ã€ŠPact Chronicle: A Magician&#x27;s Storyã€‹


 Catalyst

    "How the hell am I late again!" the boy cried.

    His hair stood on its ends, his uniform was untidy, shoes were undone, and his bag flailed about behind him. In his mouth was a piece of toast clad in jelly that hanged off at the ends of his canines. All the while, he ran along the sidewalks of a metropolitan city. Even in a city such as Magia, this would be an occasional occurrence for the average student. But for the boy, the adrenaline of doing last minute responsibilities was a daily incident.

    "Damn it, why did my alarm clock run out of battery?" the boy complained

    while he slowly chewed his way up his toast.

    From a distance, he spotted the bus stop that would lead him towards his destination. As the bus was about to leave, he gulped down the rest of his bread that he was chewing and mustered the energy to sprint up to the bus that was about to leave.

    ¡°Stop! Stop! Stop!¡± the boy hollered with a raised hand.

    The female bus driver sported a bun hair style under her cap, as well as a blue uniform with white accents. She suddenly stopped the bus after she caught a glimpse of the high school student on her right-wing mirror. The bus came to a stop and as soon the doors opened up, there was a loud slam of change that went into the receiver and a sweaty boy that took heavy breathers.

    ¡°Kazuma.¡± the bus driver greeted bluntly with a strained smile.

    ¡°How many times has this been now?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m really sorry!¡± Kazuma panted as he bowed respectfully.

    She sighed deeply.

    ¡°Make sure you¡¯re on time next time okay? You¡¯re lucky I saw you just as I left.¡±

    ¡°Thank you, Miss Akira. It won¡¯t happen again.¡±

    ¡°Yeah, yeah. Get in.¡±

    Kazuma got in the bus and sat in the back seat as he sighed with relief.

    ---

    Ding dong, ding dong. The school bell rang by the time Kazuma was sprinting through the empty hallways. He quickly opened the classroom door, and his female homeroom teacher, Kuroki Tomika, was already taking roll. She wore glasses and a dark blue suit with high heels. Everyone looked at Kazuma when he entered the classroom.

    "You¡¯re late, Kaz.¡± Tomika fixed her glasses. She clicked the pen in her hand and wrote a side note on the attendance sheet.

    ¡°Aw come on, I¡¯m on time!¡± Kazuma refuted.

    Tomika continued her writing before she suddenly looked at him.

    ¡°Please don¡¯t interrupt the class any further, just go sit down.¡±

    While Kazuma walked to the back of the classroom, he could hear some of the students that whispered to each other even after he sat down at his desk. Tomika cleared her throat, and the students directed their attention towards her.

    ¡°Now that class has begun, I assume all of you have your homework. Please pass them forward."

    Everyone else had begun passing up their assignments forward while Kazuma was rummaging through his messenger bag over and over, hoping that he would find his missing homework.

    (¡°Not here, not here, not here¡­¡±) he muttered to himself.

    He scratched his head trying to remember where he had put his homework. Suddenly, it struck him that he had left his homework on his desk at home. Since he was so caught up trying to catch the bus, it never occurred to him that he had forgotten to get grab his homework.

    (¡°No, no, no¡­ not again¡­¡±)

    Tomika instinctively knew the situation as soon as she saw Kazuma put his head down on his desk. She sighed as she grabbed the stack of papers that were being passed up to the front of the room.

    Class continued as the other students were paying close attention to Tomika¡¯s lecture. On the other hand, Kazuma was looking out the window as he spaced out. He sighed while he still thought about how this day could have turned out if he had caught the bus earlier or if he had remembered to bring his homework.

    ("Hey, Kazuma.") a voice whispered to him.

    The murmur of his name had barely reached his ears, which caused him to snap out of his daydream. He turned around and scanned the classroom to find the source of the sound.

    To his dismay, the voice came from Yusuke Makoto, who sat two empty seats over from his right. He wore a blue beanie that covered his disheveled hair and wore the same signature school uniform. Kazuma groaned at the sight of his classmate giving him a thumbs up. Meanwhile, from the seat to the right of Makoto was Akimoto Shinji. The stoic boy overshadowed Makoto and responded with a lukewarm wave at Kazuma.

    ---

    Soon, after school came along. Everyone except for Kazuma, Makoto and Shinji had left the classroom.

    "So, you didn''t do homework too?" Kazuma asked as he turned to look at both of them.

    Makoto snickered as he crossed his arms. With one hand, he pointed at Kazuma mischievously as he rubbed his chin with the other.

    "Of course."

    ¡°Why are you saying that like you¡¯re proud of it?¡± Kazuma sighed as he slumped on his desk.

    Shinji got up from his seat and patted him on the shoulder empathically.

    ¡°¡­It¡¯ll be okay Kazuma, you were just unlucky. Misfortunes happen.¡±

    ¡°But this wasn¡¯t an accident! I really did it this time! I just forgot it at home¡­ after I finishing it three in the morning¡­ More importantly, why are you here Shinji? I get Makoto is here, but you¡¯re usually the responsible one out of all of us.¡±

    ¡°Heh heh yeah¡ªHey wait a minute! What¡¯s that supposed to mean?¡± Makoto argued.

    The three friends then suddenly heard the door open, and Tomika cleared her throat. They stopped their discussion and turned their attention towards her.

    "You three are free to go."

    The students looked each other confused as they had hoped that they would have received some sort of punishment for not turning in a homework assignment.

    (Why did she have to make it sound like we''re being released from jail?) Kazuma expression soured as he thought to himself.

    ¡°¡­Sensei.¡± Shinji raised his hand.

    ¡°Yes Shinji?¡±

    "¡­Does that mean there is no penalty this time? You¡¯re not going to giving us remedial lessons? No after school punishment?"

    (¡°Shinji, you dumbass! Are you crazy? Why would you ask that?¡±) Makoto whispered.

    "Fortunately for you three, I¡¯m not so cruel like other teachers. And because I¡¯m in such a good mood today, I decided to give you guys a free pass. You all can turn in your homework to me tomorrow."

    "Thank you! I''ll work hard this time!" Makoto cheered with his arm around Kazuma¡¯s shoulder.

    ¡°¡°That''s what you said last time.¡±¡± Shinji and Kazuma both said.

    ¡°And you better not screw it up this time either.¡± Kazuma added.

    Tomika put her hands on her hips.

    ¡°Anyways, get out of here, before I change my mind. I''m only giving you ten seconds to leave this classroom.¡±

    She began to count down out loud, and the three friends quickly sprinted for the door. She let out a stressful sigh as soon they were out of her sight. Just as soon as she turned around, a hand patted on her shoulder.

    ¡°Yo, Kuroki~.¡± Akira greeted.

    ¡°Ah. Hello Riko.¡± Tomika greeted back as she fixed her glasses.

    ¡°I didn¡¯t expect you to be here this early. I thought your shift didn¡¯t end till later.¡±

    ¡°Well, today my boss let me off early. So because of a day¡¯s hard work, I decided that we should go out today.¡± Akira smiled.

    ¡°¡­I see.¡±

    Akira stared at Tomika as she awaited the answer to her invitation. Tomika contemplated as she put her hand on her forehead.Stolen content alert: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.

    ¡°Fine, let me go get ready first.¡±

    ---

    The efforts of the three friends soon got them to the school''s front entrance. The haze of the afternoon light had never felt more victorious. The three friends split off at the intersection of the road. They all said their goodbyes and the two split off from Kazuma, heading down the opposite direction. While making his way home, Kazuma¡¯s stomach began growl. Until now, he didn''t notice how hungry he was. After all, he didn''t have any time this morning to pack lunch.

    Conveniently, there was a convenience store that was fifteen minutes away from the school. Kazuma went in and bought a chicken sandwich and some gum with the limited money that he had in his wallet. After buying the items, he exited store with a plastic bag in hand. Kazuma hesitated as he slightly peered into his wallet.

    (¡°I only have forty dollarks left¡­¡±) Kazuma mumbled to himself.

    He sighed and then looked over at the vending machine that was in front of the convenience store.

    ¡°I think have enough for the bus. Might as well buy a soda.¡±

    Beep. Beep. Kazuma pressed a couple of buttons and inserted ten dollarks from his cash card into the vending machine. After a brief moment of rumbling, the machine spat out a soda. As he squatted to grab his soda, Kazuma noticed a dark fabric that was on the ground. He cautiously raised his head and was face to face with a small girl that was oddly dressed and sleeping against the vending machine. It took a moment to register what he was looking at, and when he did, he jumped back.

    ¡°Wha¡ªa girl?¡±

    He scanned around him to see if anyone had noticed the sleeping girl, but people kept walking and minding their own business.

    Kazuma turned back to the girl that was sleeping peacefully.

    ¡°You¡¯re kidding right? How can you even sleep with all of this noise?¡±

    He knelt on one knee and snapped to see if she would wake to the sound of his fingers.

    ¡°Hello?¡± Kazuma called out.

    There was no response.

    (Huh. Okay, time to leave while I still can.)

    Just as he was about up and leave, her nose started to twitch a little bit, and seconds after, the girl was suddenly invigorated by the smell of food.

    ¡°F-food?!¡± The girl quickly asked as her mouth watered.

    At first, Kazuma was startled by seeing her wanting gaze, but quickly held it closer to himself after he realized that she wanted food from his bag.

    ¡°S-Sorry, but I need to eat.¡±

    He tried to get away as quickly as possible, but the girl latched on to him like a backpack and was immediately fixated on the sandwich.

    ¡°Hey! Let go of me!¡±

    He shook his body vigorously to shake her off but she clung on to him like gum. Then suddenly, he felt a sharp piercing sting on his neck.

    ¡°Agh! Ok! Ok! I¡¯ll give you the stupid sandwich!¡±

    ---

    The girl¡¯s eyes twinkled as she pulled out the chicken sandwich which radiated an aromatic smell of deliciousness. Afterwards, she tore open the plastic bag and scarfed it down. Meanwhile, Kazuma was rubbing the red imprint of where teeth marks had been.

    (Great, there goes my lunch and part of my lifespan¡­) he thought to himself.

    Kazuma sighed as he unwrapped the chocolate he had bought at the convenience store. As she scarfed down his lunch, he noticed that the girl was fairly young and oddly dressed. She had blond hair that fell down to her hips and wore a black and white dress, along with high knee socks, and round brown shoes.

    The girl stopped eating for a moment, and looked up at Kazuma. He wondered why she was looking at him, but his stomach suddenly growled. He frowned as he held his stomach.

    ¡°I guess the candy isn¡¯t enough¡­¡±

    The blond girl held out her half eaten chicken sandwich in front of him.

    ¡°Do you want some?¡± she asked.

    He shook his head.

    ¡°No, it¡¯s fine. You can have it.¡±

    ¡°Are you sure?¡±

    ¡°Yeah¡­ just take it.¡± he groaned.

    The girl beamed at Kazuma.

    ¡°T-thank you!¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re welcome¡­¡±

    (That was supposed to be my chicken sandwich, damn it¡­)

    Kazuma stood up and looked around as the girl happily continued to eat the chicken sandwich.

    (How long has she even been here? Heck, but how has no one even noticed her sleeping near the vending machine?)

    ¡°So, uh, are you lost?¡± Kazuma asked.

    She looked around for a while and her expression seemed to tell him that she was unfamiliar with the area.

    (So I guess she¡¯s not from here then¡­)

    ¡°Do you at least remember your name?¡±

    ¡°Alice. My name is Alice.¡± She said as she looked up at Kazuma.

    ¡°Alice? So you¡¯re a foreigner¡ª¡±

    He paused mid-sentence for a moment.

    ¡°Wait¡­ you can understand me?¡± Kazuma asked as he pointed at himself.

    ¡°Of course I can.¡± Alice nodded her head.

    ¡°Well if you know that and you can communicate with someone like me¡­ your English must be pretty good then. But then how¡¯d you end up here? Anyways, I think you should get some help. Wait here.¡±

    Just when Kazuma had turned around, Alice quickly tugged on his shirt.

    ¡°Where is this place?¡±

    ¡°You don¡¯t know? It¡¯s¨C¡±

    The alarm on his phone began to buzz in his pocket.

    ¡°Oh crap! It¡¯s this late? Sorry, I have to get to the bus stop. Otherwise, I¡¯ll have to wait another hour for the bus. But I can¡¯t just leave you here like this, I¡¯d have to stay with you until we can find a police officer. But then¡­¡±

    There wasn¡¯t any time to waste. He had to decide quickly.

    ¡°Ah, screw it.¡± Kazuma said as he quickly grabbed her hand.

    ¡°I don¡¯t usually let random strangers do this, but for the meantime, you can stay at my place. But you gotta leave in the morning.¡±

    Alice withdrew her hand from his grasp.

    ¡°Are you sure?¡±

    ¡°What do you mean?¡±

    Alice looked down as she twiddled with her index fingers. Kazuma needed to get to the bus stop quickly, otherwise he¡¯d have to wait for a whole hour for the next bus. He had to decide now.

    ¡°Look, don¡¯t mind the small details. You can stay as long as you like if you want. Now come on.¡±

    Kazuma walked ahead of her and Alice quickly followed.

    ¡°Thank you¡­ um¡­¡±

    ¡°Kazuma. Saitou Kazuma.¡±

    ¡°Thank you, Kazuma. You¡¯re a really nice, offering food and a place to stay to a random stranger.¡±

    Kazuma scratched his head.

    ¡°Well, who even leaves a girl alone sleeping on the street anyways?¡±

    Alice covered her mouth, trying not to laugh.

    Kazuma ignored her laughing, and started to leave her behind.

    ¡°Ah, hey wait up! Kazuma!¡±

    ---

    The two of them made it to the bus stop on time and then they both walked the rest of the way. Kazuma¡¯s house was a small two story building that was surrounded by brick walls and metal gate. The name plate next to the gate read ¡®Saitou¡¯. Kazuma opened the gate, unlocked the house door and took off his shoes. Alice did the same and followed him inside.

    Inside the house had a large living room, a green couch with a coffee table in front of it, and a flat screen TV. Next to the living room was a small kitchen with a counter, and a dining table that could hold four people. There were also stairs that led up to the second story which had two bedrooms and a bath.

    Alice looked around she beamed with happiness as she started to inspect every object in the house. Kazuma didn¡¯t mind at all as he put his things on the dining table, went to the kitchen and grabbed a cup of water and filled it hot water and put a tea bag in it. While Kazuma was making dinner for himself, he looked over and saw Alice sitting down quietly at the couch.

    ¡°Do you want anything?¡±

    Alice shook her head politely.

    ¡°No thank you.¡±

    Kazuma brought his food and the cup of tea over to the living room, placed them on the coffee table and sat down next to Alice on the couch and turned on the TV. When it turned on, there was a show that displayed a motorcycle-riding superhero.

    ¡°Man, are channels showing previous episodes this late? That¡¯s surprising.¡± Kazuma commented while he chewed his food.

    On the other hand, Alice was mesmerized when the anime started.

    ¡°W-what is this?¡± she asked as if it was her first time watching television.

    ¡°Is this your first time watching TV?¡± Kazuma chuckled.

    ¡°What this ¡®tee-vee¡¯?¡±

    ¡°Are¡­ Are you being serious right now?¡±

    Alice nodded her head.

    He disregarded that piece of conversation and the two of them both watched the episode together. In the middle of the episode, Kazuma looked up at the wall clock. It read 7:30 pm.

    ¡°Alright I think that¡¯s enough procrastinating for one day, time to do homework.¡±

    Kazuma quickly grabbed his empty bowls and cup from the coffee table and went to the kitchen to put it in the sink. From the dining room, Kazuma grabbed his messenger bag to take out his school work and began studying.

    ¡°Homework? What¡¯s that?¡± Alice asked.

    ¡°Hm? Homework is the stuff school gives you every day.¡±

    ¡°¡­School?¡±

    (Please tell me this is a joke¡­) Kazuma thought to himself while he stared at Alice.

    Alice became silent and didn¡¯t ask any more questions. She frowned and looked down at her lap while she twiddled with her fingers.

    ¡°Sorry¡­I don¡¯t remember much, so it¡¯s hard for me to keep up with the situation right now.¡±

    ¡°You mean¡­ memory loss?¡±

    She nodded.

    ¡°You could say that, but not to the point where I can¡¯t remember anything about myself. I still remember where I was from and my name, but I just don¡¯t remember anything about the past few months.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s weird. Do you know how you got here though?¡± Kazuma asked.

    ¡°That is¡­¡± Alice hesitated mid-sentence.

    Kazuma scratched his head and sighed.

    ¡°It¡¯s fine.¡± he said.

    ¡°Huh?¡±

    ¡°You don¡¯t have to say anything. It¡¯s not really my business to know anyways.¡±

    He turned around and went back to the dinner table to do his homework without bothering Alice any further.

    A few hours later, Kazuma had finished his homework. He yawned as he stretched his arms and back.

    ¡°Finally done.¡±

    He looked at the clock that read 11:40 pm and then looked over at Alice, who was asleep on the couch. Kazuma put away his school things, got up from his chair and had turned off the TV.

    ¡°I guess I should go to sleep too. Ah, but before that I have to change my alarm clock batteries. Damn alarm didn¡¯t wake me up this morning¡­¡±

    From afar, there was a hooded cloaked figure that stood watch over from the roof of the next house. As he loomed over Kazuma¡¯s front window, strands of his vert hair swayed across his canary eyes. From there, he saw Kazuma putting a blanket over Alice and turning off the lights.

    ¡°I¡¯ve found you.¡± he said.

 Chapter 2

    Beep beep beep beep. The alarm clock rang. Beep beep beep beep. The alarm kept ringing until Kazuma¡¯s hand finally hit the snooze button. He briefly glanced at the alarm clock that read 7:50 am. He groaned as he cocooned himself with the blanket and his face down on his pillow. Kazuma then turns over and looks at the ceiling for a brief moment and then sighed.

    (Just one more day and then its over¡­) he thought to himself.

    As he was getting up from bed, he quietly headed downstairs to the kitchen while still dressed in his lounge wear. Kazuma caught a glimpse of Alice, who was still sleeping peacefully on the couch. He smiled and quietly went over to the kitchen without making a sound to make some breakfast.

    Szzzt. The eggs on the frying pan sizzled and the crisp aroma filled the kitchen.

    Moments later, Alice yawned as she sat up on the couch. She rubbed her eyes and the first she saw was Kazuma cooking in the kitchen.

    ¡°Good morning, Kazuma.¡±

    He realized Alice was already awake when she had called his name.

    ¡°Morning Alice, sorry if I woke you up while I was cooking.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s alright. What is it you¡¯re cooking?¡±

    There was a ¡®pop¡¯ sound that came from the toaster, and Kazuma quickly turned to take the toast out. He also grabbed out a plate, put the eggs on toast next to each other, and put it on the counter where Alice could see it.

    ¡°Here you go, one plate of eggs and toast. Sorry if this isn¡¯t much, I¡¯m used to living alone and eating small portions to save money.¡±

    Alice didn¡¯t mind and just stared at the brown crispy toast and eggs that were sunny-side up. Her eyes widened and mouth drooled while looking at the scrumptious breakfast that was laid before her.

    ¡°Hello?¡± Kazuma waved his hand in front of her face, and Alice suddenly snapped out of her trance and cleared her throat.

    ¡°Well aren¡¯t you distracted. You can go ahead and eat your food.¡± Kazuma said as he handed her plate.

    ¡°Ah, thank you. Um¡­¡±

    ¡°Hm? What is it?¡±

    ¡°I think your eggs are burning.¡± Alice pointed out.

    ¡°Wait, what?¡±

    Looking over at stove, there was smoke that indicated that his eggs were burning. Alice took her plate that was on the counter and went over to the dining table to eat her food. Meanwhile, Kazuma attempted to salvage his breakfast. In the end, Alice was happily eating her breakfast while Kazuma was sulking over his barely recognizable eggs.

    <hr>

    After the two of them had finished eating their breakfast, Kazuma quickly prepared for school. Before heading out, he double checked to see if he was missing anything.

    ¡°Alright, I think that¡¯s everything.¡± he nodded confidently.

    His hand grabbed the doorknob but hesitated to open the door.

    (Wait a minute. I¡¯m forgetting something, aren¡¯t I?)

    Kazuma turned around and sees Alice looking straight at him.

    ¡°Oh right, I totally forgot.¡± he grimaced. ¡°Great. Now I can¡¯t just leave you here alone, can¡¯t I?¡±

    ¡°Where are you going?¡± Alice asked.

    ¡°To school.¡±

    ¡°Why won¡¯t I come with you?¡±

    ¡°No way.¡± he automatically responded without hesitation.

    ¡°Why not?¡±

    ¡°Well that¡¯s¡­¡±

    Kazuma caught a glance at the clock that read 8:15 am.

    ¡°Aw, crap. Okay look, I don¡¯t have much time, so here¡¯s how it¡¯s going to go. I¡¯m going to leave you with someone I know, and she¡¯ll take you to the police.¡± he quickly explained as he opened the door and put on his shoes.

    Before Alice could say a word, she had already ended up followed him as the both of them walked to the bus stop. When the bus had arrived, the two bus doors opened up and Akira welcomed them both with a smile.

    ¡°Morning, Kazuma.¡± Akira greeted. ¡°Who¡¯s that?¡±

    Kazuma suddenly felt Alice cling onto his back. Alice peeked over as she hid from behind.

    ¡°Just some lost girl I found. If it¡¯s not too much to ask, could you take her to the police?¡± he requested as he clasped his hands together.

    Akira skeptically took a look at Alice for a moment. ¡°Well¡­ alright. I don¡¯t know how this happened, but if you¡¯re willing to help this girl here, then she¡¯s fine with me.¡±

    ¡°Thank you, Ma¡¯am.¡±

    ¡°But you¡¯re going to pay for her.¡±

    ¡°Wha¡ª¡±

    ¡°You don¡¯t think that she is going for free, do you? She¡¯s with you, after all.¡±

    ¡°Yes ma¡¯am¡­¡± Kazuma sighed as he surrendered five-hundred zeons into the fare-box.

    Kazuma and Alice went over to sit at the back seat. As the bus began to move, Alice was fascinated at how they were moving from at such a quick pace.

    ¡°Is this your first time on a bus?¡± Kazuma asked.

    She nodded.

    ¡°I¡¯ve never been on one before.¡±

    ¡°What kind of transportation have you been on then?¡±

    Alice thought for a moment. Then she shrugged.

    ¡°I¡¯ve never really been outside much.¡±

    (¡­Is she being serious right now?)

    The bus suddenly came to a stop and Kazuma noticed that this was his stop. While Alice was still entertained by the bus ride, he stood up and turned to her.

    ¡°Looks like this is it.¡±

    Alice looked up at Kazuma, who was waving at her.

    ¡°See you.¡±

    Kazuma got off of the bus, and he walked all the way to the school¡¯s entrance.

    ¡°Finally at the school.¡±

    He checked his phone, and the time read 8:35 am.

    ¡°And with ten minutes to spare.¡±

    ¡°So this is what you call a ¡®school¡¯?¡± Alice said.

    ¡°Yeah. In actuality though, there isn¡¯t much to it.¡± Kazuma replied as he shrugged.

    He paused for a moment.This story is posted elsewhere by the author. Help them out by reading the authentic version.

    (Wait. Hold on a minute¡­)

    He cautiously looked side to side and was surprised when she was standing next to him.

    ¡°Hey¡ª I thought you left!¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t worry, I told her that I would be fine on my own.¡±

    ¡°But why though?¡± Kazuma groaned.

    ¡°Can¡¯t I at least give my thanks to the person who gave me food?¡±

    ¡°That still doesn¡¯t answer my question.¡±

    Alice ignored him and looked at the people that were entering through the school entrance. Some of the students that passed by were staring at the blond haired girl that was oddly dressed. Kazuma noticed this and grabbed her arm.

    ¡°Come on, we¡¯re making too much of a scene.¡±

    Kazuma dragged her all the way to class, and by the time they went to go sit down, the bell for homeroom rung. All the students are sitting in their proper seats except for Alice who was squatting next to Kazuma¡¯s desk. Miss Tomika had entered the room and turned towards the class.

    ¡°Alright students, pass up your homework.¡± she called out.

    Kazuma had passed up his homework to the person sitting in front of him. Alice tugged on his school uniform.

    (¡°Who¡¯s that? And what is that you¡¯re passing up?¡±) she whispered to him.

    (¡°That¡¯s Miss Tomika, one of the teachers at this school. The thing we were passing up was that homework I was doing yesterday.¡±)

    (¡°Hoh... interesting¡­ so this ¡®school¡¯ has mentors as well¡­¡±) Alice whispered to herself as she curiously looked around the classroom while she squatted.

    Tomika-sensei looked over at Kazuma¡¯s desk as soon she heard whispering.

    ¡°Kazuma.¡±

    Kazuma stood up from his desk the second she called out his name.

    ¡°Y-yes?¡±

    ¡°Who is that girl?¡±

    ¡°Um¡­¡±

    Everyone turned to look at Kazuma and started whispering to each other. His two friends Shinji and Makoto were whispering to each other as well.

    (¡°No way, Kazuma got one? How come we never knew about this?¡±) Makoto whispered.

    (¡°Let¡¯s not jump to any conclusions yet, Makoto.¡±) Shinji replied.

    (¡°But it¡¯s not really like Kazuma. Doesn¡¯t it look suspicious?¡±) Makoto added.

    Kazuma began to hesitate at the question when he saw that the entire classroom was staring at him.

    (Agh, I can¡¯t let them know she¡¯s just a random girl I found on the street! I just met her, and it would definitely cause a huge misunderstanding! I got to think of something¡­)

    ¡°Kazuma.¡± Tomika called once more.

    ¡°Y-yes?¡± he gulped.

    ¡°I¡¯ll ask one more time.¡± Tomika sternly spoke as she stared down at him, ¡°Who is that girl?¡±

    Kazuma hesitated since he couldn¡¯t come up with any excuses to avoid the awkward situation. Alice looked around the room and wondered why everyone was directing their attention towards him. As Miss Tomika crossed her arms, she grew impatient by the minute. Suddenly, an idea came to mind.

    ¡°S-she¡¯s my cousin!¡±

    ¡°Huh?¡± Tomika-sensei fixed her glasses.

    The entire class became speechless.

    ¡°A-Alice is my second cousin from uh¡­ England! That¡¯s right, and she¡¯s here because of the transfer program at her school!¡±

    Kazuma laughed awkwardly and his classmates began looking away from him, one by one. Tomika put her arms on her hips and sighed.

    ¡°¡­I see. Well, at least give her a desk to sit at so she can pay attention in class. She can sit in that seat since no one is occupying it for now.¡±

    Kazuma sighed silently as he slumped back into his seat. Alice soon got a desk where she sat behind him. The day went well without any problems, and the after school bell rang shortly after. Alice gave out a big sigh of relief as she slumped on the desk.

    ¡°This is tiring¡­¡± Alice whined.

    ¡°Well it is what it is, every single day.¡± Kazuma replied exhaustively.

    ¡°Are we leaving soon?¡±

    ¡°Actually, we¡¯re leaving right now. Let¡¯s go.¡±

    A large group of people suddenly swarmed around Alice. Alice jerked backwards into her seat, astonished to see so many unfamiliar faces.

    (¡­Who are these people?) she thought to herself.

    The students started to ask Alice questions as they closely swarmed around her desk.

    ¡°Wow! Alice, how old are you? Do you think you can hang out with us if you¡¯re free today?¡±one student asked.

    ¡°Alice! Want go shopping later? What¡¯s England like? Tell me about it!¡± another student offered.

    Alice didn¡¯t say a word as she became quiet and shyly looked down at the ground. She quickly glanced around to find Kazuma. He stood up from his desk to make his way towards the hallway. Alice almost fell out of her seat as she quickly followed behind Kazuma.

    ¡°Hm? Is something wrong Alice?¡± Kazuma asked.

    ¡°I-it¡¯s nothing¡­¡±

    Alice shook her head, and they both continued walking. Behind Kazuma were the many jealous glares of his fellow classmates. He felt a strange chill from his back.

    ¡°¡­Somehow, I feel like if I turn around now, death will be waiting for me.¡±

    He sped up his walking a little to get away from the animosity he was feeling, and didn¡¯t dare to look back.

    Right when Kazuma and Alice had reached the school gates, Shinji and Makoto suddenly appeared right in front of them. Kazuma ignored the two of them as they teased him with silent judgment.

    While Alice was trying to keep up with them from behind, she caught a glimpse of a silhouette. She shook her head and surveyed her surroundings to see if what she saw was a hallucination or not. Instead, she saw nothing but the bustling streets that were filled with city¡¯s busiest people.

    (That¡¯s strange¡­ it¡¯s probably just my imagination.) she thought to herself.

    ¡°So your cousin huh?¡± Makoto suddenly brought up.

    ¡°Yeah why?¡± Kazuma replied.

    ¡°That was quite the bold move that you made today, if I say so myself.¡± Shinji said as he nodded his head.

    Makoto leaned over to whisper to Kazuma, and Shinji joined in to listen from the other side.

    (¡°Alright Kazuma, let¡¯s just cut to the chase.¡±) Makoto interrogated in a hushed voice.

    (¡°What?¡±)

    (¡°She¡¯s not really your cousin, is she?¡±)

    (¡°Not now, damn it.¡±) Kazuma sighed.

    (¡°¡­Is she your long lost sister?¡±) Shinji added abruptly.

    (¡°What? No¡ª¡±)

    (¡°It could be. You never know.¡±) Makoto quietly suggested.

    (¡°¡­Tell me why I¡¯m your friend again?¡±) Kazuma face palmed.

    (¡°It was Makoto¡¯s idea, so we wanted to poke fun at you. But it¡¯s true isn¡¯t it? We are the unpopular bunch after all.¡±) Shinji explained.

    (¡°That¡¯s beside the point.¡±)

    (¡°Anyways¡ª¡±) Makoto interrupted. (¡°Just who is she? We won¡¯t tell anyone. In return, however, teach us your ways.¡±)

    (¡°Do I really have to explain any further? Other than what I said in class today?¡±)

    Shinji and Makoto both glanced at each other before looking back at Kazuma.

    (¡°Wait¡­ so then¡­ for real?¡±) Makoto asked.

    (¡°Isn¡¯t your guys¡¯ bus is about to leave too?¡±) Kazuma pointed out.

    Makoto and Shinji suddenly heard the engine of the bus turn on and began driving past them. For a moment, the two of them froze and stared at each other blankly before quickly running towards the bus for them to halt.

    (Finally¡­ at least I can get a break.) Kazuma took a deep breath.

    ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡± Alice asked him.

    ¡°Huh? Nothing¡¯s wrong.¡±

    ¡°¡­I see. Those two are a bit¡­ unorthodox.¡±

    ¡°Shinji and Makoto? Sure, they¡¯re a weird duo, least to say, but they¡¯re alright. What about you? Don¡¯t you have any friends?¡±

    ¡°Not that I remember. I had mentors and peers, but I stayed inside most of the time. I rarely went out, but when I did, it would only be for errands.¡±

    ¡°Errands?¡±

    Alice suddenly stopped for a moment and knelt on her knees as she held her head in pain.

    Kazuma stopped walking and went over to her to check on Alice.

