Seiji adjusted his posture in midair and landed on the ground. He used his momentum to back off as much as he could and maintain some distance between him and his opponent.

He was injured… he had protected his body with his arms, and as a result his arm was injured.

His sleeve was gone, and both his hands were b.l.o.o.d.y. Luckily, they were only shallow injuries, and his bones and muscles weren't hurt.

'This level of injury can easily be cured with my [Beginning-level Healing] magic.' Seiji speedily diagnosed himself.

Meanwhile, s.h.i.+n.o.bu didn't continue attacking him.

She stood still while the mist around her body gradually dissipated.

She didn't take this opportunity to attack him… did that mean that Akatsuki had given a command to only attack him to a certain extent before no longer battling?

"You've met something quite interesting."

Just as Seiji was still highly on guard and observing the situation, a lazy sounding female voice spoke up in his mind.

"Yomi?"

The typically "sleeping" female bonded spirit within him suddenly made her presence known.

"A human puppet… how interesting that it's been created in such a fas.h.i.+on."

"What does that mean? What do you know this time?"

"This puppet will probably transform into a fearsome demon after some time pa.s.ses."

"Eh?"

"Although it seems like this puppet has only been recently born, there's an incredibly bad aura around her. If this was intentional by the person who created her, then I feel that her creator must truly be someone quite daring."

"Please explain yourself more clearly."

"What I mean is that this child will soon become a dangerous existence. Her first victim will almost certainly be her creator. And, if she devours her creator, that's likely to instantly help her become a terrifyingly powerful demon."

"What…?" Seiji furrowed his eyebrows. "Why would that happen?"

"It's difficult for me to explain. At any rate, if you don't wish for her to harm humans, you'll have to either destroy her or seal her as early as possible, or give her a proper education."

"Education?"

"I believe that you're quite suitable to do such a thing. If you wish to do so, I can a.s.sist you."

Seiji fell silent for a moment.

He decided to ask, "…What should I do?" 

"First, leave a mystical mark on her body."

Seiji then received information directly in his mind from Yomi. He made a hand seal and uttered an incantation, casting a spell upon s.h.i.+n.o.bu.

A golden-red spell formation flashed in front of the puppet girl's chest, before instantly disappearing.

s.h.i.+n.o.bu didn't react at all to this and merely stood still quietly.

"And then?"

"The next part can only be continued when you are asleep."

"When I'm asleep… just like last time?"

"Yes, you can comprehend it like so."

"…Yomi, I'd really like to ask…"

"I said before that I don't like men who ask too many questions, heehee~ Let's chat again when you're asleep."

And so, the female spirit disappeared on him again.

'She's such a casual and carefree spirit.' Seiji could only inwardly sigh.

Something flashed in his eyes as he observed the puppet girl who stood still, unmoving.

"Our two dear guests, would you like to continue the duel?" the judge spoke up through the speakerphones.

"No… we can end it here," Seiji answered.

"How are you?"

Natsuya returned to her car after finis.h.i.+ng her discussion with Akatsuki, and was concerned to see Seiji's state.

"I'm fine. As you can see, it's just that my sleeve has been destroyed." Seiji chuckled and indicated as his now bare arms.

After finis.h.i.+ng the duel with s.h.i.+n.o.bu, he went back outside to wait for the end of the negotiations rather than going back inside and seeing Akatsuki's face again.

"Was that guy rather proud of himself?"

"Yes, quite so… your fake act was incredibly successful." Natsuya smiled.

"Actually, I wasn't faking entirely. That puppet was indeed powerful and I was injured due to my overconfidence, although it was only a light injury." Seiji paused for a moment. "How did the negotiations go? Judging by your expression, things went well?"

Natsuya nodded.

"The duel will take place at Genhana High School, our main territory…"

She gave a brief explanation of the advantages she was able to obtain in the negotiation.

"The time of the duel has been set for next Sat.u.r.day night. I shall prepare as much as I can before then."

"What do you need me to do?"

"All you need to do is continue cultivating and improving your power level. Or, you can try practicing together with Hitaka and Rana."

"Understood."

