Date A Live

In the sky, a flash of light came from the clash of two swords.

Ellen was wielding the high output laser knife . In confrontation, Mana had equipped her with the sword .

No matter from what angle, Ellen drew the image of her territory in order to catch the release of the attack. A barrier appeared before the collision of the sword. Repeatedly clas.h.i.+ng in close proximity, Ellen used the opening from Mana’s last attack to counterattack. Mana quickly evaded and counters Ellen"s attack before she could release her next one.

However, was a sword entirely made of magic. Structurally, it was cla.s.s apart from , which was a real sword coated with magic. A greater structure yielded a greater maximum output value.

However, Ellen’s sword has a greater consumption rate of magic, whereas Mana has the advantage of prolonged use. However, no one in the world could match Ellen in terms of magical power output. Mana couldn’t rely purely on strength alone; to compensate she needs to use her techniques. Not giving Ellen any time for a respite, she continued her high-speed attack.

But the opponent is the strongest wizard. She wasn’t an opponent Mana could easily defeat. Ellen correctly predicted Mana’s attack and gave a counterattack that finally broke Mana’s defensive s.h.i.+eld. In fact, even now there is still no wound on Ellen’s body.

However, Mana’s purpose was not to defeat Ellen, their fight was to buy enough time for Kotori to save s.h.i.+dou. It would be wrong to launch a desperate attack to wound Ellen. Her utmost priority is to extend the duration of the fight.

If this continues, it should be enough to win the desired amount of time. No matter how long, as long as they were able to successfully rescue Nii-

But at that moment.

Down below, the facility suddenly started to s.h.i.+ne, emitting a pillar of light towards the sky. A violent shockwave pushed her back.

“……Wha!?”

She could not help but stare at the scene. Her attention taken away, her defenses momentarily faltered, leaving her completely exposed.

This kind of moment is enough to make a fatal blow to an opponent.

“You’re full of openings.”

“Ku––”

Shocked, but it didn’t completely eliminate the power of her defense. However, just like a smash volleyball her body fell down towards the ground.

“Waaah……!”

She quickly used her Territory as a buffer to absorb the impact. The ground became distorted like there is an invisible sphere pushed onto it.

“Ku…you"ve done it now.…But what was that earlier?”

While the fight wasn’t over, she briefly toured around the pillar of light. Then, Mana gasped. s.h.i.+dou was floating, surrounded by the light of Reiryoku.

“Nii-sama!?”

Hearing her voice, s.h.i.+dou slowly turned his eyes to Mana.

His consciousness is hazy, his eyes blurry, he looked like he was drugged by something.

Then, his lips parted something to Mana.

"Ah — Mana. I"m glad. So you were fine."

s.h.i.+dou whispered with a gentle voice.

"......Nii-sama?"

After listening to s.h.i.+dou’s words, Mana knitted her eyebrow; something was off with what he just said.

On the surface it sounds like s.h.i.+dou is worrying about her body. That is understandable, since at this very moment, Mana is still fighting with Ellen and got a serious blow from her just earlier.

However — for some reason, Mana thought that s.h.i.+dou was also trying to say something else.

s.h.i.+dou, in a state of ecstasy, opened his mouth and continued.

"I was… worried about you. Ever since you"ve been kidnapped by those DEM guys… but I"m glad… I"m really glad…"

"......Kidnapped? Nii-sama, what are you saying?"

"Mio ......Didn’t that person help you out?”

"What are you talking about, Nii-sa —" Before she could finish, she felt a sharp pain on her head. She pushed her forehead with her hand and frowned.

"Ah ......!"

It is very clear that this is not a simple headache. - Mio. The instant s.h.i.+dou spoke that name, a scene she never seen before came flas.h.i.+ng in her head.

"T…This is…"

The scenes in her head were changing like a camera shutter. She saw the park where she played with her friend, a teacher teaching in a cla.s.s, her birthday where s.h.i.+dou celebrated with her.

And then – the back of a girl with long hair.

"Ah ......"

The moment that girl came to mind, her vision began to flicker.

For some reason, Mana couldn"t remember the girl"s face. She knew she know her, but —

And that was when something interrupted her thoughts. Mana heard Ellen"s voice from above her, "— Lost in your thought in front of me? You underestimated me a bit too much." Ellen followed her words by preparing for an attack.

"! ...... Oh -"

At that moment, Ellen has landed towards her side, and raised her .

But it was too late; Mana was in a state of panic.

"......!"

However, she has not been burned by a laser knife.

Before , could hit her, s.h.i.+dou resorted to using the spiritual power surrounding him to block the magic powered sword.

"Oh ......?"

Ellen issued a surprised voice, while staring irritably at s.h.i.+dou.

"— Itsuka s.h.i.+dou. Don"t you look so wonderful right now. Even though I don"t know what happened, I can see why Ike wants you that much." Ellen said, while her lips gave a fearless smile.

But in contrast, s.h.i.+dou could only make a grim look.

"D - E, M ......"

Growling like a wild animal, his breathing became more and more disorderly.

"- Wuwa ah, ah ah ah ah ah ah ah ah ah ah ah ah ah!"

At that moment, the spiritual power that curled around s.h.i.+dou increased its intensity and blew away both Ellen and Mana who were nearby. "......!"

"What!?"

Mana deployed a territorial field to absorb the impact. Stopping mid-air, she raised her voice and shouted.

"Nii-sama! What is this! And what was that earlier — who is Mio-san!?"

But s.h.i.+dou did not answer. Even though they weren’t far apart, s.h.i.+dou couldn"t hear any of Mana’s words. He kept growling like a beast and continued releasing an enormous amount of spiritual power.

"......"

Anyone could see from a glance that s.h.i.+dou is behaving irrationally, but if possible, Mana would have wanted to ask him more.

However, her current opponent is the world’s most powerful wizard. She could not allow herself for even the slightest negligence. Mana grinded her teeth and averted her eyes away from s.h.i.+dou.

"Cough ...... cough ......, Is everybody okay!?"

In the party hall now destroyed by the light of Spirit Power, Kotori raise up her voice asking if everyone is okay, while coughing from a cloud of dust.

