Mahou Sensou:Volume2

Novel Illustrations

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Prologue

A man was hanging in the air, desperately trying to free himself from the silver threads wrapped around his neck.

"Guuuuuh...!"

The threads were already embedded in his skin and his face was slowly losing its colors. Meanwhile, two women were watching the scene standing in front of him. One of them, who was hiding a cold look behind huge sunglasses, took a few steps back to get a better look. Her abundant blonde hair, spilling down the wide neckline of her deep red one-piece dress. As she watched, she tapped the floor repeatedly with the toe of her impeccably fine shoes impatiently. The other woman on the other hand, wore a deep black garment that covered her completely from head to ankles giving her a very religious air. The only feature that could be seen of her were her black eyes which did not seem to express any emotion.

The end of those silver threads were connected to the nun's fingertips. And the moment she heard the sighs of the woman in red behind her back, she moved her fingers slightly. The man's moans quickly turned into gasps of despair and after having been fighting for his life, the man finally stopped moving and his head hung limply. After that, the nun made a great movement with her hands and those silver threads released the man's neck and then retracted towards her, dropping the body.

"That's enough, sister"

The nun stepped back immediately upon hearing the other woman's order and bowed. The woman in red was holding a card in her fingertips, which immediately turned into magic particles and disappeared. The nun at the same instant, turned into blue magic particles and disappeared just like the card.

Once she was alone, the woman in red looked around her. The wind carried a smell of blood through the spaces between the buildings of the place. Finally, the morning sunlight had peeked through and the woman looked up to see a flock of crows standing on the power line. They were just ordinary crows. She therefore proceeded to leave the place. Suddenly, however, he felt the tips of his feet getting wet. She had stood in a pool of blood that was slowly spreading from dozens of corpses lying around the place and which she did not even flinch from observing. Dozens of corpses, most of which were children and teenagers. Her sight was completely devoid of vitality, as if her eyes were two simple crystal spheres. Then she looked up, and noticed a car stopped in the middle of a wide eight-lane road in a peaceful district full of corporate buildings. She started to walk in the direction of the car, but no sooner had she walked about fifty meters, when her displeasure at feeling all dirty became apparent and she immediately set about using magic.

"<FLOAT!>" she exclaimed.

A blue magic circle appeared under her feet, and with a single jump she reached the vehicle, landing right next to it. Inside, a man was waiting for her in the driver's seat, who leaned over and peeked his face through the passenger window and spoke to her:

"Hello, Good job...."

"Kippei, if you were watching, you could have helped me..."

Hearing that, Washizu Kippei burst out laughing and replied:

"I didn't think it was right to interrupt your fun."

The man seemed in a good mood. Even she was able to notice that good humor in the scarlet pupils he showed through his glasses.

"Hey, don't you think it would have been better if you hadn't killed anyone?" Kippei asked as he returned to the driver's seat and unlocked the door.

"I had no choice. They saw my face." The woman answered, opening the door and getting into the vehicle.

"That's why you were wearing the sunglasses, isn't it?"

"Do you think I can hide my beautiful face with these things alone?"

Certainly she was wearing black sunglasses that were very large. But, being a naturally blonde woman, she could not go unnoticed in Japan. Not to mention that her skin was as white as snow.

She suddenly, distorted her bright, luscious red lips, and leaned back in her seat averting her gaze to the window. Crows were landing on the road where there was no sign of human life. There was no landscape worth looking at.

"You even killed children..." Kippei commented.

However, in his voice there did not seem to be any kind of reproach. The woman replied:

"They were the ones I was most worried about. The summer vacation is almost over so I have to be very careful."

"I see. So it's time?"

As she looked out the window, the crows began to gather around the corpses, which she didn't want to look at so she looked away and looked back at Kippei. However, her view was suddenly blocked, becoming completely immobilized. It was Kippei who had suddenly moved from the driver's seat towards her and had jumped over her to kiss her hair. Feeling the warmth of his breath on her ear, she said:

"Kippei, do you want me to make you see hell?"

"Wow, that sounds scary..."

After being threatened, Kippei took his hands off her and resignedly returned to his seat and said:

"All right. Then let's go back to our castle, princess."

In less than a second, he started the vehicle.

"The "Sleeping prince" is waiting for us."

After saying those words, he put the vehicle in gear and quickly accelerated to full throttle. A red magic circle appeared above the car while it was in motion and transformed into a beam of light that left the place immediately.

CHAPTER 1: The Grade 1-C in Magic school

Part 1

Outside the hallway window, everything looked normal. Just like the Sakuraya Academy in Tokyo where Takeshi and his friends used to attend, the rooftops of the houses could be seen beyond the huge fence of the sports complex, and even further away, the silhouette of buildings of different sizes could be seen. Of course, if it was a high school built in the center of Tokyo, it had to be very similar to the previous one in every way. However, Takeshi was aware that all that was nothing more than a mirage projected with magic.

By mid-August, Takeshi along with his childhood friend Kurumi and his former classmate Ida, had completed the formal process of transferring to the Subaru Magic Academy.

At the beginning of the summer vacation, when Takeshi attended his previous academy to train at the Kendo club as he always did, he ended up bumping into a mysterious girl by chance. She was a student of the Subaru Magic Academy named Aiba Mui, who also happened to be a wizard belonging to <Wizard's Breath>. She showed up at Takeshi's school, because she was being chased by the <Ghost Trailers>, a rival wizards organization of <Wizard's Breath>.

Mui was injured, so Takeshi carried her and took her to the infirmary. While there, a series of events caused her to almost fall out of bed at one point. Takeshi tried to help her, but they ended up accidentally colliding their lips. Mui was so angry about it, that she inadvertently triggered magic that caused Takeshi to transform into a wizard.

Wizards, are people capable of using magical power which they can visualize in the form of particles of light. When a person is still in his growth stage, he is able to manifest his magical power by simply exposing himself to the magic of another person.

Having been turned into a wizard by Mui, Takeshi was caught in her crossfire against <the Trailers>, and consequently, his childhood friend Isoshima Kurumi and his classmate Ida Kazumi were also turned into wizards. Because of all the above mentioned, Takeshi and his friends had to be taken to the Subaru Magic Academy under the authorization of the headmistress, and it was decided that they would have to be transferred to that place.

While walking in a lonely corridor during the summer vacation, Takeshi looked at his hands. He still couldn't believe that he had become a wizard. Certainly his magic had been awakened. He didn't believe much in being tricked by his own mind and besides, everything he did actually happened, so the whole becoming a wizard thing wasn't a lie. He had traveled through a mirror from his world - which he called "Living World" - to the Subaru Magic Academy, located on a plane they called "Collapsed World". It was hard to believe that it was all just a dream.

Takeshi had already been living in the dormitories of the academy for two weeks. Every time he went to sleep, he feared that when he woke up, he would find himself in his usual room. But so far, that had not happened. There couldn't possibly be such a long dream, so what she was experiencing had to be reality.

When Takeshi opened the door to his classroom at the end of the hallway, a familiar face quickly turned to look at him. She was the only person in the classroom.

"Morning, Takeshi...."

"Morning, Isoshima...."

Kurumi was leaning right in front of the teacher's desk when she saw Takeshi she smiled. He smiled too and when he approached her, she stood up and stretched out her arms.

"Look, Takeshi. Now I have a new uniform."

Kurumi spun around and blinked happily.

"Oh, nice."

Since the Subaru Magic Academy uniform Kurumi wore was the same one Mui wore, he wasn't particularly surprised. It was a white short-sleeved blouse with navy blue stripes, a green checkered ribbon at the neck and a pleated skirt. Takeshi had also been sent to the dorm with his new uniform the night before, but he didn't seem to have any intention of wearing it yet.

Kurumi was standing in front of a desk, attentively waiting for Takeshi's opinion about her new Magic Academy uniform.

In Takeshi's eyes it was not much different from the previous one, but he was aware of Kurumi's feelings, so he replied:

"You are beautiful Isoshima.Whatever you wear will look good on you."

Takeshi gave with a smile and all, but Kurumi looked clearly disappointed.

"So it doesn't matter what I wear, huh?"

To Kurumi, hearing that was like telling her that everything she wears is the same, but obviously, Takeshi wasn't able to notice that detail. After a while, Mui entered the hall ahead of Ida who was peeking in at the entrance at the time. She had been staying in the dormitories and had come early to the academy to water the plants for the garden club. As she had just finished watering the plants, she was wearing a slightly wet uniform.

"Kurumi, your previous school's uniform was nice, but the magic academy uniform looks much better on you." Mui commented with a smile.

However, in response to Mui's smile, Kurumi made a disgusted face. Obviously, Kurumi didn't like Mui in the least, and much to her misfortune, they had both been assigned to the same room so they were now dorm mates. Previously, Mui was part of an elite group within the top class, which had been selected by the academy based on a score chart. However, because she ran away from the academy to look for her older brother who was rumored to have joined <the Trailers>, and also for turning Takeshi into a wizard and involving him in the feud, she ended up being demoted to the C class. The lowest of all. In addition, her private dormitory was taken away from her and she was moved to a shared one.

When Kurumi entered what was supposed to be her room, she almost had a heart attack when she found Mui there and realized that she would have to share a room with her. It was horrible to have to see her face at school, to someone he didn't like and now he would have to share a room with her. What bothered him the most, was that Mui didn't react to his provocations.

Takeshi saw Kurumi as someone quite interesting, as he had never had friends before and therefore had no experience dealing with other girls his own age. In the case of boys, it was worse because she would not even allow them to approach her. When she was an elementary and even high school student, she used to be constantly besieged by men of all ages. From students to mature, salaried men. Therefore, being a victim of harassment, she developed repulsion towards men. In the case of girls, it happened that she could not make friends because the others were always overwhelmed by her beauty and used to attack her and talk bad about her behind her back. However, ever since she arrived at the Magic Academy, Mui hadn't stopped trying to converse with her despite her hostility. That had Kurumi very overwhelmed and she didn't know how to act. At that moment the same thing was happening.

"I don't care what you say." Kurumi replied to Mui.

Despite being praised for her uniform, Kurumi looked away in disgust.

"But you really look good," Mui insisted crestfallen and then added:

"You are tall and thin and that's why the uniform looks perfect on you. I, on the other hand, am short and on top of that I think I'm shrinking more."

After listening to Mui explain her problems, Kurumi returned her gaze to Mui and replied:

"Well, I'm worried about being tall..."

"Huh? Really? But you look cool..." Mui replied.

"'Cool' is not a suitable compliment for a girl." Kurumi refuted.

"Huh? But being cool isn't bad at all, is it, Takeshi-kun?"

Takeshi flinched at that moment when he heard his name and replied:

"Huh? Aah yeah, that's right..."

Hearing that, Kurumi quickly asked Takeshi:

"Ta... Takeshi... Do you like girls who are cool?"

"Well, that's not what I meant..."

Mui had entered the conversation without Kurumi noticing and the balance had become strange.

"I knew it, Mui and Isohsima can become good friends," Takeshi thought.

He and Kurumi were childhood friends, but he was worried that she didn't have friends of the same sex. She said she didn't mind having more friends, but that wasn't true. When classes ended for the lunch break, Kurumi would always run to find Takeshi and stay with him for long stretches. Since she was a victim of a stalker and got Takeshi to become her fake boyfriend, her attitude got even worse, because whenever Takeshi was talking to his friends, even if they were boys, she would interrupt. Her friends had told her several times that she should make Kurumi see what she was doing. Many of them had been annoyed by her attitude.

As her childhood friend, Takeshi was happy that she trusted him, but he, too, liked to get along and talk with other people, and he wanted her to get along with Mui. However, the situation was critical, as no matter how hard Mui tried, Kurumi simply would not agree.

"It will take a while for Isoshima to open her mind," He mused.

Takeshi let out a faint sigh, which Kurumi immediately noticed with great astonishment and asked frontally:

"You seem to like 'cute' girls instead of just 'cool' ones, don't you Takeshi?"

However, it wasn't Takeshi who answered:

"For me, anyone would be fine..."

The classroom door opened and in walked Ida Kazumi, with his bristly blonde hair wearing a flashy T-shirt and his bag on his shoulder (which she possibly wasn't carrying anything as usual).

"I didn't ask you..." Kurumi exclaimed.

Ida shrugged his shoulders and replied:

"What's wrong? It's too early in the morning to be so grumpy. Although, angry girls are the ones I like the most."

"I don't mind that in the least." Kurumi reiterated.

Then Ida placed his bag on the seat behind the angry Kurumi and sat down. Almost at the same time, a supplementary class teacher entered the classroom through the main door.

"All right, I'll be with you today too. So let's start the class."

The teacher was a lady with short white hair.

During the summer vacations, Takeshi and the others were scheduled to take summer classes, and that day also had classes on the history of magic. The reason for that, was that the headmistress told them to take only the basic part of the magic classes that had been taught during the first term, in the form of supplementary classes.

It was already said that they would be joining the advanced course of the first year C class starting in September. Takeshi then took a seat and pulled out his new textbook on "History of Magic". Mui for his part turned at that moment towards the exit and said:

"Well, I think I'll head back to the dorms. Good luck, guys."

Mui waved her hand goodbye and Takeshi nodded and said:

"Yes, thanks."

"See you later..." Said Ida waving hand.

Only Kurumi didn't say goodbye to her and instead turned away.

Part 2

Summer vacation was over faster than expected.

"Last year, I had to kill time in the library when the dojo was closed."

Takeshi recalled in his room, as he contemplated the magical academy uniform he planned to wear the next day. His room was a double, but the left side of it was still empty at the moment. Ida was supposed to be his partner, but he decided that he would attend the academy from home due to the family circumstances he had outlined earlier. Therefore, Takeshi was alone in a double room. The new semester would start the next day. Takeshi didn't know whether he felt excited or worried. The only thing certain was that he felt uncomfortable.

"I don't think it's going to be that bad...", He thought.

However, Takeshi was relieved that he didn't have to go back home where he would have to run into Gekkou and his parents. Just thinking about how his situation was before arriving at the academy, his countenance fell. In his own home, Takeshi did not have the same value as outside. There, he was like air, like a shadow or a ghost. He lived even holding his breath so as not to disturb his family. But all that - according to him - was his fault and he couldn't help it. Two years ago, Takeshi had pushed his younger brother Gekkou into the road. It was possibly just an accident, though. To tell the truth, Takeshi didn't remember very well what happened in that instant, but what he did remember, was that just before that, he and Gekkou were arguing. Now, Gekkou's leg had an injury that would never heal. For that reason, Gekkou became a priority for his parents and Takeshi, on the contrary, became totally irrelevant. No matter how hard Takeshi tried to talk, he received no response. The cold silence he received in response became unbearable and therefore, he preferred to avoid his family altogether.

"I wonder what my family must have thought of my transfer?"

Despite everything that had happened, he did not speak to his family. It was an employee of the academy who came and told his mother and although he told that he would stay in the dormitories, she showed no reaction. With his father they didn't even talk because he was so busy at work that he could hardly be seen at home. As for Gekkou, she simply could not talk to him about the transfer or that she would be staying in the dormitories. She had time to tell him, but simply couldn't bring herself to do it. Thinking about the fact that he would be ignored as usual, that he was sure to receive a cold stare, made his heart freeze and so his voice wouldn't come out and his body was paralyzed.

"Maybe things will change after some time," Takeshi thought.

Even if Gekkou didn't forgive him, Takeshi had the expectation that his grudge would diminish.

"Gekkou is going to feel at ease now that I'm gone, and that's good."

While talking to himself, Takeshi arranged himself on the bed. Unlike his home, there he could hear both the voice and the noise made by other people coming from various directions. It was already ten o'clock at night and the dormitory supervisor had had to go to make a call because it was already bedtime and the students who had just returned from their houses to start the second semester were still chattering away in high spirits. Takeshi, for his part, had already gone out to greet his neighbors in the rooms on either side of his and those across the hall where he met someone who would be in his class, so he was relieved. Even knowing they were wizards, everyone there talked like any normal high school student. Although some seemed to be maintaining their firearms in their room and others had strange animal ears on their heads, other than that everything was normal.

Part 3

Summer vacation was over faster than expected.

"Last year, I had to kill time in the library when the dojo was closed."

Takeshi recalled in his room, as he contemplated the magical academy uniform he planned to wear the next day. His room was a double, but the left side of it was still empty at the moment. Ida was supposed to be his partner, but he decided that he would attend the academy from home due to the family circumstances he had outlined earlier. Therefore, Takeshi was alone in a double room. The new semester would start the next day. Takeshi didn't know whether he felt excited or worried. The only thing certain was that he felt uncomfortable.

"I don't think it's going to be that bad..." He thought.

However, Takeshi was relieved that he didn't have to go back home where he would have to run into Gekkou and his parents. Just thinking about how his situation was before arriving at the academy, his countenance fell. In his own home, Takeshi did not have the same value as outside. There, he was like air, like a shadow or a ghost. He lived even holding his breath so as not to disturb his family. But all that - according to him - was his fault and he couldn't help it. Two years ago, Takeshi had pushed his younger brother Gekkou into the road. It was possibly just an accident, though. To tell the truth, Takeshi didn't remember very well what happened in that instant, but what he did remember, was that just before that, he and Gekkou were arguing. Now, Gekkou's leg had an injury that would never heal. For that reason, Gekkou became a priority for his parents and Takeshi, on the contrary, became totally irrelevant. No matter how hard Takeshi tried to talk, he received no response. The cold silence he received in response became unbearable and therefore, he preferred to avoid his family altogether.

"I wonder what my family must have thought of my transfer?"

Despite everything that had happened, he did not speak to his family. It was an employee of the academy who came and told his mother and although he told that he would stay in the dormitories, she showed no reaction. With his father they didn't even talk because he was so busy at work that he could hardly be seen at home. As for Gekkou, she simply could not talk to him about the transfer or that she would be staying in the dormitories. She had time to tell him, but simply couldn't bring herself to do it. Thinking about the fact that he would be ignored as usual, that he was sure to receive a cold stare, made his heart freeze and so his voice wouldn't come out and his body was paralyzed.

"Maybe things will change after some time," Takeshi thought.

Even if Gekkou didn't forgive him, Takeshi had the expectation that his grudge would diminish.

"Gekkou is going to feel at ease now that I'm gone, and that's good."

While talking to himself, Takeshi arranged himself on the bed. Unlike his home, there he could hear both the voice and the noise made by other people coming from various directions. It was already ten o'clock at night and the dormitory supervisor had had to go to make a call because it was already bedtime and the students who had just returned from their houses to start the second semester were still chattering away in high spirits. Takeshi, for his part, had already gone out to greet his neighbors in the rooms on either side of his and those across the hall where he met someone who would be in his class, so he was relieved. Even knowing they were wizards, everyone there talked like any normal high school student. Although some seemed to be servicing their firearms in their room and others had strange animal ears on their heads, other than that everything was normal.

Part 4

Finally, the day of the opening ceremony which marked the beginning of the second semester arrived. When the ceremony held in the auditorium was finally over, Takeshi along with Kurumi, Mui and Ida headed together to what was to be their classroom.

Their teacher was a man who introduced himself as Hitouji Makoto, who Kurumi said she had seen before and that he was the one who took her to the magic academy the first time.

Hitouji-sensei was a man in his twenties who sported an okappa* style haircut, round glasses, an all-white suit and a scrawny physique. The four were led by him to the classroom, and when they arrived, the students who were already inside sat in silence and looked interestedly at Takeshi and company who were lined up next to the platform in front of them.

"Duty manager!" Hitouji-sensei exclaimed, calling one of the students.

That student gave directions and everyone stood up, bowed and then sat down again. Something that was done in any normal school.

"Well... starting today the second semester begins. Good luck to all of you and give your best."

After saying those words, Hitouji-sensei approached Takeshi and his friends who were still standing in front.

"On this day, I am going to introduce you to your new classmates. Let's see... let's start with the girl on the left.

The leftmost one was Kurumi.

"My name is Isohsiman Kurumi."

After Kurumi's expressionless and simple introduction, Hitouji-sensei frowned and asked:

"That's it? You won't say things like 'Let's get along! ok? or... 'Nice to meet you pyon~!'?"

Kurumi upon hearing such suggestions from Hitouji-sensei, looked at him with an expression of utter disgust.

"Eeeh... it seems like no. In that case, next please." The teacher continued.

Next to Kurumi was Takeshi.

"My name is Nanase Takeshi. Nice to meet you..."

"That's all you're going to say? Ah, since..."

Hitouji shrugged his shoulders at the unfriendly couple and continued:

"Well, the next one..."

Ida was next to Takeshi and at that point he had already attracted a lot of stares. His shiny, bristly blonde hair, his intimidating look combined with the fact that he was wearing his disheveled uniform despite it being the first day, were the reason.

"Is it my turn already? Well, I'm ida Kazumi. Nice to meet you."

He might have just been nervous, but Ida's gaze looked sharper than usual. With that look, he was observing the surroundings of the classroom so the expressions of the other students looked tense.

"Let's see, these three boys have just become wizards. So help them in any way you can. And now..."

Hitouji was confused by the tense classroom atmosphere, so he urged Mui who was the last one on the right.

"Aiba-san, please introduce yourself too."

"My name is Aiba Mui."

Mui greeted, and the classroom atmosphere changed immediately. Obviously her gaze was totally opposite to Ida's, so many turned to look at her.

"Some of you already knew this, but Aiba-san will be with us in class C from now due to certain circumstances. Obviously she is here since elementary school so she knows the academy better than you. Get along well and help each other in any way you can."

With a smile, Hitouji-sensei urged the four of them to take a seat in the back and started the class:

"Now, this second semester brings several important activities. We will not only study, but also, practice together so that your control over magic will be better than in the first semester."

Part 5

Takeshi and the others, joined the C class without any particular problems and managed to catch up with the lessons in just one week. That had all been thanks to taking supplementary first-semester classes during the summer vacation. But, in spite of everything, that was a magic academy had things that were not the same as a normal academy. During the morning they had normal classes with basic subjects and in the afternoon they switched to magic classes. Even though they had magic in their body, they had to learn many things to be able to use it.

First, they studied what magic was, then they learned how to activate basic magic, then the origin and history of magic, the tone of voice to use to use magic (that was learned in the study of enchantments). In addition, they learned about the relationship of magic with space-time within the subject called as: "Areas". Then they learned how to use magic in a complex way. They were taught about "Systematic Magic" which they were taught was different for each individual. After that, there were more lessons that were to be expected such as practical training to master magic and tactical strategy for combat.

As they had learned in the history of magic, the world they were in now was different from the "Living World" where Takeshi used to live. That world called "Collapsed World" in which they were now, was a parallel world that was created as a result of "The First Magical War" that took place at the end of the twentieth century. It happened when a <Ghost Trailers> wizard named: Ryuzenji Kazuma, was about to use his "Singular Magic" spell called <Last Requiem>, which would completely erase the existence of all ordinary humans from the face of the earth. But the wizards of <Wizard's Breath> and also of other communities, reacted earlier, and split spacetime in two in order to save the world. However, suddenly and as the name suggests, this new world collapsed due to the huge forced split in space-time. Even today, the collapsed world continues to deteriorate and only the city of Tokyo remains, which is also slowly deteriorating from the edges.

That first great magical war ended after the victory of <Wizard's Breath> along with the other communities that accompanied him. However, Ryuzenji Kazuma, leader of the enemy side <the Ghost Trailers>, disappeared and the post-war terrorist attacks continued for a long time more so, the wizards had to keep fighting for countless battles despite being tired. Until one day, there was an armistice pact between the two sides where an agreement was proposed: The war would continue only within the collapsed world and whoever emerged as the victor there would also gain the power to control the fate of the living world.

<Wizard's Breath> and <The Trailers> agreed so the war was continued only within the collapsed world. By the way, regarding Ryuuzenji Kazuma, leader of <the Trailers>, it is said that he has been asleep for 16 years as a side effect of having used an enormous amount of magic for his spell. However, the history of magic teacher, said that this was only a legend and that many wizards simply believed he was dead. Nevertheless, <the Trailers> maintained the doctrine of Ryuuzenji Kazuma, always trying to pass it on to the new generations.

<The Trailers> claimed that they were trying to change the world where, according to them, wizards were discriminated against and oppressed by ordinary humans. Takeshi didn't think the idea of improving the world for wizards was a bad one. However, it was not known if that was the real story behind it all. For, although the <Ghost Trailers> were trying to instill their ideals in kidnapped wizards, the other communities that claimed to be non-hostile also performed a similar act by stealing magic.

It was precisely because of this wizard hunting that Takeshi ended up becoming one. When he met Aiba Mui who was being hunted by them and after being exposed to her magic by accident, Takeshi was transformed into a wizard. Honestly though, the whole war thing was puzzling. He obviously knew what it was all about. As children they are taught in how horrific wars are and how devastating atomic bombs are, and the misery they leave in their wake. But all that felt like nothing more than ancient history. His student life had always been peaceful and he didn't feel related in any way to that war even after he had entered Subaru Magic Academy.

Even the next day, his morning had been quiet.

In the past, he had to get up in the early morning and rush off to school to join the kendo club training. But now, it didn't even take him five minutes to walk from the dormitories to the classroom. Besides, at Subaru Magic Academy, there were no club activities.

"A school with no club activities... that's really weird," Takeshi opined.

He had already adjusted to walking around the academy but since it was eight o'clock, there were still few students. Since he got up early to go to the kendo club, Takeshi got used to getting up early and by six o'clock he had naturally woken up. He ate breakfast in the dormitory cafeteria at that time to avoid the rush hour and quietly prepared to leave for school. At that moment, he heard voices coming from the gym which was very close to the student building.

"What is that?"

Takeshi walked over and took a look from the entrance.

Inside were dozens of students from the basic and advanced courses practicing their magic together.

"Morning training!!!?"

However, as Takeshi watched intently, he heard the voices of some girls and boys dressed casually instead of in uniform, who were hurrying through the crowd.

"Hey! You're late."

"I'm sorry!"

"Is not a big deal, just hurry up, we have to find a place for training."

They seemed to be a middle school girl, a high school girl and a boy who looked older than Takeshi. The three of them walked past him, and entered the gym.

"Looks like they have morning magic training."

As Takeshi watched, those three who had just arrived late, found a vacant spot right in the middle and set out to train.

"I wonder if Isoshima, Ida and I, can also come to train at this place?"

Takeshi, had not practiced kendo recently, and felt his body was atrophying a bit from the few opportunities he had had to move it. He had a great desire to train.

"I'll talk to Isoshima and Ida to see if we can come tomorrow."

"But can we come here alone like this without asking permission?"

As Takeshi shook his head in thought, magic particles flew around the gymnasium displaying a very peculiar panorama. Seeing a teddy bear walking all over the place was surreal enough, but then he saw a huge octopus suddenly appear, which exploded and scattered magic particles in all directions. He also saw a student losing her posture as she floated upside down in the air and screaming as she held her skirt so that it wouldn't flip over. Takeshi's eyes were fixed on what looked like a circus show.

Suddenly a voice called his name behind him, so he turned around quickly.

"What are you doing, Takeshi-kun?"

It was Mui and Kurumi standing in front of him.

"Mui... Isoshima..."

Since they were roommates, it was obvious that they went to school together. They both looked suspiciously at Takeshi who continued to stare intently into the gymnasium.

"Morning, Takeshi. what are you looking at?" Kurumi asked.

Then Takeshi smiled and said:

"morning, Isoshima. Come and look at this..."

"What is it?"

Kurumi stood next to Takeshi, and discreetly looked inside the gym.

"Wow! It's amazing!" She exclaimed.

"Yeah, it's impossible not to stare." Takeshi answered.

"I wonder if it's Illusory Magic or Biological Magic?"

Surprised, Kurumi grabbed Takeshi's sleve and pulled.

Takeshi turned to look at Mui and asked:

"Can anyone come to train here?"

"Yes, Group training can be held here in the gym and also in the courtyard at this time and also after school."

"Huh? That's nice..."

Takeshi returned his gaze to the inside of the gym again.

Mui approached from behind and stood on her tiptoes so she could look between Takeshi and Kurumi. Realizing that Mui was shorter than them, Takeshi grabbed her shoulder and pushed her to stand in front of him. Mui blinked several times as she was grabbed by the shoulder.

"Hey, what kind of magic is that? I can do things like that too?" Takeshi asked, pointing to an elementary school boy who was doing somersaults while floating in the air.

Then Mui nodded vigorously with a flushed face and answered in a nervous voice:

"Y-Yes... That's basic magic, so if you practice enough you can do it."

Meanwhile, Kurumi who was fascinated by that view, finally realized how close those two were standing next to her and was dumbfounded.

"Hey, why are you two hugging each other?"

Takeshi and Mui were surprised to hear Kurumi's accusation.

"Huh?"

"W-we're not hugging each other."

Ignoring Mui who was vigorously shaking her head, Kurumi looked at Takeshi's hand that was still still on her shoulder.

"Takeshi! Touching her shoulder is sexual harassment."

"I see. I'm sorry I did it."

Takeshi quickly removed his hand from Mui's shoulder.

"Huh? D-don't worry. That wasn't harassment. You were gentle with me I'm sure of that. There's no problem at all." Mui replied.

Then, she raised her face and naturally her gaze met Takehsi's.

Suddenly, they both felt a sense of dread and quickly turned to look at Kurumi.

