NOVEL WEB Chapter 23
Chapter 23: When a Beautiful Girl is Peeking, the Beautiful Girl is Also Peeking Back
“――What a creepy obsession. You’re absolutely right, Stalker-san.”
With that, the girl before her exhaled with an air of exasperation.
The true nature hidden beneath the mask of courtesy from moments ago belonging to the boy ‘Na Takikai.’
This was the irregularity within this city.
S-Rank Extraordinary Sequence ―― Solciera.
“That assumption Na Takikai is male was cleverly utilized, but it doesn’t resonate with me. Isn’t your student record also a fabrication?”
“…You seem to understand quite well.”
Contrary to her words, Solciera dismissively spat this out with apparent disinterest.
It was as if she were saying that realizing this was all within her expectations.
(Finally, I’ve uncovered your true identity. There’s no way I’ll let you escape…!)
For Clam Kirara, one could say this was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
The opponent was the S-Rank making waves throughout the Academy City.
And an adversary to the Demon’s Gear project.
If she could recruit them as an ally, there would be no greater support.
“So, do you have some business with me? Please be brief.”
With an expression as if swatting away insects flying around her, Solciera appeared irritated. Nevertheless, Clam spoke without hesitation.
“Yes. Then, I’ll be straightforward. Please help us dismantle Kisou Academy.”
“No.”
A short reply.
It perfectly encapsulated her feelings on the matter.
However, Clam wasn’t about to back down just yet.
“…You must know about Kisou Academy’s illegal experiments. The Demon’s Gear you’re pursuing should be one of them, right?”
“That’s correct.”
“Kisou Academy has obtained new Demon’s Gear using Rokuhara. It’s an individual from Phectom’s experimental facility.”
At Clam’s words, Solciera nodded.
“With this, Kisou Academy will possess two Demon’s Gears.”
“That’s right. If they find a second compatible user, Kisou Academy will likely declare war against other schools. We must stop them before that happens.”
There was a brief silence.
Solciera remained silent, staring at Clam as if in deep thought, and eventually exhaled softly.
“…I’m not moving now.”
“Why not? You must know how terrifying Demon’s Gear can be!”
Clam couldn’t comprehend.
She understood that Solciera knew about Demon’s Gear. In that case, it was impossible for Kisou Academy—a stain on Academy City—to own two Demon’s Gears.
From Clam’s perspective, there shouldn’t be any reason to refuse.
“It’s not time yet.”
“…What exactly do you know, Solciera?”
“Everything you don’t know, and the calamities yet to come.”
Saying this, Solciera shifted her gaze towards the sky.
Clam had no right to question what Solciera meant by those words, as she herself couldn’t grasp the reasoning behind them.
“It’s not time to move yet. Everything follows the alignment of the stars. When the opportunity arises, you’ll naturally understand.”
“…Are you asking me to accept such vague words?”
“You don’t have to. But you should understand. Even if you act now, you won’t stand a chance against them.”
Without meeting her eyes, Solciera firmly stated this.
Still, Clam pressed on.
“But if you were with us…?”
At these words, Solciera revealed emotion for the first time.
Her gaze turned toward Clam with an air of exasperation and disappointment, as if dismissing her outright.
“Do you really think the threat is limited to this? …You’re too focused on immediate matters and failing to see the bigger picture.”
(What?! Does she know about me? Where did she get her information…)
Solciera’s words subtly pointed to Clam’s true purpose.
Behind the banner of defeating the evil that is Kisou Academy lay her real objective and lifelong ambition.
(All my words were so shallow… That’s why Solciera…)
Solciera knew that the grand cause of maintaining order in Academy City was merely a facade.
Then, how did Clam’s words sound to her?
“…”
A mixture of frustration, embarrassment over her exposed pretense, and aimless anger caused Clam to clench her fists without realizing it.
Seeing this, Solciera sighed, as if to say “there’s nothing else to be done.”
“…When the time comes, I’ll call you. Is that acceptable?”
“…Is that true?”
She was saved.
Clam understood that she had been seen through and that Solciera had deliberately played along.
Simultaneously, it implied that adding Clam wouldn’t disrupt Solciera’s plans.
“Yes. Besides, it’s not something far off in the future. The collapse of Kisou Academy.”
“Could it be…you already have a plan to destroy Kisou Academy!?”
“Of course.”
As if stating a simple fact, Solciera nodded.
“They intend to use Demon’s Gear for purposes beyond its original intent. It was created for the survival of humanity. A weapon must be used correctly to realize its full potential.”
