Chapter 5: Arrival at Tenbi

[Tenbi Academy, Gymnasium 9:00 AM]

The gymnasium was filled with brimming students eagerly awaiting to not only begin the next semester, but also to take part in the many events during the Himekagura festival. Among them, several transfer students were bursting with confidence and hoping to be recognized by their seniors as capable element users.

Making her way up the stairs to the podium was none other than the head authority of Tenbi Academy and the principal, Minori Rokujou. Strutting past the other staff members with a hardened expression, gasps of amazement were heard among the transfer students at being able to meet the strongest woman of Tenbi Academy and the original leader of the Maken-Ki.

Minori stopped in front of the microphone, slowly turning her head to survey the large crowd of students present. Some she recognized, others were new to her and she smiled fondly at having such a large crop of new candidates to take up the gauntlet as the enforcers of the academy.

She cleared her throat and placed both of her hands on the podium, her face only inches away from the microphone.

"Well uhm, I'd like to open this announcement ceremony by first welcoming all of you back for the second semester. The school couldn't function without all of you being here so I'd like to thank you all! Especially the new transfer students, you guys rock!"

A round of applause followed Minori's opening statement, with a few students chuckling at Minori's over enthusiasm. Some things would never change.

The claps soon died down as Minori lowered her hand to shush them.

"Today, I have three important announcements I'd like to make to all of those present. First of all…" the students followed Minori's arm as she raised it and pointed over towards two individuals standing a few steps away from her. One was a tall burly man with short black hair while the other was a slender young boy with short blonde hair.

"Temporary Instructor Aomi Koshi-sensei and transfer student, Aomi Kai-Kun, will join our school as our new comrades. Also-

Before Minori could speak further, Koshi had already grabbed the microphone from the startled woman and inhaled deeply.

"Everyone! Summer may be over but we should passionately enjoy our days of youth!"

"….."

An akward silence followed the elated teacher's announcement, while Kai who was standing beside him sighed in embarrassment and face palmed.

"Aomi….Sensei…" Minori stuttered with an annoyed glare.

The man's enthusiasm could not be contained. "What!?"

"Stop screaming in my ear, you dumbass! Do you want to taste this iron fist of mine!?" She basically threatened him as she held a firm grip on his tie while he laughed nervously.

"M-My bad, I got too hot blooded…"

As Minori looked almost ready to strangle the hyperactive instructor, the attention was then directed to the other new transfer student who seemed to strike up quite well with the female students.

"Kai-Kun's kinda hot, isn't he?" A woman with brown hair mentioned to her blonde friend. Said friend nodded her head as she admired the figure of the calm and collected male student.

"He's a bit on the slender side but he's definitely up there in the looks department"

Several giggles followed those statements as Kai himself paid them no attention, wishing the blasted ceremony could be done with already.

After Minori had dealt with Koshi, she let out a heavy sigh as she grabbed the microphone back from him and turned her attention onto the students.

"I apologize for the rude interruption by that pest" She ignored the look of shock on Koshi's face at having been called a pest. "In any case, back to what I was saying; the second important announcement that I have to make is regarding the earthquake that was felt yesterday"

Several whispers and murmurs were heard among the students as some of them had their own personal concerns about the sudden earthquake. Haruko, was standing at the side along with the other members of the Maken-Ki frowned as her earlier thoughts about contacting the principal regarding the earthquake appeared to be correct.

"Quiet!" Minori's outburst seemed to work as the whispers began to die down, allowing her to continue what she was going to say.

"We've already sent an investigation team so there is nothing to be worried about. Until they return however, all students will be prohibited from entering the forest north of the academy. Only those who have permission from yours truly may leave, is that clear?"

"Yes ma'am!"

Minori smiled and nodded her head, glad to see she wouldn't have to clobber anyone who tried to defy her orders. She wasn't going to inform them on what she had seen yesterday as she even she still held her doubts on what it truly was. Hopefully, Yuuka and Sato could figure something out.

"Finally, the last piece of news I wanted to tell you all was that there was an incident with Ouken's Kamigari's chief who is currently being sought after. He's a criminal who's on the run that will be brought to justice with the combined efforts of Tenbi and Yomatsuri"

Once again, murmurs began to erupt among the students among hearing the sudden news. Yomatsuri was a branch of the government that had often made requests to Kamigari when dealing with dirty work but were never on good terms with them. The moment Ouken Yamato had perished, it already became well known that Yomatsuri were now actively attempting to find Yamato Takeru's body and deal with Kamigari once and for all. The sudden revelation of one of Kamigari's chief's suddenly going a wall was understandably shocking for most.

