AN: Welcome back, everyone! Here is the 2nd update for this week!
In this chapter, things will finally enter the final phase!
meaning the start of everything and the final stretch of this arc.
I won't say more and hold you longer than this, and wish you all enjoy this chapter!
Please don't forget to leave a comment, rating, and review!
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Non-Administrated World #97, Star Rail Universe…
Olga Marie Animusphere's hands moved quickly across the keyboard of her Chaldea-issued tablet. She was organizing the latest updates sent by Chaldea's probes for the upcoming operation. It had been hours since their meeting with Headmaster Konoemon.
Despite the chaos in that meeting, one thing had become clear to them. Mahora City was one of the enemy's largest targets for a reason.
Within the academy stood a very special tree located above one of the twelve "holy grounds" throughout the world. These holy grounds were power spots where ley lines converged, producing incredible amounts of mana.
That tree was called the World Tree. Spanning 270 meters at its widest point, its power manifested once every twenty-two years. So, Dormammu targeting it made sense.
Once they understood the where and why behind the attacks, Konoemon explained that aside from Mahora's mage teachers, Kanto, Kansai, the Church, and the IMA would send their own personnel for the coming battle.
"To be honest, I was surprised that the Kansai branch was willing to help us," Konoemon confessed. "After all, even though both branches work for the country, we are old enemies who rarely see eye to eye."
Then Hayate-chan showed exactly why, despite being the same age as Olga and the others, she had become a qualified commander and reached her current position. She organized the formation and polished the existing strategy into something that used every available force to its maximum capacity, based on the information and personnel they had on hand.
"The moment a breach happens, our first goal is to contain the battlefield," she said. "I'm still hoping we can isolate it within the barrier, but considering the size of the invasion force we're expecting, I'm not going to rely on that hope alone."
She looked up at everyone.
"We also need to prepare ourselves for the possibility that the magical side of the world may be exposed during this battle."
Hayate's attitude and decision-making ability truly impressed Olga. Those qualities were something Olga had once envied and wished to have, back when she was still trapped in self-pity and blind pride, trying to prove to her father that she could be his heir.
But after meeting Noah, her perspective had changed.
She no longer chased that pride or the glory she had been trying so desperately to prove. She had accepted that even with her mediocre, or at best above-average, skill as a magus, she could still become something great.
Though even with Hayate's cool commander mode, she still could not escape her friends' lawsuit against secrecy. Right now, the young Aces and Sapphire's master, Suzuka, had been taken away by Alisa to receive their sentence.
'I have to admit, I can understand why that blockhead finds Alisa amazing,' Olga thought. Even though her childhood friend tried to hide it, she could clearly see how fascinated he was by Alisa's presence. 'Hmph, that girl is a very worthy rival.'
Olga continued her work, cross-checking Chaldea's data with the TSAB terminal Hayate had lent her, which was directly connected to the systems used by Lord Peverell's group.
At the thought of Lord Peverell, Olga's hands stopped for a brief second. She let out a deep breath before continuing her work.
After all, during their earlier meeting, the greatest surprise had been the true identity of Lord Peverell. Even Reines had been so shocked that Olga had practically seen her mind reboot three times.
'Reines' reaction was understandable. Even I can say I experienced the shock of my life,' Olga thought as she glanced at the TSAB terminal, where the images of Noah Alden, Sirin Schariac-Kaslana, and Hayate Yagami were displayed.
The rumored Lord Peverell and his consorts would dive into the Imaginary Numbers, or Dimensional Gap, tomorrow to begin the hardest part of this operation.
They would fight the dimensional being Dormammu, who wanted to swallow their world.
"…Who would have thought that the mysterious Lord Peverell was actually the counterpart of my childhood friend?" Olga muttered. "The multiverse is truly weird."
"Yeah… tell me about it."
"Kyaa!"
Olga let out a loud yelp when she heard someone answer her muttering. She turned and saw her Noah looking at her with a sheepish smile.
