I became a heart-stealing thief in Azure Files

As Yuriko spoke, she took a glittering gold key from her skirt pocket and tossed it to Azuko.

After all, "sharpening the blade" is a rather important thing for Arius's squad.

As soon as Ajinko caught the key, she immediately glanced at Amamiya.

After confirming that Amamiya's reaction was 'supportive', she quickly ran towards the nearby communication room.

Amamiya naturally didn't go with Azuko... firstly, it wasn't necessary, and secondly, he saw through Yuriko's underlying intention to deliberately send Azuko away.

"Is there anything you want to say?"

Yuriko nodded to Amamiya with a relaxed air, as if she had become more in sync with Sensei.

“Sensei, before Arios’ squad assembles, I have a few more words to say…”

"Although Arios's team has joined Xia Lai and successfully completed a series of handover procedures, they haven't undergone physical examinations or mental health tests yet, have they?"

Amamiya nodded – indeed, although Arios's team had completed all the handover procedures, they hadn't yet had time to do things like the necessary 'medical examination report' and 'mental health assessment'.

"I have prepared a test here. It is a psychological assessment test specially prepared for them, based on the existing question bank of regular test questions and the information I have about the Arios team."

"Coincidentally, because I had spent some time at SRT before, I have a considerable understanding of the Commonwealth Student Union's standard 'Mental Health Assessment'."

"But I've only received systematic training in related assessment methods. In the field of 'psychological trauma healing,' I certainly can't compare to someone like you, a true master thief who can infiltrate the inner world of others and steal their trauma and desires."

Having explained this, Yuriko opened the one-handed briefcase she had brought in and handed four prepared documents, which were wrapped in folders, to Amamiya.

"I'm not qualified to speak on matters of physical health, nor can I offer any help... You should let more professional students handle it."

"As for the mental health assessment... you can leave it entirely to me."

Chapter Sixteen: The Railway Kids Have All Landed, But Where's the Fox?

In the final moments before the 'Alios Squad Combat Test', Amamiya tried to ask Yuriko some questions about the "Fox Squad".

"The Fox Squad..."

When Amamiya mentioned this keyword, Yuriko, who was fiddling with her hair and seemingly considering how to fight the strength test battle later, seemed somewhat surprised.

Temporarily freed from the vortex of 'thinking about how to fight,' Yuriko was slightly surprised: 'Sensei...why are you asking this?'

Before Amamiya could provide any further information, Yuriko frowned slightly, her expression somewhere between 'did my senpai do something puzzling again?'—a look that suggested a mixture of embarrassment and disdain.

“Sensei…” she tried to ask, “My ‘predecessors,’ have they done something again… without thinking?”

"No no……"

Amamiya waved his hand with amusement.

The main reason he asked Yuriko this time was because Nicole had recently visited Xia Lai and made a 'request'.

After summarizing what had happened recently, Amamiya told Yuriko about the situation.

(Related chapter: Chapter 1 of this volume)

"Hmm... in other words..."

Yuriko was surprised and astonished: "Nicole...senpai, afterwards you made a special trip to Xialai and asked Sensei to investigate... matters related to the current leader of the Fox Squad, 'Yukino Nanado'?"

"And the reason she gave... was that she suspected the Fox Squad leader was experiencing mental instability and needed to repent?"

When Yuriko said those words, Amamiya caught a fleeting look of extreme surprise on her usually expressionless face, as if to say, "Has the sun risen in the west?!"

Noticing Yuriko's sudden change in expression, Amamiya asked, somewhat puzzled, "Why are you so surprised?"

why?

Because if the senior had been even slightly more 'human', how could such a thing have happened...

Thinking of the recent changes at the Federal Student Council, Yuriko let out a soft "heh".

Is it possible that by now, it's too late to "mend the fence after the sheep are lost"?

With everything settled and the matter finalized, the Fox Squad will inevitably face retribution for their series of 'foolish' actions.

There will definitely be a reckoning afterwards.

What remains is simply the difference between light and heavy.

"Sensei, you must have heard of fables like 'a cunning fox has three burrows,' right?"

