Inside the cave.
Candlelight flickered.
"…Grandfather, how much longer can your body last?"
Aozaki Touko shook her head, then said, "As a puppeteer, I should still be able to help you extend your life for a while. Do you need me to examine you?"
If nothing unexpected happened, Aozaki Grandfather's body had reached its physiological limit, meaning that without treatment, his physiological activities would soon cease.
"If I don't die, you'll be very troubled, won't you?"
Aozaki Grandfather replied coldly, "Currently, I have about three to four years left to live. If needed, I can stop my life activities at any time."
"As long as the Magic Crest inheritance is completed."
It was not a lie; without external intervention, his life would indeed last for only about three to four more years.
As for the exact timing, that would depend on when he felt it was appropriate to pass away.
Choosing an auspicious day to cease life activities.
Such a thing was not impossible for him.
As for prolonging life, he didn't care about it; it was simply that his life was reaching its end.
If he wanted to extend his life, he actually had many methods.
But there was simply no need for it.
He only needed to pass the Magic Crest of the Fifth Magic to a suitable heir.
His mission for this period would then be complete.
"…Is that so."
Aozaki Touko stood up and walked out of the cave, then waved her hand without looking back.
"Give the Fifth Magic to Aoko. A family with two Magicians, I'm sure you'll be very happy!"
"…Hahahahaha."
Aozaki Grandfather watched Touko leave coldly. When her figure completely disappeared, he suddenly started laughing joyfully.
Yes, perhaps this was the best outcome.
Having two descendants with excellent talent was a very troubling matter.
However, if both descendants could reach the pinnacle of Magicians.
Such a thing was simply like a dream… leaving Aozaki Grandfather's magic workshop.
Aozaki Touko looked up at the bright moon in the sky, feeling much lighter mentally. Now, the Fifth Magic was no longer relevant to her; she only needed to follow the path she had envisioned.
As for whether the realm she pursued could be achieved.
The future would give her the answer.
"Next… I'll go to Arisu's house."
Thinking this, she changed direction and headed towards Kuenji Mansion.
The people at home should be resting by now, and it wouldn't be appropriate to disturb them. So, it was better to go to Kujou Alice's house to spend the night and rest.
As for disturbing Arisu's sleep.
Actually, it wouldn't happen, because she could open the door herself and wouldn't trigger any security measures, making it even more casual than returning to her own home… Early morning.
The sky was dimly lit.
Aozaki Touko, with her hair tied in a single ponytail, wearing a white chef's uniform, stirred the porridge in a small pot with a spoon. From her skilled movements, it seemed she had done this many times.
Although she hadn't cooked for two or three years.
However, her cooking skills should not have deteriorated.
After all, it had already become muscle memory.
"Coo-coo-coo~"
A robin flapped its wings, landed on a nearby stool, then remained still and watched. It knew that now was definitely not the time to disturb Aozaki Touko.
Otherwise, it would soon experience what cruelty meant.
"…Mmm~"
On the other side, Kujou Alice woke up from her bed. Through her sleepy eyes, she caught a familiar scent. She was very familiar with this scent; it was the scent she had smelled on countless mornings.
Her sleepiness was instantly dispelled, and she didn't change her clothes, walking downstairs in her pajamas and slippers, somewhat eagerly heading downstairs.
Then, when she came down to the kitchen.
A familiar person reappeared in the Western-style house. It was her childhood friend, the young girl named Aozaki Touko, the one who had forcefully intruded into her life.
"Good morning~"
Aozaki Touko turned her head, looked at the black-haired young girl who appeared, and showed a bright, warm smile, as warm and moving as the radiant sunlight.
"…Good morning."
Kujou Alice blinked her eyes, giving a polite reply in a calm voice. Her cool words conveyed no emotion, as if she were speaking to a stranger.
But, it was only 'as if'.
"Mmm, it'll be ready soon."
Aozaki Touko raised her spoon, closed one eye, and gave a playful smile: "You sit down first. Just wait a little, and you'll have a warm breakfast."
"I understand."
The girl nodded, turned, and walked to the dining table to sit down.
Then, she quietly began to wait, her black pearl-like eyes fixed on Touko busy in the kitchen, and the twisted emotions in her heart gradually dissipated.
She was naturally happy about her long-awaited friend's return.
However, perhaps because it had been too long, she felt a sense of being abandoned, even though she knew Aozaki Touko was only pursuing magical research.
But when she saw a photo of Aozaki Touko with someone named Irisviel, her mood suddenly turned sour.
The reason was unknown, the cause was unknown, and the emotion was unclear.
In short, she was very unhappy.