Simon, Kajan, and the elite necromancers loyal to Nephthys returned to Professor Grelion’s cave. Simon stared ahead, his eyes hollow.
The Saintess of Harvest sat in a chair, her head cleanly severed, leaving only her chin and lower teeth. The rest of her head rested on a preservation magic circle.
’The person Aunt Israphel sent...’
His fists, resting on his knees, tightened.
’We should have stayed.’
Of course, the Saintess of Harvest herself had sent them away, but Simon felt a crushing sense of responsibility. He should have left the pursuit to others and prioritized her protection.
"Rest assured," Alistair, the Crow Agent, said as he approached. "The examination shows her life is not in danger."
It was bizarre. A person’s head had been severed, yet her heart was still beating, her vital functions ongoing. She hadn’t died but had fallen into a vegetative state.
"This must be Ever Kireh’s doing," Kajan said from where he leaned against the cave wall. "With her Innate Ability, such a phenomenon is possible. Ultimately, this means the Priest we captured was not Ever Kireh."
"What on earth..." Simon looked back and forth between them. "What is this Innate Ability that Ever Kireh possesses?"
"The power she holds has yet to be defined," Alistair said, his voice somber. It was a similar answer to Kajan’s. "It’s an ability that has never once appeared in human history. We only call it an Innate Ability for convenience; some scholars believe it to be a fourth power entirely."
"To put it simply," Kajan said, scratching the scar under his eye, "it’s an Innate Ability that grants her wishes."
Changing matter, controlling people at will. Turning stone into gold, paper into weapons. Whatever Ever Kireh wished for came true. It was a power that brought her frighteningly close to a god.
Hearing this, Simon let out a bewildered sound. "Is... something like that even possible?"
Kajan gestured forward with his chin. "Just look at what happened to the Saintess of Harvest. Isn’t that proof enough?"
"...Ah."
"It’s an ability that could potentially destroy this world. The only fortunate thing is that there are limits to its use."
Simon nodded. If such an unbelievable power had no limits, the Dark Alliance would have been destroyed long ago.
"But Kajan," Alistair interjected, "even those limits have been continuously changing as she grows, haven’t they?"
"Yes." Kajan sighed heavily, pressing his forehead. "Initially, she could only change targets she had physically touched, but now she can alter things from a distance. At first, she could only change the hardness of materials, but now she can turn fiber into steel."
The more Simon heard, the more he realized it was a power that couldn’t be defined in a single phrase.
Kajan looked at him again. "Her Innate Ability is constantly growing. But there is one rule that hasn’t changed since its discovery."
"What is it?"
Kajan’s sharp eyes narrowed. "The effects of her ability have a duration. All objects and living things ’manipulated’ by her wishes eventually return to their original state after a certain amount of time."
Simon shot to his feet. "Then the Saintess, too...!"
"Yes. If Ever Kireh is defeated, or if we just leave her be, she’ll eventually return to normal."
Simon recalled what he had read in Ever Kireh’s report.
’Age 17. Served food to the Innate Ability class students during the Harvest Festival. Apologized to the students, saying she had been too sensitive. The students accepted her apology and ate.’
’Age 17. The next day, the Innate Ability class students came to their senses to find they were eating raw rabbits from the breeding pen, sliced with steak knives, and fainted. Ever Kireh claimed it was a Harvest Festival tradition.’
She must have turned the rabbits into food, but as time passed, the ability wore off, and they reverted to their original forms. He couldn’t fathom the shock those children must have felt.
"Of course, that’s also a thing of the past," Alistair said, pulling a black, top-secret envelope from his subspace. "That rule has now been altered."
Simon and Kajan quickly took the classified documents and read them.
’Reporter: Ailey Bontmont. 22-year-old female.’
’Believed to have lived alone after losing both parents.’
’Suddenly exhibited seizure-like symptoms. Cried, claiming her hometown and family had disappeared. Showed extreme anxiety. Three suicide attempts.’
