To Become a King and a Magician

"Master! Master! Wake up!"

The voice suddenly rang in Naoki's ears, followed by the sensation of his arm being vigorously shaken.

With a hint of resignation, he removed his eye mask and lightly tapped Mordred's head beside him. "What's the deal? Let me sleep a bit longer."

"You've already slept for four hours, and we're almost in Tokyo!"

Mordred said with an excited expression.

It was now late October. More than half a month had passed since Naoki and his group returned from Romania. Now, because Gray was going on an autumn field trip to Tokyo, Naoki, who was a bit worried, and Mordred, who wanted to have fun in Tokyo, tagged along.

Hearing Mordred's words, Naoki pulled out his phone and glanced at it—nearly four hours had passed since they boarded the train. By his estimate, they were indeed close to Tokyo.

"How are Gray and Tama doing?"

"They're in the back carriage. Aside from the noisy kids, there's no other sound. By the way, Master, what's fun to do in Tokyo?"

"How should I know? I've never been to Tokyo either." Naoki propped his chin and yawned. After four hours of sleep, he felt a bit sluggish. "If I had to say, I'd rather go to Akihabara."

Akihabara?

"What's that?"

"A holy place in the hearts of some people, including me. I've always wanted to visit it once. Also, for research."

"Research?" Mordred grew even more confused by her Master's words. "Master, are you going to draw something? Speaking of which, you've got some artistic talent too—Ouch, that hurts!"

Naoki gave her a light tap on the head and said, "I'm a Magus registered in the Department of Creation. How could I get there without some artistic talent? Besides, I'm not drawing—I just want to buy some templates."

"Templates? Master, what exactly are you planning to do?"

"Turn static figures into life-sized moving dolls."

Once the data was inputted, Logos React could transform into anything. So, by collecting some figures, couldn't he create a real "waifu"? And one that could switch to another "waifu" anytime, anywhere—wouldn't that be wonderful?

If Zelretch knew Naoki was using Logos React for this, he'd probably show up and kill him.

A weapon capable of destroying the world, used for that?

Even so, Naoki already had an idea of how Logos React would transform. This trip to Akihabara was just to find a few more options—who could resist having multiple "2D waifus"?

[Next stop: Tokyo. Next stop: Tokyo—]

At that moment, an announcement came over the loudspeaker.

"Looks like we're almost there. Mordred, get ready—"

Before Naoki could finish, a sensation like passing through something suddenly spread through his body, making him tremble slightly and instinctively stop speaking.

(This feeling… what's going on?)

"Master."

Mordred's slightly serious voice sounded. "You felt it too?"

"Yeah, seems like there's a bit of trouble in Tokyo." Naoki said, moving his hand with a resigned gesture. "Seriously, everywhere I go, there's always a problem. I'm starting to suspect the Counter Force is deliberately messing with me."

It couldn't be that he had some weird body that attracted trouble wherever he went, right?

◆━⊰✧⊱━◆

At Tokyo Station.

With Mordred, Naoki dragged their luggage out of the Shinkansen. At a glance, he spotted Atalanta standing not far away. From the way she waved, it seemed she had something to say.

"What's up?"

"When the station announcement played earlier, did you feel it?" Atalanta asked with a serious expression. "I asked the others, and aside from me and Gray, no one else seemed to notice."

Aside from Atalanta and Gray?

Naoki and Mordred exchanged a glance. "In that case, it's probably only Magi… or those who can use Mana who can sense it. Mordred and I felt it too, but there's nothing wrong with our bodies. How about you and Gray?"

"Same."

"Let's observe for now. You keep an eye on Gray's condition, and Mordred and I will try to investigate. The main thing is to make sure everyone's safe before we leave tomorrow."

Atalanta nodded and quickly caught up with the kids who had wandered a bit ahead. With a Servant by her side, Gray's safety wasn't a concern.

As he watched Atalanta leave, Naoki turned and tugged at the collar of Mordred, who was looking around curiously. "Alright, stop looking around like a husky, Mordred. Let's go—we need to find a place to stay first."

"Don't pull my collar, Master! And who's a husky?!"

"Don't you look like one?"

[Vixen, stop.]

Suddenly, Manaka's voice echoed in Naoki's mind.

(What's up? Why are you talking to me first again? Didn't you say you'd never speak to me first until you died?)

[I'm not in the mood to joke with you today. When you're about to leave the station, stop and look around.]

What a rare situation.

Since they'd known each other, Manaka always traded jabs whenever they spoke. But today, she was suddenly so serious, her tone even carrying a hint of urgency.

(Are you scared because you're nearing your hometown? By the way, the Sajyou family is a prominent Magus family in Tokyo. Want me to help check if there's a Sajyou family in this world?)

[No need… I've already sensed it.]

(Eh?)

Already sensed it? What did that mean? Did she sense another version of herself here?

Is there a Sajyou Manaka here too?

[It's not me who's here, just… a very familiar feeling. You should be able to see it the moment you step out of the station. The knowledge you gained from the Root will let you recognize it in an instant.]

Recognize it in an instant?

So, another familiar stranger? But in Tokyo…

(Who could I possibly recognize here?)

With that confusion, Naoki and Mordred walked toward the station exit. The moment they stepped out, Naoki's heart suddenly raced, and Arthur's power, usually dormant, stirred!

Even Arthur reacted?

And at that moment—

"Excuse me, are you Natsukawa Naoki-sama?"

Accompanied by a gentle breeze, someone spoke those words and appeared before Naoki.

It was a black-haired girl who bore a slight resemblance to him. She didn't seem very old, perhaps around eighteen, wearing slightly old-fashioned black-framed glasses. At a glance, she seemed calm and melancholic, exuding an air of low confidence.

"You are…"

[As expected…]

"It seems to match the photo." After confirming Naoki's appearance, the girl gave a slight bow. "Hello, I'm Sajyou Ayaka, a Magus currently managing Tokyo. For the two days you're in Tokyo, I'll be temporarily taking over from Tohsaka Rin as your supervisor."

"Pleased to meet you."