“How much do you actually know about Demon’s Gear…!?”
In response to Clam’s question, Solciera met her gaze and said,
“Everything.”
“…”
Eyes colder and clearer than ever before.
They felt sharp like an icy blade piercing the neck, suffocating like being submerged in the ocean depths.
Just by meeting her gaze, could one’s soul tremble to this extent?
“They were originally created as personified myths to counteract a single phenomenon. The first hope born into this world.”
Solciera continued her explanation.
Without hesitation or confusion, as if she knew everything about this world.
“Hence, we have always kept watch over Demon’s Gear.”
“We?”
“Yes. Us.”
After saying this, Solciera paused momentarily, then shook her head sideways.
“…No, perhaps I should stop here. You simply want to destroy Kisou Academy, don’t you?”
Solciera gently combed Clam’s hair.
Despite feeling cold and daunting, her touch was strangely gentle and considerate.
Then, Solciera faintly smiled.
It was an unexpectedly kind smile, unlike anything she had shown before.
“There’s no need to delve deeper into the abyss.”
“Solciera… What exactly are you, or rather, your group planning?”
Clam took a step back.
At that moment, she distinctly felt an explosive surge in surrounding magical power.
(What is this!?)
She could sense Solciera’s magical power intensifying.
Explorers generally don’t release magic externally.
Thus, releasing magic into the surroundings has long held significance.
It signifies showcasing one’s strength.
Magical power serves as an absolute indicator of strength, speaking more eloquently than words about one’s capabilities.
Therefore, this was Solciera revealing her true prowess to Clam.
(This control over such vast magical power…!? This isn’t even comparable to the Student Council President. It’s far more powerful and terrifying…!)
What is the abyss?
Clam finally understood.
She herself was the abyss, the darkness of Academy City.
“Our goal has always been one thing—human salvation.”
She proclaimed it almost like a hymn.
An elegant movement of brushing her hair, as beautiful as a scene from a hero’s tale.
The hair that was supposed to be short transformed into beautiful silver-blue tresses flowing gracefully in waves.
“That form…”
Clam gasped.
It was beautiful and terrifying.
(Has she manipulated her body forcibly with magical power? While theoretically possible, doing so without showing any strain indicates incredible mastery. No wonder others haven’t noticed.)
In Clam’s mind, Solciera had already transcended S-Rank status, elevated to a monstrous level.
From a powerful Explorer she wanted as an ally to an unknown entity whose wrath she dared not provoke.
“Oh dear, what’s got you so surprised?”
Words failed her; she couldn’t even speak properly.
Clam was overwhelmed.
Overwhelming magical power and the skill to manipulate it freely.
She realized how small she was compared to Solciera, despite previously thinking they were on the same level.
“…Hmph.”
A sigh laced with disappointment.
Disappointment.
But in what?
Rather, fundamentally—why did Solciera even engage in conversation?
(Had my identity been exposed, normally she’d eliminate me. She had countless chances to kill me.)
Why didn’t she?
Because Clam was insignificant even if she discovered Solciera’s true identity?
Then why?
Why talk about Demon’s Gear?
Why hint at the existence of a powerful organization behind her?
Why does she still look forward with anticipation?
(She sees through everything about me. Yet, she taught me various things. Then, there’s no need to pretend anymore.)
If this isn’t arrogance or misunderstanding…
That means Solciera saw something in the girl Clam Kirara.
Clam had nothing remarkable to boast about.
Yet, she undeniably carried a dim heat that drove her forward.
“—I…”
All that was left was to voice that inner fire.
“Even so, it doesn’t matter. Even if it means delving into the abyss, if it can destroy Kisou Academy… No, if it can fulfill my revenge, then it’s fine.”
Righteous causes are ultimately lies.
All for the sake of revenge.
She was here solely for the sake of one girl.
“Yes. You might be worth expecting a little, after all.”
Their eyes met.
Not in the unilateral manner of before.
For a brief moment, Clam truly felt they were equals.
And she understood what that meant.
Soon, a contact was added to Clam’s Dive Gear.
“…What is this?”
“I’ll inform you when the time comes.”
She didn’t elaborate further.
Eventually, a slightly timid voice could be heard.
Glancing beside her, Solciera had already reverted to her usual appearance as Na Takikai, with short hair.
(This is Solciera…)
Looking at Toa with a genuinely kind smile, it seemed completely genuine, devoid of any deceit.
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