"


    Master, dodge!


    "


    "…Got it."


    The moment the World''s Master pointed their hand toward us, the one-eyed monster let out a panicked shout.


    Even though I could see their Silveit threads thanks to


    True Sight


    , the sheer speed with which those threads shot past my head sent a chill down my spine.


    Their magic threads had a range spanning several kilometers, simr to mine. The moment one struck a distant tree, the wood rotted instantly.


    Theplex attributebination of water, wind, and wood—


    Corruption


    . The tree trunk turned pitch ck, bubbling as it released an acrid stench. Just imagining what would happen if it hit me sent a shiver down my spine.


    "Master! I''m here! Stop using magic!" the one-eyed monster wailed in desperation. Tears welled up in his singlerge eye, unnervingly massive and glistening.


    "…They''re not listening," I remarked.


    "That doesn''t mean I shouldn''t try!" he shot back indignantly.


    Despite his protests, I had no reason to believe his words would reach their target.


    "


    You''re strong!


    " the World''s Master roared.


    "


    A demon praising a human? How unusual,


    " replied Raikou Douji, with a boomingugh.


    The two shed, their voices thunderous, fists crashing into each other in rawbat. Both were enveloped in


    Body Reinforcement


    , and each impact sent shockwaves rippling outward, scattering sparks of magic into the air.


    The terrifying part? Despite being locked in meleebat with Raikou Douji, the World''s Master continued hurling magic in our direction.


    How could they detect us when we were concealed by the magic of


    Harunaga of Adashino


    ?


    "


    A well-forged opponent deserves to be acknowledged!


    " Raikou Douji bellowed as he unleashed a right kick.


    The Master deflected it with abination of their left arm and leg, a faint smile on their lips.


    "


    What an odd sentiment.


    "


    With a flick of their hand, the Master extended three threads of Silveit, entwining them around Raikou Douji''s leg. In an instant, the threads activated


    Corruption


    , and his obsidian armor began to bubble and dissolve like melting cheese, releasing dark smoke.


    However, Raikou Douji didn''t flinch. He used


    Attribute Shift


    to transform his corrupted leg into pure lightning, eradicating the damage in an instant. With a sharp pivot on his left foot, he delivered a kick to the Master''s torso with his healed right leg.


    BOOOOM!


    The force of the kickunched the World''s Master skyward, pulling the air—and us—up with them.


    "


    Good, Raikou Douji,


    " a low, sinister voice echoed.


    From a hidden vantage point, countless paper effigies—


    Katashiro


    —burst into action, swarming toward the airborne Master. Harunaga had been waiting for this opening.


    The Master''s lips curved upward as they observed the approaching effigies. A momentter, they erupted into mes, the deafening st painting the sky red with fire. The resulting heatwave grazed my face, forcing me to shut my eyes momentarily.


    When I opened them, the mes above were swirling into a concentrated vortex, shrinking steadily as they spiraled toward the Master''s hand.


    "


    Magic—now called sorcery—draws its power from ''ki'' or mana,


    " the Master said, hovering ominously. Their hand continuedpressing the vortex of me into a single fireball.


    "


    But by wrapping oneself in mana and forming a barrier, one can absorb an enemy''s sorcery as their own. Observe.


    "


    I extended Silveit backward in anticipation of their next move.


    Almost as if waiting for this, the World''s Master hurled the condensed fireball directly at us.


    "


    You see? I can wield your own sorcery against you.


    "


    The fireball reached me in an instant, its zing light filling my vision.


    "Damn it—!"


    I conjured an earthen wall, hoping to block the inferno. The explosion struck, spilling mes over both sides of the wall. The heat was oppressive, but the barrier held.


    "


    You call it sorcery now, not magic? How ironic,


    " the Master mused.


    The moment I dispersed the wall, the Master stood before me. I flung the one-eyed monster to safety, reinforcing my legs with Silveit as I leapt backward.


    Then Iunched a full-body strike:


    Body m


    .


    "


    Impressive,


    " the Master remarked, catching my kick with crossed arms.


    "


    Close-rangebat is rmended in battles between Seventh-Rank exorcists. Surely you understand why.


    "


    "Because…"


    Inded, pivoting to stabilize myself, then swung my legs wide in a spinning motion. The centrifugal force added momentum to my sweeping kick.


    "


    …magic can be seen!


    "


    Night de Style''s spinning strike:


    Komauchi


    .


    "


    Exactly so,


    " the Master replied, sliding several meters back from the impact.


    I caught a glimpse of their lips curling upward again.


    …Not enough.


    I knew it. My strength alone wasn''t enough. Compared to my father or Renji-san, Icked the physical power to deliver a decisive blow.


    Of course. They were both over 180 centimeters tall, with muscr builds exceeding 80 or 90 kilograms. My small, elementary school frame couldn''t measure up.


    But that wasn''t a reason to give up.


    I had magic. I had Silveit.


    With magic, I couldpensate for strength. With threads, I could extend my reach.


    This was what I had worked so hard to master.


    "I won''t let you escape!"


    I charged again, targeting the retreating Master.


    They had given me an invaluable piece of advice: long-range magic was ineffective when both sides could see it.


    …But that only applied to long-range magic.


    This was where my father''s lessons ended and my own ingenuity began.


    I extended Silveit, aiming for the Master''s torso.


    They dodged effortlessly, a faint shadow crossing their face.


    "


    I told you already. Long-range sorcery is ineffective.


    "


    "I know. I heard you."


    The extended Silveit passed the Master and wrapped around Raikou Douji''s right arm in the distance.


    Raikou Douji, understanding my intent, yanked his arm back with incredible force.


    The sudden eleration propelled me forward. My lightweight frame offered no resistance, allowing me to hurtle toward the Master at breakneck speed.


    I channeled Silveit into both hands, shaping the threads into twin invisible des with


    Attribute Shift: de


    and


    Attribute Change: Wind


    .


    This was the first spell I had mastered:


    Wind Cutter


    .


    Ibined it with Night de Style''s sword-drawing technique:


    "


    Wind Cutter!


    "


    The spell reached its apex.


    This was


    Star Runner


    .


    THWACK!


    A sharp, wet sound filled the air as the strike connected.


    ck blood sprayed from the Master''s torso. Despite the injury, their lips curved upward again.


    "


    Marvelous,


    " they said.


    I nodded. It was exactly as they said. If long-range magic was useless, I could simply incorporate it into closebat.


    I wasn''t certain yet.


    But for the first time, I felt like I was getting the hang of it.