Disclaimer: I don't own the rights of Touhou Project. Touhou Project is property of ZUN.

[Location: Scarlet Devil City, Manor of the founder, entrance hall]

Mateus' POV

Right at front of us on the inside of the building inside the city mansion, we could see several girls, some of them standing, others seating on some of the couches and chairs that were gathered on the hall, all of them have an expression of anticipation and curiosity on their faces.

All of them, were wearing an outfit completely different from the other, as if that also indicated their unique personality, there were like 9 girls right there, at first sight I could tell that 2 of them are wearing miko outfits, 1 has a complete black and white witch dress, 2 wearing formal dresses, another one wearing a set of modern-like samurai outfit, another one wearing some sort of magician costume, one wearing a maid outfit and there was she; Aya Shameimaru, now instead of wearing a reporter like outfit, she was wearing a set of white shirt and black skirt on her, with the tie of her shirt and side of the skirt having an autumn design woven there.

Containing the amusement of the sight, Makoto and I started to walk very formal-y to say the least; remember Mateus to always give the best first impression.

Focusing instead on the inside of the building we are in, it looks certainly more like the inside of a mansion instead of some business building compared to the rooms of the city mansion. Right above them there is a wide stair with a red slightly glowing carpet running to the entrance, and right on the wall in front of our sight, there is a huge portrait of what I think it is the blue haired pale girl of the pamphlet Makoto show me but wearing there a pink dress with a white mob cap.

"Remy, is it necessary to say all that, you'll kill me of boredom if you don't restrain your act"

The silence breaks up by the girl that is wearing the red miko outfit with untraditional accessories that makes it up for a modern miko and with brown hair calling out to someone.

'Remy', wait isn't that Remilia Scarlet.

"Would you look at that, those guests of honor sure have a taste for fashion, ze."

Another voice comes up, this time from the black and white witch, blonde long hair and carrying a broom with some mechanical parts attached to it. Also I'll take that as compliment.

!

"So you are Rosen and Kirinou-sama, may I take your belongings and in the meantime shall I bring you anything to eat or drink?"

Suddenly, right close to us there is the girl in maid uniform standing, how did she do that?

The girl has silver hair with braids and her maid costume doesn't seem to be like an ordinary maid uniform but more like a female formal suit but with a small apron below her waist.

Makoto "Wait what, when did you get here?"

Exactly what I'm thinking about.

Makoto "But, no thanks, we are good right now."

Sakuya "As you wish, also I'm Izayoi Sakuya at your service."

Witch "You sure about that, ze? You'll need some energy for later."

"Marisa-san, that can wait, I bet you two had want to rest a little don't you?"

The witch gets interrupted by the other miko; which has long green hair and wears an opposite color outfit to the red one, the shirt is sleeveless and wears a blue long skirt and also she has like some hair clip in the shape of a snake on one of her braids.

Aya "Hey you two, how you've been? You got here earlier than expected."

At least a recognizable face is calling out.

Mateus "Hello Mr. Reporter, here to make us spill another scoop for ya?"

Aya "Nah, you don't need to be interviewed anyways, this is another type of scoop."

What would she mean by that?

Makoto "Oh, so how long have you been waiting here?"

Red Miko "About an hour or less, I haven't taken the time anyway."

"Don't worry young men, you are just in time for this reunion."

Another voice comes up, and this is from an older voluptuous woman with short pink hair sitting beside the white haired swordsman, ermh... swordswoman, the woman is wearing a sky blue kimono and hat with a triangular headpiece with a symbol in it.

And the white haired swordswoman wears a green and black uniform with 2 katanas on her right side of the waist and a short sword at the left, quite the skillful she might be then.

"Don't you all have something to say, especially you Sanae- san?"

Another old woman that is besides the green haired miko starts to call out at everyone, the woman is wearing a red fancy dress with a rope wrapped around her waist and tied on her back as a ribbon.

"Oh, how inconsiderate of my part, Kanako-sama. My name is Kochiya Sanae, nice to meet you."

Kanako "I'm Yasaka Kanako, she hasn't mentioned but we are representatives of the Moriya Grounds."

Yuyuko "Well, since the Moriya people are the first, let's continue from the more ageful; I'm Saigyouji Yuyuko, ruler of the Underworld and with me assisting around is the gardener and servant, if you could present yourself please."

Youmu "As you wish Yuyuko-sama, I'm Konpaku Youmu, hello Kirinou-san and Rosen-san."

Aya "Well they already know me, sooo... You three go."

Aya points out to the red miko, the witch and the blonde magician.

Marisa "Here I our entrance gals, I'm Marisa Kirisame, the most prominent witch through Gensokyo salutes you. And these are my sidekicks Reimu and Ali.."

Suddenly the red miko shoves aside Marisa in a swift elbow turn, standing in front of her now.

Reimu "Stop fooling around, you're the partner anyway, anyway I'm Hakurei Reimu, ni-"

Marisa "The most powerful maiden of the Hakurei and human in Gensokyo, well besides me."