Amamiya was taken aback, then glanced at Yuriko, who had said those words, with a complicated look in her eyes.

With glossy fur, high-set fox ears, and a large fox tail swaying merrily... the mature girlish charm is mixed with the 'natural allure of a fox'.

Yuriko... Do you know that this strange fable you told yourself sounds really weird?

"Of course I've heard of it, so what?"

"If Sensei needs to know more about my... predecessors."

The girl, who seemed deeply weary of the word 'senior,' paused before continuing, "I can provide Sensei with a few... coordinates of places they frequent. You can go and 'observe' them in person."

Amamiya was even more surprised: Wasn't it a bit too... blunt to 'betray' their seniors like this?

Yuriko clearly noticed Amamiya's unexpected surprise. But she simply drooped her fox ears, seemingly not intending to give a detailed reply.

Although she didn't express it directly, her underlying emotions—hoping that her seniors wouldn't get into trouble and would be caught quickly—were overwhelming.

After a moment's hesitation, Amamiya replied, "Please."

【~???~】(Yuriko)

Yuriko quickly composed herself, let out a relieved breath, and returned a faint smile: "It's nothing."

"If Sensei can 'help' those... seniors, then it would be a good thing for me."

Amamiya finished her conversation, and Akiko also finished contacting her teammates.

Before long, Amamiya heard the roar of propellers approaching from the horizon.

"...?"

Amamiya shaded her eyes with her hand and looked up, gazing in the direction of the sound.

If this is the flower of the "Dark Domain," then logically, ordinary helicopters and similar equipment should avoid this place and not fly towards it...

As a colossal aerial beast pierced through the clouds and appeared, Amamiya, who had been slightly puzzled, immediately understood.

Oh, it's an albatross. That's alright then.

It is likely that this "suburban testing ground" utilized only a small portion of the architectural and materials science knowledge she provided.

It's only natural that she can come and go freely here.

Similar to the previous incident where helicopter repair parts were transported from the "Island Resort," the albatrosses approaching from afar were accompanied by slings, presumably for carrying passengers.

Like a hot air balloon basket, the albatross landed on a large open area of ​​the test site in this 'suspended' manner.

Then, the pod's hatch was opened immediately.

A figure in deep blue was the first to break through the door.

The moment Saori, rifle in hand, stepped out of the door, her first instinct and reaction was to warily scan her surroundings while keeping her gun at the ready, confirming the environment and any other factors that might significantly impact the battle.

Then, Misaki, carrying a missile launcher, followed closely behind.

Finally, Hiyori, carrying a large equipment box that was slightly taller than herself, still moved with remarkable agility, peeking out of the hatch.

After peeking around for a moment, Hiyori jogged out of the cabin, and the slings binding the albatross disintegrated on their own.

Then... Amamiya heard her highly recognizable, teasing voice, like that of a gentle older sister.

[All crew members have landed safely... Please rate this manned service out of five stars.]

As for Saori and the other two... they probably had never seen such a scene before, or they genuinely thought that the pilot of the "heavy gunboat" was talking to them.

After a moment's thought, Saori surprisingly answered seriously, "Four and a half stars. It would be better if there were fewer bumps."

Your feedback has been recorded.

Albatross's sweet customer service voice then turned to Misaki: [What's this customer's rating?]

"One...three stars, I guess." Misaki, who originally wanted to give a one-star review, probably felt that customer service was also having a hard time, and changed her mind at the last minute. "As for the reason...I have claustrophobia. The environment inside the cabin is too dark, and it's very uncomfortable."

Your feedback has been recorded. We will consider adding more soft lighting next time, or using a fully transparent cabin.

So, what about the last guest...?

“Ugh…”

Unable to think of any words of praise despite her best efforts, Hiyori finally blurted out, "Five stars! No, no reason..."

[It seems this customer isn't very talkative... but thank you for your positive review anyway!]

"Well... now that the members of Arios's team are all assembled, let's roughly define the basic content of the combat test."