    ¡°I-I¡¯m fine¡­ it¡¯s just a headache.¡±

    Alice¡¯s headache soon cleared up, and she was able to stand up again.

    ¡°Well at least you¡¯re okay.¡±

    She suddenly became silent and looked around attentively.

    (¡°Wait. Someone is here.¡±) she whispered.

    (¡°What?¡±)

    Kazuma looked around and didn¡¯t see anyone that was suspicious in particular. He turned to Alice.

    (¡°I don¡¯t see it. Are you sure someone is following us?¡±)

    While he saw and heard nothing but noises of vehicles and the busy people of Tokyo, Alice was attentively scanning her surroundings.

    Suddenly, all the noise was gone and everything had gone quiet. Kazuma at that moment was confused at what happened.

    ¡°¡­I knew it.¡± Alice sternly affirmed.

    ¡°Huh?¡±

    ¡°I thought I¡¯d noticed someone was nearby, and it looks like my intuition was correct.¡±

    There was no sign that there was anyone else out there. Everything was oddly quiet and empty. Then there were footsteps. The footsteps approached closer and closer, and then finally reached its destination. A few feet in front of them stood an anonymous person that gowned a long brown hooded cloak that concealed the entirety of their body. Kazuma and Alice had both stopped walking and stared at the hooded figure.

    ¡°Uh¡­c-can I help you?¡± Kazuma asked.

    The figure said nothing and only pointed at Alice.

    ¡°The girl.¡± a stern voice said. the figure held their hand out.

    ¡°Hand her over.¡± they demanded.

    Kazuma¡¯s arm slowly reached out to shield Alice.

    Alice squinted at the hooded figure closer and noticed a small black oval-shaped with an emblem of a white cross on the right of the cloak.

    (That emblem¡­) she thought to herself.

    ¡°Who are you? And what do you want with Alice?¡± Kazuma questioned.

    ¡°That is none of your concern. Now hand her over.¡±

    ¡°¡­And what if I don¡¯t?¡±

    ¡°You will face the consequences.¡±

    ¡°What could you possibly do?¡± Kazuma scoffed.

    A smirk could be seen from under the figure¡¯s hood.

    ¡°Foolish imbecile.¡± the hooded figure chuckled.

    There was sudden rumbling from the ground beneath them.

    ¡°W-what¡¯s going on?¡±

    Two stone golems then arose from the ground, leaving two giant holes in the side walk and on the road.

    ¡°What the hell¡­¡±

    Kazuma was speechless as he stared up at the two twenty-foot golems that both towered over them.

    (I had to ask, didn¡¯t I?) Kazuma thought to himself.

    ¡°Surrender the girl now, or face your demise.¡±

    (Great. Now what ?)

    ¡°Wait.¡± Alice said as she stepped forward.

    ¡°You¡¯re here for me aren¡¯t you? Then you can take me. This has nothing to do with him. If you let him go, I¡¯ll come along quietly.¡±

    ¡°Alice what¡ª¡±

    The figure contemplated for a moment and then raised their hand. The stone golems knelt down and became inactive. Alice nodded at the them and she turned to Kazuma.

    ¡°What are you doing?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, but I have to go back.¡±

    ¡°Huh? Back where? I don¡¯t understand. Where are you going?¡±

    ¡°¡­I can¡¯t say for the time being.¡±

    Kazuma¡¯s hand instinctively grabbed Alice¡¯s arm.

    ¡°¡­No.¡±

    ¡°What?¡±

    ¡°I won¡¯t let you.¡±

    ¡°What is the meaning of this?¡± the figure questioned.

    ¡°Kazuma, I appreciate the gesture, but this has nothing to do with you! You¡¯re a just a bystander!¡± Alice explained.

    ¡°What are you talking about? Do you even know who this person is?¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s not just himself alone, Kazuma. He¡¯s part of them.¡±

    ¡°Them¡­? Like in a group?¡±

    ¡°Enough.¡± the figure interrupted. ¡°Are you proceeding with our agreement? Or do you withdraw?¡±

    ¡°Kazuma, this is something that is beyond your understanding.¡± Alice pleaded. ¡°This is also for your own safety.¡±

    Kazuma gritted his teeth.

    ¡°But¡­ this¡­ it just doesn¡¯t feel right. I¡¯m sorry Alice, but I can¡¯t let you do this.¡±

    ¡°So you¡¯ve disagreed then?¡± the figure asked.

    ¡°She¡¯s not going with you.¡± Kazuma interjected.

    Kazuma pulled Alice over behind him.

    ¡°I don¡¯t know who you are or where you¡¯re from, but you¡¯re not getting her.¡±

    ¡°¡­Very well.¡±

    The figure raised his fist and the golems that knelt down inactively, stood back up in their upright position.

    ¡°Prepare yourself.¡±

 Chapter 3

    Tomika-sensei stared at the school¡¯s roster of students on her laptop. She contemplated while she sat at her cluttered desk full of papers, binders, notebooks and textbooks in the empty faculty room since all the other teachers had gone home for the day. Then, there was a knock on the door. It opened slightly, and Akira stuck her head out while she waved around a plastic bag in her hand.

    ¡°Kuroki~¡± She called out.

    Tomika-sensei fixed her glasses as she looked up.

    ¡°Oh, Riko.¡±

    Akira came in the room and put the bag on Tomika-sensei¡¯s desk.

    ¡°Sorry, did I disturb you?¡±

    Tomika-sensei shook her head.

    ¡°Not at all.¡±

    ¡°I brought take-out, so I hope you don¡¯t mind trying out Chinese food.¡±

    ¡°Hm. Should be a new experience.¡±

    Akira grabbed a chair and sat near Tomika. They both took out the white take out boxes from the bag and began eating. As Akira was eating, Tomika-sensei was still contemplating.

    ¡°What¡¯s wrong? Your food is going to get cold.¡± Akira asked with her mouth full.

    ¡°Hm? It¡¯s nothing, really.¡±

    Akira gulped her food.

    ¡°Did something happen at school today?¡±

    ¡°Not really¡­ but there was a person that Kazuma brought to school that struck me as peculiar.¡±

    ¡°Who?¡±

    ¡°A blond foreigner named Alice. He claims that he is her second cousin that came here as a transfer student. I don¡¯t think she¡¯s on the school roster yet though.¡±

    ¡°Alice? Hmm¡­ She sounds familiar¡­¡±

    Akira thought for a moment, then her eyes widened.

    ¡°Oh! She¡¯s probably the same girl that Kazuma brought on the bus with him this morning! That name did seem familiar!

    ¡°Did he say anything about her?¡±

    ¡°He did tell me she was a lost girl, and asked me to take her to the police station personally.¡±

    ¡°¡­Really now?¡±

    ¡°¡ªOr at least what he said. He primarily asked me to take her to the police station, but in the end, she insisted on following him instead. What a strange girl. I wonder what Kazuma¡¯s got himself into.¡±

    Tomika-sensei fixed her glasses.

    ¡°¡­Yes. Indeed. It seems like he will have a lot of explaining to do next week.¡±

    Tomika-sensei opened her takeout and took a bite out of her shrimp.

    ¡°By the way, Riko¡­¡± She spoke while chewing.

    ¡°Hm?¡±

    Akira looked up at Tomika-sensei while she slurped on her yellow noodles.

    ¡°Shouldn¡¯t you be keeping an eye out for him? You are entrusted with a responsibility after all.¡±

    Akira waved her hand, and she gulped her food.

    ¡°He¡¯ll be fine. I taught him things here and there, but he¡¯s done pretty well on his own.¡±

    She looked up at the ceiling, reminiscing about Kazuma.

    ¡°He¡¯s come a long way since then.¡±

    ¡°¡­Have you received any word from them?¡± Tomika asked.

    Akira shook her head.

    ¡°Not ever since that day. It¡¯s like they¡¯ve vanished or something. But looking back, he made it seem like it didn¡¯t bother him the slightest.¡±

    Tomika-sensei sighed as she fixed her glasses.

    ¡°What trouble he¡¯s been all these years.¡±

    <hr>

    Kazuma was frozen in place as he stared at the two giant stone golems that looked down at him.

    ¡°Prepare yourself.¡± The hooded figure¡¯s stern voice said as he clenched his fist.

    He pointed his finger at Kazuma and Alice.

    ¡°¡­Get them.¡±

    One of the two stone golems had raised its arm. But just before it was about to strike down at Kazuma, the second golem had suddenly hit its own comrade. The first golem fell, and there was gust of wind and a small aftershock when it fell. Dust suddenly emerged that made it hard to see. Everyone around it covered their eyes with their arms.

    (What is this?) The figure thought to himself.

    (I never ordered it to¡ª is it acting on its own? Unless¡­ No, that can¡¯t be it¡­)

    Kazuma rubbed his eyes and saw that the enemy was distracted. He took a hold of the situation as an opportunity to escape. He quickly grabbed Alice¡¯s hand and made a run for it while the enemy was distracted.

    After the dust had cleared moments later, the hooded figure looked around to see where the two of them had gone. There was no trace of them anywhere.

    ¡°Tch. So they¡¯ve escaped¡­ no matter. We¡¯ll find them soon enough.¡±

    He looked over at the fallen golem and looked up at the other golem that stood still.

    ¡°Hmph. It looks like there was someone else that had interfered.¡±

    Kazuma had took a hold of Alice¡¯s wrist and they both ran through a nearby alleyway. After they ran away far enough, they stopped to catch their breath.

    ¡°Why¡­ did you stop me?¡± Alice asked as she gasped for air.

    ¡°You¡­ know why¡­¡± Kazuma wheezed.

    After they both took a small break, Kazuma took a peek outside of the alleyway to see if the coast was clear. Instead, he saw that the streets of Tokyo were filled with busy people and vehicles again.

    ¡°Wha¡ª how¡¯s that even possible?¡±

    Kazuma rubbed his eyes and looked over again. There was no change. Everything had remained the same as before.

    ¡°Strange¡­ he was here a moment ago¡ª more importantly, the people are back!¡±

    He scratched his head, trying to grasp the situation.

    ¡°I didn¡¯t imagine that right? That person who just summoned two golems from the ground with his own two hands¡­What the hell is going on here?¡±

    ¡°¡­You should go.¡± Alice said.

    ¡°Huh?¡±

    She gave a piercing glare towards him.

    ¡°Leave now. Never speak of any of this to anyone.¡±

    ¡°Now hold on just a minute¡ª¡±

    ¡°You know too much for your own good.¡± Alice interrupted Kazuma midsentence.

    ¡°Ok look, I know I said before that it wasn¡¯t my business to know. But back there, it seemed like you knew who that person was. Just who was he?¡±

    ¡°¡­¡±

    Alice became silent and averted her gaze away from Kazuma.

    ¡°So you do know something.¡±

    ¡°Go.¡±

    ¡°Alice¡­¡±

    ¡°Kazuma, I appreciate your concern for me. But for what it¡¯s worth, this is even bigger than you. They¡¯ll be after you again.¡±

    ¡°What do you mean?¡±

    Alice shook her head.Unauthorized content usage: if you discover this narrative on Amazon, report the violation.

    ¡°¡­I¡¯ve already said too much. You have to leave, now.¡±

    ¡°I told you already, I¡¯m not leaving. I¡¯m not changing my mind about this.¡± Kazuma said firmly.

    ¡°Then you leave me no choice.¡±

    Alice¡¯s arm stretched outwards, and the palm of her hand was facing towards Kazuma¡¯s direction. For a while, nothing had happened. Kazuma was just staring at the palm of her hand while he was waiting for something to happen. Alice looked at her hand for a brief moment, thinking that something was wrong, but she tried again as she stretched her arm out at Kazuma once more. Nothing happened.

    ¡°¡­Strange. Why isn¡¯t it working?¡±

    Kazuma was clueless as to what was actually going on right now. He looked around to see if anything was supposed to happen.

    ¡°Uh¡­wow. Okay. This is awkward. Is something supposed to be happening right now? Or¡­¡±

    Alice looked at her hands.

    ¡°It should be working¡­ But why isn¡¯t it?¡±

    ¡°So¡­ does that mean you can¡¯t do what you were about to do?¡±

    Alice shook her head.

    ¡°That¡¯s not the point here!¡±

    Kazuma sighed.

    ¡°Alice, please. All I¡¯m trying to do is help you out. You¡¯re not giving me any information here. All of this may seem like I¡¯m prying, but I can¡¯t leave you be unless I know for sure.¡±

    Alice gave in and sighed. She glanced at her left and right, and then looked back at Kazuma.

    ¡°¡­Alright. But not here.¡±

    ¡°So where?¡±

    ¡°We can talk when we¡¯re back at your place.¡±

    ¡°Sounds good.¡±

    <hr>

    The two of them both quickly went to Kazuma¡¯s house. Once they got there, Kazuma put down his things, and they both sat down on the couch. There was a moment of awkward silence, and then Alice took a deep breath. Alice and Kazuma both turned to each other.

    ¡°So?¡± Kazuma asked.

    Alice sighed.

    ¡°¡­It¡¯s hard to explain. Where do I even begin?¡±

    ¡°How about I start by asking who that person was?¡±

    ¡°Alright, well¡­ that person is¡­ a magician.¡±

    ¡°¡­Is that it? A magician?¡±

    Alice nodded.

    ¡°Ok wait. Hold on a minute. Just to clarify here, is a magician you¡¯re talking about¡ª¡±

    ¡°Uses magic.¡± Alice interrupted.

    ¡°Magic, ok, but like¡­what exactly?¡±

    ¡°Spells, incantations, sometimes rituals, etc. Things like that.¡±

    ¡°Spells? Like that thing he summoned? That was magic?¡±

    ¡°¡­Yes. That¡¯s true. The golems he summoned were a work of magic, and how he made the surroundings seem vacant.¡±

    ¡°T-that too? Wait, so if that person is a magician and he if was after you, then does that make you¡­¡±

    Alice hesitated for a moment before she responded to Kazuma. She then took a deep breath and looked back at him right in the eye.

    ¡°That¡¯s right. I am a magician.¡±

    ¡°¡­¡±

    Kazuma became silent as he turned away from her.

    ¡°¡­D-does that bother you?¡± Alice frowned.

    ¡°Was that why you were so hesitant to talk about yourself?¡±

    ¡°¡­¡±

    He turned around and put his hand on top of Alice¡¯s head.

    ¡°Well, I can see why you would keep such a secret.¡±

    Kazuma averted his gaze from Alice for a moment.

    (That, and how much anime I watch over the years to somehow get an idea of where this is going.)

    ¡°I don¡¯t think that bothers me though. You seem like a good person.¡±

    Alice glanced up at Kazuma grinning at her. She couldn¡¯t help but smile back.

    ¡°T-thank you.¡±

    ¡°But on that note, was that why you were so reserved by other people?¡±

    ¡°The existence of magicians is meant to be known secretively. We live in seclusion, hidden away from other parts of the world. And¡ª¡°

    ¡°And?¡±

    ¡°¡­T-they were people I never met before. So when you let other people believe that I was your relative from a different country, it made me feel reassuring that I wouldn¡¯t have blown my cover.¡±

    Kazuma inhaled sharply.

    ¡°Right. That.¡±

    ¡°And don¡¯t think I¡¯d let you off the hook by what you told those other two.¡±

    ¡°Wha¡ª you heard?¡±

    Alice puffed her cheeks.

    ¡°Of course! You didn¡¯t think I would just stand around, now would you?¡±

    She sighed.

    ¡°Oh well. At least you didn¡¯t give away anything vital. It was a good thing you didn¡¯t know that I was a magician before. Letting people know about it would cause a panic. Even the fact that I told you that magicians exist in this world was harmful enough.¡±

    ¡°Why¡¯s that?¡±

    ¡°If everyone knew about magicians, it would become catastrophic. Not everyone will embrace the fact that people like them exist, on top of that, there would be others out there seeking for power. Worst case scenario, a potential war.¡±

    ¡°W-war?!¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s just the worst that could happen, if we¡¯re not careful.¡±

    ¡°So was that amnesia thing all an act too? To cover up your identity?¡±

    Alice shook her head.

    ¡°No, that was for real. What I had said about not remembering how I had actually arrived here was the true. I don¡¯t remember anything that had happened the past few months, other where I came from at least.¡±

    ¡°And where did you come from?¡±

    ¡°The Organization.¡±

    ¡°Organization? Is that supposed to be a name?¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s the place where I came from.¡±

    ¡°Doesn¡¯t that name seem a bit¡­ too ordinary?¡±

    Alice shrugged.

    ¡°Don¡¯t ask me, I wasn¡¯t the one who came up with the name.¡±

    ¡°Alright then¡­ what is this ¡®Organization¡¯?¡±

    ¡°They¡¯re a group of magicians trained to help others at least.¡±

    ¡°Didn¡¯t seem like it from the looks of that magician we encountered today.¡±

    (I wonder if something had happened to them¡­) Alice thought to herself.

    ¡°Are they usually trained that way?¡± Kazuma asked.

    ¡°Well¡­ we were trained in magic as a way to defend ourselves and others, never to be used for conflict.¡±

    ¡°Trained? So you were taught by someone to use magic?¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s right. We have Masters at the Organization that teaches us how to use our abilities.¡±

    ¡°So like a school of magic of some kind?¡±

    ¡°Somewhat.¡±

    Kazuma put his arms behind his neck as he looked up at the ceiling.

    ¡°And you¡¯re a part of them too then? So when you tried to cast magic on me back there¡­¡±

    ¡°Yeah, but it didn¡¯t work somehow¡­¡±

    ¡°Uh huh¡­ is there a reason for it? Maybe it has to do with something about your memory?¡±

    ¡°Hmm¡­ I¡¯m not sure¡­¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m curious. How are you able to use magic?¡±

    ¡°Magicians use what we call ¡®mana¡¯. It¡¯s the source of energy that allows us to cast our magic. Potentially, many people have mana, and so magicians convert that mana to cast spells and incantations.¡±

    ¡°Would that mean people like me could have it too?¡±

    ¡°Most likely, but for some people who never encountered magic their entire life would mean that they either: one, haven¡¯t unlocked their potential, or two, they don¡¯t have mana at all. There are other ways for magicians to give another person to gain the use of mana, however. Though, I never seen anyone use that sort of thing before.¡±

    ¡°In other words, does that mean people like me can use magic too?¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t see why not. But this ¡®Tokyo¡¯, as you call it, doesn¡¯t seem like anyone uses magic here. It¡¯s a strange environment.¡±

    Kazuma got up from his seat and stretched.

    ¡°Well, unlike your magical society, we use advanced technology and science. You know, wind generators that make electricity, cars, televisions, things like that.¡±

    ¡°I see¡­¡±

    He sighed.

    ¡°You truly aren¡¯t from around here, are you?¡±

    Kazuma looked up at the clock.

    ¡°Man, it¡¯s this late already? We¡¯ve been talking for that long?¡±

    Alice stomach growled, and she put her hands on her tummy.

    ¡°Kazuma, I¡¯m hungry.¡±

    ¡°Yeah, yeah. I¡¯ll go cook something up.¡±

    He went over to the kitchen, and Alice flopped down on the couch. While Kazuma was looking through his fridge, Alice laid down while she stared at the blank television screen.

    ¡°Hey Kazuma, I want to watch something.¡± Alice said as she sat up straight.

    ¡°Sure. You can turn on the TV if you want.¡±

    ¡°The remote, of course.¡±

    ¡°¡®Remote¡¯?¡± Alice asked as she looked around her.

    She spotted a black rectangular object on the coffee table and picked it up.

    (Is it this thing?) She asked herself while she speculated the remote.

    Alice pressed the red button at the top randomly, and saw the television turn on.

    ¡°Interesting, so that¡¯s how it works¡­¡±

    Kazuma put a plate on the coffee table, and Alice turned to look at the plate of food that was presented to her. It was the same thing that she ate for breakfast, eggs and toast. Alice sulked.

    ¡°Isn¡¯t this the same thing we ate this morning?¡±

    ¡°Relax. There isn¡¯t enough time for me to cook up something that doesn¡¯t take at least half an hour.¡±

    Alice didn¡¯t complain any further, and ate her food quietly while she watched television. Kazuma dusted his hands.

    ¡°Alright, now for homework.¡±

    He grabbed his messenger bag and went over to the dining table.

    ¡°Homework again, Kazuma?¡±

    ¡°Hey, I have responsibilities you know¡ª ah.¡±

    Alice looked over at Kazuma while she chewed on her toast.

    (Tomorrow¡¯s the weekend, so why should I be doing homework?) He scratched his head.

    ¡°Hm? Kazuma?¡± She asked with her mouth full.

    Kazuma shook his head.

    ¡°It¡¯s nothing. I¡¯ll just do it another time. It¡¯s the weekend after all.¡±

    ¡°¡®Weekend¡¯?¡±

    ¡°Yeah, at the end of each week, we have no school on those days.¡±

    ¡°I see¡­what a strange world we live in.¡± Alice said as she bit off a piece toast.

    She turned her attention back to the television while she finished up her food. At the same time, Kazuma left his messenger bag at the dining table and did the dishes. After Alice finished her food, she got up and brought her plate over to the kitchen.

    ¡°Thank you for the food.¡± She thanked with a smile.

    Kazuma replied with a nod and a smile, and Alice went back to sit on the couch where she went back to finish watching her television program.

    By the time Kazuma had finished cleaning up, he found Alice who fell asleep with the TV on. He turned off the television and brought over a blanket to cover over her. For a while, Kazuma smiled at the girl who was sleeping peacefully. For a moment, he contemplated over the information Alice had told him.

    (Magicians¡­) Kazuma thought to himself.

    He shook his head.

    ¡°It¡¯ll be fine.¡±

    Just as Kazuma turned around, he felt a tug on his shirt behind him. He turned around and saw that Alice was awake. He knelt over to Alice.

    ¡°What is it?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ve been thinking¡­ why did you help someone like me, a total stranger?¡±

    ¡°Well¡­¡± Kazuma smirked.

    ¡°I¡¯ve always been taught to help out whenever someone is in a pinch.¡±

 Chapter 4

    Morning had arrived. In the quiet bedroom, Kazuma slept peacefully without any distractions that would bother him. Suddenly, a small humming noise began to sound inside the room.

    ¡°Ngh¡­ Damn it, I told you already. Not today¡­¡± He mumbled.

    Kazuma rolled over and covered his head over with bed sheets to avoid the bright light and sound that was disturbing his sleep. Then he finally sat up, still tired.

    ¡°Ugh. I thought I already set my alarm not to wake me on weekends¡­¡±

    He looked over and saw that his alarm clock wasn¡¯t ringing. Kazuma scratched his head.

    ¡°Then what could¡­¡±

    A gleam of light from that emanated from his right hand caught his attention. Kazuma stared at his hand for a while, and then looked back at his alarm clock, then back to his hand. While he stared at his hand, his tired trance began to decline. But once he realized what was going on, he started to panic.

    ¡°W-w-w-what the hell is this?!¡± Kazuma shouted.

    He shook frantically as he looked at his glowing right hand.

    Kazuma tried to get out of bed, but instead he fell down on the floor with his face first. He managed to recover, not minding his injury, and he quickly ran over to Alice.

    ¡°A-Alice!¡± He yelled out.

    Alice was woken by Kazuma¡¯s call of her name. She sat up as she rubbed her eyes.

    ¡°Hm? What is it Kazuma?¡±

    He quickly crawled over to Alice as he showed his right hand that had a glowing crest with a diamond star-like shape on both his palm and his backhand.

    ¡°What did you do with my hand?!¡± He demanded.

    Alice pushed the hand that was in front of her face, and put her hand on Kazuma¡¯s face.

    ¡°Calm down. Now what¡¯s the problem?¡±

    ¡°This.¡± He replied, pointing at his hand.

    ¡°Ok, well¡­¡±

    Alice grabbed Kazuma¡¯s right hand and speculated the glowing crest.

    ¡°Strange¡­ this looks like the work of a contract, but where is the other recipient?¡±

    ¡°Whatever it is, hurry up and fix it!¡±

    As she took a closer look at the crest on his hand, her right hand also began to emit a light. She stared at her own hand for a while.

    ¡°Huh. Well, what do you know.¡± She said, showing her hand with the same glowing crest as Kazuma.

    ¡°¡­¡±

    There was an awkward silence. While Kazuma was trying to grasp the situation, Alice stared at her own hand. Kazuma closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and calmly put both his hands onto Alice¡¯s shoulders.

    ¡°¡­Alice.¡±

    She looked at him.

    ¡°Hm?¡±

    ¡°What is going on?!¡± He shouted while he shook her back and forth violently.

    ¡°Gaah!¡± Alice screamed.

    At the same time, the crest on their hands stopped glowing and it disappeared. Kazuma let go of Alice and inspected his right hand more closely. Beside from the glowing crest that had appeared earlier, nothing else had seemed out of the ordinary.

    ¡°¡­Strange.¡± Alice said looking at her hand.

    ¡°Uh, so what just happened?¡± Kazuma asked.

    Alice looked at Kazuma.

    ¡°A contract, it seems.¡±

    ¡°Contract? I don¡¯t remember signing anything.¡±

    ¡°Well, it¡¯s not a paper that you sign, it¡¯s more of a magical contract.¡±

    ¡°A magical contract? Wait, but I never agreed to anything!¡±

    Alice shrugged.

    ¡°I don¡¯t really quite understand it myself, to be honest. I¡¯ve only read about contracts a couple of times, but never seen or had ever experienced one firsthand.¡±

    ¡°Wait, so what does this mean now?¡±

    ¡°Well¡­ if I had to guess, this means you and I are now bonded together?¡±

    Kazuma took a moment to process this.

    ¡°Wait¡ªwhat?! Hold on a moment. ¡®Bonded together¡¯?¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s hard to put into words¡­¡± Alice contemplated.

    ¡°B-But you¡¯re a magician aren¡¯t you? Can¡¯t you fix this?¡±

    Alice sighed.

    ¡°Don¡¯t you remember? You saw yesterday that for some apparent reason, that I couldn¡¯t use my magic. But even I could¡­¡±

    Alice slowly turned her head away from Kazuma.

    ¡°I don¡¯t really know how to remove it, per se.¡±

    ¡°Y-You¡¯re kidding right? So I¡¯m stuck like this forever?¡±

    ¡°¡­Not exactly. This is only a guess, but maybe we can technically still break the contract if something interferes with the connection.¡±

    ¡°R-Really?! Like what?¡±

    ¡°That¡­ I don¡¯t know about either, unfortunately. Still, it¡¯s strange. I wonder what triggered this¡ª¡±

    Kazuma knelt down on all fours as if all hope was lost for him. An intense somber aura emanated around him.

    ¡°N-No way¡­¡±

    Alice unsure of what to do at the situation, tried to cheer him up.

    ¡°D-Don¡¯t worry! I read that magicians who form contracts with other people are able to use extraordinary abilities! S-So it¡¯s not all bad right?¡±

    ¡°¡­¡±

    ¡°A-And it¡¯s not like its life-threatening, so you don¡¯t have to worry about that!¡±

    (¡°Not only did I take in a magician under my roof, but now I have some contract bound onto me forever?¡­ how could this have happened?¡±) He murmured.

    ¡°Um¡­K-Kazuma?¡±

    Alice stood there helpless to do anything to cheer up Kazuma. She slowly knelt down towards him and gave Kazuma a pat on the back.

    ¡°T-There, there¡­¡±

    There was a sudden ring at the doorbell, and at that same time Alice jerked.

    ¡°S-Someone is at the door?¡±

    Alice peeked out the window and saw that both Makoto and Shinji were waiting at the front door.

    ¡°Wha¡ª your friends are here? You didn¡¯t tell me?¡±

    ¡°I didn¡¯t have time, because of this weird contract thing I got caught in!¡±

    Kazuma sighed.

    ¡°I¡¯ll¡­just get the door¡­¡±

    (It¡¯ll be weird if I wasn¡¯t with him¡­) Alice thought.

    ¡°I-I¡¯ll stay with you so that you don¡¯t do anything rash.¡±

    ¡°Do what you want¡­¡± He replied dully.

    The doorbell rang again, and Kazuma walked sluggishly to go open the door.

    ¡°Coming¡­¡±

    He opened the door to only see his two friends waiting outside.

    ¡°Yo!¡± Makoto greeted.

    ¡°Meowning.¡± Shinji greeted stoically as he raised his hand.

    Makoto turned to Shinji who responded back at him with a stoic expression.

    ¡°Did you really have to do that cat joke?¡±

    ¡°Well it was purrfect the meowment.¡±

    Makoto sighed as he shrugged.

    ¡°You and your weird moments, Shinji. So anyways Kazuma¡ª¡±

    The two of them saw Kazuma all gloomy, and they both backed up a little to avoid his gloominess from spreading.

    ¡°W-What happened to you?¡± Makoto asked.

    Kazuma slowly looked up at his two friends.

    ¡°Huh?¡­ Oh¡­ nothing really¡­¡±

    ¡°D-Do you want us to come back at a later time? Or¡­¡±

    ¡°N-No it¡¯s fine¡­ come on in¡­¡±

    Kazuma moved away from the door, and both Makoto and Shinji slowly took off their shoes as they tiptoed carefully into the house.Royal Road is the home of this novel. Visit there to read the original and support the author.

    ¡°S-So uh¡­ where¡¯s that girl? Alice?¡±

    ¡°Over there¡­¡± Kazuma pointed at Alice who sat at the couch.

    Alice greeted Makoto and Shinji with an awkward wave and smile. In contrast with Alice¡¯s light-hearted greeting, Makoto and Shinji somehow felt like there was a somber atmosphere with Kazuma being all gloomy.

    ¡°D-Dude, are you like¡­ok?¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s nothing¡­ I¡¯ll be back soon¡­¡±

    The two of them both sat down on his couch and watched Kazuma slowly walked up the stairs until he was out of their sight. Makoto quickly turned to Shinji.

    (¡°H-Hey Shinji¡­what do you think something happened to Kazuma?¡±)

    (¡°He looks pretty down.¡±)

    (¡°It must¡¯ve hit him pretty bad if he¡¯s this down.¡±)

    (¡°Should we ask him?¡±)

    The two of them thought for a moment.

    (¡°¡­On second thought, let¡¯s not.¡±) Makoto suggested.

    (¡°Why not ask Alice?¡±)

    (¡°I guess, but¡­¡±)

    The two of them looked over at Alice¡¯s direction for a while, and she jerked the moment she realized that Makoto and Shinji were watching her.

    ¡°C-Can I help you¡­?¡±

    ¡°Why is Kazuma being all gloomy?¡± Shinji asked stoically.

    ¡°Oh ok, I guess being we¡¯re straightforward then?¡± Makoto added.

    ¡°Uh¡­ well¡­¡±

    Alice was unable to make an excuse right on the spot. But at that same moment, Kazuma had returned downstairs with a game station, a game controller and a box of video games for the system.

    ¡°Here you go¡­¡±

    He put the things on the coffee table.

    ¡°Uh, Kazuma? There¡¯s only one controller¡­ and there¡¯s three of us.¡± Makoto pointed out.

    ¡°¡­Did you bring another controller?¡± Kazuma asked.

    ¡°Not¡ª¡±

    ¡°I have one right here.¡± Shinji suddenly answered as he pulled a game controller from his jacket pocket.

    ¡°Shinji, why do you even have a game controller in your pocket?¡± Makoto asked.

