Volume 4—Chapter 115: Hollow
“That’s the last of them,” Amelia said, lowering her sword.
The courtyard had finally gone quiet. The last monster had vanished beneath one clean strike, dissolving before it could even reach the entrance of the gym.
Broken pavement, scattered debris, and claw marks across the walls were the only signs the fight had even happened.
“Are you sure?” I asked, still scanning the area.
Amelia closed one eye for a moment, as if listening to something only she could sense.
“From this school, at least,” she replied.
I let out a long breath.
So it was over for now.
“Sorry… I wasn’t able to help much,” Syena said quietly behind us.
She looked a little embarrassed, rubbing her arm as if unsure where to stand.
“You may not have helped in the fighting,” Amelia said, turning toward her, “but you did well guiding people to the safe area.”
She gave a small nod of approval.
Even during the chaos, she had stayed calm while leading students and staff down to the basement shelter.
Still…
“To think you’re not an esper,” I said. “That’s actually surprising.”
“I’m not an esper either, you know,” Amelia said casually.
“…Right?” I looked at her. “Care to explain that?”
Someone who wasn’t an esper shouldn’t be able to fight like that.
Her swordsmanship alone was overwhelming. Elegant movements, but with raw strength behind every swing. When I first saw it, I assumed she was a physical-type esper.
But then there was that green flash earlier.
My eyes narrowed slightly.
“Was it magic?” I asked.
“Not quite,” Amelia said, shaking her head. “I’m not really good with magic.”
I slowly looked her up and down. Really? With that outfit, not good with magic?
“Right…” I said flatly.
“I only dress like this because my sister does,” Amelia added.
“Your sister?” I asked.
“Yeah. She’s the one who’s actually good with magic.” Amelia smiled. “Oh, and she looks exactly like me too.”
So… twins.
For a moment, I pictured another version of her walking around somewhere, except actually casting spells.
Before I could ask more, Syena spoke up nervously.
“Um… is this really the right time to be having this conversation?”
The distant sound of another explosion somewhere in the city reminded us.
“…Right,” I said, straightening. “Syena, you should head down to the safe zone. We’ll handle things out here.”
“I… um… okay,” Syena said with a small nod.
But before she could move, Amelia spoke.
“No. She’s coming with us.”
I turned to her immediately.
“…Are you crazy?” I said. “She’s just an ordinary person.”
“I said she’s coming,” Amelia replied.
Her tone suddenly sharpened.
“Then she’s coming.”
The bluntness caught me off guard.
She had seemed mature until now, calm and easygoing. But the way she said it just now felt strangely childish, like someone stubbornly refusing to back down.
“Why?” I asked, frowning. “You know it’s dangerous for her, right?”
“I can protect her,” Amelia said.
“That’s not the point. Why are you insisting on this?” I said.
Amelia paused for a moment.
Then she answered simply.
“My sister told me to watch her.”
She glanced at Syena.
“Before she awakens and goes out of control.”
“…Awakens?” I repeated under my breath.
“…Out of control?”
I slowly looked at Syena again.
She stood there, confused and a little nervous, like she didn’t even understand what we were talking about.
A thought crept into my mind.
Syena…
has hidden power?
Come to think of it…
Onee-chan was supposed to be one of those “human weapons.” The kind that could bring destruction if their power awakened.
It never crossed my mind that there could be others so close.
But now…
Syena?
I looked at her again.
Was that why Onee-chan was drawn to her?
“Uh… my hidden power?” Syena said, clearly caught off guard.
“I’m sure you already know,” Amelia replied. “My sister explained it to you, right?”
“Um… yeah,” Syena nodded hesitantly.
“Huh?” I frowned. “So you do know about it, Syena?”
“Somewhat,” she admitted.
Somewhat.
That word stuck.
So knowing about it doesn’t mean it awakens immediately…
Then what have I been doing this whole time?
A thought hit me.
Could I have just told Onee-chan the truth?
Warned her?
Helped her understand before things got out of control?
“…No,” I muttered to myself.
That wasn’t allowed.
The association was clear.
Do not let her know.
I felt something twist in my chest.
I’ve been following orders this whole time.
And now…
I feel stupid.
“Hmmm… seems like you have some doubts that have been clear…” Amelia said, watching me with interest. “Fascinating.”
“…Doubts?” I repeated quietly.
Before I could think further, Syena spoke up, glancing between us.
“Um… guys… should we get going?”
The distant sounds of chaos hadn’t stopped. If anything, they were getting worse.
“Yeah…” I nodded, then looked at Amelia again. “But still… I think Syena should stay in the basement. Somewhere safe.”
I hesitated.
“If she’s in danger… wouldn’t that trigger her awakening?”
Amelia shook her head.
“It’s less about preventing awakening,” she said. “More about preventing loss of control.”
So all this time… If the Association had chosen differently… If they had let Onee-chan awaken, instead of keeping her in the dark… If they had helped her understand it, control it…
Would any of this have happened?
The thought sat heavy in my chest.
All the precautions. All the rules I followed without question.
Was it ever about protecting her?
Or were they just afraid of what she might become?
I clenched my hand slightly.
If control was the real issue… then hiding it only delayed the problem.
And when it finally surfaced, it would be worse.
My gaze drifted to the ground for a moment.
“…Then what was the point of everything I did?” I murmured.
The mission.
Watching her.
Keeping her away from anything that might trigger it.
All of it suddenly felt… hollow.
“Um… Irana?” Syena called out softly.
“Sorry…” I exhaled, shaking my head slightly. “It’s just… something crossed my mind.”
“Enough thinking,” Amelia said, her tone firm as she turned away.
“Let’s go”
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