NOVEL NEXT Chapter 15: Chapter 15
before you start reading just to let you know.
I don't know if this Chapter is good or not but let's hope that it's good, because it felt kinda rush for me. so if it's rush then tell me because I kinda lack in sleep when writing this one chapter.
and also if it doesn't make any sense, i'm sorry, as for the reason its the same reason as the above.
And as always please enjoy the fanfic that i have writen.
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Mei and Mahiru who see that Masachika has come out of his house, then look at one another to see who should go first in asking him. Mahiru the ever kind angel then decide to step aside and said.
"Raiden-san, you go ahead first. You're the first to arrive," Mahiru said, stepping aside to let Mei enter.
Mei smiled as she walked in. "Alright. Masachika-kun, have you had dinner yet?"
"Why do you ask?" I replied, tilting my head slightly.
"Well," she began, "I was thinking of inviting you to eat at my home."
"I see," I said, turning to Mahiru. "And you, Mahiru? What is it?"
Mahiru hesitated for a moment, then spoke. "It's the same as Raiden-san's reason. But I wanted to thank you for what you did yesterday."
"Oh, I see. About yesterday... You don't need to do that," I replied quickly. "I already received my reward, so there's no need for thanks."
Masachika couldn't help but think of the Authority of Water and Life—probably the reward he had gotten that day was the best that nothing would matter.
"I-I see…" Mahiru stammered, looking a little uncertain.
Mei, who had been listening intently, was clearly curious about what had happened yesterday. Meanwhile, Yuki, standing behind me, already seemed to understand what Mahiru was referring to.
"so what is your answer Masachika-san?"
Mei ask Masachika what his answer to her invitation. Masachika want to decline the two since he already eat, and even if he already eat he wants to test his power, but before she could answer her, Yuki who is behind him then said.
"Why don't you accept her invitation, Masachika-kun?"
Mei and Mahiru, curious about the voice, leaned forward to see who it was. When they realized it was Yuki, Mahiru's eyes widened in surprise.
"Suou-san? What are you doing inside Kuze-kun's house?"
Mahiru asked, her voice laced with disbelief.
Mei, hearing Mahiru, suddenly recalled the friend that Bianka and Sirin had mentioned.
"Suou-san? Are you Yuki Suou?" Mei inquired.
"Yes, that's me," Yuki replied, tilting her head slightly. "Did someone tell you about me, um…"
"Mei Raiden," Mei introduced herself, smiling politely. "Pleased to meet you, Suou-san."
"The pleasure is all mine," Yuki said with a nod. She then turned to Mahiru. "And you are?"
"Ah, I'm Mahiru Shiina," Mahiru replied quickly. "Pleased to meet you, Suou-san."
"Yes, pleased to meet you too, Shiina-san. As for why I'm here, I'm staying the night," Yuki said with a polite smile.
"I see… but if you don't mind me asking, what's your relationship with him?" Mahiru asked, her curiosity piqued.
"ah We're childhood friends you see," Yuki replied smoothly, playing the role of the childhood friend once again.
"Eh? You two are childhood friends with him?" Mahiru's eyes widened in shock at the sudden revelation. She had no idea about the connection between Masachika and Yuki, and this new information completely blindsided her.
"Yes," Yuki confirmed with a nod.
Mahiru's astonishment grew even more. It was already puzzling that Masachika—known at school as the laziest student—was friends with Alisa. But discovering he was also childhood friends with Yuki, in addition to Maria, was almost too much for her to process.
"Ah, right," Mei chimed in, as though remembering something. "Bianka and Sirin did mention that you two were childhood friends."
"Yes, that's right. Now, back to the topic. Are you going to accept their invitation, Masachika-kun?" Yuki asked.
"Hm? Well…" Masachika paused for a moment, thinking it over. After a brief consideration, he decided he might as well. Screw it, he thought. Tomorrow was the weekend, and he could push himself harder after enjoying a meal with them tonight.
"Fine by me," he finally said. "Yuki, are you coming too?"
"Hmm, why not? I guess I'll join," Yuki replied with a shrug.
Even though she had already eaten dinner with the others, she felt like she could still eat more than she should. She figured it must be one of the perks of being a Herrscher. From what she'd learned from Belfast, Herrschers could survive solely on Honkai Energy. Food, water, and even oxygen were trivial matters now.
What's more, she was now practically immortal—so long as her Herrscher Core remained intact and wasn't taken from her body.
"Great! And Shiina-san, how about you? I've made plenty, so it's enough for the three of you to join," Mei said, turning her attention to Mahiru.
Mahiru hesitated for a moment before giving a small nod.
"If that's fine with you, Raiden-san, then... alright."
"Un, now come on over then," Mei said cheerfully, gesturing for them to follow as she led them to her house who is next door to Masachika.
"Come in," she said, holding the door open for them.
"Then, please excuse us," Yuki said politely as she and the others stepped inside.
The three of them removed their shoes at the entrance before following Mei further into the house. As they entered the dining room, they found a lively scene: Kiana, Bianka, Sirin, and Bronya were already seated around the table.
"Hm? Who are they, Mei-senpai?" Kiana asked, her gaze shifting to the newcomers. She tilted her head slightly, curious about the unfamiliar faces Mei had brought home.
Bianka and Sirin, however, brightened as soon as they saw Masachika and Yuki.
"Ah, Masachika-san! Yuki-san! You're here," Bianka greeted them warmly, a smile lighting up her face.
"H-Hello," Sirin said shyly, giving them a small wave.
Kiana, noticing their familiarity, turned to Bianka with raised eyebrows. "Bianka-nee, you know them?"
"Yes," Bianka replied with a nod. "They're the friends Sirin and I made recently."
"Hee, I see," Kiana said, leaning back slightly as if to take in the information. She gave Masachika and Yuki a curious glance before adding, "Well, welcome, I guess."
