[TL/N: Read my new work - Anime Group Chat in a Doomsday World!]
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"Not good! Dodge immediately!"
As Kusakabe Ryouko shouted, all the AST operatives quickly activated their energy shields and braced themself. Their serious, tense expressions betrayed their fear.
However...
"Haah!"
Alexander let out a sharp cry before doing something entirely unexpected.
Whoosh!
Under everyone's stunned gazes, Alexander tossed the enormous sword aside, grabbed Kurumi by the hand, and vanished on the spot using spatial manipulation magic.
Kusakabe Ryouko: "...."
Tobiichi Origami: "..."
The entire AST: "..."
For a moment, the battlefield was silent. Gradually, everyone began to process what had just happened.
"That... that Spirit just ran away?"
Kusakabe Ryouko's lips twitched in disbelief before she cursed loudly, "Damn it! Retreat!"
With the targets gone, there was no point in staying. She turned and led her team back, frustration evident in every step.
---
Meanwhile, one street away, Alexander sat outside a quaint coffee shop, exhaling deeply.
"Why are those girls so aggressive? Did I murder their families or something?"
Hearing his grumbling, Kurumi chuckled mischievously.
"Serves you right. You're the Creator after all. We spirits have suffered enough because of you, so maybe now you'll understand our grievances."
Alexander felt a pang of injustice at her words but decided to let it go. It wasn't worth arguing over something so trivial. After all, this wasn't even his world.
"Fine. Let's take a break. I'm curious to see how the food here compares to what we have back home."
Kurumi arched an eyebrow, a playful smirk on her lips.
"Don't even try. Nothing here can compete with the meals cooked by Erina. The difference is night and day."
Alexander chuckled, acknowledging the truth in her words. His world might be chaotic, but its culinary delights were second to none.
As they sat down, Alexander raised a hand. "Waiter, a Blue Mountain latte, please."
After a brief wait, a sweet, melodic voice greeted them.
"Welcome, guests. Here's your coffee."
Alexander looked up to thank the server but froze mid-sentence. Before him stood a cheerful girl with twin ponytails, wearing a clean and tidy maid uniform. Her bright smile was ordinary enough, but Alexander recognized her instantly—this was Kotori Itsuka.
"Uh…?"
Kotori tilted her head innocently, meeting his wide-eyed stare.
"Is something wrong, guest?"
Alexander quickly recovered, shaking his head with a polite smile. "No, I was just surprised to see such a cute waitress."
He glanced at Kurumi, who was already giving him a knowing look. Without words, their shared glance seemed to say: 'This girl is definitely here for us.'
Alexander turned back to Kotori, his tone casual yet probing. "By the way, this coffee shop is so close to where the space quake just happened. Why didn't you evacuate?"
Kotori blinked, caught off guard for a moment, before responding with a quick excuse.
"Well, the quake subsided pretty quickly, so we just came back out."
Alexander chuckled lightly. The explanation was flimsy but plausible enough.
Sensing his skepticism, Kotori quickly shifted the topic.
"Space quakes are really troublesome, don't you think? You say, if spirits don't cause space shocks, or if they don't have spiritual power, will they be the same as ordinary people?"
Alexander leaned back, studying her carefully. Of course he knows her intentions. Kotori's plan involved using Shido Itsuka's ability to seal the spirit' powers, making them no different from humans. While the idea might seem noble, Alexander saw it as a form of escapism.
"Spirits are Spirits. Why should they be like ordinary people?" he replied calmly.
Kotori's expression faltered.
Alexander continued, "Sealing their powers doesn't eliminate the problem; it only postpones it. Besides, accidents always happen even without the spirit. Humans are also a calamity you know?"
Therefore, in Alexander's eyes, the best way to treat spirits is to guide people to take the initiative to accept spirits, just like Kurumi and Tohka, everyone in his world knows that they are spirits, but no one hates them.
He paused, his tone turning serious. "True change comes from understanding and acceptance, not hiding or sealing away what makes you different."
Kotori's eyes narrowed, conflicted by his words.
"But if spirits retain their powers, people will always fear them," she countered softly.