Volume 1 Epilogue - The Shore between Dreams and Myth
The <magic light projectorphantasmagoria> placed in the middle of the conference room projected the miracle that occurred at the end of the incident.
The phantasmagoria was the result between advanced magic and alchemy. Using the application of spirit photography magic, it was possible to project the image inside the human mind as a three dimensional image.
Right now this phantasmagoria was projecting the rushing Knight Order member witnessing [the scene where Hayashizaki Kazuki summoned Phoenix completely].
While the eyes of the Magic Division's teachers were focused on the projection——Liz Liza stood up and announced.
"…A circuit formed from the bond tied with other contractors, from there it pulled out the magic of another Diva and able to use them completely, [the power of King]. At this occasion it established [Lemegeton's true power]."
Having an eye witness of Kazuki's complete summoning of Phoenix, the deception of [Lemegeton's ability was no more than copy magic] couldn't stand up anymore.
"I have a request…let him get accepted into Magica officially, and then form the bonds with other students. The whole school should offer the support in this matter of him becoming King!"
The teachers were making a commotion——they are in panic because of Loki's awakening.
Five days had passed since the incident of Loki's awakening in the inter-division match.
The Knight Order's preparation for Loki's subjugation had began but before that happened——Loki gathered the illegal magicians from various places in Japan and took command of them. They introduced themselves as Loki's Einherjar and began to attack the Knight Order. Until now, it was an impossible event for illegal magician that had their minds in derangement to take action in a group. That was a terrible situation.
Loki, who was wounded on his chest, in this five days kept repeating an attack where he counter-attacked and retreated quickly. Such attacks were done many times over, causing the Knight Order's preparation of Loki's subjugation, to lag behind and couldn't progress.
It was possible that the academy would be targeted again, by Loki's attack, if the Knight Order continues like this to where they couldn't defeat Loki.
In the middle of that anxiety, the existence of [Solomon's King] became known.
The [Myth] of a King that controls a collaboration of Divas for the sake of the people. As far as the teachers are concerned, they saw a sliver of hope.
"However…will Hayashizaki Kazuki be able to wake up if his unconscious state continues?"
There was no treatment regarding magic intoxication. Kazuki was currently bedridden in the Witch's Mansion.
"He will come back for sure. …Because even I was able to return back."
Liz Liza's own body had experienced the matter of magic intoxication. What happened to the mind that was dragged into Astrum——she understood that but still, that youth would be able to come back for sure.
"…Objection! A suspicious Diva like that should not be accepted so easily."
The academy's board chairman raised an objection. An old man with a stern face that looked like a raptor bird.
In the staff meeting, he consistently kept insisting to seal Lemegeton.
"The facts that can be used to validate that the Diva named Lemegeton is worthy of trust is zero. It's possible that she is only pretending as [Solomon's King] and giving that kind of explanation of her ability to deceive us. …You know that evil Diva tricked humans and then possessed them. The Diva who was handing out illegal contract will conveniently whisper sweet words to humans."
"One case gives you an idea of what always happens in the issue of a Diva. Even in that attack incident, it was possible that suspicious Diva Lemegeton was the one that guided Loki, wasn't it? My [step daughter] was also dragged into that incident you know! Maybe it's overly careful but, what kind of teacher are we if we don't take all precaution for the sake of the children!"
"Please calm down, Board Chairman Amasaki…"
The flustered teacher next to the old man that hit the desk in rage tried to pacify him.
"I already thought about this thoroughly you know! Everyone of us must have the self-awareness, the 72 Pillar is an exception, but the thing known as Diva and Myth, in all cases, are the enemy of humanity! The Divas in the six countries overseas that gathered faith, we don't know what they are currently scheming!"
"But Board Chairman Amasaki…Right now the academy and the Knight Order need every bit of powerful strength available. All the more if someday the <<War of MythRagnarok> will really occur."
The headmaster announced to cool the atmosphere. All present became silent toward the word of the academy's most influential person.
Ragnarok. The ominous prediction that Loki left behind before he went away.
"If we need power then we shouldn't rely on a suspicious Diva, instead we have to reorganize the Magic Division to become stronger, shouldn't we? …Headmaster Otonashi."
