To become a king and a magician

Sitting down on the sofa, and watching Meryl pour herself a cup of herbal tea, Aozaki Aoko couldn't help but ask, "So, what's the emergency?"

"Don't rush, have a macaron first. I learned how to make it especially for you."

"..."

Seeing Aozaki Aoko's somewhat displeased expression, Meryl suppressed her smile: "Actually, it's nothing, it's just that your junior might die."

"Cough, cough, cough!"

Aozaki Aoko, who was eating a macaron, choked and coughed several times in a row: "Huh? My junior might die?"

"Hmm. Ah, that's not quite right. He's faced several near-death experiences so far, but those were just possibilities, and with a little effort, he could have survived," Mary said casually. "But this time is a little different; the situation is so serious that he can't completely resolve it on his own."

"He...can't solve this by himself?"

"After all, the enemy's strength was a bit too great for him. Not in terms of strength, but in terms of nature."

"Stop with the riddles, what's wrong with you, junior?" Aozaki Aoko's voice was tinged with impatience. "You didn't call me here just to talk nonsense, did you?"

Mary waved her hand: "Don't rush, let me start by telling you from the beginning."

"About five years ago, Tiger sealed away the young of a beast capable of destruction in Fuyuki City, you know that, right?"

Aozaki Aoko nodded.

"But in reality, the beast's true form is a girl connected to the Root, who harbors immense hatred for the tiger. Although she has changed somewhat over the past five years, she still basically still hates it, so she has always been thinking about how to break the seal and kill the tiger. However, the seal is simply too powerful, and with the help of others, she can only rage in vain."

"And then, here comes the important part: the parallel world that Tiger went to this time actually had an counterpart of that girl! Even the connection to the Root was exactly the same, it's really amazing!"

Is there another entity connected to the root?

Aozaki Aoko's expression turned serious: "What are you trying to say...?"

"The girl's name is Sajō Aika. In a parallel world, the Sajō Aika has, for some reason, laid a trap to kill the king. And because she is also [Sajō Aika], the Sajō Aika sealed within the king's body has also gained consciousness, or rather, mental freedom, and has begun her own schemes."

"If you're connected to the roots, it's not surprising that you can do something extraordinary."

"So, the current situation is that His Majesty the King is being targeted by two omniscient and omnipotent beings at the same time~ And he foolishly stepped into a trap they prepared, and is preparing to break through it by brute force. Although they admire his courage, it is also a bit reckless~ Points deducted!"

Despite the extremely dangerous situation, Meryl's tone was surprisingly light and cheerful, as if she were talking about going out for barbecue that night, making one wonder if she was genuinely concerned about Natsukawa Tora's safety.

The shocking revelation left Aozaki Aoko speechless for a long while. She was a woman who had weathered many storms, but to be regarded as an enemy by two figures like Sajō Ayaka, especially one who had come fully prepared...

"So, what do you want me to do?"

It's unlikely that Merry would call her over just to tell her something like this; Aozaki Aoko already had a pretty good idea of ​​what she was going to say.

With a light laugh, Melly said, "Originally, they planned to go in person, given the special circumstances where even the magic they left on Tiger was forcibly erased. But due to some reasons, it was inconvenient for them to show up, so they had to find someone to go in their place."

"The Fifth Magician, Miss Aozaki Aoko."

"The location is Tokyo in that world. Although you can't use magic there, they will do their best to provide you with support. Since you can't contact that nobleman and the princess, could you please go there and help His Majesty the King?"

.......

"alright."

After thinking for a moment, Aozaki Aoko agreed.

"I've been helped by my junior many times before, so this is me repaying his favor."

104. Grey: You'll get used to it.

Ayaka Sajou woke up to a fragrance.

Or rather, she smelled a delicious aroma—the aroma of food—on her way to the bathroom after being woken up by her alarm clock.

Is someone making breakfast in the kitchen? But she should be the only one at home, so where did the other person come from?

(That doesn't seem right either. I remember last night I was...)

Upon arriving at the kitchen on the first floor, Ayaka Sajou looked inside and saw Natsukawa Tora standing in front of the stove, busy at work and wearing an apron.

Oh right, I did let him stay last night.

"Huh? You're awake, Sajou."

Seemingly hearing footsteps behind her, Xia Chuanhu, who was making breakfast, turned around and looked at her: "Sorry, I took the liberty of using the kitchen. Breakfast will be ready soon. You can go wash up first. Also, please change your clothes. Wearing only a nightgown might make you catch a cold in the slightly chilly morning."

"Oh... wait a minute?!"

After Natsukawa Torama pointed it out, Sajou Ayaka realized she hadn't even changed out of her nightgown! Because she'd always been alone at home, she was completely used to this, but now Natsukawa Torama was a regular there...

(This is terrible!)

Seeing that Ayaka Sajou had hurriedly run back upstairs to change her clothes, Natsukawa Torama smiled slightly, turned around and continued preparing breakfast.

It should be said that he was influenced by Arthur. When it came to preparing breakfast for Ayaka Sajou, he subconsciously started doing it before he even realized it, and the breakfast was even something that Ayaka Sajou usually made herself.

