Something Money can't Buy

The Black Magician Society.

A secret study group led by Jake and made up of six delinquent students. Except for Jake, the others had repeatedly failed to advance and had no real dreams or passion.

Once, they had all been regarded as promising talents.

Just as today's defeat wasn't an eternal one, if they found the courage to try again, they could one day taste victory.

But instead, they foolishly chose to give up on competition altogether.

In a way, they were the true dropouts of the academy's ruthless magic curriculum.

"No, this is wrong. Something's not right."

Jake refused to accept defeat.

If it had been Amy, maybe, but for the entire Black Magician Society to be defeated by a freshman who hadn't even learned magic? Impossible.

'Yeah, it was just bad luck. He just happens to be unusually strong against Anti-Magic.'

Jake was too worked up to realize just how absurdly impressive that feat was.

His Spirit Zone expanded in an offensive star-like shape, and Shirone frowned.

It felt as though hundreds of archers had their bows aimed at him.

'What do I do? I haven't learned any magic yet.'

He might stand a chance in a battle of Spirit Zones, but in a magic duel, he had no way to fight back.

"Heh, finally realizing your situation?"

Jake brought his palms closer together, causing the air to spin into a disk shape.

It was Wind Cutter—a spell sharp enough to cut through logs.

"Now you'll see just how much trouble you've gotten yourself into—Ugh!"

Before he could finish, Amy had already swung her fist from the side.

Even though he detected her movement through his Spirit Zone, he was too slow to react.

Amy's eyes burned red.

"You…!"

Before Jake could recover, she struck his chin, flipping him over onto his back.

"Gaaah!"

For a magician, physically weak by nature, an attack infused with Schema's power was devastating.

Amy climbed on top of him and began punching his face furiously.

Each blow had the weight of a stone crashing down.

"Urgh! Ugh!"

As Jake's groans weakened, Shirone, shocked, rushed to stop her.

"Senior! Please stop! You'll kill him!"

"Let go! That bastard looked down on me!"

"I said, he's going to die!"

Shirone pulled her back with all his strength, but Amy's Schema-enhanced balance was formidable.

"Grrr!"

Clutching her waist tightly, Shirone pushed off the ground with all his might, finally prying her away from Jake.

Amy collapsed onto Shirone, momentarily stunned.

Their overlapping bodies resonated with the sound of their heartbeats.

'What just happened?'

Shirone found himself wondering about Amy.

There were still many unknowns, but he was certain of one thing—she wasn't here just for herself.

"Senior… because of me…"

"Ah! That felt great!"

Amy suddenly bounced up, causing Shirone, who had been supporting her, to curl up in pain.

"Ow, ow."

"Geez, you're weak. How are you supposed to fight properly like that? Get up already."

Still clutching his sore spot in frustration, Shirone turned to find Amy extending a hand toward him.

"You're strong, you know."

If Seriel had been there, she would have been surprised—Amy rarely acknowledged others.

Shirone smiled, grabbed her hand, and stood up.