V1C1

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I thought I was dreaming.

Dreaming of a very far and distant memory from long ago.

Even more distant that when my parents were killed.

A memory that couldn’t possibly have been human.

“Kou—————you awake?”

Kaguro Kou opened his eyes.

A human face formed in his hazy vision.

At the same time, a single tear ran down Kou’s cheek.

“———………Huh, that’s weird.”

Tilting his head, he reached for the corners of his eyes. Usually, Kou never cried. As far as he could remember, no matter how sad things were, he had never shed a single tear. But now, the tears wouldn’t stop.

There was no reason for them, so Kou was puzzled. Then, a young girl leaned her head in front of him.

“Hm? Kou, are you crying? Why?”

“I don’t know…maybe I had bad dream or something?”

“It’s a rare sight to see Kou crying. What kind of dream was it?”

The girl asked curiously. Her large chestnut eyes twinkled, matching her short brown hair.

Kou’s vision began to clear, and her body came into view vividly.

Dressed in a vermilion-colored uniform, the girl held a textbook and several research papers to her chest.

Kou remembered her.

She was a classmate of his, Yuki Asagiri. At the same time, he was recalling an important and obvious fact.

Kaguro Kou is a student living at Twilight Academy, a boarding school for magic.

He unconsciously dwelt on the memory of the day of the entrance ceremony.

For one reason or another, being enrolled in Twilight Academy is not what one would call a pleasant experience. At that time, many of the new students were crying and trembling with anxiety. Those who lined up in a regular fashion were all in the midst of despair and confusion.

However, Kou was the only one who didn’t think anything of it.

After the strict but not unpleasant ceremony, he went straight for the academy’s campus.

The vast grounds were dotted with dormitories and academy buildings for each specialized department. The entire campus was distributed like a majestic bird, spreading its wings from the center to the east and west. Many of the students seemed to be intimidated by its majesty.

However, Kou did not waver and went on his way. There, someone unexpectedly approached him.

“You’re not afraid. I envy you.”

Kou turned around and saw a small girl standing beside him.

Visibly, she was frightened, so Kou responded.

“Yeah, I’m not afraid. I’m not afraid, so if this’ll help you, let’s go together.”

He held out his hand to the girl. The girl blinked, but took his hand and said,

“You’re very sweet.”

“I just thought it’d be nice if I could help is all. I wouldn’t say it’s the same as being sweet.”

After Kou’s response, the girl smiled. Then, she said her name.

“I’m Asagiri. Yuki Asagiri”

Since then, Asagiri and Kou have been close friends.

After confirming all this, Kou asked,

“Asagiri, was I…asleep?”

Asagiri rolled her eyes. Then softly, she let a smile creep across her face.

“You’re so silly, Kou. Didn’t you just ask yourself if you had a bad dream just now? Besides, wouldn’t you know if you’re sleeping or not?”

“Not necessarily, I guess. I don’t really know to be honest…well, I feel silly.”

Kou shook his head. The remnants of that strange dream felt as if they were still sticking to his eyeballs.

He rubbed his eyes and looked around. It was a spacious room with windows on all sides covered with black curtains. The floor was covered with scarlet carpet and the chairs were arranged to face toward the center.

Kou was in a huge, circular, staircase-shaped lecture hall.

At this time, the Basic Course, which was mandatory for all first-year students, had ended. Many of the students had already left their seats and began to move around as they saw fit. Some of the students were from the Magic Research Department—to which Kou and Asagiri belonged—while others were from other departments such as Combat, Defense, Healing, and Construction.

Even in this purpose-oriented academy, studying was considered a must.

Suddenly, Kou dropped his gaze without thinking, only to see the crooked words left on his notebook.

—History can be divided into two major categories.

—Before and after the emergence of Kihei.

“I’m tired of hearing all this, aren’t you? I’m honestly getting sick of it.”

“Yeah, it’s not fun having to listen to something you already know over and over again.”

Asagiri said with a sigh. Kou agreed. Asagiri nodded broadly.

“That’s right. If Kou even hates it, it must be pretty annoying.”

“I wouldn’t say I’m annoyed, yet. I’m fine so far.”

“You’re too laid back, Kou.”

Asagiri stuck her tongue out at him. Continuing, her slender fingers touched the paper. The notes describing the content of the Basic Course was enough to provoke uneasiness, but for some reason, Asagiri traced Kou’s habitual handwriting with a smile.

Feeling puzzled, Kou turned his gaze forward again.

In the center of the lecture hall, a huge display made of magic crystals was suspended in the air.

Inside the thick crystals, the three-dimensional images used during the lecture earlier were still present.

In the image was a terrifying, alien-like lifeform. Its appearance looks very hard, but also rich in flesh. Its shape is both organic and inorganic, like a bug and a beast, yet neither resemble one another.

It was a bizarre being, like a fusion of beast and machine.

Kou’s eyes narrowed. He checked to see what it was.

———Kihei, B Type.

