Chapter 14

"I don't understand, what do you mean by magic?"

Hachiman asked, with a face full of false ignorance. His eyebrows slanted with one of his eyes opened wider than the other and finally, his face was set in a quizzical frown. His face perfectly simulating confusion of an innocent soul, putting up the perfect act.

"She must mean those magic tricks they show on TV." Yumiko, who was momentarily surprised by the questioned, followed Hachiman's lead and acted like magic is for overly imaginative children. "Aren't you too old to believe in those things?"

Although the two were putting up a relatively convincing act outwardly. In truth, they were both panicking about Yukino's question of their magical capabilities. The only one unaffected by the sudden question was Natsumi, who didn't understand what they were talking about since she's a baby.

Hachiman was currently checking his magical energy, to see if he accidentally used a large amount of mana. Usually, normal humans were unable to feel the flow of mana in the world. Only in rare cases where the magical energy in the air was dense, or unexpected use of a large amount of mana for a spell will they be able to sense it. Even so, it would be like a soft breeze hitting their skin at most.

It just wasn't possible for a normal human to sense his and Yumiko's magical power. they two of them were trained hard enough that they wouldn't let out any excess mana from their bodies. They even took it a step further and hid away their large reserves of magic. Making them appear to be normal people. After investigating his body for any inspection magic that may have been used on it, he turned out clean and it looks like Yumiko is the same.

Still, it didn't make sense how a relatively average human like Yukino was able to figure out that they had magic. With the small amount of magical energy, the blue-eyed girl had, it was unlikely for her to be a magic user. Even if it was slightly larger than the average person reserves, it was diminutive compared to theirs.

"Yukinoshita," Hachiman called out Yukino's name, his face still stuck with a questioning look. "How about we start talking about a serious topic." that was his attempt in changing the subject. inwardly, the loner hoped it would somehow work.

Although club president didn't look too convinced by their act, she still blushed at Yumiko's words earlier. Yukino coughs into her fist, trying to rid of her awkwardness. She tried to lead the conversation to a different direction out of shame.

"Yes...kohmmm." Yukino clears her throat. "I know most of how you two got together, being informed by Yuigahama beforehand. I will say this outright, I find your relationship suspicious and odd. Although we will accept Miura into the club, any indecent acts while in the club room or doing club activities will be punished. Harshly."

She spoke clearly and smoothly, switching her gaze between the two lovers as she did so. It was noticeable that whenever she looked over to Hachiman, her eyes would hold a conflicted look as if she didn't believe it was him. While she looked to Yumiko, well she just looked annoyed.

"And furthermore...!"

Swoosh

Before could continue the second round of her speech, a fireball flew right past her head, nearly burning her hair. It landed behind her with a light thump as it hit the stacked-up desks. Staying ignited on the piece of school property for a few seconds, it gently fizzled out due to lack of a proper fuel source.

...

Yukino looked over her shoulder to the leftover scorch mark on the desk. Narrowing her eyes, she looks back to the source of the spell. Natsumi, with her small hand, raised to face forward and face jovial with the fact she fired out another 'pretty light'.

"Umm"

Yukino who was locked in a dazed state as she studied Natsumi, finding it hard to believe that a baby like her could shoot a fireball from her hand. But upon hearing Hachiman's voice, her head snapped to look at his. With a chillingly angry look on her face, she glared at Hachiman feeling lied to.

"Hikilier-kun." Her tone even, and cold. "Mind answering why a baby can summon a fireball."

Maybe he should knock her out?

Hachiman had the thought in his mind, really it would be easy. Just one good strike and poof, lights out for Yukinoshita Yukino. But he decided to against it.

From her earlier question, it was likely Yukino already knew about the existence of magic. How she knew was a whole different set of questions. It might be better for them to explain to each other properly, not just try to hide his and her own secret. Now how Should he start this?

"Magic."

Suddenly the blond-haired fire queen spoke up, all subtlety out the window.

"You were right in your guess earlier. We can use magic, all three of us." Yumiko gestured the three of them. "Now how you figured it doesn't matter right now. What I want to know is..."

"Why do you know about magic?"

