"It's definitely okay. From now on… we're family."
"Mm."
Ryuuto tightened his grip around Wanda's trembling hands, giving her that lopsided smile that always seemed to crack through her fear. Bobby, Arlo, Scott, Steel—everyone welcomed her with loud greetings and bright grins.
"Alright! Everyone pack up—we're heading home. Before any more idiots decide to jump us."
Ryuuto swung his hand sharply.
In an instant, they reappeared inside the X-Men headquarters.
[Ding! Task Complete! Congratulations, Host! Perfect performance!]
"Hah! Shion, finally decided to show your face. Missed me that much?"
[…I literally did nothing. Stop being weird.]
Ryuuto's pulse kicked up anyway—he'd never admit it out loud, but hearing Shion's teasing voice always gave him that stupid internal ||BA-DUMP|| anime heart reaction.
"Come on then, what's my reward? How many character data puzzles this time? My blade's thirstier than Wolverine at a beer festival."
[Three character data packets. Also: 200,000 system experience points.]
"…Oho? Now that feels like justice. Not bad for risking my life every two minutes."
[Do you want the next Main Quest briefing?]
"Obviously. Lay it on me."
[…There is no next quest yet.]
Ryuuto froze.
"…Shion, tell me a joke."
[J–joke? The system is not programmed for—]
"You're telling me this 'advanced interdimensional gaming system' can't even do stand-up comedy? That's a one-star rating from me."
[Host! I—I will try to improve!]
Her chibi-projection puffed her cheeks, looking more like a pouting shrine maiden than the all-powerful AI she claimed to be.
Wanda stepped forward quietly.
"Brother… can you teach me now? I—I feel the energy in my body rising again."
"Don't rush," Ryuuto said. "Follow my steps. Center your mind. Stabilize your emotions. Origin Magic Power will obey you once you stop fearing it."
Wanda nodded gently.
And just like that, training began.
The two sat across from each other, palms raised, breathing steady. As Wanda molded her energy, Ryuuto monitored the flow—learning from it just as much as she did.
Bit by bit, her trembling spirit settled.
The two grew closer without even noticing.
"Wanda. Try attacking me this time."
Her eyes widened in panic. "What? But—I might hurt you—"
"Trust yourself. And trust me. You won't learn control without pressure."
"…Okay. But be careful!"
White light exploded from her hands, filling the room like a rising sun.
"Yes! That's it!"
Sand Shield — Guardian Crane!
Ryuuto formed hardened sand into a curved barrier. Wanda's Origin Magic Power slammed into it—
—and the impossible happened.
The shield
disintegrated.
Like it had never existed.
"What the—? You can decompose matter itself? Wanda, that's insane!"
Her magic—overwhelming, raw, terrifying—continued straight toward him.
Wanda gasped. "Stop it! Stop it! Brother, I'll cancel—"
"Relax."
Ryuuto didn't move an inch.
The torrents hit him head-on.
And he didn't even flinch.
But then—
The world twisted.
His vision blurred.
He felt himself sinking into memories that weren't his.
A fake past. A rewritten identity.
A trap meant to break weak minds.
"Origin Magic Power… this is how it attacks the mind?"
He chuckled.
The Mangekyō Sharingan flared open.
Reality shattered.
He ripped himself out of the illusion and stood taller than before, eyes blazing with understanding.
Behind him, Wanda jumped in joy.
"I—I did it! I actually controlled it! I didn't hurt anyone!"
Ryuuto gave her a thumbs-up, louder than applause.
"You're leveling up fast, Scarlet Witch."
He assigned Jean Grey and Arlo to watch over Wanda while he returned home—Susan would kill him if he vanished another night without texting.
He stepped through the exit—
Only for a deadly presence to slam onto the street.
A tall, blue-skinned woman with cybernetic eyes and crackling electric batons stepped forward, murderous intent rolling off her in waves.
Nebula.
The street emptied instantly.
Ryuuto groaned.
"Seriously? Why do idiots line up to die? Is there a sign on my back that says 'free beatdown'?"
Wind Style — Airburst Bombs!
Ryuuto shot into the air and fired compressed blasts of wind downward.
CRACK!!
Nebula spun her electric batons like twin lightning rods, smashing the air bombs mid-flight. Sparks scattered as stone tiles exploded beneath her feet.
She didn't stumble.
She didn't even blink.
She simply sprinted toward Ryuuto—
fast, lethal, unbreakable.