Kihei are demon soldiers. They can also be written off as machine soldiers. The connotation doesn’t matter.

They are committed to attacking people. They don’t feed on them; they just kill them.

In short, they are an enemy of mankind.

Kou recalls the content of the lecture on Kihei.

Before the Erosion Period—the twenty-fifth year of the Imperial Calendar BE.

The Kihei suddenly emerged and attacked the Empire. Humanity was plunged into chaos. It is said that more than sixty percent of the total population died at that time. The Empire’s territory was invaded by countless Kihei. Diplomatic relations were severed, and the Empire was isolated. From then on, the Empire has been forced to struggle in this battle, alone.

This was all a long, long time ago.

Today, the other country that once existed has long been forgotten. The Empire built strong defenses by developing unique magic technology. Then to this day, a tentative peace was established.

This academy is also part of their defenses.

The academy campus here is filled with a vast number of students.

Everyone, including Kaguro Kou, was an Apprentice.

They are students and soldiers. While being learners they also serve to protect their country.

The Apprentices existed to fight against Kihei.

———But,

At this point, Kou’s focus had returned to reality.

The lecture hall was lined with rows and rows of polished wooden chairs. On the ceiling, fire magic swayed in intricate silver baskets. Beside him, Asagiri clutched her textbook to her chest.

At first glance, the daily life of the academy didn’t seem to be permeated with the appalling atmosphere of battle.

It wouldn’t be beneficial to continue to dwell on thoughts of the status quo.

“Well, I think…I’m ready to go.”

Kou slowly stuffed his textbook into his leather bag. Lowering it in one hand, he stood up and took a step, only to have Asagiri stand beside him in a panic and say excitedly,

“Listen, I heard from a friend that we can see the next ceremony practice in the square! You’re heading for our department’s facility, right? How about we take a detour and check it out?”

“Ahh, so that’s it…well, let’s get moving them. You wanna see it from the very start, don’t you?”

Kou had little interest in the ceremony practice, but Asagiri seemed really eager to see it.

Since that was the case, he decided to accompany her and quickened his pace.

As Asagiri gently clenched her fist, she nodded. Kou tilted his head in confusion but nodded back.

Although not very clear, it was nice to stay in good spirits.

Asagiri often spoke and behaved quite childishly. If anything, Kou had always been concerned about her.

He didn’t know why. Her childish demeanor had always made Kou feel nostalgic—as if he had known her long before they met.

Who did she remind me of? I can’t seem to wrap my head around it.

Kou felt a strange emptiness in his heart. It was a strong, almost lonely void. But he shook off that feeling and continued on his way.

This feeling of emptiness could not be filled at the moment.

Stepping along the scarlet carpet, they proceeded. But on the way, they found a student who was still seated.

He was staring intently at the enemy projected in the huge display of magic crystals.

Kou approached him from behind. Leave him be, Asagiri whispered. However, the hostile aura emanating from that student was too heavy for him to leave alone. He put his hand on the students’ shoulder.

Kou spoke to him in as calm a tone as possible.

“Isumi, it’s time to go to the Research Department. I’d advise you not to worry too much about…”

“You’re annoying! You probably know nothing anyway, you White Mask!”

What came in return was the academy’s typical insult. His hand had also been swatted away, swinging inanely in the air.

Within this academy, masks had a certain status. For every ceremony, people wore masks that resembled foxes and cats as a way to imitate the festivals held in the Imperial Capital. Then, what does White Mask mean? It refers to a colorless mask—one that’s yet to be processed.

A smooth surface with no coloration or workmanship.

Just a blank mask—a White Mask.

What is represents is neither an animal nor a person, but rather a thing of unknown origin.

In other words, Isumi had told him, you’re a nobody, without expression or emotion.

Hmm, Kou nodded. He did have a point, since Kou had fewer emotional ups and downs than most people.

From Asagiri’s view, he was always in a daze, and from Isumi’s view, he was always unknowing. Isumi was in the majority here, but Asagiri was fuming.

Like a cat whose tail had been stepped on, she cries out,

“You’re terrible, Isumi! You don’t have to take your frustration out on Kou! If you really hate Kihei so much, you should’ve chosen the Combat Department instead!”

“You have no right to speak about me when you made the exact same choice, Asagiri. Kou is a White Mask, everyone says so! They’re rare, lucky bastards—anyway, it’s not like he can understand the anger and hatred we have for Kihei, yet he meddles in every little thing.”

“What’s wrong with you!? I‘d understand if Kou didn’t mind coexisting with them, though it is a rather off-putting thought, making peace with Kihei. But he didn’t mean it, so why do you keep harassing him?”

“It’s true, he’s not some crazy coexistence bastard, but even so, no family member of his had died at the hands of Kihei! He’s not even in the same boat as us, yet you…”

“Well, my parents are dead too.”

The room froze as Kou spoke the truth, smirking. Kou thought he had said something on topic. He felt confused, slightly tilted his head, and feeling embarrassed, his eyes flashed from side to side.

