Published: January 24, 2026
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After leaving Darane, I walked north together with Fuuka.
When we spotted the herd of demonic beasts moving southward, I relayed the situation to Ms. Selma via telepathic communication.
“In about five minutes, we’ll make contact with the first wave. They’re 1,500 meters north-northwest from Darane.”
“Understood. Haruto, how are the demonic beasts moving? Are they all still heading toward Darane?”
Responding to my telepathy, Ms. Selma then called out to Mr. Haruto, who was acting independently to get a better grasp on the situation.
“As expected, some of the demonic beasts are changing course toward a nearby village. I’ll handle them there, so you guys intercept here.”
“Thanks, I appreciate it. As I said earlier in the briefing, the frontline defense is up to you three. Go wild. Even if any slip through, we’ll make sure the city doesn’t suffer any damage, so don’t worry.”
With the battle against the demonic beasts imminent, Ms. Selma once again gave me permission to fight freely.
Her tone was her usual self.
Lately, I had felt that Ms. Selma’s attitude toward me had been somewhat distant, but maybe I was just overthinking it.
After all, there had been a lot going on back at my family home, so it was understandable if she was feeling nervous.
“Fuuka, as planned, let’s start with a big show. Cut down every surviving demonic beast!”
I called out to Fuuka beside me, and she nodded quietly, her expression unchanged.
“That’s my specialty. Leave it to me.”
After confirming Fuuka’s response, I approached the incoming herd of demonic beasts, constructing my technique mentally.
Once the technique was complete, I voiced it with qi charged into my words.
“――[Seal Release (Calmination)]”
My kotodama and the qi coursing through my body removed the restraints binding me.
The first strike blew away a wide area in a spectacular blast.
Among the attacks I know, the closest comparison is the continuous bombing Shion from Amuntzarse carried out against the dragon pack in the Reglyph Territory.
Explaining the setup is simple.
By rapidly triggering [Super Explosion (Explode)] in succession within a split second, it only appeared as if the explosions were spreading through chain reactions.
Even though Shion’s technique construction is fast, no human brain could withstand activating that many top-tier magics in such a short time.
It’s safe to say it’s impossible by normal means.
I believe the ability that makes this possible is her supernatural ability, [Time Reversal].
I don’t understand exactly how she interprets that ability to unleash top-tier magic one after another, but I can reproduce it through a broad interpretation of my own supernatural ability (…).
My supernatural ability is [Gravity Manipulation], and when I studied it deeply, I realized something.
Gravity can interfere with time (……).
Well, I can’t time travel or stop time or anything like that.
“――[Time Expansion (Inflation)]”
Upon this realization, I devised a way to stretch time.
In other words, everything appears to move in slow motion.
There are some restrictions on using this, so I can’t use it constantly, but when conditions are right, the advantage is immeasurable.
This time, I’m investing that advantage into technique construction.
“――[Super Explosion + Chain (Explode Chain)]!”
Each time I complete part of the technique construction, I launch [Super Explosion (Explode)].
To anyone else, it would seem like a large number of [Super Explosions (Explode)] are detonated in a very short time.
A massive barrage of explosions rained down on the demonic beasts.
“Not done yet! [Thousand-Blade Cyclone (Cyclone)]!”
While repeatedly casting [Super Explosion (Explode)], I also activated [Thousand-Blade Cyclone (Cyclone)], a wind-element top-tier magic I had constructed in parallel, expanding its range as much as possible.
After synchronizing my perceived time back to normal, I looked ahead, taking in the sight of the first wave of demonic beasts, now in a devastated state.