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Yoddhaharu (योद्धाहरू)
CHAPTER 24: Before Referencing Others, You Must Know About The Fair Use, First!

CHAPTER 24: Before Referencing Others, You Must Know About The Fair Use, First!

◆That Time Everything Was Fancy◆

A really-really long time ago. To the point, no cares about the exact date. One middle of the night at Mech-City, Sub came outside from the casino's building as usual. "Woo man~ what a lucky day for me~", he mutters as he starts to count money which he had won from gambling. All while, he was walking through the streets. However--before he could even leave the city, his stomach starts to growl in hunger. "I'm hungry. Guess I'll treat myself.", Sub said as he soon steps inside a fancy-looking restaurant. When he entered the restaurant, he saw fancy decorations all around. But he could care less when he came here for the food. When Sub sat down at the table, a waitress came near him and hands him the menu while saying, "Welcome to Fancy Restaurant, Sir. What would you like to order?". With a nod, Sub opens up the menu to order his food. But before he could order anything, he got surprised to see all the food which is on menu was really expensive than he imagines. He thought to himself, 'Oh god, why's everything so expensive here...', as he was looking through the menu. He tries to order something affordable, but all foods were double the price. So, he wanted to call it day and leave the restaurant, but he couldn't, as he saw waitress patiently waiting for him to order something with a smile. "Oh...I'm fucked......", he thought to himself as he orders French Fries, which was little less expensive than other foods. And now, he was patiently waiting for his food, while regretting his decision... After a little while--the same waitress came towards him and puts down a big tray in front of him. To which; Sub soon got startled by the amount of foods laying on the tray. "Excuse me. But I've only order French Fries...", Sub said looking at the foods in dismay. But the waitress just said, "Enjoy your meal, Sir.", and left the scene with a smile. Feeling awkward, Sub gave up his complaint and starts to eat his food. While he felt pity for himself, as he thought, 'I'm definitely getting scam here...', while he was slowly consuming his food. After eating all the foods, he asked for the bills. Soon enough, the same waitress came back while holding the bills. Sub gulp down his own salvia and took the bill from the waitress's hand. When he unfolds the bill, he soon fills with dread as the cost was more than he had on him right now... Without a word; Sub suddenly looks at the waitress with serious look and said, "Show me the dishes.". To which, the waitress happily shows him the way. And with this, Sub started to wash the dishes for days in row to pay his remaining bills. And when he was finally got released, he felt really happy inside but at the same time he felt pity when he saw other customers like him, falling into this scheme as well.

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CHAPTER 24

Before Referencing Others, You Must Know About The Fair Use, First!

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「「...」」

At Demon's base camp.

Num and Mark were staring at each other very keenly, without a blink.

As Mark soon took his battle stance for the fight.

For Num, he was just smiling at him. While he scratches his head as if thinking of something.

「You ready, kid?」< Num >

「Of course!」

Mark nods lightly, as he tightens his fist.

「But before that--I want you to wear this for your cloth's safety~~」< Num >

「!?」

But before Mark could make his move--Num suddenly got in front of him in an instant, as he held out a pinky apron towards him.

「Wha!!?」

However; before Mark could react to this--he got taken back when he saw a whole 'Primitive-style Kitchen' now surrounding them, out of nowhere...

「Woo~ Guess, creating something from nothing is easier than I thought~~」< Num >

Num mutters as he looks around his surrounding with a smug.

「...」

On the other hand; Mark couldn't comprehend of what he just witnessed--but he did learn one thing from this.

(...this guy is definitely not human......) < Mark >

Mark had faced many strong opponents in past. But this was the first time when the enemy he was facing had way more of a strong presence than the ones whom he had fought, previously...expect for Jyoti.

Mark understood that fighting him is pointless as he would definitely lose, no matter what...and yet he wanted to fight him, nonetheless.

But Num on the other hand had different intentions on his mind other than to fight.

「So, you wanna wear it or not?」< Num >

Num said in confusion as he brought the pinky apron closer to him.

「...」

To which; Mark soon takes the pinky apron and wears it, without a protest.

And soon after, Num also wears the pinky apron as well.

「Now then~ Let's start preparing the ingredients first~~」< Num >

Num said with cheerful smile, as he walks up to the table and lays various type of vegetables on it. While Mark was following him around in confusion.

