Yoxall

【Prologue】


One day during dinner at the Sagara house, there was a tense atmosphere no one had ever felt before.
Reiji: ……
Shifting his eyes towards the person who caused all this, Yoshino Reiji looked to his right at the dinner table.
A single girl’s sparkly ruby eyes shined in expectation. It was painful to even look at her pure kindness even now.
Reiji: ……
And then he looked towards his left. His eyes caught sight of his non-blood-related younger sister Sayuki staring at something on the table in horror.
Reiji had a similar look to him as well.
Sakura: Ehehe. Master, Sayuki-chan, I want you to enjoy all of it!
The girl smiling at them was Sakura, who was Reiji’s partner that shared the same thoughts as him, like brothers and sisters. However, seeing her smile like “a devil disguised as an angel”, he wished he could solve the current situation by simply running away.


It all started this morning.
Sakura: I want to be of help to you guys too.
As the freeloaders of the Sagara household were sitting down during breakfast, Sakura had muttered something in disappointment.
Unlike Reiji and Sayuki, who were able to go to school, Sakura was merely a freeloader who had done nothing during the day except for going on a stroll or basking in the sun.
It was like she was living the life of a worthless freeloading NEET. It would be expected that Sakura would feel that way.
Reiji: Well, you could say that.
Reiji thought about it while scratching his head.
He had recommended Sakura to get a part-time job before. The reason for that was because it was a nice job where she could get a good pay by just doing nothing outside all day long. That time, he had lectured her about that for an hour.
In addition, you could say that she is kind of useless. At least that was what Reiji thought…
Sakura: Master, is there anything I could do?
Reiji took a slight glance at Sakura’s deleterious face as she said that. It seemed like she was earnest this time.
Reiji: …Sayuki. Is there any housework that she can do?
For the time being, he decided to leave it to Sakura to decide whether she can do it or not. That’s what he thought.
Sayuki: Hmm, I already finished shopping the other day because I finished cleaning the house early.
However, Reiji and Sayuki did not have any type of work for Sakura to do.
Even though Sakura mustered her long-awaited motivation, Reiji could only feel sorry for her in this situation.
Reiji: Hmm…hold on.
Suddenly, Reiji glanced at the fridge.
Yes. Although going shopping and cleaning will not be necessary, there was still one housework that Sakura could do.
Reiji: If it’s Sakura, I’ll leave today’s dinner to you. Okay?
Hearing those words come out of Reiji’s mouth, Sakura was filled with joy while Sayuki opened her eyes wide in astonishment.
Sakura: Are you sure? You’re really letting me cook dinner!
Sakura dug her face into Reiji’s chest while smiling. Reiji gave out a slight cough from the momentum of Sakura’s friendly hug.
On the other hand, Sayuki repeatedly tapped on her older brother’s back to calm him down.
---Come to think of it, Reiji did not know about Sayuki’s opinion in all this.
When Sakura cooked for the first time, the homemade curry that she made with Sayuki supervising her stimulated his taste buds so much that it was a gift that was sent through the mail from an assassin.
But afterwards, Reiji gave in to the pain due to certain circumstances and lost conscious. Despite all that, Sakura had worked very hard to cook the ‘delicious’ curry.
Reiji: Well, it’ll be fine I guess. Maybe Sakura can pull through this time.
Sayuki: If you say so Nii-san.
Sakura was twirling around in joy as Sayuki gave her an uneasy look. However, Reiji gazed at Sakura with his warm eyes.


The result was what you were seeing.
Reiji: Sakura, what is…this?
Reiji pointed at the main dish that was placed before him. It looked like meat, or it may be fish. Whatever it was, the meat was definitely overcooked.
Lying on top of it was Diavolo sauce with an abundant amount of onion sitting on it. For some reason, the curry had a mellow scent to it.
Putting that aside, Reiji studied the side dish thoroughly. The fried gourd seemed bitter to eat. If there was a bitter gourd that was found in the deep blue sea of Tsukiyomi-jima Island, then this one would be it.
The miso soup and polished rice reminded him of this morning’s meal, so it was normal.
Sakura: Ehehe. Master, are you going to eat・it・now?
Reiji: Huu.
Reiji let out a carefree smile.
Sayuki: Nii-san…
Sayuki already had tears in her eyes.
---Was this curry even normal? Or was it another weird one that will send him flying?
Come to think of it, Reiji had noticed that the landlord and the other freeloader of this house were not present at the dinner table.
Did they sense the danger earlier and merely disappeared during the day?
It was too late for him to regret anything now. Since Reiji brought this situation upon himself, there was no other choice left for him other than to finish the dish in front of him.
And above all, it was his cute girlfriend that did her best to cook this meal. The number of obstacles before Reiji was as visible as a minefield.
Reiji: I’ll be fine Sayuki. I ate this before, so just wait a little while for me.
With that said, I gripped my chopsticks. As expected, Sakura returned, having ate a meal earlier.
Reiji: Ku! Let’s eat!
Despite his desperation, Reiji threw the mystery ingredients into his mouth.


