Key of Seven Illusions

"In the name of the future, let what has not yet occurred but is destined to be, arrive ahead of time..." The galaxy swirled, and countless lights suddenly extinguished in an instant, only to blaze anew moments later. At the same time, Chu Lian, lying on the bed, slowly floated into the air as specks of starlight streamed into her forehead.

At first, the lights were faint and scattered. But after that moment of extinguishment and brilliance, the starlit path burst forth like a breached dam, pouring an infinite stream of starlight into Chu Lian's forehead.

If someone had been carefully observing the night sky at that moment, they would've noticed that all the stars dimmed for a mere 0.01 seconds. Though that duration was imperceptible to most, it was still enough for those who tirelessly pursued the secrets of the cosmos to take note. Later, researchers around the world would release reports analyzing the cause of this universal dimming.

In truth, this phenomenon didn't happen because Mana's power was strong enough to seize control over the stars in the cosmos. Rather, it was the result of using her power of foresight to bring the future ahead of schedule, momentarily creating a spatial-temporal fracture. Of course, unless one possessed profound mastery over time and space, such an event would seem no different from a miracle.

"When present and future merge, open your heart. Let the two timelines converge within you, forming a nexus through which the future flows into the now..." Mana's brows furrowed deeper and deeper, clearly struggling with the exertion this ability required.

Floating midair, Chu Lian felt an indescribable warmth spreading through her body, a mysterious power slowly awakening within her. It surged with a sensation of euphoria, as if ready to pierce the skies.

Hearing Mana's whispered incantation, she tried to relax her body and fully open herself to the coming future.

"Foresight heralds the future. The present guides the future. And the future... arrives now." Blood began to trickle from the corners of Mana's lips, but she still finished the incantation.

With her final words, a beam of light silently shot from Chu Lian's room into the night sky.

"Eve, now!" Mana gritted her teeth and called out, precisely timing her cue.

"The Apocalypse is about to unfold. A destined future is coming—will it be rebirth or ruin? Will you become a demon or a god? When you inscribe your name upon it, your fate will be sealed..." Inside the floor-length mirror, Eve closed her eyes, intertwining her fingers before her chest and bowing her head in solemn prayer.

"In the name of the Mother of the Apocalypse Virus—the Will of the World—I grant you the highest power. Become the new Eve, the new King... Chu Lian." A single drop of lustrous purple-red liquid slowly emerged from the mirror, merging into the starlit current, then rushing toward Chu Lian.

"I'll take the power, but spare me the title of Eve..." A soft chuckle echoed in everyone's minds, though no one could tell who had spoken.

As the voice faded, the vivid droplet suddenly halted in midair, then began to spin.

"The title of Eve holds no benefit here—only more trouble. I know you meant well, but if you try this again, I won't be so lenient next time." That same female voice resounded again, and both Chu Chu and Eve's expressions changed. The former—furious. The latter—stunned.

Clang... Just as Eve was still stunned, a moonlit blade appeared before the mirror and slashed down at her.

Tsshhh... Though the moonlit blade merely sliced across the mirror's surface, it felt as if it had landed directly on Eve, shredding her violet dress to ribbons. In less than a second, she was completely exposed, standing bare before the other girls.

Eve instinctively tried to cover her chest and lower body, only to find she couldn't move at all. All she could do was stare ahead helplessly. "You..."

"I am Qihuan, my husband's weapon..." The moonlit longsword transformed into a gentle woman dressed in a classical white gown, appearing before everyone.

"I didn't expect that Mana would summon me. Though it's a surprise, I'm truly delighted. I thought I would have to wait a long time to meet my husband again—but now, to see her early, is simply wonderful. Chu Chu, Eve meant no harm. Please don't be angry with her." Qihuan bowed politely to Mana, then turned and spoke to Chu Chu.

"I know. I was only angry because I was afraid she might harm big sister, not because I thought she had any ill intent. Also, can you tell me who you are exactly? And who is this 'husband' you mentioned?" Chu Chu looked warily at the mature, gentle woman before her.

"My husband is Chu Lian. And I am the sharpest weapon in her hand—the Key of Seven Illusions." The woman gave a graceful smile, unbothered by Chu Chu's suspicion. But her words left Chu Chu utterly dumbstruck.