(...Like seriously......what the heck is even going on.......) < Mark >

Mark couldn't help but to be more puzzled by it, while trying his best not to show panic.

All while, Num starts to chop the vegetables, nonchalantly.

「Umm... Mister Num, aren't we supposed to fight...?」< Mark >

「Hm? Yes, we will have a 'Food Fight'~ But first, let me finish this~」< Num >

「Huh? Wait what... Food fight?」< Mark >

Mark soon tilts his head sideways in confusion.

「Yeah! Wasn't it obvious?」< Num >

「W-Well...I guess. But I do not even know how to cook! So, this food fight is kinda pointless, y'know!」< Mark >

Mark said as he scratches his head in embarrassment.

「Is that so? Then, you're in luck, kid~ I'll teach you one or two simple recipes to cook~~」< Num >

「Hm, that's not a bad idea. Ok. Teach me, Mister Num!」< Mark >

Mark said with a nod.

「Before we start~ Let us pray for good luck to the legend, Gordon Rams---」< Num >

「Freeman!!」

「Huh?」

「Eh?」

「「...」」

Both; Num and Mark soon look at each other with dumbfounded expression.

「Weren't you talking about 'Gordon Freeman'?」< Mark >

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[ NOTE*: Gordon Freeman is the silent protagonist of the Half-Life video game series. ]

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「No. Who's that? I'm talking about 'Gordon Ramsay'!」< Num >

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[ NOTE*: Gordon Ramsay is a British celebrity chef. ]

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「I see... Never heard of him.」< Mark >

Mark mutters as he looks away from Num in shame.

「Wait! You don't know whose Gordon Ramsay is?! That's crazy! Tell me, do you perhaps live under a donut?」< Num >

Num felt flabbergasted knowing that Mark didn't knew who Gordon Ramsay was.

「I'm sorry to disappoint you, Mister Num. But since cooking isn't my thing, so it's hard for me know him. But I'm pretty sure Kira-san knows him! After all, he's the main cook from our group!!」< Mark >

「I see. You have a point. Anyways, let me now teach you to, 'How to cook'~~」< Num >

「Yes! Please.」

With a nod; Num soon takes out couples of sliced breads along with a ham from his Storage Pouch. While Mark was enthusiastically looking on.

「So, the first recipe you'll be learning is, ham sandwich! It's tasty and easy to make~~」< Num >

With a smile; Num puts a slice bread on top of the table.

「Um-hmm! And?」

As Mark was eagerly looking at Num doing his thing.

「Now, I'll just put a ham and cheese~ one by one~~」< Num >

「...」

「And now--the last thing I'll be adding is another slice of bread~~」< Num >

Num said with a cheerful voice, and as he puts another sliced bread on top of it.

「...」

Mark just felt dumbfounded, as he learns one of the most basic recipes in no time.

「And~ It's done~!」

At the same time; Num had also done preparing his ham sandwich and puts it onto the table for presentation.

「So, how does it look~?」< Num >

However--Num's ham sandwich wasn't a sandwich at all.. Instead, it was just a normal 'Fried Rice'...

「? What the......」

Mark was just speechless as he didn't know what to comment on this...

「I am shock! How did you make fried rice from something else?! This isn't supposed to happen! And why does the fired rice look just normal!!?」< Mark >

Soon, Mark frowns as he continues to stare at the fried rice in dismay.

「*Sigh* I'll be honest with you, Kid. Since it's unexplainable stuff, I'll just say it's 'Quantum Physics'.」< Num >

「Huh? You serious...unexplainable stuff......quantum physics? It's understandable if this Web-Novel had only Sci-fi tag...but it's a mixer of Sci-fi and Fantasy. So, give me more sensible answer!」< Mark >

「Wha!? Really? Then, it's obviously 'Sci-asy'! Hahaha~~!」< Num >

「Oi! It's just a word that you just made up, right? Right?!」< Mark >

Mark yells at Num as he raises his eyebrow.

「Yep, it is~~」

「...」

Stolen story; please report.

Seeing Num's such confident. Mark just felt completely speechless.

「Anyways. Let me teach you another simple snack which I have in mind~~」< Num >

「!? A-Another? You mean there's more...」< Mark >

Mark suddenly got startled as he raises his eyebrows.

