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Kaze no Stigma:Volume1 Chapter2

2013-11-14T08:08:16Z

-=TwoFace=-: Made a few minor changes across chapter.

== Chapter Two - The Sudden Disaster ==

=== Part 1 ===

“Still not ready? How much longer do we have to wait, Hyoue?”

“Please, just a little longer.” Hyoue replied to the seemingly impatient person.

The person waiting for Hyoue closed his eyes pensively and walked away. Hyoue felt the wind blowing against him. The air was filled with the ''ki'' of the youma and passed beneath Hyoue’s palm like a wind that would swallow anyone. It was already dawn by the time the shredded remains of the three people were discovered. This unbelievably serious situation completely shocked the entire Kannagi clan. The Kannagi clan was undeniably astonished. Before their reflexes could respond, the three defensively-prepared people were killed, without anyone else even being alerted. The Fuuga clan had been summoned in order to better understand the situation. Hyoue had gathered the youma ''ki'' to understand who the enemy was.

"Hmm"

"T—this is...."

Quiet concentration. Hyoue gathered the youma ''ki'' in his palms without letting any of it flow out. It was a very cold air. Even for powerful practitioners, the ''ki'' provided sufficient reasons to fear it.

“This was caused by Fuujutsu, and was created by a practitioner who is on a completely different level from my Fuuga clan. This practitioner trapped the three victims in a wind ''kekkai'' and then killed them.”

Hyoue’s report was not in the least beneficial. Any practitioner could have easily deduced that from the sight of the incident.

“I understand that much. But, who did it?!”

“If you require a detailed report, I would like you to allow me more time,” Hyoue replied indistinctly.

“Then do it quickly! You and your clan can act...”

“Everyone be quiet!”

At Juugo's angry voice, everyone present became silent. Juugo then spoke in a consoling voice.

“So it's like that? Good job, you may retire... Right, how’s the health of Ryuuya?"

Hyoue appeared surprised at that moment due to the Suzerain’s concern over his son’s health.

“Yes… If he quietly recuperates, there shouldn’t be any problems. However, he can no longer recover to the level of working for the Kannagi clan anymore. This unworthy son really is an embarrassment.”

"It can't be helped if he is ill. Don't blame Ryuuya, just focus on his recovery."

Hyoue bowed to Juugo’s words of gratitude.

“Yes… Thank you very much. I will give instructions to my subordinates as I will now retire….”

“Then please, I await your reply, Hyoue.”

The head of the Fuuga clan bowed silently and left.

The enemy was a Fuujutsu practitioner who loathed the Kannagi clan. Naturally, everyone thought of a certain person who had—coincidentally—just returned to Japan.

“It’s Kazuma! He obtained strength for revenge and returned to Japan! My fellow clan members, let us destroy the traitor Kazuma. Find him without delay and kill him!”

The person who made such an aggressive comment was the previous Suzerain, Yorimichi. Even though he was retired, he still had the air of a Suzerain. The entire clan loathed him, though he was unaware of this.

“[[Kaze_no_Stigma:Volume1_Translator%27s_Notes#Chichiue|Chichiue]], please. We don’t have enough evidence to prove that Kazuma did this.” Juugo said in an attempt to stop Yorimichi's tirade.

“You—! Who but Kazuma could have done this...?”

“Yorimichi, please hold your tongue. When you speak like that, it becomes impossible for us to discuss the issue.”

Genma coolly interrupted Yorimichi's ear-shattering ranting, with a cold look that clearly expressed his scorn. The truth is, Genma looked down on Yorimichi with disrespect from the depths of his heart. To him, Yorimichi was a person who had no strength apart from scheming, yet was chosen as the Suzerain. In Yorimichi’s thirty years as Suzerain, the strength of the Kannagi clan reached rock bottom. Yorimichi's inability to control the representative sword of the Kannagi clan and his inability to pass the sword onto someone else resulted in it being buried deep in the warehouse before Juugo’s succession to the Suzerain position.

However, Genma was not thinking about such a foolish item. He believed that the one to succeed the position of Suzerain should be the strongest practitioner of Kannagi. Because of this, he did not hate the current Suzerain, Juugo. Genma understood that his own strength couldn't compare. Previously, he wanted to prepare his son to be the next Suzerain. This was not really a scheme; he just wanted to train and prepare Kazuma to give him the strength to become the next Suzerain.

Yorimichi didn’t have such beliefs, as he was the type of person who only had ambition for power. Or, at least that was what Genma thought of him. No matter how Genma tried to hide his thoughts, they were clearly revealed as he further enraged Yorimichi. Despite their close blood relationship of uncle and nephew, the hatred between the two deepened again.

“Y-You want to shield Kazuma? No... should I say that this is your scheme? Allowing Kazuma to go outside the country, having him learn jutsu to kill Juugo and Ayano, and finally letting Ren succeed the position of Suzerain?"

Yorimichi turned his accusing finger towards Genma. This kind of bad will was materializing like “sticky things connecting items together,” agitating the rest of the crowd.

“That kind of idea would only come from someone with low scruples.”

For Yorimichi to say such things was an almost insulting provocation. Genma did not try to contradict him out of the fear of making an extremely disrespectful reply if he did.

“Chichiue, that’s enough!”

Juugo cut in, interrupting the insulting diatribe. He decided to settle it by ordering Yorimichi to be taken away.

“Yorimichi, you must be tired. Please return to your room to rest.”

“Wait, Juugo! Genma cannot be trusted! If you don’t listen to me now, you will end up regretting it sooner or later!”

Yorimichi was hauled away like luggage. His harsh voice slowly decreased in volume until nothing could be heard.

“I really am sorry for the insulting diatribes of my father. Please forgive him on my behalf.”

Juugo placed both of his hands on the tatami in a slight bow. Genma replied indifferently, “I didn’t pay attention. The reason for such words is that the previous Suzerain cares deeply for the Kannagi clan.”

With an exchange of glances that instantly understood each other, they smiled at the same time. The time for chatting was over, and it was now time to discuss more serious matters.

“As the previous Suzerain said, the timing is too much of a coincidence. It is better for us to meet again and talk.”

Genma maintained his silence from the start, perhaps because he did not want to discuss his own son.

“Would Kazuma submit to our instructions willingly?”

“If he won’t submit, we will have to use force to bring him here. Even though he has gained strength, he is still Kazuma. Two or three people will be more than enough to capture him.”

“...That’s good, then. The selection of persons in charge of this assignment will be your responsibility, Genma. No matter what, it is necessary to bring back Kazuma quickly.”

“Understood.” Even though Genma had just received an order to capture his own son, Genma was tranquil compared to others.

“Ayano-sama has returned!”

The serious expression on Juugo’s face began to relax. Genma put on a highly energetic and fierce look as well.

“Oh, I'm back!”

She appeared without even waiting a second. Bah! She pulled the sliding door open and caught everyone’s attention.

“I’m home, [[Kaze_no_Stigma:Volume1_Translator%27s_Notes#Otou-sama|Otou-sama]]! Ehh...? What’s going on?”

An assertive young teenage girl appeared before the crowd, noticing the mood a moment later. Her long, pink hair that almost reached her back flowed along with the movements of her head, representing the blooming of a [[Kaze_no_Stigma:Volume1_Translator%27s_Notes#Bishoujo|bishoujo]]. At that moment, the 'dark and cold' atmosphere completely vanished. Her spiritual energy completely cleansed the room's atmosphere in one breath. The appearance of an unclear enemy who killed family members became muted. The people who had been discussing this situation nonstop now faced a blinding light. Their feelings of discomfort and distress completely vanished.

As if facing the rays of the sun, all movements in the dark ceased to exist. The girl in the doorway, a girl who had the ability to vanquish darkness with spiritual powers not unlike the power of light, was heir of the Suzerain, owner of Enraiha and Juugo’s daughter: Kannagi Ayano.

“How’s the report, Ayano?”

Juugo tested his daughter with the same serious expression that he used when asking other people. To him, that was the best way for a father to guide his daughter.

“Excuse me.” Ayano at that moment finished bowing. “The youma that was released was completely vanquished.”

“Hmm, good job.”

Finishing her report to the Suzerain as a practitioner, Ayano innocently continued her questioning.

“So, what actually happened, Otou-sama?”

“Hmm——earlier, three people had been killed without being noticed. This is a serious situation!"

Although they were distant relatives, Ayano quieted after hearing how three people from the family had been killed. The 'serious situation' wasn’t the fact that 'three people had been killed.' Rather, it was because it was 'without being noticed.'

This was not some callous sentiment, but it was an understanding of what was of primary importance. For a girl of only sixteen years of age, who had such a strong will and discipline, it was surprising.

“Nobody saw who it was? A Fuujutsu practitioner?”

“Of course there's a suspect.” Faced with Ayano’s questions, Juugo replied heavily, “...It’s Kazuma.”

“Who’s that?”

Faced with this kind of close and revealing speech, Juugo’s 'sun vein' furrowed.

“Think carefully about your older cousin’s name... the one who you fought against in the 'Succession Ceremony' for Enraiha, the representative sword of the Kannagi clan."

“Older cousin... Could it be the Kazuma who left the family four years ago? Could that even be called a fight?”

Juugo secretly spied on Genma’s expression to see if there were any changes from hearing Ayano's blunt words. Genma's inner feelings were not apparent, as his outer unreadable appearance didn’t change at all.

“Right, I heard he left the country... and trained elsewhere. Later, he became a Fuujutsu practitioner?”

“That’s how it is. Supposedly, he returned to Japan recently and changed his name to Yagami Kazuma. Yesterday, he met with the late Shinji during a job, where he beautifully completed it. It seems like he has trained very hard in those four years.”

“Kazuma... Looks like he hates us…” Finally remembering, Ayano looked distant.

“It could be like that,” Genma replied without any facial expression.

“But, even though it is like that, we cannot just kill him. If it was done by him, we need to use his life to pay for the crimes.”

“If...?”

Ayano turned to look at Genma, searching for a clue as to what Genma was thinking. Genma accepted Ayano’s look without any change. The one who disinherited Kazuma and the one who provided the reason for his disinheritance crossed gazes. The first to look away was Ayano. Strength as practitioners aside, her life’s experience was immensely surpassed. In reality, even with careful searching, she still lacked the confidence in her ability to win. Ayano stopped her meaningless gaze, and turned to look towards Juugo.

“So, what do we do next? Eliminate him?"

After seeing his daughter say such words so easily, Juugo immediately replied.

“We still cannot be certain whether Kazuma was the one who did it, but no matter. We should find him and talk with him first.”

“...Yes...”

Perhaps due to the mighty power that Enraiha bears, whenever Ayano was faced with a problem, she was inclined to use power to resolve it. Juugo had always hoped that she understood her position as the next clan chief and therefore had to be more flexible in her thinking.

“You have just finished a mission, you must be tired, today get some good rest.”

“...I understand.”

Even though she did not seem pleased, Ayano still obeyed her father’s words and quickly left the scene after bowing. The attitude she portrayed by not even looking at Juugo showed just how unhappy she was.

“......This stubborn child.”

Juugo sighed as he muttered this. However, despite his tone being so bitter, he was still unable to hide the overflowing love he had for her.

=== Part 2 ===

It was easy for the information network of the Kannagi clan to find out where Kazuma was.

Finding him the next morning did not really require any special methods because he used his own name to register into a hotel.

Consequently, at Genma’s command, two practitioners were sent out.

Yuuki Shingo and Oogami Takeya were the strongest practitioners of the branch families. Even though they had opposing personalities, they were great friends. This combination, outside the main family, could be said to be without equal.

From Genma’s point of view, he had thrown in the two strongest cards at hand. However, the selection of the oldest son of the Yuuki family might have been a deadly mistake. Why? That was because this man had absolutely no desire to convince Kazuma.

“Kazuma, you bastard, I will cut you into [[Kaze_no_Stigma:Volume1_Translator%27s_Notes#Ten Thousand Pieces|ten thousand pieces]].”

“If he dies, it will be problematic. At least leave him with the ability to talk when we take him back.”

As they waited for the upcoming report, they headed directly towards Kazuma. Of course, they had absolutely no desire to persuade him; however, they never expected that they would be assaulted.

“Is the report ready yet?”

“It’s going to be ready soon.”

This kind of discussion couldn't satisfy them at all. They didn't know how many times they had asked. Given that the two of them were still waiting to receive the same report, it didn't matter how much they asked…

“What the hell are they doing, that useless Fuuga clan! It’s that one person, Kazuma; can’t they easily bring him over!?”

Shingo reprimanded angrily as they began turning the arrowhead towards the Fuuga clan.

“This is worrying. The Fuuga clan might even be connected to this situation.”

Takeya forcefully said some pretty words to sway Shingo. A situation in which the Fuuga clan was shielding him wasn't impossible, after all. Takeya's plan to insult them and redirect Shingo's anger was certainly welcomed.

Thinking shortly, Shingo gritted his teeth angrily and said, “damn it, they only have slightly sharper senses, what's there to be complacent about?”

“Don’t say it like that. They're just a bunch of sad people with non-discussable... Nil fighting power. Failing to do something this simple, aren't they very pathetic?”

“That’s right, hahaahahahahahaaaaa…”

Just as Takeya had wished, Shingo had completely forgotten about the issue of the reprimand. Hearing this sudden liberated laughter, Takeya had a thought not unlike one from 10 seconds ago. “Still not ready yet?” Similarly, he felt it to be very slow and lengthy.

“Incoming, in the area right ahead, about 500 meters. Looks like he hasn’t noticed.”

Suddenly, amidst the conversation between the two, a voice appeared. It was from a jutsu used by the Fuuga clan called “Method of Summoning/Calling Spirits”. It allowed the wind to carry voices over large distances.

“He’s coming! I won’t leave him any limbs, arms or legs. Burn it all! Let’s attack!”

This was not voiced for anyone to hear, only Shingo’s mumblings to himself. It could be seen from his hatred-filled eyes that his passion certainly could be really problematic.

[[image:Kaze no Stigma vol 01 051.jpg|thumb]]

Shingo rattled on about how he would execute Kazuma. He hoped Kazuma would at least put up some resistance before dying so that he and Takeya could slowly torture him to the brink of death. Shingo was determined to make Kazuma suffer as painfully as possible.

Takeya pulled a small distance away from Shingo from this, thinking 'so this guy is this dangerous.' And so, the distance between their hearts grew larger.

Just when a rift between their friendship was about to form, Kazuma appeared.

They faced the apparently defenseless and casual Kazuma. Takeya arrogantly greeted him.

“Long time no see, Kazuma!”

“…Oh, you're the successor of the Oogami family?”

Kazuma paused for a moment to recollect his memories. However, Takeya took it as a display of shock as if Kazuma had just realized he was being ambushed. His arrogant upraising mentality weakened Takeya’s concentration.

“Do you know why we are here?”

Takeya questioned using a tone filled with superiority. At the same moment, he calmed Shingo, whose eyes were blood-shot and whose heart was filled with the desire to release his flames.

“No idea.”

Kazuma’s reply could not be any more honest. Yet, it was not entirely without a sense of taunting. He used a joking action to exaggeratedly shrug his shoulders and shake his head. As expected, he managed to piss Takeya off enough for his veins to show.

However, Takeya succeeded in controlling his anger, and, after recovering his cool, began to explain.

“Yesterday night, three practitioners of the Kannagi clan were killed."

“Uhmm... and?"

Kazuma asked, with the same tone of supreme authority.

“The person who killed them was a Fuujutsu practitioner."

“……………………..”

“……………………..”

Their surroundings were covered in silence as a warm wind blew through the dusk on Tree-Shadow Road. The red leaves began to dance lightly, shined upon by a crimson sun that dyed them an even darker shade of red. This was the beauty that appears before the darkness that controls the world.

“……………..”

The first to open his mouth was Kazuma. It seemed like he detested the still silence even more than being stared at by the two men.

“So, what's the matter?”

“The Suzerain has things to ask you! Follow us!”

“It wasn’t me. Are you finished?”

Kazuma said, clearly showing his desire to leave. He suddenly bounced to the side. An instant later, the space that Kazuma had just jumped away from became engulfed in a fireball.

Kazuma looked towards the perpetrator. Shingo, using a tone like a natural-born deep-voiced singer, shouted.

“Hm hm hm, what’s the matter, you finally admit it? Then, there is no other way besides force to subdue you!”

At the same time, 'tongues of crimson' surrounded Shingo and began to burn and dance.

Even though these flames were attached to Shingo’s body, his clothes were not burned. He was exhibiting an unexpected level of precision.

As the flames continued to move on his body, Shingo became so happy that his lips slanted. He proclaimed...

“If you refuse to talk about it, then you are very suspicious. I’ll burn off your arms and legs! Lessening the weight will make you easier to transport! I won’t kill you, but could you continue to live in such a humiliating condition? After the Suzerain finishes his questioning, I’ll be merciful, and kill you within one week! You can use that time to fully regret your life. I want you to know that after killing Shinji, I absolutely cannot allow you to continue living untroubled!”

Assuming that the future would be as Shingo claimed, Kazuma nevertheless was still faced with watching the crazed, laughing Shingo as if he was observing some kind of rare animal. He turned to Takeya and asked very seriously...

“So the Kannagi clan still feeds this kind of thing?”

“—No, ahh….hu….”

Takeya really had no reply. He, who considered himself to be normal, did not want to be associated with the thing next to him as though they were of the same kind.

“Shingo always adored Shinji. Now he hates you for killing him, he is quite within reason.”

“That’s why I said it wasn’t me.”

“Then please go and clarify everything with the Suzerain.”

“I am no longer part of the Kannagi clan. If the Suzerain has business with me, tell him to come and look for me himself. Please pass it along to him like that.”

“It seems … The negotiations have broken down then.”

In order to make good on his words, Takeya raised his 'ki.' He then directed the surrounding fire spirits to dance with his conscience.

The surrounding temperature rose enough to be felt with the skin. Even though the fire spirits had yet to materialize, the surrounding area had clearly changed in physics.

Seemingly frightened by the emergence of such elevated fighting spirit, scores of red leaves continued to flutter down, instantly changing into ash and floating away before touching Takeya’s body.

Remaining subdued, Kazuma stood with his hands in his leather jacket, watching the two of them. It seemed like he had no desire to confront the Kannagi clan, though it was hard to tell from that kind of pose.

“This is your last opportunity. Yield humbly to us, Kazuma.”

Faced with Takeya's final ultimatum, Kazuma raised his middle finger and said.

“Take a good look at yourselves before coming.”

Shingo and Takeya moved in complete coordination, releasing their fireball attacks at the same time.

“Die!!!”

“You idiot!”

The instant they started their jutsu, the two believed that victory would be definite. Two of the clan's strongest practitioners were attacking at the same time. No matter what kind of strategy Kazuma had, facing those two massive powers would be hopeless.

But...

Boom! 

The fireball in Takeya’s hand suddenly exploded. He was incredulous that the fireball had such a big categorical runaway explosion.

The fireball, leaving Takeya’s control, was like a wild animal with its tooth pulled out. Even with the protection of the fire spirit, it was impossible to shield against the crash of the explosion’s force.

The shock struck his entire body and Takeya was simply knocked out.

''(W, What? What just happened…? Shit, Shingo, leave….)''

Unfortunately, Shingo had similarly lost consciousness, with black and blue continuously pulsing on his face.

As Kazuma returned his hands into the pockets of his leather jacket, he lowered his head to the two people before him. After flashing a condescending grin, he walked right by the two unconscious persons' sides.

Contradicting his wish to leave immediately, Kazuma stopped. As if feeling something, he looked towards the trees where there was no one.

“If you want to pick a fight with me, I won’t be merciful.”

At the same time, one of the trees split in half. There was no noise from the chopped tree. A guarding Fuujutsu practitioner slowly slid down from it.

Already forgetting to hide himself, this person stood while dumbly staring at Kazuma. As Kazuma turned to leave, he became fearful. “The one we lured was him? The prey we were hunting is this frightening thing——?"

=== Part 3 ===

“Seriously, father worries too much. I alone am enough. I don’t know how many times I have repeated this. When will he acknowledge me? Am I that untrustworthy?”

“The Suzerain acknowledges the young mistress' abilities, but as a father he is simply worrying about his daughter.”

Confronted with the disgruntled Ayano, the man in his forties cajoled her.

Ayano had been ordered to a certain temple in the city of Yokohama Yamate to strengthen the weakening seal inside. Coincidentally, this place was very close to where Kazuma had extorted every cent from his employer. Basically, this was where he had exorcised only a few days ago. However, Ayano knew nothing of this.

Upon arriving at the location and discovering that the seal had deteriorated to a point beyond the previously assumed limits, Ayano immediately discarded the idea of resealing it, instead deciding to eliminate the seal. Without any attempt to test it, she immediately ripped off the seal.

One of her favorite sayings was, “this method is faster.” 

People without significant confidence in their own abilities would not say something like that. However, the two men that accompanied her knew that she had the prerequisite abilities needed to complement such self-confidence.

Certainly, Juugo also knew that she had this kind of ability, but such worries of a father were within reason. Even if Ayano described Juugo as stupid or foolish, most of time he still sent two or more people to protect her.

“He always lectures me. 'Don't mix work with your private life.' 'Don't follow your own desires to do things.' Isn't that right, Uncle Masato?” 

Still discharging her irritation, Ayano faced the said man, Masato, the younger brother of the head of the Yuuki family.

“Because he is the Suzerain, he cannot mull over such minor issues.”

A smile and a laugh appeared on Masato’s thin face. As a member of one of the branch families, he certainly was not thinking about the consequence, but it seemed like Ayano hadn’t really noticed or cared.

This man, Oogami Masato, although possessing strength greater than his older brother, disliked scheming for the position of family head. And so, he went off to Tibet to train like an eccentric person.

When he returned to Japan, he was ordered to protect Ayano. Juugo held him in high regard, as from the first time Ayano went on a mission, he was continually responsible for her protection.

Ayano also had good feelings about this easygoing relative. Contrasting the princess-like treatment that most people gave her, Masato’s causal attitude was quite refreshing for her and felt very good.

Consequently, they referred to each other (Uncle Masato and Ojo-sama) as if they were a real family.

“Maybe if it's to allow the younger practitioner here to learn, this kind of reasoning is possible. Isn’t that so, Takeshi…Takeshi?”

“Ahh, yes!?”

The younger practitioner was staring at Ayano with eyes of admiration. Oogami Takeshi’s uncle had to call out many times before he finally paid attention.

“Did you not hear… Stop staring stupidly at Ojo-sama, and be prepared. We don't know when the seal will be released.”

“Yes, I understand! Just as Uncle has said! It is really a great honor to be allowed to watch Ayano-sama's striking fight method!”

In an attempt to look good in front of Ayano, Takeshi pointlessly shouted in a loud voice. He stared at Ayano with admiration and reverence. After all, to Takeshi’s generation of practitioners, Ayano had the status of a goddess. Being able to watch her striking method from close by, while guarding her, was a task anyone would accept.

