Chapter: 82. The Star Spirit and the Title (3k8)
Although they didn’t know what had just happened.
Everyone had witnessed the girl in front of them, single-handedly facing off against two ace-level esper users who were using all their strength, yet still not at a disadvantage.
Just this fact alone was enough to ignite the atmosphere of the entire main gymnasium.
Sitting in the audience, Baishi was completely stunned.
She had indeed seen the power that Nagina had just displayed during private training sessions, but—
“Is there really such a way to use it!?”
—————–
“So this is— the power after the fusion of authority and spirit…?”
The bald head, now in skeleton form, moved his jaw and spoke in a tone mixed with admiration.
Just from that round of exchanges earlier, he had seen the potential hidden within this power and finally understood why “Hypothetical Light” would include her in the candidate list for the “Dual Kings Plan”.
However, on the other side.
Misa, who had also witnessed the other party’s strength, felt her unwillingness growing.
—Not enough, far from enough… With just this level, do you think you can take the ‘throne’ from Lord Yangxiang?
She thought to herself, gritting her teeth, her gaze sharper than ever.
Just as Misa was about to launch another attack.
“Wait a moment.”
A slightly hoarse voice suddenly interrupted her action.
The elder, who had been collapsed on the side of the arena, was now standing up again without anyone noticing.
A rare smile graced his face, a blend of surprise and approval.
Misa’s movements paused, her snake-like pupils narrowing slightly as she turned to look at the elder.
“…It seems you truly have the qualifications to be called an ‘esper’.”
The elder said frankly, his gaze landing on the girl in the center of the arena.
“Although you did exploit some ‘information gaps’, being able to confront several ace-level espers as a mere student—this alone is enough to pass the practical evaluation.”
After he finished speaking, he revealed a pleased smile.
“Ah, what a truly eye-opening battle.”
“I’m sorry, we underestimated you before.”
The ace twin sisters also came over.
After the three examiners expressed their views.
As the “ace hell judge,” the bald examiner felt that the time was ripe. This simulated practical combat no longer needed to continue; Shindai Nagina had nearly completed the evaluation with overwhelming force, leaving no room for doubt.
His skull, enveloped in fierce flames, regained its flesh and blood and nodded slightly, speaking in a deep voice:
“I also acknowledge your strength.”
With the affirmation of several ace-level espers, the audience erupted into even more enthusiastic applause and cheers.
In this situation, everyone believed—Shindai Nagina had undoubtedly passed the “practical evaluation.”
However—
The only one yet to speak was Misa.
She still hadn’t released her “assimilation” state, her snake tail swaying lightly, her dual pupils fixed sharply on Nagina, lingering with a trace of unresolved obsession.
From the examiners’ perspective, the other party’s performance had long exceeded the passing standard.
But from a “personal” standpoint, she…
“The battle… is not over yet, right?”
At that moment, Nagina, who had remained silent, slowly spoke.
Her voice was not loud, but it clearly reached everyone’s ears.
“Wh-what?!” Misa reacted almost instinctively.
The other ace-level espers also showed expressions of confusion and surprise.
The students in the audience seemed to sense a change in the atmosphere and gradually quieted down.
The venue fell into silence, with only Nagina’s voice clearly echoing:
“I remember that this unlimited, timeless simulated practical combat—continues until all members of either side lose their combat ability or voluntarily declare surrender… right?”
She gently surveyed the crowd, her gaze sweeping over each ace examiner’s face.
“Everyone… are you going to surrender?”
Upon hearing her words, everyone froze in place.
Under everyone’s watch, Nagina slowly raised the white handgun that had never been fired.
“I—haven’t used my full strength yet?”
As soon as she finished speaking, the venue erupted into a commotion.
Except for Misa, the ace examiners exchanged glances, their eyes filled with puzzlement.
Nagina seemed to have anticipated this moment, as if worried they would surrender prematurely, she added loudly:
“If you’re not planning to surrender—then let’s all come at me together.”
