At the start of the first round, the character controlled by Eriri launched a fierce assault, and the fight looked almost completely one-sided. (Continued)

He sized her up and introduced himself.

"Of course Dekumori knows! As the most trusted ally of my master, Lord Sage's name has thundered in Dekumori's ears for ages, death! But without my master's orders, I never got to make an appearance... Lord Sage, I've always wanted to meet you and find out just how powerful someone who could win over my master really is, death!"

Dekomori Sanae looked at him with burning eyes, like a fan gazing at her idol.

"Lord Sage's name is famous not just at Shuchuin High School, but even in the middle school division. People are always talking about Lord Sage's heroic deeds, death!"

She explained why she had come.

What a presence! He completely outshone her master!

If she weren't trying to maintain an image of loyalty, she would probably have already prostrated herself and switched allegiances.

"I hope I haven't disappointed you."

Hasegawa smiled faintly.

Facing a potential kindred spirit, he let his softer side show.

"Mhm, mhm."

Dekomori Sanae nodded like a pecking chick.

Though she couldn't yet see through Lord Sage's true nature, his astonishing record was no lie!

"So, what's going on in the parallel world?"

Once their introductions were over, Takanashi Rikka joined the conversation.

"The fighting's getting more and more intense, death. I've been doing my best to take part in the battles too, death."

Dekomori Sanae shifted her gaze and replied.

"Sorry for making you come all this way, but we really are short-handed right now. We had no choice but to bring you over."

Takanashi Rikka apologized.

What a considerate master!

"It's no trouble. It's my honor to cross the Sea of Electrons and fight alongside my master and Lord Sage in this world, death!"

Dekomori Sanae had been eagerly awaiting this day, so she wasn't the least bit impatient.

"So, what kind of mission does my master have in mind for me?"

Her eyes shone with anticipation.

"Here's the situation. You've heard about what the Sage has been doing, right? To bring glory to the Far East Magic Society, we've been challenging various clubs to duels. Our next opponent is the Basketball Club, but first we need five people. You're one of the people I've chosen."

Takanashi Rikka explained.

"Understood, death! I won't let you down!"

Dekomori Sanae swung her twin tails, which were practically meteor hammers, with an eager look.

"But first, let me make sure one more time that you're worthy of remaining my master! Takanashi Rikka—no, Wicked Eye of the Tyrant King!"

"Understood. If you don't even have that much ambition, you're no servant of mine. Bring it on!"

Looking at that provocative smile, Takanashi Rikka replied without surprise.

A person of authority needed enough power to keep others in line!

Otherwise, how could she command their respect?

"What's going on?"

Hasegawa Izumi watched the two girls look ready to fight and felt a little lost.

Their relationship seemed a little different from what he'd expected.

Still, this was fine. He could treat it as a test for the newcomer and get a clear idea of Dekomori's abilities.

He had already decided that Dekomori was the kind of talent the Far East Magic Society needed.

The fountain in the park sprayed streams of water that shimmered brilliantly beneath the dazzling sunlight.

Just a few meters away, the two girls stared each other down, each steeling herself.

One wanted to prove her strength and secure her position as master.

The other was challenging her superior, hoping to reach a more honest conclusion.

They were on the verge of battle!

Takanashi Rikka declared, "Burst forth, reality!"

Dekomori Sanae followed, "Shatter, nerves!"

"Be banished... from this world!"

As Takanashi Rikka and Dekomori Sanae spoke in unison, their first clash began.

To be honest, the battle wasn't much to look at. It was even a little pathetic.

From Hasegawa Izumi's perspective, the two of them swung their fists at each other, then pulled them back whenever they got close.

For a moment, they seemed to be doing some kind of alternating dance, moving back and forth in a furious exchange.

From a passerby's perspective, it really was awkward. Anyone watching might want to step in and say, "Please, stop fighting."

It wasn't hard to understand. In reality, Rikka no longer had the support of "power," and Dekomori seemed to be in the same predicament.

But from another perspective, things might look completely different.

"They've tuned into each other's wavelength!"

Once he realized this, his eyes narrowed, and the scene before him changed completely.

The clash of minds was actually like this—

A Realm of Wonders!