    ¡°¡­I brought two.¡± Shinji replied as he pulled out another game controller from his other jacket pocket.

    ¡°¡­Gimme one.¡±

    Alice suddenly stood up from her seat and grabbed Kazuma¡¯s arm.

    ¡°Please excuse us for a minute.¡± She said to the two guests.

    Makoto and Shinji saw Alice drag Kazuma upstairs until they were out of sight.

    ¡°¡­They¡¯re the odd couple aren¡¯t they?¡± Shinji said.

    ¡°I guess so. Anyways¡ªwhat game should we even play?¡±

    He looked through the video games that Kazuma had left behind on the table, while Shinji was setting up the game station to the television.

    ¡°Let¡¯s see here¡­ he¡¯s got Taddle Quest, Taddle Fantasy¡­ Man, how could he even afford this many games? He¡¯s got a pretty good collection, but they¡¯re mostly just RPGs, fighting games, and some dating sims.¡±

    ¡°¡­I¡¯m done setting up the game station here, Makoto. Choose a game and make sure it¡¯s a two player.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s kind of a hard decision to make since he¡¯s got a lot of those too¡­ what kind of game do you want then?¡±

    ¡°How about a fighting game?¡±

    ¡°A fighting game huh? Alright then¡­¡±

    Makoto was able to narrow down between a couple of fighting games that Kazuma had, but still couldn¡¯t decide.

    ¡°¡­Nope. Still can¡¯t decide on a game.¡± He said with his hands up.

    Shinji walked over to the table and looked through one of the games.

    ¡°Hmm¡­ I can see the problem here since both of these are exceptional fighting games¡­¡±

    ¡°Eh. I give. Choose whatever you want Shinji, anything¡¯s fine at this point.¡± Makoto groaned.

    ¡°Then¡­ I choose this one.¡±

    Shinji put the game disk into the game system, quickly sat down on the couch and turned on the TV. The game loaded and began playing the opening.

    ¡°Oh! Dengeki Bunko, huh? That one is pretty good.¡±

    Makoto leaned over to grab the game controller.

    ¡°Hey Shinji, wanna see the best girl?¡±

    ¡°¡­Don¡¯t we have different standards about that though?¡±

    ¡°I guess you¡¯re right, but we can all agree that Aoi-tan is one of the best! Right?¡±

    ¡°True.¡±

    ¡°But if we¡¯re talking about the game here, that¡¯s a whole other story¡­¡±

    ¡°¡­¡±

    ¡°¡­¡±

    There was an awkward silence between the two friends for a while.

    ¡°¡­I bet your best girl in this game can¡¯t beat mine.¡± Makoto said.

    ¡°I¡¯ll take you up on that.¡±

    <hr>

    Alice had took Kazuma into the bedroom. When they both were inside, she shut the door behind her.

    ¡°¡­Kazuma.¡±

    ¡°¡­¡±

    There was no response.

    ¡°Kazuma!¡±

    This time, Kazuma slowly looked up at Alice.

    ¡°¡­What is it?¡±

    She sighed.

    ¡°Come on. Cheer up, ok? I told you that the contract wasn¡¯t life threatening didn¡¯t I?¡±

    ¡°¡­Is it really?¡±

    ¡°You can count on it.¡±

    Kazuma stared at Alice¡¯s unwavering expression for a moment, and sighed deeply.

    ¡°¡­Well, it doesn¡¯t seem like you¡¯re lying.¡±

    Alice puffed her cheeks.

    ¡°Of course, I wouldn¡¯t! What makes you think that?¡±

    ¡°Yeah, yeah. I¡¯ll take your word for it.¡±

    ¡°Besides, there¡¯s isn¡¯t much you can really do about it anyways.¡±

    ¡°I guess you¡¯re right about that.¡±

    The two of them exited the bedroom and went downstairs. They saw Makoto and Shinji both playing video games as they sat on the couch. Makoto was furiously mashing buttons on the controller, while Shinji was calmly pressing buttons on the controller. The TV had declared that the game was over, and that player 2 had won. Makoto¡¯s back flopped against the couch once he had lost.

    ¡°Damn it, I lost again. How are you even this good Shinji?¡±

    Shinji looked at Makoto stoically as he raised his finger.

    ¡°That¡¯s a secret.¡±

    ¡°Secret, huh?¡±

    Makoto¡¯s head turned to the left and saw that Kazuma and Alice were watching them.

    ¡°Oh, you¡¯re back.¡±

    ¡°So how¡¯s the game going?¡± Kazuma asked.

    ¡°Shinji already beat me a couple of times. And uh, you got over it pretty quick.¡±

    Kazuma scratched his head as he chuckled awkwardly.

    ¡°Y-Yeah¡­¡±

    ¡°Good to know you¡¯re over it. So, how about a two on two?¡±

    ¡°Two on two? How does that work?¡±

    ¡°Well, I¡¯ve been thinking that since Alice is here, we have four people now to divide into two teams now, don¡¯t we?¡±

    ¡°Yeah but¡­¡±

    Kazuma leaned in closer near Makoto to whisper to him.

    (¡°Does she even know how to play?¡±)

    ¡°It¡¯s fine! It¡¯s fine! We can teach her when the time comes.¡±

    ¡°What¡¯s this Kazuma?¡± Alice asked as she pointed at the TV screen.

    ¡°It¡¯s a video game.¡±

    ¡°A game? Sounds fun, can I try?¡±

    ¡°You know how to play?¡±

    ¡°No, but can I try?¡±

    Kazuma sighed.

    (Of course, she doesn¡¯t.)

    ¡°Sure thing, here¡¯s the manual.¡± Makoto said as he gave her the game manual.

    ¡°Hey, wait¡ª¡±

    ¡°Its fine isn¡¯t it?¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s¡ª¡±

    Kazuma scratched his head.

    ¡°Alright, I guess.¡±

    While Kazuma watched Makoto and Shinji play a round, Alice was intensively reading through the pages of the manual.

    (¡°I see¡­ so you do this¡­¡±) She muttered to herself.

    At the same exact time that Shinji had beat Makoto, Alice closed the game manual.

    ¡°I¡¯m ready.¡± She said confidently.

    ¡°W-Wow, that was fast.¡±

    Alice held her hand out.

    ¡°Controller, please.¡±

    ¡°H-Here you go.¡±

    Makoto handed Alice the game controller.

    ¡°Would you like to do a training session first?¡± Shinji asked.

    ¡°No need. Let us start the game.¡± Alice replied.

    Both players had locked in the fighters of their choosing. Soon after, the versus screen appeared on the TV. There was a momentary loading screen, and then when the screen had flashed the words: ¡®Round One: Fight!¡¯, both Alice and Shinji began mashing the buttons on their controllers intensely.

    All Kazuma and Makoto could do now was just watch in silence.

    The two players were evenly matched. Alice had begun comboing attacks from midair, while Shinji attempted to block her attacks and poke damage with his short ranged attacks. At times, one of them would be hit and land on the floor, but somehow recover and began their counterattack. Then at one point, Alice had found an opening in Shinji, as she used one of Shinji¡¯s attacks and counter it with her assist character. Once Shinji was hit she began cornering him with combos. Alice then pulled a super move on him, and the round as won. Point for Alice.

    The match made Kazuma and Makoto both speechless beyond words.

    (¡°T-This is like¡­really intense.¡±) Makoto whispered to Kazuma.

    (¡°Y-Yeah¡­¡±)

    (¡°How is she already this good by just reading the entire game manual?¡±)

    (¡°About that¡­ I thought you said this was a two on two.¡±)

    Makoto shrugged.

    (¡°Eh, forget it. Why not let them have their fun?¡±)

    Shinji took a breath while he gripped his controller. The screen had flashed words for the second round, and the battle continued.. This time, Alice wasn¡¯t as aggressive as the round before, since Shinji pressured Alice more harshly with attacks. This made Alice vulnerable since she had openings that gave Shinji a chance to strike combos at her. Alice tried to use her burst to counter some his attacks, but failed since he used his assist character to catch her off guard. Point for Shinji.

    (¡°It¡¯s a really close game isn¡¯t it?¡±) Makoto asked. (¡°I¡¯m betting my money on Shinji. I think he¡¯s got a card up his sleeve. What about you?¡±)

    (¡°Don¡¯t be silly. This is just a friendly game, after all.¡±)

    (¡°Still, who¡¯d you think would win?¡±)

    (¡°¡­Maybe Alice.¡±)

    Makoto smirked as he raised an eyebrow.

    (¡°Hoh? So you¡¯re betting on that right?¡±)

    (¡°Just watch the game.¡±)

    And so the final round came. Each player had one win, and the person who won this round would become the deciding victor. The screen had flashed ¡®Round Three¡¯ and the final ¡®Fight!¡¯ signal was given. Neither player was giving an inch of advantage to their opponent. Every attack would either be blocked, or countered. There were also many attempts to try and poke damage, but in the end, both players were still close to full health, as if they had never took any damage at all. After a moment of stalling around, Shinji decided to go in for the offensive. Alice jumped and landed an attack on Shinji from above. From there, she began to corner him with combos, but Shinji was able to break free using his burst at the last moment. Shinji now with a bit less than half health, he ran towards her and used his assist character to fling Alice into the air and began comboing his attacks in midair. Alice broke free with a burst, and she grabbed Shinji and used her super attack against him. The move after that was when Alice flung Shinji into the air with the kick. With that, the game was done, and Alice was the declared the victor.

    Shinji put his controller down on the table.

    ¡°¡­That was a good game.¡±

    Alice smiled.

    ¡°It was.¡±

    Shinji held out his hand.

    ¡°I hope we can play again sometime. You¡¯re really good at this game.¡±

    Alice shook his hand firmly.

    ¡°Likewise.¡±

    ¡°Uh, I don¡¯t mean to interrupt, Shinji¡­¡± Makoto said.

    ¡°But she technically only read the game manual, and somehow was able to play the game like a pro.¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t see anything wrong with that. Also, wasn¡¯t this supposed to be a two on two?¡±

    Makoto chuckled awkwardly as Shinji stoically looked up at the clock.

    ¡°Looks like it¡¯s about time for us to go.¡±

    Makoto looked at the clock as well and at the same time, his stomach growled.

    ¡°You¡¯re right. Man, am I hungry. Hey Kazuma, got any food?¡±

    ¡°Yeah, no. Nice try.¡±

    ¡°Not even your homemade¡ª¡±

    ¡°Just go home.¡±

    Alice and Kazuma accompanied them to see them off, and both Makoto and Shinji waved at them as they left Kazuma¡¯s house.

    ¡°¡­They¡¯re good people.¡± Alice said. ¡°You¡¯re lucky to have friends like them.¡±

    ¡°¡­Yeah.¡±

    Kazuma yawned as he stretched.

    ¡°Well, since that¡¯s done, I¡¯m going to the supermarket to buy ingredients. Actually, now that I think about it, they might have a sale going on today.¡±

    ¡°The market?! W-What are we going to have? I want curry!¡±

    ¡°Now hold on a moment¡­¡±

    The hooded figure sat at the top of the roof as he continued to watch the two of them from afar. He bit into an apple and chewed for a while before swallowing.

    ¡°¡­Curry, huh? Now that would be nice.¡±

 Chapter 5

    (How did it end up like this?) Kazuma thought to himself.

    He sat at a table in a family restaurant with a paper bag of food at his side. As he ate his plate of curry Alice sat on the opposite side of the table mowing down plates of food one after another. The customers that sat around them were getting a view of Alice who was wolfing down on her food and the four plates that were stacked up next to her.

    ¡°This¡­is so good!¡± Alice said with her mouth full.

    She gulped her food and raised her hand the moment she saw a waiter.

    ¡°Excuse me! Another plate of curry please!¡± Alice exclaimed.

    Kazuma quickly got up from his chair and grabbed her arm.

    ¡°P-Please don¡¯t¡­¡± He pleaded. ¡°Don¡¯t you think that¡¯s enough? That was like your plate already¡­¡±

    ¡°Oooo! Maybe I should try this curry! Ah, but this one looks so good!¡± Alice fawned as she looked through the menu.

    He scratched his head.

    (She¡¯s not listening at all¡­)

    ¡°Listen here, you¡¯re not the one paying for this food you know.¡±

    Alice snapped out of her trance as she glanced over at the pile of plates that she had consumed.

    ¡°Oh¡­ right.¡± She laughed awkwardly.

    Kazuma sighed as he continued eating his curry.

    (We were supposed to go to the store too¡­)

    Originally, Kazuma had planned to go to the supermarket to restock on food in the fridge. But because of how hungry Alice was midway through the walk to the supermarket, they had unexpectedly came across a family restaurant called Gold Curry. Since Alice wasn¡¯t willing to wait until they had got home to eat, Kazuma gave up and instead ate at the family restaurant.

    ¡°Thank you for your purchase! We hope to see you again!¡± The maid thanked.

    Alice stretched her arms and rubbed her tummy happily as they both exited the family restaurant.

    ¡°That was a good meal¡­¡±

    (Damn it¡­)

    Kazuma¡¯s eye twitched as he looked at the price on the receipt.

    ¡°Seventy-five hundred yen¡­¡± He sighed.

    ¡°Kazuma?¡± A familiar voice called out.

    Kazuma looked up and saw Akira. She had her hair tied up in a ponytail and wore a casual outfit, a white long-sleeved top with blue shorts and brown boots.

    ¡°Akira-san?¡±

    ¡°And that girl¡­ you still haven¡¯t taken her to the police?¡±

    The moment Alice saw that Akira was looking at her, she quickly hid behind Kazuma with her head slightly peeking out.

    Kazuma clasped his hands together.

    ¡°Sorry! I thought it would¡¯ve been better for her to stay at my place.¡±

    ¡°At your place?¡±

    ¡°Is it okay for her to stay?¡±

    Akira sighed as she put her arms on her hips.

    ¡°This isn¡¯t like taking in a stray cat, you know¡­¡±

    ¡°I-I know that!¡±

    ¡°Hmm¡­ but letting her stay?¡±

    She crossed her arms and closed her eyes while she contemplated.

    (What would¡¯ve they said if they were here right now?) Akira thought.

    When Akira had thought of her decision, she opened her eyes and looked at Kazuma.

    ¡°Alright, she can stay. But as your guardian, you better take good care of her, you hear? You¡¯re responsible for anything that happens involving her. Got it?¡±

    Alice beamed the moment she heard, and it made Akira smile warmly.

    ¡°Thanks for waiting, Riko.¡± Another familiar voice spoke.

    His high school teacher, Tomika-sensei, had also worn a casual outfit as well as she walked up to Akira. She had a brown jacket with a striped undershirt along with blue skinny jeans and black boots.

    ¡°T-Tomika-sensei?!¡± Kazuma stuttered.

    ¡°Hm? Kazuma? What a coincidence. I assume you¡¯ve been studying lately?¡±

    ¡°Y-Yeah¡­¡±

    Tomika-sensei noticed that Alice was hidden behind Kazuma. The blond-haired girl quickly ducked her head the moment she saw Tomika-sensei watching her.

    ¡°And I see your cousin is also here. She is living with you correct?¡±

    Alice stuck her head out behind him and nodded politely at Tomika-sensei.

    ¡°H-Hello¡­¡±

    ¡°A-Anyways! What brings you two here?¡± Kazuma asked.

    ¡°Hm? Well, we were just about to go to a family restaurant. I heard that the place makes good curry.¡± Tomika-sensei said as she fixed her glasses.

    ¡°Did you already eat here? I saw you just walk out of that restaurant just now.¡± Akira asked.

    ¡°Oh yeah, the place here is good actually.¡±

    ¡°What did you think?¡± Tomika-sensei asked as she looked at Alice.

    Alice had realized that the question was directed at her. She shyly nodded in reply.

    ¡°I-It was delicious¡­¡±

    ¡°Hm. I see¡­ it should be a good experience then.¡± Tomika-sensei replied as she swept her hair over one side.

    ¡°S-Sorry, but I just remembered I have to go to the supermarket to buy something. Excuse me.¡±

    Kazuma bowed quickly and grabbed Alice by the hand as he walked past them.

    ¡°Oh! Kazuma?¡± Akira called.

    He quickly jerked and he slowly turned around as he forced a smile.

    ¡°Y-Yes?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m going to do a check at your place in the coming week or so.¡±

    ¡°Huh? A check?¡±

    ¡°Yep. I¡¯m going to check on you, so be sure that you¡¯re home around that time. And just this will also be based on whether she is able to stay or not.¡±

    ¡°R-Right¡­¡±

    ¡°Just make sure that you remember.¡±

    Tomika-sensei watched the two of them walk off.

    ¡°You¡¯re letting her stay?¡±

    ¡°Well, he did ask about it. And I¡¯ve met the girl before, she doesn¡¯t seem like a bad person, so why not?¡±

    ¡°¡­I see.¡± Tomika-sensei replied as she fixed her glasses.

    ¡°Are you still going to ask him about it?¡± Akira asked.

    ¡°¡­It¡¯s fine. Why don¡¯t we just leave it at that?¡±

    ¡°Are you sure?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m sure he has his reasons. If the board finds out about it, it¡¯ll just complicate everything a lot further. But for now¡­¡±

    She turned to look at the sign that read Gold curry in bold yellow letters.

    ¡°I¡¯m curious to know how good the place actually is.¡±

    Akira happily nodded in response.

    ¡°All right! Curry!¡± She cheered.

    ¡°¡­After you.¡± Tomika-sensei said as she held open of the door for Akira.

    ¡°Why, thank you.¡± Akira giggled.

    <hr>

    ¡°Akira is your guardian? What does that mean?¡± Alice asked.

    ¡°Hm? Oh, well it just means that she just watches over me. Kind of like a caretaker.¡±

    ¡°I see. So she¡¯s your caretaker.¡±

    (But then what of his parents¡­?) Alice thought.

    ¡°Hm? Something wrong?¡±

    ¡°Ah, sorry¡­ maybe I shouldn¡¯t have brought that up.¡±

    ¡°Huh? Bring what up?¡±

    She shook her head.

    ¡°Never mind. Anyways, are we going home now?¡±

    Kazuma walked over to Alice and put his hand on top of her head.

    ¡°No, because a certain someone decided that we should stop by at a certain family restaurant to eat.¡±

    Alice chuckled awkwardly.

    ¡°And not only that, but you ate so much too¡­ you¡¯re even more troublesome than just ¡®some pet¡¯.¡±

    ¡°But I¡¯m not a pet!¡± Alice exclaimed as she puffed her cheeks.

    ¡°Yeah, yeah¡­¡±If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.

    Kazuma sighed as he opened up his wallet.

    ¡°I¡¯m not sure if I can even afford any ingredients at this point¡­¡±

    While the two of them were walking to the market, Kazuma had bumped into someone along the way. But just before he could apologize, he turned around and saw that the person he had bumped into was immediately gone.

    ¡°Huh? What gives?¡±

    Kazuma looked around and only saw Alice with a stern look on her face.

    (¡°This again¡­¡±) Alice muttered.

    Kazuma scratched his head.

    ¡°Again? Wait¡­ isn¡¯t this from yesterday too?¡±

    ¡°Looks like it.¡±

    ¡°If that¡¯s the case then¡ª¡±

    ¡°Look out!¡± Alice interrupted.

    She pushed him out of the way just as a blast of energy had passed by them, causing the both of them to roll away from each other on the ground. Sounds of footsteps could be heard from behind them. Both Kazuma and Alice had looked behind them to see it was. A familiar brown hooded figure had shown up once again.

    ¡°Hmph. I didn¡¯t think that you would have been able to dodge that.¡±

    ¡°You again¡­¡± Kazuma glared.

    The hooded figure had stood in place as he held his hand out.

    ¡°The girl¡­ or else.¡±

    Kazuma knelt on one knee as he put one hand over Alice.

    ¡°So you¡¯re a magician? From the Organization?¡±

    ¡°Hmph. So she told you¡­¡±

    He put his hand down and turned his back on them.

    ¡°¡­That¡¯s right, we are the Organization.¡±

    ¡°Then¡­ what do you need Alice for?¡±

    ¡°Hm?¡± The figure turned around staring at Kazuma attentively.

    ¡°What makes it so important that you need her? Aren¡¯t you doing just this against her will?¡±

    (¡°Kazuma¡­¡±) Alice whispered.

    ¡°¡­So that¡¯s what it looks like to you?¡± The figure asked him.

    ¡°Huh? What does that mean?¡±

    ¡°Things as they are now¡­ are too complicated for a normal human like you to comprehend.¡±

    The figure held his hand out once more.

    ¡°¡­I won¡¯t ask again. Hand over the girl.¡±

    ¡°Sorry, but I thought I had made it clear last time.¡±

    ¡°So that¡¯s how it¡¯s going to be¡­ then so be it.¡±

    There was sudden rumbling from the ground and at the same time, two stone golems from had risen from the ground near the both of them.

    The magician pointed his finger at Kazuma.

    ¡°Time for you to meet death.¡±

    As soon as the magician made his hand into a fist, the two golems had already begun approaching Kazuma on order. But since Kazuma was still on the floor, both golems had already him trapped with no signs of escape. They simultaneously raised their arms at Kazuma, ready to attack.

    ¡°K-Kazuma!¡± Alice shouted.

    She desperately tried to get up and run over to his side with her arm reaching out him. The two stone golems had both attacked simultaneously at Kazuma. Seconds later, he slowly opened his eyes and found himself left unharmed. He looked up and saw that Alice stood in front of him with one arm raised in the air. Above her was a magic circle that had halted the golems¡¯ movement.

    With a whisk of her hand, two blasts suddenly emerged. Both Kazuma and the figure instinctively shielded themselves from the explosion. By the time the dust had settled, Alice remained standing and unfazed. The magic circle had vanished and the two golems were blown into pieces. Kazuma was left speechless, still trying to grasp what Alice had done in front of his own two eyes.

    At the same time, a glowing crest reappeared on both Alice¡¯s and Kazuma¡¯s hand unnoticed. Alice blinked a couple of times and looked at her surroundings.

    ¡°Huh¡­? What¡­ was I doing¡­?¡±

    ¡°A-Alice¡­?¡±

    ¡°K-Kazuma?! You¡¯re okay!¡± Alice exclaimed.

    ¡°Y-Yeah¡­ more or less¡­¡± He replied scratched his head.

    ¡°Did something happen?¡±

    ¡°Well¡­ about that¡­¡±

    Kazuma and Alice looked at the remains of the stone golems that were before.

    ¡°D-Did I do that?¡±

    ¡°Looks like it¡­¡±

    ¡°Impressive¡­ So this is your power. It seems like Silias wasn¡¯t wrong about you, Alice.¡± The hooded magician said.

    ¡°Huh¡­? My¡­ power?¡± Alice questioned.

    There was a brief high-pitched ringing in Alice¡¯s mind. She knelt on the ground holding her head. Seconds later, Alice¡¯s eyes widened with realization.

    ¡°Master¡­? I¡­¡±

    ¡°The magic that you possess¡­ is not like many others.¡±

    ¡°¡­Just what are you playing at here?¡± Kazuma growled.

    ¡°Hm?¡±

    The magician¡¯s smirk could be seen under his hood for a brief moment as he chuckled. He then flashed directly in front of Kazuma. Without time for Kazuma to react, he was quickly grabbed by the collar of his shirt.

    ¡°¡­Don¡¯t joke with me.¡±

    The hooded magician flung Kazuma on the ground, and at that same moment, he grabbed Alice¡¯s arm and turned around, his back facing Kazuma.

    ¡°You¡¯re just a fool.¡±

    ¡°W-What¡­?¡±

    ¡°But it¡¯s expected of you. After all, you¡¯re just an ignorant human. What would a person like you have use for her?¡±

    ¡°Use¡­? Don¡¯t make it sound like she¡¯s a tool¡­ Doesn¡¯t she deserve to choose?¡± Kazuma said as he tries to get back up on his feet.

    The magician sighed as he shook his head.

    ¡°This is why¡­¡±

    He let go of Alice and stomped on Kazuma back to the ground with his left foot.

    ¡°I don¡¯t deal with petty people like you.¡±

    Kazuma gripped the magician¡¯s ankle tightly struggling to move it.

    ¡°Tell me¡­ the little agreement that we had before the other day.¡±

    ¡°W-What¡­ about it?¡±

    ¡°As the saying goes amongst you humans, an unknown force that lies beyond comprehension should never be reckoned with.¡±

    ¡°What¡¯s your point?¡±

    The magician took his foot off of Kazuma.

    ¡°You declined my offer before. The obvious decision was that you could have left the girl, and go back to your normal life. But you chose differently otherwise. Why is that?¡±

    ¡°Isn¡¯t that obvious¡­?¡±

    Kazuma got up slowly.

    ¡°¡­I can¡¯t turn a blind eye to someone that needed help.¡±

    Alice turned to look at Kazuma.

    ¡°Help? Someone like her?¡± The figure chuckled.

    ¡°That¡¯s right. It doesn¡¯t matter if she¡¯s a magician or not. No matter what you may offer, I won¡¯t leave her side.¡±

    Alice turned around.

    ¡°Kazuma¡­ so that¡¯s why¡­¡±

    ¡°¡­I see. So the answer will always be the same.¡±

    ¡°For me as well.¡± Alice said as she ran over to Kazuma¡¯s side.

    ¡°A-Alice?¡±

    She nodded at Kazuma.

    ¡°Thank you. Not abandoning me.¡±

    Kazuma patted her head.

    ¡°Save that until after, silly.¡±

    The magician sighed.

    ¡°So¡­ it looks like you¡¯ve made up your mind. I¡¯ve been dragging this out for way too long¡­ I should finish this up as well.¡±

    He raised his hand and two more stone golems arose from the ground.

    ¡°This time, there will be no negotiations.¡±

    Both Alice and Kazuma both took their stance looking at the two giant stone golems

    ¡°So? Do you have some kind of plan?¡± Kazuma asked.

    ¡°You said that I used magic again right?¡±

    He nodded.

    ¡°That¡¯s right. You destroyed them like they were nothing.¡±

    Alice looked at her hands.

    ¡°Then¡ª¡±

    Suddenly, the crest from their hands caught both of their attention as it began radiating with light.

    ¡°Huh? The contract seems to be reacting¡­¡±

    Kazuma unconsciously moved a step forward and he held his hand out.

    ¡°Huh? Wait Kazuma! What are you doing¡ª¡±

    ¡°Change.¡±

    He gripped his hand into a fist, and a beam of light that had suddenly engulfed him had caught the attention of the people around him.

    (W-What¡¯s happening?) Alice thought as she stepped back a bit.

    The stone golems had also instinctively stepped away from them because of the light. Behind from them, the light had also caught the magician¡¯s attention.

    (Hm?)

    Moments later, Kazuma had stepped out of that light transformed completely with his eyes closed. He had sheathed black bladed straight katana behind his back, while he wore an open black hooded high collar long jacket that had a single white stripe that stretched from the shoulder to the end of the sleeve of the jacket on each side. He wore black gloves on both hands, a white scarf that wrapped around his neck, and underneath the jacket was a white shirt, along with black pants, and black shoes.

    ¡°A-Amazing¡­¡± Alice commented.

    ¡°Hm? That can¡¯t be¡­¡± The figure thought to himself.

    Kazuma opened his eyes and he looked at his clothes.

    ¡°Huh?¡±

    Kazuma looked around his body as he touched his clothes.

    ¡°Wait¡­ whaaaaat?!¡±

    He turned his head looking at the bizarre clothing that he was wearing.

    ¡°Just what am I wearing? And is that a katana behind my back?¡±

    While he was glancing around his clothing, he pulled out the katana from his back.

    ¡°Is this¡­?¡±

    Kazuma tried to move his arm with the sword in hand. Surprisingly, he was moving it around as if the katana were a child¡¯s toy.

    ¡°Huh. This is actually pretty light for some reason.¡±

    ¡°Watch out!¡± Alice warned.

    Kazuma instinctively did a back flip and avoided the golem¡¯s attack.

    ¡°Whoa¡­ I didn¡¯t even know I could do that! I wonder¡­¡±

    He jumped in the air and sliced down one of the golems from above. Alice was amazed at what he could do.

    ¡°W-What power¡­¡±

    Kazuma readied his blade and ran past the other golem. In mere seconds, it also fell into pieces. Kazuma himself was at a loss of words at his newfound power.

    (But how¡­?) The hooded magician gritted his teeth. (He¡¯s just a mere human¡­ how can he possibly be able to have this power?)

    Alice and Kazuma both high-fived each other.

    ¡°That was super cool, Kazuma!¡±

    ¡°Hehe¡­ right? So this is the contract, huh?¡±

    (Hm? Contract?) The figure overheard.

    ¡°Now that the nuisances are gone¡­¡±

    Kazuma pointed his finger at the hooded magician.

    ¡°All that¡¯s left is you!¡±

    The figure smirked deviously.

    ¡°¡­Is that right?¡±

    Kazuma and Alice had both noticed that the rubble at their feet from the previous golems that had been destroyed was being collected towards the hooded magician.

    ¡°It seems that you¡¯ve piqued my interest. I¡¯ve always thought you were some measly human, but looks like I underestimated you.¡±

    It wasn¡¯t until moments later, that all that rubble had been collected to form a gigantic stone golem that was almost as big as seventy feet. This was no doubt far bigger than the ones they had faced.

    ¡°Allow me to introduce to you. Behold, Gigantes.¡±

    Kazuma scratched his head.

    ¡°G-Gigantes?! That thing is super huge! And I thought the golems we fought before were already big.¡±

    Alice speculated the large golem.

    ¡°¡­It¡¯s no use.¡±

    ¡°What do you mean?¡±

    She turned to Kazuma.

    ¡°There¡¯s two of us, but he¡¯s at an advantage. Sure, I might have my magic back, but there¡¯s the possibility that I¡¯m not sure if I¡¯m back at my full potential.¡±

    ¡°So what are we lacking then?¡±

    ¡°With your newfound power, I¡¯m sure you¡¯ll be able to take on the magician alone, but I can¡¯t distract Gigantes alone. If we take him out first, Gigantes will most likely be inactive since there¡¯ll be no one controlling him. It would be better if we had an extra person though¡­¡±

    ¡°Need a hand there?¡± A voice said.

    Everyone had turned to see who the voice was, and on top of a roof, was an identical hooded magician.

    ¡°A-Another one?¡±

    ¡°Hmph. Looks like you are at a disadvantage now that my comrade as arrived.¡±

    The other magician had hopped down from the roof as he stretched.

    ¡°Man, it¡¯s about time. You took a while but¡ª¡±

    He raised his hands the moment he was met with Kazuma¡¯s katana that was about ready to strike.

    ¡°Whoa, there buddy. Look, I¡¯m not here to fight you. I¡¯m your side.¡±

    Kazuma glared at him.

    ¡°¡­How do I know you¡¯re not lying?¡±

    With one of his hands kept in the air, he used his other hand and took off his hood. He was light-skinned and had light emerald green hair and eyes.

    ¡°See? I¡¯m not your enemy.¡± He said.

    ¡°Edrian¡­ you¡­¡± The hooded magician grumbled.

    He turned to the hooded magician.

    ¡°Yo, Galus. Long time no see. Silias still making you do his dirty work?¡±

    ¡°Hmph. I could say the same of you. Are you finally betraying us?¡±

    Edrian smirked.

