eeply upon impact.

Sullivan’s body stiffened.

His back was slashed to ribbons by R’s combat knife. Those would have been fatal injuries on a normal person.

Yet Sullivan swept his arms around and sent R and her combat knife flying.

At this time, the masked Magician appeared. Those golden pupils peeking out from behind the mask beheld Sullivan’s eyes. Lina halted and upholstered a pistol.

All of a sudden, the shadows in the street released an electrical attack towards Lina.

Q, R, and Lina were completely unable to detect this surprise attack before it sprang.

Nonetheless, the electric shock merely gave off a flash and faded away before coming into contact with Lina’s body.

Lina had activated Wide Area Disruption on reflex and nullified the vampire’s magic.

During this time, Lina’s arm remained in its aiming position. The muzzle was directly pointed at Sullivan’s heart.

Lina’s finger tightened on the trigger.

The bullet, reinforced by Data Fortification, ignored every semblance of defense and destroyed Sullivan’s heart.

Lina did not dwell on this success for very long and began moving again.

Her eyes were locked onto the gradually disappearing image of the vampire who released the electric attack.

? ? ?

Afterwards, they used divination to point the way two more times. After walking for approximately ten minutes, the two of them heard the light sound of running footsteps. They were the sounds of rubber heeled shoes, with one set of footsteps fleeing and the other steps in pursuit.

One of them was probably a runaway, the other likely the pursuer.

The two of them exchanged a glance.

Then, without exchanging any further signal, the two of them rushed out.

With different methods, they had arrived at the same conclusion. --They found it.

Erika was slightly ahead, with Mikihiko right on her heels.

As she ran, Erika reached into the thin, long box she wore over her back and pulled out a naked sword that was not sheathed. As a replacement for the blade, the entire body of the blade was covered in engravings, given that it was a weapon forged by the Isori Family. This was a gift from Isori Kei to Erika as a replacement for the overly conspicuous Orochimaru. While unable to achieve the same power as Orochimaru, it was still equipped with the ability to execute Inertia Cancel.

On the other side, Mikihiko held a wooden cane in his right hand while his left, about two fist lengths away from his right, was quickly flung outwards. Shooting out of his sleeve, a fan like object was now clasped in his left hand.

The object that appeared to be an iron fan contained thin, paper-like strips of metal linked together at a single point. Each strip of metal was covered in engravings of various incantations and formations.

These strips combined to form the iron fan that was the conduit for psions favored by practitioners. The tassel extending from the fan went all the way into the sleeve, where it was connected to the device containing the Activation Sequence that replaced any need for incantation.

This was also a type of CAD. Based on Tatsuya’s suggestion and Mikihiko’s own ideas, this new type of Ancient Magic supplemental CAD was designed to streamline the process where Ancient Magic utilized both incantations and talismans.

The two of them prepared for immediate combat and closed in on the footsteps. Occasionally, their rhythm was greatly disrupted because both of them were prepared for battle.

Even without this, Erika’s pace was still faster. Taking a shortcut along the small alley between the neat row of buildings and entering the small park used for evacuation purposes (actually, more like the temporary evacuation location during disasters), the two of them finally caught sight of their target.

There were two humanoid figures clashing against one another. One wore a large overcoat and a hat to obscure any hint of facial and physical features and the other wore a mask to cover everything around the eyes.

Both of them appeared to be feminine.

“Miki, you take care of the one in the coat. I’ll handle the one in the mask!”

Based on Leo’s testimony, the one in the coat and hat was more likely, but someone walking around in the dark of night and wearing a mask to hide their features was also highly suspicious. Most importantly, even from afar, the large blade in the woman’s hand as well as her expert handling of said weapon caused Erika’s sense of wariness to spike.

Without resorting to Personal-Acceleration Magic and only relying on the Engraving Magic that increased the blade’s strength, Erika slashed towards the masked woman. Even though magic was not used to accelerate the blade, this was still a degree of speed that was extremely difficult to avoid on physical abilities alone except by a small portion of people who were masters in martial arts.