Bronya, who had been silent up until this point, glanced briefly at the pair before returning her attention to her phone. "If they're Bianka and Sirin's friends, I suppose they're trustworthy," she said in her usual calm tone.
"Trustworthy or not, they're here to eat, so let's make them feel welcome," Mei said with a laugh, clapping her hands together. "Masachika-kun, Yuki-san, Shiina-san, please take a seat. Dinner's almost ready. While I serve everyone their plates, why don't you introduce yourselves, alright?"
Masachika gave a slight nod, taking a seat at the table with a calm expression. Yuki followed, her usual composed demeanor masking her curiosity about the people gathered. Mahiru hesitated for a moment, unsure of how to act in the presence of so many new faces, but she quickly followed their lead and sat down beside them.
Kiana leaned forward, resting her chin in her hands as she gave them a playful grin. "Introduce yourselves, huh? Don't worry, we don't bite… much."
"Kiana," Mei scolded gently from the kitchen as she prepared the plates.
Masachika sighed lightly, glancing at Yuki, who subtly gestured for him to go first. He rolled his eyes but complied. "Fine," he said, raising a hand lazily. "I'm Masachika Kuze. Pleased to meet you all."
Yuki followed immediately, her tone calm yet confident. "I'm Yuki Suou. I'm his childhood friend, as you can probably tell. Pleased to meet you as well." She gave a small, polite nod, her eyes scanning the group.
Finally, Mahiru spoke up, her voice a little softer but no less polite. "And I'm Mahiru Shiina. Pleased to meet you all." She gave a slight bow, her hands clasped nervously in front of her.
With the introductions from the three newcomers complete, Kiana grinned and leaned back in her chair. "Alright, our turn then! I'm Kiana Kaslana, Bianka-nee's awesome twin sister," she said with a playful wink.
"Bronya Zaychik. Pleased to meet you all," she said in her usual monotone voice, though her words were polite.
Bianka smiled warmly, her demeanor calm and composed. "Once again, I'm Bianka Kaslana. Just like Kiana said, I'm her twin sister. It's a pleasure to have you all here."
Sirin, sitting quietly at the edge of the group, looked up nervously and gave a small wave. "S-Sirin Kaslana. Pleased to meet you," she said, her voice just above a whisper.
With the introductions done, the atmosphere in the room seemed to relax. Mei, who had just finished arranging the plates on the table, clapped her hands lightly to gather everyone's attention. "Great, now that we all know each other, let's eat. The food's ready!"
She began setting the plates in front of everyone, the tantalizing aroma wafting through the room. Kiana's stomach audibly growled, prompting laughter from the group.
"Thanks for the meal, Mei-senpai!" Kiana said enthusiastically, grabbing her utensils.
"Let's dig in," Masachika said casually, picking up his own chopsticks.
The once-formal atmosphere shifted into a warm and lively one as they all started to enjoy the meal together, conversations sparking across the table.
After a few minutes of enjoying dinner, the lively energy in the room shifted into a more relaxed atmosphere. Mei, Mahiru, and Masachika could now be seen in the kitchen, cleaning the dishes together. The soft clinking of plates and running water provided a quiet backdrop to the playful sounds coming from the living room, where Kiana and Bronya were engaged in an intense gaming session on the TV.
"You really don't need to help me clean the dishes, Masachika-kun, Shiina-san," Mei said, glancing at the two with a gentle smile.
Masachika, scrubbing a plate with practiced ease, shook his head. "No way. We're the ones who came over and ate your food. It's only fair that we help out. Right, Shiina-san?"
Mahiru nodded earnestly, drying a glass before placing it neatly on the rack. "Yes, Kuze-kun is right. It wouldn't feel right for us to just sit back while you handle everything, Raiden-san. This is the least we can do to show our appreciation."
Mei paused for a moment, then smiled warmly. "Alright, thank you, both of you. I appreciate the help."
As they worked together, the sounds of laughter and occasional banter drifted from the living room.
"Take that, Bronya!" Kiana shouted triumphantly. "I'm unbeatable!"
Bronya remained unfazed, her calm voice cutting through Kiana's celebration. "Bronya suggests you check your health bar before boasting."
A groan of defeat followed as Kiana slumped back on the couch, prompting giggles from Yuki, Bianka, and Sirin, who were watching the match unfold.
In the kitchen, Mahiru glanced toward the living room and smiled softly at the cheerful scene. "Everyone seems to be having so much fun. It's a really nice atmosphere."
Masachika gave a small shrug, though a faint smile tugged at his lips. "Yeah, it's not bad. Kinda chaotic, but... not bad."
Mei chuckled, stacking the clean dishes with practiced precision. "That's just how it is around here. Once you get used to it, it's actually pretty comforting."
The three continued their work in a comfortable rhythm, their quiet chatter blending seamlessly with the warmth of the house.
Once the last of the dishes had been cleaned and neatly put away, Masachika, Yuki, and Mahiru spent a little more time in Mei's house, the evening still young and the atmosphere comfortable.
Once the last of the dishes had been cleaned and put away, Masachika, Yuki, and Mahiru lingered for a moment in Mei's house. The cozy atmosphere settled around them as the sounds of laughter and playful banter from the living room filled the air.
Masachika, ever casual, had plopped himself down on the couch beside Kiana, who was eager to show off her gaming skills. Despite her initial confidence, Kiana was struggling to keep up, her usual energy and competitiveness flaring up with each loss.
"Ha! Again, Kiana?" Masachika said, leaning back with a smirk as he won yet another round. "You really need to step up your game."
Kiana, her face flushed with frustration, shot him an annoyed glare. "This isn't fair! You've been playing way longer than me!" she grumbled, tapping furiously at the controller.
"You're just mad because I'm winning," Masachika teased, raising an eyebrow. "Come on, Kiana, you're supposed to be a Kaslana. You should be better than this."