Standing near the entrance with her back against the wall was one of Venus Academy's top members and the self proclaimed idol of the school, Celia Ootsuka. She surveyed the troubled students with a sympathetic expression and could understand why most of them were troubled. She herself however, wasn't in the least bit taken back by the sudden news as she had heard it already from her captain.

"Celia! Have you seen Usui-kun?"

Celia turned her eyes to meet with a worried Haruko who was holding a clipboard in her hand.

"Who? Sorry, I don't have any interest in a boy that isn't Takeru-Kun"

Haruko felt her eyebrows twitch in annoyance at Celia's blunt statement regarding Take-chan…er, Takeru but she paid it no mind and placed a hand on her hips.

"Jeez, first Take-chan and now Usui-kun; both of them are going to get lectured by the principal at this rate. Just what are those two doin-wha!?"

Suddenly, a cracking sound could be heard coming a few feet away from Haruko and Celia who both jumped backwards, narrowly avoiding the concrete wall exploding behind them. Needless to say, everyone in the gymnasium turned around to gawk at the humongous woman entering through the large hole that she had made. Several other girls who were either sitting on top of the large woman's shoulders or standing beside her entered through the hole as well and leading the pack with a smug smirk plastered on her doll like face was none other than Otohime Yamato.

Minori, who was the only staff member not completely startled by the sudden turn of events was not pleased that the wall to her gymnasium was busted open and face palmed.

"You better pay for that damage, building this place wasn't cheap y'know?"

Otohime brought out a handkerchief to wipe some of the dust off of her dress and face. "Who cares? It's not as if the students learn anything here anyway"

A vein popped on Minori's forehead. "What'd you say, you damn brat!"

"Hmph" Otohime huffed in a condescending manner before she placed her hands on her hips and raised her fancy looking umbrella in her hand, pointing it towards all of the startled students.

"We're here to issue a challenge!"

Right on cue, all of the gathered members of the Maken-Ki made their way forward, directly in front of Otohime and her gals with stupefied expressions.

"A challenge? What are you talking about?" Haruko expressed with confusion apparent on her face. Haruko then finally noticed who the girls were that were beside Otohime and her eyes widened in bewilderment. "Love-senpai!? What are you and the rest of the third year's doing here?"

Espada, who had taken note of Haruko's figure smiled as heavenly as possible at her. "Oh? It's been awhile Haruko, you seem to have gotten stronger and more beautiful. This knight is most pleased"

The energetic Azuki stepped forward next to Haruko. "Challenge? Screw that, let's just duke it out here and now!" she exclaimed as she punched her palm with a fist, grinning with delight at the prospect of fighting the third year students who were rumored to be unbelievably strong.

Otohime brushed a strand of her silver locks out of her hair and directed a condescending look towards the startled red head. "Can the meathead gorilla please shut her mouth? We're having a discussion with humans, not wild animals"

That got Azuki's blood going as she grinded her teeth at the insult. "What was that!?"

"Calm down Azuki-san, don't listen to what she says" Inaho who had joined the group said as she placed a hand on her friend's shoulder to ease her aggression. Inaho knew how quick tempered Azuki was and getting her to think rationally would stop her from doing something she might regret.

Himegami, who was standing in the back close to Celia crossed her arms as she observed the situation, wondering what exactly was their aim to be so direct in their methods. Otohime was no fool so she was suspicious of the sudden proclamation of announcing a duel.

"What's her aim…" she wondered as she stole a glance towards Celia who narrowed her gaze as well. No doubt, she must have been thinking the same thing.

"What's this you said about a duel? Go on, explain" Minori, who had gotten most of the new students who were intimidated by Otohime's group to calm down, asked.

Otohime grinned. "It's simple. The Himekagura Festival will be the stage where our team will demonstrate our superiority over your pathetic students. What I propose is a face off between Team Yamato Takeru and Team Tenbi, with both sides putting their prized『Hachi-Maken』up for grabs!"

"Eh!?" A surprised gasp escaped from Haruko's mouth at the sudden challenge while the other members of the Maken-Ki traded worried expressions between each other.

