Chapter 59: The Dominant Strategic-Class Magician
Nearly a week had passed since the end of the Nine Schools Competition.
Throughout that week, he had truly enjoyed sleeping in, not waking up until he naturally did each day, and upon waking, there was a beautiful girl to help prepare breakfast.
Perhaps, the pinnacle of life was nothing more than this?
However, today, his blissful life was broken by a phone call.
"Senior Mayumi…?"
Still groggy, he barely managed to rouse himself enough to glance at the caller ID, and couldn't help but ask, "It's still summer vacation, right? Why are you calling me at this time?"
As the call connected, a familiar greeting came from the other end.
"Is that Mahiru?"
"Ah, it's me, Senior… Why are you contacting me at this hour… *yawn*~"
"Mahiru… It's already noon, you're not still sleeping, are you?" The voice on the other end seemed a bit strange, and her way of speaking was also odd.
"What's wrong with noon? I remember it should still be summer vacation… If I'm not sleeping, am I supposed to get up and review my lessons?"
Mahiro said jokingly, but a faint "Hmm~" of annoyance echoed from the other end of the phone.
Following that, a sigh was heard, and then Mayumi's voice came through again.
"I say, Mahiru, do you remember what you promised me on the day the Nine Schools Competition ended?"
"Promised what…?"
Mahiro was a bit confused, his brows tightly furrowed.
He was trying hard to recall…
He remembered that on the day the Nine Schools Competition ended, when they were returning by bus, Mayumi was still sitting beside him.
And she had asked him:
"Um… Mahiru, what we talked about earlier, does it still count?"
"Of course."
"Thank you so much, Mahiru. Then, how about you rest well at home for the next few days, and then come visit my house five days later?"
"Okay, no problem!"
No problem…
No problem…
No problem.
—End of flashback.
Yotsuba Mahiro: "…"
"Sorry, Senior, I accidentally forgot about it… But wait a moment, I'll be there right away!!!"
Without waiting for a response from the other end of the phone, Yotsuba Mahiro had already climbed out of bed at light speed, changed his clothes, rushed into the bathroom, and quickly washed up.
Then he dashed out of the room at a speed that was completely imperceptible to the naked eye.
Sakurai Mizuki, who was cleaning the living room, only felt a gust of wind blow past her.
"…Was that… Mahiro-sama?"
"Minami, I'm going out for a bit, you stay home and be good!"
"Eh? But what about lunch?"
"I'm not eating! You eat by yourself today! I'll be back later!"
"But…"
Before Minami could finish speaking, she heard the sound of the front door opening. She stared blankly at the now closed door, and couldn't help but murmur:
"But how can you not eat… Mahiro-sama, you get low blood sugar…"
If there was a flaw, this was perhaps the only flaw in Yotsuba Mahiro's entire being.
Unfortunately, he himself had never properly recognized this point.
After leaving home, Mahiro followed the map navigation sent by Mayumi, transferred three times on the train, and walked for a long time under the scorching sun before arriving at a grand gate.
The scale of the building and courtyard before him was truly befitting of the Saegusa family.
Its size was completely comparable to the Yotsuba!
"Who are you? Why are you at my house's entrance!"
Just as he was about to press the doorbell, the main gate leading to the entrance hall suddenly opened, and a sharp cry rang out.
He saw that one of two girls, who looked strikingly similar, called out to him.
"Kasumi, that's very rude!"
Another girl with slightly longer hair and a somewhat gentle demeanor spoke up, chastising the girl named Kasumi.
Then she stepped forward and bowed slightly to him, saying:
"I apologize for my sister's rudeness. May I ask who you are? And what brings you to the Saegusa family?"
Compared to the other, this girl was indeed polite, giving off a natural sense of goodwill.
"It's fine. My name is Yotsuba Mahiro. I was invited by Senior Saegusa Mayumi, and I apologize for my unannounced visit."