She was emitting a strange growl as she gritted her teeth. Her gaze lifted and her face looked like that of a buffalo cat and about to attack with her claws.

"Isoshima! Take off that face. It's really scary..." Takeshi exclaimed.

"T-that's right, Kurumi. This is not something that always happens. We're friends, aren't we?"

"Friends...?" Kurumi repeated.

The school bell suddenly rang amidst a tense atmosphere and Mui spoke quickly:

"Ah! Its time to go to the classroom. Today we have math. I'll go ahead, s-see you..."

Mui slipped out of the place when she had the chance. When takeshi was left alone with Kurumi, let out a sigh and said:

"What's wrong with you Isoshima?"

"It's just that girl was too attached to you." Kurumi murmured in a very low voice.

"It's alright. I won't touch her again. Happy?"

Takeshi raised both hands as he made that promise to her and although Kurumi still didn't change her terrified face, she finally nodded. Then Takeshi also said:

"Well, we should also leave for the classroom. Hopefully the three of us can come train together after school."

Takeshi started walking and Kurumi followed him.

"The three of us?" she asked.

Takeshi turned to look at Kurumi in a mysterious way and answered:

"Sure. You, me, and Ida too. It will be a group training."

"Ah... sure. Group training is fine."

Kurumi grabbed Takeshi's arm, and for some reason started smiling.

"You really are a rare girl" Takeshi commented.

Takeshi was confused to see that until a few moments ago Kurumi was very angry, but suddenly she had started smiling like nothing.

When they arrived at the classroom, most of the students had already arrived. Ida, however, was nowhere to be seen. He sat on the left side of Takeshi and on the right side, Kurumi sat and next to Kurumi, Mui sat and so the 4 of them were together. Takeshi was not so worried because Ida who sat by the window was always late.

After transferring, Ida was the only one who, unlike Takeshi and Kurumi, (who lived in the dormitories of the academy) had to come to class from home. Most of the students stayed in the dormitories, but Ida had a commitment to take care of her younger sister who was in elementary school, so he had to travel every day between the collapsed world and the living world just to be able to go to class.

Ida's mother was very dependent on him in that respect, because she worked as a nurse and her work schedule changed constantly. Perhaps because of that, Ida was very attached to his little sister and had become a complete "Sisicon" and therefore, ever since he transferred to the magic academy, he was always late. Traveling to the magic academy located in the collapsed world was possible with the help of a mirror. The academy had a long hallway with huge mirrors on the walls and all students going to class from home had to pass through it.

The portal could be easily opened from the living world by using the required magic on any mirror where the whole body could be visualized. In short, Ida could travel to the academy directly from the mirror which he had just bought and placed in his room, without even having to leave his house.

"Today we have sports class from the first hour, I would have been better off coming late." Kurumi commented as if she was amazed.

"Right. Sports class since morning and worst of all, it's swimming class." Mui replied.

Kurumi frowned as she was talking to Takehsi and yet, the one who answered her was Mui.

"The previous school didn't have a swimming pool." Takeshi said talking to Mui.

While he was talking to Mui, Kurumi who was sitting between them, leaned over to block the eye contact between them and said:

"Right. I'm so glad we didn't have a pool at our old school. This is awful. I don't like the idea of boys staring at me. But you seem happy, though, Takeshi."

Takeshi quickly shook his head while vaguely looking at Kurumi.

"It's not that I'm happy. It's just that even in this world the summer is hot and a dip in the pool doesn't hurt."

"Ah, I understand. It's annoying but, I can't deny that it feels great." Mui replied, butting back into the conversation and sympathizing with Takeshi again.

"Yeah!"

As Takeshi and Mui smiled at each other, Kurumi pursed her lips moodily and said:

"Well, I hate the swimming pool...!"

Just at that moment, the teacher in charge of the class, Hitouji-sensei, entered through the front door. Hitouji-sensei was not only in charge of them, but he was also a teacher in systematic magica and was in charge of instructing the students in the systemic magic he used. However, class C was different from class A and class B. In classes A and B, the students were divided on the basis of their systematic magics. But in clace C, all the students were in one group no matter what systematic magic they belonged to. That was because in clace C they spent most of their time teaching students how to stabilize magic, rather than teaching them how to use their skills.

"All right, everyone take your seats. Class is about to begin..."

When the teacher ordered them out loud, everyone rushed to their seats.

"Ida already taken too long," Takeshi thought.

Then he turned to look at the empty seat on the opposite side of Kurumi and caught a glimpse of some books sticking out of the compartment under the table. It was all the textbooks of the class that were stuffed in there in an untidy manner.

"By the way, I imagine he hasn't a bathing suit, but I don't think that's the reason...maybe he just won't come today?"

As he thought about that, Takeshi smiled to himself.

Part 6

During lunchtime, Takeshi was eating together with Kurumi in the cafeteria as they did every day since they transferred.

"Hey... I'm sorry to do this, but would you mind giving me your seat?"

The cafeteria was very crowded and there was no empty seat left. At that moment Ida appeared out of nowhere and had thrown his arm over the neck of a student sitting next to Takeshi.

The student looked up and when he looked at Ida, his eyes widened. He stood up, picked up his plate of udon and walked away. Then Ida sat down.

"Ida, do you realize it's already lunchtime?" Takeshi said.

Ida just laughed. He was carrying his bag in his hand, which indicated that had not yet passed through the classroom. Ida's appearance was so dingy that it didn't look like they were wearing the same uniform with Takeshi. As usual, he wore a T-shirt that was not part of the uniform and wore his bristly hair, shinier and more flamboyant than ever. By the end of the summer you could already see the roots of his black hair, so he had probably dyed it again.

"Well, it's just that after I took Futaba to school, I went back to bed and didn't realize I'd missed the time." Ida replied.

"Hey... Are you serious?"

"Easy, we'll go to the pool first thing, right? I don't have a swimming suit, though."

"I thought so..." Takeshi muttered.

Suddenly, Ida seemed interested in the surprised Takeshi's lunch, so he stared at it for a while.

"So there's curry on the menu today?"

Then he looked at Kurumi's food sitting in front of Takeshi.

"Fried chicken, huh?"

Kurumi frowned with displeasure.

"You usually bring a bento, don't you? Here, eat from my plate. We're out of time."

Takeshi invited him to eat from his food, but Ida shook his head and replied:

"Don't worry about me. I've already eaten, I'd better go ahead to the classroom"

"Try to get a swimming suit at the store."

"Sure, I'll see you later."

Ida walked leisurely through the crowded cafeteria. Everyone in his path, seeing his aggressive look and his blonde hair, get out on their own.

"I've been thinking that Ida-kun, he's changed a lot." Kurumi commented as she watched he walk away.

Takeshi burst out laughing after hearing what she just said.

"You're right. It's interesting isn't it?"

"I wonder if that won't be a problem..." Kurumi said letting out a sigh with a complicated expression.

Kurumi pondered for a moment and after chopping her fried chicken with chopsticks for a while, she offered it to Takeshi.

"Takeshi, don't you want some of this? I'll give you some..."

"Of course, I appreciate it."

Since Takeshi had his plate of curry with rice, he thought she would put the chicken on his plate, but before he knew it, her chopsticks reached his mouth.

"Come on, say: Aaaa..."

Takeshi was puzzled as she signaled him to open his mouth.

The problem was that all eyes in the place were on them, so Takeshi shook his head emphatically.

"H-Hey, Isoshima... don't do that."

"Ara, there's no problem, or is it?"

"Of course there is it!"

He was obviously aware that it wasn't right for a boy and a girl to do something so daring during a meal at school. Then Kurumi pursed her lips pouting while Takeshi shook his head with a completely flushed face.

"We're dating aren't we? If we don't do some of these things, no one will notice that we're boyfriend and girlfriend."

Kurumi resignedly placed the piece of chicken on Takeshi's plate of curry, while he kept shaking his head in embarrassment.

They were certainly pretending to others that he was dating, but Takeshi didn't want to show that they were an overly "lovey-dovey" couple. Therefore, at that moment he decided to mention to Kurumi, something he had been thinking over for a while:

"You're right, but... Don't you think it's enough already? We've transferred to a new academy, don't you think we can go back to being just friends?"

"Of course not!" Kurumi shouted quickly. "You didn't notice but, there's already a boy who approached me..."

"Huh? Really? Who was it?" Takeshi asked in shock, since it had barely been a week since school started. Kurumi lowered her gaze not knowing what to answer and said:

"Well... I think it was a was a second-year senpai..."

Kurumi didn't like being hit on at all and her expression was one of utter unhappiness so Takeshi was worried.

"did you reject him? ? If you want, I'll go with you so you can reject him properly."

"No! Don't worry about that... I can do it by myself."

At that moment Kurumi began to move some pieces of her fried chicken towards Takeshi's plate of curry and reiterated again that everything was under control.

"I see. You always get so popular, Isoshima. So we have no choice... We'll have to continue our business for a while longer."

After hearing what had happened to Kurumi just a week into her studies, Takeshi couldn't put an end to the deal.

"Okay. I'm sorry to bother you so much." Kurumi replied.

"Don't worry about it..."

Between the two of them, they had agreed to keep up the charade, until either of them found someone they really liked.

Just then, Takeshi looked up and found Mui sitting diagonally behind Kurumi. She was eating a flan, while talking happily with three girls who were eating at the same table with her. At that moment Takeshi started to wonder if Mui was also getting suitors. Mui looked very mature. She was intelligent and serious, but not popular. Her childish face was also charming.

At that moment as Takeshi stared at her, Mui moved her eyes and their gazes suddenly met. She smiled happily at him and Takeshi smiled back.

"What's wrong?" Kurumi asked as she noticed Takeshi's gestures.

Then he answered hurriedly:

"Ah... nothing, it's just that I see that you really like fried chicken..."

"…?"

She looked at him suspiciously and replied:

"Why do you say that all of a sudden? sorry but I like meat"

"No, no... I don't have a problem with that..."

"How strange you are, Takeshi..."

After that, Kurumi took a bite of her chicken.

Takeshi arrived at the classroom a bit overwhelmed after lunch, not knowing that there was business waiting for him there as well. There were four classmates gathered in a corner of the classroom. They had formed a circle and stood so close together that their shoulders were touching each other.

When Takeshi recognized one of his dorm neighbors among them, he exclaimed:

"Hey...! What are you doing? what are you looking at?"

The four seemed to have a handful of photographs in their hands and were looking at them intently, but when they saw Takeshi, the foursome went into overdrive.

"Goddamn it! Hide them, hide them!"

"What? It's Nanase!"

The four frantically tried to hide the pictures.

"Come on, take them out." Takeshi said, putting his hand out to prevent it.

"Hey, hold on..."

"Yeah, it's no big deal..."

None of them wanted to hand over the pictures, but seeing Takeshi's serious gaze, the four of them were afraid of him and started to take the pictures out of their pockets and from between the pages of their notebooks where they had hidden them.

"Are these all of them?" Takeshi asked in a stern voice.

In their hands they had placed a handful of about ten photos. Then one of the boys, with a panicked expression, noded.

Takeshi's hostility had impressed the neighbor in the front dormitory room.

"You're going to lose friends," the boy said.

Then Takeshi spoke seriously to them.:

"Isoshima hates this kind of thing. That's why I do this."

"Hey, but you're not her boyfriend. You can't do this."

When Takeshi heard that, he thought about it for a moment.

Since they transferred to the academy, no one knew anything about his relationship with Kurumi. It was logical for those guys, to think that Takeshi was acting weird.

"Good thing I didn't manage to put an end to our fake relationship," Takeshi He turned around and thought.

It seems that there was already a senpai trying to approach Kurumi and now he had found his own classmates doing that.

"Well, I have no choice."

Takeshi placed a grim expression and said:

"Isoshima is my girlfriend..."

The reaction of the four boys upon hearing such a statement was as expected:

"Huh? Really?"

"No way!!!!"

"I thought I had found the perfect girl!"

"I heard that they are even childhood friends... it makes me so jealous"

While the four of them were lamenting, Takeshi showed a bitter smile as a product of a complicated feeling.

At that moment the four of them handed all the photos to Takeshi.

"All right, here, that's all of them."

Takeshi received them silently, while another student handed him two more photos that he was still hiding in the back pocket of his pants.

All those were pictures that had been taken of Kurumi in her swimsuit. That day would be the first swimming class since the classes started and even so, there were already people who had taken pictures of Kurumi without her noticing.

At the Sakuraya academy they attended before, there were no swimming lessons so they didn't have to worry about such things. However, Takeshi was impressed by how much Kurumi charmed men, so he let out a deep sigh while holding the photographs.

Part 7

During the morning, the magic academy was no different from an ordinary academy. The classes were the usual boring ones like math or English, and the students acted like ordinary students.

However, in the evening just after noon, the atmosphere and style of the academy changed completely. The reason for all this was that in the afternoons, magic classes were taught exclusively. During the summer vacations, they had had magic classes but all of them had been only theoretical and they had not had the opportunity to put it into practice. It was because it was not allowed. Their control over magic was still unstable so they were instructed that they were only allowed to use it under the supervision of a teacher.

Also, for the first week after the opening ceremony, classes had focused solely on lessons in the history of magic, enchantment and tactical strategies so they hadn't even been able to see other students use magic.

But this day was going to be different, because the next class was practice. Takeshi was very nervous and had sat very stiffly in his seat. Thanks to kendo practice, he already had a very firm posture, but at that moment he had overdone it. On the other hand, Ida, who was sitting next to Takeshi, was leaning back in his chair and had put his feet up on the table at his desk. The teacher in charge of that class, was Hitouji-sensei who was also her teacher in charge. As soon as the class started, Hitouji-sensei called Takeshi, Kurumi and Ida to the front.

"Let's see... try to activate your systematic magic."

Takeshi immediately turned to look at the teacher when heard him say that.

The truth was that the last time he activated his magic, it had been during the battles he had in the summer and after that it hadn't happened again. Kurumi and Ida also looked confused.

"They didn't know how to activate his magic power? This is really weird... I remember asking Shirayuki-sensei to teach them the basics during the summer vacation."

Shirayuki-sensei was the teacher who had been giving magic lessons to the three of them during the summer, and as her name indicated, she was a lady with very white skin and hair.

"Well, it's true that she taught us magic but we didn't have any practical classes." Takeshi said.

Then Hitouji-sensei clasped his hands together and replied:

"Ah, I see. I'm sorry. It seems that we couldn't communicate properly. After all if we rely on words alone, the communication may turn out to be faulty."

Not understanding anything Takeshi and his friends looked at each other.

"I understand. I thought so. Then get out your 'Aspects'. You know what I'm talking about, don't you?"

"Yes."

Aspects were tools that wizards used to channel their magical power. They were something like the magic wands used by some wizards, who used to wave them. Just as the wand served to expel magic, the Aspect was a tool to concentrate magical power there and release it immediately. Takeshi had been taught about it over the summer. He was taught that basic magic could be used without the need for an Aspect, since to use it, it was enough to concentrate a little of that power in the palm of one's hand. This was possible because basic magic consumed very little magical power. On the other hand, magic belonging to systematic magic consumed large amounts of magical power and the Aspect was indispensable to be able to activate it.

The Aspects were different and varied according to the person. This was not chosen at will, but was chosen unconsciously. In general, an Aspect almost always turned out to be an object with sentimental value for the wizard.

Kurumi at that moment took out of the pocket of her skirt, a lipstick with butterfly patterns. Kurumi's systematic magic was Biological Magic. The choiced Aspects for those wizards using biological magic were often objects that were held in high esteem, the more esteem the object was held in, the more magical power it was capable of releasing. After Kurumi, Ida raised her right hand and said:

"My Aspect will be this..."

After showing it to the teacher, for some reason Ida showed his hand to his classmates as well. He was wearing an unpolished silver ring on his right hand which had a mysterious skull with an unusual design. In response, there was laughter all around.

"What's the matter? What's so funny?" Ida asked.

The teacher turned to look at Takeshi as he continued to laugh lightly at Ida who looked upset and asked:

"What will your Aspect be?"

Takeshi had nothing in his hands. Which indicated that he hadn't taken anything out.

"Well, you see, sensei... I still don't have an Aspect..."

Hitouji was surprised to hear what Takeshi said.

"Huh?"

Takeshi stared, and suddenly, magic particles sprouted in Hitouji-sensei's eyes and then immediately disappeared.

"Ah I see, that was it... You are an evasive magic user, aren't you?" commented the teacher.

For a second he thought it was his imagination, but Takeshi caught a glimpse of light green magic circles in the teacher's eyes, which clearly indicated that he had used his magic. However, nothing had happened.

"Looks like the professor used magic..."

No one seemed to have noticed and only Takeshi had that uncertainty.

"Or Maybe I was wrong."

Takeshi didn't feel he had fallen prey to some spell or anything like that, so he kept silent. Hitouji-sensei called Mui who was still sitting in her place and she approached the front immediately. Hitouji-sensei stood next to Mui and spoke to Takeshi:

"In your case, you have to be found an Aspect that is most suitable for you. I would like Aiba-san to go to the store with you and help you choose one. Do you agree with that, Aiba-san?"

Mui nodded and replied:

"Of course I do, Hitouji-sensei. Come on, Takeshi-kun!"

Immediately Mui left the classroom taking Takeshi with her.

After Takeshi and Mui left, Ida, standing next to Kurumi laughed and said:

"I hope those two don't get 'lost' on their way to the store."

Kurumi was not at all amused by Ida's comment, so she gave him a withering look and said:

"Keep quiet, foul-mouthed!"

"Oh how scary..."

"You're disgusting!"

Hitouji Makoto stood next to the angry Kurumi, and once again he used his magic making those magic circles appear again in his eyes which allowed him to read Kurumi's mind secretly and when he did so, the teacher was startled in horror.

CHAPTER 2: Aspect is Twilight

Part 1

Takeshi and Mui had gone out into the hallway on their way to the store. He already knew the way, but he was grateful to have her accompany him. As they walked, he stared at the holstered pistol Mui carried on her hip and asked:

"Hey, Mui, how long have you had your Aspect?"

"Oh, you mean Arthur?"

"What? Did you name it?"

"Of course. Many people name their Aspects." Mui smiled. "Arthur and I, we've been together since sixth grade."

"Impressive..."

"No, it's no big deal. I became a wizard almost since I was born, and although my relationship with magic started a long time ago, it took me a long time to get my Aspect. Nii-san on the other hand, already had his white gloves and Lancelot since he entered elementary school."

"Lancelot?"

"Yes, that's the name of the saber my brother always carries with him. It's not an Aspect, but it's very important to him, since it belonged to dad."

Mui looked happy as she talked, but as soon as she started talking about her brother, her countenance fell. Takeshi noticed this immediately and his smile also stopped, not knowing what to say.

Mui's older brother, Aiba Tsuganashi, was formerly also part of the <Wizard's Breath>, but currently, he was in the ranks of <the Trailers>. However, Mui firmly believed that Tsuganashi had been kidnapped by <the Trailers> and that they had altered his memory.

When Takeshi met him in the living world, he could tell that the young man did not recognize his younger sister in the slightest. Tsuganashi was a user of Destructive Magic, -the most dangerous of systematic magics-, and was now fighting on the enemy side against <Wizard's Breath>, using his ice magic called: "Evil Ice". As Takeshi started to make memories of him, chills went down his spine. He had never seen anyone before who had such a cold stare like his. Even when he looked at Mui, his gaze was utterly merciless and he seemed as heartless as his manner. That Tsuganashi was totally different from the one Mui talked so much about.

To lighten the atmosphere, Takeshi asked in a cheerful tone:

"When you were born, your parents were already wizards?"

"Yes, that's right, that's why Nii-san and I are considered part of the 'Magic Aristocracy'."

"Magic Aristocracy?"

Takeshi was already familiar with that term. Though it wasn't something they had been taught in the summer classes. Rather, he heard it from a classmate; And that is that if a baby is born into a family of wizards, it often ends up exposed either accidentally or on purpose, to the magic of its parents. These children who were turned into wizards by their parents or grandparents as babies are known as "pure-blooded wizards" and most of the time, these wizards are often favored by the communities to which they belong. This happens because almost always these pure-blooded wizards, usually join the community to which their parents belong, resulting in an inequality of status between pure-blooded and non-pure-blooded wizards.

Among more than fifty wizarding communities that existed in the world, there were seven that were recognized as the largest and most important. That group of communities were known as "The C7", and some of those communities were reserved only for Magic Aristocracy.

Takeshi did not pay much attention to what his companion said when he mentioned that term, but he heard that the vast majority of wizard were of noble lineage and very few were not. The fact that Mui was a magic Aristocracy wizard, was something very common there and the unusual one, was Takeshi and friends.

"Had you heard about the magica aristocracy before? Who told you about it?" Mui asked.

Takeshi nodded and answered:

"Yeah, it wasn't easy at first but I was able to figure out what it was about."

"Yes. If you come to this school, you have to always be attentive even in things you don't like, because there are people who put a lot of value on that nobility thing. There are groups that take those things into account to let you into a community."

The headmistress had told Takeshi earlier that it was better to choose a community when you are in school, therefore, Takeshi found himself meditating on it. Then he answered Mui right away:

"I think Wiza..."

"Stop!" Mui suddenly exclaimed, placing his index finger on Takeshi's lips.

He, stopped talking and stood in surprise and while she kept her finger his lips. Then she clarified:

"It's still too early for you to decide. Think it over carefully first, and see with your own eyes which community suits you best."

However, Takeshi's attention was on the sensation of the finger pressed against his lips. Unlike hand holding or shoulder touching, lips were a more intimate area. Mui suddenly realized that Takeshi was staring at her in complete silence. so she quickly removed her finger from his lips and turned around.

"A-ah...! First you have to choose your Aspect!" Mui exclaimed nervously.

Then, she continued to walk in a hurried manner, but unlike before, this time she walked stiffly as if she was a robot. The warm summer breeze blew through an open window, gently ruffling Mui's hair and exposing to Takeshi, her reddened ears. In that shy mood, Mui entered the store first.

"Hello!"

Immediately a middle-aged man with grayish hair peeked out from the other side of the glass counter.

"Ahh, hello. What will you want today, Mui-chan?"

"I don't want anything for me today, it's for him..."

Takeshi entered the store and looked around. He had been there before, but he hadn't had a chance to look because he was immediately taken away to the magic academy.

The store was a long, narrow space that appeared to have everything you'd expect a normal high school stationery store to have. On the shelves beyond the counter, it had mechanical pencils, pens of various colors, erasers, boxes of paint sets, calligraphy paper, and some kinds of inks. However, there were also things that were definitely not part of what you would find in an ordinary academy; inside the counter, there were glass bottles filled with stuffed spiders, there were also, 12-packs containing eyes (although at first glance, they looked like egg packets), there were also three stiff worms inserted in a pencil holder and some snake skins of different sizes.

"These look like witchcraft items..."

"I'd like to ask what all these are used for, but I think this is a good time."

The attendant spoke to Takeshi who was looking interestedly at the items:

"You look like you're seeing these things for the first time, boy."

"Hello..."

They both smiled and then exchanged greetings.

"He is the husband of the lady who gave you the textbooks that time..." Mui commented.

When the shopkeeper heard that, his smile widened even more.

"So you already knew my wife? I'm glad to hear that. Everything you'll need in this school can be found here, so we'll be seeing a lot of each other. My name is Katou, although the students call me 'Oyassan'. Nice to meet you?"

"Nice to meet you too, I am Nanase Takeshi."

When Takeshi introduced himself in a very formal manner, Oyassan smiled with slight shyness. From Takeshi's point of view, he should always greet his elders in the most cordial way since in the dojo he attended as a child, there were many older people and they were taught to greet them in the correct way even though they got along informally with their classmates.

"So what do you have in mind?" Oyassan asked.

"We want to find an Aspect for Takeshi-kun. He is an evasive magic user." Mui replied.

"In that case, he will require one that is of the weapon type."

Oyassan walked to the end of the counter, and lifted the table to leave. He walked to a small door at the back of the store and pulled out a bunch of keys from his pants pocket from which he chose one.

"Follow me."

As soon as he opened the door, he touched a switch on the side and turned on the light inside. However, when Takeshi entered the room, he stared at an area that was in complete darkness. There was light that was true, but the room was so large, it was not fully illuminated.

"What? I can't see the back of the room"

"He's surprised! He's surprised..." Mui muttered.

"Ha ha ha ha!"

Mui and Oyassan laughed at Takeshi's reaction.

"Of course I'm surprised, it's my first time coming in here." Takeshi replied.

"All the boys who come in here, they have the same expression. It's so cute." Oyassan said.

Then he approached Takeshi and patted him on the back.

"Well, come on, Takeshi, adventure awaits us."

Not knowing if he was joking or not, Oyassan walked to the right side of the place and Mui hurried to follow him. Takeshi stood there for a while longer and took another look around. The place was a huge warehouse that stretched wide in all directions. When Takeshi finally caught up with them, he found Mui and Oyassan walking towards an aisle where there were some shelves with weapons lined up on them. There were spears of all sizes lined up perfectly on the shelves along four meters of wall, and on the wall on the other side, similarly crossbows of different sizes were lined up. That whole hallway where Takeshi walked, was full of weapons. But if he stayed to watch, he would lose sight of Mui and Oyassan.

"I guess if you already know his systematic magic, it's because he already used it before, right?" Oyassan asked Mui. She smiled and answered:

"Yes. although I'm sure that when he did it, he was using a wooden sword. right Takeshi-kun?" Mui turned to look back and Takeshi nodded.

"Yes."

Takeshi had finally managed to catch up but was still a bit disturbed by the atmosphere of the place.

"Then it has to be a sword. Come this way...#

Oyassan seemed to have complete knowledge of the place so without a second's hesitation, he led the two of them to a place where there were many swords. When Takeshi arrived, Oyassan was already standing in front of the shelves.

"Takeshi, is there any Aspect here that caught your attention?" Oyassan asked the confused Takeshi.

"Yes, but just out of curiosity, nothing out of the ordinary."

"Systematic magic can only be activated if you have an Aspect. The amount of magic required to activate it is at a completely different level than basic magic. Would you like to choose something on your own?"

"Yes!"

At that moment Oyassan moved a little away from the rack with swords and Takeshi approached.

There were swords of different sizes placed upright and on the back shelves, there were unusually shaped daggers lined up in rows of three. Without looking at anything in particular, Takeshi approached towards a vertically placed sheathed sword. There were dozens or perhaps hundreds of swords of various colors both old and new. Japanese swords, western swords and others quite curved that he had never seen before. All classified according to their type.

"Hey... How about this one?" Mui asked, picking up one of the swords.

"Let me see..."

Takeshi received the sword from Mui, held it by the hilt firmly and pulled it out of the scabbard. It was a very fine, highly polished sword, but the blade was less than five centimeters wide.

"It's too thin. It could break." Takeshi said.

"You're right... well, how about this one?

Mui pulled out another type of sword, but seeing that this one was more pointed than the previous one, she returned it to its place. However, that sword was so heavy that in the short time she held it, her hand trembled.

"I think I'd better not..."

Without even looking at the blade she knew that this sword was not the right one.

"Do you want me to help you?" Oyassan asked as he looked at them from behind.

"Yes, please" Takeshi answered.

When Takeshi accepted the help, Oyassan instead of taking a sword held Takeshi by both arms.

"hmmm..."

"Ouch...!"

Takeshi complained.

"You look muscular. Don't you think you could use a heavy sword?" Oyassan suggested.

Then he stood next to him and compared their heights.

"You're not so different from me. Surely you must weigh about sixty kilos."

Then he raised his arms up and motioned for him to stretch as far as he could.

"The length of the arms is also important." "Oyassan clarified.

After comparing Takeshi's physical characteristics using his own body as a reference, Oyassan finally turned to where the swords were.

"Excuse me... I usually practice kendo, so, if possible I would like to find a Japanese sword." Takeshi said.

Then Oyassan who was looking at a place where double-edged swords were lined up, shook his head and said:

"Japanese sword?"

Even so, Oyassan did not go to where the Japanese swords were.

"If you say you practice Kendo, then you would be better off with a Western sword."

"what are you talking about?"

"Japanese swords are cutting tools. Bamboo swords and wooden swords are striking tools. If you already have ingrained kendo habits, I recommend that you try to put them aside. Katanas, on the other hand, are tools that are used with unsheathing techniques. The way they are used is completely different from what you know. It would be very difficult for you to use it."

After explaining, Oyassan finally seemed to have found one that convinced him. It was a sword whose hilt was covered with leather.

"What do you think of this one? It is the same length as the bamboo sword. Although it weighs twice as much it will wobble at first, but it just takes some getting used to."

The sword was a western style sword with a double-edged blade and a length slightly longer than the length of Takeshi's arm. The scabbard was carved with ivy patterns while the hilt was lined with fairly worn old leather. Its guard, was much larger than what bamboo swords used in kendo usually have.

"What do you think?" Mui asked, standing next to him.

"Mmm..."

Takeshi simply let out a groan.

"Well, it's neither good nor bad," Takeshi thought.

The sword was ok, but he wasn't comfortable with it.

"Although, I wonder if this is the one."

Since it was an Aspect, he expected something like a sort of electric shock to run through his body or at least a sensation that would make him feel special empathy for the object in question, but apparently he was expecting too much.

