Chapter: 39. Kidnapping Operation
“Mr. Tsukimi.”
After Kanade finished handling the terminal in his hand and stood up, the man with gold-rimmed glasses called out to him.
“Although I can keep your physical condition confidential, the consequences of this incident…”
“Ah, I know.”
It was a true failure for him to lose to an intruder even with this S-class present. This was Kanade’s first real failure since becoming S-class, and it was a complete and utter defeat.
Not only did the intruder take away Professor Amakusa from the Star Academy right under his nose, but his own fighting had put the entire academy at risk, with the collapsed main teaching building being the best evidence.
Though Kanade had planned to revert the world line after learning that the intruder was Alice, he hadn’t consciously restrained his fighting style, which led to this situation.
“According to rumors,” the man with gold-rimmed glasses reminded him, “the Star Academy is planning to dispatch a special action team to rescue Professor Amakusa and recover the stolen items…”
“…A special team?”
“Exactly. Your defeat as an S-class has given some people within the academy an opportunity, prompting them to temporarily activate Plan X.”
Plan X refers to acknowledging the existence of X-class ability users. Initially, this plan had been proposed within the Special Ring Semas and the three major academies. Those who had received the elemental dominator powers far surpassed ordinary A-class ability users, hence the term “X (unknown).”
However, after the Shattering Fragments incident broke out, this proposal that should have been pushed to the agenda was shelved.
But evidently, there are still many loyal proponents of this plan within both the Special Ring Semas and the three major academies, especially at the Star Academy.
Now, Kanade’s defeat as an “S-class” represents a certain degree of decline for the “Protagonist Candidate Program,” leading to an opportune moment for those long-hidden “X-class plans” to reemerge, demanding the activation of another “X-class plan” related to top combat power.
“Although what I’m about to say slightly contradicts my position as a guardian of the era, but…” the man with gold-rimmed glasses said slowly, “if X-class ability users manage to find and bring back Professor Amakusa…”
“—the Protagonist Candidate Program may very well be shut down…” Kanade interjected.
“…That’s right.”
The man with gold-rimmed glasses nodded.
“With that inactive S-class at the Sun Academy and the recent complete communication loss with Projection… to be honest, many people are already feeling disappointed with S-class. If it weren’t for you maintaining a 100% win rate, the authority of S-class would already be in jeopardy—”
“But this time your failure, along with the reality of magic nullification, might completely lead to the abandonment of the Protagonist Candidate Program… Those higher-ups may think it’s better to invest all resources into a powerful army of ability users rather than into one strong savior.”
Upon hearing this, Kanade’s expression grew serious. This was a result he absolutely did not want to see. If the Protagonist Candidate Program were abandoned, he wouldn’t be able to become the “unique protagonist,” thus obtaining immense power and resources, and the revival plan concerning that girl would be out of the question.
“So—Mr. Tsukimi, you must safely bring the professor back before the X-class ability users do.”
“Hmm, I understand.” Kanade put his headphones back on.
On the other end of the headset came Shierou’s voice.
“Captain, we’ve arrived.”
—————–
“Tap—tap—tap—”
The heavy sound of the propellers grew closer, accompanied by low-frequency vibrations penetrating the air. A medium-sized tactical aircraft with a jet-black paint scheme had arrived over the Star Academy.
[Identification confirmed, aircraft belonging to the Moon Academy, landing authorized.]
A brief report echoed through the command tower.
The incandescent gas waves spewing from the belly of the tactical aircraft instantly blew the ashes and fallen leaves on the tarmac into the air.
Guiding lights automatically lit up, outlining a landing trajectory in the night.
The aircraft landed steadily, and the cabin door slowly opened with a low hum from the hydraulic equipment.
The first to step out was a pair of footsteps wearing tactical boots.
Shierou was the first to descend the gangway.
Following him were the other members of the “Special Action Team against Ruin” led by Kanade.
“Captain.” Shierou no longer wore his usual playful expression and said seriously.
Kanade stepped out from the shadows and approached Shierou.
Just from that brief moment of eye contact, Shierou noticed that Kanade’s physical condition was not quite right. However, the two simply exchanged a glance and tacitly shifted the topic.
“I’ve heard about Professor Amakusa’s situation, and it’s not looking good…”
“Ah, we must rescue him before anyone else does.”
As Kanade spoke, his gaze fell on one of the team members’ faces.
“Shoukyou, I’ll leave this matter to you.”
The girl called Shoukyou nodded seriously. Her full name was Sasaki Kyoka, an A-class ability user with tracking-related powers.
“If we are to use my ability to find Professor Amakusa, we need to first locate the person he has recently interacted with the most.”
“However, the issue is that Amakusa seems to have kept his distance from others,” Shierou added, “not only does he have no secretary, but he has only hired one student assistant.”
“We need to bring that student assistant to assist us.”
Upon hearing this, Kanade’s feet momentarily stilled.
“In this situation, it’s very difficult for the Star Academy to arrange for their students to assist us…”
“So we’ll have to think of another way,” Shierou immediately replied.
“What do you mean? Are you planning to investigate the intruder—”
“—We privately kidnap that student assistant to help us with the tracking.”
“So this is what you meant by ‘thinking of a way’!?” Kanade couldn’t help but scoff.
“If the captain has another method, we wouldn’t be against hearing it…” Shierou pretended to shrug helplessly.
Then he lowered his voice and revealed a serious expression as he added:
“This is a good idea of killing two birds with one stone.”
Even though he had lost the instinct of a beast, Kanade could no longer pick up the emotions of others, but he had spent enough time with Shierou to understand that the vice-captain was serious.
“I’ll explain this matter to you once we set out. It’s about the task you gave us last night.”
“!?”
Upon hearing it was last night’s task, Kanade’s expression instantly became grim.
“I’m worried that the same thing might happen to that innocent student assistant… Captain, it seems we’ve gotten ourselves into a big mess.” As Shierou spoke, he surveyed their surroundings.
Following his gaze, Kanade noticed that each member of the team was fully alert and vigilantly watching their surroundings.
Even though this was the Star Academy, one of the safest places in the world.
“(The Star Academy is not safe.)” Shierou’s lips moved slightly as he relayed the message through lip-reading.
“I understand. Where is that student assistant? Let’s go find her—”
“—No, it’s better for you to go find her alone. That might be more convenient.”
“?”
“That student assistant is your dance partner tonight—Kamada Akane.”
