Chapter 35: Umu!

<1:27-PM indonesia: kendari> In the late hours of the night, after a grueling day at work, Slamet made his way back home through the quiet city streets. Fatigue clung to his weary frame, a heavy burden that weighed him down with each step. Thoughts of relaxation and the comfort of his bed occupied his mind as he trudged along. Lost in his weariness, Slamet's gaze absentmindedly drifted upwards toward the night sky. The moon, a radiant presence amidst the dark expanse, caught his attention. Its serene glow provided a fleeting respite from the chaos of the urban landscape. For a moment, he allowed himself to be captivated by the simple beauty of the celestial body. However, amidst his contemplation, an unexpected sight unfolded before his eyes. A streak of light, dazzling and swift, tore through the sky with unimaginable speed. Slamet blinked, thinking his fatigued mind was playing tricks on him. But then, BOOM! A thunderous explosion shattered the silence, causing car alarms to blare and awakening the sleeping city in a cacophony. Startled, Slamet's heart skipped a beat as the ground beneath him seemed to tremble in response to the shockwave. He looked around, witnessing a collective panic ripple through the once-tranquil streets. Curtains were hastily drawn, windows flung open, and disoriented faces peered out into the night, searching for answers and reassurance. "Bangsat?!" (...) "We made it!" a cheerful, girlish voice exclaimed, resonating through Shido's ears as they finally arrived in Antarctica. The frigid air enveloped them, a chilly embrace that welcomed their presence. "Yeah... I never thought I'd set foot here, let alone travel all the way here flying." Shido's gaze swept across the frozen expanse, his eyes widened in awe at the majestic beauty that unfolded before him. The vast landscape stretched as far as the eye could see, a breathtaking tapestry of glistening ice and pristine snow. The vast landscape stretched as far as the eye could see, a breathtaking tapestry of glistening ice and pristine snow. "Antarctica huh...," he murmured, his voice filled with wonder. "I had imagined it to be colder than that..." "It's 33 degrees Celsius below zero (-27.4°F), Shido," Hikaru explained, "The mana surrounding your body acts as a shield, protecting you from the biting cold." "Ah, that makes sense," he nodded, raising his hands and observing the faint glow emanating from his palms. Hikaru smiled, her expression gleaming with pride. "But that's not all. The mana within you can be utilized to enhance your physical abilities. By manipulating and directing it to your muscles and blood vessels, you can enchant your body's physical stats—strength, speed, agility—and more" Shido raised an intrigued eyebrow. "So, that's how those girls from AST were strong, even though they appeared physically frail?" "Bingo! You've got it, Shido. And the best part" Hikaru's expression brightened. "you possess the mana of not just one, but six powerful spirits. Each spirit possesses more mana than the greatest mages in human history. The potential for strength and power within you is immeasurable." "I see... Good to know," Shido replied, his head drooping slightly. "...Shido? Why do you look disappointed and sad all of a sudden?" Shifting his gaze towards her, Shido let out a sigh. "I've got all this power, but I never really thought about how to control it. If I did, so many bad things could've been avoided. I hate feeling weak, and it sucks knowing I had the power to be stronger but didn't do anything with it..." "...You know," Hikaru leaned in closer to Shido, kneeling to meet his gaze, "I've always wondered why you kept blaming yourself for everything, even when it's not your fault. Maybe it stems from something in your past or just a part of who you are... But Shido," her face brightened with a warm smile, "the past is in the past. Blaming yourself won't change a thing because the future doesn't care, and neither does anyone else. That's why you need to learn from it, seize this opportunity, and move forward. Many others never had the opportunity you have now." "..." Time seemed to stand still for a fleeting moment as they locked eyes, After a brief pause, a soft chuckle escaped Shido's lips. "Inverse or not, Hikaru remains Hikaru," he mused, his hand gently patting her head, the once furrowed brow now transformed into a radiant smile. "I'm glad to see you smile again," "Yeah, sorry for the unnecessary drama... Anyway, did you bring me here to teach me how to control this ?" Shido asked "Umu! That is correct, Shido," Hikaru declared, her