    ¡°I wouldn¡¯t call it that, old friend.¡±

    He turned to Kazuma.

    ¡°Well? Would you like my help or not?¡±

    Kazuma and Alice turned to each other.

    (¡°What do you think Alice? Should we accept?¡±) Kazuma asked.

    Alice nodded and Kazuma nodded back just before he turned to Edrian.

    ¡°You got it.¡±

    Edrian smirked.

    ¡°Alright then.¡±

 Chapter 6

    ¡°You want me to entrust this mission to me¡­?¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s right.¡± An elderly voice said.

    ¡°I want you to make sure that she doesn¡¯t fall into the wrong hands. In case anything does go wrong, I want you to take over.¡±

    ¡°Are you sure about this? This is quite the favor you are asking of me¡­¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m certain. I know this might be asking a lot from you, but if it does end up as a failure, the possibility would be a worst case scenario.¡±

    ¡°¡­Understood. I won¡¯t disappoint you.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m certain you won¡¯t. But if you are to undertake this mission, understand that you will no longer be under my guidance. This will be our last encounter.¡±

    ¡°What? Why?¡±

    ¡°This is to avoid any suspicion of mutiny that lies within our group. Rumors are already spreading, but soon the true will be exposed if we aren¡¯t careful. This is the best course of action to take at this point.¡±

    ¡°But¡ª¡±

    ¡°Of course, considering that Silias and I are both old friends, I¡¯m sure he¡¯ll allow it.¡±

    ¡°Master, you can¡¯t be serious!¡±

    ¡°I understand that this is a hard decision to make. But because of the risks at hand here, we have no time to consider for another option.¡±

    ¡°¡­Have you already ordered for a transfer?¡±

    ¡°¡­I have.¡±

    ¡°And you¡¯re sure about this?¡±

    ¡°I am almost certain.¡±

    ¡°But why me¡­? Wouldn¡¯t there be better candidates out there?¡±

    ¡°You¡¯ve been part of this group longer than most people, and I can already tell that you have the experience to make a quick judgment in a situation like this. The task that I am entrusting you with is a great burden. But if this fails¡­ the end of everything will be almost inevitable.¡±

    ¡°¡­Alright. I will do everything in my power to prevent this, Master.¡±

    ¡°Thank you¡­ I know you are making a large sacrifice upon your reputation here.¡±

    ¡°No, it¡¯s fine. This had to happen sooner or later¡­¡±

    <hr>

    Edrian, Kazuma, and Alice all looked up at the tall stone golem that stood seventy feet up in the air.

    ¡°So this is Gigantes, huh? Never thought I would actually see it in person.¡± Edrian smirked.

    The moment he said that name, Alice¡¯s eyes shot at Edrian.

    (How does he¡­) Alice thought.

    ¡°Doesn¡¯t look like you can beat this alone with two people, so I guess I made the right choice after all. Alright¡­¡±

    Edrian put his hand on Kazuma¡¯s shoulder.

    ¡°Alright, here¡¯s the plan. Galus over there is the one controlling Gigantes front of us, right? Obviously, if you take out Galus¡ª¡±

    ¡°Gigantes will become inactive.¡± Kazuma answered.

    ¡°Exactly, but there¡¯s a catch. Something that massive would take a lot of mana in order to sustain its form. There should be a charm or pendant that he¡¯s using on him.¡±

    ¡°And if we can destroy that, Galus will be defenseless.¡± Alice added.

    ¡°Right. That¡¯s where the counterattack will begin. While the little lady and I provide you a distraction on colossus there, you¡¯ll have to take on Galus alone.¡±

    Kazuma pointed at himself.

    ¡°Huh? What? Me? Alone? By myself?!¡± He asked as he glanced around frantically.

    ¡°Yes, you. Come on, have some faith in yourself. I know you can beat him. Trust me, your transformation can last.¡±

    ¡°Transformation?¡±

    ¡°Just find something that glowing and take it.¡± Edrian said as he patted Kazuma¡¯s back.

    ¡°H-Hold on a minute! That¡¯s¡ª¡±

    The gigantic stone golem attacked with his large stone fists from above, but Alice had quickly counteracted and put up a large barrier before the attack could land a hit.

    ¡°Yikes! You see? You¡¯d better get going before something worse is going to happen¡ª¡± Edrian said.

    ¡°Go¡­ Kazuma¡­ we can handle this¡­¡± Alice huffed while trying to keep up the barrier from collapsing.

    Kazuma nodded.

    ¡°Alright.¡±

    Alice with all her might, pushed back the attacked, which caused Gigantes to stumble. The moment the barrier had disappeared, Kazuma sprinted through the large gap under Gigantes.

    ¡°Good luck out there!¡± Edrian cheered as he saw Kazuma run off.

    ¡°¡­Just who are you?¡± Alice asked.

    ¡°Hm? Just a person helping you out.¡±

    ¡°Are you really?¡± Alice said as she squinted at Edrian.

    ¡°Look, you can have as many suspicions as you want, but believe me or not, I¡¯m just here to help. That is all. It¡¯s really all up to you how you think of me.¡± Edrian shrugged.

    Edrian jumped up on Gigantes, and as Alice watched him leave to proceed with the plan, she shook her head.

    (I¡¯m probably just imagining things.) She thought to herself.

    <hr>

    Kazuma had made his way past Gigantes and now finally confronts Galus.

    ¡°Galus! Your fight is with me now!¡± He shouted.

    Galus turned around and saw Kazuma readying his katana.

    (This time¡­) Kazuma thought.

    ¡°So¡­ you had magic all this time?¡± Galus asked.

    ¡°¡­What?¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t play dumb. You may have escaped last time out of sheer luck, but only because you used one of my golems as a distraction.¡±

    ¡°I really don¡¯t know what you¡¯re talking about¡­¡±

    ¡°Hmph. We¡¯ll see about that.¡±

    The ground rumbled and Kazuma quickly dodged to the side to avoid the stone spire that had popped up from the ground. There was a sudden pause and more spires arose from the ground. Kazuma avoided every single one of them, and he jumped in the air. From above, he attempted to do a flying side kick, but Galus easily evaded the attack by moving over one side. Kazuma landed after he executed the attack, and he immediately swung his katana at Galus. With ease, Galus continued to dodge each slash. But as soon Kazuma¡¯s katana had grazed the side of Galus¡¯s hood, he immediately backed away.

    ¡°Not bad¡­ for a human. It looks like I underestimated you. Or are you still trying to hold back?¡±

    ¡°I already told you¡­¡± Kazuma breathed heavily as he readied his sword.

    ¡°I don¡¯t know what you¡¯re talking about.¡±

    ¡°Still playing the fool? Or is it about time you reveal your true power?¡±

    Kazuma gritted his teeth as he gripped the handle of his katana tightly.

    (Now¡¯s not the time for that!) He thought.

    He glanced behind him briefly at Gigantes before looking back at Galus.

    (I have to stop Gigantes somehow¡­)

    ¡°But I suppose it¡¯s about time that I begin to get serious as well¡­¡± Galus said as he gripped his hand into a fist.

    He charged at Kazuma, but just before his attack could reach him, Kazuma had dodged the attack, rolling over towards one side. But thinking that he had evaded him, Galus had appeared suddenly in front of Kazuma and grabbed him by the neck. He raised him in the air and he looked into Kazuma who was struggling to break free from Galus¡¯s grasp.

    ¡°¡­Did Edrian put you up with this?¡± Galus sighed.

    ¡°W-Who now?¡± Kazuma said weakly.

    ¡°Don¡¯t play dumb. Why else would you be here facing against me?¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s for Alice.¡±

    ¡°The girl?¡± Galus chuckled. ¡°It looks like I had you all wrong, boy. You really are a fool.¡±

    While Galus was talking, Kazuma looked around him to see if he could find anything that could help him stop Gigantes. Then, at the corner of his eye he saw it.

    ¡°Edrian is using you, don¡¯t you see? Once he gets what he wants he no longer needs you. Of course, I¡¯m sure a human like you can¡¯t see when someone is using you¡­¡±

    Galus threw Kazuma, causing him to fall on the ground. Before Kazuma could get back up, he saw Galus held his hand over him.

    ¡°Hmph. But in the end, you¡¯re just a simple human after all.¡±If you spot this tale on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

    His hand began to glow as Kazuma laid there.

    ¡°You¡¯re finished.¡±

    There was a sudden rumbling and both Galus and Kazuma looked around them. Smoke had emerged from behind them, and Galus backed away.

    ¡°Sorry to keep you waiting.¡± Edrian said as he leaned against Gigantes¡¯s leg behind Alice.

    ¡°You¡­¡± Galus scowled.

    ¡°Looks like you lose, Galus.¡± Edrian said.

    ¡°Not for long.¡±

    Galus waved his hand, but Gigantes wasn¡¯t moving.

    ¡°But how? I should¡ª¡±

    He glanced at his wrists and realized that he was missing something. He looked back down at Kazuma who was holding a silver bracelet.

    ¡°Human¡­!¡± Galus gritted his teeth.

    While Kazuma was on the ground, he had suddenly kicked Galus in the stomach, causing him to be knocked backwards. Kazuma then jumped back on his feet and handed the bracelet to Edrian.

    ¡°I guess it¡¯s about time we finished this¡­¡± Edrian suggested as he crushed the bracelet into pieces.

    ¡°Yeah.¡± Kazuma replied as he put his sword on his shoulder.

    As he readied his sword one last time, the blade of Kazuma¡¯s katana began to charge up a blue light. Galus stumbled as he tried to get back up, but at the same time, Kazuma flung two slashes at him. He then finishes him off as he charged past Galus with a one more slash across.

    For a moment there was a pause as two of them stood completely still. Kazuma then lowered his sword while Galus then falls flat to the ground. A minute afterwards, he knelt on the ground with one knee and his katana to keep him still.

    Kazuma tried to catch his breath as he slowly got back up. He calmly put his sword back into its sheath on his back and turned around. At the same time, his clothes had reverted to his normal school uniform.

    ¡°Kazuma!¡± Alice shouted as she flung her arms around him.

    ¡°W-Whoa!¡±

    ¡°You did it!¡±

    Kazuma chuckled.

    ¡°Y-Yeah, I guess I did.¡±

    In the distance, the two of them looked at Edrian who was loudly clapping to Kazuma¡¯s effort of heroism.

    ¡°That was pretty good for your first time, if I say so myself. I knew I could put my faith on you¡ª¡±

    Alice let go of Kazuma and immediately went into a fighting stance confronting Edrian. Edrian stopped clapping and he put his hands into his pockets.

    ¡°Now why the sudden sour face? You did win didn¡¯t you?¡±

    ¡°We want answers.¡± Alice demanded.

    ¡°Answers?¡±

    ¡°How did you know that we needed help?¡±

    ¡°Well, that is simple. You two looked like you were struggling, and I just offered help. What else?¡±

    ¡°That seems a bit farfetched if you ask me.¡±

    Edrian turned around as he swatted his hand in the air.

    ¡°Believe what you will¡­ Now if you don¡¯t mind¡ª¡±

    He walked over to Galus and picked him up over his shoulder.

    ¡°I have some unfinished business to take care of.¡±

    Just before he was about to leave, Kazuma saw Edrian look at him and he heard a voice in his head.

    (I¡¯ll explain everything to you once I¡¯m finished.)

    ¡°Huh?¡±

    Edrian smirked and turned around.

    ¡°Wait¡ª¡± Kazuma called out.

    But by the time he called Edrian¡¯s name, he had vanished. Kazuma and Alice could then hear the bustling noises of people and cars around them.

    (What did he mean by that¡­?) Kazuma thought.

    ¡°Uh Kazuma¡­?¡± Alice tugged Kazuma¡¯s shirt.

    ¡°Hm?¡±

    He heard a loud honk behind them.

    ¡°Get out of the way, kid!¡± A driver stuck his head out of the car window shouted at them.

    ¡°Gah! S-Sorry!¡±

    Kazuma panicked and they both hurried over to the side walk. The two of them exhaled from exhaustion.

    ¡°Are we going home yet?¡± Alice asked. ¡°My body hasn¡¯t used magic in a while so I¡¯m feeling pretty exhausted.¡±

    ¡°Oh, right. Yeah, let¡¯s just go home¡­¡±

    <hr>

    The two of them went back to Kazuma¡¯s house and immediately, they both flopped on the couch.

    ¡°So tired¡­¡± Alice groaned.

    For a long time, there was nothing but silence.

    ¡°¡­Say Alice.¡±

    ¡°Hm?¡±

    ¡°That Edrian guy¡­ do you know him?¡±

    Alice pondered on the question.

    ¡°I can¡¯t really say for sure¡­ but it feels like I know him¡­¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s because you do.¡± Edrian replied.

    Kazuma and Alice turned and was startled by Edrian who leaned against the couch.

    ¡°Gah! W-When did you get here?¡± Kazuma asked.

    ¡°Used the front door.¡±

    Kazuma and Alice both sighed with relief, and looked up at Edrian for answers.

    ¡°Well¡­ I guess you have a lot of questions right now. Alright, what do you got for me?¡±

    Before either of them could ask Edrian, he raised a finger at them.

    ¡°Hold on just a minute there. Before that¡­¡±

    Edrian walked over to Alice and put his hand on top of her forehead. His hand emitted a glowing aura as Alice slowly closed her eyes. Kazuma quickly got up from his seat.

    ¡°Hey, what are you¡ª¡± Kazuma interrupted.

    Edrian replied by raising his hand at Kazuma to prevent him from moving any closer. He removed his hand from Alice and she lowered her head just before collapsing on the couch. Kazuma knelt by Alice¡¯s side and put his hand on her shoulder.

    ¡°Alice? Alice!¡±

    He glared at Edrian who walked over to a nearby corner to take something out of his pocket.

    ¡°What did you do to her?¡±

    ¡°¡­Calm down, will you? Just give me a minute.¡±

    Edrian took out a stack of small papers that were binded together by a single strand of rope. He tore out a sheet from the stack and stuffed the rest into his pocket. Edrian then walked over to Alice again and stuck the sheet over her forehead. The small piece of paper then briefly revealed strange handwriting in black ink before the paper peeled off on its own.

    ¡°Alright¡­ that¡¯s a good sign at least.¡±

    Edrian then turned to Kazuma.

    ¡°¡®A good sign¡¯?! Just what did you do?¡±

    ¡°Relax. I just gave her back her memories, that¡¯s all.¡± He reassured him.

    ¡°You¡­ what?¡±

    Edrian scratched his head.

    ¡°You heard me.¡±

    ¡°Alice¡¯s¡­ memories?¡±

    ¡°She did tell you that she had amnesia right? I gave them back. All five months¡¯ worth if I remember correctly.¡±

    ¡°So you cured her amnesia?¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s right. Well¡­ I guess you can say that we were the ones that gave her amnesia in the first place.¡±

    Kazuma shook his head.

    ¡°Wait¡­ d-did I hear that correctly? You ¡®gave¡¯ her amnesia?¡±

    ¡°Intentionally, that is.¡±

    ¡°I-Intentionally?!¡±

    ¡°Well not me specifically, but you know.¡±

    Kazuma rubbed the space between his eyes.

    ¡°Hold on. Before anything else, how did you know that we needed help? And that person Galus, what¡¯s your connection with him and Alice?¡±

    ¡°Well¡­¡±

    Edrian sighed.

    ¡°Fine. The truth is, I work for the Organization, just like Galus.¡±

    ¡°The Organization?!¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s right. Galus also works for them, but for a different purpose from mine.¡±

    ¡°Why¡¯s that?¡±

    ¡°¡­I can¡¯t tell you just yet.¡±

    ¡°Then if Galus was here to come and retrieve her, why are you here?¡±

    ¡°My task was to keep her safe until she could find a contractor.¡±

    (Keep her safe¡­?) Kazuma pondered.

    His eyes widened.

    ¡°S-So it was you?! Then¡­ that time before¡­¡±

    Edrian nodded.

    ¡°That was me. When you encountered Galus for the first time, you were defenseless. There wasn¡¯t any way for you to escape, so I had to create a distraction for you.¡±

    (If that¡¯s the case, then that time when Alice said someone was following us¡­)

    ¡°Does that also mean you¡¯ve been following us from the moment I found Alice¡­?¡±

    ¡°I was keeping tabs on you two, yes. I couldn¡¯t interfere, however. It would have compromised my position. And with Alice¡¯s memory gone, she wouldn¡¯t have remembered who I was anyways.¡±

    ¡°S-She knew you?!¡±

    ¡°During her time in the Organization, yes. When we had to temporarily erase her memories, we knew that she wouldn¡¯t remember the time that we spent as companions.¡±

    ¡°Why did you erase her memory in the first place then?¡±

    ¡°¡­We had no choice.¡±

    ¡°No choice¡­?¡±

    ¡°The Organization was turning into a state where we were no longer the way we were.¡±

    (No longer¡­?) Kazuma wondered.

    He then remembered what Alice had said to him before: how the Organization used magic to help others instead of conflict.

    ¡°You were in a state of conflict.¡±

    ¡°¡­Yeah. Something like that.¡±

    ¡°And you wanted to send Alice away from it?¡±

    Edrian nodded.

    ¡°That place was way too dangerous for a girl like her. She was young and had too much potential to be wrapped up in something like that.¡±

    ¡°I see¡­¡±

    Kazuma then looked at his hand.

    ¡°Then what about my contract with Alice? Can you tell me anything about it? How was I able to form it with her in the first place?¡±

    ¡°Well to put it bluntly, the basis of a contract is like a bond or a link of sort. It requires two people with mana or magical capabilities, and the two of them have to accept the other person in order for the bond to form. When that link is established, only then will the two can become each other¡¯s partner and use each other¡¯s magic.¡±

    ¡°Does this mean I¡¯m able to use magic now?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m assuming yes since you were able transform at all.¡±

    ¡°Oh yeah, you did mention about my ¡®transformation¡¯. Did you mean my clothing from before?¡±

    ¡°Right. Since you were just exposed to magic recently due to the contract, it allowed you to change into your magician form.¡±

    ¡°My ¡®magician form¡¯?¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s kind of hard to explain, but basically that the latent mana that you possess has awakened, ergo giving you the form.¡±

    ¡°R-Right¡­¡±

    ¡°Sorry. I don¡¯t know if that explained much, but in summary, you are able to change into your magician form because of your contract with Alice. But that was impressive if I do say so myself. A magic swordsman, huh? That¡¯s quite the look.¡±

    ¡°T-Thanks¡­¡± Kazuma chuckled awkwardly as he scratched his head.

    ¡°Still, you¡¯re pretty lucky to have Alice as your partner. I wonder what your element is.¡±

    ¡°My element?¡±

    ¡°Remember how Galus was using earth-based attacks?¡±

    Kazuma pondered for a moment.

    ¡°Now that you mention it¡­¡±

    ¡°That was because he was an earth magician. You see, each magician is dedicated to one element of their choosing. At most, one can wield two or three elements, depending on the person. Some can even take their dual wielding magic can combine it into one type of magic. But it¡¯s rare for someone to wield in all forms of magic.¡±

    ¡°What¡¯s your element?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m the same as Galus.¡±

    ¡°R-Really?!¡±

    ¡°Yep. I¡¯m an earth magician.¡±

    (That would explain how he saved us from Galus before¡­) Kazuma thought.

    ¡°Then what about Alice?¡±

    ¡°Well¡­ about her¡­ she¡¯s a¡­ special case.¡±

    ¡°Special? Like how?¡±

    ¡°She¡¯s adept in all forms of magic.¡±

    ¡°Wait¡­ what?!¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s why I said you are lucky to even form a contract with her. Forming a contract with someone that has that kind of power is rare. On top of that, there¡¯s no exception that you¡¯ll be able to get remarkable abilities from it.¡±

    Kazuma sighed.

    ¡°I guess¡­ so what¡¯s going to happen now?¡±

    ¡°For now, I¡¯ve already done what I can. You should lay low for the time being. I doubt anyone will be coming for you since I implanted false memories into Galus. So when he reports back to the Organization, he won¡¯t remember what even happened.¡±

    ¡°What about Alice?¡±

    ¡°She¡¯ll be fine. Everything will come back to her the moment she wakes up.¡±

    Edrian walked towards the front door.

    ¡°¡­Wait.¡± Kazuma called out.

    Edrian turned around to see what Kazuma had to say.

    ¡°¡­Thanks, Edrian.¡±

    Edrian smirked as he turned back to walk out the front door.

 Chapter 7

    Alice opened her eyes and found herself sleeping on the couch with a blanket over her. Looking over to her left, Alice smiled when she saw that Kazuma was sleeping peacefully against the couch.

    (I shouldn¡¯t wake him¡­) She thought to herself.

    Kazuma had then woken up moments later, and Alice panicked the second she saw his eyes open.

    ¡°Hm¡­? Alice? Sorry did I wake you?¡±

    Alice shook her head.

    ¡°It¡¯s fine¡­ I just woke up myself.¡±

    ¡°Oh¡­ is that so.¡±

    Kazuma stretched as he yawned and rubbed his eyes.

    ¡°How are you feeling?¡± Kazuma asked. ¡°Do you remember anything after what Edrian did?¡±

    ¡°Edrian!¡± Alice quickly turned to Kazuma for answers. ¡°What happened to him?¡±

    ¡°Oh, right. You were unconscious during that time after all.¡±

    ¡°Eh? Unconscious?¡±

    ¡°Yeah. So what happened was¡­¡±

    Kazuma explained everything to Alice about what Edrian had told him. How he was in relation to the Organization, and how Alice was tied into all of this.

    ¡°I still find it hard to believe though¡­¡± Kazuma sighed as he scratched his head.

    ¡°So to sum it up, Edrian was the one watching me this entire time, but coincidentally Galus had showed up instead. Not only that, Edrian knew the truth about my memory loss even though he is a part of the Organization, the same one that is after me¡­¡±

    ¡°I sure he wanted to make sure nothing happens to you. But he said there shouldn¡¯t be anything to worry about. But about your memory, how do you feel? Do you remember anything?¡±

    Alice closed her eyes and attempted to recall any of her missing memories. She then shook her head.

    ¡°Not much¡­¡±

    ¡°I see¡­ well, I guess it might take a while before you can recollect then.¡± Kazuma replied as he walked to the stairs.

    ¡°I¡¯m gonna go to bed since I¡¯ve got school tomorrow¡ª¡±

    Before Kazuma could go up the stairs, he suddenly froze in place.

    ¡°Is something wrong, Kazuma?¡± Alice asked.

    He slowly turned his head to Alice.

    ¡°Somehow, I feel like I¡¯m forgetting something¡­¡±

    Kazuma paused to think for a moment, and then it came to him.

    ¡°I didn¡¯t do it¡­ I didn¡¯t do it!¡± He screamed.

    Kazuma looked up at the time that read 12:00 am, and then rushed over to the dining table where his messenger bag was left as it is. He quickly pulled out notebooks from his messenger bag that had his homework assignments written in them. Alice, confused as to what was going on, shrugged and went back to sleep.

    (Damn it, damn it all!) He thought to himself as he was furiously writing in his notebook.

    <hr>

    The next day, Kazuma was in class with his face flat on his desk.

    ¡°Yo!¡± Makoto greeted.

    His two friends, Makoto and Shinji, both saw Kazuma in the state that he was in.

    ¡°Whoa. Dude, are you like¡­ okay?¡± Makoto asked him.

    Kazuma slowly lifted his head and turned around. The first thing they noticed was how sleep deprived he was when he looked at them.

    ¡°¡­Guess not. Did you finish it all at least?¡±

    ¡°Well¡­ I did finish the current assignments, but Tomika-sensei gave me half credit for the assignments that I didn¡¯t turn in the last week, so I guess it¡¯s not all bad.¡±

    Kazuma pinched the gap between his eyes as he sighed.

    ¡°I stayed up until five in the morning to do the weekend homework she gave though¡­¡±

    Shinji elbowed Makoto to grab his attention.

    ¡°See? Even I told Kazuma did the homework.¡±

    ¡°Yeah, yeah. We all did the homework. Not only that, I had to refill on my pocket change since that new Aoi-tan movie is coming out soon.¡±

    Kazuma and Shinji stared at him for a while.

    ¡°Uh¡­ something wrong?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m surprised that you actually got one.¡± Kazuma praised.

    ¡°¡­You don¡¯t usually get that from Makoto, so I¡¯d say it¡¯s pretty rare.¡± Shinji explained.

    ¡°Thank you, thank you.¡± Makoto chuckled.

    ¡°So then, where¡¯d you get the job?¡± Kauzma asked.

    ¡°I went and got one in Akihabara, a video game store to be precise.¡±

    ¡°Why am I not surprised. You¡¯d probably thought to get one after coming to my house didn¡¯t you.¡±

    Makoto winked as he pointed finger guns at Kazuma.

    ¡°Figured. Also make sure you call next time¡­ and don¡¯t show up so early in the morning. School already wakes me up early as it is.¡± Kazuma complained as his head flopped back on top of his desk.

    ¡°Well it was all in good fun, wasn¡¯t it? But I have to say though¡­ you sure do have a lot of games.¡± Makoto said.

    ¡°Well¡­ I had to sell my old stuff for new ones after all.¡±

    ¡°All of it?¡±

    ¡°Well¡­ yeah. I did sell all of them. There isn¡¯t any reason to keep the old ones if I don¡¯t even have the system for it anymore.¡±

    ¡°True¡­ but they¡¯re pretty cool have still. I¡¯d probably like to keep it for nostalgia. Even if I don¡¯t have the system to play it, I¡¯d probably want to play it on an emulator.¡±

    ¡°Though, I¡¯d prefer the newer generation of games that we have now.¡± Shinji chimed in. ¡°The ones that are coming out this year look very promising.¡±

    ¡°The newer games do have a interesting take on protagonists. I always like a good female protagonist in my game. They¡¯re the best¡­¡± Makoto fawned with a weird smile on his face.

    ¡°I hope they make a sequel.¡±

    ¡°Hmm¡­ yeah, but about that¡­¡± Makoto crossed his arms as he contemplated out loud. ¡°How would you know if the sequel is any good? There have been complaints from people that say that sequels are a let-down compared to its predecessor.¡±

    ¡°Seeing is believing. You¡¯d have to play it first to see if the sequel would be worth playing.¡±

    ¡°But then if it¡¯s bad, you¡¯d be playing into your own hell, wouldn¡¯t you?¡±

    ¡°Ugh¡­ so¡­ god damn¡­ tired¡­¡± Kazuma moaned.

    He got up from his chair and walked towards the classroom door.

    ¡°I¡¯m going to wash my face, hoping that it might help me stay awake for another half hour.¡±

    ¡°You better hurry, since class is going to start soon.¡± Shinji warned.

    ¡°Yeah, yeah I got it.¡±

    Kazuma left the room, leaving Makoto and Shinji to talk amongst themselves.

    ¡°¡­Hey, what ever happened to Alice?¡± Shinji asked.

    <hr>

    Reaching to the boy¡¯s bathroom, Kazuma washed his face with cold water. But just when he was wiping his face he was startled at the sight of Edrian in the mirror. He quickly turned around and saw Edrian waving at him.

    ¡°Hey.¡± He greeted.

    ¡°Gah! E-Edrian?!¡±

    Kazuma looked around to see if anyone was nearby.

    ¡°What are you doing here? And how did get here?¡±

    Kazuma pinched the gap between his eyes.

    ¡°Wait. Never mind. Don¡¯t answer that second question. Forget I even asked that.¡±

    ¡°Uh¡­ are you ok? You look kind of tired.¡±

    ¡°Yeah, sleep deprivation. Not really taking it as well as other days, but I guess I can manage. Because you know¡­ stuff happened.¡±

    ¡°Right¡­¡± Edrian cleared his throat. ¡°Anyways I¡¯m here to give you some news so is this a good time?¡±

    ¡°Not really, no. Not exactly the best time right now. I have to get to class soon anyways, so there isn¡¯t much time for small talk.¡±

    ¡°Ah. Your own daily life, I see. Has Alice remembered anything yet?

    ¡°That, I¡¯m not sure yet. So far, she said there hasn¡¯t been any changes.¡±

    ¡°I see. Well, give it some time. Anyways, I¡¯ll stop by at your place later?¡±

    Kazuma shrugged.

    ¡°Sure.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ll see you then.¡±

    Edrian walked through the magic circle and vanished. Kazuma sighed as he heard the school bell ring.Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on the original website.

    (Ugh. Guess it¡¯s time for me to head back then.)

    <hr>

    Through the countless lectures, Kazuma was able to stay awake through most of it, but when after school had come around, he was more than exhausted.

    ¡°F-Finally¡­ it¡¯s over¡­¡± Kazuma gasped.

    He stretched his arms trying to muster up some energy left as he stood in front of the school gates with both Shinji and Makoto. Then the three of them began walking home together.

    ¡°Well at least you look a lot better than you were this morning.¡± Shinji commented.

    ¡°Man¡­ only a few more months until summer. I wish it¡¯d just come already.¡± Makoto whined as he waved his test around.

    ¡°If that were to happen we wouldn¡¯t be standing here, now would we?¡± Kazuma replied.

    ¡°¡­We¡¯d be frying ducks.¡± Shinji added.

    The minute Shinji said that sentence, Kazuma¡¯s stomach growled immediately.

    ¡°Please don¡¯t say anything food-related¡­¡±

    ¡°No lunch again?¡± Makoto asked.

    ¡°Yeah¡­ and I forgot my wallet at home. So convenience store is out of the question.¡±

    Kazuma sighed as he looked up at the blue sky that had a couple of clouds that were floating around.

    ¡°Just my luck.¡±

    ¡°Oh yeah. By the way¡­¡± Makoto said as he turned to Kazuma.

    ¡°Hm?¡±

    ¡°What ever happened to Alice?¡±

    ¡°Huh? Oh. Uh well¡­ about that¡­¡±

    <hr>

    Kazuma¡¯s eye twitched.

    ¡°E-Excuse me? Do you think you could you run that by me one more time?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m not going.¡± Alice stated as she laid her stomach on the couch.

    ¡°And why¡­?¡±

    ¡°Well that¡¯s because, with me there, you¡¯ll more likely encounter more magicians probably be in more danger. So I think it¡¯s best for me to stay here.¡± Besides, that place is a hassle.¡±

    ¡°How can you be so sure? I thought Edrian already has that taken care of.¡±

    ¡°Well, you¡¯ll never know when another Organization member will show up, right? It¡¯s better to come prepared than never.¡±

    ¡°I-I guess you¡¯re not wrong about that¡­¡±

    ¡°Not only that, but you¡¯ve already shown that you are able to use magic like a normal magician. With that power, you¡¯ll be able to protect yourself with any upcoming threats.¡±

    ¡°Y-You can¡¯t be serious¡­ I don¡¯t even know how to use magic!¡±

    ¡°But you did that ¡®Change!¡¯ thing when we fought Galus didn¡¯t you?¡±

    ¡°I didn¡¯t even know how I even did it last time!¡±

    Alice stood proudly on top of the couch with her hands on her hips.

    ¡°Don¡¯t worry! Don¡¯t worry! I remembered how you did it last time!¡±

    ¡°¡­Really?¡±

    Alice nodded.

    ¡°Yep! So first you¡­¡±

    Kazuma followed the same movements that Alice was reenacting when she saw him transform during the battle against Galus.

