Just as Baifeng Uesugi was about to leave with Shizuku Kitayama and Honoka Mitsui, Tatsuya Shiba called out to him.
"Bai Feng, do you have time now? There's something I want to ask you."
"Now?" Baifeng Uesugi asked, puzzled.
"Yes, Bai Feng. I won't take up much of your time," Tatsuya Shiba said.
"All right, then."
"Honoka, Shizuku, you two go on ahead."
Baifeng Uesugi looked at the two of them as he spoke.
"Okay, Bai Feng," Honoka Mitsui replied.
"Mm." Shizuku Kitayama nodded.
On the roof of the school building.
Baifeng Uesugi and Tatsuya Shiba stood facing each other.
"Tatsuya, what did you want to see me about?" Baifeng Uesugi asked.
Tatsuya Shiba ignored Baifeng Uesugi and used the power of his eyes.
Sure enough, it was just as he had suspected.
"Brother, how much longer were you going to keep this from me?" Tatsuya Shiba asked.
"Uh... Tatsuya, how did you know?" Baifeng Uesugi asked in surprise.
"I don't know what magic you used to change your appearance and aura, Brother, but you couldn't change your psions. I just examined them."
Tatsuya Shiba explained.
"All right, I didn't expect you to see through me after all."
With his identity exposed, Baifeng Uesugi stopped concealing it and dispelled his magic.
"Brother, why are you doing this?"
Tatsuya Shiba was surprised to see Baifeng Uesugi's appearance change, but what puzzled him was why he had done it.
"Tatsuya, an organization has its eye on me. Do you remember the attack on the Yotsuba Family three years ago?" Baifeng Uesugi explained.
"Yes, I remember. The Yotsuba Family suffered heavy losses that time," Tatsuya Shiba replied.
"They were after me," Baifeng Uesugi said.
"Brother, are you doing this to protect Miyuki and the president?"
Tatsuya Shiba understood immediately, but he was curious about an organization that could make someone as powerful as Baifeng Uesugi hide his identity to protect someone.
"That's right," Baifeng Uesugi said, turning to look at the students leaving school below.
"Brother, what kind of organization is it?" Tatsuya Shiba asked.
"An organization called the Demon Hunters. They mainly hunt down Ancient Magic users to study Ancient Magic."
Baifeng Uesugi explained.
"Brother, is there anything you need me to do?" Tatsuya Shiba asked as he came to stand beside Baifeng Uesugi.
"You're strong now, but you're still not strong enough," Baifeng Uesugi said, shaking his head.
"Are they strong?" Tatsuya Shiba asked.
"Yes. They're all Ancient Magic users. There aren't many of them, but S-rank magicians among them are as numerous as ants," Baifeng Uesugi said.
"What? In that case, why isn't there any information about the organization?" Tatsuya Shiba asked in shock.
"They operate very discreetly. I asked the Ten Master Clans to look into them before, but even they couldn't find anything."
Baifeng Uesugi spoke helplessly.
"All right, you still need to work hard on improving your strength. I'll let you know when I need you."
Baifeng Uesugi turned to Tatsuya Shiba and patted him on the shoulder as he spoke.
"Yes, Brother," Tatsuya Shiba replied with a nod.
"Oh, and don't tell Miyuki about me, or Mayumi either," Baifeng Uesugi cautioned.
"Brother, if Miyuki finds out about this, the consequences will be serious," Tatsuya Shiba said.
"I know, but with Miyuki's personality, I'm afraid she'll give away my whereabouts. After I went to see our teacher before, those people came looking for him at his dojo."
Baifeng Uesugi explained.
"But don't worry. I've already found a way to divert their attention elsewhere."
"I see. No wonder our teacher looked injured when I went to see him before," Tatsuya Shiba said.
"Oh, here, take these."
Baifeng Uesugi took two cards from inside his clothes and handed them to Tatsuya Shiba.
"Brother, are these... Innate Magic?"
"Yes. One is Miyuki's, and one is yours. I've finished both of them," Baifeng Uesugi said.
"Really? Congratulations, Brother," Tatsuya Shiba said with a smile, but then something occurred to him.
"Brother, was what happened to that abandoned factory before caused by you using Innate Magic?"
"That's right. I caused it with Innate Magic," Baifeng Uesugi admitted.
"Brother, have you perfected Thousand-Mile Freeze? When we arrived, those people were frozen, but they all still had vital signs."
Tatsuya Shiba said.
"Yes. Your Innate Magic isn't perfected yet, but I thought you might need it during the Nine Schools Competition, so I'm giving it to you now. You can also try perfecting it yourself.
"I believe you can do it," Baifeng Uesugi said with a smile.
"Yes, Brother. But what is the Innate Magic you designed for me?"
Tatsuya Shiba picked up the other card and examined it. It bore the image of an old man holding a staff.
"Your Innate Magic is Fool's World. I designed it based on your magic. Once you activate Fool's World, all magic within a hundred li of you will be nullified.
"Since it's only a preliminary version, its effect can only reach a hundred li."
Baifeng Uesugi explained.
"Brother, isn't that similar in effect to my Decomposition?" Tatsuya Shiba said in shock.
It was just more powerful than his Decomposition magic.
"Yes, I designed it specifically for you to deal with group attack magic. Once you activate it, magic will be decomposed whether it's already been cast or not."
Baifeng Uesugi said.
"Then, Brother, does that mean no one within that range can use magic? Including the user?" Tatsuya Shiba asked.
"Yes, that's a drawback, but it can be improved later," Baifeng Uesugi said.