That woman’s handling of the blade was certainly first rate, but not high enough to be rated as a master.

Hence even if she was able to take one of Erika’s blows, there should have been no way for her to dodge it. –If she was just a normal human being, that is.

A flash of light.

Erika’s blade touched nothing but air while her target had already moved three meters away from her.

The light wasn’t a physical manifestation, but the psion light that accompanied the activation of magic. After taking notice of that, Erika was entirely unfazed that her attack had been dodged.

The only detail worthy of shock was the magic’s speed.

Erika was confident that her opponent had not detected her attack until the instant before the blow was struck. In short, during the short instant when she raised her sword and struck, her opponent was able to select a magical response, activate it, and successfully avoid the attack.

The masked Magician shifted to a spot directly beneath the street lamp. There was no way to tell, nor was there a need to, whether the person in question actually cared that someone witnessed her present.

That picture was deeply engraved in Erika’s eyes and consciousness.

What drew her attention was not the alluring feminine features that mocked the mask’s ability to hide them, nor the well-toned physical body that could be seen in spite of the heavy clothing, but the color of her hair that was illuminated by the street lights. It was a color that one could not associate with human beings, an unholy color.

Dark enough to mistake as black, a hair of the darkest red.

Along with the golden pupils that seemed to draw one in, peeking through the gaps of the mask.

“—Attacking!”

Her swordsmanship training activated as if on reflex and broke free from that draw. Erika rallied and broadened her vision, taking the entire body of the masked Magician into view. Erika reduced the preparation work down to a minimum and sprinted towards that woman.

She chose not to use any Reinforcement Magic. Against this type of opponent, magical assistance would only achieve the opposite effect, so she relied on her instincts and ability to read her opponent.

Without using magic, Erika used a speed that was positively magic- like to close in on that woman.

On the masked Magician’s side, traces of wavering could be seen. Without any hesitation, Erika raised her sword.

The masked Magician released another magic light. This wasn’t Personal Acceleration Magic, but a Personal Move-Type Magic.

Erika didn’t have the ability to identify the Magic Sequence in an instant.

In comparison, Erika possessed a set of piercing eyes that belonged to a trained swordsman.

Without waiting for her opponent to finish the motion, she had already determined the direction of movement in that same instant and altered the path of her sword.

Her sword swung hard in the reverse direction and passed over the dark crimson hair of the strange woman who was directly beneath the direction of the swing.

She activated the Inertia Cancel Ability and reined in her swing.

The masked woman maintained her crouching position and leaped horizontally.

Erika forcibly halted her pursuing footsteps. Right before her, a dagger hit the ground.

Taking advantage of Erika’s inactivity, the masked woman rose from one knee.

The dark red tresses fluctuated wildly.

Erika’s sword without a blade had sheared through the head band holding back the masked woman’s hair based on speed alone.

The scattered strands were chest length. The light wind caused her hair to flutter, giving an altogether unholy vibe to her appearance.

(If her skin is also black, she would be like Kali come again....)

After briefly considering this, Erika kept her guard up as she carefully examined her stalemated opponent. Her appearance might seem like a joke, but her skills were unquestionably first class. As for her magical skill, right now, that earlier performance in that solitary instant was enough to rate her beyond first class. Erika’s competitive spirit told her that at this current rate, she would lose the initiative and be forced onto the defensive, culminating in a crushing defeat that was beyond imagining.

The outcome could be fatal if she overlooked any opportunity. Fortunately, the woman appeared to be quite distracted. Even with this tense standoff with Erika, her ultimate attention was still directed towards the cloaked “vampire”.

The woman was acting on her own, whereas Erika and Mikihiko moved as a team.

Erika concluded that there was an opportunity to exploit in there. The masked woman and young swordswoman watched each other. Behind Erika, a roar of thunder could be heard.

The golden pupils flicked away from Erika. In that instant, Erika swung her blade forward.

Behind him came the sound of rushing wind.

