In a dim alleyway, raging flames surged like ignited gasoline, rolling up waves of scorching heat. They spread outward as an all-consuming blaze, baking the walls and the ground.
The already sweltering heat of midsummer now became magma-like, and the temperature suddenly leapt higher.
The sound of oxygen burning away hissed like steam being evaporated.
In just a split second, within a three-meter radius, everything was scorched into charred blackness, the asphalt road and walls seeming as though they were beginning to melt.
If anyone were to be struck by such flames, it wouldn't take long before their entire body, even down to the bones, was reduced to ash, leaving nothing behind.
That was a power enough to be fatal.
Ordinary people could never hope to withstand such force.
In Academy City, to release power of this magnitude without being at least a Level 4 Pyrokinetic would be completely impossible, right?
Of course, the key wasn't whether it could be done, but rather, what would happen to the one struck.
Fortunately, no one had been hit.
"…Quite the special way of saying hello, huh?"
As though he had leapt aside at the very last second, just a few meters from the inferno, Fang Li half-knelt on the ground, shielding a terrified Index with one arm. He raised his head and looked forward.
From within the fire, a voice emerged.
"Perhaps a bit too enthusiastic for normal people, but that can't be helped. This is what it means to be a magician. Since you've touched upon this side of things, you'll simply have to accept it."
As those words fell, a tall figure walked slowly out of the flames.
The one emerging from the fire was a man over two meters tall, with long red hair down to his shoulders. His ten fingers were covered with thick silver rings, his ears filled with earrings, and beneath his right eye was a tattoo like a barcode. Dressed like a priest, he exuded a faint fluctuation of magical power.
That alone told Fang Li the man's identity.
Who else could it be but a magician?
"Stiyl Magnus."
The newcomer spoke his name almost casually, a faint smile on his face that carried the trace of malice.
"Normally, there'd be no need to announce myself. But since the one beside you has already given her name, I suppose I'll join in."
With that, the magician calling himself Stiyl took out a cigarette from his pocket. A flame flickered to life directly on his fingertip, lighting it, and he exhaled a puff of smoke.
"Of course, if you'd prefer I use another name, I'd be happy to oblige."
That "other name", it referred to a magician's magic name. In modern times, magicians expressed their deepest wishes and purposes in Latin, adopting them as an alternate name.
This was the magic name.
It wasn't something casually spoken when using spells, it was only declared when one made the ultimate resolve to fight, even at the cost of life, burning their very soul to see their cause through.
To state one's magic name meant showing the enemy one's trump card, their true power, and their determination to stake it all.
And right now, the magician named Stiyl was implying exactly that. His gaze never left one figure, Index.
"…!"
Under that gaze, Index's expression wavered. Fang Li, holding the girl protectively in his arms, could feel her trembling.
Surely, she wanted to run. After all, the enemy before them had attacked without a word the moment he appeared, clearly an opponent.
But Index chose not to flee.
"Wait!" Biting her lip, Index called out to Stiyl.
"Your target is me, right? Then please, spare him!"
The reason she didn't run… was Fang Li. Moments ago, she had dismissed him as a pervert. Perhaps she still thought so even now. But to prevent him from being caught in the crossfire, she stood her ground.
Yet Stiyl's expression didn't shift at all. No, rather than unmoved, it seemed deliberately kept cold.
"In that case, come with me." His tone was icy as he continued, then suddenly shifted the subject.
"Though, the 'pervert' you're protecting doesn't seem to intend on pretending he saw nothing."
The words made Index stiffen. She lifted her eyes toward Fang Li.
There, Fang Li's expression remained calm, utterly unlike Index's wavering one.
"A magician, huh?"
Fang Li brushed away the sparks still clinging to his skin, pulled Index up, and rose to his feet.
The words spoken were these: "I don't care about whatever kind of magician you are, but this is Academy City, you know. Do you have any idea how many Espers here can generate fire? Don't tell me you really think spitting a few flames makes you invincible?"
Fang Li's tone carried no warmth, only a faint, mocking smile.
"The same effect could be achieved with just a single Molotov cocktail. If you want me to pretend I didn't see anything, shouldn't you show me something a little more impressive?"
Those words had no purpose other than to provoke the enemy.
Index's eyes widened.
But Stiyl only laughed.
"Well said."
He flicked away his cigarette and pulled out a card.
A card engraved with mysterious characters. As he turned it in his hand, Stiyl's gaze grew sharp and dangerous.
"Then how about this?"
Magic Power surged within Stiyl's body.
"--------- TIAFIMH (There is a fire in my hand)--------- "
"--------- IHTSOAS (It has the shape of a sword)--------- "
"--------- AIHTR (Its duty is Condemnation)--------- "
Flames roared to life.
They drew in the surrounding fire, flowing like a living current, spiraling around Stiyl's hand.
The next moment, the fire took form, A sword.
"Flame Sword!"
Gripping the flaming blade, Stiyl charged straight toward Fang Li. A wave of scorching heat swept out with him.
"Danger!" Without thinking, Index tried to rush forward, intending to shield Fang Li from the strike.
But Fang Li only exhaled two calm, dismissive words.
"How foolish."
The instant the words fell,
Bang!
A gunshot echoed.
Puchi!
The sickening sound of a bullet piercing flesh followed. Stiyl's charging body froze mid-step and blood began seeping from his side.
Then, slowly, he collapsed.
Boom!
The Flame Sword, compressed heat barely held together, detonated and vanished into thin air.
The chaos of the scene ebbed away with it.
Index stood frozen in shock.
Fang Li, on the other hand, was calmly holding a pistol in his hand, no one even knew when he had drawn it. The muzzle still smoked faintly.
"Aiyaya…"
As though he had just done something utterly trivial, Fang Li smiled lightly.
"Looks like, compared to magic, science really is stronger."
Only then did Index snap back to her senses.
"Wh-…what?!"
Her voice rang out, filled with disbelief and denial.
(End Of This Chapter)
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