Ficool

Chapter 42 - Wednesday – Fifth Round: Damsalete

[23.11.2025 Fourth part of few]

As the creature named Fräulein Kreutune stared hungrily at the brown-haired lad sitting at the Level-5 table; #2 Dark-Matter lost its appetite to finish his meal. Mistakenly sensing that the petite girl had staring at his food, he handed over what was left of it, along with the wrapper to the tiny silver-haired girl. Without giving her any other attention, Dark-Matter stood up from his seat. There was no doubt that his pride would not allow him to ignore that pony tail man self-assurance. "I will take care of this so called Visitor, myself."

However, at the moment when Number-two arrogantly stepped away from the table, to walk towards the T-Shirt man; his anger was building up ready to explode. As was his custom he open confrontation with a short line chat. "What was about the guarantor?..." He was interrupted by a thrown golden metal-chain rope, flying on horizontal line. It had its O-segments big enough, that they fit like a doughnut into a hand. It hit him with such force, that he flew backwards. It actually threw him against the supporting pillar behind him. As his body loudly slammed against the stone pillar, the chains ends swung around, circling around the pillar, making a few turn around. Then its self knotted its lose ends, practically tied him to that pillar. It was weird that no one else got hit by that flying chain.

The aforementioned Fräulein first observed the lad, then she looked in surprise at the donated food in her hands. Only after a while did she start eating it. No!; she practically devoured it literally in a moment, include the normally inedible part which was probably the wrapper, napkin or something like a paper plate.

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Kakine clicked his tongue in dissatisfaction and tried to get out of those chains, but suddenly found; that not only he cannot move anything else that his head, but he could not even use his Esper abilities. He barked at the visitor angrily: "What is this?! What have you done?!"

He was completely oblivious to the fact that Kreutune had turned her attention to him again, commenting on his previous post for her. "What a delicious swarm of overwhelming feelings of torment and embarrassment. I rate it with a three and half stars."

Because the Visitor stands several meters away, he did not saw the white-haired creature, hidden behind people, table and chairs. So this man gave his full attention to the brown-haired youth, while radiating cool and composed appearance. "Of course,-- its the Queen [Chess piece] who move first. I know very well the potential you hold in your hands. But hear me out! I did not come here to defeat armies, or conquer anything. I am here, to remind to those, who participated in the mischief, that there is me. A someone, who is there to demand a compliance with certain rules. Moreover, this is not an official tournament match, or a raid. But essentially a demonstration of the existing hierarchy. So I see no reason, why I should allow the queen to reshape the playing chess field, according to his wishes. Especially when the King [Chess piece] is absent. I think that putting you on the bench, until the end of this non-game, should be enough to make you feel defeated. But let me give you an advice: A Queen that fight only for itself and disregard the other figures, are bound to be defeated, while fighting alone. Use this time for self-reflection."

Index, who had been watching the whole thing, took it upon herself to explain the behind-the-scenes of the phenomenon. "The golden chain is a form of a perfect shackles, where the caster presses down on the prisoner with its own spiritual pressure. If the gap is large enough, the target will not only be immobilized, but their ability to engage in action is also taken away. In this case, the gap is so enormous that they cannot even free themselves from the shackles on their own. Also, the caster exploiting the fact, that he using yet an another, different set of rules, that this so called Esper."

It was only Kamijou with weird expression, who responded on that, stating, that she made it sound like a grandpa - grandson struggle, between two generation gap of cultural preferences.

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At this moment, a certain redhead from Judgment is at the end of her patience and looks very sternly into the face of her beloved brunette. Misaka understands what her roommate means, but before she snaps her fingers, she orders her kōhai not to overdo it. Immediately after that, the first-year girl asked; if her voice was back to normal and after confirming that, she teleported away from her idol lap/legs. But the second-year girl found it strange why the entire Anti-Skill corps didn't storm this place, or make a stand, like they did in front of their school. Or at least why there is not a crowd from Judgment. So she looked around and quickly found her friends. When she saw how Saten was using her mobile phone as a camera and it was connected by a cable to notebook computer siting on table, on which fully focused Uiharu was working hard on; She realized that the 'Anti-Skill goalkeeper' was organizationally keeping everything in check, so that there would be no escalation. It is quite possible that this challenger here would become unpredictable if the army were to attack him.