She cleared her throat, called to the four-person team of Arius, and then began to announce the various test indicators for this combat test.

"Including but not limited to... basic tests such as 'air-to-ground encounters,' 'urban warfare,' 'sniper support accuracy/speed,' 'firepower support accuracy/speed,' 'individual combat skills,' and 'teamwork ability'..."

After reading out more than a dozen target test items in one breath, Yuriko thought for a moment and finally added: "Under normal circumstances... the use of 'Personality Masks,' 'Otherworldly Armaments,' or other non-combat cheating methods is prohibited."

From the previous battle at "Paradise Lost Resort," Yuriko had experienced firsthand the unpredictable and elusive nature of Personas in terms of attack, both in Izuna's battle and in her cooperative battle with Amamiya.

Yuriko's understanding of Persona is not yet extensive, but she is aware of her weaknesses.

The connection with albatrosses is both an advantage and a weakness for me.

If a special attack, such as one that targets the mind or soul, were to strike you, the effect would be absolutely unexpected.

Yuriko wasn't sure if this type of attack existed, but it was better to be on guard.

Taking advantage of this opportunity, Amamiya watched the albatross fly away while retreating to the edge of the arena, intending to observe the entire battle from the sidelines.

'Good luck, Arios' squad!'

'Let me see... just how far you can go now.'

Chapter Seventeen: The Arios Squad's Emotional Level Has Increased

After explaining the basic precautions, Yuriko picked up her equipment box and headed to the open area to set up her 'ambush point'.

Meanwhile, the girls in Arios's squad quickly slipped into the cluster of buildings, familiarizing themselves with the terrain and situation around them, and setting up positions and planning the upcoming battle.

Amamiya remained motionless, standing at the 'gate entrance,' a position offering a near-complete overview of the battle, observing the entire situation with his [Third Eye].

While surveying the battlefield, Amamiya was constantly enveloped in eerie blue flames that seemed to entwine around him.

Considering that such exercises could potentially lead to unforeseen circumstances, Amamiya is prepared to summon his Persona at any time to prevent any 'unexpected situations' from occurring.

As Yuriko distanced herself from Arius's four-person team, the entire "testing ground" was instantly enveloped by an invisible, chilling atmosphere.

As the first shot of the starting pistol rang throughout the entire "testing range," a battle of "one against four" began.

Standing in the open space, Yuriko, who was a very conspicuous target, clapped her hands.

"Don't worry about hurting me, everyone. Just do your best within the rules. Let me see how strong you are."

Ario and Akiko briefly exchange glances as the Arios squad is scattered throughout the building complex.

Recalling their combat experiences in the other world, as well as the experience accumulated from the various 'cruel' battles they had experienced in the real world, Saori and Akiko quickly took action.

Although Arios's team did not actively summon Personas, as their willpower surged, wisps of eerie blue flames began to swirl, cluster, and solidify around them, enveloping them in a "shell of the soul."

Once the phantom thieves awaken their will to rebel and sign a contract with the Persona to become "Mask Users," they will gain passive effect bonuses from the Persona—even without summoning the Persona, when their emotions are running high, they can arm themselves with "heart-born" power such as the phantom thief outfit or Arcana cards.

By embodying mental armor to protect oneself and resist distortion... In a sense, the Phantom Thief's outfit is like an "EGO" that appears in Lobotomy Corporation or Border Bus Corporation.

Asuka donned a bright red hooded cape embroidered with intricate gold patterns, reminiscent of Little Red Riding Hood. A fantastical "Big Bad Wolf" from a fairytale world suddenly bit the upper half of her face from behind, shattering the wolf's body and reshaping its head into a half-wolf mask by eerie blue flames.

Black smoke billowed from Misaki's body, and eerie blue flames coalesced into a shape that resembled a deathly black robe. A black angel descended behind her, opening its wings and covering her eyes with the tips of its gray-black feathers. Then the angel shattered, transforming into a mask made of intertwined wings.

Saori's body was engulfed in the deep red flames that had ignited from her blood during the saint's atonement. These flames burned away the black thorns that surrounded her.