And Marisa shoves aside Reimu before she can finish, all full circle it seems.

Alice "Please Mari-san, that is disrespectful you know. Ehem... I'm Alice Margatroid nice to know you in person, Makoto and Mateus."

Alice bows down and later, she snaps her fingers and suddenly. Two dolls starts to float around and flying to us, they are dressed with an outfit similar to Alice. The two dolls shows to us a card, Makoto and I take one card of each doll.

"Alice Margatroid, puppet master and show entertainment at you service. XXX-737-XXXX"

Mateus: Thanks, I guess.

The dolls bow down as well and they go back behind Alice.

Mateus "Well, guess that's everyone here, with all that we can only say: This is such an interesting world."

Makoto "But I hope that the other places we might visit, they better be just impressive castles or palaces and not a district inside a mansion, that's totally-"

"Amazing isn't it humans? A domain perfect for the greatest of all highs."

Mateus "Woah, look out!"

Suddenly a swarm of bats start to surround us from the corners behind us.

I phase without any trouble, letting the bats fly through me and having a cool and composed; while Makoto takes his iron bar in a swift swing and a heavy gust of wind appears, pushing away the bats.

The bats gather around floating in the center of the hall where no one is, the group of bats starts to dissipate into a red mist one by one till a red and dense cloud emerges.

"Nice display, you two, sure you all possess great potential to growth in power."

Makoto "Thanks for the compliment, now show yourself if you don't want a wind shot."

Makoto's threat doesn't seem to do a difference to the red cloud.

!

The cloud suddenly disappears into nothingness and I stare back to Makoto to see a blue haired girl with black wings, wearing a male business suit with a red shirt and tie behind him as she places her hand on her shoulder.

Makoto "..."

Makoto slowly stares to his back and... Well my dude, prepare for a jumpscare.

Vampire girl "You meanie, how dare you speak like that to the host of this party and owner of the house. Is that how you speak to your mom?"

Her mischievous expression changes into one that a little girl would do to set her brother into a honey trap.

Makoto don't fall for that please.

Makoto "I don't have a mother."

Well, talk about a harsh response.

Mateus "Hey, if you say that you are the owner of the mansion, so you must be-"

Remilia "Exactly, the one and only Founder and First Chairwoman of the SDC, Remilia Scarlet."

Okay and that leaves to all of us, saying our names.

Remilia "So, without further ado. Sakuya, gather everyone at the west rooftop, also be sure to bring the tea, this will be an entertaining show."

Break

[Location: SDC, Family manor, east rooftop]

Makoto's POV

We are gathers outside at a wide area above the floors of the city mansion, the area looks like an another courtyard with resting areas covered by big umbrellas, it seems that this rooftop is high enough from the city as we can see the sky again, well a vampire wants to enjoy the outside, but wouldn't she be reduced to ashes if she gets in contact with the sun.

In the meantime, we are in fact enjoying the meeting, seems like anyone has a topic to talk about, we have told them as well about our job and the situation that happened yesterday.

Now that I think in retrospective, we have met with only these two days, well leaving aside the fairy and youkai butlers at the ship and the city mansion.

Makoto "Hey Mateus, isn't it rare that we are around girls and girls only?"

Mateus "You are right, I had my doubts about this, but neither here nor the temple at the world, things went a 'raging' bugger, if you know what I mean."

Makoto "But something for sure is that we are going to meet even more girls, and I'm calling it that some of them will be peculiar."

Makoto "If you say so, just in case let's never drink around these girls so that even more peculiar situations won't happen around."

Mateus "Listen you worrying cunt, relax, it's not like we are getting set up for some crazy stuff."

While we were talking, Reimu approaches us with Sanae and Sakuya.

Reimu "So are you ready to lose? I mean seeing how you two are confused and unaware of what's happening"

Makoto "What? What are you talking about?"

Sakuya "My apologies if you weren't noticed before but, I get that you two were given a book right?"

Mateus "You mean that book about 'Danmaku'? What about it?"

Sanae "You see, since you two managed to solve the situation of yesterday easily. Many important people, Lady Kanako included, wants for the two of you to take a test, so to speak."

Mateus "What are you serious? I mean I don't think you expect us to-"

Reimu "Win your first duel without any kind of practice? Yeah, I'm thinking the same as you. In fact, Marisa is talking about going all out with her wallet for a bet if you two lose."

Mateus "Fan-fucking-tastic! So who is going to bite the dust?"

We stare still, seeing each other's heads, remaining indecisive on who is going to literally go in a blaze of glory.

…

Makoto "I'll be the first one."

Mateus "…!"

Sanae "gasps"

Reimu "Wait what?"

Mateus grabs me on the shoulder, second later that I said my statement, he stares around my face and his surprised expression changes to an expressionless and stern face. Saying already 'I'll place my trust in you'.

Mateus "You sure about that mate?"

Makoto "Well, I was the one floating and shooting around but in fact it seems that I have some luck, like I'm getting it pretty quickly."

