Chapter 97

Episode 96: Collection Strategy

What is important in the Mysterious Beautiful Girl Move?

That is, information and options.

Currently, I was severely lacking in both of those things.

“I never would have thought something like this would happen.”

During the time at Kisou Academy, my knowledge of the original work came in handy.

I was able to deduce the Mysterious Beautiful Girl Move by reverse-engineering from the quirks and settings of the original characters.

But, I don’t know anything about this current situation.

However, if I were to start collecting all the information now, it would take time.

Therefore, I decided to rely on my sixth sense as a beautiful girl and narrow down the information to the mystic eyes that Kanon is researching.

I have a feeling that the mystic eyes Kanon is studying are somehow nicely related to Miuye.

It’s impossible for them to be unrelated since she’s experimenting with something as dangerous as mystic eyes.

So, Star Reader’s Staff, investigate the mystic eyes thoroughly, and I will attempt the Mysterious Beautiful Girl Move.

“Hmm, but what about the options? Kanon has bad compatibility. And you might have forgotten, but Nameless is also here. Even if we were to face Kanon and Nameless simultaneously, it would be quite tough.”

That’s true. Especially Nameless is the one causing me the most headaches.

What even is that guy? I really can’t make any sense of it.

I thought Miuye was the target, but she didn’t show up yesterday.

And while I was fighting Kanon, I couldn’t see Nameless anywhere.

Was it a dream? Was Nameless just a dream I had?

“Pull yourself together.”

Since there’s no clue to investigate Nameless right now, I’ll ignore them for now.

I’ll investigate the mystic eyes and become a Mystic Eyes Master.

And if I manage to get hold of some mystic eyes, I’ll implement them into Solciera.

“The people on-site are always like that. They ignore development and try to implement everything right away.”

You can do whatever you want with seals and performances.

“People on-site and developers establish their relationship based on strong trust, you know♥”

Alright!

Let’s go, Star Reader’s Staff!

By midnight, I’ll know everything and act with an air of knowledge.

I’ll stroke Konie’s head and perform the Older Sister Move!

“Solcierea concept losing to a loli…!?”

You really need to stop this nonsense.

“Kei, is something wrong?”

“Eh, ah, nothing’s wrong.”

While perfectly formulating a plan in my mind, I am currently having breakfast with Toa.

Not that I’m actually hungry; I’m still full from my late-night snack, so I’ll just have one piece of toast.

I wanted to enjoy more of the morning cafeteria offerings at Jilnias Academy, but mysterious beautiful girls don’t dive into their food.

Besides, I’m not really hungry anyway.

Coolly sipping coffee, I noticed that Toa sitting across from me was eating a regular breakfast without any issues.

She sure has a good appetite.

“Are we leaving here around noon today? If we don’t have anything else to do, that is.”

The ghost trouble is over, said Toa while drinking miso soup.

It’s less about having something to do and more about this being the main event.

“Is there anything else?”

As I was pondering whether or not to stay, Toa asked me.

Perfect timing. This is my chance to let her know I’ll be staying behind.

“I’m going to stay one more night. Actually, I got hassled by a smart delinquent senior this morning, and they’re helping me maintain my equipment.”

“Smart delinquent???”

Though confused, Toa seemed to understand. Or maybe she just stopped thinking about it.

Of course, the maintenance part is a lie, but saying it this way should make her believe me.

“So, I’ll stay a little longer. Originally, I had planned for a long schedule considering the possibility of prolonged negotiations with Jilnias Academy, right?”

“Yeah, that’s right. We still have plenty of time.”

Then it’s fine.

Now, it’s about Toa.

“What about you, Toa? You could go back to Factom General Academy and report.”

I won’t force her.

If Toa goes back, I’ll handle the situation alone without explaining the details.

If she stays, I’ll tell her about Miuye.

Konie entrusted this to Mizuki Senpai rather than Solciera.

Thus, it makes sense to resolve it through Mizuki’s connections.

And if we really bring Miuye back to Factom General Academy, it will concern Toa too.

“I might stay too. There’s still stuff I haven’t eaten yet.”

Hmm, staying because of gourmet interests.

It’s hard to explain the situation to her…

But…

“Are you really staying, Toa?”

“Eh, yeah.”

“Got it.”

Looking at Toa, I quietly confessed.

“Sorry, the maintenance thing earlier was all a lie.”

“Eh?”

“I was planning to stay for another reason.”

Toa blinked her eyes and tilted her head.