    ¡°¡­Then you yell out the word.¡±

    ¡°Huh¡­ I see.¡±

    ¡°Try it out.¡±

    Kazuma straightened out his upper and forearm while his hand faced outwards. At the same time, his left hand was holding onto the upper part of his right arm.

    ¡°Change!¡±

    Alice waited as Kazuma kept his position. The two of them were hoping for something to happen, but after a while, nothing had changed.

    ¡°Hey, Alice¡­¡±

    ¡°¡­Y-Yeah?¡±

    ¡°Are you sure that this was the way that I transformed?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m sure it was¡­¡±

    They waited for a while again, and still nothing had changed.

    ¡°¡­Nothing¡¯s happening.¡± Kazuma said.

    ¡°That¡¯s strange¡­ it should have worked.¡±

    Kazuma released his stance, and sighed deeply.

    ¡°Well, I guess there isn¡¯t any we can do about it then.¡±

    ¡°Yeah¡­ ¡°

    Kazuma took out his phone to look at the time.

    ¡°It¡¯s this late?! I have to go.¡±

    But just before he was about to run out the door¡­

    ¡°Ah. One more thing Kazuma¡­¡± Alice called out.

    ¡°Agh! What now?!¡±

    ¡°Make sure you don¡¯t reveal your identity!¡±

    ¡°Yeah, yeah I got it. Ok, I¡¯m off!¡±

    <hr>

    Kazuma stared at his right hand while walking at the same time.

    (I wonder why it worked before¡­)

    ¡°So does that mean she¡¯s at your house then?¡± Makoto asked.

    ¡°Huh? Oh, yeah.¡±

    ¡°And you didn¡¯t hand her over to the police yet?¡±

    ¡°Nope. I¡¯m thinking of letting her stay at my place.¡±

    ¡°For free?!¡±

    ¡°Well, I guess since she doesn¡¯t have anywhere to go. And might as well let her stay as long as she wants, I can¡¯t really leave her out there homeless. She still has her youth and whole life ahead of her.¡±

    ¡°Well, look at you, Mr. Go-getter.¡± Shinji said as he elbowed Kazuma with a stoic expression on his face.

    ¡°It¡¯s not like that. I just don¡¯t know what the police would even do about it if I handed her to them.¡± Kazuma replied.

    Makoto put his arm around Kazuma¡¯s shoulder.

    ¡°Lucky, I wish I had a cute girl living in my house too.¡± Makoto said enviously.

    ¡°Come back asking that later in ten years. If you still have that same attitude from now, then we can talk.¡± Kazuma responded sarcastically as he moved Makoto¡¯s arm off his shoulder.

    After that sentence, Makoto had abruptly stopped walking. Then both Kazuma and Shinji had stopped walking along with him.

    ¡°Wait a minute¡­ is today Monday?¡± Makoto asked randomly.

    ¡°Uh¡­yeah? Wait why¡­?¡±

    Suddenly, Shinji had also remembered something the moment Makoto mentioned ¡®Monday¡¯. He turned to Makoto pointing his finger at him.

    ¡°¡­That¡¯s right. It¡¯s that day isn¡¯t it?¡±

    Makoto turned to Shinji pointing at him back.

    ¡°Right?!¡±

    ¡°Seriously, what is today again?¡± Kazuma asked.

    ¡°Miyakawa Mondays kitaaaa!¡± Makoto exclaimed as he raised his fist in the air.

    ¡°Ah.¡± Kazuma remembered. ¡°That¡¯s today?¡±

    ¡°Of course! Two sisters living in harsh poverty, barely earning enough for food, yet yearning for the promised food that is beef! And at the same time dealing with the harsh insults about how you aren¡¯t able to save up enough money to afford luxurious things!¡±

    ¡°Poor Hikage¡­¡± Shinji sympathized.

    ¡°Especially since her sister is the only family she probably has left¡­¡± Makoto added.

    ¡°Yeah. No one should ever have to face the burden of poverty alone¡­¡± Kazuma said.

    ¡°And cute girl in that matter¡­ I would marry her.¡±

    Kazuma and Shinji had suddenly gone quiet right after Makoto had said that sentence. The three of them shot looks at each other and for a moment none of them had said a word.

    ¡°¡­Please don¡¯t tell me that I just heard what I think I just heard. Did I hear that correctly?¡± Kazuma asked as he raised an eyebrow.

    ¡°Hm? Hear what?¡± Makoto ignored.

    ¡°Don¡¯t kid with me. You said something.¡±

    ¡°Did I?¡±

    ¡°You said you wanted to marry her.¡± Shinji added.

    ¡°Ok, fine. But come on, don¡¯t tell me you wouldn¡¯t want to support her. She¡¯s really cute, you know?¡±

    ¡°Well, you¡¯re not wrong about that¡­ but why marry her? Can¡¯t you just like adopt her or something?¡±

    ¡°But doesn¡¯t she have an older sister who is past the minority age?¡± Shinji asked.

    ¡°¡­I honestly don¡¯t know how we can casually keep up with these conversations.¡± Kazuma commented as he sighed.

    ¡°Hey Kazuma, isn¡¯t that your stop?¡± Makoto asked as he pointed at the bus stop sign.

    ¡°Oh, right. Well, see you.¡±

    Kazuma waved at Makoto and Shinji as they walk off into the distance.

    <hr>

    ¡°I¡¯m home.¡± Kazuma sighed.

    ¡°Ah! Kazuma! Welcome back!¡± Alice greeted.

    ¡°Yeah, welcome back.¡± Akira also greeted.

    Kazuma looked over and see both Akira in her bus driver uniform and Alice who were sitting on the couch watching television while eating a bowl of popcorn that was on the coffee table.

    ¡°Huh? Akira-san? What are you doing here?¡±

    ¡°Well, first of all I¡¯m your guardian, so I have to at least be here sometimes. And second, you didn¡¯t forget about the check did you?¡±

    ¡°Uh¡­¡±

    Akira eyes squinted intensively at Kazuma who was laughing awkwardly while trying to recollect any memory of anything related about the check that he had forgotten.

    ¡°¡­You forgot didn¡¯t you.¡±

    ¡°O-Of course not! The check was this week w-wasn¡¯t it?¡±

    ¡°Ho?¡± Akira smiled. ¡°I¡¯m surprised you actually remembered. Well, if you remembered then I guess that¡¯s fine.¡±

    Akira went over to the dining room and grabbed her jacket.

    ¡°Well, I¡¯ll be leaving then.¡±

    ¡°Eh? You¡¯re leaving?¡±

    ¡°Yep. Is there a problem?

    Kazuma scratched his head.

    ¡°Ah, well¡­ that was a bit short for a check, wasn¡¯t it?¡±

    Akira chuckled as she patted Kazuma on the shoulder.

    ¡°What are you talking about? That was the check.¡±

    ¡°¡­You¡¯re kidding.¡±

    ¡°I just wanted to stop by and see how you were doing.¡±

    ¡°I-I see¡­¡±

    Akira looked down at her wrist watch.

    ¡°Whoa, it¡¯s this late? Boss will have my head if I don¡¯t get back to my shift.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re still working? I thought you were done.¡±

    ¡°Oh yeah, I just recently got a bartending job.¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t stress yourself out.¡±

    ¡°Yes, yes. Thank you, thank you. Well, I¡¯m off. See you Alice.¡± Akira said waving.

    ¡°See you again.¡± Alice waved back.

    Akira quickly rushed outside as the door closed behind her. Kazuma turned to Alice who was still watching television.

    ¡°Akira-san is nice.¡± Alice said as she popped a piece of popcorn into her mouth.

    ¡°Since when were you able to talk to her?¡±

    ¡°Since today.¡±

    ¡°How long was she here for?¡±

    Alice unwrapped a candy bar and took a bite out of it.

    ¡°A couple of hours before you came.¡± She said with her mouth full.

    ¡°That long?¡±

    Alice nodded as her eyes were still fixed on the TV screen.

    ¡°And you were watching TV with her? I thought you didn¡¯t know how to work a remote.¡±

    ¡°Akira-san taught me. It¡¯s amazing what the technology in this world can do. I¡¯m pretty sure we don¡¯t have things like this in the Organization.¡±

    ¡°Anyways, have you remembered anything regarding your past yet?¡±

    Alice turned to Kazuma as she munched on the candy bar.

    ¡°I have.¡±

    ¡°Eh? For real?!¡±

    Alice nodded.

    ¡°I might need another day or so, but so far I all I can say is that some of my lost memory has come back. Enough to piece where I come from, at least.¡±

    ¡°So it seems.¡± Edrian said as he leaned against the wall.

    In response, Kazuma was startled the moment Edrian had suddenly popped out of nowhere.

    ¡°Sorry about that.¡± Edrian chuckled.

    (First in the bathroom, now here¡­) Kazuma thought as he panted.

    ¡°I almost forgot that you were even coming¡­¡±

    Edrian patted Kazuma¡¯s shoulder.

    ¡°Well, now you do. Anyways¡­¡±

    Edrian cleared his throat.

    ¡°First things first. The news that I was about to tell you this morning: Galus has successfully been handled and was sent back to the Organization.¡±

    ¡°What do you mean?¡± Alice asked.

    ¡°It is as I said. Galus was taken back to the Organization.¡±

    ¡°Y-You just let him go?!¡± Kazuma yelled.

    ¡°Well, he won¡¯t be causing anymore trouble. That¡¯s for sure.¡±

    ¡°But he was after Alice! What if he comes back?¡±

    ¡°I assure you that he won¡¯t. And even he did, he wouldn¡¯t have any memory of it.¡±

    ¡°Huh? No memory of it?¡±

    ¡°Galus was supposed to be here to retake Alice back to the Organization, correct? After we had beaten him, I edited his memory so that he would report back with no findings.¡±

    Kazuma sighed with relief.

    ¡°You could have just said that from the beginning. Well that¡¯s a relief¡ª¡±

    ¡°Is that all though?¡± Alice asked.

    She turned to Edrian with glaring eyes.

    ¡°There¡¯s one thing that¡¯s bothering me though.¡± Alice said. ¡°I haven¡¯t thought about it, but back when we fought Galus I felt like something was off. It just all seemed too convenient. So mind if I ask you a question?¡±

    (¡°Hey Alice¡­ are you sure about this?¡±) Kazuma whispered to her.

    ¡°Sure thing.¡± Edrian smirked.

    ¡°We both are magicians that come from the same roots, don¡¯t we? I don¡¯t have anything to hide in particular. So why not? Ask away.¡±

 Chapter 8

    Edrian crossed his arms and leaned back in his chair.

    ¡°Well, what would you like to know then?¡± He asked.

    ¡°Are you really who you say you are?¡± Alice asked.

    Edrian scratched his head as he sighed irritatedly.

    ¡°This again¡­? Ok, look. Ask yourself this: Would I really lie to you? If I didn¡¯t want to help you in the first place, I wouldn¡¯t have told you any information. It would have been me just not doing anything at all.¡±

    (Not doing anything?) Alice thought.

    ¡°What do you mean by that?¡± She questioned him.

    ¡°You should have known that I have been keeping any eye on you, correct?¡±

    ¡°I know that, but even if you were just observing me, then why stay hidden from us?¡±

    ¡°I told you, it¡¯s my job to keep you out of danger.¡±

    Alice slammed her hands on the table as she got up from her seat.

    ¡°But why?! You keep saying it¡¯s for my benefit, but you¡¯re avoiding the question!¡±

    When Edrian didn¡¯t respond to Alice, she slammed her hands on the table once more.

    ¡°Answer me!¡±

    ¡°Hey, Alice!¡± Kazuma blurted out.

    Kazuma put his hand on Alice¡¯s shoulder as he tried to calm her down. She then took a deep breath and slowly sat back down.

    He grabbed Alice¡¯s arm and pulled it so that she would stand up.

    ¡°Sorry. But will you give us just a moment here?¡±

    ¡°Hey what are you¡ª¡±

    Kazuma quickly put his hand over Alice¡¯s mouth just before she could say another word.

    ¡°W-We¡¯ll be right back.¡±

    At the same time his hand was over her mouth, Kazuma dragged Alice over to his room upstairs and he shut the door behind him. Edrian looked around to see if he was alone, and pulled out the stack of small papers that were under his cloak. He tore a piece out and black ink was revealed as he put it over his ear.

    ¡°It¡¯s me¡­ Uh huh¡­Yes, it¡¯s proceeding as planned¡­ What? Right now?¡±

    Edrian glanced at the room upstairs and took a deep breath.

    ¡°Understood. I¡¯ll be right there.¡±

    The door shut behind them and Kazuma had let go of Alice the moment that they were secluded inside.

    ¡°What are you doing?¡± Alice asked as she pointed her finger at him.

    ¡°I should be asking you the same thing!¡±

    ¡°I was trying to get answers from him!¡±

    ¡°Really? Because it looked like you were about to do something to him.¡±

    Alice frowned upon realizing what Kazuma had said was true.

    ¡°Hasn¡¯t he told us everything already? I¡¯m no expert, but I think that it¡¯s safe to say that Edrian isn¡¯t our enemy.¡±

    Alice crossed her arms and turned away from Kazuma.

    ¡°You may think that, but secretly he might become our enemy!¡±

    ¡°¡­And how would you know that?¡±

    ¡°Well I¡¯d¡ª¡±

    Alice hesitated for a moment, and then she sighed the moment she realized that her claim couldn¡¯t be backed up.

    ¡°¡­I don¡¯t. But it¡¯s suspicious! I feel as if something is off¡­ like he¡¯s not telling us something important¡­¡±

    Kazuma sighed irritatedly as he scratched his head.

    ¡°Aren¡¯t you just making up things now?¡±

    Alice¡¯s puffed her cheeks angrily.

    ¡°I¡¯m not making it up! Something is telling me that Edrian is suspicious!¡±

    Kazuma scratched his head.

    ¡°Well¡­ ok fine. Let¡¯s say he is hiding something vital from us. How would you be able to prove that? And what would be this vital information that he would be hiding?¡±

    Alice crossed her arms as she rubbed her chin.

    ¡°¡­I want to say that something about what Edrian¡¯s purpose is suspicious.¡±

    ¡°His purpose?¡± Kazuma asked.

    She nodded.

    ¡°Remember when I first had told you about the Organization? About how they were supposed to be a group that helped others?¡±

    ¡°Right¡­¡±

    ¡°Galus came from the Organization. At first, I couldn¡¯t comprehend how someone like him could be from there. Edrian then came along and was also from the Organization, but a different objective from him.¡±

    ¡°What about it then?¡±

    ¡°The two came from the same place, yet has two different tasks. Why is that?¡±

    ¡°Isn¡¯t that because Galus wanted to take you back and Edrian was there to keep an eye on you?¡±

    ¡°But that¡¯s exactly it. Remember when Edrian first revealed himself the day before? The way he talked to Galus when we first encountered him¡­ it seemed like Edrian knew him. Didn¡¯t that strike you as odd?¡±

    Kazuma thought for a while.

    (Now that you mention it¡­)

    ¡°That¡­ does seem weird.¡±

    ¡°Exactly, the two just doesn¡¯t add up. I understand they would want me to avoid conflict, and so maybe they would send me here. Who would want to send me here in the first place?¡±

    ¡°But isn¡¯t that why Edrian was given the task to watch over you?¡±

    ¡°If that was the case, then Edrian should have interfered when you first came in contact with me. He must have known that a person with no contact with magic would be disastrous, so why didn¡¯t he stop you? How was Galus any different? It doesn¡¯t match up, and now that I think about it, our situation with the contract is suspicious as well. It all just seemed to well planned to be just a coincidence.¡±

    Kazuma sighed.

    ¡°Look, I know you have your doubts and all, but why won¡¯t we just ask him then? I¡¯m sure Edrian won¡¯t have any reason to lie to us.¡±

    ¡°But are you sure that he will tell the truth?¡± Alice said as she turned around looking at Kazuma with a firm stare.

    ¡°Well¡­¡± Kazuma hesitated. ¡°You won¡¯t know unless you try.¡±

    Alice stared at him for a while.

    ¡°Again, aren¡¯t you just overreacting? If it makes you feel any better, I¡¯ll go ask him instead. And if it just so happens that he¡¯s lying, then it¡¯s just as you say it is.¡±

    ¡°Huh? A-Alright then. It¡¯s worth a shot but¡­ are you sure?¡±

    ¡°Up till now¡­ I don¡¯t really have much of a choice. So might as well.¡± Kazuma shrugged.

    Kazuma then turned around, and his hand gripped on the doorknob. Just as he was turning the knob to open the door¡­

    ¡°H-hey, Kazuma?¡± Alice suddenly called out.

    ¡°Hm? What is it?¡± He turned his head looking towards Alice.

    She shook her head.

    ¡°N-Never mind. It¡¯s not that important.¡±

    The two of them both went downstairs, but only to find that Edrian was nowhere to be seen.

    ¡°You got to be kidding me¡­¡± Kazuma¡¯s eye twitched.

    They looked around to see if there was any trace of where he went, but found nothing. After a while, they gave up their search and sat down on the couch.

    ¡°He left¡­ again¡­¡± Kazuma sighed as he plopped on the couch.

    At the corner of Alice¡¯s eye, she spotted a folded piece of paper that was on the coffee table.

    ¡°Hm? That¡¯s strange¡­¡± Alice said as she picked up the paper. ¡°This wasn¡¯t here before¡­¡±

    Kazuma quickly sat up.

    ¡°What is it? A note that Edrian left behind?¡±Reading on Amazon or a pirate site? This novel is from Royal Road. Support the author by reading it there.

    ¡°It could be¡­¡±

    She unfolded the paper and read:

    Sorry for the inconvenience, but I had to leave upon a single notice. I wish I could have stayed and chat, but unfortunately, my presence is needed elsewhere. Anyways, about the answers that Alice wanted¡­ As you know, Galus was a magician sent by the Organization to retrieve her. And there¡¯s no denying that I was affiliated with Galus, amongst the many others who wish to fulfill the same purpose he did in the Organization. The place was never the same since she left.

    ¡°Never the same? So there was something going on in the Organization¡­¡± Alice asked.

    ¡°Maybe it¡¯s the conflict he mentioned?¡± Kazuma added.

    ¡°It could be¡­¡±

    Alice continued reading the letter:

    But now that it has gone this far¡­ I suppose it¡¯s about time that you learned what really happened. The place that you¡¯ll need to go should already be within your knowledge (assuming that Alice has regained all her memories by now).

    ¡°Do you know what he¡¯s talking about?¡± Kazuma asked as he turned to her.

    Alice shook her head.

    ¡°So how can we know if you don¡¯t remember?¡±

    ¡°Well, hold on a minute, the letter isn¡¯t finished.¡±

    She then read at the bottom of the paper:

    If by any case, that she still doesn¡¯t remember, there is a phrase on the back that will help.

    ¡°A phrase?¡± Kazuma asked.

    ¡°Looks like it¡­¡±

    She flipped the back of the paper. But just before Alice was about to read the phrase out loud, Alice briefly felt a immense jolt of pain rush to her head. Kazuma caught her as soon she was about to fall over.

    ¡°You okay?¡± He asked.

    ¡°I¡¯m¡­ fine¡­¡±

    Kazuma helped her move over to the couch.

    ¡°What was the phrase on the back, anyways?¡±

    He took the paper out of Alice¡¯s hands and speculated the paper.

    ¡°Huh? It¡¯s not here.¡±

    ¡°What? But it was written right here¡ª¡±

    Alice pointed to where the phrase originally was, but there was not even a single marking.

    ¡°Strange¡­ it was here, I swear¡­¡±

    Kazuma flipped back the paper to the front and spotted one more sentence at the bottom of the paper.

    Look for a man named Ellis. He will tell you what you wish to know.

    ¡°Eh?¡±

    Suddenly, the two of them were startled the moment that the paper had bursted into a million pieces.

    ¡°Well, there goes our one clue of where we need to go.¡±

    ¡°¡­Maybe not.¡±

    ¡°Huh? What do you mean?¡±

    ¡°I¡­ think I¡¯m starting to remember something¡­¡±

    ¡°You do? So does that mean the phrase on the back worked?¡±

    Alice nodded as she got up from her seat.

    ¡°I¡¯m starting to get a clear idea of where I need to go to. The place where we will find our answers.¡±

    ¡°And where is that place exactly?¡± Kazuma asked.

    ¡°It¡¯s the Organization, of course.¡±

    ¡°Huh?¡±

    Kazuma took a while to process that sentence.

    ¡°¡­Wait what?!¡±

    ¡°Hm? Something wrong?¡±

    ¡°Yes, very. First of all, isn¡¯t that the one place where Galus wanted to take you back? Why are we going back there?¡±

    ¡°Well, it isn¡¯t particularly bad to check the place out, is it?¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s not what I¡¯m saying¡­¡±

    Kazuma sighed as he got up.

    ¡°Ugh, fine. Then I guess into the frying pan we go.¡±

    Alice was surprised at the notion that Kazuma didn¡¯t object.

    ¡°Huh? Y-You¡¯re not against it?¡±

    ¡°Why would I be? Either way, I¡¯m already dragged in this far, aren¡¯t I?¡±

    Kazuma scratched his head.

    ¡°So¡­ I don¡¯t really have any other choice but to see it through.¡±

    Alice couldn¡¯t help but smile.

    ¡°Kazuma¡­¡±

    He walked over to the door.

    ¡°Come on, lead the way.¡±

    Alice nodded. But she stopped before walking towards him.

    ¡°Actually¡­ I don¡¯t think we need to go outside.¡±

    ¡°Eh?¡±

    She twirled around and with a wave of her hand, a magic circle gleamed beneath her feet and across the floor of Kazuma¡¯s living room.

    ¡°I have my magic now, remember? Now, come on.¡±

    ¡°Right¡­¡±

    Kazuma walked over to Alice and was in range of where the magic circle enveloped him. Moments later, he instinctively moved his hand in front of his face to avoid the bright light that had gleamed from the floor.

    ¡°Is this¡­?¡± Kazuma had asked.

    ¡°Yeah. The Organization.¡± Alice answered.

    In front of them was a large castle-like structure with a gate and two black-armored figures that held their halberds.

    ¡°Kazuma, your clothing is different again.¡± Alice pointed out.

    ¡°Huh?¡±

    Kazuma looked at himself and had noticed that he was wearing the same black-clad clothing from that time, along with the katana on his back.

    ¡°You¡¯re right, it¡¯s the same clothing¡­ but why appear now?¡±

    ¡°We can figure that out later. First we get into the castle.¡±

    ¡°R-Right.¡±

    Alice began walking towards the guards as Kazuma followed behind her. However, just before Alice reached the entrance, the two halberds had crossed into an X shape, preventing her from moving any closer to the gate.

    ¡°Halt.¡± One of the knights spoke. ¡°Identify yourself.¡±

    (¡°Um¡­Alice?¡±) Kazuma whispered.

    (¡°Yes?¡±)

    (¡°How are we going to get past the gate?¡±)

    When both of their right hands began emitting a light, Kazuma and Alice had took notice of the glowing diamond shaped crest on their hands.

    ¡°Analysis complete. Magic users: Kazuma, Alice. Magician Number: 1451. You may proceed.¡± The knight spoke again.

    The halberds that were blocking the entrance were raised, and the gates opened. Alice and Kazuma then walked through and the moment they passed through, the gate suddenly shut behind them. Alice instinctively put her back against the wall and pulled Kazuma with her.

    ¡°Hey, what was that for¡ª¡±

    Alice put her finger over her mouth.

    (¡°Be quiet.¡±)

    She quickly scanned their surroundings.

    (No one here¡­)

    (¡°They must be inside. Follow me.¡±) She whispered to Kazuma.

    Kazuma followed Alice as she ran to a wooden door and opened it. They both then ended up in a dark hallway with stone walls and many doors that were dimly lit with torches.

    ¡°Strange¡­ it¡¯s as if the place is deserted¡­¡±

    ¡°Now what?¡± Kazuma asked.

    Alice put her hand over her chin as she thought for a moment.

    ¡°We keep going.¡±

    While looking around, a stairway caught her eye.

    ¡°Up the stairs.¡± She pointed.

    They made their way up the stairs and encountered more hallways. Kazuma took a moment to catch his breath.

    (How far does this place go? It¡¯s bigger than I thought it would be¡­)

    They continued on, but as they were moving forward, Alice suddenly stopped and looked at a wooden door. Kazuma stopped for a moment and turned to Alice.

    ¡°Alice? What¡¯s wrong?¡±

    ¡°This door¡­ I felt like I¡¯ve been here before¡­¡±

    Alice eyes widened as she felt a rush of memories flow in her mind.

    (¡°It all makes sense now¡­¡±) She muttered to herself.

    ¡°Did you remember something?¡±

    She nodded.

    ¡°I know who can help us.¡±

    ¡°Really?¡±

    ¡°Remember what Edrian wrote? ¡®Look for a man named Ellis.¡¯ I remember a person with that name: Master Ellis. He was a kind person who was also my teacher in magic.¡±

    Suddenly, they could hear footsteps coming from the end of the hall.

    (¡°¡­Someone¡¯s coming.¡±) Alice panicked.

    (¡°Go in!¡±) Kazuma said.

    (¡°W-What?!¡±)

    (¡°We don¡¯t have a choice, do we? There isn¡¯t enough time to get to the other end of the hall. We have to go in!¡±)

    Alice quietly opened the door, and Kazuma quickly followed while swiftly shutting the door behind him without making a sound. They waited out until they couldn¡¯t hear footsteps anymore, then they opened the door slightly to check. Once that they saw no one was there, they both sighed with relief.

    ¡°T-That¡­ was too close.¡± Kazuma said.

    ¡°We¡¯ll have to be more careful next time.¡± Alice advised.

    ¡°¡­Alice?¡± a voice called behind them. ¡°Is¡­ that really you?¡±

    The two of them turned around and saw an old man who had white hair with a full beard sitting at his desk. He seemed to be around his 50¡¯s to 60¡¯s and wore the same robes and hooded cloak that a certain magician was wearing when Kazuma first encountered him. The old man then got out of his chair and confronted them.

    ¡°Are you¡­ who I think you are? You¡¯re¡­ Master Ellis?¡± She asked.

    ¡°That¡­ I am.¡± The old man nodded as he smiled warmly.

    Alice then ran up to him and hugged him tightly.

    ¡°What a coincidence. I never thought you¡¯d be the one to come back to me. H-How did you get here?¡±

    ¡°Well¡­ it¡¯s a bit of a long story, but¡­¡±

    Alice glanced at Kazuma.

    ¡°I had some help.¡±

    ¡°Well, I¡¯m glad to see that you are safe.¡±

    Ellis then turned to Kazuma.

    ¡°I¡¯m guessing that it¡¯s safe to assume that you¡¯re her partner, correct?¡±

    ¡°Huh? Partner?¡± Kazuma asked.

    Kazuma shook his head and ignored the question.

    ¡°N-Never mind that. So you¡¯re Ellis then?¡±

    ¡°Yes. That is correct.¡±

    ¡°We have some questions that we would like answered, Master.¡± Alice replied.

    ¡°Questions? I¡¯m sure Edrian told you all the details, hasn¡¯t he?¡±

    ¡°Um¡­ about that¡­¡± Kazuma laughed awkwardly as he scratched his head.

    ¡°What he means Master, Edrian was a bit vague. He told us to come here to look for answers.¡±

    ¡°Has he not recovered your memories yet?¡±

    ¡°He did, but unfortunately, not all of it has been recovered yet. Most of it is slowly coming back though.¡±

    ¡°And he didn¡¯t tell you anything about our current situation?¡±

    Alice shook her head.

    ¡°All Edrian said was that we could find answers here.¡±

    Ellis sighed as he turned his back on them for a moment.

    (¡°That Edrian¡­¡±) He grumbled.

    He then turned back around and cleared his throat.

    ¡°Well, alright. Even though he should have told you, I think you would have come here on your own one way or another. But before that¡­¡±

    Ellis looked at Kazuma.

    ¡°¡­Young man.¡±

    Kazuma¡¯s entire body jerked.

    ¡°Y-Yes?¡±

    ¡°Can you tell me your name?¡±

    ¡°I-It¡¯s Kazuma¡­ sir.¡±

    Ellis closed his eyes and thought for a moment.

    ¡°Kazuma, I assume you are not part of this realm that we live in. The magic society prefers to live in secrecy, and not many people seek help from just any outsider. For this, I¡¯ll give you a fair warning: the situation that you have involved yourself with is very dire. It is beyond anything a normal human can handle. And so I ask you this: Are you certain that you want to face what lies ahead? It may cost you your life¡­¡±

    ¡°I¡­¡±

    Kazuma glanced at Alice then back to Ellis.

    ¡°¡­I¡¯ve already made up my mind, Master Ellis. I told Alice this before but¡­¡±

    He gripped his hand into a tight fist.

    ¡°I know that there will be a chance of certain death, but I¡¯ll help her in any way I can. I won¡¯t abandon her now.¡±

    Ellis looked at Alice.

    ¡°Is this true?¡± He asked to her.

    Alice nodded.

    ¡°¡­Very well then. It is about time you know the truth about what goes on in the Organization.¡±

 Chapter 9

    ¡°I assume you have many questions for me.¡± Ellis spoke. ¡°But before that, let me ask you this: how much do you two know about the Organization?¡±

    Kazuma scratched his head.

    ¡°What I know about it? Um¡­ maybe a little bit, but I don¡¯t know that much about it other than what Edrian and Alice had already told me. Based on what I gather¡­ it supposed to be a place where magicians are trained to use their magic for good?¡±

    ¡°There¡¯s also supposed to be a sort of conflict that is going on if I remember¡­ and that I was sent away for that reason.¡± Alice added.

    Ellis clasped his hands together and rested his chin on it.

    ¡°Well¡­ yes and no. You are both half right.¡±

    ¡°¡°Half?¡±¡± Kazuma and Alice both said at the same time.

    ¡°This is information Edrian told you, correct? He¡¯s only told you the core reasons, but that¡¯s not the entire story.¡±

    Ellis looked over towards Alice¡¯s direction.

    ¡°Alice, can you remember anything in your time during the Organization?¡±

    ¡°As far as my memory goes¡­¡± Alice added, ¡°I remember that most of my life was spent here.¡±

    Ellis nodded.

    ¡°Yes, that is correct. You have been with us for a very long time, longer than most members here in the Organization.¡±

    ¡°If that is the case, why are there people in the group that are after me?¡± Alice questioned.

    There was a sudden dead silence after she had asked that question.

    ¡°¡­That¡¯s because of your magic abilities.¡± Ellis replied.

    ¡°Wait.¡± Kazuma interrupted. ¡°What do you mean the Organization¡¯s after Alice¡¯s magic?¡±

    ¡°Do you remember what Edrian had said about my magic before?¡± Alice told Kazuma.

    ¡°You don¡¯t mean¡­¡±

    ¡°Correct. She was the best there was, and her ability was no exception. Since magicians are normally able to use one element, and thus they don¡¯t possess the rare ability Alice has. So they intend to use her ability to use any form of magic to their advantage.¡±

    ¡°Is that why you sent me away?¡± Alice asked.

    ¡°One of the reasons at least.¡±

    ¡°And the other?¡±

    ¡°¡­Project Pact.¡±

    ¡°Project¡­?¡± Alice asked.