Board Chairman Amasaki glared at the calm headmaster in discontent. Both of their opinions were in opposition.
The headmaster was young compared to the board chairman, grizzled hair in dark suits and appearance that was arranged methodically leaving no gap. Even when facing the bluntly aggressive manner, he didn't show any wavering emotion.
"…Board Chairman Amasaki's word is also reasonable. But it is still too early to make a simple decision. Let's watch the situation some more shall we? And if he shows even a little suspicious behavior then——"
Headmaster Otonashi made the declaration after a short pause.
"The Quest for Lemegeton's subjugation will be handed down to the academy's strongest <Summoning MagicianMagica Stigma>, Otonashi Kaguya."
…Before I noticed I was already asleep.
Inside the dream I saw in the pitch black world, I sank deeper and deeper——that place was already neither dream nor unconscious mind anymore.
<Distorted WorldAstrum>. The alternate dimension connected from the depth of a human's mind. Humans that searched for magic power that could distort the world, that exceed their own strength of existence, their mind was dispersed and then restored in this world.
The parts of Kazuki's mind that were disconnected were being dismantled and lie scattered in Astrum.
Those pieces scattered everywhere contained countless accumulation of memory of his life so far.
The date with Mio. The duel with Mio. The meeting with Leme. The kindness of Kaguya-senpai. Kanae who was at first very thorny but gradually behaved like a spoiled child. The disciplining of step-father. Everyone of Nanohana Institute.
And then the even further past——the event that was already impossible to recall, the distant scar.
Inside the darkness of Astrum, Kazuki saw the forgotten <himselfscene>.
The days of cold winter that froze the body. A woman held Kazuki that was still a baby in her arms.
Kazuki remembered this woman, instinctively.
Mother… On that cold day, mother…abandoned me in front of the gate of the orphanage [Nanohana Institute].
The past that could not be recalled, however Kazuki's mind that had turned to the depth of his unconscious mind could be controlled.
I see——that's why I couldn't believe on that kind of thing. Myself that was not even loved by my blood-related mother, there was no way somebody who loved me exist. Much less becoming Harem King…
"Hee, demeaning oneself, cannot depend on yourself. Even so when you are hugged by Otonashi Kaguya, you became pretty excited, wasn't ittt."
A voice resounded inside the world of darkness.
A violet witch was 'kukuku' laughing while her figure appeared.
"You are not really believing that seriously. You had on one occasion believed hadn't you, the bond with my master."
'Bat' like a flower blooming brilliantly, a bird of fire spread its wing besides Kazuki.
In the world of total darkness, the two Diva became ambiguous and called out to Kazuki's heart.
"Quickly go back okaay. My cute Kaguya is feeling down you knoow."
"If it's you right now, you should be able to sense the connection shouldn't you? Remember it…"
Connection——the contract with Leme connected it, the magic power circuit formed from the positivity.
Certainly even now that connection was linked with my soul.
"Kukuku…Don't make a woman wait you knoow."
"Because you are not a human who fight for yourself, but someone that can demonstrate his strength for the sake of others, that was why we chose you as King. We didn't choose a coward and a menial human…Don't betray my master."
The voice——certainly it could be heard.
{…Kazuki. Kazuki!}
That's right. I am Hayashizaki Kazuki. The voice was becoming vague. Kazuki's ego was being reformed.
From the depth of the darkness, his consciousness was softly surfacing to the real world.
The direction of the calling voice was the direction of the ties of bond.
"Yareyare…A troublesome King-sama isn't iit. Fifteen years where human and Diva's contact was reestablished. Even though the <gamesituation> will begin to move soon. Not only that insolent Lokii, all those sheetty Mythology that support other countries and storing power too. The age of myth that mankind forgot completely is coming again…"
"Regarding our action of invading their <Japanturf>, Japan's Mythology's movement is also worrying…I believe they chose not to become a <playerparticipant> and remained a spectator though."
"We can't keep teetering like thaat. Our cute Leme-chan already forfeited her power and became a cute little girl you knooow."
While seeing off Kazuki's consciousness, the witch and the fire bird exchanged private words.
""King is needed after all…for human to fight against gods.""