Akutagawa looked at him silently and spoke as if he cared. Kenji was surprised and didn't understand. Could he really be serious?
At that moment Akutagawa kicked him in the head, leaving Kenji stunned with pain. Akutagawa grabbed Yui's arm and yelled at her to run.
At that moment everyone started shouting that that freak Akutagawa had abandoned them all and escaped. Kenji grabbed the loudspeaker with a trembling hand and said that he had ignored his speech, which was quite interesting. His expression changed to one of horror and thirst for revenge.
The students began asking why Akutagawa was hiding, but no one knew, and they were in different classes. What was going on? They hadn't done anything, and yet they were stuck here. One of the boys wondered whether that was why they'd done nothing for Akutagawa when he was bullied. Everyone had abandoned him and left him alone. And all of this had led to these consequences.
Meanwhile Akutagawa was running with Yui, and they were out of breath. He didn't feel anyone pursuing them. But should he use a jump to increase the distance? No. Yui still didn't know he had power. Could he use it so carelessly in front of her? It would be better to move a little slower.
At that moment Yui cleared her throat, and Akutagawa suggested she walk. Was she all right? She replied that she understood how he felt. Even if the teachers ignored the bullying, no one could punish them. That's why they'd left him without regrets. He grabbed her hand and said they needed to keep going. Yui was upset.
After a while they came to the lake together. Kenji landed right next to them. Did he really think he could escape from a B-rank monster?
Akutagawa said he hadn't thought the boss would personally come to catch him. He replied that the others were very slow and he was fed up with it, so he'd come to sort things out himself.
Yui tried to talk to him, but Akutagawa said that while he was distracting him she should escape from there and head west through the forest, where she'd find the management office. Even if she said a B-rank monster was rampaging, no one would sound the alarm, so she should tell them it was a forest fire and let the firefighters and the police respond.
Yui replied that she couldn't leave him alone. And Akutagawa said that he was the target. If they split up to call for help, only she could do it. It would be a different matter if he were here alone, but the safety of the other students came first.
He released Yui, and she responded well. First she gave him strength with her magic, causing his entire body to glow with bright sparks. Defence is a barrier that can be cast on a target to reduce incoming damage for a limited time. He thought it was a skill truly suited to such a kind girl. Yui said she'd call for help soon, so please let him take care of himself. Akutagawa thanked her for this.
And Kenji said that when he looked at it, he thought it was some kind of show-off, and it looked like a protective barrier. It reduces damage, right? So in essence it's a weaker, inferior version of his own skill.
Akutagawa was surprised. Metal? Was he actually strengthening his body?
He decided to see how much his strength was worth. Kenji replied, "All right. So that's what he's using his body for."
At that moment a loud sound erupted and bright green beams of light appeared around Kenji, who didn't pay them any attention. He grinned and asked, "Is that all?" He had enough magical power to defeat the younger one, but it wasn't enough here.
Suddenly Akutagawa appeared on his other side and used water magic, which surprised Kenji. The surrounding students were surprised by the rain and asked what was going on. Suddenly drops of water actually began falling on them.
Kenji worked out that using the water from the lake was his plan. The main target was lured here, and once the teachers put out the fire the upperclassmen would deal with the rest. He didn't care what happened to those who had ignored the bullying, but there were also people there who had been kind to him.
Kenji asked whether this had all gone according to his plan. Bullying wasn't something weaklings like him could handle.
At that moment a fight broke out between them, and they started fighting with their fists. Kenji punched Akutagawa in the face, sending him flying into a tree. He said it was a good idea. No matter what he did, if the target was eliminated the mission was complete. Akutagawa replied that they'd see about that.
Honestly, if not for Yui's protection he would have been finished. As expected of the academy's strongest. It's a good skill, and he'll definitely keep it.
He acquired the skill of turning into steel.
The students didn't understand what kind of rain this was. The fires were stopping, and they needed to increase the temperature. At that moment Akutagawa's friend began to wonder what was wrong, wondering when the fire would stop. But before he could finish the sentence he saw Toida start fighting with the guys.
A moment later the fire died down, and the teacher told the students they needed to retreat quickly. Toida smirked, saying that kicking some boring guy around with everyone was giving her pleasure, and that she'd let someone like him hit her.
Meanwhile Akutagawa looked at his hand and understood. By turning his skin into steel, he strengthens his attacks and his defences.
Kenji was amazed. He really could copy other people's skills. He was as pathetic as his younger brother had said — but it seemed he could only copy half of it, huh? He'd only managed to apply the steel to his elbows. Even skills require talent.
With these words he abruptly ran at his opponent, but Akutagawa stood motionless. Kenji was surprised by his reaction, and Akutagawa said it was because he transforms magical energy into metal. This skill of his seems to have a fixed overall strength limit.
A moment later Kenji flew to the side, and Akutagawa said that's why, when he concentrates it in one point, it becomes stronger. A moment later he punched Kenji, who chuckled and asked, "Really? Didn't you know?" At that moment he twisted his arm and hit him in the chest, asking, "How about this?"
Blood began to drip from Akutagawa's mouth. He was in great pain, but he endured it all and continued to fight and to defend himself, and a moment later he still fell to the ground.
Kenji said that even if it were distributed throughout his entire body, it seemed more difficult to cope with than his own pinpoint concentration, right? Let him not underestimate the reserves of a B-rank.