Yotsuba Mahiro said this with a polite smile.
But as soon as he finished speaking, he didn't know what he had said wrong, but both girls reacted strangely.
"So, you are… Mahiro-nii-san?"
The gentle girl just now trembled and covered her mouth, as if she had witnessed some incredible spectacle!
And Kasumi's reaction was even more astonishing; she actually pounced on him!
"Mahiro-nii-san, I've finally met you! You're even more handsome in person than in the videos!"
Yotsuba Mahiro: "???"
No, little sister, who are you calling 'nii-san'?
This should be our first meeting, right?
And I'm not some rare beast; there's no need to look at me with such surprise.
"Kasumi, Izumi, what are you doing? How can you make a guest stand outside?"
Just then, Mayumi suddenly appeared from the entrance hall.
She first verbally chastised the two girls, then stepped forward and pulled Kasumi off him.
And because Kasumi was unwilling to let go, Mayumi directly slapped her on the head.
Only then did she manage to detach Kasumi from him.
"I'm sorry, I've made a fool of myself in front of you, Junior." Mayumi said with a wry smile, "They are my younger sisters, Saegusa Kasumi and Saegusa Izumi."
"I am Saegusa Kasumi, the elder sister."
"I am Saegusa Izumi, the younger sister."
"Nice to meet you, Mahiro-nii-san."
The two girls introduced themselves in unison, like a crosstalk performance, one speaking after the other.
"Hello, Izumi-chan and Kasumi-chan… I didn't bring any gifts for our first meeting, but I'll make it up to you next time."
Saying this, he handed the souvenir to Mayumi.
"Really, Mahiro-nii-san?!"
"If you say so, then Kasumi won't be polite!"
The two girls looked at him with sparkling eyes, full of anticipation.
"Kasumi, Izumi!"
Mayumi glared at them slightly, then said to Mahiro, "Mahiru, you don't have to do this, you're too polite."
At this moment, Mayumi's heart was very conflicted.
She knew very well that Mahiro's financial situation wasn't that good, yet despite that, he had brought her a souvenir and wanted to give gifts to her two younger sisters.
Furthermore, the purpose of having Mahiro come over today was not entirely pure.
It made her feel somewhat guilty.
"Ah haha… It's nothing, it's nothing, it's no big deal." Mahiro waved his hand, telling Mayumi not to worry too much.
Then, led by Mayumi and the twins, he entered the Saegusa residence.
"Oh, by the way, Mahiru, there's something I want to tell you first. Besides my father, there are two other guests today."
"Then I've come at a bad time?"
"No, just right." Mayumi shook her head and smiled gently.
"Is that so…"
It was then that he noticed Mayumi's attire today.
A simple and appropriate casual dress, with a white shawl-like jacket over it, and even her long wavy hair was not loose as before.
Instead, it was tied into a low ponytail cascading down her back.
She had the demeanor of a virtuous wife and loving mother.
At the same time, they passed through the front hall and arrived at the main hall in the back.
On the sofa sat a middle-aged man wearing sunglasses, whose youthful handsomeness could still be vaguely discerned.
His expression looked very serious, and a hint of cold light gleamed from his single eye beneath the sunglasses. He wore black clothes, with every button meticulously fastened.
He had the aura of a strong individual.
And across from him sat a man and a woman, two guests.
The man had an ordinary appearance, exuding a gentle demeanor, seeming a bit insecure, while the woman was seated in a wheelchair, looking very delicate and fragile.
After Mayumi's introduction, the man on the sofa was her father, Seven Herbs Koichi.
The man opposite was named Gorin Yoji, who was the fiancé Mayumi had previously mentioned as a source of her distress.
And the woman nearing thirty, seated in the wheelchair, was the eldest daughter of the Gorin, the only Strategic-Class Magician in Japan publicly known to the world—Gorin Mio!
She was also the older sister who caused Mayumi the most distress.