【Sakura Side】

Sakura: Haa~a
A tepid sigh leaked from a girl’s mouth deep in the mangrove forest.
Sakura: Uuu, I failed again…
Deep in the mangrove forest, one of the places Tsukiyomi-jima Island is well-known for, there was a waterfall named Aurora.
It was a location known as the resting place for the spirits of the dead. Sakura was by herself and dropped her head.
When Reiji swallowed his first mouthful of her meal, every chair present at the dinner table was overturned.
It was until the joyful Sakura helped return Reiji’s sanity to him that he calmed down. Afterwards, he stayed in the house to be nursed by Sayuki. Once the effects of Sakura’s curry had disappeared, Reiji woke up instantly, though his face was beyond pale.
Sakura: Master…Reiji, you’re so dishonest.
The two people who were worried for her took a peek at her face anxiously. Reiji gave her an awkward smile and said “Don’t worry, I’m fine.”
For that reason, he wholeheartedly apologized to Sakura.
She wanted to be a useful person as well as a girl who wanted to be loved, since they never got along well. Then, she carelessly thought that it was because she ‘was not a human being’.
Like a child who was stubborn, Sakura kicked the water in the lake with her foot.


Sakura was not a human being. No, she was more like a ‘weapon who manifested the shape of a human being’.
A weapon called “Mahou”, a tool that was used to bring superpowers based on the image of the user’s imagination. Their existence was categorized as one.
However, Sakura was a special case. She was a spirit that resembled Reiji’s late mother, since she was always on Reiji’s mind when he left Tsukiyomi-jima Island for many years. Also, the magical power produced by Reiji was enormous, so she was born into this world as a fully functional human being.
And, Sakura had always been Reiji’s partner throughout the war between the Mahoutsukai once on this island, so she was connected to him.
When everything was over, everyone was able to gain their peaceful days again. In a way, it would seem like Sakura became Reiji’s lover.
Sakura: Phew.
No ideas came out of her mind, so she could only sigh. Every time she sighed, she kicked the lake. The moonlight’s brightness reflected of the lake, which made it shine and glitter.
Then, Sakura began to untie the knots on her clothes that she made with her magic, and stripped herself fully until she was naked. Sakura bathed herself in the lake with a sorrowful face. In a way, she seemed to resemble a mysterious beauty like a goddess in the legend.
Suddenly, a nearby bush shook slightly.
Sakura: W-Who’s there?
There should have been no one who would come here in the middle of the night. Realizing how careless she was, Sakura quickly covered her important parts and turned around.
A person appeared without a word. It was a young man that Sakura knew all too well.
Sakura: Master…geez, don’t surprise me like that.
Sakura knew her partner very well, and she tried to break the tension between them.
But…
Sakura: Master?
Reiji did not answer her. In addition, something felt strange.
On the outside, there was no doubt this person looked identical to Reiji. But, something was still off. What was it?
An unpleasant feeling that something was wrong was caught on Sakura’s throat. She decided to analyze the person cautiously again.
However…
Sakura: Eh?
When she had realized it, the world around Sakura became shrouded in the darkness.