“Yes——It’s——like——this?”

“Yes, it’s like that!”

The exhilaration of being able to talk to Ayano flowed from Takeshi’s entire body. Though, Ayano did not like being looked up to like that. It gave her the feeling that she was separate from normal people, instead becoming an entity that she didn't want to be.

Unfortunately, no matter how often she explained that, it was useless. It was Takeshi’s only, yet simple, means of showing deference to a much stronger and more beautiful existence.

“Ah, forget it. … It’s about time.”

Ayano, sensing the expanding ki of the youma, relaxed and turned herself towards the main hall. Her miniskirt started to flutter and dance.

Now, why would Ayano be wearing her high school uniform?

This was not only to allow her to normally attend high school. Since, if you thought about it, the best outfit for a high school student was their uniform. So, Juugo focused upon this point and added, within the range of his abilities, the best class of defensive spells to it.

The uniform, in order to allow better transpiration, was woven from the best type of silk there was. That is, during the process of fabrication, air was mixed into it. Furthermore, everything was sewn from expensive materials.

As a result, a high school uniform was made from extravagant amounts of money and time. It would not be wrong to call it a work of art; since, the high cost certainly made it worthy. The money placed into this uniform was enough to buy a car, or even a luxury house.

Of course, Ayano paid attention to wear this outfit, not because of its capabilities, but because it was a gift given to her by her father. As a result, she frequently wore this outfit in combat.

In this uniform, the world’s most expensive combat outfit, Ayano watched as the seal began breaking. She took a deep breath and started moving and warming up her own inner strength.

Pah!

A clapping sound started to vibrate within the room. Ayano opened her two closed palms. A flaming line appeared between them. She grasped it with her right hand, swinging it horizontally.

The meter-long, burning line instantly materialized into a crimson sword.

There was no blunt side to this bright crimson sword, as it had two edges. The blade of the sword was surrounded by a golden flame, releasing vivid beautiful light. It was as beautiful as one could imagine. 

The sword was the Kannagi clan’s supreme treasure, Enraiha. It was awarded to the Kannagi clan’s founder by the King of the Fire Spirits. It has been passed down and used to defeat evil ever since. ''''''

Ayano lifted Enraiha upwards, grasping the sword with her other hand as well and making a downward stroke. Golden pieces of the flame trailed behind it, spreading in all directions. In an instant, she beautifully stopped the sword before her eyes. Whether it was done ten thousand times or a hundred thousand times, this was a beautiful motion that could always be appreciated.

The vase of the shrine approached its limits and, with a “pong” sound, burst open. Even before the pieces could finish falling, a white light shot towards Ayano.

Ayano made a downward stroke with Enraiha, attacking the light head on. Upon contact, the white substance gave off a sound like sprinkling water on a burning hot pot and vaporized.

“Ugh, it’s sticky.”

Ayano mumbled after seeing it disperse in all directions. The material was connected by thin threads.

She redirected her vision to the inside of the main hall, seeing a few dots of light. The thing slowly moved forward and revealed itself.

“Wah…”

Ayano, inadvertently surprised, let out a gasp. The thing that had appeared was ——

Possessing a great number of eyes and beyond eight feet, covered with dirty yet rigid fur, the segmented animal produced sounds like “kulah, kulah” as its legs brought it into the open. Anyone would shiver upon seeing its full appearance, a monstrous spider freak.

“Earth Spider huh... Need help?”

“Not necessary.”

Ayano immediately replied. Though it produced a very disgusting feeling, there was no time for complaints. It seemed like she was more afraid of disappointing her otou-san, and fighting against spiders or cockroaches was nothing in comparison.

''(Come...)''

Summoning fire spirits does not require chants and such. As if following Ayano’s thinking, fire spirits assembled themselves and flew into Enraiha. The light of the flame became even brighter, shining along the sword's blade.

Within the range of her awareness, Ayano continuously summoned more spirits. Juugo had instructed her many times, "Don’t be like other practitioners. The spirits are not commanded; you can’t be too arrogant."

“The spirits have the same level of existence as we do.” 

Juugo frequently repeated this saying, that spirits were the means to safeguard the existence of the world’s order. The Kannagi clan had a contract with the spirit king, and the spirits were only helpers.

Of course, Ayano also understood that her own strength was borrowed. The power was gifted for a short period of time, and only to seal or vanquish the inconsistencies in the world’s order.

Therefore, she was not ordering them, because such matters were unnecessary. If the correct way of thinking was clear, the fire spirits would certainly answer.

Having respect for the world, not obtaining huge power or being arrogant. Ayano, no matter what, always called out to them like this: “Please, lend me your strength…”

“V… Very formidable…”

Takeshi watched, dumbfounded as the enormous number of spirits gathered into Ayano’s body. The amount of spirits he could manage was only one small portion of hers. For him, it was the first time seeing the main family’s power, as different from him as sky and ground.

“Ah, formidable, right!?”

Masato said, smiling to show off his own condition.

“Even though we said it recently, no matter how hard we work, we won’t be able to reach such levels.”

His uncle’s reply already forgotten, Takeshi once again looked at Ayano.

Ayano, holding Enraiha, continued to confront the earth spider.

''(What should I do… looks like I can’t get close…)''

Even though the summoned spirits were already enough to destroy the earth spider, she really didn’t have the confidence given her distance from it. Even though Enraiha was an ancient sword used for summoning, it was necessary to employ it to its fullest potential.

In other words, she had to close in and puncture or split the earth spider, then, from the inside, burn its body completely.

''(Of course, if that was done, more sticky stuff will probably fly out from the cut… after the explosion, the body's pieces would fly everywhere… and if it's female, after opening its skin, hundreds of spiders might come out… No———!)''

Just thinking about it made her hair stand on end. Inside, Ayano started complaining bitterly. If Takeshi could have read Ayano’s inner thoughts then, his own thoughts of reverence would probably have disappeared. 

The earth spider seemed to seize the opening that Ayano's mulling gave. Using its long legs it made a 'palapala' sound, as it turned its body and started moving.

“You want to escape!?”

Suddenly, white silk spat out from the tail towards the pursuing Ayano. At the same time, she pulled up Enraiha to face it.

Golden flames emerged from Enraiha, burning the spider’s web. Unfortunately, because of the blockage by the silk, Ayano still could not get close to the earth spider.

Ayano could only stop and focus her mind. She took a deep breath, tuning her ki, and calmed down.

''(This kind of thing can’t do any real kind of obstruction. I'll just kill it in a few seconds.)''

Lifting up Enraiha, she performed a downward swing with her full strength. The golden flame, the highest level of fire purification, not only completely burned down the earth spider’s web, but also closed in directly on the earth spider itself.

Kaboom!!

With the sounds of the explosion, the earth spider was surrounded by flames.

“Got…Gotcha…?”

But, as Ayano dubiously mumbled while looking into the flames, what emerged was only a white cocoon-like object. What really surprised her was the “pishpish” sound of it splitting open.

Pang!

Like a thin layer of glass shattering, the middle of the cocoon split open and the earth spider reappeared, completely unharmed.

The webbing apparently contained some special component that could block spiritual energies. The spider had used that covering to hide its body and avoid the purifying powers of the flames.

“...It’s~ it’s quite formidable, hu~”

Ayano sang. At first glance she seemed very calm, but a careful study would reveal that her sun vein had already risen.

Ayano did not attack with full strength, but her confidence ebbed when she saw it being completely deflected.

“Only a little bug, don’t be so haughty ——!!”

Resonating with Ayano’s anger, an even greater amount of fire spirits gathered. There was no materialization, but in the vicinity, enough spirits gathered to equal a volcano opening.

“Then… regretting it now?”

Accompanying her anger, Ayano entered a selfless state. Her composure was completely engulfed by anger, and transformed into strength.

She continuously summoned stronger and even stronger spirits. This time, it wasn't directly released into a single area but, using her immovable strength of mind, was released into one direction. 

This time, Ayano held Enraiha perpendicular to her body. Focused on running after the earth spider, she took a deep breath and released it with a sharp “kiai.”

“Haa!!”

In an instant, the flame flew into the earth spider’s body. Its abdomen expanded and exploded, transforming it into a miniature torch.

Within this seemingly small torch gathered the entire area’s fire spirits. The explosion of the fireball continued to expand. This time the earth spider was definitely transformed into ashes.

Nothing was left. The pieces of the spider’s body and the youma spirit around it had been completed purified. Now, the temple where the youma was vanquished finally filled with the tranquil air that temples should have.

If an attack from the outside could be defended against, simply attack from the inside. Even though describing it was easy, actually doing it was close to impossible.

This was like the world’s own close relationship with the spirits. Like the life force of living beings.

The body of living beings that have water cannot remain unaffected by water spirits, and living beings that have heat house fire spirits within their bodies.

Though youma materialize, they can’t escape this rule.

However, in ordinary circumstances, controlling the spirits residing within the body was impossible.

These kinds of spirits, infinitely close to a living beings’ survival instinct, hold enormous willpower. The origin of life does not allow control to anyone.

Even a genius can’t control it easily as he would like. But in this world, no matter what, there are always people who spend their entire day saying 'logical boundaries' are for foolish and sad humans.

“Heh. It was this kind of thing.”

Ayano released a pleasing smile and turned around to go back.

“Then, let’s go! ...”

She couldn’t continue her dialogue. Ayano stupidly stared at the two’s body language. Probably, the bigger body was Masato, and on its left was Takeshi's body. Everything seemed to be just fine.

But——

''(How come there’s no head…?)''

The two were standing naturally. The taller one still had both hands in his pockets, and the other seemed unable to control his exhilaration, holding a fist in front of his chest.

It didn’t seem odd that they had no heads, for whatever reason.

Ayano looked toward the ground, where two round objects entered her eyes. Ayano stumbled, nearly falling over, but steadied herself. She knelt down and lifted one of them onto her knees. Even though it was quite heavy, Ayano smiled as she smelled the odor of the person that she really liked. Ayano hugged the head of the one who, from a very young age, fought together with her and taught her the ways of survival. Quietly, she mumbled.

“Uncle… head… fell down… uh…"

Ayano sadly smiled as she tried to put Masato’s head back on. Hoping that by doing this he would return to life, she stubbornly forced the head back on.

As if mocking Ayano, an unseen blade lightly carved into Masato’s body. In a second, the big body split apart into hundreds or even thousands of slices of meat.

His heart had stopped pumping a while ago, so fresh blood did not fly out from the sharp cuts.

Although there were no sounds of flowing blood or breaking flesh, strangely enough, it still gave people a feeling of reality.

[[image:Kaze no Stigma vol 01 071.jpg|thumb]]

Under the blowing of the wind, Masato’s body came apart without a sound. As if it had gone through a paper shredder, the pieces of meat danced in the sky like flower petals.

Ayano watched the frozen picture.

Drip.

Accompanying the sound of a water droplet, something fell on her face. Ayano unconsciously tried to remove it.

It was a bright red piece of meat, which still had some remaining warmth. Ayano’s consciousness seemed to pass through a filter as she realized what was on her fingers. She only recovered a small amount.

“No...”

It had once been a part of Masato’s body, but now he could no longer be described even as a corpse.

“I don’t want this!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!”

At that moment, Ayano's screams could be heard far and wide.

"Kukukukuku—————"

This sound that vibrated through the air, the snickering sound, wasn’t directly sent to the brain. To better describe it, accompanying this “snigger” were some strong feelings. This derision towards the opponent’s “awareness” seemed to provoke and annoy Ayano.

Faced with the appearance of the enemy, due to frequent training of the body and spirit, Ayano instantly entered fighting mode.

She buried deep within her the feeling of anguish, substituting it with the feelings of animation and anticipation.

Directing her anger towards her opponent, she challenged it...

"Come out!"

Ayano had already surpassed the limits of anger that could be expressed on a human's face, though she seemed determined that she could. She looked up.

It was ''that thing''. In front of a branch on a huge tree stood a human shadow, completely without fear of danger and with its right hand resting in its pocket.

Since it was a place without much light, she was unable to clearly see her opponents face. It didn’t really matter, though, since the overflowing of evil ki already told her 'this is an enemy.'

Ayano silently swung Enraiha upwards.

There was no need to know who it was, nor was there the need to accumulate strength. All that was required was to calmly mix in the killing intent and kill it in one strike. The sharpened killing intent transformed the burning sword blade, whose flames flowed upwards.

Moving lightly, clearly defying its weight, ''that thing'' avoided the slash, leaping high onto the roof as if flying. ''That thing'' looked down towards Ayano, slowly moving its body as if to say "chase away."

This was clearly a trap, but Ayano bravely accepted this kind of provocation.

''(Even if it is a trap, it doesn't matter, I will definitely annihilate you.)''

Deep within herself, she was submitting to such a type of anger. Ayano had already begun a rampage for revenge.

=== Part 4 ===

In the sky, the ki of a youma suddenly appeared.

“Hmm…”

Kazuma suddenly looked toward the sky. To conceal itself, it had gathered bit by bit in the sky. Suddenly, a wind blade flashed out. Kazuma had absolutely no time to defend, and even flying backwards to avoid it took his full effort.

The wind blade passed right by Kazuma, who was still rolling away, and then, slightly changing its angle, sliced the Fuuga practitioner, Shingo, and Takeya in half with one strike.

“Wait! Wait a second!!”

Kazuma yelled mindlessly as the situation changed into something that he had not predicted.

''(I... I was actually ambushed!?)''

Actually, it was the first time he had been ambushed. Furthermore, it was an ambush with wind spirits? No matter who had summoned them, it was impossible for Kazuma not to feel the gathering of such a degree of wind spirits. No matter how great the Fuujutsu practitioner, the use of Fuujutsu could not deceive Kazuma. This was not a question of the difference between abilities, but that the rules were thus.

However, what had just occurred was that impossible situation. Kazuma immediately broke off his thoughts, focusing towards the thing in the sky.

“What’s… that thing...?”

A really small object, perhaps smaller than 20 mm, was floating in the sky about 20-30 meters above. Near it, five things rose and flew out.

“Someone’s hand…? Doesn’t seem so... red leaves…?

No matter how he looked, it didn’t seem like it was flying in the sky. It wasn't controlling the wind. With a questioning look, Kazuma suddenly discovered what that thing really was.

It was a human hand. A strange human hand was flying in the sky. However, even recognizing it didn’t solve anything, as it still couldn’t change the fact that three people had been killed.

''(Anyways, first let’s defeat it!)''

Kazuma mumbled in a voice that only he himself could hear. The thing that looked like a hand flew higher into the sky... and disappeared.

“Wait! What are you actually thinking!?”

Kazuma protested to the wind spirits, as this was clearly against the contract. But, the spirits only made an uncertain sound, and they certainly couldn’t tell Kazuma the location of the strange human hand that disappeared.

“What's going on…”

The miserable condition in front of his eyes, the corpses of Shingo, Takeya and the Fuuga practitioner, seemed just as if it was done by Kazuma.

The spirita disobeyed the contract? —— Impossible.

If Kazuma were to hear this kind of situation from someone else, he would have highly doubted the mental state of that person. This was why what just happened was a very irregular situation.

The spirits did have cognizant qualities. Initial Principle —— it was when the world was first created. Immutable laws were created alongside this existing world, and the spirits obeyed them, allowing this world to remain intact in this kind of shape and reality. Bees have to live in a beehive, and one part of himself recognizes his own existence. The portion, even if it had intelligence, couldn't possibly think. And of course, it was impossible for spirits to have the type of free will to break a contract.

If the spirits had the free will to move about, then the laws of science would be broken. The world would be destroyed within three days.

All of the wind spirits should obey Kazuma's command. Even the spirits contracted with ''that thing'' had to follow that rule. But it didn't...

“An exception...”

Kazuma thought of the worst case scenario, and sighed weakly.

''(There’s someone like me? No way…)''

It made him lose his enthusiasm just by thinking about it. Perhaps he could be considered lucky... Of course, Kazuma did not want to think this way at all. He now had no spare time to indulge in thought.

Since he sensed a massive amount of fire spirits coming towards him.

''(So even [[Kaze_no_Stigma:Volume1_Translator%27s_Notes#Ifrit|Ifrit]] has come here? Crap, when did Japan become a world of youma!?)''

Even before he finished composing his thoughts, a situation appeared that he could not have predicted.

What emerged was not Ifrit, but a young girl. She had red flames and eyes of burning hatred, holding accumulated power in her right hand.

“Kazuma—— !!”

The strength of the fire spirits that gathered in her right hand had already crystallized. Ayano seemed to have made up her mind that moment.

Chop!!

Ayano quickly entered the rapidly retreating Kazuma’s vision, swinging the red sword that was, for the Kannagi clan, more important than anything else. It was the sword that had made his life very chaotic.

Faced with the godly sword that he would have preferred never to meet again, Kazuma yelled,

“Enraiha!? Are you Ayano!?”

The only answer was a sword flash from Enraiha. Kazuma tried his best to explain to Ayano, who was filled with killing intent and not listening to anything.

“Hey, hey, wait a moment, this is a misunderstanding! They weren’t killed by me… hey, you should listen to what other people are saying!”

Flaming white fireballs continuously approached. Kazuma kept dodging and speaking, but Ayano seemed like she couldn't hear at all.

Ayano was already too angry and had already forgotten herself due to the esteemed Masato's death. She had no time to listen to people talking. Furthermore, given what her otou-san had told her, Kazuma was quite suspicious.

Dang!!

“Hey!!!”

The fireball that Kazuma thought he had evaded suddenly exploded, blocking his means of retreat. Noticing this, Ayano took advantage of the explosion to appear in front of his eyes while swinging Enraiha.

“Uncle’s revenge!!”

“!!”

With that, she did a two part strike with the intent of splitting Kazuma like bamboo. Kazuma escaped by shifting his body sideways, using his palms to catch the sword handle near its top. Facing Ayano’s fiery anger and blood-covered face, he yelled,

“Otou-san? ... Genma died?”

However, even before he finished saying it, he realized that it was a mistake. Even though Ayano and Genma’s relationship wasn’t so bad at first glance, if Genma were to die, Ayano would not try to avenge him.

Another person appeared in his head. The “uncle” from the Oogami family that Ayano had been very close to.

The name was probably...!!

—— Bam! 

"Ugh..."

Suddenly, Ayano threw her head upwards and struck Kazuma’s chin. Because of his pondering, his reflexes were somewhat slower. Though he quickly evaded, the blow still caused dizziness and pain in his head.

Despite that, he calmly asked,

"Oogami Masato died?"

Ayano's face became even more somber. She forced so much strength into Enraiha that its flames could be clearly seen even from a distance.

''(Seems like that had the opposite effect...)''

Kazuma shrugged his shoulders, sighing. He had no more questions to ask this person filled with such emotion. Faced with this confused, angry little girl, anything he did would be useless.

However, he couldn't kill her. If he was to hurt Ayano, the fool’s father, Juugo, would completely recognize him as an enemy. This had to be avoided.

This was not because he feared Juugo, who was the Kannagi clan’s strongest practitioner, but when he lived as 'Kannagi Kazuma,' Juugo was his only ally. In order not to sadden him, he could only do one thing.

“Ah—— Ayano-chan? I’m —— leaving then, the issue with cleaning up the corpses will be left to you. Then, see ya.”

Skillfully avoiding the tenacious approaching flames, Kazuma escaped.

“——Wait, wait a second!”

Kazuma, turning his back to Ayano, leaped up, surrounding himself with wind, and flew upwards about 10 meters, disappearing.

“Wha... Where did he...”

Kazuma floated directly above her as she continued to look around.

Manipulating the air and changing the reflection rate of light. Kazuma made himself transparent, just as if he was wearing an invisibility cloak. If Ayano had looked closely, she could have seen the parts where waves emerged from high heat, but as she was being controlled by anger and had forgotten herself, she did not.

Kazuma took no pleasure in watching the troubled Ayano, but thought about what he had to do later on.

''From the looks of things now, the one who killed Shingo and Takeya has made me his scapegoat. If even Oogami Masato's murder is blamed on me... If they really believe that I am the one who killed Oogami Masato as well...''

''Will this become an all out war with the Kannagi? Hmmmm... interesting, but this feeling of being toyed with by someone else really sucks... So then, what should I do now?''

Hehe, hehe.

Kazuma burst out laughing. The Kannagi clan and the mysterious Fuujutsu practitioner. Two of the strongest things in the world were already assaulting his life. Of course, he could not ignore this.

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| Back to [[Kaze_no_Stigma:Volume1_Chapter1|Chapter 1]]
| Return to [[Kaze_no_Stigma|Main Page]]
| Forward to [[Kaze_no_Stigma:Volume1_Chapter3|Chapter 3]]
|-
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</noinclude>

Kaze no Stigma:Volume1 Chapter1

2013-11-14T06:50:12Z

-=TwoFace=-: A few minor changes.

== Chapter One - The Disinherited Son Returns ==

=== Part 1 ===

"What bad taste……"

That was the first impression he had of this client. Incidentally, this impression did not change in the slightest all the way to the end. A mansion sat arrogantly on the hill, set in a high-class residential area, displaying its design that completely disregarded the harmony of its surroundings. If one were to disregard the mansion thus far, one might have to say it was a rather magnificent view. Climbing up Governor's Hill presented a vast view of the land's rich scenery. When he saw it, he was honestly and completely stunned.

''(Did Turkish harems have this feeling?)''

Yagami Kazuma didn't seem to be joking when he thought that. "Don't paint the walls of a Japanese house in such wild colors!" he wanted to preach, while grabbing that person's collar. It was that kind of house.This area could probably be considered the origin of Japan's Westernization movement. The first gaslight was lit here and the very first ice cream in Japan was sold here. One would expect it to be a stylish, refined town with a distinguished history.

''(Considering that, this is probably something like a breach of contract…)'' 

He saw a decorated [[Kaze_no_Stigma:Volume1_Translator%27s_Notes#Golden Carp|golden carp]] on the roof and let out a sigh. The image that was held dear in Yokohama, had crumbled away completely, with a clattering sound.

When he accepted the job at the agency, he was given not only an address, but also a detailed map that was completely unnecessary. By asking the neighborhood residents, "what's the house with the poorest taste around here?" even a monkey could manage to find his way here.

- A structure painful to the eyes —— he didn't want to call it a house —— that when seen, made Kazuma look up to the sky, begging. The sky was empty and blue.

"Hey, at least it's work…" he muttered, trying to convince himself.

However, this was the same Kazuma whose looks probably wouldn't by any means be called appropriate for work. Wearing a checkered shirt covered by a black jacket with jeans and sneakers, this 22-year-old man seemed, no matter how one looked at him, no different than a student from a nearby university. He was completely blind to his own faults though. As he continued his observations, he noticed something strange. The dark aura that covered the mansion was thicker than he was told; because of this, perhaps even an ordinary person with no psychic background could sense the aura that was presently surrounding the mansion.

