Chapter 12: Misunderstanding!

Except—

Gamma couldn't see the Library.

It wasn't just that she couldn't access it.

She couldn't see it—even when Cid placed it right in front of her face.

No problem, he thought.

If Gamma couldn't use the Library directly, then Cid would do it for her.

He injected some of his own converted magic into her, assuming it would fade after a few days without causing any lasting effects.

It was a logical plan.

And then—

Day 2: The magic strand split into seven.

Day 3: The seven strands became hundreds.

Day 4: Over three hundred.

Day 5: More than six hundred.

By the fifth day, Cid was done.

Mentally.

How?!

How had his modified magic suddenly gained the ability to reproduce itself just by being shared?

And Gamma?

She had been perfectly fine.

She didn't even notice what was happening.

It wasn't until later that Cid realized the Library had far more functions than just storing magic knowledge.

• It could stabilize space.

• Enable communication.

• Borrow power from others.

And those were just the ones he'd discovered so far.

Still, none of that really mattered to him.

What Cid cared about was the magic knowledge stored inside—

Because honestly?

He was already too strong to need any of those other functions. (Obviously.)

The sun was already high in the sky when he finally woke.

"Bang! Bang! Bang!"

A loud knock rattled his door.

"Cid-kun! Don't forget, you're eating at our place today! I made omelet rice!"

The voice jolted Cid out of his mental trance.

The moment his eyes opened, pain spread through his entire body.

Every muscle screamed in protest, sending sharp reminders of the triple-compression training from the night before.

His bed?

Soaked through.

The sheets might as well have been pulled out of a lake.

He peeled himself off the mattress, tossed the wet sheets into the washing machine, and stumbled toward the fridge.

After downing a bottle of water, he stepped into the shower.

Standing before the mirror, he studied his reflection.

A body sculpted like a statue, lean and defined without a trace of excess.

His features were sharp, his red eyes glowing faintly like embers.

His gaze—deep, mysterious, and almost hypnotic.

Then—

He reached up, pinched his face, and pulled.

His features flattened.

His eyes dulled.

In the blink of an eye, he went from divine warrior to forgettable mob.

With practiced ease, he grabbed his casual clothes from the rack and threw them on, burying his physique under layers of fabric.

He stepped out of his apartment, took a few steps to the right, and knocked.

"**Cid-kun! Hurry up and come inside! I'll grab your plate.

Kojou! Get off the couch and come eat already!**"

The door swung open to reveal a bright-eyed girl with short black hair and an energetic smile that practically radiated cheerfulness.

Nagisa Akatsuki.

His neighbor.

The younger sister of the Akatsuki siblings.

They went to the same school and had first met a year ago through a minor incident.

As Cid stepped inside, his body briefly stiffened.

His eyes sharpened.

But the moment he spotted the silver-haired figure rising lazily from the sofa, he immediately relaxed.

"Yo, Cid. You're here."

Kojou Akatsuki.

The older brother.

And, in Cid's personal assessment?

A natural-born Eminence in Shadow.

Sure, he went to a normal school.

But the ocean of mana swirling inside him couldn't be hidden from Cid's senses.

Not even if he tried.

"Ack—!"

Before Kojou could even reach the dining table, his foot caught on something, and he went tumbling forward—face-first.

Cid reacted instinctively.

"Whoa!"

Cid's footwork shifted as he released tension from his legs, softening the impact just in time.

Turning his body slightly, he caught Kojou mid-fall, letting him land on top of him instead of crashing onto the hard floor.

A flawless replay of the selfless mob character he'd established when he "saved" Nagisa the year before.

"Ow, ow, ow…"

Kojou winced, quickly getting back to his feet.

"You okay, Cid? Sorry about that. Mornings aren't my thing, you know?"

Cid waved him off, brushing imaginary dust from his shirt.

"Don't worry about it. I'm a Magic Swordsman. Built to handle a little tumble."

"Appreciate it."

Kojou scratched the back of his head, looking awkward.

"Man, you must think I'm an idiot. But seriously, mornings hit me hard."

Cid smirked inwardly.

Perfect.

Absolutely perfect.

Kojou's performance was a masterclass in playing a mob role.

The stumble.

The careless attitude.

The casual excuses.

No one could've guessed he was hiding enormous power.

But Cid wouldn't lose in this battle of disguises.

This was his stage.

And he had years of practice perfecting his persona.

Sorry, Kojou.

You're good.

But I'm better.

My reaction speed? Perfect.

My execution? Immaculate.

I even used this moment to reinforce my character.

A good-natured mob who goes out of his way to protect others.

You're stuck in the light, Kojou.

I'm shrouded in shadows.

You're one step behind.

I'm already two steps ahead.

Cid glanced at Kojou, resisting the urge to grin.

A pity.

If only you had the strength to match that acting talent.

Because without it, you'll never be an Eminence in Shadow.

Before Kojou could say another word—

A sudden scream pierced the air.

"AAAAAAAHHHHHHHHH!!!"

Both Cid and Kojou froze.

Turning their heads toward the source of the sound, they spotted Nagisa.

Standing at the kitchen entrance.

Her eyes were wide.

Her hands trembled as she clutched a plate of omelet rice.

And she was staring directly at them.

Kojou was still half-collapsed on Cid.

"N-Nagisa… wait—"

The words never left his mouth.

Because Nagisa Akatsuki's mind had already jumped to the worst possible conclusion.

Kojou Akatsuki… was gay.

"W-Wait, it's not what it looks like!"

Kojou scrambled to his feet, his face flushed red.

But Nagisa had already bolted.

Her plate of food left behind on the counter as she fled toward the hallway.

Meanwhile, Cid remained completely calm.

He dusted himself off, his mind already piecing together the scenario.

A misunderstanding?

Or perhaps—

A test.

Was Nagisa also a player in the shadows?

Was this part of Kojou's plan?

He narrowed his eyes.

This wouldn't be the first time someone tried to bait him out.

But no matter what it was—

Cid Kagenou would play his role flawlessly.

Because that's what an Eminence in Shadow does.