Then, from the side came a familiar voice.

"Umu......It"s not important. But, just what had happened ......?"

Tohka got up from the ground to look around. At the same time Kotori was also raising her head.

s.h.i.+dou‘s earlier attack suddenly opened a large hole in the celling and wall. However, it looks like the spirits and staffs were all safe. Soon after, a voice had echoed from around.

"Are you okayー!?"

"...... W-what was that."

“Kotori-san!"

But within it, after hearing an an unexpected voice, Kotori could not help but widen her eyes.

"The voice, is that ......!?"

Yes, the voice came from s.h.i.+dou’s real sister, Takamiya Mana.

More than that, beside her was a DEM’s magician. Ellen was also wearing her CR-Unit, and slowly raised her knife.

"Mana! What are you doing ......!"

Ellen quickly departed from the line of sight. In response, to Kotori, Mana expand her on her right hand and raised up her voice.

"I"ll tell you the details later! For now… I"m leaving Nii-sama to you!"

The two flew into the sky, Ellen issued a slash. Magical light scattered like sparks from the collision.

So, she was the countermeasure that Reine meant. Kotori said as she scratched the back of her hair.

"That girl really ...... she disappeared without even tell me her contact information......!"

However, it really was good that she was keeping Ellen busy. Kotori would really like to complete Mana’s request of saving s.h.i.+dou.

- But.

"Ah ......"

Seeing s.h.i.+dou"s appearance, Kotori unintentionally let out a trembling voice.

This is neither the usual gentle s.h.i.+dou, nor is it the previous playboy s.h.i.+dou.

The “thing” standing there releasing the colored light could not have been called a human.

Standing at the center, the dense spiritual force around s.h.i.+dou was swirling on and off like a heartbeat. Kotori felt a slight shock from this phenomenon. The air, ground, and s.p.a.ce were all shaking in response to s.h.i.+dou’s power.

No, more than that. Part of the spiritual power was forming the shape of a metal fragment. It was like a spirit that was wearing her astral dress.

Then, after seeing what s.h.i.+dou looked like.

Kotori heard an ominous siren from her headset.

"Ah -"

This was a different alarm from the one that detects a s.p.a.cequake or a spirit’s abnormal mental status.

Kotori has only heard that alarm once before that.

And that was when they told her to remember it during testing, saying it would be the best if she never hears it again.

"...... Of all the lies people give -"

Kotori was able to feel her fingers trembling slightly. She feels like there is a crack in her very existence. Her heart started beating fast. Breathing became difficult. Her view started distorting. Kotori feel like it"s difficult for her to just standing still.

Kotori"s consciousness was disrupted by the sound of the alarm of the demise for few moments.

"----------------!"

On the issue of humanity, she could not believe the roar s.h.i.+dou gave. Like an electrical discharge phenomena, the spiritual power crackling, illuminating the surroundings.

"......!"

s.h.i.+dou bent his legs, stepping on the ground for take-off. The height between the ground and underground facility meant nothing to him. s.h.i.+dou mowed down the trees in his way and started moving to somewhere.

"Kotori-san! Are you okay! We should follow Darling!"

"............"

Kotori raised up her face at Miku"s words. Kotori tried opening her mouth, but no words are coming out. Kotori can"t say it because saying it would means she decided to do perform the absolutely worst instruction.

However, in Kotori’s thoughts… For this country.

For this world.

For humanity.

And most importantly for s.h.i.+dou himself.

It is the mission of "s commander — the responsibility of the one who has been saved by s.h.i.+dou five years ago.

Kotori open her mouth, tried to keep the shake in her voice to minimum.

"...... Everyone .—Standby here I’ll try and do something."

After listening to Kotori’s words, the spirits where very surprised to hear what she said.

"Standby? Let us do something together."

"Agreement. This is unlike Kotori."

The Spirits looked at her with a surprised expression. Kotori isn’t surprised at their reaction. Kotori would be the same if someone said this to her, but they don"t know the circ.u.mstances. However Kotori can"t have their company.

Taking a deep breath, Kotori tried very hard to maintain a constant volume.

"— As I said, it is for me to do something with s.h.i.+dou. Just leave it to me. already prepared something for a case like this." The Spirits nodded to her while still feeling a little uneasy. Kotori answered to them and walked up the stairs to the ground. s.h.i.+dou is still moving while mowing down any tree in his way. If he continues, no doubt he would reach the town.

Then, she took out a small device from her dress pocket.

-It was something Kotori was determined never to use, the key of destruction

"......" Kotori reached out to the device with a trembling finger.

She scanned her fingerprint, then scanned her retina, input the pa.s.sword and placed her finger on the b.u.t.ton. The b.u.t.ton activates ; the satellite weapon that is always aiming at s.h.i.+dou.

"...... I"m sorry, Onii-chan."

Kotori softly muttered to herself

"Please forgive me… who can"t find another ending."

But - at that moment.

She felt an intention to kill from her left side; Kotori was left in a sense of disarray. Then along with a click, her temple felt an icy touch.

Kotori immediately realized. – She is being pointed at gunpoint. "......!"

Kotori moved her eyes to that direction. Over there, Origami who should still be in the underground facility with the other spirits. With dangerous eyes and her 9mm gun, Origami open her mouth with a cold and calm voice.

"What is that thing in your hand? What are you going to do to s.h.i.+dou? Itsuka Kotori, you —"

But, Origami stopped before she was finished. Then, with little insight, Origami twitched her eyebrows in surprise.

The reason was Kotori’s face

- Her crying and distraught face.

"…Explain. What does this mean?"

Origami frowned and continued.

For an intelligent mind like Origami, it is would be impossible to easily fool her. But if she were to continue, Origami would certainly impede her. Kotori completely lost hope and opened her mouth.

"...... To Kill, s.h.i.+dou"

After listening to the Kotori’s Origami gave an even more sinister look.

"What do you mean is this an order from  ?"

"…You"re only half correct."

Kotori said self-deprecatingly.

