Chapter 6: Men Are Still Good

After that, Masahiro used her extraordinary magic to seal the rooftop, ensuring no one could hear or notice the upcoming battle.

“A barrier, huh? What an impressive child.” Ark muttered in surprise.

“Kamito-kun, with a barrier like this your friend might get exhausted. If I may suggest—use the power the Goddess gave you.”

“Are you sure? It feels too early to show it.”

“Just do it.”

Kamito then asked Masahiro not to use her barrier, worried it might be dangerous for her.

“What do you mean?” Yuki asked, confused.

“I have something better than this barrier.”

“<Mirror World>.”

Kamito snapped the fingers of his right hand.
Instantly, the three of them were pulled into a world of glass.

Masahiro and Airi froze in shock—Kamito could use magic like this?

“Impossible… he’s already this strong…?” Yuki thought to herself.

“Kamito-kun, who are you really?”

Airi, unwilling to lose, stepped forward.

“If I win, stay away from Lady Masahiro forever.”

Kamito didn’t respond.

“Then I will fight you seriously, Kamito Ryuga.”

She loaded her pistol with swift precision.

“<Rampage>.”
“<Bullet>.”

Airi activated her magic instantly and fired at Kamito.
Kamito dodged swiftly.

“<Burst Bullet>!”
Airi unleashed more magic.

“This insane woman seriously wants to kill me!” Kamito shouted while dodging.

“<Tracking Bullet>!”

The bullets curved and chased him relentlessly.

“Kamito, use me now!” Ark called.

“Then let’s show her your true power.”

“<Ark Edge>.”
The blade shone with a thin silver-white light.

“<Luminous Rift>.”
A line of light tore through the air like a crack in space.

Kamito attacked Airi without hesitation.
Their battle was overwhelming—steel, speed, magic, and intent clashing fiercely.

Kamito finally disarmed Airi, knocking both her pistols away. With an incredible burst of speed, he appeared in front of her, placing his sword at her throat.

Airi lost—but she still tried to stab Kamito with a hidden knife.

Masahiro froze her arm with magic in an instant.

“Enough, Airi. He won. You lost badly. He has proved himself.”

“Tch! How could I lose to a man like him? Men really are all the same.”
Airi glared and accused Kamito again.

Masahiro approached Kamito’s sword.

“By the way, your sword looks familiar… almost like the legendary blade of a forgotten Hero.”

“Look, Kamito, she’s praising me!” Ark said happily.

“Eeeh—he can talk?” Yuki gasped.

Kamito turned to her.

“Masahiro-san, you knew he could talk?”

“Of course. I’ve been hearing him speak to you this whole time. Did you think I didn’t notice?”

“Eeeeh—you should’ve said something earlier!”

“Sorry, I was distracted by my delicious shrimp.”

“Lady Masahiro, you truly are sharp.” Ark said proudly.

Then Kamito asked:

“Airi-san, why do you hate men so much?”

Airi looked away, irritated.
Masahiro explained instead.

Natsume Airi was once bullied because of her tomboyish appearance.
The bullies were boys—
They hid her shoes, broke her bicycle, and one even ended up with a broken arm when she defended herself.

She was suspended and eventually expelled.
She transferred schools, and that’s where she met Masahiro Yuki, who became her first true friend.

After that, Airi chose to become her bodyguard.

Airi spoke again, still angry—

“It makes no sense! There’s no way I’d lose to a man like you!”
“You must’ve cheated! Men always cheat!”

Kamito showed no emotion.

“I didn’t do anything except fight seriously.”

Airi spat:

“Men always hide something! You’re all the same! Using strength to win and step on others!”

Kamito did not flare up.
His voice remained calm… gentle even.

“If all men are the same… why do you trust Masahiro Yuki?”

Airi flinched.

Her angry gaze faltered.

“Lady Yuki is different.”
“She is the one who saved me when no one else did.”

Kamito stepped forward slightly, but not threatening.

“Then why are you so certain I would hurt you?”

Airi gritted her teeth.

“Because you’re a man! Men never do anything without a hidden motive!”

Kamito looked at his hand.

“My father died while trying to save people.”
“He had no motive except helping others.”
“Not all men are bad, Airi.”

Airi’s lips trembled.

“…That’s someone else’s story. Not my reality.”

Kamito stepped closer.

His voice steady—never harsh.

“Then what is your reality?”

Airi said nothing.

Her silence cracked.

Kamito continued:

“I don’t know your pain. But your pain doesn't make every man guilty.”

Airi stared at him—shocked, confused.

“…Why aren’t you angry? Why didn’t you defend yourself?”

“What’s the point of getting angry at someone who’s hurt?”
“I’d rather listen than fight back.”

Airi’s defenses began to crumble.

She hated it.
She hated how his words struck at her heart.

“I’m not asking you to trust me.”
“But don’t accuse me of cheating just because I’m a man.”

Airi’s fists shook.

“…Then what do you want? Praise? Recognition?”

Kamito shook his head.

“No.”
“I just want you to know… men are still good.”

Airi froze.

Her eyes widened.

Kamito continued softly—

“Just like you believed in Masahiro Yuki… I want you to give the world that same chance.”

Airi lowered her head, shoulders trembling—anger, sadness, or… perhaps something else.

Finally… she admitted defeat.
She was ready to “be replaced,” though Kamito didn’t understand—
To him, he only wanted to walk the same path toward becoming a powerful Sorcerer, not take her role as bodyguard.

Airi smiled faintly, finally understanding.

The duel ended that day.
Kamito went home relieved.

— — —

Meanwhile, in Yuki’s car…

“You saw it yourself, right? How strong he’s become?”

“Yes, Lady Masahiro. I never expected him to be that strong.”
“I… might apologize to him for doubting him.”

Masahiro said nothing, sipping her tea softly.
Airi understood what she needed to do.

Night fell.

— — —

In Shibuya, inside a dark alley, a hooded figure performed a ritual.

The ritual of “Ground Wave.”

A summoning meant to call monsters from another world.

The man smiled wickedly.

Something disastrous was coming.