However, during the introduction, Mayumi seemed to do it on purpose, as she directly leaned on his arm.
Although her face instantly turned red, she still chose to persevere.
"Hello, I am Yotsuba Mahiro. Please forgive my unannounced visit." Mahiro looked at the three of them and said very politely.
"I am Saegusa Koichi, the head of the Saegusa family, and Mayumi's father. You can call me Uncle. Although this is our first meeting, Yotsuba Maya and I are old acquaintances." Seven Herbs Koichi stood up and smiled.
Saegusa Koichi, who was originally displeased by Mayumi's sudden departure, felt a bit happy when he saw his daughter bring back the rumored Yotsuba Mahiro.
In his mind, Yotsuba Mahiro was the top candidate for the Saegusa family's son-in-law!
"Hello, I am Gorin Mio. I've often heard rumors about you from Mayumi. Now that I see you, you truly live up to your reputation," Gorin Mio praised.
The young man before her had an even more profound aura than what she had seen in videos. His handsome appearance and extraordinary demeanor were already far superior to her brother's.
If he truly competed with Yoji for Mayumi, would Yoji really have a chance of winning?
She hoped Seven Herbs Koichi would keep the good fortune within the family. The thought of Yotsuba Mahiro, an outsider, potentially snatching away the sister-in-law she liked, naturally made Gorin Mio feel uncomfortable.
Therefore, her gaze towards Mahiro was not entirely friendly.
"Hello, Mahiru, I am Gorin Yoji, and I was also a student at First High," Gorin Yoji said with a bitter smile.
Even without considering magical power, just meeting him now, Gorin Yoji felt he had already lost.
Not to mention, Mayumi and he were so intimate.
"Hehe, Mahiru-kun, don't just stand there foolishly. Come sit, I'll pour you some tea."
Mayumi pulled him to a side sofa, forming a perfectly balanced three-way standoff.
And Mayumi truly poured him a cup of cool, refreshing barley tea.
Her domestic appearance immediately filled the air with a subtle, almost imperceptible scent of gunpowder.
Until two exclamations broke the brief silence.
"Wow, there's a guest! So handsome! Hey, hey, I'm Saegusa Kasumi, Mayumi-neesan's younger sister."
"I'm Saegusa Izumi, also Mayumi-neesan's younger sister."
"Hello, I am Yotsuba Mahiro, Senior Mayumi's junior."
Kasumi and Izumi, the two little lolis, ran hand-in-hand into the living room, excitedly circling Mahiro.
This left Mayumi quite speechless.
They had just met, yet now they were acting as if it was their first meeting. How could she, as their elder sister, not know what they were up to?
The most crucial thing was that Mahiru was actually playing along with their act!
"Hehe, Big Brother, are you here to propose to our father?" As if afraid the situation wasn't chaotic enough, Kasumi asked, blinking her big eyes.
"I think so too. Mayumi-neesan has never invited a boy home before, so their relationship must be special... right, Onee-chan?"
Listening to her two younger sisters babble shamelessly, Mayumi slapped her forehead.
"Enough, don't you have any manners? You should greet your elders first," Seven Herbs Koichi snorted coldly.
Only then did the twins "notice" the awkward Gorin Mio and Gorin Yoji siblings sitting to the side. They couldn't help but stick out their tongues, truly lively little girls.
"Oh... oh, Onee-chan Mio, Onii-chan Yoji, you're here too," the twins giggled, sitting obediently beside Seven Herbs Koichi.
These two sisters were not only as beautiful as Mayumi but also inherited that cunning and mischievous personality of a little devil.
Their actions were completely intentional, aimed at the Gorin siblings.
"Hmm, it seems Izumi and Kasumi have grown up, Yoji, you should talk to them more," Gorin Mio said with a smile.
"..."
Gorin Yoji, who was drinking tea to calm his mind, almost choked.
Sister, you can't be serious. How old are Izumi and the others?
