Episode 81: Twilight Mirror Match
“Wh-what’s going on here…?”
Miuye of the Void was perplexed.
She had been working on creating S-Rank Dive Gear for Mizuki when she suddenly got dragged into something by two unexpected individuals.
(One of them I know. The Solciera Luka mentioned. But who’s the other one..?)
The Student Council Room, a place not at all spacious enough for battle.
Perhaps for that reason, Solciera immediately activated a teleportation spell.
A massive magic circle enveloping the entire Student Council Room teleported all three people present.
“Hmm, the training ground, huh? Can I break it again?”
“…Peeping is your hobby, isn’t it? How disgusting.”
“Eh, wha? Why am I involved in this too!?”
In response to Miuye, who had been teleported to a slightly distant part of the training ground, both women simultaneously erected magic barriers.
These barriers transformed into an even stronger one as they seemed to clash against each other.
Seeing this, Miuye unconsciously shifted her thoughts from victim to observer.
(Hmm… Could this be the spark of inspiration I’ve been looking for?)
Surprisingly, she remained quite calm under pressure.
“Does this mean the winner gets that girl?”
“Yes, if you can win against me.”
Upon hearing these words, the masked girl shrugged her shoulders. Despite being on the battlefield, her relaxed demeanor contrasted sharply with Solciera, who held her large scythe with a seductive smile.
“–!”
They moved simultaneously, but it was Solciera who launched the attack.
“How slow. Your boring steps make me yawn.”
With a light step, Solciera approached the masked girl and swung down her scythe, a sharp strike imbued with magical power.
The masked girl deflected it using a magic barrier deployed from her left arm like a shield.
As the scythe pierced into the ground, the masked girl’s kick aimed towards Solciera.
“How barbaric.”
“Haha, you seem to like aggressive types.”
Solciera retaliated similarly by deploying a barrier to deflect the attack. Without delay, she then activated a cannon magic array below her feet.
At the snap of her fingers, a magical artillery shot was fired towards the masked girl.
“Whoa, that was close!”
Dodging aside, the masked girl avoided the attack. By the time she looked ahead again, Solciera was nowhere to be seen.
“Hm? Oh dear, this is…”
Silver chains appeared from all sides, binding the masked girl’s hands and feet.
Despite her efforts, the chains didn’t budge.
“Is it over already? I wanted more fun. Right, Solciera?”
Above the masked girl shone a silver star.
An unparalleled convergent cannon created from a special magic formula that could convert even sand particles into magical power.
Though capable of eradicating the surrounding area entirely if necessary, it was now focused exclusively on the masked girl.
Aiming her weapon, Solciera smiled.
“Unfortunately, I have prior engagements. Would you mind sharing your name when I invite you next time?”
“Oh dear, rejected. Hmm, my name… Nameless, perhaps?”
“Are you joking?”
“Not at all. Quite serious.”
“What a dull joke.”
The trigger was pulled. A high-density magical artillery struck Nameless directly, causing a violent burst of sand and smoke around her.
(So impressive. I thought it would be an even match, but she won. This is Solciera…)
For the students of Jilnias Academy, witnessing this battle was invaluable. Observing the actual activation of magical formulas and their application methods were rare opportunities.
Pulling out a notebook from her expansion field, Miuye began meticulously documenting everything that happened.
“This will surely please Luka-san!”
“–Huh? Is my magic okay?”
“Eh?”
Behind the magic barrier, Nameless stood there.
Had she not been wearing a mask, her breath might have touched Miuye’s face. Nameless chuckled softly.
“Surprised? I can use teleportation magic too, you know.”
“Ngh–!”
Before Miuye could scream, Nameless grabbed her head with her right arm.
“The objective this time is Miuye-chan. Well, mission accomplished rather quickly, huh?”
“What are you… Gahhh!?”
A sensation akin to sparks firing in her brain.
Memories supposedly sealed deep within suddenly resurfaced.
“You… You’re Nameless!”
“You keep saying that. That’s strange. We’ve only met twice, how have you been?”
Inside her brain, something was being imprinted.
