“Oh, wow…! This is amazing…! The knowledge… it’s growing…! So much fresh data on Sorciera…! Ehehehehehe!”

In the back of the student council room, in a relatively clean area, we were treated to some drinks.

Well, canned juice, to be exact.

Also, the chairs we were sitting on weren’t really chairs but stacks of paper bundled together.

…Is it impossible to get into Zilnius Academy without abandoning humanity?

“Miyume, you did a great job! With this, we can make that field-obsessed fool eat their words! Ehehehe. Ah, the information is seeping into my brain!”

This person might be a bit dangerous.

“I’m glad I could help, Luka-san! But about that… I lent ‘Nakayoshi! Dungeon-kun No. 6’ to the Fectom Integrated Academy.”

“…Huh?”

Luka-chan’s smile instantly vanished.

“I distinctly told you not to let it leave the premises.”

“…Yes.”

Ah, so it really was some kind of dangerous material.

Makes sense. If even I could tell, there’s no way the people at Zilnius Academy wouldn’t notice.

Miyume-chan quickly handed a memory card to the now-scolding Luka-chan.

“And this is?”

Miyume-chan, looking determined, answered.

“Detailed data on Demonsgear’s Shieru, who belongs to Fectom Academy.”

“…Miyume.”

“Yes.”

Hearing her name called, Miyume straightened her back. Luka-chan thought for a moment before loudly declaring:

“I’ll let it slide this time!”

“Thank you!”

Miyume-chan bowed deeply. Watching this, I whispered to Toa-chan.

“Did you get permission for Nana-chan’s data?”

“Yup. Miroku-chan wants to create a contract device. She’s also hoping to use this as a chance to collaborate with Zilnius Academy.”

Well, it’s good if we can maintain a good relationship with the Four Major Schools, but we need to be cautious about sharing too much information.

If the worst happens, Sorciera can just cause some chaos to even things out. Better stay vigilant!

“Miyume, you’ve done outstanding work this time. From what I’ve heard, it seems there’s a figure called Nameless who shares similarities with Sorciera.”

Luka-chan’s lips curled into a grin, and she laughed in delight.

“The knowledge… it fills me even more…! Ah, this feels amazing.”

“I’m glad you’re happy!”

…Hmm.

‘What’s wrong?’

Well, Luka-chan is different from how I imagined her. Or rather, she’s not the Utsumi Luka I knew. She’s way more lively and cheerful.

The Utsumi Luka I remembered was quiet, downbeat, and pessimistic. She would always counter the student council president’s suggestions with sarcastic negativity.

Seeing them in person really drives home how some characters differ from the original story.

I liked that version too, but this one’s great in its own way.

“And about the knowledge that was installed into you… Why was it you, specifically? Just in case, let’s check your body as well. Luckily, we still have some open beds.”

“That’s rare! Luka-san’s beds are usually always full.”

Seeing our puzzled expressions, Miyume-chan confidently explained:

“Luka-san is incredible! She’s a cutting-edge healer researching magic-based medical techniques! Her methods are highly effective, and she even gets requests from other schools!”

“They heal injuries and illnesses while I test new magic techniques. It’s a win-win situation. Recently, we even treated a girl from Kiso Academy who was so emaciated it was a miracle she was alive… Oh, that was thrilling.”

Luka-chan said, looking utterly enchanted.

“We’ll do the examination today, so please stay on the main campus.”

“Understood!”

Miyume-chan nodded obediently.

Well, now that Miyume-chan’s story and the mystery of Nameless are settled, maybe it’s time to leave.

I’m the odd one out among these beauties, after all.

Just as I decided to leave—

“—Is it true? I heard Miyume-chan is back!”

Knocking over papers and equipment, a new beauty burst into the room.

Who is this stunning girl…!? She’s not in my data!

‘As always.’

The new girl had long, fluffy, light brown hair. She looked like an older version of Miyume-chan.

Are the beauties of Zilnius Academy gathering here? Is this some kind of jackpot event?

“Oh, sis.”

Sis!?

“Miyume-chan, you have an older sister!?”

“You even have a little sister attribute! My utmost respect!”

“Geez! I was so worried about you! Do you know how much I searched when I heard Miyume-chan hadn’t come home?”

“You’re worrying too much! Please don’t do this in front of everyone. It’s embarrassing!”

Miyume-chan, blushing, was being embraced tightly by her older sister.

Look, Starreader’s Staff-kun.
That is sisterly yuri.
An innate attribute that separates the haves from the have-nots.

『Oh…! Fascinating…!』

That’s not something effort can achieve.
We, as the defeated, can only gaze upon it.

Come now, let’s silently press our hands together in reverence.
How glorious.

