Yukime remained silent longer this time.
Not out of hesitation.
But because she was truly considering.
She was not greedy.
Her previous request had not been about an object, but a position.
Yet, if she were asked to choose…
Her tails began to move slowly again.
"Then…" her voice remained soft, yet now more certain.
"I wish for an artifact capable of stabilizing and enhancing the flow of Ki continuously."
Her gaze was sharp, yet elegant.
"Not merely to increase my own power."
A brief pause.
"But to ensure that when the Red Moon night arrives… I will not become a burden."
She lowered her head slightly.
"And if possible, the artifact should not be conspicuous. I prefer a power that does not draw attention."
Calm and measured. As always.
Yukime never requested anything without a long-term purpose.
"Very well," Gabriel said calmly, "it is I who must apologize."
He moved his left hand behind his clothing and drew out a small object hidden neatly.
A jade pendant.
Clear green, softly glowing in the lamplight. On its surface was carved a fox biting its own tail—perfectly circular.
(Note: the shape is similar to the Mozilla Fire Fox logo 😐)
He extended his hand, showing it to Yukime.
"This artifact enhances control over magical use to one hundred percent," he said. "It does not increase output. Rather, it minimizes waste, perfects the flow, and stabilizes the core."
His gaze remained calm.
"This is the main reason I came here. Not merely to visit you."
A faint silence filled the room.
"So… request something else, Yukime."
Yukime did not answer immediately.
Her blue eyes were fixed on the pendant.
Her nine tails moved slowly—not from excitement, but because she was restraining emotions she rarely showed.
She recognized its quality.
This was no ordinary artifact.
It was crafted with precision.
Prepared for her.
Slowly, she lifted her gaze.
"I…" she said softly.
She did not take it immediately.
Instead, she bowed deeply—lower than before.
"I require no other wish."
A brief pause.
"For what I wanted… has already been given long before I realized it."
Finally, she accepted the pendant with both hands.
Her first touch was careful, as if she were holding something far more than just an object.
"I will wear it."
Her gaze met Gabriel's once more.
"And I will not disappoint you… Goshujin-sama."
There was no ambition left in her voice this time.
Only a cold, beautiful commitment, like falling snow.
Seeing her reaction, a hint of disappointment flickered across Gabriel's face.
Personally, he had prepared something far more extravagant. More conceptual. A gift worthy of the only student he could reunite with after so long.
(Note: Gabriel has two students: Asta and Yukime. Shadow Garden members are not counted.)
Yet, he could only sigh—truly this time, not just in imagination.
Yukime was clearly not the type of woman to be greedy.
"What does it mean…" he murmured, "not a single request?"
Before him, Yukime slowly placed both hands on the tatami.
Her head bowed deeply.
Her nine tails fell to the floor, no longer moving with their usual grace.
"I offer my sincerest apologies," she murmured softly. "If my behavior has disappointed you… then it is entirely my fault."
She did not defend herself.
Did not explain.
She simply accepted the possibility as her responsibility.
Gabriel sighed once more.
He set down his teacup gently beside him.
Then his right hand rose.
He touched Yukime's head.
Stroking it gently.
"I see no fault," he said calmly. "Do not blame yourself."
His touch was light, almost like an old habit returning naturally.
"As for a request… you may ask for it anytime."
Yukime remained silent.
A few seconds passed before the tension in her shoulders slowly eased.
She did not immediately lift her head.
But her voice was steadier.
"Then… allow me to keep that right."
Slowly, she raised her face.
Her eyes remained calm, yet a soft glimmer was now difficult to hide.
"One day, when I truly need something… I will ask for it without hesitation."
Her tails moved gently once more.
"And on that day, I can only hope that Goshujin-sama will not regret granting me that freedom."
Her tone was soft—almost like a subtle jest.
Yet her loyalty remained unchanged.
Cold.
Beautiful.
Unwavering.
***
The next day.
Under the midday sun, during Midgar Academy's lunch break.
The cafeteria buzzed with conversations and the clinking of cutlery. At one of the more conspicuous tables, Gabriel sat alongside Cid Kagenou.
Across from them, Alexia Midgar was seated at a table laden with lavish dishes—imported pasta, premium cuts of meat, expensive desserts—a menu clearly unattainable for an ordinary student, let alone a Baron-level noble.
Beside Gabriel sat Cid's two "Mob friends."
