The Deep Bond of Siblings

Rebirth is always accompanied by destruction. The old departs, the new arrives. To create a new world atop an existing foundation, the current world must first be destroyed.

Though in [Manaka]'s plan, no one would ultimately die, in reality, everyone in the old world would perish. Those surviving in the new world she created would only be infinite replicas of her making.

Just like [Naoki].

Thus, the goal of [everyone surviving] would be achieved in outcome.

"It's the same as killing the current Alaya and you becoming the new Alaya."

"Yes, in essence, that's true. I don't deny it." [Manaka] nodded. "But it's a necessary sacrifice. I'll record everything about every person and reconstruct their existence in the new world. They'll live in a different way."

"A massacre with seven billion victims."

"If it creates a world where Ayaka can always be happy, it's not a sacrifice but a necessary process."

[Manaka] looked at her sister, a gentle smile on her lips: "Wait just a little longer, Ayaka. I'll soon create such a world. In that world, you'll surely live happier."

She was utterly certain of it.

Facing her sister's sincere intentions, Ayaka was at a loss for words. She couldn't even think straight. The overwhelming information left her unable to comprehend the conversation between Naoki and [Manaka].

The only thing she grasped was that her sister wanted to create a world without Magecraft for her sake.

A world without Magecraft?

Would living in such a world truly bring happiness?

Ayaka couldn't help but imagine that life. No need to wake up early every morning, no need to suppress nausea to practice Magecraft, no need to use her blood as a catalyst. She could go home early at night, no sudden tasks, and certainly no battles.

She'd enjoy a truly peaceful life.

"Isn't that… the same as before?"

Unconsciously, Ayaka said it aloud.

Before entering high school and gradually taking over the duties of the Sajyou family head from the church, Ayaka had lived a similar life. The only difference was practicing Magecraft in the mornings and evenings. Sometimes, if she felt lazy, she'd skip training altogether.

After all, she was the only Magus in Tokyo now, with no one supervising her.

Meaning, the life her sister believed would make her truly happy was already nearly realized. But was that life happy? Ayaka didn't think so.

She was always alone at home, and her reserved nature meant she had few friends at school. Though her grades were decent, they brought her no real benefit—for eight years, Ayaka rarely felt genuine happiness, except in the last few years with Ciel and when Naoki took her flying into the sky at noon.

Though terrified of such heights, the sensation of being in the air, emptying her mind, felt liberating to Ayaka, like shedding all burdens, free to do whatever she wanted.

"Don't you think a world like that would make you happy, Ayaka?"

[Manaka] suddenly asked.

She could sense her sister's thoughts. Her current self was even more Omniscient and Omnipotent than when she was alive.

After a moment of silence, Ayaka nodded: "I think… probably not. At least, I don't think I could truly smile in a world like that."

"You could make more friends, you know. Ayaka, you're unhappy because you're too shy to make friends. Once you have friends in the new world, you'll surely be happy."

"But… wouldn't they all be… wouldn't they just be puppets you created?"

After organizing her thoughts and gradually understanding the earlier conversation, Ayaka realized something.

If her sister became Alaya in the new world, it meant everyone's actions there would be manifestations of her sister's will. In that world, would there truly be [humans] besides herself?

In such a world, could she really find [friends] who could make her genuinely happy?

No, because she'd only be living in a world where everyone was [her sister].

"I see… You think that way, Ayaka. That's wonderful." [Manaka] said, unexpectedly neither angry nor confused but smiling with satisfaction. "You've grown up, Ayaka. Back then, you wouldn't have had such rich thoughts. You used to do whatever I said, whatever Father said."

"Seeing you now with such clear, independent thoughts makes me so happy."

"Sister, I…"

"But, Ayaka, your thinking is still too simplistic. You're trying to imagine things beyond your understanding with your shallow knowledge, like a painter wanting to depict something they've never seen. You can't paint it, nor imagine it. You can only define the unknown with what you already know."

"That's why you don't think such a life would be happy."

[Manaka] clasped her hands together and stepped back one or two paces.

"It's okay. I'll show you how beautiful a world without Magecraft can be. Then you'll see it will surely bring you happiness. For now, please wait a little longer."

Space rippled, and [Manaka]'s figure began to fade into it. Seeing this, Ayaka shouted urgently: "Don't go! Sister! I want to be with you—"

*CRACK!*

A sound like something shattering cut off Ayaka's cry. A ferocious sea of flames instantly filled the world.

Standing as a barrier before Naoki and Ayaka, [Naoki] grinned: "Finally free from that restriction. Let's go! Round two, original! Let's fight to the death!"

"[Return.]"

"Huh?!"

[Manaka]'s voice made [Naoki] turn and glare at her. But the next second, meeting [Manaka]'s gaze, [Naoki] shut his mouth like an obedient dog.

Looking back at Naoki and Ayaka, [Manaka] gave a faint smile: "Then, Natsukawa-kun, I entrust my sister to your care a little longer. Once everything is settled, I'll send you and your family back to your original world."

"See you in the new world, Ayaka."

"Sister—!"