"H-h-h-h-h-h-h-husband?! When did big sister become your husband?! You're just her weapon—what right do you have to be her spouse?!" Chu Chu nearly bit her tongue. It was one thing to suspect it—but hearing it confirmed straight from the source was another. She'd be insane not to react.

"Hehe, I never said I was her wife. I'm just one of the people she holds most dear. I'm not her official consort." Qihuan sighed as she said this, clearly resigned to her place.

"Alright, that's all the time we have. I must return to slumber now. Unless there's a true emergency that requires my power, I am not permitted to interfere again. But know this—my arrival was not without benefit. When my husband awakens, she will understand..." Qihuan winked at Chu Chu, offered everyone a graceful bow, and disappeared.

A crescent moon pendant, strung on a delicate, glass-like cord, slowly appeared at Chu Lian's chest, floating gently amid the surging starlight.

"That's... the Key of Seven Illusions?" Chu Chu stared blankly at the pendant, murmuring, "Big Sis, just who are you really..."

She didn't notice that after Qihuan disappeared, the droplet of purple-red liquid had already merged into Chu Lian's body. The starlight that had been pouring into her forehead gradually faded, and everything returned to calm.

Chu Lian's body gently settled back onto the bed without a sound.

"It's done now..." Mana finally spoke. She had been using all her strength to maintain the celestial flow, leaving her unable to respond to Qihuan's arrival or anything that had been said. Only now, with the ritual complete, could she speak.

"Chu Chu, thank you for supporting me... Goodbye... This time, I'll be asleep for a very, very long time..." Mana collapsed at the bedside, her voice soft but satisfied. As she finished speaking, her orange-red eyes closed, and her breathing slowed to a peaceful rhythm.

Meanwhile, Eve—who had been trapped inside the mirror and stripped bare by Qihuan's blade—vanished in shame and frustration the moment Mana fell into slumber.

Even the figure of Inori, who had silently watched everything unfold from the vanity, was now gone.

Chu Chu looked around the now-silent room and sighed. She stepped forward to gently stroke Chu Lian's cheek, and upon realizing she was truly asleep, finally felt at ease.

Not long after, the closed eyes of "Mana" opened once more—but her orange-red eyes had become a wine-red hue. Her long orange hair faded back into soft pink.

It was Inori, who had now awakened.

"Lian..." She rose to her feet, caressed Chu Lian's cheek, held her hand tightly, and whispered her name again and again...

When Chu Lian finally awoke, the moon had already dipped westward. The time was roughly three or four in the morning.

She turned her head and saw Chu Chu sleeping to her left, arms wrapped around her waist, her cheek pressed near her chest, breathing softly. On the right side lay Inori, also embracing her waist, her face turned toward Chu Lian's profile, breathing gently and steadily.

Seeing this scene, Chu Lian understood—they must have been completely exhausted, most likely from worrying about her. Touched by the thought, she refrained from disturbing them and instead opened her status panel to check.

Name: Chu Lian

Age: 13 / ??? (Evaluation: As a pseudo-loli with a mysterious background, your real age is as enigmatic as Yukari's.)

Race: Human Loli (Evaluation: With the body, heart, and personality of a loli, who says you're not one? Stop denying it.)

Gender: Female (Evaluation: Even if you keep insisting you're male, tell me—what part of you looks like a guy?)

Birthdate: 2002.02.08 (Evaluation: Dubious, but let's not ignore it—Aquarius is the most charismatic sign.)

Stamina: 24 (Evaluation: Your abnormal growth has given you abnormal stamina. You can probably wrestle a bear now.)

Speed: 28 (Evaluation: You can run 100 meters in under seven seconds—assuming your body holds up.)

Strength: 38 (Evaluation: You might try going toe-to-toe with an elephant. That'd be a sight.)

(Even if you look like a loli, deep down you're a T-Rex.)

Spiritual Power / Magic Power / Mana / Inner Power: SS / A / A / A (Currently Usable: Spiritual Power / Magic Power / Mana / Inner Power: B / C / C / C) (Evaluation: Your potential has begun to awaken—but you still don't know how to use it.)

