A pure white blade digs into my left arm and blood flows.

Fumu. To be able to cut my arm. How wonderful.

..I had intended to get your head at the same time as your arm

Ray vomits blood due to my right arm thats pierced his chest.

And I had intended to crush your heart but your body is pretty robust as well.

Misa shouted out after watching our battle.

Arnos-sama, Ray-san.! You dont have to do this!!

Misa looks really worried.

Dont worry. Im only checking his resolution. I dont forgive anyone who challenges me no matter who they are. If youre looking for mercy from a friend then you wont find it here.

Im relieved. If you are that serious then I can cut you down with no hesitation.

Ray smiles his refreshing smile.

Well then.

Ahh, see you in the finals.

Ray left and headed to the audience seating.

Arnos-sama

It seems hes been collared somehow.

Misas eyes rounded as she looks at me.

I tried to confirm it through direct contact. Some type of magic tool has been embedded in his body.

..It was only an instant. Did something like that happen.?

That was the point of our little exchange.

The magic tool buried in his body is synced with his magic so its hard to see. I can tell by using my demon eyes that whatever is stuffed into Ray is quite a powerful thing.

..When did you notice a magic tool was embedded in him.?

Ray gave out some hints like when he said he was already prepared for death. I had thought that he meant he was ready to die when we fought but he meant his actions are being limited by a tool that can kill him. Im guessing that if he was to ask for help hell be killed.

Ray is most likely being monitored by magic or by that tool.

If he was to ask for help his observer will probably activate that device in his body and kill him.

I know he said he was prepared to die but thats it..?

He also said we couldnt fight at our full power and that he was going to kill me. Those bits bothered me as well. Hes the type that doesnt get wound up by his enemy and just nonchalantly cuts them down. It was too provocative so I started thinking. Also, when he cut my arm he deliberately left his chest open so I pretended to go for his heart and checked.

Due to that, I was able to find the tool.

It must have been the only tactic he could come up with to let me know something was wrong without alerting his observer.

If it had gone wrong would his life have ended?

.Im amazed..all I saw was Arnos-sama and Ray-san quarrelling..both of you are amazing

These type of things used to happen a lot back in the old days.

Things were a lot more sly and tricky 2000 years ago.

.Is it the work of the royal faction.?

Its reasonable to think so.

Or is it the work of Avos Dillheavia?

Wouldnt you have to be a skilled master to embed a magic tool in Ray-sans body?

There is that possibility, however.

Rays mother must be involved.

I thought she was in that magic clinic?

Aah, she is. Thinking about his words though it was probably a message for me to do something.

It adds up if you assume his mother is a hostage and thats the reason he allowed the tool to be embedded in his body.

That man asked for my help in a very tight situation. Theres no reason not to respond to his request.

What are you going to do? Misa asks with words loaded with anger. I cant forgive people who act this way. Ill show them they cant do what they want just because they are royalty.

Then come with me. I dont know who they are but they put their hands on my friend. They will not get away with this.

Yes.

As I start to head off to the magic clinic I remember something and stop.

That reminds me, isnt the second round about to begin?

If I recall correctly, everything except the final match will be held today.

Fumu. Please wait a while. I need to clean up the remaining small fry first.