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The loudmouthed high school girl herself teleported in front of the Visitor. "That's enough, sir, madam, or whoever you are! I don't have a clear idea of what the purpose of your visit is, but you're obviously involved in some mischief. As a guardian of the city's order, I have to take you to the station as a troublemaker."

However, even her threat didn't sway him, as he stay cool. "The fact that you dint bother whit a memo [message], tells a lot about your personality. I nearly can see you to change your carrier path to sassy escort girl. Don't just think, I'm just going to walk away with you, because that's whats your hart desire. Plus, if you really dare to think you can move me again?; Then I dare you to try."

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She was half-offended by his remark. "Unbelievable, I understand that some people, have the urge to not take me seriously because of my physical appearance. But as a Judgment is a disciplinary committee you are bound to listen to me. Therefore, I have the right to bring you to questioning when deemed necessary." She reached for him, thinking she would teleport away with him…

He dint make any defensive move as she put her hand on him.

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But she was surprised, when nothing happened. "My teleport... isn't working?"

This reaction of hers, amused the man, who smiled. "Teleport... an interesting name for lifting up a subject, moving that subject to another place, and placing that subject down. If it was on my, I will call it displacement. But back to the topic! Did you knew, that your ability has a weight limit? After our last meeting, and embarrassing fiasco, I took the liberty of making a small patch. So that a similar irresponsible mistake like last time, wouldn't happen again."

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Of course, the junior police-girl didn't liked, that he was on top with the arguments, she was even touched. "It's really something, that I'm hearing about responsibility from someone, who causing a trouble. Especially when practically I'm the one who has responsibility here. Is this some wordplay from gentlemen ruffian?"

Yet he responded calmly. "You will hardly find someone, with more responsibility on their shoulders than I do. Or more precisely, with a greater impact on the world. Don't compare the world, to a vision of elementary-school fresh graduate." She admonished him that she is already a middle schooler. "Oh, congratulation. Its seemed that you applied your jumping onto jumping around an entire school year class.

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Shirai realized that she wouldn't win with arguments, but she retorted. "Enough! Such talk doesn't belong anywhere else but at the political table. The rules of this city apply to everyone in this city! And that includes you. So you're going with me whether you like it or not. Even if I have to use coercive means within the powers granted to me by this city." She tried on him a subjugation move, pressing on pressure point oh his body, so that she will get him under her control.

Once again, he dint budge. "I'm not sure what trick you're going to use on me, but if this is supposed to be a challenge to a martial arts match, you're not going to do well against me. Especially with all those imaginary bandages you're trying so hard to hide under your shirt." Although he leaned forward in a menacing stance towards the redhead as if challenging her to the actual first free blow.

She felt the (pressure of his personality?) that made a drop of sweat run down her cheek, as if it was a trait for people on high politic to have an overwhelming personality, not wining debates with facts but with a charisma. Whoever, his eyes redirected they attention to something else. He glanced behind him, like by corner of his eye glancing above his shoulder, as if sensing someone behind him. Kuroko followed that example to look behind him, at what was so important, that he dropped his gaze from her.

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Namely, from the far end of the corridor, (more advanced version of Kuroko), a Kukoo, was rushing straight towards them. She was sprinting so hard that you could see the (imaginary?) line of fire she was leaving behind, from how (hot?)/(fast?) she was running, like if she was on fire. It look, like she was dragging a blazing tail of fire behind her.

She was obviously heading straight for the two of them and was so hasty, that she didn't slow down at all when she got close to them. Instead, she decided to slide/skid/smear the floor [like a snowboarder going down a slope], so vigorously that if she were a race car on an asphalt track, she would leave a black tire mark behind her.

With this drifting/sliding, she was bound to overshot, fly past the pair… Instead, at the right moment, it was as if she jumped off the snowboard/skateboard, right at the correct moment, jumping directly towards them, successfully abandoning the traveling vector and speed. (Plus the imaginary tail of fire she was dragging behind her, pass them and continued to run on original path like an abandoned snowboard/skateboard left on its own.)

