Shirou, who returned from the Fairy Kingdom

However, after getting involved in the investigation, she discovered some unusual clues, and there was a deeper hidden story behind it.

"First of all, her surname is Ryougi."

What's wrong with Yin and Yang?

"This is the name of an ancient Japanese exorcism clan."

What is "exorcism"?

"Shall we start the explanation from here...?"

Orange, on the other end of the phone, sighed and began to explain.

In Japan, there have been four families known since ancient times as the "Four Exorcist Families"—

Asagami, Wujing, Ryougi, and Qiye are the natural enemies of mixed-bloods, and have made a living by 'exorcising demons' for generations.

As times progressed, the original businesses of the four exorcism families became unnecessary, and thus they rapidly declined.

Only the Ryougi family survived by changing their main business, because they still had businesses other than "demon hunting".

Shirou suddenly realized: "I get it, it's like the powerful landowners like the Aozaki family."

Every time there was a generational change or a transfer of power, the family would become filled with tension and sibling rivalry.

Orange's lips twitched: "Shirou, has anyone ever told you that you're actually quite sharp-tongued?"

She went on to explain.

Ryougi Shiki's car accident occurred shortly after she was chosen by the Ryougi family as their heir.

Is this really just a simple coincidence?

"Not only that, the hospital where she was staying also had major problems."

Someone did the preliminary work of setting up the barrier over there, so it seems that there were magicians other than me involved.

The barrier Zhang set up in that hospital was so ingenious that I didn't even notice it at first.

I have an old acquaintance who is skilled at setting up barriers; the other person should be of similar strength to that guy…

However, the guy who set up the barrier probably wasn't after Ryougi Shiki.

"What type of barrier is it?" Shirou asked.

Orange said, "This is the most incredible part of the whole incident."

In modern society, barriers are typically used to avoid being seen or noticed.

It's common sense to suggest that "visitors without a reason cannot perceive this place."

However, the barrier set up at that hospital was exactly the opposite; it was not "external" but "internal."

Simply put, no one will notice what happens inside the hospital. Even if screams come from a ward in the middle of the night, no one will be awakened.

"Why would they do something like this? Is it actually a biochemistry lab disguised as a hospital?"

"You read too many comics."

Orange said, "Actually, I'm just filling in for someone else and I'll be working at that hospital for a few days."

They hired me as a psychotherapist at the hospital, but unfortunately, I'll be leaving Japan for a while starting tomorrow.

"Shirou, you should have time during Golden Week next week, right?"

"I don't think there are any hospitals in the world that would allow junior high school students to work part-time."

"This kind of thing can be handled with magic, whether it's a hint or anything... You can act as my agent and make the trip."

Orange said dismissively, "It's almost time, I have to catch my flight later."

I'll email you the hospital's exact address when I get to the airport.

Shirou was about to refuse without thinking, as he had already promised Shinji that he would go out with him during Golden Week.

"Oh, I forgot to tell you, that girl named Ryougi Shiki woke up a few days ago... How about it, are you getting a little interested?"

Although Orange was unaware of Shirou's experiences in the Fairy Kingdom, she knew that Shirou had a certain obsession with immortality.

Then, a human sample with "time frozen" has appeared.

"Understood, I will arrange the itinerary."

"I'm sorry, Shinji," Shirou apologized in his heart.

Before Orange was about to hang up, Shirou asked her one last question.

"Who is that barrier master you know?"

After a moment of silence, the puppet on the other end of the phone spoke.

"Speaking of barriers, this concept originally comes from Buddhism."

The barrier used to isolate the outside world from the sacred realm has, at some point, become a general term for the protective techniques of magicians.

Therefore, when it comes to experts in setting up protective barriers, monks are naturally the best choice.

……

……

The girl stared at the nothingness before her.

Although she initially thought she was dreaming, she soon realized—

The fact that he was not asleep, but already dead.

The girl floated in the dark and silent ocean.

A naked doll named Ryougi Shiki slowly sank into the sea.