''(Maybe I should just go back…)''

Nagged by a horribly bad premonition, Kazuma's thought were halfway serious. The dark aura covering the mansion was something more unearthly than he had expected, but it wasn't so bad that he couldn't deal with it. For this reason, his premonition was that of a bad omen.

Yet, something else was up.

Judging from his experiences up until then, it was a credible and important premonition. However, he couldn't throw away this job on that alone. This was his first assignment in Japan; if he broke off the arrangement with a reason like that, there was no doubt that he would never get any jobs from the agency in the future. He made his way toward the mansion with heavy steps and stopped in front of a ridiculously huge gate. As he stood in front of the doorbell, Kazuma was still unsure if he should continue this job. Danger signals bombarded his instincts and he couldn't help wanting to run away. However...

"Yagami-sama, I presume."

Without any warning, a female voice came from the intercom and completely disrupted Kazuma's thinking. He jumped back with a start and stood on guard as the voice continued.

"You've been expected. Kindly enter through the door on the side."

Click. As she spoke, a small door towards the right side of the gate unlocked. Apparently, there was no one to escort him inside.

''(Compared with that "you've been expected," that's some rude treatment…)''

He felt uncomfortable, but he was dealing with a customer. He entered through the side door as instructed. Inside the fence was a large number of security cameras and sensors.

"They must live a very shadowy life..." Kazuma muttered.

Multiple cameras followed him as he walked into the entryway. Irritation rose in him, almost to the point of wanting to kill whoever put him under this rude surveillance. Somehow though, Kazuma managed to repress himself.

"Eeek……"

That was what he'd intended, but apparently it showed on his face. The maid who came to greet him became fearful of him as if she had just come across a man-eating bear. Kazuma hurriedly smoothed over his expression.

"Welcome! Please, come this way."

Somehow she changed her face of terror, as if she were being picked up and eaten, to an overly bright smile. It didn't seem possible for someone to change their expression so dramatically, forgetting their suspicions instantly, yet the maid smiled as if nothing had happened. As the maid walked ahead to lead him to the living room, Kazuma observed her gratifyingly swaying bottom.

''(It would have been better if I'd left…)''

Kazuma felt deep regret at his choice as soon as he arrived at the living room and saw what was inside. A thin, little man laid back with his legs outstretched, introduced himself as Sakamoto Nanigashi, the master of the mansion. Kazuma recognized him as the client, but he wasn't alone. There was also a [[Kaze_no_Stigma:Volume1_Translator%27s_Notes#Practitioner|practitioner]] in the room whose face he knew all to well. That practitioner, upon seeing Kazuma, showed fear on his face for a moment but immediately twisted his lips into a sneer and glared at Kazuma with a face full of scorn.

"What? The other practitioner was you Kazuma? You became a disinherited child of the Kannagi because of your incompetence and now you dare to call yourself a practitioner?"

Those explanatory words were probably for Sakamoto to hear. Practitioner——Kannagi. The youngest child of the branch family, Yuuki Shinji, truly took great pleasure in mocking Kazuma. Sakamoto showed the response that Shinji expected. His expression changed as he approached Kazuma.

"Is this true? Isn't this different from what you said? You said you were a top-class spiritual practitioner, which was why I hired you!"

Kazuma, calmly making a step back with each step his client made forward, answered...

"I don't know what the person at the agency told you but if you're dissatisfied, perhaps I should leave?"

"Hmmph, that's right."

Sakamoto's eyes showed a faintly cunning light. Kazuma's desire to work, which was scarce even at the best of times, quickly neared zero.

"Mmmm, how about this? Why don't you both try the exorcism and only the successful one gets paid? Ahh, naturally, I won't tell the loser to return the advance payment."

"Good idea, yeah."

They were flippant words, but Shinji had immediately accepted them. Then, with the face of someone who was completely made a fool of, he asked Kazuma.

"And what are you going to do?"

"I'm out."

Kazuma gave an immediate reply. In the scornful stares of the two, not even a muscle of their eyebrow moved.

"Hmmph, coward! Sucking your finger like a baby! I'll show you a model example of an [[Kaze_no_Stigma:Volume1_Translator%27s_Notes#Enjutsu|Enjutsu]]."

"Model example eh? Tough talk for the youngest child of the branch family."

"Y-you!"

Shinji was enraged from being insulted by the person who he looked down upon. Completely forgetting about being in front of a client, he tightened a fist and lunged forward. He sent a powerful punch directed at Kazuma's face, yet Kazuma easily dodged the punch by stepping aside to his left. Shinji, who had inserted a great deal of force into his punch, lost his balance and fell. At the last moment, he managed to make it look like a feint by attempting to kick Kazuma's temple from his blind spot.

However, Kazuma, as if he had seen it coming, casually bent his head back. The heel of Shinji's left leg passed by a few millimeters in front of his eyes. Kazuma moved like the leaves of a tree swaying in the wind, without hesitation. After dodging Shinji's kick, he immediately swept Shinji's pivoting leg, making him trip and fall down on all fours to the floor. 

"Sh-shit!"

Shinji barely managed to perform an [[Kaze_no_Stigma:Volume1_Translator%27s_Notes#Ukemi|ukemi]] and quickly got back up. Incorrigible, he assumed a fighting posture.

"You! Do you think that you can beat me in [[Kaze_no_Stigma:Volume1_Translator%27s_Notes#Taijutsu|Taijutsu]]? You were not even a match for the me from four years ago. There's no way you can be an opponent for me right now." 

"Sh-shut up!"

Kazuma did not show the least bit of triumph. He chided disinterestedly, as if facing a defiant child. Being looked down upon from such a securely elevated position, Shinji's reason made a sound and broke.

"Stop it right there you two."

A restraining voice broke in, turning the two heads towards the speaker. Sakamoto showed great satisfaction at successfully getting both their attention. In a tone as if he was scolding a child, he shouted...

"I didn't call you here to fight! The furnishings in this room, no matter which one you look at, are all more expensive than what I'm paying you! Any kind of rough behavior would be troublesome, okay?"

Suddenly, around the vicinity of money talk, there was a scumbag. The person in question was probably attempting to flaunt his assets, but for the ones made to listen, it was nothing but the stink of the ''nouveau riche'' pushed up their noses.

''(Maybe I'll leave… since I still get the advance payment...)''

With the discomfort continuing to rise with no end in sight, Kazuma's desire to work had already disappeared. He couldn't ignore the agony of simply being in the place.

"Mm……?"

Instantly, without warning, an unearthly presence began to converge...

"It's coming..."

The unearthly presence spread throughout the mansion and directed its focus to one point in the living room. Kazuma casually moved back so that Sakamoto and Shinji were between himself and this presence.

"What's that? What just…?"

The unearthly presence solidified into a smoky black figure. Shinji, seconds slower than Kazuma, finally noticed it too.

"Hmmm, so it came out?"

"Wh-what? What's wrong?"

Hesitatingly breaking the suddenly tense atmosphere, Sakamoto shouted in a shrill voice.

Kazuma answered in place of Shinji, who was already beginning to focus his mind for the use of a [[Kaze_no_Stigma:Volume1_Translator%27s_Notes#Jutsu|jutsu]].

"It's time to work. The 'evil spirit', or whatever you've been struggling with just came out."

While giving this offhand explanation, Kazuma felt a beyond-ordinary sense of unease.

''(That's no evil spirit. What kind of thing is it?)''

When Kazuma first accepted this assignment, the person at the agency said "It is just a normal evil-spirit exorcism."

—— Hey, your first job should be one of these, right? If you're as good as the rumors say, you should be able to take that evil spirit with one hand or another ——

A superficial seeming man, but with definite achievements. Their kind of work was, in some sense, even more than practitioners', it was a work where confidence was life. Making a mistake this big was extremely unlikely. It wasn't an easy business, so such an irresponsible agent would not survive.

''(Was I set up? Well, fine. Should I just observe his skill?)''

Kazuma leaned against the wall, crossed his arms, and looked about as if sightseeing. Shinji focused his mind to prepare himself for the appearance of the "evil spirit." He was apparently planning to burn it the moment it appeared. It was easy to see from his expression. Suddenly, the space in front of Shinji turned dark and thick. Shinji faced both his palms towards each other in order to set up a transparent ball in front of his chest. A small fire ignited between those palms.

''Oooooooooooooooooooooooooooon……''

A voice full of resentment shook the air as the evil spirit revealed itself. A distorted face stood before them, projecting hatred across the room.


"Eeep!"

"HAAAA!!"

Paying no attention to the screaming Sakamoto, Shinji released a devastating flame alongside a sharp yell. The evil spirit would be cleansed on contact with the summoned fire and would disappear without a trace... or so Shinji believed. However...

"Idiot."

''
Gioooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo……''

While the evil spirit's cries of agony echoed and Shinji snickered...the flame exploded.

"Gahhhhhhhhhh!?"

Shinji screamed as he was wrapped in the flames that he had summoned. In a moment, the entire living room was engulfed in flames.

''Kakakakakakakakakakakakakakakaka''

The entity before them had overcome Shinji's attack and had devoured the flame. The [[Kaze_no_Stigma:Volume1_Translator%27s_Notes#Youma|youma]] began to sneer with laughter.

=== Part 2 ===

Even among the ''Enjutsu'' users who could freely manipulate fire, the Kannagi family was famous for their superior strength. It was not simply because their power was great. The reason laid in the special ability passed on in their family's blood. The flame they manipulated was not created by the physical phenomenon of simply accelerating molecular motion. It possessed the power to burn away impurities and destroy evil.

Because of this "purifying flame" the Kannagi family practitioners held absolute dominance over ''youma'', evil spirits, and all beings who transgressed the law. However, even with the ability given by blood, depending on the extent to which their blood was diluted with each generation, it was inevitable that their power would eventually deteriorate.

The branch family practitioners had long lost the highest rank of the "gold" flame attribute. If a youma with a fire attribute was their opponent, the flame that they released would merely be absorbed by the youma instead of purifying and destroying it.

...Which was what had happened just now——

The living room had become a purgatory. The high-class furniture and the shag carpet were already carbonizing. The glass from the chandelier on the ceiling had melted and turned into a grotesque art object. This wouldn't have happened if someone from the head family purified the youma. 

"I wonder if he's dead..." Kazuma muttered with a refreshed face.

A cool breeze wrapped around Kazuma, preventing the raging fire from touching him. Even the heat that the flame emitted was sealed off; not a drop of sweat was on Kazuma's face. 

"H-help……"

A frail voice rang in his eardrums. Kazuma looked down at the blackened object at his feet.

His client Sakamoto had rolled into the [[Kaze_no_Stigma:Volume1_Translator%27s_Notes#Kekkai|kekkai]], screaming. He didn't seem to be dead though he was burned here and there.

"Aaaaaa! He-help me!"

Sakamoto screamed as he clung onto Kazuma's legs. However, Kazuma heartlessly kicked away his client.

''Thud!''

Sakamoto's face writhed in pain as he was mercilessly trampled upon. Since Kazuma didn't want to touch anything beyond his slippers, he brought down his heel instead of stepping on him. The skull could have been making a creaking sound, but that wasn't a big problem.

Kazuma stepped on Sakamoto's head and stated clearly, "you're not my client and I don't have a habit of saving middle-aged men."

"If it's money, I'll pay. Twice as much, or so…"

"Twice? Is your life worth only a million?"

Kazuma took a cigarette from his pocket. He gently stretched out his hand, exposing the cigarette's tip outside of the kekkai and began to smoke.

[[Image:Kaze no Stigma vol 01 019.jpg|thumb]]

Sakamoto didn't have the luxury to be so relaxed though. Whether by chance or on purpose, there were holes in the area of the kekkai near Sakamoto. Some of the flames passed through the holes and touched him.

"Hot-! Ee-eeee! Help! Fine!! I'll pay 10 million!"

"Thanks for your business."

Upon tossing away his cigarette, Kazuma's face let out a smile similar to that of a demon who had made a profitable deal.

"All right now. Then, won't you please stand back?"

Kazuma kicked Sakamoto in the rear, and, while sending Sakamoto rolling into the side of the room, Kazuma proclaimed, "you're in the way."

He began muttering in a low voice and waved his right hand sideways in a mowing motion. As if being squeezed out by his hand, the raging fire was instantly expelled through the window.

The fire didn't spread to the grass and trees in the garden. Instead, it scattered and then vanished.

At that moment, a fireball with a distorted face floated in the center of the room. Now the youma's true form was in front of Kazuma.

''Hyuuoou-''

In place of the extinguished fire, wind raged across the room. Kazuma stood quietly and with his hand still in his jacket pocket, directed the wind to erase the flames still remaining in the room.

The fight was already over. The youma was unable to even put up any resistance against Kazuma's overwhelming power as it was torn to pieces. All that was left to do was wait for its annihilation.

"And with this…"

Kazuma slowly raised his right hand. A person gifted with the sixth sense would have been terrified upon seeing the amount of wind power that was gathering in his hand.

"…The end!"

The hand swung down ten times faster than it came up. From his right hand, an invisible blade that sliced through air came forth, slicing the youma neatly in two.

There were no spirit fragments remaining. Kazuma quietly observed the destroyed youma with a calm look.

"Finished," Kazuma told Sakamoto. Sakamoto was still lying on the floor, dumbfounded.

"Pay the money in three days. Otherwise, would you like to regret having ever been born?"

It was identical to what a criminal would say. Even if it was a mistake, it wasn't the way one would speak to a customer.

However, Sakamoto, realizing the horror of going against Kazuma, didn't even dare to complain.

"Y-yes. Understood. But something terrible has happened to Yuuki-kun. I never thought something so serious would happen."

Without a word Kazuma approached what appeared to be the ashes of Shinji's remains and trampled on them to Sakamoto's despair. As expected, Sakamoto protested... 

"Wh-what are you doing!? I don't know whatever happened between you two but please give respect to the dead!"

"He's not dead..." Kazuma dryly spat the words out and then continued to kick Shinji again and again.

Upon doing so, the ash covering the surface fell off; Sakamoto noticed that Shinji appeared to be undamaged by the flame that had covered him a while ago.

"Wh-wha……?"

Sakamoto doubted his eyes as he beheld the unbelievable scene. Kazuma gave an offhand explanation.

"All of the Kannagi bloodline receive the divine protection of the fire spirits. Even people from the branch family wouldn't die from this degree of fire." 

Kazuma curled his lips in self-derision and added, "though I'm the exception."

"Uu……Guu……"

Shinji murmured, waking up. After looking around him, he confirmed that the youma was destroyed.

"You did this?"

"It's just like you saw."

''Who do you think you are, saying whatever you please?''——Kazuma was already aware that Shinji was conscious the whole time. Shinji hurriedly attempted an explanation.

"So you noticed……? But, I couldn't help. I honestly couldn't move."

"I don't want to hear your excuses."

Kazuma coldly stated this over his shoulder, as he turned his back. Shinji called out to the unhesitating figure leaving. There was still something he wanted to ask.

"Why did you return?"

"On a whim, I guess."

At Kazuma's lazy answer, Shinji sharpened his gaze thinking that his question had been evaded.

"'A whim...' Do you believe the elders will accept that?"

"I was only disinherited, I wasn't exiled. Where I go is my business."

"What are you planning?"

"Nothing in particular," Kazuma answered curtly, shrugging his shoulders.

"Are you returning to the Kannagi?"

"Not even if I die."

Kazuma answered as if spitting out the words. Then, this time, without hesitation, he walked off.

Shinji was driven by a sense of unease that he couldn't suppress. He continued to stare at Kazuma.

''(I have to tell this to the [[Kaze_no_Stigma:Volume1_Translator%27s_Notes#Soushu|soushu]] as soon as possible…)''

In a sense, Shinji's unease was on the mark. From that moment, a war to push the Kannagi into the abyss of ruin began.

=== Part 3 ===

"Did you know? It seems that Kazuma has returned to Japan. What's more, he's become a Fuujutsu practitioner."

"What! That incompetent guy? It must be dead simple, then, to be a Fuujutsu practitioner."

"Nope, 'I'm a dark magician' is what I heard. For him to become a practitioner, he'd have to sell his soul to the devil, right?"

"Ah, that's probably true."

"Ahahahahahahahahahahahaha…"

That day, rumors about Kazuma were the talk of the Kannagi main house. Of the elders (the general term for those who retired from active service and are now overseeing the management of the practitioners) who heard Shinji's report, only one refrained from jokingly spreading around nonsense.

Shinji was currently under probation for the offense of the aforesaid failure of his duty. Tail fin, dorsal fin, belly fins; all were wildly added to the rumor, until it grew to maturity. Not one person tried to stop it.

The source of the rumors, the elders, appeared to be in complete delight. The people known as ''elders''—excluding the extremely serious exceptions—were basically men of leisure. "Looking important is work," and so on, was the gossip some attacked with.

When there was no work, they would drink tea all day and amuse themselves by talking about various topics. Obviously, they could not resist something interesting to talk about.

They danced with joy inside upon hearing Shinji's news. The elders, when they passed the verdict of probation on the dejected Shinji, even had something of a skipping type of light gait while they drank tea and turned back to each other. They haphazardly began talking like this:

"Ohh, did you know…?"

The elders, during this work time, were like different people in energetic activity.

Within an hour, there was almost nobody in the huge mansion who had not heard of Kazuma's return to the country. It certainly reached the servants, spreading to all kinds of people afterwards.

It was, in short, a situation where almost nobody knew the true facts. It wasn't a big problem for the elders, though, since their attitude was pretty much, ''If it's interesting, who cares what happens later!''

And so, news of Kazuma spread in the exact opposite direction than what Shinji had hoped for.

To wit:

"Kazuma's returned as a dark magician."

"Kazuma was secretly murdered; he's buried in the back garden."

"Kazuma clashed with Shinji during work and suddenly killed him."

"Kazuma made a contract with the wind spirits. An evil demon."

The truth was subtly mixed in, but it was distorted so much that nobody could really interpret it. Obviously, no one feared Kazuma's retribution.

Kazuma, the main family's failure who had left all his talent in his mother's womb, like liquid skimmed off the top, had found a preferable power to take in, it seemed. Nobody laughed at that.

However, there were a small number of exceptions. One of them was the current suzerain, Kannagi Juugo. During supper, in the humorous talk that was being told, there was one item Juugo was interested in.

"Ohhhh? Kazuma chose Fuujutsu? Did you know that, Genma?"

Juugo spoke to his cousin sitting next to him. For some reason, as if harboring some ill will, Genma's smile was filled with hatred.

"…Oh"

Genma answered briefly. Apparently the rumor had already reached his ears, as he didn't appear disturbed.

However, it was clear he wasn't happy about the rumor either. The saying, ''like someone chewing up a bitter bug,'' perfectly described his frown as he gripped a tight fist.

''If Kazuma was in front of me, I'd want to strangle him to death.'' His expression openly displayed his thoughts.

"It's shameful."

"It's not especially shameful." Juugo answered lightly. He gave a command to a nearby servant: "I would like to hear a detailed account. Call Shinji."

"Certainly."

The moment he arrived, Shinji bowed down so low that he scraped the tatami in his prostration. His tension was great; he was sweating from his forehead and breathing awkwardly.

Truthfully, the difference in status between the Kannagi's main family and branch family was absolute. It was impossible for the branch family to even dream of a revolution.

Tradition and social status meant nothing in the Kannagi's system. The two families were simply separated by the overwhelming difference in power.

If a rebellion were to occur, Enjutsu practitioners like Juugo or Genma could simply smash everyone in the branch family by wiggling a finger. Because of this hopeless difference in power, no thoughts of rebellion were harbored.

Therefore, Shinji's tension was understandable. He was in front of Juugo, whose superiority was similar to a god, and had to recount his clumsy failure. This was definitely worse than his original feelings.

"Raise your face. You don't have to humble yourself like that."

Juugo spoke in a friendly manner. However, looking into the suzerain's face and speaking was far too overwhelming for Shinji. In the end, he raised his face, but his eyes still stared at the tatami as he submitted his report.

"A-and, I now have the privilege of being allowed to give this report."

"…I see."

After Shinji finished recounting everything, Juugo remained silent for a while after saying that.

"…I see."

As if to confirm, he repeated it once more. He closed his eyes lightly, and reminisced back to when his nephew (to be accurate, the relation was more separated than that, but he used the label since it was too much trouble) had left 4 years ago.

''(—What a poor child he was.)''

If Kazuma had been born to any but the Kannagi family, he would probably have been considered a superior child. Excellent intellect, good reflexes, and great promise in learning the jutsu; all jutsu except one. He was unable to manipulate fire.

However, for the Kannagi family, this was the most important ability.

No matter what else he was proficient at, someone with no talent for manipulating fire was treated as incompetent. Because of this, Kazuma was no longer part of the Kannagi.

''Still—'' Juugo thought.

''(Why didn't you ask me for help, Kazuma? There was no need to disown you from the family. If it was me, I would have made a place for you. Whatever Genma said, I wouldn't have cared about the Enjutsu, I would have made use of your talent, yet despite that…)''

Juugo looked down at his right leg. It was made of metal and plastic. If that accident hadn't happened, and the "rule of inheritance" hadn't been rushed, would Kazuma be here right now?

Unfortunately, it was far too late. Kazuma had thrown away the family, their name; all that was Kannagi, and had left Japan. This was reality. The ''past'' is a thing that could never be changed.

"…Suzerain?"

An uncertain voice brought Juugo back to reality. Looking around, he found everyone in an awkward silence. It wasn't surprising, as there were almost none among them who had not tormented Kazuma.

However, the one who had driven Kazuma out was calm. That person, Genma, spoke without a single change in his expression.

"Suzerain. Kazuma is already someone without any connection to the Kannagi. There is no need to worry about him."

"Genma, you would say that of your own son—"

"I have only one son, Ren."

Genma spoke coolly, interrupting the suzerain's words. Juugo considered replying, but, disliking unproductive battles, he decided to put other, safer words into his mouth.

"It's fine then. After all, Kazuma has become successful in Fuujutsu. Maybe it was best that he left the Kannagi... Or maybe, Hyoue, if he had been entrusted to your care, could he have become skilled and powerful?" 

"Perhaps."

Sitting at a lower seat, Hyoue, the head of the Fuuga clan, answered sullenly. 

Genma again cut in with an objection.

"We are all afraid that even though Fuujutsu and such are, after all, lower arts. The most they are capable of is acting as assistants to Enjutsu practitioners. Even if we had known four years ago of Kazuma's talent for Fuujutsu and left him to people like the Fuuga clan, clearly, we would still have had to disinherit him."

Hearing his art publicly insulted, Hyoue twisted his face in humiliation. However, nobody paid any attention to Hyoue nor his face.

To the Kannagi family, who only valued fighting power, the Fuuga clan, having been given the reconnaissance and battle support duties, was limited to a lower status. Genma was not trying to start a fight. He was not saying anything beyond the normal beliefs of the other Kannagi.