"Have you gone insane? Why would we ever agree to such a ridiculous agreement?" Minori asked as she crossed her arms with a frown. The fact that Otohime would even believe for a second they'd accept these terms was making her highly suspicious.

The silver haired girl who was still smirking as if she still held all the cards in her hand merely huffed as she jumped up and landed on Kajiru's large shoulders.

"I wasn't aware of how cowardly you all were if the agreements did not heavily favor you" She brushed her silver locks and ignored the menacing glares she was getting from several Maken-Ki members over that comment "Alright then, how about I sweaten the deal then? What if we add in the whereabouts of our beloved Yamato Takeru-sama? Will that be satisfactory?"

"Wha!?" That voice came from Minori herself who couldn't believe what she had just heard. Several of the other staff members who were standing next to her were equally as shocked, even instructor Koshi.

Kai however, who had been observing the events till now with the same bored expression he always had on smiled devilishly at Otohime's bargain. The prospect of finding out where Yamato Takeru's body was clearly intrigued the boy as his face twisted into a maniacal grin.

"The whereabouts of Yamato Takeru…" Minori repeated those lines in her head as she studied Otohime along with the other third year students next to her. Obviously, the prospect of finding Yamato Takeru was an undeniable offer and obtaining the last of the four original Maken was also something to consider. However, Minori still had no intention of letting her students fight with them over it, especially considering who they were going up against.

She looked over to the members of the Maken-Ki who all looked ready to rumble at any second.

"Ah this is no good… those idiots want to fight head on. We need to capture Otohime right now and get the information out of her" Minori contemplated.

As Minori reached into her pocket to contact the other staff members to surround the gymnasium, a blinding indigo light appeared underneath Otohime and her squad, taking Minori by surprise.

"What!?"

Several of the students had moved away from the light, while the Maken-Ki members stood their ground and took defensive positions just in case.

"What's going on? What's that light?" Haruko questioned as her gals also held the same thoughts.

A hardy laugh then came from the smug Otohime who merely crossed her legs while sitting on top of Kajiru. "My my, it seems you've all taken us for fools. Did you really think we wouldn't prepare a backup plan just in case you would try to capture us?"

"Tch…!" Minori clicked her tongue in annoyance at having been seen through. Damn Otohime and her perceptiveness!

"In any case, I'm confident you won't refuse our sweet offer with the addition of Yamato Takeru's whereabouts. The rules of the duel will be discussed tommorow during the festival, we'll let you handle the grunt work of setting up the events. See you tomorrow then, we'll be looking forward to a great battle"

With that, the blinding white light that had shined underneath them completely enveloped Otohime's squad and moments later, they were gone without a trace. The students still left in the gymnasium were puzzled as to what had just occurred but it was clear to the members of the Maken-Ki along with the staff that the situation at the moment was far from pleasant.

[Forest Outside Tenbi Academy, Earlier]

Following the trail back to Tenbi Academy, three limousines tracked through the beautiful and serene setting of the forest. Each of the fancy and costly limousines were engraved with a lion's crest on the front, a clear indicator that they belonged to the Garret family whose crest was represented by the majestic figure of the king of beasts.

Isabella Garret, the first daughter of the Garret's and representative of the family sat with her esteemed guests in the middle limousine that was in between the limousines leading the front and rear. She glanced around the decorative room she was sitting in and examining her guests who were all filled with admiration and excitement at having been picked up in such vessel.

"I must say Garret-san, your family's wealth is quite… astonishing" Yuuka announced, still slightly in awe at how incredible the Garret's must be to have vehicles of such decor. She felt a bit jealous when comparing it to the clearly inferior style of her own Amado family.

"Yes! This limousine is really lovely!" Sato exclaimed, unable to contain her excitement and nervousness. She had never ridden in a car with such a clear showing of wealth and status before and was slightly fidgeting.

A proud smirk emerged from Isabella's face as she elegantly lifted a tea cup that was placed on a stand beside her and drank from it. "Tis nothing to be surprised about. This is only a mere fraction of our family's long list of possessions".

Both Yuuka and Sato let out sighs of amazement while a hardy laugh could be heard coming from Takeshi who was sitting on the opposite side of the girls with Nagi.

"I see you still love to brag about your daddy's hand me downs, eh Isabella? I heard your old man is quite the softie when it comes to giving his daughters what he wants"

Not a second later, the tea that Isabella had been oh so elegantly drinking came flooding out of her mouth, leaving everyone present dumbfounded by her spit take.

