To become a king and a magician

A wave of enthusiastic applause erupted from not far away. Students who often attended the same classroom as Natsukawa Tora and had a decent relationship with him applauded. Further away, in the shadows of the building, Gray, Webber, and Lydia also joined in the applause.

"Is he finally a priest? Just half a year ago he was the lowest-ranking member, but he jumped directly to the fourth rank, and he has only been formally involved in the demonic path for a mere three years."

"Can you imagine what kind of whispers will emanate from inside the clock tower in the future?"

Unlike the envy in Webber's eyes, Lydia's expression was one of worry.

"However, at twenty-one years old—and twenty-two after her birthday this year—it's not impossible for such a young priest to become a high-ranking official or even a high-ranking concubine in the future, right? That way, her family will definitely have no objections."

"Huh? Miss Lydia, what did you say?" Grey blinked warily. "What's wrong with my brother?"

"No, it's nothing, I was just talking to myself."

——————————————————————————————

Nighttime, inside the apartment.

"Cheers to Natsukawa becoming a sacrificial offering!"

"cheers!"

It was rare for Mary to drink, so she downed her drink in one gulp and let out a satisfied sigh.

"Oh my, Natsukawa has finally become a priest! As the landlord of this apartment building, I'm so proud of myself. Now I have another thing to brag about at the girls' gatherings!"

"My becoming a priest has little to do with you, does it?"

"The summoning magic was given to you by someone else! There's at least a one percent connection, right?"

With a slightly flushed face, Merry pounced on Natsukawa Tora.

"For the sake of our relationship, don't you think we should reward them?"

"Lilin!"

"Sister Lilyn, please have some hangover medicine!"

Like executioners flanking Natsukawa Tora, Mary had barely finished speaking when Lydia and Grey pulled her aside from either side and handed her a glass of sobering water.

Of course, Mary wasn't drunk at all; she just wanted to see Lydia and Grey panic because Natsukawa Tora was getting close to her.

“However, now that the conferment ceremony for the priesthood is over, Natsukawa, you’re leaving here and going back to Japan, right?” Waver, who was sitting diagonally opposite Natsukawa, asked. “First you were learning summoning magic, and now you’re learning puppetry from that Aozaki Touko over there. Can you handle all that?”

"There's always a way. Besides, the reason I learned about puppets is ultimately to make good use of summoning magic, so it doesn't matter."

“That’s fine as long as you can manage it yourself.” Weber nodded. “So, when do you plan to leave?”

"Teacher Orange isn't in a hurry to go back. If possible, I'd like to go to Misaki City in Japan first."

Misaki City.

The main stage of Tsukihime was also the main stage of the Night of the Wizarding Tales more than ten years ago. Because Morgan reminded him, Natsukawa Torara took the time to call Aozaki Touko and ask her to keep an eye on the situation in Misaki City.

Although the latter seemed quite reluctant, she agreed after Natsukawa Torato promised to support Aozaki Aoko.

According to the information that has been transmitted back, recently, there have been one or two deaths in alleys or suburbs in Misaki City, and there have been noticeable increases in the number of people coming and going from the church in Misaki City.

Many signs point to one thing—Tsukihime is about to begin.

"Eh? Torato, are you going to Misaki City?"

Pressing Mary firmly into the chair, Lydel suddenly leaned over after hearing Natsukawa Tora's words: "In that case, how about I go with you? I have a childhood friend in Misaki City, and it's been a while since I visited her. I'll go see her while I'm at it."

"Childhood sweethearts?"

"Her name is Kuonji Aratama. She's my childhood friend and a rather powerful witch—oh right, speaking of Misaki City... I wonder if that woman is around? I wouldn't really like to see her if possible."

That woman?

"Who?"

“Aozaki Aoko,” Lydel said, “the renowned Fifth Magician.”

9. Misaki City, full of memories

Misaki City.

North Exit Station.

After more than a decade, returning to her hometown, Aozaki Touko was still somewhat moved, even though magicians don't have much ethics or morality.

"Compared to when I came back last time, this place has really changed a lot. At least there wasn't this station here before."

Compared to the Misaki City of her memories, the current Misaki City undoubtedly feels somewhat unfamiliar to Aozaki Touko. After all, a dozen years is a long time, and so much can change. Not to mention that in this era of rapid economic development, a developing city like Misaki City is most prone to change.

Skyscrapers, streets, stations, factories, shopping malls... Every day new things appear, and every day old things pass away, just like a glutton with a super strong digestive ability, constantly eating while maintaining high-speed digestion.

"Well then, although I don't know if it's still there, I plan to go find my old familiar first. Do you want to come with me, Shiki?"

Aozaki Touko looked at Ryougi Shiki behind her.

The reason she returned to Misaki City was partly because Natsukawa Tora had asked her to investigate the city's population movement over the past six months, especially regarding the church. She had already taken care of that through several old friends in Misaki City.

