Chapter 121

Episode 119: Dark Clouds

The only sound echoing through the third training ground of Mikage Academy was that of a blade slicing through the air.

Tourak, with every nerve in his body honed to perfection, swung his sword carefully and deliberately, stroke after stroke. His form seemed even more refined than when he had fought Solciera.

“Still going at it, huh? Maybe it’s about time you called it quits?”

Turning toward the voice, Tourak saw Mihaya looking at him with a slightly exasperated expression.

“You haven’t taken a break yet, have you?”

As Tourak caught the sports drink tossed his way with a word of thanks, he realized how late it had grown outside the windows, the sun having long set since he’d begun his rigorous training around noon.

“…Ahaha, yeah, I forgot to take a break.”

“Hmm, it would be nice if our partner Demon’s Gear could manage things properly during moments like this, wouldn’t it?”

Mihaya stared intently at the white katana before her, and soon it transformed into the figure of a young girl with flowing white hair. Standing tall, the youthful girl declared proudly to Mihaya,

“Tourak won’t collapse from something as trivial as this. The real test begins once we’ve surpassed our limits!”

“That’s right! Let’s push past our limits!”

“How is it that neither of you knows when to stop?”

Despite her words, Mihaya couldn’t hide her joy at being the one to rein them in. “Without me, you’d be hopeless!” she said with a smile, offering Lutra a drink as well.

Since Lutra was Demon’s Gear, instead of a sports drink, she received her preferred apple juice.

“Thank you, Mihaya. With this, I can fight for another 72 hours!”

“There isn’t much time until the Territorial War… Alright then! Once this break ends, let’s go again!”

“I say we call it a day! Come on, let’s pack up!”

Clapping her hands together, Mihaya made her announcement. Though both Tourak and Lutra seemed to have something to say, they exchanged glances and sighed in resignation.

“Tourak, we’re almost there with the Star-Cutting Form. Let’s keep pushing tomorrow.”

“Of course! Mihaya, I’d also like to do some mock battles tomorrow, if that’s okay?”

“Why are you already planning tomorrow’s training…?”

Though Tourak was naturally a hardworking fool, recently, it had become especially severe. The reason was simple.

(Star-Cutting Form, which unlocks Lutra’s power. That’s the strength Tourak wants to attain as soon as possible.)

After the events at Senkai Academy, Tourak had glimpsed a fraction of Lutra’s potential. Realizing there was an even greater world beyond their current limits spurred him all the more to train fervently.

However, Mihaya, who maintained a level-headed perspective, knew they couldn’t be swept away by such fervor.

“Unfortunately, I have plans tomorrow.”

“Oh, really?”

“By the way, you two also have duties as part of the Student Council.”

Taking the towel from Mihaya, Tourak wiped the sweat from his brow and tilted his head in curiosity.

“Rinka will fill you in over dinner.”

“Alright. Thanks. Still, what kind of work could it be? If it’s come to me, it’s probably bound to be messy business.”

“Academy City is full of messy business,” Lutra added with a tilt of her own head. She only understood matters related to cutting and meals.

“That’s true. But didn’t Rinka mention something about the Kisou Academy Student Council President not participating in the Territorial War being suspicious?”

“That’s right. They should be an S-Rank alongside Rokuhara, yet…”

This Territorial War was crucial for Kisou Academy’s future. Even if they didn’t secure a complete reversal, a victory here would allow them to negotiate favorably moving forward.

And yet, the Kisou Academy Student Council President wasn’t participating.

“That person’s Demon’s Gear abilities are restricted due to their nature. While their 12 seconds of invincibility might be unmatched individually, they aren’t suited for group combat. Alone, they can’t change the battle’s outcome anyway.”

“True, and considering Yukihira and that person don’t get along at all either…”

The ability to solidify the future as favorable worked effectively against Rokuhara’s offensive principles. Adding to that, Tourak, a Demon’s Gear user, and an S-Rank helper from Factom General Academy ensured Mikage Academy’s formation was rock-solid.

“For a match, sure, but in a Territorial War, we just need to stall that person. Meanwhile, we’ll wrap things up.”