With a dramatic sigh, Kiana flopped back onto the couch. "I am a Kaslana! You're just too good!" She picked up the controller again, determined to turn the tide. But within minutes, another defeat. "What the hell, Masachika?!"
Masachika chuckled, clearly enjoying her frustration. "I guess the only thing I can call you now is Tuna, huh?"
Kiana's eyes went wide. "Tuna?!" She practically exploded, her fists clenched. "What kind of nickname is that?!"
"Well," Masachika began, shrugging casually, "you're always getting caught on the hook. Just like tuna."
Kiana's face went red with indignation. "That's it!" She picked up a pillow from the couch and threw it at him. "I'm going to kick your ass next round!"
Yuki, Mahiru, Bianka, and Bronya, who had been quietly observing the playful exchange, couldn't help but smile at the banter unfolding before them. Yuki shook her head, amusement dancing in her eyes. "Kiana's really not handling this well, huh?"
"Fufu, no," Bianka chimed in, her tone teasing. "Kiana's always been a bit of a sore loser, especially when it comes to playing against Bronya. So, hearing Masachika call her 'Tuna' definitely didn't help."
Mahiru let out a soft laugh. "It's honestly kind of hilarious. Kuze-kun is really just pushing all her buttons."
As the game went on, Kiana's frustration mounted with every loss. Yet, her determination remained unshaken. No matter how many times she was defeated, she'd throw herself back into the game, determined to beat Masachika—even if it meant venting her frustration at him after every match.
"You know, you'll have to get used to being called Tuna now," Masachika teased as Kiana grumbled about another round of defeat.
"I'll show you! Just wait!" Kiana growled, ready for the next match.
The atmosphere was lighthearted and full of laughter, with everyone enjoying their time together despite Kiana's minor temper tantrum. As the evening wore on, the competitive spirit lingered, but so did the bonds forming between them all.
After an hour of gaming, filled with laughter, teasing, and Kiana's inevitable frustration at losing, Masachika, Yuki, and Mahiru finally decided it was time to head home. Masachika, Yuki, and Mahiru made their way to the front door, ready to head back home. Mei followed behind them, a warm smile on her face.
"Raiden-san, we'll be going now. Thank you for inviting us," Yuki said, bowing slightly in gratitude.
Mahiru mirrored her gesture, her voice soft but sincere. "Yes, thank you very much, Raiden-san. Dinner was delicious, and the evening was really enjoyable."
Mei waved her hands modestly, her smile never wavering. "No need to thank me so much! I'm just glad you all could come. It's not every day I get to host such good company. And call me Mei—it feels weird being so formal."
"Then... thank you, Mei-san," Mahiru said with a slight blush.
Masachika, ever casual, nodded. "Yeah, thanks, Mei-san. The food was great, and the atmosphere... well, it wasn't bad, especially after beating that Salted Tuna over there."
He shot a teasing glance at Kiana, clearly enjoying himself. The nickname was his way of poking fun at her, a nod to how salty she was over her losing streak.
Kiana huffed, but despite her defeat, a playful glint flickered in her eyes. "Just you wait! Next time, I'm going to beat you—no more Tuna jokes!" She crossed her arms and pouted, but it was obvious she wasn't really mad—just as competitive as ever.
Bianka followed close behind, her expression as serene as always. "Thank you for visiting. It was nice seeing you again, Masachika-san, Yuki-san. Shiina-san, you're welcome anytime as well."
Sirin hesitated for a moment before stepping forward, giving them a small, shy wave. "Bye-bye, and, um... take care."
Bronya, still seated on the couch, glanced over and gave a curt nod. "Be careful out there. Bronya looks forward to your next visit."
"Thanks, everyone," Masachika replied, giving a lazy wave as they stepped out the door.
As the trio reached Masachika's front door, Mahiru turned to them with a soft smile.
"Well, then, Suou-san, Masachika-kun, I'll be heading home now."
"Un, good night, Shiina-san," Masachika replied with a friendly wave.
"Good night, Shiina-san," Suou echoed, offering a polite nod.
With a final wave, Mahiru turned toward the door beside Masachika's, heading toward her own entrance. She gave a small glance back before entering her home.
"phew, so much has happen this day."
"un, now let's get inside."
"alright."
As Masachika and Yuki entered the house, they were greeted by Belfast and Ayano standing in the living room.
"We're home," Masachika called out with a tired smile.
"Welcome back, Masachika-sama, Yuki-sama," Belfast and Ayano replied in unison, their voices warm and welcoming.
Masachika glanced at them, a question bubbling up about what they'd been up to at Totsuki. But just as the thought crossed his mind, his instincts screamed at him to stay quiet. He wisely decided to feign ignorance—asking them would only lead to trouble, and he had no intention of enduring the aftermath of Belfast's detailed explanations.
Yuki, however, wasn't one to miss an opportunity for mischief. With a devilish grin, she turned to Belfast.
"Nee, Belfast, how did it go with the Shokugeki?" she asked, her tone teasing.
Masachika froze, his face draining of color. "Yuki, you bastard. Don't do it. I really don't want to hear it."
"Oh? Why not, Brother? I'm curious about what happened," Yuki said with mock innocence, clearly enjoying the situation.
Masachika sighed, rubbing his temples as if already feeling the incoming headache. "Just... don't. Please, I really don't want to hear about it right now."
"Boo, that's boring," Yuki pouted.
"Say what you want, but right now, I want to head to the moon to test something," Masachika said, stretching his arms.
Yuki's curiosity was immediately piqued. "Huh? The moon? What are you testing?"
Masachika paused, then smirked. "Actually... You know what? Yuki, Ayano—how about you two come with me?"
"Hm? Why?" Ayano tilted her head.
""Just 'cause. So, are you in?" Masachika asked.
"Well... I don't know…" Yuki hesitated, uncertainty flickering across her face. But after a few moments, her expression brightened, and she grinned.
"But since we're going to the Moon—then I'm in!"
