Defense-oriented, support role.
Kanade reaches the edge of the second level alone.
When fighting alongside guild members, Kanade allocates MP to supportive magic, yet has also learned a few offensive spells for solo combat.
Even if it depends on fortune, she is not without means to strengthen her offensive capabilities through the [Divine Archive (Akashic Record)].
Thus, she can act without issue alone.
"Today's skill draw is favorable."
As Kanade said, today she had drawn powerful magic skills from the [Divine Archive (Akashic Record)].
Kanade digs through the sand until the stone pavement beneath becomes visible.
From information obtained at the library, she had determined this location.
"Yoh... tō"
When Kanade touches the pavement, it vanishes smoothly, revealing a staircase leading downward.
Kanade descends the stairs.
At the bottom of the narrow staircase, there was only one ancient door.
When Kanade opens the door, a library spreads before her.
It resembled the library on the floating island Kanade had conquered alone during the second event.
"Ah, as I expected—there it is."
White puzzle pieces scattered across a weathered long table.
The Milk Puzzle.
Kanade gathers them, arranging them together.
A frame for fitting them is placed there, marked with words.
Trial of the Gods.
The same text as when she obtained the [Divine Archive (Akashic Record)] on the floating island.
"This time... three thousand. Much fewer than last time."
Kanade sits on a chair, spreads out the pieces, glances through them, and begins connecting them one by one from the edge.
"Hmm... this one here. This one... like this."
Kanade fits piece after piece of pure white into place.
As if she already knew the answer.
After thirty minutes of solving the puzzle, she leaned back against the chair and paused her hands.
...Tiring. Headache coming on...
Kanade possesses a talent specialized in remembrance.
A memory too sharp, too precise.
To Kanade, after verification, the pieces that would otherwise appear identical at a glance were unmistakably distinct.
And naturally, it is clear which piece connects to which piece.
The shape of the connected section. The place where the piece had been set.
Everything, she remembers.
Yet, for Kanade, this much information could be remembered—but could not be recalled without utmost focus.
And the time available for that was sufficient.
Kanade, though naturally gifted with memory, cannot solve this puzzle under normal circumstances.
Now is the time to rest quietly.
The remaining books are not set to be retrieved... hmm, if anyone else came here besides me, that would be troublesome.
The difference from last time is that the time acceleration is not active.
It will still take time to finish, but staying here to rest was not possible.
It might barely make it... if not, I’ll come again.
After resting for just over thirty minutes, Kanade resumed working on the puzzle.
Repeating rest and focus, the pieces gradually filled in.
Finally, Kanade placed the last piece.
In that instant, the white-edged frame glowed, and from its center emerged a Rubik’s Cube, slowly rotating in midair.
Now...
When Kanade took it, it dissolved into strands of light and was drawn into her pocket.
Oh... so this integrates with me when held.
Kanade rechecks her equipment.
A new skill has been added to the Rubik’s Cube.
[Magic Archive]
Magic and skills that consume MP can be stored as [Magic Books] in a dedicated [Bookshelf].
Stored magic and skills cannot be used until a [Magic Book] is activated.
Creating a [Magic Book] requires twice the MP it consumes.
"Ah… I’ll use it when I return… no, better not today… I’m tired."
Kanade climbs the stairs, recalling the book she read.
"One more… not on the second floor. Third floor… or perhaps… first floor? No, not yet."
Kanade, who always finds motivation when one remains, resolves to find it.
Kanade acquiring this skill has reached the real-world administrators.
Their attention first falls on [Maple Tree], then on the winners of the first and second events.
"Kanade cleared 'Our Prank Number Twenty'!?"
"Can't help it. He's been handling the floating island too."
"The one who broke through the prank at [Maple Tree] is gathering there."
Crom and Sally are unique series.
Kanade is library-affiliated.
Newcomers Yui and Mai have STR-up skills.
Maple is various.
Maple's skills are nearly all pranks.
"Hmm... anything else?"
"The top ten from the first event are all reaching toward that area. Maple is the prime example... then a few others near them. New players are moving as expected."
"Depending on the event's content, we may need to isolate the top twenty neatly?"
"Ah, maybe."
They resumed staring at the monitor after that.
First event
1st: Pain
2nd: Dread
3rd: Maple
4th:?
5th?
6th Kasumi
7th?
8th?
9th Crom
10th?
Still quite a few left…