An outcast dropout, surviving on the frontier and rising to become an S-ranked counter-magician.

'Huh ... huh ... huh ... huh ...' 

Liane was running through the basement of the royal castle. Once her abilities were truly released, she realized she had a place to go. She left Belle and then found the entrance to the basement alone. By the time she got there, she had left a trail behind. Just in case someone could come to the rescue in this basement. Perhaps with Julia's Twilight Sight, she would be fine, but Riane didn't know if it would be for the better or for the worse. Still, she chose to leave a trace of magic element at the entrance of this underground. 

And she was the only one running. This vast expanse of underground space. She had never heard of a place like this before. But now she knew. The basement of this royal castle was filled with an uncommon amount of magical elements. She hadn't noticed it because the singular ability 《Extra》 she had possessed until now hadn't reached it. It was the same with Yulia's Singular Ability 《Extras》. 

After noticing it, which was cleverly hidden, Liane was running towards the place. Maybe it was already too late. Still, she had no choice but to run. And when she finally arrived there, it was just a dark, sprawling space. It was pitch black and she couldn't see anything. As she thought that, there were lights around her, or maybe they were lights, shining one after another. And you recognize it as a circular space. Moreover, there is a door in front of you. There must be something beyond this. Riane is convinced of this and puts her hand on the door, but she is called out from behind. 

''Princess, you can't go any further. I knew it was you. 

Turning around. And there he was, just as Liane had expected him to be. 

'Claudia you are the traitor....' 'Hmm. It's not exactly the same, but, well, yeah. Why... why are you doing this...? "...why?　That's the way it's supposed to be. 

Claudia smirked and continued to speak. 

''It's to expose this world. Besides, you already know that, don't you?　I don't know what's going on inside me... ''.........Twilight Syndrome [Twilight Syndrome], level 0......that's right, but it's not. Because your body is the demon race itself.......There is no such thing as being affected by twilight in the first place, is there? Well, thank you..... 

Liane knew. No, she knew. By the Celestial Eye, the Celestial Eye, which was a released singular ability 《Extra》. It was an ability that far surpassed the elemental sense 《Decoding Sense》 that she had. It was said in the lore that there were those among the royal family who could manifest this Celestial Eye, the Celestial Eye. However, the last time it was expressed was during the human demon battle. Since then, in other words, no one had possessed the Celestial Eye for nearly 150 years. 

However, this was how Liane had obtained the Celestial Eye. That fearless ability. The Celestial Eye exposes everything in the world. It is not a metaphorical expression. Twilight Sight, Elemental Sense, and Decoding Sense, they are also abilities to perceive this world, but they are only partial. They only understand the surface of the world. 

On the other hand, the Celestial Eye can perceive the interior of the world. As far as humans are concerned, it can accurately understand their internal structure. The elemental form and the unique domain of the "Parnal Field" can also be perceived with their eyes. 

And Liane looks at Claudia again with the Celestial Eye. What is reflected there........was not that of a human being. No, strictly speaking, it was a human. But.........it's also a demon race. A state where the two are mixed together. And she had an idea about that. 

''That rumor.......was true, wasn't it?'' "Huh, you know? Humans are no match for the demon race. That's because human beings are too fragile. If that's the case... let's create a human being who isn't vulnerable... I didn't think that such worldly rumors were... But hey, I'm not a total success. Hey, you know that, right? .... 

Leanne bit her lip. She had already obtained the answer to that question. No, her Celestial Eye 《Celestial Eye》 had already obtained all the information. 

''Well........I guess it's about time. 

Claudia looked up into the void, and a magic circle unfolded there. And there were humans being spat out of it. 

''Gu........! This is.... ...What? 

Falling out were Yulia, Eira, and Shelly. And the last one to come out was Silas. 

'Silas, what's the situation?' Well, not bad. So, what about the other special class antimagicians? Come on. You're probably wandering around in the twilight by now, aren't you?　Still, we'll keep the time, a few hours. That's all we need. Now let's see if you four are willing to be sacrificed. 

◇ 

The world is shrinking. 

As soon as Claudia activated her magic, everyone in the place was enveloped in a dazzling light. There was an alien presence among them. It was Eira. The other special class anti-magicians had already been sent to the Dusk Danger Area Level 5. 

The World Shrinkage 《Pycnosis》 is a type of transference magic, a magic that can connect parts of the world to the world. However, it requires intervention in the opponent's personal field. As a result, the target can be transferred to any position. 

And this time, for those with a human's personal field, fly to the danger zone level 5. And those that have the same existence as her will fly to the basement of the royal castle. That was the way it was set up. 

Also at the same time. Julia, who was already about to reach the deepest part of the underground, and Shelly, who was fighting Silas, were also being consumed by the light of the World Shrinking Pycnosis. The area of effect was not separately limited to Claudia's side. As long as the magic element is hammered into the target in advance, the connection with the World Shrinkage 《Pycnosis》 will be possible. Of course, it can only be activated once by hitting the element once. It's not something that can be used consecutively. But that was enough. 

Claudia's objective was to call those four people out to the basement. That's how it would all end. The end. 

And so the situation moves into its final phase. 

◇ 

G........................... 

Before I knew it, I found myself crawling on the ground. What am I doing here...? 

