Chapter 58: Aozaki Aoko Case File [56]
About ten minutes later, a sharply dressed young man with golden hair slicked back and an arrogant expression entered the classroom, taking his place behind the podium. He scanned the room briefly, but when his gaze fell on the back row where Aoko and Touko Aozaki were seated, he froze.
Kayneth El-Melloi Archibald's expression stiffened slightly. Though difficult to believe, someone of Kayneth's caliber immediately recognized the true nature of the two young women seated there. A powerful sense of "otherness" radiated from them—a rejection instinct imposed by the Counter Force. Only a magus of Kayneth's level could detect such a distinct anomaly.
These were the bearers of an ultimate mystery, a Magic that stood against the world itself, sitting calmly in his classroom awaiting his lecture.
Kayneth suddenly felt a dryness in his throat. He loosened his collar and took a sip of water from the cup on the podium, attempting to steady his nerves.
Young women, Magic, and East Asian features.
These three clues allowed Kaynneth to deduce their identities. They must be connected to the Fifth Magic's inheritance incident that had recently caused a stir. Most likely, the one possessing that complete Magic was Aoko Aozaki.
Kayneth had long admired Touko Aozaki, the so-called "egg of a Magician" who had once studied at the Clock Tower. Though he wasn't personally acquainted with her, he thought highly of her genius, considering her a kindred spirit. Genius recognizes genius, after all.
However, after Touko fled and was marked with a Sealing Designation, she disappeared from Kayneth's world. Rumors from Northern Europe occasionally reached him, but he dismissed them, refocusing on his research.
He'd heard that Touko had returned to Japan to compete with her sister for the Fifth Magic's inheritance. Now, sitting here with the unmistakable aura of a Magic, was not Touko but Aoko.
Kayneth's gaze shifted slightly to the young girl beside Aoko. He found himself puzzled.
Who was this? Could she also be related to the Aozaki family?
Before Kayneth could dwell on it further, a slim, soft-spoken boy with a somewhat androgynous hairstyle interrupted.
"Professor Kayneth? Is something wrong?"
"Mind your own business, Waver," Kayneth snapped with a hint of haughtiness, regaining his composure.
"I was merely thinking. Now, let's begin the lecture."
Chastised, Waver shrank back, obediently pulling out his textbook and notes.
Meanwhile, Aoko listened intently to the esteemed Lord El-Melloi's lecture on Mineralogy, her demeanor that of an ordinary student. Touko, however, found the material dull and repetitive; it was knowledge she had long since mastered. Halfway through the lecture, she succumbed to boredom, laying her head on the desk and falling into a peaceful slumber.
The lecture lasted about two hours.
As it concluded, Kayneth hesitated, glancing toward Aoko and Touko. Ultimately, he chose to gather his notes and leave the classroom without saying a word.
Aoko, satisfied with the experience of seeing the renowned "Blond Lemon Head" and the young version of the future workaholic El-Melloi II, pulled her still-drowsy sister out of the room.
But just as they turned a quiet corner in the hallway, a voice called out.
"Please wait, Miss Fourth Magician."
Fortunately, this wasn't some fantastical world of chaos, Aoko mused to herself with mild amusement.
She turned to see Kayneth El-Melloi Archibald approaching.
"Lord El-Melloi, what can I do for you?"
Aoko asked with practiced calm.
"You wouldn't have come all the way from Japan just to attend my lecture, would you?"
Kayneth said, catching his breath after hurrying over.
"As the Lord of the Mineralogy Department, I am obligated to inquire about your purpose at the Clock Tower."
Aoko exchanged a glance with Touko before sizing up Kayneth, who seemed slightly uneasy.
"While your lecture was indeed intriguing, Lord El-Melloi, we're here for something else," Aoko admitted.
"My primary concern involves Touko."
As expected!
Kayneth mentally praised his deduction skills. He had already suspected that if the young girl beside Aoko was indeed Touko, then resolving her Sealing Designation would be a priority after their apparent reconciliation.
"I see," Kayneth nodded.
"So you're here to request the cancellation of Miss Touko Aozaki's Sealing Designation?"
"More or less," Aoko replied vaguely.
"But before that, there are other matters we need to attend to. After all, certain people have committed certain acts and must now face the consequences—"
Kayneth's heart sank as he realized what the Aozaki sisters intended to do.
As a magus who, despite his arrogance, retained some semblance of ordinary moral values, Kayneth had felt uncomfortable when he first heard about Lord Valualeta's actions in designating her student. He would never treat a disciple that way.
"Lord El-Melloi," the crimson-haired Magician interrupted his thoughts, "do you know where my sister's mentor, Lord Valualeta, is currently located?"
Kayneth hesitated. The smile on Aoko's face was half-illuminated by sunlight and half-shrouded in shadow. The aura of the Magic she carried, embodying the principle of Erasure/Consumption, seemed to deepen.
"...Lord Valualeta is currently at her workshop in the Department of Creation," Kayneth finally said, his tone measured.
"Thank you for your honesty," Aoko said with a smile.
"Once this matter is resolved, my sister and I will be sure to repay your assistance."
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