In the end, under relentless pressure from Roy, Shiki Tohno was forced to lead the group to the courtyard of the Tohno family estate.
From their brief interaction, Shiki quickly realized one undeniable fact, whether or not he guided them, this person would find his home anyway.
It left him with no other choice but to comply.
Especially given the piercing gaze of the blonde woman beside him, her eyes brimming with hostility, almost as if blood itself would seep from them. Her barely restrained eagerness made it clear she was ready to tear him apart. Refusing would undoubtedly lead to dire consequences.
Resigned to the inevitable, Shiki Tohno found himself conscripted as their unwilling guide.
"We're here."
As they arrived at the grand estate, Shiki's expression turned complex.
It wasn't just the coercion that bothered him. His personal history added to the weight of the moment. Though he was the eldest son of the Tohno family, Shiki had spent the last eight years living with the branch family, the Arima household. His memories of his home were hazy, limited to fleeting impressions from his childhood.
After the passing of the Tohno patriarch, his younger sister, Akiha Tohno, had assumed leadership of the family and summoned Shiki back to the main household.
One might have expected their reunion after eight years of separation to be a deeply emotional affair.
But for reasons he couldn't quite grasp, Akiha's attitude toward him was strangely harsh. Her sharp demeanor and strict tone in every interaction often left him questioning if he had done something to upset her.
The Akiha of his childhood had been nothing like this. Time, it seemed, had changed them both in ways Shiki found hard to reconcile.
All in all, Shiki Tohno felt little affection or familiarity toward this "home" he had returned to. If anything, his feelings bordered on resistance.
Roy, however, paid no mind to Shiki's inner turmoil or the family dynamics at play. He strode confidently toward the entrance of the Tohno estate, calling out to a figure within the courtyard.
"Pardon the intrusion, lovely lady."
A young woman with elegant crimson hair, clad in a maid's uniform, was diligently sweeping fallen leaves from the front yard.
"And you are?"
Hearing the unfamiliar voice, the maid lifted her head. Her gaze landed on Roy at the gate, her expression tinged with confusion.
But upon spotting Shiki standing behind him, she immediately straightened, offering a respectful bow.
"Master Shiki."
"Kohaku." Shiki responded, addressing the red-haired maid by name.
"Welcome home, Master Shiki. It's quite late; Lady Akiha has been waiting for you in the parlor. Please go see her at once."
She then turned her attention to the two strangers accompanying him. "And these two are… friends of yours, Master Shiki?"
"They're-"
Before Shiki could answer, Roy interjected with a polite smile.
"You misunderstand, Miss Kohaku. Shiki and I merely crossed paths by chance. While there is a certain… connection between us, calling us friends would be premature."
"I… see." Kohaku replied, her gaze shifting between Roy's cordial demeanor and Shiki's visibly strained expression. Something about the situation felt off, though she couldn't quite place what.
"And you are…?" She began to ask again, but Roy produced a gilded envelope from his pocket and handed it to her.
"Forgive my abrupt arrival." Roy said with a formal bow. "My name is Roy, current Lord of the Einzbern Family and acting representative of the Department of Mineralogy of the Mage's Association's Clock Tower."
"I am a magus, and I have come today to visit the esteemed Tohno family, renowned for their demon hunter lineage, on a matter of some importance. Please deliver this letter of introduction to the current head of the household."
For a moment, Kohaku seemed taken aback by the barrage of titles and affiliations. However, she quickly regained her composure, accepting the envelope with a small nod.
"Understood. Please wait here."
Shiki Tohno, meanwhile, stood frozen, his mind struggling to process the elaborate titles Roy had casually rattled off.
What… was all that?
He might not have grasped every detail, but it was clear Roy was no ordinary figure. If the woman with him was equally powerful, then…
Disaster.
If these two brought trouble to his sister and the Tohno family because of his mistakes, the consequences would be unthinkable.
As Kohaku hurried inside with the letter, Shiki opened his mouth, intending to call after her.
But a pale, delicate hand rested firmly against his neck, silencing him.
"Don't try anything foolish." Arcueid whispered, her tone cold and dangerous. "Or I'll snap your neck right here, murderer."
...
Akiha Tohno, the current head of the Tohno family, was sipping tea in the main hall.
Standing dutifully beside her was another red-haired maid who bore a striking resemblance to Kohaku, sharing nearly eighty percent of her features.
