Chapter: 80. Female Protagonist “Hoshigami Nagi” (Part 2) (7k4) (38/46)
Finally.
Nagi’s request was accepted by Hoshi Academy.
After all, for Hoshi Academy, the essence of practical assessments is to allow students to showcase their abilities and potential as much as possible.
Although her request sounded a bit hard to imagine, it was not difficult to implement within the scope allowed by the rules.
The bald examiner even suspected for a moment whether she had detected his identity and knew what Hikaru had arranged behind the scenes.
That was why she would proactively propose such a challenge, involving multiple ace-level ability users in a “simulated combat.”
Since the establishment of Hoshi Academy, there had only been one student who successfully passed the practical assessment while facing ace-level ability users, without restrictions or time limits—
The highest masterpiece of ace, Ayakusa Mana.
Now the president of Hoshi Academy.
And even Ayakusa Mana had only named one ace-level ability user in her simulated combat back then.
This first-year student actually demanded that “multiple” ace-level examiners participate at the same time, emphasizing the “multiple” aspect.
After Nagi made this request, students in other areas undergoing assessments were naturally unable to continue in peace.
Thus, the examiners simply paused the processes in those areas and allowed students to observe this special “simulated combat: reverse team battle.”
Of course, there was another reason for such an arrangement—
Some of the examiners were precisely the ace-level ability users called to participate; they would serve as examiners in this simulated combat.
……
……
Everything unfolded just as Meisa had expected.
Initially, she had considered volunteering to become Kamishiro Akane’s opponent once the “simulated combat” segment started.
But now, she could rightfully demand to participate in this assessment.
—Is this Hikaru’s little trick?
She immediately recognized the “bald examiner” as an ace-level ability user closely associated with Hikaru.
Thus, Meisa instinctively determined that this series of developments was likely part of Hikaru’s early setup.
Gathering a few ace-level examiners on stage, then allowing Kamishiro Akane to gain some advantages in battle to accumulate topics of interest and “combat results.”
In the end, this would pave the way for her to pass the practical assessment and directly receive an “A-level” ability user evaluation—preparing to elevate her to the position of “dual king” afterward.
—Too bad, with me here, you won’t win so easily.
Meisa thought to herself.
She had no intention of holding back in the upcoming “simulated combat.”
At least within the “three minutes” she had set for herself, she would attack with no mercy.
If Kamishiro Akane truly had the capability to last against her for 3 minutes, then she would consider letting her off the hook and allow her to pass the practical assessment to become an “ability user.”
Meanwhile, the bald examiner from Hikaru’s camp also keenly noticed the movements on the other side—
He saw Meisa’s figure also appear among the examiners.
He remembered very clearly that Hikaru had mentioned to him something: Ayakusa Mana, the current president of Hoshi Academy, had begun to show great interest in Kamishiro Akane, intending to pull her under her wing.
—Could it be…!
In an instant, the bald examiner felt that he had grasped a certain truth, the background transforming into the vast universe, as he perceived the truth of the world.
—So this girl dared to make such an outrageous request because she had already reached some secret agreement with the president…?
His imagination became increasingly vivid.
This simulated combat was, in fact, a perfectly coordinated “joint performance.”
Although these ace-level examiners would appear to be putting in their all, they had already tacitly allowed themselves to “play along” at critical moments, creating glorious moments for “Kamishiro Akane,” thereby building momentum, establishing authority, and solidifying her status as a “crown prince candidate”…
The more he thought about it, the more reasonable it seemed; the bald examiner nodded inwardly.
On the other hand, the ace-level examiners about to participate in the “simulated combat” also recognized the identities of the “Meisa” and “Bald” examiners.
As ace-level ability users, they broadly understood the information regarding the “dual king plan.”
They also recognized that the two in front of them were “dual king candidates”—Hikaru and Mana’s people.
More importantly—
This new student named “Kamishiro Akane” was said to also be one of the “crown prince candidates.”
Taking into account all currently known information.
A daring thought unconsciously arose among the ace-level ability users present as they exchanged glances.
—————–
After Nagi proposed her “special request.”
The examiners held a brief discussion and ultimately decided that the number of ace-level examiners participating would be—five.
Because that was all the ace-level ability users available at the practical assessment venue.
If ranked by strength, the strongest among these five examiners was undoubtedly Meisa.
