Chapter 2

Outside, Sbyam stood on the sidewalk, calmly observing the building from which thick smoke was rising. Raising his phone to his ear, he spoke in a voice devoid of worry:

"Are you okay?"

Brylo's faint but reassuring voice came through the phone:

"Yeah... I'm still alive."

Sbyam's expression froze momentarily as he lifted his gaze to the building. His eyes caught something unusual—a little girl, barely seven years old, plummeting from the top of the structure. The rush of air brushed against her face as she hurtled toward the ground.

Rather than panicking, Sbyam raised his phone again and spoke coldly:

"If this girl dies... aren’t we supposed to take responsibility?"

There was a brief silence on the other end of the line. Sbyam continued watching as the girl drew closer and closer to the ground.

Suddenly, a masked man dressed in black swooped down, catching the girl mid-fall and carrying her away. Sbyam's eyes widened in disbelief as he muttered, "What?!"

The masked man flew toward a van.

He landed lightly, opened the van’s back hatch, and tossed the girl inside before slamming the door shut. He then climbed into the passenger seat beside the masked driver.

The driver glanced at him and asked, "Is everything alright?"

The man nodded. "Yeah," he replied.

The driver started the van's engine and sped off.

Pulling off his mask, the man exhaled wearily, letting fresh air stream through the open window. "What the hell is this mission?" he muttered.

The driver, keeping his eyes fixed on the road, asked, "What’s going on?"

The man shot him an annoyed look. "Don’t you realize the danger we’re in?! We just took a girl with the Unlimited Technique!"

The driver, unfazed, responded, "She’s just a kid. I don’t think she can use her powers."

The man sighed in frustration as the van sped along.

Glancing at the side mirror, his expression turned to one of shock and fear. He spoke in a muffled voice:

"What?!"

The driver, confused, asked, "What’s happening?"

The man kept his eyes fixed on the mirror, terror etched on his face. Alarmed by his reaction, the driver turned to look at him, then glanced at the mirror himself.

In the reflection, they both saw Sbyam floating in the air, steadily following the van. Panic set in as the driver floored the accelerator.

The man continued staring at the mirror in shock and fear. The driver looked at him, puzzled. Then, he glanced at the car mirror and saw the reflection of Sbyam floating in the air, following the van. The driver panicked and sped up.

Suddenly, Sbyam’s face appeared at the window, and the man froze in fear. Sbyam, however, kept smiling like a child. The man, now furious, swung his fist at him, but Sbyam vanished, and the man punched only the air. “Where did he go?!” the man exclaimed in panic. He turned his head to the back, and there was Sbyam, sitting between them as if he were part of the journey. Both the driver and the man were filled with fear as the car began to lose control, swerving wildly from side to side. In the chaos, they crashed into a power pole.

The man stumbled out of the van, coughing as he stared at the ground. When he lifted his head, he saw Sbyam standing before him, one hand casually tucked into his pocket, wearing a mocking grin. The man froze for a moment before his expression twisted in anger. He shouted sharply:

"You bastard!"

Sbyam remained unfazed, his mocking gaze fixed on the man’s eyes. The man clenched his fist, sparks angrily flickering around it. Fueled by rage, he hurled a punch straight at Sbyam’s face. A massive shockwave erupted upon impact, accompanied by a deafening sound. Dust rose, and the ground cracked beneath the force of the strike.

As the dust settled, the man stared ahead in disbelief. Sbyam stood there, entirely unmoved, his mocking smile unbroken. Shock and confusion filled the man’s voice as he muttered:

"What?!"

Sbyam calmly pulled his hand out of his pocket and remarked:

"This is just part of my technique."

With deliberate slowness, he drew his hand back and clenched his fist, his confident smirk widening as he declared:

"It’s called the Immortal Mountain! I don’t feel pain or any force from strikes, no matter how powerful or numerous they are."

Sweat trickled down the man’s forehead as fear began to overwhelm him. Black sparks started to dance and flicker around Sbyam’s clenched fist. In an instant, Sbyam delivered a devastating punch to the man’s face, sending him hurtling into the van like a ragdoll. The impact crumpled the vehicle’s body, cracks spreading across its frame.