demeanor growing resolute as she straightened her posture and pointed a finger toward him. "I shall transform you from someone who receives his ass-kicking to someone who kicks the other ass," she said with a prideful smile. "Does that include yours too?" "Huh?" "i said, how do you plan to do it? I don't think it's going to be that easy... right?" Shido clarified "he~ he~ he~, glad you asked, i know exactly the perfect method for that" A mischievous giggle escaped her lips. Shido, bewildered by her cryptic words, found himself grappling with confusion, he tried to ask what is it, however, "...!" In the blink of an eye, her countenance underwent a drastic metamorphosis. The warmth of her smile dissolved, replaced by a steely seriousness that sent a chill down his spine. Her eyes sharpened, gleaming with an intensity that resonated with an unsettling desire for blood. A surge of anticipation washed over Shido, causing the hair on his entire body to stand on end, an instinctive response to the imminent danger emanating from her being. Shido attempted to voice his concern, to inquire about the sudden change that had taken hold of her. But before the words could escape his lips, he found himself face to face with her, mere centimeters apart. Her hand clenched into a tight fist. "Shit!" Thankfully, the mana that still enveloped his body, enhanced his speed and reflexes, allowing him to react just in time. With a swift motion, he took to the air, narrowly evading the impending strike. Her fist collided with the icy ground beneath her, causing a cataclysmic explosion. The ground shattered beneath her formidable blow, splitting the very cliff they had been standing upon into two. As the dust settled and the fragments of the shattered ground settled around them, Shido's gaze locked onto the figure before him, Beads of perspiration began to bead upon his brow. "did I seal her power?" The girl's gaze shifted toward him, there was no change on her face, still sharp and deadly as it was. "I understand...if that is what it needs to make me better, let's do—!" Shido's words faltered, his resolve interrupted as Hikaru vanished from his sight. "You talk too much..." Her words sliced through the air like a frigid gust. She was already behind him. With a swift movement, she extended her leg to the side, poised for a powerful kick-side. Time seemed to slow down as Shido's instincts kicked into high gear. He knew there was no time to evade the imminent attack. He raised his arm in a desperate attempt to defend himself. However The impact was shattering. The sheer power behind it caused his arm to snap like a brittle twig. "UGH!.." He gritted his teeth, the strain etched upon his face as he fought against the excruciating torment. The impact launched him into the frigid air, his body hurtling through the vast expanse of Antarctica like a lone comet. Every muscle in his body screamed in protest as the G-forces threatened to tear him apart. The icy mountains of Antarctica loomed before him, their jagged peaks a formidable obstacle in his path. With a thunderous impact, Shido crashed into one of the mountains, a clash of flesh against unyielding ice and rock. The collision reverberated through the air. The mountain trembled under the force of the impact. A cloud of snow and ice erupted into the sky, billowing like a tempestuous storm, as Shido's body imprinted itself upon the unforgiving terrain. "Huff...huff...huff," He lay there, his chest heaving as he fought to catch his breath. The searing pain of his injuries was gradually being enveloped by a brilliant blue flame. "she kicks like a girl..." he muttered through clenched teeth, a wry smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. "..." he shifted his eyes toward the spot where he had been sent flying. There was no trace of her. Rising against the throbbing ache, he forced himself to stand, his broken arm held tightly against his side. He lifted his head once more to see if she come, and she did. Standing suspended in mid-air before him, an ethereal presence cloaked in serene calmness. "I'll give you five seconds to choose which angel to wield," she spoke with unwavering composure. "Sandalphon and Zarpial are your best options, their strengths harmonizing with the nature surrounding us." Five. "I see..." He pondered her words, the flicker of a smile playing upon his lips. Four. "Those are indeed good choices, but..." Three. "...I prefer to fight fire with fire..." Two. The blue flames that once engulfed his injuries extinguished alongside the wounds, and he slowly raised his hand toward the