To become a king and a magician

In his past life, Xia Chuanhu had seen many of his classmates reduce their meals from three to one a day because they had girlfriends. Some even had to borrow money from him to make ends meet because they had to stay in hotels with their girlfriends every week.

In addition, all sorts of strange and bizarre things were popping up online at that time, so even without financial concerns, Natsukawa Tiger would have been too scared to find a girlfriend.

"Besides, I still have to take care of Grey right now. Even if I were to find a girlfriend, it would have to wait until Grey is an adult and can be independent."

"You really spoil her rotten."

Aozaki Touko was speechless.

"Why don't you just start dating Grey and wait until she comes of age?"

"teacher......"

"I know, I know, it was just a joke."

Smiling, she patted Natsukawa Tora on the shoulder, quickly finished her omelet rice, and then slammed a few bills on the table: "I'm done. It tasted good. Make me another one when you get back tonight."

"Yes Yes Yes."

With a businesslike smile, he saw the great Aozaki Touko off from the coffee shop where he worked, and only after her figure was completely out of sight through the window in the door did Natsukawa Tora sigh helplessly.

"It looks like tonight's dinner will be omelet rice. I'll have to go to the supermarket to buy ingredients later... Hmm, I should also buy Grey a carton of milk so she can get some calcium and grow taller."

----------------------

Driving back to Garan no Tou, Aozaki Touko pushed open the office door and immediately saw Gray cleaning inside, and Ryougi Shiki watching coldly from the side.

Putting her briefcase on the table, Aozaki Touko smiled and said, "Look how tired little Grey is, why don't you lend a hand, Shiki?"

"This room is messy enough as it is, no matter how much you tidy it up, it will still be messy, so there's no need to tidy it up."

“It’s alright, Miss Orange, I was just tidying up the documents a little,” Grey said with a smile. “By the way, there’s a letter on your desk, sent from London, I think it’s addressed to you.”

"Sent from London?"

Moving her briefcase aside, Aozaki Touko picked up the letter on the table and glanced at it: "Could it be from those old fogies in London? But wait, they don't know I've opened a shop here... [Lilyn May]? Who's that?"

"Sister Meryl?"

Upon hearing the name Aozaki Touko utter, Grey quickly came over.

"Did Sister Meryl send it?"

"You know Grey?"

Grey nodded: "She's the landlady of the apartment my brother and I live in in London. A very beautiful and kind lady."

It turns out it was someone Grey knew.

"So this is the letter sent to you and the boy? We'll wait for the boy to come back and read it."

26. What a piece of trash!

Three hours later.

Carrying a bag of ingredients for making omelet rice, Natsukawa Tora returned to the Garan Hall.

"Welcome back, brother."

Grey ran up to Natsukawa Tora and took the bag from him.

"You must be tired from working. Let me put the groceries in the kitchen for you. Brother, you can rest on the sofa for a bit."

"Okay, please. We're having omelet rice tonight, could you please prepare the ingredients beforehand?"

"it is good."

Watching Gray run off to the kitchen and Natsukawa Tora plop down on the sofa, Aozaki Touko smiled slightly: "You two really help each other out."

"I feel like there's something hidden in your words, teacher."

"Your imagination. Perfect, now that you're back, here's your letter. It's from London, and the sender's name is [Lilyn May]."

A letter from Mary?

Catching the letter that floated to him, Natsukawa Tora glanced at the signature and frowned. "Why did Meryl suddenly send me a letter? Is something wrong? Couldn't she have just called?"

(By the way, after returning to Japan, I don't think I've contacted her again, and I haven't gone back to London either.)

Why don't we go back for a while this summer?

Thinking this, Natsukawa Torato opened the envelope, but the instant he opened it—

"Zheng————————!"

A dazzling pink light suddenly filled the entire room!

Immediately afterwards, accompanied by a strong floral fragrance, countless petals burst forth from the thin envelope, instantly enveloping Natsukawa Torato, Ryougi Shiki, and Aozaki Touko, who were almost within arm's reach!

This turn of events came so suddenly that before the three of them could react, they were already overwhelmed by countless flowers.

And when all the flowers surrounding him disappeared—

"Where...where is this—?"

What unfolded before them was a breathtaking sea of ​​flowers, seemingly endless and beautiful, like the Garden of Eden from mythology.

Where is this?

"Huh? How did I..."

Grey, still holding a kitchen knife, looked equally bewildered. Shouldn't she be in the kitchen? How did she suddenly end up here in the blink of an eye?

Ryougi Shiki gripped the dagger slightly, glanced around, and then looked at the letter in Natsukawa Torato's hand: "Hey, idiot, did that letter bring us here?"

"I think I should..."

"Not!"

Suddenly, Merry's voice interrupted Natsukawa Tiger, and not far away, Merry's figure, leaning on her staff, quietly appeared before the four of them amidst the falling petals.