As an “X-level” ability user and the assistant to the “chief” of Hoshi Academy, her strength was enough to overpower most ace-level ability users, making her the universally acknowledged “strongest” in the minds of everyone present.
Following her was the bald examiner, more commonly recognized by his nickname than his real name.
Many at Hoshi Academy couldn’t remember his name, not because it was hard to recall or because his “bald” appearance was too conspicuous, but because his title was too domineering—”Ace Hell Judge.”
The third was a slightly older, seasoned ability user.
He had neatly cropped gray-white hair, and the wrinkles on his face seemed etched with the rings of the history of ability users. His gaze was deep yet kind, as one of the few granted the “ace” title since the early days of Hoshi Academy. Although his body had lost its former stature, the oppressive feeling that had been tempered by time still commanded respect.
And last was a pair of twin beautiful sisters.
They always acted as a unit in battle, thus being classified as an “ace-level duo”—that is, when they were together, their combined strength reached ace standards, but when separated, they only maintained A-level standards.
In contrast to the other examiners’ calm and professional outfits, the sisters’ uniforms were clearly more “personalized.”
They wore lightweight uniforms reminiscent of stage idols, with metallic embellishments and delicate lace trimmings, shimmering in the sunlight, giving off an illusion of “battlefield idols.”
The two shared almost identical exquisite features and soft black hair, and their height and physique were almost completely alike.
If not for their highly distinctive side ponytail hairstyles—one sister tying her hair on the left and the other on the right—most people would struggle to tell them apart.
This was the line-up of examiners for this practical assessment at Hoshi Academy.
After seeing this list, some might question:
Can this really be considered “battling five ace-level ability users”?
But this indeed was—the strongest line-up that could be mobilized for the practical assessment venue.
After all, ace-level ability users were inherently rare. It was impossible to expect them to serve as examiners in a simple “practical assessment,” and that older white-haired elder was originally responsible for outer defense tasks for the academy, only coming to assist now because time permitted.
And the twin beauties, strictly speaking, were invited “guests” today.
In fact, for every practical assessment, Hoshi Academy would look for any ace-level ability users who happened to be on leave to come as “big stars” to guest star in the practical assessment.
Such arrangements could enhance the appeal of the assessment, giving students the chance to come face to face with top-tier strength, and create an atmosphere of aspiration—attracting more students to eagerly sign up.
This was a small touch from Hoshi Academy.
This time, it just happened that the duo, who fought as a “team,” had some leisure time, making them the “featured characters” of this round.
As for Meisa and the bald examiner, they were poised to serve as examiners in this practical assessment at the behest of Mana and Hikaru.
Otherwise, it would have been impossible to see so many ace-level ability users in one practical assessment.
After all, in past years’ practical assessments, having just three aces appear was already exceedingly rare “luxury specifications,” yet this time there were as many as four “aces.”
……
……
Considering that the number of ace-level examiners involved in this battle far exceeded previous ones, Hoshi Academy temporarily decided to expand the range of the assessment venue.
Thus, the central area of the entire main gymnasium was designated as the battlefield for this “simulated combat.”
As the only “examinee” for this assessment, Nagi stood alone on the right side of the gymnasium.
Opposite her was the strongest line-up of examiners that Hoshi Academy could gather at this stage—five ace-level ability users.
As for the other students who were originally supposed to undergo the practical assessment, they had been orderly arranged to the audience area of the gymnasium.
Almost everyone showed excitement and curiosity, looking forward to this unprecedented battle—
Only Shirashi was different.
Her face was full of astonishment, seemingly completely unprepared for Nagi to make such an extravagant request.
Initially, Shirashi thought Nagi would at most name one A-level examiner for a “three-minute” time-limited match without restrictions, trying to last for 3 minutes as the completion of the task—
Unexpectedly, she had chosen to challenge ace-level ability users in a reverse team battle, one against many, without time limits, until one side was utterly incapacitated or surrendered in an “unlimited match.”
This was not just high-profile; it could be described as “taking no one seriously.”
Shirashi was different from others.
She had witnessed Nagi’s abilities and had some understanding of her strength.
Although Nagi indeed had combat capabilities far surpassing ordinary ability users, she was still about to face the pinnacle of ability users—the ace-level.
Shirashi couldn’t help but start to worry.
On the other side.
Standing in the main gymnasium, Nagi’s state of mind was more serene than ever.
