455 I feel like I’m fighting with a robot… (1/2)

”What?” Seiji raised his eyebrows in surprise.

His first reaction was 'what the hell?' However, he soon realized what Akatsuki wanted.

Seiji considered whether he should accept the challenge or leave the fighting until the official duel.

He glanced at Natsuya, inquiring with his expression about what he should do. She indicated that it didn't matter either way and that he could choose.

Since it didn't matter either way, Seiji decided to accept.

A high ability human puppet… similar to an android with artificial intelligence. Seiji was indeed somewhat curious about its battle potential.

”Rather than a puppet, I'd rather be beating up on you, but now's not the time. Plus, I am indeed curious about this… Shinobu Miaki.” Seiji squinted slightly. ”Let's just treat it as me wanting to try my mettle. You're willing to let her fight with me right here and now?”

”I'd be more than happy to. Haruta-san, please be extra careful. If you're seriously injured, that'll be quite a bother for me.”

”Rather than worrying about me, you should be more concerned about your masterpiece. If I break it, I won't be paying you for the costs incurred.”

”No need to worry about that. Even if Shinobu is completely destroyed, I won't request any compensation from Haruta-san at all.” Akatsuki chuckled coldly. ”I completely doubt that Haruta-san will be able to do such a thing.”

The two of them glared at each other. It was as if their gazes were clashing in the air.

Seiji felt like if this continued, he wouldn't be able to hold himself back from beating up Akatsuki anymore. He stood up and started to leave.

”Natsuya, I'm going out for a little exercise. This guy really pisses me off.”

”Understood. If you want a place to fight at, you only need to tell the server and one will be arranged for you,” Natsuya told him with an expression that said 'be careful.'

”Got it.” Seiji nodded before he left the private room.

Akatsuki turned around and gave his human puppet girl an order. She then stood up and followed him outside.

This restaurant actually belonged to the Himiki Family, the judging clan. Spiritual Ability users often held negotiations here. Of course, it would often be the case that negotiations would break down and one or both sides would get angry and start a fight. Besides, dueling was also a type of negotiation, which was why there was actually a large dueling arena as well as judges available underground in a secret facility beneath the restaurant.

A female server led Seiji and Shinobu to an elevator that took them to the underground dueling arena.

A man wearing a white mask and black Sakura Island attire greeted them upon arrival.

”Welcome. May I ask what type of duel the two of you would like to have?” he asked them politely.

'How should I answer this question?' Seiji thought it over for a few seconds.

”Just a regular duel, one on one.”

”Will it be a battle to the death?”

”I suppose not.”

”Will there be any special rules?”

”No.”

”Alright. I shall act appropriately as the judge and determine the victor. I shall stop the duel when I feel that one side has won.” The man in the white mask… the judge bowed to them and said, ”Please make your preparations. When both of you are ready, please let me know, and the duel can be started at any time.”

The judge then left the arena and went into a nearby room which had glass windows that he was easily able to observe the duel from.

Seiji turned to speak to Shinobu.

The puppet girl looked at him with a completely blank expression.

Seiji walked a distance away from her before standing still.

”Are you ready?” He decided to try asking.

There was no response.

”Can you understand me?” He tried asking a different question.

Still no response.

”I don't care what you say, just say something!”

Again, no response.

There was no way to communicate… was that supposed to be how it was, or did Akatsuki modify her in such a way? Seiji furrowed his eyebrows.

He felt that a human puppet on the level of an android with artificial intelligence wasn't supposed to lack intelligence to the point of not even knowing how to speak. That meant it was highly likely that Akatsuki intentionally modified her to be unable to communicate.

Well, if they couldn't communicate, Seiji figured he might as well start the fight.

”We're ready!” Seiji shouted towards the judge's room.