"Y-yo-you!!!" Olga glared at him. "J-just what do you think you're doing, scaring me like that, you fool?!"
"Ah… I brought you dinner?" Noah raised the tray in his hands. On it were two plates of katsu curry and drinks.
Olga stared at the tray, then at Noah, then back at the tray. The appetizing smell of spices from the curry made her stomach rumble.
"…Put it there," she whispered as her cheeks reddened.
Noah grinned and put the tray down on the table. He took one plate and placed it in front of Olga, then sat right beside her as if it were the most natural thing in the world. After placing the other plate in front of himself, he started eating.
Olga picked up her spoon, but instead of eating, she glanced at him from the corner of her eye.
"So?" she asked.
Noah looked at her. "Hmm?"
Olga stabbed the curry a little harder than necessary.
"Were you finally able to talk properly with your destined little moon?"
Noah choked and quickly grabbed one of the drinks he had brought.
"M-Marie…" His cheeks turned red almost instantly.
"What?" Olga's voice was sharp, but her cheeks were faintly pink as well. "I am only asking because her situation affects our team composition."
"…Is that really why?"
"Obviously."
Noah stared at her.
Olga looked away first. "…And because Ruby would not stop saying it."
"How rare…" His eyes widened a little. "You answered honestly."
"Eat your curry before I throw it at you."
Noah let out a small laugh and resumed eating.
"To answer your question, no. I wasn't able to properly talk to her yet," he said between bites. "Alisa got her first before we could have a real conversation."
"I see," Olga said.
For a moment, the two ate in silence. Noah's eyes eventually went toward the TSAB terminal, where the image of Lord Peverell's team remained open.
Olga noticed him staring at the image of the same face.
Older.
More mature.
But definitely his.
"Are you thinking about him?"
Noah's spoon stopped.
"…It is hard not to," he answered honestly. "Noah Alden. Lord Peverell. The mysterious lord from beyond the stars. The man leading an alliance that includes Chaldea, the TSAB, the Flamels, and the International Magic Association."
A small, forced smile appeared on his lips.
"And then there is me. A thirteen-year-old who still forgets to sleep when repairing bounded fields."
"I guess I can understand what you feel," Olga said.
Noah blinked and looked at her. Olga looked back at the screen, where Noah Alden's image was displayed.
"He is you, but not you. A version of you who already knows where he is going. A version of you who can walk into a room and make adults follow him. A version of you who is about to dive into the Imaginary Numbers with his two consorts to fight a being that wants to eat our world."
Noah's face became serious.
"When I first saw him, I thought… so this is what you could become." Olga's fingers tightened around her spoon. "And then I wondered what that meant for the rest of us."
"…The rest of us?" Noah tilted his head in confusion.
"…Those of us walking beside you." Olga turned away, blushing. "Don't make me say it, idiot."
Noah looked at his childhood friend with exasperation.
"I do not want to become someone who only watches you grow from a distance. I do not want to be the girl who complains, panics, and gets left behind while people like Alisa, Suzuka, Reines, and Gray stand beside you." Olga continued before he could speak. "Especially now that there are new girls like Nanoha, Fate, and Hayate who can stand beside you on the battlefield."
Noah stared at her in surprise.
"I know I am not the strongest mage here. I know my circuits are not exceptional. I know I cannot fire giant beams, seal tears alone, or command like Yagami Hayate." Her voice trembled slightly, but she did not stop. Instead, she looked at the screens around her.
"But I can read patterns. I can organize data. I can predict where support will arrive late, where a barrier will fail first, and where a commander will need information before they even know they need it."
"That is why you are still working." Noah's expression softened.
"I am not doing this to be praised." Olga gave him a sharp look, as if daring him to pity her.
"…"
"I am doing this because if Lord Peverell is showing us one possible future of you…" Her cheeks turned faintly pink. "Then I refuse to be someone who cannot stand beside that future."
Noah fell silent. He simply looked at the hardworking girl he had known since childhood, Olga Marie Animusphere, sitting in front of too many screens, with curry in one hand and the fate of field teams in the other.