"…s.h.i.+dou right now is a time bomb. The spiritual power within him is rapidly expanding. If we leave him like this, it would be an explosion even larger than the South Kanto incident." "......"

Origami borne her teeth.

"…. And that"s why you"re killing him?"

"…Yes. That"s the final job of me who has "failed". If s.h.i.+dou is killed before he is at his limits, then we can keep the explosion to minimal. It"s a choice between seeing ten millions of people die, or seeing only s.h.i.+dou die. If someone tells me to choose, I"ll choose the latter. — Because even s.h.i.+dou, probably don"t want to see such many people die because of him."

"............"

Origami fingers trembled gently. Kotori turned her eyes back to s.h.i.+dou.

"If I press this b.u.t.ton, on the satellite orbit will released its Magic Power cannon."

" ......?"

"...... It was created after a detailed investigation of s.h.i.+dou’s body, the curse sword made specially to kill him."

- That is . Kotori doesn’t know a worse way to use Realizer. Even if s.h.i.+dou has Kotori"s regeneration power, he can"t regenerate himself if every single bit of his body is destroyed.

"...... You"re kidding. That is practice?"

A killer look appeared in Origami’s eyes, she continued.

"…Don"t mess around. Is this the "s way of doing things? Kill him once he can no longer keep the Spirit Power that is sealed within him? Before that, the one who made s.h.i.+dou seal Spirits" Spirit Power was . They used him for their own purpose, and once he become inconvenient to them, they"re going to get rid of him? Even though you thought of s.h.i.+dou that much, why did you agreed to —"

"— No!"

As if to cut-off Origami, Kotori said something with her trembling throat.

"Even though s.h.i.+dou"s power miraculously matched with objective — but at the least Chairman Woodman was concerned about what may happen to him. He said nothing good will come out of sealing Spirit"s power in human body. He suggested us to find another way to do it. But… it was already too late. The moment s.h.i.+dou was found out by , he already sealed one Spirit within him." "Could it be that ......"

"Yes — that was me."

Kotori said with a shaking voice.

It is a contradiction that can"t be avoided since found out about s.h.i.+dou"s power from when he sealed Kotori"s powers.

"There was a possibly of s.h.i.+dou becoming like this since five years ago. But even if you returned the Spirit Power to the Spirit, the Path won"t be disappeared… five years ago; I put a time bomb into s.h.i.+dou without knowing.

"…But won"t letting him seal even more Spirits only increase the risk of him come to his limit?"

"…There"s no other way. …There is only one way to stabilize s.h.i.+dou."

"What is that?"

"— To have s.h.i.+dou extract all the Spirit Powers he has and release it outside his body as a Sephira crystal."

"…! That is —"

Sephira crystal, the mysterious crystal that had, the jewel crystal contained the spiritual power that turned Origami into a spirit.

"You"re right. But could it possibly be done…"

"...... Yes, we can’t do it even if we take back 100% of our spiritual power. I let a.n.a.lyze over me several times. To extract a Sephira that has been united at the particle level, it requires a lot of Spirit Power to do it. To put it simply — we have to seal all the Spirits within s.h.i.+dou just to do that."

"......"

Origami opened her eyes in amazement.

From her reaction she could see that she had a great deal of suspicion towards .

It isn’t hard to understand. In fact, Kotori doesn’t entirely trust either.

"But - everything is too late."

There is no extra time to continue talking. Kotori took a deep breath, and prepared to inject the b.u.t.ton with her finger.

However, at that time.

"Kotori! Origami!"

Kotori heard Tohka’s voice from behind. Turning around, she saw that all the other spirits were there as well. They followed her up to the ground just like Origami.

“We came outside to follow you! All this happened, why didn’t you come and discuss it with us!?"

Kotori surprised at how Tohka knew the situation. Kotori then realized that she still had her headset equipped. Anyone with a headset could tune into their channel to talk with each other. That means everyone also heard the conversation with Origami earlier.

Kotori was certainly aware of this feature of the headset, but in front of a dangerous situation, she did not consider it because it was an emergency.

"...... I"m sorry, but it’s all over -."

"It is not over yet!"

Tohka shouted at Kotori.

“I don"t know the details! But if you think the situation right now is desperate, that is because Kotori thinks she’s alone!"

"............!"

Kotori heard Tohka’s words.

She felt as if her heart had been tightly squeezed.

"Every… one…"

The spirits all nodded at Kotori.

"Giving up is so unlike Kotori-san!"

"Yes… let"s save s.h.i.+dou-san…"

"............"

Kotori"s finger that is placed on the b.u.t.ton is shaking. The memory of when they gave her this terminal came to her mind.

Back then, Kotori was very scared of it. Even though it"s just in case of emergency, Kotori couldn"t sleep at the fact she had a way to kill s.h.i.+dou in her hands.

Ah, ah, but.

However, Kotori is now different from her past self. The determination, experience, and more than anything — her comrades who share the same idea as her.

Then there"s no way she can"t come up with another conclusion.

Kotori let the key fall out of her hands.

"Why, why didn"t Commander Itsuka shoot!”

From the darkened room came a cry of impatience.

An irritated voice echoed in the gloomy room. Out of all five people in the room, only two people are actually here. Eliot Woodman and the other is Karen Mathers. The others are holograms of "s executive members who are partic.i.p.ating from all over the world.

"Attack! Attack, Commander Itsuka! "

"............"

Clayton, an older man who is reminiscent of a roaring Bulldog.

Although his behavior very consistent with his usual actions the opening round table...... But today Clayton has a reason to be angry. This is because the screen at the center of the round table of had predicted the worst case scenario

The boy"s Spirit Power level is still rapidly rising. If this continues, it might result in a disaster like 30 years ago again. Even though the other two don"t say anything, they also make a similar expression.

"Sir. Woodman”

Of the two people, one was wearing a monocle, reminiscent of the rat man. Frazer Douglas spoke as he swiped the sweat from his forehead.

"This will really go on to create a ma.s.sive s.p.a.cequake. Why did you give the emission rights only to Commander Itsuka? "

The person who exudes the appearance of a cartoon cat agreed with the rat man. He is the last person on the round table: Gillian Almsted

"That ah. Even then, she’s just a junior high school student. The person in question is her brother; do you really think she can make the right judgment? "

"............"