I'm sure I was running after Princess Liane. But suddenly, I thought my eyes were brightening, and then I was swallowed by a magic circle... and sent here. 

''Senpai, Shelly, Princess Liane.......'' 

And I noticed the people near me. But most of all, I was concerned about Claudia and Silas. Why are you two standing there at a distance?　It's almost as if it's........against us.... 

Well, we've got our actors here. Silas, can you hold them? Yeah. 

And the four of us are bound by wires. We are suspended in the air and our freedom is taken away. 

What........what's going on.......why, why is this happening.... 

''Senpai, Shelly, Princess Liane!　Are you okay? Ugh.......... Ugh.... 'Yulia, run ... please run ... ugh ... ugh ... ugh ...' 

The senior and Shelley were already unconscious. Princess Liane, on the other hand, seemed to be able to speak, but her voice was thin. Is she injured in some way........ 

For now, we have to do something about this situation for now........ 

''Yulia-kun. Because of you, our plans have changed drastically. But, you know, I'll be satisfied if I can do this in the end. So just be quiet, okay? 

When I heard those words, I understood. These two.........were the traitors........ 

''So you were the traitors!　Two of us, both of us, have been fooling humanity all along, throwing us into chaos and killing humans, until now!!! 

Anger. I was consumed by rage. This situation. There was already no excuse for the situation. The traitors were Claudia and Silas. No, I have no respect for these two men anymore. Claudia and Silas were the ones who caused the attack on humanity and the death of so many people. 

Keep it down. I've got to get ready. Silas, why don't you talk to the Texan about it? There's nothing more to say. 

Claudia is drawing a magic circle on the ground, as if she's preparing for something. While doing so, Silas approaches us. 

''.......It's okay. You will become a part of the Sefirot tree. You won't die completely. 'You, you, you killed humanity... and you killed Miss Ellie...' Ellie?　Yeah, he got to the truth. So I killed him. Why would you.... why would you do that? 'It's a foolish question. No one should know the truth. They are a hindrance to our plans. Obstacles must be removed. Don't you agree? ''No...no...no...no...that's not allowed! "Forgive me or not? It's not that simple anymore. We'll do what we must, that's all. 'What ... what are you ... what are you saying ... and you ... and you ... you humans ...' ...And Dan........and that guy was you guys! 

Dan's last words to me. I was remembering that too. 

"Dan?　Ah........that human? It was a good experimental body, but still a human couldn't become a demon race. It turned out that the Twilight Syndrome 《Twilight Syndrome》 was only a disease and not something that could lead to the demon race. That alone was worth it to him. Don't you think so?　And he was very helpful in banishing you to the twilight. I left it up to his discretion at the time, but it worked out. Besides, it's easy to work with money. Well, I carved the Curse, and at the very least, I tried not to divulge any information, but he was a good pawn. Was it helpful in expelling...? 

Wasn't that Dan's idea?　Didn't he just abandon me to help them survive? 

"Hmm. I'll tell you what I have in mind for you. I released you into the twilight in order to encourage you to awaken. I have made many arrangements for you to go deeper into the dusk. Didn't you notice?　He said that the wards at that time were not at the student level. Wards that disrupt your sense of direction are impossible to generate unless you're at the level of a first-class anti-magician. No way, no way, no way, no way, no way. 

Worst-case scenario passes in my brain. 

'Yes. You were deliberately banished to Twilight, and now you are. However, that ability was unexpected on our part, but thanks to that, the first ward city attack failed. You and Eira also slipped through the wards at that time. I've learned that an awakened person encourages further awakening, after all.......but, well, this is how we've achieved our main mission. I don't hold a grudge against you for that failure. In fact, I'm grateful to you. I've learned a lot of things too. 'What ... what are you ... what are you saying ...' 

I don't get it. Are you saying that the whole process that led me to this point was in their hands?　 

''Hmm?　Claudia, did you call that guy? No ... is it possible that he's here? Yeah. We're getting close. Well, it's okay if you come. Besides, it's your last breath, so why not see them?　And he was eager to meet you, Julia. 'So that's it. Well ... let's get it over with. 

I caught the figure from above as I hung in midair. He has long, pure white hair and is wearing a black coat. He looks tall, but that might be because of the boots he's wearing. But right now........there was something else that bothered me more than that. 

That was ... I know. No, it's funny that I know. I see that face every day. That's right, every day.........no, always, that face I've seen since I was a little girl....... 

'Hahaha........here I am.... Claire. I thought you had a standby order. Silas is such a big deal. What's wrong with that?　Besides, I've been wanting to meet this guy. Isn't that nice? Okay. Claudia, do you mind? Hmm?　It's fine. Because you two.... 

I shudder when I hear those words. What did I just say, now.... 

No, I didn't miss it. Without a doubt, my ears recognized the sound as words I could understand. But the words were so outlandish that I had let go of my understanding. 

''...Huh, nice to meet you. My name is Claire. Yeah, I'm sure.  Hey, how do you feel now?　Hey, hey, how do you feel?　Hey ... big brother. 

Hearing those words, Claudia's words replayed again. 

''Hmm?　That's fine. Because they're twins.' 

Twins. Me and the girl here are twins. I had no reason to doubt it. Because this face is exactly the same as the one I've seen in the mirror all my life. 

The situation is complicated. And then I was going to face this world in the true sense of the word.