Phantom Butterfly

I may not be able to walk you to the Student Union because someone in the Cultural Festival Committee is looking for me.

Thank you, Akira.

Awakener, are you here for Niz?

Yes. You seem to be worried about something. What happened?

Please follow me. Niz will tell you what the emergency is about.

...Deputy Aiken is trying to repair the damaged Echo Crystal collection devices. The remaining ones must be guarded well in shifts! Don't lower your guard for even a second!

Leader, I've brought the teacher back intact.

Thank you very much...

Ah, Awakener. Would you tell me about your trip to the clubs?

Someone unknown broke into the sports warehouse...

Were you talking about this on the phone just now?

I have received several reports during the day, saying that the Echo Crystal Limiters installed all over the campus have collapsed.

I didn't notify all the students at school, just in case the Cultural Festival is canceled.

I think it would be easier to figure out the reason after you tell them what happened.

I didn't tell them so that they can enjoy their time at the Sakura Academy. But it seems this unknown criminal has spoiled their campus life.

It's true. The series of events happening today are eerily coincidental. More evidence is needed to unveil the truth.

Aiken, Deputy of the Student Union, is trying to repair the broken Crystal Limiters. See if you can find anything useful at the scene.

So today is all about being a detective, right? I don't even want to go home!

Then join me to crack the case! Let's go!

Deputy Aiken! Do you need any help?

Ahem, I'm okay... You are here as well, Awakener. Niz has told me about everything. I'll show you the way.

These Limiters are all invented by me. Not only can they prevent the staff to abuse the power of the Echo Crystal, but they can be used to collect Echo Crystal particles in the air to be used as energy for the school.

What a Teslovik scientist!

These devices have been cut by something sharp...

The cuts seem to be the same as those on the basketballs.

Worse still, the energy from the Echo Crystals in these Limiters has all gone.

Oh, my gosh... Doctor Aiken! Niz said that the Echo Crystal Limiters were installed all over the campus.

Just for confirmation, were there any Limiters in the sports warehouse and on the rooftop?

Sure, there are. After all, they are easily-overlooked areas with a high incidence of school fights...

I see. Doctor Aiken, would you identify this tissue for me?

A used tissue... Anything wrong with it, Awakener?

I found Akira wiping off something on the rooftop when I probed into the shadow. So I used this tissue to do the same.

I'm not sure if it can tell us something about our enemy. But hopefully, it will.

I see. Give me your tissue!

Hmm, here comes the result!

I've found some powder on the tissue with unknown sources. Its microstructure resembles that of the scales on the wings of butterflies.

Was it from the butterflies attracted by the sakura on campus?

Quite unlikely, because there are ultra-high purity Echo Crystal particles in the power, which are never seen in butterflies. Not that I know of.

Could it have something to do with Akira?

But Akira is the instructor of the Campus Festival Committee. Why would she damage the school property?

She is the instructor indeed, but did she tell you that she's a member of the Biology Club, too?

Biology Club?

Yes, she is also the housekeeper of Shiyu, Head of the Biology Club!

Obviously, Akira found these scales and hid the truth, as you said.

I see. Let's find them in Biology Club! I will not let them get away with it!

At the Biology Club!

We didn't notify anyone this time, just to catch them on the scene!

Hands up, everyone!

Teacher... What's wrong?

Awakener is here to check the achievements of your club!

I'm Kiki, Deputy of the Biology Club. Why did you come in without knocking?

Even teachers should respect students' privacy!

Hum, it's a surprise inspection. Kiki, is your club secretly doing research in violation of school rules?

Empty words with no proof. Your so-called inspection will delay our exhibit-making for the Campus Festival!

We have evidence! We found some butterfly scales at the crime scene! Only students from the Biology Club have access to them!

I have proper reasons to believe that the Biology Club has cultivated a creature with the power to destroy Echo Crystal Limiter, which has done reckless damage around the campus for crystal energy!

Akira is your spy in the Student Union. As an instructor, she visited each place that had scales, and cleared all the evidence related to the Biology Club!

Were it not for the detective talents of Awakener and me, all damages will lead to a non-existent suspect, then the truth will never be revealed!

And me, me...

Guys, please tell us the truth!

What's the matter? Any questions about my reasoning?

... I did not expect the Phantom Butterfly to have such power.

What's Phantom Butterfly?

The creature you are looking for is a pet we cultivated for the Campus Festival. We call it Feli.

... Pet?

