Crisis: Ceruno

(Ceruno)

Looking up, beyond the dome.

Buzz--

A tingling buzzing sound that made my eardrums throb, as if the entire space was vibrating.

An enormous halo appeared in the path of the Zodiacal, its size comparable to the one above the Old District, but appearing even larger due to its proximity. Once fully unfurled, it would be a gaping maw capable of swallowing the entire City School...

"Ceruno- chan! The concert is over, time to get down to business!"

Sirius hastily jumped onto the stage, took the microphone, and announced:

"Yo-ho~ Sorry everyone, dear fans and audience, this concert may have to be postponed! We need to deal with those jerks who don't care about the atmosphere first!"

The moment the wormhole halo lit up the night sky, Miss Metal went to the Engine Department. The large drone she was operating entered automatic mode, quickly transforming her from a concert host to a war correspondent.

"Etc."

I suddenly realized something.

"They don't want to come over; they want us to crash into them!"

At this very moment, City School was heading straight for the unfolding wormhole; if he didn't dodge, he would be forced to launch a surprise attack on "the Other Side."

I had previously discussed with Miluno how the "The Other Side" could deal with 1,400 magical girls. Even if they sent another Shuttle Tower, it would basically be a free kill.

Now they have submitted their answers.

Since we can't take it down by fighting, let the City School crash Past first, then gather all our firepower and use our home advantage to suppress us.

Is this Dad's plan?

If successful, it would indeed solve the biggest problem at the lowest cost...

"What? We can't turn around?"

On the walkie-talkie, however, came bad news from Miss Metal's end.

"The inability to control the Power Crystal to steer suggests that the cruise system has been hijacked by the enemy. My only option is to destroy the Crystal directly, but if the City School falls due to loss of power, it will likely be irreparably destroyed."

"Power Crystal can be hijacked?"

"Automatic cruise control is handled by the Central Control System, and the control of the Central Control System is... in the hands of Principal Xiao Yi."

I remember the control panel for the Central Control System was on Xiao Yi's desk. The City School's flight path was usually set through that. Could it be...?

Principal Xiao Yi and her father are in cahoots?!

"Where's Xiao Yi?" I asked.

"They should still be in the principal's office..."

Sirius thought for a moment, then changed his mind and said, "No, gather everyone and go to the Central Control Tower! The Central Control System ultimately relies on the Central Control Crystal. The one in the principal's office is just a control panel. As long as we destroy the Central Control Crystal, the Engine Room can force the Power Crystal to change direction."

The City School can fly because it is supported by forty-eight Star Crystal that provide power.

Miss Metal also reminded:

"We need to be quick, otherwise even if we damage the Central Control System, it won't be enough time to turn the rudder!"

It's not hard to understand.

A large ship is difficult to turn around, let alone a behemoth like City School, spanning 200,000 square meters, where even braking would cause it to drift forward for several kilometers before coming to a stop...

"Attention everyone, proceed immediately to the central Control Tower and destroy the central control system!"

The broadcast stopped halfway through in the headphones.

Sirius was also taken aback for a moment, then slapped his forehead and said, "Communications and translations within the City School are also maintained by the Central Control System... There's no other way... I'll Past first! You persuade the others to come over!"

Sirius Wings of Light and flew into the sky, heading towards the highest central Control Tower in the entire City School. But just as she was about to get close, she crashed into a bouncy flower petal with a bang.

Sirius crashed.

"Um?!"

I'm very familiar with that magic.

It seems this really is Dad's plan; even the Proxy is personally here to ensure its success.

Sirius adjusted her posture and tried to approach the ground, but many petals still blocked her way. Enraged, she released a high-energy heat beam that burned through the petals and caused an explosion on the Central Control Tower.

However, it couldn't directly damage the Central Control Crystal. Sirius himself was always blocked outside the tower by the seven-colored petal shield. It would take time for the fire to reach the Control Tower hall from the outside, and by then, the City School would be unable to turn around.

"Get out of the way, let me handle this!"

A furious roar came from behind.

Miluno, with its single black horn on its head, brushed past me and charged toward the central Control Tower with bullet-like speed, but...

"Miluno, no!"

I tried to stop her, but she had already been launched into the air in an arc.

The special feature of that petal shield is its exceptional elasticity.

As long as the force is not exceeded, it can be deflected. Therefore, burning it directly, like Sirius, is the correct response strategy.

Just as I was thinking this, Miluno darted Past me again, this time so fast that she was just a blur of white, too fast for even the eyes to follow.

However, it seems like we've managed to get Past this time?

The petal shield no longer appeared, and Sirius's obstruction also disappeared. The absence of the petal shield gave her the opportunity to advance unimpeded.

Although the translation system's malfunction caused chaos in the magical girls' communication, the most urgent task was to stop and change the course of the City School. This was a consensus among all the magical girls, and they all rushed to the central Control Tower.

"Hey, time to sprint!"

I was picked up from behind, it was Fal... no...

"Miss Phoenix?!"

They combine whenever they encounter a situation; are they no longer capable of fighting alone?

"The enemy is inside the Control Tower, right? Planning to drive the City School directly into 'the Other Side'... We can't let them succeed."

However, with communication with the Engine Department cut off and no one knowing when the deadline would arrive, the only option was to eliminate the Proxy had infiltrated the Control Tower at some unknown time as quickly as possible.

Although I wanted to say that, but...

"There are too many people here! If the Proxy blends into the crowd, we won't be able to find her!"

Looking down, the indignant magical girls swarmed toward the Control Tower like ants, but they didn't know what the enemy looked like. At this point, as long as they wore a school uniform, they wouldn't have to worry about being recognized even if the Proxy didn't wear a hood. What's worse, they didn't understand each other's language, so even if they shouted for them to disperse, they wouldn't understand in a short time.

Was all of this part of the Proxy's plan?

But as long as the Central Control Crystal is destroyed, it's not too late.

Phoenix carried me into the Control Tower. Miluno had already used brute force to pry open the bud that was wrapped around the Central Control Crystal. Sirius's High-Energy Ray burned the Central Control Crystal until it was red-hot, and eventually, even the incredibly sturdy Crystal was melted and a hole was made in it.

"It's over?"

But no Proxy was seen; ultimately, she was just trying to buy time.

The Engine Department started working immediately, and the City School began to slow down and turn, but this process was very slow.

Buzz--

The buzzing sound intensified.

The wormhole unfolded, and the deep space inside the halo transformed into a black curtain that blotted out the sky.

"If this keeps up, we're going to crash in!"

Although we can't get in touch with Metal, we can still see this ominous trend!