! Well versed in the history of human¡¯s sins, O Diablosslanderer, show the dark power of the empress of terror!¡± At Mibu-senpai¡¯s side, an avatar of a female devil with an intimidating air straddling a large lizard was floating; then that body of hers was equipped with a Magic Dress. It resembled Kaguya-senpai''s somehow, a blue and black Magic Dress. ¡°I know thy name¡­thy name is [Gamygyn]! Subordinate to Lucifermorning star of the dawn, O corrupted fallen angel, show the loyalty of hell!¡± Beside Asamiya-senpai, an avatar of a beautiful woman with long hair straddling a large horse and covered with clothes of flame was floating; then her body was equipped with a Magic Dress. Her Magic Dress was red and black. The opposing team also performed Access, sparking the start of the match. ¡°Fourth match, begin!¡± ¡°This is the beginning of the surprise zee¨D, hyahha¨D!¡± While raising a strange voice for no reason at all, Mibu-senpai and Asamiya-senpai charged toward the swordsmen with just the two of them. The swordsmen slashed their swords with the intention of teaching them a lesson but, the next moment, ¡°ACHO¨D!¡± Mibu-senpai and Asamiya-senpai warded the attacks with a palm strike that moved like it was drawing a circle. Warding off the katana with their bare hands was not an ordinary feat. However those movements were similar to Katsura Karin''s movements who Kazuki had confronted once before. ¡­That yell of ¡®ACHO¨D¡¯ before, unexpectedly it might not be them joking around; but these guys might be skillful users of Chinese kenpo!! When Mibu-senpai and Asamiya-senpai defended against the swordsmens'' first moves, they slipped into the opponents¡¯ bosoms and stepped into a position where they were hard to attack. If it was Karin, she would step hard on the ground in that position and unleash Hakkyouken, but it seemed those two hadn¡¯t learned that skill yet. In exchange, while they were defending against the opponents'' attacks earnestly, they started chanting their spells. However, before they managed to finish, the Magica Stigma of the opposing team had finished their chanting. ¡°O faithful and zealous worker, release that flame in your eyes! Lion Eye Heat RayLion''s Fire!!¡± A soldier with a lion face and burning red eyes that were gleaming dangerously¨Dsoldier of hell, Allocer''s avatar was floating with a strange pose. From his eyes a bright red laser was fired. ¡°Thou are crystal exorcisms who find lost truth¡­gouging out the darkness of the deepest sinful heart, it was pierced and broke with the gold of that hand! Gold Pendulum ArrowGolden Dowsing Arrow!!¡± A venerable gentleman wearing a crimson robe¨Da man from hell who saw through everything, Vasago¡¯s avatar was floating; the gold pendant that was grasped in his hand flew like an arrow. ¡°It comes, it comes, it comes, I feel it ze! HOACHA¨D!!¡± Laser and golden arrow were coming to attack Mibu-senpai and Asamiya-senpai respectively. But as if they had completely predicted it beforehand, the two somersaulted backward magnificently and dodged. ¡°A, aneki¨D, this arrow keeps chasing me aneki¨D! Hiee¨D!¡± ¡°You idiot¨D! Keep dodging it with your spirit!!¡± The swordsmen slashed at them from their flanks. As expected, the two of them couldn''t evade while concentrating on the magic and their defensive magic power was scattered. ¡°OUCH¨D! This asshole!¡± Saying that, Mibu-senpai raised a stupid sounding scream. ¡°That movement¡­those two are reading the magic power, aren¡¯t they?¡± Kanae was whispering in admiration. ¡°Right now, they are just using it on defense. But compared to unskilled swordsman, they are still quite better.¡± ¡°Moreover, even when they were slashed by the swordsmen, they used Resist against the damage solidly. That¡¯s why their concentration on their spells didn''t get interrupted, though their efficiency has been reduced because they keep talking pointlessly while chanting their spells.¡± Kaguya-senpai too was ooh-ing and aah-ing in admiration looking at those two¡¯s way of fighting. ¡°Resist?¡± ¡°I wonder if Otouto-kun and others haven¡¯t learned it in class. What Resist means is to reduce the damage from the attack against ourselves by using the appropriate general magic.¡± He never heard about Resist, but in actual battle there were some instances where he noticed something like that. He had always constantly noticed it when he fought powerful magicians like Beatrix or Kaguya-senpai. Even Kaya had indirectly explained to him about Resist. For example against physical attacks, the user could create an impact with the opposite vector using [Psychokinesis] that produced and manipulated movement energy and reduced the damage. Against fire attacks, with the use of [Pyrokinesis] that produced - decreased - manipulated heat energy, the user could steal the heat from the flame, create cold air and reduce the damage. It was such a defense method. [Defensive magic power] instinctually poured out a large amount of magic power for protection, negating every phenomenon. It was an almighty defense, but the consumption was enormous. It was a state that was very inefficient. In contrast with that, [Resist], which reduced the attack power with appropriate use of controlled general magic, had a good efficiency in magic power consumption. Kaguya-senpai and Beatrix were people who originally had large amounts of magic power in the first place; but with high Resist skill, they wouldn''t easily fall into magic intoxication from damage. ¡°Though Otouto-kun has Foresight and defensive magic in a great variety of elements, so you might not need this.¡± Of course defensive magic that resulted from summoning Divas had a much better efficiency than Resist simply because it could use the power of a Diva. However for Kaguya-senpai who used defensive magic that was too temporary like [Suicide Black] that didn¡¯t have substantial defensive power, a Resist skill became a lifeline for her. Mibu-senpai and Asamiya-senpai endured their opponents fierce attack with excellent Resist and continued to chant. They were in the process of preparing magic around level 5! ¡°Arriving in the future from the past, O goddess that accepted the slanders of humans¡­change that darkness into deadly poison, vomit it everywhere! Slander the foolishness of these people!! Deadly Poisonous SpeechPoison Argument!!¡± Mibu-senpai¡¯s Diva, Astaroth made the lizard that she straddled vomit out a large amount of pitch black bubbles. When the opposing swordsmen got in contact with those bubbles, they immediately wobbled around as if feeling some kind of dizziness. Even their movement immediately dulled. ¡°O gathering souls from the calling voice of the god of death, armor my body, turn this body into hell¡¯s tormenting devil¡­right here is the trump card against the heavens! Ghost Heavy Armor InfantryBlack Titan!!¡± Asamiya-senpai¡¯s contracted Diva, Gamygyn was crying {Ooooo¡­} with a hoarse voice that was in contrast with that beautiful appearance of hers. Pitch black mist burst forth from the bottom of the earth rapidly and enveloped Asamiya-senpai¡¯s body. Asamiya-senpai¡¯s figure transformed into a giant that was made from a thick black mist. ¡°ACHO¨D!¡± Asamiya-senpai swung those gigantic limbs while raising a strange voice. The fist and kick made from the black mist trampled down the swordsmen that were hazy in consciousness from the poison bubble. ¡°HOACHA¨D!¡± Furthermore, the black mist on Asamiya-senpai''s body was concentrating on her arm and stretched (GUGUGU) very long. It transformed into something with the length of dozens of meters and hit the Magica Stigma at the rear, hard. The Magica Stigma on the opposing team were attempting to prepare a high level magic that could turn the tables in one shot, but¡­Mibu-senpai¡¯s black bubbles were flying up to the rear area. They were hit by the black arm while their consciousness was hazy. The magic power they kneaded were dispersed because they couldn''t continue to concentrate. ¡°That team kept missing with their level 1 magic and they allowed their opponent to invoke their level 5 magic. The match had been decided from that.¡± Kaguya-senpai whispered. Just like Hikaru-senpai¡¯s [Ride Lightning] and Lotte¡¯s [Deep Striker] from the previous match, Summoning Magic around level 5 had the power to change the state of the battle drastically. However there was also the miss in the tactic of the opposing team¡­the good balance of Mibu Akira and Asamiya Anna¡¯s physical ability and magic skill also couldn''t be overlooked. ¡°I wonder why they are intentionally fighting in that kind of way? Demonstration?¡± Mio tilted her head in confusion. It was a way of fighting that was completely foreign and hard to understand for Mio. ¡°Didn''t they just want to avoid having the damage focused on just the swordsmen? If they challenge the next match using the normal Heaven and Earth Formation, they could equalize the damage and the recovery period will be more efficient right?¡± Hikaru-senpai expressed such an opinion. Certainly equalization of damage could bring a lot of merit if it could be done. ¡°But if they are that strong, I think they won¡¯t get any damage at all even if they just fight normally though.¡± That was what Kazuki thought. In reality, even Kazuki and the others finished their respective matches without bearing any damage that would carry over to the next match. ¡°¡­What I can''t comprehend is their physical ability. I can understand that their chanting and Resist skills are high because they are Magica Stigma of the Magic Division. However in addition to that, to have Foresight skill up to that level and also Enchant Aura on their whole body? Do they have some kind of trick?¡± Kanae made an expression of confusion. Not to mention about their Chinese kenpo, but is it also a trick? They didn''t even have any Sacred Treasures. Were they doing something else despite not showing any appearance of chanting any particular Summoning Magic? ¡°Certainly their ability feels too over-spec from here. But it has become quite interesting, don''t you think so? I was getting worried that it would be quite unfair to Kazuki and Kaguya for me alone to have the path that is too easy until the finals, you know!?¡± Hikaru-senpai made a fist and hit her own palm while making a cheerful smiling face like a young boy''s. ¡°Ee~ going until the finals comfortably is the most fun though, prince~¡± ¡°That¡¯s right you know¨D, prince-sama¨D¡± Kamiizumi-senpai and Kimura-senpai were complaining (buu¨D buu¨D) after listening to what Hikaru-senpai said. ¡°Ahaha, it¡¯s fine you know? After all, I''m going to protect everyone!¡± ¡°Kya¨D, prince is so cool¨D!¡± ¡°Hug me¨D!¡± ¨DThe day after tomorrow, Hikaru-senpai¡¯s team would clash against that team. Chapter 4.4.4 — Cooperation Attack Volume 4 Chapter 4 - Cooperation Attack Part 4 Hikaru-senpai came to Kazuki¡¯s room again. They passed the time playing games together. ¡°I¨Dlost¨Da¨Dga¨Din¨D! Kazuki, for some reason, your response time is too dreadful. Even when I think of a new way of fighting, you completely adapt against it immediately. How do you do that?¡± ¡°That¡¯s because the Hayashizaki-style is a school that puts importance in observing.¡± ¡°So it¡¯s the Hayashizaki-style¨D, it¡¯s the Hayashizaki-style after all so it can''t be helped huh¨D. But except for games that we have to use our brains, I still have a better battle record against you in fighting games, isn''t it¨D. I wonder if I¡¯m too simple?¡± Hikaru-senpai sprawled on the floor powerlessly. As usual she was wearing that stimulating attire that looked like body paint. Kazuki was still unable to take a straight look at her. ¡°Well if I can¡¯t win, then I can¡¯t win. Though there is some fun in the challenge itself anyway!¡± She stretched her body while still sprawling on the floor; then she sat sideways and barrel rolled toward Kazuki (goron¨Dgoron¨D) and crashed into him. When she did this it seemed that she wasn''t conscious that the other party to the skinship was a guy. Kazuki leaned his body forward and turned off the game console¡¯s power. The reflection of the three dimensional game that was projected from the phantasmagoria vanished from the room. ¡°Senpai, it''s quite late already, let¡¯s go to sleep.¡± ¡°Mu, are you quitting while you''re ahead!? Someone like that isn''t manly at all!!¡± Rather than games, there was a matter that he wanted to talk about. ¡°Senpai, I want to tell you something though¡­¡± Toward Hikaru-senpai that was leaning her body forward (goro¨D) like a cat, Kazuki began to talk about the suspicious shadow that was associated with this battle election and about the assassin that came aiming for his life¨DKatsura Karin. ¡°¡­That¡¯s really dangerous! To ask about the security cameras from me for that kind of reason!¡± First, about when Kazuki¡¯s heart got stopped and then after that, how he intentionally took a walk and got attacked once more, when Kazuki told the story, Hikaru-senpai sprung up and got angry with a serious face. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, but I thought it would be more dangerous if we didn¡¯t obtain more information. For a man, there are times when he has to do something even if it¡¯s dangerous.¡± ¡°Mumumu! O¨Dk, certainly it¡¯s just like you said. There are too many unclear matters that feel ominous. If you are a man, then it¡¯s not good unless you move decisively, that¡¯s how it is!¡± There were times where it was easy to make Hikaru-senpai understand as long as you told her [for a man~]. ¡°Then if we put the story all together, Katsura Karin will use a dangerous Chinese kenpo skill in the fight the day after tomorrow against my team. By some chance there might also be that unknown Diva she is contracted with too.