-114- Let things unfold naturally

In the outskirts, at the mansion.

As the day began to brighten again and sunlight poured down from the sky, Rozen slowly opened his eyes in a room.

"Ah~~~" He let out a lazy yawn and then sluggishly climbed out of his blanket, sitting there in a daze, lacking energy.

"Is it morning already...?" Rozen mumbled in a dazed manner.

Gradually, the sleepiness faded away, and Rozen's mind was finally awakened.

So, he looked around the room.

The room he was in was a spacious area made up of eighteen tatami mats.

Incense was burning beside the bedding.

The warmth of a brazier filled the room.

Through the Japanese paper doors, Rozen could see the bright sunlight outside, reflecting the scene of the traditional-style courtyard through the glass windows across the hallway.

Rozen confirmed, "The events of yesterday were indeed real..."

He truly lived in Karyusai Shouko's mansion now and wouldn't be returning to the Akabane Resident for a while.

Suddenly, Rozen recalled the events of yesterday.

"Since you said, only the immature can't control the weapons in their hands, you should also know that exceptional weapons choose owners worthy of them, right?"

Sitting on the raised dais with curtains, Karyusai Shouko had spoken to Rozen like this.

"I can offer you a chance to obtain 'Setsugetsuka'."

After all, as the top figure in Japan's field of bionics, Karyusai Shouko's ultimate creations, these three automatons, were worth as much as battleships. Karyusai couldn't just give them to Rozen for free.

So, Karyusai Shouko made an arrangement with Rozen.

"For the meantime, you can stay here."

"The time will be set for one month."

"During this month, you can freely live here and come and go from this mansion."

"After one month, if any of the 'Setsugetsuka' automatons actively express a desire to become your automaton, from that moment on, she will be yours."

"Whether you can successfully obtain the world's best automatons depends on you, little boy."

This was the agreement between Rozen and Karyusai Shouko, as well as the promise Karyusai Shouko gave Rozen.

"Don't worry, I will send a letter to the head of the Akabane Resident, informing him of your current situation so he doesn't have to worry. Even if you can't take away any of the 'Setsugetsuka' automatons after a month, I'll specially create an automaton for you."

"Of course, it's impossible for that automaton to match 'Setsugetsuka,' at best, it will be on the level of 'Oborofuji'."

"What to do next depends entirely on your effort, little boy."

This was the true meaning behind Karyusai Shouko's words.

"Let me see to what extent you can achieve."

This was the essence of that sentence.

Without a doubt, this was Karyusai Shouko's test for Rozen.

"Whether you can control the weapon in your hand, this talent, this gift, let me personally confirm it."

Karyusai Shouko's final words echoed in Rozen's mind.

Rozen chuckled as he thought back to that time.

"Never thought it would turn out like this in the end."

When Rozen was given the task by Akabane Kuukan to come here, he had also hoped to obtain automatons like the 'Setsugetsuka' series.

However, that was just a wish.

Rozen had never imagined that he could actually get his hands on the 'Setsugetsuka' series so easily.

Of course, it was just a chance.

For Karyusai Shouko, she simply wanted to confirm Rozen's quality.

And for Rozen, it was just an opportunity.

"For others, having such an opportunity would make them ecstatic, right?"

But not for Rozen.

If it were some mysterious magic, that would be another story, but for familiars who fought alongside him, Rozen's demands had always been quite stringent.

In other words...

"Happy for what I gain, Accept what I have lost."

Rozen couldn't bring himself to flatter and curry favor just to get his hands on the 'Setsugetsuka' series in the upcoming month.

So...

"Just let things unfold naturally."

With these thoughts in mind, Rozen felt a sudden sense of clarity. After leaving the cozy warmth of his blanket, he pushed open the paper door and stepped outside.

The sunlight bathed Rozen, making him feel refreshed. The harmonious and tranquil atmosphere of the garden beyond the hallway further lifted his spirits.

"Well then, let's start with a warm-up exercise."

Of course, the so-called warm-up exercise referred to practicing magic.

Rozen wasn't about to sweat and exercise like a muscle-bound man; he shifted his gaze to a tree in the garden.

"Guess It'll be you."

Pure magical power surged from Rozen's body, transforming into focused mental energy that enveloped the tree.

"Crack!"

A crisp sound resonated from the tree. It was the sound of branches snapping.

Under the control of his pure mental power, branches began to break off from the tree one by one. They flew through the air like arrows, suspended in the garden.

Rozen manipulated the branches, allowing them to move freely in midair.

At times, the branches glided like graceful dragons.

At times, the branches formed into wooden puppets.

At times, the branches collided with each other, like two armies engaged in a duel, creating a series of sounds.

At times, the branches arranged themselves into various formations, resembling military tactics.

With utmost fluidity and artistic finesse, Rozen controlled the branches, making them come to life.

This level of skill, this ability, if it were witnessed by those self-proclaimed extraordinary puppeteers, they would surely be ashamed to death.

And then...

"Wow, that's amazing!"

A clear voice rang out, sounding surprised and delighted. The sound of small hands clapping followed suit.

Since he wasn't using "Heaven's Eye" to be aware of his surroundings, Rozen was taken aback. He then saw a cute little girl with twin ponytails sitting on the corridor. She swung her small feet back and forth, clapping her hands joyfully with an incredibly sweet smile.

"You are..."

Rozen raised his eyebrows in surprise.

"I'm Komurasaki, as I introduced myself yesterday, big brother."

Komurasaki said cheerfully, her lively and energetic personality on full display.

Soon after, she hopped down from the corridor, running towards Rozen with the sound of footsteps pattering.

Watching this adorable little girl running towards him, Rozen felt somewhat dazed.

Human-like actions.

Human-like demeanor.

Human-like spirit.

A human-like presence.

Could this really be an automaton?