Yukino stretched her body, getting rid of any stiffness that accumulated while she was preparing her thing for school tomorrow. Her school bag, full of all the necessary supplies was laid on the chair that was next to where she hangs up her uniform, making it easy to leave for school as soon as she gets dressed.

Boom Swishh Boom

The distant sound of fireworks was heard, Yukino curious and with nothing better to do. Walked outside to her veranda to watch the festival's fireworks.

If she remembered correctly, her sister was given the duty to attend the festival as their father's representative. Her older sister invited her to come to the festival with her, but she declined. Giving out an explanation that she needed to prepare her things for school. Although it was still a few days early to do that, her sister still accepted the excuse.

Now looking at the beautiful display of pyrotechnics, she was sort of regretting not going to the festival. Even if she had to spend it with her sister, she was sure she could have tolerated her being there.

With the last of the fireworks erupting, the sky turns dark once again. Yukino decides to head back to her room and prepares to sleep for the night. But before she could reach her bed, an array of light suddenly lit the room.

It was a magic circle, glowing beneath her feet. Arrayed with differed runes of an unknown language, the circuit literally pulsed with energy barely contained within. Yukinoshita, bewildered by the sudden appearance of the circle, tried to back away from it.

She nearly reached the edge of the circle, but before she could, the spell activated. The magical circle expanded, covering most of the room with a sudden flash of light. Once the light disappeared Yukinoshita was no longer there. Her bedroom was left untouched, with no clue of evidence of where she disappeared too.

And due to the fact that Yukino was living alone in her apartment, no one will know that she had disappeared. Maybe if one of her family members decide to check on or call her, but for now, her departure was unknown to all.

Seconds.

Minutes.

Hours.

Time ticked by, only the sound of the clock mounted on the wall was heard in this rather large apartment room. Finally, there was a ringing sound, not from the spot where Yukinoshita disappeared. It came from her phone, placed on top of her desk. The caller was named "nee-san", meaning it was from Yukino's sister, Haruno. The phone rang for a few seconds, lasting for about a minute before it stopped. With that silence once again enveloped the darkroom.

A few minutes later lights once again flashed through the room, with a human figure suddenly appearing on the same spot Yukino disappeared from. Then the light faded out, giving out a better view of who appeared.

It was Yukino herself returning from who knows where. Her eyes were closed as she fell to the floor. The unconscious girl laid there for a while, her appearance beautiful, peaceful and warming, yet ever so distant to the common man.

Soon after she awakened, eye fluttering open with confusions as she gazed at her bedroom ceiling. Sitting up to look around the room with a growing sense of familiarity. Until finally it clicked in her mind.

"I'm back?"

She asked herself, her voice barely above a whisper.

She looked around the room once again, this time she walked around the room as she did so. Finally stopping in front of her phone that was ringing minutes before, she picked it up to see what the time was. But before she could do that, she spotted the name of her missed call.

"Nee-san."

Ding Dong.

The doorbell rang before she could call her sister back. although annoying, she decided to answer it. slowly placing her phone back down, she walks over to the front door to greet her unwelcomed guest.

Opening the door, Yukino stopped her movement for a second. This stillness didn't last long until she jumped at the person who rang her doorbell. circling her arms around the person, Yukino embraces her guest tightly and buried her head into the rather plump chest.

"Nee-san."

A whimper. inaudible to all but the one who spoke.

The guest, Haruno. Stood there surprised by her sister's sudden action. She came by to check why her sister wasn't answering her calls. Being welcomed with a warm hug from her rather cold sister was not what she expected to happen. Still, as she was locked in a heartfelt embrace, she decided to enjoy it while it lasted, circling her arms around her little sister as well. Reciprocating the embrace.

So that was why.

Hachiman was surprised, mainly because his group wasn't the only people to be sent to another world. To think someone else would be summoned to another world, and from the sounds of it, Yukino wasn't summoned to Amarein. No, she was summoned to a different fantasy world, one where magic was more widely used. In opposed to Amarein's combination of both science and magic.

It happened on the day of the festival, it was the day Yukinoshita Yukino disappeared from earth and was transported to Medea, a world where the pursuit of the ultimate magic was their way of life.