"All right, Brother. Thank you very much," Tatsuya Shiba said solemnly, putting away the two Innate Magic cards.
"Oh, Brother, should I give Miyuki her Innate Magic now?" Tatsuya Shiba asked.
"Give it to her. That way, I'll also be letting her know indirectly that I'm doing well," Baifeng Uesugi said.
"Yes, Brother," Tatsuya Shiba replied with a nod.
"All right, let's head back."
Baifeng Uesugi turned and left the roof, and Tatsuya Shiba hurried after him.
That evening...
At Tatsuya Shiba's home.
"It's been a while," Tatsuya Shiba greeted the caller.
Tatsuya Shiba answered a call on his terminal.
"Long time no see, Lieutenant," the major said.
"You're using that title, so this is a confidential communication, I take it," Tatsuya Shiba said.
"I'm impressed you manage to hack into an ordinary home line every time."
"It's not easy, Lieutenant. Your home security system is a little too tight," the major said.
"Hackers have been running rampant lately. Anyway, Major, what can I do for you today?" Tatsuya Shiba asked.
"First, a business matter," the major said.
"Yes," Tatsuya Shiba replied.
"The modifications to the Third Eye were completed today, so I'd like you to upgrade the software and test its performance," the major said.
"Understood," Tatsuya Shiba replied.
"I'll come over tomorrow."
"Wait. This isn't urgent enough for you to take time off school," the major objected.
"No, I already have plans to visit FLT on my next day off," Tatsuya Shiba replied.
"I see. Then come to the usual place tomorrow morning," the major replied.
"Understood," Tatsuya Shiba replied.
"Next topic. I hear you're taking part in the Nine Schools Competition too, Lieutenant," the major said.
"Yes," Tatsuya Shiba replied.
"As usual, the Nine Schools Competition will be held in the southeastern part of the Fuji Maneuver Area..." the major said.
"But you should be careful, Tatsuya."
The major's expression grew serious as he spoke.
"Members of an international criminal organization have been spotted illegally entering the area several times. Judging by the timing, they're probably targeting the Nine Schools Competition."
"You're saying an international criminal organization has infiltrated the area?"
Hearing this, Tatsuya Shiba thought of the organization Baifeng Uesugi had told him about that day and wondered whether Baifeng Uesugi's whereabouts had been exposed and those people had come after him.
"I've already had Mibu look into it," the major said.
"You mean the father of Sayaka Mibu, a second-year at First High School?" Tatsuya Shiba asked.
"Yes. After Mibu retired from the military, he joined the Cabinet Office Intelligence Bureau," the major said.
"He handles matters involving foreign criminal organizations."
"That's quite a surprise," Tatsuya Shiba said.
But it also convinced him that these weren't the people Baifeng Uesugi had mentioned. After all, according to Baifeng Uesugi, those people were very mysterious, and not just anyone could investigate them thoroughly.
The major's next words confirmed Tatsuya Shiba's suspicion.
"According to the intelligence Mibu passed along, they're most likely low-level members of No Head Dragon. If there's any new information, I'll contact you again."
"Thank you very much," Tatsuya Shiba said.
The call ended. Later, while Tatsuya Shiba was attending to his own affairs, Miyuki Shiba came in.
"Brother, I brought you some coffee."
Miyuki Shiba spoke as she carried the coffee.
"Perfect timing. I was just about to go call you," Tatsuya Shiba said.
"Brother, what is it?" Miyuki Shiba asked curiously.
"Brother found me after school today and gave me this."
Tatsuya Shiba took out the Thousand-Li Ice Seal card and handed it to Miyuki Shiba.
"Bai Feng was here? Where is he?" Miyuki Shiba asked excitedly.
"Miyuki, Brother had something to do and already left. He only came to me so I could pass this on to you."
Tatsuya Shiba spoke helplessly.
"What's this? Innate Magic?" Miyuki Shiba asked in puzzlement.
"Yes. Brother has perfected your Innate Magic," Tatsuya Shiba replied.
"Bai Feng is amazing. But why has he been gone for so long?" Miyuki Shiba said, taking the card and holding a hand to her chest.
"Brother has been doing research all this time. He also prepared an Innate Magic for me," Tatsuya Shiba lied.
"Really? I'm glad Bai Feng is all right. So what's your Innate Magic, Brother?"
Hearing that Baifeng Uesugi was fine and had only been concentrating on researching Innate Magic, Miyuki Shiba breathed a sigh of relief. But she was curious about the Innate Magic he had given Tatsuya Shiba.
"Fool's World. Once activated, it nullifies magic within a certain range," Tatsuya Shiba said, taking out the Fool's World card.
"It suits you so well, Brother," Miyuki Shiba remarked.
"Mm, I think so too," Tatsuya Shiba said with a nod.
"Brother, could you demonstrate it?" Miyuki Shiba asked expectantly.
"Sure."
Tatsuya Shiba then activated his Innate Magic, Fool's World.
"Miyuki, try casting a spell," Tatsuya Shiba said.
"All right, Brother."
Miyuki Shiba tried to cast a spell, but the psions did not respond at all.
"Brother, I can't cast magic," Miyuki Shiba said in amazement.
"Bai Feng is incredible. He even managed to develop such powerful magic."
"Yes, Brother really is incredible," Tatsuya Shiba agreed.
(PS: Keep the "power" coming, and the happiness will keep coming! As a new author, thank you all for your support. I hope you'll click to request updates and send some power.
Please give this new author a little more encouragement and motivation. Wishing you all happiness and joy!)
My dears, remember to add the book to your shelves, request more updates, and leave comments. That's how the site decides how much exposure to give it.