“What is this reading? Impossible…!”

The Scholar had left the underground theater and headed toward the tourist district.

Behind her trailed numerous students who had already been brainwashed.

They were a bit lacking if considered as combat strength, but more importantly, they held immense value as hostages.

The Scholar’s objectives were twofold.

To retrieve the clone of Hyououdou Rei.

And to gather data from actual combat with an S-Rank.

That’s right.

To the Scholar, this was nothing more than a task.

Having already seized control of the S-Rank, she believed she had no more enemies.

“This magic depth… and the waveform pattern…!”

The moment she saw the values displayed on the window in front of her, the Scholar immediately understood.

“Sorciera… you’re here, aren’t you!? Do you intend to challenge me!?”

An irregularity recognized as S-Rank but not part of the Stellar Plan.

A reaper of unknown origins and motives—an arbiter of the stars.

In other words, the one the Scholar feared most.

(Too soon. A fight with Sorciera now is dangerous…!)

Her strength, built from long-term concealment within Chroma Music Academy, was her intellect and sheer will to survive even if it meant drinking muddy water.

Unlike the Professor, she did not broadcast herself to the world, and unlike Kūna Kanon, she did not foolishly involve herself with Sorciera out of personal feelings.

Everything was for the realization of her ideals.

To create a world where she alone stood at the summit.

The Scholar quickened her pace.

“Data collection against the S-Rank comes second. The priority is retrieving the clone.”

Only someone who had survived this long in the underworld could understand.

This massive surge of magic power.

It was a warning—directed at her.

(It’s possible. Theoretically. She can interfere with the entire space forming this academy.)

The dungeon core forming the academy was protected by strong wards and complex magical formulas.

But even those would be meaningless after witnessing this magical force.

“Where did the leak come from…? No—no, that’s not it. Don’t waste time thinking about it.”

Regaining her composure, the Scholar fitted gloves onto both hands.

The weapon, mechanical and grotesquely shaped, resembled gauntlets with exposed wiring.

The Scholar snapped her fingers.

Instantly, the surrounding temperature plummeted.

At the same time, white frost spread outward from her in all directions.

“Impressive… this power. It’s believable that it can even manipulate weather.”

Behind the satisfied Scholar, several of the brainwashed students collapsed. Without turning around, she glanced at the projected window.

“Thirteen. That’s how many it cost.”

That was the number of students who had paid the price in her place for using the ability.

(Using Seekers as proxy processors… The Conductor comes up with interesting concepts.)

S-Ranks are supreme beings, completed under the meticulous development plans of the Board.

Therefore, when a half-baked Seeker like the Scholar wields their power, a heavy price must be paid.

The solution was a system that united individuals into one massive entity via bracelets.

“The Cloud System… quite the masterpiece.”

Smiling, the Scholar snapped her fingers again.

Elsewhere in Chroma, someone else collapsed.

By paying the cost, the surrounding weather changed, and unseasonal snow began to fall.

“Take the fallen away. They’ll serve as biobatteries for a long time. Treat them with care.”

Following her command, the subordinates began collecting the collapsed Seekers and tourists.

Snow fell continuously, frost blanketed the surroundings.

There was no question—this queen of the frozen world was the Scholar.

“……Fwahaha! So easy! So easy to grasp the summit!”

A thrilling sense of omnipotence surged within her.

After a bout of loud laughter, she narrowed her eyes and exhaled calmly.

She knew that acting while drunk on power was second-rate.

“I’m different. From the Professor, from that washed-up brat of a Doctor.”

Cold enough to sting the skin surrounded her as the Scholar closed her eyes.

And then—

“…So that’s where you are.”

Her lips curled.

As an S-Rank, Hyououdou Rei possessed a technique to locate enemies via temperature shifts.

Now that the entire tourist district of Chroma had become a frozen land, escape from her was impossible.

“Trying to blend in with the scenery? Clever. But still just a child.”

The Scholar stepped forward on the frozen path.

Flowers blooming in asphalt, birds perched on rooftops, cats that had tried to flee—all frozen, all lifeless. Peace itself had turned into a world of death.

Undeniable dominion.

Yet her expression was—

“A challenger… that’s all I am.”

The detection via cold that had targeted Baltius, Ryuuko’s summon, had a secondary purpose.

To track Sorciera’s movements.

Was Sorciera’s target really herself?

And what was that magic power intended for?

To find out, the Scholar had activated her ability—but—

“Not a single fluctuation! Not even a second!”

The magic Sorciera was releasing remained perfectly stable.

It wasn’t fading. In fact, it was still increasing.

“…Forget it. I’m done bothering with her.”

