As dusk fell, the school grew quiet. It was just after 6:00 PM. Alistair watched from the rooftop as the wealthy heiresses were picked up by a parade of luxury limousines.
He had broken the lock on the rooftop door with [The World]. It wasn't the pristine oasis seen in anime; it was dusty and stained by the elements, but a quick burst of mana-cleansing wind took care of that.
He had an hour left. He noticed Nina Tsubahara finally leaving the main building. Is she still talking to Sakura? Even Tomomi went home already.
Alistair decided to check his "lottery tickets" for the day. Usually, they were duds, but today he hit the jackpot.
[Talisman: Tiger]: The power of Balance. Makes all internal abilities harmonious and controllable. Balance exists in all things! (Utility/Passive)
He "fixed" the ability immediately. It was exactly what he needed. The clashing Holy and Malice energies in his body finally stopped their constant friction. His control over his mana became as natural as breathing. Because the Tiger Talisman perfected his self-control, the usual "fixed" side effects were completely neutralized.
Tiger, Ox, Horse. That's a quarter of the twelve. Am I really becoming the modern-day Demon King?
He inventoried his combat assets: [The World], three Talismans, and [Life Return]. He also had the [Saitama Training Method], but he was hesitant to use it—he didn't want to lose his "passion" for women.
"Nina's gone. Sakura should be alone now. It's my turn." Alistair stood up and headed for the Kendo Club. A quiet dojo, night falling, just one man and one woman... the perfect setup for a "lesson" in swordsmanship.
Meanwhile, in a secret chamber beneath the chapel...
"How much have we gathered?" A cold, flat voice asked. If Alistair were there, he would recognize it as Seraphina Kamiyozaka, the President.
"Only halfway," replied Alisa Kurusu, the student council secretary. "We need to trigger the 'Hour of Inscribed Darkness' again. This slow accumulation is taking forever."
"Halfway? That's disappointing," Seraphina mused. "It seems the students have forgotten the sting of discipline. Tell the bullies to step up their game. And tell Nina to make her subordinates act more... neglectful."
"Can't we just start the ritual, Seraphina?"
"Not yet. We can't handle the thing inside Professor Anna. She thinks the school is being 'polluted' by the entity in her sword, but we need to be careful. That thing feeds on the same negativity we do."
Seraphina looked at the center of the room, where a dark gold vessel shaped like a handleless trophy sat, pulsing with a faint red light. "Don't worry. Tonight, you'll finally get to enjoy that boy you've been eyeing. Since he's on the path of Transcendence, he should provide a massive burst of negative Mystery."
"Really? Who set the trap?" Alisa asked excitedly, her own black-pendant swinging as she stood up.
"Our Kendo ace, Sakura Miyajima. As one of Nina's 'super-talents,' it was easy for her to gain his trust. They've already made contact. He thinks she's on his side."
Seraphina flicked her wrist, and a wicked-looking dagger appeared in her hand. She spun it with terrifying speed. "This was confiscated from those thugs who tried to jump Alistair yesterday. Some guys named Anjo or something. They wanted to kidnap him and... 'rearrange his plumbing.' They got this dagger to cut off his limbs, but my men dealt with them first. It's a trophy. And it is incredibly effective."
"Is it special?"
"It cuts through steel like paper. No resistance. And it's a 'Mystery' item. See how I spin it? I've never practiced with knives, but the moment I hold this, I handle it like a master."
Seraphina suddenly threw the dagger. It moved in absolute silence—no whistle of wind, no impact sound. It vanished into the stone wall. With a snap of her fingers, the blade returned to her hand silently.
"Now, Alisa. Let's head to the dojo. Our little fawn is about to walk right into the snare."