Hakuren's expression turned stern as he gazed at Takashi's frozen form. "We aren't done yet," he said, his voice firm.
As if in response, the ice encasing Takashi's body began to melt at an alarming rate. The air around him shimmered with heat as his fire, now uncontained, began to overflow.
Takashi's eyes snapped open, blazing with fury. "You can't just take down a Sorcerer Supreme!" he roared, his voice like thunder.
Flames erupted from his body, engulfing the surrounding area. The sisters shielded themselves, terrified, as Mikage and Akira stumbled back, their eyes fixed on Takashi's inferno.
Kaito, his expression unchanging, raised a hand. "Hakuren, it seems we have a problem."
Hakuren nodded, his eyes gleaming with a fierce light. "Indeed. Takashi's power is greater than I anticipated."
With a swift gesture, Hakuren summoned a wave of frozen air, colliding with Takashi's flames in a spectacular display of fire and ice. The two elements clashed, neither gaining the upper hand, as the battle raged on.
Kaito, his annoyance growing, raised his hand towards Takashi and Hakuren. "Won't you just give up?" he said, his voice firm.
With a swift utterance of "Defy", the magic surrounding the two sorcerers dissipated, leaving them momentarily stunned.
Kaito declared, "From today forward, I am a teacher, and Akira and Mikage are my students."
Takashi's eyes narrowed, his voice laced with skepticism. "Even if you're a teacher, you can't claim responsibility for my son."
Kaito smiled, his expression confident. "That is true, but I have permission from the Grand Sorcerer, the highest level of magic in our world. And I also have permission from the Sorcerer Supreme of Ice, Hakuren, and your first daughter."
Takashi's eyes widened in surprise. "When did Hakuren become a Sorcerer Supreme?"
Hakuren's expression remained serene. "Today."
The air was filled with tension as Takashi struggled to process this new information. His gaze shifted between Kaito, Hakuren, and his daughters, his mind racing with the implications.
The balance of power had shifted, and Takashi's control over his sons was slipping. The once-unshakeable Sorcerer Supreme was faced with a new reality, one where his authority was being challenged by a powerful teacher and his own family.
Kaito's eyes seemed to bore into Takashi's soul as he said, "You know the implications of going against the Grand Sorcerer."
Takashi's face fell, his shoulders slumping in defeat. He turned away, his voice barely above a whisper. "How did you...how did you make the Grand Sorcerer grant your request? He/She is not one to be trifled with."
Kaito's expression turned nostalgic, a hint of a smile playing on his lips. "Let's just say, the current Grand Sorcerer and I go way back. We share a... complicated history."
Takashi's eyes narrowed, his mind racing with possibilities. He had never heard of anyone having a personal connection with the Grand Sorcerer, a being of immense power and wisdom.
Hakuren, sensing the shift in the conversation, spoke up. "Takashi, it's time to accept the situation. Your son is now under Kaito's guidance, and the Grand Sorcerer has given their seal of approval."
Takashi's gaze lingered on Kaito, a mix of emotions swirling within him. He knew that defying the Grand Sorcerer would be suicidal, and yet, he couldn't bring himself to let go of his control over his sons. The once-unshakeable Sorcerer Supreme was faced with a difficult decision, one that would change the course of his life forever.
Takashi's voice was laced with a mix of anger and defeat as he said, "You've won...for now. But I will get my son back."
He turned to Kaito, Hakuren, Akira, and Mikage, his eyes cold and hard. "Leave. Take your victory and leave."
Then, his gaze shifted to his daughters, a hint of sadness in his eyes. "You can go with them, if you want to. I won't stop you."
The daughters exchanged hesitant glances, unsure of what to do. They had never seen their father so defeated, so vulnerable.
Kaito, sensing the emotional weight of the moment, nodded respectfully. "We'll leave. But remember, Takashi, this isn't the end. This is just the beginning."
With that, Kaito turned and walked away, followed by Hakuren, Akira, and Mikage. The sisters, after a moment's hesitation, decided to join them, leaving Takashi alone with his thoughts and his simmering anger.