Melly waved to Natsukawa and Grey and said with a smile, "Good evening. It should be getting late in Japan by now. It's been more than half a year since we last met. Did you miss me? Natsukawa, Grey."

"No."

Xia Chuanhu's answer was unusually decisive.

"Is this space... an illusion? By opening that letter, the illusion you cast on the letter itself was activated, right?"

"That's right, it's amazing that you could tell."

“After all, for a long time before, you used illusion magic to give me nightmares every night.” Natsukawa Torama flicked the envelope in his hand. “So, is there something you need, sending a letter all the way from London and even using illusion magic?”

It must be something incredibly important, something that would interest Mary, otherwise that opportunistic scoundrel wouldn't have sent a letter.

Hearing Natsukawa Tora say that, Meryl pouted, "Couldn't it be because she missed you so much that she used illusion magic to see you? Natsukawa, you really are a terrible scumbag, leaving her all alone in London while you're all lovey-dovey with little Grey in Japan—I'm crying!"

"..."

This overly exaggerated acting was so obvious that even Grey could tell Meryl was faking it. However—

"Young man, I never expected you to be this kind of person. As your teacher, I am heartbroken that I have taken on such a student."

"Not only are you an idiot, you're a bastard... Why don't you just die a few times?"

Aozaki Touko and Ryougi Shiki continued along with Meryl's words, one after the other. Seeing the two who clearly wanted to join in the fun, Natsukawa Torata took a deep breath and then kicked Meryl in the face.

In an instant, it turned into flying petals and scattered, then reformed behind Natsukawa Tora. Meryl gently hugged his neck: "Just kidding, don't be angry. But I really missed you. I was so bored these past six months without you."

"Isn't Webber there?"

“His little body can’t take it,” Meryl laughed. “Oh right, is this the first time these two have met? Nice to meet you. He is Merlin, my king’s personal court magician.”

Merlin? Your Majesty? The court magician?

Aozaki Touko's eyes flashed with fear again as she looked at Natsukawa Tora: "Boy, are you playing this wildly? A king-servant play?"

"Yes."

Well, you could say that for now.

They didn't refute it?!

This surprised not only Aozaki Touko, but also Ryougi Shiki.

With a slight smile, Meryl continued, "The actual situation is naturally a bit different. I think Miss Grand Puppeteer should be able to figure out my true identity, and then understand after a little thought."

"Merlin... illusionist... court magician... I see. Are you Merlin from the legend of King Arthur?"

"Who is that?" Ryougi Shiki asked.

"The world's foremost guide to kings, the legendary magician who nurtured the illustrious King Arthur and made numerous prophecies," Aozaki Touko briefly explained. "But... you're still alive? It's been almost 1,500 years since King Arthur's time, hasn't it?"

Meryl smiled slightly: "Well, I'm a half-human, half-sleep demon, so my lifespan is practically endless as long as I'm not killed. Plus, I've lived in Avalon for 1,500 years, so I'm even less likely to die. I only left Avalon three years ago."

"I see. So, the one you call King... Tiger, are you... the reincarnation of King Arthur?"

“Not entirely, right?” Natsukawa Torato touched his chest. “Teacher, you know about the Holy Grail War in Fuyuki City, right?”

"I heard something."

"During the Holy Grail War three years ago, I summoned King Arthur and fused with his Spirit Origin after the war. In essence, I am now a half-Servant, and my outrageous physical abilities and magical power come from this. So you could say I am half King Arthur."

Natsukawa Tora explained, "Well, we can go into detail about these things later when we have time. Now, let's get down to business—Merry, what do you want from me?"

She nuzzled Natsukawa Tora's face and chuckled, "I missed you and Little Grey. By the way, I'll give you some information."

"What intelligence?"

"You've already learned almost all the basic course knowledge, and then Weber and that lemon-headed guy were thinking it was about time to hold a graduation ceremony for you and confer a rank upon you. However, they couldn't find you anywhere in the Clock Tower. It seems they're really planning to go to Japan to catch you."

"Huh? Professor Kenneth?! Speaking of which, granting ranks and a graduation ceremony? Is that really necessary? It's just a graduation for all the basic courses."

"Have you forgotten that your situation as a magician is quite unique? Physical abilities, the quality and quantity of your magic circuits... all things considered, I think I was going to offer you a sacrifice?"

After saying that, Meili patted Xia Chuanhu's head: "Judging by the time, it should arrive at your place the day after tomorrow. Remember to take care of it yourself. I'm just reminding you—most importantly, I miss you."

"If you can, please come back soon. It's so lonely being home alone~~~~"

27. With a proud tone

The falling petals have dispersed.

The surrounding environment transformed back into the Hall of the Sangharama. Looking at the letter in his hand that had turned into flower petals and vanished, Natsukawa Tora sat down on the sofa and sighed softly: "Really, it's just something that could be explained with a phone call, why go through all this trouble?"