Southern District of Itogami Island, Saikai Academy.
Due to the winter break and it being the first day of the Lunar New Year, Saikai Academy was currently empty.
However, upon closer inspection, a bespectacled girl holding a book could be seen standing on the rooftop of one of the school buildings, gazing into the distance as the wind brushed past her.
The girl was none other than Shizuka Koyomi.
"...Sigh."
At some point, Koyomi let out a quiet sigh, as if resigned to the inevitable, and turned around to look behind her.
There, space rippled silently as two figures emerged unhurriedly.
The newcomers were none other than Rozen and Yukina.
"Long time no see, Senpai."
Rozen greeted Koyomi with a smile, his tone friendly.
"Long time no see, Divine Child."
Koyomi bowed emotionlessly, her demeanor as calm and indifferent as when they had first met.
However, seeing Koyomi like this, Yukina stiffened, an unusual tension creeping into her expression.
It couldn't be helped.
The girl before her—wearing the high school uniform of Saikai Academy, holding a book, and looking like an unremarkable intellectual—was in truth the leader of the Lion King Agency's Three Saints, the "Paper Noise".
In other words, she was the highest authority of the Lion King Agency.
If Yukina, as a trainee Sword Shaman, was merely a low-ranking member of the organization, then Koyomi stood at its very peak.
She was one of humanity's strongest Attack Mages—Yukina's true superior.
Yukina had never imagined that the leader of the Lion King Agency, the most powerful human mage, would be here at Saikai Academy, posing as a third-year high school student.
In contrast, Koyomi seemed to know everything about Yukina and showed no surprise at her presence.
In fact, she wasn't even startled by Rozen's appearance.
Because she had already anticipated it.
"You came to find me after all, Your Highness."
Koyomi sighed.
But there was nothing she could do about it.
"Since Nagisa and Avrora's departure was approved by the Management Cooperative, and the Self-Defense Forces are involved in the anomalies at Shinjin Lake, doesn't that mean this incident is undeniably tied to official state organizations?"
Rozen shrugged.
"And the Lion King Agency is undoubtedly an official institution—a national intelligence agency. Regardless of Nagisa, you must have been monitoring Avrora at the very least. So, the fact that Avrora was allowed to leave the island—surely the Lion King Agency couldn't possibly be completely unaware of the reasons behind it, right?"
With that in mind, Rozen had straightforwardly brought Yukina here to confront Koyomi directly.
Though Rozen hadn't been certain whether Koyomi would actually be at Saikai Academy, his Spirit Vision had easily located her.
"So, you're here to interrogate me, then?"
Koyomi remained impassive.
In response—
"If necessary."
Rozen's gave a simple reply.
The atmosphere on the rooftop grew heavy.
"Se-Senpai...!?"
Yukina seemed taken aback by Rozen's bluntness toward Koyomi, momentarily flustered.
After all, Koyomi was her superior. Yukina couldn't bring herself to speak so boldly.
But Rozen had no such reservations.
Because—
"I'm not even sure if the Lion King Agency is involved in this yet." Rozen stared at Koyomi, his smile laced with sharpness. "Or perhaps Nagisa and Avrora's trip to the Tanzawa Mountains was entirely the Lion King Agency's doing?"
His words carried clear provocation.
Koyomi understood—this was a test.
Rozen was trying to goad her into revealing the truth.
"I know nothing." Koyomi met Rozen's gaze steadily. "If I said that, would you believe me?"
Rozen's eyes narrowed slightly.
The answer needed no elaboration.
"Of course not."
His reply was blunt.
"Is that so?" Koyomi showed no surprise. "Then, suppose I do know something but refuse to speak—would Your Highness be willing to let the matter rest?"
"Let it rest?" Rozen's smirk turned into a dry chuckle. "Do you think that's possible?"
"Of course." Koyomi remained unperturbed. "National secrets exist for a reason. Some things cannot be disclosed to the public—that's only natural. And I can assure you that Akatsuki Nagisa and Avrora Florestina will return safely. Even so, you refuse to compromise?"
Rozen's eyebrow twitched slightly.
Seizing the opportunity, Koyomi pressed on.
"It's true that Nagisa and Avrora have been caught up in certain events—or rather, we require their power, especially Avrora's. Her abilities are crucial to resolving this incident, and success would save countless lives. We've already negotiated with Akatsuki Gajou and Akatsuki Hisano, obtaining their consent."
The "Akatsuki Hisano" Koyomi mentioned was likely Nagisa and Kojou's grandmother.
Her words also confirmed that Gajou was complicit in this, which was why he had taken Nagisa and Avrora away from Itogami Island to Shinoda in the Tanzawa Mountains.
"Your sister is also aware of the circumstances and has tacitly allowed our actions. This proves we harbor no ill intentions toward Nagisa or Avrora. With the Akatsuki family's consent to lend their daughter's power, everything has been conducted properly. Given that, why must you remain so distrustful?"
Koyomi's reasoning was sound, her tone sincere and composed.
No doubt, she wished to avoid antagonizing Rozen, hence her lengthy explanation.
However—
"If there's truly nothing questionable about this, then why keep me in the dark?"
Rozen's gaze bore into her.
"That has already been explained—state secrets—"
But before she could finish, Rozen cut her off.
"Even if it's a state secret you can't disclose to me, let me ask you this—did you ever discuss any of this with Nagisa and Avrora beforehand?"
His direct question left Koyomi momentarily speechless.
That's right.
They had never consulted Nagisa or Avrora.
Otherwise, the two wouldn't have left without a word—they would have at least left some message behind.
Nagisa and Avrora had been taken away under the pretense of visiting family and taking a break.
While they were worrying about Rozen's whereabouts, the adults had disregarded their feelings, unilaterally deciding to use their powers and dragging them into this affair.
"Just because the Akatsuki family agreed, does that give you the right to exploit Nagisa's power as you please?"
"Just because Natsuki-nee turned a blind eye, does that justify forcibly utilizing Avrora's abilities?"
"What exactly do you take their own wills for?"
The smile had vanished from Rozen's face.
In its place—
A surge of oppressive magical energy.