"Will it be okay if I keep this one?"

"Hey, how about that one?" Mui asked.

It was one with a glossy matte black sheath that had embossed reliefs engraved with ornaments in the shape of the sun and moon.

"Aah about that one..."

Oyassan tried to say something. But before he could, Takeshi already had it in his hands.

"It's light and long." Takeshi said.

It was certainly heavy for one-handed use, but with both hands, it could be swung without any problems. All it took was a little practice. It felt nice to hold, and upon close examination, it could be seen that the color of the scabbard was actually silver. But now, the plating was peeling and blackened. It was an old sword, but it was in good condition as if it had been used with great care. Moreover, it was clean and looked freshly polished. However, its most remarkable feature was its hilt; unlike other common swords, it had no guard between it and the blade, but instead had a hole to put a finger in.

When Takeshi held the hilt correctly, his fingers trembled.

"What is this strange feeling?"

At that moment, a strange feeling came over him. It was something akin to restlessness or anxiety. Very similar to what he felt when he first activated his magic.

Oyassan took the sword from his hands, and returned it to where it was with a complicated expression, and then said:

"Maybe it's coincidence, but the previous owner of that sword, was also an evasive magic user.

Hearing that, Mui smiled and said:

"Really? Then that one is good, isn't it?"

However, seeing Takeshi's confused face and Oyassan's frown, Mui's expression also became weird and added:

"Wait a minute, it's not a common thing to abandon an Aspect right? What kind of person does it...?"

Oyassan immediately responded to Mui's concerns:

"It was someone who lost her magic and now lives as an ordinary human. That person was also one of the wizards who fought in the first great magical war."

"Really? Could it be by any chance that he was one of the "Fifteen Great Wizards"? Mui asked jokingly.

But Oyassan put on a grim expression and nodded.

"Seriously? That's amazing...

Mui looked excited by that revelation, but Takeshi didn't understand what was so special about it.

"The great Fifteen... if I remember correctly, it said something about them in the books," Takeshi recalled.

In the subject called: 'History of Magic', you learn about some wizards. The information was not detailed and they didn't dig much in class because they mainly talked about the First Magic War in general.

"Only the history of wizards was quite extensive...", He thought.

Although there was part of the history of those wizards that occurred at the same time with the history of the war in general, there were things about the post-war period that could only be known by studying the history of those wizards, but there was no time to study them in depth. They had been taught that those "Fifteen Great Wizards", were the ones who divided time and space into two parts in order to protect ordinary humans from the Trailers. However, they didn't say what kind of people they were. Though honestly it's not like that was very interesting. Besides, Takeshi didn't want to get involved in that war that the mages had continued to this day.

"it seems to have something carved out." Takeshi suddenly commented.

He noticed it when he took the sword again to pull it out of the scabbard and see its blade. Mui moved closer to see the design engraved on the surface of the sword. The place was dimly lit so one had to get very close to get a good look at it. Takeshi and Mui looked at it while trying not to bump their foreheads together.

"Is it a magic circle?"

"It's a circle of evasive magic." Oyassan said.

"Does that mean this is a magic sword?" Mui asked, looking up in surprise.

"Magic sword?"

When Takeshi asked about that, Mui answered him gradually as he remembered:

"Transfer your magic into an Aspect is the normal thing to do. But, when someone customizes it by engraving their own magic circle, they get it to have a synergistic effect when using that magic. The problem is, that means the sword can't be used by anyone else... right?"

Mui turned to look at Oyassan and bowed his head sadly. However, it would be pointless to have put the sword there if it could not be used by someone else. So, Oyassan responded again to Mui's doubt:

"That's right... The number of magic circles there are, is the equivalent of the systematic magics that exist. But, even so, there are very minute details that vary for each individual. There are characters written around the circles that change shape according to the individual. That's why even though it's a magic circle of evasive magic like Takeshi's, it's actually different."

"I've never heard of someone using an Aspect with someone else's magic circle engraved on it," Mui answered.

"That's obvious. Doing that is dangerous. Imagine, Mui-chan. If you tried to activate your Acceleration Magic using this sword, your arms would probably explode or something."

"What? Really?"

Hearing that, Takeshi was shocked and quickly looked back at Oyassan. If that thing was so dangerous, it wasn't a good idea to use it. But, Oyassan smiled at him as if everything was fine and said:

"Despite that, if the person using the sword, is also an evasive magic wizard, it will be safe to use it."

Mui was surprised to hear that and asked:

"Have you tried it before?"

"Of course. After all, there have already been other students who have wanted to take that sword as their Aspect."

"..."

Mui seemed to have put on a bitter expression.

She had known the shopkeeper since she was in elementary school and knew that he sometimes behaved very childishly. But be that as it may, using a student to test magic is not something an adult wizard should do. Therefore, Mui asked:

"But, the fact that it's still here, means that no one has been able to use it right?"

Oyassan averted his gaze with a slight smile and muttered:

"Yeah... no one could do it... more or less that's what happened..."

Mui wasn't dumb and understood everything she needed just by seeing Oyassan's gesture, so she talked to Takeshi:

"Takeshi-kun, I think it would be better if you didn't try..."

Even if his arms didn't explode or something like that, Takeshi might get hurt somehow in case something went wrong. But seeing Mui's concern, Takeshi put on a bitter smile and wanted to ask Oyassan:

"What happened to the other students, did their arms explode?"

Oyassan laughed loudly.

"Of course not. If that had happened, I would have been fired by now."

Apparently, it didn't look like the outcome was going to be that bad.

"You're right. They wouldn't have this here if it was this dangerous, I guess..."

Takeshi looked at the sword still in his hands.

"What's the matter, you want to give it a try?" Oyassan asked.

"Takeshi-kun... do you really want to do it? -Mui hurried.

There might have been safer swords that he would have liked better than that one. Takeshi had no doubt about that. But, that sword was very comfortable.

Oyassan suddenly took a sword from the rack, unsheathed it and said:

"In that case, let's ask the body what it thinks?"

"Huh?"

After saying that, Oyassan raised the sword and launched a downward attack on Takeshi.

"Uwaa!!! What are you doing?"

Takeshi quickly raised the sword and blocked, causing the sheath that had barely been slid off to fly off and leaving the blade completely naked. Even in the darkness, it could be seen that the blade was a bright silver color, but there was no opportunity to linger and examine it. Mui stepped back and Oyassan raised the sword once more to continue attacking Takeshi.

"P-please stop..."

Oyassan attacked several times swinging his long sword one-handed while Takeshi defended himself as best he could. He was gradually pushed back by the forceful attacks, until finally Takeshi faltered.

"This is dangerous!!!"

"Of course it is..." Oyassan replied with a smile and continued:

"Don't worry, if we get hurt. We will be able to heal right away. There is a student who is excellent with healing magic."

After saying that, Oyassan continued to vigorously attack Takeshi, who wanted to take distance, but the space was too small and he could no longer retreat even one more step since he had the shelves with weapons at his back.

"What's wrong with this man?"

Unable to move, Takeshi merely watched as Oyassan cornered him with his attacks. At the same time, purple-colored magic particles began to erupt from Takeshi's body.

"It's activated!!!" Mui shouted in the distance.

"Yeah, it seems so."

Oyassan unsheathed his sword which he just stuck into one of the shelves at the last moment. A circle of purple-colored evasive magic was clearly visible in Takeshi's left eye. He had just anticipated an attack from Oyassan thanks to an ability called "Strike Vision" and dodged it before it hit him. Takeshi's affinity, was of an evasive type of magic that allowed him to anticipate dangers ahead in a few seconds, which is not much time, but thanks to that Takeshi was able to dodge Oyassan's sword and prevent it from skewering him. However, the matter was not over yet.

Takeshi suddenly felt as if the sword he held in his hand was throbbing. At that instant, the circle of evasive magic in his left eye changed from bright purple to dark purple and darkened to black.

"UuAAaaaaaa!!!!"

Takeshi raised his gaze upward with his eyes wide open and began to scream. A great amount of magical particulars erupted from his body. From the top of his head to the soles of his feet, Takeshi's pores had opened up in such a way that he felt as if his blood was the one that was going to spurt out.

Seeing Takeshi from a distance, Mui was horrified.

"Ta-Takeshi-kun!!!"

He was screaming in pain as if his whole body was being squeezed.

"AAaaaaaaaaaa!!!!"

"Keep it up, and don't let go of the sword!!!" Oyassan exclaimed. However, Takeshi did not hear anything.

The particles of magic power that came out of Takeshi, began to gather on the sword as he held it.

"What is this? It hurts... I can't take it anymore..."

He was being driven by a strong desire to move wildly to stop some strange nervous spasms he was feeling.

"I feel like there are bugs running through my body..."

The sensation seemed to be gradually fading, but the extraction of his magical power, continued to happen without any change. He didn't feel like his right arm was numb or anything, but the magic particles coming out of Takeshi, were concentrated in a certain part of the hilt where they formed a kind of dark purple mass.

Its bright purple color gradually darkened like night until it became completely black like the color of the engraving on the sword. Immediately, a rectangular object appeared protruding from the hilt on the opposite side of the magic circle engraved on it.

"Is it a cartridge?" Mui asked in surprise.

"Great!" Oyassan shouted without taking his eyes off the sword for a second.

However, Takeshi was being stripped of his magical power and was about to collapse. A magazine type cartridge had been created with his magic power, which should be in a gun and not in a sword.

"That sword... Is it a Gun Sword?" Mui wondered as she saw the never-before-seen shape of the sword Takeshi was holding.

"If it's a Gun Sword, it should have a barrel along the blade, but I don't see it anywhere."

Mui was trying to analyze the situation as calmly as possible, but Takeshi's cries of pain simply distracted her.

"I can't take it anymore..." she muttered.

The magic power that had left Takeshi's body was beginning to run out. However, the magic that was still left in his body was still shifting and gathering in his right arm.

"How do you feel?" Oyassan shouted after getting to a safe place.

"I don't know..."

The magic continued to flow from his right arm, past his fingertips and into the sword.

"Be that as it may this sword is going to..."

Takeshi opened his fingers to release the sword and stop his magic from draining further.

However...

"It's stuck in my hand and I can't let go!"

Takeshi had tried his best to be able to open his fingers and drop the sword, but it was simply still stuck in his palm and meanwhile, it didn't stop absorbing his magic power for even a moment.

"All right. Hold on a little longer." Oyassan said calmly.

Takeshi took a couple of steps with the sword in his hand and said:

"Already... I can't take it anymore... it will absorb all my magic power..."

He tried to free himself from the sword using his other hand, but the sword was strongly attached as if the strongest glue had been applied to it. Takeshi suddenly collapsed to the ground. It seemed that the sword was not only absorbing his magical power, but also his vital energy.

"Uuuuh...."

Takeshi looked up and looked at Oyassan for help. However, Oyassan was simply looking at a watch on his wrist.

"This old man... he'll pay me back later..."

Takeshi felt like lying down on the ground, but he had stopped feeling pain since his magic power was absorbed so he preferred despite his exhaustion, to hit the hilt of the sword against the ground several times to try to disengage himself from it. But, no matter how hard he tried, nothing happened to the sword. It still seemed hungry for magical power.

"You are doing very well," Oyassan said.

When Oyassan finally decided to approach, Takeshi had already laid down on the ground. Oyassan then, kicked the sword and it for some reason easily rolled off the floor away from Takeshi and the cartridge that had appeared at the top of the hilt, disappeared. Then Oyassan said:

"Listen, the magic circle engraved on this sword, draws out the evasive magic capabilities to the maximum. If you don't control that, the sword will absorb all your magic until it drains you dry."

"..."

That was something that Takeshi understood perfectly without needing to have it explained to him. So he just stood up with an expression of total fatigue.

"What is that thing? A cursed sword or something? I can't use that..." Takeshi answered.

However Oyassan shook his head and denied it.

"No, it's not that. You need to use that sword."

"Are you kidding me?"

When Takeshi raised his face with a look of indignation, Oyassan looked at him seriously and said:

"I'm not joking. In fact, you're the first one who hasn't fainted when activating his magic with that sword."

"Fainted?"

Takeshi was horrified to think that could have happened to him.

"It's not easy to make that cartridge appear." Oyassan said impressed.

Suddenly, Mui who was standing far away, approached slowly looking at Takeshi with concern. Then she glared at Oyassan and said:

"Even having done that dangerous thing, don't you think it's a bad choice?"

"Come on, Mui-san. Don't make such a scary face. I'm sorry OK? Look on the bright side: He didn't faint and that was a good result."

Takeshi didn't think that result was as good as he said it was, but he wasn't in the mood to argue about it either.

"If this sword makes someone faint, it means it is powerful enough to force the activation of the magic and release it, right?" Mui asked.

"That's right. The former owner of this sword was a powerful wizard. Its new owner cannot be an ordinary wizard."

"Are you suggesting that Takeshi-kun's magic is very powerful?

"Not really. But, it so happens that even though the magic circle engraved on the sword doesn't belong to him, he's been able to use 80% of his magic with it. That means that sword is more than suitable for Takeshi."

While listening to Oyassan's explanation, Mui approached Takeshi, who was finally able to sit down and she gently put her hand on his shoulder.

"Most likely with other swords I will barely manage to reach 60%. For those who use evasive magic, an Aspect can be a sword, a spear or even a stick. Anything will do as long as it meets certain requirements."

As he spoke, Oyassan carefully wiped the blade of his sword with a cloth he pulled from his waist and returned it to its original place and continued:

"Generally, evasive magic wizards have a hard time finding an Aspect. It is not as easy as it is for wizards who use biological magic, whose Aspect is usually always an object that has a high sentimental value for them. Thanks to their attachment to their Aspect, they can often use up to 100% of their potential with it. On the other hand, evasive magic mwizards can use anything as their Aspect and therefore only achieve 60% of their potential no matter how much magic they put into it."

Oyassan picked up the sword Takeshi had been holding and stood in front of him.

"This sword has a high capacity to release magic because its former owner was a powerful wizard. I recommend you take it, boy."

However, Mui answered for Takeshi:

"B-But... Couldn't you better choose another sword and engrave Takeshi-kun's magic circle on it?"

"I told you. The previous owner of this sword was a powerful wizard. I admit that if the Aspect has your own magic circle, the transfer of magic becomes more comfortable. But if we compare the previous owner of this sword with Takeshi, obviously the owner of the sword is the one who had more power and therefore, he will get more out of this sword than another one, even if it has his own magic circle engraved on it."

"So what are you going to do, Takeshi-kun?"

Takeshi looked at Mui with a confused expression.

"What am I going to do...?"

"Aspects are tools that allow you to unleash a great amount of magical power. Nothing more than that. It doesn't hurt to choose the one that suits you best. However, if you want to see your true potential and overcome your limits, I recommend you take this one."

Oyassan raised the sword and showed it to Takeshi and continued:

"The suffering that most wizards who use evasive magic have to live through is something that those of biological magic will never know. They always have to search for the Aspect that best suits their needs. There are evasive wizards who even spend their whole lives searching for one with those characteristics. After all, the Aspect is an indispensable tool for a wizard."

"..."

Even hearing all of the above, it was still difficult for a novice mage like Takeshi to decide which was the best choice.

"To be honest, it looks more like a cursed sword than anything else to me," Takeshi thought.

"I'm afraid to use it again."

Oyassan noticed Takeshi's distrust and fear. So he picked up the scabbard tucked the sword in and said:

"The cartridge only appeared when your magical energy started to concentrate on the sword. right?"

"Yes..."

"That means you can use it as a means to use other people's magic."

Takeshi didn't know what he meant and then asked:

"What do you mean?"

"The cartridge holds three rounds. It uses special bullets that change the shape of the sword based on other people's magic stored inside."

Oyassan raised the hilt of the sword so he could see it clearly and pointed to the area where the cartridge appeared.

"You must introduce someone else's magic into the bullets first. Refilling them is very simple. Just hold a bullet and activate your magic. The moment the bullet is full, you must insert the bullet into the cartridge and at the moment a trigger will appear. If you press that trigger, the sword will change shape to adapt to the magic stored in the bullets."

Takeshi listened in complete silence to Oyassan's explanation, until suddenly....

"Twilight..."

"Huh?"

Takeshi was confused at the word Oyassan had just said.

"That's the name of the sword. Its previous owner called it <Twilight>."

"Twilight?"

Oyassan handed the terrifying sword to Takeshi and continued:

"She used to say that she really liked the moment when the sun and the moon could be clearly seen at the same time. But that was a long time ago."

When Ouyassa, said "she", he was referring to the previous owner of the sword who apparently was a woman. Takeshi wanted to know more, so he looked at the scabbard of the sword and asked:

"Is that why it has a sun and a moon engraved on the scabbard?"

Mui touched the scabbard and said:

"It's really very pretty..."

Takeshi finally stood up with the sword in hand. His knees were still weak but at least, he already felt better than a while ago.

"Do you think I am able to control this sword?"

Oyassan looked at him confidently and answered:

"Of course I do..."

Seeing that there was no hesitation in Oyassan's expression, Takeshi let out a heavy sigh and said:

"All right, I'll give it a try..."

"Great!" Oyassan shouted.

However, Mui looked worried and wanted to make sure:

"Are you sure about this?"

"Yes. I feel I can do it."

At first he was worried, but when he remembered the feeling he had when he first held her, he made up his mind completely.

"Are you using your intuition?" Mui asked with a smile.

It was clear that Takeshi wasn't using his magic, but he realized that she was just having fun, so he answered:

"Of course..."

He opened his eyes purposely as if he was showing her the magic circles. Mui burst out laughing and Takeshi also laughed with her.

Oyassan, who was looking at them happily, pointed to the entrance and said:

"Well, let's get out of here, I'll go find you a belt that fits you, so you can carry that sword."

As Oyassan headed towards a corner where there were objects made of leather, Takeshi and Mui headed towards the glowing exit.

"I feel confident because of the way Katou-san looks at that sword. So far, he has helped many boys choose their Aspects and he has never been wrong."

Takeshi knew Mui's words were meant to reassure him, but he still commented:

"I think the sword is fine. It's just that, if I don't get used to the magic a bit more, I might have trouble controlling it in the future so it's better to have a sword from now on, to help me with that."

Mui was nodding in agreement to everything he was saying until suddenly, Takeshi asked:

"Mui, did you get your gun here too?"

She smiled and answered:

"Of course... Katou-san picked it out for me. He also customized it for me. If the blade of your sword is nicked or doesn't fit properly in the scabbard Katou-san can fix all that."

"Okay."

They both walked out of the dark warehouse towards the lighted store.

"Twilight. It's a nice name." Mui commented looking back.

The sword named Twilight that Takeshi now carried, glowed in the light of the store with its particular matte black color.

Part 2

When Takeshi and Mui returned to their classroom, they came upon rather unusual scenery. There were several burned desks, and they saw that Ida was in complete shock. In addition, Kurumi looked very upset. All the other students, were cornered at the back of the room. They didn't seem to be scared but they did look like they were completely resigned.

"But what happened?" Mui asked Kurumi who was standing at the side of the classroom trying to fix her disheveled brown hair.

"It was something terrible..." Kurumi answered.

"It can't be. Don't tell me Ida got out of control again?" Takeshi said.

"That's exactly what happened..."

While Kurumi was shaking her head vigorously, she was fixing her hair that had been left as if she had been hit by a gust of wind.

Suddenly, one of their classmates, one of those cornered at the back of the classroom, approached. He had a completely emotionless face and as he approached, Takeshi realized it was one of the students who lived in the dormitory across the hall from his.

"The teacher asked Ida-kun to activate his magic and this is what happened..." The boy said.

His desk should be the first one in the row, but this one was also completely scorched. However, what caught Takeshi's attention was the boy's head. Perhaps the boy had activated his systematic magic or something, as something that appeared to be dog ears was sticking out of his head.

"I understand... but, your hair seems to have been burned too." Takeshi replied.

Then, he pointed to the boy's head, and the boy put his hands to his head to check.

"Huh? Aah, you're right. What a remedy. Oh my ears..."

A dry chuckle rang out, accompanied by the laughter of the other classmates who also began to laugh.

"Don't worry, such things happen often in this class," Another student said

"That worries me." Takeshi replied.

Takeshi's words were accompanied by a cold look that Mui had never seen on him before, then she said:

"I knew it. They don't call this place the infernal class for nothing. I guess that's why everyone was telling me I was condemned to hell when I was assigned to this class."

"Really?"

"Yes..."

Seeing her nod with a straight face, Takeshi let out a subtle smile.

Part 3

The next day after regular classes, there was still time for magic classes to start, so Kurumi asked Takeshi to study with her in the library.

Takeshi left Twilight, -the Aspect he chose with Mui's help-, locked in a locker. It was too heavy and dangerous to carry around all the time and since he had heard that students with weapon-type Aspects usually left them in their lockers in the hallway on the second floor, Takeshi did the same.

"Wait, I'll go get some information." Takeshi said.

When he got up from the chair, his briefcase that was hanging on the back fell to the floor and everything inside came out.

"Is everything all right?" Kurumi asked.

She was sitting next to him, so she bent down and reached out her hand to help pick things up, but noticed that among the things that came out of the bag, there was a handful of photographs.

"This... Is it me?"

"Wait, it's not what it looks like"

Kurumi held up a photo in which, the upper part of her was portrayed in a swimming suit, so Takeshi looked away quickly.

"This is when we had swimming lessons." Kurumi said.

Then she looked through the other photos and looking at Takeshi with an air of suspicion, she asked:

"Hey, what's all this?"

With his face turned, Takeshi firmly affirmed that this was not his.

"Well, some guys had them..."

Then Kurumi burst out laughing as she realized how the matter was going.

"So you took it from them, didn't you?"

"Yes..."

Takeshi was relieved that she understood.

She knew he hadn't taken them but, but she didn't like the idea that there was someone else around, taking pictures of her. She sat back in her chair with the photos in her hand and began to examine them carefully. She didn't seem to like the way she had been portrayed in them, so she frowned, but looked up and said:

"But why had you kept them?"

"Wait, it's not like I wanted to keep them...!!!"

Takeshi objected, as he put away the things that had slipped out of his briefcase again, then hung it back on the back of the chair. He had simply left them among his things after confiscating them and forgot about them. Even he, himself, was surprised to see that they were still there. At that moment Kurumi laughed and said:

"Don't worry. You are my boyfriend after all. You don't need to be nervous. I don't care if you get to see these things in public."

"That would make a pervert," Takeshi replied with a chuckle, "I actually wanted to give them to you."

When Takeshi said that, Kurumi carefully selected the pictures and then took one out of all of them.

"Well in that case, let me see... this one...."

She quickly put the photo inside the breast pocket of Takeshi's shirt and said:

"I'll let you keep that one. That way you'll look more like my boyfriend, right?"

"Huh? B-but..."

"Don't lose it. Ok?"

With a smile on his face, Takeshi didn't want to object any further and simply kept silent.

The photo showed Kurumi sitting on the edge of the pool smiling happily with one knee raised. The photo was so good that if anyone was told that this photo had been taken from a modeling magazine, they would immediately believe it. Takeshi felt a little uncomfortable, but he still went off to search the library shelves for information while whispering, "Well, what a relief." At the same time, Kurumi laughed at the awkward way he moved.

Part 4

Three days later, Kurumi was in the pool locker room hurriedly putting on her swimsuit.

"I thought you said you didn't want to be in swimming lessons with the boys. What made you change your mind?" Mui asked as she placed the clothes she was taking off in the locker next to her.

Kurumi let out a nasal chuckle and answered:

"Nothing. I just realized that swimming lessons aren't so bad after all."

"Ooh"

Mui simply nodded at Kurumi's mysterious attitude.

As soon as Kurumi finished putting on her swimsuit, she turned around. However, her face distorted into a surprised expression as she kept her gaze fixed on a certain part of Mui's body.

"Is s-something wrong?" Mui asked.

Kurumi pursed her lips and said:

"Do you, by any chance, drink milk every day?"

Mui had no idea what she meant, but answered anyway:

"Milk? Well, I don't really like it."

"I see, so you do dorsal stretching?"

Mui understood less and less.

"No, I don't. By the way... What is dorsal stretching?"

Kurumi seemed to be looking at Mui with some envy.

"Is it some kind of joke?" Mui asked.

"No, it's no joke."

Mui could not find any consistency between "drinking milk" and "dorsal stretching". It was until Kurumi stretched her arm pointing to the pair of plump hills covered by her underwear.

"Your breasts!" Kurumi exclaimed as if she was annoyed.

"My breasts?"

"No way. Don't tell me you have someone massage them for you." Kurumi said with much fuss, causing Mui to cover her breasts with her hands involuntarily.

"What are you saying, Kurumi? I don't do that...!"

The two made such a fuss, they attracted the attention of other girls in the dressing room. Mui's cheeks blushed.

"Stop saying weird things Kurumi." Mui protested in a low voice.

Then, Kurumi folded her arms and said:

"You're right. There's no way you can do that. It's just that, people say that if you massage them they get bigger."

Mui was curious and asked:

"Kurumi, did you ask someone to massage them for you?"

Obviously that question was a joke, but Kurumi quickly exclaimed:

"No one has massaged them for me! Stop saying weird things! I would never do something as daring as that. Besides, I haven't let Takeshi touch me yet."

While shouting impulsively, Kurumi's face suddenly turned all red as if she was boiling.

"You're the worst!!!" She shouted.

After saying all that, Kurumi ran off towards the pool.

"What was that all about?" Mui asked herself completely perplexed.

"What does Takeshi-kun have to do with her breasts?"

Mui looked at her own chest, and suddenly, the image of Takeshi appeared in her mind. A very smiling imaginary Takeshi who reached out both hands and gently touched her chest and saying:

I will massage them to make them bigger.

Mui suddenly became dizzy and took a step back.

"It can't be... what things I get to imagine..."

Just like Kurumi, Mui ducked her face and covered it with her hands to hide how blushed she was

"Kyaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa...!"

At that moment she started hitting herself in the head.

"Delete it! Delete it! Delete it...!"

She didn't notice that all the girls who were still there, were staring at her weirdly while she was hitting herself trying to forget the strange thought that had come to her mind.

CHAPTER 3: Magic Festival and Love Fortune-telling

Part 1

It was already October, and the whole academy looked very lively, as the so-called "Magic Festival" was about to take place. This festival was very similar to the typical "Cultural Festivals" that took place in the normal academies, but unlike those, the magic festival -just as its name says- involved activities performed by students using magic. It was held over two days and all the students of the academy without exception were allowed to participate. All classes that had already entered their second semester were fully dedicated to the preparation of the festival and both students and teachers were eager to succeed in their activities. In Takeshi's class C, there were only the students who were bad at controlling their magic, so they had no choice but to set up a Café. Class B would make a haunted house and Class A would make a kind of 3D movie with the help of systematic magic. The special class, which Mui belonged to, would not participate in most of the events so they would not be seen appearing, which Takeshi thought was a pity. It so happened that most of the students of special classes were already working as part of the wizard staff of their respective communities and therefore had to be absent from the academy very often. It was well known to all that they used to be very busy.

At the café set up by the C class, Takeshi and Kurumi had been assigned to act as waiters while Mui and Ida, had been assigned to serve in the kitchen. Kurumi had been chosen as a waitress because like Takeshi, she didn't have a chance to help cook or make the uniforms since she had had to practice her systematic magic "Biological Magic" every day since the second semester began. Takeshi and Ida had also been doing the same. However, Kurumi was the one who was showing the best results. Up to that point, she could already transform at will just by holding her lipstick in her hand. Quite on the contrary, Ida was the one who had made the least progress. He had already been told that the type of "Destructive Magic" he had was of a very difficult type to control, but since that summer vacation when they arrived at the academy, until October, Ida continued to explode in different places leaving great damage. The second time he did it, (after the first time his magic manifested) was in the gym. He was unable to stop his flames and ended up exploding and completely destroying the ceiling. The fifth time it did it, it happened in the courtyard leaving a hole with a diameter of about a hundred meters in the ground. Obviously that damage was immediately repaired using magic. The good thing is that no one was injured because the teachers who were training the students protected them with powerful barriers. Ida wanted to throw in the towel several times, but for some reason he continued training.

Takeshi had a different situation than the other two, for what was affecting him, was that he had not yet been able to get used to his Aspect, the sword Twilight. Evasive Magic was the second most difficult magic to control only below the aforementioned destructive magic, and aside from that, Twilight was making the job more complicated. Takeshi had decided to use Twilight but he was still very used to bamboo swords and it could be the case that he was depositing his magic improperly. Even as late as October, Takeshi had barely managed to use 40% to 50% of his magic. Under such conditions, he learned that in November, he had a magical aptitude test coming up that would assess the students' affinity magic abilities. That had Takeshi and Ida more overwhelmed than the festival itself. By the way, also coming up in October were the semester exams for the regular classes. So, they had a lot to do.

It was said that this special examination of magical aptitudes, which would take place at the beginning of November, would be carried out in separate groups by magical affinity, regardless of the year they were studying, since the exam was about overcoming a test set by the teacher in charge of each affinity. The students of the most basic level would be the only ones who would not take the exam, but there were three sections in the intermediate course and five sections in the advanced course, so there would be many students taking the exam. Takeshi didn't want to dwell on a certain matter, but after seeing what destructive magic was capable of, if he were Ida, he would be afraid to be in that group. As much as Ida appeared to be motivated, every time he heard about the exam, a nervous smile escaped him.

