Multiverse: Library

"Kaiser-senpai?"

Toudou Kirin froze in surprise as she saw Kaiser standing before her.

"It's you?"

Julis-Alexia von Riessfeld also noticed him, blinking in astonishment.

The gathered spectators exchanged glances before murmuring among themselves.

"It's [Keen-Edged Tempest] and [Blazing Star Swordsman]…!"

"They're here too?"

"Wait… was that just now—"

"An ambush?"

The discussions grew louder.

"Are you both alright?"

At that moment, Amagiri Ayato rushed over, his face full of concern—

As if those two arrows had anything to do with him.

Kaiser gave him a brief glance before turning to Kirin.

"You okay?"

"I-I'm fine." Kirin nodded quickly, bowing in gratitude. "Thank you, Senpai, for saving me just now."

However—

Kaiser didn't accept the thanks.

"Even if I hadn't stepped in, you would've reacted in time."

He retracted Ser-Veresta. "I probably just overreacted."

In retrospect—

An arrow wasn't enough to threaten the Rank #1 of Seidoukan Academy.

Yet, before he had time to think—his body had moved on its own.

Realizing this, Kaiser could only shrug in self-mockery.

"N-No, that's not true… Ah! Right!"

Kirin quickly waved her hands, then turned to Julis, her voice timid.

"Senpai, are you alright?"

Julis finally snapped back to reality.

"I'm fine."

She looked at Kirin—then at Kaiser.

After a brief pause, she sighed and spoke seriously.

"Looks like I owe you both a debt of gratitude."

With unexpected sincerity, Julis slightly bowed to them as thanks.

"N-No need!"

Kirin, clearly shy, quickly shook her head.

"You should be thanking Kirin. I didn't do much."

Kaiser also had no intention of taking credit.

He casually stepped aside, avoiding her bow.

In truth—Kaiser hadn't expected things to unfold this way.

In the original story, this never happened.

Kirin wasn't here.

Kaiser wasn't here.

The one who saved Julis was actually—Amagiri Ayato.

This was his scene.

Yet—now that Kirin had stepped in, the timeline had changed.

Kaiser found himself thinking—

"Looks like the butterfly effect is finally taking shape."

As Kaiser pondered, Kirin shuffled in place, clearly uneasy.

Julis, however, remained serious.

"Regardless, you both saved me. I won't forget this favor."

She then turned away—

And glared at Ayato.

"And as for you—the duel isn't over yet!"

Ayato's face twisted into a grimace.

"Uhh… Can't we just let this go?"

He pleaded.

He had no desire to fight Julis again.

After all—facing her was like dodging a walking flamethrower.

If this continued—he would have no choice but to unleash his sealed power.

"No chance!"

Julis was not letting him off the hook.

"You're lucky I'm not handing you over to the disciplinary committee. If you refuse to duel me—don't blame me for reporting you!"

The implication was clear—

If he didn't fight, she would report him as a pervert who broke into the girls' dormitory.

And once that label stuck—

Amagiri Ayato would forever be known as "The Transfer Student Pervert."

Even Kaiser wouldn't dare touch that title.

"I…"

Ayato opened his mouth, wanting to protest.

But—seeing Julis' merciless gaze, he knew he had no escape.

"U-Umm… Let's all calm down…?"

Kirin tried to mediate, looking flustered.

Of course—

She was not the best person to handle such situations.

As for Kaiser?

He was just enjoying the show.

"How about we stop crowding here, first?"

A playful voice cut in, breaking the tension.

"After all, you're all highly ranked students. If you keep standing around, more and more spectators will gather."

With graceful charm, Claudia Enfield arrived on the scene.

Instantly—

The focus shifted to her.

"Claudia!"

"P-President…!"

Both Julis and Kirin reacted.

One scowled, clearly annoyed.

The other panicked, hurriedly bowing in respect.

As for Kaiser—he subtly observed Claudia's expression.

At first glance—

She looked no different from before.

Her face still bore her usual composed smile.

He saw no abnormalities.

This made him frown internally.

"It's been a while since that night… I wonder if she's noticed anything."

However—

Claudia's expression was too perfect.

Kaiser couldn't tell if Pan-Dora had truly obeyed him—or if it was merely pretending.

"You are…?"

Ayato, the only one who hadn't met Claudia, asked hesitantly.

He had clearly been stunned by her beauty.

Claudia smiled elegantly.

"Hello, Amagiri Ayato-kun."

She spoke as if they were old acquaintances.

"I am Claudia Enfield—Seidoukan Academy's Student Council President, more or less."

"Claudia."

Julis cut in, her tone unfriendly.

"What are you doing here? Trying to stop my duel?"

"By the academy's rules, as long as both parties consent, no one can interfere with a duel."

Claudia remained smiling.

"But since things seem to have gotten out of hand—with both Kirin and Kaiser stepping in—perhaps it's best to call it off?"

Julis deeply frowned, but did not object.

Seeing this, Ayato breathed a sigh of relief.

"That said…"

Ayato's face turned serious.

"That was an ambush, wasn't it? Shouldn't we do something about it?"

The focus shifted to the previous attack.

Claudia nodded.

"Of course. I'll have the disciplinary committee investigate immediately."

She then turned to Kaiser and Kirin.

"You two were the first to notice. Did you see the attacker?"

Kaiser spoke first.

"I didn't see them. I only reacted because I noticed Kirin's unusual movement."

Immediately—all eyes turned to Kirin.

"U-Umm…"

Kirin froze.

Surrounded by high-ranking seniors, she shrank back, voice small and nervous.

"I-I just saw someone by that building's window, aiming a crossbow-style Lux. They were wearing a black robe, so I couldn't see their face…"

The window was far away—no one else had noticed anything.

Hearing this, Claudia blinked in surprise.

"Kirin, you have sharp eyes."

"I-I've always had good eyesight…" Kirin stammered.

"My family even says I see weird things sometimes."

Her flustered innocence made her look adorable.

The tension lightened—several people even smiled at her reaction.

At that moment—

Ayato twitched.

For a split second, he lifted his hand—

Then quickly lowered it.

Kaiser's face twitched.

"Wait. Wait. Wait."

"Did this guy just try to pull a 'headpat' on Kirin?!"

AYATO, STOP YOUR HAREM PROTAGONIST BEHAVIOR.

(╯‵□′)╯︵┻━┻