「*Nod* *Nod* Seems like you're also excited about it, huh~ I get where you're coming from~ After all, I'm also excited that someone finally wants to learn cooking from me!!」< Num >

Num said with haughty voice as he nods his head several times looking all too happy.

(Actually...I'm not interested anymore...after what I've just seen......) < Mark >

On Mark's mind, he was having trouble to decide whether he should tell him his honest thoughts or not.

(But then again, I feel like he will just ignore me anyway...) < Mark >

「*Sigh*」

With a sigh, Mark just continues to watch Num.

「So, the snack I'll be making is called 'Chatpate/Chatpat'~ To make this snack. First, we'll be needing a big bowl~ Also, why don't you also try to make this snack? Who knows it might be tasty~~」< Num >

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[ NOTE*: Chatpate/Chatpat is a popular street food in Nepal and India. It is made using Puffed Rice, also known as Rice Crisps, which is mixed with various vegetables and spices. ]

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With a smile; Num soon takes out two big bowls from his 'Storage Pouch' and puts it on the table. While he held out the other one towards Mark.

「...sure...」

Feeling a little hesitant, Mark agrees to do so.

「Oh yes! I forgot to mention that it's my version of Chatpate~ So, it might be different from the ones you've known.」< Num >

「*Nod*」

「Well then~ Let's start by adding handful of puffed rice into the bowl~ Along with some 'Dal Moth', Peanuts, instant noodles and corn flakes~~」< Num >

「Ok.」

As Mark was following every step. Num on the other hand was now putting freshly cut vegetables on to the table.

「With that said and done. It's now time to add some vegetables and spices too~ First thing I'll add is chopped tomatoes, onions, peas, boiled potatoes and coriander leaves. And yes, you can also add green chilies if you like spicy foods~ Anyways. Now, it's time to add some spices!」< Num >

After putting vegetables into the bowl, Num joyfully added some spices as well.

「Um-hm, you got it.」< Mark >

All while, Mark also did the same.

「Good~ Now, the last thing to add is lemon for sour taste~~」< Num >

Num cuts a lemon in half and gives the one half to Mark. As he soon squeezes the other half of the lemon all over the ingredients. As for Mark, he quickly follows suit.

Soon after; Num puts his right hand into the 'Storage Pouch' and takes out two big spoons.

「Now then, all that's left is to stir these ingredients really well until it blends together! So, here take this spoon. You might need it~」< Num >

And hands the extra spoon to Mark. As Num starts to stir the ingredients inside the bowl.

「This is fun! Feels like I'm actually learning!!」< Mark >

Mark said enthusiastically, while stirring the ingredients.

「Um-hmm, glad to hear~ So, if you feel like all the ingredients have been blend well. Then, it's ready serve~~!」< Num >

「Got it!」

At Num's word; Mark soon stops stirring the ingredients and puts it on the plate for presentation.

「Phew! It's finally done~!」< Mark >

A big smile hung through Mark's face, as he couldn't help but to feel satisfied by the results.

Mark's chatpate came out perfectly, as the chatpate itself looked delicious at just a glance.

「Well well~ It looks delicious, Kid~~ Even though, you said this is your first time~!」< Num >

「! Y-You think so too, Mister Num?!」< Mark >

「Yep~ In fact, with little bit of training you'll be ready to cook on your own~~」< Num >

「*Sigh* I highly doubt about that, Mister Num... Anyways, why don't you taste it? And tell me your thoughts?」< Mark >

Mark said merrily and hands him a spoon.

「Umm. I think we should wait for Jyoti and others arrival and let them taste our snack~~ What do you say?」< Num >

But Num had other thoughts in mind, as he declines to taste.

「Hmm. That's a good idea! Let's do that!! And by the way, can I see your version of chatpate now?」< Mark >

To which; Mark got more eager to see Num's version of chatpate.

「Heh~ You really wanna see it, huh~~ Well, here it is--my version of chatpate!!」< Num >

Soon enough, Num quickly presents his snack to Mark.

「Oho! So, this your version of chatpate--eh? Wait what..?」< Mark >

However; the next moment, Mark's all excitement and eagerness turns into confusion and disappointment. As he soon saw Num presenting not the chatpate but rather--it was just a normal fried rice again...

「So, what do you think?」< Num >

As Num smiles back at confuse Mark.

「W-W-What the heck?! How can you even make the same fried rice again?!! This is bullshit!!!!」< Mark >

Mark soon burst out in frustration, as he was dumbfounded yet again...