Her enthusiasm was contagious, her energy practically radiating as she pumped her fist in excitement. This might be her chance to finally go to the Moon. Well, technically, she could go anytime—Ayano possessed the Authority of Void, allowing her to teleport anywhere at will.
"And you, Ayano? Want to come with us?" Masachika asked, turning to her.
Ayano gave a small nod. "If that's what you want, Masachika-sama, then I'll go."
"Good. Then let's get going," he said with a satisfied smile.
"Have a safe trip, everyone," Belfast called out as she watched them.
In the next instant, the three of them vanished from their spot, teleporting straight to the moon.
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On the surface of the moon, Masachika, Yuki, and Ayano suddenly appeared, their feet touching the barren, gray terrain. As they lifted their heads, their eyes widened in awe.
For the first time in their lives, they gazed upon Earth from afar—its brilliant blue and green hues glowing against the vast darkness of space. The sight was breathtaking, almost unreal.
Without thinking, all three of them muttered in unison, their voices barely above a whisper.
"Beautiful…"
For a long moment, the three of them stood there, captivated by the sight of Earth glowing in the vastness of space.
Masachika was the first to snap out of it. "Oi, snap out of it already."
His words jolted Yuki and Ayano from their trance.
"Ah, sorry. It's just... this is our first time seeing something like that," Yuki admitted, still mesmerized by Earth's beauty.
"Un, it's absolutely breathtaking," Ayano added, her gaze lingering on the planet.
Masachika chuckled. "I see… Well, if you two want to keep staring, go ahead."
As they admired the view, a thought crossed his mind—this place was perfect. A hidden, untouched world. The moon would make an excellent base, one that no one could find.
With that decision, Masachika activated his Authority of Truth, summoning a swarm of nanobots to begin construction. How did he know how to create them? Simple. When he analyzed the artificial material Soulium, he also absorbed knowledge about nanotechnology. Now, he put that information to use, effortlessly crafting an army of nanobots to build his base while he sat back and relaxed.
As for the material for the Base of course it Soulium.
As he watched the construction unfold, another thought struck him—someone he had unintentionally neglected.
Masachika reconnected the Stigmata Space to the outside world.
But as soon as he did, he was met with nothing.
(…)
Just pure silence.
(Musashi?)
(…)
No response.
A pang of guilt settled in his chest. He had cut the connection so abruptly—it was only natural if she was upset.
(Sigh… Look, I'm sorry, Musashi.)
(…)
Still, nothing.
Masachika exhaled, rubbing his temples. It seemed she wasn't ready to talk yet. For now, he decided to give her space. That is until he heard.
(…get inside…)
(Musashi?)
(just get inside the damn Stigmata Space!)
(whoa, alright.)
Masachika said as he was surprise to see this. and get into the Stigmata Space.
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When Masachika entered the Stigmata Space, he immediately noticed that something was off.
Musashi wasn't wearing her usual laid-back, carefree expression. The confident, easygoing demeanor that she always carried seemed to have evaporated. Instead, she stood there, silent, her arms crossed, and her gaze distant, as if lost in her thoughts. Her ears twitched lightly, and her nine tails swayed with an elegant fluidity, each movement adding a touch of grace to her otherwise still form.
There was an unusual weight in the air—one that made Masachika hesitate for a moment. He had expected some kind of reaction, maybe a snarky remark or even a lecture, but the sheer quietness was unsettling.
"…Musashi?" he called out carefully.
She didn't respond immediately. Instead, she exhaled softly, finally shifting her eyes toward him.
"You really took your time reconnecting," she muttered, her voice lacking its usual playful lilt.
Masachika felt the guilt creep in again. He scratched the back of his head awkwardly. "Yeah… I guess I did."
Musashi sighed, shaking her head. "Do you even realize how long it's been? for you it might be short, but for me it's long."
Her tone wasn't angry, but there was an undeniable edge to it. It was rare—almost unheard of—for her to be like this.
Masachika felt a lump in his throat. He had been so caught up in everything outside that he hadn't considered how his sudden disconnect had affected her.
"I—" he started, but the words didn't come out right.
Musashi simply looked at him, waiting.
Masachika quickly realized that letting this tension linger any longer wouldn't do either of them any good. He had messed up, and he knew it.
So, without hesitation, he took a deep breath, got down on his hands and knees, and performed a full dogeza.
"I'm sorry."
Musashi, who had been watching him in silence, remained still. Her expression unreadable.
Masachika didn't lift his head. "I know what I did wasn't cool. Cutting you off like that… I should have at least said something. I wasn't thinking about how it would affect you." His voice was steady, but the weight of guilt was clear.
He pressed his forehead to the ground, his posture unwavering. "So from the bottom of my heart, I'm truly sorry."
Masachika wasn't someone who ran from his mistakes. If he had done something wrong—something that had hurt someone—then he would face it head-on.
Even if it meant lowering himself like this.
Still, the silence stretched between them.
Musashi stared at him, her gaze unreadable. The silence between them stretched on, heavy with unspoken words.
Finally, she sighed.
"Sigh… You can get up now."
Masachika slowly lifted his head, his eyes searching her face. Yet, even now, her expression remained difficult to read.
"You didn't need to apologize," Musashi continued, her voice quieter than usual. "The one who should be apologizing is me."
She lowered her head slightly, her ears and nine tails drooping along with her. "I was the one who pushed you to the edge, even when you already had so much going on. I should have realized that sooner. So… I'm sorry, Masachika."
Masachika blinked, surprised by her words. He had expected stubbornness or maybe even deflection—but not this.
He exhaled. "Then why did you call me here?"
"W-Well…"
Musashi lifted her head slightly and turned to the side, avoiding his gaze.
For the first time, she looked hesitant.
Her fingers fidgeted slightly in her lap, and even her ears and tails twitched nervously, betraying her emotions.
