Chapter 102: The Reunion at Last

Character connection generating... Mediator character Yotsuno, initialization complete.

On a black blank card, images of various characters began to rotate. Unlike before, when the images spun rapidly without repetition, this time there were only a fixed dozen or so characters.

A long-haired, eerie girl clutching a straw doll: Tsutsuzaki.

A sneaky-looking stalker: Minowa.

A youthful-faced, petite teacher: Okamine Tamaki.

The trio known for their sarcastic remarks: Yamabuki Ai, Hazakura Mai, and Fujikuma Mii.

The one hailed as the world’s strongest magician: Allen Mira Mathers.

Of course, there were also the other nine elven girls alongside Yotsuno, all belonging to the elite race of elves—from the top of the Life Tree sequence, Origami Tobiichi, down to the last, Tokisaki Juuzou.

As the characters cycled back and forth, the switching speed grew faster and faster. Suddenly, the spinning images froze, becoming so quick that the figures blurred into indistinct shapes. The previously blank card now displayed a tall girl, adorned with a crescent moon hair ornament, wearing flowing, delicate clothing. Her long lavender hair framed a face absorbed deeply in her own singing.

“Ah, it’s a failure,” Zhou Xiaoyuan sighed softly as she regarded the girl that had just manifested. It wasn’t that this girl on the card was weak—in the world of Date A Live, among the ten strongest elves, none were feeble.

But faced with the current predicament, against an undefeatable enemy, Zhou Xiaoyuan had hoped for someone like Tokisaki Kurumi, who could manipulate time; or Hoshimiya Rikumu, who could freely open sealed spaces; or the Seven Deadly Sins, who wielded bizarre magic to control and confuse foes. Failing that, Yatogami’s storm manipulation might at least buy some time against the earth-shattering evil spirit.

This girl, though also primarily a controller, was utterly useless against a being stronger than herself. However, she could work wonders against lower-ranked evil spirits—which was a pity, because the enemy now was an ultra-high-level evil spirit. A tragedy difficult to express.

Lowering her gaze once more to the card in her hand, Zhou Xiaoyuan slid it back into the Nebula Spiral Nest. Though the cards hadn’t yielded the ones she desired, it wasn’t too bad overall. She could be grateful she hadn’t drawn any of Itsuka Kotori’s depraved subordinates, nor the sarcastic trio. And thankfully, the thirty-year-old unmarried spinster teacher was also absent. That was a relief.

“My divine energy is running low. This state can’t last much longer. Sigh. Let’s see if the guardians have returned. If not, then we must resign ourselves to fate.” The final opportunity Zhou Xiaoyuan could conceive had ended in failure. There was no other way.

With the remaining divine energy, the storm barrier could likely be maintained for another five or six minutes. But if she broke the storm, reclaimed some energy, and concentrated the rest to form an icy armor to manipulate the cold, she might hold out a few minutes longer. Every extra moment counted in these final hours.

“Phew.” Exhaling a misty breath, Zhou Xiaoyuan rose, commanding the frozen puppet. The earth-shattering evil spirit still glared crimson-eyed, as if sensing her dwindling endurance. Its gaze grew even more fierce.

“Keep glaring all you want, but you won’t kill me that way.” Making a mocking face at the ice-encased spirit, Zhou Xiaoyuan stretched her right hand toward the storm-covered sky. “Return, cold air, be reclaimed.”

Following her motion, the surrounding cold air began to gather toward her body. The storm gradually weakened, and the temperature slowly rose. Simultaneously, Zhou Xiaoyuan’s divine energy began to recover. Not only did the reclaimed cold restore her power, but the guardian deity behind her seemed to awaken, autonomously channeling essence back into her.

When the storm fully ceased, Zhou Xiaoyuan was astonished to find her divine power had inexplicably recovered a third of its total. Even she hadn’t expected such efficiency. Though she knew Yotsuno could reclaim and reuse cold energy, the effectiveness was far beyond what she imagined.

In fact, this time, Yotsuno hadn’t just gathered the cold she had released before. Due to the seasonal climate—it was the cusp of autumn fading into winter—the world’s chill had just set in, perfectly aligning with Yotsuno’s energy. The cold reclaimed included not only the energy but also the early winter chill permeating the area.

Regardless, the recovery was a delightful surprise. With one-third of her power restored, Zhou Xiaoyuan could endure a while longer. More time meant more hope.

“Xiaoyuan, are you alright?” Unexpectedly, after dispelling the icy storm, a greater joy appeared before her.

“Wen Hui, you’re back?” Seeing Wen Hui clad in vibrant green before her, Zhou Xiaoyuan’s eyes sparkled with delight.

“Mm, I’m so relieved you’re safe.” Seeing Zhou Xiaoyuan standing unharmed, Wen Hui’s face brimmed with gratitude. She rushed forward and embraced her tightly.

Although Zhou Xiaoyuan was transformed into Yotsuno’s form, bearing no resemblance to her original self, Wen Hui recognized her instantly. Not only because each of Zhou Xiaoyuan’s transformed characters wore attire unlike ordinary people, but also due to the familiar aura she emanated—there was no mistaking it was Zhou Xiaoyuan. Wen Hui would never be wrong.

“All right, all right, I’m fine, so let go. Senior Yuhong is watching. Besides, there are more pressing matters now. Where are Jing and the others?” Zhou Xiaoyuan comforted Wen Hui with a pat on the back, then nodded at Yuhong, who stood nearby. Not spotting any other guardians around, her gaze finally turned toward the still-frozen earth-shattering evil spirit.

“Oh, Jing and the others are still behind. It’ll probably be some time before they arrive. Cough cough, and no, I didn’t rush back because I was worried about you.” Releasing Zhou Xiaoyuan obediently, Wen Hui explained. Then, seeming to recall something, her expression shifted, her cheeks flushed as she turned away and resumed her coquettish manner.

“All right, all right, I know you have that tsundere personality. No need to force it now. Let’s think about how we can wait for Jing and the others to return.” Wen Hui and Yuhong’s arrival finally eased Zhou Xiaoyuan’s heart, and a small smile appeared on her face. Yet, that faint smile failed to conceal the sorrow deep in her eyes.

“Tch, who’s tsundere? You are...” Zhou Xiaoyuan’s words prompted Wen Hui to pout in displeasure. But when Wen Hui turned back, she clearly saw the sadness in Zhou Xiaoyuan’s eyes. The words she was about to speak dissolved into a soft murmur: “You’re the tsundere.”