“How disgusting your persistence is. You’re right though, stalker.”

The girl in front of me sighed in exasperation. The true nature hidden behind the polite mask of the boy, Narou Kei, was revealed. This was the irregularity in this city: S-rank, off-the-charts—Sorciera.

“It seems Narou Kei skillfully took advantage of the assumption that he’s male, but that doesn’t work on me. Even your school registration must be fake, right?”

“You sure know a lot,” Sorciera said dismissively, her words contradicting her apparent disinterest, as if this had all been within her expectations.

(At last, I’ve uncovered the truth. I won’t let you escape now…!)

For Kirara Clam, this was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Her opponent was the much-talked-about S-rank in the academy city and an enemy of the Demonsgear project. If she could recruit Sorciera, it would be a tremendous boost.

“So, what do you want from me? Make it quick.”

With a look of annoyance as if swatting away a bothersome insect, Sorciera asked. Unfazed, Clam responded.

“Alright, I’ll get straight to the point. Help me destroy Kisou Academy.”

“No.”

A short answer that perfectly reflected her feelings. But Clam wasn’t one to give up so easily.

“You must know about Kisou Academy’s illegal experiments. Demonsgear is one of them, isn’t it?”

“Yes.”

“Kisou Academy recently acquired a new Demonsgear using Rokuhara. It came from the Fectom experimental facility.”

At Clam’s words, Sorciera nodded.

“This means Kisou Academy now possesses two Demonsgear.”

“Exactly. If they find a second suitable user, Kisou Academy will start a war against the other schools. We have to stop them before that happens.”

A brief silence followed. Sorciera remained quiet, seemingly contemplating as she stared at Clam, then exhaled slowly.

“I won’t make a move just yet.”

“Why not? You know how terrifying Demonsgear is!”

Clam couldn’t understand. She knew Sorciera was aware of the danger Demonsgear posed. There was no way they could allow a blemish like Kisou Academy to possess two of them.

From Clam’s perspective, there should be no reason for Sorciera to refuse.

“It’s not time yet.”

“Sorciera, what do you know?”

“Everything you don’t. And about the catastrophe that’s yet to come.”

Sorciera’s gaze shifted toward the sky. Clam couldn’t comprehend why Sorciera would say such things, and thus had no grounds to argue.

“It’s not time yet. Everything depends on the alignment of the stars. When the time comes, you’ll understand.”

“And I’m supposed to be satisfied with that?”

“You don’t have to be. But understand this: if you act now, you won’t win against them.”

Without meeting her gaze, Sorciera declared. Even so, Clam pressed on.

“But if you’re with us…”

For the first time, Sorciera displayed a clear emotion. Her eyes showed disappointment, like she was distancing herself from Clam.

“Do you really think that’s the only threat? You’re too focused on what’s in front of you and can’t see the bigger picture.”

(Does she know everything about me!? Where did she get this information from…?)

Sorciera’s words indirectly pointed to Clam’s true motives—the real goal hidden behind the pretense of defeating the evil of Kisou Academy. Her true ambition had been exposed.

(Everything I said was so shallow. That’s why Sorciera…)

Sorciera knew that Clam’s supposed mission to protect the academy city was a mere facade.

How did Clam’s words sound to her, then?

“…”

Frustration, embarrassment at her pretense being stripped away, and a directionless anger mixed within Clam, who clenched her fists unconsciously.

Seeing this, Sorciera sighed as if it couldn’t be helped.

“When the time comes, I’ll call on you too. Will that suffice?”

“…Are you serious?”

Clam was relieved. She knew Sorciera had seen through her, but still chose to go along with the conversation. At the same time, Clam understood that her addition to Sorciera’s plans would not disrupt them.

“Yes. It’s not like the fall of Kisou Academy is a distant future event.”

“Don’t tell me, you already have a plan to destroy Kisou Academy?!”

“That’s right.”

As if it were the most natural thing in the world, Sorciera nodded.

“They’re trying to use Demonsgear for purposes beyond its original intent. Demonsgear was created for humanity’s survival. Only when a weapon is used correctly does its true value emerge.”

“How much do you know about Demonsgear…?”

Clam asked, meeting Sorciera’s gaze once more.

“Everything.”

