A Strange Adventure in Mifune City

"Hmm, I think I understand now."

"What exactly happened? Tell me quickly."

Aozaki Touko pressed for details, showing particular curiosity about the disappearance of the Mana Reactor.

"Um..."

Rovey sorted out his thoughts and summarized it in a very short sentence. "The Mana Reactor has come to life."

Aozaki Touko: "..."

"Do you think you're funny?"

"No, in any case, we will have the opportunity to meet in the future, so let's put this topic aside for now."

"As for the remaining two Mana Reactor, you can choose one to take with you, Senior Aoko."

Rovey shook his head, then stopped worrying about the lost Mana Reactor with Aozaki Touko, and began to study the allocation of the two Mana Reactor in front of him.

The lost Mana Furnace was a former Supreme Mystic Code of the El-Melloi Faction. Since the other party has become sentient and he can't find it at all now, he can only let it go for now and find an opportunity to meet it in the future.

As for the other two Mana Reactor, he planned to personally retrieve one and return it to Professor Kenneth, and give the other to Aozaki Touko as a source of magic for her future Magic Workshop.

Otherwise, Rovey felt that once he left, without a source of magic and funds, this extravagant, carefree senior, who knew nothing of thrift, might very well fall back into the predicament he had encountered when they first met—unable to afford magic or doll materials. Therefore, leaving her a Lord- level Mana Reactor should keep her much more docile. At least it wouldn't leave her in such dire straits as before.

"Huh?"

Rovey's words caused Aozaki Touko, who had been drooling over the Mana Reactor, to pause slightly. She swallowed hard, then looked at the young man behind her with disbelief, exclaiming in surprise, "You're not kidding me, are you? Junior Crowley, as Alchemy, you can't possibly be unaware of the value of these things. These two Lord- level Mana Reactor are standard equipment in the Clock Tower; even I've heard about their prices..."

"One hundred million pounds per unit."

Rovey nodded and directly stated the price of the two Mana Reactor.

Unlike Kenneth's Supreme Mystic Code Mana Reactor, these two Mana Reactor weren't as valuable, merely Lord- level furnaces. Therefore, he knew their price: a listed price of one hundred million pounds. However, despite the price, the Clock Tower wouldn't sell them, only rent them out. But aside from Lord- level figures who could easily rent them, it was difficult for others to access them. After all, these were very important assets to the Clock Tower. So, while Aozaki Touko was envious when she saw them, she didn't actually intend to forcibly possess them. After all, Rovey was right beside her; if she really took them, it would be equivalent to stealing one hundred million pounds from the El-Melloi Faction.

"Then why..."

Aozaki Touko looked puzzled and was about to ask for the reason, but then heard Rovey calmly reply, "A value of one hundred million pounds does not conflict with giving it to you, does it?"

Although these two clocks were rented from the Clock Tower, even Lord- level Kenneth would have to pay the full price if they were lost.

While £100 million is certainly a painful sum for El-Melloi, Kenneth is still alive, the Lord Mineralogy Department, and the Magus prodigy is still around. The £100 million doesn't need to be repaid; Kenneth just needs to sell some new research results. So, it's actually not a big deal. As long as Professor Kenneth is alive, there won't be any problems.

"Don't worry, since it was my decision to give it to you, Mr. Kenneth won't mind. Besides, he can pay it back in a year, it's nothing at all."

"Besides, didn't you just save his life? It's just the value of a Mana Reactor. You can repay the Grand Puppet Master's life-saving grace in this way and also create good karma. He won't be angry, especially since I'm here."

Seeing Aoko's worry, Rovey shook his head, then immediately comforted her and took it upon himself to give her a Mana Reactor.

"You bastard..."

Immediately, Rovey didn't remain idle. He began removing the Magecraft barrier set up by Kenneth while simultaneously collecting the valuable Mystic Codes from the workshop, which were no less valuable than the Mana Furnace. Although he had given away a Mana Reactor, as long as he brought these items back, he could consider his task complete.

"Sigh, this is making me owe more and more favors... How am I ever going to repay all these debts?"

Watching Rovey's busy figure, Aozaki Touko let go of the Mana Reactor next to her, complained, and had a complicated look in her eyes.

After spending so much time together, and now hearing these words, she suddenly felt that the stove next to her wasn't so appealing anymore. Instead, she felt a little distressed about the favor she owed.

It's only been a few days, and she already owes Rovey so much. She doesn't know how to repay him. Even if she gave away all the valuable things she had, it would be difficult to offset Rovey's help and kindness to her.

"Haha, since you don't know how to repay, how about Senior Aoko, would you be interested in joining my family?"

Ignoring Aoko's complicated expression, Rovey remained casual, tidying his formal attire while answering her complaints without even looking up.

"Eh? Junior Crowley, are you trying to add my Magic Circuits to your family bloodline? Hmm, although that request sounds a bit difficult, but if it were you..."

