Baka-Tsuki - User contributions [en]

Kaze no Stigma:Registration Page

2016-01-22T13:04:12Z

Eknight:

To re-iterate the registration procedure:

*"First Come, First Served": please register your intended chapters here

*The maximum number of chapters you are recommended to work on is no more then half of any given volume

*Maximum number of Translators per volume is two

*Maximum number of volumes you may be active on is one

*This is not some Binding Contract of "I must do the work I put down here". Choices put down here are negotiable between translators (including their own selves who signed up for it).

== List ==

=== ''Kaze no Stigma '' / 風の聖痕 ===
'''Checking spelling and grammar errors and re-editing certain parts by [[User:Fallguy Sid|Fallguy Sid]]'''

::*Chapter 1 - [[User:The naming game|The naming game]] - '''(Re-edited)'''
::*Chapter 2 - [[User:erehwon|erehwon]] - '''Completed(Re-editing In Progress)'''
::*Chapter 3 - [[User:erehwon|erehwon]]&[[User:ShadowZeroHeart|ShadowZeroHeart]] - '''Completed(Re-editing Planned)'''
::*Chapter 4 - [[User:erehwon|erehwon]] - '''Completed(Re-editing Planned)'''
::*Chapter 5 - [[User:ShadowZeroHeart|ShadowZeroHeart]] - '''Completed(Re-editing Planned)'''
::*Chapter 6 - [[User:ShadowZeroHeart|ShadowZeroHeart]] - '''Completed(Re-editing Planned)'''
::*Epilogue - [[User:ShadowZeroHeart|ShadowZeroHeart]] - '''Completed(Re-editing Planned)'''
::*Author's Note

===''Kaze no Stigma 2: The Price of a Soul'' / 風の聖痕2 -魂の値段 ===
'''Re-translation and editing in progress, now based on original Japanese text instead of Chinese fan project'''

::*Chapter 1 - [[User:ShadowZeroHeart|ShadowZeroHeart]] - '''Completed'''
::*Chapter 1 v2- [[User:Mewarmo990|mewarmo990]] - '''In Progress'''
::*Chapter 2 - [[User:ShadowZeroHeart|ShadowZeroHeart]] - '''Completed'''
::*Chapter 2 v2 - [[User:Mewarmo990|mewarmo990]] - '''Planned'''
::*Chapter 3 - [[User:ShadowZeroHeart|ShadowZeroHeart]] - '''Completed'''
::*Chapter 3 v2 - [[User:Mewarmo990|mewarmo990]] - '''Planned'''
::*Chapter 4 - [[User:ShadowZeroHeart|ShadowZeroHeart]] - '''Completed'''
::*Chapter 4 v2 - [[User:Mewarmo990|mewarmo990]] - '''Planned'''
::*Chapter 5 - [[User:ShadowZeroHeart|ShadowZeroHeart]] - '''Completed'''
::*Chapter 5 v2 - [[User:Mewarmo990|mewarmo990]] - '''Planned'''
::*Chapter 6 - [[User:ShadowZeroHeart|ShadowZeroHeart]] - '''Completed'''
::*Chapter 6 v2 - [[User:Mewarmo990|mewarmo990]] - '''Planned'''
::*Epilogue - [[User:ShadowZeroHeart|ShadowZeroHeart]] - '''Completed'''
::*Epilogue v2 - [[User:Mewarmo990|mewarmo990]] - '''Planned'''
::*Author's Notes - [[User:Mewarmo990|mewarmo990]] - '''Planned'''

===''Kaze no Stigma 3: The Confession under the moon '' / 風の聖痕3 -月下の告白 ===
::*Chapter 1 - [[User:Ayame|Ayame]] - '''Completed'''
::*Chapter 2 - [[User:Ayame|Ayame]] - '''Completed'''
::*Chapter 3 - [[User:Ayame|Ayame]] - '''Completed'''
::*Chapter 4 - [[User:Ayame|Ayame]] - '''Completed'''
::*Chapter 5 - [[User:Ayame|Ayame]] - '''Completed'''
::*Chapter 6 - [[User:Ayame|Ayame]] - '''Completed'''
::*Epilogue　- [[User:Ayame|Ayame]] - '''Completed'''
::*Author's Notes

===''Kaze no Stigma 4: The Lazuline Afterimage'' / 風の聖痕4 -瑠璃色の残影 ===
::*Chapter 1 - [[User:Ayame|Ayame]] - '''Completed'''
::*Chapter 2 - [[User:Ayame|Ayame]] - '''Completed'''
::*Chapter 3 - [[User:Ayame|Ayame]] - '''Completed'''
::*Chapter 4 - [[User:Ayame|Ayame]] - '''Completed'''
::*Author's Notes

===''Kaze no Stigma 5: The Scarlet Contract'' / 風の聖痕5 -緋色の誓約 ===
::*Chapter 1 - [[User:Ayame|Ayame]] - '''Completed'''
::*Chapter 2 - [[User:Ayame|Ayame]] - '''Completed'''
::*Chapter 3 - [[User:Ayame|Ayame]] - '''Completed'''
::*Chapter 4 - [[User:Ayame|Ayame]] - '''Completed'''
::*Chapter 5 - [[User:Ayame|Ayame]] - '''Completed'''
::*Chapter 6 - [[User:Ayame|Ayame]] - '''Completed'''
::*Epilogue - [[User:Ayame|Ayame]] - '''Completed'''
::*Author's Notes

===''Kaze no Stigma 6: The Hurricane Pike'' / 風の聖痕6 -疾風の槍 ===
::*Chapter 1 - [[User:Ayame|Ayame]] - '''Completed'''
::*Chapter 2 - [[User:Ayame|Ayame]] - '''Completed'''
::*Chapter 3 - [[User:Ayame|Ayame]] - '''Completed'''
::*Chapter 4 - [[User:Ayame|Ayame]] - '''Completed'''
::*Chapter 5 - [[User:Ayame|Ayame]] - '''Completed'''
::*Chapter 6 - [[User:Ayame|Ayame]] - '''Completed'''
::*Author's Notes

==='' Kaze no Stigma Ignition 1: Ayano-chan's disaster'' / 綾乃ちゃんの災難 ===
::*Ayano-chan's Misfortune - [[User:ShadowZeroHeart|ShadowZeroHeart]] - '''Completed'''
::*Let's meet in a Dream - [[User:ShadowZeroHeart|ShadowZeroHeart]] - '''Completed'''
::*Demon Beast, Puppy and a natural airhead Daughter - [[User:Ayame|Ayame]] - '''Completed'''
::*Haunted Holiday - [[User:Ayame|Ayame]] - '''Completed'''
::*Let's go to the Amusement Park! - [[User:Ayame|Ayame]] - '''Completed'''
::*Ayano-chan's Further Misfortune - [[User:Ayame|Ayame]] - '''Completed'''
::*Author's Notes

=== ''Kaze no Stigma Ignition 2: Just my Madonna'' / 僕だけのマドンナ ===
::*Just my Madonna - [[User:Ayame|Ayame]] - '''Completed'''

===''Kaze no Stigma Ignition 3: Ren-kun's Suffering'' / 煉くんの受難===

===''Kaze no Stigma Ignition 4: All for Love'' / すべては愛のために ===
::*Everything for the sake of love part one - [[User:Ayame|Ayame]] - '''completed'''
::*Everything for the sake of love sequel - [[User:Ayame|Ayame]] - '''completed'''
::*Everything for the sake of love afterwards - [[User:Ayame|Ayame]] - '''completed'''
----
==='' Kaze no Stigma Ignition 5: ===
::*Chapter 1 -[[User:eknight[eknight]]

[[Category:Registration Page]]

Kaze no Stigma:Registration Page

2016-01-22T13:00:46Z

Eknight:

Kaze no Stigma:Volume5 Chapter 4

2015-03-21T03:28:13Z

Eknight: /* Part 1 */

== Chapter 4 - Determination and hesitation and... ==

=== Part 1 ===

Lying upside-down on the bed in her room, Ayano let out a profound breath, emptying her lungs.