"Marie." He smiled at her.
"What?"
"I think you already are."
Olga looked at him in surprise as Noah gestured toward the screens.
"Alisa stands in front because she can say what everyone needs to hear."
His eyes moved across the map she had built.
"You, on the other hand, stand behind everyone and make sure they know where to go."
Olga's eyes widened.
"That is not being left behind." He smiled gently. "That is you holding the line with us while giving us a place we can return to."
For several seconds, Olga said nothing as her face turned bright red.
"You… you complete idiot."
"What did I do?" Noah blinked.
"You said something embarrassing with that face again!"
"What face?"
"That face!"
"I only have one face, Marie."
"And it is a problem!"
Noah laughed softly.
Olga looked away, cheeks burning, but her shoulders had relaxed.
On that night, the screens in front of her no longer looked like a wall separating her from everyone else. They looked like the place where she had chosen to stand.
—-------
On the day of the operation, Noah Alden, Sirin Schariac-Kaslana, Hayate Yagami, and Reinforce Zwei stood in full combat regalia in the fields of Wales Magic Academy.
Noah was clad in his Astral Express uniform beneath his Sacred Gear, Crowned Clown. At his waist, his two Lightsaber-Luxes were safely tucked away, while the pistol form of the Judgment of Shamash rested in the holsters at his thighs. Void Archives was hidden beneath his left sleeve, and his Imaginary-element Astral Emblem shone with power.
Sirin wore her own Express uniform. While it looked simpler than her usual flashy magical girl clothes, it still carried her personality. At her waist were the experimental Divine Key that Hajime and Anisphia had created for her, the twin pistols called the Key of Void, and her own Astral Gear, a scythe named Embrace the Void.
Hayate wore her standard Knight Armor, consisting of a black and gold minidress as an undersuit, a black-and-white two-piece jacket over it, and a white balmoral. Her staff and Armed Device, Schwertkreuz, rested in her hand, while her personal Unison Device, Reinforce Zwei, floated beside her.
Around the four of them stood the Express crew, the Potters, the Greengrasses, Director Ragnok, Headmaster Crowley, the sanctuary chiefs, the volunteer combatants prepared to defend their homes, and various screens showing the alliance representatives.
Marisbury and Kirschtaria represented Chaldea.
Nicolas and Perenelle Flamel, along with Jean Delacour, represented the International Confederation of Wizards.
Lorelei Barthomeloi and Waver Velvet represented the Clock Tower.
Lindy and Chrono represented the TSAB.
Siaim Atlasia represented Atlas Institute.
Bishop Mario Gallo Bestino and Narbareck represented the Holy Church.
Headmaster Konoemon represented Japan's side of the International Magic Association.
The generals of the UN defense forces and many others from the alliance were also present.
Noah did not show it, but he was very interested in one screen on Konoemon's side. It displayed his younger counterpart, along with his "friends," the young Aces trio, and the Wolkenritter.
"Everyone, listen carefully. We are not asking any front to win alone. Your mission is to hold the line, protect civilians, and prevent the breaches from spreading. If communications fail, follow your field commanders and keep the evacuation routes open." Noah Alden looked across every screen.
Himeko stepped forward beside him.
"The Astral Express will keep all relay channels open for as long as possible. If a route collapses, report it immediately. We will redirect support through the remaining lines."
Welt adjusted his glasses, his gaze moving across the map.
"Do not pursue enemies beyond your assigned defensive zone. Dormammu's forces may attempt to lure defenders away from protected areas. Your priority is containment, not glory."
Dan Heng nodded once.
"Every front must conserve strength. If the enemy's goal is to stretch our lines thin, then discipline will matter more than raw power."
Charlus Potter leaned on his cane, his old eyes sharp.
"Then we shall hold Wales. The families behind us will not be moved again because of monsters, cowards, or fools with delusions of immortality."
Damien Greengrass smiled coldly beside him.