Let alone that I was reading the book in the ship, I feel like this thing is easy for me to understand. I mean, I wasn't considered the best player when it comes to bullet hell games.

Makoto "Also, it may be good for you, you learn things more easily when it is put in test in real life."

Mateus "Good point, so you know what, go for it banchou slugger, show them what you're made off mate."

Thanks for the thumbs up partner.

Sakuya "Ok then, in that case, I shall tell everyone and prepare the open platform of there."

Well then, time for the ruthless slugger from Osaka to do an exhibition of its power again.

Break

Mateus' POV

While waiting for a while, Sanae and Aya came to Makoto asking about his spellcards and gave him like two floating red glowing cards that it seemed to emanate some sort of spiritual energy.

If I remember from what Makoto told me on the ship, the spellcards is the heavy artillery when it comes to danmaku duels, these cards could release those bullet curtains that were shown in the book.

[Miracle "God's Wind"] From Sanae

[Wind Sign "Tengu Rainstorm Gust"] From Aya

How considerate from them

Apparently they gave him those cards because of his powers being based on wind. So that makes me wonder, what element or affinity does my trespass ability fit in though?

Or maybe just simple, old fashioned magical element.

As for that, Marisa came to me as well, lending me two spell cards as well

[Magic Sign "Stardust Reverie"]

[Black Magic "Event Horizon"]

I have to say that these are really cool names, so she assumes that my power is really a magic ability too.

Soon after that Sakuya and Remilia appears up on the concrete platform on this rooftop with the red haired driver and a sky blue haired girl that we haven't met before.

The girl has more noticeable tanned skin than everyone else, she is wearing a white and blue dress with a flower accessory attached to her chest, another noticeable thing are the crystal shards that are floating on her back, three on each side.

Mateus "Who is she?"

Remilia "The most ideal person to put your partner Makoto in his place, his first opponent as well."

Mateus "Wait, what do you mean about put him in his place?"

Marisa "You see Rosen, this ice fairy that you are seeing, is a little bit thickheaded, so I was expecting from Remilia to tell her some lie so she can join up in this."

Ice fairy "HEY VAMPIRE! Who is this person you say that calls me a living ice cream machine?"

Oh, that level of thickheaded, well this can end only in the rarely best cases or in the most obvious worst cases ever, time to grab the popcorn.

Remilia "Is the one with the worst jacket that I've ever seen holding an iron bar."

Oh no, she had to say it, also…

How is she able to float around in plain daylight!?

Makoto "Hey you flat chairman, how about I go fighting you instead."

As Makoto was starting to rush at Remilia, I stop Makoto with my hand reaching to his shoulder.

Mateus "Hey you, crazy cunt, do you really want to go against someone that in my opinion, she is like into some underground connections, just look at her, she is floating in daylight, she must be like a really strong vampire."

Remilia "Flattery won't get you everywhere Rosen, but I take the compliment anyway, as well I'll want to fight you instead. Let's not waste more time already, so Reimu-chan are you ready to give beginning to the duel."

Reimu "Alright, Makoto-san, please walk to the platform then, that I'm going to start the duel."

Makoto "OK sighs"

Makoto stands on the platform on the opposite side where the ice fairy is.

I see that everyone gathered here has taken their seats on the covered tables from the rooftop, Aya is reading now her camera and floating around so she can get every angle of the event. I seat next Alice and Marisa

Reimu "Ok, Let the duel between Makoto Kirinou and Cirno start, 3 Lives, 2 Spellcards, remember to stand only on the platform as for standing outside the combat area it will qualify as a penalization and life minus. Got that!?"

Makoto "Ready"

Cirno "Yeah, I'll show him who's the strongest here."

Reimu "Well then, Begin."

And here we go.

The first duel.

Makoto and Cirno starts to take flight now in a fast speed, Makoto swings and twirls his iron bar in an accelerated pace as little visible wind vacuums appears flying right to the sides. The swings end up in a burst of green particles appears from Makoto's free hand, those bullets are shot slowly straight to Cirno.

Cirno "Ha! Take this!"

Cirno steps back and avoids the little vacuums that were flying to the sides and raises her hand on Makoto's direction, suddenly little ice crystal shards appear going straight to him fast.

Makoto steps back as well and swings to the sides, letting bigger vacuums to appear, but it seems that they go in a more closed arc as the ice shards starts to get in Makoto's distance.

*shattering ice*

Cirno "Huh?"

Everyone "!"

As soon as the ice shards were flying close range to Makoto, one by one started to break up by Makoto's swing vacuums, it looks like he shot them first as a means of blocking incoming bullets.

Wow that's really amazing for him.

As soon as the last crystal bullet broke up, Makoto spins his bar again in a front direction aiming at Cirno, the green bullets that were flying slowly, suddenly picks up more speed. As Cirno looked shocked by her barrage being blocked, the green bullets were going right in front of her.

She has no chance to react enough and avoid them all.

