I am back from hell called exams, I'll be updating chapters as usual again. So enjoy this chapter.
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Several days had passed since Evildiver was completed.
Ace didn't just test it repeatedly in the Mirror World. In between those tests, two new Mirror Monsters were born from his hands.
Today, the school cafeteria was as crowded as ever. Ace sat at one of the long tables, his food tray already nearly half empty, surrounded by his friends.
"You eat way too fast," Kuze commented while stabbing his karaage. "You just sat down."
"Habit," Ace replied lightly.
Yuki glanced at Ace from the side. "You've looked tired these past few days. Not getting enough sleep?"
"A little," Ace answered with a yawn.
Lala nodded enthusiastically while chewing. "Ace has been busy making something."
Ace shot her a brief look. "It's not for showing off."
Kato smiled faintly. "That's exactly what someone who's clearly making something dangerous would say."
Raku let out a dry laugh. "Why does it always feel like something's about to happen whenever we eat together?"
Shu rested his chin on his hand. "That's just your imagination. Or maybe it's because Ace always looks like the main character of a novel."
"I feel the same," Kuze said.
"That's just in your heads," Ace replied.
Ruri suddenly turned toward them. "By the way, the novel Swordsman in Wonder World releases today. Anyone want to go buy it?"
"You're interested in Miyamoto-san's novel?" Yuki asked.
"Not really. I just happened to read it and got interested," Ruri answered.
"I want to buy it too," Miko said.
Ruri nodded. "We should hurry, or it'll sell out."
Lala slapped the table. "I'm coming too!" she said without hesitation.
"Don't you already have it, Lala?" Ace asked.
"But I want to go! It's more fun with more people," Lala replied.
Masachika smiled lightly. "If we're going as a group, I'll join too. It's a nice walk."
Alya, who had been quiet until now, took a sip of her drink before speaking. "I'm not really into fantasy novels, but… once in a while is fine."
Yuki stood up, picking up her tray. "Alright then, we'll go after the last class. No one's allowed to ditch."
The bell signaling the end of break rang, cutting their conversation short. One by one, they cleared their trays and left the cafeteria.
That afternoon, the small group walked along the row of shops in Kuoh's city center. The bookstore they were heading to was visible from afar, a large poster displayed on the front window.
SWORDSMAN IN WONDER WORLD
By: Kamito
"It's kind of strange," Masachika muttered. "The title sounds generic, but it's really popular."
"Didn't you read it too, Masachika?" Ace asked.
"Because someone recommended it," Kuze replied while glancing at Yuki.
"Stuff like that usually sells well," Yuki said.
They went inside. The smell of new paper greeted them immediately. A special display rack in the middle of the store was filled with books featuring covers of sword-wielding silhouettes.
"What novel are you looking at, Megumi?" Alya asked.
"It's also on the recommendation shelf, so I thought the story might be good," Kato replied.
Alya picked up a novel. The cover was dominated by a dark red background, like an eclipse or a blood moon. Ruined pillars and ancient-style buildings surrounded it, and at the bottom center stood the silhouette of a figure in white robes.
"Lord of the Mysteries…"
Yuki walked over to them. "What novel are you looking at?"
"Oh, this is a new one," Kato answered.
Yuki picked it up. "I'll buy this one too."
A few minutes later, they gathered at the cashier. Almost everyone was holding a book, except Ace.
"Are you sure you're buying three books, Lala?" Ace asked.
"Yes!" Lala answered.
When they left the store, the sun was already leaning toward the west.
"Well, I'm heading off," Masachika said, giving a small wave. "See you tomorrow." One by one, they said their goodbyes.
Ace glanced to the side. "Heading home?"
Lala nodded quickly and hugged Ace's arm. "Yeah!"
At home, Lala went straight to the living room and stacked her books on the table, looking satisfied.
"I'm going to read first," she said as she sat down. "Don't disturb me, okay?"
Ace took off his shoes, set down his bag, then paused and looked at Lala. "Don't stay up too late."
Lala looked back and smiled brightly. "You too, Ace."
Ace smiled faintly. "No promises."
He walked down to the basement and stepped toward the mirror there.
In the Mirror World, Ace was greeted by Evildiver waiting for him. He stepped out of the basement and into the mirror version of his house.
As he exited the house, he was welcomed by Magnugiga, a Mirror Monster shaped like a bull, more precisely a green minotaur. The monster had heavy weapons as its arms. One arm was a massive cylindrical cannon with a gold-plated muzzle, while the other resembled a mechanical arm with thick, stiff fingers.
Ace also saw Dragreder perched atop his house.