【Reiji　Side】


Reiji: Sayuki, do you know where Sakura is?
Having recovered not too long ago, I asked Sayuki that question while putting the plates that were done cleaning back in the cupboard.
Sayuki: Hmm, she doesn’t seem to have come back yet.
Reiji: Oh. Where did she go?
At the location where Tsukiyomi-jima Island was peaceful, Sakura went to a place where not many normal humans were able to trespass and those that did were killed. I was starting to get slightly worried about her.
On this island, there were various factors that were able to gather the Mahoutsukai and Magicians. I had cohabited or became related with those guys who were able to wield Mahou too in some form or another on this island. But, it was unthinkable that Sakura would lose to the others so easily.
Besides, if Sakura was killed by any chance, then that would also mean I would die. No, it was a fate more terrible than death. It would mean all traces of my existence will disappear from this world.
Shaking away those thoughts, I did not want to think of a future where my lover was killed. So, I decided to wait a little longer before going out and search for Sakura if she did not return home---


---At that moment.
The world around them changed completely.
Reiji and Sayuki: ?!
Both of us expressed our shock and met each other in the eye.
We had some knowledge about this phenomenon where the world was wrapped in a watery light.
However, such a thing happening should be impossible.
The both of us dashed out of the house in a hurry. After the light surrounding the world became darker, there were no signs of life at all.
Sayuki: Nii-san, what about Sakura-chan?
Reiji: I know…DA CAPO!
Da Capo was an ability that I received when I summoned Sakura. It was a power that was able to rewind any event back to its original state in the past 24 hours.
I was even able to restore anything that was completely destroyed back to their original state or summon a specific person to me. At a glance, it was not an ability suitable for battle. Rather, it was more like an enhancement-type magic.
But…
Reiji: …What?
However long I waited, Sakura never appeared by my side.
Reiji: What is the meaning of this…
Sakura had left the Sagara household about an hour ago, so she should have been able to be summoned.
As an experiment, I broke off a branch from a nearby hedge, and used my ability once more. The branch had returned it its original form.
I felt an unknown feeling that something was very wrong here.
Sayuki: By any chance, someone may have kidnapped Sakura-chan…
Sayuki quietly muttered. If someone had captured Sakura, then it was consistently clear that they had the ability to interfere with my ability.
But, that was only the worst-case assumption. My neck felt a throbbing pain as if I was stabbed in the neck with a knife.
Reiji: Anyway, we’ll just have to look for her on foot…Ah…?!
As if she had a bad feeling, Sayuki had flung me backwards instantly.
Immediately after that, the place where I had stood was wrapped in an explosive flame.
Reiji: Wha---!
Sayuki: That attack just now.
On the other side of the smoke, a shadowy figure slowly approached us. That person was…
???: Good evening, Reiji.
…My mischievous classmate, Satomura Momiji.


【Ryuichi　Side】

Sumeragi Ryuichi was running. Everyone had suddenly vanished in the Milky Way mall.
Ryuichi: Why…did Eye Space activate now?!
He stared at this world that suddenly changed in disgust and spat out those words.
Eye Space, a space that was used during the last Mahoutsukai War for the Mahoutsukai.
The Mahoutsukai are the only existences allowed to exist in this world. If this world was left alone for more than 13 hours and there were no Mahoutsukai killed during that time, then this space would have overwritten the real world. It was a space made out of non-standard concept magic.
The man who created this space had lost the ability to do so at this time. Therefore, this devilish space should have become extinct too…
???: Ryuichi!
Someone had called his name, and Ryuichi turned his body backwards. It was a girl who wielded a sword longer than an arm’s length.
She was his childhood friend and also his current girlfriend, Suzushiro Nagisa.
Nagisa: What’s going on? The war should have been over already?!
Ryuichi: I don’t know. But “Eye Space” activated just now.
Then, that means there were more than 10 other Mahoutsukai other than them.
First, they decided to join the others and confirm the situation. Especially when it was the man who was Ryuichi’s step-father that created Eye Space in the first place.
Nagisa: Hey Ryuichi. Someone’s coming.
Nagisa pointed her finger in the direction where a shadow of a person could be seen. At a long distance, Ryuichi noticed that the person’s build was similar to his.
Ryuichi: Reiji? I’m glad he’s fine. Let’s join up with him.
While feeling slightly uncomfortable, the both of them rush towards the shadow.
However, that sense of discomfort grew bigger as they approached closer to the shadow.
Come to think of it, why wasn’t Sakura next to him, or even Sayuki for that matter?
And, as the features of the person slowly became clear, the two of them knew who this person was.
At the same time, Ryuichi had finally understood the true colors of his sense incongruity.
Nagisa: No…way…
Nagisa was at a loss for words. It was natural for her to.
Lightning struck the shadow and a gauntlet was formed, covering his right arm.
He also donned his crimson bandana on his head and also wore a black leather glove on his left hand.
This man was the complete mirror image of Sumeragi Ryuichi. It was as if he was looking at himself in a mirror.