Above, the silver moon hung like a platter.

Below, its pure light bathed the entire world.

Their minds clashed, and in an instant, the Realm of Wonders unfolded!

This was a deeper domain that only the chosen could enter.

Takanashi Rikka's left eye was unchanged, but her right eye shone with dazzling golden light. Freed from the restraints of the present world, the full power of the Wicked Eye of the Tyrant King erupted.

It was fearsome to behold!

Dekomori Sanae was ready for battle, unleashing her own purifying thunder. Her Magic Power surged and burst forth.

Yet she remained unafraid!

A brief silence fell.

Their gazes gradually met, each reflecting the other's image.

The moment their eyes locked was the signal for battle!

The next instant, both moved at once.

"I obey the blood pact and summon you... Darkness Queen!"

Takanashi Rikka bit her finger, sending blood spraying through the air. She extended her right hand and summoned a strange, enormous weapon from the void, its head fitted with three blades.

"Dark Matter Incineration!"

She leaped high into the air, her figure like a crescent moon, and swung her weapon, unleashing an attack of seven-colored flames.

"Appear! Thunder Battle Hammer!"

Dekomori Sanae wasn't to be outdone. She summoned her ace, her very own weapon: a huge golden warhammer.

"Eternal Fire Spirit G!"

She thrust out her right hand, and a Magic Circle instantly formed, unleashing a torrent of flames.

This was the spirit magic inherited from the Elf Mother!

The flames from both sides collided and blazed together. In an instant, the seven-colored flames swallowed up the other side's magical fire.

This wasn't surprising. One side was using a skill that didn't belong to her own kind, so its effect was greatly diminished.

But the seven-colored flames had already weakened considerably. Dekomori Sanae swung the Thunder Battle Hammer and wiped out the flames rushing toward her.

By then, however, Takanashi Rikka had begun her second attack.

"Eternal Spear!"

A Dark Matter missile shot forth.

A silver streak flashed across the sky. Dekomori Sanae had no choice but to defend, yet the blow sent her flying a hundred meters back, carving a deep furrow into the ground.

"As expected of the Wicked Eye of the Tyrant King! You even spotted that tiny opening!"

Dekumori Zomum lifted her head and gritted her teeth.

"That's the difference between us, Dekomori. Face reality!"

Takanashi Rikka walked toward her from afar, her eyes full of pride.

"Don't think you can make me submit that easily!"

Dekomori Sanae gave a soft snort and charged, dragging her warhammer.

"Yaaah!"

"You're still so defiant. Looks like I'll have to teach you a lesson you'll never forget!"

Takanashi Rikka mirrored her movement.

Both leaped into the air. Their two astonishing weapons collided, and an aura of destruction instantly pierced the entire world...

A long while passed.

One stood firm in the sky, while the other sat on the ground in a sorry state.

"Dekomori, you've lost."

"It's just a fatal wound. I can still fight!"

"Haaah..."

Someone nearby yawned.

"How long are you two going to keep fighting? You're about to grind even the Great Dao to dust."

"Sorry for the trouble, death. Since Lord Sage has already decided the outcome, I'll continue to recognize the Wicked Eye of the Tyrant King—no, you—as my master!"

"Then this battle is over... You're welcome to challenge me again anytime, but I won't necessarily be as patient as I was today."

And so, a fierce, earth-shaking battle that no one else knew about came to an end.

After an intense battle, they needed to replenish their Magic Power.

The three of them went to a vending machine.

"Allow me to treat my master and Lord Sage this time, death."

Dekomori Sanae took a coin worth 500 from her pocket and prepared to put it in.

"Wait...!"

Takanashi Rikka reached out to stop her, stepped forward, crossed her index and middle fingers, and closed her eyes in meditation.

"Up! Up! Down! Down! Left! Right! Left! Right!"

She waved her fingers as she chanted.

"Then B! A! B! A!"

Hasegawa Izumi joined in.

"As expected of the knowledgeable Sage. You even know this secret blessing spell?"

Takanashi Rikka looked slightly surprised, then instructed Dekomori, "Now! Insert the coin!"

Dekomori Sanae didn't hesitate and dropped the coin into the vending machine.

A drink fell out.