Burying her face in the pillow, she let out all her power. After several seconds -

"........Stopping Kazuma, huh........"

Those isolated grumbled words, naturally, reached no one's ears but her own.

A second sigh.

Sluggishly turning around, she looked upwards. She held her hand out in front of her eyes, blocking the fluorescent light.

''"What are you telling me to do........"''

That complaint without ambition vanished inside her chest without a voice.

No matter how she thought about it, there wasn't even a particle of a chance of success.

Just who on earth will try and stop that man who snapped and lost even his discrimination ability.

Recalling the conversation during the evening, Ayano let out a third sigh.

"Do you understand what you're saying - Ren? "

"Let's stop Nii-sama"

Entering the room, Ren declared so without even the returning home greeting.

At the abrupt thing, Ayano stared at Ren in wonder. And then, she scowled.

She perceived in the boy's eyes the same light of determination just like that time.

"Ren? What happened, so suddenly? "

Close to the bewildered Ayano, Kirika pointed a sharp gaze at Ren. She asked to verify.

"You met him? "

Ren nodded in silence.

"in Shinjuku. He was tormenting a group of five <<Seeds>> as he tried to find information about Pandemonium. "

"......Isn't that usual? "

Not understanding why Ren's expression was so stiff, Ayano replied in a light tone.

But, without showing her even the shadow of a smile, he declared with serious look.

"It's different. "

He had no hesitation and yet those eyes were carrying so much concern it was heartbreaking.

"That was different."

"........Ren? "

"........I see"

Contrastive to the bewildered Ayano, without showing her disturbance despite disappointment, Kirika accepted Ren's words as the truth.

Changing the cross-examination partner, Ayano pressed Kirika for an answer.

"Hey, detective Tachibana? "

"What? "

Kirika received it calmly, sipping from the tea that got cold.

"There's nothing really to be surprised about. The likelihood of the conjecture made only changed to a verified truth. "

"Verified, you say......."

"Rather than Kazuma changing, it's more like he returned to the way he was before. Not listening to Ren-kun trying to restrain him, on the contrary, not forgiving even him if he were to become an obstacle - or something like that. "

Fleetingly looking at Ren, Kirika searched for confirmation. Ren made a tiny, but clear nod.

"Did Kazuma..........Ren? "

Faced with the impossible situation, Ayano's consciousness froze.

She couldn't imagine that.

Ayano knew best just how much Kazuma was doting on Ren.

More important than anyone and anything, almost like a beloved child.

"That.......cannot be..."

"It's the truth. Accept it. "

But, the reality was even more unfeeling. Kirika's words woke up Ayano without asking whether she wants to or not.

"Ren........?"

Trying to comfort a wounded boy or else trying to cling on someone she wants to deny this nightmare-like reality - not sure which was it herself, she sought Ren.

He was right in front of her eyes.

It seemed he drew near while she was in a daze. He went down on his knees on the tatami mat so that their eyes were at the same level and looked hard at Ayano with an earnest gaze.

"We're stopping Nii-sama", declared Ren without doubt in a tone loaded with determination.

"The fact that Nii-sama is angry, that he wants revenge is maybe to be expected. But, even if he would do so, no one would become happy. No one will be pleased. The number of sad people would only go up. "

"Aah, yes......that's right"

"I want Nii-sama to smile, I want him to be happy! That's why, that's why this is - "

Visibly overawed by Ren drawing near, Ayano shrunk away little by little.

She understood those feelings very well. Extremely well, but -

"But, how?"

If he were to say he had a plan, she wanted to know it by all means. The plan ''to stop'' that man.

If the objective was ''to kill'' it may be possible.

If she, Ren and then Genma were to form a group and attack him, a Contractor as he may be, she didn't believe he could go against them.

However - when it comes to take him alive...

Is that not something impossible for humans? Ayano thought so, very seriously.

At the very least, it wasn't something Enraiha, specialized in offensive ability, could accomplish.

" ------hey, Ayano-chan"

While thinking so, Kirika meddled in with an amazed face.

"You, can you think of nothing but feat of strength since the beginning? "

"What else is there? "

Feeling she was made fun off, Ayano pouted.

"Ren's persuasion didn't work, right? If that's the case, it won't matter what I say"

".....No, you see, I want Ayano-chan to open Kazuma's eyes with her ''''love''''"

"Sorry. That's outside my area of expertise. ", declared Ayano right away.

"Ayano-chan, don't you want Kazuma to return to normal? "

"I want it, of course I want it but do you want me to be all teary-eyed and say: ''Forget about Tsoi Rin and look at me♥'' !?"

"Yes"

"Not even if I die!!"

A seemingly sad gaze pierced Ayano, who replied immediately.

"Nee-sama......why are you saying such things? Do you hate Nii-sama? "

"This is not a problem of likes and dislikes! If I were to tell such chilly words, even the usual Kazuma will laugh scornfully! That's obviously useless! "

"It's not the usual Kazuma so it will be effective! "

"That's not true. "

Ayano blocked it all.

"That guy, doesn't see me as a ''woman''."

".................well, anyway"

Trying to avoid a direct answer, Kirika said to both Ayano and Ren.

"I leave Kazuma to you. It doesn't matter by what means - just do something"

"Yes!"

"............."

Throwing a side-long glance to Ren replaying vigorously, Ayano scowled at Kirika with a sullen face.

But, without minding that attitude, Kirika bowed her head grandly absolutely satisfied and Ren's eyes gleamed as he gripped Ayano's hands.

"Nee-sama, let's do our best! "

"................................................................."

Watching intently in silence the boy awfully full of fighting spirit, inside her heart, Ayano let out a deep, deep sigh.

''"Geez......."''

On her bed, Ayano tossed and turned, thinking about what she should do and what she can do.

No matter how she thought about it, it doesn't appear likely she can stop Kazuma. But -

'' - We're stopping Nii-sama - ''

She remembered Ren's words full of determination.

Because it's Ren, he must know about the fact that the difference in power between her and Kazuma is like that between heaven and earth, that it's close to impossible to stop Kazuma.

But even so, Ren declared Kazuma must be stopped no matter what.

That means, Ren judged Kazuma to be so much more dangerous right now. For his surroundings and, for Kazuma himself.

"What is he doing....?"

She recalled Kazuma's face from the time Tokyo Government office collapsed.

Anger, hatred and grief - a mix of many emotions and a disturbed, dangerous countenance unbelievable from the normal Kazuma.

She thought it was something transient.

She believed he already got back on his feet.

Kazuma - because it's Kazuma, he will be fine -

She believed so without question.

But, thinking about it calmly, Kazuma is just twenty two. Nothing else but what the society would call a ''youngster''.

The unreasonable one is the one asking absolute power and immutability from him.

Thinking about it, Kazuma lost control of himself before.

For example at the time the man manipulating the running widely Ogami Misao gave his name, Michael Harley.

Or like when Ayano was about to finish off Lapis -

"....................aau......."

Digging up an unpleasant memory, Ayano sunk into the bed once more.

She buried her head in the pillow and groaned feebly.

Tsoi Rin - the ''enemy'' Ayano must fight. The young lady idolized because of her death.

With such an opponent, how is she supposed to take Kazuma back.

''"Besides, why do I have to - "''

Saying she understood Kazuma's feelings was prideful maybe but she understood his feelings got hurt.

But even so, it doesn't mean he'll be forgiven no matter what.

Because of Kazuma, Nanase was abducted.

An ordinary girl who shouldn't have been involved in this world was swallowed up by the battle.

No matter what his reason is, she won't tolerate that.

''"I decided. As I thought, I'll beat him down"''

Screwing with both hands the innocent pillow, Ayano decided so.

The chances of success were exceedingly low, she didn't know the method but it was still better than the alternative and above all, she felt refreshed.

Feeling like she settled one more problem, Ayano's thoughts changed.

What she was most anxious of was the body of her friend kidnapped by Utsumi.

''"Is Nanase all right........"''

=== Part 2 ===

A heavy silence was ruling the space.

The basement of a desolated, abandoned building.

That space, primary ruled by nothing but emptiness, was now full of a different kind of silence.