Attribute: Void (Void is infinity, encompassing all, yet belonging to only one.)

Luck: EX ~ E (Evaluation: Heaven's chosen, yet cursed. Be cautious—missteps bring disaster. Your luck fluctuates more wildly than anyone else ever recorded.)

Strength Level: Spirit Level – Early ~ Unknown (Evaluation: A portion of your power has awakened, but countless secrets remain. Could your past be more than it seems? Don't be fooled by the 'Daughter of Fate' title—your identity is far from simple.)

Personality: Sharp-tongued, Tsundere, Scheming, Resilient, Loli (Evaluation: You're fully qualified as a true loli.)

Hobbies: Acting cute, sacrificing integrity, yuri, misandrist (Evaluation: Yuri is supreme, long live lace. Even if you drop all pretense of shame and act cute to earn Integrity Points—you're seriously committed. Perhaps something in your past made you a complete misandrist. Any man with ill intent toward you will be instinctively loathed. Summary: You're hopeless. Just love girls already.)

Titles: Genius Literary Girl, Genius Musical Girl, Drifting Wave Fairy, Loli, BlackNeko, No Integrity, Twin Lotus Bloom, Big Sis, Onee-sama (Evaluation: The world is full of pervs.)

Talents: Loli Heart, Orchid in the Valley, Sealed, Sealed, Condition Not Met, Condition Not Met, Divinity, ??? (Evaluation: Divinity was granted when the system bonded with you. Without it, you couldn't receive anything not native to this world. Divinity allows you to accept them.)

Skills: Remilia-sama's Dignity, Head-Hug Squat Defense, Seven Illusions Bow (Evaluation: A weapon formed from the Key of Seven Illusions. Your current strength allows you to wield it only as a special bow.), Unknown, Unknown, Undetectable, Undetectable, ??? (Evaluation: Maybe ask your current parents how you came into this world.)

Special Abilities: Mother of the Apocalypse Virus (Evaluation: You can now infect others with the Apocalypse Virus, crystallizing your opponents. You can also grant others Void Power, awakening their genetic potential.) Void Controller (Evaluation: You can extract genetic abilities from those with Void Power. Strength depends on the target's gene level. Current available target: Inori.)

Soul Skill: White Rose (Half-sealed; unlocked abilities: White Halo, White Blossom) (Evaluation: I'm done commenting. Damn soul skill.)

Cultivation Technique: ??? (Evaluation: How did something so seemingly harmless escape my detection? This defies logic!)

Items: Reimu's Donation Box, The Gloves Abandoned by the Ladykiller, Misaka Mikoto Outfit, Unknown, Unknown, Unknown, Undetectable, Key of Seven Illusions (Abilities Unknown), ??? (Evaluation: Why do you have so many mysterious energy sources? Are you secretly a ship? Or a walking armory?)

Weapon: Key of Seven Illusions (Evaluation: My instincts were right—don't let her touch you! No one in this world would want that. If she makes a move, pray for mercy.)

Pet: Spirit Cat Cub

Completed Quests: Goddess Development Plan Main Quest ①: Debut of the Literary Girl, Side Quest ①: Sudi High School, Special Quest ①: Approaching Storm, Goddess Quest ①: First Performance of the Genius Musical Girl, (Evaluation: Once you complete a quest, the name reflects your overall performance. Girl, step up your pace! Go trigger more quests!)

Talents: C-Level Writing, D-Level Music, AA-Level Performance, C-Level Eloquence, C-Level Basketball, A-Level Driving, B-Level Drawing, C-Level Cooking, S--Level Mastery of Chinese Classical Instruments, C-Level Singing, A-Level Moe Appeal, ??? (Evaluation: Thanks to past and present accumulation, your starting point is higher than 99% of people. But how far you go depends on talent. Also—I hate undetectable data!)

Goddess Value: 14 (Evaluation: It rose again! How odd!)

Reputation: 1,075,421 (Evaluation: For your age and achievements, impressive.)

Points: Goddess Points: 12,012; Culture Points: 330,500; Skill Points: 0; Admiration Points: 1,275,423; Dream Points: 21,451; Item Points: 7; Integrity Points: 1,020,402 (Evaluation: Not bad—you're getting there.)