Xingyue, is Xiaokai also considered Kai?

Segmented Thinking #3: Why not use ether threads to bind him?

Number Four: I think that seeing this person makes my heart race, which is a topic worthy of serious study. It is worth treating as top-quality material and studying it carefully.

Number 5: Why are the research materials so lively and energetic? Shouldn't they be kept properly locked up in the institute for my use?

Number Six: ...Why am I the only one who wants to cry?

In less than a second, a heated discussion began in the girl's mind. This was the most basic ability that the alchemists of the Atlas Academy possessed in order to make up for the shortcomings of conducting research alone: ​​high-speed thinking and segmented thinking. High-speed thinking refers to thinking speed far exceeding that of ordinary people, while segmented thinking refers to the ability to divide one's thoughts into multiple parts and discuss them separately.

Alchemists at the Atlas Institute must ensure at least three separate thought processes. This allows for a self that is vastly different from their original self. Moreover, this is not a simple addition. With almost zero time lag in their thinking, all thoughts can be shared, and all questions can be explored from as many perspectives as possible. It is not only addition but can also achieve an effect even greater than multiplication.

In other words, if there are three types of thinking, then three to the power of three is twenty-seven types of thinking, and four to the power of four is two hundred and fifty-six types of thinking.

Number Seven: I don't care what this person's name is. By the way, can we get rid of this Sajou Aika next to me? It's a bit annoying to be around her. Although I shouldn't use Ether Threads on people, as long as I don't take away their thoughts, simply binding them should be okay.

Number Two: What if we can't win? It would be very embarrassing to get killed after going first.

Number Seven: No way. You shouldn't even think about being defeated. That's a disgrace. Our etheric line is top-tier weaponry when it comes to fighting people... So, what do you think?

Numbers 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6: Agreed, because we are one, so the deduced answer is correct.

Shion reluctantly agreed with the ideas of the divided thinkers, so the alchemical prodigy girl from Atlas Academy declared in a cold voice:

"I've determined that there's something about you that I need to investigate. I'm sorry, but I'll make it up to you once I've figured it out."

The girl raised her arm, and the fifth ethereal element, etheric filaments, connected to the bracelet on her hand in micrometers, emerged like living things. Then, the etheric filaments attacked like a beast closing its jaws, and with just the words she spoke, their erosion began to advance in full force.

"Simply put, I don't want you to slip away right now. In short, I need you."

But just as they were about to arrive, an anomaly occurred. The family trait of the Eltenam family, one of the six sources of Atlas—micron-sized threads—seemed to freeze in mid-air, seemingly beyond Shion's control, just inches from Novia.

This made Aika Sajou, who had already noticed and was planning to use wind magic to disperse the threads, slightly curious. After all, when Novia said his name, she could tell that Shion seemed to dislike the name very much, to the point of directly attacking. But why didn't Novia defend? Did she already guess the current situation?

She had originally planned to pretend to shield Novia from an attack, then inadvertently get injured herself, using that method to show her strength... but unfortunately, Novia told her that she didn't need to intervene no matter what happened next.

Aika nodded in agreement, though she would still have the same thought in mind. But Novia then added in her reading:

I think I really like you, Aige, because you listen to me a lot, and I'm sure I'll like you more and more.

...covering her chest with her hand to suppress her inner joy and the upturn of her lips, the blonde girl naturally acted in accordance with her words.

"Why don't you continue?"

Novia gently touched the etheric threads floating before her eyes, and couldn't help but recall the past two thousand years ago in the Library of Alexandria at the bottom of the sea, when she and Cialis, who looked exactly like Shion, defeated the god Osiris together. She remembered that at that time, she had made a villainous image of Cialis when they were not yet friends.

That's why I don't find the Ether Thread, which steals other people's thoughts, particularly annoying. Perhaps it's because of her personality; she's a good person, but not a 'human'.

So when he saw Ziyuan's back earlier, it was as if he saw the same back he had seen in Rome at the last moment.

Footprints were left on the yellow sand of the gravelly desert, and her departing figure appeared in his eyes as he lay in the sea.

Looking back now, the task given to her was so inexplicable and difficult. After all, it was Albion's remains, which were shrouded in mystery. If it were exposed, it would definitely cause trouble. But she still did it resolutely.

It was as if she was carrying such a heavy responsibility, even though it was something she didn't actually need to do, because it wasn't something she should be carrying—

"You didn't choose to avoid it..."

Ziyuan clenched her fists, a strong, strange sensation burning through her body. She couldn't get used to this feeling at all, and wondered why she was trembling.

"Are you really... the original?"

Then she slowly and deliberately said, "I have turned off the split thinking." She didn't know why she was saying these words, nor why she couldn't bring herself to do it. She could have controlled it if she had just gotten a little closer.

The girl still hadn't found a clear answer to the questions that had arisen in her heart. Perhaps the urge to cry had dulled her thinking, so much so that she didn't say anything to Novia, who was approaching with the ether thread, and just watched.

“Precisely because I am the true self, not a false illusion, it is only natural that I do not hide. Also, I would say that you, Cialis, should now be called Shion.”

