To become a king and a magician

After putting away the gemstone, Aozaki Touko couldn't help but laugh and say, "This gift is really too precious. It's truly different when a monarch makes a move."

"This can also be considered as supplementing Tiger's tuition fees. To learn from a Grand-level puppeteer, this level of tuition is necessary."

“You exaggerate.” Aozaki Touko smiled wryly. “So, what brings you here, Lord?”

Here comes the point.

Kenneth said, "In order to bring my student back to complete his studies. Although I acknowledge his learning ability and he no longer needs to attend classes for the entire foundation course, I have to take him back for a period of time in order for him to graduate smoothly."

"That's what your teacher said, Torakawa." Aozaki Touko looked at Natsukawa Torakawa. "What do you think?"

"Personally, I don't care at all. By the way, teacher, didn't we already agree on this? Why don't we just say it directly?"

"Polite words, polite words, don't you understand?"

Aozaki Touko smiled and then said to Kenneth, "Lord El-Melloi, actually, the boy and I received information about the purpose of your visit from his landlord in England a little while ago."

"Landlady...Ms. Lillian?"

"Yes. And from my perspective, Tiger's magical abilities have reached a level where he could graduate from all the basic courses early, you should be aware of that as well."

Kenneth nodded: "Of course, in fact, I brought him back here so he could participate in the early graduation ceremony. Of the three credits required for graduation, he only needs to attend a certain number of days. I'm also planning to apply for a priesthood for him."

"Tiger and I had already discussed this beforehand, and he has no objection to returning to London. After all, he has been wanting to return to London recently because he needs your help as a first-rate necromancer regarding the research results required for applying for the priesthood."

"Oh? Ms. Lillian told you even that? It seems Weber told her quite a bit." Kenneth looked at Natsukawa Tora. "I thought I'd have to do some more psychological work on you, but it seems I was worrying unnecessarily. So, where do you need my assistance?"

"I'd like to ask you to help me refine a magic trick. You'll understand once you see me actually use it."

34. To put it bluntly, it's just lust for the body.

Half an hour later, after seeing off Kenneth and Reines, who had finished watching the summoning magic and were bursting with inspiration to go back and write their manuscripts, Natsukawa Tora breathed a sigh of relief and plopped down on the sofa in the Hall of Garan: "Phew~~~~ It's finally over. By the way, teacher, how much longer are you going to stare at those gems?"

"After all, this is the first time I've ever seen such high-end goods. If you find it interesting, just take a look."

Aozaki Touko laughed, picking up one of the gems and examining it for a few moments: "Truly worthy of being selected by the Lord of the Minerals Department, the quality is frighteningly good, an excellent magic catalyst. If someone were a user of gem magic, they would probably sell their entire fortune to buy it, right?"

"I don't know about others, but I would never buy it."

"You?" Aozaki Touko frowned. "Ah, right, you're a student of the Mineral Department Monarch, so you must know a little bit of gem magic, right?"

"I wouldn't call myself good at it. At most, I can use gems as bombs. In my opinion, this kind of magic is a pure waste of money and has no practical use whatsoever."

"Storing up magic power... seems unnecessary for you."

Aozaki Touko smiled, put the gems away, and said, "I'll put these gems in the warehouse later; I don't need them right now."

"learn."

"Speaking of which, there's something I'm quite curious about. That little girl named Reines calls you 'sworn brother,' right? What's going on?"

Upon hearing this, Natsukawa Tora's face immediately fell. After taking a sip of coffee, he said with a hint of helplessness, "That... it was just wishful thinking on the part of Professor Kenneth and the El-Melloi family."

“Explain in detail.”

"There are many reasons, but the most important one is that I am an excellent first-generation magician."

The first magician.

There were no magicians in his family before, and no one possessed any magical bloodline. It was only in his generation that he accidentally became a magician with magical circuits.

"As a first-generation magician, my magic circuits are of a very high quality. I have thirty main magic circuits and eight auxiliary circuits, and the quality is B-grade according to the Clock Tower's standards. Of course, due to the influence of the spirit origin in recent years, they have definitely changed somewhat."

Thirty main circuits and eight auxiliary circuits.

Aozaki Touko was somewhat surprised to hear this: "Then you are indeed very good, after all, I only have about twenty magic circuits in total."

“But teacher, your precision far surpasses mine, right? I’ve heard it several times: Aozaki Touko’s magic circuits have an overwhelming level of precision.” Natsukawa Tora laughed. “With excellent magic circuits, plus my pair of high-level Mystic Eyes, the combination of the two has made Kenneth-sensei and the El-Melloi family single-mindedly want me to marry into their family, and the object of their affections is Reines.”

"I see, that's common in magic families. So that 'sworn brother' title was just a little flirtation between you two? Sibling play?"

"It's just her weird sense of humor. That kid has a terrible personality, just like Mary."

Xia Chuanhu gave a wry smile.

"Well, that's what I say, but I've never intended to marry into his family. I'm very grateful to Mr. Kenneth for his guidance, and I'll do my best to help him if he needs anything in the future. But please forgive me for marrying a child ten years younger than me."

"It's unbelievable that you would say that, when Grey is such a cute child who has always been by your side."

Smiling, Aozaki Touko lit a cigarette and continued, "So when are you planning to leave?"

"I'll go with the teacher. It should be in the next day or two. I'll pack my luggage tomorrow... There's not much to pack, just a few clothes."

"Now that you're all gone, it'll be so quiet here."

Exhaling a puff of smoke, Aozaki Touko's tone was somewhat melancholy: "The most important thing is that we'll be missing someone to cook for me. You'll be gone for at least half a year, right? That'll cost a lot more money."

