Kaito leaned back in the car seat, his eyes fixed on the battle unfolding before him. Ryota, the driver, glanced in the rearview mirror, curiosity etched on his face.
"What do you see in that boy, Akira?" Ryota asked, his voice low and smooth.
Kaito's gaze never wavered. "I see so much potential. I see someone who will join me in the relinquishing of evil, and will always keep me entertained."
Ryota raised an eyebrow. "Entertained?"
Kaito's smile was enigmatic. "Yes. You see, Ryota, there are two limitations to a mage's power: their mana output and their imagination. Some have low mana output but high imagination, while others have high mana output but no imagination. But when a sorcerer can bypass these limitations...they would be at my level."
Ryota's eyes widened slightly, understanding dawning.
Meanwhile, Mikage and Akira were running out of options. The snake's grip was tightening, and Akira's struggles were growing weaker. Out of desperation, Mikage drew every ounce of mana left and fired a condensed fire blast, calling out "Shooting Star Burn!" as he unleashed the attack. The flames engulfed the part of the snake holding Akira, momentarily stunning it and giving Mikage an opening.
Akira took advantage of the reprieve, his eyes locking onto Mikage's as he mouthed a silent "thank you". Mikage's gaze flicked back to the snake, his mind racing with their next move...
As Mikage collapsed from exhaustion, the snake raised its head, ready to deliver the final blow. But Akira refused to give up. With a fierce determination, he ran forward, picked up the broken swords, and began to tear through the snake's body with a ferocity that bordered on madness.
Despite being smashed and battered, Akira didn't stop. He kept slashing, his movements fueled by sheer willpower and adrenaline. The snake's body began to writhe and convulse, its grip on Mikage loosening as it tried to defend itself against Akira's onslaught.
Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, the snake lay still, its body broken and battered. Akira stood over it, his chest heaving with exhaustion, his clothes drenched in his own blood and the snake's.
Kaito, who had been watching the battle unfold, smiled in satisfaction. "Well done, Akira," he said, his voice dripping with approval. "You have truly proven yourself."
As Mikage and Akira were carried away, their wounds tended to by Ryota, Kaito's eyes gleamed with excitement. But what happened next made his gaze narrow in interest. The snake's shadow, seemingly lifeless, began to stir. It stretched out like a dark tentacle, reaching for Akira's limp form.
Without anyone noticing, except for Kaito, the shadow fused with Akira's body. It was as if the snake's essence had found a new host, and Kaito's eyes sparkled with intrigue.
He didn't say a word, however. Not yet. He wanted Akira to recover first, to regain his strength before revealing this new development. But Kaito's mind was already racing with possibilities.
What did this mean for Akira? For their plans? And what secrets lay hidden in the snake's shadow?
Kaito's smile grew wider, his eyes glinting with anticipation. This was just the beginning...
Hakuren's eyes clouded with concern as he gazed at Mikage and Akira's hospital beds. "I never thought Kaito would let you two go on such a risky mission," he said, shaking his head. "He's as reckless as ever."
Mikage's curiosity got the better of him. "Do you know Kaito that well?" he asked, his voice weak but intrigued.
Hakuren nodded, a hint of a smile on his lips. "Yes, I was his mentor. I've known Kaito since he was a child."
Akira's eyes widened. "Really? What was he like?"
Hakuren's expression turned nostalgic. "Kaito was never social, always stayed inside. His power manifested at just three years old, and he had no control over it. He was a wild card, unpredictable and dangerous."
Mikage's eyes widened. "That's so young! What happened?"
Hakuren's gaze drifted off, lost in thought. "He was given to me to take care of. At first, I was reluctant, but the more I thought about Kaito, the more I realized he was special. He surpassed me in every way, and he was the one who saw the limitations in all mages at just 12 years old."
Akira's eyes sparkled with curiosity. "What limitations?"
Hakuren's expression turned serious. "The limitations of mana output and imagination. Kaito realized that every mage has a ceiling, a limit to their power. And he's determined to break through that ceiling, no matter the cost."
Mikage's eyes met Akira's, both of them thinking the same thing: Kaito's ambition was both inspiring and terrifying.