Seemingly surprised by what Rovey said, Aozaki Touko paused for a moment before giving her answer.

"No, I mean—become an outsider consultant for the Crowley Family."

"Huh?"

Aozaki Touko's eyelids twitched suddenly, and the words she was about to say were interrupted by Rovey's words.

She suddenly realized that she might have been presumptuous.

Compared to some down-on-their-luck Magus who sell their semen and bodily fluids, endogamy and marriage alliances within families are far too common. Not to mention the world of Magus, they are countless even in ordinary society.

After all, when she was in the Clock Tower, many long-established magical families had their eyes on her talent and had extended marriage invitations to her, but Aozaki Touko had driven them all away.

Therefore, when she heard Rovey mention Crowley Family, she subconsciously assumed that Rovey wanted her to marry him to further improve their bloodline.

However, the other party had absolutely no interest.

After all, people from the Aozaki Family are all of the wind attribute, destined to be restless and even more difficult to keep.

At that moment, Aoko didn't know whether she should be happy or disappointed; it was a rather complicated feeling.

"You idiot..."

She muttered to herself.

"What's wrong, Senior Aoko?"

After packing all his formal attire, Rovey stood up again, ready to leave. Seeing Aozaki Touko's complicated expression behind him, he assumed that his earlier request had put her in a difficult position, so he decided not to bring it up again.

"..."

Looking at this guy, Aozaki Touko's lips twitched, as if she was suppressing some kind of emotion, not letting it explode.

After taking a deep look into the other person's eyes, which were pure as gold and had no other thoughts but exploration, Aozaki Touko sighed.

"... Fine, I agree. But I have one condition, no, two. First, help me remove the Sealing Designation. As for the second, I'll tell you when the time is right."

Then, Aozaki Touko called out to Rovey, who was about to leave, and spoke as if she had made a decision.

"Hmm? Deal."

Rovey agreed without hesitation.

Although there was one more condition, Aozaki Touko wouldn't have brought it up if he couldn't do it. The fact that she brought it up meant that she could do it. What is there to worry about if you can do it?

Great! This time, we gained not only costumes and Magecraft, but also a powerful magical assistant before heading back.

With Aozaki Touko, a Grand Puppet Master, and Kenneth- sensei in charge, he won't have to worry about problems at home even if he goes out to have fun again.

Although it's just an external hire, it seems that Kenneth's dream of Grand Rank in one class has been realized ahead of schedule.

In that case...

"Then let's go together, Aoko Senior. Let's go to Mifune City first to meet up with Professor Kenneth and Weber, and then we'll take a plane home together."

——

——

[Far East Journey - End]

Returning to the world stage

Chapter 101 The Wonderful Adventure in Mifune City

Mifune City.

This is a stage that exists within the Type-Moon World and is extremely mysterious and important.

A crucial part of the Type-Moon World is the story of "Kara no Kyoukai," which takes place on this stage.

Moreover, that's not all. This small stage, or rather this small city, is teeming with talented people, and the stories here are just as exciting as those in the neighboring Fuyuki City.

Whether it's the descendants of Asagami and Ryougi, two of the four great demon-slaying families in the Far East, or the Absolute Future Vision old lady who can see the future and Mother of Kanbako City, they all appear in this mysterious city.

In the original World Line, Aozaki Touko was defeated by her younger sister, Aoko Aozaki, using the Fifth Magic in Mifune City about six or seven years ago, which depleted her resources. In addition, she was placed under Sealing Designation by her teacher after returning home, which led to her being wanted by the Clock Tower's Department of Law. Lacking resources and exhausted, she could only run around and hide all over the world. In the end, she could only return to the East Asian region where the Clock Tower's influence was weak, the mysterious and barren Far East, and hide in a city called [Kanbuko].

This single city in the Far East has gathered Grand Puppet Master, Absolute Future Vision expert, and outstanding descendants of two exorcist families—it's truly a place where hidden talents abound. All the other ordinary people with flashy special abilities can be disregarded; the mere appearance of a Root Shiki is already incredibly impressive. After all, the goal of Magus is to reach the Root, and now the Root has appeared right before their eyes.

This shows that this small city, not far from Fuyuki City, is also quite significant. And not far from here is another equally significant Mifune City, whose story is far more complex than this one, and which is also the hometown of Aozaki Touko —but that's a story for another time.

In short, in Rovey's view, although Western Europe constantly portrays the Far East as a mysterious and barren land with few Magus, he actually believes it's Far East very significant region. Many important figures have fallen there. Foreign Magus arriving without being fully prepared for the worst are extremely likely to fail.

There are some things that, even now that he's reached this level, he's actually unwilling to actively seek out, such as the current situation...

"No way... is this for real?"

A long sigh came from the dense bamboo forest.

Just moments ago, he was walking hand in hand with Aozaki Touko on the streets of Mifune City, chatting and laughing as they headed toward the hotel where Kenneth Rovey Weber were. But in the blink of an eye, Aozaki Touko had vanished without a trace, and he was now standing in front of a dense bamboo forest.