Standing on this familiar ground, memories of her past as the elemental sovereign flooded her mind.
The instinct for battle as the “protagonist” was being awakened once again.
Until Meisa’s voice pulled her thoughts back to reality.
“Kamishiro Akane, are you ready?”
Nagi slowly opened her eyes, gazing calmly at the five examiners before her, and nodded.
“Yes.”
“Let me ask one more time—do you really want to choose ‘unrestricted, no time limit’ for the simulated combat? Under this rule, we will not impose any restrictions on abilities or fighting methods.” Meisa, the strongest ability user among the examiners, acted as team leader and made the final confirmation: “The battle will continue until all members of either side lose their combat ability or voluntarily announce their surrender.”
“Yes, I look forward to your guidance.” Nagi replied while gently bowing.
Seeing this, the five ace-level examiners couldn’t help but show serious expressions, adjusting their states.
Although the opponent was just a student, since this was a simulated combat, they must adopt the proper attitude—at least they needed to present a serious demeanor.
“—I understand.” Meisa responded in a similarly calm tone: “Therefore, the timing to start the battle will be decided by you. You can attack at any time, and we will take your moment of striking as the signal to begin the combat.”
Meisa’s voice echoed in the vast gymnasium.
Although her tone was not high, it carried a clear penetrative quality, resonating in everyone’s ears.
“Then, excuse me.”
After Nagi spoke, she elegantly extended her hands to the sides of her thighs, and with her movement, her skirt swayed slightly. She pulled out two gun-like “artificial fantasy weapons,” one black and one white, which shimmered with a faint metallic luster under the sunlight.
Upon seeing this pair of weapons, whispers rose among the students in the audience.
“Is that… a handgun?”
“And a small caliber one? Does someone actually choose to use such fantasy weapons?”
……
The students were murmuring, their expressions filled with confusion and disbelief.
They all recognized those as “artificial fantasy weapons,” but almost no one would choose guns as their primary combat equipment in an official battle.
Whether in terms of output methods, power, or accuracy, these weapons had significant shortcomings.
Especially these two handguns that leaned towards a lightweight style, seemingly lacking visual impact altogether.
Those who would choose such firearms as weapons typically had a strong affinity with mechanical abilities.
But such ability users usually excelled in guerrilla tactics.
Now she was going to face five ace-level ability users head-on?
The observing students felt that what was unfolding before their eyes was beyond their understanding.
Unless all of this was just a show by “Kamishiro Akane,” in which case she was indeed performing exceptionally well.
However, in contrast to the students, the examiners and teachers present revealed serious expressions.
Because they could sense that.
The girl standing in the gymnasium at that moment was emanating a changing aura.
—The power of the end? Or something else?
With their limited experience, they could not discern what it was. The only thing they could be certain of was—she was not just putting on a facade.
—————–
When exactly did I acquire this power?
Was it when I injected the “secret drug” on the island of the Star Association?
Or after recovering the fragments of the End from the souls of those seven ability users?
Nagi was certain that both factors did play a role—but the real key did not lie here.
As the sole survivor of the “Star Association Incident,” Nagi’s soul, having residual traces of the End, was misjudged by Hoshi Academy and Hikaru as—her soul being infected by fragments of the End.
So, under such circumstances, what measures would Hoshi Academy take regarding someone judged to have a soul affected by the End?
For someone determined to be infected with the End, the primary task was—ensuring they were not controlled by the End.
This meant that during the time Nagi was unconscious, the school had injected her with the only known “vaccine” capable of providing “immunity” against the End’s control—Black Flame Vaccine.
On the island of the Star Association, even a “semi-finished” secret drug could temporarily mend her shattered soul; how effective would the completed “vaccine” be?
At this moment, Nagi maintained the fighting stance with her guns down, her arms hanging loosely, and gently closed her eyes.
In the dark, formless visual field, she could more clearly perceive subtle changes within her body, especially—
The changes in her soul.
She couldn’t completely ascertain whether everything was a result of some “bug.”
After Nagi’s soul shattered, the empty spaces left perfectly allowed a unique power, solely belonging to the “protagonist,” to emerge—when the Black Flame flowed through the cracks in her soul and gradually seeped in, fusing with her soul—
Another power that should only belong to the “protagonist” was awakened.
That was the ability of another “protagonist” in the original game “Star Pull 2.”
Nagi Hoshigami’s ability.
