Chapter 94: Who Said I Died!
Misaki Island.
An enormous island, even larger than the military base stationed on South Shield Island.
Aside from housing the Yotsuba Family's Fourth Research Institute, it was also the location of the mage prison.
Managed by the Shiba branch family of the Yotsuba.
Yet unexpectedly—
"She actually handed Misaki Island over to me just like that..."
Watching the small fleet sailing across the distant horizon, Mahiro wasn't sure what expression to make.
He couldn't help recalling Maya's response at the time.
So straightforward, she didn't even convene a family meeting—just had Hayama call the Shiba family.
As for those distant ships—
They were the Shiba family's cruise ships, vessels transporting the Fourth Research Institute's personnel and equipment, along with escort ships transferring mage prisoners.
All departing Misaki Island.
Mahiro would never forget the look in the eyes of the Shiba family head overseeing the island when he saw him.
As if wanting to devour him whole.
"Ara, so this is Mr. Mahiro's world?"
At that moment, Shiba Miori gracefully walked over and stood beside him, gazing out at the sea together.
"It's so pleasant~"
Enjoying the gentle sea breeze blowing from the horizon, her wooden sandals slowly sank into the soft sand beneath her feet.
How long had it been since she last enjoyed the beach so leisurely?
So long that even she couldn't remember.
But she wasn't the only one here now.
The children were already playing cheerfully on the shore.
The entire Arcadia, including the land of District 39, had been tossed out from the ring and placed permanently on this island. The former research facility of the Fourth Research Institute had now become Muroto Sumire's new laboratory.
"Hmph, you should be grateful you're even alive to come here! A vixen like you should've stayed in that world and been pitifully burned to ashes!"
"My, my, the gorilla is here too. I thought you'd already been eaten by Gastrea."
As expected, Kisara and Miori immediately started bickering the moment they met.
According to Kanae, the two had even engaged in a full-on brawl while inside the ring.
Of course, given Kisara's current strength, defeating Miori would be easy, so she hadn't gone all out.
Just like before, the two remained evenly matched.
It was almost as if this had become their way of communicating.
"Mahiro-san, this world feels so peaceful."
Seitenshi walked over gracefully, pressing down on her white sun hat against the sea breeze. She was dressed in her usual white gown.
It had indeed been a long time since she'd seen an island or a beach.
Her gaze was calm—the wounds inflicted by the Tokyo Area had long since healed.
Though the hatred Kikunojou had once vented at her still echoed in her heart, fresh as ever.
She remembered those words clearly—
"Why can you forget? Why?! On that day ten years ago, the sun fell, the earth split, and humanity was nearly driven from this world! Those starving devils with the blood of insects were strutting around the streets without a care. Those red-eyed monsters are demons who will flatten this world! How can you and them remain so calm? You even talk about granting them equal human rights? What kind of joke is that?!"
Gastrea were indeed wrong.
But were these children really at fault?
Watching them play and frolic by the shore, innocent and lively, Seitenshi already had her answer—
Those seen as tainted by filthy blood were in fact the purest generation.
"Peaceful?"
Mahiro suddenly responded to her earlier remark. "This world isn't truly peaceful either. It's just that, compared to your world, it maintains a superficial facade of peace. But don't worry—no matter what happens, I'll ensure Arcadia's era of peace lasts forever."
"I believe in you, Mahiro-san."
Seitenshi smiled softly at him, her white-gloved hands reaching tentatively for his.
But she was interrupted by a sudden shout.
"I... I'm already Mahiro-kun's woman! We've done it! We've gone all the way—you vixen could never compare!"
As soon as these words were spoken, the scene fell into complete silence, leaving only the sound of waves crashing against the shore.
"I never expected Miss Kisara to..."
Seitenshi gently covered her mouth with her white-gloved hands, her gaze shifting between Mahiro and Kisara. She couldn't believe how bold Miss Kisara was being.
And what about herself...?
Should she also take the initiative?
But how...?
Seitenshi's heart was filled with hesitation.
Meanwhile, the children stood there dumbfounded, their eyes burning as they stared at Kisara.
Miori was the same, struck speechless by shock, her pupils trembling slightly.
She had been... beaten to it!!!
Today in Arcadia was destined to be another tumultuous day.
After informing Seitenshi, Kanae, and the others about the island's affairs, Mahiro prepared to leave.
After all, a month had already passed since First High School had started its new term, and it was time for him to return.
As for the island's management, there was no need to worry—Misaki Island was an autonomous territory of the Yotsuba family, free to develop as they pleased.
Supplies weren't an issue either, as transport ships arrived weekly with all necessities.
Travel was also convenient—the island had a small airport, with several private jets on standby 24/7.
So aside from the children, he had no intention of forcing anyone—whether it was Kisara, Miori, Seitenshi, or Sumire—to stay on the island. If they wanted to go out and experience the world, they were free to do so anytime.
However...
Sumire was a given—she was a shut-in who preferred her lab over sightseeing any day.