In a world where nothing exists, where even the concept of "nothingness" cannot exist, her body gradually sinks.

She stared wide-eyed at the "emptiness" before her.

Then she understood.

This is death.

This is death.

A world that only the dead can reach, a world that the living cannot observe.

However, she was the only one still alive—

The girl is about to go crazy.

For the past two years, she has been touching death here.

……

……

In the early morning, Ryougi Shiki woke up in the increasingly noisy hospital room.

As expected, I still can't remember what happened before.

Although she remembers her own name, her parents' and brother's names, and her entire life experience up to the age of 17—

But the two-year-long memory gap seemed to have severed the girl's life, leaving her feeling lost and disoriented.

Shortly afterward, the doctor came to see him.

Although the doctor's tone was gentle, Ryougi Shiki was able to keenly perceive the blame and dissatisfaction in his words.

After all, just yesterday, Ryougi Shiki tried to pierce her own eyes.

After being discovered, they received emergency treatment, which prevented a tragedy from occurring.

The doctor questioned them for a long time, but Ryougi Shiki didn't explain why she did it, so it's normal to feel dissatisfied.

"It seems Miss Ryougi has calmed down, so I won't send a nurse to watch over her."

If you need anything, please press the call button next to your pillow. A nurse is on standby in the next room.

After briefly explaining the situation, the doctor unilaterally declared the day's consultation over.

Before leaving, he seemed to remember something and added one last sentence.

"By the way, a psychotherapist will be coming starting tomorrow. Please have a relaxed chat with him."

For you right now, conversation is an essential part of recovery.

"..."

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

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Volume 3, Chapter 149: Beautiful Dropout? Sakura? Is this Fuyuki from another dimension?

That afternoon, Shirou arrived at the hospital that Touko had designated.

After using a suggestive magic trick to make the hospital staff believe he was a substitute doctor, Shirou was informed of the target's private room.

In the pure white space, there was a girl who looked no more than sixteen or seventeen years old.

The girl, with her black hair cascading down her shoulders, sat quietly on the bed.

Shirou was slightly surprised: he had heard that the other person had been in a coma for two years, yet he did not show any signs of the haggardness that a patient should have.

The only unusual thing was that there were bandages wrapped around the girl's face, specifically around her eyes.

On another note, doesn't this girl look a bit like a beauty?

Do you usually practice any martial arts?

"Are you Ryougi Shiki?"

Shirou had just moved a chair to sit down by the bed when he sensed a strong resistance and hostility from the girl.

That Orange guy really gave me a troublesome job...

Shirou mustered his strength and spoke in a gentle tone.

"Nice to meet you. I'm Shinji Matou, a speech therapist who's here to assist you with your aphasia treatment..."

“I said, who told you I have aphasia? And…”

Ryougi Shiki coldly interrupted Shirou's self-introduction.

"Why are there little devils here?"

Shirou was secretly taken aback.

Although he is only a third-rate magician, his strength as a magician is beyond doubt.

He wouldn't be so easily fooled by ordinary people who lack magical knowledge as to see through his disguise.

Moreover, the other party's eyes are currently covered, so they can't see anything...

Ah, that’s it.

Is it because we can't see that we are so exceptionally perceptive?

Shirou admitted that he had underestimated this girl named Ryougi Shiki. She must be practicing martial arts or something.

"Why aren't you saying anything? Never mind..."

Ryougi Shiki reached for the nurse call bell on the bedside table, but Shirou snatched it away first.

"Let me teach you a lesson, Ms. Ryougi Shiki: Don't judge a person's appearance by their age."

"Humph……"

Ryougi Shiki stared at Shirou with her unseen eyes.

"You're not a doctor, are you? And that person just now was using a fake name too."

“That’s right, let me reintroduce myself. My name is Amamiya Shirou.”

He smiled and said, "Hmm... you're a magician."

To be precise, the full title is "The Fifth Mage's Lover & The First Mage's Master," which can be shortened to "Mage."

Yes, I'm definitely not bragging.