This extremely arrogant declaration ignited the fighting spirit of the ace-level espers.
Even the bald examiner, who had previously maintained a laid-back attitude, now put away his smile, adopting a serious demeanor for the first time.
“In that case, as Shindai Nagina said… let me experience your full strength.”
His tone had cooled somewhat.
As if flames from hell reignited, devouring his flesh.
While the bald examiner acknowledged her potential, he felt it was time to teach this junior a lesson—to deflate her pride and make her understand that there are always greater powers beyond her own.
In the extraordinary world, underestimating others and arrogance have always been the most dangerous enemies.
“Well then, old man will accompany you as well.” The elder examiner also took a step forward, clearly no longer underestimating the situation. He unleashed his true strength right from the start, with powerful magical fluctuations radiating from him.
“Now, let your adorable junior—”
“—also experience our full strength!!!”
The twin sisters synchronized their abilities at that moment, magical power flooding outwards like a tide.
The magical waves equivalent to three ace-level espers surged violently, as if about to flip the entire venue, heavy pressure filling every corner of the air.
Even the students in the audience felt the oppression and found it difficult to breathe.
In such an atmosphere—
Misa grinned, revealing a sinister smile.
Her emerald green hair, now transformed into countless poisonous snakes, swayed slowly, shimmering with strong magical brilliance along with her beautiful face and golden snake pupils.
“Shindai Nagina… Since you’ve said that, I’ll grant you what you wish!”
She felt gratitude towards the other’s arrogance in her heart, for only this way did she have a chance to vent her frustration in this simulated practical combat.
As her words fell, violet-black starlight churned deep within her soul.
—Don’t think that you’re the only one who possesses the power of “the end”!
On the other side.
Facing the intense momentum of several ace-level espers, Nagina revealed a smile.
Her pure and beautiful face displayed no fear; instead, she looked relieved.
In the next moment, she slowly raised the white handgun in her hand.
The gun barrel did not point at the enemy, but rather—
Straight at her own temple.
This scene left everyone momentarily stunned.
“Since you count as four ‘aces’ on your side…”
“Then on my side, to avoid one against many, let’s go with—four against four.”
“…!?”
Both the examiners and students on stage and in the audience were left dumbfounded.
No one could understand the true meaning of her words.
But they sensed one thing—
She was not just bluffing.
Because, the aura had changed.
As if something was about to be awakened.
Nagina closed her eyes and slowly took a breath.
The bullets in her white handgun began to receive her magical power.
…
…
In the original game of “Star Draw 2”, if the male protagonist “Tsukimi Kanade” represents “individual combat.”
Then the female protagonist “Hoshimiya Nagina” represents—
Team combat.
In the next instant—
Nagina abruptly opened her eyes, deep and profound as always, but at that moment they sparkled as if the stars themselves shone.
Without the slightest hesitation, she decisively pulled the trigger of the white handgun.
A dull yet clear gunshot reverberated through the gymnasium.
However, the anticipated scene of blood splattering did not materialize.
Her head—was not pierced by the bullet.
Instead, the moment the bullet touched her temple, the entire scene froze suddenly.
From the other side of her head, a shard of glass like white cosmic dust slowly flew out, spinning slightly in the air, and then guided by an invisible magical force, rose into the sky.
At that moment, it was as if new life was quietly being born.
“Show yourself—!!!”
“Star Spirit!”
In the silent thrum of the air, a light streak tore through vision.
The “spirit” residing in the “authority” accepted Nagina’s call at that moment.
Pure white mist surged like a tide, quickly coalescing behind Nagina, revealing its outline.
It was a massive white fox, serene in demeanor, with six tails unfurled, the tail feathers like mist and smoke, its form somewhat reminiscent of the false god, but also distinctly different—this was her very own “Mist Star Spirit”.
Above it, a golden light suddenly appeared.