After all, this was a team battle. With numbers and quality firmly on their side, Mikage Academy’s victory was eerily assured.

“Even so…I thought it strange too. With the Student Council President’s abilities, the win rate would skyrocket. We initially planned strategies assuming their participation.”

“Linka mentioned she had a lead on why.”

“A lead…?”

“Right, something like—”

■

“—The Kisou Academy Student Council President must be targeting the Angel.”

Clam stated seriously, stopping Tourak as he returned to his room after a satisfying dinner that somehow tasted better after ruining someone’s preferences for young boys.

“Sougo-kun, let’s have a sleepover later, okay? You’ll burn your brain surrounded by various beautiful girls!”

‘Run, Sougo-kun! As far away as possible!’

Seriously though, is the Student Council President really targeting an Angel? That wasn’t part of the original story.

“Oh, you know about it too?”

“That tone of yours suggests you were aware. Solciera truly is remarkable, isn’t she?”

“Don’t mention that name around here. You never know who might be listening.”

Recently, with the increase in people, it was common to bump into someone even at night. Due to the nocturnal groups, I now deliberately venture to the outskirts of another district just to be a Mysterious Beautiful Girl.

“And yet, knowing about Angels too? Impressive for someone known as an exposé streamer, isn’t it?”

With that, I gave Clam a mysterious smile.

“Fufu, stop it. I’m not Jouka anymore.”

Clam chuckled shyly. How cute.

“I learned about the existence of Angels while dismantling illegal research facilities at Kisou Academy. Also, their appearance timing. The reason I didn’t participate in the Territorial War was to thwart the Student Council President’s scheme. You were likely aiming for the same?”

“Of course.”

‘You lie as easily as breathing.’

Lies are accessories that make a Mysterious Beautiful Girl shine.

“So then, let’s stop the Student Council President together—”

I gently stroked Clam’s hair and smiled faintly.

“You deserve to walk in the light now. Leave it to me.”

A move emphasizing my role as a protector of beautiful girls while remaining a shadowy figure myself.

How’s that, Head Judge?

‘Perfect. 100 points!’

Yesss!

“…I’m a student at Phectom Academy now too, you know.”

Clam grabbed my wrist suddenly, pinning it against the wall.

?????????

‘Here it comes! Clam x Sol Hit!’

“I don’t intend to be a burden. I can fight too…!”

With her hands braced against the wall, Clam declared this. Her face was so beautiful…

‘Wall Bang! 200 points!’

Head Judge!? What?!

‘Apparently, Solciera’s still the submissive type. Here’s your Q.E.D.! Don’t underestimate Demon’s Gear computational abilities!’

Haha, you’re still an amateur, Star Reader’s Staff. Solciera’s character isn’t that shallow; this level of interaction doesn’t determine roles so easily.

Let me show you what a Mysterious Beautiful Girl truly is.

“Fufu, you look adorable when you’re trying so hard.”

“…I-I’m serious—”

I placed a finger gently against her lips.

“Could it be the influence of your childhood friend that makes you so passionate?”

Adding a cool smile to my words, Clam regained her composure and released my hand.

Oh dear, what if I have a bruise now?

‘Wait, is this it? Isn’t this where the real drama starts?’

If I lose momentum now, I can’t pull off being a Mysterious Beautiful Girl.

“But yes, if you insist, perhaps I can let you help.”

“…Really!?”

“Yes, really.”

I affectionately patted Clam’s head and smiled.

“I’ll inform you of the timing. Until then, enjoy this everyday life.”

“…Alright, I understand.”

Satisfied with her nod, I bid her farewell with a “See you later” and left.

Well then.

Angels or whatever, honestly, I don’t care much about that right now.

What’s important is…

‘What’s important is!’

Preparing the new publication and recording ASMR for Hinotuchi Cultural Festival!

‘Regarding the ASMR, we still haven’t acquired a dummy head mic, so for now, it’s all about scripting. If we don’t start now, we’ll regret it later!’

With the upcoming Territorial War between Mikage Academy and Kisou Academy, I too have a battle I cannot afford to lose.

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