The Scholar grimaced as she walked.

The reason, of course, was the starreading girl.

(I need to revise the plan. Immediately. I’ll bring down that accursed star.)

What floated in her mind wasn’t the next battle—but what lay beyond.

The inevitable showdown with Sorciera.

■

Isn’t that snow falling outside?

Like, mysterious white? A kind of White Christmas Mysterious?

『Hey, is it snowing?』

『Huh? Oh, you’re right.』

Using the magic formula the Starreader’s Staff-chanhad set up to view the outside, I was recording while watching Ryuuko-chan and the others.

They were chatting cheerfully while lining snacks up on Baltius’ back—when suddenly, snow began falling in the scene.

Oh—next line’s mine.

“Your shoulders are trembling. You really like it that much when someone breathes on your ears? …Pervert.”

『This… is Rei-chan’s ability.』

『Still, snow, huh… Hmm…』

『What are you thinking?』

『That this could work as a limited event where you get “[SR] Holy Night’s Blessing Sorciera.”』

『You idiot.』

The air turned a bit serious, but in the end, Starreader’s Staff-chan was just imagining Sorciera being implemented in a gacha game.

Don’t implement her. Also, at that rate, I’d end up a free SR.

『Let’s make the SSR Santa cosplay Zero.』

『Why are you taking the spotlight!?』

『Wanting to understand people—Zero says that, and the thing she becomes curious about is Santa Claus!? As she decides to deliver Christmas presents, Sorciera watches her anxiously. What will become of their Christmas!?』

『You just wrote the whole event story!』

Starreader’s Staff-kun, you’ve clearly been poisoned by gacha games, huh?

This one seems more focused on characters and story than gameplay, though.

『The final event battle will be Miniskirt Santa Sorciera. Though we won’t actually implement it. It’s better if it’s just drawn. What’s drawn? I won’t say, but it’ll be drawn.』

『That’s a disgusting kind of trust.』

Starreader’s Staff-kun never changes.

Personally, I’d rather do a calm and touching story. I’d prefer Swimsuit Sorciera as the event.

Let her show her slender body, and make the players think, “Such a delicate girl is fighting all by herself…!” I want to mess with their brains.

…Ah, recording’s almost done.

“I’ll count you down to sleep. Focus on your right ear. 10, 9, 8—”

“Don’t sleep yet. Let’s make it feel even better before you do. You mustn’t sleep yet.”

Even with my mind full of nonsense, the recording is flawless.

And with that countdown, part 1 is complete.

Part 2 will feature a sadistic Luciera punishing the Seeker who couldn’t fall asleep, and a sweet Luciera praising the one who resisted and endured sleep.

In other words, ear torment and ear healing will begin next—but that’s for another time.

“…………Phew.”

We made eye contact and nodded.

The first recording session was done.

“Great voice, partner. Perfect.”

“Fufu, thank you.”

I smiled coolly.

Just as I stood up—

“H-Huh?”

My body wouldn’t move!?

Actually, my hips gave out… I couldn’t stand up properly…

“What’s wrong, partner!?”

“N-Nothing at all.”

I wobbled to my feet, covering it up with a smile.

“Could it be… you were so focused you didn’t notice… but your ears are sensitive!?”

Don’t use your analytical power for this!

“No way, not possible. I wouldn’t have such a silly weakness—fya!”

Starreader’s Staff-chan blew into the dummy head mic.

Just that made me collapse to the floor.

“W-Wait, stop that—”

“Fuu.”

“Hyah!”

“Fuu.”

“Hiuuh, stop, don’t—no more—crossing the line!”

“…Hmm. You’re right.”

Starreader’s Staff-chan stopped cleanly.

Then helped me up, smiling brightly.

“Good to know your weakness! Don’t forget, ASMR recordings… the power of life and death is in my hands.”

“Hieee…”

Seeing him wrap his arm around my shoulder and say that, I let out a scream.

This is bad—I just gave him an excuse to torment my weakness…

This means… Sorciera can no longer be shown in all-ages content!

“Look forward to it.”

“…!”

I trembled at the incoming X-Day.

Getting my ears tormented by Starreader’s Staff-chan…

“…But thinking about it, maybe it’s not so bad. No direct stuff, just watching a beautiful girl squirm… okay, I’ll record Starreader’s Staff-chan too. From a voyeur-style camera angle.”

“Are you invincible or something?”

Girls taking the lead in attack is prime content!

“If it makes good content, I’ll offer myself up. I’ll stake my life for honor… that’s what it means to be a samurai.”

“Yeah, probably not.”

Yup—people who don’t get Bushido are hopeless.