【Reiji　Side】


Reiji: You sure have a way with suddenly greeting us like that…Satomura.
I sarcastically made a wry smile. Cold sweat started running down my back.
Speaking of Momiji, she was still smiling. The seven crystals surrounding around her was her “Mahou”. At a glance, it seemed like she was prepared to fight from the get-go.
Sayuki: Attacking us out of nowhere, you really are still too dangerous to be around.
I had noticed that Sayuki summoned her two handguns and pointed them at Momiji. The animosity between these two girls never changed at a gene level even when the war ended.
But…
Momiji: Hmm, it seems like you’re the real ones.
Momiji nodded after she was convinced, and fixed her posture.
Sayuki was dumbfounded at the unexpected development.
Sayuki: What do you mean? Explain it to us.
Sayuki questioned Momiji closely without lowering her weapon.
Momiji: Hey, did you guys not encounter anyone before I came?
She ignored Sayuki impressively and asked me that question.
Reiji: No, you’re the first person we ran into. What about it?
Momiji: Mmm. I don’t really understand everything completely at the moment.
Momiji said those confusing words while looking up at the bluish sky.
Momiji: Reiji, remember that cowardly shrine maiden from before?
Reiji: Kajiura? It was actually hard to forget about her.
Kajiura Umi was another “Mahoutsukai”.
She was the one who decided to fight everyone alone in order to protect the person important to her. Umi was actually a very influential person who managed to corner the three of us all by herself.
Momiji: Earlier, I met someone who looked exactly like her as my opponent.
Reiji: How is that possible---
Sayuki: Nii-san, watch out!
As soon as she says that, Sayuki pulled the trigger.
The magical bullets barely missed Momiji and shot in a straight line, hitting the person behind her.
Momiji: Tch. She already caught up with me.
Momiji turned around with a surprised face. The person in front of us was---
Reiji: Wha…
Sayuki: No way…
Sayuki’s attack had been prevented by the crystals floating in the air.
Standing in the center, was a petite girl wearing a distinctive hat.
The two Satomura Momijis…stood in front of each other as if looking in a mirror.


【Ichigo　Side】

???: Umu.
A pair of eyes stared on the clear surface of the land. Sagara Ichigo lifted her hand and rubbed her chin. Her expression was unusually serious.
Ichigo: Is this really…unrelated to you?
She thought about it for a little while, but ended up asking the man standing next to her.
This man---Yoshino Sousei shrugged his shoulder.
Sousei: Do I really have to remind you, Wanko. I already lost my powers as “Odin”.
Ichigo: Umu. I see.
She nodded when she was convinced and went back to observing the battlefield.
But, who else could she suspect to summon Eye Space…


There was once a woman who Sousei fell in love with during the first Mahou War. Yoshino Sakura was Reiji’s mother who died during that war.
However, Sousei was also a Mahoutsukai who was deemed to be a failure. With Sakura’s death, he then became the strongest “Mahoutsukai”.
Sousei had spent a long time trying to revive his beloved wife, and threw away everything else even his identity. From then on, he introduced himself as Odin. He was defeated by his real son, Yoshino Reiji, in the war that he created himself.
Thanks to Reiji, Sakura was given a second chance in life, though Ichigo did not know much about the world he created.
Sousei: This space…was created to gather the “Mahoutsukai’s” powers, like a miniature garden prepared for the victor to use the ultimate magic.
Ichigo: But, since you lost all your powers in the Ring of Nibelung, it is impossible for you to use your abilities ever again, right?
Ichigo ascertains the current situation, but she still has no idea why this space was formed again now.
Moreover…
Ichigo: A moment ago, everything vanished around us. What about that?
Sousei: That’s no good. Because---
Sousei stopped halfway into his explaination.
There were signs of multiple buildings that became completely extinct.
Sousei: ---My ability “Creation of Man” was never included.
The whole area was vacant, and only one woman was standing alone.
She had the appearance of a young woman and was wearing a black overcoat along with a black hat.
It…was two Sagara Ichigos standing before Sousei.
“Ichigo”: …
The other Ichigo was silent, and stared at the two people in front of her. But, both Ichigo and Sousei understood what this means as well.
The two sides read each other like a machine and jumped at each other in the opposite direction mutually. The ground that they were standing on just now disappeared without a sound.
Sousei: Did you ever have a twin sister, Wanko?
Ichigo: I don’t know either. In the first place, there is only one person in the world able to use that ability, and that person is me!
Ichigo caught sight of her other.
Ichigo: ENDLESS BANISH!
Her eyes glowed. At that moment, the other Ichigo split open and became erased from existence.


