CHAPTER 32
There's Always Another Version For Everything!
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A few minutes earlier---
At the Demon Camp.
Tom's companions; Ino, Kira and Mark were entrapped inside a magic barrier that Jyoti had created before leaving them behind.
And the magic barrier was strong enough to withstand dozens of nuke bomb all at once.
「Is there nothing we could do to get out of this?」< Kira >
Feeling frustrated, Kira spoke up as he paces up and down.
「Calm down, Kira. If we're to get out of this barrier then, we must calm down ourselves first.」< Ino >
In response, Ino firmly said as she looks around the barrier for any weak spot.
「...」
All while, Mark was chillingly sat around while scratching his head.
「I think...I found its weak spot.」< Ino >
「! Really? Then, what are we waiting for? Let's just destroy this barrier, so, we can go and help, Aniki!」< Kira >
Kira excitedly said as he walks near Ino and looks at the same spot as her.
「*Nod* Hey, Mark. Come here and help us, will ya?」< Ino >
With a nod, Ino turns her attention at Mark.
「About that...」
But Mark looked dismissive about it.
「What?」
「*Sigh* Look. I also want to break this barrier and go aid Mister Tomoki. But...」< Mark >
「But what?」
Ino frowns as she raises her one eyebrow in question.
「But... Sensei's prowess is something we can't even fathom, y'know? In fact, have you guys forgotten that she's 'The White Dragon' and the first 'Guardian' of Kiran-Land? So, I'm sure this barrier is much more stronger than we currently are......」< Mark >
At Ino's question, Mark calmly replies and looks around the magic barrier.
「But we can't say for sure, unless we try, Mark!」< Ino >
「Yeah, I know. But do you really think, we can break this barrier so easily, without getting ourselves exhausted?」< Mark >
To which, Mark counterbacks with his own set of question.
「But does it even matter?!」< Ino >
「*Sigh*...」
At Ino's remark, Mark just gave a short sigh and continues---
「Ino...have you already forgotten about the most basic rule of battle? 'Never enter a battle in your weak state'.」< Mark >
「Tch...」
To which, Ino grits her teeth in frustration while she grabs onto Mark's collar.
「I haven't forgotten about it. But right now, I don't care about the rules. I just want to be beside, Tomoki-sama!!」< Ino >
With desperation, Ino spoke up as she looks at him with blood-shot eyes.
「...」
Seeing this; Mark slowly raises his both hands up in the air as if to show his defeat and says---
「I get how you feel, Ino... But Mister Tomoki has taught us to be logical whenever approaching a battle. Don't you also agree with me, Kira-san~?」< Mark >
With this word, Mark swiftly turns his gaze at Kira with his now idiotic smile.
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「...」
To which, Kira quietly looks down as he felt conflicted about his mindset after Mark's remark.
「Then, you suggest that we just wait for Sensei to dispel the barrier?!」< Ino >
「Given the circumstances, I guess...」< Mark >
「Listen, you---!!?」
*Kaboom*
「「!!?」」
Amidst of their heated arguments; a sudden massive explosion happen that shook the very ground they were standing on, very aggressively.
『...』
Feeling confused; they stop arguing with each other and looks at the explosion's direction---where they saw nothing but a huge mushroom cloud forming throughout the skies.
All while; something was thrown out of it like a cannon, as it was heading towards their direction at rapid speed.
*Woosh*
In just a matter of seconds, it collides with one of many tents nearby the camp.
『? S-Sensei!!』
When the dust clears out; they saw Jyoti, who was clearly lost in her mind as she didn't even seem to acknowledge her surroundings.
「..no...this can't be happening......」< Jyoti >
Jyoti mutters to herself as she clearly looked distraught by something.
*Kaboom*
All while; the fade sound of explosions were still coming from the same direction as before.
「Sensei! What is happening? Is Tomoki-sama alright? Answer me!!」< Jyoti >
Ino questioned about the situation as she starts to feel worried about Tom.
「...I......I...」
But to her dismay, Jyoti was still murmuring to herself as if she had lost all hope inside her.
「Sen---?」
And before Ino could say anything; she paused as she saw Kitsune and Num suddenly appearing right front of Jyoti.
「*Sigh* Seems like, she totally lost it.」< Num >
Num sighs as he carefully observes Jyoti's condition with keen eyes.
「Guess, we'll just have to deal with Master by ourselves~ Huh?」< Num >
「...」
But to Num's surprise; Kitsune suddenly starts to walk closer towards Jyoti.
「Kitsune?」
Which made Num to tilt his head sideways in confusion.
But for Kitsune herself; she didn't seem to be much interested by other reactions, as she soon stops right front of Jyoti and says---
「Get up.」
「..no...it's too early for this......」< Jyoti >
To which, Jyoti was still whispering to herself in pure bafflement.
「Tch...I said, 'Get up'! Aren't we both competing for Master's love?! So, why are you giving up now?」< Kitsune >
Feeling frustrated, Kitsune quickly grabs onto Jyoti's collar and angrily said.
「..why...just why......」
And yet, Jyoti was still murmuring to herself, despite getting Kitsune's constant cold stares.
*Smack*
「!!?」
To which, Kitsune snapped all of a sudden and slaps Jyoti across her face.
「I'm getting sick of your bullshit! If you cannot afford to try then, you have no rights to call yourself Master's follower. So, return where you came from. Master doesn't need weak-minded people like you.」< Kitsune >
Kitsune snarls at Jyoti's hopelessness, as she quickly lets go off her collar and turns around to walk away from the sight.