The second “star spirit” descended—
A golden dragon woven from the hues of dusk soared in, calm and divine, embodying the “Dusk Star Spirit”, with each golden scale reflecting the soft light of the setting sun.
Following closely, a third star spirit emerged from the lightning.
It was a mysterious figure draped in a wide robe, standing in the air, surrounded by arcs of electricity, whose appearance seemed human yet not human, subtly exuding the aura of an Eastern divine dragon—
“Azure Thunder Star Spirit”.
The manifestation of authority.
This is the “Star Spirit”.
In the original game of “Star Draw 2”, only “Hoshimiya Nagina” could summon—
Her own, birthed from the fusion of authority, “Child of the Stars”.
“Everyone, are you ready—?”
She slowly lowered the white handgun held in her left hand, a fierce smile curling at the corners of her mouth.
Her gaze fixed straight ahead—
Where several ace-level espers maintained their dazed postures, evidently still reeling from the scene that had just exceeded their comprehension.
—————–
This simulated practical combat undeniably concluded with Nagina’s “complete victory”.
It not only crushed expectations but also exceeded everyone’s understanding.
Even ace-level espers, in the face of the “Star Spirit”, a completely incomprehensible existence, were almost all taken down by “first-time kill”.
The only one able to resist present, “x-level esper” Misa—
From the moment she decided to tap into the power of “the end,” this battle was already destined for her “defeat”.
After the simulation phase ended,
Nagina looked at the ace-level espers being carried off on stretchers, feeling apologetic once more, she had lost count of how many times.
And the other examiners and students present.
Even though Nagina had retracted all her power, the scene was still silent.
They were unable to recover from the shock of what had just transpired.
The atmosphere was so quiet that it made Nagina feel somewhat awkward, as if she had not felt the ambiance of “victory” or “passing the evaluation”.
Fortunately, Baishi was the first to regain her senses in the audience, rushing over without hesitation to embrace her.
“…Thank you.”
Nagina softly expressed her gratitude, her legs giving way as she collapsed into Baishi’s arms.
She had been relying on the “magical illusions” created by the “Mist Authority” to hold on during the fight.
After the battle ended, symptoms of magical exhaustion manifested within her.
Baishi, who had trained alongside Nagina countless times, naturally knew this, which is why she rushed out to support her.
“What was that just now?… I didn’t hear you mention it before!”
Baishi whispered in her ear, her tone filled with shock and helplessness.
“…Secret weapon.”
Nagina averted her gaze somewhat nervously.
“You’re hiding this kind of ability, what do you want to make me worry about, huh!”
“…W-well?”
The two supported each other as they slowly walked towards the back passage.
At this moment, the other examiners and students finally snapped back to reality,
A loud and enduring applause erupted, the loudest of the day.
Immediately after, the bespectacled examiner responsible for her assessment rushed to Nagina’s side, looking somewhat anxious:
“Um, Shindai Nagina, thank you for your hard work. Today’s practical evaluation was spectacular, and we will officially notify you of the results in a few days—”
“Yeah, thank you.”
Nagina nodded lightly, adding:
“And… if possible, please convey my apologies to all the examiners… I only said those things to try and—show my abilities as much as possible.”
The bespectacled examiner repeatedly waved his hands: “There’s no need to worry about that; I believe everyone will understand. Now let’s go to the back to rest properly.”
“…Um, I appreciate it.”
However—
Just as she was being helped by Baishi towards the back passage, the bespectacled examiner seemed to recall something suddenly and called out to her:
“Um! Sorry, but one more thing… If— I mean, if you are assessed as an ace-level esper, what are your thoughts on your ‘title’?”
Faced with this question, Nagina was momentarily taken aback, but didn’t hesitate.
She already had an answer in her heart.
That was, in the original game of “Star Draw 2”, the title belonging to the female protagonist “Hoshimiya Nagina”—
Stellar Broodmother.
