72 Kiyoshi's Words

"My parents saved up enough money to enroll me in the Edgar Brauss Magic Academy. They thought it would provide me a better life financially (by proxy, an increased amount of levels) than if I attended a lower-class magic school in my hometown outside these walls. As such is another reason why this system defecates on those who are poor. The higher one's level is, the more money they are to receive when completing higher-level missions. The only people who have the time and resources to obtain such high levels are the rich, thus allowing them to make even more money. However, if one is of a lower level, they are forced to work normal jobs in order to sustain themselves, leaving little to no time for genuine level improvement. Not to mention our general lack of spell books from days of old. That unfairness fuels my hatred, it destroyed the lives of my parents. I vowed that I'd attain unparalleled strength as quickly as possible in order to provide my family financial support."

Kiyoshi's voice somehow became even more serious.

"This is where you and I differentiate completely. For an entire year, I sacrificed everything in the pursuit of power. I cut out hours of sleep, destroyed any eating habits, and sacrificed many meals entirely. I did away with any social life, heavily neglected attendance of the academy, and devoted my life to the guildhall. I performed mission after mission, day in and day out, building up my strength, even taking on foes more powerful than myself from time to time. I barely escaped with my life each time due only to my mastery of a Secret Art. I went through hell. I saw more death and killed more than you can possibly imagine. It was only during breaks such as the summer that I was allowed to return home and present my earnings to my kin. Hell, I came back from an A-Rank mission only last night. I despise this life. My body aches, I constantly desire rest, and I drink water just so I don't have to eat or snack all that much. And yet, every time I collapsed from exhaustion, I defied my body's lack of energy for the sake of bettering my parents' livelihoods. I sacrificed my own health so they could thrive. The fact that you could stand tall and announce that you would steal levels from me as if it would actually work is beyond infuriating, you bastard."

Kiyoshi rubbed Nakayama's head with his foot again. "Do you know why the Edgar Brauss System is so feared?"

"..." Nakayama couldn't answer.

"It is because of how accurate it is. No matter how hard you tried, your fists could never connect with me. And, if they did, what would they have done? With these stats, I wouldn't have even felt it. One only gains experience through a fight once they inflict damage or support those who are doing the damage. Everything you've done thus far is nothing more than a wasted effort."

"Tch…!"

"And on top of all that, you neglected to even ask for my level. You simply assumed that I was powerful, but you've no idea what kind of battle you threw yourself into, do you? That appears to be your biggest weakness aside from your lack of magical prowess."

Nakayama could feel Kiyoshi's foot vibrating. There came a sudden rumbling that he couldn't quite describe. It wasn't the same rumbling that came from his attacks, it was more just like an ambiance than an actual warning. With his available eye, he looked up at Kiyoshi.

The monster was shrouded in a black, misty aura. The darkness made contact with Nakayama's skin, but it didn't hurt. Though, it caused a sharp chill to run from his cheek all the way down to his feet.

But, the most chilling part about him wasn't the darkness surrounding him…

It was the large raven that appeared behind him like a demon trying to possess him. The ground began to shake because of the sheer magic force radiating off of the thing. This beast was no silhouette made of the darkness surrounding him like the two Secret Arts he and Edward Quill had shown off several minutes prior.

It was an actual raven.

"I am a level 1500," Kiyoshi stated firmly, the raven loudly shrieking from behind him.

"Wh-what…!?" Nakayama grunted, his face under severe pressure. This guy was definitely not lying. It all made sense he was able to fend off Edward Quill so easily, not to mention his casual defeats of all his previous opponents. He was an absolute monster who'd stop at nothing in the conquest of power. He'd truly never heard of someone that powerful, it didn't make any sense.

What the hell did he think he could accomplish here? Right, he put himself in considerable danger for the sake of obtaining enough strength to defend his friends, but…

In the end, he couldn't do a thing.

Nakayama couldn't help but shiver in fear of his enemy's next move.