"…We will go no further with this talk. Dinner will become unpleasant."

At Juugo's words, everyone clearly showed relieved expressions on their faces. As if on cue, cheerful talk began, and they rolled around laughing at silly jokes.

Though awkwardly, the usual dining hall atmosphere returned.

And so, nobody noticed the dark light harbored in Hyoue's eyes. He suppressed his thoughts from showing up on his expression, and murmured in a voice so small it did not even reach his own ears.

"I will not forget this disgrace, Genma…"

=== Part 4 ===

"Kannagi……no, Yagami Kazuma……? You came back at a very good time!"

"Huo-huo-huo……" A hoarse laugh broke the strained silence. Not a single streak of light could be found in the single room filled with darkness.

"And……?"

"Yes, it's better if everyone hears this. Finally, the time has come. The time when we shall dispel the disgrace that has lasted 300 years. Now is the time for us to regain the power we lost, and return to our previous, glorious position."

"Ohhhhhhhhh…………"

A stifled commotion filled the air. No one shouted. Afraid of being discovered, they kept their breaths in check, keeping their tension locked inside the room.

"Oh, when you finally realize it, you Kannagi... We will overthrow you and leave not a single one remaining… Kukuku…"

A low and gloomy voice echoed with resentment darker than darkness...

''"U-uwaaaaaaaaaaaa! Wha-what, what are you doing-?!"''

Late at night on that same day, Shinji screamed out in terror. Nearby were two freshly severed heads, which tumbled down onto the floor. Following them were two headless corpses. And standing before him, a human?

Shinji was unable to say for certain. There was nothing different from a human by outward appearance, but it possessed an aura that a human could not possibly have.

The two corpses——who had been alive until 30 seconds ago——had been captured in a ''kekkai'' without any chance to prepare themselves and were immediately decapitated.

The mysterious person had not moved a single finger. And yet Shinji had clearly witnessed an incredible force slicing the two heads off as if they were nothing. Or rather, Shinji had been forced to witness.

Even though the other two surpassed him in skill, Shinji was the only person left alive. It wasn't because of luck. Shinji realized this more than anyone else.

He was being toyed with. This demon in human shape was feeding on Shinji's fear and hopelessness. It held off killing him for the moment, playing with him lazily, enjoying his empty resistance.

"What the hell?! What did I do…?"

The ''thing'' gave no answer. It came closer without even making footsteps, taking its time.

The ''thing'' remained completely silent. Nothing came out as it drew closer, wielding an invisible sword.

Silence remained even after severing those heads. The two blood-covered heads rolling on the ground seemed not to have noticed their own deaths as they still had their drunken, relaxed slack smiles.

Shinji knew of only one person who could do what this ''thing'' had just done. He had just met that person yesterday. In addition, that person had a motive to kill them.

Shinji became frantic, begging the ''thing'' for forgiveness. His voice did a complete turn.

"Ka-Kazuma? You're Kazuma, right? Forgive me——it was my fault, I-I regret it, so please, forgive meeee——"

The only reply was a flash from the wind-blade. It severed his right arm at the base. Formed from a high density of spirits, the blade cut through meat and bone as if it were tofu.

''"Uwaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!"''

While screaming, Shinji threw himself fully into starting Enjutsu. The intense concentration from being so close to death brought forth the greatest power of his 25 years of life.

The ''thing'' became covered in a golden flame, the same one that had the power to destroy any and all demons, the highest level of purification. The flame burned brightly through the darkness.

"Y-yeah! I think I——"

Suddenly, ''that thing'', now a huge torch, began to move. Shinji's face, full of hope, froze.

The ''thing'' stretched out a hand, taking hold of the golden flame, ''and in one movement, tore it from its body.'' 

The ''thing'' emerged from the flame's restraints completely uninjured. Its body, and even its clothes, remained undamaged without any sign of having been engulfed by fire.

The ''thing'' slowly turned to Shinji and began walking. Underneath the freezing moonlight, without a sound, it came closer, an ominous shadow.

This was, in some ways, twisted. There was something there that the eye could not help but be fascinated by. A scene filled with beauty that one had to admit was from the spirit world.

"Hee, heehee, heeheeeeheeheehee-, kyahahahaha, ahahahaha!"

Suddenly, Shinji began laughing in a strange voice.

Evidently, his mental equilibrium had snapped from an overload of fear. Even as the wind-blade soundlessly sliced through his body, splitting it in half, he tumbled over laughing without even showing a reaction.

Perhaps the ''thing'' got tired of Shinji's lack of response. It casually sliced off his head as if throwing away an unwanted toy.

There was a dull ''thunk.'' The third head rolled on the ground.

The ''thing'' remained dissatisfied even after killing everyone. It continued to slice up the bodies. Though it was only for a few minutes, the three bodies were cut into many small pieces that even the parents of the corpses would no longer recognize; they wouldn't even be able to tell what kind of flesh it was or what limb it was.

As the raw stink of blood and meat drifted through the kekkai, the ''thing'' laughed cruelly and vanished as if melting into the air.

Afterwards, three severed heads remained. Though the bodies were in pieces, there was not one injury on those heads.

Somehow, the three heads had ended up facing the gate in a straight line. Each had a strange smile, as if to say to anyone coming through that gate, "Welcome to a nightmare."

And so the tragedy began...

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| Return to [[Kaze_no_Stigma|Main Page]]
| Forward to [[Kaze_no_Stigma:Volume1_Chapter2|Chapter 2]]
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</noinclude>

Madan no Ou to Vanadis:Volume01 Chapter1

2013-11-14T06:13:17Z

-=TwoFace=-:

=== Chapter 1 - Encounter with the Vanadis ===

"Tigre-sama."

The voice of a girl that he had grown used to hearing reached his ears, and he felt his body being shaken.

Because of the bright light shining through the window, he understood that morning had come.

However, he was still sleepy.

"A little longer...... Just a little longer."

"How long is 'a little longer', may I ask?"

"There aren't any plans to go hunting today, so until noon......"

"Cut it out and please wake up!"

The girl roared out loud.

He was stripped of his blanket, his shoulders were grabbed, and he was woken up violently.

When he opened his eyes, he saw that the bright red face of the girl, boiling with anger, was in close proximity.

She had a child-like face, which had no intimidating power even when she was angry. Her chestnut-coloured hair was tied in twin tails. Her small body was dressed in a uniform with black long sleeves, a black skirt that reached down to her feet, and also a white apron that gave off a feeling of cleanliness. That was what the maidservant looked like.

"Ah...... Morning, Teita."

[[Image:Madan_no_Ou_to_Vanadis_Volume_01_-_012.jpg|175px|thumb]]

With a drowsy and slow voice, Tigre called out the name of the maidservant who was a year younger than him. Seeing that he seemed to be awake, Teita released her hand.

"The soldiers have already finished their preparations a long time ago, and are all waiting for Tigre-sama!"

Tigre was confused, and thought about what she had just said.

The blood rushed from his face immediately as the realisation sank in.

"......... Oh crap!"

As though rolling out of his bed, he got up, and Teita held out a set of folded clothes to him. Beside her feet was a small pail, filled with water.

"Thank you. You're as well prepared as always."

"That is because I had expected this to happen. I will go and prepare breakfast, so please wash your face and get changed in the mean time."

With the anger gone from her face, Teita made a cheerful smile, bowed, pulling the hem of her skirt slightly upwards in a curtsey, and left the room gracefully.

Tigre washed his face, the cool and refreshing feeling cleansed the remaining drowsiness from him. While putting on his clothes, he dashed out from the room, buttoning them as he ran down the corridor.

"Though I don't have any time left......... I still can't slack off."

He originally intended on going straight for the dining room, but instead he headed towards the small room at the end of the corridor.

This was a room small enough that three adults are unable to sit down inside together at once. Opposite the entrance was a exquisitely decorated rack, and on it, was a bow.

The bowstring was firm and taut, and it seemed like it was ready for use at any time.

If one were to describe that bow with one word, it would be 'black'.

The handle, the bowstring, the entire bow was pure black, with no luster or shine.

It would not be unbelievable if people were told that this bow was cut and made from darkness.

―― The mere sight of it gave off an oppressive feeling...

The bow with such a mysterious atmosphere, was a family heirloom of the Vorn family, said to have been used by their hunter ancestors.

Tigre's father had left behind a last request regarding the bow.

'Only when you are truly in need of this bow, may you use it. Not under any other circumstance.'

Upon hearing his father's will, Tigre felt an indescribable feeling of eeriness from it, and decided not to touch it.

Tigre stood up straight, regulated his breathing, placed his clenched fist against his chest, moving it horizontally. Then, he made a bow to his ancestors.

Finishing this action, he quietly left the room, and headed for the dining room.

Tigrevurmud Vorn was sixteen this year. Born in an Earl's House in the Kingdom of Brune, he had succeeded the family when his father had passed away due to illness.

The name which was quite a mouthful had been passed down by the ancestors who had obtained the position of an Earl. He himself had found it long and troublesome to call, hence he had asked those close to him to address him as 'Tigre'.

Tigre stepped into the dining room, where he smelled a delicious aroma.

On the simple dining table, there were ham wrapped in fried egg, rye bread, milk, mushroom soup and others, hot enough for a faint vapour to waft from them.

Teita was on stand-by at the side of the table.

"Just the soup will do."

"That won't do."

When it came to food, Teita was extremely stubborn.

"Do you want your stomach to be grumbling in front of everyone? It would be unsightly."

Her two hands placed on her hips, she glared directly at Tigre. It was a look full of intensity, very much unlike a maidservant. It was far scarier than when she was waking him up.

Tigre knew very well that he could not win this argument, hence he readily gave in.

Washing the bread down with milk, he then grabbed the plate and gobbled down the fried egg, and finished the soup in great gulps.

"Thank you for the meal."

He stood up as he said that. Teita immediately walked up to him, a comb and napkin in her hands.

"There's still a little bit left on your mouth, please wipe it properly."

Speaking as though she were a little angry, Teita wiped his mouth clean with the napkin.

"And, you've got some bed-hair too."

She extended the hand which held the comb, and thoroughly combed Tigre's red hair.

"Look, even your collar's crooked."

Placing the comb and napkin on the table, her outstretched hand arranged his collar neatly. Tigre quietly accepted it.

" ―― Tigre-sama."

"What is it?"

Suddenly, Teita's voice had lost it's strictness, becoming rather feminine, and she called out to Tigre gently. Tigre had always thought of her, who was a year younger, as his younger sister.

"Why does Tigre-sama have to go out and do battle?"

Tigre's expression became a little troubled, and he ran his hand through his dark red hair. At times, Teita would ask these kind of hard-to-answer questions, and he would be at a loss trying to come up with an answer.

"It's His Majesty's military draft. For the Kingdom of Brune, it is only natural for the House of Earl Vorn to take part."

"B-but..."

Looking up at Tigre with a teary-looking face, Teita argued vehemently.

"It wasn't easy for us to have even mustered up a hundred soldiers........."

Whether it was the nobility or Earls, there were many different types.

And, though House Vorn was not in a situation where they would be deemed 'poor', describing them as 'simple', or other similar adjectives would not be too far off from the mark, that was the noble family of Vorn.

This countryside, which was distant from the central area of the territory known as Alsace, besides being small, was also covered mainly with forests and mountains, hence there were not many things they could reap profits from.

Even Tigre's lifestyle, was far off from what one might expect from the image of 'nobility', lacking in luxury and grandeur.

The house was not large to begin with, but just the mere fact that Teita could manage the domestic chores of the entire house alone, was enough to illustrate this point.

"Furthermore, I've heard that the enemy is the Kingdom of Zhcted. If that's the case, shouldn't Tigre-sama be staying here? After all, Zhcted and Alsace are only separated by a mountain."

"That may be so, but this is a place that's as rural as it gets. Even Zhcted won't think of invading here."

To Tigre, the fact that this place will not be turned into a battlefield, was a good thing.

"W-what's more......... don't they always make a fool out of Tigre-sama's bow skills?"

"It's indeed impossible to leave behind a ''chanson de geste''<ref>[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chanson_de_geste Chanson de geste] "songs of heroic deeds" are epic poems in Old French, often regarding military prowess or legendary battles.</ref> with the bow, eh."

"It's fine even if there isn't a ''chanson de geste''!"

Insisting that with a loud voice, Teita then buried her head into Tigre's chest.

"I only.... wish that you do not push yourself too hard, and that no injuries shall ever befall you, and please, return in good health."

The slender body of the maidservant hugged Tigre lightly, worrying for him.

"Don't worry too much. In my first battle two years ago, did I not return unharmed in the end?"

"That time, Ulus-sama was......"

Teita's voice trailed off halfway. Ulus was Tigre's father, who had passed away two years ago.

In order for Teita to be at ease of heart, Tigre lightly patted her on her head.

"In this battle ahead, my unit will be located at the rear of the main forces, a safe place to be. No matter what happens, I'll think of something."

Bringing his hand up, he wiped off the tears on the corner of Teita's eyes. With an 'I understand,' Teita nodded.

"L-listen well, Tigre-sama. Please don't oversleep on the battlefield, like you always do."

"The way you say it makes it seem like I'm always oversleeping."

"That is the truth. The only times that Tigre-sama would wake up on time is when there is hunting to be done, isn't it?"

To Tigre's astonished response, she rebutted.

Even so, he understood that Teita was cheering for him with all her heart, and once again, Tigre hugged her.

Teita relaxed her body, letting Tigre hold her.

The warmth of her body could be felt even through her clothes, and her chestnut-coloured hair gave off a faint fragrance.

Though he would have liked to continue like this a little longer, he did not have much time.

Tigre reluctantly released her body, gently.

"I'm counting on you to watch the house, Teita."

Teita wiped aside her tears with her sleeve, and said, smiling.

"Please leave it to me. Tigre-sama too, take care of yourself."

Just as Tigre walked out the front door while hefting the bow and quiver on his back, he saw that the soldiers were already in formation, awaiting him.

A short old man wearing leather armour walked up to him, and bowed his head.

"Young master, everyone has been assembled. The preparations are also complete."

"Well done, Batran."

This old man was Tigre's aide. Compared with the young Tigre, he had far more experience in battle, and within this unit, he was the only person besides Tigre who was trained in equestrianism.

As for the rest, they were all leather-armour wearing soldiers with swords hung on their hips and wielding spears.

"I sure have gathered a fair number."

Tigre heaved a sigh, and some of the more experienced soldiers half-jokingly said,

"Milord, there's naught to be worried about. Though we've not fought in a war for three years, we've spent our days working with the plough, and as such our bodies have grown tough, aye."

"Going against His Majesty's command, would be like disobeying the ol' missus, no? Then we are left no choice, but to obey."

"Your words are much appreciated. Why don't we simply bring your wife along as well? A few angry roars from her would be able to scare off even a thousand or two of the enemy soldiers, eh?"

The soldiers laughed uproariously.

"It would be best to give up on that, young master. This man's missus differentiates not between friend or foe!"

Batran had interjected with banter of his own, and Tigre ended this conversation with a shrug of his shoulders.

―― It looked like morale was not going to be a problem.

After waiting for their laughter to subside, Tigre saluted. Then, he mounted the horse that Batran had brought over, and raised his right hand up in the air, and gave a command.

"Our destination is the Plains of Dinant. En-route, we will be joining up with Lord Massas'<ref>Pronounced as Mah-ss-ha-ss</ref> forces."

The soldiers raised the war flags up high.

They carried two different flags. One had a blue base with a white half-moon and shooting star, the war flag of House Vorn. The other was of Bayarl ―― a sacred horse with a black mane and crimson body, the symbol of the Kingdom of Brune.

"With that, let us move out!"

The Kingdom of Brune, with the Kingdom of Zhcted located at its east, have had their swords at each other's throats for over twenty years.

The reason for the conflict this time, was due to the flooding of the river that served as the border of the two countries, caused by torrential rain.

Firstly, the victims of the flood were quick to point fingers at the other country, saying 'tis all because those fellows from yonder haven't been doing their job with the river', which served as the sparks that started the fire.

Next, both countries that were petitioned to by the victims, maintained the stance that 'there are problems with their flood control solutions', which fanned the flames of hostility even more, and finally resulting in a full-scale conflict.

If it were just that, Tigre should not have been summoned to the battlefield.

"The enemy forces number roughly five thousand, but our own forces number over twenty five thousand. 'Tis pleasant news, truly."

The one who spoke with sarcasm in his voice, beside Tigre, was a knight that was already past middle-age, Massas Rodant.

Massas was a friend of Tigre's father, and had often taken care of Tigre, his benefactor.

"They say it's because His Royal Highness is riding into battle for the first time, have you heard of that?"

Tigre asked, while riding next to Massas.

"'Tis likely to be true. His Majesty does dote on him, after all."

His portly body equipped with iron armour and helmet, Massas stroked his mustache in displeasure.

"The conflict this time round, is almost like a squabble between children, resulting in their parents having to step in, it is not something that would drastically alter the country's future. Based on the meaning of that, for His Highness ―― Prince Legunas, we are merely decorations in his first battle...... to be precise, this is for him to gain some experience."

For his beloved son's first battle, the King must have wanted him to win a glorious victory.

The King had sent out all of the knights directly under him, and the nobles that lived near the Plains of Dinant which was soon to become a battlefield too, had received the call to war.

Even minor nobles like Tigre and Massas.

Those assembled numbered over twenty five thousand.

The forces commanded by Massas were about three hundred men strong. Within that, there were about fifty knights.

Though the numbers were not small, compared to the entire twenty five thousand strong army, they were but a drop in the ocean, and the same went for Tigre, which was the reason the both of them had been assigned to the rear end of the formation.

"The odds favour those who gather the greater army ―― 'tis but the basics of war. One day, Prince Legunas will succeed the throne. His Majesty was not wrong to do so, was he?"

Tigre patted the old knight on the shoulder in consolation.

Those words that he had said were rhetorics. If he did not say it out loud, perhaps he might have lost his will to fight.

"No doubt about it, we are but minor nobility, we only have to obediently wait at the back. If everyone bears the same mindset that this would be an assured victory, and lunge headfirst into battle for glory..... that reminds me, Tigre, have you heard of the Princesses of War?"

He asked as though he had suddenly recalled something, and Tigre tilted his head.

"The Seven Vanadis of Zhcted, you mean?"

"Yes, that's the one alright. It seems that the enemy forces are being lead by one of the Vanadis. Though only sixteen years old, she has been undefeated, attaining victory after victory. An excellent swordswoman, she stands at the forefront of battle, cutting down all before her, known and feared as the [{{Furigana|Danseuse of the Sword|Meltis}}], or the [{{Furigana|Wind Princess of the Silverflash|Silvfrahl}}]."

The Kingdom of Zhcted was ruled by a King, and the Seven Vanadis.

―― The same age as me, huh.

Tigre had an inexplicable feeling, about this yet unmet enemy general. Though they were the same age, and she was even a female, she had far more battle experience and had performed many heroic feats, and commanded a five thousand strong army.

In the Kingdom of Brune that Tigre was born in, women were not allowed to become knights, except those born of high nobility.

So far in this war, Tigre had not even seen a single female knight.

Because of that reason, he felt excited.

"What name does she go by, this Vanadis?"

"If my memory doesn't fail me, she's called Eleonora Viltaria. The rumours say that she's a real beauty. If one were to place a precious gemstone next to her, it would pale in comparison."

"Is she really that beautiful?"

"It's great that you're excited hearing about beauties, but remember to keep it in moderation. Otherwise, Teita'll get jealous."

Massas' grey mustache trembling with his laughter, and Tigre replied sullenly.

"Why did Teita's name suddenly get mentioned? She's only like a sister ―― "

"Ever since you were kids, people have said that the pair of you were like a lazy older brother and a capable younger sister."

Even though he put it that way, Tigre could not make a rebuttal. Scratching his dark red hair, he changed the topic.

"If the Vanadis is truly that great a general as the rumours say, then we're in for a hard battle, aren't we?"

"That may be so, but the difference in military strength is simply too great. Even with a specialist of war leading them, they probably wouldn't be able to overcome that disparity."

No matter how hard the Vanadis fought, they would not be able to make up for the overwhelming difference in numbers, five times to be exact.

Tigre would have liked to voice out his agreement, but for some reason he could not do so.

He had an ominous, foreboding feeling. At the region around the back of his neck, he felt a sensation as though being burned.

This was not the first time he had experienced this kind of feeling.

Like those times when he was out hunting, and was surrounded by wolves due to carelessness ―― or when he ran into dragons while in the mountains.

Or when he had woken up in the morning, and was sporting some major morning wood, and Teita had came to wake up him like she always did.

In any case, when he had this kind of feeling, something bad was about to happen.

"You don't seem too overjoyed."

He had been wearing his true feelings on his face, it seemed, and Massas looked over in concern.

"Are you worried about something? You don't seem like your usual carefree self."

"What carefree self...... aren't there other ways to describe me, like imperturbable?"

Tigre said unhappily, to which Massas smiled.

"It's fine even if you try to brush it off with difficult vocabulary. As for me, I remember that day as though it were just yesterday. Two years ago, when you had succeeded Ulus."

"I, did I say something then?"

"When the representatives of those villages and towns had asked you how to manage Alsace, didn't you answer them with a 'well, it'll work out somehow'? If that isn't carefree, what is?"

Tigre did not reply, only shrugged his shoulders.

However, Massas did not stop there.

"When Ulus was still with us, he had always praised you as someone who was 'calm and steadfast, though a little optimistic. He does make good judgments, and also has a strong body'. Those were exactly the words of a father favouring his son, weren't they."

"Even if you say that, I do have confidence in my way of doing things."

After Massas had finished speaking, did Tigre answer.

It was the truth that no major problems had occurred in Alsace.

Though slowly, their assets had been growing steadily. Those representatives who had been stunned at his casual statement then got along pretty well with him after that.

"Besides those days where you go hunting, are you able to wake up on your own? Without Teita's help, of course."

"........ No, about that..."

"I've heard from Teita that.... if you had two or three days off, you would grab your bow and quiver and head off into the forests or mountains to hunt."

Tigre's shoulder sagged in his silence, he could not refute that fact.

"Forget I ever said anything. It's good enough that you are performing your duties as a governor. That you can tell just by seeing their faces."

Massas looked over his shoulders, back at the soldiers.

Their fighting spirits were low due to being deployed at the rear, but not a single person had voiced his unhappiness or anger over it.

"Tigre, our job is to bring these men back home safely. Not thinking how to win this battle. I'm not sure what you're thinking about, but don't worry too much about it."

"Thank you for your concern."

Tigre expressed his gratitude for Massas' concern.

It was as he had said, there was no point thinking too much about it.

It was frustrating, but they were only called to the battlefield as decorations for the Royal Prince.

No one had expected them to contribute to the battle, nor did Tigre or Massas expect anyone to make use of their forces.