¡± Shintoukei¨Da technique that inflicts damage directly to the flesh. When he imagined that kind of technique used against his important people, it felt like he was assaulted with a chill that made the hairs on his whole body stand up. He was anxious. Far more than when his own heart got stopped. ¡°Not just Katsura Karin, the other person, that senpai named Hayashi Shizuka might also use the same technique.¡± ¡°It¡¯s unnatural to think that she is unrelated in this isn¡¯t it?¡± ¡°And then Mibu Akira and Asamiya Anna, these two learned Chinese kenpo from them too; and just like that they could fight like what we saw.¡± ¡°In short, it was like that. In the worst case, Mibu Akira¡¯s team¡­all four of them are made of Magica Stigma that could fight in close-quarters with Chinese kenpo that possess the power of instant death. ¡­Ahaha!¡± ¡°That¡¯s not something to laugh at.¡± Kazuki thought whether or not there was a method to remove those girls in accordance with the rules. In truth, he was having this kind of discussion with Kazuha-senpai during the daytime. {Kazuha-senpai, suppose that you''re still hiding Futsunushi no Kami¡¯s stigmata, how would you get away if the academy suddenly did a surprise stigmata inspection on a certain day?} {Wh, what¡¯s with that messed up question? Well¡­it¡¯s simple you know. I will immediately cut my contract with Futsunushi no Kami. If I do that everything will be alright if I bare my body naked in the inspection.} {So that kind of method exists?} {That, it¡¯s because the contract between me and Futsunushi no Kami is not done because he particularly seeks a compensation from me anyway. Though it will be hard to restore the contract afterwards because with no stigmata it becomes hard to Access the Diva.} ¨DLike that even if he informed the headmaster that [Katsura Karin was contracted with an unknown Diva] and a surprise inspection was performed, it would be useless. Even in the assault before, she didn¡¯t leave any proof behind. In the end, a fight with them was unavoidable. ¡°It will be fine, Kazuki. I don''t think they are that formidable of opponents even with those things. Kaguya and your team are much scarier. Am I wrong?¡± Hikaru-senpai floated an easy smile. Certainly¡­Kaguya-senpai¡¯s team and Mibu Akira¡¯s team, if someone asked him which would be easier to fight, he had a hunch that Kaguya-senpai would be the one that would still be more severe to face even after all that had been said and done. ¡°When I saw the tournament chart, I felt bad when I noticed that I''m the only one who would arrive at the finals with ease. But now that we arrived at this point, I get the role to stop the opponent that absolutely must be stopped from going further directly to the front. I¡¯m really happy. This is a serious responsibility. A fitting event for a real man. I''ll give the taste of defeat to those guys thoroughly. ¡­That¡¯s why, how about you just concentrate on defeating Kaguya?¡± Hikaru-senpai timidly brought her finger near Kazuki¡¯s forehead and poked lightly. ¡°If you lose to Kaguya here, you too will keep getting the cute little brother treatment for a long time after this, you know?¡± ¡°That¡¯s¡­I don''t really mind about that though. In reality, I''m the younger one, her junior in school.¡± ¡°Ahaha, because she said you are cute. However, it¡¯s no good. As a boy you must properly show your reliable side. If you could do that, then surely you''d look aa¨Dmazingly cool!¡± He felt that Hikaru-senpai sometimes didn''t seem like a prince, but a really fantastic big sister. ¡°¡­I¡¯m going to do my best. Of course I don''t intend to lose.¡± ¡°Fufufu, we are going to meet in the finals, it¡¯s a promise!¡± It was embarrassing, but for some reason, Kazuki averted his eyes from senpai¡¯s straightforward gaze. ¡°Err¨Drr, that¡¯s all for the talk, let¡¯s get to sleep soon.¡± ¡°Right, right. We have to prepare for tomorrow¡¯s practice!¡± Turning off the electricity, both of them laid on the floor. Inside the darkness he felt the presence of Hikaru-senpai coming closer. As though she was going to hug him from behind¨D. ¡°Ah, it¡¯s no good¡­as I thought getting near while it¡¯s dark is¡­still a little scary.¡± Now that she mentioned it, the purpose of this get-together was to cure Hikaru-senpai¡¯s phobia of men. ¡°Then senpai, how is it if I do this?¡± Inside the darkness, Kazuki softly took hold of senpai¡¯s hand. Hikaru-senpai twitched for a moment, but, ¡°Hmm? Even though we are touching, strangely I feel fine¡­¡± She was saying that with a relieved voice. Hikaru-senpai trusted Kazuki with her reasoning, but she said that she was instinctively repulsed by the part of him that was a man. It is possible that she has a completely instinctive fear of the smell of a man. However, the act of wrapping up their hands together was the exact opposite of such fear and repulsion. The manly sensation of a boy¡¯s palm, however he only did a [normal hand holding] that was the farthest thing from a dangerous action and did nothing else. ¡®I wonder if it would be fine if it¡¯s just this¡¯, that was what Kazuki thought. ¡°Bu, but this¡­it makes my heart throb fast, I can''t calm downnn¡­¡± ¡°That throb, does it feel bad?¡± ¡°It, it¡¯s not bad at all! Things like this also have the feel of a man¡¯s friendship right!?¡± If male friends did something like this together they would feel revolted though, Kazuki thought inside his heart. Chapter 4.4.5 — Cooperation Attack Volume 4 Chapter 4 - Cooperation Attack Part 5 May 17th. The day of the second round of the matches had come. What was conducted first was the decisive match where Kazuki was challenging Kaguya-senpai. The degree of attention from the other students was also high. ¡°How are we going to fight?¡± Inside the temporary tent which was turned into a waiting room, Mio asked Kazuki with a serious way of speaking. ¡°What¡¯s important is to constantly cooperate and never let it get cut off. We are the ones that are losing in terms of individual strength. If the fight develops into one-on-one fights in four different places, I think we absolutely won''t be able to win.¡± Kazuki, who didn''t bring his katana, would surely lose if he was careless against Kaguya-senpai. If Kohaku, who didn''t have her Sacred Treasures, was careless against Kanae, Kanae would surely win with almost no injury on her. Mio and Koyuki were even; but against Torazou-san, even if he was careless, it would be severe for Kazuha-senpai. If someone got defeated somewhere and their team fell into numerical disadvantage, just like that, the outcome would be decided already. ¡°It¡¯s painful when Kazuki said it so clearly that our own strength is inferior, but¡­have you discovered a chance of victory somewhere?¡± Kohaku who had her own differences with Kanae pointed out, made a bitter face and asked. ¡°Kaguya-senpai and Kanae have [absolute individual strength]. However, I don''t think that those two¡¯s strength is necessarily suitable for team battle. All of us are going to cooperate with each other and fight in the way that shaves off the strength of those two. If we can shave off their strength, we should be able to see a chance of victory.¡± ¡°How do you think we are going to do something like that?¡± Kazuha-senpai inserted her hands into the pockets of her Sword Division¡¯s battle uniform and said impatiently. ¡°Kaguya-senpai¡¯s weak point is as the person herself said as well, the lineup of magic that she can use is too showy. And then Kanae¡¯s weak point is¡­¡± And then when the time came for the players to enter the stage, Kazuki and the others came out from the tent. ¡°How about we decide the conclusion, Otouto-kun!¡± Coming out to the grounds, Kaguya-senpai made a declaration of war with a loud voice. Coupled with that Magic Dress form of hers, it was impolite, but he couldn''t hear it with the mood as anything other than the speech of an evil female top echelon from a masked hero show. ¡°What conclusion? It¡¯s not like there''s any fate particularly at work here.¡± ¡°Not that! Otouto-kun might have had the belief of winning against me, who lost my sanity at that time, however I don''t remember it so it¡¯s a no-count¨D! I am the big sister, the student council president and the master. I will teach those facts to Otouto-kun! Right, Kana-chan!¡± Kaguya-senpai moved the talk to Kanae who stood directly next to her. ¡°Such things are trivial!¡± Saying that, Kanae curtly threw away Kaguya-senpai¡¯s words. ¡°However, I will block Nii-sama¡¯s path right here by standing as the strongest enemy! Before Nii-sama spreads his wings as the leader of this academy, I¡¯m going to become your final ordeal! If we talk about a conclusion that has to be reached, then it¡¯s surely about the years long rivalry between Onii-sama and me! Come, it¡¯s time to carry out the promise!¡± Promise¨Dthe promise between him and Kanae at the school enrollment. The strongest Magica Stigma and the strongest swordsman were, right now, standing in his way as the [Swordsman of the Magic Division]. ¡°¡°Now is the time to decide this academy¡¯s strongest!¡±¡± Both of their voices overlapped together. Against the statements of the two representatives of the academy, excited cheering that deafened the ear welled up from the stands. ¡°Even though this is only the quarterfinals, the atmosphere really feels like the climax of a last battle, doesn''t it?¡± Torazou-san scratched his head with a dumb face. ¡°¡­That¡¯s true but I don''t have any intention of losing against Kazuki either.¡± Koyuki too glared at Kazuki with a composed look. ¡°This is not a personal battle you know? ¡­Everyone, let¡¯s ignore those overly hot-blooded people. We are going to fight with the bonds between us!!¡± Kazuki called out to his comrades at the back. His comrades replied back to him ¡°OOO¨D!¡± all together. And then, the Magica Stigma from the two teams stepped back at the same time toward the rear and formed the Heaven and Earth formation. Opposing Kohaku was Kanae and Torazou-san stood opposite Kazuha-senpai. And then all the Magica Stigma performed Access at once, their forms were altered into their Magic Dress. ¡°Then the quarterfinal first round¨Dbegin!¡± The referee teacher announced the match. The eight people started to move at the same time¡­! ¡°Everyone, Formation Dark!¡± Kaguya-senpai gave some kind of instruction. A different tactic from the first match was coming¡­ this was according to his prediction. Even its content was following his guess faintly. ¡°Begone Kohaku! Don''t be a nuisance in my contest with Nii-sama!¡± Kanae slashed at Kohaku with force that was filled with more than enough spirit! ¡°Here I go! Year in, year out, I¡¯m always only getting made fun of by all the girls, I can¡¯t keep getting looked down like that!¡± Torazou-san too slashed at Kazuha-senpai! ¡°¡°Self Burning!¡±¡± Kazuki and Mio matched their voice and chanted the same magic. That changed the state of two battles in a big way. First was the fight between Kanae and Kohaku¨D Against Kanae¡¯s high speed sword dance, the situation immediately developed against Kohaku where she was being pushed back. However after Kohaku held out and a slight time had passed after the start of the fight, the flame armor that Kazuki had chanted immediately wrapped itself around Kohaku. ¡°What impertinence!¡± Kanae ignored the defensive magic and slashed down on the flame armor. Kanae¡¯s Enchant Aura extended to her katana, enveloping it with aura that turned it into a magic sword that destroyed all magic phenomenon. That aura and the flame armor clashed against each other, offsetting the other. The aura of the magic sword vanished. If the aura of the blade was erased, Kanae¡¯s sword attack would have no attack power behind it except the original strength of a powerless girl. For Kohaku on the other hand, beneath the flame armor there was the girl¡¯s own defensive magic power. Kanae¡¯s sword whose attack power was killed by the flame armor inflicted almost no damage on Kohaku. ¡°There!¡± In contrast, Kohaku didn¡¯t even think about dodging and swung her sword with first-class timing for a simultaneous strike. Moreover Kohaku was using Psychokinesis to move the flame to her own blade. As a flame sword, it was adding to its attack power. ¡°!?¡± Kanae leapt back in panic. She was unable to avoid it completely and got grazed by the flames. ¡°Freeze Barrier!¡± From the rear Koyuki chanted a defensive magic for Kanae in a panic. The protection of the ice prevented the flames of the sword from reaching. The two took some distance for the moment and glared at each other. Kanae concentrated the cold that enveloped her body into her blade and attempted to increase her own attack power. However, she failed. Compared to the flame that was visible to the eye, the cold in her blade was hard to sense; psychokinesis manipulation was hard. Seeing that, Kohaku laughed provocatively. ¡°Even after receiving the chant of defensive magic¡­from the beginning the powerless Kana-nyan-senpai¡¯s attack power is zero anyway.¡± Kanae, who secretly held an inferiority complex against her own powerlessness, distorted her eyebrows in irritation. ¡°Then I won''t bother with someone like you!¡± Kanae ignored Kohaku and slipped by Kohaku¡¯s side. ¡°This one won''t let you! Absolutely!!¡± Kohaku barely Foresighted Kanae¡¯s [next movement] in time and threw her own body in front of Kanae. Without even thinking about defense or offense, only obstructing the direction of Kanae¡¯s travel mattered. ¡°Sheet, you''re annoying!