The older redhead shouted, when she jump in. "Excuse me!!" She dint aimed at the man at all, but actually pounced/jump on her smaller version like some kind of kidnapper. Since Kuroko only managed to respond with a question "What's going on??", Kukoo grabbed her with one hand below the waist and the other sealing the sassy mouth, lifting her off the ground.

At that moment, she was a good five steps away from the guy in black. At first glance, it seemed that the stressed taller redhead with ponytails was trying her best to protect the smaller one from her own ignorance; because as the more experienced one, she express worry of that visitor, who was just standing there watching the show with an iron patience.

But despite the (Hmm!!) noises from the struggling Judgment member, Kukoo was forced to explain to Kuroko, what she was up to. So she exchange a glance with the younger one and scold her. "Hush! [Shut up!] I'm doing this for your own good. You don't get it, but the door you knocking on, lead to league that is definitely out of your current capabilities! Please note: you are in no condition to issue a challenge to your own league, let alone a higher one." However, she suddenly looked at the opponent in front of her and switched to a businesslike tone that was supposed to appease the complaining customer. "Honorable Warden, I beg you to forgive my Kuroko for her immaturity. She is still only a Junior in her early years, who is just starting to become interested in the world beyond her home district. Since she is still young, I haven't trusted her with much yet."

The black-haired man only now straightened up, with an expression of understanding. "The fact, that you're trying so hard to impress her on multiple fronts is proof in itself of how much you care about her. Since I see more than a certain family resemblance here, I can see why you're so proud of her; for following in family footsteps, in choosing a career." The captive student protested strongly with her (Hmmm!!), demanding an explanation or something. That make the older female uneasy, so the male just make (Don't worry!) hand gesture. "No worries, the three of us ultimately have the same goal, yet different routes. Even though, the way to achieve it and applying it, may differ within the Jurisdiction we have in our own hands. Even though the juniorisn't on the list of names I'm supposed to confront, a few people siting at that table, are."

Kuroko, who immediately glanced at her Mikoto, in order to protect her idol; began to struggle and squirm. But Kukoo held her tightly, as if her grip held back even the Teleportation ability itself.

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Watching them, the said Warden replied to the freshman in captive hug. "No worries little puppy, I have no intention of being cruel to the children. The world will be a really dark place if I will not be a benevolent one. But a precedent of responsibility must be established."

He suddenly stopped in though as if something had surprised him when his gaze fell on #2 tied to the pillar. At that moment, he looked so confused that he decide to walk towards the spot. No he make that body gesture of stepping out of that position. But during a half movement of first step, he vanished into thin air.

Of course, the young police junior widened her eyes; because it looked like he had just used Teleportation. The detective's mind was especially heavy; when she thought that his ability was to change forms. [Shape shifting, gender bending, shape-shifting,…]

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Except it wasn't a teleport in the sense of picking it up and putting it down somewhere else, he simply took such a quick step that it look like he was suddenly disappeared. Moreover, it's not certain whether he took one step or more, but he almost immediately, in a wuussh, walked towards the pillar in question, leaving behind something like an audible jolt [wush] in the air. He glanced at the small creature that looked like a suspiciously long-haired silver Loli, who was feeding on something. So he spoke up. "Can you explain to me, what's going through your head? I thought this gentleman in his prime, wouldn't willingly give in to my persuasion. So, in order not to seriously hurt him, I went to the trouble of tying him to this pillar. But I have a feeling that if I don't intervene right away, you'll eat him and the pillar too."

Only now did Mikoto and company realize that #2 was in (trouble?). In fact, when Kakine Teitoku was involuntarily tied to that pole, the golden O-chain wrapped around him a few times and after tying the knot, part of the chain was left hanging down. It swung a little in a hypnotic dance, luring the little girl to come closer. The rest of the chain was long enough for the tiny Fräulein Kreutune to grab. So she take it in her hand and start (eating?) from it, as if it was a chain of sausages, or donuts, or some sweets. Although it was strange, Dark-Matter himself was particularly (annoyed?) or (freak out?) by her performance. Even more so when the little one innocently glanced at the black haired questioner and her only comment was: "It's delicious."