The number of humans reaching a hundred gathered in the great hall were giving birth to this silence.

A hundred human beings, the silence of a hundred.

That was clearly different from the silence born out of emptiness, it was a silence that made one feel a packed reaction.

But even if it was silence, it wasn't tidy by any means.

The air, the atmosphere were were only coercing to silence the group that was gathered here by no ordinary means.

Rather, you could say it was the antipode of it. There were rare groups of people but most of them were lone wolves that seemed to have forgotten the spirit of cooperation inside their mothers' wombs.

The <<Seeds>> rampaging on the stage called Shinjuku - all of them were gathered here. Not one was missing.

Properly speaking, it wasn't a likely event.

All those people who regarded others like nothing but more XP were gathered in this place.

It's impossible that conflict wouldn't arise.

But, they were waiting in absolute silence.

Although not being forced they canceled everything else, although they weren't ordered they refrained from fights, only waiting.

Without holding even the slightest doubt about the unnatural occurrence.

Then, at this place were everyone was gathered, just one regular person was mixed up.

- No, calling her normal was too much maybe, but at the very least she wasn't a <<Seed>>.

Without putting on air, she just observed the surroundings in a casual manner.

Men and women with bad disposition were filling up the hall. Of course, there wasn't any running electricity but the bonfires placed here and there illuminated the gloomy interior.

The atmosphere was so strained that if one were to throw a firecracker in, a great brawl would start on the spot.

Wrapped around by the atmosphere of that critical situation, the girl thought.

''"I wonder, is there enough ventilation to build a fire inside such a small basement? "''

The usually peculiar train of thought. The proprietor of a mental structure indifferent to the sense of urgency even this late in the game was obviously no one else but Ayano's close friend, Yukari Shinomiya.

The insides were the same as usual but on the outside, she had a fairly drastic image change.

She wore a black leather jacket and a tight miniskirt. Stiletto short boots. She daringly exposed her legs without any stockings, producing an obscene contrast between her all black outfit and her white skin.

What's more, her features were sharpened by the make-up and that image wearing thin sunglasses changed her to a completely different person from the usually gentle girl.

That appearance wafting with aggressive sex-appeal even made those muscled men want to call her ''Nee-san''.

Such being the case, Yukari melted in the middle of the <<Seeds>> without feeling out of place and without scruple she started gathering information.

- Right now no one was talking so that means she couldn't get obtain anything.

But - suddenly, the silence was broken.

''"-------?"''

Feeling doubtful but without showing any of those emotions on the outside, Yukari observed the state of the surroundings.

The <<Seeds>> - all of them, strengthened the alertness and looked around with impregnable glances.

It seems they could feel something that escaped the regular human.

"Where........."

"Close........"

The <<Seeds>> all looking in different directions, without exchanging words or signals, collected their gazes in the same direction as if they previously agreed on.

The wall.

For Yukari it looked just like a usual wall. A bleak, bare, gray wall. There was nothing there to look at or to talk about -

''"Eeh? Hey, is that - "''

Drawing that conclusion, Yukari remembered a strangely uncomfortable feeling. She looked closely once more at the wall that was the focal point and then at those surroundings.

" - aah"

She suddenly noticed.

There wasn't anyone in front of that wall.

Those gazes didn't gathered there to look at it. From the beginning, that space gaping wide in front of that wall was becoming less crowded.

In spite of the fact that there were enough people inside the room to make one feel oppressed.

Especially carefully the bonfires were concentrated in front of the wall delimitating the space.

Once you realized it, it was obvious. That was a stage. The curtain bells were heard, the spectators focused on the stage, it was only that.

''"'This is.......kind of clumsy? "''

The straightforward stage setting, the ostentatious gap - what will happen there from now on, Yukari was more uneasy about that rather than the fact that she would definitely be spotted since she couldn't recognize such an overt abnormality.

It would still be alright if her cognizant ability was disturbed because she used some hallucinogen but the magic stuff couldn't be helped.

But, there's no point in trying to run from here. First of all she should confirm the escape route and then wait for further development.

Suddenly, something abnormal happened.

Everyone was gazing steadily the ashen wall. The texture of the cold, hard concrete undulated as if embarrassed by those ardent eyes, flickered and started twisting.

The irregular wave gradually changed to concentric ripples with a diameter of a little over two meters.

And then -

The entrance went through the undulating concrete and he - appeared.

A magician. He was looking exactly like a magician from the fairy tales.

His whole body was wrapped in a black robe. Because the robe was covering most of him, his face wasn't visible. Particularly thorough, he was even holding a curved staff made of wood in his hand.

That appearance was seen by everyone in this place. Even the person most separated from the stage could see without interruption as the robed figure's entire body was filling the field of vision.

Because, the <<Magician>> was floating in midair. As if there was an invisible foothold, it was very safe and firm.

A wordless commotion leaked out from the mouth of the seeds.

In contrast to them, frequently manipulating unusual powers, that exceedingly simple power seemed easy enough to handle. But they didn't have the power to levitate or spring through the wall.

The existence who could easily exercise the mysterious power they don't have but even if they did they couldn't possibly use - the awe and fear regarding that man of absolute strength, and then becoming self conscious of it and gazing at him with secondhand hostility, the <<Seeds>> were scowling at the <<Magician>>

The black robe calmly caught that gaze. The swelling thirst for blood was electrifying the space.

But, in contrast with that -

''"Waah - waah - waah - "''

Absolutely dumbfounded Yukari was looking at the girl standing still behind the <<Magician>>.

In an inflammatory bondage look, she was even carrying a huge halberd. Her outward appearance was standing out but because she lacked vitality just like a doll, she didn't receive attention.

Yukari knew well that girl just like her folding herself back from the <<Magician>>'s overwhelming presence scattering around.

As the close friend of both Yukari and Ayano, the girl whose whereabouts were completely unknown after being kidnapped by Utsumi.

''"Na- Nanase-chan......"''

It was Kudou Nanase.

But she couldn't be filled with happiness for finding her. Nanase clearly lost her consciousness.

The brilliance of will and life that made her who she was couldn't be felt.

Although she was before her eyes, it resembled the empty shell of Kudou Nanase. Her body trembling with resentment for having her friend looked down upon, Yukari glared at the magician in black robes.

''"That means - he must be Utsumi-kun?"''

Adding the fact that Nanase was accompanying him, the possibility was extremely high.

When she tried to peek inside, looking closely at the center of the robe, as expected, she cannot see his face.

The moment she thought she should approach a little more, bravely defying the danger, the <<Magician>> lightly pushed out his staff. Only by doing that, the room full of commotion suddenly fell silent.

Looking at reality, an extremely powerful clout was controlling this space.

"Chosen ones"

The <<Magician>>'s voice tore the silence. That voice that was by no means grand, resounded clearly to the nooks and corners of the room.

"You did good responding to the call. I thank you in place of Bernhard, the lord of Pandemonium. "

Naturally, those words stated he was Pandemonium's proxy. The <<Seeds>> let out a murmur of surprise.

"My name is <<Grand Mage>>. I am a gifted person just like you. But - I am <<Fourth Class>>"

"Whaaat!?"

Here and there, shouts of shock erupted. That was understandable. Whose gathered at that place - meaning the <<Seeds>> confirmed until now, were <<First Class>> and <<Second Class>>. The <<Third Class>> was the stuff of rumors. The <<Fourth Class>> was similar to a wild idea.

No, it had been similar. Until now.

"Im- impossible!"

From somewhere a shout of objection was raised.

"We haven't even heard rumors about the existence of someone like you! Without anyone knowing, it's impossible to save enough XP for the <<Third Class>> itself - "

"..................."

The <<Grand Mage>>'s small shoulder shook.

Hidden by the hood, his face couldn't be seen. But, it was obvious for everyone looking. That the <<Grand Mage>> was sneering.

"Bastard..........."

"For those like you, not blessed with talent, accustoming your bodies through fights may be necessary. But, I am different. "

Unnaturally ignoring the exasperated man, the <<Grand Mage>> talked in a voice full of superiority.

