Editing Kaze no Stigma:Volume6 Chapter 1 (section)

=== 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.