The Almighty Chuunibyou Expert

"Congratulations, you've won a prize! Another bottle!"

As Dekomori Sanae took out the drink, the machine emitted a pleasant electronic female voice, and another bottle dropped out.

Hasegawa Izumi reached out and took it.

"Congratulations, you've won a prize! Another bottle!"

The machine abruptly announced again, and with another clunk.

"Is this the power of a curse? It's amazing, death!"

Dekomori Sanae looked incredulous, then said excitedly.

Takanashi Rikka blushed slightly and, pretending nothing was wrong, took out the last bottle.

At this point, the vending machine stopped making any further noise.

"It seems the power of the curse is also limited."

She spouted nonsense with a serious expression.

At this moment, the two appeared even more unfathomable in Dekomori's eyes.

After they left.

"This machine must have a bug! What an opportunity!"

A female student who had been secretly watching the previous scene from the side walked over, her expression unable to hide her excitement, and also put in a coin.

However, there was no scene where she could "reap the rewards." Instead, her coin sank like a stone into the sea, and the vending machine didn't react at all.

"Where's my money! Give me my money back!"

She kicked the machine hard and then left unhappily.

The three walked down the street.

"Burp~ Hmm, magic is surging from within me. As expected of the magic recovery potion secretly hidden by the Management Bureau, it's very effective... Sage, what are your plans for the next candidates? Is it Fujiwara-san and Mori Summer?"

After Takanashi Rikka took a sip of her drink, she muttered to herself and then asked, turning her head.

Based on her understanding of Izumi's relationships, she made a reasonable guess.

"Master, what are you talking about? Mori Summer?"

Before he could reply, Dekomori Sanae reacted intensely upon hearing the name.

"Dekomori, do you know this name?"

Hasegawa Izumi let out a soft sound of surprise.

Based on her reaction, he had a vague premonition.

The moves Dekomori used in battle earlier seemed to have been mentioned by Mori Summer. It was said that it took her a full week to create them.

"Of course, I know, death! Besides Master, Mori Summer is the person I respect the most... Ah, that's of course before I met Sage!"

Dekomori Sanae added this explanation as she said it, then thought of something.

She continued.

"Because Mori Summer once answered my questions about parallel worlds in the sea of electronic information, and she is also the ancient mage who wrote the Dark Grimoire. I often review its contents and have benefited greatly..."

29 Dark Grimoire

"Dark Grimoire, is it?"

Hasegawa Izumi felt it sounded very familiar.

Ah, right!

It was like a magic book called Dark Bible.

Obviously, the two only had similar names and had no actual connection.

"Does Sage think something is wrong?"

Takanashi Rikka noticed the strange look on his face.

"Ah, it's nothing. I just remembered a magic book with a similar name, called Dark Bible."

He didn't hide it.

"Dark Bible? Could it be a higher-level magic book?"

Takanashi Rikka inferred from the name.

In the context of ordinary people, 'Jing' (scripture/classic) and 'Dian' (canon/collection) are almost indistinguishable. However, in reality, 'Jing' is given a higher level in classic readings, representing deeper wisdom and cultural inheritance, while 'Dian' focuses more on the accumulation of knowledge and historical records.

"Could it be that the Dark Bible is Mori Summer's truly painstaking work? It records her ancient wisdom and even more powerful magic? No wonder most of the Dark Grimoire records Mori Summer's daily experiences, with little in-depth analysis of magic. To be able to author a classic, perhaps Mori Summer is even more powerful than Dekomori imagines, death!"

At this moment, Dekomori Sanae, as an admirer, naturally made this association.

However, he quickly dispelled this unnecessary fantasy.

"No, I can be sure the two have nothing to do with each other, because the Dark Bible talks about..."

He paused, hesitating for a moment before continuing, "More chaotic, dark magic. This is fundamentally different from Mori Summer. As for anything more specific, you don't need to ask further; I'm not very clear on it myself."

He used these words to quell the girls' urge to inquire further.

After all, such knowledge could corrupt the soul.

"I see, is it 'forbidden'?"

Takanashi Rikka exchanged a glance with Dekomori Sanae, their expressions both growing solemn as they understood.

The topic shifted back.

"Sage-sama, are you sure the person named Nibuya is Mori Summer? It's not that I, Dekomori, don't believe you, but Mori Summer holds immense significance to me, death."

Dekomori Sanae said with a sincere expression.