Mikihiko perfectly understood how capable Erika’s techniques were. Even though he was not formally trained in swordsmanship, Ancient Magic and traditional martial arts were deeply entwined to the point that it was almost general knowledge.

Within the Chiba Family, it was not an exaggeration to say that Erika’s abilities were second only to her father and older brothers. However, in terms of pure swordsmanship, she had already surpassed her father’s technique and was hot in pursuit of her genius second brother.

And versus Erika’s slash, her opponent dodged that attack instead of taking the blow. Based on this alone, the opponent Erika was up against was no random scrub. However—

(....The one over here isn’t a pushover either.)

There was no chance for him to offer any aid.

The opponent that squared off against him was just as Leo had described: hat worn low, white cloth mask, long overcoat.

She was not holding a weapon, though she might be concealing one. Still, this was enough to constitute a threat.

Leo’s body had not contained any blatant injuries save for ordinary bruises. There were no signs of lacerations or burns. In other words, Mikihiko believed that his opponent didn’t utilize fire, thunder, or blades against Leo during their conflict.

Any weapon involved would have to be a blunt, bludgeoning tool. Otherwise, she may have resorted to her fists.

Up until now, the angles of attack were within their predicted parameters.

That being said, if anything did escape their notice, it would have to be the enemy’s outlandish speed and strength.

Restricted to Fortification Magic, Leo was a first class practitioner.

The female vampire – Mikihiko assigned his opponent a gender for simplicity’s sake – swung her fist towards Mikihiko. The heavy gloves worn over the hands prevented her from inflicting any external injuries, but in recompense, they could provide telling blows on an opponent’s internal organs.

As expected, Mikihiko extended his iron fan (shaped CAD) and tapped on of the metal strips with a finger.

(Wataboshi.)

Soundlessly incanting the spell, the activated psions were passed along his fingertip and activated the spell.

The demon fist was accompanied by rushing wind. Even through the overcoat, that slender wrist contained unimaginable power and possessed almost sonic speed.

Although Mikihiko had obtained superior physical abilities thanks to intense training, there was still no way he could avoid a blow traveling at the speed of sound within that time frame.

--A block of compressed air rushed towards Mikihiko before the physical blow arrived.

--Caught along the wind, Mikihiko’s body lightly floated away.

He avoided the fist’s trajectory by moving with the air flow. Immediately following on the heels of the air flow, the punch closed in. This was the application of the Ancient Magic concept “Riding the Wind” by combining gravity nullification and inertia cancel into phenomena alteration.

Mikihiko moved to his opponent’s flank and at the same time he touched down because the effect vanished, he swung the cane he held in his right hand upwards at his enemy’s outstretched right wrist, taking aim at the joint.

Originally intended to shatter the wrist with the downward blow, the cane snapped in two with a clean break.

He subconsciously felt the numbness traveling along the cane back to his hand while the other half prompted him to let go of the broken staff.

(“Barrier”? Or is this “Withering?”)

Mikihiko proactively leaped backwards to avoid the scything karate chop, and immediately pulled out a throwing dagger from his hidden pocket. He hurtled what could only be called a tiny throwing blade at his opponent’s outstretched wrist.

Unfortunately, the small blade only poked a hole in the overcoat and failed to pierce any further before bouncing back.

(“Barrier”, eh!)

There wasn’t any sign of magic activation in response to the thrown dagger, which meant that his opponent normally surrounded herself with a projectile repellant field. Mikihiko’s analysis led him to believe that the uncommon power behind those punches and slashes was probably also tied to this barrier.

(In that case....)

He moved his finger and opened the first metal strip that was previously sealed.

At the most easily accessible slot, he had prepared the most complex spell.

Within Mikihiko’s knowledge, there was no magic technique complex enough to create a barrier that blocked physical matter and magical energy.

Although the chance that there were multiple barriers involved was definitely not zero, it was still worthy of putting it to the test.

(“Thunder Child”.)