All three of them were orphans. Seventy percent of the children taken in by this academy were.

Of those, ninety percent had their families killed by Kihei. However, Kou was different.

His parents had their lives cut short at the hands of humans.

Likely affected by the incident, Kou’s memories of his childhood were gone. Every time he tried to remember; he got a severe headache. The incident must have been so horrific that even his own unconscious mind refused to retrace his memories. With this in mind, Kou gave up on regaining those lost memories he had of his parents.

The details of the incident, which he had never heard from anyone, were said to be the work of bandits.

With no relatives to rely on, Kou ended up here.

The orphans in the Imperial Capital are guaranteed food, clothing, and shelter. But as a price, all orphans are sent to the academy and are forced to carry the obligation of being an Apprentice, either to fight or to serve in maintaining the place. However, as long as they survived to their graduation years, many would make their homes in the quarantined Defense District in front of the Imperial Capital. Although their children are required to be sent to the academy, most students aim to obtain citizenship in the quarantined district.

In addition, there are various reason for staying at the academy, including revenge against Kihei.

Including their families, the place looks like a small country.

The scene inside the academy is essentially peaceful in the eyes of the people.

However, all of them are exposed to some degree of danger to their lives.

For this reason, on the day of the entrance ceremony, most of the students were shaking with anxiety, and many of them were crying. I was probably the only one who remained calm…but now everyone seems to be. Even so, Isumi still seems to be very unstable emotional…I wish I could help him.

Kou thought to himself. On the other hand, Isumi was rather upset for some reason, and whispered, I’m sorry, before running off with his bag in hand, no questions asked. Asagiri sighed in relief and her shoulders slumped.

“Well, he’s not a bad guy at heart.”

“Yeah, Isumi’s not a bad guy… Shall we get going?”

“Yeah.”

The two of them continued to stride through the lecture hall.

From outside, they could hear the magnificent sound of an orchestra playing.

＊＊＊

The square was covered with intricate patterns by bricks with superimposed outlines of magical light. Stepping on the gold and silver lights, the orchestra composed of volunteers performed with methodical movements.

Magic was used in the parade. Flower petals and spirits danced gorgeously through the air in sync with the sound.

Around them, many students were cheering.

Kou spotted some familiar figures. They were a group of girls from the Research Department, who were watching the parade.

One of them turned around. Her blonde hair, tied up in a bun, swept over her. She was a friend of Asagiri.

When she saw the two of them, she smiled furtively and broke away from the group and came up to Asagiri.

“Good for you, Asagiri! You’ve invited Kou, but…I can’t say I’m impressed with your tastes. Looks like my advice has paid off though.”

“Oh, hush! Just focus on the parade, it’s amazing!”

Turning bright red, Asagiri pushed her friend from the back to go forward, as she strolled, she called out,

“Kou, I’m gonna go, wait for me!”

“Ahh, I’ll wait until Asagiri comes back…they must pretty close.”

Heartwarmingly, Kou smiled at them and sent them off. Just at that moment.

Looking in the girls’ direction—the organic wall built on the side of the far end came into view.

Kou couldn’t help but squint at the ominous structure.

The structure of it seemed to be an intricate blend of many different kinds of beasts.

It was a high-level magical wall constructed with countless mechanical wings, mechanical legs, and an automatic interceptor.

It’s said that it’s one of the long-lasting relics built during the Prehistoric Era―long before the Erosion Period.

The academy was surrounded by these walls on all sides. Rumor has it that the Imperial Capital also has a magic wall of equal or greater strength. However, it was not enough to protect the entire city, especially when it came to the slums located along the perimeter of the ordinary walls, where defenses were extraordinarily bare.

Many people in the slums temporarily left the Imperial Capital to make a living from the ruins. There was no end to the number of children who had lost their families.

Although you do have to do military service here, you don’t have to worry about being attacked by a Kihei, not to mention the security in the academy.

———With one exception, of course.

Thinking about this, Kou shifted his gaze from the wall.

Some students were relaxing in the café, while others stopped by the bookstores and weapon shops―students are allowed to improve the quality of their armaments themselves. Only some girls were seen chatting while eating cakes made from food synthesized by spirits. The academy could not afford to provide food for everyone via natural products. No one who lives here has ever tasted anything other than synthetic rations. However, the standard of living on campus is not low by any means.

The evidence lies right in front of you. In other words, the lively orchestra performing at this very moment.

The bass instruments were held high in the air.

All at once, the magical petals bloomed gloriously in unison, and a golden vortex ensued, bursting into the air, and fading soon after.

A round of applause proceeded. Above them, the peach and light blue petals danced wildly and melted in the wind.

There was a moment of silence as the audience waited for the next performance. Just then, Asagiri rushed back.

She seemed to have been in an argument with her friend about something and was seen panting.

“Sorry for keeping you waiting. C-Come on, Kou. Let’s just go!”

“The parade isn’t over yet, so you can keep watching. It’s a rare sight, after all. You should join your friends, Asagiri.”