Novia reached out and wiped away the girl's tears, which she herself was unaware of. In the darkness of the demon's lair, brilliant gems that should not have been left behind in this reunion were being scattered.

I am very grateful for your help and have been wanting to express my gratitude to you, but I'll put that aside for now.

What should be said now is—

"If you have time, come and keep me company."

081: Aigo: That Woman!

Sajo Aika never imagined she would have such a wonderful start at the age of thirty-seven.

They met someone they wanted to have a child with and raise together, and then came to this so-called hellhole to enjoy time alone together.

Novia also saved those who might have died. He is a gentle person who is neither arrogant nor indifferent, like the morning sun. Although Aika would prefer him to show her a sharp look or do something forceful, this is actually not bad either.

Overall, Aigo had previously felt that their time alone together was so joyful and fun, comparable to a date or a trip. She envisioned it all progressing slowly, savoring each incredibly romantic moment. But—

That woman! That purple-haired guy!

Aika stared through gritted teeth at the girl in front of her who was fighting with ethereal threads, her hands involuntarily placed on either side of her face and clenched into fists.

Even though it was absolutely their first meeting, she just burst into tears in such an unladylike way and then stood right next to Novia as if it were the most natural thing in the world, even holding her hand for a moment. Damn it, I didn't even hold her hand for that long...

What a wicked woman who takes advantage of Novia's gentleness! This bespectacled alchemist definitely wants to do something outrageous with her family's ethereal threads, especially with that way she keeps one eye closed and the other open—it's a clear provocation, as if she thinks she's a thirty-seven-year-old.

My sister also wears glasses, but she's not as sinister as I am. I have to protect Novia. My feelings for Novia can't be described with just the word 'like'. To me, he is like air, hydrogen, water, light, and my lover. I absolutely cannot live without him.

"Huh, what are these? They weren't here at all on the first floor when I was with Novia."

Aika sat gracefully atop the golem that Novia had just defeated. She glanced up at Shion first, then tilted her head cutely to look at Novia, who was still sweeping away the monsters.

The place now appears to be studded with countless gems. Fragments of the recently defeated crystal colossus are scattered all over the ground, still emitting faint magical light, sparkling and shining. Countless crystals that have fallen to the ground are also emitting a shimmering glow.

"Because it's a very special subspecies Holy Grail War, Servants without Masters have to rely on this to maintain their magical energy, right? Don't you understand that at all?"

Ziyuan gave a cold reply. Since what had just happened, she had roughly understood her and Novia's situation. She was the reincarnation of Dean Cialis, and he should be the reincarnation of Novia. Therefore, she should not repeat the mistakes of two thousand years ago, since the strongest dragon and the Roman emperor were no longer there.

Speaking of which, this Sajō Aika is already thirty-seven years old, twenty years older than me, yet she still uses such a cute tone and cute appearance to perform, which is really unpleasant.

"Hmph~" Aika swung her foot on the golem's head, her voice and expression still retaining their cuteness. "That must have been really tough, being a Servant without a Master. Luckily, I have Novia by my side all this time. I should thank him for protecting me so many times."

"Are you really okay to act like this at 37 years old?"

"Wow, Atlas's wisdom, Atlas's daughter, you really are self-important. Don't come crying for sympathy later."

Ai Ge maintained her smile, gentle, cheerful, and open, like a young girl conversing with someone in a garden, her soft lips parted, her voice flowing from her throat and tongue.

Shion looked directly into Aika's eyes, then immediately leaned closer, her lips slightly parted.

"Let me recalculate the clock tower and the Sajō family's magic."

"Just what I wanted, you unladylike fellow."

Aige's fingers were filled with a magical glow. Ziyuan suddenly tugged at the bracelet on her right hand, and it was immediately covered with new silk threads.

Therefore, Aika Sajou is a magic circuit, and Shion Eltnam Atlasia is high-speed thinking running at full speed.

On one side is the Root Princess, who connects to the origins, and on the other side is the next Dean of the Atlas Academy.

Then, Aika and Shion turned around at the same time.

Behind them, Novia was watching the two of them calmly.

"Waaah, Novia wanted to control me using the ethereal threads. I was forced into it. I was very obedient."

"Wait, what nonsense are you spouting, old lady! You're the one who provoked me."

Novia ignored their words and, having absorbed the four magical powers of the subspecies Holy Grail, emitted a warm light from her body. This light materialized as if it were born within the Demon Cave, quickly illuminating the entire space and binding Aika and Shion, rendering both of them unable to move.

"...Wow, is this how you're being treated? Isn't it too fast? I don't mind, but I was still hoping to be in the room..."

Aika was actually quite pleased that she was bound by Novia, because she had long hoped that Novia would show her a sharp look or do something forceful.

"It seems you have a special hobby, a really unimaginable one. Is it because you've been a homebody for so long?"

Shion didn't seem to care about being restricted, and just spoke to Aika in an aggressive tone.

“I have repeatedly confirmed your condition, but it is clear that you are truly insidious, Atlas alchemist.”

