A beautiful girl who transmigrates into a Herrscher of the Void is treated like an elf and conquered

She tilted her head slightly back, the back of her head against the wall, her long, icy blue hair hanging down in a slightly messy manner.

From this angle, Shido could see that her eyes were closed, her long eyelashes casting a small shadow under her eyes, and her chest rising and falling slightly with her breathing, the frequency seemingly a little faster than usual.

On her smooth forehead, a fine, reflective layer of sweat seemed to be visible. One of her hands rested casually on the armrest, her fingers unconsciously curling slightly.

(She...was all alone...)

During a professional esports match, that classic scene instantly flashed into Shido's mind:

The team trailing in the score had their teammates and coaches rush into the small, soundproof competition room, surrounding them to discuss, review, and encourage each other; while the team leading could only sit alone in the opposite room, silently drinking water, staring at the screen, and thinking about how to deal with all the tactics the opponent might use.

At this moment, he seemed to be the player surrounded by his team, while Chika on the other side was the king who could only rely on himself and fight alone.

"...So, brother, I think we can focus on the 'secret recipe' part of the sauce, like adding a little bit of your special sauce..." Kotori was still enthusiastically talking about her ideas, but Shido could hardly hear her anymore.

His gaze was firmly drawn to the solitary figure opposite him.

The noisy trio, the lively audience, and the younger sister and Lingyin offering advice.

All the sounds seemed to fade away, and his world now consisted only of the girl across the glass window, who, during a brief rest, was catching her breath, recovering her strength, and preparing for the next fierce battle.

(She looks...so tired. She was so composed just now, like a perfectly functioning machine...So she can sweat and pant too?)

(Even without our help, with her extraordinary abilities, she should, no, she definitely could live very well in human society, right? Perhaps even better than most people.)

(She went to great lengths to disguise herself as a transfer student, playing the role of 'Hououin Chika'... Could it be that she has already exhausted all her efforts just to barely maintain this 'ordinary' persona?)

(But what we need to do now is to forcibly peel off this protective shell from her...)

A subtle emotion, a mixture of sympathy, guilt, and confusion, quietly spread through Shido's heart.

"Brother? Brother!" Kotori called for a long time, but Shido didn't react at all. He just stared blankly out the window.

She followed Shido's gaze with a puzzled look and saw Chinatsu's somewhat fragile and lonely figure in the opposite lounge.

Kotori remained silent for a moment, and being as intelligent as she was, she immediately understood her brother's complicated state of mind.

She sighed softly, walked to Shido's side, and led him to the window. The two of them looked at the girl in the opposite room through the glass. Their tone was no longer as full of fighting spirit as before, but rather more calm and understanding.

“Shido,” she said softly.

"What you see may be true. She may be exhausted, lonely, or even just trying her best to survive."

Shido slowly turned his head to look at his sister, his eyes filled with confusion: "Kotori... is what we're doing really the right thing to do?"

Kotori's gaze hardened, and she looked directly into Shido's eyes, saying each word clearly:

“Listen, Shido. Your doubts are understandable. But one thing will never change—as long as she still possesses the power of a spirit, as long as she remains a ‘spirit,’ human society will never truly accept her.”

“AST’s detectors don’t care whether she’s a good cook or a good student. Once her spiritual energy fluctuations exceed the threshold, or her identity is exposed.”

"She will only be met with relentless firepower. This has nothing to do with her personal wishes or whether she is good or bad."

“Our goal has never been to harm her, but to ‘save’ her. And the only proven effective method is to seal her spiritual power, reducing it to a level that current equipment cannot detect.”

Kotori placed her hand on Shido's shoulder, conveying strength, "Therefore, Shido, your strength, your actions, are the key."

"Let her open her heart to you, let her 'love' you, and then seal her power—this is not hurting her, it is giving her a chance to truly 'live' instead of just 'hide'."

"This is the only thing that 'Ratatosk' can offer, and it is the path we must take."

As Shido listened to Kotori's words, the confusion in his eyes was gradually replaced by a heavy sense of responsibility.

He looked at the lonely figure opposite him again, his feelings still complicated, but his direction was clear.

(To save...?)

He took a deep breath, nodded, and his eyes regained their resolve.

"I understand, Kotori. I will... keep trying."

The announcement bell for the second round rang at just the right moment. The brief respite was over; an even more intense battle was about to begin.

But Shido's heart already carries something heavier than victory or defeat.