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This answer surprised the Visitor a little more, his eyebrows rising. "That chain is a 'Kidō' [spell/magic] with a decent density of mental energy, manifested as a solid gold like metal, the Adamantium. In addition, it is a 'Bakudō' [spell for binding] designed to hold even the largest and most ferocious beasts in place. And thirdly, it is such a powerful seal that it prevents the use of any ability. In fact, even if a gold in general sense is a malleable metal for jewelry and coins, this creation should be almost indestructible for at least a few minutes. Such indestructible that it could be use as ultimate Tier Level of weapon, breaking a highest Tier in two. But, you eating it like it was a string ofsweet bread rollsnacks, like a holiday theme chocolate figure. Single one of those, compact more manna that regular mage use per life. So I asking you: Are you okay?"

At this, the little girl cutely tilted her head to the side and while looking at him incomprehensibly; without saying a word, she took another bite and chew it.

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Curious about what he dealing here, he reached for the girl. While she was still holding onto chain, he lean down, put his palms under her armpits, and lifted her up to his eye level, to look at her more closely. It was almost as if he was looking at a puppy or a kitten. "This city as temple is a sanctuary for children that literally hold the power to breaking an established custom of old generation. But is something else, when carefully constructed strategy, polished by years of experiences, is crushed by random nonsense created by they limited view of the world." Both of them continue to stare at each other. "Like what you doing right here. There were some stories about characters, who temporarily increased their abilities, when they consumed their element. But even they got sick, if they pushed that ability too hard. I doubt your element would be..." Suddenly, he realized something and it completely threw him off. "Wait a minute! You're...? Why are you...? And what's with this form of yours?... It's like; the house is lit, but no one's home... Actually,-- you know you don't have, to eat that chain at all?"

It was seen on him that he had question after question, but the girl just replied: "Eating is a delicious fun. I give this upcoming confused grand teacher, a two and half stars. The chain treat get a five stars."

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The visitor's eyebrow shot up. "That was an unnecessary Bias." A few seconds later; he wrapped it up as he placed Fräulein back on her small feet. "Actually, it's not even my problem… Like many, I shall ask: Whats wrong?; with the game breaking abilities that kids have in this city? But even I know the answer, it still giving the out of pace feeling. I happen to have an assignment requesting my attention. If you are so found of the chain, you can eat it all. But please make sure you don't accidentally eat him, the pillar and chain, as if it was a stacked up baguette. I pacified him for its own good, yet I don't wish to be remembered by writing a line into a history book: (He was so delightful, so he was turn into a sacrificial dish.)" He already step out of them, redirecting his attention elsewhere.

Whoever the girl, inspired by that comparison; glanced at Number-two. making a hungry expression, spark in her eyes, and drooling from corner of her mouth. The brown haired lad, freak out as the little girl opened her mouth wide while staring at him in trance. Kakine saw in her eyes how all she see, is a giant baguette with a chicken filling.

At last one of #2 teammates rushed to help. Gokusai Kaibi, (14?) an airhead emo (Girl in the Dress), that resemble a woman from hostess club (in early training). Her Measure Heart esper ability can force others to see her as their friend. Very effective for extracting intel from people during a causal talk. Now, as she approached the leader of her team, she tried to free him out of the chain, and failed immediately. So she tried to convince the little girl to cooperate. But freak out as it was not just her esper ability that dint work on her. The little one was immune to sweet talk. So she quickly tried several different method, to see on what the little gourmand will bite. She even tried the sweets like lollipop, to redirect Kreutune attention elsewhere, but got goosebumps when the little one redirected that hungry stare directly at her.