In Takeshi's case, since the only one he had seen use evasive magic besides him was the Trailer, Oigami Takao, he was excited to meet more users of his affinity. Although come to think of it, he had already met one other person besides Oigami who was an evasive magic user. That person, was the teacher in charge of class C, Hitouji-sensei.Hitouji Makoto, had an evasive magic ability called: "Mindside" which allowed him to read the mind of a person near him, just by touching his Aspect, which was a gun similar to Mui. Its effect was instantaneous. That's why, while Hitouji-sensei was in the classroom, it was difficult for students to fall asleep or idly wander. That is, because often Hitouji-sensei used to touch his gun to use his ability on the students to check if they were paying attention.

"I don't like the idea of being grouped with guys who have this kind of ability," Takeshi thought.

The only two subjects Takeshi knew with his same affinity had somewhat peculiar personalities. Takeshi's evasive magic ability was called "Strike Vision". It was an intuitive ability that allowed him to detect future dangers that were seconds or minutes away from happening. It was very strange that at first, he had been told that there was no one in the school who had evasive magic skills, yet now there were two in one classroom. It so happened that, Biological Magic was the most recurring of all affinities, followed by Illusionary Magic, then Acceleration Magic and lastly, Black Magic. Kurumi was affinity to Biological Magic which was not very suitable for combat. Takeshi thought it would have been better if he could have chosen. Despite practicing Kendo fervently, he was never attracted to fighting outside the sporting arena. It was horrible to have to get involved in a meaningless war just because he had the affinity of Evasive Magic.

With regular classes, magic classes and the magic festival on top of it, Takeshi was up to his neck in work. However, he still had one more problem. That problem, was Kurumi who had been a bit strange since the second semester started. But, currently she seemed to be acting even stranger. Takeshi was aware that something was wrong with her and it was that day after one of the classes, that he finally checked it out. It was time for recess after third period was over. Kurumi approached Takeshi's seat as usual and placed an open book on the table.

-Hey Takeshi...

-What's wrong?

-Do you understand this problem?

Without getting up from his seat, Takeshi leaned a little towards Kurumi to look at the book she was showing him, causing their arms to touch a little. Kurumi placed her finger a part of the book, indicating something she wanted to know. But, unexpectedly when Takeshi saw what she was showing him, he laughed and said:

-I see you're still bad at math, Isoshima.

Kurumi pursed her lips and replied:

-Shut up! Just tell me if you understand how it goes... -Of course I understand. In fact, I solved that very problem today. Let me see...

Takeshi turned the book toward him. Kurumi, at that moment, sat down on the edge of the table. The edge of her skirt was lifted a little and her legs were considerably exposed.

-Isoshima, don't be indiscreet, get down.....

Takeshi frowned as he saw that Kurumi had her thighs quite uncovered. And, even though absolutely no one was looking their way, Takeshi was trying not to look at her.

-What does it matter, they all do the same thing. -Kurumi answered.

-Yes... but ....

Her recklessness, might cause her underwear to be exposed. So Takeshi pushed her from her waist to make her get off the table.

-Do you want to keep me standing? -Kurumi asked annoyed.

She might as well have dragged a chair from next to him to sit next to him, but she didn't seem to feel like it.

-Of course not. If you want, sit here, I'll stand up.

Takeshi tried to get up from his chair, but Kurumi prevented him by pushing his shoulder down with her hand and said:

-Forget that! Better tell me how to solve that problem and that's it....

Takeshi just let out a sigh. Kurumi could never be beaten in an argument.

-That's fine...

Takeshi set to work concentrating on the math problem she wanted to solve and in the meantime, for some reason Kurmi stared at him with some concern.

After finishing all the regular classes, Takeshi had arranged to meet Ida and Kurumi to go to the gym and train their magical affinities as they always did. But Ida was called to the teacher's room, and Kurumi was still in the locker room changing her clothes, so Takeshi was the first to arrive at the gym. There were already several students training. So Takeshi started to walk along the walls of the place looking for a place, when suddenly he heard a familiar voice over there.

-Look, it's Nanase-kun...

-Hey...

-What? There were three girls in P.E. uniforms chattering among the crowd of boys training. And one of them, it was Mui. Realizing that his name had been mentioned in a very energetic way, Takeshi stopped and turned to look. But it was quite difficult to make out what they were saying about him and he was trying to push his way through the crowd to get closer.

-Have the courage to speak to him.

-Yes, drop that barrier of yours and be more assertive.

-Barrier? -Mui asked.

Takeshi thought something very similar, but she didn't know what they meant by barrier.

-Hey...

-It's because of Isoshima-san... Right?

-What about Kurumi? -Mui exclaimed.

When Takeshi heard Mui exclaim in surprise, he stopped his gait and froze completely. The girls continued talking to Mui:

-I heard over there, that it bothers him a lot when you talk to Nanase-kun?

-Yes, I heard it too

-Really?

The two girls were talking confidently but Mui and Takeshi were surprised.

-Mui, you're pretty slow to pick up on things... -Said one of the girls.

Mui nodded.

-Well, it seems like the two of them are dating or something, I don't quite know.

-But that's a little weird, don't you think?

-Yeah, sometimes I don't even know where to look.

-That's why the atmosphere in the living room is quite heavy.

The more Takeshi listened to that conversation, the paler he started to get.

-Really? So the two of you are dating? -Mui asked.

After hearing Mui's question, Takeshi finally decided to move and left.

"This is bad."

Takeshi finally came out of the gym, he started jogging.

-I figured something like this was going on.....

Takeshi had been pretending to be Kurumi's boyfriend since high school, but the feeling that it was time for that affair was getting stronger and stronger. The problem was that every time he tried to talk to her to come to an agreement to end the affair, he never could because somehow some so-called guy would come out and suddenly want to win her over. To Takeshi, Kurumi was just his neighbor and childhood friend who needed to be protected. But the matter had gotten to such a point that it was starting to become toxic.

Takeshi stopped and looked up at the sky.

The academy was located inside the Tokyo Metropolitan Government building, so he had to walk outside to get to the gym.

The courtyard and the gymnasium were all inside the same building. The sky was blue and clear. Takeshi had stopped to admire a sky landscape that was fake.

Part 2

The next day...

Takeshi walked down the hallway feeling depressed. He was worried that Mui might think he was really dating Kurumi. As he sighed heavily, he suddenly heard a faint scream coming from some stairs at the bottom of the corridor. She didn't know who it was that shouted, but then the cold voice of another girl sounded and said:

-Get out of my way....

As Takeshi approached the spot he caught a glimpse of the bottom landing of the stairs at the bottom floor through the railing. It was a girl sitting on the steps near the second floor and three more standing around her. There were also some books and notebooks scattered among the bleachers that the girl who was sitting was trying to pick up.

-You don't come to school very often, do you? -said one of the girls standing around her.

-Huh?

When the girl who was trying to pick up her things looked up, she was startled.

-Huh?

That girl was Mui.

-Do you have any idea how many wizards died because of your brother's betrayal?

The three girls looked coldly at Mui who answered them reluctantly:

-My brother is not a traitor.

But they immediately responded:

-Aah? Are you stupid? Everyone knows that Aiba Tsuganashi is a traitor who joined the Trailers.

Mui shouted and replied again:

-My brother is not a Trailer!!!!!

One of the girls threw the notebooks Mui had just picked up back at him.

-Kyaa!!!

Another one of the girls, started pizzing at them.

-It's irritating. You're not worthy of belonging to Wizard Breath..." one of the girls declared.

-You're not a Trailer too? -asked another.

-Get out of Wizard Breath as soon as possible! -exclaimed the last one.

Mui raised her face, but her expression was pale and her lips were trembling.

-I-I...

Seeing that Mui was holding back with those girls, Takeshi couldn't take it anymore and shouted at them from the railing on the second floor:

-Hey you guys...! What do you think you're doing?

The three girls were surprised and ran away before Takeshi started down the stairs.

-Let's go!

-Yes!

Takeshi walked over to pick up the notebooks while looking angrily at the girls who quickly ran away.

-Are you okay, Mui?

-I'm fine...

Mui replied in a muffled voice that didn't show she was fine at all.

-Why are you doing this? -Takeshi asked as he handed her some textbooks and a box of pencils he had collected.

Mui replied looking away from him:

-Those girls belong to Wizard Breath?

-Then they are your classmates aren't they?

—…

Mui didn't answer that. He simply said:

-If you hang out with me, they will start talking bad about you too.

-I don't mind that in the least. -Takeshi replied with a smile.

-Well, it does matter to me. You're here because of me, remember?

Mui grabbed his books and notebooks and stood up.

-I don't want to cause you any more trouble!!!! -Mui exclaimed and then hurried down the stairs and left.

Part 3

The relationship with Kurumi occupied half of Takeshi's heart and the other half was taken up by Mui's problems. He had already noticed it from the first moment they set foot in the magic academy. All the classmates seemed to keep their distance from Mui. But that didn't mean she didn't have friends, as several of the classmates from the special class she belonged to before she was in class C, seemed to be very close to her, and since at the academy they basically grouped the students in teams of three, a boy from the basic course and a girl from the intermediate course were also her friends. Everyone else, however, had a very strange attitude towards her. It wasn't direct confrontations or anything like what those girls Takeshi encountered in the bleachers did the other time, but they were simply trying not to interact with her as much as possible.

"I guess it's easier for most to believe that guy betrayed Wizard Breath, than to believe that the Trailers, really brainwashed him," Takeshi mused.

He had confronted Tsuganashi before and had proven to see that it was true that he didn't remember his own younger sister, so he believed in the memory alteration, but to others it seemed to be just nonsense.

On top of everything else, there seemed to be some sort of caste system based on the community the students belonged to. After class right after finishing the affinity magic training with Ida and Kurumi, Takeshi was curious and asked them about it:

"-Communities? I've certainly heard a little bit about it but isn't "C7" the most representative group? -Commented Kurumi.

She mentioned that the C7 was a group formed by the seven largest communities among a group of more than 50 communities that existed and that those seven communities were also members of a consortium that was called "The International Association of Magicians" and that they had voting rights in that organization. Topping the list of the C7, was "Wizard breath" of course. Followed by the other six communities which were:

   "Eclipse"
   "Club Oz"
   "Ancient Pendragon"
   "Spriggan"
   "Bishop of The Camelot"
   "Fenix Foundation"

Most of these communities, were very exclusive and completely reserved the right of admission of their members. Each organization had its own rules and requirements to allow the entrance of a wizard. For example, "Ancient Pendragon" only allowed membership to wizards who belonged to the Magical Nobility. As for "Bishop of The Camelot", it was a community that only women could join. And there were also others with more radical characteristics, as was the case of the Trailers. Wizard Breath was the community to which Mui belonged, and it was a community characterized by having the highest level of combat and probably the most hostile community towards the Trailers. Naturally it was investing a lot of funds and a large part of its members for war purposes.

-How annoying... It's okay if we don't go into any of them, isn't it? -Ida asked.

Ida's priority was to learn to control her magic as quickly as possible, and besides that, she was worried about her little sister Futaba, who seemed to have entered a kind of rebellious stage, so she was not interested in the system of communities that the academy offered.

-But, it seems that most of the students are in a..." Takeshi answered.

Then Ida made a complicated expression. Kurumi thought about it for a while and then asked:

-Is there a community you want to join, Takeshi?

When Kurumi asked that, Takeshi thought of Mui. It was easy to say. It was just enough to check some communities and see if they required some kind of evaluation to join.

"I'm not so sure that one is a good choice...," He mused.

After seeing and hearing what her community mates did to Mui, she didn't know what to think of her anymore.

-I'm still thinking about it..." she replied letting out a sigh.

Kurumi made a worried face again. In a few days, Takeshi had started to worry again about the matter of the communities.

-You should have done that before....

-Don't fuck with me, my gun always flies away....

-Close your mouth...

After that matter, Takeshi and Kurumi were on their way to the science room so they had to move to another building through the corridor. Suddenly, they found five male students huddled on the second floor arguing.

When they stopped to look at them from the second floor, one of their classmates who was also heading to the same science classroom passed nearby and also stopped to look at those students and said:

-Wow, it looks like they are fighting again. It would be terrible to get involved with them. Better not look at them.

After the above said, the boy averted his gaze and covered his face with his hands. Takeshi also thought it would be troublesome and better move away from there.

-Does that happen very often? -Takeshi asked.

The boy removed his hands from his face and with a complicated expression, whispered in reply:

-Yes, that's right. Those are guys who are sympathetic to the Trailers.

-Are there guys like that around here? -Kurumi asked. Although she was not interested in jumping into the conversation.

The boy answered immediately:

-Some of them say they are just wannabes... But there are those who say there are Trailers infiltrating the Academy.

The boy spoke approaching Kurumi and Takeshi speaking to them between whispers as if it was a big secret and continued:

-What is for sure, is that they don't get along well with those from Wizard Breath so be careful who you hang out with so you don't get in trouble with them.

-Are you talking about Mui? -Takeshi muttered.

Kurumi's eyebrows suddenly twitched when she heard that name as if it was an involuntary reaction.

However, neither Takeshi nor the other boy noticed and continued with the conversation.

-Now that you mention it, I've seen that you guys are very good of Aiba-san, you should be careful because you don't know which of the two sides she's with. -The boy muttered.

-Which of the two sides?

-I mean the Trailers and Wizard Breath. It is true that she belongs to Wizard Breath, so by nature she is an enemy of the Trailers, however in Wizard Breath she is seen as a traitor because of her brother.

Those words became quite familiar to Takeshi.

-When you go out with her, keep an eye on her and be careful. -The boy insisted.

After saying that, the boy left towards the science room. Takeshi stood there silently until Kurumi grabbed him by the sleeve.

-Come on, Takeshi, we'll be late.....

She pulled him and they both kept walking.

While being carried by Kurumi pulling his sleeve, Takeshi was lost in his thoughts.

"The principal had told me that the school was peaceful and oblivious to the conflicts of that war, but I guess that's not the case."

"Has Mui really been fighting in that war?"

"What am I supposed to have actually been watching?"

Kurumi looked at Takeshi again with concern as she tugged on his sleeve, but at that moment he came to his senses and smiled at her. Kurumi was a little surprised and quickly returned her gaze to the front.

-Gosh, Takeshi, you do get depressed when I'm not around you, don't you? -Kurumi commented.

Takeshi didn't notice that Kurumi's face turned red as she kept walking ahead and tugging on his sleeve.

Part 4

The first day of the magic festival had arrived.

In the Subaru Magic Academy, both in the dormitories and in the classrooms, one could feel all the enthusiasm and the atmosphere of joy caused by such an event. When he arrived at the classroom of class C, Takeshi had already seen a great variety of magic used just to liven up the party. Until then, he learned once and for all that The Magic Festival was no ordinary event. Human beings, animals and unknown monsters that could only be found in someone's imagination walked the halls as normal. The entrance of the B classroom had been adorned with an old and broken wooden door that was the entrance to the attraction they had created, which they called "The Ghost Ship". The entrance of the classroom A had been transformed into the entrance of a huge cave where a small Goblin was sitting on a desk at the reception desk (maybe it was matching the attraction inside). It was obviously a live Goblin, dark-skinned about fifty centimeters tall and with a small head. Who knows if someone had transformed into that Goblin or if it had been created.

Hitouji.sensei was already in the classroom when Takeshi arrived and seemed to be complaining about the fact that the class was not doing an activity involving magic. For some reason, the teacher seemed to be very excited. The event was to start at 1:00 PM but it was barely 8:25AM. As usual, Ida was the last to show up. Class C was supposed to present a plain and simple cafe, but Takeshi was shocked by the kind of decoration they had put up.

The interior looked like an ancient castle where the colors black and gold were predominant. There was a huge chandelier on the ceiling and spider webs everywhere and torches with dim lights. It looked like the class had made a witches and haunted places themed cafe so as not to clash with the rest of the festival.

There were eight round tables in the center just below the chandelier covered with gray tablecloths that had perfectly spread gold edges. On each table was a candelabra with three candles. Silver cutlery and wine glasses all perfectly arranged. Takeshi stared at it all unable to tell what was real and what was made with illusory magic. Possibly the chandelier on the ceiling was the only thing made with illusory magic. In one of the corners of the huge hall that looked like an ancient castle, four or five students wearing normal uniforms were wandering around. Even in the dense darkness you could see how listless and bored they were.

"Could they be the ones using illusionary magic to transform this place...?", Takeshi wondered.

Illusionary magic was known to be the most powerful magic among the magical affinities as far as duration was concerned. It was capable of being activated for long periods of time while maintaining the illusion without diminishing magical power, the only downside was that at the moment the illusion was summoned, a large amount of magic was released all at once leaving the user fatigued from before the illusion even formed. Takeshi glanced around the room and noticed that there was a kitchen section that had no doors at the back of the room. To the left, there should have been just a window, but instead, there were stairs with greenish-brown wooden railings leading to a hallway that had a door to another room. The space inside the classroom, was altered in a strange way, but it was possible to do so with black magic.

Black magic was the only one among the magical affinities, which had the ability to interfere with and modify spacetime. Similar to the headmistress's "Black Door" black magic ability, which was able to create portals that bent spacetime to interconnect distant locations immediately and at will. In the opposite corner of the room, there was evidence, for there were four other students who appeared to be the ones employing their black magic to alter the space within the room. They were collapsing on the floor little by little looking all emaciated as if they were zombies.

-You finally came, Takeshi. You're late.

Kurumi approached Takeshi who was still looking around in surprise. However, when he turned to look at her he was even more surprised.

-I-Isoshima... that look...

Kurumi was wearing clothes made of black leather with belts and black fishnet tights giving her a bondage style. Other than that, she had transformed her body to look like an adult woman in her twenties. Her breasts had grown considerably and protruded quite a bit so it was difficult for Takeshi to look at her calmly.

-It's the teacher's fault," Kurumi exclaimed.

She may have had the face and body of an adult woman, but her expression of disgust was still that of Isoshima Kurumi, the high school student.

-But, that's pretty bold. -Takeshi said.

Still, Kurumi's charm and seductive power were overwhelming.

There was no doubt that if she served the tables with that appearance and dressed like that, the influx of male customers would be brutal.

-I've already refused! -Kurumi exclaimed.

She emphasized that those clothes were not her idea. So Takeshi simply ducked his shoulders. Kurumi continued:

-But, Hitouji-sensei said this would be the best training I could have and forced me to use my magic this way.

-But, it wasn't necessary for you to transform into an adult. -Takeshi replied.

-It's just that, it would be weird to wear these clothes with a youthful appearance don't you think?

Takeshi began to feel many eyes on him so he turned to look around. As expected, there were several boys who couldn't take their eyes off Kurumi.

-Listen, Isoshima....

Before Takeshi could finish telling her to change her clothes, Kurumi raised her face and said:

-Takeshi, don't tell me that this displeases you very much?

Her expression was one of complete shock.

-It doesn't matter what I think, just listen to me....

-Of course it matters! Tell me if you like it or not!

He didn't know why she suddenly started asking that question, since he didn't even think about it and didn't feel like answering either. Besides, the curious look of many students could be felt in the air. Instead of training, it seemed more like a punishment, or perhaps, to endure that was the training the teacher was talking about.

-I don't really like it... but I don't dislike it either..." Takeshi answered.

-Come on, make up your mind... if you like it, I'll use it without complaining.

-No, don't do that...

Takeshi quickly grabbed Kurumi by the arm, and rushed her towards the kitchen. Kurumi lost her balance but somehow kept up with him. The kitchen was also a space that completely surpassed the boundaries of the classroom. As the two rushed in all the students manning the kitchen turned to look at them. Takeshi turned his back to them and taking Kurumi by the shoulders, suggested:

-Isoshima, please I beg you. If you transform, you better become a little girl. Yes?

-Takeshi, are you a lolicon?! -Kurumi exclaimed.

Kurumi's response to hearing such a thing was so loud, that everyone in the kitchen and in the hall of tables heard it and burst out laughing.

-Of course not!

Takeshi immediately refuted, but his voice was completely overshadowed by the laughter of the place.

Part 5

-Takeshi-kun, are you still depressed? -asked Mui who was sitting in front of the dismayed Takeshi.

She was placing a large amount of lettuce in a bowl. Dressed in a white apron full of lace and a black maid's dress, Mui was about to prepare a sandwich at the time.

-Mui, Your clothes are more normal," Takeshi whispered.

Mui smiled as she took out some cucumbers from a box and whispered in response:

-It's just that I only get to help inside the kitchen.

Takeshi thought it would have been good if Kurumi had also been a kitchen helper, because that way, there wouldn't have been any strange misunderstandings among the class. All he was trying to do, was to keep the boys away from Kurumi, but somehow, things ended badly and that's why he was depressed.

At that precise moment, the cause of Takeshi's depression, entered the kitchen walking silently stood in front of Takeshi and said:

-Hey Takeshi, you need to change your clothes now.....

This time, Kurumi had taken the form of a little elementary school girl, she was wearing a little witch hat, a black one-piece dress and holding a black cat stuffed toy.

-Isoshima, this is all your fault. Now how are you going to fix it? -Takeshi replied.

-You mean the rumors that you're a Lolicon?

When Kurumi mentioned that matter-of-factly, Takeshi put on a somber expression.

-Well, it's not that big of a deal, calm down a bit or you'll start to be a nuisance. Ah, but don't you dare come near my Futaba or I'll kill you..." Ida commented from the side of the stove, because like Mui, he was also a kitchen helper.

-That's enough..." exclaimed Takeshi.

Takeshi tried to deny it, but he simply fell further into depression, as his attempts were useless. Two hours later, "The Sabbat Café" as they had called it, had become quite crowded. The menu had a lot of variety for just a cultural festival project. They had Hotcakes, Sandwiches, Strawberry and Chocolate Parfaits, ice cream and juices. All the customers were students from the Subaru Magic Academy and there were none from outside. Also, they were not allowed to invite their parents. All the boys and girls who waited on the tables were dressed in such a way that they looked like they had come from a witches' day convention.

Most of the students who used Biological Magic like Kurumi had transformed into something while serving the clientele. There were girls with wolf ears and tails, and another who had transformed into a big-nosed old witch (although she was actually a very pretty girl) there was a boy who had transformed into some sort of dark wizard, a bat flew over the tables carrying the menu (who was also a girl) and also a voluptuous and elegant witch in a long black dress. (That one was actually a boy). That way, everyone looked different. Obviously Takeshi had no such ability to transform, so he had simply waited tables, dressed like a butler. White shirt, black tie and a pair of ordinary black pants.

-Kya...!

Kurumi at that instant, was about to fall backwards while waiting tables, but Takeshi prevented it by holding her back.

-Are you okay, Isoshima?

-Yes, I'm sorry, Takeshi. It's just that walking in a child's form is inconvenient for me.

Because of her childish form, Kurumi had knocked over the tray several times since she started serving at the cafe and at that moment, she had gotten tangled in her own dress and was about to fall down because of that.

-Don't worry, I think that serves to attract more customers. -Takeshi commented.

Kurumi frowned and replied:

-Well, I'm not happy to hear that?

-Yeah, I thought so... -Murmured Takeshi nervously.

The reason why Kurumi kept serving despite her failures was because some customers liked that. Whenever they saw Kurumi fall and noticed her look, they would gladly come over to help her up.

"Even though they're all wizards, seeing a little witchy girl seems pretty cute to them? I don't understand that logic," Takeshi opined.

While showing a pleasant smile to the customers, Kurumi insulted Takeshi by staying holding his hand.

-Fuck you...

Part 6

-Hey! -Takeshi exclaimed from the kitchen. No, I can't take it anymore. I thought we were only going to do this in the morning.

At that moment The Magic Festival had just started and the morning's day was over. However, one of the members of the committee in charge of the class project for the festival was shaking his head saying:

-I'm sorry but we do not have enough manpower for the afternoon.

The appearance of the boy who was apologizing was that of a vampire, but he didn't look at all intimidating even though his fangs showed from time to time.

-I've had enough! -Takeshi replied coldly.

-Please, Nanase-kun!

The vampire boy clasped his hands together in supplication and next to him, another boy who was also a member of the organizing committee, begged in the same way:

-Please, Nanase-kun!

That other boy was dressed in the usual school uniform, but his face looked really pale. Apparently, that was one of the boys who had been using his magic since the morning and still hadn't recovered.

-Please!

Takeshi shook his head in response to the two boys' request and said:

-I refuse.

-One hour! Please help us for just one more hour!

-I beg you, Nanase-kun! -exclaimed a girl who joined in the plea. Looking impatient.

-Please, Nanase-kun! The tragedy-faced vampire boy exclaimed again.

Takeshi simply lowered his face and became thoughtful. To refuse them after begging him so much would be too cruel. Then he made up his mind and said:

-All right, but only for an hour.

The faces of the two boys at first instantly turned into smiles.

-Oh, thank God.

-You're an angel who came down from heaven!

The two boys looking at the ceiling, throwing praises with jubilation and joy, but Takeshi added:

-Yes, but once an hour passes, I'll stop it Understood?

Kurumi and Mui, watched the scene in silence and listened to Takeshi's determined words from a distance.

-Takeshi is too kind," commented Kurumi who had already put her usual school uniform back on and dissolved her magic.

Then Mui smiled and replied:

-Yes, that's a relief.

Kurumi reacted to the mysterious words of Mui, who had also taken off her maid outfit and put on her usual school uniform. Then she asked:

-What do you mean by that?

She wanted to probe further into that, but Mui suddenly changed the subject and said:

-Kurumi, would you like to come with me to a special place?

-Huh? A special place?

The conversation began to forcibly move forward in such a way that Kurumi didn't even have time to complain or refuse.

Ever since Mui and Kurumi became roommates, they had no longer had violent confrontations with each other. Maybe it was calculated or something natural, but either way Mui always acted calm, and Kurumi was the only one who always acted hostile. However, at that moment, the two of them were chatting very naturally. Unlike Takeshi, who no matter what he said always smiled, Mui was a girl who changed the subject drastically and so quickly that it was hard for Kurumi to keep up with him.

"Let's go see 'The Fortune-Telling Witch Gril'," Mui suddenly blinked and grabbed Kurumi's hand with great excitement.

Kurumi quickly shook off Mui's hand and replied:

-Divination? I'm not interested in such things.

-Oh no, no...

Mui shook her head and raised her index finger and said:

-This is not just any divination. The fortune-telling witch's predictions have a 97% accuracy rate.

—¿97%?

-Impressive, don't you think? -Mui replied, puffing out his chest proudly as if it were some feat of his own.

-And is that some kind of magic," Kurumi asked with mild interest.

Mui nodded happily and replied:

-That's right. It's divination magic.

-Of course, it had to be..." Kurumi murmured.

-Of course. She's a mysterious wizard who seems to secretly form couples every year, thanks to her divination magic.

-Couples?

Of course, her fortune-telling in love is why she's so popular.

-Fortune in love?

Mui didn't notice Kurumi, only reacting to certain words of everything she said.

-She's so popular that today's tickets were already sold out as soon as they started selling out, but look....

At that moment, Mui took out two folded pieces of paper from his pocket and showed them to Kurumi.

-Did you get two...?

-Yes, a while ago, Violet-sensei stopped by... She gave them to me because she said she wouldn't be able to attend.

Violet-sensei was a beautiful and elegant woman in charge of the English classes. After all the above talk, Kurumi looked at the tickets in Mui's hand. Apparently it was a ticket that was only valid for that same day in the afternoon.

While Kurumi's eyes were fixed on the tickets, Mui turned to look at Takeshi who was talking with Ida at the back of the kitchen and said:

-It seems that Takeshi-kun and Ida-kun are still busy, why don't the two of us go?

When Mui returned her gaze back to Kurumi, she looked away from the tickets quickly, but reluctantly accepted it as if she wasn't really interested.

-It's okay...

Part 7

The art room was a place where normally hardly anyone came, but when Kurumi and Mui arrived, they encountered a long line. Apparently, the afternoon session had already started and the line went out from that room and even stretched down the corridor. Because the session was taking place in the cellar at the back of the room, Kurumi wanted to take a peek inside the art room, but she could only see the rest of the line of excited girls ending in front of a closed door. After standing in line for about half an hour, it was finally their turn. Mui allowed Kurumi to enter before her, so she was the first of the two to enter the gloomy cellar.

As soon as she opened the door, she was met with a heavy black curtain similar to that of a theater. Beyond that curtain, there was a rather narrow and dimly lit room where there were only two chairs placed on either side facing each other. In one of the chairs sat a woman who covered herself with a black cloak and concealed her face with a thin cloth and wore white gloves on her hands. She certainly looked like any fortune teller is supposed to look.

-What is it you wish to know? -asked the fortune teller in a soft voice.

Even without having heard her voice before, it was more than clear that it was a woman. For despite being covered with that black cloak, her slender body could easily be noticed and besides, the fingers of her hands placed on a deck of cards on the desk, were visibly slender. Kurumi then, sat stiffly on the chair in front of her. This was the first time she had ever seen a fortune teller and of course, she didn't believe in that sort of thing.

-Come on, miss, tell me what you are interested in knowing. -Asked the fortune teller once again.

-Eh... I.... eh.... of... e...a-love....