¡± Kanae, whose path was blocked, swung her katana. She hit the defenseless Kohaku; but thanks to the flame armor, there was no damage to Kohaku. Kohaku spread both her arms and blocked Kanae¡¯s path. A swordsman like Kanae, who could release a great number of attacks, was the natural enemy of Magica Stigma. Consecutive attacks had higher effectiveness in disrupting the spell chanting when compared to a single powerful blow. Therefore, Kohaku resolved herself to be the wall intently and exclusively. On the other side, Kazuha-senpai and Torazou-san¡¯s fight was¨D ¡°Don''t you dare think that degree of flame armor could block my sword! TORAZOU SMAAAAAAAAAAASSHHhh¡­huh, wha, what¡¯s with this flame¡¯s force!?¡± Torazou-san, who brandished his powerful sword with all his strength, raised an utterly astonished voice looking at the situation right in front of his eyes. The flame armor that covered Kazuha-senpai blazed violently with the force several times the original power. ¡°I don''t want to admit it but¡­I have talent in the way of magic¨D! I''m not really happy with this, but¡­I''m the same, a [Magic Swordsman] like Hayashizaki Kazuki!!¡± Kazuha-senpai collected the oxygen in her surroundings beforehand. Within the highly-concentrated oxygen, the flame armor burned up beyond its usual fierceness! ¨D[Self Burning] with oxygen incited reinforcement. Perceiving the invisible oxygen and controlling it with Psychokinesis was a fairly high-level technique. However, Kazuha-senpai showed that she did it within only a moment right after the start of the match. ¡°Yamada Torazou, I will do away with you too and elevate my name! And then become a popular person for sureee!!¡± ¡°I, I don''t really get it, but you are incredibly burning up with tenacity! How can I looseeee!!¡± Kazuha-senpai¡¯s katana that was clad in fierce flame clashed against the Torazou Smash. The flame drowned out Torazou-san¡¯s aura and even melted the body of the blade. Torazou-san¡¯s magic power was converted from Enchant Aura into Pyrokinesis, stealing the heat from the katana and cooling it down for protection. The result of such magical counterbalancing was the loss of Enchant Aura¡¯s effect on Torazou Smash, turning it into just a mediocre slash. (GIIN!) The sword of Kazuha-senpai, who was just a greenhorn and often made fun of before, magnificently repelled back Torazou Smash that was feared as the strongest attack in the Sword Division. Torazou-san¡¯s posture was broken; Kazuha-senpai immediately pursued him to keep attacking. ¡°Whoaa!¡± Torazou-san desperately rolled around to dodge. ¡°¡­This is looking bad. I won¡¯t get any help from anyone in this Formation Dark.¡± ¡°I¡¯ll win¡­and become a popular person for sure!¡± Torazou-san was forced into a one-sided defensive battle by the fierceness of Kazuha-senpai, who was driven on in a trance. Kazuha-senpai, who had separated herself from her nervousness, turned into a flexible beast and stood in overwhelming domination. The two [Self Burning] shook the two battle states greatly. ¨DOf course at the same time with that progress, the rearguard had also began the offense and defense of magic. ¡°Barrett!¡± Kazuki checked Koyuki who protected Kanae with [Freeze Barrier] using attack magic. Koyuki couldn''t defend against the attack in order to protect Kanae; her defensive magic power was scattered. ¡°O nihility of ancient times, become the freezing deep breath that resides in the vacuum of this chest. In the flowing stillness of rejection, freeze and be silent¡­Glacier Wind!¡± Koyuki invoked a magic for counterattack. However the one it aimed for was not Kazuki. The target was Kohaku. Kohaku could dodge a simple attack magic, but she couldn''t do such things while she was fighting Kanae. The wind that contained chilling air erased the flame armor that enveloped Kohaku¡¯s body. When it happened, Kanae¡¯s high speed sword dance once again became a complete threat. ¡°Self Burning!¡± With the swiftness that was accumulated from training, Kohaku was attached with defensive magic. ¡°Mio, Kaguya-senpai is preparing her chant!¡± At the same time, Kazuki sensed a stimulation of magic power. He had anticipated this beforehand. That was why he had given detailed instructions to Mio of the countermeasure for that. The problem was the difference in speed between the two. ¡°O formless mute shadow, become the fish that swim in the darkness that¡¯s pregnant with obstructive thought! Origin of nightmares, vicissitudes of materialism, bite in answer of terror and hope¡­! Deep Specter!¡± Kaguya-senpai invoked a level 5 magic with surprising speed. The shadow behind Kohaku swelled up greatly, became a huge monster, and attacked her! However, Kohaku had heard from Kazuki beforehand about his guess that Kaguya-senpai would chant this magic. The girl evaded the shadow monster¡¯s surprise attack as if she had an eye attached on the back of her head. In the middle of that offense and defense, Kanae finally slipped by Kohaku¡¯s side. And then she headed to the rearguard, Kazuki and Mio, dashing at full speed. There was no doubt that this move was something that they had arranged beforehand. The Formation Dark that Kaguya-senpai instructed was to create a numerical advantage with the use of [Deep Specter] and directed Kanae to the Magica Stigma. There was no mistake that this was that kind of tactic! However, he had read their move beforehand- that Kanae might be coming to them like that. The magic Kaguya-senpai could use that was orienting towards teamwork was around something like [Deep Specter] after all. Even how Koyuki might not use [Moves in the Field] also could be predicted. Because there was the flame magic specialist Mio on this side, this side could melt the ground''s surface immediately. Kazuki could also chant the same [Moves in the Field] and affixed his teammates with ice boots to oppose them. Kanae, who became free, rushed to his position. To protect Mio, Kazuki made an interception against her. Currently, Mio is chanting, so a disturbance against her Summoning Magic must not be allowed. That¡¯s why I''ll stop Kanae¡­with this fist! ¡°Are you saying that you''ll stop me bare-handed, Nii-sama!¡± ¡°If I can¡¯t do that, then we won''t be able to win!¡± This match was about how he would fight to protect the Mioprincess. This was because Mio was that kind of child, so it couldn''t be helped. ¡°My wicked thoughts are filled with curses, I beseech for thy pain¡­ I have no shame for my ominous thinking! Feel Pain!¡± Kaguya-senpai who had finished chanting Deep Specter sensed Torazou-san¡¯s disadvantage and launched a shooting magic of pain illusion to Kazuha-senpai. Unfortunately, Kazuha-senpai didn''t have the perception power to just dodge that attack. ¡°UGUU! ¡­No, no way I''ll loseee!¡± However, Kazuha-senpai¡¯s talent in general magic was a cut above other people. She had already learned the Trance technique through training in order to soften the pain as the countermeasure for Kaguya-senpai. Her inherent will-power should be enough to endure around two or three shots of [Feel Pain]. ¡°Nii-sama, prepare yourself!¡± Kazuki foresighted Kanae¡¯s slash and repelled it away with his fist. However, Kanae was fast at any rate. Moreover, in order to prevent her from heading towards Mio, Kazuki had to constantly move in a way that blocked Kanae¡¯s path. But¡­, ¡°Without hesitation even if cursing, thou also wounded myself¡­shared pain is my joy! Cry and shout in the mirror''s reflection! Suicide Black!¡± While Kazuki met Kanae right from the front, he invoked that magic. ¡°Wh!? For Nii-sama to do such a dreadful thing!?¡± The Storm Cat couldn''t press the emergency brake even when the red light had turned on. The swing of the katana that was moving toward the black mist fell. It resulted in a raised scream of ¡°NYAAA¨D!¡± from the reflected pain. ¡°Kana-chan!?¡± The one who reacted towards that scream was Kaguya-senpai. Kaguya-senpai, who struck Kazuha-senpai with several shots of [Feel Pain], was undoubtedly aiming for [Ultra Violence] next. However, if she made the evil sound that doubled the pain resound right now, then Kanae would also get affected with its effect. There was no function of allies and enemies identification in [Ultra Violence] after all. ¡­Though now was not the time, was Mio¡¯s chant still not finished yet!? The magic power of Mio who was advancing her preparation for high level magic, swelled up on a grand scale. ¨DKoyuki sensed that situation. Noticing that Mio hadn¡¯t invoked any magic since she chanted the [Self Burning] in the opening of the match, she had strengthened her vigilance without doubt. Koyuki invoked her magic preceding Mio. ¡°O singing voice of the mermaid, manifest the freezing thought of yours. Sadness to ice flower, loneliness to light snowfall, cover the world with cold white¡­White Album!¡± The invocation rewrote the space itself with the world of a blizzard that was attacking, a large-scale magic that was impossible to avoid. Besides Kazuki and Mio, Kohaku and Kazuha-senpai too were also locked up completely inside the alternate dimension of blizzard. ¡°Freeze Barrier!¡± Kazuki had to protect Mio at the very least; he chanted defensive magic to Mio. The other three people ate the damage of the blizzard completely. ¡°¡­Resist¡­!¡± Still inexperienced in its usage, Kazuki desperately attempted Resist. Even so Kazuki¡¯s defensive magic power was shaved off by a lot. The flame armors that enveloped Kohaku and Kazuha-senpai were also extinguished and they bore the damage directly. When the freezing world used up its energy completely and collapsed, Kazuki and the others returned to the previous space. Koyuki distorted her expression. Due to Kazuki¡¯s [Suicide Black], the phantom pain was reflected back to her. [Suicide Black] also exerted its influence toward Kanae¡¯s aggression. It was very useful in this match. ¡°Only this much pain! ¡­For Kaguya¡¯s countermeasure, I secretly trained the Trance technique to reduce the pain! I''ll show you that I can endure this much!!¡± Kanae came slashing at Kazuki with an expression of pretended endurance. Is Mio¡¯s magic still not ready yet¡­! He couldn¡¯t hold out for too long anymore! ¡°Blooming flower of blood tearing the skin, eternally resounding scream¡­awaken the hell right here and fell the betrayer! Cochytus!!¡± Didn''t your [Ultra Violence]¡¯s chanting get interrupted just before this! With a speed that made Kazuki spontaneously scream inside his heart, Kaguya-senpai invoked her level 4 magic. Wide scope offense magic¨DIn the area where Kazuki and Mio were standing, wind of freezing hell was raging mad. ¡°Freeze Barrier!¡± Kazuki immediately chanted a defensive magic. The target was of course Mio. ¡°Even like that, you will still keep protecting Mio-chan!?¡± Kaguya-senpai who had the pain of freezing reflected back to her yelled while grimacing. ¡°Kohaku, Kazuha-senpai, now!¡± Sensing that Mio¡¯s magic was in the verge of getting invoked right at this moment, Kazuki gave out his instructions. Going along with those instructions, Kohaku led the shadow monster into a straight line between Mio and Koyuki. Kazuha-senpai guided a lot of oxygen towards Koyuki with Psychokinesis. ¡°¡­Don''t tell me!?¡± Noticing what would happen next, Koyuki chanted a defensive magic in panic . ¡°The light of heaven residing in that body, O bird of paradise, following my accusation reduce to ashes the sins on the earth! Israel Judgment!!¡± The highest level of magic that Mio could use, the level 6 magic was invoked! Light element offense magic¨Dlasers poured on the shadow monster who was weak against the element, it was vanishing like an evaporated shadow. With momentum that showed no sign of declining at all, the laser charged Koyuki! ¡°Freeze Barrier!¡± Instantly Koyuki defended herself with defense magic, but¨Daround the girl¡¯s surroundings was a gathering of highly-concentrated oxygen. With the laser pouring down on that area, a terrible flame explosion was bursting out. The ice defensive magic was immediately torn apart, Koyuki was blown away to the corner of the ground while the blue light of her defensive magic power was scattering everywhere. ¡°Koyuki-chan!¡± Kaguya-senpai shouted. With the shadow monster obliterated, Kohaku, who became free, charged with the intention of pursuing Koyuki. ¡°I won''t let you!¡± Kanae left Kazuki alone and dashed away in panic to protect Koyuki. However, he mustn''t let Kanae protect Koyuki. They had to defeat Koyuki with this momentum and obtain numerical superiority. Kanae and Kazuki, who was pursuing, traded blows of fist and katana while running. ¡°Kuu¡­although every bit of the pain is reflected back to me, how could Nii-sama compete with me using only fists!¡± Kanae groaned in frustration. In actuality, the state of the battle was not even. Kazuki was accumulating damage again and again from Kanae¡¯s sword that he couldn¡¯t block. However it was fortunate that he had seen the example of how to repel a katana with a fist before from Katsura Karin. Owing to the reference from that, he could do something like this even more than he thought! ¡°Five stars shining in the interval of life and death, turning, turning, pillaging on the god of death¡¯s shim, become the silently wretched clay doll¡­¡± At that time, Kazuki sensed an awful spell being chanted. ¡°Near Death Roulette!!¡± Kaguya-senpai brandished the god of death¡¯s scythe and assaulted Kazuki from the side. ¡­Senpai, isn''t your chanting just too fast!? Striking at the opening in his high-speed sword dance with Kanae, the scythe was swung down at Kazuki. [Near Death Roulette]¨Dit steals one of the human¡¯s five senses with each hit, in the sixth hit it would sever the entire magic power of the target. The moment he got hit with that scythe, Kazuki felt the pitch black magic power flowing into his brain. Sparks were scattering in his brain, some kind of sense was destroyed! Just like when a breaker was halted, Kazuki¡¯s sight was shut inside total darkness. What was stolen was his sense of sight. Kaguya-senpai fluttered the long blade of the scythe, the returning bladed tore apart Kazuki even further. This time, Kazuki became unable to feel anything on his whole body¡¯s skin. His sense of touch was stolen too! Kazuki couldn''t see anything already, even the sensation of the ground beneath his feet was lost. It was a sensation that felt completely like there was no earth or sky and he was drifting around in outer space. ¡°The match is decided! Prepare yourself Nii-sama!!