"...!"
Hadon gazed at the suspended silver-haired doll, feeling the terrifying magical energy fluctuations emanating from her. It was a magical energy far exceeding that of an ordinary person; she must have a magical energy furnace installed inside her body.
This doll was absolutely no ordinary item... anyone would make such a judgment.
"Attack!"
In an instant, the Homunculus army condensed magical energy projectiles, which rained down like a storm. "Boom!" The snow stirred up by the explosion formed white dust, obscuring everyone's vision.
However, the Homunculi's offensive did not stop; Homunculi wielding various weapons surrounded them.
"...Although it's not yet complete!"
An elegant yet cold voice rang out, and a fierce gust of wind suddenly surged, sweeping away the surrounding snowflakes. Aozaki Touko appeared unharmed, and Suigintou had, at some point, erected a barrier.
"I'll deal with you all in thirty seconds!"
Aozaki Touko smiled slightly, then snapped her fingers. Instantly, Suigintou's wings spread wide, black feathers filled the sky, and countless black feathers shot out, hurtling towards the attacking Homunculi.
An unbelievable scene unfolded.
The Homunculus army, before even getting close, fell like harvested wheat; a large portion collapsed in an instant. Their so-called Magic shields were like paper, breaking at the slightest touch.
'...She might be even more of a genius than people think!'
Hadon narrowed his eyes, watching the scene. The snowflakes falling from the sky had been replaced by pitch-black feathers, and the encircling Homunculi were at an overwhelming disadvantage.
It was important to note that these Homunculi had all been modified; their physical abilities, not to mention their combat skills, definitely far surpassed ordinary humans. Yet, now they were being crushed like ants.
This scene, let alone an ordinary Magician, even a high-ranking Magician would find it difficult to achieve.
But this fourteen-year-old girl truly did it with ease.
"Stop!"
Seeing this, Hadon said coldly. Since the Homunculi could not launch an effective attack on Aozaki Touko, there was no need to lose any more Homunculi.
The encircling Homunculi stopped their attack, then silently retreated to the side.
"Well... can you finally take me seriously now?"
Watching the retreating Homunculi, Aozaki Touko chuckled, "I am not some reckless girl, but a Magician with sufficient capital!"
"...Very exceptional talent!"
Hadon nodded, then said coldly, "However, negotiating with a puppet, I see no sincerity!"
Yes, this girl before him was not human.
Although her fair skin with its blue veins, her lively eyes, and her warm breath all seemed no different from a normal human.
However, a fake is a fake. For the Einzbern Family, who have been researching Homunculus technology for thousands of years, they immediately concluded that this girl was a puppet almost as soon as they saw her.
"If my true body had come… my score would probably drop quite a bit!"
Aozaki Touko chuckled, saying, "After all, to trespass into a Magician's territory… it wouldn't be an exaggeration to say it's utterly foolish, would it?!"
This was no exaggeration. A Magician's power within their own workshop was, compared to the outside world, on a completely different dimension.
To use an analogy, it's like a scientist in his own laboratory, installing countless advanced weapons. If someone were to intrude without permission, they would learn what cruelty truly means.
"...Heh heh, you're right!"
Hadon nodded in agreement, then chuckled, "Then, Miss Aozaki, please come inside to talk. This is not the place for negotiations!"
As he finished speaking, the Homunculi consciously cleared a path.
Hadon and Aozaki Touko walked into the Einzbern castle… At the same time.
Japan.
Misaki City, Kuenji Mansion.
Kujou Alice poured black tea with a cool expression, while Aozaki Aoko sat opposite her. An awkward and strange atmosphere filled the living room.
"...Arisu, where did Touko-nee go?"
After a long silence, Aozaki Aoko finally spoke.
"That's not for you to ask!"
Kujou Alice put down the black tea, her tone cold and indifferent.
Where Aozaki Touko had gone was a matter concerning Magician information, and it was not appropriate for Aozaki Aoko, a normal person, to know.
"...Is that so!"
Without taking offense, Aozaki Aoko asked again, "Then, can you tell me when Touko-nee will be back? You should be able to say that much!"
"..."
Kujou Alice frowned slightly, then, as if giving up, said flatly, "When Touko will be back, Touko herself doesn't even know the answer to that question!"
This was the truth. Aozaki Touko had gone to Germany to acquire the Einzbern Family's Homunculus technology. If she succeeded, the time she would spend studying would definitely not be short.
Moreover, even if she failed, Aozaki Touko seemingly had no intention of returning immediately.
"..."
Aozaki Aoko picked up her teacup, took a small sip, and said, "Is she going for further studies or something? Since she needs to be away from home for so long, she's probably gone to a Magician academy, right?"
"..."
Without answering, Kujou Alice turned her head slightly, her dark eyes flickering, then she calmly said, "Touko… she'll probably be back within two or three years!"
"It seems Touko-nee really went to a Magician academy for training."
Aozaki Aoko raised her teacup and smiled, "But then, won't you be all alone, Arisu? Will you feel lonely?"
"...Magicians are solitary beings!"
Kujou Alice said indifferently, "However, compared to me, you, who don't have an older sister, will probably feel much lonelier. I hope you won't cling to me in the future, asking me to find a way to contact Touko!"
"...Eh~"
Aozaki Aoko's eyes widened slightly.