For Kurumi, it was quite a challenge to say something as embarrassing as "I want to know my luck in love" to a stranger. Her face became very red. However, it was not possible to see the fortune teller's expression through the cloth on her face and that was a relief. The fortune teller noticed the tension Kurumi was going through and whispered softly:

-It's okay. In that case, who do you want to know about?

-NA...Nanase Takeshi..." Kurumi stammered.

Kurumi was holding in her embarrassment as much as possible, but inwardly she started to think that if Takeshi saw her walking into a place like that, he would die of embarrassment.

"No one seems to be ashamed of this, so I can do it," Kurumi thought.

"This strange woman who calls herself The Fortune Teller Witch, she's not going to think I'm obsessed or something. That would be terrible."

Her embarrassment was such that her tears were about to flow. As Kurumi shook her shoulders, the fortune teller spread the cards in an arc on the desk and asked:

-Nanase Takeshi... So that person is an unrequited love?

-Of course not! He's my boyfriend! -Kurumi exclaimed involuntarily.

Kurumi was shocked that she lied since she was fully aware that Takeshi was not really her boyfriend. However, the fortune teller started to do her job before she could correct that mistake. The little fortune-telling witch placed her hand on the pile of cards spread out and muttered something in a very low voice.

"Are you speaking English?"

I couldn't hear it very well, but it seemed to be some kind of incantation, because magic particles, blue in color, began to gush out of the fortune teller's hands and settle on the cards. After that, only three cards began to glow with a light blue light, and they fell out of the maso until they were positioned in front of Kurumi as if they had been dragged by threads.

-Put them back on the table, please. -The fortune teller indicated.

Kurumi did as the fortune teller asked, touched the cards that were still glowing, and returned them one by one to the table.

"The five of clubs, the two of hearts, and the king of diamonds."

Kurumi obviously didn't know what that meant. But when she looked up, she could see the fortune teller's red lips begin to move across the thin cloth illuminated by the dim light saying:

-Hardships are coming soon for you and for him.....

The fortune-teller spoke in a soft and calm voice,

-Difficulties? -whispered kurumi back.

The fortune teller continued undeterred:

-Beware of an infidelity that is seen on his part?

As soon as she heard that, Kurumi pushed back the chair and stood up quickly.

-An i-infidelity? From Takeshi? No way...

However, the fortune teller sounded completely convinced of what she was saying.

-The cards don't lie. -The fortune teller declared coldly.

Kurumi looked at the fortune teller and then at the cards. She remembered the 97% hit rate Mui mentioned and was completely stunned.

--It's a lie... -Murmured Kurumi taking a step back.

Then she took a breath and shouted loudly:

-You're lying!!! She turned around and turned her back to The Fortune Teller Witch, opened the black curtain tightly and ran out of the art room in a hurry.

Mui, who was next in line to pass, heard Kurumi screaming inside. And, thankfully she was a bit far away, she was not hit with the door when Kurumi slammed it open and only saw her rushing past with a terrified expression. The truth is that if you don't think well about what you want to ask, that 97% success rate could turn out to be negative. For the little fortune-telling witch never told lies.

Mui didn't think about whatever Kurumi had asked. At that moment she was not interested. Now was her time and she had other things to worry about.

When she entered the place through the door Kurumi left open, she found herself face to face with the fortune teller. She was an unknown fortune teller. All Mui knew about her was that she had been performing for a couple of years during the magic festivals. Even with her face covered, it could be seen that she had more or less the appearance of a fourth or fifth year student. Or at least, someone older than her.

The magical festival was for students only and no one from outside the academy was allowed to participate. In short, that fortune teller was either a student or a teacher. Moreover, magical affinities based on divination were very rare.

"She can only be a user of Evasive Magic or Biological Magic, there is no more...", Mui mused.

"If it's Biological Magic, it would be harder to tell who it is."

Mui sat on the chair and looked straight at her. He couldn't see her face well because of the cloth she covered her face with. Mui continued to ponder:

"If she is a student, she can only be of some special class, but if she is a teacher..."

However, the woman's faint voice interrupted Mui's thoughts.

-What is it that you wish to know?

Muy blinked a couple of times as if she had come to her senses.

"Right, it doesn't matter who this person is."

The reason for that, was because when he first joined Wizard Breath, they were instructed that when meeting a mage one should always analyze and check the type of magical affinity their opponent belonged to.

"It's strange to do that on instinct, even if it's something that was instilled in me."

Mui sighed sadly, raised his face and replied:

-I want to find a familiar?

The little fortune-telling witch held out the bow-shaped cards and replied:

-Are you sure? I'm good at making love predictions, you know?

Mui smiled when she heard that and said:

-There will be time for love when the war is over. What I am interested in knowing now, is where my brother is and how I can find him. Just that...

Mui's sincere look full of hope, made the fortune teller's expression quiver slightly through the cloth giving the impression that she had laughed.

-All right, I'll tell you where your brother is. -The fortune teller replied.

The blue magic particles once again overflowed onto the cards. Mui watched attentively, but not before placing her hand on her pistol that she always carried holstered on her hip and stretched one leg out in front of her.

Part 8

After the magical festival began joyfully as if it had been the bursting of fireworks, the excitement of it kept up the whole time. On the second day of the festival, Takeshi spent most of the day serving at the Sabbat Café. He was barely able to visit the B-class ghost ship with Kurumi and had no opportunity left to visit the other events. He was unable to enjoy the festival as it was meant to be. Kurumi mentioned that the result of her prediction was simply not a good thing. She was still depressed a week after the festival was over. Mui seemed not to have listened and her mind seemed to wander into another dimensional plane. Only Ida was satisfied with her work done as the chef of the Sabbat Café, but now that the semester exams were upon them, she had also become depressed. On top of that, he still couldn't control his magical affinity well and was angry at himself for burning his own desk in the previous day's class. Takeshi was preparing for the semester exams, and he would have liked to focus only on studying, but he wasn't good enough with magic to suggest that to Ida either, so he said nothing and continued training together with Ida and Kurumi.

This time the gym had much fewer people than it always used to hold. Takeshi brandished Twilight while Kurumi held her butterfly-patterned lipstick. Ida for her part, was focusing on her closed right hand where her look was which was a silver skull ring. In that hand, she held an empty bullet casing. Which was Twilight. Oyassan the shopkeeper, had told Takeshi that Twilight's true ability, was the ability to harbor and cast magic from other mages as long as the mage was of intermediate or advanced level. To do that, the user of Twilight, had to deposit his magical power into it to make the cartridge appear and deposit the bullet filled with another mage's power there. Once inside, a trigger would appear which, when pressed, would fire the bullet releasing the magical power. Twilight would mix both magics to become stronger. Twilight's cartridge only held three rounds and Takeshi had received three of those special bullets from Oyassan. To use those bullets he had to hold the bullet in his hand and activate the affinity magic and then control as many magic particles to deposit them in the metal casing. Something extremely difficult to accomplish for even a basic level mage. However, it was quite useful to learn how to control the magic power so Takeshi handed one bullet to Kurumi and one to Ida. At that moment, Ida was in the process of activating her affinity magic while holding the bullet in her hand. However, as Ida's orange-colored magic particles began to gather in her right hand, they gradually expanded and contracted again and again.

Ida finally reached her limit and gave up. Then the orange particles dispersed completely and flew around the place blowing a hot air over Takeshi and Kurumi. However Kurumi protected herself from it by activating the "Protection" spell quite naturally.

-Aah! I can't take it anymore. -Said Ida throwing herself on the gym floor and lying down.

Takeshi and Kurumi looked at each other.

Ida's lack of concentration was a big problem. And that's why she was getting in that state every five minutes.

-Ida, try a little harder. -Takeshi suggested.

-A little longer? But I have to go home to buy dinner.

-But, you said you've already found a way to concentrate your magic power in your arms only. If you train more you will be able to master it.

At Takehsi's suggestion Ida threw a tantrum on the floor and said:

-Aaaahhh but I'm too tired.

Kurumi saw Ida do that, and stood in front of him and saying:

-Listen, if you don't train properly, you'll go around burning desks every day. Think more seriously about the problems you cause others and....

Takeshi stopped her at that moment

Kurumi looked up and looked at Takeshi and remained silent. He didn't say anything to her, he just showed her a smile. Kurumi kept quiet as a sign that she didn't want to argue, but it was too late. Ida stood up and said:

-Ahh, okay, as you say. From now on, I'll do it on my own. Sorry to be a bother to you, Princess.

Ida raised a hand and prepared to leave for home.

-No, Ida! It's not what you think," Takeshi exclaimed.

She ran up to him and grabbed him by the back of his shirt to stop him from leaving. And said:

-Isoshima, I think that will be all for today.

-But, Takeshi....

Kurumi stared at Takeshi but he, just turned to look at her silently and nodded. Then she answered:

-Okay. In that case, I'll see you tomorrow.

-Okay.

Kurumi put her lipstick in her pocket with the finest care as if it were a treasure and left the gym. Takeshi looked around noticing that the other teams were also training and were very focused on their own business. There were fewer students than usual, but they were all preoccupied as it seemed that had more priority over the semester exam. Everyone practiced in two-square-meter spaces and were spaced far apart, but the voices of everyone performing incantations and activating their magic echoed throughout the place. Between them all, their voices were drowned out. Also, since Ida's explosive magic was already quite well known, no one was close to them.

-I'm doing the best I can. -Ida mentioned. Who continued to be held by Takeshi's back.

-I know...

Takeshi was really aware of it. Ida was really putting her all into it.

He hadn't missed a single day since he was transferred. Something that used to happen at the previous school aside from late arrivals. On top of that, he practiced with the team without a break. His only drawback was that he didn't concentrate properly, but that was no big deal. At that moment, Takeshi released Ida and then sheathed Twilight.

-Then why am I not getting better? -Ida asked.

Then she turned to look with a face full of fury in a way that Takeshi had never seen before. It was truly disappointing to see.

-Don't worry. There's still time... the teacher said so, remember? Look at me, I can't control Twilight well either, but if we both train together....

-You're wrong!

ida exclaimed shaking her head.

-Ida...

-I don't have as much time to train as you do! -Ida said desperately.

Takeshi's expression turned grim and he replied:

-I'm sorry, I don't mean to have that much time to spare.

-Your magic doesn't hurt others. You can train without any problems. But I... I could burn someone with these hands at any time.

—…

-Or but still... I could burn Futaba just by touching her... -...

Even understanding Ida's frustration, Takeshi didn't know what else to say.

-Then... Train!

-Haven't I been training? Don't tell me anything else, it's no use.

-Ida, you're wrong...

-Now I'll do it on my own, so leave me alone!

-IDA!!!

Taking advantage of the fact that Takeshi had released him, Ida fled from the gym. Takeshi did nothing as Ida looked impatient.

"I think I'm an idiot..."

Learning to control her magic with training was something Ida was already aware of. Takeshi had nothing but the seemingly obvious. However, what Ida didn't know was how long it would take him to control it and as things stood, Ida was becoming more and more scared of her own power. Every time she burned something in the classroom, she received angry stares from the other classmates. The teacher always told her to train hard and that if she did it together with the two who transferred with him, it would be much better.

"Aah, lightning!"

Takeshi bent down and Twilight's hilt protruding from his hip, embedded in his ribs.

"I don't know what to do anymore..."

He stood up again and unsheathed Twilght again. Instantly, purple particles began to emerge from his body and gathered on the sword. The silver Twilight blade became covered with the particles and turned a very dark purple color.

The first time she activated her magic with the sword in the store, she had managed to make a cartridge appear in the hilt, but since that time, she had not been able to do it again. It wasn't enough that level he was using. But it was not possible to give more than that for fear of what happened last time. He would end up losing his magic power and they would have to take away his sword.

-Sorry... could you move aside...

Suddenly he heard someone's voice speaking behind his back, but before he turned to look, Takeshi lifted Twilight up and held her behind her head.

Immediately after that, she was hit by an air mass in the shape of a sphere about a meter in diameter that bounced off her head. Looking back, the sphere exploded releasing a blast of air that lifted Takeshi's hair. The purple circles of evasive magic inside Takeshi's pupils did not disperse in that wind, but instead cleared his vision. The girl who had launched that ball of air from a distance was stunned. But when the wind disappeared in front of Takeshi, she felt relieved and exclaimed:

-Sorry... Are you all right?

Takeshi whispered lightly that she was fine and sheathed Twilight again. Then the magic circles disappeared from her eyes leaving only a feeling of fatigue.

Part 9

After that, Ida did not show up for group training for three days in a row. But it didn't matter, since the semester exams started anyway, and with that, training at the gym was suspended. But even so, Takeshi could feel Ida's estrangement very clearly. The whole academy after having been in high spirits because of The Magic Festival, now lay permeated with tension because of the said exams. Takeshi, for example, was in melancholy mode. But that day, he knew there was a stimulus waiting for him. One, which even locked in his room with an illness he could not have avoided.

Unexpectedly, Kurumi was on her way to class in the morning together with Mui.

-By the way, there's something I wanted to ask you but, it's a bit difficult for me..." Mui said.

-What is it? -asked Kurumi standing next to her without the slightest interest.

Mui had been wanting to ask about it for a long time. She was always hesitant to do so but that day she plucked up the courage and finally did it. Even her hands were sweating as she held her bag.

-Kurumi, you're dating Takeshi-kun right? I had no idea. But I heard some girls talking about it during the magic festival.

She was going to answer more naturally, but at that moment her voice might have sounded shaky. So, when Mui turned to look at her, Kurumi gave her a cold look back and said:

-You're too slow to understand things....

-Y-yes... some friends also told me that. -Mui replied.

Mui looked down and laughed awkwardly, then Kurumi frowned. It looked like Kurumi was offended. Mui was fully aware of it, but she didn't care much about Kurumi's reaction. Anyway, she already knew that Kurumi was very changeable emotionally. And, when the talk was about Takeshi, her sudden mood swings were always more noticeable. Regardless, she still wanted to ask that.

"I was a little surprised to find that out. Although, I actually thought they were just childhood friends. Who knew they were actually a couple. But... anyway that shouldn't even interest me."

At that moment Mui began to sink into the sea of her thoughts. There was no need to worry about that since she had no special relationship with him.

"I wonder if Takeshi-kun and I, can we still be friends. Although, I think that maybe it's not going to be possible..."

While Mui was making a thousand questionings and deductions, Kurumi seemed to be very clear about what she wanted to say and spoke:

-If you know, then could you please do me a favor and not be so clingy with him?

After saying that coldly, Kurumi stopped, crossed her arms and continued:

-I didn't want to say this, but... It seems to me like you're using your brother's problem to get close to Takeshi.

-No... I'm not getting closer to him....

Mui at that moment remembered that something quite serious did happen between her and Takeshi and immediately blushed.

-What's wrong? -Kurumi asked.

-What about what? -Mui answered.

-You remembered something, didn't you? Something you did to Takeshi.

-C-of course not...

Then Kurumi started to speak with more frustration and declared:

-I'd like to hear it from you rather than from Takeshi himself. We are women and we are supposed to be friends aren't we?

When Mui heard Kurumi highlight the word "Friends", she raised her face.

"Did she say we are friends?"

"But, I also want Takeshi-kun to be my friend."

Mui was happy with what she had just heard and she didn't know why, but she felt relieved.

In that case, it would be nice to tell Kurumi the truth.

"We are friends after all," Mui thought.

Still a little afraid, Mui remembered what happened and spoke:

-Listen, don't be angry Yes?

Kurumi stared at her. Then Mui came clean, speaking in a cheerful tone that didn't match the conversation at all.

-It was just an accident...

—…

-The day he helped me, I accidentally fell in the infirmary and we ended up colliding our mouths.

Mui looked up and saw Kurumi's face realizing that she had made a mistake. Kurumi's look that always looked stern, this time it looked like the look of a scared and confused girl. No matter how you looked at it, she seemed to be in complete shock.

-Kurumi? -Mui whispered in confusion.

-You mean they put their mouths together...? -Kurumi answered in a flat voice without any emotion in her.

Mui was afraid to keep looking at Kurumi's face so she lowered her gaze. However, when Mui decided to raise her face again, Kurumi was already gone.

-Huh? Kurumi!!!!

All Mui saw was Kurumi's silhouette hurrying away.

Part 10

Kurumi ran into the school building. She was exhausted and came tumbling down the hallway, bumping between several boys until she finally jumped into the classroom where the gazes of her classmates immediately turned to her at the same time. Takeshi was already there.

-Isoshima?

Takeshi was surprised to see Kurumi exhausted and with tousled hair at the back door of the classroom. She was panting heavily from running so hard. But still, when she approached Takeshi she leaned towards him and raised her face.

-O-hey, what do you think you're doing?

Takeshi involuntarily stopped her by holding her shoulders. For if he didn't, Kurumi's mouth would have touched his.

-Don't you want to? -Kurumi asked sadly.

-It's not about that.

-Then what? -Kurumi exclaimed more uneasy than usual. Then Takeshi whispered:

-What's wrong with you today?

Kurumi raised her gaze indignantly, caught her breath and said:

-Why Takeshi...? Tell me why you didn't tell me you made out with Mui...?

-Aah?

- "AAaaahh...!!!!!"?

The sudden statement immediately caused a commotion in the whole classroom.

Takeshi was shocked so he replied:

-BE.... be...what, Mui and I...?

-Mui herself told me...

-You didn't misunderstand?

-No. She told me clearly that their mouths had touched.

-That our mouths touched?

Hearing that kind of interpretation, Takeshi understood and remembered.

-Ah was that...

Kurumi didn't lose sight of Takeshi's reactions for a second.

-So it did happen..." Kurumi muttered.

-No, it's not how you imagine it....

It was the accident that happened in the infirmary when Takeshi and Mui first met. But for both of them, it had been just an accident. However Kurumi's words pointed to her giving it a different meaning.

-So you kiss a girl and then forget about it just like that as if it was nothing? Is that the kind of man you are?

At Kurumi's terrible confrontation, Takeshi replied quietly:

-It's not what you think....

-That's the worst thing you could say.....

-And why are you so angry? -Takeshi asked confused. Kurumi answered violently:

-It's obvious that she did it. We are a couple. Remember?

-Of course I remember, but you're forgetting that that's foul....

Takeshi tried to speak, but she quickly covered Takeshi's mouth with her hands and said:

-Y.o.u. a.r.e. m.y. b.o.y.f.r.i.e.n.d. Get it through your head.

Normally Takeshi would accede to any tantrum from her, but this time was different. What he had heard in the gym was still going around in his head. And, on top of that, there was Ida and her problems.

-Listen, since you bring it up....

Takeshi grabbed Kurumi and walked out into the hallway with her to avoid the prying eyes of all his classmates.

-Look... I've agreed to go out with you and everything, but these days you've been a little heavy....

Kurumi who didn't expect a refusal from Takeshi, stared at him and said:

-You don't want to do it anymore?

-It's not that. It's just that... I want you to stop being so clingy with me.

Kurumi was completely shocked to hear that and Takeshi took the opportunity to take out everything he had in store:

-Besides, aren't you going to detach yourself from me even for a second? To be honest, sometimes I feel like you're just playing with me. We've known each other since we were kids and back then, we didn't know what it was like to have your own space.

For a while, Kurumi didn't react as if she was already expecting those words from Takeshi, until she suddenly looked down to the ground and muttered:

-You mean... I'm... playing with you?

-Something like that...

Takeshi was aware that she wouldn't do that to his childhood friend and thought:

"Maybe I went a little too far..."

However, now that she had said it, there was no turning back now.

-I-isoshima... e-listen....

But, while thinking about how to continue, Kurumi said:

-It's okay...

She just said that sentence and went back to the living room, entering as if nothing had happened. But Takeshi could not do the same. While it was true that what he said might have been very harsh, it was what he really felt. His intention was not to hurt Kurumi. Or rather, he shouldn't have. Although, she wouldn't have to get hurt either since they were only pretending to be boyfriend and girlfriend. Still, for some reason Takeshi felt as if he had done something very wrong and felt so angry that he wanted to hit himself.

Part 11

A week after what happened with Kurumi. The semester exam period had ended with disastrous results. Luckily his parents weren't around to scold him, so there wasn't as much of a problem in that regard, and he was relieved to know that he could still recover, even so, it wasn't to laugh about getting bad grades. Besides, Takeshi was facing another situation.

After the above happened, Kurumi no longer showed up for the magic affinity group training that had already resumed after the end of the exam period. And, she also did not approach Takeshi in the classroom again as she used to. Ida also continued with her insecurities so Takeshi was left to train alone.

Since morning Takeshi had been watching Kurumi closely, with the intention of breaking the ice. When it was time for recess, he tried to talk to her who was sitting next to him.

-Hey... Isohima....

This was the first time Takeshi did that, since she was always the one looking for him, so he was breaking the rules in that aspect. However, Kurumi didn't respond at all and simply got up from her seat and left the classroom. Takeshi followed her into the corridor because he was fully determined to talk to her.

-Isoshima I want to talk to you.....

However, no matter how much he called out to her by walking behind her, she didn't turn around.

"I guess she's avoiding me... It's too obvious. He's been doing the same thing for a whole week."

Takeshi had certainly said he wanted his space, but he also hadn't said not to talk to her again at all. All he wanted was for them to get along more like what they were: childhood friends.

Kurumi continued to ignore Takeshi and went into the girls' bathroom. Takeshi stood in front of the entrance and let out a sigh.

-Takeshi-kun... did you have a fight with Kurumi? -Asked Mui who appeared walking down the hallway. Takeshi smiled bitterly and answered:

-Sort of...

He didn't really feel that they had fought, but everything gave the impression that they had. Mui looked up and said to the worried Takeshi:

-Do you want me to talk to her?

However, Takeshi politely declined. After all, he had already been wandering around after Kurumi for quite a while. Besides, he wasn't the only one to blame and solving that matter also depended on Kurumi.

-No, I'll wait a little longer.

-Really? -Mui asked with concern, but seeing that Takeshi was determined, she went back to the classroom.

Takeshi knew he had to do it on his own and he was sure that if he didn't succeed, Kurumi would move further away from him. That was not what he wanted. He even wondered if it would be better to go back to his usual relationship with her.

Finally when all the classes were over, Takeshi took Kurumi by force. She was about to leave the classroom as soon as the bell rang.

-Hey Isoshima, wait....

The classmates looked at them with some suspicion, but then they didn't take so much attention anymore. Kurumi tried to break free from Takeshi's grip, but when she saw that it was impossible, she ducked her head.

-Why are you doing this? I told you several times that I wanted to talk to you and you didn't listen to me..." Takeshi declared in a stern tone.

At that moment, drops of water started to fall at Kurumi's feet from her crouched face. She was crying. Takeshi noticed that and froze completely.

Most of the students just stared at them, but of all people, Ida let out a heavy sigh, approached them and grabbed them both by the arm to pull them out of the classroom.

-If you're going to fight, do it somewhere else. -Ida told them.

Then she pointed with her chin to the emergency stairs at the end of the hall.

-I'm sorry. -Takeshi replied.

Then Ida let out another sigh and said:

-If you don't get along you will create a bad atmosphere in the team and remember that I am also part of that team.

-You are right...

Ida pulled the repentant Takeshi, and whispering in his ear so Kurumi wouldn't hear said:

-Bringing out the soft side of a woman, that's a gift only we men have.....

-What are you saying? -Takeshi asked.

-I don't know, Dad used to say that..." replied Ida.

Takeshi involuntarily let out a small laugh and then Ida patted him on the back. She was still holding Kurumi's arm, but she had already stopped crying. When they climbed the emergency stairs, Takeshi finally let go of her. But Kurumi still kept silent.

-Listen, Isoshima... Let's stop this already, okay?

—…

-Isoshima?

Takeshi was waiting for Kurumi to answer him something. She leaned on the stair railing and even with her face bent down, she finally answered:

-You said not to be so clingy with you remember?

-Yes, but that's not what I meant, you're overreacting too much.....

He didn't want to get so far away that he would never talk to her again.

-I just told you to give us some space, but it wasn't for you to go that far.

Kurumi was still depressed.

-I just..." Kurumi spoke in a voice so low that it seemed like the wind could blow it away. I didn't want you to hate me...".

Kurumi wiped the tears from her eyes with her fingertips.

That gesture made Takeshi feel miserable. He never intended to make her cry. He didn't even expect Kurumi to have cried like that. So he let out a heavy sigh suddenly. Something that caused Kurumi to suddenly shudder. That caused Takeshi more misery as it was inconceivable that she could ever be afraid of him.

-I could never hate you. I just, I couldn't help but be shocked. -He mentioned in a sweetened voice.

Kurumi raised her face slightly and asked:

-Shocked? Hadn't talking to me shocked you?

-Of course...

It was bad enough for him to be ignored by Gekkou, and he was shocked to see Kurumi so intent on doing it the same way.

-So... Shall we continue as we were?

She looked up and stared at him, then Takeshi smiled.

-It's okay...

Immediately after that, Kurumi broke away from the railing and approached Takeshi.

-Huh?!?!!? mirror ....

She held Takeshi's hand very tightly.

-Don't you want to?

-Well...

Takeshi was a bit confused about what she meant, then Kurumi clarified:

-I mean holding hands. Not when we're alone, but when we're at school, right?

Kurumi looked up with wet eyes and Takeshi frowned and whispered slowly:

-Okay...

With that, the charade of pretending to be boyfriend and girlfriend was prologue. But it was much better than being ignored by Kurumi. Although he felt like he was at a dead end, he had no choice and simply walked back to the hallway holding hands with Kurumi. If it helped Kurumi feel better, then that was fine.

In response to the half-surrendered Takeshi, Kurumi stopped making that tragic face she had. However, she thought Mui had urged him to follow her to try to talk to her.

As she went into the girls' bathroom to run away from him, she heard them talking in the hallway. At the time, he barely caught a glimpse of them mentioning his name.

"Would he have made peace with me because she asked him to?", Kurumi wondered.

"If she hadn't asked him would he have left me alone any longer? »

All that boiled down to one very sad question she wanted to ask him:

-Takeshi, is there someone you like?

But, Takeshi who was walking behind her didn't seem to have listened.

Part 12

While Takeshi had his troubles during the magic festival and during exams, his family lived a soft and quiet life at home.

-What are you doing? -Gekkou suddenly asked.

He was returning from school at that moment, already when he opened the door of the house, he found his mother standing on the other side.

-Gekkou...

His mother, who looked up at the sight of him, was holding a medium-sized cardboard box in her hands.

-That's for the mail, isn't it? Are you planning to send it to Takeshi?

Gekkou's face asking that question while taking off his shoes was one of complete displeasure. Aware of that, the mother turned around. Gekkou looked inside the box and took out a sweater for Takeshi that was carefully laid out.

-What academy is Takeshi going to now? -Gekkou asked.

-It's Kousei Academy..." His mother answered.

That was the name that had been given to Subaru Magic Academy, in the documents. The administrative staff that came from the academy had placed their magic on all of them so that there would be no inconsistencies. Takeshi's family had been completely convinced.

-Ah yes. Kousei Academy in Tochigi prefecture. I think, I should go deliver this myself....

-Huh?

His mother couldn't hide her surprise at the sudden statement. Then Gekkou smiled and added:

-I think it's about time to make peace with Takeshi.

When his mother heard Gekkou say that he would go to school and on top of that say that he would make up with Takeshi, she was completely dumbfounded and replied:

-He'll be here in January anyway So why are you going to bother going all the way there?

-I want to go and see that academy. Even our neighbor Kurumi transferred there, so it must be a good place.

—…

His mother's eyes indicated she didn't want to let that happen, but Gekkou smiled, returned the sweater to the box, closed the lid and said:

-Don't worry, I'll deliver it.....

His mother then, put her hand on the box in opposition and said:

-Gekkou, it would be better if you gave up that idea. The time must come for that to happen. You can't force it just like that. You'd better wait until he comes back. I'll take that to the post office.

-Mmm... that's a strange thing to say, mom. -Are you hiding something?

-I'm not hiding anything. I'm just worried about you. Instead of worrying about Takeshi, you should pay more attention to your exams.

When his mother mentioned the exams, Gekkou lowered his eyebrows and shrugged his shoulders.

-Heh, heh... I know...

Gekkou climbed the stairs to the second floor with a look of resignation. However, with his back turned, his attitude looked different. He was dragging his feet as he walked. His leg bothered him especially when climbing steps. His mother could never get used to seeing her son in that state. So he looked away and opened the box again. With a tired expression, she took out the sweater that had been all stabbed up and folded and tidied it back into the box. She was actually relieved that Takeshi was gone.

Gekkou had a rather explosive temper that totally contracted with Takeshi's serenity as if they were two opposite sides of a coin. She was trying to convince herself that this was for the best. However, when she thought of Takeshi, Nanase Youko's heart ached, because there was nothing else in her mind, a fuzzy memory. Suddenly, a round blob of moisture fell on the new sweater for Takeshi inside the box, but she sealed the box with tape as if she didn't want anyone to see it.

CHAPTER 4: A Battle of the Collapsing World

Part 1

Finally, that ill-fated semester exam was behind us, and now that it was November, autumn had finally made its appearance. All the students at the Subaru Magic Academy spent their days busily training their magical affinities for the next exam that was very close.

