After setting up the spiritual transfer device at the school district, Shaka returned to his clan base, granted to him by the city.
Though medicine and magic had healed his wounds, the blood he'd lost couldn't be restored so easily. Anemia symptoms flared up occasionally, so rest was his top priority.
"Now that we can travel between our familia and the school district anytime. They can train there when they have time, and sell drinks I brought from the 'everyday world' when they're free."
Perfect timing I can rest and earn money at the same time. To his embarrassment, he had less than 50,000 valis to his name and couldn't keep relying on Cecil forever.
Of course, matters in the "everyday world" also demanded attention. He opened his phone to find a message from Sayu Ogiwara:
Helmets delivered to the designated spot. Confirmed the location of the "Future Electronics Research Institute" and started negotiations to acquire the "Telephone Microwave Oven."
"Sayu is really capable she'd make a great secretary."
After closing the chat, he reconnected with Makise Kurisu:
Makise Kurisu: I received the device and inspected it. This helmet is strange there are no game system components inside. It looks like just a brainwave monitor… with a tiny massage function?
Shaka: Aren't you worried you won't be able to keep pretending?
Makise Kurisu: I have enough confidence for that.
No wonder she's a genius who can write papers on time machines, can't mess with her.
Shaka rephrased his point: Do you believe in magic?
Makise Kurisu: Magic?
Shaka: There's a saying—"The end of science is theology Artificial fluclights" isn't that just the human soul explained through science?
At the research institute, Kurisu raised an eyebrow at the message. Interesting…
Makise Kurisu: So you're saying your "toy" is a mysterious item?
Shaka: I have no reason to tell a lie that's so easy to expose. Once your fluclight arrives here, you'll understand everything.
Makise Kurisu: Fair enough. When will you keep your promise?
Shaka: Right now.
Central Square of the Base
Five minutes later, Shaka stood on the stone steps of a dried-up fountain weeds pushing through the ground stakes with arms outstretched, weaving magic. Kanade Tachibana and Kuroneko stood beside him; a new batch of Sleeping Knights was about to arrive.
With his increased magical power, the number of temporary players he could maintain had grown dramatically. This time, he summoned more than just makise kirisu."
A flash of golden light coalesced into spiritual particles, and three girls appeared on the magic circle. Coarse linen clothes couldn't hide their youthful energy.
"Hey, Kanade-chan!"
A long blonde-haired girl hopped over to Kanade's side it was Kaori Miyazono, Kanade's fellow patient from Your Lie in April. Shaka couldn't recall her exact illness, but it was neurological symptoms included frequent fainting and weak limbs. He'd checked before; it wasn't fatal on its own, but a failed surgery had caused her death.
He didn't dwell on it the Sleeping Knights could handle welcoming new members now. Yuuki and Kanade were more than capable of guiding them.
Shaka turned his gaze to the next invitee:
"Yotsuya Miko."
"Yes!"
Shaka crossed his arms and studied her impressive figure, distinctive eyes.
"Did you ask to join so you could get some peace of mind?"
Miko fidgeted with her fingers, head bowed: "Yes… My eyes can see things others can't. If possible, I want the power to deal with danger too…"
"I see." Shaka glanced at Kuroneko. "She's one of us now she's your student."
Kuroneko grinned smugly: "Cool, cool, cool! Those eyes are truly enviable being able to see invisible boundaries is a gift from the Eternal Night. Come with me I'll teach you how to use your power."
"O-okay…" Miko shrank back slightly but followed her away.
Miko had been selected as a lucky player from the forum. Given the chaos in the everyday world, Shaka wanted to avoid involving unrelated people for now, recruitment would be limited to Sleeping Knights patients and internal invitees.
Makise Kurisu, who'd watched everything with arms crossed, raised an eyebrow: "What is this a stage play?"
"As you can see they're fellow experiencers like you."
Shaka put his hands in his pockets: "Come with me."
They walked down a dilapidated path to an ancient manor. Shaka pushed open the door, which let out a rusty scrape as wood rubbed against wood.
"Sorry for the mess please have a seat."
He headed to the cabinet to pour drinks: "What would you like?"
"Coffee."
"Sorry, only Coke. Or we have red wine…"
Why ask then? Kurisu puffed out her cheeks. She looked around the hall only the central table and chairs were new; everything else bore the marks of time. She pulled out a chair and sat down, crossing her arms and legs.
Shaka pushed a wine glass filled with Coke across the table: "So how was the experience?"
Kurisu took a curious sip, she didn't like carbonated drinks…
"This stuff is bad for your health."
"Your body here is just spiritual particles or 'Fluclights,' as you'd put it." Shaka smiled and fetched a piece of cake from the cabinet. "You can eat as much as you want without worrying about weight gain."
Kurisu's eyes lit up. She grabbed a fork and finished the cake in no time, then blushed when she realized what she'd done meeting Shaka's amused gaze.
"I admit it this is a truly amazing invention!"
"Because you can eat desserts without gaining weight?" Shaka joked.
"No, that's not it!"
Seeing her guard drop, Shaka's lips curved slightly. He'd dealt with genius girls before first you had to get them to relax, make them blush, then…
"I think we can talk about more sensitive topics now…"
Shaka laced his fingers together and asked seriously: "How far have you gotten on your time machine paper? Or do you still have that paper at all?"
Kurisu's pupils contracted: "How did you know about that?"