"Really!! We are a Magician family?!!!"
This news was a huge surprise for Ikenouchi Maki. She immediately scrambled up from her mother's embrace, her face beaming with excitement.
"Yes… but at present, we are no longer a Magician family."
"Why… why not?!"
Hearing Ikenouchi Maki's anxious questioning, the Ikenouchi couple exchanged glances, their faces filled with helplessness and sorrow.
"Maki… the world of Magicians is extremely cruel. The Ikenouchi Family was once just a small family, but simply because of its weakness, it was ostracized by countless other families from that Other World… Eventually, our family was destroyed, and we could only, with unwillingness, pass through a Special Point to come to this world.
But the price was… the complete loss of our Magician abilities."
As the Ikenouchi couple recalled the past, some painful memories lingered in their hearts. They had barely managed to escape the deep vortex of Magicians, and at present, they only wanted to live a peaceful, ordinary life, preferably never again getting involved with Magicians. But now… their child had once again entered the domain of Magicians…
Although she followed that master to a world different from the one they came from, and their world's technological level was similar to this one, they were still worried that Maki would be in danger.
"Maki… promise me! Don't go back to your so-called master!"
"But… but…"
"Maki! It's very dangerous! The world of Magicians is too deep; you can't handle it!"
Hearing her father's somewhat hoarse shout, Ikenouchi Maki fell silent. The matter she had been pursuing for so long, unexpectedly…
"Her father…"
Ikenouchi Maki's mother tugged at the somewhat agitated Ikenouchi father, chiding him softly, which calmed Mr. Ikenouchi down.
"I'm sorry… Mom and Dad, I still want to go."
"Maki, you…!"
Before Ikenouchi's father could get angry again, Ikenouchi's wife covered his mouth, her face filled with sorrow.
"Maki, can you tell us why?"
"…My master once told me that what we do is meaningful. We… are fighting for this world, for the countless beings in this world, to protect the beauty of this world…"
Silently clenching her fists, Ikenouchi Maki recalled what her master had told her before. It was under the moonlight when she had asked Fang Wuwei why he had specifically crossed over.
He had answered just like that…
"…Is that so… Maki, I respect your decision."
"! Her father!!"
"Her father! Our child has grown up! To have this kind of awareness… I am also very relieved…"
Watching the three hugging and crying together, from a balcony not far away, Fang Wuwei, leaning on the railing, silently rubbed his eyes.
............
The next day was the last day of summer vacation.
Thanks to Ikenouchi Maki's selfless (ghostwriting) dedication (homework), he no longer needed to do his homework, feeling relaxed.
At present, it was still early, so Ikenouchi Maki once again came to Fang Wuwei's house. Only this time, she was not alone.
Fang Wuwei, opening the door, saw a familiar person in that familiar spot… and two unfamiliar people.
The Ikenouchi couple had come to visit.
"Master… I couldn't stop them…"
Ikenouchi Maki looked at Fang Wuwei with a somewhat wronged expression, but Fang Wuwei didn't feel there was any problem; instead, he was happy about it. Goodness, he still had a belly full of questions to ask, and they had delivered themselves to his doorstep.
"Fang Wuwei… is that right? We are Ikenouchi Maki's parents. At present, there are some things we want to ask you…"
"Please come in, Mr. Ikenouchi and Mrs. Ikenouchi. I know all the questions, and also, I prefer people to call me Fang Wuwei…"
............
"Please sit."
Fang Wuwei led them to the living room, gesturing for them to make themselves comfortable. With a wave of his hand, the empty coffee table instantly filled with tea, making Ikenouchi Maki's eyes widen.
I've been making tea for you for over a month, and you're telling me you can just conjure it up yourself?!
After he showed off a little, the Ikenouchi couple naturally fell for it and then fell silent…
Although they had come to this world where magic could not be used, they were not so foolish as to not know that this person possessed true ability.
However… no matter what, taking Maki, who was completely ignorant before, away was unacceptable!
"Young man Fang wuwei… no, Mr. Fang wuwei, I just want to know why you took our Maki away without permission?"
He was not surprised at all that the girl's parents came to pick a fight. If he had a daughter who mysteriously disappeared with a boy her age for three days, he would be even more anxious.
Silently picking up the tea on the table and taking a sip, Fang Wuwei slowly began:
"First, I prefer people to call me Fang Wuwei rather than that name… Secondly, the incident happened suddenly, and it was her own choice."
"Young man, no matter what you say, you shouldn't take a naive child to a dangerous place!"
"I am the same age as her. Besides, she is indeed a good talent, and she was the one who pestered me to be her master."
Cleverly using the advantage of his present body to shut down Mr. Ikenouchi's words, Fang Wuwei put down his teacup. Although he knew this was like being a scoundrel, he truly recognized Ikenouchi Maki and intended to teach her abilities and make her his assistant.
"Perhaps… both parents should listen to the child's own opinion. I am not doing anything dirty."
The Ikenouchi couple exchanged glances. They were under a lot of pressure at present: not to mention this was the opponent's home ground, according to the common sense of Magicians, if the opponent was hostile, then entering their domain was almost suicide. They had made full psychological preparations before daring to enter.
But what this person said seemed correct; the child had grown up, and they should listen to her opinion.
So, the three of them turned their gaze to the silent Ikenouchi Maki, who had not spoken a word.
"…I hope to continue following you, Master!"
"Oh… even if it means death?"
"If it is for the countless common people and beings, what is there to fear in death?!"
"Maki!!"
Hearing their child speak like that, the Ikenouchi couple couldn't bear it and immediately interrupted her, but they were quickly stunned by the expression on Maki's face.
They had seen that expression before… They had seen it on the faces of the elders of the Ikenouchi Family who stayed behind to cover their retreat when they were fleeing that world.
It was unforgettable in this life.
Both of them fell silent. They knew they couldn't persuade their daughter, and instead, Fang Wuwei was even more impressed with Maki.
"Good… Then from present on, I will train you. I will teach you step by step until you become a strong individual.
But remember, unless the enemy is right in front of you, you must never expose yourself, and certainly never use your abilities without permission, understand?"
"…Yes!"
Ikenouchi's parents knew they couldn't interject anymore, and they were willing to respect their child's opinion. So, they focused their attention on Fang Wuwei.
This young man, at such a young age, could master magic in this insulated world. If they could learn a trick or two from him, then… there was hope for revitalizing the Ikenouchi Family!
Mr. Ikenouchi instantly decided not to hold a grudge about the issue of his daughter being taken to the Other World. He pulled out several thick, worn-out leather books from his bag.
"Fang wuwei… no, Mr. Fang Wuwei, these are the Ikenouchi Family's inherited Magician books. Please take a look and see if there's any room for improvement…"
"Hmm, if you put it that way, I'm quite interested…"