Don't Call Me Master, Call Me Director

Chapter 14: The Disliked Old Man

Seeing the grandfather and grandson who suddenly appeared before him, Shinji's mouth twitched slightly.

Due to the recession of mystery in this era, this head of the Aozaki Family was not a Magus, but the other party's status in the Japanese Magecraft world was still very high, belonging to the absolute top tier.

Of course, just as famous as his transcendent status was his rigid attitude towards Magecraft.

The story of him expelling an excellent heir (Aozaki Touko) from the family due to a difference in ideals was known to everyone in the Japanese Magecraft world.

However, compared to this rigid and harsh old man, Shinji was more interested in Aoko, who was following behind him.

After all, a beautiful girl was definitely more pleasing to the eye than an old man full of wrinkles, not to mention that Aoko was one of the "Four Heroines."

Unlike the lively, cheerful, and even somewhat unreliable human missile launcher in Shinji's memory, Aoko, who was following her grandfather, was a dignified and steady young lady.

Perhaps it was because Old Man Aozaki was still alive and kept Aoko by his side to teach her.

Perhaps sensing Shinji's gaze, Aoko narrowed her eyes and smiled charmingly at him.

Shinji returned a friendly smile and greeted her.

"Hello..."

Before Shinji could finish speaking, Old Man Aozaki took a step to the side, separating Aoko and Shinji, as if he were some kind of harmful bacteria.

"..."

Shinji's eyebrows twitched slightly. He didn't speak, merely picked up his wine glass silently.

The head of the Aozaki Family on the other side completely treated Shinji as air, not even glancing at him, and directly greeted Matou Zouken.

"Lord Matou, long time no see."

Matou Zouken nodded slightly, "Lord Aozaki, you are still in good health, I presume?"

"Of course," Lord Aozaki replied expressionlessly. "As long as those unfilial juniors who defile Magecraft are still alive, how could I possibly die before them."

Shinji, who was drinking, stopped his movements upon hearing this. He put down his wine glass and looked up at the old man in front of him.

He felt like he had been subtly insulted.

Lord Aozaki seemed to notice him only now, looking down at him from a condescending angle that made Shinji extremely uncomfortable.

"You... are Lord Matou's grandson, Matou Shinji? You seem to be accomplished at a young age."

"Thank you for your praise, Lord Aozaki."

Shinji's words were polite, even perfunctory.

He wasn't an idiot and could naturally hear the hidden meaning in the old man Aozaki's words; it was certainly not the tone a venerable elder should have when seeing a promising junior.

"It's not praise. You are one of the most talented young Mages I have ever seen. Your paper on Suggestion Magic published in the Clock Tower journal, your understanding of the origin of Magecraft, left me in awe."

"You flatter me."

Shinji gave an awkward yet polite smile, wondering if the other party was deliberately mocking him.

That paper had a lot of filler. Although the viewpoints and theoretical practices of the paper were all Shinji's work, the writing and theoretical exposition parts were mostly done by Waver.

One of them was exceptionally talented and had max practical skills but a poor theoretical foundation; the other had theory but couldn't practice due to his own limitations, making them perfect complements to each other.

The entire Clock Tower knew about their situation, but Shinji wasn't sure if outsiders knew.

However, Lord Aozaki didn't seem to care about the actual situation of the paper. He just looked at Shinji with a gaze full of disappointment, like an experienced teacher instructing a student who had talent but lacked ability.

"You have talent that ordinary people can't reach in Suggestion Magic, Barriers, and even Illusion Magic... It's a pity,"

Lord Aozaki paused, then continued with a tone of earnest advice, "You've taken the wrong path, putting too much energy into vulgar things that waste your talent. Focus on studying Magecraft; only then can you fully develop your talent."

"Magecraft?"

Shinji never expected the other party to be here to talk to him about this.

Lord Aozaki waved his hand, "Only by studying Magecraft can your abilities be recognized by everyone and can you become a top Mage."

[Do you know my ideals? You're just assuming I have to follow the path of an academic Mage?]

Shinji didn't know how to respond to this old gentleman.

No matter how he looked at it, he, Matou Shinji, was not cut out for academic Magecraft research. Even if he had transmigrated to a parallel world of the Type-Moon universe where mystery hadn't declined, Shinji felt he would be a combat application-oriented Mage like Kiritsugu or Bazett.

"Mr. Aozaki, you are an authority in the Magecraft world. I am just a novice Mage with little experience. I believe an elder like you wouldn't lie to me."

Although he disdained this old man internally, for the sake of the Matou Family's reputation for good upbringing, Shinji still responded to him in the tone of a junior.

"Can't Mages who study the practical application of Magecraft reach the pinnacle of the Magecraft world?"

"Practical?"

Lord Aozaki shook his head upon hearing this. "Practicality means sharing with others. Mystery is a very personal thing! It's something that can only be passed down within the family! You are a Mage, you shouldn't have such thoughts."

[I was wrong, this guy isn't just old-fashioned; he should be put in a museum.]

Shinji really wanted to slap himself.

What was there to talk about with this living fossil who still insisted on family inheritance of Magecraft?

Even the old fuddy-duddies at the Clock Tower knew that family transmission was unreliable these days and that one needed to find students to inherit their Magecraft. This guy was still living in the previous version.

Unfortunately, Aozaki Public seemed not to notice Shinji's impatience. He continued his lecture to Matou Shinji with a pained expression.

"Matou Shinji, I greatly admire your talent. You are still young and have hope for correction... Focus on researching Magecraft immediately. With your talent, you will surely go further than your grandfather on the path to the Root..."

What's the point? It still won't lead to the Root.

Shinji suppressed the urge to roll his eyes, forcing a smile to his lips.

