"I admit it... it's quite a decent place." (Kohaku)

"Quite a decent? Quite decent!? This place is fantastic! I chose it after all! Not to mention we’re not paying for it!" (Kimiko)

Kimiko wasn't wrong; the location she had chosen for their stay was a five-star hotel, with excellent reviews.

From what Hajime and the others had seen, they couldn’t deny that the girl had used (stolen) money with maximum efficiency.

Hours of research had paid off, finding the ideal spot for a well-deserved summer break.

It was a real shame that the [mage] didn't always put in such effort.

Even Kohaku wanted to acknowledge his friend's excellent work at first.

But the victorious smile on the 16-year-old's face, when she looked at the [esper], had made him change his mind very quickly.

Making her decide to stay sulking, and less inclined to compliments.

Was she childish? Yes. But after everything Kohaku had been through over the years, he thought it was fair for her to be a little like that too.

"Well, let's go check-in. I'm dead tired after hours of travel." (Cloe)

"I'm agree. What’s the room arrangement, Kimiko?" (Hajime)

“I sincerely hope they’re all single rooms. I want to spend some time alone after such a long day." (Kuro)

Their words didn’t put Kimiko in a good mood, and she immediately blurted out to change her friends' minds.

"Ehhh!? Can't we just go to sleep like old folks!? It’s still early! Come on guys, we can still have some fun for a few hours! I want to try some things before—" (Kimiko)

"What do you mean by 'try some things'?...wait...don’t tell me you want to do graffiti!? Here!? We’re not in a shady neighborhood, stupid! If the [White Corps] catches you, they might arrest you and ask uncomfortable questions!" (Kohaku)

" If they catch me, don’t worry, it won’t happen!" (Kimiko)

"How can you say that!? Your powers are intermittent!" (Kohaku)

"I can always punch and kick my way out! I don’t rely solely on my [magic]!" (Kimiko)

"Kimiko!" (Kohaku)

Kohaku began a long, heavy scolding that bored the [mage] to death within the first 10 seconds.

"Don’t behave like you’re my mother! Look, that—" (Kimiko)

"Are you finished!? You're attracting too much attention for my taste! And this time I agree with Kohaku: don’t do stupid stuff, Kimiko! We’re here to rest and recover from nine months of hell. Not to become delinquents! Let’s rest today, and starting tomorrow, we’ll plan how to enjoy the week!" (Hajime)

After saying that, Hajime grabbed his carry-on and headed to the receptionist.

Kimiko and Kohaku finally realized many people were watching them. The two had positioned themselves away from others, so they doubted anyone had overheard what they said, but it was still a mistake—arguing like children in a public place.

Maybe their recent rivalry was turning into something embarrassing.

With downcast eyes, the two quickly hurried back to Hajime.

Meanwhile, Kuro had slipped away, realizing the attention his companions were drawing.

Taking Cloe with him, to prevent her from causing more trouble.

Remaining in the background, the young [mage] could act as a lookout, monitoring for enemies at the hotel entrance.

Maybe he was paranoid, or perhaps his training made it automatic; either way, he wouldn’t lower his guard even on vacation.

It was something he and Hajime had decided when talking privately.

At least the two of them had to "keep watch," taking shifts, for safety.

****************

Fumio knew he was being followed.

He wasn’t exactly an amateur, the person after him wasn’t, but it was clearly obvious that he wasn’t a stealth specialist like Kuro.

The [mage], a 30-year-old, quickly changed clothes, using the time his pursuer lost sight of him to prepare his gear.

(They don’t seem to have called reinforcements. Or maybe I just can’t see them? I have no answers to these questions... Maybe he can give them to me. If I can assess his strength properly, I might take this route.)

Jumping onto a roof, Fumio tried to evaluate his enemy’s abilities. She was a rather young woman, almost his age; her uniform clearly identified her as a [Black Corps] member, with a certain rank.