"And if the Ministry decides this is the perfect moment to interfere, we will make them regret discovering parchment."
Director Ragnok's teeth flashed in a dangerous grin.
"Gringotts corridors are prepared. Emergency relocation routes are open. Any family that must move will move."
Chief Bronwen placed one hand over her chest.
"The sanctuary heads are ready. Meldiana and the other sanctuaries have moved everyone into the bunkers."
On the Mahora screen, Konoemon's usually amused expression had turned serious.
[Mahora will protect the World Tree and its people. Kanto and Kansai may be old rivals, but tonight, both branches stand on the same ground.]
Hayate-chan straightened beside Nanoha-chan, Fate-chan, Reinforce Zwei, and the rest of the Wolkenritter.
[Mahora defense teams are ready. TSAB support will focus on barrier containment, civilian protection, and rapid interception.]
[We'll hold the line,] Nanoha-chan added with a determined smile.
Fate-chan nodded. [We won't let the enemy reach the city.]
Young Noah Schweinorg looked toward his older counterpart from the Mahora screen. Argent floated beside him, silent for once.
[Lord Peverell… please don't lose.]
Noah Alden looked at him.
The face was younger, still a bit baby-faced. He had lived a different life and carried different duties, but the eyes were familiar.
"I won't. You don't lose either, Noah." Noah gave him a grin.
Young Noah blinked, then straightened. [Understood.]
Sirin crossed her arms, a faint smirk appearing on her face.
"Hmph. Not bad, younger version."
"He really does have good eyes." Hayate smiled softly.
"He feels warm, too." Reinforce nodded with complete seriousness.
On the Mahora screen, Alisa, Olga, Suzuka, Reines, Gray, Nanoha-chan, Fate-chan, and Hayate-chan all reacted in different ways, but they carried the same proud feeling, as if they were the ones being praised.
That made Ruby begin trembling with excitement, much to Sapphire and Argent's exasperation.
Young Noah covered his face.
[…Please ignore them.]
A small wave of laughter came from everyone. While it did not erase the nervousness or tension, it gave everyone enough warmth to breathe.
Noah Alden looked across the screens again.
"We will reach Dormammu."
His gaze softened for only a moment.
"And we will come back."
"You better." March placed her hands on her waist and gave Noah a very serious expression.
Caelus gave Noah a sharp grin. "Yeah. Because if you don't, March is going to cry and then freeze everyone."
"Caelus!"
Even then, March did not deny it.
"Then make sure she doesn't have to." Himeko let out a laugh.
Welt's voice softened. "Return safely, Noah."
Dan Heng gave a small nod. "We will handle this side, so don't worry, even if Voldemort comes."
Noah looked at all of them. His family, his friends, and his allies. The people who would stand and fight in the place he could not go.
"I'm counting on all of you." He nodded and smiled at them, full of trust.
Once everyone had settled down, Marisbury raised one hand.
[Chaldea shall now begin the final countdown.]
The lights in the command room dimmed. On the central screen, CHALDEAS turned slowly, its five red points pulsing as if joining them for the final countdown.
[Dimensional probe alignment complete.]
[TSAB barrier channel synchronized.]
[Atlas calculation lock confirmed.]
[Void coordinate path stabilized.]
[Imaginary Numbers dive route open.]
Sirin raised one hand, her Quantum Astral Emblem releasing violet light around her fingers.
In the next second, space distorted in front of them, twisting slowly as if something were piercing through reality itself. Before long, a tunnel-like portal formed.
The path toward Dormammu had been opened. Toward endless darkness filled with unimaginable dangers and possibilities. The space between dimensions and realities. The place called the Dimensional Gap, the Imaginary Numbers, or even the Sea of Quanta.
"Rein." Hayate tightened her grip on Schwertkreuz and called Reinforce.
"Yes, Hayate-chan."
Reinforce's small hands glowed as she floated beside her.
"Unison in."