Ichigo was not a “Mahoutsukai”.
As a scientist, she was challenged to study parascience called “Mahou”. Her existence was dubbed “Yggdrasil” as she was the only one in the world who was successful in controlling the powers of a God as a normal human.
Her “Mahou” allowed her to erase the existence of everything in her field of view in an instant, no matter how tough her opponents were. There were no exceptions to be made.
Ichigo: …But, despite that person being an imitation, it is not good for the mind to see yourself disappear all of a sudden.
Sousei: I was killed once, if I had to say so myself.
What they said just now was no joke, even if the two of them said it nonchalantly.
However, the tense atmosphere did not calm down. If there was a second person who appeared now, then there will be a third person who will appear later.
Ichigo: Anyway, there are no longer any obstacles here. I suggest we move and meet up with Reiji at once.
Sousei: Very well. Then we should choose a location where the imitations cannot find us to meet.
The original “Ultimate Mahoutsukai” and the “Strongest Human in History”---
The dynamic duo that seemed to be invincible…silently wished for this eerie night to come to an end as soon as possible.


【Kengo　Side】


Kirisaki Kengo did not expect to see Eye Space to activate, and wandered inside it.
Kirisaki: Heeey…Jin-yan…Hagane!
Calling out Arizuka Jin and Todoroki Hagane’s names, both who Kirisaki had worked together with in the previous war, Kengo hadn’t seen shadows at this time.
Kirisaki: That’s strange. I was hoping to find Jin-yan as soon as possible…
Jin was a “Mahoutsukai” with an exceptional ability that transcended the knowledge of a normal human. Furthermore, he had received many special privileges as a Game Master during the last war.
Kirisaki had hoped to relieve himself if he joined up with Jin first.
Kirisaki: It can’t be helped if I haven’t found him. For the time being…
???: Ara, Kirisaki-kun?
Kirisaki looked back at the source of the familiar voice calling him. It was the Student Council President at Starlight Academy, the institute he went to. Amamiya Ayane stood before him.
However, her figure was wearing a plain black wedding dress and black gloves with her “Mahou” nowhere to be seen. Her elegant appearance reminded him of a young battle maiden.
Kirisaki: Kaichou. You were wandering alone in a place like this too.
Ayane: Ara. Those two are not with you today.
Kirisaki tried not to break the mood by acting normally. Ayane maintained her usual elegance even in the dignified presence of the strong man in front of her. She would have been reliable if Kengo was able to befriend her.
---He would be able to have his questions answered quicker if he teamed up with her.
Even if the goddess in front of him was burning with a twisted love.
Ayane: By the way Kirisaki-kun, did you not see Reiji-kun anywhere?
Kirisaki: …The situation remained the same as before. I did not spot the person you were looking for.
Ayane: I see. What a disappointment.
Although Ayane said her that, she did not seem to be disappointed at all. Though, he would not dare inquire her about it.
Kirisaki: Kaichou-san, what do you say we look for them together. Or are you not satisfied in teaming up with me?
Ayane: Fine. I was feeling a bit lonely when I was wandering by myself.
Ayane answered while giggling. However, there were no traces of her lying in those words.
It doesn’t seem like Ayane’s abilities to search for the others work at this time.
This “Eye Space” looks identical to the one in the past. That was the conclusion Ayane could come up with.
Ayane: Okay, then shall we check his house first---
Ayane began to say something.
But her words were cut off by the sound of thunder and an aurora shining from a distance.
Ayane: …It seems like we know Momiji’s whereabouts for the time being.
Kirisaki: Looks like it. They certainly saved us the hassle of looking for them.
The lightning came from the mall, and the aurora shined in the direction of the Sagara household.
---Since Nagisa was with Ryuichi, and Momiji was with Reiji, was there a need to think about it?
The both of them chose to go in the direction where the seven-colored lights of condemnation shined.