"T-Takeshi-sama!"

"Gahahaha! Sorry, I forgot that you didn't like someone mentioning that" Takeshi waved an apologetic hand as he continued to chuckle, clearly not regretting his decision. Nagi who was with him traded an amused grin at Takeshi's antics and then looked at Isabella, who instantly flinched at his sudden gaze.

"So, you're daddy's little princess?"

"N-No! Nagi-sama-I mean Nagi-san, I-It's not what you think!" Isabella's flustered face was showing again as her mind went into overdrive trying to change the subject off of being teased by her sensei and Nagi.

"Indeed she is, hoho!" An unfamiliar voice came from behind Isabella as the women in question glared daggers at her personal butler and the driver of the limousine, Alfred. The man had served the Garret's for generations and Isabella considered him to be her grandfather… a very nosy and embarrassing grandfather.

"Alfred!"

"Forgive me Isabella-sama, I couldn't resist" He half apologized as Isabella tried to regain her bearings, wiping her mouth with a folded napkin she had in her uniform pocket.

Yuuka and Sato giggled at Isabella's eccentric reactions, with Yuuka noticing how different Isabella was when she was with this mysterious friend of Ooyama-sensei's. She hadn't noticed it before because she was still greeting Ooyama-sensei but there was something… different about Nagi. Aside from his looks and style, Yuuka was confident that there was something that felt "unnatural" about him, especially considering she couldn't get a feel for his element level. Anyone who'd be connected to Ooyama-sensei surely must be recognizable in their own right and yet, she couldn't feel anything from him.

"I wonder just who he is…" She contemplated before a tugging on her uniform from Sato snapped her out of it.

Sato looked at her friend with a worried expression. "Yuuka-san? Is everything alright?"

Not wanting her to feel the same suspicions as her, Yuuka gave the friendliest smile she could make. "Yes, I'm fine. I was just thinking to myself, nothing to worry about"

Takeshi, who had noticed Yuuka's perceptive gaze towards Nagi frowned slightly. If he knew his Amado's as well as he think he did, Yuuka probably suspected there was something off about Nagi. While he was sure informing her that Nagi was from another world wouldn't be such a big deal in the long run, he refused to talk about it unless Nagi was alright with it. He stole a glance towards said man who only yawned in boredom at the car ride and sighed. Here he was trying to help him out and the guy was almost half asleep; what a guy.

The remaining car ride towards Tenbi Academy consisted mostly of back and forth idle chit chat between Isabella, Yuuka and Sato, with Takeshi chiming in every now and then with a joke or a question about how the school or his past students were doing.

As this was going on, Nagi remained relatively quiet through the ride, his eyes being glued to the endless sky up above. He didn't know why but there was something calming about looking at a clear blue sky; he fondly remembered how back home how he would fly for hours and just stare into the clouds, not a thought on his mind. Being born into an era of war and politics, it was one of the few things Nagi found solace in even after he had saved the world with the help of his trusted companions.

"Master…. Jack… Arika..." The names of those closest to Nagi appeared in his head as he could never forget their unforgettable mugs. Whether it be his master's calm and collected face, his best friend's goofy but determined mug, or especially his wife's embarrassed but passionate smile, he missed them all. He had fought his ass off to see that smile, enduring what any normal man would deem suicidal to attempt. Nagi didn't care though; he'd do it all over again if he could just see her one more time; to see that once empty and cold expression of her's turn into the sweet beaming smile Arika showed him after he had proposed to her.

Nagi's fists subconsciously tightened themselves as he smiled to himself, getting rid of the depressing mood he was feeling earlier. He'd find a way back home no matter how long it took and it seemed that learning about these Maken could be a good step in the right direction.

[Tenbi Academy Entrance, Moments Later]

Arriving at the front entrance of Tenbi Academy, the three limousines pulled up and all parked parallel from the large gate. In an instant, the bodyguards that were riding in the car had already gotten out and lined up in a row, waiting to escort their princess.

"It seems we've arrived" Isabella casually mentioned as she snapped her fingers and not a second later, the door next to her opened with a guard extending his own hand towards her.

"Please watch your step, Isabella-sama" one of the guards who was bald and wearing black shades advised as he held Isabella's delicate hand, leading her out of the vehicle.

