448 Lets do it right now (1/2)

”Logically speaking, a newbie that just became a Yin-Yang Master won't be able to maintain three Spirit-branded Retainers. But, since it's you… maybe you'll actually be able to do it.”

Seiji was in the middle of recalling his [Visualization] experience when Natsuya's words snapped him back to his senses.

”If you're really capable of maintaining three Spirit-branded Retainers, then we shall fight as a four-person team and make Akatsuki Mitarai use only a four-person team as well. He's highly likely to agree to this condition.”

”And if I can't?”

”In the absolute worst-case scenario, just you and I will fight together, and we'll make Akatsuki only be able to use a two-person team for the duel… He'll likely agree to this as well, but will probably demand conditions of his own in exchange.”

”Understood.” Seiji nodded.

At any rate, the number of Spirit-branded Retainers that he was able to maintain would be the critical point.

”Let's just try it immediately, starting from the Spirit-branded Alliance… what should I do specifically?”

”I'll teach you. With your rate of learning, it'll probably take you only one day to master it.”

As she said this, Natsuya couldn't help but imagine what type of spirit he would summon for her once they contracted with each other.

Later that night, Seiji received a phone call from Hisashi.

”Seigo, are you free tonight?”

”I'm a bit busy. What's the matter?”

”There's something I wanted to discuss with you face to face. Since you're busy, it can wait until later.”

”Oh… alright.”

Hisashi ended the conversation there.

Seiji was somewhat concerned about what Hisashi wanted to discuss but it didn't seem like something urgent since Hisashi was willing to wait, so Seiji decided to put it behind him.

Seiji was currently wearing white-colored monk attire, sitting in Natsuya's spellcasting room on top of the Yin-Yang diagram.

After putting away his cell phone, Seiji shut his eyes once more and calmed his mind as he uttered an incantation.

He felt and experienced… as he attempted to communicate with ”the spirits of heaven and earth,” or the existences that had the potential to become bonded spirits.

He had learned everything Natsuya taught him already. This was the final step to summoning a spirit to descend upon someone else, the power to create a Spirit-branded Retainer.

Seiji got rid of all idle thoughts and maintained a calm mind as he focused entirely on searching for the spirits.

He maintained this state of mind for an unknown period of time. His consciousness gradually sank into the darkness.

There were many silver lights flashing in the darkness, seeming just like fireflies or starlight.

Seiji felt quite mystical and empty in this darkness. His consciousness was awake, but his thoughts were stopped.

Seiji felt as if he heard someone say this.

He did as the voice instructed. He felt many things. Mysteriousness, grandiosity, sadness, passion, hatred, joy, fear… These things were indescribable and didn't need to be described.

They… the spirits had always been there. They had always existed.

”If you have need for us, go ahead and summon,” a calm voice spoke.

”We shall help you at any time that you require,” a gentle voice told him.

”Everyone's always been waiting.” A hearty voice chuckled.

These voices that sounded distant and hazy seemed quite familiar yet also just like illusions…

Seiji slowly opened his eyes and noticed that tears were streaming down his cheeks.

”That's strange, why…” Seiji wiped away his tears in confusion as he didn't understand what was going on.

He felt like he had succeeded in connecting with the spirits… but what was with his current emotions?

His heart was filled with indescribable sadness, and tears kept flowing out from him uncontrollably.

Natsuya didn't mention anything about such a phenomenon? Was there a problem with what he did somewhere?

He didn't understand.

Although he didn't understand, he felt that it wasn't because of any problems. Nothing felt wrong with his body, and although he felt quite sad, he didn't feel any negative emotions, and even faintly felt that this was a good thing.

Seiji allowed himself to immerse in this strange sensation for a while and calmly waited for his emotions to return to normal.

Some time later, Natsuya arrived.

”How's the situation… Eh?”

The student council president was astonished to see Seiji's current expression.

”Seiji, why are you…”