Outside, a lone fly exited the abandoned building that Life had entered moments earlier.
The tiny creature buzzed through the crisp air. It seemed to be on an urgent mission. But before it could travel far, its flight was abruptly halted.
Life, in his Outsider disguise, appeared out of nowhere. Without hesitation, he pulled a small jar from the folds of his robe. He caught the fly mid-air and sealed the lid tight. "Gotcha! Ha ha!"
He observed the helpless fly frantically buzzing inside the jar. A sadistic smile curled beneath his mask.
"Did you really think you could just sneak away from me with that pathetic excuse for a disguise? As if!" Although Life's voice had been tampered with by the Over-Armor's configurations to sound unnervingly neutral and robotic, a hint of mockery managed to seep through.
The fly battered itself against the jar's walls. Each futile attempt left small stains of black blood on the enchanted, artillery-proof glass. No matter how many times it rammed its tiny body into the barrier, it failed to dent the surface.
Feeling increasingly cocky over his captured prey, Life decided to up the ante. He removed his mask and revealed his face to the fly. His mocking expression was on full display. "You know, back during your fight against the girls, I actually thought you were smart for a moment...until you decided to be an idiot and pay the price. Granted, I suppose it was my fault for expecting you to actually have some intelligence."
He gave the jar a dismissive thumbs-down while shaking his head. "You sure don't look smart to me!"
This seemed to push the fly over the edge. It launched itself at the glass with renewed fervor. The speed of its attacks was beyond that of a regular fly. After a minute of relentless bashing, the fly finally gave up.
Life couldn't see inside the jar anymore due to the layer of black blood. The silence and the magical presence he still detected told him the fly was still there.
Satisfied, Life changed back into his professor's disguise. His backpack and everything else transformed seamlessly.
He stored the jar with the captured fly inside. "Now, excuse me. I have an urgent matter to attend to, so you'll have to wait your turn until I'm finished. Don't go anywhere, pfft!" He snorted.
As he began his walk back to the city, his mood was buoyant from another successful day. He pulled out his phone to check the address Manabu had sent him. Hmm, I see. Take me to this place!
A bright red line emanated from Life's feet. It snaked its way along the ground toward the distant city. Lifting his glasses momentarily, he confirmed that the line was only visible to him. Okay, working as intended. The last thing I need is for everyone to see a red line leading straight to me.
After some time...
Hmm... is this the place? Life surveyed the building before him. Through the windows, he saw people sitting on the floor enjoying their meals.
He then noticed someone excitedly waving at him. It was Manabu herself. Her arm was moving so rapidly that Life wondered how she hadn't broken it. I guess that answers it...
Entering the establishment, Life gave a friendly wave to Manabu and the rest of his co-workers. "Phew, looks like I just made it. Sorry for making you guys wait so long," he said as he approached them. His voice cut through the cacophony of other voices vying for attention.
"Naaaah, don't sweat it! Although...we wouldn't mind if you paid for everyone's next beer, ah ah!" laughed Shima Yoshito, one of Life's co-workers. The man, in his 30s, was visibly blushing and slurring slightly. It was a clear sign of his inebriation.
"Really?" Life hadn't been sure whether it was a cultural norm or just a joke. Either way, lack of funds was never an issue for him. This was thanks to the Over-Armor's ability to perfectly replicate anything.
Manabu snorted. "Now, now, no need to take him seriously, Seikatsu-san. Yoshito-san is just messing with you."
Life nodded slowly while taking a seat beside Manabu. After browsing the menu for a few seconds, he settled on a beer without much preference for the brand. One well-deserved drink after a day's work. Sure, it might not be top-tier...but when was the last time the opinion of the masses guided me?
He turned off the detoxification features of his armor to fully enjoy his drink. Not bad...not as good as the stuff from Party and Brew, and admittedly, when it comes to alcoholic drinks I'm more of a wine guy...but for what's worth, it'll do. He took a sip while reflecting. Shame I can't truly let loose unless I want to risk this universe due to some lapse of control...like that one time a few centuries prior.
As time passed, Manabu noticed Life had only ordered one beer. "Are you really gonna order just that?" she asked. Her expression was a blend of drunkenness and curiosity. After a brief pause, she added, "If you're up for trying something new, I could recommend this place's specialty."
Life felt a pang of curiosity. "And that specialty would be?" he asked while an intrigued smile formed on his lips.
Before Manabu could respond, the ringtone of a phone interrupted. She pulled out her phone while sighing at the caller ID. She stood up. "Sorry, there's some last-minute business. See you guys later."
The other teachers waved goodbye as she settled her tab and left. Her expression turned serious.
The sudden shift in her demeanor intrigued Life. I see, so she's also playing along.
He took another sip of his beer while contemplating. How long has she been pretending to be a drunkard? The ease with which she dropped the act...it must be something of great importance. But whatever it is, I'll find out if it becomes relevant.
Sometime later, Life returned to the hotel and settled into the room's armchair. He calmly opened the jar's lid while addressing the fly inside. "So, are you willing to talk now?" he asked coolly.