This time, they were no longer training only in the gymnasium, but also places like the outdoor sports complex and the classrooms themselves. The exam in question was called the "Magical Aptitude Test" which was to be held at the end of the month. This was a large-scale test and as the name suggests, it sought to assess the students' abilities to control their magic of their affinity. During this exam, students would be grouped according to their magical affinities regardless of the academic grade they were studying.

The academy held three such exams during the course of the school year. The first was held in May. It was a tournament where teams representing each class faced each other in battles with magic. The next one, held at the end of November, was the "Magical Aptitude Test" mentioned above. The last one was held at the end of January and consisted of an event of snow magic battles by teams separated into colors. All the tests were aimed at analyzing the students' abilities to use their magical affinity powers. So, they were strictly evaluated by the teachers and the results could affect the ranking system of the students for the next year.

Takeshi was going to take the exam for the first time, and he was trying to find out what it was about, but none of his classmates could give him a clear idea. He was only four months into learning how to use magic and had just learned how to control his magical power to use Twilight without draining his magical power completely. For such a reason, she had not had much time to have started training with her Evasive Magic properly.

During that exam, Takeshi was supposed to be grouped together with other students of evasive magic where he would have to pass a test imposed by the teacher in charge. However, he was sure that there would be no other students of evasive magic who had better control of their magic than him. That, despite the fact that the test made no distinction of academic level, -except for the elementary students since they had not yet learned the use of their magical affinity and therefore, they were the only ones exempt from participating-. He was sure that among those in his group there would be no one who had learned to use magic in such a short time as he had. Ida and Kurumi had finally returned to training as a team with him and were giving their best.

Kurumi, had practically mastered her biological magic affinity completely by now. A power called "Metamorphosis", which allowed her to change the physical age of her body at will. She could turn into either a girl or an adult woman of ages that Kurumi did not want to give details, but that Takeshi estimated to be around forty or fifty years old. Moreover, she could not only turn her whole body, but also parts of it and once proved it by growing her breasts despite having become a girl in elementary school age. In spite of everything, Kurumi complained that her magic was useless.

Her magic was useless for fighting and if she had any test where she had to face someone in battle, she would lose easily. For that reason, Kurumi was now concentrating on training her basic magic, which was her weak point. However, she did not take it easy as she was as serious as the other students. Despite everything, Takeshi still had a strained relationship with both Kurumi and Ida. It was no longer as easy to exchange words as before.

Whenever training ended right at five o'clock, Ida would immediately leave without saying anything. When he was left alone with Kurumi, the atmosphere between them remained tense even though he accompanied her to the dormitories. He wanted to return to the relationship he had before with the two of them, but he didn't want to apologize and that had him at a dead end. The only one he had been able to talk to normally was Mui. But lately even she had begun to act strangely and he couldn't communicate well with her anymore.

In Mui's case, maybe it was just because of the misunderstanding of the dating relationship he had with Kurumi, that's why he thought of telling her the truth but in the end he didn't tell her anything. (Mostly because Kurumi objected to it). Takeshi held Twilight tightly as he thought about it all, and when the magic circles began to glow in his eyes, he suddenly stood watching one of the groups on the other side of the gym. Beyond the crowd, Mui, an elementary school boy and a middle school girl who were part of his group, were sitting around chatting happily. They seemed to be taking a break at the moment. The elementary school boy was holding up his hands, making faces as if he was imitating something, while Mui and the other girl were laughing loudly.

-Takeshi, let's get it over with....

Takeshi turned his gaze to Kurumi behind him and nodded.

-Oh, right...

-Then, I'll be going now. See you tomorrow.

Ida made the orange magic particles disappear from her hands and left the gym quickly. Seeing that, Takeshi simply let out a slight sigh.

So far, Takeshi had always had many friends but he had never had that kind of tense relationship with one of them before. That's why he didn't know what to do.

"Now that I remember, I've never had a fight with a friend before," He analyzed.

With his younger brother Gekkou, he hadn't had many fights. His parents always told him that when they fought, to always play along with his little brother, so Takeshi thought that's what he should do with everyone. By using that method, he also avoided unnecessary arguments with his friends and so he didn't even know how to make up.

-Takeshi, it's time for us to leave too.

When he heard Kurumi's call, Takeshi sheathed Twilight, deactivated her magic and started walking with her.

In the surroundings, there were still students training and releasing affinity magic and basic magic everywhere, as the most enthusiastic ones, stayed until six in the evening. (Because at that time the gymnasium closed). Suddenly, one of the spells that the students were casting, was about to hit Kurumi, but Takeshi pushed her away immediately without the need to use his evasive magic. Then the staggering Kurumi lost her balance and crashed into Takeshi's chest. He, felt a glance above him and turned to look back. It was mui who from the other side of the gym was staring at them.

-Isoshima... get away now. -He stammered, pushing Kurumi by the shoulders to get some distance from her.

-Ah, right. Sorry, I'm fine now. Thanks, Takeshi.

Kurumi was blushing at that moment, but Takeshi didn't notice. So he took her hand, started to walk pulling her.

-Takeshi?

Kurumi followed Takeshi's pace with a faint smile and a face blushing up to her ears. However, unlike her, Takeshi wore a tense expression.

"I don't mind pretending that we're boyfriend and girlfriend, but I don't want to feel committed to that even in training."

Takeshi was very worried that Mui would get the wrong ideas about them, so he left the gym as quickly as possible as if he had run away.

Part 2

A week had passed. And during that lapse of time, nothing interesting happened. However, when the exam was very close and the students were training even harder, Mui disappeared from the academy.

It all started when Kurumi, worried that Mui did not arrive at the dormitory even though the deadline had arrived, called the dormitory manager. She contacted the academy authorities and throughout the night, the teachers searched everywhere for her without success. The next morning, Kurumi told Takeshi what had happened. Then he left to talk to Hitouji-sensei.

Most students tended to stay in the dormitories, and the only ones who didn't, were the ones who went straight home. However, Takeshi knew that with Mui, that was not the case. She had told him before that her parents had passed away and since she had no home to go to, she had been living in the dormitories of the academy for a long time.

-Something is wrong..." Takeshi muttered.

After returning from the teacher's room. Kurumi and Ida had sat next to him in the classroom.

-What do you mean by that?" Kurumi asked with a frown. She had had enough of hearing about Mui.

-I think the reason why Mui is not at the academy," Takeshi mentioned. It's because he ran away again to look for his brother.

Ida, who was looking intently at a supermarket pamphlet, replied:

-Even if you know that, you have no idea where he actually went?

He didn't seem really interested in the matter, since what occupied his mind at that very moment was the type of food that would be in his next day's bento.

-That's right, Takeshi," Kurumi supported. We can't run off looking for her. Chances are that girl has returned home to her parents in the living world, right?

Takeshi shook his head and answered:

-Mui has no family other than her older brother.

-Huh?

-What are you saying?

Kurumi and Ida were surprised to hear such a statement.

-Just as you hear it. -Takeshi clarified. That's why Mui is trying so desperately to get his brother back.

-So that's the way things are..." said Ida with a serious and thoughtful face.

-But even so," Kurumi hurried when she saw that the two of them sympathized with Mui. We can't do anything about it. I'm just starting to get used to basic magic and as for Ida-kun, he's still exploding.

When Ida heard that she mentioned controlling her magic affinity, she replied:

-Hey, hey... you can't say that, Isoshima... I've gone a week without breaking anything.

-That's not true. -She refuted. Then she looked at Takeshi. Listen, Takeshi. The teachers are the ones who should be in charge of looking for Aiba-san, not us.

—…

Even if that was true, Takehsi couldn't help but be worried about Mui for, not being at the academy, she had most likely gone on the Trailers' trail again.

The last time Mui ran away to go in search of her older brother Tsuganashi, she was severely scolded by the headmistress and as punishment, she was demoted from the special class and assigned to the C class. Since then, she had been living quietly as an ordinary student.

At that time, the headmistress told Mui to leave the Tsuganashi matter in the hands of Wizard Breath, but to date, they had done practically nothing. It was no wonder Mui lost her patience. Takeshi was fully aware of the matter and knew that his concern for Mui, was not in vain

"Mui and I, we are so much alike," Takeshi thought.

Mui was trying to get his brother Tsuganashi back, while Takeshi, had run away from his younger brother Gekkou, who now hated him. They were different things that's for sure, but they had in common the bad sibling relationship.

"I would do anything to make Gekkou forgive me."

Since that fateful day when the accident happened, Takeshi remained in his brother's shadow, taking all his anger and spite with resignation. But he felt so fed up, the urge to run away was not lacking.

"Mui is trying to get her brother back no matter how many times he rejects her."

The persistence she had, made Takeshi still felt hopeful of regaining his relationship with Gekkou. He still hoped that someday, they could go back to the way they were before, see him face to face and practice kendo together again.

-Maybe in his room there is some clue about Mui's whereabouts. -Takeshi mentioned.

As he had been silent for a while, they thought he had already given up with the intention of going to look for her. But, they were surprised to see that he insisted again.

-Wait, Takehi, are you serious? -Kurumi whispered.

Kurumi's astonishment, quickly turned to frustration. But Takeshi obviously couldn't leave Mui alone and said:

-Please Isoshima... take a look in Mui's desk, maybe there is something that will give us a clue.

-I'm not going to do that...

-Please Isoshima! -Takeshi insisted, putting his hands together in supplication.

-Takeshi...

-You know well that I can't enter the Maple dormitory.

The "Maple" dormitory was the girls' dormitory at the magical academy. The boys' dormitory was known as the "Ivy" dormitory and was on the other side of the school building from the girls' dormitory. As expected, it was strictly forbidden for boys to enter the girls' dormitory and vice versa. If a boy was discovered in the girls' dormitory, he might even be expelled from the academy.

Kurumi slapped the desk hard and stood up abruptly.

-I said I won't do it! -She flatly refused again, "I don't want to sneak off to go rummaging through someone else's things.

To tell the truth, Takeshi didn't like the idea of doing that either, but without any clues, he wouldn't be able to look for Mui.

-Please, Isoshima. I'm asking you from the bottom of my heart. If you do it, I will do whatever you ask me to do.

Kurumi stared at Takeshi for a while and replied:

-I may not find anything, but I will do what you ask.

Although a little reluctant, Kurumi finally accepted the request, so Takeshi smiled.

-Never mind, you do it anyway.

Kurumi let out a heavy sigh and mumbled:

-Well, what's the use...

Part 3

There was a corridor full of mirrors that served as the entrance to the academy. In a normal school, the main entrance would be just a gate, but there, the entrance was two huge mirrors placed on either side of the corridor. However, since most of the students stayed in the dormitories, very few of them used it.

At the end of the corridor, which was about two hundred meters long, there were two white wooden doors on either side. One led to the academy building, and the other led to the courtyard that led to the dormitories.

Takeshi was standing in front of the hallway, all alone. He had already been there for fifteen minutes and during that time, no one had appeared anywhere. Involuntarily, he smiled when he saw his reflection in those huge mirrors. The reason was because of the very somber expression he wore, as he had huge dark circles under his eyes. He hadn't slept all night because he was so worried about Mui. He feared that the Trailers were chasing her or worse, that they had already caught her. The uncertainty just thinking about it was eating him up inside. He had asked Kurumi to look for clues as to Mui's whereabouts, but other than that, he didn't know what else to do. He had a notion of where he had gone, but his hands felt tied. The only thing he could do for the moment, was to wait in that corridor full of mirrors. Whenever he had some time, Takeshi kept doing that for three days after Mui's disappearance.

The Subaru Magic Academy, didn't have an entrance gate or a back door like normal schools and although it looked like there were, those were nothing more than mere decoration. The academy was covered by a powerful magical barrier that no mage could enter or exit, other than through the hall of mirrors. Mui could only pass through that place when he left, and of course when he returned, he would also have to pass if or if, through the same hallway.

"I wish I could go look for her...", Takeshi thought.

There was a reason why Takeshi couldn't go out to look for her. It turns out that traveling through the portals in the mirrors, had a limitation. Such portals could only transport someone to places they had been before. In Takeshi's case, the mirror corridor could only take him to the bathroom in his house and a few public places in the living world.

If Mui was somewhere outside the academy in the ruined world, Takeshi had no way of getting there. It was true that the city of Tokyo in the ruined world was the same as in the living world, but their ages were different. The city of Tokyo that Takeshi knew was one of the present day, while the Tokyo of the ruined world was a Tokyo of the late 1990s where all the people disappeared and time stood still. It was a Tokyo where he had never been. For such a reason, he was trapped without being able to go outside the ruined world.

"I guess waiting for Mui here, no use," Takeshi reflected, letting out a heavy sigh.

Kurumi and Ida, were very optimistic believing that Mui would be back soon. But Takeshi didn't believe that, since when he first met her, she was being chased.

At that moment, the door leading to the academy building, opened and a student who appeared to be two or three years older than Takeshi appeared. He was wearing some sort of black neoprene wetsuit and carried a shotgun slung over his shoulder. The boy stood in front of the mirror and before doing anything else, he bent down to tighten the laces of his boots. Meanwhile, Takeshi simply watched him in silence. But then, something occurred to him and he spoke to the boy from afar:

-Are you going home already?

That boy, who was still lacing his boots, answered in a firm voice:

-No, I am on duty.

Then he stood up, fixed his holster and finally looked at Takeshi.

-You... Are you from the special class? -he asked.

The neoprene-like suit had a black and white moon emblem on the chest area. Seeing the stern look of that senpai, Takeshi placed his hand on Twilight that he wore around his waist. He smiled with a complicated expression and answered:

-Yes, but I'm just here as a backup. I'm an evasive magic user.

Hearing that, the boy averted his gaze and looked at the mirror, completely losing interest and answered:

-Ahh, I see... then, goodbye.....

When the young man was about to leave through the mirror, Takeshi called out to him:

-O-hey...

-What's wrong?

The boy turned to look at with an air of suspicion. Then Takeshi asked:

-How's the situation out there?

-Not good. The last operation we carried out was a failure. Two of my men died and on top of that, the director was injured.

—…

Takeshi took a deep breath.

"You just said... that... two people died? Is that really the situation of the war outside?"

The boy didn't seem to have missed Takeshi's surprise and continued:

-That result was to be expected since it was an operation we carried out with only three communities. But, now we have the advantage because this time we will deploy all the C7 communities. This time failure is not an option.

—…

-Don't worry. You will be in the rear, so there will be no need for you to expose yourself to danger. We are in the middle of a large-scale operation. Although the "concierges "* will be placed randomly.

The boy thought Takeshi was afraid and relaxed his expression a little.

-Tell me... What community do you belong to?

-Ah I... I belong to Wizard Breath," Takeshi answered quickly.

-I see, I belong to "Eclipse". My name is Midorikawa. I hope to see you on the other side.

-Of course.

That young man extended his hand towards the mirror, and a light brown magic circle appeared in it and then the portal opened.

-Be careful..." Takeshi told him.

Midorikawa laughed mockingly and as he stepped into the mirror portal.

-Ha ha ha ha... thank you.

The boy Midorikawa, disappeared into the ruined world and left behind his magic circle in the mirror.

Part 4

-Are you serious? -Kurumi asked, raising her eyebrows. Takeshi nodded and said:

-Of course.

-You can't do such a thing," Kurumi insisted again.

Takeshi was already aware that Kurumi was absolutely right.

-I have no choice.

The expression of tragedy that Takeshi had at that moment, made Kurumi even more in a bad mood.

The last time they saw Mui, it had been three days ago after school. At that time, there were only Takeshi, Kurumi and Ida in the classroom. All the other classmates had gone to the gym or some other place to continue training their magical affinities for the exam.

Kurumi had a bad feeling when Takeshi called her to stay in the classroom after class, but since she already had a clear idea of what he wanted to talk about, she felt a pressure in her chest and had a grumpy expression. Takeshi had asked her to search Mui's belongings for clues, taking advantage of the fact that they both lived in the same room. It was time to deliver results. Mui had a map of Tokyo in the late nineties stored in a drawer of her desk. Kurumi took the map and handed it to Takeshi. The map had blue and red pen marks on it.

"Let him tell me all that, but give me the map without protest, it's very unfair."

Takeshi had brought up that he would go out to look for Mui. Then Kurumi looked at Takeshi angrily and said:

-There's a war outside right?!

Takeshi just let out a small sigh.

-Are you stupid?! Do you want to go there to die?

-But if I don't go, Mui is going to....

-That girl got into it of her own free will! -Besides, she's perfectly capable of using her magic. Not like us...

As she scolded him, Takeshi replied with a lowered gaze:

-Still, I'm worried about her.

—…

Hearing that, Kurumi opened her mouth with the intention of saying something else, but quickly closed it again without saying anything.

"Worried about her? That's all he has in his mouth. worried! worried...! he's only worried about her!"

Kurumi stared at Takeshi who was about to check the map she gave him.

"He's said several times that he's worried about Mui... and I... well, I'm a little worried about her too... That girl... she's really very careless and distracted. She falls asleep in the bathtub. She has a bunch of stuffed animals on her bed like she's a little girl. She never stops talking to me, she lies down to sleep with wet hair, and she's very loud in the mornings."

As she thought about all that, Kurumi's anger subsided a little and she let out a sigh.

"I feel strange being alone in such a big room. Everything is too quiet without her."

Kurumi was still pensively staring at the floor, until suddenly, Ida who had remained silent spoke up:

-Hold on a second....

Takeshi stopped examining the map and looked up at Ida.

-What are you going to do if you don't find Aiba?

-Keep looking for her until you find her whereabouts..." Takeshi answered immediately.

Thinking a bit, Ida suggested:

-The first time you found her she was at Sakuraya Academy wasn't she? Maybe she has gone to the living world again?

-No, this time she stayed in the ruined world. I have no doubt about that.

-Why do you say that?

At the moment, there is a large-scale operation going on out there. It wouldn't be unusual for Mui's brother to be involved in that.

-You're saying Aiba went to that place?

-Yes.

When she heard that, Kurumi asked:

-Hey, what do you mean by "large-scale operation"?

Takeshi didn't want to answer. If he told her any more, Kurumi would only get more worried and end up objecting even more. Takeshi simply folded the map, put it in his backpack and stood up.

-Isoshima please don't say anything to the teacher until my return.

—…

Takeshi looked at her seriously as he asked her that and for some reason, she was filled with fear.

-Hey, are you planning to go alone? -Ida asked.

He remained seated at his desk leaning back in his chair with his feet up on the desk. But at that moment he stood up and said:

-Are you an idiot? Because I'm not going with you.

He took his backpack and threw it over his shoulder and left the classroom.

-Takeshi... I...

Kurumi felt that she still had a lot of things to say to Takeshi, but for some reason, she wasn't able to express them. Instead, she clung to Takeshi's clothes. He smiled at her and said:

-Isoshima... I'll be back very soon.

Takeshi's kind smile always made her feel better, but not this time. This time Kurumi felt a strong pressure in her chest and felt like crying.

-You idiot!!! -She shouted and then ran out of the classroom in a hurry.

Takeshi was left alone in the classroom listening to Kurumi's footsteps walking away.

Part 5

Ya eran pasadas las seis de la tarde y Takeshi se encontraba de nuevo en el pasillo de los espejos después de pasar por su cuarto para dejar su mochila. Ahora, llevaba consigo el mapa doblado en el bolsillo del pecho. Estaba plenamente consciente de que afuera la batalla se estaba poniendo cada vez más cruda. Pero eso no le importaba, ya que lo único que tenía en mente, era encontrar a Mui lo más rápido posible y no podía quedarse de brazos cruzados.

—¿Qué haces aquí? —Preguntó alguien de repente.

Era otro estudiante de curso superior que venía completamente equipado el apareció mientras él se encontraba allí parado. Llevaba un uniforme azul marino de apariencia militar con un emblema de una estrella de cinco puntas en el pecho. Era un uniforme totalmente distinto al uniforme escolar normal.

«Ese es el emblema de “Wizard Breath”», Analizó Takeshi.

El emblema que Midorikawa —el chico que conoció la última vez—, portaba en el pecho, era el de una luna. Ese emblema, era el de la comunidad llamada “Eclipse”. Fue a partir de ese momento en que vio eso, que Takeshi se dedicó a investigar acerca de los emblemas de cada una de las comunidades del C7, y supo de inmediato a cual comunidad pertenecía este otro chico.

—Estoy esperando a alguien. —Contestó Takeshi. Luego miró directamente al chico y preguntó—. ¿Acaso están planeando una estrategia?

—Sí, más o menos…

Al igual que hizo Midorikawa, este chico también se apretó las agujetas de sus botas y revisó su equipo. Pero cuando escucho “estrategia” alzó la cara. Takeshi se llevó la mano al bolsillo de su pecho y dijo:

—Tengo algo que entregar a Midorikawa-san de Eclipse. ¿Me puedo ir contigo? Estuve esperando a mis demás compañeros pero parece que ya no van a venir y tengo prisa.

Aquel chico miró con cierta sospecha a Takeshi.

—Oye ¿Ya te dieron tu botón de “Concierge”?

—Claro que si…

A decir verdad, Takeshi no tenía ni la más remota idea de lo que significaba “Concierge”, pero de cualquier manera mantuvo la farsa.

—Fuu… a ver, ¿Dónde es que iban a ser desplegados tus compañeros de Eclipse? Porque ya te digo que yo voy hacia la zona de Ebisu.

-Never mind that," Takeshi replied.

However, seeing Takeshi's strange attitude, the boy frowned.

-What do you mean it doesn't matter? What are you going to do if they're lined up somewhere too far away from where I'm going?

-W-well... I'm sure they'll be very close to there.

The student was getting more and more skeptical and stared at Takeshi who looked away.

-Hey... Are you from the special class? Because I don't think I've seen you before?

-Well, I'm not special class, but I am an evasive magic user.

Takeshi knew perfectly well, that evasive magic wizards were very few and very rare to find in any of the communities. Indeed, the student seemed to have been convinced and with an aura of curiosity asked:

-Really? And what kind of evasive magic do you use?

-It's "strike vision," an intuition skill.

-Hee! How nice... I wish you were with us at Wizard Breath," said the boy excitedly. Well, there's no time to be with this. It's time for me to go. But... Are you really going to come after me?

-Yes.

The student put his hand on the mirror and activated his magic circle to open the portal. Takeshi went after him while holding Twilight's grip tightly. No matter where he appeared, he had to think fast about his next move.

"Mui..."

The surface of the mirror rippled as if it were water. And, as soon as the portal was ready, both boys headed for it without delay. Right behind the other boy, Takeshi took a long step and stepped into the mirror at once. However, before his whole entire body passed through, something coming at him in a hurry suddenly hit him in the back forcing him through the portal. After the terrible fall, that student exclaimed:

-What's going on, who are you?

Takeshi could not even get up due to the great weight of something that had fallen on him from somewhere. He couldn't even lift his face.

-Well, looks like we made it. The mirror was about to close.

-Hey! Ida-kun, get out of the way, you're too heavy.

Takeshi was astonished to hear two familiar voices. Slowly, as the weight of his body was lifted away, Takeshi was able to stand up and looked at them.

-Ida! Isoshima...! How did you...?

Those two didn't even look at Takeshi, but looked around.

-Hey... we're outside the academy, right?

Kurumi's question was not answered by the student, but by another person who said:

-Are you students of the academy? Come back immediately.

At that moment, Takeshi found himself prostrate at the feet of a woman sitting on a luxurious red velvet chair. The woman was dressed in a white cloak and hood, and gave them a cold look. The student let out a heavy sigh and said:

-This is no place to play around. All of you, return to the academy at once.

The boy pointed to a place where a mirror the size of a person stood. Takeshi stood up and realized that the place where they were, was a room about four tatamis in size* However, the walls were transparent and you could see through them. That kind of room was in the middle of what seemed to be a street between buildings. The room they were in could look from the outside like some kind of giant showcase.

-I'm very sorry Yuri-san. But... could you take care of them? I have to go or I'll be late for the meeting point," said the boy.

The woman nodded slightly and the student slipped through the wall and went outside. The glass room had no doors, but it looked like its walls could be walked through as if it were a hologram. Takeshi was still in shock when suddenly the woman spoke to them:

-I'm going to open a portal for you to return immediately to the academy.

The woman had no need to touch the mirror. She did not even get up from her seat, but simply pointed her finger at it. A number of magic particles flew towards it and drew a magic circle.

-Come on, go back to the academy. This place is dangerous.

The woman had already opened the portal back to the academy. However, Takeshi shook his head and said:

-My friend is out there.

The woman frowned.

-Your friend is a member of the special class?

-She used to be... but not anymore....

Kurumi took the floor in Takerhsi's place and said:

-We are looking for Aiba Mui.

-Aiba... Mui..." the woman stammered while looking at Takeshi and Kurumi. Then she looked at Ida who was simply observing the matter with her arms crossed. I haven't seen her. At least around here, it hasn't happened....

-Mui left three days ago," Takeshi replied.

The woman averted her gaze and ducked her head saying:

-In that case, the chances of her still being alive are slim.

-What do you mean?

-Observe...

The woman looked away and urged the three of them to look in the same direction. Through the transparent wall, in the distant sky, Takeshi saw something that looked like many birds fluttering in the air. Or so he thought, until Kurumi said:

-Those... Are those people?

Those objects could barely be noticed as small dots in the sky that collided with each other scattering sparks and moving at speeds impossible for a bird. Some suddenly fell to the ground while others soared into the sky illuminating the entire airspace with different colored lights. When Takeshi looked closely at one of these points, he noticed that it was a person in free fall with his arms and legs outstretched. Then, a shiver ran down his back.

-As you can see, the C7 is now in the middle of a combat operation that....

The woman's explanation was suddenly interrupted. A dark gray object that looked like mud suddenly fell on the transparent room causing it to shudder violently.

-Kyaa!

-Uaa! What the heck is going on?

Kurumi and Ida reflexively ducked and Takeshi did the same later.

That mass of grayish slime began to gather above the small room as if it were a living creature, and quickly emerged into a huge ball. From its interior, a person's arm came out and moved up and down energetically as if trying to escape from its interior, but the slime ball quickly rose into the air.

Beyond it was a single wizard floating in the sky. The man appeared to be manipulating said mudball and caused it to crash again and again into the buildings in the area. The sphere exploded splattering everywhere and revealing the person trapped inside.

It was a man who looked completely weakened, who was again caught by the slime before it fell to the ground and slammed him against a wall. The weakened man opened his eyes and seemed to say something. The slime mage, too, seemed to have answered him. After that, a blue and red flash shone brightly between those two mages. The blue magic particles seemed to be stronger and penetrated the man in the wall like an arrow. When the mage who had won the battle called out the slime sphere, the man on the wall fell to the ground and the other flew away without even looking back.

Not only Takeshi, but also Kurumi and Ida, were completely stunned and speechless. And, as the three of them looked stunned, the woman spoke to them in a calm voice:

-Don't worry. You are safe here. You are inside a barrier that does not allow any magic to pass through. -The woman sighed as she saw that the three were still absorbed by what they had just witnessed. It seems that you don't know what "The boxes" are, nor what a "Concierge" is. And it seems that you are not the special kind either. So tell me... What class are you exactly?

Ida, who quickly came to her senses, whispered back in a depressed tone:

-We are Class C....

The woman shook her head and said:

-Get back this very instant. This is no place for you.

Just then, Kurumi, who was still watching, suddenly shouted, drawing Takeshi and Ida's attention. It turned out that more than ten tigers were running across the intersection of the street where they were. One person was riding on the back of the last tiger, but this person immediately jumped up and transformed into a tiger just like the others, and ran along with them.

-That person turned into a tiger!

Kurumi quickly clung to Takeshi's arm unconsciously, and he reciprocated by holding her hand tightly. Her body was completely stiff as she still couldn't believe everything she saw with her own eyes. Even Kurumi's hands felt cold and trembled.

-It's a squad of armored beasts from Wizard Breath. -The woman explained. They seem to be in the middle of a battle. You guys wouldn't be getting in their way, so you'd better get back.

The woman didn't seem to want to get up from her chair, but she still urged the boys to return to the academy. Takeshi had begun to get a good grasp of what was going on outside. But, still, he could not retreat.

-We have to find Mui. -Takeshi insisted.

Saying that, he tried to go out through the wall like the other boy did. However, when he approached the transparent walls and tried to touch them to see if he could get through, the woman shouted:

-Don't touch the barrier!!!!!

Takeshi turned to look at her and refuted:

-She's still alive. She was chased by the Trailers before and managed to escape under her own power. I'm sure Mui is fine.

-That doesn't mean you have permission to come in! Class C students going outside is practically guaranteed suicide.

Takeshi stared at the woman intently. He knew beforehand that going there was dangerous. But still, he felt that if he gave up there and went back, he would never see Mui again.

-Listen, from the first moment you set foot outside the barrier, you will be considered a fighter like the others. So, now that you know that, go back to the academy. The walk ended.

The woman spoke with a stern tone. But Takeshi's head was only thinking about being on the other side.

"Mui is out there."

The map he carried in his breast pocket suddenly became hot.

Most places on the map, was marked with red ink. But there was only one place that was enclosed in a circle. Suddenly, Kurumi grabbed Takeshi's shoulder and pulled him.

-Takeshi, we'd better get back....

Her voice seemed to be full of fear.

-Please Takeshi.

Kurumi's face looked pale. Takeshi held Kurumi by the shoulders and said:

-Isoshima, you go back to the academy. Ida, you too.