It was a peaceful world just as much as any world was. Skirmishes between countries happen, but for the most part, Yukino was summoned during a peaceful time. No large wars concerning the fate of the world, or destruction of an entire race.

So why was she summoned?

When asked, Yukino replied with a sight. Stating that she was summoned during one old hermit's test of Space magic. A complete accident where instead of teleporting to another part of Medea, the Hermit ended up summoning a person from another world.

Luckily for her, the hermit was a kind old man, taking care of her like a granddaughter during her stay. Unfortunately, she had to leave the hermit, once word got out that a human belonging to another world was summoned. The country she was in immediately sent a troop of mages to catch her. She escaped, but the hermit died in the process.

It seemed like Yukino spent most of her time traveling while learning from the notes of the old hermit, he was studying space magic and she thought it could help her return to Earth. Traveling from town to town, while hiding her true identity. She had it rough, if not for the few kind souls she met, she would have likely still been at Medea. It took a few years, so she said, but she was able to find a way back home.

"But how is it that you barely have any magic." Hachiman asked Yukino.

In truth, Yukino had above average mana reserves, but compared to most proper mages she was kind of lacking. The spell she used to return to earth must be different from theirs, considering that they still have all their magic power.

"I'll have you know Hikigaya-kun, I am a master of ice magic. Known to freeze miles of land just to escape my pursuers." Yukino declared proudly.

"And?" Hachiman raised a brow. Her previous reply didn't answer the question.

"It is likely the result of returning here. The time of my body reversed along with my mana." She finally said. It was a guess at most, how she tilted her head in thought.

"And your Gift?" Yumiko asked, entering the conversation.

Yukino looked at the blond confused, having no idea what she meant.

"Can you repeat that?"

"It's the power given to you when you entered the world. Given by their god to help you in your time there." Yumiko tried to explain the concept to Yukino.

It was very likely that the term[ Gifts] didn't exist in Medea, or that Yukino didn't receive on at all. Considering she was accidentally summoned, there was a possibility of her not gaining anything.

"Oh." Yukino exclaimed, fist hitting the palm of her hand. "If I remember correctly I have something called [Anti-Mage] giving me [Mana Break],[Blink],[Spell Shield], and [Mana Void]."

[Mana Break], drains enemies of mana with each attack, both physical and magical. [Blink] lets her teleport to a short distance without any mana expenditure, [Spell Shield] resistance to spells.[Mana Void], destroys an area of mana, damaging the people within the space.

[Anti-Mage], her abilities really match the name. One who is the nemesis of mages. In a world where magic was a key tool for fighting, Yukino would have been a powerful adversary.

"So, what about you two?" Yukino asked the pair, thinking that she had explained herself enough. "How do the two of you know of magic?"

The couple looks at each other, silently conversing of how much they should tell Yukino. It was only fair that they tell her the truth, but how much of it remains to be debated.

Yukino obviously kept a few facts hidden, likely because she didn't trust the two of them completely. They didn't mind it wasn't their business if she didn't want them to know. But how much should they tell her?

"How about from the day we were summoned?"

"What are the results?"

Haruno questioned the person standing in front of her.

The older Yukinoshita like a certain high school teacher was wearing a lab coat over her casual wear. The reason why she was wearing it was that Haruna was currently in a laboratory, the same lab she sent the Nutrient Fluid she got from Hachiman to be studied.

"Quite a fascinating product you gave us. Nutrient Fluid you call it?"

The only other person in the room inquired. The head researcher of the lab, he was an elder man, with white hairs growing out of his head and beard. The only strange thing about his was the way his eyes shined with interest, that is similar to a child discovering a new way to play.

"It has all the proteins, vitamins and, minerals a person needs. Triple the amount one needs in a week in fact. Normally it is not healthy to ingest such a mix-matched concussion. Yet this Nutrient Fluid can integrate these vitamins, proteins, and minerals quickly into the body, allowing for faster physical development." The scientists started explaining what he learned, face stuck in a perplexed expression. "Unfortunately, we were unable to identify the key element that makes such a thing possible."