(Sigh... How could something like this be etched into your very being, Arthur?)

Perhaps—that's the reaction coming from my body.

But Natsukawa Tora himself didn't really care about this situation. Since he was living under someone else's roof, it was only natural for him to do such a small thing. He couldn't expect someone else to prepare breakfast for him when he was staying at someone else's house.

And now, more than that little thing, he was concerned about something else—he hadn't seen Meryl in his dream last night.

Because of the special circumstances, Natsukawa Tiger wanted to discuss it with Meryl first. But strangely, even though he was thinking about Meryl falling asleep, he was unable to enter Meryl's dream. Normally, Meryl should have taken the initiative to pull him in.

Could it be that something happened to Meryl too?

Furthermore, Aika Sajou didn't react at all. He even mocked her, bringing up her past embarrassing moments to embarrass her. Normally, she would have come out and argued with him long ago, but in reality, she didn't respond at all.

(The seal on the Demon Eye is working properly... Is it just that you don't want to talk to me? Your patience has improved, or are you plotting something?)

He is undoubtedly at his weakest point right now. Being unable to use summoning magic is like tearing his trump card to shreds. All Natsukawa Torama can rely on now is his physical strength. He can still handle the kind of shadow servant-like being from last night, but if he encounters something stronger, he might be outmatched.

"Da da da..."

I heard the sound of someone coming down the stairs behind me.

Scooping the perfectly cooked bacon and eggs from the pan onto a plate, Natsukawa Tiger temporarily suppressed his thoughts, carried breakfast into the dining room, and smiled at Sajou Ayaka, who had already changed into her school uniform, saying, "Sorry to keep you waiting, come and have breakfast."

——————————————————————————————

Ayaka Sajo was very surprised, really very surprised.

"Xia Chuan, you can cook too?"

Although it was a simple breakfast, no different from what she usually made, in Ayaka Sajou's mind, boys generally didn't cook. And strangely enough, Ayaka Sajou didn't find it strange that Natsukawa Tora was in the kitchen.

While washing the dishes, Natsukawa Tora turned his head and smiled: "Well, when I was studying under a master, one of my friends was very picky about food. If I didn't cook well, she would chase me with a knife and chop me up. So I specially went to learn how to cook."

"Isn't that a bit of an exaggeration? Being hunted down and killed for not cooking well...?"

"To outsiders, that might seem true, but to me, it's just a minor thing. Besides, I'm learning to cook so I can make some delicious food for my wife when we get married."

wife?

Ayaka Sajou couldn't help but ask, "Natsukawa, do you have someone you like?"

His hand paused slightly, then Natsukawa Tora nodded slightly: "Yes, although she's a woman who makes me feel troubled and annoyed in every way."

"Hate her? Don't you like her?"

"There's no contradiction. Humans are inherently contradictory creatures. When the weather is gloomy, people think, 'If only there were sunshine,' but in the sweltering summer, they think, 'If only there were no sunshine.' My situation is similar."

In other words, you generally like it, but dislike it in specific situations?

Ayaka Sajou took a sip of Natsukawa Torato's hot milk: "I hope you and her will be happy in the future."

"Thank you for your kind words—by the way, it's almost time for school, isn't it? It's almost 8:30."

"Huh? It's the weekend..."

Ayaka Sajou, who was about to say that she didn't have to go to school today, suddenly remembered what Natsukawa Tora had told her yesterday—that time in Tokyo was fixed at "today" and would not move forward, which meant that "weekend" would never come and it would always be "Friday".

So, I have to go to school today!

(Speaking of which, the alarm clock did go off this morning...)

Ayaka Sajou hurriedly got up from the dining table and rushed back to her room to pack her schoolbag. The morning meeting was scheduled to start at 8:40, and it was already almost 8:30. There were only ten minutes left—she was going to be late!

"Won't it be too late?"

"Probably..."

"Then I'll take you there."

Ayaka Sajou, who was about to leave, was taken aback by these words: "You're taking me home?"

"Well, the methods might be a bit rough and offensive, if you can handle it..."

Brutal? Offensive? What does that mean?

Ayaka Sajo hesitated for a moment, but after glancing at the time, she immediately made up her mind: "Thank you, Natsukawa, please take me to school."

"Then please wait a moment."

.......

Two minutes later.

On the rooftops of Tokyo.

"Aaaaaaaaahh ...

Holding Natsukawa Torata tightly around the neck, and looking down at the city rushing past, Ayaka Sajou couldn't help but exclaim loudly, "You, you're so reckless! Natsukawa! How can you do this! Running on the rooftop is too—!"

"Hold on tighter, I'll go a little faster."

"No—Aaaaaaaah!"

105. Ayaka Sajou felt so tired.

"What's wrong, Satō? You look really tired today."

Lunch break, tea ceremony room.

Seeing the exhausted Ayaka Sajou, Chiel, who was eating curry bread, asked with concern.

Are you feeling unwell?

"No...it's just that this morning was a little unusual..."