Woodman mumbled in his head that if he gave them the permission, they would have pulled the trigger without any delay.

is the organization set up to save the spirits. However, only the Woodman centric fractions implement this idea at heart. The others more or less only partic.i.p.ate for their own kind of benefit.

Prioritizing their own interests, Woodman does not deny this as he thought it was a normal thought process for a human.

Once the risk become higher than the return, they"re ready to cut down their ties with the Spirits

Therefore, Woodman gave the emission to Kotori, the only trustworthy candidate.

Even if it means forcing Kotori to accept a mission that meant possibly attacking her favorite brother.

"Gentlemen calm down."

Woodman said to the round table.

"Indeed what is happening now may be that we can expect the worst case. However, this does not mean that it"s all a foregone conclusion."

After listening to the words of Woodman, Clayton became very angry

"All this time you"re still talking about! In the end, how are you going to change this situation! "

"Who knows? But as long as Commander Itsuka does not give up, I also will not give up."

Woodman"s eyes became sharp; the other three have made a very dissatisfied expression.

However, the possibility of s.h.i.+dou’s recovery existed only in Woodman’s self-awareness. What is the problem if you insist - that he does not think this "possibility" that exists deserves to be told in front of this trio.

All he could do now is buy enough time for Kotori.

"Ah ...... I know. I say this somewhat reluctantly. Then so be it. From now, for every one minute that pa.s.ses, I will give you one percent of Asgard Electronics’ shares."

"What ......!”

The three people were surprised to hear the Woodman"s words.

That is, of course. In addition to being the only outside agency outside of DEM to manufacture the Realizer, Asgard Electronics, is core technology source, and also Woodman"s lifeline. For these three individuals, the deal was too good to be true.

But these three men did not answer immediately. The conditions proposed are too tempting, so the three of them actually became suspicious.

Woodman smiled. - That"s good. The more they worry, the more time he can give to Kotori for her fight.

But the spiritual power value displayed on the screen continued to rise; loud sirens interrupted the pondering trio.

"......! "

Clayton gasped.

"...... There is no other way! It’s impossible to stop a spiritual force that has gone berserk! Now the only thing we can do is to destroy him as soon as possible! "

Three-dimensional image of the Clayton screamed, pulling out from his arms a small device.

"......! Clayton, that is."

Seeing the device, Woodman gasped.

Clayton was holding out on an item that only Kotori and Woodman had in their holdings: startup device.

"Clayton, why do you have that?"

"There’s an old saying in j.a.pan, “Be prepared and have no regrets." [12E 1]

"Stop it! Do not do such stupid things!"

Clayton ignored Woodman’s pleas, and did not hesitate to press the b.u.t.ton.

"............"

Kotori was rubbing down with the back of her tears and twitching nose.

"......You guys should laugh at me. I said so many great words, but when the real trouble hits this is what I look like now."

Kotori said in self-deprecating tone. But Origami quietly shook her head.

"Did not say such a thing. You still are really great as s.h.i.+dou’s sister."

"Origami ......"

“There must still be a way. Do not give up."

As Origami was talking, the spirits all nodded in an attempt to cheer Kotori up.

".We cannot be this dictionary that has no words."

"Consent. We will come to help."

"...... I do not know specifically how to do it, but there is always the right way."

But - at this moment.

Kotori was knocked off the ground from the same warning sound from before.

“— activation code detected. Commencing attack on the target.” "...... !?"

Kotori could not help but gasped, as she picking up the device. Although convinced that she got it wrong, but the screen shows that has been started.

Origami’s face is filled with fear, as she looked towards the activation device.

"Did it activate from the impact of you dropping it?”

"! I don’t know what happened; it wasn’t designed in a way where you can easily manipulate it! -"

Although she does not know why, but now has indeed started. To cancel the launch, Kotori hastily tried to grab the activation device.

But it was too late.

Like a meteor across the night.

Kotori’s field of vision is filled with light.

"s.h.i.+dou - !!"

Kotori shouted all she could while extending her hand toward s.h.i.+dou.

But that cannot change a person’s fate. s.h.i.+dou’s body is engulfed in the light.

The attack hollowed out the ground. The impact had blown away Kotori and others who were standing nearby

— Or so she thought that would happen.

"Huh ......?"

Kotori stiffen her body, and blinked her eyes few times before she raising her face up. The other spirits also did the same.

Kotori widen her eyes. She thought for a second that s.h.i.+dou used his Spirit Power to block ‘s attack, however, that was different.

"What -"

Kotori’s eyes widened in amazement.

For a moment, she thought it’s was s.h.i.+dou using his surplus of spiritual power to launch a s.h.i.+eld, but -.

[-Phew, that really was dangerous]

I do not know when to it appear here, but another spirit appeared near s.h.i.+dou

No...... Kotori didn’t know if she could even call that thing a spirit.

That is because even its gender was disguised, covered by a layer of noise.

"You are -!"

Kotori said with slightly trembling fingers. The others, with varying degrees, had the same reaction as Kotori.

In particular, Miku and Origami have also met that ‘being’ first-handed. Miku looked badly shaken up. Origami stares at the noise with a cautious and alert look on her face.

Yes, it was the spirit who could create other spirts.

The one who turned Miku, Kotori, and Origami into spirits by giving the Sephira crystals.

- The being that is called is here now.

" - ?!"

Kotori loudly called out its name.

Even though you can see its shape, you cannot identify what kind of shape it. This strange sense of presence, even though they want to forget, you can’t really forget it’s out there. And five years ago, it appeared before a young Kotori in the same form that it has now.

Everything about that being is surrounded by mysteries. No matter how much Kotori investigated, she couldn’t not even the slightest clue of fans. Obviously you want to make sure of things and the things you don’t know, but with right in front of them, Kotori was left speechless for a few seconds.

It is surrounded by a mosaic, "some object” that makes it impossible to distinguish quality of the sound.

[......It seems humans also do things recklessly too.]