If even the current one couldn't become a Magus, Shinji figured no one in the future would be able to reach the end of the path of a Mage.

Besides, even if Shinji were genuinely interested in the Root, he wouldn't research it behind closed doors. He'd rather go to Kanabuki City and spend time with Sister Shiki. Perhaps that would bring him closer to the Root.

Of course, that's assuming Sister Shiki awakened her Mystic Eyes.

Given the current world's level of mystery, Shinji harbored deep doubts about that.

In any case, from Master Shinji's perspective, it was better to do what he liked than to spend his limited life and energy on a path that would never end.

Therefore, Shinji wouldn't change his plans just because someone said a few words, even if that person was the Aozaki Family Head.

"Um... Aozaki Family Head."

Seeing that the other party had no intention of stopping his incessant chatter, Shinji finally couldn't hold back and spoke, "I don't think the Root represents everything for a Mage."

Even though Shinji tried his best to soften his tone, the Aozaki Family Head's expression remained grim.

In the old man's eyes, the Root was everything. Mages should pursue the Root; otherwise, they were heretics!

The Aozaki Family Head shot an displeased glance at Matou Zouken beside Shinji. "Lord Matou, I think you should consider having another grandson instead of investing the Matou Family's resources into someone who is destined for no return."

Well, that was a tactful way of putting it.

Shinji felt that if he were to translate Aozaki Public's words with less tact, it would be: "Why don't you just disown this unfilial grandson of yours?"

"Anyway, Shinji isn't inheriting the Matou Family's Magecraft, so he can do whatever he wants~"

Matou Zouken chuckled, leaning on his cane.

For this doting grandfather, nothing was more important than supporting his grandson.

Disowning Shinji? Impossible.

Only a stubborn old man like Aozaki would cripple a very talented heir for the sake of some so-called ideal.

One could say that the philosophies of Aozaki Public and Matou Zouken regarding their juniors and Magecraft were worlds apart.

Aozaki Public said a few more words, trying to persuade Zouken, but seeing that the latter was just giving evasive answers, he could only leave helplessly.

"Goodbye to you both."

Aoko, who had remained silent the entire time, gave a slight bow to the Matou grandfather and grandson after her grandfather left, then quickly followed him.

Shinji swore he saw Miss Aozaki give him a thumbs-up as she turned away.

"The Root doesn't represent everything."

Suddenly, a slightly mocking voice came from Shinji's side and rear.

Shinji quickly turned around. A woman with orange-red hair, glasses, and a ponytail was smiling at him.

She quickly walked over and stood directly beside Shinji, teasing, "It seems the little prodigy of the Matou Family is completely overflowing with confidence."

"We just have different paths and don't seek the same goals. Miss Touko."

Shinji shrugged and said nonchalantly.

"You know me?"

The woman's lips curled with interest.

Shinji nodded. "Of course. You were my idol when I studied abroad, senpai."

Touko waved her hand and laughed, "Oh, please. Compared to you, who has slept with every woman at the Clock Tower, I'm still far behind~ junior."

"Pfft--"

Shinji spat out his drink.

"Is that what those scoundrels are saying?!"

Master Shinji decided he needed to teach certain people a lesson the next time he visited the Clock Tower.

"Who knows," Touko spread her hands casually. "But regardless, I'm happy that you managed to anger that old immortal. If you need anything in the future, you can come to me. I'll give you a discount, sister."

With that, Touko handed Shinji a business card and then left.

"They're sisters, yet their personalities are so different," Matou Zouken commented, rubbing his chin as he watched Touko's retreating figure.

"The younger sister is so obedient, while the elder is so rebellious. No wonder that rigid old man chose the younger sister over the elder."

Thinking of the gesture Aoko had given him before she left, Shinji shook his head slightly. "Well, perhaps the truth isn't quite like that."

"Good grandson, did you discover something?" Matou Zouken asked with a hint of gossip.

Shinji just smiled faintly and put away the business card in his hand.

"Good grandson, you've taken a liking to her?"

"Yeah."

Shinji admitted.

But before Zouken could say anything, Shinji continued, "Aozaki Touko is quite skilled at making Magic Items. I've wanted to commission her to make Movie Props for a while now, but I've never found a way to contact her."

"What? I thought you were interested in the girl."

Matou Zouken lowered his head in disappointment and hit his back with his hand.

"Sigh, when am I going to hold my great-grandchild? You were so proactive in England, why are you so shy after returning home?"

Shinji blew the bangs on his forehead away in exasperation, not wanting to talk to this old geezer of a grandfather. Just as he was about to go to the food area to grab something to eat, he heard Aozaki Public's voice raised slightly from not far away.

"How strange."

Aozaki Public pointed at Aozaki Touko, squinting his eyes as he said, "I don't recall this being a place for Wild Dogs to beg for food."

Chapter 15: Colluding Evildoers

Aozaki Public's voice wasn't loud, but it was just enough for those around to notice.

Clearly, Aozaki Public's intention was to attract the attention of others and embarrass Touko.

However, Touko was no pushover. She slowly lit a cigarette, looking as if she didn't care about Aozaki Public at all.

"Ah, this is going to be good."

Shinji, who had been about to get food, stopped in his tracks, watching the Aozaki family members with great interest.

Matou Zouken found a chair and sat down, muttering, "Aozaki Public is really going too far. How can he call his own granddaughter a Wild Dog? That young lady is at least a beautiful Female Dog."

"...Grandfather," Shinji rubbed his temples with his fingers. "If you can't speak properly, just keep quiet."

Zouken chuckled carelessly and turned his gaze to Aozaki Public.

In the crowd, the confrontation between the Aozaki grandfather and granddaughter continued.