Red Shadow

Aoko Aozaki re-sealed and encrypted her grandfather's workshop with Magecraft, then rode her motorcycle towards the Kuonji Residence on the mountain.

The night wind was a bit chilly, but Aoko felt quite comfortable at the moment. Perhaps this was the sweetness of victory?

Thinking this, the corners of Aoko's mouth couldn't help but curl up slightly. A moment later, she couldn't resist bursting into laughter, her bell-like laughter echoing on the winding mountain road.

However, sometimes things just go from bad to worse. Just as Aoko was happily heading towards her residence, an ominous shadow appeared in her line of sight.

Aoko's heart suddenly skipped a beat as she sat on the motorcycle, as if it had been squeezed tight.

She should have expected this guy might show up, or rather, after encountering the Primate Killer and struggling through with all her might, she thought this guy wouldn't appear anymore.

This was clearly too naive, Aoko thought with regret. She would absolutely never make such a mistake again, if there was a future.

She vigilantly stared at the Red Shadow. It stood alone by the side of the road about a few hundred meters away from the motorcycle. It was roughly humanoid, but its face was unclear. It was draped in a tattered red robe, its hood covering its face.

Shouldn't this guy have appeared before I attained complete Magic? Aoko thought. Isn't it a bit late for this guy to come find me now?

The Red Shadow remained silent, but Aoko could feel the shadow staring at her motionlessly, even though she couldn't see its eyes.

Aoko could feel that the shadow's gaze was filled with hatred, a hatred for Magic, and even more so, a hatred for Mage.

Because in this world, Magic itself is the enemy of the world, and even more so, the enemy of humanity.

Those who are about to comprehend Magic will be killed by this Red Shadow.

When she was about fifty meters away from the shadow, she stopped her motorcycle, supporting herself with one leg on the ground, warily watching the Red Shadow.

The shadow made no move, as if evaluating Aoko Aozaki's threat, or perhaps the success rate of killing her.

Aoko had a strange feeling that this shadow seemed confused, as if it didn't know what to do right now.

Was it the embodiment of the Counter Force, or a guardian contracted with the Counter Force?

However, since it had no intention of attacking Aoko right now, Aoko wouldn't act rashly either. Because even in her "past life" memories, she didn't have detailed information about this Red Shadow, so it would be very unwise to engage it rashly.

After staring at each other for a few minutes, the Red Shadow's form gradually blurred, and then with a gust of wind, it completely dissipated on the spot.

"Tch!"

Aoko let out a sound of dissatisfaction. She had already prepared herself mentally for a battle of three hundred rounds with Alaya's lackey, but she didn't expect this guy to run off without doing anything.

Perhaps it sensed my current mastery of Magic? Aoko thought arrogantly, then calmed down.

Magic is not omnipotent, nor does it mean that a Mage's combat power is necessarily stronger than that of a Magus or a Servant.

Old Man of the Jewels Zelretch is a positive example of a Mage with strong combat power, while the First Mage, who only had his bloodline passed down, is a negative example.

Magic simply allows a Mage to do unique things in this world, things that cannot be replicated by others. Therefore, even after becoming a Mage, there will still be many reckless individuals who will come to test their luck.

However, Aoko's Magic was luckier than the First Magic, as it greatly enhanced her combat power, or rather, it basically put her in an invincible position, as long as Aoko wasn't so arrogant as to be completely oblivious to others.

Aoko restarted her motorcycle, confirmed her helmet was on properly, and then continued towards the summit.

After parking the motorcycle, Aoko took out her key and opened the door to the Kuonji Residence.

The house was quiet, and she didn't hear any sounds of her cohabitant.

Has she not come home yet? Aoko guessed.

She took off her jacket and shoes, put them away, changed into comfortable indoor slippers, and walked towards the living room. The Kuonji Residence was a more "classical" Western-style mansion compared to the modern buildings of this era.

Many of the interior facilities retained the style of the last century.

For example, many residential homes in Misaki Town now used central heating or newer electric heaters. However, the Kuonji Residence still retained the structure of fireplaces and chimneys.

Wearing her slippers, Aoko entered the living room and found her cohabitant, Alice Kuonji, asleep on the carpet by the fireplace, leaning against a cabinet.

A half-read book lay on the floor beside her, along with a tea cup that had been emptied of its tea.

Aoko's gaze fell upon the girl. Alice had slender limbs and fair skin that seemed to know no sunlight.

Her hair color, without a trace of impurity, was darker than Aoko's former hair. The school uniform she wore, reminiscent of a Nun's black attire, suited the girl perfectly.

If Aoko were to judge, it was perhaps too perfect, making her petite Magus teacher appear somewhat ethereal.

But she also admitted that Alice Kuonji's appearance was a pure beauty, like a Narcissus that had bloomed without ever coming into contact with the defiled outside world for over a decade. It was a sight usually only seen in human dreams.

Aoko was reluctant to break this picturesque scene, but leaving Alice there any longer wouldn't be good, as she might catch a cold.

Aoko stepped forward and carefully picked Alice up in a Princess Carry. Then, she used Mage's Hand to collect the tea set and books, placing them back in their proper positions.

This was the first time she had held the girl like this, and Aoko was very surprised at how light the Fairy Tale Witch's body was. Perhaps it was because her own Magic Circuits had unintentionally enhanced her physical abilities. At the time, the weight of this usually serious and slightly aloof Magus teacher still made her a little worried. Was this girl really eating the meals she made?

Lost in thought, Aoko carried Alice upstairs to the bedroom.

Perhaps she was woken up by the bumps as they went upstairs, Alice Kuonji opened her eyes in Aoko's arms.

She first looked around a bit confusedly, then realized she was leaning against a soft, warm chest.

Alice stiffly raised her head and saw Aoko's smiling face staring at her.

Alice Kuonji blushed slightly. She instinctively tried to break free from Aoko's embrace, but her attempt to push Aoko away landed directly on something soft and squishy.

"Oh dear, don't move around so much," Aoko said, her casual tone masking her shyness. "You might catch a cold sleeping in the living room, you know?"

"...Put me down," Alice said softly. Aoko complied and gently released Alice from her embrace, carefully placing her on the steps.

Alice calmed herself, then looked up at her cohabitant, only to find that her beautiful long black hair had turned completely red, and even her aura had changed.

"You succeeded?" Alice asked calmly.

She knew her cohabitant was going to challenge "that place" tonight, but it was destined to be a difficult challenge.

In fact, the reason she had been waiting by the living room fireplace was because she was a little worried about this heir to Magic, though Alice didn't want to admit it herself.