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*****
So, if you can settle it with your hands, don't waste words.
Against a mere Carson, it was impossible for Fini to use his newly acquired 'Incursio,' and he didn't even want to use 'Ars Magna.' Relying on the advantage of striking first, combined with his decisive movements from years of training, he made short work of him.
After a few moves, Carson was lying on the ground. At this moment, his friends were still standing by foolishly, having not yet processed what happened.
This time, Carson had successfully turned the school rumors into fact through his excellent provocation skills, though Fini didn't know what the story would be twisted into this time.
Fini glanced at the remaining guys. After a moment's thought, he didn't attack again but advised: "I've practiced combat techniques. Think carefully before you move, or you'll have to bear the consequences. Even if I go down, I guarantee one of you will end up looking worse than me."
If Fini had said this before taking Carson down, it would have been dismissed as a joke. But now, with Carson groaning on the ground looking like a total mess, the words carried genuine weight.
The group looked at one another, exchanging glances. While young men are full of vigor, they aren't idiots. They were on good terms with Carson, but the skill Fini just displayed made them hesitate.
Fini saw their intent to retreat, realizing they were just struggling to save face or waiting for someone to take the lead. So he spoke up: "I think it's best if you take him to the infirmary first."
These words gave them the perfect excuse to back off. With a silent, tacit understanding, they began to help the semi-conscious Carson toward the infirmary.
Watching them leave, Fini curled his lip inwardly. He hailed a ride to Skye's shop; things were about to get busy, and he might have fewer opportunities to come to the shop to make chicken rolls in the future.
Slipping into the shop through the back door, Fini found Skye exactly where he expected: sitting on a comfortable sofa, fingers clattering away at her computer, completely unaware of his arrival.
Creeping up behind her, Fini saw lines of code flashing rapidly across the screen. It looked like she was attacking some website—business as usual for the self-proclaimed hacker.
A moment later, the attack ended. Skye let out a long breath and stretched comfortably, her lithe frame forming a graceful curve.
Fini couldn't help but let out a soft cough, which startled Skye so much she nearly threw her laptop across the room.
"When did you get here?"
At this moment, Skye looked like a startled kitten, glaring fiercely at Fini. Far from being intimidating, she looked exceptionally cute.
"I've been here for a while. I didn't want to disturb you since you were so focused. Get up and tidy the place; we're about to open." Fini ignored the lethality of Skye's glare and urged her to get ready.
"Hmph, I'm your sister. Stop acting like you're older than me all the time."
Skye stood up unhappily to tidy the shop. Even though Fini was only fifteen, no one who ever dealt with him treated him like a child.
Watching Skye's busy figure, Fini thought for a moment and then said, "Skye, after graduation, I might have some things to keep me busy. I won't be coming over as much."
"Have you decided on a university?"
Skye didn't overthink it and asked casually.
"Columbia University, most likely."
"Eh? Isn't that still in New York?" Skye turned back in confusion. Seeing the conflicted look on Fini's face, she realized something was off. "What's wrong?"
"Even though I'll be in New York, I probably won't be coming here to sell chicken rolls very often."
Fini decided to be clear. He knew Skye's true interest lay in computers, not selling fried chicken. This shop was precious to them because it was their little sanctuary.
In the past, Skye would have probed for every detail, but ever since she learned of Fini's "uniqueness," she knew her brother was even more mysterious than she had imagined.
"Should we sell the place then?" Skye asked, a hint of reluctance in her voice. When the shop first opened, she had managed it alone and almost bankrupted herself through sheer lack of business. Fini had stepped in out of pity to help, which finally turned a profit.
"Of course not. Not coming often doesn't mean not coming at all. Even if we stop selling chicken rolls, we can remodel it into a café or something."
Having done business here for two years, Fini wasn't completely devoid of sentiment. Furthermore, he had no urgent need for money, so there was no reason to sell.
Hearing this, Skye cheered up. Then, after a moment's hesitation, she said, "Fini, I don't know what you're planning to do, but you must be careful. If there's anything I can do to help, you have to tell me."
"I know!"
Fini knew she was worried. He walked over and gave her a light hug, then patted her shoulder. "Actually, I plan to learn magic. When the time comes, if it's possible, I'll ask if you can learn too."
"?"
If not for the bizarre experiences of the past few days, Skye would have absolutely thought Fini was messing with her. But even having seen 'superpowers' with her own eyes, the sudden mention of 'learning magic' was still hard to believe.
"Alright, go open the doors."
As he spoke, Fini used his skill to summon a batch of 'Sumire Karaage Rolls' and laid them out. Since Skye already knew, there was no need to hide it anymore.
By the time Skye opened the door, a mountain of chicken rolls sat on the counter, steaming hot as if they had just come out of the fryer.
After a busy day that added a bit of experience to the empty bar, Fini and Skye returned home. During the afternoon, he had used the excuse of going to college to inform his customers that the shop might be closed for a while.
Though they were incredibly reluctant, those business elites and big shots were refined enough to express their understanding. Of course, the price was that he had to lift the purchase limit for the time being. To manage the crowd, he had to secretly use his skill several times before all the customers were satisfied.
That night, Fini thought of Carson, whom he had punched into the hospital. He wondered what tomorrow would bring. He had controlled his strength; though Carson looked pitiful, he hadn't sustained any serious injuries that would prevent him from attending school.
However, to Fini's surprise, Carson didn't show up to cause trouble the next day. Upon inquiring, he found out that Carson had taken a leave of absence.
Thinking about it for a second, he understood. The injuries weren't serious, but they were on his face, and the marks were obvious. For a high schooler, he certainly wouldn't want people to find out he had been beaten, so staying home was normal.
With the troublemaker gone, Fini was happy. However, his reputation was now firmly established: top student, handsome, capable of fighting, and from a good family. Though he seemed a bit young, no one who saw Fini in person cared about that.
Consequently, during this graduation season, his luck with the ladies suddenly exploded, making him exceptionally uncomfortable.
(End of Chapter)