Memories carry all that a person is, while the soul is like the rings of a tree, imprinted with the marks of passing years.
Consciousness returned to her body, and her vision once again filled with this world brimming with light.
As usual, a certain bun-girl couldn't quite grasp what was happening, only feeling that her connection to this affair was becoming increasingly tangled and obscure.
If she understood everything clearly, then Natsume-san would become 'Miss Know-It-All'.
"Natsume-san, are you okay?"
The voice of her senior reached her ears, and the bun-girl responded with a charming smile.
The wooden bow in her field of vision grew more tattered by the moment. Illusory weapons formed of magic continuously scored its surface, causing the cracks to widen.
However, the magicians from the magic side seemed to have found a countermeasure.
To Natsume-san's great surprise, Kanzaki-san appeared to apply some protective spells on herself, causing her form to gleam with shifting colors.
Moving at speeds far beyond what the eye could capture, Natsume-san only saw a blur before Kanzaki Kaori abruptly vanished.
In just an instant, that same sense of blurriness returned, and Kanzaki Kaori reappeared back in her original spot, looking rather disheveled.
The spot she had vanished from was precisely where the glowing artifact lay.
Fortunately, although Natsume-san's radar map was also affected by the surrounding environment, as long as its heat-detecting function remained, she could still track the other's trajectory.
"I encountered fierce counterattacks."
"This artifact has been activated to some degree."
She seemed to have suffered a heavy blow, her palms unnaturally red. Kanzaki Kaori shook her head as she spoke.
This magic, created to target weaknesses, also launched attacks against Kanzaki Kaori the moment she entered its range.
However, the attacks were now split between two targets, significantly reducing their frequency and speed during this period.
Aside from the threat of the magic, the countermeasures of the spirit bow were even more troublesome. While resisting the 'Achilles' Heel', it simultaneously rejected anyone else's touch.
"In that case, there's no helping it. What did the Archbishop say?"
Tsuchimikado Motoharu rubbed his temple, looking towards Stiyl's direction.
Stiyl had just suggested seeking aid from the Archbishop and had indeed made contact using a special magic rune.
"She told us not to worry. She's confident she can destroy the entire space elevator, and us along with it, at the very last second. Called it the most cost-effective and efficient method. Said she'd bring us flowers next year."
Stiyl couldn't help but pull out a cigarette from his pocket, acting every bit the delinquent.
"What a merciless attitude."
"Speaking of which, unless a miracle happens, the space elevator and a large surrounding area will probably be reduced to ruins. Let's hope everyone else manages to evacuate in time."
Tsuchimikado Motoharu grinned wryly, though he wasn't terribly surprised.
If he were the one making the decisions, he'd probably make the same call—though it was a different story when he was the potential victim.
But even as they spoke, none of them showed any intention of leaving, seemingly resolved to persist until the very moment the magic was complete.
Even Natsume-san was the same. She felt sure she could do something, staring blankly at the wooden bow.
At that moment, the trio from the magic side exchanged glances.
As if by unspoken agreement, they prepared themselves and stepped together into the range of ['Achilles' Heel'], intending to jointly lift the wooden bow.
If they could just hinder the rapid formation of the magic, buy a little more time, delay the collapse of the space elevator, then there would be more time to evacuate the population of Academy City.
If such a massive structure, reaching straight into space, were to collapse without warning, the impact would be unprecedented.
"Natsume-san, you stay here. If any problems arise, everyone will need your care."
Misaka-senpai shook her head, stopping the eager bun-girl, and stepped inside herself, clad in heavy Iron Sand.
No matter what, she didn't want to see her friends get hurt again.
Natsume-san stood blankly outside the pillar of light, wanting to use her own ability to help.
But the air she gathered went completely out of control the moment it approached the bow's location, leaving Natsume-san looking rather powerless.
"A miracle?"
Hearing Tsuchimikado Motoharu's words, Ladylee muttered to herself, as if struck by a thought.
As the 'Tower of Babel' magic drew closer to completion, her own mind grew increasingly restless.
Even bathed in the cold light, her life force neither increased nor diminished.
The curses brought by both the Ambrosia and the tooth of the holy child mentioned by the shrine maiden showed no signs of fading.
