Abnormal Type-Moon

The student council office.

"Congratulations to both of you. This can truly be considered a great achievement!"

Claudia sat at the desk with her usual gentle smile as she looked at the two people before her.

Standing in front of the desk were Roy and Julis, whom he had called over. Silas had already been handed over to another organization. Originally, Julis hadn't planned to come to the student council office, but she agreed out of consideration for Roy.

"All you're looking forward to is gaining benefits from Arlequint, aren't you? The power struggles between academies are utterly boring."

Julis narrowed one eye, showing no particular reaction to Claudia's praise.

"I won't deny that. But it's also true that capturing the perpetrator targeting our Seidoukan students recently is cause for celebration. After all, Julis wasn't the only one attacked."

Claudia let out a light laugh, maintaining her cheerful expression.

The conflicts between the six academies of Asterisk never ceased—both overt and covert attacks were constant threats. Especially during the Festa, incidents of academies bribing experts to attack competitors from rival schools were commonplace. It wasn't just Seidoukan; the other five academies experienced similar incidents to varying degrees every year.

Silas was a spy bribed by Arlequint Academy. Before targeting Julis, he had already harmed several Seidoukan competitors. However, since his abilities involved hard-to-trace automaton manipulation, he had evaded capture until now. Naturally, they intended to thoroughly exploit this spy's value.

Of course, this part wasn't something Roy and the others needed to worry about.

"But when did you two become so close? I'm feeling a bit jealous..."

Claudia looked at the pair before her, showing a slightly troubled expression with a sorrow that was hard to tell how much was genuine and how much was teasing.

"C-Close? No, how could that be! We're just cooperating... we're Partners!"

For a moment—perhaps it was just an illusion—Julis's face seemed to flush slightly before she vehemently denied it, as if putting all her strength into the rebuttal.

"Partners?"

Claudia looked at Roy in surprise.

"About that, Claudia, I was actually hoping you could help me with something."

Roy spoke up at this point, turning his gaze toward Claudia.

"Of course, as long as it's within my capabilities."

Claudia agreed almost without hesitation, smiling the entire time as she responded.

Julis seemed to notice something, her eyes suspiciously darting back and forth between Claudia and Roy.

Why did the atmosphere between these two feel off to her?

Was it just her imagination?

"Then please help me deliver this email to Toudou Kirin and her uncle."

Roy opened a spatial window and sent an email directly to Claudia.

"May I take a look?"

"Go ahead."

Claudia nodded and opened the email, quickly scanning its contents before showing clear astonishment.

"Are you sure you want to do this?"

"Absolutely."

Roy nodded naturally.

"I'm not worried about Toudou Kirin's side. The only concern is whether her uncle will be willing to accept."

"Leave the persuasion regarding that to me!"

Claudia smiled. Since Roy was serious, she had no reason to refuse.

"I'll give you an answer soon."

"Thanks."

Claudia nodded, then seemed to remember something and lightly gestured to Roy.

"Ah, actually, I'm not always busy in the student council. If you have time, you can come by to relax. There's even an indoor pool on this floor."

"I will."

Roy waved his hand and walked out of the student council office.

After Julis followed him out, Claudia let out a faint sigh, as if carrying a weight of loneliness in her chest, before a determined expression surfaced on her face.

"Partners? I can't just ignore that!"

***

"Beep!"

The sound of a new email notification chimed from their phones.

Not just one—but two phones rang simultaneously.

Toudou Kirin and Toudou Kouichirou were having dinner in the school cafeteria when they heard the sound. Without hesitation, they both checked their phones.

"W-What is this…?"

"That arrogant brat!"

Kirin's face showed surprise.

Meanwhile, Kouichirou's expression darkened instantly, his anger flaring up. Unable to contain himself, he swept all the tableware onto the floor with a loud crash, drawing shocked and displeased glances from those around them.

Kirin cautiously glanced at him, hesitation flickering in her eyes.

"Uncle, this is…"

"Let me see your email!"

"Yes…"

After checking, Kouichirou confirmed that both emails contained the exact same content.

It was a challenge.

And not just any challenge.

It was an invitation for Kirin to participate in a two-on-two simulated battle.

The opponents were Roy and Julis.

Their side could send Kirin and any other student from Seidoukan Academy to engage in a two-on-two match, following the exact same rules as the Phoenix Festa.

"That arrogant brat! He's deliberately challenging Kirin with a two-on-two format!"

Kouichirou was both shocked and furious.

Normally, challenges between academies were one-on-one, whether in duels or official ranking battles. A two-on-two challenge like this was clearly Roy's way of mimicking the Phoenix Festa.

What worried Kouichirou more than Roy challenging Kirin was the two-on-two format itself.

Because in this battle, whether Kirin won or lost, he stood to gain nothing.

If Kirin lost to Roy and Julis in a two-on-two match, the prestige of her title as Seidoukan's number one would plummet, and her value would diminish significantly.

Kouichirou's goal wasn't just for Kirin to be Seidoukan's top student—his true aim was for her to compete in three consecutive Festas, achieving a historic three-feat and making her the world's most renowned champion!

By controlling Kirin's rise to such heights, his own value within the conglomerate would soar, paving the way for a meteoric career ascent. Becoming a high-ranking executive in the financial group would be effortless.

In his plans, Kirin absolutely could not lose. Losing meant a decline in her worth.

But if Kirin were to win the two-on-two mock battle against Roy, it would inevitably create another huge problem.

If Kirin won, wouldn't she start doubting the validity of his reasons for not letting her participate in the Phoenix Festa?

After all, if she could defeat the combination of the fifth-ranked student from Seidoukan Academy and a specially admitted student, she might very well be capable of winning the Phoenix Festa championship. If she were to lose trust in him because of this and insist on participating in Phoenix Festa, wouldn't all his plans come to nothing?

Toudou Kouichirou's expression turned extremely grim.

In this two-on-two mock battle, whether Kirin won or lost, it would only bring him disadvantages—no benefits at all!

Then there was only one answer left!

Refuse to accept the challenge!

Beep! Beep!

Suddenly, a communication request window appeared in front of Toudou Kouichirou.

***

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