Chapter 30: Book 1 – Chapter 30

Inside the dream, I saw a pitch-black world and I sank deeper and deeper -- into a place that was neither a dream, nor my unconscious mind anymore.

 

Animus Mundus, the world formed by the group subconscious of all of humanity. This place is also the source of Magic Power, and where my mind went when I utilized Magic far beyond my capabilities.

 

I could feel parts of my mind being disconnected, dismantled, and now lie scattered around me in this dark world…being carried by the currents of Magic.

 

There was the date with Mio. The duel with Mio. Meeting Leme. Kaguya’s kindness. Kanae, who was an adopted sister, yet loved her brother than usual. The controlling adoptive father. All of the orphanage.

 

And even further into the past.

 

Inside the darkness, I could see my memories playing as they drifted.

 

Then something that would be impossible to normally remember, because long-term memory doesn’t form before a child reaches the age of three or four.

 

I saw a freezing cold day, snow covering the streets, while a woman held me -- who was a baby -- in her arms. I instinctively knew that this was my mother, this was the cold day on which she had abandoned me at the orphanage.

 

So that’s why I couldn’t believe that someone loved me. Even my blood-related Mother couldn’t, so how could anyone else -- how could I become the ‘Harem King’?

 

“Heh, demeaning yourself? But when you were embraced by Otonashi Kaguya, you became quite excited, didn’t you?” An amused female voice resounded in the darkness.

 

While laughing, the familiar form of a woman in a black robe and silhouetted by violet light appeared.

 

“You don’t seriously believe that do you. On at least one occasion, you believed in the bond with my master.”

 

With those words, a massive pillar of flame appeared, flaring out like wings around a beautiful woman with feathers for hair and glowing orange eyes appeared.

 

“Quickly go back, okaay~. My cute Kaguya is feeling down, you knoow~!” Asmodeus said, almost singing the words.

 

“You should be able to sense the connection now, right? Remember it…”

 

Connection.

 

The Contract with Leme, the Magic Power circuit formed from ‘positivity’.

 

“Don’t make a woman wait, you knooow~”

 

“You aren’t someone who can fight for yourself, but someone that can only demonstrate his full strength when fighting for others -- this was how you were even before we chose you, and the reason that we chose you. We didn’t choose a coward…don’t betray my master.” Phenex said.

 

<<…Kazuki. Kazuki!>>

 

I could hear her voice.

 

That’s right. I am Kenshi Kazuki. My ego was beginning to reform, and the voice was getting stronger…Leme’s voice was getting stronger.

 

I followed the direction of her calling voice, the direction of the unbreakable ties of our bond.

 

***

 

Like drifting wood finally arriving at a familiar shore -- Kazuki woke up.

 

Judging from his feeling of weakness, along with hunger, he guessed that he had been unconscious for a long period of time.

 

This place…is it my room in the Witches’ Mansion? My clothes seem to have been changed. I have the feeling of someone, someone other than Leme, calling out to me.

 

Thoughts rushed through his head as he stretched his weakened body and went out into the corridor. From what he could see, there was no sign of human presences on the second floor.

 

What about Mio? That’s right…What happened to Mio?!

 

After descending the stairs, Kazuki discovered the first sign of humans -- there was someone in the kitchen.

 

…

 

Opening the door, he saw something surprising.

 

There was someone cooking food, someone who he knew well -- even though he only saw her back.

 

She spun around when she heard the sound of the door opening, “Kazuki! You woke up!”

 

It was Mio.

 

Kazuki froze as disbelief, followed by relief, shot through his body and erased his thoughts.

 

Other than two words that kept repeating themselves.

 

It worked!

 

***

“Don’t stand up, sleep. Don’t force yourself, come on.” Mio pushed Kazuki back into his room.

 

Her attitude was overbearing, but her hands were gentle.

 

Kazuki, who allowed himself to be pushed back to his room, obediently lay back on the bed.

 

With a satisfied nod, Mio rushed out of the room and soon returned with a pot.

 

“I had the feeling that you would wake up today. I was sure that I had heard a reply…so, I made porridge!”

 

Reply?

 

Kazuki was certain that he had heard a voice that didn’t belong to Leme, Phenex, or Asmodeus -- it turned out to be the voice of Mio.

 

She brought his desk chair to the edge of his bed and sat down.

 

With a wide smile, Mio handed Kazuki the pot and a spoon.

 

The porridge was warm, and spread a warmth through his body as he ate.

 

“Are, you alright?” He asked after a mouthful.

 

“What are you talking about, ‘alright’? That’s what I should be asking, you know! How long do you think you were sleeping? It was five days!”

 

It almost seemed like Mio didn’t remember how close she had come to death.

 

“I should say this, however. Really strange things have been happening in Japan.”

 

She then explained about Loki gathering the Illegal Magic Users, declaring war on the government, and then carrying out guerrilla attacks on the Knight Order all over the country -- hearing Mio’s words, Kazuki began to understand the importance of what had occurred.

 

“The Knight Order judged that for a while, Loki is unlikely to be making any big moves. It seems like Loki is waiting for the other Illegal Magic Users to become Hosts for more Spirits. That’s why, right now, they are focusing on locating her, as well as preparing multiple large scale operations. It’s certainly pretty busy right now.”

 

While she explained, Mio waved around her hands enthusiastically.

You are reading story Magika no Kenshi to Shoukan Maou — Fix at novel35.com

 

So far, the Knight Order had managed to stop the descent of other Spirits through Illegal Magic Users…but they weren’t perfect and some kept disappearing -- before reappearing as a part of Loki’s Einherjar.

