Episode 95: Pride Installation
The dungeon gate, accessible only through a limited route within Academy City, was entered three times.
Beyond the path revealed by visually capturing magical power, there lay the garden.
Or rather, was it once a garden?
Surrounded by advanced technology surpassing modern civilization, formless yet present darkness, and a cracked sky as its backdrop, this place was the heart of Silver Twilight.
Known as Eden.
“…Phew, good morning!”
Kanon, emerging from a special pod set up in Eden, called out loudly towards the sky as soon as she woke up.
“Doctor’s reinstallation – check! Connection to the Society – check! Divided Death is… yeah! Shining brightly as usual today!”
With a butterfly perched on her fingertip, Kanon smiled contentedly.
Seeing this, a boy with an unremarkable appearance furrowed his brow.
“Noisy. If you’re done, I’m leaving.”
“Aww, come on, we just met in reality after so long. Let’s have a lively conversation, 01.”
“Hush. Unlike you, I’m working even at this moment.”
01 demonstrated this by grabbing the cord extending from his collar.
The cord appeared to be connected to a massive machine behind him, which was still operational.
“Hey, how about we have some tea here in this splendid garden? The topic is about Solciera.”
“That Solciera has a magical eye, as you said, which is why it’s currently being debated in the Society! Damn it, we were completely manipulated into having our doctor erased. If you had been serious, we could have provided accurate data.”
“My words weren’t enough?”
“You’re too subjective. It’s still unbelievable that you’re ranked as 02.”
Due to Solciera’s interference, Kanon’s doctor was temporarily removed, effectively halting the multiple advocacy space function.
The introduction of a new variable, the magical eye, disrupted previous assumptions.
As a result, the Society was now extremely busy.
“Magical eyes have been confirmed numerous times before. So have their abilities and relics. But none seem applicable here.”
“It sounds tough.”
“Do you know whose fault it is… or should we be grateful? Some doctors in the Society are indeed thankful to you. Without knowing that she possessed a magical eye, proceeding with that plan would have undoubtedly failed.”
01 looked at the largest mechanical throne in Eden.
The girl sitting there like she was asleep, encased in ice crystals covering the frost-covered throne.
“We can’t afford to interfere with Trim’s activation.”
“Right, it’s quite the situation.”
Kanon glanced at Trim briefly before disinterestedly shifting her gaze elsewhere.
Witnessing this scene, 01 spoke.
“…02, let me give you one piece of advice as a comrade. You’re losing your shine.”
“Shine? Oh dear, I better go buy a light bulb!”
“Hmm… Do you understand the conditions for being chosen by a doctor?”
“Yeah. Limitless curiosity. That brilliance of the soul.”
Being chosen by a doctor depended less on intellect and more on one’s way of life.
Prioritizing knowledge above all else and endlessly refining human wisdom.
That was what made a doctor truly a doctor.
“However, the current 02 lacks that curiosity. You, who once shone brilliantly among doctors.”
01 observed Kanon as if studying her, then stated confidently,
“Your selfish plans seem to be going well, don’t they?”
“Selfish?”
“Yes. Originally, the magical eye granted to you was meant to create a new body for Trim. Many doctors have been researching ways to create a body capable of withstanding Demons Gear using various approaches. Wasn’t the magical eye yielding good results?”
Kanon earned her ranking as 02 due to these achievements.
Her boundless curiosity led to results that made Trim’s revival a tangible reality.
“What you choose to do on the side is your own business, a privilege we all share. However, don’t misunderstand—your pursuits aren’t propositions but mere personal hobbies.”
“…Hmm, but they’re producing results, right? Motivation maintenance, you know?”
“Are they really? We discussed you during the brief time your connection was cut. The topic was whether Canon will still be useful moving forward.”
The atmosphere shifted.
Perhaps it had been filled with hostility from the start, finally becoming apparent to any third party.
Colorful butterflies began to appear in large numbers around both of them.
“Speak plainly. Your dramatic pauses are annoying.”
“At this rate, you’ll be expelled from the Society. Hence, this is our first and final warning and demand: hand over the magical eye experiments to another doctor. From here on, someone else will take over.”
“Can you guys handle it?”
“What’s the purpose of the Society if not anyone can do it? And you’ll be assigned different research.”
This was the only proposal to keep Kanon, the genius, affiliated with the Society as a doctor.
“You’ve deviated. Stop focusing on trivial matters. Regain your pride as a doctor.”