When Kohaku entered the estate in a hurried manner, Akiha paused, momentarily puzzled.
"What's the matter, Kohaku? You just stepped out five minutes ago. Did you finish sweeping the courtyard that quickly?"
Knowing Kohaku's diligence, Akiha found it impossible to believe she would slack off. Her hasty return hinted that something unusual had occurred.
"No, Lady Akiha. Master Shiki has returned." Kohaku explained succinctly. "And he brought two important guests with him. One of them specifically asked me to inform you of their arrival."
"Important guests? From my brother? What kind of important guests would require such formality? Could they be his classmates? Or perhaps he caused trouble at school, and the teacher has come to visit?"
Akiha tilted her head, her curiosity piqued.
It was hard to imagine Shiki bringing anyone that Kohaku would consider "important."
"Not quite. The gentleman introduced himself as the current Lord of the Einzbern Family and the acting representative of the Clock Tower's Department of Mineralogy. He said he's here to visit the Tohno family specifically."
Kohaku shook her head and placed an elegant envelope on the table before Akiha.
"The Lord of the Einzbern Family? And an acting representative from the Clock Tower's Department of Mineralogy…? Did he say he was from the Clock Tower?"
Though Akiha wasn't familiar with the Einzbern family, the name of the Mage's Association's Clock Tower was infamous.
The Clock Tower was the pinnacle of magecraft study, a revered gathering place for magus worldwide. Anyone remotely involved with the supernatural would recognize the name instantly.
Hearing it now left Akiha momentarily stunned.
She set down her teacup and hastily opened the envelope, carefully examining its contents.
The embossed golden lettering and the intricate magical sigils decorating the letter clearly indicated the sender's remarkable status and authority.
Akiha deduced that the Einzbern family must be a prestigious lineage tied to the Clock Tower, and this Roy... if he truly was the current head... was no ordinary individual.
But why would someone of such elevated stature come all the way to Japan to visit the Tohno family?
The question baffled her.
In the eyes of the Clock Tower's noble magus, Japan was often dismissed as a rural backwater. Its magus, particularly those from smaller families, were typically regarded with condescension.
What could compel such a prominent figure to personally visit her modest Tohno family?
Did he have some ulterior motive? Or…
The thought sent Akiha's mind spiraling toward the worst-case scenarios.
Still, there was no time to dwell on speculation. As the Tohno family, a clan tied to the supernatural, they couldn't afford to keep such an influential visitor waiting outside. It would be both disrespectful and dangerous.
Akiha had encountered visiting magus before, including a few from the Clock Tower.
She knew their temperament well: arrogant, eccentric, and quick to anger. The more noble their status, the more pronounced these traits tended to be.
Leaving a noble magus of Roy's stature unattended could provoke his ire. If he decided to act out within the Tohno estate, the damage would be catastrophic.
And then there was her brother.
That idiot! How had he gotten involved with someone so dangerous?!
According to Kohaku, Shiki was currently standing next to Roy.
Akiha's anxiety surged at the thought. Leaving Shiki, an ordinary human, in the company of an unknown magus felt akin to placing a defenseless rabbit before a starving wolf.
If Roy intended to harm him, Shiki wouldn't stand a chance.
For now, Akiha resolved to prioritize her brother's safety above all else. They couldn't afford to antagonize Roy.
"I understand, Kohaku." Akiha said after a brief pause to collect her thoughts. Her expression turned stern as she addressed the maid. "Please escort the magus inside. Be vigilant and prepared for any sudden developments. If things turn dangerous, protect my brother at all costs. Understood?"
"Understood, Lady Akiha. I will ensure Master Shiki's safety."
"Then I leave it to you."
Satisfied with Kohaku's response, Akiha turned to the other maid standing nearby.
"Kohaku, come with me."
"Yes, Lady Akiha."
...
A few minutes later...
Upon receiving Akiha's invitation, Roy, accompanied by Arcueid, followed the maid named Hisui into the Tohno family mansion.
Trailing behind them, Shiki... having witnessed the pair's extraordinary abilities... was too intimidated to make any rash moves, obediently following at the rear.
The atmosphere was tense as both Shiki and Hisui remained on high alert throughout the walk, though fortunately, nothing untoward occurred. Soon enough, the current head of the Tohno family... Shiki's younger sister, Akiha Tohno... appeared in the mansion's grand hall, awaiting their arrival.
