Hikaru's energy abruptly shifted, sending shivers down Shuuta's spine. A massive surge of mana congregated around Hikaru, catching Shuuta off guard. 'Didn't he mention having less mana than me?' While Shuura was technically right, there was more to it. "I'm about to unveil the results of my training, Shuuta." Hikaru's grin widened as he formed an 'X' with his crossed arms. Opening his palms, he released a wave of mana that pushed the tar monsters several meters back. Shuuta was prepared for impact, but the wave didn't harm him. "Huh? It didn't affect me." "It's not over yet! [Light Magic: Kingusunēku no su!]" Hikaru's command was followed by the formation of various luminous snakes that emerged from his back. One large serpent, imbued with a more ominous presence, stared menacingly at its surroundings from atop Hikaru's head. "Wow…incredible." Shuuta was left speechless
"Hey… are you finished talking, or do you plan to keep entertaining me?" The armored Fallen wielded a massive dark sword and abruptly materialized before Shuuta, his teleportation skill at play."Tch." Shuuta exerted all his strength, deflecting the blow; the clash ignited sparks that illuminated their determined faces."Hey there, kid. It's been a while since I had a chance to greet someone. I was beginning to crave the taste of blood," the Fallen jeered in a sinister tone."Are you a Mystic? What brings you here? This is supposed to be Master Iho's domain," Shuuta inquired while sizing up his opponent."Huh? What nonsense are you spouting? This is Hiroyama's forgotten maximum-security prison, technically a dungeon that time left behind," the Fallen's eyes briefly clouded with sorrow before rage engulfed him, and he unleashed a powerful roar, his colossal sword shattering Shuuta's stance.
Shuuta readied himself, his eyes fixed on his father as he prepared to unleash his mana. "My son, I'll teach you a passive skill that can transform you into a formidable Mystic. As I mentioned, it makes you unpredictable and dangerous. [Sense Danger]. This skill can shift the balance of a battle significantly. And the best part? It's costless." Shuuta's ears perked up at this, his eyes sparkling as he exclaimed with a joyful tone, "Wait, it's free?! That's awesome!" Abaddon raised an eyebrow, his gaze focused on his son. "Why is he so thrilled?" He shrugged off the thought and continued inwardly. "Doesn't he realize the true price of a passive skill?" "Get ready, Shuuta. I'm about to flood you with Mana... just try not to pass out!" Abaddon ascended a few yards into the air, his intent sharp as he looked down at Shuuta. Shuuta paused, sensing the same overwhelming mana
Shuuta couldn't bear to hear Hanako's agonized screams without taking action. He felt an overwhelming sense of powerlessness washing over him as he sat on a cliff beneath the sheltering branches of an ancient birch tree. His back pressed against the gnarled trunk, he released a sigh laden with concern. Moonlight bathed the scene, casting reflections of his own sorrowful state. The haunting echoes of Hanako's cries seemed to reverberate within him, etching pain deep into his tumultuous soul. "His heart is faltering..." Kakoyo's gaze fell upon Shuuta from a distance, a silent observer of his turmoil. Unbidden tears welled up in her eyes. Hikaru, resting behind a tree, broke the silence with a somber tone. "What should we do? It pains me to see him like this... it's a stark reminder of my mother." Yuri's resolve shone through as she clenched her small fists against her chest. "We must be his pil
The night enveloped the city, casting a shroud of darkness upon the bustling street. Pedestrians hurried along, undeterred by the cold. The corners of the avenue echoed with animated chatter. Illumination flowed from ornate lamps, painting the entire street in a warm glow. Stalls were scattered across the area, creating a vibrant atmosphere. Amidst this scene, a young man with crimson hair found himself captivated by the ambiance, transported to feudal Japan. Guards adorned in Yukatas and armed with ancient katanas patrolled the area. The women, all dressed in a variety of Kimonos, added a touch of elegance with their diverse colors and shapes. Shuuta was keenly aware of the exquisite craftsmanship in their clothing, hinting at its luxurious quality and perhaps hefty price. Shuuta shook his head, reminding himself of his purpose. He wasn't here for leisure or shopping; he had a mission to accomplish.
"So, how did it go?" Kakoyo's voice held a tinge of irritation, her impatience evident. "It went really well! We had a lovely date," Yuri responded, her words carrying a hint of wistfulness. "At least, it felt romantic to me..." Evidently, Hikaru, Kakoyo, and Yuri had conspired to create a storm of plans aimed at easing Shuuta's stress and bringing a smile to his face. Their scheme involved taking Shuuta out on a date. Of course, Hikaru wasn't tagging along; the date was to be shared between Kakoyo and Yuri. The two engaged in a fierce game of paper-rock-scissors to decide, and the outcome was Yuri's victory. "He does seem happier," Hikaru noted, casting a glance back at Shuuta, who was in the midst of performing his thousandth katana swing. Each swing was a testament to his dedication, honing his technique under Kento's guidance and infusing his attacks with newfound power.
"Another Owner?" A faint voice coursed through a small room; peer pressure filled the dim space, eerie vibes contained its grey walls; a young lad was utterly startled by that feeling, his eyes wanted to shut themselves, but his emotions held him back. Those sparkly silver eyes were glistening; his body looked like a shake-weight getting jerked aggressively by an athlete; he felt as if some pair of eyes were glued on his body. "Interesting..." An entity spoke in a fervor way. "Interesting?!" He parroted with a glint of fear. "Why do I hear a voice?!" His mind went crazy; his intention to leave the house rose every second that passed. His eyes flickered around the small room to check if anything was out of the ordinary. His boxes were stacked the way he arrived. However, they look like an entity out of this world in the night, wanting his blood and guts.
Time passed by, it was finally time for P.E., and Shuuta was wholly excited; he heard that the P.E. teacher was a beauty in her 20s and that she's been single her whole life! Granted, Shuuta didn't know how a beauty would stay single for that long, was her standards too high? Or was she a lesbian? Most of the third-year students tried to hit on her, but she was ruthless towards all the poor fallen men. Her punishment became a daily thing, even teachers were terrorized by the things she did. She gained a badass yet heart-shattering nickname: The Warm Embrace of Death. "Do you think that she likes BDSM? I mean, she likes to punish her students, so I might as well take one for the team and find out! Heh heh." Kazuma's mouth was drooling uncontrollably; Shuuta just frowned at him. How the heck did he befriend such a guy? All the boys were staring in amazement and lust at th