Back when Shiomi first heard the Mage's Association was sending a special envoy to Chaldea, he had a feeling.
That one person was bound to be among them.
After all, it was Touko Aozaki who had personally delivered Lord Valualeta's letter of recommendation to him.
No matter the reason, Touko was someone who would inevitably appear.
"I see... even with your body this damaged, you're still steadily recovering. This is beyond what healing Magecraft can handle."
Touko held Shiomi's arm, her fingers tracing the muscles as she used her Mana and Mystic Eyes to examine the Magic Circuits within him. She let out a genuine sigh of admiration.
"You've gotten a lot stronger since we last met, Tenkei. The reason you didn't use the puppet I gave you must be because its precision and quality can't compare to what your body is now."
"A lot's happened. It's a long story," Shiomi said with a wry smile.
"That's fine. I came here because it's a long story."
Touko let go of his arm and adjusted her glasses. Her expression softened, like spring sunlight melting away the frost—suddenly warm and human.
"But before we go on, could the three rather murderous women behind me tone down their hostility a little?"
She sat beside Shiomi.
The meeting had taken place right here in the gym, without any special arrangements.
From the moment Touko walked in, Morgan and the others had been eyeing her sharply. They weren't exactly radiating bloodlust, but their unblinking stares made the tension unmistakable.
Especially when Touko began examining Shiomi's body so casually—it intensified the silent animosity to the point Shiomi felt like he was sitting on needles.
He shot a glare toward Romani, who was awkwardly lingering at the door, silently demanding why he hadn't warned him. Romani replied with an apologetic but polite smile, silently mouthed, "Excuse me," and promptly escaped what was arguably the most dangerous corner of Chaldea.
Touko settled into her seat, patted her coat pocket, and took out a cigarette—but after glancing at Shiomi's face, she tucked it away again.
"If you want to smoke, go ahead. I'm not exactly an invalid." Shiomi cleared his throat, gave Morgan and the others a calming glance, and got straight to the point. "So? Why are you with the Mage's Association envoy?"
Touko waved off the cigarette with a shake of her head and leaned back casually.
"There are a few reasons. First, I'm concerned about your condition. Second, since it was Professor Inorai who recommended you to Chaldea and I was the one who delivered the message, we're both considered partially responsible. And third, well... the problem is you."
"I know Chaldea's Rayshifting activities violated a number of protocols. As one of the key figures in repairing the Singularities, I was planning to—"
"No, I mean your infamy," Touko cut in with a teasing smile. "The Clock Tower doesn't know your current state, but they do know you're openly siding with Chaldea. So, basically, no one else wanted the job."
That's how she ended up "reluctantly" accepting the task the Association shoved onto her.
"Uh..." Shiomi was at a loss for words.
"Even Magi get scared of dying," Touko said with a shrug, her expression tinged with amusement.
Morgan and Scáthach chuckled soon after, while Artoria still seemed unsure what was going on.
If killing Kayneth El-Melloi could be written off as a coincidence, the death of Atrum Galliasta had cemented his reputation as the "Noble Slayer."
Shiomi Tenkei rarely clashed with other Magi—but when he did, a high-ranking Magus usually didn't walk away. Rumors like that had already solidified into consensus.
Most Magi in the Clock Tower carried hundreds, even thousands of years of heritage. Even if they were tempted to exploit Chaldea's violations and seize power, they'd rather send expendables to scout the waters than risk their own lives.
"So what you're saying is—the Clock Tower covets Chaldea's power but doesn't have the guts to take it directly. That's why they sent you along with the envoy." Shiomi nodded. "So you're here to die, then?"
As far as the Clock Tower was concerned, Touko's relationship with Shiomi was no more than a nominal "master-disciple" tie. That led them to believe the Grand Puppeteer could easily handle her student.
If both of them ended up dead in Antarctica, the Clock Tower wouldn't see it as any real loss.
"Are you going to kill me?" Touko asked, removing her glasses on purpose.
"I'll kill anyone who tries to kill you," Shiomi replied, lips tightening. "But as you can see, I'm in no shape to fight. Even El-Melloi II could probably beat me in a Magecraft duel right now."
Touko slid her glasses back on and gave a warm smile. "Relax. I'll keep that little detail to myself. The Magi who came with me are all below the rank of Cause—they wouldn't dare approach you anyway."
"Then we're good."
Truth be told, when Shiomi realized Touko was the one sent to lead the Mage's Association's preliminary investigation into Chaldea, it was a huge relief.
"But before we talk shop, aren't you going to introduce the ladies behind you?" Touko turned with interest to the trio who had been staring her down the entire time, then added with a grin, "Touko Aozaki—Tenkei's ex-girlfriend, for the record."
Shiomi desperately wanted to cover his face, but couldn't move. All he could do was mutter under his breath.
"Seriously? Out of all your titles, you went with that one... Are you five?"
Still, he couldn't deny how happy he was to see her again—or how much it meant that she hadn't denied their connection.
"We've met already," Morgan said with a raised brow. "But just to clarify, I'm Tenkei's wife. Morgan le Fay."
Touko had been about to say something, but realized she didn't actually know the full story.
Scáthach smiled faintly. "I'm his master, Scáthach. I'm the one who taught him the foundation of Primordial Runes."
She'd already heard about Shiomi's exploits outside, so she deliberately emphasized that detail in her introduction.
Finally, it was Artoria's turn.
After a long pause—and some whispered encouragement from Morgan—she turned her blushing face away and mumbled, "A-Artoria. Tenkei's... lover."
"Pfft—" Shiomi nearly choked on his own spit.
"All legends, all standing right here," Touko said, visibly surprised but recovering quickly. She'd done her homework on Chaldea. Her tone was teasing, not mocking. "Your taste is as impeccable as ever. I should be honored."
"No need to say it like that..."
Shiomi squinted, trying his best to maintain a polite smile.
He was sweating so much it was dripping from his face, and the light training clothes he wore for rehab were already completely soaked.