Miuye recognized this feeling.
(I remember…! These inventions weren’t my ideas. She embedded blueprints into my brain!)
Miuye considered herself to be moderately talented.
It was true; given blueprints, she could create according to them.
But that was only because she had the blueprints.
None of it originated from her own ideas.
She had been given inspiration to guide her toward those breakthroughs.
“Hmm, let’s give you a bit more this time. Don’t worry, don’t worry, it’s just a matter of timing. Anything else… hmm…?”
Information continued to flow into Miuye’s brain.
Just as Nameless cheerfully prepared to input more information, something occurred.
“To try and deceive me, tsk tsk, how amusing… you,”
A magic barrier was forcibly broken through.
Tearing through two solid barriers, Solciera lunged forward.
Her scythe came closer with a sharper blow than before, targeting Nameless.
“Aah, time’s up.”
Nameless jumped to evade the strike and, for the first time, deployed a magic circle aimed at Solciera.
“I can’t beat you right now anyway–sorry if it bothers you?”
“Changed my mind. Let’s dance some more, shall we?”
“Aah, scary, scary. You’re troublesome as an enemy.”
From Nameless’s magic circle, a cannon blast was fired.
(Is that… the same as Solciera’s?)
Miuye realized that the magical formula used was identical to what Solciera had employed earlier.
A black light, swallowing starlight, hurtled towards Solciera.
“What a ridiculous imitation.”
Solciera blocked it with one hand and redirected her scythe’s muzzle back towards Nameless.
“Hmm, let’s finish with a shootout, shall we?”
Nameless deployed a magic circle, placing her hand inside as if to retrieve something. Then, seemingly realizing something, she halted her action.
“…I’ll stop. Looks like I’ve been noticed.”
Simultaneously, Nameless ascended higher into the air.
Moments later, flames passed through where she had been standing.
“Even with all this commotion, she’s coming, as expected.”
“…Teruue Mizuki.”
Amidst the darkness, flames illuminated.
The flames, as if possessing a will of their own, twisted and swirled snake-like around their master.
“–Again, Solciera. Perhaps you should just join our academy altogether?”
Mizuki calmly stepped onto the scene.
It was the posture of a formidable warrior worthy of such respect.
Looking at Solciera first, then raising her gaze to Nameless, Mizuki tilted her head slightly.
“…Who is that?”
“I’m curious myself. Isn’t she your friend?”
“Know what? Suspicious acquaintances like you are plenty enough.”
Saying that, Mizuki positioned herself protectively in front of Miuye.
As the Dive Gear, which had lost its computational ability, melted away due to heat, Mizuki glanced briefly at Miuye.
“Are you alright?”
“…Y-yes. This is—”
“No problem.”
Before Miuye could explain the situation, Mizuki stopped her.
“I understand who my opponent should be.”
Saying this, Mizuki pointed her gun at Nameless.
In response, Solciera sighed exasperatedly while Nameless playfully exclaimed “Wow”.
“There’s logic and goodwill behind Solciera’s actions. Therefore, fighting against her makes you my enemy.”
“…You’re either overly kind or simply serious.”
“Haha, sounds like you too, Solciera.”
Mizuki laughed without showing any signs of caution towards Solciera.
“Indeed, the dynamic duo. Hmm, quite a picture.”
Nameless said this contentedly, forming a frame with her hands and nodding.
Her demeanor gave no hint of being in the middle of a battle.
“…Be careful. That girl seems capable.”
“Intriguing. It’ll be interesting to see how far she lasts against both me and Solciera.”
Since facing the fake Sakura Rikka, another temporary alliance had formed once again.
Their goal was to defeat Nameless.
Just as they were about to move, however…
“Ah, nope, no more fighting. Time’s up on this side too.”
Black chains emerged from behind the two of them.
“This is…”
“Tch, annoying!”
They destroyed the approaching chains with artillery fire and burned them with flames in less than a second.
However, that brief moment felt unbearably long.
“See ya. That was fun, Solciera.”
The teleportation magic was already activated.