-Hey... What are you planning to do? -Ida asked.

Takeshi didn't answer. He just let go of Kurumi's shoulders.

-Takeshi!?

-I'm sorry...

Takeshi turned around and crossed the barrier. For a moment he felt like some kind of membrane clinging to his whole body, but it was relatively easy to cross.

-Wait!

The woman tried to stop Takeshi however the voice no longer reached him. The outside and inside of the barrier were completely isolated.

-Wait Takeshi, don't go!

Ida at that moment held Kurumi by the hand because she tried to pass the barrier to chase Takeshi.

-Isoshima, we'd better go back don't you think?

-Takeshiiiiiii!!!!

Kurumi turned to Ida and stomped on her foot.

-Auuuuch!!!

When Ida jumped up and down in pain, he let go of Kurumi and she took the opportunity to run into the barrier and through it.

-Wait, Isoshima!

Ida chased after her in a hurry and before she knew it, she had broken through the barrier as well. When she stopped and looked back, that transparent room was nowhere to be seen.

-What on earth...?

That entrance they called "The Box", could only be recognized by those who carried and held down a button they called "Conscierge". Once you were completely outside, no other person, wizard or not, would be able to see or touch "the box". Of course, neither Takeshi, Kurumi, nor Ida, had any knowledge of that. Ida knew it was more important to follow Kurumi than to stay and investigate where the box had gone, so she continued running.

She quickly found Kurumi and in turn, they both met up with Takeshi. At the end of the road, there was an intersection where the Wizard Breath and the Trailer were still engaged in a fierce battle, so Takeshi had to hide for the time being.

The three of them ducked into the entrance of a subway parking garage of one of the nearby buildings, waiting for the battle to end.

-Hey, the person we saw fighting earlier... did he really die? -Kurumi asked.

-It's possible," Ida answered.

At that moment they both sighed with concern.

-It looks like it's serious. -Ida added.

While both of them were getting depressed, Takeshi began to check the map seriously.

-Takeshi, the color of your eyes?

When Kurumi pointed, Ida turned to look at Takeshi in surprise.

-You're always pulling out your sword huh?

Takeshi who already had Twilight drawn in his right hand said to them:

-You guys should also prepare to use your magic.

Kurumi put her hands in her skirt pockets and checked to make sure her lipstick was there.

-Even if you say that, you know well that I can't fight. -Kurumi clarified.

-You know how to use basic magic, don't you?

-I'm still practicing...

Ida laughed at Kurumi's weakness and then said:

-Wait a second, In your case, Isoshima can transform you into a little girl to escape right?

-Even having seen that before, you're saying such things? Even if I'm a little girl or something else, here they're going to try to kill me no questions asked.

Kurumi shrugged her shoulders in complete terror.

Meanwhile, Takeshi continued to look at the map very carefully.

Finally, Ida and Kurumi also approached to see the map spread out on the ground next to him.

-We are in Ebisu, aren't we? -asked Ida.

-That's supposed to be it...

While Ida and kurumi were looking for the location of the Ebisu neighborhood on the map, Takeshi pointed to a spot and said:

-If you look closely, Ebisu here is different from the living world where we came from. In this world, there is no Garden Place yet.

Once they were aware of their location, they realized that they were not far from the area Mui had marked on the map.

-The red circle marks the station, right?

Just as Kurumi mentioned, the circle marked a building near the station in the Ebisu neighborhood. Takeshi looked up and saw them both seriously concentrating on the map. Then he said:

-Hey, you are still in time to go back. It would be good if you both did that.

However, Takeshi's suggestion was immediately denied.

-I'm not going back.

-I'm not going to either.

-But it could be very dangerous. Are you sure? Isoshima, you were even screaming in fear until a while ago....

Kurumi tilted her head as if she was confused and said:

-Mmm... I didn't scream.

-Of course you did," Ida pointed out.

However, Kurumi again flatly denied it while looking sideways.

-I didn't scream! Besides, I wasn't scared at all.

Unexpectedly, Takeshi smiled.

-All right. Then we'll look for Mui quickly and come back here.

-Yes...

-Affirmative!

Kurumi whispered and nodded, while Ida gave a military salute.

-Hey, don't do that. -Kurumi mentioned.

-Why? -Ida asked.

-You look ridiculous saying "affirmative" and making that gesture.

-Are you serious?

—…

Takeshi and Ida looked at each other, then burst out laughing while Kurumi pouted.

Part 6

The wind whipping across the roof of a certain building was colder than anywhere else. Meanwhile, Mui was running up a flight of stairs until he finally reached the rooftop. She walked between all the air conditioning units lined up on the place, and shouted:

-Nii-san!

She was 97% sure that her older brother was in that place. Mui had been waiting for that moment since the time she was with the fortune-telling witch at the magic festival. In her hands, she carried the pistol named "Arthur" by her own older brother.

Hearing her voice, Aiba Tsuganashi turned to look at her coldly. The setting sun could be seen behind him and his face in the gloom looked even more gloomy.

-You again?

Tsuganashi was standing on the edge of the rooftop and jumped back inside and started walking towards Mui.

When he was close enough, Mui noticed that the military saber he was carrying was covered in blood. She didn't even want to imagine whose blood it was. Maybe from some fellow Wizard Breath student, or some student she had seen at the academy at some point. It didn't matter who it was. He was terrified at the thought of knowing.

-Stop chasing me.

Tsuganashi shook the sword to wring out the blood and then carefully wiped it with a cloth he pulled out. Meanwhile, Mui clenched his fists to stop the shaking of his shoulders. He waited for Tsuganashi to sheathe the saber, and finally spoke:

-I will never give up. I will pursue you until you are by my side again.

However, Tsuganashi scoffed at Mui's desperate words and said:

-I am not your brother.

Mui then, reached into his pocket. The gesture made Tsuganashi become alert and he quickly stretched out his white-gloved hands which were his Aspect. But, as soon as he saw that what Mui pulled out was not a weapon or his Aspect, he lowered his hand.

-Look at this and tell me what you can say about it. -Mui said.

She threw a handful of pictures toward him.

-Those white gloves you're wearing, I gave them to you for one of your birthdays.

The scattered photos showed a boy and a girl. The boy was wearing a pair of white gloves that were still too big for him, but he was smiling at his little sister who was shyly giving him a peace sign. They looked like a pair of very close siblings. However, the photographs were simply trampled over by Tsuganashi.

-These things can easily be faked. But, it doesn't matter whether your story is true or not. Because what I am sure of, is that I am now Tsuganashi of the Trailer.

-Do you want me to come back to you? How many of your fellow Wizard Breath members would attack me in doing so? Don't say stupid things...

-Nii-san...

Her brother's stubborn attitude was the same as before and Mui could no longer find what to say.

"I thought that if I showed him the pictures, he would react, but it doesn't seem to have worked."

At that moment, an explosion occurred several kilometers to the southwest. It was the blaze of the battle between the Trailers and Wizard Breath's. Mui knew that Wizard Breath would attack the Trailers in the area south of Ebisu Station. It was to be three days before C7 began operations 356 and 358. When these operations began, the communities increased the number of "Concierges" throughout the ruined world. By Concierges, they meant black magic-using mages who managed the entrances to the ruined world and the living world by creating a special barrier that could not be affected by magic and only let those who carried a special button use the mirror.

Mui took advantage of the start of the operation to go out into the ruined world through the many Concierges entrances that belonged to Wizard Breath. She knew that her brother would appear at that specific location on that specific day, so she kept herself hidden in a nearby building until the time came. And from what she had seen, in that time frame, the C7 situation in battle was not encouraging.

The Trailers had concentrated on dominating the airspace. On top of that, on the ground they were carrying out stealth assassinations at night, targeting only mages of advanced rank, using a minimum number of troops. Something they referred to as: "Operation Jackal". That strategy had done considerable damage lately.

Mui wanted to help the Wizard Breath, but his only reason for being there was to rescue his brother, so he just observed the situation from afar. Tsuganashi was one of those who had been participating in the so-called Jackal operation. For the past three days.

Before entering the building they were currently in, Mui witnessed a frozen mage fall several meters from the rooftop. As the man fell to the ground, blood splattered everywhere, leaving a sight of eerie and grotesque red flowers. Mui rushed to the entrance of the building and shed tears without realizing it. She didn't want her brother to keep doing such horrible things.

-Cheer up, child. I've been thinking about you since the last time we saw each other.

—¿…?

Mui did not understand what Tsuganashi said so she just stared at him, then he smiled slightly and added:

-I pictured you in my mind over and over again turning you into an ice statue. And I thought: What would be the most suitable position to freeze you in? Then I thought of one where you would keep that sad expression you have, forever.

Tsuganashi adjusted his white gloves with a smile.

-Ni-Nii-san... You would never do something like that..." Mui replied shaking his head.

-You're wrong. Of course I can. My magic is capable of that. If you say I'm your brother so much, then you should know. I can freeze everything with my "Evil Ice."

Mui shook his head once more.

-No, my brother would never use his power on a living being. He never used his magic that way.

-It seems that brother you remember was a dull fellow. Isn't this power a wasted treasure?

Mui looked at Tsuganashi who was smiling coldly and said:

-My brother used to create ice flowers for me.

-Ha...!

When Mui heard that strange reaction, he looked up only to see his older brother burst out laughing.

-Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha! Ice flowers? Are you serious? I see you used my powers to play with, huh? They sure were all works of art. ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha!

-Don't-don't be silly, Nii-san! -You always used your power to help others, not to hurt people.

Tsuganashi couldn't seem to stop laughing when he heard everything she said.

-I've had enough of joking around. The only thing I will use this power for, is to get rid of all the mages in Wizard Breath. Your precious community, your precious friends, and you, I will freeze them all. I will turn their lives into flowers. You dress them up, don't you, those red flowers scattered around the building?

-Nii-san...

While mui remained horrified, Tsuganashi displayed his white gloves and began at once.

-Free yourself!

From those white gloves, light blue magic particles sprouted.

Mui responded instantly upon learning that her brother was about to cast a high-level affinity magic spell on her.

-Free yourself!

-Too late...

Tsuganashi's attack was faster than Mui, who didn't even manage to aim his gun.

-Grow up! "Thousand Fang!"

The entire surrounding ground, was covered with a thin layer of ice from which, several fang-shaped ice columns emerged.

- "Float!"

Mui soared through the sky with levitation magic to avoid the attack.

-It's useless, take it down! "Big Hail!"

A large amount of fist-sized hail blew down in a gale and hit Mui. She was blown away by the wind, but still managed to aim her gun at her brother and fired:

- "Thunder mil!

The yellow-colored magic particles that gathered in the baked of the barrel of her gun, and drew a huge magic circle and from there, a lightning bolt came out and transformed into a kind of turbine between the two of them, sending all the hail flying.

-Oh, that's right. You are a user of "Acceleration Magic." -Tsuganashi mentioned smiling with interest.

-Nii-san already stopped all of this....

However, he didn't hear what she shouted from the air and waved his right hand with the white glove again.

- "Diamond Cedar!"

Tsuganashi grew a huge icicle that spread out with branches and ice blades just to attack Mui. That Spell, had been created by the two of them when they used to play together.

-If you claim to have forgotten everything and forgotten me, then don't use that spell!!!!!

With tears in her eyes, Mui pointed at the newly created ice tree.

- "Melt Projection!"

The yellow-colored magic particles, gathered in the canyon bake once again, and created a gigantic magic circle. The branches and leaves stretching towards it were pierced by the heat ray. However, Mui was caught off her feet from behind and lost her balance.

-Aah!

As she floated, Tsuaganshi was below her, and while holding her feet, he spoke in a cold manner and said:

-It's over. "Stab Robin!"

As he uttered that spell, several birds flew several robins made of ice, flew quickly like bullets, severely wounding Mui.

-Kyaaaaaaaaaaa!!!!

Her clothes were tearing, blood began to gush out and immense pain flooded her entire body. Mui could do nothing.

Tsuganashi made all the ice disappear like dust, and when everything returned to normal. He looked at Mui. She was an intermediate class mage who belonged to Wizard Breath.

-It was a bit difficult to deal with you.....

Tsuganashi slowly approached to corroborate and bent down to check if Mui was dead. At that moment, Mui's eyes shot open and she placed her hand on the surface of the ground as if she was grasping something even though there was nothing there.

-Hold him "Fast eel!"

Her yellow-colored magic particles, spread out on the ground, forming several snake-like strips that wrapped around Tsuganashi.

-What...?

When Mui stood up, he pulled the bundle of magic particles in his left hand immobilizing Tsuganashi.

-Gu...!

As Tsuganashi squirmed and groaned trying to get free, Mui couldn't help but raise her fists in triumph.

-I did it!

It turns out that when she attacked the tree with her "Melt Projection" spell, she took the opportunity to send and weave tiny threads of her magic particles into the ground so thinly that they were invisible. When Mui breathed a sigh of relief awakening her lacerated and ragged body. She received a whisper in her ear.

-What did you say you accomplished?

-Nii...?

Something impossible was happening. Mui just heard her brother's voice behind her. She couldn't even say anything to him because in front of her, the older brother she had held with the yellow snakes suddenly shattered.

-I'm so sorry, but that was just an ice statue.

The merciless voice caught Mui like a Shinigami.

-Huh-gaah!

He grabbed her by the neck from behind and lifted her up. Those very cold white gloves, tightened Mui's thin neck.

-Ni...i....sa....n....

She had to shoot her brother behind her with the gun. But even if she thought about doing so, her hands were too cold and her fingers numb.

-You had said that if I trained more, everything would come out the same way, right, Mui?

—…

Mui had not yet lost consciousness and could hear him clearly and thought about it for a moment.

-What? What was I supposed to say just now? -Tsuganashi stammered.

His hand that was squeezing Mui's neck loosened slightly.

-Nii... saa... saa... n did... you... re... cordar, something?

Even standing behind his back, she could clearly feel her brother's confusion.

-No! You... are... just... saying... weird... things... to... confuse... me...

-Those .... are your memories... I... was... the one who told you that...

It was when Tsuganashi was in the sixth year of elementary school and it was his turn to attend the magical affinities class for the first time. The destructive magic "Evil Ice", was one of the most difficult to control and therefore, Tsuganashi lived every day attached to a special training regimen. And for Mui who always watched her brother from a distance, that was no one else's job.

-Nii-san, you still lack practice. You have to train more to always do it the same way. I will also do it together with you.

The task Tsuganashi was given at the beginning was to shape ice animals, Tsuganashi tried hard and started to practice with clay, but he was always worried that he couldn't do it correctly. Mui was always with him and helped him knead the clay to make elephants, giraffes and penguins.

-I want to play the same as you. -Tsuganashi said.

-No! I'm supposed to be helping you train. -replied Mui complaining.

Her brother always laughed gleefully.

"I can remember that..."

Mui's situation was critical, but there was still hope in her heart.

-You're a very annoying girl. I'll freeze you from the throat.

-Ni... i... i... sa... n....

There was a part of her older brother that could still be recovered. That was enough for her.

"I don't have to give up anymore, I can still get my brother back."

However, her consciousness was slowly starting to drift away.

Mui no longer felt her body and her slightly open eyes, they were slowly closing.

"If only... I could do something else..."

Mui without realizing that he had dropped his gun, raised his hands and placed them on his brother's hand that was squeezing his neck. It was cold, but still, it was her brother's hand. Mui's eyes began to slowly close and at the same time, her whole world turned to darkness.

Part 7

While Mui was fighting with Tsuganashi, Takeshi and the others were hurrying towards Ebisu station.

-This is it!

Takeshi emerged from the shelter of the gloom of a building, and hurriedly ran to a corner ten meters ahead where he ducked behind a flowerbed. After him, Ida and Kurumi ran toward the same spot.

With Twilight drawn and the purple circles of evasive magic glowing in his eyes, Takeshi was using his intuitive ability "Strike Vision" to detect enemies and in that way, he had managed to approach the station without running into any Trailers or Wizard Breath mages.

After Ida slipped behind the small shadow of the flowerbed and after standing behind Takeshi, she said:

-Hey, I had been wondering what kind of magic yours was, and now that I see it in action, I realize it's quite useful.

When Kurumi heard that she turned to look and said:

-Of course it is. Your intuition is practically a prediction.

Indeed the intuition effect of "Strike Vision", seemed to have increased its range of action thanks to the training. Four months ago, he could barely predict things that were an instant away from happening, but now, he was fully capable of anticipating up to a minute. However, his ability did not show him things that were going to happen as a kind of vision, as it did with the other prediction magics.

In Takeshi's case, his prediction was nothing more than an intuition that allowed him to feel the events that were going to happen. Like when you feel a shiver down your back or when you feel a kind of electrical signal that tells you something is wrong.

Just at that moment, Takeshi felt something approaching from the front. It was coming towards them from a very close place.

-Shhh...

Takeshi silenced Ida and Kurumi who were behind him. A few seconds later, five mages flew past from that direction and crossed the street. A blue cloak they wore, billowed in the wind revealing a navy blue military uniform.

"They are wizards from Wizard Breath."

If they found them, possibly the only thing they would do, would be to scold them and tell them to return back to the academy, so Takeshi and his friends stayed hidden until the wizards left. When he stood up after they left, Takeshi began to concentrate his magic on the hand that held the sword.

—…

Takeshi suddenly ducked his head as if he had just been in severe pain.

-Takeshi! -Kurumi exclaimed worriedly.

-It seems that the way to that side is dangerous. -Takeshi mentioned.

Then he pointed to the east route towards the station. Kurumi stared at a straight road in front of them and said:

-Well... How about we go that way?

However, Takeshi slowly denied and said:

-No, I don't know what will happen yet. I have to look ahead.

Takeshi again concentrated his magical power on the hand wielding the sword. The purple-colored magic particles completely covered Twilight. However, they were beginning to shake unsteadily.

-Takeshi, be careful. Don't overdo it....

Kurumi gently placed her hand on Takeshi's arm. But he inadvertently shook her off.

"More...more...I need to concentrate more. I need to find a route that will take us directly to Mui."

Takeshi closed his eyes and deposited a large amount of magical power into Twilight.

-Just a little more...

Soon Takeshi started panting and breathing heavily until suddenly, he felt something else and said:

-Someone is coming from behind.

Quickly Ida turned to look behind and said:

-I think we'd better move from this spot.

Ida seemed to have heard hurried footsteps a moment ago.

-That's enough, Takeshi. I'll go see if anyone is there.

Kurumi came out from behind the flowerbed and started walking across the street.

-There doesn't seem to be anyone around here.

Then she turned to look at Takeshi. Both he and Ida followed her across a street in a straight line and began to run. However, when Kurumi turned right into a narrow passageway, Takeshi was horrified and his whole body shuddered.

-Wait, Isoshima! Don't go that way...

She made an attempt to stop, but it was too late. Something from the sky fell to the ground and landed right in front of Kurumi. It was three black shadows that landed in front of her. Those shadows were actually three crows that had landed in a dark passageway between two buildings which immediately transformed into three people. Two men and a woman.

-Th-those crows turned into people. -Ida exclaimed.

He caught up to Kurumi and stood alert.

-What do you mean?

When Kurumi took a step back, those three strangers looked at Takeshi and then at the others in a serious manner.

-Are they students of the academy? -said one of them.

-They don't seem to be wearing combat uniforms," said the woman.

Those three looked to be in their early twenties and although they wore black fatigues, their clothes were casual and did not look like military uniforms at all.

-What are they doing here? -He asked Ida, one of the men who looked like he was their leader.

-Well, we have something to do. -Ida replied.

The man frowned at the answer.

-Where is your community? The C7 rules clearly specify that they must wear military uniforms, don't they?

-That's not important," Takeshi replied instead of Ida. The man became even heavier at the answer and said:

-What doesn't matter? Then tell me what you are doing here...

-We're just looking for someone. We didn't come here to fight.

At Takeshi's answer, the other guy, who was not the leader, laughed.

-What are you talking about? You've come to the battlefield, but you're not going to fight? it's a very funny joke.

The leader of the group also smiled.

-Even if they are students. Once you are here, you are enemies of the Trailers. Surrender and we won't hurt you.

-We won't. -Takeshi replied.

The man smiled even wider.

-Then we'll make you feel some pain.

-Do you want to try?

The woman, who had been silent all the time, made a face of displeasure. The other two men, meanwhile, set about taking their weapons from her hips.

-Agreed, we'll finish them off quickly.

The two men took their swords while the woman, touched a brooch she wore on her chest.

-Free yourself! -exclaimed the three in unison.

Immediately magical particles of different colors began to come out of their bodies. Takeshi, Ida and Kurumi, also had their aspects prepared. They had not done anything yet, but the woman suddenly looked at them and asked:

-It looks like they are not going to use the release spell.

-Are they underestimating us? -one of the men exclaimed, completely angry. But then the leader called out to him:

-Don't lose your cool.

At that moment, vivid magic particles of cobalt blue, wine red and beige colors shone and concentrated on their respective aspects.

-Drive!" exclaimed the three again at the same time.

Immediately, the magic particles covered their bodies like a kind of membrane. Neither Takeshi nor his two friends knew that it was an advanced combination of defensive magic spell. However, Takeshi and Kurumi instantly activated the defensive magic.

- "Protection!"

After a short delay Ida also hurriedly exclaimed the same simple basic magic spell.

-Ah that's right, Protection!

One of the men looked at the small particles covering the body of Takeshi and his friends and began to sneer.

-Ha ha ha! Did you hear that? they said "protection". How adorable. I hadn't heard it in a while.

-Can I kill them? -asked the woman coolly. Then the leader nodded.

-We have orders to join another group as quickly as possible. We'll leave that to you. The two of us will go ahead.

-We'll leave that to you. We're moving out. You take over...

The two men again transformed into crows, and left the same way they came. They left the woman alone and flew away in no time.

-They are right. I must do this quickly.

The mage still looked annoyed but still she reached out to touch the swan-shaped brooch she wore on her chest and exclaimed:

- "Flake!"

Suddenly, the mage's body changed shape and transformed into another creature.

-Kyaaa!

-What the heck, that chick turned into a cat now?

Ida and Kurumi stepped back at that moment while Takeshi, raising his sword against them, stepped forward.

-It doesn't matter what she looks like. She's not a cat.

She was too big to be a cat. She had black fur and her body reached a length of a couple of meters.

-Is she a black panther?

When Kurumi said that in surprise, the panther quickly pounced on her.

-Isoshimaaa!

Takeshi quickly grabbed her arm and pulled her. While holding Kurumi in his arms as if she was going to fall, Takeshi stared at the creature.

-Are you all right? -Ida exclaimed.

Kurumi nodded with a rigid expression of complete bewilderment. The black panther had descended on the spot where she had previously been standing and was licking its paws gracefully. The spot where it landed, however, had been torn to shreds.

-There's a hole in the ground....

Takeshi suddenly sensed danger for Ida who was still in a daze and exclaimed:

-Ida! To your left

-Ouu!

This time, the paws of the panther that jumped at Ida were covered with beige-colored magic particles. It had strengthened its paws with magic, so the panther left another hole where Ida had been standing.

-Even though I dodged it, I don't think I can do it again," Ida exclaimed.

But Takeshi had already activated his magic power on Twilight.

—…

An intense headache invaded him, making him gasp involuntarily. In an attempt to get too far ahead of events that his intuition could detect, Twilight had begun to try to absorb more of the magical power than Takeshi had willingly given her.

She was losing a great deal of magical power. Takeshi didn't know what would happen if he completely lost control of the sword at that moment.

-Takeshiiiii!!!

Kurumi was still still in Takeshi's arms. She just looked at Takeshi with a face full of anguish and not realizing that she was about to cry. But Takeshi, suddenly smiled a little making her surprised.

-I could see something," she mumbled.

-Huh?

After that, Takeshi made Kurumi stand behind him. The black panther jumped in front of Takeshi, who narrowly dodged it. The skateboarder snorted in disgust and in a single instant, bit Takeshi in the throat but he tried to hit it with his sword and the panther quickly jumped back and placed itself at a distance where it couldn't reach it with the sword.

-Ida, concentrate..." Takeshi exclaimed without taking his eyes off the animal.

-I am! -Ida exclaimed.

-No, I mean try to attack it.

Once she understood what Takeshi meant, Ida nodded:

-Understood.

Kurumi behind Takeshi clasped her hands together and asked:

-Takeshi What are they planning to do?

Kurumi didn't need an intuition skill to have a bad feeling.

-You back off Isoshima.....

Takehsi waved his hand indicating Kurumi to stay as far away as possible.

-Takeshi!

Right after, Takeshi waved his sword and uttered a spell.

- "Flick!"

That was a basic magic spell, used to shoot down objects with one shot.

The magic particles that came out of Twilight, flew towards the panther, but it nimbly dodged it. Takeshi continued to launch more attack one after another without knowing what would happen.

The panther dodged each and every attack by jumping this way and that while at the same time, it was slowly approaching towards Takeshi.

-It's too fast! -exclaimed Takeshi.

Just then the panther jumped at him once again.

-Takeshi!

Although he managed to block the attack with his sword, the blade was supposed to have wounded the panther's front paws, but instead, the blade was repelled and Takeshi staggered backwards. That was due to the strengthening of his paws with magic.

"No way..."

Once the panther touched the ground, it jumped back again. Takeshi's sword made a sharp noise as if it had clashed against metal. However, Takeshi couldn't fight the huge creature and it ended up digging its claws into his shoulder.

-Takeshiiii!" Kurumi exclaimed with intensity. Echoing throughout the place.

When the panther landed on the ground after its attack, it quickly attacked again and again. While Takeshi was facing the panther, Ida was standing back by gathering magic power in his right hand.

Even though Takeshi had asked her to do that, Ida was beginning to lose patience seeing what was happening in front of him. Takeshi started to receive multiple wounds all over his body and seeing that, Kurumi started to turn pale.

-Ta...Ta...ke...shi....

In the area where they were, there had been many battles previously. Most of the walls of the surrounding buildings had been destroyed and the few remaining concrete walls were badly cracked. Takeshi was fighting the panther while being chased by it, until suddenly Takeshi took cover behind a wall. The panther attacked Takeshi repeatedly with its powerful jaws.

Takeshi stepped out and moved his head to the right to dodge and called out to Ida while holding the panther.

-Ida! Hit it on the right side.

-Hey? What are you saying? -There?

Seeing Takeshi's position, Ida quickly reached out her hand.

Instantly, Ida's orange-colored magic spread throughout the area and exploded. Flames and hot air hit Takeshi and the panther while Kurumi who was far behind him, ducked down and nothing but a gust of wind reached her.

Takeshi raised his sword in the middle of that hot glow and exclaimed:

- "Wreck!

A purple-colored magic power shot out in a straight line and destroyed some overhanging eaves of the buildings. The thick chunks of concrete collapsed on Takeshi and the panther. As the orange flames dispersed, Ida involuntarily wanted to cover her eyes.

-Gee!!!

Kurumi raised her face and looked at Ida who only made a sound and seeing the situation, shouted at her:

-Hey Ida!!!!

The place where Takeshi and the panther had been, was full of pieces of collapsed concrete.

-It can't be... Takeshi....

Kurumi stood up to get a good look at the promontory of rubble, a part of the panther was sticking out of the rubble and suddenly, it started to move strangely. Takeshi slowly crawled out from under the animal.

-It looks like it served as a mattress for you. -Ida mumbled, relaxing her shoulders. However, Kurumi distorted her mouth in annoyance. She ran up to Ida and slapped her back with all her might.

-You idiot! You almost burned Takeshi.

But Takeshi, who could barely stand up, asked Kurumi to calm down.

-Don't worry. It was part of the plan.

Even so, Kurumi was still uneasy.

-Is she dead? -Ida asked, approaching the panther.

Takeshi simply shook his head.

-Don't worry, she's just unconscious. Let's seize the moment and get out of here.

She had been embraced by Ida's flames and then hit in the back by the concrete chunks so she wasn't going to wake up any time soon.

-Even so, a magic that transforms a person into a huge panther must be very advanced," Ida said as she nodded. -And since it was a woman who turned into a panther, then that means this is a female panther, right? Wow, she's not cute at all.

When Kurumi heard him say that, she silently walked over and kicked him in the shin.

Part 8

Takeshi, Ida and Kurumi, continued on their way to the station and did not meet any wizards on their way again.

-How are you feeling, Takeshi? -Kurumi asked anxiously. Takeshi smiled and answered:

-I'm very well. The bleeding seems to have stopped.

Takeshi's expression looked quite bright even though a while ago he had received many cuts from the sharp claws of the panther he fought.

-All this is thanks to the fact that you've been practicing healing magic. -Takeshi mentioned, flashing her a smile. She turned her face away shyly in response.

-I-It's one of the basic magics. It's obvious that she had to learn it....

In her study of basic magic, Kurumi had become capable of using a special spell called "Hemostasis" that served to stop bleeding from wounds. That was what she used to treat Takeshi's wounds.

-Neither I, nor Nanase can do something like that..." Ida commented with a smile. Then Kurumi replied in a hostile manner:

-You'd better stay away from us a little bit will you, "Nokon" boy?

<<Translator Ore no Honyaku: Nokon is a nickname Kurumi made up on the fly to insult Ida. She got it from the English words "No control". Referring to Ida not controlling her power and always exploding>>>.