“Oh, are these the people who brought you here?”

“Yes, this is Toa-chan and Kei from Fectom Academy.”

“I see, I see. Thank you! I’m Kūna Kanon, this kid’s older sister, and also the classmate of that sleep-deprived girl over there!”

“Ugh… Don’t cling to me, please… Ah! Stop shaking me, I can’t read the text!”

Luka-chan finally shouted after Kanon-chan shook her shoulders.

So this is the Yuri Garden of Zilnius Academy.
This has its own… appeal!

“And why didn’t you come home, Miyume-chan? Were you running away?”

Those words caused the atmosphere to turn slightly heavy.
It would be cruel to make Miyume-chan explain.

“I’ll explain—”

I recounted how I met Miyume-chan and our encounter with Nameless.

Kanon-chan, though silent, wore her emotions on her face. By the end, she was visibly angry.

“So, there’s someone out there who did unnecessary things to Miyume-chan, huh? Knowledge installation… Really, I wish they’d stop.”

“And the students who expelled her from the party. Despite me and Kanon being around, how audacious—or should I say foolish—they must be.”

“Oh, that’s fine.”

Kanon-chan’s expression shifted abruptly as she spoke.

“Because, if they’re the type to do something like that to Miyume-chan, they wouldn’t survive at Zilnius Academy.”

In other words, she was implying they were insignificant and not worth our attention.
Her real anger seemed to be directed at Nameless.

“So Luka-chan’s going to run tests, huh? Then you can’t help us with the incident?”

“Incident? What’s that?”

Kanon-chan’s delight at Miyume-chan’s interest was evident as she smirked.

“At Zilnius Academy, there’s a rumor about a ghost. They say anyone who sees the ghost becomes one themselves. It’s terrifying!”

“Isn’t it just another case of some monster escaping from a lab?”

“Or maybe someone tried to add weird new features to Dive Gear. A month ago, wasn’t there that ‘Rainbow-Glowing Human’ incident? It turned out to be a failed attempt to modify Dive Gear for nocturnal activity.”

“You two have no sense of wonder!”

Kanon-chan looked genuinely shocked, but quickly recovered and turned toward us.

I feel like I’ve been targeted.

“Hey, hey, aren’t you curious? Let’s solve Zilnius Academy’s mysteries together!”

“You’re planning to lock yourself in the lab while using these kids as your legs, aren’t you? It’s obvious.”

To serve as the legs of a beautiful girl!?
I’d gladly dedicate myself!

“Ahaha, busted? So, how about it? It’s a rare chance to work with the great Kanon of Zilnius Academy! Not to brag, but my Dive Gear projects are fully booked for the next year!”

“Oh, but I’m handling the Dive Gear for Fectom Academy, so please don’t interfere!”

“Oh, really? Hmm, then is there anything else you want? I could make it for you.”

What?
Seriously? Did I just stumble into a TS Machine scenario!?

Oh wow, the winds of fortune are blowing strong! Let’s come up with an excuse to have her make one!

“That wou—”
“Right now, we don’t need anything,” Toa-chan cut me off.

Toa-chan, you’re too modest…

“Besides, we’ll help out even without a favor owed.”

“Huh?”

I looked at Toa-chan.
Her face was full of determination.

“There’s a chance this ghost incident might lead to clues about Nameless, right? We should gather as much information as we can. …Besides,” she whispered softly in my ear.

A beautiful girl’s whisper voice!!!!!!

“If we help now, maybe Miroku-chan will owe us a favor later.”

So kind, so clever!
A billion beautiful girl points awarded!

『Don’t you think it’s presumptuous to give points to a beautiful girl?』

The points system is abolished!!!!!

Still… this ghost incident…

『You’re interested, aren’t you?』

Yeah.
Considering Miyume-chan’s expulsion, the timing is too convenient.

A request from a close relative.
An overly theatrical older sister.
If this were meta-reasoning, it would be the first story of a spin-off.

That makes Nameless seem unlikely to be a spin-off character.
The whole situation with Miyume-chan and the ghost incident feels overly tangled.

Knowing about Sorciera, using the same magic—there’s too much noise in the setup for it to be a spin-off.
To put it simply, Nameless feels out of place as a character.

Which means diving into the ghost incident probably won’t yield information about Nameless.
Staying close to Miyume-chan seems more promising.

As I pondered this, I noticed the shadow looming in front of me.

“Huh?”

It was Kanon-chan with her arms wide open.

“Alright, I’m counting on you, my new assistants!”

Spreading her arms, Kanon-chan pulled Toa-chan and me into a hug.

Ah—this is bad!
Her large chest makes this even worse!

『Rejected! Death penalty!』

I haven’t said anything yet!?