“Okay! I’m coming with you, so let’s just go already!”

“Is that so? Well, let’s go together then.”

Asagiri left the parade and went to the Research Department with Kou.

The academy buildings and dormitories are divided by majors.

The exterior to the Research Department, to which Kou and Asagiri belonged, was a calm cyan blue color, the color the sky at the moment when the night broke. The quality of the Research Department’s facilities was less than desirable compared to the more privileged Combat, Healing, and Exploration Departments. All the students petitioned for improvements from the hardness of the beds to the water supply, which stopped periodically.

On the other hand, it’s said that the facilities in the Combat Department are impeccable, and the central headquarters, which only first-class personnel are allowed to enter, is particularly special. There, sat the only teleportation device to the Imperial Capital, along with various equipment that combined the best of various kinds of magic. The building itself, from the outside, is as glamorous as a castle. However, it’s also said that the so-called first-class students are only the direct troops under the strongest teacher, Kagura.

It was a luxury to enter there. Kou had no particular complaints about life at the Research Department, though.

“I don’t think the beds are that hard either.”

“What did you say, Kou? The beds in the Research Department are super hard!”

“Are they? Maybe I’m just getting too used to them.”

“Yes! I’m sure of it! Oh, I can’t wait to get my patent credentials. If I contribute more to research, I can not only save money, but also buy a new bed, and most of all…”

“Asagiri, you said you wanted to raise a Phantom Beast, right?

“That’s it! I want to do some research on Phantom Beasts and relic minerals.” Asagiri responded cheerfully.

If a student completes their course of study, combat training, achieves a certain level of qualification, and engages in research or combat tasks, they will be paid for their work.

For some time now, Asagiri had been looking forward to purchasing and raising Phantom Beasts.

Basically, you are free to choose the department you belong to. At first glance, the academy was also in peace.

However, Kou thought to himself,

The majority of students who volunteered to join the Combat Department were those who had a strong desire for revenge against Kihei.

Otherwise, they are in desperate need of money, or want to obtain priority residence in the quarantined Defense District. Moreover, the military is made up of a mixture of students to regular soldiers in a ratio of eight to two, and after regular battles, around forty percent will be dead.

In addition, when an exception occurs———,

Asagiri seemed to sense the melancholy in Kou’s purple eyes, and she jumped to Kou’s side with her petite body.

“You know, we also have research collection tasks.”

“Well, yeah. I’m getting used to it, and we’re working together pretty nicely.”

As if to reassure her, Kou replied. Relieved, she relaxed her shoulders and gave a somewhat fragile smile. Asagiri interlocked his fingers with hers and said in a persistent tone,

“I, uh, wanted to at least be able to provide rear support for the battle against Kihei, so I chose the Research Department. I don’t regret it…but I always pray, which probably sounds a little weird. Of course, not only for myself, but also for Kou, you know? I pray for neither of us to be in any danger.”

“Thank you, Asagiri…but what danger are you talking about?”

“Let’s say, for example, if you encountered an A Type, or even a Special Type Kihei, and end up getting killed——……”

From there, Kou’s vision began to distort.

In a blur, all before him turned pitch black.

Everything in the landscape was gradually transformed.

It was as if he was quickly flipping through the pages of a book he’d long grown tired of reading.

＊＊＊

“Kou———you awake?”

Kaguro Kou opened his eyes.

Asagiri’s call echoed in the back of his ears.

His vision was enveloped in a blanket of green.

In front of him was a window made of high purity magic crystals.

Vines were swaying on the other side of the window. However, his whole body was wrapped in magic armor, and he could not sense the flow of air. Feeling suffocated, Kou tried to his eyes, but her found that his arms could not directly touch his faced as his whole body was wrapped in armor. Giving up, he shook his head.

“No, I didn’t fall asleep…maybe, I’m not sure.”

Kou couldn’t help but raise an eyebrow as he said that to himself. Surely he hadn’t slept. It would have been suicidal to sleep in the outdoors. Moreover, it’s impossible to doze off during an expedition.

That’s right, I’m not inside the academy right now.

Finally, Kou realized this fact.

Right now, they are out collecting for research purposes, and the magic armor that covered their bodies and the greenery that surrounded them made it evident. It was impossible for him to fall asleep, but somehow his consciousness broke.

It felt as if he had an incredibly long dream.

A long, nostalgic dream.

“Really? You said you were awake, but it took you forever to answer.”

“He must have dozed off. There’s nothing to be afraid of when you’re a White Mask.”

“That’s enough, Isumi!”

“All right, all right, stop fighting. It doesn’t help to be suspicious. You’ve got a lot of nerve falling asleep out here…but even if you were awake, don’t be stupid, got it? Let’s just get this over with and get out of here―one wrong move and you could be dead…well, I don’t think that’s gonna happen, but still.”

“I understand. I’m sorry.”

Kou responded to his senior’s words briefly behind Asagiri and Isumi.