"Besides, XP is nothing else but the work of accommodating power in the bodies of those without accomplishments. The thing called magical power and the assimilation of it for those powerless must be finely tuned in time over and over. "

Casually informed of the mechanism behind the level up that no one knew before, the <<Seeds>> were rendered speechless.

That detailed knowledge - by far more profound than that of <<Seeds>> - was the best evidence the <<Grand Mage>> was at the center of this series of events, at the center of Pandemonium.

"But, I am different. I, who held the greatest ability since the beginning, could receive a great amount of power without any kind of adjustment and was able to manipulate it.

Do you understand? For those truly great, there's no need for great effort. They will obtain what they desire just like that - precisely because that is allowed, they are being called prodigies. "

"............!!"

The faces of the <<Seeds>> became stiff at the tremendously prideful words. And then, several quick-tempered people, threw themselves upon the <<Grand Mage>> still levitating in the air.

"Do you think we'll listen to this......"

"Don't be so cocky........!"

No matter what sort of power they had, they didn't understand. Just before touching him, a spherical field sparkled around the <<Grand Mage>> and repelled the attackers.

"There's an everlasting barrier around my surroundings. It's impossible for the offensive abilities of <<Second Class>> to pierce through. "

"................."

The <<Seeds>> - especially those who wanted to continuously attack the <<Grand Mage>> with bloody faces received the next attack back.

It wasn't only that the attack was defended against but that they received an unusual amount of damage. Those sorry states convulsing in fear were close to the agony of death.

"So, I'll impart the words of Bernhard, the lord of Pandemonium. "

The <<Grand Mage>> changed the topic as if nothing happened.

Understanding that was the main issue of this meeting, everyone listened closely.

"Three days from now on - "

In the silent hall, the voice of an oracle clearly reverberated.

"Seventy two hours from now on, Pandemonium will descend on the physical world. The location is Shinjuku Central Park."

As if giving the audience time to understand, the <<Grand Mage>> interrupted his words.

He took a large breath, and then continued.

"To celebrate the descent, you will be granted a present. Those who desire power, should head for Pandemonium. The one who arrives first, will receive my ultimate power. One no one will be able to go against. An absolutely unrivaled power. "

When the <<Grand Mage>> shut his mouth, the hall was packed with commotion.

An ultimate power. One no one will be able to go against. An absolutely unrivaled power.

- they wanted it.

At the same time, everyone thought so. They desired it. They desired it no matter what. But, to do so -

".........."

"............"

Dangerous gazes were exchanged everywhere. The race already started. Remove the obstacles was obviously the fastest way.

But - at the same time, they noticed. The existence of the biggest obstacle.

Everyone's eyes flooded with conspiring, made the <<Grand Mage>>'s body tremble. He laughed.

"That's right, I'm the one who'll win"

As if talking about a definite result, he declared.

"By kicking you all to the side, I'll reach Pandemonium first. And then, I'll receive even more power, and reach the <<Fifth Class>>"

" .......!!"

"But there is also a chance for you. If you could defeat me, there's no doubt that person will become the strongest. I won't stop you if you want to run. "

Finishing with those affected words, he shrugged his shoulders underneath the robe. At the plain provocation, the killing intent voltage rapidly jumped up.

Ignoring the piercing killing intent the <<Grand Mage>> declared.

"Only those sincerely desiring power should come. Of course, you're free to do what you want in the meantime. Pandemonium doesn't try to restrict you in any way. I'm looking forward to the time I'll fight with you. "

"...................."

Holding her breath, calmly, extremely calmly, Yukari caught the <<Grand Mage>>'s words.

Fumbling and confirming the IC recorder she grasped tightly inside her pocket was indeed recording, she took a light breath.

This seemed like the last directive from Pandemonium. Staying here any longer had no purpose.

She was worried about Nanase but she couldn't help her by herself. Deciding it was time to go, she looked once more at the <<Grand Mage>>.

"------tch!"

Their eyes met directly. Inside the hood, his lips were curving - she didn't know why but she clearly knew it.

''"Baaad........"''

The moment she sensed she was recognized, Yukari turned around and began to run.

She should have run and escaped calmly in such a way as to not attract attention but the situation was already developing beyond that.

Thrusting away those who stood in her way and pushing them aside, without caring about the public notice she ran like a startled hare.

Running up the stairs, she left the building. No one seemed to pursue her but she couldn't relax just yet.

She must quickly hide herself - whipping her body enough to breath hard, Yukari kicked the asphalt.

- and, a few minutes after.

Yukari took refuge in an inhabited room from another building. Because she was panicking, she neglected tracking her current position and couldn't identify even the buildings' name.

From the start, Yukari's strong point was intelligence gathering, but being a spy was outside her area of expertise.

She didn't know how to successfully escape while being chased, besides she had no way of fighting a magic user.

She did prepared a weapon for self defense but she had no confidence she could use it.

"Hmmm, it was too rash, huh? "

For the sake of saving Nanase, for the sake of helping Ayano, she tried to sneak in knowing it was dangerous, but, as expected, it was too impertinent.

If she were to get caught, she'll also become an encumbrance to Ayano.

".....Whatever. First of all, I must notify Ayano-chan - "

Instantly shaking off the feeling of shame, Yukari took out her phone.

She was only half-convinced before she heard his voice but she finally had definite proof.

The <<Grand Mage>> was Utsumi. She must tell that to Ayano no matter what.

She clapped the key with so much speed it left an after-print. She sent mail after mail.

- That activity continued intermittently for several minutes.

=== Part 3 ===

Since the morning the case first started in, today too, Kirika got through the Kannagi Gate on her practically daily visit.

Her work finally reached a point where she could pause and only by remembering for how many days she only took naps, the look of fatigue was engraved deeper on Kirika's face.

But Ayano's complexion,even compared to that, could hardly be called sunny.

" ---------What happened? "

Kirika bluntly asked Ayano, standing near the entrance door next to the two Deva Kings caring thunder clouds.

Normally at such times she would act amiably as if trying to soothe Ayano but she was obviously not that flexible today.

"..................."

In silence, Ayano pushed out her telephone. If her memory served her correctly in spite of drowsiness and fatigue, it was supposed to be her own.

"---------? "

Ayano frankly informed the puzzled Kirika.

"Mail"

"Is it all right to look? "

Instead of an answer, just a nod. Judging the silence as a positive answer, Kirika opened the email folder with a practiced hand.

"By the way........."

With a dry voice, Ayano asked Kirika fiddling with the telephone.

"Did you know all <<Seeds>> were summoned by Pandemonium yesterday? "

"----------!? No."

The hand pressing keys stopped, and Kirika flipped up with a face full of surprise.

Ayano waived her bangs in open despair.

"Why couldn't you lot notice something even a mere high school girl could? "

".......I can't answer that"

The origin of that information, and the guess of who the mail originator was, it was all in the log.

As feared, mails from Yukari were lining up. She read the first.

''''"Descent of Pandemonium in the Shinjuku Central Park three days from now on. The ultimate power people will finally arrived at. "''''

"........that was rash"

"Isn't it because the Police can't be relied on? "

Responding at those harsh words with a bitter smile, she read the next.

''''"Utsumi. <<Grand Mage>>. <<Fourth Class>>. The emissary from Pandemonium. "

"Shit......."

''''"Nanase-chan is sexy......."''''

".........what?"

Kirika was amazed at the suddenly queer content. As she was already reading it, she wondered if she understood what was so surprising.

Ayano explained in a worn-out voice.

"It means Nanase is close to Utsumi. Dressed in some filth he liked so much. "

"........Aah, I see........."

Not finding any other appropriate comments, she made agreeable comments absentmindedly. The next mail.

The literary style was suddenly different.

''''"Right now I am in one room of some desolated, unknown building. The <<Grand Mage>> Utsumi noticed me. He is definitely chasing me, right? "''''

"..........this is?"

"You'll know once you read"

Coldly, Ayano refused any explanation. Rather than sorrow, that face showed a different emotion -

''''"It's impossible for the mighty magical power of the <<Grand Mage>> to miss me. It's terrifying. My heart is frozen by the sound of a running mouse"''''

"......Hey, just wait.........."

