I’ve been found out.

Hey, I’ve been found out!

『Calm down.』

Do you think I can calm down!?

Narou Kei said it clearly!

In front of me, who was enjoying my mysterious beauty time, was definitely Kūna Kanon-chan.

And she was already in a state where she could summon butterflies and fight.

Why do the butterflies have such a terrifying name like “Must Die”?

Why are there so many of them flying around?

“Well, I never thought you’d figure this out. The security was completely useless. As expected of a Starreader, huh?”

Hey, when?

When did you find out?

“I didn’t download any knowledge about the Starreader’s Staff from the academy, so I don’t know much about you. In other words, you’re an unknown.”

The butterflies spread out all around.

I couldn’t quite tell what they were, but I definitely understood that this was bad.

“…I’m not interested in you, though.”

“Don’t be so cold. Oh, is this better?”

At that moment, Kanon-chan’s beauty aura disappeared.

“…!”

“Yep, you can still see it. So, just as Zero One said at the academy, you’re the same kind of existence. Troublesome, huh?”

Once again, Kanon-chan’s beauty aura returned.

What’s going on…? Seriously.

“Hey hey, after ‘Salvation’ and ‘Inquiry,’ what are you trying to show people?”

“…Why don’t you try guessing with that proud brain of yours?”

Stop talking about me like you know me!

Starreader’s Staff, help me out!

『I have no idea either.』

So, we’re clueless?

『Yep.』

This is the worst situation.

“Really? Is that your true self? Not cute at all… No, maybe it’s fun to mess with a brat like you. The honest you during the day is nice, but taming a cheeky kitten like this sounds fun too.”

This girl… her beauty aura keeps appearing and disappearing.

This way, I can’t attack…

『Pathetic. Well, let’s prepare a transfer. I’ll build it slowly so she doesn’t notice. Buy me some time.』

Thanks, Starreader’s Staff.

I’ll try to gather as much information as I can in the meantime.

『You’re going for an all-knowing move with Sorciera, but you think you can gather information?』

I can!

“Such a human-like statement, advancing a pointless plan. As expected, the Mystic Eye isn’t suited for you.”

“Yeah. That’s why I already used it. Or rather, you’re being quite mean. You already know, don’t you?”

“…Yes, of course. I’ve seen it quite well.”

This is bad… I don’t understand anything.

Is the Mystic Eye something you use?

Not equipment, but a consumable item…?

『Hmm, so she doesn’t have the Mystic Eye. The research notes say the Mystic Eye is a being that feeds on information. And those faded letters. Either something equivalent to the Mystic Eye or the name of someone who used it. Either way, we’ll need to meet the Doctor and confirm what the Mystic Eye is.』

You’re really thinking this through. Good job.

『That’s your role. You’re Sorciera, so get it together. You only get smart when it comes to beauties.』

There’s no other time to get smart.

But I do know a bit about the Doctor!

The Doctor is one of the executives of Silver Twilight and a colleague of the Professor.

In the main story, they’re more of a behind-the-scenes type, creating all sorts of troublesome weapons.

As far as I know, they weren’t defeated in the original. And their appearance hasn’t been revealed yet.

Well, it’s not like it’s that Doctor!

I mean, I don’t know anything about the Doctor being at Zilnius Academy!

It’s probably just a regular doctor, haha.

『You’re being optimistic again…』

Anyway, we just need to meet the Doctor!

Even an idiot can move with just that direction!

Alright, I’ll get it out of her!

“Sigh… I want to talk to the Doctor, not you. I don’t have time for pointless chatter.”

“Haha, no way. I’m the Doctor. You know Silver Twilight well, don’t you?”

With that, Kanon-chan laughed.

Her deliberate use of “Doctor” and the final blow of “Silver Twilight” made it clear who she was.

Starreader’s Staff, this person is the Doctor.

This is bad, right now.

『Then I’d like you to gather some information.』

I just tried, but it’s impossible.

Don’t ask for the impossible.

『You’re completely useless right now.』

Shut up.

“…Oh, you’re talking about Zero. That one doesn’t have a physical form right now. If you connect to the academy, things might change.”

Kanon-chan looked at my silent self and nodded, satisfied.