*pichun*

The hit goes straight to her chest

Reimu "First hit to Cirno, 3-2 in favor of Makoto."

Everyone gasps by the short time that Makoto managed to get one life down on that fairy.

Aya "Wow, are we going to have a case of 'Beginner's luck' in this duel."

Marisa "Oh no, not even 15 seconds passed and he is in lead, my bets…"

Mateus "Makoto! Start to rock like a hurricane right now."

Makoto "Isn't it what I do always Mateus?"

Makoto and Cirno stops their flying at the same time, now they are staying floating on a different corner of the platform, only exchanging stares. Looks like Cirno overestimated her confidence when fighting against Makoto.

Cirno "How careless of me, I just let you have some chance of opportunity here human, while you were getting worked up I was warming up a little."

No. No you didn't you ice fairy, also, so much irony with the last thing you said.

Cirno "Now, I'm really serious to take you on."

Cirno starts to move around on the sides now while shooting now, ice bullets to all directions, so this is the part where the bullet hell comes up. For a little while around Cirno, the area was a sight for all kinds of spheres, beams and ice shards flying to Makoto's area.

I don't think Makoto or even I would be able to evade all that without taking a flight course first.

Makoto steps back and moves his head around trying to figure an open space where he can go to avoid all that, Makoto stops, looking at the platform where there some of the bullets are already colliding and disappearing on the ground.

Makoto starts to jump up with extended arms as if he is going to take a dive jump into a pool, the acceleration of the fall lets Makoto to take up speed and moving down fast, preventing the floating bullets that were in close range on him to hit him.

Just some feet's away from kissing the ground, Makoto changes direction and flies now straight in front, he holds his bar on the center of it and a lit green glow emerges.

Now Makoto passes through the curtain that Cirno shot to him and aims Cirno with his bar, still holding it from the center. A rapid fire of green pulse lasers comes out from the edges of the bar going up to Cirno. As she was still shooting her shards in front of her, she notices the beams closing on her, she moves around now to avoid them and changes her direction as well aiming below now.

Now she is shooting streams and streams of bullets on were Makoto is moving, each of them is trying now to shoot at the other while moving as well, this continues for some seconds until Cirno stops and casts a large crystal shard to block Makoto's bullets.

Cirno "Behold, my special attack!"

[Freeze Sign "Perfect Freeze"]

Suddenly, around Cirno there was emerging a blue dense mist that is spreading above the platform, the cloud is letting Makoto to barely see clearly above where Cirno is, posing this as a problem. Soon after little particles were colliding on the ground around Makoto.

It looks like the bullets re going in any direction without aim or pattern at all now, they are only shooting around Makoto. Makoto reacts and flies away from it but the barrage of bullets seems to keep following, Makoto tries to shoot a swing from his bar but it gets blocked by shards that are appearing surrounding Cirno, he tries to swing various shoots to try to break her defences.

But the barrage starts to flank around Makoto, putting him into a corner. I hope he remembers the spellcards that Sanae and Aya gave to him so he can stop the barrage.

!

Makoto takes out one of the cards but as soon he takes it out, one of Cirno's bullets hits the card, the card starts to break up in a white glowing light, dispersing the barrage of bullets and the cold cloud of Cirno's spellcard.

Talk about clutching it out, mate.

[Miracle "God's Wind"]

Reimu "Sacrifice from Makoto, 1 spellcard left."

What, death bomb?

Mateus "What is a death bomb?"

Alice "You see, that bullet was going to Makoto's chest right?"

Mateus "Yes"

Alice "Ok, so in first place for a hit to count, it must be directed to the enemy's chest, shoulders or back, the arms and legs don't count as life lost."

Mateus "Alright, but what happens anyway when a bullet hits anywhere but those spots?"

Alice "Nothing, you just get hurt, sometimes is best to hit someone there, stopping their attacks and reach for an opening."

Sucks to be me that Makoto didn't told me that on the ship. Now that's some interesting facts.

Mateus "Also, in case of a melee hit, what happens?"

Alice "Obviously you get disqualified."

Mateus "Alice, I have another question regarding my power"

Alice "In case that you have a peculiar ability that may give you a beneficial handicap or a detrimental handicap for the other one, you won't be able to use it, if you use it consider yourself disqualified as well."

Well, that's a bugger, it seems I'm as good as dead when it comes my turn.

But what if that handicap is good or bad for either of us, so maybe I can pull some tricks of on this.

I stare back to the battle and see that Cirno is having trouble evading the several streams of bullets and large spheres that surround Cirno, as some of them are in fact hitting her on the legs and arms.

I see below her that Makoto is holding now his bar with his two hands, aiming at the back of Cirno, since she isn't watching him right now.

The barrage of Makoto's spellcard starts to cease his fire and in the same moment Makoto shoots a bullet directing to Cirno's back.

*picchun*

Reimu "Second hit to Cirno, 3-1 in favor of Makoto."

Everyone "Woaah"

Aya "Oh for Lord Tenma, this is going to be an interesting scoop."