- jokingly said that and turned herself around. The barrier that covered above s.h.i.+dou like an umbrella then disappeared.

"...... I don’t want to hear that from you-!"

Kotori frowned in response to ‘s words.

Kotori thought that she is an indirect cause that caused s.h.i.+dou to become like this. Because she turned Kotori into a Spirit five years ago and made s.h.i.+dou seal her, it caused him to take the risk of going berserk.

In her thoughts, Kotori’s mind could not help but create numerous questions.

Why is now suddenly here right now?

And why did she protect s.h.i.+dou from ?

" ...... what are you exactly?"

However does not seem to acknowledge the question, and continued to move towards the direction of s.h.i.+dou.

[…I see, his condition is pretty dangerous. I could understand your painful determination. — But if he does not continue to live, then I will be very troubled.]

"You ...... What are you say ......?"

Kotori raised up her voice with confusion. then came down in front of s.h.i.+dou as if she don"t care about the spiritual power whirled around him. [...... Good Boy]

- said with a gentle voice and touch s.h.i.+dou"s forehead.

"--------------------------!"

s.h.i.+dou sent a s.h.i.+ver that almost made it seem like the sky is screaming. His body is writhing in pain.

"Gu--ga, aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!"

"s.h.i.+… s.h.i.+dou!?"

"Darling!"

"What did you do to s.h.i.+dou?"

"Agreement. The situation is becoming worse."

-In response to the spirits, breath out a sigh a little.

[— To greet me in such a tone. Even though I just gave you a chance.]

"What did you say ...... !?"

"! Kotori! Look!"

Kotori frowned, judging by her tone, Tohka seemed quite surprised.

Kotori then noticed that the spiritual forces surrounding s.h.i.+dou has become slightly weakened.

“This is…”

[…From now on is your domain. I wish you a good luck. —Goodbye, my dear children]

"....!? What---"

Kotori raised her voice at "s words. However, did not reply. She turned over and disappeared into the air

"! W, Wait a moment!"

"Kotori-san...... now with this, s.h.i.+dou-san, he ......"

Yos.h.i.+no said in a quiet tone.

Kotori stamped hard with her foot, "......"you’re right," she said in an affirmative nod.

"Although I do not know how it happened, but a gap surrounding s.h.i.+dou’s spiritual power has opened. In this case, maybe we still have time."

"! Really, Kotori!"

Tohka suddenly stared, while Kotori nodded and went down.

"Yes. ...... But we’re also just a step from the worst case scenario. A step forward, but the desperate situation has not changed. We have to pa.s.s through the spiritual power and share a kiss with s.h.i.+dou, but as of now we - "

"What ah, just a kiss. Is that not so simple?"

"I agree. So, there is no problem."

After finis.h.i.+ng, both Kaguya and Yuzuru took each other’s hand and made a pose.

"Actually...... you don’t know how difficult it is to do it ......"

Kotori was still frowning. But Kaguya and Yuzuru loosened their lips and closed their eyes in order to increase their concentration.

And then -

"Ha! - Now, the power of children of the hurricane appears!"

"Confirmation, it appears now.”

Calling out at the same time, both girls were wearing the same strait-jacket dresses.

-They had both had equipped their limited astral dress.

"What ......!"

Kotori held out her breath. The Yamai sisters were using the little remnants of their spiritual power to give a little show of force.

Indeed, using the limited astral dress to so early could be very dangerous. The path is still too narrow. In the worst case, they might die before reaching s.h.i.+dou.

"...... From Natsumi’s example, it probably will only maintain for about five minutes."

Kotori gave a serious expression while she spoke, but the Yamai Sisters merely laughed.

"Kaka did not expect the accident of little time."

"Consent, the Yamai sisters don’t have enough time to overdo it."

Nodded slightly to each other, they let the wind wrapped around their bodies and flew into the sky.

- The rest are marching towards the forest, at the direction of where s.h.i.+dou is.

And

Their collision in the darkness created a burst of shed sparks.

"Ha!"

"Too naive."

Ellen easily guarded after experience the same attack from Mana several times already, she turned her body to attack Mana’s belly.

At that moment Mana attempted to deploy her territory in order to freely escape from behind However, since the reaction had a moment of delay, it did not fully offset the power of the blow. Mana coughed at the pain in her stomach.

“Even though you said you’d stop me that was quite a timid attack. You think you could kill me with something like that?"

"Hmp… kill, kill you said. You don"t know other way to win, do you? Even though your Magic Power is the strongest, it seems like your intelligent is still not enough."

"This really is a cheap provocation ah. Do you think I would fall for that?” Ellen responded with a brave face forward. When Wizards are using a Realizer, a slight disturbance can caused the sensitivity of Territory to drop. Ellen couldn"t be provoked so easily. Anyhow, with the t.i.tle of the world’s strongest wizard, that level of interference should not have any reaction anyway. "Ha… I didn"t expect you to do so. I don’t think anything of you. I always thought you were somewhat dull ever since I was at DEM."

"Don"t joke around. There"s no way I"d have any faults."

"No, I saw you tripped several times where there"s nothing around. Also I saw you take two breaks when you carry the doc.u.ments from the second floor up to the fourth floor." "!? How do you know that?"

"Anyway, while I have something to say, the Wizards in the second group are not calling you "s.h.i.+kkou-buchou" but rather "Moyas.h.i.+kko-buchou"" [12E 2]

"......"

A blood vein popped up on Ellen"s forehead. Ellen quickly made a swing towards Mana with her . Mana evaded the attack and began laugh at her.

"Oh ~? Didn"t you say you can"t be provoked?"

"You give me to shut up! What is this unpleasant nickname ah ......!"

Ellen cried out impatiently. When she returned to England, no doubt her subordinates will all get a harsh "special training’.

Incidentally, Mana just thought up that nickname on the stop just now. If Ellen used her head a little, she would have realized that the second groups full of Wizards were all from England. There is no way they would understand a silly j.a.panese joke. Obviously, they can understand just a little, but ...... it seems to Ellen was too angry to even consider that.

But - at this time

Ellen raised an eyebrow as she listened to her communication device.

