"Ahh, what a hot-tempered director. I really don't have any intention of being your enemy, you know."
Makoto's words carried a calm sincerity, and paired with that deceptively harmless expression of his, it was enough to give most people pause.
But not Shinguuji Kurono.
"A stranger's face, is it. Sneaking into the academy like a thief, and then claiming you bear no hostility… Do you honestly expect me to believe that nonsense?"
The muzzle of her black-hole gun never wavered, the killing intent radiating from her body sharp enough to cut.
Of course, only a complete fool would be taken in by Makoto's flimsy excuse.
But within Makoto's own heart, he was far calmer now than he had been moments before.
"It's the truth, Director Shinguuji. I came here today for one reason—to make a deal with you."
"…A deal?"
Kurono stepped slowly out from behind her desk, the gun still aimed squarely at him.
"Well, now. That's a word I didn't expect to hear. Ending you right here wouldn't be difficult at all… but fine. Let's hear what you have to say."
It wasn't that she was giving him a chance.
Rather, Kurono had so much confidence in her ability to kill him at will that allowing him to speak cost her nothing.
"Since that's the case, perhaps you'll allow me inside? Standing around like this isn't the most convenient way to discuss business."
He pointed first at the gaping hole in the wall, then tapped lightly on the nearby door, separated by only a few dozen centimeters.
Makoto smiled.
"…Fine. Come in."
"In that case, I'll intrude."
With a polite bow, Makoto turned the knob and stepped into the office.
But instead of facing her directly, he raised the arm that still held his gun and lifted it high over his head, turning his back toward her as though surrendering.
Kurono arched an eyebrow.
"You're either incredibly confident… or incredibly foolish, to stand before me like that. Which is it? Do you believe in your strength so much, or are you truly certain you can persuade me?"
Of course, she hadn't missed the fact that he was armed.
But summoning her Device hadn't felt the least bit inappropriate—after all, she had already fired at him once, and anyone targeting her should have known exactly what it meant to face the one known as the World Clock.
Bang!
A blue muzzle flash burst from her weapon, a bullet striking the space where Makoto had stood.
And then it happened again.
Like a tape rewinding, the distorted whirlpool of space reappeared—only this time, the spiral was reversed.
At first, the clockwise vortex had sucked everything inward.
Now, turning counterclockwise, it expelled everything that had been sealed away within.
"…Causality interference, a space-manipulation type. No wonder you're so confident."
Kurono's eyes narrowed. Her vigilance toward him rose another notch.
She herself was the strongest time-causality manipulator in existence. No one knew better than her how troublesome those abilities were.
Against a superior foe, victory might be impossible. But survival? For someone with such power, it was the easiest thing in the world.
And one more thing—
Every causality interference user in recorded history had been ranked A-Class or higher.
It was simply a law of this world: no weakling could awaken an ability capable of bending the very order of reality.
"…Who exactly are you?"
Someone of this caliber couldn't possibly be some nameless nobody.
Which meant his identity was highly suspicious.
Makoto gave a small shrug, dispersing the black-and-red handgun in his hand into glowing motes of light.
"Admittedly, I don't have much of a trustworthy position here. But I can say this much—you're dead wrong about me."
He spread his empty hands in a gesture of surrender, sincerity and exasperation mingling in his tone.
"Really now, would a spy choose such a ridiculous method to approach their target? I already told you, didn't I? I'm here to make a deal, Director Shinguuji."
Kurono studied him for a moment.
Then, dismissing her Device as well, she spoke coldly:
"…Very well. I'll hear you out. But this had better be worth my time."
She stepped forward until only ten meters separated them.
That was her absolute range—within that distance, she was confident she could subdue, or kill, even another causality manipulator like him.
Makoto let out a long breath.
"In that case, let me first address the thing you most want to know."
He understood perfectly what her posture meant.
"Believe it or not… I don't have any official identification. As for nationality, well—let's just say I'm definitely Asian. I came down from the mountains, and the reason I sought you out today is simple: I need proper papers. Something that will let me apply for and obtain a Magic Knight license. Otherwise… I'll starve to death before long."
As if on cue, his stomach growled loudly.
The timing couldn't have been more perfect—or more pitiful.
"…Ha. Tell me I didn't just hear that correctly. Why, exactly, would I go out of my way to do that for you? What possible benefit do I get from such a deal?"
Kurono almost laughed outright.
If she weren't so certain it would seem rude, she would've leveled her gun again and asked whether this man's brain was functioning properly.
But Makoto's reply came swift and certain:
"Of course there's a benefit. I did my homework before coming here, you know. Hagun Academy may be one of the Seven Academies, and you've produced plenty of strong students in the past. You've even taken the championship at the Seven Stars Sword-Art Festival before…
But your results in recent years? They've been abysmal. To put it bluntly—pathetic."
Makoto slid his hands casually into his pockets, his lips curving into a confident grin.
"And that's where I come in. I can win you the championship."