Ellie was immersed in her research. She has been doing research in this city for many years. Of course, she became a Special Class Counter-Magician because of her abilities, but in her case, she got her position because she wanted to continue her research in a better environment. For this reason, Ellie doesn't do much combat in the twilight compared to other special-grade counter-magicians. As a special exception, she is allowed to devote herself to her research in this basement because her research is recognized as meaningful. 

''As I thought.......this is.......'' 

　Hypothesis. She had a certain hypothesis. It was that Twilight Syndrome doesn't turn people into demons. This was a question that had existed since the official recognition of the existence of the Twilight Syndrome disease. 

　Does this turn people into the demon race?　 

　The higher the level of Twilight Syndrome, the less the differences between them and the demonic race became. In particular, the form of the magic element and the inherent domain 《Personal Field》 were as close as possible to the demon race. It was the same when examining other special class anti-magicians. 

　With that, Ellie thought, the hypothesis might be proven........ Normally, the symptoms of Twilight Syndrome 《Twilight Syndrome》 would subside once it reached level 5. The progression of the disease would suddenly stop. That had been a definite phenomenon until now. 

　However, an exception had emerged here. Yulia, Eira and Shelly's progress was advancing. Their bodies are still human, but their magical elements and their personal fields 《Personal Field》 are even closer to those of the demon race. In particular, the amount of magic element they possessed was showing an extraordinary figure. All the data from the regular medical examinations of the anti-mages in other cities are sent to this underground facility. Ellie looked at it and began to think that there might be something about these three........ That became even clearer by directly examining Yulia's body. 

'But I still think..........no, this can't be it. 

　A different phenomenon than the hypothesis. Then is Ellie's hypothesis wrong?　No, she thought, that was unlikely. We already have more than enough data to prove this hypothesis. Then, assuming the hypothesis was correct we should assume that the truth lies in another direction. Especially since Ellie knew because she had seen Yulia in person. 

　She trawled through a vast amount of past data to find evidence of this, but she found nothing. Still, she had heard rumors in the past. 

　No way, no way, no way, was that rumor true?　As she thought about it, a chill ran down her spine. 

　Connected. All the things that had been dots intersected and drew an organic line. A phenomenon that had no connection to anything before. But now they are connected with a definite meaning and Ellie has arrived at the truth. No, I've arrived at it. 

 

　The truth is now known. Still, Ellie wasn't just abducted. In order to find out the truth, I have to go to the first ward city. Everything must be there. As she hurriedly got ready, she heard a knock on the door. 

'Ellie-san, it's Yulia.' 

'What?　What's going on? 

　It was Yulia who came over. She should have left a few days ago, but what do you want?　With that thought, Ellie opened the door. 

'....What? 

　The moment I opened the door, what jumped in was a silver flash of light. There was no time to perceive it. That's right........a knife was thrust into her left chest. 

 

Wow, your timing was perfect. Watch out, watch out. 

　Yulia comes into the room while still sneering. That appearance was definitely Yulia. Even in the midst of her fuzzy consciousness, Ellie invoked her singular ability 《Extra》, the elemental sense 《Decoding Sense》, to expose its existence. But.........it was still Julia herself. The magic elemental form, the unique domain 《Personal Field》, it was the same person in all respects. But Ellie knew. This was not Julia, she knew. That wasn't an objective fact. It was her subjective intuition. Ellie is a researcher, but she values her intuition. Her intuition tells her that this is not Yulia..... 

Who is that...? 

Who? It's Yulia. Didn't we just meet the other day? 

"That's a lie..............It's definitely Yulia-kun himself on the outside. But.........the inside is different.........Ugh, gosh......no, this is...... 

''Heh........you understand. After all, that singular ability 《Extras》 is dangerous. It really seems to have come at just the right time. 

.... 

　I can't hear my voice well anymore. Ellie collapses to the spot. It doesn't mean she was caught off guard. Just because it's Julia doesn't mean she trusts anyone who walks into this lab unconditionally. She is watching her opponent's every move, considering the possibility that this will happen. And I have a few traps and other things in place. If I was in danger, I would also fill this room with poison gas if I was in danger. But nothing happened. 

　On top of that, the skill to stab the knife into her chest as it sneaked into her consciousness. It's not that Ellie is weak by any means. It's because she doesn't have the status of an italicized anti-magician. Even so, there are people with skills that surpass that........and after all, the traitor....... 

　That's what he thought, but it was too late for Ellie. It's clear by the incessant bleeding from her chest. The blood that poured out of his chest was pouring out of his chest, and as if he had planted some kind of paralyzing poison, his body became numb and unable to move. 

　It's a good idea to try to activate the magic with all the energy she can muster. 

'Oops, I won't let you send me a message. 

　A moment later, her wrist flies through the air. It was cut off and fell into the room in a blur. I've been trying to use communication magic, but the other party is still better at it than I am. It's a good idea to have a good time. I'm sure you'll be able to find a way to make it work. 

"U.........ghoho........ 

　More blood comes pouring out. The blood she spits out turns her face crimson. 

　Ah.........this is where I'm going to end up......Ellie thought about that for the last time. I've been fighting for humanity until now. And I've continued my research to do something about this world ruled by the twilight. And yet, the end comes so easily. It's not that she wasn't prepared to die. But she had thought that if she was going to die, it would be in the twilight. She had never dreamed that it would end with her being stabbed in the chest in her laboratory. Reality is ruthless and cruel, after all. In the end, Ellie let go of her consciousness as she thought about that. 

''Ellie, thank you for your hard work. You can go back to sleep now.'' 

　That was certainly Julia's tone until the end. It was Yulia herself, in appearance, personality, and tone of voice. But it was different. This is not him........this is....... 

　Ellie got to the truth at the end, and also the identity of the traitor. But it all becomes meaningless. Her death..........puts everything back to square one. 

(I'm not quite there yet...) 

　It was going to happen........ But the situation is already intricately intertwined. Ellie's research, and what the traitor has done, are all connected. This is the beginning. The time has come for humanity to truly face the twilight. 

　Moreover, Ellie's death was never in vain. What she has done is indeed bringing hope to humanity. No one knows that fact yet. Not even she herself, and not even the traitor knows it. 

Goodbye, Ellie. 

　The words were Julia's. But it sounded a lot like the voice she had heard so many times before. Yes, Ellie had discovered its true identity at the very end. As her life was threatened, her singular ability (extra) improved. It allowed her to see through its contents. 

 

　Already dead. No, she's already on the verge of death. But Ellie summons her last bit of energy and activates her magic. It is so small that it is imperceptible to her opponent. But it's also the secret technique she had put to sleep as a last resort. 

　Its name was the Forbidden Sacrament, Sacrament. 

　The forbidden sacrament in magic. No, it is said to have been lost long ago, and no one uses it in the present day, and few know about it. But Ellie had used that magic as a trigger for her own death. This was the opponent's miscalculation. It would later be a big stab at the opponent. 

(Yulia-kun........I asked you to take care of the rest.......yo.... 

　Ellie's breathing and pulse stopped. And her pupils are dilated. 

"......... 

　The person who looks like Julia confirms Ellie's death and then leaves the room. The fresh blood flowing out of the room does not stop. 

　Ellie ended her short life here while lying on her back. 

　Special class anti-magician, 12 people left--.