Type-Moon, I'm a magician, is that true?

"I'm shocked. So you also have normal emotions?"

Aiwen's tone fluctuated for the first time when he saw the old magician. He pondered for a moment and gave a straightforward yet difficult to understand answer.

It's not some profound truth, but just an ordinary person's feeling that is completely incompatible with his.

"Perhaps it's because the sky is too vast for me, while the things within reach are so simple. Others cannot tell who is happier, the wise or the foolish."

"This answer probably won't resolve your doubts, but I don't have anything more to say. Let's say goodbye here forever."

He withdrew his gaze, leaving the dark cave behind him, and stared at the light coming through the hole, moving forward without hesitation.

The sunlight illuminated the earth and dispelled the cold aura that lingered on Aiwen. Behind him, the old magician stood quietly in the same place, forever remaining in the darkness.

"By the way, regarding your earlier statement about 'living for a purpose,' I'd like to reiterate my point."

Stopping in the sunshine, Aiwen did not look back. His voice was imbued with the warmth of the light, appearing full of warmth and vitality.

"I think life doesn't need a purpose. Their existence is their purpose, their value is their existence, and that alone is enough."

After he finished speaking, Aiwen really left this time, leaving behind only his soul that slowly dissipated like a dream deep in the cave.

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

When I walked out of the cave, the sun had already set above my head, and the brilliant and heavy sunset glow was painting the canvas called the sky.

"We've been chatting for so long? Looks like we need to speed up, or we'll keep Youzhu waiting for a long time."

Aiwen talked to himself and quickly quickened his pace. Everything in front of him was so bright and emitting a beautiful luster.

It's really strange to say. The world is just running as usual, and the path that Aiwen takes to and from the cave has not changed at all, but the scene he sees is completely different.

What caused the disparity between the gloomy and cold feeling on the way here and the lighthearted feeling when leaving? It makes one extremely curious.

But this thinking ends here. Aiwen will not think deeply about it. He just maintains the pace of his life as usual and passes by in time.

"By the way, I also need to bring dumplings for Yuzu. I remember she wanted the ones with red bean paste filling. Really, she likes sweet things just like a child."

Even if there was no one listening, Aiwen would feel happy just by smiling and talking meaningless words.

Holding the plush shawl on his shoulders, Aiwen walked on the dirt road full of ruts, his figure stretching longer and longer in the setting sun.

——Leave the farmland, take the train, buy dumplings when passing the shopping street, and finally climb the hillside back to the mansion.

The sunset has faded, and stars shine brighter than ever in the sky. For just this night, they shine brighter than the moon.

Because it was night, the lights in the mansion were already on, and through the clean glass, the back of a certain witch was clearly visible.

So he knocked on the door and waited for the sound of the owner's footsteps. After a few seconds, a face that was slightly softer than usual appeared.

Aiwen held up the gift in his hand.

"Yuzu, I'm back. It's red bean dumplings."

"Ah."

The witch nodded slightly, then made way. Her eyes were fixed on Aiwen's shawl, and she suddenly asked a question.

"Is it snowing heavily outside?"

"Yes, it rained at nightfall. It was very strong in just a few minutes. When you wake up tomorrow, the world will be completely white. You can look forward to it. It will definitely be beautiful."

"Ah."

With a soft response, Youzhu left silently, but before she entered the living room, she left a quiet reminder.

"A shawl with lots of snowflakes on it."

"Uh, ah, thank you Yuju, I hadn't noticed that yet."

Aiwen glanced sideways and saw that there was indeed a thin layer of ice crystals covering the shawl. He quickly took it outside and carefully patted it clean.

No magic was used, he just behaved like an ordinary person. However, the New Year celebration was originally a trivial matter that had nothing to do with magicians, so it was appropriate to treat it like an ordinary person.

After Aiwen placed the cleaned shawl next to the stove, Youzhu brought black tea.

Wisps of white mist wafted out of the teapot, filling the air with a bitter fragrance.

She said, "Please sit down."

So Aiwen took a seat as he was told. He opened the gift box and placed the dumplings on the plate one by one. Youzhu bent down slightly and poured black tea for the two of them.

The outside world must be filled with the lively atmosphere of New Year's Eve at this moment. The Western-style house far away from the city cannot be affected by that atmosphere, but the warm atmosphere is no different.

Drinking tea, chatting, and tasting dumplings, the two people who are not family members are snuggling up to each other for warmth.

Youzhu thought it would be best if things could continue like this, but the "bang bang" sound coming from the door ruined everything.

"Youzhu, Aiwen, open the door, it's freezing outside!"

Qingzi's loud voice shattered Youzhu's happy atmosphere like an icebreaker, and she narrowed her eyes in dissatisfaction.

After opening the door, Qingzi's movements of warming her hands with her breath were still as energetic. She looked at the two people in front of her happily, chattering with a proud look on her face.

"You didn't expect that, did you? I rushed over from home. After all, you two would feel lonely without me. Of course, more people are better for New Year's Eve."

"No." Youzhu resisted mercilessly. Her eyes were colder than snowflakes at this moment.

But Qingzi has gotten used to it.

"Huh?! Youzhu is still so shy. Considering that I braved the cold all the way here, please be gentle. Hmm! I can smell the aroma of black tea. Let me have a sip to warm myself up."

It was noisy, but it did add a bit of enthusiasm, and Aoko's arrival filled in the final piece of the puzzle.

No matter what they talk about, it will never be boring. Even the most mundane topics can make people feel happy. Under the stars on a snowy night, the magicians gather together and laugh freely.

Their night came to an end.

Chapter 122 Prelude to the Holy Grail

The Holy Church, the largest mystical organization in the world today, has the advantages of extremely high integration and wide distribution, and its power slightly surpasses the magic group of the Magic Association.