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Meanwhile, Visitor already turned its attention to the Level-Fives table, returning to his (I'm above the matter) attitude. "That should be cared off. As I mentioned before: No matter what I plan to do, or don't plan to do; I found it interesting how all of you are on odds with the city, when people tend to overlook that (the school campus) trait is just a facade. Like a prestige club that will send a membership card to anyone who meet the criteria regardless they personality or attitude. You are openly uncooperative, don't bother to stand up to help each other, or willingly accepting proposed plans; from those who like to push out an idea, that in order to get to the higher-ups, challenger must go through those level-five's. Heck some of you, are half willing to show an entry door to the challengers, just to do the rebellion themselves, actually showing that they are angry for false advertising. Such passive refusal to participate, like a youthful defiance, is enough to empty the King's team bench. That's one of the disadvantages of having unfettered pieces. That brings us to the last name on my list."

The individual gazes of those sitting at the table turned first to Kamijou, but when he glanced at Sogiita, the rest also looked at #7. It was strange that this maniac for courage, did not engage in a fight with the Visitor during all this time. Actually,… as much as possible, many ignored the fact that from the moment he sat down at the table; he and the Hokaze had been talking passionately in whisper voices, that look like a flirting. However, the passion that the two had was missing from the faces of the girls they held like kittens on their laps. This duo literally failing to ignore the older couple and their conversation. Despite this, they somehow tried to maintain a polite expression suitable for ladies. The whole four shared the quadruple food portion with respect for the food. On the other hand, the two muscle heads were still paying attention to what was going on around them and the guy grinned as he gave the OK-thumbs up to the others. "I can guarantee you, that this one has some real guts. It's just a shame we couldn't see how far our shared determination to uncover the mysterious heights of courage and guts extends."

This statement was the trigger that caused the petite girl from Judgment in his lap to explode with anger: "Excuse me!! Could you two not?; treat what you done, as something like a training sparing?!! A training session between sportsman and his trainer? If I hadn't specifically asked you to stop, you two would have ended up demolishing the entire site!! You and that man are like an unbridled element of a dumb head disaster, worse than an active volcano. You two are a constant threat not only to the city, human civilization, but also to the future of this world!! Why do all the OP espers and the like, have a cognition watch-cog; missing in their heads?!! It's almost as if in order for someone to reach level five; they would first have to go nuts, go crazy, or go through a trauma so extreme, that would knock others out. We could even argue that Level-5s have to sacrifice a significant portion of their brain computing capacity allocated to common sense, in order to operate they esper powers at this level. This of course leads to them not having enough capacity for real common sense." She directly slammed her hands on the table. "Are you kidding me?!!"

For what she said, she earned many frowns or rather a (I warning you! Back off!) stares from those around. But when they realized; that she was from Kihara family of genius scientists; they got faced by fact, that normality probably doesn't exist in this family of lunatic. Some of them ended up clicking their tongues. (Tsc!)

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Before the table's gaze could shift to the others Level-5: Mugino blurted out a comment about not being interested in politics and remained comfortably seated. A hot bottle girl Fremea on her lap, who just stared silently, accepted offered piece of food from melt-downer hand, as the young woman don't have a mood to resume eating. Mugino, redirected most of her attention to the little girl in her lap as it began to eat.

Accelerator averted his gaze in disgust, showing that he had no interest in getting involved. The mini Misaka in his lap was trying to be flirty with him, while still paying attention to the Visitor.

Original Misaka flinched slightly as it occurred to her that it should be her turn, to face the Visitor. Only she hesitated, realizing that this one man, radiated enough courage, skill and persona; had a confidence to challenge the entire city. Her gaze met Kamijou's who was staring at her from his seat, so hard that her tsundere side showed and she was thrown of her rhythm/pace again. Her face blushed as she made (What is it?) expression.

At this point, it looked like Kamijou Touma would finally join the game as he stood up from his chair. "So it's my turn. I should thank the Warden for making this a duel and for not bringing Misaka into this." The aforementioned girl jumped a little as she was suddenly push into the role of heroine, figuratively under the protective hand of her (hero?).

