-1061- Monitoring?

The time is the first day after the summer vacation.

The location is the faculty office building of Saikai Academy High School.

Here, there is Minamiya Natsuki's office.

However, for some reason, Natsuki's office is not only occupied by her alone but also located on the top floor with a vast view, more majestic and luxurious than the principal's office. It boasts thick carpets, velvet curtains, antique furniture, and opulence akin to a palace.

Natsuki sits back in what appears to be an expensive antique chair, fanning herself with a black lace fan, while addressing Rozen, whom she has summoned.

That is, she wants Rozen to take the Attack Mage license exam.

"Why bring this up all of a sudden?" Rozen asks, somewhat surprised.

Rozen is no stranger to Attack Mages, even quite familiar with them. After all, with a sister who is a national Attack Mage, Rozen couldn't remain ignorant.

Attack Mages encompass magus, psychics, espers, and practitioners possessing skills to combat magical crimes.

To suppress magical crimes and confront demons, nations allow individuals with corresponding skills to become Attack Mages and issue them international qualifications, akin to professional Onmyoji in the world of Tokyo Ravens, capable of resolving various incidents.

The criteria for obtaining the license, besides possessing certain skills and abilities, include obtaining a junior high school graduation certificate, i.e., the age limit.

Now, Rozen is already in high school, so in terms of age, he can already obtain the Attack Mage license and receive a professional permit.

With Rozen's abilities, obtaining the Attack Mage license is certainly feasible.

Natsuki has long intended for Rozen to get the license, but ever since the incident with the Fourth Primogenitor, she has been busy with various aftermaths, so perhaps she didn't have the time or maybe Rozen's current status is a bit sensitive, hence she didn't bring it up again.

Until now, when Natsuki suddenly brings it up, it truly surprises Rozen.

Rozen can't help but ask, hoping Natsuki can clarify things for him.

Natsuki doesn't hide anything about it.

"This is a condition set by those above," Natsuki says, fanning herself while speaking with disdain.

"They are willing to overlook all your faults, including the malicious destruction of the communication bridge, on the condition that you must become an Attack Mage."

With just this sentence, Rozen understands.

"Are they trying to recruit me?" Has the Management Cooperative already known about Rozen sealing the Fourth Primogenitor within him?

It was them who provided Itogami Island as the ritual site, so naturally, they wouldn't ignore the outcome of the ritual.

Then, after careful consideration and discussion, it seems they decided not to easily provoke Rozen but to try to recruit him instead.

"After all, you are different now from before. You're not just a child with a mysterious background but someone with a dangerous being sealed inside you, capable of summoning gods. Besides, I also informed them that the Fourth Primogenitor's Beast Vassals have recognized you as their master. If they lay a hand on you recklessly, once these Beast Vassals go berserk, what will happen to this island, I can't guarantee. So, naturally, those guys had to compromise," Natsuki says with a smirk, making Rozen smile somewhat.

However...

"If the intention is to recruit me, why not just issue the license without me joining the Attack Mage Bureau or Lion King Agency? At least, that way, I would be considered an Attack Mage affiliated with a national organization. Wouldn't that be a better recruitment strategy?" Rozen questions.

People who hold an international Attack Mage license are not necessarily national Attack Mages. There are many Attack Mages who pursue careers as magical technicians or are hired by civilian vigilance societies, directly accepting commissions from clients to solve various problems related to demons and magic. There are even those who become corporate bodyguards or security guards.

Therefore, possessing an Attack Mage license doesn't necessarily mean becoming a national Attack Mage but allows individuals to pursue their desired careers based on their own volition and preferences.

This has both advantages and disadvantages.

The benefits lie in freedom, but the drawbacks also stem from freedom.

Rozen has heard that in other countries, there are even Attack Mages dedicated to hunting demons. Therefore, in the eyes of demons, Attack Mages are not very welcome. Many young generations of demons unilaterally view Attack Mages with hostility and caution.

This is probably the reason why the Management Cooperative of Itogami Island wants Rozen to become an Attack Mage, right?

"If I become an Attack Mage, many demons from the Three Great Night Empires will harbor hostility and vigilance towards me. This way, I can avoid overly intimate contact with the demons of the Night Empires, and in human countries, I can enjoy the privileges of being an Attack Mage. By keeping enemies at a distance and gaining friends, it can be considered a form of recruitment. But if I only get the license, I will still be a civilian. Will those above really let me do as I please?" Rozen articulates the intricacies, leaving Natsuki neither denying nor confirming.

Because...

"Even if they don't let you, what can they do?" Natsuki scoffs. "If they directly condition waiving prosecution as joining the Attack Mage Bureau or the Lion King Agency, and you have to obey their orders, those guys will worry about whether you will develop a rebellious attitude."

Considering this, the Management Cooperative of Itogami Island decided to simply allow Rozen to become an Attack Mage, obtain the Attack Mage license, without forcing him to join a national organization as an Attack Mage official.

If it's just about getting the license, Rozen probably won't object, right?

After all, with the license, becoming an Attack Mage, Rozen will still be a civilian. Whether he uses this license to work as a civilian Attack Mage or a magical technician is Rozen's freedom. As long as he declares himself still human and a national Attack Mage, it would be a decent outcome.

"Anyway, sooner or later, you'll need to get the license. Having another option for the future is also a good thing. So, just go ahead and take the exam," Natsuki, speaking as Rozen's guardian, says in a firm tone, tapping the desk with her lace fan.

"Saying it's an exam, but it's more like a direct appointment. Those above will let you pass no matter what. Just take a written test and demonstrate a bit of magic, and the license will be issued on the same day. The venue is at the City Hall of Keystone Gate. You can go there yourself."

With that said, Natsuki waves her hand, signaling Rozen to leave.

Her extremely nonchalant attitude leaves Rozen feeling somewhat helpless.

"Well, getting the license isn't a bad thing anyway," Rozen says as he takes the registration form.

"Oh, by the way, Natsuki-nee," Rozen suddenly remembers something and asks, "What about Kojou? How are those above planning to arrange things for him?"

"Him?" Natsuki responds with slight indifference. "Don't worry, there are people over there watching him. The folks from the Management Cooperative of Itogami Island aren't stupid."

In other words, while the Management Cooperative of Itogami Island is using recruitment as a means for Rozen, they are directly sending someone to monitor Kojou.

This is because of the difference in their abilities. One is capable of sealing the Primogenitor and awakening dead gods, while the other is just an ordinary person who has a god sealed inside him. The former needs surveillance to avoid detection or backlash, while the latter doesn't require as much concern.

"That's good. I can't stand having someone watching me all the time," Rozen says before leaving.

Little does he know, just because the Management Cooperative of Itogami Island isn't monitoring him doesn't mean others aren't. The observer who can prevent Rozen from reacting negatively has been dispatched to the island, about to make contact with him.