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Chapter 18 - Hello, I'm Sunatchi!

Fourth comes closer to Astua, and he begins to whisper to her.

Fourth: "Hey Astua?"

Asuta: "Yeah what?"

Fourth: "You never told me he was human?"

Asuta: "Oh yeah, that's right, you assume everyone is some fish creature..."

Fourth: "Well, yeah, that's all I've seen here!"

Asuta: "Excuse me!"

Fourth: "I didn't mean you. What's up with the weird marks on his right shoulder? "

Asuta: "Those? It's the Kōken no kesshō."

Fourth, I don't understand?"

Asuta: "You're aware that a person can only require one magic ability they're born with. Then, as time goes on, they're able to learn a second one. "

Fourth: "Yes, I'm aware. "

Asuta: "See, there's defense, offense, attack, and restoring magic abilities. I have attack and defense magic. Hoseki has all four. "

Fourth: "That's impossible!"

Hoseki: "What's impossible?"

Fourth: "Ahh, it's in nothing!"

Hoseki: "Okay."

Fourth: "I need to change the subject." He thinks

Fourth: "So, um, the Ritual?"

Asuta: "Hoseki, Sir?"

Hoseki: "Yes, what is it?"

Asuta: "I might have misunderstood you, but did you say you're doing the ritual now?"

Hoseki: "That is correct."

Asuta: "Again, I apologize for intruding, but we are nowhere near close to being ready for this."

Hoseki: "I don't need your input. When I say it's time, it's time."

Asuta: "Can't we wait? His magic is still low from earlier. It'll take another day before his magic returns."

Fourth: "I thought you needed me at my weakest point."

Hoseki: "I do, but I could also benefit from using you at your full power. Though I risk you trying to escape. With you, in this state, I have nothing to worry about."

Fourth: "Is that why you had that girl drain my magic? And you made me show you my ability?"

Hoseki: "Sunatchi, you mean?"

Fourth: "Is that her name?"

Asuta: "Yes, it is. She's the one who pretends to be locked up."

Fourth: "So she has the ability to drain people of their magical abilities? She was never actually stuck there at all, was she..."

Hoseki: "No, she works for me. I can't capture people for my ritual, then have them running around at full power. Now, can I? Well, unless..."

Fourth didn't answer Hoseki; he just stood there thinking to himself. "I actually felt sorry for her. Maybe I still do."

Asuta: "She's been with us for some time now."

Hoseki: "She's only practicable for one thing, and that's helping me get what I want. Pretty soon, I'll use her in my ritual. "

Fourth: "But she's your partner, isn't she?!"

Hoseki, "I'll get rid of anyone who gets in my way or who I see as a threat to me. "

Fourth couldn't believe what he was hearing. "This... this ungrateful bastard. How could he think such a thing? Does that mean he feels the same way about Astua? Is she next?" Fourth shakes his head and pulls himself together. "I won't let that happen."

In a brief second, the doors that Hoseki led Asuta and Fourth through flew open, making a loud crashing noise. They all turned around, facing the doors.

Sunatchi: "I prefer to be called Sun. You should know that by now, Asuta?"

There in the doorway stood a girl. She had to be around Raion's age. She had the biggest smile on her face that Fourth ever saw. Her whole presence was different from what Fourth remembered. She wasn't scared or helpless. But happy and excited. She skipped over to the three of them.

Sun: "Hoseki!?" She whined.

Hoseki continued to glare at her.

Sun: "Why must you say such hurtful things to me!?"

Hoseki: "Because it's the truth and you annoy me."

Fourth: "There's his strange behavior again." He says to himself.

Sun: "You've always been so rude to me."

Asuta: "Hey, now let's just calm down a bit."

Sun and Hoseki gradually turn to face Astua. Their eyes fixate on hers, giving her a death stare. Astua kneels her head down. "I ahh. I'm sorry." Hoseki takes his hand and strikes it against Asta's face.

Hoeski: "I appreciate it if you stopped making snide remarks on matters that do not concern you. Do you understand me?"

Asuta: "Yes, I'm truly sorry."

Hoseki and Sun continue their altercation.

Fourth: "Who the fuck do you think you are?! Asuta, you shouldn't have to apologize!"

Asuta: "Fourth! I was out of line. I must apologize, it's my duty."

Fourth: "Your duty? To who?! Tell me."

Asuta: "For the Amejisuto family, of course," I must keep this up. I must not let them know I'm trying to save Fourth.

Fourth: "Who are the Amejisuto's?"

Asuta: "It's not my place to say."

Hoseki: "She clearly means me. I'm Hoseki Amejisuto. She is to serve me and only me."

Fourth: "That's just..."

Hoseki: "Just what?"

Fourth: "Appalling."

Sun: "Brother, must you always treat people so crudely?"

Hoseki: "She must know her place."

Sun: "I'm sure she does now, after what's happened. What about him then?"

Fourth: Is she talking about her child?

Hoseki: "I have no need to treat anyone with respect."

Fourth: "Did you call him your brother? And what incident?"

Sun: "I did. He's my older brother. I'm Sunatchi Amejisuto." She reaches out her hand with a friendly smile on her face. "Nice to see you."

Fourth slowly extends his hand and shakes her. "Ahh, it's nice to meet you." She really is weird, just like her brother. How could I not have realized?

Hoseki: "Stop being friendly to my guest."

Sun: "I wouldn't call him much of a guest."

Fourth: "What is this incident that happened?"

Hoseki: "It's none of your concern."

Fourth: "And why's that?"

Hoseki: "It's a family matter."

Fourth: "What do you mean by family matter?"

Asuta: "Fourth, please stop."

Hoseki slowly starts walking towards Fourth. He forcefully pushes Fourth against the wall, slamming his hand against it. Fourth flinches as Hoseki slams his hand near his face."It's none of your concern. I don't need to tell you a damn thing."

Hoseki continues to stand close to Fourth, not breaking eye contact with him. Fourth, crammed up against the wall, tries to observe Hoseki. Finally, Hoseki steps away from Fourth without another word, and the four of them continue walking down the hall.

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