Thunder Child – or more traditionally known as “Thunder Spawn”, was a magic that recreated a small scale thunderbolt in a small space.

This was only an inferior imitation of the true magic that actually manipulated the clouds, “Thunder Cloud”, but its discharge and voltage were just as powerful.

A roar of destruction resounded through the sky and sped over the sky to the other end where it lay over the head of the vampire and released the electricity. The instant the magic activated, a hit was already predetermined. Electricity homed in on the vampire’s head at 100 million meters per second.

The ensuing sound could only be described as a beast yowling in pain at the volume of fabric being rent. Swiftly, the voice was changed to a more fitting masculine voice. The light that permeated the target after the strike was transferred to the hands of the female vampire as she held her head. Her fingertips cackled with sound and released sparks. There, electricity in excess amounts of what Mikihiko produced was being gathered.

(Dispersion-Type Magic!)

Extracting electrons from within an object was one of the techniques in the Four Major Types and Eight Systems and was a fundamental technique in Dispersion-Type Magic. Since part of the electron’s “phenomena” was replaced, Dispersion-Type Magic was able to channel higher amounts of electricity compared to electric abilities from Ancient Magic.

The electricity ran amok as it tried to hit Mikihiko as he rolled back to avoid the blow.

When comparing Dispersion-Type Magic from modern magic with electric magic from Ancient Magic, the power of the former was greater at the cost of less control. Mikihiko was only able to avoid the first blow thanks to this. Still, when literally faced with a power that moved at the speed of electricity at this range, Mikihiko wasn’t confident that he could keep dodging forever.

Mikihiko regretted his unconscious error at leaving one aspect of his opponent’s attack unaccounted for as he started designing defensive magic. Mikihiko wasn’t trying to match her power and merely tried to create a dense block of air as a magic shield.

However, this was a state where his opponent had already cast magic.

Somehow, she managed to cast magic without resorting to Activation Sequences and there was no sign the spells weakening.

In short, this was true magic. There’s no time--.

Mikihiko had already come to grips with his hopeless situation, but that doomed future did not come to pass.

--It was as if a storm had extinguished a candle flame.

--A shot of psion information body vanished along with the electricity in the vampire’s hand.

The masked woman raised her left arm to block Erika’s downward swinging sword.

Accompanied by a dull sound, the impact failed to give an impression of a bone fracture or shredding through the flesh. There was probably a lightweight composite metal or cushion body armor – something like a bracer involved.

Even if there wasn’t a killing intent involved, Erika didn’t show any mercy.

Her opponent held a gun in her right hand. Even if her opponent’s mask was hilarious, she had undergone rigorous training as combat personnel and not merely as a Magician. –Wariness permeated every inch of Erika’s consciousness as she willed her body to squeeze out an extra ounce of power.

The bracer that drew closer to the chin dipped – only because the downward striking blade had been retracted.

Before the wrist holding the gun could be raised, Erika shifted to her opponent’s left flank.

Half a beat before the raised gun could be aimed, Erika had already struck the gun.

Thanks to the suppressive nature of silencer, the gunshot was very light.

The masked woman reached out with her left hand towards Erika’s face.

She formed a circle with her thumb and middle finger.

Before her open hand, a small ball of electricity danced around. Erika automatically activated Personal Acceleration Magic.

Her body achieved a degree of motion that surpassed common sense.

Retreating to avoid the electric ball, Erika lunged for the Magician’s eyes before the muzzle could be pointed at her.

Got her, Erika thought.

Just as this thought crossed her mind and as Erika stepped within striking distance of her sword,

She was knocked aside by a sudden force that rose from feet level and was only conscious of what had happened in the next moment.

The shock caused her consciousness to loosen her grasp on the sword for only a brief second.

Erika immediately recovered her footing.

However, her opponent failed to take advantage of the opening for a follow up attack.