¡± Kanae came lunging at him with the total conviction in her victory. However, Kazuki was able to sense her action. ¡°With that confident voice believing in your victory, hasn''t your sword become extremely rough instead, Kanae! Even when I can¡¯t see I still can see you know!?¡± Kazuki poured his whole force of will into Extra Sense and took in the magic power in his surrounding area. As if looking at a thermograph image completely from the difference of strength between magic powers, he was able to grasp the situation around him. The human model silhouette that was covered with Enchant Aura on its whole body and was coming at Kazuki thrusting with a kodachi¨DKanae was thrusting at him in a large swing that was really sloppy for her. Kazuki dodged it with a paper-thin difference. Moving like that, he grappled with Kanae who was leaping at him from the side. ¡°Heya!¡± Lifting up Kanae, he looked for the silhouette that was holding magic power in the shape of a scythe in its hand¨Dand he threw Kanae, who crashed into Kaguya-senpai. ¡°Funyaa¨D!?¡± ¡°Kyaa, Kana-chan!?¡± The voice of the two falling into pandemonium could be heard. Koyuki was¡­which way!? Had she been brought down just by Kohaku already!? ¡°Moves in the Field!¡± Koyuki was running from place to place with wounds all over her body even with Kohaku assaulting her. She invoked the magic that made it possible for herself to fight the close range. However that was just a desperate move. ¡°Barrett!¡± Kazuki fired a flame bullet aiming at those ice boots. When Koyuki shook violently and her balance was broken, Kohaku came assaulting. ¡°O immortal bird soaring from dusk to dawn, grant those wings of hope on my back! Destruction for the sake of rebirth right here in this place¡­! Blazing Wings!¡± Furthermore Mio fluttered her wings of flame, she headed to Koyuki and took a nose dive. ¡°At the very least, the conclusion will be given by me who is the rival!¡± He could hear the voice of Mio who got really carried away, Kazuki breathed out in relief. ¡°Hiakari Koyuki, that¡¯s the end!¡± The whistle of the referee was sounded, pronouncing the exit of Koyuki whose magic power had been shaved to dangerous levels from the stage. ¨DHow is it going with Kazuha-senpai? Kazuki magnified the range of his sensing power and peaked at the state of battle in the far away. ¡°Win¡­with this, becoming a popular person¡­¡± ¡°I don''t get what you''re saying at all, but to lose against a female again¡­¡± Kazuha-senpai, who was clad in a flame armor that Mio newly chanted, was getting the better of Torazou-san. ¡°Yamada Torazou, that¡¯s the end!¡± And then, Kazuha-senpai too finally came this way. ¡°This is four against two now you see, senpai.¡± Although those two were almost uninjured, this difference in numbers was big. If they tortured these two severely with a large number of attacks, as expected, even for Kaguya-senpai she wouldn''t be able to freely chant her spell in this situation. ¡°¡­I never thought that we would get cornered this far.¡± Kaguya-senpai took a deep breath in resignation. ¡°That¡¯s why I told you already, that in any case it¡¯s better to aim for [one shot instant annihilation] with you chanting [Galaxy] while everyone protected you to the death.¡± Kanae was grumbling incessantly with a dissatisfied face. Certainly, if she invoked [Galaxy], with one shot the four people in his team might bear catastrophic damage. But even at that time when they defeated Nyarlatoteph, even while everyone was in anguish from [Psycho Noise], they protected Kaguya-senpai desperately from the fierce attack of the tentacles. Only with that the grand magic was finally activated. In a team battle where both sides were in equal conditions, they had no intention to let that long chant succeed. ¡°Even if we win using that reckless way of fighting, the damage would still remain in the semifinals right!? Didn¡¯t Kana-chan also agree with that!?¡± ¡°Trying to win against Nii-sama without taking any damage is just too greedy! Besides, don''t you just keep chasing the ideal too much and keep failing all the time!!?¡± Even though they were in the middle of a match, Kaguya-senpai and Kanae began to shout at each other unanimously. Kaguya-senpai simply couldn''t be stopped from chanting her spell. In addition, she put a counter attack using [Ultra Violence] and [Desire Tentacles] after invoking her [Suicide Black]. That combo would create a dreadful strength when facing Kaguya-senpai one on one. That was why to defeat her there was no other way than to gang up on Kaguya-senpai with a large number of people and beat her senseless. Kanae had astounding evasion ability but her attack power was low. If someone challenged her one-on-one imprudently, then they would be played around with mercilessly and get slashed continuously in a one-sided battle. But in truth, as long as one put up tight defensive magic, they wouldn¡¯t receive any considerable damage even if they left her alone. That was why the strategy was to not attack these two until the very last minute. And then from there on, Kazuki stood in Kanae¡¯s way while Kohaku, Mio, and Kazuha, attacked Kaguya-senpai simultaneously. ¡°Otouto-kun you idiot¨D!¡± ¡°Otonashi Kaguya, that¡¯s the end!¡± Kaguya-senpai¡¯s scream, which felt like incomplete combustion, echoed. Kaguya-senpai left the stage. And then the four people headed to Kanae¡¯s direction altogether. Kanae twitched with a startle like a cornered kitten, but even Kanae would be unable to escape when she was chased by four people. ¡°Nii-sama you moron¨D!¡± As expected, Kanae¡¯s scream, which alsk felt like incomplete combustion, echoed. Kanae had also used up her magic power. ¡°Match over!¡± The referee teacher blew his whistle and proclaimed Kazuki and his team as the winner. ¡°¡­We lost.¡± Right in the middle of the grounds, Kaguya-senpai¡¯s shoulders dropped dejectedly. ¡°Even though this side is using a few magics to get by somehow, Otouto-kun had predicted everything and came up with countermeasures for all of that. It¡¯s really not fair. How dirty. I totally feel that I''m only spinning my wheels uselessly.¡± ¡°Even if we clashed against senpai¡¯s team right from the front, we understood that we wouldn''t be able to win, that¡¯s why.¡± ¡®Thud¡¯, suddenly Kazuki felt a light impact on his back. When he turned back, Koyuki was lightly poking Kazuki with reproachful eyes. ¡°¡­Isn''t it fine even if you take it easy in that match?¡± ¡°Is, is it really that vexing? But it¡¯s strange to take it easy in a serious match right?¡± With a pout (pui), Koyuki turned her face to another direction. ¡°Arara, Koyuki-chan is sulking. Or perhaps I should say, ''how spoiled.'' Koyuki-chan has pride in her fighting skills after all, so she is really shocked, see.¡± When Kaguya-senpai pointed that out from the side, Koyuki¡¯s shoulders twitched with a start but she kept her expressionless face. ¡°There is no such thing. ¡­But I won''t like it if Kazuki doesn¡¯t give me something as compensation.¡± Compensation. She really couldn''t say strongly that she wouldn''t forgive him, but how very Koyuki-like. ¡°Puu.¡± After muttering a word, Koyuki was walking to the guest stands. Suddenly, Kaguya-senpai was staggering in her posture. ¡°Senpai, are you okay?¡± Saying that, Kazuki immediately supported her body. ¡°¡­I''m fine, it¡¯s just that my body became a little hot.¡± ¡°Ha? Your body is hot?¡± ¡°Because, I fought using Asmodeus¡¯ magic until all my magic power was used up. But I''m okay¡­I will be patient until tonight.¡± ¡°¡­In other words, senpai is planning to come to my room tonight, is that it?¡± ¡°You won against me after all; so take responsibility, okay Kazuki-kun?¡± ¡®Ufufu¡¯, leaving behind a mischievous laugh, Kaguya-senpai was also returning to the stands. ¡­Kazuki-kun, is it? Suddenly Kanae was passing by beside Kazuki wordlessly. ¡°Kanae¡­?¡± Against that unexpected behavior where she said nothing, Kazuki called out to Kanae. ¡°¡­As I thought there is a limit¡­in my powerlessness¡­ Even though Nii-sama became a Magica Stigma, I have to succeed the Hayashizaki-style, but with someone like me¡­¡± While she was looking down with a gloomy expression, Kanae muttered some words out gravely. ¡°Oi, Kanae. Don''t brood over it too much. This time, that lack of attack power only stood out because of the rule¡¯s limitation in this strict team battle, right? You have that personality that couldn''t really get serious like this¡­¡± Kanae stopped her steps like it was the first time she noticed Kazuki, then she turned back. ¡°Nii-sama! Nii-sama, Nii-sama, you are strong!! Your promise, it certainly has been fulfilled already. This time, I will recognize my defeat, but¡­next time it cannot be like this again¨D!!¡± Kanae pretended with her usual bright expression and then she ran to the guest stands. ¡°¡­She is really seriously injured huh.¡± In any case, the next match was being prepared, so Kazuki and his team returned to the guest stands too. ¡°Fufufu¡­with this, my friends too will increase¡­¡± When returning back to the guest stands'' seating, Kazuha-senpai leaked out a suppressed laugh. ¡°The Sword Division follows the doctrine of strength. ¡­Now that I have beat the number four of the Sword Division, Yamada Torazou, it¡¯s not an exaggeration to say that every student excepting the top three of the Sword Division have become my friend!¡± ¡°Kazuha-senpai. Senpai¡¯s definition of friend is quite sinister somehow. What¡¯s with that brute force theory?¡± ¡°Eh!? It, it¡¯s not like that right!? What I''m saying is normal!?¡± Against what Kazuki pointed out, Kazuha-senpai was shocked speechless and fell into panic. Next, the match of the Takasugi brothers - Ryuutaki sisters team began. However, their second match reached completely the same development as their first match, inviting the sigh of the spectators. ¡°Lunatic Labyrinth!!¡± When Miyabi-senpai invoked that magic, all the movements of the participants on the ground was stopped¨D ¨DThe moment they started to move again, the opposing team¡¯s state had become unable to continue the fight. If he had to say what was different with the first match, it was only that the Takasugi brothers¡¯ degree of fatigue had been even more pronounced now. ¡°This battle election tournament is a place to show a way of fighting fitting for the Chief Student Council President, right? Even if they keep winning like this, there will be no one that would vote for them, would there?¡± Kazuki spontaneously couldn''t help but harbor such doubts. Putting aside the Takasugi brothers¡­those Ryuutaki sisters might have a totally different objective. Chapter 4.4.6 — Cooperation Attack Volume 4 Chapter 4 - Cooperation Attack Part 6 And then the grounds were moved after the afternoon break, this time the match of Hikaru-senpai began. ¡°Mibu Akira. Asamiya Anna. This time we are going to go out to meet the swordsmen. You two, don¡¯t allow those Magica Stigma¡¯s [armaments] to come out.¡± While entering the grounds, Hayashi Shizuka said that with a chilly voice. Even Kazuki, who reinforced his hearing ability, could hear that voice. ¡°G, got it! E, even without you saying it, we are going to do it for sure ze! Hyahha¨D!¡± Toward Hayashi-senpai, who had the same small build like Karin and a quiet look, Mibu-senpai, who was supposed to be the team leader, responded back with a little shaking in her voice. ¡­He caught a glimpse of a strange power balance on that team. ¡°I know thy name. Thy true name is Baalzebul, every evil was born in the Middle Ages. O disgraced god of harvests, in accordance with my life recover you radiance!¡± ¡°Veritas me LiberabitThe truth shall set me free¡­Thy true name is Prometheus! The proud man is the man who had tasted all suffering! In accordance with my life, show that wisdom!!¡± Hikaru-senpai and Lotte performed Access. The Magic Dresses enveloped their bodies. ¡°I know thy name¡­Thy name is Astaroth! O Diablosslanderer who is well versed in human¡¯s history of sin, show the radiance of the empress of terror¡¯s authority!¡± ¡°I know thy name¡­thy name is [Gamygyn]! O depraved fallen angel subordinate to the Lucifermorning star of the dawn, show hell¡¯s loyalty to us too!¡± Mibu-senpai and Asamiya-senpai too were similarly changed into their Magic Dresses. In Japan¡¯s study of magic, the people changed where they paid respect only toward the Diva¡¯s pure strength without paying any attention to the religious good and evil of the Diva. However Mibu-senpai and Asamiya-senpai¡¯s Magic Dresses which had black as their basic tone felt like the villain¡¯s costume no matter how you cut it. On the contrary, Hikaru-senpai and Lotte, who had silver and pure white as their Magic Dresses¡¯ basic tone, looked like they were the ones standing on the side of justice. ¡°Do your best, Hikaru-senpai!¡± Among the loud cheering voices, Kazuki also raised up his voice of support. ¡°Quarterfinals second match, begin!¡± At the same time as the teacher¡¯s signal, Karin and Hayashi-senpai dashed rapidly toward both swordsmen who were Kamiizumi-senpai and Kimura-senpai. Both of them were¡­even though they took along katanas on their hips, it didn¡¯t look like they were going to use them at all. Empty-handed, they''re planning to fight completely with Chinese kenpo! ¡°Can those guys really do that kind of thing!?