The others soon followed and easy enough, all of them were standing in front of the limousines, facing the professional bodyguards.

Both Sato and Yuuka bowed respectfully while Takeshi gave a curt nod, not a full bow as the guards were fully aware of Takeshi's position as Isabella's instructor. Nagi however, didn't bother doing either and just waved his hand casually at her.

"Thanks for the ride, Isa"

Several annoyed glares came from numerous guards who couldn't believe how disrespectful this unknown man was being towards their princess but they all held baffled expressions as Isabella smiled sweetly at the man.

"Of course, it's no trouble at all. I do hope that it was to your pleasing?" She asked that with much more enthusiasm than anyone there could have expected.

Nagi half grinned. "Yea, it was pretty comfortable. Not a fan of all that decorative crap but the view was cool. Let me ride it in again sometime"

"Y-Yes! Anytime you'd like and I can have it arranged!" She was practically beaming with joy as all of her guards were flabbergasted at their princess's sudden change in behavior. Where the hell did their steadfast and collected princess go?

Alfred on the other hand held a fascinated gaze over at the two of them as he was able to immediately tell that his princess was quite smitten with this young man.

"That young man… he's quite exceptional"

"Huh? What do you mean, Alfred-san?" One of the other bodyguards questioned, with several others having the same train of thought.

Alfred just ignored their pleas for an explanation and studied the man closer. Not only did he have the physique and posture of a well trained fighter, he was obviously someone with enough conviction to speak with someone of Takeshi Oyama-sama's reputation without any form of formality. Takeshi was also noticeably comfortable in this man's presence as well, being much more talkative than usual during the many times he had visited him when his princess came to train. Yes, there was something definitely about Nagi that seemed to charm others to his presence, whether that be his laid back personality or clearly the man's god send looks that had his princess tongue tied.

"I wonder…" He held that thought in his mind before shaking his head and calling out to his princess, bowing in the process. "Isabella-sama, we'll be taking our leave now. Have a wonderful first day of school".

The other bodyguards bowed as well to show their devotion as Isabella smiled at them and nodded, turning to follow the others.

Yuuka, realizing that it was important to report back to the principal quickly, bowed towards Takeshi, Nagi, and Isabella.

"Forgive me but I must speak with the principal and report to her that nothing is amiss in the forest near the Oyama Dojo. Sato, why don't you escort Lady Isabella here to the gymnasium where the opening ceremony should still be taking place?"

"R-Right! Leave it to me!" Sato exclaimed happily as she grabbed Isabella's hands and began dragging her off.

"Eh? B-But hold on! What about…?" Isabella asked as she was still being led by Sato and turned her head to Nagi and Takeshi.

"Don't worry about them, you can meet them again later after the ceremony. Now come on! We'll be late, Isabella-san!"

"…I understand" She said somewhat disappointingly that she was unable to continue walking with her sensei and Nagi. However, she didn't want to be known as a tardy student on her first day so she endured and let Sato take her to the gymnasium.

Back with Takeshi and Nagi, the latter stared up at the school with mild curiosity as he examined the numerous stalls being set up but lack of any students in sight.

"Was there some sort of rapture that happened?" He asked with faint amusement.

"No dummy, it's around this time that they host the Hime-Kagura festival at Tenbi. It gets pretty wild around this season"

Nagi shot him a confused look. "Hime-what? You're gonna have to explain that one to me, old man"

Takeshi, sighing at Nagi's ignorance, started walking forward. "I'll explain while we tour the school. We'll go swing by Minori's office after that"

Following him, Nagi placed both of his hands in his pockets and walked beside Takeshi who was admiring the preparation work. "So, you said you've got junior here that crafts these Maken things?"

Takeshi nodded. "That's right. Gen was a part of the original Maken-Ki, a group that was and still is the enforcement committee of the school a way's back. He always had a talent for being able to create suitable Maken's for anyone"

"Are these Maken really that great? I've never seen one before so you can't blame me for being skeptical"

"Hah!" Takeshi huffed. "Oh trust me; Maken's are the real deal. You can't hope to battle the strongest element users in this world without one. Well, that is unless of course you're like me who doesn't need them to be all sorts of badass"

Nagi still held his skeptical gaze. "You do remember that I'm the one who whopped your ass, right?"

A humiliating silence followed Takeshi as he refused to speak further on the matter, not able to retract his claim. Damn, he'd knew he was going to bring that up later.