The masked Magician pressed her right shoulder with her left hand. Maybe it was Acceleration-Type or Move-Type Magic, but before she was blown away by her opponent, Erika managed to connect a vicious blow with her bladeless sword against her enemy’s right shoulder. The masked Magician kept a hand on her shoulder while she gazed in the direction of Mikihiko and the vampire’s ongoing brawl.

To be precise, she was looking even further. She was watching a young man riding atop a motorcycle with a silver CAD pointed at the vampire.

The youngster’s face was obscured by the helmet, so his features could not be identified.

(Tatsuya-kun....?)

In spite of this, even barely keeping a weak grasp on her consciousness as she maintained a combat stance, Erika clearly beheld with her eyes the form of her classmate beneath the street lights.

Erika, Mikihiko, and the vampire.

Taking in the sight of friend and foe intermixed with one another, Tatsuya looked towards the masked Magician as if drawn by those golden pupils of hers.

The masked Magician raised her left hand at Tatsuya. Like a seal, the premonition of magic invocation was already at her fingertips in an instant.

However, that premonition faded away as the world was being overwritten.

Those golden pupils were greatly shaken.

Three times she attempted to activate different sorts of magic, and three times they were blown away.

Everyone heard an “Ah”. The one who called out was Mikihiko, and there was no need to state the reason.

The vampire was fleeing.

Hidden beneath the visor, Tatsuya’s gaze drifted from the masked Magician.

Only for the briefest of instants.

The masked Magician was not going to let that instant pass by. The next technique wasn’t magic.

Even if his gaze was averted, so long as it was magic, nothing could escape Tatsuya’s “vision”.

In other words, the masked Magician also noticed that detail.

The swaying right hand that held the gun pointed downward spat out a bullet.

Aimed around her feet, sparks flew and immediately turned into flashes.

The dull sound of gunshots resounded five times, until the masked Magician was entirely obscured by the flashes.

Tatsuya directed his magic at the masked Magician’s body.

He aimed at her legs and attempted to use Decomposition Magic – or at least that was the plan.

The information body that should have depicted the actual physical form only contained surface data and no actual content.

While there were records of color and outer appearance, there was no related information on mass, physical design or chemical composition.

Tatsuya suspended his magic and lowered his arm.

After the flashes faded from the park, there was no sign of the masked Magician or the vampire.

“Are the two of you alright?”

Abandoning the pursuit, Tatsuya climbed off the motorcycle and removed his helmet before checking on the others’ situation.

Mikihiko appeared to have been spared any physical injuries. Erika on the other hand....

“....I’m getting a little embarrassed at the stares.”

“Ah, sorry.”

Copying the example set before him with Mikihiko blushing and turning around, Tatsuya followed suit.

This was not to say that there was much in the way of revealed flesh. The protective undergarments appeared to be undamaged. It’s just that there were cuts and tears all along the clothes and near the chest area and there were hints of her curves showing.

Just like an overly excited rock band on stage.

This alone would hardly qualify as indecorous, since this was comparable to wearing a swimsuit on the beach or while swimming, but wearing this on the street would probably be a little embarrassing.

“....Hey, can you lend me a coat or something?”

Way to show off your caring side. As if hearing someone say this, Mikihiko frantically took off his short jacket and threw it over to Erika’s side. (Tatsuya was wearing a shoulder holster under his coat, so he wasn’t able to do so.)

“Thanks, I’m good now.”

She wasn’t in the nude, nor was she anywhere close to semi-nude. “Too exaggerated” was Tatsuya’s undisguised feelings on the matter, but perhaps this was another sense of aesthetics. In the end, this was far better than being completely brazen or lacking in shame.

“Erika, are you hurt?”

She seemed fine based on what he could see, but he still wanted to ask her to be sure.

“Thankfully I wore under armor. Otherwise, I’d be in serious trouble.”

