The beast's eyes were gleaming with a fierce, penetrating light.
His killing intent, manifesting like a physical weight—a golden mane—bore down on me. My legs began to tremble, like a human standing before a colossal predator of the wild.
"…Come now, Beo… didn't you agree to listen to me?"
"What I agreed to was fighting a Magus, not playing babysitter to some brat."
"I suppose that's true. At any rate, Karma-kun, I assume you understand the situation? Will you come with us? Or… would you like to experience something painful right here?"
…The worst-case scenario.
But fortunately, I had two insurance policies.
"…Both options seem rather troublesome."
"Hmm?"
"You've come here as a guest, yet you intend to attack me? I don't think such behavior would go over well within the Kuonji Mansion."
There is a mention of this in *Strange Fake*.
'The Witch of Fairy Tales who lived a life of antiquity—or perhaps I should say, the one who once lived?'
Generally, the Mystery of a Magus accumulates based on its age. The older the Mystery, the stronger it becomes, and its potency intensifies as it is passed down through generations.
While it's unclear whether the Witch of Fairy Tales is alive or dead by the time of *Strange Fake*, Francesca Prelati—who was an acquaintance of Gilles de Rais—referred to her as a 'Witch of Fairy Tales with a life of antiquity.' If we take that into account, the Mystery of this thaumaturgical lineage should be at a level comparable to hers.
Furthermore, this mansion is a type of workshop. Given that a Magus's essence is concentrated within their workshop, attacking me—the temporary 'caretaker' of this place—should be a burden even for someone like Touko Aozaki.
…At least, that's what I have to hope she thinks. Please.
Magecraft workshop? Antiquity?
None of that matters. Even if it did, I haven't been delegated any actual authority over the workshop's functions. If this crazy kid decided to kill me right here, the mansion wouldn't lift a finger to stop him.
Therefore, this is a bluff.
Invoking the customs of hospitality was a trigger. It was a psychological suggestion: as long as she entered as a 'guest,' I would treat her as such, but the moment she turned hostile, the workshop would activate.
I've laid a few other minor traps, so if things go well…
"True, initiating a battle within another Magus's workshop is a suicidal act."
"…"
I exhaled inwardly with relief.
If I, who barely knew the first thing about Magecraft, had actually fought Touko, my only move would have been prostrating myself in surrender.
"However… that's only if the circumstances remain the same."
"...?"
"Soujuurou Shizuki, yes. What about him? It seems he's staying here in Misaki City as well."
"…Are you planning to lay a hand on Soujuurou-niisan?"
"Or perhaps someone else. For instance… I saw a kendo dojo in this town. What about the master of that dojo?"
She spoke those words as she slid off her glasses. In that instant, a heavy impact struck the back of my head, and the world went dark.
In the moment before I lost consciousness, I looked at her smirk and thought:
…Ah, this bitch.
She knew everything from the start.
* * * * *
I'm certain I was knocked out just a short while ago—back at the Misaki City park—but the environment I woke up in was like night and day.
Unlike the first time, where the ultra-high-school-level beauty Alice-san was before me, I was greeted by a kidnapper brat—presumed werewolf. And unlike the past where I woke up on a luxurious sofa, there was only a cold, biting wooden floor beneath me.
"…Are you a werewolf?"
When I threw the question at Beowulf the moment I woke up, he replied by kicking me instead of answering.
With a sickening *crack*, I felt something twist followed by a stabbing pain. Instinct told me at least one rib was broken.
"You're comparing me to such low-rate magical beasts?"
"…Fuck, you've got a shitty personality."
It didn't look like I'd be making it back alive anyway, and I felt I'd feel better if I at least spoke my mind, so I let the profanity fly without a filter.
"Haha, you've got a foul mouth. I heard young humans faint from the pain of just a broken finger… See, this is why it's so hard to hit weak humans."
"If you're not a werewolf, what are you? You don't seem like a were-beast type, and seeing how you treat Touko Aozaki, you're not a familiar but in a contractual relationship…"
"Pffft! I can see you're a Magus's disciple. Still full of curiosity even while dying? You Magi are all obsessed with that Root thing… But comparing me to a mere were-beast is genuinely insulting."
This time, he kicked me in the back.
Fortunately, he pulled his strength quite a bit; it didn't seem like my spine was snapped.
"I'll have you know I am a creature of the Age of Gods. I only take the form of a wolf because it's to my liking, but I am the closest thing to what you people call the Third Magic!"
"…A Phantasmal Species."
Materialization of the Soul.
Heaven's Feel, one of the 'Magics' known as the Third Magic, was the long-cherished wish the Einzbern family pursued so relentlessly.
Of course, creatures like that were said to be abundant in the Age of Gods. Several Dragons—like Albion or Vortigern—were said to have their essence in the soul itself, but in the modern era, they were an exceedingly rare, singular species.
Something that even most Magi would never see in their lifetime, and even if they happened upon one, they would likely never be involved with it… Well, unless you're the Guda-duo, who seem to be possessed by some demon of misfortune that drags them into life-or-death situations constantly…
"It seems the Witch of Fairy Tales favored you quite a bit. You know an awful lot…"
Actually, I just know because of my past life's memories.
"So, do you plan on killing me?"