It was a rare sight—one that made Masachika even more curious about what she was about to say.
Masachika, seeing this side of Musashi for the first time, couldn't help but smile faintly.
"If you're too embarrassed to say it… then you don't have to."
His voice was gentle, carrying no teasing, just quiet understanding.
"A-Ah… alright. Thanks, Masachika."
Musashi's voice wavered slightly, and a faint blush dusted her cheeks. Realizing this, she quickly averted her gaze and cleared her throat, shifting the topic before the atmosphere became too awkward.
"S-So, uh… what are you doing now?"
The tense air from earlier had completely disappeared, replaced by a more casual tone.
Masachika chuckled at her sudden change of subject but played along.
"Ah, well… right now, I'm on the moon."
Musashi blinked in surprise. "The moon?"
"Yeah."
A short pause. Then, after a brief moment of contemplation, she smirked. "I see. So, you're planning to make the moon your base now, huh?"
Masachika nodded. "Yep. Since I'm the Herrscher of Finality, it only makes sense, right? The moon has always been an important place for someone like me."
Musashi tilted her head slightly. "Ah… because of Kiana, right? When she became the Goddess of Earth, she also made the moon her domain."
"Exactly." Masachika folded his arms. "If history repeats itself, then I suppose I should embrace the role properly."
Musashi leaned back, staring into the distance. "Heh… it's kinda poetic, don't you think? The moon, always watching over the Earth. And now, you're doing the same."
Masachika smiled slightly at her words. "Yeah… I guess it is."
For a moment, the two simply sat in comfortable silence, both lost in their own thoughts.
"Well, that's about it, right?"
"Yeah, that's pretty much everything."
"Alright then. I'll be heading out now," Masachika said as he prepared to leave.
Without waiting for a response, he vanished from the Stigmata Space in an instant.
Musashi watched as the space where he once stood turned empty. The silence that followed felt oddly heavy.
She let out a small sigh, her ears twitching slightly as she leaned back. Even though it hadn't been a long conversation, now that he was gone, she couldn't ignore the faint feeling of loneliness creeping in.
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When Masachika opened his eyes, he saw that his base was still under construction. The nanobots continued their silent work, steadily assembling the structure.
Turning his gaze, he noticed that Yuki and Ayano were still mesmerized by the sight of Earth, their eyes reflecting the planet's distant glow.
Masachika let out a small chuckle before deciding to test something.
With a steady breath, he extended his hand and summoned his Heart Tool.
"By my heart's will, strike true and pierce fate. Empower those bound to me, and return what is lost. Through all barriers, I command your might—Γουνγνίρ!"
At his command, Γουνγνίρ materialized in his grasp, its divine presence radiating power.
The moment the spear fully formed, he pulled out his phone and started a timer.
During his battle with Poseidon, he hadn't kept track of how long he could wield it. This time, he wanted to measure its duration—and, more importantly, see if he could summon it again after using it once.
As he examined the spear more closely, he couldn't help but admire its intricate details.
"…Man," he murmured to himself, turning it slightly in his grip. "I never really got a good look at it before, but this thing is incredible."
The craftsmanship, the way it shimmered with the Golden Glow—every inch of it felt like a weapon worthy of legends.
"Brother! What is that you're holding right now?"
Yuki called out as she approached, her eyes fixed on the object in Masachika's hands. Ayano followed closely behind her, curiosity written all over her face.
"Hm? Ah, this?" Masachika responded, glancing at the spear-like object in his grasp. He then pointed at it with a small smirk. "This is my Heart Tool."
"Heart Tool?" Yuki tilted her head, intrigued. "Is it some kind of ability that draws power from one's heart?"
Masachika blinked in surprise, a bead of sweat forming on his forehead. He hadn't expected her to guess so accurately.
"Yeah, that's… pretty much right," he admitted. "This is my Heart Tool—Γουνγνίρ."
Yuki's eyes widened slightly. "Γουνγνίρ? You mean Gungnir?"
"Yes, that's right," Masachika confirmed with a nod.
"Hee~, that's cool." Yuki hummed, impressed. However, before she could ask more about it, her gaze shifted past Masachika, and something behind him caught her attention. Her brows furrowed.
"Brother, what's that?" she asked, pointing towards a structure being assembled behind him.
Ayano, who had remained silent until now, followed Yuki's gaze and nodded in agreement.
"Yeah… what is that?"
"Oh, that?" Masachika glanced back at the intricate mechanical framework forming behind him. "That's the Nanobot I created."
"Eh? Nanobot?!" Yuki's voice shot up an octave as she stared at him in disbelief. "Wait, you mean you actually created nanotechnology?!"
Ayano's expression mirrored Yuki's shock.
Nanotechnology was something so advanced—so futuristic—that even in this era, its development was considered impossible. The current world lacked the means, the technology, and the knowledge to even attempt such a thing. And yet, Masachika had casually stated that he had created it.
"You're kidding, right?" Yuki muttered, still trying to process what she had just heard.
Masachika simply smiled. "Nope. It's real."
"H-How…?" Yuki stammered, still struggling to process what she had just heard.
"Well, here."
Masachika casually held out a small metallic block, no bigger than the palm of her hand. Yuki hesitated for a moment before taking it from him.
"What is this?" she asked, turning it over in her fingers. It was unnervingly light—almost weightless. At first, she thought it was due to the moon's lower gravity, but something told her there was more to it than that.
"That," Masachika said with a hint of pride in his voice, "is a man-made metal called Soulium. It was created using nanotechnology."
"Eh?! This was made using nanotech?!" Yuki exclaimed, her eyes widening in disbelief.
"Yep," Masachika confirmed with a smirk. "So, if you want to understand how Nanotech works and even create it yourself, then analyze that—using the Authority of Truth."
Masachika said this with a calm smile, watching as Yuki turned her gaze toward the block of Soulium in her hand. Taking a deep breath, she activated the Authority of Truth to analyze it.