Both Solciera and Mizuki instantly realized it was too late to intervene.
“Hold on! What’s your purpose!”
As Nameless disappeared into the magic circle, Mizuki shouted.
Then, Nameless turned back momentarily and said,
“Changing meaningless fates, I guess. I dislike destiny.”
Casually, cheerfully, yet terrifyingly cold, Nameless vanished without allowing further questions.
Only silence remained.
Mizuki looked at Solciera and dispelled her gun.
Seeing this, Solciera also threw her scythe into the magic circle in acknowledgment.
“Be cautious. That girl seems to have some skills.”
“Fascinating. It’ll be interesting to see how long she can hold out against both me and Solciera.”
Since confronting the fake Sakura Rikka, another temporary alliance had formed.
Their goal was to defeat Nameless.
Just as they were about to move, however…
“Ah, no more fighting. Time’s up on this side too.”
Black chains emerged from behind the two of them.
“This is…”
“Tch, annoying!”
They destroyed the approaching chains with artillery fire and burned them with flames in less than a second.
However, that brief moment felt unbearably long.
“See ya. That was fun, Solciera.”
The teleportation magic was already activated.
Both Solciera and Mizuki instantly realized it was too late to intervene.
“Hold on! What’s your purpose!”
As Nameless disappeared into the magic circle, Mizuki shouted.
Then, Nameless turned back momentarily and said,
“Changing meaningless fates, I guess. I dislike destiny.”
Casually, cheerfully, yet terrifyingly cold, Nameless vanished without allowing further questions.
Only silence remained.
Mizuki looked at Solciera and dispelled her gun.
Seeing this, Solciera also threw her scythe into the magic circle in acknowledgment.
“Thank you. Thanks to you, I managed to save Miuye.”
“I wasn’t really trying to help. I had my own reasons regarding this girl.”
Saying that, Solciera pointed at Miuye.
“Your brilliant mind, use it wisely. Your creations could become irregularities. Moving carelessly could cause hindrances.”
Her words were dismissive.
However, neither Mizuki nor Miuye showed strong resentment towards them.
(Maybe, probably she’s genuinely worried and giving advice. Yeah.)
Mizuki had already begun to understand Solciera’s underlying meaning somewhat.
And as for Miuye…
“That means… none of my previous inventions were actually mine. That Nameless person implanted them into my brain just now…”
“Wh-what!? Is that true?”
This revelation completely overturned everyone’s perception of Miuye.
“S-Rank Dive Gear too, Nakayoshi! Dungeon-kun too… and Trans Anchor, ultra-high-performance magic dummy-head mic, everything comes from Nameless’s knowledge!”
“Is that… No, wait, doesn’t that sound odd?”
“Yes, it’s odd! I wasn’t creating anything with my own hands…!”
Mizuki muttered quietly, “No, that’s not the point…”
Solciera silently observed their exchange but eventually broke into a sly smile.
“–So, that’s how it was.”
“Do you know something, Solciera?”
“Yes. Not everything, but much.”
“Tell me. I’m S-Rank now. With information, I might be able to counteract.”
Solciera hesitated for a moment but then said, “Alright.”
“Jilnias Academy has been violating taboos for quite some time… implanting knowledge into others, artificially creating geniuses.”
“Such a thing could possibly…!”
“It’s true. The plan was supposed to be frozen recently, but… it seems to have restarted. Humans always make mistakes.”
Sighing, Solciera continued.
Her lowered face revealed no expression.
“Stop getting involved in this matter.”
As if reading Mizuki’s mind, Solciera said this.
“What?! Why?”
“You are a pillar of Factom General Academy, aren’t you? Focus on rebuilding the academy. That… is my prey.”
With that, Solciera activated her teleportation magic and stepped into it.
“Wait! Just a little more detailed information–”
“I can’t say anything more.”
That implicitly conveyed that she’d be a hindrance.
Even Mizuki, now S-Rank and capable of interfering with concepts, wasn’t permitted to get involved in certain dark matters.
“Solciera… just how much do you know?”
There was no one to answer that question.
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