CHAPTER 43: INTERVENTION

"That’s quite enough."

They all turned to see two figures emerging from the rooftop access door, one of them was Tanaka. It was a young man in an impeccable black suit, walking calmly despite the chaos around him. His gray hair was perfectly styled, and his expression was one of mild disapproval.

"Oh, your Butler’s arrived, Ryouta," Azame said with amusement.

The old man surveyed the scene with the same expression someone might use when discovering a mess in the kitchen. "Young Master Ryouta," he said in a cultured voice, "I believe we’ve discussed the appropriate venues for testing advanced weaponry."

"Ren," Ryouta said weakly. "I can explain—"

"I’m sure you can." Ren walked calmly over to where the quantum blade was embedded in the concrete. "However, explanations can wait until after we’ve resolved this little... situation."

He reached into his jacket and pulled out what looked like a small tuning fork. With a sharp flick of his wrist, he struck it against his palm, and it began to emit a high-pitched tone.

The quantum blade’s chaotic energy field immediately began to stabilize. The pulsing disruption waves slowed, then stopped, then reversed. Within seconds, the sword was just a normal metal handle again.

He plucked it from the concrete. "Quantum Resonance Disruptor," he explained conversationally. "Quite useful for dealing with... enthusiastic young practitioners."

The rooftop stopped shaking. The cracks in the concrete began to seal themselves, and the twisted metal railings straightened out. It was as if the damage was being undone in fast-forward.

"Molecular reconstruction field," the butler continued, noticing their stares. "The Shikigawa family has been dealing with quantum-related accidents for quite some time."

Ryouta looked like he wanted to sink through the floor. "I’m sorry. I didn’t mean for it to get out of control like that."

"Of course you didn’t, young master." The butler’s tone was perfectly polite, but there was something in it that made everyone on the rooftop stand a little straighter. "However, I believe we should have a conversation about appropriate restraint when dealing with... civilian opponents."

Tanaka then stepped forward, then suddenly embraced Haruto tightly, catching him completely off guard. The sweet fragrance and softness of her chest enveloped him, making his breath hitch in surprise. Suddenly, a wave of relaxation washed over his entire body, and to his astonishment, his wounds began to fade away as if they had never existed. After a few moments, Tanaka gently released him, her lips curling into a mysterious smile. Haruto, still dazed, managed to stammer out his gratitude before his gaze shifted toward the Ashikaga family’s butler, who stood nearby, watching the scene with an unreadable expression.

He turned to Haruto with a slight bow. "My apologies for my young charge’s behavior. I trust you weren’t seriously injured?"

"No, I’m fine," Haruto said, though he was still staring at the now-pristine rooftop. "How did you do all that?"

"Trade secrets, I’m afraid." He smiled, but it didn’t reach his eyes. "The Ashikaga family has been perfecting quantum technology for several generations. Young Master Ryouta here is still learning the finer points of control."

Ryouta winced. "Yeah, about that..."

"We’ll discuss it later," the butler said firmly. He turned back to the group. "I believe it would be best if this incident remained between us. Official reports can be so... complicated."

It wasn’t really a request.

Kazuma nodded rapidly. "Yeah, sure. What incident? I don’t remember any incident."

"Excellent." The butler smile became more genuine. "And you, young man?" He looked at Haruto. "I trust we can count on your discretion as well?"

Haruto looked at Ryouta, who was still looking embarrassed, then at the butler who had just casually reversed what should have been catastrophic damage to the school. "Yes. No problem."

"Wonderful. Now then, Young Master Ryouta, I believe we should be going. Your tutors are waiting."

Ryouta groaned. "Do I have to? I mean, it’s not like anyone got hurt..."

"Precisely because no one got hurt, you’ll be continuing your lessons." The butler’s tone brooked no argument. "We’ll be discussing proper restraint, situational awareness, and the responsible use of family artifacts."

As they walked toward the door, Ren paused and looked back at Haruto. "Quite impressive, by the way. Those light constructs of yours show remarkable stability for self-taught techniques."

"You were self-taught?" The butler’s smile was enigmatic. "Experience, young man. Experience." He handed Haruto a small card. "Should you ever be interested in more... structured training, please don’t hesitate to contact us."

And with that, both he and Ryouta disappeared down the stairs, leaving the three students alone on the now-spotless rooftop.

"Well," Kazuma said after a long moment, "that was probably the most insane thing I’ve ever seen. And I still can’t decide which part was crazier - the quantum sword fight or the magic butler who fixed everything."

Haruto looked down at the card in his hand. It was pure white with elegant silver lettering: "Shiki Estate - Training Division" and a phone number.

Azame walked over to him. "Are you going to call them? I can offer that too."

Haruto thought about the fight, about how he’d been losing until the butler intervened. Ryouta had been holding back, he realized. Those people had capabilities he’d barely scratched the surface of. And if there were others out there with similar abilities...

"Maybe," he said finally.

"You did well today. If you want, I could help you train. Teach you how to use your abilities more effectively."

"Maybe." He said again.

Azame smiled, and for the first time since he’d known her, it looked genuinely warm. "How about tomorrow after school? I know a place where we can practice without anyone bothering us."

"Sounds good to me."

As they headed back toward the door, Kazuma shook his head in amazement. "I still can’t believe what I just saw. You guys are like something out of an anime or something."

The afternoon sun was setting, painting the sky in shades of orange and red. The school below was returning to normal, students heading home with no idea that a battle between quantum technology and light constructs had just taken place above their heads.