The Foreshadowing of Defeat

After leaving the Sea of Realms and entering the Realm Gate, Xingyue and Xingyu began arguing.

Xingyue walked ahead.

Xingyu followed close behind.

Both moved at a brisk pace, exchanging opinions on what had just happened.

“Xingyue, why did you stop me?

I already found her weakness—if we teamed up, we could’ve taken her down!”

“I told you, her speed can’t be stopped.”

“Which is why we just need to use magic beforehand to—”

Xingyue suddenly halted.

Xingyu, too eager to press her point, almost crashed into her.

“Xingyu, your thinking is slipping right now.

Calm down.”

“…I am calm.”

“Really?

I can’t tell.”

Xingyue poked the transformation trinket on her shoulder.

“Once you use the Pillar of the Mind’s power, you can’t summon it again for a while.

You used it here, but when you run into a time you really need it later, what will you do then?”

“I do think now is the time I really needed it!”

“You’re still not listening…”

Xingyue shook her head.

“I know you’re anxious about your sister’s situation—and yes, it started with Herrera—but you need to keep a clear head.”

The mention of Liyun made Xingyue feel a dull headache.

Whatever the circumstances, Liyun was the Sixth Seat.

Working with Xingyu, the Third Seat, they were a fearsome combination.

Losing that kind of power would be a huge blow to the Magical Alliance.

Especially since there were already two vacant seats among the Ten.

“Sigh… Leave Liyun’s matter to me.

You focus on yourself first.”

“…..”

“Well?

Your answer?”

Xingyu hesitated for a long moment.

“…Got it.”

“Good.

The Realm Sea Special Operations Division’s entire First Section was wiped out this time.

We will be questioned by the UN—prepare yourself.”

“They’ll question us?

Not the Otherkind Organization?”

Xingyu’s eyes widened.

“Our word alone won’t mean much.

And more importantly—Herrera shows up, and the entire First Section is gone in an instant.

Those UN bureaucrats probably won’t dare say a word to the Otherkind Organization.

They’ll just come nag us instead.

After all, magical girls give off that ‘docile and obedient’ impression.”

That bunch of wine-bloated deadweight would never challenge the Otherkind Organization directly.

At most they’d issue a few token condemnations, maybe slap on some light international sanctions.

As for a true ‘tooth for a tooth’—they wouldn’t dare.

Even without Herrera, the Otherkind Organization was formidable.

The Realm Sea’s Special Operations First Section was supposed to be their counterpart to the Otherkind’s Zero Squad—

But anyone who knew the truth knew the gap was enormous.

Was the Otherkind’s strength in their espers?

No.

While espers were important, they weren’t the core.

The real strength of the Otherkind lay in their R&D capability—far beyond even the most advanced national laboratories.

They took espers as a foundation,

Then layered on powerful equipment,

Physical modifications,

Esper potential development…

Xingyue had even learned inside information:

This century’s greatest crystallization of human industry—the equatorial-class super ring—

Had been developed with the Otherkind Organization’s assistance.

That was how they could produce a Singularity Core to trade with Tidechasers.

Without the Otherkind’s push,

Human governments might never have developed super rings—

Or at least would’ve been delayed ten or twenty years.

That was their true foundation—

A hidden kind of deterrence.

“Remember—don’t go looking for Herrera and doing something rash again.”

Xingyue resumed walking, a shadow of worry in her eyes.

Sigh… even people inside the Magical Alliance were a headache to manage.

She had to keep Xingyu from charging at Herrera—

Couldn’t just watch her throw herself away like that.

For both public and personal reasons.

But soon, something seemed to occur to Xingyue.

Her lips curved into a faint, pleased smile.

“I have something to do.

You go take care of your own matters.”

“Is this about tracking that dragon-class dimensional beast?” Xingyu asked.

“No.

Before dealing with outsiders, I have to settle matters at home first.

For that… I’ll need a few days to prepare.”

Xingyue vanished like a gust of wind.

Her steps were light and cheerful.

“So… seven years later…

What new tricks have you picked up?”

Xingyue chuckled to herself.

She remembered the look on Herrera’s face when she’d been defeated seven years ago—

And couldn’t stop laughing.

“She must have been sharpening her claws all this time, waiting for revenge…

Though I don’t really think she lost to me that time~

She almost noticed I’d used magic…”

“Once we meet this time, maybe she’ll behave for a while.

Stop wandering around…

And stop ruining other magical girls’ lives.”

Sometimes… keeping that oversexed cat in check was such a chore.

“Zero—can you still stand up straight?”

“Hff… hff…” (panting)

“Looks like you’re pushing it.”

Zero sagged limply against Luo You’s chest, as if someone had just ripped her core out.

They hadn’t done anything—

Of course they wouldn’t in front of so many people on the aircraft.

And you couldn’t just knock someone out for so long with nothing but a teasing touch.

“To think that little girl from back then is now the third-in-command of the organization—

And still such a pathetic little thing~”

Luo You teased her, voice dripping with mockery.

Zero hid her face in Luo You’s embrace.

She was far too ashamed.

All it had taken was Luo You breathing softly in her ear,

Pressing their bodies a little closer—

And the mighty third-in-command of the Otherkind Organization had collapsed like this.

If it went any further… she didn’t even dare imagine.

Meanwhile, Luo You was puzzled.

[My technique is fine…]

So why hadn’t it worked on Xingyue?

Her tricks worked on every other woman,

But not on Xingyue—

That meant the problem lay with Xingyue.

“Could she have already been using magic back then?”

The thought hit Luo You.

Magic came in countless varieties—not all were offensive.

Some support magic could be used on oneself.

But she really couldn’t imagine—

What kind of magic could make Xingyue react like a corpse,

Completely devoid of any physiological response?

If such bizarre magic really existed…

Then weren’t magical girls themselves just filthy creatures?

[When I used the Spirit-Coral of Null, Xingyue went down instantly.

Could she really have been using magic?]

She couldn’t be sure—

Because at the time, Luo You hadn’t sensed any magic fluctuations from Xingyue at all.

So what was going on?

…Wait.

A Unique Magic?

“Zero, I’m leaving.

Next time, at least hold out until I get my shirt off.”

“W–wait—” Zero grabbed her.
“Next time… how do I contact you?”

“I’ll come find you.
Oh—this, I’m taking~”

And without a trace of dust, Luo You was gone.

Well—
Gone, along with one of Zero’s most intimate garments.

A long while later, Zero slumped to the floor, letting out a quiet murmur.

“Has… big sis’s technique gotten rusty?”