The sun dipped below the horizon like a weary traveler settling into its embrace.
The fading evening light bathed the students' faces, illuminating their joy.
Amid the bustling crowd, Akatsuki Kojou walked slowly before coming to a stop near the station entrance.
He was waiting for his younger sister, Akatsuki Nagisa, to come out. Soon, they would head to the Mystic Eye Collection Train for their regular physical check-up.
Three years ago, a bomb terror attack had occurred on a Train somewhere in the Mediterranean.
The main casualties were Train crew, passengers, and civilians in the station, with over four hundred dead and injured. The news had caused quite a stir even in Japan.
By chance, he and his sister Nagisa had been caught up in it, and Nagisa had been severely injured, hospitalized because of it.
Since then, Nagisa had developed a strange condition, frequently fainting.
Fortunately, though, his father, Akatsuki Gajou, happened to be the 2,333rd customer while shopping on the Mystic Eye Collection Train, and as a result, the Train agreed to provide Nagisa with free treatment.
Ever since, they had been traveling to and from the Mystic Eye Collection Train frequently.
Or so his memories told him.
The boy glanced around from time to time, wary of any classmates noticing him.
If people in his class found out he regularly visited the famous Mystic Eye Collection Train, he couldn't imagine what would happen.
Akatsuki Kojou let out a soft sigh and shifted deeper into the shadows.
"Kojou!"
A lively girl's voice rang out. Akatsuki Nagisa approached with light, brisk steps.
She seemed to be in good spirits today.
A slight smile touched Akatsuki Kojou's lips as he fell into step beside his sister, heading further into the station.
"How have you been feeling lately?"
"Pretty okay~ I haven't felt sick recently."
Not long ago, after that Fifth Primogenitor transplanted the Mystic Eye into her, her fainting spells had almost completely stopped.
Her health had been improving steadily, even to the point where she could use some of the Mystic Eye's abilities.
The orange sunlight streamed through the windows, lighting the path at the siblings' feet.
Nagisa chattered incessantly about her day, occasionally using her hands to gesture along.
Kojou listened to his sister's nonstop stream of words, nodding lazily in agreement, a faint smile still playing on his lips.
A spring breeze carrying a gentle warmth brushed against the siblings, making Kojou narrow his eyes slightly.
Peaceful times... truly were good.
But his sister's chatter abruptly ceased. He felt a tug on his sleeve; Nagisa had stopped talking and hidden herself behind him.
A strange man was walking towards them, a metal bracelet on his wrist gleaming in the setting sun.
It was a Demon Tribe registration card, embedded with life sensors, magic power detection devices, and a transmitter.
In other words, he was a Demon.
Ever since the incident three years ago, Nagisa had held a deep-seated fear of all members of the Demon Tribe—she had developed acquired Demon Tribe phobia.
Except for that 'Princess of the Moon' and a certain blonde vampire girl on the Train.
For some reason, Nagisa was very obedient around the 'Princess of the Moon,' always well-behaved in her presence.
As for the other blonde girl, it was only after the Mystic Eye transplant and spending a long time together that Nagisa seemed to barely tolerate her.
Kojou shielded his sister with his arm, only resuming their walk after the Demon man ahead had passed and moved far away.
The 'Princess of the Moon,' huh...
He silently recalled the figure he'd seen on the Train. For some reason, a sharp pain suddenly throbbed in his head, and a strange image flickered in his mind.
It was an underground ruin, and within it, a pristine, golden silhouette.
He shook his head, trying to dislodge the pain.
But the motion didn't bring relief—instead, it met a lacey folding fan.
A petite black-haired girl was pressing her fan against his head.
"Natsuki-chan!"
Kojou blinked in surprise.
"Don't add '-chan' to your teacher's name."
Minamiya Natsuki gave her black lace fan a flick.
Though the motion seemed light and airy, it sent Kojou tumbling straight to the ground.
With that kind of force... an ordinary person would probably have their skull caved in.
"Damn it... I object to corporal punishment," Kojou groaned, staring up at the distant sunset sinking below the horizon as he voiced his weak protest.
Minamiya Natsuki was a teacher at the high school section. Being a middle school student, he hadn't been in her class yet.
Though not his school teacher, she was the one teaching him how to control his powers on the Mystic Eye Collection Train.
The incident three years ago hadn't just affected Nagisa—it had also changed his body. His physical abilities had been inexplicably increasing.
Once, during a basketball game, Kojou had dribbled forcefully through the defense and collided with an opponent who tried to foul him to stop him.
After that, the sound of an ambulance siren had echoed across the school grounds.
"Natsuki-chan!"
Nagisa waved cheerfully and greeted her.
"Nagisa." Minamiya Natsuki closed her fan and nodded in response. "How have you been lately?"
"I'm all fine now~" Nagisa patted her chest, saying with full of energy.
"And the Mystic Eye?"
"The Mystic Eye is fine too... Oh, right, I can use it now." Nagisa widened her eyes, a strange light emanating from her pupils.
With a gentle wave of her hand, a figure appeared behind her—a humanoid female upper body with a fishtail lower body.
An ice mermaid stretched elegantly in the air.
The Alrescha-Glacies?! Number Twelve has awakened?
Minamiya Natsuki twirled her parasol slightly, her gaze instantly turning cold.
But... why is it so small?
Unlike the massive ice mermaid of the 'Root,' this one before them was a chibi version, only half a meter tall, blinking its large eyes, looking utterly adorable.
It swished its tail and gently nestled against Nagisa's head.
"...What is this?" Minamiya Natsuki raised a delicate eyebrow, the chains that had begun to emerge receding back.
"I'm not sure either," Nagisa shook her head, gently stroking the chibi mermaid. "I found out yesterday I could summon it from my Mystic Eye."
She can use Number Twelve's familiar... That means the Princess's plan is progressing smoothly.
"Natsuki-chan, are you heading to the Train today too?" Kojou asked, holding his forehead as he climbed up from the floor.
He was long used to this unfair treatment.
"Mhm."
"Eh~ That's rare."
Besides being a high school teacher, Minamiya Natsuki was also an active professional Attack Mage, and she served as an instructor for the Special District Guard.
For the usually busy Natsuki-chan to be going to the Train...
"Is it something about the Princess?"
"Something like that." Minamiya Natsuki gave a slight nod. The space around her began to ripple like the surface of water stirred by a breeze.
"This morning, the Lion King Organization chaired a meeting on the Train."
As her words faded, the ripples settled.
The three shadows cast by the setting sun vanished abruptly. The orange rays shone directly onto the floor tiles, emitting a faint, warm glow.
--+--
T/N: While I am an inexperienced Translator, I have a Patreon! While it may seem empty as of now, webnovel will get 2 Chapters Every Day, and advanced chapters will be uploaded on Patreon.
It may not seem worth it now, but maybe in the future. Who knows!
[email protected]/AspenTL
If you guys wanna check it out.