「Now now~ Don't be so angry. Like I've already said, it's 'Sci-asy'~~」< Num >

「No no no no no no! It's total bullshit!!」< Mark >

「Nope. I assure you, it's Sci---hm?」< Num >

「!!?」

*Kaboom* *Kaboom*

Suddenly--out of nowhere, amidst of Num and Mark's argument. They both heard loud explosions coming far away from their location. But the explosions were so effective that the very ground they were standing on also shook, albeit softly...

「W-What's happening?!」< Mark >

Mark said as he looks around frantically.

「Haha~ Seems like Master and your friend finally started~」< Num >

As for Num, he looked unfazed by his surroundings.

「..you mean...」

Mark mutters as he looks at the direction from where the explosions are coming with concern look.

「? Are you perhaps worried about your friend?」< Num >

「Well...kinda......」

「Well, you don't have to worry a thing then~ Cause Master won't kill someone for no reason~!」< Num >

(..? You mean...he will kill, if he has a reason then......) < Mark >

Mark raises his eyebrow, as he thought for a moment.

「*Sigh* Well, I'm not actually much worried about Mister Tomoki. It's something else...」< Mark >

「? Like what..?」

Num soon got confused, as he tilts his head sideways.

「You see... Mister Tomoki is acting kinda strange for these past few weeks......Like nowadays--whenever I'm around him, I sense nothing but death from him...」< Mark >

Mark said looking meek, as he soon clenches his fist.

「I see. I think, I now understand...」< Num >

As Num said, while he starts to have deep thought about something.

「? You mean, you understand what I'm trying to say, Mister Num?!」< Mark >

Mark said in curiosity, as he brought his face closer to him.

「Um--hmm. I now understand that...I'm still not good enough to understand complicated stuff.」< Num >

Num said with bland voice, as he scratches his head.

「Huhhh?! So, you didn't understand shit!! Then, what was even the point of telling you this!?」< Mark >

Mark frowns as veins pops out from his forehead in annoyance.

「Well, sorry to disappoint you~ Hahahahaha!」< Num >

「Oi, don't laugh! *Sob*...it was already hard for me to talk about this matter...*Sob* And *Sob* and...*Sob*......and........*Sobbing*!」< Mark >

Suddenly, Mark starts to cry profusely in fetal position for no apparent reason...

While Num felt puzzle by this as he thought to himself.

(..did I just witness a grownup man crying like a child...Seriously though, what is wrong with these people. But still...should I try to comfort him? Hmmmmm--but then again, I'm not good at comforting others.....what should I do......what should I do......) < Num >

Num was getting more panic and confuse, as more time passes by. All while, he felt really uneasy looking at Mark's crying state...

(O-Oh yeah! I should just knock him out. But then again, I'll just ended up hurting this kid...... To which, Jyoti may not like it...and if that's happen then, there's will be no chance for me to meet this world class chef which she had mention earlier.....*Sigh* what a drag........) < Num >

Num felt helpless looking at this situation. While Mark was crying profusely.

「Yo~ Seems like you both are getting along- de gozaru~~」

Suddenly out of nowhere; a sweet feminine voice echos through their surroundings.

「!? That voice!」

To which, Num felt shivers just by listening to those words. And when he turns around to look, he saw Jyoti calmly walking towards him with her crossed arms.

「Y-Yo, Jyoti...you done already?」< Num >

Num awkwardly greets her, as he was starting to sweat.

「...」

All while; Ino was looking all gloomy as she was slowly following Jyoti around.

「Well, I wouldn't call it a battle in the first place. So yeah, I obviously won- de gozaru~ And what about you guys? Seems like, you guys were doing something else rather than to fight, huh...?」< Jyoti >

With a smirk; Jyoti said as she looks around her surroundings just to see all kinds of kitchen related things lying around.

「Hm? Oh yes! We were actually preparing snacks for you guys! Here, want to try?」< Num >

Num stares at Jyoti with his tranquil gaze, as he brings the snacks closer to her.

「Hoh~ That's very kind of you. But I'm not hungry~ so you can give this to her- de gozaru~~」< Jyoti >

Jyoti said as she points her finger at Ino.

To which; Num thought for a moment before calling her out.