But Visitor smiled. "Actually, this method is something your friend Sogiita suggested when we crossed fists, but we having detours." The (Dam it!) expression on some people around was instant, jet the guy continue to speak uninterrupted. "Moreover, this is not my first tournament,… if you can call it that… No! It's more like tutoring, or extravagant training from an expert in world saving to exceptional students. Don't worry boy, I have enough stamina to dance with each of you. If someone wants to withdraw from the No-Game; saying it's none of their business, has no reason to participate, or the competition ends in a draw due to circumstances; then that's an acceptable solution for me. Bureaucracy is such an unnecessarily long and boring check list. Anyway; I remind you again, that this is not an invasion and what really matters is emptying the bench of playing pieces. Especially when so many are resorting to alibis here. Its fascinating how you all take this as some kind of school club activity, and just;-- Nah!… [No! Nope!] I don't care! Even your city council, the board of directors, blabbing alibi's in any direction, decided to adopt the method of waiting in the trenches until the hurricane storm blows over a country." As the duo faced each other, the man address Kamijou. "Allow me to place a counter-question, boy: Is it really acceptable for you to confront me? From a certain perspective, it seemed to me, that many people around you, had gone through great lengths to keep me away from you. Even at this table, it seemed as if they were protecting you. Especially since you're the only one in this hall I can't really see, like I see the others. I am curios..."

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Lad looked at his right hand, clenching it into a fist and opening it again as if checking if the Image Breaker was still in his right hand. But finally, he looked determinedly at the opponent in front of him. Mikoto wanted to lend a helping hand, but Kamijou stopped her so that she wouldn't get involved.

The Visitor didn't object, as both of them start walking toward each other. When they were close enough, they both at the same moment, threw their fists at each other. They fists met when they hit each other in not a friendly fist bump.

Except that there was that familiar sound, of a supernatural phenomenon being forcefully canceled, broken apart.

The Black shirt guy's hand was pushed back, forcing him to take a step or two back. There was something wrong with his hand. It almost looked, like someone, harshly swung a heavy paper bag of a flour, while carelessly holding by after one single corner. But that poor bag tear open under that acceleration and its own weight, so its content was tossed into air. However, it was his own (cracked?) hand from where that dust was leaking, accompanied by flying scraps of teared sleeve of his T-shirt.

Surrounding spectators were astonished, because the man's half-broken hand strongly resembled those clay warriors. Although in this case, it was fine dust and not shards of terracotta, as if this person was a deluxe version compared to the mass produced pottery products.

Kamijou wanted to say something, but suddenly stopped. At first the clash of their fists actually cracked the visitor's hand like something inorganic, and a cloud of dust flew into the air from the holes and cracks. Only a moment later: the feeling of the scene changed and what fell to the ground were drops of blood, which immediately ignited and burned to dust.

The Warden, as Touma call him, himself looked confused at his bleeding wounded hand, which looked as if it had been menacingly bitten by a large beast with large teeth. As they did so, tiny streams of blood flowed from the open wounds and fell to the floor: in an instant they ignited into fire and burned to dust.

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Touma was unsure what to do and since the Visitor showed no signs of pain, but rather looked like he was in shock, Kamijou asked him if he was okay.

Warden or Visitor, turn his head to look at the young opponent in front of him. This time it was his time to clench his fist tightly. He tense muscles in his entire arm so hard, that he artificially force his blood in it to rush. A vapor steam rose from the bitten hand as if someone poured a boiled water into a tea cup. Then suddenly, the wounds were gone, the bite holes sealed themselves as if they steamed out from the arm. That man take its time to answer the boy question. "Are you asking me?; if I'm okay?… Actually, I am. I just had a moment of surprise. Or rather nostalgia. Like meeting an old friend, that I dint hear from him, for a long time." He looked at his hand for a second or two, checking something, before looking back at his opponent again, while swinging it around its join in testing of its functionality. "What is it, with that dumb expression of your? Did you not expect, that after such a weak blow I would melt into dust, like so many others? What stands before you is the truth, you cannot just dismiss me as some lie or deception. On the other hand, I understand the indignation at the small fact you just witnessed."

