I became a heart-stealing thief in Azure Files

In some literature, Kamal is sometimes confused with Samael.

However, Samael is a fallen archangel whose name means 'the malice of God' or 'the poison of God.' Carmel, on the other hand, is the guardian angel of Tuesday, and his name means 'one who looks to God.'

After a pause, Amamiya continued, "It does indeed fit... Misaki's personal image."

【~???~】(from Misaki)

The archangel's phantom slowly receded, like a clump of blue debris, and then disappeared back along the path it had been blasted into.

Misaki's figure swayed, exhibiting a detachment phenomenon caused by awakening.

Saori immediately went over and supported the swaying Misaki, asking with concern, "How are you feeling?"

Misaki, feeling as if her entire body was drenched in cold sweat from the imminent threat of death, spoke with a noticeably weaker tone.

After Saori helped her to sit down on the rubble of a nearby building, she said weakly, "I'm a little... exhausted."

Saori immediately looked at Amamiya.

“This is what happens after the Persona awakens for the first time,” Amamiya shrugged. “It’s something that no Persona manipulator can escape.”

【~??~】(from Saori)

After a brief silence, under the watchful eyes of Akiko and Hiyori, Saori picked up Misaki's weapon, intending to try shooting herself in the temple as well—

However, the moment her hand touched the strangely designed pistol, a scorching heat emanated from the gun, repelling her.

Amamiya explained at the right moment: "This summoner, which can be used as a firearm, is Misaki's personal [exclusive equipment]."

Upon hearing this, Saori's gaze towards Amamiya softened even more.

'Personalized equipment marked with a personal touch...'

Aside from the manufacturer and the intended target of this weapon, no one else can use it...

Such characteristics...

Indeed, it possesses the unique characteristics of a fantasy world.

【~??~】(from Saori)

Is this also... Sensei's 'meticulous consideration'?

"Alright, it's getting late... Next, after we test the 'Persona's' combat capabilities a bit, let's get ready to go out."

Chapter 56 Does Beatrice need to be "disabled"?

After several encounters in the 'outskirts of the Fog City', Saori gained a completely new understanding of the combat capabilities of "Persona".

All you need to do is shoot at your vital points (temples, between the eyebrows, jaw), and the sprayed azure semi-transparent liquid will condense into a two-meter-tall, winged archangel, mercilessly judging the enemy before you.

“...Kamel”.

Following Amamiya's example, Misaki pressed the "Scapegoat" against her temple and, as always, called out her Persona's true name.

'boom. ’

The originally translucent phantom gradually solidified as the battle progressed and its spirit coalesced, eventually becoming 'materialized'.

"Spatial Killing Technique—"

The battle angel took flight with her call, wielding the Seraphim Sword, a symbol of judgment, and instantly 'carved' intricate patterns in the air, slicing space into distorted domains like a mirror.

"Vorpal Blade: Deals extremely large physical damage to all enemies."

'call……'

The archangel flapped his wings and flew back. The space, which had been cut open and was as smooth and transparent as a mirror, shattered because it could not withstand the pressure of the surrounding 'well-structured normal world'.

The shadowy enemies frozen in space were all distorted in the moment they were struck, and as space shattered, they were cut into several equal parts like shattered ice sculptures.

"Amazing……"

Even Saori couldn't help but admire the powerful combat capabilities of Persona at this moment.

Is this the combat ability of a 'Persona Manipulator' in another world...? They can even easily accomplish something as theoretically impossible as 'slicing through space'...

"call……"

A little tired, Misaki swayed, and was immediately supported by Amamiya.

"Don't push yourself too hard... While it's true that Persona can absorb a small amount of 'negative consciousness' or mental energy through such battles and convert it into experience points for growth... there's no need to be so hard on yourself."

Amamiya keenly sensed that Misaki was indeed experiencing joy because she had 'gained new powers'.

But now... she's more likely to be pushing herself to the limit and being overly critical of herself.

“Sensei…is there something wrong with Misaki’s ‘persona’?”

"No."

Perhaps due to the unique awakening and summoning method of 'facing death,' Misaki's first awakened Persona was already an extremely powerful Battle Angel—

A Persona that is nearly at its maximum level naturally has many advantages.

First of all, the resistance is unprecedentedly luxurious.

Secondly, there are skills... You don't have to start learning the low-level magic controlled by the weak Persona; you can use powerful magic at the Dyne level right away.

But if we're talking about drawbacks... there are still some.

High-level magic and physical skills require a large amount of the Persona manipulator's spirit (SP) and stamina (HP).

While these values ​​are difficult to quantify in the form of a game, they are reflected in the newly awakened Persona manipulator... that is, it takes him a long time to catch his breath after using just one or two skills, and he feels like his spirit has been drained.

"Alright, the combat power test regarding 'Persona' is over... Misaki, get some rest."

After deciding to end this 'other world journey', Amamiya finally brought the girls of Arius back to the vicinity of Shalai's residential area before dusk.

Even though the general appearance of Beatrice's palace has been determined, its level of danger and various other characteristics are still unknown—therefore, Amamiya does not intend to explore it immediately.

