Eating and sleeping right away makes you gain weight.

As a mysterious beautiful girl, gaining weight is not an option. That’s why it’s only natural for me to go for a nighttime stroll.

After solving the ghost commotion, we were treated to a meal by Kanon-chan, and then went to sleep in the rooms she prepared for us.

Of course, Toa-chan and I had separate rooms.

If I were truly a mysterious beautiful girl, I’d lift Toa-chan’s chin under the moonlight shining through the window, but unfortunately, this body still carries its sins.

Toa-chan seemed to fall asleep quickly, and Kanon-chan locked herself in the lab, saying she had a report to write.

In other words, I now had completely free time.

“The time has come…”

I was now at the highest point of the Zilnius Academy’s second school building. My silver hair swayed in the wind, and my black outfit complemented it.

That’s right, right now, I am Sorciera.

This might be the first time I’ve properly embraced my mysterious beautiful girl persona on another school’s grounds without interruptions or breaking in as Sorciera.

Usually, something always gets in the way, or I’m too busy storming in as Sorciera to fully enjoy myself.

But tonight, I’ll indulge to my heart’s content.

『A super mysterious beautiful girl is highly detectable. Let’s stick to being an ordinary mysterious beautiful girl this time.』

Leave it to me. It’s been a while since my cross-dressing skills were put to the test.

I flicked my hair dramatically and gazed down at Zilnius Academy.

“So, they’ve finally made their move…”

So cool…! I’m doing the mysterious beautiful girl thing!

This enigmatic vibe—this is what a mysterious beautiful girl should be!

I can’t lose to that Nameless character, a fellow mysterious type!

『What’s the plan for today?』

Heh, today, since I’m in such a prime location, I’ll play the mysterious beautiful girl snooping on a secret experiment. I’ll glance at some random documents and say something like, “I knew it, so that’s how it is!”

『Ah, so it’s outright illegal trespassing.』

A mysterious beautiful girl entering a room with permission would be unnatural, don’t you think?

At midnight, Sorciera gazes at a large water tank in a laboratory, documents in hand.
The beauty of someone infiltrating solo and uncovering secrets as a shadowy figure—it’s perfect!

Let’s go!

I deliberately fell backward and gracefully flipped in midair, landing silently. It was a little scary…

『Looks like you’ve landed in a courtyard. There’s still a level below—what now?』

I wasn’t sure where I’d landed, but it appeared to be a courtyard on the third floor of the school building. The well-maintained lawn and benches made it a haven for beautiful girls during the day, but right now, it was just me.

I traced the edge of a bench with my fingertip before sitting down.

…Hmm, no, a mysterious beautiful girl wouldn’t sit here.

An old, rustic Western-style chair would suit me better.

『Since your outfit isn’t futuristic, it might clash here. But that’s exactly what makes Sorciera’s presence stand out more.』

You get it.

Anyway, let’s head inside already. Okay, Starreader’s Staff, unlock the door.

『I’m sorry, I couldn’t quite catch that.』

There’s no such thing as “catching” or “not catching” something in my head.

I placed my hand on the door leading from the courtyard to the school building. Within a second, the lock disengaged, and the door opened.

I should stay alert in case I encounter anyone acting like that crazy club I ran into the other night.

『The heart of a ninja, huh?』

This being the second school building, not the main one, was a measure to minimize the risk of being discovered. If Toa-chan or Kanon-chan caught me having mysterious beautiful girl time at the main school building, it would defeat the purpose.

Also, Luka-chan… If that girl found me, I don’t think I could escape.

“…!”

I spotted a lit classroom and quickly hid myself.

The students of Zilnius Academy are known for pulling all-nighters, so it wasn’t surprising to find people in the school even at this hour.

I can’t sprinkle meaningful words around if people are nearby, so this place is a no-go. I need to find a darker, more deserted area.

Alright, Starreader’s Staff, let’s keep moving!

『Full steam ahead!』

I walked gracefully, exuding cool elegance.

I tucked away my scythe and wandered by the windows, appearing fragile and ethereal.

If anyone sees me like this, I want their heart to be stolen.

If it’s a beautiful girl, I’ll steer things toward mysterious beautiful girl supremacy and yuri. If it’s not, I’ll warp their preferences.

Right now, I’m a destroyer of adolescent fantasies for boys and girls alike.

Anyone who approaches—be they a mob character or main character—will be warped!

『Mob female student × Sorciera—please make it happen.』

Why would I lose to a mob student? And for the record, I don’t draw doujinshi.

『……Hmm, how about trying to draw something? Your fans are starving because there’s no official Sorciera content. Isn’t it your duty to give them something?』

That’s a valid point.

Doing it under the name Sorciera would be idiotic, so maybe I could anonymously create something related to Sorciera.

『By the way, how good are your drawing skills?』

If it’s a beautiful girl, I can draw her well.
Anything else is a no-go.

『Hmm, then I’ll draw everything else. It’s a good thing we live in an age where digital tools are the norm.』

With Starreader’s Staff by my side, my Sorciera book might become a reality.
In that case, maybe the Hinotsuchi Cultural Festival would be a good opportunity.
It might even boost sales at Fectom Comprehensive Academy.

