Episode 133: Infiltration
Just before Solciera battles the angel.
Agiri Rinka had reached the headquarters of Silver Twilight.
After going through several special procedures and advancing via a route that could not possibly be coincidental, she finally arrived at their hideout, which utilized Dungeon space.
(Certainly, it must be here. There must be a reason for all this trouble.)
Rinka had realized that the escalation of hatred between Kisou Academy and Mikage Academy was merely a procedure to obtain something.
And she roughly had an idea of what that “something” might be.
(Angel servitude… without a doubt, that’s the doing of Silver Twilight. So, their target is related to angels.)
Rinka moved forward through the desolate temple.
The countless wires crawling along the ground turned the sacred atmosphere of the temple into something distorted.
The machines tied to the pillars and some discarded circuit boards might be failed creations abandoned by Silver Twilight’s genius.
(Anyway, I must proceed without being noticed by anyone. If I’m found by the Professor or the Doctor, it’s over. And I don’t want anything like Ouroboros again…)
While cautiously advancing and keeping an eye on her surroundings, Rinka stopped when she heard a voice.
“…”
As she pressed herself against the wall to locate the source of the sound, that moment came.
“Cold…!?”
Surprised by the sudden coldness of the wall she leaned against, Rinka involuntarily let out a cry.
It was a violently cold sensation, as if she’d been pressed against ice.
Before she knew it, frost began to drift around her, and the ground started freezing.
(What… What is this…!?)
It wasn’t the Professor or the Doctor.
The phenomenon brought about by a new presence was more natural and violent.
(Bad. Maybe someone new joined while I wasn’t aware. Then, I should retreat temporarily…)
Thinking this, just as she was about to leave,
The master of ice revealed himself.
“Is there a rat like you here!”
The wall cracked like thin ice.
Then, an arm shot out.
“!?”
“Hahaha! Got you!”
Avoiding it, Rinka was effortlessly caught by the owner of the arm who then further collapsed the wall to reveal himself.
With navy hair, crimson eyes, wearing Kisou Academy’s uniform with a cape hanging from his waist, stood the girl.
“Ice Phoenix Hall Rei will not be fooled so easily!”
(Right… Why is the Student Council President of Kisou Academy here!?)
The Student Council President, one of the S Rank individuals reigning at the top of Kisou Academy alongside Rokuhara, was none other than the girl named Reiko Hyououdou.
“Professors! Did you try to kill me with your ambush! Hahahaha, impossible, futile, reckless! What can such ordinary trash do with only one person!”
Her widely opened eyes strongly conveyed madness.
Contrary to her actions resembling a car with broken brakes, her use of abilities was performed with precision.
“Can’t… move.”
“Your body has frozen. Foolish one. To think you tried to kill me… well, I’ll take you hostage and negotiate with the professors!”
Rei casually hoisted up the motionless Rinka onto her shoulder,
and proceeded straight ahead by freezing the wall in front of her.
“Walls are meant to be destroyed! Doors are meant to be broken! And traps are meant to be crushed! Come out, Professor! I’ve taken the bait you set! Hand over the angel servitude technique!”
While shouting, Rei charged forward recklessly through paths where no path existed.
The supposedly sturdy walls froze and shattered in the next instant, creating a breathtaking sight for anyone watching from the side. However, Rinka, who was carried on her shoulder, was far from calm.
(What is this? How did the Student Council President of Kisou Academy end up here?! It’s impossible!)
“Why…”
“Do you want to know? That’s right. You ignorant fool wouldn’t understand anyway. I am sensitive to temperature differences! I can sense living beings in icy places! That’s how I detected your location and rushed straight here!”
“It’s not about that…”
It seemed Rei had misunderstood.
She explained with satisfaction, her voice loud enough that Rinka couldn’t deny it and remained carried on her shoulder.
But her thoughts weren’t halted.
(The reason she came here was to seize the angel servitude technique, wasn’t it? That’s what she said… So, it seems Kisou Academy still can’t control angels.)
Though it was by chance, indeed one mystery had been resolved.
As Rinka had predicted, Silver Twilight disguised as Kisou Academy was secretly operating behind the scenes.
