Chapter: 8. New Commission
“What is this…?” Nagino gazed at the man in front of her.
She felt an intense sense of incongruity from him.
Clearly, by his aura, he was an undoubted ordinary person, and there were no signs of a contract with fantasy creatures, yet she could sense a magical fluctuation emanating from him.
[It seems to be a new result of that research.]
The voice of Shuyin Nagai emerged from the headphones Nagino was wearing.
[Since there is already technology for artificial fantasy creatures in this world, it would not be surprising if there were also technology for artificial espers.]
It teased in a joking tone.
Nagino did not pay attention to its words but instead moved her lips slightly and whispered, “Shuyin, I’ve been wanting to ask for a long time, are you monitoring me?”
[How could that be~ I just hoped to check on my out-of-touch master while fleeing from the pursuit of the Special Association SEMA and the three major academies~]
[I haven’t seen what I shouldn’t have seen~]
Though Nagino wanted to rip off the headphones and smash them, she thought otherwise, realizing she indeed needed Shuyin’s guidance for future actions, so she held back. As for the so-called monitoring, it was just a form of self-deprecation—both she and Shuyin were now in the same boat.
It was the only existence in this world that knew she was still alive.
As for the Special Association SEMA, the three major academies, her family, Mana, Amaterasu, and even Kanade, none of them could learn the truth that she was still alive.
Especially Kanade, according to the storyline of the original game “Stellar Drift 2,” the only entity that would certainly seek her out.
And in all the worldlines concerning Kanade from the original “Stellar Drift 2,” she did not exist. If the only entity noticed this point first, then Shuyin would immediately begin to eliminate this worldline that should not exist, which would shorten the remaining time for her to regain her memories and powers.
[Now, allow me to introduce to my master what an artificial esper is~] Shuyin Nagai seemed to change the subject and introduced: [If that black flame “vaccine” obtained power from the corpses of espers, allowing a person to temporarily gain the same esper abilities and magic power, then if we extract the “ability” from a living esper using machinery—]
[As long as we overcome the rejection reaction, we can transform an ordinary person into an esper; the principle behind this is precisely part of the “Consumable Plan.”]
The Consumable Plan was a project initiated by the Moon Academy, geared toward the power of Shuyin fragments and the new protagonist.
The body currently controlled by Shuyin Nagai, “Nanjou Akane,” was one of the members of the Consumable Plan.
However, this plan had ended in failure in the past, but if combined with the technology of the “vaccine”—
—These technologies, indeed, had connections to the three major academies?
Nagino thought.
Yet before she could sort out the clues, Hurst, who stood in front of her, turned around.
When he realized the visitor was a girl with no magical response, the fleeting terror that had crossed his face transformed into composure.
Hurst raised his head nonchalantly and, through the hollow above, saw the flashes of lightning flickering above the base.
“…A monster tamer? An ancient and foolish technology,” he said with a gentle smile, spreading his arms as if giving a speech, boasting: “For example—”
“—Shut up.”
Nagino immediately interrupted him, timing it perfectly as if cutting off the current in an instant.
Hurst’s tone stuttered, just as he prepared to speak again: “You—”
“Sorry, I’m in a hurry—”
As soon as she finished speaking.
A pale flash of lightning condensed into a long spear in Nagino’s hand, aimed straight at Hurst.
Unprepared for the sudden attack and not heeding her words, Hurst could only awkwardly try to dodge.
As the president of a world-class technology company, he was used to people quietly and humbly waiting for him to speak. But the girl in front of him seemed to perfectly disregard his position, rendering his accumulated status and achievements worthless in her eyes.
Such a spectacle only fueled Hurst’s annoyance.
Especially as Kane’s mocking laughter came from behind: “Looks like nobody cares about what this charlatan says~”
In anger, Hurst mobilized the magical power that did not belong to him—
He raised his hand, and the air twisted at his fingertips. In the next instant, the entire space seemed to be pressed down by an invisible force.
Boom!
As Nagino took a step forward, the metal floor beneath her suddenly sunk as if it had fallen into water, the heavy telekinetic force striking down on her like a giant hammer.
[Master, it seems he possesses some kind of telekinesis control ability~]
“Well, thanks for your explanation! I can see for myself—” Nagino retorted as she dodged the falling force.
[Master, do you remember how to fight? In any case, click first—]
“Is this a mobile game!? Are you some kind of mobile game tutorial NPC?”