".........."

When she raised her face, Ayano turned hers away. An obstinate silence.

''''"I hear a voice. The <<Grand Mage>> is calling my name. He's getting closer. Perhaps, he already found me. That devilish man is only doing this to scare me"''''

Next.

''''"The sound of footsteps reverberates. Gan, gan, he's intentionally loud. He's drawing near. He's here - In what a terrifying thing I involved myself. Dear god!"''''

Next.

''''"Aaah - I'm already broken. Someone, if you're reading this mail, tell my pet, Ball. That I was foolish. I was the one at fault for not accepting his advice. The footsteps stopped. Instead the sound of the revolving knock can be heard. Knock-knock, knock-knock. Aah, he's there. He is on the other side of the door. He's opening the door. A ghastly creak is raised, slowly. From the gap of the opening door, a pale, bony hand stretches - Aaaah, aaaaaahhhh!!"''''

That was the last.

After looking at the phone screed dumbfounded for a while, Kirika asked the sullen Ayano.

"Errrrr, so - Shinomiya-san? "

".........Didn't return to her home"

If that is true - rather than an exaggeration, this mail is true. Exchanged for precious information, it means that one of Ayano's friends was captured yet again.

"How to say it, she's a terrible child"

In a lot of ways.

Probably reading between those lines, Ayano silently flipped out.

Tearing off the phone from Kirika's hands, she threw it into the ground with all her strength.

"Are you the protagonist of some novel from a hundred years ago!? Who the fuck is Ball!? If you have time to write '' Aaaah, aaaaaahhhh!!'' hurry and run away!!"

"No, well, wasn't it because she didn't think she could run away? Besides, she wanted to at least send the information before getting caught, no? "

Kirika tried to somehow cover for her but -

"Even that clumsy mystery novel!? "

".......that's.......well........"

As one would expect, she couldn't defend that.

"But, being able to confirm Nanase-san's survival is a small mercy. That's why, I'm sure even Shinomiya-san - "

"It's not only about being alive, right? She's a woman, you know!? "

Unable to find peace in Kirika's words, Ayano repelled them with unconcealed wrath. Kirika also felt the same.

"........I apologizes"

"It's not like I blame you or anything. About Yukari, the responsibility is all hers. She was supposed to know it would be dangerous. "

Finally calming down after all the shouting, this time Ayano covered for Kirika.

"The problem is, what do do next? "

"..........that's true"

Even more apologetic, Kirika's voice became smaller.

"To say it frankly, the possibility of us finding Pandemonium in the next two days is close to zero. I think we can only try to be perfectly ready for when it descends. "

"..........."

"I'm sorry. If at least Kazuma would be here"

They both understood that was a meaningless assumption.

Ayano ignored those words as if she didn't even heard them and glared at the wall as if it was her mortal enemy.

"Yukari, Nanase......please be well........"

A frail murmur escaped.

=== Part 4 ===

[[Image:Kaze no Stigma vol 05 185.jpg|thumb|]]

Leaping through space, the <<Grand Mage>> Utsumi, made an appearance in Pandemonium's lobby. Behind him, Nanase and Yukari, restrained by Nanase, followed.

"Nanase-chan, it hurts - Be a little more gentle - "

Her wrists grasped with enough force to make her bones creak, Yukari cried and begged for mercy. But, Nanase didn't have the slightest reaction. Obviously, the force wasn't loosened.

"It's useless. Nanase only listens to my commands. ", declared Utsumi boastful.

Hearing that, Yukari demanded in a friendly tone.

"Then please order her, Utsumi-kun. "

"I am <<Grand Mage>>. I cast away my ordinary name. "

"Ordinary? Did Utsumi-kun became a priest? "

With a smiling face without the slightest ill-will, Yukari asked innocently.

Utsumi's body trembled and after a few seconds, he turned his back on them and walked out without saying anything. Without being ordered, Nanase followed him.

Obviously, since she was caught by Nanase, so did Yukari.

"Where are you going - ?"

Without reply Utsumi strutted in the big mansion as if he owned the place.

Without knocking, he opened three sets of doors and finally Yukari met the master of the mansion.

A tall man cloaked in a red mantle, a simple mask was covering his face.

For Yukari the background of the man impeccably dressed, as if he expected visitors was very clear.

Bowing her head, she smiled sweetly.

"Good evening, you're Bernhardt-san I suppose. I apologize for the sudden visit - "

"Don't worry about it. Visitors are always welcome. You can think of it as your own house. "

With a composed attitude, the master of Pandemonium bowed his head. The atmosphere friendly on the surface was rotating slowly in the space between the two.

"By the way, my name is Vesalius. It may be a bit difficult to remember by the Japanese but I'd rather you addressed me correctly. "

"Aah, this cannot be, I'm sorry for making a mistake"

"No, you're not to blame. Please don't take offense. "

"I understand. Confusing your name with someone else's was very impolite"

Even a normal human would understand this atmosphere packed with tension behind the smiling faces.

But what was there was a doll who lost her will and a thickheaded or rather thick skinned baka pretending to be important.

Irritated by what he perceived as a gentle atmosphere, Utsumi forced his way through those two.

"This is no guest, she's my prisoner! This woman became a police spy and tried to get her hands on information about Pandemonium!"

" -----Hou?"

Including light reprimand in his gaze, Bernhardt stared at Yukari. Yukari stuck out her tongue in mischief and lightly knocked her head.

"Ehe he he - I'm sorry"

"Geez, what a troublesome Ojou-san"

"............only that? "

Seeing Bernhardt who was about to overlook Yukari's deed with a wry smile, Utsumi asked in a sharp voice.

Bernhardt answered as a matter of course.

"It doesn't matter whether she found out something or not. The fact that the Police will intervene in the ceremony has already been factored in. There is no uncertainty. "

" - What if they find this place before the ceremony? "

"They won't"

A definite statement.

"I know the Special Information Storage Room's war potential. Even if this woman were to have a transmission instrument and send this specific coordinates, entrance is impossible."

"Hee.....what incredible self-confidence"

"It's not self-confidence but the statement of mere facts. Apart from that - did you send the message? "

With an arrogant attitude, Utsumi nodded when asked by Bernhardt about the right and wrongs of being an errand boy.

"Aah, I told them. Almost everyone was gathered. But, why must we be so roundabout about it? Wouldn't it have been easier just to send an order? "

"Leading people brings various troubles and uncertainties. It's more efficient to let them be independent. "

"Independence! Independence? That's rich - "

As if he heard some very funny story, Utsumi abruptly burst in a roar of laughter.

"Ha ha ha! Aha ha ha ha! Bua ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha !!"

Bernhardt was looking indifferently at Utsumi, rolling about with laughter monstrously rather than lively, like he was one part of the landscape.

"Aah, don't worry about it. He sometimes gets like this. "

"Ha..........haa....."

Yukari vaguely nodded, overcome with surprise.

Not hearing that exchange, Utsumi continued to laugh endlessly.

The line of sight of that expressionless doll looked like that of a researcher observing an experimental animal.

But, immediately following,

"Oh, by the way, is the preparation over?"

As if someone pressed his switch, Utsumi returned to a normal state.

From frenzy to serenity - a bizarre change of attitude without any kind of midway passage.

Bernhardt faced that extremely calmly.

"Yes, it just became so"

"In other words, your duty is already over."

" - Hmm"

From inside the mask, the indication of a thin smile floated.

The words of rebellion impossible to misunderstand, the thirst to kill received by his body made the master of Pandemonium breathe hard.

"Will you challenge me with the power I gave you, boy? "

"The pupil is supposed to overcome his teacher sooner or later. "

Yet again, with an attitude full of self-confidence and composure Utsumi strikes again.

Not one willing to step aside, their glints in the eyes gave off sparks.

"I will obtain everything! No one is able to oppose me!"

Drunken with power, the boy changed his words to shouts.

That was the signal of the starting battle.

