Shinji Matou at Your Service

"Father, come quickly, everyone is waiting for you."

"Father..."

"Father..."

"Master Makihisa..."

"Master..."

The most lively, Shiki, took the lead in shouting. I remember that, in the beginning, he was still timid. I don't know when, but he became like this, causing trouble along with the naturally restless SHIKI and the most obedient Akiha.

Then there were Kohaku and Hisui, laughing so happily. It must not have been that day yet, when I, to maintain rationality and suppress the impulse, committed the most unworthy act.

Ah, how nostalgic, those times.

Makihisa's body moved involuntarily. He slowed his pace, walking over like a most ordinary parent, with a peaceful expression.

However, after taking only a few steps and not yet reaching the group of children, he suddenly felt a pain in his chest.

Looking down, he saw a common kitchen knife precisely stabbed into his heart, piercing through from the front to the back.

The owner of the knife was a girl in a dark kimono. That short pink hair was so familiar, accompanying him through countless crazy nights.

"Kohaku."

As the strength flowed away with the blood, Makihisa's face changed, finally turning into a sigh.

"Do you—still hate me?"

"Hate, you ruined me! I will never forgive you!"

Kohaku raised her head, her cute face covered in tears.

"Yes, after all, I did such excessive things."

His hands trembled, seemingly wanting to lift them but not actually doing so, perhaps giving up or simply having no strength.

"But—I will only hate you, not Miss Akiha or Young Master Shiki."

Tears fell like broken strings, but her expression remained indifferent, her tone showing not a trace of fluctuation.

"So disappear, and don't disturb our peaceful life anymore!"

"Then I can rest assured."

Makihisa closed his eyes, feeling relieved.

Illusions stem from reality. This moment's feelings were by no means false; it was the final wish of a man at the end of his life, the last redemption he yearned for after wandering in darkness all his life.

He, content, allowed the kitchen knife to strip away his last existence, turning to ashes.

A cloaked figure appeared behind Kohaku, reaching out to support the girl who had truly seen her own heart and completed the fatal blow. The golden eyes under the cloak rippled with complex emotions that even she did not understand.

"Gods will not give away power for no reason, but this meaning can only be decided by oneself, without interference from others or even ambiguous entities like gods."

Touko exhaled a final smoke ring and extinguished the cigarette butt.

Hisui stood by, occasionally glancing at her sister below, her eyes filled with both worry and relief.

In the garden, Kohaku wiped away her tears vigorously, then patted her cheeks, returning to her usual cheerful and lively self.

She clenched her fists with enthusiasm and said energetically, "Let's work hard from now on. Let's start by tidying up the yard—Hisui, come help."

"Coming, sister."

Hisui quickly agreed, bowing hastily to Touko before running downstairs.

"Master, I—" Katou removed her cloak, looking up at Touko.

Without waiting for her to finish, Touko waved her hand casually.

"Go, you go help too, let me be alone for a while."

"Understood.."

The Night of Walachia was supposed to be a devastating disaster because it targets human weaknesses and manifests the most terrifying things in human minds. However, weaknesses are not always permanent, and fears can be overcome. When humans transcend these fears, it is no longer a disaster but a blessing.

Blessings and misfortunes are interdependent—ancient people summarized this principle many years ago.

Shiki, Kohaku, Akiha, and even Hisui are examples of this.

When the group that had gone out returned home, everything had already settled, and even the cleanup work was complete.

Touko, who had calculated the timing, was waiting in the reception room. Kohaku was in the kitchen preparing a midnight snack, and Hisui had just brewed some tea.

Next, a historic meeting unfolded.

The participants were—

The head of Japan's mysterious forces, the manager of the Tokyo area, the head of the Tohno family, and the half-demon, Akiha Tohno.

A representative of one of the two poles of the mysterious world, the Holy Church, and the captain of the Vestel Shield Knights, Riesbyfe Stridberg.

A representative of one of the two poles of the mysterious world, the most enigmatic department of the Mage's Association, the future head of the Atlas Institute, and the alchemist Sion Eltnam Atlasia.

Also from the Mage's Association, the highest-rated Grand puppeteer by the Clock Tower, the Rune user, and the Grand Magus Touko Aozaki.

And several accompanying personnel...

The accompanying personnel are the ones worth describing. The big names listed above, who could fill several rows on a business card, have nothing much to say.

Akiha personally drove away all her clan members.

Riesbyfe did not bring any subordinates.

Sion had been acting alone for three years and was even wanted by the Atlas Institute.

Touko, needless to say, was known throughout half of the mysterious world as a whirlwind woman, though using crazy would be more appropriate most of the time.

In other words, these high-profile women came in their capacities this time, representing only themselves. Three of the four were action-oriented, not wasting time on pleasantries.

It's worth mentioning Shiki and Satsuki, who accompanied them without any official status.

Yes, Satsuki came along, voluntarily.

She even called her family, lying that she was going to a friend's house for a sleepover—this was the first time this exemplary student had lied to her family. Because it was her first time, her family didn't suspect a thing.

Everyone, including Shiki, thought her worldview had shattered temporarily and she didn't want to go home. Akiha, surprisingly, assisted this potentially significant rival, helping her deceive her family.

Only Touko, seasoned in observing young love, noticed the signs. Watching Shiki and Satsuki's increasingly peculiar expressions made Shiki uneasy, and Satsuki hid behind Shiki, trembling. Though she didn't know about the mysterious world, she knew these people could tear down walls with their bare hands, jump ten meters high, and were essentially monsters. She feared they might eat her at any moment.

Unexpectedly, Touko did not devour her but instead said:

"You're quite good. Would you like to be my disciple and learn magecraft from me?"