"Well, it doesn't matter to me. I'm more interested in knowing if these Maken are capable of dimensional travel"

"Looking for a way to return back home already, huh?"

Nagi frowned. "Obviously, you can't expect me to do nothing but tour some random school while I'm here, can you?"

Takeshi couldn't deny that logic as he stroked his well trimmed beard. "Fair enough, but do know that what you seek might not be here. There's no guarantee that a Maken will be capable of sending you back"

Nagi didn't even flinch as a devilish smirk appeared on his face. "Then I'll just have to search this entire damn planet until I find it. I've got time"

"Such conviction… he must have left someone important back there, I can feel it. Perhaps it's that niece he was talking about?" Takeshi theorized, hoping to peg more into Nagi's life and discover more about the traveler from another world.

"Heh, you've got one hell of a road before you. Well, before you go off on some crazy journey, relax and let's enjoy this festival for now. I can't wait for my cute juniors to meet you; I wonder what kind of expressions they'll make? Gahahaha!"

Nagi looked at Takeshi as if he had a screw loose, wondering why he cared so much about him meeting his friends. Not caring or wanting to make sense of his mind, Nagi continued to follow Takeshi around the school until something far in the distance caught his eye. He stopped abruptly and squinted his eyes to make sure they weren't playing tricks on him before he confirmed it was no illusion and moved towards it, leaving Takeshi still believing he was talking someone.

[A Tree Near Tenbi Academy Front Gate]

"This is troubling..." Lost deep in thought, Kodama Himegami stood upside down, hanging from the branch of a tree as she ignored the worried pleas of her shikigami's.

"Ojou, it isn't good for you to think so much..." Her fire Shikigami, Kagezuchi spoke.

"Ojou needs to stop thinking, it doesn't suit her" Igazuchi, her lightning spirit stated with his usual neutral expression.

Usually, Himegami would punish the two dearly for such sly insults but at the moment, she wasn't in the mood for such trivial things. No, the matter that had her mind most occupied was Otohime and the former third year students that followed her. Himegami didn't know much about them since she was still a first year when they were third years at Tenbi but she was worried about their reputation as the four strongest maiden's of the school, well at least previously. She was confident that with her friends, they'd be able to defeat them... they just had too! Yamato Takeru needed to be stopped and knowing his whereabouts before he's recovered will be instrumental in his defeat.

"We'll defeat you, Yamato Takeru!" She announced to no one in particular, not noticing the crimson eyes looking down on her from the same branch she stood on.

"Who's that?"

"..."

Not just Kodama, both of her shikigami were stunned into silence at the voice of an unfamiliar person and she slowly raised her head to meet his eyes, momentarily gasping as she took in his noticeable appearance.

"Who... are you?"

Nagi merely continued to stare at her, his deep crimson eyes penetrating into Himegami's soul as she found herself a bit nervous and hypnotized under the man's hawk eye gaze. Unexpectedly, a light blush appeared on her cheeks at the charming smile the man produced with his stunning face.

"You know, everyone can see your panties if you hang upside down like that. Not that I'm complaining."

"Huh?" It took a second before Himegami realized what kind of view she was giving him before an flush of red covered her entire face.

"Kya!"

She lost her balance and fell to the ground, landing on her head with a loud thump as her shikigami quickly rushed to her side.

"Ojou, are you okay!?" Kagezuchi asked worriedly while Igazuchi looked just as worried.

"Ouch..." Himegami slowly got up as she rubbed her aching head before looking up to meet the smiling face of the man who got a full view of her panties. She didn't know who this guy was or where he came from but the crime of seeing her in such an embarrassing state could only be punished by death!

"Y-You, just who the heck are you!?" She pointed at him with slight tears in her eyes, still a bit soar from the fall she succumbed too.

Nagi, who was far too amused with that scene just now than he should be, stopped smiling and laid back against the tree while placing his hands on his knee. "The name's Nagi, and you are?"

"Nagi? Are you a new student here? I've never seen you around before" There's no way someone with Nagi's looks could be a student here and not be well known. Himegami was not a person who really cared all that much about appearances but even she couldn't deny how handsome he was, even making Akaya Kodai, the resident pretty boy look pretty meek in comparison.

"A student? Sorry love, I'm just visiting this place with some old guy."

