"Welcome, Lovers, Yuuto Morioka. Now then, shall we begin?"
Aspite was waiting for us while sitting on a chair I guessed was special for him. It reminded me a little of a throne, but in the end it was just a chair.
Lizel-senpai had her hands cuffed and chained down. But she was also sitting on the sofa, which was a little strange considering she was a prisoner. I had to guess Aspite still wanted her to be his Card.
"Aspite, I'm just here to rescue Lizel-senpai. This doesn't have to become a fight."
"It's not me who wants a fight, but rather Lizel. She's pretty sure you can defeat me, so I figured I'd go along with her whims for now."
"Yuuto, be careful."
Hah, Aspite had probably told Lizel-senpai something like "if you become my Card I'll allow Yuuto to live" and when she refused he decided to take her by force. And now he's saying it like she's the one who caused this fight.
So be it. Lizel-senpai warned me to be careful, but I'm sure she's just waiting for me to save her. I won't lose to the likes of Aspite.
Right now, he's alone while I have Miyabi and Reina with me. Normally, I'd be pretty nervous fighting another Devil King Candidate, but with so much advantage I think-
Doors opened and about 10 people showed up. Just a wild guess, but those don't look like butlers or maids. Can they be… Aspite's Cards?
"How? Shouldn't the barrier have warned about intruders?"
"It did. It told us the intruders were at the mansion, so I just had everyone stand by and wait for you to show yourself."
Ah, I suppose that makes enough sense. If the barrier gives an idea of where the intruders are located, it shouldn't be hard to figure out if one teleported into the mansion.
I may have been a little too hot headed and didn't think of that. B-but it doesn't matter, the objective hasn't changed.
"Miyabi, Reina, I'm sorry, but can you deal with his Cards?"
"Leave it to us desu."
"Yuuto can just focus on Aspite himself."
I didn't want to, but it couldn't be helped. I'll do something about Aspite on my own as long as Miyabi and Reina can keep his Cards occupied.
Miyabi immediately activated her signature Stride, Maximize and Armored combo and landed a punch straight to the face of one of Aspite's Cards.
Reina unsheathed her sword, Pon-chan. She met with a Card who was also holding a sword. They exchanged blows, but it was easy to see Reina was superior with the sword, even though Pon-chan is bigger than Reina.
Aspite and I remained still. With his other Cards joining in the fight, the place would get chaotic no matter how big it is.
"Come on come on, I've got 'bam' a knuckle sandwich for everybody."
Miyabi threw the guy she punched at some other Cards. They were quick to get off of each other, but they were clearly angry at Miyabi.
"Ehehe, can't catch me."
Miyabi ran out of the room and onto the mansion's garden, about half of Aspite's Cards followed her.
I see, she's trying to clear the way so no one can get between me and Aspite.
Reina seemed to also notice that. She broke free from the clash with the sword-wielding Card and tried to get the remaining half to follow her somewhere else.
"F-follow Reina desu."
However, no one except the Card she'd already been fighting with even batted an eye. Rather, they seemed to be about ready to jump me.
Can't be helped. I'll just deal with them quickly and-
Before I noticed, a flash passed by me, it was Reina. She cut the remaining Cards. It seemed the cuts weren't deep, but they were definitely bleeding and groaning in pain.
"Reina said to follow her."
The Cards couldn't ignore Reina anymore, so they had little choice but follow Reina deeper into the mansion.
Thank you, Miyabi, Reina. I won't let this chance go to waste.
"Hmph, it's not as if any of them would have been able to face you. You did defeat Haida after all. Now come, let's see this supposed power you have."
It seemed Aspite really wasn't planning on getting up from his chair. This is suspicious, if nothing else.
… Whatever, it's not like I can do anything just standing around. I'll bite for now.
"Figa!"
My fireball flew towards Aspite. He still didn't move, and soon the magic had almost reached him.
And then I saw it. A magic formula like a sphere spread with Aspite in the center. My Figa disappeared before it ever reached him.