"I think so too, a 37-year-old auntie still pretending to be young."

Ziyuan said somewhat indignantly, unable to control her usually calm demeanor.

"Hehe, if it weren't for Novia, I would have gone easy on you, otherwise you wouldn't have been able to speak in the first place."

"Thank you for your kindness, elder. I was originally prepared to sacrifice an arm to take this on."

"Ai-ka, Shi-yuan".

Novia smiled and spoke in an extremely calm yet unquestionable tone, so the Root Princess and the alchemist fell silent.

"I don't think there's any need for you two to fight, and you should get along well. Is there anything wrong with that?"

Faced with the silver-haired boy's question, the purple-haired girl and the blonde girl exchanged a glance, and then both nodded somewhat awkwardly.

Then, the light summoned by Novia's power disappeared, and Aika and Shion, freed from their restraints, continued to gaze at each other, with Novia herself in the middle.

The three gazes met, and Novia's gaze was calm and gentle, seemingly devoid of any possibility of deception, suspicion, or conflict.

"Whether it's Aika or Shion, they are the same to me, as are the two people who were never here. This will never change, because I don't want to, and am unwilling to, let go of either of them."

082: God loves the world's "people"

The girls on either side of Novia heard her declaration clearly, and their reactions were naturally different.

Ziyuan frowned adorably, but quickly relaxed her brow.

Presumably, after a brief discussion, they reached a consensus on the division of their thoughts. After all, she understood that the other two had spent more time with Novia than she had, so she could barely accept it.

However, this Sajō Aika has blonde hair. Could she be the reincarnation of Emperor Nero?

Shion glanced at Sajou Aika, who was lost in a daze.

No, it shouldn't be. She's thirty-seven years old, and there's no up or down there anymore, it's like there's nothing there. No matter how many reincarnations she has, there shouldn't be any difference in that aspect. But if it's not true, it would be hard to accept.

Sajō Aika was in a state of brainstorming. Although she was indeed very happy that Novia said she wouldn't let go of her, why were there two other people besides Shion? Could there be more in the future?

"No matter what, this is just too much..."

Ai Ge murmured involuntarily, then lowered her eyes like a scolded student and said no more.

Novia has already said it openly, so there's nothing to complain about. If you don't like it, you can just leave.

However, if she were to never see Novia again, Aika believed she would feel absolutely lonely and sad, and tears would well up in her eyes, and her chest would feel like it was about to burst.

Because it's only natural. Novia is the only one in my heart. I can't bring myself to fall for someone else. Besides, no one else is of any value to me. I would even give my life for her.

Past, present, and future, in this world, the only thing I love, the thing that made me feel like a human girl, is everything about me...

Novia naturally noticed Aika's dilemma. After all, the girl named Aika Sajō was essentially a doll that was 'alive' yet 'dead'. She understood what emotions were, but she couldn't feel them. In other words, if she were human, she would be missing certain 'parts', and if she were truly born as a 'human,' she would bring disaster.

However, that is certainly not the case in reality. At the very least, the thirty-seven-year-old Aika Sajou in front of Novia is not necessarily like that. She can play around with her family and friends at will, enjoy the life of causing trouble and being scolded by her younger sister, and also protect her younger sister when she is about to encounter danger.

Novia understood that even if she didn't say much afterward, Ayaka Sajou would convince herself to agree, almost as if she were hypnotizing herself.

For her, he is more important than anything else right now. To be honest, anyone would be happy to be placed in the most important place in her heart, and he was no exception, because everyone likes the feeling of being valued.

However, his thoughts remained the same as when he first returned, before he even met Aika Sajou: it would be best if she could continue living her life as she always had. Rather than being treated like everything by her, he hoped she could like him as a real 'person,' which was what Novia longed for.

This is why Novia told Ayaka earlier that it wasn't love at first sight for her.

Although she fell in love with me at first sight, now that I've accepted her kindness, I should have a corresponding attitude and not abandon her and let misfortune afflict me.

“Listen up, Aigo. When you told me before that you fell in love with me at first sight, to be honest, I only saw you as a good kid. But as I told you before, I really do like Aigo now.”

Novia's words were utterly devoid of any pretense or concealment. After taking a deep breath, she continued,

"Actually, I know a lot about you, Aika, and that's why I like you the way you are now, able to happily call your sister an idiot, like Aika Sajou."

Novia tightened her grip on Ayaka Sajou's arm. Although the girl could have easily shaken off, for some reason, she didn't want to. In that instant, something she sensed had ended before it even began.

Novia is so mean. Why, why say such nonsensical things? I've almost convinced myself that I've truly become a lady, and that I can do anything for you then.

"Novia, if you say that, I... will still cry."

There were no tears on Ayaka Sajou's face; on her expressionless face, only her pale lips trembled slightly.

"Ai Ge, you'll cry."

"I will cry, but I won't cry in front of Novia. I'll only cry alone where you can't see me, so you'll never see me cry, you'll only see my smile."

"Compared to the smile that you always have, I hope you won't cry, but that's a bit of a stretch. So I still hope that you won't hide from me when you cry."