Finally feeling calmer, Mizuho and the others gathered at Yuto's place.
　Yuto carefully examined the clothes of these gifted people.

''Yuto, what are these guys?　Could it possibly have something to do with the curse?

No, I don't know. It's just that if I did, that wouldn't be a reason for them to attack us...

　Marion ponders this seriously, too.

'Maybe they noticed the curse and were afraid we'd interfere.

'Yeah it's possible, but that would mean that we've been under surveillance for a long time. That's certainly not the case.　The curse can't be lifted on the spot when we find out, and even if they identify the sorcerer, we should be able to intercept him in a favorable situation at the time we move....... Hmmm, I don't have any personal belongings that would identify these guys. I had money with me, but no wallet.

　Mizuho is also experiencing an attack like this for the first time in her life. Honestly, she can't wipe the cold sweat off her face when she thinks that if Yuto wasn't there.
　
　But that wasn't the case for an attack on my companions. If he didn't know that, it would be difficult for the current Mizuho to deal with it. In fact, the first attack, which could be called a surprise attack, was flying towards Yuto and Marion.
　It could be said that thanks to Yuto sensing it beforehand and knocking it off, they all remained unharmed.
　Mizuho bit her lip as she knew that once again she was protected by Yuto.
　But before that, I don't know what the purpose of these guys' attack was.

''They have a grudge against one of us.......or something?

'I don't know if it's a grudge or not, but it's certainly true that they attacked us. I'm pretty sure there's a reason for it. Either we're all targets, or someone in particular...

　Yuto recalls the entirety of the attack just now.

''Come to think of it, that last attack... or maybe the first one too...''

'Is there something on your mind, Yuto-san?'

　Yuto turned around with a huff and turned to face Marion.
　It was a certain bias in the enemy's actions.
　It wasn't enough to be certain yet, but it seemed that Marion was involved in all of the actions that seemed to be forceful or only deliberate in the enemy's attacks.
　Marion tilts her head in response to Yuto's gaze, but when she realizes the meaning contained in his gaze, her eyes turn to tears and she screams loudly.

''I'm not trying to hold a grudge against anyone!

'Oh, no, I didn't say that, did I?　I know that Marion-san is not that kind of person.

No, it can't be...

'No, I'm sorry. I might be overthinking things.

　For a few seconds, Mizuho and the others stare at this unintelligible attacker.
　Yuto stands up and with a serious look on his face, he makes a suggestion to Mizuho.

''Mizuho. I think we should report these guys to the agency.　Maybe the agency will look into it.

Well, I will. I'll contact you and have you pick it up right away. What's really going on with these guys?　Besides, it's a problem that they broke into this academy. No one else was here, which is fine, but it would be a disaster if those students got involved.

'Indeed that's not funny. Could you ask Omine-san if she could turn in a person with the ability to guard and escort the academy?　They're the ones who might get the public involved, and that would get the agency working.

　To Yuto and the others, this is a serious matter.
　It was just as Mizuho had said, and those who attacked in broad daylight in this Seisen Academy could be called abnormal. It is even more so when one considers that such an attack as the previous one took place in class.
　Mizuho took out her cell phone and contacted the agency.

''I just called them. They'll be here soon. Also, he wants me to hold off on the escort guard thing for a moment.''

　Yuto nodded and scratched his head.

''Hmm, I don't think we'll get any answers as it is. Let's tie these guys up for now and leave them on the roof top doorway there. I'll apply some Ki to them just in case they don't wake up.

　Ichigo chuckles at Yuto's casual line.

'What the hell, you're just telling a normal scary story, aren't you?

　Yuto hijacked the attackers, tied them up in their own clothes so they couldn't move, and hid them above the rooftop doorway.

''That's it. Mizuho-san, Marion-san, there might still be some of these guys' friends. Let's keep our guard up. To be honest, none of us have any idea what these guys are at the moment. I'll leave it as a possibility that they're related to the curse, but it feels like it's a different case.

　Mizuho and Marion nodded.

'I'll keep exploration winds flying around the grounds at all times, just in case.

''The grounds of the academy are too large for me to put up wards, but I'll do something about the school building where the students are. Also, I'll put up a ward on the people who attacked us here. If they have any friends, they might come to help.

