Mashu's Further Education / Counting Under the Skirt / Operation Watchtower

Time flowed by silently, unnoticed.

Olga Marie officially implemented the Master Observation Plan that Ian had previously proposed throughout Chaldea.

Forty-nine Masters formed several observation teams, following either explicit or implicit agreements.

Everyone was required to regularly report their whereabouts within their team.

If anyone went missing, it was to be reported immediately.

Following his initial idea, Ian promptly added Mashu and Fujimaru Ritsuka to his observation team on the same day.

Ophelia, however, did not join.

It wasn't that Ian hadn't invited her, but rather that she had voluntarily opted out.

Although Ophelia verbally expressed that "Mashu and Fujimaru Ritsuka are burdens," Ian knew that she was actually just avoiding Mashu.

But it didn't matter.

Ophelia was still capable, and even if she wasn't by his side, Ian wasn't worried that anything would happen.

Besides—

Since that day, Ophelia had been actively initiating flirtatious chats with him much more frequently.

He could completely consider her a hidden member of his team.

However, speaking of which.

Ian had never expected that someone would actually volunteer to join his observation team.

What was their name again?

Ah, that's right.

Akuta Hinako.

Her chat profile picture was a green lotus flower floating in a pond, with a line of small text below it that read "The highest excellence is like that of water."

Her actual age was unknown, but judging by this style, Ian figured her mental state was at least seventy or eighty years old.

And what Akuta Hinako did indeed matched this feeling.

Not only did she immediately change the group name to something like "Chaldea Reading Enthusiasts' Society" upon joining, but she also shared links to various e-books while reporting her daily whereabouts.

Heavy historical literature such as "Records of Qin and Han Dynasties" and "Rhapsody on the Afang Palace."

She clearly treated the entire observation team as her own circle of like-minded friends.

But—

Ian didn't dislike Akuta Hinako's behavior.

After all, it at least showed that she cared about the observation team.

And speaking of which—

Ian remembered Ophelia saying that she seemed to have been a technical staff member at Chaldea, who was exceptionally promoted to a Master candidate due to her outstanding talent.

This kind of experience was definitely worth discussing.

He should meet her sometime when he had the chance.

As for now—

Ian looked at the girl's buttocks, which he was using as a bookshelf, and his expression became one of enjoyment.

That was Mashu's new service posture as a "tool."

Although she didn't have much talent, she was very eager to learn and worked extremely hard.

After Ian's slight guidance, she understood many of the positions she should adopt when performing her fire-extinguishing duties.

From the initial lying position to the later kneeling position, and now the "69" position.

At this moment, she was lying on top of Ian, wearing her Chaldea uniform.

The girl's legs, clad in stockings, were spread apart in front of the man, and the part of her buttocks covered by her short skirt was just right for placing books.

Ian was able to comfortably read the book Ophelia had given him while lying in bed.

It was an advanced manual from the Clock Tower—but it was Ophelia's annotated version, covered in various sticky notes.

She seemed very worried that her friend with benefits wouldn't understand the book.

But the opposite was true.

Not only could Ian easily understand the content, but he could sometimes even add new insights to it.

Of course.

Ian wasn't doing this to save face—he was never the kind of person to let his vanity inflate.

Rather, these things had a significant degree of overlap with his memories.

Ian gradually realized the true value of the saying "Magic is a mystery passed down from ancient times to the present."

However, he certainly couldn't reveal his thoughts to anyone—this wasn't something that could be easily explained.

But speaking of which.

The first Simulation in Britain had given him "memory projection" and a "non-human body";

Then, logically speaking, the second Simulation in Heian-kyō should also have given him something in return.

However, Ian hadn't felt any changes until now.

Had the result of the first Simulation misled him?

Or had he not yet discovered the true feedback?

Ian couldn't determine which situation it was for a while.

Just then, the man's phone lit up—Ophelia had sent him a message.

Ian opened it and found it was a selfie of her.

To be more precise, it was a photo of her standing in front of a mirror, taking a picture of her naked self in the mirror.