The moment she did, an overwhelming surge of information flooded her mind. She saw the fundamental structure of Soulium—the intricate composition of its molecular framework and the advanced nanotechnology used to create it. Every detail, from the forging process to the precise manipulation of matter at a microscopic level, became clear to her in an instant.
But that wasn't all.
As the data continued to pour in, Yuki's eyes widened in shock. This metal… it wasn't just some advanced alloy—it had an extraordinary property. Soulium could absorb Honkai Energy.
The implications hit her like a tidal wave. By absorbing Honkai Energy, the metal became exponentially stronger and more durable, reinforcing its structure beyond anything previously known. This wasn't just an advanced material—it was the strongest metal in the world.
Slowly, she lowered the block, her fingers trembling slightly as she tried to process the sheer magnitude of what she had just learned.
Her hands trembled as she processed the overwhelming amount of data.
"This… this is insane…" she whispered.
Ayano, who had been watching quietly, noticed the sudden shift in Yuki's expression. Concerned, she leaned closer. "Yuki…-sama? Are you okay?"
Yuki slowly lifted her gaze, her face a mixture of awe and disbelief as her eyes locked onto Masachika. She spoke in a near-whisper, as if trying to make sense of the situation. "This metal… this technology… it shouldn't even exist yet," she murmured, her voice filled with both wonder and confusion. "Brother, how did you get this kind of metal?"
Masachika's expression softened as he began to explain. He recounted the events that had led to this moment: how he had asked Belfast to create a weapon tailored specifically for him. What resulted was the White Spear Abyss Flower—an astonishing creation in its own right. But what truly left him speechless was the revelation he made during his analysis. He had discovered that, through the use of advanced nanotechnology, Belfast had crafted an entirely new type of metal, one that defied all existing knowledge.
The discovery of this material, which he later named Soulium, had shocked Masachika. The implications of such a metal were far-reaching, and yet, its very existence felt almost impossible.
"So that's how I was able to make Soulium," Masachika concluded, his voice steady as he finished his explanation.
Yuki blinked, processing the information. "I see... but damn, I didn't think Belfast was capable of something like this."
"Y-yeah," Ayano added, still trying to wrap her head around the revelation.
Both Yuki and Ayano were left momentarily stunned by what Masachika had just shared. The story sounded almost too extraordinary to be true, but what they didn't know was that it was all a fabrication—a carefully crafted lie Masachika had concocted for situations like this, when someone inevitably asked about the origins of Soulium.
"Sigh... After analyzing this, I'm now able to create Soulium, just like this one. Even the nanobots, like the ones working on the base," Yuki remarked, her gaze fixed on the almost completed structure.
"True," Masachika agreed. "But let's stop talking about that and—"
Before he could finish his sentence, Γουνγνίρ began to glow. The light intensified rapidly, and before anyone could react, the spear disintegrated into glowing particles of energy. The shimmering fragments floated in midair for a brief moment before they were drawn back into Masachika's chest, where they vanished completely.
Masachika, who had been watching the spectacle, glanced at the timer on his phone. "I see... so it's 15 minutes, huh," he murmured under his breath, making a mental note of how long he could maintain his Heart Tool.
He took a deep breath and recited the chant, his voice steady:
"By my heart's will, strike true and pierce fate. Empower those bound to me, and return what is lost. Through all barriers, I command your might—Γουνγνίρ!"
But as soon as he finished the incantation, nothing happened. A heavy silence fell over the group. Masachika's brow furrowed as he realized the truth: he could only use the Heart Tool once a day. The restrictions of its power were more limiting than he'd hoped.
Masachika thought it was natural that his Heart Tool had such a restriction. After all, he had only just awakened it. The key now was to increase its proficiency by using it once a day until he reached its limit. Without that restriction, though, the Heart Tool might as well be broken—it was that powerful.
"Brother, was that a chant to summon your Heart Tool?" Yuki asked, her curiosity piqued.
"Ah, yes. That's right," Masachika responded, a slight blush creeping onto his face. "It's a bit embarrassing, but it's cool, don't you think?"
"True enough," Yuki replied with a smirk before her gaze shifted to the desolate surface of the moon. "Well, since I'm here, I'll be training how to use my Authority of Truth. I can go all out here, right?"
"Yes, here you can. You can unleash the full might of the Herrscher of Truth without any consequences," Masachika confirmed. "Just... don't use nuclear weapons, as NASA is monitoring the moon with GRAIL-A, Artemis, and the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter—LRO for short."
"Got it," Yuki said, nodding as she crouched slightly, preparing to leap. "I'll be careful. Now, come on, Ayano. Let's get started on the training."
Yuki pushed off the ground and soared into the low gravity of the moon, her figure soaring higher than expected.
"Right behind you, Yuki-sama," Ayano called, following suit as the two began their training in the use of the Authority of Void.
Seeing that his base was still under construction, Masachika took out the True Dragon Essence he had obtained. It was contained within a vial of shimmering blood, radiating an ethereal glow that seemed to beckon him to drink it.
However, he held himself back and instead activated his Authority of Truth. As soon as he did, information about the True Dragon Essence flooded his mind. Yet, one detail left him feeling disappointed.
"Tch… I still can't identify this ??? part. And worse, I can't even recreate it,"
he muttered, frustration evident in his voice.
Just then, Musashi appeared beside him, arms crossed as she observed his reaction.
"Well, what did you expect? If you could just recreate it, you'd probably hand it over to Yuki and Ayano, giving them more power they were never meant to have in the first place."
Masachika let out a small chuckle.
"Of course I would. I've never been the type to hoard treasures for myself. If I have something worth sharing, then I might as well share it. You know what they say—sharing is caring."
"Sigh Whatever. So, are you going to drink it?" Musashi asked, arms crossed.
"At first, no. But now I've just come up with another idea. on how reproduce it without using a Auhtority of Truth."
