Lightning wreathed Kaname’s sword in brilliance. That vivid, golden light certainly resembled my Thunder Emperor's Flash.
It was that same intense radiance, a quality that no other Lightning Magic could possibly replicate.
No, "resemble" didn't even cover it. That was—
My heart hammered like a warning bell.
I had only ever seen the Thunderclap Slash on a game screen, so it hadn't left much of an impression, but seeing it in reality changed everything.
What exactly was that?
"Haaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!"
With a god-speed step, a strike of Thunderclap assailed Silvia.
"Ku—!"
If she had activated Frenzy, she probably could have reacted. But in her base state, she was struggling.
She parried the first strike, then the second—but with every successive attack, Silvia’s posture crumbled. The continuous, high-speed onslaught didn't give her a single moment to catch her breath.
Despite her best efforts to resist, Silvia was swept off her feet and slammed into the dirt.
"Match decided!" the teacher's voice rang out.
The developments up to this point followed the original game's script, but unfortunately, the finer details were starting to deviate.
"Whoa, that was one hell of a blow."
"It looked just like Albert’s magic. Are they related or something?"
The rumors were already spreading.
In the original game, Albert never showcased the Thunder Emperor's Flash, so it never became a topic of conversation. However, the past had been altered. That influence was bleeding into the present—
And after I went through all that trouble to keep things on track with the scenarioooooooo!
Nothing ever goes the way I want it to!
Actually, would it have attracted less attention if I’d just let Silvia use Frenzy and score an immediate knockout?
...No, that wasn't right. It was better that this came to light now.
I had to figure out why the Thunderclap Slash Kaname used looked so much like my Thunder Emperor's Flash. That mystery needed solving immediately.
Kaname lowered her sword and offered a hand to Silvia.
"That was masterful, Silvia-dono. The swordsmen of the West are quite capable indeed."
"Thanks. You're really strong too, Kaname-san."
After they exchanged greetings, Silvia returned to my side.
"...Hey, Albert-kun. That lightning she used—"
"I’m thinking the same thing. Everyone is. But as far as I know, I have nothing to do with it."
The only one who might know...
As soon as classes ended, I bolted back to my dormitory room.
Inside, I kept a trick box with a complex locking mechanism. It was a specialized item that would sound an alarm if moved from the room, and it wouldn't open for anyone but me.
Inside was the Imperial Book of Weather Control I had brought from the Kronstadt estate.
I opened the book and focused my intent.
Hey, Shiunin! I have business with you! Hurry up and call me!
As I stared at the pages, my vision blurred—the world around me began to shift and dissolve.
When I regained my senses, I was standing in a familiar landscape.
A sprawling Japanese-style estate stood before me, surrounded by a garden of white gravel. Bonfires placed throughout the yard flickered against the night.
A woman's voice drifted from behind the sliding paper doors.
『How rare. To think you would seek me out of your own accord.』
It was Shiunin.
"Hey, Shiunin. We need to talk."
『...It seems fools have short memories. Did I not tell you? Do not speak my name so thoughtlessly.』
In an instant, a massive weight crushed down on my shoulders. It was a sheer force of will, demanding I submit and crawl.
"Ku... nu...!"
I gritted my teeth, enduring it with only a slight bend in my knees. I had been training too! I wasn't going to roll over that easily!
『Hohoho, is that a bluff I see? Very well. I shall listen to what you have to say for as long as your meager endurance lasts.』
This wicked woman...! The pressure was unbelievable.
But whether it was her, Verdict, or Shizel, none of them gave a damn about human rights or conversation. I just had to play by their rules.
"Nugugu... tell me... is there anyone else you're letting use your power?"
『A vague question. Are you speaking of the past, or the present?』
"...The present is fine."
『Right now, there is only you. No one else possesses the right to wield my power.』
"An Easterner named Kaname just used lightning that looked exactly like mine."
『Hmm. Kaname, Kaname... No, I know of no such person.』
"...Is that the truth? That brilliance was identical to the Thunder Emperor's Flash."
I couldn't help but be skeptical. These entities were all suspicious as hell.
『Oh? Are you suggesting I would lie based on such flimsy reasoning?』
A dangerous edge entered her voice.
Suddenly, the pressure on my body doubled.
"Gu... ah...!"
My knees began to buckle. If I let my focus slip for even a second, I’d be pancaked into the dirt.
"You really... have nothing to do with her...?"
『You are tedious. Harbor whatever doubts you like. I granted you a question, and I answered. However, I will not permit you to repeat yourself. You have but one chance—that is the proper etiquette when facing a superior.』
I couldn't hold out any longer. My knees slammed into the gravel.
『It seems your bluff has reached its limit. I have answered you. That is enough. Begone.』
The gravel beneath me seemed to turn into a void, and I was swallowed whole. The world went black—
When I opened my eyes, I was back in my room.
I set the Imperial Book of Weather Control on my desk.
Shiunin claimed she didn't know. Looking back at the original game, there was never any hint of a connection between Kaname and Ancient Magic. She was supposed to be a straightforward, physical vanguard character.
So, was it just a coincidence?
I couldn't bring myself to believe that. My intuition was screaming, and even the other students—Silvia included—had noted the similarity.
I couldn't shake the feeling that something was wrong.
Truthfully, I wanted to stay as far away from her as possible, considering she was destined to join the Hero’s party, but I needed to hear it from Kaname herself.
The opportunity came sooner than I expected.
"Pardon me. This one is known as Kaname. Might you be Albert-dono?"
The very next day, Kaname approached me while I was walking through the academy grounds.
"That's right. Do you need something?"
"I wished to speak with you for a moment. Everyone says the Thunderclap I wield resembles your own magic. Is this true?"
This was perfect. I wanted to ask her the exact same thing.
"I was actually looking for you to discuss that. I saw your mock battle. I'm Albert von Kronstadt."
I offered my hand. She looked a bit unsure but eventually shook it.
"I am not yet accustomed to the greetings of the West. I pray you forgive any rudeness on my part."
She paused, then continued.
"I have not yet given my full name. It is Shiunin—Kaname Shiunin."
...Kaname Shiunin?
—That vixen!