¡± Surprised voices leaked out from the students of the Sword Division. It had seemed like Karin and Hayashi-senpai were plain existences in the Sword Division, but that was nothing more than their fictitious guise. Only Kazuki knew their true identities. J¨±chouho¨Dthe speed of the charging Karin, who gained her acceleration power from the earth, was Foresighted by Kamiizumi-senpai. Even while she was taken aback by that unexpected swiftness, she evaded nimbly. It was hard for her to move against Karin who slipped under her bosom while striking with the palm, but that exchange between them was even. However on the other hand¨D ¡°Nii-sama, we were had by that girl called Hayashi.¡± Kanae whispered so. It was not an ordinary matter to make Kanae surprised. Hayashi Shizuka too was the same as Katsura Karin, she was using Chinese kenpo. However, her way of fighting was different from Karin. That girl¡¯s style was to wait and receive the opponent¡¯s attack. When Kimura-senpai swung down her katana, Hayashi-senpai predicted her movement and evaded while putting her palm at where the moving katana was going. Kimura-senpai''s wrist, which held her katana, was settled inside Hayashi-senpai¡¯s palm as if it was being sucked in completely. Right before that happened, Hayashi-senpai stepped on the earth powerfully. At the same time she was grasping Kimura-senpai¡¯s arm, she twisted her whole body like a spiral. With all that energy, she crushed Kimura-senpai¡¯s arm in her grip. At the same time, Hayashi-senpai created that ripple of mysterious magic power that spread from her palm. Her efficiency was even better than Karin. It was a very refined movement. From the mouth of Kimura-senpai, ¡°AAAAAAAAAA!¡±, a painful scream was released. That one blow was an impossible attack that ignored the defensive magic power. The spectator seats were stirred from the sudden scream. As long as there was defensive magic power, there shouldn¡¯t be any wound inflicted on the flesh. Even though this was supposed to be an absolutely safe mock battle, the only one who could correctly understand the situation before them was Kazuki. From afar, he could see that it was not a situation where a bone was broken, but Kimura-senpai¡¯s bone might be cracked. Toward Kimura-senpai, who endured the pain and restored her stance, Hayashi-senpai mercilessly let loose a kick. Against Kimura-senpai who fell down on her backside, that dangerous palm was once more directed at her¡­ ¡°Stop! ¡­O god of whirling sky¡¯s will! Gather in my hand, grant me the authority of judgment! O radiance of royalty¡¯s divine gift, become a splendid and dazzling drawn bow! Lightning Line!¡± However, Hikaru-senpai fired a lightning arrow at the critical moment. Hayashi-senpai sensed it just right before and she swiftly leaped back. ¡°Yoooooo Prince-sama-chan! Your opponent is me zee! ¡­Expelled from the crack of sunlight covered earth, O ugly beast smearing its lips with gore! Set free the worried pig on the surface with that big mouth! Snake Dragon¡¯s Large JawDragon Bite!!¡± Coming from Hikaru-senpai¡¯s side, Mibu-senpai invoked her Summoning Magic. The earth was split, from there a fierce face of a black dragon¡¯s head came out. Its big mouth split open up and down like a crocodile and headed towards Hikaru-senpai. ¡°O stream of atmosphere, converge on this body, become the storm that rejects the resented person! The eye of the typhoon is my throne! Storm Fort!¡± Hikaru-senpai immediately chanted defensive magic of the storm. The large dragon kept its big mouth opened while it was losing to the pressure of the storm area and was slowly being pushed back. Finally it used up its summoning energy and vanished. The magic user Mibu-senpai was also blown away into the air. Hikaru-senpai fired one shot, two shots with the lightning bow in her hand toward Mibu-senpai. Even that girl couldn¡¯t dodge in the air, ¡°Gyaa!¡± she raised such voice and got blown away. ¡°¡­Even though I said to restrain the Magica Stigma.¡± Hayashi-senpai, who was obstructed by Hikaru-senpai, whispered with a flat tone of voice. Kimura-senpai fixed her stance while her arm was suffering in pain. ¨DOn the other side, Asamiya-senpai was aiming for Lotte. ¡°Right now sins are overflowing on the earth! O great arms of the god of death, O arms of fallen angel that sneers at the hollow faith, grasp the scythe of soul and reap the sins of this land! Empty Sky Revolution of God of Death¡¯s ScytheSpinning Death Scythe!¡± Asamiya-senpai invoked her magic¨Da giant scythe floated at her side, as if it was held by unseen hands. It glided through the air with its blade aiming at Lotte. ¡°O accumulating wisdom throughout human history, become many piles of armor that protect my body! Heavily, thickly, reject all brutality! Seusenhofer!!¡± Lotte summoned a mobile armor with Prometheus¡¯ defensive magic. It repelled the blow of the giant scythe. While her small body staggered from the impact, Lotte fired a volley of gatling bullets from the [Mitrailleuse] that was equipped in her right hand. There was no person who could try to dodge and run away from that gatling gun. ¡°Ngagugugugugu!¡± Raising a yell, Asamiya-senpai was thrown back by the bullets. ¡°I reached my hand to the height of Babel and become the oppressor! O lightning, in accordance with my life, praise the brute force of the human race! Blitzkrieg!!¡± Furthermore, on the electromagnetic gauntlet of [Collider Field] at Lotte¡¯s left arm, a lance unit was added and equipped. ¡°Prometheus¡­chargeschuu¨Dbb!¡± With the lance that was filled with electricity, Lotte pierced Asamiya-senpai vigorously. ¡°FUGOOOOOOOOOOOO!¡± Huge blue defensive magic power was scattered, Asamiya-senpai was blown away with a muffled scream. Seeing that situation with a side glance, Mibu-senpai clicked her tongue ¡°Che!¡±. ¡°Reaching the past from the future, O goddess that accepted the slander of man¡­change that darkness into deadly poison and spit it all around! Let us slander all those foolish people!! Poison Argument!!¡± Mibu-senpai made Astaroth¡¯s avatar emerge, spraying poisonous black bubbles everywhere. That magic was also shown in the first match. The black bubbles discerned between allies and enemies and flew only at Hikaru-senpai¡¯s team. ¡°Storm Fort!¡± Hikaru-senpai spread out a large defensive magic of storm as if to wrap up both swordsmen on her team. That magic could be applied to not only a person, but it looked like it could be magnified so the effect radius could even include up to two people. The black bubbles looked weak against wind, all of them were blown away in all directions and repelled. However¨Dthe defensive radius couldn¡¯t spread to Hikaru-senpai herself and Lotte. Even armored, Lotte couldn¡¯t defend against the poison. Both of them were afflicted with poison. ¡°The situation looks bad right now¡­even if Kimura-san has to be sacrificed so that she leaves the stage, maybe Hikaru-chan should have protected herself.¡± Kaguya-senpai whispered such a thing calmly. But for better or worse, Hikaru-senpai was not a person that could make such a decision like that. Even himself, could he decide something like that¡­he probably couldn¡¯t, Kazuki thought inside his heart. ¡°Soaring wings, glaring eyes, invading world-destroying conflagaration¨Dmanifest the authority of god right here, as the agent of civilization, deeper and deeper, I¡¯ll advance! Deep Striker!!¡± Lotte equipped a thruster system to her back and soared to the sky so that she wouldn¡¯t inhale even more of the poison. The machine¡¯s movement compensated for her body, which was staggering from the nerve poison. Even her sight and other senses that grew hazy from the poison should be compensated for by the radar unit that was loaded in the flight unit. After fixing the electromagnetic lance securely on the machine arm, Lotte prepared a charge toward Asamiya-senpai and took a nose dive. ¡°Soul of the dead gathered by the God of Death¡¯s calling voice, armor my body, turn this body into hell¡¯s tormenting devil¡­the trump card against heaven is right here! Black Titan!!¡± Black mist was coiling about around Asamiya-senpai. It coagulated and transformed into a black giant. ¡°ACHOOOOOOOU!¡± Asamiya-senpai''s yell shrieked while blocking Lotte¡¯s charge, which had surpassed the speed of sound. However, even though the charge was blocked, Lotte had the superiority in the way of the elements. Electricity was produced from the tip of the lance, pouring damage directly into Asamiya-senpai, who was at the center of the black mist. ¡°Ju ju ju ju ju, just this much, won¡¯t work¨D!¡± Even while she was shocked by electricity and defensive magic power was shining inside the black mist, she pushed down that recoil by willpower and struck Lotte with a giant fist. Against the severe blow, Lotte was sent flying while her armor was smashed up. Lotte soared high to the sky once more¨Dshe was once again going to make a decisive charge in a nose dive toward Asamiya-senpai. This was the highest level of magic that Lotte could chant. Asamiya-senpai blocked the assault and hit back while eating the electric shock. And then finally, both the giant body made from black mist and Lotte¡¯s armament were both pulverized into tatters and vanished. Lotte, who was staggering from the poison, and Asamiya-senpai returned from the poor condition and glared at each other. ¡°Lotte-chan and the others became wrapped up in melee combat, didn¡¯t they?¡± Kaguya-senpai muttered. Whoever won this fight¡­they wouldn¡¯t recover completely for the next fight. ¡°I ascertained the human¡¯s nature with my own eyes. Thy bowel is hell¡¯s crucible, the vomited slander become the indictment toward the children of heaven and men. Fill the earth with anguish of the end! Snake Dragon¡¯s Emesis of Ruinous ScreamApocalypse Venom!¡± Astaroth, who was straddling a giant lizard emerged at Mibu-senpai¡¯s side. Red and black liquid was spewed out from the mouth of that giant lizard onto the surface of the ground. ¡­A different kind of poison!? Astaroth¨DThis influential empress of hell was a [poison user] Diva. She created even more nightmarish and vicious poisons inside the body of her lizard servant that couldn¡¯t be compared even against the artificial combinations of all poisonous substances. That black and red vomit passed through the allies without effect, pouring only to those who had been confirmed as the enemy by the empress of hell. ¡°Storm Fort!¡± This time too Hikaru-senpai protected the frontline swordsmen and received the poison herself. Lotte also couldn¡¯t defend herself against the poison. Both of them were afflicted with two different kinds of poison. Even though both of their magic powers were in the situation where they weren¡¯t doing anything, it was gradually beginning to decrease. The poison this time was a poison that gradually erases magic power. The situation would increasingly become worse if this became a protracted battle. ¡°¡­Hand down lightning to my body and grant me the godspeed of lightning¡¯s will¡­wake up the sleeping lion! Ride Lightning!¡± Hikaru-senpai circulated accelerated electric currents through her whole body. The electric signals that ran in the nervous system revitalized the body and the mind, negating the effect of the nerve poison. And then with the accelerated movement, she hit Mibu-senpai hard. Mibu-senpai tried to handle the attack with Chinese kenpo¡¯s movement. However Hikaru-senpai¡¯s full speed was not something that could be defended just from offhand training of Chinese kenpo. There was no doubt that Hikaru-senpai, who thought that a protracted battle would be unfavorable, was trying to decide the match in one go. ¡°O flow of the atmosphere, stretch out to my hand, become the spear to repel the resented person! What is extending to my hand is the tip of the storm!! Ayamur!!¡± Hitting while chanting a spell, furthermore that hand gripped the repulsing spear tightly. Mibu-senpai, who kept getting hit by Hikaru-senpai was blown away even further from the storm creating spear. ¡°I¡¯ll come to help you now, Tomomi-chan!¡± And then Hikaru-senpai attempted to go help Kimura-senpai, however¨D, ¡°Kimura Tomomi, that¡¯s the end!¡± Just before she could do that, the voice of the referee teacher sounded out. ¡°¡­My bad, but it¡¯s already over.¡± Hayashi-senpai¡¯s palm strike had already erased Kimura-senpai¡¯s defensive magic power as she writhed in pain. Even though normally, you had already won when the opponent¡¯s defensive magic power was gone, Kimura-senpai, whose whole body was covered with wounds from having her flesh beaten up in bad taste leaked out a pained moaning voice. ¡°YOU BASTAAAAARRDD!¡± The enraged Hikaru-senpai swung down her repulsing spear silently! ¡°Black Titan!!¡± However Asamiya-senpai, even while being exhausted from her fierce fighting with Lotte wore the black mist on her body once more as she covered for Hayashi-senpai, blocking the attack with that giant body. ¡°Blitzkrieg!!¡± From the back, Lotte prepared her electromagnetic lance and charged. The lance pierced deeply in the giant¡¯s back, pouring electricity into the internal part. ¡°A, ASSHOLEEEE¡­¡± That instant, Asamiya Anna¡¯s magic power decreased to dangerous levels. She was already on the verge of magic intoxication. Kazuki could clearly sense her condition. Even the black giant''s body couldn¡¯t be preserved anymore and was starting to flicker and vanish like a heat haze. ¡°D, DON¡¯T MESS WITH MEEEEEE! ME AND ANEKI¡¯S MILITARY RULE IS STARTING FROM NOOOOOOWW!!¡± But Asamiya Anna shrieked with a voice so loud; as if it would rip her own throat. The moment she screamed, her magic power, which should be empty already, exploded, overflowing throughout her whole body once more. Receiving a new supply of mental strength, the vanishing black aura was regenerated once more and re-materialized. ¡°¡­Such a thing!? How!!