Hearing that, Musashi quickly pieced together what he was planning.
"Ahhh… I see where you're going with this."
"Right. Now then, let's get to it."
Masachika popped the lid off the vial and brought it to his lips. As the thick, shimmering liquid slid down his throat, the distinct metallic tang of iron coated his tongue. He ignored the taste and continued drinking until not a single drop remained.
"Phew. Tastes like iron," he remarked, wiping his mouth.
Musashi deadpanned. "Well, no shit, Sherlock. It's blood."
He waited for a few moments, but nothing happened.
"Nothing's happening."
Masachika muttered, his voice tinged with confusion. Musashi raised an eyebrow, equally perplexed.
"Yeah, nothing's happening..."
Just as he was about to speak again, a sudden wave of drowsiness hit him like a goddamn tsunami. It overwhelmed him so quickly that he collapsed to the ground. Musashi cried out in panic.
"Masachika! Are you—" Musashi's words were cut short as she was suddenly pulled back into the Stigmata Space, becoming trapped there for the time being. As for Masachika, The wave of exhaustion was so intense, it felt like he was about to lose consciousness. His body screamed for rest, but he fought to stay awake just long enough to give his command.
"Belfast."
At his call, Belfast materialized beside him. Her gaze immediately shifted to Masachika, noting the drastic change in him.
"Masachika-sama, is there anything you need before you fall asleep?"
Belfast asked, knowing full well that Masachika was about to enter a hibernation-like state.
"How long... will I be... asleep...?" Masachika struggled to speak, his words coming out in fragmented bursts as he fought to stay conscious.
Belfast quickly estimated the duration.
"About 12 hours, Masachika-sama."
Masachika nodded weakly.
"I see... then... I'll leave... the rest..."
Before he could finish his sentence, he slumped forward, but Belfast gently caught him, her voice soft but firm.
"Rest now, Masachika-sama."
With that, Masachika began his evolution. Belfast gently lowered him to the ground, then stepped back, understanding that the true transformation was about to begin.
As she moved away, a white carapace began to form around him, slowly enveloping his body. The shimmering layers of energy hardened and solidified, creating a protective cocoon that would shield him through the process.
================================
<
"Phew, that was a job well done, if I do say so myself,"
I muttered to myself, stepping back as I finished upgrading the Armament and Battlesuits I had created yesterday. I infused the strongest manmade metal, Soulium, into them, making them even stronger than before. The results were amazing, and I couldn't help but wonder just how much they could withstand.
But there was something else I needed to think about right now.
"Authority of Truth..."
The words slipped from my lips as I tried to focus on the ability I had been granted. I knew it had the power to create anything, so long as I could imagine it. That much was clear. But I couldn't shake the lingering question—could I create a concept with it? A truly abstract force, or even an idea that transcended tangible forms?
But more than that, I needed to understand the Authority of Truth itself. Was it merely the power to fabricate anything from my imagination? Or was there more to it? Was it some sort of higher-level ability that allowed me to see the very fabric of truth in the universe—the truth of everything—like an all-knowing force that shaped reality itself? The more I pondered, the less I seemed to understand.
As these thoughts swirled in my mind, another memory surfaced—the Authority of Void that Ayano wielded, and the Authority of Finality that my brother controlled. Both were abilities shrouded in mystery, despite their seemingly straightforward names. Void, Finality… their meanings were clear on the surface, but the depth of their powers remained elusive. What could they truly do?
I had seen Ayano use her Authority, but the full extent of it was still unclear. And as for my brother's Finality... it carried a weight that felt almost too heavy to comprehend. There was something inherently ambiguous about their powers, something that kept me from fully grasping their limits.
I kept pondering the Authorities that my brother, Ayano, and I possessed. The more I thought about them, the more questions surfaced. It felt like the deeper I dug into the nature of our powers, the more elusive and ambiguous they became. The very concepts behind the Authority of Void, the Authority of Finality, and my own were so complex that my mind struggled to even comprehend their full extent.
But one question kept gnawing at me, lingering in the back of my mind no matter how hard I tried to push it away. I wanted to ask him—I needed to—but every time, something got in the way. Either I was too busy, or he was too exhausted to talk.
'How did brother even acquire his power in the first place?'
I knew he was hiding something. It was painfully obvious.
As I ruminated on this, I suddenly heard Ayano's voice break through my thoughts.
"Yuki-sama, is there something wrong?"
I blinked, momentarily lost in the haze of my mind, before replying.
"Ah, no. I was just thinking about our Authorities... like the Authority of Void."
Ayano was quiet for a moment, as if processing my words.
"I see."
I couldn't shake the curiosity that had been gnawing at me.
"Ayano, have you fully grasped what your Authority truly does?"
Her voice was tinged with uncertainty when she answered.
"No, Yuki-sama. I haven't. It just becomes more confusing the deeper I go into understanding it."
I let out a heavy sigh, realizing that I wasn't alone in this struggle.
"I see..."
We both fell into a quiet silence, each of us lost in thought, trying to make sense of the nature of our powers. The uncertainty of it all hung in the air, thick and suffocating.
Then, Ayano spoke up again, her voice softer this time, almost hesitant.
"Yuki-sama..."
"What is it, Ayano?"
She hesitated before speaking, and when she did, her words caught me off guard.
"I know it's late to ask this, but... is Masachika-sama hiding something from us?"
At that, I raised an eyebrow in surprise. It was exactly what I had been thinking just moments ago. How strange...
"Why do you think something like that?"
Ayano looked down, fidgeting with her hands, her voice shaky.
"W-well, it's because... Masachika-sama has been acting very strange ever since he became the Herrscher of Finality."
Her words hung in the air, and I took a moment to process them. I had noticed it too, the shift in his behavior after gaining that power. There was something off about it, something he wasn't telling us.
"I see..."
