Chapter 610: Prototype Unit

Training Field…

*Bam, bam*

Explosions, gunfire, and sudden movements echoed through the craters and destruction. Amidst it all, a silver-haired girl panted heavily...

"No, not yet… No… It's not enough!"

Origami was exhausted, panting with her energy levels maxed out, her body pushed to its limit. She had been training hard, and the progress was obvious. At this point, Origami could confidently say she was the best mage in AST...

Yet, this didn't make her happy...

"This is not enough!"

Compared to Yuki, this level of strength was insufficient. Origami knew she was not on the same level, not even close.

This frustrated her, and she clenched her fist tightly. She was running out of options and knew she had to make a decision soon...

"Onii-chan"

Thinking of her only family member who turned out to be a spirit, Origami's heart broke. She had sworn to kill all spirits, yet she knew she didn't have the guts to harm her brother.

After all, Yuki healed her wounded heart, and thanks to him, she was who she was today. Although she became a person with a thirst for revenge, she was still herself.

Therefore, she didn't want to harm Yuki. But if she wanted Yuki to respond to her and bring him back, she had no choice...

"That's enough, Origami. It's enough for today."

"Captain."

Ryouko appeared suddenly. As the squad captain, she was in charge of training and knew all about Origami.

Origami had been training like crazy these past few days, her pursuit of power stronger than usual.

But this was the least she had to do if she wanted to defeat Yuki—or so she thought. Ryouko, on the other hand, was starting to worry. If Origami continued training at this intensity, she would definitely collapse...

"No, I can still go on..."

"No, you can't."

Origami's stubbornness angered Ryouko. She knew better than anyone how good Origami was, always at the forefront when it came to spirits, regardless of her own safety. That's why Ryouko had to stop her.

"It's enough, or I'll have to suspend you..."

"...."

After giving her an ultimatum, Origami obediently followed Ryouko. Though reluctant to accept, she had no other option. Without AST's technology, it was impossible for her to face spirits...

"I know it's hard, but you have to understand that this can't bring your brother back."

After fighting Yuki that day, Origami had to tell Ryouko about her situation and why she called him Onii-chan.

Ryouko was surprised, and although she wanted to report this to her superiors, she couldn't do it. Origami was her subordinate. She couldn't betray her trust, so she supported her.

"I have to do it. He said he would come back if I did..."

"Even so, you can't defeat him just by training. You and I both know what your brother is capable of."

Fortunately, the Emperor hadn't caused havoc in these last few days. He was powerful, and AST couldn't stop him. No one knew where he was, but Origami could contact him. Ryouko decided to watch and not interfere in this family problem since she knew Origami might hate her if she did...

"Then what should I do?! Should I give up? No, I won't. I'll definitely bring him back! Onii-chan is the last family I have left! I'm not going to give up on him!"

Origami bit her lip. She knew she was weak, but she couldn't give up on her goal. Ryouko, on the other hand, shook her head, understanding what Origami wanted to say. She put a hand on her shoulder and calmed her.

"No, I didn't say give up. I'm just saying let us help you."

"....."

"I know what you're doing and why you're pushing yourself so hard. You want to use that weapon."

"....."

Origami stayed silent. Ryouko had already figured out her plan.

Prototype Unit, Annihilation Weapon EW-029, <White Licorice>.

White Licorice, a new experimental piece of equipment, is a CR unit optimized for pure destruction. In theory, its threat level is equivalent to an entire AST squadron and has the power to kill spirits. However, the unit exerts great pressure on the user, limiting its use to about 30 minutes. Using it for longer will endanger the user's life. This side effect was why Origami had been increasing her stamina as much as possible to endure long enough.

"You know you can't use White Licorice. It would generate so many political and technological problems."

That's right. White Licorice is a CR unit that DEM brought to AST for the new member Mana Takamiya to use. However, Mana Takamiya disappeared, leaving the weapon in storage.

Origami knew that with her qualifications, she couldn't use it without causing conflicts, so she wanted to steal it. But now that Ryouko knew her plans, she felt desperate...

Fortunately, the hand on her shoulder tightened, causing her to look up and see Ryouko...

"I know I can't stop you from going and using that thing, so we'll help you. I don't want to see you die using that thing. Don't worry; I'm with you, and I'll help you. Right, girls?"

"That's right!"

"We're with you, Tobichi-san!"

Suddenly, emerging from the walls, AST members appeared one by one. They had apparently heard everything and were watching over Origami.

Like Ryouko, these girls were also worried that the second-in-command would collapse.

"You guys..."

Origami was surprised and also a bit disheartened. It seemed everyone could see through her like an open book...

"Do you understand now? Don't overdo it, Origami. Together, we'll bring your brother back."

"Yes..."

This time, Origami didn't refuse. After all, she needed all the help she could get. This time, hope returned to her eyes...

(TN: Ah yes the power of love and friendship)

---

Of course, Yuki didn't know what Origami was planning or doing. And even if he did, he wouldn't care, as he had enough confidence to defeat whatever his little adoptive sister was doing. At that moment, he had more important things to do, like introducing the new team member...

"My name is Mana Takamiya. It's a pleasure to work with you all..."

Bowing before all the Fraxinus staff, Mana smiled while Kotori and the entire team looked bewildered...

"Hm? Welcome?"

Only Yuki reacted, enjoying the soft sensation transmitted to his arms. Tohka and Mukuro's large, warm bosoms were something Yuki didn't reject, reminding him of Tsunade's enormous mountains. How he wished he could lie down on those enormous melons again...

"No welcome! What's going on?!"

Kotori couldn't take it anymore. Out of nowhere, Yuki said he would bring a new member. Initially, she thought it was a new spirit but never imagined it would be Mana Takamiya, a DEM member...

She wasn't a spirit; she was a mage and an enemy soldier...

"Didn't I tell you? She's a new member."

"That's not what I meant! Why is she here?!"

Ratatoskr wasn't a charity where anyone could join, especially the enemy...

"Nii-sama."

Kotori's gaze was as sharp as a knife, scaring Mana a little. She approached Yuki and trembled. Fortunately, it wasn't Mukuro beside her; it was Tohka. Otherwise, with Mukuro's personality, Mana would suffer...

"Nii-sama? Explain to me what's going on here."

"Yuki's little sister?"

"Does Nushi-sama have a sister?"

Kotori had never heard that Yuki had a sister, so she was surprised. Neither had Tohka and Mukuro. Only Nia seemed calm, as with Rasiel in her possession, few things surprised her...

"Well, it's like Mana said, she's my little sister."

"..."

Kotori narrowed her eyes, not believing Yuki. After all, Mana and he didn't look alike at all. Yuki had black hair while Mana had blue. Their physical similarities were also non-existent.

To Kotori, Yuki must have sunk his claws into this human, and now he couldn't let her go, inventing this whole 'little sister' nonsense to let her stay in Ratatoskr...

Apparently, she underestimated Yuki's thirst for women. It wasn't enough to have spirits; he also went after humans. Thinking about that, Kotori felt a bit disgusted. As a spirit, she felt a bit betrayed, so she snorted coldly...

"I'll believe you, for now."

Even so, Mana was still a powerful mage, and it would be good to have her in Ratatoskr. They couldn't always rely on spirits for fear they might lose control and cause spatial quakes...

Mana was human and would be a good help on the military side...

---

TN: Exactly koto chan he's disgusting piece of shit adopting another sister while leaving the one who callls him "Oniichan" alone...