’She claimed to have lived in ’Vollendi Village’.’
’Even natives who had lived in the area for decades did not know of Vollendi Village. Local officials, finding this strange, went to the location she claimed it was.’
’An unknown, ruined village was found. The walls and roofs of the village houses were mixed with human remains, as if body parts had been used as building materials.’
Simon looked up with an expression of someone who had just read a grotesque horror novel. Kajan also frowned and looked at Alistair.
"Are you saying that Ever Kireh was the one who annihilated this village and erased its very existence?"
"Yes. It’s been two years since this happened." Alistair stroked his beard, his face grim. "Headquarters has determined that the traces of the Innate Ability used, as well as the habits and patterns, have a high probability of being Ever Kireh’s work. If this is truly her doing, there are two possibilities. First, that she has become able to maintain a manipulated timeline for over two years."
Simon finished the thought. "You’re saying she has eliminated the duration limit and can make a manipulated reality into the ’actual’ reality?"
"Precisely." Alistair stared at the severed head of the Saintess of Harvest. "Fortunately, it seems Ever Kireh didn’t have the luxury of turning her death into ’reality’. An expert analyzed the depletion of the Innate Ability remaining on the Saintess and estimated that she will return to normal in four days."
"...In four days." That would be after the Dark Festival ended. If Ever Kireh made a wish during the festival, manipulated reality, and then made that result permanent...
’It won’t just end in disaster.’
Simon clenched his fist. He needed more information.
"Sir Alistair!" A man in a suit ran into the cave. "The interrogation results for the captured Priest are in!"
"Good work."
A new top-secret document was delivered. Alistair suggested that Kajan and Simon, who had contributed greatly to the mission, look at it with him. When they broke the seal, there was only a blank piece of paper with a magic circle on it. Alistair touched the circle, and a mana screen flickered to life.
"It wasn’t me! I didn’t do it!" a woman in handcuffs struggled and shouted. "Why am I on Roc Island? Who am I? I...!"
On the screen, she was having a seizure, screaming in terror. Alistair read the accompanying documents and spoke.
"Her name is Endiel. An excellent Priest who was active on the front lines. She was declared killed in action after failing to return to her unit after a battle." He lowered the document. "She wasn’t dead. She was alive, with no memory of what she’s done, denying everything."
Simon bit the tip of his finger. "She was being controlled by Ever Kireh. Does that mean the real Ever Kireh is still wandering around this island?"
"We’re wasting time sitting here," Kajan said, standing. "Let’s continue the investigation, Simon."
"Right!"
Simon and Kajan immediately left the cave.
"I’m indebted to you both again," Alistair called after them. "I’ll share any new information on Ever Kireh as soon as it comes in."
"We’re counting on you!"
However, the joint investigation with Kajan didn’t last more than ten minutes.
"Found the President over here!"
"Get him!"
While they were patrolling the plaza, students from the Department of Summoning suddenly rushed over and grabbed Simon.
"President! What on earth have you been doing? The match is in fifteen minutes!"
"W-wait a minute, guys!"
"Run!"
And just like that...
"WOAHHHHH!!!"
When he came to his senses, Simon was standing in the middle of the arena, wearing a barrier suit. The crowd, which filled the stadium again today, was roaring with cheers.
After standing there blankly for a moment, Simon pressed a hand to his forehead. ’This is not the time for this.’
"Simon Polentia."
He felt a sting on the back of his neck. He turned to see Hector, also in a barrier suit, glaring at him fiercely.
"Focus on the match."
Hector looked like he was about to explode. It was true that his mind had been elsewhere, so Simon readily admitted it and forced himself to focus.
’I promised to participate in one match a day, so I have no choice.’
His only thought was to get the Dark Festival over with quickly and go back to searching for Ever Kireh.
