"Who's over there?"
A shout rang out from the far end of the grounds. A night guard, alerted by the noise, hurried toward the museum.
"Oh no, it's patrol time already," Tomoyo whispered, covering her mouth. Sakura's face drained of color.
"If we get caught, Dad and my brother will find out," Sakura said in a panic. She had snuck out through her window, even bumping into Yukito on the way down. Explaining this would be impossible.
Rowan moved first.
In a blur, he appeared in front of the guard and flicked his hand. The man froze mid-step, eyes unfocused, standing there as if he'd forgotten why he was walking at all.
"That should buy us some time," Rowan said calmly. "Don't worry about the patrol. Focus on the Clow Card."
Shōma straightened. "Leave it to me."
He dashed toward the exhibition hall. Cerberus shouted something about not falling behind, grabbed Sakura by the sleeve, and dragged her and Tomoyo after him.
Less than a minute later, all of them were expelled back outside in a flash.
Along with an extra child.
A small boy wearing a cap landed among them, blinking in confusion.
The Silence card had bound itself to a famous painting inside the museum, one created by a dying father for his child. The boy before them was that very child, desperately wanting the painting restored to how it once was.
"Let's try again," Sakura said, steadying herself. "This time, we won't make any noise."
They crept back in. Sakura, Tomoyo, Cerberus, and the boy moved on tiptoe. Shōma followed, stepping carefully in a measured pattern.
Rowan stayed outside, watching with quiet amusement.
When children worked together toward a single goal, walls tended to crumble faster than pride.
After three failed attempts, they regrouped, forced to admit the problem.
They could approach the card in silence, but the moment anyone tried to use magic, a spoken incantation would trigger the card and eject them again.
"Well," Rowan said lightly, "there's no rush. Let's eat and think."
With a casual wave, a picnic blanket spread itself across the ground. Another gesture, and plates of snacks and sweets appeared.
Cerberus' eyes went wide.
"Cheesecake! Dorayaki! Dango! Pudding!"
He zipped over and dug in without hesitation. "That kid's annoying, but old man, you're alright."
Sakura, Tomoyo, and the boy stared in open amazement before bowing politely and sitting down.
"Thank you, sir," Sakura said.
Shōma frowned. "Ancestor… does our family really have magic like this?"
Rowan shrugged. "Minor tricks. You'll understand once your perspective broadens."
Shōma's eyes sparkled. "So this is what it means to reach that level… I want to get there too."
Sakura tilted her head. "Shōma, why do you call him 'Ancestor'? What does that mean?"
Shōma puffed up slightly. "He's my mother's grandfather's older brother. He's ninety-eight. Don't call him Grandpa, or you'll outrank me."
"Ninety-eight?!" Sakura and Tomoyo echoed in disbelief, staring at Rowan's healthy posture and calm expression.
"Don't worry about titles," Rowan said with a chuckle. "You can call me Grandpa. It's simpler."
He glanced at Shōma. "And outside, you should too. It avoids questions."
Shōma hesitated. "But if Mother hears about that—"
"I've got it!"
Sakura suddenly jumped to her feet. She pulled out her staff, now shaped like a small key, and took a breath.
"O key of darkness, reveal your true power. By our pact, I command you—release!"
The night air shifted.
The seal was about to break.
...
Read up to 100 chapters ahead and access exclusive novels by joining my Patreon!
patreon.com/Zyxxar