478 Gather Spirit-branded Retainers that are willing to fight for you (1/2)

Seiji was shaken by this knowledge and possible theory.

However, this only lasted for a short moment.

That was because he didn't completely reject the concept of being ”Seiji Haruta”… If that had been the case, he would have simply decided to leave this city and change his name to start a new life right after he transmigrated to this world instead.

He recognized himself as a transmigrator, but at the same time, he also recognized himself as Seiji Haruta, and was willing to accept the burden and responsibility of everything this body had done before he took it over.

That was why even though he was somewhat shaken by his own theory, it wasn't a big deal to him.

He decided to think about it some more later. The important part right now was dealing with the person in front of him.

”I'm a Neo Human, someone who's fundamentally the same as an Awakened… that's what you mean, right? Sister Yui.”

”That's right.”

”I suppose that it's reasonable to describe everything that's happened to me as me having 'Awakened.' I can accept that,” Seiji stated calmly. ”However… just where did this term come from in the first place?”

Yui remained silent and didn't answer him.

”Neo Humans… you called them the 'ones most suited to this current new generation.' In that case, what does 'current new generation' refer to?” Seiji continued asking. ”If this refers to the current era right after New Year's, then in that case, what happened on that night… do you know something about the 'Midnight Incident?'”

Yui continued to remain silent as she silently sipped on her tea.

Seiji took a good look at her.

”Sister Yui… are you a member of the 'Soul World' faction?”

Yui quietly sipped on her tea.

Her expression and movements appeared quite calm, and Seiji was unable to tell if she had been ruffled or not by his questions.

Seiji observed her for a while longer before he finally retracted his gaze as he picked up his own teacup and sipped on his tea.

The silence continued for a while.

”Various things will be happening in the future, including plenty of dangerous events,” Yui said as she put down her empty teacup and began refilling it. ”If you wish to protect your friends, continue working hard at becoming stronger. That's the only way you will succeed,” she said as she began refilling Seiji's tea as well.

”I will… apart from protecting my friends, I still have the goal of defeating a certain Qilin Girl, after all.” Seiji smiled.

That's when he saw Yui's expression freezing slightly.

”That nickname… did you hear about it from Hana?” Yui asked him.

”Yeah. I think that's a pretty cool nickname.” Seiji nodded.

Yui revealed a subtle expression upon hearing this.

”You don't like this nickname?” Seiji raised his eyebrows at seeing such an expression.

Seiji was rendered speechless.

”At any rate, don't call me by that nickname.” Yui made it obvious that she objected.

”I really think that it's a pretty nice nickname. At the very least, it's far better than mine.” Seiji revealed a serious expression. ”They call me the 'Magic-devouring Dragon' at Genhana High School.”

Yui was the one who was rendered speechless this time.

”Not only that, before I was the 'Magic-devouring Dragon,' my previous nickname was the 'Destroyer of Clubs.'”

”…Are you joking with me?”

”Yep, I'm joking with you.”

Seiji acted all serious in admitting such a thing before he chuckled.

”I never expected that Sister Yui would object to her own nickname. That's rather cute of you.”

”…How is that cute? I don't understand.” Yui averted her gaze.

'That's exactly what's cute.' Seiji maintained his smile while thinking that in his mind.

”If you want to defeat me, only you becoming strong by yourself isn't enough.” After a few seconds of silence, Yui changed the topic. ”It's excellent that you were able to cultivate and become a Yin-Yang Master in such a short period of time. In the future, perhaps you'll even develop enough to be a match for me. However, I won't be dueling with you by myself. As a Yin-Yang Master, we rely on our Spirit-branded Retainers in addition to our personal strength.”

As she said so, Yui adjusted the now empty confectionery plates on the table. She arranged the plates into a neat row to block a cup that represented herself.

”My Spirit-branded Retainers are my weapons and shield that I'm extremely proud of. If you wish to duel with me, you must first be able to surpass them.”

Seiji looked at her plate arrangement for a while before he glanced at his own cup which was left all by its lonesome. He remained silent without saying anything.

”Gather Spirit-branded Retainers that are willing to fight for you,” Yui told him seriously. ”Recruit those Awakened friends of yours and raise them to become much stronger. Or, simply recruit or hire someone who is already a powerful Spiritual Ability user to begin with… you can do whatever you like. Only after you have a team of Spirit-branded Retainers strong enough to be a match for my Spirit-branded Retainer team will you truly be worthy of challenging me to a duel.”

Domineering.

At this moment, Seiji truly felt how domineering Yui, the Qilin Girl, was.

She had true strength mixed together with a pride that gave her an indomitable spirit!