The only sound echoing through Mikage Academy’s third training ground was the blade splitting the air.

Touraku honed his nerves down to his fingertips, swinging his sword carefully, one strike after another. His form seemed even more refined than when he had fought Sorciera.

“You’re still at it? Shouldn’t you wrap it up soon?”

Turning toward the voice, he saw Mihaya looking at him with mild exasperation.

“You haven’t taken a break, have you?”

Touraku caught the sports drink tossed his way and thanked her. Though he’d started training in the early afternoon, the sun had already set outside.

“…Ahaha, yeah, I kinda forgot to rest.”
“Sigh, if only your partner, Demonsgear, could properly manage you at times like these.”

Mihaya stared pointedly at the white greatsword, which soon transformed into the figure of a young girl. The white-haired child puffed out her chest and spoke to Mihaya.

“Touraku won’t collapse from something like this. The real fight begins after surpassing your limits.”
“That’s right! Let’s push past them!”
“Why do neither of you have any brakes…?”

Despite her words, Mihaya couldn’t hide her delight at being the voice of reason. “You’d be hopeless without me!” she declared, handing Lutra a drink as well.

For the Demonsgear, it wasn’t a sports drink but apple juice, tailored to her taste.

“Thanks, Mihaya. With this, I can fight for another 72 hours.”
“There’s not much time left before the territory battle… Alright! Once this break’s over, let’s go again.”
“That’s enough for today! Pack it up!”

Clapping her hands together, Mihaya shut them down. The two exchanged glances, sighed in resignation, and relented.

“Touraku, we’re almost at the Star-Slash form. Let’s give it our all tomorrow too.”
“Of course! Mihaya, I was thinking of doing a mock battle tomorrow—mind setting it up?”
“Why are you already planning tomorrow’s training…?”

Touraku had always been a hardworking fool, but lately, he’d gotten even worse.
There was one reason for it.

(The Star-Slash form, which unlocks Lutra’s full power. Right now, Touraku wants that strength as soon as possible.)

After the incident at the academy, Touraku had glimpsed a fraction of Lutra’s true power. Beyond their limits lay an even greater world. That realization was more than enough to drive him to train relentlessly.

But precisely because of that, Mihaya—who needed to stay calm and assess things objectively—couldn’t let herself get swept up in his fervor.

“Sorry, but I’ve got plans tomorrow.”
“Oh, really?”
“And as student council members, you two have duties too, you know?”

Accepting a towel from Mihaya and wiping off his sweat, Touraku tilted his head.

“Rinka will explain the details over dinner.”
“Got it, thanks. …But still, I wonder what kind of job it is. If it’s coming to me, it’s definitely something rough.”
“Everything in this academy city is rough, so who knows?”

Lutra also tilted her head in confusion. The only things she understood were cutting things and meals.

“Well, I don’t know much either, but I think it was something about how the student council president of Kisou Academy isn’t participating in the territory battle, which is weird.”
“…Now that you mention it, that was strange. They’re supposed to be an S-rank, just like Rokuhara of Glory and Decay.”

This territory battle would determine Kisou Academy’s future. A victory here wouldn’t guarantee a complete turnaround, but it would at least give them leverage in negotiations.

And yet, Kisou’s student council president wasn’t participating.

“That person’s Demonsgear ability is restricted due to its nature. Twelve seconds of invincibility might be the strongest in a one-on-one, but it’s not suited for group battles. No matter how you look at it, they can’t turn the tide alone.”
“Well, President Yukihira and that person have the worst compatibility too.”

An ability that locks in a favorable future is highly effective against Rokuhara, who lives by the creed of offense. Add to that Touraku, a Demonsgear wielder, and the S-rank reinforcement from Fectom Comprehensive Academy.

Mikage Academy’s formation is rock-solid.

“In a duel, maybe, but in a territory battle, all they’d need to do is stall that person. The rest would take care of itself.”

This was a team battle, after all. With both numbers and quality on their side, Mikage Academy’s victory was all but assured.