「Hey, kid! Want some? I'm sorry I forgot your name~ Hahahahaha~~」< Num >

「...No, thank you. I'm not hungry.」< Ino >

Ino mutters while looking down. Perhaps, she was worried about Tom, or maybe she was still coping with the fact that she had lose to Jyoti so easily...

「..now, that's rude.」

With a pout face, Num puts away the snacks in disappointment.

Suddenly, Jyoti looks at Num and said.

「By the way. Where's Mark?」< Jyoti >

「H-Huh? M-Mark? Well...」< Num >

To which; Num soon fills with dread as he awkwardly averts his eyes away from Jyoti.

「Hmm...」

Jyoti was still staring at Num's awkwardness, as she raises her one eyebrow.

「*Sobbing* *Sobbing*」

(Oh shit!?)

When all of a sudden; not just Jyoti but Ino also heard someone was sobbing behind Num.

「Oi, Num. Care to move?」< Jyoti >

「! Wha--I-I mean, why should I?!」< Num >

Num however didn't do as Jyoti said. Instead, he was all fired up to defend this position.

「Is that so? Then, there's no need for you to meet this world-class chef either- de gozaru~」< Jyoti >

「!? W-Wait! I'm joking, y'know!」< Num >

Num gritted his teeth in frustration as he obliges to move aside.

(Tch...this bitch......) < Num >

In back of Num's mind, he was cursing as well.

When Num moved aside--both, Jyoti and Ino saw Mark crying in curled up position.

「*Sobbing* *Sobbing*!」

「「...」」

Seeing Mark like this, they couldn't help but to stare at him in pity.

「Oi, Ino...he's breaking character......」< Jyoti >

「No. He's always been like this... In fact, why he's like this... Such a crybaby, *Ptui*!」< Ino >

To which; not just Ino felt pretty normal about it, she also spit at the ground--showing disgust towards Mark.

「I see. But...why are you also breaking character......」< Jyoti >

Jyoti mutters as she now looks at Ino with pity eyes.

「Look Jyoti. I'm innocent, ok?! In the first place, he was the one who started to cry for no reason!!」< Num >

Suddenly, Num came closer to Jyoti and tries to explain the situation.

「*Sigh* Num. Not now...」< Jyoti >

But Jyoti was least interested to hear him. As she soon brushed him off and starts to walk towards crying Mark.

「Hey, Mark. Why you're crying? Is everything alright?」< Jyoti >

「*Sob* S-Sensei? *Sob* I-I'm alright. It's nothing. *Sob* *Sob*」< Mark >

「Really? But you don't sound like it- de gozaru~」< Jyoti >

「I promise... I'm not crying...*Sob*... I'm not angry with Mister Num...*Sob*... In fact, I'm the one to blame...... *Sobbing* *Sobbing*!」< Mark >

As they were talking to each other. Mark was still in curled up position, while Jyoti was facing his back.

「*Sigh* Mark, shit happens all the time, y'know. So, stop complaining and be a man already! Instead, have some lollipop to cheer yourself- de gozaru~」< Jyoti >

Soon, Jyoti reaches to her pocket, and takes out a lollipop and holds it towards Mark.

「Hm?」

To which, Mark slowly turns his head around to see. But moments later--his intrigue face soon turns into disappointment one.

「I want ketchup flavour...not the mayonnaise one, Sensei...」< Mark >

Mark said with mild voice as he curled up again...

「...」

Hearing this; Jyoti couldn't help but to feel angry towards him, as veins were starting to pop up on her forehead.

(What have you done, Mark......you're not supposed to say that........) < Ino >

(Oh-hoo, she's pissed...) < Num >

Both; Num and Ino who were watching the scene unfold felt sweat running down through their forehead, as they expected something worse to happen.

「*Sigh* Fine. Here's your ketchup flavour lollipop.」< Jyoti >

Instead, Jyoti calmly sighs as to ease up her mind, while she took out another lollipop from her pocket.

「!?」

Soon after, Mark quickly stood up and snatches the lollipop from her hands.

「「...」」

Num and Ino both felt dumbfounded after seeing the unexpected outcome.

「Heh~ Now then. Care to explain, why you were crying in the first place?」< Jyoti >

But Jyoti could've care less about their reaction. As she continues her conversation with Mark, while she took out a rolling paper to smoke.

「W-Well...guess I have no definitive answer for this......」< Mark >

Mark said as he scratches his cheeks in embarrassment.