"So, neither you nor anyone else can replicate it? " Haruno's face had a complicated expression.

It was good that the possibility of Nutrient Fluid being reproduced by another company was basically nonexistent. Yet she was vexed that she cannot learn of what made the drink so special. How was a student able to make such a drink?

"Not with the tools we currently possess. It seems a special machine is needed to make the central ingredient or ingredients. We can only study the effects of the drink on the body for now, but for us to do that we will need more samples."

"I understand." With that Haruno thanked the researcher and turned to leave.

She didn't need them to study the Nutrient Fluids effects. The things they discovered will go to the documents needed to start selling the product to the market or recorded into the new business she will have to open, for marketing, R&D, quality testing and other such things.

Having already drunk half a bottles worth of the drink, Haruno was certain of the miraculous effect of the drink. She could feel it with her body, pulsing with vigor and vitality. On the day she drank the drink, which was not too long ago, she lasted longer, lifted heavier, moved faster than she had ever felt before. And even after hours of exercise, she still felt full of energy.

"I need to call Hikigaya."

Now she understood Hikigaya's words at the festival were not overconfident words of a teenager. But clear-cut goals of his, containing belief that he will them possible. Although he did sound a bit too ambitious for a loner like himself.

"Ah! I don't have his number." Haruno looked over the contact on her phone. spotting no 'Hikigaya' in it, she realized she hadn't gotten it yet.

"Maybe Yukino has it."

Speaking of her cold sister. Lately, she had been acting differently around her. Far more warm and joyful, rather than cold and distant like she was before. She didn't mind it actually, she found it cute. Just curious of what brought the change to Yukinoshita Yukino.

Maybe she should just go to their school? During the middle of the day. Where it was impossible for them to avoid or escape her.

"I will go tomorrow then. With school just starting up again, they shouldn't be too busy yet." Giving out her usual smile, Haruno walks out to her ride. The excitement was dancing in her eyes as she thought of what might happen tomorrow.

"It's never a dull moment with Hikigaya."

"Bye Yukinoshita see you tomorrow."

"Later."

"Booh~"

Yumiko, Hachiman, and Natsumi bid their farewell to Yukino. waving their hands as they walked out of the school gates. Though in Natsumi's case she was just mimicking her adopted parent's actions.

"Farewell for now. What a cute baby." Yukino thought the later as she said her goodbyes to them. Face blushing as she remembered the adorable child.

Hikigaya's child.

She couldn't believe the cynical loner would end up taking in a child, and with Miura-san of all the people. Although she can't say she despised the blonde, she didn't particularly like Miura either. It likely came from their contrasting personalities, fire and ice as she remembered other students gossiping before.

Still, they acted differently from the way they did before summer vacation started. She should have noticed during the camp. It was obvious how they avoided each other at the time, that they recently had a fight or something at the time.

But she was a different person back then. Ever since her adventure to a different world, she had more clarity in peoples actions and the purpose behind said actions. But it didn't mean she understood everything.

She had spent three years at most in Medea, it was not even half of Hikigaya and Miura's seven, nearing eight years in Amarein. With so much time being with each other in another world, it was no surprise that they got so close to each other.

She would be lying if the thought of the two being lovers didn't leave a bitter sting in her chest. She knew she was developing romantic feelings for Hikigaya although it was barely noticeable before summer started, now having three years to develop, it became an unmistakable sensation.

She shook away the feelings for now. Having more pressing things to think about, such as the news she heard from The couple about otherworldy being entering earth through cracks in space. The two advised her that she should be careful about such events happening near her, and to contact them if it did happen. Which she will.

She knew she can't handle any powerful beings as she is right now. Having her mana pool returning to their previous low level when she first arrived in Medea. Something she was jealous about the other returnees is that they were able to maintain their mana levels even with their body's regressing back to teenagers. The only thing that she still had was her knowledge in the laws and theories of magic, and her [Gift].

Although it was unmistakable weaker that Hikigaya and Miura's [Gift], it still placed her above the rest of humanity. Having saved her in more than one tight spot, it allows her a chance to grow to her previous might once again. It is

a shame she didn't have her favorite armaments, she would have been able to train faster.

