The Reborn Sister
A few days later, at a café in Tokyo.
"Yes, that's right, nothing was found. Just report it like that. Thank you, you've gone to a lot of trouble. I'll contact you again if there's any progress."
After calling and reporting the situation in Tokyo to the Church's central staff on the other side of the globe, Ciel put down her phone and sipped her coffee. "Phew, finally done."
"Is everything safe now, Senpai?" Ayaka asked with slight anxiety, sitting across from Ciel.
A few days earlier, that extraordinary period for Ayaka had ended. The world's rebirth, triggered by her sister, concluded smoothly thanks to the help of several people. With the Magician's assistance, the parts of the world affected by the rebirth were cast into a far-distant future.
Though Ayaka didn't have a clear idea of "far-distant." she felt relieved when Aoko said she wouldn't need to worry for ten generations.
Of course, while it didn't have a major impact on the real world, that was only for the general public. In the mystical world, some noticed the anomaly in Tokyo. As a result, the Mage's Association sent investigators, as did the Church.
And the outcome, as Ciel had just said:
"Yes, it's safe, at least for now." Ciel replied. "The Church and the Mage's Association are still suspicious about what happened in Tokyo. It might be busy for a while until they find nothing and leave. But they won't find anything, no matter how hard they look."
The battle between Naoki and others against [Manaka] took place in the new world, distinct from the real world, like the difference between a digital world and reality. To uncover what happened in the new world, they'd need to go there. But that new world vanished days ago.
The Holy Sword, Moon Fall, the Fifth Magic, combined with severe damage to the Holy Grail at its core and the disappearance of [Manaka] as the ritual's orchestrator, caused the new world to fade along with the halted rebirth. No matter how thoroughly the Mage's Association and Church investigated, it would be futile.
"By the way, what's your plan next, Sajyou?" Ciel asked.
"With the Church and the Mage's Association constantly showing up, you won't be able to relax like before. Plus, with the barrier that prevented Magecraft use in Tokyo gone, more outside Magi will come. Can you handle it after I leave?"
Yes, leave.
Ciel was a puppet-like existence created by [Manaka]. She was also the Gaia of the vanished new world. She should have disappeared with it, but she remained in this world only due to a dying miracle caused by Aoko and Arcueid.
[Due to a change in position, she must be transferred to another region]—that was Ciel's official reason for leaving Tokyo.
Staring down at the coffee cup in front of her, Ayaka was silent for a long time before shaking her head. "I don't think I can handle it. A third-rate Magus like me is still too inexperienced to deal with those big shots."
"Then you…"
"So, I'm planning to leave Tokyo." Ayaka said. "Naoki seems to know a very skilled Magus in England who can recommend me to the Clock Tower. I plan to study there after graduating high school. Once I succeed as a Magus, I'll return to Tokyo."
The Clock Tower?
Ciel frowned. "Graduating high school means two more years… Are you sure? Tokyo is…"
"I have to go. My sister protected me for eight years. Now it's time for me to leave my hometown and explore the outside world. Besides…"
"Besides? Besides what?"
"N-nothing!" Ayaka's face flushed slightly as she lifted her coffee cup and took a sip.
Having been helped so much by him, and learning so much about her sister because of him, Ayaka felt she owed him. She couldn't do anything for him now, but maybe in the future.
*DING-DONG!*
An alarm sounded from Ayaka's pocket.
Taking out her phone and silencing the alarm, Ayaka checked the time, hurriedly finished her coffee, grabbed her school bag, and stood. "It's time—sorry, Senpai, I have to go. I've got an urgent matter, or I'll be late!"
"Huh? Urgent matter? Isn't today Saturday?"
"But today's the day Naoki and the others are leaving Tokyo!"
Ayaka's voice echoed as she hurried away.
Ciel paused, then raised her hand in resignation. "An urgent matter… Geez, Natsukawa-san, you promised to help me keep an eye on her, but you're being a bit sly."
"But with you around, I don't have to worry about Ayaka anymore, right?"
Looking at the sky outside the window, Ciel smiled, closed her eyes, and vanished into specks of light from her seat.
◆━⊰✧⊱━◆
Tokyo Station, entrance.
"Naoki! Miss Aoko!"
Hearing a call from behind, Naoki and Aoko, dragging their suitcases as they prepared to leave, turned and smiled.
"Ayaka, why are you here? Didn't we say goodbye yesterday?" Aoko smiled, hugging Ayaka. "Another farewell?"
"I just felt, as the host here, I should personally see off my guests." Ayaka laughed. "Is the train about to leave?"
Naoki nodded. "Almost. Though I called back, we've been here for nearly half a month. If I don't return, Mordred and Atalanta might kill me over Gray. Well, even after going back, I'll probably visit often. There's still a lot in Akihabara I haven't seen."
"Ayaka, if you have time, come to Fuyuki City. Gray and I would love to have you." Aoko added.
"Me too. I'll be in this world for a while."
"No, Aoko, you'll probably head somewhere else in a few days, right?" Naoki knew Aoko's nature. If she stayed in one place, something was wrong.
Aoko, caught out, gave a faint smile.
"Well then, see you, Miss Aoko, Naoki. Safe travels."
"Yeah, see you—oh, I almost forgot one thing."
Just before entering the station, Naoki suddenly remembered something important. He stopped and looked back at Ayaka. "Ayaka, I'm not entirely sure, just a hunch, but… your sister might still be alive."
"Huh?"
◆━⊰✧⊱━◆
Fuyuki City, Mount Enzou, vast underground chamber.
At one of the spiritual leyline nodes, a reproduction device continuously drew Mana from the leyline to activate the hidden Greater Grail.
[This is it?]
Amid the surging Mana flow, an existence connected to the reproduction device.
[Thank goodness… I made it.]
[Second death…]
[This time… I'll sleep for a bit.]