Kaito's smile was warm and reassuring as he said, "Let's get you guys to the hospital. We can't have you walking around with those injuries."
Akira nodded, still trying to process the events that had just transpired. As they arrived at the hospital, he was surprised to see the Magata family name on the building.
"Wait, this is the Magata Hospital?" Akira asked, his eyes wide with wonder.
Kaito chuckled. "Yes, it is. The Magata family is quite influential, and their hospital is one of the best in the region."
Akira's eyes grew even wider as they entered the hospital. "I had no idea the Magata family was that strong," he whispered to Mikage.
Mikage smiled proudly. "There's a lot you don't know about our family, Akira."
As they were led to their rooms, Akira couldn't help but feel a sense of awe at the Magata family's power and influence. He had always known they were wealthy, but this was on a whole different level.
Meanwhile, Kaito and Hakuren were greeted warmly by the hospital staff, who seemed to know them well. Akira's eyes narrowed slightly, wondering what their story was.
Kaito's eyes sparkled with pride as he explained, "The Magata name is known worldwide for their various facilities, such as schools, hospitals, and companies. But what most people don't know is that they also serve as a meeting point for sorcerers."
Akira's eyes widened in surprise. "A meeting point for sorcerers? What do you mean?"
Kaito leaned in, a conspiratorial look on his face. "The Magata family has been a hub for sorcerers for generations. They provide a safe and neutral ground for sorcerers to gather, share knowledge, and conduct business."
Mikage nodded in agreement. "Yes, our family has always been involved in the sorcerer community. We've provided support and resources to help them grow and develop their abilities."
Hakuren added, "And, of course, we've also had our fair share of conflicts and power struggles. But through it all, the Magata name has remained synonymous with power, influence, and wisdom."
Akira's mind was reeling with the implications. He had never imagined that the Magata family was so deeply connected to the sorcerer world.
Kaito's face lit up with a warm smile as he said, "You know, this hospital has seen its fair share of injured sorcerers - some of them pretty banged up, if I'm being honest! But hey, that's all part of the job, right?"
He chuckled, his eyes twinkling with amusement. "And despite all the chaos, the Magata family has always been here to support and protect the sorcerer community. We're like a big, happy family... most of the time, anyway!"
Kaito's grin faltered for a moment, and he turned serious. "But enough about that. Let's talk about Takashi. Forget how he acted today - when he was younger, he was a total ray of sunshine! Always smiling, always laughing... he had this spark in his eyes that could light up a room!"
Mikage nodded enthusiastically, a faraway look in his eyes. "Yeah, Father was amazing back then. He was kind, gentle, and loved by everyone."
Hakuren added, "But that was before... well, you know. Before everything changed."
Kaito's expression turned thoughtful, but his tone remained cheerful. "Yes, well, Takashi may have changed, but he's still one of the best Grand Sorcerers in history! His magical prowess and achievements are still the stuff of legend!"
Akira listened, captivated by Kaito's infectious enthusiasm and the complex portrait of Takashi that was emerging.
Akira's eyes narrowed, his mind racing with the memory of the dark presence he had sensed in Takashi's heart. "Kaito, I think I saw something in Takashi's heart... a dark presence, like a shadow. What is it?"
Kaito's expression turned somber, and he nodded gravely. "Yes, you're right. It's a curse. One that's been plaguing Takashi for a long time."
Mikage's eyes widened in concern. "A curse? What happened?"
Kaito's gaze drifted into the past. "It happened during a mission, many years ago. Takashi was part of a team that was sent to investigate a mysterious energy source. But something went wrong, and... well, let's just say he came back changed."
Hakuren added, "Many have tried to break the curse, but it's too powerful. We don't even know what kind of curse it is or how to undo it."
Kaito shook his head. "I've studied the ancient arts, but I don't delve into the breaking of curses. It's a specialized field, and I don't have the expertise to help Takashi."
Akira's determination grew. "I want to help him. Can you tell me more about the curse and what happened during that mission?"