Aiba Asagi looked at Izumi with a puzzled expression.
"I know my abilities aren't suited for learning those kinds of skills," she said honestly.
"But if I don't learn anything at all, what am I supposed to do?"
She gave a small shrug.
"Our world doesn't even have the concept of 'datafication' in the first place."
Her talents were entirely rooted in electronics and networks—something fundamentally incompatible with magic systems. That disconnect was precisely why she had been so conflicted earlier.
That was also why she had considered learning purely support-type skills instead—anything that might let her be useful.
At one point, she had even thought about abandoning her talent altogether.
Izumi laughed softly at her words.
"Just because our world doesn't have it," he said calmly,
"doesn't mean other worlds don't."
Then he looked straight at her.
"Are you interested in joining my team?"
Aoi froze.
"If I ever find something that truly suits you," Izumi continued,
"I'll let you use it. That much, I can promise."
This was the perfect opportunity.
Regardless of the outcome, inviting her first was the right move.
Aiba Asagi's eyes widened.
"…You really want me to join?"
"Right now I'm not strong at all," she said carefully.
"And my talent might turn out to be completely useless."
"If I never find a path forward, I might stay like this for the rest of my life."
She wasn't being pessimistic—just realistic.
She had already prepared herself for the possibility that she would never become a combatant. Instead, she planned to find an ordinary job in the city and live a quiet, uneventful life.
Izumi nodded without hesitation.
"Yes. I'm sure."
"But I won't force you," he added.
"If you decide to join, go talk to Katou Megumi later and explain your situation."
"Think it over carefully."
Aoi nodded slowly.
It really was a decision worth thinking about.
To step into Izumi's world—or to continue along the safe, ordinary path she had planned for herself.
No one else interrupted.
Standing nearby, Yukinoshita Yukino couldn't help feeling a little envious.
If you joined Izumi's team, you'd definitely grow stronger—fast.
Just look at Katou Megumi and Eriri.
Before summer break, neither of them had been stronger than Yukino. Yet after a single vacation, they had returned capable of completely overwhelming her.
And the more Yukino observed, the more she realized—
Everyone in Izumi's team was terrifyingly strong.
It wasn't a party of elites.
It was a party of monsters.
So-called "chosen geniuses" didn't even qualify to stand in comparison.
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________
After finishing his conversation with Aiba Asagi, Izumi turned his attention to the girl collapsed face-down on the ground.
The self-proclaimed "One-Shot Hero."
Megumin.
Izumi squatted down in front of her and casually began placing food on the ground—bread, meat, fruit, sweets.
The moment the aroma reached her nose, Megumin jolted awake.
Without a single word, she grabbed the food and began shoving it into her mouth at frightening speed.
Izumi chuckled.
He didn't stop her.
Instead, he kept pulling out more food and setting it down.
Watching this, Yuigahama Yui and the others exchanged curious glances.
Why was Izumi so invested in this girl?
Only after Megumin had eaten her fill did she finally speak.
"Ahhh… I'm saved."
She straightened her hat and declared proudly:
"Boy, thank you for saving me!
I am Megumin, an Arch Wizard who wields the strongest offensive magic—Explosion!"
"As repayment, I shall demonstrate Explosion Magic for you!"
Before she could finish—
Thunk.
Izumi flicked her forehead with a sharp chop.
"Enough. Shut it."
"I can use Explosion too."
"Don't show off."
Megumin puffed up instantly.
"Even if you are my savior, striking me like that will make me angry!"
"I am Megumin of the Crimson Demon Clan!
My ultimate technique is more than capable of defeating you!"
Izumi stared at her with utter exhaustion.
"Keep acting chuunibyou and I'll hit you again."
"Calm down, idiot girl."
Megumin frowned.
Something felt suspicious.
"…Why are you looking for me?"
"Did you hear of my great name and wish to invite me to your party?"
"That's fine—so long as you provide food and lodging—"
Thunk.
Another chop.
"Stop writing your own script."
"I have a reason for finding you."
Izumi was genuinely speechless.
Could this girl at least let someone finish speaking?
Megumin finally quieted down, looking at him with confusion.
The girls watching from the side were equally stunned.
Was this a comedy routine?
Izumi sighed, then spoke solemnly.
"Girl."
"Do you wish to witness magic… greater than Explosion?"
Megumin instantly snapped back.
"Impossible!"
"There is no magic stronger than Explosion!"
"Explosion is the strongest!"
She believed that with unwavering conviction.
Izumi didn't argue.
Instead, he snapped his fingers.
In the next instant—
The sky changed.
Dozens—no, hundreds—of magic circles bloomed across the heavens, layered and overlapping like a celestial tapestry.
No chanting.
No incantation.
They simply appeared.
Megumin's jaw dropped.
She could feel it.
The overwhelming mana contained within each circle.
Her worldview shattered.
"T-This… this power…!"
Without hesitation, Megumin clung to Izumi's leg, eyes sparkling.
"Master! Teach me this!"
Izumi went silent.
What happened to unwavering devotion to Explosion?
What about eternal loyalty?
This girl wasn't loyal to Explosion—
She was loyal to big numbers.
Yukinoshita Yukino and the others were equally stunned.
Only now did they truly understand the extent of Izumi's power.
At the same time, alarms blared throughout the town.
An emergency warning—mistakenly identifying the phenomenon as a monster invasion.
Izumi clicked his tongue and dispelled the magic.
Then he looked down at Megumin.
"So?"
"Do you still think Explosion is the strongest?"
"What do you think of my Astrological Magic?"
Megumin's eyes shone brighter than ever.
"Astrological Magic…!"
"So that's its name!"
"It's wonderful!"
"Please—can I learn it?"
"I'll pay any price!"
At that moment, Megumin's mind contained only one thing—
Those countless magic circles filling the sky.
And the overwhelming desire to claim that power for herself.