My stepsisters are sexy demons, and I must protect them-Chapter 119: [Spin-off 1] The power of a god

«You’re three minutes early. Congrats, kid. Punctuality is everything for a Monster Reaper.»

Shin Tendo praises Chris while puffing on a cigarette.

Not exactly the kind of behavior you’d expect from an instructor.

Especially not in front of such a young student.

«T-Thank you, Professor Tendo,» Chris replies with a small bow.

Jasmine and Alexia sit in the front row of the bleachers.

«Why did you call me here, Professor Tendo?» Chris asks, his voice curious but cautious.

Shin grins.

«We’re at the training field. What did you think I called you for? A cocktail party?»

Alexia narrows her eyes.

She stares at the professor with a sharp glare, as if scolding him silently for treating her little brother like an idiot.

Shin notices and just sighs.

Then he looks back at Chris, this time with a tone more fitting for someone in his role.

«To earn early access to the HESPARC Academy, you won the Under-16 U.S. tournament. Am I right?»

Chris nods silently.

Every year, all Sacred Flame users under sixteen—those who aren’t old enough to enroll—can enter a yearly tournament held by their local HESPARC division.

Chris won the most recent one.

«Then why don’t you show me what you’re made of?»

Chris’s eyes widen.

So do Jasmine’s and Alexia’s.

«I-I... do you mean... I have to fight you, Professor Tendo?»

«Exactly. But only if you’re up for it. And if you manage to impress me, I might even consider giving you extra credits. They could boost your final year evaluation. Of course, I won’t be fighting at full strength. I’m not about to hurt a student. So? Do you like the idea?»

Chris falls silent, thinking.

~Fighting Professor Tendo... I don’t stand a chance. Not even if he were blindfolded. But...~

Chris’s eyes grow more determined.

~I didn’t come here just to learn. I came to test myself against powerful opponents. And Professor Tendo is the strongest I could ever face!~

White, shining flames begin to burst from Chris’s body—the Sacred Flame.

A sword made of solid fire forms in his hand.

~...and anyway, he said he wouldn’t hurt me...~

Flames ignite in Shin’s hand as well.

A sword of white fire forms in his grasp.

«Our little brother is really brave,» Jasmine says proudly.

«Our...?» Jasmine repeats, glaring at her.

«Yeah... MY little brother isn’t afraid of anything!» Alexia snaps back—her eyes filled with admiration and affection for Chris.

Shin gestures with his hand, signaling Chris to attack.

Chris doesn’t wait.

He dashes forward at full speed, leaving behind a white trail—like a comet.

—BOOM!

When their blades clash, a shockwave explodes.

The air blast messes up Jasmine and Alexia’s hair.

Chris’s slashes come fast and relentless.

They rain down from every direction.

But Shin blocks them all effortlessly.

He fights with his right hand, while holding a cigarette between his lips with his left. 𝚏𝕣𝐞𝗲𝐰𝕖𝐛𝐧𝕠𝕧𝚎𝚕.𝐜𝚘𝗺

«Your fighting style is obviously still rough. But you’ve got talent. I’ll give you that,» Shin comments calmly, deflecting every blow with ease.

Chris doesn’t answer.

He stays focused on his attacks.

But no matter how hard he tries, not a single strike lands.

«Well, it was predictable...» Jasmine says, her voice genuinely disappointed.

She didn’t expect a different outcome.

But dreaming doesn’t cost anything.

«Yeah, but...» Alexia replies, her tone firm.

«My little brother still has an ace up his sleeve!»

«An ace up his sleeve...?» Jasmine repeats.

«Just wait and see.»

Chris tries one final thrust.

This one too gets blocked with ease, just like the others.

Then, Shin slightly twists his torso—a knee strike slams into Chris’s stomach.

He used only a fraction of his strength.

But it’s enough to send the boy flying for several meters before crashing to the ground.

Chris gets back on his feet, under Shin’s disappointed gaze.

«Why are you holding back? And I was hoping to see that power—the one that let you win the national tournament.»

«B-But, Professor Tendo... That kind of power is forbidden during duels...»