A few days later, Tigre and company had arrived at Dinant.

The twenty thousand strong main force, the vanguard were lined up at the foot of the hill. The rearguard that was commanded by Prince Legunas, five thousand strong, were on standby at the top of the hill. Naturally, Tigre and Massas were part of the rearguard.

Just from these facts, the odds of them having to enter the fray were miniscule.

<big><big><big><big>◎</big></big></big></big>

The time was before daybreak. Under the dark sky, a thousand soldiers were advancing in silence.

They dulled the metallic parts of their swords and spears with mud to stop the reflection from giving them away, made their horses bite on boards, and wrapped their hooves with cotton cloth. Extreme measures of caution.

In that manner, they were undiscovered by the enemy, and arrived at the side of the hill.

If they climbed its gentle slopes, they would be able to see the enemy forces ―― the rearguard of the Brune army had night sentries, after all. The flames of the campfire flickered, burning.

" ―― Let us rest. Begin the preparations."

The silver-haired girl who was at the forefront, leading all of these knights, lightly smiled. The soldiers did as she bidded and started to rest, and retrieved the boards and cloth from their horses.

Before long, the scouts that they had sent out earlier had returned.

Hearing from the scouts that the enemies were sound asleep and did not notice their movements, the girl turned around and faced the knights. Drawing the longsword at her waist, she raised it high in the air, as a light wind blew.

"The enemies right before our eyes number five thousand, five times our number. A rearguard it may be, but if that is where the supreme commander is positioned, then it would be reasonable to assume the presence of many elites."

However, the girl's crimson eyes were filled with fighting spirit, and she continued.

"Even so, I will go. And thus, achieve victory. Will you follow me?"

The knights silently raised their arms, pointing their swords and spears toward the sky.

The girl turned her head in the direction of the enemy, driving her horse forward, and brought down her longsword in an arc.

"Assault, begin!"

Their war flags billowed in the wind. The shape of Zirnitra ―― a pitch-black dragon, the symbol of the Kingdom of Zhcted, adorned the war flags.

The rush of the air as they advanced. In the knights' hands were swords and spears, otherwise bows, and they followed the girl's lead, galloping on their horses towards the hilltop.

The soldiers on sentry duty had finally noticed the enemy assault, hearing the sounds of hooves striking ground, as if the earth was crying out.

"The enemy ―― "

The girl, with a flash of her sword, changed what escaped from the soldier's throat from a warning cry to a fountain of spurting blood.

Against the background of the gradually brightening sky, the girl led a force of thousand men directly into the enemy camp, causing wanton destruction. The army of Brune had fallen into chaos. There were even soldiers who threw down their weapons, fleeing for their lives.

Although there were soldiers who had bravely tried to mount a resistance, the difference in the impetus of their assault were too different.

Above all, the valiant girl who led the forces of Zhcted. With her longsword she stood at the frontlines of battle, and was overwhelming in her strength.

With just one assault, hordes of enemy soldiers had been slain, or crushed beneath the hooves of horses. Even so, not a single drop of blood stained her body.

Each time her longsword had caused the wind to howl, the bodies that littered the ground increased.

Her silvery-white hair swaying with the wind, the girl had attacked the enemy camp in this fashion, with the horde of knights that had followed her lead.

At this point in time, victory and defeat looked certain, for the respective sides.

<big><big><big><big>◎</big></big></big></big>

His ears were ringing.

Screams, shrieks, death cries, hooves clacking on the ground and the sound of weapons clashing against each other filled his ears.

"..... Ugh."

He woke up.

Spread out wide before his eyes was the blue sky that seemed like it would suck one in, in its vastness.

Pushing away the weight that was resting upon his body, Tigre got up.

When the ringing in his ears was gone, he could hear the sound of the wind and faint fading moans. The rustling of the pieces of the broken war flags and the trampled grass could also be heard.

Dust creeped along the ground in the wind, and the smell of blood reached his nose.

"Did I lose consciousness.... "

Tottering, he rose on his feet, and what greeted him was the sight of corpses as far as the eyes could see, a hill of death.

The grass was stained with blood, and the land was buried with hundreds, or even thousands of corpses, scattered about. A wave of nausea came over him, and he covered his mouth with his hand. He felt a moist sensation, and he saw that his hand was dyed red.

―― Blood.....?

He checked his face and his entire head, but it seemed he was not wounded.

"Somebody else's blood, huh."

It seemed that Tigre had somehow been buried underneath a few corpses. Because of that, he had managed to escape the eyes of the enemy.

"Batran! Lord Massas!"

He called out the names of his aide and the old knight he was close with, but there were no replies.

He tried calling out the names of the soldiers that were under him, but as expected, there were no responses.

"If they got away, then it's fine, I suppose."

Wherever he looked, there were only corpses. Amongst the corpses, were scattered swords, broken spears, and the remnants of ruined flags.

Vision was limited by the morning fog that obscured the far distance, but, nothing moved in his field of vision. No allies, nor enemies.

Anger and hatred for the enemy did not gush out from within him. More than that, he was dragged down by the weight of fatigue and tiredness, and he sighed.

"A terrible battle it was...."

Roughly around dawn, a surprise attack had been launched against the Brune army. In the ensuing mayhem, their vanguard came under attack as well, and with that came the downfall of the army of twenty five thousand.

―― Yesterday, before midnight, our army had confirmed that the enemy forces were directly in front of us. In other words, Zhcted had split their army into two. A two-pronged assault on both the rearguard and the vanguard.

Tigre had felt the chills run down his spine.

The plan was simple. Even a child could have come up with it.

―― What was fearsome was, their calm execution of the plan, against forces five times their number.

They had fewer soldiers, and on top of that, split their forces. A small mistake, and their entire forces would have been crushed. The soldiers must have been against it, to no small degree.

―― However, it had been a splendid success.

The Brune army had been routed.

Washed away with the stampede of fleeing allies, Tigre had been unable to take command of the soldiers. Falling from his horse, he had then fainted.

It seemed more like Tigre's unit had been done in by their own allies.

"Nevertheless....."

Tigre remembered. The one who stood at the front of the enemy forces, her longsword flashing, the silver-haired girl who cut down the Brune soldiers one by one without pause ―― he had only caught a short glimpse of her.

"Was that the Vanadis?"

The Princess of War, also known as the Vanadis, was always at the frontline of battle ―― that was what Massas had said.

The inappropriate memory of her beauty surfaced in Tigre's mind. He ruffled his dark red hair, as though reflecting upon it.

Fortunately, his bow had fallen close by.

Picking it up, he plucked the bowstring while feeling a measure of uneasiness and anxiety.

".... It's working fine."

He was relieved. If the bow had been bent, the bowstring would slacken, rendering it useless.

There were still a few arrows left in his quiver.

He raised his head skywards, and calculated the directions based on the position of the sun.

"That way's west, eh."

From this battlefield, going west would lead one to Brune, and east, to Zhcted.

Enduring the pain coursing through his entire body, Tigre slowly walked towards the west. Noticing something moving within his field of vision, he stopped.

A lone knight on a horse was galloping towards him, sword brandished.

Tigre entered a stance with his bow, and drew a single arrow.

The knight's horse trampled on or leapt over the corpses lying all around, and drew closer to Tigre. When the distance between them had been shortened to thirty alcin (approximately thirty meters), the knight suddenly roared out.

"A survivor of the Brune army? I'll have your head!"

Tigre remained silent, nocking an arrow to his bow. Casually, he released the arrow.

It was a blur.

When the thud was heard, an arrow could be seen piercing the knight's throat.

It was with amazing speed and calmness.

Completely unable to respond, the knight's body spasmed and lurched to the side, falling to the ground with a thump.

Having lost its rider, the horse let out a high-pitched neigh, and before Tigre could even walk over to it, it had galloped away into the distance.

"I give up..... things aren't going my way at all."

He sighed. If he had a horse, he could have escaped from the battlefield with ease.

Trudging forward, Tigre resumed his journey on foot. But it was not even ten steps before he came to a stop again.

"Are they enemies?"

Three hundred alcin (approximately three hundred meters) ahead, he could see a group of knights. If they spotted him, he would be chased down immediately.

"..... There's seven of them."

Tigre was born with a pair of good eyes. Those eyes of his had been further trained by hunting, to the point that even at three hundred alcin, he could distinguish the facial features of a person.

He ascertained the contents of his quiver. There were only four arrows left.

Though he had confidence in his skill with the bow, he probably could not take down two men with a single arrow. If all of them charged him like that knight did earlier, there was nothing he could do.

―― Let them be my allies.

While praying that, Tigre observed the knights. When he saw the face of the leading knight, his eyes widened in shock.

"The Vanadis...."

When the Zhcted forces had launched the surprise attack, she was the one who was leading the attack at the front.

Tigre was so charmed by her that he forgot to draw breath.

A young maiden of the same age as him. Her silver hair reached down to her waist, uncovered by armour and shimmering in the rays of sunlight. In those crimson eyes there was radiance and dignity.

Those arms of hers were slender, fitting of a girl her age, yet it inexplicably seemed suited for the longsword that she grasped in her hand.

―― Lord Massas had once said that she possessed a beauty unmatched by all but a few.

It was just as he had said. To judge that beauty based on normality, was out of the question. The more he looked at her, the more he had to agree with that statement.

Finally, Tigre snapped back to his senses. He shook his head, shaking off his idle thoughts, and calmly focused his sight upon the Vanadis' group.

The other knights were her escort, it seemed. As though protecting her, they moved their horses forward.

―― If he slew the Vanadis.....

There was no reversing of the overwhelming defeat suffered by his side. Right now, they should be chasing down the fleeing Brune army in a large-scale pursuit battle.

"..... But, should I strike her down, the pursuit battle would have to cease."

If Massas, Batran and the other soldiers that came from Alsace had survived, then it would be a great increase to the likelihood of them making it out alive.

Fighting spirit welled up inside him. The hand that grasped his bow was filled with strength.

"I'll do it."

Tigre drew an arrow, and nocked it.

"O' Elis, goddess of wind and storm....."

The creaking sound of the tightening, tense bowstring filled his eardrums.

On this continent, the maximum range for the bow was two hundred and fifty alcin (approximately two hundred and fifty meters).

This number merely represented how far the arrow could fly, a calculated distance.

If one wished to inflict bodily harm upon the target, the distance would be far less than that.

The Vanadis was still, as of that moment, about three hundred alcin (approximately three hundred metres) away from him.

Even so, Tigre still released the arrow.

The arrow tore through the wind, and embedded itself in the head of a horse being ridden by a knight next to the Vanadis.

As the horse collapsed onto the ground, bringing the knight down along with it, Tigre let loose a second arrow.

That arrow pierced the area between a knight's brows.

"Alright."

At last, as two of the escorts were down, a path was cleared.

A path to the silver-haired, crimson-eyed Vanadis. An opening for an arrow to reach her, was created.

"The real thing starts from here."

Tigre extended his hand into his quiver, and his breath grew heavy, and hot.

Even when in the depths of the mountain where sunlight did not reach, facing off against {{Furigana|Earth Dragons|Slō}} which were over forty chet (approximately four metres) long, he did not experience nervousness as he did now.

―― Assuming the other knights wanted to protect her, they were hindered by the fallen horse and knights. To get around them would take some time.

Although that time was a rather short time, indeed.

But to Tigre, it was enough.

―― In this situation, what actions she could undertake, is to either lie face-down on the horse, or get off the horse entirely, one of the either two.

On both her left and right were escorts, hence she could not move in those directions. There was a route to her back, but only for a few steps; it was not a viable route of evasive action. And at her front were her fallen subordinates and a horse. It would be difficult to cross over them without a running long jump, and horses disliked that.

Even if this Vanadis had managed that, from the start of the jump till the landing, there would surely be a small interval of opening.

And then Tigre, who had once again been focusing his gaze on the Vanadis, was assailed by an intense chill.

The Vanadis was smiling.

She was clearly looking at him. And in excitement.

"Kuh."

Tigre grit his teeth. Evidently, she was not taking him seriously. He drew the remaining two arrows from his quiver. One he bit on with his teeth, the other he nocked onto his bow.

But what happened at that moment was an unbelievable sight.

The horse the Vanadis rode on, gently soared into the air.

Far above the fallen subordinates.

That height, was probably twenty chet (around two metres).

It seemed to Tigre that the horse had almost grew a pair of wings and flew. It was not a 'jump', but closer to 'flight'.

"What was that, earlier.... ?"

Fear and dread wracked Tigre's body. He almost thought his eyes were deceiving him.

A horse that carried a rider, it should not have been able to jump a height of twenty chet without a running start.

[[Image:Madan_no_Ou_to_Vanadis_Volume_01_-_040.jpg|175px|thumb]]

Yet the Vanadis had, with a calmness as though nothing ever happened, galloped in his direction.

―― Do not fear... !

He rebuked himself. ''I had merely been seeing things.''

Scowling at her, Tigre released the third arrow.

Riding upon the wind, the arrow travelled through the air. Just as it was about to hit dead centre on her forehead ―― it was struck down by a flash of silver.

"..... No way?"

Tigre's eyes widened with his jaws agape.

She had struck down an arrow that came flying from over a hundred alcin at high speed with her sword.

Feats of that degree, came only from the likes of ''chanson de geste'', legends of braves and heroes. It was not something normal humans were capable of.

He nocked the last arrow.

He had absolute confidence in his bow. To say nothing of the fact that the opponent was charging straight towards him, and the distance of three hundred alcin had almost been closed.

―― It's impossible to miss.

He aimed the arrow straight at her forehead, like earlier ―― but was in the same manner, deflected.

During this interval, the horse spurred on by the Vanadis did not even slow for a moment, and approached him as fiercely as before. In about ten seconds, they would reach him.

"Is this the end?"

He had used up all his arrows, and had no other weapons. Escaping from a horse on foot was also not possible.

Grasping his bow tightly, Tigre stood up, gathering strength in his legs. He did not want to look too unsightly.

The Vanadis came before Tigre, and stopped her horse.

The young girl's silver hair was neither dirtied by blood nor sand.

She had white skin, that made him recall of the perpetual snow that piled up at the mountains of his hometown.

A refined appearance, with a well-featured nose and moist, bewitching lips that gave one the impression of a top-grade sculpture. However, the crimson eyes overflowing with vitality reminded one that she was a flesh-and-blood human.

She thrust the tip of the longsword at Tigre.

"Throw aside your bow."

He had no choice but to do as told. Nodding her head as though satisfied, the Vanadis said with a smile.

"You have good skill."

Tigre only realised after a while that she had been referring to him.

―― I'm being complimented.... ? Even though I'm someone who had been aiming his arrows at her only just earlier?

More than being pleased, he felt bewildered.

"I am Eleonora Viltaria. And you are?"

"Tigrevurmud Vorn."

"Are you a noble? Of what rank?"

Within the various countries included in the Kingdoms of Brune and Zhcted, those that bore surnames were of nobility. Besides a few exceptions, those who were not of nobility had no surname.

Tigre answered that he was an Earl, and her smile widened.

"Very well, Earl Vorn."

While sheathing her longsword into the scabbard at her waist, Eleonora cheerfully told him.

"From now on, you belong to me, as my prisoner of war."

While he was dumbfounded by those unexpected words, her escorts had finally caught up.

They surrounded Tigre fully, pointing their swords and spears at him, but when Eleonora waved her hand, they withdrew their weapons with a seemingly surprised look.

"Rim, let him ride behind you. He's a captive of mine. I don't mind if you rough him up a bit, but don't seriously wound him."

The knight named Rim nodded in silence. Because the knight's entire head was covered by a helmet, Tigre could not see their reaction.

"Quickly get on."

Looking down at Tigre, Rim spoke in a low voice from within the helmet. Tigre quickly realised why he felt that Rim's voice towards him bore a degree of anger.

Rim was the knight whose horse he had slain earlier.

―― Was the horse borrowed from the other knights? Even amongst the other escorts, this person ought to be a step above them.

"Is it alright if I take my bow as well?"

Tigre asked, pointing at the bow he had thrown aside onto the ground earlier.

"It's important to me."

He pointed out his lack of hostility by showing his empty quiver. Rim extended a hand out towards him, from on top the horse.

"Fine by me. However, I'll be holding on to it."

Tigre handed his bow over to Rim, and got up onto the rear of the horse. He then placed his hands on Rim's waist.

Suddenly Rim's neck bent backwards. The back of the helmet struck Tigre in the face, hard.

"What're you doing!"

Suppressing his reddening nose, Tigre protested. Eleonora laughed, her shoulders trembling.

"Rim, for the time being, he's my captive. Be a little more gentle to him."

"..... I hear and obey."

Though the voice was clearly oozing with dissatisfaction, Rim obeyed anyway.

"If you dare to do something weird, I'll immediately throw you off the horse, and trample you to death."

Tigre sighed. Partly due to Rim's tremendous anger towards him, and also due to his own uncertainty about his future prospects.

Turning towards the knights, Eleonora proclaimed exultantly.

"Though a dull battle it had been, but I was able to enjoy myself at the end. ―― Well then, let us withdraw."

The Battle at the Plains of Dinant, had ended with the one-sided victory of the Kingdom of Zhcted.

Less than a hundred deaths were suffered by Zhcted, while Brune had a deathcount of over five thousand in the war, with the injured more than twice as many as the deaths.

But the losses was not limited to just that. Brune concealed something, a fact that would be hard to conceal no matter how hard they tried.

That was the death in battle of the supreme commander, the next-in-line to become King, Prince Legunas.

==Translator's Notes and References==
<references/>

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Madan no Ou to Vanadis:Volume01 Prologue

2013-11-14T06:11:11Z

-=TwoFace=-:

The tip of the longsword was thrust forward.

The one bearing the sword, was a beautiful girl. With silver-coloured hair that stretched all the way to her waist, she looked down at the youth from the top of her horse.

"Throw aside your bow."

The youth obediently complied, placing the bow that he held in his hands on the ground.

He did not feel like resisting. His arrows were exhausted.

In their surroundings were countless corpses lying on the ground. Broken swords, spears that protruded from the ground like tombstones, and the wind carried the thick smell of blood.

"I am Eleonora Viltaria. And you are?"

As if blowing away the smell of blood, the girl's refreshing voice resounded.

She was dignified, and despite that she possessed a radiance in those curious, crimson eyes.

The youth answered her question, mesmerized.

"...... Tigrevurmud Vorn."

After asking him several questions, she sheathed her sword in the scabbard at her waist, satisfied.

And then, to the youth, she smiled sweetly.

"From now onwards, you belong to me."

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</noinclude>

Kaze no Stigma:Volume6 Chapter 1

2013-10-16T04:00:38Z

-=TwoFace=-: Duplicate of same words

== Chapter 1 - Disaster together with the wind ==

=== Part 1 ===

Completely burning and exorcising the evil spirit in one single stroke, Kannagi Ayano turned around. - And then her eyebrows frowned at an acute angle.

What was reflected in her field of vision, was the silhouette of a man looking at the sky with a somewhat distant look.

In outline, despite accompanying her here under the pretext of being her bodyguard he seemed not to have noticed the battle ended.

"--------hey"

"Huh? Aah, is it over? "

Glaring at him with half opened eyes, the man - Yagami Kazuma briefly looked over the surroundings and nodded once. And then, he declared without hesitation.

"Let's go back then"

".......you're so...", groaned Ayano in a gloomy tone.

But of course Kazuma ignored that and started walking by himself.

"Aa, hey, wait! "

Chasing after him in a fluster, Ayano drew near Kazuma pouting.

"I already forgot how many times I told you this but - since it's been arranged you're kind of my escort, even it you won't help at least look! "

"Ha ha ha, you're so baka"

Expressing a refreshing smile, the kind a good young man would have, Kazuma looked over his shoulder to Ayano.

"It's because I really trust your ability that I can leave it to you without worries. "

"I can't believe you at all! ", replied Ayano as if slapping something.

How to say this, it was an entirely usual back and forth argument.

Yes, since then - since Pandemonium was destroyed and Bernhardt and Lapis disappeared, Kazuma didn't display any sort of change.

With the same frivolous, slack smiling face like always, teasing Ayano as always, wondering about like always, with an attitude that couldn't be grasped just like the wind, he spent his days like that.

There was no indication he was forcing himself. There was no change from before ---- Even though that was impossible.

He must hurt. He must be sad.

And yet, Kazuma never shows that.

Ayano was very uneasy about that.

She thought it was dangerous for Kazuma not to show others his weakness.

But what she feared even more was the possibility she didn't understand anything about Kazuma.

In spite of the fact that he was hurt he did not seem to be so.

If that's the case, from now on assuming Kazuma would hurt even more would she not even be able to see that?

No, everything she saw of Kazuma until now was maybe nothing but a mask that concealed his wounded heart.

She was supposed to have come to understand Kazuma, even just a little.

She was supposed to get to the core even just a little, to the inner part of his heart pretending to be superficial.

But if all of it was nothing bore but a delusion...

''"Kazuma-------"''

Walking absent-minded, Ayano stared at Kazuma's back who walked soundlessly.

If she were to call him he would turn around with the same smiling face. But -

''"Are you here? Are you really looking at me? "''

He is so close and yet, for some reason, Kazuma's back was distant.

Was it because she was thinking such things? Not typical of her, her reaction was late.

Suddenly, something like a huge pole appeared before her eyes and without time to avoid it, Ayano crashed into it.

"Kyaa!? "

It had a somewhat soft touch for a pole. Looking at it better, that was Kazuma's arm pushed out in front of her eyes.

"Wha, Kazuma------"

Her words of complaint were interrupted in the middle.

Kazuma's face didn't have a particle of jest to it, and was sharply looking forward like a totally different person from before.

"Kazuma, what is----"

"Prepare"

Without giving her the time to finish her question, directly ordered.

Almost by reflex Ayano hunched her back.

Immediately following - from the front, a spiritual power detonated.

The wind barrier Kazuma put on creaked fighting with the same kind of power.

''"Same nature--------huh, eeeeeeeeeh!? "''

Ayano's face became stiff with shock.

But no matter how much she doubted her eyes, the reality won't change.

What was attacking them right now was beyond doubt, the power of ''wind''.

"Why on earth....", murmured Kazuma as if spitting out while enduring the ''enemy'' attack.

The disturbance felt in that voice was definitely not Ayano's delusion.

For Kazuma, the one who contracted the Spirit Lord of the Wind - the <<Contractor>>, it means that all of the wind spirits are extensions of himself.

To have them turn on him, it was theoretically impossible.

"............."

Ayano unsheathed Enraiha, and searched for presence in the surroundings. As for the perception withing range, she did not feel any hostile being. But -

"Kazuma, where is the enemy? "

At that question asked in a controlled voice, Kazuma pointed straight ahead. Without waiting, from there regular footsteps resounded - and then, stopped.

"------Eeh?"

Looking at the figure that boldly appeared from the front without hiding himself, Ayano unintentionally opened her eyes wide.