Moreover, her research on the "Life Project" wasn't finished yet. According to her, Mahiro's genetic material was extraordinarily unique, completely different from ordinary humans.
Seitenshi politely declined, citing her responsibilities in managing Arcadia alongside Kanae.
Kisara wanted to stay on the island to teach the children.
Only Miori expressed a desire to travel, claiming she wanted to achieve something great—though she still needed to stay on the island a little longer to familiarize herself with this world.
And so, in the end, he was the only one who left the island.
Returning to his long-absent home.
"I'm back~"
Crash!
The moment he stepped inside, before he could even take off his shoes in the entryway, he heard the sound of a plate shattering on the floor.
Looking up, he saw the girl he hadn't seen in so long—Sakurai Minami, wearing an apron, standing frozen at the junction between the living room and the entryway, staring at him in disbelief.
"Mahiro-sama... Is it really you...?"
"It's me, Minami. I should say... it's been a while."
Though only a month had passed here, for him, it had been a solid two and a half years.
After everything he'd been through, returning here felt both strange and familiar. But seeing these familiar faces instantly erased any sense of detachment.
"Mahiro-sama!"
The shock in Minami's eyes melted into overwhelming emotion as she rushed forward and threw herself into his arms. "Mahiro-sama, you're really alive... I'm so glad..."
"Uh... huh? Wait, hold on."
The warmth of their reunion was thick at first, but the moment he heard "you're really alive," it dissipated like mist under a strong wind.
"Minami, what do you mean 'alive'? Who said I was dead?"
"You didn't know?"
Minami lifted her tearful eyes from his chest, blinking in confusion. "Tatsuya-sama said you had died... Miyuki-sama was heartbroken for a long time because of it."
"What?!"
Damn it, Shiba Tatsuya, you bastard!
Without another thought, he left Minami behind and stormed next door.
Though before leaving, he did hand her a vial of AGV serum.
After all, the most fatal flaw of an adjusted body is its lifespan.
Since that woman Maya had assigned Minami to him, he naturally couldn't just watch this adorable little maid waste away her life.
"Young Master Mahiro..."
Minami stood holding the syringe, staring blankly at Mahiro who had already walked out the door.
Ding dong—
"May I ask who's there?"
"It's me, Miyuki. Open the door—I need to speak with Tatsuya!"
Hearing this familiar voice, Miyuki froze at the entrance, her hand on the doorknob stiffening instantly.
That voice...
It couldn't be...
She hesitated, hopeful yet fearful, with just a tiny spark of anger mixed in.
Was someone impersonating Mahiro-nii-san?
But that voice... it was unmistakably Mahiro-nii-san's... or was this someone's cruel prank?
Ding dong—
The doorbell rang again, interrupting her thoughts.
As she turned the knob with slight pressure, she could clearly feel the gears of the lock turning and clicking, the mechanical sensation of the latch gradually retracting.
Click!
The lock disengaged.
The dim twilight light flooded in like a tide, revealing that familiar face—features so naturally perfect they couldn't be replicated, flawlessly symmetrical proportions, and that ever-present smile at the corners of his lips.
"Mahiro-nii-san...?"
Seeing the person outside, Miyuki drew in a tiny breath.
"Tiny" because she was barely breathing at all, afraid that even a single exhale might dissipate the figure before her.
She even instinctively covered her mouth with both hands.
Those hands trembled slightly.
After finally suppressing the sob threatening to burst forth, Miyuki lowered her hands to her chest.
They pressed against her heart as she closed her eyes, curling up slightly as if enduring intense pain.
Miyuki was experiencing, with startling realism, the sensation of "her chest being torn apart."
But not from grief—rather, from disbelief, as overwhelming emotions surged from her heart, pounding against her ribcage.
"Miyuki? You... can't be serious?"
Mahiro tried to step forward, but Miyuki retreated two steps.
"Please don't come closer!"
She cried out, then slowly reopened her eyes—her crystal-like pupils now misted over.
Trembling, she asked:
"Mahiro-nii-san, is it really you? You're... truly alive?!"
"Of course I'm alive."
Mahiro placed one hand on his hip, scratching his head in exasperation as he muttered, "That bastard Tatsuya... how many people did he tell I was dead?"
He'd probably cause quite a stir when he returned to school tomorrow.
Just as he was pondering his next steps—whether to beat Tatsuya up or not—Miyuki suddenly threw herself at him, clinging tightly.
"Mahiro-nii-san, I'm so glad you're alive. I thought you were..."
The girl's voice choked up as she gently rested her head against his chest, listening to the vibrant heartbeat within.
Alive.
This was undoubtedly the living Mahiro-nii-san!
Having confirmed this, the girl could no longer hold back her tears—the welling droplets quickly soaking through Mahiro's shirt.
At first, Mahiro didn't react immediately, but feeling the dampness on his chest, he gently wrapped his arms around the girl's shoulders, softly stroking her long hair that cascaded down her back, nearly reaching her waist.