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| Return to [[Kaze_no_Stigma|Main Page]]
| Forward to [[Kaze_no_Stigma:Volume5_Chapter_5|Chapter 5]]
|-
|}
</noinclude>

Kaze no Stigma:Volume6 Chapter 1

2015-03-21T03:00:36Z

Eknight: /* Part 3 */

== Chapter 1 - Disaster together with the wind ==

=== Part 1 ===

Completely burning and exorcising the evil spirit in a 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 short, despite accompanying her here under the pretext of being her bodyguard, he seemed not to have noticed that 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 with a pout.

"I already forgot how many times I told you this but - since it's been arranged, you're kind of my escort. Even if 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 at Ayano.

"It's because I really trust your abilities 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 normal 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 be hurt. He must be sad.

And yet, Kazuma never showed that.

Ayano was very uneasy about it.

She thought it was dangerous for Kazuma not to show others his weakness.

But, what she feared even more was the possibility that 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, assuming Kazuma would get hurt even more in the future, 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 that was pretending to be superficial.

But, if all of it was nothing more but a delusion...

''"Kazuma-------"''

Walking absent-mindedly, Ayano stared at Kazuma's back as he 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 looked so 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 more clearly, it 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, he 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 didn'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, was theoretically impossible.

"............."

Ayano unsheathed Enraiha, and searched for presence in the surroundings. As for the perception within 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 than Ayano, a boy of thirteen or fourteen.

His body, dressed in a stand-up collar shirt and thin pants, looked more delicate that his years and he 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 against the spear that has the longer 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 in- 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 indifferently.

In a manner as if to say ''this is only natural''.

''"This guy, no way - "''

Trying to focuse her mind, Ayano could do nothing but admit that she was not yet 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, in 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 was 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 it bluntly, it was a difference that couldn'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, 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 had he no intention of replying, in any case, the point of the spear thrust without disturbance was more eloquent than a thousand words, announcing the boy's intent.

But even so, Kazuma didn't lose his composure and confronted him with a daring smile.

Expecting from that attitude that Kazuma found the method of capturing the boy, Ayano's alertness relaxed so she spoke.

"All things 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 arts form was stronger than Ayano's, which the girl found exceedingly annoying----

Anyhow, since Kazuma was especially engaging in close combat, she started thinking that, may be the key to capturing 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 feel 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 while 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, staring 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 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 its 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 say 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 carelessly.

"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 business ethics are 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 is 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 than using a different Jutsu, using the same and being defeated by a Jutsushi who has more excellent and had more talent was something she hadn'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 losing.

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 words used as an 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.

"Sacred treasure - of the wind? Then, what about water and earth?"

"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 ostentatiously 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 derisive mask, Kazuma's laugh made 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 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 bastards sane? - This late in the game, do you yet not see the the difference in power?"

Kazuma replied with a derisive laugh at those words the boy spat out.

And then, at leisure, he took out his cigarette and lit it.

"Aren't you talkative, brat? You'd be cooler if you shut up."

"------! Then, you should regret ridiculing me in 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 floor.

=== Part 3 ===

Facing the 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 skills in 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 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 became 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 then, 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 too 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 lose."

"Kuu......" Murmured the boy in regret.

But Kazuma's points were the 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's wind fired 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 something 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 or 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 he 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 fallen 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

2015-03-21T01:27:18Z

Eknight: /* Part 2 */

== Chapter 1 - Disaster together with the wind ==

=== Part 1 ===

Completely burning and exorcising the evil spirit in a 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 short, despite accompanying her here under the pretext of being her bodyguard, he seemed not to have noticed that 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 with a pout.

"I already forgot how many times I told you this but - since it's been arranged, you're kind of my escort. Even if 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 at Ayano.

"It's because I really trust your abilities 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 normal 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 be hurt. He must be sad.

And yet, Kazuma never showed that.

Ayano was very uneasy about it.

She thought it was dangerous for Kazuma not to show others his weakness.

But, what she feared even more was the possibility that 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, assuming Kazuma would get hurt even more in the future, 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 that was pretending to be superficial.

But, if all of it was nothing more but a delusion...

''"Kazuma-------"''

Walking absent-mindedly, Ayano stared at Kazuma's back as he 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 looked so 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 more clearly, it 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, he 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 didn'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, was theoretically impossible.

"............."

Ayano unsheathed Enraiha, and searched for presence in the surroundings. As for the perception within 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 than Ayano, a boy of thirteen or fourteen.

His body, dressed in a stand-up collar shirt and thin pants, looked more delicate that his years and he 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 against the spear that has the longer 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 in- 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 indifferently.

In a manner as if to say ''this is only natural''.

''"This guy, no way - "''

Trying to focuse her mind, Ayano could do nothing but admit that she was not yet 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, in 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 was 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 it bluntly, it was a difference that couldn'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, 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 had he no intention of replying, in any case, the point of the spear thrust without disturbance was more eloquent than a thousand words, announcing the boy's intent.

But even so, Kazuma didn't lose his composure and confronted him with a daring smile.

Expecting from that attitude that Kazuma found the method of capturing the boy, Ayano's alertness relaxed so she spoke.

"All things 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 arts form was stronger than Ayano's, which the girl found exceedingly annoying----

Anyhow, since Kazuma was especially engaging in close combat, she started thinking that, may be the key to capturing 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 feel 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 while 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, staring 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 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 its 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 say 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 carelessly.

"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 business ethics are 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 is 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 than using a different Jutsu, using the same and being defeated by a Jutsushi who has more excellent and had more talent was something she hadn'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 losing.

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 words used as an 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.

"Sacred treasure - of the wind? Then, what about water and earth?"

"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 ostentatiously 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 derisive mask, Kazuma's laugh made 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 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 bastards sane? - This late in the game, do you yet not see the the difference in power?"

Kazuma replied with a derisive laugh at those words the boy spat out.

And then, at leisure, he took out his cigarette and lit it.

"Aren't you talkative, brat? You'd be cooler if you shut up."

"------! Then, you should regret ridiculing me in 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 floor.

=== Part 3 ===

Facing the 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 skills in 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 became 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 then, 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 too 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 lose."

"Kuu......" Murmured the boy in regret.

But Kazuma's points were the 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's wind fired 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 something 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 he 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 fallen 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]]
|-
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Kaze no Stigma:Volume6 Chapter 1

2015-03-20T22:31:42Z

Eknight: /* Part 1 */

== Chapter 1 - Disaster together with the wind ==

=== Part 1 ===

Completely burning and exorcising the evil spirit in a 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 short, despite accompanying her here under the pretext of being her bodyguard, he seemed not to have noticed that 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 with a pout.

"I already forgot how many times I told you this but - since it's been arranged, you're kind of my escort. Even if 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 at Ayano.

"It's because I really trust your abilities 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 normal 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 be hurt. He must be sad.

And yet, Kazuma never showed that.

Ayano was very uneasy about it.

She thought it was dangerous for Kazuma not to show others his weakness.

But, what she feared even more was the possibility that 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, assuming Kazuma would get hurt even more in the future, 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 that was pretending to be superficial.

But, if all of it was nothing more but a delusion...

''"Kazuma-------"''

Walking absent-mindedly, Ayano stared at Kazuma's back as he 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 looked so 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 more clearly, it 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, he 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 didn'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, was theoretically impossible.

"............."

Ayano unsheathed Enraiha, and searched for presence in the surroundings. As for the perception within 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 than Ayano, a boy of thirteen or fourteen.

His body, dressed in a stand-up collar shirt and thin pants, looked more delicate that his years and he 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 against the spear that has the longer 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 in- 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 indifferently.

In a manner as if to say ''this is only natural''.

''"This guy, no way - "''

Trying to focuse her mind, Ayano could do nothing but admit that she was not yet 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, in 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 was 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 it bluntly, it was a difference that couldn'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, 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 had he no intention of replying, in any case, the point of the spear thrust without disturbance was more eloquent than a thousand words, announcing the boy's intent.

But even so, Kazuma didn't lose his composure and confronted him with a daring smile.

Expecting from that attitude that Kazuma found the method of capturing the boy, Ayano's alertness relaxed so she spoke.