The fly hesitated briefly before attempting a desperate escape. It smacked into an invisible barrier at the balcony's threshold. The realization dawned on it as it turned to see Life's expression had shifted from calm to one of cold disappointment.
"Tsk tsk. Did you really think I'd just let you go? Just like that?" Life walked closer, stopping a meter away from the trapped fly. "If you really want to get out of here in one piece, your best chance is to cooperate. Of course, that's only if you're willing to in the first place." His voice carried a chill that left no room for argument.
With a resigned shimmer, the fly transformed back into Judai. Dark sparks and particle effects danced around him. Now pressed against the invisible barrier, Judai's sorry state was painfully clear. Half his face and his arm were still missing. They glowed ominously as if about to disintegrate.
Life shrugged. At least he has enough of a mouth left to talk. Before the interrogation, Life silently cast a truth spell he had learned after a previous encounter in another world. The spell ensured he would get the information he needed without turning his subject into a mindless puppet.
[Binding Truth]
With the spell cast and Judai none the wiser, Life tested it. "Can you still talk?"
Judai replied instantly. "Yes." His eyes widened in surprise as he covered his mouth.
A smirk crept onto Life's face. "Alrighty then. Next question: Who summoned you?"
"Kurai Kettei," Judai blurted out, unable to contain himself. First the invisible wall, now this. Why am I answering his questions so easily?! Judai thought to himself in a panic.
The name rang a bell for Life. Kurai Kettei... Kettei... Wait, isn't that Yoshino's surname?
"Hey! What did you do to me?" Judai's interruption broke Life's train of thought.
"Shut up. I'm trying to think here!" Life snapped, and Judai's mouth closed involuntarily.
Turning away to collect his thoughts, Life mused. Yoshino's mother might either be responsible or working with the real culprit. This could be perfect fodder for future character development!
Turning back to Judai, Life's expression was unreadable. "Why is Kurai going after her own daughter?"
"She didn't know it was her daughter she was after all along," Judai confessed.
The nature of Judai's answer made Life raise an eyebrow. "Did you know Yoshino and Kurai were related when Kurai ordered you to search for the one responsible for the disappearance of that human-cat monster?"
"Yes."
Life scratched his head. "Okay...And did you know Yoshino was involved in the disappearance?"
"Yes."
Life frowned. "Did you tell Kurai about Yoshino's involvement?"
"No." Judai's confession made Life smirk, sensing the deep-seated tensions at play.
"Why did you keep quiet about Yoshino?" Life asked while his curiosity was piqued further.
Judai hesitated, feeling the subjugation of the spell. "Because...that way...I...could...kill Yoshino with no one being wiser!" he blurted out, breathless from the exertion.
Life processed this. "Killing her is pretty extreme...Have you personally met Yoshino before?"
"No."
"Have you personally met her before today?" Life clarified.
"Yes."
Life's grin turned maniacal. "Oh, oh, oh~ So you've gone back in time, haven't you?"
Judai's ragged breathing confirmed as much before his involuntary response. "Yes."
Life almost chuckled. The concept wasn't foreign to him—he had seen it before. Some individuals, driven by revenge or desperation, gain the ability to travel back in time. If I'm not mistaken, Novel once mentioned a term for such individuals...Regressors.
Backing away to give himself space, Life pondered his next move. Killing him would be the safest option. But... a revenge plot could add so much drama...
Stepping forward, he placed a hand on Judai's shoulder. Dark sparks of magic flickered between them. [Dark Transfer]
Judai felt a surge of energy. As Life's hand left his shoulder, Judai found himself healed—his face and arm restored. He looked at Life with a mix of awe and fear. This power...it surpasses even the Great Master's!
"I have an offer, Judai. Join me, and I'll give you the chance to exact your revenge on Yoshino. What's it going to be?" Life extended a hand for a handshake.
Hesitant but aware of his position, Judai accepted. The dark magic surged again. The pain was more intense than before but tolerable.
Dropping to his knees, Judai's breathing steadied. The awe in his eyes was unmistakable.
Life walked to the room's minibar while retrieving a can of iced tea. Infusing it with a small amount of dark magic, he handed it to Judai. "I don't know if your kind needs to eat or drink, but this might help."
Judai accepted the can and downed it in one gulp. Life watched, impressed by his zeal but also satisfied with the control he now held over him.
With Judai calmer, Life finally gave his instructions. "Go back to your previous master and pretend to still serve her. If questioned, say you were ambushed and barely escaped. Mention only the white clothing and hair of your attacker."
Judai raised a hand, asking to speak. Life smirked. "Yes, Judai?"
"First, the human cat is called Nekomata. Second, my name isn't really Judai," he clarified.
"Do as you wish," Judai bowed slightly before Life dismissed him while pointing towards the balcony.
As Judai left, a sense of finality settled over the room. Returning to his armchair, Life pulled out a manga titled [Magical Girl Shiny Constellation]. The cover featured Nozomi in her magical girl form, striking a confident pose. Well, after all that, some light reading is exactly what I need to end the day.