"- Ah ...... what you say is" Material A "is.??"

Ellen knitted her brows and clicked her tongue before lowering her ,

"How lucky you are. — But remember, you won"t have a chance next time."

After saying these words, Ellen manipulated her territory and flew towards the night.

Mana decided not to follow her. After all, her aim is to buy some time. There"s also no guarantee that she will win if she followed her.

However, it is true that there is an even more important reason.

The name s.h.i.+dou said earlier still keeps swirling in her mind.

"…Who is Mio-san —"

Mana mumbled under the darkness of the night.

In front of a gradually expanding forest, the beast surrounded by a dazzling light is moving forward at an incredible speed.

Both Kaguya and Yuzuru witness this scene from the sky.

"Yuzuru are you ready!?"

"Answer. Of course. I’m not like Kaguya who would miss an opportunity because of fear.

"Well, look what you are saying if you think the child of the hurricane will be afraid of this thing!"

"Negative. Not that I"m worried about that. But, yeah, I would be worried if Kaguya really wants to kiss and hesitates at the last second.”

"What ......! It is impossible ah! That kind of thing is quite easy and simple for me!"

Yuzuru started to exaggerate as she voiced suspicion at how defensive Kaguya got.

“Really? I suspect Kaguya has gotten uncharacteristically good at kissing because she’s been practicing with a cat.”

"I have not done anything like that! Can you not tell lies!?"

"Imitation. Meow ah...... Kaguya is very strange if she’s replacing s.h.i.+dou with a cat.”

"Why are you imitating me!? I’ve never once said lines like those!”

Kaguya raised her voice, “Yuzuru, you don’t have to copy me in order to synchronize our attacks.”

They both reduce their height while moving through the trees, surrounding s.h.i.+dou from both directions.

"...... Yuzuru, now!"

"Answer. Understand"

They each nodded to each other as; they released strong winds from both s.h.i.+dou’s left and right side. With that much amount of wind pressure, s.h.i.+dou movements began slowing down.

They both know that they were unable to completely stop him with their limited amount of power. Yes. The battle has only just begun.

" - [El Re"em]!"

Kaguya shouted. A wing grew out of her shoulder, armor covered her arm, and a lance appeared in her hand.

"Ha!"

Kaguya attacked s.h.i.+dou"s barrier made of Spirit Power with her lance. Intense wind coiled up in the surroundings. The barrier that surrounded s.h.i.+dou broke apart for a short moment.

The little gap could hardly be called a good chance. But with the Yamai sisters’ speed, it may be enough.

"Echo - [El Na"ash]!"

Yuzuru shouted, throwing her pendulum type angel towards s.h.i.+dou.

However, her purpose was not to unleash an attack. But to use of [El Na"ash] chains to bound s.h.i.+dou’s hands, sealing his actions.

"Chance. Kaguya!"

"Coming!"

At that moment, the two closed in on s.h.i.+dou. As his hands and feet were shackled, the two whispered something.

"s.h.i.+dou - Now, we’ve come to save you."

"Debt of grat.i.tude. Just like what s.h.i.+dou once did for Yuzuru."

Yuzuru and Kaguya said that and move their faces near s.h.i.+dou and placed their lips onto s.h.i.+dou"s lips

"......! "

At that moment, both Kaguya and Yuzuru feel their bodies are getting hot. Almost like a flow of blood that has been stopped is now flowing again. "This is ...... The path is open?"

"Agreement. Probably. When Yuzuru is still holding s.h.i.+dou down, everyone please —"

Before Yuzuru could finished her words, "- Ah ah ah ah!"

s.h.i.+dou howled as he also broke free from [El Na"ash] inhibitions. Releasing a strong shock wave, Kaguya and Yuzuru were soon blown away from s.h.i.+dou.

"Wuwa -!"

"Effect. He escaped."

Liberated from the shackles, s.h.i.+dou once again began frantically moving forward.

Subsequently, the two prepared to catch up again to s.h.i.+dou. However—

From their eyes, crossed a huge silvery white rabbit.

"Yos.h.i.+no?!"

Kaguya shouted that name while a spirit riding a bunny moved on forward. In response, Yos.h.i.+no gently nodded her head.

"- < zadkiel="">!"

With Yos.h.i.+no’s command, the huge rabbit-type angel opened its mouth, so that the surroundings are then covered by cold air. The moisture in the air began condensing and froze the ground, rocks, trees, and even s.h.i.+dou"s legs.

Because of the ice obstacles, s.h.i.+dou once again stopped moving. Yos.h.i.+no then gave the command for < zadkiel=""> to forward towards s.h.i.+dou.

Then she let < zadkiel=""> dropped to the ground, she leaned forward and stuck close to s.h.i.+dou’s face.

"s.h.i.+dou-san...... please go back to normal."

Yos.h.i.+no then placed her lips onto s.h.i.+dou"s. She feels that her body is getting hot. Her Astral Dress glowed with a faint light.

Yos.h.i.+no then called the person who is clinging on her back,

Natsumi-san, please also…!"

"Y-Yes…"

Following Yos.h.i.+no’s urging, Natsumi slowly struck her head out from the back of < zadkiel="">.

Incidentally, Natsumi is the only one who is not wearing her Astral Dress. It"s not because she don"t want to help s.h.i.+dou, but she already used up her Spirit Power in the middle of s.h.i.+dou"s capture. That"s why Natsumi can"t manifest her Astral Dress. "I did not carefully consider the results before ...... now I’m causing distress for Yos.h.i.+no. I want to die."

"What?"

"N-Nothing… I have to help s.h.i.+dou."

Natsumi responded in nervous voice. When Natsumi tried to lean herself forward from , she slipped her hand and fell to the ground on her face.

"d.a.m.n!"

"N-Natsumi-san!"

"No, I"m fine, I"m fine ......"

Natsumi pushed her nose while wave her hand to Yos.h.i.+no. Even though she said fine, her eyes are teary and there is a blood coming out of her nose.