(Hmm... she doesn’t seem to be a [mage]. Maybe an [esper]? I doubt she’s a normal human, even if she had a [magic weapon]....)

In the end, he had to make a choice. Attack or escape. The first was risky, but had its advantages.

The investigations of Hajime’s master had hit a dead end. It was time to try another path.

Taking three metal sticks from his clothes, which he joined to form a long staff, he threw himself into the attack.

It was an isolated area, the abandoned part of a shady neighborhood, perfect for what was about to happen.

Jumping from a roof, Fumio lunged at his opponent with his staff. 

The woman with black hair narrowly avoided a solid blow to the head, moving aside.

"Coward! Attacking a lady like that, out of the blue?! [New Dawn] are really trash!" (Black Corps)

Her words disturbed Fumio more than he showed.

(I confirmed it... they know about us.)

Without hesitation, Hajime’s master brandished his staff and went on the attack.

In response, his opponent jumped backward, leaping off the roof where the fight had started.

(Tsk. I can’t use the staff in such a narrow alley. And I don’t yet know her power.)

Fumio followed her immediately after, putting away the middle part of his long staff, preferring to fight with just two sticks.

“You really came. I didn’t think you’d follow me.” (Black Corps)

“............” (Fumio)

“You’re a woman of few words, huh? I knew what face you had from when you left the bar. No need for your mask.” (Black Corps)

“Shut up, [Black Corps]! You talk too much.” (Fumio)

The 30-year-old quickly closed the gap between them. She countered with a powerful kick aimed at his head.

Fumio dodged skillfully, trying to strike her with his weapons.

Using his hands and well-trained fighting techniques, the [Black Corps] woman avoided and blocked all his attacks, deflecting the various strikes with her forearms and avoiding vital points.

On the other hand, Hajime’s master received several hits, with well-placed strikes on pressure points, including a punch to his left arm that caused a micro-fracture, enough to make him kick the hand holding one of his sticks and then force him to step back with a blow to the stomach.

(She’s strong in close combat... maybe even stronger than me... She aimed at my pressure points and joints. Despite parrying my attacks with her arms and forearms, she doesn’t seem hurt... she has no [mana], so how come her bones aren’t broken?) (Fumio)

“You’re good... but I am better. That was fun. See you!” (Black Corps)

The woman turned and began to run away. Fumio had only a second to decide what to do.

Chase her or let her go?

Was he leading himself into a trap? Probably. But cautious approach hadn’t helped him so far.

(It’s time to take a risk.)

The pursuit lasted only a few minutes, during which the [Black Corps] showed athletic abilities far superior to someone of his level or even higher than a [Rang Beta] mage like Fumio.

Few normal humans or [espers] could keep up with the speed of a [Rang Beta] mage for more than a few seconds, yet it was happening.

(Why can’t I catch her!? How!? She’s not a [mage]!)

Confused but cautious, the 30-year-old finally caught up with his enemy when she stopped in an abandoned factory.

“I didn’t think you’d follow.” (Fumio)

“How are you so—” (Fumio)

“You’re talking about my physical abilities, huh? I guess it’s the first time a non-[mage] is giving you a hard time. What can I say? Science beats [magic]. And now, I’ll show you the power of an [esper]!” (Black Corps)

Suddenly, a strange fog emanated from the woman’s mouth. From it, copies of her formed around Fumio.

He found himself surrounded by dozens of enemies.

And if each of them was as capable as their creator, it would be a serious problem.

Each clone was indistinguishable from the others; her ocular powers of magic negation, belonging to the [New Dawn], had no effect against an [esper] ability.

And even her other eye couldn’t differentiate the original from the copies.

“Fuck!” (Fumio)

“Yeah, I think that’s an appropriate term! Girls, let’s tear him apart!” (Copies)

Fumio threw small spheres onto the ground, creating a small smoke screen, giving him time to reassemble his staff and prepare for the fight.