"So that's it? You're done fighting?" Rowan Mercer asked as he returned to the real world, hovering above the town park.
Amagiri Rōen had already dismissed the sun staff. He smiled, eyes half-lidded.
"We'll stop here. You're part of the Yanagi family, and you've proven your strength. I can tell you the truth now."
If they fought to the end, Rōen was confident he would win. But he also knew he couldn't do so cleanly. That made the battle pointless. His goal had never been victory for its own sake. It was to fulfill Clow Reed's final wish, and to secure his own future afterward.
He had avoided explaining everything earlier because he feared Rowan might interfere with the succession of the Clow Cards. But now, that concern felt unnecessary. Someone with this level of power had little reason to covet the cards. And even if he tried, stopping him would be difficult. Honesty was the better path.
"I'm listening," Rowan said, nodding.
He knew his limits. He had already gone all out, while Rōen still appeared composed. Still, the fact that Rōen had summoned both guardians meant the gap between them was no longer overwhelming. That was enough.
And in truth, Rowan had never intended to defeat him. What he wanted was contact. Dialogue. Exchange.
Rōen began from the beginning.
He explained Clow Reed, the divided soul, his own birth, and the burden of inherited memories. He spoke of prophecy, excess power, and the desire to live as a normal magician rather than a walking inevitability. He laid out the plan in full, without omission.
When he finished, Rowan let out a thoughtful sigh.
"No wonder your staff looked familiar," Rowan said. "It matches the Sun Staff recorded in our family archives. And you can use every Clow Card spell without restriction. As for Akira… it seems he was never meant to inherit the cards."
Rōen chuckled.
"Sakura was always the chosen successor. But from what you've seen, you understand this already. Even if she inherits the cards, in the end, your family still benefits. Isn't that right?"
Rowan laughed openly.
"You're not wrong. Fine. I won't interfere with your plan."
The implication was obvious. Sakura and Akira would one day be together. That future meant the Clow Cards would still be tied to the Yanagi family. In terms of outcome, there was no loss.
Then Rowan's expression sharpened.
"But I do have one condition."
This was the part that mattered.
"You've noticed already. I don't limit myself to one tradition. I study multiple systems, just as Clow Reed once did. Lately, I've been researching the principles behind the Clow Cards themselves. Since you carry his memories… I want you to teach me."
Rōen didn't hesitate.
"I wouldn't call it teaching. But exchanging insights? That's no problem."
He had never cared about being the strongest. If he had, he wouldn't be planning to give away half his power. If Rowan surpassed him someday, that would only make his own life quieter.
"Good," Rowan said. "An exchange, then."
They parted on that note. Rowan took Rōen's address and vanished.
Behind Rōen, Ruby Moon fluttered her butterfly-like wings, staring in awe at where Rowan had disappeared.
"I can't believe someone like that exists," she said. "Someone who can fight you head-on."
Spinel Sun replied calmly, "Eriol is only half of Clow Reed. He was never the whole."
"So what? He's still the strongest magician in the world," Ruby said, sticking out her tongue.
Rōen smiled.
"I'm just me. I don't want to be Clow Reed, and I don't want that title either. If Mr. Mercer takes it someday, I'll be happier for it."
Being the strongest came with endless trouble. Challenges. Exploitation. Expectations. He preferred peace.
One week later. Night. Tokyo Tower.
Rowan and Rōen sat on a drifting cloud, watching the Moon's Judgment unfold below.
Over the past week, they had met almost daily, trading theories and spell structures. Meanwhile, Sakura and Akira had collected the final two Clow Cards.
"It's over," Rowan murmured as Akira fell. "Even without Clow Reed's power, Moon isn't someone he can face."
Akira was talented. For his age, he was already formidable. Against most magicians in the world, he would win. But Moon was different. A being personally created by Clow Reed.
That gap couldn't be bridged by effort alone.
Then came Sakura.
Compared to Akira's trial, Moon's strikes softened noticeably.
Rowan snorted quietly. "Favoritism, plain and simple."
The judgment wasn't truly about strength. It was about recognition. Kerberos had already chosen Sakura. Moon only needed to confirm it.
Akira had never received that acknowledgment. So Moon had fought him seriously, ending the matter immediately.
After Sakura's first failure, Mizuki Kaho appeared, using the Moon Bell to grant a second chance. To Rowan, the loss had never been real. It was pressure. A catalyst. Something Clow Reed had calculated long ago.
And this time, Sakura changed everything.
The bird-headed staff transformed into the Star Staff. Moon barely resisted before being bound by the Windy card.
Rowan leaned back against the cloud.
Just as planned.