The room was still trembling from the lingering aura Yuuto left behind.
The air felt heavy, and the only sounds were Kenji's ragged breathing as he lay collapsed on the floor, and Sakura's frightened gasps as she sat huddled in the corner.
Yuuto stared at the two of them without emotion.
His silver-green eyes reflected the dim lamp in the room—cold, dignified, like the eyes of a being standing above all else.
He slowly turned and opened the door.
The night air from the corridor drifted in, sweeping away the scent of blood and tension.
But before he stepped out, his voice echoed—low and weighted, each word bearing an invisible pressure.
"This is the last time I forgive him."
It wasn't a threat.
It was a declaration of law—like a king delivering judgment in his throne room.
He glanced back at Sakura, his eyes flat and unreadable.
"If he annoys me again… there will be no mercy."
His voice held arrogance, but not anger.
It was disgust—contempt born from someone who no longer considered them fellow humans.
Sakura remained silent, her body trembling.
She didn't dare respond—only nodding faintly, as if bowing to an authority she could not comprehend.
The door closed gently behind Yuuto.
The soft click of the lock became the only sound marking the end of the incident.
---
The corridor of the apartment was quiet.
The night sky outside the large window at the end of the hall was dotted with faint stars dimmed by the lights of the city.
Yuuto walked slowly toward his room, each step carrying the residual dignity and coldness from the scene before.
But he stopped.
On the balcony next door, a girl with long, soft-colored hair stood quietly, her nightgown fluttering in the breeze.
She was gazing peacefully at the sky—until she noticed him.
She turned.
Their eyes met.
For a moment, the world felt calm—not because of magic.
Mahiru smiled gently, a small but sincere smile.
Yuuto paused, then looked back.
His lips curved ever so slightly—not a prideful smile, but a human one.
He nodded softly.
"Good evening, Shiina-san."
Mahiru's smile widened just a little before she bowed her head and went back inside.
Yuuto watched the door close, then turned and entered his own room.
The night sky above them remained unchanged—calm.
---
Morning light pierced through Yuuto's curtains, drawing gentle lines across the wooden floor.
On the small dining table lay an empty plate, some leftover toast, and a half-finished cup of warm tea—steam carrying the scent of honey and lemon.
Yuuto leaned back in his chair, inhaling deeply.
"Breakfast is done. Next…"
His eyes wandered around the room.
Open books on the floor, clothes he hadn't folded yet, and several plastic bags from yesterday's shopping cluttered the corner.
He sighed softly.
"…Later."
His tone was flat, but carried a hint of resignation—like a knight postponing a battle for something trivial.
He stood up slowly and picked up his flip phone.
The small screen lit up, reflecting his own face.
"All right. Let's log in first."
His fingers tapped the screen.
A soft click sounded, followed by the familiar tone of the group system.
Ding.
Yuuto looked at the small display with a faint smile.
"Hopefully the reward won't be weird like yesterday…"
Holographic text appeared:
---
[Ding]
[Login Reward: Enhanced Touko Aozaki Doll]
---
Yuuto frowned.
"A doll…? Is this a toy? Or—"
He brought the phone closer, as if staring would change the words.
"…No, there's no way it's a normal doll. Nothing in this chat group is normal."
He exhaled and typed quickly.
---
[Yuuto]:
Merlin-sensei, I got today's login reward.
It says… 'Enhanced Touko Aozaki Doll.'
What is it? And… is it safe to accept right now?"
---
Minutes passed in silence.
The morning breeze rustled the leaves outside, and Yuuto nearly closed his phone before a vibration buzzed in his hand.
---
[Lady Avalon]:
Oh? That doll.
You're quite lucky, my dear student.
Just accept it — it's not dangerous."
---
[Yuuto]:
In that case… who is Touko Aozaki?
The name… feels important."
---
The reply came instantly, as if Merlin had been waiting for him to ask.
---
**[Lady Avalon]:
Touko Aozaki… is one of the most dangerous and most brilliant humans
to ever walk the world of magi.
A crafter of souls.
A witch who can create artificial bodies… perfect ones, beyond human.
Her dolls aren't mere puppets.
They can breathe.
Think.
Move like living humans.
They can even become vessels for souls.
And what you received?
A version "enhanced" by the Chat Group system.
Most humans would kill to obtain it."**
---
Yuuto swallowed.
"…So this isn't something you display in a cabinet."
The screen glowed again.
---
[Lady Avalon]:
Don't worry, my student.
The doll has no soul and won't harm you.
It will only move according to your will.
Consider it… a personal assistant you can shape as you like."
---
Yuuto tightened his grip around the phone.
"…This system is truly insane."
He pressed Yes.
The moment Yuuto accepted the reward, a soft red-blue light flickered in the air.
In an instant, a human-shaped doll materialized in front of him.
Yuuto stepped back.
"…This is the Touko doll…?"
Before he could touch it, his phone vibrated violently.
[Merlin-sensei calling…]
Yuuto answered immediately.
"Finaaally! My student, you accepted the reward, right?"
Lady Avalon's voice was so cheerful it sounded like she just found a legendary toy.
"Nice, isn't it? That's no ordinary doll.
It was made by one of the greatest puppet masters in Nasuverse history!"
Yuuto stared at the doll for a long moment.
"…Sensei, what am I supposed to do with this?"
"Oh?"
Merlin's tone changed—like someone who just got a wickedly brilliant idea.
"I've thought of something very useful for you."
Yuuto gulped.
"You're struggling with your new appearance, aren't you?
You can't go to school looking like Arthur Pendragon.
People will panic—maybe gossip, or even think you had some insane plastic surgery in two days."
"…Yes, that's true," Yuuto muttered.
"Well then!" Merlin said triumphantly.
"We'll simply use this doll to replace you at school.
It can walk, talk, and act like your old self —
as long as you give it the right commands."
Yuuto's eyes widened.
"It can? Seriously? It won't be exposed?"
"My dear…"
Merlin's voice softened, carrying undeniable power,
"with my magic, even spirits can be fooled.
Let alone ordinary humans."
Yuuto was stunned.
"…Then… what should I do next?"
"We'll postpone our bounded field lesson for today," Merlin said casually.
"Today, I'll teach you how to synchronize with the doll, give it a 'pseudo-soul,'
and make it behave exactly like you did before the transformation.
Think of it as… your first practical assignment as a magus."
Yuuto nodded, even though she couldn't see him.
"All right, Merlin-sensei."
"Good.
Now place your hand on the doll's chest, my dear student.
We'll begin from its fundamentum."