Ah, so there’s someone named Zero.

I’m getting overwhelmed by all this unknown information.

“Then hurry up. I don’t like waiting.”

I summoned my scythe and pointed it at Kanon-chan.

But she just kept smiling eerily, even with the scythe in front of her.

In fact, Kanon-chan took a step forward.

“Hey, is Miyume-chan your friend?”

“…What answer would satisfy you?”

I dodged with a vague response.

I’m getting really good at this.

“You should just say she’s your friend, geez… Hey hey, how about teaming up with me?”

Kanon-chan said it in the same light tone as when she invited me for a midnight snack.

No malice, no hesitation.

It really felt like just a casual conversation.

I looked at the butterflies flying around and said,

“For someone proposing a team-up, that’s quite the greeting.”

“I have no intention of returning Divided Death Must Die. This is insurance. I’ve already obtained information that you killed the Professor. If he’s dead, I need to be careful too.”

Kanon-chan surrounded the area with more butterflies, defying my words. Why…?

H-Hey, Starreader’s Staff, is the transfer still not ready?

『Wait. I’m doing it slowly so she doesn’t notice. Just buy a little more time.』

If we can just transfer, we’ll be fine.

I smirked and looked at Kanon-chan.

“Such a coward… Fine, go ahead.”

At my words, Kanon-chan nodded contentedly and spoke.

“Let’s take down Nameless together. Kill that irregular.”

I stayed silent, waiting for Kanon-chan to continue.

Perhaps sensing my attitude, Kanon-chan added,

“From your actions, it’s clear you’re related to Demonsgear. In fact, you didn’t seem interested in the Mystic Eye until Nameless appeared.”

Kanon-chan then added, “But.”

“Nameless is different. They’ve clearly interfered with the Mystic Eye. Despite all the research at the academy, they’re only interested in the Mystic Eye. On top of that, they apparently use the same magic formula as you. Someone with equal power and unknown motives… I hate creepy kids like that.”

She seems even more interested in Nameless than I am.

I see, so she’s been thinking of me as a means to kill Nameless from the start.

“How about it? I don’t think it’s a bad deal for you either.”

With her usual bright smile, Kanon-chan spoke.

Her expression was almost convincing, but this was a proposal to kill.

“I refuse.”

“…You’re really hard to read.”

I can’t kill a beauty.

Nameless is definitely a mysterious beauty, and clearly more mysterious than me, but still a beauty.

There must be a beautiful reason for her actions.

So, I can’t kill her.

Besides, I can’t let Kanon-chan become a murderer. Those hands should stay clean to pat Miyume-chan.

“Killing is… barbaric. Typical of Silver Twilight.”

“Haha… Did I make you hate me? But are you sure? You don’t know Nameless’s true identity, do you? If you team up with me, the chances of finding out are higher.”

That might be true, but it’s impossible.

And if she’s really a mysterious beauty, we’ll meet again.

When that happens, I’ll just have to surpass her.

“Fufu, don’t lump me in with you.”

I laughed, fully implying that I knew Nameless’s identity.

Kanon-chan seemed completely fooled by the act.

A mysterious beauty must know all the characters!

“Heh… You’re really interesting.”

The sharp atmosphere from before dissipated.

Kanon-chan stretched and laughed.

“Alright, so no team-up. And… can you just watch my experiment? It’s almost done.”

I don’t know about any experiment.

Where are you doing it? Here?

And what even is the Mystic Eye?

Well, I’ll just give a vague response.

In these situations, it’s best to give a fluffy answer that leaves interpretation to the other party.

“Why don’t you think about how I’d answer with that smart brain of yours?”

At my words, Kanon-chan smiled faintly.

“…You’re not honest. Alright, let’s play a little.”

“Fufu, are you asking me to dance?”

This is bad, Starreader’s Staff.

It’s turning into a fight.

『Didn’t you provoke her earlier?』

Why would I provoke her in such a ridiculously disadvantageous situation?

I was just aligning myself with the mysterious beauty.

『That’s probably why.』

“Alright, here I go!”

“Do your best to entertain me.”

I deliberately posed with my scythe and smiled coolly.

And then, I charged.