Yoji was a bit helpless. He actually didn't want his sister and family to interfere with his love life, but unfortunately, being born into the Ten Master Clans meant no freedom in marriage.
Overall, everything was for the sake of inheriting the family's excellent magical genes.
"Brother Yoji might consider it. My sisters are all very cute, and actually... actually, I think... I think we're not suitable. Of course, it's all my personal fault, Brother Yoji, you're a good person, there's nothing wrong with you."
Mayumi issued a 'good person' card with an apologetic tone.
But at a time like this, such an action was undoubtedly stabbing Gorin Yoji in the heart.
Even though Gorin Yoji had long given up on marrying Mayumi, hearing her say that still made his heart bleed!!!
Seeing this, Mahiro also decided to twist the knife, so he said, "Senior Mayumi is right, she likes me very much, and I also like Senior Mayumi very much."
Since they were putting on a show, they might as well go all out.
For this, he even specifically clasped Mayumi's hand tightly, intertwining their fingers.
At this moment, Mayumi's pretty face was almost cooked, flushed with embarrassment, but she still nodded in agreement.
Seeing their intimacy, Kasumi and Izumi couldn't help but let out two exclamations, looking even more nervous than Mayumi.
As for the person involved, Gorin Yoji, he looked as if he had eaten bitter gourd and coptis, unable to even speak.
His sister, Gorin Mio, frowned, not expecting this young man to truly compete with their Gorin for a daughter-in-law.
She was very optimistic about her brother's marriage to Mayumi and had already planned for them to marry once Mayumi graduated.
Therefore, she could not give up no matter what!
Gorin Mio stared intently at Mahiro, her expression serious, but she quickly calmed down and asked, "Little Brother Mahiro... you don't mind me calling you that, do you?"
"Not at all, Sister Gorin."
"Good, Little Brother Mahiro, then let me ask you, what do you plan to do after graduation?"
"I haven't thought about that yet."
"So you haven't planned your future yet, right?"
As soon as Gorin Mio said this, Mayumi's expression changed slightly, and even Seven Herbs Koichi frowned slightly, understanding the hidden meaning.
And then, Gorin Mio continued, "Moreover, I've heard in the Ten Master Clans that Little Brother Mahiro, you should have already been abandoned by the Yotsuba Family, right?"
"...What are you trying to say?"
Mahiro also sensed something amiss. The smile on his face gradually disappeared, replaced by a calm, unruffled expression.
"I want to ask you, you have no future, and no family background, do you really think you are worthy of Mayumi's excellence? Can you give her the future she desires?
Perhaps you should consider someone better, like Izumi and Kasumi, their age is quite suitable for you."
Originally, just hearing the latter half of the sentence, the twin sisters should have been happy, but hearing those highly offensive words before it, their expressions also became displeased.
They couldn't believe that Sister Mio would say such excessive things!
Seven Herbs Koichi, however, watched Yotsuba Mahiro with interest, intending to see how he would deal with the Strategic-Class Magician who refused to give up.
Anyway, he had three daughters, which was more than enough for the two of them.
"Sister Mio, what you're saying is too much!"
Mayumi could no longer hold back and spoke out, "No matter what, Mahiru-kun is the one I chose, and his excellence is evident to everyone in the Ten Master Clans!"
However, Gorin Mio completely ignored Mayumi's rebuttal. Her gaze remained fixed on Yotsuba Mahiro.
And Mahiro also patted Mayumi's hand.
Mayumi turned her head and saw that a smile had, at some point, reappeared on Mahiro's face.
Only, that smile was different from any she had seen before, giving off a dangerous feeling!
Especially when he picked up the teacup and took a small sip, Seven Herbs Koichi's pupils under his sunglasses sharply contracted, and his heart gave a slight lurch.
On this young man, he actually saw the shadow of Yotsuba Maya!
The movements, the demeanor, the smile, they were exactly the same!