"All things 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 arts form was stronger than Ayano's, which the girl found exceedingly annoying----

Anyhow, since Kazuma was especially engaging in close combat, she started thinking that, may be the key to capturing 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 feel 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 while 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, staring 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 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 its 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 say 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 carelessly.

"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 ethics are 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 is 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 hadn'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 losing.

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 words used as an 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.

"Sacred treasure - of the wind? Then, what about water and earth?"

"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 ostentatiously 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 derisive mask, Kazuma's laugh made 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 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 bastards sane? - This late in the game, do you yet not see the the difference in power?"

Kazuma replied with a derisive laugh at those words the boy spat out.

And then, at leisure, he took out his cigarette and lit it.

"Aren't you talkative, brat? You'd be cooler if you shut up."

"------! Then, you should regret ridiculing me in 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 floor.

=== Part 3 ===

Facing the 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 skills in 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 became 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 then, 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 too 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 lose."

"Kuu......" Murmured the boy in regret.

But Kazuma's points were the 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's wind fired 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 something 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 he 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 fallen 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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Kaze no Stigma

2015-03-20T06:28:51Z

Eknight: /* Kaze no Stigma Ignition 6: A secret relationship / ヒミツのカンケイ */

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{{Status|Active}}

[[Image:KnS.jpg|300px|thumb|Title Image]]
 
Kaze no Stigma (風の聖痕, Kaze no Stigma lit. Stigma of the Wind)

Also available in the following languages:

*[[Kaze no Stigma - Français|French (Français)]]
*[[Kaze no Stigma ~Spanish~|Spanish (Español)]]

(Note: Translation varies for each version)
 

== Story Synopsis ==

Four years ago, Kannagi Kazuma was defeated by his cousin Kannagi Ayano for the right to be the successor of Enraiha, a sword passed down in the Kannagi family. His defeat, along with his lack of talent for En-Jutsu (The fire arts, and is also the Kannagi Clan's specialty), resulted in his banishment from the family. Now, Kazuma returns as Yagami Kazuma, a skilled master of Fuu-Jutsu (the wind arts). At the same time, a number of murders at the Kannagi residence perpetrated by a powerful Fuujutsu-shi cast suspicion on him. (from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kaze_no_Stigma)

== Translation ==

=== [[Kaze_no_Stigma:Registration Page|Registration]] ===

Those who wish to contribute are asked to first notify a supervisor beforehand.

'''Translators are asked to [[Kaze_no_Stigma:Registration Page|register]] which chapters they're working on'''

=== Help Needed ===
'''If you are interested in this series and would like to help, feel free to join. We urgently need more Translators, Editors, and Staff. So please help.''' (Pop a message at the forums.)

=== Format Standards ===
'''Every Chapter (after editing) must conform to the agreed points highlighted in the below guidelines'''
*[[Format_guideline|General Format/Style Guideline]]

Some of these chapters are translations of the '''Chinese edition''' of the novels, which are known to have some minor mistakes compared to the original Japanese text. If you have access to the originals and you spot an error, '''please feel free to make the corrections yourself''' - this is a Wiki which means it's meant for anyone to fix things (and if you screw up, we can revert back your changes if all deem necessary). We can see the corrections you make, so just go ahead instead of hiding or waiting for permission.

== Updates ==
* 4 September 2014 - Ignition 2 Chapter 3 Completed
* 2 August - Ignition 2 Chapter 1 Completed
* 27 July 2014 - Ignition 1 Completed

It is with sadness we report that Yamato Takahiro, the author of ''Kaze no Stigma'', passed away on July 20, 2009. While dedicated fans will continue to translate this series, there will likely be no new ''Kaze no Stigma'' material published in the foreseeable future, and to date the story remains incomplete at six main volumes and six short story collections.

{{:Kaze_no_Stigma:Updates}}

Older updates can be found on the [[Kaze no Stigma:Updates|Kaze no Stigma Updates page]].

== The ''Kaze no Stigma'' series, by Takahiro Yamato ==
These are the main story novels.
Please visit here to get full volumes in ([https://www.mediafire.com/myfiles.php#3ji2odot64rge MOBI]) format

=== ''Kaze no Stigma'' / 風の聖痕 [[Kaze_no_Stigma:Volume1|(Full Text)]]===
::*[[Kaze_no_Stigma:Volume1_Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]
::*[[Kaze_no_Stigma:Volume1_Chapter1|Chapter 1 - The Disinherited Son Returns]]
::*[[Kaze_no_Stigma:Volume1_Chapter2|Chapter 2 - The Sudden Disaster]]
::*[[Kaze_no_Stigma:Volume1_Chapter3|Chapter 3 - A Battle with the Past]]
::*[[Kaze_no_Stigma:Volume1_Chapter4|Chapter 4 - Returning to Visit, and Then——]]
::*[[Kaze_no_Stigma:Volume1_Chapter5|Chapter 5 - Rescue]]
::*[[Kaze_no_Stigma:Volume1_Chapter6|Chapter 6 - Decisive Battle]]
::*[[Kaze_no_Stigma:Volume1_Epilogue|Epilogue]]
::*Author's Note
::*Author's Commentaries
::*[[Kaze_no_Stigma:Volume1_Translator's_Notes|Translator's Notes and References]]

===''Kaze no Stigma 2: The Price of a Soul'' / 風の聖痕2 -魂の値段 [[Kaze_no_Stigma:Volume2|(Full Text)]]===
::*[[Kaze_no_Stigma:Volume2_Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]
::*[[Kaze_no_Stigma:Volume2_Chapter 1|Chapter 1 - Banquet for Victory -The Chosen Ones-]]
::*[[Kaze_no_Stigma:Volume2_Chapter 2|Chapter 2 - Assault -Determination After Removing All Doubts-]]
::*[[Kaze_no_Stigma:Volume2_Chapter 3|Chapter 3 - Friendship -Contributions and Mistakes-]]
::*[[Kaze_no_Stigma:Volume2_Chapter 4|Chapter 4 - Fall -The Price of Power-]]
::*[[Kaze_no_Stigma:Volume2_Chapter 5|Chapter 5 - Fall Part Two -The Price of Soul-]]
::*[[Kaze_no_Stigma:Volume2_Chapter 6|Chapter 6 - Finale -The Brave and Selfless Rescuer-]]
::*[[Kaze_no_Stigma:Volume2_Epilogue|Epilogue]]
::*Author's Note
::*[[Kaze_no_Stigma:Volume2_Translator%27s_Notes|Translator's Notes and References]]

===''Kaze no Stigma 3: The Confession Under the Moon '' / 風の聖痕3 -月下の告白 [[Kaze_no_Stigma:Volume3|(Full Text)]] ===
::*[[Kaze_no_Stigma:Volume3_Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]
::*[[Kaze_no_Stigma:Volume3_Chapter 1|Chapter 1 - Meeting underneath the moonlight-]]
::*[[Kaze_no_Stigma:Volume3_Chapter 2|Chapter 2 - Small client-]]
::*[[Kaze_no_Stigma:Volume3_Chapter 3|Chapter 3 - The person one must protect]]
::*[[Kaze_no_Stigma:Volume3_Chapter 4|Chapter 4 - Each and everyone's determination]]
::*[[Kaze_no_Stigma:Volume3_Chapter 5|Chapter 5 - Dreams and reality]]
::*[[Kaze_no_Stigma:Volume3_Chapter 6|Chapter 6 - Confession underneath the moonlight]]
::*[[Kaze_no_Stigma:Volume3_Epilogue|Epilogue]]

===''Kaze no Stigma 4: The Lazuline Afterimage '' / 風の聖痕4 -瑠璃色の残影 [[Kaze_no_Stigma:Volume4|(Full Text)]] ===
::*[[Kaze_no_Stigma:Volume4_Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]
::*[[Kaze_no_Stigma:Volume4_Chapter 1|Chapter 1 - A certain cameraman's day]]
::*[[Kaze_no_Stigma:Volume4_Chapter 2|Chapter 2 - How to defeat a magician]]
::*[[Kaze_no_Stigma:Volume4_Chapter 3|Chapter 3 - Shinjuku RPG]]
::*[[Kaze_no_Stigma:Volume4_Chapter 4|Chapter 4 - The maiden from the days of yore]]
::*Epilogue

