Bang! Crack!
Bang! Crack!
The heavy impact of wooden swords.
Two figures were rapidly intertwined, sword blades clashing against each other. The sounds of friction and heavy breathing tangled around the girl's neck.
The white figure on the left had a sword style that was sharp and decisive, like a goshawk diving from a high cliff. While moving along the edge of danger, her resolute strikes appeared even more desperate.
On the right, the one in the black dojo uniform dodged and counterattacked with ease amidst the flashing sword light.
Her chaotic moves and the ignorant act of holding the sword with one hand allowed the surrounding students to see at a glance—
This was someone who had never received any training.
But... clearly, the untrained black figure was suppressing the white one on the left.
Parrying and countering as if taking a stroll in a courtyard, she left the opponent's sharp sword moves with nowhere to land. It was as if she possessed a wild instinct, always able to avoid fatal attacks at the critical moment.
Then... Snap!
A lightning-fast thrust!
The long wooden sword was flicked into the air. The black figure crouched and lunged forward, tucking the sword in her right hand behind her back and reaching out with her left hand—
Tapping the opponent's face mask.
"Not bad, Yuno."
Amidst the exclamations of the onlookers, the short figure in black removed her mask and lightly tossed her long, black curly hair... Sweat slid down the girl's cheek, revealing a beautiful and charming face.
Sen Getsusa laughingly threw down her wooden sword. Before her, Yuno Gasai also panted as she removed her white protective gear, her eyes filled with admiration and joy.
"As expected, even after becoming a Ritualist, I'm still no match for Tsukisa."
Despite losing the duel, Yuno Gasai was actually even happier.
That's right, a Ritualist.
This secret was seen through by Sen Getsusa shortly after Yuno's advancement.
To be specific, it was still because of Nakajima Saki.
On the day of the academy ceremony, Sen Getsusa, who had just changed into her formal dress, was assassinated by Nakajima Saki. It was Yuno Gasai who dealt with the girl infected by chaos.
Afterward, Sen Getsusa began to have her doubts—
After all, a Contactee who had been infected by chaos would definitely possess a level of power far beyond that of an ordinary person. Moreover, later in that newly built teaching building, Sen Getsusa had seen too many infected individuals.
They were by no means something a Contactee like Yuno Gasai, who had only been in contact with chaos once, could resist.
So, how did Yuno Gasai manage to knock down Nakajima Saki so easily?
One day, filled with suspicion, the young girl casually glanced at Yuno Gasai using her Profiler ability.
As expected... [Energy Level: Lv1 · 'Origin Point']
So, exactly when did it start?
Sen Getsusa was too lazy to ponder it. Just like how that diary had 'coincidentally' and 'ostentatiously' appeared on her desk, the girl didn't care about Yuno Gasai's little schemes.
Since Yuno had hidden this matter, she must have her reasons. If she wanted to know, she could just ask directly.
"Sigh, I thought I could hide it for a while longer..."
Yuno Gasai sat on the sofa with her head bowed. Facing Sen Getsusa's gentle inquiry, the girl seemed somewhat guilty.
"I didn't hide it from Tsukisa on purpose..."
Sen Getsusa patted the top of her head: "Is it because of some requirement of the ritual that you couldn't say?"
"It's very dangerous for Yuno to do these things."
"I'm worried about you."
A deep meaning flashed through her eyes for a fleeting moment. Yuno Gasai rolled her eyes and spoke softly: "Then, does Tsukisa want to know? My ritual ability is—"
—Sorry, Tsukisa.
—I can't tell you about the ritual, I'll get scolded.
—But, you'll probably refuse anyway, right?
"No need to tell me." Sen Getsusa swung her feet, her little head shaking back and forth.
—As expected, you always trust me.
Yuno Gasai curled the corners of her mouth into a smile.
"The ritual name, the ability, the cost. Keep all of those well-guarded." The girl stretched and turned her head: "Don't tell anyone."
"But Yuno, promise me."
Under Sen Getsusa's slightly lowered eyelids, worry and a sigh surfaced: "Promise me, from now on, don't do such dangerous things on your own anymore, okay?"
"If you want something, tell me, and I will help you find the ritual object."
Yuno Gasai nodded timidly and looked up cautiously: "Is Tsukisa angry?"
That affectionate yet cautious little look made the girl unable to help smiling. It was the first time she had seen Yuno Gasai trying to please her like this.
"Of course not!" Sen Getsusa curved her finger and flicked the other's forehead. After the girl pouted and covered her head, she replied with a giggle: "Now, you finally look a bit like a little sister."
"Little sister?"
Responding with some hums and haws, Sen Getsusa casually swept her gaze over Yuno Gasai's pupils: "It's order, right?"
Yuno Gasai nodded ignorantly: "Mm, it's an order ritual. The ritual name is—"
"No need to tell me."
As long as it's order, it's fine.
Feeling relieved, Sen Getsusa stepped onto the floor barefoot and skipped to the refrigerator to grab a bottle of chilled soda.
Psh—
Gulp, gulp.
"Want to give it a try?"
Leaning against the refrigerator, Sen Getsusa curiously invited Yuno Gasai: "Aren't you learning Kendo? Today, I'll go with you, Yuno."
"Let me see how formidable Miss Gasai is."
Yuno Gasai waved her hands in panic: "That won't do! I would never swing a blade at Tsukisa!"
"Oh, don't be so serious."
Sen Getsusa leaned in playfully, sitting on the tabletop with her feet on the sofa, right next to Yuno Gasai's knees.
"If Yuno can protect herself, then I can be at ease..."
"This World is getting more and more dangerous..."
The girl, muttering in a low voice, didn't notice Yuno Gasai's strange expression.
She wasn't listening to what the girl was saying at all. Her pale eyes moistly watched the side of her own leg, that fair and slender foot... Emerald green paint was smeared on the five rounded toes. As the girl muttered, they unconsciously curled and uncurled—small enough to be held in one's hand.
The tempted person reached out her palm and quietly approached... "Yuno?"
She looked up.
Sen Getsusa looked at her in confusion.
"Mm-hmm, then let's go this afternoon?"
Yuno Gasai curved her eyes and withdrew her hand imperceptibly.
"Speaking of which, since Yuno has become a Ritualist, we can fight side by side, right?"
"Side by side...?"
"Hehe, didn't I tell you? I stopped that ritual... and even faked an organization! Hahaha! Let me tell you all about it..."
The voices of the two girls muttering drifted away.
Inside the diary in the room, a certain page was slowly dissipating.
[Mad Lover (order):]
[The illegal Mad Lover.]
[Voyeurism, jealousy, forced possession, exclusive enjoyment.]
[Your love is as dark as a dusty spiderweb in a corner.]
[You are the prying eyes in the dark night, the flesh after devouring jealousy.]
[You crave exclusivity and Eternity.]
[Cost:]
[You have promised an eternal love.]
[You can go back on your word, or transfer this burning love and promise to another.]
[But you will lose all favor from the mystery.]
[Ability:]
[Fury (Origin Point):]
[Crush... her enemies!]
[When attacking creatures that harbor hostility toward the 'lover', there is a probability of triggering negative states such as 'Cleave','Shatter', 'Vulnerability', 'Curse', 'Bleed', and 'Tenfold Breakdown'.]
[Energy Level: Lv1 · 'Origin Point']
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