Chapter 33

Originally, Xiaoyue Bai thought he could solve the [Imaginary Beast], but unexpectedly, the impact of the ice pillars merely pushed the [Imaginary Beast] back a bit. Xiaoyue Bai saw very clearly that the ice pillars were severely damaged by various abilities before they even hit the ground. It seemed that using this method to eliminate the [Imaginary Beast] in one go wouldn't work.

"Should I use 'Fusion Moon'? No, that state is hard to control. Let's use this one; even an angel wouldn't disgrace it."

"Ice Age!" Everywhere Xiaoyue Bai's gaze fell turned into an icy domain. An ice mountain stood in the center, and there was the [Imaginary Beast], but it was sealed inside the ice mountain.

"Then, come." Placing his hands in front of him, like a knight holding a sword, he gradually calmed his mind, approaching the state of being frozen. This was a necessary step; otherwise, he would be influenced by the dark energy of the thing he was about to use. Once, Xiaoyue Bai almost fell into a state of mental confusion because of it.

As Xiaoyue Bai adjusted his state, the ice mountain that trapped the [Imaginary Beast] gradually collapsed. Finally, the [Imaginary Beast] broke free from its prison, and the top of the ice mountain was completely destroyed, revealing the [Imaginary Beast]'s body.

Xiaoyue Bai was also ready. At this moment, his face was expressionless, wearing frost armor and holding a large sword. The skull on the hilt of the sword indicated its evil nature, and the runes on the blade glowed with a faint light. Upon closer inspection, it seemed that two runes were broken in the middle, and there was even a tiny crack on the blade.

A cold aura spread from Xiaoyue Bai, but it wasn't his superpower; it was the aura of Frost's Sorrow, the magic sword that could freeze the soul.

"Although I don't know how Frost's Sorrow came into my hands, since it is my Noble Phantasm, I will use it." With this thought, Xiaoyue Bai used Frost's Sorrow for the first time in a true sense. Feeling the evil energy of the sword, Xiaoyue Bai had no doubt about its power.

However, Xiaoyue Bai knew that if his emotions fluctuated too much or if he used it for too long, he would be influenced by it. His recent coldness and cruelty were partly due to it, but as long as Saten Ruiko and the others were by his side, he could avoid the tragedy of Arthas.

As Xiaoyue Bai approached the [Imaginary Beast], a song echoed throughout Academy City. It was the healing program of the Imagine Breaker. Although it sounded a bit unpleasant, Xiaoyue Bai just treated it as a battle song.

In the icy and snowy landscape, a knight stood alone, sword in hand, facing the monster that had escaped from the ice mountain. It was a tragic and beautiful scene, which was what Misaka Mikoto saw when she came back to help Xiaoyue Bai.

As Xiaoyue Bai approached, the [Imaginary Beast] seemed to sense something and howled again, launching various abilities like they were free. Xiaoyue Bai accelerated under the attacks and leaped high in front of the [Imaginary Beast].

Moon Break! This sword was named for its ability to cut the moon.

From top to bottom, the [Imaginary Beast] was cleaved in one strike. Its core was split in half by Frost's Sorrow and thus dissipated.

Before Misaka Mikoto and the others returned, Xiaoyue Bai had already disarmed himself and returned to his original form. Although using his Noble Phantasm today would be seen by Aleister, it could add to his leverage, but he didn't want Misaka Mikoto and the others to know.

After all, although he didn't want to face the fact, so-called heroes were already dead people. Although he wasn't a true hero, he was still unsure of his own situation. Xiaoyue Bai had once been lost in this, but ultimately gave up on seeking the answer. Sometimes, it's better not to seek the answer; you'll know when you should.

At this moment, Mikan Shizuri was somewhat stunned. Unlike Misaka Mikoto, who left to do something, she was already weak and just watched quietly as Xiaoyue Bai fought the [Imaginary Beast], a realm she didn't understand.

Seeing Mikan Shizuri, Xiaoyue Bai walked over to her, wanting to talk to her before Misaka Mikoto and Shizuri arrived.