Sanae "Amazing, Kirinou-san."

Yuyuko "How amusing turn of events." "giggles"

Is this it, Is Makoto going to 3-0 this match?

Boy! This is unreal.

Sorry Cirno, but you are about to take the L from an Osaka banchou student.

Makoto flies up to meet Cirno's altitude and stare back at her, getting far away as well from their distance.

Cirno "NNAAH! That's not fair human, that was a powerful spellcard, that doesn't make this things fun."

Yeah, you about to lose.

Cirno "This will end you for sure."

Makoto "breathes" "OK, show me what you got, you living ice cream machine!"

Talk about the disrespect, I have to say now that these danmaku duels are now getting really interesting and awesome.

Cirno "AHHH!"

[Frost Sign "Frost Columns"]

Huge pillars of ice start to fall around the platform, surrounding Makoto, the pillars cover so much of the platform's space and this doesn't let Makoto to move freely enough. In fact, Makoto is literally trapped within the closed space around the ice pillars.

Unless he uses again his spellcard, he may have a chance to get out of there and approach Cirno and try to shoot her up.

The ice pillars enclose around enough to the point that the pillars are pressing each other, if what I'm thinking what would happen is that the pillars are going to shatter and those shards are going to scatter around Makoto.

Remilia "Hey tengu, can you record the action from above for us? Those pillars are ruining the show."

Aya "Ok, connect then the giant screen."

Sakuya "The screen is already activated, is now waiting for a signal Aya-san."

Everyone takes a stare back to one of the rooftop's edges where there is appearing a large screen of the size of a cinema's screen. The screen turns on and from there we can get a sight of the situation at a top view. The screen is placed just at the lateral edge of the platform, so Makoto and Cirno can't see the screen

Right there at the cage of pillars, there is Makoto swinging his bar from the center of it at an abnormal speed. Little vacuums can be visible enough from the screen, those swing bullets are hitting straight to what I think it is the bottom part of the pillars, as if the phrase "You are not helping!" couldn't fit more perfectly in this situation, this will cause for the pillars to break up more.

*Ringing*

!

*High Ringing*

!

The sound that the vacuums produce when colliding with the pillars, seem to make a prominent bell sound that everyone can hear. So he is using his sound powers to maybe create an exit from the pillars.

Makoto stops swinging enough as he and us we can see that the bottom part is about to explode. He holds now his bar now right beside his waist, then he proceeds to launch that bar in the air as he is holding now the last spellcard he has.

As Cirno looks dumbfounded by his actions she stops the pressing of the pillars and aims her hand at the bar in midair. As soon as she shoots another shard from her hands, Makoto snaps his fingers letting a high sound of it.

Right afterwards the bar starts to descend at an enormous speed, and for a while the bar starts to strike the ground.

*stump*

*breaking glass*

A sound so loud such as a thunder echoes through all the area and suddenly the bottom part of the columns breaks up and they get launched upwards.

Everyone "gasps"

Mateus "…!"

Where's Makoto? Looks like when the pillars got broken and launched upwards, he disappeared, Cirno is looking surprised at the pillars that are in midair.

Cirno "Hey mister, this ain't time for Hide n' Seek, show yourself."

Makoto "As you wish."

[Wind Sign "Tengu Rainstorm Gust"]

Suddenly a green cyclone appears between the launched pillars, Cirno tries to escape but the gust is too strong for her to completely avoid it, so she finds herself in the center of the cyclone.

In the middle of the cyclone, we can see Makoto reading his bar and rushing to Cirno at a superhuman speed. Looks like Makoto is preparing a full strike with his bar as soon as it starts to glow in a green aura as well.

Cirno being cornered due to the cyclone and in front of her being a really fast opponent, looks she doesn't have any options left. But suddenly Makoto launches his bar.

*strike*

*picchun*

The launched bar does a thrusting strike on her chest

Well, the fact that Makoto 3-0 a fairy as for his first duel is too dreamy to be true, as if some writer just wrote a poor situation and cornered itself, at least Makoto should have lost a life so that it doesn't look like such asspull, but well the truth is as it is, Makoto won.

Congrats mate, you deserve a pat on the shoulder.

Reimu "Third hit from Makoto, Cirno is defeated, Makoto Kirinou is the winner of this duel."

*claps*

*claps*

Alice "Consider yourself lucky Mateus-san that your friend right there held back and used his bar as a shot."

Are you a psychic perhaps, Alice?

Aya "Thanks for your unexpected performance rebel student, this is going to be a great scoop."

Yuyuko "Remilia-san, thank you for inviting me to such amusing event, what do you think Yasaka-san?"

Kanako "To be honest, this is such an unbelievable result for everyone."

Marisa "Well it is a fairy that Makoto got to duel after all, had been someone right here, that 3-0 of his would've been of someone else instead, in fact we shouldn't even need to use our spellcards."

Mateus "Well talk about boasting to the max aren't you?"

