Chapter: 135. The Final Contract, The Last Journey
Time rewinds to a little earlier.
Under the influence of the Infinite Realm, there is a certain time difference between the Infinite Academy and the outside world.
Suspended in mid-air, Nagi held the soulless shell of Natsuki.
The golden rays of the setting sun bathed Natsuki’s face, making her appear like a girl in deep slumber.
Around Nagi, 11 fantasy monsters floated in the sky as well, surrounding her with their heads bowed, as if awaiting the next command.
“I forgive you for hiding the truth from me,” Nagi said softly, looking at Natsuki, whose head was lowered.
“Because of your kindness, I discovered the beauty of this world, so I even owe you a thank you.”
The contract beasts exchanged glances, and finally, Garuda spoke on their behalf:
“Master, what do you plan to do next?”
“The fantasy monsters will not hold back… Likewise, the End will not hold back.” Nagi slowly raised her head, gazing at the incoming night.
There, she saw a purple-black star; although its light was dim, by merely attempting to focus on it, one could feel an immense sense of oppression.
The End was the most loyal contract beast from her previous life; it would fulfill the wishes she left behind.
Though “light” had died, “shadow” still enveloped this world.
Merged with Omega, the End possessed unimaginable power, an existence she could never hope to defeat.
Thus, this world needs a new protagonist who can overcome the End Omega and the new wave of fantasy monsters.
Just relying on the five rewrites that Kanade currently has is far from enough.
“So, let me complete this lifelong regret plan in the end.”
“As a sinner of this world, I am very satisfied to have spent such a joyful time in this life.” The starlight in Nagi’s eyes emitted a faint glow: “I am no longer qualified to crave anything more—”
“So, you can all leave.”
“If the contractor dies, the contract beast will also disappear. This is my final journey to the end; you don’t need to accompany me and risk your lives.” Nagi glanced around, pausing her gaze on the fantasy monsters she had fought alongside.
Finally, she expressed her gratitude:
“Thank you. Even though you were all forcibly contracted by me, you have stayed by my side, this unworthy contractor.”
“….. Indeed, I was quite surprised back then; who would have thought humans could forcibly contract with souls?” The fantasy monster—Satan was the first to break the silence, exclaiming, his half-angel, half-demon humanoid form bathed in a dreamlike glow under the sunset.
As Satan’s words fell, Nagi’s connection with Satan’s soul was formally severed.
“Speaking of which, I was also confused when I was contracted; I was still marveling that there could be such remarkable individuals among humans.” The fantasy monster—Gaia chuckled softly, her goddess-like figure made of earth and vegetation blooming with vibrant flowers as she spoke.
Nagi and Gaia’s contract also officially ended at that moment.
“My master, although our encounters have been full of hardships, I am very satisfied with the time spent with you.” The fantasy monster—Amaterasu bowed her head slightly, having the appearance most similar to a human among these fantasy monsters, adorned in a flowing robe of luminous platinum.
Another contract hereby concluded.
“Thank you for taking care of us all this time.” The fantasy monster—Cerberus lowered its three heads simultaneously, resembling canines but with some dragon traits; their pitch-black fur reflected a scaled sheen in the afterglow.
The contract with the guardian of the underworld was officially terminated.
“Master, I’m not good with words, but I learned this phrase—bye-bye.” The fantasy monster—Leviathan opened its huge jaw, laughing heartily, shards of ice falling off its body, turning into a dazzling display of light in the illumination.
The connection with Leviathan’s soul was severed.
“Big brother… I really prefer calling you big brother!” “Are you an idiot? Right now, it’s definitely big sister!” “I still think the title ‘Big Sister Boss’ sounds better!” “Same here”….. The fantasy monster—Hydra began to noisily bicker among themselves as usual, yet in the end, the nine heads reached a consensus, turning toward Nagi in unison and said: “Goodbye.”
The waves of contract termination echoed in Nagi’s heart.
“Master, actually the time spent with you has been tiring, but it hasn’t been as unbearable as you described.” The fantasy monster—Phoenix stirred its golden wings and saluted Nagi.
The power of the golden flames forever vanished from Nagi.
“Ah, is it my turn now? But I arrived last; shouldn’t my title be Mr. Indra… oh yes! Yes! Then, Miss Nagi? Please allow me to address you like that; well, I’ve troubled you all this time.” The fantasy monster—Fafnir addressed Nagi in an incredibly humble manner, presenting itself as a silver dragon, but at that moment, it felt like a diligent office worker.
Fafnir’s soul contract likewise disappeared.
“Miss, I’ve watched you grow from a child into such a beautiful young lady; it fills me with complex feelings and nostalgia~ I really wish I could hug the little version of you.” The fantasy monster—Indra appeared unseemly, stroking the white giant elephant at his feet while nodding at Nagi, showing complex emotions.
The contract with Indra was henceforth terminated.
“Hmm, let me say something first.” The fantasy monster—Asmodeus scanned the gathered fantasy monsters with its six eyes before landing on Nagi, the three-headed demon said in a bright and sunny tone: “Allow me to complain one last time before I bid farewell; I still prefer you as a man rather than a beautiful girl!”