    ¡°What¡­ is that?¡± Kazuma added.

    ¡°It is something¡­ very terrible.¡±

    Master Ellis had gripped his hands tightly as he hesitated to clarify any further. At that moment, Alice noticed that Master Ellis had looked frustrated to tell the information.

    (Master¡­)

    ¡°Master¡­ don¡¯t you think it¡¯s time we told them?¡±

    Edrian¡¯s statement broke the silence, and everyone in the room immediately drew their attention towards the sound of his voice. They saw him leaning against the stone walls of Ellis¡¯s study, and Ellis quickly got up from his seat.

    ¡°E-Edrian! You¡ª¡±

    Edrian sighed deeply.

    ¡°Sorry, Master Ellis. I had to do what I did.¡±

    ¡°But out of all the places you had to lead her here?¡±

    ¡°Things had gotten a bit hectic lately. And it didn¡¯t help when we encountered one of his subordinates while keeping Alice hidden. It was harder for her to stay in the same place, now that she was compromised.¡±

    ¡°But the memory erasure you had used earlier¡­¡±

    Edrian shook his head.

    ¡°It wouldn¡¯t last very long. Even if Galus were to come back with information, he wouldn¡¯t give up that easily. He¡¯d just send another one to double check. I can¡¯t guarantee how that would be able to conveniently work again.¡±

    ¡°¡­Master.¡± Alice interrupted. ¡± You didn¡¯t really want to erase my memory, did you?¡±

    Alice looked at Ellis to confirm, but he shamefully averted his gaze from her instead.

    ¡°¡­Yeah, that¡¯s right.¡± Edrian confirmed. ¡°We didn¡¯t.¡±

    ¡°Edrian!¡± Master Ellis said.

    ¡°Like I said before, Master Ellis wanted to keep you out of harm¡¯s way.¡±

    The moment after that sentence was said, Ellis abruptly slammed his hands on his desk.

    ¡°No more¡­¡±

    Edrian swiftly moved his arm and escaped from Ellis¡¯s grasp.

    ¡°Master we can¡¯t hid it anymore. They deserve to know¡ªshe deserves to know.¡±

    ¡°What do you mean?¡± Kazuma asked.

    Edrian turned to Kazuma.

    ¡°It¡¯s just like I said. Master Ellis sent Alice away from danger, and I was there to keep watch.¡±

    ¡°But from what? Other magicians? The Organization? Aren¡¯t you all on the same side here? Why are you all treating each other like enemies?¡± Kazuma added.

    ¡°Project Pact¡­¡± Master Ellis said.

    Everyone suddenly turned their attention towards him.

    ¡°It was a Contract experiment.¡±

    Ellis gripped his hands tightly into fist and lowered his head as he gritted his teeth in frustration.

    ¡°I¡­ didn¡¯t know any better¡­ I thought helping him create something that was supposed to benefit us all¡­ instead it only drove him to madness¡­¡±

    ¡°¡®Him¡¯?¡± Kazuma asked.

    ¡°Silias.¡± Edrian replied.

    ¡°Who is that?¡±

    ¡°The leader of our Organization¡­ is he not?¡± Alice remembered.

    ¡°Yes,¡± Master Ellis said, ¡°He was once a proud and respected leader. Until¡­¡±

    ¡°¡­Did Silias start all of this?¡± Alice answered.

    Ellis nodded.

    ¡°What did this contract experiment have to do with Alice?¡±

    ¡°Alice was originally part of the project. She and others like her.¡±

    ¡°Others¡­? You mean people like me, Master?¡± Alice inquired.

    ¡°In a sense, yes. But your ability to use any form of magic without any skill is by far the most unique out of anyone here in the Organization.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s why I told you you¡¯re lucky to have her as a partner.¡± Edrian explained to Kazuma.

    ¡°T-Then¡­ what about the others that were in there with me?¡±If you encounter this tale on Amazon, note that it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.

    ¡°There were some survivors¡­ but the others¡­¡±

    Ellis hesitated to respond Alice¡¯s question. He wanted to tell her, but the words couldn¡¯t come out and instead he shook his head.

    ¡°I see¡­¡±

    At the corner of Kazuma¡¯s eye, he could see that Alice clenched tightly on her dress.

    ¡°Can you give us a minute?¡± Kazuma requested.

    Both Ellis and Edrian allowed them to have some time to themselves. While Kazuma and Alice rested at the other side of the room, Edrian had a talk with Ellis by his desk.

    ¡°Alice¡­ how are you holding up¡­?¡± Kazuma asked her.

    Alice didn¡¯t say a word. If anything, she was on the verge of tears.

    ¡°All those people¡­¡±

    Kazuma nodded.

    ¡°I know¡­¡±

    ¡°Is it my fault¡­?¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s not your fault.¡±

    ¡°But if I did something, they would have been still alive¡­¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t think of it that way.¡±

    Alice wiped her tears and suddenly realized something she was forgetting.

    <hr>

    While Kazuma and Alice were talking, Edrian covertly had torn a small paper from his stack in his pocket then he put his hand on Ellis¡¯ shoulder with the small paper in between his hand and on Ellis.

    (Master, can you hear me?) Edrian telepathically told Master Ellis.

    (I hear you.) He replied.

    (There isn¡¯t much time left before we being.)

    (Are you sure he can do it?) Ellis asked eyeballing at Kazuma¡¯s physique.

    (Yeah. I¡¯ve seen him in action. He just might be the one. But what about Alice?)

    (¡­You¡¯re right.)

    (You have been holding back on some of the facts, haven¡¯t you?)

    There was no response from Master Ellis.

    (Master Ellis?)

    (Alright¡­ I won¡¯t withhold any information anymore.)

    (Are you sure? The entire truth, Master. No more half-truths.)

    Ellis nodded as he looked at Alice¡¯s.

    (If we don¡¯t end this now, then who will?)

    ¡°¡­Can I ask you a question Master Ellis?¡± Alice interrupted as she went back over near Ellis¡¯ desk.

    Ellis redirected his attention towards her.

    ¡°Yes, what is it?¡±

    ¡°You never answered why you sent me to Tokyo. Out of many places why there? And why would you had to erase my memory before that?¡±

    ¡°Hm? Why the memory?¡±

    (She needs to know, Master.) Edrian told him.

    Ellis glanced at Edrian¡¯s direction and nodded at him.

    (I know.)

    Edrian nodded back, and took his hand off of Master Ellis along with the small paper he had stuck on him to telepathically communicate with.

    ¡°I sent you there because it would be harder to track you.¡±

    ¡°You mean when Galus was after us?¡± Kazuma pointed out.

    ¡°Precisely. Others like Galus searched elsewhere, but he was the first to even step foot into a non-magical territory.¡±

    ¡°And the amnesia?¡± Alice added.

    Ellis sighed.

    ¡°It was to prevent you from knowing that you had lost your magic.¡±

    ¡°My magic¡­ lost?¡±

    ¡°But that doesn¡¯t make any sense. She can use her magic now, can she?¡± Kazuma replied.

    Ellis closed his eyes as he shook his head.

    ¡°Her magic was lost even before we sent her out of the Organization.¡±

    ¡°How?¡± Alice questioned.

    ¡°We don¡¯t know. A person with abilities like yours was unlike anything the magicians have seen, but that was more the reason why we didn¡¯t know how your magic could have been lost. We tried everything to restore it, and that was the sole reason the Project was formed.¡±

    ¡°When Alice tried to use magic on me the first time we got away from Galus¡­¡± Kazuma remembered.

    ¡°It failed, because she had already lost it before we helped her escape to Tokyo. And she wouldn¡¯t have known the difference since she had no memory of the months the Project even began.¡±

    ¡°So the whole Organization knew?¡± Alice asked.

    ¡°Yeah.¡± Ellis nodded. ¡°Everyone was determined to help, some even volunteered to be a test subject in order to help regain your magic¡­¡±

    ¡°So why didn¡¯t anyone else have a Contract with Alice?¡± Kazuma asked.

    ¡°It¡¯s not that simple.¡± Edrian answered. ¡°Since Alice is more compatible with magic, we assumed that your magic would return¡­ but it wasn¡¯t all that simple. All subjects that tried to bond with you using the Contract were incompatible. Meaning, the bonding worked, but for some odd reason, the Contract had become unsuccessful. Silias didn¡¯t care nonetheless, and forced an incompatibility which costed their lives.¡±

    ¡°How horrible¡­¡± Alice tightly gripped on her dress.

    ¡°Why doesn¡¯t anyone do anything about this?¡± Kazuma said as he tightly gripped his fist.

    ¡°Not many know the truth about this. Since Silias was the one who suggested this, he was also able to convince the members here that it was a benefit to the Organization. We don¡¯t want to start anything. Many people here still believe Silias was the person he still was and will still take his side.¡±

    ¡°But what they don¡¯t know is that Silias is actually going to use Alice¡¯s magic for a different purpose.¡±

    ¡°A¡­ different purpose?¡±

    ¡°They believe that this was all for restoring Alice¡¯s magic, but this was all for his own reason.¡±

    ¡°He wants to bond with Alice in order to take her magic.¡± Edrian exposed.

    ¡°Wait.¡± Kazuma interrupted. ¡°I have that magic, don¡¯t I? How was that Contract able to form with me and Alice?¡±

    Ellis closed his eyes to recollect his thoughts.

    ¡°A Contract can only be formed unless the two people are willing to form a bond. Silias doesn¡¯t know about this¡­ but I had secretly discovered a solution to Alice¡¯s missing magic. When I first sent Alice to Tokyo, I intentionally casted a spell in which Alice would be able to form a Contract with the first person that she would accept from, and accept her.¡±

    ¡°Eh? Accept something? What do you mean?¡± Kazuma asked.

    Alice¡¯s eyes widened when she realized what Ellis had meant.

    ¡°I-I see¡­ that¡¯s how¡­¡±

    ¡°Eh? Hey, Alice, what does he mean?¡±

    ¡°When you first met Alice¡­¡± Edrian explained, ¡°Do you remember anything she accepted when you gave her something?

    Kazuma widened looked at Alice.

    ¡°You mean¡­ when I first gave her that bun and she took it¡­¡±

    Ellis nodded.

    ¡°The Contract was already formed at that time.¡±

    ¡°N-No way¡­ even before?¡±

    ¡°The reason why it had manifested a couple days after because it took time to develop. But even so, the moment you had encountered her would determine whether the Contract would manifest or not.¡±

    Kazuma looked at his right hand.

    ¡°I assume there isn¡¯t a way to remove it¡­ is there?¡±

    ¡°¡­I¡¯m afraid not.¡± Ellis answered sternly. ¡°I specifically casted it on Alice so that the two users would not be able to break free.¡±

    ¡°I see¡­¡±

    ¡°But this isn¡¯t the only reason I did this. There is one more reason I went through the trouble of all of this: I need you two to stop Silias and take back the Organization.¡±

    ¡°W-Wait a minute! You want us to fight the leader right off the bat?! I don¡¯t even have any idea how this contract works¡­¡±

    Edrian put his hand on Kazuma¡¯s shoulder.

    ¡°Don¡¯t worry about it. Rest assured, you already know how to control it.¡±

    ¡°¡­You¡¯re kidding.¡±

    ¡°You wouldn¡¯t be here if I weren¡¯t.¡±

    ¡°But Kazuma has no experience with magic.¡± Alice added.

    ¡°I have confidence in him.¡± Ellis reassured. ¡°You have a strange aura, Kazuma.¡±

    Kazuma pointed at himself dumbfounded.

    ¡°Eh? Me?¡±

    ¡°You seem similar to someone I once knew. Your meeting with Alice, and bonding with the Contract was no coincidence.¡±

    Kazuma felt a tug on his clothing, and looked over to the direction where Alice was pulling. She nodded with determination, and in his mind that told him that she wanted to help them. Kazuma hesitated for a moment on whether he should or not, but then he sighed.

    ¡°Alright.¡± He said. ¡°I¡¯ll help. Can¡¯t really do anything about it now that I¡¯m part of this whole situation¡­¡±

    Alice¡¯s eyes beamed with hope, and both Edrian and Ellis smiled with relieve.

    ¡°Well, now that¡¯s out of the way¡­¡± Edrian concluded. ¡°I¡¯ll explain to you what the plan is going to be.¡±

    After Edrian told all the information that Alice and Kazuma needed to know, they were handed two brown hooded cloaks to help disguise themselves as Organization members. Edrian checked to see if there weren¡¯t anyone around so that they could blend in easier.

    ¡°Alright, you know the plan right?¡± Edrian asked.

    Kazuma and Alice nodded.

    ¡°Good. I¡¯ll meet you there, and be careful. We don¡¯t want to attract any unnecessary attention.¡±

    Edrian watched them go off into the hallways before closing the door.

    <hr>

    ¡°Good grief¡­¡±

    ¡°So¡­ this is it.¡± Ellis said.

    ¡°...Master?¡±

    ¡°Hm?¡±

    ¡°...Sorry. I shouldn''t have disobeyed.¡±

    ¡°No, it¡¯s my fault. Sending Alice to using an unorthodox method was surely going to come back to bite me. It certainly wasn¡¯t your fault. You were just doing what you thought was the best course of action to take. And I can¡¯t thank you enough for that.¡±

    ¡°So what happens now?¡±

    ¡°The Project has no reason to stay as long it has fulfilled its purpose. I¡¯ve done all I can. Aid them in this coming battle, Edrian. Watch out for those two in case anything goes wrong.¡±

    ¡°What about you Master Ellis? Master Silias will be sure to find out that you¡¯ve helped them all this time.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ll be fine. Don¡¯t worry about me. I¡¯ll be supporting as well. A mentor of magic still has some old tricks up his sleeve.¡±

    ¡°Are you sure?¡±

    ¡°I appreciate your concern, but you do not need to worry. You should be worrying about yourself since have a much more important mission at hand.¡±

    ¡°¡­I understand. Take care of yourself, Master.¡±

    ¡°You have my thanks, Edrian.¡± Ellis smiled.

    <hr>

    Author¡¯s Note

    Hello, Saitou Takumi here. Happy New Year! I am terribly sorry for most of the late chapters, including this one. To fit the pace, I am most likely going to take 2 weeks on each chapter. This will change soon as I learn to write on a better time budget. Nonetheless, thank you for taking the time to read this current chapter Pact! I hope that you will continue to reading even if there are long times between chapters.

 Chapter 10

    ¡°S-Start what now?¡± Kazuma asked.

    ¡°You want us to¡­ liberate the Organization by starting an uprising?¡± Alice added.

    ¡°That¡¯s right.¡± Edrian confirmed.

    ¡°H-Hold on a minute! Aren¡¯t things a bit of a bind right now? That¡¯s a bit much¡­¡± Alice interjected.

    ¡°That¡¯s why this is the most opportune moment for us.¡± Edrian replied.

    ¡°What do you mean?¡±

    ¡°Currently, a large portion of the Organization¡¯s members are trying to expend their resources on finding the missing test subject.¡±

    ¡°Me¡­¡± Alice answered.

    ¡°Correct.¡±

    ¡°But for how long?¡± Alice questioned.

    ¡°For about a good month or so.¡±

    ¡°A month¡­ They¡¯d go so far just to do that?¡± Kazuma pointed.

    ¡°Yeah. She¡¯s a pretty vital part of the project. I¡¯m pretty sure Silias would have a hard time trying to complete the project without its core component, that¡¯s why all hands are on deck for now. With that, they wouldn¡¯t have enough people to send out to look for her.¡±

    ¡°And Galus was the only one?¡± Kazuma added.

    ¡°Well¡­ technically speaking, yes¡­¡±

    ¡°They could have easily sent out more people to look for her couldn¡¯t they?¡±

    ¡°If they find you here. But we¡¯ll cross that bridge when it happens. Now listen closely, we don¡¯t have much time, and this has to go accordingly.¡±

    Edrian spread out a giant paper in front of him.

    ¡°Conveniently, this is the time where the magicians are at a gathering.¡±

    ¡°A gathering?¡± Kazuma curiously asked.

    ¡°Magicians are all together in one room in order to listen to a Master¡¯s words.¡± Ellis explained. ¡°Most likely Silias will be there.¡±

    ¡°You and Alice will head to the chamber and listen in on what they are saying. Do not make any unnecessary action unless you have to.¡±

    <hr>

    Kazuma walked along with Alice as she struggled to remember how to get to the crystal chamber that Master Ellis had mentioned.

    ¡°Hey, Alice. Are you sure you really know how to get there? Shouldn¡¯t you have asked Master Ellis for a map or something? You did just get back most of your lost memories after all¡­¡±

    ¡°Of course I do! It¡¯s¡­uh¡­right¡­¡±

    Suddenly, there were small collection of echoes of unfamiliar voices that could be heard faintly through the walls of the halls. Both Alice and Kazuma drew their attention to find out where the sound was coming from.

    ¡°What¡¯s that?¡± Kazuma asked as he tries to listen in on where the source of the sound is coming from.

    ¡°It must be coming from over here.¡±

    Alice pointed at a wall, and tried to search for something with the use of her hands.

    (¡°What are you doing?¡±)

    (¡°If I remember correctly, this place is filled with a bunch of hidden passages and passageways. So there should be a secret passage somewhere.¡±)

    After speculating for a while, there was a sudden click, where Alice had placed one of her hands on a stone. The wall had opened up, and Alice peeked over where she saw spacious room crowded with a bunch of other hooded magicians.

    ¡°What do you see?¡±

    ¡°It looks like the Organization is having some kind of meeting. This must be the place where Edrian and Master Ellis were talking about. Now, we play it cool. Follow me.¡±

    Kazuma nodded in agreement as they both stealthily walked towards the large group of magicians and tried to blend in from the back. On the platform, there were brown cloaked magicians with red insignias standing next to one another. While there was a white-haired, tanned skinned man preaching in the middle wearing gray robes, along with a gray cloak and gray boots.

    ¡°We are the Organization! Our order is true and unwavering! We are the sanctuary of the world! Together, we will create a new world! Pave the way for a new utopia!"

    Everyone in the crowd cheered except for Kazuma and Alice.

    ¡°Hail Silias!¡± The entire group of people said with their fists raised in the air.

    (¡°S-So that¡¯s Silias.¡±) Kazuma whispered.

    (¡°Yeah¡­¡±)

    As the crowd continued cheering for him, Silias¡¯s eyes widen as he sensed something unusual. He looked towards crowd, trying to find the source of his suspicions.

    (Am I just imagining things¡­?)

    His eyes scanned through the crowd once more, but still could not find the source.

    (No¡­ I¡¯m positive she¡¯s near¡­ but where¡­?)

    Silias turned his back on the crowd and whispered to one of his subordinates on his left.

    (¡°Keep your eyes open. I sense that she is near. Get everyone back to their posts.¡±)

    His subordinate nodded and Silias walked away from the crowd with his hand raised in the air.

    (¡°Where¡¯s he going?¡±) Kazuma asked himself as he sees Silias walking away.

    But just as he was about to follow after him, Alice pulled his arm.

    (¡°What are you doing?¡±)

    (¡°I¡¯m going to find out where Silias is heading.¡±)

    (¡°You can¡¯t without making a scene. You know what Edrian said, if we stay too long people might suspect something.¡±)

    Kazuma had no other choice but to oblige. The crowd began to disperse as the Organization magicians went back to jobs. Just as other people were returning to their posts, Kazuma and Alice followed the flow of the crowd. Suddenly, they were halted by a magician behind them.

    ¡°You there, halt.¡±

    Alice and Kazuma turned around facing the Organization member.

    ¡°I-is there something wrong?¡± Kazuma asked nervously as he hoped he wouldn¡¯t be discovered.

    The member skeptically looked at Kazuma for a while.

    ¡°I don¡¯t think I¡¯ve seen you before. Who are you?¡±

    ¡°Uh, me? Um¡­ I¡¯m¡ª I mean we¡ª¡±

    ¡°W-We¡¯re newcomers.¡± Alice answered.

    ¡°Really?¡± The member skeptically asked.

    ¡°That¡¯s right! We just came back, and we have orders from Master Silias.¡± Kazuma added.

    ¡°Is that so? Well then, off you go. And welcome to the Organization.¡±

    Kazuma nodded continued to walk away as Alice followed. Behind him, another Organization member spoke something to the other person that Kazuma had spoken with earlier.

    (¡°The Master thinks that there has been a disturbance. Should we check the perimeters?¡±)Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.

    (¡°Maybe we should do an identification check on every magician here.¡±)

    (¡°Crap. What do we do now?¡±) Kazuma whispered to Alice as he overheard the other magician talk.

    (¡°Just keep walking.¡±) Alice replied. (¡°We can probably get away if we¡¯re not in the vicinity¡ª¡±)

    ¡°Halt!¡± A different Organization member had called to both Alice and Kazuma. ¡°Show me some identification. We fear there has been a breach.¡±

    Both of them were at an impasse. There was only but one choice that they could choose in this desperate time. That only option was¡­ when Kazuma and Alice quickly began to make a run for the entrance.

    ¡°Gather reinforcements! Inform the Master that we have intruders!¡±

    Both Kazuma and Alice ran for their lives, and had somehow made their way through the maze of hallways. Alice quickly glanced back behind them and saw three magicians right on their tails.

    ¡°Three of them.¡± She told Kazuma.

    ¡°Over here!¡± A familiar voice said.

    As the two were running, they saw Edrian who was running in front of them.

    ¡°This way!¡±

    Without question, Kazuma and Alice listened and followed Edrian to wherever he would lead them. They soon were cornered to a wall, and turned around where magicians were ready to cast their magic. Just before the Organization magicians thought they had the intruders in their sights, a magic circle had enveloped beneath Alice, Kazuma and Edrian causing the three to vanish. The other members stood down as one of the Organization members punched the wall furiously.

    ¡°Report this to the Master immediately.¡±

    <hr>

    The magic circle that Edrian had casted led the three of them outside to the courtyard of the Organization¡¯s fortress.

    ¡°I¡¯ve bought us some time. It won¡¯t be long until they know where we are. Good grief, I ask you two to do simple recon, and this is what ends up happening?¡± Edrian sighed.

    ¡°What¡­do you¡­expect?¡± Kazuma asked as he tried to catch his breath.

    ¡°Anyways, did you get any info?¡±

    Kazuma and Alice looked at each other for a while and laughed nervously as they looked back at Edrian.

    ¡°You two¡­¡± Edrian sighed as he face palmed. ¡°¡­Oh well. It can¡¯t be helped.¡±

    ¡°What do you mean?¡±

    ¡°It means even if you two didn¡¯t get any new information, we already had everything we needed.¡±

    ¡°Then why¡¯d you send us over there in the first place?¡±

    ¡°Bait, of course.¡±

    ¡°¡­what now?¡±

    ¡°Kidding. But giving the Organization a sense of urgency makes things a bit easier now.¡±

    ¡°How so?¡± Alice interrupted.

    ¡°Well, the members are more spread out now, so they¡¯ll be easier to take on. A well-timed distraction to buy us some time.¡±

    ¡°What do we do now then?¡±

    ¡°The setup is already finished. Now for phase two¡­¡±

    <hr>

    An Organization member entered Silias¡¯s room. He sees Silias sitting on a chair, his head resting on his hand. The magician knelt down before him on the long red carpet of the room.

    ¡°Speak.¡± Silias commanded.

    ¡°Intruders has entered our facility.¡± A member reported.

    ¡°¡­Is that all?¡±

    ¡°Master?¡± The magician looked up at his Master, awaiting for Master Silias¡¯ next command.

    ¡°Do not inform me with such nonsense.¡± Silias scoffed. "Do you even know who the intruders are? You should identify the intruders first. Only then shall you report to me afterwards when you have results.¡± Silias says as he gets up from his seat walking past his subordinate.

    ¡°But Master¡ª¡±

    ¡°Do what you want. As long as the intruders are not interfering with the Project, pay no mind to them.¡± He ordered with a wave of his hand.

    Click. Clack. The sound of two doors unlocking and opening drew the attention of Silias and the Organization member. Another member entered the room and knelt before Silias with a message to send.

    ¡°Speak. And please inform me of good news.¡± He ordered.

    ¡°It¡¯s about Edrian¡­ sire. He has already apprehended the intruders. Shall I¡ª¡±

    ¡°No need.¡± Silias interrupted. ¡°I don¡¯t know what these intruders have done to cause such a commotion, but I¡¯ll personally see to it myself.¡±

    ¡°¡°¡­Yes master.¡±¡± The two members obeyed.

    <hr>

    Silias were accompanied by his two subordinates to the courtyard. He sees Edrian next to Alice and Kazuma with their hands tied behind their backs. Seeing this, Silias grinned with satisfaction as he was pleased with Edrian¡¯s work.

    ¡°Well done, Edrian.¡± Silias laughed as he clapped. ¡°I will see to it that you will be rewarded for your efforts.¡±

    ¡°Thank you, Master Silias.¡± Edrian bowed.

    ¡°Welcome back, Alice. How nice it is to see you again.¡± Silias smiled at Alice.

    Alice remained silent as she blatantly looked at Silias with a glare of disgust.

    ¡°¡­You¡¯re not my Master.¡±

    ¡°Is this how you should treat me? After everything I¡¯ve done for you¡­ this was supposed to be your cure.¡± He tsked Alice.

    ¡°Cure¡­?¡± Alice wondered.

    ¡°That¡¯s right. You¡¯re is the reason why this entire Project exists. How much power can one gain in their lifetime? People such as us only can obtain so much¡­ but Alice, you¡¯re special. The one who can break that barrier, and obtain much more than any other magician could in this Organization¡­ no, the entire world! I did promise that my research would help you achieve your magic. After all¡ª¡±

    He stopped mid-sentence, and directed his attention towards Kazuma.

    (Boy¡­ just who are you?) Silias thought to himself as he scowled at him.

    ¡°Is everything alright Master?¡± Edrian asked.

    ¡°¡­It is nothing.¡± Silias replied. ¡°Nothing at all¡­¡±

    ¡°Oh well, what matters is that Alice is in our hands now. We have no use for the boy, so dispose him and put Alice back where she belongs.¡± He ordered as he began to walk away.

    Silias turned to look at Kazuma.

    ¡°Wait.¡± Kazuma interrupted. ¡°You¡¯re Silias, aren¡¯t you?¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s right, boy. My name is Silias. You best remember it.¡± He replied with his back turned.

    ¡°¡­Let me ask you a question then.¡±

    ¡°Hoh?¡± Silias smirked with curiousity. ¡°Interesting¡­ fine. I¡¯ll play along.¡±

    He turned around as he eagerly complied with Kazuma¡¯s request.

    ¡°What is your question then, boy?¡±

    ¡°Why do you need Alice for?¡±

    Silias chuckled as he shook his head. ¡°Such a trivial question. But I¡¯m sure you know the answer to that don¡¯t you? Take them away.¡±

    Silias headed back inside. Just as soon as he left the courtyard, Edrian, Alice and Kazuma traded glances at each other. Kazuma nodded to signal Edrian to commence the plan. Both Alice and Kazuma broke free from their binds as they caught Silias¡¯s subordinates by surprise. While Kazuma and Alice held them down, Edrian knocked them out with swift movements. The three of them looked around to see if anyone had seen their actions.

    ¡°Good. Now let¡¯s move.¡± Edrian said.

    ¡°I see¡­ so that¡¯s what this is¡­¡± a voice spoke.

    There was a cloud of darkness that loomed around the three. Within in it was Silias, who reappeared chuckling with each step he took.

    ¡°You thought it was that simple? To think that you could fool me? You¡¯re going to have to try much harder than that.¡±

    ¡°¡­It stops here, Silias. This is not the way any of us intended.¡± Edrian declared.

    Silias¡¯s laugh had become a frown as he looked at them.

    ¡°Edrian¡­ I am most disappointed. So, she finally has her magic. What a pity.¡± He scoffed as his hands began to glimmer. ¡°No matter¡­ it¡¯s already too late for you.¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t think so, Silias.¡± Edrian replied.

    ¡°And why is that?¡±

    Edrian traded glances with Kazuma.

    ¡°I¡¯m counting on you.¡±

    ¡°Huh? Hey, wait a minute¡ª¡±

    By the time Kazuma could ask about what Edrian had said to him, he and Alice had already vanished with a cast of a magic circle beneath their feet.

    (¡°Damn it, looks like I got no choice¡­¡±) Kazuma says as he gritted his teeth.

    ¡°Ho? Plotting against me?¡±

    Silias snapped his fingers and two more of his subordinates appear. Kazuma cautiously takes a step back and prepares himself for anything that might come at his direction.

    ¡°Bring me the girl and Edrian. Leave me and the boy alone. If you¡¯re able to sever the girl¡¯s bond with the boy, he too shall fall.¡±

    Silias¡¯s subordinates bowed and vanished once Silias signaled his magicians to chase after them.

    ¡°I shall deal with you myself.¡±

    Kazuma swiftly drew his blade from the sheathed katana on his back as he takes his fighting stance. With Silias heading towards his direction, Kazuma instinctively thought his blade had sliced through Silias¡¯s body, but instead he suddenly vanished into thin air. Kazuma speculated at his surroundings as Silias¡¯s laughter filled the courtyard.

    ¡°Did you think it would have been that easy?¡± Silias asked.

    Kazuma searched around and turned to Silias¡¯s direction where his body reformed a few feet away.

    ¡°But you¡¯re not bad boy, I¡¯ll give that, but unfortunately you don¡¯t have enough to match my skill. Now, let me show you what true power is.¡±

    Silias rushed at Kazuma, while he swung his blade as a countermeasure. But with Silias casually dodging his every attack, he instead caught Kazuma¡¯s blade with one hand. Silias grinned as he bent his blade to one side.

    ¡°You¡¯re strong, boy. But let me tell you one thing. You use this power well, I¡¯ll give you that, but not well enough, I¡¯m afraid.¡±

    Kazuma distanced himself from Silias as readied his sword once more.

    ¡°Unfortunately, I have no use for you As for that, I shall finish this quite quickly.¡±

    Silias stuck out his hand as a purple, black orb of energy was being charged at the palm of his hand.

    ¡°Misera anima, non est inanis in lumine. Non recedet de tenebris ramos sciendum quod.¡± Silias chanted.

    As Silias chanted, a dark colored magic circle appeared as the orb grew bigger. Meanwhile, Kazuma is trying to figure a way out. He quickly runs out of time as the attack is being readied by the second.

    (There has to be some way out of this¡­ I have to escape this somehow¡­ but how?) He thought to himself.

    Kazuma attempts to run but finds himself unable to pass through the darkness. He finds that he is trapped along with Silias. He looked to his left and to his right, but sees nothing past the darkness which Silias has casted around him.

    ¡°There is no escape, boy. Your life ends here.¡± Silias assured as he continued to chant.

    ¡°Quietis tempus est enim ut mittam te ad profundum inferni¡­¡±

    Then for a moment, there was a brief silence.

    ¡°¡­This is the end.¡± Silias said to him.

 Chapter 11

    With a circle of light shone from the ground, both Edrian and Alice had arrived In a different part of the Organization¡¯s base where a sort of throne room with stone walls and a long red carpet stretches to a chair made with red leathering and mahogany wood.

    ¡°Where are we?¡± Alice wondered.