Reimu "Is true Rosen-san, our experience and abilities are as this mansion compared to yours which is just a miniature house made of cardboard boxes, to that levels of comparison we are right now"

Mateus "Okay so whose opponent of all you also have a cardboard made house?"

Remilia "Well if you want a normal house, how about you take on my best eyes-closed warrior, Meiling?"

Mateus "Huh, if you put it that way, at least I want my house made with high quality maple wood."

Remilia "Well, consider that a deal then."

Meiling "Wait me? Also, aren't you joking right?"

Remilia "Unfortunately, we couldn't find any other fairy or wandering youkai, so Meiling, as you shouldn't slack off in your job, you shouldn't slack off now in your performance if you want to prove that you have a maple wood house with the quality of all highs."

Meiling "Alright Mistress, I won't let you down."

Feels bad for you Meiling-san, having such a hard-ass boss, even if you are still expressing a smile right now, you have my most sincere pity.

Remilia "Obviously that's a joke, not for nothing I consider you as the leader in the security of the SDC, but make sure to hold back on this mortal."

Makoto "Guys, just before Mateus' first humiliation begins, can someone bring me some mineral water and some chilly desert, phew, this is kind of exhausting."

Sanae "Right on it Kirinou-san."

Mateus "Hey mate, what is that of my first humiliation?"

Break

Makoto's POV

After 30 minutes of resting, I took seat next to Sanae and Youmu who are always beside their superiors, on the left side of the platform there was Mateus, stretching out his limbs and closing his eyes for a while, as if trying to get some awakened power before the duel or some sort. Meiling is at the right side of the platform as well stretching out and doing some meditation.

He told me that Marisa lent him two of her spellcards, so he has that covered, as well Alice told him about the hit zones and the melee disqualification for future duels that we might had.

Honestly, I can't believe I managed to pull off the win even being a flawless victory, but at the moment when I was fighting Cirno, the adrenaline or the thrill of battle kicked in stronger than the confrontation of yesterday.

Maybe I should stop overthinking and just admit that I have some talent in this or I should thank the good old beginner's luck for this.

Reimu took a rest as well and drank some water as well, so Marisa is taking the role as referee for this duel.

Marisa "Okay everyone, is the opponents ready?"

Marisa "Remember this duel consists of three lives and only two spellcards to use, right?"

Mateus "Just say the word, witch, I'm ready to embrace my fate."

Meiling doesn't say a word, instead she nods with her head and readies her stance.

Marisa "Okey then, Mateus Rosen vs Hong Meiling, the duel can start…"

Marisa raises her left hand and shoots a star shaped bullet in the sky.

Marisa "NOW!"

Both of the oponents start to move around the platform to a different corner, as Mateus opens his hands, joining their fingers as if preparing to do a chop strike and Meiling jumps up and stays in midair while clenching her fist, channeling some sort of green aura around her arm.

Mateus closes his eyes and jumps as well and lands with his hand on the ground, he spins around and spreads his legs to each side and his legs are starting to glow in a lit yellow aura.

Meiling takes this as an advantage and releases the energy in her fist, bursting out bullets directed to the ground and Mateus' position.

Sanae "Makoto-san, don't tell me that he is moving around as if he were breakdancing?"

!

What, does Sanae know what breakdance is?

Makoto "I could ask you about how know that, but yes he is."

Youmu "Don't tell me that is his style of fighting?"

Mateus "At first Youmu-san, I wanted to think that it was indeed ridiculous but seeing that in action, I can see the benefits of it."

I could tell by the other's looks that are as surprised as well by Mateus' movements.

Mateus after spinning a while, he launches himself upward and having his legs spread, he proceeds to some kicks to the air as the energy gathered on the legs shoots out as wide slashes aiming to Meiling.

Meiling acts quickly and dodges the incoming swing bullets and uses her other hand to shoot another burst of bullets

Mateus does a dropkick to the ground with his left leg, performing a quick fall to the ground and using his right leg, takes a step forward and spins around again now, with his hands stretching out now.

While spinning the bullets seems to pass through his arms only, but it doesn't stop him from spinning in fact he is letting the bullets to hit only his arms and not his chest.

Maybe he can't use his trespass power at his full, but since it doesn't count the bullets hitting the limbs, talk about entering at guns blazing.

He jumps suddenly and his hands are now doing a pistol signal aiming now at Meiling while his legs are projecting that small yellow aura from before, making him float.

*bang*

Mateus' hands start to shake while bullets and beams comes out from them with a same rate of fire as a machinegun.

Meiling flies to the sides of the platform evading the attacks and shoots now a more controlled pattern of bullets toward Mateus as he lands on the ground and starts to perform many slides and sidesteps with his legs while still shooting with his hands.

This continues for a while with each opponent shooting and dodging, this is a completely different than my fight with Cirno when each of us went reckless and one took someone off guard to apply some 'punish'.

Meiling is the first one to stop and takes a step back. Soon after she takes her spellcard.