And it seemed that to make the photo look more alluring, Ian could clearly feel that she was intentionally focusing the camera on her perfect 'pigeon egg'.

[Ophelia]: How do you want to play this week?

[Ophelia]: I want to know in advance.

Looking at the incredibly direct words on the phone screen, Ian found it hard to connect the current Ophelia with the previously cold and aloof magus.

This was perhaps the backlash caused by a long period of suppression.

[Ian]: I haven't thought about it yet.

[Ian]: Besides, it's only Wednesday, right?!

[Ian]: Even if it's in advance, this is way too early.

[Ophelia]: Are you getting impatient? Aren't we friends with benefits?

[Ian]: ...

[Ian]: I have a feeling you've misunderstood something.

[Ophelia]: If you don't want to tell me that, just send me a picture of your thing.

[Ian]: ...

The man hesitated for a moment, then slightly lifted the girl's short skirt in front of him and took a picture of the black silk panties that were revealed.

[Ian]: Image.jpg

[Ian]: It has its own life now.

[Ophelia]: ...

[Ophelia]: Are you a pervert?! Making Mashu do that kind of thing so early in the morning? You can't feel comfortable all day without leaving something in her mouth, can you?!

[Ophelia]: Seriously! Why would someone like you become a Master candidate?!

[Ian]: She climbed up herself.

[Ian]: Besides...

[Ian]: I think you, who asked me for that kind of photo so early in the morning, aren't much better, are you?

[Ophelia]: ...

[Ophelia]: Forget it, I don't care about you anymore, it's fine as long as Mashu is willing.

[Ophelia]: But you have to think about it and tell me before Friday.

[Ian]: Why has it suddenly become a timed mission?

[Ian]: Ignoring that, do you have any leads on the magic circuits of Fujimaru Ritsuka that I mentioned to you last time?

[Ophelia]: My assessment is that it depends on her own efforts.

[Ophelia]: After all, although this level of magic circuits doesn't necessarily mean she can't become an excellent magus, it will definitely be quite difficult.

[Ophelia]: Oh, and one more thing.

[Ian]: What is it?

[Ophelia]: I did find a contraception spell, so you don't have to wear a condom anymore.

[Ian]: ...

The pink and explicit chat finally ended.

Ian, whose head was slightly throbbing, intended to continue studying the Clock Tower manual in his hands, but suddenly felt Mashu release her mouth.

He saw her turn her head back, her expression shy and bashful.

"Senpai... what were you trying to do when you lifted my skirt just now?"

"..."

Although Ian thought he had been very careful with his movements just now, it seemed Mashu had still noticed.

But it wasn't surprising.

After all, Mashu was always able to notice the details.

It was only natural for her to discover it like this.

Of course.

Ian wasn't nervous at all—he had an excellent way to solve this kind of problem.

He simply and generously lifted the girl's Chaldea uniform skirt completely.

This was a much more embarrassing display than before.

Mashu's already flushed cheeks became even hotter.

"Senpai, you..."

"Mashu, don't be nervous," Ian said gently, his fingers lightly stroking the fair skin under the skirt before him.

"I just thought this spot could be used to record some things."

"Record some things?"

"That's right," Ian said, as he slowly pulled down Mashu's black silk panties bit by bit.

The beauty of the girl that was revealed became even more captivating.

Two untouched gardens, as pink and tender as peach blossoms in spring.

Ian was certain that if he touched them slightly with his hand, he would have an unforgettable experience.

However—

This wasn't the time to do that.

"Mashu, you are my 'tool'."

"So—"

"Recording the number of times you've been used is also a very reasonable thing, right?"

No sooner had Ian finished speaking these words than Mashu felt a ticklish sensation on her back.

It was the feeling of a pen tip touching her skin.

The pink-haired girl immediately realized what he was doing—he was writing on the skin next to her back garden.

"Senpai..."

"Shh."

Ian moved his body slightly, allowing the girl's lips to be pressed against the familiar cylindrical object.

"Mashu, bear with it, it's almost done."

Mashu's face was red, and she didn't say anything else, but instead lowered her head and silently continued her work.