Yes, please. And about Ichigo and Nina-san, just be careful with them too. Particularly since Ichigo is in a different class, I can't help but be late in following up with him. Oh, I'll give you the Spirit Swordsman's bill when I return to the dormitory later. I'm sure it'll be enough to buy some time...

I understand.

Bills?　I get it. But ... it's a hell of a mess, isn't it?

　The casual words of Ichigo made Masato feel sorry for Ichigo and Nina. It was the same for both Mizuho and Marion.

''I'm sorry ... I'll definitely protect you two.

'Well, don't worry about it, Yuto. Better yet, it's better than you guys suffering in a place you don't even know about. I don't think I can do much, but whatever you say.

''Me too. And I owe Mizuho-san and the others a debt of gratitude!

　Yuto and the others widened their eyes at the two of them' unexpected offer. Despite the fact that they had just now met with so much danger, they did not expect the two of them, who were ordinary people, to say this.
　For the two of them, it should have been nothing but fear....
　At that point, Ichigo spoke to Masato.

''Hey, Yuto.''

What?　Awareness

These guys got beaten up pretty easy, but they weren't very good at it, were they?　No, it's not very human from what I can tell.

No, he's pretty strong. Considering what you just did, I'd rate you as skilled.

''Is that so?　So you guys are strong, you had a great coordination earlier, do you practice that kind of thing too?

　Ichigo's question with a bit of relief, Yuto looked up at Mizuho and Marion and looked at each other.

'Yes, no, I haven't practiced, but...'

Oh, so that's the move!　It was like a comic book, but is it normal for people with abilities to be like that...

''No, it's not like that... but for some reason I thought Mizuho and Marion would understand.

Yeah, well, I guess that's something you should do.

I feel the same way.

　The three of them tilted their heads.
　Nina stared at the three of them for a while..........and somehow wrinkled her brow.
　Then suddenly, the door to the rooftop doorway opened.

''Who are you?　The idea of being out of control here!

　Aiko Toba Aiko, a sophomore who is a member of the student council's public morals committee, appears.
　Since a senior student and an executive of the student council was upset with her appearance, Masato, Mizuho and the rest of the group looked embarrassed.

''You guys!　What are you doing here ... cah!

　With a clink, Aiko was surprised to hear a sound like broken glass in the air above her as she screamed.
　Yuto and the others certainly saw the strange sight of a crack in the space above Aiko for a moment, like a crack.

''Wha, what?　This is another of your pranks!　I'll report this to the dean!

""Eeeeeeee!"

'No, you're wrong!　Toba-senpai.

Shitenji-san, you're here, what's all the fuss about?

This is ... well ...

　Mizuho, who was not good at making excuses, couldn't come up with a good excuse on the spur of the moment.

''Um, I'm sorry, Toba-senpai.......''

Oh, my God, Nina, you're here too.

Actually, I asked the people here to bring me here.

Is that...?

'In fact, I thought I'd ask some of you here, as my friends, to be at the Millmar ceremony next week. That's when I, you know, uh... oh!　We're trying to get them to dance the Millmar dance as a token of our friendship. So we've been practicing...

((((Eeeeeeeeeeee!　What excuse!　It!))))

　All four of their gazes are focused on the slender Nina's profile.
　Masato and Ichigo, who don't know much about dancing in particular, can't help but stare at Nina. And there's no way they can make that excuse.

''Well!　That was it!　I see........if that's what you mean......

　Aiko pondering.

(Huh?　(Does it bother you?)

　How honest you are, Ichigo felt as if he had been exposed to a part of the ladies' biology.
　Exhaling unnoticed, Ichigo thought about how he wanted to leave quickly and looked towards the doorway.

(Hm?)

　The shadow next to the doorway looked like a mollusk had passed through it.
　Ichigo wondered what it was?　So I check again........nothing.

(Is it my imagination...)

I understand!　I think it's great if that's your goal!　Let's keep this place to myself.

'Thank you!　Toba-senpai.

'But ... I don't admire you for making too much noise, and you must remember to be a lady at all times, right?

'Yes, I'll take it to heart!

　When Nina bowed her head, the other four people hurriedly bowed their heads as well.

''Hmph. The lunch break is already over, so everyone should go back to the classroom. And..........I wonder if that other beautiful exam student will also be joining that millimer's dance?

"...what?　No?　No, but...