[Colorful Sign "Extreme Color Typhoon"]

A sudden barrage of petal shaped bullets of different colors surround Meiling and goes straight to Mateus. He suddenly dashes to the back, while performing dodging rolls and slides.

The amount of petals forming around Meiling increases as time passes and with that the pattern becomes faster, almost making her entire side of the platform full of bullets.

Well, now that is a curtain full of bullets.

Mateus doesn't seem to be unfazed by it, I mean we haven't gotten in a situation of thousands of bullets raining on us, well just that in this case is ridiculous to compare the simultaneous fire of multiple machineguns to this, as well these bullets are literally non-lethal.

Mateus stops at a corner, closes his eyes for a second trying to think of an opening, then he opens his eyes and slides phasing through the ground while his body is still visible.

He manages to get past Meiling preparing his hand to shot point blank at Meiling, but as if on cue a petal bullet goes behind Mateus.

*picchun*

*picchun*

Marisa "Well, that's surprising, both opponents have lost a live. Meiling has 1 spellcard to use as Mateus has only two."

Aya "Now we are seeing the one who slack off on the ship, compared to you partner."

Sanae "Did you spent well that time on your travel in training?"

Makoto "No, I was in fact just swinging my bar like crazy while listening to rock music."

Dude, why would I say that? I doubt they have rock music in Gensokyo.

Sanae "Oh, wow, you know, one of my friends gave me an album, they said it is a new release."

I have a quick look at the disc that Sanae was holding. It looks like it has artists from the 80's.

Wait. Wait.

But that disc came from 1998, almost 80 years of difference in my time, how's that even possible to say that is new!

Due to Sanae's remark, I'm starting to wonder about if Gensokyo has a different time flow than our world or if Gensokyo is just a past version of the world. For now, I shouldn't let myself get confused about it. I return back to view the duel going on.

Makoto "Would you look at that; I've been searching for that album in those months, but I think this may be not a good time to talk about that."

Well at least say something about it and end the conversation politely, then view how my partner handles this duel and finally get some answers

Mateus recovers and returns to his original position, standing on the ground; Meiling too.

Meiling "I have to say Rosen-san, that is some interesting mobility you can perform with your legs."

Mateus "Well, you certainly have more experience in this, I'm just moving around, this is one of the tensest warmups I've ever had."

Meiling "So you call this only a warmup, Rosen-san, I may not look really scary, but you shouldn't take me so lightly, even if this is only a friendly exhibition".

Mateus "The same can be said Meiling-san, the same can be said."

Mateus rushes flying already toward Meiling trying to get at a close distance in a phantom like movement while Meiling is reading her stance to prepare another burst of bullets but at the moment he jumps, he moves his left hand in a pull movement revealing a spellcard that was laying on the ground below her.

As soon as he reaches a barely close distance to Meiling, he reaches his hand on the spellcard being pulled and as soon as the spellcard started glowing.

[Black Magic "Event Horizon"]

Meiling "…!"

In an instant several magic circles appear around, surrounding Meiling in any direction from below. Then the magic circles shoot rapid and straight bullets upwards, this traps up Meiling in a cage.

At the moment the magic circles appeared, Meiling is startled and surprised enough with the spellcard so she moves backwards in order to get away from the pointblank shots.

But Mateus takes flight more and aims more up to where Meiling is flying.

Mateus "Gotcha!"

A sharp pointed beam comes out of Mateus' arm at a fast movement toward a part of the surrounding bullets where Meiling is getting close to exit out.

*picchun*

The beam went through the spellcard's barrage and hit Meiling's back

Marisa "Second hit from Mateus, now Meiling is at only one life left."

In an instant, Sanae got up of his seat and Aya stopped her photo shooting.

Sanae "But wait isn't that spell card buried in the ground as well as he slides through the floor as well?"

Aya "So it means that he used his powers unknowingly, you know that's cheating Mr. Rosen. Isn't that right referee?"

Marisa "Well the thing is that as soon as everyone returned to their positions and Mateus finished his speech, I just saw the spellcard right below Meiling, at first I thought that the spellcard must've slipped from him."

Kanako "Also he got in range to activate the spellcard nonetheless."

Reimu "In other words, he was already preparing how to land another strike, isn't it Rosen-san?"

Mateus "To be honest, that is one of my weakest magic tricks that I can pull off, later I thought if what if I just left the spellcard below her and didn't pull but I doubt I could've activated it."

Everyone starts to whisper around it, I can hear several people saying that is some 'bunny-in-hat' trick, others are affirming that he cheated.

Yeah, so he getting himself hit from Meiling's spellcard, he using his powers only on his legs since those don't really affect much in the duel and he lefting on purpose his spellcard.

I bet you had some revelation of someone pulling a coin from a machine far away with a string to think about this.

Makoto "Scarlet-san, maybe would've been a great idea to bring someone who is just as surprising and cunning as he?"

Remilia "You are absolutely right, Makoto. But I think the most important question is, how did he attracted the spellcard from that distance?"