Without a doubt, this was definitely Yotsuba Maya's child!
If someone could peer into the teacup at this moment, they could even clearly see a few shooting stars flashing through it!
Mahiro slowly put down the tea, crossed his legs, and with an elegant smile on his lips, he spoke, "I must say, you are very right, Miss Gorin. At present, I truly have nothing.
But that doesn't mean I won't have anything in the future.
Moreover, since Mayumi said she doesn't like Senior Gorin, then he should look at other girls and not hang himself on one tree."
"It's fine if Mayumi doesn't like him now; feelings need to be cultivated. Marriage within the Ten Master Clans is not something she can decide on her own," Gorin Mio said.
The Ten Master Clans often intermarried amongst themselves. Even if there wasn't a suitable match, they would select from the Hundred Families. Gorin Mio's reason for not acknowledging Yotsuba Mahiro was simple—
In her opinion, Yotsuba Mahiro was an abandoned child discarded by the Yotsuba, a member of the lost family lines, completely unworthy of Saegusa Mayumi!
The Anti-Demon Killing
"Is that so."
Mahiro finally understood why Mayumi said she wasn't good at dealing with Gorin Mio: because she had no power to oppose a marriage arranged by the Ten Master Clans.
If he hadn't appeared, giving the Saegusa family another option, she might have ultimately had no choice but to marry Gorin Yoji.
"Since that's the case, then what does Uncle Koichi think?" Mahiro slowly looked at the Saegusa family head, who had been silently watching the show.
"Although Mahiro was abandoned by Yotsuba Maya and expelled from the Yotsuba, I greatly admire his talent. Therefore, this matter depends on Mayumi's personal wishes; I will not interfere," Seven Herbs Koichi said.
Truly worthy of being a thousand-year-old sly fox.
Not only did he completely clear his name, but he also harbored intentions of having his cake and eating it too.
You're taking everything you can get.
"Seriously, Kasumi is willing to marry Brother Mahiro!" Kasumi raised her hand and said.
"Izumi... Izumi too, it's fine."
"Hehe, you see how much Sister Kasumi and Sister Izumi like you, Little Brother Mahiro, you really need to consider their feelings. Not all girls are this good."
Mio forced a smile.
Was her own brother really inferior to others? Why was the attitude of the three Seven Herbs daughters so clearly different towards them?
Mayumi firmly tapped their heads and sternly reprimanded them, "You two are only middle schoolers! It's too early to talk about marriage; at least wait until high school!"
"But... didn't Father also arrange for Brother Yoji to meet you when you were in your third year of middle school?" Izumi complained to her sister, covering her head aggrievedly.
Watching this wonderfully dramatic family dispute, Mahiro finally uttered a sentence that left everyone dumbfounded—
"Since Kasumi and Izumi like me so much, then I don't mind taking them all. Whether it's Senior Mayumi, or Kasumi and Izumi, I'll marry them all!"
As soon as these words were spoken.
Everyone looked at Yotsuba Mahiro with astonished faces.
Even Seven Herbs Koichi looked at him with particular surprise.
Although he indeed had such an intention, given that Mahiro's magical power was truly unimaginably strong, not to mention he helped optimize the Saegusa family's secret techniques, now even his two young daughters could use them independently.
However, he didn't expect to hear Yotsuba Mahiro say such a thing himself.
And while Mayumi stared at him blankly, the twin sisters had already cheered joyfully.
They didn't care if they shared a husband; what they cared about more was whether the sisters could stay together, and whether their elder sister could be happy.
And whether they themselves could marry someone they liked.
After all, in magician families, marrying multiple spouses was incredibly common.
At this moment, Gorin Mio's face had already darkened.
Although Yoji was indeed a bit inferior to Ichijo Masaki and Katsuto Juumonji, he wasn't the worst among the younger generation of the Ten Master Clans, was he?
Why did the three Seven Herbs sisters not even spare a glance at her brother?