Inside the van, the driver sat frozen in shock, his wide eyes fixed on his friend’s lifeless body lying amidst a pool of blood. His trembling hands gripped the steering wheel, oblivious to Brylo standing silently behind him.

Brylo placed a hand on the driver’s back. Feeling the touch, the driver turned his head, only to find Brylo staring down at him with the same mocking detachment as Sbyam. The driver stammered in desperation:

"Please… spare me!"

Brylo’s smirk remained steady as purple sparks began to emanate from his hand. The sparks spread rapidly, enveloping the driver’s entire body. The driver’s eyes widened in terror as the energy intensified. With a violent burst, his body exploded, blood splattering across the ground and staining Brylo’s face and hands.

Sbyam glanced at Brylo, his tone indifferent:

"I think they’re from the Technique Containment Organization, right?"

Brylo wiped the blood from his hands using his mage’s robe and replied :

"Yes, but they’re weaklings."

The two approached the van’s back door. Sbyam’s expression turned curiously childlike as he stared at the vehicle.

"Is the girl inside?" Sbyam asked.

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Brylo replied calmly:

"We saw them put her in."

Sbyam approached the van’s back door and pressed his palm against it. Silence blanketed the area until, suddenly, the door exploded off its hinges with a deafening blast. Sbyam and Brylo peered inside, spotting a young girl curled up in the corner. Her trembling voice broke the tension as she asked:

"Who are you?"

Both Sbyam and Brylo were momentarily stunned. Sbyam exclaimed in disbelief:

"She's a child?!"

Brylo, equally shocked, added:

"We didn’t know that!"

The girl stammered, her fear evident:

"What do you want from me?"

While Sbyam remained frozen in surprise, Brylo quickly regained his composure. A faint smile crossed his lips as he closed his eyes and said reassuringly:

"We weren’t the ones who kidnapped you!"

Still hesitant, the girl asked:

"Who are you then?!"

Brylo replied warmly:

"We’re sorcerers. We're here to protect you."

The girl’s expression shifted upon hearing the word "sorcerers." She murmured softly:

"Sorcerers…?"

Sbyam stared at her curiously, while Brylo maintained his warm smile. Suddenly, the girl leapt at Sbyam, wrapping her arms around his face as she exclaimed:

"Are you really sorcerers?! I love sorcerers!"

Brylo chuckled softly, while Sbyam, visibly annoyed, struggled to pry her off his face, yelling:

"Get off me!"

The girl held on tightly, exclaiming:

"I’ve always wanted to be like you! I’ve always wanted to become a sorcerer!"

Finally, Sbyam managed to pull her off, holding her at arm’s length as he grumbled:

"You little brat!"

Brylo stepped in, gently placing the girl on the ground and holding her hand. He said with a warm smile:

"Let’s go home."

As they began walking away, the girl glanced back at the scene of the earlier battle. Sbyam and Brylo exchanged glances before Brylo reached out and covered her eyes with his hand, smiling gently as he said:

"Let’s not look back. Let’s go."

The girl turned her face away and replied cheerfully:

"Okay!"

Brylo smiled, holding her small hand as they walked alongside Sbyam. Curious, she asked:

"Who are you? You haven’t told me your names yet!"

Brylo introduced them with a smile:

"I’m Brylo Kraus, and this is my friend, Sbyam Brius."

The girl turned to look at Sbyam, who was scowling irritably. She asked with childlike innocence:

"Why are you angry?"

Sbyam shot her an annoyed glare and replied:

"You’ve been a nuisance from the start!"

The girl laughed innocently, her laughter contagious enough to make Brylo chuckle softly, though Sbyam remained grumpy.

Eventually, Brylo interrupted the laughter with a warm tone:

"So, what’s your name?"

The girl replied cheerfully:

"My name is Itasha Campeis!"

Brylo chuckled lightly:

"What a wonderful name!"

Itasha’s enthusiasm didn’t waver as she continued:

"My father was a sorcerer working with the Sorcerers’ Organization!"