With Asmodeus severing the contract, Nagi was left with only her contract with Garuda.
And Garuda transformed into the form of a white-haired young girl, slowly drifting in front of Nagi.
To Nagi, the one now standing before her was her first contract beast after arriving in this world. In a certain sense, Garuda’s existence was what truly allowed her to step into this world.
The entire story began when she received Garuda, and now their parting would mark the end of everything.
Perhaps there were too many words they wished to express to one another, but at this moment, only this farewell was suitable for them—
“Master, have you finally fallen into despair?”
“Ugh, kill me.”
With those final words, the contract between Nagi and Garuda began to dissolve; their magical powers no longer connected, Garuda became an independent being, and all that remained within Nagi was the shattered remnants of the star’s authority.
The moment of farewell came, signaling the curtain to fall.
After this, there would no longer be an “Elemental Sovereign” in this world.
There was only a girl named “Star Palace Nagi.”
“Well then, everyone must live well… goodbye.”
Nagi forced out a brilliant and relieved smile, wanting to ride the last gentle breeze to the ground—
But was called back by Garuda from behind.
“My name is Garuda, Lord of Storms, Sovereign of Heaven and Earth, Embodiment of Nature and Balance, Head of the Ten Gods—Star Palace Nagi, do you wish to sign a contract with me and become my contractor?”
Upon hearing this, Nagi’s eyes widened in shock, and her body froze in place.
Before she could respond to Garuda’s words, another voice rang out—
“My name is Phoenix, the Immortal Bird, Embodiment of the Holy Flame of Rebirth—Star Palace Nagi, do you wish to sign a contract with me and become your contractor?”
“My name is Asmodeus…”
“My name is Leviathan…”
…
One by one, the fantasy monsters extended invitations for contracts to Nagi.
Only after the last one, Fafnir, finished did Nagi slowly turn her head back.
“What… does this mean?” Nagi asked softly, struggling to keep her emotions at bay.
Facing Nagi’s question, this time it was still Garuda who stepped forward as a representative of the other fantasy monsters.
“Our forced contract with the Light has ended. Now, it is out of our own will that we wish to establish a contract with the girl named Star Palace Nagi—”
“Are you all idiots? I’m about to go—”
“—We are willing to follow you forever, even if the road ahead leads to an irretrievable hell; we wish to face it with you, because…”
Garuda surveyed the surroundings, locking eyes with each of the other fantasy monsters before finally resting his gaze on Nagi’s face, their gazes meeting—
In their minds flashed the memories of the times they spent together, discussing strategies every night since reincarnation.
A desperate baby appearing in a world where she shouldn’t exist, and her eternal guardian who accompanied her—
“Aren’t we family?”
“……Idiot~” Nagi lowered her head, her long bangs obscuring her eyes.
A new contract was established at that moment with the girl named Star Palace Nagi, but this time it was not under the name of “Elemental Sovereign,” but as an ordinary girl, along with 11 ordinary fantasy monsters.
“I, we have returned, Master.” Garuda smiled.
“Welcome back, everyone.” Tears rolled down the pale cheeks of the girl, but at that moment, she displayed an exceptionally brilliant smile.
It seemed that as long as she was with everyone, even if the road ahead represented endless emptiness and death, she would no longer feel afraid.
————————————-
Kanade held Nagi’s hand and they dashed through the Infinite Academy.
Behind them were ACE-level psychics from Special Ring SEMA.
Clearly, orders from the secretary had been passed down to all ACE-level psychics on the island.
They were to take Nagi and Kanade away under the guise of “protection.”
To provide ample justification for Nagi and Kanade’s final journey, termed “elopement.”
Nagi even deliberately allowed herself to be forcibly captured by the ACE-level psychics along the way, prompting Kanade to spring into action and rescue her from the ACE-level psychics.
In this way, although Nagi didn’t understand why Kanade wanted to escape with her, now that Special Ring SEMA and the Academy intended to forcibly take her away, she could transform into the victim’s role and follow Kanade in the escape.
—Did Special Ring SEMA and the three academies take action after all?
—Using the methods I least want to see…
This time’s attack by the fantasy monsters was evidently perceived by Special Ring SEMA as an act against Kanade.
Thus, they confirmed Kanade’s identity as the new protagonist, and there was no longer a need to disguise Kanade’s identity before the fantasy monsters.
What they now wanted to do was to take the protagonist to a safe place and find ways to cultivate him into a standalone existence, but Special Ring SEMA had chosen the worst methods—coercive cooperation.
Nagi knew well that she could not be captured by Special Ring SEMA or the three academies, for her unique nature, if subjected to even a slight examination by Special Ring SEMA or the three academies, would expose the fantasy monsters within her, and even reveal her identity from her previous life.
So, even if it were not for Kanade, she had to participate in this elopement plan.
—An elopement ending…..?
Thinking of this, Nagi bitterly smiled in her heart.
Unfortunately, this was not the elopement ending from the original “Star Induction 2”; it was merely a final journey to leave Kanade with a beautiful memory, fully aware that death lay ahead, yet her childhood friend beside her and the family in her heart could bring terrifying warmth and happiness beyond fear.
Let us begin, the last journey—