Even if marriage in magical families was like a transaction, just the name of the Gorin and her title as a Strategic-Class Magician were sufficient bargaining chips!
"Sister... that's enough, let's go home," Yoji pleaded.
"Yoji, it was our Gorin who first came to the Saegusa family to discuss an arranged marriage. As a man, you shouldn't give up. Instead, you should reclaim the woman you love face-to-face."
Gorin Mio clearly remembered that when Mayumi and Yoji were children, their relationship was very good. How could she be unwilling to marry?
So it was all this young man's fault; he destroyed the feelings between her brother and Mayumi.
"I'm sorry, Sister, I really can't do it."
He and Mayumi had no romantic feelings for each other; he felt it would be better to separate early. Previously, due to his sister's persistence, Yoji had never dared to speak up.
"Hmph! Since you don't dare, then I, your sister, will step forward." Gorin Mio pushed her wheelchair in front of Yotsuba Mahiro, her eyes burning as she met his gaze: "Little Brother Mahiro, I want you to give up Mayumi!"
"Why? Are you joking?" Mahiro almost laughed. Was this woman really so unreasonable?
"Because I am one of the Thirteen Apostles. Since you dare to snatch a daughter-in-law from our Gorin... have you prepared to bear the wrath of our Gorin Family?" This seemingly frail woman suddenly erupted with an astonishing aura.
"Ugh, Mio, how can you be so unreasonable…?" Mayumi pouted, muttering softly as if venting her displeasure.
Gorin Mio's usually composed face flushed, a rare sight, but for her brother's happiness, she decided to go all out.
"Little girl, you're talking nonsense. Your big sister is very understanding, you know. How about this: let him compete with me. If his abilities can earn my approval, I'll step aside and take Yoji away!"
Mayumi was dumbfounded. Mio was being utterly shameless.
"I say, you, a dignified Strategic-Class Magician, one of the esteemed Thirteen Apostles, want to compete in magic with a high school student like me… Aren't you afraid people will laugh themselves to death if word gets out?
Isn't this just bullying an honest person?!"
Mahiro really couldn't hold back anymore.
It was like a top professional gamer going to an internet cafe to PK with regular players, wasn't it?
Are you Ye Bushiu?
"Wh-what, are you scared? If you're scared, then give up on Mayumi. Anyway… anyway, without my approval, Gorin will not give up!"
Gorin Mio awkwardly turned her face away and said softly.
She had completely thrown her old face away.
Who cares what others say, first ensure her brother's happiness!
A brother-complex demon, truly terrifying…
And Saegusa Koichi was also very interested in this match.
As far as he knew, Yotsuba Mahiro was proficient in various A-rank magic, and even improved magic, capable of using even Maya's Meteor Swarm.
And Gorin Mio, besides being skilled in the Strategic-Class Magician spell "Abyss," was also a very excellent A-rank Magician.
Therefore, Saegusa Koichi was very curious about the exact difference between Yotsuba Mahiro and a Strategic-Class Magician.
"Mahiru, please don't listen to Mio. You won't be her opponent," Mayumi quickly pulled Mahiro's arm and advised.
In her opinion, Gorin Mio was a long-renowned member of the Thirteen Apostles, and her wheelchair wasn't due to crippled legs, but to conserve stamina!
Her magical power was also extremely terrifying.
No matter how strong Mahiro was, as a high school student, he lacked experience, so how could he possibly be Mio's opponent!
But Mahiro smiled slightly and said, "Since Miss Gorin has spoken to this extent, if I don't accept, I wouldn't be much of a man. You want a match? Then let's do it."
Opportunities to learn Strategic-Class Magician spells are rare, so for both public and private reasons, he couldn't give up!
And as he decided to accept, Gorin Mio also paused, and a hint of approval appeared in her eyes as she looked at him.
She had originally expected him to retreat in the face of difficulty, but he unexpectedly rose to the challenge.