I also want to create something else.

『I have a suggestion.』

Let’s hear it, comrade.

『Miyume mentioned that she can make a dummy head microphone. A high-performance one, at that. How about we create a Sorciera ASMR with it?』

ASMR… So that’s an option too…!

『Of course, it will be themed as if imitating Sorciera’s vibe. The title could be something like A Mysterious Girl Gently Teasing Your Ears ASMR. Let’s aim for a slightly knock-off vibe.』

That’s oddly specific.
…You’ve been browsing the internet without permission again, haven’t you?

『You get points if you leave a review after purchase, you know.』

Don’t buy stuff! That’s my money, isn’t it?!
Wait, does that mean I technically bought an ASMR?
If someone finds out, that’s so embarrassing.

『What’s there to be embarrassed about? You haven’t bought any R-18 content yet, so hold your head high. Besides, if someone finds out, it might even lead to a development where the girls from Fectom Comprehensive Academy get involved, right?』

This kid’s a lost cause. Listening to too much nonsense has made her spout absurd ideas.

Listen, Starreader’s Staff.
That sort of thing rarely happens in real life.

And even if it did, I’d just end up guilty.

『I’d gladly bear that guilt.』

Your resolve is impressive.
Well, I guess it’s worth bearing such guilt.

『So, ASMR and the Sorciera book, huh? We could sell the ASMR online first to build recognition, then release a book linked to the ASMR’s content at the Hinotsuchi Cultural Festival.』

That’s surprisingly practical…

『Let’s shelve Mob Girl x Sorciera for now. First, we’ll focus on meeting your fans’ demand with Sorciera-centric content. Then we’ll gradually twist things, bit by bit.』

I’ll never forgive you for that.

As Sorciera, I’ll act mysteriously and coolly.
I don’t want to be lumped in with heroines who turn soft the moment they join the group.

Look at me right now.
Walking alone in the dark, melancholic and brooding.
Mysterious and cool, right?

“…So, that plan…”

I murmur meaningfully, placing my hand on a random door.
Hmm, it’s locked.

Starreader’s Staff!

『Leave it to me.』

For Starreader’s Staff, an electronic lock is meaningless.
If it’s a physical lock, I’d just break it myself.
In other words, nothing can remain hidden from us.

“…This place…”

I step inside and mutter.
Before me stands a massive tank filled with a green liquid.

It’s probably some student’s research project, but seeing it at night gives off a wonderfully sinister vibe.

Alright, let’s murmur something appropriately while looking at this!

“This must be forbidden… Humans are truly foolish creatures.”

I pick up a file carelessly tossed onto the table by the wall and open it.

Just holding it looks cool.
By the way, what kind of research is this?

I flip through what seems to be research material filed inside.

[Relic Number: ××××]

Special Containment Protocols: The unique containment of the Mystic Eye and ■■■■■ is unnecessary. However, the information consumed and the media it is stored on must be managed by the professor. Additionally, active experiments using the Mystic Eye are prohibited by the professor.

“The Mystic Eye… So that’s what this is about.”

『Oh? Do you know something?』

Not really.
I just thought it sounded cool.

Still, a Mystic Eye, huh…
I want one.

Hey, Starreader’s Staff, don’t you have functions like that?

『If it’s just making your eyes glow, I can do that. I can also display tiny magic circles in them.』

That’s pretty Mystic Eye-like!
Wow, can I claim to have a Mystic Eye starting now?

Mystic-eyed mysterious girls are so cool.

『The one-eyed variety is the best.』

You get it.

A mysterious girl must always stay a step ahead of her opponent. She needs to have plenty of intimidating elements.

Can you activate that Mystic Eye thing right now?

『Of course. The magic formula gathers ambient mana to emit light, so it doesn’t even consume magic power. It’s quite efficient.』

Then make it happen while I strike a cool pose.

『Leave it to me.』

I snap the file shut with one hand and exhale.
As if to say the research is worthless, I walk toward the tank and gently place my hand on the glass.

『I’m working on activating it now.』

Thanks. But I can’t really feel it.
I can’t even see it myself.

“A Mystic Eye is far too much for humanity to handle… Don’t you think so, too?”

Alright, time for a dramatic hair flip while glancing back over my shoulder!
This is how someone who understands forbidden Mystic Eyes moves.

“Haha, so you noticed after all.”
“…!?!”

A voice echoes from the darkness.
Being a mysterious girl, I didn’t scream. Good job, me.

Wait, a ghost?
Is this seriously a ghost?!

Starreader’s Staff, can we deal with ghosts using converged cannon fire?

『If we blast the entire area, it might work.』

Don’t be so vague!

“Still, I’m surprised. I didn’t expect there to be two Mystic Eyes.”

The darkness before me begins to writhe.
It flutters and dances, turning into a swarm of jet-black butterflies.

“Good evening, Sorciera… Or should I say…”

From the center of the butterflies, a girl emerges.

“…would it be better to call you Narou Kei?”

I recognized her immediately.

The elder sister of Kūna Mirume and a self-proclaimed genius—Kūna Kanon.

Even though she shouldn’t be here, she was smiling at me.

What?! Why?!