Brylo’s curiosity was piqued, and he asked:

"He worked in the Sorcerers’ Organization?"

Itasha nodded eagerly:

"Yes! That’s why I love sorcerers!"

Sbyam, still trying to recall the name "Campeis," suddenly interrupted:

"I’m craving something sweet."

Brylo looked at him, startled, while Itasha excitedly exclaimed:

"Me too! I want something sweet!"

Sbyam grinned like a child and declared:

"Then let’s get some sweets!"

Brylo gave Sbyam a deadpan look and muttered in a low, disapproving tone:

"Are you a child?"

Meanwhile, Sbyam and Itasha shared a moment of excitement, their shared craving for sweets igniting an unexpected bond.

—

In the 20th-floor apartment, Sbyam and Itasha were munching on sweets as they arrived at her home. Brylo unlocked the door and stepped inside. The apartment was spacious and regal, adorned with warm lights, luxurious couches, a red carpet, and an impressive view. Sbyam’s jaw dropped at the sight, and he exclaimed,

“She’s rich!”

Itasha smiled brightly and said with youthful enthusiasm,

“This is my home!”

Sbyam shot her a disapproving look, his mood souring. Pointing his finger at her, he lightly pressed it against her head and declared with a mix of annoyance and disbelief,

“Hey, you little brat!”

Itasha responded with innocent cheer,

“Yes?”

Sbyam groaned,

“You’re obviously going to be my enemy! This royal apartment is way too big for someone your size!”

Brylo glanced at Sbyam’s sulking expression and scolded him,

“She’s just a child, you idiot!”

Itasha chimed in with her usual innocence,

“My dad bought this apartment for me and then left me here all alone!”

Sbyam’s irritation boiled over as he argued with Itasha, though his frustration only seemed to amuse her more. Brylo watched the two bicker, shaking his head in disbelief at Sbyam’s behavior.

Amid the commotion, Brylo’s phone buzzed. He pulled it out to see a call from their mentor, Surichi. Answering it, he said,

“Yes? What is it?”

Surichi’s voice came through,

“Did you get the girl?”

Brylo confirmed,

“Yes, she’s with us now.”

From the phone, Surichi could hear the sounds of Sbyam’s ongoing argument with Itasha. He sighed heavily,

“What’s that idiot doing now?”

Brylo exhaled,

“He’s arguing with the girl.”

Surichi’s tone grew sharper,

“That fool!”

Brylo inquired,

“So, what’s the plan for the girl?”

Surichi’s voice became firm and decisive,

“You are to transfer her to the Mana Organization by next Sunday.”

Brylo frowned,

“But today is Monday. Why such a long wait? We can take her today!”

Surichi explained,

“These empty days are for her to enjoy herself. Take her on outings and make sure she has a good time until then.”

Brylo’s expression turned somber as he muttered softly,

“That’s right… She bears the Clan’s Curse.”

Surichi’s tone remained firm,

“We must extract the Unlimited power from her before it kills her!”

Brylo replied quietly,

“Understood.”

He ended the call, slipping the phone back into the pocket of his robes. Turning around, he saw Sbyam and Itasha.

—

In a quiet, elegant restaurant filled with patrons enjoying their meals, a man named Smart sat at a table alone. He leaned back in his chair, his hand resting on the back of his head, exuding boredom and weariness. Memories from the past began to seep into his mind.

---

Flashback

In a classic restaurant, Smart was seated across from his wife, Biola Raipozi, who held their infant son, Moryo, in her arms. Biola lovingly played with Moryo, her gentle touch eliciting bright, innocent laughter from the child. Smart observed them with a serene smile, as though the moment had frozen in time.

Biola glanced at Smart and noticed his affectionate gaze. Puzzled, she asked,

“Smart…!”

He mumbled absentmindedly,

“Hmm?”

She chuckled softly and said,

“Why are you looking at us like that?”

Smart responded, his voice filled with emotion,

“Everything’s fine… I’m just savoring the moment.”

Biola laughed lightly and asked,

“And what brought this on?”

Smart’s tone became introspective as he looked at his wife and child,

“I don’t want to lose you… the way Raiso lost his family.”

