Satou looked at the dull pale sword. Her bright yellow eyes scanned it as she walked over in a trance. Satou cracked a smile. Ichi stood there as the angel girl cornered him like a zombie, her hands moving across the sword he held. Ichi felt uncomfortable witnessing the way the little girl fawned over it. He head snapped up to his gaze.

"Ichi. Have you ever heard of the Druids?"

Ichi nodded his head. His eye flickered over to Scipio. Satou looked like she was bargaining with him, so maybe this is finally over, he hoped. Satou looked off into the sky. The stars were hidden by the light. Ichi hadn't noticed, but it already dawn.

"There are weapons that can kill Druids. You could call them the guardians of magic. They have power that is- literally- beyond imagination. Even normal humans can cast magic, easily, but their magic is weak. Druids live in a world that is pure imagination, somewhere out there. And what your 'Magic Resonance' with Scipio's blade evolved it."

Ichi looked to Rikya who nodded solemnly. She picked up where Satou left off.

"I never explained 'Magic Resonance, did I? Because, it's something weird. If a sword itself is magic, then how could the person who held the sword become connected with that magic? The magic user amplifies it by copying the spells perfectly. When I saw you wield that brutish blade against Scipio so well, I thought it was weird."

Satou turned to Rikya.

"So you noticed as well. That red pulse around the blade, the fact that it moved so strangely, how it was able to cut Scipio, who was even wielding his self-made masterpiece 'Scipio's Tale'. A blade made out of Dark Angel magic combined with one of the strongest beings in the world. Ichi, whatever you did, you gave that already powerful sword an upgrade just touching it."

Ichi wondered at what Satou said. 'There are weapons that can kill Druids', she said earlier. Did she mean this dull pale sword? Then, could it kill Scipio? He walked over to Scipio, brushing Satou to the side. Rikya's eyes darted to Ichi, as if reading his mind Rikya half jumped to run between Scipio and Ichi. Scipio held Rikya off with a tentacle that snaked out of a blue portal.

"Should I thank you? I should thank you. I came here for power, and you gave me power. My wonderful blade got only more wonderful. However," Scipio spat on the ground near Ichi's feet. "You did it with so little experience. Has anyone ever told you talented geniuses are disgusting?"

Ichi thought about stabbing him. He really could try, right now. At least he could try. But then-

"Satou's your financee? Right" Ichi said twirling the sword.

Scipio nodded. His face screwed up in derision. Ichi held his hands wide.

"Earlier, Satou did said she take this sword as an early dowry. Rikya over there, she hasn't known me long, but she knew for sure I'd stab you. Isn't this a wonderful blade? And it's all Satou's." Ichi growled under his breath. "Or I'll give back to you in your gut."

Ichi held out his right hand. It was free and open now that his black stick melted into his body.

"Earlier, when we met, you said you were 'looking for connections'. How about you shake my hand and walk away?"

Ichi did the best fake smile he could manage. He felt embarrassed with Rikya standing right there. She should be glad Ichi was thinking of the future instead of giving into his murderous rage. Ichi comforted himself with that thought.

Strangely, Ichi thought he heard Satou cheer from behind him.

Scipio's right hand moved slowly to take Ichi's hand. His face straightened as he parted his lips and let out a sigh like a dragon breathing fire.

"I'm not walking away with nothing." Scipio growled as he shook Ichi's hand.

"Didn't Satou say something about becoming stronger with her advice? All you have to do is continue to work hard." Ichi held up the dull pale sword. His best salesman's smile crackled his face. "If you don't like geniuses, then a little more hard work for someone who was born an special existence doesn't sound like much to ask, for someone who likes hard work."

Scipio groaned at Ichi's words. He looked to Rikya and retracted the tentacle holding her back. Rikya rushed to Ichi's arm, pushing it down physically and holding it there. Scipio moved his eyes off the little girl and boy only wearing shorts to Satou.

Scipio beckoned to Satou. She walked over, smiling at Ichi as she did, patting him on his back.

"Over here. I don't want the Tanuki bastard to hear." Scipio said.

Ichi gritted his teeth. Maybe he should stab him after all?