 

”Quests for assisting the Knight Order has been increasing in the Academy. Even now, the seniors are out there helping on different Quests. The Magic Division Student Council has combined with the Knight Division Student Council as the ‘strongest group’. Koyuki and I are first years, so we cannot participate.”

 

Even now Kazuki could hear Kaya’s grieving screams.

 

“...I wonder if I can also fight Loki.”

 

“A dangerous Quest concerning direct combat with a descended Spirit is something that has no relation with an E-Rank like you. At best, you will get a Quest for eliminating Corruption, or suppressing Monsters, you know.” Mio rolled her eyes as she responded.

 

“I see. That’s right…I forgot, but I’m just an E-Rank.” Kazuki murmured.

 

“That’s why it will be good to form a part with me, who is A-Ranked, you know!”

 

Mio said that while puffing out her shapely chest…Kazuki had to tear his eyes away -- Mio didn’t seem to notice.

 

“If we formed a party and steadily cleared Quests, even first years like us can become involved with Quests regarding Loki!”

 

A group -- party -- with Mio?

 

“What is it? You aren’t satisfied…You aren’t, are you?!”

 

“There’s no way that I’m dissatisfied.” Kazuki responded with a wide smile.

 

“Hehehe, alright then, from now on, we are partners who fight together in a party! Beating Monsters, traveling Corruption on foot, adventures collecting Sacred Treasures -- even Kaguya and the others are no big deal!” Mio said excitedly, grasping Kazuki’s hand.

 

Living fingers that radiated warmth.

 

“...Kazu and I, we will be together for a long time--” She murmured.

 

I need power, I need to protect this girl! I will never look anyone else, no matter what it takes!

 

<<If you want power, then you need a harem for sure. The next target is Hiakari Koyuki, okay!>>

 

Kazuki was shocked when Leme’s voice suddenly echoed in his mind.

 

Because of Kazuki’s silence, Mio started to fidget restlessly with Kazuki’s hand -- which was still in her grasp.

 

“...By the way, did Koyuki not enter a party?”

 

“Why? Isn’t it good enough with only two of us?”

 

“No, why do you leave her out like that? That girl is absolutely strong, right? …Ouch, ouch!”

 

Mio suddenly pinched Kazuki’s hand, and because his Defensive Magic Power was currently running dry, he raised a pained voice.

 

“It’s fine if you don’t invite me to something like a party. I have chosen the path of a solo player.”

 

The door to Kazuki’s room was open and Koyuki appeared standing there in her Magic Armour.

 

“Koyuki, what is a solo player?” Kazuki asked.

 

“Good morning, Kazuki. You don’t play computer games do you? A solo player is someone who plays alone. To put that in easier terms, it is someone who completes quests alone. Even now, I just came back from finishing a quest.”

 

“...Isn’t that dangerous? You should join our party, you know.” Kazuki replied.

 

“I don’t like it. Things like disturbing the two of you…even though I’m alone. Leaving that aside, as I have demonstrated, I am strong -- a Special Summoner. Because I am an Elf who is only worth her power…”

 

…

 

“There are some voices talking! Did Kazuki already wake up?!”

 

While running with loud footsteps, the two seniors spiritedly leaped into the room.

 

“Kazuuuki! You woke up, I’m really glad!”

 

The moment they entered the room, the two of them leapt straight onto Kazuki’s bed.

 

Wait a minute. Though Kaguya seems the sort to do this, which is expected….why did Hikaru, who is scared of men, also come and hug me?! And with their armoured forms, which shows off quite a bit of their form.

 

“S,Sorry! Even though it is likely unpleasant with someone like me, who resembles both genders, but…!” Hikaru spoke with a timid voice, while clinging onto Kazuki.

 

“Not fair…” Koyuki muttered in a subdued tone. Looking closely, her cheeks were slightly flushed. “Even though I…tried to endure for a while already…”

 

Koyuki walked with an unsteady gate, like that of a sleepwalker, and clung to Kazuki. “This is some kind of blunder…my chest is so hot that I arbitrarily…”

 

“What kind of misunderstanding? It’s strange that Hikaru and Koyuki do this kind of thing.” Kazuki muttered.

 

“The truth is. The three of us recently recently practiced Choral Chanting of Asmodeus’s Spells -- the effect is…all three of us are turned on and want skinship. Sorryyy.” Kaguya said with a laugh, then hugged Kazuki even tighter.

 

“Wa, Wait! This guy is my Kazu, you know! Get away from him!” Mio said, enthusiastically trying to wedge herself between Kazuki and the girls.

 

<<For the sake of power, to be the Pillar King, to protect others --it’s for sure a harem that is required!>> Leme said mentally as she materialized beside Kazuki.

 

At the same time, their positivity levels appeared in Kazuki’s field of view.

 

Amasaki Mio: 120

 

Otonashi Kaguya: 73

 

Hiakari Koyuki: 45

 

Hoshikaze Hikaru: 39

 

Kaguya and Mio were holding Kazuki between them and jokingly quarreling.

 

“Mio, this Magic Knight is my cute disciple, you know! That’s why, please!”

 

“No way! This guy is my partner in a party of only he and I!”

 

…

 

Sensing omens of trouble in the future, Kazuki embraced his determination.

 

No matter what happens from now on, I will protect everything important -- I will become a true King!

End Book 1