To Become a King and a Magician

Savior.

It's an easy word to say, but in truth, it's the heaviest title. The burden it carries is enough to crush anyone's spirit. And to achieve that goal, unimaginable sacrifices are required—so heavy that no one could bear them.

Aoko didn't see Naoki as a savior. Perhaps Naoki had the strength to be called one, even stumbling upon the Holy Sword that saves the world by chance. But that didn't mean he had to be a savior.

At least in Aoko's eyes, Naoki never aimed to be one. He did it simply because he had the power, and in those moments, he was the only one who could.

It was like that back in Mifune City, and it was the same now.

Aoko didn't like this situation—no, she could even say she hated it. Dumping the colossal responsibility of saving the world on one person… wasn't that too much? A young man, just 21, barely a few years into adulthood, shouldn't have to shoulder such a burden.

And he'd done it multiple times.

Regrettably, though she was one of perhaps only five Magicians in the world, Aoko couldn't take on the burden her junior had to carry.

Of course, there was the option to ignore this world, grab Naoki and Gray, and run. But Naoki would never agree to that.

He was stubborn like that. If he was the only one who could do something, he'd do it. If he was the only one who could save the world right now, he'd save it.

(Such a troublesome junior.)

Lying on Naoki's bed in his room, Aoko stared at the chandelier on the ceiling.

Was she being too petty, still thinking about her own feelings at a time like this? She didn't hate him, but afterward, it'd be hard to act like nothing happened. Once a relationship changes, it's tough to go back.

Though Aoko was carefree, she wouldn't be able to interact normally with Naoki after that. She didn't have the heart for it, and Naoki was probably the same. When it came to feelings, he was serious. Aoko wouldn't be surprised if he proposed to her on the spot.

"Ugh, that Merry—if she were just a bit more reliable, it wouldn't have come to this."

When she got back, Aoko would head to London to demand an explanation from that succubus. Who schemes like her?

But dwelling on this now was pointless. When she told Naoki to hurry back to his room, she'd already made her decision—if she couldn't take on the heavy burden of [saving the world] from Naoki, she'd at least help lighten it a little.

That was all a Magician could do. How pathetic.

*CLICK!*

The sound of the door opening echoed.

It was past 7 p.m. Earlier, after dinner with Naoki and the others, Aoko had made an excuse to head upstairs first. By her calculations, Naoki should've finished cleaning the kitchen and returned to his room by now.

Aoko sat up on the bed's edge, feeling a slight twinge of nervousness.

As the door opened, Naoki's figure came into view. Seeing her on his bed, he was startled. "Aoko? Why are you in my room? Didn't Ayaka prepare her sister's room for you?"

"I told her I'd just sleep with you, and to leave her sister's room for her. It'd feel like tempting fate to sleep there, so I came here to set up a futon. What, not happy to see me?"

"That's not it, just a bit surprised…"

It was Manaka, after all. If she found out her room was used carelessly, she'd likely fly into a rage. Besides, sleeping with Ayaka was an even bigger taboo. That jealous sister would lose it.

From that perspective, it seemed Aoko really had no choice but to share his room.

"Then how about I sleep on the floor? You take the bed, Aoko."

"No need. You think I'm some spoiled princess? Deserts, rainforests, caves… out there, conditions are nowhere near this nice. A futon's plenty." Aoko laughed. "Besides… a futon's easier to clean up."

"Huh? What'd you say?"

"I was talking about Sajyou Manaka—have you thought about how to deal with her?"

At that, Naoki's expression turned serious. "That… honestly, I've only been thinking about how to handle my other self. For Manaka, I'm kind of at a loss. I beat her once before, but that method won't work again."

The Mystic Eyes of Soul Eater—even a Beast couldn't resist its erosion. But after sealing one Manaka, sealing a second wasn't feasible. As for a direct fight…

"But you know, I've got the Holy Sword that can save the world, and I can transform into the Star Sword Master. When the time comes, I'll unleash the Holy Sword. I think that'll settle everything."

"You make it sound so easy. Hearing you talk like that, it doesn't even feel like we're facing a crisis that could destroy two worlds."

"World destruction, huh? I've never really felt it. Probably because the last few times, the issues were resolved too easily, or I'm just used to these situations… Aoko, even though you say that, I don't feel it at all."

Even the world-ending crises Naoki had faced before mostly targeted him directly—world destruction was just a side effect.

"By the way, Aoko, you said earlier I should hurry back. What did you want to talk about?"

"Oh, that…"

Crawling onto the bed and leaning closer to Naoki, Aoko smiled. "I actually overheard everything Ciel said to you earlier. It got me thinking. This huge responsibility of saving the world… I don't think it should fall entirely on you alone."

"Huge responsibility? What's that? I think it's fine." Naoki said casually. "If you're worried about my mental state, I can tell you I'm okay. I'm really strong, so it's fine if everything's left to me."

"You're only so bold because you have the Holy Sword."

Aoko's voice suddenly grew heavier.

"Kouhai-kun, if… if you didn't have the Holy Sword, would you still save the world?"