Master and Disciple Reunite

She wore a long black dress with gold embroidery on the hem, which shimmered softly under the magic lamp.

Beatrice sat beside her, her cream-colored twin-curled ponytails cascading down her shoulders, her butterfly-shaped pupils also fixed on the book in her hands.

The mother and daughter sat together, their postures and expressions similar, even the frequency with which they turned the pages of their books was similar.

On the other side, the other witches were also there.

Typhon lay on the table, his eyes half-closed, his short, grass-green hair sticking up slightly, as if he were about to fall asleep.

Sekhmet lay on the bench beside him, his long, crimson-purple hair cascading over the cushions, his eyes closed. Now that he was an undead, he no longer needed to breathe.

Minerva sat beside the bookshelf, her blue eyes fixed on the book of magic theory in her hands, her golden ponytail swaying gently behind her.

Carmilla sat in the corner, her long, light red hair falling down and obscuring her face.

Her hand gently caressed the silver bracelet on her knee.

Daphne stood in the kitchen doorway, her deep gray eyes fixed on Roswaal's direction, her gray twin ponytails swaying gently behind her.

However, Roswaal clearly didn't care about any of that.

"Teacher..."

Roswaal's voice was hoarse.

He strode forward, his steps heavy and slow.

Every step felt like walking on cotton, soft and yielding, without any solid ground.

Echidna's fingers paused for a moment.

She put down her book, looked up, and saw the man walking towards her.

That familiar face, and the emotions that had been suppressed for four hundred years, about to burst forth in those eyes.

Roswaal.

"Teacher... you... you're really... alive..."

"Ah, that's right."

She paused.

"You've only been resurrected for a short time, what brings you here?"

Roswaal walked up to her and stopped.

His purple eyes were fixed on her, his lips trembling.

Four hundred years.

Four hundred years of waiting, four hundred years of searching, four hundred years of solitude.

He possessed the bodies of his descendants countless times, deceived and exploited countless people, all for this one moment.

In order to see her face, hear her voice, and confirm that she still "exists".

"Teacher."

His voice was very soft.

"I... I have waited for you for four hundred years."

"I know."

Echidna's voice was calm.

"Everything you've done is written in the Tome of Wisdom; I've seen it all."

Roswaal's tears finally welled up.

He didn't wipe them away; he just stood there, looking at the person he had waited for his whole life, tears streaming down his cheeks and dripping onto his dark blue robe.

"Teacher... I..."

"Thanks for your hard work."

Echidna stood up, walked over to him, and gently patted his shoulder.

"Roswaal, you've worked hard."

Roswaal remained silent for a long time.

Then he smiled, a smile tinged with the weariness of four hundred years.

"Teacher... you're still the same."

"You too, you still cry so easily."

Roswaal remained silent.

Echidna withdrew her hand.

"Roswaal, you are free from this day forward."

"Free?"

"Yes, freedom. Don't look for me anymore, don't live for me anymore, go do what you want to do."

Roswaal looked at her, a complex light flickering in his purple eyes.

"Teacher... I..."

"No need to rush to answer, you have plenty of time."

She turned around, walked back to the sofa, sat down, and picked up the book again.

"Go ahead, Higashino Makoto is waiting for you outside."

Roswaal stood there, watching her retreating figure, remaining silent for a long time.

Then he turned around and walked out of the library.

Higashino Makoto leaned against the library door, arms crossed, his golden eyes looking at him.

"Are you done talking?"

"That's all."

What did she say?

She said I was free.

Higashino Makoto nodded.

"Hmm, freedom, a nice word, I like it."

Roswaal looked at him.

"Mr. Higashino Makoto."

"Um."

Why are you helping me?

Higashino Makoto felt a chill run down his spine.

"Ha! What do you mean I'm helping you? I just like collecting things I like. Echidna is like a maid you need."

Higashino Makoto looked at the other person with a surprised expression, somewhat incredulous.

When should I help him?

However, seeing how touched the other person was, Higashino Makoto still tried his best to avoid embarrassing them.

"However, such dedication for over four hundred years is indeed quite remarkable."

Roswaal's lips curled into a slight smile.

Four hundred years... that's a long time indeed.

"Fine, just consider it as me helping you out. I don't mind."

Roswaal remained silent for a moment.

"Mr. Higashino Makoto, I will definitely fulfill your request. From now on, Frederica, Ram, and Rem will all belong to you."

"I know."

"But--"

"But what?"

Please treat them kindly.

Higashino Makoto looked at him, his eyes devoid of any emotion.

"Don't worry, I will. I've never been bad with beautiful women."

Roswaal nodded, turned around, and walked out of the library.

After taking a few steps, he stopped without looking back.

"Mr. Higashino Makoto."

"Um."

"Thanks."

He stepped out of the library.

The footsteps faded into the distance in the corridor.

Higashino Makoto stood there, staring at the closed door.

Roswaal Mansion, corridor.

Higashino Makoto leaned against a pillar, his golden eyes gazing at the Garden.

The sun had completely sunk below the horizon, and the sky was a deep purplish-gray.

Footsteps came from behind.

"Mr. Higashino Makoto."

Higashino Makoto did not turn back.

"Frederica."

The head maid walked up to him, her long golden hair gleaming dimly in the twilight, her emerald green eyes looking at him.

A smile played on her lips, but she didn't cover her mouth—her sharp fangs gleamed in the twilight.

"Lord Roswaal said, 'From this day forward, I am yours.'"

"Right."

"Ram and Rem too?"

"Yes, that's right."

Frederica looked at him, a complex light flickering in her emerald green eyes.

Why do you need us?

"Because I like pretty maids, and you are excellent maids."

"That's all?"

That's all.

Frederica remained silent for a moment.

"Mr. Higashino Makoto."

"Um."

"Ram and Rem are oni; once they've chosen someone, they'll give almost unconditionally. If you treat them well, they'll repay you with their lives."

"I see."

"Will you treat them well?"

Higashino Makoto turned around and looked at her.

"Meeting."

Frederica smiled, looking very happy, her previous unease seemingly dispelled.

"That's enough."

She bowed slightly.

"Mr. Higashino Makoto, from today onwards— Frederica Baumann will be your maid. Please take good care of me."

Higashino Makoto nodded.

"Yes, please guide me."

Frederica straightened up, turned around, and walked deeper into the mansion.

After taking a few steps, she stopped without looking back.

"Mr. Higashino Makoto."

"Um."

"Although I don't know why, thank you for your trust and choice."

She continued walking forward, her footsteps fading into the distance in the corridor.

Higashino Makoto stood there, gazing in the direction she had left.

"Reisen, do you think they'll get used to it?"

Reisen thought for a moment.

"Probably, because the master will treat them well. After all, you quite like pretty things, don't you?"

Higashino Makoto remained silent.

There's nothing you can do if you're not used to it. Once you've got it, why would you let go of it?

I am a time traveler, a time traveler known for my greed and arrogance.