「Really? And here I thought you were in trouble- de gozaru~ *Puff*」< Jyoti >

「Well...thank you for your concerns, Sensei. But more importantly, I have something else to ask you.」< Mark >

Suddenly, Mark stares at Jyoti with his serious eyes.

「? Sure. Go ahead. *Puff*」< Jyoti >

「It's about Mister Num...」< Mark >

「? About him? *Puff*」

Jyoti mutters as she looks back at Num.

「About me..?」

While Num was also quite confused by this.

「*Nod* You see...I had lots of fun learning recipes to cook from Mister Num. However--I'm still having hard time to figure it out, 'Why did every single thing he made turns into a normal fried rice'? Please tell me, it's all bullshit, Sensei!!」< Mark >

「Pfft! So, you're serious about this, huh~ *Puff*」< Jyoti >

Jyoti chuckles as she took a short puff from the rolling paper.

「Yes, I'm serious! So please tell me about it--if you happen to know, Sensei!!」< Mark >

Mark said as he looked more serious than before.

「Hm, let's see...」

Jyoti thought for a moment when--

「W-Wait, Jyoti! D-D-Don't say it! I-It'll ruin my image!!」< Num >

Out of nowhere, Num suddenly begs her not to say it.

But Jyoti just ignores his plea as she continued.

「The reason for that 'unexplainable stuff' is......unexplainable.」< Jyoti >

Feeling unsure; Jyoti said and looks at Mark with her dull expression.

「OH-MY-JESUS CHRIST! Now, you're also bullshitting me, Sensei!!!」< Mark >

Mark frowns as he got baffle after listening to her. While he felt like they were just making fun of him...

「I'm not bullshitting. It's the truth. Even I don't know--how he can make normal fried rice- de gozaru.」< Jyoti >

Jyoti said as she looks back at Mark with serious look.

「...」

Seeing Jyoti making that face, Mark couldn't tell whether she was lying or not.

「I may not know the reason. But I might know the cause- de gozaru~ *Puff*」< Jyoti >

「? You mean...」

「*Nod* Yep! The very cause for his 'unexplainable stuff'- de gozaru~~ Are you curious to know? *Puff*」< Jyoti >

「Yes!」

「Heh~ Just so you know, it's only assumption of mine. So, take it as grain of salt- de gozaru~~ *Puff*」< Jyoti >

「*Nod*!」

Without a word; Mark just nods it lightly as he was now keenly focus.

「So-my assumption is, Num might've had traumatized experience regarding the normal fried rice- de gozaru.」< Jyoti >

Jyoti bluntly said as she flicks the rolling paper away.

「Eh..? You serious?」

Mark soon felt dumbfounded as his curiosity gradually wore off, while he turns around at Num's direction with dull expression.

「Now that I think about it. Jyoti never knew my past to begin with. So, I guess I was worried for nothing. Haha~」< Num >

All while; Num's gloomy face suddenly turns into cheery one, as he was looking way much happier than before.

「...is that even possible......」< Mark >

「Now now~ There's no need to think about it too deeply- de gozaru~ In fact, I'd say, 'it's all pointless to even talk about this'. And hey, look over there, it's Kira!」< Jyoti >

Jyoti on the other hand just casually walks up to Mark and pats him in jokingly manner. And at the same time, she also points her index finger to a certain direction.

『...』

When Mark and others saw Kira, they were quite speechless by the sight...not because of Kira--but cause of Kitsune who was nowhere to be seen.

(Whoa! I don't see Miss Kitsune anywhere... Did Kira-san actually won..? Unbelievable~) < Mark >

Mark who had dull expression a moments ago, was now looking all too intrigue.

(There's no way he won, right..?) < ino >

As for Ino, she also quite surprise to see Kira coming towards them, all alone.

(Huh? I didn't sense that cunning fox presence anywhere...and there's no way she would lose to this kid. I wonder, where she went to...) < Num >

Num who was looking all happy, suddenly looks around his surroundings with his keen eyes as he starts to hypothesis about Kitsune's whereabouts.

「...」

And the moment when Kira got close enough. Jyoti soon walks up to him with her crossed arm.

「Yo, Kira~ How did your fight go? I suppose it went smoothly~ Cause I'm not seeing her- de gozaru~~」< Jyoti >

「Ah, Sensei...actually......it was an utter defeat........」< Kira >

Kira mutters as he was looking depress.

