The girl before him was dressed in a bright red off-shoulder gown like a rose, with beautiful long, straight blonde hair flowing down her back.
Even if intentionally covered, her smooth, fair, beautiful back couldn't be hidden.
Perhaps to increase her mature aura while not losing the cuteness appropriate for a girl her age, the ends of her hair were tied with small ribbons.
A delicate and charming Western face with deep blue eyes full of confidence.
Erica Blandelli, that was her name.
Born in Milan, Italy, she was now 16 years old, yet her figure was at a level many women lacked.
Erica was the daughter of the prestigious Blandelli Family in the magic world, belonging to the Italian magic society 'Copper-Black Cross'. Her beloved sword was 'Cuore di Leone', and she could freely manipulate steel objects with the magic 'Iron-Handling Arts'.
Born into an aristocratic family and a magician's family, she had been a genius since childhood.
Within the Copper-Black Cross magic society, she held the rank of Great Knight and the alias 'Red Devil'. She was very capable and efficient, skilled in swordsmanship and many magics, and possessed extensive knowledge.
Unfortunately, perhaps because she was too much of a genius, this also made her quite 'arrogant'.
But to be fair, even someone like her, upon seeing Kaito, felt ripples in her heart, even thinking that if Kaito were a member of a magic society and slightly outstanding, maybe she would completely fall for him?
For now, she was just very attracted, but her reason told her that a relationship with an ordinary person was impossible for her!
"Now pointing that knife at me, are you planning to rob me?"
Kaito looked at the silver blade in her hand, a hint of disdain curling his lips. Sephie, standing by, didn't say much, but she couldn't help but slightly shake her head, indicating that Erica was still very young.
If she couldn't even notice her, how could she possibly pose a threat to Kaito?
In fact, only a handful of people in this world would probably be able to notice her!
"Ahem, little girl. You're only about 16 now, right? I advise you not to do this. I think Italy has a sound criminal code... perhaps the legendary starting point of 3 years, maximum the death penalty?"
Whoosh—
The stone tablet [Prometheus's Grimoire] held in his left hand was suddenly tossed into the air.
The next instant, his freed right hand suddenly snatched the knife from her hand, threw it on the ground, then grabbed her hand and pulled her into his arms.
One hand holding hers, one arm around her waist, taking advantage of his height, he leaned down and whispered in her ear.
After speaking, he abruptly pushed her back to her original position, causing her slender legs to wobble unsteadily. It took several seconds before she gradually regained her balance.
"This..."
From the moment Kaito acted, Erica had no reaction at all. Or rather, her mind reacted, but her body didn't!
By the time she fully reacted, she was already held in Kaito's arms, but then, just as she snapped out of it, he pushed her back?
'Were handsome guys these days so heartless?'
'He pulls me into his arms, then throws me back?'
'What, am I, Erica, so lacking in feminine charm!?!?!?'
"Yo-you-y-y-y-you!!!"
Erica's face flushed bright red as she pointed at Kaito, unable to form a complete sentence.
But the proud Erica believed that even without a weapon and without using magic.
Confident in her own hand-to-hand combat skills, she firmly believed she could defeat Kaito!
He had just caught her off guard!
'Handsome guy, you sneak-attacked this 16-year-old girl. I advise you to reflect on your actions!'
'This young lady is not to be trifled with!'
"Alright, alright. You'd better stop posturing like you're ready to fight me. You can't beat me."
Kaito shrugged, gracefully caught the stone tablet [Prometheus's Grimoire] he had tossed into the air, then snapped his fingers with his right hand to open the Gate of Babylon and placed it inside.
Just like that, the stone tablet [Prometheus's Grimoire] vanished.
"Oh this—!!"
'What kind of spatial magic was this?'
'No, where was the magic circle? The incantation?'
'Shouldn't using magic have a process?'
"Hehe..."
Showing a high-quality human smile, Erica stood there awkwardly, not daring to move.
'Who was this man?'
'Why couldn't I sense any magical energy from him at all?'
'From head to toe, he looked like an ordinary person, so why did he possess such abilities!?'
"Moved?"
"Not moving, not moving..."
'Oh ho!'
Kaito casually said a line, and Erica picked up on it.
"Haha, then will you dare next time? Robbing people is not a good behavior, you know."
"Esteemed lord, please don't make such jokes with me. Although I am young, my heart doesn't seem to be in very good condition..."
Hesitant, stammering, anxious.
The more ordinary and nonchalant Kaito appeared, the more Erica felt he was definitely no ordinary person!
Possessing the ability to use spatial magic, and his body emitting not a trace of magic, making him seem like an ordinary person – either he was too strong, or he was concealing his strength!
Although she was proud, she wasn't stupid. In fact, she was very pragmatic!
During her studies in Chinese language, she had also learned that one saying.
It's often said that a wise man submits to circumstances.
Thus, Erica backed down.
"Bad heart? Let me see!"
With a concerned expression, he reached towards the location of her heart.
"Indeed, your heartbeat speed exceeds the normal rate."
"!!!"
'Ah...'
'No, no, I couldn't scream, couldn't scream!'
Why?
Because Kaito's reaching speed was just too fast!!
She didn't react the first time he acted, and this time, despite being somewhat prepared, she still didn't react.
What did this mean?
It meant he was a big shot! A true big shot!!
Thump, thump, thump...
Involuntarily, Erica's heartbeat sped up even more, more violently.
"Alright, Kaito, stop being mischievous."
Sephie, standing by, found it a bit hard to watch. She coughed a few times as a reminder.
She was still right here; how could he do such things to a young girl?
"Hehe, who told her to be disrespectful to me?"
Not feeling embarrassed at all, Kaito withdrew his hand and then presented a new idea to Erica.
"Huh? Who's talking... Wait, why...!!!"
Stomp stomp stomp...
At this moment, Erica finally noticed Sephie standing nearby. She was also startled by the immense magical energy radiating from Sephie's entire being, stumbling back several steps.
In terms of magical attainment, Sephie far surpassed her!!!
And she herself had completely failed to notice a woman so beautiful it made her feel inferior standing here!!!