The pen tip moved across the girl's skin.

Ian tried his best to keep his movements light during the drawing process—he didn't want to hurt such a docile "tool."

Soon, he stopped writing.

He picked up his phone beside him and took a picture of the artwork in front of him.

Then, the phone that Mashu had given him was placed in front of her.

It was a photo that had been temporarily set as the screen lock.

On the left side of the skin of the girl's two gardens, a black heart was drawn.

On the right side, there were several tally marks.

And one of the tally marks was missing the bottom horizontal stroke.

"Mashu, it's time to complete that tally mark now," Ian said gently, placing his hand on Mashu's head.

Some time later.

Click.

Another photo was added to Ian's phone.

Mashu, who had been lying down like a puppy, slowly got up.

She tidied her clothes, looked at the man before her, and asked with a flushed face:

"Senpai... will you draw another stroke on it every time from now on?"

"Yeah."

Ian reached out and gently wiped away the trace remaining at the corner of Mashu's lips.

"But if Mashu doesn't like it, you can wash it off later."

"Not at all," Mashu quickly denied.

"However, I would like to make a small request, is that alright?"

"Go ahead, what is it?"

"It's just—" The girl looked at the phone in Ian's hand.

"Senpai, could you also send me a copy of the photos you took?"

"Huh?"

Ian was a little confused.

"I can, but..."

"What do you want the photos for, Mashu?"

"Because—" Mashu took out her own phone, her face red, and replied.

"I also want to use it as my wallpaper and lock screen!"

"Wait, this is..."

"I know," Mashu lowered her head. "I understand that it's a photo of that place."

"But I think if I can see it every time... I'll feel like the things I'm working hard on are paying off."

"That way—" she continued, her voice barely audible.

"I won't be someone who can't do anything, right?"

"..."

Ian's heart was suddenly pricked by something.

He reached out and ruffled Mashu's hair.

"I understand what you mean."

"But what if someone else sees your wallpaper?"

"They won't," Mashu said, holding her phone tightly. "In Chaldea, no one pays attention to me."

"And I'll be very careful."

"This is... the secret relationship between Senpai and me!"

Even though he knew Mashu's perception was becoming increasingly strange, Ian felt like he couldn't correct her.

After all—

Every rejection was a huge hurt for her.

"I understand."

"I'll send it to you right away."

Perhaps it had been planned from the beginning, or perhaps she was genuinely looking forward to this kind of thing.

Mashu quickly changed her phone's wallpaper and lock screen to the photo Ian had taken—it was a scene that would be visible as soon as the screen lit up.

And even though it was such an embarrassing thing.

The girl held it like she was clutching a precious treasure.

She held up the wallpaper displaying the photo and looked at Ian before her.

"Senpai... can I ask you one more question?"

"Go ahead."

Mashu's face became even redder, but she still asked the question in her heart.

"Speaking of which, Senpai, when you see these... what do you feel?"

"..."

Ian actually wanted to say that he didn't feel anything in particular—after all, he had indeed seen many similar things.

But looking at Mashu's extremely expectant eyes.

He still decided to tell a small, harmless lie.

"It's very beautiful."

"After seeing it, my mood instantly improved a lot."

"Thank you, Mashu."

"..."

That was roughly the answer she wanted.

Mashu lowered her head shyly.

"You're welcome."

"After all, I'm Senpai's 'tool'."

Just as Ian was about to say something more, a knock came from the door.

Mashu immediately panicked.

Ian gently patted her shoulder, comforting her, "I'm here, don't be nervous."

"Wipe your mouth."

"Yes... I understand."

Mashu tidied herself up.

Ian went to open the door.

However, the figure outside the door surprised him a bit.

It was Fujimaru Ritsuka and Mordred, who was protecting her according to his orders.

"Master!"

Mordred greeted him casually.

"Hurry up and come out! We have to go meet someone!"

"Meet someone?" Ian looked puzzled—he didn't remember anything about this.

"Yeah."

Mordred rubbed her nose.

"We have to go meet that person called Akuta Hinako today!"

"What?!".