¡± Lotte¡¯s eyes opened wide in shock. There was no doubt that she had also believed the opponent to be defeated already. The arm of the black giant body mowed Lotte¡¯s small body down. ¡°Charlotte Liebenfrau, that¡¯s the end!¡± In a reversal, Lotte¡¯s magic power hit rock bottom with that attack. She, unavoidably, exited the stage. ¡°Wait a second! Isn¡¯t there something strange just now!? This is not something that someone can get through with willpower! For sure, just now¡­Asamiya Anna¡¯s magic power should have become zero!¡± ¡°R, right¡­I felt it too.¡± Hearing Kazuki¡¯s words, Kaguya-senpai also expressed her agreement as if doubting her own eyes. ¡°FUNGAAAAAAAAAA! ACHoOOOOOOOO!!¡± The revived Asamiya-senpai screamed as if she was going crazy while waving about both her legs and arms. Kamiizumi-senpai, whose fight with Karin was unfolding into an even battle, was sent flying. Even for the former vice-president of the Sword Division, if an interruption butted in right in the middle of an even battle, then she would be helpless to do anything. ¡°Kamiizumi Iori, that¡¯s the end!¡± Kamiizumi-senpai¡¯s magic power hit rock bottom too. In the end, Hikaru-senpai was alone. ¡°¡­How dare you!¡± Hikaru-senpai thrust at Asamiya-senpai with her spear. The body of black mist was destroyed. ¡°I said it already that your opponent is me, right¨D! Dragon Bite!!¡± Mibu-senpai¡¯s magic was invoked. A giant dragon¡¯s head appeared from the flank and came attacking. ¡°HaAAAAAAAAAAAA!!¡± However Hikaru-senpai, who had superhuman abilities from Ride Lightning, released a series of thrusts with speed that couldn¡¯t even be caught by your eyes. (DOSUDOSUDOSU!) The large jaw of the dragon that was opened wide, the upper part, the bottom part, the inner throats, all were gouged with countless holes consecutively. The dragon¡¯s neck became covered all over with holes like a lotus root and terminated. ¡°I, impossiblee¨D! How the hell did a bastard like you have battle strength like that!?¡± ¡°That¡¯s why I ordered you to not let her get a weapon!¡± Hearing Mibu-senpai raising such a yell, Hayashi-senpai threw a scolding at her. In a flash, Hikaru-senpai got near Mibu-senpai and released a series of thrusts like a meteor shower. Her speed had already transcended what human eyes could perceive. Countless lines of light pierced Mibu-senpai over and over again. ¡°GAGAGAGAGAGAGAGAGAGA¨D!!¡± Each of those blows possessed the destructive power that were produced from the Sacred Treasure that was produced from Summoning Magic. Helplessly Mibu-senpai¡¯s magic power hit rock bottom. Kazuki sensed it happened. Without doubt she had no magic power left. ¡°Do, don¡¯t think you can beat me just with that muchhh!! YOU HONOR STUDENT-CHAAAAAAANN!¡± However, with a scream filled with fighting spirit, the magic power that was supposed to be dried up already welled up explosively from the depth of Mibu-senpai¡¯s body. ¡­An obviously strange thing was happening right now. ¡°Karin, after this I¡¯ll leave it to you two, ¡®kay.¡± For some reason, Hayashi-senpai and Karin stopped fighting at that point. They stepped back to a deeper part of the grounds. ¡°You guys, what are you planning! Why are you not going to fight yourself!?¡± Seeing that, Hikaru-senpai tried to give chase. ¡°Spinning Death Scythe!¡± The scythe that Asamiya-senpai summoned came attacking as if to obstruct Hikaru-senpai¡¯s path. Senpai blocked it with her spear, but her body that was afflicted with poison staggered. ¡°MOVE!¡± Even while staggering, Hikaru-senpai thrust at Asamiya-senpai using her spear. Furthermore, even while fighting in close-quarters with her spear, senpai had been chanting her spell for a long time. ¡°Know the fury of god with the roar of the sacred flame! The roar of the sky, all of it resided in this hand, grant me the hammer that smashed the world! Break apart the boundary! Yagrush!¡± In her left hand, she grasped the wind element spear, and in her right hand, she grasped the lightning element hammer tightly. A battle style that truly symbolized her as the contractor of Baal. When that hammer was raised overhead, the sky raged thunderously. Gigantic thunder clouds were created above Hikaru-senpai¡¯s head. ¡°I have had enough with you guys already! Get smashed up¡­!!¡± That large hammer was brought down onto Mibu-senpai and Asamiya-senpai. A storm of electricity broke out where the hammer fell. A giant explosion broke out with light and sound as if it would burn the spectators¡¯ retinas and burst their eardrums. When the light settled down, a giant crater with a diameter of several dozen meters was gouged in the ground. Inside it, Mibu-senpai and Asamiya-senpai were collapsed. Naturally, their magic power was supposed to be dried up already. However¡­even so, the two stood up unsteadily like ghosts. Despite bearing the amount of damage to the degree that it wouldn¡¯t be strange for them to fall into magic intoxication not only once, but two or three times, vivid magic power was regenerated on their whole body. ¡°My, my head hurts¨D¡­but I won¡¯t lose¨D¡­hyahha¨D¡­!¡± ¡°So tiresomeee¡­ But, but, it''s after this you know, anekiii¨D¡­!¡± The ones who felt a shuddering chill running through their body was not just Kazuki. The students in the guest seats had already forgotten to raise any cheers. They were just watching the ground while holding their breath. ¡°Stop the match!¡± At the side of the ground, an old man¡¯s hoarse voice was resounding. Headmaster Amasaki and the other teachers were struggling with each other in an argument. ¡°There is obviously something strange that is going on, don¡¯t you see! Forfeit the match!!¡± ¡°On what basis can you say such an unfair thing!?¡± The one who replied back was a man with glasses on his slender face. That man was board chairman Takasugi. ¡°Isn¡¯t there any obvious foul play that is happening here!? As I thought, you are showing favor to particular students, aren¡¯t you headmaster!!?¡± Headmaster Amasaki was grinding his teeth while he drew back. Certainly¡­there was no suspicious [action] at all. However, there was obviously a relation with a Diva¡¯s power with this situation. ¡°This is, as I thought, the deed of the Divas that are contracted with Katsura Karin and Hayashi Shizuka?¡± ¡°Eh? Those two are swordsmen right?¡± When Kazuki whispered so, Mio turned and looked up at him. ¡°Yes but¡­those two, at the very least Katsura Karin is contracted with an unknown Diva.¡± Kazuki, who had been attacked by Karin, held a conviction in that fact. ¡°However, those two didn¡¯t show any sign of chanting Summoning Magic¡­¡± ¡°Then, is it [Divine Protection]?¡± Kazuha-senpai answered in a sigh. ¡°Divine Protection?¡± Kazuki spontaneously asked back. Words he didn¡¯t have any recollection of¡­No, he had heard it before just once. ¡°Divine Protection is the manifestation of a Diva¡¯s power in a different shape from the Summoning Magic. Those Divas like Japan¡¯s Solomon''s 72 Pillars that are contracted with multiple humans and have [weak relationships] with each other cannot really manifest it. But those like me and Futsunushi no Kami, who have a deep contract one-on-one, can manifest it. And then the contractor and possibly the comrades in their surroundings could be granted with a special effect. For example, if it¡¯s Futsunushi no Kami¡­he can grant me and my comrades a Divine Protection to [use the Battou Kaikon of Sacred Treasures that have the form and nature of katana masterfully].¡± ¡°The power of Divine Protection, you don¡¯t need some procedure like Summoning Magic to use them?¡± ¡°Just as you understand from seeing how Kohaku used her Sacred Treasures, it¡¯s basically invoked continuously without any pause.¡± ¡°There is really that kind of thing?¡± Even Lotte, who could operate all kinds of machines when she obtained Prometheus¡¯ cooperation, that blessing probably should be called Divine Protection too. ¡°But Divine Protection that can revive humans who had used up their magic power completely for however many times, no matter how you see it, that¡¯s just too powerful¡­¡± Futsunushi no Kami¡¯s avatar emerged out beside Kazuha-senpai. ¡°It¡¯s not an impossible matter though. For example, there are also Divas that specialized not in Summoning Magic, but in Divine Protection. Otherwise, if it is just a [simply powerful Diva] that is reigning in the upper part of the mythology¡¯s structure, they too could possibly bring about such a powerful Divine Protection as this. Perhaps¡­that Divine Protection is looking very powerful, but in truth there is a large weak point in it, something like that?¡± A simply powerful Diva that reigned at the upper part of the mythology¡¯s structure¡­? Such a Diva like that was possibly contracted with Katsura Karin or Hayashi Shizuka¡­? On the ground, Hikaru-senpai had used up the power of [Ride Lightning] and [Ayamur] and became unarmed. Even while being afflicted with two varieties of poison, she was still standing and facing Mibu-senpai and Asamiya-senpai upfront. ¡°You all¡­if I stop¡­I cannot fight with Kazuki.¡± ¡°Feh¡­if you want to try that hard, then how about you try until the last moment?¡± While floating a cruel smile, Hayashi-senpai who had stayed back temporarily approached Hikaru-senpai, who was already mostly paralyzed from the nerve poison. ¡°We are going to play now, Karin.¡± When Hayashi Shizuka said that, Mibu-senpai and Asamiya-senpai were the ones that stepped back this time. Karin¡¯s fist directly hit Hikaru-senpai¡¯s side. It was a fist that was accompanied with the magic power of Shintoukei. With her step onto the earth and the spiral movement, that strength was magnified. (Bokii!) A sinister sound rang out and Hikaru-senpai¡¯s body jolted. Something was broken, probably her ribs. The wrist of Hikaru-senpai, who was staggering from the impact was grasped by Shizuka. The girl released a wave of magic power and she twisted the fist that wrapped Hikaru-senpai¡¯s wrist. (Buchii!) Sounds of the tendons getting damaged could be heard. ¡°UAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!¡± ¡°Ha¡­hahahahahaha!¡± Seeing Hikaru-senpai scream and fall down, Hayashi Shizuka released a laugh as if she couldn¡¯t bear with her enjoyment anymore. Kazuki¡¯s spine froze. Even though she could make Hikaru-senpai use up her defensive magic power until it hit rock bottom if she just hit her normally, those girls penetrated the defensive magic power and hurt the flesh directly. On the back of Hikaru-senpai, who was leaning forward from enduring the pain, two more fists were striking. As if breaking wooden chopsticks casually, one piece, two pieces of senpai¡¯s ribs were breaking. Hikaru-senpai¡¯s scream reverberated. The students in the stands were looking with eyes as if they were seeing an unrealistic scene performed in a theater. They were looking down in blank amazement. For the humans who were blessed with defensive magic power in their everyday life, this reality was something they were unable to understand. Even the referee teacher, he was making a face that showed his inability to understand what was currently happening. He was showing his lost behavior whether to stop the match or not. ¡­Even though this kind of thing had to be stopped an instant earlier! ¡°Stop it already!!¡± Kazuki spontaneously stood from his seat and started to dash heading to the ground. ¡°¡­A, Ayamur!¡± Hikaru-senpai who was crouching to endure her pain invoked a spell. And then all of a sudden, she swung the spear with her one remaining healthy hand and launched a surprise attack at Shizuka. That one strike was not filled with strength already. The unsteady and unsure tip of the spear grazed Shizuka¡¯s cheek. Small wind shook Shizuka¡¯s hair bangs. ¡°¡­You bastard.¡± Inside Shizuka¡¯s eyes, a shuddering violent emotion was flaming ablaze. And then Shizuka¡¯s fist was¡­Hikaru-senpai¡¯s chest¨Dher heart was hit. ¡°¡­Stop!! Why do you need to go that far!!? Stop¨D!!¡± The only one who understood the meaning of that action was Kazuki. He dashed down the stands while yelling. ¡°Cut it out already right nowwwwww! M, my head hurts like it will split! I¡¯m already at my limit hereeee! It¡¯s the endddddddddddddddd!! Dra, Dragon Bitee!¡± However, the one who was screaming was not only Kazuki. Mibu-senpai, who was watching the gruesome tragic event that Karin and Shizuka interweaved from the side for a while, all of a sudden was yelling a spell. Summoning a dragon¡¯s jaw, it crunched at Hikaru-senpai who had no power left to resist already. But that attack only wounded the defensive magic power, it was still better than having her body destroyed. Thanks to it, Hikaru-senpai¡¯s magic power was finally shaved down until the dangerous area where the match should be stopped¨D ¡°¡­Che. How dull¡­No, maybe I also played too much.¡± While clicking her tongue, Shizuka looked down at Hikaru-senpai, who fell as if she was going to crumble. ¡°That¡¯s the end!¡± After saying that, the teacher who took the role as referee finally blew the whistle that signaled the end of the match in a too late fashion. Chapter 4.4.7 — Cooperation Attack Volume 4 Chapter 4 - Cooperation Attack Part 7 ¡°Haha¡­just this much isn''t really a big deal, you know!?¡± Because of how Hikaru-senpai said that with her cheerful and wide grinning face, the surrounding people relaxed their nervousness. ¡°There''s no way what you said is true, Senpai! Your bones are broken and your tendons are snapped apart after all!!