"It's well-known that the manifestation of Spirits causes Spatial Quakes. But have you ever considered that this statement might be incorrect? What if the correct understanding is that Spatial Quakes cause Spirits to manifest?" This was something Yoshino had told her before. In her previous life, an era of information explosion, there were many theories about Spatial Quakes. Yoshino had seen information about these and told Toujou Nozomi when she first enrolled.
"So, it's not that Spirits appear and trigger Spatial Quakes, but rather that Spatial Quakes force Spirits to appear?" Itsuka Kotori pondered for a moment, and her sharp mind quickly found the answer. Every time a Spirit appeared, they would be at the epicenter of the quake, yet they would be completely unharmed. If there was a sequence where Spirits only appeared after a Spatial Quake, then it would make sense.
"Yes, Yoshino also told me that before she manifested, she felt a pulling sensation, and then after some time, she returned to the street. Such phenomena occur regardless of the Spirit's own will; even the Spirits themselves don't know the cause. Could this be the reason? That's what I mean." Toujou Nozomi looked at Itsuka Kotori with an approving gaze. It seemed that being able to become the Commander of Ratatoskr wasn't without some ability.
"But… even if this theory holds true, why can Spirits still summon Spatial Quakes after manifesting?" After some thought, Itsuka Kotori posed another new question. As a Spirit herself, she naturally knew that Spirits had the ability to cause Spatial Quakes, but this somewhat conflicted with her theory.
"That can also be clearly explained. I can prove it to you now." Saying this, she motioned for Minami Kotori and Hoshizora Rin to come over. The three of them extended their right hands and stacked them together.
"Commander Itsuka, can you feel spiritual power from me? Or rather, do you think I am a Spirit like Yoshino?" Toujou Nozomi asked with a smile.
"No… I don't feel any spiritual power from you. I can confirm that you are definitely not Spirits," Itsuka Kotori said very seriously.
"Hehe~ Although I don't know why you can tell we're not Spirits without any equipment, it certainly makes things easier." With that, Toujou Nozomi gradually concentrated her magic power in her right hand. Minami Kotori and Hoshizora Rin also mimicked her, stacking their respective powers together. As the three injected more power, purple, orange, and silver-gray lights emanated from them, the colors slowly intensifying.
And at that very moment, the Spatial Quake alarm in Tengu City suddenly blared.
"What in the world is happening?" Hearing the Spatial Quake alarm, Itsuka Kotori urgently asked. She was certain that none of them were Spirits, but the sudden blaring of the Spatial Quake alarm made her immediately think of these three people with special powers.
"It's like this: when power is combined and unleashed to an extent that even the world cannot contain, the will of the world will appear to eliminate these existences that pose a threat to this era, and this method of elimination…"
"Is a Spatial Quake, right?" Itsuka Kotori continued, looking at Toujou Nozomi.
"Exactly, that's the reason." Toujou Nozomi replied with a smile, then slowly withdrew the power from her hand. The colors emanating from the three of them gradually faded, and immediately after, the Spatial Quake alarm in Tengu City also ceased. Seeing this, Itsuka Kotori knew that Toujou Nozomi's conjecture was correct.
"I've now initially confirmed my hypothesis regarding Spatial Quakes. Now let's discuss another matter. Yoshino, come here." She waved at Yoshino with a smile, signaling her to come over. After Yoshino came, she hugged her, letting her sit on her lap, holding Yoshino tightly and burying her small head in her chest, constantly nuzzling Yoshino's head while sniffing her natural scent. Minami Kotori and the other girl, who were watching, narrowed their eyes at Toujou Nozomi, feeling a pang of displeasure.
"Ah~ Indeed, if I don't properly replenish my Yoshino-element every day, I really can't bear it. I've talked so much, I need to recharge. Commander Itsuka, do you mind if I continue explaining while holding Yoshino?"
"...Ah, no problem, as long as you're happy." Itsuka Kotori twitched her lips, looking at the blushing Yoshino sitting on Toujou Nozomi's lap. Could it be that she was just treating Yoshino as a mascot? And 'Yoshino-element'... when did such a strange thing exist? She thought she was a very shrewd person, but now she seemed like an eccentric.
"What I want to talk to you about are the Spirits, Commander Itsuka. Do you know where the Spirits' power comes from? It's really interesting."
"Yoshino told me before that her Angel's name is Ice Binding Puppet (Zadkiel). Because of the word Zadkiel, I specifically looked it up and discovered something very interesting." After operating her phone, she handed it to Itsuka Kotori. On the phone was a uniquely shaped large tree with ten fruits.
"What… exactly is this?" After looking at the photo, Itsuka Kotori looked at Toujou Nozomi with some confusion, intending to get an answer from her.
"The kabbalah tree of life. I think you should know about this, right?"
"The tree in the religious sense?"
"Exactly, that's it." Toujou Nozomi used magic to project a diagram of the kabbalah tree of life for Itsuka Kotori to see, then spoke:
"This is the origin of life; Spirits are born from here. mercy — (Zadkiel) signifies the pure and sacred cosmic law — 'love.' Chesed is also called Gedulah. Its number is 4, its color is blue, its metal is tin, its shape is a regular tetrahedron, its gem is sapphire, and its planet is symbolized by Jupiter. It represents the King seated on the throne. The divine name is EL. The Guardian Angel is Zadkiel. Don't you think it's very similar to Yoshino? Her sapphire-like eyes, blue hair, and Yoshino's desire not to harm others."
"This…" Looking at Toujou Nozomi's smiling face, Itsuka Kotori didn't know what to say.
Seeing Itsuka Kotori speechless by her words, Toujou Nozomi directly pointed at the fifth particle on the projection of the kabbalah tree of life.
"Geburah (Severity) — (Camael) is also known as the 'Angel's Surgeon.' Its number is 5, its color is red, its shape is a pentagon, its metal is iron, its gem is ruby, and its planet is symbolized by Mars. It is also called the Surgeon of the Sky. The divine name is Elohim Gibor. The Guardian Angel is Camael. I think the Spirit of the fifth sephirah should be you, Itsuka Kotori."
Seeing the cold sweat on Itsuka Kotori's face, Toujou Nozomi smiled contentedly.
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