If the brilliance one must protect were to turn against them, what should they do?

I still don’t have an answer to that question.

—!

“Nice, so passionate. Look at me more.”

Instead of a scythe, I swung a dagger in the form of Narou Kei.

The swift strike, powered by exceptional dynamic vision and physical ability, sliced through empty air without even grazing the target.

“Use it—the Starreader’s Staff.”

“…I hate giving in to you, but…”

“But you can’t win like that, can you? It’s fine. Right now, even if you become Sorciera, Luka won’t notice. Go ahead, unleash your power.”

No matter where I go, this person is insufferable.

They know everything about me and still act nonchalantly.

No matter what I do, they remain completely unbothered.

But above all, the thing I can’t forgive is that they said they’d kill Kanon-chan.

Unforgivable, right!?

『Partner, you’re doing it, aren’t you?』

Responding to my rage, a magic circle unfurled.

A violet formation expanded around my limbs, transforming what was once a uniform into a jet-black dress.

“Starlight awakens here.”

Starreader—Second Form.

With heightened magical power and amplified interference ability, magic circles spread around Nameless.

From them, countless silver chains were launched.

“Hmm, nice.”

Nameless dodged with a light, effortless movement, then leaped into the air.

At the same time, they deployed a magic circle.

“I’ll shoot you down.”

“Haha, try it.”

Black and silver blasts collided.

Unless you were someone like Rokuhara, you wouldn’t stand a chance against these attacks. Yet, as expected, Nameless neutralized them with ease.

But of course, that was all part of the plan.

“—Heh, your back is wide open.”

The moment the blasts struck, I teleported behind them for a surprise attack.

I hurled my dagger forcefully while activating the surrounding simplified artillery circles, unleashing a barrage all at once.

“Haha, impressive. Yeah.”

Nameless abandoned the option of dodging and put up a barrier, blocking both the barrage and the dagger.

But by then, I had already finished preparing my real attack—a concentrated blast.

Before the smoke could clear, silver chains bound Nameless.

“…Tsk, I can’t even teleport? You’re interfering with my teleportation magic?”

『It’s a bit unsporting, but this is the only way to ensure victory.』

Ha! Serves you right!

This is what happens when I get serious!

“Trivial.”

Despite the relentless assault using teleportation, binding, concentrated fire, and interference, Nameless was completely immobilized.

Alright, time to fire another blast and tear that cloak apart!

“Know the radiance of the stars.”

A conduit extended from the massive magic circle spreading across the sky above the courtyard, connecting to my scythe.

I aimed and pulled the trigger.

Silver light flooded the courtyard.

There’s no way to defend against this light.

“…!”

Nameless seemed to hold their breath slightly.

Without even resisting, in the next instant, they were engulfed by the blast.

A thunderous roar and a cloud of dust filled the air.

The courtyard grass was torn up, and trees toppled against the walls.

Victory!

Phew. Lacked a bit of mystery, but some people just need to be put in their place.

I stayed on guard, converting the smoke and debris into magic energy while preparing for a second shot.

If this mysterious pretty girl was truly as capable as she seemed, she might still be able to move.

『Come on now, if she could still beat us after all that, then she wouldn’t just be an irregularity—we’d have to call her something else entirely. This is our win.』

Yeah, that’s true.

『If she’s using magic similar to ours, then we can interfere with it. She made the mistake of flaunting my custom magic.』

Just as Starreader’s Staff smugly pointed out, Nameless remained limp, still bound in chains.

Why won’t that cloak come off?

Show your face already.

『That cloak itself is likely a relic with a concealment effect.』

Alright, then I’ll just destroy that relic with my second shot.

Then I’ll stab her with my dagger, paralyze her, and start the interrogation.

“…Heh, you still won’t finish me off in one strike, huh?”

“What are you trying to say? Are you thinking of begging for your life?”

Even while bound, Nameless laughed.

“You can’t kill me, can you? You’re too kind for that. You could kill me anytime if you wanted to.”

“I’m just keeping you alive until I get my answers. Once I’m done, I’ll grant your wish and kill you.”