Just then, the sound of slippers shuffling across the floor echoed from the living room.
"Miyuki, what was that scream just now...?"
Naturally, it was Tatsuya who emerged from the living room, but when he reached the entranceway, he froze in place as if his system had crashed.
Unlike Miyuki, however, his gaze was sharp.
He immediately activated "Elemental Sight."
"Initiating information body analysis..."
"Brother?!"
Hearing his voice, Miyuki turned around and immediately noticed Tatsuya's unusual state. Just as she was about to explain, Mahiro suddenly vanished from behind her.
His body moved faster than his mind could process.
Even Mahiro himself didn't have time to react before his body acted on its own, instantly appearing in front of Tatsuya. With lightning speed, he grabbed Tatsuya's arm and delivered a powerful shoulder throw.
"Damn it, so you're the bastard who's been spreading rumors about my death!"
With a loud thud, Tatsuya was slammed hard onto the entranceway floor.
The sturdy marble tiles beneath him shattered on impact.
[Self-repair sequence, activating automatically.]
[Core personal information body data retrieved from backup system.]
[Loading magic sequences—complete.]
[Self-repair—complete.]
"Wait, let me explain."
Less than a second later, Tatsuya opened his eyes, fully repaired, and spoke expressionlessly.
"No waiting! Die, Shiba Tatsuya! Divine punishment!!!"
Mahiro had no intention of letting him off.
Ten times.
In less than thirty seconds, Mahiro used his martial arts to "kill" Tatsuya a full ten times.
His decisive and swift movements left Miyuki no time to intervene.
Or perhaps she chose not to, unsure of whose side to take.
Only when Mahiro had finally vented his anger did he stop.
"Explain yourself. Why did you spread rumors about my death? And just how many people did you tell?!"
In the living room, Mahiro sat on the sofa, his face expressionless as he demanded answers.
Tatsuya, seemingly unfazed, sat across from him on another sofa and calmly replied:
"Because it was untraceable. All traces of your information body had vanished, with no residual psion waves left behind."
"The conclusion drawn was an unverifiable death."
Tatsuya had just confirmed through information body analysis that this was indeed Mahiro, inheritor of Yotsuba Maya's bloodline.
Though there were now some unanalyzable elements within him.
"...You bastard."
Hearing this, Mahiro's face twitched uncontrollably, and his fingers itched for another round. "And here I brought you back some souvenirs from another world, and this is how you repay me?!"
".....?"
Tatsuya didn't understand his words.
"Wait, Mahiro-nii... Are you saying you went to another world?" Miyuki asked, both surprised and curious. "Is that why Brother couldn't trace your information?"
"Yes, but it's a long story..."
Mahiro recounted the events he had previously explained to Maya to the siblings before him.
Tatsuya remained composed throughout.
Even when Mahiro took out the prosthetic souvenirs left behind by the mechanical soldiers, his expression didn't change in the slightest.
Miyuki, however, wore a strange look on her face after hearing the story.
"So, Mahiro-nii, not only did you bring back a group of children who took over the Yotsuba family's Misaki Island, but you also brought back several women. Is that correct?"
"Well, yes, but... Miyuki, isn't your focus a bit off? Shouldn't you be more concerned about whether I faced any dangers in the other world?"
"Miyuki believes that's completely unnecessary."
Miyuki smiled sweetly. "In Miyuki's heart, Mahiro-nii is invincible."
Hearing the girl say this and place such trust in him was naturally something to be happy about, but for some reason, it felt a little... odd?
"Ah, never mind."
Mahiro decided not to dwell on it further. He pointed at the mechanical parts and said to Tatsuya:
"Tatsuya, I remember you've been dedicated to improving the treatment of magicians by developing various civilian-friendly magic applications, right?"
"Although these things aren't directly related to magic, you could still analyze and disassemble them. You might find something useful."
Among the three major challenges Tatsuya aimed to solve, aside from "the realization of universal flight magic," the other two—especially the "gravity-controlled thermonuclear fusion reactor," or the so-called "stellar furnace" experiment—were of particular importance.
Translated, it meant controlled nuclear fusion, a completely civilian-oriented technology that, once achieved, could virtually provide limitless energy.
"Thank you."
Tatsuya nodded at him. Due to his inherent emotional deficiency, even if he felt deeply grateful inside, his expression remained as calm as ever.
"Mahiro-nii, if you've brought a gift for Onii-sama, surely you have one for Miyuki as well?"
An elegant smile hung on Miyuki's face, appearing both delighted and expectant—yet somehow also slightly dangerous?
Mahiro didn't know why he had such a strange impression.
Still, he nodded.
"Of course. But before I give you your gift, I'd like to ask you something, Miyuki. Are you afraid of pain?"
"?"
Miyuki slowly tilted her head in confusion.
The reason he asked was that the gift he intended to give her was none other than the AGV enhancement serum.
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