Chapter: 122. Unusual Methods
Time quietly passed, and soon it was the next morning.
As the Elemental Sovereign had said, before the official start of today’s Academy League, the administration of Infinite Academy informed everyone in advance that the board of Special Circle SEMA regretted they could not attend in person, and thus the award ceremony would be conducted by the chairman of Infinite Academy instead.
Upon hearing this news, Kanade’s expression darkened.
Everything seemed to be developing according to Special Circle SEMA’s plan, and every aspect was firmly under their control.
“Senpai Tsukimi, nine o’clock direction.”
When the school administration’s speech concluded and students began to disperse, Ako quietly squeezed into the crowd and approached Kanade.
She didn’t look directly at Kanade but kept her head down and lowered her voice: “That’s a high-ranking member of Special Circle SEMA.”
Upon hearing this, Kanade was taken aback, but he quickly controlled his emotions and pretended to chat with Uemon, shifting his gaze toward the nine o’clock direction.
Kanade locked onto a tall figure in a silver-gray suit, and in the blink of an eye, that silver-gray silhouette vanished at the exit.
“There’s not just him; several ACE-level psychics from Special Circle SEMA are also on-site,” Ako continued to add in a hushed tone.
Following Ako’s indication, Kanade indeed saw several psychics who hadn’t been present yesterday. They were dressed in the white uniforms exclusive to Special Circle SEMA operatives, exuding an entirely different aura from other ordinary psychics.
These details, combined with Ako’s words, convinced Kanade that the high-ranking members of Special Circle SEMA had indeed come to Infinite Academy today.
But they were avoiding meeting him due to the so-called “Protagonist Plan”—
“Just as expected, it’s not going to be that easy,” Kanade murmured to himself.
Since all the rules were established by them, if the high-ranking members of Special Circle SEMA didn’t wish to meet him, then no matter how hard he worked to participate in the Academy League and earn the championship, it would all be in vain.
Realizing this, Kanade subtly gestured to Ako.
Ako immediately understood, quickly turning around and returning to Amane’s side.
Kanade then approached Mana ahead of him and gently called out to her.
The two exchanged glances, and a flicker of hesitation crossed Mana’s eyes.
This signal from Kanade clearly indicated that he was about to implement the plan they had discussed the night before—
After a brief moment of silence, Mana seemed to resolve herself and nodded slightly.
————————————-
“Next, we will proceed to today’s first solo match—” the teacher serving as the host stood on the central competition stage, excitedly shouting, his voice loud and infectious, proving he indeed had potential as a host.
“First, let us welcome the defending champion from Ark Academy, Ms. Mana Yoko!”
With the host’s emotional introduction, the stage was instantly engulfed by enthusiastic applause, as if ripples were stirring throughout the venue.
Mana’s figure slowly appeared at the entrance of the stage, her steps graceful and calm. Her platinum long hair, rare among Asians, shimmered softly under the light and danced lightly with her movements. The Ark Academy uniform hugged her slender yet surprisingly curvy body, giving people a dreamlike feeling.
Although Mana had single-handedly brought the Academy League back to a stage of power-based psychic duels last year, which caused resentment among many students, ask any high school student who could resist a strikingly beautiful and powerful girl?
Some in the audience even stood up, excitedly shouting Mana’s name, indicating she had a considerable fanbase.
“And the other contestant is also from Ark Academy and is this year’s most dazzling newcomer! Ms. Amane Tenku!”
With the host’s words, another wave of fervor surged.
Amane’s figure appeared at the entrance of the opposite stage, her steps livelier than Mana’s.
The audience erupted once again with thunderous applause and cheers that echoed throughout the competition venue.
Although Amane was a first-year freshman participating in the Academy League for the first time this year, her brilliant performance yesterday and her pretty face won her numerous admirers in just one day.
The duel of these two top beautiful psychic girls instantly brought the atmosphere of the venue to its peak.
On the competition stage.
The distance between Mana and Amane was not far, but neither spoke, silently confronting each other instead.
Mana’s platinum hair subtly swayed with the surge of magical power, while across from her, Amane’s silver hair reflected brilliant light under the lamps. Their crimson and violet eyes mirrored each other’s figures.
At that moment of their gaze, time seemed to freeze.
In that brief moment of eye contact, their eyes conveyed an unspoken consensus.
The corners of their mouths slightly rose, revealing a trace of subtle resignation and tacit understanding.
“Let’s make this match truly exciting and attract everyone’s attention,” Amane’s gaze seemed to convey.
“Yes, to cover Tsukimi-kun’s actions,” Mana responded with her eyes.