At least, in this regard, he was indeed much stronger than her brother, and it was no wonder Mayumi had taken a liking to this young man.
If she were ten years younger, she probably wouldn't be able to resist such a man, would she?
Gorin Yoji, who was standing by, was completely unable to interject.
As for his sister fighting for his happiness, compared to the embarrassment, he was more concerned about Gorin Mio's health.
If she used a Strategic-Class Magician spell, it would put a heavy burden on her body!
Subsequently, led by Saegusa Koichi, everyone arrived at one of the training grounds in the Saegusa family's backyard—
A sandy area.
Because the magic used by the Saegusa family did not need to be confined to a specific location, the layout was like this.
However, this kind of terrain made Gorin Mio very satisfied, especially since the ground beneath her feet was all flowing sand.
"Mio, although you are already an excellent Magician, I still need to remind you that your match cannot use crippling or fatal magic, and you must stop before causing serious harm, otherwise I will intervene."
Saegusa Koichi instructed before the match began.
"Alright, Uncle Koichi, I'll stop before it's too serious." Gorin Mio waved her hand, directly using movement magic to transport herself and her wheelchair to the center of the field.
She and Mahiro were ten meters apart, facing each other from a distance, while also preparing their respective magic.
A dense psion light, almost solidifying, surged from within Mio's body, indicating just how powerful her magical energy was.
It was just a pity that her body was too frail.
To avoid overtaxing her body, Gorin Mio's eyes gradually became resolute.
'Sorry, little Mahiro, I need to finish this quickly!'
She tightly gripped the tablet-like specialized CAD in her hand.
Her strength was already sufficient, and with the specialized CAD, even high-level magic could probably be cast within a second.
And with prior preparation, less complex magic could essentially be cast instantly!
"Begin!"
At Saegusa Koichi's announcement, both sides instantly cast their magic.
"Turbid Sea Flow!"
Gorin Mio gracefully extended a hand forward, and the magic formula was instantly constructed.
The sand beneath her feet immediately flew up, and strong winds whipped up grit to form several tornadoes, which then converged and mixed, surging forward.
Just like the Saegusa family's Million Blades.
But it was even fiercer, gradually increasing in mass and speed as it advanced, finally transforming into a sandstorm of turbid flow attacking Mahiro!
Originally, the compound magic of strengthening and aggregation—Turbid Sea Flow—was a derivative spell of the Strategic-Class Magician spell Abyss, originally only able to exert its maximum power on water.
But coincidentally, the ground was sand.
Although it couldn't compare to the fluidity of liquid, as a means of teaching someone a lesson, it was already sufficient.
Watching the sandstorm surge towards them, the three sisters of the Saegusa family immediately covered their mouths with their sleeves.
Even from over twenty meters away, they could clearly feel the pervasive dust and grit. How uncomfortable must Mahiro be in the center of that sandstorm?
Mayumi's eyes were filled with worry.
""Phalanx"!"
Boom!
Accompanied by a tremor in the ground, Mahiro extended one hand forward, and an abruptly appearing air barrier completely blocked the violent sand, as the turbid flow of the sand sea surged past him on both sides.
It was as if a surging tide had been split in two by a giant reef.
As the Jumonji family's strongest barrier magic, even Scattering Mist could not overcome it, so blocking a mere sandstorm was effortless.
'Sure enough, Mahiru has learned the Jumonji family's magic… '
The moment she saw the colorful barrier block the sand flow, Mayumi couldn't help but be startled.
And when Saegusa Koichi saw it, an unnatural smile appeared on his face.
What a terrifying talent this was, simply too perfect!
If this genetic material combined with the bloodline of their Saegusa family, what kind of powerful offspring could be born? Saegusa Koichi didn't dare to imagine.
He was also even more curious how Yotsuba Maya, who had clearly lost her fertility, had managed to cultivate such a powerful descendant!