『...』
All while; Ino, Kira and Mark just silently watches the scene unfold with bafflement.
『?!!』
*Kaboom*
And when they try to speak-up; they suddenly got interrupted by the explosion that was coming from the same place as before but with less impact.
When they turn their attention at the site; they saw Tom going upwards the sky, while the countless pitch-black chains were attacking him, relentlessly. From every direction as possible.
Feeling insecure; all of them starts to bang the magic barrier with desperation.
「Tomoki-sama!!!」
「Aniki!!!」
「Mister Tomoki!!!」
Seeing Tom defending all by himself; made Ino, Kira and Mark to panic, as they bangs the barrier hard as possible, as to get Jyoti's attention.
『Sensei! Sensei!!』
All while, Kitsune and Num were about to leave the sight, when---
「..wait.」
Suddenly, Jyoti rose upto her feet and looks at them with her keen eyes.
「「?」」
To which, they both stops in their tracks and looks back.
「Sorry for losing my cool there... And kids. Stay back away from this 'until the danger is clear.」< Jyoti >
Jyoti slowly starts to walks upto them, as she swiftly glance back at Tom's companions as to give an assurance.
「And for that. I thank you, Kitsune.」< Jyoti >
「Hmph!」
At Jyoti's gratitude; Kitsune just gave her a usual cold stare and nothing more.
「Now then~~」
「「Hm?」」
With a cheery tone, Num spoke up as he soon grabs their attention.
「Can we now focus on Master? Or whatever it is that took control of him?」< Num >
「...」
Without a word, Jyoti walks pass through them and still continues to walk forward.
「I have a plan...but....」< Jyoti >
Soon, Kitsune and Num also follows her lead; while leaving Tom's companions behind, inside the magic barrier.
「It's a risky one so...I can't be sure.」< Jyoti >
Jyoti added in low voice, as she looked somewhat nervous and worried.
「Let's hear it, then~」< Num >
Num answers her with a smile.
「I need your help to get me near Master.」< Jyoti >
「Then what?」
「Then, I'll try something that might bring him back.」< Jyoti >
Jyoti said while looking more focused than ever.
「And that might be?」< Num >
Num questioned her with his one eyebrow raise.
To which; Jyoti slowly puts her right-hand into her 'Storage Pouch' and shows just a glimpse of what she's holding.
「「!!!?」」
Seeing this, Kitsune and Num both looked at it with pure bafflement.
「Ara~ So, you had this the whole time? And why did you hide away from all of us, even from Master..?」< Kitsune >
With a suspicious gaze, Kitsune said while maintaining her composure, as she starts to have thought about what other things she maybe hiding from them.
「I don't know how you have this. But after this, you'll have a lot of questions to answer, Jyoti.」< Num >
「Yes, I know. And it'll be a long one too.」< Jyoti >
Jyoti lightly nods as to acknowledge their words.
「So, what's so risky about your plan?」< Num >
「The risky part is...」
Jyoti paused and takes out a rolling paper to smoke.
「It may not work...」
Jyoti suddenly stops in her track and lits the rolling paper up, as she turns around to face Num and Kitsune, directly.
「*Puff* But nonetheless, I wanna give it a shot- de gozaru~~」< Jyoti >
Jyoti said with her now usual demeanor.
「Sure, I'm down~~」
To which, Num immediately gives her a thumbs-up with a smile.
「...」
But it was different for Kitsune, as she looks on with her neutral expression.
「*Puff* So, what about you? Are you in or out?」< Jyoti >
Which made Jyoti to repeat herself again as she gaze at Kitsune.
「Hmph! I'll do it. Not because of you but for Master sake.」< Kitsune >
Kitsune replies back with stiff tone.
「Heh~ At least, we're on the same page~ *Puff*」< Jyoti >
Jyoti said with smirk and turns around.
「*Puff* But with our current strengths. It'll be impossible to get even closer.」< Jyoti >
「So...do you mean by?」< Num >
At Jyoti's words, Num starts to look excited as he question her.
「*Puff* Yes. It's time to get a little bit serious~」< Jyoti >
With a long puff; Jyoti flicks the rolling paper away. While a bright light starts to emit from her whole body.
「Heh~ Let's get serious then~!」< Num >
「Hmph!」
Soon enough; Num and Kitsune also starts to radiate gold and pink light respectively, from their whole body.
All while, their 'Mana Signature' itself were getting more denser.
*Swoosh*
The cold breeze swirls around them. As the glow, they were giving off was getting brighter by seconds.
『...』
In just a split second; these glowing lights and swirling winds disembarked like a broken mirror.
And after the powerups; Sub's followers was now giving off a majestic and more dignified presence, all around.
As Jyoti looked the same, but now her smooth sliver hair was fluently hovers around with the help of soft winds, while a white aura was oozing out from her body.
As for Num; his whole attire got changed into an armor, while also holding onto his weapon/staff 'The Golden Cudgel' with his right-hand, firmly. While his golden eyes shone more brightly than ever.
And lastly, for Kitsune; her kimono and looks remains the same. And in addition, her ears now changed into a fox, while a single golden fox tail pops out from behind.
Overall; Jyoti, Num and Kitsune looked more than ready for a fight.
With a sigh, Jyoti soon opens her mouth and says---
「*Sigh* Now then, let's begin!」< Jyoti >
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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 comments.
Peace:)