===''Kaze no Stigma 5: The Scarlet Contract'' / 風の聖痕5 -緋色の誓約 [[Kaze_no_Stigma:Volume5|(Full Text)]] ===
::*[[Kaze_no_Stigma:Volume5_Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]
::*[[Kaze_no_Stigma:Volume5_Chapter 1|Chapter 1 - Signs of rematch]]
::*[[Kaze_no_Stigma:Volume5_Chapter 2|Chapter 2 - The mad Fūjutsushi]]
::*[[Kaze_no_Stigma:Volume5_Chapter 3|Chapter 3 - The ones doing secret maneuvers]]
::*[[Kaze_no_Stigma:Volume5_Chapter 4|Chapter 4 - Determination and hesitation and...]]
::*[[Kaze_no_Stigma:Volume5_Chapter 5|Chapter 5 - Suppression]]
::*[[Kaze_no_Stigma:Volume5_Chapter 6|Chapter 6 - The end of the feast]]
::*[[Kaze_no_Stigma:Volume5_Epilogue|Epilogue]]

===''Kaze no Stigma 6: The Hurricane Pike'' / 風の聖痕6 -疾風の槍 [[Kaze_no_Stigma:Volume6|(Full Text)]] ===
::*[[Kaze_no_Stigma:Volume6_Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]
::*[[Kaze_no_Stigma:Volume6_Chapter 1|Chapter 1 - Disaster together with the wind]]
::*[[Kaze_no_Stigma:Volume6_Chapter 2|Chapter 2 - Water and earth raiders]]
::*[[Kaze_no_Stigma:Volume6_Chapter 3|Chapter 3 - At the Kannagi residence]]
::*[[Kaze_no_Stigma:Volume6_Chapter 4|Chapter 4 - The way an avenger ought to be]]
::*[[Kaze_no_Stigma:Volume6_Chapter 5|Chapter 5 - What is eaten]]
::*[[Kaze_no_Stigma:Volume6_Chapter 6|Chapter 6 - Final Chapter]]

== ''Kaze no Stigma - Ignition '' ==
These are the side stories of the novel.

==='' Kaze no Stigma Ignition 1: Ayano-chan's Misfortune'' / 綾乃ちゃんの災難 ===
::*[[Kaze_no_Stigma:Ignition_Volume1_Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]
::*[[Kaze_no_Stigma:Ignition_Volume1_Chapter 1|Chapter 1 - Ayano-chan's Misfortune]]
::*[[Kaze_no_Stigma:Ignition_Volume1_Chapter 2|Chapter 2 - Let's meet in a Dream]]
::*[[Kaze_no_Stigma:Ignition_Volume1_Chapter 3|Chapter 3 - Demon Beast, Puppy and a natural airhead Daughter]]
::*[[Kaze_no_Stigma:Ignition_Volume1_Chapter 4|Chapter 4 - Haunted Holiday]]
::*[[Kaze_no_Stigma:Ignition_Volume1_Chapter 5|Chapter 5 - Let's go to the Amusement Park!]]
::*[[Kaze_no_Stigma:Ignition_Volume1_Chapter 6|Chapter 6 - Ayano-chan's Further Misfortune]]
::*Epilogue

=== ''Kaze no Stigma Ignition 2: Just my Madonna'' / 僕だけのマドンナ ===
::*[[Kaze_no_Stigma:Ignition_Volume2_Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]
::*[[Kaze_no_Stigma:Ignition_Volume2_Chapter 1|Chapter 1 - Just my Madonna]]
::*Chapter 2 - Someone is watching
::*[[Kaze_no_Stigma:Ignition_Volume2_Chapter 3|Chapter 3 - From the passing Days]]
::*Chapter 4 - Shape of a certain Love
::*Chapter 5 - Father and Child
::*Chapter 6 - A certain Daily Life of the Special Reference Section of the Tokyo Metropolitan Police coordination Room
::*Epilogue

===''Kaze no Stigma Ignition 3: Ren-kun's Suffering'' / 煉くんの受難===
::*[[Kaze_no_Stigma:Ignition_Volume3_Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]
::*Chapter 1 - Ren-kun's Suffering 
::*Chapter 2 - The Boy From Continent 
::*Chapter 3 - 
::*Chapter 4 - Encounter! 
::*Chapter 5 - 
::*Chapter 6 - 
::*Chapter 7 - 
::*Epilogue 

===''Kaze no Stigma Ignition 4: All for Love'' / すべては愛のために===
::*[[Kaze_no_Stigma:Ignition_Volume4_Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]
::*Chapter 1 - 
::*Chapter 2 - 
::*Chapter 3 - 
::*Chapter 4 - 
::*Chapter 5 - 
::*Chapter 6 - 
::*Chapter 7 - 
::*Epilogue 

===''Kaze no Stigma Ignition 5: A happy day'' / 幸せなイチニチ===
::*[[Kaze_no_Stigma:Ignition_Volume5_Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]
::*Chapter 1 -
::*Chapter 2 -
::*Chapter 3 -
::*Chapter 4 -
::*Chapter 5 -
::*Chapter 6 -
::*Chapter 7 -
::*Epilogue

===''Kaze no Stigma Ignition 6: A secret relationship'' / ヒミツのカンケイ===
::*[[Kaze_no_Stigma:Ignition_Volume6_Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]
::*Chapter 1 - A Secret Relationship 
::*Chapter 2 - Sweet Invitation 
::*Chapter 3 - Visit Ayano Chan 
::*Chapter 4 - 1st day with Happarragi Taichiro 
::*Chapter 5 - 
::*Alternative Epilogue 
 

== Project Staff ==

*Supervisor: [[user:The naming game|The naming game]]
*Project Manager: [[user:ShadowZeroHeart|ShadowZeroHeart]]

=== Translators ===

'''ACTIVE'''
::*[[User:Ayame|Ayame]]
::*[[User:Mewarmo990|mewarmo990]]

'''INACTIVE'''
::*[[user:ShadowZeroHeart|ShadowZeroHeart]]
::*[[user:The naming game|The naming game]]
::*[[user:erehwon|erehwon]]
::*[[user:Kwok|Kwok]]

=== Editors ===
This is the Project Editorial Team.
::*[[user:Trarc|Trarc]]

''' Inactive '''
::*[[user:Hiyono|Hiyono]]
::*[[user:Nerevarine|Nerevarine]]
::*[[user:SDK|SDK]]
::*[[user:Mewarmo990|mewarmo990]]
::*[[user:Azelf and Jirachi|Azelf and Jirachi]]
::*[[user:Seanryan65|Seanryan65]]

=== Special Thanks ===

This is for people who deserve special thanks and are currently not on the Staff.

::*[[user:Trigger-happy|Trigger-happy]]

==Series Overview==

Kaze no Stigma
*Volume 1 (January 2002, {{ISBN|978-4-8291-1403-7}})
*Volume 2 (July 2002, {{ISBN|978-4-8291-1447-9}})
*Volume 3 (February 2003, {{ISBN|978-4-8291-1494-0}})
*Volume 4 (October 2003, {{ISBN|978-4-8291-1558-0}})
*Volume 5 (March 2004, {{ISBN|978-4-8291-1599-8}})
*Volume 6 (October 2005, {{ISBN|978-4-8291-1769-9}})

Kaze no Stigma Ignition
*Volume 1 (August 2004, {{ISBN|978-4-8291-1638-2}})
*Volume 2 (May 2005, {{ISBN|978-4-8291-1720-6}})
*Volume 3 (March 2007, {{ISBN|978-4-8291-1908-2}})
*Volume 4 (June 2007, {{ISBN|978-4-8291-1940-3}})
*Volume 5 (December 2007, {{ISBN|978-4-8291-1984-5}})
*Volume 6 (March 2010, {{ISBN|978-4-8291-3507-5}})

[[Category:Fujimi Fantasia Bunko]]
[[Category:Genre - Action]]
[[Category:Light novel (English)]]
[[Category:Takahiro Yamato]]