She looked at Kazuma as if asking if that was the right person.

But, without turning his eyes to Ayano, Kazuma was only staring directly at the boy in the front.

That's right - the ''enemy'' blocking their way was even younger that Ayano, a boy of thirteen or fourteen.

His body dressed in a stand-up collar shirt and thin pants, he looked more delicate that his years and was shorter than Ayano.

He had soft hair cut short that made one want to touch.

He was a very androgynous but adorable bishonen.

But the impression until now was overturned by only two things.

The first were those eyes. The color was dark brown, very common for Asian people. But the light that dwelt in them, like the difference between a cat and a tiger cub, made it clear that the boy was a warrior.

And the second.

Ayano's gaze slightly pointed upwards. The boy's stature was lower than hers. But that top she was looking at was even higher than Kazuma's head.

Approximately two meters.

Held in the hand of the small boy, it was an object of unsuitable size. But even so the boy held it tightly in his small hand.

The jet black handle that was so exceeding the boy's height by that much and the silver blade stretching further was a simple and clear shape forged only for killing people and to destroy one's enemies.

Massive, sharp, piercing and smashing everything.

It was something everyone would understand only after a glance, a very long and boorish spear.

"..........."

In silence the boy thrusts the long spear forward.

Until now it was positioned next to his waist. He stretched his left foot back on grand scale.

Without saying anything he only did that. But only by doing that the spear that until now seemed disproportionate turned one with the boy as if it were so from the beginning.

"Kuuh-------!"

At the master posture, Ayano reorganized her confused mind. It has nothing to do with she sees.

That is, beyond doubt, an enemy.

Unsheathing Enraiha, she faced the boy. And then----- she waited.

She won't make the first move since against the spear with he longest reach. First she'll let herself be hit and move after.

That was the proper practice. Besides---

Ayano fleetingly looked at Kazuma. If the enemy is a Fujutsushi this man won't fall behind. If he would fire the same wind blades like before, Kazuma's barrier will definitely endure it.

Using that gap should be good.

''"It's coming! "''

The boy moved as Ayano expected. He rushed in a big way and pushed out that spear using that force.

Of course, it wasn't a distance the spear would reach but the condensed wind blade fired from the edge of the blade approached the two at the speed of sound.

Ayano concentrated her power on Enraiha.

If she becomes completely defenseless against the wind blade, the fact that it cannot tear down Kazuma barrier, was for her something absolute, a common knowledge.

Therefore, with all her power she trended towards the returning blade, sharpening her consciousness to the utmost limit weighing the timing.

But, that plan was wiped out quick enough.

And in addition to that by the hand of the partner she put the utmost confidence it- no, by his leg.

"Huh? "

''''Don!''''

The impact that attacked her from her right side sent Ayano flying from that place.

Because it came from a perfectly unexpected direction, she couldn't resist it.

"------ha?"

At the unbearable scene, her consciousness froze for a moment. But as she could still land even unconscious, Ayano replayed over and over the moment Kazuma's cheek was torn.

''"Eeh-------Why? "''

Her reason refused to recognize it.

That was something impossible, that could never happen and such.

However that was - the meaning of that scene was -

"Wa-------Kazuma-----"

"You're noisy, shut up! The next one is coming! "

In an unusually violent tone, Kazuma interrupted Ayano's words. Without wiping the blood spilling from his cheek and while a cold sweat was spreading on his brow.

''"----No way"''

She was still denying it deep in her heart. She had faith in her ideal, her aspiration.

But she had no choice but to recognize the result right now.

In front of the enemy's wind blade, Kazuma's wind barrier was pierced through without resisting for a second.

Ayano's face flipped up in astonishment looking hard at the boy standing before her eyes.

The boy was clearly not boasting of his power but set up the spear indifferent.

In a manner as if to say ''this is only natural''.

''"This guy, no way - "''

Trying focusing her mind, Ayano could do nothing but admit that she way yet not taking the situation seriously.

Thinking about it, it was an appropriate situation if you exclude all previous assumptions.

As Kazuma is a Contractor, theoretically all Wind Spirits are under his control. Then, another Fujutsushi won't be able to even begin an attack let alone oppose him.

What can overturn that principle, was someone like Kazamaki Ryuya who manipulated spirits that went mad and used Jutsu differently from it's root or, a Jutsushi who was by far more capable than Kazuma.

''"No way - someone stronger than Kazuma--------? "''

A chill ran along the muscles on her spine.

Without minding Ayano's disturbance, the boy pointed the spear to the target.

Without any confusion, it accurately aimed at Ayano.

"This way!? "

Simultaneously with that turned inside out scream, the spear grew hazy.

A certain kill blow that could simply pass through Kazuma's barrier.

Without thinking of blocking it from the beginning Ayano tumbled in order to avoid it.

She barely escaped.

But, as a compensation, her posture was fatally disordered. In the two seconds she needed to reorganize herself - she can die ten times over.

"Kuu"

In those wide opened eyes that forgot even to blink, the boy taking a pursuit stance was reflected.

Facing the unable to move Ayano, the boy unleashed the spear without hesitation.

"You think I'll let you! "

In that space, together with an angry roar, a gale forced its way through.

As if getting angry at being neglected on account of being worthless, Kazuma fired wind blades to the rapidly penetrating wind spear.

But, between the slashing attack and the spear thrust, there was an exceptional difference in their densities.

Not only unable to offset each other, unable to compete for even a moment, the wind blades were quickly crushed.

''"Wha.......so much bullshit? "''

At the overwhelming power difference demonstrated, Ayano soundlessly petrified.

But, without any sigh of confusion, as if expecting it, Kazuma fired the second and third attack.

When that number reached five, finally the wind spear was negated.

"........this is outrageous", breathed out Kazuma smacking his lips.

Ayano had entirely the same opinion.

By a simple calculation, five times Kazuma's wind strength - to put ot bluntly, it was a difference it coudn't even be spoken of.

"............"

The boy turned a colorless gaze to Kazuma but he immediately looked away.

As if literally declaring ''You don't exist in my opinion''.

"How cold, mind me a little bit more. If not, I'll sulk. "

But, clearly not hesitant about the power difference, with the impudent talk as usual, Kazuma started walking towards the boy.

As if brushing away the enemy approaching in a straight line, the boy wielded the spear as if sweeping sideways.

Kazuma avoided the attack by dunking so low his head touched the ground, and then from that position, a complete forward somersault.

The heel of his right leg vertically described a circle aimed at the boy's head.

"-----!!"

The rotating kick that was both offense and defense, as expected, it surprised the boy.

Although he blocked it by pushing out the spear above his head, the jet black handle bent because of the clashing impact.

"Kuuh........."

But even so, the boy narrowly survived the blow.

And then in a bold move trying to aim at the gap immediately following, supporting his upside down falling body in one hand, this time with his left foot, Kazuma kicked the boy's leg.

The boy went to his knees.

In the meantime, Kazuma promptly stood up, and just like a whirlwind he applied a roundhouse kick from behind.

"----------!! "

Swaying back with all his strength, the boy avoided the kick attacking his temple.

Greatly bending backwards his upper body, he let himself fall just like that, curled his body to disperse the shock and rotated backwards.

Taking a defensive attitude he escaped Kazuma's offensive range.

"Kuuh....."

"-----Humph"

Responding to the boy's glare full of hate, switching over to the standing in one knee posture after rolling three times, Kazuma returned one full of scorn.

Just then, the boy's gaze became even more severe.

Literally rolled in mud by the opponent he was looking down on, he was despised even more. That disgrace was more than he could imagine.

The boy quickly stood up and pointed his spear to Kazuma. He spoke in a squeezed to death voice.

"You bastard.....don't get in my way..........."

"Oo, the random attacker brat finally uses his mouth"

As if being surprised, Kazuma unnaturally raised one eyebrow.

".......who's a random attacker? "

"Look closely in the mirror at least once and see what you're doing. It would be best to repent and surrender afterwards. "

"........."

The boy already didn't answer to Kazuma's persiflage continuing fluently.

Did he used it all up or he had no intent of replying, in any case, the point of the spear thrust without disturbance was more eloquent that a thousand words, announcing the boy's intent.

But even so, Kazuma didn't lost his composure and confronted him with a daring smile.

Expecting from that attitude to have found the method of capturing the boy, Ayano's alertness relaxed so she spoke.

"All thing considered, this is rare. For you to engage in close combat by yourself without being challenged"

Kazuma's tactic was basically a long distance attack using wind blades.

But despite that his martial art form was stronger than Ayano's, which the girl found exceedingly annoying----

Anyhow, since that Kazuma was especially engaging in close combat, she stated thinking that may be the key to capture him in those circumstances but --- the answer was unexpected in various ways.

With a tendency to pout, as if sulking, Kazuma said.

"But, I can't win with a thing like Fujutsu"

".......you.......", murmured Ayano greatly perplexed at that excessively miserable manner of speaking.

"Don't speak ''''so shameful so lightly'''' you baka! Besides, what the heck does ''thing'' mean, huh!? Do you think you're at an age where speaking like that is tolerated!? "

"But, you see......"

"Don't <<But, you see....>> me!! Stop talking immediately like a spoiled mama's boy, it disgusts me!"

She finished her sentence in one breath.

That was by no means something insincere, a really bad feeling was spreading on her skin.

"Well, leaving that aside"

In front of Ayano breathing heavily because of too much stimulation, as if nothing happened, Kazuma quickly regained his usual sarcastic manner.

With a light gesture, lacking any feeling of tension, Kazuma pointed forward.

"Our honorable guest is waiting. "

"Eeh? Aah---------"

Hearing that blunder she completely forgot but right now they were in the middle of the battle.

A formidable enemy like never before holding a spear hiding a tremendous power, he was only aiming at them.

But, very strangely, in spite of Ayano showing a lethal gap, the boy didn't began the attack.

As if he was waiting for them to prepare, he stood still spear ready.

''"What is going on---------?"''

Why did the boy overlooked such a definite gap?

She thought so too when Kazuma kept him in check, there was something strange.

"Just what is this boy trying to do? "

Although seeming to agree with that opinion and he was composedly smiling, his gaze was shooting through the boy without a trace of slackness, trying to feel around his true intention.

But, the boy was thoroughly cold towards Kazuma.

"I have no business with you", he coldly declared with a really apathetic expression.

At that indifferent sentence, Kazuma let out a murmur, all his <<Ki>> coming out.

"Hee----"

"-------tch! "

At that time, with the fastest movement, Ayano grabbed the cuff of his jacket.

Kazuma turned around suspicious.

"What? "

"Right now you, you just thought of abandoning me and running by yourself, right!? That's not going to happen! "

".........Not really, I didn't think something like that"

"Humph, I wonder! But for your information I'll never let you escape! We go to the grave together! "

Looking at Ayano grasping tightly the cuff of his jacket so he'll never run, Kazuma murmured more amazed than ever.

"Why are you expressly taking such a pessimistic decision? "

"But......."

"To begin with, he's not such an opponent that you have to risk your life against"

".......Eeh? "

Involuntarily not believing her ears, Ayano stared at Kazuma.

''"Right now........what was that?"''

The opponent is someone who might have surpassed even Kazuma, a Fujutsushi ''outside human common sense'' grade.

And yet, from the way he spoke just now, she didn't felt any sort of threat -

"......I said I have no business with you"

[[Image:Kaze no Stigma vol 06 021.jpg|thumb|]]

Gazing at the slightly smiling Kazuma, the boy announced for a second time.

And then, with eyes burning with the will to fight, he glared at Ayano.

"The successor of Enraiha! If you say you're the rightful owner of the flame's sacred treasure - then show that power to me! "

With that vigorous shout, the boy took an offensive posture.

The swelling power was kneaded more and more, stronger, sharper.

But, Ayano hadn't yet found the way to oppose the spear facing her.

"W- wait a seco- "

Ayano was flustered but the boy was about to unleash the spear without hesitation. ---------But, as expected Kazuma couldn't tolerate that in silence.

"I told you I won't let you"

Together with that verdict combined with a smile, the unleashed wind blade drew an arc, attacking the boy from the flank.

To intercept that, the boy unwillingly interrupted his attack.

"Kuu! Don't - "

"Of course I'll get in the way, brat! "

Replying with scorn at the gaze full of hatred, Kazuma calmly blocked the boy's way.

"Because I'm sort of this woman's guard and I receive money for it"

"Guard.......? "

The boy's pupils were turned to Ayano full of surprise and anger.

From that gaze it looked like more than the fact that Kazuma was getting in the way so he couldn't defeat her, he condemned Ayano's weakness who had to employ something like a guard.

"And with that, this time I'll be the one to start"

But without caring about such things, Kazuma declared so and then he put it into effect.

From right overhead perpendicularly blowing down, a huge down-burst descended.

the strong wind striking down without a definite aim, shredded the earth cutting everything in touched.

The soaring dust cloud blocked their vision.

While cursing the boy pushed up the spear and lightly twisted his wrists.

The small circle drawn by the spearhead created a strong tornado.

The tornado scattered the down-burst in a moment and coincidentally forced the dust cloud in the atmosphere.

The air was purified. But -

The moment his field of vision cleared, those two figures were nowhere to be seen.

"Did you run away.........?", murmured the boy staring in wonder as expected feeling surprised.

But immediately pulling himself together, he searched for <<Kehai>> in the surroundings.

After several seconds ------ the boy turned northeast with confident eyes.

However, he didn't chased after them immediately but looked up at the sky with a somewhat dark expression, starring at a distant place.

".......The power of Enraiha's user is only this much? With this......"

That figure murmuring feebly, appropriate for his age, was forlorn like a child on the verge of bursting into tears.

=== Part 2 ===

Hiding himself in a building in the middle of construction, Kazuma looked annoyed.

"Well, if we could shake him off with this, it would be so easy"

"..........."

Ayano was staring at that Kazuma with a pure white gaze.

"What? "

"I'm amazed. You said it would be an easy victory but suddenly we're running like some animal with the tail between the legs, huh? "

At that answer loaded with despair, Kazuma looked at the sky as if thinking back on his memory, cocking his head in puzzlement.

"------Did I said something like that? "

"Sure you did. That he's not such opponent you have to risk your life against. "

"Aah, that"

Quickly agreeing on this, Kazuma continued.

"What about you, ''why'' couldn't you turn against him, do you have a pretext for that? "

"Eeh? No, not really-----"

"Then rather that not fighting and thinking about dying, isn't it better to run? "

"Is that what you meant? ", replied Ayano with all her strength.

But, of course Kazuma didn't show a sigh of shyness.

Stuff like ''running away is shameful'' or ''a warrior's pride'' that's something that would never come out of this man.

"Good grief......leaving that aside, did you shake him off? "

"Isn't that impossible? ", immediately replied Kazuma extremely careless.

"It's different from when I'm alone, it's because there's an Enjutsushi with me"

The amount of Spirits that accompanied Ayano, the direct descendant of the Kannagi Clan, the highest authority of Enjutsushi was absurdly enormous even in peace times.

Naturally, even the Kehai she emitted was luxurious and gorgeous, giving one the impression it was a billboard and perfectly concealing all that brilliance was next to impossible even with Kazuma's proficiency.

Although it may be possible for an ordinary opponent, escaping that boy's eye was beyond optimistic.

"Then, what are we going to do? "

"......Why do I have to think about it? "

Kazuma replied to Ayano's question like he was the embodiment of laziness.

"You're the one he's aiming at, right? "

"But, aren't you my partner? ", declared Ayano, in a tone of declaring the reasonable truth.

Kazuma grimaced magnificently.

At the first glance, Kazuma seems irresponsible and practically he is fairly irresponsible but his his business ethic is unexpectedly high.

Dishonoring a contract was something that never happened.

Of course, that was not because of his virtuous mind, but because he had a thorough knowledge just how bad it could hurt his business credence --- meaning that the reason for that honesty was profit and loss arithmetic and yet Ayano's words unexpectedly poked at that.

"What do you think we should do? "

"Running is best"

Although turning his back to that second question he answered honestly.

"That brat doesn't seem stupid enough to attack the Kannagi Residence, don't you agree? Even if by some chance he does that, Oyaji or the Suzerain will settle the problem but most important if I take you back home my contract is over. "

"..................."

Ayano looked at Kazuma, persistently prioritizing his own comfort, with a white gaze.

But, thinking about the way the battle progressed so far, that was understandable.

To Ayano that boy seemed clearly ahead of Kazuma as a Fujutsushi.

Rather that using a different Jutsu, using the same and being defeated by a Jutsushi who has more excellent and had more talent was something she didn't thought possible.

That is to say, thinking about it rationally, that's how it is. Kazuma cannot win against that boy.

But, even though she saw this man overwhelmed in reality Ayano couldn't imagine this man lose.

The girl's belief in his strength equals to common sense.

''"It's impossible for Kazuma to lose"''

"----Say, Kazuma"

After hesitating Ayano asked directly.

"Is that child, stronger that you? "

"That brat is nothing impressive by himself"

Unexpectedly, Kazuma declared so without hesitation.

Hearing that answer Ayano felt relief for a moment but it literally didn't go beyond a moment.

"The problem is that spear he has"

"-------Aah? "

She saw it during battle - It was shown to her - Remembering the spear's tremendous power, Ayano sighed heavily.

"That was an amazing strength. That's the first time I saw a weapon pregnant with so much power"

"..........."

With half-opened eyes, Kazuma stared at Ayano murmuring absentmindedly.

He made a blatantly shocked face but Ayano, lost in her own thought, didn't noticed.

"So, what's up with that spear? "

"................."

"--------what? "

Finally noticing Kazuma's subdued eyes, Ayano innocently asked. Kazuma quietly turned his gaze away and looked at the blue sky.

"What!? "

"No, it's nothing But that spear--"

"Do you know of it? "

"That's the first time I saw it so I can't say for sure ---- it's probably Kokusen. "

"What's that? "

"..................."

From the reaction until now, Kazuma expected that answer.

He expected it but could do nothing about losing all the strength in his body.

His upper body leaned on the wall slanting. He seemed intolerably attracted to roll over just like that and going to sleep.

"Hey, what's up with that reaction? Just because you're somewhat of a walking dictionary don't put on airs! "

She thought Kazuma's attitude was an insult so Ayano sulked pouting her lips.

But, even that very lovely gesture couldn't impress him.

"Should I explain for the sake of the baka girl who doesn't know anything......"

After those provocative used as introduction, Kazuma briefly explained.

"Kokusen is the sacred treasure of the Wind. The same as your Enraiha. "

"-----Eeh? "

Forgetting her anger at those impolite words, Ayano stared at him in puzzlement.

That was something very surprising.

She required thirty seconds until she could understand Kazuma's explanation.

"Secret treasure - of the wind? Then, what about water and soil? "

"I don't know about those but Enraiha of the Fire and Kokusen of the Wind are both famous. Did you really not know? "

"yeah"

As Ayano nodded quickly, Kazuma looked at the sky.

"Study a bit more, you. If I'm not mistaken, the Fuan family from Hong Kong was supposed to have it but......."

"But, what? "

"But if that brat became the successor, it's impossible that I didn't hear of it. Did he just take over? "

"It's not something that concerns you."

"Well, that's true."

Kazuma responded to the third voice suddenly cutting in the conversation calmly, without becoming confused.

"Wha---"

But, Ayano jumped to her feet. And then, as expected, that silhouette was in her field of vision.

"Did you think you could escape, Enjutsushi? ", informed the boy coldly, holding the spear.

The self-confidence dwelling in his voice ---- when the searching ability is concerned, the Fujutsushi will always win.

Meaning that an Enjutsushi can't win.

Ignoring Kazuma who was the same, that declaration was bragging about how he was the overwhelmingly superior Jutsushi.

"Play time is over. If you don't want to die demonstrate your power, Enraiha's user"

"Kuu----- "

As if overpowered by that determined gaze, Ayano let out a small moan. She looked at Kazuma requesting a counter plan but -

"Why are you still sitting down? Get up already! "

"Huh? Aah, am I getting in the way? Well then, I'll step back a bit more so do your best......"

"Don't fall back! You should fight too! "

He truly didn't display any willingness.

"Besides, you're the one aimed at, no? He went as far as nominating you so, do it by yourself without nominating others"

"Wha---But, you're my escort, aren't you? "

"That's right. That's why, well - how about this? I'll help you if you're about to die so until then - "

It was at the time Kazuma said that in a voice without motivation.

During the time those two ere exchanging such idiotic words, the boy's shoulders trembled as he remained a spectator, without attacking.

He turned to Kazuma with a cold gaze, cold but with a something that was on the verge of boiling dwelling inside.

"''help you if you're about to die'', huh? Do you think a third rate Fujutsushi like you can stop me? "

A frank disdain thrown at Kazuma together with an ostentations derisive laughter.

There's no need to say it, even for a normal human the anger would be insuppressible.

But, Kazuma -

"------pfff"

Averting his eyes after looking at the boy's face, he made a small snicker.

"Wha- what's so funny? "

".........No, it's because I understand you're doing your best."

With a sidelong glance at the exasperated boy flicking off the derision mask, Kazuma's laugh mage his shoulders tremble.

"Even though you take the ''I completely ignore the likes of you'' attitude the best you can, since you cannot help but react to every single one of my words, well, it must be because you're young, I think"

"-------!"

Suddenly remembering what happened, with a red face the boy was silent.

Seeing that, Kazuma made resound an even lower laughter.

"You, you bastard.........!"

Grinding his teeth at the humiliation of a <<lower rank>> making fun of him, the boy glared at Kazuma.

And then, he thrust the tip of Kokusen at the man who made fun of him so much.

"Isn't this fine? Then, I'll teach you your place first! "

"------Aah? "

Kazuma looked at the boy amazed. This development was obviously unexpected.

Even though he feigned calmness and his inexperience could be seen through because he was not yet able to control his emotions, to go as far as forgetting his main purpose drained away by immediate fury, what a ''child''...

"Hey, why are you doing this? "

"Isn't it fine? "

Ayano's happy voice covered that natural protest.

"If you want to fight with me please knock down this man first, or something like that? "

".......Ayano"

With half opened eyes Kazuma looked at Ayano who declared so for fun.

But he seemed the only one dissatisfied by the situation -

"Fine. You'll be my opponent after"

Unrelated to Kazuma's volition, the stage was rapidly prepared.

"........Why does it become like this? "

The unwilling development made Kazuma astonished.

And then, as if sinking the boot into him even further, Ayano winked at him.

"As expected of my guard. Volunteering your body in that manner to protect me ♥ "

".......Well, I don't really mind. This amount is still within the reward. But - "

Unexpectedly, Kazuma obediently accepted the situation. But, as if it was natural, he didn't forget to cynically stab her once.

"If you only fight cheap opponents, no matter how much time passes you won't improve, you know"

"Uuu....I understand that but I think this one is a little bit tricky for me"

"That's not true"

"-------Eeh? "

At that declaration without hesitation Ayano unintentionally opened her eyes wide.

