At an open café in a modern magical metropolitan city.
"Going on a vacation to a parallel world?"
Tohsaka Rin, now 23 years old, looked at Ayaka sitting across from her with slight surprise.
Since both were Magus who had studied under Lord El-Melloi II, and both had connections with Zelretch, not to mention their ties to Naoki, Ayaka and Rin actually had a pretty good relationship. The same went for Luvia.
During the two years of Naoki's absence, whenever Ayaka faced problems she couldn't solve, she would usually seek help from these two senior sisters-in-arms and share her experiences.
Now, hearing Ayaka say she was going to a parallel world, Rin calmed down after a brief moment of surprise. "I see. So the task your teacher gave you this time involves a parallel world?"
"Somewhat. But honestly, that's secondary. According to him, it doesn't matter if I don't go." Ayaka said, touching the handle of her coffee cup. "Actually… that parallel world seems to be the one where Natsukawa is."
"Natsukawa… oh~~ I see~~"
Rin immediately understood. Her gaze toward Ayaka turned slightly teasing. "So, going to a parallel world this time is really for a vacation. A honeymoon… no, not quite. Maybe a pre-wedding honeymoon?"
"I'm not even married to him, Sister Rin. Besides, we haven't seen each other in two years. Who knows if he's forgotten about me."
"That's absolutely impossible."
Raising a finger and tapping Ayaka's forehead, Rin laughed. "Natsukawa would never forget you. He deeply values the people around him. Especially someone like you, who's gone through life and death with him. The only way he'd forget you, in my opinion, is if his memories were completely erased and rewritten."
"And with his abilities, I can't imagine his memories being fully erased. So, relax, Ayaka. He hasn't come back not because he forgot you, but because he genuinely hasn't had any free time."
What kind of situation could keep Naoki so busy for two years that he had no free time?
Ayaka pouted. "But with his abilities, what could keep him occupied for two years?"
"Well… all sorts of things, probably. You know how he seems to have a weird physique that constantly gets him tangled in trouble. Maybe over these two years, he's just finished solving one problem only to get dragged into another?"
"That doesn't sound impossible."
Thinking about it that way, everything made more sense.
The dissatisfaction on Ayaka's face eased slightly. Seeing the change, Rin smiled too. "By the way, when are you leaving? If you're going to a parallel world… there must be a lot to prepare, right?"
"I'm leaving tomorrow. As for preparations, there's not much to do. The Wizard Marshal said preparing clothes for two or three days is enough. He'll take care of the rest beforehand, like parallel world identity documents and such."
"Good. Remember to pass on my and Luvia's regards to Natsukawa."
"Sure."
◆━⊰✧⊱━◆
In this world.
Egypt, the Atlas Institute.
In the world of magecraft, this place was extraordinarily unique. Not in terms of magecraft, but as an organization.
The Atlas Institute, one of the three major magecraft organizations alongside the Clock Tower and the Wandering Sea, was located here.
More precisely, deep underground.
Another name for the Atlas Institute in the magecraft world was the Titan's Pit. Its main structure was built beneath the desert, with intersecting pathways. It was the kind of place where it was harder to leave than to enter. This was because they feared those inside escaping far more than outsiders getting in.
As such, once you entered the Atlas Institute, it was nearly impossible to leave. But in reality, those who aspired to join the Atlas Institute had no intention of leaving either.
For the Magus of the Atlas Institute, there were only two reasons to go out—first, the seven contracts issued when the institute was founded. If someone holding one of those contracts visited, the Atlas Institute was obligated to provide full assistance. Second, invitations for collaboration from the Holy Church or the Mage's Association.
Like the situation this time.
Sion Eltnam Atlasia, a young Magus at the Atlas Institute considered a candidate for the next director, who usually hid in her workshop researching alchemy, was leaving her workshop for the first time in ages due to an order.
Within the Atlas Institute, there were no rules, only one principle. And that principle didn't require obedience to orders. So, in truth, Sion didn't have to leave; she could've simply pretended not to hear the order.
Unfortunately, the one giving the order was the current director of the Atlas Institute, Zepia Eltnam Atlasia, who had left the institute years ago and only returned a few years back.
He was also Sion's adoptive father.
Since it was an order from him, Sion could only obey and go meet him. Otherwise, her workshop's door might be forcibly opened.
Inside Zepia's workshop—
"I'm here, Director. What's this about? If there's nothing, can I go back to my workshop to continue my unfinished experiments? I haven't completed some important calculations." Sion said the moment she entered, spilling everything she wanted to say and turning to leave. But before she could, her body moved on its own toward Zepia, who was sitting in the workshop.
Sion paused, then sighed in frustration. "Controlling me directly with an ether gaze, Director? Do you not want me to leave?"
"Yes, because if you leave, I'd be in quite a bind. Besides, you can still continue your calculations now, can't you? Don't tell me you can't handle parallel thinking."
"I just want to focus—disappearing for years, then coming back without notice and locking yourself in your workshop. Now you finally show up, and the first thing you say is to call me here. Director, you're really a bit too arbitrary."
"I won't deny it. Objectively, that's true." Zepia laughed. "Straight to the point, Sion Eltnam Atlasia. I have one matter for you to handle."
"Huh? What matter? If it's something even you can't handle, Director, then I definitely can't either. It's hopeless, so I'll leave—"
After controlling Sion's body to make her stay still, Zepia laughed. "It should be called an unexpected incident. If it didn't involve me as well, I wouldn't bother getting involved."
"Sion Eltnam Atlasia, starting tomorrow, you must go to a city in Japan called Misaki City, and there—"
"Kill Zepia Eltnam Atlasia."