At that moment, a pale flash of lightning fell from the hollow above. A thunderbird formed of lightning hovered above Nagino, spreading its wings—the powerful lightning illuminated the entire laboratory in an instant.
Hurst raised his hand, and a telekinetic force formed a visible three-dimensional force field, resembling a glass wall hovering in front of him.
The lightning thundered as it struck that transparent barrier, exploding in a dazzling white flash.
Amidst the crackling electricity, Hurst’s voice emerged, still carrying that unhurried sense of superiority.
“Same move, don’t think it will work on me a second time.”
[Master, remember to understand and utilize attribute countering relations when battling against enemies~]
“If this is a mobile game guide, shouldn’t you clarify it before I attack?”
[It’s fine, Master, just remember that water counters fire, fire counters grass, and grass counters water—]
“Is it Pokémon!? So you’re from a Pokémon mobile game!?”
As Nagino grumbled, the long spear condensed from the lightning reappeared in her hand.
Seeing this, Hurst couldn’t help but laugh: “Foolish, do you really think the same move can work on me—”
Before he could finish his words, he suddenly felt his body sink, as if he had lost control.
Although his brain had sent movement signals to his limbs, his body defied its own control.
The only thing he could still move, his eyes, saw a pitch-black figure silently rise from the shadow beneath him, its face hidden behind a cloak wearing an ornate mask, its crimson eyes coldly staring at him.
Hurst suddenly realized, attempting to break free with telekinesis, but the shadow tightly locked his body like a whirlpool.
At this moment, Nagino finally spoke to Hurst: “Sorry, I never use the same attack twice.”
The thrown lightning spear pierced through Hurst’s torso, pinning him against a distant metal wall. At the moment the lightning burst, the defensive telekinetic force around him crumpled like paper.
He didn’t even get to let out a complete scream, as he was instantly consumed by that burst of silvery lightning.
“Did you not know that psychic types are countered by ghost types?”
[Master, you are indeed very familiar with Pokémon~]
“Shut up.”
The air still held the burnt smell left by the lightning strike.
The metal wall was scorched and deformed, Hurst’s remains were nowhere to be found, leaving only fragments and residual heat flickering in the corner.
Nagino turned towards the experimental table, rescuing Erica from the apparatus.
“…I really think there’s something I need to apologize to you about.”
A voice came from behind, carrying a forced smile and a fatigued breath.
Kane limped closer step by step, finally leaning against a nearby metal column.
“Which matter are you referring to?” Nagino asked without turning her head.
“Earlier, I said I was only interested in men? I may need to amend that statement.”
“Ha?” Why was I just discussing Pokémon with someone, and now we’re talking about sexual orientation? If you find it troubling, go see a psychologist! Nagino grumbled internally.
“If it were a woman like you, I’d be a little interested.”
“…Sorry, I have a partner.”
“I know, that ring on your left ring finger… I’ve noticed it for a long time.” Kane smiled and pointed at Nagino’s left hand: “That’s why I dared to speak up; otherwise, I’d be quite troubled if you took it seriously.”
[Oh, it seems that guys find you more attractive, huh? Oh, just a fiancée, so it’s an affair before marriage—] Nagino directly took off her headphones, too lazy to listen to Shuyin Nagai’s nonsense.
“However, I really envy the guy who won your heart— it should be a man, right? Although it’s also quite flow—”
“Could you come help if you’re not dead?” Nagino couldn’t tolerate being surrounded by such people any longer.
Finally, after both of them worked together to remove the apparatus from Erica, Nagino recognized that the surrounding equipment was from the three major academies.
But Kane expressed a completely different conclusion:
“Crimson Cross… It seems that this matter indeed involves them.”
“Crimson Cross?” Nagino couldn’t help but parrot back after hearing this.
She knew this anti-esper organization was not from the plot of “Stellar Drift 2,” but from her past experiences in the Ark Academy.
The infiltrators Inotake and Shinju, who acted as undercover agents in the Ark Academy, were from this organization called Crimson Cross.
Nagino had thought this matter simply had ties to the three major academies or the Special Association SEMA but hadn’t expected it to involve the Crimson Cross, which should be in opposition to them.
What exactly was behind these technologies—
—Perhaps it was time for a proper investigation.
“Kane, are you ready to accept a new commission?”