'Oh, well we passed each other on the way here, but it's not the same. No, it's nothing. Then ... please be careful from now on.

　When she said that, Aiko turned her body around in a ladylike manner and left.
　Yuto and the others looked at each other and made a face of if........
　However, there were other things that bothered them as well.

''Yuto-san, the crack in the space just now........?　It was as if an attack had hit the ward. That wasn't something I put up, and more than anything else I felt like I was.......protecting Toba-senpai.

Oh, yeah. That's how I feel about it, too. I don't know what that was. I'll just have to look into it and...

Yeah.

　Mizuho nodded.

''Maybe that battle just now was seen by... that Shirasawa-san...''

　Yuto's face darkened.

'Oh my God........what should I do? There's a little too much going on, I can't think straight.

''There's no point in worrying about it. If she.........if she......if Shirasawa-san has found out about us, we should at least keep her quiet......

'Yeah, well I'll take care of that for you.

　Ichigo scratches his head beside me too, but I feel like I have no choice but to go bumping into him now.

''Yuto let me join you when you tell me that. No, just let me finish up in the middle.

　Ichigo puts his hand on Yuto's shoulder with a serious look on his face.
　Yuto wants to talk to him alone, but he sees the look on Ichigo's face and agrees.

''Okay........''

Oh, and you know, just now there.

Yeah?

'No it's nothing. I'll tell you later.

　Ichigo thought that he should tell her about the strange shadow he saw earlier, but when he saw the expression on Yuto's face, he decided against it.

(It's not good to cram too much into it now........ I'll tell Shitenji-san or Shurian-san later...)

　Mizuho and the others were also looking at the situation of those Yujin with concern.
　Especially for Mizuho and Marion, who are also gifted, they can understand how Yuto feels. This is because this is a common concern of all gifted people.
　Even if they are close friends, they can't say this much. It's something that could destroy their relationship with each other as soon as they do so.



　The eastern edge of the grounds of the Holy Seine Academy right after Yuto and the others finished the battle.

''Bah, that's ridiculous!　What's with that fighting style!　It's as if the Dark Night Leopard is a baby, isn't it? A young ability like that...

　Hyakugan, who doesn't usually let his emotions get too high, stiffens his hands with the electronic binoculars in surprise.

''........Hmph.''

''Swallow stop you knew that this would happen?''

....

Then why did you let him go!　That just puts them on alert and we can't do any more surprise attacks from now on!

Don't get me wrong I'm not one of you. And you should know that I'm not here for pleasure.

''Kuh........ Huh............Is it okay to say that?　Swallow stop water. You shouldn't lick us too much.

　With a jerk, the water stops moving one eyebrow.

'Now your precious children - those relatives of yours - are in our hands, aren't they?

You lowlife...

'Whatever you say. We are the Count's hands and feet. We will only be in the position we are in if we carry out his orders.

I'll do what I'm told. And besides you don't know what you're talking about. I sent them out there to see what they could do. We can take care of anyone in that capacity. I just left that motivational loudmouth who wanted to do it to a ten-person noisy man.

''Then ... you've used your poisonous arms as a guessing game to measure the opponent's ability ...''

You didn't even play a role in that, though...

Kuh....

And one other thing...

　Suddenly, a stick, like layers of thin metal bundled together from the stopping hand, stretches out from the stopping hand, and stops a few millimeters before Hyakugan's throat.

''........!''

'None of the requests I've received ask me to save your lives. You must remember that well.

　When he said that, the cessation was lost in the noise of the wind in the trees, and Suu disappeared from the scene.
　After swallowing a gulp of spit, Hyakugan wiped the cold sweat from his forehead.

''What a man the Count is........ ''Oh, it doesn't matter. As long as I finish this job............''

　And then Hyakugan disappeared too.



　On the outskirts of Beijing, China.
　A back room on the fifth floor of a high security building built next to a lake called the Dark City of Water Margin.

''Oh.''

What's going on?　Lorenza.

No, it's nothing, honey.

(Did my flying curse just pop?　(Hmph, you do some interesting things...)

　Then Lorenza made her favorite tea and offered it to the desk where Alessandro was sitting.
　On Alessandro's desk, as he reaches for the tea, there is a drawing-like thing spread out on his desk. In the center of the altar-like blueprint on it, you could see a human-like drawing of five dismembered bodies.