[14] Mizuki Shiranui (II)

From that battle, Kaoru began to grasp several key aspects of the ninja art that utilised Taiman particles. Through his magical eyes, he observed the flow of energy within Shiranui's body as she unleashed attack after attack. Every movement of Shiranui not only emitted power but also revealed the intricate mechanisms behind the Taimanin's strength.

Kaoru realised that Shiranui's inner energy core was almost non-existent; instead, the energy flowed through fine veins, as if these Taiman particles did not originate from within the body but from external sources. This was very different from Aura or even Mana. Mana is a flexible form of magical energy used by mages for various purposes—creating fire, summoning wind, conjuring water, or shaking the earth. In the world of magic, there are Mana circuits—essential energy pathways that allow magi to manipulate elements. If these circuits are damaged, a mage loses their magical abilities.

However, Taiman particles were different. Unlike Mana, which can be flexibly manipulated to create various elements, Taiman particles were more limited. Each user must have an affinity with a specific element; they cannot randomly create other elements. If a Taimanin had an affinity with the fire element, then for the rest of their life, they could only use fire arts. This made Taimanin specialists in one element, but it also made them vulnerable to the limitations of that element.

Kaoru also observed that Taiman particles were highly susceptible to the environment. Unlike Mana, which can resonate with the surrounding atmosphere, Taiman particles directly interact with the atmosphere and are easily influenced by external conditions. This means that if the surrounding environment is unfavourable, Taiman energy cannot be used optimally, or may even be unusable altogether.

Suddenly, a loud explosion shook the building where they were fighting.

-CRASH!

Kaoru was thrown out of the building along with Shiranui, who continued to attack him relentlessly. Even though they were now outside, in the open air, Kaoru maintained his calm expression. He dodged and parried every attack from Shiranui as if they were mere playful strikes.

"Alright, enough with the observation," Kaoru muttered calmly, but his red eyes gleamed with determination. He began to feel that this battle needed to end. There was no point in continuing to toy around. Kaoru raised his right hand, and the dark reddish aura surrounding him solidified, emitting a far stronger pressure than before.

Shiranui, still controlled by the last command embedded in her mind, launched her final attack—a sharp water stream capable of cutting through steel with ease. However, Kaoru remained calm, unfazed by the attack. With one decisive move, he swung his hand, splitting the water stream in two, turning the deadly attack into something harmless.

Shiranui's body jerked as Kaoru delivered a chop to her neck, striking a point that instantly rendered her unconscious. As a man, Kaoru would not allow her to fall to the ground. He quickly caught Shiranui, wrapping his arm around her waist to prevent her from crashing to the ground. A small smile appeared on his face as he looked at Shiranui's soft features, now appearing peaceful as if all the tension and battles she had endured were over.

Kaoru cradled Shiranui in a princess carry, holding her gently but firmly. With a gaze full of resolve, he activated his flight magic, allowing him to soar into the sky. But before leaving, there was one last thing to do—destroy the vile place that had sacrificed so many lives.

The words of his spell echoed like thunder in the sky, filled with suppressed power and fury.

"Tier 7 Lightning Spell - Sky's Wrath!"

With his words, a massive bolt of lightning struck the mansion and the research building with devastating force, repeatedly striking the structures until they were completely destroyed. The flashes of light illuminated the night sky, creating a stunning yet destructive spectacle.

After ensuring that nothing remained of the cursed place, Kaoru looked at the ruins with satisfaction. He then sped away, flying quickly towards his apartment, Shiranui still in his embrace.

In Kaoru's apartment, a serene atmosphere enveloped the simple yet comfortable room. On the bed, Shiranui lay still, still clad in her provocative Taimanin battle outfit. The outfit truly accentuated her mature, alluring figure, expressing both strength and a feminine allure that could not be ignored.

If any other man saw her in this state, they might be tempted by her extraordinary physical appearance. Lewd thoughts could easily arise, a desire to take advantage of her vulnerable state. However, Kaoru was not an ordinary man. He had strong principles—for Kaoru, if a woman did not truly love him, he would never think of approaching her beyond the bounds of friendship. To him, relationships were serious matters; there was no place for lust without heart.

Kaoru was greedy in a unique way. If a woman fell in love with him, he wanted her entire heart and soul for himself. In return, Kaoru would give everything to protect that woman, without hesitation or compromise. His love was not half-hearted, but total, full of commitment and a promise to shield the woman he loved from all dangers.

Kaoru gazed at Shiranui with mixed feelings, his eyes full of contemplation. On one hand, he saw a formidable warrior, a woman worthy of respect for her strength. But on the other hand, he also saw a victim—someone who had her freedom stolen and was cruelly manipulated by heartless people.

Shiranui lay helpless before him, and Kaoru could not ignore the fact that she was now under his responsibility. Carefully, Kaoru activated his magical eyes, a power that allowed him to see into the bodies and minds of others, assessing any abnormalities or damage that might have occurred.

As his magical vision traced the flow of energy within Shiranui's body, Kaoru realised the extent of the damage that had been inflicted. Shiranui's brain had been cruelly manipulated; the electrical shocks used to control her mind had burned away most of her memories. What remained were fragments of her youth, as if 18 years of her life had been wiped away. In an instant, the adult Shiranui now possessed the mindset of a late teenager—young, passionate, but lacking the experience and wisdom she should have had.

Kaoru contemplated the possibility of restoring Shiranui's memories. However, even with his mastery of mental magic, the damage was too severe to repair. There was no easy way to recover what had been lost, and Kaoru knew he was facing a deadlock that he might not be able to resolve on his own.

"Should I be content with this outcome?" Kaoru muttered to himself, doubt clouding his heart. But he quickly dismissed the thought. "No, in this situation, I need another opinion."

Quickly, Kaoru reached for his newly acquired smartphone and called Asuka, the only person who might be able to help him in this situation. The ringtone sounded a few times before Asuka's cheerful voice answered.

"Hello? Kaoru? What's up?"