As the mansion's ornate doors swung open, pushed by Hisui, Akiha's poised figure came into view.
She possessed a dignified, elegant beauty, her sharp features framed by waist-length jet-black hair. Though still youthful, her demeanor exuded the authority of a family head, complemented by a refined air befitting a woman of noble upbringing. The black-and-white accented formal dress she wore further emphasized her composure and grace.
"Welcome. I am Akiha Tohno, the current head of the Tohno family. It is an honor to receive two distinguished magus from the Clock Tower here today." Akiha said with measured courtesy. Though wary, her tone was neither servile nor overbearing, reflecting the excellent upbringing of a traditional family head.
"Apologies for intruding." Roy replied with a polite nod. Matching her formality, he introduced himself and his companion.
"This is my associate, Arcueid. She has accompanied me on this visit, though, as someone who has spent much of her time abroad, she might not fully grasp the local customs. Should there be any breaches in etiquette, I ask for your understanding, Miss Akiha."
As he spoke, Roy discreetly gave Arcueid a warning glance, silently urging her to stop glaring so intently at Shiki. If her intense gaze continued, the atmosphere would sour beyond repair.
"Arcueid?"
"Oh, you're speaking to me?" Arcueid's response was as nonchalant as her demeanor. "Uh, hello there."
However, she failed to grasp Roy's subtle cue. After offering a perfunctory greeting to Akiha, her eyes immediately snapped back to Shiki, locking onto him like a predator tracking prey.
Her unsettling stare sent a chill down Shiki's spine.
"..."
"...?"
"Miss Arcueid, might I ask the reason for your... behavior?" Akiha inquired, her brow furrowing slightly. She wasn't naive; it was obvious that the pair's intentions weren't entirely straightforward.
Initially planning to ease into the conversation diplomatically, Roy found himself at a loss thanks to Arcueid's obliviousness. With no other choice, he decided to dispense with pretense and reveal his purpose directly.
"It's nothing." Roy replied calmly. "My companion is simply unfamiliar with this customs. Additionally, she seems to have had a minor... misunderstanding with your brother prior to our arrival. Resolving that misunderstanding is part of the reason for my visit today."
"A misunderstanding, you say…"
Indeed, these visitors were far from ordinary.
Akiha subtly adjusted her grip on the concealed mystic code in her pocket, her mind rapidly assessing the pair's abilities.
This was her territory... the Tohno family mansion, fortified with carefully constructed wards and mechanisms that gave her a significant advantage. Under such conditions, even a magus of considerable renown would find it difficult to gain the upper hand.
Or so she thought... until reality shattered that illusion.
In the brief moment she let her thoughts wander, Roy moved.
Before Akiha could even register what was happening, he was suddenly beside her, placing a firm but seemingly casual hand on her shoulder. A surge of magical energy paralyzed her body.
"You've done an impressive job crafting this workshop." Roy said in a low, measured tone. "Twelve magic nodes, all meticulously arranged... evidence of both skill and talent. For someone from a supposed demon hunter family, your aptitude for magecraft is truly remarkable, Miss Akiha."
Akiha's breath hitched. His words weren't just an observation... they were a declaration of superiority, revealing her hidden strategies as effortlessly as flipping a page in a book.
She had no time to respond, no means to resist. Roy's speed was simply beyond comprehension.
Not even Shiki or Hisui could follow his movements. To them, it was as if he had vanished from his previous position, leaving only a blurred afterimage before reappearing beside Akiha in an instant.
This was no ordinary magus. The power Roy demonstrated was nothing short of overwhelming. Akiha realized that if he had wanted to kill her, she wouldn't have stood a chance.
"Now." Roy said, releasing her shoulder and stepping back. "Why don't we continue this conversation somewhere more comfortable? Perhaps the Tohno family's reception room?"
He spoke with an air of polite finality, as though the matter were already decided.
"...Of course." Akiha replied, her voice trembling despite her best efforts to maintain composure. Her face was pale, and her hands trembled slightly as she issued the necessary instructions.
"Kohaku, please escort our guests to the reception room."
"Yes, Lady Akiha."
A red-haired girl, nearly identical in appearance to Hisui, stepped forward with a polite bow. She had been waiting in a nearby room per Akiha's orders and now hastened to fulfill her new task.
"Right this way, please."
___
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