"Wasn't that an accident just now?" Miyuki Shiba asked.
"That's right. There were traces of magic being used, and Tatsuya used Magic Sequence Decomposition just now too," Baifeng Uesugi said.
"What? My brother acted just now too?" Miyuki Shiba asked in surprise.
"Yes. You just didn't notice," Baifeng Uesugi explained.
"But how come I couldn't see any traces of magic?" Miyuki Shiba asked, disheartened.
"They used small-scale magic, activated instantaneously at minimum power. It was also advanced magic that left no residual Psions from the Magic Sequences that could be detected, and it was used three times.
"The first spell burst the tire, the second sent the car spinning, and the third applied force diagonally upward to the car, using the guardrail as a ramp to send it flying into our lane. All three spells were cast inside the car, probably to conceal the fact that magic had been used.
"They disguised the whole thing as a traffic accident, so it's normal that you didn't notice," Baifeng Uesugi explained.
"Then who used the magic?" Miyuki Shiba asked, puzzled.
"Probably the driver. In other words, it was a suicide attack," Baifeng Uesugi said.
"Ah!" Miyuki Shiba exclaimed.
"How despicable."
"Criminals and terrorists are despicable to begin with. Only a tiny few of the people giving the orders are willing to stake their lives," Baifeng Uesugi explained.
"Then, Brother Bai Feng, were they after you?" Miyuki Shiba asked worriedly.
"Probably not. If they were the Demon Hunters, they wouldn't use such crude methods. They were probably the terrorists Tatsuya mentioned earlier. Their main target this time was probably the Nine Schools Competition."
Baifeng Uesugi explained.
"I know about that. My brother told me. Those people are so hateful. I really want to wipe them out completely."
Miyuki Shiba said angrily.
"All right. Our most important task right now is to take first place in this Nine Schools Competition."
Baifeng Uesugi said as he pinched Miyuki Shiba's cheek.
"Mm, I'll do my best, Brother Bai Feng. You have to come watch my events when the time comes," Miyuki Shiba said with a smile.
"I definitely will," Baifeng Uesugi replied.
"Yahoo!"
After the two walked through the hotel entrance, they heard someone calling out to them.
"Erika?"
Miyuki Shiba looked over and saw Erika Chiba.
"It's been a week, Miyuki. Have you been well?" Erika Chiba asked with a smile.
"Why are you here?" Miyuki Shiba asked, puzzled.
"I think Erika was on the same bus as Tatsuya," Baifeng Uesugi guessed.
"That's right. How did you know, Bai Feng?" Erika Chiba asked.
"I saw you when you got on. Besides, Tatsuya and I were the ones counting everyone boarding."
Baifeng Uesugi said with a smile.
"I see. I came here to cheer you all on, of course," Erika Chiba explained.
"Miyuki, I'll head back first," Baifeng Uesugi said.
"See you later, Erika."
"Mm. See you later," Erika Chiba said.
"Mm," Miyuki Shiba said.
"You could have at least let me say hello before leaving. Honestly," Erika Chiba grumbled as Baifeng Uesugi walked away just like that.
"Sorry. The seniors on the technical team are still waiting," Miyuki Shiba explained.
"Hey, something's different. Why do I get the feeling your attitude toward Bai Feng has changed a little? And Tatsuya, who's always by your side, isn't with you today either."
Erika Chiba said, puzzled.
"Has it? I don't think anything's different. Besides, my brother has already gone to meet up with the seniors on the technical team," Miyuki Shiba explained.
"Oh, I see. Even so, I still think you seem especially enthusiastic toward Bai Feng today. Did something happen that I don't know about?"
Erika Chiba's curiosity was piqued, and she kept pressing for answers.
"That's enough, Erika. But why did you come two days early?" Miyuki Shiba asked.
"Erika, here's the room key," Mizuki Shibata said, walking over at that moment.
"Miyuki."
"Mizuki, you came too?" Miyuki Shiba asked in surprise.
But when she saw what Mizuki Shibata was wearing, she took a closer look. She had on a camisole and a short skirt, and because of the light clothing, her striking figure was on full display.
"Miyuki, what's wrong?"
Mizuki Shibata asked, puzzled, seeing Miyuki Shiba looking her over.
"You really stand out..." Miyuki Shiba remarked.
"Do I?" Mizuki Shibata asked.
"Erika said it wouldn't be good to wear anything too restrictive, so..."
"I see." Both of them looked at Erika Chiba at the same time.
Feeling guilty under their gazes, Erika Chiba kept whistling.
"Mizuki, I wouldn't steer you wrong. I'd advise you to change into something else. It's cute and suits you, but I don't think it's quite right for the time, place, or occasion."
Miyuki Shiba advised her.
"So I was right," Mizuki Shibata said nervously.
"Is that so?" Erika Chiba asked, confused.
"By the way, are you staying here?" Miyuki Shiba asked, puzzled.
"Yes," Mizuki Shibata replied.
"This hotel is a military facility, isn't it?" Miyuki Shiba said.
"Of course we used our connections for that," Erika Chiba explained.
"As expected of the Chiba Family. But are you all right with that? I thought you hated relying on your family," Miyuki Shiba said.
"What I hate is people looking at me differently because I'm 'the Chiba Family's daughter.' As for connections, you should use them when you need to. Otherwise, it's a bit of a waste."
Erika Chiba explained.
"That's true. But the competition doesn't start until the day after tomorrow," Miyuki Shiba said with a smile.
"Isn't there a gathering for the schools tonight?" Erika Chiba said excitedly.
"People who aren't involved can't attend, can they?" Miyuki Shiba asked, puzzled.
"That's not a problem. We're not uninvolved," Erika Chiba said with a mysterious smile.
At the gathering.
Baifeng Uesugi and Tatsuya Shiba stood in a corner of the venue.
"Would you two like something to drink?" Erika Chiba, dressed in a maid outfit, asked as she walked up to them.
(P.S. Keep "powering up" and keep the happiness going! As a new author, thank you all for your support. I hope you'll click to request more updates and send some power.
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