“You’re bluffing… No, you really are strong. That’s why you can fight alone. But—so long as you’re alone, you can’t defeat me.”

Nameless snapped their fingers.

In that instant, the chains binding them shattered effortlessly.

That wasn’t all.

The magic circle behind me, along with the conduit extending from it, was mercilessly torn apart.

『…Hey, that was…』

Starreader’s Staff sounded clearly shaken.

And I understood why.

The slash just now—

There was no movement, nothing at all.

It was merely the act of “cutting” made manifest.

“Lutra’s ability…?”

“As expected, you figured it out. Yeah, I don’t want to reveal any more cards. Let’s stick to just this and your magic for now.”

With that, Nameless deployed two magic circles.

From inside them, they pulled out a scythe and a long sword.

Both were jet black, but their shapes were unmistakably familiar.

『That’s me and Lutra…? No, impossible. If they were real, I would be able to connect to them from this distance. What is this…?』

“Matching weapons, huh?”

“Kinda gross, honestly. Just how obsessed with me are you?”

“I’ll show you right now!”

Nameless braced their weapons and kicked off the ground.

In an instant, the distance between us was cut, and Nameless appeared before me.

Ha, fool.

That’s Touraku-kun’s signature move!

As someone who knows the original story, there’s no way I wouldn’t recognize Lutra’s true terror!

I caught their sword with my scythe, dodging the descending scythe by tilting my body.

Then, I grabbed Nameless’s wrist.

Starreader’s Staff!

『Time for a beautiful dream, my dear.』

Starreader’s Staff unleashed an illusion.

Nameless let out a slight groan but, in the next moment, a cutting sound rang out, and they leaped back.

Did they just cut through the illusion?

That’s insane.

They’re using Lutra’s abilities as well as Touraku-kun did in the latter half of the original story.

At least they’re not in Star-Slicing Form yet.

“Let’s play some more. Come on, Sorciera!”

Holding her head, Nameless grinned.

I could see the excitement rising in her expression.

What is this girl…?

Rather than a mysterious beauty, she’s just a completely deranged lunatic…

『Partner, unless you resolve to kill her, she’ll keep coming after you forever. And judging by her words, she’s still hiding something.』

Yeah, I figured.

Honestly, I’d rather prioritize investigating The Mystic Eye than capturing Nameless right now.

…Alright, Starreader’s Staff! We’re retreating!

『Are you sure?』

I want to catch her, but it’s just not feasible right now.

Besides, she doesn’t seem intent on killing me either.

If she had access to the same magic as me, she could’ve done a lot more.

Yet, she’s only reacting passively to my attacks.

Which means—

“This is just a distraction, isn’t it?”

“…Heh, you got me.”

Of course.

She acts like she knows me, yet she talks about killing Kanon-chan and only reacts passively.

She’s stalling for time.

For what, I don’t know.

But if I’m about to be too late for something, then I need to get away from this stalker ASAP!

“I don’t have time to play with you.”

“You want to investigate The Mystic Eye, right? Stay a little longer. Just a bit more.”

“No.”

He’s not even trying to hide it if he’s been found out.

Alright, let’s just run away quickly.

“Play with your worthless dolls by yourself.”

I coldly spat out those words and deployed my teleportation magic.

But in that instant, the magic was severed with a sharp sound.

“Let’s play some more. Hmm, how about reminiscing over old times?”

“Nonsense. There’s no way I have any memories with you.”

“…Haha, that’s true. Then let’s start making them now.”

I’ve had enough.

I don’t want to be toyed with anymore!

I want to be a mysterious beautiful girl!!!!

I do!!!!

『Ahh, my partner’s broken.』

I can’t even activate my teleportation magic—what the hell.

If I could use Lutra’s slashes, my mysterious beautiful girl combo wouldn’t have been interrupted earlier.

Being able to use both Lutra and Sorciera is cheating!

She’s not even trying to kill me, and this endless unwinnable event is just a bug at this point!

“Well then, shall we move on to round two?”