"Mikan Shizuri, let's talk before Misaka and Shizuri get here, for the sake of those children."

"What?" Mikan Shizuri was somewhat surprised. This matter should have only been heard by "relevant personnel," Misaka Mikoto, and Shizuri.

"Right now, as the head of the Dark Side Protect, I formally invite you to join. Of course, as a welcome gift, I will help save those children." Xiaoyue Bai smiled kindly. "What do you think?"

Mikan Shizuri finally understood why the security officers had withdrawn. As someone who had been exposed to a certain level of darkness, she knew about the dark side. "I didn't expect you to be from the dark side." The young man in front of her made Mikan Shizuri tremble.

"Then, what do you think? Mikan Shizuri—sensei?"

"!!"

"I said, as long as I can save those children, I am willing to be an enemy of Academy City. Joining the dark side is just a matter of agreement."

Finally, Xiaoyue Bai's dark side organization had its first member, although in a research direction. "There are some things I hope you won't talk about. You are a smart person and know what to do." Some things were not suitable to be said now.

"Okay, I understand." Mikan Shizuri looked at Xiaoyue Bai and felt a hint of fear in his heart. "Ah, no matter what, he is still a child."

"Cut it out, I can tell you're thinking something bad. I'll introduce you to a doctor later; he will help you. You should have heard of him—[Medusa]."

Soon, Misaka Mikoto and Shizuri arrived.

"Hey, the matter is resolved." Xiaoyue Bai greeted the two.

Looking at Xiaoyue Bai, Misaka Mikoto wanted to say something but didn't. Earlier, when they were broadcasting the healing program, they saw a video sent by Kuroko. The video showed Xiaoyue Bai talking to the security officers, who then withdrew. For this video, they all chose to remain silent. Kuroko had said, "I know my brother is hiding something from us, but as long as he doesn't say it, it's not something we can know. So... let it be. Protecting this daily life, we will know one day. Shizuri, can you forgive my brother for deceiving you?"

"It's fine... Senior Yue must have his reasons."

Seeing her two juniors believe in Xiaoyue Bai, Misaka Mikoto didn't say anything. She didn't bother to ask why Mikan Shizuri wasn't arrested, knowing that the result would be either blank or a lie.

Back at the security headquarters, Aizawa Aiho was lying on a chair, thinking about today's events.

"Aizawa Captain, today..."

"Shut up! Don't ask! Don't you know what a silence order is!?"

Everyone was startled by Aizawa Aiho's shout. She glanced at the people in the security preparation room. "Some things are better left unknown. Don't say I didn't warn you. If your curiosity is too strong, consider leaving the security force. Remember, curiosity can kill the cat!"

Everyone understood that the "cat" referred to them. Faced with the completely unknown darkness of Academy City, they could only retreat. No one spoke. Seeing her subordinates become quiet, Aizawa Aiho sat down again, thinking about her student, Xiaoyue Bai.

She never expected Xiaoyue Bai to be from the dark side, and even a head of the dark side! With a deep experience in the dark side, she understood the intricacies. [I'll have to investigate this when I get back.]

At this moment, in the central building of the 7th District, which had no windows or doors, in Aleister's residence, Aleister was discussing the power Xiaoyue Bai used with Eibisu.

"Very interesting power, not magic, not superpower, what is that sword?" Aleister was very interested in what Xiaoyue Bai was hiding.

"Aleister, it's best not to do anything. I can feel... " Compared to Aleister's relaxed attitude, Eibisu's tone was serious. "That sword is a weapon that can threaten me."

"Oh, is that so? Then let's hold off for now." Although he said this, everyone could see that Aleister was very concerned. It was a power beyond this world.

In another place, in a Western-style villa, a silver-haired beauty looked coldly in the direction of Xiaoyue Bai. "Finally, I've found you." Who was she? At least in Academy City, no one knew her. Perhaps Aleister knew, this person who left her homeland to destroy the source of evil.

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