According to popular folklore, the Kamo Family disappeared more than 400 years ago at the end of the Muromachi Period.
All that remained of them were the Kamo Shrine scattered throughout the country.
In the wizarding world, they wouldn't say they've disappeared entirely, but they've certainly kept a very low profile.
Kyoto, east of Osaka, is where they have lived for generations.
7 a. m.
Takuma and Kagura walked on foot through the streets of this ancient capital.
Compared to the traditional clothing worn by pedestrians, their kimono-style shaman robes were not particularly eye-catching.
Entering Sakyo Ward, I stood before a shrine exuding classical elegance.
Kagura's wary gaze swept back and forth across the shrine. "Minister, if it really is them, I alone..."
"It's only a possibility." Takuma walked towards an inconspicuous little door in the wall.
"Using Wayne and the others' disappearance to drag the Abe Family into a quagmire?"
He opened the small door. "Kagura, wait for me outside."
"Your Excellency, but—"
"I believe him."
Kagura didn't try to persuade her any further, and quietly turned her back to stand guard outside the door.
The moment the door closed, a spell was activated.
Just like the Teleportation Magic that Abe no Seimei set up at the entrance of the Magic Town, Takuma appeared in another place.
It's still within Osaka territory, but in Izumi City.
Before him lay a forest, the very Shinoda Forest.
The area is inhabited by many Magical Creatures, as well as common animals such as sika deer, serows, and foxes.
Takuma walked into the forest, the grudges between the Abe families involuntarily came to mind.
Abe no Seimei was undoubtedly a gifted wizard. In an era before magic schools existed, the only way to become a wizard, besides having a family, was to become an apprentice.
At that time, the most powerful wizard in the country was Kamo Tadayuki.
He was not only powerful in magic, but also a true prophet.
In order to surpass him, Abe no Masutake, who had a child with the Nine-Tailed Fox, entrusted his son Seimei to him for education.
Since Seimei was born with the ability to use magic, Tadakyu was naturally very satisfied with this disciple, and even considered marrying his daughter Kamo Sara to him.
Two people in love are about to get married, which should be a happy thing.
Until Yi Cai's true colors were revealed.
The person who revealed this was none other than Seimei, on whom great hopes were placed.
He couldn't believe that his gentle and virtuous mother was a Nine-Tailed Fox, and he couldn't believe that his father was an ambitious man.
After Seimei left, the heartbroken Sara died a few months later.
This is how the Abe and Kamo families became enemies.
Zhongxing was a prophet, and he only had endless regrets about the results of the Divination.
To prevent a similar tragedy from happening again, the Kamo Family moved from Kyoto to Shinoda Forest to ensure that there would be no next Abe no Seimei.
There are many versions of what happened after that.
Some say that Kamo Yasunori, once sought revenge.
Some say that Sara actually died in childbirth and that her daughter was Seimei's.
There are also some outrageous claims, such as that Seimei married his daughter, or that Tadashi Yasunori and his son were the true builders of the Magic Institute.
Takuma stopped in front of an old house that wasn't very large, but was well-preserved.
Who is it?
"It's me."
The wooden door was pushed open from the inside.
A refined-looking middle-aged man in his forties came out.
His slightly joyful expression quickly turned into sadness.
"It's been a long time, Takuma."
"Yes, it's been a long time, Sōseki."
Takuma and Sōseki were close friends during their school days. Although they hadn't seen each other for almost two years, they could tell each other's true intentions at a glance.
The Kamo Family simply lives in the Shinoda Forest; they are not completely cut off from the outside world.
It's understandable that suspicion would be placed on a group of foreign children who have gone missing without any leads.
"This matter involves the Abe Family." Takuma observed the expression on Sōseki's face.
It wasn't feigned surprise, but he still needed to confirm it further.
"Vincent Wayne beat Abe Soukou, and three times."
Sōseki loosened his unconsciously clenched fist. "Really? That deadpan son really lost three times?"
"Real."
"You're not lying to me?"
"You know I don't lie."
He nodded, then excitedly hugged Takuma.
"The year before last, or the year before that, my son came home for vacation and said that the little guy with facial paralysis won an award at the International Alchemy Conference."
Third place... third place made the old man with the stoic expression happy for half a year.
Takuma remembered this.
The only one who could detect the change in Yuxuan's expression Sōseki, who had been opposing him since their student days.
It has been confirmed that there is no suspect.
Sōseki noticed that his friend was no longer tense.
"By the way, Takuma, there must have been more than just those foreign kids who went missing, right?"
"Rinne Jingū is here too."
"Oh," he replied somewhat indifferently.
"It's been so long! Would you like to come in and have a seat?"
"Won't this disturb you?"
He pushed Takuma into the house. "There are only a few days left before school starts. Hanamoto went to Magic Town with them early this morning."
"So school is about to start."
Even in the most urgent situations, there's still time to catch up.
Half an hour later,
Kagura, who was waiting anxiously, finally heard a sound coming from the small door behind her.
He quickly turned around and reached into his robes with his right hand to grasp the wand.
Takuma walked out from inside, with Sōseki following behind.
"I really want to meet that kid if I have the chance. Old Man with the slouch has never suffered a loss at the hands of anyone other than me."
"We will definitely find him."
Kagura gradually relaxed, but not completely.
Sōseki chuckled at him and said, "You're still the same as always."
"Hmph—" Kagura lowered her empty right hand.
"Ashiya Department Head, we should go back now."
Takuma's eyes sharpened again. "Let's get together properly after this is over."
"Good."
After the two left on foot, Sōseki also went through the small door.
Just then, a priest dressed in white robes and wearing a fox mask came out of the shrine.
He was talking to the people who came to worship, but he kept glancing at Takuma and Kagura's backs, intentionally or unintentionally.
After the two turned onto the next street, he said "sorry" and returned to the shrine.
After a black and white vortex, the Apparition beneath a harbor.
In front of them was a speedboat with three men dressed in black robes sitting on it.
He took off the fox mask, revealing his bald head, and boarded the speedboat, sitting at the very back.
"We've already left Kyoto, and we can leave anytime."
"Alright." The oldest man in black robes waved his wand, turning his white robes black to match theirs.
"Yamamoto, are you sure they don't have you in their ranks?"
"Kuroki, don't forget my previous profession."
The bald man disguised as a priest was none other than Yamamoto Tsukumo, the former reporter for the "Magic Town Daily News" newspaper who had visited the Malfoy family earlier.
"Don't disappoint the lady." Kuroki waved his wand again, causing the speedboat to slowly sail out of the harbor.
Yamamoto stared directly into his eyes. "The last mission is the best proof."