T-Then s.h.i.+dou, I"m sorry it has to be me. …It was originally your fault for not handing me the Spirit Power, that"s why I"m this in form. Don"t sue me because I kissed you while you"re out of conscious… I"m going to kiss now, okay? Okay? If you don"t want to, then say it."

"Um, Natsumi-san, we don"t have time…"

Then, at that moment.

"- Ah!"

s.h.i.+dou grit his teeth, by pulling out all his strength and he shattered the ice on his legs. s.h.i.+dou then went to attack Natsumi who is nearby.

But – Before s.h.i.+dou"s hand could touch Natsumi.

A silver tube emerge next to s.h.i.+dou, it unleashed a sound track that tightly tied up s.h.i.+dou’s body.

"Ufufu~ I made it in time~."

At that time, Miku emerged in her astral dress; she had used her angel to block s.h.i.+dou’s attack on Natsumi.

"Miku......"

"Are you okay, Natsumi-san? If you want to thank me just give me a kiss~"

"W-who will do that!"

"Um, looks like s.h.i.+dou-san is trying to move again…"

Natsumi then realized the situation when Yos.h.i.+no said that. She thought for a second and, after a moment of hesitation, lightly placed her lips onto s.h.i.+dou"s. That"s it! It"s okay now right! That"s counted as kiss, right!?"

"Ah, Natsumi-san, what a waste -”

Following Natsumi’s lead, Miku leaded towards s.h.i.+dou’s face. After exchanging a kiss, Miku let out her tongue and licked s.h.i.+dou"s lips. Yos.h.i.+no and Natsumi could not help but blush at her actions.

"Ufufu… a kiss with darling, and an indirect kiss with Natsumi-san… what a good deal~"

"What…!? Indirect kiss!? I don"t…"

After saying that, Natsumi noticed something that shook her shoulders.

"Wait, eh? That means I also did indirect kiss with Yos.h.i.+no…?"

Natsumi blushed. After seeing her reaction, Yos.h.i.+no also felt embarra.s.sed.

However, this situation did not last long. s.h.i.+dou broke the pipe that was restricting his body and continue moving forward, pus.h.i.+ng out of the way

"Kya…!"

Yos.h.i.+no manipulated her to keep her balance. Miku escaped with Natsumi who had fell face first into the ground once again. "Looks like everyone who went ahead of us already succeed. Let"s go too!"

"I know."

Kotori covered herself in flames while Origami covered herself with light. Both rushed into the sky in order to pursue s.h.i.+dou.

s.h.i.+dou, who has lost conscious, is simply a monster. It can be said that he is now a walking disaster in human"s form.

Yes. He is a "Spirit" by AST"s definition.

However Kotori doesn"t feel despair. Or rather, she even feels a strange upsurge of her emotions. Even though the situation is still desperate, the small hope to be able to save s.h.i.+dou is like a miracle to her. — Even though she doesn’t want to thank for it.

Kotori grunted while looking at Origami.

"Origami, can you do it!?"

“Of course.”

Origami gave a brief reply, as she gilded towards s.h.i.+dou’s direction.

"- "

As the sounded echoed, a large number of feathers appears before Origami’s head, linking together to form the composition of a crown.

Origami raised her hand at the same time; each wing that formed began breaking apart. The scattered crown released a s.h.i.+ning light as she glided past the ground

Of course, Origami didn"t want to hurt s.h.i.+dou, only trying to block his way.

"-!"

Reacting to the a.s.sault, s.h.i.+dou jumps beyond the line of sight and into the sky.

“Ah ah ah!"

Then in his hands, he summoned a sword-shaped angel which he attempted to use to cut past Origami.

"Origami!"

Kotori called out without thinking. Even if Origami was in her limited astral dress, a direct attack from an angel could be fatal.

However, before < sandalphon=""> could land a hit on Origami, her body suddenly disappears in a flash of light. The next moment, she reappears in s.h.i.+dou’s arms.

"-"

Origami placed her hand on s.h.i.+dou"s cheek and pushed her lips onto his lips.

s.h.i.+dou immediately showed the same twitch response and gave out a roar while waving his .

Origami’s body disappeared again appeared a few meters behind s.h.i.+dou. Grasping this opportunity, Kotori attempted to close in on s.h.i.+dou.

"Ah - ah ah ah!"

Aware that Kotori was closing in, s.h.i.+dou swung his , releasing a wave of spiritual energy towards Kotori"s direction.

Kotori evaded the attack. Sure enough, s.h.i.+dou"s reaction is gradually changing. Back with the Yamai sisters, he was just a walking disaster. Then he showed a violent reaction towards with Natsumi. And now he is pointing an Angel to fight with his "enemies".

His resistance is getting stronger, and although that makes things more difficult, but from another perspective, s.h.i.+dou is gaining more intelligence- that is, his human perception is gradually being restored.

"- s.h.i.+dou"

Kotori opens her arms in order to get close to s.h.i.+dou.

"-!"

s.h.i.+dou swung down his , but Kotori did not avoid the attack. Blood starts to gush out from her wound. "

"Kotori!"

Origami called her name in worry, but Kotori only held out her hand to say that she was fine. Flames then started licking her wound, healing it.

Even though her wound is already healing, that doesn"t mean she didn’t feel any pain. This pain is her atonement for the fact that she was going to kill s.h.i.+dou with her own hands.

"Onii-chan"

Kotori was clinging onto s.h.i.+dou, and then tenderly kissed him.

"...... I’ll be waiting for an Adult kiss next time."

Kotori said with a gentle smile.

"--------!"

s.h.i.+dou issued a silent roar as he escapes from Kotori’s hands. He began to march once again.

"Only one left"

Kotori places her hands on her wound and issues a groaning sound. The flames had not completely healed her wound. However, she also felt an increasing amount excitement as her feeling of pain faded.

In any case, there only remaining one. And after the last person kisses s.h.i.+dou, the path will be restored between the Spirts and s.h.i.+dou will go back to normal.

With hazy eyes, she looks on towards s.h.i.+dou’s direction.

In s.h.i.+dou’s direction, there is a beautiful princess in purple Astral Dress waiting for him while holding her golden sword on the ground.

