"I suppose so."
I watched her closely as I helped her pick up the dropped gum, candy, and chocolate.
"...Unless, of course, you're an Onmyouji."
I reached out and grabbed her wrist just as she went to take the items from me.
"W-what are you doing, customer? If you're going to be troublesome, I'll have to report you to the conductor."
"Oh? Playing the victim until the very end, are we?"
Her reaction was all the evidence I needed. Part of me wanted to restrain her right then and there, but a crowded train wasn't the place. I couldn't throw a living person into my Spatial Inventory, either. I was about to press her for info when a voice interrupted.
"Axel-kun? Is something wrong?"
Negi had doubled back. In his hand, he clutched the letter—he must have successfully reclaimed it from the bird.
I couldn't exactly interrogate a spy in front of the kid. I dropped the candy back onto her cart.
"Nothing. I was just helping her pick up the stuff you knocked over when you ran past."
"Oh! Sorry! Let me help too."
"I've got it. Get back to the others; the frog situation probably hasn't fully settled down yet."
"Right. Thanks, Axel-kun! Sorry again, miss!" Negi gave a polite bow and headed back to our class.
I waited until he was out of earshot before leaning in close to the woman.
"I'll let you go this time. But don't expect a second chance."
"Hieee!"
I let out a momentary flash of killing intent. She turned pale and let out a tiny whimper. I turned on my heel and walked away.
Maybe I was being too harsh, but my Telekinesis skill was still humming with a sense of impending crisis. The danger ahead was real, and it was big. And I had a feeling this "vendor" was just the tip of the iceberg.
"Axel-kun, are you alright?" Chizuru asked as I stepped back into the 3-A carriage.
The class had finally calmed down from the frog incident.
"Yeah. It looks like the 'Frog Terror' was localized strictly to our car. I checked the others with Negi, and everyone else was perfectly normal."
"Ugh, I'm so annoyed!" Misa groaned. "All the snacks I just bought are ruined! I don't care who did it... Misora! It was you, wasn't it?!"
Misa lunged at Misora (Kasuga), who just happened to be walking by. The poor girl shook her head frantically, a victim of Misa's displaced rage. To be fair, she was a serial prankster, so she was a natural suspect.
"Wait, wait! Why me?!"
"The frogs! You planted them, didn't you?!"
"No way! Even I wouldn't go that far!"
"Are you sure?"
"I swear on my life!"
Misa finally let out a long sigh and slumped into her seat, apparently satisfied that Misora wasn't the culprit.
"Man... I just opened those."
"Here. Have these." I reached into my bag and handed her a pack of edamame snacks.
"Hmm... if Axel-kun feeds them to me, I might feel a little better," she teased, giving me a sultry look.
"Excuse me, Kakizaki-san!?" Ayaka interjected instantly. "I won't have you troubling Axel-kun with your nonsense. Besides, you weren't the only one who lost their snacks to those frogs!"
"Tch. The Class Rep's guard is as iron-clad as ever," Misa muttered.
As the banter returned to its usual rhythm, I saw Negi approaching with a serious expression.
"Axel-kun... um, I need to talk to you about something."
"Negi? Sure, I—actually, hold that thought."
"Eh? Why?"
"Listen."
Negi paused and focused. Over the speakers, a chime rang out.
"Ladies and gentlemen, we will soon be arriving at Kyoto. Please ensure you have all your personal belongings..."
"See? We're almost there. As the homeroom teacher, you've got work to do."
"Ah, right. But..."
"He's right, kid," Chamo added, looking unusually grave. "But we really do need to fill Big Bro Axel in on something as soon as we check in."
"I'll listen once we have a moment," I promised.
"Okay. See you in a bit."
I watched Negi walk away, then a thought struck me. Eva hadn't made a peep during the whole frog fiasco. Given how much she was looking forward to this trip, I expected her to be the first one calling for blood.
I looked over at her seat. Eva was fast asleep, using Chachamaru's shoulder as a pillow.
Chachamaru noticed my gaze and whispered, "Master was so excited for the trip that she barely slept at all last night."
She really is like a kid before a field trip, I thought.
Chronological age aside, her mental state was definitely showing. And with that, the Shinkansen glided into Kyoto Station.
Character Status
Name: Axel Almar
Level: 38
PP: 625
Stats: Melee: 262 | Ranged: 282 | Skill: 272 | Defense: 272 | Evasion: 302 | Accuracy: 322
SP: 462
Ace Bonus: SP Boost (Consumes SP to enhance Slime performance)
Spirit Commands: Accel, Effort, Focus, Direct Hit, Awaken, Love.
Skills:
EXP Up
SP Boost (SP Up Lv.9, SP Regen, Concentration)
Telekinesis Lv.10
Attacker
Gunfight Lv.9
In-fight Lv.9
Morale Limit Break
Geass (Gray)
Magic (Fire, Shadow, Summoning)
Dark Magic
???
Kills: 376
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