The phrase under armor was certainly out of date, though Tatsuya wasn’t sure if it was a blessing or a curse that he knew “under armor” referred to something else. Rather than the heavy gear worn beneath armor that served as protection against impact and skin lacerations, the “under armor” that Erika referred to was a set of underwear made of synthetic rubber that possessed multiple qualities like being bulletproof and slashing resistance. Unlike heavy Kevlar, there were advantages like a minimal restriction on movement as well as remaining inconspicuous even when worn beneath regular clothing. On the other hand, strictly from a material perspective, the form fitting design was not popular among those who wished to hide their physical features. Normally, this wouldn’t be an issue with other clothes on top, but this time, the suit posed a hazard to any accompanying eyes rather than the person in question.

“There appeared to be Kamaitachi mixed in with the gust.”

“I believe you’re correct. Seriously.... That accursed mask. She’s going to pay for my clothes next time we meet.”

“Still, your opponent’s collar bone appeared to be causing her great pain.”

“This is this. That is that.”

As Tatsuya said, Erika was not solely on the receiving end and had managed to get in a vengeful strike of her own. Though the blow was slightly shallow, Erika’s blade definitely made contact with the masked Magician’s right shoulder before she was blown away by the gust.

Even if Tatsuya had not personally witnessed the occurrence, he still would have accurately deduced the proceedings based on the masked Magician’s appearance as well as the extent of damage done to Erika’s clothes.

“Now that you mention it, Tatsuya-kun, why are you here?”

Given the look on her face, this was a question that Erika was burning to ask from the very beginning rather than something she just happened to stumble upon. As for how to answer that, Tatsuya pondered several different angles before finally settling on the direct answer. –Largely because this was the more interesting one.

“Why are you asking me? Obviously because I received Mikihiko’s message.”

Mikihiko face faulted and sent a “You traitor” look at Tatsuya. “Hm~~”

However, in the face of that level of displeasure, Mikihiko reluctantly turned his eyes back to Erika.

“So that’s how you were able to make it in a nick of time. Nice work, Miki.”

The phrase was complimentary on the surface, and this was a situation where congratulations were in order.

Obviously, the only responses Mikihiko could muster under that context were “Ah” and “That”.

No matter how he heard it, the voice that wiggled into his ears failed to sound positive.

“Speaking of which, when exactly did you make contact? I, don’t think I was ever aware of this.”

“............”

Of course she never heard about this, since they never told Erika in the first place. Having Tatsuya follow their signal was entirely Mikihiko’s independent decision. Naturally, he also had to report all their findings to Tatsuya. Upon reflection, even Mikihiko himself would be hard pressed to explain how he arrived at this conclusion.

Under Erika’s cold gaze, cold sweat rolled down Mikihiko’s brow.

This was exactly like “a frog frozen under the eyes of a serpent”. It looked like he was unable to extract himself by his own power, Tatsuya concluded with a mental “That’s far enough”.

“Guys, I apologize for barging in on your conversation, but shouldn’t we relocate?”

Hearing another voice break into the conversation, Erika blinked twice and reluctantly pulled out a mostly undamaged information terminal.

“I believe people are converging here?”

At Tatsuya’s hint, Mikihiko frantically removed his own information terminal.

Erika verified the time. Almost five minutes had elapsed since they made contact with the vampire and masked Magician. The other groups would probably arrive shortly.

Mikihiko unfolded the pursuit display. The bright lights indicating allied investigators were advancing along irregular lines, a clear indication that they were definitely not acting in concert with the other investigating teams.

“You don’t have approval from the Clan Meeting, do you?”

While they were not part of the investigative team led by the Saegusa Family, they acted on anything worthy of punishment.

Still, if at all possible, it was worthwhile to avoid notifying the Saegusa and Juumonji Family’s investigative team that they had engaged in combat within their jurisdiction. This could prove to be especially troublesome if they ran afoul of the previous Student Council President.

While the two of them agonized over this, Tatsuya was preparing to evacuate without a care in the world.

“Erika, need a ride?”

Once again boarding his motorcycle, Tatsuya asked aloud, “Sure, thanks.”

To which Erika jumped onto the backseat and wrapped her arms snugly around Tatsuya’s waist.

“Tatsuya, what about me?”

“S-->>

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