The sound of his voice blew the leaves and as he cut down the trees in his way. The strength of his spiritual power teared through the night like a triumphant roar. In response, Tohka could feel that every inch of her skin is shaking.

Tohka calmly opened her eyes, while holding ‘s hilt straight ahead.

The spiritual power gradually formed a vortex, s.h.i.+dou is also holding in his hand. When he saw Tohka blocking his way, he prepared to swing his at her.

“Hmm..”

Tohka knocked the attack back perfectly, and ran closer to the approaching s.h.i.+dou.

As the two collided with each other, their collective spiritual power created an explosion of sparks.

Up, and down. The attacks came from every angle, Tohka notices her defenses is starting to waver. The impact from their attacks is released to the surroundings, causing Tohka"s feet sink down to the ground.

It was a weird feeling. Tohka never though that s.h.i.+dou was capable of fighting with her in such a degree.

But the s.h.i.+dou before her is not really the real s.h.i.+dou. Tohka’s eyes became sharp as she swung her < sandalphon=""> with all her might.

"Ah ah ah ah ah!"

Clang! Accompanied by a loud sound, s.h.i.+dou’s flew from s.h.i.+dou’s hand and into the sky, slowly dissolving into light particles fluttering in the wind.

Although, Tohka is no match for s.h.i.+dou in terms of spiritual power, her skills in swordplay made up for the big difference. As s.h.i.+dou was swinging his , Tohka predicted the attack and seized the opportunity. "s.h.i.+dou, now I"ll save you."

Tohka gave a determined nod, as she moved into s.h.i.+dou’s arms. She held her hand to his chin, close to his lips.

- However, at that moment.

"-! Gaa ah ......!"

Suddenly, she felt a tingling sensation in her chest; Tohka clutched her chest in pain.

"This is ......"

At that instant, both < sandalphon=""> and her limited astral dress began to dissipate. It appears she has finally run out of spiritual power.

She felt a strong force pulling her body down. Without her limited astral dress, Tohka’s body is in direct contact with s.h.i.+dou’s spiritual power.

"Ku—" "----"

s.h.i.+dou gently waved his hand. But even with only this action, Tohka is blown away striking her back to a tree.

"Ah ......!"

Tohka"s back landed hard on a tree, her consciousness became hazy. Her body"s bones and muscle are in pain due to the friction.

"Tohka!"

"Tohka-san......!"

She heard Kotori and the other’s from the sky.

However, before they could use their Angels to help Tohka, she raise up her voice.

"- Wait a minute!"

"…!? What is it, Tohka!"

Kotori replied with a surprised tone. However, Tohka remained calm and continued.

"Please… don"t help me. I feel this is something I have to do myself."

"......Tohka"

Understanding Tohka’s thoughts, Kotori waved her hand to stop the others.

Tohka thanked Kotori and slowly walked towards s.h.i.+dou’s direction.

"----!"

s.h.i.+dou gave a loud resounding roar.

Even if the others have opened the paths, the vast majority of spiritual power is still sealed in s.h.i.+dou’s body. If s.h.i.+dou attacked now, she would certainly lose.

"Guu......"

Tohka ignored the pain and dragged her body forward towards s.h.i.+dou.

Her vision blurred her consciousness hazy. There wasn’t anywhere on her body that wasn’t in pain. However, she could waste the last chance that everyone made for her

"Ka......"

The spiritual power surrounding s.h.i.+dou increased in intensity, as if it was trying to deny Tohka access. Tohka feels like she jumped into a sea of sulfuric acid with her body. The invisible power licked over her body, leaving only a pain that nearly made her lose consciousness.

However, Tohka did not stop her pace. If Tohka gives up here, she would be unable to rescue s.h.i.+dou. Everything they’ve done so far will have been for naught. She absolutely could not let that happen.

"s.h.i.+dou… so you always fought… while feeling this pain…?"

Even though s.h.i.+dou has Kotori"s regeneration powers, he is still a human with normal sense of pain. Tohka painfully realized for the first time how s.h.i.+dou must feel when he encounters with Spirits and Wizards without an Astral Dress

However, s.h.i.+dou never gave up. No matter how many times he feels pain, no matter how many times he has been beaten down, s.h.i.+dou always stood up to save Tohka and other Spirits.

Tohka didn’t know the reason why s.h.i.+dou was doing that much to save Spirits. It"s unreasonable that s.h.i.+dou must end his life here.

No -

"............ I”

Tohka mumbled to herself.

Indeed, Tohka was indebted to s.h.i.+dou’s kindness. Yes, it was that very kindness that had saved her.

And, it must be a problem if someone as nice as s.h.i.+dou cannot be saved.

However, Tohka was moving forward not just because of that.

If it were only to repay a debt, Tohka would have collapse a lot time ago.

But inside her, there is a feeling that won"t let her give up no matter what the hards.h.i.+ps is.

"— Ah, I see."

At the end of her painfully road, for the first Tohka finally understands what this feeling is.

Even though she heard about it several times, this is the first time that it has matched up with the feeling inside her

The feeling is "love".

It was a different “love” than the one she had for Kotori and Yos.h.i.+no.

Tohka loves s.h.i.+dou, and because of that feeling- she desperately wants to save him.

"- s.h.i.+dou"

Tohka calls out his name, using her right hand she grabs s.h.i.+dou’s necktie.

Then, she pulls s.h.i.+dou toward herself — and kissed him.

"----"

The next moment, Tohka feels her body getting hot. The spiritual power surrounding s.h.i.+dou started to disappear.

After a few seconds, s.h.i.+dou’s frantic breathing gradually began calming down, his strength started to leave his body.

Once the light came back to s.h.i.+dou’s eyes, s.h.i.+dou trembled after realizing that Tohka is kissing him.

"…!? To-Tohka!? What are you doing…!?"

The usual voice and the usual reaction.

The s.h.i.+dou that Tohka loves is standing right there.

Tohka delicately loosen her lips, and let out a faint voice.

"I won"t tell you. Idiot…Idiot"

After finis.h.i.+ng that sentence, Tohka fell unconscious into s.h.i.+dou’s arms.