Originally, this power would only appear after “Nagi Hoshigami” herself awakened.
However, her soul had already exhibited cracks due to the awakening of the “Enlightened Truth” in her past life.
Once a soul has “awoken” an ability, can it awaken a “new” one in addition to the “second awakening”?
The answer is affirmative.
But that was limited to the two “protagonists” in the original work of “Star Pull 2”: “Tsukimi Kanade” and “Nagi Hoshigami.”
Both were special individuals chosen by fate, capable of awakening a “new”—second ability related to the “Cao Gua Box” under the protection of the “Cao Gua Box.”
And what was occurring in Nagi now was something that could not be replicated in “Star Pull 2” or occurred only under circumstances of a bug.
The abilities were born from the cracks in the soul, but Nagi’s soul at this moment belonged to both “light” and “Nagi Hoshigami.”
Thus.
At this moment, Nagi gained—what originally only belonged to Nagi Hoshigami: her “primary ability.”
……
……
As Nagi opened her eyes again—
Magic surged from deep within her soul like a tidal wave. Although the magic she could produce, under the “repair” of the “Black Flame Vaccine,” was limited, the magic now released was fundamentally different from that of ordinary ability users.
Magic flowed along her skin and breath, and as it reached her exterior, her once deep black hair instantly transformed into pure white snow-like strands, emanating a golden glow resembling the afterglow of a sunset, with arcs of azure lightning flickering through her flowing hair.
In the original game “Star Pull 2,” the existence of the female protagonist “Nagi Hoshigami” was an adjustment made hurriedly by the gaming company after the “Flame Up” incident. Thus, from various perspectives, her character was designed to contrast with the male protagonist “Tsukimi Kanade.”
For instance, “Tsukimi Kanade’s” abilities excelled in “one-on-one” single suppression, performing exceptionally in solo duels.
On the other hand, “Nagi Hoshigami’s” abilities leaned towards a “one-to-many” group combat style.
“Tsukimi Kanade” possessed the strongest and highest-priority ability in the entire game—”Rewrite.”
Conversely, “Nagi Hoshigami” was endowed with the strongest, second only to “Rewrite” ability— “Supreme Authority.”
If “Tsukimi Kanade” symbolized the ultimate of “abilities,”
Then “Nagi Hoshigami” represented the ultimate of “authority.”
“!?”
Everyone on the scene stared wide-eyed in shock.
“This… Is this the aura of authority…?”
“And, it’s plural authorities…!”
The ace twin sisters sensed the aura of authority.
“…No, something is off… Is this magic or authority…?” But the elder examiner discerned that the magic response was strange, falling somewhere between magic and authority.
Only Meisa and the bald examiner, who understood the fusion of “Kamishiro Akane’s” soul and authority, instantly realized what this power was.
Yet even knowing the “truth,” they still fell into confusion for a moment.
This was a perfectly natural reaction.
Because this was their first time witnessing such a situation.
In the original “Star Pull” series, this was something only the female protagonist “Nagi Hoshigami” could do—fusing her soul with authority, thereby allowing her magic to carry the properties of “authority.”
Thus, after Nagi awoke from her unconscious state, she didn’t comprehend why Hikaru would tell her that her soul had a special reaction due to the fragments of the End.
Clearly, such a phenomenon was the most representative ability manifestation of the female protagonist in “Star Pull 2″—a unique ability belonging to “Nagi Hoshigami.”
It had nothing to do with the “power of the End.”
And how could Hikaru, as a “copy” inheriting her memories—even possessing the “β System” memories from unreleased DLC—be unaware of “Nagi Hoshigami’s” abilities?
This almost made Nagi certain that Hikaru had not fully inherited all of her memories.
Though she was uncertain about what parts were missing, at least he lacked details regarding “Nagi Hoshigami.”
Otherwise, he would not overlook such an obvious and crucial feature as the “fusion of authority and soul.”
In the original “Star Pull” series, “authority” was a powerful yet dangerous force, truly a “double-edged sword.”
This was because authorities often resided on “external objects”—they could be worn, transferred, or lost, and could even be forcibly taken by enemies in battle, turning authority directly into the opponent’s strength.
This setting caused significant frustration for many players throughout the game.
It was clear that in the preceding battle, they had just obtained an incredibly powerful authority, only to have it swing the situation completely when it fell into enemy hands due to a stringent judgment in the next fight.