"Witness this, Nakayama Tadashii." Kiyoshi said, referring to the raven just behind him. "This is a spirit. I said you'd be at an even heavier disadvantage with no rules other than no killing, this is what I referred to. You shall obtain one of them as well. They are found in Yuurei Forest, the forest of spirits. These beasts come out to form pacts with magic fighters such as us only on a full moon. If I recall correctly, that is to come sometime next week. Your entire class will be taken out to that dangerous forest and each of you will discover a spirit that will bound itself to your existence."

As if to say "revere me," Kiyoshi held his arms out a little with his palms open.

"And it is with this power, the power of a B-Rank spirit and 1500 levels, that I shall achieve my ultimate objective made clear to me during my time training."

"An…ultimate objective…?" Nakayama said, clearly in pain. What was this guy planning? With his power, according to Nakayama's little amount of experience, this guy could probably bring an entire city to its knees. He didn't know or quite understand just how powerful one could get, but with strength like this, few people stood a chance.

"I shall destroy Edgar Brauss, the creator of this world's pain."

…

"W-what did you just say!?"

What Kiyoshi said didn't make all that much sense. True, with power like his, there was no telling what he could accomplish. But, he wanted to destroy the man that created the basis of this magic world…?

"Th-that's impossible!" Nakayama shouted. His voice was strained. "Ms. Akayoru said that the Edgar Brauss System was created during the 200-year Missing History that took place 200 years ago! That means the system could have been created 400 years ago! Plus, when's the last time anyone has ever seen or heard of anything from Edgar Brauss!? The old bastard is long dead! There's no way he could still be alive…!"

"I suppose from an outside angle, it would appear that way. However, I needn't explain such convictions to you."

"W-what!? You can't be serious! Then, why would--"

"My objective at this moment is to inform you of what the pursuit of strength is and what it requires of you to obtain it. Without a legitimate ethic, it shall remain a mere desire. You cannot reach your goal merely by cutting corners. If you believe that you will succeed such a pathetic manner, then it simply proves my point that…

You are not ready."

Such words pierced Nakayama's brain and lingered there. He already knew he wasn't ready to achieve his objective, that was why he was trying to leach levels off Kiyoshi Lionheart. But, if he was trying to take shortcuts at the beginning of his path…

Then he was unworthy of even being called a magic fighter.

Kiyoshi stood as the symbol of what it means to stand at the top while Nakayama lay there as one overtaken by natural selection.

He was stupid to think that this plan would work. Perhaps Kiyoshi knew what he was doing the whole time and intentionally dodged his attacks based on that information alone. No, he'd have to inflict damage in the first place to gain any levels, so it wouldn't have mattered.

"I've one final thing to inform you. Look up there, impotent." Kiyoshi spouted as he fixed his gaze upon an area just above and behind the bleachers. It looked something like a penthouse made of an exquisite type of wood. There was one giant window at the front tinted all to hell; it looked like it was used as seating for those of absolute power. Also known as: the rich.

"It's rumored that government officials within the city gather in that penthouse and view every major magic event," continued Kiyoshi. "I can guarantee they're sitting there in their luxurious chairs right now, sipping on the finest of wines, and laughing to themselves at this "perfect" system they're upkeeping. And I simply cannot shake the feeling of being watched every time I look there. For whatever reason, I cannot help but feel as though…

That bastard Brauss is watching me as we speak. I almost know for certain that he is sitting up there now, rejoicing in my sorrow. And you may also dance in jubilee, impotent. For you've those people to thank for your weakness today."

Kiyoshi took his foot off Nakayama's head.

"And until the day arrives that you discover your true self and not this desperate copy of yours, only then will you ever hope to obtain this power of mine."

Nakayama grunted and gritted his teeth. Finally, he was able to move again, lifting his head off the ground.

"Now, sleep."

Kiyoshi kicked Nakayama in the face.

He blacked out.

"N-Nakayama!!!" Kiyomi shouted as he watched Nakayama's head fall lifelessly onto the ground. He got up from his seat and ran as fast as he could down the bleachers. Koko and Chiaki followed hastily.