Aozaki Aoko Case File - [14]

Aoko re-sealed and encrypted her grandfather’s workshop with magic, then hopped on her motorcycle and headed toward the Kuonji residence on the mountain. The night wind was a bit cold, but Aoko felt perfectly comfortable. Perhaps the so-called fruits of victory were just that sweet?

Thinking of this, Aoko’s lips curled into a slight smile. Moments later, she couldn’t hold back and burst into laughter, her bell-like laughter echoing along the mountain road.

However, as they say, good fortune doesn’t come in pairs, and misfortune doesn’t come alone. Just as Aoko was happily heading home, a sinister shadow appeared in her line of sight. Riding her motorcycle, Aoko’s heart suddenly skipped a beat, as if it had been gripped tightly.

She should have expected this figure to show up. Or rather, after encountering the Primate Murder and struggling desperately to survive, she’d thought this figure wouldn’t appear. That was too naive, Aoko thought with regret. She resolved never to make such a mistake again—if there was a “next time.”

She stared warily at the red figure. It stood alone by the roadside, several hundred meters from her motorcycle. Vaguely humanoid, its face was obscured beneath a tattered red cloak, the hood pulled low.

This thing wasn’t supposed to appear until I’d fully mastered magic, right? Aoko thought. Isn’t it a bit late for it to come looking for me now?

The red shadow remained silent, yet Aoko felt its gaze locked onto her, even though she couldn’t see its eyes. She could sense the hatred in its stare—a hatred not only for magic but also for magicians. In this world, magic was the enemy of the world and, even more so, the enemy of humanity. Anyone on the verge of mastering magic would be targeted by this red shadow.

As she drew within a few dozen meters of the shadow, she stopped her motorcycle and, with one leg on the ground, watched it cautiously. The shadow didn’t move. It seemed to be assessing Aozaki Aoko’s threat level, or perhaps its chances of defeating her.

Aoko felt strange as if the figure was somehow confused, unsure of what to do next. Was it an embodiment of the Counter Force, or merely a guardian contracted by it?

But since it wasn’t attacking, Aoko wouldn’t act rashly either. Even in her memories, she had no detailed information about this red shadow, so it would be unwise to engage it recklessly.

After a few minutes of staring each other down, the red shadow gradually blurred and then, with a gust of wind, vanished entirely.

“Tch!”

Aoko clicked her tongue in frustration. She’d mentally prepared herself for a battle with Alaya’s watchdog, only for it to disappear without incident. Maybe it sensed my current level of mastery over magic? She thought, a slight hint of arrogance flashing before she calmed herself.

Magic was not omnipotent, nor did it mean a magician’s combat power would surpass that of a sorcerer or a Servant. Jewel Wizard Zelretch was an example of a magician formidable in battle, while the First Magician, who left only a bloodline behind, was a cautionary tale. Magic allowed a magician to do something unique in this world, something no one else could replicate. Even after becoming a magician, plenty of fools might still come knocking, trying their luck.

Fortunately for Aoko, her magic was more combat-effective than the First Magic. It essentially put her in an undefeated position, so long as she didn’t become too arrogant.

Aoko restarted her motorcycle, checked her helmet, and continued toward the mountaintop. After parking, she took out her keys and opened the door to the Kuonji residence.

The house was silent; there was no sign of activity from her roommate. Not home yet?

Aoko guessed.

She took off her coat and shoes, placed them neatly aside, and changed into a pair of comfortable indoor slippers before heading to the living room. The Kuonji residence was a classical Western-style mansion compared to the modern buildings of this era. Many of the interior features retained the flavor of the last century. For instance, many homes in Misaki Town now used centralized heating or electric heaters, but the Kuonji residence still had a fireplace and chimney.

Wearing her slippers, Aoko entered the living room and found her roommate, Kuonji Alice, sitting on the carpet by the fireplace, leaning against the cabinet, fast asleep. Next to her on the floor was a half-read book and an empty teacup.

Aoko’s gaze fell on the girl. Alice had delicate limbs and pale skin that seemed untouched by sunlight. Her hair was a shade darker than Aoko’s once was, and her academy uniform always evoked a nun’s black robes, though the palette suited her perfectly. If Aoko were to describe it, she’d say it suited her a little too well, giving her diminutive magic teacher an almost ethereal quality.

Aoko was reluctant to break the picturesque scene, but leaving Alice there wasn’t a good idea—she might catch a cold. Carefully stepping forward, Aoko lifted Alice in a princess carry, using a Mage’s hand to tidy up the teacup and book and place them where they belonged.

It was the first time Aoko had held the girl like this, and she was surprised at how light this fairy-tale witch felt. Perhaps her magic circuits had unintentionally enhanced her physical abilities, but even so, she couldn’t help wondering, Has this girl been eating the food I’ve been making for her?

As Aoko’s mind wandered, she carried Alice toward the bedroom upstairs. Perhaps the movement woke her, as Kuonji Alice opened her eyes in Aoko’s arms.

She looked around in confusion, then realized she was resting against a soft, warm chest. Alice stiffened slightly, raising her head awkwardly to see Aoko smiling down at her. Alice blushed and instinctively tried to escape Aoko’s hold but ended up pressing her hands against something soft.

“Hey now, don’t move around so much,” Aoko said in a relaxed tone, masking her embarrassment.

“You’ll catch a cold if you sleep in the hall.”

“…Put me down,” Alice muttered softly. Aoko, ever obliging, gently set her down on the stairs.

Alice composed herself, then looked up at her roommate, noticing that Aoko’s beautiful black hair had completely turned red and that her demeanor had shifted.

“You succeeded?”

Alice asked calmly.

She knew her roommate had gone to challenge that place tonight, a daunting test indeed. She’d waited by the fireplace out of concern for her roommate, the heir to magic, though she’d never admit it.