    ¡°Silias¡¯s room.¡± Edrian replied. ¡°There¡¯s supposed to be something here that could help us¡­¡±

    Alice shook her head.

    ¡°Never mind about that, what about Kazuma? We can¡¯t just leave him to fight off against Silias.¡±

    ¡°Fight or not, it makes for a useful distraction while he keeps him busy. He¡¯ll be fine¡­ probably.¡± He assured her as his hands searches along the walls.

    ¡°Probably? He¡¯s only been in one battle, let alone his knowledge on magic.¡± Alice said sternly with her arms crossed.

    ¡°We can¡¯t afford to hand you over to Silias.¡±

    Edrian looked over at Alice who seemed to be dissatisfied with his reasons.

    ¡°¡­You¡¯re right.¡± He said with a sigh. ¡°He¡¯s no magician, and there¡¯s no telling how he¡¯ll fair. But have faith, he¡¯ll manage.¡±

    ¡°What makes you so sure?¡± Alice asked with her eyebrow raised.

    ¡°Call it a magician¡¯s intuition. He¡¯s stronger than you think.¡±

    ¡°I hope so¡­¡± She muttered with doubt as she clenched her fist. ¡°But if anything happens to Kazuma, I¡¯ll hold you responsible.¡±

    ¡°¡­Fair enough.¡± Edrian replied as he goes back to searching.

    She takes a deep breath to relieve the anger and focused on assisting Edrian as a way of complying.

    ¡°So what is it we¡¯re exactly looking for?¡±

    ¡°Master Ellis said that he and Silias had left some research in a hidden room. You can help look for a switch or something, but we don¡¯t have much time though since other magicians will be here any moment¡ª¡±

    Suddenly, Edrian and Alice were both interrupted by the sound of the door breaking down behind them. Two magicians came crashing in from behind and Edrian swiftly pivoted to turn around confront the enemy while Alice took cover behind him.

    ¡°Speak of the devil¡­¡±

    ¡°Give it up Edrian.¡± One of them said as the approached them.

    The enemy kept approached them slowly while still maintaining distance from their targets. Their hands gleamed with colored auras ready to attack. With Alice¡¯s and Edrian¡¯s backs against the wall, there was nowhere else for them to escape. Edrian put his hand out, signaling the magicians to stop.

    ¡°Hold on. Why are you still following him? Don¡¯t you know what Silias has been doing?¡± Edrian asked.

    ¡°We should be the ones asking you that, traitor.¡± One of the magicians responded. ¡°You swore loyalty to the Organization, so how could you betray us?¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s not it. Don¡¯t you see? This Project that Silias created has gone into the wrong direction. We¡¯ve lost sight of our true purpose in this Organization. He¡¯s just using you for his own personal gain.¡±

    ¡°The reason we do this is because Master Silias has given us all a place in our lives, a purpose to fulfill. Why help the girl escape her true calling in the Organization?¡±

    ¡°Alice has been manipulated for too long, and has no reason to stay here any longer. She deserves to live a normal life. What would Silias need of her now?¡±

    ¡°Silias knows what is right. He intends to improve world, and once the partner of that girl has been found, no one will be powerless anymore.¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t make me laugh. Are you aware that this girl has made the Contract with a partner?¡±

    The two magicians looked at each other for a brief moment before looking back at Edrian.

    ¡°You¡¯re lying.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s true¡­¡± Alice said as she shows them the glowing mark on her hand.

    ¡°We have been his pawns for far too long.¡± Edrian added. ¡°He used us to serve for his own purpose alone, and once his own objective is complete, he will cast us away like the trash he thinks we are.¡±

    ¡°You speak of such nonsense, Edrian. Our Master has no intention of hurting our own. But this is your final warning, step aside, and surrender the girl or you will be annihilated.¡±

    ¡°It doesn¡¯t have to be this way. Our mission has considered to be completed. The Project can finally end, and we can go back to the days before. What part of that do you people not understand?¡±

    The hands of Silias¡¯s subordinates began to ignite, ready to burst with energy. Edrian took a step back, prepared to counter anything that was aiming at him.

    ¡°¡­Fine then. I didn¡¯t want to do this, but if you won¡¯t listen to reason I might as well make it easy for you.¡±

    One of the subordinates raised his finger and glowing red lines were drawn to form a magic circle pentagon. Roaring flames were aimed towards Edrian¡¯s direction, and there was an explosion. When the smoke had cleared, Edrian and Alice was nowhere to be seen. The subordinates quickly glanced around them.

    ¡°Where¡¯d they go?¡±

    ¡°Spread out. They could have gone far-¡±

    Edrian¡¯s fist swiftly hit the first subordinate¡¯s face, while Alice elbowed the other¡¯s stomach and kicked them both onto the ground. The two of them laid on the ground in pain while a third managed to sneak up behind them. Just before he could make a move, however, Edrian had already made a move on the other subordinate and took him out as well. Edrian and Alice both took a moment to process this, as Alice sighed with victory and Edrian dusted off his hands.

    ¡°Well, looks like they didn¡¯t put much of a fight. So I guess that¡¯s that. We¡¯d better hurry and-¡± Edrian sighed as he crossed his arms.

    When Edrian turned around to look at Alice¡¯s direction, his eyes widened as another hooded magician grabbed him from behind. Alice had knelt down as she put her hands up in the air. They soon found themselves both surrounded by other Organization magicians.

    ¡°You¡¯ve got to be kidding me.¡± Edrian jinxed himself.

    ¡°Edrian, we have you cornered. It is best that you surrender now.¡± One of group members said.

    Edrian slowly knelt on his knees with his hands up. The magician holding Alice captive nodded to signal one of the magicians to restrain Edrian. His hands were tied behind his back as his head was looking down at the ground. They soon tied up Alice as well as they put them side by side to each other.

    ¡°We have them Master Ellis.¡±

    ¡°Good work.¡± Master Ellis said as he entered the room.

    ¡°Master¡­? But I thought¡­¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t worry about me¡­ this will all be over soon.¡± He told Alice as he lifted his hand upwards with his index finger free while the middle finger and thumb were touching, and the other two fingers were curled.

    With a single snap, there was a sudden flash of light that had filled the room. The magicians had all their hands over their heads, as if they had just woke up from a bad dream.

    ¡°What were we¡­¡±

    ¡°Are you alright?¡± Ellis asked them.

    ¡°I believe so¡­ Master Ellis¡­! Were we¡ª¡±

    Soon enough, the other magicians had begun to realize their own misdeeds and had untied Alice and Edrian¡¯s bindings.

    ¡°Forgive us, Master.¡± They all apologized simultaneously as they knelt on one knee.

    ¡°Were they¡­?¡± Alice skeptically questioned.

    ¡°In a matter of speaking, yes.¡± Edrian replied. ¡°To put it bluntly, it seems to be that Silias was using a method that similar to brainwashing. I¡¯m sure those constant meetings in the crystal chamber had to keep them in line so that the control would not expire so easily.¡±

    ¡°True, we now know the source, but there are more members who are still under his influence.¡± Ellis nodded agreeingly.

    ¡°Can we help in any way?¡± One of the members asked. ¡°It¡¯s the least we can do to atone what we¡¯ve done¡­¡±

    ¡°Of course.¡± Ellis smiled. ¡°The mission is not over yet. All of you will join Edrian to help the others in the Organization to break free of the control¡­¡±

    ¡°What about Silias?¡± Edrian interrupted.

    ¡°I¡¯ll handle the matter.¡± Ellis says.

    ¡°I¡¯ll come too. I can help.¡± Alice added.

    ¡°No, you must help the others first. I cannot allow myself to put you into anymore danger.¡±

    ¡°Master¡­ are you sure?¡± Edrian asked. ¡°Silias was¡­¡±

    ¡°I know¡­ he may not even be the same person I knew before. Even so, I¡¯d like to say my farewells. Now then¡­ we all know our roles?¡±

    Everyone nodded.

    ¡°Good. I hope to see you all safe.¡±

    Just as everyone had left the room with goals to fulfill, Edrian had stopped one of the Organization¡¯s before they left.The narrative has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

    (¡°A moment, please.¡±) Edrian told him. (¡°This won¡¯t take long.¡±)

    The member nodded, and as everyone had left the room only the two were

    ¡°What is it you wish to talk about?¡± He asked.

    ¡°Help me find the other subjects.¡±

    <hr>

    ¡°¡­This is the end.¡± Silias said to Kazuma.

    No way out. For Kazuma, this is exactly what it looks if he does nothing in the next minute. Silias readied his attack and was going to end his life right then and there. With one option left in his mind, Kazuma kept his head down began to run the opposite direction.

    The exact moment when Silias launched the large scale attack, Kazuma exerted force from his right hand. As a result, there was an explosion that shook the entire castle and left the area in which the entire courtyard was left with nothing but smoke and rubble.

    ¡°¡­What a pitiful sight.¡± Silias sighed. ¡°Such was expected as someone like him.¡±

    Suddenly, something caught the attention of the Organization¡¯s leader. As the smoke had began to settle, Kazuma looked up at Silias¡¯s direction as he gripped his fist with the glowing symbol of his Contract on the back of his hand and his eyes that had gleamed a multitude of colors. After a brief moment, the gleam in his eyes and hand had faded away. Kazuma knelt to the ground due to dizziness, and tried to shake it off. For the most part, he finds himself unscathed.

    ¡°That¡¯s enough Silias.¡± A familiar stern voice suddenly called out.

    Kazuma looked up at the brown cloaked magician that was in front of his line of sight.

    (Who¡­?) He thought.

    ¡°I knew it¡­ So your true colors have finally shown¡­ Ellis.¡± Silias smirked.

    Once he took off his hood, Kazuma had recognized his face. The old sage with a short white beard was none other than Master Ellis himself.

    ¡°Master Ellis¡­¡±

    ¡°Are you alright Kazuma?¡± Ellis asked.

    ¡°I¡¯m fine. What about Alice?¡±

    ¡°Not to worry, she is safe.¡±

    ¡°Hmph.¡± Silias smirked. ¡°So you¡¯ve decided to show yourself Ellis. To think we¡¯d face against each other to face like this¡­ why am I not surprised?¡±

    ¡°This needs to stop now Silias. The Project has failed. I won¡¯t let you continue this any longer.¡±

    ¡°Failed? Don¡¯t make me laugh. This Project has been a success. The boy and Alice is what I needed all along. It won¡¯t be perfect at first, but once I have the two, I can accomplish what this world needs to see.¡±

    ¡°What this world needs to see?¡± Kazuma questioned.

    ¡°That¡¯s right, boy. In this world, there is nothing more in this world that can make us better than power. Now with magic, we are more than what we can ever be.¡±

    ¡°Magic is not used for strife, Silias. The Organization was formed to keep peace and help the common people.¡±

    ¡°Ah, but that¡¯s where you¡¯re wrong Ellis. This Organization can do much more than that. Think of all the goals we can accomplish! We can fix all the wrongs and faults this world has caused! Wars we can finally end, diseases we can cure, all of this possible, and even be gods of this world.¡±

    ¡°We are mere men, not gods. We can¡¯t change what we already know and bend the rules. There are guidelines, laws of this world we cannot break. If that balance is tampered with, we will all have to pay the price.¡±

    Kazuma agreeing with Ellis¡¯s words, he mustered whatever strength he has left to stand upright again, readying his sword.

    ¡°I see. Well that¡¯s too bad. It looks like there¡¯s no convincing you Ellis. You¡¯ve always been that way. But no matter. I will claim what is mine.¡± Silias scoffed.

    Silias had swiftly taken the opportunity to attack. Ellis took quick action and pushed Kazuma away and at the same time blocked Silias¡¯s punch. The two of them had a brief exchange of punches before pushing themselves away from each other at a far distance, Kazuma looked over to see if Master Ellis was alright.

    ¡°Master Ellis!¡± Kazuma shouted.

    Ellis kept his blocking stance for a moment before brushing the dust off his cloak like the attack had never even occurred to him.

    ¡°I am fine.¡±

    Silias¡¯s chuckles had grabbed their attention.

    ¡°You know better than anyone else when to give up, old friend.¡±

    (Old friend?) Kazuma thought to himself. (Were these two¡­)

    ¡°And you know better than anyone that I won¡¯t give up either.¡±

    Ellis¡¯s words made Silias laugh briefly before his expression turned somber.

    ¡°You don¡¯t want to do this don¡¯t you?¡± Silias asked him.

    ¡°No¡­¡± Ellis replied. ¡°But you leave me no choice otherwise.¡±

    Silias sprinted towards the unfazed Ellis, but instead of a frontal assault he attempted with an afterimage and instead with a back attack. As soon as he was able to reach him, Kazuma quickly interfered as he charged in with his blade. Silias didn¡¯t expected this, and thus didn¡¯t have much time to dodge his blade as well. Instead, Silias blocked it with his forearm and the two of them kept their distance from each other.

    ¡°Damn brat¡­¡± Silias scoffed as he applied pressure to the wound on his forearm.

    ¡°Kazuma¡­ you didn¡¯t have to¡ª¡±

    ¡°Master Ellis,¡± Kazuma interrupted as he widened his stance with sword in hand. ¡°I may not be strong as Alice or any other magician, and don¡¯t know what your history with Silias is¡­ but if he was indeed your friend, I¡¯ll do what I can to help.¡±

    Ellis was at a loss of words, and all he could do was nod and smiled at him.

    ¡°Silias¡­ I won¡¯t give up on you now.¡± Ellis stated.

    ¡°Hmph¡­ you¡¯re wasting your time, Ellis. One single second of hesitation will lead to your downfall.¡±

    ¡°¡­I won¡¯t have to.¡±

    Ellis put his hand on Kazuma¡¯s shoulder and chanted: ¡°Magiker av den gamle, gi meg muligheten til ? velsigne denne kontraktbrukeren med styrken, slik at han kan spre alt som er bra.¡±

    Suddenly, Kazuma had felt a rush of energy as those words were being chanted to him.

    Without any time to waste, Silias hands gleamed with a dark purple aura as he charged at Kazuma. With every attack Silias threw at him, Kazuma deflected every one with his blade. Silias then flung his sword out of his hands and saw an opening for him to strike. Kazuma quickly reacted, and used his right hand to block Silias¡¯s punch. Silias punched him once more and Kazuma caught his punch before it could reach him. With his attempt failed, Silias had backed off and kept his distance from Kazuma. Silias charged once more, but just when he thought he had Kazuma, he had already vanished. Kazuma attempted to strike from above. But when he slashed Silias, there were only the remains of his black cloak.

    Kazuma landed on his feet and looked around to see where Silias was. A magic attack was fired from behind, and quickly used his right arm to block the attack. In doing so, there was smoke that had engulfed him. Silias had walked towards it to see if his efforts had succeeded, but within seconds afterwards Kazuma attacked him unexpectedly. Silias was prepared to block his attack, but when he attempted counter Kazuma, he only saw his afterimage disappear.

    Silias¡¯s eyes widened as his realized that Kazuma had outplayed him, he quickly created a barrier to protect himself. Kazuma still continued with the assault, and as he was still within range, their paths had crossed. Kazuma and Silias both turned around, and seconds later Silias grunted with pain as he knelt on one knee and dropped his barrier.

    (Damn this child¡­ he wasn¡¯t as strong minutes before!)

    He looked over at Kazuma was also breathing heavily, and Ellis who stood far behind Kazuma with a stern look on his face.

    Silias gritted his teeth as he clenched his fist.

    (Ellis¡­ that snake¡ª)

    Suddenly, Silias¡¯s expression of frustration had turned into an expression of evil laughter.

    ¡°Don¡¯t get too confident, boy. Ellis may have helped you this time, but you can¡¯t keep this up forever. The fatigue of your premature Contract will soon wear you out. You may have a Contract, but you are a novice at that.¡±

    ¡°¡­You¡¯re right.¡± Kazuma admitted. ¡°I¡¯m no magician, but that doesn¡¯t make me unable to fight.¡±

    Chains suddenly binded around Silias as he was unable to move. He looked around him and saw that he was surrounded by the magicians of the Organization. It wasn¡¯t long before Alice and Edrian were by their side as well.

    ¡°Was this your plan then? Well played¡­¡±

    ¡°You¡¯ve lost Silias. It¡¯s over.¡± Ellis said.

    ¡°Heh. So you¡¯ve managed to make everyone turn against me¡­¡±

    Silias lowered his head as he chuckled weakly at the face of his own defeat.

    ¡°What a fool I was¡­ In the end of all of this, I was blinded by the single truth I had failed to comprehend all along. But listen well, even if you manage to succeed here, but you have yet to pass the next challenge.¡±

    Just before Kazuma could speak, the ground beneath them began to rumble.

    A large gust of wind blew and everyone that distanced themselves from Silias. Everyone covered their eyes, unable to see what was going on through the wind.

    <hr>

    Moments later, the wind had calmed and what appeared before them was a large cylindrical shaped barrier. It seemed transparent, but inside was gray and it was impossible to make out of the inside.

    ¡°Is everyone okay?¡± Ellis asked.

    Edrian approached it and knocked on it with his hand. It was impenetrable, and it doesn¡¯t seem like there¡¯s any way to enter from the outside.

    ¡°There¡¯s no way in.¡± Edrian speculated.

    ¡°This seems to be Silias¡¯s last resort.¡± Master Ellis explained.

    ¡°Last resort?¡±

    ¡°Yes. It seems that Silias has been cornered into a situation that he couldn¡¯t have predicted himself to be in.¡±

    Edrian looked around him but realized that Kazuma was not anywhere in the vicinity.

    ¡°Wait a minute, where did Kazuma go?¡±

    Alice scurried around with a worried look on her face.

    ¡°KAZUMA!¡± She called out.

    Her voice echoed throughout the courtyard, but there was no response. Ellis reassured her put his hand on Alice¡¯s shoulder.

    ¡°No one has seen him.¡± Edrian interrupted. ¡°Unless¡­¡±

    They all looked at the large cylindrical barrier.

    ¡°¡­He¡¯s inside.¡± Edrian answered.

    ¡°We have to get him out.¡± Alice said.

    Ellis nodded.

    ¡°There¡¯s no telling what he could do. Have the members unspell the barrier immediately.¡±

    Alice felt a rush of fatigue throughout her entire body. Her breathing was heavy and she could feel immense pain everywhere.

    ¡°What¡­ is this¡­?¡±

    ¡°Must be the Contract.¡± Edrian explained. ¡°Looks like that Contract has finally bonded between the two of you.¡±

    <hr>

    (What happened? Where am I?)

    Kazuma shook his head and looked around him. There was a large amount of humidity and that eluded the ground and even his own surroundings. He took a few steps walking forward, and encountered the frail Silias that knelt on one leg, struggling to stand upright. He instinctively readied his sword as Silias chuckled.

    ¡°So¡­ this is the end for me.¡± Silias chuckled weakly.

    ¡°Where are we?¡± Kazuma demanded.

    ¡°Listen well boy, as I don¡¯t have much time left¡­¡± Silias wheezed. ¡°This Project was meant for those who didn¡¯t have mana. Magic was meant to be for those who did not possess any talent, and yet fate is cruel enough to give those who cannot use the mana that was given to them. The Contract allowed them to share magic, their wisdom.¡±

    ¡°Why tell me this?¡±

    ¡°You know why, boy.¡±

    ¡°Me¡­?¡±

    ¡°I started this to help people embrace the use of Contracts¡­ who knew that I was beaten by a mere child?¡± He snickered.

    ¡°You didn¡¯t help her.¡±

    Silias paused to laugh at Kazuma¡¯s obliviousness.

    ¡°The road will only be harder from here on, boy.¡±

    The hooded figure appeared behind Silias as he watched him suffer.

    ¡°But not for you, I¡¯m afraid.¡± A stern voice spoke.

    He then unexpectedly grabbed Silias by the neck as he choked. Silias looked behind him as his eyes widened at the figure¡¯s glowing right hand.

    ¡°You¡­ how did you¡ª¡±

    ¡°Hmph. You¡¯re asking that now? You¡¯re dumber than I thought. I¡¯m not here to be persuaded anymore Silias. I¡¯m here to finish what I should have done years ago.¡±

    Silias grabbed on the person¡¯s hands trying to break free, but could not muster the strength to break free. Then there was a sudden gleam of light as Silias screamed loudly. Seconds later, Silias had stopped struggling and the person dropped Silias¡¯s lifeless body on the ground right in front of Kazuma. Kazuma quickly readied his katana as the hooded figure turned at his direction. The figure did not move an inch. He was able to catch glimpses of the figure¡¯s light blue eyes and strands of light blue hair from under his hood.

    ¡°Such was his fate¡­ but I¡¯m impressed you¡¯ve seem to hold out on your own against him with such little experience.¡±

    ¡°Who are you? Why did you¡ª¡±

    ¡°¡­You are of no concern to me.¡± He replied.

    The person turned and walked away without another word.

    ¡°Wait!¡± Kazuma shouted at him.

    He was left with many questions in his mind. His hand reached out to the stranger, but just before he could ask, he was gone. Left with Silias¡¯s lifeless body in front of him, Kazuma suddenly felt a rush of fatigue flow throughout his body. He could not keep his eyes open, and had fainted moments later.

 Chapter 12

    In moderately lit room, there were five large chairs that surrounded a large round table. Five hooded members sat in those five chairs and each member wore different colored cloaks and had similar diamond shaped insignias on the collar of their cloaks.

    ¡°Now that we all have gathered¡­¡± A member with a red hooded cloak spoke. "You may begin, please."

    ¡°Yes¡­ well, news that head of the Organization has passed.¡± Another member with a blue hooded cloak said as he cleared his throat.

    ¡°Nonsense. Old man Silias? Clearly, there must have been some mistake. Are you certain?¡± The member with a green hooded cloak commented.

    ¡°Yes, but by who?¡± A member with a yellow hooded cloak questioned.

    ¡°Witnesses have yet to confirm the certainty of the death, but they did say that they had help from the outside.¡± The member with a purple hooded cloak revealed.

    ¡°Impossible.¡± The green member argued, ¡°An outsider? Are you suggesting that Silias''s death had been planned beforehand? That can¡¯t be.¡±

    There was a commotion between the green, yellow, and purple members. The red member had pounded his hand loudly on the round table to silence them.

    ¡°That¡¯s enough. We cannot confirm any of this information just yet. Further investigation must be had before a conclusion can be reached. In any case, there are more important matters to discuss. We should not fuss over this with pointless bickering. If any of you who would like to discuss about this shall take this outside.¡±

    None of the other members spoke.

    ¡°Good. Now, if there are no further comments on this¡­ you may continue.¡±

    The blue member cleared his throat.

    ¡°¡­Right. Well, other than Silias¡¯s passing¡­ who shall be the next head of the Organization?¡±

    ¡°Who is the next in command?¡± The red member inquired.

    ¡°I believe that would be Master Ellis.¡± The blue member replied.

    ¡°Then he shall be the new leader of the Organization. Any disagreements?¡±

    None of the members had raised their hands nor was there a sound from anyone.

    ¡°Good. Now then¡­¡±

    ¡°Might I ask why you nominated him as a candidate? Clearly there are other Masters at the Organization who could work better.¡± The purple member interrupted as he raised his hand.

    ¡°I believe Master Ellis has a better understanding than Silias would ever have. So far, all Silias has done nothing to benefit us. Although Silias has attempted to make an effort, I¡¯ve always felt that he lacked the necessity of understanding the situation at hand.¡±

    ¡°And the rumors of the Organization and Silias? Shall we investigate this matter?¡± The yellow member asked.

    ¡°I¡¯ll leave that up for you to decide.¡±

    ¡°And the outsider?¡± The green member spoke.

    ¡°¡­We shall look into it another time. Now if there are no other matters that are in need of discussion, meeting adjourned.¡±

    <hr>

    The five members stood up and left the conference room as they all returned to their daily routines. However, one member still remained. The blue member had stayed behind.

    ¡°There¡¯s something I wish to ask of you.¡±

    ¡°Hm? What is it?¡± The red member asked.

    ¡°¡­I was wondering, even if it already has been too late to bring up. Why did you choose Silias as leader of the Organization all those years ago?¡±

    ¡°What do you mean?¡±

    ¡°His reasoning was clearly driven by purpose, solely for seeking a magic that had once been erased. The experimentation of Contracts, all of us knew how dangerous it would have been if the Contract was not completely stable. If one fails to balance the other, it would have been catastrophic. Even so, many magicians in the Organization still volunteered for the sake Silias¡¯s research¡­ I am to blame for all this."

    "My mistake. I was not suggesting¡ª"

    ¡°No, if it weren¡¯t my foolishly blind decision, all those magicians should have been still alive. It was my fault, I wanted to give everyone a chance to experience things others could, but it ended up failing. And I will have to live that burden.¡±

    ¡°But we all made that decision as a group. There isn¡¯t any need for who¡¯s to blame.¡±

    ¡°It doesn¡¯t make a difference. Just because I was leader, did not mean that I was the one who led us into the right choice.¡±

    The red member gritted his teeth and gripped his hand into a fist. The blue member put his hand on his shoulder to comfort him.

    ¡°Everyone feels the responsible. There was nothing we could have done. Whatever choice we make, we will see through that it is set on the right path. To avoid the calamity.¡±

    The blue member walked out of the room, leaving the red member alone in the empty room.

    <hr>

    ¡°Hey, are you awake yet?¡± A girl¡¯s voice asked.

    Kazuma remains motionless in bed.

    ¡°Helloooo?¡± The girl¡¯s voice had asked again.

    Kazuma slowly opened his eyes, and the first thing he sees is the girl¡¯s green eyes right in front of his face. Being startled by the closeness of the person¡¯s face, he quickly sat up till his back had leaned against the wall.

    ¡°Huh? What are you¡ª¡±

    Kazuma paused for a moment. Seeing that it looked like Alice with her infantile body, but it occurred to him that she looked more infantile-like, and had worn an all-white outfit instead of a white and black one.

    ¡°¡­You¡¯re not Alice.¡±

    The blond girl with green eyes and wearing a white dress smiled at Kazuma.

    ¡°Ding! Ding! Ding! Correct!¡±

    Kazuma sighed as he scratched his head and looked around the white-walled bedroom.

    ¡°You look kinda weird. Why are you dressed like that?¡± She laughed at his clothes.

    ¡°Huh?¡±

    Kazuma looked at his own clothes and realized that he was wearing his school uniform once again.

    ¡°Oh uh, well it¡¯s kind of a long story.¡±

    ¡°Mistress? Where did you go?¡± An indistinct voice could be heard from the other side of the door.

    The blond-haired girl quickly hid under the covers next to Kazuma. The purple haired maid opened the door and sees Kazuma awake. She panicked as she bowed shyly.

    ¡°Ah¡­ I¡¯m sorry to intrude.¡± She politely said.

    ¡°It¡¯s fine. I just woke up anyways.¡±

    ¡°Sorry to disturb you¡­ have you seen my Mistress? She¡¯s always wandering off somewhere.¡±

    ¡°Ah, I see¡­¡±

    Somehow, Kazuma is getting an idea of who the maid might be talking about.

    The blond-haired girl slowly rolled the covers that were over her head to peek. The maid noticed from the corner her eye, and she pulled the covers. The girl quickly clung on to Kazuma the moment she had been found out. The maid put her hands on her hips.

    ¡°Mistress, where have you been? Do you know how long I have been searching for you?¡±

    The girl puffed her cheeks.

    ¡°Hmph. I just want to have some fun! I never get to do anything! First, you won¡¯t let me play outside, and then you won¡¯t let me play with him!¡±

    ¡°Please don¡¯t bother our guest here, Mistress!¡±

    The maid pulls on the girl as she screamed and continued to cling on to Kazuma. Being pulled back and forth, Kazuma remains a victim without any clue or explanation of what was happening around him.

    ¡°Kazuma?¡± A familiar voice called to him.

    He then directed his attention to a familiar voice. It was Alice who peeked over from the doorway as she beamed with relieve and happiness. She ran up to him and hugged Kazuma.

    ¡°You¡¯re awake! You¡¯ve been asleep for days! I didn¡¯t know when you were going to wake up!¡±

    ¡°Has it really been that long?¡±

    The blond haired girl that was still clinging to Kazuma puffed her cheeks jealously since he wasn¡¯t paying any attention to him.

    ¡°No fair! I wanted to hug him too! Don¡¯t hog all him all at once, big sis!¡±

    Kazuma remembered the situation that he was in seconds later and looked over at Alice all confused and in need of answers.

    ¡°Care to explain?¡±

    Alice and Kazuma both looked over at the maid and the small girl. The maid let go of the small girl, made herself look presentable and bowed to him in a polite manner.

    ¡°Greetings, I am Elizabeth. Please excuse me for my rude behavior, and all the commotion of my poorly mannered mistress.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s fine, there¡¯s no need to apologize.¡± Kazuma chuckled.

    ¡°And I¡¯m Celia. Sorry for waking you up so suddenly.¡± She smirked cheerfully while pulling on his clothes.

    ¡°Yeah yeah, apology accepted. So where are we exactly?¡±

    ¡°In my house.¡± Celia said.

    ¡°Huh¡­?¡±

    Kazuma was a bit confused at first but at the same time, astonished to see that a girl this young of age would be the owner of this house.

    ¡°Your¡­ house? So that would mean Elizabeth is your maid.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s right.¡± Cecila nodded. ¡°Don¡¯t worry about the minor details. But technically, Elizabeth takes care of me 24/7.¡±

    ¡°I see¡­¡±

    ¡°So what¡¯s your connection with big sis?¡± Celia asked as she put her face close towards Kazuma¡¯s while she stared into his eyes.

    ¡°You mean Alice?¡± He replied trying to keep a distance. ¡°And why do you refer to her as ¡®big sis¡¯? Are you two somehow related?¡±

    ¡°I guess you can say that. I honestly don¡¯t actually know per say¡­ all I remember is that we were close as kids.¡±

    Alice tugged on Celia¡¯s white dress.

    ¡°Don¡¯t bother him, he¡¯s might be still tired from the last battle.¡±

    When Alice had said that, it reminded him of what had happened between him and the Organization¡¯s leader, Silias.Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on the original website.

    (Now that you mention it¡­)

    Kazuma started to remember bits and pieces of what had happened before he blacked out.

    ¡°Is something wrong Kazuma?¡± Alice asked.

    ¡°Huh? Oh¡­nothing¡¯s wrong.¡±

    Elizabeth tugged on Celia¡¯s clothes as she tells her to leave the two of them alone.

    ¡°Ehhh? But I don¡¯t wanna¡ª¡±

    She covered her mouth and bowed to Alice and Kazuma as they took their leave out of the bedroom.

    ¡°Excuse us.¡±

    While Elizabeth pulled Celia out of the room, Reika left them alone as well and had closed the door. The two of them were still sitting on the bed and there was an awkward silence that filled the room.

    (Ugh, why can¡¯t I at least bring up a topic?) He awkwardly thought to himself.

    ¡°Hey, Kazuma¡­¡± Alice spoke.

    ¡°Hm?¡±

    ¡°Thanks. For everything.¡±

    Kazuma smiled as he patted Alice¡¯s head.

    ¡°Isn¡¯t this the second time you¡¯ve thanked me so far?¡±

    ¡°B-but this is more than just a thank you! Now that the Organization is no longer after me, I feel like I can do what I want with my life. You¡¯ve helped me regain that.¡± Alice mumbled as she turned red.

