Previously On Unknown: Akishima makes a pact with a devil to gain strength, absorbing the magical core of a defeated foe. The devil claims there won't be negative consequences. Despite acquiring enhanced strength, doubts linger about the potential repercussions of his deal with the devil. After the exchange, Akishima reflects on his training with Matsumoto, emphasizing the significance of magic formulas.
(Continuing)
Akishima only grew more confused. Matsumoto, understanding that he needed to explain himself, continued, "The four basic elements, Water, Fire, Earth, and Air are the foundations of all magic as they were the first elements to be formulated."
He continues, explaining further, "However, among these four elements were 'others', others that weren't created from formulas. These unique and unusual elements had even weirder abilities and requirements. As such, they were placed in a separate category and were given the name… 'Special Elements'."
This revelation shocked Akishima as it was his first time hearing of the unique special elements. He thought that this was what Matsumoto had to tell him. "Huh… Special elements… Oh, so that's what you wanted to tell me?" he inquired, wanting to confirm his suspicion.
However, Matsumoto shook his head, responding to the boy with a 'no'.
This left the boy confused as he thought his master was finished.
Matsumoto then revealed the one thing that would shift Akishima's entire training from now on. "You, along with Hisashi, possess a special element. The element you possess is the element of shadows and obscurity, you possess the 'Dark Element'." He said bluntly. First, he looks up at the sky then tilts his head down and looks at Akishima with a dead, staring gaze.
Akishima was a little terrified, a drop of sweat falling from his cheek. He knew then and there that his whole life was about to change 'for the better or worse'.
Hisashi, who was supposedly sleeping, had his eyes open while his back was facing the others.
*The Flashback Ends, As We Transition Back Out To Akishima's Subconscious…*
His soul-like body slowly fades away into the same luminous light that was from the fat boy. As he fades away he hears the chuckle of the devil behind him and something that shouts in his mind.
Something that his master had said and something that will never be erased from his memory. "Boy… You are neither good nor evil, hope nor despair. The power that you have isn't only limited to the dark element. And as such, you can only be described as one thing… However, that thing isn't something I'm allowed to tell you. It's something you're required to find out on your own."
As he hears his master's words in his head, he completely disappears and then finds himself on the stairs that lead to the third floor. His prior injuries have all healed. His whole body is drenched in sweat, getting up still woozy, as he is not fully conscious as of yet.
As he stands, he utters, "Matsumoto-sensei. I'll defeat Yuji no matter what?" he's about to continue his journey up the stairs, however, a voice stops him.
The girl with the two daggers was behind him. She's heavily breathing, her hair messed up and she no longer has a ponytail. Her right eye is bruised and her head is bleeding, blood trailing along the right side of her face.
She shouts in anger at Akishima, "I'm gonna kill you! You won't get away! You're gonna pay for what you did to Koji!"
Akishima was stunned. First was the fact that she got back up after he had knocked her out and the other thing was the name that she called, 'Koji'. He realized right away that Koji was the name of the fat boy whom he killed.
But that wasn't the real problem, because even though she's in this critical state, she's persistent in defeating Akishima. At the same time, she rushes at Akishima who's pretty surprised at the girl's endurance. Nevertheless, he prepares himself for the incoming assault.
But right as the girl's in his range of attack she ducks unconventionally. Akishima is visibly confused as to why she did that because he had not attacked yet. However, before he could even react he sees the ninja right in front of him stepping on the girl's back as leverage to launch his attack.
As if Akishima's body was moving on its own, he dodges an incoming slash from the ninja. Akishima himself was surprised as he was sure he was dead a second ago. But then he was shook with a sudden jolt of realization and it was this realization that caused him to turn serious.
At the same moment, he shifts his upper body to his left and performs a swift motion with his foot; a deafening sound reverberates through the stairway, as Akishima kicks the ninja with his right foot. The attack was so powerful that the ninja was sent flying into a wall. This attack was none other than the extension leg attack, the martial arts technique, Roundhouse Kick.
At the same time while he was over the girl he readied his elbow and dived down, burying it in the girl's back causing her to groan in pain.
All of this happened in just under two seconds. Akishima has successfully knocked down his opponents once again.
Well, no, they're not finished just yet. The girl and the ninja weakly get up off the ground and it seems that Akishima was expecting this as he readies himself with a stance. The battle between Akishima and the two foes… Is about to begin.
*On The Second Floor Where Hisashi, Matsumoto, Shiden And Tsukikage Lie…*
Hisashi is lying on the floor, unconscious, with burning bruises and cuts all over his body. He is defeated. Whilst Shiden is a few meters away from him, looking triumphant.
Matsumoto has seen the scene before him and seems to be a little surprised. He knew Shiden was powerful; however, that last attack he did was unbelievable.
Tsukikage is nowhere in sight and the prison that trapped Matsumoto along with the magic circle is nowhere to be seen either.
Matsumoto looks completely fine, no injuries can be seen on his body. He strokes his long, white beard, observing the scene before him.
So what happened? What happened to cause Hisashi's defeat, Tsukikage's absence, and Matsumoto looking completely fine and having not been pierced by the blood spikes? What happened on the second floor of the Gomi Palace?
(To Be Continued)