Forbidden spells generally appeared only in records of ancient magic. In modern magic, which placed greater emphasis on efficiency, few spells of that level had been developed.
Of course, modern magic had its own term for magic of such tremendous power: Strategic-Class Magic! And it was said that fewer than fifty people in the entire world could use it!
In the sky, a ring formed from Psions resembled the bands that appeared when a modern magician cast a spell. But no magic characters recording an Activation Sequence were written inside the enormous ring.
A wisp of flame suddenly appeared at the very center of the ring. The moment it appeared, it spread at a speed visible to the naked eye, stopping only when it reached the outer ring.
From below, the sky looked as though it had been set ablaze. The sight naturally alerted the people in the stronghold as well.
As Yunyi watched them rush out of the buildings and stare in terror at the changes in the sky, disgust flashed in his eyes.
Under Mayumi Saegusa's gaze, he swept down his raised arm and coldly uttered a single word: "Activate!"
The moment he spoke, the flames inside the ring poured down like a torrential rain of fire, or perhaps divine punishment descending upon the world!
"Hey, Yunyi, we..."
Mayumi Saegusa cried out in panic. She couldn't spare a thought for the people below, nor could she stop to ask what magic Yunyi was using. She and Yunyi were still within the range of Heavenly Fire Burns the City!
But before she could finish, the cascading flames swallowed them both!
Wails, screams, and other cries rang out without cease as Heavenly Fire Burns the City descended. Some tried to flee, while others sought shelter. But all their efforts were futile against its attack!
The ring covered an enormous area, far too large for the people below to escape. And so, under the assault of Heavenly Fire Burns the City, they and the entire complex of buildings were reduced to ashes in the flames!
Mayumi Saegusa stood amid the flames in a daze. To her surprise, she discovered that the flames pouring down seemed to be deliberately avoiding her and Yunyi. She raised a hand and tentatively reached for the flames sweeping past her. But her fingers had only moved a little closer when she could clearly feel the searing heat against their tips.
Suddenly, Yunyi raised his hand and caught Mayumi Saegusa's hand as she continued reaching forward. "You didn't really think these flames wouldn't burn you, did you?"
"Huh? Yunyi, what on earth is going on?" Mayumi Saegusa asked blankly.
What was happening before her was clearly beyond her comprehension. Yunyi didn't answer her question, merely taking her away from there.
On the way back, they both fell silent.
The things that had happened that day were so hard to understand that Mayumi Saegusa's brain had all but shut down. Yunyi, meanwhile, was mentally preparing himself for what might happen next.
Yunyi took Mayumi Saegusa straight back to his own house. Clearly, he couldn't simply let her leave before he was ready. Naturally, that also included the Saegusa Family's twins, Kasumi and Izumi.
Mayumi Saegusa was clearly well aware of that too, so she didn't struggle in vain. Only after entering Yunyi's house did she ask tentatively, "What do you want to do to me?"
"Pfft~"
Hearing Mayumi Saegusa's words, Yunyi couldn't help bursting out laughing.
He turned to look at Mayumi Saegusa standing by the door, an amused smile on his face.
"What, Mayumi? What do you think I should do to you? Kill you to prevent future trouble? Or take you in and make you serve me?"
Yunyi's words immediately put Mayumi Saegusa on guard. She really didn't want to become his enemy, but if he wanted to keep his secret from getting out, getting rid of her was the best choice.
"Mayumi, you're a daughter of the Saegusa Family. If I really killed you just like that, given who you are, how would I clear myself of suspicion if something happened to you, when I was in contact with you today? And even if I forced you to join me, would you willingly betray your own side? It wouldn't be that simple, would it?"
"Don't overcomplicate things. For now, go upstairs and check on your sisters. I think they should be waking up soon."
With that, Yunyi ignored Mayumi Saegusa's reaction and turned toward the kitchen.
Mayumi Saegusa stood there in silence for a long time before moving. She didn't take the opportunity to flee while Yunyi wasn't watching her, because she couldn't possibly abandon her two younger sisters. Besides, she knew perfectly well that Yunyi couldn't let her leave so easily. So she decided to follow his instructions and check on her sisters.
As they slept, Kasumi and Izumi Saegusa had actually relaxed considerably. When Mayumi Saegusa woke them, the sight of the two rubbing their sleepy eyes made her let out a soft sigh.
"Big sister?"
"Big sister, where are we?"
Kasumi Saegusa didn't seem fully awake yet and merely called out softly. Izumi Saegusa, on the other hand, noticed the unfamiliar surroundings and immediately asked.
"Have you forgotten what happened earlier?" Mayumi Saegusa asked.
Although she didn't want to bring those things up and awaken the unpleasant memories in her sisters' hearts, if she didn't explain the situation clearly now, things might become even more troublesome once they realized what had happened.
Mayumi Saegusa's reminder brought Kasumi and Izumi Saegusa to their senses. Kasumi Saegusa grabbed Mayumi Saegusa's hand and asked uneasily, "Big sister, are we being held hostage?"
"Hostages? I suppose so. But Kasumi, Izumi, don't be afraid. I'll make sure you're safe," Mayumi Saegusa said.
Kasumi and Izumi Saegusa exchanged a glance, then immediately grabbed Mayumi Saegusa's arms. "Big sister, let's find a way to escape!"
"Knock, knock, knock~"
Just as Kasumi Saegusa said that, the sound of knocking reached their ears.
Yunyi leaned against the doorway and looked at the three sisters with amusement. "Sorry to trouble you three, but the next time you discuss an escape plan, you should at least close the door. Otherwise, it's really too easy to give yourselves away!"
"Yunyi, you..." Mayumi Saegusa immediately shielded her two younger sisters behind her, staring at Yunyi with wary eyes.
"You have beautiful eyes. Don't keep using them to glare at people; it's a waste. Freshen up and come downstairs to eat. You can't solve problems on an empty stomach."