The appearance of the Black Dog and the barrier was like a storm—sudden in its arrival and just as sudden in its departure. By the time Naoki regained his composure, the unknown barrier that had enveloped the crossroads was already gone. Although the rain was still falling, the strange sensation that had pierced his magic circuits had completely disappeared.
"Naoki, are you okay?"
Running from the café to Naoki's side, Waver looked at the slightly messy street and immediately gasped: "This situation... how do we explain it?"
"The strong wind knocked down a signboard—maybe?"
Before Naoki could finish his sentence.
*CRASH!*
A signboard hanging by the roadside suddenly fell from the sky, directly hitting the spot where the Black Dog had scratched near them.
"..."
"..."
Awkwardly exchanging glances with Waver, Naoki quickly saluted in a mock military style: "I was really just making it up!"
"Your mouth really brings bad luck."
Sighing tiredly, Waver took out his communication gemstone from his pocket: "Anyway, I'll contact Professor Kayneth first. Although we should technically report to the Department of Policies first, you'd definitely be taken in for investigation. Until you can fully control your Mystic Eyes, it's best to avoid dealing with the Department of Policies as much as possible."
"Mm, please."
Turning his gaze back to the crossroads that had been damaged by the Black Dog, as if sensing something, Naoki slightly raised his head toward the rainy night.
'This time... could it be... an accident?'
From the current situation, it seemed so. But according to Waver, the likelihood of such a sudden phenomenon occurring naturally was very low. Only human manipulation could have caused this to happen at such an inopportune time.
And that Black Dog—
'Although it's not clear, my Mystic Eyes could see the source of its Mana... part of it came from the sky.'
The Black Dog is a type of undead, and the Magecraft that sustains undead originates from underground. Since ancient times, the underground has been considered the underworld, the realm of the dead, the final destination for all who die—the source of undead. Even if the Black Dog is the embodiment of thunder and has some connection to the sky, its primary Mana source should still be underground.
But just now, Naoki saw a very strong flow of Mana pouring from the sky into the Black Dog's body. Of course, not literally from the sky, but from a high place, like the roof of a building.
"Naoki."
At that moment, Waver put away his communication gemstone and looked at Naoki: "I've already contacted the professor. The Clock Tower has also sensed this incident. The Department of Policies is officially handling the matter now. It has nothing to do with us. We can go home first."
"No need to deal with the Department of Policies?"
"Pretend to be ordinary people who got caught up in it. Blend in with the crowd and just go home. Do you still remember the disguise Magecraft?"
"Mm. Need help?"
"Please."
Waver sighed in resignation. As a teacher, asking his student to use Magecraft for him was truly embarrassing.
After glancing at the street one more time, Naoki used disguise Magecraft on himself and Waver, then naturally blended in with the crowd that had gathered due to the fallen signboard.
◆━⊰✧⊱━◆
10 PM, at the apartment.
"So, this is why you two came home almost at the same time as the lights went out?"
Seeing the two of them who had just finished showering, Merlin crossed her arms and stared at them sharply for a long time, then waved her hand: "Forget it, since it's an emergency, I won't say anything. Hurry up and eat the dinner Gray made. It's been reheated a few times."
Dinner made by Gray?
Looking at the seafood curry in front of him, Naoki picked up a spoonful of soup and tasted it.
"It's delicious, though a bit cold—why did Gray suddenly start cooking?"
"That child volunteered to learn from me. Since she's staying here for free, she felt a bit guilty and wanted to help with some housework. Didn't she also help clean the rooms earlier?"
A six-year-old child, in this regard, is more mature and thoughtful than many adults.
After having another bite of the seafood curry, Naoki looked around: "Where's Gray?"
"She's already asleep. What time do you think it is? She's still a child. Children should sleep early. You think everyone is like you two, staying up late every day?"
"Not every day..."
"The day after tomorrow I'm not coming."
"Isn't that because you're on leave?"
Naoki and Waver continued chatting while eating, and because they were so hungry, it wasn't until they were scooping air into their mouths with their spoons that they realized the large plate of seafood curry was already empty.
Rubbing his stomach, Naoki looked at Merlin: "Mary, is there more? I'm still hungry."
"Don't eat too much at night. Just enough is fine."
"I'm full." Waver said while glancing at the clock, "It's late. I'll go back to my room. Good thing I'm off tomorrow, or else I'd be drowsy during lectures."
"Me too—"
Just as Naoki was about to follow Waver upstairs, Merlin snapped her fingers, signaling him to wait. After the sound of Waver's footsteps completely ascended to the second floor and the sound of a door closing was heard, Merlin finally said: "Naoki, tell me more details about what happened earlier."
"Huh? Why?" Naoki frowned suspiciously, "Don't tell me you want to meddle and stir things up?"
"How could that be? What kind of person do you think I am?"
Seeing Merlin pretending to be sad with her hands clasped, Naoki scoffed coldly. He didn't say anything, just looked at her with a disgusted expression.
Laughing awkwardly, Merlin continued: "Well, it's almost like that, but this time I don't intend to make the situation more chaotic. I just have a few thoughts I want to confirm, and [incidentally] stir things up a bit."
"If you reversed the order of those two goals, I might believe you."
With Merlin's explanation, only someone who had just met her or didn't know her at all would believe it. After all, Naoki didn't believe a single word. Merlin not causing trouble? Even the devil wouldn't believe that!
"If you want to know, investigate it yourself. If I tell you, wouldn't that be digging my own grave? I'm sleepy, I have classes tomorrow. I'm going to bed."
Naoki immediately ran upstairs, not giving Merlin any chance to act.
Watching Naoki quickly escape, Merlin sighed in resignation, then as if remembering something, she anxiously rubbed her head: "Oh dear, I forgot to say, his room might be... a bit uncomfortable?"
Even so, the corner of her mouth clearly curled up.