"Then, you shall go and verify it with your own eyes."

Hasegawa Izumi's tone was cheerful.

He could feel it—the arrival of an opportunity.

Compared to his role as a guide, Dekomori seemed to understand Mori Summer better and had a stronger bond with her.

"Then, this task is yours to complete! My servant."

Takanashi Rikka patted Dekomori's shoulder and instructed her.

"Leave it to me! Mori Summer is a great being. Dekomori will not allow anyone to desecrate her. If she is real, that would be wonderful, death. If she is fake, heh heh heh..."

Dekomori Sanae's expression changed drastically, and she let out a sinister laugh.

"Ah-choo!"

At Shuchiin, Nibuya Morika, wearing a cheerleading uniform and training with others, sneezed.

"I have a bad feeling... what's wrong?"

When she finished her break and returned to the team for training, she suddenly heard her teammates discussing something.

"Did you hear? The Soccer Club refused Hasegawa's challenge due to insufficient members."

"But what does that have to do with us? I don't care about that weirdo."

"Of course, it does! Because Hasegawa has decided the next target is the Basketball Club!"

"Really? Will we have to play then?"

Someone worried.

Cheerleaders, by nature, provide support during sports competitions, and the Basketball Club is one of the most prominent sports clubs. They would naturally be involved.

"We probably will. After all, this has become a big deal. The entire school faculty and students are watching now, so we definitely need to show our faces."

The cheerleading captain answered matter-of-factly.

Otherwise, how could they, the cheerleaders, gain more recognition!

Hearing this, Nibuya Morika wore a miserable expression.

Had the conflict spread this quickly?

Where could she escape to avoid this curse!

What the girl didn't understand was that wherever there were people, there was a social hierarchy; she couldn't avoid it.

Wednesday arrived.

During the lunch break, Hasegawa Izumi called Fujiwara Chika over.

"Is there something you need, Izumi-chan?"

Chika's expression was a little surprised, as she was usually the one who initiated their meetings.

She didn't complain, though. Normally, Izumi-chan's personality and behavior were characterized by a lazy yet earnest demeanor, and he wouldn't approach someone without a reason.

"Actually, I have something important to discuss with you. You know, right? Our Far East Magic Society will challenge the Basketball Club on Friday. However, before that, we need to recruit five members. We're still short two, so... I was hoping to invite you, Chika. Would you be willing?"

He hesitated slightly but still asked.

"Of course, if it's your request, Izumi-chan."

Fujiwara Chika's smile bloomed, and she agreed without any hesitation.

So innocent and cheerful, that girl.

"Isn't it too much of a stretch? Imagine, you'll be facing guys as tall as Kawamura."

He deliberately tried to scare her, not wanting Chika to agree out of mere kindness.

"Speaking of which, it is a bit... scary!"

Fujiwara Chika pictured herself having to look up at them, the pressure like a towering mountain rendering her immobile. Her heart trembled slightly.

"But, it's okay, Izumi-chan will protect me, right!"

The girl's smile flickered as she pointed to herself.

"I will."

He made a promise.

"Heh heh, don't worry, I won't trouble Izumi-chan too much. Don't let my appearance fool you, I'm a pure, intellectual-type girl. Actually, I work out for 30 minutes every night before bed. I'm a low-carb, low-sugar girl, and my muscles are no weaker than any ordinary guy's... Plus, I'm pretty good at volleyball. Basketball would just take a little more effort."

Fujiwara Chika placed her right hand on her chest and declared with full confidence.

"I might even have the energy to protect Takanashi-san then."

She looked at Takanashi again.

"The Wielder of the Wicked Eye of the Tyrant King needs no help from mere mortals."

Rikka, feeling insulted, replied coldly.

Chika's invitation went surprisingly smoothly.

Next, only his old friend remained.

Hasegawa Izumi's gaze drifted through the window, lingering near the gymnasium.

"Mori Summer, the day you truly return isn't far off either..."

30 I'm already researching opponents for the Kendo Club.

When class ended, Nibuya Morika was listlessly resting her head on her desk, her eyes unfocused.

"Nibuya-san, why do you seem a bit out of it these past two days? You keep spacing out. Don't tell me you're thinking about a guy?"

Suddenly, Kazeno, a friend she'd made in class, came up to her ear and whispered.

"No way!"

She slammed her desk and immediately retorted.