Such situations were common in the original work.
This kind of situation was already a routine matter.
Yet this unreasonable design flaw finally received resolution in the sequel “Star Pull 2.”
The female protagonist “Nagi Hoshigami” possessed an ability to fuse authority with her soul.
Though the fused authority could no longer be separated, at least it resolved the problem of losing or discarding authority in battle.
More importantly, “Nagi Hoshigami’s” magic would change as a result.
Her magic would be enhanced by the properties of authority, fundamentally raising her combat capabilities.
Generally speaking, authority had to be infused with magic to activate or expand its domain.
However, for “Nagi Hoshigami,” the magic she released already contained the power of “authority.”
The female protagonist “Nagi Hoshigami” was the entity that could wield the power of “authority” most effectively in the original game “Star Pull 2.”
“—Are you ready?”
A slight smile appeared at the corner of Nagi’s mouth.
This was the sign that she had entered a state of battle and had become exhilarated.
The brilliant glow of magic integrated with “Mist” and “Dusk” authority slowly emerged in her eyes.
She raised the hand holding the pitch-black gun slowly, aiming at the five ace-level examiners standing before her—
In the next instant,
Electric arcs writhed around Nagi like a raging serpent, crackling with sound, and an aroma of singed air began to permeate the atmosphere.
A massive eye woven from azure lightning suddenly materialized on the dome of the gymnasium, quietly watching the gym below like a deified presence.
An invisible domain… no, for “Nagi Hoshigami,” the domain unfolded through the fusion with “soul (star),” had been given a new exclusive term—
【Domain of the Stars】
Under the “Domain of the Stars,” the entire gymnasium was enveloped by “Azure Thunder Authority,” with the enormous eye suspended in mid-air manifesting the “Judgment Power” of the Azure Thunder authority.
As for the five examiners being “judged” by the “Azure Thunder Authority,” their types of abilities, effects, and even their own weaknesses were laid bare in Nagi’s sight.
A glimmer of azure light seeped silently from the muzzle of the handgun she held aloft.
This was the fantasy weapon specially customized for her by Shirashi; the bullets contained within could be enhanced through the infusion of magic.
At first glance, this seemed like a rather underwhelming ability.
After all, due to the “mass production” materials, each bullet had a limited amount of magic that could be infused; even when fully loaded, the power would only be standard, and taking accuracy into account, such a weapon might not even be as effective as releasing abilities directly using the magic itself.
But—
What if the magic infused into each bullet was not ordinary magic but the power of “authority”?
Furthermore.
What if the magic infused into the bullets consisted entirely of “high-concentration magic” that had been compressed?
Nagi’s pupils slightly constricted, a brilliant and dazzling magical glow erupted from her eyes, announcing the official start of the “simulated combat”—
“Condemnation.”
A bullet imbued with “Azure Thunder Authority” shot out from the muzzle of the black handgun, but just as the bullet exited the chamber, a dense, pure white fog abruptly appeared in front of the gun’s mouth without warning.
The bullet did not shoot directly towards the enemy but was swallowed by the “white fog,” vanishing without a trace.
In the same instant.
The same white fog, resembling a flower blooming silently, suddenly appeared before the ace twin sister’s elder sibling.
Without any warning, without any discernible trajectory.
The bullet imbued with “Azure Thunder Authority,” carrying the property of “inevitable hit,” silently emerged in the pure white fog, piercing through her abdomen with almost zero loss.
Everything happened far too suddenly; the sister didn’t even have time to use her abilities to block.
The next second—
Boom!
A deafening explosion reverberated.
The shockwave erupted in front of her, radiating into a blinding circle of white ripples. The power struck her as if an out-of-control heavy truck had crashed into her head-on, directly sending her body soaring into the air and crashing heavily toward the edge of the venue, kicking up dust and debris.
And since her position was right at the back of the five ace examiners—
To the other four, the scene before them was: that girl simply raised her hand and shot once, and the next moment, their last team member was attacked and flung out.
Everything transpired in an instant.
No one even saw how that bullet hit their teammate.
Since the involved ace-level examiners had no idea what had just occurred,
Let alone the students, teachers, and examiners in the audience.
What they witnessed was merely the battle having just commenced when one ace-level ability user was sent flying like a broken kite.
All present were momentarily stunned into silence by the incomprehensible scene before them.
