"I'm here to assist Negi during this trip. Consider me extra security."
"Should I address you as a mage, then?"
"Close enough."
"I see. Then you know about the group that attacked tonight?"
"The onmyoji from the Kansai Magic Association, right?"
"Correct. I was just about to place some 'Shikigami-reversal' wards around the perimeter."
She pulled out a stack of traditional talismans. So those were the tools of the trade for an onmyoji.
"Wait, I thought you were a swordsman of the Shinmei Style?"
"I am. Onmyodo is merely a secondary skill for me—a supplement to my blade."
As we were talking, Asuna and Negi walked back into the lobby together.
"Setsuna-san, Axel-kun. There you are."
"Negi-sensei, Kagurazaka-san... I was just discussing the situation with Axel-san. I'm going to place these wards on the main entrance. Excuse me for a moment."
Setsuna bowed and stepped away to affix the charms to the doors. Once she was finished, we moved to the quiet rest area Konoka had occupied earlier.
"Seeing those talismans... I take it you are a practitioner of Japanese magic, Setsuna-san?" Negi asked, sipping a juice box Asuna had bought him.
"Yes. Though, as I told Axel-san, swordsmanship is my primary focus. Onmyodo is a support tool."
"I see! So you're essentially a Magic Knight," Camo chirped, popping out from Negi's collar.
"You could say that."
Setsuna didn't seem fazed by the talking ermine, but Asuna was looking at her with a complicated expression. Setsuna noticed the look and hesitated.
"Um... is it alright to speak freely in front of Kagurazaka-san?"
"She's already neck-deep in this mess, so don't worry about it," Asuna answered for herself. "And it's not just me. Naba and the Class Rep are involved in this side of things too."
"...What?!"
"Actually, those two are Axel-kun's Ministers," Negi added.
"The Class Rep is Axel-san's...?!"
Well, Ayaka is a powerhouse in Class 3-A, and Chizuru is terrifying in her own unique way. Hearing that the two most influential girls in class were my subordinates was bound to be a shock.
"For the record, Asakura is also Negi's informant," I added.
"...Are you serious?" Setsuna asked.
The fact that she didn't ask "Is that true?" but rather "Are you serious?" spoke volumes about Asakura's reputation.
"Anyway," I continued, "Ayaka is currently down for the count thanks to that spiked water, and Chizuru is still a novice when it comes to magic. I'd rather keep them out of the frontline if possible."
"I understand. Now, regarding the enemy..."
The moment she said "enemy," Setsuna's eyes turned cold and lethal. Regardless of her social anxieties, her combat prowess was the real deal.
"They're the hardliners from the Kansai Magic Association, right?" Negi asked.
"Precisely. The shikigami you chased on the Shinkansen were controlled by 'Talisman Users'—specialists in Onmyodo."
Setsuna went into a detailed explanation. Talisman users were vulnerable while chanting, much like Western mages. But whereas Western mages relied on human Ministers for protection, Onmyoji summoned shikigami like Zenki or Goki to act as shields.
I listened, thinking that while shikigami were more "disposable" than a human partner, the constant drain on the caster's mana must be immense. Then she mentioned the "Shinmei Style"—the martial arm of the Kyoto defenders, often tasked with guarding the casters.
"Still... the Kyoto Shinmei Style, huh..."
"Axel-san? Is something the matter?"
"...No. It's nothing. Carry on."
Kyoto Shinmei-ryu. I'd noticed it when I checked her skills earlier, but hearing it out loud triggered a sense of déjà vu. I hadn't heard the name since I was reincarnated as Axel, so it had to be from my previous life. Where have I seen this before?
"But wait, doesn't that mean the Shinmei Style is actually our enemy?!" Negi asked, sounding distressed.
Setsuna nodded, her expression somber.
"Yes. To them, I am a traitor who turned her back on the West to serve the East. But my only wish is to protect my Lady. As long as she is safe, I care for nothing else."
"Setsuna-san..."
Negi looked at her with pure sympathy. But Asuna didn't do sympathy—she did action. She slammed a hand onto Setsuna's back, nearly knocking the wind out of her.
"Knowing you don't actually hate Konoka is enough for me! A friend of a friend is a friend, right? I'm in!"
"Ka-Kagurazaka-san..."
"Alright! It's settled then!" Negi declared, his eyes sparkling. "The Class 3-A Defense Force is officially formed! We will protect everyone from the Kansai Association!"
Negi reached out and put his hand in the center. Then, he stared at me pointedly.
I sighed. I was getting paid for this, after all.
"Fine, fine. I'm in too."
"Yes! Let's all do our best together!"
Negi's enthusiasm was practically vibrating.
"The enemy might strike again tonight, so I'm going to go patrol the grounds!"
Without waiting for a response, the boy-wizard bolted out the door, leaving the rest of us in his dust.
Name: Axel Almar
LV: 38
PP: 625
Melee: 262 / Ranged: 282 / Skill: 272 / Defense: 272 / Evade: 302 / Hit: 322
SP: 462
Ace Bonus: SP Boost (Consumes SP to enhance Slime performance)
Growth Type: All-Rounder / Special
Terrain Rank: Air: S / Land: S / Sea: S / Space: S
Spirit Commands:
Accelerate (SP 4)
Effort (SP 8)
Focus (SP 16)
Direct Hit (SP 30)
Awaken (SP 32)
Love (SP 48)
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)
Magic (Shadow)
Magic (Summoning)
Dark Magic
???
Total Kills: 376
-------------------------
If you enjoy this story, you can read 70+ advanced chapters on Patreon!
Webnovel will keep getting 1 new chapter every day but Patreon readers can stay far ahead.
Maybe it's not a big deal now… maybe it will be later.
[email protected]/Greyhounds
"And If you're enjoying it, drop a Power Stone for me!"