Shinji Matou at Your Service

Brother and sister, at odds with each other.

Because in their hearts, they both considered the other an important person and didn't want him or her to suffer any harm.

Finally, Akiha seemed to think of something, and her tone softened.

"I can agree to let Brother investigate with me, but you have to promise me not to act recklessly."

"Alright, I promise."

"Then Brother, please make sure to protect me, and I will protect you as well."

Her tone remained serious, but her brows couldn't hide her delight.

"Let's start tonight by investigating that ghost."

"About that ghost... Isn't it you, Akiha? Red hair, firelight, all are characteristics when you use your abilities."

Shiki seemed somewhat confused. Due to the interference of Touko and Shinji, the Tohno siblings had been getting along very well from the start, and their abilities gradually became known to each other through daily interactions. Akiha knew about Shiki's unusual eyes, and Shiki knew about Akiha's supernatural powers and their flaws.

"That's precisely what puzzles me. Three days ago at 10 PM, I wasn't here at all—perhaps this ghost is the root cause of the distortion. Even if it isn't, it's certainly related to it. And about the missing people, I've confirmed with the police that people have indeed gone missing... Is it a coincidence? Or..."

"Let's investigate with the ghost. In any case, we can't let the sacrifices continue to increase."

Shiki was a good-natured person, much like Mikiya, but he also had the abilities and initiative similar to Shiki Ryougi, so it wasn't hard to predict what he would do.

Akiha glanced at her brother without a word, her thoughts unknown.

At that moment, someone passed by them, muttering something indistinctly.

"That's not a coincidence; it's inevitable."

"???"

The siblings were stunned. By the time they turned around, the person had already disappeared around the corner, leaving only a faint trace of purple and two barely visible strands.

...

Around the same time, in the Tohno mansion, in Touko's room.

Due to the particularly hot summer this year, the room's owner naturally stayed indoors. At this moment, she was holding her phone between her shoulder and ear, listlessly lying on the desk.

"Rumors becoming reality? Nightmares turning into reality? This is a big deal."

"Huh? Related to spirit particles? Indeed, I can feel an abnormal gathering of spirit particles. The concentration of spirit particles in the entire city is increasing at an alarming rate."

"What—"

"Bang!"

"Ouch, ouch, ouch..."

"It's fine, I just accidentally stubbed my toe on the desk... I'm hanging up now..."

"You just mentioned the Night of Wallachia? How do you know about that? Aren't you in India?"

"Oh right, you're Lord Barthomeloi's favorite, and you're favored by the True Ancestor. Come to think of it, that's quite impressive."

"Sourness? Where is that sourness coming from? Can you smell it over the phone?"

"Hmm, I'll deal with you when you get back... I understand the situation, and I'll keep an eye on it. If it's really like you said, able to materialize imaginations, then it's a human version of Imaginary Manifestation, which has research value."

"Got it, stop nagging. I'm not a child."

"You dare bring that up? I'm hanging up!"

With that, Touko pressed the red button on her phone, grumbling.

"It's just a stubbed toe. I don't believe you've never stubbed yours—Katou, Katou."

"Master."

A shadow descended from the ceiling, a pair of golden pupils faintly visible in the darkness.

"Get me some medical spray, it's starting to swell."

"Master, you really should be more careful..."

"Why are you acting like Shinji? Just go get it, it hurts..."

Touko waved her hand impatiently.

"As you command."

The shadow flickered and disappeared.

"Night of Wallachia... a Dead Apostle from Atlas... Speaking of which, what have Akiha and Shiki been investigating lately? It should be related to this matter and could be useful... But before that, I need a way to deal with alchemy."

"Although the aristocrats of the Clock Tower have always looked down on alchemy for its perceived lack of talent, the reality is entirely different. It is a field that is comparable to, yet fundamentally different from, the modern magecraft system."

The Mage's Association has three main branches, with the Clock Tower being the most high-profile, considering itself the headquarters. In contrast, the Atlas Institute is the exact opposite, thoroughly adhering to mysticism and rarely communicating with the outside world, thus earning the nickname Hell on Earth, where even light cannot escape.

Atlas specializes in alchemy. Unlike the modern alchemy that became mainstream in the Middle Ages, focusing on material transformation, Atlas emphasizes the transformation of phenomena. This organization was founded to discover the origins of magecraft and the truths of the world.

Although they are also called magi, due to their lack of magical circuits, many of them were ridiculed as apprentices in the past. As a result, they began to abandon reliance on magical energy and turned to various tools during their research into mysteries. This development is somewhat similar to modern technology. They utilize pseudo-spirit particles, or souls, as observable and controllable energy sources, forming a unique system and developing various terrifying weapons, the top seven of which are said to be capable of destroying the world.

"We do not need to become the strongest, for the strongest are created by our hands!"

This is the motto of the alchemists at Atlas. Although these weapons were sealed by Atlas to reach the current technical ceiling, they sufficiently demonstrate the power of Atlas alchemy.

And this time, the Night of Wallachia, or Zepia Eltnam Oberon, is the former number one of Atlas. Being enemies with him is akin to being enemies with the uncrowned queen of the Clock Tower, Lorelei.

"The difficulty level of this challenge is quite high, but that's what makes it interesting. Atlas, Atlasia... Sorry, but I'll have to make use of you for a bit."

"Master, I brought the spray. Shall I help you treat the wound?"

Behind her, the figure of Katou quietly appeared.

"Please do—Katou, tonight keep one eye on Akiha and Shiki, and investigate some things for me."

"Yes, Master."

...

While Touko secretly prepared after receiving Shinji's notification, the others were also busy.

In Misaki Town, at the Reien Girl's Academy, the tall and handsome headmistress left her office with a cello case on her back.

Meanwhile, two purple-haired girls, who were teasing a little girl in the office, hurriedly took out their phones and sent a message to a certain number after receiving some news.

Dark currents surged, just like the ominous clouds hovering over this remote small town, lurking in the darkness.