Alice: Book 5 Chapter 1

## Verse 1

After defeating countless monsters, the girl finally reached her teacher's location, or so she thought.

Instead, she was met with the **remains** of a **burning** apartment complex.

The girl's hope turned to despair.

What if he's still waiting in need of my help somewhere?

In a desperate attempt to cling to this slim hope, she looked around, her gaze **meeting** that of another girl dressed in strange clothes, standing amidst the rubble.

"Who are you?"

"...Where is my teacher?"

"Teacher? Don't know, don't care."

"Liar... give him BACK!!!"

 What did you do to my teacher?!?!

 I told you, I have no clue what you're on about!

 He's all I have. Give him back... Give me back my teacher!

 If you aren't going to listen to me, stay out of my way. Or I'll cut you down.

## Verse 2

**Alice (Reality)**

We may look identical, but it doesn't matter.

First I have to prevent her from running away, so I'll slice her tendons.

Once I find where my teacher is, she'll pay. No amount of pleading will spare her.

## Verse 3

**Alice (Library)**

When swords clash, they bring with them the memories of those who wield them.

Ah, I understand now.

This girl's tears are from confronting her own past...

## Verse 4

**Alice (Reality)**

Teacher, are you watching? Look how hard I'm fighting for you.

Do you see the wings on my back? They're like an angel's.

I'll finish this quickly and show you in person.

Will you still spoil me even after I'm stained with blood?

## Verse 5

**Alice (Library)**

Once again, we clashed swords and I learned more about her.

At first, it came as solids, then liquids, and eventually stomach acid.

And the more she vomited, the more uncontrollably she wept.

It was through her that I learned how to release my pent-up emotions.

## Verse 6

**Alice (Reality)**

It seems like God keeps testing me and my teacher.

But I'm okay with that.

After all, he was the one who taught me that God only gives us trials that we can overcome.

## Verse 7

**Alice (Library)**

I'm not reflected in her eyes.

Only the lingering memory of the one she loves sparkles within them.

It's a bitter sight to behold.

Her gaze is much like seeing my own reflection in the mirror.

## Verse 8

**Alice (Reality)**

To be honest, seeing my teacher still makes me a little nervous.

I used to push myself to look my best and make him happy, but now I've grown more comfortable just being myself.

I guess I can't hide my true self from him anymore, can I?

## Verse 9

**Alice (Library)**

The more I clash swords with the girl, I realize that we are more identical than just our appearance.

From the person I loved to the vulnerabilities in my own heart... everything is the same.

## Verse 10

*Before*

The two girls with the same appearance understood it well. One of them had to die to make their wish come true.

That was the rule in this twisted, interconnected world.

At the same time, they also **understood** that their wishes were very similar in nature.

And that was precisely why neither of them could back down first.

"It'll be **my** **wish** that comes true!"

The sound of the girls' swordplay became even more intense.

Neither the frenzied **mania** of the populace nor the **hellfire** surrounding the two of them could break into their world.

 Just die already!

 Why the hurry?

 Is it because you don't trust me?

 He'll go somewhere else if he's not bound to me...

 Shut up! Shut up! Shut up!

*After*

The tip of the schoolgirl's sword gouged the **cheek** of the girl in blue.

However, the girl didn't falter despite the pain, instead tightly gripping the sword that was dripping with her own blood.

"Thanks to you, I've learned a lot," murmured the girl, as undecipherable words emanated from her body like **rings of light**, enveloping the blue sword.

"Now I can become even stronger for 'them.'"

In the next moment, the girl in blue swung her sword and sliced the **identical** girl in two.

Remembering her own final moments in the dying girl's eyes, she moved forward, muttering to herself the countless things she needed to understand before the next battle.

## Discordant Poem

[Combat Report No. 1462777]

Encounter between ALICE\_A and ALICE\_F confirmed.

Battle has commenced as planned.

[Combat Report No. 1462778]

Battle and memory resonance between ALICE\_A and ALICE\_F confirmed.

No abnormalities detected in resonance value.

[Combat Report No. 1462779]

ALICE\_F has eliminated ALICE\_A.

37% EXTEND rate achieved.