Biola’s warm smile softened further. She reached out with her free hand, the one not cradling Moryo, and placed it gently over Smart’s hand. In a calm and reassuring voice, she said,

“Everything will be fine. I promise you that.”

---

In the present…

In the present, Smart remained in the same position, alone in the restaurant, his hand resting behind his head, and his face filled with the weight of disappointment and exhaustion. The sudden ringing of his phone snapped him out of his reverie. He sighed, lowering his hand from his head, his expression drained. Picking up the phone from the table, he answered the call.

Speaking coldly, he asked,

“What do you want?”

A familiar voice replied on the other end. It was Raizo,

“Smart Bessix?”

Smart replied indifferently,

“Who are you? I don’t have time for this.”

Raizo chuckled mockingly,

“You’re quite harsh.”

Smart didn’t respond, his disinterest evident. Raizo continued,

“I’ve heard you’re a hitman… and that you’re aiming to obtain the Time Technique. Is that true?”

Smart’s tone remained calm but sharp,

“Get to the point.”

Raizo obliged,

“Do you know where your son, Moryo, is right now?”

Smart’s cold reply came quickly,

“I don’t care.”

Raizo laughed slyly,

“Your son is currently with the Sorcerer Organization, under the training of a man named Surichi. Do you know why the organization took him?”

Smart’s tone remained flat,

“No.”

Raizo’s voice grew darker,

“Because he possesses the Raipozi Clan’s technique… the Time Technique!”

Smart froze, shock washing over his face,

“What?!”

Raizo pressed on,

“Do you want to get your son back… and make $50 million in the process?”

Smart’s expression shifted to one of determination. A sly smile crept onto his face as he asked,

“There’s a mission, isn’t there? What do you want?”

Raizo revealed his demand,

“There’s a girl from the Silano Clan. I want you to bring her to me.”

Smart’s grin widened as he replied,

“Send the money.”

He began to rise from his seat, but Raizo’s voice halted him,

“Oh, by the way, the girl is under the protection of Sbyam Brius and Brylo Kraus. They say those two will become the strongest sorcerers of the future.”

Smart froze mid-motion, his expression turning calculating.

“Sbyam Brius?” he muttered. “The boy who inherited the Kurmo Technique from the Raimo Clan?”

Raizo confirmed,

“Yes.”

Smart’s smile grew even more sinister as he said,

“He may become the strongest sorcerer of this generation, but… I’ll take him down. Now, send the money.”

Hanging up the call, Smart’s eyes glinted with excitement. With a challenging grin, he muttered to himself,

“This is going to be fun.”

—-

Night falls, and the moon ascends into the sky, casting its glow over the darkened city, illuminated by its shimmering lights. Inside the apartment, little Itasha sleeps peacefully, her innocent face serene as she rests. Sbyam and Brylo watch over her in silence.

Sbyam whispers softly,

“Will she really die?”

Brylo responds with a somber tone,

“It’s her fate.”

Sbyam gazes at Itasha quietly, his expression contemplative,

“Who will bear the Unlimited Technique in the future?”

A brief silence hangs between them before Brylo replies calmly,

“I don’t know. But they’ll have to find someone wise enough to wield such power.”

Brylo continues,

“For now, the priority is protecting her.”

The apartment falls silent again. Then Sbyam speaks, his voice firm,

“Go and get some sleep, Brylo.”

Brylo looks at him, puzzled.

“Don’t you get it? We have to protect her!”

Sbyam counters,

“At least one of us needs to stay strong. She’s a target for all the organizations now.”

Brylo reflects on Sbyam’s words, realizing the logic. Sbyam adds,

“One of us must remain at full strength, no matter what.”

After a pause, Brylo nods.

“Alright, good idea. But don’t let your guard down.”

Brylo moves to one of the couches, lying down and resting his head. Meanwhile, Sbyam stays by Itasha’s side, his gaze steady and deep, watching over her with quiet resolve.

The night grows still, the weight of their mission pressing upon them as the city outside hums softly under the moonlit sky.

End of Chapter.