Today, all of Chaldea was permeated by a faint sense of tension, causing even the air to carry a trace of pressure.
"Senpai..."
Mash seemed to sense the tension as well. Her pretty face tightened slightly, and she could not help calling out to Luo Zhen.
Luo Zhen was yawning, looking like a complete contrast to Mash, and maintaining his usual carefree attitude. He glanced at Mash and saw the tense expression on her face.
"Relax." Luo Zhen yawned as he spoke. "Don't be so nervous. We've already conducted the Simulated Battle many times. It'll be fine."
If Olga Marie had been met with such a careless attitude, she certainly would have complained about it. Mash, however, was affected by Luo Zhen's attitude instead, and her mood relaxed somewhat.
Clearly seeing this, Luo Zhen smiled inwardly and felt relieved.
Obviously, Luo Zhen had deliberately acted this way for Mash's sake, helping her relax.
Human beings were creatures who influenced one another.
Once everyone around them became nervous, they would inevitably feel some tension themselves.
And once the people around them acted nonchalantly, they could no longer take things seriously no matter how hard they tried.
Making use of this principle, Luo Zhen deliberately guided Mash, whose mind was not yet fully mature.
Although the two were the same age and both lacked life experience despite possessing extensive knowledge, Luo Zhen was skilled at formulating all kinds of tactics and countermeasures, unlike the pure and kind-hearted Mash. Naturally, he understood how to put Mash at ease in this situation.
This was also because Luo Zhen had a clear understanding of his own role.
As a summoning Magus who controlled Familiars in battle, he could afford to lack physical ability, but his mind had to remain clear.
The fighting could simply be left to the Familiars and Servants.
His own task was to command and provide support from the rear.
Only then could their combat power be maximized.
Luo Zhen had always understood this clearly. That was why he continually absorbed all kinds of knowledge, enriching his mind so that he could organize tactics and give commands under all sorts of battle conditions.
This operation was no different.
"In terms of combat, as long as the opponent is at Servant level, a mere Magus simply won't be able to keep up."
"As Masters, what we should do isn't go to the front lines, but command from the rear."
"Otherwise, a Master will only get in the way."
With this understanding, Luo Zhen naturally knew what he ought to do most.
Moreover, as a summoning Magus whose own combat method also involved controlling Familiars from the rear, this understanding was even more deeply ingrained in him.
Thinking of this, Luo Zhen could not help feeling a little expectant.
"I wonder what kind of hero the Servant formally summoned through 'Fate' and contracted to me will be?"
At the thought of this, Luo Zhen truly felt anticipation from the bottom of his heart.
To love magecraft, to love miracles—that was what defined this boy, Rorerei Anezhen.
Just then...
"So you're here."
The moment that voice rang out, Luo Zhen was the first to stop on his way to the Control Room.
"Professor."
Mash also stopped, but unlike Luo Zhen, she bowed earnestly to the newcomer.
The newcomer was none other than Leff.
"I've been looking for you for quite some time. It's good that you haven't been absent."
Leff approached them, leaning on a decorative cane and wearing his usual smile.
"..."
Luo Zhen did not greet Leff. He merely looked at him.
For some reason, Luo Zhen could not help feeling...
This guy feels even more terrifying than before...
That made it impossible for Luo Zhen to open his mouth and greet him. He could only remain silent.
Unaware of what Luo Zhen was thinking, Leff walked up in front of the two.
"Are you preparing to head to the Control Room?" Leff asked enthusiastically. "Marie is about to brief the Master candidates gathered in Chaldea on the operation. You're the only two missing, so hurry over."
At that, Luo Zhen raised an eyebrow.
"Does that mean you came specifically to find us, Professor?"
Luo Zhen asked the question somewhat tentatively.
Leff answered readily.
"After all, neither of you was selected from a prestigious magecraft family, nor are you ordinary people from normal society. You're Adaptable Ones who have belonged to Chaldea from the very beginning, and both of you possess talents even rarer and more precious than those of ordinary Adaptable Ones. On such an important day, you can't be absent."
Though the answer came readily, Luo Zhen still sensed Leff's intentions behind it.
"That's right. On such an important day, not a single person can be absent."
Leff smiled frankly as he said this.
However, both that smile and those words made Luo Zhen feel a chill crawling up his spine.
Before Luo Zhen could investigate further, Leff changed his tone and said, "By the way, do you know where Romani is? I'm looking for him too."
Hearing Leff's words, Luo Zhen aside, Mash asked in surprise, "Isn't Doctor in the Control Room?"
"He was there just now." Leff shook his head. "But Romani's been working overtime lately, and he kept complaining in the Control Room, saying things like, 'I want a vacation! I want to see the latest episode of Magic☆Merry! Let me rest for a while!' That made Marie furious. She said that with him around, there was no way to get the atmosphere ready for the operation, so she drove him out."
That really was just like Roman.
That was Luo Zhen and Mash's first thought.
"That said, today's operation is important. To prevent the Masters from suffering any health problems, we still need Romani to look after them." Leff turned to Luo Zhen. "Do you know where your brother is, Luo Zhen?"
To be honest, Luo Zhen really did know.
Not long ago, Roman had rushed into Luo Zhen's room and shouted at him.
"I'm slacking off today! If anyone comes looking for me, remember to tell them I'm not here!"
Then Roman had hidden in Luo Zhen's bathroom.
In other words, Roman was currently hiding in Luo Zhen's room.
And so...
"I don't know." Luo Zhen answered Leff very straightforwardly. "Maybe he found somewhere to hide and slack off?"
"...Is that so?" Leff fell silent for a moment before helplessly saying, "There's no helping it. The operation is about to begin. Let's go over first, then see whether we can contact Romani later."
After saying that, Leff walked ahead as if he intended to lead the way.
Mash was just about to follow when she noticed Luo Zhen still standing where he was, looking hesitant.
"Senpai?" Mash tilted her head. "What's wrong?"
"...Nothing." Luo Zhen shook his head and pretended to be relaxed. "It's nothing. Let's catch up."
"Yes." Mash was still somewhat puzzled, but she did not ask further.
The two followed behind Leff and headed to the Control Room once more.
However, Luo Zhen was no longer as carefree as he had been earlier.
Staring at Leff's back, Luo Zhen's eyes flickered.
Something feels wrong...
That was the only thought remaining in Luo Zhen's mind.
Unfortunately, the course of events did not stop turning simply because Luo Zhen felt that something was wrong.
Before long, the three arrived at the Control Room and began taking their respective positions.
Before you continue