Through the crystal communication magic, the noise, armor driving sound, and vibration were eliminated, and the communication was transmitted to his ears.

If you only pay attention to the sound, you will fall into the illusion that you are talking within a calm classroom. However, this was not the case, and everyone knew very well that this was a dead zone.

At the same time, everyone understood that it was not an exaggeration.

Kou and the group were walking through ruins from the Prehistoric Era.

This place was the origin for the development of magic technology, and even today is the source of all that is still shrouded in mystery.

Before the Erosion Period, ruins were scattered throughout the Empire’s territory.

The emperor’s people brought back various relics from the ruins, studied them, and developed their magic technology. However, one day, a large number of Kihei emerged from all the ruins.

Those Kihei attacked people and continued to kill them aimlessly.

From that moment on, the history of never-ending battles began.

The full extent of the ruins has yet to be clear, and the total number of Kihei is also unknown. However, for some ruins, the Exploration Department has been intensively trying to develop safe routes. There are also areas where the inhabiting Kihei, including their nests, have been eliminated, and are called Cleared Areas. Kou and the others were exploring one of those exact areas.

Previously there were reports of Kihei inhabiting this area, but they’ve been killed already by the Combat Department. It’s almost impossible for new Kihei to appear in a Clear Area.

Therefore, for this kind of place, the busy Combat Department would not be brought along, and only the students of the Magic Research Department would be there.

“Alright, let’s go. Don’t fall behind again and keep up.”

“Understood. No matter what happens, I won’t stop.”

“I’d rather nothing happen.”

Kou responded to the communication. His senior’s cheerful voice replied.

Kou turned his gaze forward. Nearby was the wreckage of a building built of an unknown material. Plants were deeply rooted in it, and from time to time small animals intruded into view, creating a scene of serenity. He looked further ahead, only to see his companions lined up to advance.

All of them were clad in matte black magic armor.

The armor looked like it had been cut straight out of the night sky. Considering the camouflage effect, it was a little silly looking. However, due to the nature of the magic armor, it is impossible to change the color. It was like wearing full body armor, like a black knight from a fairy tale. In that case, its namemay not be so far off the mark.

The magic armor is one of the greatest achievements developed by the Research Department.

Ordinary Apprentices are no match for Kihei in the flesh.

However, when they put on the magic armor produced from the most advanced research data, they can compete with them. But the principle of the magic armor is still mostly unknown, even within the Research Department.

The magic armor utilizes the biological parts of Kihei.

Its working principle is only based on past research results, such as, if you use it this way, it’ll work, meaning that by no means was the analysis of Kihei themselves achieved. Furthermore, there is a more important point.

Only the B Type Kihei can be fought with this magic armor.

If you encounter an A Type or Special Type even if with skills in combat, you will eventually die. However, for the B Type Kihei, even ordinary students could handle them, and maybe even kill them. The basic parts of the armor have been replicated by harvesting the Kihei nests. However, in order to continue development, it is necessary to obtain the remains of new Kihei.

You need the enemy to fight the enemy.

It’s a huge contradiction.

But without those materials, research cannot advance.

For this reason, Kou and the others of the Magic Research Department came to collect the corpse of a B Type.

“I see it———it’s there.”

Hearing the voice of the third-year senior, Kou’s purple eyes narrowed.

Suddenly, his vision cleared, and they found themselves in a circular hall. There should have been a roof here in the past, but now it was gone, leaving only the pillars in place, and the ground was full of short grass.

There it was, in the center of the hall.

Kou’s attention was drawn to the strange object.

A familiar, yet at the same time uncomfortable, presence was lying on the ground.

The thing was very bizarre, having an organic and inorganic shape―similar in appearance to both a bug and a beast. In particular, this one resembled a spider. Neither its eight legs nor red glass eyes showed any of reactivating.

Calmly, Kou confirmed the information he had gotten from the preceding exploration unit.

———Kihei, B Type.

For Kaguro Kou and the other Apprentices, this is an enemy.

Now, they are going to dismantle it.

＊＊＊

With lean movements, the seniors got to work.

Seemingly used to this kind of work, they proceeded to dismantle the Kihei.

They used fire magic to heat up a blade to a very high temperature, then began severing each joint, and thus dismantled the Kihei to a transportable size.

There was no need for Kou and the others to help, as this process would be finished in a matter of minutes.

Forming a line, the juniors began receiving pieces of the Kihei. When it was Kou’s turn, the senior representative lifted a particularly large piece. Apparently, he too had heard the exchange between Kou and the others.

“You look like you’ve been in a daze, so I’ll give you this.”

“Well, I guess that’s fine. It’s a little big though.”

Kou muttered and extended his hand, and the huge claw was placed in his hand. The intense weight of it could be felt even with the armor. The fifth-year senior laughed lightly, then looked around and gave the signal.

“Very well. Everyone, we’re leaving. Let’s set off on a pleasant journey home—”

In an instant, the senior’s head flew clean off.

