CRACKLE—!
A bolt of golden lightning shot straight toward Tatsuya. Its speed wasn't something you could just laugh off—an ordinary person wouldn't stand a chance dodging it.
But thanks to his Super Elemental Sight, Tatsuya had already read the trajectory long before it even appeared. Calmly, he calculated the best possible move to slip past it.
'That lightning is around C-rank,' Tatsuya thought. 'Which means Mikihiko's full potential is probably Rank-B… maybe even Rank-A. Not Strategic-Class yet, but definitely someone no country could ignore.'
BOOM—!
Mikihiko fired off another golden flash, using an ancient foreign spell that didn't even need a CAD.
This time, Tatsuya didn't dodge. With a flick of his wrist, he drew a silver-blue magic circle and released a bolt of azure lightning to meet Mikihiko's attack head-on.
BANG!
The two lightning strikes collided and canceled each other out with a sharp hiss of ozone.
Mikihiko froze in shock. Meanwhile, Tatsuya just gave a small nod, like the outcome had been obvious from the start.
"Mikihiko. I'm going on the offensive now. Watch your surroundings."
"Ugh..." Mikihiko's face went pale. His heart pounded hard, and his expression tightened with tension.
Tatsuya let out a faint smirk—barely noticeable—before vanishing.
FLASH—!
Leaving behind only a faint flicker of electricity, Tatsuya disappeared from sight.
"Eh?! Where did he go?!" Mikihiko looked around frantically, but couldn't even catch a glimpse of him.
Cornered, Mikihiko gathered lightning in his hand and slammed it into the ground with all his strength.
RUMBLE—!
A wave of electricity spread out in all directions. Using it like a sensor, Mikihiko finally found Tatsuya's position and sent the remaining current straight at him.
"Take this!"
The lightning struck instantly. For a split second, Mikihiko thought he had won—
—but that hope shattered immediately.
His attack passed right through Tatsuya, like hitting a phantom.
Before he could even process what just happened, a cold, suffocating aura suddenly wrapped around his neck.
Mikihiko froze. Slowly, he glanced to the side.
Tatsuya was already there—standing right behind him. His face was calm as ever, and his hand, glowing with pale blue electricity, hovered just centimeters from Mikihiko's neck.
"Ugh... Tatsuya-kun, I give up. Please... stop with that terrifying power." Cold sweat dripped down Mikihiko's face, soaking his collar.
"You actually made me get serious... not bad, Mikihiko," Tatsuya said.
Mikihiko gave a bitter smile.
"I'm still nowhere near your level. You weren't even trying, were you?"
Tatsuya smiled slightly. "I was serious—in theory. Just holding back a lot."
"Then tell me... compared to official mages, where do I stand?"
"...You'd be considered top-tier even among the Ten Master Clans. Compared to other young mages in Japan, you're easily top ten."
Mikihiko smiled, clearly satisfied. "Thanks. Now I know what I need to aim for."
"Oh, and about Erika..."
"I'll leave Erika to you," Mikihiko cut in, his smile turning a bit fragile. "She seems to like you a lot."
"Mikihiko, you—"
"Don't get the wrong idea! I care about Erika because she's my childhood friend, that's all!" Mikihiko said quickly.
Tatsuya paused for a moment. "...I get it. Don't worry. I'll make her happy."
Mikihiko let out a relieved sigh, his smile turning genuine.
Then suddenly, Tatsuya remembered something. "What about Mizuki?"
"Mizuki?" Mikihiko tilted his head, confused.
"Erika's friend... the one with the big chest."
Mikihiko froze, eyes wide. He didn't expect something that blunt—almost vulgar—from Tatsuya of all people.
Blushing slightly, he stammered, "I-I just know her. Why are you asking me that?!"
"...No reason. Just wanted to confirm something."
"Haa..."
At that moment, a beautiful and elegant figure approached them—it was Miyuki.
"Mikihiko-kun, I brought you a towel."
Mikihiko blinked, a bit stunned, then accepted it. "Thanks."
Miyuki then turned fully to Tatsuya.
"Onii-sama, please let me wipe your sweat."
"Mm. Thanks, Miyuki." Tatsuya smiled faintly.
Miyuki looked absolutely delighted, as if just doing that made her the happiest person alive.
Watching the two of them, Mikihiko felt a strange emptiness in his chest. A mix of envy and jealousy swirled inside him, leaving him unsure how to react.
"I came because I felt something weird... figures it was you."
It was Mayumi, standing with her hands on her hips. Behind her were Mari, Suzune, and Azusa.
Mari glanced between Tatsuya and Mikihiko, a mischievous grin forming—like she just found something interesting.
To be continued...Anvanced Chapter p*tre*n.com/AgamYupi02