(Maybe I can use this to bring back some evidence…!)
Rinka’s objective was to uncover Silver Twilight’s plans.
And also to obtain proof showing that Kisou Academy was uninvolved.
“…You’re hiding something deeper, aren’t you?”
“!?”
“To look at me this way! You’re awfully composed. Judging people, huh? Bold indeed!”
While running, Rei exercised her ability.
Rei’s ability started with manipulating ice and reached the freezing of all things.
Without any resistance, Rinka’s Dive Gear froze.
The protective program of the managed expansion domain ceased functioning.
“You cannot use your abilities now. Then! The next thing to beware of is inside the expansion domain! You must be hiding relics, I know quite a bit!”
Rei forcibly pried open Rinka’s expansion domain.
She grabbed whatever she found inside and stored it in her own expansion domain.
“Ahh, wait… stop.”
“Hahahahaha! Everything you possess, I shall take! Next time, have the decency to include some snacks!”
Laughing heartily, Rei, behaving like a mischievous child, took everything Rinka owned, from assassination tools to everyday stationery, and put them all into her expansion domain.
Her behavior would undoubtedly lead to trouble in a folktale, but she was the absolute ruler.
She who freezes concepts isn’t bound by such logic.
“Come out, Professor! This guy’s plans have come to nothing! Are you planning to abandon your comrade!?”
“But… I am…”
Rei, causing a commotion while freezing the surroundings,
represented the worst possible situation for Rinka.
At that moment…
“This is technically falling into a trap, right?”
“! Hahahaha! Have you come, Professor! Took you long enough!”
From beyond the floating cold air, the Professor appeared.
His face looked somewhat troubled.
“Uh, sorry. We also had various preparations here… Well, what shall we do? Shall we have some tea?”
“No! This isn’t negotiation; it’s my threat! Look, I’ve already captured your comrade!”
Saying this, Rei pushed Rinka forward.
Their eyes met between the Professor and Rinka.
Seeing Rinka, the Professor looked slightly surprised but soon smiled gently.
“So, you survived. Seeing you healthy is a relief.”
“…Which mouth…”
Even though Rinka glared, it wouldn’t change anything.
Currently, Rinka was the most powerless.
“Doesn’t it matter if this one dies? Teach me the angel servitude technique if you don’t want to get killed!”
“Doesn’t matter… I don’t need that anymore. It’s unnecessary now.”
“…Are you abandoning your comrade?”
Hearing the Professor’s words, Rei looked at Rinka in disbelief and then released the freeze on her mouth.
“Was that true?”
“Absolutely true! I told you many times, didn’t I, you idiot! Rather, I almost got killed by that guy, so he’s more of an enemy if anything!”
“Understood… Sorry!”
Saying this, Rei threw Rinka backward. The freeze had already been lifted, allowing Rinka to adjust her posture mid-air and land safely.
“Don’t throw me!”
“Don’t give orders! Truly, you’re not just a rat but a wild one… But, Professor, I clearly heard it! You promised to hand over the angel servitude technique to me!”
With her hands on her hips, Rei stood proudly, while the Professor nodded calmly.
“Yeah, I did say that. In return, could you unfreeze Trim for us?”
“Refused.”
There was no hesitation.
Clearly, Rei rejected the Professor’s proposal.
“Indeed, that was your aim. Using an angel to lure me and asking for Trim’s thawing, huh?”
“Knowing that, you still came. Impressive, as expected from the Student Council President of Kisou Academy. Fearless indeed.”
“Fear doesn’t exist for me. I am always at the top. Therefore, I won’t allow Trim’s thawing!”
In an instant, Rei disappeared.
Simultaneously, her body disintegrated, and the figure of the Professor crumbled.
This scene was incomprehensible at first glance, but Rinka immediately saw through it.
(That was time stoppage…)
Among Rey’s techniques, the powerful freezing of time.
During that time, the Professor had been frozen and pulverized.
“That’s beyond even my capabilities. There’s no way someone below me could handle it. Besides, even without it, the Bright Star Project will proceed without issues.”
Looking down at the collapsed Professor, Rei spat this statement.