That has to be his Characteristic Magic, but what exactly does it do? Until I figure that out, I can't just attack recklessly.
[Suggestion. I shall take care of the analysis, Yuuto please follow my command.]
Alright, I'll be counting on you, Arcana. So what's first?
[Attempt a physical attack. World's Candidate's Characteristic Magic might not be able to affect magic that doesn't extend outside the body.]
"What's wrong? Done already?"
"… Not just yet."
I activated the Stride, Maximize and Armored combo. I was up in Aspite's face in less than 5 seconds.
I delivered a punch to Aspite. I aimed straight for his gut. Then I was sent flying and felt as if I had been punched in the gut.
What was that? Was Aspite so much faster that I couldn't even see him attack me? He was really strong if that's the case.
[Negative. The power matches Yuuto's exactly. It seems Yuuto punched yourself.]
How can that be? Could Aspite's power be some kind of illusion that makes his opponent attack himself? That doesn't explain the Figa just now though.
God, my stomach hurts. Let's look on the bright side though, all that training with Miyabi was clearly being effective.
"Can't get up? Then I guess it's my turn."
Aspite finally got up from his seat. He walked up until he was right in front of me. With how he was positioned, I couldn't escape.
Maybe it was just an impression, but I felt like the air itself changed once he got close.
"Let's see, first was a Figa, right?"
Aspite said with all the casualness of someone making a shopping list. He then casted a Figa. At first glance, there didn't seem to be anything special about it, but…
It clearly looked stronger than what I'd faced so far, as expected of a Devil King Candidate. But it also didn't look like something I'd have much trouble defending against. Yet, I couldn't shake this bad feeling.
[Threat level 7. Evasion impossible. Defensive magic must be cast.]
It's not like I was planning to just take it anyway, but it's good to have the Arcana confirm it would be a bad idea.
By a stroke of luck, I deployed Barricade at the same time as Aspite released his Figa.
Contrary to my expectations, Aspite's Figa felt like hell's lid had been opened. Even with Barricade protecting me, I felt like I might just melt down on the spot.
"Yuuto!"
I could somehow hear Lizel-senpai's worried voice through the raging fire. I wanted to tell her I was fine, but I was too busy feeding mana to Barricade so that I might not evaporate.
Thankfully, Aspite ended his Figa before my mana ran out. My Barricade disappeared, but Aspite wasn't done just yet.
"Gah!"
"Next was a punch. Yours was powered up with magic, but I suppose I can cut you some slack this once."
Aspite lifted me up by the neck. As he was preparing to punch me, I felt a lot stronger than before. Maybe it's an adrenaline rush in a moment of crisis? Though this seems like too much for that.
In any case, I didn't even need the Arcana to tell me this would be bad. I'm pretty sure I wouldn't be getting up if I took this punch, and no Barricade would protect me.
[Yuuto is correct, but you can't escape World's Candidate's hold as you are. How do you-]
I'll show you just how, Arcana!
"Transite!"
I teleported away just before Aspite punched me. I ended up in some room in the mansion.
[That was reckless. Your mana is-]
Yeah, there's nothing left. But it's not as if there was anything else that could be done.
My consciousness was already escaping me, but I couldn't fall unconscious yet. I had to save Lizel-senpai before anything else.
"Yuuto!"
Next thing I noticed, Miyabi was helping me walk. Did I black out? I don't remember having found Miyabi.
"Still not all there? Guess you need some more mana."
"Yuuto-san!"
Now Reina's here? I really couldn't think straight.
Maybe I should close my eyes for just a second…
…
"!"
By the time I finally came to, I saw Reina and Miyabi with me. We were in what I guessed to be a guest room. I had been laying down on the bed, but I got up as soon as I recovered my consciousness.
"Yuuto-san, please don't force yourself desu. Please rest some more."
"No, I'm fine already. Rather, how did we end up here?"
