It hadn't worked at all?
Was it because of Void Shiki's powerful Rank A Magic Resistance, or because her connection to the Root had elevated her to a transcendent, Saint-like state of existence?
Regardless, Haruka Kasugano was out of options; he had no choice but to engage Void Shiki in a desperate bout of hand-to-hand combat.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
Haruka Kasugano gripped the Silver Arm with both hands, his eyes locked onto her every move. Concentrating his mind, he activated his [Mind's Eye], weaving the essence of Bajiquan and the Ba-style arts into a thrilling, high-stakes melee. Every swing of the Silver Arm was transformed into a solid line of defense as he struggled to parry her sharp, lethal strikes. He knew that as long as he could block her blade and prevent it from touching his "Lines of Death," he would remain safe. Though he didn't know exactly where his death lines were, he believed that as long as he gave his all to block every incoming blow, he could survive!
On the other side, Void Shiki danced with her blade, sublimating her family's inherited swordplay into the breathtaking skill [Unyo]. Her movements were elegant yet deadly, each strike carrying unparalleled momentum, clashing against the Silver Arm in a spray of sparks.
However, because of her [Root Connection] ability, her physical attributes far surpassed the limits of human imagination. Facing such a monster, Haruka Kasugano felt the pressure mounting.
"Haruka Kasugano... for all the humiliation you put me through, I will pay you back a hundredfold!" Void Shiki hissed through gritted teeth.
Memories of the "humiliations" she endured during those late nights over the past year flooded back. Memories of the recent "incident" in the elevator... Void Shiki was so livid her face turned pale.
----------
Clang! Clang! Clang!
The sounds of violent collisions were unending, and Haruka Kasugano gradually fell into a defensive rut. On one hand, he held a deep reverence for the Mystic Eyes of Death Perception and didn't dare take risks; on the other, the "Thaumaturgy-Breaker" effect of the Kujikanesada was a massive headache.
Currently, Haruka Kasugano was wearing a Chaldea Combat Uniform, which provided defense equivalent to an Executor's vestment. Unfortunately, before the razor-sharp edge of the Kujikanesada, this protection was as flimsy as paper. In several careless moments, the suit was sliced to ribbons by her blade.
Rip! Tear!
Noticing that his clothes shattered whenever the Kujikanesada touched them, Void Shiki grew even more excited, proactively aiming to shred his outfit. Before long, due to the total destruction of the Combat Uniform, Haruka Kasugano was standing there completely naked. His fighting form now looked exactly like a classical Roman sculpture.
"Hahaha! You finally have your day!" Void Shiki giggled.
She was acting like a child getting revenge. Because she had spent so much time in deep sleep, her mental age was close to that of a young girl. Even if you possess infinite knowledge from books, if you don't experience or use it, you remain a novice. Even if she could access the truths of the world through the Root, without experience, it was all just "armchair strategy." Moreover, one cannot obtain knowledge of "emotions" from the Root; even gods cannot create emotions.
Thus, due to her long slumber, her temperament was that of a stubborn, willful three-year-old. The year Haruka Kasugano spent kissing her all over at night was actually the longest period of "consciousness" she had experienced. Consequently, her strongest feelings were those directed at him. Although she found his behavior loathsome, she had also felt the pleasure he gave her. His long-term "companionship" had even made her stop feeling lonely.
Her feelings for Haruka Kasugano were incredibly complex. Her resistance was more the fear of a teenage girl whose life was suddenly invaded by a man. It's the most common psychological reaction for girls that age—like a shy person whose first instinct upon meeting an outsider is to push them away.
Because everyone fears the future, even Void Shiki. Though she could predict future trends by touching the Root, it was still just a prediction; the future has infinite possibilities that even God cannot grasp. Thus, in her emotional immaturity, she feared this man entering her life. She feared a future with him. Everyone feels safe in a stable status quo; to protect her inner self, she chose to drive him away and return to sleep.
If I just keep sleeping... I won't have to worry about these complex feelings for this man. I was a carefree person, why did you have to invade my life... Bad man! Bastard! Die!
The more she thought, the harder she swung. "See that? Isn't it embarrassing? Do you still dare to humiliate me?" she cursed vengefully.
