"『Ryougi Shiki』, you are really talented and beautiful; you were born to be a beautiful pair!"
A voice interrupted the conversation between Haruto and 『Shiki』. They looked over and saw a middle-aged man with a white beard standing there. The person who had arrived was indeed Kischur Zelretch Schweinorg, also known as Wizard Marshal Zelretch.
『Shiki』 heard him and smiled: "Thank you for the compliment, Second Magician, Mr. Zelretch."
Zelretch watched 『Shiki』 in amazement. He possessed the Second Magic to peep into and travel through parallel worlds, so he knew of 『Shiki』. However, he was surprised that 『Shiki's』 other personality—"She," the Root Shiki—had suddenly manifested. Logically speaking, this personality is never bored with the outside world and should not appear.
He immediately looked at Haruto next to her—a fine young man, handsome and charming, who did not lose out to the beauty beside him. No wonder 『Shiki』 was drawn to him.
Zelretch thought that if he were a woman, he would also be attracted to Haruto. This thought flashed through Zelretch's mind, and then goosebumps arose. Zelretch, you old man, what are you thinking as a man? He quickly dismissed the idea. What a terrifying charm—it was more potent than actual charm abilities.
Haruto looked at Zelretch's expression, feeling a little puzzled. This old man is acting stupid. If he knew what Zelretch had just thought, Haruto wouldn't know how to react. After all, it is scary to be remembered that way by a man; he certainly didn't want to "fence."
"Cough, is this little brother from our world?" Zelretch said, clearing his throat. "Cough, boy. Who are you? I checked all the parallel worlds and didn't find you."
"Generally speaking, in this situation, it can only be said that you are a person from outside this world—a person from a different dimension. Am I wrong?" There was a glint in Zelretch's eyes.
Haruto, aware of his own identity, was not surprised. Someone who wields the Second Magic like Zelretch would naturally notice. But Haruto didn't give a straight answer, simply adopting an identity and saying, "Are you here just to say this? The world is very big, and there are other parallel worlds."
Haruto secretly thought that what caught the old man's attention must have been the disturbance when the Third Permanent Organ was unsealed.
Zelretch was a little surprised. Are there other parallel worlds? He immediately assumed Haruto didn't want to tell the truth and felt he had to use force to make him reveal his identity.
He took out the Jeweled Sword. "Since you don't want to speak, then let us see the real tricks you have up your sleeve."
Seeing Zelretch drawing his sword and readying for a fight, Haruto remembered that he had gained strength but hadn't adapted to it yet. Isn't it better to adapt through fighting? Since someone had come to his door, he decided his first opponent in this world would be you, the Old Gem.
"Oh, old man, since you're going to fight, I'll accompany you. It's just that those who lose will have to pay a price," Haruto said with a grim look. "Don't worry, I won't kill you," he added.
Although 『Shiki』 saw Haruto's immense strength, she was still a little worried. "Haruto-kun, are you alright?"
Haruto felt very satisfied seeing that she cared for him from the bottom of her heart. He smiled and said, "It's okay, it's time for me to practice my moves." Seeing Haruto's self-confidence, 『Shiki』 said nothing more, only smiling as she replied, "Then be careful."
At this time, Haruto thought to himself: If I can't even win against the Old Gem, I might as well give up. Looking at Zelretch, he thought: Old man, be my whetstone.
Zelretch brandished the Jeweled Sword. Haruto looked at it and sighed. The thing really shined with all kinds of colorful gems. Truly expensive. He sighed at how costly gem magic could be.
Then, he took an attacking stance, bending his knees slightly and pushing forward with the soles of his feet.
Swah——
Haruto disappeared instantly, leaving only a long white shadow. Zelretch was shocked! What incredible speed! He used the Second Magic to displace himself through space to the other side.
He escaped.
BOOM—
Haruto's blow hit nothing, but because he couldn't yet master this speed, the strike landed on the wall of the house where Zelretch had been standing. As a result, the walls burst instantly, and the entire building collapsed with a bang.
Zelretch looked at the rubble. He was horrified; if that hit him, he didn't know if he would just blow up. Looking at Haruto now was like seeing a monster. Is this the kind of strength a human can possess? A Dead Apostle? No! None of the Dead Apostles have such terrifying, pure physical power.
Of course, he didn't know that this was the result of Haruto holding back. Haruto wanted to control this power through battle.
『Shiki's』 beautiful eyes watched Haruto intently; she could see that he had already stopped.
"The speed is not fast enough," Haruto said lightly, withdrawing his hand and looking at Zelretch. "The strength is not enough," he added. In Haruto's heart, the power of the Destruction Sun could destroy a planet; breaking a building was nothing.
"Hey, hey, this isn't fast enough? This power isn't scary enough?" Zelretch gulped. Was that speed even achievable by humans? If he hadn't prepared his magic in advance, he wouldn't have escaped. If that fist had landed, even his Dead Apostle body wouldn't have held together!
"Come on! This time, it's the speed of sound," Haruto took an attacking stance again.
Swah——
He disappeared in an instant! Zelretch was shocked. Haruto's fist slipped past Zelretch's face. Zelretch escaped, but this time it was a narrow miss. He could feel the fierce wind of the punch on his skin.
After escaping, Zelretch decisively moved behind Haruto, drew the Jeweled Sword, injected magical power instantly, and slashed at Haruto's broad back.
Tear—
A wound opened on Haruto's back, but at that moment, a sound echoed in Haruto's mind:
[Ding! Attacked by the Jeweled Sword. Evolving permanent immunity equal to the Jeweled Sword's attack.]
Haruto felt his defense improve significantly. When 『Shiki』 saw Haruto's back wide open and slashed by Zelretch, she grew nervous. Just as she was about to intervene, she saw the wound on Haruto's back heal instantly. Not even a scar remained.
She relaxed, her curiosity about Haruto growing. This resilience was stronger than that of a True Ancestor. As expected of the person I like, she thought.
Zelretch was dumbfounded. What the hell? Is he even human? Instant healing like that—neither Dead Apostles nor True Ancestors had such recovery speed.
"Hey, hey, are you sure you're still human?" Zelretch spat.
Haruto's brow furrowed in annoyance. "Old man, why are you suddenly insulting people? You are the one who isn't human," Haruto retorted.
"Hmph, just wait. This old man will have you begging for mercy."
Haruto remembered something. "Old man, I recall you have an Infinite Ether Cannon. Use it," Haruto said calmly.
"Are you sure?" Zelretch asked softly.
"Use it or don't, you will be defeated soon anyway."
Haruto wanted to test it—to take the Infinite Ether Cannon to the face and see if his defense would improve. Although the current Zelretch was not at his peak after his ancient battle with the Crimson Moon, "a mosquito is still meat." He wanted to see if he would evolve after a frontal confrontation.
Swah—
He disappeared again, and an alarm bell sounded in Zelretch's heart. So fast! Faster than last time!
"Space Displacement! Magic Missile, launch!"
The magic missiles rained down on Haruto. There was a snap, and then... nothing. They couldn't even break Haruto's defense.
'Fuck... a monster.' Zelretch wailed in his heart. He realized he was in deep trouble.