Episode 153: Brothers’ Talents
Five days later. Hokkaido, the “White Dungeon”――
“It’s been a while since I’ve been on the surface,”
Rui, emerging from the dome-shaped facility that managed the dungeon, shielded his eyes from the dazzling sunlight with his right hand.
The light inside the dungeon existed, but Rui thought again that it was different from the one on the surface.
“I heard that the overseas Seekers we scheduled have already arrived. Let’s join them.”
Tennoji, walking up from behind, was answered with a strong “Yes!” from Rui. Tennoji smiled with satisfaction at Rui’s expression, which seemed more robust than before.
Taizen began to grumble at Tennoji.
“Even so, spending a month in the ‘White Dungeon’ is quite exhausting.”
“But the results were worth it, right?”
Tennoji replied with a grin.
“Well, yeah. So, is Rui’s ‘Katana’ ready?”
“Yeah, I got an email from Tanabe. It was completed two days ago. He told me to come pick it up quickly.”
“Hmph! What an arrogant guy.”
Taizen contorted his face. Misaki Bluewell, who was next to him, interjected.
“Do you really think you can defeat the Black Armor with that ‘Katana,’ Tennoji?”
“…Rui has grown. The current Rui should be able to use ‘Second Tier Magic.’ If even then we can’t defeat the Black Armor, there’s no way to defeat it.”
The faces of those present clouded over. But Tennoji raised his face and answered brightly.
“Well, there’s no point in thinking about that now! Let’s hurry back to Tokyo and join the other Seekers.”
“Yeah, you’re right.”
Taizen laughed, and Misaki also smiled, saying, “Understood.”
Tennoji and the others returned to the hotel and immediately began preparing for their return.
◇◇◇
Elceed Corporation headquarters building, Otemachi, Tokyo.
Overseas Seeker Clans and top-ranking domestic Seeker Clans were gathered in the main hall. Honda, the general manager of Elceed, stood on the stage in front of the rows of Seekers.
“Well, everyone, thank you for gathering. My name is Honda from Elceed Corporation. Today, I would like to――”
While Honda was giving his greetings, Ishikawa, who was at the edge of the stage, looked around.
The British “Ophanims” and the German Seeker Clan seemed to be present, but some of the overseas groups had not come to the venue.
Seekers were a group of selfish people. That was the image the world had, but that tendency might be stronger when it came to overseas Seekers.
Ishikawa thought so and let out a small sigh.
At that moment, he caught sight of a Japanese Seeker Clan. He recognized them as the members of the major Fameel Clan, but one of them caught his attention.
A thin man wearing a hood.
However, he was carrying a large white bag on his shoulder that did not match his physique.
Since it was taller than his height, Ishikawa knew that it was some kind of [Magic Enchanted Armament], but even Ishikawa had never seen such a huge weapon.
As Ishikawa stared intently, he caught a glimpse of the man’s face.
“That’s――”
◇◇◇
After Honda and the other Elceed personnel explained the future guidelines for the “Black Armor” subjugation and confirmed the placement of each country’s Seeker Clan, the meeting came to a close.
As people left the hall one after another, Ishikawa called out to a man.
“Akito!”
“Hmm?”
The hooded man turned around and looked at Ishikawa.
“Oh! Ishikawa-san, it’s been a while.”
“You became a Seeker?”
“Ah, that’s right. Life is mysterious, isn’t it? I wasn’t interested in Seekers at all in the past… Well, I guess it’s fate.”
Ishikawa made an indescribable face as he looked at Tennoji Akito, who lowered his hood and laughed cheerfully.
“You were called here as a top-ranking Seeker Clan of Fameel… Are you a member of that?”
“That’s right, that’s right. After various things, I now belong to Fameel’s number one Seeker Clan, ‘Rosario.’ Amazing, right?”
“That’s… well, it’s amazing.”
The same nonchalant attitude as in the past. When Ishikawa first met the Tennoji brothers, he felt a stronger talent in this younger brother, Tennoji Akito, than in his older brother, Tennoji Hayato.
But at the time, he was still a junior high school student. When he asked, “Are you interested in becoming a Seeker?” he was flatly turned down with a “No way!”
That Akito was now a Seeker and standing in front of him. Ishikawa opened his mouth with deep emotion.
“Your older brother is in Hokkaido now, but I received a message that he will be returning soon. Why don’t you meet him once you come to Tokyo?”
“Ah, no, no. Ishikawa-san, you know that my brother and I don’t get along, right? There’s nothing to talk about now.”
Akito tried to go outside as he was, but stopped halfway and turned around.
“Oh yeah, Ishikawa-san. Can you tell my brother just one thing?”
“…What is it?”
Akito grinned.
“The one who will defeat the ‘Black Armor’ that you lost to is me.”
◇◇◇
Elceed’s laboratory in Koto Ward, Tokyo. Rui and Tennoji came to this facility as soon as they returned to Tokyo.
Guided by Tanabe, they headed to the B2 floor laboratory.
“The Katana is already completed, but the only way to test whether it can actually be used is to have Amasawa try it out. If there are any problems, we will adjust it accordingly.”
Tanabe opened the door with his own card key. In the center of the room was a silver stand, and a Katana was placed on it.
“This Katana is…”
Rui, who had entered the room, stopped in front of the stand.
The Katana in front of him emitted a Magical Power of a different dimension than the [Magic Enchanted Armaments] he had used before.
Rui cautiously reached out his hand.
When he picked up the scabbard and hilt, he felt a sense of familiarity that was unexpected.
“Draw it.”
At Tanabe’s words, Rui nodded.
The slowly drawn blade suddenly flashed brightly, and flames erupted. Rui had not infused it with Magical Power. The Katana itself reacted to Rui’s Magical Power and burst into flames.
“This is… Scorching Blade Type-0!”
The raised Katana was enveloped in blazing “Fire Magical Power.”
“Looks good.”
Tanabe nodded with satisfaction. But Tennoji, seeing the burning Katana, frowned.
“Hey Tanabe, isn’t the Fire Magical Power too strong even though we’re on the surface?”
Tanabe answered Tennoji’s question in a bored tone.
“Oh, is that what you’re talking about? The release of Mana has further increased in the month that you guys were in the ‘White Dungeon.’ The Kanto area now has about as much Mana as the lower levels of a dungeon.”
“The lower levels of a dungeon?”
Tennoji couldn’t help but ask back.
–Has it leaked that much in this short period of time!?
There were rumors that “Mana” was being released not only from the dungeons but also from the ground, but if it was this fast, that might be possible.
As Tennoji was thinking about that, he heard Tanabe’s voice saying, “Come in.”
When he looked up, four Seekers were walking out of the door at the back of the room. They were clad in white battle suits and carried weapons such as swords and spears.
“They’re your sparring partners. All of them are Water Magic users and have around 2000 Mana.”
The men surrounded Rui and readied their respective weapons.