«It’s forbidden in duels between students.

I know I still look young and charming, but I graduated a long time ago,» Shin points out.

«Alright...»

The white flames around Chris vanish instantly.

So does the sword.

«Open your eyes wide, Jasmine,» Alexia announces. «You’re about to witness the power of a god!»

A cold wind blows through the arena.

Chris stares at Shin with a serious look.

He takes off the upper part of his uniform, standing bare-chested.

Jasmine starts drooling at the sight of his toned and athletic body.

She mumbles something under her breath.

Alexia elbows her hard, clearly scolding her for the indecent comment only she heard.

And then, suddenly...

A pair of large blue wings burst from Chris’s back.

Massive, ice-colored dragon wings, adorned at the edges with sapphire-like crystals, spread wide.

His skin is now covered in shimmering blue scales.

Around him, a storm of wind, water, and ice swirls violently.

«W-What the heck is that?!» Jasmine exclaims.

She can’t look away, and her eyes sparkle with excitement.

«It’s... so cool!»

«That’s the true power of my little brother. The power of the Divine Dragon Thural, the Restless Storm!» Alexia says proudly.

«But how can our little brother have that power?! Don’t tell me that he—?»

«Exactly,» Alexia cuts in. «My little brother is a Crystalbearer! With Thural’s power, he has the potential to become not just stronger than Shin Tendo, but the strongest Monster Reaper ever. I guess that’s why Professor Tendo is testing him.»

Jasmine squints at her.

«Oh, so that’s why you rushed into the professor’s office...» she murmurs sarcastically.

Alexia suddenly blushes.

«O-Of course! Isn’t it obvious?!»

The storm of water and ice rages across the battlefield.

Shin smiles.

He throws away his cigarette and crushes it under his heel.

«Now this is going to be fun.»

With a powerful flap of his wings, Chris dives at full speed toward Shin.

Professor Tendo leaps upward—he dodges.

But Chris shifts mid-air and charges again.

This time, a thick, sharp spike of ice forms around his arm—like a lance.

Shin blocks the thrust with his flaming sword, but not as easily as before.

He puts in a bit more effort.

The white flames around his body flare brighter.

With a stronger flap of his wings, Chris unleashes a gust of wind.

It slams into Shin, hurling him upward toward the dome’s ceiling.

Then, as Professor Tendo starts falling, Chris dashes at him again.

Chris attempts another thrust with the ice lance.

Shin blocks it again, but this time the impact is so strong that Chris’s lance shatters into pieces.

Then, while falling, Shin stomps on the back of Chris’s neck.

The blow slams him into the ground with force—the floor cracks.

Shin lands on his feet effortlessly, despite the ten meters of height.

«It’s incredible that you can unleash this kind of power at just thirteen years old,» Shin says with satisfaction.

«I don’t think I’m exaggerating when I say you’re already stronger than most students here—maybe even some from the final year.»

«T-Thank you, Professor Tendo... It’s all thanks to my big sister. She’s the one who taught me how to fight,» Chris replies, still rubbing his head.

«Your sister must be quite the girl,» Shin adds, glancing briefly at Alexia.

She freezes and blushes instantly.

The white flames around Shin vanish, along with his weapon.

«I’d say I’ve seen what I needed to see. You’ve earned yourself a nice batch of extra credits,» Shin says, complimenting him.

But Chris isn’t satisfied.

«I want to keep fighting, Professor Tendo!»

Shin shakes his head.

«I already told you. What you’ve shown me is more than enough.»

In response, Chris stretches his arms toward Shin.

A large sphere of water begins forming around his hands.

It’s a clear sign—he has no intention of accepting this interruption.

Shin lets out a deep sigh.

«Kids these days really are stubborn...»

A high-pressure jet of water bursts from the sphere, rushing toward Shin. But...

He vanishes before everyone’s eyes, and...

—BAM!

He reappears behind Chris and slaps the back of his neck with an open palm.

It’s not teleportation—Shin simply moved so fast that none of them could follow.

Chris, Jasmine, and Alexia all fail to track his movement.

After the blow, Chris collapses in Shin’s arms, unconscious.