Chapter 502. Overlapping Talents
「In a race against time and death, Shirogane Miyuki was drenched in sweat from anxiety.」
「During their attempted escape, their scent was eventually detected by the snake demon, which quickly gave chase. To protect the children, Shirogane Miyuki had no choice but to draw the snake demon away by himself.」
「During his few days in the village, he had also wanted to train to become stronger. Fortunately, after Kikyo examined him, she said he was very talented.」
「"Practicing spiritual power to become stronger requires talent. You are very strange—it is as if you were born with one talent, and then a second talent suddenly appeared later. Therefore, you will learn and grow strong very quickly."」
「Of course, the so-called "quickly" was still measured in units of years and months.」
「A normal monk might study for decades from childhood, but he could do it in just a few years.」
「...The current Shirogane Miyuki did not yet possess any actual strength. However, because he had awakened his spiritual power, he appeared much more delicious to the snake demon than the children did; this was how he managed to keep the demon from coveting the little ones.」
"I see how it is."
Hikigaya Hachiman understood within half a second.
In fact, having the talent to learn magic in Emilia's world and Keyaru's world was the same thing. Now it seemed that this talent was also the same as becoming a spiritual practitioner in Kikyo's world.
Shirogane Miyuki was born with this talent, and then because Hikigaya Hachiman had given the command to the Philosopher's Stone to "increase the magic talent of everyone in the world," Shirogane's talents had overlapped.
If Shirogane Miyuki had no other "cheats," then double talent was his cheat.
Now, as Shirogane used himself as bait for the python, using his tense and thrilling parkour to save the children who represented the future... this scene caused many people to hold their breath, their hearts leaping into their throats.
"It's different—he's completely different from Ayanokouji Kiyotaka!"
In the Nakano household, all six of them could see it. This third protagonist was clearly of the same breed as Hikigaya Hachiman. He had a proper moral compass, possessed both courage and wit, and held true love... Shinomiya Kaguya had made him brave. If that wasn't true love, what was?
The four Nakano sisters were not currently rooting for Kikyo; they were deeply moved by the true love between Shirogane and Shinomiya. As for Uesugi Futaro, he was simply and silently worrying for the Shirogane Miyuki in the video.
"Ya—Wauuuhya—It hurts! It hurts, it hurts, Shinomiya-san!"
Inside the Student Council room, Shinomiya Kaguya watched the "future" President in his moment of peril. Her eyes were already bloodshot from tension, and her hands were deathly tight on her best friend Fujiwara Chika's arm—squeezing so hard that Fujiwara Chika was about to cry from the pain.
Suffering a similar fate was Iino Miko, who was being pinched painfully by Ishigami Yu.
「"Don't run... don't run... delicious... my feast!"」
「The terrifying pressure of the demon approached from behind, yet Shirogane Miyuki became increasingly fearless. Several images replayed in his mind.」
「One was Shinomiya Kaguya diving into the water to save someone; one was Hikigaya Hachiman being able to counterattack even after having his bones crushed by the Sin Archbishop of Sloth; and one was Ayanokouji Kiyotaka remaining indifferent in the face of Flare's toys.」
「These visions supported his courage... and just as he was about to give out, his vision blurring, and his legs becoming numb to sensation...」
「The destination was right before his eyes.」
「At Jinenji's thatched hut, the villagers—who hadn't yet had a chance to act—looked in shock and fear at Shirogane Miyuki and the snake demon following him.」
「A sense of realization began to sprout in their hearts... Regardless, they began to shout, waving their hoes as they moved to save Shirogane Miyuki.」
「But what could ordinary people with ordinary iron tools do?」
「With a sweep of the python's tail, the villagers were sent flying back in agony... In this massive disparity of combat power, the only one possessing the strength to stand before the snake demon was Jinenji.」
「"You hurt Miyuki... my friend, my only friend... You actually dared to hurt him!!"」
「What would the honest and kind Jinenji look like if he flew into a rage? Would such a day ever come?」
「The villagers didn't know before, but they were witnessing it now. Jinenji let out a cry of grief and indignation, charging forward boldly. His lower body was stable as a rock; he firmly grabbed the snake demon's swinging tail and then squeezed with all his might.」
「The sound of the snake demon's spine shattering was clearly audible.」
「"AAAAAAAAAH!!"」
「Amidst Jinenji's roar, he erupted with all his strength, completely tearing the snake demon apart into a pile of mangled meat.」
「Under the moonlight, Jinenji's figure resembled a Demon God, leaving the villagers terrified... At the same time, the panting children finally arrived via a shortcut, describing the sequence of events all at once.」
「The truth was out. They had wrongly accused Jinenji and refused to listen to Shirogane Miyuki's advice, nearly resulting in the disaster of their own children.」
「Shirogane Miyuki and Jinenji—the two of them were the heroes of this village, without a doubt.」
「"Ji-Jinenji... we..."」
「The Village Chief wanted to apologize with a face full of shame, but Jinenji had already moved into action. He was going to pick herbs, brew medicine, and apply topical treatments for his friend.」
「Shirogane Miyuki had exhausted his physical strength from running beyond his limits, and his legs were injured.」
「The Village Chief snapped out of it and hurriedly called for the villagers to move Shirogane Miyuki into the house for treatment: "Yes... that's right! Everyone help, help quickly!"」
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"Ah—Ah—Ahhh! It's the President! It's the President! The President won! The President is a hero!"
Only now did Shinomiya Kaguya finally remember to breathe. She practically jumped three feet in the air, cheering and dancing with joy, momentarily forgetting her poise in her excitement.
She hugged Fujiwara Chika, ecstatic, squeezing Fujiwara so hard she was nearly strangled.
"Gurgle..." Fujiwara Chika was about to roll her eyes back.
At the same time, Ishigami Yu was weeping tears of joy, saying with a slight sob, "I knew it. I knew it would work, because he is President Shirogane."
Just as the President had once saved him, he knew the President would surely be able to save Jinenji as well. He had that kind of faith in the President.
"Hey, let me use your shoulder for a bit."
Though he asked, Ishigami Yu had already rested his head on Iino Miko's shoulder before she could answer.
"Hey!"
Iino Miko gave a small shout but did not pull away. She turned her head to look at the current Ishigami and, for some reason, suddenly felt that this guy wasn't so bad after all—he had some pretty good qualities.
And sitting at the President's desk, the real Shirogane Miyuki looked at Jinenji and the villagers turning from foes to friends. From the bottom of his heart, he let out a satisfied smile and whispered to himself:
"Thank you, Shinomiya. It was you who changed me. Otherwise, I never could have done something like this."
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