"YES! NEXT UP IS THE DEPARTMENT OF SUMMONING, WHICH I’M SURE MOST OF YOU HAVE BEEN LOOKING FORWARD TO!" the announcer boomed, hyping up the crowd. "STUDENT COUNCIL PRESIDENT SIMON POLENTIA, WHO HAS TAKEN FIRST PLACE IN EVERY MATCH HE’S PARTICIPATED IN! AND HECTOR MOORE, RANKED THIRD OVERALL AND THE DEPARTMENT REPRESENTATIVE! IT’S A FIVE-PERSON TEAM GAME, BUT THIS TIME THEY’VE APPEARED AS A DUO! LET’S SEE WHAT THEY’LL SHOW US IN THIS OBSTACLE COURSE!"
The referee lowered the flag and blew the whistle with a piercing shriek.
"AND IT’S BEGUN!"
As soon as the match started, Simon shot forward.
’I have to end this quickly!’
Poison-tipped arrows flew from all directions. He was used to dodging these from his martial arts classes.
’Like Kajan moves.’
Simon dodged the arrows with minimal, fluid movements. He didn’t defend or attack. With incredible concentration, he imprinted the trajectory of the incoming arrows in his brain and left the evasion to his body. It was as if the arrows were avoiding him on their own.
’Waaaaaaah!’
"AS EXPECTED OF THE STUDENT COUNCIL PRESIDENT! HIS FUNDAMENTALS ARE SO SOLID, HE’S NOT GETTING HIT!"
Simon’s gaze was fixed on the distant buzzer. The match would end once he got past the obstacles and pressed it. The fastest record was 16 minutes and 14 seconds, set by the Department of Martial Arts.
’Sixteen minutes is too long!’
Simon threw himself into the rain of arrows.
’Ten minutes! No, five!’
The image of the Saintess of Harvest with her face split open flashed through his mind.
’Faster!’
Arrows struck his thigh and forearm.
’Faster!’
The image of the Kizen campus burning during the first-year Saintess incident came to mind.
’Fast—!’
"What do you think you’re doing?!"
Someone forcefully yanked him back by the nape of his neck. Flames erupted from the floor below, incinerating the spot where he had just been.
"Hector!"
"You idiot! How many times did that glasses-wearing guy explain that fire comes after the arrows?!" Hector intricately crossed his hands and then spread them to the side. Hundreds of black scales spun around them, deflecting the arrows. "Look at your barrier gauge!"
It was already below half. He had been on the verge of being eliminated before he could even press the buzzer. Finally coming to his senses, Simon caught his breath.
’I thought my concentration was good today.’
In truth, his concentration had been misdirected. He hadn’t been focused on the match, but on Ever Kireh.
"Run!"
As soon as the fire trap ended, Hector took off. Simon followed right behind. Hundreds of scales gathered, covering the air like a fluttering black curtain, deflecting a barrage of arrows and spears.
"Grrrrr!"
"Krrrrrrk!"
This time, monsters poured in—Hunter Gnolls, canine beasts with sharp claws and aggressive tendencies. Hector’s cheeks puffed out as he faced them.
’Dragon Breath’
In an instant, he laid a carpet of flames on the ground, creating a wall of fire.
’Dragon Fear’
On the other side, he unleashed a roar filled with terror, freezing the gnolls in their tracks.
"Hmph!"
He extended his arm toward the starting area. His waiting Dullahan rose and floated into the air.
"Work!"
The scales that had been blocking the arrows swarmed the Dullahan, transforming it into the scaled version from the last performance evaluation. It swung its massive greatsword, unleashing slashes that cut down monster after monster.
’Amazing!’ Simon shattered a Hunter Gnoll’s jaw with a kick and looked back. ’How many things is he controlling at once...!’
"I’m sick and tired of it!" Hector roared as he controlled the multiple summons. "Of you unilaterally telling me you can’t participate in the match!" His fist sent monsters flying with its wind pressure. "And most of all, of you spacing out, unable to focus on the one match you do show up for!"
He spun, and the Corpse Dragon wings on his back rotated like blades, slicing the monsters in half.
"I am fighting here and now, Simon Polentia! Where are you?!"
