Chapter 56

"Do you think I'll fall for the same trick twice?"

As she spoke, Lingmeng stretched out her right hand and squeezed hard on the Bomb that hadn't fully exploded yet.

Then, in an instant, a square, transparent barrier surrounded it, and then continued to shrink and compress.

Until the Spatial Barrier completely destroys the Bomb...

After confirming that the effects of the explosion had completely dissipated, the gears of time began to turn again.

Everything started to function again.

"Phew~ It's finally all done."

Gently wiping the cold sweat from her forehead, Lingmeng breathed a sigh of relief.

If Anlia Finna knew that she hadn't caused Lingmeng any harm even until the very end, Ayame would probably die of a heart attack, right?

----------------This is a dividing line for shifting perspectives

At the same time, Kotori and her crew of Fraxinus breathed a sigh of relief, just like Lingmeng.

Looking at Lingmeng on the big screen, Kotori smiled and muttered to herself.

"To actually manage to suppress the Bomb's effect... that's beyond impressive, isn't it? How should I put it? As expected of Lingmeng."

----------------This is a dividing line for shifting perspectives

"Hey, Shido, wake up!"

Lingmeng called out, gently patting Shido's cheek.

Perhaps because he was so close to where the Bomb had exploded, Shido was stunned by the shockwave even though the Bomb hadn't fully detonated.

"Ah, it was just a tiny explosion and he's already this unconscious. He's all show and no substance, isn't he?"

After several unsuccessful attempts, Lingmeng could only shake her head helplessly and sigh.

Just then, Kotori's voice suddenly came over.

"Lingmeng, why don't you bring Shido back first?"

Lingmeng looked up and realized that Kotori was in the sky, talking to her through the Microphone of Fraxinus.

After hearing Kotori's words, Lingmeng didn't think much of it. She simply gave Kotori an OK sign and then carried Shido into Fraxinus in a Princess carry.

After returning to Fraxinus, Lingmeng discovered that Kannazuki, who had been lying dead on the high platform, had also returned with them.

He was lying face down on the ground, a blissful expression on his face...

----------------This is the dividing line for the transfer time

"Lingmeng... Lingmeng!"

As Shido kept murmuring Lingmeng's name, Shido suddenly opened his eyes. Upon waking, he found himself lying in this familiar yet unfamiliar place.

The medical room of Fraxinus.

"... Are you awake, Little Shido...?"

Turning his head, Shido saw Reine, dressed in her official uniform and sporting heavy dark circles under her eyes, greeting him.

"I've said Reine several times already, my name is Shido, not Little Shido."

Shido's lips twitched slightly. To be honest, he had reminded Reine of her name many times since their first Reine.

But for some reason, she seemed not to hear him at all, and continued to call him Little Shido.

"... Is that so? But speaking of which Little Shido, you've slept for a whole day."

(Hey, you still didn't listen?)

Seeing that Reine had once again ignored his words, Shido was speechless.

"So I've been sleeping all day?"

Shido stroked his chin and muttered to himself.

It seems like I was supposed to have class today, but Kotori probably already asked for leave for me, right?

Suddenly, Shido seemed to remember something important and quickly asked.

"By the way Reine! Where is Lingmeng now?"

Reine simply answered calmly.

"... You mean Lingmeng? She's in the Command Center talking to Kotori right now. You've almost fully recovered, do you want to go see her?"

After receiving Reine's reply, Shido patted his chest in relief.

He had been worried that Lingmeng might leave without a word again. But it seemed she hadn't done so this time.

"Okay, thanks. I'll go right now!"

After thanking Reine, Shido quickly got out of bed, put on his shoes, and ran towards the Command Center...

Chapter 52 The Seal (Part 1)

"Slide--"

He strode towards the Command Center, Shido heart filled with an intense longing to see the girl who considered herself a "lone star of misfortune."

The automatic doors to the Command Center opened, Shido rushed inside.

"Lingmeng!"

Upon entering, Shido noticed that his younger sister, Kotori, seemed to be discussing something with Lingmeng. However, he didn't pay much attention and simply called out Lingmeng's name.

