"You are…?"
Mizuki Kaho frowned slightly at Rowan's words.
He knew Takeda Akira. He could sense her magic. That narrowed the possibilities quickly.
"Rowan Mercer," he said calmly. "Akira's elder. He mentioned a teacher at his school with unusually strong magic, so I came to see for myself."
He stepped closer, his tone unhurried but direct.
"I won't waste time. You returned from Britain and chose to teach here. Why? Are you after the Clow Cards?"
Rowan already knew the answer. But knowing and revealing were two different things. Acting omniscient would only raise alarms.
The Clow Cards were legendary artifacts. Any magician with ambition would covet them. From Rowan's position, suspicion was not only reasonable, it was responsible.
"Mr. Mercer," Mizuki replied patiently, "whatever my purpose is, I would never harm Akira. And soon enough, you'll understand everything."
"That isn't enough," Rowan said, shaking his head. "I can't trust you on words alone. Either you explain yourself now… or forgive the offense."
Her expression sharpened.
"I can't explain yet," she said softly. "If you insist, then I'll have to seal your memories for a few days."
Moonlight surged around her as she formed a precise hand sign.
A barrier bloomed outward, sealing the teachers' office off from the rest of the school.
This concerned the final judgment. She couldn't allow outside interference, even accidental. If things went wrong, Sakura's trial could fail entirely. Neutralizing Rowan temporarily was the safest option.
"Onmyō techniques," Rowan said, genuinely intrigued. "Interesting."
Every region had its own magical language. Britain had structured spellcraft. Other lands favored different frameworks. The Clow system itself was a synthesis. What Mizuki used here was refined, localized, but familiar at its core.
"Shikigami. Earth Bind."
She flicked a paper talisman forward. It twisted midair, unraveling into a spectral form that lunged to restrain him.
Rowan lifted one hand.
Lightning snapped into existence.
The spirit disintegrated instantly, torn apart before it could even reach him.
The room went still.
Mizuki's face drained of color as she felt the pressure rolling off him. This wasn't a senior magician. This was something far heavier. Stronger than the current heads she knew. The last time she'd felt this kind of presence was when she first met Amagiri Rōen.
I can't win, she realized instantly. Not even close.
She dropped the barrier and pulled her magic back.
"I yield," she said quickly. "Please stop. I'll explain everything."
Rowan lowered his hand, disappointment flickering briefly across his eyes. He had hoped to see more.
"Very well," he said. "I'm listening."
Without delay, Mizuki explained everything. Her role. The final judgment. Her duty to guide, not interfere. She left out only one truth. Amagiri Rōen's true nature.
"I have no intention of taking the Clow Cards," she finished, producing a small bell that shimmered faintly. "This is the Moon Bell. It was made by Clow Reed himself. It's necessary for the final trial, regardless of who becomes the master."
Rowan studied it, then nodded.
"I believe you," he said. "But one thing still bothers me. If this is all at Amagiri Rōen's request, then what does he gain? Why involve himself at all?"
Mizuki hesitated.
This wasn't a secret she could share lightly. If it spread, the magical world would erupt.
Rowan smiled, disarming rather than threatening.
"Then do this. After the performance ends, call him. Ask what you can share. Then tell me. Only then can I truly set my mind at ease."
Mizuki exhaled slowly and nodded.
That, at least, she could agree to.