-633- Intense battle

"Crack...!"

Amidst the grating sound that made one's teeth ache, in front of Magnus' workshop, the vast expanse of ground began to crack inch by inch like glass, with cracks spreading out like a spider's web.

The ground continued to collapse in this state, causing stones to fly and dust to billow.

Amidst the wailing and screams of the surrounding students who were engulfed in panic, a three-legged golden crow shot out from the dust, turning into a young man draped in a black cloak in mid-air. He sprinkled dazzling fire powder while slowly descending towards the collapsing edge.

At the same time, on another edge, the space suddenly surged, causing Magnus, Kamakiri, Tamamushi, Mitsubachi, Himegumo, and other girls to appear one after another.

Obviously, in this critical moment, Kamakiri used her own magic to teleport Magnus and the rest of her sister automatons away, avoiding being affected by the shock.

However, due to her concern for Magnus, Kamakiri didn't have time to extend a helping hand to Hotaru and Kagerou, causing the two girls to be blasted away.

However, the two girls were not seriously injured.

Amidst the astonishing shockwave, Hotaru gathered all the hot wind swirling around her to form a shield in front of her, blocking the incoming force.

Kagerou, on the other hand, abandoned her long axe, extended her hands, and summoned ripples that absorbed and gathered all the impact.

Rozen saw this very clearly.

"Yaya!"

In that moment, Rozen called out to his automaton, and the figure soared up like an arrow from the raging dust below.

Almost at the same time...

"Kagerou, return it."

Magnus ordered coldly.

"Boom!"

The impact that had been absorbed and gathered by Kagerou was suddenly released like a flash, roaring towards the front.

In an instant, the raging dust was blown away, the flying debris was shattered, and even the collapsing ground seemed to be plowed through as if a meteor had struck, shattering and causing an explosion.

Until just a moment ago, the ongoing destruction was overwhelmed by an even more terrifying devastation.

If Yaya hadn't leaped up, she would have borne the full brunt of this strike.

However...

"Think you can escape like this?"

Magnus raised his head, gazing into the sky.

"Go after them."

Magnus coldly instructed, causing Kamakiri to disappear on the spot, and both Hotaru and Kagerou vanished as well.

The next moment, three girls simultaneously appeared in front of Yaya, who had leaped into the air. They each raised a dagger, a scythe, and an axe, fiercely attacking Yaya.

Yaya reacted in time, without any hesitation. While enhancing her magical power, she met their attacks without showing any weakness.

What followed was an intense battle.

Though the principles differed, both Yaya and Hotaru were close-quarters combat-type automatons. As soon as they clashed, one swung fists and the other weapons, continuously colliding, creating a cacophony of clashes and a swirling firestorm that persisted.

In this situation, Kamakiri not only swung her scythe, causing a swath of slashing light to attack Yaya, but she also continuously changed her position like a ghost in the fluctuating space, making the scythe fall on Yaya repeatedly, sparking a flurry of flames.

Kagerou's approach was simpler; she attacked Yaya recklessly, seemingly ignoring her own safety, swinging her axe wildly at Yaya, as if telling her opponent not to hesitate and attack her, causing sparks to fly as the axe struck Yaya's skin.

If it weren't for Yaya's formidable "Kongouriki" defense, whether it was the attacks of the dagger, scythe, or axe, they wouldn't have affected her much, making Yaya bear the brunt of this.

Watching this scene, Rozen's eyes flickered slightly.

For Hotaru, Kamakiri, and Kagerou's magic circuits, Rozen had already made some speculations.

Hotaru's magic circuit would cause a heating effect every time it was activated, simultaneously greatly enhancing physical abilities. This allowed her to demonstrate astonishing close-quarters combat capabilities.

Therefore, Hotaru's circuit should be a magic that could enhance physical abilities— the heating effect was just another phenomenon of the magic operation; otherwise, Hotaru could use fire-related attacks instead of close combat.

So, if Rozen's guess was correct, Hotaru's magic circuit should be— "Pressure."

As the name suggests, it's magic used to control pressure.

By controlling pressure, Hotaru could gain tremendous propulsion, instantaneous burst power, and substantial physical strength. The heating effect was also because the pressure was raised to the highest point, resulting in high pressure.

That's the true nature of Hotaru's magic.

Two years ago, when he was in the Akabane household, Rozen couldn't figure it out, but with "Mind's Eye" now, he easily observed the fluctuation of pressure, allowing him to see through it at once.

As for Kamakiri's magic circuit, Rozen had already seen it during the initial inspection. It was an extremely difficult magic, not the type that could be activated with just a magic circuit— "Spatial Transfer."

With this magic, Kamakiri could move instantly at will, and even allow others to teleport, posing a considerable threat.

As for Kagerou, Rozen also had some guesses about this automaton's magic circuit.

"I remember, back in the sea of flames in the Akabane residence, Yaya unleashed all her strength in an attack on Kagerou. However, not only did it not harm Kagerou, it was instead turned into pure force and rebounded, causing Yaya to suffer severe damage and ultimately be defeated.

Therefore, if Rozen's guess is correct, Kagerou's circuit is probably a magic that allows her to bear the opponent's strength and release it back in the form of an impact— 'Impact Reflection.'

It's like a foul play in magic.

No matter what kind of attack the opponent uses, it will be borne, absorbed, aggregated by Kagerou and finally released as pure impact back to the opponent. Such a magic circuit is simply insurmountable. Rozen has never heard of any automaton having such a magic circuit.

As a result, whether it's manipulating pressure, space, or impact, they are all extremely high-level magic.

Even if these magics can be loaded onto automatons, it's not yet known if the automatons can use them, let alone use them proficiently.

However, Magnus flawlessly utilizes these magics, effortlessly manipulating automatons equipped with these magics, all three at the same time, engaging in intense offense and defense against Yaya.

This is not a question that can be explained simply by superb technical skills.

"So that's it..."

Rozen muttered.

"Have you also reached the same level as me?"

——— 'Mind's Eye.'

The highest tier, the final stage, the ultimate secret of a magus.

Only with this skill can one perfectly manipulate three extremely difficult magic.

Back then, Akabane Tenzen hadn't reached this level yet, even when deploying Hotaru, Kamakiri, and Kagerou. It was still a phased usage, and in the end, he had to use 'Crimson Wing Formation' to successfully control the power of the three automatons.

Now, even without the magical power lines of 'Crimson Wing Formation,' Magnus can skillfully use these three automatons.

Therefore, Rozen concluded.

Magnus has also reached the height of 'Mind's Eye,' standing at the pinnacle of a magus.

It's just...

"The same technique also has different levels."

Rozen slowly closed his eyes.