"I finished fighting the Cards that were with me, so I headed back inside the mansion. I was 'kyaa' surprised when Yuuto suddenly showed up and fell right on my breasts. We found Reina along the way, then we took this room to help you recover some mana."
Ah, that's why my head feels better now. I think I'm at about 50%?
"What happened on Yuuto-san's side?"
"Aah, I couldn't defeat Aspite. I teleported away before he killed me, that's why I was out of mana. By the way, how long was I out for?"
"It's been like 5-10 minutes since I found Yuuto."
Hmm, not that long. I'd love to make a full recovery, but I can't keep Lizel-senpai waiting much longer. I suppose it's as good a time as any to go back to the fight.
[While Yuuto was asleep, I have finished analyzing the available data. I believe the current World's Candidate's Characteristic Magic works like this…]
T-that's… how am I supposed to beat that?! I couldn't win even if I was at 100%!
[Indeed, it is impossible for the current Yuuto to win. Recommend a swift retreat.]
But I can't just leave Lizel-senpai. Isn't there something we can do, Arcana?
[… There is a way, but the conditions haven't been fully met. As Yuuto is currently… I can make a temporary release that should last for about 10 seconds.]
Release what?
[The second Characteristic Magic, Infinite Lovers. This Characteristic Magic will give Yuuto infinite mana while it's active. In this imperfect state, I can only allow Yuuto to use it for 10 seconds, as any longer will destroy Yuuto's current magic circuits, resulting in your death.]
But with this… I see. I can see a path to winning against Aspite.
Alright, let's do it, Arcana. Prepare the temporary release of Infinite Lovers.
I explained to Miyabi and Reina what the Arcana had told me. About Aspite's Characteristic Magic, Infinite Lovers, and how to win.
I told them the plan. Admittedly, it was far from a good plan, but it should work well enough. It took a little bit to convince them to let me risk myself that much, but in the end I made them accept it.
We separated. I walked back to where Aspite and Lizel-senpai would be waiting. As soon as I entered, the two of them turned to look at me.
"Oh, and I thought you'd run away."
"Yuuto, it's fine. Just run!"
"No, Lizel-senpai. It'll be alright. I can win now, because I know what Aspite's Characteristic Magic is."
"Do you now? Let's hear it then."
I walked fearlessly forward. I stopped at about 10 meters away from Aspite.
"Your magic only works inside that sphere of yours. Inside it, you can do as you please, like making it so that magic is ineffective, or that physical attacks go back to who's attacking, or even powering them up."
Aspite seemed surprised for a second. Then he started laughing, and lastly he gave me a few claps.
"Haha, yeah you really figured it out. Maybe you are as smart as Lizel says you are. World Revision, that's the name of my Characteristic Magic. It allows me to freely change the rules of this 'world' with me as its center. The range is only 3 meters, so I'll admit that's troublesome, but it'll be enough against you. But let me ask you, Yuuto, now that you know that, how do you plan to win?"
"I have a few more tricks up my sleeve."
"Interesting. Show me then."
Detonate, I shouted. The explosion took effect, but Aspite stood unharmed. Not that I expected otherwise.
I just wanted his attention on me. Reina and Miyabi were just waiting for a chance to come in unnoticed and save Lizel-senpai.
"No, didn't work. My turn now."
Just like before, Aspite responded using the same magic I had used. It was like he wanted to prove he was superior to me or something.
That said, his Detonate would activate far from the range of World Revision. It was certainly powerful, but nothing I couldn't dodge.
"Heh, seems like I can handle you as long as World Revision doesn't get in the way."
"… Don't get too cocky, you human!"
With a speed I certainly didn't expect from him, Aspite appeared in front of me. He grabbed me by the head and started slamming me against the wall.
If not for Armored, I'm pretty sure my head would have been smashed in. Hell the wall was smashed in.
But this was a perfect chance for Reina and Miyabi. They sneaked up to Lizel-senpai. Reina cut the chains and Miyabi was going to carry her out.