There wasn't anything he could help with regarding the preparations. All he could do was cultivate and become stronger… well, that was how things should have been.

However, due to Yomi's knowledge, there was something else he could do as well.

Natsuya's car took him to the Uehara apartments. Seiji said goodbye to Natsuya as he got off her car and returned home.

"Brother Seiji…"

"s.h.i.+kchan, I'm home."

He took off his tattered clothing as he entered his apartment and explained the current situation to his adopted younger sister.

"…That's how things are. Until next Sat.u.r.day night, I'm going to work as hard as I can on cultivation and I won't be at home often. My apologies."

s.h.i.+ka looked directly at Seiji.

"A duel… will it really be alright?"

"It'll be fine, not a big deal. Just like last time, I'll definitely come back safely." Seiji smiled.

s.h.i.+ka fell silent for a moment.

"I would like to battle together with Brother…" s.h.i.+ka said in a soft voice as something flashed in her eyes. "Please allow me to become Brother's Spirit-branded Retainer."

"I would like for you to become my Spirit-branded Retainer as well. However, now's not the time," Seiji stated. "This isn't your battle. Technically speaking, this isn't my battle either, it's Natsuya's. I merely joined in forcefully due to my willfulness. I don't wish for you to become involved."

"But I want to become involved." s.h.i.+ka raised the volume of her voice. "Brother, you acted willfully in joining this battle, but you're not allowing me to partic.i.p.ate together with you… that's really terrible of you."

"Er… this…" Seiji averted his gaze as he didn't know what to say.

"Brother Seiji."

s.h.i.+ka walked up right next to him, getting very close to him as she stared at him.

"What is it?"

Seiji mysteriously felt a sense of panic at seeing his adopted younger sister's beautiful face up so close.

"You are an idiot."

"Eh?"

'Why is she suddenly calling me an idiot?'

"You're an idiot among idiots, which is why someone absolutely needs to watch over you," s.h.i.+ka told him in a serious manner. "I'm the best candidate to do so. I'm going to become Brother's Spirit-branded Retainer and protect Brother for his entire life!"

"Er… I'm quite happy to hear that…"

"I shall eliminate all of Brother's enemies, as well as all sorts of random and unworthy girls!"

"The first half of your sentence was fine, but what's the second half of your sentence referring to!?"

"I shall deal with Brother's troubles, and I shall need to approve any of Brother's women!"

"Just what does the second half there mean!?"

"Rest a.s.sured, Brother, I'm strong enough to deal with anyone, no matter if it's a tough opponent or an unworthy woman!"

"Perhaps so, but why do you keep talking about 'women?' What does 'unworthy' even mean here? Just what standards do you have anyways!?"

His adopted sister was saying some rather strange things, and seemed to have lost control of herself.

"Calm down, s.h.i.+kchan. I know that you're quite worried about me, but this isn't necessary," Seiji coaxed her while reaching out and patting her gently on the head.

"Mmm…" s.h.i.+ka also noticed her own impulsive behavior, causing her to begin blus.h.i.+ng.

"I truly apologize for willfully deciding to partic.i.p.ate in a duel. But, things will really be fine. Please trust me, alright?"

s.h.i.+ka slowly lowered her head.

"Hug me…"

"Hmm?"

"Just patting me on the head… isn't enough… Hug me…"

Seiji blinked and then smiled as he pulled s.h.i.+ka into his arms and hugged her gently.

'So warm.'

s.h.i.+ka hugged Seiji as well, rubbing her face against his chest.

The anxiety in her heart gradually subsided and was replaced by a warm and reliable feeling. However, her resolution to do something intensified even further.

"I still want to partic.i.p.ate in battle," she said in a light voice.

"About that… there's a limit to the number of partic.i.p.ants."

"Then switch someone out for me."

"Don't be like that, s.h.i.+kchan." Seiji smiled wryly.

"…Then promise me that this will be the last time."

"Eh?"

"After this duel, I'm going to become Brother's Spirit-branded Retainer. No matter whom Brother fights with in the future, you have to do it together with me… I won't permit something like this to ever happen again!" s.h.i.+ka spoke with firm resolution in her voice as she hugged Seiji tightly.