But, without saying anything else, with a decisive gait, he stood in front of the boy.

Faced with that attitude full of composure, the boy grimaced with unconcealed discomfort.

"Are you bastard sane? - this late in the game, do you yet not see the the difference in power? "

Kazuma replied with a derisive laugh at those spitted out words.

And then, at leisure, he took out his cigarettes and lit it.

"Aren't you talkative, brat? You'd be cooler if you shut up. "

"------! Then, you should regret ridiculing me on the realm of the dead! "

Together with the angry roar, an unleashed gale blow.

Kazuma jumped sideways in a big way, and at the same time he avoided the attack he jumped outside the window.

"Hyaaa! "

"You won't run away! "

Although she was outside the fire line, Ayano screamed as broken pieces of concrete that were flaked by the wind blade dashed over her.

But already not minding her, the boy chased straight after Kazuma.

"......Well, for the time being I'm saved, huh? "

While coughing so in confusion, from the window - it was the fourth floor by the way, Ayano overlooked the world.

There, the battle was already reopened.

But then, Kazuma was only escaping and the boy was only attacking so there was the problem that such an one-sided evolution without any change between offense and defense could be called a battle.

"Well, there seems to be a chance of success so I should leave it to him, no? "

But even so, alone, without panicking, Ayano descended at leisure the flight of stairs, aiming for the ground.

=== Part 3 ===

Facing he man frivolously smiling with a cigarette in his mouth, the boy unleashed Kokusen without holding back at all.

The high speed blow surging out approached Kazuma leaving behind only the sound of cutting wind.

"-----huh "

But Kazuma avoided it by jumping aside.

He felt the certain kill blade brushing against his cheek but his smile didn't fade.

"Hey, Speedy! Are you only going to run after having such a big mouth? "

"No, why, I have no problem with you praising my magnificent running away"

"Don't fool around! "

The boy attacked, Kazuma avoided. Their battle repeated just like that.

Kazuma was neglecting the boy's attack, without even warding it off with wind, he was just avoiding it as much as possible.

Was that the best he could do, was his composed smile smile only a bluff -

"Don't get cocky, small fry! "

"It's not over yet! "

While dodging the certain kill strike, Kazuma bragged in a smiling voice.

After repeating that many times over, Ayano finally arrived to the battle ground.

Looking at the state of the battle, the first thing she said was:

"Aah, you're still alive"

"............Is that what you say after pushing your own battle to others? ", replied Kazuma looking over his shoulder with half-opened eyes.

Pretending not to recognize it, Ayano turned away.

And then, at that time, the boy chuckled at the exquisite arrangement.

By chance the three were arranged in a line.

If Kazuma were to evade like always from that location, the wind blade will attack Ayano standing behind him.

Without being able to defend, it would be his overwhelming victory.

He cannot evade a blow at full power - the boy concluded so.

''"It's my win! "''

Convinced of certain victory, the boy dropped his back in a grand scale.

That firm posture that not even a bull could pull was a quiet, instantaneous movement.

"-----!"

Together with a soundless yell, the spear got blurry.

While breathing once he unleashed nine attacks. Of course, they were all to kill -

To offset one of the the boy's attack Kazuma needed to attack five times so no matter whether he was a contractor or not, it wasn't possible to fire forty five attacks in the space of a moment.

"........."

In front of the imminent nine ''deaths'' Kazuma showed a cold, dry smile. And the, slowly, he pushed out his left hand in front.

As if squeezed out by the hand, nine wind blades were produced.

While dancing like playful fairies, they sweetly, tenderly, softly entwined the wind blade.

The wind influenced by the strong spear was torn off, scattered and run through straight by the coiling wind.

And then, without altering its aim it soundly seized Kazuma's body, blowing through his clothes and hair, making them rustle.

"Wha---?"

"You showed me to much, idiot", Kazuma coldly said over his shoulder to the shocked boy.

"No matter how strong your attack is, if you show it many times over, I will think of one or two countermeasures.

What humans can manipulate is not all mighty or absolute.

Without even realizing that, you thought yourself invincible just because a somewhat convenient tool happened to fall in your hands, so you loose"

"Kuu......", murmured the boy in regret.

But Kazuma's pointing out was all truth and had no place for objection.

Since he couldn't make a satisfactory counter attack, he thoughtlessly despised his opponent.

Without thinking of tactics or anything else, he planned on continuing attacking with nothing but brute force but -

Everything was seen through.

He knew what happened.

Kazuma coiled wind like a screw around the spear firing in a straight line and slowly but steadily reduced its power and finally changed it into a gust of wind without any offensive ability.

It seemed easy in theory but putting it into practice was beyond miracle.

To seize them in the space of a moment - he had no other way but to intercept them.

For that purpose not only that transcendent technique that had the touch of divine work was required but the flawless reading of the orbit of his own attack and it's timing, meaning that as a Jutsushi he was completely ahead of him.

There's already nothing he can do against him - he understood that was the definite truth.

Like he was convinced of victory, he cannot pursue Kazuma who was casually stepping up to him so the boy took a step back.

While he was without reservation shortening the distance, Kazuma thought.

''"Good grief, how troublesome......."''

He didn't have the same amount of strong feelings regarding the boy.

To begin with, he wasn't the kind of opponent he had to fight hard against since the beginning. Not even when taking Kokusen into account.

Even the technique the boy was admiring, for Kazuma it wasn't he was particularly proud of.

For a Jutsushi it was natural to prepare ten or twenty Jutsu when facing someone who had a stronger hand than you.

The idiots who were under the impression of ''I am the strongest'', cannot live long enough in this world.

Without any feeling, Kazuma was simply looking at the boy's bloodless face.

He was thirteen of fourteen. Just a spoiled child.

Even if he's the direct descendant of the Fuan Family, his body is immature, his training ten years at most, even the power he can use doesn't amount to much.

Nevertheless, the reason the brat looked down on all other Fujutsushi and was so conceited to pick a fight with the Kannagi's direct descendant, what's more, the successor of Enraiha, could be only one.

''"Certainly, this is a <<handy tool>>"'', thought Kazuma, looking at the spear the boy held in his hand.

By all rights, it was impossible for him to take so much time against a Fujutsu opponent.

Kazuma was the <<Contractor>> that contracted the Spirit Lord of the Wind which means that all Wind Spirits obey him unconditionally.

But, that spear, Kokusen, as expected of a sacred treasure, seemed to give the proprietor this much ability as if it was a semi-contractor.

That's why, besides removing the seal and completely displaying his contractor power, with Kazuma's power right now, he couldn't steal the boy's control over wind spirits.

''"Getting stuck fighting that kind of Fujutsushi, huh? It splendidly wounded my pride - "''

While grumbling inside his heart, Kazuma stepped forward in silence.

But, the boy started attacking a second time.

It seems that somehow or another he didn't want to admit defeat but no matter how strong the attack, if it can be seen through, it won't become a threat.

This time it was a counter from the side. He slightly altered the trajectory of the straight going wind spear.

But, that was enough.

All the attacks he continued firing, were avoided as if it were natural, missing their target by a paper thin difference.

Without even making evasive moves, Kazuma walked straight on.

The face of the boy setting up the spear in the front, white and stiff was clear.

In comparison to that, his attack became monotonous and he couldn't handle it anymore.

The last step. He rushed into the space with the physical spear but the pushed out Kokusen was dodged. Simultaneously that handle was casually grasped.

"-------tch!"

"--------"

The power of the boy and Kazuma, one trying to draw back the other to snatch away, competed for a moment.

But because Kazuma quickly surpassed him the boy staggered and lost his balance.

"Kuh, let- let-go! "

As he immediately tried to reorganize, with the spear he seized, Kazuma manipulated the boy's center of gravity, not giving him the time to do so.

But even so, the boy doesn't let go of Kokusen - in the end, that was the conclusive cause of defeat.

If he would have let go of the spear he may have reorganized his crumbling balance but because he couldn't do that he quickly crossed over the limit and fell down.

Of course, Kazuma couldn't overlook that.

"Gaah! "

He beat him to the ground with the boy's own weapon after he plundered the right of control from him, screaming like all air was evacuating his lungs.

"Humph"

And then, even more mercilessly, he trampled on the facing up boy's chest.

That force, enough to smash his heart, made his ribs jar with a thick sound.

"------Aah? "

Suddenly Kazuma closed his eyes partly, and revealed a suspicious voice.

But a moment after he regained his serenity and stepped on the boy struggling feebly ruthlessly.

While grinning, he asked perfectly serious.

"Well, how about this - die at once, huh? "

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| Back to [[Kaze_no_Stigma:Volume6_Illustrations|Illustrations]]
| Return to [[Kaze_no_Stigma|Main Page]]
| Forward to [[Kaze_no_Stigma:Volume6_Chapter_2|Chapter 2]]
|-
|}
</noinclude>

Kaze no Stigma:Volume6 Chapter 1

2013-10-16T03:55:13Z

-=TwoFace=-:

== Chapter 1 - Disaster together with the wind ==

=== Part 1 ===

Completely burning and exorcising the evil spirit in one single stroke, Kannagi Ayano turned around. - And then her eyebrows frowned at an acute angle.

What was reflected in her field of vision, was the silhouette of a man looking at the sky with a somewhat distant look.

In outline, despite accompanying her here under the pretext of being her bodyguard he seemed not to have noticed the battle ended.

"--------hey"

"Huh? Aah, is it over? "

Glaring at him with half opened eyes, the man - Yagami Kazuma briefly looked over the surroundings and nodded once. And then, he declared without hesitation.

"Let's go back then"

".......you're so...", groaned Ayano in a gloomy tone.

But of course Kazuma ignored that and started walking by himself.

"Aa, hey, wait! "

Chasing after him in a fluster, Ayano drew near Kazuma pouting.

"I already forgot how many times I told you this but - since it's been arranged you're kind of my escort, even it you won't help at least look! "

"Ha ha ha, you're so baka"

Expressing a refreshing smile, the kind a good young man would have, Kazuma looked over his shoulder to Ayano.

"It's because I really trust your ability that I can leave it to you without worries. "

"I can't believe you at all! ", replied Ayano as if slapping something.

How to say this, it was an entirely usual back and forth argument.

Yes, since then - since Pandemonium was destroyed and Bernhardt and Lapis disappeared, Kazuma didn't display any sort of change.

With the same frivolous, slack smiling face like always, teasing Ayano as always, wondering about like always, with an attitude that couldn't be grasped just like the wind, he spent his days like that.

There was no indication he was forcing himself. There was no change from before ---- Even though that was impossible.

He must hurt. He must be sad.

And yet, Kazuma never shows that.

Ayano was very uneasy about that.

She thought it was dangerous for Kazuma not to show others his weakness.

But what she feared even more was the possibility she didn't understand anything about Kazuma.

In spite of the fact that he was hurt he did not seem to be so.

If that's the case, from now on assuming Kazuma would hurt even more would she not even be able to see that?

No, everything she saw of Kazuma until now until now was maybe nothing but a mask that concealed his wounded heart.

She was supposed to have come to understand Kazuma, even just a little.

She was supposed to get to the core even just a little, to the inner part of his heart pretending to be superficial.

But if all of it was nothing bore but a delusion...

''"Kazuma-------"''

Walking absent-minded, Ayano stared at Kazuma's back who walked soundlessly.

If she were to call him he would turn around with the same smiling face. But -

''"Are you here? Are you really looking at me? "''

He is so close and yet, for some reason, Kazuma's back was distant.

Was it because she was thinking such things? Not typical of her, her reaction was late.

Suddenly, something like a huge pole appeared before her eyes and without time to avoid it, Ayano crashed into it.

"Kyaa!? "

It had a somewhat soft touch for a pole. Looking at it better, that was Kazuma's arm pushed out in front of her eyes.

"Wha, Kazuma------"

Her words of complaint were interrupted in the middle.

Kazuma's face didn't have a particle of jest to it, and was sharply looking forward like a totally different person from before.

"Kazuma, what is----"

"Prepare"

Without giving her the time to finish her question, directly ordered.

Almost by reflex Ayano hunched her back.

Immediately following - from the front, a spiritual power detonated.

The wind barrier Kazuma put on creaked fighting with the same kind of power.

''"Same nature--------huh, eeeeeeeeeh!? "''

Ayano's face became stiff with shock.

But no matter how much she doubted her eyes, the reality won't change.

What was attacking them right now was beyond doubt, the power of ''wind''.

"Why on earth....", murmured Kazuma as if spitting out while enduring the ''enemy'' attack.

The disturbance felt in that voice was definitely not Ayano's delusion.

For Kazuma, the one who contracted the Spirit Lord of the Wind - the <<Contractor>>, it means that all of the wind spirits are extensions of himself.

To have them turn on him, it was theoretically impossible.

"............."

Ayano unsheathed Enraiha, and searched for presence in the surroundings. As for the perception withing range, she did not feel any hostile being. But -

"Kazuma, where is the enemy? "

At that question asked in a controlled voice, Kazuma pointed straight ahead. Without waiting, from there regular footsteps resounded - and then, stopped.

"------Eeh?"

Looking at the figure that boldly appeared from the front without hiding himself, Ayano unintentionally opened her eyes wide.

She looked at Kazuma as if asking if that was the right person.

But, without turning his eyes to Ayano, Kazuma was only staring directly at the boy in the front.

That's right - the ''enemy'' blocking their way was even younger that Ayano, a boy of thirteen or fourteen.

His body dressed in a stand-up collar shirt and thin pants, he looked more delicate that his years and was shorter than Ayano.

He had soft hair cut short that made one want to touch.

He was a very androgynous but adorable bishonen.

But the impression until now was overturned by only two things.

The first were those eyes. The color was dark brown, very common for Asian people. But the light that dwelt in them, like the difference between a cat and a tiger cub, made it clear that the boy was a warrior.

And the second.

Ayano's gaze slightly pointed upwards. The boy's stature was lower than hers. But that top she was looking at was even higher than Kazuma's head.

Approximately two meters.

Held in the hand of the small boy, it was an object of unsuitable size. But even so the boy held it tightly in his small hand.

The jet black handle that was so exceeding the boy's height by that much and the silver blade stretching further was a simple and clear shape forged only for killing people and to destroy one's enemies.

Massive, sharp, piercing and smashing everything.

It was something everyone would understand only after a glance, a very long and boorish spear.

"..........."

In silence the boy thrusts the long spear forward.

Until now it was positioned next to his waist. He stretched his left foot back on grand scale.

Without saying anything he only did that. But only by doing that the spear that until now seemed disproportionate turned one with the boy as if it were so from the beginning.

"Kuuh-------!"

At the master posture, Ayano reorganized her confused mind. It has nothing to do with she sees.

That is, beyond doubt, an enemy.

Unsheathing Enraiha, she faced the boy. And then----- she waited.

She won't make the first move since against the spear with he longest reach. First she'll let herself be hit and move after.

That was the proper practice. Besides---

Ayano fleetingly looked at Kazuma. If the enemy is a Fujutsushi this man won't fall behind. If he would fire the same wind blades like before, Kazuma's barrier will definitely endure it.

Using that gap should be good.

''"It's coming! "''

The boy moved as Ayano expected. He rushed in a big way and pushed out that spear using that force.

Of course, it wasn't a distance the spear would reach but the condensed wind blade fired from the edge of the blade approached the two at the speed of sound.

Ayano concentrated her power on Enraiha.

If she becomes completely defenseless against the wind blade, the fact that it cannot tear down Kazuma barrier, was for her something absolute, a common knowledge.

Therefore, with all her power she trended towards the returning blade, sharpening her consciousness to the utmost limit weighing the timing.

But, that plan was wiped out quick enough.

And in addition to that by the hand of the partner she put the utmost confidence it- no, by his leg.

"Huh? "

''''Don!''''

The impact that attacked her from her right side sent Ayano flying from that place.

Because it came from a perfectly unexpected direction, she couldn't resist it.

"------ha?"

At the unbearable scene, her consciousness froze for a moment. But as she could still land even unconscious, Ayano replayed over and over the moment Kazuma's cheek was torn.

''"Eeh-------Why? "''

Her reason refused to recognize it.

That was something impossible, that could never happen and such.

However that was - the meaning of that scene was -

"Wa-------Kazuma-----"

"You're noisy, shut up! The next one is coming! "

In an unusually violent tone, Kazuma interrupted Ayano's words. Without wiping the blood spilling from his cheek and while a cold sweat was spreading on his brow.

''"----No way"''

She was still denying it deep in her heart. She had faith in her ideal, her aspiration.

But she had no choice but to recognize the result right now.

In front of the enemy's wind blade, Kazuma's wind barrier was pierced through without resisting for a second.

Ayano's face flipped up in astonishment looking hard at the boy standing before her eyes.

The boy was clearly not boasting of his power but set up the spear indifferent.

In a manner as if to say ''this is only natural''.

''"This guy, no way - "''

Trying focusing her mind, Ayano could do nothing but admit that she way yet not taking the situation seriously.

Thinking about it, it was an appropriate situation if you exclude all previous assumptions.

As Kazuma is a Contractor, theoretically all Wind Spirits are under his control. Then, another Fujutsushi won't be able to even begin an attack let alone oppose him.

What can overturn that principle, was someone like Kazamaki Ryuya who manipulated spirits that went mad and used Jutsu differently from it's root or, a Jutsushi who was by far more capable than Kazuma.

''"No way - someone stronger than Kazuma--------? "''

A chill ran along the muscles on her spine.

Without minding Ayano's disturbance, the boy pointed the spear to the target.

Without any confusion, it accurately aimed at Ayano.

"This way!? "

Simultaneously with that turned inside out scream, the spear grew hazy.

A certain kill blow that could simply pass through Kazuma's barrier.

Without thinking of blocking it from the beginning Ayano tumbled in order to avoid it.

She barely escaped.

But, as a compensation, her posture was fatally disordered. In the two seconds she needed to reorganize herself - she can die ten times over.

"Kuu"

In those wide opened eyes that forgot even to blink, the boy taking a pursuit stance was reflected.

Facing the unable to move Ayano, the boy unleashed the spear without hesitation.

"You think I'll let you! "

In that space, together with an angry roar, a gale forced its way through.

As if getting angry at being neglected on account of being worthless, Kazuma fired wind blades to the rapidly penetrating wind spear.

But, between the slashing attack and the spear thrust, there was an exceptional difference in their densities.

Not only unable to offset each other, unable to compete for even a moment, the wind blades were quickly crushed.

''"Wha.......so much bullshit? "''

At the overwhelming power difference demonstrated, Ayano soundlessly petrified.

But, without any sigh of confusion, as if expecting it, Kazuma fired the second and third attack.

When that number reached five, finally the wind spear was negated.

"........this is outrageous", breathed out Kazuma smacking his lips.

Ayano had entirely the same opinion.

By a simple calculation, five times Kazuma's wind strength - to put ot bluntly, it was a difference it coudn't even be spoken of.

"............"

The boy turned a colorless gaze to Kazuma but he immediately looked away.

As if literally declaring ''You don't exist in my opinion''.

"How cold, mind me a little bit more. If not, I'll sulk. "

But, clearly not hesitant about the power difference, with the impudent talk as usual, Kazuma started walking towards the boy.

As if brushing away the enemy approaching in a straight line, the boy wielded the spear as if sweeping sideways.

Kazuma avoided the attack by dunking so low his head touched the ground, and then from that position, a complete forward somersault.

The heel of his right leg vertically described a circle aimed at the boy's head.

"-----!!"

The rotating kick that was both offense and defense, as expected, it surprised the boy.

Although he blocked it by pushing out the spear above his head, the jet black handle bent because of the clashing impact.

"Kuuh........."

But even so, the boy narrowly survived the blow.

And then in a bold move trying to aim at the gap immediately following, supporting his upside down falling body in one hand, this time with his left foot, Kazuma kicked the boy's leg.

The boy went to his knees.

In the meantime, Kazuma promptly stood up, and just like a whirlwind he applied a roundhouse kick from behind.

"----------!! "

Swaying back with all his strength, the boy avoided the kick attacking his temple.

Greatly bending backwards his upper body, he let himself fall just like that, curled his body to disperse the shock and rotated backwards.

Taking a defensive attitude he escaped Kazuma's offensive range.

"Kuuh....."

"-----Humph"

Responding to the boy's glare full of hate, switching over to the standing in one knee posture after rolling three times, Kazuma returned one full of scorn.

Just then, the boy's gaze became even more severe.

Literally rolled in mud by the opponent he was looking down on, he was despised even more. That disgrace was more than he could imagine.

The boy quickly stood up and pointed his spear to Kazuma. He spoke in a squeezed to death voice.

"You bastard.....don't get in my way..........."

"Oo, the random attacker brat finally uses his mouth"

As if being surprised, Kazuma unnaturally raised one eyebrow.

".......who's a random attacker? "

"Look closely in the mirror at least once and see what you're doing. It would be best to repent and surrender afterwards. "

"........."

The boy already didn't answer to Kazuma's persiflage continuing fluently.

Did he used it all up or he had no intent of replying, in any case, the point of the spear thrust without disturbance was more eloquent that a thousand words, announcing the boy's intent.

But even so, Kazuma didn't lost his composure and confronted him with a daring smile.

Expecting from that attitude to have found the method of capturing the boy, Ayano's alertness relaxed so she spoke.

"All thing considered, this is rare. For you to engage in close combat by yourself without being challenged"

Kazuma's tactic was basically a long distance attack using wind blades.

But despite that his martial art form was stronger than Ayano's, which the girl found exceedingly annoying----

Anyhow, since that Kazuma was especially engaging in close combat, she stated thinking that may be the key to capture him in those circumstances but --- the answer was unexpected in various ways.

With a tendency to pout, as if sulking, Kazuma said.

"But, I can't win with a thing like Fujutsu"

".......you.......", murmured Ayano greatly perplexed at that excessively miserable manner of speaking.

"Don't speak ''''so shameful so lightly'''' you baka! Besides, what the heck does ''thing'' mean, huh!? Do you think you're at an age where speaking like that is tolerated!? "

"But, you see......"

"Don't <<But, you see....>> me!! Stop talking immediately like a spoiled mama's boy, it disgusts me!"

She finished her sentence in one breath.

That was by no means something insincere, a really bad feeling was spreading on her skin.

"Well, leaving that aside"

In front of Ayano breathing heavily because of too much stimulation, as if nothing happened, Kazuma quickly regained his usual sarcastic manner.

With a light gesture, lacking any feeling of tension, Kazuma pointed forward.

"Our honorable guest is waiting. "

"Eeh? Aah---------"

Hearing that blunder she completely forgot but right now they were in the middle of the battle.

A formidable enemy like never before holding a spear hiding a tremendous power, he was only aiming at them.

But, very strangely, in spite of Ayano showing a lethal gap, the boy didn't began the attack.

As if he was waiting for them to prepare, he stood still spear ready.