¡± Mio scolded her harshly at the end of the bed. After that fight¡­Mio immediately descended down to the grounds, treated Hikaru-senpai and Kimura-senpai with [Anti-Aging], and brought them to their respective rooms. Even after that, the next match was still performed, but it was out of the question for Kazuki and the others to watch it. It was his first time entering Hikaru-senpai¡¯s room, but the room was like a boy¡¯s room. It could even be seen that she deliberately excluded girly things from here. Shounen manga were lined up on the bookshelf and finished products of plastic models were lined up on the cabinet. It seems she painted the plastic models herself. There was even a booth for painting here. On the wall, men¡¯s clothes were hanging and posters of soccer players were pasted. ¡°[Anti-Aging] is a magic that instantaneously magnifies the recovery power that humans personally possess. It¡¯s not a magic that makes the wound nonexistent. The bones and tendons are already starting to stick together but¡­please stay and rest for the whole day.¡± Mio gallantly said. ¡°So I can do whatever I like tomorrow?¡± ¡°¡­For the moment, the doctor has also said so. Though there might be some uncomfortable feelings in the tendons left for a while.¡± Just before, there was also a doctor that came, though he only injected something to stop the pain because it looked like there was nothing left to be treated medically. Mio and Liz Liza-sensei talked about the effects of [Anti-Aging] to the doctor. The outcome of those three¡¯s discussion was that if they repeated the treatment in a fixed interval, then Hikaru-senpai would be recovered completely by the next day; that was the conclusion that came out. ¡°Complete recovery in half a day¡­it''s unexpectedly easy to get healed, isn¡¯t it ? It¡¯s a wasted effort to worry like that. I didn¡¯t even get to see Kimura-san¡¯s condition.¡± In relief, Kaguya-senpai also relaxed her expression, which had been tense with worry for quite a while. And then, all the concerned people in the student council that were jam-packed inside Hikaru-senpai¡¯s room simultaneously started to leave the place. ¡°Eh, wait a second, everyone is leaving!?¡± Seeing everyone leaving the room one by one, Hikaru-senpai raised her voice in a fluster. ¡°Who will become my talking partner, just relaxing is boring! I¡¯m lonely here! That¡¯s right, Kazuki! Kazuki, become my talking partnerr¨D! I¡¯m an injured person after all, so be kind to mee¨D!!¡± ¡ó ¡ó ¡ó ¡ó ¡°Sorry, Kazuki. You got stuck with accompanying the injured person. It¡¯s really disheartening to become alone.¡± When she became alone with just Kazuki, the smiling face Hikaru-senpai showed became distorted. When he looked more carefully, of Hikaru-senpai''s hands that stuck out from the futon were slightly shaking. ¡°Senpai, does it hurt?¡± ¡°No, the medicine for the pain is effective¡­probably the injured body itself too has been healed greatly, so I think even if the medicine stopped it won¡¯t even hurt anymore. However, truthfully, from a while ago, I¡¯ve been scared.¡± Hikaru-senpai hung her head down frailly. ¡°Strange isn¡¯t it? Even though I have experienced a lot of real battles in quests, despite having experienced a life and death situation before, yet¡­the sensation of having [your physical body get destroyed], at that time, it was scary, it¡¯s unbearable when I remember it¡­ Even though I won¡¯t die from just having one or two of my ribs broken¡­¡± Hikaru-senpai''s trembling hands gripped each other. Even so her hands still continued to tremble (katakata ). ¡°How pathetic huh¡­Thank you, Kazuki. I¡¯m happy if you''re going to be at my side for just a little more.¡± The frail figure of Hikaru-senpai, who was always so lively, was heart breaking for Kazuki. Kazuki went near the bedside, he wrapped Hikaru-senpai¡¯s trembling hands with his own. ¡°Aa¡± Senpai, who had a phobia of men, leaked out her voice. ¡°Is it scary?¡± ¡°¡­It¡¯s not scary. The sensation of being wrapped like this¡­somehow it makes me feel at peace.¡± A small heart mark came flying at him. Through the hand that was being grasped, from her heart, Hikaru-senpai came to rely on Kazuki, despite being male. This situation probably came from the long time Hikaru-senpai had spent in getting used to Kazuki and also, it was probably the fault of being in a particular mental state from having herself concentrating intently on her own fear and loneliness. ¡°Senpai¡¯s man phobia, it might be cured already now right?¡± ¡°I, it might be so, I wonder¡­ But even if that''s true, I have a feeling that it¡¯s because it''s you.¡± For a while, Kazuki stroked Hikaru-senpai¡¯s hand, Hikaru-senpai accepted it with rapt attention. ¡°How vexing¡­Despite my plan to beat those guys and sever the future trouble they might bring. And then with a bright feeling, I would enjoy the final match with you, even though it was supposed to be like that.¡± ¡°It¡¯s going to be fine. I will avenge senpai without fail.¡± In that match¨DHayashi Shizuka was without a doubt evil. No, its not about whether she was evil or not, but rather that she was someone unforgivable for Kazuki. For her to do such a thing like destroying human¡¯s flesh with a playful feeling. ¡°Vengeance. ¡­How cool! When I think about it, it¡¯s such a heated development like in shounen manga!!¡± The light that was like a young boy''s passion returned to Hikaru-senpai¡¯s eyes. ¡°In that situation, Kazuki will use my magic¨D[Ride Lightning], and beat up those guys! Using the technique your dying friend left you behind and defeat the bitter enemy¡­intense, it¡¯s just too intense!¡± ¡°Senpai is still not dead yet right? ¡­Besides, I can''t use senpai¡¯s magic, you know?¡± ¡°Why? You can use the magic of someone you get along well with, right?¡± Hearing those words, Kazuki was taken with surprise. ¡°So senpai also knows about Lemegeton¡¯s power!?¡± ¡°Yeah, I heard it from Liz Liza-sensei together with Kaguya. Something like positivity level as the key to use magic. Then there is no reason why you can''t use my magic.¡± Amasaki Mio¨D147 Lotte¨D120 Hiakari Koyuki¨D119 Otonashi Kaguya¨D92 Hoshikaze Hikaru¨D60 Tsukahara Kazuha¨D49 ¡°No, the positivity level from senpai is¡­still not enough.¡± When Kazuki told her, the widely smiling face of Hikaru-senpai turned into a pale white expression in the blink of an eye. Her voice became upset in total disbelief. ¡°Wh, why!? Th, tha- tha- tha- tha- tha- that¡¯s stupid! I like you very much! We are best friends that are bound by hot friendship!! Aren''t we!? Why can¡¯t you use my magic!?¡± Senpai swung around Kazuki¡¯s hand in a buzz. ¡°Senpai, you''re still in recovery so please don¡¯t get so excited!¡± ¡°Uuu¨D!¡± Senpai groaned fretfully. ¡°This is treachery! Something is strange!!¡± Certainly with how good the relationship between him and senpai, it was strange how he still hadn¡¯t obtained the proof of the connection between their magic power, the . Even Kazuki actually felt such doubt too. ¡­Just as he thought, was friendship not good enough? The relationship that senpai sought from and gave to him¡­was it insufficient to build a bond between them? No matter how long the time they spent together, it was as if something like a membrane was dividing them, obstructing the exchange of their feelings. He had a hunch like that. The relationship between him and senpai, couldn¡¯t it become a genuine bond? The relationship between him and senpai, was there a lie in it¡­? ¡°Kazuki?¡± Looking at how Kazuki had become quiet, Hikaru-senpai leaked out an anxious voice. ¡­Senpai, was not a man. Even if she said that she wanted to tie a friendship between fellow males with him from her mouth, senpai is a girl. Inside our relationship, there was a lie and deception. Perhaps deep inside their hearts, he and senpai were connected with a far different relationship. The number of the positivity level might be the proof of that. Kazuki unintentionally put more strength into both hands that wrapped Hikaru-senpai¡¯s thin and graceful hands. ¡°Hikaru-senpai, I have a request.¡± ¡°Wha, what is it so suddenly? If it¡¯s your request, then I''ll more or less listen to it though.¡± ¡°Senpai, please go on a date with me tomorrow!¡± Tomorrow, senpai was going to be recuperating until her condition returned back to normal. ¡°¡­Eh? You want to go play together? I don¡¯t really mind.¡± ¡°It¡¯s different, not playing, but a date.¡± Kazuki corrected her with a strong tone. ¡°I, isn¡¯t it strange for us to go on something like a date? For fellow males to go doing something like that is¡­¡± ¡°That¡¯s enough, please recognize it, senpai is not a man. I don¡¯t think of senpai as a man. I, as a man, want to go on a date with senpai as a woman!¡± ¡°Th, that kind of¡­ But, I mean why so suddenly¡­¡± ¡°Senpai, the thing that you said when you were wearing the maid uniform, you said that you will listen to what I say for just one day, right?¡± ¡°I, I certainly said that, but! You will use that one favor right here!?¡± Senpai might dislike it if he talked in this way. ¡­No, there was no skull mark that signaled the drop in positivity level. Senpai was only looking down with a face so red that it wouldn¡¯t be strange for her to spit out fire. ¡°Senpai¡­let¡¯s meet in front of the station tomorrow at 12 o¡¯clock in the afternoon. I will wait for senpai there.¡± ¡°If, if I don¡¯t go, are you planning to keep waiting for the whole day there?¡± ¡°Yes. Just like that, I might catch a cold and become unsteady in the next match then.¡± ¡°I¡¯ll get troubled if that happens you know¨D. Don¡¯t threaten me¨D!¡± Senpai raised out a shrinking voice. ¡ó ¡ó ¡ó ¡ó ¡°Nii-sama, I¡¯m making a fresh start in life.¡± Across the cell phone, Kanae said such a thing. Being concerned with Kanae¡¯s state in the afternoon, Kazuki called Kanae before going to sleep to talk with her. ¡°¡­What do you mean?¡± ¡°If I stay like this I won¡¯t become a suitable successor for the Hayashizaki-style. I have thought about this for the whole day.¡± ¡°Oi, don¡¯t worry yourself too much about this. What happened in the afternoon was because you got caught in our plan until the very end after all.¡± He had to choose his words in order to cheer her up. Kanae¡¯s powerlessness was¡­a problem that was hard to resolve. Even when using the Enchant Aura to magnify physical ability, if the original physical ability was low from the start then that magnification value would also become small. If a person just kept being side-tracked by a field that they were poor at, they might meet a dead-end and stop growing. ¡°I understand that I also shouldn¡¯t hope for beyond what I have right now. However, I might be too fixated on the stereotype of [kenjutsu as something that created physical destructive power]. If I perceive the opponent¡¯s magic power more closely and alter my own magic power according to my image, it might be even possible to [sever the magic power of the opponent itself] with my magic sword. Severing the spell¡¯s chanting or the source of the magic phenomenon¡­while fighting together with Magica Stigma, I noticed such a possibility¡­¡± The power that distorted reality¨Dmagic, there were still possibilities lurking inside it that the Hayashizaki-style hadn¡¯t seen yet. However much the magic distorted reality¡­there might be nothing that couldn¡¯t be cut using the magic sword depending on the image. ¡°I am a powerless swordsman. Nevertheless, because of that very powerlessness, I¡¯ll show Nii-sama my pursuit of an entirely new kenjutsu, a new technique for the Hayashizaki-style. I won¡¯t lose to Otonashi Kaguya either. I will immediately train starting from tomorrow!¡± The conclusion that she arrived at after her struggle, by no means did he think of it as something mistaken. ¡°That¡¯s why Nii-sama, I¡¯m happy that you called me, but you don¡¯t need to worry about someone like me. Because from now on too, I will keep continuing to become Nii-sama¡¯s rival as the strongest swordsman!¡± ¡°¡­That''s true, isn¡¯t it? My step sisterbig sister wasn''t a person so fragile that she would need something like my encouragement in the end.¡± ¡°I¡¯m not the older sister but the little sister! That¡¯s why Nii-sama too, please become stronger and stronger, okay!?¡± Her usual bright voice returned in the end, then the call was cut. ¡­But the strength that I was pursuing was heading in a different direction from Kanae''s stoicism. The power of bonds¨Dit was by no means something that he would need to be ashamed of. Right at that time, as if it had been long-waiting for the call with Kanae to be over, the door of the room was knocked on. ¡°Good evening.¡± Kaguya-senpai showed her face. ¡°Senpai?¡± Senpai entered the room while her body was wrapped in her Magic Dress. He was not conscious of it while in the middle of battle, but her appearance was very lascivious. The slight areas of the body that was covered, rather than hiding the minimum portion it clung to, emphasized the beautiful white skin and the sexy body line instead. Maybe it was because senpai was adjusting her magic power, but the decorations of her Magic Dress was simplified¨Das if to say, so all of those wouldn¡¯t be a hindrance in what they were going to do after this. And then her eyes were¡­different from usual where it had already changed into a violet color. ¡°Senpai¡­, did you use too much magic and now you completely have an odd mood?¡± The Diva that Kaguya-senpai was contracted with, Asmodeus, was the demon lord that governed lust. Using Asmodeus¡¯ power too much made senpai unable to hold back her own feelings. Kazuki also accepted even that kind of Kaguya-senpai¡­because of that it became the role of Kazuki to diffuse the mood of Kaguya-senpai who had become like this. ¡°That¡¯s because Kazuki-kun, you''ve beaten me completely after all.