His head was wrapped in the magic armor, yet was cut right off.

It made a beautiful arc and rolled as it landed on the ground.

A few moments later, a fountain of blood sprayed into the air.

Then, the senior’s body spun halfway around and collapsed.

There were a few seconds of silence. After what seemed like an eternity, screams rang out. One after another, a whirlwind of violent cries echoed through the hall.

“H-Hey, w-what’s going on?”

“Senpai? No, no way…anybody there? Someone, please answer me!”

For a moment, Kou cut the communication.

I can’t let myself get involved in this mess.

At a time like this, it was up to him, a White Mask, to make such a calm decision. He told himself so, desperately trying to keep his composure.

Kou confirmed to himself what he had just witnessed.

A moment ago, a transparent membrane flashed behind one of the pillars. It was softer than a flower petal and sharper than a blade. The way it fluttered was like a wedding veil. With the membrane wrapped all around its body, the human-like entity stepped out into the open.

Kou resisted his swirling feelings of denial. There was no point in running away from reality.

He let out a single breath and resumed communication.

“———Enemy confirmed. It’s a Special Type.”

At the same time, he also understood one thing: they were stepping on a rare misfortune. When prioritized over efficiency, people would suddenly be at the hands of death. A situation such as this has been encountered repeatedly by past Apprentices.

Therefore, the answer had been laid out already.

When faced with a Special Type, ordinary Apprentices were no match for them, even if there were a hundred of them.

The entire squad will be wiped out.

At this rate, no one would make it out alive.

＊＊＊

The blade swung vainly, and gunfire erupted.

The turrets mounted on the shoulders of the magic armor gave directionality to the user’s magic. Lightning magic was shot out with precise aim, causing the Special Type to stiffen for a brief moment, but not even that would delay its pursuit.

Several magic armors were caressed by the membrane, along with the flesh beneath.

The movement was like a gentle touch to the skin.

In an instant, the armor slid off horizontally, and a large amount of blood spurted out.

The surrounding trees and grass were dyed red, and screams echoed all throughout the hall.

If these were Combat Apprentices, they would’ve been able to respond appropriately, but it wouldn’t change anything in the end. Kou knew this very well. Whether or not a dozen or so skilled veterans with strategies up their sleeves and were able to inflict enough damage, it’s still undetermined whether the enemy would fall. After all, it was more likely for them to be completely annihilated rather than the enemy.

Special Types—among all types, they were the most skilled in combat. There are very few people who can survive an encounter with one of these.

At the same time, Kou remembered a rumor.

Among the teachers at the academy, there was Kagura, who was well renowned as the strongest. Together with his elite force—they, perhaps, could exterminate this threat. However, it was impossible for them to rescue anyone this far out in time.

“Hurry up and send a distress signal!”

“You’re joking, no, no, no please, NOOOOOOOOOOOO—”

The sound of dying cries for help echoed through his ears, followed by an overwhelming, hollow silence.

Death kept knocking, and the chaos continued to ensue.

At this rate, everyone will be killed.

The seniors were in no position to guide them to safety. Amidst the many screams, Kou heard a voice.

“No…no…I don’t want to die. I’ve got so much to live for, so much to do. Please…I don’t wanna die in a place like this…”

“Shit shit shit shit shit shit! I-I’m!”

The lamentations of Asagiri and Isumi hit his ears.

Kou fiercely thought to himself, I hate to see someone die before my eyes. It’s too much.

The taste of his own helplessness was too much to bear.

Blood, bones, pieces of flesh, dead bodies, flames, and tears.

Before him was an incredibly sad figure.

A variety of scenes flashed before his eyes—a flashback.

Kou thought for a few seconds, fumbling with all his options.

Surprisingly, and remarkably quickly, even to himself, he came to a conclusion.

Kou took a deep breath.

Then, decided his fate.

“I’ll be the bait! Everyone, in three seconds run as fast you can from here!”

“Kou? No, why!?”

“Don’t be ridiculous, you bastard! I don’t want you to do that!”

“Isumi, take Asagiri with you and run. I’m counting on you!”

Kou shouted, setting his own volume to maximum, and then cut the communication once again.

He felt for a moment that Asagiri and Isumi said something, but Kou didn’t hear them.

He didn’t intend to hear what they had to say, whether it be any form of dissuasion or grief. He just stopped listening.

Among the Apprentices, many of them harboed murderous intent and hatred toward Kihei. If they were faced with something as brutal and unreasonable as this, they’d surely let out a roar of rage. However, Kou was sure that no one would follow him.

The students of the Research Department were basically cowards, and none of them wanted to die. Kou wasn’t even popular among them, so he knew none of them would try to save him, except for Asagiri, but he knew that Isumi would never fail to live up to the duty entrusted to him.

Making up his mind, Kou faced the Special Type.

Just then, the Special Type was playing.

