-1150- The old promise

Saikai Academy High School, Faculty Office Building.

At the top floor of this building, in one of the luxurious offices belonging to Minamiya Natsuki, Rozen's figure swayed like a heat haze, accompanied by the appearance of golden particles.

"So, it has come to this."

Rozen slumped into the familiar office chair, exhaling a weary sigh.

During this period, Rozen always worked hard. Not only did he receive crazy invitations from all the students and staff until the end of the Harurouin Festival, but he also couldn't use poor excuses to decline. Otherwise, students would directly engage in arguments or even fights, leading to bloody incidents, which was very distressing.

Rozen had already anticipated today's situation, so he left home late, took a different train, and prepared to use suggestive magic before entering the school gate to make everyone ignore him.

Who would have thought that the students at the school completely ignored the class meeting and ambushed him at the school gate? Rozen almost forgot about this because of the sudden appearance of that girl on the Keystone Gate, which almost led to a tragedy.

If Rozen hadn't sensed the danger and slipped away, he might have been torn to pieces by now.

Rozen didn't even have time to use spatial transfer magic and could only escape into the Ley Lines using Far Step, which showed how precarious the situation was at that time.

"Fortunately, Itogami Island is built on the Ley Lines, allowing 'Far Step' to penetrate into every corner of the island at any time."

Of course, when it came to every corner, if there were any barriers or magic spells set up, Rozen would naturally not be able to infiltrate using "Far Step." But even so, this spell could still be very useful.

However, just the thought of all the teachers and students still outside searching for him, and the possibility of being attacked by classmates when he returned to class, gave Rozen a headache.

"I might as well skip class today."

Rozen murmured to himself.

This Rozen completely failed to notice...

"To actually say you're planning to skip class so openly in the teacher's office, I don't remember teaching you to be like this."

A childish yet authoritative voice entered Rozen's ears, making him startle, finally noticing that there was someone else here.

The owner of the office, sitting at her desk at this moment, fanning herself with a lace fan, still wearing that seemingly hot formal dress, looked at Rozen coldly and helplessly.

"Natsuki-nee?"

Rozen was surprised.

The person in front of him was indeed Minamiya Natsuki.

"How come you're here?"

Rozen was puzzled.

Because of the disorder during the Harurouin Festival, Natsuki had left early in the morning, so this place should have been empty. That's why Rozen came here for refuge.

Who would have thought that Natsuki would be here?

"Hmph." Natsuki snorted lightly, continuing to fan herself, as if she were very leisurely, "It's almost time for class. Even if I'm busy, I have to come back. I can't forget my main job because of my side job."

Natsuki said something that would make the Island Management Cooperative and the Special District Security Forces cry on the spot.

"Is being an Attack Mage now considered a side job?"

Rozen retorted.

But Rozen also knew that Natsuki had always valued her educational work more than her duties as an Attack Mage. Therefore, for Natsuki, this side was her main job, and being an Attack Mage was indeed just a side job.

In view of this, Natsuki rarely took leave, and today she even entrusted the class meeting to Astarte to read the notices, which was relatively rare compared to usual.

But...

"Is this really okay?" Rozen asked Natsuki, "During previous Harurouin Festivals, the Island Management Cooperative and the Special District Security Forces would become very busy. Is it okay for you to come back directly like this?"

Due to the Demon Sanctuary being open to the public during the Harurouin Festival, not only tourists would come, but also various malicious individuals.

Issues such as smuggling prohibited items onto Itogami Island to sell, conducting illegal businesses, stealing research results from the Demon Sanctuary, and unauthorized entry would often occur during the Harurouin Festival, and the Special District Security Forces couldn't afford to slack off.

Thanks to this, during previous Harurouin Festivals, Natsuki would become very busy, just like Rozen, being led around by various matters, making them a troublesome pair of siblings.

Now, Natsuki directly left her duties as an Attack Mage and returned to school. Is that really okay?

"No need to worry." Natsuki glanced at Rozen, dismissing his concerns, "This island doesn't rely solely on me as an Attack Mage. If it can't function without me, then the Special District Security Forces and the Attack Mage Bureau might as well resign collectively."

Natsuki's words were unexpectedly ruthless.

Although Itogami Island wouldn't be completely paralyzed without her, it was a period when manpower was urgently needed. Having one more person meant having one more pair of hands, especially someone like Natsuki, who was undoubtedly the most outstanding Attack Mage on Itogami Island and could even rival Dimitrie Vatler. With her strength, many things would undoubtedly be much easier.

So, without Natsuki, Itogami Island would suffer a significant setback, if not collapse, which would definitely have an impact.

But it was only natural...

"Right now, the Harurouin Festival hasn't started yet, and at most, we're doing some preparatory work. If Natsuki-nee isn't here, indeed, it would be unacceptable from all aspects."

Rozen agreed with Natsuki's words.

In fact, Rozen also hoped that Natsuki could enjoy the Harurouin Festival for once, instead of being busy with work as usual.

Therefore, Rozen said so.

And whether or not Natsuki noticed Rozen's thoughts, she turned her head and looked at him.

In her eyes, for some reason, emotions surged that Rozen couldn't understand.

"Natsuki-nee?"

Rozen looked at Natsuki in astonishment.

Natsuki didn't avoid Rozen's gaze, staring straight at him.

"Speaking of which, we agreed last year to go watch the fireworks festival together, but because you were dragged away by the Akatsuki siblings, and I had to work, we completely didn't fulfill it."

Natsuki unexpectedly said such words.

"Although it's helpless, but thinking about it carefully, it's really regrettable."

Natsuki became unusually frank and straightforward.

Rozen subconsciously sensed that something was wrong.

"Natsuki-nee, you..."

At that moment, Rozen was about to say something.

But the next second, Natsuki interrupted him.

"Alright, it's almost time for class, you should hurry back."

Natsuki returned to her usual self, waved her fan as if annoyed, and ushered Rozen out.

Seeing this, Rozen could only helplessly get up.

However...

"Natsuki-nee." Rozen said, "This year, let's go watch the fireworks festival together."

Rozen stared at Natsuki, saying each word carefully.

Facing Rozen's gaze, Natsuki remained silent for a moment, then relaxed her expression.

"Fine, go ahead."

That's all Natsuki said.

Rozen then smiled faintly, turned around, and left the office.

Natsuki watched Rozen leave.

She didn't snap out of it for a long time.