¡± Kaguya-senpai lowered her body on the bed besides Kazuki and came near him closely while sitting. Usually, she always came hugging at him so suddenly and she would get satisfied with just squeezing him for a while. For some reason, tonight she didn¡¯t appear to be like that. He felt the calm before the storm from senpai. ¡°Senpai¡­come to think of it, why are you suddenly calling me [Kazuki-kun]?¡± ¡°Because I already, can''t be [a reliable senpai] anymore. I completely lost against an impertinent first year that had only enrolled into the academy for a month and a half after all. My pride as a senpai had been broken apart into small pieces.¡± While leaning slovenly on Kazuki, senpai puffed out her cheeks ¡®buu¡¯ in a pout. Her hair softly clung on Kazuki. From there, Kaguya-senpai¡¯s characteristic chest pressed on him with a dense sweet smell. ¡°So, sorry. But for me, senpai is still senpai¡­¡± ¡°It¡¯s okay, actually I too¡­wanted to [submit] to Kazuki-kun after all.¡± ¡°Su, submit!?¡± ¡°I''ve decided already, not to pretend to be tough or be patient anymore. I¡¯m going to stop restraining myself.¡± Slowly, Kaguya-senpai¡¯s hand was moving; she put her finger on the front button of Kazuki¡¯s sleep-wear. ¡°Se, senpai, what are you--!?¡± ¡°Just a little. It¡¯s just for a little, so¡­¡± Kaguya-senpai¡¯s passionate finger gently exposed Kazuki¡¯s upper body, Kaguya-senpai, whose pupils had turned violet, was spellbound looking at Kazuki¡¯s chest. With a gulp she swallowed her saliva. ¡°To gulp like that, senpai¡­what do you mean by just a little¡­¡± Mutually staring at each other¡¯s exposed skin, the two were enveloped in an obscene mood. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, I won¡¯t do anything perverted at all! Only just a little, I just want to hug while our skin meets together, that¡¯s all! It¡¯s wholesome! This is a perfectly wholesome thing to do!¡± On Kazuki¡¯s bare skin, Kaguya-senpai¡¯s huge breasts that were mostly exposed from her Magic Dress was pressing so tightly (munyu), that it changed shape. This was not something felt from across the uniform or shirt, it was a direct sensation. This was, surely this bulge was where all the [pleasant softness] in the world was packed into. No, that wasn''t right, probably what was packed into a girl¡¯s chest were dreams and romance. ¡°You said you weren¡¯t going to do anything perverted¡­this is already perverted enough you know, senpai!¡± ¡°Stop calling me senpai! Call me Kaguya!¡± Senpai puffed out her cheeks ¡®buu¡¯ once more in a pout. ¡°Ka, Kaguya¡­san.¡± ¡°No way, no way! It¡¯s fine to call me Kaguya without an honorific!!¡± ¡°Ka, Kaguya¡­¡± It was strangely embarrassing, Kazuki felt heat filling his face. ¡°Kazuki, you too, embrace me back from your direction¡­¡± Hesitatingly, Kazuki hugged her back. Senpai¡¯s naked back felt very smooth. ¡°I like you, Kazuki-kun¡­¡± As if getting delirious from the passion, Kaguya-senpai rubbed her whole body against Kazuki¡¯s body continuously. When Kazuki¡¯s hard body and Kaguya-senpai¡¯s soft body rubbed against each other, an inflammatory sensation was created between the two. Moreover, their skin gradually became damp from sweat. Even while feeling the softness of the body, a slippery smooth pleasant feeling became mixed inside. Smoothly smoothly, Kaguya-senpai time and time again rubbed her body against him. ¡°N, no¡­it feels good somehow¡­ Also Kazuki-kun¡¯s nice smell is¡­¡± With a dreamy expression, Kaguya-senpai pressed her face into Kazuki¡¯s neck and sniffed his aroma. ¡°It feels like I¡¯m going crazy to death inside senpai¡¯s lewd smell and softness¡­¡± Kazuki too unconsciously pressed his face onto Kaguya-senpai¡¯s wet skin. As if both of them were fawning at each other. ¡°Not senpai, Kaguya!¡± He got scolded. ¡°I¡¯m not perverted, okay? Kazuki-kun¡¯s hopelessly strong and manly¡­extremely indecent smell and body is the cause, really. It makes me unable to endure. I¡¯m not the one who is bad okay!?¡± Kaguya-senpai who had entered a totally peculiar state of mind started talking about some absurd things and rubbed her body on him even more intensely. Each time their skin rubbed, seductive heavy breathing was leaking from Kaguya-senpai¡¯s gaping lips that looked like flower petals. Senpai¡¯s breath became rough from pleasure. ¡°If I kiss Kazuki-kun¡¯s lips, you¡¯d be able to invoke a special power that can only be used once right? ¡­I want to kiss. ¡­I really want to kiss. This is unsatisfactory¡­¡± Kaguya-senpai, who knew about Kazuki¡¯s ability, raised a sorrowful voice while avoiding Kazuki¡¯s lips, she passionately pushed those lips on his cheek. ¡°Uuu, this is really not enough! I want to feel Kazuki-kun more! More, I want to become one even more! Sorry, Kazuki-kun. I will return back to normal soon! So let me fawn like this on Kazuki-kun just a little more!!¡± ¡­Kaguya-senpai had wanted to cling on someone for a long time. Being treated as experimental material by her father, being pushed to become the strongest, always continuing to fight¡­ Kazuki won against that Kaguya-senpai, liberating her from her burdens. That was why now, she completely became [just Kaguya]. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, you hate it, right? A girl like me that so suddenly becomes this indecent¡­¡± ¡°¡­I don¡¯t hate it though, Kaguya.¡± Kazuki resolved himself to accept Kaguya, he whispered in her ears. Kaguya¡¯s body trembled in a shiver. A large heart mark came flying at Kazuki. ¡°I love Kaguya, that¡¯s why it¡¯s okay.¡± While Kazuki whispered, he caressed Kaguya¡¯s sweaty back. ¡°Th, that feels good!¡± Kaguya-senpai¡¯s damp body trembled (bikubiku) like a fish that was washed ashore. She raised a high-pitched voice. Even though he just touched her back¡­probably the senses that were magnified by Asmodeus made her fall into lewd sensations no matter which part of the body he touched. If it was only caressing her back, then it was still wholesome. Kazuki assented himself like that. This was a really wholesome action. Kazuki stimulated Kaguya¡¯s back many times over, the back that was damp from sweat made wet voices (guchuguchu)! ¡°Th, that finger movement is amazing! More! Strum my back more! FuaAAAN!!¡± Kaguya-senpai raised a conspicuously strong voice and trembled¨Dafter that, she weakly fell into exhaustion. ¡°Ju, just now¡­it felt like I passed through a mountain¡­Otouto-kun.¡± ¡°Eh, senpai returned to Otouto-kun. And what mountain?¡± ¡°I have a feeling that I have done something really embarrassing¡­¡± Kaguya-senpai averted her eyes from Kazuki and talked in a whisper. It seems she returned to herself. ¡°Right, it was extremely amazing, Kaguya-senpai.¡± When he peeked at Kaguya-senpai¡¯s face, her eye color serenely returned to normal. ¡°No, don¡¯t stare at my face right now like that.¡± Kaguya-senpai averted her boiling red face. Looks like the end of the midnight game had suddenly come. ¡°It feels like I was seeing a perverted dream. But it was real, wasn¡¯t it? I¡¯ve done a really embarrassing thing¡­ But I''m happy! I want to enjoy the lingering sensation just like this for a little while.¡± Kaguya-senpai exhaustedly kept leaning on Kazuki absentmindedly. ¡°Funya funya¡± When Kaguya-senpai moved her lips vaguely, her Magic Dress came apart along with lights and transformed into the appearance of black lacy adult underwear. The exposure rate didn¡¯t really change at all. ¡°Hey, Otouto-kun. I have been concerned for a while but, sometimes Mio-chan or Koyuki-chan are staying in this room, right?¡± Kaguya-senpai said while drawing circles on Kazuki¡¯s back with her finger. It made Kazuki shake. ¡°No but we didn¡¯t do anything strange! We are just sleeping together!¡± ¡°Then I too want to sleep together like this.¡± ¡°U, understood. ¡­But I''m a little tired¡­¡± ¡°I feel refreshed somehow. Fufufuu.¡± ¡°Senpai, can¡¯t I change my shirt before we sleep? If senpai can, how about wearing some pajamas too¡­¡± ¡°It¡¯s fine like this. I want to sleep while hugging Otouto-kun¡¯s chest¨D¡± Kaguya-senpai was happily rubbing Kazuki¡¯s chest. While that behavior of hers was just like how she usually acted, there was also the feeling that something had changed a little from how she usually acted too. However senpai was feeling refreshed by herself, while this side felt half dead from what they had just done. ¡°Otouto-kun, tomorrow, by some chance are you going on a date with Hikaru?¡± ¡°¡­Why do you say that?¡± ¡°For some reason, I was wondering if such a development would happen like that. It¡¯s nothing bad though¨D. Though it¡¯s nothing bad, but¨D. Kaguya-senpai has never gone on a date with Otouto-kun before huh¨D, is what I am thinking.¡± ¡°I, I¡¯m sorry, that¡­¡± Inside the darkness where the light had been turned off, Kazuki was flustered. ¡°After this, go on a date with me too, okay? I too wish for a single princess escort.¡± ¡°Yes¡­¡± when Kazuki strongly answered, Kaguya-senpai laughed strangely. ¡°Otouto-kun, do your best. You won against me, so take responsibility. You have to take the overall victory. Become even stronger and stronger. You are going to become the symbol of the Magic Division and the Sword Division, growing as the strongest magic swordsman¡­¡± Chapter 4.5.1 — Love Simulation Volume 4 Chapter 5 - Love Simulation Part 1 ¡°Senpai, she still hasn¡¯t come huh.¡± Before, he was waiting for Mio in the afternoon at the front of the station. This time, he was waiting for Hikaru-senpai. He designated this place in an instant, but like this, it was as if he¡­ {As if you are taking and replacing girls constantly, right? Exactly like a Harem King!!} Leme came jeering at him through telepathy. However, it was exactly like what she said. Next, he had promised to go on a date with Kaguya-senpai. He also had the feeling of wanting to lead Koyuki, who tends to shun other people, outside. He also needed to find a suitable time for Lotte, who wanted to check for the new productions of the workshops in Akihabara again. {Isn¡¯t it fine to have fun with everyone? When Leme looks at all of you, Leme too feels the desire to become human. ¡­That¡¯s right, I get the feeling that in the past too, I also thought like this along with the ¡­} Leme had said once before that she was [a Diva that harbored a longing for humans]. Because of that [she became a Diva that could materialize easily] also. ¡°Is that so¡­even for you to regain your memory, you have to recover your strength completely too right?¡± {It¡¯s fine even if you don¡¯t worry too much about Leme though. Well, it¡¯s a good thing to stay positive.} That was right, he had to stay positive when he faced Hikaru-senpai. Hikaru-senpai was a girl. She harbored a shirking feeling toward males. He had to correct senpai¡¯s [distortion] that made her keep insisting that she was a male on this date! {My King¡­you are really heated up for your proactive date, huh. Oops, looks like Hoshikaze Hikaru has come.} ¡°¡­I, I made you wait! Sorry, I didn''t realize how much time had passed¡­!¡± When Kazuki turned back while calling out ¡°Senpai!¡±¨Dright there, what he saw was a handsome guy. Even in TV shows, there was not such a cool guy as the one before Kazuki now. Not only a good looking face, the clothes were also so stylish that even Kazuki could understand. She was wearing a crisp black tailored jacket and denim pants that were not too formal. The denim was a slender thing for men, but there was room for Hikaru-senpai, who was actually not a man. It also went well with her small face, an extremely stylish appearance. There was a stylish feeling that wasn''t too rough. Having said that, it was also not too exaggerated. Right in front of him was one of the examples that men should try to follow in what clothing they had to wear on a date. Even Kazuki was taken aback in admiration, wondering whether he also should dress like this. The problem was that this handsome guy was actually a girl. ¡°Ho, how is it?¡± Feeling Kazuki¡¯s stare, Hikaru-senpai fidgeted around. It looks like her injuries have completely healed. ¡°It¡¯s very cool. For the first time, I understand the feelings of senpai¡¯s fans. There is no doubt that if I were a girl, I would fall in love.¡± ¡°Really? Hehhehhe, as expected. I wonder if it¡¯s like that~. But even something like that could also happen I wonder~¡± Hikaru-senpai¡¯s expression burst open brightly just like a young boy. She was cool, but also cute. She had a smiling face that gave you an unknown throbbing inside when you saw it. ¡°Please don¡¯t be happy! ¡­Even though I said before to please go on a date with me as a girl, why does senpai look that much like a handsome guy!?¡± To have nothing but men¡¯s clothing to this degree, she was a prince that far exceeded his expectations. ¡°I was thinking about whether I should wear a jersey. But I wonder if it will make you ashamed instead.¡± ¡°Even if senpai came looking like that much of a handsome guy, I only got this huge feeling of failure you know¡­¡± ¡°I, I think you look cool though!¡± ¡°I don''t really feel that I got praised. By the way, for the date, of course for today.¡± ¡°As expected, this is really a date?¡± ¡°Even I don''t really understand something like a date, I didn''t really plan anything but¡­the thing we should do first is decided! Let¡¯s go shopping for women''s clothing!¡± ¡ó ¡ó ¡ó ¡ó Kazuki forcefully pulled Hikaru-senpai, who repeatedly said, ¡°It¡¯s impossible, impossible you know¨D¡± and finally arrived at a Fashion Workshopboutique. It was a boutique he had visited before with Mio. Saying it clearly, Kazuki didn''t understand a thing about women''s clothing, but if it was the boutique that the stylish Mio favored then there would be no problem, he thought. Moreover, this workshop made western clothes by themselves to sell. Of course they also gathered [truly good products] from other workshops and sold them too. These kinds of business conditions were called