Upon hearing Shido's energetic voice, Kotori and Lingmeng both turned to look at him at the same time.

"Are you some kind of spring-kissed animal? You're so energetic even though you just woke up?"

With her arms crossed, Kotori glanced at Shido with slight displeasure.

"Um... I'm sorry."

Shido awkwardly scratched his cheek, his face full of apology.

"Yo, Shido. Good morning!"

Lingmeng smiled and waved to Shido in greeting.

Shido returned the smile in response.

"Good morning!"

Whether it was his imagination or something else, Shido felt that Lingmeng seemed a little different today.

It wasn't a change in appearance, but a transformation in spirit.

Lingmeng seems... less Negativity now?

Shido thought to himself.

He was particularly sensitive to the negative emotions of others, and he easily sensed Lingmeng's change in mindset.

Although he didn't understand what was going on, Shido was still very happy that Lingmeng had changed like this.

So he didn't pay much attention to it.

"Well, Kotori, since Shido is already awake, could you please step outside for a moment?"

Lingmeng looked at Kotori beside her and asked her a question.

"Oh, of course, no problem."

As if she had just realized something, Kotori exclaimed in surprise.

Kotori then walked towards the door.

As she passed by Shido, she patted Shido on the shoulder and whispered something.

"Give me a good chance. If I fail this time, don't blame me for posting Shiori-chan's photobook online!"

After saying that, Kotori left. The automatic door closed automatically.

(What exactly does "seize the opportunity" mean?)

Shido tilted his head in confusion, indicating that he had no idea at all.

"Ah, it seems it's just the two of us left, Shido."

Lingmeng muttered to herself as she glanced at the Command Center, which was empty except for herself and Shido.

"Um... that... Kotori, she is..."

Shido asked timidly.

After all, Kotori's performance just now had left him somewhat confused.

"Well, she just wanted to create some space for the two of us."

Lingmeng casually waved her hand and explained.

"Give us space? Why?"

"Hey~ I've already explained it this far, Shido, and you still don't understand? You really are an idiot."

Seeing that Shido hadn't noticed at all, Lingmeng sighed helplessly.

"Well... how should I put it? Although I hate to admit it, it seems that my feelings for you have reached a level that can be sealed. I was just discussing this with Kotori."

She scratched her cheek shyly, Lingmeng expression one of utter embarrassment.

Just a few days ago she said she wasn't interested in Shido, but after experiencing a series of events, she discovered that Shido was actually not bad at all?

Well, a large part of it is because Shiori is just too cute.

Even so, Lingmeng still felt a mix of emotions.

Because she would never have believed in the past that a woman could have a 90% positive impression of a man.

"...Eh!? (゜ロ゜) "

After hearing Lingmeng's explanation, Shido was slightly taken aback, but he quickly recovered.

"So... does that mean Lingmeng can now be sealed away by me?"

His voice was somewhat halting, Shido felt that happiness had come a little too suddenly.

"That's it! Can you please stop talking about such embarrassing things... (○`ε'○)"

Lingmeng pursed her lips, her expression somewhat displeased.

Shido also seemed to remember that Lingmeng used to be a man.

As a beautiful girl with a man's spirit, she actually has such a high level of affection for me, an Ordinary Person is only slightly better than a loser.

It's something that's hard to talk about in every sense of the word.

"Then... Lingmeng, are you willing to be sealed away by me?"

Shido thought for a moment, then asked tremblingly.

"Hmm... maybe?"

Lingmeng touched her chin and then smiled.

"After all, you did help me. I originally thought someone like Shido was just a smooth talker, but I didn't expect you to have a few heroic moments."

Besides, Shiori-chan is so cute, she's practically my ideal type!

(I feel like the second sentence is the key point.)

Shido's lips twitched slightly.

Listening to Lingmeng's words, Shido had the feeling that Lingmeng was just lusting after his (Shiori's ) body.

"Um... is that so? Thank you for the compliment."

Shido responded, feeling ashamed.

"Well, before sealing it, I need to ask you a few more questions, Shido."

"What's the problem?"