Upon hearing this, Xia Chuanhu couldn't help but raise an eyebrow.

I thought they'd become picky eaters because they'd been spoiled, but it turns out it's because they can't save money!

"Then why don't you learn to cook yourself, teacher?"

"You're so silly. Food tastes better when it's cooked by someone else. You also tend to think that other people's things are better, right? Even if the actual effect isn't necessarily the same, that's just the feeling."

Oh, I understand.

That's Cao Cao's thinking, right?

I never would have guessed that Aozaki Touko was this kind of person.

Noticing Natsukawa Tora's strange look, Aozaki Touko raised an eyebrow: "What's with that look? It's weird."

"No, it's just that I suddenly had some thoughts, teacher, you don't need to worry about it."

As he spoke, Xia Chuanhu stood up.

"I'm going to work now. I'll buy groceries tonight, so let's have a nice meal tonight. How about hot pot?"

"Great! Buy some more meat!"

————————————————————————————————————

(That guy wants to go back.)

On a bridge in Guanbuzi City.

Recalling something she had overheard before leaving the Hall of Garan, Ryougi Shiki gently pursed her lips.

Natsukawa Tora is going back to London.

This wasn't a big deal, since she already knew. For Ryougi Shiki, his departure wasn't so unacceptable, especially since it was only for six months. For her, who had been alone for the past two years, this temporary separation was nothing.

However, Ryougi Shiki felt that there were some things she needed to talk to him about before he left—no, she should say she needed to settle things with him properly.

That's why she's standing here; this bridge spanning the road is his only way to get around.

"Hmm? Style?"

he came.

Looking at Natsukawa Tora who appeared at one end of the overpass, Ryougi Shiki chuckled, "You're here, idiot. Going to work?"

"Yes, I also need to resign from the store manager. I'll probably be leaving the day after tomorrow. But I'll probably be back in about six months, mainly to make up for the days I've missed."

"Idiot. Come with me somewhere after you finish your work."

Ryougi Shiki suddenly spoke.

"Don't worry, it won't take much time, just five or six minutes. You'll have enough time to go grocery shopping and cook."

Although somewhat puzzled as to why Ryougi Shiki would make this request, Natsukawa Torara agreed: "Sure, but you have to tell me where we're going? What do you want me to do with you?"

"Almost. Let's settle accounts." Ryougi Shiki sneered. "You haven't forgotten, have you? There are still two accounts between us to settle."

With her hands in her jacket pockets, Ryougi Shiki walked past Natsukawa Tora and gently bumped him with her shoulder: "The abandoned factory in 3-chome, we'll settle the accounts before you leave."

35. A cheat posted personally by the administrator.

Abandoned factories are not uncommon in Kanbushi City. During the economic development period decades ago, countless projects were shut down for various reasons, resulting in abandoned warehouses and factories scattered throughout the streets and alleys of Kanbushi City.

If it weren't for Natsukawa Torato's ability to summon familiars to pave the way for him, coupled with his extraordinary senses, he really wouldn't have been able to find Ryougi Shiki in such a large abandoned area.

Carrying a bag of hot pot ingredients for dinner, Natsukawa Tiger walked into the factory and looked at Ryougi Shiki leaning against the second floor.

"You really chose a secluded place, all mysterious and secretive. This isn't like you at all."

"Isn't it wrong to cause trouble for others?"

Ryougi Shiki jumped down from the second floor and looked at what Natsukawa Torato was carrying: "Dinner?"

"We're having hot pot tonight. Eating hot pot in an air-conditioned room sounds pretty good, doesn't it?" Xia Chuanhu laughed. "So, what's the matter with calling me to such a remote place? I heard you say you wanted to settle some score with me... I hope I haven't stepped on any of your landmines lately?"

That being said, Natsukawa Torato really couldn't figure out where Ryougi Shiki's minefield was. Sometimes he would just mention it briefly, and the person in front of him would inexplicably get angry.

“You haven’t made me angry lately, but we had two scores to settle before that.”

Ryougi Shiki raised two fingers.

"The first time was when we first met. I was eyeing a group of thugs hoping to make some pocket money, but you beat me to it. The other time was at Xiaochuan Apartment, where you smashed all my dolls."

"You still remember these two things?"

Natsukawa Tora couldn't help but feel a sense of helplessness. One of these events happened more than half a year ago, and the other happened three months ago, yet Ryougi Shiki still remembered them.

"You really hold a grudge."

"Say what you will, I just want to settle accounts with you. It's better to leave with a clear conscience, isn't it? It'll save me from not being able to sleep well because of my grudge after you're gone." Ryougi Shiki smiled for once in front of Natsukawa Tora.

For someone who had never given Natsukawa Tora a kind look and was almost always indifferent, such a smile was like the sun rising in the west.

"It's quite a pity."

"what?"

“You just laughed, didn’t you? It would be a shame not to film something so rare,” Natsukawa Tiger said with a smile. “Alright, I understand what happened. In short, it’s about settling scores with you—which means a fight, right? Fine, consider it a pre-dinner workout.”

Ryougi Shiki is very strong.

But that was ultimately confined to the human realm; her physical abilities didn't surpass those of humans, she was merely an ordinary person with excellent skills. Even the most powerful mystical abilities like the Mystic Eyes of Death Perception weren't considered a threat as long as they couldn't touch Natsukawa Torato.

Their previous encounters had already proven this point.

Ryougi Shiki was well aware of this, so this time, she was prepared to get serious.