(Ceruno)
After separating from Barbara, my abilities had dropped considerably across the board.
But I was in danger of undergoing Crystallization at any moment, so fusing with another magical girl was no longer a good idea, either.
"Ceruno, that Imitation Vega Crystal has fairly high compatibility with you too, doesn't it? Try claiming it for yourself, and you'll be able to break this Eggshell Barrier."
"...Okay, I'll try."
Miss Terra no longer lent me her power so casually. Instead, she offered sensible suggestions like this.
Did she not want me to undergo Crystallization, either?
Imitation crystals.
Miluno had previously obtained one from the top of a Shuttle Tower in the Old District. It was now the core component of the Association Domain System.
These imitation crystals could indeed be incorporated into my body. They offered far less of a boost than genuine star crystals, but they could still increase my magic power. Every little bit counted.
But...
"Wait, I have to touch the crystal before I can absorb it! Either way, we have to make an opening first, don't we?"
But if we could make an opening, Miss Foehn could destroy the emitter. Absorbing the imitation crystal afterward would be completely redundant, an utterly pointless extra step.
Miss Terra, however, disagreed.
"You don't need to open it~ Touching magic cast by the imitation crystal is the same as touching the magic power it releases. That's enough to form a circuit between you and the imitation crystal. Just try claiming it for yourself that way!"
Establish a connection with the imitation crystal through the barrier itself?
Aldebaran obviously wasn't here, so this eggshell was merely an automated protective device. On top of that, it was an imitation capable of resonating with the Vega Crystal. Making it mine shouldn't be difficult.
"Then