Holding out her hand in front of her Yukino tries to channel mana. Feeling the mystic energy flow around her body and converging at the center of her palm. Holding the gathered-up mana in place, she analyses the quantity and quality of her magical energy.

It was feeble.

It a world of swords and magic like Amarein and Medea, such output of magic would be laughable. Even children would have been better than her. Although on earth she could be considered to have above average magic capacity and quality, but following standards of a world where magic is considered childish fantasy would be nonsensical.

She needed to get stronger.

"Yukino-chan!"

Yukino was so focused on her thoughts of magic and gaining strength, that she didn't notice she had made her way back to her apartment. Her body likely went on autopilot, while she was examining her magic capabilities.

Yukino looks up to see the person calling out to her. It was her sister Yukinoshita Haruno. Waving at her enthusiastically with a smile that any man would find charming decorating her face.

"Nee-san, Why are here?" Yukino tried to recall any memories of being informed of her sisters visit.

"Is it bad for an older sister to visit her cute sibling to check on her?" Haruno asked while waving her index finger at Yukino playfully.

"No, but you aren't a normal older sister." A rough reply from Yukino.

"Nevermind that! Let's get inside so we can talk in private." Haruno pulled Yukino's hand to follow her to the apartment.

"I have a few things I want to talk about."

On the Hikigaya/Miura garden, a group of shadowy figures jumped over the wall surrounding the compound. Dressed in black leather armor with metal parts placed on certain areas for better protection, these shadows looked like highly trained assassins. These figures carried round objects that resemble human heads. Yet these weren't skulls from human beings but of monsters.

"What are you guys doing?"

Sitting on the tatami flooring with the door to the open was Hachiman. Drinking a warm cup of tea, as he was sat there quietly. He had been waiting for his shadows to return for the night, to check on the progress of the task he gave them. Little did he expect them to bring trophies with them once they returned.

"Okay, who started it?" Hachiman gazed at his shadows, trying to figure out who would start collecting heads to likely offer to him as a tribute.

It was unneeded though as the troop of shadows looked to the largest once amongst them, revealing who was the original headhunter. It was a blue-skinned high troll, thin and lanky garbed in light armor with a curved blade strapped on his waist.

"Rasta, I should have known you would do something like this." Hachiman's brows twitched with mild annoyance as he spoke to the shadow.

Rasta could only look at Hachiman in puzzlement, though with his face covered only the slight tilting of his head showed the emotion. Still, he held up a cluster of mismatched monster heads to Hachiman with pride. Giving to his master the bundle of heads as a tribute.

"No, I don't want them! The rest of you as well!" He roared, as Hachiman saw the rest of the shadows slowly lift the own spoils. "Get rid of them. We can't have heads hanging around the place." It would definitely be bad for Natsumi's growth, not to mention how gross it would be.

The shadow assassins could only destroy the heads with magic. Being created from vanquished assassins, the shadows had various ways of disposing bodies. But still, one could notice sadness from the shadows not being able to bring a proper tribute to their lord. With shoulders slumped and heads low they could only disposed of the skulls.

Hachiman sighed the shadows antics, he should be used to these things happening from time to time, but with it being a long time since he used his minions to fight for him, he caught surprised.

The shadows while were completely loyal to him following his orders unquestioned, with only the goal to please him and make him happy. With the inability to speak or form coherent words you would think they were just mindless beings. But that would be wrong. His shadows possess a high degree of sentience, the ability to perceive individual experiences. And with senpience: the ability to think and to reason. Although actions they take is questionable at times, like now for instance.

But with possessing both of these he can't confidently send them to do the complicated mission that would sometimes require them to act accordingly. Like today, he sent them to hunt down any monsters in the area while being hidden from the public. If they didn't have their own thoughts and will, they would just be mindless drones single-mindedly searching for monsters while ignoring all forms of subtlety.

He sent his shadow to search for monsters around the city, originally so that he could stay at home and relax with everyone. Rather than spending most of the night searching for monsters with Yumiko, then attend school the next day with barely any sleep. They both agreed it was a good idea for that exact reason. So on that morning, he summoned a group of shadow to hunt for any hostile monsters while he was at school.