Reinforce Zwei smiled brightly before dissolving into pale light and flowing into Hayate's chest. When the light faded, Hayate's hair turned blonde, and her eyes changed to resemble Reinforce's turquoise eyes.
"Let's finish this chase once and for all," Sirin said, her eyes sharpening. "This time, I won't let that guy escape."
Noah took in a deep breath as he looked toward the tunnel.
"Let's go."
[Countdown. Five.]
Everyone watching the four tensed up. March clasped her hands together, looking like she was about to cry.
Caelus, standing beside her, wrapped an arm around her and gave her a reassuring grin.
[Four.]
Gold and silver rails of Trailblaze light flowed around Noah, Hayate, and Sirin. Noah's Imaginary Astral Emblem pulsed, forming a protective film around the three.
[Three.]
At the same time, Sirin's Quantum Astral Emblem released hazy quantum energy that wrapped around them, adding another protective layer against the environment within the Dimensional Gap.
[Two.]
Noah gave everyone one last look, which all of them returned.
"Everyone, May the Force be with you."
[One.]
Without hesitation, Noah, Sirin, and Hayate dived into the tunnel.
—--------
The ancient dimensional being Dormammu stood before a thin, fragile, yet persistent wall that completely blocked him from entering the world under its protection.
Instead, he pressed his massive hand against the small hole in it. His fingers sank into the fragile layer of reality, slowly widening the gap enough for him to send something toward the world below.
Once the gap was wide enough, Dormammu reached into his own chest. His body split open just enough for him to pull something free.
It was a shard of burning darkness, wrapped in purple veins and beating faintly like a second heart.
A piece of his own power and self.
Dormammu looked at it with irritation, as if the very act of sacrificing even a fragment of himself offended him. But in order to survive against his opponents, he had no choice.
Then he shoved it into the dimensional tear, letting it fall upon the place he had marked.
"Now the preparation is done." Dormammu's burning eyes narrowed. "It is time for you to fulfill your part, Tom."
He stared coldly at the hole he had just made.
Then his instincts screamed of danger.
His head turned as he looked into the vast darkness around him.
Something was coming for him.
Across the Dimensional Gap, a bright white light flashed through the darkness.
Then a massive beam of pure white flew straight through the void. The attack came like a spear thrown from the hands of a storm god, speeding through space toward Dormammu's back.
"Hræsvelgr!" Hayate's voice rang through the gap.
Dormammu quickly raised his arm and summoned a black-purple shield in front of him just before the beam hit.
The impact shook the floating landmasses around them.
White magic slammed against dark fire, spreading in violent waves. The beam pushed Dormammu back several meters.
Hayate floated in the distance, her blonde hair flowing behind her from the Unison with Reinforce Zwei. Her turquoise eyes narrowed as her attack struck its target.
[Direct hit confirmed,] Reinforce said from within her. [But his shield is holding!]
"Sirin-chan!" Hayate called.
Space beside Dormammu distorted as Sirin materialized not far from his side, both Key of Void pistols already aimed at him.
"Seven years," she whispered. "That much you owe me."
Dormammu's burning gaze snapped toward her.
Sirin pulled both triggers.
Void bullets fired from the twin pistols. Each bullet crossed the distance by tearing tiny holes through space, blasting Dormammu's shield from angles that should have been impossible. One slammed into the top corner. Another pierced the left side. Three more struck from behind the barrier, where no attack should have reached.
Cracks spread through the black-purple shield.
"You!" Dormammu snarled.
"Miss me?" Sirin smiled sharply before firing one more time.
The final void bullet punched through the center of the barrier and broke it into countless pieces.
And from above, Noah came down like a falling sun.
In his hand, the Judgment of Shamash had already transformed into its greatsword state, Might of An-Utu. The blade burned with destructive might, white-gold flames roaring along the sword as Noah dropped from above with both hands gripping the weapon.
His eyes shone like twin golden suns as his hair turned red, the Sun inheritance from Hotaru Alden's bloodline burning brightly through his body.
