The Special Selection Unit "Astral" had swung into full operation, though it wasn't the sort of unit destined for the front lines every single day.
Consequently, they often spent more time training than anything else. Since the unit's inception, the three girls had been provided quarters in the Kingdom Army barracks. While their rooms were technically separate at this level, Abby and Carol frequently congregated in Lydia’s room.
Abby was there because Lydia was utterly incapable of handling chores and would sleep straight through the morning if someone didn't wake her. As for Carol, her presence was born of a simpler reason: she was lonely.
"Hey, Lydia. It's morning."
"Mmm... five more hours..."
"Idiot. There's no way you're allowed to sleep that much. I won't tolerate tardiness. We are official soldiers now."
Having graduated from the Officers' Academy, each of them now held the rank of Second Lieutenant. Among them, Abby's excellence was so prominent that rumors already circulated that she would be promoted in short order.
She was serious, dependable, intelligent, and a highly capable sorcerer. It was only natural for the military to value her so highly.
On the other hand, the reality was that the military was at a complete loss as to how to handle Lydia and Carol. Since Abby was the only one capable of holding their reins, the top brass had determined that her rank needed to rise quickly to maintain the chain of command.
"Come on, get up!!"
"Whoa...!"
With her duvet stripped away, Lydia sat up instantly.
"Ugh... it's still chilly! Stealing my blankets is an act of tyranny!"
"Haa... Lydia. Grow up already..."
With their usual bickering out of the way, they set out for another day of unit duties.
Regarding the global climate, the Ewell Empire was taking the lead in spreading magical technology across the world. From the perspective of magical development, this was undoubtedly a vital endeavor.
In the Arnold Kingdom as well, the progress of magic had been remarkable since the birth of Code Theory, thanks largely to the flourishing of its magic academies.
However, while the Kingdom remained stable, dark rumors surrounded the Empire. There were whispers that they were utilizing magic as a tool for state-sanctioned murder.
Some suggested they were leaking magical technology to clandestine organizations, while others spoke of an elite assassination squad operating within the Empire's shadows. In short, the Ewell Empire was a magnet for both admiration and suspicion.
As there was no definitive proof yet, these stories remained nothing more than hearsay.
Six months had passed since Lydia and the others were assigned to the Special Selection Unit "Astral."
The unit's internal structure had solidified. Carol and Henrick handled rear support, analyzing the overall situation to formulate and relay strategies.
The other members took to the front lines.
Their opponents were not always human; they were also deployed when monsters became hyper-active. As they continued this lifestyle, the time finally arrived for them to experience actual combat.
"Today's operation will be led by Astral. This individual is our target."
Inside the Briefing Room, the members of "Astral" gathered to finalize the mission details.
The orders Henrick announced included the potential assassination of the target. While killing was not the primary objective, it was a sanctioned outcome.
The target was using magic in an attempt to plunge the world into chaos. This operation had been planned to crush the rise of their organization before it could take root.
"Actual combat at last..."
Lydia muttered softly, her expression turning uncharacteristically grim as she stared at the target's portrait.
While she had fought in mock battles using magic, she had no experience in a life-or-death situation. In actual combat, one had to be prepared to take a life.
Though she was a genius, she was still young. There had been debate among the higher-ups about whether Lydia and Abby were ready for such a burden, but...
"I'll do it if I have to. It's too dangerous to leave the dirty work solely to Deruku and Howard. I've already made my peace with what needs to be done," Lydia said with flat detachment.
She had always known this day would come.
It would have been a lie to say she felt no hesitation, but looking into her eyes, there was no doubt that a firm, cold resolve resided within them.
The opponents were armed and dangerous. Neutralizing them entirely without lethal force might prove impossible. In some cases, a kill would be more efficient. The military had explicitly stated that such situations were likely.
And so, the operation began.
The group had established a stronghold in the East of the Kingdom, gathering an armed force in an underground facility. Astral launched a lightning raid. Once the full-scale assault commenced, they occupied the facility in a matter of minutes.
Every member of the unit possessed elite skills. While the opponents were numerous and well-armed, "Astral" was overwhelmingly superior.
Having suppressed the primary force, they discovered a man who appeared to be the leader fleeing into the back of the complex.
"Found him."
"Yeah. We just need to secure this guy, right?"
Lydia and Abby moved in tandem, cornering a pudgy man. He matched the briefing portrait exactly, so they moved to bind him with magic.
"Hehe... Hahaha!"
The man suddenly burst into a manic laugh, even as he was backed into a corner.
"I knew you were coming! Men, do it!!"
At his signal, reinforcements dropped from the ceiling.
An ambush. Lydia and the others had been lured in. The ease of the previous combat had been a ruse to make them overconfident.
The newcomers were sorcerers who had mastered magic specifically for the purpose of killing.
Caught off guard by the sudden turn of events, Abby’s reaction was a split-second too slow. Sensing the opening, the enemies lunged at her with murderous blades.
"Abby!!"
Lydia cried out. The other members were occupied with enemies outside; the two of them were alone.
Lydia instantly ran her Code, deploying her magic with terrifying speed.
"Prima Materia = Encoding = Material Code." "Material Code = Decoding." "Material Code = Processing = Deceleration = Lock." "Embodiment = Material."
"—Icicle Blaze."
A single blade of ice manifested in her hand. Without a shred of hesitation, she swung. The opponent's right arm was severed instantly. Blood sprayed through the air, splattering across Lydia’s cheek and hair.
She didn't flinch.
If she hadn't taken that arm at that exact moment, Abby would be dead.
What followed was less of a fight and more of a one-sided devastation. With an ice sword in each hand, Lydia mercilessly incapacitated the attackers.
This was no longer a drill; it was a fight to the death. Understanding that, she danced through the fray like a cold, efficient machine. Abby could do nothing but watch, rooted to the spot.
"..."
A pool of blood spread across the floor. Lydia stood in the center of it, radiating a clear, chilling murderous intent that Abby had never seen before.
Though Lydia had carefully avoided killing them, the blood-soaked atmosphere was far too intense for Abby to process.
Lydia wiped the spray from her face and pointed her blade at the leader.
"H-Hieeeeeeeeeee!! W-What are you?! My subordinates are masters of magic battle! How can a brat like you—?!"
"A brat, huh? Yeah, I suppose I still am. But listen, old man. I am a genius. And because of that, responsibility follows me. This talent isn't something I’m allowed to use for my own selfish gain."
Talent carries responsibility.
That was Lydia's creed. She understood the weight of her gift—that its only valid purpose was the protection of others. She stood there with the resolve to safeguard the smiles of others, even if it meant staining her own hands.
With icy detachment, she flicked her blade, lightly slashing the man's arm.
"U-Ugyaaaaaaaaaaaa!!"
With eyes that seemed devoid of human emotion, she pursued the cowering man. Every swing of her blood-stained blade left a fresh trail of red on the stone floor.
Just as it seemed she might cross the final line, Howard and Deruku arrived, each grabbing one of her arms.
"Lydia. That's enough. We'll handle the rest. You did well."
"Yeah. Leave the processing to us."
"...Understood."
She yielded, letting the two of them take over.
On this day, Abby learned the truth.
She witnessed the terrifying genius of Lydia Ainsworth—a brilliance that harbored a profound and chilling capacity for cruelty.