The Former Swordmaster Who Pretends to Be the Worst, and the Schoolโs Top-Ranked Chairmanโs Daughter Whoโs Way Too Sweet in Public, Itโs a Real Problem
With the emergence of magic, the vast majority of crimes became the result of its misuse. In Japan, where handguns are difficult to obtain, magic, which many can use depending on their aptitude, is, simply put, “easier.” However, this doesn’t mean that firearms have lost their lethality. In fact, in terms of single-shot power, they were more suitable for attack than magic.
“Agatsuma Rika! If you don’t come out quickly, I’ll go around killing you one by one!”
“Kyaaaaaaaah!”
One of the men, who looked like a real thug, fired his pistol at a vase sitting on the table, shattering it.
The gunshot and the crash caused several young female customers to scream. In response, the few children present began to wail.
Fear spreads quickly.
Even the adult men, who had initially kept their voices down, began to look around nervously.
It was safe to assume that if the panic escalated any further, it would be impossible to prevent injuries.
โโฆRika, are you okay?โ
โYeah. Butโฆ!โ
As I called out to my childhood friend amidst the chaos, she looked flustered, her eyes darting about.
But Rika was undoubtedly the one I could rely on here.
With that in mind, I placed my hand on her shoulder and whispered.
โItโll be okay. Trust me. Can you just help me out a little?โ
โโฆโฆโฆโฆHelp?โ
Why was Rika being targeted?
I didnโt have time to figure that out, but first and foremost, I had to deal with those men. I could leave the remaining mysteries for another day.
I gave a small nod to my startled childhood friend and told her,
โListen, when I give the signalโโ
After explaining the plan, I slowly straightened up from my crouched position.
Then, after taking a deep breath,
โSorry, but Rika isnโt here!โ
โโฆโฆHuh?โ
Raising both hands, I stepped out into the open in front of the men.
They furrowed their brows at this unexpected turn of events. After confirming their reaction,
โShe left a little while ago. โฆDo you believe me?โ
โโฆWhat? Then call her out here right now!โ
โAlright. But in exchange, donโt harm the other customers.โ
โTchโฆ Fine, then. Gather everyone in one place. Make sure no one can escape.โ
As I made that proposalโeven though I knew it was a lieโone of the men replied.
What Iโd just realized was that they didnโt know Rikaโs face. They were probably just pawns acting on a name theyโd heard from someone else.
If that was the case, one condition was met.
I pulled out my cell phone and glanced back at my childhood friend.
โDonโt you dare call the cops by mistake, okay?โ
โI know. I value my own life too, after all.โ
After being warned by the man, I turned my gaze back. It seemed the customers, including Rika, had gathered in the corner of the shop. My childhood friend had taken up position in the front row.
She didnโt seem to be under suspicion, so another condition was met.
Pretending to be nervous, I fiddled with my phone and said,
โHey, put it on speaker. It might be the cops.โ
โYouโre really cautious, arenโt you? Got it. Iโm calling now.โ
With a wry smile, I dialed Rikaโs number.
Thenโ
โHey, donโt mess with me!ใYouโre in here after all, arenโt you!?โ
โSure enough, my childhood friendโs phone behind me rang.
The man pointed his gun at me, looking agitated. But,
โRika! Now!!โ
โโฆโฆOkay!!โ
That ringtone was nothing less than the signal.
As I shouted, my childhood friendโwho had already built up her magical powerโcast a defensive spell. Rikaโs spell could protect a wider area than a standard one.
Thanks to the defensive barrier she created, all the customers in the cafรฉ were protected.
Of course, I was excluded from that protectionโ
โYouโre messing with me, arenโt you? Iโll kill you!?โ
โโโโโ!โ
โThe bullet fired by the man.
It was undoubtedly fired with the intent to take our lives.
But faster than that, I pulled a small self-defense knife from my pocket andโ
โW-whatโฆ!?โ
โSorry about that. Something like that? I can cut right through it.โ
I simply slashed sharply, cutting him down.
The bullet, split in two by the knife, flew off in random directions. As for concerns about ricochets, the defensive magic Rika had cast took care of that.
And now that this has happened, all thatโs left isโ
โโWell then. Normally, Iโd want to ask โWho hired you?โ, but Iโm guessing you were just egged on by someone whose face and name you donโt even know, right?โ
โShutโฆ shut upโฆ Iโll shut you up, you brat!!โ
โSo, we canโt even have a conversation anymoreโฆ huh?โ
All thatโs left is to deal with these troublemakers.
If Iโm being honest, Iโd have liked to extract some information from them, but I had a feeling it would be a waste of time to expect that. I readied myself for battle once more.
And then,
โDie, you creepy brat!!โ
โOf course, Iโll politely decline.โ
Bullets fired in unison, fire magic, and lightning magic.
But to me, they werenโt much of a threat.
After cutting through everything, I closed in on the men without a momentโs hesitation. I landed a single blow to each of their jaws, temples, and even their solar plexuses, knocking them unconscious.
Just before collapsing, one of the men muttered with hatred.
โYouโฆ monsterโฆโ
โThatโs rude. Iโm just an ordinary student, you know.โ
โฆThat actually hurt a little.
I took a breath after confirming he had passed out.
Maiban