Chapter: 27. The Plot of the DLC
Nagi was somewhat relieved that the gown she was currently wearing was designed by the Armory.
Logically, a gown, due to its tight design, heavy material, and long hem, should restrict leg movement and make mobility difficult.
However, this black “White Moonlight” variant had none of those issues. Even the strapless neckline, which accentuated the bust, provided a secure fit that wouldn’t slip or expose during intense movement. The long hem at the back could easily transform into two flowing ribbons that split apart, resembling the iconic bow of a magical girl.
As for the high heels she wore, they were equipped with a “self-balancing” feature, allowing her to sprint without any issues related to stability.
Nagi couldn’t help but admire the design level of the Armory. The battle attire she wore in the past as an Elemental Ruler could not offer such comprehensive functionality.
“Indeed… How strange? What are these data and materials exactly…”
Just as Nagi was sprinting through the shadows of the Star Academy in her 5cm heels, she heard Erika’s puzzled and wavering voice.
It seemed her psychic ability helped her discover some confidential information that had previously gone unnoticed.
Under normal circumstances, the Star Academy restricted students from using their powers, except during practical classes.
Thus, Erika hadn’t had many opportunities to use her abilities to probe into the Academy’s internal data. Simply gathering information about the surrounding students, teachers, or professors had already consumed all her time.
Now, however, due to the attack on the Star Academy, students were allowed to use their powers.
Moreover, everything caused by Erika in the “Digital World” could be pinned on the intruders, so Nagi had urged Erika to make the most of this opportunity to investigate all the information the Star Academy had.
“Erika, stay calm. It’s fine not to understand everything. Just tell me the intelligence you have right now.”
Nagi kept her voice calm and in control, guiding Erika to settle down.
“Ah, well… um, first, regarding the invasion incident…” Erika’s voice was hesitating, as if she were trying to sort out what she had just discovered and articulate it clearly:
“A few hours ago, several planes that shouldn’t have been on the Star Academy’s guest list landed at the helipad on the east side of the Academy, bringing with them several groups of people unrelated to the Academy. They seem to have hacked into the Academy’s security system and modified some of its data. I just found traces of their modifications…”
“—The attack on the main teaching building was just a diversion!” Erika seemed to finally realize.
Upon hearing this, Nagi immediately halted her steps toward the main teaching building.
Although she knew Kanade had rushed to the main teaching building at once, she felt a bit worried and was preparing to check the situation.
Logically speaking, with an S-rank present, there was no immediate concern that anyone would cause a problem in the main teaching building.
The power of an S-rank was indeed that formidable and reassuring.
“Then what is the real target of the intruders?” Nagi whispered.
“Um, um… it’s a system secretly developed by the Star Academy—The β System?” Erika’s tone was somewhat uncertain, indicating that the surprising element was indeed this system.
As soon as those words left her lips, Nagi was stunned.
It felt as if something was shattering into pieces…
A vague yet incredibly nostalgic memory surged forth through the cracks—materializing into text and images flashing in her mind.
The β System.
Originating from the story of the original game “Star Pull 2.”
But it wasn’t part of the main game content of “Star Pull 2,” rather a key item from an unreleased DLC storyline, corresponding to Erika’s ability “Heaven’s Key Release.”
For instance, it was like the “artificial fantasy monsters” of the Star Festival Society, corresponding to the main character, Hinata Mana’s “final masterpiece.”
It was an item that existed because it was related to the main character, Erika.
Why?
Clearly, the DLC of “Star Pull 2” hadn’t been released, so why had these settings suddenly appeared in this world recently?
If these elements had existed from the beginning, then as the “Elemental Ruler,” she would have found them long ago. Why had they only coincidentally appeared recently…
And most importantly—
How did she know about the plot and settings from a DLC that hadn’t even been released?
“Ti…ko…”
“Tianyin… sister…”
“Tianyin Miss!”
Erika’s calls jolted Nagi back to reality.
“Sorry, I got a bit distracted.” Nagi hurriedly responded.
On the other end of the headphones, Erika seemed to finally breathe a sigh of relief.
“Thank goodness… I thought something happened to you, Tianyin Miss… I think I now know where these intruders really want to go.”
“It’s an underground facility within the Star Academy called the ‘Research Institute.’”
“I found that they had modified their access permissions and there were surveillance camera images of them appearing at the entrance of the ‘Research Institute’; their objective is definitely inside—”
“According to the data, that is where the β System is stored. I’ll send the nearest route to the Research Institute to your phone, Tianyin Miss.”
As soon as she finished speaking, Nagi’s phone screen displayed a map with a blue background and white lines, where a white arrow marked her location, and a flashing red dot indicated the Star Academy’s most secure facility—the Research Institute.
“Thank you, Erika.”
After casting one last worried glance toward the direction of the main teaching building, Nagi took off toward the Research Institute.
“Erika, can you modify the intruders’ current access permissions?”
“…I… can… cough cough…”
“Erika?”
Suddenly, on the other end of the headphones, Erika’s painful coughing could be heard.
Crimson blood trickled from her nose, and the light of magic in her eyes dimmed tremendously.
This was a reaction to magical power depletion.
Entering the Academy’s confidential archives had drained Erika of too much magic power. Although her ability was incredibly potent, she was still merely a novice psychic ability student.
“…That’s enough, Erika.” Realizing what was happening on the other end of the headphones, Nagi unhesitatingly urged Erika to stop using her powers.
“You did great. Leave the rest to me.”
“But… but…”
“It’s fine. I won’t let anyone take anything from the Research Institute tonight.”
Nagi replied firmly and snapped her fingers—
The shadows beneath her feet began to writhe.
Although the Star Academy was a heavily guarded place, she couldn’t help but admire how Eternal Shadow really had a way of making fantasy monsters hide in her shadow to evade this series of inspections.
The clear night sky that had just been devoid of clouds was suddenly shrouded in darkness.