Her only hope was for the external magic to reach completion, releasing its full radiance to steal away her life force.
Her desire for death was so intense. How she wished for a miracle to save her existence.
But miracles aren't things that are born so easily.
If a miracle stems from everyone's wishes, formed from the collective hopes of people, then the seed of a miracle is born.
Yet, a miracle can only take root and sprout if there are those who refuse to give up, who hold on until the very last second.
Just like the previous [Miracle of 88], the sole victim, the captain, had persisted right until the moment the plane crashed into the ground.
If a miracle truly occurred then, it belonged to that captain.
What is that sound?
Suddenly stunned, Ladylee thought she heard some strange noises in her ears.
It was singing.
But in this situation, where was this singing coming from?
The broadcast system in the transmission room suddenly sprang to life.
Parts of the space elevator's non-essential systems had been retaken by Academy City's electronic warfare unit—Uiharu. And abruptly, Arisa's singing voice flowed from the speakers.
Simultaneously, from District 7 to District 23, from the outer walls to the vicinity of the windowless building.
All public address systems and some private devices received a wave of song, transmitting a sense of happiness.
--+--
"Arisa, can you sing a song for everyone?"
A girl with pigtails, wearing a Tomoeda Elementary school uniform, blinked her eyes curiously. Next to her were Shirai-san and the others who had evacuated here.
Like Hanazono-san, this girl was also a fan of Arisa.
The underground mall in District 7 was packed, filled with students who had come to take shelter.
The penetrating power of the cold light seemed to be growing stronger; ordinary building materials could no longer block it. More and more people had gathered dozens of meters underground in the subterranean mall.
The air held a stifling atmosphere. The student city, once bursting with vitality, now felt lifeless and heavy.
But there were always those who remained optimistic, like the child proudly showing off a newly purchased electric toy bear.
"So that's Arisa."
"My friend is a huge fan of hers."
"..."
Though there were no dazzling stage lights, it was still the finest stage.
Sensing the encouraging looks from those around her, Arisa hesitated for a moment before nodding and standing up.
Unlike Misaka-san and Natsume-san, who were espers, she too had something only she could do.
"Everyone, I'm Arisa."
"No matter what happens, please everyone, take courage. Maintain order and wait for help. It's not just the Anti-Skill and Judgment; there are many others working hard for this too."
Without a microphone, Arisa's voice, reflected by the narrow confines of the underground mall, instead sounded exceptionally clear and resonant.
"Arisa, she..."
Uiharu stared dumbfounded at Meigo Arisa, who now seemed to radiate a powerful aura, a faint blush suddenly appearing on her cheeks.
It's wonderful. No wonder Saten-san likes her so much.
"Arisa, you can do it!"
Saten Ruiko jolted, unable to stop herself from shouting out loud.
No matter the time, never forget your dreams.
Hearing Saten-san's encouragement, a look of determination surfaced on Meigo Arisa's face, and she nodded firmly.
Without instrumental accompaniment, her voice mingled with the sound of countless breaths and the hushed whispers of the crowd.
The noisy environment didn't hinder Meigo-senpai's performance in the slightest. A song filled with tranquility and happiness began to swirl around them.
Arisa's singing seemed to possess a peculiar magic. The previously anxious and restless crowd calmed down, focusing wholeheartedly on this singer's performance.
"Uiharu, can you broadcast Meigo-senpai's song?"
Always the voice of reason, Shirai-san suddenly gritted her teeth and turned to look at Uiharu Kazari.
"But... I understand."
She initially wanted to ask why, but seeing the serious look on Shirai-san's face, Uiharu chose to believe in her.
"If Meigo-senpai's song truly holds any power, then please let it protect Onee-sama and ensure everything goes smoothly. And... that guy better be fine too."
A strange feeling welled up in Shirai-san's heart as she watched Meigo Arisa begin her a cappella, her own expression growing quiet.
--+--
T/N: I have a Patreon! While it may seem empty as of now, webnovel will get 3 Chapters Every Day, and advanced chapters will be uploaded on Patreon.
It may not seem worth it now, but maybe in the future. Who knows!
[email protected]/AspenTL
If you guys wanna check it out.