"...Um?"

Because of the anomaly, in the next instant, Rovey's senses were fully activated, ready to deal with any special situation.

Immediately afterward, an inexplicable feeling enveloped Rovey's heart. He followed the ascending blue stone steps and soon his gaze was drawn to a beautiful figure dressed in a pale yellow kimono adorned with many flowers. In a brief moment, their eyes met.

In the mere instant of contact, those black pupils, seemingly capable of containing all things, threatened to overwhelm Rovey's consciousness. The Magic Crest originating from this body, along with his bloodline and magical power, began to tremble slightly involuntarily. The invisible Alchemy Array engraved in his palm also began to heat up at that moment. To any Magus, the aura of this girl before him was like a sweet poison, stirring his heartstrings and making his body instinctively want to touch her [The Root].

'Touch her! Reach out of her! Enter and exit her! That is what you seek!! Hurry up and enter and exit her!!' (Referring to the Root.)

At this moment, the memories hidden in his bloodline kept shouting, and Rovey's body subconsciously took a step towards the steps. The next moment, he was about to step towards that figure, just like all those who pursue the mysterious Magus.

But...

"... It's alright. Although it is indeed very tempting, I can still control myself. It seems that you are not as attractive to me as I thought. The Root? No, it should be Shiki Ryougi."

Rovey stopped in his tracks, suppressing the so-called bloodline surge and the Magus's nature in less than a second.

His soul, which originated from a supreme being and did not belong to this world, could not be easily suppressed by ordinary reason, thus suppressing his body's desire for the Root.

The so-called the Root of information did not hold much appeal for Rovey.

If he wanted to, he could still reach the Swirl of the Root without the power of the Holy Grail, through sufficient rituals and special preparations, but none of that was necessary.

Because reaching the Root is not the same as coming out; the uncertainty involved is simply too great.

And then, the scene suddenly froze.

A gentle breeze blew through the bamboo forest, ruffling the hair of the two. Rovey, standing below the steps with his hands behind his back, gazed at the girl above the steps, their eyes flashing with different emotions, making it difficult to understand what they were thinking.

"You... are indeed very interesting."

Finally, it was that ethereal voice that broke the peaceful atmosphere. After realizing that turning around and leaving might not be an option, and having obtained the other party's consent, Rovey strode over to the girl.

Even at this moment, his eyes remained calm.

"You're quite interesting, outsider."

Raising her head, controlling Shiki Ryougi Shiki's body, Root Shiki stared directly into Rovey's eyes without any anxiety. In those eyes, she could see a figure shimmering with extreme colors—that was the soul, and even more so, Rovey's consciousness, a treasure and miracle that did not belong to this world. It was something that the King of Heroes had always longed for until the moment of his departure.

Facing the figure that still appeared before him, Rovey lowered his head and asked in a low voice, "Even without going to the Root, you still came to me. So what are your thoughts, and what is your attitude towards what I have done? Is it convenient to answer?"

Although it was a question, the moment the words left his mouth, the silver wand appeared in Rovey's palm, and an incredibly special magical power began to ripple around him, spreading through the bamboo forest.

"I just wanted to meet you; after all, you're very interesting. And the changes you bring are also a new possibility."

"In short, make the most of every possibility; the future is destined to become even more interesting, Outsider."

A serene smile appeared on that exquisite face. Then she turned around and began to ascend the bluestone steps in the Root Shiki. Although she only received an ambiguous answer, Rovey did not intend to chase after her. Although the other party appeared to be walking, the figure appeared ten meters away the moment she took a step.

This method of movement is completely different from the wind element acceleration that Rovey often uses, or the spatial movement of special Magecraft. It is not simply about increasing speed or moving from one location to another, but rather it is natural and integrated into this world, as if it were a matter of course that one could cross tens of meters in a single step.

Therefore, even if the other party does nothing, it is enough to perfectly unify the integration with the world and the incongruity with the world within its own body. Or, to put it simply, this is not something that can be understood with mere common sense.

Root Shiki, huh...?

That's truly outrageous.

When facing her, Rovey felt as if he were facing the world. This peculiar feeling was much clearer and more uncomfortable than the oppressive feeling he had when facing the Jewel Magician.

'Seriously... aren't all the other people who transmigrate to this world supposed to be invincible, able to dominate everything? Why is he so weak in his own eyes? Even though he's learned part of the * Law Book *, and his Magecraft skills have reached the [Grand Rank], you could count the number of people in the entire modern mystical world who can beat him on your fingers. But why does he always seem to hit a ceiling?'

'This is absolutely outrageous...'

'While it's true that mystery attracts mystery, and the unusual attracts the unusual, the intensity of this is simply too high.'

He thought that after completing his long-term plan in the Holy Grail War, he could finally take a good rest and catch his breath, but now it seems that he was thinking too much.

[Type-Moon] This world is far more complex and dangerous than he imagined.