On the field, both sides remained in a stalemate.
But compared to the still at-ease Yotsuba Mahiro, Gorin Mio on the opposite side was already showing a hint of sweat.
It wasn't that her magical power couldn't hold up, but that her body was struggling a bit.
"Spell Dispel"!
In the sand, a psion light suddenly flashed.
Immediately after, the sand, which had been under Mio's control, instantly scattered, turning into ordinary sand falling from the sky, like a sandstorm shower!
But at that very instant, three dry ice bullets suddenly appeared behind Mio, shooting towards her!
"That's… Magic Bullet Shooter?!"
Gorin Mio was instantly shocked.
She quickly manipulated her CAD to release movement magic, dodging the dry ice bullets.
Gorin Mio's pretty face was now filled with seriousness.
She had originally thought one move would decide the winner, and also make the young man look disheveled, forcing him to surrender. But she hadn't expected him to be able to use Jumonji's strongest defensive magic!
He could even skillfully use the Saegusa family's Magic Bullet Shooter!
No wonder Uncle Koichi agreed to Mayumi dating him. This kind of talent is even more desired by families like Gorin, who rely solely on her to support them!
"In that case… please don't blame me."
Gorin Mio's eyes sharpened, and she immediately activated her CAD, lightly touching the tablet with her fingertips, as if pulling countless data chains from it, connecting to the earth.
'Oh, it's finally coming?'
Seeing Gorin Mio's actions, Mahiro's heart was already brimming with excitement.
Defeating this woman was actually very simple; it could have been done in that very instant.
This was the drawback of a Strategic-Class Magician: being fixated on powerful magic, thereby forgetting one's own fragility.
A versatile monster like Tatsuya was incredibly rare.
But he also wanted to witness Gorin's Strategic-Class Magician spell. He heard it was an absolutely invincible magic on the high seas—
""Abyss"!!!"
Rumble!
The earth trembled.
The training ground beneath Yotsuba Mahiro's feet was shaking violently! It was as if an earthquake of magnitude seven or eight had occurred!
The training ground, which had been reinforced several times, instantly cracked with several large fissures, and countless grains of sand gushed out from them.
Although there was no seawater, how could a Strategic-Class Magician spell be so inconvenient!
Just like Turbid Sea Flow, it could still be activated by relying on flowing sand!
Accompanied by the strong tremor, the ground began to sink.
"Is it here?"
Yotsuba Mahiro looked around in surprise, just like the excitement he felt three years ago when he saw Shiba Tatsuya use Quality Burst.
He let the yellow sand swallow his legs.
He let the ground gradually sink, like a pit, enveloping him within it.
"Mio, no! What you're doing has already violated the rules!!!" Mayumi screamed, wanting to rush forward, but the rising sand dust made it impossible for her to move.
She hadn't expected Mio to go to such lengths in a match.
Had she truly resorted to such unscrupulous means just to bring her and Yoji together?!
Mayumi tried to appeal to her father.
But she saw Saegusa Koichi smiling.
Yes, he was smiling, and it wasn't just a faint smile, but a smile she had never seen before.
His gaze was fixed on the training ground, with no intention of intervening.
"Sister, what should we do…? Brother Mahiro… he won't die, will he?"
Kasumi and Izumi pulled Mayumi's sleeves, looking at her worriedly.
Even Mayumi hadn't experienced such a situation, let alone the two of them as middle schoolers.
"Little Mahiro, surrender. You've already lost!"
Gorin Mio spoke sternly; she was still maintaining Abyss, and had already formed a hemisphere sinking thirty meters downwards.
At this moment, if she dispelled the magic, Yotsuba Mahiro would instantly be buried under thirty meters of sand.
He would absolutely not survive!
"Surrender? It's too early for that. Miss Gorin, your family's Strategic-Class Magician spell is a bit underwhelming." Yotsuba Mahiro's voice came from the pit.
"Stop bluffing!"