In this state, he looked exactly like his counterpart, the Captain of the Hyperion in the Sea of Quanta, or even a male version of Himeko.
Dormammu twisted his body at the last second, avoiding the strike by a narrow margin. But he still felt the intense heat of a star's power carve a cut into his shoulder.
Dormammu roared as he was injured, the wound glowing white where Shamash's flames had touched him. The fire of the Dark Dimension recoiled from the blade's heat as if it had met something it could not swallow.
Noah landed past him, boots touching a floating slab of broken stone that instantly cracked from the force of his landing.
Dormammu jumped backward, one hand gripping his burned shoulder.
"Trailblazer!"
Noah lifted Shamash, the white-gold flame reflecting in his eyes. "You invaded the wrong world."
Dormammu looked up and saw Hayate above, Schwertkreuz glowing with newly loaded spells. Sirin hovered to the side, Key of Void pistols aimed at him. And finally, Noah stood in front, Shamash burning like judgment.
Dormammu's expression twisted as he spread his arms wide. The space behind him cracked open into dozens of dark holes. From each one, black-purple projectiles formed, shaped like spears, blades, and burning stones.
"Then disappear along with this world."
Dormammu thrust his hand forward, ordering the projectiles to launch.
A spatial hole opened under Noah's feet. Sirin blinked herself and Noah away from Dormammu's line of fire. The two reappeared beside Hayate just as the first wave of projectiles arrived.
Hayate raised Schwertkreuz with both hands.
"Panzerschild!"
A giant Belkan shield appeared in front of them. The golden-white hexagonal shield spread outward like a fortress wall. Reinforce's voice overlapped with Hayate's, adding more formulas into the barrier to make it stronger and more durable.
Then the projectiles slammed into the shield one after another. The impacts lit the Dimensional Gap with bursts of black flame and white sparks. Hayate gritted her teeth as the shield trembled under the pressure.
"Rein!"
[Barrier output stable, but pressure is increasing!]
Sirin raised one hand, and violet space twisted around the edges of the shield, diverting several projectiles before they could strike directly.
"His aim is better than last time."
"And he recovered more than we hoped." Noah tightened his grip on Shamash.
Dormammu did not let them rest.
He raised his hand, and the floating landmasses around the gap shook.
Noah looked up as the Force alerted him to the incoming danger.
Massive slabs of stone, broken ruins, and dead fragments of worlds broke apart as Dormammu's power wrapped around them like invisible chains. One by one, they rose into the void, forming a ring of burning stones above the trio.
"That is not good." Hayate's eyes narrowed.
Sirin's expression tightened. "He's trying to crush us."
Dormammu pushed his hand toward them, and the floating landmasses followed.
Noah stepped forward. The heat around Shamash rose once more as he poured his Imaginary energy into the Divine Key's core. White-gold flames surged from the blade, wrapping around Noah's arms and shoulders.
"Noah-kun!" Hayate shouted.
"I've got it."
He swung Shamash wide.
A crescent of white-gold flame flew from the blade and raced upward, cutting through the falling blocks before it could reach them. The blocks did not break but were erased under the might of the Sun.
The slash continued, tearing through another, then another, each piece exploding into burning fragments that scattered across the void like dying sparks.
Hayate lowered her barrier and pointed Schwertkreuz through the gap Noah had opened.
"Resound, horn of the end!"
A Belkan magic circle expanded in front of her, gathering energy into three separate spheres at each point of the Belkan Triangle muzzle.
"Ragnarok!"
The spheres became three white beams of energy that blasted toward Dormammu.
Dormammu tried to move, but his arms and legs were suddenly bound by purple rings.
"What?!"
"I made a promise, after all." Sirin's golden eyes stared at him coldly. "I'm not letting you escape this time."
Dormammu opened his mouth to say something, but Hayate's magic reached him before he could speak.
A bright white light exploded through the Dimensional Gap, followed by an angry, pained roar.
Thus, the war's opening act had begun.
====== Chapter 220 END ======