“…”

Her eyes were colder and clearer than before, sharp as if an icy blade was pressed against her neck, suffocating like being submerged underwater.

Just making eye contact sent shivers down her spine.

“Demonsgear was originally created to counter a single phenomenon—a man-made myth brought to life. The first hope humanity created.”

Sorciera’s words flowed smoothly, without hesitation, as if she knew everything in this world.

“That’s why we’ve been monitoring Demonsgear all this time.”

“We?”

“Yes, we.”

Sorciera paused for a moment, then shook her head slightly.

“…No, let’s leave it at that. You just want to destroy Kisou Academy, right?”

Sorciera gently brushed Clam’s hair.

Despite the cold and frightening atmosphere, her touch was strangely gentle and full of compassion.

Then, Sorciera smiled—a soft smile that Clam never could have imagined from her.

“There’s no need to peer any further into the abyss.”

“Sorciera… What are you, or rather, what are you all planning?”

Sorciera stepped back from Clam.

In that moment, the amount of magical energy in the surroundings skyrocketed.

(What is this!?)

Clam could sense Sorciera’s magic surging.

Normally, a seeker wouldn’t release their magic externally. Thus, the act of releasing magic into the surroundings held significant meaning historically.

It was a display of one’s power.

The absolute strength indicated by the amount of magical energy spoke louder than words.

For Sorciera, this was her way of revealing her strength to Clam.

(She’s controlling this massive amount of magic perfectly…!? This is far beyond the student council president. It’s something much stronger and more terrifying!)

What was the abyss? Clam finally understood.

Sorciera herself was the abyss and the darkness of the academy city.

“Our goal has always been the same—humanity’s salvation.”

Sorciera declared, almost as if singing a hymn.

Her hair, which had been short moments ago, transformed into long, wavy locks of beautiful blue-silver.

“That form…”

Clam gasped. The sight was both beautiful and terrifying.

(Has she forcefully altered her body using magic? It’s theoretically possible, but to do it without even flinching… Such masterful control over magic. No wonder no one noticed.)

In Clam’s mind, Sorciera had now transcended the level of an S-rank seeker. She was no longer just a powerful ally; she was a terrifying entity that must never be angered.

“What are you so surprised about?”

Clam found herself speechless, unable to respond properly.

The overwhelming release of magical energy, combined with Sorciera’s flawless control over it, made Clam realize how insignificant she was in comparison.

(I thought I could speak to her on equal terms. But I was wrong.)

“…Hah.”

A sigh, full of disappointment.

What was Sorciera disappointed in?

No, why had Sorciera even spoken with her?

(Normally, if your identity is exposed, you’d eliminate the threat. She could’ve killed me at any time.)

Yet she hadn’t. Why?

Could it be because Clam, even after uncovering her true identity, was insignificant in her eyes?

Then why?

Why had Sorciera spoken of Demonsgear? Why had she hinted at the powerful organization behind her? Why did she still seem to be waiting for something?

(She’s seen through everything. Despite that, she still told me all this. There’s no point in pretending anymore.)

If this wasn’t just arrogance on her part, and if this wasn’t a misunderstanding…

Then Sorciera must have seen something in the girl named Kirara Clam.

Clam had nothing to boast about to others. But she certainly possessed a dim, burning determination that drove her forward.

“I…”

All that was left was to speak that resolve aloud.

“Even so, it doesn’t matter. Even if it’s the abyss, if I can destroy Kisou Academy… No, if I can achieve my revenge, that’s enough.”

Justice was a lie. Everything was for the sake of revenge.

Clam was here for one girl and one girl alone.

“I see. You seem somewhat promising.”

Their eyes met. This time, it wasn’t one-sided.

For that brief moment, Clam understood that they were equals. And she understood what that meant.

Soon, a new contact was added to Clam’s Divegear.

“…What is this?”

“I’ll inform you when the time comes.”

Sorciera said no more.

Before long, a somewhat timid voice broke the silence. When Clam looked to her side, Sorciera’s hair had returned to its short length, and she once again appeared as the usual Narou Kei.

This boy who had tricked everyone.

“So, what will you do?”

(We’re already part of the same plot. Is there even a choice now?)

As she pondered this, she turned to Sorciera with a serious look.

“For now, I’ll return to Kisou Academy.”

It was the start of something far greater than just revenge.