Nameless dashed forward, full of energy.

Each of her strikes was sharp and heavy.

But they were all delivered under the assumption that I could counter them.

Her swordplay declared that she wouldn’t give me a chance to escape.

If I tried to defeat her, she countered with Sorciera’s magic.

If I tried to run, she canceled my escape with Lutra’s slashes.

It’s hopeless…

My knowledge of the original story is useless…

『…Hmm, it’s a gamble, but I have a suggestion—』

Just as Starreader’s Staff was about to say something—

A red flash of light struck between Nameless and me.

It resembled a converged artillery blast, gouging the ground and creating a massive explosion.

What now!?

‘Hmm, this energy is…’

“—Nice. Looks like you’re all having fun together.”

A languid voice, yet one that carried the presence of a wild beast.

The figure that emerged from the explosion was definitely not someone I wanted to see right now.

“L-Leader, weren’t we just supposed to observe…?”

“Did I say that? Haha, maybe I did! But hey, how can you expect me to sit and wait when such a feast is right in front of me!?”

Seeing the young man wielding dual swords, I held back my urge to cry and spoke firmly.

“Rokuhara… What do you want?”

“Hey now, don’t make that face. We’ve fought to the death before, haven’t we?”

That’s exactly why I don’t want to deal with you!

“I have no intention of fighting you right now.”

Following Nameless, now even Rokuhara had joined the scene.

Sorciera, Nameless, and Rokuhara—what is this?

Why is the power balance so broken here?

‘It seems Eina just happened to be in this district. No wonder she was found out.’

As I stared at the dual swords, they trembled slightly, and a girl’s voice rang out.

“Eek! I’m sorry, Sister! But the Leader insisted we come… and, well, if there was an opening…”

She’s not sorry at all.

She was totally hoping to take advantage of the situation!

Fine, if it’s come to this, we’re settling this as a three-way battle royale!

And in the chaos, I’ll activate my teleportation magic!

『Understood. The top priority remains escaping from this place.』

I readied my scythe.

Just as I prepared to fight both of them—

“Well then, let’s get started.”

With those words, Rokuhara turned his back on me.

He was now facing Nameless.

Wait, Rokuhara?

“…What are you planning?”

“This one’s my prey. That’s what I’ve decided. So, get lost.”

R-Rokuhara!

“I’ve been watching the fight… You’re not even trying to kill her properly. Do you not want to kill her, or do you simply not have time to deal with her? Since you tried to teleport away, I’d guess the latter?”

It’s both, Rokuhara.

But thank you, Rokuhara!

Rokuhara ♥!

『…Eina was trying to take both of us down too, wasn’t she?』

Eina-chan is just like that.

But hey, I don’t know why, but I got lucky!

I have no idea why Rokuhara is here at Zilnius Academy, and I don’t want to stir up a hornet’s nest by finding out, but I won’t complain about being saved.

“…I’ll repay this debt one day.”

“Yeah, pay it back with a real fight to the death.”

No thanks.

I deployed my teleportation magic circle.

Nameless tried to use Lutra’s slashes, but Rokuhara’s attack forced her to stop.

Now, Starreader’s Staff!

『Ooooooh, mysterious beautiful girl retreat!』

Wrapped in a simplified teleportation spell, I scattered magical feathers into the air and vanished from the scene.

Starreader’s Staff, when did you implement this teleportation magic?

『I was annoyed that we couldn’t escape from Kanon before. So, I created a simplified version that sacrifices range and precision for speed. The feathers scattering before you vanish—doesn’t it look cool?』

It does…

『Though, every time I tried to use it, it got cut down instantly! So frustrating!』

Well, at least it worked this time.

I found myself in a classroom not far from where I had teleported from.

No time to waste.

Let’s go, Starreader’s Staff.

We need to investigate The Mystic Eye. If Nameless was interfering, that means we hit the jackpot!

『Indeed. But I wonder… what did they mean by “no time”?』

We’ll figure that out while we investigate!

Without hesitation, I set out to uncover the secrets of The Mystic Eye.