Then, almost simultaneously—
Both released the magical power within them.
The atmosphere instantly shifted as waves of magical power rapidly spread outward, centered around the two, sweeping over the competition stage and surrounding area in an instant.
The overwhelming magical fluctuations seemed to tear apart the surrounding air, shocking every student present.
Even several ACE-level psychics standing by couldn’t help but be astonished at the magic they unleashed.
“No, it’s not enough…” Mana and Amane exchanged another silent glance.
To attract everyone’s attention, their current strength was inadequate—
Realizing this, Mana quietly closed her eyes.
She tried to recall the feeling from the past, that moment facing Akane Nanjō at Ark Academy.
Crack.
Mana heard a sound from deep within, like the expanding of some sort of fissure.
In that instant, Mana’s magical power erupted once more, shaking the entire venue as if thunder clapped, the magical fluctuations in the air growing so intense it felt hard to breathe.
The inner side of her platinum hair visibly took on a hint of crimson.
Second awakening.
The entire auditorium was enveloped in the powerful aura Mana was releasing at that moment.
This time, even all the ACE-level psychics opened their eyes wide, displaying expressions of shock.
But their astonishment did not stop there.
“Truly worthy of Senpai Yoko…” Amane felt the magical waves emanating from Mana, her mouth curving into a slight smile: “It seems I’ll also have to go all out—”
Just as Amane finished speaking, her violet eyes were fully stained with blood red.
Imaginary unfolding.
This was the technique of manifesting a contracted beast into its spirit outfit. The shadow swirling beneath Amane surged up her skin, quickly transforming into a pitch-black armor. The powerful magical energy exploded like thunder, intensifying the sensation throughout the entire venue.
The magical energies released by both collided in the air, producing waves so potent they almost tore through the barriers set around the competition area.
“Then, let us begin, Senpai Yoko.”
The battle between Mana and Amane officially commenced.
————————————-
Meanwhile.
In front of the administrative building of Infinite Academy.
Having already entered a beastly state, Kanade quietly followed behind the fire rescue personnel, slipping out of the competition venue.
He had noticed that the chairman of Infinite Academy and several school officials were making their way here, and logically, during the Academy League, they should be watching the matches from the underground area of the artificial academy island.
“Surely it’s to receive the high-ranking officials from Special Circle SEMA?”
“The target’s location has been confirmed, it’s on the top floor of the administrative building,” Ako’s voice came through the earpiece in Kanade’s ear, “If I get too close, I’ll be discovered, so the next part depends on you, Senpai Tsukimi.”
Kanade nodded lightly: “No, thank you, that’s enough.”
Combining the intelligence provided by the Elemental Sovereign yesterday with Ako’s assistance, he pinpointed the location of the high-ranking members of Special Circle SEMA.
Perhaps, just as the Elemental Sovereign had said, the purpose of Special Circle SEMA’s visit was to see their “protagonist candidate” in person; this was Kanade’s only chance to come into contact with them.
If Special Circle SEMA truly believed in the contents of the Book of Future, then he could force a meeting with their high-ranking members and further diminish the likelihood of him being seen as the “protagonist” in their eyes.
“Senpai Tsukimi, good luck! I’ll keep an eye out to see if the target leaves the administrative building.”
“Yeah, thank you, Ako.”
Kanade softly expressed his gratitude, took a few deep breaths, and gradually calmed down.
Then he stepped out from the shadows and walked directly toward the administrative building’s main entrance.
Kanade knew that looking furtive would only raise suspicion from the school officials.
This was another part of his plan: to create a commotion during the first match this morning between Mana and Amane, grabbing the attention of the teachers and ACE-level psychics present, and then force his way to meet the high-ranking members of Special Circle SEMA through unconventional means.
Kanade had made up his mind to break into the administrative building.
Even if he continued to live as an ordinary student, it wouldn’t stop Special Circle SEMA from viewing him as the candidate for the “new protagonist.”
And as long as he remained one of the protagonist candidates, Nagino would face the threats mentioned in the Book of Future.
—Today, everything must be resolved.
Steeling himself, Kanade pushed open the door of the administrative building.
Everyone inside turned to look at him with curiosity.
They recognized him as a student from the Special Program of Ark Academy, and they were puzzled to see a student who should be participating in the Academy League appearing here.
Kanade bore under this pressure and walked forward.
The magical fluctuations generated by Mana and Amane’s battle would fool the entire magical detection systems of Infinite Academy, providing him with the best cover.
Kanade’s eyes slowly began to shine with a hint of golden light.