Ace mounted Evildiver and shot off through the Mirror World. Earlier, when buying the books, he had received a mission from Touma to help Kento.
Ace flew calmly, with Dragreder following behind him and Magnugiga moving along the ground. In the Ryuki series, Magnugiga shouldn't have been able to move at all due to its weight and armaments, but Ace had equipped it with wheels on its legs and added thrusters to its back, allowing it to move, even if only slowly.
Ace landed and walked toward a mirror to exit the Mirror World.
Back in the real world, Ace walked toward Kento.
"You're right on time," Kento said, turning to him. His arms were crossed, his expression as serious as ever.
"Sorry to keep you waiting, Fukumiya-san. What's the mission?" Ace asked casually.
"There have been reports of Fallen Angels around here," Kento replied.
"So Asia has already appeared?" Ace thought.
They headed toward an abandoned church suspected to be the Fallen Angels' hideout.
After a few steps, Kento spoke again.
"My father," he said quietly, "was once the wielder of Ankokuken Kurayami."
Ace glanced at him but didn't interrupt.
"At first, he was a swordsman I admired," Kento continued, "but after wielding Kurayami, he gradually changed." He paused. "Don't become like him, Ace. Don't be afraid to ask for help."
Ace smiled. "Don't worry, Fukumiya-san. I always ask for help when I run into trouble."
"Is that right, system?" Ace thought.
[Of course, host.]
Kento smiled. "Good. Don't turn evil after saying that."
While talking to Ace, Kento accidentally bumped into someone.
"Ah, sorry!" he said reflexively, stepping back.
The girl he bumped into almost fell but managed to steady herself. Her long blonde hair fell slightly out of place, and her soft green eyes widened in surprise.
"I-it's okay…" she said quietly.
Ace recognized her immediately.
Asia Argento.
Asia fixed her hair and looked around, seeming unsure.
"Um… may I ask something?" she asked hesitantly.
Kento nodded. "Of course."
"I'm looking for a church," Asia continued, her voice gentle but clear.
"That's a coincidence. We're heading there too. If you want, we can go together," Ace said.
"You sound like a delinquent trying to hit on a girl," Kento remarked.
"…You might scare her, Fukumiya-san."
"Thank you very much," Asia said with a relieved smile, her hands clenched lightly in front of her chest.
The three of them walked together. Asia's steps were slow, and she occasionally glanced at the surrounding buildings as if confirming their direction.
Eventually, the church came into view. An old building with cracked walls and partially shattered stained-glass windows.
Kento stepped forward. "Ace, protect her."
He drew Raimeiken Ikazuchi and a Wonder Ride Book, opening it.
"Lamp Do Alangina!"
"There was a lamp in a foreign land with a mysterious power that had been handed down since ancient time."
Kento inserted Lamp Do Alangina into his belt and drew Raimeiken Ikazuchi.
"Henshin!"
"Ikazuchi battou!"
"Lamp Do Alangina! Ikazuchi issatsu! When the spirit of the lamp and the Raimeiken Ikazuchi intersect, the lightning sword's light will shine!"
The genie and his lamp emerged from the Wonder Ride Book and merged with Kento, enveloping him in armor.
Two Fallen Angels descended from above.
"Sword of Logos, what are you doing here?" said one of them, a black-haired female Fallen Angel.
Espada pointed Ikazuchi toward the two Fallen Angels. "That's my question."
Espada and the two Fallen Angels prepared for battle.
Ace led Asia away from the battlefield.
"Ace-san, what was that?" Asia asked.
"I'll explain later," Ace replied.
Suddenly, a spear of light flew toward them. Ace created a mirror and reflected it away.
The two Fallen Angels lunged at them.
"Sacred Gear?" said the male Fallen Angel wearing a hat.
"Whatever it is, we'll deal with it," said the gothic lolita-dressed Fallen Angel.
"Asia, wait here for a moment," Ace said, pushing her gently. A mirror appeared behind her, and Asia fell into the Mirror World.
Both Fallen Angels looked shocked.
Ace pulled out a Wonder Ride Book and Ankokuken Kurayami.
"Jaaku Dragon!"
"It was only one god beast which birthed the darkness that once enveloped the world."
Ace inserted the Wonder Ride Book into his belt and pressed it open.
"Henshin."
Dohnaseek formed a spear of light and hurled it at Ace.
Ace slashed vertically, shattering the spear. A dragon burst out from the Wonder Ride Book and enveloped Ace, forming his armor.
Calibur pointed at the two Fallen Angels.
"Now, let's count your sins."
Calibur and the two Fallen Angels prepared to fight.