Skel Etal—blonde-haired, tall and slender, with a face so ordinary it was hard to remember.
And Po Tato—bald, shorter, with an equally… plain expression.
Both of them watched the scene in front of them with envious eyes.
Alexia twirled her fork, wrapping the spaghetti with elegant precision.
"Open your mouth," she said flatly, yet commanding.
Cid maintained his characteristic blank expression.
"I can eat on my own."
"No," Alexia replied, feigning sweetness. "You're too slow. This humiliates my status."
Without waiting for permission, Alexia brought the spaghetti directly to his mouth.
Cid stared at her for a few seconds.
He opened his mouth, resignedly giving in.
Skel stifled a shout.
"Oi oi oi… that's a royal princess's bite, isn't it?!"
Po half-covered his face.
"How can her life be like that? This isn't statistically fair!"
Cid chewed calmly.
"Tastes ordinary to me."
Alexia narrowed her eyes.
"That's because your palate is uncultured."
Meanwhile, Gabriel remained silent.
He cut a simple piece of roasted meat on his plate—a stark contrast to Alexia's extravagant table.
He chewed slowly, then closed his eyes.
It seemed… having Mob friends wasn't so bad.
Beside him, Skel and Po began drifting to another topic.
"By the way," Skel whispered, "did you see that second-year girl from the book club?"
Po nodded quickly.
"The one with the long hair…!? Wow, if she smiled at me just once, I could survive three days without food."
"Exaggerated."
"But realistic!"
Cid interjected flatly, "You two get distracted too easily. Focus on your role as background characters."
Skel and Po stared at him. "Actually, you're the one failing at being background!"
Their conversation grew increasingly absurd—discussing the popular girls, unofficial beauty rankings, and even the conspiracy theory that being a "frog in a well" might be more peaceful than realizing the vastness of the academy's dating world.
Gabriel listened without intervening.
Yet his mind wandered.
Perhaps…
Having a few Mob friends in the future wouldn't be a bad idea.
Not subordinates.
Not students.
Just… ordinary friends.
On the other hand, Gabriel's presence at Midgar Academy wasn't entirely coincidental.
He had been enrolled by Claire and her parents—unbeknownst to them, the one attending and going through most of the school activities was a clone he had created, while the real Gabriel busied himself exploring other worlds.
The system was precise.
His identity stable.
No one suspected a thing.
And whenever he wished, Gabriel could swap places with his clone.
Flexible.
Efficient.
Almost flawless.
Finally, a faint smile spread across his face.
A small decision—but one that was clear enough.
In the future… he would find his own Mob friends.
Moments later, Alexia Midgar suddenly stood and yanked Cid Kagenou's tie without warning.
"There's something we need to discuss," she said coldly. "It's important."
Cid was nearly dragged along—
But before that could happen, Gabriel raised a hand.
"Wait a moment."
His movement was calm. Unhurried.
He reached into his blazer pocket and pulled out a single white feather.
Without further explanation, he handed it to Cid.
"I just remembered," Gabriel said casually, "Nee-sama asked me to give this to you."
"…Nee-san?" Cid furrowed his brow slightly, but still took the feather.
On its shaft was a small inscription—Alexandria Mist in Japanese. To anyone else, it looked like nothing more than an intricate decorative ornament.
But to Cid, it was clearly more than mere decoration.
He froze.
And the next instant, Alexia yanked his tie again.
"We're going. Now."
Cid was dragged a few steps along.
Yet his mind raced quickly.
There was no way Nee-san would just hand him an object like this.
He glanced briefly at Gabriel.
Then returned his gaze to the white feather.
White.
Japanese engraving.
Alexandria Mist.
A faint smile formed on his lips.
He understood.
The white feather symbolized Ash.
The Japanese inscription—a language uncommon in this world—pointed to Shadow's hidden identity.
And Alexandria Mist marked the innermost region of the Abyss Woods, a place nearly impossible for anyone to enter.
Put together, it meant: "Come at midnight, to the deepest part of the Abyss Woods. The white feather will be your guide."
An invitation.
A hidden message.
A call to a secret stage.
Cid lowered his face slightly, hiding his smile, while Alexia continued dragging him away.
____
Author's Note:
From here, you can probably guess what's about to happen 😏—these two Chuunibyou are going to duel. Hehe~ just wait.
By the way, don't make me read this alone. Come on! Support me! Give a power stone, and leave a review if you like it!