“It seems S-Ranks have been dispatched from both Kisou Academy and Fectom Academy.”

There were numerous structural voids throughout Chroma.

In one such void, two people sat inside a basement.

“Your role this time is purely to buy time. Understand that well—Conductor.”

The girl, a unit of the Doctor, said this to them.

The Conductor said nothing in response, eyes glued to the monitor.

From the Conductor’s headphones, cheerful music could be heard leaking out.

“Hey, are you listening?”

The Doctor asked, but the Conductor didn’t answer.

They only continued to stare hungrily at the footage on the screen with gleaming eyes.

(This is exactly why I don’t want the Conductor joining Silver Twilight… Too obsessed with desire.)

For the sake of their dream, the Conductor would show as little hesitation as the Doctor or the Professor.

Ruthless and driven solely by emotion.

That was the core of what made the Conductor who they were.

(If only they were a bit more sociable… No, actually, that might be worse.)

The Doctor took a seat on a nearby chair.

Just as they intended to wait until the Conductor was finished—

“Don’t sit in that chair.”

The Conductor said this to the Doctor, who had just lowered themselves into it.

Their eyes, unblinking, stared fixedly at the Doctor.

The stark dark circles under their eyes spoke volumes of their abnormality.

“That chair is a limited edition signed by her. You’re not allowed to sit there.”

“Quite arrogant of you. Giving me orders, are you?”

“Stand up! That’s a display-only chair!”

The Doctor, amused, deliberately leaned deeper into the chair and crossed their legs.

In that instant, a magic circle unfolded around them.

Out shot silver chains.

“…Guh!? H-Hey now, can’t you take a joke? A Chroma native with no sense of humor, huh?”

“Silence. I told you to stand.”

The chains bound the Doctor and forcibly dragged them off the chair.

They were flung to the floor.

“Ugh, quite the way to treat someone.”

The Doctor began to rise and considered summoning Divided Death Must Die—but stopped.

Seeing the girl standing beside the Conductor, they realized they had no chance of winning.

Silver-blue hair, dressed in black.

A pulsating black scythe—she was the image of a reaper.

There was no mistaking it—it was Sorciera.

(So the power of the Fourth Angel ended up in her hands.)

The contract between the Third Angel and a human had already produced significant results—killing a Starreader.

It was only natural that the next Angel would also contract with a human after observing that.

(What criteria it used to choose, I still don’t know. But—)

What criteria Angels use to select humans remains unknown.

Still, there was no doubt the Conductor had been chosen.

And that made things all the more troublesome.

(Fool, burning in your own admiration. Ruin is all that awaits you.)

The Doctor said nothing aloud, but cursed inwardly.

Looking down on the Doctor, the Conductor spoke as if suddenly realizing something.

“The final performance of the day is about to begin. I must go.”

At the Conductor’s words, Sorciera began preparing a teleportation magic circle for the Doctor.

The only priority was the Conductor’s will—everything else was meaningless.

“Leave, Doctor. I’m heading to the performance. The plan will proceed—don’t worry.”

“…I’ll say it again—you’re just buying time. Keep the S-Ranks pinned down here.”

Those were the Doctor’s last words before vanishing via teleportation.

The Conductor didn’t respond, already preparing to depart.

Feeling in a good mood, the Conductor hummed as their voice filled the room.

“Now then, please go wild as usual.”

The Conductor said, and Sorciera nodded and disappeared into the teleportation magic circle.

“It’s almost time… Soon, the world will understand you.”

With a blissful smile, the Conductor gazed upon the countless monitors, all showing the same woman.

They spoke her name softly:

“Lady Nei…”

■

In the student council room of Mikage Academy, Touraku, Lutra, and Mihaya sat stiffly.

Facing the young man in front of them, they couldn’t help but feel suspicious.

Even despite receiving expensive concert tickets.

“…So what exactly do you want us to do?”

“Huh? Oh, nothing in particular. I just thought it’d be nice if you enjoyed yourselves. You know, the Hinotsuchi Cultural Grand Festival is coming up. Think of it as a little sightseeing trip in advance.”

“In other words, reconnaissance.”

At Lutra’s remark, the shady young man Yukihira shook his head.

He pointed to the tickets each of them held.

“I bought those with my own money. I owe you three, after all. Go on, take a break and relax.”

“Is that really okay?”

“No worries. While you’re gone, Rinka will handle the paperwork. It was her idea, too. Just go enjoy yourselves.”

“I see. Thank you.”

Mihaya thanked him, relieved inside.

Being called in alongside Touraku, she had assumed they were being given a mission. It was a pleasant surprise.

“Chroma’s pre-festival events are flashy and fun. Lutra-chan, have a great time too.”

“Okay, thank you.”

Lutra bowed her head politely.

Seeing that, Touraku smiled slightly.

Watching the three of them, Yukihira continued, “Just one thing.”

“Chroma’s been kind of noisy lately. Be careful, okay? I mean, with Student Council President Daiya there, and also Ryuuko around, you should be fine though.”

“Ryuuko… that’s right, she’s an S-Rank. I don’t think I’ve ever really seen her.”

“She’s shy about the media, so she avoids the spotlight,” Yukihira said with a laugh.

“But she’s strong. Really reliable. Let me put it this way: she’s beaten Rokuhara multiple times.”

“…I think Rokuhara-san said the same thing. Just what kind of person is Ryuuko-san…?”

Touraku shuddered.

He didn’t realize that deep inside, a desire to fight was also welling up.

“She’s just a normal girl. Really. Personally though, I think President Daiya is more dependable. So if you’re ever in trouble, rely on him.”

“What kind of person is he?”

“Hmm, hard to say… ‘Royal,’ maybe?”

At Yukihira’s vague answer, the three tilted their heads.

But Yukihira simply repeated the same word once more—”Royal.”

“Anyway, go. Have fun.”

“Understood. Thank you.”

Touraku and the others bowed once more and left the student council room.

After they left, Yukihira looked at his PC monitor and smiled.

(They told me not to touch Rokuhara… But if I just happen to get involved while I’m out and about, that’s not my fault, right? Yeah, can’t be helped.)

On the roof of Chroma’s school building,

A girl holding a giant scythe appeared on the screen.

“A fake… probably, but still—might as well have a little fun.”

Yukihira said, reclining cheerfully in his chair.

Putting on an eye mask, he soon began to snore softly.