The fluttering membrane moved with dexterity, tossing up a head encased in magic armor, catching it, and then tossing up again. Then, the Special Type suddenly sliced the head into fours, and the black helmet cracked open, scattering the human remains. A shower of bloody brain chunks fell.

Kou took his blade and aimed it at the membrane’s feet and struck it point-blank.

The Special Type stopped moving for a moment.

Before he could pull it out, Kou adjusted his firing line. On the blade, he let his lightning magic run wild.

The electric shock passed through and the Special Type bounced away violently. At the same time, Kou resumed communication.

“———Disperse!”

The rest of the group in magic armor scattered like newborn spiders and quickly fled. For a moment, Kou noticed a smaller member try and come after him, but one of the others caught him and dragged him away with the rest. They were likely Asagiri and Isumi. The distance between him and the group was now safe. Kou muttered in a voice that the two could not hear,

“———Take care.”

Kou gave a gentle, small wave.

For a moment, he recalled the flower petals at the ceremony and Asagiri’s smile.

A peaceful scene on the academy campus passed through his mind like a running light. However, Kou shook it off.

Only the Special Type and Kou were left behind. Strangely though, the Special Type began to make its membrane tremble. Its whole body began to shift from a murky white to a rusty red.

Now, Kou caught his breath.

Here’s where the misery begins.

He also knew very well that the Special Type was expressing anger.

Before the trembling of the membrane subsided, Kou drew his blade with one hand and used the momentum to fall backward.

The membrane flickered and whisked away, sweeping across the trajectory of his flurry of movements. Scraping the grass, he rolled to the side and stood up without stopping. At the same time, the Special Type’s membrane lightly patted the back of his armor.

The impact hit him fiercely, and he shuddered. However, the membrane missed his flesh.

As soon as it did, Kou ran of without a second gland, running in the opposite direction from which everyone else had fled.

Kou fled deep into the ruins.

The only thing left to do was run.

Until death caught up with him.

＊＊＊

Kou continued his tragic escape. As he ran, he occasionally fired a volley at the walls of the ruins.

At first, it seemed like the Special Type was in a floating state. However, the tip of its membrane was always touching the ground.

The rubble serves as a hinderance, but most of the ruins were unaffected by magic.

The only thing Kou could do was pin his hopes on widening the naturally collapsed hole as much as possible, or to cut down the plants in the area. Not surprisingly, what he did didn’t do much to stop the Special Type. Still, he put up a desperate resistance.

However, it caught up with him halfway down the straight passage.

The membrane flashed and cut the armor on Kou’s foot off.

“——Ah, guh.”

Fortunately, it didn’t cut his flesh, but the impact broke his ankle.

His body leaned forward and fell down, then endured the severe pain and surveyed his surroundings. There was no way he could crawl away, as the Special Type would likely catch up in a matter of seconds. In a spur-of-the-moment decision, he stripped himself of the magic armor.

At this stage, the of Kaguro Kou was a foregone conclusion.

No student had ever abandoned the powerful outer shell and lived. But this decision saved his life for the moment.

“—————!”

Kou’s body was instantly thinner, and by doing so, he burrowed into a horizontal crack in the wall.

The crack seems to have been formed by a natural collapse only recently. And fortunately, it was very deep. The whistling sound of tearing air came from behind. Hoping that the Special Type would break off its pursuit, he proceeded forward.

All he could see was pure darkness, and like a caterpillar, Kou continued to crawl.

Just at that moment, the feeling under his stomach vanished.

There seemed to be another hole in this crack. Unable to grab onto anything, Kou fell.

The way he fell was bizarre.

The distance was very, very long.

He lost consciousness halfway through the fall, but woke as he crashed into hard, tempered glass.

Breaking every bone in his body and damaging his internal organs, he coughed up blood. As he did, Kou tumbled into a crack in the glass. And at that moment, he was unfortunately hung by the top of a spike that was sticking out in the air.

With his abdomen torn open, Kou’s whole body fell into the building made of glass.

Flesh and blood splattered all over the place.

All at once, white birds flapped their wings.

His body settled in this oddly tranquil space.

And just like that, Kou drew his last breath.

He wasn’t afraid, upset, or scared.

He simply wondered to himself if he had accomplished anything meaningful.

And just like that, Kaguro Kou passed.

＊＊＊

Something warm and moist fell. A single drop of red touched its lips, and it swallowed it.

The reboot began—initiating, awakening, operating, igniting life.

Pseudo-neural circuits spark. She is now at the mercy of an unprecedented torrent of information.

Joy.

Impulse.

Instinct.

Lust.

Rejoice.

Blessing.

It’s a pleasure to meet you, thank you for waiting for me, and welcome my, my…

My sacrifice, my sustenance, my master, my king, my slave, my joy, my destiny—my bridegroom.

And so, it awakened.

The end of the world in the form of a young maiden.

＊＊＊

Kaguro Kou opened his eyes. Immediately, crimson blood seeped into his purple eyes.

His vision was red and hazy.

He was not sure what was happening.

However, he did notice something beautiful.