Kanon had been smiling all along.
Her usual cheerful grin remained unchanged, even with the possibility of exile looming over her.
However.
The moment 01 referred to “trivial matters,” her expression changed.
It wasn’t anger—it was too calm—and it wasn’t sadness—it was too intense.
Pure, unadulterated malice.
“Divided Death”
Simultaneously, the first wave clashed.
The butterflies absorbing each other’s magical power intertwined in the air before falling.
“Did you call my… my Yume’s love ‘trivial’?”
“It’s the truth. How long will you cling to the dead? Enough with your puppet play; fulfill your duties as a doctor.”
More blue butterflies emerged around 01.
A more powerful version of Divided Death, exclusive to those named 01.
But Kanon, without fleeing, glared and produced her own Divided Death.
The crimson butterflies seemed to reflect her inner turmoil.
“I’ll show you who’s superior.”
“I don’t enjoy pointless fights.”
A clash between two of the top figures in Silver Twilight.
The battle driven by the pride of doctors and their sense of duty seemed unavoidable.
“Hold it, both of you.”
Who knew how long he’d been there?
Perhaps he’d been there from the start.
At the edge of Eden sat a middle-aged man in a chair, holding a teacup.
“Fighting amongst doctors is forbidden in my presence.”
The gentleman sipped his tea as he spoke.
Simultaneously, the Divided Deaths of 01 and Kanon ceased functioning and fell to the ground.
“…Professor”
“01, if she still has some shine left, trust her. 02, forgive her. He’s worried about you too.”
“I’m fine. Yeah, I don’t mind.”
Clearly, her eyes weren’t smiling, but Kanon decided to put on a front.
“Well, you should go now. Your precious younger sister is waiting, isn’t she?”
“Yeah, that’s true. Solciera’s causing trouble too, and I’m busy here.”
Saying this, Kanon gave 01 a glare before leaving the scene.
01 watched her back until eventually returning his gaze to the book in his hands.
And while reading, he spoke.
“Indeed, you were right… Nameless.”
Behind him, a transfer magic circle formed, revealing a figure in a black cloak.
“Right? Kanon is beyond saving. That thing is useless and should be eliminated.”
Nameless then conjured another chair in front of the professor and sat down.
She poured herself tea from the cup she brought along.
“How’s the tea? By the way, it’s the most expensive one in my academy.”
“It’s delicious. The storage method must be excellent. It seems a diligent student managed it.”
“Yep. A very serious person.”
In stark contrast to the professor, Nameless gulped down her tea childishly.
“Did you get it now? That I’m not an enemy of Silver Twilight?”
“Hmm? Still, we can’t let our guard down.”
“In my opinion, I agree. Nameless is fantastic. She has many secrets, but that means more opportunities to uncover them. The Society already looks favorably upon Nameless.”
“But still, professor?”
“Haha, you’re rushing things. Can I ask again why you want to join Silver Twilight?”
“Again? It hasn’t changed. I want to save the world.”
“An ambitious dream. Yes, you’re suitable for Silver Twilight.”
“Then let me in!”
“Well, considering our position akin to the head of the dark sector, we can’t just say yes. Sorry, Nameless. So, could you prove a bit more to us? The benefits of having you join.”
Upon hearing this, Nameless nodded without hesitation.
“Understood. I’ll show you a little more of my advantage over the world.”
“That sounds exciting… Ah, how about some cookies? I baked them.”
The professor pointed to the cookies.
After staring intently, Nameless shook her head.
“I don’t have time to relax. I haven’t been late or absent, so I’ll take one.”
Saying this, she picked up a single cookie and activated the transfer magic.
Waving goodbye to 01 and the professor, she disappeared into the portal.
After taking a sip of tea, the professor quietly asked,
“How about her?”
“She’s exactly as I said before. I approve.”
“I see.”
“Is there something troubling you? Even if there is, Professor should be able to eliminate her. As a friend or a tool, she has value.”
To the doctor, Nameless was seen as a being that could bring benefits regardless of the outcome.
And the professor viewed her the same way.
Based on information alone, despite her suspicious nature, she was worth admitting into the organization.
Still…
(She didn’t possess even a single fragment of the brilliance to save the world, did she, Professor?)
Even the professor couldn’t discern the true identity of Nameless.
Her soul emitted no light whatsoever.
ni hyōi tensei shita ore wa TS o akiramenai, かませ役