“Delinquent senior…was that a lie too?”

“No, that part was true.”

“?????”

As Toa was confused by the empty plates in front of her, I stood up and whispered softly.

“We can’t talk here. Can you come with me?”

“Eh, okay.”

Together with Toa, I headed towards a secluded place.

■

“So, you’re saying you’re bringing Miuye to Factom General Academy?”

In the empty courtyard, after hearing my story, Toa summarized it like that.

“That’s right. We’re meeting at midnight today.”

“You don’t understand the circumstances, right…? Isn’t there a possibility that it’s a lie?”

Toa surprisingly calmly pointed that out.

I nodded while shaking my head sideways.

“It might be possible. But, I wanted to believe. That person… Konie Senpai had such sincere eyes. She must genuinely be worried about Miuye.”

“If Kei is going…yeah, understood. I’ll go too.”

As expected, Toa is coming along.

I recognize Toa not just as someone I need to protect but as a reliable junior and a beautiful girl.

Therefore, there’s no reason for me to deny her decision and send her back here.

“Thank you. The meeting place is the rooftop of the third building, as mentioned before. We need to move without being noticed.”

I confirmed the contents of the memo given to me by Konie.

Incidentally, Konie’s handwriting was surprisingly round and cute.

“Understood. We can’t move in large numbers, so I’ll explain the situation to Miroku and ask her to standby just in case something happens.”

“Right, thank you.”

If I recklessly involve Mizuki Senpai or the Student Council President Miroku Senpai from Factom General Academy without thinking, who knows what could happen.

Their powerful abilities and titles could trigger unnecessary commotion.

We, as first-year students, can move freely precisely because of our position.

“Well then, I’ll go exploring until the time comes. Could you keep an eye on Miuye for me, Toa, just in case?”

“Yeah. But, are you sure you’ll be okay? Just Kei alone…?”

“I’ll be fine. However, if I don’t make it in time, please follow Konie Senpai’s lead. You’ll recognize Konie Senpai when you see her—she’s a small girl with twin tails.”

Toa seriously nodded at my words.

Alright, then it’s time to start moving!

“Toa, let’s begin then. Let’s avoid getting hurt.”

“Yeah.”

Toa headed towards the main building where Miuye should be.

…Well, I guess I should go too.

For now, I’ll check out suspicious-looking labs one by one!

“Let’s grab all the data, shall we? ^^”

Walking in the opposite direction from Toa, I continued through the courtyard, which remained devoid of people.

Therefore, there was no way I should have heard that voice.

“Pretty energetic this morning, aren’t we?”

Behind me, turning around, was the silhouette of a Mysterious Beautiful Girl in a black coat.

Sitting on a bench with her legs crossed, gazing at the sky, she looked as though she were floating in a cut-out section of reality.

Wearing a black coat like that will make you stand out in the morning.

“Which mouth of yours is saying that?”

That’s why I usually operate at night or indoors.

“You’re… Nameless, right? Or the one Mizuki Senpai fought against?”

I spoke as if I were Na Takikai.

Nameless shook her shoulders in amusement and chuckled.

Without even looking at me, she deployed a magic circle instantly—an immediately recognizable converging artillery attack formation.

“Wh-!?”

Dodge was impossible.

My only option was defense.

Enhanced dynamic vision expanded my thinking time.

Even as I erected a barrier, doubts arose in my mind.

Why did Nameless launch a surprise attack on me?

The converging artillery attack—a technique similar to Solciera’s—was used in a situation where it allowed me the choice to defend.

If she intended to kill me, she could’ve fired before speaking.

Her action was undeniably provocation.

She launched the artillery knowing full well that I could defend against it.

“Wow, blocking that…you really are amazing, Solciera.”

Upon seeing me erect the barrier and successfully deflect the attack, Nameless clearly uttered that name.

After all, this person knows my true identity…

“How creepy. Why don’t you change your name to Stalker?”

I didn’t alter my appearance but responded as Solciera.

“Don’t glare at me like that. Come on, won’t you revert to your usual form? I like Na Takikai too, but I prefer Solciera. If you’re going to tease me, it has to be in that form.”

“I don’t have time to cater to your preferences.”

“How cold. …Alright, let’s get to the point. I need your help to put an end to this tragedy.”

Casually, almost clownishly exaggerated, Nameless spoke.

Still seated on the bench, she seemed to laugh under her hood.

“Will you help me kill Canon Emptiness?”

The soul behind her words shone brightly.

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