''"What is going on---------?"''

Why did the boy overlooked such a definite gap?

She thought so too when Kazuma kept him in check, there was something strange.

"Just what is this boy trying to do? "

Although seeming to agree with that opinion and he was composedly smiling, his gaze was shooting through the boy without a trace of slackness, trying to feel around his true intention.

But, the boy was thoroughly cold towards Kazuma.

"I have no business with you", he coldly declared with a really apathetic expression.

At that indifferent sentence, Kazuma let out a murmur, all his <<Ki>> coming out.

"Hee----"

"-------tch! "

At that time, with the fastest movement, Ayano grabbed the cuff of his jacket.

Kazuma turned around suspicious.

"What? "

"Right now you, you just thought of abandoning me and running by yourself, right!? That's not going to happen! "

".........Not really, I didn't think something like that"

"Humph, I wonder! But for your information I'll never let you escape! We go to the grave together! "

Looking at Ayano grasping tightly the cuff of his jacket so he'll never run, Kazuma murmured more amazed than ever.

"Why are you expressly taking such a pessimistic decision? "

"But......."

"To begin with, he's not such an opponent that you have to risk your life against"

".......Eeh? "

Involuntarily not believing her ears, Ayano stared at Kazuma.

''"Right now........what was that?"''

The opponent is someone who might have surpassed even Kazuma, a Fujutsushi ''outside human common sense'' grade.

And yet, from the way he spoke just now, she didn't felt any sort of threat -

"......I said I have no business with you"

[[Image:Kaze no Stigma vol 06 021.jpg|thumb|]]

Gazing at the slightly smiling Kazuma, the boy announced for a second time.

And then, with eyes burning with the will to fight, he glared at Ayano.

"The successor of Enraiha! If you say you're the rightful owner of the flame's sacred treasure - then show that power to me! "

With that vigorous shout, the boy took an offensive posture.

The swelling power was kneaded more and more, stronger, sharper.

But, Ayano hadn't yet found the way to oppose the spear facing her.

"W- wait a seco- "

Ayano was flustered but the boy was about to unleash the spear without hesitation. ---------But, as expected Kazuma couldn't tolerate that in silence.

"I told you I won't let you"

Together with that verdict combined with a smile, the unleashed wind blade drew an arc, attacking the boy from the flank.

To intercept that, the boy unwillingly interrupted his attack.

"Kuu! Don't - "

"Of course I'll get in the way, brat! "

Replying with scorn at the gaze full of hatred, Kazuma calmly blocked the boy's way.

"Because I'm sort of this woman's guard and I receive money for it"

"Guard.......? "

The boy's pupils were turned to Ayano full of surprise and anger.

From that gaze it looked like more than the fact that Kazuma was getting in the way so he couldn't defeat her, he condemned Ayano's weakness who had to employ something like a guard.

"And with that, this time I'll be the one to start"

But without caring about such things, Kazuma declared so and then he put it into effect.

From right overhead perpendicularly blowing down, a huge down-burst descended.

the strong wind striking down without a definite aim, shredded the earth cutting everything in touched.

The soaring dust cloud blocked their vision.

While cursing the boy pushed up the spear and lightly twisted his wrists.

The small circle drawn by the spearhead created a strong tornado.

The tornado scattered the down-burst in a moment and coincidentally forced the dust cloud in the atmosphere.

The air was purified. But -

The moment his field of vision cleared, those two figures were nowhere to be seen.

"Did you run away.........?", murmured the boy staring in wonder as expected feeling surprised.

But immediately pulling himself together, he searched for <<Kehai>> in the surroundings.

After several seconds ------ the boy turned northeast with confident eyes.

However, he didn't chased after them immediately but looked up at the sky with a somewhat dark expression, starring at a distant place.

".......The power of Enraiha's user is only this much? With this......"

That figure murmuring feebly, appropriate for his age, was forlorn like a child on the verge of bursting into tears.

=== Part 2 ===

Hiding himself in a building in the middle of construction, Kazuma looked annoyed.

"Well, if we could shake him off with this, it would be so easy"

"..........."

Ayano was staring at that Kazuma with a pure white gaze.

"What? "

"I'm amazed. You said it would be an easy victory but suddenly we're running like some animal with the tail between the legs, huh? "

At that answer loaded with despair, Kazuma looked at the sky as if thinking back on his memory, cocking his head in puzzlement.

"------Did I said something like that? "

"Sure you did. That he's not such opponent you have to risk your life against. "

"Aah, that"

Quickly agreeing on this, Kazuma continued.

"What about you, ''why'' couldn't you turn against him, do you have a pretext for that? "

"Eeh? No, not really-----"

"Then rather that not fighting and thinking about dying, isn't it better to run? "

"Is that what you meant? ", replied Ayano with all her strength.

But, of course Kazuma didn't show a sigh of shyness.

Stuff like ''running away is shameful'' or ''a warrior's pride'' that's something that would never come out of this man.

"Good grief......leaving that aside, did you shake him off? "

"Isn't that impossible? ", immediately replied Kazuma extremely careless.

"It's different from when I'm alone, it's because there's an Enjutsushi with me"

The amount of Spirits that accompanied Ayano, the direct descendant of the Kannagi Clan, the highest authority of Enjutsushi was absurdly enormous even in peace times.

Naturally, even the Kehai she emitted was luxurious and gorgeous, giving one the impression it was a billboard and perfectly concealing all that brilliance was next to impossible even with Kazuma's proficiency.

Although it may be possible for an ordinary opponent, escaping that boy's eye was beyond optimistic.

"Then, what are we going to do? "

"......Why do I have to think about it? "

Kazuma replied to Ayano's question like he was the embodiment of laziness.

"You're the one he's aiming at, right? "

"But, aren't you my partner? ", declared Ayano, in a tone of declaring the reasonable truth.

Kazuma grimaced magnificently.

At the first glance, Kazuma seems irresponsible and practically he is fairly irresponsible but his his business ethic is unexpectedly high.

Dishonoring a contract was something that never happened.

Of course, that was not because of his virtuous mind, but because he had a thorough knowledge just how bad it could hurt his business credence --- meaning that the reason for that honesty was profit and loss arithmetic and yet Ayano's words unexpectedly poked at that.

"What do you think we should do? "

"Running is best"

Although turning his back to that second question he answered honestly.

"That brat doesn't seem stupid enough to attack the Kannagi Residence, don't you agree? Even if by some chance he does that, Oyaji or the Suzerain will settle the problem but most important if I take you back home my contract is over. "

"..................."

Ayano looked at Kazuma, persistently prioritizing his own comfort, with a white gaze.

But, thinking about the way the battle progressed so far, that was understandable.

To Ayano that boy seemed clearly ahead of Kazuma as a Fujutsushi.

Rather that using a different Jutsu, using the same and being defeated by a Jutsushi who has more excellent and had more talent was something she didn't thought possible.

That is to say, thinking about it rationally, that's how it is. Kazuma cannot win against that boy.

But, even though she saw this man overwhelmed in reality Ayano couldn't imagine this man lose.

The girl's belief in his strength equals to common sense.

''"It's impossible for Kazuma to lose"''

"----Say, Kazuma"

After hesitating Ayano asked directly.

"Is that child, stronger that you? "

"That brat is nothing impressive by himself"

Unexpectedly, Kazuma declared so without hesitation.

Hearing that answer Ayano felt relief for a moment but it literally didn't go beyond a moment.

"The problem is that spear he has"

"-------Aah? "

She saw it during battle - It was shown to her - Remembering the spear's tremendous power, Ayano sighed heavily.

"That was an amazing strength. That's the first time I saw a weapon pregnant with so much power"

"..........."

With half-opened eyes, Kazuma stared at Ayano murmuring absentmindedly.

He made a blatantly shocked face but Ayano, lost in her own thought, didn't noticed.

"So, what's up with that spear? "

"................."

"--------what? "

Finally noticing Kazuma's subdued eyes, Ayano innocently asked. Kazuma quietly turned his gaze away and looked at the blue sky.

"What!? "

"No, it's nothing But that spear--"

"Do you know of it? "

"That's the first time I saw it so I can't say for sure ---- it's probably Kokusen. "

"What's that? "

"..................."

From the reaction until now, Kazuma expected that answer.

He expected it but could do nothing about losing all the strength in his body.

His upper body leaned on the wall slanting. He seemed intolerably attracted to roll over just like that and going to sleep.

"Hey, what's up with that reaction? Just because you're somewhat of a walking dictionary don't put on airs! "

She thought Kazuma's attitude was an insult so Ayano sulked pouting her lips.

But, even that very lovely gesture couldn't impress him.

"Should I explain for the sake of the baka girl who doesn't know anything......"

After those provocative used as introduction, Kazuma briefly explained.

"Kokusen is the sacred treasure of the Wind. The same as your Enraiha. "

"-----Eeh? "

Forgetting her anger at those impolite words, Ayano stared at him in puzzlement.

That was something very surprising.

She required thirty seconds until she could understand Kazuma's explanation.

"Secret treasure - of the wind? Then, what about water and soil? "

"I don't know about those but Enraiha of the Fire and Kokusen of the Wind are both famous. Did you really not know? "

"yeah"

As Ayano nodded quickly, Kazuma looked at the sky.

"Study a bit more, you. If I'm not mistaken, the Fuan family from Hong Kong was supposed to have it but......."

"But, what? "

"But if that brat became the successor, it's impossible that I didn't hear of it. Did he just take over? "

"It's not something that concerns you."

"Well, that's true."

Kazuma responded to the third voice suddenly cutting in the conversation calmly, without becoming confused.

"Wha---"

But, Ayano jumped to her feet. And then, as expected, that silhouette was in her field of vision.

"Did you think you could escape, Enjutsushi? ", informed the boy coldly, holding the spear.

The self-confidence dwelling in his voice ---- when the searching ability is concerned, the Fujutsushi will always win.

Meaning that an Enjutsushi can't win.

Ignoring Kazuma who was the same, that declaration was bragging about how he was the overwhelmingly superior Jutsushi.

"Play time is over. If you don't want to die demonstrate your power, Enraiha's user"

"Kuu----- "

As if overpowered by that determined gaze, Ayano let out a small moan. She looked at Kazuma requesting a counter plan but -

"Why are you still sitting down? Get up already! "

"Huh? Aah, am I getting in the way? Well then, I'll step back a bit more so do your best......"

"Don't fall back! You should fight too! "

He truly didn't display any willingness.

"Besides, you're the one aimed at, no? He went as far as nominating you so, do it by yourself without nominating others"

"Wha---But, you're my escort, aren't you? "

"That's right. That's why, well - how about this? I'll help you if you're about to die so until then - "

It was at the time Kazuma said that in a voice without motivation.

During the time those two ere exchanging such idiotic words, the boy's shoulders trembled as he remained a spectator, without attacking.

He turned to Kazuma with a cold gaze, cold but with a something that was on the verge of boiling dwelling inside.

"''help you if you're about to die'', huh? Do you think a third rate Fujutsushi like you can stop me? "

A frank disdain thrown at Kazuma together with an ostentations derisive laughter.

There's no need to say it, even for a normal human the anger would be insuppressible.

But, Kazuma -

"------pfff"

Averting his eyes after looking at the boy's face, he made a small snicker.

"Wha- what's so funny? "

".........No, it's because I understand you're doing your best."

With a sidelong glance at the exasperated boy flicking off the derision mask, Kazuma's laugh mage his shoulders tremble.

"Even though you take the ''I completely ignore the likes of you'' attitude the best you can, since you cannot help but react to every single one of my words, well, it must be because you're young, I think"

"-------!"

Suddenly remembering what happened, with a red face the boy was silent.

Seeing that, Kazuma made resound an even lower laughter.

"You, you bastard.........!"

Grinding his teeth at the humiliation of a <<lower rank>> making fun of him, the boy glared at Kazuma.

And then, he thrust the tip of Kokusen at the man who made fun of him so much.

"Isn't this fine? Then, I'll teach you your place first! "

"------Aah? "

Kazuma looked at the boy amazed. This development was obviously unexpected.

Even though he feigned calmness and his inexperience could be seen through because he was not yet able to control his emotions, to go as far as forgetting his main purpose drained away by immediate fury, what a ''child''...

"Hey, why are you doing this? "

"Isn't it fine? "

Ayano's happy voice covered that natural protest.

"If you want to fight with me please knock down this man first, or something like that? "

".......Ayano"

With half opened eyes Kazuma looked at Ayano who declared so for fun.

But he seemed the only one dissatisfied by the situation -

"Fine. You'll be my opponent after"

Unrelated to Kazuma's volition, the stage was rapidly prepared.

"........Why does it become like this? "

The unwilling development made Kazuma astonished.

And then, as if sinking the boot into him even further, Ayano winked at him.

"As expected of my guard. Volunteering your body in that manner to protect me ♥ "

".......Well, I don't really mind. This amount is still within the reward. But - "

Unexpectedly, Kazuma obediently accepted the situation. But, as if it was natural, he didn't forget to cynically stab her once.

"If you only fight cheap opponents, no matter how much time passes you won't improve, you know"

"Uuu....I understand that but I think this one is a little bit tricky for me"

"That's not true"

"-------Eeh? "

At that declaration without hesitation Ayano unintentionally opened her eyes wide.

But, without saying anything else, with a decisive gait, he stood in front of the boy.

Faced with that attitude full of composure, the boy grimaced with unconcealed discomfort.

"Are you bastard sane? - this late in the game, do you yet not see the the difference in power? "

Kazuma replied with a derisive laugh at those spitted out words.

And then, at leisure, he took out his cigarettes and lit it.

"Aren't you talkative, brat? You'd be cooler if you shut up. "

"------! Then, you should regret ridiculing me on the realm of the dead! "

Together with the angry roar, an unleashed gale blow.

Kazuma jumped sideways in a big way, and at the same time he avoided the attack he jumped outside the window.

"Hyaaa! "

"You won't run away! "

Although she was outside the fire line, Ayano screamed as broken pieces of concrete that were flaked by the wind blade dashed over her.

But already not minding her, the boy chased straight after Kazuma.

"......Well, for the time being I'm saved, huh? "

While coughing so in confusion, from the window - it was the fourth floor by the way, Ayano overlooked the world.

There, the battle was already reopened.

But then, Kazuma was only escaping and the boy was only attacking so there was the problem that such an one-sided evolution without any change between offense and defense could be called a battle.

"Well, there seems to be a chance of success so I should leave it to him, no? "

But even so, alone, without panicking, Ayano descended at leisure the flight of stairs, aiming for the ground.

=== Part 3 ===

Facing he man frivolously smiling with a cigarette in his mouth, the boy unleashed Kokusen without holding back at all.

The high speed blow surging out approached Kazuma leaving behind only the sound of cutting wind.

"-----huh "

But Kazuma avoided it by jumping aside.

He felt the certain kill blade brushing against his cheek but his smile didn't fade.

"Hey, Speedy! Are you only going to run after having such a big mouth? "

"No, why, I have no problem with you praising my magnificent running away"

"Don't fool around! "

The boy attacked, Kazuma avoided. Their battle repeated just like that.

Kazuma was neglecting the boy's attack, without even warding it off with wind, he was just avoiding it as much as possible.

Was that the best he could do, was his composed smile smile only a bluff -

"Don't get cocky, small fry! "

"It's not over yet! "

While dodging the certain kill strike, Kazuma bragged in a smiling voice.

After repeating that many times over, Ayano finally arrived to the battle ground.

Looking at the state of the battle, the first thing she said was:

"Aah, you're still alive"

"............Is that what you say after pushing your own battle to others? ", replied Kazuma looking over his shoulder with half-opened eyes.

Pretending not to recognize it, Ayano turned away.

And then, at that time, the boy chuckled at the exquisite arrangement.

By chance the three were arranged in a line.

If Kazuma were to evade like always from that location, the wind blade will attack Ayano standing behind him.

Without being able to defend, it would be his overwhelming victory.

He cannot evade a blow at full power - the boy concluded so.

''"It's my win! "''

Convinced of certain victory, the boy dropped his back in a grand scale.

That firm posture that not even a bull could pull was a quiet, instantaneous movement.

"-----!"

Together with a soundless yell, the spear got blurry.

While breathing once he unleashed nine attacks. Of course, they were all to kill -

To offset one of the the boy's attack Kazuma needed to attack five times so no matter whether he was a contractor or not, it wasn't possible to fire forty five attacks in the space of a moment.

"........."

In front of the imminent nine ''deaths'' Kazuma showed a cold, dry smile. And the, slowly, he pushed out his left hand in front.

As if squeezed out by the hand, nine wind blades were produced.

While dancing like playful fairies, they sweetly, tenderly, softly entwined the wind blade.

The wind influenced by the strong spear was torn off, scattered and run through straight by the coiling wind.

And then, without altering its aim it soundly seized Kazuma's body, blowing through his clothes and hair, making them rustle.

"Wha---?"

"You showed me to much, idiot", Kazuma coldly said over his shoulder to the shocked boy.

"No matter how strong your attack is, if you show it many times over, I will think of one or two countermeasures.

What humans can manipulate is not all mighty or absolute.

Without even realizing that, you thought yourself invincible just because a somewhat convenient tool happened to fall in your hands, so you loose"

"Kuu......", murmured the boy in regret.

But Kazuma's pointing out was all truth and had no place for objection.

Since he couldn't make a satisfactory counter attack, he thoughtlessly despised his opponent.

Without thinking of tactics or anything else, he planned on continuing attacking with nothing but brute force but -

Everything was seen through.

He knew what happened.

Kazuma coiled wind like a screw around the spear firing in a straight line and slowly but steadily reduced its power and finally changed it into a gust of wind without any offensive ability.

It seemed easy in theory but putting it into practice was beyond miracle.

To seize them in the space of a moment - he had no other way but to intercept them.

For that purpose not only that transcendent technique that had the touch of divine work was required but the flawless reading of the orbit of his own attack and it's timing, meaning that as a Jutsushi he was completely ahead of him.

There's already nothing he can do against him - he understood that was the definite truth.

Like he was convinced of victory, he cannot pursue Kazuma who was casually stepping up to him so the boy took a step back.

While he was without reservation shortening the distance, Kazuma thought.

''"Good grief, how troublesome......."''

He didn't have the same amount of strong feelings regarding the boy.

To begin with, he wasn't the kind of opponent he had to fight hard against since the beginning. Not even when taking Kokusen into account.

Even the technique the boy was admiring, for Kazuma it wasn't he was particularly proud of.

For a Jutsushi it was natural to prepare ten or twenty Jutsu when facing someone who had a stronger hand than you.

The idiots who were under the impression of ''I am the strongest'', cannot live long enough in this world.

Without any feeling, Kazuma was simply looking at the boy's bloodless face.

He was thirteen of fourteen. Just a spoiled child.

Even if he's the direct descendant of the Fuan Family, his body is immature, his training ten years at most, even the power he can use doesn't amount to much.

Nevertheless, the reason the brat looked down on all other Fujutsushi and was so conceited to pick a fight with the Kannagi's direct descendant, what's more, the successor of Enraiha, could be only one.

''"Certainly, this is a <<handy tool>>"'', thought Kazuma, looking at the spear the boy held in his hand.

By all rights, it was impossible for him to take so much time against a Fujutsu opponent.

Kazuma was the <<Contractor>> that contracted the Spirit Lord of the Wind which means that all Wind Spirits obey him unconditionally.

But, that spear, Kokusen, as expected of a sacred treasure, seemed to give the proprietor this much ability as if it was a semi-contractor.

That's why, besides removing the seal and completely displaying his contractor power, with Kazuma's power right now, he couldn't steal the boy's control over wind spirits.

''"Getting stuck fighting that kind of Fujutsushi, huh? It splendidly wounded my pride - "''

While grumbling inside his heart, Kazuma stepped forward in silence.

But, the boy started attacking a second time.

It seems that somehow or another he didn't want to admit defeat but no matter how strong the attack, if it can be seen through, it won't become a threat.

This time it was a counter from the side. He slightly altered the trajectory of the straight going wind spear.

But, that was enough.

All the attacks he continued firing, were avoided as if it were natural, missing their target by a paper thin difference.

Without even making evasive moves, Kazuma walked straight on.

The face of the boy setting up the spear in the front, white and stiff was clear.

In comparison to that, his attack became monotonous and he couldn't handle it anymore.

The last step. He rushed into the space with the physical spear but the pushed out Kokusen was dodged. Simultaneously that handle was casually grasped.

"-------tch!"

"--------"

The power of the boy and Kazuma, one trying to draw back the other to snatch away, competed for a moment.

But because Kazuma quickly surpassed him the boy staggered and lost his balance.

"Kuh, let- let-go! "

As he immediately tried to reorganize, with the spear he seized, Kazuma manipulated the boy's center of gravity, not giving him the time to do so.

But even so, the boy doesn't let go of Kokusen - in the end, that was the conclusive cause of defeat.

If he would have let go of the spear he may have reorganized his crumbling balance but because he couldn't do that he quickly crossed over the limit and fell down.

Of course, Kazuma couldn't overlook that.

"Gaah! "

He beat him to the ground with the boy's own weapon after he plundered the right of control from him, screaming like all air was evacuating his lungs.

"Humph"

And then, even more mercilessly, he trampled on the facing up boy's chest.

That force, enough to smash his heart, made his ribs jar with a thick sound.

"------Aah? "

Suddenly Kazuma closed his eyes partly, and revealed a suspicious voice.

But a moment after he regained his serenity and stepped on the boy struggling feebly ruthlessly.

While grinning, he asked perfectly serious.

"Well, how about this - die at once, huh? "

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| Back to [[Kaze_no_Stigma:Volume6_Illustrations|Illustrations]]
| Return to [[Kaze_no_Stigma|Main Page]]
| Forward to [[Kaze_no_Stigma:Volume6_Chapter_2|Chapter 2]]
|-
|}
</noinclude>

User talk:-=TwoFace=-

2012-11-18T10:50:31Z

-=TwoFace=-: Created page with "''If I am needed please feel free to ask of me, I will flip the coin of fate to decide whether it is in need of my helping.''"

''If I am needed please feel free to ask of me, I will flip the coin of fate to decide whether it is in need of my helping.''

User:-=TwoFace=-

2012-11-18T10:48:31Z

-=TwoFace=-:

''The world is cruel. And the only morality in a cruel world is chance: unbiased, unprejudiced, fair.''
You either die a hero or you live long enough to see yourself become the villain.

User:-=TwoFace=-

2012-11-18T10:47:17Z

-=TwoFace=-: Created page with "[i]The world is cruel. And the only morality in a cruel world is chance: unbiased, unprejudiced, fair.[/i] [color=#FF0000][i]You either die a hero or you live long enough to s..."

[i]The world is cruel. And the only morality in a cruel world is chance: unbiased, unprejudiced, fair.[/i]
[color=#FF0000][i]You either die a hero or you live long enough to see yourself become the villain.[/i][/color]