514 I was just warming up (2/2)

Koogi seemingly transformed into white light as she shot both her guns at a high speed, turning and shooting in all directions. She seemed as brilliant as the moon itself!

At this moment, light and mist intersected as swords clashed against bullets. This was an incredibly chaotic scene that also had a mysterious beauty that seemed abnormal.

Finally, the full moon faded as Koogi collapsed.

Hitaka and Rana immediately headed over to support Seiji.

A red light flashed in Shinobu's eyes as she received an order to swiftly retreat in order to avoid being surrounded on all sides by Seiji, Hitaka, and Rana.

”Marvelous,” Akatsuki Mitarai spoke up.

Although he'd just witnessed two of his Spirit-branded Retainers collapsing, he seemed like he didn't care at all. He was still smiling.

”No wonder you dared to duel against me, Natsuya… so you all possessed such power. Not bad, not bad at all. Especially you, Haruta-san. Your power level forces me to admit that you are no longer a 'piece of garbage'. You've become really amazing.”

The handsome dark-blue-haired boy even clapped his hands.

”I truly praise you all and apologize for underestimating you. Now then, as long as you can defeat me, it's your victory… Come.”

Akatsuki extended his palms in a seemingly welcoming manner.

Seiji furrowed his eyebrows upon seeing Akatsuki behaving in such a manner. Seiji glanced over at Natsuya to see what she thought.

Natsuya currently had a serious expression.

Two of Akatsuki's Spirit-branded Retainers had indisputably collapsed, while all four of them were in good condition. Logically speaking, Seiji and Natsuya's team should have the victory well within their grasp. However, Natsuya's expression wasn't like they were about to win at all… just what was the problem?

”Those four black pillars are actually an incredibly powerful spiritual artifact,” Natsuya suddenly spoke in Seiji's mind. ”Don't rush over yet.”

The black pillars… Seiji took another look over in Akatsuki's direction.

”What exactly are those?” Seiji mentally inquired.

”They should be some type of 'Spirit Stakes'. I can't tell the specifics. I only know that they're incredibly solid and possess an enormous amount of Mana within them. From the beginning of the duel to now, I've been competing against him in spellcasting, but I've inflicted zero damage…”

”So, you're saying that the power of those four pillars is equal to the school's large spell formation?” Seiji raised his eyebrows in surprise.

”Pretty much… at any rate, don't be rash in rushing to attack.”

”Then what should we do?”

Something flashed in Natsuya's eyes.

”I'm going to cast a powerful spell that's specially designed as an anti-spell formation spell. This will require a period of time when I must maintain a high degree of concentration. Protect me while I'm doing so.”

”Understood.”

Seiji, Hitaka, and Rana all stood close by to Natsuya and used their defensive formation.

”You're not coming over? Heh heh, a wise decision.” Akatsuki chuckled. ”It would appear that you're not so foolish to believe that you've won already.”

Akatsuki stopped smiling and his gaze grew icy.

”That was just a warmup. I'm going to get serious now.”

Right after he finished speaking, two of the black pillars issued a blood-red glow as complex runes and spell formations appeared on them.

Yashuu and Koogi, who were both collapsed on the ground, were suddenly enveloped by a blood-red mist.

”I shall allow you all to witness my true power,” Akatsuki spoke such a classical villainous line as two balls of blood mist slowly rose up with terrifying screams coming from inside!

Seiji and his companions all felt an ominous premonition.

Soon, the two balls of blood mist exploded, revealing Yashuu and Koogi who had seemingly transformed.

Strange black crystals grew all over their bodies, making it seem like they were wearing some strange armor. A blood-red glow could be faintly seen moving between the crystals. There was also a sound that resembled someone panting heavily, which sounded quite strange.

Rana's cat ears were stiff and completely vertical. Hitaka had a tense expression, while Seiji furrowed his eyebrows.

Everyone could sense that Yashuu and Koogi were now even more dangerous than earlier… it was as if they had just witnessed ordinary boss monsters suddenly evolving into elite tier bosses.

Spell formation-piercing technique, ”Inescapable Blade”!

Natsuya finished casting her spell. A tremendously large dark-red spiritual blade materialized in midair. Numerous smaller spell formations were rotating around it in an orderly fashion, giving it an incredible aura.

The next instant, this gigantic spiritual blade locked on to its target and shot forth!

Akatsuki merely watched the spiritual blade approach and didn't even react.

*Boom!!!*

A gigantic dark-purple claw suddenly reached up in midair and blocked the huge spiritual blade!