Mateus "Vampire, I think that can be answered as to why I phased my legs on the ground if I could just flew grazing the ground only, hey reporter take a look at my left sleeve."

Aya gets closer to Mateus and with her camera takes a picture of his sleeve.

Aya "Oh my!"

Soon after the photo is revealed, she proceeds to show it to us.

Well would you look at that, just as I said about that revelation.

At the inside of the sleeve there is a thin black string loose on it.

Makoto "Basically, he tied that sting to the card, while he sleds on the ground he let the string poured on the ground little by little, so while in the middle of the jump he pulled the string and there it goes."

Remilia "Well then, enough wasting time and let's continue with the duel that it seems that my gatekeeper has 'fired up'."

Huh.

Mateus takes a quick turn and sees Meiling now shooting bullets as much as she can in many sizes and numbers. Aya proceeds to retreat quickly and continues with her photo shooting. He reacts on time and starts to use his leg mobility to evade again the countless barrage. But wow, not even saying a warning and already the action is kicking to its max.

Mateus does a high jump elevating him enough to reach one of the other rooftops of the mansion, at least he has more movement and space to move while flying. While in the air he releases his fist letting out a burst of yellow bullets without any kind of direction, going to the ground of the platform, she dodges them as well.

Meiling "Well, Rosen-san, I'll say that you are one amusing opponent to have around and that, if there is a chance, there will be many people to think the same. But as for now you still have long ways to go."

[Flowery Sign "Mountain Breaker"]

Meiling punches with her fist her last spellcard releasing several auras and circles in a rainbow color, the rate of which these auras appears increases in size and speed.

Mateus "…"

As Mateus dodges the several auras, he aims at Meiling and begins his shooting but some of the shots gets blocked to Meiling's spellcard.

As he tries to approach for another opening on the other side, the ripples changes direction and prevents him from ascertaining an opening.

After dodging another aura, Meiling does another punch that releases another aura in which its ripples are more frenetic and faster. Mateus stops for a while, breathes in, closes his eyes and begins to jump in a spinning rotation from the head to his feet, just like a ballerina or an ice skater.

He manages to enter through one of the ripples grazing with his arms through the aura, as he lands on the ground with only his hands, he proceeds to launch himself through another aura to another while getting farther from Meiling.

Finally, at the edge of the platform, he reaches to the point where due to the aura expanding even bigger, it takes more time to reach him, so he lands on his feet and he takes flight in which he takes out his last spellcard, grazing it to one of the auras.

*discharge sound*

[Magic Sign "Stardust Reverie"]

As soon as the aura hits the card, it dissipates immediately, appearing right away several magic circles around Mateus that shots star shaped bullets in a spiral pattern, but some of the bullets that comes out vanishes away and that includes Meiling's aura, he shots with his right arm an arrow beam that follows and pierces the remaining star bullets.

All opponents' spellcards seems to cancel. Meiling releases several faster petal bullets in the direction where Mateus is landing, but Meiling doesn't detect Mateus' last bullet.

*picchun*

*picchun*

One of the petals hits him in the shoulder, as well as his bullet hits right on her waist

Marisa "Ok, and that is another double hit from each other, but the one withstanding now and winner of this duel is Mateus Rosen."

*claps* *claps*

Well, that wraps it up well, at least you managed to pull off a win even if you were running out of option at that last part. Meiling goes back to where Remilia and Sakuya is.

I take off my seat and run towards Mateus.

Makoto "Hey partner, how are you feeling right now?"

Mateus "Thank to all kinds of gods that I learned the basics to say the least by watching you, but sighs I feel suddenly tired."

Mateus "Hey Marisa take these and thanks."

Mateus returns to Marisa the two spellcards.

Marisa "Thanks Mateus, now that this is out of list, mind if you can join us at the party?"

Mateus "Well, unfortunately, my internal clock tells me that I need to sleep."

!

And he passes out, well he sure put a lot of his energy into this. I manage to grab him by his shoulder before falling completely into the ground. Sakuya, Reimu and Alice notices this and goes as well to aid him. Sakuya brings already a blanket and lays it below him while Alice uses her dolls to lift him up and carry him over to the inside.

Makoto "Can I ask something Reimu-san?"

Reimu "Speak, I'm all ears."

Makoto "Is there something like 'Danmaku for Dummies' that we can get to learn for real?"

Reimu "Enter the rooftop by the east door, go down 2 floors, take the right corner till you reach the last door, from there ask anyone who is right there."

Makoto "Got it."

Author's notes:

Honestly, I think that in this chapter, I kind off wrote an asspull or the famous term "Deus Ex Machina", if that is true well, when it is summer break I'll go editing this out.

Despite that, well, as my first try in writting a bullet hell battle, it doesn't look that bad for me.

But that is my opinion, as always, if you had an opinion about all this, be sure to remind it on a review as well if there is a writting error or typo that it slipped by.

Nevertheless, I hope you enjoy reading this chapter.

Shine On!

Melex Rengsef