"Who knows~ For now, Touko-san seems to want to keep you. I heard she only feels satisfied once she's crushed every last thing that woman named Aoko possesses."
"…Crazy bitch."
"I agree~ But hearing you curse is annoying."
Beowulf kicked me once more.
…I think my fourth tooth was knocked out this time. Well, it's a milk tooth, so it's fine. No, I suppose it wouldn't matter either way since I can regenerate with Seal Absorption, right?
"Beo, don't overdo it."
"Yeah, Touko-san. You're back?"
"I was a bit busy laying Runes on the ground. So, how have you been, Karma-kun? How do you like it here?"
"If you think an abandoned school building that looks like it's haunted by ghosts is 'nice,' maybe your eyes are broken?"
"I suppose so. Still, you'll have to stay here for the time being. I need you as bait to lure out Alice Kuonji and my damn sister."
Instead of answering, I gave her the middle finger. Touko Aozaki burst into laughter and left to go somewhere else, holding back Beowulf, who was about to snap that finger off.
'It was a godsend that I didn't awaken my Magic Circuits in advance.'
If I had awakened my Magic Circuits beforehand, Touko Aozaki would never have left me so loosely guarded.
She was treating me like 'an ordinary elementary student who knows a little about Magecraft.' There wasn't a single puppet around me—only a simple Bounded Field drawn in blood and a iron chain binding my feet.
"Secret Art—Seal Absorption."
By absorbing all the prana in the Bounded Field with Seal Absorption, the formation instantly vanished. Using the absorbed energy as a catalyst, I slightly morphed the tip of my finger.
"Asura Path."
My finger, transformed like the blade of a chainsaw, began to spin with a faint buzz and cut through the iron. I successfully sliced through the links, which were as thick as a thumb.
Cutting the chain made noise, but since Beowulf didn't come, they must have stepped out for a moment… This was definitely the chance.
"Preta Path—Seal Absorption."
I was already neck-deep in the world of Magecraft; there was no point in hiding it anymore.
Touko Aozaki has identified my family and is willing to kill me if necessary. Moreover, she is accompanied by a Phantasmal Species estimated to hold a Mystery dating back over 3,000 years.
After absorbing prana from the grass deep within the school grounds, I tore off the chair the chains were attached to and the floor where the magic circle was drawn—just to be safe—and took flight using the Deva Path.
My destination was the Holy Church where Sister Yuika and Ritsuka-ane-san were. A neutral zone.
* * * * *
The Holy Church generally maintains neutrality unless the situation is extraordinary.
Of course, in most works, 'extraordinary situations' arise constantly, forcing them to the front lines. With figures like the peak-level lunatic Mapo-Gundam or the sadist Narbareck—who reportedly gets sexual gratification from killing Dead Apostles—they are often viewed as a cult-like group of fanatics. However, their essence remains that of a religious organization.
"Oh my goodness, Karma-kun!"
Sister Yuika, whom I'd known for several years, was naturally horrified to see me covered in blood with an iron chain around my ankle. She rushed over and began pouring a mysterious water over me.
I figured it would be hard to explain how I escaped or why I had no injuries, so I'd endured the pain to leave the wounds visible. Seeing them all healed at once felt a bit like a waste of effort.
Regardless, all my wounds were healed. Sister Yuika sat me down and spoke.
"…Karma-kun, you must tell me honestly. Where have you been for the past two weeks?"
"…Sister Yuika, I'm sorry, but I can't tell you that."
"Karma-kun… this is a matter of your life. Or have you perhaps already been threatened into silence?"
"No, it's not that, but…"
Sister Yuika's gaze was incredibly serious.
These were not the eyes of the woman who usually lived lazily and enjoyed playing around. They were deadly serious… like someone standing on the brink of war.
"Answer me properly, Karma-kun."
"…I was at the Kuonji Mansion."
"In that case… can you tell me who did this to you?"
She maintained her composure, but her voice was trembling.
"It was someone named Touko Aozaki and a creature called Lugh Beowulf."
"Touko Aozaki… Aoko-san's older sister. But Lugh Beowulf… what is that?"
"He called himself a Phantasmal Species. Said he's lived since the Age of Gods…"
"…This has become quite a headache. A Phantasmal Species, of all things—the natural enemy of Magi…"
She rested her hand on her chin for a moment before speaking.
"Karma-kun, I assume you have a rough idea of what Magecraft is?"
"…Yes."
"Phew… If the Kuonji girl kept you there until now, it was likely to prevent the leak of Mystery. Since your Magic Circuits aren't even awakened, you probably haven't even properly entangled yourself with Magecraft yet."
She forced a smile and continued.
"Karma-kun… it might be hard to accept, but it's best if you just go home now."
"...Pardon?"
"This is much more difficult, complex… and filthier than you think."
Actually, I likely know much more about it than you do, Sister Yuika.
"You might think Magecraft is beautiful or some romantic academic pursuit, but Magi are fundamentally hideous. They tend to treat human lives like those of flies. It's a stroke of immense luck that the first Magi you met were Aoko-san and Kuonji-san."
…Seriously, I already know that.
"If things continue like this, Karma-kun's parents might be in danger."
Yes, I've already been threatened regarding that.
"It might be hard to process, but… just go home. Returning home and forgetting this affair as much as possible will be for the best for everyone."