-Who are you calling Nokon?

-Weren't you throwing magic where you shouldn't have been?

Ida didn't take kindly to him belittling her ability that should have been seen as cool.

-There's no problem because everything went as planned. Hey, tell her something Nanase.

Takeshi smiled and said:

-Don't worry Isoshima. Everything he did, was part of our plan.

When Takeshi beckoned Kurumi to stop arguing, she calmed down and became silent.

-By the way. I can see it now...

Takeshi walked slowly and pointed to a building.

-That building?

The three of them had already arrived at the building located in front of the station where Mui was supposed to be. The rooftop of that building was exposed to an intense icy wind. Even colder than the autumn breezes.

The three looked perplexed as they climbed the stairs as before that, they had seen some blood-tinged blocks of ice near the back door. Most likely there were people inside them, but neither Takeshi nor Kurumi nor Ida, had the courage to check. They simply walked past the place looking away until they reached the stairs. Beyond many outdoor air conditioning units. Takeshi's eyes caught something quickly.

There was a man who appeared to be about to leave the site. He had black hair, carried a military saber at his waist and wore white gloves. He was holding a small girl under his arm.

-Mui?

Tsuganashi was standing on the edge of the rooftop, but looked up again when he heard Takeshi's voice seeming to fade in the breeze. Kurumi and Ida were shocked to see the disdainful look on the man's face. However, Takehsi was different.

-What did you do to Mui! Let her go!

Takeshi hurriedly ran through the pile of air conditioners. He quickly stood in front of Tsuganashi and lifted Twilight up.

-Uwaa how scary. That guy's gaze is pretty intense.

-Ta... Takeshi...

Ida and Kurumi who didn't change their expressions of fear towards Tsuganashi, stood completely still.

-Talk! What did you do to Mui?

Despite Takeshi's demands, Tsuganashi just looked at it as something unimportant. But suddenly he acted as if he had noticed something and spoke:

-I feel like I know you from somewhere... Ah, that's right. I've seen you before in the living world.

Takeshi saw Mui being unconscious under his arm, she moved slightly so he could see that she was alive, though he never thought she was dead otherwise Tsuganashi wouldn't be trying to take her away.

Tsuganashi smiled silently as he saw that Takeshi already showed the magic circles shining in his eyes. While on the other hand, Takeshi indignantly glared at him.

-You're supposed to be her older brother. Why are you treating her like this?

-Again with that... Could you guys stop saying such stupid things? Being brothers means nothing in this place.

Tsuganashi's voice sounded calm and serene despite Takeshi's anger.

-I belong to the Trailers and she belongs to Wizard breath. That's more than enough reason to kill each other.

Tsuganashi's calmness was irritating to Takeshi.

-Because of Trailers and Wizard Breath? That's what motivates you?

Since Tsuganashi intended to take Mui, it was more than predictable what he intended to do. Once with them, they would alter his memories as they did with him.

Seeing the fury with which Takeshi was looking at him, Tsuganashi let out a sigh and then dropped Mui to the ground.

-Mui!!!

While laughing at Takeshi who was distracted looking at Mui, Tsuganashi extended his gloved hands to the front:

- "Free yourself."

Tsuganashi thought Takeshi would immediately respond by activating his magic, but suddenly he stared in surprise.

-What's wrong, aren't you going to cast the release spell?

However, as soon as he asked that, he seemed to have realized something.

-Aah, that's right. You're a novice. That's why you don't know how to use magic properly. My, my, what a good job. They went to all the trouble of coming all the way out here to die.

Takeshi squeezed Twilight tightly and prepared to face Tsuganashi. But the latter only looked at him with pity and then laughed.

-In spite of everything, I won't hold back.

At that moment, Takeshi detected danger with the help of Strike Vision, but it was too late.

- "Wire Blizzard!"

Light blue particles sprouted from Tsuganashi's right hand, drawing a magic circle from which, several ropes made of ice came out and attacked not only Takeshi, but also Ida and Kurumi. Takeshi was pulled to his right hand while Ida and Kurumi were thrown against the wall of the stairs. The ice ropes, moving flexibly like a whip despite the material they were made of, tried to strike Takeshi from above.

-"Protection!!!"

Takeshi cast a defensive spell and pushed back the ropes with his sword.

-Are you using beginner's magic?

With a completely different attitude, Tsuganashi cast a spell on himself.

- "Drive!"

An immense amount of magic particles by far, superior to Takeshi's, came out of his left hand and covered his body. At that moment, the strings of ice coming out of his right hand became thicker, longer and more energetic.

-Kyaaaaaaaa!

-Uwaaaaaa!

Takeshi turned to look when he heard Kurumi and Ida's screams and saw them both fall to the ground after being hit by the ice ropes.

One of the ice wires flew at full speed towards him. It hit Takeshi easily penetrating the defense of the "Protection" spell he had used and collided with his sword.

-Guuh?

Twilight flew off and Takeshi rolled on the ground. Tsuganashi looked at them coldly and said:

- "Drive is an advanced spell of basic magic that applies three different types of defensive magic on you and strengthens you. Remember it even if you are not able to use it.

Takeshi had received a cut from his shoulder to his side and was holding his pain as he listened to Tsuganashi speak. Ida and Kurumi were further away from Takeshi, but they were less injured because the force of the attack towards them was less.

-Imbecile! Take this..." Ida exclaimed from the background.

Immediately, a stream of orange flames burst out like a flamethrower and attacked Tsuganashi.

-Fire? I see... you're a destructive magic user. In that case, "Ice Castle."

The ropes of ice, dispersed into light blue magic particles and disappeared.

-What? Where did this wall come from?

In place of the ice ropes, a beautiful ice castle that looked like something out of a fairy tale had appeared, which made it look like there was an ice festival on the rooftop. Ida, however, was trapped inside, throwing punches at the sturdy walls.

-You need oxygen to create your flames. In there, you only have a limited amount of oxygen, so you won't be able to use your flames.

-Shit! I'm going to break this with my flames right now.

Whether she had heard what she had been told or not, Ida still began to concentrate her magic power in her right hand. But Takeshi intuitively shouted for what would happen.

-Ida!!!

However, Tsuganashi moved before he could say anything to her.

-I'm going to finish you off.

An electric current ran down Takeshi's spine and he quickly looked back at Tsuganashi who was laughing and stretching his palms out in front of him.

- "Invisible Disc!"

Takeshi quickly picked up Twilight and shoved her in front of him. He immediately heard the sound of something cracking in front of his chest. It was something he couldn't see.

-Takeshi!!! -Kurumi exclaimed next to the ice castle.

-Isoshima! Take cover behind Ida's ice.....

When Takeshi shouted worriedly, several invisible objects suddenly flew towards him one after another, but he repelled them with his sword thanks to the help of his intuitive ability. Kurmi said nothing and simply ran for cover behind the ice castle where Ida was trapped.

Many of those objects flew towards where she was, piercing walls and even the castle.

-Evasive magic? How interesting....

Tsuganashi smiled squinting his eyes with his palms in front of him. Meanwhile, Takeshi deposited his magic power on Twilight and kept repelling those invisible objects flying like arrows.

-What?

Those objects, upon colliding with Twilight's blade, shattered and shattered like glass.

-It's very interesting!

The fragments that should have been flying away hit Takeshi's face causing scratches.

-Give Mui back to me! -Takeshi shouted.

Several discs made of ice were falling at his feet. But they were so thin, they were practically invisible. Had it not been for his evasive magic, it would have been impossible to look at them. Mui who was unconscious and lying beside Tsuganashi, was aware of Takeshi's call and opened her eyes.

-Ta...ke...shi...kun?

The icy wind was still blowing in the meantime.

She tried to move, but it seemed that her body was dazed by the excessive use she had made of her magic. She was still exhausted from the fight with her brother. She could barely move her eyes so she tried to see what was going on. Meanwhile, Takeshi was still fighting against Tsuganashi's invisible disks. The attack seemed to be endless, however, Tsuganashi knew there was a limit.

-There seemed to be fewer disks.....

Takeshi finally realized that the intensity of Tsuganashi's attack had waned. His magic was wearing thin.

-It doesn't matter. I don't need too much magic power to finish you off anyway.

After saying that, Tsuganashi switched hands to continue performing the attack. At that moment, the purple-colored magic circles glowing in Takeshi's eyes became darker.

-Here it comes!

With his eyes wide open, Takeshi began to run according to his intuition.

-Stab Robin!

From Tsuganashi's hands, many birds made of ice flew towards Takeshi at high speed like bullets. Takeshi swung his sword from side to side, repelling the attack of the birds and deflecting them to specific places as best he could.

-Are you repelling them and trying to hit the ice wall with them?

All the birds crashing into Takeshi's sword were being deflected into the ice castle where Ida was trapped. The birds slammed into the ice walls making holes that allowed air to flow inside.

-Kaahaaa...!

Ida almost suffocated inside, but at that moment she was able to take a deep breath and gasped.

-Ida-kun!

Kurumi, helped Ida out of there through one of the holes in the wall.

-I was already looking at the light at the end of the tunnel... -Ida whispered between moans. Kurumi frowned and said:

-If you can joke like that, it means you're okay.

-I'm... I'm sorry...

Seeing that Ida had been rescued from her ice prison, Tsuganashi twisted his face in a gesture of fury. Mui barely stood up sideways and clung to his leg.

-Nii-san... don't do this anymore!

Tsuganashi turned his cold gaze towards her and pointed with the palm of his hand.

- "Death Cube!"

-Kyaaa!

A series of ice shackles, seized Mui's hands and feet slamming her back to the ground.

-Stop it! -Takeshi shouted tiredly.

-If they say this girl is my little sister, then you shouldn't care what I do with her.

Seeing Tsuganashi's attitude that said that quite naturally, Takeshi replied:

-Don't give me bullshit! Think a little about how Mui feels towards you.

-Takeshi-kun...

With his face down and a pressure on his chest, Mui was on the verge of tears. Takeshi continued:

-If you're not going to think about her, I'm going to make you do it by force!

-Try it if you can, rookie. -Tsuganashi replied completely irritated.

Then. He extended his hand to the front to launch a new attack.

-Wire Blizzard!

However, Takeshi didn't wait around. While Tsuganashi deployed his Ice ropes, Takeshi deposited his magic power on Twilight. So far, Takeshi had held back on giving magic power, lest it drain him completely. But now, he was depositing as much magical power as possible into her.

Twilight, neither slow nor lazy, began to greedily suck Takeshi's magic power like a hungry beast. The purple particles surrounding the hilt began to darken. At the same time, cramps and tremors coming from his right hand began to invade his whole body in the same way as it did the first time he touched the sword. A pain also invaded his right arm followed by dizziness and headaches that sapped his strength.

But, despite everything, Takeshi continued to give his magical power to the sword without the slightest intention of letting go of it. His face turned pale and his knees trembled. He was already almost on the verge of fainting.

Trying to pour all his magical power into Twilight, Takeshi squeezed the hilt with the last of his remaining strength.

-Please! Make it come out...

On the verge of falling to his knees and while begging the sword, Takeshi exclaimed:

- "Free yourself!"

The moment Takeshi's desperate cry resounded, Twilight responded in the clearest way possible.

Tsuganashi, witnessed how the magical power that was in the sword, manifested as a black cartridge the moment Takeshi used the "Liberate" release spell.

-What?!

-Takeshi-kun?

Mui was also astonished to see that.

"Can he control Twilight already?" she wondered.

However, Takeshi was struggling to keep the cartridge out, though by itself, it was useless.

-Ida! Throw it to me now..." Takeshi exclaimed to Ida, who was already outside the ice castle.

-Hey, you made me work hard to do this....

Ida threw Takeshi something that she held tightly in her right hand. It was a metal cylinder that flew through the air which Takeshi caught with his left hand and then put it into the cartridge.

After that, he placed his finger on the trigger that appeared on the grip. He didn't know if "Strike Vision" would still work after what he was about to do, but that was the only way to rescue Mui.

- "Union!"

Takeshi held the sword as far away from him as possible. He took a deep breath, pressed the trigger and exclaimed:

- "Blast Fog!!!"

The moment he pressed the trigger, Twiligh shuddered sharply as if she had throbbed.

-What?!!!

Tsuganashi was watching that with eyes of complete disbelief. Twilight had begun to burst into flames transforming into a mass of fire.

-Her sword... has changed its shape...?

Even Mui was very surprised by what she was seeing. She had already heard things regarding the sword called "Twilight", but she had never heard that it could abruptly change its shape.

-It's not possible that it can use someone else's magic. -Tsuganashi exclaimed.

Takeshi at that moment, swung the sword to the side and all the ice bindings were practically evaporated.

-It's impossible!

Besides wielding Twilight, flames flew from his hand around the place and both of them were lost from sight. However, Takeshi knew Tsuganashi's location perfectly well thanks to intuition. Takeshi swung his sword towards Tsuganashi cutting through the flames. Mui caught a glimpse of the sword blade emerging from the flames and slashing Tsuganashi in the chest.

-Noooooo!

She screamed desperately and tried to get up and run towards him, but before she did, Tsuganashi shattered in front of her eyes. It was a strategy to distract Takeshi by using an ice statue to attack from another side. However, the magic no longer came out of Tsuganashi's white gloves. Moreover, Takeshi had positioned himself right behind him and stabbed Tsuganashi from behind.

-Gu... How... did you...?

Takeshi quickly pulled the sword out of his body and answered:

-I sensed your presence intuitively.

Unexpectedly, Tsuganashi smiled at the answer and then collapsed on the ground.

-Nii-saaaan!!!!

Takeshi tried to talk to the rushing Mui, but quickly felt uncomfortable and looked back again. There, stood an unfamiliar man.

-Wow wow... but what do we have here?

Takeshi felt his hair stand on end and he froze completely still.

-Are you an evasive magic user? I saw you turn to look just as I appeared. Did you predict it?

The man stepped closer, turning his crimson eyes very fixed on Takeshi and said:

-If you try to assassinate me, you'll end up dead too.

-Washizu... Kippei..." Mui muttered.

Washizu Kippei, looked away from Takeshi and fixed his gaze on Mui.

-It seems it's not necessary to introduce ourselves, but what does it matter. I'll do it anyway. It's a pleasure to meet you, Aiba Mui-san. Let me tell you that I've been taking good care of Tsuganashi-kun. Oh, by the way, he is now one of the five candidates of the Trailers. And you, you are welcome to join if you wish. It's very sad to see them at odds with each other. And it's also a problem...

Washizu took Tsuganashi by the arm and lifted him up, completely ignoring Mui and Takeshi and continued speaking:

-They are family after all.....

Takeshi had the desire to get Tsuganashi back for Mui's sake, but suddenly that feeling disappeared.

Without needing to use his intuitive magic, he was fully aware that this man would finish him off if he moved a single millimeter.

Washizu, silently cast a small spell of levitation magic, to help himself place Tsuganashi gently on his shoulders and said:

-Look what they have done to your brother. It is terrible. What a cruel little sister you are...

—…

Mui did not move either. And, noticing them quiet and very still, Washizu lost care of them and looked back.

-Fumu... it looks like we have company.

His gaze fell on some shadows flying over the sky from the south.

-Washizu!

When Washizu Kippei heard that cry, his shoulders shook.

-How persistent they are.

-Wait!!!

From those shadows flying in the sky approaching the place, loud screams could be heard.

Washizu, stood on the edge of the building carrying Tsuganashi on his back and then turned to look again at Mui and Takehsi who was pale and exhausted.

-See you next time, Aiba Mui-san. And to the other three as well. -He said kindly. and then, he jumped into the void.

-Washizu!!!

As if escaping from the voices approaching from behind, Washizu Kippei flew several meters in the air in a single step and immediately jumped away through the air.

-Nii-san!

It was only after Washizu disappeared that Mui was finally able to speak again.

After that, several soldiers in navy blue uniforms arrived on the scene and before she even found out, that they were Wizard Breath mages, Mui lost consciousness and fainted.

Part 9

-This is a special announcement. Pupils Nanase-kun, Ida-kun, Isoshima-san of class C are requested to report to the principal's office immediately. I repeat..."

A special broadcast was blaring over the loudspeakers in the school at that moment.

Takeshi and the others, were lined up and leaning against the corridor wall in front of the academy's infirmary. Inside, they could hear someone's voice proclaiming spells from inside.

Takeshi and his friends, had been helped by the Wizard Breath mages chasing Washizu, and that was how they were able to return to the academy through a mirror. Mui had been left with multiple bruises and lacerations all over his body, so he was inside the infirmary receiving treatment by someone specializing in healing magic.

The nurse of the Hyodou-sensei academy was not present at that moment, so they had called a third year student to help her and meanwhile, Takeshi and his friends were waiting worriedly at the entrance of the infirmary.

However, after the repetition of that message on the loudspeakers, Kurumi let out a heavy sigh, detached herself from the wall and began to walk. Ida did the same. Takeshi stared at the closed door of the infirmary and then followed them.

He was very worried about Mui, but he was also aware that there was no use waiting there. At that moment, the three of them headed for the principal's office. Obviously, Takeshi was not at all sorry that he had left the academy.

Takeshi had every desire to help Mui. He was fully determined to accept whatever punishment came as a consequence. However, he regretted involving Ida and Kurumi.

When they arrived, the door to the principal's office was open, so they went in at once.

-Very well," said the headmistress. It looks like no one but you three will be coming. I was told that the three of you escaped from the academy to go look for Aiba-kun and bypassed the Concierges' control to go out into the ruined world, is that true?

The headmistress leaned back on the desk and looked the three boys in the face who had lined up in front of her.

This time she didn't have that usual appearance of a cute high school girl, but this time, Principal Shijou Momoka, also known as "Momo-tan", was looking very decadent.

She had a cut on her lip that was already healing, her head was bandaged, a patch over her right eye, and her right arm was in a cast and hanging from her neck.

"So it was true that the headmistress was injured in the mission that failed?"

As Takeshi recalled what that boy told him in the hall of mirrors, she had a stern look that didn't look at all with her childish face.

-I already explained it to the teachers. -Takeshi replied solemnly.

She quickly noticed Takeshi's unscrupulous attitude and said:

-I told you the first time you came to the academy. Never leave the academy and never get involved with the Trailers.

She looked angry because it seemed to her that they had ignored her warnings.

-Our institution does not prepare soldiers to fight the Trailers. We only teach the control of magic. And you are just beginners. The only situation in which you are allowed to use magic to fight is during an evaluation.

The headmistress stepped away from the desk and stood in front of the three of them, looking at them in a way so cold that it completely erased that childish aura.

-If you understand all that, I want you to make me a promise. .... Promise me right now, that as long as you are students of this academy, you will never leave here, let alone, pick a fight with the Trailers.

However, Takeshi had already decided what to answer.

-I can't do that.

-Takeshi!

Kurumi was surprised and turned to look at Takeshi. Again, he confirmed her answer.

-I'm sorry, but I can't promise you anything, Principal.

The principal was also surprised by Takeshi's attitude and asked:

-Why?

-Because Mui hasn't given up yet.

—…

-I have not seen anyone try to do anything to get her brother back and all they do is tell her not to try to do anything. She is aware of the dangers that this represents and no matter how much they tell her not to do it, she will continue to fight until she gets him back.

The director listened silently to everything Takeshi had to say.

-I too understand how dangerous it is out there, and because of how dangerous the Trailer's are I understand that you and the teachers have been telling us not to go near them. However, if I run into them on my own fault I will have to fight. Now, I just want to help her get her brother back. She will never give up until she does.

—…

-Takeshi...

Kurumi, for some reason despite being at Takeshi's side felt him very distant. It was the first time she heard him wanting to do something for someone like that. However, instead of Kurumi's usual jealousy, this time, she simply felt lonely and helpless.

-You sound like someone very selfish. You remind me of someone. -The headmistress commented.

—¿…?

The headmistress at that moment smiled broadly. Takeshi stared at her without understanding what she meant by that last thing she said, but she ignored his gaze and put her hand to her chin saying:

-You're right... Aiba Tsuganashi huh? Certainly, that he was kidnapped by the Tarilers and Wizard Breath hasn't done anything about it yet. However, the magic that manipulates memories called "Silent Screen" is one of the most powerful Illusionary Magic abilities. In order to work on reversing the effect, you have to capture it first. The thing is, Aiba Tsuganashi is a destructive magic user and that makes him difficult to capture.

However despite all the explanation from the headmistress, Takeshi raised his rostrum and replied:

-Even so, Mui won't give up....

-Okay, I understand that. Let's see, I'll give them a chance. We'll think of a strategy to get Aiba Tsuganashi back, so let her know. However, your participation in that will depend on the results you get during the next evaluation.

-Evaluation? -Takeshi asked curiously.

The principal simply laughed.

-It's a fundamental part of a student, isn't it? Now concentrate on the Magical Aptitude Test. If you don't learn to control your magic properly first, no matter what you do you won't be able to survive this world let alone bring back Aiba Tsuganashi.

Takeshi, Kurumi and also Ida, swallowed their saliva with uncertainty. For they had seen with their own eyes the war situation that was being experienced in the ruined world. Being a mage meant that they were no longer mere bystanders.

"I'll help Mui get Aiba Tsuganashi back no matter what..."

It sounded rather absurd the proposal, but still Takeshi looked Headmistress Momoka in the eyes. Momo-tan, finally smiled at him squinting her only enabled eye.

Part 10

Once he returned from the principal's office, Mui had already woken up and Takeshi was finally able to join her.

-That's why we need to score well on the magic aptitude test.....

Takeshi found himself telling Mui everything the headmistress had told them. Mui, got up from the bed and sat still.

-Are you really going to do something to get my brother back?

-That's right..." Takeshi nodded.

Ida, who was next to him, smiled and encouraged Mui.

-Maybe it sounds selfish but, I hope you will recover soon for that.

—…

Mui was a little surprised, but suddenly she started to shed tears.

-Hey, why are you crying? -Kurumi exclaimed in surprise. Are you still in pain somewhere?

-It's not that. It's just that you guys... I can't believe you guys came out to get me.

Mui's tears and sobbing broke her voice. Then Kurumi put her hands to her waist and averted her gaze away saying:

-Stop crying! It's not like I went because I felt worried or anything. I just went for a walk. This school is so boring and I was already feeling cooped up. Besides, I just wanted to use my magic a little.

-Use your magic? When did you do that? -Ida asked.

Hearing that, Kurumi quickly glared at Ida and shouted at her:

-And who do you think healed all her wounds with healing magic?

-Aah that's just... they were just small scratches.

-Listen, Ida-kun...!

Kurumi stretched out her hand in front, which startled Ida and he quickly ran to take shelter behind Takeshi.

-Uwaa! How scary. Nanase, please do something.

-I can't...

Hearing those cold words from Takeshi, Ida quickly ran to the back of the infirmary in disbelief.

-Gosh, running away quickly is the only thing that Nokon boy is good for..." Kurumi muttered, pursing her lips. When Mui saw that, she started to smile.

Takeshi and Kurumi, also smiled at the sight of her.

"It won't be long now, Nii-san... we'll be together again soon. I'll come to rescue you soon..."

Already more relaxed, Mui got out of bed and walked steadily, leaving the infirmary together with Takeshi and the others.

Epilogue

A portal opened in a mirror from which a person emerged, making its surface ripple as if the mirror was made of water. That place was Tokyo of the living world, which was full of things that the ruined world did not have. Proof of this was the siren of an ambulance that at that moment was passing in front of the building where it had just appeared. That person was Violet North, who was wearing a hood, which she removed, revealing her face. She let out a sigh and started to fix her blonde hair. At that moment, she started to walk hurriedly because first of all, she wanted to visit a person who was very important to her and who was sleeping in that place, but her feet stopped suddenly before reaching the room she was looking for. Violet grimaced in complete displeasure as she saw a man approaching from down the hall, his hands stuffed in the pockets of his trench coat. However, that man smiled as he always did and greeted her by waving his hand and saying:

-Hello! You've done a good job, now who asked you to make any predictions for him this time?

In response Violet whispered without changing her uncomfortable expression:

-Forget that, Kippei. I heard what happened. You weren't able to capture Aiba Mui even though I handed her to you on a silver platter.

Hearing that Washizu Kippei-the man in the trench coat-scratched his head and closed his eyes.

-Yes..., I feel ashamed.

However, he did not look like someone who was truly sorry. Violet continued:

-Someone who is defeated by his younger sister is a good-for-nothing....

Then Washizu raised his head and looked at Violet.

-Mmmm... Actually, it wasn't her who actually defeated him.

Violet frowned not knowing what he was referring to, then Washizu immediately replied:

-Tsuganashi was very careless, but no less was to be expected of Twilight....

-Twilight?!

Washizu smiled at Violet's impulsive reaction. That name brought to Violet's mind the memory of a person. It was the face of a woman she thought she had already forgotten. However...

-I remember, it was that sword....

According to Violet, she shouldn't have had to have heard the name of that sword mentioned.

"That sword should be kept in a storage room at the Subaru Academy."

While Violet made a suspicious face, Washizu said:

-It seems that someone capable of using it has appeared. He's interesting, so we won't kill him for now.

-Who is it?

In response to Violet's suspicious voice, Washizu simply dropped his shoulders and said:

-I have no idea...

-Kippei, this is important, so don't beat around the bush.

-I'm serious, Vi. I don't know who it is...

Although Violet pressed him, Washizu simply shook his head slightly and said:

-I have an idea, I don't know who he is, but I might as well explain to you what I could observe.....

At that moment, Washizu looked like a child who had just come up with a prank.

Violet had a bad feeling when he suddenly approached her and for some reason grabbed her arm.

-How about giving me a kiss first? Of course, I mean give it to me with tongue and everything?

However, before Washizu could do anything, Violet took out a package from her pocket, opened it and quickly threw the contents into her mouth.

-Hey, what did you put in your mouth? -Washizu asked.

-It's bitter melon candy....

—…

Washizu was silent while Violet opened her mouth showing him those candies on her tongue.

-So what did you say about a kiss?

Washizu at that moment let go of Violet's hand and shook his head.

-Nothing, forget about it....

For Washizu Kippei who hated bitter, sweet and sour or spicy things, it would have been torture to kiss Violet under those conditions, so he gave up and slumped his shoulders, saying:

-Now that I remember, you are involved in the academy so I thought you already knew about this, didn't you, Violet-sensei?

Violet smiled the moment she heard the academy mentioned.

-That's right. I can find out for myself. I don't need to ask you anything.

It had already been two years since she infiltrated the academy as an English teacher. So, she could very quickly find that student who had become Twilight's new user.

Violet had her cute subordinates in junior high and high school to use for that. They were just waiting for her command. Washizu smiled broadly at how confident Violet was and said:

-It will be fun. Then, when you find out something, tell me about it too.

-If you want to...

Passing Washizu, Violet continued on her way to where she was headed. She walked along the corridor while her head that always remained occupied by her beloved Ryuusenji Kazuma, was gradually filled with other kinds of thoughts.

"I like that I heard. Twilight was a magical sword used during 'The First Great Magical War'. Possessing it will be quite useful. If it stays the same as before, it will be worth using."

With her back to Washizu who was supposed to still be standing there, Violet laughed at him in mockery and thought:

"You're better off as a subordinate like that cold ice man."

Violet thought that Washizu never made much effort to manipulate Tsuganashi who, despite being brainwashed, always looked suspicious. She would not like to have Aiba Tsuganashi as a subordinate at all.

Certainly those with destructive magic capabilities are valuable, but not everything is about fighting directly. Then, Violet came up with a good idea:

"I should approach during the magical attitude test, I'll make him reveal himself and make him mine," Violet thought.

Her face shone vividly with a smile as she planned the way to accomplish her task.

Afterword

Hello, this is Suzuki Hashi. Looks like I made it to a second volume. I want to drink a nice cup of coffee and then continue writing this. Again I tell you, if you don't read this volume yet, don't worry about spoilers, because there won't be any. I think the theme of new school life extended a little over half of this volume, that was more than I expected. But that's because those themes encompassed the love triangle brewing between Kurumi, Mui and Takeshi. Also the choice of her appearance and the magic festival thing. The second half finally carried out the battles thing.

The truth is that Mui is an intermediate level mage who belongs to Wizard Breath, but since the battles in volume one took place in the living world where there are restrictions, she couldn't show a bit of what she knows, but this time, they did it in the ruined world where she can use her magic freely. I hope you enjoy the duel between big brother and little sister.

I think it will be an interesting book. I have a lot of things to write about like new enemies, Tsuganashi's capture and the discord with younger brother Gekkou.

What follows, is a thank you:

To my editor K-san I apologize for turning in the manuscript again too late. Next time I will deliver the manuscript to him well in advance while humming a song, well, actually I just dream of doing that. What a nice dream...I'm very excited to continue working with you.

To Lunalia-sama who has done many beautiful illustrations for me. Kurumi's were supposed to be the best, but thanks to Luna-san's illustrations, Mui is also cuter than I imagined. Both of them are so cute that I can't help but think about the future problems Takeshi will have. Thank you for all those ideas. The illustrations are so wonderful, I will do my best to make the story better. Thank you and I look forward to continue working with you.

I also send a big thank you to all those people who make it possible for this book to be sold.

And now, last but not least, to my readers I offer my usual words: Thank you for allowing me to share this world with you.

Sincerely: the robot with one nut missing, Suzuki Hisashi.

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