What if you are reborn as a demon after a funeral?.

“Because I remember the appearance and names of all the branch mages,” Zanze replied calmly, then looked up at Ash and said seriously:

"Speaking of this... Lord Ash, you really should come more often, otherwise not only the people below, but even the newly promoted first-level mages will regard your existence as a legend."

"...Didn't we go there two years ago?"

"If you show your face more often, at least the receptionist will recognize you, and we won't have had to go through so much trouble before."

"...I also have all sorts of things to do."

Ash could probably understand that Zanze wanted him to come here more often, but there was nothing he could do about it.

For the past ten years or so, he has not only had to train in magic and martial arts, but also take care of all sorts of things. Recently, he has also taken on the job of taking care of children. In recent years, he hasn't even had time to be an examiner anymore.

Therefore, aside from occasionally going home to visit his family, he usually goes directly to Celie's office when he comes to the magical city.

He either occupies Seria's lounge or occasionally goes to the private library; he rarely goes to the audience hall, which is full of first-level mages.

Ordinary mages... aside from a very few exceptional individuals, would have no way of knowing him, especially those who have appeared in the last ten years or so; because the last time Celie split up a division was when Zanze almost died last time.

He was already busy enough, and couldn't afford to waste time with people at the grassroots level. He could just relay the tasks to the first-level mages directly... After all, no high-ranking person would personally give instructions.

In the end, he hasn't done any work here in recent years. He only comes here to read books, or to take care of Zanze. His workplaces are mainly in the Demon King's Castle and the Royal Capital, since the Magic Association isn't as important as the other two.

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When Ash showed a troubled expression under Zanze's unwavering gaze, Connie couldn't help but stare at him and observe him.

After all, even a first-level mage is addressed as "sir," so this must be an extremely important person. And she felt like... she'd heard that name somewhere before?

She didn't even know why, but she felt like she'd seen this person before... So she pondered this for a long time, then suddenly pointed at Ash and exclaimed:

"—I remember now!! You're that annoying old man!!"

"An annoying middle-aged man...?"

"...Lord Ash??" The sudden accusation stunned Ash, and Zanze stared wide-eyed in astonishment: "You wouldn't really...go and become a hooligan, would you?"

"How could that be! I usually go to the Magic Association when I come here, and it's in the core area! There's no way an ordinary mage could let me in to act like a hooligan!"

"Sigh... do you really want to act like a hooligan?"

"—It's just an example! Don't interpret it in a weird way, okay?" Ash was somewhat exasperated, and even reached out and pressed his hand on Connie's head, threateningly saying with a forced smile:

"You'd better explain yourself clearly and clear my name, or... I'll show you just how annoying this old man really is."

"—Don't mess with my hair! You pervert...wait, you're so big and heavy!?"

She tried to raise her hand to swat it away, but the abnormal gravity made her unable to move for a moment, and even her legs were trembling.

"I'm a gentle older man, so I won't get angry right away, but I'm also a champion of gender equality, so... if you don't want to be thrown into the river to bathe, please explain yourself clearly to my juniors who are slandering me."

“…Ugh!” Faced with his threat, Connie looked reluctant and gritted his teeth, saying, “You…you used to be so arrogant and directly demanded that my friend…Philan, leave this place!”

"...Philan? Friend? Leave?" Ash racked his brains for a while before nodding in realization:

"Ah, now that you mention it, I remember. Back at the magic academy, Philon had two close friends, right? They even came to my house once, didn't they? But... have we met them?"

“...You may not know me, but I know you, because Philen showed us your picture.”

"That heirloom photo?"

"And...you showed up when I dropped out of school...I'll never forget that." Connie looked like he wanted to bite someone: "Back then...your nonchalant expression!"

"Really?... But you're only recognizing me now?"

"This, this is... who knew you hadn't changed at all over the years?" Connie suddenly looked embarrassed.

Ash stopped teasing her and, looking slightly helpless, withdrew his hand, even patting her head.

"Alright, alright, it happened so many years ago. Let bygones be bygones. I'm not going to hold it against you anymore, so don't keep bringing it up."

“You have no right to talk to me like that… But…” Connie combed his hair, staring at him warily: “Philan, are you back?”

"You're back. Just come straight to my house... if you remember where it is."

"—Of course, I'm not like an annoying old man like you!"

As he said this, Connie made a face at him before quickly fleeing the scene, seemingly intending to go straight to his house, which gave him a somewhat ominous feeling.

Chapter Twenty-Four: I Want to Be Closer Than Zanze's Father!

Ash didn't mind being made faces at by kids, but...

Watching the girl run towards his house, he couldn't help but stroke his chin, feeling troubled: "I don't really feel like going home anytime soon..."

"why?"

The unexpected remark left Zanze, who had been listening quietly the whole time, looking puzzled.

"Because she'll definitely tell my family's children about me being with you."

Is there a problem with this?

"I left under the pretext of having important business to attend to."

