Popularity is everything; I play a super genius.

Shinjiro looked at him as if he were looking at a dead man.

"Liuli, make your move."

Liuli nodded as instructed.

She suddenly unleashed the echo she had been secretly preparing for a long time at Saki.

At the same time, Seigen Kamishiro also drew the longsword from his waist.

The longsword was drawn from its sheath, emitting a series of humming sounds.

He recognized Saki—

According to the information the Kamishiro family gave him, this masked brat is a monster rookie with a potential rating of three "S"s in the City of Fire!

However, no matter how high the potential is, it is still just potential.

A genius who has not yet grown up is nothing more than a fragile seedling.

Of course, Seigen Kamishiro did not let his guard down because of this.

He understood a principle well: even a lion uses its full strength to hunt a rabbit!

If it can be eliminated in one go without leaving any future troubles, there's no need to drag it out and create unnecessary complications.

The echo of Liuli's soul, combined with his supreme swordsmanship—

Let alone the fact that Qi Ji is just a freshman, even some of the teachers in the academy would be in serious trouble if they were caught off guard by such a blow.

However, just as Shigenori Kamishiro unleashed his sword strike, which he was certain of winning, he suddenly froze in place.

"?!"

Is it glass?!

That bitch!

The [Mind Echo] she threw didn't strike Saki, but instead blasted towards herself!

Caught off guard, Seigen Kamishiro felt a "buzz" in his mind as countless chaotic and frantic negative emotions exploded in an instant!

Especially the resentment that had been deeply ingrained in his bones since birth.

Why should I?!

As the eldest son, he possesses the most legitimate lineage and should rightfully inherit the most core and glorious [Spiritual Echo] of the Kamishiro family!

But fate played a cruel joke on us—

That talent, which the entire clan envied, actually fell into the hands of that sister born of a lowly servant, whose bloodline was impure!

He, Shindai Seigen, the future head of the family, could only be treated like a defective product, picking up the family's sword techniques that were considered "second-rate" and only needed to be practiced by those "without talent"!

Fortunately, he was exceptionally talented in the art of swordsmanship.

He still can't forget the almost terrifying pleasure he felt when the woman who gave birth to his sister, writhing under his sword and being slowly sliced ​​to pieces, gave him.

It was then that he finally understood that echoes weren't everything.

The sword in his hand is his own treasure, one that no one can take away from him!

Just as he was almost immersed in the amplified resentment and pleasure from the echo—

"Clang!"

The long sword in his hand hummed.

Make him snap out of it instantly!

However, the action of drawing the sword was ultimately a moment too slow.

Almost at the same time as Ruri activated her attack, Saki's figure vanished from the spot.

When he reappeared, he was beside Seigen Kamishiro.

A high side kick that was simple yet lightning fast!

Shinjiro hurriedly raised his arm and used his sword sheath to block.

"Bang!!"

A heavy, muffled thud.

The immense force caused Seigen Kamishiro's arm to tremble violently, and he staggered backward.

But at the same time, the scabbard in his hand emitted a low hum.

"Clang—!!"

An invisible ripple seemed to spread through the air.

Just as Saki was about to press his advantage, his brain suddenly felt as if it had been pierced by a thin needle, and his attack motion froze.

Ruri spoke up, quickly reminding him, "Be careful of that sword! It's an echo creation of the Kamishiro family. The 'Sound of Nothingness' emitted by the vibrating scabbard can disturb one's mind!"

A chill ran through the mask, and Qi Ji instantly regained his clarity.

Thanks.

With his back to Ruri, Qi Ji raised his hand to indicate that he understood.

Seigen Kamishiro took this opportunity to distance himself from Saki.

He took out an iron box from his pocket.

Looking at his sister who had betrayed him, Seigen Kamishiro simply couldn't understand it:

"Liuli, have you gone mad?! You're actually helping an outsider against your brother?!"

Liuli did not speak.

Seeing that his younger sister wouldn't listen to reason, Shinjiro Seigen resorted to direct threats:

"Do you want to die? Don't forget the curse binding you!"

You don't want to die in agony, with your soul being torn apart piece by piece, do you?

Now, immediately use your response to attack that brat, and I might forgive and forget!

Shinjiro Seigen believed that he could control Ruri's life and death, and that Ruri would obediently listen to him.

After all, the glass was ultimately just a tool created by the Kamishiro family.

As a tool, how can one disobey the master's orders?

However, Liuli seemed not to hear his threat. The phantom butterfly reappeared at her fingertips, gathering a second echo, still targeting him.

"you--!"

Seigen Kamishiro couldn't believe it.

"You bitch, aren't you afraid of dying?!"

The other person's tone was so self-righteous and condescending that Liuli could no longer tolerate it and responded:

"Why... should I be afraid of dying? Is the reason you live because you're afraid of dying? Is there any benefit to living?"

I can't think of any benefit to it.

In all my years of life, I have never been happy simply because I am alive.

Not even for a moment!

Hearing Ruri's words, Shinjiro Seigen laughed in exasperation.

It's just a tool, yet people are starting to think about whether or not they're happy living...

Just because I called her "sister" a few times, does she really think she's someone important?

"As a tool, act like one and don't entertain any nonsensical ideas!"

In an instant, Seigen Kamishiro's face contorted into a ferocious expression.

"Fine, since you want to die—I'll grant your wish!"

With a flick of his fingertips, Shindai Seigaku made a gesture as if to wind up the keypad on the spell box.

Just as he was about to make a move, Qi Ji's figure was already close by again.

A precise kick landed on his wrist as he held the spell box!

"Whoosh—!"

The spell box slipped from his hand and flew far away.

At the same time, Saki turned around and criticized Ruri, saying:

"Hey, you can't say such negative things... You'll be happy, you'll be happy to be alive. I promise you."

"asshole!!"

That brat who appeared out of nowhere dared to flirt with his things right in front of him while he was fighting, as if he didn't exist.

Seigen Kamishiro was truly angry now, but before killing this brat, he had to retrieve the spell box first.

After all, it was an important artifact of the Kamishiro family.

However, Qi Ji, like a persistent leech, kept blocking his way.

"Get out of here!"

Seeing this, a fierce glint flashed in Shinjiro Seigen's eyes. He finally stopped obsessing over the spell box and instead chose to directly activate the restriction engraved in Ruri's body!

"Ugh—!!"

Liuli clutched her head, her face contorted in agony.

This is also one of the methods by which the Kamishiro family controls "tools".

A good tool must be bound with several chains.

This way, we can ensure it won't devour its owner.

"Although I don't know what methods you used to bewitch my sister..."

But if you think you can get the better of me by doing this, you are sorely mistaken!

Let me tell you, angering me will be the most regrettable thing you'll ever do!

Qi Ji chuckled and, without a word, the two instantly engaged in battle!

Shinjiro Seigen's swordsmanship is indeed remarkable.

Swift, cunning, and ruthless, every move is aimed at the vital points.

What's even more troublesome is that [Sword of No Thought], which emits a humming sound that disturbs the mind every time it clashes with its scabbard.

Saki was somewhat surprised, because in the original story, Shinjiro Seigen died at the hands of Haki.

He was beaten to death by Huo Mu in just two or three punches, so his combat performance was extremely poor.

Before the fight started, Qi Ji thought this guy was just a random guy on the street, but he didn't expect... he actually has some strength.

Of course, the person who was even more surprised was Seigen Kamishiro.

It could even be said that the more they fought, the more frightened they became.

He was quite certain that the boy in front of him had not used any echo, but had exerted tremendous pressure on him solely through his physical body.

This completely overturned his understanding!

But pressure is just pressure.

That's enough playing around.

……

……