Amamiya prepared energy drinks for Saori and her group, disposable towels for wiping away sweat, and various other supplies, and put on a calm demeanor, ready to answer any questions at any time.

"We still have some time, so please feel free to ask any questions you may have."

After exchanging glances, the girls from Arius accepted the daily necessities handed to them by Amamiya.

She opened a sports drink herself and gulped down more than half of it in one go.

Wiping the sweat from her brow, Saori hesitated before asking, "There are still many things I don't understand about the Persona..."

Today, the glimpse of the 'other world' that Amamiya showed them has left them deeply impressed.

Saori had so many questions in her mind—but what she was most worried about was the future of her team, and... the future of many more Arius students.

"First of all... once we infiltrate the temple and steal Beatrice's 'treasure,' will she really 'repent'?"

Meeting the four pairs of burning eyes, Amamiya nodded calmly and firmly: "That's right."

"—Once the treasure is stolen, the target begins to repent. Even a 'bad seed' born evil will begin to repent for the mistakes they have made."

He raised his voice slightly, then added in a low voice, "...If your grudges against Beatrice are truly immeasurable and have reached the point where you have no choice but to do this, you can simply kill the target in the other world... rendering the target 'inhuman'."

"...becoming useless?"

Saori's heart skipped a beat, keenly sensing the bloody undertones implied in that particular word.

"The so-called 'dehumanization'... you can think of it as directly killing the target's consciousness or soul—and then the target becomes a shell without any thoughts or feelings."

Amamiya's tone became slightly more serious: "That's... a common tactic that 'adults' use when dealing with targets."

To silently and directly kill the target's consciousness and soul...

Saori frowned, realizing just how dangerous the 'phantom thief activities' really were.

So... both Sensei and the Phantom Thieves have the ability to 'kill without leaving a trace'.

But the Phantom Thieves didn't actually do that, didn't punish evil and promote good through constant 'killing'...

Instead, it's about getting the target to repent and atone for all the mistakes they've made.

"..."

Saori fell into a long silence.

To say she 'hates' Beatrice... yes, of course she hates her.

They even wish the other person would die right now.

But... do they really intend to follow the 'adult's' methods of eliminating dissidents and simply kill their target without a trace...?

Bottom line? Conscience? Morality?

Saori had no idea what was holding her back.

Faced with such a choice... she found it difficult to make a decisive decision.

“…Sensei, I understand your thoughts.”

After a long silence, Saori exhaled a long breath and replied earnestly, "But we cannot make that choice."

—If death solves everything, wouldn't that be too 'cheap' for Beatrice?

After a few seconds of eye contact with Saori, Amamiya composed herself, her momentary seriousness vanishing, and smiled again: "I knew you would make this choice."

After turning to face Akiko, Hiyori, and Misaki, the three girls clapped their hands and Amamiya began to announce the next 'arrangements'.

“It’s getting late. Everyone has been running around in this other world for most of the day... You must be exhausted... There’s a washroom here in Xia Lai; the bathroom is available, so please go and clean up first.”

After Amamiya gave his final instructions, Saori was the first to agree.

Whether it's dirty or not doesn't really matter... For their team, daily life is barely enough to get by, so things like this, which are quite ordinary, are even more 'distant' and 'luxurious' to them.

The ease and tranquility after a busy day... it really feels like a distant dream.

With a sigh in her heart, Saori began to arrange for the team members to enter the bathroom one by one.

Arius's squad members were undoubtedly 'efficient'.

Saori, on the other hand, could be said to have considered everything to the extreme—she even thought of filling and draining the bathtub in advance, and was just short of actually helping the other three members scrub their backs.

After the other three members of the team had finished resting, Saori finally took advantage of the last bit of time before nightfall to drag her aching body into the bathroom.

'Sensei was right after all…'

'Exploring another world requires thorough preparation... Even with a fully prepared mind, it still feels so tiring...'

'If I get a part-time job at a breakfast shop or something, it will consume some of my mental energy first...'

Lying in the bathtub with her head tilted back, staring at the 'unfamiliar ceiling,' Saori, enjoying a rare moment of relaxation, couldn't help but recall that night she worked at the Shibase Ramen in Abydos.

Now, we can gradually see real 'hope'...

If it weren't for that encounter... what kind of 'life' would we be living?

'...'

[...I sensed Saori's感慨 (feeling of emotion/reflection).]

Coopation has been improved!

【Spindle-front yarn weaving (high tower) ★★★★☆☆☆☆☆☆

[★4 Ability "Hopeful Aspirations" is now unlocked!]

As she gently immersed her face in the comfortably warm bathwater, Saori further cleared her mind.

A 'bold idea' gradually formed in her mind.

—Perhaps, I really should give it a try…

To rebel against what is worse than wading through a stinking swamp, the so-called 'daily life'.

She... everyone in Arius's special squad, and Arius's students...

He shouldn't have been living such an 'abnormal' life.

This world has already shown kindness to so many people...

Then why not give it to them?

Since the 'world' won't give it to us...

Then we have no choice but to resist.

'First, I need to figure out how to dispose of the otherworldly loot I acquired today, then I'll carefully plan it out. If all else fails... I'll ask Sensei for advice.'