Yes, Feli is a butterfly that absorbs Crystal particles. As a pet, it can provide extra energy for its owner in work and fight. It also can clean up household garbage.

Feli is a perfect example that shows the superb technology of our club...

Feli had been kept in this petri dish in the Biology Club. Yesterday, it was Akira who watched it, observing and recording its growth.

But this morning, the petri dish broke, then Feli fled, and Akira lost contact...

Before you came to us, we had been looking for the Phantom Butterfly and Akira...

Your butterfly has done so much damage to the campus. How come you heard nothing about it?

Wait, come to think of it, Niz withheld the events that happened today from everyone to avoid trouble...

Despite members of the Student Union, no one would know about the damage caused by the Phantom Butterfly...

Is it possible that Akira planned this without telling other students in the Biology Club?

After all, only she knew all the truth, and she chose not to tell anyone...

I trust Akira. She must be hiding for some reason...

Ah, it seems to be Akira...

Awakener, where are you now? I've got something to tell you...

I'm investigating here in Biology Club. Everyone is looking for you.

Er, well...This is all my fault! Shiyu didn't know anything!

I'm here with Niz, and she asked me to give you a call...

Confession... Akira, what happened?

To attend Campus Festival on time, we've been feeding Feli more than it can take...

When I was recording its growth on the computer last night, it suddenly used its evolved laser blade to cut through the protective cover of the dish.

Then Feli blew open the window with energy and flew away... It flew so fast that I couldn't stop it.

I'm worried so much and have been looking for it on campus. I didn't expect it had caused so much damage.

To rectify your mistakes and avoid implicating other classmates...

You chose to hide this from everyone?

Yes...

I've been tracking the Phantom Butterfly and found that it keeps sucking crystal stored in the Limiters, thus getting stronger destructive power.

I can't hide it anymore as the situation can't be remedied by me... So I will turn myself in to Niz.

Please help me find the butterfly! I will accept any punishment and apologize to everyone!

This is dumbfounding...

Rest assured, Akira. As a detective, Awakener will help you catch the criminal!

All members of the Student Union, our target is a red butterfly that is incredibly destructive. Please be careful on the capture mission!

I'm sorry, I...

It's okay, Akira, let's solve the issue first and ensure a smooth conclusion of the Cultural Festival!

The classrooms here have been badly damaged...

Ah, it's the Phantom Butterfly!

Feli seems to be very full today... It may even learn self-evolution.

Why did the Biology Club cultivate such a dangerous creature...

Everyone in the Biology Club, they do the best they can.

...

Feli is building up energy, and it looks like it's going to attack us. Feli, remember? I'm your master!

(The food you feed tastes bad!)

The communication doesn't seem to work... Let's get ready to fight!

Oh no, I feel that we won't be able to resist the next attack by the butterfly...

Don't worry, the Biology Club can manage it!

Here you go!

Wow, Feli is sent into the sky like a kite!

This is a good chance to kill the Phantom Butterfly! Akira, use the thunder strike on it!

I may not be strong enough...

It's okay, I'll fight with you!

Okay!... Thunder of Terror!

It seems that the matter has been resolved perfectly... It's better to make the best of the mistake.

Please invite all students to enjoy the firework show prepared by the Student Union for the Cultural Festival, which is a signal for the start of the Afterparty!

The crisis facing the school is quickly resolved in one day, so let's enjoy the festival together!

Sorry, I screwed up again...

You don't have to apologize to me, instead, I want to thank you.

It was your mistake that made Feli push the limits and grow rapidly.

This just shows how amazing the achievements of our Biology Club are.

But...

If you really want to apologize, go to the teacher. He is the one you should apologize to.

I understand.

Teacher... I'm so sorry!

I almost made the worst happen because of my mistakes and weaknesses.

Instead of apologizing now, why didn't you tell us in the first place?

Waah..

I have tried to do my part like Shiyu, but I always make small mistakes.

I'm afraid that these mistakes will affect how others see me and even Eastrise, so I want to solve them alone without anyone finding out.

You can try to trust others.

No one will hate a person who is willing to put things right, as long as they apologize in earnest and settle the matter.

People who live in this school, including me, have a great longing for campus life.

Even after learning that the power of the Echo Crystal was no longer limited, we didn't fight, but chose to understand each other and cooperate.

... I'm truly sorry...

Well, don't apologize anymore, look over there.

That's the direction of the square...

The bonfire has been built. Let's go to join the others.

Am I really allowed to go there?

That's not something I can answer alone.

Let's go to the bonfire and ask others.

Teacher!