What they are most proud of is the world's largest base centered on faith. Compared to the restrictions imposed on magicians when performing spells, the church is extremely convenient in performing secrets.

This all depends on the publicity of various churches, including Catholicism, Protestantism, Judaism... and even small, less well-known religions in various countries, which together build the power of the Holy Church.

Among all the complex forces, Christianity can be said to have the greatest advantage. The doctrines about the Son of God, Christ, and the Trinity are widely circulated and well-known throughout the world.

These legends proclaim the miracles of many gods, including various kinds of "miracle-bearing objects", referred to as holy objects.

The Holy Grail is one of the most famous holy objects. As an object that has received the blood of the savior, it possesses infinite power and is said to be able to fulfill all wishes.

Therefore, starting a war to fight for this sacred object is inevitable.

Therefore, is the so-called "Holy Grail War" that took place in Fuyuki City, a small country in the Far East, a similar yet illusory war in this vast history?

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

"Then, I'm off."

On the hillside of Shirainuzuka in Misaki Town, at the entrance of the Kuonji Western-style house, Aiwen said goodbye to Youzhu with a smile as usual, as if he was a student going to school.

But both of them knew that this was impossible.

Because Aiwen's courses at school had ended several months ago.

Socially speaking, he is now a high school graduate, although this certificate will never be useful.

It is said that when Aiwen graduated, the younger students in the school were wailing and sad for a while. Shizuki Sojuro said that this is not a rumor.

Speaking of Kusajuro, he seemed to have been noticed by Tsukiji Tobimaru, who thought it would be a shame to let such a talent go, so he took him to work in a big city.

It has to be said that the friendship between the two was so good that rumors of something bad were about to spread. Kumanri Jinlu said that these were all rumors.

However, she was secretly happy for a long time that the place where Tsukiji Tobimaru worked was unexpectedly close to where she went to college.

There are many other cases of other students, so I won’t list them all here.

Campus life is enjoyable, but also short. After it ends, everyone goes their separate ways, and it may be difficult to keep in touch in the future.

And until a week ago, Aoko also left.

The woman seemed to have no idea what it meant to be reluctant, and on a calm morning, she said goodbye as naturally as she was having breakfast.

It was abrupt, without any easing or solicitation of opinions. Qingzi simply informed them of her decision.

At that moment, the dreamlike life came to an end, leaving only the sad reality.

Aiwen and Youzhu had anticipated this.

Qingzi is destined to be the wind that never stops. The vast world is her goal. Since we are friends, we should send her blessings as she leaves.

What's more, Qingzi had a legitimate reason for leaving. She needed to make amends for her previous reckless use of the fifth method. This was her responsibility and could not be handed over to others.

Given her personality, it is impossible for her to rely on others.

But even if you can think so, the mansion is indeed less lively after Aoko left.

Aiwen's personality is more of a go-with-the-flow type, while Youzhu is more stubborn and conservative. The two of them get along happily, but they both miss Qingzi's energy from time to time.

But even such days are coming to an end today. Aiwen will bid farewell to Youzhu and embark on his own path.

Half of it was because the influence of the Fourth Law was about to reach a critical point, and he needed to leave temporarily to relieve it.

Part of it is that he wants to see more of this beautiful world.

There is no need for a fixed goal, no urgent mission, just like a dandelion riding on the wind, obeying the arrangement of fate and drifting randomly.

In the end, Yuzu was the only one left in the mansion.

Unlike Aoko and Aiwen, she will cling to the Western-style house left by her mother and will not abandon this place of memories until she decays.

Just like the doll shop in the alley, what awaits her is only a future abandoned by the times and covered in dust.

——That’s how it should be.

At the door, Youzhu showed a slight reluctance as she looked at Aiwen saying goodbye to her.

She silently stretched out her hand, held Aiwen's hand against her chest, and stared into his eyes.

"You won't forget what you promised me."

"Ah, I know. I have to come back once a month. This is our agreement. I will abide by it no matter what happens."

Aiwen comforted Youzhu skillfully, gently stroking her inky hair.

This level of intimacy has long surpassed the boundaries of friendship, but it has become commonplace for Aiwen and Youzhu.

During the more than one year of getting along, the relationship between the three has become much closer, but Youzhu and Aiwen have progressed even faster.

To be specific, it is enough to know that the first generation of Mainster Witch has now fallen asleep again.

"I believe you."

Restraining her inner sadness, Youzhu let go of her hand. She took a step forward and straightened Aiwen's crooked shawl, smoothing out the edges.

"If you meet Qingzi, remember to give her my regards and say 'I will lay flowers at her grave'."

"That's so petty. Are you still holding a grudge against Qingzi's sudden farewell?"

"She deserved it. If she had told me earlier, I would have understood. But she just said one sentence and then never showed up again or contacted me again. It's her fault no matter how you look at it."

"There's really nothing to say about this. Qingzi should bear this resentment."

Having said that, Aiwen had no way to plead for Qingzi, he could only accept Youzhu's "greetings".

Then, this also means the arrival of separation.

When the pendulum clock in the house rings, no matter how reluctant you are, it's time to say goodbye.

Youzhu and Aiwen didn't say anything else. They looked at each other, foreheads touching, feeling the familiar warmth of each other.

She closed her eyes for three seconds, during which she only felt a breeze on her face, mixed with the fragrance of grass and trees.

The nostalgic wind ruffles the surface of the lake and then flies away quietly.

When Youzhu opened her eyes again, there was nothing in front of her. Aiwen had also left, and the mansion became her own world again.

Unlike her initial contentment, Youzhu now felt the same loneliness as ordinary people, and also the hope of seeing each other again.