At those words, Simon felt as if he’d been struck by lightning, his senses sharpening instantly.
"Do you think you shouldn’t be in a match like this?! Do you think this isn’t where you’re supposed to be?! That’s just pathetic arrogance!"
Hector’s face, contorted with anger, was inches from Simon’s.
"Tell me! What the hell has you so dazed?!"
His eyes flashed ferociously. Simon, who had been staring at Hector with wavering pupils, finally managed a faint smile.
’Thwack!’
Hector flinched and glanced behind him. A gnoll that had been aiming for his neck was impaled on a purple spear, hanging limply.
"You told me to focus, didn’t you?" Simon said with a grin, holding a Chaos Spear.
Hector knocked away monsters with his wings, and the two boys stood back-to-back, facing the swarming horde.
’Simon Original - Chaos Spear’
Simon pulled five spears from his waist at once, holding them between his fingers, and threw them into the air. The purple bolts of lightning crackled as they moved of their own accord, zapping the monsters into oblivion.
’Hector Original – Corpse Dragon Transformation’
Hector, having absorbed all his scales and wings, transformed into a black dragon and crushed the monsters beneath him.
The two boys began to race toward the buzzer like madmen, the sounds of their rampage echoing through the arena. The incoming arrows, flames, curses, and monsters—all were annihilated by their charge.
’WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!’
The heat from the stands rose like a furnace.
[You’ve finally got a decent look on your face again!] Hector shouted as he kicked a gnoll away.
"I have a favor to ask, Hector!" Simon shouted, spinning the Chaos Spears in both hands. "If, by some chance, danger comes to our school—if our classmates are in danger..."
The monsters swarming Simon’s flank were struck by purple lightning from the sky and thrown back.
"Can I count on you to step up?"
[That’s—!] Hector soared into the air and unleashed his breath, engulfing the surroundings in a sea of flames. [—something I’ll do even if a bastard like you doesn’t ask! I am the second-year department representative!]
A smile spread across Simon’s face. He kicked off the ground and shot forward, his eyes locked on the buzzer.
[Keep going!] Hector created a series of jet-black fire spells in the air, knocking away projectiles flying toward the sprinting Simon. As Hector leaned forward, the scales, wings, and claws covering his body shot off like arrows and wrapped around Simon.
’Hector Original – Corpse Dragon Suit’
Simon abandoned all defense and pushed his speed to the limit. The wings on his back flapped, pushing him even faster. Countless projectiles rained down, only to bounce off the scales.
The excited spectators leaped to their feet. Under the barrage, the black scales began to peel away, revealing Simon’s body, but he didn’t stop.
’Fitzgerald told me. In front of the buzzer, there’s definitely...!’
A medium-sized monster, the gatekeeper ’Shapros’, was summoned in front of the lever. It was the leader of the gnolls, the most powerful obstacle, designed to stall for at least five minutes.
Shapros charged, and Simon, who had covered the distance in an instant, finally used the jet-black he had been saving.
’Simon Original – Chaos Reaper’
A masked specter surged from Simon’s shadow like a wave and swung its purple scythe with a flourish.
The gatekeeper was easily split in half. Simon took the opportunity to run through, slam the buzzer, and roll roughly across the floor.
"MATCH OVER! MATCH OVER! MATCH OVEEEEER!" the announcer screamed, spittle flying. "FIRST PLACE IS, AS EXPECTED!"
[1st Place: Department of Summoning: 08 minutes 56 seconds.]
"THE DEPARTMENT OF SUMMONING, WITH SIMON AND HECTOR SHOWING ABSOLUTELY UNBELIEVABLE TEAMWORK!"
A storm of cheers erupted from all sides.
"THAT’S WHAT I’M TALKING ABOUT!" the summoning students screamed, hugging each other.
Simon’s name was being chanted everywhere.
’Phew.’
Dripping with sweat, Simon finally tilted his head back. His cluttered mind felt a little clearer.

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