In a space reminiscent of a birdcage, a white, pure presence stood.

Her eyes were as blue as the sky, and her hair was as crystal clear as snow.

Her hands and feet were soft and delicate, and her thin but well-honed body was like a steel sword.

Stunned, Kou stared at the object before him, thinking.

—A person? A girl?

The beautiful maiden extended her hand. In response, Kou unconsciously extended his hand as well. Instantly, severe pain erupted throughout his whole body. Even so, he kept his hand out against its will. However, it was too far for the girl to reach.

Witnessing this, the girl blinked, disconnected the cable connected to her body, and took a step forward. When she arrived in front of him, she held Kou’s palm. On her back, something unfolded and spread out, cutting through the plants around her.

A large number of petals scattered, and the snow-white flowers danced in the air.

The stood still in the air for a moment, and then gently fell to the ground.

In a scene that was somewhat of a blessing, she kneeled down on one knee.

Then, the girl kissed Kou’s fingers.

“From now on, you shall be my master, and my wings shall be yours. Greetings, my beloved, my long-awaited lover—my name is Shirahime. Commonly known as Curtain Call.”

Like a knight in a story,

Like a princess in a fairy tale,

The awakened maiden vows,

“From here on, no matter how broken, ruined, or dead you are, I shall be with you forever.”

Kou couldn’t understand what she was saying, but he felt a strong sense of nostalgia.

In a dream that was like a distant memory, Kou had witnessed this scene.

At that time, there was also a young—unbearably sad face.

Faintly, Kou had tears in his eyes.

A faint blue light emanated and descended from the girl’s wings, healing Kou. In the light’s warmth, Kou whispered,

“I feel…like I’ve been waiting for this moment…my whole life.”

“Oh~? Then this must have been a godsend, or rather, fate.”

The girl smiled, and a look of compassion appeared on her inhumanely beautiful face.

She looked just like a mother, or perhaps a little sister.

Kou didn’t understand why the girl was looking at him in such a way. Furthermore, he was equally puzzled about what he himself had said. However, there was no time for him to ask the girl for all the details.

There was a thud, and the earth rumbled. Something else had fallen noisily into the birdcage.

With a flicker, a veil-like membrane came into view.

Kou was stunned. It was the Special Type Kihei.

I never thought it would follow me this far, Kou shuddered.

At this point, if it attacked, not only would death greet him, but also the girl.

The girl followed Kou’s gaze and turned back; the Special Type reflected in her eyes.

Kou desperately tried to move his injured body, but other than his arms, his body was like stone, no response.

Kou shouted at the girl.

“H-Hey! You need to get out of here!”

“What’s your name?”

“W-What?”

“I’d like to know your name.”

The girl did not respond to Kou’s call, and stared at him again, waiting patiently for his reply. The Special Type was approaching her from behind, and its rusty red membrane flickered.

It was evident that the girl wasn’t going to budge until she got an answer. In a panic, Kou hastily shouted,

“It’s Kaguro Kou. Quickly,”

“Kaguro Kou——registration complete. Kou, is that thing there what hurt you?”

The girl stretched out her arm and pointed at the Special Type without breaking eye contact.

The thing that was spreading out from her white back shook. It was then that Kou finally realized that they were a pair of ominous mechanical wings. What the hell? Even with burning questions racking his mind, there was no time to think about them. The Special Type was closing in.

Therefore, Kou was hellbent on continuing to persuade her.

“Aah, yes! It is, so please, hurry!”

“I see. In that case, it is my enemy.”

Her mechanical wings swung with a swoosh.

Without the slightest sense of reality, the Special Type was cut in half from the top down. Contrary to its soft appearance, the internal structure was heavy and thick. Countless biological parts were exposed, but that wasn’t all, the Special Type was cut in half again, this time from the side.

It was easier than breaking a toy.

With her mechanical wings, the girl scoops up the wreckage. Then, she threw it at the wall like it was garbage.

The Special Type crashes into the tempered glass and scattered into pieces.

Kou stared in disbelief at the scene in front of him.

The girl then slowly showed a soft, beautiful smile.

Then, she whispers,

“My bonds, my obedience, my trust—I promise you, Kou, I will kill everything and anything for you.”

Not knowing what she had said, Kaguro Kou began to lose consciousness. Then, he passed out.

TRANSLATION NOTES

Kihei are demon soldiers. They can also be written off as machine soldiers. The connotation doesn’t matter.

<cite> In the Japanese it states that キヘイ (Kihei) can be written as 機兵 (Ki-hei), which can be translated as machine soldier. Since this wouldn’t work in English, I went with a substitute that I believe works well. </cite>

Everyone, including Kaguro Kou, was an Apprentice.

<cite>Another weird sentence if translated literally. In Japanese, rather than Apprentices they are called 学徒, which means student. However, it’s a very uncommon writing for it and is rarely used today. To make up for this in English, I went with Apprentice, as it has a similar meaning and is the Chinese translation funnily enough.

</cite>

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