Headhunting aside they seemed to have accomplished their task quite well. With the number of skulls he could see, Hachiman was certain that most of Chiba would be clear of monsters. He would still be sending them out again just to make sure though. For now, he settled on reviewing the shadows memories, to see what other monsters they found. The skulls they brought with them are likely the more powerful beast they found, if only barely.

"A Fel Basilisk? How the hell did it stay hidden until now"

Stopping at particular memory, he was surprised to see a large monster like a basilisk would appear. Basilisks were particularly secluded monsters, much preferring to sit in a cave pretending to be a rock. Even with the taint of Fel magic affecting them, they would still avoid people.

Hachiman studied the confrontation intensely too see for any clues of where the Basilisk was summoned. It seemed the Fel Basilisk had traveled quite far, so he was unable to find anything. It even attracted the attention of the police before the shadows killed it, luckily they were able to destroy the body before any human got close to it.

The Fel had an uncanny way of tainting a living being. Be it human, monster, or magical beasts any being would be consumed by the magic and go into a mild state of madness. Normal humans who can't use magic would likely go insane and kill anyone close to them, while at the same time spreading fel to his victims.

"I might be able to find out where it came from. Go" Hachiman dismissed his shadows, once again ordering them to patrol the streets of Chiba.

Fel Beast had the tendency to leave small trails of Fel around. Not enough to taint the earth, but enough to find out where they'd been. He will need to find it but he was in no rush, it takes a few months to for the taint of Fel to completely disappear, so had plenty of time to do this.

"Sir, should we sedate and capture it?"

A field agent spoke out, holding a dart commonly used to knock out elephants in his hands. He was showing the dart to his superior officer Yamada Yada, who was busy observing the dinosaur-like a monster in front of them. positioned on top of an old building, he and most of his men were observing the Fel Basilisk as it basked in the sun on an old warehouse complex, at least it looked that way.

"If you want to try that be my guess, but a little advice I doubt any normal drug would be able to know that thing out. So unless that little thing can knock out a T-rex, I suggest not doing that plan." He didn't look away from the Basilisk as he spoke. Still, the agent felt the sarcasm dripping from his words.

They had been on the roof for hours, observing the monster for any weaknesses they can't exploit. Their main goal was to kill the Basilisk without causing any death to their men or major damage to the surroundings. So far they had learned that it like to sit still, like a rock, for hours on end.

"Why isn't it moving?! Is it asleep or is it just really this lazy?" one of the agent people let out his frustrations with the Basilisk's dormancy

"It likely knows it being watched and decided to wait for us to engage it." Someone suggested.

Yamada ignored the comments from his men, his focus completely on observing the Basilisk. He was given a job to learn of what these monsters are, it didn't matter if they were alive or dead. He just needed the body so that it can be studied, and maybe with that figure out what they are and where they came from.

"Eye's up there is a movement" He ordered, once he notices the Fel Basilisk standing from its position.

With its body in an aggressive stance, it looked around its surroundings. Why? Yamada didn't know, he was just centered on observing the Basilisk. He might know why in a few seconds.

Suddenly there was a black blur across the Fel Basilisk's neck. Suddenly, Its movement stopped it fell into a heap with its head rolling slightly away from its body.

"It's dead..."

"What was that shadow! Review the footage, review the footage. We need to see what that blur was!"

"Its head was cut cleanly from its body."

Yamada stood up from his sitting position, gazing at the corpse with confusion for a moment before what happened caught up to him. Immediately he ordered his men to got and get the body of the basilisk while being careful of what killed it still lurking around the area.

"Sir! Its body is disappearing!"

"What!?" Yamada looked over to see half of the body of the large lizard already gone, quickly turning into dust flying in the wind. Not long after the whole thing was gone, with his men at the location of its body looking for any traces that might be leftover.

"Damn it."

Again

The body was gone again.

Thanks for reading!

Author's note:

This was just a leftover chapter I had at the back burner, not sure when I will get back to continue writing the story.