“Silver Twilight believes there are other ways to save the world besides the Bright Star Project.”
A voice that shouldn’t have returned.
It came from the direction where the Professor had just been pulverized.
“Trim is an excellent Demons Gear. It’s on par with the Star Reader’s Staff.”
The fragmented body parts intertwined and regenerated.
Within seconds, there stood the Professor dressed in a gentleman’s suit.
“…Still annoying. Even the freezing of souls proved meaningless.”
“Not at all, delaying my revival by even a few seconds is quite impressive… Hence, among the S Ranks, you’re the most troublesome.”
“!?”
Believing in her senses, Rey jumped backwards.
At that very moment, a black converging artillery attack engulfed the spot where Rey had been.
“Oh, I thought I had you there.”
“Tch, I’m used to surprise attacks from student council members!”
“Your student council is finished.”
Beside the Professor, a girl descended.
The girl in a black cloak casually greeted him with a “Hey.”
“Ah, weren’t you supposed to focus on the other side today, Nameless?”
“I sneaked away because I was worried. As expected, something happened.”
Nameless aimed her Ex Gear at Rey.
“Well, this perfectly timed trial cut suits her since she’s completed. The doctor requested data for usage too.”
“You, state your name!”
“I am Nameless. No more, no less. A non-existent entity in this world.”
“Got it! I am Rey, the Student Council President of Kisou Academy! Step aside if you don’t want to die!”
The surrounding temperature rapidly dropped.
Despite Rey’s sight alone, both the Professor and Nameless were frozen solid.
The match seemed decided instantly, but…
“Hmm, cold.”
With a light tone, Nameless muttered those words.
Then, black flames emerged around the two, completely burning off the ice.
“You…! Is that the ability of the newcomer? I wanted to fight you someday, but I didn’t expect the first battle to be against the counterfeit version!”
Rey shouted, excited rather than intimidated.
Slightly taken aback by her, Nameless spoke to the Professor.
“Who’s that kid back there?”
Pointed at by Nameless, Rinka stiffened.
Everyone present could easily kill her.
Initially, Rinka had come here for intelligence gathering, and this situation was unexpected.
“She’s one of my former companions. Not of interest now.”
“Is that so… Then, can I dispose of her first?”
Saying this, Nameless teleported in front of Rinka.
Her hand firmly grabbed Rinka by the collar.
“Let go! Who are you!?”
“Hmm, what should I do? Let’s just quickly die, shall we?”
As Nameless said this, she constructed a teleportation magic circle on the spot.
“The other side is where angels reside. Well… That’s how it is. If you’re raising an angel, you should feed it too. No bodies left, this way’s better, right?”
“Angels!?”
Rinka resisted even more, but Nameless sighed uninterestedly.
Then, just as Nameless forcefully threw Rinka towards the magic circle,
“Tell Solciera hello for me.”
“!?”
In the brief pause during the throwing motion, Nameless leaned close and definitely said that.
(She knows Solciera!? Could it be, she’s…)
Before Rinka could question Nameless, she vanished into the magic circle.
“Phew! Cleanup complete! This way, the place stays clean too, right Professor?”
“Already messed up by someone else, though.”
Shrugging, the Professor said this.
“Sorry, Rey, for keeping you waiting.”
“No problem. The weak are destined to perish. Besides, he didn’t ask for help. Thus, there’s no reason for me to act.”
“Cold words…”
Laughing, Nameless readied her Ex Gear.
Seeing this, Rey summoned numerous ice swords around her and shouted.
“Nameless! I’ll defeat you here and make you the evidence to support my claim of being the strongest!”
“What happened to the angel servitude technique? Oh well. Professor, might as well lend a hand.”
“I believe you can win alone.”
“We don’t have time! If I don’t hurry back, I’ll get lectured. And extra hellish training might be added…”
Shuddering, Nameless made the Professor chuckle beside her.
“Alright, let’s go seriously!”
“Alright, ready—start!”
The battle between the strongest ones.
Its beginning was a direct clash between the two.
ni hyōi tensei shita ore wa TS o akiramenai, かませ役