Now Himegami was a bit confused at what a person who wasn't a student nor a teacher was doing here; he even just admitted he was visiting the place! He'd have to know someone pretty high up around here like Minori to just "visit' this school. Perhaps he was associated with Otohime and Kamigari? Or maybe he was just an old friend of one of the teacher's coming to see the Himekagura festival? Himegami needed to know!

Regaining her former composure, Himegami glared at Nagi, as if sizing him up and pointed at him. "What have you come here for if you are not a student?"

Nagi looked at the now composed Himegami and gave her a look as if he was speaking to an imbecile. "Huh? Didn't I just say that I'm here to visit? You're not too bright are you?"

"What!" Himegami's short fuse was unleashed at the rather rude remark and her shikigami were ready to pounce on this man for insulting their princess.

"Just give the order ojou! We'll barbecue him!" Kagezuchi declared as he ignited both his arms with fire.

"Mhm, he must know the price of insulting you, Ojou" Igazuchi agreed as lightning sparks came from his fingers.

Truth be told, Himegami wanted to teach him a lesson but restrained herself as she didn't want to make a bad impression on a friend of one of the staff members. This wasn't Usui or Takeru who were both shameful perverts, attacking someone like him thoughtlessly could be bad.

"Listen, I have no intention of harming you in any way, I just-

"You talk like you could actually harm me, shrimp"

That was it.

"How dare you! Kagezuchi! Igazuchi! Teach him some proper manners!" She commanded her shikigami who wasted no time making a b-line for Nagi who remained motionless while laying back against the tree.

Himegami smiled contently. "This'll be quick, he probably can't even see those two. I'll have them hold back a little so he's not in too bad of a condition. Go!"

"Heh, peace of cake!" Kagezuchi shouted as he pulled his fist back to punch Nagi straight in the face with his fire covered arms.

"Prepare to suffer!" Igazuchi announced, sparks of lightning in both hands as he was mere moments away from him.

Nagi, who was still laying back against the tree yawned in a bored tone as he watched the slow figures of two pint sized spirits come after him. Was this supposed to be a Maken or something? To summon little pixie spirits to help fight? Aw well, might as well crush em, he thought as he raised his hand.

Both Igazuchi and Kagezuchi had made it towards Nagi's face and shouted with all of their might.

"Eat thi-Pueeeeehhhhh!?"

Faster than Himegami or anyone could perceive, the astral bodies of Igazuchi and Kagezuchi were sent spiraling backwards and hit the ground behind Himegami with a large thud. The girl herself hadn't even realized what had happened until moments later, she sensed them behind her and frantically turned around to see her precious shikigami spirits laid out on the dirt, clearly unconscious with dizzy marks in their eyes.

"What just... how in the..." She was at a complete loss of words. One moment her spirits were on the attack and the next, they're lying face first in the ground! She swiftly turned her head back around as her eyes went wide at witnessing Nagi having his index finger outstretched while still laying back against the tree.

"Whoops, guess I used a little too much force" Was all he said as he stood up and dusted himself off. He didn't know what what kind of Maken those things were but they clearly weren't what he was looking for so he lost interest. He looked back in the direction of where he had left Takeshi and assumed the old guy noticed he was gone by now.

"Might as well head back..."

"Well, that was a somewhat disappointing encounter, but it was kinda fun seeing a Maken. Try not to stand upside down anymore, unless you want more guys to see your panties. See you around, shrimp"

"W-Wait!" Himegami called out but before her voice could reach him, his body had already vanished as several falling leaves swayed to the ground from the branch he was standing on.

Himegami searched around in every direction but was unable to locate him. She eventually gave up and held the defeated spirits of her Maken, unable to accept how easily they were beaten. If what she saw wasn't a dream, then her shikigami's were both defeated with a single flick to both of their foreheads! Even if they weren't in their true forms, that's not something anyone could just do. She couldn't even sense a shred of element within that man, which made her assume he was a civilian without powers. It didn't even occur to her that sneaking up behind her without her spirits noticing him was something a normal person would be unable to do.

"Just who in the world was he..." She couldn't tell if he was an enemy or not judging based on appearances or motives, all she knew was that he was connected to "some old guy" who must be pretty important to Tenbi. That didn't leave many options truthfully but she'd discover who the identity of that man was, one way or another and make him regret seeing her panties along with calling her a shrimp. He was going to pay!

Another one bites the dust. Tell me your thoughts.