Chapter 45 Interlude: An Unexpected 'Test'

【Chinatsu's lounge】

Rewinding to the end of the first round, the final whistle felt like a brief reprieve to Chinatsu Hououin.

She maintained her aloof expression, nodded slightly to the judges, and then quickly turned and walked towards her own dressing room.

Only she herself knew how much mental and physical exhaustion that extreme "performance" had taken from her.

Not only does she have to precisely control her rational powers to simulate cooking skills, but she also has to play the role of a "proud but not invincible genius girl".

Pushing open the door to the lounge, a wave of hot, humid air hit her. Qianxia frowned slightly.

(...Why is it so hot? Isn't the air conditioning on?)

She walked to the wall, picked up the air conditioner remote and pressed a few buttons, but there was no response.

I checked the air vents again, but there wasn't a single wisp of cold air. Clearly, the air conditioning system in this makeshift rest room was malfunctioning.

(…bad luck.)

She walked up to the huge glass wall and could see the trio outside making a ruckus, and the classmates sharing their food in a lively atmosphere.

As for herself... she was like a forgotten steamer.

(Should we go out now and say the air conditioner is broken?)

She nipped the idea in the bud as soon as it popped into her head.

(No, this is too embarrassing. I just put on this aloof genius act, and then I turn around and run outside to complain because I'm hot? My persona is ruined!)

(Going to Shido's place to enjoy the air conditioning?)

Even less likely!

(What would that look like! Would they offer themselves up for nothing?! And they'd definitely be analyzed to death by Kotori and Reine, like they'd seen a rare animal!)

Left with no other option, she could only retreat to the center of the room. The lounge, designed for soundproofing, already had poor ventilation, and with sunlight streaming through the glass walls, the room temperature was steadily rising.

(...Never mind, I'll just have to bear with it.)

She untied her apron and loosened two buttons at the collar, hoping to cool down a bit.

But sweat still seeped out uncontrollably, soaking the ice-blue strands of hair on her forehead, sticking to her skin, and making her a little itchy.

The back felt damp, and the slightly elaborate spirit costume (disguised as everyday clothes) that was meant to be "aesthetically pleasing" had become a burden.

She could no longer maintain her dignified posture. As if her bones had been removed, she slumped into the chair in despair.

He leaned back against the chair, head tilted back, eyes closed, chest rising and falling slightly as he breathed softly.

Her cheeks were flushed an unnatural red from the heat, and her once meticulously styled hair was now disheveled, with a few strands clinging to her neck and cheeks, making her look somewhat disheveled.

(It's so hot... This is even more tiring than fighting with Eren...)

(Ratatosk, you bastard... What a crappy venue... They didn't even provide air conditioning...)

(Two more matches to play... just thinking about it makes me despair...)

She was completely unaware that her "exhausted from the heat" and "despair" appearance, seen through the one-way glass, was interpreted by someone on the other side as "the weariness of a strong person in solitude" and "the loneliness of having no one to rely on."

In reality, she was mentally ranting about the damn weather, the malfunctioning air conditioner, and the "performance" that was about to continue.

The so-called "loneliness" is purely an illusion created by physical conditions.

If the air conditioning were working, she would probably be leisurely drinking ice water right now, and might even be thinking of using her reasoning ability to create a fan for herself (but she gave up for fear of being detected by the energy fluctuations).

(System notification: User detected to be in an uncomfortably high-temperature environment. Suggestion: Activate the 'Frost Nova' ability for localized cooling? Energy consumption: Very low.)

(Start my ass! Do you want to be targeted by Fraxinus?! Stay quiet!)

So she could only continue to slump in the chair, like a cat wilted by the sun, enduring the sweltering heat alone.

Separated from the bustling world outside by only a wall (glass), this unexpected "suffering" inadvertently sows a seed for the next round of interaction.

Chapter 46 A Resolute Gaze During Stage Breaks

On stage, the trio of Ai Yamabuki, Mai Hazakura, and Mii Fujihakama are excitedly distributing the remaining exquisite dishes from their previous duel to the students who are rushing forward.

The small food cart was instantly surrounded by a crowd of people, with gasps of amazement, sounds of chewing, and satisfied sighs mingling together, creating an atmosphere as lively as a small celebration.

"Ah! This sashimi is so delicious!"

"How does Itsuka-kun make his salad dressing? I really want to learn!"

"Don't grab it! Leave some for me!"

However, happy times are always fleeting. Yamabuki Ai glanced at the huge timer on the wall, suddenly jolted awake, and grabbed the microphone:

"Ahem! Dear audience members!" Her voice resounded throughout the venue through the loudspeakers.

