Rui regulated his breathing. He held his katana in a proper stance, focusing on the tip.
The Indian Seekers around him cast doubtful glances. Even Dasha and Kaira, standing at the edge of the garden, seemed unconvinced of their abilities.
Gathered here were elite Seekers, chosen from the world’s largest population of 1.4 billion. India had many Dungeons, so each one should be considered quite skilled.
If they were to be convinced, something ordinary wouldn’t do.
Rui thought so, steeling himself as he raised his katana.
He gathered all his Magical Power into the katana, refining it. Flames erupted from the blade held high above.
“Haaah!”
The “Scorching Blade Type-0” he slashed down collided with the ground and burst. The earth melted, and soil and flames surged like a geyser.
When the smoke cleared, the deeply gouged ground was exposed in a wretched state.
The surrounding Seekers were speechless, their mouths agape. What had just happened was undoubtedly Explosion Magic.
Everyone knew that it was magic only the “Flame Emperor Albert” could use.
Dasha and Kaira couldn’t believe that a young Seeker from Japan had used it, doubting their own eyes.
“Hah hah hah, I’m next. Move it, Rui.”
“Yeah.”
Rui sheathed his katana, high-fived Akito, and switched places. Akito, standing before the large Hole, snorted with a ‘hmph’.
The surrounding Seekers’ commotion and excitement had yet to subside.
Akito raised Gae Bolg, which had been resting on his shoulder, high into the sky with one hand. Lightning crackled, and the surrounding air began to prickle.
The clouds drifting in the sky began to swirl, and a low rumble echoed.
“Resonate! Black Lightning Bloom!!”
Dozens of “Black Lightning” bolts rained down. The courtyard’s ground exploded as if blown away, gouging deeper and deeper.
Screams rose from the Indian Seekers who had been struck by the nearby Lightning.
Even Dasha and Kaira, fearing the Lightning, retreated backward. When Akito’s magic subsided, all that remained was the devastated ground.
The Seekers were stunned by what had just happened before their eyes.
“Hah hah hah—, how’s that! My magic’s got quite the punch, eh?”
Akito proudly rested his Lightning Spear on his shoulder, surveying the surroundings with a triumphant look. Those who had initially worn sneering smirks now wore serious expressions.
Dasha and Kaira approached Akito, who was retreating in high spirits.
“You guys! Amazing, I didn’t expect you to use magic to this extent. Is that the Second Stratum Magic of Fire and Lightning?”
Dasha asked Akito, her face breaking into a smile.
“Yeah, that’s right. Rui and I can both use Second Stratum Magic. We’ve both got experience defeating Ancient Dragons.”
“Ancient Dragon!?”
Kaira leaned forward, her eyes wide. Every Seeker knew the strength of the Ancient Dragons in the Red Dungeon.
Said to be second in strength only to the Gold Dragon among the Dragonkind, they were no match for ordinary Seekers.
If they had defeated such Monsters, there was no room to doubt their abilities.
“Unbelievable… To think that Seekers like you would come as reinforcements.”
Kaira looked at Rui and Akito with an excited expression. Then, she gasped and put her hand to her mouth.
“Could it be that the rumors of Japan repelling the Red King are true? I thought it was impossible and dismissed it without a second thought, but…”
“Ah, it’s true. We beat that guy to a pulp. (Yuma did).”
Cheers rose from the gathering Indian Seekers.
“It’s an honor to fight alongside people as strong as you.”
“Please, join our next expedition!”
“Won’t you join our group?”
“Wait a minute! Our group is short on combat power, so if they’re joining, we should be first!”
The Indian Seekers began to argue among themselves. Dasha, watching this, coughed to silence the surroundings.
“We will decide what to do with them. Besides, we haven’t seen his abilities yet. We should properly assess what he can do before discussing it.”
Dasha glanced at Yuma. Yuma, feeling nervous, thought, “Is it my turn?” but gripped his Pickel and stepped forward.
Rui, worried, called out, “Yuma, are you okay?” and Yuma, trying to put on a brave face, replied, “A-ah, I’m fine.”
Yuma spat on both hands and gripped the Pickel again.
He had never successfully used Fire Magic with his bare hands. But he had used it many times in Indonesia, so he should have improved since then.
Yuma avoided the Hole created by the Lightning Strike and walked to the center of the garden.
Stopping in front of the large Hole, he exhaled.
“If I’m the only one who can’t use magic… I’ll look like a fool.”
Yuma raised the Pickel and concentrated.
It would be enough if he could use the “Explosion Magic” he had used in the White Dungeon. Even a small explosion would prove his abilities.
He channeled Fire Magical Power from his hand into the Pickel.
His whole body heated up, and his blood seemed to boil. He put strength into his arms and held his breath.
“Oooooooooh!!”
He exhaled all the air in his stomach at once and slammed the flat side of the Pickel against the ground.
The surrounding Seekers held their breath, and Dasha and Kaira also turned serious gazes toward Yuma.
Rui and Akito looked anxious. Silence dominated the area.
Nothing happened. Was it a dud? Just as Yuma thought that, the Pickel was engulfed in flames.
Not just the head, but the entire handle was burning.
“Ouch ouch ouch ouch ouch ouch ouch!?”
Yuma hurriedly dropped the Pickel and tried to cool his charred hands by blowing on them.
Everyone watching instantly wore a disappointed expression.
“What, is he just a baggage carrier?”
Kaira said, sounding disappointed.
“Well, it’s fine. Two out of three of them have exceptional abilities. That’s enough combat power.”
Dasha replied with a smile. The gathered Indian Seekers dispersed and returned to their respective places, but some gathered around Rui and Akito.
“You guys are amazing. Nice to meet you!”
“Did you learn that magic in Japan? Are there even stronger Seekers in Japan?”
“Won’t you join our group? They’re all good people. I’m sure you’ll like them.”
And so on, they were popular with various people. Only Yuma was left alone in the courtyard. As he stood there with his mouth open, Kaira came over to him alone.
Wondering what it was, she said, “Here,” and held out a key.
“What’s this?”
“The key to the warehouse where you put valuables and such. Carry their luggage and weapons there.”
“Huh!? Me?”
Yuma frowned at Kaira, who said it as if it were obvious.
“Of course. We don’t need useless people here. If you want to stay, work hard.”
Kaira tossed the key. Yuma flusteredly said, “Whoa,” but managed to catch it. Kaira glanced at him,
“Make sure you carry it properly, you shithead.”
“Huh?”
What did she just say? Shithead? Did she say that just because he couldn’t use magic properly?
Yuma shook his head, thinking, “No, no, that can’t be.”
“Is the translator broken?”
He removed the device from his ear and cast a suspicious eye on the latest technology.