Shuji Chiba was losing his composure. He hadn't expected a street fight to break out so suddenly. Based on the boy's academic records—which were exemplary in theory—Shuji had operated under the prejudice that Tatsuya was a cautious, perhaps even passive, individual.
Shuji was currently stationed on the third-floor terrace of a mid-rise building, roughly eight hundred meters from his target. The intelligence dossier had noted the boy's acute sensitivity to being watched, so Shuji had kept his distance. That caution was now backfiring.
(No time for the stairs, and a vehicle is too slow!)
Shuji gripped his weapon, vaulted over the railing, and hit the pavement running. Utilizing the "Godspeed" movement spell, Shuji's sprinting velocity could reach a staggering 120 kilometers per hour over short distances. He would arrive in thirty seconds. On the way, he felt the distinct ripples of two vibration-type spells being invoked.
(So the kid uses Magic Arts, does he?)
Shuji noted the discrepancy in the report. It wasn't information worth hiding, so the Intelligence Department had likely just missed it.
(I wonder just how well he can hold his own...)
His curiosity regarding Tatsuya began to swell.
(But that's a discovery for another day.)
He depressed the switch on his Armed Device. The short baton elongated and transformed into a kodachi. It was a new model developed by the Chiba family for the police force, which Shuji had personally tuned to his specifications. He had always preferred versatile, mass-produced tools over legendary, one-of-a-kind masterpieces like the "Ikazuchi-maru" or "Orochi-maru."
(A weapon is merely a tool—a consumable. Whether it is a masterwork or a blunt hunk of iron depends entirely on the wielder.)
This philosophy was the byproduct of a man hailed as "one of the world's strongest combat magicians within a three-meter radius." It was a supreme confidence in his own skin.
Tatsuya's opponents were "Stardust"—enhanced magicians belonging to the USNA military. Or rather, they were biological magical weapons: a suicide squad composed of magicians whose deaths were guaranteed within a few years. If we are to die soon, let it not be in vain. That mindset was a form of brainwashing, no doubt, but Shuji didn't view it as inherently evil. He felt a certain kinship with those who literally staked their lives on their mission.
However, that made them incredibly dangerous. A "dead soldier" is the most formidable foe on Earth. Deciding that this was too heavy a burden for a high schooler—no matter how talented—Shuji blurred into the space between Tatsuya and the Stardust unit.
Tatsuya had been aware of the eyes watching him. He also knew they didn't belong to the USNA. Still, he hadn't expected an intervention so soon.
"Shiba-kun. I am Shuji Chiba. Erika's older brother," the newcomer said, his profile coming into view. "I'll take it from here. Fall back."
Tatsuya recognized him immediately as Erika's second brother. He didn't understand the motive for the help, and the fact that Shuji had voluntarily revealed his identity was unexpected. There was no time for explanations, but Tatsuya didn't mind. If a master was offering to handle the mess, he had no reason to refuse.
"Thank you," Tatsuya said simply.
As Tatsuya beat a quick retreat, he felt a wave of slight disappointment emanate from Shuji's back. The older man had likely expected a protest or a "let me help" from a hot-blooded teenager. Unfortunately for Shuji's expectations, Tatsuya didn't possess that kind of ego.
The attackers' confusion lasted only a second. The four remaining masked men—one having already been neutralized—produced handguns and leveled them at Shuji.
Tatsuya observed the unfolding battle from a distance. Against him, the attackers had been hampered by the "capture alive" order. Against Shuji, those shackles were off. The masked men's true combat style was brutal and efficient—enough to crush almost any opponent.
But Shuji Chiba was no ordinary opponent.
Faster than the men could pull their triggers, Shuji closed the gap. To anyone but the targets, it must have looked as if he had simply vanished. Even Tatsuya would have lost sight of him had he not been focusing his consciousness.
(So this is the 'Kirin of the Chiba'...)
Watching the Stardust magicians fall one after another, Tatsuya felt a genuine sense of admiration. He knew Shuji wasn't even going all out, yet this display alone was enough to mark him as someone Tatsuya never wanted to face as an enemy.
The idea of Erika's brother and Mari's lover becoming his foe was a scenario Tatsuya couldn't quite imagine... yet.
Tatsuya continued his tactical analysis until the final man was incapacitated. Shuji lowered his kodachi. He hadn't dropped his guard entirely, but the tension in his frame eased slightly. Tatsuya felt the same. But as he took his third step forward to offer his formal thanks, a piercing sense of dread washed over him.
Shuji felt it too. Tatsuya dove for cover at almost the exact moment Shuji raised his blade into a defensive guard.
An instant later, a dazzling lance of light struck. It was a high-energy plasma beam. Shuji met the torrent of energy with his blade. Just before making contact with the steel, the beam split, veering to the left and right.
He was likely using the "Pressure Cut" (Atsu-giri) repulsion field to warp the plasma's trajectory, but it wasn't enough to block the electromagnetic interference.
The light vanished. Strangely, the plasma beam dissipated before it could hit the buildings lining the street. Shuji remained standing in his defensive posture, but his body was racked with fine tremors. The close-range electromagnetic pulse had sent his muscles into spasms—it was the equivalent of taking a high-output stun gun to the entire body.
Tatsuya turned his gaze toward the source of the shot.
Far in the distance, centered in the darkened road and illuminated by the dim glow of a streetlamp, stood a figure with crimson hair and golden eyes.
Holding a caduceus-like device toward them, the masked magician "Angie Sirius" watched Tatsuya with an inviting, challenging gaze.
(You want me to follow you, Lina?)
Acknowledging the silent summons, Tatsuya left the convulsing Shuji behind and moved to pursue her. He was truly grateful for the assistance, but he had no desire to be under constant surveillance. This was the perfect opportunity to sever his ties with Shuji for the night.
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