It almost seemed that this person dint get that he stand on emotional gun-powder keg of violence, and the incendiary cord was light on, making a countdown to explosion. Still, he continue to speak uninterrupted. "Especially when someone has gone so far, with copying other persons arts. So far, that their hearts has become obsessed with the dark application/use, of terracotta pottery. I guess, there is no need to explain, how heartbreaking it is for a master artist who love his art; to see, how the artistic art they value so much; has been used…" He pause for a second looking for correct words. "How did they call it?... Oh yes,-- used for mischief." His expression became belligerently serious as he pointed his finger at Touma after this speech. "I am not them! But it seems, that I have just narrowed down the entire list of characters in this city, to the one ass I have to take care of."

The two of them stepped towards each other again, clenching they fists.

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Kamijou threw his fist again.

But his opponent didn't do the same thing as before and went into a fighting stance of some martial arts. He made a semicircle with one hand and without touching the fist or its wrist, he deflected the lad's blow to the side, so that the Image Breaker didn't hit him.

The Visitor suddenly took a step forward and was already in front of his opponent. He slap hit Kamijou in the torso with his other hand, causing Touma to involuntarily take a step back.

But the man didn't give him the space to gain a stance and showered him with blows; that were more like slaps and pushes; compare to punches that shall hurt.

Literally, even though our young hero tried to counterattack, the exchange of blows continued in a clear one-sided fight, as the guy didn't allow the Image Breaker to be of any use.

In fact, it was a dance that was fully under the Visitor's control and led the lad away from the tables and into the open area. During the fight, Kamijou finally lost his balance completely, giddily danced few steps back and fell on his butt.

Only now did the challenger stop his advance. As the young hero had trouble catching his breath for a moment, his opponent took a moment to think. "Interesting... So this is supposed to be that chosen one? The strongest Pawn?" He shook his head. "Although I found the famous joker, used in such a big pile of excuses I hearing from every direction, from too many mouth; I still have a reminder that you guys are not at all well-matched." Although the guy was on top of the situation, he did not take his eyes off his opponent, like if expect that the lad will try exploit any moment of carelessness.

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Touma struggled to his feet. "Are you also telling me, that I'm not using my ability to its full potential? Dude, I am Level-Zero."

Except the man across from him was skeptical. "Did you accidentally hit your head to hard, that something stopped working properly? I hope this isn't some game, where you're purposefully playing the underdog, so you can make a big comeback. Pretending will not get us anywhere. Look! Here I am, just do it! Or…" He pause for second thinking about it from different angle. "It's unlikely, but could it be true?; that you really don't know, what you're holding? Interesting…" He make an iconic thinker pose with one hand folded on chest holding the other, that hold his chin. "When we look at it, that white-haired candidate over-there has something up his sleeve, but unless you seriously have no idea what you're holding... Then I simply can't let you continue to act as a random detonator, constantly triggering events, where you going. I think I'll go with the appropriate alternative and settle for you."

Kamijou eyes flinched, but Warden quickly added. "Don't worry, you're not going to die, or suffer a drearily-sinister fate. I'll just take you up with me. Even if I can't really see you right now, I know a kind of folks, who can adapt to your unique condition. But don't expect to be allowed to just go back."

That last line was the true eye opener for many around. Especially for Mikoto, who as Tokiwadai student, knew very well that it means, he will not be around anymore. So she uttered in half voice. "Are you joking?..."

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[Notes:]

-"Read the memo"; is a slang term that is not a direct definition but is often used humorously to mean "understand the current situation or unspoken rules"; derived from the literal meaning of a memo as an official message. It implies that everyone else has already received and understood this information, but the person who "didn't get the memo" is out of the loop. A literal "memo" is a short, internal office message used for official communication. [google]

-Kidō (demonic art) is a form of Shinigami [death/slayer/soul collector/slayer] combat based on advanced spells. These spells are made with strong Reiryoku and fall into two categories: Hadō for direct attacks and Bakudō for support combat. It is one of the techniques in Zankensoki, a group of basic Shinigami combat skills. Kidō spells are triggered by incantation. Experienced users can trigger them without incantation, although the effectiveness of the spell may be reduced. [Wiki]

-Seals: Somewhat similar to barriers, but much stronger and requiring much more preparation to create. Seals can only be used by those with sufficient spiritual power and are intended to contain the most powerful and/or dangerous artifacts or beings. Such seals are usually difficult to break. [Wiki]

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