sky. One. "Ohr—" ZERO (...) <45min ago-Philippine Sea> On board the USA battleship (Zumwalt-class destroyer) in the Western Pacific Ocean east of the Philippine archipelago The tension in the air was palpable. Officers rushed back and forth, exchanging hushed conversations, while the commanding officer stood firm, his gaze fixed on the radar screen. Commander Thompson: "What the hell is that? It's moving at an incredible speed!" Lieutenant Johnson: "Sir, it's not a civilian aircraft. It appears to be on a direct course for Antarctica." Commander Thompson: "Alert the higher-ups. We can't take any chances. If it's an enemy weapon, we need to know." As the information reached the higher echelons of the US government, a sense of urgency took hold. General Anderson: "This could be a major threat, gentlemen. We can't afford to ignore it. Follow that trajectory and get eyes on the situation." Secretary of Defense: "What do we know about the origin of this object?" Intelligence Officer: "Sir, initial analysis suggests it's not a conventional weapon. Its speed and trajectory defy known capabilities. It's unlike anything we've seen before." Secretary of State: "Have we ruled out any state-sponsored involvement?" CIA Director: "We've been monitoring North Korea and Russia closely, but there's no evidence linking them to this anomaly, at least not yet. We're continuing our investigations." National Security Advisor: "Regardless of its origin, this threat must be neutralized. We can't risk the potential consequences of unknown forces at work." President: "Gentlemen, we need to gather as much information as possible. Keep me updated every step of the way. Our priority is to safeguard our nation and global security. We'll assemble a team to investigate the situation in Antarctica. Prepare a detailed report on our options for dealing with this unprecedented event." The tension in the room was palpable as the government officials exchanged glances, fully aware of the magnitude of the situation at hand. The fate of nations hung in the balance, and they understood the importance of swift and decisive action. Secretary of Defense: "We'll mobilize our resources, including satellite surveillance and specialized teams. We need to determine the extent of the damage and assess the threat level accurately." Secretary of State: "We must also engage our international partners. Sharing information and collaborating with key allies will strengthen our response and help us unravel the mystery surrounding this devastation." National Security Advisor: "Agreed. We need a coordinated effort to gather intelligence, analyze data, and formulate a comprehensive strategy. We'll keep our eyes open for any potential links to other global security threats." CIA Director: "Our intelligence network is already on high alert. We'll explore every lead and deploy our best analysts to dig deeper into this situation. It's critical to understand the motive behind such an unprecedented attack." President: "I want daily briefings on the progress made in Antarctica. Let's ensure the safety of our personnel and equipment. We won't rest until we have answers and can take appropriate action to prevent any further escalation." In response, a team of reconnaissance submarines was dispatched to investigate the scene. As they delved deeper into the icy waters, their anticipation mingled with trepidation. What they discovered upon reaching Antarctica left them awestruck, as their onboard cameras captured the sheer magnitude of destruction that lay before them. The once-pristine landscape had been transformed into a desolate wasteland of chaos and ruin. "My God..." As the submarines glided through the murky waters, their powerful searchlights pierced the darkness, illuminating the scene. The ice and snow that had once blanketed the vast expanse Were now nowhere to be seen, replaced by a barren terrain scarred by devastation. Giant craters, like open wounds on the Earth's surface, dotted the landscape as far as the eye could see. The shattered remnants of icebergs floated aimlessly in the frigid waters, their jagged edges a testament to the relentless force that had shattered them. The remnants of once-mighty glaciers lay in disarray, their icy tongues broken and fractured. "Whoever is behind this is definitely planning to ignite another world war..." (...) "The twenty-fifth Tengu joint High School Tenou Festival is now open!" As this announcement from the planning committee chair blared over the speakers near the ceiling, each hall erupted in applause and cheers. Saturday, September 23, the day the