    ¡°That¡¯s great isn¡¯t it?¡±

    She shook her head and puffed her cheeks.

    ¡°That¡¯s not it! It¡¯s¡­¡±

    Her words drifted off into a sudden silence.

    ¡°¡­There¡¯s no way I can ever repay you with just a simple ¡®thank you¡¯.¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t worry about it.¡±

    ¡°But¡­ I¡¯ve probably caused you enough trouble as it is.¡±

    ¡°Well, if it¡¯s no problem with me, then there wasn¡¯t any problem to begin with wasn¡¯t there? Besides¡­ it¡¯s more of a blessing now that I¡¯ve survived this far.¡± Kazuma said as he scratched his head.

    ¡°You¡¯re probably right.¡± Alice said she got up. ¡°Well anyways, I¡¯ll be downstairs with Celia and the others if you need me.¡±

    Kazuma plopped himself back on the bed the moment she leaves the room.

    ¡°Feeling comfortable?¡±

    Looking over at the direction of the voice, he saw a familiar someone that was looking straight at him.

    ¡°I need to talk to you about something.¡± Edrian as he leaned against the door that closed behind him.

    ¡°Before that.¡± Kazuma interrupted. ¡°What happened to me after I was knocked out?¡±

    ¡°Well, we moved you to a safer location right after the battle where you could recover.¡±

    ¡°In Celia¡¯s house, right?¡±

    ¡°Well¡­technically speaking, it¡¯s a mansion.¡±

    ¡°Wha¡ª a mansion?!¡±

    ¡°Yeah. Largest homestead in the city.¡±

    ¡°A city¡­? Just where the heck am I?¡±

    ¡°Have you ever heard of the city of Salem?¡±

    ¡°Salem¡­?¡±

    ¡°Yeah. That¡¯s where we are right now. Centuries ago, this very city where many were accused of witchcraft and banished many for using the arts of magic. That was before anyone knew that mana had even existed at all. Now its the pinnacle of all that is magic, ironic isn¡¯t it? A city that had once feared magic now becomes it¡¯s greatest uses.¡±

    ¡°Sounds kind of morbid to me.¡±

    ¡°Anyways, Celia¡¯s family is pretty wealthy. And for what I know, Alice used to stay here a lot before she ended up with the Organization. But that¡¯s not what I came to talk about. What happened with you and Silias inside the barrier?¡±

    ¡°Huh¡­? What happened to him¡­?¡±

    ¡°I guess they didn¡¯t tell you¡­¡±

    ¡°Tell me what?¡±

    ¡°Silias is dead. It happened right after it ended, both of you were lying on the ground. We went over to see if you were both still alive, but only to find Silias was the only one dead. I couldn¡¯t imagine that you were the one who killed him.¡±

    ¡°What¡­? No. That wasn¡¯t me¡­ that couldn¡¯t be me.¡±

    ¡°Well you were the only one that was inside there after all. Do you recall anything?¡±

    ¡°Now that you mention it¡­¡± Kazuma began to recall. ¡°He¡­¡±

    Kazuma hesitated and gulped as began to feel shivers down his spine.

    ¡°He was killed by someone else.¡±

    ¡°Killed? By who? Did you see who it was?¡±

    Kazuma shook his head.

    ¡°I don¡¯t recall¡­ and on top of that, it was hard to see.¡±

    ¡°Anything that might have stood out to you?¡±

    ¡°No wait¡­ it was a bit hazy¡ª I don¡¯t know who though. All I know that he wore the Organization¡¯s cloak. There weren¡¯t any marks anywhere for sure¡­ but he didn¡¯t attack me, and he grabbed Silias by the neck. I remember seeing light blue eyes¡­ that¡¯s about it.¡±

    (Strange¡­ that sounds a bit like¡­) Edrian thought to himself.

    ¡°Edrian?¡±

    Kazuma interrupted with Edrian¡¯s train of thought. Edrian shook his head.

    ¡°Sorry. It¡¯s nothing. Anyways, there isn¡¯t enough information to confirm who it is, there could be many others in the Organization that have the same eye color, and judging by the looks of it¡­ I don¡¯t think there could be anyone that would be as strong as Silias.¡±

    ¡°So what happens now then?¡±

    ¡°We wait, at least. There¡¯s nothing we can do anything about it for now. We¡¯ll have to wait and see about it.¡±

    ¡°What¡¯s will happen to the Organization now? It¡¯ll be without a leader wouldn¡¯t it?¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s up for the High Council to decide, whether or not they will choose a new leader. Until then¡­¡±

    Edrian exited the doorway. Kazuma chased after him wanting to ask him a couple more questions, but he looked over at where he took a turn, there was no sign of him. As if he had just vanished.

    Kazuma shrugged since there was nothing he can do about it now. He walked down the stairs and sees Alice, Celia and a pale-skinned female with long black hair and brown eyes wearing red shrine maiden uniform sitting on a luxurious wooden sofa while Elizabeth poured them tea to drink.

    Alice spotted Kazuma looking over at them and she waves to him. She scooted over and patted the sofa to signal Kazuma to sit next to her. Elizabeth poured another cup of tea and hands it to Kazuma. He sipped his tea and looked at the mansions¡¯ interior around him. Marble kitchen counters, yellow painted walls, fancy table ware, mahogany wood tables and chairs, a sofa with gold linings and hard wood flooring. Kazuma gulped at how sophisticated and how clean the place was.

    (T-This place is amazing.) He thought to himself.

    Celia put down her cup of tea and looked at Kazuma who was looking around at the mansions¡¯ interior.

    ¡°You don¡¯t have to gawk at it.¡± She suddenly spoke.

    ¡°I-I wasn¡¯t.¡± Kazuma jumped, almost spilling his tea.

    The shrine maiden had finished, put it down the tea cup on the coffee table.

    ¡°Thank you for the tea.¡± She clasped her hands together with a slight bow.

    She got up and walked out the door, and it wasn¡¯t long before everyone else had finished drinking their tea as well, and Kazuma sat quietly while Alice and Celia were conversing with each other. Moments later, he found himself looking up at the ceiling as he grew more bored by the minute. While Elizabeth was washing the dishes, Alice and Celia were playing board games.

    ¡°What are you even playing?¡±

    ¡°Just one of the best role playing games.¡± Alice spoke as she rolled the six-sided die.

    Kazuma looked closely at the board game that the two of them were playing. It looked really complex, and it had all these weird pieces that didn¡¯t make any sense to him besides the cards and the six-sided die. Not understanding the game¡¯s mechanics, he turned away and left the two of them alone to play their game.

    He went back to sit on the sofa as he put his hands in his pockets. He felt a rectangular shaped object in there, and pulled it out. Realizing that his phone was in his pocket the entire time, he face palmed and then pressed the power button to turn it on. There was no response.

    (Is it really out of battery?)

    Kazuma tried pressing it again multiple times but there was no response. He sighed and put the phone back into his pocket.

    (Well, my phone is dead. So now what?)

    ¡°Hey Alice, I should be getting home soon.¡±

    Alice was so absorbed in the game that she was playing with Celia; she randomly just gave an answer.

    ¡°Huh? Yeah in a minute.¡±

    Growing more bored by the minute, Kazuma walked over to the kitchen where Elizabeth was washing the dishes.

    ¡°Need any help?¡±

    Elizabeth shook her head politely.

    ¡°There¡¯s no need. You¡¯re Mistress¡¯s guest after all.¡±

    ¡°Well, thanks for your hospitality, but I really need to get home.¡±

    ¡°Why not give Mistress and Alice some time together? They haven¡¯t seen each other for quite a long time. Mistress also gets lonely.¡±

    Kazuma looked over his shoulder and sees Alice and Celia of how much they¡¯re having fun together. He smiled.

    ¡°Well I guess so¡­ but I really do have to get back though.¡±

    Elizabeth handed a cardboard box to Kazuma.

    ¡°Then could you a quick errand for me? I need this box sent to Reika, the shrine maiden that was here a moment ago?¡±

    ¡°Huh? Oh. Well sure but¡ª¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m sure she¡¯ll be able to send you back to your world.¡±

    ¡°R-Really? I guess there isn¡¯t any harm in it. I¡¯ll leave Alice in your care then?¡±

    Elizabeth nodded.

    ¡°Yes, many thanks. Please send her my regards.¡± Elizabeth bowed with gratitude.

    ¡°No no, it should be me thanking you¡­¡±

    <hr>

    Elizabeth waved as Kazuma left the mansion gates, and he spots a shrine not too far from where he stood.

    ¡°There it is.¡±

    Kazuma walked over to the shrine that was nearby. While he was walking, there was a serene atmosphere that filled the air.

    ¡°This place is pretty quiet. It wouldn¡¯t be a bad place to live in.¡±

    Kazuma walked up the stone steps and looked up at the knitted pieces of paper that were tied on rope between two red pillared posts in a form of a gate. He passed through, and saw Reika sweeping the concrete floors of the shrine.

    ¡°Excuse me? Anyone home?¡± Kazuma called out.

    She turned to where the voice called out to her and waved at Kazuma. The shrine maiden leaned her broom against the shrine¡¯s wall.

    ¡°Are you Reika?¡± Kazuma asked as he gave her the cardboard box.

    Reika nodded.

    ¡°Yes. Is this from Elizabeth?¡±

    When she opened the box, a sweet and pleasant aroma was let out, and inside were white buns that were steaming.

    ¡°Meat buns?¡±

    She shook her head.

    ¡°They¡¯re sweet buns.¡±

    ¡°Sweet? You mean with cream inside?¡±

    Upon this, Kazuma realized that he in the presence of a Shinto shrine.

    ¡°This is a Shinto Shrine? You¡¯re Japanese?¡±

    Reika nodded and grabbed one out of the box and offered it to Kazuma.

    ¡°Would you like one?¡±

    ¡°N-No thanks, I¡¯m not hungry.¡±

    ¡°Please, I insist. You came a long way just to bring this to me.¡±

    ¡°No really, this errand only took two minutes!¡±

    Reika did not waver, and she still insisted on letting Kazuma have a bun. Finally, he gave in and sighed as took the bun out of her hands.

    The two of them sat on the shrine steps and ate their veggie buns. After they finished, they sat for a while. Kazuma suddenly stood up.

    ¡°Well since I¡¯m already here¡­¡±

    Kazuma put his hands in his pockets to see if he could find any money. He pulled out a couple of 100 yen coins and threw it inside the offering box. He clapped his hands twice and clasped them together as he prayed. He bowed and turned around as he walked down the steps.

    ¡°Now that¡¯s done, I was told that you could send me home.¡±

    ¡°Eh? What about Alice? Couldn¡¯t she send you home?¡±

    ¡°She¡¯s doing other things with Cecila. Don¡¯t worry about it.¡±

    ¡°Ah. Well, sure. Give me a moment to set up a teleportation spell for you.¡±

    Reika drew a circle on the ground with enough space to keep one person encapsulated around it. She chanted a couple of words, and with her paper talismans that she flung in the air, it created a portal in which an alleyway of a metropolitan city could be seen on the other side.

    Unsure, Kazuma put his hand through the portal to see if it was safe to cross through.

    ¡°Is this your first time crossing through a portal¡­?¡±

    ¡°Yeah¡­ sorry. I¡¯m not really used to this kind of thing.¡±

    ¡°An outsider, aren¡¯t you?¡± Reika giggled. ¡°Not to worry. We aren¡¯t that different anyways. In the end, we are all just people after all. It is just a matter of perspective.¡±

    Just before Kazuma was about to leave, he turned to Reika one last time.

    ¡°Thanks Reika, you should visit sometime!¡±

    Reika waved as she watched him walk through the portal.

    <hr>

    Author¡¯s Note

    Hello everyone, Saitou here. Just barely managed to squeeze in a chapter before the new year! Or for some of you, this might the first chapter of the new year. Anyways, like always thank you for taking the time to read Pact up till this point! I hope that you will continue to read later chapters. Goodbye for now!

 Chapter 13

    Break time had arrived, and while other students were huddled in different parts of the classroom, Shinji and Makoto both looked over at Kazuma¡¯s empty desk from afar.

    ¡°Damn that Kazuma, where the hell is he¡­?¡± Makoto sighed with boredom as he leaned back on his chair.

    ¡°He could be just sick.¡± Shinji suggested as he sat next Makoto fiddling around with his pencil.

    ¡°That could be the case¡­ but that¡¯s a bit much for being sick, don¡¯t you think? I would go say that we¡¯d go and visit him now, but thanks to cram school and our lesson plan tightening everyday¡­¡±

    ¡°Finals aren¡¯t that far off either¡­¡± Shinji added.

    ¡°Talk about really bad luck¡­¡± Makoto complained as he leaned back in his chair with his hands in his pockets.

    ¡°Maybe Akira-san might know something about this? She¡¯s your cousin after all.¡± Shinji suggested.

    ¡°Nope. She¡¯s out of town, so I wouldn¡¯t count on it. I guess there¡¯s nothing to do but wait for something to come up?¡±

    ¡°Yeah, probably¡­ wait.¡± Shinji said. ¡°What about Tomika-sensei?¡±

    ¡°Eh? Tomika-sensei? She wouldn¡¯t know anything about that¡­ would she?¡±

    ¡°But she is friends with Akira-san.¡±

    ¡°Agh, alright already!¡± Makoto announced as he slammed his desk. ¡°Today the mystery ends!¡±

    ---

    At the faculty office, both Makoto and Shinji had gone to look for Tomika-sensei to help them better understand Kazuma¡¯s whereabouts.

    ¡°Let me try and understand this better¡­¡± Tomika-sensei fixed her glasses as she was grading papers with her red ballpoint pen. ¡°You think I know what Kazuma has been up to¡­?¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s right! Kazuma hasn¡¯t been here for almost 3 months!¡± Makoto blurted out.

    ¡°What Makoto means Sensei¡­¡± Shinji requested politely. ¡°We want to know if Akira-san knew had said anything about this.¡±

    ¡°Hmm¡­¡± Tomika-sensei crossed her arms as she was deep in thought. ¡°No, I don¡¯t think so. Nothing that I know of, at least.¡±

    ¡°Huh? Seriously? Not even like a call or anything?¡± Makoto confirmed.

    Tomika-sensei shook her head.

    ¡°Nope. Well, I knew for a while that Riko had gone overseas for her job¡­ but even before then, she hasn¡¯t checked up on Kazuma in a while.¡±

    ¡°How strange¡­¡± Shinji mumbled perplexedly.

    ¡°So in other words, there¡¯s no way to tell if he¡¯s still at home, right?¡± Makoto scratched his head.

    ¡°Look, if you¡¯re both that worried, why won¡¯t you go check up on him, then? Here, give him this while you¡¯re at that. I was going to mail it, but that would take way too long.¡± She said when she handed them an inflated brown envelope.

    ¡°Eh? Really? But our schoolwork¡­¡± Makoto added.

    ¡°Consider this a bit of an extra credit assignment then. It¡¯s not like Saitou to come to class without even as much as a call, especially when he¡¯s away from school for at least a month. More importantly, I don¡¯t want to see either of you repeating any of my classes.¡±

    Shinji and Makoto both bowed out of gratitude.

    ¡°We won¡¯t let you down, Sensei!¡± Makoto assured his teacher.

    ¡°Alright, alright. I get it. Now get out of here before I change my mind.¡± Tomika-sensei said as she swatted her hand at them.

    ---

    ¡°Agh! Darn it big sis! You casted a warp spell on my men!¡± Celia cried.

    ¡°You better get ready for this then!¡± Alice smirked deviously as she drew her final card.

    The moment she played the final card down confidently, Celia was in shock the second it was placed on the table. Celia fell backward and looked up at the ceiling blankly in a sense of defeat.

    ¡°Looks like you¡¯re ten years too early to challenge me, cousin!¡± Alice devilishly stated.

    ¡°Grrrrr¡­ I¡¯ll beat you next time!¡± Celia puffed her cheeks in anger.

    ¡°Alright, that¡¯s that. Kazuma¡ª¡±

    Alice got up for a stretch and noticed that he wasn¡¯t present in the living room.

    ¡°Kazuma? Where are you?¡±

    ¡°Elizabeth!¡± Upon Celia¡¯s call, Elizabeth had arrived shortly after to ask about Kazuma¡¯s whereabouts.

    ¡°My apologies mistress, he wished to return home as quickly as possible so I had him go on an errand to deliver something to Reika. In return, she would grant him passage.¡±

    ¡°Oh¡­¡± Alice frowned.

    ¡°My apologies, Miss Alice.¡± Elizabeth politely answered. ¡°He said it was urgent that he needed to get back.¡±

    ¡°So he left without saying anything else¡­?¡± Alice added.

    ¡°He didn¡¯t want to interrupt your time with the mistress.¡±

    Celia, unable to see her cousin in a disheartened state, she pushed her out towards the door.

    ¡°Come on¡­ off¡­ you¡­ go then!¡± She said.

    ¡°Eh? W-What are you doing?¡± Alice confusedly asked while getting pushed by Celia.

    ¡°What do you think I¡¯m doing? Giving you the push you need!¡±

    ¡°E-Eh? Push? I mean I¡­¡± Alice turned red and began to fidget with her fingers.

    ¡°You¡¯re his partner, aren¡¯t you?¡± Celia scolded her. ¡°Take a bit more responsibility for your actions!¡±

    ¡°She¡¯s right, you know.¡± Edrian said.

    The two of them looked around but they don¡¯t see him. Edrian comes out from the other side of the wall.

    ¡°Right here.¡± He waves at them.

    ¡°Edrian!¡± Celia runs over to hug him as soon as she spots him.

    ¡°It¡¯s been a while Celia¨C or do you prefer mistress?¡±

    ¡°The prior. When anyone besides Elizabeth calls me that, makes me sound pretentious.¡± Celia sighed. ¡°Anyways, I hope Alice isn¡¯t causing any trouble for you.¡±

    ¡°Oh, you don¡¯t have to worry about that, she¡¯s not my problem anyway.¡±

    ¡°Hoh hoh? I see exactly what you mean.¡± Celia nodded in agreement.

    ¡°A-Anyways¡­!¡± Alice interrupts before the conversation gets off track. ¡°Edrian, you can take me to him, can¡¯t you?¡±

    ---

    (Please don¡¯t let me be lost¡­) Kazuma prayed.

    He looked to constantly looked around to see if he could spot any familiar places that he could recognize to get home but to no avail. Luckily, after asking around, he was able to find a long bus path that would help him get back.

    ¡°This is the worst¡­¡± Kazuma mumbled to himself as he slumps on the bench, waiting for the next bus to come by.

    (But¡­ now that I think about it, I didn¡¯t really say anything to Alice before I left. Is that really okay?) He thought to himself. (Either way, now that all this ¡®magic¡¯ business is over, things can finally be normal again¡­)

    ¡°Well, I think it¡¯s for the best.¡± He reassured himself.

    By the time Kazuma had finally made it back home, it was already sunset. He sat on the couch and unwrapped a burger that he bought on his way home.

    (It¡¯s been a while since I¡¯ve been back in my own house.)

    While he filled up on fast food, he turned on the television to which the news channel was already on.

    ¡°¡ªAnd now on to today¡¯s weather¡­¡± The news reporter said. ¡°It seems like today will be hot as ever for the rest of the week¡­¡±

    ¡°Hot? That¡¯s strange. Why would it be hot in the middle of spring?¡± Kazuma said as he took another bite.

    He went over towards his home phone, but just before picking up the phone to call someone to clarify the date, he noticed the blinking light that was on his answering machine.

    Beep. With a click of a button, the answering machine plays the voicemail out loud.

    ¡°Kazuma? It¡¯s Akira. I¡¯m going to be away for an expansion trip, so it¡¯ll take about at least a few weeks before I get back. Don¡¯t cause any trouble now!¡±

    ¡°Me?¡± Kazuma commented. ¡°What makes her think I¡¯m the one that¡¯s going to cause trouble?¡±Unauthorized tale usage: if you spot this story on Amazon, report the violation.

    ¡°Received April 4<sup>th</sup>.¡± The answering machine dated.

    ¡°April, huh? I guess I haven¡¯t been out that long.¡± Kazuma scratched his head.

    ¡°False information. It¡¯s actually a lot later than you might think.¡±

    Startled, Kazuma quickly turned around and had a sigh of relief when he saw that it was only Edrian.

    ¡°Please, could you use the doorbell next time?¡± Kazuma strictly enforced as he sat down on his couch.

    ¡°Quite unlikely.¡± Edrian chuckled as he patted Kazuma on his shoulder.

    ¡°Anyways, mind telling about how long I¡¯ve been out for then? Or is it some kind of magic that I don¡¯t know about?¡±

    ¡°No magic I assure you. But what I can say you were asleep for quite a while.¡±

    ¡°I feel like I don¡¯t want to know but¡­ how long?¡± Kazuma¡¯s expression soured.

    ¡°A few months give or take.¡±

    ¡°A few months?! But Alice said it has only been days¡­¡±

    ¡°Of course, that¡¯s because she woke up before you. It¡¯s no surprise that she doesn¡¯t truly know how long she was out for either.¡±

    ¡°Huh? She was asleep too?¡±

    ¡°Correct. Right after we had secured the Organization back to the right hands, she had collapsed. Only the two of you had been in slumber since then.¡±

    ¡°Wait, only us? Why¡¯s that?¡±

    ¡°For Alice, her recent occurrence of her magic coming back. It has been gone for quite a while, so it¡¯s no surprise that her use of magic would exhaust her. And as for you¡­ well, I have no idea.¡±

    ¡°Are you telling me the effects are happening for no reason then?¡±

    ¡°Not exactly. You see, you have no interaction with the magic whatsoever. And there aren¡¯t any conclusive records of magicians who¡¯ve had contracts with non-magicians before. So, your situation is rare. But since you have made a successful contract with Alice, I¡¯d have to guess that you two are still a compatible match.¡±

    ¡°What if I wasn¡¯t?¡±

    ¡°We¡¯d have to separate you two.¡±

    ¡°Doesn¡¯t sound too bad. It¡¯s just a contract isn¡¯t it?¡± Kazuma commented.

    Suddenly, he felt a sting on his forehead.

    ¡°Ow!¡± Kazuma cried.

    ¡°How dense can you be?!¡±

    ¡°Alice? When did you get here so fast?¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t change the subject!¡± Alice said as she pulled hard on Kazuma¡¯s cheeks.

    ¡°Ow! Let go! Ow!¡± He cried in pain.

    She then began to lecture him about how he shouldn¡¯t have left her back at Salem.

    ---

    Moments later, after Alice had calmed down, the three of them all sat and conversed in Kazuma¡¯s living room. Edrian sat quietly while Kazuma tended to his swollen cheeks, Alice angrily sat facing away from Kazuma.

    ¡°Hey, Alice¡­¡± Kazuma called to her. ¡°Alice? Are you still mad? I¡¯m sorry alright? Whatever I said.¡±

    She remained silent.

    (¡°Now you¡¯ve done it.¡±) Edrian silently shook his head.

    (¡°Me?¡±) Kazuma pointed at himself. (¡°What did I do?¡±)

    (¡°You¡¯re apologizing and you don¡¯t know what you¡¯re apologizing for¡­?¡±) Edrian sighed.

    ¡°I came back for you, you know.¡± Alice said.

    ¡°Eh? For me?¡± Kazuma asked.

    ¡°The contract,¡± Edrian answered. ¡°You and Alice are bounded, remember?¡±

    ¡°Ah¡­¡± Kazuma realized. ¡°So that¡¯s what it is about.¡±

    ¡°Listen, Alice¡­ I realized that when I helped you before, it was for your sake. But¡­ it was just a one-time thing. From what I know, the Organization is already being handled and you can go back to whatever life you had before.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s not the problem here¡­¡± Alice said.

    ¡°Eh? I-I mean¡­ I don¡¯t really see the big deal in all of this¡­ it¡¯s just a contract.¡± Kazuma commented.

    ¡°Kazuma, do you dislike this contract?¡± Alice asked.

    ¡°Hm? What do you mean by that?¡±

    ¡°I mean, why do you want to get out of it so badly?¡±

    ¡°Um¡­ well¡­ about that¡­¡±

    Suddenly, there was a ring at the doorbell.

    ¡°Huh? Who¡¯s at my door at this hour?¡±

    Kazuma answered the door to only see both Makoto and Shinji frozen stiff with an excited look on their faces.

    ¡°¡°Kazuma!¡±¡± Both of his friends exclaimed.

    ¡°You two? What are you doing here so late? Aren¡¯t you guys supposed to be¡­¡±

    ¡°Us? We¡¯re here for you!¡± Makoto interrupted. ¡°Never mind that, where were you? It¡¯s been months!¡±

    Makoto and Shinji both began explaining a whole slew of events that had happened so far while he was away. It didn¡¯t take long for everything the two were saying to jumble together and become a garbled mess. By the time they were done, Kazuma had to take a breather.

    ¡°Whoa, alright. That¡¯s a lot to take in. So could you guys repeat that but slower? Slow down. So what¡¯s been going on exactly?¡±

    ¡°This.¡± Shinji handed Kazuma the inflated brown envelope. ¡°Good luck.¡±

    Kazuma being overwhelmed by the sheer atmosphere of the intimidating brown envelope and the answers to the questions that were being thrown at him, there was only one meaning behind all of it.

    ¡°Right¡­ So is that it?¡±

    ¡°Huh? Well¡­¡± Makoto shook his head. ¡°Hey wait, don¡¯t ¡®Is that it?¡¯ us! Where have you been?¡±

    Shinji nodded firmly in agreement.

    ¡°Oh, sorry¡­ I wasn¡¯t feeling well.¡±

    ¡°For 3 months?¡±

    ¡°Wait, hold that thought. What¡¯s the date today?¡±

    ¡°Huh? It¡¯s May 4th¡­ why?¡± Makoto raised an eyebrow.

    ¡°May?! But it¡¯s the beginning of March isn¡¯t it?¡±

    ¡°Huh? What are you talking about?¡±

    (So Edrian was right¡­) Kazuma thought to himself.

    ¡°Anyways¡­ you were sick for 3 months? Is that really all there is?¡± Makoto crossed his arms.

    ¡°Uh¡­ yeah, it was on the news, wasn¡¯t it? Flu season or something.¡± Kazuma laughed nervously.

    His two friends judged him with stares of doubt.

    ¡°What else am I supposed There was a sudden awkward silence between them.

    ¡°Right¡­ so Alice must be here then? I¡¯m assuming she was taking care of you?¡± Shinji asked.

    ¡°Well¡ª¡±

    ¡°Wait, she was taking care of you?!¡± Makoto realized as he shook Kazuma violently. ¡°More importantly, while we¡¯ve been sweating blood and tears, you¡¯ve been fooling around these few months without us knowing?!¡±

    ¡°She¡¯s not even here, damn it!¡± Kazuma quickly refuted as he pushed Makoto away. ¡°Look anyways, what else can I say? I was sick. But I¡¯m better now, alright? I¡¯ll be back at school tomorrow.¡±

    ¡°Really¡­?¡± Makoto squinted.

    ¡°Yes, really. Now if you don¡¯t mind, I have to deal with this demon you¡¯ve brought at my doorstep.¡± Kazuma said as he waved the giant envelope.

    ¡°Well, alright then,¡± Makoto replied. ¡°At least you¡¯re doing alright. We¡¯ve done our job here. Let¡¯s go Shinji.¡±

    ¡°See you at school, Kazuma.¡± Shinji waved.

    Makoto and Shinji leave Kazuma with a sigh of relief.

    ¡°This is seriously the worst¡­¡± Kazuma brooded.

    ¡°Hm¡­ I see.¡± Edrian noted.

    ¡°Huh? See what?¡±

    ¡°Those friends of yours, correct?¡±

    ¡°Yeah¡­?¡±

    ¡°And you basically told them you were ill when in reality, you weren¡¯t. It would be easier to tell them the truth, no?¡±

    ¡°They have no reason to be involved in any of this.¡± Alice answered.

    ¡°Back to the problem,¡± Kazuma redirected them. if there even is one, I just don¡¯t want to involve anyone else in this, alright? The question I have is: why do you even still need me?¡±

    ¡°Do you think this is easy for me too? Ever since I¡¯ve been helping you out, I have to stack up lies on top of more lies and keep up in order to¡ª¡± Kazuma scratched his head.

    Edrian thought for a moment.

    ¡°Hm. I can understand why this troubles you, and why this does not allow you partake in our affairs. Do not fear, however, I¡¯ll have it resolved.¡±

    ¡°Alright, I¡¯ll leave it to¡ª wait, resolved? Hold on a minute, if you do anything to my friends¡­¡±

    ¡°I will do no such thing. You have my word.¡± Edrian ensures him before leaving.

    ¡°Well, I¡¯m going to have a lot of work to do¡­¡± Kazuma sighed at the sight of the menacing, thick brown envelope. ¡°What are you going to do Alice?¡±

    ¡°¡­I don¡¯t know.¡±

    ¡°I guess¡­ if you really did come all this way¡­ I¡¯ll set up a spare room for you.¡±

    ¡°Eh¡­?¡± Alice looked up at him. ¡°R-Really?¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t make me regret it¡­ okay?¡± Kazuma said firmly.

    Alice responded with a nod and warm smile.

    ---

    As Edrian left the household, had caught a glimpse of someone peeking out behind the wall.

    ¡°Someone there?¡± He shouted.

    At the same time, the person quickly retracted and Edrian instinctively chased after them. By the time he had arrived at the spot, no one there.

    ¡°Damn it.¡± He tsked and kept moving.

    (I should¡¯ve been more careful. No use sulking over it though. If someone had eyes on us, my position could have been compromised. I¡¯ll need to report back to Ellis at once.)

    ¡°That was too close¡­¡± The purple member sighed with relief with the knowledge that her position had not been compromised.

    She then tore a piece of paper from a small notepad and began to speak.

    ¡°Green, do you copy? I have completed the recon scan. No anomalies within the area¡­ yes¡­ of course¡­ understood.¡±

    The purple member threw away the paper on the floor as it disintegrated into ash. Shortly after, the yellow member had appeared.

    ¡°Anything yet?¡±

    ¡°Nothing out of the ordinary. For now, at least.¡± The purple member replied. ¡°But one thing is for sure, Ezrael is here.¡±

    ¡°Ezrael? Why didn¡¯t you reach out to him? He could have had vital information.¡±

    ¡°I¡­ didn¡¯t want to disturb him. It also seemed like he had business to attend to¡­¡±

    ¡°But Galus was supposed to be stationed here instead. Any luck reaching to him at all?¡±

    ¡°Negative. Nowhere in the vicinity of the area nor was he near Ezrael when I saw him.¡±

    ¡°Just great. Three months¡­ and still no lead.¡± The yellow member groaned. ¡°Why did Adrian¡ª¡±

    ¡°Watch the names, Yellow.¡± The purple member corrected her midway.

    ¡°¡­Red, have to authorize such a mission to Green?¡±

    ¡°Give him some leeway. Being the High Council¡¯s leader is a lot strenuous than we think.¡±

    ¡°Even when the obvious choice isn¡¯t being made?¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s out of the benefit of all of us.¡± Purple turned away from Yellow and began to head off. ¡°It¡¯s about time we head back.¡±