"....Yeah?"

Zanze's eyes widened slightly, a look of surprise on his face. This puzzled him: "What are you thinking about?"

"Lord Ash thinks having dinner with me is very important." Zanze answered without hesitation, then looked at him as if seeking confirmation: "...You misunderstood again?"

"...Well, it's not entirely a misunderstanding."

Faced with his adorable junior's worried gaze, Ash could only smile helplessly and nod to stroke the fluffy head.

Going out to eat together is important, but initially the plan was to tidy up my own place and cover up any traces of him being there... However, he felt it was better not to say anything that might hurt feelings.

He was a little worried about what would happen when he got home, but now that he was already out and there was a cute girl with him, nothing else really mattered, and he could put it aside for now... That's what he was thinking.

But.....

"Lord Ash...why do you keep touching my hair?"

"Because the height is just right~" He gestured with his hand, and the girl in front of him was like a handrail, just the right height to touch his head.

This left Zanze with a somewhat complicated feeling, but before he could say anything, Ash couldn't help but ask first:

"Speaking of which, I've said this before: girls need to take better care of their hair. Zanze, when was the last time you washed your hair?"

"It's a bit long and not easy to handle... but I did wash it yesterday."

"Did you really wash it yesterday? It's so long!" A little surprised that his hair was so long, he couldn't help but pick up a strand of hair, hold it in front of him, and smell it.

This immediately made Zanze's mouth gape slightly, and he subconsciously took two steps back: "-W-what?"

"Just checking the smell~ And it's just hair, right? What's wrong?"

"...It is indeed just hair, but I still feel...a little embarrassed..."

"It's nothing, it's just the scent of flowers, it doesn't smell bad at all!"

"...Because I added flower petals when I washed my hair." Zanze looked at him, who seemed to be trying to comfort him, and couldn't help but sigh softly, lowering his head to whisper, "It's not just about the smell... Lord Ash is really weirder than me..."

"No, I do know that young girls have a sense of shame, but," Ash, with his sharp ears, subconsciously explained upon hearing this, "in a way, I've watched you grow up, haven't I?"

“…If it’s just about meeting occasionally, that would be incredibly irresponsible. Besides…you’re not my guardian.” This unique interpretation made Zanze sigh silently in his heart once again: “In the end…my father wouldn’t do that.”

“Then I want to be closer to you than your father, how about that?” Ash suddenly interrupted her thoughts again, his tone carrying a mixture of seriousness and joke.

"?...You mean...?" Zanze's voice unconsciously carried a hint of surprise and confusion: "You want to...establish a deeper relationship with me?"

"Haha, don't think of it that way. I just said it on a whim. I didn't have any ulterior motives."

"...I suppose so, you always do things this way...surprise me?"

Zanze responded softly. Although she had expected it, she couldn't help but let out an almost inaudible sigh after confirming it again.

She wouldn't be angry now, after all, they'd known each other for over a decade and she already knew his temperament well.

Even though they've known each other for a long time, whenever she's near Ash, her usually calm heart is always stirred by his playful words or actions.

Although Zanze was usually perceived as dull and expressionless... she surprisingly didn't dislike this situation.

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As agreed beforehand, Ash led Zanze into a nearby restaurant, fulfilling his promise to treat him.

At the dinner table, he patiently explained to Zanze the magic formula he had proposed two years ago. The complex and ingenious theories became vivid and easy to understand under his explanation.

However, a question arose in Ash's mind: In the past two years, had Zanze never tried to delve deeper into this formula?

Or, shouldn't she at least ask Celia, who's always by her side? No... she and Celia aren't that close, so it's normal that she didn't ask.

Although he still had some doubts, he quickly put those thoughts aside and instead shared his recent situation with Zanze.

The conversation naturally extended to the realm of magic and Celia's current situation.

Ash skillfully guided the conversation, while secretly calculating whether he could safely sneak into Celie's private library without encountering her.

And just like that... in the blink of an eye, the lights were dim, and even the restaurant was about to close. Ash settled the bill as promised, and then accompanied Zanze on the way home.

But halfway there, Zanze suddenly stopped and turned to Ash beside him, who was looking around.

"Lord Ash, I've always had a question."

"Huh? What?"

"...Why do you insist on taking me home every night?" Zanze's voice was tinged with confusion.

"Because you are a girl, it's always a bit more unsafe for you to walk alone at night."

"...Although I'm not as powerful as you, I'm still a first-level mage." Zanze tilted his head blankly like a little bird: "Besides... close combat is also one of my strengths."

"It's not that kind of danger... By the way, you really have selective common sense."

"...This is the only thing I don't want you to say." Zanze let out a small sigh.

"I know what you're trying to say, but the danger I'm referring to isn't just physical danger." Ash chuckled lightly and replied casually, "Besides, the desire to protect someone has nothing to do with how powerful that person is."

"....don't know."

"You'll understand when you grow up."