"Delicious food is good, but don't overindulge! The final battle is about to begin again! Please return to your seats quickly, and let's prepare for the second round of fierce fighting!"

Upon hearing this, the students, who were engrossed in their delicious food, immediately let out a chorus of groans and gasps.

"Huh?! So fast?"

"I haven't had enough to eat yet!"

"Quick! Get some more!"

The scene instantly became somewhat chaotic. Several quick-handed boys and girls grabbed another handful of food, and then, amidst the laughter and urging of the trio, they ran back to their seats, still feeling unsatisfied.

Mai Yezakura and Mii Fujihakama quickly pushed the almost empty food cart away from the center of the stage, while Ai Yamabuki began to adjust the microphone in preparation for the next segment.

Just as the stage was temporarily cleared and the lights were slightly dimmed, the doors to the dressing rooms on both sides opened almost simultaneously.

Itsuka Shido and Hououin Chika walked out one after the other.

At the entrance of the passage, the two met unexpectedly.

Shido's gaze was completely different from when he was in the lounge a moment ago. The complex emotions that had arisen in those azure eyes when he saw Chinatsu's "vulnerable" side had now transformed into a purer and more resolute determination.

It was a sense of mission that ignited after the goal of "saving" was clearly defined. His gaze toward Chika was burning, focused, and even carried an undeniable sincerity, as if to say, "I have seen through the truth behind your loneliness, and I will definitely touch your heart in my own way."

This sudden, "positive" gaze startled Qianxia slightly.

(...? What's wrong with this guy? Why does he look so determined, like he's about to join the Party...? He's only rested for a short while, what kind of pep talk did Kotori give him? What kind of motivational injection did she give him?)

She couldn't understand where Shido's passion came from and could only attribute it to Kotori's behind-the-scenes guidance.

Faced with such a direct and intense gaze, she was momentarily at a loss as to how to respond to the complex emotions contained within it, and could only subconsciously maintain a facade of indifference and calm.

A perfectly timed hint of confusion flickered in his icy blue eyes, as if wondering why the other person was suddenly so full of fighting spirit.

She turned her head slightly to avoid his overly intense gaze and spoke in her usual cool voice, "It seems that Itsuka-kun has had a good rest and is full of energy."

Shido nodded vigorously, his voice firm: "Yes! Phoenix Institute, I will also go all out in the next round! I will definitely make you... feel it!" His words carried a double meaning, and his eyes remained firmly fixed on Chinatsu.

Chika silently facepalmed to herself (this guy's strategy lines are still so hardcore...).

On the surface, he merely gave a soft "humph" and said no more, taking the lead in walking towards the stage.

Shido watched her seemingly indifferent back view, clenched his fists, and immediately followed her.

The two stepped back onto the stage under the spotlight, one after the other, where they were greeted by Ai Yamabuki's energetic announcement and the enthusiastic cheers of the audience who had been renewed.

The second round, the ultimate test of "cooking time and flavor," is about to officially begin!

As Shido and Chinatsu stood on either side of the stage and began to neatly tie on their white chef's aprons, the trio of Yamabuki Ai, Hazakura Mai, and Fujihakama Mii, with their signature exaggerated gait, once again took center stage under the spotlight.

"Welcome Back——!!" Yamabuki Ai drew out her words into the microphone, successfully drawing everyone's attention back.

"After a brief recharge, our two heroic chefs have returned to the battlefield! Look, the way they're tying on their aprons is the signal that the duel is about to begin!"

The camera immediately zoomed in: Chika's fingers deftly tied a neat bow behind her back, her movements elegant and efficient, the apron's ties outlining her slender waistline.

Shido, on the other hand, is a more homely and skilled method of tying, quick and solid, as if it has been repeated countless times.

Ye Ying Mai stepped forward, waved her right hand behind her, and the giant screen behind her lit up, displaying the theme and rules of this round:

"Data loading complete. Round two, the decisive factor—'Temperature and Flavor'!"

The screen displayed a blazing fire effect and the word "Taste" in large letters, which looked both exciting and professional.

"The so-called 'cooking time' is by no means a simple judgment of whether it's raw or cooked!" Ye Ying Mai pulled out a small piece of paper from her pocket and explained it to herself at a rapid pace.

"It is the art of energy transfer, the precise control of complex chemical changes such as Maillard reaction, caramelization, fat hydrolysis, and collagen conversion! It is the key to transforming ingredients!"