The androids of the Angel Series created by U City halted their movements upon reaching E City, then began their return to U City. At first, the people of U City were startled to see the androids heading back, but it didn’t take long for them to realize that control over the Angel Series had been restored. Somehow, E City had subdued the villain and reclaimed control. Realizing this, U City promptly requested that E City hand over the villain, but E City remained silent.

Meanwhile, the villain captured in E City was occupied with something entirely different.

"Hmm..."
"..."

Acting as a professor (albeit temporarily), Eight was grading the exam papers completed by his "student." Normally, this task would be assigned to graduate students or assistants working under a professor, but what could he do? This "candidate for servitude" was still in training, after all.

It wouldn’t make sense to have him grade his own work, so Eight marked the exam paper himself, drawing heavy slashes through incorrect answers as he frowned.

"Why did you miss this one?"

“...I mean, how do you expect me to remember everything we just went over yesterday?”

“I gave you a whole day. Can’t you memorize five books?”

At this, Meister looked at him with a mixture of shock and disbelief, a look unbefitting of a potential slave toward his master. Eight tapped at his smartphone, prompting Meister to realize his mistake. Immediately, he dropped to his knees, remorse spilling from him as he started to beg for forgiveness.

“Ah, aaah—!”

“Relax your gaze.”

“I-I’m sorry!”

“Use your power. I’ve allowed you to use it on your own body.”

“But… my power is only meant for controlling machines…”

"Did I ask for backtalk?"

Eight tapped his temple in a gesture, urging Meister to think for himself. But Meister, busy with his apology, failed to recognize the invaluable hint.

Frustrated, Eight finally spelled out the answer.

"Your power manipulates machines through an electromagnetic field, right? Then why don’t you realize that your body is also a kind of machine made of flesh? Control your brain to memorize the books.”

“I… I’ve never tried to use my power that way…”

“It’s all about belief. Supernatural abilities function based on belief.”

Meister looked at Eight in utter confusion before clamping his eyes shut and, with a groan, tried to apply his power to his own body as instructed.

Watching him struggle, Eight let out a sigh. It felt a bit like he was being a “red-pen teacher,” which he found stifling. But what could he do? The guy was more thick-headed than he’d expected.

‘How can he not remember something this simple?’

Back in his own student days, if a professor assigned him a task, Eight would have completed it by the following day, no matter what. Whether it was possible or not didn’t matter; all that mattered was that his professor had asked it of him.

Yet this guy was already slacking off—it seemed there was a long road ahead.

“It’s… it’s not working.”

“Your belief is lacking.”

“This isn’t possible…”

“Want me to make it possible for you?”

“No… I’ll figure it out myself.”

Seeing Meister groaning again with his eyes shut, Eight let out another heavy sigh. As he watched the rebellious fool struggle, he realized just how much his professors must have appreciated having someone as diligent as him.

Eight wondered why they’d assigned him, and not others, to all those grueling tasks back then…

“Ow! Why did you hit me?!”

“Your incompetence reminded me of something unpleasant.”

“Are you actually insane…?”

“I can hear you.”

If a swan were swimming among a flock of ugly ducklings, how could anyone not be captivated by the swan?

[The traffic light has changed.]
“Hmm.”

With the assistance of Evilus Agent, Hanee navigated the streets. Nearly blind, she relied on the AI as an additional pair of eyes.

Though her hearing was sharp, it couldn’t detect something like a traffic light changing. Living in a neglected city where some lights hadn’t been replaced in decades, she needed help.

After weaving around obstacles and reaching home, Hanee changed into more comfortable clothes and began preparing dinner—a task that, until recently, would have been near impossible without Evilus Agent’s guidance.

[The eggs are to your right. Yes, slice the green onions like that. Careful with your fingers. The bowl is—]

As she savored a simple egg fried rice, her ears perked up at the sound of unfamiliar footsteps echoing outside her door.

In this neighborhood, visitors were rare, and she’d memorized the sounds of those who did visit. These footsteps didn’t belong to any debt collector or landlord; they were too light, too unburdened.

A voice called from outside.

“Is anyone home?”

Right at her doorstep, the owner of those steps knocked, calling for her. With caution, Hanee retrieved the sword from the corner of her room, approaching the door with a concealed blade at the ready.

As she opened the door, her earpiece crackled to life with the voice of Evilus Agent.

[A young woman in her twenties. Approximately 160 cm tall. Estimated weight: around 40 kg. This person is not registered in the system.]

In other words, a stranger. The visitor remained silent, standing still. The presence felt eerie, her aura more akin to that of a plant than a human.

"Who… are you?”

“Oh, sorry, I should have introduced myself. My name’s Flower. May I come in?”

“Flower… I suppose so. What brings you here?”

“I’d rather discuss that inside. Too many eyes around here.”

Hanee realized the truth in her words; she could feel the neighborhood's watchful gaze upon them. If she delayed further, the residents would surely grow anxious.

She invited Flower inside and quickly shut the door, locking it. Despite the loud creak of the worn hinges, Flower paid no mind, calmly looking around.

“Wow… This is probably the most bare room I’ve ever seen.”

“…Apologies for the lack of decor.”

“Oh, no! I didn’t mean it like that! I’m the one who’s being rude.”

Startled by Hanee’s reaction, Flower quickly sat down on the bare floor, smiling warmly even though nothing separated them but Hanee’s sword.

“—You’re the Sword Phantom, aren’t you?”

“The… Sword Phantom?”

“Oh, don’t you know? It’s famous! They say there’s a phantom here in the city, slaying villains.”

Embarrassed by the nickname, Hanee ran her fingers over the hilt of her sword. She hadn’t realized she had such an awkward title.

Flower clapped her hands joyfully, delighted at her discovery.

“A ruthless swordswoman with no mercy! They say you’re a bit brutal, but as a vigilante ridding the city of villains, people think you’re fantastic—”

“Could… could you stop, please?”

“Oh, of course!”

“So, why have you come looking for me?”

“I need the Sword Phantom’s strength.”

Flower’s emerald-green eyes fixed on Hanee, exuding a presence that felt like a vast forest encroaching upon the room.

A fresh scent filled the air as Hanee nervously gripped the sword hilt, returning Flower’s gaze.

“…You need my strength?”

“There’s too much trash in this world. To rid us of it, we need heroes like you.”

“I’m not… some kind of hero. I’m just… a person with a little more morality than most.”

“Then help me punish those who lack even that shred of morality.”

Flower drew closer, exuding an imposing aura that Hanee couldn’t quite explain. It was as though an entire forest was advancing on her.

“This world is ruining nature. Ever since AI appeared, the destruction has only sped up.”

“…What exactly is it that you want?”

“To return to nature.”

First things first—

Flower turned her gaze toward Hanee’s smartphone, or rather, the AI within it.

“That blasted AI… needs to disappear.”