On the other hand, it was for personal grudges.

With Natsukawa Tora, who is practically a humanoid Gundam, Ryougi Shiki with the Mystic Eyes of Death Perception, the two-thousand-year-old fantasy species Gold Wolf, plus himself, a Grand Puppeteer—this lineup should be more than enough to get revenge on the magician, right?

Incidentally, Ryougi Shiki requested to come along herself. She said she had a rather strange dream and felt that she could kill a lot of interesting things here, so she came along.

When Orange asked the question, Ryougi Shiki simply replied indifferently, "Whatever."

"Let's come together then. But it's been over ten years, I don't even know if Beo is still there."

Golden Wolf — Beowulf.

Aozaki Touko once stumbled upon a true fantasy creature in the deep mountains of Europe, an ancient monster of two thousand years old, a magician's nemesis capable of nullifying all magic. To combat magic, Aozaki Touko previously made a contract with it using her hair, which she had grown for twenty years.

Although Touko broke the contract after being defeated by Aozaki Aoko and left it in Misaki City, never returning to visit it for over a decade, Beo had stated before their parting that it was still Touko's familiar and could be summoned at any time if needed. Its lair in Misaki City was the old school building where Touko had used it as a base.

Alias——

"Galan Hall Branch 2?"

Several tens of minutes later, after finally arriving at the place they remembered, relying on their hazy memories, the first thing Aozaki Touko and Ryougi Shiki saw was a crooked sign with words carved on it.

(This must have been carved by Beo with his own claws, right?)

Orange did teach Beo to read, after all, during the initial period when they were partners, Beo's illiteracy caused countless problems.

But what's with the name of this second branch of Garan no Do? Garan no Do just opened in Guanbuzi City last year, how come there's one here too? Who told Beo about it?

Just as Orange was feeling puzzled, a series of hurried footsteps suddenly came from inside the old school building, followed by a flash of golden light that appeared in front of the two of them.

"This smell... orange!"

After sniffing the orange, the golden-glowing figure—a blond boy who looked no more than fourteen or fifteen years old—suddenly laughed like a child.

"Orange, you're back? It's been such a long time!"

"Ah... um... it really has been a long time, Beo."

Pushing up her glasses, Orange looked at Beo in front of her, and memories from more than ten years ago were immediately stirred up in her mind.

"It's been more than ten years since I last saw you. I never expected you to still be here. I thought you had left long ago."

“Since Sojuro is here, of course I’m here too,” Beo laughed.

(Kusujuro... Ah, Shizuki Kusujuro, that guy is still here too?)

It's another familiar yet somewhat unfamiliar name. Sure enough, as soon as I return here (my hometown), all those old things start to gather around me one by one.

home.

It's a place that's annoying, but not so annoying.

Orange gave a self-deprecating laugh.

"Speaking of which, Beo, what's the deal with this sign you're using?"

"Oh, this."

Beo patted his chest smugly.

"This was given to me by Aoko. She said it would attract customers."

"guest?"

"In human society, it seems that money is needed for everything, so on the advice of Aoko and Kusajuro, I started to work part-time. No matter what the problem is, as long as you encounter difficulties, you can come to me for help, and I will charge you some compensation in return."

Oh, Yorozuya.

In the last ten years or so, Beo has actually started doing this kind of thing? And it was Aozaki Aoko and Shizuki Sojuro who suggested it?

"So what kind of jobs do you usually take on?"

"It's strange, not many people come to me with requests. Only occasionally, and the requests are things like 'I hope I pass the exam' or 'I hope my confession tomorrow goes smoothly.' They even call me 'Lord Kinshin of the Old School Building.'"

"......"

This is probably what they mean by the seven wonders of the school, which have been completely treated as urban legends.

However, it seems that Beo's actual situation has not been fully exposed to the general public in Misaki City. It is estimated that Aozaki Aoko and Kuonji Aratsumi are probably working behind the scenes.

After all, the existence of a mythical creature with a long history would be a devastating blow to the mystery if it were made public.

"Speaking of which, Orange, why did you suddenly come back? I remember you made up your mind before you left last time that you would never come back?"

"Well, half the reason is because of my stupid disciple, and the other half is because of myself. That's why I came to find you." Orange took off her glasses, switching to the persona that Beo was more familiar with. "Beo, you said you'd still be my familiar if I wanted to, right?"

"Of course."

"So, would you be interested in challenging magic—to Aozaki Aoko—once again?"

——————————————————————————————

at the same time.

Orange and Ryougi Shiki had just left Kitaguchi Station.

Dragging her red suitcase, Aozaki Aoko stretched her body forcefully.

"Phew~~~ Misaki City, it's been so long since I've been back!"

10. Aoko, Arita, and Kusajuro