I murmured, my mind once again racing with questions. Why was he keeping secrets? And what was the true nature of his transformation? There was so much we still didn't understand.
"Sigh... I guess we can only ask Brother if he's hiding something. Since we're here, how about we ask him directly? What do you think, Ayano?"
Ayano nodded immediately.
"Yes, Yuki-sama."
"Good. Let's go see where he is."
With that, the two of us set off toward Masachika's location. When we arrived, I was immediately struck by the sight before me—Belfast was standing beside a massive white cocoon.
"Belfast, what are you doing here?" I asked, my voice laced with concern.
She looked up at me calmly and replied,
"I'm here to protect Masachika-sama."
"Protect?" I echoed, my eyes flickering to the cocoon next to her. As I looked at it more closely, the pieces began to fall into place.
"Wait... is that Brother?! What happened to him?!" I demanded, panic creeping into my voice. My mind raced as I tried to comprehend what could have led to such a drastic change. What could have caused him to end up like this?
Belfast's expression softened, and she spoke with a quiet assurance.
"Don't worry, Yuki-sama. Right now, he's undergoing an evolution after drinking something."
Her words didn't quite ease the storm of questions swirling in my head. There was something about her answer that didn't sit right with me. It was too vague, too careful. I could sense that she was withholding something—something crucial that had led to my brother's transformation.
It was painfully obvious. She was hiding something, and I had a sinking feeling that whatever it was, it had something to do with the very nature of Masachika's evolution. But for now, all I could do was stand there, trying to process everything as best I could. The truth—whatever it was—was just out of reach.
I had expected Belfast to avoid the question or brush it off, but to my surprise, it seemed as though she had anticipated this conversation.
"I see... So you suspect that something must have happened for Masachika-sama to start acting differently, correct?"
Her words sent a chill down my spine.
"Y-yes, that's right. So can you tell us what it is?"
Belfast fell silent for a few moments, her expression unreadable. It was clear she was carefully choosing her next words. The air between us grew thick with tension until she finally spoke.
"I cannot tell you unless Masachika-sama orders me to. However, if you truly want answers, then I suggest you be upfront with him and ask him yourselves."
Her response was firm yet gentle. There was no room for argument.
I let out a small sigh, frustration creeping in.
"I see... Then the only thing we can do is wait, right?"
"Yes," Belfast nodded, her voice steady. "But let me reassure you, Yuki-sama, Ayano-san... whatever Masachika-sama is hiding, he is still the same Masachika-sama you know."
Her words were meant to be comforting, but they only left me feeling more unsettled. What was Brother keeping from us? And why did it feel like we were on the verge of learning something we weren't meant to know?
For now, we had no choice but to wait.
"Yuki-sama, Ayano-san, while you wait for him to finish, why don't you both get some rest?" Belfast suggested gently.
The moment she said that, an overwhelming wave of drowsiness washed over us.
"U-un, alright… Please wake us when he's done evolving, Belfast," I murmured, struggling to keep my eyes open.
"As you wish," she replied with a slight bow.
With a flick of my hand, I created a pair of beds for Ayano and me. This would be our first time sleeping on the Moon—an unusual experience, to say the least.
As soon as we lay down, exhaustion from the day's events caught up with us, and before we knew it, our eyes drifted shut, pulling us into much-needed rest.
<<12 Hours Later>>
"Yu... sama... ke... up."
A faint voice reached my ears, pulling me from the depths of sleep.
"Yuki-sama… Wake up…"
My eyes fluttered open, and the first thing I saw was the Earth looming above me—a breathtaking yet surreal sight. It took me a moment to remember that I was still on the Moon.
As I fully awakened, I noticed Ayano was already up, standing nearby. Belfast remained at her post, watching over the large Cocoon that encased my brother.
"*Yawn*… Ayano, Belfast… is it almost time?" I asked groggily, stretching as I sat up.
"Yes, it's almost time, Yuki-sama," Belfast confirmed with a calm nod.
"I see."
I got to my feet, shaking off the remnants of sleep. My gaze fell upon the Cocoon, and I noticed something—small cracks had begun to form along its surface.
Then, as if responding to our anticipation, the Cocoon began to break apart, shedding its layers one by one. And there, emerging from within, stood Masachika—revealed at last.
When I see him, I immediately notice he's changed. His once-white hair has turned a striking platinum silver, shimmering under the light. Then, as he opens his eyes, they reveal a polished amber hue that catches the light in a way I can't quite explain.
"Ughhh... Ahhh, feels like I've been asleep for twenty hours," he groans, stretching his arms up into the air.
"Correction, Masachika-sama," comes a voice. "You've only been asleep for twelve hours."
"Oh, right. My bad," he says, rubbing the back of his head with an awkward smile.
He finally notices the two of us.
"Oh, Yuki, Ayano. You're still here? Did you two not go home?"
"Brother—no, Masachika,"
I correct myself, watching as he flinches slightly. I'd called him "Brother" before, but now I used his name, and it felt... different.
"Can you tell us what you're hiding? The fact that you're acting so differently means something must have happened, right? If so, then tell us what it is."
I ask, my voice steady but firm, trying to hold his gaze. When he sees my expression, it's clear he already knew this moment would come—he just didn't expect it to happen so soon.
"Sigh... I knew this day would come, but I didn't think it would be this fast," Masachika says, his voice heavy with a tired sigh. He glances between me and Ayano before continuing, "So, what is it that you want to ask?"
I take a breath, trying to steady myself. "What we want to know is—what's happened to you? Why have you changed so drastically?"
"Ah, that." Masachika leans back slightly, as if preparing to say something difficult. "Well, since you, Yuki, have read your fair share of manga and fanfic, I guess you'll understand what I'm about to tell you."
"Understand?" I tilt my head to the side, confused. Ayano does the same, mirroring my confusion.
"Yep," he says, giving a small, wry smile. "Long story short... I've recovered my memories from my past life. That's it."