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Scene shift to the top of the Keystone Gate building in central Itogami Island. The cool summer night breeze howled at this altitude.
On the helipad where no helicopters were parked, a pair of witch sisters sat together in boredom, continuously channeling their magical power into a grimoire floating midair.
"Hey sis, this is so boring. Nobody's even come for us yet..."
Octavia, wearing a red hood, complained listlessly.
"Well, can't be helped."
Emma, in her blue pointed witch hat, soothed gently.
"Our job is just to activate Grimoire No. 539 here. With the island's entire spatial structure scrambled by the grimoire, forget ground forces—even the Special Security Force's air units can't reach us."
No sooner had she spoken than a helicopter marked with Itogami Island Special Security Force insignia appeared in the distant night sky, flying toward them. But hundreds of meters away, it suddenly vanished without warning, reappearing over the bay a kilometer distant.
The top of the Keystone Gate was like a vacuum zone—anything trying to approach would be teleported elsewhere by the chaotic space.
"Though it is taking a while."
After comforting her sister, Emma looked back at the distant night sky.
The sisters were purely an interference unit in this operation. They'd been activating the grimoire here since the start, completely unaware of Tokoyogi Yuuma's progress or how much longer they'd have to wait. They could only endure.
Waiting really did test one's patience.
Hell, forget activating a grimoire—even if you were just standing here holding a cup of coffee, waiting too long would drive anyone crazy.
"Ugh, so annoying! Who knows what's happening with Tokoyogi Yuuma's side..."
Hearing her sister's impatience too, Octavia felt validated and let loose completely.
"I told them we should've stuck to our original plan—we could've opened the Prison Barrier just fine, then rushed in together to grab Lady Aya. But no, that Tokoyogi Yuuma had to complicate things—"
"Is that so? Sounds like you really have it out for me, Octavia."
Before she could finish, a girl's amused voice drifted through the evening breeze.
!!
Like getting caught badmouthing the teacher with your deskmate, only to hear the teacher's voice from the hallway window behind you—Octavia's body trembled as she jerked her head upward.
The True Ancestor girl's form descended from the empty sky, landing lightly before the witch sisters. With just a gentle press of her hand, the steadily operating grimoire burst into flames.
"Wait! What are you doing—"
Octavia instinctively tried to stop her.
"Relax, we just don't need the grimoire anymore."
Tokoyogi Yuuma burned the grimoire to ash before the sisters' eyes, then turned around.
"Your mission's complete. 'Mother' has already left the Prison Barrier."
"You say she's left the Prison Barrier, but where is Lady Aya?!"
Octavia looked around frantically.
They'd come here to rescue Tokoyogi Aya and return her to the Library. But without even seeing her, how could the mission be complete?
"That's not your concern. 'Mother' has decided to stay on Itogami Island for a while. She probably won't return to the Library."
Tokoyogi Yuuma glanced back at the sisters.
"Unless you can accept a witch with no magical power as your Grand Librarian?"
The question needed no answer. As her words settled, the girl vanished, leaving Emma and Octavia staring at each other.
Lady Aya... lost all her magic? Unable to serve as the Library's Grand Librarian?
Serious? Or a joke?
If true, the Library would need to elect a new Grand Librarian?
As the witch sisters pondered, Tokoyogi Yuuma suddenly reappeared—like someone who'd left but remembered something and stepped back.
"Oh, one last piece of advice. When you get back, tell the others at the Library—don't try stirring up trouble on Itogami Island anymore, no matter the reason... unless you want to die."
❁❁❁❁❁❁❁❁
Meanwhile, in the Special Security Force building.
"A-Astarte, what are you doing? Let me go—"
"[Negative]. The Director has lost her witch powers and urgently needs a new power source. Calculations indicate Master's power is the fastest, most convenient, and most cost-effective replacement for the Director—a superior substitute for witch powers."
"I told you I don't need his power! Just let me return to the Prison Barrier and my powers will recover—"
"[Negative]. That is impossible. Itogami Island's Prison Barrier no longer exists. Even if the Director returns to its former location, she will only find dark ocean."
"Then rebuild the Prison Barrier!"
"[Negative]. Also impossible. Master does not wish for any new Prison Barriers within Itogami Island."
The conversation proceeded as described in the underground operating room.
Beside the operating table, Natsuki—who'd lost her Witch of the Void powers by violating her contract—was firmly held on the table by the blue-haired girl's [Rhododactylos].
Unable to use her chains anymore, she could only struggle physically.
Not that it mattered. As a mage who'd maxed intelligence but kept strength at base seven, Natsuki's physical power matched her appearance—like a little girl's. Currently, she probably couldn't even beat a moderately large country goose, let alone a familiar.
After struggling futilely for a while, confirming she couldn't break free, Natsuki played her director card again.
"Astarte, are you completely ignoring my orders now?!"
"[Negative]. The Director is undoubtedly my superior at work, but for the Director's safety, I must follow Master's orders this time."
Speaking in her emotionless monotone, Astarte turned to Bokue, who was preparing the ritual on the other side of the operating table.
"[Request]. Convincing the Director has consumed significant magical power. I request Master replenish my energy after the ritual."
"Got it, I will."
Bokue ignited golden spiritual flames on his fingertips and turned around.
"Alright, I'm ready. Starting now."
"[Acknowledged]."
"W-wait—!"
Natsuki tried to protest, but it was too late.
As the youth's flame-wrapped fingertip touched her slender back, Natsuki clearly felt an overwhelming, warm power flooding into her body. She couldn't help arching her delicate neck high, as if intensely stimulated.
She knew clearly she could never leave this guy now.
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