Tatsuya stood in the same room as Mari and Mayumi. The atmosphere was heavy, thick with a tension that seemed to press against the walls.
"So, Mikihiko-kun has also fallen under the control of the Black Mist?"
Tatsuya gave a solemn nod in response to Mayumi's question.
"Then, which one is stronger? The Black Mist possessing Morisaki-kun, or the one within Mikihiko-kun?"
"Mikihiko," Tatsuya answered flatly.
"Just as I thought..." Mayumi murmured, her expression clouding over as she sank into thought.
Mari looked back and forth between Tatsuya and Mayumi, her brows furrowed in confusion. "Wait, what exactly are you two talking about?"
"It's about the Black Mist. I've explained this to you before, Mari."
Mari fell silent at Mayumi's answer, searching her memories for a moment before the realization hit her.
"Isn't this a serious matter? Why haven't we reported this to the Ten Master Clans?" Mari asked, her eyes filled with genuine curiosity—and perhaps a hint of concern.
Mayumi turned to Tatsuya, silently deferring the explanation to him.
"Even with the magicians of the Ten Master Clans, they would barely be able to handle the Black Mist problem." Tatsuya's tone was cold, detached, and clinical.
It wasn't that he looked down on the Ten Master Clans, but the Black Mist was an anomaly—a threat that transcended the capabilities of an ordinary magician. To truly stand a chance against them, one would need a Strategic-Class Magician at the very least.
As far as Tatsuya knew, the Ten Master Clans possessed very few Strategic-Class Magicians—only his mother, himself, and Miyuki.
"Tatsuya-kun, my father has been constantly pressing me to ask... where does the Black Mist come from? Why are they possessing human bodies?"
Tatsuya went silent for a moment. It wasn't that he was unwilling to answer; he simply didn't have a definitive one. Everything he knew so far was based on conjecture.
"I apologize. All I know for certain is that they do not originate from this world. That is all."
"Is that really it?" Mayumi looked at him with pleading eyes, hoping for something more.
Tatsuya didn't flinch. He simply gave a firm, serious nod.
Mayumi let out a helpless sigh, whispering softly, "Well... at least you're safe, Tatsuya-kun."
Tatsuya nodded before shifting his gaze toward Mari. "Am I permitted to leave now?"
Mari sighed and gave a brief nod. "Go ahead."
"Then, if you'll excuse me."
Tatsuya left the room without a shred of hesitation. While it was certainly pleasant to be in the company of two beautiful women, he had little patience for such a somber atmosphere. Besides, he needed to return quickly to soothe Miyuki's worries.
"Mari, what do you think?" Mayumi asked once the door closed.
"Tatsuya probably knows more about the Black Mist than he's letting on. But he likely has a reason for keeping us in the dark."
"You're right... Tatsuya-kun, just how much of a burden are you carrying alone? Wouldn't it be better if you shared that weight with me?" Mayumi's eyes shimmered, a faint glint of tears appearing at the corners.
Mari remained silent, unable to find the words to comfort her friend's sudden vulnerability.
'Good grief, Tatsuya. You really are a natural enemy of women,' Mari thought to herself. 'If I didn't already have a boyfriend, I might have ended up just like Mayumi.'
Mari felt a secret sense of relief in her heart, completely unaware of the disaster that was about to befall her.
Late that night, Tatsuya dived into the group chat before heading to bed.
Tatsuya Yotsuba: How are you all doing? Everyone alright?
Makoto: Doing okay, though things aren't going quite as smoothly as they are for you.
Tatsuya Yotsuba: Why do I sense a hint of jealousy in your words?
Makoto: Hahaha, must be your imagination. I've never once felt jealous of your ridiculous luck with women.
Tatsuya Yotsuba: ...
Time Eater: Ara~ ara~ just admit it. You're jealous of Tatsuya, aren't you?
Makoto: Ugh...
Sword Princess: Makoto, would you like me to introduce you to someone from my world?
White: How about one of my subordinates? I'm sure a few of them took the form of beautiful women, though obviously, none are as beautiful as I am.
Aiz and Testarossa seemed generous and caring, but they pointedly avoided offering themselves as candidates. Indirectly, this only dug the knife deeper into Makoto's pride. He chose to remain silent rather than let his heart be bruised any further.
Tatsuya Yotsuba: Alright, let's end the jokes there. Does anyone have new information regarding the Black Mist?
White: Perhaps I do. The last Black Mist I obliterated screamed something about their origin.
Tatsuya Yotsuba: What was it?
White: ...The World of Erebus. I don't have the details, but he claimed his race came from there.
Tatsuya Yotsuba: Erebus?
White: Does that ring a bell?
Tatsuya Yotsuba: No, but the name is identical to one of the primordial gods from Greek mythology.
Makoto: Now that you mention it, I remember that too.
Time Eater: Ara~ ara~ it seems there might be a connection between this god you speak of and the Black Mist.
Sword Princess: Loki might know something. I'll go ask her.
Aiz immediately left the chat to seek out Loki.
To be continued...Anvanced Chapter p*tre*n.com/AgamYupi02