Haruka Kasugano didn't have time to worry about being naked; he was fighting for his life. Not only were his clothes gone, but the magical energy bursts from the Silver Arm were being easily sliced apart by her, making his situation increasingly dire. This battle felt unwinnable!
Just then, Touko Aozaki, who was collapsed nearby, shouted: "We have to find a way to sever her connection to the Root...!"
Haruka Kasugano let out a bitter laugh. Sever the Root? That's a fantasy! Even Circe's Reality Marble couldn't do it. How could a weakened version of a Bond CE manage it?
Reality Marbles simply manifest an internal landscape over reality, cutting off external mana and usurping Gaia's authority. They don't have the power to block the Root! To do that, you'd need a Reality Marble combined with an Authority more domineering than the World's Will.
Where could he find something like—wait. Maybe there was a way.
Haruka Kasugano suddenly remembered that when Shiki Ryougi's favorability reached 50%, he had redeemed some rewards, including a one-time-use Noble Phantasm.
—Nero's [Aestus Domus Aurea: Invitations to the Golden Theater]!
Maybe this could work! He immediately backed off a few steps and unleashed his full power: "Flash and Vanish, Silver Arm!!!"
BOOM!
A powerful beam of light flared. Haruka Kasugano took the chance to activate the one-time Noble Phantasm!
"Open the gates! Let the curtains of the solo performance rise!"
As he shouted, rose petals suddenly swirled through the air. Void Shiki broke through the light beam and charged in front of him like an arrow. Seeing the rose petals surrounding them, she snapped, "What kind of trick is this? Even if you confess your love right here, I won't listen to you!"
Her "child-like" mind made her say something so unexpected that Haruka Kasugano couldn't help but chuckle. The rose petals increased in volume, surrounding them both like a tide. Only then did she realize this was the manifestation of another Reality Marble.
"Are you kidding? I shredded one Reality Marble, I can shred a second!" she mocked.
RUMBLE—
In an instant, the scenery transformed into a magnificent opera house. The air was filled with red decorations and petals; it was a dreamlike world.
"Heh... this Reality Marble isn't even as good as the last one. There's nothing here. How do you intend to resist me?" she jeered. She swung her blade at the air, intending to tear the space again.
But... she found she couldn't do it! Not only that, but her Rank A Magic Resistance and the physical stats she gained from the Root vanished instantly. She was back to being a normal human.
"What's happening?" She was dazed. She tried to force her Mystic Eyes of Death Perception to find a rift in the Reality Marble.
But she suddenly felt dizzy. She couldn't withstand the mental load of the Mystic Eyes! Just like Shiki Tohno, who gets headaches if he overuses his eyes, she was suffering the same fate. Her body, which used to be immune to the load because of the Root, was now failing her.
Which meant... her body was no longer connected to the Root? How was that possible?
It was because Nero's Reality Marble wasn't just a Reality Marble; it was a symbol of Imperial Privilege. Inside this space, even the Will of the World must bow to the Emperor's authority! Thus, Nero's Golden Theater could indeed sever the connection to the Root!
Haruka Kasugano hadn't been confident at first, but seeing her state, he knew his gamble had paid off. He remembered that in the Capsule Servant plotline, Nero's theater severed Manaka Sajyou's connection to the Root, allowing Nero to do as she pleased with her.
"Don't come near me... you bastard..." Void Shiki's head felt like it was splitting apart, and she began to cry.
--------
Inside the Golden Theater, Haruka Kasugano's power would be boosted. But that wasn't the important part. What mattered was that Void Shiki had lost her [Root Connection]; she had been reduced to a mere mortal. In fact, she was currently weaker than the "regular" Shiki.
Shiki at least had a body accustomed to the Root that could use the Mystic Eyes recklessly. But Void Shiki now could only see the "Surface Lines" of death like Shiki Tohno; she could no longer perceive conceptual death or the death of transcendent beings.
Seeing this, Haruka Kasugano immediately walked toward her to "get intimate." He had promised to make her beg beneath him—and a gentleman never breaks his word. He had to fulfill this promise to the Root.