「Oi oi--what's with that face, huh? Getting all depress over a fight. Win or lose, it happens all the time, y'know~」< Jyoti >

「Sensei...it's not about that...... I'm depress because I was defeated before I could've even attack........」< Kira >

「Pfft! I see. That's even worse- de gozaru~~」< Jyoti >

Jyoti giggles as she pats his shoulder, while feeling a little sorry for him.

「By the way. Where she's now?」< Jyoti >

「Ah yes. About that, Sensei...I don't know either......」< Kira >

Kira looks back at the direction from which he had came from for a moment--as he begins his explanation.

「At first, she was only few meters behind me as we were coming here. And after a few minutes of walking when I turn around to see...she was nowhere to be found......」< Kira >

Kira said as he himself was quite puzzle by this.

「Hoh~ Is that so? Well, it's now easier to find her- de gozaru~」< Jyoti >

「? Really?」

「*Nod* Yeah. I'm pretty sure she just wanted to be near Master- de gozaru~ So, she must've gone to the battle scene.」< Jyoti >

「! Then, she will definitely intervene---」< Kira >

Before Kira could speak any further, he got interrupted by Jyoti.

「You don't have to worry about that~ In fact, she won't even do anything unless Master orders it. And knowing my Master, he wouldn't want anyone to interfere with his fight- de gozaru~~」< Jyoti >

Jyoti said with a smug on her face.

「...」

Seeing Jyoti's confident, Kira's doubt soon wore off as he believes in her words.

「If you say so, Sensei. But what should we do now?」< Kira >

「Hmm. I think you kids should stay here while we adults handle this situation~」< Jyoti >

『? What?!』

Soon enough, not just Kira but Ino and Mark also frowned in unison at Jyoti.

「Hm? What?」

「Sensei, how can you say that!」< Ino >

「When we also wanted to be at Mister Tomoki's side!」< Mark >

「It's unfair, y'know.」

「Fuhaha~ I really like your honesty, kids! But I really can't take you guys with me. In fact, it might even make the situation worse- de gozaru~~」< Jyoti >

『Yes, we know about the dangers! Even still--we wanna go with you, Sensei!!』

Even when knowing the dangers, Kira and others still insists to go with her.

Seeing those determinant eyes; Jyoti couldn't help but to sigh for a moment.

「*Sigh* You know what. Let's play a game- de gozaru~~」< Jyoti >

『?』

「Yeah. You heard me right. If you kids can win this game, then you can do whatever you want- de gozaru」< Jyoti >

『We accept your challenge, Sensei!』

When Jyoti purposed a challenge, Kira and other accepts it without a hesitation.

「Heh~ Just as I expected. But the challenge won't be that easy- de gozaru~~」< Jyoti >

With a smirk; Jyoti suddenly starts to stare at Kira and other with her now menacing eyes.

『!!?』

To which; not only Kira and others but Num also starts to feel dense mana surrounding them, and as time passes by--Kira and others were starting to feel the pressure by this dense mana.

『...』

Suddenly; Kira, Mark and Ino could feel shiver running through their spines, as they desperately try to hold back their bodies from trembling.

But--it was all in vain, as their body couldn't handle the stress while they fell down on their one knee.

「Hey, Jyoti. I think you're overdoing it.」< Num >

All while, Num just casually walks up to Jyoti, as he didn't seem to be faze by the dense mana at all.

「Hm? You don't have to tell me what to do. In fact, why don't you go ahead. I'll catch-up with you guys after I deal with them- de gozaru~~」< Jyoti >

「*Sigh* Fine. Do whatever you want. I'm going now.」< Num >

With a long sigh; Num turns around and starts to walk towards the battle scene.

All while, Jyoti along with Kira and others were being left behind at the scene.

「Now then~ If you can stand up on your feet then you can come along with me- de gozaru~」< Jyoti >

Jyoti said with haughty voice, as she looks down on them with her cold eyes.

『...』

Kira, Mark and Ino were sweating profusely as they try their best to stand up but even when they try to lift a single finger......it was taking a lot of tolls to do so.

As it seems impossible for them to overcome.

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I hope you enjoy it and sorry for my bad grammar and I hope it's understandable.

I'm trying my best to improve and if you find some mistakes or anything like that, then let me know on the comment.

Peace:)