And then-
"Where do you think you're going?"
Aspite, still holding me by my head, sped towards his chair and sat down on it. Then he slammed me down on the floor, next thing I felt was gravity pulling down even harder.
Did he increase gravity with World Revision? Even Lizel-senpai, Miyabi and Reina couldn't move.
"Does anyone have anything they wish to day before I squash you all down?"
"Gaah!"
"Guhhh!"
"Aaah!"
The girls couldn't say anything with how heavy gravity was on us. Even I only barely managed to get some words out.
"So even, gah, Aspite yourself isn't immune to World Revision. Guh, that's why you sat down first."
"Aah, so you want to die first? Very well."
I could see a vein on Aspite's forehead. Maybe he's a little stressed out.
He stopped the increased gravity and only then got up from his seat. He grabbed me by the neck and prepared to punch. Hey, I know that move.
Now Arcana!
[Deploying Infinite Lovers. 10.]
The unlimited mana arrived just a second before Aspite's punch. I used Armored and Barricade to power through it as much as I could.
I flew through many walls of Aspite's mansion. When I eventually stopped, I was almost outside the mansion.
"Blaah!"
I vomited out some blood. Even if I give some magic infinite mana, there is a point where the spell's power just stops increasing.
So even feeding unlimited mana to Armored and Barricade, I just barely survived Aspite's punch.
That said, I still felt… I don't even know how to describe it. It was like I was in overdrive. Like I could see everything in slow motion, think a lot faster and clearer. Honestly, I felt great.
[9. Recommend Yuuto finishes this as soon as possible.]
Yeah, I got you Arcana. I don't intend to wait for the dramatic countdown. Considering how good I'm feeling now, the backlash will probably be hell on earth.
As I was getting up, I could hear Aspite's voice from a few rooms over. Guess all these holes are creating an echo here. Either that, or my hearing has also improved.
"Now then, who should I deal with next?"
Ooh, I won't let you lay a hand on them, Aspite.
[8.]
"Stride! Maximize!"
I activated those 2 spells and fed them my limitless mana. I hadn't dispelled Armored, so it was still there.
I rushed back to where Aspite was. Didn't even take me a second to run all that distance.
Aspite was reaching his hand. I don't know who his next target was, nor did I care. I wouldn't let him reach anyone.
"Aspite!"
[7.]
"What?! How are you-?"
He didn't have a chance to finish, I was up on his face. Yes, inside the range of World Revision.
"You idiot! I'll be sure to kill you this time."
"World Fall!"
The magic I learned in my first day of classes. It needed an absurd amount of mana, so I could never use it.
But right now, I have infinite mana!
So let's do it. Let's destroy Aspite's small world!
[6.]
The magic formula for World Fall formed over my right arm. As soon as it formed, the formula for World Revision that was enveloping both me and Aspite broke.
"What?!"
Aspite couldn't believe it. To be honest, I wouldn't have even remembered about World Fall if it wasn't for the Arcana.
And it ended up being the key to my victory. Thank you, Arcana. Maybe I should also thank Nagasawa-sensei? Though she didn't really show me World Fall with the intent to help me.
In any case, my fist landed on Aspite's face. Without any protection, he was sent flying just as far as I had been previously.
And like so ended my first battle against another Devil King Candidate. The Arcana stopped Infinite Lovers.
Feeling more tired than ever before, I fell down on the spot. Or I would have, if Lizel-senpai hadn't caught me.
"Yuuto! Are you alright?"
"Lizel-senpai, sorry I didn't arrive sooner."
"What are you talking about? You were so amazing I couldn't possibly complain about anything."
"Yup. Yuuto was so cool when he 'blam' punched away Aspite."
"Yuuto-san was really amazing desu! The greatest!"
Everyone was in high spirits. Guess I was the one that was hurt the most.
The last thing I saw before I fell asleep was everyone's smiling faces. And the last thing I felt was Lizel-senpai's lips touching mine.
