It was night now, the skies were pitch-black without a single star in sight. The only sources of light were the luminescent moon and the lights coming from street lamps and houses.
In District 7, Miyako and the others were going from building to building, searching for anyone suspicious who could be the Mage Killer.
An hour in and so far, they've had no luck. It was just as Retsuya expected.
'Why the hell was I so worried? Even if New City isn't that big compared to Tokyo, the districts are still large. Besides, the Mage Killer may not even be here anymore. I was worried over nothing.'
Retsuya sighed in relief.
[What was that sigh, Retsuya? Are you tired?!]
Miyako asked him over the Seeker in his ear.
"No, I just don't think we'll find anything in this district. We should head to the next one."
[No, the Mage Killer was last seen here, so we should stay here and look for a while longer.]
'And how long will that be?'
He thought, facepalming.
Anyway, Retsuya sucked it up and carried on searching his area. It was a lost cause. He couldn't find anything.
He had doubts that the Mage Killer was in District 7. He had even more doubts about their authenticity. Whether it was the real Mage Killer or an impersonator, Miyako would still pursue them
"Oi, what're you doing up there?! Get down here! You do know that it's dangerous at night!"
A man spoke to Retsuya who was on top of a neighbourhood house. From the looks of it, he was a magician patrolling. Most likely due to the Mage Killer cases.
'Shouldn't they learn that being by themselves isn't good? Ah, then again, it's the same for me. It doesn't look like running will help...'
The red-haired boy descended from the house, walking toward the magician.
"What were you doing up there?"
He asked.
'I can't tell him that I'm scouting for the Mage Killer.'
"I was playing hide and seek with my friends. They're also in District 7."
He awkwardly laughed while averting his eyes. It was the best excuse he could make, even if he did involve the others in his lie.
The magician sighed at Retsuya's response.
"Your friends, hm? Call them and tell them to go home since it isn't safe. You've heard about them too, right? About the Mage Killer."
"Aha... Yeah, I think I have."
"Well, call your—"
Death.
That was the feeling that combed over the two of them. A cold sweat travelled down Retsuya's spine. He quickly turned around, reacting to the footsteps coming toward him.
They were the footsteps of an ordinary person, but under this pressure, they sounded heavy. Almost like a giant.
"Get behind me."
The magician said with a stiff expression. From the shadows, a masked man appeared. It was just like the description of the Mage Killer.
The problem was...
'Is it an impersonator, or the real thing?'
"Either way, I'll still capture you and take you in!"
Before the magician could move, the Mage Killer appeared by his side. It was a speed at which he couldn't react.
The magician was in the middle of activating a spell. It was Hercules with an activation time of 3 seconds. Whilst casting a spell, a magician was defenceless. The Mage Killer waited for that moment.
"Oof!"
The magician was pierced through with the Mage Killer's hand. It turned into a piercing steel. Retsuya punched the Mage Killer.
He dodged it, retracting his bloody arm.
"Miyako! I found the Mage Killer!"
Retsuya warned the others. He then destroyed his Seeker, glaring at the Mage Killer. He couldn't read the Mage Killer's expression that was hiding underneath the white mask.
"Hercules! Sigurd!"
Dual-casting. Casting two spells at the same time puts strain on the body and a magician's processing section of the brain. Retsuya's muscles were screaming due to dual-casting and Sigurd.
He deemed that pushing his body to the limit was the only way he could survive against the Mage Killer, who killed a magician in an instant.
Retsuya noticed something, however.
'He could've gotten me at the time that I was casting but he didn't. I need to calm down. If he chose to attack, I would've died like that guy too.'
He exhaled.
"Are you ready now?"
The Mage Killer's filtered voice asked.
He disappeared. Retsuya frantically searched for him with his enhanced body.
As soon as the Mage Killer reappeared, Retsuya delivered a blow to his body.
"...!"
The Mage Killer blocked it with one hand.
'That's crazy! This would be enough to smash a speeding truck!'
"Magic Seal: 25%!"
Suddenly, the Mage Killer was being pushed back. Retsuya followed through, sending the Mage Killer flying into the nearby park. He quickly followed him.
Retsuya's Magic Seal was unique. It was something that couldn't be used all the time and could only be used for an instant.
It was called Gear Clock. Depending on how much of his Gear Clock he uses, all of his physical stats increase. It wasn't something he could have on all the time since it strained his body depending on how much he used.
His maximum was 65%. Anything past that would shred his muscle tissues.
"What an interesting Magic Seal you have there. I can't wait to make it mine."
The Mage Killer said while cracking his fingers.
Retsuya landed in front of him.
The Mage Killer stuck his hand out. Blue energy coiled around his fingers, creating an orb in front of his palm.
'That's from the Magician of Energy!'
"I won't get serious. Energy Orbit."
She fired the orb of energy at Retsuya.
"Chateau!"
He couldn't dodge it in time. He quickly used Reinforcement Magic, along with his active spells, to block the orb.
It was no good. It was breaking through his defence. Retsuya couldn't hold up for much longer.
"Hyah!"
The orb of energy dissipated as someone landed in front of Retsuya.
"Are you okay, Retsuya?"
Emika and Saya ran to his side, both glaring at the man standing in front of them. Miyako smiled, getting up from the ground.
"So you're the famed Mage Killer, huh?! With you, I'll surely get some recognition!"
She hovered her hand over her mouth. A mask appeared, covering her nose and mouth. It was a menacing mouth, showing teeth. Her eyes went black.
It was obvious that she was insidiously grinning from the curve of her eyebrows.
"I'll fucking beat the shit out of you!"
She cursed at him.
It was now 3 high schoolers against a serial killer.