high school students of the city had been eagerly awaiting, the start of the Tenou Festival. Halls numbered one and two near the main entrance were mostly filled with booths selling food and drinks, while halls numbered three and four farther back featured simple attractions such as haunted houses and a variety of informative exhibits. Shido was currently in Hall No. 2, at the food booth that was key to Raizen High School's potential victory. But despite being at this critical location, he was curiously pushing a hand against the ground, a dark aura radiating from his entire body. It wasn't because he spent over six hours fighting to stay alive against Hikaru... Or because he hadn't slept a wink the whole night... It was extremely simple. Shido slowly lifted his face and looked around. There were all kinds of booths in the area with a wide variety of offerings. Takoyaki, crepes, and the pleasingly crunchy fried meat patties called menchikatsu. But Shido and the rest of Raizen High School were following a much less straightforward strategy in their bid for ultimate victory. He turned his head and looked at the towering sign behind him. MAID CAFÉ RAIZEN After digesting the foreboding name, he slowly lowered his gaze once more. "Ooh! It's all fluttery!" Tohka giggled as she pulled at the hem of her frilly apron to make it flap. "Pfft! Keh-heh... Sh-Shido, the maiden look suits you surprisingly well." "Failure. I cannot suppress my laughter." He could see Kaguya and Yuzuru dressed in the same outfit as Tohka, snickers spilling out of them as they stared at him. He lowered his gaze even further and looked down at his costume. An outfit of the same design as Tohka and the Yamai sisters: an excessively frilly white apron worn over a long dress that was somewhere between navy and black. Crowning the ensemble was a headpiece that was also decorated with cute ruffles. It was the quintessential French maid outfit. "How...did this...?" The girl's uniform had been one thing, but Shido never dreamed the day would come when he would be forced to cosplay a maid. He felt like a significant part of his boy's heart had been sullied, and he slumped forward once more. "The king has arrived!" "..." A voice echoed through the entire café, and though he didn't turn to look, he knew exactly what had caused the commotion. "hem~hem~hem~" She descended the stairs, a confident smile on her face. Her hand moved in perfect rhythm with her steps, and her posture exuded regality. "Serve the king, adore the king, and kneel before the king," she proclaimed, dressed in a Medieval British gown. Dons a striking red dress adorned with intricate golden patterns and accents. The dress features a fitted bodice with a high collar and flared sleeves that cascade gracefully around her arms. A golden belt cinches her waist. Completing her ensemble is a flowing white cape, embroidered with golden motifs, that drapes gracefully behind her. "I'm pretty sure this isn't the attire for a maid cafe, Hikaru..." Shido sighed, fully expecting such a situation from her. "The king doesn't wear maid clothes, Shiori. The king simply enjoys observing others in them," she declared, placing both hands on her hips with a self-assured smirk. "Oh, it looks fantastic on you, Hikaru-san!" "With this, our chances of winning will skyrocket." "Not gross" Three new voices reached Shido's ears, and as he turned, he spotted Ai (maid version). Behind her, he could see Mai and Mii in the same costume. "Shiori, you look amazing too!" Ai gave him a thumbs-up. "Come on, the customers will be here soon. We need to be ready." Shido staggered to his feet. "Um, so... About this maid café..." "Yeah, I know. Pretty great, huh?" Ai smirked with self-satisfaction. "We decided this was the only way to beat Rindoji." "No, I mean... I can't believe you got permission for this..." Shido expressed his disbelief. With everything seemingly prepared, Ai was about to head to her designated spot when she was approached by Tohka. "It's a good thing your memories have improved," Tohka remarked. "Huh? What do you mean, Tohka?" "I mean, it seems like you've stopped forgetting about Hikaru." "When did I ever forget about her? How could I even do something so cruel?" Tohka tilted her head slightly, appearing somewhat confused. She was about to say more, but then. "Tohka, can you help me here for a second" Shido's voice called for her "Ah, never mind. We'll talk later. See you," Tohka waved as she left, leaving Ai standing there momentarily confused. After shaking her head to clear her thoughts, Ai proceeded to her designated position.