Which was exactly why—

“Which is exactly why I thought it was weird too. With Kisou’s student council president’s ability, their chances of winning would skyrocket. We initially planned our strategy assuming they’d participate.”
“Rinka mentioned she had an idea about that too.”
“An idea, huh…?”
“Yeah, something about—”

■

“—Kisou Academy’s student council president is definitely after the Angel.”

Clam-chan said this with a serious face.

I was about to head back to my room after dinner, full and satisfied, when she stopped me.
The meal after utterly destroying a shota’s preferences was especially delicious.

Sougo-kun, let’s have a sleepover event later too ♥
Stay the night with all the first-years and let a variety of beautiful girls melt your brain ♥

『Run, Sougo-kun. As far away as you can.』

Wait, they’re after the Angel? For real?
I don’t remember that in the original.

“My, you’re aware of it too?”
“From the way you’re talking, you already knew? As expected of Sorciera.”
“Best not to say that name too loudly here. You never know who might be listening.”

Lately, with so many people around, even nighttime encounters have become common.
Thanks to the night-active groups showing up, I’ve had to go all the way to the edge of another district just to maintain my mysterious beauty persona.

“Still, I’m surprised you knew about the Angel too. Guess that’s what you’d expect from a popular exposé streamer, huh?”

I flashed Clam-chan a mysterious smile.

“Fufu, stop it. I’m not Purification-chan anymore.”

Clam-chan laughed shyly.
So cute~.

“I found out about the Angel’s existence while shutting down Kisou Academy’s illegal labs. The timing of its appearance too. The reason I didn’t participate in the territory battle was to stop the student council president’s scheme. You’re the same, right?”
“Of course.”

『You just lied as easily as breathing.』

Lies are the accessories that make a mysterious beauty shine.

“Then, let’s stop the student council president together—”

I stroked Clam-chan’s hair.
Then, with a faint smile—

“You’ve earned your place in the sun. Leave this to me.”

A move that emphasizes protecting the beauty while reinforcing my role as the shadowy figure.
What do you think, Head Judge?

『Magnificent. 100 points.』

Hell yeah!

“…But I’m a Fectom student now too.”
“Huh?”

Clam-chan grabbed my wrist.
Then, she pinned it against the wall.

????????

『It’s here! Clam×Sorci is here!』

“I won’t get in your way. I can fight too…!”

With her hand against the wall, Clam-chan declared this.
H-her face is so close…!

『Kabedon! 200 points!』

Head Judge!? Seriously!?

『Tch, so you’re the receiving type, Sorciera? Q.E.D.! Don’t underestimate a Demonsgear’s processing power!』

Hah! You’re still an amateur, Starreader’s Staff.
Sorciera’s character isn’t so shallow that a single move decides her role.

Let me show you what a true mysterious beauty is.

“Fufu, how adorable, getting so worked up.”
“Ugh, I’m serious—”

I gently pressed a finger to her lips.

“Did your childhood friend rub off on you?”

With a cool smile, I said this, and Clam-chan finally relaxed, releasing my hand.

Oh dear, what if it leaves a mark?

『Huh? That’s it? This is where it should’ve gotten good!』

If I lost after one move, I wouldn’t be cut out to be a mysterious beauty.

“But, very well. If you insist, I’ll let you help.”
“…R-Really!?”
“Yes, really.”

I patted Clam-chan’s head and smiled.

“I’ll let you know when the time comes. Until then, enjoy this peaceful life.”
“…Okay, got it.”

As Clam-chan nodded in understanding, I said, “Well then,” and prepared to leave.

Now then.
Honestly, the Angel doesn’t matter right now.
What’s more important is—

『What’s more important is!』

The new book and ASMR recordings for the Hinotsuchi Cultural Festival!

『We still haven’t gotten the dummy head mic for the ASMR, so it’s just scriptwriting for now. But if we don’t start now, we’ll regret it later.』

Before Mikage Academy and Kisou Academy’s territory battle, I have my own battle to win.